//------------------------------// // New Years Resolution Part 2! Strange Encounter! Explanation! // Story: Anon-A-Miss: Friendship is Home // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// It's New Years Eve in Equestria. Twilight Sparkle sent the Princesses a letter for them to come together and welcome the new year as a family. Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor will be coming over to the Castle of Friendship. Sunset Shimmer is not in the Castle. She is on her way to see Discord in his dimension. Sunset went through one of the rooms in the castle that connected to Discord's house. As she entered, Fiery Flames flew in with her. Not wanting to be alone with his mother. The two of them are now in Discord's room. They left and saw Discord sitting upside down reading a comic book. "Hey, Discord," Sunset shouted a little to get his attention. "Why, hello there Sunset Shimmer. I see you brought Fiery Flames with you." "He always wants to be by my side. I can't say no to him." Fiery smiled as he saw Discord. Then he saluted a little to Discord. "The little guy is going to enjoy being a Reformer with us. Would you like some chocolate milk Sunset?" "No thanks. Maybe later." "Alright then. Would the little guy like some fire-crackers?" Fiery liked the sound of that so Discord snapped his claw and a plate of crackers appeared. They were on fire of course. Sunset put Fiery down so he can eat his meal. Sunset sat down on the floor as she looked up to continue to talk to Discord. "So, you think the map will call us for a friendship problem?" "I don't know Sunset but if it does, I hope we can also be called down to save somepony or some creature from turning to the dark side like we have in our past. Then by doing so, we can expand our team." "Also, do you think that we can save Equestria from a huge threat just like Twilight and her friends?" "I believe we can Sunset. I am the Lord...Defender of Equestria after all. I use my magic for good purposes. Never evil again. You're on your way to become a Princess some day. The magic is already inside of you. If there is any who believes you can achieve more than anypony else, it'll be me." He winked. Fiery Flames burped and Discord is on fire. "I'm still cold but thanks for trying Fiery." Sunset could only laugh as she grabbed Fiery and helped him burp better. The soothing from his mother's hooves made him calm down. Sunset then placed him on her head. "Better Fiery?" Fiery nodded his head. "He is quite adorable while he's resting on your head." "Yea so are you..." Sunset whispered. "What was that?" Discord questioned. "Uh....nothing Discord." "Alright then." Discord got up and flew down to the floor to stretch himself properly. "So when do we go to the Castle and greet everypony who is visiting for the day?" "In a few minutes for Princess Luna and Celestia. As for Shining Armor and Cadence, they'll be at the castle in a half an hour. They took the earliest train this morning to get here on time." "Wonderful, so we'll leave when they get there." "Fine by me and Discord?" "Hmm?" "I would like some chocolate milk now." "Coming right up Sunset." Twilight and her friends were trotting back to the castle. They had to deal with a friendship problem with Lyra and Bon Bon. Apparently, they were having a bad argument and setting things right for the past few days. They were at each other's throat about a Hearts Warming present that didn't turn out alright. They received bad presents and had to argue over who gave the worse one out of the two. They laughed about it and now they became friends again. Twilight couldn't wait to see the Princesses again. To celebrate the coming of the new year with a special pony who came back home. To celebrate the New Year with Sunset Shimmer. Also, to celebrate the New Year with Equestria's New Defender Discord. Twilight couldn't wait to see what the New Year will bring to everypony. How excited she was. As Twilight and her friends made it to the castle, Celestia and Luna arrived. "Twilight, my most faithful student and Princess of Friendship. How are you and the girls doing?" Celestia said. "We're doing fine Princess Celestia, just had to solve a quick friendship problem but all is well. Lyra and Bon Bon are now friends again after having a good laugh." Twilight said. "Good. Where is Sunset Shimmer?" "I think she went to see Discord. She's going to bring him here once Cadence and Shining are here." "Wonderful, thou night shall be drenched with the colorful display to welcome the New Year," Luna said excitedly. "Tonight going to be an awesome night!" Rainbow shouted. "Yea, welcomin the New Year, celebratin with Sunset and Discord. I'm looking forward to seeing how things play out." Applejack said. "The new fashion designs to look forward to. Always creating something before it becomes a trend." Rarity said. "I'm sure you girls will have many new adventures waiting ahead. Twilight, how is Sunset doing for the past few days." Celestia asked. "She's doing great. Ever since she came back home, Sunset is a changed pony. She's close with Discord and she has a pet phoenix. He's a baby but still, Sunset Shimmer is doing quite well for herself." "How wonderful. Thank you Twilight." Celestia said as she hugged Twilight. 