My Little Pony: Stormbreaker

Record 11: Two and a Half Ponies

Keeping a stern visual on the lands beyond for any hint of danger, two of the Crystal Empire’s guards took up positions at either side of the main entrance, while a Changeling was near to provide the ability to detect any deceptions. This post was the only that Prince Shining Armor made to be open by one of the guards to keep trouble out, but also allowing refugees in, while not needing his constant attention. There had been a few that made the long journey, and over the scrutiny of the trained ponies and Changelings nothing wicked got through. Today would prove a challenge to these skilled protectors. Forming in the distance was not the normal sight of the groups usually seen, but a tall figure of another shape was making their way toward the shield.

Exchanging looks, the three tried to make sense of what they were seeing. “Is that… a dragon?” One of the guards finally asked, hoping their partners might be able to clear the doubt.

“Looks to be” The other pony agreed, also stricken by this foreign sight, especially so far North where it was cold all around, save the protection of the Empire. “Shimmer Sand” They looked to the Changeling, one of many who had taken a name since their full acceptance into the folds of Equestria’s last home. “Is this some illusion?”

Not all Changelings had taken names like Shimmer Sand or the first, Switch-A-Roo, as some liked to make names more based on their heritage like the Empress Morphosia. Sand was definitely in the camp of those who enjoyed the pony system, it made many feel more connected to their new friends. “N-no… that is a dragon, sure enough” He said a bit uneasily, as the Changelings and Dragons did not have a kind history, not that many truly did. Although most feared the Dragons, besides the Gryphons, who most just believed they were too stubborn to admit that they were. Despite this legacy, this Dragon did not seem as frightening, not just because they traveled with two ponies, but something in their purple and green colour scheme did not strike fear. None of the three could identify this band, and called to them once they were nearer.

“Ho!” The first guard moved slightly forward, making themselves the focus in case help would be needed. “What business do you have in the Crystal Empire?”

When the Dragon spoke back, his voice seemed stuck in the phase between adult and youth, sounding like he was forcing it to seem older. “We wish to have shelter here, and hopefully find some old friends”

“Who is it that you seek, and who do I address? If I am to send word, we must know?”

“I am Spike, a name that once rang through the Empire I helped save, but it seems the storm cleared away that memory, or maybe” He gave a bit of a prideful snicker. “This older body has hidden that cute baby dragon so well, you do not know me”

The two guards looked at one another, stricken by the name as it awoke long buried memories. They recalled that Princess Twilight Sparkle did have an assistant by that name, and this Dragon did have similarities. Purple scales, green spines and eyes, with the lighter shade for his chest and down to the underside of his tail. A savior of the Crystal Heart, and friend to the original six Ponies of Harmony. The other two did not seem so familiar, both seeming to be too young to even have been born before the storm, or at least barely around during it.

“We are here to meet with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Tell them Spike has brought the Cake twins, Pound and Pumpkin, and they have important news” He informed, his eyes lingering on the Changeling so boldly displaying themselves. He would address this in time.

Once the word was sent much of the Empire that remembered the days of Spike’s efforts to save them, were in a frenzy to hear their young hero was still alive. It was so much that the guards had to boost their numbers, just to get the trio to the castle. They would be first met by the Princess and Prince, and any doubts were gone when the former embraced the Dragon with such elation. Shining quickly joined, wearing a great smile on a face that had almost forgotten the sensation of such joy. He bumped a playful hoof to the taller Dragon’s shoulder. “Wow, you really grew up Spike” He laughed, joined by the old friend.

“Look at you!” Spike returned. “You’ve become such a fine stallion, no longer that young guard who I traded cards and comics with” He also added “And Cadence, you’ve grown into such a fine Princess. Not only do you both look great, you’ve kept hope alive all this time. Princess Celestia and Luna couldn’t have found better ponies to not only take the Empire, but stand against all the troubles”

“Such a charmer” Cadence responded to his earlier part. “I can say how happy we are to see you again, we feared you long gone only to return with two more ponies I believe most thought also lost” She looked at the twins. “Both looking like they’ve braved this harsh world, but I can see that there's still hope and love in you”

Pound came closer and knelt before her, taking a hoof in his. “My Princess, we have come to serve your grace” He kissed the decorated hoof, in a grand display.

