The Fearless Warrior

When I arrived at home, Rainbow Dash had already left. For the whole time I was walking to my house my thoughts were spinning around the fact that I almost kissed her... I almost kissed a pony! But, she was not a normal pony. She was what I could call 'people'. She had feelings, thoughts... she could fell fear and joy. She had her own dreams and... She was beautiful. I didn't know how to explain that, but I was feeling attracted to her... more and more I was falling for that cyan pegasus… I went to my bed to sleep, but it took me a very long time to be able to rest. Her image and the moment our lips almost connected were still too fresh in my mind.

I woke up with the feeling of something climbing on my bed. I open my eyes... it was still dark and I could see just shadows. I rubbed my eyes to see it clearly...

"Steel Head?" I asked when I could see the silhouette of a pegasus.
"No silly... It's me..." a very familiar voice said. My heart started to pound fast.
"R-Rainbow! What... what are you doing here!" I asked in shock, very alert now.
She walked on my bed, getting right next to me and laying down. Now that my eyes were used with the darkness I could see her forms clearly. She had a soft smile and was looking straight into my eyes.

"I came because... I couldn't stop thinking of this afternoon... how... incomplete it was…" She said looking away, embarrassed. "You know... before Derpy came... we..." She said an incomplete phrase, maybe too embarrassed to finish it. I simply felt my face burn.
"A-about that..." I started but she pressed her hoof over my mouth gently.
"Shh... don't need to say it..." She said getting her face closer to mine. My heart was pounding so fast that I was sure she was able to hear it. She put her hoof over my nude chest... looked deep in my eyes... and smiled. "You are really a foal" She said and I arched an eye brow.
"what...?" I asked.

Suddenly her head started to inflate, like a balloon and exploded with a loud 'pop'. I jumped out of the bed, startled by that. Then I saw one of the most bizarre views: Rainbow Dash with Discord's head. It took me a few seconds to assimilate things.
"DISCORD!" I shouted in anger and the bastard started to laugh very loud. The rest of the body started to change too, until it was in the same shape and size of the weird dragon, Discord.
"By Celestia! You had to see your face! It was PRICELESS!" He said rolling in my bed while laughing.
"Damn! You are lucky I'm not with my axe around!" I said crossing my arms. He stopped the laugh and then sat up on my bed.
"Awww don't be so angry..." He said teasing me. "One day... who knows? It will be really her climbing on your bed... while you are naked... your bodies pressed against each other..."
"STOP!" I cut him and he started to laugh again. Damn, this guy knew how to be annoying! "What do you want this time Discord?" I said sighing... knowing that getting mad at him would not do any good.

"heh, I just wanted to see how you were doing..." He said lying with his arms crossed behind his head. "Did you like your new armor? I gave the inspiration to Rarity and that old blacksmith to do it that way." He smirked at me.
"Well... yes... very much. Was your idea to make the helm like a dragon's head?" I asked
"Yes and no... I just commented with Celestia how your soul looked like when you fought the Hydra... it take the exact shape of a dragon. Pretty scary I need to admit." He said looking at me.
"So... the legends about dragons were true?" I asked curious now.

"Hmm... no. How can a human possibly have the blood of a different creature like that?" He said chuckling. "No... that loss of control you have is because you have to much chaos in your heart. When that chaos take control over your minds, the shape of your soul change to match your new nature..." He explained to me.
"So... My father changed into a dragon too?" I asked
"Nah, he had the shape of a wolf... A creature that is very loyal to his family and will do anything to protect it. You have the shape of a dragon because you really go on a rampage. One of the strongest traces of a dragon is that it is very extremists. It can be the most loyal and selfless creature, like that little Spike, or really selfish and greedy." Discord explained.
"Ahm... so... that means...?" I asked not fully understanding.
"That means that you are always going from one extreme to the other. The first time you changed was for a selfish reason. Fear of losing your own life and every single creature turned out your enemy. The second time was for a selfless reason. You feared for those who you cared most and you fought to protect them." He said.
"But... I remember trying to attack Rainbow" I said in a frown.

