//------------------------------// // Celebrations // Story: Retired to Equestria // by Yet Another Mask //------------------------------// The festivities, as always, went long into the night. Everyone in Equestria was in on the celebration, not only to congratulate the latest exploits of the Elements of Harmony but also to reassure themselves that Discord was gone. The newly petrified draconequus had been taken back to his old pedestal back in Canterlot by Celestia just before the festivities had commenced. With the fresh spell having the full backing of the elements he was sure to be stuck there for quite a while. Damien didn’t doubt that within days there would be reports of simple vandalism to the statue. Contentedly he surveyed the ongoing party from the sidelines, a large mug of hard cider in one talon to tend his dry throat. As always he had spent a large portion of his time at the party telling stories and generally entertaining whoever was willing to watch. He chuckled after taking a long draught from his mug as he patted his satchel. Unlike the last couple of parties the ponies had tossed a tidy sum of bits his way in thanks for the entertainment. Of course his audiences had dwindled when others saw the potential for profit but he had still come out quite happy. It was always reassuring to discover his favored vocation was well received. A quick examination of the crowds showed that Fluttershy had long since retreated, likely to her house, in an attempt to escape the constant fawning of the fans she had gained with her latest exploit. It seemed that every time she had tried to get rid of her crowd, very quietly, it had only increased in size. Even Damien had to admit that the poor mare was adorable when flustered. Rainbow Dash was still working the crowds with Gilda. The pair was still showing off admittedly impressive tricks as they spun through the sky, their wings given extra strength by the constant stream of praise and adulations proffered by the ponies below them. They too had managed to accrue a small pile of bits from ponies despite their protests. Of course the fact that they had left the pile of money there had done nothing to dissuade further contributions. Twilight had somehow managed to track down a very old looking book and had surrounded herself with a soundproof bubble so as to study her latest acquisition in peace. What little of the book’s spine Damien could read proclaimed it to be a history book, possibly one regarding Discord? He smiled; Twilight wouldn’t leave such a mystery as that monster unsolved for long. He wouldn’t be surprised if she had managed to write an entire thesis about how Discord did what he did and how he escaped by the time sunrise rolled around. Rarity, like Rainbow Dash, was preening in the adorations of a rather large crowd of stallions. Damien smiled as he realized that there were several mares in the crowd vying for attention as well. Each of her admirers trying to prove they were more worthy of the vision of beauty before them than any of their competitors. He had to smile at her masterful manipulation of the crowd, chances were most of the ponies were certain that she had eyes only for them. Applejack was packing up her stand, having spent a good portion of the night selling off whatever she could to the partygoers. His eyes quickly alighted on her completely empty cart, thoroughly impressed with her work. No wonder she was so able to keep up with him when he was haggling. Another soft smile, chances were the mare hadn’t had such a profitable day in months. But then again such festivals were always profitable for the enterprising and business savvy. Pinkie Pie was, of course, busy sampling everything she could get her hooves on and trying out every attraction in the impromptu fairgrounds. She already had a massive pile of prizes being carried around by a small crowd of admiring foals, all eager to see her conquer the next game. Most stall owners were now refusing to let her play in an attempt to conserve what prizes they had left. Damien drained his mug before casting another glance around the crowds, searching for other familiar faces. The crusaders had long since fallen asleep mid-crusade. Not even he was able to figure out what they had been planning to do with a wheel of cheese, a bale of hay, and thirty-seven yards of fishing line. Zecora was sitting along the sidelines much the same as he was, content to watch others go about their merrymaking. Many of the citizens of Ponyville were still somewhat leery of the zebra alchemist. The fact that she lived in the Everfree forest probably didn’t do much to get rid of her reputation for being an evil witch or make her any more approachable. “Quite a sight isn’t it?” a cheery voice asked from behind him. “I suppose. But you see one victory party and you’ve seen ‘em all really,” Damien replied as he stared down into his mug. He grimaced as recalled that the kegs of hard cider that had been brought by were now all empty. He’d have to figure out where to get a couple casks of his own, that was some damn good cider. “No stinging