The Passing of Harmony

Chapter Five – Chaos, Evil and Confusion, Part One – The Grand Galloping Gala

“What was that? Were we just seeing the past? I’ve never seen a spell that could recall the past so clearly.” Asked Twilight shaking her head

“My specialty is mind and memory spells, falsification of history, memes and erasure of memories. It took some effort to alter the memories of everypony in Ponyville. In comparison to that showing everypony in the room one thousand years in the past is remarkably easier.” Said Monoceros

“If you can alter memories then how do we know what you’re showing us is true?” Asked Pinkie Pie, Solar Flare put his hoof around Pinkie

“That’s a good point, how DO we know we’re seeing the truth, Celly?” Solar Flare said gesturing to Princess Celestia, she looked away from him

“It’s all true. But what do you gain from showing the six of them the past if you’re only trying to remind me of my sins.” Celestia said as Monoceros began charging her spell again

“I’m trying to show them that their beloved and benevolent Princess hurt those closest to her and made the deepest sacrifice... Anyway back we go! I’m thinking the first ever Grand Galloping Gala.” A silver flash came from Monoceros’ horn and suddenly they were in the Canterlot ballroom.

Red Giant had taken over Solar Flare’s role as head guard for the gala, he had ditched his post because he said the music was too boring and he wanted to shake things up, Nebulae was greeting everypony that entered and Monoceros was taking a shot at bartending. Everypony was dressed up nicely, Red Giant was in full guard armour, Nebulae was in a dark green dress, Solar Flare was wearing a three piece black and white suit and Monoceros was wearing a white button down shirt with a black apron over it. Nebulae had come in to see how everything was going and almost fainted when she saw Sol on stage she saw Luna on the dance floor and made a b-line towards her

“PRINCESS LUNA, HOW COULD YOU JUST LET HIM GO UP THERE?!” she asked having to shout to be heard over Sol’s singing

“HOW DO I STYLE MY HAIR!? I JUST USE MAGIC AND LET IT SORT ITSELF OUT! ” Luna shouted back

“NO, SOLAR FLARE IS TOO LOUD!” Nebulae said running short of breath

“HE SHOULD BE PROUD, HE HAS A GREAT VOICE!” Yelled Celestia from behind Nebulae, the music stopped suddenly but Nebulae had already started her next sentence

“WOULD YOU USELESS ROYAL HORNHEADS LISTEN TO ME!” Nebulae shouted

“Wow Nebulae, how about you tone it down a bit?” Said Solar Flare from the stage, Monoceros and the Princesses were the only ones laughing while Nebulae had turned a bright shade of red, everypony else was in stunned silence

“I’M SURROUNDED BY IDIOTS!” Nebulae shouted as she stormed out the door and slammed it behind her only to open it two seconds later and shout back through the door “IDIOTS!” She shouted one last time and slammed the door again

“And on that note, we’ll be taking a short break.” Said Sol and he flew over to the bar “Apple cider please, Minnie.” Sol said tapping the bar with his hoof, Monoceros put the mug on the bar and slid it over to Sol who caught the mug and drank it down

“That was hilarious Sol! But Nebulae is going to be very upset with you for taking over the band... and that thing where you humiliated her in front of everypony whose anypony.” Monoceros

“Yeeaah... I’ll take another cider, just in case.” Sol said as he took another and drank it down

Chapter Five – Chaos, Evil and Confusion, Part Two – Discord Fever

“I’m so glad you decided to hold this gala at night so that I could be here. I can hardly express my delight.” Said Luna levitating a drink over to her and taking a sip

“Well it wouldn’t have been much of a party without the two of us here.” Said Celestia

“Thank you! We’ll be here all night!” Shouted Solar Flare on stage as he launched into another “rock” song as he called it but suddenly a loud echoing laughter interrupted him

“Huahaha, ohh, You Ponies certainly know how to have a good time, I’ve never seen such a lively soiree.” Said a disembodied voice that echoed through the hall, Red Giant and Nebulae quickly charged into the hall, Celestia’s horn lit up with magic

