Broken Harmony

Celestia was the first to raise. The ebb and flow of Equestria’s energy called to her just as it had to Luna last night. Her day had started and so, she was awake. She looked over at her sister still deep in slumber. Luna’s mane was ruffled looking and her wings were stretched out at different angles, a position she had slept in since they were young. Discord’s home as strange as it may be, offered them a momentary break from the evil beyond.

Quietly she trotted out of the room and back into the main living area. Things around the room had rearranged during the night she noticed. Looking to the ceiling she found the door leading outside. One quick stride with her wings had her opening the door and gliding outside, she needed to feel the outdoors regardless of the dimension she was in.

She sat on the roof and took in the cotton candy clouds as they danced across the sky. She had a plan in place, knew they had to act quickly but, this place pulled at her to stay and rest even just for a little bit.

“I’ve missed here.”
Startled she shot into the air. Looking down seeing Discord she flew back down and sat beside him. She gave him a small cuff with one wing, “ don’t do that you fool. You scared me half to death, you know we’re under attack I could have blasted you to ashes.”

“Oh Celestia you charmer I would love to put that to the test, some other day perhaps?” He gave her a quick glance to make sure he wasn’t going to get hit again, seeing that she smirked he believed he was in the clear.

“ How are you doing Discord? You haven’t been back long enough for me to even ask you, everything happened so fast-” Falling silent she stared straight ahead and Discord was able to see the small tremor run through her body.

“ Celestia, it’s going to be alright. I can’t tell you that we will win this but, we will be battling together. Luna, you and me, tell me, do you remember the times we fought in the past. We have had a very detailed history together before I ended up as a lawn decoration. I am not bragging when I say the three of us are all kinds of powerful. Very little could come close to our powers in the old days.”

“ Thank you, for some reason you do have a knack for knowing what to say. I really am proud of you Discord. I was so afraid when you left, I feared for your sanity and what would happen to our land if you should fail. I held on to hope, to the friendship we had once had and that we are rebuilding presently. I just never knew if it would be enough, I asked so much of you and I am truly sorry for putting the burden on you.”

Discord turned and took her head in his paws. “Enough my dear lady, this line of thinking isn’t going to help anyone, it will only cause guilt and resentment. I get an opinion on this, since it was me who went through the portal after the girls. I am not forgiving you.”

Celestia looked crushed. She had really thought they were repairing a friendship she had held so dear. At one time the three of them had been as close as family. She had thought of him as her brother in arms. She will have lost him for sure for doing this to him. How could she have expected him to not break under the stress, loneliness, and chasing after the dead?

Discord quickly broke the silence. “I’m not accepting the apology because there is nothing to say sorry about you silly sunbutt. I would have followed them through any world. Yes, it was lonely and learning to adapt to what humans use instead of magic, even covering my own magic up - it wasn’t easy and very little fun, but, I learned and I searched. When I felt her Tia, I can not for the life of me sum up the feelings her magic brought out for me. I really did miss home and she felt like magic and yes,” he rolled his eyes and let her go still maintaining eye contact, “ she reminded me of friendship and family. When I saw her for the first time, she was utterly breathtaking. Luckily she responded to my charming personality and quickly we started spending time together.

I didn’t mean to have such strong feelings for her. I started out by looking for the girls in the way she walked, talked, twirled her hair, kicked a stray soccer ball back to a group of kids. I could see the girls in everything she did and it was like they were back! Then, I noticed how funny she was, how brave she was even when her magic started to manifest and it scared her, she was so strong…..she’s incredible all on her own.”

Celestia was the one who moved closer to Discord breaking him from his thoughts. She smiled up at him but, her eyes were so sad, “ she has to fight Discord. We are not strong enough without her. I need to know that you will not interfere with her in battle. We have a mission to work towards, we have to free Equestria from Grogar. Nova needs to have you as her ally, not her protector.”

Discord blinked and then shook his head, “yes I know that. Excuse me princess.” With a fick of his tail he flew back inside the house. Celestia sighed she hated breaking his heart, the idea of taking more kindness and love from a creature that fought so hard to maintain it hurt her soul. She sat up there for awhile longer and when the clouds had become thick and chocolate milk started to rain down she went back inside to see if the others were awake. Celestia had a feeling Discord’s mood helped control the weather here, she wondered if he knew that.

