Just A Gameby Ice StarChaptersRound 1: A Sister Not His OwnRound 2: Things Fall ApartRound 3: Think About ItRound 1: A Sister Not His Own"Do you think she'll like them?" Discord asked eagerly. The young draconequus thrust the clawful of flowers he held into the shadow of the tree and looked up into its spacious branches. The leaves made it hard to see past the shade. No wind was strong today, and yet, they still rustled faintly. He knew she was in there as soon as he heard that. He snapped his paw and watched as some of the leaves — not as much as he had intended, but still, it was better than none — changed into a swarm of green butterflies. The flock flew off instantly and noisily, leaving many of the branches now bare. Some had changed back to leaves mid-fall — there was something about his magic that he had to work on. It was nearly as impulsive as he was. Discord watched as they fell to the ground. A small blue shape peered out from the naked limbs. "You are supposed to 'seek' when We hide," she said, raising her voice more than usual until it held a playful pout, "not pick flowers!" Discord watched Luna stick her tongue out and grinned, showing off his snaggle tooth. Luna never laughed at his smile the same way that Celestia did, and she was more fun-loving. Despite her peculiarity, Luna was the one who was always willing to play a game. Or at least he thought so. Celestia was the leader, the talker, the one who cheered everyone up as they embarked on each day of travel. Both Luna and Discord were rarely in need of any encouragement. In Discord's case, he just wanted to watch her try to wrangle everything amusing and distracting into shape. It was strange and fun to see her treat adulthood as a pretend game when she spoke to them, even though she didn't seem to realize it. Luna was the quiet one. He didn't get her, or that any creature could ever enjoy when the world stood still. She liked pranks, adventure, telling stories even he thought were strange. She pulled wild ideas straight from the imagination in a way that were more like something his kind might tell, whereas Celestia stuck with filly-tales of princesses, knights, and a world he never knew. The idea of such a harmonious life being ordinary piqued his curiosity, and he simply could not ignore it when Celestia spoke — even though she was almost always talking. Luna liked sparring with a stick; Celestia always wanted to perform the curious ritual known as the tea party or piece together something called skirts out of the grass. Luna wasn't afraid of the dark and enjoyed spending time to herself, something Discord found boring. Yet, Luna had a good eye, and if anyone could advise him on how to catch Celestia's usually-elsewhere attention, it was her. Even if she was always hiding in trees and tall grass or other places, looking for things like snakes and stones and sticks, she was still a filly. Fillies liked flowers, or at least that's what Celestia said. She talked about things like that — flowers and princes. Neither sounded too interesting to Discord, but what made them slightly interesting was someone he cared about liked them, and for the most confusing reasons. But he liked seeing Celestia laugh more than anything. Sometimes she was so serious, and that just wasn't that fun. So, he wanted to give her flowers. Luna's horn glowed with a mess of turquoise sparks — she was still learning, after all. Moments later, she reappeared on the ground, looking up at him with her pale blue mane shining with captured starlight. She always stayed up late, sometimes sneaking about. Discord did on occasion. He never gave it too much thought — bedtime came when he wanted it to, not when Celestia said it did. Some days, he would be wide awake. On others, he would prevent the group from traveling because he was asleep on others. It felt like he was keeping things fresh, and Discord liked nothing else if to randomize his routine so that there was none. It probably had to do nothing with the growing itch of his magic that seemed so much more fun half-formed and spontaneous. It had nothing to do with the entirely imaginary burn in his hindlegs and wonder-whats and could-bes of him just going elsewhere. Were he to do that, maybe he would be able to get away with being even less orderly or just letting magic go free— No, he always told himself that they were his friends in a rather empty world. That's why he was asking Luna for help. Luna had been busy peering at the flowers, her thin magic aura coming in spurts as she used telekinesis to rifle through the delicate blossoms. Their soft colors of pinks and purples were lost in the dark and they weren't that hardy for wildflowers. Still, that was how he knew Celestia would like them — fragility and prettiness attracted her. Discord thought they were silly, and not in a good way. "There is no trick?" "No," Discord said, "when has Celestia ever mentioned liking her flowers with tricks?" He avoided her gaze and stood a little straighter. "Turning them into spiders would be nice," Luna mused, her eyes shining with pure delight. Discord looked at her, a little baffled. It sounded like a good idea, turning the flowers into something else. But spiders? He never really gave them much thought. Celestia was absolutely terrified of them. He just thought it might be fun to have eight legs, and of course, learned the hard way that even spider-like things frightened Celestia. And yet, without that incident, they never would have learned that her magic could come in wisps of flame, something that was surprisingly interesting for Alicorn magic, at least to Discord. "Spiders aren't really that cute, Luna." He brought the flowers to his own muzzle. "Is there anything else she really likes? A color? A texture? Colors are really easy—" Luna cocked her head to the side, making the unexpected decision not to pout upon being denied spider related things. "She likes your jokes. You could tell her one of those. Or a whole bunch of them! Oh, and orange is one of Tia's favorites!" Discord stared at Luna's wide grin. It looked a little freaky in the dark, glowing in the moonlight that shone in her eyes. They weren't like her sister's, where they never changed. The eyes of this little filly changed at night. Such a harmless was one that they all knew about, but he still wasn't sure why an Alicorn needed eyes like a desert cat's, with slit pupils that went wide with surprise and babyish joy. She didn't grin all that often, but Luna was never unhappy. Luna wasn't like ever-smiling, constantly tittering, and talkative Celestia. She was a good prankster, and having someone to play with was always nice. Since Discord had never had any