"Yes, but you didn't, you moved your body to the side so you would miss her. Imagine that a dragon have always two personalities fighting each other... usually one is always a lot stronger than the other, but on your case, both had the same strength. The factor to decide who would take control in the end was your love for the element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash." He said smirking at me and I blushed lightly. He chuckled.

"Ok... but what the real reason that made you come here?" I asked changing the subject.
"I wanted to know if you realized what is Chaos yet" He asked and stood up.
"Well... not really..." I scratched my head and he sighed.
"Yeah... I thought so... It seems that you are so immersed in it that you can't see it alone... maybe you need a little help..." He said and the sun outside suddenly rose, illuminating the room completely. He snapped his fingers and a copy of me appeared right next to him. But his eyes... they were completely black.

"What the..." I looked at that thing a little shocked. Discord snapped his fingers again, and my body got covered in my new armor. My sword in one hand a brand new shield in the other. "What's going on!" I asked totally lost.

"This is the representation of your chaos... you two will have a little chat to each other." He smiled.
"But why I'm dressed like this?" I asked looking at my armor.
"Because you will be chatting with your own chaos.. and... well... he tends to be a little violent. Anyway good luck" Discord said fast and disappeared.

I looked at that version of myself. He was wearing only a pair of pants. He stared at me and in his hands a huge sword appeared. He came charging at me and I used the shield to hold his charge by punching him with the metallic part of the round shield, acting on impulse. He lost his balance and I used that chance to run to the balcony of my room and then jumped to the ground below. I knew this was just a dream so I was not going to hurt myself... but of course I was wrong.

I fell on the floor and hurt my leg when I hit the ground. Nothing bad enough to do some big damage, but that still hurt. I saw my twisted version jumping after me. He was with his sword over his head coming for a monstrous blow. I rolled to my side right before the deadly blade hit me. I stood on my feet staring at him. My twisted version came charging again in a sequence of strikes that I knew well.

Since he was me, I knew every kind of movement he knew, we both were trained by the same person. I started to dodge at first, waiting for the opportunity... it came when he rose the sword. I charged at him to punch with my shield. But he didn't execute the blow. He only lifted the sword as a decoy and I fell for it.

When I charged he stepped to the side, spinning his body, and I felt a hard blow at my back that threw me at the ground. If it was not for the armor, I would have been cut in half with the power of the blow. I rolled again to face my twisted version and saw when his sword was falling to hit me. I used both hands on the shield to hold that blow. I felt my arms going numb with the impact.

"You attacked Rainbow Dash! You betrayed Princess Celestia! You let your father die!"
I hear him shouting at me, all the things that I did and avoided thinking because I knew it was all my fault. In my position I could do nothing but defend myself against his blows...
"You attacked an innocent pony! You are a coward! Afraid to be alone! Afraid to die! Afraid of the world and afraid of yourself!" He kept screaming at me. I didn't know what hurt most, his words or the blows I was blocking.

He kicked my shield to the side. My arms were already swore and tired from blocking so many blows. I had no strength to hold my shield and it escaped from my grasp. Right after I saw the pointy blade of his sword coming at me, piercing my armor and my flesh, right in my stomach. I gasped and felt the taste of blood. The pain was overwhelming.

"You don't deserve to live... you don't deserve to be in control and you don't deserve your friends!" My twister version said between teeth, in his eyes I could pure hatred. He pulled the sword out of my body and lowered with a full force blow at my head, I just closed my eyes...

I didn't felt any pain. Even my stomach was fine now. Opening my eyes I could see myself in the void. My armor was gone too and I could see discord in a relaxed position, floating around.

"Had a nice conversation?" He chuckled.
"What the hell what that!" I shouted at him, standing up.
"Your chaos, hehe... strong isn't he?" Discord said looking at me, grinning. I just stared at him. "Tell me... what did he said to you?"

"He told me all the bad things that I have done... The things that I did and I regret most..." I said breathing deep to try calm myself.

"Yes... And how did you felt?" He asked again.

