//------------------------------// // Freedom // Story: Breaking all the rules // by TheLocoPony //------------------------------// Universe Gamma 218-X. Current universe takes place approximately 80 years in the future relative to Alpha 001-A (AKA, 'My Little Pony Friendship is Magic') and where Twilight does not reach godhood and Discord has not been reformed Equuis Equestria Canterlot West Gardens 11:34 And the last element bearer breathed her last It was Twilight. Only she would be determined enough to last this long to hold Discord back from all that she held dear. No doubt Celestia would be with her in her final minutes, both for her student and her family who no doubt would be the focus of his rage Oh how wrong they can be. While Discord certainty wanted his revenge, it was not the same if it was only her family. She wouldn't feel the effects, dying frees you of that. No. It was also what a rational psychopath would do, seek revenge. No doubt Celly and Lune Lune would be waiting with the Elements of Harmony re-equipped. After having nearly 90 years to plan a new plan, he had come up with genius. Instead of directly going against the elements of harmony, which had led him to defeat....twice, why not simply change the battlefield? Instead of risking defeat at the hooves of the Princesses, why not simply slither into another world that will make chaos easier? Regardless, it sounded fun, so that's what he was doing. All he had to do was wait for the news of the Great Twilight Sparkle's death to spread throughout Equestria. Oh how Celly would love to brag to him about her exploits and the reputation she now held throughout the land. Many would remember Discord through stories passed down from their parents or grandparents. And here it came. Like a wave of despair sweeping over the country. The ironic thing was that as people panicked over him returning, this panic only served to free him more. Crack The sound echoed through his mind. His stone prison was slowly breaking open and soon he would be free. Free to spread chaos once again The stone statue that held him shook as a rift carved it's way down the side. A glowing heart of darkness pulsed gently as more and more fissures spread over his tomb. A weed that had climbed it's way up it's body and gently wrapped around his deer horn shuddered and was torn apart as stone began to break off his body. A chunk slowly came away from his eye and fell to the ground, shattering on impact. His pupil wavered in the light from a world he had been blind to for so long. Stone rained from his wings as they rustled and opened slowly, making a noise not dissimilar to old parchment. A satisfied click of the tongue came from his mouth as it slowly opened against the pressure of the failing stone. A deep chuckle echoed forth as his claw burst free and gently ripped the stone away from his paw. His hoof kicked out, breaking the rock that coated his leg and stepped down from his position and onto fresh blue grass that grew quickly and writhed in his presence. He crouched low to the ground and silver particles wormed their way through the ground to his claw, slowly forming a silver chalice that filled its self with chocolate milk from a small purple cloud that he burped out. As he took a swig from it his wings opened up to twice their size and pushed down hard, sending him catapulting into the air. As he rocketed through the sky, never spilling a drop, he calmly regarded the horizon behind him. Ah, there they were Twin bursts of golden and dark blue lights flared up in the sky as they realised their mistake. They rose quickly twirling around each other before shooting towards him. Of course they would never reach him in time. In fact, they should be glad he's leaving and wrecking havoc on another world instead....on second thoughts he had better get a move on, they hated anyone having fun. With his momentum he destroyed the entrance to the sanctum that had guarded it for over 5,000 years. Huge shards of rocks impaled the area around where he landed and dust filled the air. Walking out of the cloud, Discord approached the small orb that stood upon a pillar. He took a deep breath as he gingerly picked it up in his claw, a relieved chuckle when he did not disintegrate on contact "DISCORD! NO!" Celestia demanded from the doorway Discords head turned around to face her and her sister, while his body took a few seconds to realise and also turn "Why, Celestia! How good of you to join me, and you too of course little Luna" Discord said patronisingly "What are thy intentions?" Luna asked, eyeing the orb warily "Oh you should be glad! You will hold feasts for this day! I'm leaving" He answered This surprised them. "Leaving? Leaving where?" Luna replied angrily "This world. That's right, I'm traveling to parallel worlds to find one more ripe for the chaos picking" He grinned cockily Celestia stamped her hoof "And you think we would allow you to terror others in our place!" She demanded Discord laughed "Yes. I think you are. Because if you try to use those elements on me and fail, I will wreck such wondrous insanity upon this world, and it will be all your fault. Letting me go is your safe option, your get out of jail free. You'll most likely never see me again, and everyone you love will be safe. Isn't that what you want?" Luna narrowed her eyes "We shall never allow this! Shall we sister!?" She spat, turning to Celestia for