Song of the Draconequusby OwnageburritoChaptersChaosOrderRockets and TreesShockRecollectionChaos"Ahh... this butter feels good." We join our... hero... in his new home located outside of Ponyville. If you can call it a home that is. "Hey, I never said I wanted to be called a 'hero'. Call me a protagonist. Sounds much better." "...Alright." Our protagonist currently seems to be enjoying a... "Is that butter?" "Why yes! And it feels OH so lovely." Discord Draconequus. Our he- "I JUST told you not to use that!" A quick moment of furious scratching and the real hero of our story begins anew on his page, looking more then slightly irritated. PROTAGONIST, relaxes at home after a long day of magicking for Princess Celestia. "Oh and what a bore that business is. I mean if not for the fact Fluttershy asked me to do so, I'd probably have just turned her into a cupcake with legs, and let a bunch of Pinkies chase her around. Oh, now there's an idea... Still, I will admit it was kind of fun creating some of the new structures. With a few surprises." By now you're probably asking why I'm here with one of the most dangerous, and to my recent discovery annoying, creatures in existence. I have been given the duty to study this rare and powerful creature known as a Draconequus. Which to be honest, not many ponies seem to actually know what it is. And with Discord being somewhat... tamed, this is the perfect opportunity. "Oh don't tell me you're just going to sit there and blah blah blah on about my history are you? By Celestia that's boring." "Well how would... wait, how the hell can you hear me anyway? I haven't said a word! I've just been thinking..." "God of Chaos." "...Right. Don't you think talking to thin air would make you look crazy though?" "...Again, God of Chaos. Crazy may as well be my middle name! Sadly it's just Gregory though." "... Discord Gregory Draconequus?" "What? That makes no sense at all. My names not Gregory!" "But you just...ah forget it." "Oh you're fun!" Rising out of his butter bath, and consequently ruining the sculpture of Celestia he had been building in a rather seductive pose as he steps over his reversed staircase into the kitchen. "So you want to know more about the Draconequus kind ah? Well I might be willing to oblige." Reaching into a refrigerator that blasts out a wave of fire he pulls out a tire iron and munches on the thing as if it were a pastry. I just simply watch with a small gape, closing it as soon as he turns to look. It only serves to illicit a laugh from him. "Tell you what, I'll answer three questions truthfully just out of boredom!" "Really? That easily? Well... first off what exactly ARE you?" "A Draconequus. One down, two to go!" "That didn't answer my... " "Yes it did. I'm a Draconequus. What else were you expecting?" "...Ugh." Okay. Let's see... "Are there more of you? I mean like as in are there more Draconequus besides you?" "Only two exist at the moment. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm the only one that matters!" Casually summoning up a chair to sit in and donning glasses as if he were a celebrity during an interview. "Two? Dear Celestia I hope the other isn't as bad as you are..." "Oh please. He's far worse then me. He's all about Order and keeping things tidy, clean, and boring... makes me wonder how we are even related!" "He? A brother?" This was the first I'd ever heard of there being more then one Draconequus. I wonder if he was just as insane and crazy as this one... "Sadly." He nods solemnly then immediately smiles as he conjures a tiny battlefield in front of me and idly begins doing... I'm not even really sure. It looked like a bakery contest? "Er... alright... well can I ask you a few things about him?" A new pen and paper come from the bag to copy down his accounts. And in probably the best Big Macintosh impression I've ever heard he replies, "Nope." "What? But you have too! You were told to tell me everything in exchange for letting you live here. We need to know more about your kind!" "Sorry, but no. I'm not going to talk about that stuck up fat head." He actually had the gall to stick his tongue out at me and raspberry all over my paper, ruining it. "Wha- I... Fine! I'll go ask him myself, you're obviously no help you childish..." I'd probably better not repeat what came after that. Fillies could be reading these notes years later after all... "That would be a very bad idea my little pony. My brother isn't as nice as I am. Well he thinks he is, but he's not." "Hmph, I don't care I'm going to interview him regardless." "Whatever you like, if you want him to bore you to death be my guest... Oh and I mean that quite literally." With a quiet sigh I decide to give the unruly Discord one last chance to work with me, "I've still got one last question for you to answer. I'd like to know where you originally came from." "...Really? No one has ever bothered to ask about where I came from. Anyway it goes a little something like this... Mommy and Daddy loved each other SO much that they decided to..." What followed I dare not write down, though I can say it involved rubber chickens, glue, mayonnaise a lot of duct tape, and graphically done pictures with small dolls. Thoroughly shocked and appalled I gather up my paper and pens with a magical hue (I mentioned I'm a unicorn right?) and pass everything into my bags. "I'm done with you. Maybe your brother will be more cooperative." Sure as hell couldn't be worse... "Wonderful! Now get out so I can get back to my game." And by game he meant pitting two miniature armies that had grown out of the tiny bakery contest on the ground against one another, one made out of cheese and dairy products with the opponents being monsters of chocolate and gingersnaps. "Yes my minions! Entertain your master! Release the Chockren! Muahahah!" Ugh... And so I left the upside mansion Discord had created to live in, taking a moment to facehoof until I felt was satisfied. Needless to say, I was there for close to an hour before I finally left towards my new destination... Author's Note The story is going to change view points a few times, with this one being the most radical. Pretty soon things will get a little more intense. OrderA perfect cube of solid steel stands resolute against everything that surrounds it. Giant piles of absolutely nothing surround the landscape of a completely flat desert. Void of anything that could be used as a landmark or sort of bearing to navigate, even the sky was blank as the rump of a few certain crusaders. The ground solid grey to match with the large cube to the point it's hard to tell where one begins and the other ends. As creepy as the place was though I have a job to do... "Come in, I know you're there. Disgusting, malformed creature..." Such a plain voice with no obvious underlying tones or shifts in pitch to place. It was like listening to a robot speak, if robots could even sound disgusted at the same time. "...Rather rude, but at least I'm allowed to enter." But from what side? The structure was obviously it's... his... home. But there was no obvious entrance. The tomes clearly stated to find a place of absolute uniformity, and the voice that floated out from within the structure confirmed my thoughts but... "Don't move, I don't want you stepping all over my perfectly flat sand any further then you already have." The disembodied voice called out almost lazily. And with a quiet clapping sound I was suddenly inside the surprisingly well lit box of metal. And before me stood... well something. Where as Discord was a discombobulation of animals thrown haphazardly together to form what he is now this particular Draconequus was perfectly... symmetrical? That's all I could think of to be honest. Made up of different animals, he sported two tiger paws for hands, a pair of kangaroo legs for feet, the body of some kind of sleek fish (I'm still not totally sure.) the tail of a monkey which writhed behind him irritatingly, and finally atop the conglomeration of animals rested the head of a lion. Of all these features however what struck me as strange though, was how he was perfectly split down the center with one half of him white and the other pure black. "Well you're here now, and I know you have questions so let's get on with it." The Draconequus eyed me over with an appraising look like a business man would a new product. "U-uh... yes. Yes I have a few questions if that's alright. Mind telling me your name?" "My name is Monotonous Draconequus." I guessed it was due to his monotone voice. And actions. And well... everything. "So... you're a Draconequus right?" He rolls his eyes as if this were obvious. And really, it kind of was so I simply blush sheepishly to him. "And... do you have powers like Discord? Dominion over something?" I sounded much braver then I felt. It's not every day you talk to something akin to a god after all, especially something like this. "Yes. God of Order." He replies, a small grin crossing his features. I'd have to say this was more terrifying then anything. A smile like that could only mean trouble, but I did my best to keep the conversation going. I couldn't let my friend back home down. "Oh, so it's kinda like with Luna and Celestia, night and day..." "Of sorts. So I take it you met my younger brother already then? How is the little brat?" He seemed to take pleasure in insulting his more chaotic sibling, but I said nothing. Although aside from his rudeness, this Draconequus was easier to talk to than Discord... "Ugh I can't stand it... you're absolutely dreadful to even look at." His voice practically dripping with venomous distaste at my apparently bad looks. I'm not one for vanity but I wasn't the worst looking pony around. Or well I hoped so anyway. Stupid self esteem. "Wh-what? Are you calling me ugly or something?" "Stupid too? No redeeming factors to speak of. Such a shame. Perhaps I should improve you..." "Improve? What's that supposed to mean...?" Every instinct told me to leave, to run and hide from this... unnatural thing. But a quick glance around reminded me there was no way in or out of this strange cube... "Shush child, and let your better improve your existence..." I backed away slightly from him as his eyes glowed lightly against the bleak darkness, and with another soft clap my skin was drained of it's color. My tail and mane turned to an incredibly bleak gray, almost looking as if I was ill. Even my cutie mark changed slightly to accommodate the sudden change in color. I felt tired and mute. As if he had somehow removed my capacity for emotions. I could barely see, everything being gray and cold. My hearing was impaired as well as my sense of touch. It was as if someone had taken a damp cloth over my mind to block all sense of perceptions. "What... did you do... to me..." "Glorious isn't it? Nothing out of place, nothing different, perfectly pure!" "But... my skin... it's blank... I can barely see... my cutie mark..." "Pah! Color is an obtrusion on the delicacy of perfection! Only by being blank can you truly be happy!" "But... no one will recognize me..." "And what is the problem with that my dear? Who needs names and