Last Option and a Pair of New Wings

by thatonecoffeemachine

Rating: mature
Tags: Dark, Sad, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rarity, Fluttershy, Adventure, Discord, Violence, Princess Celestia
Length: 25006

The remainder of the element bearers, Fluttershy and Rarity, does what it takes to survive Winter. With Twilight slowly destroying what remains of town, they stagger off somewhere safe, where they hopefully could remain for the time being.

Fluttershy and Rarity are now what remains of the Element bearers. After Twilight's sudden change of rein and attitude towards her town, not many of the once harmonic home was left. With little to spare and so much more life to live, they take their last opportunity of surviving through winter and the cold airs of war.

Published 2019-05-24 12:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-12-23 10:46:13 UTC

Complaints

Fluttershy, adorned in a wool hat and a green striped scarf, carried a tea set with her teeth, making it shake in the process of action as she was nervous as to make it fall and break. And because of how chilly it was. Straight and forward, straight and forward, straight and-

The sound of a crash from outside of her cottage had startled her as she jumped and accidentally let go of her tray. Feared for the worst, she flinched as her wings shielded her in instinct. Waiting for the sound of ceramic breaking, she was surprised when she heard nothing. "Oh, do be careful!"

Fortunately, Rarity, with a wool hat and a light blue scarf on as well, was there and in time to use her magic to levitate everything before it dropped. Carefully, she placed it on the coffee table. Fluttershy sighed in relief as she turned to Rarity. "Thank you." she said as she went to take a seat by the couch. Rarity, along with a plate of sliced fruit, placed it carefully on the table. Fluttershy flew to pour the tea out into the cups setted.

They both took a seat and sipped in peace. Rarity bit into an apple slice, although the uneasiness look of her friend's face didn't go unnoticed. ".....Fluttershy?"

"H-huh?" she looked up, feeling embarrassed from being caught zoning out.

"Is something bothering you?" she asked as she took another bite.

Fluttershy laughed nervously as she smiled. "O-oh, it's nothing."

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Darling, you've been acting like this for too long. It must be something that's bothering you- even Angel seems to be keeping it a secret!" she said as coincidentally Angel walked into the kitchen with his arms crossed. "Whatever is bothering you must be-"

They were interrupted by a large thud from outside the cottage, followed by the panicked sounds of-

"The animals!" exclaimed Fluttershy as she rushed outside to see the commotion, Rarity following along.

Fluttershy looked at the scene that had enveloped in her backyard. Although the snow was thick, the thing that had dug it's own grave in her backyard didn't go unnoticed. A letterbox, with a patch of grass still attached to the end of its pole.

The animals hid behind her, waiting for Fluttershy to examine the 'threat'. Rarity looked out from the cottage window instead, unfazed at all as she looked at her hooves bored. "A letterbox? Ponies seem to be getting creative with their 'toss-aways' these days. I'm waiting for a mannequin to come by one day, you know, so I could stop working with the pillows of your couch or on you. Wouldn't you say, Fluttershy?" she asked as she raised her head and looked forward. But no reply as she realised how still she was. "Fluttershy?"

"How long will they keep this up." asked Fluttershy unexpectedly, her tone monotone. Rarity tilted her head.

"Dear, I doubt it'll end any time soon. It has been going on for age-"

"Where are the Princesses with all this?!" asked Fluttershy as she flapped her wings in anger. "It's been years! Surely they've came up with some kind of way to solve this!" she stomped her hoof.

Rarity was taken aback by her friend's sudden pitch of tone. Her eyes fluttered as she looked at her. "...wow....I never thought I'd hear you complain this way...."

"Because-..." she paused as she took a deep breath. Inhale, exhale. She folded her wings neatly this time. She hung her head as she spoke. "...I'm sorry. I'm just..tired. Tired of all this."

Rarity sighed. "I can say the same for myself." Fluttershy fluttered her wings as she slowly made her way back into the cottage. Taking a seat in her original place once more on the couch, she stared blankly at the floor.

"We need to do something." said Fluttershy, looking at Rarity with bold determined eyes.

"Fluttershy, what could we possibly-"

"No!" she said as she stomped her hoof. "The longer we don't do anything, the less chance we'll even survive winter. Being cooped up in this cottage will get us killed quicker!" she turned away as she felt her own eyes water.

"Fluttershy," said Rarity. Her friend's breakdowns have been more and more worrisome. After Twilight had shun them from her life, things have been going downhill. Even the most fearless of ponies like Applejack and Rainbow would shudder at the sound of her footsteps clicking on the crystallised floors of her balcony, for when she is present the whole town shuts down and silence takes over. Fluttershy hadn't been the same after seeing the castle guards outside the castle burning all the little gifts she and the rest of the group had been leaving whenever a festival or a celebration arrived. Her birthday, Hearths Warming Eve, Nightmare Night, they were always determined to try and change Twilight's perspective. Brighten her mood. To do anything.

She remembered how depressed Pinkie became at the sight of her little hoofmade Hearts Warming Eve ornaments and birthday cards being burned to nothing but ash. All her hardwork, her dedication, her hope, all gone in one second. Even so, the remains of her hope was the only thing left that wielded her the strength to keep on going. Rainbow of course, decided to drop it. She cared not for Twilight's antics anymore. But to say that it left a permanent scar in her mind, the fact that she was still loyal to the very end had cost her her own life.

"Fluttershy," she called out once more. Fluttershy's left ear twitched, but she didn't turn her gaze. "Fluttershy. What do you say we do then? You know we can't get little miss perfect's attention, what other plan would you have to stop her declarative act of war?"

"There's not just one Princess in this world, right? The sisters? Surely they could help."

"I doubt it. If they could, the could've done so sooner. Yet alone Twilight's thick minded. Now that she has her own title, Princess Celestia is nothing but an ally. Not a leader above her, since now technically they're both leaders. Sometimes I regret ever helping her achieve it."

Fluttershy frowned. She really didn't know what to do now. It's gotten to the point where she starts worrying about her own life, resulting in her forgetting at times to feed and nurture her animals. She felt a bit regretful for wanting to keep many of them sheltered under her care. Too many of them. Then again, she had no heart to just leave them at their own will out there. Not when there's a war going on.

"But what about us?" Fluttershy asked. "We're element bearers. You know how mad they are at us because we're not 'doing anything'- gh! It's not like we can do anything! They relied so much on us. Did you know how hard it was to go get groceries last week? I can barely walk through a crowd without being glared or thrown rotten apples at! What if it escalates to the point that they follow me back to the cottage? What if they try to burn the place down?? W-what if they try to hurt the animals to get back at me???" she listed, half panicking. Rarity looked at her with concern. "Our lives are at stake as well. I don't think we can stay here much longer. So far from what I've heard, Ponyville is the only town going through so much wreckage! Not to mention the cities that circle around Ponyville...."

"We can always go to Canterlot."

Fluttershy looked to Rarity confusedly. "And stay where??"

"We're always welcome to the castle, as Celestia always says."

"After this fiasco? What if Twilight ruined all of our reputations and now we're considered banded criminals or something?"

Rarity deadpanned. "I'm pretty sure Celestia won't think you're a criminal."

"You're not Celestia! You wouldn't know!-"

"Fluttershy." Rarity looked at her with a serious look. "I know you're scared. I know you don't like whatever is going on. So that's why I'm suggesting we go to Canterlot." She sighed. "Everyone of our friends had already went their own ways. Applejack's family had moved far away, why can't we?"

"...why don't we just go where they're going?"

"They're going back to their homeland. Or at least, where the rest of the Apple family resides at. It'll be awkward for us to jump on the wagon, we barely know them with all their countryisms." Rarity explained. "Sure, we don't know much about Celestia personally but it won't be so awkward as we're welcomed back anytime we want. Being a third wheeler in the Apple family doesn't sound very couth of us." She stared at Fluttershy with a hopeful smile, but was returned with only a hard stare. ".....think about it, okay?" she said as she got off the couch and walked away, leaving Fluttershy to her own thoughts.

"That's alotta smoke coming from Ponyville's area," he pointed out through the snowy skies in the distance. They were hanging out by the castle balcony. Celestia's balcony. The Lord of Chaos himself, with only a pink scarf around his neck, sitting by the ledge of the balcony, with Celestia, adorning a blue wool hat and a scarf, sitting on a cushion on the ground with a warm blanket on her back looking through paperwork.

"Yes, well, that's what fires do." Celestia deadpanned, her eyes fixated on her paperwork.

"But it's such a big smoke cloud..."

"Then it's a big fire." she said once more.

"But we've never encountered such a big- Celestia, are you even looking?" he crossed his arms as he frowned at her.

"I am." she replied. He slanted his eyes at her, disappointed at her lack of interest in his obviously interesting topic.

"You're just saying that."

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. If you would've let me finish my paperwork instead of making me chase you down flights of stairs to retrieve them back I could've finished early and we could've had a grand time staring at grey smoke clouds all day long."

He snapped his talon. "But Celestia!-" he disappeared, and with a flash reappeared on the paper that she was currently reading.

"Discord! I-"

His hands protruded from the paper as he grabbed her face. "Look!" he pushed her face up and away from the paper.

"Why are you so!-....so......." her look of pure frustration and anger immediately contorted into the look of confusion. The smoke clouds were so.....huge......

Ponyville was quite far from Canterlot. Being able to see it from their position in a distance is already quite impressive, but the smoke trail they were looking at at the moment.....it was almost terrifying. Not to mention how the white snow contrasts with. The trail was wide and long, looking like it was coming from Ponyville at this very moment and wasn't previous made smoke being blown to Canterlot by the wind. "Celestia....it's coming our way."

It certainly wasn't helpful that they were sitting on a balcony either. Quickly, they got up and ran for cover in her room. Closing the door behind them, she gave a sigh as they managed to stop themselves from being bathed in smoke. But with this thought in mind, she gulped as she knew that her Kingdom would have to be on lockdown due to health violations concerning of the soon to be hazy town.

God knows what Ponyville is up against now.

Fires

In the evening, Fluttershy went on with her routine of tending to her animals. The war and its ruckus has been a bit disorienting. With forest fires starting and wild explosions sounding in the middle of the night, it was bound to scare many forest critters. Sadly a few nights ago, plenty of her chickens and small furry rodents were mauled to death by a timberwolf that had just so happened to find its way into her backyard and garden. Luckily Mr Bear was able to scare away the timberwolf before it could harm any more critters. But his trials resulted in a few injuries gotten from wrestling the timberwolf. A large bite mark, a few scratches and the all too familiar and horrendous stink of the timberwolf was enough to make Mr Bear more aware of his surroundings and more insecure.

All that were left now were a few baby bunny rabbits, two chickens, Mr Bear and a few mice. Even the birds she used to see had probably migrated somewhere else. Fluttershy felt less and less adamant to tend to her daily chores and routines because of this. She felt very heavy, her chest feeling as if it were trying to pull her down to the ground. She felt like she had failed. As a caretaker. Somepony who had made empty promises of protecting and caring for the animals for the rest of their lives. Seeing plenty of them vanish in only one night was a terrible feeling.

Although it may be the case, she still forced herself to do what she had to, put out some seeds and salads, fill up their drinking bowls and clean Mr Bear's wounds. She never had the time nor the spirit to clean the chicken coop anymore, so her line of chores would end there.

Walking inside with Angel's bowl of salad, she made her hoofsteps loud as to indicate that it was feeding time to Angel. Angel was less energetic than he used to be. Well, he was an old bunny. 7 years old. Fluttershy panned up to the stairs, awaiting Angel. As expected, he hopped out of hiding as he slowly went his way down the stairs. She set the salad aside for him as she walked away, feeling that Angel is considered taken care of for now. She trudged to her couch, where she slumped onto with a heavy sigh.

She felt so worn out. And she didn't even do anything too athletic that day. Maybe it was because she didn't sleep much the night before, maybe it was because she didn't eat in the morning, or maybe it was because she spent most of her time thinking back to what Rarity had suggested the day before.

She couldn't take her mind off of it. And she knew that Rarity awaited a response. She just didn't know how to respond. It was true. Celestia would never push away a guest, especially a friend as she would like to think. She just.....didn't want to. She knew how nice Celestia is. Celestia would never hold anything against her or her friends. Friends.

If she were Celestia, would she still consider him a friend?

No. No no no. She had no control over the situation. It wasn't her fault she couldn't get the full picture. She wished she couldn't undo what had been done. She couldn't forget the painful look he last gave her.

The look of scorn towards her. His eyes resonated within her memory. The sad, feeling of letting someone down. Surely that was what he felt. As if he had let her down somehow.

If only he was here. If only they had more time. If only she had the ability to overlook the future. If only she had known just what had happened actually. If only she had seen the bigger picture. If only she had known, she would've held his face in her hooves, comforting him and reassuring him that he was alright. If only she had the strength to talk over her friends that were doubting his innocence.

She knew that somehow he was innocent. He would never hurt anypony physically. If only she knew what circuit had gone off in his mind at that time. What gave him the sudden urge to maul her friend half to death. What gave him the urge to want to see her 'friend' suffer in such way.

If only they had more time.

Whatever happened after he left, surely Celestia would know. He visits her often. He wasn't the kind to shun his problems away if he had the opportunity to talk about it. Surely he told her all about it. How she looked at him, how her eyes looked at him feeling deceived, used, manipulated. How she looked disheartened at his actions. Surely he had told her what had actually happened. What did happened. What the truth was. And she was the only one that would ever know the truth.

Twilight is sadistic, she knew that now. And that could be the only answer to their dilemma. He was never the culprit. They were never victims. The only victim she knew at that point was him.

It's been five years. She doubts that Discord had never told Celestia about this. She felt so....so useless. She failed him. As a friend. As the pony who had sworn to protect him and show him the light of friendship, of how things.....

....may not always be how it seems.

Celestia.

Celestia would know what happened.

Celestia would give her the full story.

...

...would she?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud explosion. Quickly, she got off the couch and peeked her head out of the window. But as soon as she did, she retracted in surprise as she saw something on fire coming her way. As she retracted, it crashed into the walls of her cottage. Peeking out again to see what it actually was, it was a wooden plank on....fire.

Her gaze was caught attention by even more things in the sky, coming in the cottage's direction. Her eyes shrinked as she yelped in surprise, looking down at her critters who were all looking at the sky in terror at what was to lay upon them.

At instinct, she tried jumping out the window to save them. But a magical aura pulled her away forcefully from the window at the lift of a hoof. "FLUTTERSHY, YOU'D GET YOURSELF KILLED!"

