Tempest Tossed

I stop and wince. For Luna's often yelled,
But now her voice resounds with biting ice:
"You're facing consequences unbeheld!"

I tap the unseen ground. "You want it nice
Or nasty, Princess? Quick's what I prefer,
But really, step aside's the best advice."

Expressions flap across her face and blur,
Astonishment to anger. "Mortal trash!
Prepare your winding sheets and mix your myrrh!

"Contesting death expands from simply rash
To imbecilic! Taking action here,
You court your own dishonor, Rainbow Dash!

"Disperse this magic! Hie yourself away
Before your commendations all decay!"

I snort and stomp. "Rejection, pure and clear,
Defines the worth I give my past awards!
Devoid of any truth, they're straight veneer!

"Dissolve my accolades! Their weight affords
Me less than nothing! Tarnish them, debased—"
A thought. "Or make them hers by some accords!"

"Of course!" Applauding, Discord shouts, "We'll paste
Them into one excessive metal glob
And trade for something equally erased!

"Renounce your valor, Rainbow Dash, the blob
Of overweening fame that crusts your name,
And shove it back at Luna! Shut her gob!

"Your famous deeds will vanish, gone like smoke,
And move to Applejack's account, bespoke!"

I start to nod, but Luna hisses, "Shame!
To stomp your laurels underhoof? Disgust
Attends the thought! You think this life a game?

"You earned the acclamations, earned the trust
Of ponies far and wide! You'd simply throw
Deserving trophies down to shabby dust?"

I give my nod. "Perplexing, yes, I know,
To one who spent a thousand years detained
Because her prideful wrath could only grow.

"You thought your fair accomplishments disdained,
So kill the world! Destroy the trash who dared
Believe the honest principles you feigned!

"What others think I've done's the barest crumb.
You cling to empty fluff? Your views succumb."

Throughout my speech, as Luna gaped and stared,
I'd stepped with steady tread to stand before
Her frozen face, a mix of shocked and scared.

"Prepare yourself," I say. "Adjust the score
To zero mine by elevating hers
In ways that help the one I most adore."

I nod again, and Discord's talon blurs,
A snap that gouges deep within my chest,
Extracting something sharp as any spurs.

I almost gasp but keep the pain suppressed.
"Now move," I say, my voice a croaking creak,
"Or tell me how I haven't passed the test."

The darkness crowds around so none can hide.
Another moment, Luna steps aside.