“Who’s there? Only a madmare talks to thin air and you do not want to make me mad! I demand that you show yourself!” Commanded Celestia

“That must be the voice of the beautiful, lovely and heroic Princess Celestia shouting at an unknown enemy ‘SHOW YOURSELF’ I love it, ready to fight it off all by herself.” The voice said

“Yeah, just come out.” Said Luna also preparing a spell

“Mmm, I don’t get the same vibe from you, but it’s not really expected of you is it Luna? Being the younger and weaker sister, it is Celestia’s job to protect all the weaker ponies isn’t it. Celestia’s getting on a bit y’know, maybe the throne would suit you better.” The voice said

Solar Flare threw off his jacket and loosened his tie “What is this, open mic night? Come on out and show me the ugly face to go with that dull voice.” Said Solar Flare uncharacteristically serious but still smiling

“HAHAHAHA, Oh you crack me up every time Solar Flare. I think you’re my favourite.” The voice said

“This isn’t possible.” Said Red Giant

“And where have you been Red Giant? I could’ve destroyed the Princess at anytime... Hahahahah, although I still could and no amount of giant ponies will make a difference, you’re weak Red, sad but true...” The voice said

“I can’t find a source, that voice is coming from... everywhere?” Nebulae said trying to pinpoint the voice

“Well if my ears don’t deceive me, that’s the sound of an over-opinionated Earth-Pony who’s out of her league.” The voice said

“Is anyone else as sick of this as me? You obviously didn’t come all this way from nowhere land just to take cheap shots at each of us, so drop the act AND SHOW YOURSELF!” Said Monoceros throwing off her apron

“Oh, fine then! You really do ruin everything don’t you Monoceros?” The voice said and a flash came from the centre of the ballroom

A strange dragon like creature rose out of the floor as if it was the surface of water, the floor even rippled and he let a bellowing laughter “Ohhhhhahaha! It’s so nice to meet you all for real.” The creature said

“What are you? Some kind of chimera?” Asked Nebulae completely enamoured with what was standing before her

“Oh, how rude of me. No I’m afraid that I’m nothing as simple as a chimera, I’m the first and only of my kind I am a Draconequus and my name is Discord.” Lightning struck behind Discord as he finished his sentence, Nebulae and Luna were quietly ushering everypony out of the ballroom

“Whoa! Nice effect.” Said Solar Flare admiring Discords creation of lightning without storm clouds.

“I’m not strong? Big talk coming from a hair-coated snake!” Said Red Giant wounded by Discord’s words

“Oh is that the best you’ve got, SSOOO BORING! World’s strongest Pony? Take a shot then!”  He said materialising a bullseye on his chest, Red Giant turned around and bucked with all his might connecting squarely on the target, Discord keeled over and burst like a balloon with confetti flying everywhere

“Pffthahaha, this guy cracks me up!” Said Solar Flare rolling over on his back and laughing.

“Wow that would’ve hurt.” Discord said emerging from beside Red Giant. “My turn...” he put his hand on Red giants head and pressed down, shrinking him to only 3 feet tall. This clearly messed with Red’s mind. He was bewildered as to what had just occurred; he was brought out of his dazed state when he heard

“Okay, FUN’S OVER!”  Solar Flare shouted, charging into help, Discord was impressed by the bravery , but bored all the same

“Come on, funny-guy, I thought you’d see the bright side!” he stood, arms wide as a taunt. He was caught off guard when he found he couldn’t move a muscle, Sol’s head connected straight into Discord’s jaw, knocking out one of Discord’s front fangs. “A subtle mind magic that stopped me from avoiding the attack. So we're playing dirty are we? Let’s roll the credits for that attack: Planning by Nebulae Castor, magical effects by Monoceros and decent punch by Solar flare.” Said Discord, before subsequently vanishing from sight. He appeared, levitating above Sol, he reached down and grabbed a hold of his wings.

