The fall of the captain

by Lieral

Rating: teen
Tags: Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Fluttershy (EqG), Original Character, Tragedy, Random, Discord, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Death
Length: 4397

Fluttershy heard an unexpected song in an old language she could not understand, and as she learned the story of this forgotten song, she also learns a story of regret from one of her closest friends.

The winds of nostalgia are blowing through the air, and a lonely Draconequs sang a long-forgotten song. A small pony came to hear his feelings, and he told a tale of a song and his own regrets.
Meanwhile, a part of this same story is also remembering those facts from a different point of view.

Published 2020-05-30 12:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-05-30 12:10:01 UTC

North Star

Author's Note

Some time ago I heard a music. So pretty and beautiful to me. I listened to it again and again and I knew I should do a story about it. My first try was made with the best translation I could do, but since the music has copywriters I could not use it, so I tried to create a music myself to make this one fic. I don't if someone will like it or at least enjoy a little, but I definitely hope you do, I gave my best to do this one.

And please remember that this fic was done after a marathon of Pirates of The Caribbean, One Piece and an overdose of caffeine.

And here is the song that inspired me. It is a Brazilian music made by an YouTuber, but I tried to make the lyrics with that melody and rhitm in mind, so even if you are not interested in the original lyrics I ask you to listen to it so you can have a better idea about the music.

The YouTuber is called Patopapão
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j5ePXWGrag

Anyway, it is the first time I focused on Discord and Fluttershy, but I hope it is good enough, please, leave a comment and tell me what I can do to make it better.

Have a nice reading.

North Star

The wind blows softly as a very deep voice cut the night while humming a surprisingly slow and respectful song. The moon shines down the vast land of Equestria and the only company of this voice was the crickets that were also listening.

"Todos os mares eu já vi, e muito também já vivi,
Tantas vezes conquistei meretrizes a me servir,
Mas com os sentimentos a se partir,
Com o amanhecer eu vinha a sumir,"

"Por todo ouro e Prata que consegui,
Por todos os companheiros que vi se ir,
Por todo aquilo que sonhei,
Por todo o rum que bebi,"

"I never heard you singing like this before," A serene and soft voice interrupted the unexpected singer with an ever softer flap of wings. "Hum, even if I can't understand anything I still think it's lovely," She was a small creature with yellow fur that was moving with the wind and long pink mane.

The owner of the voice turned to face her. "Hello, Fluttershy," The Draconequs smiled a little bit, but for some reason, his expression and voice were not as enthusiastic as they normally were. "Sorry I did not saw you coming,"

"It's okay," The small pony walked toward him slowly. "But I have to admit it's not like you to be so..."

"Melancholic?" Discord smiled weakly. "As a matter of speaking, I think I am,"

"Do you want to talk about it?" Fluttershy sat by his side and observed the horizon. He had chosen a really pretty place to sit. Somewhere at the top of a hill where they can see the entire Everfree forest in all its salvage majesty. "I heard something from my place and I thought you might have stopped to do something after our tea,"

"Worry not," Discord said without looking at her. "I was just thinking a little,"

"That's lovely," Fluttershy said and waited for him to talk more, but only silence fills the air. She could not help but be worried. Usually, he is far more... Electric. Well, time to be a little more assertive. If he is not going to talk so easily she will have to take it out of him. "Hum... So, what were you singing about? And what was that language?"

"A very old language. It is not used anymore," He said while staring the moon. "It was from a time so long passed that almost no one knows anymore. With me, I think about three creatures in all Equestria can actually speak this,"

"Really?" Fluttershy asked excitedly. "That's amazing,"

"Thanks, I guess," He smiled again. The compliment clearly helped a little. "It is a song of a captain pirate in his last moments and the life he lived,"

"Oh," Fluttershy's ear dropped a little, she clearly was not expecting it. "I think it's not a happy one, is it?"

"I guess his ending was not the happiest, however, he definitely left his mark in Equestrian history,"

"Really? Twilight probably knows who he is then," Fluttershy said happy to continue the talking. He clearly needs it.

