Tempest Tossed

With snapping talons, Discord grabs a tome
From empty air. "To truly leave behind
Existing bounds, we'll need a metronome."

He stops and blinks. "I'm never one to mind
A bit of chaos, Dash, but metered speech?
And rhymes? From me? I almost feel confined..."

I shrug. "It's epic. Form can overreach
When life and death contend. You can't expect
Prosaic stuff. We're charging through the breach

"For Applejack!" He sighs and stands erect:
"Because she'd find it stuffy, that's the key.
To seek the body, send the intellect."

Intent, I watch him tear the book in two.
The covers turn to wings. He shouts, "Pursue!"

Like giant moths, the halves go flapping free.
Behind them through the dark, a silver trail
Of dusty sparks appears and calls to me.

"Pursue?" I glance at Discord. "More detail,
I think, will help me know the proper course.
I'm chasing them? They're slow as any snail!"

"They're tracking Applejack, you silly horse."
He glares with narrow eyes and bristling brows.
"Observe and follow, sparing deadly force."

I want to scream. His implications rouse
Reactive cries and urge my blood to boil.
But no. He's right. Instead, I state my vows:

"I killed her, yes, but watch her soon return
Alive no matter what I have to burn."

His mouth's a curveless line. "I hate to spoil
Dramatic, useless declarations. Still,
Realities combine to thwart and foil.

"Employing friendship's meager little pill,
Expect a disappointing ending scene
Performed alone despite your fabled will.

"I've tried to flummox destiny's routine—
The death awaiting Fluttershy and all—
But can't. I'm not allowed to intervene."

A flame erupts between his horns. It's small
But bright with hope. Defiance fills its scent;
Aromas blossom, spring, enchant, enthrall.

"But you," he says, "when driven can't be stopped
Until the final barricade's been dropped."

"Defeating death." I nod. "We can't prevent
The past, but let's expand the present's range."
The books' detritus marks the way they went.

The glowing dust has settled, looking strange:
There isn't any ground, but still it sits
In dusty flakes like dandruff mixed with mange.

Beside me, Discord's humming. "Ah, the glitz
And glamour! Strolling through the darkened lands'
Extensive metaphor, the heights and pits!

"The foolish pony claims she understands,
Declares herself an expert unexcelled.
While wisdom—" Bam! A ball of light expands,

And Luna glares ahead to block the path:
"Begone, buffoons, before ye rouse my wrath!"