Dozens upon dozens of doctors, healers and EMT’s flooded into the stone orphanage. The grounds changed and deteriorated from their previous standings. What used to be a playground and social vent had shifted into a scene from any one of the CSI or late night cop shows. Inside, most had gathered into one scarcely, decorated room, surrounding a young boy who they had assumed was in a great deal of suffering.
“Did I do something wrong?” The little boy asked, his turquoise eyes dribbling. This whole process was confusing to him. Just moments ago he’d been having a fine recess.
“Check his vitals,” said one of many doctors.
“It’s stable,” said another.
“What about his pulse? Is it slow, fast or what?”
“I’m telling you that everything is normal, no signs suggest otherwise.”
The chatter of everyone in the room only continued to worry the poor lad.
“Move aside please,” said an alluring voice. It was humble and quiet, yet it still reached the crowd.
Princess Luna, Everyone had thought. What was her highness doing here? Obviously there was something very wrong with this boy.
“What’s your name, child?” She said. Luna leaned down to his level.
The boy didn’t say anything. Princess Luna placed a hand on his head, ruffling his dark hair.
“It’s ok, you can tell me.”
“...People call me Bell,” he whispered.
Luna smiled. “Bell. I quite like that name.”
For the first time that night, the boy wasn't so scared.
“How would you like to come with me?” She asked.
In the short time that she had arrived, a following of news teams and journalists had accumulated. No one could believe their ears; the princess herself, adopting a seemingly sick orphan? The tag lines practically wrote themselves.
The boy was beginning to catch on. “Is there something wrong with me?”
“Of course not, Bell.” Luna said. You’re a very special boy.
Bell was absorbed in the princess’ majestic glow. She was as radiant as the stars her hair reflected. “Ok. I’ll go.”
Luna took his hand, and guided him. After leaving, a paramedic spoke up saying, “Poor kid; too dangerous for his own good.”
“Yep, that pretty much sums up my childhood,” Bell said.
"How'd you know about the part you weren't there for?" Twilight asked.
"Not important."
“Wow, that’s so sad,” said Twilight. It had been some time since Bell had lived at the orphanage. The only memories he had of the place were empty, aside from Luna. “And that’s when you moved in with the princesses?” She asked.
Bell clasped his chin, thinking. “I didn’t move in immediately,” he said.
“What do you mean? Where else would you stay?”
“At first, Princess Luna tried to pawn me off to the Cakes.”
“What?” Twilight laughed.
“Yep, but apparently my powers were too unstable, so they had to remove me.”
“Unstable?” She asked.
Bell gave her a look of disappointment.
“Come on, you know how my power works.”
Twilight nodded.
“Right, friendship,” she said. Twilight repositioned herself on Luna’s bed, inching a little closer to Bell.
“So,” Twilight began, but never expanded upon. Just as the words echoed in the oversized room, Luna burst through the double doors.
“Not on the satin sheets,” she teased.
Twilight blossomed into a beautiful shade of tomato red.
“We weren’t doing anything, short-stack!” Said Twilight, hiding behind her violet bangs. Luna grimaced, cursing the moon she was born under.
“You know full well that my physical age fluctuates with the lunar cycle,” Luna said.
Bell watched as yet another squabble unfolded before him. It wasn’t uncommon for these two to argue over meaningless nonsense. But then again, he enjoyed the company.
“Now then,” Luna said.
“What is it, Princess?” Bell asked. Stuff was always serious when she started sentences like that.
“My sister has requested a summons,” She said. “All Elements of Harmony are to be in Ponyville within the hour.”
Bell felt a lump grow in his throat.
“Relax,” Twilight said, placing his hand on top of hers. “It’s probably nothing.”
Twilight was very good at assessing a situation. Bell always admired that about her. It didn’t matter if they were facing the end of the world, Twilight would still be as brave and as beautiful as the day they met. The way her deep, violet hair contrasted, boldly, with her pale, white skin. The way her eyes could melt his heart in half a beat.
“Bell,” Celestia repeated, “are you listening?”
Bell nodded, quickly. I have to stop doing that.
“Good, then we can begin.” Bell looked about the other elements. The only few he’d previously been acquainted with, aside from Twilight, were Fluttershy, Pinkie and the one with the pretty, purple hair. I think her name was… Fairity?
“So what’s going on?”
“A fair question,” said Celestia. She had a kind tone, but her voice really knew how to boom; it was kind of intimidating. All qualities fit for a princess, I guess.
In a flash of light, not unlike the radiance of the sun, a statue appeared before the group. The statue was that of a man in his late 40s, early 50s. His goatee was wispy and cold in appearance, but the stone could have warped the image some. His clothes, a tie, button-up shirt and dress pants said he was a man of taste. But still; Bell couldn’t help but get an ominous vibe from the statue. He had a dastardly look about him.
