Chapters Cadance yawned so hard that her eyes watered. Her thighs tingled, and her hip bones stabbed into her rump. As much as she loved hearing back from her citizens, Cadance hated how long she had to sit on the hard crystal throne. Perhaps she should treat herself to a pillow. When was the last time she treated herself to something nice?
Cadance closed her eyes and leaned against her throne. Her head drifted off into her thoughts, "wedding dress." A warm, broad smile covered her face as her heart fluttered in her chest. Warmth spread from her stomach through her whole body. She was so nervous going down that aisle that she thought she would hurl on the spot with so many creatures watching her. Her beloved was waiting for her down the white carpet, which was strewn with roses. The aisle seemed much longer and elongated. With every hoof step, an hour passed in her mind.
Her laugh echoed off the walls as she remembered why she didn’t throw up. Shining was so nervous that he ended up tripping over his tailcoat and flopping to the floor. Cadance couldn’t blame him; Cyralis brainwashed him and forced him down the aisle. Chrysalis’s attack hurt her as well. She kept looking over her shoulder, wondering if another villain would kidnap her. That one trip calmed all her nerves; that was her husband, and this was her day.
Then... nothing. The last time she treated herself was to that dress. Over budget by a thousand dollars. Since that day, she has focused on the kingdom and fixing others' problems. She shivered as she wiggled her numb rump. attempting to reintroduce feeling into it Perhaps it was time to treat herself again with something nice and lasting from Yackyackastan.
Cadance opened her eyes again, lifting her notepad in her magic. A list of feedback and worries from her citizens.
Underneath it all, she wrote ‘buy yourself a pillow.’
"Yaaaaaaaaaawn," Cadance squeakingly yawned. The shadows had grown. The birch tree in the yard is nearly as tall as the ceiling. It was time for her to turn it in. Luckily, tonight was an early night as she got all her paperwork yesterday.
"Uhg," she groaned as she got up from her seat, "mmmmmmmm." She squeaked as she stretched the kinks in her back. Her trots echoed off the tall walls of her castle as her hooves clanked against the floor.
Her back clenched; she was so tense she had to do some yoga. Her back arched down, "downward facing griffin," as she pushed her forehooves forward. "Ooo," she cooed as her back cracked in several places.
"Upward facing dragon," she squeaked again, bringing her back off the floor and up into the air. Her back cracked in several places, and she continued to stretch. She thanked Celestia that—well, Celestia gave her that book on yoga.
Lighting her horn, she zapped into her bedroom, which had soft blue walls accented with white. She flopped down into the light purple silk sheets, making sure to leave room for when her husband returned. Cadance was asleep, not getting a chance to tuck herself in.
3 am
Cadance awoke, her eyes readjusting. She stared at the wall clock. A recent invention from Twilight and Starswirl tracked the time, so no sundial was needed. The arrows shaped like her and her beloved's cutie mark read 3 a.m. Why on Celestia's green earth was she-.
Cadance stopped her thoughts as she sniffed; something in the air was different. This time she took a longer, deeper breath. The air was thicker, heavier, and smelled faintly of burned cherries. Cadance pushed herself off the bed, greeted by the harsh, cold air of her bedroom. She shuddered, and her teeth chattered as she sniffed at the air again.
What was that? Cadance sniffed again, her brain struggling to place what that smell was besides burning cherries. "BURNING!" Cadance yelled as she shoved her husband out of bed.
"Oof," a gleaming ground exclaimed, "What—?"
"BURNING!" Cadance shrieked again as she jolted out of bed, her wings open. Cadance shambled her way to the floor with a yawn, and she used her magic to help Shining up.
Shining sloppily trotted to the door, flinging it wide open. He ran into the hall, shaking his muzzle to try and wake up. The introduction of sudden heat against his barrel was all he needed.
"AH!" Shining jumped and shambled the other way, his heart in his throat. He looked down at his side. You could see that his white fur was ash black. By chance, his pink hide remained untouched. He immediately looked back up and down the hallway to find a raging fire.
Orange licks of flame danced across the hallway, and the fire consumed everything in sight. How was that possible? Most of these walls were crystal! Shining frowned—how was a fire possible with all the crystal? "I’ll deal with the flame; you get Flurry," Shining said as he raced down the hall.
One step, and that's all it took for Cadance to feel the heat, the fur of her hide standing up instantly. She ran to her baby’s room across the hall, slamming the door open.
Using her magic, she dug through the silk blankets but found no baby. "Flurry?!?" She yelled as she felt her chest tighten and her heart beat hard against the ribs of her chest. She dug through everything—the toy box and the dollhouse.
"FLURRY, WHERE ARE YOU?" She yelled as her breath quickened and her chest tightened. Her body felt heavier and frozen. It was like the whole world stopped; time no longer existed, and all that existed was pure panic and fear. Where had her baby gone?
"FLLLUURRRYYY!" Cadance howled as her mind darkened. "Her baby, taken by the flames." Lost. Is this an invasion? taken by an enemy. Gone.'
Her mind told her, and she was grinding her teeth together, feeling a sharp pain. "No," she told herself as she ran back into the hallway. There was no time to worry; only act.
Shining fur clung to his muscular frame, but the floor was bone dry. The fire consumed the hallway. "Come on," he grunted as he threw another ice spell into the fire. Learning from Sombra under Twilight's eye was part of his reformation. Not that they helped, no matter what he threw at the fire. It kept going.
"Flurry, she's not here," Cadance yelled to her husband.
"What?" Shining stood tall and proud, but Cadance could tell how tired he was. His eyes were closed, his magic fading, and his breathing was laborious. Still, she had to tell him. "Flurry, I can't find, I can't find, I can't find our baby Shining!" Cadance yelled, her hooves pressing against her chest as her eyes welled up. "I can't find her."
Shining's eyes widened with fear, and his magic stopped. "Sh-sh-sh, she's around," he quickly said as he refused to accept any other option. Flames as hot as Tartarus are climbing faster up the walls. She was around, somewhere.
A tear rolled down Cadance's cheek. "Okay," she said, her voice void of all emotion as her heart beat against her ribs. She didn't believe Shining, but she wished she did.
Cadance felt flat as she started writing a letter to her stepsister. It was the only thing that made sense in her head. Twilight defeated so many villains that she could handle a fire. "Teach me that spell," Shining's monotone voice echoed in his heart.
Author's Note
Hey,
Uploads are gonna be different there is no schedule this time. I'm doing one chapter at a time. Grammar, plot, I'm doing it all. I think this will help, last time I got stressed and exhausted and I think it shows.
I plan on finishing this unless it's really really disliked (I'm talking rating ratio and comments ask me to stop). Then and only then I'll stop. So let me know your thoughts.
-Buttery
grammar checked 11/27/22
Twilight snored, her hooves splayed across her bed. Her slumber was deeper than the hidden mirror pool. She tossed and kicked a back hoof, causing most of the covers to fall to the floor. "Mmmm, the answer is always friendship. Take that." She mumbled as she kicked her hooves.
"Take that," she groaned. She defeated yet another villain to save Equestria, her friends, and her loved ones. Until a scroll landed on top of her head.
"OWCH!" she squeaked, her head throbbing from the pain. Rubbing her head, she picked up the scroll. "What in Tartarus?" Twilight spoke with a groggy voice.
With a purple hue and a zap, the room filled with light. "Mmmm," she groaned, putting her hooves over her eyes. She gently rubbed them while whining, taking her time until she could open her eyes.
A blurry white square fades in. "This better be—" she stopped talking to herself, the words capturing her attention.
[i"There’s a fire,"
Cadence.’
This was unlike anything Cadence had ever done before. Her letters were usually between 1,000 and 3,000 words long. The letter ended with Cadence gushing over her sister-in-law and how proud she was. Then he proceeded to tell her about how Flurry did this or that.
This was just devoid of everything. Twilight didn’t waste another second. With another zap, she teleported to Cadence’s castle.
She couldn't help but gasp once more, her jaw dropping at the sight. Two fire carts melted into the pavement below, and trees burned to ash. A crowd of employees huddled before the gate, whispering in panicked tones.
One silhouette she was most concerned for was a pale one, while a stallion covered in a blanket stared into the distance. His muzzle is covered in dried tears, threatening to swell up. A baby cooing through his hooves
"Shining," Twilight inquires, despite the fact that she trotted over to him, wrapping her hooves around his body. As she followed his gaze, she questioned, "Oh, shining, what happened?"
She watched as Cadence threw every ice and snow spell she could muster, but the flames didn’t stop. They kept crawling over more of the castle. She watched one of the flames lick the sky, and emotion overtook her.
Mom, everything about this fire pointed to her mother. That just didn't make sense. Her mother wouldn’t be capable of such a thing. She wasn’t that magically strong. She would never do this if she was. Still, Twilight was filled with emotions of admiration. Her eyes teared up as she felt a warm glow. as if being embraced by everyone she cared about made it so difficult. She didn't want to put out the fire; she wanted to embrace it.
Yet the fire was so destructive, taking everything in its path. She tore her head away from the sight, tears forming in her own eyes. "SHINING!" She yelled, shaking him.
An exhausted and bone-pale stallion turned to her, holding a small bundle in his hooves. "Twilly…"
"What, who, what?!?" Twilight interrogated her because she didn't know where to begin. Was Shining OK? What was this flame? Why did she know it? Why was it familiar?
"We were sleeping, and a fire started. We couldn’t find flurries anywhere. "I have never been so scared." He spoke with tears flowing over his muzzle once more. He brought his daughter closer to his chest as he continued to speak. "She... was in the cookie jar." "We have been using cookies to potty train her."
Twilight frowned, not letting go of her brother for a second. "Where is cadence?" She asked, closing in on Flurry, if she felt the same way a mother did. Why? Was it because it was her niece? that she was related?
"Fighting the fire... I used all my magic." I'm freaking out; this has never happened before. I used every snow spell I learned from Sombra, and so has Cadence. "It won't stop burning, and neither can the fire creatures."
Twilight looked at Shining, who was staring at the firefighters as they dumped everything they could get their claws, paws, and hooves on. She wrapped her hooves around him and wrote up another letter. "Don’t worry, Shining." "Everything will be ok."
---------
Sombra turned on a panting couch with legs. He tossed his camo-patterned plaid blanket aside. He couldn’t sleep again. With a groan, he tossed his blankets aside. Hopping off the couch, he decided to go bother some of the living room furniture that was scattered around Discord’s house.
He was so glad he moved in here once he had passed all his friendship tests. The friendship castle was awful. Twilight was neurotic, and that much harmony magic made him physically ill. Most nights, he slept outside. Now he spends most of his time with Discord, Trixie, and Starlight.
Sombra patted the sofa he slept on, thinking of his new, um, friends. He guessed he could call them that, even if they were more like allies. The couch licked his hooves incessantly, his smile fading. Something about the consent licks and the excited couch's pants soothed him. The more he petted her, the more he felt at ease.
Until something cold and hard hit him on the head."What?" he said as it clinked on the floor, scaring the couch. "If it's because I put a book back in the wrong place, I swear."
‘Sombra,
A large and uncontrollable fire broke out in the Crystal Castle. Cadence and Shining are using your spells, but they are not working. We need your assistance and discord; we need all of the magic we can get.
Twilight Sparkle’
"Oh? DISCORD!" Sombra yelled, throwing open a purple and green window leading to the bedroom. "DISCORD!!" He yelled, hopping across lily pad stones in a hot chocolate pond, and ran to the tree Discord was sleeping in.
Discord woke with a groan, cucumbers falling from his eyes. He scolded Sombra and yelled back, "What?!"
"It’s an emergency." There’s a fire in Crystal Castle. Twilight said we had to come.
Discord groaned and whipped the sleep from his eyes. Snapping his fingers in front of the flames
Sombra and Discord’s jaws collectively dropped, and any sleepiness washed away. The fire had taken over more than half the castle. consuming the castle as the seconds ticked by.
"Holly shit.." Sombra said as he watched Twilight She was throwing all she could at the flame, but it wasn’t working. She was fighting a losing battle against the bright yellow and gold flames. The fire creatures had given up a long time ago. They sat dejectedly on the street corner.
Sombra stared into the flame licks and recognized the magic. It’s like he knew this magic, and he knew it well. It was so hard to place; it’s like he had fought it, but it didn’t feel like an enemy’s magic.
Discord sat just as slack-jawed. He too felt like he knew this magic; it was like an old friend to him. No matter what happened, those who knew him had his back. Having no clue what to do, he picked Sombra up by the scruff of his neck and went straight to Cadence. "Hey."
Cadence looked up at Discord, her muzzle stained with tears, and she lay shining, her heart fluttering."Hey," she croaked as she went back to staring at her life in flames.
Sombra teleported right out of Discord’s claw, which made him jump. "Don’t worry, we’ll figure something out." "Twilight's here, so, um, that’s a thing." He tried to smile reassuringly, fiddling with his claw and paw. He wasn’t very good at this part of friendship: "Oh, hey, what’s brown and sticky?"
Cadence cocked her eyebrow and squinted her eyes at Discord. She stared at him for a couple of seconds before saying, "Um, I’m not sure."
"Hi, I’m not sure I’m Discord, but it's nice to meet you. The answer is a stick.
Cadence scoffed, "Please, no, I hear enough dad jokes from Shining."
"Unfortunately, there are no elements to protect you, so prepare for the worst." Discord said it in a spooky tone.
Twilight grunted as she threw another powerful snow spell into the fire. "Why?" She whispered into the air.
"I don’t know."
"CELESTIA! "You scared me, Sombra." Twilight said she was several feet higher than she was before. "Stop doing that or I swear I will put a bell on you."
"Yeah, yeah, what do you want from me?" "I need your help; I can't calm the flames down." "You know snow-based magic more than I do."
Magic got it. Sombra groaned; he was never sure why Twilight just didn’t tell him what she needed from him. He was aware of what he could say now to avoid further friendship lessons. He didn’t need any more patronizing. "Go."
"Um"
"I said go, now." Sombra snapped back, pointing his hoof at Cadence. Friendship was breaking down his back, and he didn't need her here. Judging him.
Twilight frowned as she left, looking back one more time. to make sure he was alright. His purple eyes stared forward, concentrated on the task. "Okay."
Sombra waited till the flaps of Twilight's wings became distant. Then did he start chanting in a language so dead that no other creature knew it? His purple eyes swirled with white as he focused on the fire.
Giant purple clouds formed in the sky, similar to those the windigos made. The clouds got bigger, covering the width of the castle. a massive ray of light tracing the outline of the same creature
Blinded, it took minutes before everyone realized. The castle was gone, covered by snow. Sombra stood in front of it, his black hide making him easy to spot.
"There, happy?"
Twilight stared into the pure white snow, shocked at how powerful Sombra was. or at least the specific magic he seemed to wield. "Thank you so much. "You saved the castle and us!"
"Whatever," Sombra grumbled; he had no choice.It was either this or going back into the ice. That was a place he would never go to again. "You should figure out who attacked before they do it again." "I don’t want to keep waking up at ungodly hours."
Twilight frowned and looked behind her at the chaos. Snow blew through the wind as she noticed the exhausted creatures strewn about. It looked like years had been shaved off their muzzles. She stared as Cadence hugged her family in her wings, shaking; she could tell she was crying again. Discord is sitting next to her, flailing his paw and scratching her head with his claw. "Maybe tomorrow."
Author's Note
I hope you like it!
grammer edited 11/27/22
The wind blew through Twilight's sparkling mane, snow getting stuck to the long strands. She watched as the flurries spread across the town. The creatures that gathered had long since left. The fire crew and the castle service were treated to a big breakfast in Twilight’s Castle.
Twilight squinted into the same snowbank from the night before. The sun reflected off the snow and hurt her eyes, so she closed them. Pictures of the calming, warm glow of the fire caught her attention. It was a shame it had vanished. The warm embrace called to her, but she could no longer answer.
"Why?" she snarled. It sailed with the wind and into the sun. Shuddering from the cold, she stepped in small circles to warm up her hoof.
"What the Tartarus are you doing?" Sombra spoke, his eyes drooped, as did those of the Draconequus next to him.
"SOMBRA! You have to stop that. Seriously." Twilight snapped, her brows furrowing as she stared at him.
"You’re fine," Sombra said, rolling his eyes.
Discord couldn't help but start snickering, covering his muzzle with his paw and claw. which, while quiet, was still heard. Twilight shot him a glare that made him struggle more. His shoulders were shaking as he tried not to laugh.
Twilight sighed, ‘let it go,’ she thought. Centering herself as she continued. "I know, but you scared me, that isn’t the type of stuff friends do. "You should know that by now."
"Ok ok. I get it. I won’t do it again." Sombra said as he shifted his hooves. The cold, lonely ice plagued his mind. The complete nothing that was his imprisonment, no one, no sound He couldn't go back; he would not go back.
"Thank you... and I’m thinking about the fire. I just couldn't extinguish it." Twilight said as she turned her gaze back to the snowbank. She yearned to return to the wonderful flames. She wondered what kind of creature could cast magic that would make her feel like that.
"Why? That spell is as strong as you are." Sombra stated.
"Is everything OK?" Discord asked, tilting his head at Twilight.
"No, but thanks for the concern Discord, I appreciate it. It’s that I didn’t want to...I didn't want to hurt the fire. It gave me a sense of love. Like another's warm, kind love, and I... didn't want..."
"I felt indifferent toward it. Perhaps that's why my spell worked."
"It felt like a friend to me." Discord added that this is very strange. Something here is out of sorts. Something this powerful doesn’t just pop out of nowhere.
"So we all felt something different?" Twilight questioned.
"Who fits that description? The spell was cast by someone." Discord scratched his muzzle with three claws he conjured.
"I looked up to the fire like my own mother. If I were to take that literally, my mom doesn't have fire-based spells like that. She would never hurt her family in such a way."
"You are doing this wrong." Sombra interrupted. "Fire magic. That magic is only known to one creature. Celestia. "It's Celestia’s magic," he said. She would also fit how everyone felt. She was a mother figure to Twilight, a friend to Discord, and he was indifferent to her.
Twilight’s eyes widened. She always felt like Celestia was a second mother to her. "She would never do such a thing."
"Well, if she was kidnapped or if her magic had been drained."Then that would explain—"
Twilight left that instant, not giving Sombra a chance to finish his thought.
Discord whistled as he thought. Sombra was right. No other creature had fire magic, and Tirek was still in stone. So that was wrong. Something else was happening here. Perhaps that magic was learned? Copied? Then it came to him—in a stroke of pure genius, he knew who cast that spell. "Sombra, it's the baby!"
"What?"
"Cadence is related to Celestia. Babies are pure chaos, particularly if they are magical. Flurry is magical." Discord said. " She was born an alicorn, which isn't just magical." Think about it."
"Shit. She could tap into that power, being a blood relative. "We need to talk to Celestia and Cadence now."
"Yeah," Discord agreed. If it was indeed her, which is most likely the case, they were so boned. Discord picked Sombra up and put him under his arm. In a moment, they were back to Cadence.
Celestia was already there; Twilight clung to her. Celestia's back shook as Twilight's large wings engulfed her.
Discord frowned as much as he had to. He snapped his finger, quickly replacing Celestia with Rarity. He held the soon-to-be-retired monarch in his other arm. Quickly teleporting them to a secluded room in the burned castle.
"What the?!" Celestia explained before she stopped. Sombra and Discord looked grayer, almost older. "Oh no.." it was going to be bad, and she knew it. They still way they carried themselves; more importantly, the way Discord carried himself. Sombra always had an air of seriousness, Discord never did. "What?" She asked, her heart thudding in her chest, a small part of her wished she didn't have to know.
"Tia, we don’t think this was someone evil. We don't believe there was any malice. We think it's the baby. Magic can be passed through blood. That was fire magic. Cadence is your descendant, is she not?"