Pumpkin rolled her eyes, as Cadence blushed, not having had this sort of welcome in a long time. “Spike, you may have competition for being a charmer”

He snickered at that, while Pumpkin decided to cut in. “He can be so dramatic, but he is right, we’re here to help the cause”

“If I may?” Spike wished to give a proper introduction. “This is Pound and Pumpkin Cake, two of very lucky survivors of Ponyville before it fell” This much was known, as both looked into records when the names came to them. “They also are the keepers of the Element of Laughter”

This struck both the royal ponies, as they leaned back in surprise of such a claim. Looking at one another, they could only dare hope it was true. “What?” Shining first addressed this. “How do you know?”

“Our aunt, Pinkie Pie, she gave it to Spike” Pound started. “Her Element of Laughter. When we were older enough, uncle Spike told us of it, and said ‘It may one day be of use. Right now it just takes up space, but I believe it could help you both’, although we never imagined the truth in those words”

Shining was puzzled by these revelations. “I did not know of all these family ties. Spike, Pinkie, the Cakes?”

“Well, it was more of an adopted kind of deal” Pumpkin clarified. “But to us, they are just as much our family as our departed parents”

Not wishing to be rude, but Cadence was a bit more focused on their other claims. “Do you have the Element?”

The twins looked at one another, and Pound reached into his bag. “Well… kinda…” He pulled out the necklace and placed it down. The metal was no longer gleaming, but tarnished and pitted with age. The gem was faded, and looked more like a chunk of dirty ice, than a jewel.

“Is… is it because Pinkie is… gone” She was hesitant to say it, but the truth of it was the mare disappeared before the worst of the storm even hit, and not a single soul had seen her in years. She could be alive, but the chances seemed low. Looking on this object, that seemed more like something that Flim and Flam would have made and left to age, rather than the necklace that once helped fight Nightmare Moon, Discord and Sombra.

Pound looked around, hoping to find those they had actually come to see. “We’re hoping to talk to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom about this, we’ve heard that they have unlocked a lot about the Elements. Would also save saying it all twice” He laughed nervously.

“The young champions are currently out in the world, attempting to reach the last of our broken nation” Shining Armor replied. “They had to postpone because of the larger risks of the villains, but are determined to finish what they started” He moved a bit closer, not willing to let a moment longer pass without answers. “We can recount this story if it makes it easier, but as leaders of what is left of Equestria, we must know what has become of the Element of Laughter”

Not much intimidated the young pony, but seeing this stallion with his rank and status looming before him, he felt like a foal again. He was hesitant, but he recounted what had happened with Discord, and what came after. The part that mostly shocked the pair of royals, was the last piece when they claimed that both of them had died out there.

“Death?” Cadence was first to question this, though she was no stranger to lingering ghosts, it was surprising that these two would be the same as her grandfather. “I have my doubts, I’m sorry to say. Either you are specters, or you are playing a game”

Pumpkin was the one to respond, not fond of these events. “I wish it wasn’t true, but we both died there” She did not like thinking about her brother’s pain, but repeated what he had said of the events. “Discord stabbed him with his claws, and destroyed P.C.’s lungs, leaving him to choke until he died… He also put some spell on me, that crushed my heart when he died…” She was notably, and understandingly crying now, the events being a lot for any to endure, especially ones so young.

“We don’t understand it, but one moment I wasn’t able to breath, everything had gone black, I was no more… Then I was taking deep breaths, and feeling completely healed… even stronger” Pound explained their rebirth. “I saw Kin laying there, gone as I was, and just like me, stood up like nothing happened. We then noticed that Aunt Pinkie’s necklace looked like that” He gestured toward it.

Cadence and Shining looked at one another, taking in this story and finding it a bit hard to accept. There had been a lot left unknown about the powers of the Elements, as it had given Apple Bloom a new eye, Scootaloo wings, and Sweetie Belle’s horn was enhanced to levels that even Princess Celestia or Luna, perhaps even Twilight at her height could not access, yet the idea an Element could save two ponies lives did seem just a bit too far given the evidence. They both trusted Spike, and that alone is why they allowed this audience, but it was not so far to blindly accept such bold claims.