nestmates, Luna acted as a way for him to experience what was the closest thing he had heard of such tales. Between them, there was always a way to make young Celestia smile or act like she was just a little annoyed with them when it was plain that she was obviously biting back a grin of her own. A grin that always seemed to be directed at him. Discord didn't think that could be random. Lots of things were. Or might be. But Celestia? Not really. That meant something. She thought everything meant something — that meant her smiles and blushing-giggles had a purpose. One that only Luna hadn't picked up on. Discord and Celestia never could figure out how to explain to one another what their fluttery feelings meant — or if she shared them. Discord wanted advice on something as mundane as flowers for the emotions Celestia stirred in him. He was out of his element here. He wasn't a filly. Or an Alicorn. Or kinda boring. But Celestia smiled every time she came across a nice patch of flowers. It was the times that she didn't smile that was worse than boring, dreadfully lazy days. "Maybe," he said eventually. "Maybe I will, okay?" "Do you have any good ones?" Luna cocked her head to the other side. Discord waved his paw and tapped his throat. He spoke again with a voice high and scratchy, but in a passable imitation of a female, despite the cackle-y sound. This quality of his voice didn't seem to belong to any other creature at all. It wasn't a complete alteration, only a scratching mimicry that sounded like gargling gravel, only squeakier. Maybe he could do those one day, and maybe he couldn't. Until then, this was fun and it made others laugh and point. He liked that. "I always have the best jokes, little Luna! Just like a princess always has a boring-happy kingdom!" Luna snorted a little, and maybe Discord felt just a little bit offended. He wasn't that sure about what princesses actually did other than be stuffy and boring — which he did. At least his 'Princess of Chaos' voice always made Celestia laugh. "Sometimes," Luna said simply, plopping onto the ground. He snorted. Leave it to Luna to rain on his happiness. To highlight how tragic and bitter this moment was, he conjured a small, rumbly cloud above his head. It was quiet enough to not wake Celestia, who slept at their campsite not far from the tree-dotted meadow where they were. Celestia never liked to be alone, but it wasn't likely she'd find out. Discord certainly wouldn't tell her. He gave Luna an exaggerated frown. "Are you saying that I'm not funny?" His princess's voice was gone and he tried to manage the same pout Luna did whenever she wanted something from Celestia. It turned out as exaggerated as his frown, but how was he to know that? It wasn't Discord's fault that her pouts were a curse on their own, a pure product of babyish whimsy she used to get nearly whatever she wanted. By Luna's soft laughter, it seemed. Her dark forehoof stretched up to point to his funny face. Discord tried to scowl. At the same time. It didn't look so well. Luna snorted mid-laugh. Completely and only slightly annoyed, Discord tried to stand taller and walk away proudly, flowers still grasped in his claw. Though, this was not before he shot the little goddess a stink eye. Between him and Luna, jokes and attention weren't something almost serious — but still quite fun — like it was between him and Celestia. It was just a game. Author's Note [Revised for print on 1/15/2021] Round 2: Things Fall ApartHe didn't see her as she dived into the clearing, or how she spilling out from the fog like some kind of demon. Her armor was a bit battered and candy floss clung to her mane. It was darker than he remembered and now boasted highlights of purple. Discord saw how it glittered and rippled. Less pleasant things marred what the dreary ponies who called themselves Equestrians would praise as beauty, but Discord was indifferent to this sister. She would be nothing but a filly in his mind, no matter how much her current appearance contradicted that. Streaks of blood from cuts on her body and the creatures he altered to serve him marred her. Tales of her prowess in combat — magical or otherwise — against his twisted creations and corrupted mortals had reached his burning ears oh-so-quickly. It was no surprise she found him first. Luna was the sneakier by far. A dark cloak, now torn, rested atop her withers, twinkling runes stitched along the hem hid the wings she occasionally flared. All of this was as though she was trying to boast of her swift, silent, and deadly nature. If it hadn't been for that twinkle, and the strange look in her eyes he might not have seen her at all. She had gone from playing in the shadows to becoming one. Her stare was almost too clear, the deep blue of her eyes finding something that he dismissed as fancy. But betrayal was there too. Maybe even some disbelief? He wasn't one to dwell on feelings that were complicated, and certainly not the kind that led to all morose matters like moodiness and contemplation. Or at least, not often — every bit of who he was, what he liked, and what he craved could stand no such things. They created stillness and other dastardly things. ... Discord was the grand Chaos King of what was once the Equestrian, Triarchy. Three united tribes of the north had all been led down to the bountiful lands of the south. Each had been looked down on from the World Tree he thought would be much better than — if any ponies or gods knew how to find it. For the regular trees, Discord felt that if they were able to eat the ponies who attempted to use it for firewood in these barren times instead of just accepting ax strokes, they would be improved. He had heard of these ponies that came down from the north while he resided farther in the south, hailed and pampered as the fickle god of the kingdoms there, yearning to stir up anarchy. He had felt the magical imbalances of the world, sudden jolts of energy that shook him and stirred the magic in him and willing him to seek out what ruin or riches would be left in the wake of the source. It was the scavenger's instinct, and as far as Discord knew, he was the only one of his kind. He had heard of the gods that lead mortals in an exodus from a frozen waste. Unfortunately, Discord had heard the tales far too late. When those stories had reached his ears, they had already begun something like a kingdom. All of this happened while he wallowed in worship and stagnation in the desert lands. In those most curious stories, he had recalled an especially interesting tidbit. In them, there were two Alicorns, and that they reportedly lost an empire at some point. He didn't bother with the details, he