Inside the house was awake, Luna was showing Nova how to cook pancakes as a creature without hands. Nova was studying the way Luna effortlessly flipped the pancakes holding the pan by magic. Putting the frying pan down she asked Nova to add more batter in by using her magic. Nova eagerly showed she was learning great control and made three pancakes in the frying pan.

Discord was sitting in the corner of the main living area with a set of maps arranged on the floor. He glanced at Celestia when she walked in and nodded to her. She nodded back and went to sit down beside him to see what he was looking at. Luna smiled at her sister and Nova greeted her by sending a plate of piled high pancakes to her. They landed a bit harder than she had meant to but, the plate stayed together. She smiled and turned back to the stove to continue helping Luna.

“This is nice.” she said quietly to Discord. He nodded and quickly stole a pancake from the stack as he talked to her about where they were going to enter back into Equestria. She vowed then and there if they made it through this ordeal, breakfast at Discords was going to become habit. The feeling of warmth and family was too nice to let disappear. It felt like old times, with a new addition in Nova.

Nova trotted over with her own stack of pancakes hovering in the air using her magic. She looked at Discord and Celestia saw how proud she was of the control she was gaining. She deserved to be. From the very limited time the Princesses had to instruct her Nova had dove head first into their teachings. Having all the magic in the world wouldn’t help anyone if there was no control. Celestia sensed that Nova felt the urgency and wanted to prove herself willing and able to fight.

Luna brought her breakfast over and with one simple question the atmosphere changed, “ Nova, Discord has told us the elements are still present inside you?”

The air went still. All eyes turned to Nova as they waited for her to respond. She finished the mouthful she was eating and stayed silent for some time. Her eyes moved as if she was listening to something the others couldn’t hear. The Princesses gracefully waited for an answer but, Discord wasn’t good with the silence.

“Nova….”

She blinked up at him and shook her mane out. She had been asking the girls what to say to the Princesses, Twilight had so much to say that Fluttershy hadn’t answered right away. Finally she heard her say, “Tell her Twilight says she misses them… and she’s here to guide you as much as she can from this side.”

Nova nodded to herself and looked at Luna and Celestia, “ I’m sorry, they were trying to organize their thoughts to convey through Fluttershy. I’m sure there was a lot more said but, the core of the message was Twilight wanting to let you know how much she misses you. She wants you to know she will be guiding me as much as she can from her side.”

Celestia nodded and tears shone in her eyes, “ can they hear me from within you?”

“ I don’t think it works that way, I’m so sorry Princess. I believe with the limited power they have that they are using Fluttershy and I as a communication gate. I believe they feel emotions that I am feeling and my thoughts to them for sure. They did let me know they felt the surge of power when I opened. I wish I could let you speak to them. I just- I don’t know how.”

Nova bowed her head in defeat. She would give anything to have the girls restored to their world. They belonged here, with their mentors and magic. This was their home and she knew they wanted to defend it, to save it. She knew she would do everything she could to make sure that happened.

A lion paw came into view and gently lifted her chin up. “ No one is blaming you. My dear Nova, you simply can’t do the impossible.”

Nova fell into his arms and he held her tight. Her eyes falling on to the Princesses. Celestia walked closer to her and said “ Nova, I would never have believed a by product of my magic would manifest the way it did. Please, believe me when I tell you that you are more than enough. You are stronger than you think. The simple fact that a part of the girls is still so very much alive means so much to Luna and I. Do not believe you are less than you are. We are all counting on you to be so much more and I know you can do it.”

Discord brushed his talon through her mane over and over as she trembled in his arms. Slowly she stopped and looked up at him. “Thank you.”

He smiled at her and placed a small kiss on her cheek, “ don’t thank me for caring for you. I will continue to be behind you, beside you, for as long as you need me.”

She blushed but, nodded.
Luna had been silent the whole exchange fearing that she wouldn’t be able to say what she really meant. Now that it seemed to be over she knew she could simply say, “ are we ready to return home?”