“You must forgive us,” Princess Cadence started. “We have seen many things happen since Discord returned, though not much of it has been good, and these long years have left us a bit skeptical of anything too good to be true” She sighed, hating that wonder and hope was so beaten that she could not be happy to hear such news. “I want to believe what you say, especially as you have Spike’s word, one I value over nearly anyone else… however we would not have allowed our kind to survive all these years if we were so quick to accept a miracle of an Element raising two ponies from death… I fear there is some Discord trickery at play. That does not mean I entirely distrust you either, as you both could be part of his game without knowledge”

Shining was a bit less diplomatic, and went right to a point in his mind. “I find it hard to accept because if it was true, why did it not save anypony else? Applejack had her’s, yet she was killed. My sister had her’s, and she died just the same as any other. It couldn’t even help Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash or Rarity from becoming evil. So why did it spare you two, but none of them?” The two ponies stepped back, going to the protection of Spike who moved closer ready to stand off against the Prince when another entered the room.

She took cautious steps, but was loud enough that it drew all their attention. Empress Morphosia studied the two, then addressed her friend. “I’m sorry to have intruded on this meeting, my broodkin informed me of the events and I wished to see these two. Truly skilled magick can deceive my kind, however my magick has grown even greater than my kin” She came closer, standing between the two royal ponies, and studied the young ones. “I cannot speak for Elements and their ways, however these two are no illusions nor do they give off the energies of risen dead” She turned her head slightly toward the royal pair, with a sternness in her eyes. “A terror I hope you never will face” She then looked back to the young ones. “Their energies are much like those three champions, with the same hints of a magick greater than much of anything we have ever seen in our world. I also do not detect deception in their auras” She looked to Shining, knowing his deeper concerns. “I cannot say why the Elements did nothing for your friends or sister… but I can only conclude that they did save these two. There seems none of the taint that Discord’s magick usually leaves, likely cleansed by the Element”

The information Morhposia gave, did allow the pair of leaders to finally accept what had happened, but it did nothing to ease Shining’s heart. Cadence wished she could tell him the truth, but she knew that it was far too damaging to know, than it was not too. She held this secret long now, and would have to continue to bury that truth.

“Maybe we can learn from this,” Cadence began. “If they could save them, maybe the Elements hold an ability to save others in ways we didn’t even consider?”

Spike was focused on the Changeling. He recalled the one back at the entrance, and ones through the Empire as he walked here, but he did not wish to talk of this all in until now. “What is going on here?” He finally asked. “It has different colours, and is taller than those ones I fight, but this is a Changeling, right? Why is the Empire filled with them?”

“Oh, yes…” Cadence began, forgetting about how it might look to those outside as she had grown accustomed to having them around. “We did not share that detail, in fear it might have caused ponies to avoid coming to the Empire, but in the defeat of Chrysalis the Changelings were free of her control” She explained a bit more of what happened, and some of the key events. “After everything, Empress Morphosia took over as their leader and the Changelings have been a very welcome part of our community” She glanced at the fellow leader of another species. “I was doubtful at first, but they have proven time and again to be friends. Without her, we might not have stopped Countess Trixie from draining our entire Empire”

Morphosia felt the deceleration was a bit grander than needed. “I doubt she would have consumed your entire Empire, she was wild and destructive, you would have caught her in time. I am only thankful that we got her before anymore fell to her”

“So Trixie is gone too?” Spike asked, taking in the facts of all that have been defeated now. “Seems they have been busy, and I’m sorry, but after what we went through back then, and all the messed up things that have happened, I’m a bit skeptical of Changelings being good” They knew that he had valid concerns, with nothing of the recent events for him to have actually seen to change these views.

Shining Armor wanted to be mad with how much he had worked with the Changelings, and how they have proven to the Empire countless times their value and loyalties to them, as well as the friendships that have been formed since they found new ways to survive without draining others. He was too so close to them now, he did not like the idea that any might still be against them. He knew that these three had no way to know of these events, and could not just hear of good deeds and be convinced. The Empire needed time, and they would too. “Since the fall of Chrysalis a lot has changed, and they have done a lot of work to prove themselves to us, but I understand that you all were not here to see that. I only ask that you give them a chance, and not be completely closed off. We will need some time to grasp the fact that an Element revived not one, but two ponies” He reminded them of their own outlandish claims.

