Discord has ruled Equestria for years, and Celestia is at the end of her rope. As a last, desperate attempt to defeat him, she invites him to play The Game of Four Truths. Whenever one player loses a round, they must tell a truth to the other.
Can Celestia defeat Discord? More importantly, does she want to?
(Tagged death because the characters talk about it a lot.)
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"Somepony hasn't looked through all four suits. There's a different utensil for each!"
A fascinating battle of wits and philosophies, though the stakes on Celestia's side never feel especially weighty, and not just because of the foregone conclusion. We don't know what she's already lost, and most of the consequences of failure seem like things Discord could do anyway if he bothered. Still, that's background to an excellently tense confrontation. Nice work.
A strange and interesting story. Thanks.
...?! Ok, this was very strange. Well done!
Good but needs polish
This line made me burst out laughing.
This single exchange sums up the relationship between the pair of them so stupidly well, in context.
Thanks for reading and thanks to everyone who commented. I've drafted a response to every comment here, but I can't think of anything to say to you guys other than thank you, so I figured I'd just consolidate all that into one comment here.
So, thanks again.
us (I think)
whether
affect
10622646
Thanks for the comment. I've fixed all these problems.
This is a really interesting story. The mouse parable is really clever and definitely the centerpiece of the story. I’m curious if it’s derived from something, as it really sounds like it would be at home in an old folktale somewhere. I also like how this potentially ties into the future. Nightmare moon’s rise would surely be aided by knowledge of how to control the sun.
All around good stuff.
10666108
(Sorry for the late reply)
I'll admit that the mouse parable is not of my own creation. I read it originally in Metro 2033 (the book.) I have no clue who originally came up with it. I did a quick google search before I published this and found that the most popular version of it is from the movie Catch Me If You Can. It's a different telling of the story with a more life-affirming message. I prefer the one from Dmitry Glukhovsky personally, but I get why a more uplifting version of the story exists.
Thanks so much for the comment!
I enjoyed this. The dialogue was superb as it would have to be consider it is where the drama lies. I had a fun time with it over all though, and this is entirely personal preference as such I will black it out.
I really really really have come to just...not vibe with existenilist arguement's, Nihilist arguement's or anything of the sort, really. I could go into the many reason's why but, will forgo the boring. It is essentially a pet peeve. The amount of times I have heard people wax mournfully about the void and nothinginess...I want to scream. Because ultimately as I believe life is literally what you make of it. Narrative is life as it where and if your narrative is the perspection of nothingness then have fun in your party in the void. God...now it's infecting me...
Ok...positive, I love the use of the four truth's though after having some time removed from the reading, I think I would of liked a little more depth for Discord. This is not to say what is here is not bad, but, rather a acknowledgement that we know Celestia, so haviing some more info is curious and fun. But, and probably I have not read enough Discord, character studies but, I wish we got to see some deeper character moment's from him other then nothing matter's ya, chaos.
Which as in real life and in fiction comes off as some what trite. Not poor ,but, how many times do I need to watch Rick ,and Morty ,and listen to edgy music scream about how nothing is real and blah blah blah blah?
Like that's all you got? Really? Discord? You could give life to the dead? Sing song's that blend notes never heard by pony ear's? Bring beauty that makes people grateful and happy to be alive to see you but, instead you chain yourself to nothing when their is something better nothing. A choice if you will...
Living and creating with your fellow's
Or...
Go off in a corner and wallowing in misery at the "void".
I would say the final notes are hopeful and other then my many personal bias. I enjoyed my time here.
Thank you for making this!
Ps. Will their be a game with any...pony we know?
Ps. Two thing's my comma game went down hill and I am amazed that I never liked this story...probably the whole chaos, void, thing. But, I will remedy this, dear!
10962393
Thanks for the comment! It's always a pleasure to see a long one like this where it's clear someone put thought into the story. I enjoyed hearing your take on it!
Howdy, hi!
Your work continues to impress me with what I've read. This entire story from beginning to end is such a powerful character piece for both Celestia and Discord I cannot help be in absolute awe at your ability to make such unique characterizations of these characters. The pacing and flow of this story from start to finish is masterfully done and I love how you've built this captivating narrative around such a simple game.
The stakes, the banter, and truths, all of it is just such an absolute joy to read and I am absolutely honoured to have been able to read something so drlightful.
Thank you very much for the story!
This story really intrigues me. The concept alone had me hooked; it's like watching a real card game, but with actual stakes. The way they both played the game was also interesting. Discord decided to let luck play for him, while Celestia had analyzed the game for hours to figure out a strategy for the mind games. The turning point for this story is when Celestia uses Discord's strategy. It's an equal round, but Discord won the game because of an early lead. Despite that, he still lost, and that was because he abided by the rules. Really interesting parallels there.
I wanna also make note of how you wrote the two. There's audible cogs moving in both of their brains the whole time, and you really captured the essence of their characters in ancient times. Discord in particular was great, showing signs of his signature chaos, but with an extra hint of power and danger, being willing to kill. Even Luna, for her small appearance, was really good. Speaking of Luna, get hearing the secret and promising she would keep it one is a heartbreaking moment because we know how it ends.
This story is just really thought provoking, because the pieces of the chess game are laid out, we just can't see the moves. Top notch characters and a premise that works wonders make this a wonderful read. Bravo!
it's nice to see english second person pronouns used correctly for once!
ha, classic Discord
a really nice illustration of the difference between Celestia and Discord's philosophies, though i'm guessing that continues!
gottem
instantly loving this origin story!
double gottem
yes, peak Luna!
a very nice philosophical piece, really giving depth to the conflict between Celestia and Discord, with the most intriguing of hints into Discord's true origins and purpose. Celestia's plot was very well done as well. i adored the parable of the milk bucket Celestia used, and the irony of the role reversal painted in so many different ways. and i also really liked how Luna's entrance at the end efficiently illustrating the conflict between the Sisters as well in a way that really makes this a study of the conflict between three characters, and how each pairing actually have traits in common with and opposition to each other. just very well done overall.
While working perfectly on it's own, I can't help but feel this story is only scratching its full potential. The little peeks at Discord's backstory are interesting, but don't give us a lot about him at the end with how things are ultimately resolved, and Celestia's truths aren't something that hasn't been considered before in the fandom.
I do say, however, that the conversation between the two is very interesting and easily carry the story to its conclusion. I particularly like the little ways Celestia finds to trick Discord during the game. I also liked the rules of the game itself, I'm a big a fan o these kinds of high stakes games, even if it becomes a bit irrelevant at the end.
An interesting story to be sure, good job.
Hello! Have a review. An intriguing battle of wits and characters here. I liked a good deal about this, though I'm not totally sold on that late twist. Still, a pretty easy like!
An oddball ghost happened across your fic and read it. Have a review!