“HEY, LET GO!” he shouted in response, yet without a single thought and a slight pull Sol’s wings left his back like they had been held on by tape. “WHAT THE..! YOU’RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT!” Said Sol, seething with anger, trying to jump into the air and crashing back to the ground falling on his face. Discord looked over at Monoceros. He disappeared and reappeared, towering over Monoceros. Monoceros’ horn lit up but before she could fire an attack. Discord pulled of her horn with the same effort it took to remove Sol’s wings.  He conjured a scoop of ice cream and placed on the underside of the horn “Mmm, vanilla.” He said smiling manically.

“This is beyond the realm of sanity...” Said Nebulae looking at her disfigured friends “There’s no wound, It’s as if you two were born Earth-Ponies.” She said touching Sol’s back where his wings used to be

“Oh, how perceptive Nebulae. Let’s see if I can’t do something about that.” Discord said poking Nebulae on the forehead, Nebulae blinked a couple of times in rapid succession but didn’t feel any different

“What, what did he do? Do I still have all my parts, did he shrink me?!” Shrieked Nebulae incredibly nervous, Discord tented his fingers and asked

“What’s two thousand one hundred and nineteen multiplied by seventeen?” Nebulae blinked absently as she tried to think of the answer, she knew this! She knew that she knew it, why was it so hard

“Umm, forty thousand three hundred and four!” Nebulae said confidently

“Ooh, Sorry the answer is thirty six thousand and twenty three. Ahahahaha!” Discord was rolling on the ground laughing, everypony was staring at Nebulae, who had never gotten a question wrong in her life

“I’m not... This isn’t... I’M SMART!” Nebulae couldn’t think straight, she couldn’t articulate, her extensive vocabulary was just gone

“You’re nothing.” Said Discord standing up and making his way over to the Alicorn sisters.

Celestia was rendered speechless by what she had just seen; it was impossible, Solar Flare, Red Giant, Nebulae and Monoceros were the fastest, strongest, smartest and most magical Ponies she had ever met and now they were powerless this creature’s power was terrifying and he didn’t even seem to be fazed aside from Sol knocking his tooth out with a sneak attack, “What is the extent of his power? He physically had to pull of Sol’s wings and Monoceros’s horn... Maybe if I can just keep my distance?” Celestia thought to herself but was snapped back to the situation when she heard Discord’s voice

“You’re an odd couple aren’t you?” asked Discord as he appeared behind Celestia and ran his finger down her neck “I expected you try and run away while I was dealing with your hilarious friends, the monarchy must continue no matter what right?” Celestia shuddered at his touch and jumped back so that she was between Discord and the others

“He’s right, Luna! Run, get the others away! As far you can, I’ll keep him busy.” Celestia said she prepared an attack and fired, Discord dodged to the left but then something caught his attention

“Hey, Discord!” It was Solar Flare flying at him hitting Discord right in the chest

“I thought I took your wings?” Said Discord grabbing Sol by the neck and lifting him off the ground

“Doesn’t mean I can’t jump. Hehe. As long as I’ve got energy to laugh, I’ve got energy to fight!” Sol said as he spit right in Discords face

“Well, let’s see how loud you’re laughing when you’re six feet underground!” Discord said pointing a finger in Sol’s face but lost his grip on Sol when he was shot in the back from a dark blue beam which knocked him to the ground

“No sister! You and I will defeat this foe together!” Luna said as she flew past Discord, picked up Sol and landed beside Celestia, they prepared for Discord to get back up

“Everypony! I-...” Celestia started but was interrupted by Sol

“Save it Celly. The six of us are going to beat up this bearded weirdo together.”

Celestia’s stern look turned into a smile as she said “I was only going to say thank you.” The six friends suddenly looked over at Discord who was up now and slowly clapping.