“Yes.” Nova said as she stood taller, her head held high, “it’s time we take a fight to Grogar and show him, we are not going to fall apart.”
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Discord concentrated on the mirror in his bedroom, slowly, a warm yellow glow came from the mirror and the groups reflections were replaced with a stone tunnel. He turned back and looked at the girls.

“We can’t turn back once we go through….,” he said quietly. “Once he detects us back in the world, he will not let us leave again. He’s shut me inside my dimension once before, I’m sure he can ban me from coming back.”

Nova nodded, walked ahead of Discord and stared at the mirror. Discord touched her back and she leapt through the mirror into the tunnel before her. Celestia and Luna quickly followed leaving Discord to bring up the rear, shutting the portal up behind him.

When the portal was closed the tunnel was plunged into darkness. The girls stood still waiting for Discord to say something. A blue flame flickered to life in his lions paw. He suddenly looked older and a lot more serious.

“Nova, I know you want to help and prove yourself capable of helping but, from now on leading the way into what could be unknown danger is foolishness. You had no idea if there was anyone here or what you would have done if there were an enemy in the dark. Let one of us take the lead. Understand?”

She looked to the sisters who looked from Discord to her. Celestia nodded while Luna nuzzled her. “ You are young, eager to help but, don’t let that make you careless. Discord speaks the truth. Now is not the time to take chances. Things are already dangerous without adding rash thinking into the mix.”

Ears flattened Nova nodded, and moved to stand behind Celestia in the middle of the group. Discord took to the front lighting the way with his ghost fire they all slowly made their way through the tunnels. Only talking in whispers when needed. The light reflecting off of the stones and shape of the tunnel eerily, startling Nova more than once. Luna came up beside her and lay her horn on Nova’s shoulder. “It’s going to be ok child,” she said softly.

The tunnel started to widen and slowly became a small room. An underground stream flowed through one side of it. Discord turned and whispered something to Celestia that Nova didn’t hear. Celestia turned to her and Luna letting them know that this was a place they could rest for a moment. Luna shrugged and trotted to the stream for a drink. Nova looked around, lost as to what she should do. She turned to follow Luna for a drink and heard a pop sound, quickly looking back she realized Discord was gone.

Celestia walked up to her seeing the confusion on her face. “ He won’t be long, he’s gone to scout ahead outside. He wants to see how close we are to where Grogar has set up base. He’s been following the left over power from the necromancer spells. Death magic leaves a taint in the energy around it sadly. Although, it is working in a favor right now.”

Nova nodded staying silent. Her mind was racing. She understood her life was more than just her own world and she had more than herself to live for and protect. She understood that magic was now an active part of her life and that she now was large piece of the puzzle that made up Equestria. Regardless of understanding the facts and where this was taking her moments when time stopped moving forward and she was able to pause and think made her feel like a supernova had been set off inside her. She was afraid at how huge everything was, the feelings inside her raised up and engulfed everything.

Discord speaking to her like a child confused her even more. These three beings had such an immense feeling, their aura’s felt like she could touch them. They were immortal beings and for the first time since really meeting them Nova gathered a sense of what that truly meant. She really didn’t have any idea of well, anything. Not compared to them.

She looked up and realized she had walked away from the girls to the far side of the room. She was alone as much in her thoughts as she was physically. She hoped Discord would be back soon. She knelt on the floor and sat waiting.

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Discord materialized above the ground into a dark forest. He didn’t recognize where he was for a moment. The trees of the Everfree Forest had twisted and taken on the feel of the death magic floating freely throughout them. Dark trunks with leaves that took on thorn like shapes. The forest felt forbidden and in pain. Anything alive was now tainted and living cursed. Discord shivered at the feeling, he hated it. He floated above the ground and wyrmed his way through the forest following the path of death magic. It was gathering at the castle of two sisters. This place seemed to always end up being used for the wrong doings. Luckily for Discord he knew the place well and was able to find a place to hide and watch what was happening. This was where he was finally able to see the enemy for the first time.