"NO!" she shouted back as her eyes streamed with tears, her hooves reaching out for the window but was slammed down into the ground instead. "THEY'RE OUT THERE!!"

As she felt the magical aura let go, immediately as the force subsided she dived again to the window. But was held back by Rarity as this time she wrapped her forelegs around her neck. "FLUTTERSHY, STOP!!"

As soon as she said that, thuds hit the roof as the cottage was being bombarded by whatever was coming their way. Rarity pulled her away and into the kitchen. By the cupboards, she pulled Fluttershy into her embrace as they sat in between the corner of a wall and the side of a cupboard. She remembered that this method could potentially help them to avoid getting squashed by the ceiling less it decides to collapse.

"RARITYYY......" Fluttershy bawled and whine as she tried to make Rarity released of her, even going so far as to bite her.

"OW!" she winced as she smacked Fluttershy's snout in response. "QUIT IT, WILL YOU?!"

Fluttershy flinched and stopped as she got smacked. Clearly being treated as if she's some sort of dog. Then again biting her friend is very dog-like of her. "....s-sorry...." The thuds came louder. The obvious smell of smoke came through the cottage. They were even more surprised when they heard glass shatter. "..sounds like they broke one of the windows."

Gradually but slowly, the curtains and carpets and anything flammable had caught on fire. Fluttershy gulped as the flames entered the kitchen, now overbearing with smoke as well. The 'throwaways' as they call it sounded as if they has stopped coming. Either way, they were still in alot of shit. Fluttershy's eyes followed along to where the flames are trailing. From the doorway to her cabinets to her table......

"Fluttershy, quick!" called out Rarity. Fluttershy broke out of her stare as she staggered off as well, feeling slightly embarrassed that she didn't even notice her friend walk away. It was a little hard to maneuver their way out as the place had been filled with smoke and it was blinding. Rarity led her to the back door of the cottage that led to the backyard, where it had been left untouched due to it not facing where the things have been launched towards.

Walking out, they staggered out, taking a deep breath along the way as they were in clear of the smoke. Well, most of it. Fluttershy turned her gaze to the side of where they stood however, and was relieved when she saw a few of the animals huddled in a group in the corner of the backyard. "Oh goodness...." she flew straight towards them at the sight.

Rarity looked at her with half lidded eyes. Fluttershy can be very careless when it comes to her own safety, yet the safety of her animals would always come first. Although that did show off the title 'Element of Kindness', she still disliked how her own safety was never prioritised. The animals should be worried about later on. Looking at the scene, even without her help the animals were able to escape unscathed. If Fluttershy had gone out and gotten herself hurt, it could've been all for nothing. Also noted after staying with her and her animals, if Fluttershy were to react a certain way towards them, they'd probably react the same way. For example, if she were to panic about their safety, surely they would panic as well, aggravating their escape and maybe they couldn't even have came out as unscathed as this.

"Are you poor dears alright? Did anyone get hurt? Second degree burns? Third degree burns? Did anyone fall down while running and hurt themselves? Did anyone end up getting hit by anything? Is everyone sure everyone is alright???"

"Fluttershy, I'm sure they're fine." she replied. She turned back to the burning cottage, hoping that the snow would help cool it down.

Letting It All Out

"Rarity." called out Fluttershy. They walked the pathway towards the cottage, even so they're walking the opposite direction. Not knowing what to do now, they decided that it was best to wait out the flames. It was already dark outside. The outdoors were also very hazy, both from the fire and whatever would be going on in town.

"Hmm?"

"Maybe we should go to Canterlot," she said finally. "You're right. Canterlot could be the only place we could go at this point. Yet alone Celestia might be glad that we're okay. The only ones okay."

Rarity frowned. "But with what bits? Train tickets aren't cheap, yet alone the train station would be bustling with ponies getting rides out of this place. My bits are in the cottage, who knows if it's even in one piece at this point."

Fluttershy lowered her head. "That's...right. I'm sorry, Rarity. This was all.....so sudden. It's such a coincidence to be having a talk about going to Canterlot this morning that I haven't even planned saving up bits for that."

"You spent them all already?" asked Rarity, befuddled.

"Well, with how hard it is to get supplies from other towns now, veggies are bound to raise in price due to the limited stock."

"You should've told me. I could've cashed in a few for you if I knew, then you wouldn't have spent it all."

"What's the point? It's going to get caught in the fire anyway." Rarity sighed. Fluttershy began to tear up. "I can't believe I lost the cottage."

"Don't worry. We could-"

"And alot of the animals."

"Yes but also-"

"And my belongings. What would Pinkie think of me if she knew that her paper mache bunny rabbit had been burned up into ashes."

Rarity frowned again. "You know, you're not the only one that lost something."

Fluttershy looked up to her in surprise. "Oh no, I'm sorry if I seemed brash-"

"Actually you lost less than me."

Fluttershy regretted her words as she stammered. "I d-didn't mean to sound so ungrateful, I-"

"You lost a cottage, some rodents, so what? They're all replaceable. What about what I lost? I lost a pony, Fluttershy! A pony!" Rarity shrieked, her throat caught as she suddenly felt teary eyed. "And it was all because of this stupid war! You ever think how stupid it is for a town to have a war with itself? It's practically suicide! And...a-and...." she stopped dead in her tracks. "I should've done something."

Fluttershy stopped as well. "Rarity, you couldn't have-"

"Why was she such an idiot?! How come I've raised such a.....stupid....foolish....caring....little child- she was a child! A- a great one....a-and all because of her 'friend', she died! She died, she died, she died!!!" she shrieked as she fell into a fit of hysterical crying. "She died! All because of a kid that couldn't protect herself! Just because she wanted to be kind, she ended up getting herself killed! Why was it her?! Why wasn't it me?! Why wasn't I kind enough to chime in?! Why....." she stopped herself. ".....I'm such a hypocrite." she sniffled.

"What do you mean?-"

"I always thought you were pathetic for prioritizing your animals' safety rather than your own! Now.....I-I realized how similar we really are. I just can't.....help but wonder how things would've gone had I been the one that saved that Scootaloo." Rarity sat down, sniffling as she recapted. "I wonder how different everything would be. Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell could've both stayed with my parents in Manehattan. Instead of just Scootaloo. Mother wouldn't have looked at me with eyes of betrayal. Mother couldn't look at Sweetie the way she glared at Scootaloo if everything were different. She was only a child. She couldn't have done anything. It wouldn't be so awkward then. To just call for my parents to pick up Scootaloo and leave. It'll make more sense if it were Sweetie."

"Rarity...." she looked at her with pity. First, shun out of her own boutique, then losing a sister, and if that wasn't bad enough, disowned by her own parents for letting in happen. "I'm sure Sweetie was glad that Scootaloo was sent to stay with your parents. I'm sure it's a bit of a painful to have Scootaloo around them, as if she were a reminder of their lost, but it's what Sweetie would've wanted, and that's all that matters, right?" she sat beside her, a soft pat on her back as she did. "You're not a hypocrite. You're right. I can't replace Rainbow Dash in my life either. Sure, she wasn't a sister, but we were very close. I'm sure she would've wanted me to live as long as I could. Sweetie is a sweet child, as her name implies. I'm sure she thought the same."

"I don't even know anymore...." she sniffled. She dropped onto the ground with a shaky exhale, feeling the wave of grief hit her like a boulder. She's been repressing her feelings for so long that it stings to just remember it after so long. How much she had tried to forgot, to try and hide herself from the reality of the situation. She felt like such a hypocrite. She used to look down on Fluttershy's negative views on everything, reassuring her friend that everything'll be alright. That she should see the bright side of everything, that nothing is really gone as long as she sees the other side of things. She's been lying to herself. Lying to herself. Lie. "....everything I've ever told you since I've lost her. Everything. Lies."

"Rarity?-"

"LIES!! LIES!! LIESSS!!" she shrieked as she sobbed hysterically. Fluttershy was taken aback. She has never seen her friend this way. The friend that had been positive this whole time during the events that happened. The only day she had seen her this sad was...after telling her parents to pick up Scootaloo. She cried the whole day about how disappointed her parents were. How their eyes looked at her as if she were a stranger. A murderer. A liar. How she lied to Sweetie about protecting her forever. How she promised to always be there for her through thick and thin. How.....

How this rant of hers is so...so sudden. She looked up to Fluttershy with teary eyes and snot covered face. "..I-I'm sorry....Fluttershy.....I...I..." she can't stop herself however. ".....I just don't know what to do anymore....."

Fluttershy didn't seem upset however. She didn't seem sad or disheartened by the sudden tantrum. Only, she gave the look of understanding as she sat next to Rarity, and gave a comforting rub on her back. "It's okay.... you're okay..."

"I failed as a sister!" she continued to sob hysterically. Fluttershy didn't mind, however. She didn't want to mind. This was the least she could do for Rarity at the moment. Who has always never minded.

"Lulu~~~~" called out Discord. He hung from the ceiling, walking around looking for Luna. "Oh Lulu~~~~- Ow!!" he fell from the ceiling as the back of his head was whacked hard. falling on his back with a groan, he gazed up to a very annoyed alicorn.

"For an old goat, I'd thought you'd act the age."

"Hey now, you're not any younger," he said as he stood up and dusted himself off.

"I don't climb walls and ceilings."

"Doesn't mean it's too late for you to try."

Luna rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Now, what is it that you want?" she asked. She was getting ready for her shift, as usual. And she had to be interrupted by him. Discord stared at her. And she stared back. He didn't wear his normal jokester look of his, or doesn't look like he was planning anything considering he was quiet all day until he started calling for her. Well, him being quiet would be suspicious already. But for the him she sees now, that's non the latter. He stuck his tongue out a little however, which served to peeve her more as she got no response. "What?"

"....I'm bored."

"Well what do you want me to do about it?" she said as she walked towards her room which neared the end of the hall. "I haven't got time to play your games, wait for Celestia to come back from her meeting."

Discord followed along. "But she takes such a long time at those meetings. She'll probably be back very late. And now it's barely night."

"It's evening already, Discord, night had just begun."

Discord whined. "But I'm not willing to wait such a long time. Can't I accompany you this time with your shift?"

"Absolutely not! You do know that my job is to look after ponies' dreams, right?"

"So?" he raised a brow.

"You can't accompany me as I won't be conscious to even talk to you!"

"But Lunaaaa...." he whined. "What am I supposed to do now?"

Luna rolled her eyes. "Try reading."

"What if I don't know how to read?"

"If you know how to read recipes to bother me while I sleep then you can damn well read."

"You don't know if I'm actually following the recipes I'm reading. For all I know the recipes could just be for show and I'm improvising the whole way!"

"Ughhhh...." she groaned in annoyance as she got to her door. As she turned her knob, she paused as Discord waited behind her. Waiting for her to open the door as well. "....I'm not letting you in."

Discord frowned. "Well can I at least sit by your door?"

"And why in Equestria would you do that?"

"So that I know you aren't slacking off when you're doing your job."

"I DON'T SLACK OFF!!!" she exclaimed in her royal voice, which blew Discord away a little as he blinked. "How about you go take a nap in your room?"

"How about I take a nap in yours?"

"How about no? I'm going in and I'm not letting you in less you disrupt my concentration," she said in frustration as she walked in. "Goodbye," she said in a passive aggressive tone as she looked at him for one last time before slamming the door shut.

Discord flinched as his ears lowered by the loud slam. He sighed. He didn't really want to read, neither did he....want to sleep..... He'd be lying to himself if he said that he wasn't tired. But he forbid himself to sleep. Not without any of the sisters.

It wasn't that he was lonely or anything. None of the sort! He was Discord! With his skills, he can pick up many damsels if he wanted to! If not, thousands of friends! Yes! He just......didn't want to at the moment. Yes. "....yes....that's it....." he spoke to himself. "....that's it......"

Luna sighed as she heard him talk to himself on the other side of the door. She didn't walk to her usual spot to get ready. To fully raise the moon. It might've been a little too over the time of how long it was supposed to be in said position. He was just.....so weird.

She had always considered him weird. Even before he was known as the infamous villain she had grown to hate, the little unsubconcious acts of his never ceases to weird her out. But in a way, his weirdness is what makes him, well, him. When he dropped by to Canterlot a few years ago however, the day that confirmed Twilight's sanity fully gone, was when his little acts of weirdness shouldn't feel as homely as they should.

He had never been the same after that day. He never was the same anymore. She had never seen him that way before. So drained of colour that she couldn't even comprehend the state his mind was in. So depressed. Hopeless. Celestia was nice enough to try and help him, too. Slowly, she realised how his attitude changed. From a brave, confident, and usually joking draconequus, to a coward. He never did feel like showing his face to ponies outside of the castle anymore. Never did Celestia's words of encouragement reach him anymore. Never did he look so vulnerable. So hopeless of himself.

Usually he'd be so proud of his accomplishments. How he was able to make six friends without anypony's help. It's usually like that. And although he never admitted it, it was obvious that he was thankful for Celestia's help in his new path to a better life, although he never admits it. Nowadays, whenever Celestia even hints at meeting or befriending anyone outside of the castle, he'd find a way to change the topic.

It was clear what his intent to accompany her was. He was clinging onto them at this point. And today specifically, Celestia had to go for a very private meeting. Usually, he'd tag along just to stand around with eyes glued onto him as if he'd lose her if he blinked even once. But as it sounds, private means private. And he wasn't allowed to follow. It bothered him, and Celestia as well, to say the least. What could they want to talk about? Why does it need to be that private? Sometimes, Discord would tag along for private meetings as long as he never tells a soul to anypony else about the contents. Needn't worry about that, however. Not like he would even if he could. And they trust Celestia well enough to know that.

Just what could they be talking about?

"I don't think that's right...." she heard him say again from the other side. He really does have a problem with speaking out loud, sometimes it's concerning. He's still out there, as well.

She sighed. How does Celestia put up with this? She turned back to the door and opened it. "You really are like a mutt, you know?"

"Aren't you supposed to raise the moon by now?" he said as his eyes glued to the window he conjured on the ground, looking at it.

Luna turned to her balcony in surprise. "I've completely forgotten!" she said as she rushed towards her balcony.

"What were you doing this whole time then?" he asked in confusion. "Did you miss me? You missed me, didn't you?"

"Oh can it, would you?" she groaned as she lit her horn. Well, he didn't really lose much of his 'joking' side as far as she's concerned.

Carefully but quickly, her magic emitted the moon, and slowly it was lowered. She concentrated and hoped to the dear Heavens nopony noticed. The higher Gods forbid her sister know about this. She'll never hear the end of it.