Celestia’s heart dropped, it was like the air was compressed out of her lungs. "Yes. No one else would have that type of magic. not without coming after me. Oh, no, no, no."
"But that's not all," Sombra continued, "How was she born? When? When did Cadence get pregnant?" Sombra inquired, having picked up on what Discord was saying.
Cadence blushed, but she took a breath and answered. "Right after the wedding." Her voice trembled, and she shook staring into the charred wall of crystal.
"So you get pregnant on the wedding night with Flurry Heart. After a wedding packed with love, and after that huge love spell you cast," Discord continued.
Sombra soon interrupted, clarifying the situation. "We think the overkill of love is why she is an alicorn in the first place. She is a kind of magical being or part magical being. Similar to Discord or I. Her magic is so strong that it's not just something she casts, it's part of who she is." Sombra started leaving the room in complete silence.
Then it dawned on Celestia, she looked at Cadence with wide eyes. Her plan was ruined. "We won’t be able to put a magic collar on her to help control her powers. Not if they are a part of her, who knows what kind of side effect that would have. Discord tried to live without his magic, and he almost disappeared!" Celestia yelled, her heart pumping. How were they going to do this? What were they going to do?
"WAIT! NO! That was never in my plan. I would NEVER put that on her. Regardless of this knowledge, I was going to keep an eye on her. I am... or used to be powerful enough to be. I will not take a shortcut to make raising MY child easier." Cadence growled at Celestia.
Celestia frowned. "Well, NOW, who's going to do it? Twilight has no free time now that she is becoming queen. I have to switch my throne over to her. Back-to-back meetings, singing, and redoing contacts. Everything has to go smoothly. Luna is finding a replacement for when she retires. Rainbow is helping with her shifts, but she can't do it forever. Especially since Spitfire wants to leave, and Rainbow is engaged to Applejack!"
"Well, I refuse to stifle my daughter. Or lock her in some tower until she’s eighteen. I will not take away her freedom to become who she is, just because we are afraid. I’ll do it, I'll figure it out!" Candace growled, throwing her hooves into the table. It cracked in half, already charred. The harsh sound quieted the argument. This is her family, and she would do anything to protect it. Anything.
"You can’t do everything, Cadence. You already do so much, and so does Shining. You’ll run yourself into an early grave, or worse, drain yourself." Celestia yelled back, her voice croaky. Her lower jaw became heavy as she frowned.
"Watch me. I will not give my daughter anything but the best life I can provide. I love her. I will always love her. She is my child no matter what she’s made of, who she becomes, or who she loves when she’s grown. She’s my Flurry, and I will always support her."
"Tell everyone you tripped over a candle." Sombra interrupted the fight, thinking it was unnecessary for him to be around for family drama. Trying not to groan and teleport out at that very moment. "Until a plan is made, no one says anything to anyone."
Silence followed, one Discord took for an agreement and he snapped them all back.
Celestia rushed straight to Twilight, surrounded by her friends. She assumed Twilight had teleported them in for comfort.
Cadence just sat there and took it all in. How was she going to do this, she questioned, looking into the black space in front of her. How was she going to do this, and who was going to help her? What was that feeling? She questioned.
A sadness weighed her down. It made her head swirl further, was this an issue of love? Her surroundings turned a light pinkish color, and her heart weight increased. Tears threatened to form in her eyes; someone was lacking love. She could tell because it gave her a sinking, depressed feeling, and a pinkish perspective.
She hoped it wouldn't be a complex one, but one that could be solved quickly. She looked around the area. She had to cover her eyes as she looked at Twilight. The love they shared was so radiant that it gave her headaches. Even when they were apart, a massive pink light radiated from them.
She noticed it by turning her head. Her eyes widened as she looked at Discord and Sombra. They barely held any love at all, not a single type of love. They were friends with the elements, so this... shouldn't be happening to them. How were they lacking love from friends when they were surrounded by the elements?
She shook as she tried to hold back tears. How was she going to do this? This was going to be complex, especially with Flurry. Every powerful creature’s schedule was packed. How was she going to track down a powerful creature while also dealing with her love life? How was she...she could do both if. She could do BOTH! She asked Discord and Sombra to help her. She would get the help she needed, and they would get the help they needed. It was a win-win situation.
While everyone was busy, she grabbed Discord’s muzzle, everything is going to be ok. She looked into his uneven eyes, "Help me; help me keep my daughter free. Maybe you and Sombra...would like a job? I’m supposed to go to a meeting tomorrow night. Can you watch her, please? Please!?!" She begged him. There was a way to do it all, and she knew it should be possible. What could go wrong?
Author's Note
Thanks to Sleepless who double-checked this for me. Make sure my plot makes sense! I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think!
grammar checked 11/27
Discord rubbed his paw and claw together. The clock on his cheese wall ticked ever so slowly toward cactus-o-clock. When the rubber duck hit it, he could go.
"Mmmmmm," he whined impatiently. He loved watching the crusaders, even when under supervision. That lot was packed full of chaos. One could only imagine what Flurry was capable of.
Bonus points for offering to help; Twilight would be happy with that. She talked often about how he should be useful.
The rubber duck clicked closer, yet it was still so far away. He rubbed his face with his claw and paw and said, "AH, I CAN’T TAKE IT. We’re going early!"
"Sorry, we?" Sombra inquired, a drink in one hoof and a magazine in the other. "Didn't she just ask you?" he asked, his floaty squeaking against the wall of the indoor lava pool.
"Oh, you've got a packed schedule today?" Discord snapped, and the room became five shades darker. "Sir, emo lonely boy," Discord snickered, eliciting a deep growl.
"Fine," Sombra continued that deep growl. He spent the majority of his time in the chaos realm. The elements didn't need him, and when they did, they never called. Both of them were last resorts. This wasn't any different. "I guess I will go." how Discord was so calm about this, he didn't know. Regardless, he would be dragged off anyway, so there was no point in arguing.
"It'll be fine! Shining will be there, so how wrong could it go?" Discord didn't wait for an answer, snapping his fingers, they took off.
A pop of magic echoed off the crystalline walls. Twin thrones sat on a large crystal pedestal. Discord jumped through the air, like a rubber ball off a wall.
Sombra sat quietly in front of the thrones. He remembered when there was one, when it belonged to him. He would have tried for that throne if it wasn't for Discord using him as a plot device to teach the main six a lesson. He wasn't a real threat, it was a humbling experience. One that persuaded him that the mane six would never fall as long as friendship existed. Fighting that was pointless.
The throne room doors squeaked open. "Hello," Cadence chirped. Behind her rattled a small cart filled with everything Flurry would need. "I just changed her, but there are diapers and toys in here. This is her whammy," Cadence said, "see?"
Discord and Sombra nodded their heads in response.
"Great. It calms her when she is stressed. There is milk in the fridge in frog-shaped bottles. Feed her with those. And that's it!" Cadence said it with a smile.
"That sounds easy," Discord chirped back. Maybe it would be easier than watching the crusaders. Those three could be their own chaos lords. "So where is the rascal?"
"Shining is just saying goodbye, he-"
"Bye? What do you mean bye? Isn’t he staying?!" Discord interrupted.
"No, he's coming with me to the meeting. He has to be there as co-ruler." Cadence said with a head tilt."Why did you think that?"
"Who is going to watch us?" Discord asked. Twilight called them 'at risk.' So when they were in charge, a chaperone was involved. Discord was not a big fan of that, but fighting them on it would make things worse.
"What?!?!" Cadence squeaked, tilting her head further. "You are grown creatures. It's Flurry that needs the babysitter." She scoffed at her own joke, but their furrowed eyebrows told her they were serious.
Cadence frowned, stopping her laughter. They were being watched? How often, and how much were they watched? How trusted were they? Were they trusted when given tasks? Were they given tasks?
"That's a terrible idea. Do you have a fever? In what universe would anyone think this was a good idea?" Discord squeaked. The elements insisted they couldn't be trusted. Discord believed them at times, but more importantly, he couldn't afford another blunder.
"I rarely say this, Cadence, but Discord is correct," Sombra said. She leaves him, of all creatures. Alone with another ex-villain in the city, he took over. "This idea is born to fail."
"Why don't we poof in Starlight, Sunburst, or anyone else?" Discord exclaimed, "They could both spare some time." He wanted to do this so badly. Discord loved foals, and he loved watching them.
"I guess you could do that," Cadence said as she frowned harder. "I don't think you should; it's only fifteen minutes." Maybe this was a risk, but it was a risk she needed to take. How were they to learn if they weren't given the space? Yes, they were older, but that didn't mean they understood friendship better. Let alone any other relationship.
"After that Shining, I will be back. You can be under observation. You'll be fine." Cadence said so reassuringly. "You can teleport me back if anything goes wrong. Which it won’t." She had to compromise on something, meet them halfway. Put them in a situation that would let them grow, and they felt safe.
Discord sighed, those friendship lessons had worked. It was so hard to say no to someone who needed his help. If he did say no and something happened to Flurry Heart. He would feel guilty, and he had plenty to feel guilty for. Even worse, if he failed, that would mean more restrictions on his life. "Ok." The backup was a snap away.
"Are you insane? As Discord covered his muzzle, Sombra could only utter muffled grunts.
"We'll do it," he said with a smile, but his heart sank. Discord was well aware that this was insane. He couldn't say no, he had become a softie. He couldn't let another creature suffer as he did; freedom was a fate worse than death. Flurry was innocent; she didn't deserve to be punished.
Cadence sighed; her heart hung heavily. "Remember, do not call anyone unless it's an emergency." She repeated for clarity’s sake. "I know you can do this. I believe in you."
Discord’s heart thudded, and he felt pinned into a corner. He could say no, yet he felt like he shouldn't say yes. "Okay."
"All I ask is that you give it a try. Help, and if you hate it, I won't ever ask you again." Cadence said so for added reassurance, but deep down she hoped it wouldn't come to that. This would be the easiest way to solve both problems. Or at least keep track of both situations. "We must go now."
Shining entered the room, his hooves splattering across the floor of the throne room. His muzzle was stained with tears, "but." He didn't wish to leave his daughter behind. Never mind those two. Twilight was always complaining about how they slacked off. They helped only when they had to.
"She's in good care." She cooed, running a hoof along her husband's back. She teleported her child to Discord.
Discord released Sombra's muzzle and cradled Flurry in his paw.
Flurry cooed at the strange creature before her. Reaching her hooves up, she grabbed his muzzle everywhere. She had never seen any creature quite like him.
Cadence smiled, getting all the reassurance she needed from that one reaction. "We'll be back," and with a pop of her magic, she was gone.
Discord scratched Flurry's belly with his claw. "I hope you are just as much trouble as Cadence said you would be." Perhaps Cadence was correct; it was only for a short time. This was also something he had done before.
Flurry squealed with delight; she liked this strange creature already. She went for that claw, and immediately put it in her mouth. She squeaked as she drooled all over it.
"Gross," Discord laughed, gently pulling his claw away. A huge strand of drool followed it. "Super gross!" He laughed, shaking it off his claw. Suddenly he felt a strange sting, he should watch the crusaders again. He missed their antics.
"Sooooo, now what?" Sombra asked, hoping that anything he would say would change Discord's mind. He made sure to keep his distance from that thing. His only hope now was to tell the elements he didn't participate. Then maybe he'd get less of whatever they dished out.
"I'll look through the cart; maybe there's something in there," Discord said as he slid the infant into Sombra's hooves.
"Ahhhhh, no, take it. Take it!! I don't know what to do with it!!!" Sombra yelled, his heart in his throat. Was he going to have a heart attack? This was it, this is how he died. Not in a blaze of glory, but holding a gremlin.
"Oh, come on, you're afraid of a small baby?" He laughed and said, "just hold her for a moment." As he ransacked the cart, he stated. He threw out all kinds of objects, he needed inspiration. Just leaving Flurry alone in a crib felt like a bad idea.
Flurry looked at another creature, this was a shape she was familiar with but not one she knew. She held out her hooves, only for him to dodge them. She whined, and her horn activated. With a loud pop and a splash, Discord was suddenly drenched.
"Ha," Sombra wheezed as he pointed at Discord. The beat of his heart calmed. He wasn't sure how he would avoid punishment. Guess he would figure that out later.
"Ha, ha, ha. I like her already!" Discord laughed, snapping in a sheep to dry off. "This is going to be fun." He chirped, any stress had devolved in favor of chaotic potential. He squished the sheep, and the water poured out into nothing. It was snapped away by Discord.
Sombra continued to snicker, perhaps the gremlin wasn't that bad. Not after that. Her hooves reached out to him and he tugged away. It was still a gremlin, just an ok one. And he wanted to be as far from it as possible. "Hurry up."
Flurry's muzzle got redder. "Wehhh," she whined, stirring in Sombras hooves. With another zap of magic, there will be no more warnings. It was Sombra who was drenched.
Sombra growled, water dripping off of him and onto the crystal floor.
"Ahhhaaa," Discord wheezed as he pointed to the soaked stallion.
Flurry cooed as she extended her hooves to touch this muzzle. She had to; how else would she remember him for next time?
Sombra cocked his right eyebrow, the drips blurring his visions of the angry gremlin. "Did you do that on purpose?" Flurry squeaked and reached for his muzzle, perhaps it was on purpose. This was a smart gremlin.
"Fine." He held still, and Flurry squealed in delight as she touched his muzzle all over.
Discord snapped his paws, laughing so much it was hard to breathe. This was going to be the best fifteen minutes since... He couldn't remember the last time he had this much fun. Kicking his legs into the air, he summoned a sheep just for Sombra.
"Mmmm," Sombra groaned. He put Flurry on the floor and grabbed the sheep. With a wisp of magic, he was dry, and the sheep were gone. "Do something with that thing."
"Her name is Flurry, and there's not a single game in this cart!" Discord scratched his chin, what did the crusaders like? "What about a fort?" The crusaders were still sort of foals. They got their cutie marks, but they were still young. Flurry is young, she would love a fort. Perfect logic.
"Let's just get this over with, snap it up."
"Where's the fun in that? Let's race. Whoever gets the most pillows can skip Twilight's next meeting of boredom."
Sombra's ears perked up; they both hated those things. They were long, on a weekend, and close to lunch. He and Discord never got to do anything either. Just dragged there to sit in the corner. Examples of what Twilight was capable of, are displayed for all to see. "Okay."
"I knew you would see it my way." Discord smiled, he picked Flurry up and cradled her in his paw. Grabbing Sombra by his neck and scruff with his claw, he made for the crystal doors. His feet clacked across the floor.
He threw the throne room doors open, they squeaked so loud it echoed off the walls of the throne room.
"I'll go that way," Discord said as he pointed down the left corridor. "You go that way," he said, pointing to the right corridor. "Take her," he said as he put Flurry on Sombra's back.
"What?? But-" Sombra tried to protest, but Discord’s tail was already rounding the crystal wall.
Sombra sighed, there was no argument to be made. He turned his head to look at the baby that sat on his back. "If we are to get along, then we need to make a pact. I won't bother you, and you won't bother me. Are we clear?"
"Aaaaaa bbpppbbt," Flurry babbled back.
"Fantastic," Sombra said as he trotted down the long crystal hallway. He chose to pass the bedrooms, those would have pillows, but small amounts. They would also be annoying to put back. That was of no use to him. He needed a lot of them, and quickly.
He sighed again, his hooves clacking against the crystal floor. His eyes traced every golden plack. 'Meeting Room A', 'Meeting Room B', 'Ball Room 7', 'Staff Room 3'.
'Suite,' one of them red, caught Sombra's eye. There could be pillows in there, perhaps it would be best to go in here. Or should he keep looking, hoping to find a gold mine? He carefully weighed the options.
An earth pony maid, coming from the opposite direction, hummed to herself. Her hooves clanked softly on the floor. A song by The Ladybugs was stuck in her head. 'Hey dude, don't be down. Don't be rude, sing and feel better.'
A dark stallion came out of seemingly nowhere, it was too late for her to stop, and he didn't notice her.
"Thud!" A loud metal ding rang out as Sombra smacked right into the cart. "Tink, tink," plastic bottles and other objects clattered onto the floor. Their contents spilled across the crystal.
"Oh, I'm so-"
"Wwaaaaaaa," Flurry cried as she clung to Sombra’s back. Tears began to stain his dark fur.
"Oh no, no, stop that!" Sombra said in a panic.
"Waaaaaa," Flurry continued to cry.
Shit, thought Sombra. What was he supposed to do? Cadence called it a shamy, a clammy, or a grammy. Whammy! It is called a whammy. Sombra teleported in that stupid snail and threw it into Flurry's hooves.
"Ah," Flurry cooed, sticking the snail into her muzzle. With every slobbery chomp, the green snail got darker.
Sombra relaxed, if that didn't work, he would have been so screwed. He looked back at the earth pony. Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates, and she frantically rubbed her head. The metal car has a Sombra-shaped dent in the side, and bottles of liquid cover the floor. "I wasn't paying attention."
The maid stared at Sombra, he was a stallion one could never forget. She remembered bits of his iron rule. She was just a foal when he took over. "Neither was I," She stated shakily.
Sombra could feel the fear radiating from her, that was part of his power. The fear was so strong that he could see faint purple clouds that surrounded her. "I didn't mean to scare you."
This was partly his fault. With a zap of his magic, the cart began to creak. A sharp thump sounded out as the side of the metal cart popped back out. He set it back down on the floor. "This good, miss?"
"Miss?" He questioned her again when she didn't answer. The plastic bottles were surrounded by his purple magic, and the liquid was pulled back into them. He lined them up along the top, and the cart was good as new, even better.
"Uh-oh-yes!" The maid stuttered, "I am Ivy." She did not expect a willingness to help, let alone good manners. Ivy had no idea what to say, and that's when she pointed to Flurry.
Flurry sat on Sombra's back, her interest in her snail was gone. She was back to messing up the hide on Sombra's back. A good portion of it stood up and was covered in drool. It didn't stop Flurry from biting into the plush fur.
"Be careful; she might eat you," Ivy scoffed.
Sombra turned to face the gremlin in his back."I'm terrified. Please call the elements right away." In a way, he wished she would, because that thing was so gross.
Ivy snickered, he didn't seem like he'd hurt her. Cadence trusted him enough to be alone with her daughter. Even so, she should still keep her distance, and keep a vigilant eye. "Thank you for cleaning up the mess."
"Not a problem." Sombra shifted on his hooves. He hasn't talked to a crystal pony since 'graduating' Twilight's lessons.
Silence filled the hallway as the two creatures stared at each other. The only noise was that of the baby.
"So, I thought Discord was watching Flurry," Ivy said as she tried to break the awkwardness. She felt a mix of relief and disbelief. He seemed harmless, yet she still felt on edge. There was always the chance he was plotting something. Yet he had the next princess on his back, acting uninterested. If he were to achieve it, now would be the time.
"He was supposed to, but he left me with her. Fighting him on it would be like trying to move a brick wall." He answered, silence creeping in once more. So he asked a question back. "So you know this place well. I need pillows for a fort. Discord wants to build one for Flurry."
"Dwa, that's adorable. Sure, I'll take you to our storage room. Just follow me, Sombra." She chirped, pushing the cart with her front hoof. "It's alright if I call you that, right?"
Sombra chuckled, "what else would I be called?"
"Sir. Mc. Disappear-a-kingdom-son?" Ivy quipped. Snickering after, Sombra might find that funny. At the very least, she hoped he would.
Sombra scoffed, he was familiar with Discord's quips, so it didn't catch him off guard. "Nope, just Sombra is plenty fine. So, how long have you been doing this?" He asked, trying to make conversation as they slowly passed the crystal pink walls.
"Oh, two years ago. "I'm just doing it to save up for college." Ivy replied as she guided Sombra left at an intersection. "What's it like being around the elements?" This was something she always wondered about, never having interacted with them. Just in the background all the time.
