Pink clouds swirled unnaturally in the sky, showering the earth with brown droplets of rain. Animals assumed twisted forms, their limbs growing out of proportion with their bodies, sending them into insane races that tore up the ground below them. Plants grew inexplicably, their branches and leaves curling into random shapes and sprouting fruit of eye-watering patterns and colours. Everywhere she looked, the white foal saw only pervasive abominations.
“By the Elements… mother! Mother, please, help! What’s happening!?” cried Celestia as she launched into a gallop, unable to stop her eyes from darting in all directions and soaking up the warped scene. ‘I have to get out of here… get to town… somepony must know what’s happening…’ Celestia’s mind raced as she focused on that goal. The madness that was infecting her beloved Everfree forest was neither scary nor particularly threatening, it was just so… wrong. How had such a place of tranquil beauty become like this?
When she saw the roofs of Ponyville’s houses Celestia let out a relieved sigh. Even if she couldn’t find her mother, the citizens would surely have some idea of what was going on. As the white alicorn continued her run towards the small village, her hopeful smile began to fall and her fierce gallop slowed to a weak trot. She had seen the thatched roofs and spires, not because she was getting close to the earth pony-built settlement, but because the buildings themselves were floating in the air.
“Not here as well… mother… mother!” pleaded Celestia as she resumed her rush to the now-cursed village, intent on finding somepony to explain the havoc. Passing over the bridge and into Ponyville proper, the young mare couldn’t help but once again surrender her eyes to the visions of utter chaos around her. Ponies of all ages and size were either laughing manically on the floor, leaping off balconies regardless of whether they could fly or not, poking their heads into every nook and cranny with looks of wonder, trying to slap together random objects into something meaningful or trotting around with their heads held high. ‘What is wrong with everypony!?’ she wondered ‘There must be…Penwell! He’ll know what to do!’ realised Celestia as she thought of the town’s librarian, an intelligent and sensible stallion who was a good family friend. Surely he wouldn’t have been drawn into all this madness?
As Celestia set off full-speed to the village’s centre and local library, she was so distracted and confused by this horrid turn of events that she ploughed straight into a hovering figure, sending both crashing onto their blank flanks. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was-” Celestia began before she was was stopped by Surprise, both the feeling and the pony.
“And who do you think you’re running into, eh!? How dare you even think of touching me! I am, without doubt, the greatest…” dramatically proclaimed the small snow coloured pegasus, though her proud rants were heard by nopony, as Celestia simply stared at her normally carefree and fun-loving friend with horror, unable to even continue listening to what she was saying.
‘Surprisena too…? By the Elements, somepony help…!’
“…and it’s all thanks to that wondrous gentlecolt!” applauded Surprise as she pointed a hoof to the village pavilion, where a tall, thin, throne-like seat had been placed at the top of the stairs, replacing the normal pedestal used to make announcements. Despite the sun shining brightly in the sky, the chair was engulfed in a menacing shadow, obscuring the long serpentine figure that coolly sat upon it.
“He’s responsible? Who is…? Why…? None of this makes sense!” despaired Celestia as she clutched her thoroughly aching head with her hooves. The figure upon the throne stirred at her confused cries, a sadistic, mocking chuckle echoed from the undoubtedly evil being’s throat.
“Well of course it doesn’t make sense, my dear…” spoke the figure as he literally stretched his arm, a wicked set of eagle talons slowly clawing their way through the air towards Celestia as she lay frozen on the ground with terror. “…where’s the fun in making sense?” It cackled as a talon forcefully came down on the white foal’s head, not cutting her skin but slicing deep into her mind and infecting her head with such intense feelings of chaos she could do nothing but scream.
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The morning sun had still yet to fully rise, but the two travelling companions were already approaching Everfree Forest, which glistened and sparkled with dew in the orange light. They were still high up on the mountain slopes and the cosy village of Ponyville and even the towering spires of Canterlot were visible in the distance. The contrasting couple had remained silent for the few hours they had been hiking the rolling paths. It was not an awkward silence, however; Discord naturally needed time to think about last night and Aumean was fully aware of it. He would speak when he was ready. The red-maned mare smiled wearily to herself; she had accepted responsibility for the young draconequus without giving much thought to what she would do with him exactly, but it now occurred to her that just Celestia and Luna alone could be hooffuls at the best of times. Despite this, her thoughts were more of planning than reconsideration. There was no way in all of Equestria that she would think of abandoning Discord now; even giving up responsibility to somepony else was not an option to the wise mare. The little draconequus was having enough of a hard time as it was; betraying her promise and his feelings was simply inconceivable.
