“Ya really don't look good, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom said for the dozenth time.
“I told you, I'm fine.” Scootaloo paced back and forth, glancing out the clubhouse windows as she passed each one. “Sweetie Belle isn't usually this late, is she?”
“Yeah, it's not like her.” Apple Bloom watched her friend cross the room. “Are ya still feeling sick from the ice cream? Mah tummy ached all night.”
“Uh, yeah, that's it. You don't think something happened, do you?”
“Will ya quit yer pacing already? It's making me dizzy. I'm sure everything's fine; she's just running late.”
Scootaloo stopped mid pace. “You're right. I don't know what's worrying me so much.” It wasn’t like Sweetie Belle was leaving town. She was just running late.
“Apple Bloom! Scootaloo!”
They're heads jerked toward the door as it burst open. Sweetie Belle slid to a stop in front of them, head held high.
“Oh, there you are Sweetie Belle, we were—”
“Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom shouted. “Ya got yer cutie mark!”
Scootaloo stopped mid sentence. Her eyes traced a path down Sweetie Belle's side and to her flank. The mark was simple, a trio of three black musical notes against her white coat.
It's not the end of the world, she assured herself. They could still crusade together. Sweetie Belle would help her friends, and then they'd all have cutie marks.
She did promise after all, Discord whispered to her. She said the three of you would always be the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Go ahead, congratulate her. This is what you’ve all been working toward.
“That's so cool!” Scootaloo finally managed. “I always knew you were good at singing, but who thought it'd be your special talent?”
“How'd it happen?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I was walking home yesterday,” the unicorn answered. “I was singing to myself and Fluttershy came along and heard me. She told me I was really good, and that she wanted to help me get better. I was walking home to tell my parents, thinking about how much fun it'd be to have singing lessons, and then it just happened.”
“That's so awesome!” Scootaloo cheered. “Maybe we'll get ours today too. Let's get started.”
“Uh...” Sweetie Belle dropped her gaze to the floor. “Actually, my first lesson is today. I just wanted to come tell you two.”
“Oh,” Scootaloo said, struggling to keep her smile in place.
“That's fine, Sweetie Belle. Ah hope you have fun,” Apple Bloom said.
“You too. I guess I gotta go now,” Sweetie Belle said before hopping out the door, and practically skipping away.
And there she goes. That didn’t take long, did it? I guess the promise wasn’t worth much, was it?
“So, ya wanna get started, Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Actually, I think I really am sick,” Scootaloo said weakly.
“Ah told you. It's the ice cream.”
“Yeah. I'm, uh, just going to go home and go to bed.”
“Well alright then. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, totally.” Scootaloo's voice broke on the last word as she disappeared through the door.
Wind whipped past the young filly as she galloped through Ponyville, weaving through and occasionally knocking over the townsponies. Her breath came out ragged and her hooves fell like lead bars, but she kept running.
Finally she found herself at the outskirts of town, just outside the Everfree Forest. She dropped under the shade of a large tree, covered her head with her hooves, and cried.
It had happened. One of her friends had gotten their cutie mark, and no longer had time to crusade. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were down a member, and she was down a friend. How long would it take before they stopped talking altogether?
It was just like Discord had predicted. Scootaloo didn't even like singing. As far as she knew, neither did Apple Bloom. Eventually, Sweetie Belle would find new, more musical friends.
Now, now, it isn't entirely hopeless. You could practice, maybe if you get good enough you'll start to like it.
Scootaloo shook her head. “I tried before. The lyrics I wrote were terrible. Everyone thought my singing was a joke.”
I'm sure you weren't that bad.
“I'm serious, they gave us the comedy award.”
Oh, ouch. Well, you've still got Apple Bloom.
“Yeah, for now. But she's sure to get her cutie mark soon. She's great at building stuff; she's smart; she's got everything at the farm to try; she can make zap apple jam and mix potions. Something'll stick. And then I'll be the only one left.”
Oh Scootaloo, I'm sure you've got just as many talents, don't you? Maybe your cutie mark has something to do with your wings?