"Naggy." Sombra found himself answering honestly. Living with Twilight was one of the worst experiences of my life. He never knew how someone so neurotic could be the princess of friendship. To him, Pinkie Pie would make more sense, Fluttershy and Starlight a runner-up. All were personable, trustworthy, and could befriend anything.
"Ha!" Ivy snorted. She lifted her free hoof and coughed into it. That wasn't the answer she was expecting, but he wasn't the typical guy to hang around them.
"Please don't die, I would rather not go through painfully boring friendship lessons. 'Sharing is caring, " Sombra squeaked out his best impression of Twilight.
"Ahhhhhaaaawaaaa," wheezed Ivy, her smile stretching across her muzzle. "Stooop it!" She wheezed again, her hoof now digging through the cart to bring out a small red contraption. She shook it back and forth and breathed in the puff it provided.
"Are you alright?! What is that? Don't actually die." Sombra said as he brought his hoof to her forehead. Checking for temperature wouldn't help, but that's all the healing magic he knew.
"Fine, I'm fine," Ivy smirked and wheezed again. It's an inhaler. Spring is always the worst season for me."
"Oh.." Sombra said. "Well, if you insist."
"It's called asthma; this is my inhaler. It makes me stop wheezing. Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine with the medicine." She tried to explain, it is a complex solution. "Oh, we're here!" She wheezed with surprise.
She pointed her hoof down the hallway. A large wooden door with a golden handle. "Don't worry, it's not a big deal."
Sombra's stomach turned as he prepared to do something" he hated. I apologize for the wheezing. Sombra, King of Friendship." He chuckled awkwardly; he so rarely said sorry, but he did hurt this mare. His eyes turned purple as he opened the door.
"I was born with it, so trust me when I say I'm fine. I would know if it was an emergency. I haven’t laughed that hard in a while." She reassured him. She felt as if she was in a dream. An apology, from the former evil king. How was she supposed to feel about this? "King, that puts you higher than Twilight. Perhaps you should be teaching her." Ivy joked, but her head was swimming. He's a terrifying ruler one moment and her friend the next.
"Oh I should definitely tutor her, she would love that." Sombra scoffed. She would have a heart attack if he were to have such power again. He knew she would never trust him, or Discord. He was silent, the door squeaked open, and he stepped inside.
Ivy frowned, not that Sombra saw it. Something in his joking voice felt serious. She didn’t mean to step on a sore subject. "Well, I’m glad we’re friends. Feel free to call me for whatever you need. The maid's office is just past the throne room, two doors to the right."
Sombra dropped the pillows he was holding in his magic, they thumped against the floor. His eyes grew wide, and he turned his head back to Ivy. "I’m sorry. What?"
"Friends, you know. I don’t think I can poop out those magic rainbows, though. I hope that’s alright." Ivy chortled, as she shifted back and forth on her hooves.
"O-o-oh." Sombra simply said, he gathered the pillows from the floor. Someone he used to rule with an iron fist, was trying to befriend him. Something was wrong with this mare, but he would be forced back to Twilight if he said no. He did not want to go back, those lessons were beyond degrading. "Sure." He smiled, his fangs glistening in the light.
"I’m going back to Discord." As he levitated the pillows next to him, he said. He backed against the farthest wall and slid down the hallway. When he got to the corner, he ran off. Did that just happen? Perhaps Cadence put her up to that? She could be a good actor, one never knows.
"Sombra?"
"HUH? Oh! Hey." He looked up at Discord, so zoned out that he didn’t even notice he was back in the throne room.
"You cheated, how did you get all those?" Discord said as he snapped his fingers, he had a measly ten pillows. That was nothing compared to the massive pile of pillows created by Sombra's magic.
"I met the strangest maid. She showed me where they kept extra pillows." Sombra said with a frown, zoning back into his thoughts. What was with her, she had to be paid off. Or something was wrong with her, in the head.
"Yo- earth to space cadet." Discord clapped his claw and paw together. "Did you hear me? Are you alright?"
"What? Oh yes, she just threw me off. Let’s just go get this over with..." he trailed off, throwing open the huge glass doors to the throne room.
Discord followed behind, he would press Sombra later. The stallion always needed to ‘load.’ That’s what Discord called it. Sombra would just sit there and think about whatever happened before talking or doing anything. It was like he just froze in time. "Well, you're a butt cuz you got back last!"
"We'll I got enough pillows to build the damn thing," Sombra said as he dumped the pillows in front of the gilded twin thrones. It was best to just forget it. Or just use Occam's razor, a simple answer is often the truth. Ivy was most likely paid off or insane.
Discord started laying out the floor for the fort. Each pillow he grabbed changed into a chaotic, colored mess. "Alright, we'll start with the floor." As he laid out another row of checkered and dotted pillows, he said.
Sombra sighed, laying Flurry on the floor as he grabbed a couple of pillows. "I will get the walls."
"That's the spirit!"
"That's how it gets done."
"You are no fun sometimes." Discord scoffed. Sombra could be as moody as a teenager. He needed to take a chill pill before-
"Awaaawaaa," Flurry cooed as she flopped onto the floor. Her muzzle lay close to the ground as she scooted across it.
"Woe, hey," Discord said as he picked her up in his claw and paw. "Where do you think you are going?" He giggled, cradling her in his paw.
"Aaaaaa," she cooed, reaching out and grabbing onto Discord's muzzle.
Discord smiled, and he held her as he started building his wall. She was pretty darn cute, that's for sure. Although he couldn't help but be just a little disappointed, she wasn't as much trouble as Cadence said she would be. He was hoping for just a smidgen of chaos.
"Done," Sombra announced, her eyes glowing a light purple. He laid the last pillow on top of the fort.
"Alright, let's get in this sucker." Discord said as he laid Flurry on Sombra's head. He crawled into the fort, and soon he was reaching his claw out of the fort. "Give her to me."
Sombra sighed and levitated the gremlin over to Discord.
"Aaahhhhhhhh," Flurry screeched.
"What the-," Sombra said as he pulled her back. His fur stood up on end, and he could feel his magic pulse. Purple magic radiated from Flurry, "She’s scared."
"Of the fort?"
"Of the dark," Sombra stated. He could tell that was part of his power set. He knew that the maid was afraid of him and he knew Flurry was afraid of the dark.
"Easy fix." Discord chirped, snapping his claws, and the fort filled with millions of tiny fireflies.
"Aaabbabbababa," Flurry cooed, reaching her hooves out to Discord. Sombra had felt the fear fade away, so he levitated her over.
Sombra ducked in after the gremlin was safe in Discord's grasp. He watched as the fireflies cast bright green, red, and yellow lights against the plaid blue and green pillows. "Now what?"
"The crusaders like it when I tell them stories. We’ll just do that! Cadence and Shining should be back any moment. This was so easy, I could have done it in my sleep."
"You have a point, it is quite surprising."
"I am a genius," Discord snapped his fingers, bringing up a book with a golden spine. Poohpony: Pegasus has breakfast. "Hello, said Poohpony," Discord chirped in a deep voice. "My name is Poohpony. What is your name?"
Flurry giggled gleefully, she tapped on the page with a bear. "Ooooo," she said as she slapped her hoof against the picture repeatedly.
"Huh," Sombra said, his eyes swirling with purple, and a shadowy bear popped out of the page.
Flurry’s eyes went wide, and she flailed at the shadowy bear, "oooooo, ooo!" She cooed, flailing her hooves at the shadowy bear, enthralling the living image.
"Smart kid," Discord said as he watched Flurry try and reach the bear. "You know who that is?" He asked, "who is that?"
"Ooooooo," Flurry cooed, slapping her hoof against the shadowy bear. The paper of the book crinkled as she tried to catch it.
"I didn’t know you could do that."
Sombra and Discord jumped, and a pillar of purple crystals formed between them at the sudden appearance of Cadence.
Cadence smiled, the pink aura had gotten slightly bigger. She and Flurry were the solution, she could give them the space they needed. It did seem like they were smothered, perhaps a little bit of air would do them good. "How would you two like to stay all day? You can help yourself to the royal kitchen, or chefs. Anything you want!" She offered. The original plan was for an hour.
As he shook Cadence's hoof, Discord said, "Deal!". He could always snap up his own food but it wasn’t as good. Plus, he would get a kick out of causing the chefs some trouble. It was a win-win for him.
Sombra sighed, guess that meant he was staying. He could go back to the chaos realm, but he knew he’d be bored. Maybe this was a good thing, in the end, it would give him enough time to find out what was wrong with that maid.
Author's Note
Fun fact my sister and I are very close and she also has asthma
[spoiler temp placement ]11/27 grammar check
A couple days later…
Discord paced across the cold crystal floor of the castle entrance. He twiddled his claw and paw together, the sound of his single hoof clacking off the walls.
Sombra sat on the crystal floor, trying to take his mind off the cold floor. "Uhg," he grumbled as he got up. "Will you stop pacing?" He asked, making his own crystals on the bottom of his hooves. In an instant, he was granted relief, reducing the horrific sound of Discord’s clacks.
"But we have been here FOOOOREEEVVVERR." Discord whined, falling to his knees, rubbing his muzzle with his paw and claw.
"We have been here for three minutes! Cadence is just getting flurry, she’ll be back soon." Sombra grumbled, shaking his head. "You're more impatient than a gremlin on Hearth’s Warming."
"Come on, aren't you excited? Didn't you have fun last time?" Discord assigned me the task of skating around Sombra on two rubber ducks.
Sombra rolled his eyes again and said, "It wasn't terrible."
"I'm glad, I don't want you two to be miserable." Cadence chimed in, with Flurry sitting in her mane.
"Finally!" Discord flew over so fast that Sombra's mane stood up. He scooped up Flurry, and while she wasn't as chaotic as he'd hoped, he craved that time away from the elements. all but one.
Sombra sighed and grumbled, using his magic to pat down his mane. If he didn't have an errand to run, he would have stayed in the chaos realm.
"Alright, I'll leave you here. If you need me, I'll be tending to my people, and Shining is doing paperwork." Cadence said, she decided that the last time was fast. She didn't want to scare them off, but she had to keep an eye on them. "Then after that, we'll provide you with dinner, " she said. It would give her the perfect excuse to watch them more. They only stayed an hour extra last time.
"Alright then," Discord said as he booped Flurry's nose. She squeaked at him, her hooves flying everywhere.
"Aw, you two have fun now. Bye Flurry, mommy will be back in a bit." She said this as she trotted to the throne, kissing her baby on the forehead.
Discord set off to the kitchen, covering his muzzle with a third claw. "Where's Discord?
"Ahhhheeee," she squeaked back, slapping her hooves against Discord's muzzle.
"Hey, that's right! Let's go cause some trouble and eat all the cookies in the cookie jar."
Flurry squealed again, her wings flapping, as Discord carried her off to the kitchen.
Sombra scoffed and rolled his eyes. He decided to not take part in whatever that was. Turning away, he trotted down the crystal hall and to the throne room.
His hooves echoed off the catalog walls as he approached a line of crystal ponies. Curious, he kept going down the hall. Finding more crystal ponies crammed together
'This must be the line to see Cadence.' Sombra pondered, turning down the corridor to see how far it went.
The walk didn't start out so bad, he was halfway down it before he started hearing murmurs.
Sombra tried to ignore it, but the murders became whispers. If that wasn't enough, the air became dense, and it weighed on him like a sack of bricks. The purple fog that only he could see emitted from the crystal ponies. It crawled across the floor. The whispers intensified, becoming grainy and deep.
'What is he doing here?'
'Is he going to hurt me?'
'What if he takes over again?'
'I wonder if Twilight's efforts worked.'
'I can't be enslaved again, not again.'
'Please don't hurt me, don't hurt us.'
Sombra frowned and tried not to show any pain on his face. He composed himself and walked back down the hall.
'How come they let him walk free?'
'The least the princess could do is banish him from the kingdom."
'I'm so worried, I hope my children never interact with him.'
Sombra steadied his breath, and turned back to the crystal ponies while rolling his eyes. Shaking his head, he walked back down the hallway. Coming off as nonchalant as possible until he rounded a corner.
'I hope he never comes back'
Sombra's hooves skidded across the ground, and he kept running until the voices were replaced by the echoing of his hooves.
He huffed and puffed, enjoying the click of his own hooves. The sound those voices made was like someone using a cheese grater on a chalkboard. One or two weren't bad, but a whole group was terrible. He sighed in relief, aimlessly trotting through the halls.
"Can't do that," he mumbled to himself. His desire wasn't worth the constant hammering in his head.
'Where did it fall? Oh, what am I going to do?'
Sombra rolled his eyes and tuned out the voice, much easier with just one. He wondered what he was going to do for the next four hours. He could go back to Discord, but he had the gremlin. Sombra wondered what Shining did but didn't know where to find him. He resigned himself to walking down the dull street while singing.
"Hi, Sombra!" Ivy waved, and bottles and towels were scattered everywhere.
"I thought you were supposed to clean messes, not make them," Sombra chuckled.
Name chuckled too: "I needed that, my necklace fell off and I can't find it anywhere."
The voice he heard must have been her thoughts. He looked to the floor, and soft pillows of purple drifted across her hooves. "Need a hoof?" He asked, remembering how Twilight said you should offer help. If he didn't, he'd be sent back to school.
"That would be great. It's a small golden flower on a silver chain, and the clasp broke." Ivy said as she took out every towel, unfolding and refolding it.
Sombra scanned the crystal ground to see if it had fallen on it."This will take forever. I have an idea."
His eyes swirled with purple magic, wafting off the familiar green of a tyrant. Everything in that long corridor was five feet off the ground and wrapped in purple.
Down the corridor were a couple of armored suits, some dust bunnies, a couple of sofas, and a small golden necklace wrapped in purple. "Ahha! Gotcha," he said, placing the rest of the object back down.
"I would never have found that...," Ivy said, slack-jawed.
"Let's call it even then; I'm not supposed to use that kind of magic. I won't tell anyone if you don't." Truth be told, he'd get a lecture at worst, but Ivy piqued his interest. Sombra needed to know how far she'd go to get what she wanted.
Ivy reached out to the purple magic, but at the last second, she drew back. It wasn't long ago that she had magic in her head, controlling her every whim.
"Will this magic hurt me?'
Sombra rolled his eyes and dropped the necklace on the floor.
'Is it dangerous for him?'
He snapped his head back at Icy, but her thoughts had already drifted away. He couldn't tell if she meant it if she actually did want to be friends if he wasn't a threat. She could be working for Celestia, Luna, or Twilight, or all three.
"Are you ok?" Ivy asked, tilting her head at Sombra."I won't tell; I mean, I kind of get it. Every time I go back to my parents' house, it's like I'm twelve again. The elements give me that same sort of vibe."
"...I suppose so, yes. It's not a big deal," Sombra said as he turned away.
"Wait- wait," Ivy said, stopping the dark stallion, despite having no plan. "How come the elements don't let you use your magic? They allowed Discord." She asked as she cleaned up her cart. Ivy wanted to get to know him, the stallion behind the tyrant, but he always seemed to dodge her.
"I'm not connected to it like Discord, he is made of magic. I just welded it." It wasn't like that fact wasn't a secret either, he knew all about the disappearing act.
"Unfortunately, I'm an earth pony; otherwise, i'd I ask for lessons."
Sombra frowned, "trust me, it isn't worth the cost. I should be getting back to Discord. I'm sure Cadence will be done any time now."
He turned away, walking down the hall at a brisk trot, to avoid more questions from the maid. At least he knew her deal, sent for information. He should have figured since he refused to tell the elements anything about his past or his magic. Sombra had every intention of keeping it that way, forever.
He sighed as he rounded another corner, passing the line of crystal ponies again. He eventually found himself back where he started.
"Goochi goochi goo." Discord mentioned scratching Flurries' stomach.
She squeed and giggled, putting his claw in her mouth.
"How much longer?"
"In five minutes, stop being such a buzzkill."Discord growled at him, but he wasn't upset for long.
Flurry squealed another time, babbling to Discord and pulling in his claw.
Discord smiled and scratched her again.
Sombra sighed and sat on the floor. It was slightly better than an interrogation, but only slightly.
Author's Note
Sorry, this is so late, my life is really crazy at the moment. I hope my low battery didn't effect thus chapter.
grammar check 11/27
A few days later
Cadence sighed, massaging the temples of her skull. What was on her to-do list again? She closed her eyes and stuck her tongue out. Not that it helped, whatever she had to do was gone.
"Oh well, I have to hope it wasn't important." She groaned to herself, shifting in her throne. It was most likely important, but it is what it is. It was time to focus on something else until she remembered. Perhaps this was a good time to help Discord and Sombra! Until now, it was all one-sided, but they helped her so much and so often.
She smiled, teleporting in some paper and a pen.
Dear Sombra and Discord, I hope this letter finds you well. Please come to see me! Cadence
In an instant, the letter was sealed and gone. She took a moment to relax, which seemed to get rarer by the second. The cool crystal felt fantastic against her warm hide. It made her sink even deeper against it. She looked up and into the ceiling. The sun, clouds, and trees cast different shades of light into the room. Colors danced through the crystals as if they were alive.
Cadence remembered when she first got here, she thought she would go blind with how bright it was. That never happened, and it was both surprising and unsurprising. With how much light pours in, you would expect eye problems. Then again, none of the crystal ponies had them, but she wasn't one of them, just their ruler. So she still wondered why she wasn't affected.
She wondered who had ruled before her. Cadence wished she knew their names and what they looked like. There wasn't a single picture that she could find, so many books that she went through. All of them she knew of, even ones that were in Celestia's secret library, there was no trace of her. let alone any information about her rule. Not even the crystal ponies seemed to know. Cadence had asked so many questions that numerous interviews were conducted, but no pony remembered her.
Cadence would have expected something. Sombra killed her so brutally that it felt like she did something. Now that he was reformed, Cadence began to see the stallion behind the monster. It was hard not to be suspicious, he was cold, calculating, and did things with purpose. He didn't feel like the sort of stallion to go after someone for kicks, not that it justified his actions. It felt like there was a reason. She wished she could ask, but Cadence knew that he would not speak about it, the elements tried everything, but nothing worked.
"Weeeer'reee heeeerrrreeee!" Discord sang, popping in with the stallion Cadence was talking about.
"Eeep!" Cadence squealed, jumping up. Her fur stood on end, and her wings flared, ready to fight or flight.
"Woopsie." Discord chuckled; a shaky smile crossing his muzzle. He fiddled with his claws before patting down all her fur. "There you go!"
"Oh, dear, I was lost in thought. Hello boys, thank you for coming so soon." She rambled, hoping to move things forward.
"Things will be different today. Today I wanted to thank you for helping me. Perhaps there is something I can do for you?" Cadence knew the love problem wouldn't be that easy. This was the first step to solving that problem, building trust.
Discord and Sombra looked at each other. Both of them shifted in their places. Was this a test?
"Twilight said we shouldn't take things," Sombra said, hoping he would pass. He did not want to do friendship lessons again. It was so awkward and made him feel like a foal and a fool.
"You are not taking it, it's a gift. From me to you." She smiled. "I want to do something for you for all your help."
"Give us a moment," Sombra said as Discord snapped them away.
Cadence tilted her head, she supposed this was random. She fiddled with her hooves and hummed her favorite love song. "Back in my heart, back in my heart. You'll make your way back into my heart. Even when we're lost, we'll find a way back."
With a puff of smoke, the two were back looking a bit paler. Their fur and fluff stood up. Discord rubbed his paw and claw together. Sombra shifted back and forth on his hooves.
Sombra coughed, "I am afraid we can not accept the offer, as per Twilight's lessons. Hopefully, you will report to her that we passed such a test.
Cadence tilted her head, "huh? No, I insist! You've been helping me, and you deserve it." She tried to wrap her head around it, what test? Why would she be testing them? Didn't Twilight say they were done with friendship lessons? At least, she thought they were done.
"We can't take it."