"I think it is pretty obvious how I felt..." I said angrily at him. "I felt horrible..."
"Yes... and he got stronger and stronger, didn't he?" Discord chuckled. "Tell me... What do you think I used to create him? And don't say chaos... think of something else." Discord said getting closer. "Think before answering… what was his stronger characteristic? And what was he hitting, beside your body, of course."
"Well..." I stopped for a moment to think. I was not sure of what it was so I took the first thing that crossed my mind. "Emotions...?" I asked a little hesitant.

"YESSS! FINALLY!" He said and hugged me thigh for a moment. "Now! Tell me! Chaos is...?" He looked at me smiling widely, waiting for my answer.
"Chaos is... emotions...?" I arched an eyebrow and he threw me up. The scenario changed I saw myself very high in the blue sky. When I was going to fall a cloud came and held me. Discord was right next, looking really happy.

"You finally got the first step to understand what chaos is boy... it took you long enough... But, I guess not everypony is smart as Celestia" He chuckled.

"Wait a second..." I said looking at him "You mean... that chaos is made of emotions?"
"Remember what I said before Eravel... Don't put Chaos and Order as evil and good. One completes the other so we can have harmony." He said pulling a cloud to lie on.
"Ok... now I'm confused..." I said giving up. He just rolled his eyes.
"Mortals... pff..." He said annoyed. "Look... Chaos is made out of pure emotions, it is in constant movement. Order is reason, is the very opposite of chaos and tends to just stay still, not moving at all. If we have only order, then, nothing happen, if we have only chaos then they go out of control and... well, you see how your home world is don't you?" He started to explain. "The elements of harmony are the pure representation of order, as I already said. Inanimate objects, memento of those who once ruled Equestria for so long. Their purpose is to bring order and suppress the chaos. Their names were chosen after the virtues one can develop when harmony is achieved: Loyalty, Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, Honesty and finally Magic. This last one is more of a symbolism for the bounds between ponies." He said making small images, made of clouds, of Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pink Pie and Rainbow Dash.

"But I still don't understand what you mean about the chaos in me..." I said a little impatient with all that weird talk.

"Calm down boy, we will get there." Discord laughed a little. "Now... pay close attention... chaos are emotions, good emotions and bad too. Your world is full of bad emotions... Fear and anger runs loose in the hearts of your race. Some humans are more vulnerable to that than others. You, for example, are very vulnerable to that. You have a pool of fear and anger in your heart and this 'pool' is so big, that it turned into a different being. Something like your 'evil twin'" He concluded.

That made sense... I remembered someone talking to me when I was fighting the Hydra. Saying to give in to my fear and anger.

"I... I understand..." I said staring at my own feet. "So... what I need to do now? How do I get rid of this 'evil twin' I have inside me?" I looked at him.

"Heh, this, my little human, is something that you need to discover by yourself. But I can give you a little direction: 'If your cup is filled with poison, what you need to do to fill it with pure water?'" He said starting to fade away. "Think about it, and, when you understand my words, you will discover the first step to get purified ... But be warned: like any other thinking being, your 'evil twin' will fight back if he is threatened." Was his last words and then I felt the real world surrounding me.

I opened my eyes and saw my room again... It was already morning and some birds were singing outside. The sunlight was passing through the big glass door that leaded to the balcony. I sighed lightly... I always felt a little awkward after my encounters with Discord. And as always, he left me with more questions then I first started.
"'If your cup is filled with poison, what you need to do to fill it with pure water…?" I repeated his words, trying to make some sense... but it failed. What the connection of a cup and my emotions anyway?

I stood up and stretched my body before walking towards the balcony. I open the glass door to let the morning air come inside. It was really good to actually feel the real world after my encounters with Discord. I walked outside, feeling the warms sun rays on my naked chest. I was only wearing my pants.

Not far away I could see a yellow pegasus flying followed by a strange pink cloud. I narrowed my eyes, trying to see better, and realize that the pink cloud was in fact hundreds of pink butterflies, following her leader, Fluttershy. I was amazed at how she was leading the insects like that towards the city. I kept looking at that scene until I saw a golden spot coming closer. It was flying fast, and didn't took long to me recognize the spot as the missing royal guard.