“If we’re done with feelings hour, I think we can get down to business.” Said Discord who was beginning to look angry

“The only things that’s “done” here is you Discord!” Luna said

“Yikes, that was lame. Maybe you should leave the jokes to the ex-pegasus, hmm? *sigh* I never thought I’d say this but I’ve had enough fun.” Discord said snapping his fingers and with a flash of light Celestia and Luna’s horns and wings vanished,

Celestia was once again at a loss for words “He’s just been playing with us this whole time? This doesn’t make any sense!”  Shouted Luna, Discord let loose with thunderous laughter “Make sense? What fun is there in making sense?” Said Discord looking down and six defeated Ponies “You should consider yourselves lucky I’m letting you even continue miserable little half-lives.” Discord said

“What are you going to do then?” Asked Nebulae

“That blow to your IQ hasn’t done anything to your nosiness has it, Nebulae? Let’s see shall we where should I banish you to? Tartarus... nah, it’d be over too quickly. Hmm... Oh, it’s perfect! The Everfree Forest!” Discord announced and snapped his fingers and all six ponies disappeared with a flash except for Celestia’s crown which clattered to the ground.

Chapter Five – Chaos, Evil and Confusion, Part Three – Exile

The six Ponies appeared with a flash of light within the boundary of the Everfree Forest they could do nothing but gaze in terror as Canterlot fell into a state of pure chaos, buildings broke apart and turned upside down, cotton candy clouds rained down chocolate milk and the entire city appeared to be painted plaid, eventually Celestia could take no more and charged towards the city “I’m going tear him apart!” shouted Celestia but her crusade was cut short when she ran head first into some kind of force field and was knocked onto her flank, everypony ran up to make sure she was okay, the force field was only visible when one of them touched it, Monoceros chucked a rock at it and it went straight through

“Maybe it doesn’t affect inanimate objects.” Said Red Giant his voice sounding a lot less powerful with his diminished stature

“... or maybe...” Said Sol picking up a frog that happened to be passing by and chucked it through the force field which it passed through like nothing was there

“So what that does that mean?” asked Nebulae damning her ignorance

“It means that somehow that monster has created a force field that blocks the six of us specifically.” Said Luna putting her hoof up on the field

“So we’re stuck here! And I can do nothing but gaze on hopelessly as my people are terrorised by that moron! I CAN’T ACCEPT THAT!” Celestia shouted as she smashed her head against the field “What should I do?” Celestia said weakly, she slumped down as a single drop of blood beaded down her face

“I’ll tell what we shouldn’t do, is that we shouldn't give ourselves brain damage.” Said Sol as he checked Celestia for a concussion “I think you’re alright...” Celestia begged to differ; this situation was far from alright.

“There are all kinds of horrible creatures in the forest; maybe we can somehow sic one on him. Point it towards Canterlot and somehow send it on a rampage it might just get him.” Said Luna making observations as they walked around the forest looking for somewhere that they could set up a shelter

“That jerk would probably turn anything we sent at him into a kitty-cat... What is wrong with me?” Nebulae asked not wanting an answer

“My hooves hurt! Is this what walking is like everypony, really boring... and slow. Where are we going anyway? There’s no clearing or anything like that, everywhere looks the same!” Said Sol fed up with walking around everywhere and wishing they would just stop and set up camp

“That’s pretty negative of you Sol, I thought you always saw the bright side?”Monoceros asked trying to think anything that could give them a fighting chance against Discord

“But there is no bright side! Red is one eighth his usual size, Nebulae’s brain is now a box of cats and that takes some getting used to trust me, I know! And the other four of us have been castrated... in a manner of speaking. And we’re going to live out the rest of our days in a dark, dank forest with nopony else to talk to but each other for the rest of eternity and I can guess what the number one topic will be!” Sol said losing his smile but suddenly everypony stopped staring at their hooves and looked as somepony approached over the top of a hill

“I don’t know about you youngsters but I may have a few interesting things to discuss with you.” Said an old pony wearing blue robes and a long beard and the strangest thing of all his floppy hat with bells all around the brim

“And who the hay are you, crazy looking old pony?” Sol said taking a step back but Luna and Celestia stepped forward and Luna turned back towards the rest of the group

“Mare and gentlecolts, I give you Starswirl the Bearded!”

Chapter Five - Chaos, Evil and Confusion, End