“I do think it will be best that we wait for the return of the Stormbreakers abroad before we can truly move forward” Cadence offered. “We will provide room and board, and extend every courtesy the Empire has to offer. We can only hope that in time that we can understand one another, and live together peacefully” It was clear that she meant more for the three to accept the Changelings. “We cannot be sure when the champions will be back, but you are welcome here for however long that might be”

******

Spike and the Cake Twins had been taken to a simple house with rooms for each, and space to make it rather homey. The work that the Changelings have been doing to expand the Empire allowed them luxuries to make such homes for the refugees, instead of the shacks that would have been there without them. This was passed on to the trio, though Spike was still not very welcoming to the idea of them. “I can’t believe that the Empire is so full of Changelings”

“Why do you dislike them so much?” Pumpkin asked, curious, and being far too young to have lived through the invasions.

He studied her, knowing why she was ignorant and did his best to explain it. “Before all this, or maybe because of the Shatter Storm, Equestria had a few enemies, and Changelings were always one of those. They invaded Canterlot, captured Cadence, brainwashed Shining Armor, nearly trapped Twilight too, and took over Canterlot. Queen Chrysalis was a wickedness that had no redemption, and only cared about herself”

“That might have been true, but what about the Changelings themselves?”

“They followed her, did her bidding, and helped attack Canterlot” Spike tried to stress.

Pumpkin was not so convinced that there was reason to hold a grudge. “Seems like they were just following her lead, and if that was all they knew, can you blame them?” She reasoned, Spike trying to listen. “It seems like they are pretty nice now, and if what you said is true about their Queen, the fact that Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor are ok with them now should say something about them?”

She had a point, one better than Spike was able to argue, though only if it was not some trick. “The fact they both have taken to the Changelings can mean that they are as they have said, reformed and good, or it could be that the Changelings have taken over Empire and it’s all an illusion to draw in victims”

“That is possible…” Pumpkin agreed. “But we can’t just assume that, any more than just accept what we see. So maybe we just play it safe? She did speak up for us, Morphosia. I did get a good feeling from her”

Pound agreed with her. “She gave us some credit, and if they are going over us like we are them, it is nice one of them believed in us. Discord might be lost, but I do think there is a chance for villains to change”

Spike sighed, more at the idea of what he said. “Cosmatia knows enough heroes turned to villains, it would be nice to see some of them go good” He took a seat, the weight of a dragon more than it was used too, and creaked under him. “It has been so long since I’ve felt safe…”

The three decided their plan, and made for bed. The lights went down, and each found a room to sleep. When all was quiet, something shifted around Pound. Then it scurried from out of the sheets and down to the floor. It looked to be a roach, but when it turned, it had the face of Discord. “Finally” He said with annoyance. “I thought that slumber party wouldn’t end…” He quickly darted across the floor, and out into the darkness where he found a place he felt was safe from any eyes. He strained, and struggled, then gave up. “Drats…”

Changing from the cockroach to a Draconequus, though not much bigger than the roach was. “So, that cursed shield can still keep me out, even if I have a me on the inside… Now I wish I broke more of myself off inside of that pony, I can’t do much like this”

Deciding to make something of this failed attempt, Discord moved around in secret looking for some opportunity to cause some trouble, only nothing much presented itself tonight.

******

The next morning came easily enough, and each of the visitors awoke at their own times, though near to one another. They felt a bit shocked in their situation, not having any immediate dangers or truly fearing for their chances to even wake. Getting a restful night sleep was so foreign to them now, and took them some time to adjust. When they all were ready to go out, they left the simple home and took sight of the busy Empire. Spike was in awe to see what he remembered Canterlot being like before, with so many ponies and changelings, trotting about like the world never ended. There did not seem to be status, yet each looked or dressed as they would have before. The upper class Unicorns, and the more sorcerer types. Earth ponies, from the working class to those native Crystal ponies. Even some Pegasi, though a number looked like they escaped the Rainbow Factory, others still wore the colours of the Wonderbolts. Others, not actively guarding the grounds, but there were those who wore the ranks and marks of both Day and Night guards from the long lost castle. Of course there were the Changelings, looking as natural as any other pony there. The sight of this congregation of Equestria nearly brought tears to Spike’s eyes.

