//------------------------------// // Catching up // Story: The Secret Side Of Discord // by Lemon Pegasus //------------------------------// Well, there were a pony down, but they still had a task at hand. Discord looked behind him, there were some trees not too far away. Laba spoke up. "The second outpost is within those trees, and it's underground," So... how would they find it? "There is a yellow trunked tree in front of the trapdoor to help us find it." Honestly, Laba could definitely read his mind or had his own version of the Pinkie Sense or something! He didn't sound any different when he was speaking, but you could tell by looking at him that he was changed. It was also pretty obvious that he was affected in the way he walked, his head was held low and he walked at the back at the pack instead of at the front with Friar, who had the map. They were walking towards the forest, which would shortly be covering them. Occasionally Discord looked behind him to make sure they weren't being followed, every time Laba looked the same way. A bad way. He couldn't just watch Laba suffer like this, we was the closest this group had to a leader, if he fell, the rest of the group would follow. He slowly joined his side. "Hey there, home dog!" Laba didn't reply. Probably wasn't the best way to greet a distraught pony... He did reply, eventually. "Hello." Honestly, Discord was hoping for a bit more. He wasn't sure why, but he talked to him like he was a child. "So, what's on your mind?" He asked, trying to sound reviving. "Your foal, Starswirl. He has a unique talent, saving my engagement like that," Laba replied. What did that have to do with anything? "The ring... was for Ivy." Well, that's depressing. Discord had never been in a relationship before, so he didn't know what it would be like to lose a mare. However he did know what it was look to see a friend look really sad around him, and he wanted it to stop. He COULD say "What would she want if she were still here," but that is one of the most stereotypical, textbook lines in existence! Right behind "You won't get away with this," and "I will have my revenge!" So, he went for something more original (amv by Lemon Pegasus, do not steel). "I don't know what Ivy was like or what she meant to you," Discord began his pep talk, "What I do know is that you are the closest this group has to a leader. Do you know what happens when a leader falls apart?" Laba hesitated, and spoke. "The group falls apart as a result." He didn't look up, though he sounded clearer. Discord wasn't done yet. "The leader has the responsibility to look after his teammates and the teammates have the responsibility to look after their leader. If one of these responsibilities is ignored or forgotten, well, you know what happens." Discord was actually quite good at this, damn son! "The group falls apart as a result." Laba raised his head a little. Discord didn't want to continue, but he had to if it meant bringing Laba back to good condition. He was running out of points to make, though. "Imagine this as a building without cement. The leader is the cement, one teammate can be the bricks, one the supports, bla bla bla. However, if there is no cement, what happens to the building?" Discord liked visualizations, they made things easier, there's a tip for your maths tests! Laba held his head high and said: "The building falls apart." Had Discord really done it? Was someone finally gonna put his face on a shirt? Now, he may have gone a bit overboard, but Laba didn't seem to care! With some new found enthusiasm, Discord asked "Who's ready?" Laba quickly replied "I'm ready!" Discord wanted to make sure he was cool, and repeated "who's ready?" Again, Laba replied "I'm ready!" Now, with more volume, Discord asked for the final time "Who's ready?" And with even more volume, Laba replied "I'm ready!" Starswirl, who sat in Discord's arms, seemed quite happy to hear the two of them say this, not sure why, perhaps the foal had a sense of spirit even at his young age? Laba picked up the pace and took his stand at the front of the pack, like he had the last few days. He seemed to have calmed down, though Discord had never seen him like that before. Perhaps there was a side to him that had not been seen before, or perhaps this was all part of some random kid's story, and he just made an obscure reference.... nah! "There's the tree." Laba informed the group, and he pointed towards a tree not to far ahead that had a pale, yellow trunk. Other than that they were no distinctive features. It stood just as high and wide and the leaves were the same dark, green shade. Approaching the tree, Discord noticed a large bush beside it, facing the opposite way. The leaves were densely grown together and small red berries poked out here and there. Laba approached this bush and, using his magic, shifted away a part of the leaf filled mess. What was revealed was a simple, wooden trapdoor. It looked old yet well kept, with very little scratches or splinters on it's smooth, brown surface. The curved, metallic handle glowed a shade of white as Laba lifted it open. The door squealed slightly as it swung open on it's hinges, revealing a steep staircase that appeared to lead down to some kind of bomb shelter! "We must face away as we walk down, otherwise we may fall" said Laba, already making his way down the staircase. One by one, all the ponies entered. After Laba, Friar entered, followed by Sam, Chrysalis, Spiral Dust and Discord entered last. Closing the trapdoor behind him, Discord made his way down the steep, creaking stairs. Turning around, Discord noticed how well built this place was. The walls appeared to be made of solid, carved stone, and there was a hood carved compartment in the wall for storage. Within said compartment was a box, just like the previous BOXES OF MYSTERY! Friar's horn glowed as he lifted the BOX OF MYSTERY (over used? No? Okay) and placed it down, lifting the lid off with ease. This case contained air beds and blankets. More water was in there too, and some firewood. No food was in there, there was enough in the last box to last until now. Speaking of which, Discord removed his rucksack and placed it on the soft, dirt ground. Discord quickly flicked the zip open, checking the secret pocket to make sure the amulet was okay... it was. He pulled out a few cans of food and handed them to Laba, who took them off him with his MAGIC, MAGIC, MAA-GIC! *cough cough* anyway... Discord grabbed a water bottle from the rucksack, took a drink and gave the bottle to Starswirl. The foal sat beside Discord and used his magic to take a sip. He then gave it back to Discord, who passed the bottle to Spiral Dust. The pegasus sat beside him, and he took the bottle, giving a grateful nod. Discord realized, he hadn't heard much about Friar. Come to think of it, Starswirl and Spiral Dust were the only ponies here he really knew well. "So, why is it that you guys had to go to Hollow Shades?" The group seemed to take interest "We were all there for a reason. Friar, shall we start with you?"