Order of Discord

"Are you willing to jump down the rabbit hole to see the world as it once was, Nightfall? Or would you stay and see the world continue to crumble?"

I should just be thankful that I’m not in Canterlot. I’m lucky to be stuck out in Manehattan, where King Chaos rarely visits. Or cares about, for that matter. Canterlot was hit hard, as it should’ve been if you’re planning to wage a war against two practical Goddesses. But, it was still the generic properties as it were in any other city. The floors had felt like they were made from some kind of bouncy material, as though he had just thrown us all in a magical bounce house and said “Have fun”.

And, of course, there’s the never ending chocolate-milk rain. While it was a blessing, it was also a curse. Delicious? Sure. If you were some mare hyped up on sugar, you’d be in Dreamland. Next thing you know, you’ll be sitting next to Kirby eating cotton candy from a cloud. But for practical reasons, the rain left a mess. It just, sticks to you. Goddess-forbid you trying to get that crap out of your mane.

Weather wasn’t the only factor playing into this madhouse, of course. Homes and buildings were sometimes just floating in the air for no particular reason other than to get a chuckle or two. Some of them have been sent spinning, twirling, or even just blinking out of existence entirely. Now, I’m gonna guess the disappearing part isn’t by coincidence. Discord watches every single move we make, and you’d be dead wrong to think anyone is safe for even talking about Discord in a negative light.

Thankfully, this is just a journal. And something tells me Discord spends more time oogling up that Empress of his than reading. So, for the moment, I think I’m safe.

We all walk around town wearing the same but different expressions on our all too worn down faces. Some have gotten used to it, and walk briskly through the chaos to continue their ‘lovely’ lives in complete disorder. Those who chose to not necessarily welcome The Order, but rather except it. I can safely say I fall into this category.

Or, there are those who never welcomed the change but had no choice. Once Ponyville sealed itself up in that little protective bubble, no one got in and no one got out. So some were forced into The Order without any kind of say, and it either drove them to depression or madness. Those depressed haven’t been seen outside of their homes in months, while those driven mad have been hired directly by Discord. All it takes to be part of The Order’s guard is to just drive yourself bat-shit. Because once your mind is broken, Discord can easily take hold. You know, the old “Would You Kindly” trick, though we’re not in some under-the-ocean utopia now are we?

But the more and more I begin to wander around this beaten down and broken city we once used to know as Manehattan, the more I start to question my morality and loyalty. Is being a villain really worth it? Well, obviously not. Of course it isn’t. It’s never beneficial to be the villain in any kind of story. But what choice did I have? I didn’t want to be encased in some bubble. I’d be better off dead than living in ‘Simple Town’, as Discord likes to call it. But the more I walk, the more I have the urge to rip off this patch that says I belong to The Order.

You see, to make sure you’re not an outsider or Simple Town spy, we all wear these patches on our sleeves, the emblem for The Order. Don’t have a sleeve or something to wear? No worries, you’ll be given a pendant, a necklace, a hairpin. If worse comes to worse, and you refuse all options, they’ll just mark it on you like a tattoo. I’ve heard they mask Cutie Mark’s with the damned emblem. Because I’ve always worn my snow-white hoodie, I was spared and just given a patch to sew on.

But it never belonged. It never belonged on anyone. We were all forced into this decision in one way or another, and those who fought the forced decision… It almost felt like they were punished for trying to be a hero. How dare you try to save your world.

All of these thoughts ran through my head on my daily walk home. Both before and after The Order shifted the world and dropped it on it’s head, I worked at the Apple-Bit Arcade. An old, 80’s themed arcade that I’m proud to call mine. The owner left to live in Simple-Town and fight The Order, so the ownership fell to me (It really didn’t, but is my ‘former’ manager here to stop me? Precisely.). As far as I know, the key left in the door had a metaphorical post-it note on it that said “Here Nightfall, you’ve earned the promotion.” Which I do!

However, the gruelling walk home was the worst part. Today isn’t the first time I’ve had these thoughts on ‘The Walk’. Oh no, it happens everyday. Every single day I question my morality, but then I get home and sleep it off. What else is there to do? Participating in the chaos would only further distance myself from the great pony I like to think I am. But of course I’m not a saint, and I don’t need a priest to tell me that.

Hell, I couldn’t even see a priest if I wanted to. Discord wanted everybody following his philosophy of chaos. Learning the ways of the Goddess and following Celestia’s teachings is by no means allowed. So, therefore, all the churches went poof. To where? Beats me. Discord snapped his fingers and they were gone, off to some eternal dimension to probably endlessly float adrift in an awful void equivalent to a black-hole. There used to be one right on the corner of the road down from the arcade. But now what’s there? Just an empty hole in the ground where religious knowledge used to be.