just thought he would get to see his friends again, and that they would welcome him even without an empire. Like a flick of power, Discord had suddenly known that he had to take a trip to what was the north for him. He had arrived in a burst of the latest bout of imbalanced to wrack the homeland of the two sisters he had known so long ago. He had headed up from the south, only to find a land of castes and deeper stagnation where tradition ruled, if only barely. It also bored Discord greatly. The ponies were everything the friends he had left ages ago — friends who spoke of the north like a promise — would hate, and those two crazy sisters were nowhere to be seen. These wretched ponies spoke of a great, kind white mare beyond a pony's understanding. The mortal rulers were nearly all deceased, and of course, Celestia would never mind him having a little fun with these terrible excuses of ponies, who proclaimed that Celestia was their hero. Of course, Discord had known that meant she must be planning to bring fun and smiles to them all one day. During this time, Discord knew that the ponies couldn't possibly be the mortals of the friends he had, especially when nopony had known who Luna was. Surely Celestia, sweet Celestia, would hate ponies like this? He had so much power now, too. The ages of messing in the affairs of mortals left him with so much opportunity to wreck havoc on a land not his own. And that was exactly what he did on the eve the last magical disturbance rang out — the Triarchy was no more when Platinum died. ... Discord looked at Luna again. Betrayal and anger were fresh on her face. She was never the forgiving one between the two. Forgiveness was a peculiar thing with her. Celestia would let him get away with so much and extend it without much thought. But Luna? It was something to be coveted with her. She still seemed so sad and pushed aside in how she currently presented herself before him. Why? How, especially when it was always she who was the more stubborn sister? "So it is true." The mare drowned in shadows whispered with a voice that knew too much woe. "It really is you." There was no exaggeration or malice to her words, not yet. It was just the grim truth, all wrapped up in obvious layers of astonishment. The grove felt colder after she spoke. He just really hadn't known how much they had changed, not when Discord had only seen half of his old friends. She certainly wasn't his friend. This may be still somehow Luna, but this reaper — a shadow bundled up so that none could see her — didn't want to joke with him. He felt nothing for her. Not even pathos. Just annoyance. He was a king now, and this country was to be as random as he wished. She was, as ponies spoke of her, the lesser half of two goddesses — and that was when they knew she existed at all. Discord just wanted out of the way as much as her own subjects did. He plucked an apple from the tree's branches and tossed it at her. All this was before he took advantage of his peculiar form and slithered around the truck, eventually sliding into the dying plant. She was much quicker than he remembered. Far quicker, and deadly too. In the time since the fall of the mortals who ruled, the crown was a concept to be discussed with threats of violence behind it and action taken in all the wrong ways. All such acts of mortal folly only furthered divisions and interpersonal conflict. Everything had all been so easy for him, and as a result, she had seen war. She had clearly things in the north too, and her sister had too. He didn't care what they were, not unless those could somehow stop them — but it was written in their present circumstances, and thus, impossible to ignore. Discord knew that she fought, that much was clear, but she was fighting to establish a plan and diarchy not her own. If what he heard was true, it did indeed sound like there was more intent for a monarchy to rise in the event of his impossible failure, not a diarchy of all things. Maybe she was playing hero too, and to ponies who often didn't even know that she existed. He didn't really know. Discord just jumped to a different tree with a flash of magic and a clap of his mismatched limbs when an arc of her lightning came too close to hurting him. Was it revenge against throwing rotten fruit at her? Maybe. He just wanted there to be action, and his mind had a constant need to move with the rest of him. This was a starting fight. It was turmoil and strife. Power hummed in his ear, drowning him in its disobedient song. There was no need to think about such things. About anything. She wanted to usurp him, that was clear. Luna would lose this battle. They hadn't seen one another in ages. She couldn't possibly know her enemy. She wasn't aware of the things that he could do now. He wasn't aware of all the things she knew either, but that wasn't the point. Luna wanted him out of the way because of what he did to this land, no doubt. She was also the bearer of a plan that her eyes said she did not support. She did not speak. She was a shadow, and Celestia's shadow specifically. She was not the filly that he knew. He didn't even want to face her, not when she was so miserable and depressing. Maybe Celestia would be interesting to fight, if he was ever going to see her again. They all grew up. And yet... This was still just another game. And it would be a win for him. Author's Note [Revised for print on 1/18/2021-1/20/2021] Round 3: Think About It"Oh, Loony-Moon, open up!" Discord hit the door at least six more times than was necessary and he did so loudly. The hallway of Canterlot's castle that housed Luna's wing and private chambers echoed with the unwanted noise as the usually peaceful place was disturbed. Anypony that might have been keeping to themselves and enjoying their own company would do so no longer. Discord tapped his claw impatiently on the door frame. That too, was obnoxious. He even started tapping his donkey's hoof in a childish, impatient way. Then he began looking every which way for a pony that might have walked down the pleasantly chilly hallway — only to immediately spy Luna herself, completely unaccompanied. There was quiet and still, with a heavy silence about the hall as soon as he saw her. This entire part of the palace reeked of introversion that bordered on reclusion, and that came from just observing the hallway. It was Discord's own Tartarus. Celestia's quarters were so much nicer and more active. And, well, sunnier — something that Luna could certainly strive to improve upon. He didn't see any windows here, but at least it wasn't stuffy and stale. Or maybe it should have been. Then Discord could have conjured a nice, simple jumbo power