“I...” Scootaloo sobbed harder. “I can't even fly. I never had anypony to teach me.”
Awww. You know, Scootaloo, I know how to fly. Maybe I could teach you.
Scootaloo didn't answer, but her crying slowed and she began to wipe her eyes. “Neither of my friends can fly though. It'd just drive us farther apart. I- I just wish cutie marks didn't matter. Like what you said yesterday. You're right, they're stupid.”
She pushed herself up and stomped her front hooves. “All of Equestria is stupid. You're right about cutie marks, you're right about the weather. You're right about harmony. It's just a bunch of stupid old ponies who don't want Equestria to change!” She threw herself back to the ground.
“It’s just not fair.” She slammed her hoof into the ground, eyes tearing up again. “It’s not fair. I wish you could do something to help me.”
Well...
Scootaloo waited, but Discord didn't finish. “Well what?”
There might be a way.
Scootaloo sat up again. Her heartbeat began picking up speed. Talking was one thing, but if there really was a way to help Discord...
No. He'd try to overthrow Celestia again. He might hurt somepony if it meant he'd stay free.
Well, not to fix everything. I can't beat the Elements of Harmony, or Celestia. If I got free, I'd have to run and never return to Equestria. But before I left, I might be able to help you save your friendship.
“You could? And then you'd leave? You wouldn't fight Celestia?”
Of course not, Scootaloo. As much as I'd miss you, I just couldn't take the risk. This is all just in theory, though. I couldn't possibly ask you for help. If anyone found out, you'd be called a traitor.
“I could do it secretly. If it keeps the Crusaders together, I don't care what people call me.”
Well, the task isn't pleasant. I wouldn't consider it, if I could think of another way.
“What is it?”
The Elements of Harmony symbolize the connections between ponies. I'm sure you know each one represents something about friendship.
Scootaloo nodded.
To counter the spell, we don't need a lot of magic, we need a symbol of our own that we can channel a spell through. Elements of Disharmony, if you will.
“Elements of Disharmony? That doesn't sound very...” She trailed off, looking for the right word.
Discord and harmony exist in everypony. Just look at the wielders of the elements. Rarity, the Element of Generosity, is known for her love of fine things. Pinkie Pie without her friends is one of the most depressing things I've ever seen, and I heard the commotion Fluttershy caused at last year's Grand Galloping Gala. Disharmony itself is not a bad thing, it's simply pony nature.
But you are right in thinking that the elements will be unpleasant, as will their wielders. We would need ponies who don't just have the traits of disharmony, but embody them. Even if we do find six ponies like that, we'll still need to find a unicorn powerful enough to cast the necessary spells.
But, if we can manage that, it may be possible to free me. Then I can help you and be on my way.
Scootaloo didn't answer for a long time. Discord had only been kind and understanding, but everypony feared him. Freeing him would cause a lot of trouble.
But what if it was the only way to save her friendship?
The sun was beginning to set when she finally stood back up, head bent low in a defeated exhaustion.“I just don’t know,” she said, more to herself than Discord.
the anticipation is killing me
Nice.
This is an epic story! I approve!
Oooh the adventure has just begun hehe.
I totally saw that last part coming xD Can't wait for the next chapter.
Thing's are getting good. What will Scootaloo do?
I for one nominate The Great and Powerful Trixe!
Intriguing... Looking forward to what the Elements of Disharmony will be.
738609
On the second thought, why not hire the whole Legion of Gloom?
Why do I get the feeling that Trixie is going to show up in the storyline ?
I mean she is a powerful Unicorn next to Twilight...right ?
Nice update, but it felt a bit rush in a way that I could not tell which words were Discords and which was Scoots ?
Still, it was another great update coming from you as it seems that all Discord said is starting to come true, so in a way there is a bit of truth in Discord's words is there ?
Please do keep up the good work upon such a great story.
Will the Elements of Disharmony be original characters or will canon characters be used?
738670
Again :X .....
I'll probably come back and edit to make it seem a little less rushed, though I am kinda going for a bit of confusion in whose thoughts are whose, as Scootaloo isn't always sure herself. As a general rule, the italics are Discord's thoughts.