20 minutes later, Cadence and Shining Armor showed up at the Castle. Everypony was already outside to greet them. Discord, Sunset and Fiery Flames appeared next to them. "We're home!" Discord shouted which startled everypony but Pinkie a little. "Good to see you three back at the castle." Pinkie said. Everypony caught their breath a little. Discord's entrance shouldn't have startled them but it did this time. "Please don't do that again Discord. You should know better by now." Celestia said. "Sorry Tia, but I still have to remain a little bit chaotic to bring balance to our world after all. Also, I'm still am the Defender of Equestria so it's my duty to protect everypony throughout the lands." Discord stated. Everypony headed inside to chat a little bit. Discord used his magic on Luna, Cadence, Celestia and Shining Armor so they can see what Sunset Shimmer witnessed in her time when the Anon-A-Miss broke out and corrupted everything meaningful to her. After a few moments, they felt hatred but sympathy. Sunset didn't mind Discord for what he's done. She would rather have Discord see everything with her eyes than to discuss. Sunset's New Year Resolution is to move forward and to become a Princess alongside helping Discord with the Reformer team. Princess Cadence hugged Sunset, then Luna and Shining Armor. Celestia was the last to hug her daughter. Celestia's New Year Resolution is to spend more time with Sunset so they can create a better bond together. Luna's Resolution is to be more involved with the lives of everypony. TO have a better connection as a Princess. Cadence's Resolution is to create more love for those who don't have any. Shining's Resolution is to become stronger than before so he can protect his kingdom at the Crystal Empire. Also to teach Discord some discipline. As the night came closer, so was this one stallion wearing a black hoodie and have a sword on his back. He traced the source of energy coming from the Castle. Now he's only miles away from reaching his destination. "I'm getting closer. The dark energy I sensed is getting stronger and it's coming from that castle. When I find you, I will slay you. No more of your kind shall be reborn." The Stallion trotted towards the castle. He is on his way to approach the creature that made itself known. 1 hour later, Twilight and everypony else decided to go to the roof of the castle. To enjoy the view together. Discord and Pinkie Pie are sitting on a cotton candy cloud waiting for the fireworks to display. Sunset sat up as Fiery sat on her head. The Princesses laid on their backs on the beach chairs relaxing and enjoying the view. Rainbow and Fluttershy were on a regular cloud on the roof. Applejack and Rarity sat in the regular chairs. Spike came up the stairs and onto the roof with Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith. To welcome the New Year as a family. "Hey Discord, can you make gems appear for me please?" "Sure Spike." Discord touched on the cotton candy cloud and instead of raining chocolate milk, it rained gems for the baby dragon. "Thank you Discord!" Spike said as he is now munching on gems. "No problem my friend. Happy to help you." He touched the cotton candy cloud again so the rain of gems can stop. "Hey Rainbow, can you get me? I can't get to the clouds just yet." Scootaloo asked. "Allow me," Discord snapped his paw and Scootaloo is now next to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. "Thanks, Discord!" Scootaloo shouted a little. "I should be thanking you, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. If it weren't for you three, I would still be encased in stone and Tirek would be the new ruler of this world." Everypony looked confused when Discord said that. "Discord, please explain," Twilight asked. "Well, it's quite simple actually. Remember the field trip you had at the Canterlot Gardens Cutie Mark Crusaders?" "Yea, we were arguing with each other and it wasn't a good one either," Scootaloo said. "It was your bickering that I broke free from my stony