“What are we looking at?” Bell asked. Celestia had a look of regret written on her face. Bell had never seen that look before.
“This is the single most dangerous creature on the planet, the true embodiment of chaos.” Celestia closed her eyes for a moment before continuing. “He goes by many names, but he is most commonly referred to as Discord.” No one dared to move.
Bell waited for the others to chime in, but it seemed they were just as nervous as the princess.
“Why did you call us here, Princess?” Bell asked.
Celestia’s hands eased up a bit before she answered. “He was a good person when I knew him. At least at first he was. I didn’t think that anyone could change once they’d gone far enough. But after my sister…” Celestia didn’t need to say anymore.
“We understand, Princess,” Twilight said.
“Thank you,” Celestia smiled, weakly. “There is one more thing, however. I’d like for Fluttershy to handle Discord.” All eyes fell on Fluttershy.
“Me?” Fluttershy quivered. Her pale, pink hair bounced off of her shoulders as she shook her head from side to side. “I can’t, I’m no good at this sort of thing.”
“You’ve shown me time and time again what kindness can do. I know this is your destiny,” Celestia said. Fluttershy averted her sapphire gaze to the ground. Celestia was always great with the speeches and such.
“We know you can do it,” Twilight added. The others nodded.
Fluttershy blushed and twiddled her thumbs. “Well, if you really think I can…”
“Then it’s settled,” The princess began, “I’ll be back within the week. Of course I don’t expect it to be that easy.”
“So how do we bring him out?”asked the one in the cowboy hat.
“I’ll handle that,” Celestia said. Raising both hands, Celestia aimed at Discord. A bubble of magical substance formed around her, aiding her in concentration. Immediately, her efforts started to yield results. Cracks began to surface all around the stone prison, emitting a heavenly light. Celestia’s hair stood on end, changing from one color to another. The process weighed heavily on the princess, until finally, Discord was free. The princess trembled, weary from over-exertion.
“Please, daddy, I don’t need another bath!” Shouted Discord. An awkward silence persuaded him to rephrase. “You didn’t hear that.”
“This is the most powerful creature in existence?” Questioned the girl with the kaleidoscope hair color.
“Don’t let his childish mannerisms fool you,” Celestia wheezed, “He is beyond dangerous.”
“Ding, ding, ding! Right again, Princess!,” Discord retorted. He laughed as a bowtie materialized onto his collar. Discord took a deep breath.
“Ah, I so missed oxygen. So many wonderful things about the stuff. Especially how easily it burns!” He said as he exhaled a ball of fire.
Celestia stared daggers at Discord.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve a town to burn to the ground; no pun intended.”
“Wait,” Celestia said, barely managing just one word.
Discord picked his nose. “I’m sorry, what was that? I thought I heard something.”
“I assume you know that the Elements of Harmony are the ones allowing you to be free right now,” Celestia said.
Discord didn’t budge.
“Listen to me, Discord. One hand- no- one finger on Ponyville, and you’ll regret having done so.”
Discord scowled. Stone prisons were so last year. “Yeah, yeah, or else it gets the soap again. What would you have me do, oh kind warden?”
Celestia smiled, regaining her breath. “You’ll be staying with our very own Fluttershy.”
Discord looked around, completely aware of which one was Fluttershy. “Who? Oh you!” He said, pointing exaggeratedly at Fluttershy.
“Hello,” Fluttershy said to the ground.
“Well now, isn’t that adorable? So cute, so… what’s the word?”
“...Shy?” Fluttershy played along.
“Yes, yes! Exactly my dear!” He said, hoisting her up like a child. Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile a bit.
Discord sat atop a throne of gold and ivory. He quite liked what he’d done to Fluttershy’s home. The floating furniture was his favorite part. Discord tapped his finger meticulously on his chin. He checked his watch for the third time. He’d been checking it, frequently, as if he were expecting a guest.
“Discord!” Shouted Bell, bursting through . I see the guest has arrived, He thought. Ooh, and I just though of a great line.
“Why, hello, peasant! Welcome to my humble abode! Please do come in. Ooh! Watch the canopy, it’s very valuable,” Discord said. He thought he was being very clever. He could hardly contain his excitement. Bell just thought he was being annoying.
“You know this whole time I’ve known you, which has only been about a week, by the way, you’ve been nothing but a harassment towards
Fluttershy. ”
Discord yawned. Oh, good, a hero type. These monologues could just go on, couldn’t they?
“This is just a big joke to you, isn’t it?” Bell asked.
“Among other things, yes.”