friends when you can be perfect? The gift I have given to you will make all your pains disappear! No more worrying about anything as there's nothing to worry about to begin with!. " "I... should go..." "Yes, go! Go and show the world your new-found beauty! Show them the artistry of Monotonous! Perhaps now after seeing how wonderful being perfect can be they will finally allow me to take rightful place as Master. Imagine, a world of gray and silence! Void of any kind of suffering or torment! Oh it'd be simply glorious. Yes, go forth my new creation and tell the world of my return!" Another silent clap and I stood outside, the cube gone and the world looking as a blank and sad as I felt. Actually I wasn't sure if I was sad or not... I turn to follow the hoof prints home, a shroud of gray overtaking my every sense as things begin to blur... I... need... to find help... before I lose myself... Author's Note Who is our mysterious Author? Will he/she be able to return to their former selves? And what about this strange creature Monotonous...? Rockets and TreesJust walk to town I said. I can find help there, I thought. Clearly rethinking that decision as I sit here in the town jail, thrown in here because I look like a monster. I can't argue, I bet I really do look like one, but I was never given a chance to explain. Just a rush of activity and here I was, caged like some kind of animal. No one would speak to me or even listen to me until they figured out what "the monster" was. Then again it was difficult to tell how fast time was passing. Seconds felt like years and minutes flew by without me even noticing. Most I can remember coming to town was some shock of pink jumping at me for a hug, then running away immediately yelling about... something. Was that Pinkie? I can't remember... I'm in... where was I? The grayness had invaded my memories, changing everything I knew into the same dull blank grayness as it. Nothing made sense, and I felt myself slipping further and further... I felt like crying, tears already making their way to the forefront. But I deny them not wanting to lose control of myself to that infernal fog. I'll just wait it out until someone comes to get me. They wouldn't leave me here would they...? I'm so tired... maybe a quick rest will help... ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Creeeaaak... "Is it asleep?" A quiet timid voice asked as a cream colored nose pokes through accompanied by a large eye to view inside. "Yea, seems like it. Let's go!" A scratchier voice filled with courage calls out in a loud whisper behind the quiet mare, shoving her into the cell room, shutting the door as quietly as possible behind herself. "Eep! Don't push Rainbow! Y-you'll wake it...!" She pleads with her friend as the two finally make their way towards the cage, where on the ground lying on it's side was a totally grey Stallion unicorn. "Come on, you got your friend Rainbow Dash here! Even if it did wake up I'd knock it out in two seconds before it could do anything!" The boastful cyan pegasus reassures her friend with a menacing gesture towards the monster before them. Although it seemed to just scare Fluttershy more then anything. "W-we aren't here to hurt it, just figure out what it is..." "Well hurry up and figure it out then! This place smells pretty bad." Crinkling her nose at the obvious smell of various body fluids and unkempt clothing. "Well... um... it looks like a normal pony..." "Well DUH. But you saw what it did to the other ponies that touched it! No normal pony could do that, unicorn or not!" She shivered a bit as everything that touched the gray unicorn slowly became just as gray and dull as the creature before them. "Come on you're sure there's nothing you know about him? I mean Pinkie... You saw what happened to her." Rainbow looked to her friend almost pleadingly for answers. "I-I know... but there's nothing different about him, except his cutie mark. It's just a gray splotch on his flank." Wait... what...? No it's not supposed to be that, it's... what was it? I don't remember... Rainbow Dash gives a gasp and backs up, pulling Fluttershy with her as she gives a frightened squeak "He's waking up!" It took every ounce of strength left in me to meekly call out to them in a normal voice, the incessant gray making even the smallest of actions difficult. "Wait... help me..." Fluttershy was the first to respond, "Help you? But I don't even know what or who you are." "Name... is..." "Your name is...?" The brightly colored mare looked accusingly at me, I felt insanely jealous of all her colors. If I was capable of feeling that anyway. "I don't... remember." I felt myself slipping back into that deep grayness behind my eyes, like a fog that simply wouldn't lift for me. "What?! That's a big load of horsefeathers if I ever heard it... he's just playing us Flutters. I mean how do you forget your own name?" The cyan colored pegasus floats through the air with her arms crossed, not trusting this gray thing one bit. Fluttershy on the other hand taps a hoof to her chin, "I'm not sure... he seems sincere about it..." Remembering hurt. I couldn't pull forth my name or anything close to it... I kept getting images of pink and a device... a rocket-ship? Pain keeps flaring, it's unbearable... but no, I'm not going to submit to it that easily. "Pink... and rockets..." "Pink rockets?" Rainbow just looked at me with confusion, and nodded towards the gray that was starting to seep all around my cage now, as if my presence here was poisonous. "We uh... we better go. We need to go check on Pinkie anyway... Come on Fluttershy." "Okay..." And that was that. Nothing else happened, other then watching as my cell slowly became gray. I thought it was just my imagination, but did I hear cries outside? Or am I just hearing things now? It's so hard to tell... Maybe I'll just sleep a little longer... _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile... "Oh it feels so GOOD to flex the chaos! And I really do think they look better this way." Discord had finished with his tasks rather quickly today, and was out causing a little bit of mischief as usual. Today he had decided that the green trees were just too boring around Sweet Apple Acres, and decided to give them a little more... life. "They're bucking PURPLE Discord! Ain't no one's gonna want to eat a PURPLE apple! Ah mean just look at it, looks like it's rotten!" A very upset Applejack stamped her hoof at the prankster who was busy crushing apples into grape juice. Somehow. Eh it's Discord... "Well, I don't know about you but I think they look delicious! Maybe there's a market for them, think about it. Colored apples. Apple pies that look more festive! Who wouldn't like that?" Pouring his freshly made grape-apple juice into a carton he inspects it for a moment before finding it lacking and tosses it behind him where it promptly explodes. Into pudding cups. "Discord, ah'll say it just once now you hear? Turn im back the way they're supposed to look, or I'll tell Twilight what you did!" she says in annoyance with the infamous prankster. Discord simply rolls his eyes and with a snap of his fingers the myriad of colored trees revert to their normal green state. "There, happy now? I still say ponies would like a little more variety in their apples." "Variety and just plum strange are two different things Discord... Ain't you supposed to be helpin' Pinkie with a party today or somethin'?" Anything to get him out of here... she thought to herself quietly. "Oh that's right! She wanted me to make more of those delicious cotton candy clouds, stroke of genius if I may add. I swear, she's the only pony around here who genuinely appreciates me," a couch popping into existence behind him to fall on dramatically as he really starts putting on a performance, "Oh woe is me, the unappreciated, unnoticed, unrewarded, unvalued, unsung hero that is... DISCORD! Forever doomed to be nothing but a statue..." His performance was impressive to say the least, accompanied by holy chorus and lights with a fountain in the background. Didn't do much to impress Applejack, especially right as he finishes he rolls on the ground laughing at his own apparent stupidity. And with a huff she just sighs tiredly, shifting her weight as she looks off to the western orchard, which had yet to be bucked. "Just get outta here Discord, I ain't got time for your shenanigans..." The problem apparently dealt with, she turns to leave and finish out her days work. Discord shrugs and levitates one of the aforementioned pudding packs to his side, fork in hand as he thoughtfully munches away at the apparently crunchy pudding. "Hm. Pinkie throwing a party is always fun to do, the girl is fun to be around. Then again I could just go take a nap. But that'd be boring..." He walks a little further along before noticing gray splotches on the ground resembling hoofprints. "Oh. Someone made a mess! But what is that anyway...? Looks familar." Realization dawns on him and he gives a sigh, tossing the pudding cup away as he follows the trail. "He SERIOUSLY found him? What an idiot. And now he's gone and gotten himself into this. Hope no one else has contracted it at least! Otherwise Ponyville is going to become a very boring place..." Author's Note Discord apparently knows what's going on, but is he going to help fix the problem or just make it worse? What could've possibly happened to Pinkie? Will our hero ever return to normal? Find out next time...! Shock...Cupcakes... streamers... rocketships... wait what? I don't... oh yea! I'm asleep. Silly Pinkie. Still what's that thing doing here? Looks a lot like... huh! Reminds me of somepony! But um... who was it again? Some kinda smarty-pants like Twilight but like, a THOUSAND times more! I can't remember his name. Weird! Wait! I bet it's super duper important! It feels like it is anyway! Momma always told me that dreams had important stuff in them, and to try and figure them out. Hm. Maybe if I think REAL hard about it... nope I got nothing! Oh well! Hey why am I asleep? It wasn't bed time last I checked! What happened? Did Ditzy conk me on the head again? My Pinkie Sense didn't go off so I don't think so... Oh yea, it was that sad pony! What happened to him? Or me for that matter! Hmmmmm. Well I'm sure it'll work out fine after a bit, I bet I just fell asleep! Hahaha! Sadly, Pinkie was in the St.Mares Hospital due to a shock-induced coma from events earlier that day. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Earlier that day... Pinkie was bouncing along as usual meeting and greeting every passing pony with a cheerful smile and the occasional joke. Just another normal day with her until her tail and hooves started to itch. That usually meant something nasty was going to happen to somepony nearby. Giving herself an idle scratch she stops to look around and warn the nearby mule, "Hey, careful now! Something bad is about to happen!" giving him an award winning smile, then humming gently to herself as she bounced off. Quite possibly the most cheerful doomsayer you'd ever meet. After finishing her hellos for the morning she ponders what to do as she bounces on happily. The Cakes had given her the day off from Sugercube Corner and there were no birthdays, parties, banquets, or even social get together's to attend. So what was a Pinkie to do? Easy. Hop along until you meet someone new! Remembering her past mistake she decides to stay within hopping distance of Ponyville, and although that penguin was a great new friend she didn't like the idea of being a Pinkie Popsicle again. A slow mute clop was heard as a lone figure trailed down a path towards town. Who's this? A new friend?! Yay! Just what a bored Pinkie needed! I'll need to get the balloons and confetti and go grab my party cannon, better make sure to put confetti in it this time... But even as she rambled on to herself about preparations for this strangers party she noticed something a little off about him. It was as if the light bent away from him, no that's not quite it... colors seemed dim around him. Just looking in his direction made Pinkie feel a strange sense of loss, as if someone she knew had disappeared. Something was wrong about that pony, so she walks over to check on him. "Hi! You must be new here, my name's Pinkie Pie!" Giving him the sweetest of smiles as she introduced herself. "..." As if she doesn't exist he keeps on walking. Inexorably and determined. "...Well uh, welcome to Ponyville!" Quiet huh? I've dealt with this before! Just stay positive... Although she couldn't help but feel a bit down at the silent treatment she was getting. "..." "Cat got your tongue mister? Eheheh..." Laughing a bit nervously at his continued silence. "...Mmnh..." A low grunt is all that is heard from the strange stallion, and to Pinkies curiosity discovered how he left a trail of hoof prints behind him. "Oh wow, you're super duper DIRTY! When was the last time you had a bath? You don't stink though, so maybe it's just dust? Or something?" She trots along beside him for a short while as she tries to coax him from silence. To get anything, even an annoyed shout for her to leave would be better then this stony silence. "Hey, now you're just being rude to me!" Reaching over she puts a hoof on his shoulder to stop him, and the second she touches him he freezes in place as if suddenly time stopped for a second, startling her and making her jump back. "O-oh um... I... uh... sorry! I uh... heh..." She squeaks loudly in surprise and blushes a bit feeling quite silly, but the gray Stallion pays her no mind and continues on his way, silent and slow as ever. Giving a small sigh of defeat she turns around to walk away from the strange stallion, "Well... I'm sure he'll come around! I'll throw him a great party later. I wonder what color streamers he'd like..." Tapping a hoof to her chin she notices a little bit of the grey... stuff... he had been leaving behind on her hoof, ugly and almost sickly looking. "Eeyuck. He really WAS a dirty pony, I'd better go wash this off..." her voice trailing off as the small gray splotch on her hoof slowly grew larger right in front of her. "H-huh...? Hey wha-what is this stuff...?!" Waving her hoof frantically as if to shake off the encroaching grayness she screeches for help, doing everything possible to try and get the smudge off. "Get it oooooffff! Oh my gosh what is it?!" Flailing around helplessly she takes a deep breath. "Okay, okay calm down Pinkamena... think! Just... just get to the doctor! Yeah, he can help...!" Rushing off as quickly as possible she hides her graying hoof as she passes through town with a speed even Rainbow Dash would admire. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ "...And so I say 'No that's not my pet, that's my wife!'" A round of laughter and grins abound as the hospital doctor and his assistant enjoy a quiet moment. Days like today were rare, calm and accident free, and they intended to enjoy it. A white unicorn stallion with cutie mark of an anatomically correct heart grins at his own joke, nudging his nearby friend with a teasing look. "Try and top that one Red! Best one so far." The doctor challenging his student playfully. "I'm not sure if I can Ray!" replies his assistant, a brownish Earth Pony who just recently ascended colthood who goes by the name of Red Cross. If it weren't obvious, having a Red Cross on his flank. "Guess I win then ah? Hahaha!" Letting loose with a laugh and leaning against the nearby wall he sighs gently. "Maybe I oughta let us take the day off. Haven't had one in months, and Celestia knows we coul-" CRASH! "What in the hay..." "OHHHHHH MYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH HEEEEEEELP!!" The scream followed by someone beating their desk ring to death. A small sigh escapes the colt as he stands up to head to the front desk, waving at his coworkers "Probably a kid broke his arm or something, I can handle it...", disappearing through the doors he immediately turns around wide eyed with terror as he looks to the doctor nearby. "What is it? Ponypox? Please don't tell me it's another one of those factory accidents...?" Ray looks to his protege with a slight concern, he'd taught the colt not to fear any illness or injury no matter how severe. As it was important to stay calm and to perform perfectly under pressure. And now the poor colt looked like he was about to wet himself. "Sh-she's... I d-don't even kn-know." Is all he manages to stammer out. The older and wiser unicorn pushes past the assistant. Clearly this was something serious, but he was sure he could... "Dear Celestia what is that on her face?!" _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight was the first on the scene, having been contacted by the hospital to investigate a "new and terrible disease" that had afflicted who they thought was Pinkie Pie. Dropping everything, even her prized books in a pile, she yells to Spike to close up for the day and to meet her later... At the hospital... "Ray, what was that?! I've never seen anything like it before!" The worried colt looked pleadingly to his mentor for even a small ounce of knowledge, but the unicorn could only shake his head. "I don't know Red. It's something I've never seen before... hopefully Twilight will know more. Because this definitely isn't a normal disease. It looks more like a curse.." he shivers a bit at the mention of such dark arts, "She should be here soon." Doors slam themselves open hard enough to leave cracks on the walls as Twilight storms into the hospital with a frantic look in her eyes. "Where is she? Is Pinkie okay? Where?!" yelling at them impatiently she continues on ahead towards the rooms, but she's blocked by the Unicorn. "Wait, miss Sparkle! You don't want to touch her! We don't how this thing spreads, but everything she touches seems to be affected!" Doing his best from preventing her to enter at least until he had explained himself. "What?! Then... well I have to at least see her!" The young stallion nodding to her reassuringly, "Don't worry, we put her in the observation room we use for lecture. It has fully functional medical capabilities, but we are able to observe her at a safe distance." She takes a deep breath and does her best to calm down, getting panicky wasn't going to help anyone, and right now Pinkie needed her more then ever. "Okay, okay... did you tell anyone else?" "No. So far we are the only ones who know about this." "Okay... well... let's go check on her..." she nods solemnly to the both of them to lead the way, preparing her for the worst of what she might see. They walk down multiple linoleum lined hallways, cleaned to the point of shiny reflection Twilight can't help but feel a little calmed by it all. If not for her affinity with magic she might've aspired to become a nurse. But that's not important right now as she focuses ahead on the final set of double doors they approach, opening out into a room that hung above a large auditorium-like stage, with a single table as it's center piece. It was a depressing sight. Pinkie Pie was strapped to the table with strong leather straps that held her tightly as multiple monitoring equipment tubes ran into her, sustaining her. At first Twilight didn't even recognize the mare, her skin changed to a grey ash-like color, mane reduced to a monotone shale and perhaps most disturbing of all, her cutie mark had deformed into a droop of it'[s previous glory, the party balloons looking wilted and deprived of air. She appeared to be sleeping but would occasionally jerk her body awkwardly against the bindings. Tears well up in her eyes and Twilight looks away, unable to see her friend in such a state. "How long has she been like this...?" "About an hour. She wasn't completely gray when we contacted you however, and her cutie mark has only just begun to change." "But... that's impossible! No force in the world should be able to change a ponies cutie mark! It's a mark of destiny and fate, something like that isn't so easily changed!" Twilight's mind runs through every conceivable explanation for the disturbing turn of events, racking her mind until she thought her head would explode. "I don't know what could've caused this... but... I know where I can find out." She nods to the two doctors in finality, determination in her eyes as she develops a plan. "I want you to contact Rainbow Dash and let her know about the situation, and tell her and the girls to come be here with Pinkie. I'm going to go find a cure for this, no matter the cost! Surely something like this has happened before..." _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile... Discord floats along lazily, observing where the tracks lead him until finally he reaches the prison. Yawning a bit as if waking from a nap he scratches his backside idly, looking around at the various ponies that dare to look at him. Most were scared. Ah well, just makes pranking them that much easier! Hoohohooo! No, Discord you aren't here for that! Not yet anyway. Gotta find the poor sap that met with a terrible fate and fix him before things get out of hand. Again. Yeesh last time was bad enough, but this time I actually CARE about these ponies. Well. One, anyway. And with a small annoyed sigh he set off to enter the prison, but is stopped by the guard on duty. "Halt! Where do you think you're going Discord?" The guard obviously putting on a show, and practically shaking in his boots, Discord decides maybe he COULD squeeze in a little fun... "Oh nowhere you know. Just thought I'd let the psychopaths free into society! Oh, that rhymed didn't it? Poet and I didn't even know I had the capability to be!" Laughing wildly at his own (terrible) joke. "I'm afraid I c-can't allow that." The stallion holding up his spear for protection as the poor Earth Pony attempts to do his duty. "Oh. Well. Alrighty then! Ciao!" And with a wave the great and mighty God of Chaos was defeated by a town guard, complete with fiery explosions and lots of dramatic monologue that if I tried to write down now would probably end up as it's own show on Shoen Pony! Right next to that strange show with the orange ninja pony... you know what, back to the story. In reality Discord just made a huge show of himself for giggles and to distract the guards as the real