But for the moment, I'm working on chapter 5, which is where the fun begins. :D Looking like a long one, but it should be up in the next few days.
Scoots is already Dis!Magic, so that's one down.
738693
Canon characters. I'm too lazy to make up my own.
And with that..
*Snaps fingers and a gambling wheel appears*
What will it be..So many choices, And with that the wheel of chaos is in motion.
*Spins the wheel* Now we shall wait and see.
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Lunar Justice
738726
Wheel of chaos, turn turn turn! Show us a pony with a lesson to learn!
Discord, you little <expletive deleted>
I cannot wait for Scootaloo to figure out that Discord actually arranged for Sweetie Belle to get her mark, just so she wouldn't have time for Scootaloo anymore.
If you haven't decided on names for the elements, I suggest the following:
Loyalty > Doubt
Honesty > Deceit
Laughter > Sorrow
Generosity > Selfishness
Kindness > Cruelty
Magic > Magic
Loyalty and Honesty build trust, while Doubt and Deceit erode it.
Laughter draws others to you while Sorrow pushes them away.
Generosity and Kindness spread goodwill, while Selfishness and Cruelty restrain it.
And Chaos is Magic too in a way.
Two things before I praise you: The opening line says "The Applebloom" and are Discord's words supposed to be italicized? Now, pretty good story so far, can't wait to identify the other Disharmonious elements.
738747 Thank you for the Animaniacs reference!
No Scootaloo! This is wrong, and you know it. Don't help him. Tell somepony! AAAAAHHHH!!!!
738793
I do have them named already, though several of ours are the same or very close.
Loyalty > Treachery
Honesty > Deceit
Laughter > Anger
Generosity > Greed
Kindness > Cruelty
Magic > Power (My reasoning behind this: Twilight helps her friends with her magic, and "friendship is magic". So whoever represents power needs to use his/her magic for selfish reasons.)
738670
738803
AH! FIMFICTION ATE MY ITALICS!
Thanks.
You don't just want to be evil, you want to be chaosy. Also, there shouldn't be a one to one correspondence because that would make sense.
I can't think of catchy one-word names for all these, but:
"Setting your circle of friends against outsiders" (~ !Friendship and !Loyalty)
"Laughing at others' misfortune or faults" (~ !Honesty and !Laughter)
"Manipulating and tricking people into doing what you want" (~ !Kindness and !Generosity)
and then maybe something that doesn't correspond at all, like "overturning the status quo" or "not making sense". ... which are kind of !Loyalty and !Laughter really. Blah.
I love stories that portray the evil characters as doing good.
I can't wait for the next chapter.
738793
Doubt = Berry Punch
Deceit = Trixie
Sorrow = Scoots
Selfishness = Gilda
Cruelty = Diamond Tiara
Magic = Ditzy/Derpy
These are all guesses and I have no idea on doubt, so berry punch is just random.
738891
Discord is all for chaos, but the elements themselves are more about being the opposites of the elements of harmony. Since they represent friendship, the elements of disharmony should primarily be things that drive ponies apart. And yes, that makes sense, but Discord isn't in a position to be creating them himself anyway.
At least that's the way I thought of them.
Bum bum bummmm
Elements of Disharmony, let's see...
Trixie- Antimagic (too obvious)
Gilda- Antikindess (We need more of her)
Flim-Flam Bros- Antihonesty
Diamond Dogs- Antigenerosity
Iron Will- Antilaughter
Scootaloo- Antiloyalty
Or plot twist and use somepony like Derpy, Luna, Dr. Whooves, etc.
I am glad to see that Scootaloo is starting to finally accept chaos into her heart
Mua ha ha ha... I get to read this before all of you!!!
Keep up the chaotic good work.
12 Theoretical Miniature Bunt Cakes Awarded.
My anti-brony friend told me she could no longer respect me when I told her that I read pony fanfiction.
And as I'm reading this, I have an epiphany and the thought occurs to me: Buck her, this is awesome.
