//------------------------------// // Chaotic Redemption: Chapter 6 // Story: Chaotic Redemption // by b3n020295 //------------------------------// Chaotic Redemption: Chapter 6 Discord sat at his throne, supervising the pony workers as they built his monument. He felt proud that he enslaved the most powerful species in the land and reduced the values of this once great empire to dust and replaced them with his own. The workers were starting to get tired and weak, things that were unacceptable in this new world and worthy of punishment. Discord focused, wanting to create a manticore in a tuxedo to whip the ponies with its tail. Yet nothing happened, then the weak and sad expressions on the ponies’ faces changed into serious faces, seeking justice. They mustered up the strength to throw the stone that would be used to further develop the monument and destroyed it. Confused by the lack of discipline, Discord focused harder, he wanted to turn the floor into toy building blocks, only the most painful thing to step on for these rowdy ponies. Again nothing happened, Discord focused as hard as he could, but the ponies began advancing on him, as he tried everything he could to bring these ponies to their knees. They picked him and his throne up and threw him into a seemingly endless abyss, feeling powerless; all Discord could do was scream as he fell into the never ending darkness. Discord awoke in an environment he was unfamiliar with, he opened his eyes but found it difficult to focus on anything. Everything was white, there was a beeping noise and he could hear whispering around him. Already he didn't like the current situation. Focus slowly came back to him, a figure appeared in his vision, it mostly blended in with the background apart from a yellow glow and some kind of multi-coloured mist. He already had a good idea of what it was, and he didn't much like it. His vision eventually fully focused and his fears were correct, Celestia stood before him, a spell charged in her horn aimed straight at him with a less than amused look on her face. “I’m not sure which nightmare is worse, the one I was just having or the one I’m in now.” He moaned, annoyed that he couldn't have just woken up in his statue again. Celestia dropped her charged spell and picked Discord up with telekinesis and brought him right to her face, “Give me one good reason why I shouldn't reduce you to dust right now, you disgusting creature!” She snarled through clenched teeth. Before Discord could say anything that would probably end in his demise, Twilight walked into the hospital ward, “Princess stop!” she yelled, breaking Celestia’s spell and putting Discord back down in the hospital bed and tucking him in. “Twilight, this creature harmed you for no reason and I shall see to it that he is punished for it!” Celestia spoke with an angered tone that Twilight had never heard before. “Princess please, as the victim I should be able to decide Discord’s fate and I insist that we let him rest and allow him to return with us to Ponyville, I do not wish for any punishment to be brought upon him.” Twilight replied calmly. “But how much longer until he harms somepony else, maybe even one of your friends?” Celestia retorted, clearly distressed by Twilight’s forgiveness. “I’ll deal with it, please princess; I’ll make sure he doesn't do anything like that again. If he does, I promise he will be back in the statue before you can say ‘Imprisonment for unruly behavior’” Twilight begged Celestia. Celestia snorted before walking towards the door to the hospital’s main area “That statue’s too good for him” She muttered. As she reached the door, she stopped and turned her head towards Twilight “And Twilight”, Twilight turned her head to Celestia, “I told you, call me Celestia, not princess.” Celestia then proceeded to exit the room. Twilight stared at the ground for a couple of moments, considering if she had taken the best course of actions, however she snapped out of it and turned to face Discord who was now laying in the bed, looking somewhat confused, “You surprise me more and more Ms Sparkle.” Discord stated, “You’re willing to give me another chance after I attacked you out complete malice?” “Yes, Discord, I am.” Twilight replied with an unsure tone in her voice. “I understand that the last few days have been pretty stressful for you and that adapting to a strange new lifestyle is hard. I guess we shouldn't have been keeping the surprise party from you, you were pretty on edge after all.” Discord looked even more confused, “party?” “Yes” Twilight answered, “That’s what me and Applejack were discussing at the door, we had set up a party to welcome you and let you meet some of the locals. We didn't mean to upset you, we were keeping it a secret because it was meant to be a surprise.” “Oh.”, Discord came to this realization and felt particularly foolish. “I do apologize Twilight, maybe Celestia’s right, I should just go back in the statue, I really don’t deserve this hospitality.” He lied, he just wanted to go back to his statue, to be rid of this predicament. Of course, he didn't just want to say out right, that would be too simple, and there's nothing simple about chaos. “Nonsense!” Twilight testified, “It was just a spur of the moment reaction from stress. If you can just promise me never to do anything like that again, then we can move on from this and get back to normal.” “Of course Twilight, I promise.” Discord promised, with his fingers crossed under the bed sheets. “Good.” Twilight stated happily. “Well then rest up, the nurse says you can be let out tomorrow”, as she said this Discord laid his head back, but was abruptly stopped by something