Discord laughed just a little. "I think this is hard. He never was a famous sorcerer or anything like this. Actually, he was just an very old earth pony,"

"She knows a lot about Equestria. I don't think she will forget about an earth pony that can interest you or that left his mark on the history,"

"I think I did not explain it well," Discord scratched the back of his neck. "He never really did what he wanted to accomplish, however, those who followed him definitely changed the very world we now know,"

Fluttershy stayed in silence. She wanted to say him to take his time, but she was sure he could change his mind if she pressures him too much.

He sighed. "The first time I heard this song as it really is was... Unique I guess. He sang in his last moments in front of the one he swore to defeat and failed to do so. Are you sure you want to listen?"

"If you could translate to me I would love," She smiled.

"I will try,"

A captain walked.

Slowly. One step after the other, and which each step the chains that restrain his legs shakes and creates a constant sound. He walked through a long corridor where the light of the sun could be seen. His long white beard and brown fur were dirty and so abused that his cutie mark in the form of a cross made of stars in the night sky almost could not be seen anymore.

He was not the only one though. Behind him, two strong and downcast ponies followed him with equally slow steps. Clearly neither of them wanted to be there. The old stallion sighed and turned his head to face them. "Raise your heads, sailors. A colt of the sea never lowers his head to a chaotic kid,"

"But captain, he will..." one of them tried to argue but was soon interrupted.

"What he will do to me is of no importance," The captain did not even slow down as he walked toward his fateful end. "Remember, you have to live without regret. I chose to fight him until the end, and that is what I will do,"

Both stallions tearfully raised their heads. They chose to accompany the old pirate toward his end, and even if they were not about to share his destiny, they were clearly seeing all of this as if a part of them is going to die with him.

That is right. Die.

Death is what awaits for the old pirate at the end of the tunnel, however, his decision was clear on his eyes. "Listen. The destiny that falls upon me is the consequences of what I chose to fight for. And I do not intend to leave without making him realize the power we ponies have,"

The two stallions stopped. They have reached the end of the tunnel, and they were not allowed to go further. "I have a final order to you," they heard the captain saying and wiped away their tears.

"Tell us, captain," They said in unison.

"Those two. They are not going to give up. They will fight to the end and will stand up against him no matter what," The old stallion sighed. "I have no right to tell you how to live your remaining miserable lives, however, if you two want to end this misery, then follow the order of these two from now on. What I was not capable to do I am certain they will triumph,"

"Captain..."

"That is enough," He faced forward and resumed his slow walk. "This is my last order to you and all my fellow friends and companions. Follow those two and change this world for better. Have I been clear?"

"YES, SIR!" Both stallions answered and turned their back to the captain. There was nothing they could do now but hide the tears that fall from their eyes and finally walk away.

The old captain smiled. He knew what these two weaklings tried to hide from him, and he could not help but feels a little proud of himself about the many useless and idiots he calls friends, sailors, and family. However, not a single tear appeared on his eyes as he walked upstairs.

"AND HERE WE ARE EVERYPONY," A strong voice announce with a clearly overjoyed voice. "THE MOMENT WE ALL ARE WAITING FOR! TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE ENDING OF AN ERA. AND WE WILL ALL REMEMBER NOT TO MESS WITH THE ALMIGHTY," The owner of the deep voice kissed his own biceps. "THE SEXY, LORD OF CHAOS... DISCORD!" The sound of clapping echoed from behind him apparently from no one at all.

The captain walked the last steps of his life. He stopped at the top of a big platform above the ground and just a little smaller than the biggest of houses around. Speaking of houses, He is definitely located in the middle of the main plaza at the so-called 'Capital of Chaos'.

Looking below him he saw a myriad of colors. Hundreds, if not thousands, of ponies reunited to see the public execution of an old pirate. The sky was starting to be covered by rain clouds, natural ones for a change.

Despite the cheerful tone of the locator, no one smiled. Many of them actually looked a lot worse than the old man himself. Thin and weak. Tired and hopeless. All of those who once saw the white-bearded pony as the first and only one capable to withstand against the tyrant Draconequs. To avoid his watchful eyes and scheme against his ream of Chaos. The only one that could end their torments...