Discord snuck inside to find his target... Author's Note Will Twilight find out the answers to this problem? Is Pinkie going to be okay? Who the HELL is the main character? Bugger if I know! Find out next time...! RecollectionA tired yawn is given by lone unicorn sitting alone in a small study. His coat a deep earthen brown with a tinge of green giving it the slight appearance of dirt. A fact his friends refuse to let him forget about, much to his annoyance. On the colt's (or young stallion perhaps?) flank was a light-bulb switched on, showing his passion for science and all things interesting. Or maybe his natural talent for invention and innovation. Or maybe just a strange affinity for light-bulbs. His mane being a solid dark gold with flecks of white about the hair, with his tail matching. Both disheveled and messy but this was the normal style for him. Putting the quill down he looks around at his "organized chaos" as another unicorn had told him once. All manner of objects decorate the slightly cramped space as he sits alone by candlelight. Laboratory equipment strewn all along the desk haphazardly in front of him, although if you were to ask him he'd be able to find anything here in the room with a simple nod of the head and a bit of magic. Putting the quill from his magical grasp he rubs at a tired eye and looks over his work, finding it lacking a certain element as he frowns a bit. Ugh... And of course I forget THE most important part. Possibly one of the greatest scientific discoveries of all ponykind, and I completely forget to put down my own name! He reprimands himself slightly, although he still can't help but feel that bubble of warmth in his heart from remembering his achievements. Especially with a certain somepony, even if it was pure accident. Then again most great things happen on accident this story was proof of that. He muses to himself quietly then grabbing his quill in a soft golden green glow of magic he scribbles quickly on the cover of his slightly abused journal... Song of the Draconequus By Rocket A. Science Seemingly satisfied with his penmanship he returns the quill to it's place on the desk standing up from his pillow and giving a stretch of the legs for good measure he trots out of the study slowly into a long hallway dotted with doors at various intervals. The walls stark white and hardly any decoration as he walks through calmly. A rather distinct contrast from his cramped study. Oddly there are no handles or hinges to use these doors, but with a glow of his horn the door slides open with a silent sound of air escaping. A simple trick to deter those who would invade his home from the creations inside... He walks by and opens each door in turn to peer inside. The first holds a monstrosity of a machine. An enormous complex of wires, cords, and metal occupies the entire wall. This new creation of his was rather amazing at what it could do, from performing mathematical feats within seconds to producing sounds with a simple button press! It could even send messages over vast distances in a matter of seconds! He had yet to name it, or even let it be known of it's existence. But what to name a device that could compute with such power? Pausing a moment to see if inspiration would touch his mind again with a brilliant name for this computing masterpiece he shrugs after a moment, Eh. I'm sure it'll come to me eventually... Next on his stops was a room filled with various chemicals and vials looking somewhat of a mad scientists lab. And in a way it was. Not that he was mad. He steps inside for a moment to flip a switch, machines powering down and dimming to a dull glow made the room a bit disturbing to look at, the various chemicals letting off soft lights mixed with the glow of the machines nearby gave it an ethereal look. Note to self, make chemical lab look less... scary. Feeling a bit silly for being afraid of deadly chemicals in a dark room he chuckles to himself and turns around to continue down the hall. The third room held multiple suits of different designs and materials. In a sort of demented way, it was like a scientists boutique of suits for varying situations. His personal favorite was a black and orange suit which he has dubbed the PEV Suit (Poni-Environment Safety Suit). Specifically designed to keep the wearer of the suit from harms way it contained everything you could possibly need to survive any situation. He only ever made two of the suits, one for himself and an assistant if needed, but he's had multiple requests from his colleagues to make a third so that they could replicate it. And he will, whenever he gets around to it. They can wait. The final room contains nothing but a small sphere centered in the room surrounded by glyphs of containment and suppression holding a swirling hurricane of anger and gray inside. A subtle marriage of new-age science and ancient magic, Rocket can't help but smirk a bit at the trapped energy and thinks back to the day his life changed and he had met her. The day that changed everything for him and made all of this possible... A quiet voice snaps him out of his recollection. "Rocky? What are you doing up...? It's late." "Oh nothing. Just finished writing that chapter over my results from our star attraction here." Smiling as he looks back to the pony in the darkness he gestures to the heavily sealed orb in the room. The pony shifts slightly in the doorway as she answers, "You know, it always makes me nervous to be in here. Sometimes I wish we could just get rid of it, but that's impossible so..." "Trust me, I know the feeling. But we can't destroy it so we just have to hold it here, otherwise someone might find it..." Turning around to step towards the other unicorn he gently gives her a hug to reassure her before speaking, "And what are you still doing here? It IS rather late you know." "I... uh... well I didn't want to look rude and... uh... leave before saying goodnight..." She stutters out the words to him, and the heat in her cheeks was practically radiating enough for him to notice although he couldn't see her clearly. "Is that so miss Sparkle?" The unicorn laughs loudly... the world starts to spin. Everything becomes clouded and harsh as the room fades. The orb in the center pulsating horridly now as space and time rip each other apart until... _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Jerking awake from the sudden images I look around at the interior to my prison. A dream or... a memory? It's hard to tell. Everything blends together now... My head is pounding, but the pain is dull and seems as though it doesn't belong to me. Like I was just observing another persons pain. Closing my eyes I concentrate to remember. It was the first thing I'd seen that wasn't part of the grayness. I try so hard to pull it back from the depths of my mind and though I feel the memory it gets harder to hold onto until all at once it's gone again, except for the strange sense of someone nearby. The mare? Strange... I can't see her through this endless fog but I know she's near. Maybe she knows who I am? I gotta find her, for my own sake at least. Opening my eyes I look at the simple cell I'd been tossed into, the bars rusted and looking as though it'd be simple to break them. I was a unicorn right? He didn't take that away did he? A quick touch to the forehead quelled the dread that was rising in me, and I nodded to myself. Okay good... maybe I can use my magic again. What magic did I use before though, I wonder? My mark... what was it again? Questions about myself rising from nowhere I do my best to at least try and bring back the image of what I thought was myself. After a good long hour or so of trying to remember more about myself, I could only really conclude I was a unicorn, my name was Rocket, and that I was known by at least another unicorn. "Better than nothing I guess..."I mumble quietly and notice how the bars were made out of candy... wait what? "Oh GOOD you finally woke up. I was afraid I'd have to shock you awake! Would've too if I didn't risk getting... that. Whatever that is." A strange creature floated around before me, looking as relaxed as can be on a small floating cloud. "What...?" I still find it hard to speak. "Speak up speak up! I can't heeeeaaar you!" Discord calls in an annoying voice, perking a claw to his ear as if to hear me better. Wait, his name is Discord...? I know this... thing? Rolling his eyes exasperatedly as he looks me over. "Oh for heavens sake. Don't tell me he silenced you AND cursed you? I gotta admit though, ol' Monty out did himself this time! Not even sure if I can get rid of it all." I perk up at the mention of getting rid of this curse. "You... can fix... me?" "Maybe. Possibly. Probably. Thing about Order is how it always works when something happens, and chaos is not knowing if anything will happen at all! Care to take a gamble my little friend?" Discords eyes glow wickedly in the dim light, extending a glowing paw to me. "It's quite simple how it works. You simply can't remove this kind of curse only pass it on to someone else or get Monty himself to fix it. Can't just give it to just anyone though, you have to give it to someone you care about." "Someone... I care... about? But I don't... remember." Do I even have someone I care about? Discord simply laughs and nods, "Exactly! You'll have NO idea who you'll be cursing until AFTER you curse them! Tragic isn't it? You could curse your parents or your sibling or a friend or even the twin you never knew you had until this very moment!" "Anything... anything to get rid of this..." I was losing my mind to this grayness. I couldn't refuse the offer of escape. "Splendid then! Well without further..." He reaches towards me with his magicked claw and I brace myself for the relief of finally escaping this madness, when I feel the warmth and happiness of that mare again... "Wait." "Oh what is it now?" Giving me an annoyed look as I hold up a hoof. "I change my mind... I don't want anyone to suffer this horrible grayness." Even if there's the slightest chance it'd be her... She must really mean something to me for me to do this. "...That's a bad idea my little friend." The god of chaos was actually serious for once, a glaring look at me that would make most ponies wilt with fear. I guess I have the curse to thank for this as I didn't feel much from it at all. "I don't have time for more games, much as I'd like too. I either swap the curse to someone else more manageable or I have to destroy you here and now." "Wh-what...?" Even through the dense fog I felt a chill run down my spine as the lazy and nonchalant creature became deadly serious, the glow in his hand changing from a yellowish glow to a reddish blaze in his hands. "What do you mean... more manageable?" "Oh it'd take too long to explain and you're nearly there. I can't waste anymore time." Giving a sigh as he readies a bolt of energy, "Oh well. I'll just explain to Celestia what happened. After all one dead unicorn is better than..." The world explodes from under me. Am I dead...? Author's Note Has Rocket Science kicked the bucket? Has Discord saved the day? How does Twilight tie into all this? Find out next time...!