barbs for me?” “Nah, I’m in a good mood.” He tossed the mug aside and turned to face his new companion. “Relatively speaking anyway.” Princess Celestia smiled softly. “That’s too bad; I was hoping to hear your more antagonistic side. Luna talks about you quite a bit.” “Luna needs to make some real friends,” he grumbled. “Where is she anyway? I’d have figured she’d love to come here. Get a chance to meet the elements and me while we aren’t under the threat of eternal chaos.” Celestia chuckled at this, a bright cheery laugh that seemed to light up the air. “Yes, she would have if she hadn’t had something of an emergency.” She looked pointedly at Damien, the smile still present on her face and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “It seems that somepony managed to dye her coat pink. A rather unfitting color for the Princess of the Night don’t you think?” “I dunno. Never seen her in pink, it’d probably suit her though. Let me know if you ever find out who did it so I can congratulate them,” Damien responded with a face of pure innocence. “I’m sure she’ll find a way to get back at whoever it is that’s responsible.” She turned her head to survey the crowd again. “I would have thanked you for your part in helping delay Discord but thought better of it.” “Good. I don’t think I’d be able to live down a declaration of heroism here.” He shuddered slightly. “Takes forever to get rid of a taint like that.” Celestia laughed again. “Yes I suppose it would. I still feel that I owe you something. You and Luna managed to distract him enough for my letters to get through to Twilight.” “Force Luna to get out there and meet somepony. She might leave me alone then,” he grunted. “Not like I wanted to distract that thing anyway. He pulled his weird mind magic on me.” Damien shivered at the memory. “The bastard completely subverted who I am with a touch! If I’d known you had creatures like that skulking around your borders I might have reconsidered my choice in retirement homes.” “Really now? You didn’t enjoy it at all?” she asked him with a raised eyebrow. “I was hurt, manipulated, mutilated, and trapped in a nightmare of pure agony for I don’t know how long. Not my idea of a good day.” “You had time to relive your glory days, make a tidy sum of bits telling stories, and met Luna in person.” “That last one doesn’t count as a good thing.” Celestia chuckled softly. “I suppose for you it might not. But I’d imagine that for many other citizens of my realm meeting one of the princesses would be a great honor.” “Then prove it by ‘honoring’ one of your other subjects. Preferably one far from me.” Celestia made a show of pondering the Damien’s request for a moment. “I think not. Luna was right about your refreshing lack of propriety.” Damien groaned. “Does that mean I have to start genuflecting if I want you to leave?” “It might work,” she responded with a sly look. Several minutes passed in silence as the two continued to watch the celebrating ponies. “Well? I’m waiting.” Damien shot her a venomous look. “You know full well I’m not going to bow to you.” “Not even to gain a moment of peace?” “I defied Fate when she promised far more than a simple moment of peace and I’ll deny you as well.” He was silent for a moment. “Though I will admit that as far as goddesses go you and your sister aren’t that bad,” he grudgingly admitted. “Actually seem to care about the mortals that believe in you and are more willing to admit that you are more like a mortal than most.” Celestia turned to him with a smile. “I’m glad to have your approval.” Damien merely grunted and surveyed the crowd again. “Can you answer one question for me?” “Of course.” “Why let me stay? Through Luna you should know full well what I am, what I can do.” He turned a stony eyed look on her. “What I will do if I have to. I am dangerous. Possibly more dangerous than Discord because I wouldn’t have let the only ponies that could stop me live. Why take the risk that I represent?” “Because deep down you are a good person,” she responded with a smile. Her smile grew as she saw the disbelieving look in Damien’s eyes. “You may not believe it but there is more goodness in you than you claim. Damien snorted. “Martin made the same claim, said that I could be redeemed, said the same of Ellisiree and pretty much all of my old companions. We were never redeemed, never stopped being the villains or the unliked. Not even four hundred years after his death. I didn’t believe him. Why would I believe you?” “Not believing it doesn’t make it any less true.” Damien laughed. “You have no idea how things work with me do you?” He shook his head ruefully and glanced at the dwindling crowd. “In any case I think it’s about time I headed back home. Try to keep Luna out of my head tonight will you?” “After what you did to her earlier today? Not a chance.” Damien chuckled softly under his breath as he padded off down the street. Perhaps this world wasn’t as peaceful as he had thought it to be at first, but it looked like life was going to work out just fine anyway. <-[XXXXX]-> Damien paused momentarily outside of his house as