pushing his head away from the pillow, “the doctors just need some time to remove the floor boards from your horn and antler, we had to tear them out of the ground to move you.” Discord groaned as Twilight turned to the door, leaving him laying awake, immediately regretting his lies. After about an hour of carving wood, sweeping away cuttings and removing splinters, Discord was released from Ponyville hospital and was greeted by Twilight and her friends. Oh yay, my favourite ponies in the whole wide world, He thought. Twilight heard this, but ignored it. “How are you feeling Discord?” Twilight asked. “Peachy” Discord groaned, head hanging as he slowly moved his way past the group. “You feel like a peach? You must have really hit your head!” Pinkie stated, walking by him and poking the top of his head. “Are you sure you don’t feel like an apple? Or an orange? Or a tomato? Or a book? Or even a”, She stopped and gave a gasp “A CUPCAKE?!?!” She smiled excitedly. Discord continued walking, trying to remain calm, “No Pinkie, I feel fine. Nothing else, just, fine.” Twilight put her hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder as Discord made his way back to his house. “I think Discord just wants to be by himself for a while, to get over the incident.” “Are you sure you know what you’re doing dear?” Rarity asked, “He doesn't seem very enthusiastic about the situation.” “Well if he didn't want to be here, he would just ask to go back to his statue right?” Twilight replied. “Maybe he just wants to spare yer feelins?” Applejack suggested. “Or maybe he’s just looking for more trouble!” Rainbow Dash yelled aggressively. “We’ll see how it goes, we’ll organise activities and see where that gets us.” Twilight smiled confidently. “Um... I could invite him to my house for some tea tomorrow and let him meet some of the animals tomorrow. I mean, if that sounds like a good idea...” Fluttershy timidly suggested. “Are you sure Fluttershy?” Twilight asked, concerned. “It will calm him down if he’s still angry and maybe he’ll make some animal friends.” Fluttershy added. “Well if you’re up to it then go ahead, I’ll ask him about it and then get back to you.” Twilight agreed, “Everyone else think of activities for Discord to get involved with throughout the week. Also, the party supplies really shouldn't go to waste. We’ll throw the party whether Discord comes or not, I’ll ask him later.” They all nodded in agreement and went their separate ways. Discord lay in his bed, bored, lonely, powerless. He’d give anything to cause a bit of chaos, to hear a scream, the crackling of a fire, the distortions from a crack in reality. Anything that would bring back the thrill and the antics that he once enjoyed in his rule over this pathetic world. Part of him wanted to be back in the cold stone casing, counting away the days, but away from the harmony that these accursed ponies persist to emit, that ridiculous notion that the way forward in life is friendship and peace. The only true way through life is to take it by the neck and slap it with a wet fish. Yet part of him wanted to remain in Ponyville, to at least have the chance to move around this world and although his chances of actually causing chaos are non-existent due to the constant eyes in the skies of Celestia and Twilight, he feels like somehow, some way, there may just be hope yet. As he pondered his situation, Twilight walked in and stood in the door way. “Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?” He moaned, not moving to even look at her. “I’m not asking you to change Discord, and I don’t expect you to, all I want is for you to be able to have some form of freedom without anypony fearing you could harm them at any moment. Deep down you’re like everyone else and I want you to live like everyone else.” “That’s a lovely sentiment Twilight, however I’m afraid it falls on deaf ears” Discord stated, still not moving. Twilight sighed, “Well in any case, Fluttershy has invited you round to hers for tea and so you can interact with some of her animals, what do you think?” “Oh that lovely yellow Pegasus down the street? Oh she’s such a darling. I’m sure we’ll have a blast feeding her vermin.” “Come on Discord, it’s got to be more interesting that staying in bed all day right?” Discord pondered for a moment before giving in, “Okay Twilight, tell the walking panic attack I’ll come.” Twilight smiled, “Excellent. Also we’re still throwing that party if you want to come to that?” “Let’s not push it now.” Discord answered. “Okay then, we’ll still be throwing the party anyway so if you change your mind it’s at town square.” “I won’t.” “Well, Fluttershy is ready for you anytime tomorrow. I’ll come along just before noon to make sure you’re up.” “Great, thank you, bye bye, have a nice day, see you around.” Discord waved his bear hand before slumping it back down on the bed. Twilight rolled her eyes and closed the door as she made her way to town square. Discord continued to lay in bed, he could hear the laughter, the talking, the music, and all the fun things going on in town square that everypony would love. Discord wished to sleep, to move on from this day and forget the day’s events. He laid awake, the music and laughter chiming in whenever he tried to sleep. These were not ponies, they were manipulative demons. In all fairness Discord was also a manipulative demon, but Discord is only happy when he is the top manipulative demon. He didn’t feel empathy for any of them, even considering the reversed roles, all he felt was anger and disdain. Damn ponies, they’ll get what’s coming to them. As sure as the blizzards from a windigo, they’ll get what’s coming to them.