Chaos"Ahh... this butter feels good." We join our... hero... in his new home located outside of Ponyville. If you can call it a home that is. "Hey, I never said I wanted to be called a 'hero'. Call me a protagonist. Sounds much better." "...Alright." Our protagonist currently seems to be enjoying a... "Is that butter?" "Why yes! And it feels OH so lovely." Discord Draconequus. Our he- "I JUST told you not to use that!" A quick moment of furious scratching and the real hero of our story begins anew on his page, looking more then slightly irritated. PROTAGONIST, relaxes at home after a long day of magicking for Princess Celestia. "Oh and what a bore that business is. I mean if not for the fact Fluttershy asked me to do so, I'd probably have just turned her into a cupcake with legs, and let a bunch of Pinkies chase her around. Oh, now there's an idea... Still, I will admit it was kind of fun creating some of the new structures. With a few surprises." By now you're probably asking why I'm here with one of the most dangerous, and to my recent discovery annoying, creatures in existence. I have been given the duty to study this rare and powerful creature known as a Draconequus. Which to be honest, not many ponies seem to actually know what it is. And with Discord being somewhat... tamed, this is the perfect opportunity. "Oh don't tell me you're just going to sit there and blah blah blah on about my history are you? By Celestia that's boring." "Well how would... wait, how the hell can you hear me anyway? I haven't said a word! I've just been thinking..." "God of Chaos." "...Right. Don't you think talking to thin air would make you look crazy though?" "...Again, God of Chaos. Crazy may as well be my middle name! Sadly it's just Gregory though." "... Discord Gregory Draconequus?" "What? That makes no sense at all. My names not Gregory!" "But you just...ah forget it." "Oh you're fun!" Rising out of his butter bath, and consequently ruining the sculpture of Celestia he had been building in a rather seductive pose as he steps over his reversed staircase into the kitchen. "So you want to know more about the Draconequus kind ah? Well I might be willing to oblige." Reaching into a refrigerator that blasts out a wave of fire he pulls out a tire iron and munches on the thing as if it were a pastry. I just simply watch with a small gape, closing it as soon as he turns to look. It only serves to illicit a laugh from him. "Tell you what, I'll answer three questions truthfully just out of boredom!" "Really? That easily? Well... first off what exactly ARE you?" "A Draconequus. One down, two to go!" "That didn't answer my... " "Yes it did. I'm a Draconequus. What else were you expecting?" "...Ugh." Okay. Let's see... "Are there more of you? I mean like as in are there more Draconequus besides you?" "Only two exist at the moment. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm the only one that matters!" Casually summoning up a chair to sit in and donning glasses as if he were a celebrity during an interview. "Two? Dear Celestia I hope the other isn't as bad as you are..." "Oh please. He's far worse then me. He's all about Order and keeping things tidy, clean, and boring... makes me wonder how we are even related!" "He? A brother?" This was the first I'd ever heard of there being more then one Draconequus. I wonder if he was just as insane and crazy as this one... "Sadly." He nods solemnly then immediately smiles as he conjures a tiny battlefield in front of me and idly begins doing... I'm not even really sure. It looked like a bakery contest? "Er... alright... well can I ask you a few things about him?" A new pen and paper come from the bag to copy down his accounts. And in probably the best Big Macintosh impression I've ever heard he replies, "Nope." "What? But you have too! You were told to tell me everything in exchange for letting you live here. We need to know more about your kind!" "Sorry, but no. I'm not going to talk about that stuck up fat head." He actually had the gall to stick his tongue out at me and raspberry all over my paper, ruining it. "Wha- I... Fine! I'll go ask him myself, you're obviously no help you childish..." I'd probably better not repeat what came after that. Fillies could be reading these notes years later after all... "That would be a very bad idea my little pony. My brother isn't as nice as I am. Well he thinks he is, but he's not." "Hmph, I don't care I'm going to interview him regardless." "Whatever you like, if you want him to bore you to death be my guest... Oh and I mean that quite literally." With a quiet sigh I decide to give the unruly Discord one last chance to work with me, "I've still got one last question for you to answer. I'd like to know where you originally came from." "...Really? No one has ever bothered to ask about where I came from. Anyway it goes a little something like this... Mommy and Daddy loved each other SO much that they decided to..." What followed I dare not write down, though I can say it involved rubber chickens, glue, mayonnaise a lot of duct tape, and graphically done pictures with small dolls. Thoroughly shocked and appalled I gather up my paper and pens with a magical hue (I mentioned I'm a unicorn right?) and pass everything into my bags. "I'm done with you. Maybe your brother will be more cooperative." Sure as hell couldn't be worse... "Wonderful! Now get out so I can get back to my game." And by game he meant pitting two miniature armies that had grown out of the tiny bakery contest on the ground against one another, one made out of cheese and dairy products with the opponents being monsters of chocolate and gingersnaps. "Yes my minions! Entertain your master! Release the Chockren! Muahahah!" Ugh... And so I left the upside mansion Discord had created to live in, taking a moment to facehoof until I felt was satisfied. Needless to say, I was there for close to an hour before I finally left towards my new destination... Author's Note The story is going to change view points a few times, with this one being the most radical. Pretty soon things will get a little more intense.
OrderA perfect cube of solid steel stands resolute against everything that surrounds it. Giant piles of absolutely nothing surround the landscape of a completely flat desert. Void of anything that could be used as a landmark or sort of bearing to navigate, even the sky was blank as the rump of a few certain crusaders. The ground solid grey to match with the large cube to the point it's hard to tell where one begins and the other ends. As creepy as the place was though I have a job to do... "Come in, I know you're there. Disgusting, malformed creature..." Such a plain voice with no obvious underlying tones or shifts in pitch to place. It was like listening to a robot speak, if robots could even sound disgusted at the same time. "...Rather rude, but at least I'm allowed to enter." But from what side? The structure was obviously it's... his... home. But there was no obvious entrance. The tomes clearly stated to find a place of absolute uniformity, and the voice that floated out from within the structure confirmed my thoughts but... "Don't move, I don't want you stepping all over my perfectly flat sand any further then you already have." The disembodied voice called out almost lazily. And with a quiet clapping sound I was suddenly inside the surprisingly well lit box of metal. And before me stood... well something. Where as Discord was a discombobulation of animals thrown haphazardly together to form what he is now this particular Draconequus was perfectly... symmetrical? That's all I could think of to be honest. Made up of different animals, he sported two tiger paws for hands, a pair of kangaroo legs for feet, the body of some kind of sleek fish (I'm still not totally sure.) the tail of a monkey which writhed behind him irritatingly, and finally atop the conglomeration of animals rested the head of a lion. Of all these features however what struck me as strange though, was how he was perfectly split down the center with one half of him white and the other pure black. "Well you're here now, and I know you have questions so let's get on with it." The Draconequus eyed me over with an appraising look like a business man would a new product. "U-uh... yes. Yes I have a few questions if that's alright. Mind telling me your name?" "My name is Monotonous Draconequus." I guessed it was due to his monotone voice. And actions. And well... everything. "So... you're a Draconequus right?" He rolls his eyes as if this were obvious. And really, it kind of was so I simply blush sheepishly to him. "And... do you have powers like Discord? Dominion over something?" I sounded much braver then I felt. It's not every day you talk to something akin to a god after all, especially something like this. "Yes. God of Order." He replies, a small grin crossing his features. I'd have to say this was more terrifying then anything. A smile like that could only mean trouble, but I did my best to keep the conversation going. I couldn't let my friend back home down. "Oh, so it's kinda like with Luna and Celestia, night and day..." "Of sorts. So I take it you met my younger brother already then? How is the little brat?" He seemed to take pleasure in insulting his more chaotic sibling, but I said nothing. Although aside from his rudeness, this Draconequus was easier to talk to than Discord... "Ugh I can't stand it... you're absolutely dreadful to even look at." His voice practically dripping with venomous distaste at my apparently bad looks. I'm not one for vanity but I wasn't the worst looking pony around. Or well I hoped so anyway. Stupid self esteem. "Wh-what? Are you calling me ugly or something?" "Stupid too? No redeeming factors to speak of. Such a shame. Perhaps I should improve you..." "Improve? What's that supposed to mean...?" Every instinct told me to leave, to run and hide from this... unnatural thing. But a quick glance around reminded me there was no way in or out of this strange cube... "Shush child, and let your better improve your existence..." I backed away slightly from him as his eyes glowed lightly against the bleak darkness, and with another soft clap my skin was drained of it's color. My tail and mane turned to an incredibly bleak gray, almost looking as if I was ill. Even my cutie mark changed slightly to accommodate the sudden change in color. I felt tired and mute. As if he had somehow removed my capacity for emotions. I could barely see, everything being gray and cold. My hearing was impaired as well as my sense of touch. It was as if someone had taken a damp cloth over my mind to block all sense of perceptions. "What... did you do... to me..." "Glorious isn't it? Nothing out of place, nothing different, perfectly pure!" "But... my skin... it's blank... I can barely see... my cutie mark..." "Pah! Color is an obtrusion on the delicacy of perfection! Only by being blank can you truly be happy!" "But... no one will recognize me..." "And what is the problem with that my dear? Who needs names and friends when you can be perfect? The gift I have given to you will make all your pains disappear! No more worrying about anything as there's nothing to worry about to begin with!. " "I... should go..." "Yes, go! Go and show the world your new-found beauty! Show them the artistry of Monotonous! Perhaps now after seeing how wonderful being perfect can be they will finally allow me to take rightful place as Master. Imagine, a world of gray and silence! Void of any kind of suffering or torment! Oh it'd be simply glorious. Yes, go forth my new creation and tell the world of my return!" Another silent clap and I stood outside, the cube gone and the world looking as a blank and sad as I felt. Actually I wasn't sure if I was sad or not... I turn to follow the hoof prints home, a shroud of gray overtaking my every sense as things begin to blur... I... need... to find help... before I lose myself... Author's Note Who is our mysterious Author? Will he/she be able to return to their former selves? And what about this strange creature Monotonous...?