fan — like the kind in warehouses that he loved. Every so often, he would enjoy leaving one somewhere in order to create various states of disarray for no reason at all. Sometimes, he didn't even think about wanting to. It just seemed like such a nice thought to have and pretty soon— "What is it?" Luna spoke with neither warmth nor coldness. She was the very definition of aloof as she stared at him from where she stood ten pony lengths down the hall, shadows poured out in front of her from a source he hadn't bothered to pay attention to. Maybe there was a window? He couldn't read her expression. Either there was too much or too little there. Discord just thought about how she looked decidedly creepy standing there, all moody with a small group of books (of which he counted three before getting bored) clutched to her chest in her magic's grasp. A small herd of post-it notes and tasseled bookmarks poked out from between the pages in a pattern even he couldn't make sense of. She looked unfriendly. Even when she was a filly she always seemed so... avoidant. She wasn't friendly. Discord can't recall Luna ever having any friend ever. Celestia said she never talked about anypony or kept any non-family company. At least he had Fluttershy, and Fluttershy was always willing to share her friends. "I brought these!" He proudly held out a small bouquet of unromantic gag flowers clutched in his paw and puffed out his chest in an annoyingly exaggerated way. A grin that was too goofy to the point of being cheesy was on his face. "See? Aren't they—" "They still have a price tag on them, Discord." Luna's gaze rested directly on the offending label which he made sure to tear away quickly. The motion made the glitter and silly faces painted on the flowers quiver. He coughed awkwardly and waved a gaudily colored handkerchief he pulled out of his ear. Luna gave him a quick look and walked toward him. Discord thought the temperature in the hallway dropped even more. In order to make the point more obvious to Luna, he began to shiver as he turned blue from his horns to his tail's tufted tip. His effort did nothing to win her sympathy. She even began to look a little annoyed. "Celestia likes lilies best, and those roses still have thorns on them." She continued to walk by him and lit her horn, Discord saw that she was just about to open a door when he decided to snatch one of her books from her to get her attention. "Discord!" Luna exclaimed irately, instantly whirling around, and no longer making an effort to hide irritation. "Give my book back! What reason do you have to simply snatch things from me?! What have I done to warrant this treatment? I have not offended you in any way, have I?" "You don't talk to me," he complained, placing a paw on his hip in an attempt to come across as dramatic even though he still clutched a bunch of roses. "I've reformed and everything, Loony." "Do not call me that," she hissed, eyes on her stolen book as she swiped at it lamely with telekinesis. He only held it higher and she humored him by letting him hold it for a little while longer. "But you're reformed too, aren't you?" Luna didn't answer. "You used to like talking to me." "I gave you advice on how to maintain Tia's romantic affections. Now, may I please have my book back?" He didn't look at her and instead began to examine the book. "Do you just sit around and read all the time?" "No, I have other pursuits that please me. Now, Discord, may you please return my book? It is new and I don't want it to go through any kind of wear so early in its time with me." Discord didn't listen. Luna wasn't surprised. "Who would want to pass time reading things like this? Blegh, it's poetry." "I am very fond of poetry." "You know, I have lots of friends. Why, Princess Cadance was kind enough to lend me some books when I was feeling boring just last week. They were actually rather good. Spoiler—" "Nopony likes those." "The dolphins did it," Discord whispered in a voice that really wasn't at anything close to a whispering volume at all. Luna just stared stoically at him. "I would like my book back." "I know. Sheesh," Discord huffed. "Then please return it." Luna's horn flashed with a couple of sparks of lightning. Instantly, Discord winced before promptly returning ignoring her. "The only ponies who read these things are foals and moody-mopey types that are absolutely no fun-" "Discord," Luna cautioned, her tone now unkind. "Just listen to how dreary this is: 'I'm Nopony! Who are you? Are you — Nopony — too?'" "Discord, just return my book if you do not like it!" "It's terrible! Who would want to be nopony? Are they invisible? Or—" Luna snatched the book back abruptly and gave the draconequus a mild warning glare. "I went to get new books so I could spend the time I have free today by myself—" "Oh, but Loony, that's all you ever do!" "And with good reason! I am a grown mare, Discord, I can make my own decisions on how I spend my time! No matter how little you and Tia grasp that, I can monitor myself, thank you very much." She clutched the poetry volume to her chest protectively after placing the others at her hooves. "Why don't you come to visit Ponyville with me?" He smiled at her. She did not return the expression and took a couple of large steps away from him. "Why do you not visit Ponyville and your friends on your own, Discord? Or bring Tia the roses that you have brought her? Do you not have a date with her?" "W-Well..." Discord sputtered, instantly conjuring a sign that read 'SUBTLE DISTRACTION' in dazzling, bright letters and holding it at a distance, clearly hoping that she'd fall for the trick he grasped in his now empty claw. "I had something to ask you—" "Then you should have told me that from the start, Discord. Or simply write a letter, if you must reach me at all." "...Do you have any friends?" Claw and paw wrung in a twirling, exaggerated, and nervous display. "Friends are actually pretty—" "Yes," Luna said shortly, cutting him off. "I have Cady. We talk on occasion, and she does not make an unwanted ruckus in my wing of the castle. Seeing as this is my home, I will ask you again to lea—" "Why aren't you my friend anymore?" Luna finally looked at him coldly. Her magic flared brightly, and she scooped up all her books, shiny new bookmarks gleaming in her aura before she teleported away. Discord frowned. He really couldn't think of much else to do. Wasn't this making friends business supposed to be easy? There was Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadance... It was just like a game, wasn't it? Discord smacked his claw to his face. Game or not, he still didn't like losing. ...So why did Luna still act like she could win? Author's Note [Revised for print on 1/21/2021]