“Amazing!” Pumpkin exclaimed, talking in the sights. She was neutral to memories of the old days, good or bad. “So many ponies, I had no idea there were so many left in Equestria!”

“Equestrians are resilient,” Spike said with a bit of pride, before the three of them traveled on to find someplace to eat.

Along the way, Spike was taking notice of the interactions around the Empire. It truly felt like nothing had happened, only there was more diversity in the types of ponies. He was largely focused on the Changelings and seeing how, to the rest of the Empire, they did not seem out of place here. They were like family or old friends to these ponies, and though it seemed they were still feeding on attention and love, it was not taken, but given freely. It was truly seeming like things were different for the Changelings, though he was not absolutely ready to accept this for reality.

They found a restaurant that sounded like a good place to try, so the trio took a table where they could get a fair look at things going on in and outside. The twins were excited to see such a bustling city, and permanent structures. Spike was happy to see them again after so long, but his eyes were more on the ponies. He still saw no strife in them, and though he wanted to be mad, he was finding himself happy to see that camps like his were being brought to someplace they could finally feel this level of comfort. In scanning the faces, Spike saw a few he actually recognized. One pair was a bit heartening to see, he always recalled seeing them just about everywhere he went, but mostly in Ponyville, it gave him some sense of those old days. “Glad Lyra and Bon Bon are still together, and around… kinda feels like home” Spike thought.

Watching all these creatures together without any apparent care in the world, Spike’s mind began to drift, thinking back to when he was a baby dragon and his vision was clouded by the past. He saw his six closest friends, hanging out and having fun after some little adventure.

There was Twilight, going on about some book she was reading, while Fluttershy looked to be trying to follow along.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack got into some argument about who was better at something or other, never really mattered what, they loved to challenge one another.

Pinkie Pie was lost to all of them, as she was racing around and gathering things to stack on the table. She started with creamers, and jams, but soon had utensils and cups into the structure.

Then there was Rarity, working on a new, wonderful design. She was mildly interested in the others, focused so much on her inspiration, but she chanced a look and saw Spike watching. She gave him a warm smile and a wink. “Oh Rarity…” Spike muttered, lost to that lust he held for the mare.

“Uncle Spike?” A voice cut through the fog, and it belonged to one of the Cakes, only Spike did not know which it was. They had both been trying to reach him. He blinked away the memories, lingering on the sight of the Unicorn he had loved so much.

He was more than saddened to see the visions go, and responded with a halfhearted “Huh?” as the past returned to its place in time, and Spike to his.

“Are you ok?” Pumpkin asked. “You seemed to be a bit upset, now you really look like something is bothering you”

Taking a deep breath and focusing his mind again, he responded “Just memories,” He took another look around. “As a dragon I knew I could live for hundreds of years, and with that I knew there would be times where I would look back on those I knew with a longing for times of old… I just never imagined that not even out of my 20’s, by pony standards, I’d be feeling this. By Dragon standards, I’m a teenager… I hoped that at least I would have Twilight for awhile, since Unicorns seem to live longer, especially the magickally gifted ones…” He became aware of himself, and looked at the two ponies with him. “I’m sorry, it’s not that I don’t love having you two, you’ve been the only thing that has made me want to go on or care any more…”

“We understand,” Pumpkin reached out and patted his claw. “We lost our parents, and wish against everything that we could have them back, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t grateful for you, or it means any less that we have you and not them”

He smiled at her, thinking about how well she turned out. “You are so kind, for one who has only known this broken world. You have such a big heart, your parents would have been so happy to see what a great pony you’ve become” He looked at Pound, not wanting to leave him out. “You as well. Despite everything, you both have been so strong and brave”

Disrupting their moment, a voice that hinted to one familiar but not entirely so. “Spike? Like, Spike the Dragon that was around Twilight Sparkle?” She was a silver mare, around the age that Sweetie Belle and her friends were, with a white mane and a pair of broken, but functional glasses.