support. Celestia stood still. Her teeth ground against each other but she didn't say a word. Luna's face fell as she watched her and Discord shrugged as if he had expected this. The orb shattered under the pressure in his claw and a silvery light wafted out, circling his claw before seeping into it. A single bead of sweat rolled down the side of Celestia's head as she faced her decision. A chance to be rid of him once and for all, her kingdom, as well as the rest of the world, safe from chaos. All at the possible cost of others who will suffer his unwelcome intrusion Discord lazily traced his first claw through the air, where a sharp light split the air in two. With her continued silence and Luna's increasing despair he took this as her blessing and tore downwards where the very fabric of reality was torn as pure creation magic flowed through his arm. He waved his lion paw and party hats appeared on the two Alicorns heads as they glared at him as he slithered his way through the barrier, and out of their lives. Universe Epsilon 577-T ??? ??? ??? ??? 11:45 His claw entered the alien air first. His face peeked out from the shimmering portal and scanned the area around him. A dark forest surrounded him on all sides, trees creaking softly in the still night. A damp mist weaved throughout the trees and condensed against his warm body. Stepping out completely he glanced around, kicking a leaf on the floor subconsciously. A gasp of breath alerted him to an incoming presence. Out of the woods a pony wearing hot pink armour came stumbling out holding a blood soaked rag against his side as he looked behind him. He was a earthy brown colour with bright green hair poking just below his helmet and partially obstructing his view. His cutie mark was hidden under the familiar royal guard armour, apart from the colour of it. Turning just in time he saw Discord where his eyes widened As Discord smiled smugly and prepared to hear his first screams of fear he got something a bit unexpected. The pony threw himself to the ground in front of him, announcing "Lord Discord! Sir!" Discord blinked in surprise as his grin slowly widened without his control "Now this is more like it!" Universe Gamma 218-X Equuis Equestria Faust's Tomb Inner Sanctum 11:46 Celestia turned in disgust of herself and prepared to leave, wings fluttering as she spread them out. Luna looked away but also got ready to head back. Although she was horrified to feel it, she could not describe how happy she was that Discord was now just a bad memory, and that while many may suffer, her subjects would be safe. As the two Alicorns were just about to go a rumble echoed out of the darkness. Twin pinpricks of red light shot out through the darkness and traced Celestia and Luna's bodies. "SCAN COMPLETE. TARGET NOT IDENTIFIED. TWO LIFEFORMS OF ADEQUATE INTELLIGENCE IDENTIFIED. BEGINNING QUESTIONS" The red light slowly faded to become two dots of green light. A metal clunk was heard and something moved in the darkness. A metal screech came shortly before another metal clunk. Out of the darkness protruded a twisted iron horn. Celestia and Luna backed away in fear as the head came through. The right half was largely covered in a bluish, metal mask that quite accurately depicted a ponies face. The eye, made of glass, seemed realistic enough and glowed a soft green as it regarded the two Alicorns. From a distance it could almost be mistaken for a ponies face, despite the fact it reflected the light slightly. However the left side seemed to come from a nightmare There was a mixture of wires and sparking circuits that flashed harshly in the dark room. The eye was a small circle of glass that was surrounded by small wires that fed into it. It whirred and the shutter opened slightly more as it took in more of the two Princesses. The mouth, that was closed on the covered side, was an angry mesh of metal on this side and vaguely resembled dagger like teeth The rest of the body limped forward, having not moved in the past few thousand years. It's body was largely covered with the same metallic blue armour except the joints that were free to allow movement, more wires worming between them. On it's chest was a large crack, where an orange light seeped through. On it's back stood two mechanical wings, although the left one had lost all the aluminium 'feathers' and so was only a light skeletal frame. The right had lost many of the feathers as well, leaving a small trail of them behind it. Stepping fully into the light it revealed it's tail and mane to made of tight coils of black wires looked exactly like hair. It stood as tall as Luna, shorter than Celestia, but taller than the average pony. It had no cutie-mark. "WHERE IS [IDENTITY UNKNOWN]?" It asked Luna gulped and Celestia steeled her nerves and stepped forwards "The one who took the orb?" "CORRECT" "Discord's already gone" It tilted it's head sideways "IDENTITY HAS BEEN UPDATED. LOCATION HAS BEEN UPDATED. RUNNING LOGIC PROCESSOR. OBJECTIVE UPDATED. OBJECTIVE: PURSUE AND ELIMINATE IDENTITY KNOWN AS 'DISCORD'. ACTIVATING The chest grew brighter as the orange light got stronger. There was a mucky white glow that surrounded it's horn that slowly consumed its body. It's shape stood for a few more seconds, covered in a dirty light. It then imploded, leaving an empty space behind along with two baffled Alicorns. Celestia smiled gently at Luna "Maybe hope isn't completely lost then"