//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight // Story: Battle Ready: The Rising of Sin // by D101 Reviews //------------------------------// Sweat dripped from his brow as Battle's nose touched the floor. With a grunt of effort, he pushed himself so that his right arm locked straight. As he supported himself on one hand, Battle levitated the apple that had been on his desk so that he could take a bite. After a moment's worth of chewing, he replaced the apple and began his controlled descent, and then return. The clock chimed half past eight in the evening. Battle looked up, surprised at how fast the time had gone, gave the best shrug he could in his position, and moved his left hand from where it lay on the small of his back and placed it on the ground, before putting all his weight onto it and moving his right hand into a similar position to his left one had been in moments before. A knock on the library door interrupted him mid-press-up. "Come in!" he grunted, grateful for a reason to take a break. The door opened and Applejack stepped inside, closing the door swiftly behind her. She raised an eyebrow when she saw Battle, though she didn't repeat Dash's action to wolf-whistle at Battle's naked chest. "Ah hope Ah didn't interrupt anything partner," she said, indicating Battle's position. Battle shook his head and got to his feet, a towel flying into his grasp as he did so. He dabbed at his forehead a little before draping the towel over his shoulders. "You came just when I was getting bored," Battle shrugged. "'Sup AJ?" Applejack folded her arms and bit her lip slightly. Battle rolled his eyes and smiled. "There's some lemonade in the kitchen somewhere if you want a drink," he said, turning around and heading for the stairs. "Thank ya kindly," Applejack said, smiling appreciatively. "I know Rarity likes an eyeful an' even Ah'll admit that I wouldn't complain first thing in the mornin' but-" "But this is important I get it," Battle called over his shoulder as he climbed up the stairs. Ten minutes later Battle stepped into the kitchen, yawning slightly, to see Applejack sitting at the table, twiddling her thumbs, shrugging her shoulders at him as if to say: 'Couldn't find it.' Battle rolled his eyes and opened one of the cipards, producing two glasses and a glass bottle. He filled both and handed one to Applejack. "Thank you kindly," she said tipping her hat, before taking a generous swig. Battle tipped his glass to her before he took a sip of his own lemonade and looking at her. "So what's the hoo-hah?" Battle asked."You don't normally come round this late AJ. I mean Dash crashed into the back door last night but still." "She tends to do that," Applejack commented. "But you got a point partner. Usually putting 'Bloom to sleep 'round 'bout now." "And tonight we're going down the library instead of diving under the blankets ready for the rooster to wake us up?" Battle asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Rainbow-" "Dropped in?" "You could say that. Anyway's she started yabberin' 'bout somethin' going on down at Fluttershy's." "And you came to me because?" "Well Ah like to think you're a part of the group now," Applejack said, smiling kindly. "Ah mean Rarity already managed to drag you down to the spa. If that don't say you're one of us Ah don't what does." Battle blinked and took a gulp of his lemonade. "Well... That's actually rather sweet." He smiled, and downed his drink. "I'll get my coat." Applejack took a sideways glance at Battle as they walked to Fluttershy's cottage. Battle's coat was was a long black trench coat made of some material Applejack couldn't begin to guess at and was long enough so its hem could just brush the top of his boots. The collar was pointed and pulled up so that it covered his neck. It hung open, revealing the deep, navy blue lining within and the black buttons were polished to a gleam. "Take a picture it'll last longer," Battle smirked, glancing sideways at her as he walked. She laughed at that, rolling her eyes. "Well forgive me for having an interest." "I thought Rarity had the eye for fashion?" "Fashion and function are two different things sugar cube," Applejack corrected. "Ah'll be first to admit Ah don't know hooey 'bout all that fru-fru Rarity keeps yammerin' 'bout. But what Ah do know is that coat ain't thick enough for the winter." "You'd be surprised." "Ah sure would, but