As he approached I saw that he was wearing something different from the usual golden armor. This one was very shiny and much more elegant. He soon landed on the balcony smirking at me and I could see the armor better. It has a golden one and each plate had different drawings on the edges, made of silver. Gems were carved where the pins held the plates together. His wing bones where covered by thin golden plates with elegant designs. His helmet was not much different than the normal, but it had an opening in the back where his blue mane came out.

"Hey! What do you think?" He asked standing in a heroic posture.
"Awesome." I said smiling. "But what was not even close to 'awesome' was you going to Canterlot and not even saying goodbye to me."
"Oh… about that… sorry… I had to figure a few things there." He said standing in a more natural posture.
"Let me see… some mares around there right?" I arched an eyebrow and crossed my arms.
"Yes and no…" He said looking away and I saw that there was something wrong.

"Hmm… something happen there?" I asked a little concerned.
"Not there…" He sighed. "And I don't know if I'm ready to speak about this yet. Can we… you know… change subjects?" He looked at me looking rather depressed. I simply nodded not wanting to ruin the festival that would happen in a few hours.

"Sorry…" I said scratching the back of my head. "Hey! I got a new armor too!" I said to him smiling, wanting to change to atmosphere.

"Really? Can I see it?" He said smiling.
"Not yet, is not here with me. Rarity was the one that made it and it is at her boutique" I shrugged. "And by the looks I suppose she made yours too, right?" I asked looking at him and the white pegasus nodded with a smirk.
"You are looking at the new gala armor of the entire Celestia's army. And I'll be the first one to wear it in public." He said looking very proud of himself.
"Heh, careful with that ego… if it keeps swelling like that you'll hit the ceiling." I teased him and he just chuckled.

"Mr. Eravel...?" I heard a male voice calling me and looked behind. There was a brown pegasus wearing a weird blue hat and carrying a large saddlebag.
"Ahm... yes?" I asked and he landed on the balcony.
"A delivery from Miss Rarity." he said dropping the saddlebag near me. He looked relieved to get rid of whatever that was and then flew away.

I opened the bag and Steel Head approached to see it better. I started to pull out pieces of my armor.
"Wow, impressive..." He said looking the details on the shoulders and chest. "But mine is still better" He teased. I just rolled my eyes and started to put all the things inside my room.

He took his armor off too and we went downstairs to eat something. The festival would start right after mid day and I didn't wanted to be late.
"Well... I need to take a shower before start to dress up..." I said after a good meal of fruits.
"Just don't take too long... Soon a carriage will be here to take us to the city." Steel Head warned me.
"Already? I thought that it would take a lot longer..." I said.
"The sun will soon be at the middle of the sky... and I was told to not get late or we would miss the royal entrance." He said with some hurry in his voice.

I rushed towards the bathroom and started to shower. I was tempted to stay for a long time under that warm water... That was really relaxing... But Steel Head was really insistent that we hurried, so I took a quick shower and soon I was encased on my armor. My cape attached on the Sun and Mon sign in the middle of my chest and my draconian helmet covering my face. The only thing that I missed was my sword. For some reason Rarity did not send it to me.

Soon the carriage arrived and we were taken to the city. Ponyvile was full of different decorations... The central part had several tables with all kinds of food around the fountain and the frontal part of the major building had turned into a stage. Several ponies were there already... All of them dressed in their best dresses and costumes. They opened space for the carriage land and I jumped off.

I saw some ponies staring at me a little chocked and others a little scared. I looked around to see if it was just me or... nop... most of them were really staring at me and I knew why. I took my helmet off, showing my face and their expressions eased a little. I smiled to them and waved lightly... It was a really awkward moment there. Lucky for me it didn't take long for me to spot a purple unicorn coming closer, dressed in a really pretty dark blue and purple dress with some silver stars.
"There you are Eravel..." Twilight said smiling "Steel Head..." She smiled at him e he smiled at her too. "Come you two! The girls are over there." She said leading the way
I and Steel Head soon could see the other five ponies on their respective dresses. Each one of them matched their personality in many ways. I looked at each one of them, waving hello... but when my eyes meet Rainbow Dash I just froze. She was wearing a rainbow cape... golden leaves on her head and golden bracelets on her hoofs... her wings standing up like she was ready to fly... and she was beautiful. I dare say that she could be some kind of Valkyria...
"ahm, hey Dash..." I said after coming back to my sense.
"Heh, hey..." She smiled at me... and I simply got lost on her smile. I just kept in silence staring at her... looking deep in her eyes... until I felt something bumping hard on my leg and I almost lost balance. I looked angry to see who the attacker was and I saw Steel Head pointing up with one hoof.