He turned to her, trying to find a clue to her. She was wearing a collar and teal poof that seemed also familiar, yet not on a silver pony he could recall. Her cutie mark was a tell, but it escaped Spike just the same; despite how obvious it should have been. “Yes, before everything happened, I was with Twilight a lot”

“Wow, I can’t believe you totally are still around, like I didn’t think there were any more survivors from Ponyville” She spoke with a more posh tone, but she seemed a bit tired as well. Her purple eyes had blackened marks around them, showing that she did not sleep well. “You might not, like, remember me, but I was from Ponyville… but I was kinda a brat then. My friend then and me, we use to pick on the Bla- The Cutie Mark Crusaders”

Spike wished she just said the name, but he did finally put it together. “Oh, yeah. I remember a few times Apple Bloom and them would complain about you two. Silver Spoons?”

“Just one” She snickered, almost sounding painful to do. “Wow, it’s really nice to see some old faces again…” She seemed to have something else on her mind, and Spike prompted her to share it. “Well… I hate to totally, like, bug you, since we just kinda met… but do you think, like, you could help me see them?”

“To be honest, we’re waiting to see them still” Spike returned. “We got here yesterday to see them, but they’re out saving the world it seems”

She looked down, somehow even more defeated than before. “They’ve become, like, such heroes… C-can you at least tell them that, like, Silver Spoon is really sorry for being so mean to them before?”

Spike smiled and agreed that, but as she started to go he offered for her to join them. “How have you been? Getting through the years, you at least made it here”

She happily took a seat, and recounted what she had been through. “My life here has been great, like, before… not…” Silver started. “It was, like, totally insane before. My family had stayed in Ponyville for, like, way too long. Most families left, but Mom, like, felt she needed to stay. I lost Diamond Tiara early, her family, like, took off when things really got bad. So I’ve been wondering what became of her all these years, and been, like, checking all the records of ponies coming hoping to see her name… We moved around, for like most of the time, until I came here about two years ago. I got a job with the clerk's office, and like, been using those connections to see any records of, like, who is in the Empire and any confirmed dead” She adjusted her glasses. “I guess I followed my mom into the life of bureaucracy” She put on a bit of a more cheerful expression. “I’ve made some good friends, and like, really feel like I’m being helpful, and not that little spoiled brat I was”

Spike took this in, as did the twins who had no stakes or understanding of what Ponyville was like, or knew the families. Pumpkin gave the mare’s hoof a rub, showing her support. “I’m sure,” Spike began. “If they are out there, Sweetie Belle and them will find them. It does sound like you’ve made a good life for yourself here though”

Silver sniffled, thinking about who she was. “There are times I, like, remember how bad we were, picking on them, for like, just not having cutie marks… now I’m here hoping they can save my friend… like, the same one who was meanest to them… Why are we so mean as foals?”

“Hey now” Pound cut in.

“P.C., we’re not really foals anymore” Pumpkin reminded him, then addressed Silver Spoon. “Kids don’t know better, they are still learning, and growing. You eventually grow up, and most grow out of the dumb things we do. You seem like you certainly have, so I wouldn’t beat yourself up over mistakes of the past. Move forward, and be a better pony” She moved to hug her, and Silver hugged back tightly. “You are already a better pony, since you feel remorse for how you were and want to change”

“The future always stands, but we don’t always know when, though through the mist, the sun will rise again” Pound added, trying to recite an old poem he had heard. “Something like that, but the meaning is still there. Always have hope for the future, even when things seem the darkest. I know that someday we’ll-”

Pumpkin cut him off. “Such a profit”

Letting go of the younger mare, Silver looked at the pair. “I don’t think I, like, got your names”

“I’m Pound Cake, or P.C. nice to meet you!”

“Pumpkin Cake, or Kin if you please?”

Then it connected, and she remembered the two twins born shortly before the end of things. “Oh, I remember you two…” That though seemed to give her a renewed hope. “Yeah, if two babies could get through Ponyville’s fall, and survive to such fine ponies, like, hope does still exist!” The four of them, some of the youngest survivors of their lost town, shared stories and felt like they finally found some piece of home.