“…that village… is that where you live?” piped up Discord, speaking with a curious look in his large yellow eyes that were fixed on the small settlement. Aumean was glad; for one so young, the orphaned draconquus seemed to be taking his circumstances well. She had expected him to want to mourn his loss for longer.
“Not quite. I live in a converted chapel with my daughters some distance in that forest, but we often go into the village, Ponyville, for food, supplies and just to be social!” explained the ivory alicorn. “In fact, I want to cut over the forest and go to Ponyville first to see if I can pick up something as an apology for my little ponies…” she continued with a guilty grin on her face. She had told Celestia she would be back from her trip the night before. No doubt the teenage foal would be cross with her.
“…daughters? You have children?” asked Discord, his inquisitive eyes turning to look at the back of his carrier’s head with wonder.
“Why yes, their names are Celestia and Luna. Celestia is about the same age as you, I think, maybe a little older, but Luna is only just nearing a year now. Don’t worry, they’re both very kind, I’m sure they’ll welcome you,” assured Aumean, smiling back at Discord.
‘She has daughters!’ exclaimed Discord in his mind, unsure of what to actually think about it other than the fact that there would be other children. He had always been an only child, and while Discord had certainly met many others during his and his mother’s nomadic life, he had never had much of a chance to really get to know them or make friends. It would be a completely new experience for him. His feelings of intrigue only grew as more questions about this pony and her family sprang to mind like embers from a flame. One question in particular tugged at the draconequus’ mind. “Aumean… can I ask what you do? My mother told me that you could tell what a pony did from the marks on their flanks…” asked Discord as he peered at the equine’s rump. “…yours is a quill and some ink, right? What does it mean? Are you a writer?”
The mare laughed heartily at the draconequus’ many questions. He certainly was a inquisitive one! ‘In fact… he just might do…’ pondered Aumean before shaking away her thoughts to answer the little creature on her back. “Your mother was right. That is a ‘cutie mark.’ It symbolises a pony’s calling in life, once they’ve found what it is,” explained Aumean as she moved her wings slightly to give Discord a better view of the marking on her rear. “I am a writer, of sorts. I don’t write about stories though, I mostly research and write about magic.”
Rather than nod in understanding as he had been doing Discord suddenly frowned, as if Aumean’s explanation wasn’t the answer he was hoping for. “So… it doesn’t have to do with…well… having a horn and wings?” exclaimed the diverse chimera, flapping his mismatched arms to represent the mare’s wings.
“Ah, no. I have both a horn and wings because I’m an alicorn, but… you’ll have to wait for another day to hear about that tale, it’s a long history not really suited to mountain hiking!” chuckled Aumean as she slowly came to a canter and looked around the steep slopes, her grin turning to a frown. “Speaking of which… I think we’ve lost the path…”
Discord blinked several times and stood as tall as his slender body would allow in an effort to help him scan the unfamiliar surroundings “…I don’t see it…”.
For several moments, the pair simply stood and dumbly looked at the rocky inclines around them. “Well, I suppose the only choice is to fly. You don’t mind, do you Discord?” sighed Aumean with an amused tone. Contrary to her reputation in Ponyville as one of the wisest and most knowledgeable beings in the land, she really could be hopeless at times. It was a shame as well, she enjoyed leisurely absorbing the scenery from the ground, rather than see it all as a blur from the air.
Standing tall and proud while simultaneously clutching his precious pot, Discord gave Aumean a confident grin. “I flew with mother all the time! No need to worry about me!” It was true that the draconequus had flown with his mother plenty of times before, but it was also true that Aumean was considerably smaller than his mother, and the pony’s hooves were not particularly well adapted for holding onto him.
The alicorn returned the grin to her passenger, clearly being able to sense the tiny pang of doubt in him. “I’ll keep you in place with magic if I have to, I’m not that irresponsible,” assured Aumean as she covered the draconequus in a shining gold aura that kept him firmly seated in his place. “Ready?”