Round 1: A Sister Not His Own"Do you think she'll like them?" Discord asked eagerly. The young draconequus thrust the clawful of flowers he held into the shadow of the tree and looked up into its spacious branches. The leaves made it hard to see past the shade. No wind was strong today, and yet, they still rustled faintly. He knew she was in there as soon as he heard that. He snapped his paw and watched as some of the leaves — not as much as he had intended, but still, it was better than none — changed into a swarm of green butterflies. The flock flew off instantly and noisily, leaving many of the branches now bare. Some had changed back to leaves mid-fall — there was something about his magic that he had to work on. It was nearly as impulsive as he was. Discord watched as they fell to the ground. A small blue shape peered out from the naked limbs. "You are supposed to 'seek' when We hide," she said, raising her voice more than usual until it held a playful pout, "not pick flowers!" Discord watched Luna stick her tongue out and grinned, showing off his snaggle tooth. Luna never laughed at his smile the same way that Celestia did, and she was more fun-loving. Despite her peculiarity, Luna was the one who was always willing to play a game. Or at least he thought so. Celestia was the leader, the talker, the one who cheered everyone up as they embarked on each day of travel. Both Luna and Discord were rarely in need of any encouragement. In Discord's case, he just wanted to watch her try to wrangle everything amusing and distracting into shape. It was strange and fun to see her treat adulthood as a pretend game when she spoke to them, even though she didn't seem to realize it. Luna was the quiet one. He didn't get her, or that any creature could ever enjoy when the world stood still. She liked pranks, adventure, telling stories even he thought were strange. She pulled wild ideas straight from the imagination in a way that were more like something his kind might tell, whereas Celestia stuck with filly-tales of princesses, knights, and a world he never knew. The idea of such a harmonious life being ordinary piqued his curiosity, and he simply could not ignore it when Celestia spoke — even though she was almost always talking. Luna liked sparring with a stick; Celestia always wanted to perform the curious ritual known as the tea party or piece together something called skirts out of the grass. Luna wasn't afraid of the dark and enjoyed spending time to herself, something Discord found boring. Yet, Luna had a good eye, and if anyone could advise him on how to catch Celestia's usually-elsewhere attention, it was her. Even if she was always hiding in trees and tall grass or other places, looking for things like snakes and stones and sticks, she was still a filly. Fillies liked flowers, or at least that's what Celestia said. She talked about things like that — flowers and princes. Neither sounded too interesting to Discord, but what made them slightly interesting was someone he cared about liked them, and for the most confusing reasons. But he liked seeing Celestia laugh more than anything. Sometimes she was so serious, and that just wasn't that fun. So, he wanted to give her flowers. Luna's horn glowed with a mess of turquoise sparks — she was still learning, after all. Moments later, she reappeared on the ground, looking up at him with her pale blue mane shining with captured starlight. She always stayed up late, sometimes sneaking about. Discord did on occasion. He never gave it too much thought — bedtime came when he wanted it to, not when Celestia said it did. Some days, he would be wide awake. On others, he would prevent the group from traveling because he was asleep on others. It felt like he was keeping things fresh, and Discord liked nothing else if to randomize his routine so that there was none. It probably had to do nothing with the growing itch of his magic that seemed so much more fun half-formed and spontaneous. It had nothing to do with the entirely imaginary burn in his hindlegs and wonder-whats and could-bes of him just going elsewhere. Were he to do that, maybe he would be able to get away with being even less orderly or just letting magic go free— No, he always told himself that they were his friends in a rather empty world. That's why he was asking Luna for help. Luna had been busy peering at the flowers, her thin magic aura coming in spurts as she used telekinesis to rifle through the delicate blossoms. Their soft colors of pinks and purples were lost in the dark and they weren't that hardy for wildflowers. Still, that was how he knew Celestia would like them — fragility and prettiness attracted her. Discord thought they were silly, and not in a good way. "There is no trick?" "No," Discord said, "when has Celestia ever mentioned liking her flowers with tricks?" He avoided her gaze and stood a little straighter. "Turning them into spiders would be nice," Luna mused, her eyes shining with pure delight. Discord looked at her, a little baffled. It sounded like a good idea, turning the flowers into something else. But spiders? He never really gave them much thought. Celestia was absolutely terrified of them. He just thought it might be fun to have eight legs, and of course, learned the hard way that even spider-like things frightened Celestia. And yet, without that incident, they never would have learned that her magic could come in wisps of flame, something that was surprisingly interesting for Alicorn magic, at least to Discord. "Spiders aren't really that cute, Luna." He brought the flowers to his own muzzle. "Is there anything else she really likes? A color? A texture? Colors are really easy—" Luna cocked her head to the side, making the unexpected decision not to pout upon being denied spider related things. "She likes your jokes. You could tell her one of those. Or a whole bunch of them! Oh, and orange is one of Tia's favorites!" Discord stared at Luna's wide grin. It looked a little freaky in the dark, glowing in the moonlight that shone in her eyes. They weren't like her sister's, where they never changed. The eyes of this little filly changed at night. Such a harmless was one that they all knew about, but he still wasn't sure why an Alicorn needed eyes like a desert cat's, with slit pupils that went wide with surprise and babyish joy. She didn't grin all that often, but Luna was never unhappy. Luna wasn't like ever-smiling, constantly tittering, and talkative Celestia. She was a good prankster, and having someone to play with was always nice. Since Discord had never had any nestmates, Luna acted as a way for him to experience