"I insist, and if Twilight were here, she would say it's okay to take my offer. I'm sure of that." Cadence said, trying to put it into terms they understood.
Sombras's eye twitched; she was right. Twilight did say it was rude not to accept the host's rules and offerings. "Fine, then you can tell her we failed. How does this make any sense at all, it's rude to take gifts. It's too rude to not take gifts." Purple began to form around his hooves and eyes as he roared.
"Sombra!" Discord squeaked; he did not want to have to do any more of those stupid lessons. It took time from his day to bother Fluttershy. He didn't care much for things that were the highlights of his day.
"It's true, but how are we supposed to win at this if there is no winning at this? Come on, you know this is a load of bull." Sombra yelled as a small cloud of purple started gathering at his feet.
"Hey!" Cadence yelled, her hooves slamming into the floor, a loud clang echoing off the wall."This is not a test! Didn't you graduate? Why would I be testing you? I wish to help you the same way you helped me."
The silence permeated the room as Sombra tried to calm himself down. He took a couple of deep breaths, but the purple clouds stayed. "Not as officially as Starlight. They still test us from time to time." Sombra responded. If only he could get a read on her, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't read her mind, why? He had no idea, this had never happened before, and it made his chest tight.
"I promise. This isn't a test, I do want to help you. There must be something that I can help with." Cadence's heart hurt; to be on your hooves so often wasn't good. Maybe she'd talk to Twilight because that wasn't how she wanted to live. They should be able to graduate just as Starlight did.
Discord fiddled with his claw and paw. He would have spoken his mind at this moment but feared saying anything. How many times did a creature jump down his throat at his surgeon or make a joke at his expense? It angered him, but what could he do, if he spoke out it would be friendship lessons again.
Sombra's eyes wafted purple smoke, and he ground his teeth together. He was sick of all these unsure areas, he was sick of being tested. He couldn't be sure what this was, so perhaps he should do the testing. "You know what, why don't you help us with Stasis? "I'm sure Mistmane told you about it."
"I have, but I don't know much about it, just know that they have meetings on Wednesdays." Cadence smiled, the first step to earning their trust. The first step to helping them. She was going to have a word with her sister-in-law.
"A group of creatures that were thought to be dead for a period of time."We all have precious items locked behind glass. We want them back as they are ours." Sombra explained.
"I can see what I can do! Perhaps I can be given a list of what you want and see if the empire has it. If it's in our museums then I can hoof it right over!" Cadence smiled, this was perfect, as she could handle it. "Unfortunately, that will take a while, so why don't you come to dinner tomorrow? I insist."
Sombra smiled, "sure." If he heard about this from Twilight, then he knew this would be a trick, and if he didn't, she was up to something else. He looked back at Discord, who was still shifting and looking like a trapped animal. Twilight wasn't the only one who could be put to the test.
Author's Note
grammer checked 11/27, https://quillbot.com/grammar-check
Author's Note
Hopefully, this is alright I only edited once. I have a new story I want to work on
Missed Meeting
Sombra crossed his arms in one of Twilight's plush chairs. Normally when he had to wait for his evaluation he would just read a book. The thick layers of dust covering the once glistening shelves told Sombra he wouldn't get to.
Instead, he watched three spiders in the corner build a large web. They rubbed their legs together working in perfect sync with each other. It made him groan, even the spiders had a friendship. It truly was a new Era.
Speaking of, he wondered if Twilight's thoughts were true. That this castle was being passed down to a yack, a dragon, a pony, a hippogriff, and a griffin. The future of friendship looked solidified.
The elements fused into the souls of living beings. It looks like this magic would be passed down for generations to come. Tartarus, it even seemed like there was more than one holder of such powers.
Sombra sighed again, he even had a theory on it. Not that Twilight would listen to him. He tried to tell her as the previous elements got older their powers would lessen slowly being transferred over to the new elements.
For the old had too much responsibility and would soon leave this planet. The young could not understand what duty meant. That middle zone would be the perfect range of time. Young, ready to learn, grow, and morally malleable. Then that cycle would just repeat till the end of time perhaps further. Twilight just said that the magic itself is friendship so everyone had the magic. Hardly seemed that why if that was true wouldn't everyone be prince or princess of friendship?
Even if he was wrong it didn't matter, he was doomed. His time was over, his magic type would no longer exist. There wasn’t room for anything else but their ideas. The true definition of insanity, trying things over and over again expecting different results. Sombra was not insane, he was clever. He knew it was over the second Discord used him as a pawn in Twilight's.
Of course not being in ice sweated the deal and bringing himself back from the dead was a pain. That…..he didn’t want to think about that and he refused to tell Twilight. She would only ask more questions, put two and two together.
“Sombra. Hello.” Twilight walked in wearing the crown made for her by Celestia and Luna. It still felt weird to wear the armor so she opted not to. It felt like she was always ready for a fight and that's now how she wanted to rule. “Sorry I took so long, there's still so much to do.”
“It’s fine, let's get this over with.” He grumbled the chair squeaking as he shifted. “Is it true you are giving this way to the new elements?”
“Sombra-”
“You know what I mean,” he quickly interrupted before he got another history lecture.
“Yes, but I am waiting for them to graduate school first in the spring. Then this is all theirs. That will be enough time to add on some rooms for boarding and expand the kitchen. They'll be having the map's guidance unless it calls on us. We have yet to understand it fully but I have Starswirl and Sunburst working on it!”
Sombra hummed in thought. He couldn't help the theory spill from his muzzle. “It’s most likely more sentient than you think it is. Whatever helps it helps the crystal heart. I suppose you will want to change the locations of the evaluations.”
Twilight snapped her head gazing into his eyes, “huh, I had never considered they would be similar magic but it does seem knowledgeable. Yes, you’ll have to meet me at the Canterlot Castle, that's where I will be living from now on.” She tapped her hooves together, she hoped the experiments didn't hurt the map. Perhaps she should talk to her team.
Sombra gazed back, she listened to him? Anytime she listened she would ask for something. He ground her teeth and steadied himself. Whatever it was, it would be unpleasant.
Twilight smiled, a warm happiness filled her heart as she finally got to say. “You've been doing really well, no complaints from the elements. It's come to my attention you are actually helping. I heard from Cadence you have been babysitting for her with Discord?” It was amazing to say he improved so much, even joining their society.
“That is correct," Sombra elected not to tell her it was by force. He knew that would change her mind.
“Well, it's kind of you to help here and there. It has been hard to find time to babysit with my coronation and switching of the throne. I won't have a clear schedule until the summer. So helping her is also helping me even if it's temporary."
Her mood and body changed as she leaned forward and growled. "Although, you lay one hoof on my niece and you go back into ice and I will bury you where no one will ever find you. I am keeping an eye on you. Understand?” Twilight huffed, leaning back and smiling once more.
‘Yes,” he growled. Of course, she didn't trust him, he knew she was being too positive. “And?”
“That’s it for now. Keep up the work Sombra you are doing a really good job! Now I must meet with Discord otherwise I would stay and chat. Tight schedule!” She smiled as she teleported away, she was happy her program was going well, if it worked on these two it worked for others. She was going to have the first reform school to exist. Helping those who strayed off the path, featuring them. Showing others love, affection, and friendship.
Sombra blinked as he stared into space, was that it? Was she planning something? He ground his teeth more, he hated waiting to see what she planned to use him for. Not to mention what she planned to do about his outburst. He quickly decided to visit the one pony he could pressure into telling him, Apple Jack. It was risky but a risk he figured was worth taking.
He surrounded himself in purple, sinking into the floor as a black mass. The black shadow bounced from tree to tree until he found the pony he was looking for. Popping out of the trees the shadow spoke “Hello Apple Jack.”
“AGHS! Apple butters Sombra you scared me right!” She yelled holding her hoof to her chest.
“I didn't mean to,” he lied digging through her thoughts. This was the only way he could get them where he wanted them without drawing attention.“Perhaps I will call to you sooner.”
“Darn tooten! I mighta bucked ya’ straight in ‘ta jaw!” Apple Jack’s heart pounded in her chest. “I’m gettin’ ta old fo’ this!” Taking a deep breath, she leaned against a tree. “What ya want?”
“Right,” the intimidating stallion puffed his chest up, strolling in half circles as he did during his takeovers. Sombra glared at her with a piercing stare, his fangs glinting in the sun. Apple jack shuddered, right where he wanted her. “Tell me how are my assessments going?” He asked, roaming her thoughts.
Twat is he plannin’?
I hope this ain’t what I think?
Twat if she can’t open her new school?
Sombra smiled, a new school. That was something he was going to look into. He could imagine using him as teaching material, on display like a trophy.
Twat if I have to teach?
Who ‘ill take care of Granny?
Who ‘ill take care of the farm?
Sombra raised his eyebrow at that question. Was that a real worry? She seemed perfectly fine to him. "Well?"
“Ri…right! Sombra ya doin’ just fine. What ya’ worryin’ for?” Apple Jack asked, taking another deep breath, he wasn't being evil he was just behaving like he always did. He wasn't the same stallion and if he was they could fix that. She felt her chest get lighter as she breathed.
“That’s it? There’s nothing that you wish to lecture me about?” Sombra asked, tried reading through more of her mind.
Apple Bloom ... moving … Twilight’s school ….survive ta’ two of us.
He huffed in frustration, her thoughts weren't clear enough.
“Wa’ you think ya need lecturin’’ on? I say ya fine!” Apple insisted as she stomped her hooves into the dirt, a small cloud of dust wafted into the air.
“ACHOOO!” Sombra jolted. He brought his hoof up to scratch his nose. He grumbled, “I suppose I am just not used to having such a positive review. Go about your business” He said as he trotted to the farmhouse. At least he had something to start with.
“Oh? Hey twer ya’ goin’?” Apple Jack said, this was a good thing but could see him being anxious. Starlight was when she stopped getting lessons. It seemed fitting but she would tell Twi anyway.
"I'm just saying hello to Ms. Smith." He said as he sauntered away. Sombra had to check up on his unlikely confidant. It was shocking how well they got along.
Perhaps it was age? Everyone else he knew was much younger than he was. Even though granny techniques were younger than him, she understood. She understood what it was like to be treated like you're made out of glass. The eye rolls of the young foals when you ask a technology question, and they treat you like children.
The old barn door clattered loudly behind Sombra. The house moaned under his heavy hooves. Turning left he entered the kitchen catching the familiar sight of Mrs. Smith cooking. "Hello, Mrs. Smith."
"I tot' I tol' ya' call me granny!" Granny Smith turned around to greet her new friend. "Been a while now, where ya' been."
"Indeed." He said as he sat down next to the stove. "I was dragged into one of Discord’s shenanigans."
Granny giggled, "tat sound like em. Ain't a dull day go by."
Smiling softly, Sombra spoke "you are certainly correct. How's the farm?"
Granny sighed immediately sitting down, giving the job of stirring to Sombra. "They wan' me to retire…"
Sombra took to stirring the pot of apples, "You don't have to don't listen to them. What do they know?" Purple surrounded the edges of his eyes. "Just because you're old doesn't mean you're useless." He growled a concept he wished the elements would grasp instead of ignoring every suggestion he made.
Granny sighed "I know n' I know if I go I ain't ever gonna be treated as an adult never again. I hear ya can't leave ta' place wit out permission. But my gran goals are flocken' this here nest. Twat' am I supposed ta do?"
"You got Big Mac and I'm sure Apple will come back eventually. I'll help." The words just poured out of his muzzle and he dropped the spoon into the pot with a plunk. That….had never happened before. He never volunteered.
"You're the only one I can talk to. Discord brushes me off, if I talk to the elements it's an insurrection, and I can't talk to Starlight alone. I think they worry we will team up, something I considered but realized would be in vain."
"Thank ye, the zap apple harvest is in two weeks now. We could use ya help."
Turning off the stove he poured two bowls of apple stew. Using his magic Sombra levitated over two cups and a bottle of apple shine.
--- a few hours later ----
"So I bit Twilight's hoof and ran away. Turns out what I was seeing was called a train. I thought it was a giant snake." Sombra wheezed as he poured more apple shine into two glasses.
Granny wheezed, "that ain't nottin. These youngens they came up with magical money called bit-bots. I ain't neva gonna understand. I asked… I asked if it's a bot where's the mechanics." She slammed her hoof down onto the table.
Sombra relaxed into his chair feeling truly at ease. "What will they think of next? Space travel?!?! Without luna?!?!? Just poof space."
"That day come ya can slap meh behind n call meh Roger."
"I'll hold you to that."
"Ya do and ain't no magic I'll keep ya safe. Toss ya into 'nother dimension."
Sombra chuckled he couldn't remember the last time he was so relaxed. "You really get it Ms. Smith. These foals just pick this stuff up like it's nothing."
"Preachin' to the choir friend." Grancy smiled the only sound was the pouring of liquor into a glass. "I'm glad ya' vistin' I ain't think we finish Love n ta' dark."
"You didn't continue?"
"Of course not, das our favorite show. It ain't as fun watchin' alone. I know ya like it." Grany wiggled her brows and cackled. It brought her back to a time her husband and she watched Hills on the Run. They never got to finish it. "Come now." She said squeaking her chair along the floor. Long white-streaked marks just how many times she did such an action.
Sombra looked around quickly stepping down from his chair with a rattle. "I don't know why I like it I never thought I'd watch one of those garbage telenovelas, yet I can't seem to stop."
"Is called a guilty pleasure erry ones got one. This ones ours come onnnn let go throw popcorn in 'wardos dumb muzzle."
"That sounds amazing," Sombra said as he levitated out a bucked of pre-pooped carmel popcorn hidden behind the sink pipes. He followed granny to her living room.
Static fuzzed for a moment before making a clear picture. Granny grabbed her remote scanning down the recorded episodes. She hadn't missed recording a single one since they last left off.
Discord muzzle was beet red, three hours alone at a boring dinner party. It would have been shorter if it hadn't been impossible to find a reason to bail. Sombra was that reason, she was the reason why it sucked and why he got to leave. He was going to hear it from Discord. He looked around shocked to see Applejack turning the door nob to her home. "Hello?" He asked, Sombras magic was coming from here, but he had no idea why."
"Discord? What ya doin' here?"
"Looking for Sombra" He answered following her inside.
"Well I don't thank he-" she cut off as the TV blasted through the Apple home.
"OH EDWARDO I WOULD MARRY YOU BUT I DON"T KNOW WHO YOU ARE?"
"The buss it destroyed your memory!"
"I can not wed a stranger which is why I'm marrying. DR MERELLIO!"
"NOOOO ME AMMOOOOOREEE. What about our sun?"
"I HAVE NO SUN!"
Tune in next time. Will Edwardo and Mare find love? Or will the Doctor sweep her off her feet?
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Sombra yelled tossing popcorn at the screen.
"Twat the Tartarus 'wardo? Ya keep gettin' screwed and ya' keep goin' back!"
"Why?!?! Why did this happen to him?!"
"What in the damn Tartarus?" Apple asked as she gazed up her drunk granda watching her soap operas, with the used to be king of the crystal empire.
Discord would yell if he could stop wheezing. this was priceless and he was never going to let Sombra forget that. He took out a camera. "If you can't beat em join I'm" He waved the camera near Apple Jack and wiggled his eyebrows.
Apple rolled her eyes, children, all of them. She went upstairs in a huff. Someone had to run this farm tomorrow. Looked like it was her, alone, again.
Cadence sighed looking through a mountain of paperwork. Hours have passed and she barely made a dent, but she made a promise to do what she could.
Honestly, she didn't think it would be a tall task. The crystal empire owned Rockhoofs home and the museums. Cadence thought she would just sign on the dotted line and that would be that.
She couldn't have been more wrong, she owned the island but multiple countries dug through the land. Getting them to leave would be tricky. Otherwise, she would have just signed the lined and enacted, I'm a princess I make the rules. Cadence couldn't risk the already unstable alliance Twilight worked so hard to build.
She stared into the pile of paperwork she borrowed from Celestia. This would take much too long to do. Cadence would have to go through the local museum and hope that showed initiative. She just had to prove she was working with them and not against them.
Magic whirled and papers aligned, only to be replaced with more paper. She stared into the archive list of everything the museum owned. This path had led her down to some very strange options. All these things used to belong to creatures and places. Not a single exhibit featured the crystal empire.
If she returned these objects to Sombr, Discord, and the other creatures. It would benefit Twilight's and the fragile alliance. Perhaps put her in good standing to get that island back. Duplicates could be easily made and that would be that!
"Yaaaaaa-" Cadence yawned, it would just have to wait a little bit longer. She pushed back her chair and teleported right into bed. It didn't take long till she was dead asleep.
Beautiful hilltops sprawled as far as the eye could see. The blades of grass were misted by the early hours of the morning. A breeze so gentle you could the universe just woke up too.
Cadence leaned her head down into the small patch of bright flowers hinted at with the smell of freshly baked bread.
Her husband lay not far from her cradling their child with care. How she so desperately loved him. A sense of peace crept into her soul, one that felt foreign.
Cadence kicked the flowers with a scent of lavender and a strange sour smell. "Did you?" She begin to ask Shining but he was long gone, pushing his daughter on a nearby swing.
Cadence looked back at the orange and red flowers. She kicked them again. This time ascent of lemonade and that strange scratchy order. Kicking it again she decided it wasn't scratchy but bitter?
The kicked flower became more and more yellow. The scent became stronger, overpowering. Did it smell burnt? Soon the heat of her hooves caused the flower to engulf in flames. The flowers turned to her and started to scream. "Errr, err, err .... err err err."
"Fire!" Cadence screeched her husband yelled with her. Jumping up and into action faster than Rainbow Dash. Bells loudly rang through the halls of the castle followed by a small flashing light.
"Where? What?!" Shining said sleepily. His magic is armed but his brain chugging slowly.
A burnt smell wafted through the air. Cadence threw the door open to see the entire hallway engulfed in flames. "No, no, no, not again." Cadence clutched her chest and heaved.
"Darling it's ok, it's just a fire." Shining whirred his horns, wondering why the sprinklers had not taken care of the blaze. A puffy white goo appeared on the flames. "See, there. It'll be ok, you seem stressed honey maybe we should see-"
A burst of heat singed the tips of the royal's fur as the fire came back to life. Their jaws dropped as the flames danced along with the bedroom doorway.
"Magic fire, you don't think it was.." Shining started that thought but just couldn't end it. In a flash, he was in his daughter's room. The floor was covered in smaller flamed and a candle.
Flurry babbled as she lifted the candle up, a large puff of fire drastically missed the wick. It certainly did not miss the flammable curtain behind Flurry.
"Shit." Shining picked up his daughter, tossing the candle aside. Flurry cooed and tossed another small ball of fire nowhere near the candle. Shining just shook his head and teleported his daughter away.
"Flurry oh! I was so worried" Cadence cried out, holding her daughter tightly in her hooves. "Was it....again?"
Shining nodded soberly, he remembered last time. "They are going to insist on a magic cap."
Tears formed in Cadence's eyes. "We can't let them."
"I know, but this is the second time." Shining frowned as he remembered the day Twilight was put into one. Much to Celestia's dismay the world around her demanded it. Every pony busted their hides training her as quick as possible. It came with so many nasty side effects.
"We'll find another way, we have so far. We'll just well tell a fib and call Discord. He teleports Flurry back all the time he can probably do this."
"And if Twilight already knows?"
"We just have to hope." Cadence tilted her horn onto Shining's. They teleported away onto the field just outside the castle. Cadence did a quick count to make sure the staff was all there, which they were. She sighed in relief.
"You rest and I'll go get him," Shining said, he hated parting from his wife but her emotional state concerned him. The dark circles under her eyes did not help either. He waved over a familiar muzzle. "Watch over her while I go for help."
"Yes sir." Ivy would not fight him on this, the fire ponies had been fighting the flame for several hours by now.
