High above the misty mountain, cold. Its caverns, deep, had cisterns of gold. Not long ago the great heroes, in beds they laid for the beast was slayed.

Later at dawn, that gilded morn, their journey’s end at last was told. The pony Starlight cast mighty spells, but by the princess Twilight the beast was felled. And in places strange where the chaos reigned, their anguished groans were heard like bells.

In ancient halls for golden thrones, the pony Twilight let out her woes.

“What are we guarding here as guardians? That cunning and tricky friend of ours, who else could’ve guessed he aligned fiendishly? We, oft as shields, saving and shouting from threatening, megalithic monsters, and many times after, each and every sudden venture forward are fatigued and fumbling.”

With this, Starlight agreed.

“He has frustrated us badly, wormed under welcome, so weird-minded that, from what he arranged, there are scant scenes to sit and rest. Offer home-roast hay and oats. I’ll gobble gladly.”

And that was a good breakfast.

AJ, who was also called Applejack, had prepared cider for the heros, after they had bested the burly beast, as it has been told. To this feast came Starswirl and Stygian. Meadowbrook came not, as she had to journey from the bayou. Flash Magnus, their friend, was there, and Rockhoof, with Somnambula, told stories. Mistmane, who had no youth, was there; a wayward spell had bitten off her younger years ere she could live them. There was Big Mac and Sugar Bell, his wife, Celestia with Luna, and Discord was coming. Many were there of the heroes and legends.

Oh how the heroes shook their heads and howled at Discord for meddling and never invited him before they set to drinking. But Discord arrived, and outside the palace he met a royal guard and spoke to him.

“Speak now, guard, or not one step farther shalt thou fare. What cider-talk here do they have within, the oh-so glorious heroes?”

And then the guard spoke. “Of their magic and skill, and their might in war, these glorious ones speak. From the heroes and legends who are gathered here, no friend in words shalt thou find."

“In shall I go to the princess’ hall, at the feast I would like to sit; my loneliness and boredom I bring to the ponies, a fitting gift for the invitation I missed.”

“If thou would go into their hall, and sprinkle on heroes thine words of wit, think thee well lest they wipe it back at thee.”

“Bethink thee little pony,” Discord said and sneered, “if thou and I shall strive with wit and wile, wealthier I grow in weighted words if thou speakest too much to me.”

And then Discord entered the palace, and to the royal dining hall he walked. But all who waited there sipping cider and saw his slithering self fell silent.

“Parched, I am present, and pitter-patter did I pace my pegs to this palace of ponies, to ask of any ardent adventurer to share cider and seat with me. What? Why thee sit in silent stares? A sip of cider and a seat in this palace, prepare for me, or get me gone.”

Rockhoof, the bragging one, rose up on his rock hooves and bellowed at Discord. “A cider and a seat, this palace prepares not for thee. For the heroes know well which creatures they wish to see.”

Turning to his friend, Discord spoke. “Remember, Starlight? In the olden days we both beat Chrysalis. And later again, thou didst promise us a welcome to the school. Will this time be the break of our bond?”

Starlight answered back. “Fine then. Rockhoof, leave him be, lest the words of Discord disturb our peace.”

“Yes, yes, pour cider for me,” Discord spoke and raised his glass. “Hail to you heroes. Hail and glory, all! Save for the one over yonder there, braggart Rockhoof.”

“A shovel and carriage, from my holdings will I give, and a bag of bits to boot.” Rockhoof did not rise to Discord’s challenge. “So that hate thou will not have nor rouse our heroes’ wrath.”

Discord spoke back. “In shovel and bits thou shalt ne’er be rich, braggart, but both shalt thou lack. Of the heroes here together met, least brave art thou, and thine stories lack sincerity.”

“If now were I without as I am within, here in the heroes’ hall, thine head would my shovel’s head bear to pay thee the price of these lies.”

“Seated thou art bold, but not so of thine stories told. The braggart, bravest of braves! But his friend, Stygian, he did not dare save. For when shadows rise his heart did cave.”

Somnambula, beside Rockhoof, did then speak. It was peace and agreement that she would seek. “Please, such a hero as you are, speak not to Discord such words of spite within these halls.”

“Quiet you, Somnambula!” Discord did voice. “Thou art, I say, a mare most fortunate in fame, since thou thy hopeful-bright deeds didst demand offers from thy citizens."

“To thee I speak not with wrathful words. I calm Rockhoof, who is dulled with drink, for I wish not that they be fierce and fight.”

Stygian rose to quiet his friends. “Why, you two heroes, with bitter tongues, do raise hate among us here? Discord is famed for his mockery foul, and the heroes in heorots he hates.”

But against him Discord spoke as well. “Quiet you, Stygian! For now I shall say who led thee to evil life. A shadow’s promise gave powers ominous, and within it thine fate was laid.”

“Mad thou art, Discord,” Starswirl defended his friend, “and little of wit. Ire of Stygian to rouse, for the fate that was set shall not always be.”

“Quiet you, Starswirl! Unjustly thou settest the fate of the fight against friend. Never gavst thou to him who deserved a doubt’s benefit. To you, the baser, the battle's prize."

The came Meadowbrook from the bayou. Bursting open the doors did by the might of the earth pony mage. “Disorderly one, cease. Or my mighty potions shall close thy mouth. The tazlewurm sickness shall I give, and so shall your life be misery.”

“Lo, in has come a pony of earth. Why threaten so loudly, Meadowbrook? Less fierce thou were to fight with the Shadow when he swallowed Stygian up.”

And then, seeing that all were angered toward him, Discord did hover high in the hero’s hall. “I have said to the false friends and haughty heroes the things that whetted my thoughts. But, before thee do I now go forth alone. Friendliest of friends, no friends in thee I find.”

And then Discord did hide himself away in the Canterlot ponds, in the guise of a salmon, but there the heroes got him. The pony princess Twilight tracked the trickster and trapped him in statued stone once again. Starlight spun a spell around the statue to loose the stone-sleep, only when Discord stayed his chaotic ways.

Author's Note

Written by SwordTune.