After a few minutes, the moon was finally raised. She sighed a content sigh as she looked down from the moon. She turned back and was opting to her normal spot when sh realised he was still there. Laying by the doorway. Of the door that she had forgotten to close. Which makes it all the more sad to look at. "....you're still there."

"And you're still there. Dreams are lining up and waiting for you, you know."

Luna looked at him with annoyance. Why is he still there? He could've at least be distracted by something else. Why her of all ponies. "...." They stared each other off for a very long time. Luna looked at him, half annoyed but half also feeling sympathetic over how pathetic he is at this point. ".....hnnnnnggggg......fine. You can sleep in my room for tonight. He brightened up as he stood up quickly and went in. "But no funny business! You are to stay on my bed and nowhere else!"

"Your wish is my command, your Highness," he said as he jumped onto her bed, curling himself up as he looked at her.

"Don't dirty my sheets. Once it's morning, I'm pushing you straight off."

"Seems fair," he said. And immediately, he yawned. Curling himself right again, he sighed, contented. Before he dozed off however, he spoke again. "Luna?"

"Hmm?" she hummed as she laid on her own little pillow pile she made so she could feel comfortable while doing her duty.

"I'm so glad to have a not-sister sister like you," he said, before dozing off into his slumbers.

She stared at him, a little surprised. It's been so long since she's heard him say that. Ever since childhood, even. It....warmed her a little, to say the least.

She smiled a warm smile, something she had rarely given him in a while. ".....goodnight to you too, not-brother brother."

Relieved

Celestia sat in her chariot flying in the air at post haste, as she realised that she was very late to the meeting. It was supposed to be held in the afternoon at 1PM but of course, this being a more private meeting she had to convince Discord that she'd be fine and that he has to stay put in the castle. Usually he'd be fine for private meetings due to them being held at the castle. It was an even harder challenge to convince him this time as it was held in Ponyville. The air was smoke-ridden so she had to conjure a forcefield to keep her and her guards from being blinded by smoke.

The letter she had received was from Mayor Mare, wanting get her best attention due to the circumstances and needed her full cooperation. She felt like hitting herself due to the fact that she was three hours late.

Her two guards and chariot carriers had trouble navigating as well, and because of that they had to land midway and get to town by land instead. The sky was dark and below was hazy. Even so, it was better to navigate from then on instead of getting lost in smoke clouds.

They had landed in the Everfree, and from then on trekked their way through it. They left the chariot behind as they walked by hoof. Although they knew where they were, Celestia cursed herself as she realised that the more they trekked the more they seemed to be going nowhere. "Wind Blade, Bluestone, where are we going?"

The two guards looked to each other. "...uh.. we were following you, you Highness."

Celestia then realised that yes, she did seem to be the first to lead them away from the chariot and didn't take note of the distance from landing to town. "....right. Uhm, did any of us bring a map?"

Bluestone turned to his partner. "Psst, Blade."

"It wasn't with you?" his partner replied.

"What?! You carried it beforehoof!"

"Yeah but I gave it to you again, remember?!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

Celestia stared, her eyes riddled with annoyance as the two carried along arguing. "......this is the last time I'll leave my saddlebag back at the castle."

Rarity managed to calm down after awhile and together they walked to town. Whatever that had happened in town, it certainly sent flames all over the place. An explosion? A sudden attack sent out by the Princess? As the years passed, she didn't feel inclined to call her by her name anymore. She wasn't her friend anymore. She has become someone different. Someone she can't even recognise anymore.

The Princess has been sending out random bomb attacks to scare away ponies from rioting in front of the castle. Which makes ponies even more inclined to start protests and bigger riots, resulting in more extreme measures her guards would use.

Speaking of the Princess, every week there would be one day where she would make a town announcement. And that day would be tomorrow. Fluttershy rarely attended the annoucement making, an exception being when the sirens in town go off however. Which would mean that either the Princess is going to be announcing a new law in town, a big change or anything else that could bring a big difference in lives. The normal announcements are usually just the Princess giving off her satisfaction of the riots or her trying to convince everyone that everything will be okay in the better future she would continue to build.

A liar.

Fluttershy never took note on whether the Princess would spot her in the crowd. Actually, the last time she ever spoke to the Princess was the day before Dash died.

A commander of the Princess who got more than she had bargained for. She was given the role when Ponyville was still.......quite peaceful. Fluttershy knew why she was the one chosen to be commander when other more trained pegasi, unicorns and earthponies from all around the globe came to show what they got. The Princess- no, Twilight, still had a soft spot back then.

Now there is no Twilight. She had faith that her friend, element of loyalty, would stick around. That being said, during protests ponies would pile up in front of the castle, and Dash would have to calm the crowd down. With the Princess being too proud to show her face outside, Dash would always take blame for everything the Princess has done. A staff of the Princess, why does your ruler think so low of us?, they would ask. There'd even be times where fights would get resulted, and Dash would always come to the cottage wounded and bruised.

Dash knew that at the end, she was only a punching bag. Something to distract the ponies and keeping the Princess safe and sound in her own castle. Till the end, although there were times Rainbow tried to persuade the Princess to let loose and to not torture her civilians, being shouted at for disobeying authority, and sometimes even being pulled away by guards who were ordered to....do whatever they'd like to her. She died being loyal. Never did she put away her role as commander. Never did she betray the Princess. All she could do is be silent, still having hope that the Princess still had that spark somewhere in there. Just no one was there to ignite it. She'd say she hated the Princess, but inside she still hoped for something.

Shot down by civilians with a flame crossbow, she died on the Princess' balcony where she managed to land at. All the bodies and corpses of those who did not manage to survive the attacks were set to landfill and burned, the ashes then flowing through the smoke in the air.

The last time they spoke. The last time the Princess ever spoke. Was when they tried to persuade her to let go of the Apple Orchard's land. Although the Apple family had long been gone with Spike by their side due to him still being a child, it was unwise to claim the orchard and land that had been under the Apple family name for generations. They failed to persuade however, as one would figure.

Now the orchard is nothing but an empty patch of land. Trees had been cut down, the barn wad demolished, Fluttershy couldn't bear to witness the demolish of the CMC's treehouse. She had remembered coming up there once in awhile bringing fresh cookies and milk, reassuring everypony that everything would be alright. When Sweetie passed and Scoots moved away however, she remembered how broken Applebloom looked sitting alone up in the treehouse. Fluttershy would always visit to try and cheer Applebloom up.

Applejack was surprised to hear that Fluttershy didn't want to move away with them, for fearing to leave her animals behind, especially during the time of war. But, she was a little relieved to know that Flutters wouldn't be alone as Dash and Rarity decided to stay as well. It was a teary evening, but family is priority, especially with a little kid who were still too young to understand what was going on. They managed to sneak Spike away with them as well, the boy was told to be starved as he wasn't allowed to leave the library section of the castle and never risked going out to grab a bite or two. The Princess would feed him but when she'd forgotten, either he starves or Dash comes by to give up her lunch for her from the library window.

The next day after they moved away to Appleloosa to rejoin with other relatives, sirens went off and the Princess announced of Spike's absence, as if he'd turn about from her calling for him to be returned to the castle immediately. Houses were raided, the cottage, and the orchard, which was soon found out by her to be empty. The culprit that stole her dragon.

Before they left however, the family and them had a last get together. Rarity made cowboy hats for little Applebloom and Spike to suite the Appleloosa 'style'. Fluttershy on the other hoof knitted two wool bags for the duo. Rainbow couldn't join the dinner however as she had duty to attend to, but she left her lucky scout scarf for Applebloom. It was meant for Scoots' birthday that year but....

They had their last dinner together before leaving, Fluttershy giving the duo kisses goodbye.

Fluttershy hoped that the family is still safe. Her thoughts were interrupted however as Rarity pointed into the distance towards town, specifically the castle. "Shy...look."

Fluttershy squinted, and what caught her eye was a large banner along with flags. The banner stated: Bring back rights. The flags had symbols of the Princess' crown being crossed off by red lines. Death threats were being chanted in front of the castle. Although the balcony of the castle was empty, no Princess peering down at her citizens.

They stopped walking as they watched from a distance. And as expected, the Princess has other plans in mind. Suddenly, ponies started screaming and backing up as some sort of green gas exited the castle, filling the air. They could see ponies coughing and tearing up. Rarity backed up a little. "Mayyyybe we shouldn't enter town at the moment."

Celestia and her two guards walked around aimlessly looking for maybe a sign or something that would point to Ponyville. Wind Blade coughed. "Your Highness, I could fly up again and see where we're at-"

"And fall from being blinded by smoke again?"

"I-it was an accident, I can try again-"

"No, we can figure this out ourselves, I'm sure of it," she continued to walk forward as the guards followed helplessly from behind. During the trek she had noticed charred tree bark and leaves, even random trash which appeared to be charred as well.

Bluestone sighed. "We're getting nowhere...." he whispered to himself. Suddenly, something caught his eye. A shadow. A shadow flew over him. He froze and looked up, but was met with nothing. "....uh..." he looked forward and realised how far back he was. "W-wait!" he ran towards the others. Catching up, he panted before leaning towards Wind Blade. "B-Blade? I heard something behind us."

Wind Blade rolled his eyes. "We're in a forest, it's probably some small critter."

"B-but it flew above us."

"Yeah, a bird? Grow up, Blue."

Bluestone gulped, but remained by Wind Blade's side. A bird....possibly? Could it really just be a bird? But...the rustling.....

Celestia turned her head back to the two. "Whatever it was, leave it be. We have more important things to- gah!" she backed in surprise as somepony came down hanging from a tree branch. Although cloaked, the black cloth slipped off as they hung from the branch, revealing a zebra instead.

"What a surprise to see your Highness, although one could fathom why your Highness is trekking through the forest with little to dim brightness. Are you lost?"

Celestia's surprised looked turned to a relieved one. "Ah, Zecora. It's a relief to bump into you," the zebra let go of the branch, landing herself steady on the ground. Zecora eyed Bluestone, who then nudged Wind Blade as an 'I told you so'. "We are, in fact, lost. The sky was too dark to navigate through. We landed the chariot somewhere back there and proceeded to travel by hoof. But stupidly, we have nothing to navigate with."

Zecora chuckled. "That's something I'd never thought I'd hear from a Princess, but I can lead you back to my hut for now to rest. It seems that Ponyville is in a bit of a mess, travelling there tomorrow would be best."

Celestia sighed. In this case, she'd have to miss out on the meeting, isn't she?

Bluestone tapped her shoulder. "Princess, it is a wise decision if we did stay put. We can't risk you getting hurt," he said. "You may be a Goddess, but Princess Twilight's land is a whole 'nother level. Surely you've heard news coming from Ponyville and other neighbouring towns?"

Celestia nodded. "Mhm. You're right. But, I can't just miss out on the meeting, I am the ruler of Equestria. Missing out when clear urgency has been stated might send the wrong message to Mayor Mare. Afterall, ponies with their make-belief stories, they'd say that I was the one that made Twilight who she is today. I....kinda believe that too, actually."

Wind Blade spoke up. "Your Highness, do not think low of yourself. You had only started Princess Twilight's journey. All that she has done, all that she has achieved to get this far, they are all her choices. You held her hoof till she became Princess. It was then that she acted out. If anything, it could be looked at as your Highness was the one that held her back."

"They're right," added Zecora as she planted a hoof against Celestia's chest. "Princess, everyone defines their own path. If you think you can create an individual, telling that to sage, I might as well laugh. Choices are of their own making, just like how sanity had been Twilight's forsaking."

Celestia looked at the zebra, who smiled reassuringly. Celestia couldn't help but smile herself. "....alright, we'll stay the night."

They were all lead to the hut, with Celestia staring wide eyed at the charred tree log laying a few meters away from the entrance to the hut. A charred arrow too stuck out from it. "Oh my."

"Flames were being thrown everywhere, a sudden attack if you see. Due to the riots and protests, it's the Princess's, I gurantee. Words are useless to those that want freedom, so Twilight had chosen action, to scare away them."

She unlocked the door to the hut, and they were let in. "Please, make yourselves comfy. At night, riots would sing and keep us awake if unlucky."

She went to get a few banana leaves she had stored up for her brews as mats for them to rest on. She had also taken a leaf for herself as it'll be unwise to be the only one on a bed.

Celestia looked around. "It wouldn't be any trouble if I were to ask for a few parchments and a quill?"

Zecora laid the leaves down for each of them as they took a sit on them. "Of course, of course. Thinking of sending a letter to the beast and the sister of yours?"

"Beast? You mean Discord?" asked Bluestone. She nodded.

"I haven't seen him around in years. He'd come around and tell ridiculous stories, pah, as if I told him I was 'all ears'," she said as she walked to her shelves and took a few parchments, a quill and a tub of ink. "Although, it became quite lonely without the thing. I live alone, and, well, I'd admit, his stories are....something. Living in the forest sure has it perks, although to hide from the town and it's dangers, eh it works."

She handed over Celestia her needs. "Thank you." Zecora nodded, and mentioned to make tea for them. "That'll be nice. Well, actually I was thinking of writing a letter for Mayor Mare. I've forgotten about the other two. What a mistake it would be if I didn't give any of them a heads up."

"It's already a mistake not giving Discord a heads up," whispered Bluestone to Wind.

"Actually, how did you know that I keep in contact with him?" asked Celestia. Did she slip up or something?

"I've heard from other travellers that the castle of your Highness houses a beast as a pet. A beast would none other be Discord, I bet?"

Celestia chuckled. "A beast to take care of, indeed. Although, it's a little harsh to call him a pet, or a beast for that matter. He's just....having trouble for now."

"Twilight, no doubt, surely I'm correct. The yellow one, his friend, came sobbing, asking if we have met. But alas, the Lord never comes by anymore. Leaving the pegasus more devastated and poor."

Celestia raised a brow. "Did she tell you that it was Twilight?"

"Oh, no. The pegasus had no clue. But seeing them trek up the hill to a cave, it was at then that I knew. After awhile, lights came out ablazing, and after awhile the Lord came out sobbing, leaving even my brows raising. The yellow one was confused, heartbroken and angry, after hearing that maybe her friend was not what she had been seeing. Discord might've been deceived, but the others were fooled into disbelieving.

Celestia felt a heavy weight upon her chest. Fluttershy.....she never thought about how Discord's absence might've affected her. Neither has Discord talked about her since that day. She'd ask at times if he wanted to go back to Ponyville and maybe see his old friends again, but nothing detailed ever came out except for a hard 'no'. She never pushed him to speak further than that, knowing him, it's clear that he might've been uncomfortable with the question or even talking about his old friends in general.