Cadence softly sobbed trying to hide it for her ponies, fear, and panic was the last thing they needed. She stared at her burnt castle. 100 rooms and the whole castle, twice. They were going to catch on
Ivy took her queen softly and hugged her. She stayed them back and forth humming softly. "It'll be ok," She said every second that ticked by sunk in the truth. She was more than a queen she too was a pony. "It's ok to cry, I won't tell anyone. It's raining anyway and I don't think I can tell." Silence overcame the field, the spraying of water and shuffling of hooves. Shining coming back just as quick, Discord and Sombra in tow.
Sombra groaned, approaching the flames. He knew what he was here for, his magic. The fear was palpable, the voices of the massive crowd consumed this mind.
"What now?"
"Who attack us?"
"Is it Sombra, is he faking?"
"What if it's Chrysalis?"
"What will happen to my child now?"
Unlike all the others, it caused Sombra to turn his head curiously. He watched the massive amounts of ponies, so many there was no way to tell who that came from. He quickly got overwhelmed, heading to the castle to avoid the deafening sound of fear. A loud swoosh was heard before the castle was enveloped by darkness.
Cadence looked to her husband and back at her baby. She took a deep breath. "In the morning. Shining takes the people to safety. Guards, patrol the area look out for anything suspicious or anyone. Sombra and DIscord come with me, we are going to lay some traps." Cadence frowned as her husband look at her with disappointment She nodded, unsure if he knew she agreed. This was not the way Cadence wanted things done, but she could not see another. She would talk to him before bed.
They parted ways, Cadence moving closer to the blackish purple orb of magic. A woosh sounded and the castle was covered in an inch of snow, the flame nowhere to be seen. She sighed in temporary relief.
Discord smiled "welp done and done!"
"You say that as if you did something," Sombra growled as he sat back down. "So when will Twilight be here? I'd like to fill out one of her reports as quickly as possible. I wish to go back to bed."
"She....won't be coming." Cadence took a deep breath. "It's Flurry she keeps doing this but I know she doesn't mean to."
"So? I'm sure she will just put Starswirl on it and whatever his name was. The orange one in the cloak." Sombra yawned.
"I'm afraid it is more complex than that. Due to the shakey alliance, they will want a magic blocker on her. It's mostly used on alicorns in training. It's awful, I had one myself. It makes you nauseous and gives you headaches. That's just on the good days, it's nasty. She will have to grow up in one of those. What if she grows up to fear her magic. Or what if she never gets her cutie mark because of it. The future of my child will be stunted. I can' have her freedom taken from her."
Discord frowned, lack of freedom, the one thing he valued over anything else besides Fluttershy. "I can't say I don't understand that but I love mine just as much. Twilight would have us frozen in time."
"It's not pleasant and we refuse to go back." Sombra slammed his hoof into the ground and huffed. "Do you know what it's like being frozen for thousands of years? No, because you were just placed in charge while I was on the ice. It was horrific and I will spare you the details but I will NOT go back."
Cadence bottom lipped twitched "please, you can live here. You can have your own room, we will pay you. Whatever you need, want! I can't let them do this to her and if you refuse... I guess I will have to step down."
Discord and Sombra stared at each other in pure shock. Just for her child, she would give it all up? Sombra took a breath. "If you agree to our terms I supposed we will think about it. One: we need somewhere to retreat to if this should get us frozen. Two: you will agree to never hand us back over, no matter the cost. Three: if it comes to it, you will admit to Twilight this was your idea alone and say anything that comes to mind to make us look good."
Discord said nothing as he twirled his fingers "Four: we can confide in one other being of our choosing." He threw in there, he couldn't lie to Fluttershy, not ever again.
"I suppose I have no other choice, grab your things. You move into our castle on Monday." Cadence frowned, she would just have to take what she could get.
Author's Note
i go on vacation so next chapter may be late.
Author's Note
I wanted to fix up the story a whole lot it feels like I left it in a weird place again. Sorry.
Mission impossible 2
Sombra and Cadence stared at each other from oppositesides of a wooden desk. A silence so deafening that one could hear the magicle chimes of the crystal castle.
Cadence looked down at the paper Sombra drew up for her. "Ok can we go over this again? I'm sorry but you say Twlight has been threatening you and that doesn't make sense to me."
Sombra took a deep breath as he rubbed his muzzle. "One more time. Twilight says if we don't behave we will be frozen with the elements."
Cadence blinked, "Sombra I say this with love and understanding. I have moved past it but you did take over multiple times, and brain washed the masses."
Sombra sighed "and I see that, fine. I get it I was doing horrific things. But how long am I supposed to be under a damn microscope. I'm not allowed any mistakes, any questions. I can't ask about the gray areas or it's back to friendship boot camp. You know what I still have questions!"
"That's not even the worst part the worst part was Twilight never gave us a chance, especially Discord. How come Starlight never got frozen? How come she got a chance? Why is it she lives the high life of independence but screw us?! We did the same damn thing only you could argue she did it better!"
Cadence frowned, "I just can't believe it. It feels like it should be impossible, and you tried talking to her?"
"Talking to her just gets us lectures on how we are not ready. Candece they fear us, that's the difference! She's scared of us, and I understand why but I don't understand why it's not applied to everyone."
Cadence looked down at the papers again only to look back up. "I'm sorry I never noticed. I'm sorry I didn't do anything until now." She reached across the table and held Sombra hoof gently. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you." The edges of her eyes starting to tear up.
Sombra went wide-eyed, pulling back from her he shifted in his seat. "You helped raise her, you suffered under my hoof. I don't blame you for your doubts. We want a chance, just like every other pony."
Cadence took out a pen and signed the document. "I'd like to give you that chance. I'll talk to Twilight I'm sure this is just a miscommunication. That a meeting could clear this all up, for now you are welcome here. You can have your own rooms, as a thank you for your help with my daughter. You don't have to live in it, think of it as your personal space."
Sombra shifted in his seat further, he had not expected this to go as smoothly as it did. "Right." He said trying figgure out what her long game was. Sombra succeeded in his, somewhere to flee. Was her's just his magic? Or did she want more from him? "You agree to it all then?"
"Yup you are more then welcome to treat this place as safe ground. We will not let you get frozen." Cadence paused, "what was it like being frozen?"
Sombra rolled his eyes, "You wouldn't believe me anyway. Twilight never does, if she even listens."
Cadence cringed at the thought, "You never know. Try me."
"It's...not easy to talk about."
"Well what if we traded stories? I have a few that are not easy to talk about and I'd like to build trust with you and Discord."
Sombra squinted at Candece, whe was up to something. He shrugged, he told this to Twilight many times so it's not like it was a secret. "It's awful your body is still but your mind is active. There's nothing to do, there is nothing at all but void and darkness. The cold is intense and to the bone. It peirces you so much that you feel you'll freeze to death. You wish you could shiver, as it be something, hell you wish you could twitch just any muscle. You'll miss anytime you turned your head. You took for granted every movement you got to make before the void. Time moves at a torturous pace, you can't tell what day it is and it moves so slow yet so fast. You know the world moves by and you wish for anything else. Even death. I still get cold chills, unshakable cold chills." Sombra stared into her eyes, trying to figgure out any information they spoke.
"Wow....thats....horrifying." Tears spilled form Cadences eyes and she quickly wipped them.
"What more horrifying is the foal they decided to put in the same situation. Yet nothing is done about it."
"I will bring that up immediately. I can't believe that would go ignored, it's disgusting." Cadence paused, looking into Sombras eyes. They watched her like a hawk and she assumed he was waiting for her.
"Well a promisebis a promise. I was once engaged to another stallion. As a princess my hoof was promised to a stallion from a royal family. He was the worst and I hated him. He treated me like his personal toy. Telling him to make dinner, clean his stuff, all that kinds of stuff. One day I meet Shining and I was in love. It was terrible I couldn't stand his gaze."
Cadence took a shakey breath and leaned to Sombra. "One day I couldn't take anymore I wanted to be with Shining. Damn the consequences so I told my mother. She was not happy so I did the only logical next step."
"Which was?" Sombra questioned finding himself oddly invested.
"Bucked him in the nuts and told him to get lost. I'm not proud of it but he was pushing me to do things I didn't want to do, not with him. Mom always though he found someone else and let me date Shining. She still has no idea."
Sombra crossed his hooves in front of him and shuddered. "Well he earned it. Takes a special kind of evil to think that stuff is alright." Silence enveloped the room as Sombra looked at Cadnece. She may want him for his magic, but she was at least more pleasant about it then Twilight. "Then I suppose I can't say no. You have a deal, we will help you in extange for your protection from the elements."
"I am happy to have you while I clear the air with Twlight. I'm sure I can get her to come around."
"Well ..we will just have to see." Sombra said it but he knew it wouldn't happen. No need to test the waters just yet.
Cadence took a deep breath as she entered a familure hallway. She took a moment to run her hoof over the fresh coat of pastel yellow. It was the same hallway, yet it wasn't. She continued down tiles that used to depicted suns and moons; now they depicted purple stars. Each tile was the width of her hoof. The sunlight that cast down bounced off the tiles to make the room feel brighter and wider then it was.
She smiled with a pang in her heart. How things changed yet still stayed the same. How many foals would come down these halls, future leaders molded by her sister in law. How strange it was that her adoptive mother no longer did.
She came across wooden doors carved with the same purple star. Cadence wondered what they would do with all the suns and moons.
She pushed against the door. "Oof," she puffed out as she heaved them open, chuckling to herself lightly. As heavy as they ever were. Why did that ever make sense to make them that heavy?
Cadence's hooves clopped along the same titles, looking at the windows. She noticed the windowsills painted a light purple instead of the light orange they were. The glass tinted a light shade of pink instead of yellow.
She gasped as she saw the throne room. Luna's throne was gone, replaced by a wider bigger chair. One thay had a green cushion with flame patterns. Celestia's throne was gone replaced by one that was unshockingly purple.
All but one window of Twilights corniation had been removed. Perhaps placed further into the castle for historical records. Instead they were replaced by blank windows, awaiting future events. Cadence snorted at her sisters preparedness, ready for just about anything, even the future.
A large burst of magic sounded and scrolls scattered across the floor. "Ohmygosh have you been waitinglongcuz I got caughtupand." Twilight took a deep breath before running to Cadence and giving her a big hug. "It's so good to see you."
Cadence hugged her back tightly. "I missed you too butI'm afraid that I haven't just come to visit." She said as she squeezed her tight, Twilight could barely fit in her hooves now. She was bound to become just as tall as her and Celestia.
"Oh," Twilight's wings flopped and she sighed. She supposed the lady bug dance would have to wait. "Are you still coming to tea next week?"
"Of course and as promised, no work talk." Cadence smiled, easing her grip to look in Twilights eyes. "I know it's hard when you can't get a moment with loved ones. Trust me I know very well." She paused for a moment, "it's unfortunate effect of being in charge."
Twilight smiled softly, Cadence always knew what to say to lift her sprit. Hers wigs lifted slightly as she sat upright. "I suppose your right but I can't just let that happen. I'll find a way. How can I help?"
"Of course. Theres a way to balance it all. You should of seen Celestia's face when I told her I was starting a family too." Cadenced snorted. Giving her sister-in-law one more hug." It's Discord and Sombra I'd-"
"Oh Ceeeelestia what did they do now?" Twilight groaned with frustration. Perhaps more crops destroyed by tasting like cotton candy. Or perhaps wardrobes ruined by chocolate rain. How much would this cost her?
"No I."
"I swear if I have to clean up one more mess!" Twilight groaned and rubbed her muzzle roughly. How many more angry mobs would she have to deal with before Discord got the picture? How many more friendship lessons were there left to give him?
"NO! No... Twilight they need help. I have seen into thier hearts and its....they are in pain. They lack love and I think-"
Twilights muzzle scrunched. "Lack love??? How?! What about Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie?!?" Twilight yelled slamming her hoof down into the tile, cracking it slightly. "What about every time I had to clean up thier mess?!"
"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. Please Twilight, listen. I think they need some extra love. What do they do all day? Honestly, what do they do besides visit Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie? What if they don't have time for them, do they do any work? Job? Have a place in society?"
Twilight opened her muzzle just to close it. "You don't understand! Everytime we try anything it doesn't work. Discord messes it up with his chaos and Sombra doesn't even show up! I work hard to try and integrate them, but they just don't want to. Not to mention, but Discord pretend to be Grogar. Sombra is impossible to get out of the choas realm!" She huffed, crossing her hooves together. "Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? Like they hate me! Or hate living in our society! Like they don't even listen."
Cadence hug Twilight tightly. "I'm sure they don't hate you Twilight. I think like Celestia. Sure it wasn't wasn't right way, but that's how we learn. Mistakes. Yes his are big and powerful but he's also older. It'll take him time to adjust. Taking care of someone you love isn't always fun."
"All I'm askingis you do what Celestia did for you and give them space to make mistakes and learn. Let them live with me for a while. Think of it as....love lessons. I think I will help them fit better into our society, understand us more. Clearly, there is something missing here." Cadence said holding Twilights hooves close to her heart.
"It would also give you space to breathe, even the best of friends can step on hooves. I think there's been a lot of hoof stepping. Perhaps by the time they get back you'll see something you hadn't before."
Twilight frowned, grinding her teeth she wasn't sure she believed they could grow. Just look at Discord's mistakes records, and still he made them like the first day he got here. Still making ponies angry with his pranks and jokes. Sombra still had made no improvement outside of making friends with Pinkie. Whenever he did come out he made no attempt to help the fear radiating from every pony. "I'm not sure Cadence, what if they make the wrong choices."
"Wrong choices is what makes us creatures, you have made plenty. If I told you everything you knew and loved was wrong and you had to change views in two years. Could you do it? Or would you have trouble finding a path in that strange new world? That's what it's like for them."
"I'm asking you to trust me Twilight. Trust I know what I'm doing. You moved on to being the ruler of Equestria, Fluttershy opened her sanctuary, Rarity is expanding, Pinkie Pie and Cheese started a party business, Rainbow Dash in second in command for the Wonderbolts, Apple jack has the farm! Every other creature seems to have a place but them. Won't you give me a few months to help them find a purpose?" Cadence pleaded.
Twilight sighed, "I suppose so but I want reports. The second I suspect anything we bring them back." She said, she just could not say no to her sister-in-law. Not when she gave her those pleading eyes. Twilight did trust Cadence. She trusted her with her life, that's why she would do this.
"I know in my heart that this is the right thing for them." Cadence looked into Twilight's eyes. How much she had grown, so much growing she still had to do. It was a shame she saw them with such annoyance but Cadence was confident that with time Twilgiht would come around.
"Okay," Twilight said with a slight smile. "I'll see you next week for tea and cake." She said hugging her sister goodbye.
Cadence smiled and turned around, her magic whirled as she teleported away. Looks like the situation was more complex then she thought.
Twilight frowned as soon as Cadence left. "I smell a disaster coming..."
Cadence groaned into her throne pillows while waiting for Discord and Sombra to show up. How was she supposed to change Twilight's mind about all this? Why did Twilight think they hated her? How did she not see what she was doing? Why did they lack love? So many questions, so few answers.
While Cadence didn't agree with her answers, they did have Pinkie and Fluttershy. So what was missing and why was it missing? They seemed to be just fine friends.
She could see why it was missing from Twilight. They needed to be away from her and perhaps that was the answer? Was what she was doing sucking all positivity from their life? Why? Why?!?
Cadence took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind. She couldn't worry about what Twilight was doing. Worrying wouldn't get her anywhere and talk already failed. She had to act, do what she thought was best, and hope. I hope that this was a basic miscommunication and that space would fix it all.
Disgust churned Cadence's stomach, she knew that wasn't the case. It was so hard to swallow the same foal she practically raised. That Celestia molded herself, that was the princess of friendship would ignore a friend. Especially in her new position of power. All of Equestria now depended on her.
She took a deep breath, there was nothing she could do at this moment but stick to her plan. What was most important was getting them out. Then watch them interact with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie and go from there. Every ounce of data was going to be needed for this love problem. It was going to be a doozy.
"You rang?" Discord sang Sombra not too far behind.
"Discord, Sombra. Hello. I wanted to take the time to thank you for all your hard work. For helping me with my daughter but her magic is getting out of control. Fires keep starting, hallways are closed, and personal items are destroyed. I... I can't keep this hidden without you." She pulled out a thick stack of paper.
"It's everything you asked for. You may confide in one creature you trust. I have met with Twilight and she knows this was my idea." Cadence pushed the stack across the crystal floor.
Discord and Sombra's jaws could not drop any lower. They had both expected her to....well they weren't sure what they expected her to do.
"That's not all in there is all the paperwork to make you citizens of the Crystal Empire. You can each have a room here in the castle. I made them up for you, and I hope you like them. Is there anything else?"
Sombra picked up the stack, scanning through it at a speed that would have made a purple bookworm jealous. "You...." Sombra paused "can do something like this. Just that easily? I'm sure your citizens will be upset."
"They don't have to know, you said you wanted a contingency plan and this is it. If things go south then... we will fall back on this. I will not let you go back to being imprisoned. All I ask you to do is trust me enough to hold up that deal."
"You can't reasonably think that putting two villains in charge of your child is a good idea!" Sombra added on as he slid the signed paperwork back. Even if she changed her mind he wanted citizenship. No more overbearing elements and demands of friendship. That was a good deal unto itself.
"Former villains. I think you are both sweet and I need you here. I need you to help me with Flurry and her magic. It's beyond what I can do and I can't let her be caged up. I know you understand what that's like. She was forced into a magic-holding prison, maybe for the rest of her life. No freedom or space to grow and learn."
Discord frowned staring at a blank line. He understood what it meant to be stripped of freedom. He understood what it meant to bring fear. To have creatures fear you and not understand why. Discord signed the papers right then and there. He loved Flurry, she wormed her way into his chaotic heart. Perhaps because she was a chaotic mess moment, and he always had wanted a daughter. He loved foals and that desire pounded at the back of his head. Watching foals once a year at the Apple family reunion wasn't enough. He was dying at the chance to once again run and play freely.
Sombra signed after him, the contract was better than anything the elements proposed. Even if he wasn't fond of foals, he didn't mind Flurry. She was...alright. He hated the idea of living here forever but
Freedom for the price of his magic was an opportunity he couldn't turn down. She would use them and they would use her. That was something he could get behind. Not the normal one-sided shit.
Cadence smiled, "okay. Let me show you to your rooms. Now you do not have to use these but they are here!"
As soon as her back was turned Sombra went to work copying the document quickly. As soon as he was done he stored it in his shadow, "here. Forgot this." He started handing over two copies.
"Right!" Cadencetteleported them to her desk to get notarized and started down the hall. "You'll be staying right across from us, just in case of an emergency. Now I did my best to decorate it. I know we don't know each other well, so I had Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie help me."
"What?" Sombra questioned, why would she go to all that trouble? Was this going to be an ongoing thing? It sure started to feel like it.
"Oh, well I know they are your close friends so who else would know best?" Cadence came to the end of the crystal hallway to two doors. One had cupcakes painted all over it and the other was covered in chocolate milk.
Cadence opened the cupcake door and Sombra tried not to blush. He never had it in him to tell Pinkie it wasn't the cupcakes he like. He liked everything she made. Nothing ever tasted like stale cardboard when she made it.
Sombra stepped inside to find it pitch dark. The walls are painted a deep blue with purple accents. The rug, also a deep blue was soft to the touch. The only lights were produced by bulbs covered in salt crystals. The only way artificial light didn't give Sombra a migraine. His bed, while a lighter blue was decorated in red and pink cupcake plushes. With so much of the room matching, they seemed to be floating in mid-air. "She did this...for me?" He questioned as he ran his hoof over a small storage chest. This confused Sombra. Pinkie Pie he tolerated at best but never considered a true friend. She was an element and therefore sided with Twilight.