Grogar sat on a throne made of bone. Some of the bones had tufts of fur, an odd patch of colour here and there. It was a heart stopping sight. Clearly the throne had been made here and recently. A few goblin like creatures ran around the area. Some riding on the reanimated ponies and laughing to each other. Others were carving up pony’s bodies and cutting the meat up to roast on a sickly green fire.

Grogar glanced at his minions and snarled. He crossed his legs and called for a minion named Brain. Discord watched a thin donkey approach the throne. The donkey had patches of fur missing and looked to be in ill health. His eyes had the yellowish sunken in look only the sick seemed to have. Once the donkey reached Grogar he was kicked sharply from cloven hooves. “Fetch me my meal Brain!”

“Ye-es your majesty”

Grogar laughed as he watched the donkey limp back towards the fire. Discord shook his head, fear and cruelty were all he knew how to give. He was imposing looking as well. Dark midnight blue horns curled from top of his head. He was the colour of blue before the coming of a winter storm. Strong and muscular he was massive standing taller than the donkey he kicked. His hooves cloven and sharp were the same colour as his horns. He had what appeared to be smoke coming from his nostrils curling up through the air. The worst part of his appearance came from his eyes. They burned as if lit from the very fires of hell. Bright red lacking any type of pupil they glowed dangerously.

Discord also noted how strong Grogar’s power seemed to be. He hated to admit it but, he could feel the waves of pure raw power roll off of him. Discord surveyed the scene below and felt real fear. There was a reason Grogar had won so quickly and Discord was worried if they were just gathering themselves to be more easily slaughtered.

Suddenly, there was a sound to his right and he saw a zombie pegasus land twenty feet away. It was sniffing the air and suddenly sent a trumpet of sound out into the sky. Discord watched as all the heads in the camp turned towards his hiding place. He stayed silent for a moment then stood up.

Grogar smiled showing fangs jagged and covered in gore. “Welcome Chaos Lord….as weak as you have become your magic will be added to my army. I will slay worlds with the combined strength your power will give me!”

Grogar stood up, “Now…..DIE!” He shot off a powerful bolt of black magic. Discord leapt out of the way but, not fast enough. The purple flames leapt and licked at his side searing his fur off in places. The pain was intense but Discord kept standing.

“You will fail Necromancer. Your cruelty will be your downfall. You are arrogant and your pride will see you destroyed.”

Grogar lashed out with another attack, Discord noticed that he wore a bell on his neck. It had sparked power as Grogar sent out his magic. Discord stuck out his tongue and snapped his fingers as the magic flew into his path. He was far gone when the dark magic exploded leaving a crater where he had been standing.

He landed in the room where the girls were settled. He was near the back corner where Nova was laying. She glanced up quickly at the power surge and saw him fall onto the ground. “Discord, oh my god….”

Celestia and Luna ran over to them. Discord looked up and smiled, “well ladies, I know where Grogar is currently. Although he may also know that we are back in Equestria. Sorry about that… got too close and paid for it with a pound of flesh.”

“Hush let me look at that,” Celestia said as she bent down to examine the charred flesh. She sighed as her horn started to glow faintly yellow. Luna’s horn had a silver shine as she stood beside her sister, they let their magic flow into Discord and healed his wounds.

Nova knelt beside Discord, “ are you ok?”
He nodded, shook himself and stretched, “ I do know where he is, but, I don’t know if acting now is the right thing to do. He knows I’m close and will be on guard.”

“True,” Luna said,” but, he also won’t be able to gather any more forces if we act now. We may have lost the element of surprise but he is not organized for a fight right now. Tell me, do you believe we could get him on his own?”

Discord thought of how prideful he had seemed and nodded, “ I don’t think it would be too hard to lure him out.

Luna nodded, “then we need to move and move now. Celestia, Nova are you ready to fight?”

Celestia came up beside her sister, “I am with you until the end sister.”

Nova looked at Discord studying his eyes intently. She could see the weight of the Centuries in his gaze. “Do you think this is our best shot Discord?”

“Right now, I believe this is it Nova, we need to kick him out.”

She placed her one wing over his shoulders, “then let’s go and get him.”