I mentioned ‘The Walk’ earlier. That’s what I call this journey home. I take ‘The Walk’ everyday, always reminding myself of a world we could’ve had if Discord hadn’t taken rule. To think the quilted floors with properties of bounce houses and balloons would just be organized and sensible concrete sidewalks and beautiful stone and dirt paths. To think the churches and teachings of Celestia would still be around and standing tall. But none of it. Despite how lively and weird chaos made everything, it left ponies feeling empty. Including me. Empty and hollow, like a jack-o-lantern that isn’t lit.

Speaking of, here comes the Chaos King’s royal servants, the Apostles of Chaos. Oh yeah, with Celestia and Luna went the Royal and Lunar guards. So, Discord needed a new line of defense, being the ruler of practically all of Equestria, who knew when an attack would happen. Instead they became known as the Apostles, those who have been driven mad and sent to serve the King of Chaos directly. They marched around the various towns and cities, doing their patrols to make sure everyone was in line.

These guys were easily identified. Their weirdly colored armor that varied from guard to guard, and their helmets were Jack-O-Lanterns. Yep, that’s where the Jack-O-Lantern analogy comes in. I shit you not, these lunatics actually wear pumpkins on their heads with weirdly carved faces that glow white and yellow like fire. It may only be July, but it can be Nightmare Night any time of the year so long as Discord is in control. Who knows, we might be putting up Hearth’s Warming trees in September at this rate.

Drifting off in thought as I stared at the empty hole where the church used to be, I was snapped out of my trance when one of the guards gave a howl. A crazed howl, but I could definitely tell it was directed towards me. My head nearly snapped as I turned to find two guards staring down at me. One a light-pinkish mare, the other a mossy green stallion.

“I don’t know sister, this one looks like a drifter… Look at his eyes, so hollow and distant.” The stallion’s voice was raspy, as though someone had just straight up clawed his vocal cords and tried to fix them with electrical tape. The mare stayed silent, but gave a firm nod towards the stallion. “Look, I just want to get home. Do you not see the patch, man?”

“Of course I see the patch!” He hissed, though he sounded as though he was trying to quickly cover up a mistake by calling me out. I blinked and tilted my head at him, an eyebrow raised in question as he was practically tongue-tied. “You sure? You seem a little flustered there, Bucko.” That gave the mare a small chuckle, but she was quickly shut up when the other guard threatened to strike her. “Listen ‘ere, you get off easy this time. But give me lip again and I’ll bust it wide open, and I’ll let the King himself stitch it back up with electric wire.”

I gave a roll of my eyes before nodding, Clearly this loon wasn’t in for any petty arguments, and I had a walk to finish reminiscing on. But of course, we couldn’t just drop it at that. This guy had to get the last word in. To what? Prove he was the better stallion, as though he were trying to swoon the mare beside him. With what I assume was an angered glare, I don’t know for sure seeing as how I can’t see what they look like underneath their Nightmare Night costumes, the stallion eyed me before nearly barking at the mare. “Why don’t you give this lost dog an escort home? Make sure he ain’t up to anything good.” Oh yeah, being a hero or a martyr was the first thing on my mind.

The mare gave sigh and nodded, though rather silently. She definitely seemed off, didn’t she? Why try to hide and be so quiet? You were Discord’s right-paw ponies, you were directly connected to the bastard himself. Hell you could’ve bent me backwards and messed me up for a month of Sunday's, and he probably wouldn’t even bat an eye. So why stay all hush-hush? Best not to question out loud, last thing I need is a visit with Discord himself.

I felt myself get pushed forward with a small amount of force, causing me to stumble forward on the bounce-house of a floor. “Get to steppin’, I wanna see my lady back at Discord’s Funhouse in 20 seconds flat. Ha! Rainbow Dash.. What a laugh of a pegasus.” The guard spit at the ground and sauntered off, leaving me alone with the mute mare who continued to usher me forward. Well this definitely soiled ‘The Walk’, now didn’t it?

At least with the other guy I could’ve jabbed at him with smart and clever remarks. Or just straight up insults to make the guy’s skin crawl. But this mare was so, odd. I didn’t want to say anything, but she seemed to have the potential to fuck me up royally if I stepped on the wrong tile. So I continued in silence, feeling the occasional push before eventually growling at the mare. “I know how to walk, you don’t need to push.” The mare looked back, and for the first time since we met she spoke. “I know.” Was all she gave me, but I was stunned nonetheless. Her voice was, strangely normal. She had no insanity or hint of it in her voice, and quite frankly, it was a welcome change. Seeing as how the last guy sounded like rusted nails against a chalkboard.

I gave her a small questioning look, and she pushed me again. But it wasn’t a hard push, it was more or less to send a message without speaking. What I got from it anyway, was she essentially told me to “Shut your trap before something bad happens.” And I took to that advice, and kept my yap shut for the rest of ‘The Walk’. Though I made notes in my head as I usually did, bringing forth old memories of the past. Old memories that should just be long forgotten, seeing as how the world will never be the same.