Discord stopped smiling. He really did dislike Bell. Just the whole concept of him in general. If he could, he’d just erase him. Not like it’d be hard.
“You’re getting on my last nerve, Discord. Change back Fluttershy’s home.” Bell ordered.
Discord gave him a look halfway in between hatred and curiosity.
“You really have no idea just how outclassed you are, do you? You think just because you have the, ‘Power of Friendship’ on your side, that you can order me around? I’m immortal! I’d spell it out for you, but you seem to be lacking in the smarts department.”
Bell’s foot transitioned from relaxation to a troubled stance. The room was practically filling to the brim with murderous intent. If he wasn’t careful, it would swallow him up and he’d be nothing but a memory.
“Turn it back,” Bell refined his stance.
Discord let a fang peek out from his grin.
“I’d recognize that form anywhere,” he began. “So Luna is the reason you’re so confident in yourself. She still the brooding, old bag she was when I knew her?”
Bell didn’t bother to answer, instead he inched himself closer to Discord.
Discord’s teeth seemed to shine in the dim, hallway lighting. “Go ahead; make a move. It’ll either be a big mistake or something far worse.”
Bell decided that he didn’t have much choice. Bell kicked off with his starting leg, gaining massive ground on Discord. Even Discord had to admit, he was fast. Fast enough to land a shiner or two on the embodiment of chaos.
Discord stopped and grinned again. He grinned a thin and sickening grin, before it grew into a full snaggle-toothed smile. Discord roared, he wanted nothing less than Bell’s best. Discord had never felt so powerful in his life.
Every step after Bell’s first was more hateful than the last. Still sprinting, Bell began to raise his fist. Discord waited in blissful agony, ready to take the full front of Bell’s assault. Mere feet from Discord, Bell reeled back, took two more steps, and cemented his anger into his foe’s face; his stupid, arrogant face. Discord could only laugh as he was hurled through wall after wall. This punch was beyond potent. It left such a
wonderful sting on Discord’s cheek.
“I haven’t had this much fun since fighting both Celestia and Luna! I’ve changed my mind, Bell, You’re fantastic!”
Bell fell to his knees. He was so defeated; so tired. So tired in fact that he hardly noticed when Discord delivered a spine blasting, kick to the small of his back. Bell’s body let out an unconscious scream of agony. Pure music to Discord’s sickening ears.
“Maybe not that fantastic.”
Discord had never noticed that Fluttershy had snuck up on him. She laid a faint barrage of hits on his back. Ah the other toy, He thought. Maybe it’s best that I don’t break this one. He turned, expecting to face a quivering Fluttershy, but he saw no fear in her face. The only emotion present was determination. It was bizarre to Discord, in every sense of the word.
“Stop, Discord, you’re hurting him!” she said.
“To be fair, he isn’t even conscious right now.”
She stared into his eyes eagerly. Still no fear, he thought. Before, she was nothing but irrational and quick to scare.
“Why do you hate us?”
Discord felt a strange tinge of guilt. Haven’t felt that in a while, he joked. But in all honesty, he was somewhat scared of this emotion.
“Well, I don’t think hate is the right word,” he said.
“I’m serious. Have I been that bad of a host?” Fluttershy said.
Tears began to fill the pinkette’s sad, little eyes. It annoyed Discord more than anything.
“No,” he said, stern as steel. What am I doing? “You’ve done nothing to wrong me.” Discord could feel sweat dotting his forehead. I can sweat? “It’s just that…” he needed to think.
“I’m so sorry,” Fluttershy was sobbing.
“No!” he shouted. Discord was beginning to understand sympathy. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it though. “I was just trying to have some
fun. I enjoy the chaos, really,” he said. “But maybe I’ve crossed a boundary,” he admitted. “I’m…” Really, what AM I doing? “Sorry.”
Fluttershy grinned from ear to ear. The tears were flowing like mad.
“So you’re telling me,” Bell began, “that Discord turned over a new leaf; just like that?”
Bell sat in a makeshift hospital bed in Twilight’s treehome, his injuries wrapped and bones casted.
“So Fluttershy tells me,” Twilight said.
“Oh,” Bell said. A vein swelled on his temple. “Well isn’t that nice.” Twilight smiled, playing innocent.
“Right?”
“So, if it were that easy, why did I risk my life to defend her honor!?” Bell snapped, along with some of his newly cracked ribs. “Oh, holy hell, owowowowowowowow…”
“Now you know what nurse Twilight said about moving about,” Twilight sang, “that’s a no no.”
“I’m still upset.”
“Well, to be fair, Princess Celestia did kinda say it was Fluttershy’s job to reform Discord.” Bell eyed Twilight, trying to burn a hole in her coy smile.
“This sucks.”
