//------------------------------// // Neverending Strife // Story: Rebellion // by Symphony //------------------------------// Discord reclined back into his throne with a grin. If he was lucky, the alicorn princesses would find eachother within a few days time, so he wouldn't have to wait too long for his turn to play with them again. He had of course been challenged before for the throne, but he would also always prevail with flying colours, as nopony had the power necessary to defeat him. He was sitting alone in his makeshift throne room, as nopony dared to enter without the spirit's permission. The last pony to do so was currently a vase standing outside the door, to remind them of what he would do to those who trespass. The draconequus chuckled and started tapping his eagle talon to the armrest of the throne. His thoughts wandered to the day when he defeated the princesses. A devilish grin spread on his face once again as he remembered how Celestia had struggled in vain to stop his petrification spell. The panicked screams, which turned into sobs coming from the lunar princess... And then when the young alicorn changed into... that thing fueled by her hatred and vengeance. That was one fight Discord was lucky to have won when he managed to surprise her with a banishment spell. He had intended to separate them. Discord rose from his trone and stretched, then placed his talons behind his arms as he strolled through the throne room to the majestic doors. He scowled at the intricate designs carved into the doors and snapped his lion talon, turning the designs into what a young filly would draw. As he continued his trek down the halls. The Surrendered he would meet bowed as soon as they saw him draw near them. He heard the unmistakable voice of Screwball, scowled and turned to walk away into another direction. The spirit had no intention of dealing with her today. He started thinking of the newest recruits to the Surrendered. Both of them had shown an interesting amount of spirit when he corrupted them, and both of them had been quite skilled in combat when his minions had brought them to him, as that was what he had heard. One of them was Shining Armor and the other one had been a pink mare with an extraordinary skill in acrobatics and popping up at random spots. She even managed to slip out of his grip, much to his dismay. As soon as he had corrupted her, her coat became a darker shade of pink and her mane almost deflated and her cheery grin was replaced with a disgusted scowl. ”She was perfect...” Discord chuckled darkly. He had placed her in the same team as Shining Armor and the top of his Surrendered minions. He had a special assignment for them, and he intended that the task would be a success, or they would face the consequences. He entered a room where the select few were standing in a perfect row. They had been given special armor to resist the attacks coming from their targets. Their faces were all hidden by the masks they were wearing, and their manes were also hidden from view, except for the special mare. Her mane was in full view. The armor they were wearing also contained a special set of weapons, such as retractable blades and a built-in magical field which enhanced their strength almost three times over. That was an addition that would make one of the stallions of the group near unstoppable. The stallion was one of the biggest earth ponies Discord had ever seen, and they had to modify his armor even further to hide his red coat beneath it. ”Congratulations, all of you have been picked out by none other than me to join your merry little gang.” Discord smiled. The chests of all the ponies standing in the row before him puffed out in pride. ”You have been chosen because you have proven yourself to be loyal and worthy to be in my presence, and recieve the gift that is your new armor.” He decided to not tell them that because of the magical energy emanating from the armor, he would be able to track them wherever they were. ”Your objective may not be an easy one, and I can say for sure that some of you will probably not make it.” They didn't even flinch when the spirit said it. Discord smiled sadistically. ”But believe me when I say that the reward when you complete this will be worth all the pain you would have to endure.” Discord turned away from them with his arms behind his back. ”All of you are the elite of the Surrendered. And I do not expect, or accept anything but success in your mission. Failure is not an option. Am I making myself clear?” He turned toward them with a glare. “Yes, Lord Discord!” They replied in perfect unison. Discord grinned. “Perfect... Now, you may wonder what your mission is, but that is what I will tell you now so you can begin as soon as possible.” He turned his back toward them and walked to the window closest to him. “Your task is to find the royal alicorn princesses and bring them to me. I am sure that they would do anything in their power to escape, so be prepared.” The nodded and started walking out of the room, but Discord stopped them with a scowl. “And don't forget... Dispose of all ponies who get in your way when you're looking for them. No interruptions, no prisoners and no mercy.” “Yes Lord Discord!” They shouted and ran out of the room, leaving Discord alone in the room. Discord chuckled and once again turned his head toward the window. “Be dears and put up a good fight, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna...” Discord spat and made his way out of the room. This land was his to rule, as he had proved his dominance when he defeated them the first time. They were just too weak to rule, they didn't have the power necessary to rule. It was a neverending strife, but he had the upper hand of prevailing as the winner once again.