he stared in wonder at the scene before him. Just that afternoon his house had been transformed into a smoldering wreck, surrounded by scorched earth and devastated streets. Yet the Elements of Harmony had completely removed all traces of both Discord’s taint and the destruction Damien himself had caused in his corrupted state. Shaking his head in wonder he quickly stepped inside the house with a smile, he had plans for tonight. As soon as he entered the house he plucked the black gemstone from the doorframe and caressed it gently. Two weeks of intermittent visitors and Gilda’s welcome party had charged it to near capacity. Not to mention the power it had picked up from the harmony wave that had pressed a country-wide reset button earlier in the day. A pity he was going to have to use most of it tonight. His chant began slowly, the runes flickering into life around him hesitantly. After the third verse his chanting picked up speed and the runes began to swirl around him. At the end of the twelfth verse he was completely hidden behind a whirling orb of black runes. Ten minutes later he ended the spell with a curt word and the sphere imploded with a dull thud. At the exact moment the sphere imploded several wards sprung into life in Canterlot, rendering anything within their influence invisible, inaudible, and undetectable to the outside. As such no one noticed a black sphere expand outwards and deposit a slightly out of breath griffon at the base of a statue that had recently returned to the Canterlot Statue Gardens. “Hello Discord,” Damien said as he caught his breath. “I know you can hear me in there.” The statue was, of course, silent. The spell the elements had cast was still far too fresh and strong to allow the draconequus to speak. “I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here. Although maybe you aren’t, spirits of chaos are always difficult to predict.” He shook his head ruefully. “I’m here to make sure that next time I’m ready for you.” He held out the black gemstone, now depleted of power and chanted a short spell. “This stone will let me familiarize myself with the soul of whatever being is closest to it. Even you should be able to figure out where I’m going to place it.” With a sadistic smile he placed the gemstone on the pedestal between Discord’s legs and covered it with his palm. He muttered quietly and pushed down on the stone. Within moments it began to slowly sink into the elaborate pedestal. “This stone will remain here, letting me craft spells that can and will harm you, defend against you, maybe even kill you next time.” He looked up at the statue’s head. “And I know there will be a next time. I don’t know for sure how long a normal pony lives. I don’t know what kind of effect the Elements will have on them. All I know for certain is that they are not going to be the last bearers of the elements, and when they die or lose the connection…” his voice trailed off with a smile. “I’ll be waiting. Be it in ten years or ten thousand I will be here and I will destroy you. I will allow no one, man, mortal, or god, to twist me to their purposes without retribution.” He brought up a talon in an obscene gesture directed at the statue as the sphere of runes flared back into existence and swallowed him up. As he disappeared the wards hiding his presence vanished as well, allowing his mocking laugh to echo around the silent courtyard. -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Well now, what to say here? First time I’ve done one of these author’s notes after all…… First off thanks to everyone that’s read and enjoyed this little production so far. I gotta say that you people have constantly surprised me with all your positive feedback, kinda scary actually. Seriously, why does everyone always love Damien when I write the smarmy bastard? Hell, my creative writing teacher said he even made her enjoy my fantasy genre story. And she never enjoys fantasy! Now that I think about it I really should get around to editing that NaNo story I wrote about him too… In any case I’m gettin’ a little off track. For those of you worryin’ that I’m gonna just stop writing this story or that it’s the end. Don’t. I ain’t done with Damien quite yet. However this will mark the end of this story being my main focus. Probably anyway. So updates’ll probably a good deal rarer and more sporadic, unless I get punched with the fist of inspiration and write out an entire chapter or two at once. (This happens pretty often actually) As you may have guessed from my wording of my changing focus that I’ll be writing something else. Hard part’ll be deciding what exactly I’ll be puttin’ up though. Gotta figure out which little idea floatin’ in my head’d make a story that doesn’t completely suck after all. And between you and me, I got a lot of those things in there right now. Probably gonna end up writin’ a bunch of ‘chapter 1’s for all the little ideas and choose from those. In any case I’ll be seein’ all of ya later, either here or with whatever I end up makin’ next. After killing some time relaxing of course. Or not. Inspiration and all.