Abruptly, once again, I was broken from my thoughts. But this time from the mare, who merely said “Thinking like that won’t change things.”. I looked at her again, which again was met by another push. Whoever this mare was, she sure as hell wasn’t an Apostle sent from Discord. She could also apparently read minds, which gave away she was a unicorn. Again, I didn’t know because of her goofy looking ‘headgear’. But something told me that this wasn’t going to be the end of a journey. Rather, the start of a new one.

The further we moved along the imaginary path to my home, the faster she seemed to usher me along. We were nearly up to a brisk gallop by the time we reached my home. She pushed me inside, to which I lost my balance and slammed to the floor face first. “Thanks for the escort…” I softly mumbled through the floor with clear sarcasm. The mare sighed, and I heard a distinct *Clunk* sound, as though the mare were taking off her armor. Which she was, err.. Kind of. She only took off her helmet, but now I got a full view of the mare who had been pushing me along on my walk home. The mare’s eyes shimmered an ocean-blue, her mane neatly brushed to the side but worn long. Violet with a light blue streak running down the middle. “Yeah… You’re definitely not with Discord.” I said with a soft sigh.

The mare turned and glanced at me, before offering her hoof to help me up off of the floor I face planted into. A small nosebleed, but nothing I can’t fix. Before I had a chance to say anything, the mare stood up and announced “Glimmer. Starlight Glimmer to be exact.” Name rings a bell… Should it? I ‘unno, it probably should, but it’s all a haze right now. “Uh.. Nightfall?” I mumbled back softly in confusion. “Look, Glimmer. Or Starlight.. Whatever you prefer being called. I’d prefer it if you left, seeing as how housing a Simple Town spy would surely send me to a black hole or some other bullcrap Discord has cooked up.” I said bluntly, and nodded to the door.

But, she didn’t budge. Of course. Why did I think she would? What sense would that make, right?

“Good thing I’m not with ‘Simple Town’. Goddess, you guys don’t even have the decency to call it Ponyville.” I rolled my eyes at the mare who treated me like some savage. “It’s mandatory. Discord doesn’t like Ponyville, so he gave it a stupid name. And we’re now all forced to address it as such.” Starlight seemed to ignore my explanation, and continued on to get to her point. “Well, Nightfall. Something tells me you don’t want to be wearing that patch on your arm.” She said bluntly, giving me a glare.

“What makes you say-” Of course, I’m abruptly cut off AGAIN. “I saw what you were thinking about. You’d be surprised how far my magic can go.” I sighed and shook my head. “Look, I ain’t any kind of hero, Starlight. And quite frankly, I don’t want to be one. I’d rather die cold as villain, than a martyr as a hero.” Starlight sighed softly and glanced to the side. “I know how that feels.” Before I had a chance to question, she began to speak again. “You want to make this world a better place. If not for anypony else, than at least for yourself. I’m here to help you with that.”

I forced out a snort, followed by a chuckle. “How do you plan to take back a world ravaged by a king who’s essentially a god of chaos?” Was this mare crazy? What, was she gonna wage war with Discord? Not even Simple… Ponyville, would try to take on King Chaos. And here comes this random mare, disguised as an Apostle, saying she can change the world.

“Let me ask you this.” She said, placing a firm hoof on my shoulder, which inevitably stopped my laughing at her bat-shit insane idea. I matched her gaze with my own, my bright violet eyes meeting her ocean blue ones. “Are you willing to jump down the rabbit hole to see the world as it once was, Nightfall? Or would you stay and see the world continue to crumble?” She asked firmly, waiting for my answer. Normally, I’d be a smart-ass and go with option B, then tell them to kindly piss off. But it was as though this mare forced the truthful answer out of me. “I’d be willing to jump as far as I could, even if it meant I’d only get a day of it back.”

And with that, I essentially sealed my contract with blood. Or something so close to it there’s not much of a difference. Starlight took my hoof, and within a few split seconds, a plethora of events happened. My hoof was suddenly grabbed, and bright flash flared from Starlight’s horn, followed by the door to my home being busted in by the angry guard we saw earlier, and I heard a faint voice, one of displeasure and disorder.

As we blinked out of my home, teleported to Goddess knows where, the faint voice nearly echoed Starlights words back at me, but in a more playful nature. “Down the rabbit hole, huh? I’ll have to remember that one. Tell Starlight I said thanks… Now, let’s have some fun, shall we?” There was no mistaking it, the voice belonged to none other than Discord. And he had been watching everything. Remember what I said earlier? Nothing gets out of Discord’s sight, even if he isn’t there? Guess that rings true, now doesn’t it? Dazed and confused, I stumble around as I struggle to regain my footing.

“Welcome to your new home, for the time being anyway.” Starlight said, as I opened my eyes for the very first time since the bright flash. There’s a song I feel would describe this perfectly, now how did it go again? Oh yeah.

“There ain’t no rest for the wicked.”