But now, with this in mind, she kept a mental note to visit Fluttershy if she had the chance. Looking up to Zecora, she questioned again. "Does Fluttershy visit often?"

"Usually to borrow any medical brews I manage to whip up, other than that we rarely meet up."

"How about the others? Her friends, I mean."

"Most of them are gone I'm afraid, dear Princess. Deceased and charred with the bodies of rest. War is a cruel state for a town to be in, most of us are just waiting for the next attack to begin. Miss Loyalty and Laughter were a few of the victims, but then again it might've been a relief that the Gods had picked them. The family of Honesty had long moved away, taking Spike with them so he too can be safe at bay. Miss Generosity however, tragedy struck her. And her sister died a hero while young Scootaloo was given to her mother. Ashamed and with nothing else to lose, she moved in with the yellow one, leaving back only her charred boutique too."

Celestia felt....devastated. She let this happen, didn't she.

Zecora gave her a reassuring smile. "Please don't blame yourself, I know you feel sad. But be happy for those that still survives, be happy for them, and be glad."

"It almost feels like you can read my mind..." Celestia smiled slightly, sniffling a little. But, she cleared her head after a while. She still had to write her letters. With a sigh, she dipped her quill into the ink tub, and began writing.

"My dearest Luna......"

"Dear Mayor Mare......"

Author's Note

To the people that read this: I hope we could all one day meet up and eat pizza because I think you fellas are awesome for sticking around. I rest my case, thank you.

Ignorance Or Misunderstanding?

"-and I will be spending the night with Zecora,"

"She's not safe there, Luna. We need to do something-"

"No," she told him for the eleventh time he had interrupted her. "She can handle herself on her own. Now do you want to argue and spend the rest of the day worrying or should you just get back to sleeping and me with my duties?" she asked, obviously annoyed at that point.

"I'm not in the mood to sleep anymore," he groaned.

"The sooner you get to sleeping, the sooner the sun rises and the sooner Celestia would come back. Heavens, Discord, it's as if it weren't her that risked her life defending her kingdom and here you are worrying because she's stuck in another town. She'll be fine, you'll be fine, relax."

Discord groaned again. Now that he's awake he doesn't feel like sleeping. Even if he tried however, worry reeked from him. "....I'll just stay up instead."

"Discord...." she said. Sometimes she doesn't know what to do with him. "You can't stay awake until Celestia comes back."

"Well you're doing it."

"I'm doing my duty and as I said, I'd be taking the bed in the morning. Would you like to spend your mornings being drowsy whilst waiting for my sister and watching me sleep? No, right?"

Luna shook her head as she remembered of her duties. She had to wake Discord up to tell the news lest he complain about a late update on her sister's situation. She walked back to her mat of soft pillows and scrolls at the side, and plopped down comfortably again. She put Celestia's letter aside for then.

Overall, a duty as the Princess of the night isn't to say hard, although for a mare that has been doing it for thousands of years it's not much. Although that may be the case, she still had to focus hard enough. Casting her spell to enter the dream realm isn't easy, also considering the fact that she enters into the other realm mentally, not physically. Therefore, she's still quite there, on her pile of pillows, it's just having her eyes and part of her mind in a different world. Like standing in a middle of a portal sideways.

She closed her eyes, and slowly, she casted her spell. The blue light enveloped her from the horns to her head and down to her body as she felt herself dragged away and back into the dream realm.

Discord sighed. Luna ignored him. Typical.

But, he took what she said and repeated it over and over in his head. She'll be fine, she said. She'll be fine, she'll be fine, she'll be fine......

But, every time he did repeat it, it's always in that specific tone that she said it in. That annoyance in her voice. It's so familiar yet so....rare. Not to say that the Princess is rarely annoyed, but, she always has a specific tone for him.

True, he was annoying. But, this time he just couldn't help himself. It was.....Celestia and....Ponyville....all that. He just couldn't help but keep his feeling of uneasiness....

...and....

....oh.

He.....after he came to Canterlot, rarely had he been away from Celestia's side. Was it.....fear? Loneliness?

.....huh....

...he never really thought about himself.

He looked to the occupied Princess, whose job and how it works makes it look like she's a professional sleeper with her eyes closed and focused. He smiled, tried to, but dropped it. As she was occupied, for once, he'd.....

He got off the bed and left the room, only the clicking souns of the door closing was the last to leave.

The girls ran for cover as the gas creeped closer. Rarity bit her lip as Fluttershy flapped her wings frantically to the tempo of her hooves. Tear gas. Not only could it impair your vision and daze you, it could blind you permanently.

Fluttershy guided them to a nearby burrow where she remembered a bunny family used to live in. As the burrow was build in high earth, it acted as a small one sided trench for them. They sat down beside each other, panting from the run and hoping the gas wouldn't reach them. Her Highness often ordered her guards to triple or quadruple the amount of gas if necessary. Indeed, 'necessary'.

Fluttershy panted. "...w-what now?"

"......it's best if we....w-wait it out," Rarity replied. Her hooves ached from the run. They were covered in all sorts of dirt and dust from running. Rarity tried to peer up from their little trench.

Fluttershy panted and looked at her friend. It's....she envied her. How she was able to still be strong and confident of her choices after.....everything. Rarity......lost everything.

She looked down at her hooves. The dirt. The dust. The grime. She wanted to tear up. When will this end. She...she felt like she pulled Rarity down with her. Somehow. Rarity....

....she could've went with Applejack back to Appleloosa. Or wherever they went. But, Rarity chose to stay. With her. She was....stubborn. She couldn't bear to leave her animals behind. And Rarity took pity on her. She felt like she pulled her friend into this situation. To be stuck with her in this crazy town on this crazy land they once called home.

She looked to Rarity, eyeing her. Why.

Rarity caught her glances. "Hmm?"

"I......I'm....." Fluttershy looked down to her hooves, shaking her head. "N-nevermind."

It's been years. And she felt like pinching herself for not being able to apologise. For this. But, she knew Rarity. Her responds would surely be something close to 'Its her choice' and 'she didn't drag her into anything'. It was always like that. Always. She.....she felt less of a friend the more the words lingered on in her chest. But, she had no guts to spill them. Rarity gave her the look of concern, but didn't question as further.

As time went on, the two waited out for the trails of smoke and gas to subside. The sun setted slowly. Celestia, she thought. Why couldn't you give us more time. They were hungry as well, but their hunger had to wait for now as they decided to trek home after awhile, fearing that being out for much longer could get them hunted.

Author's Note

Chapter was short but I was busy this week. Soz, here's a slice of pizza as compensation.

Deck of Cards

Discord moseyed along the halls of the castle, shaking his head as he tried desperately to clence his mind of worry for Celestia and of the state of Ponyville. He had heard many news of it. There were even first-hoof experiences told by refugees who escaped from Ponyville. Often in meetings, big icons and dictators of some parts of Equestria would have Ponyville and their neighbouring towns as a topic of discussion. Many knew of Twilight's rule and how it affected Ponyville. Many knew how she was getting ready to try and take control of other towns as well. Peace, what a joke.

Often he'd accompany Celestia for the meetings. It's humiliating to hear creatures call him a pet or a tamed bodyguard, but he didn't mind as long as he could reassure himself that Celestia was safe. And after living as....him, in the castle, like the good old days, he was given his own role as, well, the Lord of Chaos. In the name himself, he's considered a big icon, and therefore he's given permission to accompany Celestia to these meetings even without registering or being called out as a plus one. It made him a bit less embarrassed of following as his excuse can and always will be 'I wanted to go so that I'll be more updated of present affairs and I'm a Lord yatta yatta yatta...'.

Although, it did quite agitate him a little to the fact that this was the first ever meeting to have been told that it's private to the point of it being in PONYVILLE aaaand he wasn't allowed to come. That really was what agitated him the most, the fact that he couldn't follow her for the meeting. It wasn't the first private meeting he was ever left out in but this was something he couldn't just take as 'a meeting' as it was held in the present hell of Equestria, Ponyville. Usually even if it's held in a different city he was allowed to wait by the doors of whatever meeting room the Princess was assigned to and even then it didn't worry him as much as it did when she had told him the private meeting he couldn't attend was in Ponyville. And with how ponies in Ponyville perceive him as after the whole 'incident', he better not risk it or he'll be a skin rug for sure.

Refugees from Ponyville, they too had share rumours of how Discord was outcasted by Princess Twilight. During meetings he'd hear these things but fortunately, Celestia always had his back and would dismiss the rumours for him. It's rather ridiculous to have her dismiss it for him however as it made him look like a child whose mother had to reason with other parents due to its behaviour. And sometimes they'll believe her, sometimes no. It didn't really bother him much however as he knew what was true and what wasn't.

He shook his head. Stop. He told himself he wasn't going to think much about these kinds of situations while she was gone. For once he should stop being dependant on Celestia's assurance. For once.

.....he's scared. Still. The smoke they smelt from her room balcony, the dark stories shared by refugees, his own experiences- it didn't match well with what he tried to convince himself with. Ponyville is safe, he'd say. She'll be fine.

At the coming corners of the corridors however, he sworn he could've heard something. It sounded like the shuffling of cards. Guards. Ponies cosplaying in ridiculous metal outfits. Oh yes, guards existed. Maybe- maybe he could distract himself with them. Yes.

He reached the corner of the corridor and peeked his head to the other side. Three guards sat in front of the doors of the throne room, and his suspicions of the sounds were comfirmed as an earthpony was seen shuffling cards.

"Another round of Blackjack?" asked the pony who leaned his back against the wall. Roco. His mane was a soft purple and his coat was pure white. Beside him was a big pile of what appeared to be chocolate biscuits packaged in transparent plastic. With no additional assets to him, he's undeniably an earthpony.

"Guy, we played at least eight rounds already, I'm almost out of biscuits," another guard commented, his tone being able to show that he was already indeed quite bored with the game. Miles. The pile he had however was much smaller compared to the other two. His mane was yellow and his coat was a lighter but softer shade of it. He was visibly a pegasus.

"True that," said the last guard. Drew. His mane was brown, his coat soft and lighter coloured. A unicorn. His pile couldn't compare to Roco's, but he had more than Miles.

"I'll show you guys a magic trick, then," said Roco as he plopped the deck onto the floor, then spreaded the deck across the floor. The other two observed the cards on the floor infront of them. The deck wasn't spreaded evenly but was spreaded just enough for each card to stick out a little while facing down. "Miles, pick a card, any card."

Miles stared for a second before pointing at his chosen card. "Right," Roco took the card out, but made sure to not peek at it as he flipped it over for Miles to see. "This is your card, remember it." The four of hearts. He plopped the card back into the deck and shuffled the deck. "I'm shuffling the deck see? Would it be impressive if I manage to pull your card outta the deck again without lookin'? I shuffled the deck again so it's messed up, no goal of cheatin' and such." The other two nodded in unison. After a while of shuffling, he paused his hoof on the top of the deck. "This is your card, believe me?"

Drew frowned. "Of course, this is a magic trick, not a guessing game."

Roco rolled his eyes. "Right. Aaaand, voila!" he said as he flipped over the top card and stuck his chest out proudly. "This your card, kid?"

"Uhhh.......I don't remember...." said Miles sheepishly. Roco blinked.

"I told you to remember your card....." frowned Roco. Miles laughed sheepishly. Drew rolled his eyes as he levitated one of his biscuits and unwrapped it, snacking.

Discord stared at them from the corner, still contemplating on whether he should show himself or not. What if they're one of those ponies that hated him? Well, he doesn't mind. But imagine embarrassing himself trying to befriend a group of stallions but returned with nothing but weird glances and or shooed away. Imagine the gossips tomorrow where ponies would talk about how the Lord of Chaos tried to sink so low as to befriend a group of stallions. Celestia would most definitely not drop the story for forever. He sighed as he looked down. Best not risk it, he thought as he attempted to walk away.

"Oi! Don't just eavesdrop on us and just walk away!" He froze as he heard that shout.

Drew and Miles turned to the corner where Roco stared to and saw the tail of the Lord peeking. "Hey, it's the Lord," said Miles to Drew as Drew rolled his eyes.

Discord's ears flattened in confusion as he peeked is head from the corner and looked back to them. "What did you just call me?"

"Princess Celestia advised us to address you as you were addressed when you first lived in the castle a thousand years ago. Lord, liege, basically treat you as a royals like the good ole' days, as she put it. Have.....you never noticed what we were told to call you as?" asked Roco.

Discord thought for awhile. He.....yeah. He never really noticed it. That and he's always been by Celestia's or Luna's side at all times. It's rare to see him ask for anything from castle staff as well so there's that. He rarely socialised with staff anyway. He looked to Roco and shook his head.

Roco observed his body language carefully. Mainly his eyes. He stood up and squinting, he spoke. "We don't intend to harm or speak ill of you. As I said before, the Princess advised us to treat you as one of them." The two other guards got up and nodded into Discord's direction, agreeing with Roco. Not only were they advised on what to address the Lord as, they were told a brief summary of his situation to give them a small insight on what to do if anything were to occur, For example, he wasn't stable in mind, which Roco could tell. He coughed, "Join us, won't you? We're playing cards."

"I don't wanna play cards....." whined Miles.

Roco rolled his eyes. "Fine, then we're just conversing. Like to join?" And Roco knew what he said was right as he could tell a glimmer of acceptance shone from the Lord's eyes as he heard that. Roco smiled as he sat back down and gestured the Lord to approach them. The other two sat in unison.

Discord indeed had that glimmer of acceptance shine in him, as he felt lighter to hear that. They weren't.....they weren't the sisters. And that sounded great to him. "......thank you."

Author's Note

Roco, [pronounced Rock-ko].

Head Of Guards

"Introduction is necessary now, isn't it?" said Roco as he gave a warm smile. Although, he could still sense the uneasiness coming from Discord. He remained in his welcoming composure and dare not to point it out. "I'm Roco, head of the royal guard. That there is Drew," he gestured to his comrade, "-And that newbie there is Miles."

"Head of the royal guards....hmm, that explains your straightforwardness," commented Discord. "Although, Miles. I thought Celestia wasn't accepting newcomers for now."

Miles laughed awkwardly. "You could say i'm an exceptional case." Discord stared at him blankly.

"Miles, share your story," told Roco. He gulped but nodded.