prison. After that well, everything fell into place as time went on." Discord said. Everypony gasped at the realization. If it weren't for the CMC bickering, then Twilight would have never been able to defeat Tirek because Discord's presence was vital. Even if Tirek didn't need Discord to grow stronger, the outcome would have been far more difficult to handle. Even if Twilight were to be the one who went after Tirek, chances were Tirek would have absorbed her Alicorn magic and not realize what was happening to begin with. Silence reigned for a few minutes. "Like I was saying, I want to thank you, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle for freeing me and putting me in the right direction since as of now, everything is going great!" Discord stated. Everypony cheered at the CMC even though it was awkward. The Stallion is now in front of the Castle. "Hmm, they're celebrating on the rooftops. Best to be safe than sorry. Silence Circle!" The stallion used his magic to create a circle around him. Preventing him from making a loud noise or any sort of noise. He trotted inside the castle. "I feel the magic at it's strongest point. It must be coming from one of these rooms here." The stallion trotted and checked every room within the castle. "Only a few moments left to welcome the New Year!" Rainbow shouted. Discord felt a disturbance in the force. "Everypony, I'll be right back. There is something I need to do before coming back up here." "What would that be Discord?" Sunset asked. "I gotta use the bathroom." "Oooh...Alright." Sunset said not wanting to hear Discord say that. Discord went down into the castle but to trace that disturbance he felt. The stallion found the library that has the portal to the other dimension. "So this must be it..." Discord went by and saw the library door opened. He checked and saw the stallion observing the portal. "You know..." The stallion turned back around. Not expecting anyone to see him. "Most ponies who think about stealing wouldn't be here. Also, the castle is closed so you better get going." The stallion didn't speak. He remained in place. "Silent huh? Well, no matter. I'll take care of you myself." Discord said holding a baton. "You should choose your words wisely creature." "Oh, why is that?" Discord questioned. "You don't know who you are dealing with." Discord burst into laughter just hearing that. He couldn't stop laughing for a few moments. "Alright. You got me. That was a good one. Seriously, you should get out of here." "So you want to play games huh? I'll play if that is the case." "Buddy, please. I don't think you can handle the former Lord of Chaos and the New Defender of Equestria. I Discord will protect everypony from the harm that'll be lurking in the lands." "Funny, coming from the demented creature that enslaved ponies would be a protector. Classic." "Look, I'm trying to be nice here. Just leave or else, I'll do my sworn duty as a Defender of Equestria." "So be it...Change form!" The stallion is now standing on two hooves instead of four. His spine snapped and straighten itself. His other two hooves turned into hands, the hoodie fell off of his head revealing he's a unicorn. He's orange with a blue mane. He then pulled out his sword. Readying himself to fight. "Well, that was so unexpected. Even when I transformed. Huh, this is what other ponies felt like. So weird and strange at the same time but no matter." Discord used his magic to poof a sword. "You want to fight. I'll show you what I can do." "Bring it on wimp." Discord and the stallion started to clash with each other as everypony else on the roof saw the firework display. Everypony cheered as they welcome the New Year without Discord. Sunset began to wonder what was going on with Discord but she thought that he'll make a grand entrance with a surprise looking outfit or weird transformation. Either way, she waited. Discord is having a hard time fighting the stallion. He is putting up a good fight. Sword swing after another. Punches being thrown even teleportation magic has been used. The stallion had more firepower magic than Discord anticipated. "This ends right now! I'm turning you into ashes!" He snapped his claw so he can turn the stallion to ashes but it didn't work."What the Tartarus?!" He snapped his paw, claw, and tail multiple times but it didn't work. "What's the matter, your magic is not working like it should be?'" Discord glared at him. "Hate to break it to you but your magic has no effect on me. I used a protection barrier ring when I came here. No magic can penetrate me when trying to hurt or kill me." "What kind of pony are you?" Discord asked. "The one