The only one that tried and failed.

The old pony observed his crowd. Amidst all those ponies only a few of them actually matters for him, all of them using a hood to hide their faces with an excuse of protecting themselves from the upcoming rain, never together so they would not catch the attention of the host of such event. And between all of those only two stands together. One that is definitely the taller pony of them all, a flank so blank as her own color with a long pink mane, and determinate eyes that could pierce steel.

Beside her lies her sister. Smaller than the older one and with blue color and a mane that looks like the stars of the night had been glued on it.

"THIS LITTLE PONY WALKED UPON THIS LAND FOR TOO LONG," The locator resumed his speech. "WITH HIS CREW HE TRIED TO DESTROY THE REALM WE ALL CALL HOME. WITH DETERMINATION HE FOUGHT A LOST BATTLE AND NOW, HERE HE IS, ALONE AND FORGOTTEN. LET US SEE THIS SAMPLE. LET US KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WITH THOSE FOOLS THAT TRY TO GO AGAINST ME. LET US HEAR THE LAST WORDS OF A PONY WHO LIVED AS HE PLEASED AND NOW PAYS THE PRICE FOR IT!"

He finished his speech and offered the strange device he was holding to the old pony, the one he was using to make his voice loud enough to be heard by everypony. The captain slightly grinned as he watched those two trying to hold back themselves. They are definitely something to behold. Their unicorn horns are fairly visible, however, their Pegasus wing are very well hidden by their hood. He turned to face Discord with a serious expression. If he wants to make him a sample, He will gladly become one.

"I suppose I can say anything as my last words?" He asked as his deep voice reached even the last one of the crowd.

"Yes, yes, everything your small heart desires. I am no monster, after all, I want you to leave a message for everyone," He opened his different arms as if pointing at all those united here.

"That is good to hear," The old one smiled. "I think I indeed have a thing or two to say for a few of you, especially two of you. I want you two to remember this day. Make this last moment of mine a sample to all your life,"

"Now that is even better than I have expected," Discord laughed out loud. "Please, do tell everyone about what it is like to be here. And for you being so kind with me I will even let you choose how you will leave this world today,"

"Interesting," The captain had thought about it before, and if he has to die today he would feel honored to leave as the ones before him, the ones told in ancient stories and colt fables, otherwise, He could not face them in his next life. "In this case, I choose to be hanged," All the crowd held its breath, some cried and some turned to leave, but it was nothing for him. He still has those who will make his message live. "And as a payment for my good behavior, I want to sing a song as my last words,"

"I do not like that tone of yours, however, I must admit I admire you. No one never escaped me, and you did it for years, I think this is a fair wish," Discord smiled and nodded his head thinking about such a good leader he is. Who else would have let a prisoner sing a song just because he wanted to? Definitely his unmatched kindness will be remembered after this day.

The old man cleared his throat and started to move his head slightly from right to left in an interesting rhythm.

"Every sea I have seen, and for so long I have lived,
So many times I have conquered harlots at serving me,
But with my feelings about to break,
In the morning I came to disappear,"

Discord watched the old captain in shock. This old song always has existed, ever since the first pirate, the first of his kind had been hanged, but he was honestly dumbfounded by that choice. He was being so kind and let him sing a final song and he chose a very specific colt song? That makes no sense for him. Now the captain stomped his hoof on the wooden floor making the chains make some familiar sound, something like the sound of being dragged by a ghost that just refuses to leave him.

"Through so much danger I had been,
And so many friends that left me,
Now I honor their bitter end
With the rum I have drink,"

The raindrops began to fall upon every creature at the plaza. His eyes are closed but he could almost hear the confusion of the Lord of Chaos and the breath of the crowd, and he was not going to stop now.

"Raise your glasses for those that will today leave,
Honor those who are no longer here,
Watch and told the story I have written,
As death is following me,"

Two pairs of hooves started to resonate on the plaza in rhythm together with his own, however, it does not matter where Discord looks, He simply could not see where are they coming from amidst so many different ponies. And for the next part also two feminine voices were added.