"Well, my family and I refuged from Ponyville a few months back. And the closest city we could refuge to was Canterlot. We got help from smugglers. It was really expensive, we loaned them and until now I still do, I guess. Coming to Canterlot was hard, but living in Canterlot was harder. I had trouble finding my family a place to say. And with all the controversies, ponies had it hard accepting refugees into their establishment and or letting them rent apartments. It was hard to find a job too! So one day I requested to meet Celestia and explain my situation and asked if she could help me, and she did! She gave me a starting loan of money first, however I insisted she help me find a job as I couldn't just ask for money for everything- it didn't feel right! So she gave me a form to apply for the royal guards, although she was pretty hesitant. I went through simple training, then I was passed down to Roco instead to be an assistant as training at the moment had to be pushed back due to other things going on in the world. But no biggie, Roco has taught me alot already about being a royal guard!" he perked up.

"The key to a peanut butter sandwich is spreading from side to the middle, that way you have peanut butter everywhere," said Drew as he then looked to Roco, "Thank you for that information." Roco momentarily rolled his eyes.

Discord turned to Drew, finding his attitude similar to...well, his. "How about you, Drew? How did you get into the royal guard?"

"Applied for it, duh. I always wanted to be a guard, ever since I was little. And seven years ago I was given opportunity," he slammed his hooves down onto the porcelain floors. "Bet they be laughing at me still after I finally did it! Take that! Haha!" he cackled maniacally. "'Celestia won't accept a brute like you'- like yeah go figure, less criminals would bow down for softies like Miles."

"Hey...." whined Miles.

"Main point, I dreamed. I did it. I got it. That's how life works," he then looked to Roco. "You're up."

Discord looked to Roco expectingly. He tilted his head a little, as if waiting for him to start. Roco hesitated then sighed. "I.....maybe not today, for me."

"Come on, Roco, we all did it! It's not that hard-"

"I said no," he said coldly as he stomped his hoof slightly, staring at Drew with the eyes that made him the guard he was that very day. "You can't make me less I want to share. And frankly, I don't."

Miles sweated. "Let's talk about something else, shall we? Liiiike," his eyes trailed away, but then back to Discord almost expectingly for him to help change the subject. "Help...." he mouthed.

".....uh....let's talk about how...how grey the skies are! Yes! Like look at that pollution!" he got up from his spot and went towards the windows, eyeing the outside like it interested him so. Roco and Drew certainly knew the shtick he was playing but they didn't care enough to continue their argument and instead relented to change the subject.

Roco spoke up. "Yes, it has been very smoky every since they found a new way to dispose bodies."

"Why of course, because it would pollut- wait wait, what?" Discord's eyes widened as he turned to them, then back up at the skies. Then back at Roco.

"Aren't you aware?" asked Drew as he got closer to the window as well. "Due to the massive overflood of ponies passing from, oh I don't know- fires and gasses being released, they had to find some other way to dispose of them. So they burned the victims to ashes," he said bluntly. "They collect the bodies without a care of who the bodies are or which family it belongs to so often that ponies that go missing for over a day are easily claimed dead. The guards probably had a leeway to sneaking bodies for burials. Sometimes, when families knew they lost someone, they'll try to find a trustworthy guard to look for the body and give it to them for a proper burial- and a good stack of cash. Last respects are important."

Miles chimed in. "W-well, there's also a rumour that some guards would tattle on these kinds of folk, and Twilight never liked these kinds of folk, saying they shouldn't dwell with the dead and instead focus on the future."

"Pfft, that Princess sure has one rotten mouth and mind," chuckled Drew grimly.

Miles continued. "But sometimes when she's not in the mood to deal with these kinds of folk, or if rioters wouldn't leave her castle alone, it's said that she'll command her guards to deal with them. And being as ruthless as they are brought up to be, alot of cases resulted in....." he shivered at the thought. "...b-burning them alive."

Discord's eyes widened at the fact. Burned alive. Civillians. Innocent pony folk.

He still follows his way of thinking that ponies were selfish, and still had in mind that they deserved the chaos he had wrecked. They think too highly, he would think. He always wanted to change that, so he tormented them endlessly. But, he never crossed the line as to end lives. Never, he never thought of himself as being able to be that cruel. That cold hearted.

He lived in Ponyville for only a few years until he....... bailed, in a way. Even though his time there was cut short, he still managed to know so many different ponies living different lives. Like the Cake family. The music duo, Octavia and DJ Pon-3, the cutie mark crusaders.....

....whatever happened to the trio? He suddenly grew worry for his friends. Friends. Friends. That word rolled down his tongue before he could even stop it and he mumbled to himself. After hearing the rumour of being burned alive, he felt himself feeling naseuose. The three fillies. They deserved no harm. Did harm ever come upon them? Hopefully not.....Hopefully....

...but, the smoke becomes thicker and thicker as time passes. And he felt himself getting sick the more he thought about it. Them.....he never thought about them.....rarely has he ever thought about them......

He excused himself. "I.....have to leave," he left eruptly. Roco nodded but the gesture went unnoticed as Discord sped off. Drew shook his head.

Hopefully the Princess expected her ways of censoring news like this from him to not last forever. And God forbid he goes insane once he hears of what has happened to almost half of the mane six.

He trudged down the hallways, trying to remember the way to his own room. He rarely went back to the room, although he had decorated it to his own liking and whatnot. He has always been bedbunking with Celestia, not that she minded anyway. It eased his worries a little, but now as he learned of this information, he realised how fast his worries are crawling back to him.

....has Celestia been hiding these kinds of information from him?

Rumours are rumours but, she has always said that the smoke was only caused from forest fires started by angry rioters. She never told him about......

The more he thought about it. The more he felt his dinner crawling back up his throat. He felt as if someone had kicked him in the stomach. He felt dizzy, almost in disbelief. His friends. Friends. He mumbled again. Friends. He never succumbed to calling them friends willingly less Fluttershy tells him to do so. And he never felt such guilt torment him as he said it.

He could've done something. But he never knew....he never knew it could come to this. Homicides. Murders. The thought of who the victims were made his head spin. He...maybe i-if he had stayed he could've helped to do something. A creature with godlike powers who fled because he couldn't stand words. How pathetic.

...what if something happened to-

No! H-he shouldn't think of them. They were behind it as well. They removed accomplices. He shouldn't.....he shouldn't.

He felt himself teary eyed as he finally reached the hall to his room. Running on all fours now, he swinged his door open only to slam it behind him and lock it, as if he could lock out the thoughts. The thoughts. The thoughts.....

"I....hehe....heheheheeee....." he held onto the sides of his shoulders as he leaned and slumped against the door, laughing in disbelief. His laughs then turned to hysterical sobs, and his heart became heavy with grieve, guilt, pain......

He choked on his tears as he fell on his side, curling himself up as he felt guilty of crimes he never committed. Crimes he could've prevented. Crimes......crimes......

Crimes he had been blamed for before.

He....hated them. After the shitshow that spouted before he came to Canterlot, how much his heart burned at the words that called him a traitor. Words that were so familiar yet so foreign coming from them. He hated them, he hated them, he hated them......

...they used to be so friendly.

Maybe they planned it since the beginning. To betray him this way. To believe someone else rather than him because obviously he never had a clean record when it came to betrayal. Betray. Betray. Betray......

.....they were so nice. So, so friendly to him. How they fooled him, honestly. How.....how Applejack invited him to an apple family reunion to give him a taste of the simple life version of get togethers. How Pinkie would always have in mind to make up a new insane cupcake recipe for him to try pending to his tastes that very month. How Rainbow Dash would invite him for cloud fights and races to determine the best competitor between them both. How Rarity knitted randomly coloured scarfs and sweaters for him from time to time even though he rarely would wear them but accept them anyway just to be polite. How Fluttershy.......

...how Fluttershy....

...how Fluttershy always looked out for him, and scolded the ponies that would talk bad about them with her there while he snickers at them from a distance, how she always made sure he's properly fed even though he would occasionally eat banana peels as midnight snacks and ruin his breakfast and worry her for not eating, how she always told him he was a beautiful creature no matter his looks, how she always....

....how she always trusted him.

....what if something were to happen to her. What if....what if she got...

No.

No, no, no!

He cursed his mind, cursed his thoughts, cursed himself for bringing everything he had ever feared back into light. Fluttershy. Sweet, dear, kind Fluttershy. She doesn't deserve torment. He remembered the pain in her eyes when he was accused. She believed it. He remembered how painful it felt to be looked down as he had been looked down as. He remembered how much he despised her for believing someone who had always hated him. Always.

He knew that. Hatred. She hated him. He knew that.

But.

He didn't care.

He's become desperate, it's clear to see now. Oh how he wanted to just bring the pegasus into his embrace, to comb her hair out and apologise profusely, saying how sorry he was for whatever he did. And everything else wouldn't matter. It wouldn't matter how wrong she was. All he wanted now was to embrace her.

Her soft coat, her lush hair, her sweet and gentle smile. How he wanted to see it again. Oh how he wanted to hear her laugh. At this point, if he even sees her, he'll immediately embrace her. His shouts for release would mean nothing as he tightened his grasp. God forbid he lost his chance to redeem himself again.

He could've just stayed. And explained. But through the ringing of accusing shouts or misdemeanours, he bailed. Like the coward he was.

He sobbed harder at the thought. He bit his lip as he knew how vocal he became. But he felt so weak. Helpless. He couldn't do anything. He bit hard enough to draw blood, however. But it didn't change anything.

He digged his nails into the sides of his arm, up to his shoulders, scratching. He wanted to forget. He hated the fact that he reminded himself of all this. His worries came back like lightning. The wanted to forget. To take his mind off. To feel pain so that he'll focus on that instead. But he couldn't.

He was too far deep.

So there he laid on the ground, his flesh being digged at, his lips bled, and he himself was curled up against the door, sobbing, until finally tiring him to sleep.

A Villain Since Birth?

"Thank you for your generosity, Zecora. I'll keep in mind to visit you again someday so you wouldn't feel so lonely...." offered the Princess. They were walking through the forest, Zecora leading the way and guiding the Princess and her fellow guards to Ponyville by hoof. Her guards carried a satchel of items with them, mostly containing food and water.

Zecora chuckled. "There is no need for that, I don't intend to stay anymore. With all these fires and haze and outbursts of civilians, what good is staying really for?" Celestia looked surprised.

"Oh? To where do you intend to move to?"

"It's not a very promising idea, but I intend to move back to my homeland. East Zebrika, if everything goes according to plan," Zecora confirmed. She looked around for awhile at the forestry that was around them, seemingly destroyed by fire. They have hopped over so many tree trunks. "Sigh, all the poor trees, it shows that the civilians are ponies with needs desperate to be pleased."

Celestia tilted her head in confusion. "Do you lack the funds? Or are you just in doubt to leave?" she asked. "I'd rather see you safe and sound than stay here for even a second longer. You can tell me what you lack, I'll make sure to help you get back to your homeland."

Zecora hesitated. "It's not a problem with what I lack, it's......" Zecora paused in speaking, thinking through what she needs to say. "...the transport system. Olden days, you'd just need to pay for your ticket and pray to the gods that there's still seats available, nowadays it's impossible, as if the guards were ordered to force civilians to stay and decay. To tell you the truth, I believe Twilight is in denial of the state of the city, in awe of the "city of dreams" but for her civilians, no ounce of pity." She shook her head. "I remember my recent visit to the station, can you believe they tried to charge me two grand for only one train ticket?? Greedy baboons."

That change of tone and no rhyming took Celestia by surprise. She smiled a pity smile for Zecora, although it went unnoticed as the zebra merely grumbled, staring down at the ground in disbelief. "....I'll try all I can to help you, Zecora. You are a very generous person, and a good friend. The Gods forbid you stay around any longer and get yourself hurt one day."

Zecora looked up to the princess, and shared a smile of acknowledgment. "I.....you are very kind, Princess, but.....I doubt you could do anything with success. It's....Twilight had hired a few men to guard the train station, ordering them to disallow subjects to leave freely and easily the nation. Even if you did buy a ticket, chances are they'll be another group of ponies loitering around the tracks, waiting to confront passengers and rob them, to see what they could get. It's a dangerous town out there, its no wonder ponies now riot and live in shaken fear." Celestia frowned at that statement, feeling saddened by how much worse the situation in Ponyville and most neighboring towns are than they appear. But not long later, they soon found their way out of the forest, and lead to a dirt path road. Zecora coughed, "This road leads to Ponyville, this is as far as I would bring you to. However, should trouble come your way, do not fear to come by, I'll gladly assist you."

The Princess shared one last smile with the zebra, and with a nod she set off with her guards following the dirt path road. They weren't even in the town yet, but from afar it didn't look like the happy little town she had known before.

"Ditsy?" Luna asked her personal maid as the mare set her a tray of breakfast, specifically a normal plate of eggs and sliced fruit alongside a cup of orange juice on the dining table. Ditsy was a yellow coated mare with an orange bun up-do. "Have you seen.....Discord anywhere?"

Ditsy tilted her head at the Princess. "Well, the last time I've seen the Lord, he was casually lurking around in the corridors. Perhaps playing up a few new pranks on some of the guards or maids? Although- I haven't heard anything after."

Luna's horn lit up, and she lifted a fork, poking at her egg a little. "...hmm. And when was it that you've seen him lurk around in the corridors? And where do you mean by 'corridors'? Perhaps I could ask the guards there if they've seen him."

The maid pondered for awhile, before answering. "It was about 8-ish, and if I'm not mistaken, that corridor' be leading to where General Roco was stationed for the night. Perhaps you can ask him?" Ditsy suggested.

Luna thought about it a bit, but sighed as she shook the though away. "Nevermind then, I'm sure Discord just got bored of waiting around in my room till' the morning. Honestly, it's like babysitting a colt," she rolled her eyes and took a bite out of her eggs.

"Should we prepare some breakfast for the Lord then, your highness?" Ditsy asked.

However, Luna waved a hoof at her, shooing her away. "No need for that, Ditsy. He'd be able to ask for breakfast should he desire some. And he should see that he had brought it upon himself if he does starve. Honestly, my sister has been treating him too well," she huffed.

Before she could say anything, she hesitated, and instead began to make her way out of the hall as gestured. Luna sat there eating her breakfast, alone in the dining hall for once in a very, very long time.

There he floated, in the midst of what remains of his void, with a few knick-knacks floating about- thinking. He had healed himself earlier after having calmed down a little. Still he couldn't help but fathom what has come upon Ponyville these few months past.

The smoke.

The fire.

The resistant to peace.

The unnervingness of it all.

He wondered how everypony lived their lives there at this point.

Worse than his reign, possibly?

Well, duh, he thought. He doesn't hurt ponies. H-he doesn't.....he doesn't burn them alive. He doesn't....he doesn't do what Twilight would do. If Twiight really did it. Who knows if what the guards said were true.