cold weather looks to be more an afterthought with whoever made that for you." Battle looked at her and smiled, giving an approving nod. "What?" "You surprise me sometimes AJ that's all." Applejack shrugged. "Ah surprise myself sometimes." She looked up as they approached a small, humped-back bridge that led over an equally small creek. Battle did the same and both stopped dead in their tracks. "What the...?" Battle breathed. The cottage was nice enough, though it looked like it had been made out of a small hill, with the roof covered in lush, green grass. Bird houses and other animal homes were dotted around the place. The little windows seemed to survey the surroundings like they were watching them, not out of fear but more out of a need to protect the surrounding environment. The most distinctive feature however was most definitely the fact that the entire cottage was now floating thirty feet in the air. Battle turned to Applejack. "Um... this... this isn't normal right? I mean I just got used to Pinkie, I don't think I could handle flying cottages right now." Applejack tipped the brim of her hat low and furrowed her eyebrows, her jawline set. "What in tarnation is she lettin' that mismatched freak do this time?" "Wait what?" Battle asked. "Fluttershy's... roommate," Applejack said sourly. She strode over the bridge, followed by a very confused Battle. He was aware of someone hovering over his head. He didn't look up, but he had a feeling of who it was. "Dash if you want to talk to me then you'll either have to come where I can see ou or confirm if you're wearing a skirt," Battle said. "No skirts, no dresses," Dash said. Battle looked up, closed his eyes and sighed. "And no shorts or jeans I see," Battle said. "You asked if I was wearing a skirt. I'm not." "Ah'm thinkin' Battle's a might uncomfortable with you flyin' over his head with you just in your underwear Dash," Applejack translated. Battle could practically see Dash shrug. "He walks about with his shirt off and I don't feel uncomfortable." "As Rarity would say Dash, Battle's a gentleman. You're hardly a lady." "Thanks AJ." "Can someone please explain to me why Fluttershy's house is in mid air at the moment?" Battled asked. "Also Dash put some trousers on I can't take you seriously if you're flying around in your underwear." "I have a t-shirt on." "Pyjamas then. The point remains however, why is Fluttershy's cottage in the air, what are we going to do about it and where the hell is Fluttershy anyway?" "That's three points isn't it?" Dash asked. "Shush." Applejack looked up at the cottage and raised an eyebrow. "She in there Dash?" "Nope," she replied. "Is he in there?" "Nope." Battle looked up at this. "He? He who? Who is this he we're talking about right now?" Applejack ignored him for a moment to look at Dash. "Well were are they? We can't do much if we don't know where he is and there ain't much point if she ain't here to go back inside." Battle sighed and rolled his eyes, deciding to remain quiet until Applejack and Rainbow Dash chose to stop playing the pronoun game. He looked up quickly as Applejack gave an exclamation of 'Hey!' but was cut off as something was dropped on his head, hanging onto his horn and slipping down over his eyes. Battle grabbed whatever it was from his horn and unceremoniously ripped it off to inspect it. It took him a few moments to recognise Applejack's signature stetson. He frowned, confused. Applejack wasn't the type to just hand out her stetson, and he certainly hadn't heard her approach before or after she said 'Hey!' Battle looked up again after remembering that Applejack hadn't sounded endangered, but more annoyed and surprised. Applejack was of course without her signature stetson, but not only this, she was also wearing a set of clothes that were several sizes to big for her. Rainbow Dash was now in a fine tree piece suit, much to her annoyance and Battle's confusion. Curious, Battle checked himself over and jumped when he saw his fur was now electric blue. "What in the-" Battle's eyes widened as he realised is voice was now several octaves higher than before. "Okay really? Why do I sound like I just inhaled a whole lot of helium?" "You sound ridiculous," Dash chuckled. Battle scowled at her and threw Applejack her hat. "This better not be permanent or I will be pissed," Battle growled. A threatening act, if Battle didn't sound like Rarity's