He sat on the ground tilting his head in thought. Sombra was familiar with Pinkie enough to know while responsible did things just to do them. It was one of the reasons he tolerated her more than the other elements. There wasn't too much expectation from him but this. This said something, it said friendship. The only other pony to show effort in they liked him. Let alone considered him close, was Granny. That old mare filled a hole in his heart he thought was dead, deep unspoken friendship. Not something he had expected when he started his recovery but he was glad had happened.
Cadence left him to explore taking Discord to the door painted with chocolate milk. "This is your room now Fluttershy and I don't have chaos powers but we did our best."
Discord stepped inside, the wall was painted with different patterns. His storage was upside down. His lamps were carved like pigs and set on the floor. The roof looked like a pone-pollak had sneezed. His bed lay on the floor covered in random shaped and colored pillows.
Discord smiled to himself, everything had changed when he had tried to be normal for Fluttershy and almost disappeared. She wasn't even that angry about the whole Grogar thing. She seemed to enjoy his chaos more, even trying to channel it in different ways. Ways he never would have thought, like expanding the animal sanctuary into the chaos realm for the room. Now that was a solution he could get behind. Chaotic and he got to pet animals.
He smiled softly as his claw trailed the pig lamps. Fluttershy and he might have started rough but he was happy with the friendship they had. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before, she cared. She even got into fights with Twilight on his behalf, something that concerned him. He didn't think Flutters would turn him into stone but Twilight might. Twilight was an alicorn now, she might not need the other elements to freeze him.
"Take your time here I have a tour-Retour read you are. That way you can see where things are. We made a lot of changes and this place can be like a maze." Cadence didn't get an answer, which she hoped was a good thing. She turned around, "meet me in the kitchen when you're ready."
Author's Note
Is this chapter odd to you? I'm trying new meds rn. I feel like my writing has gotten super bad. What do you think?
An unknown amount of time later...
Sombra groaned as his alarm sang to him, smashing it immediately, "I hate that song." He grumbled, he really needed a normal alarm clock. Not one that was music rule. Rolling out of a bed snapped like a poodle, he crossed a checkered floor. Sombras could not be any more unhappy. The chaos never did take his requests and without Discord, he couldn't channel it.
With Discord sleeping at the crystal castle more often than not, Sombra was often stuck with pure chaos. It was unappealing but so was sleeping in the crystal empire. Sombra sighed as he walked through the living room mirror. Looked like he was crashing at the castle, he only has to stick to his room.
Sombra stepped out of the portal and into the animal sanctuary. The only one up throughout the night. He turned to shadows, moving fast through the long shadows of a sleeping Ponyville. It wasn't long before he formed in the tiny shadow the oven cast.
"Sombra!" A familiar high-pitched voice squeaked.
"Hello Pinkie, I know you are moving the bakery. Could you get something going to cast a bigger shadow? Forming in that is a bit of a pain." Sombra yawned as sat across from the counter.
"Oh my gosh, I forgot, at our new place I totally would. Forming a business with multiple ponies is hard, I do t have time for anything. Cheese is scouting some locations, Mr and Ms cake are dealing with loans, and the bank and I have to bake all the orders we get."
"I understand, perhaps I can do it for you?"
"Oh, that be great. You would not believe the nonsense of opening a business. I have never seen so much paperwork and I don't want to again. None of the words make any sense. There's so big and sometimes one word is a whole sentence long."
Sombra leaned against the cabinets watching Pinkie stack an eight-layer cake.
"I mean really and they try to trick you with something called a fine print. So you could sign something and not know you agreed to something. It should really be illegal Twi said she do something about it. But she doesn't have the time, I mean her lessons and all. It just makes me a little sad. I wish she had time to deal with it, but I understand she's busy. I mean there's lots for her to do taking over and with this business. I understand now, why she's so stressed all the time. It'd just be awful but it'll be awesome to run it all together. It's like a dream, doing what I love with the ponies I love. I couldn't ask for anything better than that. And-"
Sombra teleported in a pillow and rested against it. Time ticked as Pinkie talked faster than the train on speed. Sombra didn't stop paying attention, he ate scrap cake pieces as he listened to her speak. He never really minded her "rants" even though every other creature did. It was rude to interrupt, really it was just common courtesy. Yet she treated it like a big deal.
"So all and all my day with Rarity is just what I needed. What did you come all the way out here for? You never visit me. You should visit me!" Pinkie took a deep breath and turned to Sombra with a smile.
"I...saw the room. Thanks, I didn't think anyone really listened, especially any of the elements." Sombra carefully watched Pinkie for any sign of distrust.
"Of course I listened, we're friends. I'd do anything for a friend. We are friends, right? I mean I know I'm an element but that won't stop me." Pinkie beamed.
Sombra's eyes widened, she didn't seem stressed or like she was plotting something. Like how she refused to look him in the eye or how her voice went up eight octaves. "I thought your duty to this world would prevent you from being friends with something like me."
Pinkie stopped mid-sprinkle. She gazed over at Sombra, he look confused. While the others had trouble, she could ready body language they couldn't. It was all in his eyes and mouth, the way they crinkled. "Well of course not!" The room went silent and Pikie knew she hit the problem on the head
"What if I turn evil, what if I was never good?" Sombra scared her eyes, how she held her hooves, the way her muzzle moved. Anything that would give away her alliance to Twilight.
"You've changed a lot. You have friends Granny, Big Mac, Discord, and me! If something was up and I would figure it out!" Pinkie went back to piling roses onto the pink eight-layer cake.
Sombra couldn't believe it, not a crinkle on her face. She was serious, and that had to be wrong. There was only one way to find out for sure, test her. "Alright. Thank you, Pinkie for the help and the room." He huffed as he raised from the cold hard floor. Something was clearly going down. There were too many coincidences, too much attention on him.
"Well, I have to help buck the apples. So I'll be going. See you tomorrow for our weekly picnic with Discord and Fluttershy." He melted into the shadow of the oven, moving through the shadows of early morning shifters. In moments he popped through the shadow of an apple tree.
For a moment Sombra sat staring at the Apple family home. He needed a safe way out, a safe haven for whatever his "friends" were planning. Sombra would have to trust someone and if it was anyone. It would be his unlikely friend Granny Smith. Sombra's age was hidden behind his magic and that made it hard for him to understand the younger crowd. Perhaps that's why he was so attached to her. Sombra could partake in what he actually wanted to do. Board games, soap operas, and rocking chairs. Granted one of those things Granny showed him.
With a creek, Sombra crossed the old wooden floors of the deck. Shifting into shadows he was in the kitchen in no time.
"Mornin' Sombra. Tis nice ta see ya." Granny stirred the huge pot of apple sauce. A new product at Apple Bloom's insistence, an incredibly popular one at that.
Sombra smiled, grabbing a cup of hot coffee from the kitchen table. "Thanks, just the way I like it." He yawned as he sat at the table basking in the heat of the mug.
"Our favorite soap is on tonight, we go na watch it, or am I gonna record it?" Granny asked as she filled a blue bowl with sauce. Laying in front of Sombra she added two roles to the bowl.
"Nope, I'll be there like always." Sombra lifted the spoon in purple magic digging into the homemade meal.
"Wats wrong? You go on and on about how dumb Fernando Forbiddeno Romantico is. Somethin' on ya mind hun?" Granny grabbed herself a bowl, some sauce, and bread. Sitting across from him she smiled.
"You ever see ponies acting really odd for no reason? How do they tell you it's fine but you feel like there is the danger? Feels like something is bad happening."
"I see. Ya know when I thought Timberwolves in that there forest." Granny pointed to a normal group of trees on the Apple property. "Every weird noise was a Timberwolves n' they were after us. Ya know wha' there weren't never any Timberwolves. I knew te' were 'round and just assumed they lived there. Maybe your Timberwolves are in ya head mo' then they are in te' forest."
Sombra blinked at her, stunned. It took him a couple of moments before he gathered the words to respond. "That's very wise, I suppose I don't have any hard proof." He took a long sip of his coffee. Sombra couldn't imagine ponies wanting to do nice things for him, but perhaps Granny was right and nothing bad was happening. Maybe Twilight told them to do it, perhaps she was testing him like he was doing. It would explain all of a sudden nice actions.
"And for the hundredth time why don't ya call me Granny. Ya insultin' me know wit ya persistence. I-"
A very groggy Applejack woke to yell below her room. She had to pull two shifts today one at home and one at the school. She dragged herself from the comfort of the bed and to the floor. Apple was about to fall asleep on the wooden floor when she hear Big Mac yelling too. She startled awake, clambering up and out the door, he never yelled.
Throwing on her hat and scarf she rushed downstairs. "I am here don't yaaaaaaaa..." she trailed off looking at an odd sight. It was her grandmother and brother having a good time...with a former tyrant. "What's going on?"
"Oh good mornin' sleepy head, bout time ya showed up." Granny laughed as she set a bowl down on the table. "Mac and Sombra were just telling me all 'bout dnd night. 'Perently Discord is givin em a hard time. Sounds like 'lota fun."
"Maria you should join us and try it out. I think you'd like it." Sombra said standing up and taking his bowl to the sink.
"But 'ta yelling....maria?!? What?" Applejack stuttered. Was she still dreaming, it all seemed so real. "Why is Sombra here?!"
"Why ain't he not here? He here and tat why ya have so much free time these days. Why he talkin' to Discord right now about settin' up portals fo' us. I can't wait life is gonna be easy wit those-"
"No one is allowed ta' call ya Maria and Big Mac don't ever yell nor talk tat much!" Apple slammed her hoof down into the creeky floor. Sombra just couldn't waltz in and pretend he was family like this.
"Well, I never he-"
"Maria I think I will get started on bucking." Sombra jumped up bumping into the table as he wiggled his way out of the tight kitchen. Applejack's face was filled with contempt and red with what he assumed was rage. He quickly made his exit as he did not want to be where that hate ended up.
"I'm commin' wit ya, we gotta make a battle plan." Big Mac quickly followed. Not only did he not want to be there. Sombra was one of the few folks he talked to at length. The reason being Sombra never forced him to talk. It worked opposite to what was expected. Big Mac just felt comfortable talking, eventually moving on to rambling.
Soon enough Sombra was out back, with his magic he lined wooden containers under the trees.
"Ya' ok?" Big Mac asked the stressed black horse. His back was tense and his face furrowed. "I dunno why she acted like that but I can talk ta her."
Sombra lit up his magic, covering an entire row of trees. "Everything is fine." He bucked into the first tree, that effect copying down the whole row of trees. He paused for a moment, yellow and brown leaves fells from the normally lush trees. The apple barrels are only half-filled, perhaps even less than that.
Big Mac frowned he could tell Sombra was upset by his posture, the wrinkle of his brows. He bucked one of the nearby trees, unsurprised by the state of their health. Apples clunked into the wooden basket below. "If ya wanna talk ya can ta me." Big mac left it at that, he knew how it felt to be cornered to talk when you didn't want to. So he really didn't want to push Sombra.
Together with they bucked 3/10 of the whole orchard, and green and brown leaves fell from the majority of the trees. They gave a harvest of half a basket at most. It took only an hour to get through the section. When a loud crash sounded from the Apple house.
Sombra's head snapped and he blended into the shadow of a nearby tree, in seconds he was out the other side. Applejack was sat on the outskirts of the Apple property. Granny sat on the porch rocking chair. "Maria is everything ok? I thought I heard something." Sombra's heavy hooves creaked against the wooden deck of the Apple.
"Don't worry none. She's prolly stressin' from pushin' 'erself to hard now. I keep tellin' her to stop takin' so much work. She ain't listen'en." Granny sighed and pushed her hooves against the floor.
"Well Discord will be installing those portals soon, so there will be even less to do." Sombra sat next to the old mare. "She's friends with the elements, she is one. She'll figure it out." Sombra almost got up before remembering "Oh, Maria the trees."
"Mmmm, ah ya. Te weather crew been lackin' they used to be headed by Dash but she run te wonderbolts now. It a bit of a mess te days. It ain't her fault, it ain't her responsibility no more. Te replaced her wit some mare, I ain't think she learned nothin'."
"That's incredibly irresponsible."
"I know I been complainin' but wit so much leadership a changin' some things been gettin' overlooked."
Sombra hummed, perhaps he would be able to repay his debt to Maria and her kindness to him. So that they played on even fields.
Author's Note
this was a harder chapter to write hope ya like
Discord held a tiny foal in his paw. "Are you sure?" He asked as a pink alicorn dashed between her office and her bag.
Cadence checked one more time, sorting through papers. She saddled up her brown bag. "Today is your tea day with Fluttershy I know it's important to you. Sombra is at the Apples, I really don't want to drag in my maids. They aren't really equipped for this. I trust her with Flurry. If anyone were to have a good handle on her besides you, it would be her. I teleport with Flurry all the time if that's the issue. The doctor said it was completely fine."
Discord smiled, not waiting a second longer, he was at Fluttershy's.
"Waaab waaab waab." Flurry lightly chewed on her forehoof. She hated being away from mom but she liked her new bear friend. He was tall and had horns. She moved on top of Discord’s head. "Ear!" She stated with confidence.
Discord smiled, he floated both of them through the door. "Hellloooooo, Flutters we have a guest for tea."
Fluttershy trotted from around the corner. She let out a small sigh, she did wish Discord would know but she understood why he didn't. Or at least she thought she did. There was only so much one could do to understand a being of pure chaos.
It was a part of his nature to just, do. It was both frustrating and admirable. She wished she had the confidence to just, go with the flow. Every morning she had a panic attack on her list to do. She couldn't fly more than two feet off the ground due to pure fear.
Discord rubbed his claw and paws picking up a newspaper sandwich. He threw it into his mouth and purred ever so lightly. "Your cooking is always fantastic. Not even I could match this and I made it!" He threw another one into his muzzle. Taking the baby off his head he chewed the sandwich. "Thank you for the room too. You know me well."
Fluttershy looked at the small bundle, picking it up the hooves she smiled. "Flurry remember me? Gosh, look how big you got." Her smile waved, she always wanted foals but deep down she knew she never is brave enough.
"Eeeee," Flurry fussed teleporting right back to Discord. She lay on his head babbling.
Discord snickered and Fluttershy smiled. "That's fair I can't remember the lady time I saw her. She really likes you. I suppose that means your job is going well."
"Flutters I love it, it's chaotic and messy. There is never a dull moment, it's been such a long time since I have seen some creature be born with such power. It makes sense why I was hired I have more power than she does. At least for now. Who knows what she'll grow up to be?? The trouble that's what!" Discord snickered.
"She does this thing where she just pops into nothing. I always pull her back out but you should see her parent's faces. Ghost white. They bribed her with food, but no more of that I can just pluck her right out. Sometimes I hang out there with her."
"I can see why they didn't rope in Twilight. It is way too much for her. You see how stressed she is. Now I actually do something. Instead of walking around waiting for you to be free. No offense to Sombra but he can get boring after a few hours."
Discord stopped rambling as soon as he noticed Fluttershy staring at her closet. "Flutters?"
"Oh?! Well, go on. Sorry how rude of me I-"
"If something is wrong you can tell me. I built those teleporters for you. Do you need more? They aren't hard to make and I'm making more for Granny Smith. A favor to Sombra."
"Oh noo, noo it's. Wait you are? I didn't know that. Twilight will be so proud I know it, she-"
Discord tried to ignore Fluttershys's argument for Twilight he did. The more he held in his anger the more red he saw, the redder he saw the more angry he got. Until he could no longer hold his boiling frustration. "No more Twilight," Discord huffed, banging the table. The plates and cups clinked and clattered. A growl permeated from deep within his chest.
"Waaaa," Flurry cried teleporting to Discord's muzzle.
"Oh no. It's ok." He cooed lifting her from his face to his arms. He cradled her in his paw and held her against his chest. He took a deep breath before he continued. "I didn't mean to yell....."
Fluttershy frowned, holding his claw in her hoof. "I'm sorry Discord I didn't know how frustrated you were. I was...trying to help. After the whole Grogar incident she took everything you ever earned, it was too much." For a moment the cottage was overcome by a babbling baby. "Why didn't you say anything to me? If you had told me about your plan we could have worked on something. You have to talk to me or it'll just happen again. You know I'd never use my element and I won't tell a soul. So please Discord, talk to me."
Discord struggled, stuttering over every letter making no more sense then the baby drooling over his tail.
Fluttershy just sighed, "I have shared so much that I have not shared with my best friends. I don't understand."
Discord gripped the table tightly, "she doesn't want me, my help, or my ideas. She wants me out of her mane and that's what I'm doing. I just really thought Celestia orchestrated most of your adventures I didn't realize that.... she rarely had a hoof in it. She's your friend, she's the princess of friendship. I know I shouldn't resent her..." It tumbled out of his muzzle, his feelings in all their glory. Too late to scramble them back up and hide them away. Discord's muzzle hung low and he froze in place. "I didn't mean that I-,"
"Yet you always show up when Pinkie and I insist. Oh, Discord I wish you had told me. I wish you would tell me a lot of things." Fluttershy whimpered she couldn't help the tears that ran down her cheeks.
Discord paused again, "I try to. I'm so old and tired...I'm so tired. I'll try to." Discord took a moment to steady his breathing. His lips tingles, his arms tingled, and his chest struggled to take in air. "I'll try to tell you my thoughts next time. As for my past, how about we strike a deal?" He snapped up a dancing pen and checkered paper. Quickly writing something down he then sealed it in an envelope and gave it to Fluttershy. "There....if you want to know you can find out or let it go. This...is how I'm willing to tell you."
Fluttershy gently held the envelope, she wished he'd just tell her. She understood why he couldn't, or why he wouldn't. "Are you sure?"
"You want to know, I want you to know but I can't find a way to talk about it. So yes and I'm sorry I was so confident about what I was doing." Discord rarely apologized sincerely so he hoped Fluttershy would take that to heart.
Fluttershy smiled and tucked the envelope into her mane. She wished she could peek into his head and now she had the opportunity to.
Author's Note
i have a plan/ idea. Also I tried my best on this one
Cadence took a deep breath, walking through the exit of a portal. She walked through a very familiar store, looking over the clothes racks. She saw at least five dresses she'd like to add to her collection, but she wasn't here to shop. "Rarity?" She called, Cadence had sent a letter but it still felt odd to just teleport right on into a locked store.
A white and purple mare stepped through the curtain. "Princess, welcome. Sorry I got caught up in my newest dress. The client needs it by the end of the month. It must be one of my favorites." Rarity sang as she exited the back room, passing through dark purple drapes. "I got your letter."
Cadence smiled hesitantly, "I wanted to talk about...Discord and Sombra. Twilight's recent decision had me concerned. I'd like your input."
"I thought a lot about what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. I have to be honest I think she wasn't right but she wasn't wrong either. Excessive punishment but one was still needed. If you ask me he earned at least acknowledgment for helping reform Sombra and all the progress since his mistake. Not a single reward for that, which is just unfair."
"I have so many mixed feelings about the situation. I'm frustrated that Discord didn't talk to anyone before he acted. I'm frustrated he makes simple friendship mistakes despite the lessons and how long it's been. I'm frustrated that despite the effort I put in the never opens up. I tried opening up to him but still nothing. He's like a brick wall. Perhaps if he did that I could understand him. Poor Fluttershy she's put in more work than I and I can't imagine that frustration."
Cadence scrawled Rarity's words across a page.
"Of course, I worry about Twilight too. She seems....different somehow. I have been making time to see her every Wednesday and she is just different. I can't put my hoof on it. I told her I'm there for her but it hasn't helped this feeling."
"I see and have you noticed anything else odd?" Cadence asked.
"You know now that you mention it I can't remember the last time I saw Discord and Sombra, especially without Fluttershy and Pinkie. It's like they drifted off into the background."
"It's a sin Discord ended up being a muse to me. His choices inspired me to make things I would have never made before. I wanted him to wear this, I made it with him in mind." Rarity pulled back the velvet curtain to reveal a multicolored dazzling dress.