But.....one of them was even from Ponyville to begin with. Who is more trustworthy?

His cowardice gut or an ex-citizen of Ponyville?

The updated story of the situation in Ponyville however was still unnerving. It almost made him feel sick. And it made him wonder too....

...did Celestia deliberately hide the truth from him?

He didn't know whether that was for the better or for the worse.

He.....he just thought it was riots a-and forest fires.....things like that....n-not....

...not this.

If he didn't know about everything....he would've felt slightly better for leaving.

Now he can't help but think of what he could've prevented.

What he could've done to help.

What he could've done to stop her.

What he could've..... could've.....

....oh, who was he kidding? He will always and inevitably be the coward in the end. Always.

He wondered however. If he did do anything. He....he knew himself better than anyone. So he knew that the first thing he would do was to rub it into the other's face claiming "I told you so". But.....of course, no one would be there to laugh at the remark. Or to roll their eyes. The only thing he could see them doing is giving him the cold shoulder for leaving in the first place, or to blame him for possibly brain damaging their beloved highness, or even getting mad at him for joking about their troubles still. And he would laugh if they did. Because he really, really.....

Really think it's funny. Funny how everything turns out at the end. It's always like that, isn't it? Always assuming, always doubting, but in the end, he was right. He was. There was nothing else to it. He was right. He was....

He did maul her. And if they didn't come to their senses in time, he could've even possibly kill her.

Would it be considered being protective or holding grudges if he did?

Would he be renowned as a hero or the villain yet again?

None of this would've happened if he did succeed after all.

But, of course. A loss for a loss. His "friends" would turn their back at him, possibly condemning them. The entire nation would. Celestia would be disappointed. Very, very disappointed. He might even be executed for murdering her. Maybe he could use his "clear insanity" as an excuse to get out of it? No witnesses at his disposal, no proof that he did it out of good.

Of course no one will believe the Lord of Chaos.

He was born a villain, wasn't he?

Always and will forever be a villain.

He even looks like a villain, doesn't he?

A monster? Like everyone claims him to be?

Before he could ponder anymore, he suddenly felt his hunger slowly affecting him. Ah yes. He hadn't eaten yet that day.

He had no appetite however, which impeded his hunger. It was bothersome, but he still needed to eat. It was even more bothersome with the fact that he was tired from the lack of sleep he had. Still, he didn't want to black out from going hungry. With a sigh, he snapped his tail tuft.

Author's Note

sorry for the late and short update. im working on a bunch of other stuff.

Last Goodbyes

"My poor dear...." she gave Harry the bear one more nuzzle. Rarity was still in the mess of a cottage, rummaging, hoping to find at least anything that could assist them in their trip. Fluttershy managed to save her coat, which, albeit was dirty and quite beaten up from the fire, was still quite salvageable so she might as well make the best of it. Rarity exited the cottage shortly after, and did some critters as they scurried out along with her. She watched as they all scurried away to Fluttershy, who continued to give her last goodbyes.

Rarity managed to find a scarf for herself. It was all she had for now. She managed to salvage a blanket as a makeshift bag to bring with them some necessities, although lacking alot. She managed to find her pouch of bits, which was a big relief. They planned to visit town once more to buy some supplies. Hopefully the place cleared out after the night. Riots were the least of their worries for now however as it had dawned on them if the rain station was even remotely available for them to travel with. They can't think of any other means of transportation at the moment....

Fluttershy was teary eyed as she spoke to a few of her birds for the last time. "....p-please be safe....and make sure to watch out for weather changes- a-and make sure to migrate together so that you could watch out for each other in case you bump into anything or something..." she sniffled. The birds tweeted and chirped. She knew they understood. She smiled tearfully. She then felt a tug on her tail and turned to.....

.....Angel....

".....oh, Angel..." she held her tears, but they poured out of instinct. "I......I'm sorry...." she reached down to face him eye to eye. Her usually mischievous little rodent, who would always throw tantrums when he's upset, who would always have a smirk of trouble, was for once, replaced with a look she couldn't understand. Most of her animals changed faces ever since the fire. Those that lost loved ones grieved and the rest grieved for those they knew. It was...... truly a change.

They understood that she had to leave, but still, they were hesitant. It wasn't because they worried for themselves- most of them lived in the wild before. But they knew that their caretaker weren't like them.....

But she stood strong and gave Angel a last kiss. She panned over to the rest of the animals, and gave them a nod. "....stay safe, everyone. G...goodbye now," she sniffled and turned towards Rarity and walked over. She was surprised however as she was suddenly pulled back into a furry hug by Harry, while was then joined in by many other animals. This time, she couldn't even stop herself as she cried hard. Rarity sympathized with her yellow friend. The animals were practically her life. She felt a little guilty for yelling at her about them the day before. Rarity suddenly felt something soft hugging her from behind, and was surprised to find a squirrel hugging her farewell as well. It was even more eyecatching when suddenly she witnessed a few birds fly above her and dropped something on her head.

Fluttershy was reluctantly let go from the hug. She turned back to them, giving them a wave. She watched as they moved into the forest slowly. She wiped the tears from her eyes and turned back to Rarity, who suddenly let out a gasp. She was met with Rarity staring at....something on the ground. A stuffed bear? "....what's that, Rarity?"

"....i-it's....."

It couldn't be.

She gazed back up at the set of birds as they flew away into the distance, and back down at the bear. She felt her tears starting to well as she picked it up carefully. Fluttershy got closer, wondering what it was. "....Rarity?"

Rarity picked it up and inspected it carefully. It was covered in soot, but wasn't badly harmed, aside from a small tear at its arm. "...." She started bawling. Crying out. Her throat caught her a bunch of times but she couldn't stop herself.

Sweetie's little bear, Richard.

And Fluttershy too soon figured that out. Rarity gazed up again at the direction the birds went, although they were far from gone at that point. With a trembling smile, she stammered at the sky. "....t-thank you......"

The town was quiet. Ponies kept to themselves. It seemed that even the marketplaces were closed. Most were recovering in their own homes from past days. Although, it didn't lessen the gazes Celestia and her guards got as they made their way through town. Her guards surrounded her however they could, making sure no one came close to even harm the princess. It seemed that the Princess' visit wasn't that much welcomed by many. She didn't expect much fro them anyway, she understood them. They felt betrayed probably. But there was not much she could've done. It seemed that....

...she had put too much faith onto that little pupil of hers.

She never.... never thought that it would become this way however. She looked around, the town itself wasn't in a good shape in itself. She the understood what Zecora meant by fires. Plenty of the houses and buildings were charred. She passed a few spots that were nothing but rubble. She felt pity for her ponies.....

.....it was too late to say that however.

She sighed as her eyes trailed around half lidded. In the distance, her eyes were caught by the tower. The castle. It felt somehow sickening as she gazed at it. Her eyes however paused as it caught the eyes of a guard, standing at the balcony. Quickly, she looked away.

.....she remembered the time she employed troops for Twilight. That guard....could've been someone she knew personally if she had looked closer. But that gave her an even more sickening feeling. Thoughts of worry for their livelihoods, whether they were okay or felt safe were replaced with memories of news where she learned of the sickening acts of cruelty bestowed by those men. At this point, she couldn't reason with herself. Their ruler must've given them the orders..... but even then, if they were good ponies, they would've quit. But then again, it might've been a life or death situation if they chose to be unfaithful to the ruler SHE had employed them to. For her sake and for their new ruler. She suddenly felt the pang of guilt she had always felt thinking about how many lives she might've ruined.

"Princess," Blade coughed to get her attention.

"H-huh?" she broke out of her daze and looked in front as they stopped. They arrived at the town hall. They were also greeted with questioning gazes unsure faces of council members as they were guided up the stairs. She could hear them murmur among each other. Of how incompetent the Princess was. Of the audacity she had to be late for the meeting. Of how she should've came regardless, are her citizens lives less important than her own?......

She kept her eyes to herself this time, not daring to eye any of them. And as quick as they got up the steps, the doors swung open, and the guards stepped aside. Celestia was greeted with....the disheveled look of Mayor Mare. Her mane was unkept, her fur was matted as if she had just climbed into the office through the back window from a warzone of some sort. Celestia gulped, but remained courteous. She bowed, "Mayor Mare, forgive me fr my late arrival. I was caught up
in some other matters unfortunately...."

Mayor Mare stared blankly, which..... made the whole ordeal awkward. That was until another grey mare pegasus came from behind and gave he a little tap, which snapped the Mayor back into reality. "Uha-AGh! Ah-ahm, yes! Yes.... it is quite alright, my dear...- my princess! - Your highness!..... ahm...." she gazed up at the princess and with a quick smile she turned and guided towards the meeting room. "L-let's get to it...y-yes...." she stammered as she did.

Celestia raised a brow but quickly followed along with her guards from behind. The council members trailed behind as well.

She felt a sudden tap at her side as she faced the grey pegasus again. Her mane was blonde and her eyes were....misaligned. "Ms Mare hasn't been sleeping well....please excuse her..." she explained apolegetically. Celestia offered a smile.

"It is quite alright, dear. It is my bad for not coming by as fast as I could. The town doesn't seem in good condition.... is everypony alright?"

The pegasus looked down at her hooves. "Most of us are, fortunately. But....there were some that didn't make it."

Celestia felt bad. "...what is your name, if I may ask?"

"...my name is Derpy, Mayor Mare's assistant-" she was interrupted however by the loud opening of the meeting room. The door squeaked violently, which made alot of them wince from the sound. Mayor Mare jumped herself. "Ah-ahem! I'm so sorry!"

"....Ms Mare, I warned you not to open the doors too fast...." Derpy murmured to herself.

Mayor Mare glanced over to Celestia with a forced smile, which she awkwardly returned with a smile of her own. "...n-now now, we shan't dawdle. Ahm....l-let's get the meeting started."

Author's Note

I've been gone for awhile haha...... I'm very sorry. I just had alot on hand. With the quarantine and all, I figured I have some time to spare for once.

Hope quarantine is doing well for y'alls. Ugh, my year of student are supposed to have our big important test this year.....don't know how that's going to go now. Anyways tho, safe safe everyone :) stay home, sanitize urselves, all that yadda yadda, aight? ^^

Ponders Of A God

Author's Note

Just want to share a vid I played that got me into the mood while writing this ^^ (https://youtu.be/IJ0kurZy1DE)

This will be a Discord chapter all on its own....a little different from all the other chapters and I'm sorry for that but I'd just want to give Discord a POV chapter. (Yes, this takes place after whatever happened in the previous chapters). Please enjoy.

Please continue to step into the world in Discord's POV.

Ponders Of A God

As a young lad, I've always had one thought.

Why did I exist.

Sometimes I wondered if I served any other purpose.

Sure, I was given the task and role as the Lord of Chaos. Afterall, the universe needed balance in its system. It was natural to have an element of Chaos in some way or another.

But that role could've easily be given to someone else. Someone else more knowledgeable. Someone more deserving of a life of infinite power. Someone more deserving of a world that could bend at their will.

But was that person ever me?

If I was just a normal draconequus...

If I had no role....

Would I have a different purpose?

How different would life be?

Heh...maybe I'd just have died like the rest of them....simple as that....

I'd have no purpose....

That....sounds way more enjoyable than all of this.

However, I was given the choice to live. I was given the belief that I had more than what it seemed planned for my future. It was.....odd. What else could be bestowed upon me in the future? What am I, as the Lord of Chaos, supposed to do? In a society where Harmony was an expectation set on a high throne in front of millions, I didn't know how well I was meant to fit.

What did the Gods meant by chaos?

What was I supposed to do-

Why didn't anyone tell me?!

Who gives the child the knowledge of an incomprehensible future, drop them off all on their own without anyone there for them to be supported by and think everything will go smoothly?- It won't!

....was I born to be hated?

For example, if I were to be the God of Weather, it would be understandable on what you were supposed to do, right? As it says in the title. I'll be summoning clouds, make rain, snow, then clear them, cycle repeats yadda yadda. Its explanatory in its own way. And it helps life in its own way, so no grudges held ,right? Then, imagine if I was the....God of Harmony! Ah, yes. My sole opposite. The yin to my yang. The bright day to my dark night...

Ah- yes, as I was saying.... if I were Harmony..... I'd be.... making sure no one's fighting, I guess? Keep peace in check. Arrange books in a library.... I think? I know for sure that I'd have to make sure everyone is happy and dally and- oh look! The flowers are blooming and- oh look! The sun is bright and these ponies are having picnics and- oh look! Those cans of tomato soup at the supermarket are stacked oh so neatly and straight! Ah, harmony! Everyone is singing is harmoniously! Look there! The cats are.... harmonically walking to the tune of this harmonic snapping of my fingers! Oh look! that that is harmony, that is harmony yadda yadda-

Blergh!

You know what I mean.

And everyone is okay with it. "Yes, that stack of hot dogs is neat- wow!" and "Yes, that is an interesting flower with identical petals- how exciting!" and also "Yes, that cat's face is very symmetrical, truly wondrous!".

Now, we get to- the main point. Imagine if you were...... the loRD OF CHAOS! YES! AHAHAHAHA! Let's see- library shelves will be laid on the ground, and instead of the books being stacked in neatly, well stack the books up high on each other, making no use of the shelf! Flowers will only bloom during snowy days and on any other days instead of withering- oho! Nonono..... they'll grow small pods where tiny frogs and toads will come out of! Like little pod eggs! Ponies will be picnicking on rafts in the middle of the ocean, while it's thundering! Canned tomato soup will be left to roll around on its own in the supermarket- actually, nothing will have their own specific shelf! Everything will be left around and you'll have to go on your own expedition to find anything you need to buy! I might even start selling cakes at the soup store and soup at the cake store- who knows?! Cats will swim in ponds as fishes will suddenly be able to fly with their fins, leaving birds wingless and now having to walk to wherever they go like the boring wingless creatures they are! I'll start snapping my toes instead of my fingers like the madman I am! AHAHA! WE WILL ALL SING WITH DIFFERENT PITCHES AND SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES TO EACH OTHER AND STILL UNDERSTAND! ROBERTS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN LANGUAGES AND STEVE WILL BE THE NEW WORD FOR PANCAKES! TRUE CHAOS! AHAHAHAHAHAAAA!.......

