//------------------------------// // The Old Fears Are Returning // Story: Discord Rising: The Order of Chaos // by sverd abr sundav //------------------------------// Alibaster’s was a tavern in the gryphon’s town of Eaglescree. It was a large establishment built into the side of a cliff face, and the inside was bare, scratched stone with scatter tables and a bar. It was always busy with gryphons of all colors inside drinking cider. At a table in the corner sat a small, raven-blue gryphon sipping at his cup. He’d been there for hours, rarely moving, listening to the various conversations going on around him. “I heard she’s planning on taking over our homes and country!” said a clearly outraged, silvery grey gryphon. “You know, Croft, you always have believed in silly rumours about the ponies.” responded a golden-brown gryphon exasperatedly. “And you’ve never heeded a warning in your life.” said Croft, still quite angry. “Celestia isn’t going to take over our kingdom. I visited Equestria last year, and I kept hearing about how kind she was. Why would a pony like that want to conquer a kingdom?” Responded the golden-brown one. A third brown and white gryphon chimed in from another table, “You’ve always trusted every nice thing you hear about those ponies, Arc. I think you’d become one if you could.” and he uttered a harsh screech of laughter. The three continued to argue about the state of the ponies, and the gryphon in the corner smiled slightly. He listened for awhile longer before finally departing. He left a few coins on his table to pay for the drink and left. He walked through the old door to the bitter winds outside. He didn’t care; gryphons liked the cold of the skies. He saw, in the sky, several armored gryphons flying away from the tavern. That’s odd. I didn’t see them inside, he thought. Looking around for a sign of why they were there, he saw a poster on the door to the tavern. It depicted a pitch-black gryphon and held the caption “Any with information as to this gryphon’s whereabouts are to report to an Aurorus Knight. This gryphon is not an enemy, and is not to be treated as such. Reward of five hundred silver if information is found credible.” That would explain it. He’s gained some attention, thought the gryphon. Grabbing the poster, he took off and angled his wings downward. He had a specific location in mind, and it seemed to be well away from the town. From the sky, Eaglescree was easily visible. The town was a hodgepodge of rickety buildings, nests and caves on the top of three mountain peaks. There was no physical connection between the peaks since gryphons could fly where they needed to go. The darkly colored gryphon spent nearly half an hour flying before he found his destination. It was a small, round opening in the side of a mountain with flickering light emanating from within. He alighted on the edge of the cave and began to walk inside. He wasn’t in a particular hurry as he walked down the stony, torch-lined hallway. It wasn’t long before he stood in front of a large, black door with a small keyhole in the center. He used his front talon to grab a key tied to his hind leg and inserted it into the door. A series of metallic clunks and clicks sounded and the door swung open to reveal a small room with a kitchen in one corner, a few cushions on the ground, and a couple doors leading to other rooms. In the center of the entry room was a large couch upon which a very strange creature was reclining. It was a creature made of a dozen others, one wing of a pegasus, one of a dragon, talons, bear claws, and two different horns. There was something entirely wrong about it. The creature spoke, “Greetings, Sollus.” The gryphon named Sollus didn’t seem to be at all surprised by the monstrous sight in front of him. “Hello, Thanatos.” Sollus sounded respectful, but still quite at ease. “Some Aurorus Knights put this this up for you, though they do seem to think you’re a gryphon.” He handed the poster to Thanatos. “That might be because I’ve never revealed that I’m a draconicus,” he said as he looked over the paper. Thanatos’ voice was heavy, rough, and frigid cold. It was deep and strong and terrifying to hear. Yet despite its imposing nature, it was a voice that one could listen to forever. “I suspect if you did, they’d try to kill you on sight.” “Yes, well they will try, but it is rather hard to kill death. I intend to pay King Aluin a visit again tomorrow. I suggest you sneak into their archives while I keep his guards have their attention on me.” Sollus looked rather taken aback, “You’re going to show him what you are?” “Why not? I’ve been telling him dark truths for long enough for it to not be a surprise, and the fact that he’s trying to find me means he wants my advice. I believe our little king, with a little push, might just do as we wish.” “You’ve been away from the world for too long. It’s more frightened and disbelieving of the old powers than you recall.” Thanatos smirked slightly, “Perhaps you are right, but I think not. He despises the princesses, and it is not hard to convince someone that the enemy of their enemy is a friend.” “This is true, after all you convinced me.” “Yes, but unlike Aluin, you aren’t a mere tool. When you found me in my slumbers, you tried to kill me. I admire that, though I am glad you realized your mistake quickly. If you hadn’t, I’d have killed you.” He paused before proceeding to ask, “Are any of the gryphons in a state ready to help my brothers and I?” “I don’t know how many would be willing to help you, but they certainly begrudge Equestria, or, at least, many of them do.” Sollus paused briefly before asking, “Do you really want to help your brothers? Greed has never helped you, and Discord - he may have come back, but he’s been defeated twice.” “Discord has finally realized he needs to change tactics, and Greed will reveal himself when our advantage becomes apparent. He’s always made himself known when it suits him.” Sollus seemed unconvinced, but merely responded, “If you insist. What do you want me to get out of the Aurorus