"May the wind take you to whenever you need to go,
May our spirit be always with you,
May you never suffer all this pain,
AND LIVE TO FIGHT FOR LOVE!"

The rain now is falling heavily but the host did not care, he let himself be soaked and everypony else too. Discord thought he had seen the extra singers only to lose them from his sight. He had no idea how bad things were about to turn for him. The next part was sung by thirty or more voices all around the crowd, many strong voices, but quite frankly, insignificant amidst a thousand more perplexed ponies.

"The cold sky surrounding us, shows the face of the executioner,
In his heart all the hatred and fear of a storm in fury I can see,"

The old captain sang this part while staring Discord with cold steel eyes while the Draconequs finally turned to look at him again with a crescent feeling that he knows why he had started to sing in the first place. But sadly he did not expect the proportion this was going to be. The next time the hoofs hit the floor he could not help but feel slightly uneasy as more than two hundred ponies hit the floor at the same time and started to sing too.

"I don't feel cold and the fear goes away because my friends are here with me,
When my Hooves leaves the floor and the gravity is dragging me,
I close my eyes and make it clear to the monster I create,
My death is chosen by me!"

Now over half of the ponies are stomping hard, the rain making the sound even more terrifying.

"RAISE YOUR GLASSES FOR THOSE THAT WILL TODAY LEAVE,
HONOR THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER HERE,
STAND BACK IN RESPECT FOR ALL THAT I LIVED,
DEATH IS FOLLOWING ME,"

The sound like a roaring thunder echoed through all the land as thousands of voices sang at the same time startling even the god of Chaos, and for the first time in his long life, he felt a shiver in his spine, in his very being. It was the feeling like standing in front of a giant monster he knew he could not win. It was as if his numerous sins are weighting on his back. It was the feeling of a tyrant that for the first time is seeing what happened when you make furious a good pony.

"I DON'T FEEL COLD AND THE FEAR GOES AWAY BECAUSE MY FRIENDS ARE HERE WITH ME!"

"STOP!" Discord yelled at the crowd viciously, but his voice was trembling more than his body.

WHEN MY HOOVES LEAVES THE FLOOR AND THE GRAVITY IS DRAGGING ME,"

"I TOLD YOU TO STOP!" Again he yelled, but no one listened to him, so, he turned to the old captain and yelled at him. "STOP THIS NONSENSE NOW! I WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE YOUR LAST WISH AND IS THAT HOW YOU THANK ME?"

"I CLOSE MY EYES AND MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE MONSTER I CREATE!" The old pony sang louder than any voice could, his deep voice making even the Lord of Chaos shiver at his words.

"YOU BETTER NOT FINISH THIS MUSIC OLD MAN! OR I WILL KILL YOU RIGHT HERE AND NOW!"

"I have nothing to lose then," The old man spoke softly. He stepped those stairs knowing very well what was waiting for him and absolutely nothing changed. He took the final breath of his well-lived life, a life that was lived fighting for what he believes, and sang with all the air his old lounges could muster, his mind always thinking about those who will undoubtedly follow his hoofsteps and finish what he could not.

'For you two, foolish apprentices of a foolish pony, my friends, my family, hear the last words of this old-timer,'

MY DEATH IS CHOSEN BY ME. FIGHT! FOR! LOVE!"

"THAT IS IT!" Discord intolerably yelled and snapped his fingers, suddenly a rope appeared around the neck of the old pony and the floor disappeared from beneath his hoofs.

He slowly falls while staring at the tyrant. His imminent death approaches so slow and yet fast at the same time, but his eyes are serene and calm, always looking into the eyes of the executioner. And all that crossed Discord's mind was a small fragment of the music he had just sung.

'I don't feel cold and the fear goes away because my friends are here with me,'

And a solemn second after that, the rope stretched and the silence reigned in the entire plaza.