After recieving an excited nod in response, the alicorn unfurled her majestic wings to their maximum, accelerated into a thundering gallop, and leapt into the air, leaving the ground with a powerful gust.
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Yawns were all the pure white foal could muster as she stood at the kitchen sink, magically scrubbing the morning’s dishes. Black bags had already formed under her violet eyes. Last night’s horrible dream had deprived Celestia of all sleep; first simply by making her bolt up in bed, sweating and shivering with fear once it had reached its stomach-curdling conclusion, but also by indirectly scaring poor Luna through her sister’s waking screams. It had taken hours of soothing and lullabies to hush the midnight filly back to a peaceful slumber and at least an hour more for Celestia herself to doze off again, by which time it was already early dawn. Yet another long yawn lazily sounded around the kitchen, tempting Celestia to return to bed. Her normally flowing pastel mane lay curled and tangled and screeched to be tamed from its wild state. On the verge of falling asleep where she stood, the tired foal didn’t notice the hovering figure slowly advance towards her.
“SURPRISE!” boomed an adrenaline pumping voice in Celestia’s ear that caused the alicorn to rear up in shock and lose her grip on the levitating dish. The plate, luckily, fell harmlessly in the sink’s soapy water, but splashed the startled foal with a face full of suds. Turning wide-eyed, Celestia saw a yellow-maned pegasus giggling and rolling hysterically on the floor behind her. “Oh…Tia!…Your face!” squeaked the snowy pegasus through aching laughter.
“Surprisena…please…don’t do that…again…” gasped Celestia, having lost her breath as well. Though she tried to look annoyed with the sniggering mass on the floor, the alicorn couldn’t help but chuckle a little herself.
After a minute the two ponies recovered enough to actually hold a conversation. “Sorry, Tia! But you know me, can’t help it! So, how’s things? Your mom not back yet?” Surprise asked her friend, not particularly astonished that Ms. Aumean hadn’t yet returned from her trip to the rapidly-growing colony.
“No, but I doubt she’ll be long now. Knowing mother, she probably went to go get something to try and apologize with, not that she needs to,” spoke Celestia. Her words were true. Of course she loved having her mother at home. Everypony knew however, Celestia included, that the young alicorn was very mature for her age and was perfectly capable of taking care of both herself and her little sister. “Luna will be happy though, you know how much of a sweet tooth she has,” sighed Celestia as she turned her gaze back out of the kitchen window to the library’s’ garden. Her sister was playfully trying to chase a trio of pink-winged butterflies, the stress of the night before having seemingly been forgotten.
“Can’t really blame her, though. My pals in Cloudsdale say the mountains were due a big storm yesterday, she’d have to be as stubborn as a mule to try and get through that!” Surprise informed as she floated up to the sink to join her friend in gazing out into the simple garden.
A few moments passed as the two contently watched Luna who was prancing about carefree amongst the flowers, her little wings flapping weakly by her side. “Hmm…oh! Where are my manners? How have you been Surprisena?” inquired Celestia, not noticing the snowy pegasus’ eyes rolling at her constant use of her full name.
“Usual! Bouncing about moping ‘bout how this sleepy little place is too small for ol’ Surprise!” chattered the fun-loving pegasus, clearly not as bored as she made out.
“And what about Red?” casually asked the alicorn, a knowing smirk spread across her muzzle. She tried suppressing a chuckle as Surprise’s cheeks turned a deep rose. “Got him to examine any jewels?” Celestia continued to tease. Everypony, bar Redstone himself, knew that the spring-hoofed pegasus had a crush on the quiet and humble earth pony.
“He’s…he’s good…! Though I haven’t actually…” Surprise paused as her eyes quickly scanned her surroundings. “Wow, look at Luna go! I bet soon she’ll have no trouble flying at all!” stammered the pegasus, zooming towards the garden door to go and play with Luna so she could escape the topic of her blatant affections. Despite her speed, Surprise could not escape the white pony’s taunting chuckle. ‘I’ll get her back!’ she vowed, already in the process of concocting some suitable revenge for Celestia, an amazingly easy task given the alicorn’s organisation-loving nature.
