You know, I thought I’d seen everything. Physics defied, forms changed, true magic. Generosity, kindness, acceptance, friendship. Hell, I’d even become accustomed to Discord’s chaotic antics. But none of it could’ve prepared me for this.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised; strange things have had a propensity for occurring around me since I’d arrived here in Equestria. But when I’d suddenly fallen from the sky and the rest of the Wonderbolts hadn’t noticed my absence, I lost hope. Deciding to play it safe, I’d turned to make the trek back to the Crystal Empire.
“You’re not really going to waste my efforts, are you? There’s no way in Tartarus that you don’t know how difficult it’s been to get a moment alone with you.” Shocked, I’d halted in my tracks and spun around to face the female voice that’d called out to me… only to find a faded white and grey draconequus facing me. Unlike Discord, however, this draconequus’ features are perfectly symmetrical, portraying the appearance of the intentional combination of a select few species rather than a random mishmash of parts. She has the head of a pony, the antlers of a deer, talons for both arms, as well as cloven hooves for both legs and a pair bat-like wings. “What? Never seen a draconequus before? Come on; there’s a cave I’ve been sheltering in. I don’t feel like being responsible for you freezing to death.”
And that is how I came to be in my present situation, staring direct proof that Discord is not the only draconequus in Equestria right in the eyes. A few details have slotted into place as we had made our way to… dammit, she hadn’t told me her name, but we were headed to her makeshift shelter. Now out of the way of the winds, I force my tongue to work for me.
“Well, then… this is certainly a surprise,” I muse. “Tell me; what should I be calling you?” She pauses for a moment before relenting.
“You don’t seem surprised to see a draconequus in the flesh,” she replies. “I trust you are familiar with the concept of Yin and Yang?” I nod silently, intrigued. “Good; that will make this conversation easier. Since you haven’t panicked in reaction to seeing my form, I assume you are familiar with my brother, Discord… well, in nature all things require a balance. I am Concord, the Spirit of Order. Pleased to make your acquaintance, human.” With a humble bow, she extends a talon and shakes my hoof. Dumbstruck, I begin to sputter.
“Wait… your BROTHER?” If I’m laying on the sense of incredulity real thick, that’s because I truly am in disbelief like no tomorrow. Not 5 minutes ago, I’d thought that Discord was the only draconequus in Equestria. Now, I’m expected to believe that he is not only not alone, but also the sibling to the very antonym of his existence. This day can’t POSSIBLY get any weirder.
“Yes, my brother. It is part of a long story, one that I wish to share with you if you’ll allow it. But first,” Concord pauses to gauge my reaction. “I need to know what you’ve learned since you arrived here. Some of what I have to share with you may require me to explain things you may or may not have yet learned.”
So I tell her my story. All of it, from the ill-fated flight that had brought me here, to my failed return and subsequent transformation, and even her brother’s efforts to get me home. Until I shared my revelations of Discord’s intentions, she had been unreadable. Now, though, Concord is wearing an expression that I’ve come to recognize over the years as nostalgia.
“Well… maybe there’s hope for Discord after all. Things weren’t always like they are now; at one point, ponies trusted us to keep a balance in this world. Trusted HIM to do his part in that. We even worked alongside the founders of the ponies’ society as you know it- Chancellor Puddinghead, Princess Platinum, and Commander Hurricane. You’ve heard of them, yes?” I indicate in the affirmative, simultaneously fascinated by her tale and throttled by the implications of what she is sharing with me. “Good, this spares me the time retelling the story of Hearth’s Warming. Regardless, we worked with them from the shadows; nopony would’ve ever agreed to anything that came as a result of working with the creations of the defeat of the windigos.”
“Wait a minute,” I interrupt, unable to sit idly by as she drops this particular bombshell on me. “How did the windigos’ defeat manage the amount of power necessary to create a pair beings as strong as you and Discord?” I hide my face behind my wings out of embarrassment, expecting to be met with my doom… but it doesn’t come. Instead, I hear hearty laughter. Looking out from behind my childish shield, I’m greeted with the sight of Concord doubled over, grinning wide and guffawing incessantly. “I don’t understand… what’s so funny about that question?”