"I was hoping he would wear this. I think he like it's made out of stained glass. He pointed to some sketches, I planned to do dresses inspired by the stained glass windows. 'Why not use the glass itself' and I did! Put of glass, then paper, and even duck tape!" Rarity threw on the light, they bounced through the dress in the way to make all her friends cutie marks on the walls.
"Rarity it's amazing..."
"I just wish I could catch him, he always disappears just as I try to reach him. It is really meant for him to wear I do know he loves a good dress. As for Sombra," Rarity flicked off the light embedded into the side of the display stand with her hoof. "He seems fine I just don't know him too well."
Cadenced bag buzzed furiously and she gripped it to open a small duck with '00:00:00' printed on its side quacked furiously. "I hate to leave in such a rush I have much work to do. I think I can do something about this Rarity. Thank you for your time."
"Don't be a stranger!" Rarity called as Cadence teleported away.
Cadence’s hooves echoed down a hall with rainbow accents. The Wonderbolts had gotten a paint job since the switch over. Approaching a door with the words Captain frosted onto it, she knocked.
"Yeah?" A familiar voice called.
Cadence opened the door Rainbow Dash took the seat Spitfire once did. "Hello, Rainbow I'd like to talk about-"
"The letter I know, look I'm really busy so I'm going to cut to the chase. They got what was coming to them. It should have been more. I'm so sick of Flutterdshy's time being stolen by that guy! I barely even see her anymore. I barely see anyone!"
"I used to love doing pranks with him but he kept cramping my style. I want to do big epic pranks but he and Pinkie want to just do surprise pies and trade out drinks. That's kid stuff. While I'm disappointed Pinkie and I stopped pranking when she got her business started. I don't miss the 'is this alright?' Questions that Discord always asked."
"He just....keeps making the same mistakes over and over. I'm tired of it, I'm tired of trying to teach him friendship! What will it take for him to understand us? Years?!?!"
"Oh...well what about-"
"I'm sorry but that's all I have time for I have a milllionnn things to do. Gotta jet!" Rainbow left her namesake trail behind her as she rushed away.
Cadence sighed as she wanted to talk about the Ponyville drought and Sombra. There wasn't much she could do now, she packed up her things and left the drought complaints on Rainbow's desk.
A snap sounded as dirt dusted into the air. She paused and looked at the wilting yelled grass. Cadence milled through sad-looking trees.
A yellow mare sniffled at the edge of her family's property line. Drawing broken hearts on the ground with her hoof.
"Hello Applejack, I know I came here for a reason but perhaps you need me for something else."
"I completely forgot..." Applejack sniffled "but I have a' opinion! I hate 'em both!" Tears streamed down her yellow cheeks as she crossed her hooves.
"Is that how you truly feel?" Cadence stroked the top of Applejack's shoulder. She softly smiled as she would bet everything she owned that Applejack was projecting.
"Noh, Discord is great wit the kin. When he watches em it a big help, I dun see him much ot'er then tat." Applejack paused, "We were neva really close so I twasn't as upset. I only mad cuz he made Flutters so sad. I ain't got any idea twat to do about it. Sombra is a'ight, it weird he so close to granny. She neva lets no one called her Maria."
"Your upset at something, you know I can always lend a hoof." Cadence continued gently patting the mare's back.
"It Rainbow I dun know how to get her to listen ta me. Aint no one replaced the head o' weather the crops are doin' poor. It ain't the only thing she ain't listenin' to. We ain't been on date in weeks all she care about is her dang Wonderbolts. She come home and it Wonderbolt, date night oh she at practice, i need her - surprise it Wonderbolt time."
Cadence just nodded.
"It ain't even like I'm there she doesn't come to any family parts. It's been two years n' most of meh family ain't met her!" Applejack paused "it ain't even like we started dating in ta first place..."
Cadence gave her a great big hug, holding APplejack tightly. "Try your best to sit her down and if she won't listen. Perhaps we can schedule something. I will be happy to help you through this."
Applejack passed letting the hug happen. "I prefer ta' be alone fo' now."
"Forget the meeting and take some time to think about what you want." Cadence hugged her one more time. "You know where I live, please stop by whenever you like."
Applejack sat on the hill looking at the sunset in the distance, Cadence didn't say anything else as she whisked herself away to her next meeting. She tried to shake the sad feeling in her heart as the wooden floor of the Sugar cube corner.
"Hellllloooo" Pinkie Pie sang as she hopped to the kitchen. Picking up some slices of cake, she hopped to Cadence a small yellow mare followed behind her.
"Hello, girls."
"Hello!" Pinkie chirped, and Fluttershy just waved.
"I got your letter and let me tell you Sombra and I are doing great. I just love love love Discord. Our pranks days are so much fun and oh my gosh cooking together! He can eat just about anything I make newspaper pies now! I think we gained a much better understanding of each other although I'm not sure what prompted it. Right Fluttershy?"
"Yes, Discord even....trusted me with some information. Which is why I can't do this. This feels like going behind his back. Cadence I am going to tell him what we know. I can't risk him not trusting me. I'm so so close I can feel it." Fluttershy stopped her hoof on the wooden floor. "I can't risk it his walls are finally coming down. I just know it."
Cadence smiled, "we will I just wanted to see if I could help mend the relationships he has. Give me until you two next have tea. All three of us can approach them together and help them bring down their walls."
Pinkie smiled, "I'm in!"
Fluttershy softly smiled, "we will see how I feel." She had never put her hoof down like this before. "I will see if I feel I am lying to him and want to tell him. I will send a notice." Pride bubbled within her, anxiety too but mostly pride. She felt before meeting Discord she would have been snowballed over and agreed to just about anything but not this time, not now.
Cadence smiled a nervous smile, it was time to get to work.
Author's Note
iiii did my best this was tough
Phase one: comfortable in the castle
Cadence yawned as she sipped on her third cup of coffee. Her mornings, unlike her nights, were peaceful now. Discord plaid with her until nap time. It gave Cadence a luxury she would do anything for, time for breakfast. Now that she had it she would do anything to keep it.
The clock ticked closer to 10.
Her quiet morning was interrupted by the squeak of the door. Sombra stepped on the cold tile floors his fur stood up as he forgot just how cold the castle floors could get. He shivered sitting down as quick as he could. "Cadence."
"Thank you for coming I wanted to give you these." She bent down picking up a brown satchel, "I tried to give them to Discord but he was playing with my daughter." Cadence pulled out two yellow folders, "they were just too cute to bother. I know it'll be safe with you." She flopped the folders onto the table.
Sombra looked up at her with hesitation. Opening that folder that hesitation faded away into shock. He flipped through a birth certificate, a social security number, a bank account, and a passport. "I didn't think you would do this."
"Welcome to the crystal empire Sombra." Cadence tried to sound welcoming but was peeved he thought that. Of course, she followed through why on earth would she lie?
"If anyone says this.... it will cause a lot of trouble," Sombra said his horn glowed and his eyes turned green. The folder, surrounded by darkness, sunk into the void. With a pop, the darkness was gone.
Cadence tried not to shudder, it would take some time to get used to Sombra casually using his magic. "My whole job is trouble. Love, chaos, darkness. We are more magically connected than you think."
Sombra hummed in thought. "You are wiser than I thought. If it's a deal then Discord and I will help you. I make no promises about damages from anyone's magic."
"I understand. Please help yourself to anything the castle offers. Now I must be off to do paperwork of doom!"
"Paperwork of doom?" Sombra tilted his head and Cadence laughed.
"Yeah, math" Cadence got up and so did Sombra. She looked back in confusion.
"I insist on helping this is..." Sombra looked at the two yellow folders. They dissolved into a crawling shadow. "I want to make sure I am still covered by the contract. I don't take care of Flurry as much as Discord." Sombra didn't know how to feel about the contents of the folders. He know he would be giving them closer look. Cadence was a mare of her word, but was that word the truth? For now, he'd just have to keep an eye on her suspicious behavior.
Cadence didn't argue as she supposed that was fair enough. Sombra didn't seem to take a liking to foals but liked hers enough. Pushing him to do it would only distance him. The two of them walked until coming to a door with a parge frowny face. "Welcome to the room of doom."
Cadence sighed, "today is my day. Shining and I switch off neither of us is any good at math. We do the best we can with who we have hired but...it's all so confusing."
Sombra looked at the mess that was in the room, papers scattered, the trash bin overflowing. The calendar was packed with so much you couldn't tell what was happening. "Your sister-in-law would have a heart attack."
Cadence sighed and rolled her eyes. "I know she tried to help before but I can't maintain it."
"What about the hire on?" Sombra interrupted cleaning the papers off the floor. Finding a stray one underneath the cabinets.
"He came from Celestia but doesn't do much. I hate to fire him but he isn't very useful. I think he just assumes we are the same pony. Always trying to make us understand so we can do it ourselves." Cadence sighed.
"That's ridiculous you have enough on your plate, in fact, it's overflowing." Sombra helps up the dusty paper. "You signed off on a meeting with the hippogryphs Friday..."
Cadence's eyes went wide as she looked at the paper. "I forgot..." her breathing quickened and the room started to tilt. "I have nothing prepared oh damn oh no. I have to do this."
"I will take care of it as long as you swear I am covered by your contract." Sombra started to organize the many papers in date order. Cadence at least seemed to be a mare of her word. So he could at least trust her to update the contract.
"Of course, feel free to use the maid service. My castle is your castle."
With that, she was gone Sombra chuckled. "She should have thought about that sentence." She was correct if you went back about a thousand years. Though he ruled he never had these problems, though he knew why. Sombra’s magic made his people sleep so he wouldn't have to deal with them.
Sombra pushed the big red button underneath a speaker.
"Maid service!"
"Ivy?" Sombra questioned remembering the mare who helped him hunt down pillows. Then was nice enough to help him clean it all up after Discord left.
"Sombra?! Hey! How can I help you."
"Please meet me in Room 1276. I'd like whatever meat this castle has with a side of toast. Bring the biggest cup of coffee you can." Sombra let go of the button not sure if he used it right.
"Of course!" The machine fittzed out and Sombra smiled. She said her castle was his castle.
Cadence jogged through the halls a mismatched creature suddenly poofing in front of her. "Hi, Cadence!"
Cadence skidded to a stop beat red and out of breath. "Discord?"
"That's my name don't wear it out! Do you want a lift?" Discord snapped his fingers and Cadence was suddenly on a flying pig.
Cadence's heart raced "yes" She was too exhausted to teleport and could barely keep her eyes open. She kept falling asleep and ending up in random hallways.
Discord tried not to show any shock as the princess accepted his chaos with stride. That's never how things went, "I heard you are seeing 'Tia. Try and push my chaos agenda. Discords law: the sun must always be a marshmallow."
Cadence took a moment and laughed. "You know what sure. Thanks, Discord. To meeting room A please." The pig flew off and Cadence took the opportunity to nap, she just had to whenever she could. Even if she knew it wouldn't be enough.
Discord looked at the empty spot. Only Pinkie indulged his chaos, and Fluttershy did her best to. Celestia sometimes wavered and so did Sombra. That was it, no one else really tolerated him let alone just accept his chaotic ideas.
Discord grumbled as he pulled Flurry from the void she babbled and giggled as he thought. 'Something isn't right.' Dread knawed at the back of his mind. And he gently floated off. He would take care of the baby and follow Cadence.
It didn't take him long to get distracted by the cooing baby.
"You a hungry? Oh, you hungry don't eat me! Instead take my sacrifice of milk!"
The baby giggled and so did Discord. He took one last look at the meeting room and teleported to the kitchen. He would be right back what could go wrong?
Even so, he made sure to be quick, grabbing the bottle out of the fridge he put on a pot and some water. "Come on, commmmme on." He just need to wait as it came to room temperature.
Discord couldn't rush it, Cadence told him about the horrors of Motherhood. Like stomach flipping, Flurry had to be slowly introduced to cold and hot otherwise her stomach would flip. Apparently, that was a bad thing. He didn't trust his chaos magic to be that exact, it never was. Whenever he made something it was always off.
He looked at the clock that said 3 minutes were left. Could tike go any slower he paced around in circles and Flurry giggled with glee.
Finally, the timer dinged he grabbed the bottle and gave it to Flurry. As quick as he could he snapped back to the meeting room but the doors were open and no one was there.
Discord looked around using his magic he cast a scrying spell finding her instantly he flew over to find her sleepwalking. He giggled and sighed with relief.
"The muffin crew a raise," Cadence mumbled.
Discord snickered, even more, he didn’t know she slept talk.
"The sun to close muffin take the mayo and kiss." Cadence bumped into walls and knocked over furniture. Her left hoof stepped forward and her body acted like it was going forward over a large set of steep stairs.
Discord went from choking back his laughter to his stomach dropping. He put Flurry in a bubble and dived for Cadence.
The crash was loud, making a few ponies murmur with concern. A small crowd gathered to gossip about the fall from a distance.
Discord groaned as he leaned up, "Cadence?" He shook her gently but nothing happened, quickly he grabbed her and Flurry quickly. In a matter of seconds, he was in the medical ward.
Author's Note
Sorry this is a bit rough and also late I visited my sister on my day off.
Shining sat outside the medical bay staring into the void, his two guards' words falling into the background.
"That is everything that could be canceled sir, sir are you listening?" A yellow unicorn growled, he couldn't believe it this was the fifth time he had to explain things. He understood why Shining was like this but he needed orders to act.
Discord interrupted things as he shut the door behind him, his head covered in a couple of bandages and his eyes glowed a deep swirl of yellow and red. The fall left him a bit groggy at worse, nothing that wouldn't be healed in a few hours.
"IS SHE OKAY? WHAT IS HAPPENING?" Shining shouted pushing away the guard and bolting for Discord.
"Shining loud, please." Discord rubbed his head "she was just tired." He pushed Shining away from him.
Shining looked back to his guard, "find a way to cancel everything. Do whatever you have to do to make it happen." Not another word was uttered as he bolted through the medical bay door.
Shining no longer cared for rules or courtesy. His entire future, the mother of his foal, of the empire just fell down a flight of stairs. Tears formed in his eyes as he held her hoof, the doors slamming behind him.
The guard sighed, knowing better than to bother him at such a time. He couldn't hold this against his king. There was no backup no emergency plan. The two monarchs were young, one of them an alicorn. No one had even considered this a possibility. "how am I going to be everywhere at once?"
He wasn't sure he had them to go get help as long-distance contact hadn't been running since the changelings turned. In fact, most of those defenses were reduced or non-existent. He rubbed his temples with his hooves and groaned.
Discord's head throbbed and before he knew it his talons snapped. "Is five of you on roller skates enough?"
The guard's mouth hung low as he stared at five exact replicas. All of them stood on roller skates shaped like themselves but plaid in color. He took a look at the strange creature beside him, he was about to say no but he really noticed him. The poor creature looked tired and hurt, drained. The guard looked back at the copies, it would allow him to get more done and keep Shining happy. "Thank you, names Star Fleet I-"
The creature was already gone before Star could ask, he supposed he had no choice in the matter. If he refused it be a wasted opportunity.
"Alright you, keep an eye out here. You and you, go hunt down any and all contact information for remaining meetings and events. You and you, try to shut down any meetings with the citizens without panic. We want to keep this a closely guarded secret both royals are out and we are at risk for any invasion. Dismissed." He looked at the door, anxiety welling up in his chest he decided to go hunt down that creature. Clearly, he was powerful therefore he was useful to the cause.
"Anyway, it was so funny to see her out of her element." Sombra snickered he had moved his work to the huge hot tub in the spa. His magic makes his paperwork waterproof.
"You will have to teach me Changish someday! I assume I will need it since our kingdoms are now allies. Who would have thought?" She said handing over a stack of organized papers to Sombra. "Kind of like you."
Sombra paused his writing, "I'm sorry?" The calendar was the last thing on his mind with a statement like that. An ally? Him?
"Well, we are allies now right?" Ivy asked tilting her head "I thought since your good now..." Ivy couldn't help the worry creeping into her chest. Did she misunderstand something critical? No, Cadence hardly ever made a poor choice in character. If this stallion hung around Flurry then he had to be safe.
"No... I'm doing a favor for a favor. Are you alright? Did you forget what I have done?" It was too late for him, and he wasn't worth the effort. That Sombra spent so much time in the dark that the light burned, that he forgot how good a simple hug was. That he didn't know how to connect with the newest generation of ponies. "I'm too old for that nonsense."
Ivy was quiet for a moment. Her worries about a tyrant were calmed, unfortunately, new worries formed for the horse beside her. "You are never too old for anything."
Silence followed, an awkward and tense one as the two stared at each other. Ivy wanted to say something more rearing but the exhaustion in his eyes told Ivy he wouldn't hear it.
Sombra said nothing he knew arguing would do nothing. This current generation was hard-headed if not impossible. Saying anything would cause her to say more but there was nothing to say. He knew what he said was true and that he'd be lucky to have one friend let alone more.
It could stay like that for a long time but the silence broke with the shining of the bright purple spa doors. SLAM!
The two ponies jumped out of the hot tub and would have jumped out of their own hide. Discord groaned as the hot water hit his muzzle. He rubbed his temples, carrying a small foal in his claw. The swirling in his eyes was noticeable but no longer severe.
"Oh sit Discord!" Sombra panicked, running over to his friend. He grabbed his head and turned it back and forth. No external injuries, but that didn't mean it wasn't internal. "What happened?"
Discord groaned, "I'm fine Cadence slept and walked off a setstairs. She's fine." Discord walked to the hot tub, putting just his legs into the warm water. He relaxed, casting a cooling spell on Flurry so the steam wouldn't bother her. "I think I will be using that spare room Cadence offered."
"Would you like me to take you? These hallways can be confusing and you seem hurt." Ivy stepped out of the hottub. She turned to Sombra as she helped Discord on his feet. "I'll be back to help you."
Sombra stood up and took Discord's other side. Carefully they walked off to the spare room Cadence had prepared.
Author's Note
Sorry about the delay I was in charge of the business I work for for a whole week. I just didn't have time to write. I wanted there to be more but it would have taken longer so I posted what I had
Cadence sat up in a soft medical bed with a sigh, holding her pillow to her chest. The clock ticked as the couple sat awkwardly. "I'm sorry." She didn't bother turning to her husband; she knew the look he'd give her was disappointment.
Shining rubbed his wife's back; "We talked about this before." He reached his hoof to her chin, turning her head gently. He gently placed a kiss on her forehead.
Cadence smiled at her husband's lidded eyes filled with love and concern. She was so lucky to find a stallion like him. "But Celestia and Twilight-"
"But nothing. You are not Celestia and I hope you aren't Twilight. It is weird if I married my sister." That made Cadence chuckle lightly. "I know they both do a lot of work but Twilight has her friends. I know Celestia is like a mother to you. But you are not her, you are Cadence." Shining scooped up his wife's hoof and held it to his chest.
Cadence leaned against her husband. "But-"
"But nothing. Celestia did it all but she also ignored her sister, jealousy ate at her soul until she turned and got banished to the moon. Celestia is not without many faults." Shining paused. "And Twilight has all her friends yes they may not be there to help run the kingdom but they will be there for her. I know Celestia is someone to look up to but you're going to really hurt yourself if you keep trying to be like her. Or you hurt someone else. So please just ask for help."
"Wasn't that a little mean?"
"It's true. You fell down a flight of stairs if Discord hadn’t caught you. Who knows what would have happened?!" He hugged his soul mate close.
She knew that it was but Celestia held a special place in her heart. "I should really thank him for that." Cadence and Shining sat in more silence. It continued until the medical doors opened.
"Captain Sir." A group of similar-looking guards saluted. One, in particular, stepped forward "we got lucky and ran into a powerful mismatched creature. With numbers on my side, I have managed to cancel everything for yesterday and today."