Celestia remained in the kitchen and quickly began finishing what cleaning was left from breakfast, as well as giving her mane some much-needed attention. With a little magic here and there, the chores and grooming were soon complete. ‘Tia’ decided she deserved some much needed relaxation after her horrible dream and sleep deprivation. Glancing with a smile through the window, the now well-groomed foal indulged herself and let a fantasy or two slip into her mind; a young, charming colt, or perhaps a big, strong, stallion…? She giggled at the thoughts forming in her mind. It was silly to think she or Surprise would find true love at their young ages. ‘But it would be nice to meet somepony…’ she thought while breathing a hearty sigh. Giggling at herself once more, Celestia shook away her mind’s melodramatic images of romance. She then trotted out into the garden to scold the two filthy fillies practising flying in the meadow’s one muddy pool.
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Cheery greetings were gifted by all those whom the pair past, hailing the alicorn with goodwill. “Aumean…you’re famous! Everypony must have said hello…” Discord trailed off while staring at the merry residents of the small town. Little heed was given to the draconequus, but from the foals to the nags they all recognised Aumean.
The alicorn blushed faintly and turned her head straight. “W-well, I suppose you could say that…” she stuttered and accelerated into a trot, giving the occasional polite nod in response to the constant acknowledgement.
‘…she doesn’t like the attention?’ pondered Discord at Aumean’s reaction. It wasn’t that unusual to be shy, but he found it a little surprising, the way she blushed at every greeting after he had made the remark. The alicorn had appeared to him as the confident type who wouldn’t mind a little renown.
Ponyville was not a large place and it did not take long for the mare and her passenger to reach Aumean’s first port of call: a new, two-story thatched roof building with the sapling of an oak tree growing in the open space beside it. “I hope you don’t mind the delays, I just want to see a friend. Then we can go buy the girls a treat and be on our way home,” assured the red-maned mare as she smiled at the small mixed-up creature on her back who promptly returned the expression in kind.
“Just a minute, please!” called a slightly muffled voice from the back of the library/bookshop as the store’s doorbell dinged loudly. Several moments passed before an inky blue pony emerged from a backroom on his hind hoofs, precariously carrying a large stack of dusty tomes which obscured his face. The struggling stallion eventually made it to the counter and dropped the stack down with a large THUD!
“Really Penwell, I’m sure nopony would mind giving you a hoof if you asked,” remarked the mare with an amused frown. The librarian, who had been regaining his breath, suddenly poked his head around the large pile. He adjusted his circular glasses and shone the mare a bright smile. Bringing the rest of his body with him to stretch over the counter, his forelegs were spread awaiting a hug.
“Well, well, if her royal majesty the Queen hasn’t returned to grace her oh, so loyal subjects!” chuckled the earth pony teasingly, causing the powerful alicorn to blush as she embraced the blue stallion warmly.
“You know I don’t like being called that!” cried Aumean, her cheeks glowing even more furiously. “Honestly, you’ll be having all the young fillies and colts bowing their heads whenever I walk past!” she scolded the stallion. “It would be so embarrassing if somepony actually thought I was a queen! Can you imagine?”
“D’aww, I’m sorry, you know I don’t mean it. But it is good to see you Aumean. Please, tell me all about your trip! What’s Manesterdam like? Growing as fast as they say? And the library! I hear it’s grand! And did you try some of the cuisi-” Penwell’s ramble was cut short by Aumean raising a hoof.
“All in good time friend. For now though I have to go and see my girls. I am late back after all and I need to get this one settled,” explained Aumean as she turned to allow Penwell a better view of Discord. Up until then had been sitting quietly either looking around at the many stuffed shelves or listening in to the two ponies’ conversation with fascination, especially regarding the ‘Queen’ business. The draconequus gave a small wave to the earth pony as his eyes met a questioning frown.
“Well…what…what is it?” questioned Penwell, his eyebrow reaching beyond the tip of his short, neatly combed mane. The librarian did not attempt to get closer; rather, he simply moved his head to different angles to take in the random assortment of species that made up the small being.