Discord was breathing heavy with the extremities of his body getting cold and numb. The irrational fear he was feeling had yet to go away, but he still managed to smile. "I told you I was going to make a sample out of you,"

The corpse did not answer, but Discord thought he had seen the last ghost of a smile on his features. He shakes his head and turned to the crowd. The now strong rain makes him completely wet. Raindrops are falling from his small white beard as he gave his message. "Now consider this a warning," He was not really yelling, his voice was actually very calm, deep and firm, but it echoed through all the land. "This old-timer is only a small warning. Live your lives and have fun with me in my wonderful chaos, or fight stupidly and die for your crimes,"

He turned his back at everypony and snapped his fingers one last time disappearing without a trace.

The crowd also turned their back to the old-timer and walked away. Thousands of ponies walking away slowly, but not sad, nor anger, but with eyes filled with a long-forgotten feeling. Hope.

When all had been gone only two others stayed and prayed their last respects for the old pony. A foolish pony who ignited the flames of will inside the two sisters. They finally also turned away, however, the determination in their cold eyes are not only visible, but it was also like a blazing inferno.

The Lord of Chaos did not kill all his problems.

He created his worst enemies.

"Well, and that was it," Discord sighed while staring the moon. "This was an old song back them, however, he managed to make it be about me. I never have thought about the evil I truly was and that music... That single music was enough to scare me. That music makes me realize that maybe, one day, somepony else would rise and stand up against me," He snapped his fingers and a small breeze blow behind him dragging petals of some flowers.

"Listen to a small word of advice from a friend, Fluttershy," He snapped his fingers and a single flower appeared on his hand. He took the flower and put it in Fluttershy's mane. "No one lives without regrets, mainly when you live as long as I have lived. This is only one of many mistakes I have commit. And even when you cannot avoid the mistakes, it is up to you to choose them carefully, and to regret them or not when the times come,"

The yellow pony stared him for a second and leaned her head against him closing her eyes. She started to hum softly the same song he had just sung. "It is a pretty music. Care to sing for me again?"

Discord felt his eyes watering. Of course, she would be kind. Of course, she would know what to say. Of course, she would accept even the ugliest part of him without thinking twice. That is just the kind of pony she is.

He cleared his throat. If she wants a song, a song she will have.

Princess Celestia observed the night sky with a smile. She was sitting at a table outside her veranda with a glass of a brown liquid that was definitely not tea. The clouds of the sky had been cleared and the moonlight shone all its glory upon the city below her. In another part of the starry sky a constellation was visible, a constellation made by her sister, the Princess of the Night so many moons ago.

Celestia drank a small sip with a satisfied smile as she heard the soft beating of wings approaching. "Good night, Sister," Luna said with a nod of her head. "I can see you are enjoying the view,"

"Certainly," Celestia smiled. "Please, sit with me, the night is a child," She offered.

"I think I will gladly accept," Luna sat and also looked at the magnificent horizon. "May I ask what are you drinking? It does not seem like the tea you usually enjoy,"

"Indeed. I am drinking something a little more nostalgic for a change," She took a glass and served her sister. "A glass of rum, sister mine?"

Luna smiled. "Nostalgic indeed," She used her magic to float the glass toward her lips and drank half of it at once before letting go a very satisfied sigh. "This never gets old," She looked at the sky where she found a very familiar constellation with the form of an even more familiar cross. "Nights like this one are the ones he enjoyed most,"

Celestia nodded. "A glass of rum, the light of the moon and the infinite ocean," She also drank most of the strong liquid. "In a way, it was so simple and peaceful,"

"Who would say his death was what inspired us. What gave us the will to stand up and fight against Discord," Luna smirked. "And who would say we would befriend the one who one day killed our Captain and comrade,"

"Captain North Star would probably yell at us,"

"Then he would notice that Discord is now a good friend,"

"And then he would yell at us for befriending him,"

"And then he would challenge him for a drinking competition,"

The two sisters started to laugh for a few minutes. A burst of heartfelt laughter that they do not share much anymore and that they do miss a lot. "Let us drink, to the old captain who lived and died as he wanted," Celestia raised her glass with her magic.

"Let us drink, To the old captain that died to show us the way, like the constellation the sailors uses to navigate like his Cutie Mark says he would," Luna also raised her glass.

"A drink for the foolish master of two foolish ponies who lived as they please," Both of them chanted at the same time, and the clinking of their glasses was heard only by the night itself.