And no one will like that. Of course, I am an exception. How could a creator hate its own creations? There is room for criticism- of course. But a creator with good taste would never truly hate their creations. Chaos is my life at this point. I was left with only the knowledge of my future entrepreneur as a God of Chaos and the instinct to survive. Chaos was all I had, and of course I cherished it. Truth be told, I wouldn't be here without chaos. The main magic of chaos is that it bends reality in ways that would suit me. For example, creatures that were born in more cold environments will of course be more likely to survive in cold places. But for me, I have chaos by my side. I can bend reality to however it made fit for me to be able to survive. And that is why I cherished it so.

I can't express it into words how much Chaos is dear to me. And that is why the concept would slip from a pony's mind so easily. They simply couldn't grasp it because they haven't been in my shoes- uh, hooves? Whatever. And that is why ponies hate it so. They hate chaos because they don't adapt to it well- unlike me, who survived on chaos since the beginning.

And that makes me ponder if I was born to be hated.

Harmony is well liked and well even encouraged as you can see through the dazzling lives of Equestrian citizens. Harmony does make it possible for life itself to be...well, possible. Relationships, all that jazz.

I never saw the need for relationships in my younger days. But after having a taste of what its like to be loved, to be cherished, to be known as someone after all, it really gets you addicted, doesn't it? Think about it; spend years and years with your family and suddenly when you're old enough you'd have to move out and find a life of your own. For some people, they'll already be prepared with partners of their own. Cohabiting! Ah, the joys of growing up.

But for some, they'd be a period in between where they leave their family and live alone, single.....ready to mingle? As they might say. and sometimes they'd start to feel rather lonely. They thought it be fun to live on their own....to have their own bathroom and TV, to be able to eat anything they want without being judged for their tastes or unhealthy habits. Imagine microwaving chips with sliced cheese and eat it freely without a care of anyone's feelings? Paradise, isn't it?

But suddenly, you'd start to feel a little lonely after awhile. Sure, you get your own bathroom, but for some reason your mornings felt different. It was a...pleasant change for awhile. But then you realized you missed the chaos that would always occur every morning before you get into the shower. Then you'd start questioning yourself like- are you a madman?! You finally get freedom of our own but you choose to mope. Why?! Then you'd remember the times where you'd share home cooked meals with your family- and you find it quite more edible than your new menu of plain biscuits for breakfast and a PB&J sandwich for lunch and so on and so forth. No more baked potato or your favorite spaghetti with meat sauce.

I've never had a family of my own. The closest I had to it were the sisters. And dare I say, it is a quite addicting concept. I remembered how I used to sneak into Celly's room late at night to scare her before she comes back to bed after a long day shift and a pleasant dinner. If I'm lucky enough I'd be able to scare the dinner out of her.... And I remember the times I'd stargaze with dear Lulu and joke about the times we caught Celestia singing to herself in the mirror.....

.....then came the day that I bit more than I could chew. And just like that, everything I ever enjoyed vanished. Being trapped in stone was the most boring, painful, and I admit lonely time of my life. I had many other torturous moments in life, but none quite like stone. Imagine not being able to feel anything- to feel numb but awake. I was awake through that whole period. Never have I slept.... the closest thing to sleeping would be daydreaming.

It was lonely, yes. Although Celly often came by moping about how she's so "sorry" about doing this to me and how she should've "done better". A cry for pity? From your own victim? Daring I say, quite daring.

But I've been lonely before. No, what was even more suffocating during that time was because....I couldn't express myself. The surge of chaos, the rush of adrenaline, my coping mechanism. I couldn't express it. It pent up inside of me. I culdn't feel myself but at the same time I felt overloaded. And it drove me crazy.

So you could imagine how much of a relief it was when I was released. Suddenly, that rush of freedom, the feeling of being able to move again, to not be numb anymore, to be able to smell, to move... See it as an excuse if you want but honestly that was why I couldn't help myself and as soon as I escaped I wrecked as much chaos as I could. All that time, the adrenaline that was pent up, I could finally release it. It was really a weird spot to be in. as much as it felt good, great even, it..... I knew it wasn't right. But I was blinded by the pleasure in it. Everything felt too good to be true. I was free! Finally free!.....

Aaaand I was sent back. Suddenly I was back, in the void of numbness. Sigh, at least I knew what to expect this time. And in this period, between being recaptured and released after by the six horseman of harmony, I reluctantly gave myself to think my plans through. I realized how stupid I was to act on impulse as soon as was released, so this time I planned to pace myself. Of course, I didn't think to be released so soon. I knew I'd be free again one day....maybe in another millennium or so. But so soon? I was really caught off guard when Celly came down from her balcony to come and visit me in the day. Usually she'd come to me at night to talk. So that already made me skeptical.

Imagine how surprised I was when I heard of her plan.

.....friendship?

....heh....

....hehe....

....hahaHAHAHAHAAA!

HAHAHAHA WHAT WAS SHE THINKING??

THE LORD OF CHAOS?? FIXED BY A BUNCH OF SILLY LITTLE FRIENDS???!

It was laughable.

But she was serious. And indeed, it was a surprise. She wasn't bluffing. She's really doing this.

.....huh...

.....okay then.

It was still quite hilarious to think about. Boy, I really questioned what I was getting myself into. What was to come. What will I do.

I planned to hide out when I finally escape. To hide out a bit and find a way to express myself without getting myself turned back into a lawn ornament as soon as I escaped.

But inevitably, my plan was foiled. Sigh, all that thought power. Wasted.

And when it was the time where it really did happen, where I really was let out and told befriend these... things.... I didn't really see the appeal. Honest. Sigh, it costed me my pride at first but...... I decided to play along. After all, my freedom. I suddenly started to conjure up a new plan in my mind. I suddenly got excited, thinking that yes, I'll escape soon. And then will I be truly free!

It didn't turn out that way.

Yes, I did manage to trick them in the beginning. During the first few moments, I gave myself leeway to express myself a little. And of course I managed to piss them off a bit. All but Fluttershy. It was amusing at first; she really thought she could do it at first try, couldn't she? I was more relaxed in my ordeals at first, but as soon as I felt things getting a bit tense and the sudden threatening aura her friends gave off, I toned it down a bit. I wasn't scared of them, of course..... but I didn't want to cost myself my chance at freedom just because I was too impatient. No, I couldn't do that.

I guess I really did set myself up for that one, didn't I?

After I managed to convince them that I was "truly changing", I thought it'd be the end of it. Boy, was I wrong.

That was only the beginning.

Since then, I pretended to be Fluttershy's "friend". Or at least, I was supposed to. It was a simple task. Have "tea parties", "help" her with chores, flatter her with sweet words to make it seem that I'm nice and polite. Anything to make it seem that I was nice enough to be left alone. It was a little...... weird to be babysat by this naive young mare. It was almost embarrassing, I'd admit. But.....

I really did set myself up.

The more time passes, the more I find myself looking forward for her tea parties. The more time passes, the more I grow fond of some of her animals (to be fair, they were like foals, chaotic troublemakers). The more time passes, the more I..... grew fond of her.

Her attention was quite addictive.

It....was sort of nostalgic in a way.

It reminded me of when I was younger. Sigh, although I know that nothing could revert us back into that time. No matter how hard I try. It's almost.... irritating. I messed up everything, didn't I?

If only I wasn't greedy....

No!

I can't.... can't be blinded by this.

I remind myself constantly that Fluttershy is faking it too. She has to be. Either that or I'm just a pet to her. She cares for me, worries for me, has...faith in me.....

She had faith that I really would change.

And it was at that point that I knew she wasn't just faking it.

It made me rethink of everything. Why.... just why?

I....just can't change.

How do you expect me to stop?!

This is who I am!

Discord!

Lord of Chaos!

Lord...

Of....

I was born to be hated. I knew that right away. I bring balance to the world, yet no one can see that. It's a minor detail, but chaos is part of what makes life....life. The unexpected. The unwanted space in a full page essay. The disorderly conduct of an orchestra. That is what I am.

I understood what Fluttershy had to do. I really did.

But I didn't know if she understood what I had to do.

Did anyone really?

Did anyone......

I felt quite sick with everypony's nagging. To do this, to do that, do it the right way, do it this way, that way- pah! Being the God of Chaos certainly made doing things more difficult. I can accomplish things, sure, but everything will obviously not be neat and tidy like everypony hopes it to be. Rarity once made me help her sew on a few buttons following a specific pattern. And I couldn't. I can't explain how many times I warned her that it wouldn't be perfect. But it was a test Twilight told her to put me through. To see how obedient I really was....

Honestly I felt like a Golden Retriever.

It came out sloppy, of course. She said that I....tried...... and forced a smile. Of course. I could sense how frustrated it made her. But I really couldn't.

I guess it was also my fault how difficult I was to trust. Sometimes I joke, I jest, and sometimes I outright tease them. Sometimes instead of just explaining why I couldn't do it right I just remark that I like it better that way. Pride is one hell of a drug, I tell ya.

But sometimes, I do find myself catching my tongue every once in awhile. Sometimes, it....it really does just feel nice to be in others' good graces. Especially Fluttershy. She.....really was more than what I expected when it came to this "reformation" thing.

It's impossible for me to reform from being the Lord of Chaos. But it is possible for me to be reformed from being a jerk, yes. Ugh, but there's no fun when everyone is just polite and boring, is there? That's also my fault, I guess. I just like trouble.

Like I said, born to be hated.

That's just who I am.

When Tirek came to town, I found myself in an awkward position. Celly suddenly came around to actually talk to me. I mean, I've talked to her alot before. It's just..... after I was freed, we never talked as much as we used to. Even when I was in stone, she talked more than she did then. I was.... pissed at that for some reason. Because after all these months, suddenly she just decided to call me in to talk, and all it was for was just to ask for my help.

That's all I was to her, wasn't it?

A supporting role in her big storybook.

Just someone to fix messes.

A....janitor?-

I don't know.

But for some reason I found myself quite pissed at that. Sure, I held a grudge on her anyway for imprisoning me for so long, but for some reason I..... felt a little sad that she never bothered to make amends. Well, neither did I but I quite see myself as the victim here.

Well, I guess after the whole "Twilight gone coo-coo" thing and where I almost mauled her to death, we reconnected. Well, I reconnected. I really didn't know where to go after that. Heh, I ran back home, you would say. They were the only place I had when I was little and I never thought I'd find myself running back here again.

Though..... it is a sudden change from being with Fluttershy. It's hard for me to admit but..... friendship is really an addictive thing, isn't it? It's as if I'm suffering from withdraw. Just like the time I was first stripped of my magic when I was first imprisoned. It drives you nuts. You just feel the need to get more.

But for some reason, I find losing Fluttershy.... more painful than anything else. I hated her at first. Thought she was annoying, whiny, naive, always....caring for me, always g-giving me advice......always..... there for me. Chaos.....cannot compare to Fluttershy.

I... I never thought I'd find something that'll leave me so clueless yet so wanting an explanation to. What's the fun in making sense?...... Sense would at least give me a damn reason as to why I feel like this. I hate this feeling. This is worse than losing chaos.

The only thing I can connect from the feeling of losing Fluttershy was the time I betrayed Celestia. A heart-wrenching, gut twisting feeling. It feels you immediately with regret and the only thing you could ask yourself was "could I have done better?".

Or maybe I was just born to fail. To lose everything as soon as anything gets better in life.

...

...

Now that I think about it, maybe I'm addicted to trust. After I lost Celestia's trust, everything went downhill. It was the same as when I lost Fluttershy's. It....

...it still doesn't make sense to me.

Sigh.... now here I am. Rambling to myself.

The void is still as empty as ever. Although when I'm bored of rambling and crying I start making random objects appear like-

Hey, there's that tricycle I made earlier!

..

..

Wow, I'm pathetic.

I wonder what Luna is doing now....

Pfft, whatever.

I'm annoying to her anyway.....

There is nothing else left to be said. He floated about quietly. He felt as if he had talked himself out enough for himself to calm down. He no longer felt that....feeling anymore. At least for a while more.

Fluttershy.....it shouldn't concern him anymore for now.

There's just..... more to the future.

He'll have to let fate decide on what's next.

He can do.....nothing at the moment.

Slowly, his eyes felt heavy. After so long, he...finally found himself at ease.

And there he succumbed to sleep.

The Meeting

The Princess declined the offer of tea. Somehow with ponies staring daggers at her, it made her giddy. Mayor Mare still seemed to be in a daze as she hurriedly searched through piles of some crumpled pieces of paper. It was an understandable situation, as the meeting could've meant freedom for the ponies of Ponyville, and the other towns that were being held at the tethers by their new monarch.

In the room were a total of eight council members, including Mayor Mare, taking their seat on the circle table. No audience joined them, for it would've possibly be brought to Twilight's attention and without warning and possibly taking it as an attack or an act of vengeance agaisnt their "leadership", she would strike

Their eyes, they stared at Celestia with not only devastation for letting them become this way, for letting their city be torn apart in a way that no one has ever imagined, but.... with a ping of hope. Albeit a spark. But it was there nonetheless.

After awhile of Mayor Mare grumbling and scheming through the papers wildly, feeling nervous, sleep deprived and pressure from the thought of letting her folks down, Derpy stepped in, swiped a few papers away, and gingerly handed a script with a small paperclip on the top. "I reminded you already, peppermint paperclip," she whispered to the Mayor, who gave a reluctant smile and a thank you.

She turned back to Celestia, and gave another nervous smile. Celestia returned it, eager to start the meeting. She remembered the sorrowful yet doubtful faces she had passed on the way to the hall that day, and it pained her to think of it any further. But she has to. She knew it was just guilt eating her from the inside. And what was more troubling was what was to come of the meeting. What could she do for them?

A monarch fighting a monarch. For the rights of a town in her own kingdom. Yet that was how it worked there. Twilight practically owned Ponyville. It was too late to take back what she had said, what she had done to try and prove Twilight's worthiness as their ruler. How everything backfired.

"Our town," Mayor started, bringing Celestia back to her senses, "had been in a rather.... painful state. And we as a society has fallen into a pit of depression. While-"

She was interrupted by one of her other council members, Octavia. "You let our town be torn apart this way!" she shouted, slamming her hoof into the table. Celestia's guards tried to intervene, but she stopped them. She wanted to hear any criticism she could. She needed this. "After all these years, only now you decide to intervene! This is not an act of leadership, this is an act of a coward!" some of the other council members agreed and bickered amongst each other, slamming the table in the process and seemingly starting a debate of their own.

The Mayor interjected after a few seconds, ordering for peace and for the council to calm down. However, she didn't seem quite genuine. She just wanted the meeting to be over with, and just wanted to hear what the Princess had to offer. She didn't however wanted to possibly get on the Princess's bad side, risking her not to help. But she understood her member's resentment towards the Princess. "Order, order." she continued on, until the hall could finally be nothing but white noise. "My apologies, your highness."