archives?” “Anything they might have on the blasted princesses, as well as any interesting secrets about the gryphons. Best to know your allies as well as your enemies.” “Very well, I’ll leave for the city first thing in the morning.” “Good, and you’ll know once I’ve arrived. There will be a lot of screeching, I’m sure.” Sollus nodded and entered the second door into his bedroom. It was a small room with a straw mattress on the ground and a lamp on a short table. He lay on his bed and fell asleep, resting for the events that were to come. ---------------------------------------------------------- Sollus awoke early and immediately made his way to leave. As he walked through his entrance room, Thanatos spoke, wide awake, “Remember to stay unseen.” Sollus nodded and exited through the large door. He reached the end of the cave and flew. It took him hours, and by the time he arrived in the city of Aurorus, his wings were sore, and he rested for awhile before moving on. The city was a beautiful place carved out of a mountain's peak, and it was a shining example of the pride and strength of the gryphons. At the center of the city was a beautiful palace with towering spires and great pillars supporting it. Aurorus was so high that the clouds floated through it, and the winds struck hard against the spired, rocky buildings. Finally recovering, Sollus made his way towards the palace and stayed near the entrance, awaiting the time when he’d be able to break into the archives beneath. ---------------------------------------------------------- Thanatos waited for hours after Sollus had left before departing. He didn’t need to fly or walk; he just seemed to jump between spaces. In a flash, he was just outside of the city in the form of a black gryphon. He flew straight towards the center of the city where the palace was situated. Walking up the beautiful, marble stairs, he noticed the two armoured gryphons standing in front of the elegant doors. “Greetings, sirs. I do believe the king wishes to see me.” The two knights looked at each other, surprised and the one on the left said, “Uhh, yes. Right this way.” He opened the doors, and both knights led Thanatos down a long corridor lined with paintings of various kings and door upon door leading off to various wings of the palace. They reached a high, open room lined with windows and made out of white marble. At the back of the great room was a silver throne upon which sat King Aluin. He was an impressive gryphon, looking proud and regal with feathers of an almost golden color. He was large and strong, with a silver circlet around the top of his head. He looked forward and saw his Knights leading Thanatos. “Greetings, Thanatos. I am pleased that you have returned.” The king spoke in a soft, luxurious voice. It was commanding, but smooth. Thanatos had told the king his real name because none had heard it for so long it had been forgotten. Most only knew him as Death, and he didn’t fear recognition. Walking forward towards the king at a leisurely pace, he was completely at his ease. When he stopped, he didn’t bow or make any sort of movement to imply respect; he merely responded to the king. “Salutations, King Aluin. I’m sorry I could not make free time to return sooner.” The king seemed to be slightly annoyed by Thanatos’ disrespectful manner, but listened on, and the knights seemed to be annoyed an on edge. “Now, I have helped you with advice on how you should storm Equestria, and I have told you secrets hidden for centuries. It is time for me to show you another secret hidden for ages. I would suggest asking your knights to leave before they perish.” He was completely serious and horribly severe. “Is that a threat?” King Aluin asked, annoyed at the impertinence of his guest. “Hardly a threat, it was a suggestion.” “My Knights will stand by their king’s side. Now show me this secret you speak of.” “Very well.” Thanatos said simply, and with those two words his form changed. A cloud of shadowy smoke dispersed, and in its place stood Thanatos in his full size. An eight foot tall creature in all his terrible glory. He didn’t grin as Discord would have, he just held a straight face and said, “This is what I am: Thanatos - Death.” King Aluin froze in terror, and the knights, all four in the room including the two that had led Thanatos in, ran towards him. They screeched in fury as they flew up, trying to tear him apart with their claws, but upon contact they each froze in midair and blew away into ashen dust. He looked on, unconcerned, towards the king. “I told you to send them away. I am not your enemy, the princesses are. I can help you defeat them, and you shall rule a kingdom twice the size of your current domain.” King Aluin was still terrified but managed to sputter out, “Why should I trust you? You’re brothers are Discord and Greed, let alone what you are.” “True, but if I was an enemy, I would have made it clear by now. Be afraid of me, but because I am death. not because I am an inherent enemy. I shall assist you against Equestria and so will my brothers. If you work with us, then you shall be made king of more than you thought possible.” The king seemed reticent, but realized that to deny Death would be akin to accepting it. “How will you help me?” “My brothers and I are magical beings as old as time. We can destroy your enemies, defeat the princesses and finally bring an end to the never ending fair of happiness that they demand.” Several knights in hefty armor ran into the great room. There were ten of them and upon seeing Thanatos, they froze, unsure what to do. The king didn’t seem to be as concerned, so they looked to him for orders. “Stay there. He is not a threat or, at least. not at the moment. Do not attack him.” “Yes, my liege,” the knights responded in unison. They were still frightened but stayed in ranks and did not turn to run. The king addressed Thanatos again, “Where are your brothers?” “I do not know. Discord has once again escaped and has been working towards gaining support. Greed has always served himself; he shall not appear until our strength