I'm kind of worried as to whether DT will be one of those 'elements' and what she could possibly be...Though Discord seems not to like her either, I don't think he's agreeing with scoots just to agree on that point (just lying about what her cutie mark means) he's never been about overt meanness. Maybe he'd go for Silver instead.
Yeah that sounds much more pleasant.
I'm most curious as to who the unicorn he chooses to be the lynchpin would be, because the obvious choice is always but mayhaps it could be someone from Canterlot instead? Hoho, no matter which major player of Canterlot would get abducted for the cause, Rarity's reactions would be sure to be amusing! Could it be Blueblood? Could it be Fleur? Could it be Fancypants? Gears, turning! I mean it would be funny to see Shining but I don't think he can beguile Shining the way Chrysalis did...from what we see of Discord's transformations, they always have his face. The 'pose as Princess Cadence' thing doesn't quite seem like it would work for him. The mental image of that attempt is just grand though
Cadiscord: Hiiii loverboy *said in a completely male and unconvincingly feminine voice*
"*sees real Cadence asleep on floor behind him* OH MY GODDESS, NO IT ISN'T, LAST NIGHT DID WE, IT CAN'T HAVE, YOU MEAN, OH CELES-*head explodes and paints the room red*"
Cadiscord: Okay, that reaction, I didn't expect. He really was Twilight's brother after all!
738844 Same happened to me before. Fimfiction is a hungry mistress to court.
Elements of disharmony sounds interesting
Hory sheet I can't wait until the next chapter!
PURE AND UTTER EPICNESS! MOAR NOW!!!!!!
Oh and I think all the EODs should be foals ( The crusaders, Diamond Tiara, whoever)
745051
That... sounds kinda iintriguing. Improbable, but intriguing. It maybe be even... *dawns best Mr. Burns impression* ...excellent.
738960 Elements Of Disharmony
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Doubt- Scootaloo- One of the main things in this story is her doubting. (Celestia, The Elements Of Harmony, Her Friends.)
Deceit- Screwball- She decives the fandom into seeing her as cute, but technically, she's just as chaotic as Discord.
Sorrow- Spike- He's got to get lonely, being the only dragon in Equestria, and being cooped up in Twilight's library all the time.
Selfishness- Diamond Tiara- I don't think I need to explain this one.
Cruelty- Gilda- I don't think I need to explain this one either.
Power- Trixie- She's the only other unicorn that focuses on magic, and she likes to show off, unlike Twilight.
738469 I know it's weird to post a comment on someone's profile picture thing, but Jude, yours is awesome.
Dammit I meant dude. Stupid iPod.
Scootaloo is going deeper down the rabbit hole. Soon, she will be that which all ponies fear: an agent of CHAOS.
The suspense is killing me.
What's the sixth element of disharmony? entropy?
Discord, you mindf---ing badass! I nominate Discord, Spirit of Chaos for 'Villain of the decade' award!
I don't understand how the Elements of Disharmony would be friends, it seems like they would all hate each other, along with everypony else.
Also, to all who say Trixie is the anti-magic, I hope you realize that her skill level doesn't rise above coiling rope and petty illusions.
You'll probably not read this, but that line "And there she goes. That didn’t take long, did it? I guess the promise wasn’t worth much, was it?" Made me do a fangirl squeal. Your making Discord into such a brilliantly evil villain.
You know, I kinda like the ponies who are big traitors and go back to the good side, feeling gulity. That's why I like Princess Luna so much.
Wow, just when I though Discord couldn't get creepier
The ammount of like i give this is continueing to rise
Just an appreciative comment that I really enjoy this fic so far and am continuing on to read more. You made the process of her turning "to the dark side" smooth and believable. And everyone is in character without being cliched
Hmmm, you'd need pretty much the opposite of every element of harmony. Discord could of course be the anti-magic, the anti-Twilight, but I can't think of any else.
Maybe your cutie mark has something to do with you wings
1. Your.
Applebloom >> Apple Bloom
____________________
Man this is a good fic ^_^. And a solid set up to Discordant.