what was the closest thing he had heard of such tales. Between them, there was always a way to make young Celestia smile or act like she was just a little annoyed with them when it was plain that she was obviously biting back a grin of her own. A grin that always seemed to be directed at him. Discord didn't think that could be random. Lots of things were. Or might be. But Celestia? Not really. That meant something. She thought everything meant something — that meant her smiles and blushing-giggles had a purpose. One that only Luna hadn't picked up on. Discord and Celestia never could figure out how to explain to one another what their fluttery feelings meant — or if she shared them. Discord wanted advice on something as mundane as flowers for the emotions Celestia stirred in him. He was out of his element here. He wasn't a filly. Or an Alicorn. Or kinda boring. But Celestia smiled every time she came across a nice patch of flowers. It was the times that she didn't smile that was worse than boring, dreadfully lazy days. "Maybe," he said eventually. "Maybe I will, okay?" "Do you have any good ones?" Luna cocked her head to the other side. Discord waved his paw and tapped his throat. He spoke again with a voice high and scratchy, but in a passable imitation of a female, despite the cackle-y sound. This quality of his voice didn't seem to belong to any other creature at all. It wasn't a complete alteration, only a scratching mimicry that sounded like gargling gravel, only squeakier. Maybe he could do those one day, and maybe he couldn't. Until then, this was fun and it made others laugh and point. He liked that. "I always have the best jokes, little Luna! Just like a princess always has a boring-happy kingdom!" Luna snorted a little, and maybe Discord felt just a little bit offended. He wasn't that sure about what princesses actually did other than be stuffy and boring — which he did. At least his 'Princess of Chaos' voice always made Celestia laugh. "Sometimes," Luna said simply, plopping onto the ground. He snorted. Leave it to Luna to rain on his happiness. To highlight how tragic and bitter this moment was, he conjured a small, rumbly cloud above his head. It was quiet enough to not wake Celestia, who slept at their campsite not far from the tree-dotted meadow where they were. Celestia never liked to be alone, but it wasn't likely she'd find out. Discord certainly wouldn't tell her. He gave Luna an exaggerated frown. "Are you saying that I'm not funny?" His princess's voice was gone and he tried to manage the same pout Luna did whenever she wanted something from Celestia. It turned out as exaggerated as his frown, but how was he to know that? It wasn't Discord's fault that her pouts were a curse on their own, a pure product of babyish whimsy she used to get nearly whatever she wanted. By Luna's soft laughter, it seemed. Her dark forehoof stretched up to point to his funny face. Discord tried to scowl. At the same time. It didn't look so well. Luna snorted mid-laugh. Completely and only slightly annoyed, Discord tried to stand taller and walk away proudly, flowers still grasped in his claw. Though, this was not before he shot the little goddess a stink eye. Between him and Luna, jokes and attention weren't something almost serious — but still quite fun — like it was between him and Celestia. It was just a game. Author's Note [Revised for print on 1/15/2021]
Round 2: Things Fall ApartHe didn't see her as she dived into the clearing, or how she spilling out from the fog like some kind of demon. Her armor was a bit battered and candy floss clung to her mane. It was darker than he remembered and now boasted highlights of purple. Discord saw how it glittered and rippled. Less pleasant things marred what the dreary ponies who called themselves Equestrians would praise as beauty, but Discord was indifferent to this sister. She would be nothing but a filly in his mind, no matter how much her current appearance contradicted that. Streaks of blood from cuts on her body and the creatures he altered to serve him marred her. Tales of her prowess in combat — magical or otherwise — against his twisted creations and corrupted mortals had reached his burning ears oh-so-quickly. It was no surprise she found him first. Luna was the sneakier by far. A dark cloak, now torn, rested atop her withers, twinkling runes stitched along the hem hid the wings she occasionally flared. All of this was as though she was trying to boast of her swift, silent, and deadly nature. If it hadn't been for that twinkle, and the strange look in her eyes he might not have seen her at all. She had gone from playing in the shadows to becoming one. Her stare was almost too clear, the deep blue of her eyes finding something that he dismissed as fancy. But betrayal was there too. Maybe even some disbelief? He wasn't one to dwell on feelings that were complicated, and certainly not the kind that led to all morose matters like moodiness and contemplation. Or at least, not often — every bit of who he was, what he liked, and what he craved could stand no such things. They created stillness and other dastardly things. ... Discord was the grand Chaos King of what was once the Equestrian, Triarchy. Three united tribes of the north had all been led down to the bountiful lands of the south. Each had been looked down on from the World Tree he thought would be much better than — if any ponies or gods knew how to find it. For the regular trees, Discord felt that if they were able to eat the ponies who attempted to use it for firewood in these barren times instead of just accepting ax strokes, they would be improved. He had heard of these ponies that came down from the north while he resided farther in the south, hailed and pampered as the fickle god of the kingdoms there, yearning to stir up anarchy. He had felt the magical imbalances of the world, sudden jolts of energy that shook him and stirred the magic in him and willing him to seek out what ruin or riches would be left in the wake of the source. It was the scavenger's instinct, and as far as Discord knew, he was the only one of his kind. He had heard of the gods that lead mortals in an exodus from a frozen waste. Unfortunately, Discord had heard the tales far too late. When those stories had reached his ears, they had already begun something like a kingdom. All of this happened while he wallowed in worship and stagnation in the desert lands. In those most curious stories, he had recalled an especially interesting tidbit. In them, there were two Alicorns, and that they reportedly lost an empire at some point. He didn't bother with the details, he just thought he would get to see his friends again, and