sister. A fact highlighted by Dash's uncontrollable howls of laughter. Battle scowled at her as someone landed behind her. "Oh my, is everyone okay?" Battle turned around and gave Fluttershy a look that screamed 'Do I look okay?' She in turn looked at Battle and gave a small, quiet chuckle at Battle blue visage. "Yeah yeah laugh it up 'Shy," Battle grunted. "How come I'm the only here who ended up looking like a total pillock?" "Oh, because wearin' clothes that're gonna fall off ya at any moment ain't stupid looking at all!" Applejack snapped, before looking over at Fluttershy. "'Shy what in tarnation are you lettin' him get away with now?" "I'm not letting him get away with anything!" Fluttershy snapped (or as close as Fluttershy can snap). "He's been away for weeks, so I'm letting him get comfortable again in his own way." "Uhuh?" Dash asked, arms folded, looking unimpressed. "Can you explain to me where you were then for the past thirty minutes when I came to check on you?" "Or why Batle sounds like a munchkin?" Applejack called. Battle rolled his eyes: "I'd settle for just what the hell is going on here." Dash sniggered and he fixed her with an unimpressed stare. Fluttershy on the other hand seemed content to answer Dash's question: "Angel ran out when the house started lifting out of the ground, I just couldn't sleep without knowing if he was safe." "And where's he in all of this?" Applejack asked. Battle was now officially tired of everyone ignoring his question. "Okay, stop! Can someone please answer me right now! Who! Is! This! HE!?" "Temper temper," said a voice right in Battle's left ear. Battle whirled around, spinning on the ball of his right foot, twisting backwards and flipping onto his hands to put some distance between him and the mystery speaker. He landed on his feet, resting one hand on the ground and prepared for a running start if need be. Dash gave a whistle at the maneuver and Applejack opened her mouth a little at the way Battle's body seemed to twist in an almost unnatural fashion. "My my," said the same voice, in the same, condescending amused tone. "Quite an intriguing one you are." Battled looked up at the speaker to see something that at first glance might seem to be a pony. It had the same basic shape, with a muddy brown coat for its torso and slate grey over his head, aside from the fact it was twice as tall as Battle. However it was most definitely not any unicorn, earth pony or pegasus. Its right arm was covered in a thinner, golden fur, ending in a lion's paw, rather than a hand. The other arm, was spindly and thin, ending in an eagle's claw. His right leg was green, scaly and reptilian, whilst his left looked to come straight from a goat. From, what Battle could assume to be, the creature's shoulder blades, were wings yes, but they were mismatched as the rest of the creature, the right one being that of a bat and the left being that of a pegasus. Its tail was long and covered in red scales, ending in white fluff. The same white hair ran up the back of the creature's head and neck, created his bushy eyebrows and its equally bushy goatee. From behind the creature's ears were two horns. Behind the right, the antler of a deer, the left the bluish horn of a goat. A long fang poked out from beneath the creature's lip and his eyes were yellow, with red irises and mismatched pupils. Battle straightened up slowly, regarding the amalgamation before him with curiosity and apprehension. He had never seen something so malformed, so conflicted and confused in his entire life. "I know what you're thinking," it said, its voice revealing it to be a male. "You're enraptured by my beauty." "Quite the opposite," Battle said slowly. "What are you?" "A god to put it simply," Discord said smiling. Battle cocked an eyebrow. "Quite the cynic you brought dear Fluttershy." "Battle," Applejack said grumbling. "This is Discord." Battle looked at Discord, then at Applejack, then at the floating house, then back to Discord. "Fair enough," Battle said, nodding. Discord blinked, then stared at him intently. "Just that? Fair enough? Aren't you going to bow down? Grovel before me? You're talking to the God of Chaos and Disharmony." "Ask me if I'm affected," Battle said slowly. "Actually better question: Ask me why I should care considering that you've A: turned me bright blue, and B: made my voice sound like a filly half my age?" Discord snapped the