that'll slay a creature out of existence. Once and for all." "Not on my watch!" Discord shouted. He leaped towards the stallion. It was a bad move. "Awaken!" He used two of his fingers to tap on Discord's head. Then jumped back. Discord blinked twice to see something else instead of the stallion he was fighting. "Hello Draqonacuus" the necromancer said happily. "No..." Discord took a step back. Seeing the necromancer came back terrified him. "I see you remember the last time we've met." "You..you can't be here...you went to that other place...the other world..." Discord said terrifyingly. "And here I am. Standing here ready to take everything that is precious to you than life itself." He punched Discord in the gut, then in the face. The impact sends him flying and he crashed into the same whole in the room. Discord screamed in pain. The echoes of his scream can be heard from the rooftop. Everypony stopped what they were doing and went down to find Discord except for Spike, the CMC, Granny Smith and Big Mac. "What's the matter? Are you afraid?" The necromancer said mockingly. Discord whimpered in fear. Never in his life, he was so terrified by the one creature that ruined his childhood. The one creature that messed a chunk of his life. He couldn't stand to the one creature that overpowered him. "Your friends will soon be gone. Your new family, desolated. Everything your building will soon collapse." Discord could only close his eyes and scream once more. He is defeated and needed help. "Now," holding his sword next to Discord's head. "I will finish you for intruding on my search." Celestia heard Discord's scream. She along with the others trotted towards the library. When she saw the stallion about to hurt Discord, she recognized him immediately. "Stop right there Blaze!" Celestia shouted. "Huh?" Blaze looked at Celestia. His spell wore off after losing his focus when Celestia shouted at him."Oh goodie, it's you." Discord opened his eyes to see the stallion he was fighting. Discord can feel the rage building inside of him. The stallion used an illusion spell to get the better of him. The others came into the library to see what was happening. "What are you doing here Blaze? I thought I'd told you that you're banished from my lands!" Celestia sneered. "You never banished me, I left on my own terms. Don't tell me your still pissed off due to the plague that was unleashed years ago." "Plague? What plague Celestia?" Twilight asked. "How surprising. You never told anypony about me." "Blaze, I'm going to tell you this one time. Leave this place and never come back!" She shouted once more but her voice is echoing throughout the castle. "Who is Blaze Celestia?" Discord asked. "He's a Dark Horse of Apocalypse," Celestia said. Everypony and Discord froze in fear a little. An Apocalyptic pony is here in the castle. "You know that I'm not an apocalyptic pony right Solaris?" Celestia gritted her teeth after hearing that name. She stomped her way towards Blaze's face. "What did I tell you about calling me by that name?!" "Oh yea, that's right. You never enjoyed ponies calling you Solaris even though that's your real name." "Get out!" Celestia said now demanding Blaze to leave. "Or else, I'll make you leave myself!" "You couldn't do it even if you tried. You know that I always have a reason to be at places." "There is nothing for you to hunt here. I saw what you were going to do to Discord. You're here to finish him for good. Just like the necropony you are!" "Necropony!" Everyone shouted. "Again, that is not what I am. Now if you excuse me, I need to get to work." Celestia hated Blaze and wanted him gone but Twilight went up to Blaze. "As the Princess of Friendship, I think you should explain to everypony here why you are here." Blaze took a look at everypony here. Discord wanted to know some answers to why he's here. Celestia only wanted him gone. Luna has mixed reactions about this. She never saw Blaze before. How did Celestia know about him? "Alright but under one condition." "Fine anything." "Get that bitch Celestia out of my sight." "Why you little?!" Celestia was held back by Discord and Shining Armor. They both used their magic as Celestia wanted to hurt Blaze for calling her a bitch. Twilight sighed as she saw her teacher loses her cool. It's not often that Celestia gets heated up like that. "I'm quite older than anypony here thinks. I'm older than Discord actually. I'm after a creature that my family summoned to our world. My family was known as the Necroponies. They enhanced Dark Magic and perfected everything there is about Dark magic. Even Black magic and Blood magic. Everything that