that they would welcome him even without an empire. Like a flick of power, Discord had suddenly known that he had to take a trip to what was the north for him. He had arrived in a burst of the latest bout of imbalanced to wrack the homeland of the two sisters he had known so long ago. He had headed up from the south, only to find a land of castes and deeper stagnation where tradition ruled, if only barely. It also bored Discord greatly. The ponies were everything the friends he had left ages ago — friends who spoke of the north like a promise — would hate, and those two crazy sisters were nowhere to be seen. These wretched ponies spoke of a great, kind white mare beyond a pony's understanding. The mortal rulers were nearly all deceased, and of course, Celestia would never mind him having a little fun with these terrible excuses of ponies, who proclaimed that Celestia was their hero. Of course, Discord had known that meant she must be planning to bring fun and smiles to them all one day. During this time, Discord knew that the ponies couldn't possibly be the mortals of the friends he had, especially when nopony had known who Luna was. Surely Celestia, sweet Celestia, would hate ponies like this? He had so much power now, too. The ages of messing in the affairs of mortals left him with so much opportunity to wreck havoc on a land not his own. And that was exactly what he did on the eve the last magical disturbance rang out — the Triarchy was no more when Platinum died. ... Discord looked at Luna again. Betrayal and anger were fresh on her face. She was never the forgiving one between the two. Forgiveness was a peculiar thing with her. Celestia would let him get away with so much and extend it without much thought. But Luna? It was something to be coveted with her. She still seemed so sad and pushed aside in how she currently presented herself before him. Why? How, especially when it was always she who was the more stubborn sister? "So it is true." The mare drowned in shadows whispered with a voice that knew too much woe. "It really is you." There was no exaggeration or malice to her words, not yet. It was just the grim truth, all wrapped up in obvious layers of astonishment. The grove felt colder after she spoke. He just really hadn't known how much they had changed, not when Discord had only seen half of his old friends. She certainly wasn't his friend. This may be still somehow Luna, but this reaper — a shadow bundled up so that none could see her — didn't want to joke with him. He felt nothing for her. Not even pathos. Just annoyance. He was a king now, and this country was to be as random as he wished. She was, as ponies spoke of her, the lesser half of two goddesses — and that was when they knew she existed at all. Discord just wanted out of the way as much as her own subjects did. He plucked an apple from the tree's branches and tossed it at her. All this was before he took advantage of his peculiar form and slithered around the truck, eventually sliding into the dying plant. She was much quicker than he remembered. Far quicker, and deadly too. In the time since the fall of the mortals who ruled, the crown was a concept to be discussed with threats of violence behind it and action taken in all the wrong ways. All such acts of mortal folly only furthered divisions and interpersonal conflict. Everything had all been so easy for him, and as a result, she had seen war. She had clearly things in the north too, and her sister had too. He didn't care what they were, not unless those could somehow stop them — but it was written in their present circumstances, and thus, impossible to ignore. Discord knew that she fought, that much was clear, but she was fighting to establish a plan and diarchy not her own. If what he heard was true, it did indeed sound like there was more intent for a monarchy to rise in the event of his impossible failure, not a diarchy of all things. Maybe she was playing hero too, and to ponies who often didn't even know that she existed. He didn't really know. Discord just jumped to a different tree with a flash of magic and a clap of his mismatched limbs when an arc of her lightning came too close to hurting him. Was it revenge against throwing rotten fruit at her? Maybe. He just wanted there to be action, and his mind had a constant need to move with the rest of him. This was a starting fight. It was turmoil and strife. Power hummed in his ear, drowning him in its disobedient song. There was no need to think about such things. About anything. She wanted to usurp him, that was clear. Luna would lose this battle. They hadn't seen one another in ages. She couldn't possibly know her enemy. She wasn't aware of the things that he could do now. He wasn't aware of all the things she knew either, but that wasn't the point. Luna wanted him out of the way because of what he did to this land, no doubt. She was also the bearer of a plan that her eyes said she did not support. She did not speak. She was a shadow, and Celestia's shadow specifically. She was not the filly that he knew. He didn't even want to face her, not when she was so miserable and depressing. Maybe Celestia would be interesting to fight, if he was ever going to see her again. They all grew up. And yet... This was still just another game. And it would be a win for him. Author's Note [Revised for print on 1/18/2021-1/20/2021]
Round 3: Think About It"Oh, Loony-Moon, open up!" Discord hit the door at least six more times than was necessary and he did so loudly. The hallway of Canterlot's castle that housed Luna's wing and private chambers echoed with the unwanted noise as the usually peaceful place was disturbed. Anypony that might have been keeping to themselves and enjoying their own company would do so no longer. Discord tapped his claw impatiently on the door frame. That too, was obnoxious. He even started tapping his donkey's hoof in a childish, impatient way. Then he began looking every which way for a pony that might have walked down the pleasantly chilly hallway — only to immediately spy Luna herself, completely unaccompanied. There was quiet and still, with a heavy silence about the hall as soon as he saw her. This entire part of the palace reeked of introversion that bordered on reclusion, and that came from just observing the hallway. It was Discord's own Tartarus. Celestia's quarters were so much nicer and more active. And, well, sunnier — something that Luna could certainly strive to improve upon. He didn't see any windows here, but at least it wasn't stuffy and stale. Or maybe it should have been. Then Discord could have conjured a nice, simple jumbo power fan — like the kind in warehouses that he loved. Every