fingers on his left hand. "Better?" Battle looked at himself to see his coat had returned to its usual sleek black luster. He cleared his throat and, satisfied it had become its former bass he nodded in appreciation. "Much." "Good," Discord smiled. The smile disappeared when Dash shoved her snout into his face. "Mind telling us why Fluttershy's house is floating in the air?" she snapped. "Oh Dash I've told you I don't mind!" Fluttershy squeaked. "Back! Right now!" Dash snapped again, ignoring Fluttershy. Discord rolled his eyes, one of the turning into a billiard ball for the briefest of moments before, with a snap of his fingers, Fluttershy's house returned to its usual place on the hill. "You have no appreciation for modern home design Rainbow my dear," Discord sighed. "Modern home design my hoof!" Dash snapped. "You've been terrorising Fluttershy's animals!" Discord's irises became red crosses as he stuck his snake like tongue out his mouth and fell to the ground, grasping a daisy his both hands as he hit the ground. He sprung back up a moment later, paw on his chest, head held high. "How dare you Miss Dash!?" he huffed in indignation. "I have done no such thing." Dash gave a derisive snort before she relented, flying back down to the ground, her usual attire restored with a snap of Discord's fingers once again, Applejack's clothes also returning to their original size. He smiled before making his way to the cottage. "Seeing as how we're all here, how about we all have some tea?" he suggested, a teapot and several saucers appearing and hovering in the air out of nowhere. Battle gave a yawn. "Need to get back to the library," he said, the excuse sounding lame to him. Discord looked at him. "Who said the offer was extended to you?" he asked. "Discord!" Fluttershy gasped, looking furious. "I'm sorry Fluttershy my dear but this dear stallion hasn't earned my respect as of yet," he said, not looking at Battle. "I'm sure he may be delightful but I simply cannot call him my friend." He paused. "Unless he can look me in the eye and say it." "Say what?" Battle asked, folding his arms. "Why that you'd like to be my friend of course," Discord said as if it were obvious. Battle looked at Dash who shrugged. Applejack gave and confused gesture. Fluttershy however looked at Battle with pleading eyes. He sighed. "Fine," he said. "Come here then." Discord leaned down, pressing his face almost directly into Battle's. Their eyes locked onto one another. Battle stared deep into those red eyes. He saw madness, devastation. Many things in those eyes he saw. All of them, watered down versions of the apocalypse. A child, playing with the power of a God. "I think we should be friends," Battle said as sincerely as he could. For a long time, Discord said nothing. Then, he did something Battle found unexpected. He blinked. Battle was so shocked by this that he blinked as well. In that instanced before his eyelids closed however he saw something new in those red eyes: Respect. Or was it admiration? He didn't want to say it was fear. Discord leaned back, arms folded, tapping his chin. Then he reached down with his lion paw. "Discord, a pleasure to meet you." Battle grabbed the paw and shook it as well. "Battle Ready, likewise." "I'd invite you for tea but you said something about the library?" Discord asked. "Yeah," Battle replied. "Gotta make sure nothing's been nicked while I've been out." "That wouldn't do at all," Discord replied. "Well off you go." Battle nodded, slowly walking away from Fluttershy's cottage, Discord and the three confused ponies. As soon as Battle was out of earshot, Dash looked at him. "What was that?" she asked, genuinely curious. Discord shrugged. "I merely wanted to see if he would do it. Nothing more." He didn't tell them of course. He knew what Battle had seen in him. The genius of evil, tempered by the comedy of a child and reigned in by the power of friendship.But he doubted Battle knew what someone like Discord would see if he stared into his eyes for long enough. And stare he had. And he had seen something he never thought a pony was capable of. No pony in Equestria. As he looked back over his shoulder and watched Battle walk away in a distance, he wondered what the others might think of him if they knew. If they knew what lay behind those navy blue eyes. What would they see? Discord knew for he had seen it himself. He had seen violence.