“Silly human,” she begins between chortles. “You should know the parallels. After all, Luna DID tell you that your arrival awoke an ancient magic that had been lost before she and Celestia came to power, didn’t she?” A moment later, the realization of what Concord has just said dawns on me, and apparently my inadequate poker face, too. “Now you understand it; the fate of Equestria was put in limbo by the defeat of the agents of its demise, and we manifested out of a direct need by the flow of magic to restore order. Your arrival has once again upset that balance, but I believe that one of our greatest proteges has already explained to you the implications of this particular occurrence… regardless, our response was to work the problem by means of the individuals that created it. Unfortunately, this meant that we needed to work from the shadows…” she leaves off, at which point I pick up in earnest.
“And Discord didn’t appreciate that, I imagine. He turned on his sibling, wreaking havoc as he acted on his basest desires.” Concord simply nods, and she seems proud of how fast I've caught on to the pattern.
“Indeed, that is exactly what happened. Nightmare Moon before Nightmare Moon, as you would probably surmise.” She pauses, seemingly conflicted by what she’s about to tell me. “Except he banished me here to the Frozen North, and proceeded to turn the rest of Equestria into a realm of complete chaos. It took our students, taught by proxy of Starswirl the Bearded, turning on my brother and using the Elements of Harmony against him for that reign of terror to end. But alas, they did not know that were 2 draconequi, else they may have opted to help me.
“Forever stranded in this frozen waste, I created the Crystal Empire and its protective relic to cope with the sense of loss I was experiencing. You’ve indicated that you know the story of that endeavor, so I won’t bother telling you about King Sombra’s takeover and subsequent banishing of me from my own creation.” The ancient draconequus seems to be on the verge of tears, but she presses forward.
“When I heard that my beautiful creation had been rediscovered, I set forth to check in on my creation… it seems that the new rulers, Princess Cadance and her husband Shining Armor, do not know of my existence either, as that would be how you and that group you flew with came to be dispatched to 'deal with me' as it were.” She smiles weakly at me. “And that brings us to our current situation, as well as why I had sought words with you. You are familiar with being displaced; I would like to request your help being welcomed back, if you would be so kind.”
As I look back and forth between Concord, and the general direction of the Crystal Empire, my resolve strengthens. I look to Concord, praying that I’m not about to make the greatest mistake of my life.
“Alright then, I’ll help.” She seems overjoyed at the news, but sobers real quickly at the sheepish expression on my face. “I’m just a little lost, since I fell out of the sky and whatnot… would you happen to know the way back?”
Shaken and exhausted, I enter the throne room. Inside, I’m immediately mobbed by all the ponies that had (unbeknownst to me) been awaiting news on my disappearance.
“THERE you are! We were worried sick about you, newbie!” Rainbow Dash exclaims, as she hits me with a flying tackle hug. Spitfire seems to be the most collected, although she’s also been visibly shaken.
“Thought I’d have to report to Celestia that I’d gotten you killed in the Frozen North… boy, am I glad I don’t have to do that.” Her attempt to cover up her emotions doesn’t fool me, but I don’t say anything in order to help her save face. One pony’s question in particular, though, catches my attention.
“We’re so glad you’re safe, Steve, but would you be so kind as to explain where you were?” Cadance may be one of the kindest beings to exist, but her question still raises a little ire in me. I reply with all the kindness I can muster.
“Thank you, Princess Cadance, for your concern. And yes, I would love to share what happened. In fact, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Gesturing to the door as Concord enters, I watch Cadance’s face as she (and everypony else in the room) gasps in shock. “Cadance, this is Concord, the Spirit of Order. Concord, Princess Cadance. I believe the two of you have a lot to discuss.”
And then, the Wonderbolts and myself are escorted from the room. Rainbow Dash nudges me and whispers in my ear.
“I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Steve. This is a pretty big deal, even by my standards.” I shrug nonchalantly, but I know she’s right. I may have just altered the fate of Equestria irreversibly…