***

Outside the Empire, far from the scanning ability of Princess Cadence’s Heart Map, Discord paced vertically. He was waiting for a sign from the little piece he left in Pound Cake, from when they were brought into the Empire. “I should have seen something by now… I don’t even feel it anymore” He looked at one of his claws, or where it would be had it not been left in the pony.

Something caught his attention, and he plucked it from the air. “You’ve got mail” He snickered, holding the scroll. “I’m sorry, you didn’t apply proper postage” Abandoning the plan to use the piece already loose, he tried to put another in the letter, and send it back. “Return to sender”

The scroll flew back, but as it neared the shield, it burst into flames. “Not my day for schemes… Likely means that little piece also didn’t make it, well… drat” He folded himself several times, like taffy, and was gone.

***

Somewhere in the Crystal Empire, while friends reunited, the little piece of Discord was still searching for mayhem and weaknesses in the shield. He knew he needed either a hole or cause enough chaos to get stronger. Neither of these were working out too well. “This must be what Riker felt like, when he got bounced back to the surface in the transporter accident” Though his awful luck seemed to turn around, as he caught two guards talking.

“Have you done dungeon duty yet?” One of the ponies asked the other.

“No, why?”

The first looked around, not wanting to spread this rumour, or confirm it for those who wondered. “Trixie is down there… she is fuck’n creepy” She shuttered. “She just sits there, like an unwrapped mummy. Skin is all tight to her bones, and all dried out. She seems dead, but her eyes… you can see it in her eyes… she ain’t dead”

“Ew… I hope I don’t get sent down there”

“Hmm…” The little Discord grinned wickedly. “Mahaps there is still trouble to cause”

“She was completely drained when Empress Morphosia attacked her” The first guard explained. “But she somehow stayed… well, as alive as that can be called”

“I guess you can’t kill a vampire like that”

“Not really, but some of the guards say that she is still… fit… in certain places”

The one guard was confused by the meaning, and the first just brushed it off to be left unanswered.

As the pair continued the small problem decided to find this dungeon, which thanks to King Sombra, was no easy task. The former ruler had used a similar spell like the one one the door that led to the Crystal Heart, and Discord did not have the knowledge of it. So he searched around for a guard who was heading to the location instead. That proved much easier, as the target looked as uneasy about doing this as the one who gave the tip in the first place.

The hidden chambers were devoid of the hope and gleam that the Empire above held, just cold stone and dank rooms. These walls reflected the cruel design of the pony who had them made when he imprisoned the Crystal Ponies so long ago. The area was under kept, since it was not a place that many visited and likely would have stayed that way if not for the special captive. Deep inside, far from the only way in, buried as deeply as she could be, left forgotten by any but the unfortunate guards that were assigned the task of keeping vigil, or the depraved ones the other hinted too.

After the guard made their rounds and left, the mini Discord stepped through the bars and into the cell where the creepy wraith sat, unmoving, yet alive. He marveled at what remained of Countess Trixie, a villain that even posed a risk to him. No longer.

“Look at you” He said smugly, not sure if she could hear or not. “They really did take it all from you, energy, lifeforce, magick… It is a true mystery that you are… alive?” He floated around her. “Can’t move, can’t even speak, and yet they find you a risk enough to have a regular rotation of wardens watching you” He stopped, hovering right before her. “I’m not really sure I can even work with this husk… I suppose I can just hide the body and make it like you escaped.”

He stopped, and jumped back, as her eyes fixed right upon him. “Wow, those eyes are creepy… did they move?” He tried to figure this out, and without a warning she lunged at him and took hold of the piece of Discord in her fangs. He squirmed and cried out, but she consumed this essence without hesitation.

Returning to her frozen state Trixie felt enough power to move, but was far from satisfied or strong enough to make a move. She licked her dry lips with a rough tongue, and with a haggard voice said. “We all need a little chaos, now and then” With that mock of Discord she became the living husk again, until she could make another move, trying to fight the twitching smirk at the corners of her wicked mouth.

Record 11: Two and a Half Ponies

End

Author's Note

Did Discord truly kill those two, did the Element actually bring them to life? Was it coincidence or by design? Yes, no? All we know is, if Discord is involved, we can't really be sure of anything.