has been shown. I am here, and as the eldest of us I shall represent. What do you wish to know?” “Strategy. Equestria is ten times the size of my country, and is loyal to its princesses to the death. How can we defeat such a force?” Thanatos looked unworried, but as always grim. “As I said, my brother is gaining support. We shall have allies unseen for many years. Aside from that, They have two alicorns and many ponies. We have three Draconicus, gryphons, and we shall soon have even more at our command.” “That is still an unsure thing. Gryphons can not use magic, but unicorns can.” “Remember what we are, and remember that we know the old enemies of the world. They owe us favors.” King Aluin stood from his throne and said, “Follow me to my chambers. We shall discuss strategies, and you will tell me what you know.” “I’ll tell you what you need to know,” responded Thanatos, and then he followed the gryphon king. ------------------------------------------------ Sollus watched from a distance as Thanatos, disguised as a gryphon, walked up to the palace. He realized what it meant and snuck up after him. He watched the two gryphons guarding the door enter, followed by Thanatos and after a couple minutes entered behind them. Thanatos had discussed the location of the underground archives, and Sollus soon found the door that led to them. It didn’t look special, but that was the point. It was hidden in plain sight. Opening it, he found the long spiraling staircase that led to the foundations of the palace, and his talons clattered against the stony floor. The descent didn’t take long and he navigated through several passageways to where Thanatos had informed him to go. It didn’t take long, and he found what he needed. It was an ornate door with a guard in front of it. As Sollus pondered how to take care of the guard, several loud screeches came from above and he went running, Not even Noticing Sollus in his rush to investigate the sounds. Sollus opened the door and found a great room filled with shelf upon shelf stuffed with books and scrolls. The different sections were labeled like a library, and before long the raven-blue gryphon had found the section on Equestria. He quickly sorted through a few tomes and scrolls and stuffed the ones that seemed interesting into the satchel he had slung around him. He rushed off to find a section that covered something interesting about the gryphons, but the only tomes were official histories. There was nothing of much use, but he stuffed a few in his satchel and made his escape. No guards were there to stop him. They seemed to have been drawn away, He must have appeared. They don’t seem to be taking as kindly as he thought, Sollus said privately to himself. He exited the palace and flew off. There were many gryphons in the sky, as he expected in the middle of the day, but he still felt rather unnerved by them all. He kept calm and tried to look as if he was in no particular rush, and he managed to get away from the city. From there, he flew quickly home. He rested several times during the uneventful journey. Sollus finally reached the cave that he had made home and opened the large door to reveal Thanatos already relaxing on the couch. “Welcome back.” Thanatos said simply. “How’d your meeting with the king go?” “He was a bit distraught at first. His guards tried to attack me, but I convinced him. We have the gryphons as allies. Did you find anything interesting?” “Plenty on Equestria. I didn’t find much of interest on the gryphons.” “Ah, I feared that might be the case. Here, I took these from the king’s quarters. They should be of help.” with that, Thanatos tossed a scroll and two books to Sollus. He managed to catch the scroll and one of the books, but the other fell on the floor in front of him. He stuffed the book and scroll in his bag, and picked up the tome on the floor. With a slightly annoyed tone Sollus said, “I’m going to look over all of these. I’ll be in my study.” He walked along the carpeted floor towards the door leading to his study. It was a small room with shelves lining the walls. They were stacked with scrolls, books and countless loose sheets of paper. He approached a small desk in the back of the room. There were various books and notes scattered on it, but Sollus just put them on the floor. He took out a book titled The Defeat of Discord. It was a about the princesses defeat of Discord. He took notes on the parts that mentioned the elements of harmony, but it was a largely uninteresting book. By the time he finished it was late in the night and he was exhausted. He retired to his room, and noticed that Thanatos had gone out. He frequently did so, in the form of the black gryphon, usually just for the sake of being outside. He fell asleep quickly, and slept well into the morning. When he awoke, he went straight to reading. He continued to do this for days. Some of what he collected was maps with little-known points of interest, but mostly it was histories of important events. One of the books was a history of the gryphon war. It explained the reason for their loss to be because of the fact that Equestria had unicorns as well as the two princesses. One of the key reasons seemed to be a unicorn by the name Starswirl the Bearded who was trained by Princess Celestia in magic. Sollus read the tome studiously and soon had pages full of notes. The scroll that Thanatos had given to him was a map of strategic outposts in the gryphon kingdom. Sollus hadn’t known about most of the them, and he looked over the map carefully. It took him several days, but he managed to finish going over the many things he collected from the Aurorus archives. He’d discovered things about the elements of harmony that he’d never known. “Thanatos.” Sollus said after leaving his study. “What is it?” He responded uncaringly. “I think I’ve found how to remove the elements of harmony as a problem.” Thanatos’ expression changed to one of more interest. “Have you now?” Sollus proceeded to explain and Thanatos said simply, “I think it’s finally time to send a message to Discord.”