Cadence snorted finding the differently-shaped roller skates funny. "I guess you ran into Discord. How did he look?"
"Injured your highness. His eye was dripping with blue... magic?" The guard guessed if it was blood they have a much bigger problem.
"Oh... we should check up on him. I'm not sure the medical staff is equipped to handle chaos magic." Cadence rubbed her husband's hoof gently. "Please."
Shining sighed "I suppose you are correct but if it aggravates your condition we will come right back." He knew his wife wouldn't be comfortable until she checked on Discord. He loved her for her endless compassion for others he just wished it extended to herself.
"Your highness when you are rested we must talk about putting back some security measures. It would have made today easier. It's irresponsible to leave the kingdom this weak again." The guard bowed lightly waiting to be dismissed hopefully before he chose to comment more.
"That is plenty fair. We'll gather the guard tomorrow to make sure this never happens again." She said guilt bubbling in her chest. How could she let this happen she was so sure they were in a time of true peace. She tried to ignore the severe dread of failing her people. Cadence shakenly got up and Shining glared at the guard, the three of them separated.
Discord groaned "where am I?" He mused but he didn't have to for long. His gaze locked onto a crib that contained a sleeping baby alicorn. Next to his plain white bed, rows of the same bed were on both sides of the room. Clearly, it was not his. "How did I end up here?"
"Easy sweetheart." A nurse stepped through huge purple doors with a plus engraved in white. "Hmm, your eye is still so blue." She quickly shuffled to Discord's side, holding her hoof to his head, "no fever that's good." To tell the truth, she wasn't sure of that, she had never seen anything like him but she knew fevers too high were dangerous.
Discord groaned holding his head the walls changed from cheese to hot sauce, to stained glass of Fluttershy, then to leather. "Mmmmm." The leather-clad walls stayed as he rubbed his head with his claw and paw. It throbbed like hell and make it hard to focus.
The nurse acted like nothing had happened even tho concern grew within her. There was no need to panic about her patient it would just make it worse. "Don't stress yourself," guided the creature back down to the bed. "Take a deep breath you'll only aggravate your condition." What he had required calling the head nurse or even the princess but she did know stress always made things worse.
Discord yawned and Flurry poofed into his claw and paw. He scratched her head relaxing further. Those scratches got slower and slower. Sleep was just on the other side of this last scratch.
Slam!
Discord jumped at the noise and the nurse was ready to verbally behead the creature who woke him she turned around to a dark stallion holding a lard tray of various meat. She shuddered at the thought, most horses were vegetarian.
Sombra sat on the bed that was much too short for his friend. While normally he would laugh at the sight of half of Discord's body on the floor as if it were a puddle. He was not in a laughing mood. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." He laid the tray on the bedside table.
"I promised Fluttershy I wouldn't eat meat again." Discord stared at the plate of shrimp and his stomach grumbled. He couldn't deny that he needed it to heal, to fuel his magic. He thought he could get away with it if he stayed away from dark magic.
"You know she would insist and the kitchen is very angry with me for stealing this." Sombra pushed the tray forward having taken it from a canceled dinner.
He sighed and started shoveling shrimp. If she was here he knew she cry because she 'forced' him to be vegetarian. Then he argued back that she didn't want to do it for her. Then she insists on eating and not having to be vegetarian. He would try to convince her he wanted to be but she wouldn't listen and he'd eat the shrimp.
Cadence entered with a soft knock and a light squeak of the door. "Discord I am so sorry." She stepped forward and gently held his head in her hooves. "Your eye."
"Don't worry it only looks bad sorry about the room." He grunted holding his head the floor was suddenly lava. Well, it looked like lava but tasted and felt like chocolate. "I'll fix it later."
Cadence smiled gently looking into his eyes. "It's not your fault, you were injured because of me. It's just a room and you will be able to fix it once you are better."
Discord stuttered, "I'm sorry?" He just stared at Cadence in shock. In his whole life that was never a sentence, he thought he hear.
"It's not your fault you have that headache and it's causing this. Not you." She hugged Discord and yawned.
Discord hugged her back yawning too. "One more time?"
"It's...not...your fault." Cadence and Discord soon started snoring. Leaving Sombra in stunned silence.
Shining quietly opened the door to find the two passed out where they sat. Cadence is in her chair and Discord is in the medical bed. He sighed picked his wife up and putter in the bed next to Discord. At least she was resting.
------- Sometime Later -------
Star Fleet galloped, and his clone crew followed him closely. She skidded down hallways, his possey having spread word of a very important meeting. Star panted taking one final turn left and there was the staff room. He took a moment to catch his breath, "allriiighhhtt.." he slurred out as his crew turned to sheep, then to pie then disappeared completely. He wasn't gonna lie he would miss the extra hooves, and so effective too. Perhaps he could get the Princess to have that miss-matched creature do it again. It's not like she didn't owe him after this one. The absolute headache of canceling without causing panic was not something he wanted to do again.
He regained his composure and opened the door to the staff room. The guards and maids alike whispered among themselves. Most likely rumors about the strange day.
"Order, order. Some of you may have noticed today was usual. At this very moment, our monarch is weak. Any time someone could take us down and I need you all to keep an eye on Sombra and that strange mismatched one."
"Discord," a voice said from the back. Ivy stepped forward a frown on her face. "And that mismatched creature saved our princess so maybe you should give him some respect." Her voice quivered but she resolved to remain strong.
The crowd murmured with panic whispers.
"Order! How did you know?"
"I helped Sombra find the kitchen he said something about Discord having to eat. So I showed him the way and he told me what happened." Ivy crossed her hooves.
"Which he stole!" A member of the kitchen yelled from the other side of the room, the rest of the kitchen staff agreeing.
"Well, the princess told him he was welcome to help himself. I was surfing him that day so I would know. I was sure he got everything he needed since he was helping her."
The crowd begging to argue amongst themselves. Most of them assume ivy was lying, that she was brainwashed. Ivy's closest friends sided with her and the screaming match got louder.
"I said order!" Star Fleet bellowed silencing the argument.
Ivy could not be silenced, "they both know. And to remind you, Discord helped you when you needed it. I thought this was a true emergency, not a smear campaign. I'm going to check on the creature that saved the princess to see if I can help. You are all welcome to sit here and panic. Ivy stomped her hoof and with a huff left the meeting. The door slammed shut and her closest friends followed suit each one letting the door slam. Ivy wasn't going to just sit and listen to that nonsense.
What to do with a day off
Sombra, Discord, Cadence and Shining all stained at each other fron across the kitchen table. Teo gaurds stood watch just outside the kitchen door. Flurry was asleep and everything was canceled, none of them had any idea what to do now.
"Sooo how are you liking the new job boys. You find anything you like in the kingdom?" Cadence asked fidgeting with her now empty tea cup.
"Your baby is the best part." Discord smiled but his eyes looked sad. "Did you know I used to love watching the crusaders but they are too old for that now." He sighed softly "sometimes they let me join if they are stuck." Discord wished they invited him more often he missed the choas they used to cause together.
"We really haven't been out in the kingdom much." Sombra stated "but it's busier then when I was encased in ice. I suppose all the businesses are different."
"Well maybe we can make a day of it." Cadence couldn't help but be intrested. Darkly interested but intrested in what the kingsom looked like under Sombras longer reign.
"What do we do until then?" Shining sighed, he knew canceling everything was the right move but he had never had so much time to do, nothing.
Scilence
"Ummmmm.." Cadence tapped her teacup in thought.
"I wish it was a holiday then we could all bugger off." One of the gaurds grumbled. Jealous of the very monarchs that sat at the table. They hardly ever got off except for the holidays and birthdays.
"Maybe it can be!" Discord snapped his fingers. The inside the castle nothing change but when a cheering maid ran past them yelling "snow day!" Everyone knew things changed.
Outside snow fell, it wasnt cold, it wasnt freezing and it suck right away. If you caught it in your muzzle it'd tasted like cotton candy. Discord took the first step and started into the hall. "Snow day!"
"Wait what abou the citizens won't they panic?" Cadence tried to not let her faith wavered but her fear tended to cloud her otherwise decent judgment.
Discord smiled showing her a poster, "already taken care of." It read 'snow day, everyone take off. Brought to by Discord. Ps you will magically know how to skate."
Cadence sighed in relief she knew them being her was still causing tension. She was glad that instead of adding it he took it away. "Shining care for a dance in the quart yard?"
Shining grabbed his wife, carrying her all the way to the quart yard. The snow had piled a hood height perfect for any use, or miss-use. The two of the started skating around like pros but giggled like foals.
Various ponies cautiously out of their homes after finding notes on bedstands. Cautious at first until all found out that could skate perfectly. Smiles dawns on the faces of the citizens and majority joined.
Discords smile was bigger then the kingdom combines. How it felt good to be chaotic, especially a positive reaction to his choas. Something that had always been hated. Hidden or discouraged. He quickly wrote up an invitation to his two favorite ponies, Flutters and Pinkie.
An hour later
"Oh boy oh boy oh boy! A snow day!" Pinkie bounced off the train, Fluttershy following closely. Somehow the train station was perfectly clear, now an ounce of snow or ice.
"I can't remember the last time I took off."
"Me too! We deserve it, coem on." Pinkie grabbed Flutters and quickly ran into town the two of them gasped. Foals buildings snow ponies, adults skating romaticly in a park. Everyone was happy.
"Pinkie! Flutters.!" Discord ylowed teliporting straight to them. "So glad you could come you won't need all those winter closes you'll get to warm." He snapped them away.
Flutterhsy squinted her eyes and Pinkie gasped. "The snow it's warm," she soon shoved a smile pile of snow into her muzzle. "It tastes like cotton candy!"
Fluttershy touched the pile of snow and felt no chill. It still functioned like snow but without all the nasty cold wet clothes. "Wow...it's amazing."
"Why thank you," he picked both of them up heading to the court hard. "Do you wanna build a snow pony?!" Discord sang.
Author's Note
Sorry this took so gosh darn long. I had a lot of sudden personal emergency like. Having to freeze my bank account, and dealing with a scam thing. That was just one of the things. It's really rushed but hopefully its still ok
Discord floated back and forth above Flurry with a sigh. Should he count the ceiling tiles again? No he knew there was 2,999,00 and 98 tiles plus the odd corner bit.
As much as a different Flurry made in his life, meaning he got to fo something. She had grown boaring. When Cadence first came to him he though. 'Hey this will be intresting.' She was like any other kid.
He looked back down at the bundle of chaos. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of protectiveness and love, he hadn't really planned for this. He really didn’t plan much, it wasn’t very chaotic. Regardless he welcomed the change he did always love foals. If he could, he'd love a daughter of his own. Flurry filled that small un-nutured corner of his heart.
“Aruoueoiur.” Poof.
Discord looked down at the empty space that Flurry once occupied. Now empty. He sighed probably another dimension jump. He snapped and nothing.
His eyes widened and he snapped again, and again, and again. Nothing kept happening. His breath hitched and he thrust himself in between time and space.
A couple of seconds later he excited she wasn't anywhere. Discord snapped his fingers and Sombra appeared.
“Yes, Discord?” Sombra said.
“It’s Flurry. I tried to pull her back from the ether with the spell but she didn’t come back.” He said showing Sombra the empty yellow ball of magic that was supposed to contain Flurry.
“Oh shit."
SMASH
Just then the windows caved, shattering glass everywhere. In a panic Discord grabbed Sombra and shielded the two of them against the spray of shards. They huddled for what seemed like forever, until giggling filled the air.
There was Flurry floating over a floor covered in glass she giggle over the sea of glass as both Sombra and Discord activated thier magic to no avail. Flurry only getting closer and closer to the shiny pretty colors on the floor.
“Flurry no!” Sombra said as he trotted over to her, activating the a more complex spell. His eyes glowed red as he focused on what he wanted to happen. Flurry to end up in his magic, he did not care as he stood with scrapped hooves on glass.
SMASHSMASH SMASH
Three more windows broke, glass flew everywhere but Sombra shielded Flurry and Discord made a run for them both. The glass struck against them both and the air was silent until Sombra broke it.
“I….had to double the amount of magic to get her in there. She’s...she’s getting stronger.” He turned and stared at the glass on the floor.
Discord looked around, he shouldn't have thought calm so soon. “I’ll rebuild one half, you rebuild the other half.” He used his magic and whatever glass he could find to replace the windows. The once broken glass was now solid chaotic patterns of colors and shapes that resembled a kaleidoscope.
Sombra focused his magic on the other windows. He had no better ideas so he just followed Discord’s lead. His magic formed windows that resembled billowing smoke. He also used whatever glass he could find to help form the windows.
That left just the two of them and some missing glass not that it mattered since it was made of magic.
"We're going to have to tell Cadence." The two sat staring before Discord snapped them away.
Cadence jumped as they interrupted her paperwork. Papers went everywhere in the purple cramped aera. "Oh my!" She squeaked wings spanking the width of her oak desk. “Discord! Sombra! Are you ok?!” despite her fear she cared about thier feelings.
"It was Flurry she broke all the windows, don’t worry-" Discord started to explain before he was interrupted by Cadence. "Were you protecting her? Are you hurt?"
"No we are not." Sombra paused, "but we did fix the situation.-"
"I'm sorry Cadence I'll keep a closer eye on her...." Discord couldn't hold it in anymore feeling at fault.he was the one wishing for more excitement just not like this.
"It's Okay, just bring her straight to me next time.im afraid if I scold her now she won't know it's connected to the windows. It's been much to long and she won't remember. Now show me the damage."
Cadence looked over the windows and her jaw dropped "How?" She said pointing at the windows with her hoof.
Alternating in patterns. One was ornate swirls in different shades. Making complex tufts of smoke that seemed to movie through the window. The other pattern was splashes of color in random patterns and combination but no less ornate in shapes.
"We put them back together with our magic and the glass we could find. We could probably reverse it now that we have all the pieces back," Sombra offered.
"No." Cadence said with a smile.
"No?" Discord asked. He was going through a lot of emotions today it seemed and that irritated him. "What do you mean no?"
"I love them. do you think we can show Celestia? I wanna show off my new windows."
"You want to keep them? Why?" No creature wanted his magic to stick around, and that caused even more confusion. While fun at the moment. Eventually, creatures would want Discord's chaos to go away. It was what he was used to and now this?
"They are beautiful, they are grand, they are amazing. I love them very much, I think I'll keep them like this." Cadence said with a smile.
The two od them looked at each other with a huge grin. "Thanks," they said in unison.
Cadence looked down at her child with a smile, she gently rocked the cooing baby. No matter what she knew that the three of them had this. How bad could it possibly get? "I think we should take a trip to auntie Celestia and Luna and show them the improvement."
Flurry cooed back and they all disappeared together.
They say things get worse before they get better, and they were right. While Flurry didn't seem to put herself in danger again, she was still casting complex spells. Cadence, Shining, Discord, and Sombra all had to take shifts to keep a stronger eye on her. For the first time ever everypony had gotten a taste of the kind of power Flurry could display. Real and raw.
Of course, Cadence and Shining reprimanded their daughter. Gently coaching their child on the power she held and the responsibility of control. But there was only so much a 2-year-old could understand. Eventually, Discord and Sombra joined them after learning the best parenting technique from Cadence. Having to also join them in teaching Lurry at every turn. For this, to work they all now need to pitch in. Together they sat at the kitchen table, staring at Flurry who sat in the middle of it asleep.
"I am so tired.." Sombra rubbed his temples. he took a moment to bas in the turns in life that led him here. In charge of the first alicorn child. "How did my life become this."
"I honestly have no idea," Shining answered honestly. "I was hoping once Twilight would know but not even she is sure why we had an alicorn. I hate to bother her now for answers. You know how she gets and now isn't the time."
"You know I think you really underestimate her, and I should know how that feels. Her anxiety almost feels like my chaos. Uncontrollable, hard to reason with but I don't suffer from it so what do I know?" Discord rubbed his dark eyes before he laughed "I think they finally got to me cuz I was about to say just be honest. Oh, HOW did this happen?" He sunk down in his chair and groaned.
The group of them yawned as they stared into space, taking all too long to notice the baby babble getting loaded. It was too late as her horn glowed to stop it and much too late to reverse the small frost that covered the inside and outside the castle.
Discord acted, he acted without thinking, and soon the entire kingdom was covered in three inches of snow. Not just any snow, snow that tasted like cotton candy and was warm to the touch. Yet it still acted like real snow, and would make perfect snowmen. Cadence stared at Discord and Discord stared back at her. "I may have panicked."
"What...Flurry no!" Flurry whined and her ears went down. "We talked about being careful.
"She covered things in snow so I just .... gave a snow day." Discord shrugged and smiled shakily. "I...I thought ponies would have already seen it would just be best to blame it on the chaos guy."
"Discord.."
"I can clean it-"
"Discord, no that's not why I'm upset. You panicked and I can understand that. We are all so tired and drained. Maybe it wasn't great but it's not a terrible idea Discord. Honestly, I can't think of anything else that wouldn't cause panic. May I have some paper?" With a snap, paper plopped in front of her and she wrote up letters.
Dear Citizens of the crystal kingdom,
Today we celebrate all of you and your hard work. Take this day off to enjoy the snow, courtesy of Discord.
Love your faithful rulers
Cadence slid the letter to Discord, "say something, then snap it to every citizen. I don't want panic to seep into my citizens. So keep it short and quick."
Discord's uncomfortable smile didn't fade.
Hello
I hope you like the snow it's warm, tastes like cotton candy, won't make you sick if you eat it, and you can build anything from it. You can find yourself just magically good at snow building even if you never were. Have fun
Discord.
Discord snapped it off then looked back at Cadence, "I'm sorry I didn't ask."
"Discord as I said don't be sorry we are all exhausted, we all have been working hard. We are all doing the best we can and that's what I asked of you. Just do your best and that's enough."
Discord smiled, "I insist on helping in the throne room tomorrow. Just in case."
Cadence smiled back, "okay. that's perfectly fine ok with me."
Author's Note
Tldr: I need a longer time to write the ending. I might take 2 months instead of just one.
sorry, this is short. The end is ni. The next chapter is intended to be the last I cut a lot which is sad but the story got away from me again. I hope you all enjoyed it anyway. If you liked this story feel free to take my idea and run with it here is the basic thing I was going for both times. Feel free to take this prompt and run with it.
Basic idea came from the that I thought cadence could help more with discord and this friendship troubles. cuz love and friendship is so close other. I was hoping to have a second storyline where everyone understood each other better. Twilight would learn her anxiety has been consuming her but not loving the way that people took to get her to understand. That it affected discords turn to good and she would understand him and how his trauma made it so hard to get friends. That she would understand that cuz of her own trauma of being on edge so often cuz of villains tackling her that she was an isolated mare and discords struggle to friendship mirrored hers.
Author's Note
I want a time skip but left the previous chapter in an odd spot.
Missed Meeting Part2
Apple Jack awoke the next day, groaning as the sun rays hit her eyes. She tiredly got up, wobbling over to her trusty hat. She glanced over to the sound dial mounted to her wall. Ten in the morning, "TEN IN DA MORNIN"?" She squealed, as she hoofed it down a ticket set of stairs and out the door.
"Mornin' Apple Jack, nice of ya to join us!" Granny smiled rocking her chair back and forth.
"Granny? But you, and waaaa" Apple Jack stared in awe at the rows of empty apple trees. "What in tarnation is a happenin'?"
"Aint he just the sweetest? Ya should consider marryin' that stallion' our life 'be so much easier." Granny smiled as she sipped the best tea she's had in ages.
"What ya on 'bout Granny??" Apple Jack yelled "twat happened to that farm?"
"Sombra cleared them trees right up he did then Discord take em to do somethin'. Relax Apple Jack take ta day off been a while, will be a while more."
Apple's eye twitched she couldn't remember the last time she had nothing to do, and she didn't like it. Not one bit.
