//------------------------------// // Discord's Royal Goof // Story: Thanks for the Legacy: After Effects // by AizakkuHorooee //------------------------------// Twilight, Spike and Starlight had joined me and Carve in Canterlot so that we could finalize our moving plans once the princesses and I do retire.  The rendezvous itself goes well, so we’re in and out pretty shortly.  Once the five of us are at the main entrance, Starlight and Twilight look at the times on their DS’s, seeing that it’s only a quarter to three. Carve whistles, impressed by how quickly everything went.  “Was it seriously that easy?” “But remember Carve, the princesses only need a few days to pack, move out, and plan the ceremony,” Twilight points out.  “They’ll write to us when they’re ready.” Spike flies at my eye level and puts his claws behind his head.  “So, why would they leave that announcement hanging?” “Well, besides Wind Rider and human Spitfire being out on the loose, not all of us are even ready,” Starlight answers.  “You saw Aita when all that news dropped.” “Yes, because you didn’t have any news you wanted to share with us at the castle.”  I raise an eyebrow at Starlight, prompting her to chuckle nervously. “Point taken.” “Regardless, we have approximately an hour and a half before Spike, Starlight and i have to go back to Ponyville.  I could introduce you two to the rest of my old friends,” Twilight offers me and Carve. “That won’t be necessary, Twilight.” “Yeah, Chrysalis and I will stay behind.  You three go ahead.” Twilight, Spike and Starlight nod and walk off.  They begin chatting to each other.  I can’t exactly distinguish what they’re saying, but I do hear something about Pastry Princess. Carve and I starting walking throughout Canterlot once they’re no longer visible to us.  “So, would you like me to drop you off at Las Pegasus?” “Actually Chrysalis, there is something I wanted to talk to you about while we’re here.  You remember me and Aita disabling Stellar Flare’s magic, right?”  I nod at Carve’s question.  “Um, Starlight was oddly specific when she was saying no creature would ever be able to break Stellar Flare free.  Not even a draconequus.” Carve momentarily changes in Starlight when quoting her. “That’s simple, Carve.  Starlight’s little rescue squad happened to include Discord, and even his magic was negated by my old throne.” “But there has to be more to it than that.  Stellar Flare and human Spitfire somehow escaped, and so did Wind Rider, and he was cocooned.” “But anypony could break him out with a relocation spell if they wanted to, given they know such a spell.  The new throne only amplifies power.  That’s how Pharynx was able to go back in time after all.  So your point was…” “Well Chrysalis, Starlight might have somehow concluded Discord was behind their escapes.” I stop in my tracks and put my hoof down.  “Carve, I’m surprised at you!  How could you make such wild accusations?!?” “Which ones?” “BOTH, Carve! Starlight lets on as much as she knows!  Even at odds with me, she would never hide information from us!  And Discord would never make such a rash decision! ” Carve turns around and looks at me eye to eye.  “Yes he has, Chrysalis.  He faked an illness to test Twilight.  He timed an inside joke so that she would miss it and get jealous.  He even put pressure on her so that he could have Starlight to himself.” “Sure Discord has his ways, but you honestly cannot be suggesting he’d deliberately put his friends at risk just to empty a wanted list!” Finally, SOME queen that understands me! Carve and I hear Discord exclaim.  We face the direction his voice is coming from, which seems to be in the direction of Ponyville.  Discord’s wings glow as they are levitating a scroll and paper, which subsequently disappear. “Discord… Carve has been making a serious accusation about you.  Care to fill us in?” As Discord talks, he uses his chaos as visual aid, first magicking a lasso to bring me closer to him, spawning a custom wanted poster of Aita, momentarily growing in size, and finally a little copy of himself passing through a tunnel made by his paw.  “Oh, why yes Chryssie.  You see, all our past foes were rounded up outside of Equestria to keep our little one safe.  We sure don’t want naysayers getting in the way of Aita’s little process.” “So you did free criminals!  Do you know how much trouble with the princesses that could land you in?!?”  Carve jumps into the air and stares down Discord.  Obviously it doesn’t phase him one bit, but it’s commendable Carve has no qualms with confronting him. But there’s only one way to determine if Discord is telling the truth, so I bring him to me.  “Let me handle this, Carve; Cincinno Animi should do the trick.  Discord, I require you to be entirely honest with me and Carve.  Did you consider putting lives at risk so that that wanted list would be fulfilled?” Discord pushes me by extending his arms.  “Of course not!  I would never want anypony experiencing the sort!  Not after being framed!” I pause for a good few seconds to see if the spell activated, which it doesn’t.  I’m in immense relief.  “Whew.  No locks.  I believe you, Discord.  I suspect though, Celestia and Luna might want a word with you anyway.” Carve and I take Discord to the throne room back in Canterlot Castle, where we tell the princesses the news that was behind who they already knew escaped.  Luna is the most baffled. “So let me get this straight.  You wanted to keep Aita safe, so you brought back Gladmane, human Spitfire, Tirek, Svengallop, Wind Rider, and the sirens?!?” “Don’t forget Stellar Flare,” Discord adds, letting his claw combust briefly. “And you united them all?!?” Celestia exclaims.  “How in Equestria could you do that in good conscience?!?” “Rounding them up in one place was the only way Aita would feel comfortable about her identity change.  I left everything they did up to them, including their witch hunt,” explains Discord. “Luna, go ahead and arrange a new search party for human Spitfire, Tirek and Wind Rider.”  Luna does as Celestia tells her and leaves the castle.  “Carve, Chrysalis, I could not’ve prepared myself for my pride in you two.  Alerting me and Luna really goes to show how far you’ve come throughout the past seven years.  It’s disappointing the shift in powers will be happening so soon, but your rule - Chrysalis - has blossomed into one of the biggest turnarounds my sister and I have ever witnessed.  Why don’t you two head home while I have a word in private with Discord.” The moment Celestia begins bringing the subject back to Discord, her tone turns bitter, just as I suspected would happen. “Well Carve,” I say as the two of us exit Canterlot on our way back home.  “It seems you deserve some credit.  I could never have come to the conclusion you drew.  I had past experiences that attracted a bias in Discord’s favor.” “You too, Chrysalis.  I wouldn’t have thought to use a lie-detecting spell for Discord.  I was so focused on what he did, I might’ve said the wrong thing if you didn’t step in so soon.” “You know, I have a feeling Discord’s actions have tightened our bond.” “How so?” Carve inquires. “You see, before he snapped in, we were at an impasse, and it took him to get us out of it.  His coordination following me and the princesses’ announcements may not have been how I imagined, but at least insured Aita’s safety during her delicate time.” “So what Discord said… does that mean everything done by those he brought back shouldn’t be treated as his responsibility?” “Technically that isn’t the case, Carve.  But like I said, he has his ways.  If he doesn’t take the blame for what our enemies do, then it’s best we don’t enforce it on him.  Now… do you think Aita will call when we get home?” “No doubt about it, Chrysalis.” And so, Carve and I look briefly behind us to see that Canterlot is no longer visible to the north.