Rockets and TreesJust walk to town I said. I can find help there, I thought. Clearly rethinking that decision as I sit here in the town jail, thrown in here because I look like a monster. I can't argue, I bet I really do look like one, but I was never given a chance to explain. Just a rush of activity and here I was, caged like some kind of animal. No one would speak to me or even listen to me until they figured out what "the monster" was. Then again it was difficult to tell how fast time was passing. Seconds felt like years and minutes flew by without me even noticing. Most I can remember coming to town was some shock of pink jumping at me for a hug, then running away immediately yelling about... something. Was that Pinkie? I can't remember... I'm in... where was I? The grayness had invaded my memories, changing everything I knew into the same dull blank grayness as it. Nothing made sense, and I felt myself slipping further and further... I felt like crying, tears already making their way to the forefront. But I deny them not wanting to lose control of myself to that infernal fog. I'll just wait it out until someone comes to get me. They wouldn't leave me here would they...? I'm so tired... maybe a quick rest will help... ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Creeeaaak... "Is it asleep?" A quiet timid voice asked as a cream colored nose pokes through accompanied by a large eye to view inside. "Yea, seems like it. Let's go!" A scratchier voice filled with courage calls out in a loud whisper behind the quiet mare, shoving her into the cell room, shutting the door as quietly as possible behind herself. "Eep! Don't push Rainbow! Y-you'll wake it...!" She pleads with her friend as the two finally make their way towards the cage, where on the ground lying on it's side was a totally grey Stallion unicorn. "Come on, you got your friend Rainbow Dash here! Even if it did wake up I'd knock it out in two seconds before it could do anything!" The boastful cyan pegasus reassures her friend with a menacing gesture towards the monster before them. Although it seemed to just scare Fluttershy more then anything. "W-we aren't here to hurt it, just figure out what it is..." "Well hurry up and figure it out then! This place smells pretty bad." Crinkling her nose at the obvious smell of various body fluids and unkempt clothing. "Well... um... it looks like a normal pony..." "Well DUH. But you saw what it did to the other ponies that touched it! No normal pony could do that, unicorn or not!" She shivered a bit as everything that touched the gray unicorn slowly became just as gray and dull as the creature before them. "Come on you're sure there's nothing you know about him? I mean Pinkie... You saw what happened to her." Rainbow looked to her friend almost pleadingly for answers. "I-I know... but there's nothing different about him, except his cutie mark. It's just a gray splotch on his flank." Wait... what...? No it's not supposed to be that, it's... what was it? I don't remember... Rainbow Dash gives a gasp and backs up, pulling Fluttershy with her as she gives a frightened squeak "He's waking up!" It took every ounce of strength left in me to meekly call out to them in a normal voice, the incessant gray making even the smallest of actions difficult. "Wait... help me..." Fluttershy was the first to respond, "Help you? But I don't even know what or who you are." "Name... is..." "Your name is...?" The brightly colored mare looked accusingly at me, I felt insanely jealous of all her colors. If I was capable of feeling that anyway. "I don't... remember." I felt myself slipping back into that deep grayness behind my eyes, like a fog that simply wouldn't lift for me. "What?! That's a big load of horsefeathers if I ever heard it... he's just playing us Flutters. I mean how do you forget your own name?" The cyan colored pegasus floats through the air with her arms crossed, not trusting this gray thing one bit. Fluttershy on the other hand taps a hoof to her chin, "I'm not sure... he seems sincere about it..." Remembering hurt. I couldn't pull forth my name or anything close to it... I kept getting images of pink and a device... a rocket-ship? Pain keeps flaring, it's unbearable... but no, I'm not going to submit to it that easily. "Pink... and rockets..." "Pink rockets?" Rainbow just looked at me with confusion, and nodded towards the gray that was starting to seep all around my cage now, as if my presence here was poisonous. "We uh... we better go. We need to go check on Pinkie anyway... Come on Fluttershy." "Okay..." And that was that. Nothing else happened, other then watching as my cell slowly became gray. I thought it was just my imagination, but did I hear cries outside? Or am I just hearing things now? It's so hard to tell... Maybe I'll just sleep a little longer... _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile... "Oh it feels so GOOD to flex the chaos! And I really do think they look better this way." Discord had finished with his tasks rather quickly today, and was out causing a little bit of mischief as usual. Today he had decided that the green trees were just too boring around Sweet Apple Acres, and decided to give them a little more... life. "They're bucking PURPLE Discord! Ain't no one's gonna want to eat a PURPLE apple! Ah mean just look at it, looks like it's rotten!" A very upset Applejack stamped her hoof at the prankster who was busy crushing apples into grape juice. Somehow. Eh it's Discord... "Well, I don't know about you but I think they look delicious! Maybe there's a market for them, think about it. Colored apples. Apple pies that look more festive! Who wouldn't like that?" Pouring his freshly made grape-apple juice into a carton he inspects it for a moment before finding it lacking and tosses it behind him where it promptly explodes. Into pudding cups. "Discord, ah'll say it just once now you hear? Turn im back the way they're supposed to look, or I'll tell Twilight what you did!" she says in annoyance with the infamous prankster. Discord simply rolls his eyes and with a snap of his fingers the myriad of colored trees revert to their normal green state. "There, happy now? I still say ponies would like a little more variety in their apples." "Variety and just plum strange are two different things Discord... Ain't you supposed to be helpin' Pinkie with a party today or somethin'?" Anything to get him out of here... she thought to herself quietly. "Oh that's right! She wanted me to make more of those delicious cotton candy clouds, stroke of genius if I may add. I swear, she's the only pony around here who genuinely appreciates me," a couch popping into existence behind him to fall on dramatically as he really starts putting on a performance, "Oh woe is me, the unappreciated, unnoticed, unrewarded, unvalued, unsung hero that is... DISCORD! Forever doomed to be nothing but a statue..." His performance was impressive to say the least, accompanied by holy chorus and lights with a fountain in the background. Didn't do much to impress Applejack, especially right as he finishes he rolls on the ground laughing at his own apparent stupidity. And with a huff she just sighs tiredly, shifting her weight as she looks off to the western orchard, which had yet to be bucked. "Just get outta here Discord, I ain't got time for your shenanigans..." The problem apparently dealt with, she turns to leave and finish out her days work. Discord shrugs and levitates one of the aforementioned pudding packs to his side, fork in hand as he thoughtfully munches away at the apparently crunchy pudding. "Hm. Pinkie throwing a party is always fun to do, the girl is fun to be around. Then again I could just go take a nap. But that'd be boring..." He walks a little further along before noticing gray splotches on the ground resembling hoofprints. "Oh. Someone made a mess! But what is that anyway...? Looks familar." Realization dawns on him and he gives a sigh, tossing the pudding cup away as he follows the trail. "He SERIOUSLY found him? What an idiot. And now he's gone and gotten himself into this. Hope no one else has contracted it at least! Otherwise Ponyville is going to become a very boring place..." Author's Note Discord apparently knows what's going on, but is he going to help fix the problem or just make it worse? What could've possibly happened to Pinkie? Will our hero ever return to normal? Find out next time...!
Shock...Cupcakes... streamers... rocketships... wait what? I don't... oh yea! I'm asleep. Silly Pinkie. Still what's that thing doing here? Looks a lot like... huh! Reminds me of somepony! But um... who was it again? Some kinda smarty-pants like Twilight but like, a THOUSAND times more! I can't remember his name. Weird! Wait! I bet it's super duper important! It feels like it is anyway! Momma always told me that dreams had important stuff in them, and to try and figure them out. Hm. Maybe if I think REAL hard about it... nope I got nothing! Oh well! Hey why am I asleep? It wasn't bed time last I checked! What happened? Did Ditzy conk me on the head again? My Pinkie Sense didn't go off so I don't think so... Oh yea, it was that sad pony! What happened to him? Or me for that matter! Hmmmmm. Well I'm sure it'll work out fine after a bit, I bet I just fell asleep! Hahaha! Sadly, Pinkie was in the St.Mares Hospital due to a shock-induced coma from events earlier that day. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Earlier that day... Pinkie was bouncing along as usual meeting and greeting every passing pony with a cheerful smile and the occasional joke. Just another normal day with her until her tail and hooves started to itch. That usually meant something nasty was going to happen to somepony nearby. Giving herself an idle scratch she stops to look around and warn the nearby mule, "Hey, careful now! Something bad is about to happen!" giving him an award winning smile, then humming gently to herself as she bounced off. Quite possibly the most cheerful doomsayer you'd ever meet. After finishing her hellos for the morning she ponders what to do as she bounces on happily. The Cakes had given her the day off from Sugercube Corner and there were no birthdays, parties, banquets, or even social get together's to attend. So what was a Pinkie to do? Easy. Hop along until you meet someone new! Remembering her past mistake she decides to stay within hopping distance of Ponyville, and although that penguin was a great new friend she didn't like the idea of being a Pinkie Popsicle again. A slow mute clop was heard as a lone figure trailed down a path towards town. Who's this? A new friend?! Yay! Just what a bored Pinkie needed! I'll need to get the balloons and confetti and go grab my party cannon, better make sure to put confetti in it this time... But even as she rambled on to herself about preparations for this strangers party she noticed something a little off about him. It was as if the light bent away from him, no that's not quite it... colors seemed dim around him. Just looking in his direction made Pinkie feel a strange sense of loss, as if someone she knew had disappeared. Something was wrong about that pony, so she walks over to check on him. "Hi! You must be new here, my name's Pinkie Pie!" Giving him the sweetest of smiles as she introduced herself. "..." As if she doesn't exist he keeps on walking. Inexorably and determined. "...Well uh, welcome to Ponyville!" Quiet huh? I've dealt with this before! Just stay positive... Although she couldn't help but feel a bit down at the silent treatment she was getting. "..." "Cat got your tongue mister? Eheheh..." Laughing a bit nervously at his continued silence. "...Mmnh..." A low grunt is all that is heard from the strange stallion, and to Pinkies curiosity discovered how he left a trail of hoof prints behind him. "Oh wow, you're super duper DIRTY! When was the last time you had a bath? You don't stink though, so maybe it's just dust? Or something?" She trots along beside him for a short while as she tries to coax him from silence. To get anything, even an annoyed shout for her to leave would be better then this stony silence. "Hey, now you're just being rude to me!" Reaching over she puts a hoof on his shoulder to stop him, and the second she touches him he freezes in place as if suddenly time stopped for a second, startling her and making her jump back. "O-oh um... I... uh... sorry! I uh... heh..." She squeaks loudly in surprise and blushes a bit feeling quite silly, but the gray Stallion pays her no mind and continues on his way, silent and slow as ever. Giving a small sigh of defeat she turns around to walk away from the strange stallion, "Well... I'm sure he'll come around! I'll throw him a great party later. I wonder what color streamers he'd like..." Tapping a hoof to her chin she notices a little bit of the grey... stuff... he had been leaving behind on her hoof, ugly and almost sickly looking. "Eeyuck. He really WAS a dirty pony, I'd better go wash this off..." her voice trailing off as the small gray splotch on her hoof slowly grew larger right in front of her. "H-huh...? Hey wha-what is this stuff...?!" Waving her hoof frantically as if to shake off the encroaching grayness she screeches for help, doing everything possible to try and get the smudge off. "Get it oooooffff! Oh my gosh what is it?!" Flailing around helplessly she takes a deep breath. "Okay, okay calm down Pinkamena... think! Just... just get to the doctor! Yeah, he can help...!" Rushing off as quickly as possible she hides her graying hoof as she passes through town with a speed even Rainbow Dash would admire. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ "...And so I say 'No that's not my pet, that's my wife!'" A round of laughter and grins abound as the hospital doctor and his assistant enjoy a quiet moment. Days like today were rare, calm and accident free, and they intended to enjoy it. A white unicorn stallion with cutie mark of an anatomically correct heart grins at his own joke, nudging his nearby friend with a teasing look. "Try and top that one Red! Best one so far." The doctor challenging his student playfully. "I'm not sure if I can Ray!" replies his assistant, a brownish Earth Pony who just recently ascended colthood who goes by the name of Red Cross. If it weren't obvious, having a Red Cross on his flank. "Guess I win then ah? Hahaha!" Letting loose with a laugh and leaning against the nearby wall he sighs gently. "Maybe I oughta let us take the day off. Haven't had one in months, and Celestia knows we coul-" CRASH! "What in the hay..." "OHHHHHH MYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH HEEEEEEELP!!" The scream followed by someone beating their desk ring to death. A small sigh escapes the colt as he stands up to head to the front desk, waving at his coworkers "Probably a kid broke his arm or something, I can handle it...", disappearing through the doors he immediately turns around wide eyed with terror as he looks to the doctor nearby. "What is it? Ponypox? Please don't tell me it's another one of those factory accidents...?" Ray looks to his protege with a slight concern, he'd taught the colt not to fear any illness or injury no matter how severe. As it was important to stay calm and to perform perfectly under pressure. And now the poor colt looked like he was about to wet himself. "Sh-she's... I d-don't even kn-know." Is all he manages to stammer out. The older and wiser unicorn pushes past the assistant. Clearly this was something serious, but he was sure he could... "Dear Celestia what is that on her face?!" _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight was the first on the scene, having been contacted by the hospital to investigate a "new and terrible disease" that had afflicted who they thought was Pinkie Pie. Dropping everything, even her prized books in a pile, she yells to Spike to close up for the day and to meet her later... At the hospital... "Ray, what was that?! I've never seen anything like it before!" The worried colt looked pleadingly to his mentor for even a small ounce of knowledge, but the unicorn could only shake his head. "I don't know Red. It's something I've never seen before... hopefully Twilight will know more. Because this definitely isn't a normal disease. It looks more like a curse.." he shivers a bit at the mention of such dark arts, "She should be here soon." Doors slam themselves open hard enough to leave cracks on the walls as Twilight storms into the hospital with a frantic look in her eyes. "Where is she? Is Pinkie okay? Where?!" yelling at them impatiently she continues on ahead towards the rooms, but she's blocked by the Unicorn. "Wait, miss Sparkle! You don't want to touch her! We don't how this thing spreads, but everything she touches seems to be affected!" Doing his best from preventing her to enter at least until he had explained himself. "What?! Then... well I have to at least see her!" The young stallion nodding to her reassuringly, "Don't worry, we put her in the observation room we use for lecture. It has fully functional medical capabilities, but we are able to observe her at a safe distance." She takes a deep breath and does her best to calm down, getting panicky wasn't going to help anyone, and right now Pinkie needed her more then ever. "Okay, okay... did you tell anyone else?" "No. So far we are the only ones who know about this." "Okay... well... let's go check on her..." she nods solemnly to the both of them to lead the way, preparing her for the worst of what she might see. They walk down multiple linoleum lined hallways, cleaned to the point of shiny reflection Twilight can't help but feel a little calmed by it all. If not for her affinity with magic she might've aspired to become a nurse. But that's not important right now as she focuses ahead on the final set of double doors they approach, opening out into a room that hung above a large auditorium-like stage, with a single table as it's center piece. It was a depressing sight. Pinkie Pie was strapped to the table with strong leather straps that held her tightly as multiple monitoring equipment tubes ran into her, sustaining her. At first Twilight didn't even recognize the mare, her skin changed to a grey ash-like color, mane reduced to a monotone shale and perhaps most disturbing of all, her cutie mark had deformed into a droop of it'[s previous glory, the party balloons looking wilted and deprived of air. She appeared to be sleeping but would occasionally jerk her body awkwardly against the bindings. Tears well up in her eyes and Twilight looks away, unable to see her friend in such a state. "How long has she been like this...?" "About an hour. She wasn't completely gray when we contacted you however, and her cutie mark has only just begun to change." "But... that's impossible! No force in the world should be able to change a ponies cutie mark! It's a mark of destiny and fate, something like that isn't so easily changed!" Twilight's mind runs through every conceivable explanation for the disturbing turn of events, racking her mind until she thought her head would explode. "I don't know what could've caused this... but... I know where I can find out." She nods to the two doctors in finality, determination in her eyes as she develops a plan. "I want you to contact Rainbow Dash and let her know about the situation, and tell her and the girls to come be here with Pinkie. I'm going to go find a cure for this, no matter the cost! Surely something like this has happened before..." _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile... Discord floats along lazily, observing where the tracks lead him until finally he reaches the prison. Yawning a bit as if waking from a nap he scratches his backside idly, looking around at the various ponies that dare to look at him. Most were scared. Ah well, just makes pranking them that much easier! Hoohohooo! No, Discord you aren't here for that! Not yet anyway. Gotta find the poor sap that met with a terrible fate and fix him before things get out of hand. Again. Yeesh last time was bad enough, but this time I actually CARE about these ponies. Well. One, anyway. And with a small annoyed sigh he set off to enter the prison, but is stopped by the guard on duty. "Halt! Where do you think you're going Discord?" The guard obviously putting on a show, and practically shaking in his boots, Discord decides maybe he COULD squeeze in a little fun... "Oh nowhere you know. Just thought I'd let the psychopaths free into society! Oh, that rhymed didn't it? Poet and I didn't even know I had the capability to be!" Laughing wildly at his own (terrible) joke. "I'm afraid I c-can't allow that." The stallion holding up his spear for protection as the poor Earth Pony attempts to do his duty. "Oh. Well. Alrighty then! Ciao!" And with a wave the great and mighty God of Chaos was defeated by a town guard, complete with fiery explosions and lots of dramatic monologue that if I tried to write down now would probably end up as it's own show on Shoen Pony! Right next to that strange show with the orange ninja pony... you know what, back to the story. In reality Discord just made a huge show of himself for giggles and to distract the guards as the real Discord snuck inside to find his target... Author's Note Will Twilight find out the answers to this problem? Is Pinkie going to be okay? Who the HELL is the main character? Bugger if I know! Find out next time...!