so often, he would enjoy leaving one somewhere in order to create various states of disarray for no reason at all. Sometimes, he didn't even think about wanting to. It just seemed like such a nice thought to have and pretty soon— "What is it?" Luna spoke with neither warmth nor coldness. She was the very definition of aloof as she stared at him from where she stood ten pony lengths down the hall, shadows poured out in front of her from a source he hadn't bothered to pay attention to. Maybe there was a window? He couldn't read her expression. Either there was too much or too little there. Discord just thought about how she looked decidedly creepy standing there, all moody with a small group of books (of which he counted three before getting bored) clutched to her chest in her magic's grasp. A small herd of post-it notes and tasseled bookmarks poked out from between the pages in a pattern even he couldn't make sense of. She looked unfriendly. Even when she was a filly she always seemed so... avoidant. She wasn't friendly. Discord can't recall Luna ever having any friend ever. Celestia said she never talked about anypony or kept any non-family company. At least he had Fluttershy, and Fluttershy was always willing to share her friends. "I brought these!" He proudly held out a small bouquet of unromantic gag flowers clutched in his paw and puffed out his chest in an annoyingly exaggerated way. A grin that was too goofy to the point of being cheesy was on his face. "See? Aren't they—" "They still have a price tag on them, Discord." Luna's gaze rested directly on the offending label which he made sure to tear away quickly. The motion made the glitter and silly faces painted on the flowers quiver. He coughed awkwardly and waved a gaudily colored handkerchief he pulled out of his ear. Luna gave him a quick look and walked toward him. Discord thought the temperature in the hallway dropped even more. In order to make the point more obvious to Luna, he began to shiver as he turned blue from his horns to his tail's tufted tip. His effort did nothing to win her sympathy. She even began to look a little annoyed. "Celestia likes lilies best, and those roses still have thorns on them." She continued to walk by him and lit her horn, Discord saw that she was just about to open a door when he decided to snatch one of her books from her to get her attention. "Discord!" Luna exclaimed irately, instantly whirling around, and no longer making an effort to hide irritation. "Give my book back! What reason do you have to simply snatch things from me?! What have I done to warrant this treatment? I have not offended you in any way, have I?" "You don't talk to me," he complained, placing a paw on his hip in an attempt to come across as dramatic even though he still clutched a bunch of roses. "I've reformed and everything, Loony." "Do not call me that," she hissed, eyes on her stolen book as she swiped at it lamely with telekinesis. He only held it higher and she humored him by letting him hold it for a little while longer. "But you're reformed too, aren't you?" Luna didn't answer. "You used to like talking to me." "I gave you advice on how to maintain Tia's romantic affections. Now, may I please have my book back?" He didn't look at her and instead began to examine the book. "Do you just sit around and read all the time?" "No, I have other pursuits that please me. Now, Discord, may you please return my book? It is new and I don't want it to go through any kind of wear so early in its time with me." Discord didn't listen. Luna wasn't surprised. "Who would want to pass time reading things like this? Blegh, it's poetry." "I am very fond of poetry." "You know, I have lots of friends. Why, Princess Cadance was kind enough to lend me some books when I was feeling boring just last week. They were actually rather good. Spoiler—" "Nopony likes those." "The dolphins did it," Discord whispered in a voice that really wasn't at anything close to a whispering volume at all. Luna just stared stoically at him. "I would like my book back." "I know. Sheesh," Discord huffed. "Then please return it." Luna's horn flashed with a couple of sparks of lightning. Instantly, Discord winced before promptly returning ignoring her. "The only ponies who read these things are foals and moody-mopey types that are absolutely no fun-" "Discord," Luna cautioned, her tone now unkind. "Just listen to how dreary this is: 'I'm Nopony! Who are you? Are you — Nopony — too?'" "Discord, just return my book if you do not like it!" "It's terrible! Who would want to be nopony? Are they invisible? Or—" Luna snatched the book back abruptly and gave the draconequus a mild warning glare. "I went to get new books so I could spend the time I have free today by myself—" "Oh, but Loony, that's all you ever do!" "And with good reason! I am a grown mare, Discord, I can make my own decisions on how I spend my time! No matter how little you and Tia grasp that, I can monitor myself, thank you very much." She clutched the poetry volume to her chest protectively after placing the others at her hooves. "Why don't you come to visit Ponyville with me?" He smiled at her. She did not return the expression and took a couple of large steps away from him. "Why do you not visit Ponyville and your friends on your own, Discord? Or bring Tia the roses that you have brought her? Do you not have a date with her?" "W-Well..." Discord sputtered, instantly conjuring a sign that read 'SUBTLE DISTRACTION' in dazzling, bright letters and holding it at a distance, clearly hoping that she'd fall for the trick he grasped in his now empty claw. "I had something to ask you—" "Then you should have told me that from the start, Discord. Or simply write a letter, if you must reach me at all." "...Do you have any friends?" Claw and paw wrung in a twirling, exaggerated, and nervous display. "Friends are actually pretty—" "Yes," Luna said shortly, cutting him off. "I have Cady. We talk on occasion, and she does not make an unwanted ruckus in my wing of the castle. Seeing as this is my home, I will ask you again to lea—" "Why aren't you my friend anymore?" Luna finally looked at him coldly. Her magic flared brightly, and she scooped up all her books, shiny new bookmarks gleaming in her aura before she teleported away. Discord frowned. He really couldn't think of much else to do. Wasn't this making friends business supposed to be easy? There was Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadance... It was just like a game, wasn't it? Discord smacked his claw to his face. Game or not, he still didn't like losing. ...So why did Luna still act like she could win? Author's Note [Revised for print on 1/21/2021]