"No need. Proceed," Princess Celestia had no other words to share. She felt herself inadequate to serve any words before everypony else had their say. And instead, she was left to merely listen and ponder on their words.

"...now, while our town had been severely affected by our new monarchy, we would like to share our....deepest devastation. Devastation that our true monarch, who we had always been loyal to, who we had cherished praised and trusted with our lives, left us to be succumbed to this. It was more devastating that we had to call you here for you to help," this time, Mayor gave the Princess a scornful and disappointed look. They met eyes for awhile, Celestia absorbing the look with her own. Mayor soon looked back at her script, clearing her throat. "We need dire help. And fast. Many had died, perished under the hooves of our leader herself. And..." she paused for a bit, "I don't think there is a needed specification needed for that. It doesn't matter who or which of our monarchs did it, we were all let down."

She paused again, and the council members gave each other tired yet understanding looks. "....We need your attention now more than ever, Celestia," she said finally. "I said it already, you were the leader we trusted. And we would like that leadership back. We..." she panned over to her members. "...we need a leader. And hope that we could live in harmony once more. This was what our first leaders meant when they formed Equestria. Instead, we are now segregated from the rest of the kingdom. From the rest of the world. We have only us to defend ourselves. And we can't do it forever."

Celestia pondered as the hall fell silent. They needed a leader they could trust. Yet both sisters didn't help them until now. Celestia had let her own fears get the best of her. Ignoring the town for so long. She wasn't only avoiding Twilight, she was avoiding her duties as Princess. Everything she did, she did it to serve herself, to pretend everything she did wasn't real. It wasn't happening. It wasn't. it wasn't.

She was selfish, and everypony in that room knew it.

"....I was selfish. And that selfishness and ignorance has brought my fellow subjects pain and despair. You've lost your friends, and family, and for that I am deeply sorry." The members batted no eye however. Celestia didn't mind, she understood. "I cannot go against Twilight, as she has her own rebellion that could attack back any time they want. Causing more chaos will not help." She lowered her head a bit, as if still pondering her steps of action. "...however I can offer a way to seek refuge in other towns." At this, some ears perked, however they were still skeptical.

"That's impossible," another council member, Bon Bon spoke up. Celestia recognized her of course, she was a part of the monster-hunting agency in Canterlot. Sweetie Drops, her real name was. She remembered. "Security is heavy, and guards are armed. Try to overstep their boundaries, and you're swiss cheese." Some of them winced at the phrase, but Bon Bon paid no mind. "The trains are impossible to board, the guards there find any possible excuse to stop anyone from boarding. Some were even conned. We have families in outer cities for God's sake! Ponies would do anything to try and leave. No one ever leaves alive."

"There was that one rebellion that tried to smuggle ponies out of town," Derpy said. "Some families managed. The Cakes, the Apple Family, but the rebellion "perpetrators" as they called it were caught and..." she paused, looking down at her hooves, "...they weren't seen again."

A chill went down Celestia's spine as she heard that. How dreadful everything was here. How dreadful lives were, especially after she abandoned them the way she did in their time of need. The time they needed a leader, she wasn't there. Looking at the faces in that room, the tired eyes of Mayor Mare, the giddiness of Derpy, the anger and despair the rest gave. It was....painful.

".....I see." Now, she had to think again. Trains weren't an option. Security is heavy. Not only did she have to think of an escape route, she had to keep herself from being seen as a "perpetrator". A clash amongst leaders could result in a bigger war than it already was, and by the looks of everypony, no one could be up for the task. As she gazed around the room, trying to think of a way, any way, that could possibly save the lives of hundreds of lives in this and their neighboring towns. Her eyes scanned the room. Dust was thick, litter was about. The paint was peeling off the wall.

Ponyville was no longer as cheery and beautiful as it was before.

Her eyes panned up to the windows. They were covered in what appeared to be soot. Some were even shattered, a few pieces remaining on the window frames but nothing more. But those that did remain, sunlight managed to shine through it, albeit through only small bits where soot did not cover fully. It was like marble. The pink stain of the glass can be seen slightly, and if cleaned would show such a beautiful window. How shiny and how clear the sun would shine, how pink the room would be from the light, one could even see their own reflection through it like a mirror.

And there it was.

She thought of it.

Reflection through it like a mirror.

Reflection.

Mirror.

".....I know what we can do."

Author's Note

Merry Christmas, guys. Hope y'all are having a good holiday. School finally ended a week ago so I'm now left to relax and rethink my life choices aaaaaaa

Side note, been watching podcasts and found some chill music. Search up "Yuri Honing and Floris - Phase Five" if you're into jazz. The album is soooo good.

Aftermath Of A Fire

"You really goin' through with this?" asked Rainbow for the sixth time that day. She laid on a single cloud, although it floated not far off the ground.

Fluttershy on the other hoof decided to keep closer to the ground as she laid on the grass, looking up to her still in disbelief friend. "My parents had already found a dorm for me and everything down here. Sure it won't be as livid as staying with them but I promised to visit. It's for my own good as well, I don't want to risk falling from the sky.....or losing balance and fall from the edge of the clouds as I struggle to flap my wings, crying helplessly as I watch myself...." she didn't finish what she had said as she buried her face in her own hooves, accidentally scaring herself. "....n-no, I can't....."

Rainbow merely rolled her eyes. "I'll be there to catch you if you do, I told you this before."

"I don't expect you to be on the lookout for my safety all the time," Fluttershy explained.

"So you're gonna live an earthpony life as a pegasus? Shy, you'll learn to fly. You're not a pegasus if you can't," said Rainbow. Seeing Fluttershy's head drooped however, she continued on with a different approach. "You probably just need some time to adapt to your wings. Trust me, once your wings blossom you'll be soaring through the air in no time!"

"Blossom....you do know I'm a year older than you."

"So what? I probably just blossomed early," said Rainbow in a matter-o-factly tone.

Fluttershy however slumped even more down, her hair beginning to cover her face as she let out a huge sigh. "....what if I'll never learn to fly?"

"Whaaaat?" exclaimed Rainbow as she jumped up from her position and looked down at Fluttershy from the edge of her cloud. "No pegasus can't fly!"

"Well maybe I'm not meant to be a pegasus!" she exclaimed back as she felt her eyes welt up. "I-it's just....you make it look so easy.....almost all of our schoolmates can fly, heck- even Zephyr can fly by now! I just.....just...." she lowered her head back down. "....what if I never learn how to fly...." she started to whimper.

Rainbow looked down at her friend, who looked pathetic whimpering on the ground that way. However, she stomped, fluffing her cloud as she called for the timid pegasus's attention. "You can! And you will!" she flew off her cloud, and directly in front of Fluttershy, where she lifted her head up from her scalp. "Fluttershy, you know how I've always wanted to be a Wonderbolt?" she asked as she decided to take a seat beside her whimpering friend, who quieted down as she looked up to Dash. Shy nodded. "Well, you know how it's really hard to get into it?" she asked again. Shy nodded once more, although this time giving it much thought. "Well, I haven't given up on my dreams yet! Sure, I'm fast but I lack poise! That's what I remember from those history lessons about Commander Easyglider. And you know how my poise is," said Rainbow matter-of-factly. But, she lowered her head a little as she looked back to Shy. "Which reminds me to ask you- what does poise mean again?"

Shy rolled her eyes.

"B-but that's not the point, anyway! Point is....." Rainbow took a breath before continuing, thinking deeply about what she wanted to say. ".....I haven't given up. And won't. No matter how hard they say it is to be. No matter what I'll have to do to be one. No matter if I gotta walk through a field of bear traps to get the role! I will be a Wonderbolt sooner or later!" Shy raised her brow, and mummured. "What was that?" she asked, having trouble hearing her meek friend's words.

"...I said what does this have to do with anything?" Shy asked. Rainbow thought for awhile.

"Well it's.....uh......I forgot what I was gonna say," she finally said, and sighed disappointedly. "And I remembered I had a good speech to say as well," she shook her head. "But, whatever I'll say it in a different way. Just, don't give up, y'know. Dad once told me that goals in life are just obstacles that helps us to keep on living. If you know you have a dream, pursue it. You only live once, best to make the most of it," she said, smiling slightly at the memory of her father's words. "I know I'll make my parents proud if I do succeed in my dream. Won't flying make your parents proud?"

Fluttershy thought for awhile. "....my parents say they'll love me no matter if I can fly or not."

"Well then they'll definitely love you more once you surprise them with your flying abilities," stated Rainbow. She offered Shy a smile again. "Shy, I believe you can fly. It just takes time, and practice. And I'll even help you practice!" she said in excitement.

Shy giggled a little, funny seeing her friend get all excited with helping her achieve her dream. "Hmm. Okay, okay, I won't give up. But....." she looked down at the grassy ground below her. "I'll still prefer to stay down here. And school down here for the time being. You won't forget me, right?"

"Pfft, as if I could, we live in the same town. And, okay then. Guess I'll just have to visit you at times myself," she said, Shy giggling. "Also, Shy, don't think that I could ever forget you. Why would I forget a friend?"

Shy felt her heart go light at that statement. Friend. "You're too sweet."

"Uh, you mean awesomely cool, right?" Dash replied, coughing at the mere mention of her being sweet. Sky giggled again. "Also, if you never learn to fly I could trade you my wings for a change," she said. Weirdly enough, her hooves extended back to her wings and as if she were a toy, plucked the pair out. She handed it over to Shy, who looked at her friend in surprise.

"R-really?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah, really. You can have it. I'll make you speedy and I'm sure you'll feel more confident with these on," she said, waving it in Shy's face as she wanted her to finally accept it. It didn't take long too, as Fluttershy quickly took her wings off and swapped it with Dash's. Shy snapped Dash's wing on her back, and like magic she felt herself able to flap them much easier than hers.

"W-wow! This is amazing!"

"Sure is, they're my wings!" said Rainbow proudly. "Oh, and do remember me when you fly with them. Come, have a speed test," said Rainbow, and she immediately took off, although rather slower than she usually was. Fluttershy didn't hesitate to follow from behind, however, going much faster than Rainbow, speeding through the air.

She felt so happy, the breeze hitting her face like wild, her wings feeling so free and not at all hard to control, the colour of her tail leaving a trail from how fast she went, much like Rainbow used to.

She felt so high, so free, so confident in herself. For once, she could fly. For once, she could experience what being a pegasus really is. For once, she.....she....

She felt something curl around her hind hooves, and attempting to hold her in place. All of a sudden, she was held to a complete stop, her hind hooves captured. She turned back in surprise, and was met with black spiked vines protruding from....a void. The spiral of purple weirdness emitted an off vibe to it. Growing scared, she began yelping for Rainbow. What's happening?

"R-Rainbow! H-help me! Please!" she said, struggling to kick her hind hooves free from the vines' grasp as she felt her tears welt up from the overwhelming fear swallowing her heart.

And fortunately, she could see the strands of the ends of Rainbow's tail hanging low in front of her very eyes. However.... "What's the matter, Shy?"

That voice. It wasn't Rainbow.

She looked up in surprise of the change of voice, to be met with the face of......the draconequus instead. "Forgot me?"

Her eyes jolted open as she awoke startled. Her body felt sticky from sweat. That dream....that dream....

It was only a dream.

She...sighed in relief. Her face felt wet, most probably drenched from her tears. The dream....it took a weird turn at the end. A nightmarish turn.

....a....nightmare.....

Discord. She shuddered suddenly. She felt herself feeling very uneasy. She realised in her dream, he looked so familiar at first yet so vague. She knew who he was, and it was probably her dream that caused her to feel scared of him.

He....he....

"....Fluttershy, are you alright?" asked Rarity, who yawned as she woke up from her slumbers as well from hearing the hyperventilation of the timid mare. "Another nightmare?" she turned to face Fluttershy who slept beside her.

They laid on the unaffected part of the floors of the cottage. They arrived back a few hours ago and after scavenging through the broken down cottage hoping anything good was left in the midst of ashes but finding nothing, they defeatedly decided to take rest in the least affected part of the cottage, with only a half burned curtain to keep them warm.

They were lucky that some weather pegasi were nice enough to water down the fire for them, as been thought with the bundle of clouds floating above the cottage, dry as haze. The roof of the cottage was unlucky however as the fire had created a large gap in the middle of it. However, a broken shelter is better than no shelter for now. She also hoped her birds were okay as there used to be more than just two bird houses up there.....

"N-nothing, just a nightmare is all," she explained casually, although her shaky tone showed more insight of what had jolted her awake.

"Mind sharing?" asked Rarity. Fluttershy gulped. But decided to turn her back away and faced Rarity instead.

".....uhm....it was just a dream about Rainbow lending me her wings so I could feel confident. Then something happened and....yeah.....it-it didn't turn out well." She left the last part out, not wanting Rarity to question her about it.

"Oh. You miss her, don't you?" asked Rarity. Fluttershy simply nodded. Rarity smiled. "Well, think of it this way then. They're probably watching over us up there in the heavens."

"Why would you think that? Won't they have anything else to do besides watching us?" she asked. Rarity laughed a little.

"Think of it, dear. We escaped your cottage unharmed. And half of your cottage was swallowed in the fire. Gods forbid this thing collapses on us while we're still under here. But it hasn't yet. Maybe they're watching over us, making sure we're safe."

Fluttershy thought for awhile, sniffling from her previous of tears. "Won't they have others to watch over? Like Pinkie with her family and Rainbow with...with her parents?"

"Well, they could possibly watch over all of us at once. The Gods work in mysterious ways. Maybe they were given the ability to watch us all from up there. Maybe the Gods are helping to watch over us as well." Fluttershy thought again, as Rarity gave out another yawn. "...well, enough about that, I'm still quite sleepy. We'll continue in the morning, if you don't mind."

"Oh, okay. Goodnight, Rarity. Sorry for waking you up...."

"Don't sweat it, dear. You get a good night's rest as well," she said, before turning herself back into her sleeping position.

"W-wait," Fluttershy suddenly called out. "...uhm...." she stammered. "....I'll do whatever it takes t-to get us to Canterlot, I won't let you live like this for long, just so you know."

Rarity didn't reply the first few seconds. "........we'll talk about this tomorrow. Goodnight, now," was all she said before succumbing to sleep.

Fluttershy merely nodded to herself, and laid back into her position once more.

....she will do all that it takes. Even if it kills her, she wouldn't want Rarity to suffer anymore than she has.

Author's Note

im so disappointed that nothing meta happened in the raid smh whErE wAs tHe gOrE wE WeRe pRoMiSed?????