RecollectionA tired yawn is given by lone unicorn sitting alone in a small study. His coat a deep earthen brown with a tinge of green giving it the slight appearance of dirt. A fact his friends refuse to let him forget about, much to his annoyance. On the colt's (or young stallion perhaps?) flank was a light-bulb switched on, showing his passion for science and all things interesting. Or maybe his natural talent for invention and innovation. Or maybe just a strange affinity for light-bulbs. His mane being a solid dark gold with flecks of white about the hair, with his tail matching. Both disheveled and messy but this was the normal style for him. Putting the quill down he looks around at his "organized chaos" as another unicorn had told him once. All manner of objects decorate the slightly cramped space as he sits alone by candlelight. Laboratory equipment strewn all along the desk haphazardly in front of him, although if you were to ask him he'd be able to find anything here in the room with a simple nod of the head and a bit of magic. Putting the quill from his magical grasp he rubs at a tired eye and looks over his work, finding it lacking a certain element as he frowns a bit. Ugh... And of course I forget THE most important part. Possibly one of the greatest scientific discoveries of all ponykind, and I completely forget to put down my own name! He reprimands himself slightly, although he still can't help but feel that bubble of warmth in his heart from remembering his achievements. Especially with a certain somepony, even if it was pure accident. Then again most great things happen on accident this story was proof of that. He muses to himself quietly then grabbing his quill in a soft golden green glow of magic he scribbles quickly on the cover of his slightly abused journal... Song of the Draconequus By Rocket A. Science Seemingly satisfied with his penmanship he returns the quill to it's place on the desk standing up from his pillow and giving a stretch of the legs for good measure he trots out of the study slowly into a long hallway dotted with doors at various intervals. The walls stark white and hardly any decoration as he walks through calmly. A rather distinct contrast from his cramped study. Oddly there are no handles or hinges to use these doors, but with a glow of his horn the door slides open with a silent sound of air escaping. A simple trick to deter those who would invade his home from the creations inside... He walks by and opens each door in turn to peer inside. The first holds a monstrosity of a machine. An enormous complex of wires, cords, and metal occupies the entire wall. This new creation of his was rather amazing at what it could do, from performing mathematical feats within seconds to producing sounds with a simple button press! It could even send messages over vast distances in a matter of seconds! He had yet to name it, or even let it be known of it's existence. But what to name a device that could compute with such power? Pausing a moment to see if inspiration would touch his mind again with a brilliant name for this computing masterpiece he shrugs after a moment, Eh. I'm sure it'll come to me eventually... Next on his stops was a room filled with various chemicals and vials looking somewhat of a mad scientists lab. And in a way it was. Not that he was mad. He steps inside for a moment to flip a switch, machines powering down and dimming to a dull glow made the room a bit disturbing to look at, the various chemicals letting off soft lights mixed with the glow of the machines nearby gave it an ethereal look. Note to self, make chemical lab look less... scary. Feeling a bit silly for being afraid of deadly chemicals in a dark room he chuckles to himself and turns around to continue down the hall. The third room held multiple suits of different designs and materials. In a sort of demented way, it was like a scientists boutique of suits for varying situations. His personal favorite was a black and orange suit which he has dubbed the PEV Suit (Poni-Environment Safety Suit). Specifically designed to keep the wearer of the suit from harms way it contained everything you could possibly need to survive any situation. He only ever made two of the suits, one for himself and an assistant if needed, but he's had multiple requests from his colleagues to make a third so that they could replicate it. And he will, whenever he gets around to it. They can wait. The final room contains nothing but a small sphere centered in the room surrounded by glyphs of containment and suppression holding a swirling hurricane of anger and gray inside. A subtle marriage of new-age science and ancient magic, Rocket can't help but smirk a bit at the trapped energy and thinks back to the day his life changed and he had met her. The day that changed everything for him and made all of this possible... A quiet voice snaps him out of his recollection. "Rocky? What are you doing up...? It's late." "Oh nothing. Just finished writing that chapter over my results from our star attraction here." Smiling as he looks back to the pony in the darkness he gestures to the heavily sealed orb in the room. The pony shifts slightly in the doorway as she answers, "You know, it always makes me nervous to be in here. Sometimes I wish we could just get rid of it, but that's impossible so..." "Trust me, I know the feeling. But we can't destroy it so we just have to hold it here, otherwise someone might find it..." Turning around to step towards the other unicorn he gently gives her a hug to reassure her before speaking, "And what are you still doing here? It IS rather late you know." "I... uh... well I didn't want to look rude and... uh... leave before saying goodnight..." She stutters out the words to him, and the heat in her cheeks was practically radiating enough for him to notice although he couldn't see her clearly. "Is that so miss Sparkle?" The unicorn laughs loudly... the world starts to spin. Everything becomes clouded and harsh as the room fades. The orb in the center pulsating horridly now as space and time rip each other apart until... _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Jerking awake from the sudden images I look around at the interior to my prison. A dream or... a memory? It's hard to tell. Everything blends together now... My head is pounding, but the pain is dull and seems as though it doesn't belong to me. Like I was just observing another persons pain. Closing my eyes I concentrate to remember. It was the first thing I'd seen that wasn't part of the grayness. I try so hard to pull it back from the depths of my mind and though I feel the memory it gets harder to hold onto until all at once it's gone again, except for the strange sense of someone nearby. The mare? Strange... I can't see her through this endless fog but I know she's near. Maybe she knows who I am? I gotta find her, for my own sake at least. Opening my eyes I look at the simple cell I'd been tossed into, the bars rusted and looking as though it'd be simple to break them. I was a unicorn right? He didn't take that away did he? A quick touch to the forehead quelled the dread that was rising in me, and I nodded to myself. Okay good... maybe I can use my magic again. What magic did I use before though, I wonder? My mark... what was it again? Questions about myself rising from nowhere I do my best to at least try and bring back the image of what I thought was myself. After a good long hour or so of trying to remember more about myself, I could only really conclude I was a unicorn, my name was Rocket, and that I was known by at least another unicorn. "Better than nothing I guess..."I mumble quietly and notice how the bars were made out of candy... wait what? "Oh GOOD you finally woke up. I was afraid I'd have to shock you awake! Would've too if I didn't risk getting... that. Whatever that is." A strange creature floated around before me, looking as relaxed as can be on a small floating cloud. "What...?" I still find it hard to speak. "Speak up speak up! I can't heeeeaaar you!" Discord calls in an annoying voice, perking a claw to his ear as if to hear me better. Wait, his name is Discord...? I know this... thing? Rolling his eyes exasperatedly as he looks me over. "Oh for heavens sake. Don't tell me he silenced you AND cursed you? I gotta admit though, ol' Monty out did himself this time! Not even sure if I can get rid of it all." I perk up at the mention of getting rid of this curse. "You... can fix... me?" "Maybe. Possibly. Probably. Thing about Order is how it always works when something happens, and chaos is not knowing if anything will happen at all! Care to take a gamble my little friend?" Discords eyes glow wickedly in the dim light, extending a glowing paw to me. "It's quite simple how it works. You simply can't remove this kind of curse only pass it on to someone else or get Monty himself to fix it. Can't just give it to just anyone though, you have to give it to someone you care about." "Someone... I care... about? But I don't... remember." Do I even have someone I care about? Discord simply laughs and nods, "Exactly! You'll have NO idea who you'll be cursing until AFTER you curse them! Tragic isn't it? You could curse your parents or your sibling or a friend or even the twin you never knew you had until this very moment!" "Anything... anything to get rid of this..." I was losing my mind to this grayness. I couldn't refuse the offer of escape. "Splendid then! Well without further..." He reaches towards me with his magicked claw and I brace myself for the relief of finally escaping this madness, when I feel the warmth and happiness of that mare again... "Wait." "Oh what is it now?" Giving me an annoyed look as I hold up a hoof. "I change my mind... I don't want anyone to suffer this horrible grayness." Even if there's the slightest chance it'd be her... She must really mean something to me for me to do this. "...That's a bad idea my little friend." The god of chaos was actually serious for once, a glaring look at me that would make most ponies wilt with fear. I guess I have the curse to thank for this as I didn't feel much from it at all. "I don't have time for more games, much as I'd like too. I either swap the curse to someone else more manageable or I have to destroy you here and now." "Wh-what...?" Even through the dense fog I felt a chill run down my spine as the lazy and nonchalant creature became deadly serious, the glow in his hand changing from a yellowish glow to a reddish blaze in his hands. "What do you mean... more manageable?" "Oh it'd take too long to explain and you're nearly there. I can't waste anymore time." Giving a sigh as he readies a bolt of energy, "Oh well. I'll just explain to Celestia what happened. After all one dead unicorn is better than..." The world explodes from under me. Am I dead...? Author's Note Has Rocket Science kicked the bucket? Has Discord saved the day? How does Twilight tie into all this? Find out next time...!