I looked to the sky and saw the moon moving towards the sun. My jaw dropped, I never saw the moon moving so fast. It usually takes hours for it to move on the sky, but now we could see as she approached the sun very fast, as if it would collide. The moon stood in front of the sun and a huge dark circle was in the sky... around the dark circle I still could see the sun rays and some stars started to appear around it… this was the most impressive thing that I have ever seen... not in my wildest dreams I would imagine such a scene.
Both celestial beings started to move at the same time in different directions and from between them we could see two flying objects coming fast towards us. A golden and white carriage pulled by four royal guards, carring Princess Celestia. At her side was a black and silver carriage, caring Princess Luna and being pulled by four gray pegasus wearing dark armor. As both started to get closer and closer to the ground they speed dropped. Sun and moon were still in the sky on opposite sides. That was quite a show to see...

All the ponies around opened space for the carriages to land and then bowed. I dropped in one knee and lowered my head too.
"Citizen of Ponyvile!" I heard Celestia voice echoing through space in a volume that probably could reach Everfree forest. Everyone looked at the sisters standing now side by side, out of the carriages. "Rise your heads and listen well! We are here to thank those who we can call heroes! The Bearers of the Elements of Harmony that once again proved how worthy they are! Steel Head, a royal guard that did more than what his duties called... And Eravel, an outsider who had no obligation towards us, but didn't hesitate to step in and fight to defend Ponyvile!"

I hear every single pony around me hitting the floor with their forehoofs, praising Celestia's words. The princess waited until everyone to stop and then started to speak again.

"And now it's time for us all to enjoy what those brave ones fought to defend! Let the festival began!"She said louder than before and we saw many birds flying over our heads. They started to sing a joyful song in choral. I never thought that birds could sing like that... It was simply amazing. The birds landed on the stage, where the musicians were. Soon the sound of a small orchestra started to echo... The same song that the birds were singing. The festival had started for real now.

"Mr. Eravel!" I heard a strong male voice calling me. When I looked the author of that voice I saw a white pegasus with a black mustache approaching. Steel Head, that was right next to me, straightened his posture suddenly.
"hm... hi..." I said a little hesitant.
"At easy soldier." The mustached pegasus said and Steel head relaxed a little. "My name is Thunder Wings. I'm the general of the royal guards. It's an honor to meet such a brave warrior as you." He said on that strong voice. He looked much older than Steel Head.

"Well, thank you. But I just did what I had to do... If you want to praise someone, do it to this guy here..." I pointed the white royal guard next to me "Even though he had no real experience in fighting and had little chances to win, he charged that Hydra to defend me when I was thrown away." I smiled to Steel Head.
"Is that so? Well... I think we will need to do something about him later than... maybe a promotion?" The general said with a smirk. "But that will have to wait. I hope you enjoy the party... Steel Head, you too. Don't worry about being a guard today"
"Yes sir!" Steel Head straightened his posture once more and the general left. "Wow... a... a promotion! That's just AWESOME!" Steel Head said when the general was out of sight and smiled from ear to ear.
"Heh, congratulations... You deserved it" I smiled back to him.

After that, some other ponies started to come chat with us… most of them wanting more details of what happen that day… I was not very comfortable in being the center of the attention…

"Eravel?" I heard Twilight's voice calling me after just a few minutes, and turned to see her.
"Hi twilight..." I smiled to her.
"Come with me… the princesses want to speak with you..." She said in a more serious tone. I kind of knew what they wanted... But that didn't make me feel any better.

I followed Twilight Sparkle to the major's building. The princesses were probably inside... She opened the door and went in. I sighed and got inside too.