Though the alicorn and earth pony were good friends, Aumean clearly did not appreciate the tone with which Penwell spoke about her new responsibility. “He is called Discord. A draconequus, believe it or not. He will be living with me from now on,” Aumean informed the stallion, intent on emphasising that Discord was, in fact, a creature with feelings.
Penwell had read of the draconequus. Supposedly a near-extinct race of nomadic, chimera-like creatures rumoured to have great magical potential and an affinity for either creativity or randomness, dependent on the opinion of the pony in question course. So the legends went. “I…see…” trailed off the stallion, looking at Discord with a curious gaze; not a warm, interested one a friend may give another, but a cold, impassionate stare a scientist might give a test subject he was best deciding on how to dissect.
Discord shrank back at the earth ponies’ questioning eyes and tugged at Aumean’s mane to pull her closer. “…can we go soon?” whispered the draconequus, obviously unnerved by Penwell’s frosty gaze.
“Anyway…” the mare broke the growing tension. “…like I said, we’ll have to chat some other time, Penwell. I must be getting home now.”
Penwell’s face snapped back to his old friend. “Of course, of course! I look forward to it! Be sure to bring those bags with you, I know they have the latest releases in them!” The blue-maned librarian smiled, waving a hoof.
“See you soon, Penwell,” said Aumean as she turned and trotted through the store’s door and back out into the open air. Much like their initial journey together, no words were exchanged between the two companions. Discord remained silent as Aumean made her way to the market, the ‘Sugarcube Stand’ in particular, and bought a large crème and raspberry gateau with the few bits she had left from her trip. Though she kept a brisk pace, Aumean finally slowed and came to a stop just at the borders of the Everfree Forest. Levitating the draconequus and his pot off her back to the ground in front of her, she herself than sat down on the road with him.
“…why have we stopped?” asked the draconequus after several silent seconds, his voice lacking its normal inquisitiveness.
The mare took a deep breath before speaking. “Discord, I want to say a few things. Firstly, I’m so sorry about Penwell, he’s a good pony, really, but he… can be a little insensitive at times… he doesn’t get out that much after all…” Aumean spoke carefully and slowly. It didn’t take a sun-raising alicorn to see that Penwell had hurt Discord with the way he acted, and the mare was worried how much abuse the little draconequus could take, given his circumstances.
“It’s okay, it’s happened before,” replied Discord while shrugging his shoulders indifferently, cautious to keep his head down and not meet Aumean’s concerned face.
“That doesn’t make it right or any less hurtful, Discord. Please, I don’t want to push you, but you mustn’t hide your feelings from me. I may still be a stranger, but I swore to take care of you. I want you to trust me and I assure you that you can tell or show me your feelings no matter what shape they may take,” Aumean explained as comfortingly as possible. Discord seemed fine before, but his silence made it occur to the alicorn that he may well be suppressing any lingering sorrows over his mother’s passing for her sake. The draconequus raised his head slightly, catching the caring eyes and warm smile directed at him. “Discord… tell me. What are you feeling? About everything: Penwell, me… your mother. Do you trust me enough to say?”
The wind whistled gently over the scene, causing the trees to rustle quietly and the iron teapot to ding against the draconequus’ scaly tail. Discord did not answer for some time. He remained seated in the road, perfectly still. To Aumean’s surprise, he rose to his feet and looked her directly in the eye, bursting with resolve. “I saw it. I saw the way mother smiled when she left us. She was happy. She didn’t want me to despair! Of course I’m sad, but I’m not going to make her sad by letting it hold me back! I’ll miss her, but I’ve got my own life to live!” Discord proclaimed confidently. Aumean was speechless as the draconequus continued proudly. “And the same for Penwell! He’s not the first to think I’m some sort of animal or monster, but I’m not going to let it keep me down! He wants to judge a book by its cover? His loss!” finished Discord, puffing his chest out and smiling broadly with intense self-satisfaction.
“Discord…” began the mare with a growing smile “Oh, I think we’ll get along just fine!” she laughed heartily. She didn’t realise he had so much spirit. “Come, let’s go home and introduce you to Celestia and Luna, I’m eager to see those two get to know you,” smiled Aumean as she levitated Discord, his pot and the gateau onto her back. The few grey clouds that had been lingering in the sky slowly parted, making way for the bright rays of the sun to light up their path.