Necromancers used for their magic, my family was the ones that fed them. It goes like this. My family wanted to rule everything in chaos. To torment all life in our world. They had a plan to take away the most powerful creatures in all the land. When they summoned the necromancers, they fed on my family. One by one, they were devoured. My family felt happy feeding the necromancer's power. One decided not to offer his magic and life. In order to stop and kill a necromancer, you have to give up something precious to you that isn't life itself. Everypony in my family that stood up to the creature sacrificed their freedom. They had a limited time before the necromancers' magic turned them into a necromancer. When it was my turn because I didn't want any of this, I sacrificed my Cutie Mark. They were not expecting that and I killed half of their army before the leader quickly ran away. I've been hunting them down. They became harder to find when they were using that creature...Discord's magic. They were able to hide away from me. I figured that the other ponies were next in line so using my Dark Magic, I created the Black Plague. If the necromancer were to devour a pony who had the illness, they would die. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Solaris went hunting to find out who was responsible for the madness of the Black Plague. She found me. She hated me. I left but she thinks she banished me. I went into hiding and remained in place. I figured out an immortality spell so when they come back, I could be ready to kill them..." Everypony except Celestia was shocked and horrified. Hearing everything that Blaze said took everypony by surprise. Celestia didn't want anything to do with Blaze and his story. She just wanted him gone. "Do you know who the name of the necromancer leader is?" Twilight asked. "His name is Nero. He's the original necromancer that came before turning others into one. I killed all the others." "Where you think he went?" Twilight asked again. "He went in there." He's pointing at the portal. Everypony eyes widen by the news of Nero. He's in the portal meaning that he's in the other world. "He's probably devouring creatures that do magic or rituals as we speak." Celestia didn't want Blaze to do anything so she started to shout. "Get out of here demon! You lying tongue can't deceit anyone here! Your story is made up. To try and get closer so you can strike. Just like your brother did!" "Fine...I'll go but I will be back to finish what I started." Blaze left the library and left the castle. All eyes were on Celestia. Discord and Shining Armor released Celestia allowing her some breathing room. "There is a reason why I don't trust him. He's a lost cause. Born to bring nothing but evil into our lands. I have known him for millenniums and everything he says or does is a lie. Don't believe him everypony. Blaze is not worth it. He'll soon take over when he gets the chance. Ain't that right Discord?" "Yea...He used a powerful spell to use my fear against me. Also, he's powerful enough to negate my magic from hurting him. If somepony is powerful enough to do that then its bad news. Also, he would have killed me right there and then if it weren't for you Celestia. So I'll say thank you." "You're welcome Discord. That is what friends are for. To help one another." Celestia stated. "Now if you excuse me, my sister and I need to go back to Canterlot." Celestia and Luna flew back to Canterlot. "Cadence and I will stay for the night. We can head back to the Crystal Empire later in the morning." Shining and Cadence went to the guest room that Twilight has always set up for their arrival. Everypony else but Discord, Twilight and Sunset left the library as it was getting late. "Discord, do you really believe what Celestia said was true...?" Twilight asked. "I don't know anymore. I think it is best to let it go until it comes back." Discord said. Not wanting to admit to the necromancer that's in the other world. "Well, in some weird way, I think Blaze was telling the truth. He was sincere throughout his explanation. I think Celestia may be taking this too seriously and personally." Sunset said. "I hope you're wrong Sunset. If Blaze was telling the truth then Nero would be a harder foe to defeat." Twilight said as she yawned. "Night everypony." Sunset and Discord were all alone in the library. Sunset decided to sleep over at Discord's house to make him feel better. Fiery Flames flew by and landed on his mother's head. The day went by so nicely, it ended strangely. As they went to Discord's dimension, Blaze already looked back at the castle. "I will come for you Nero. You will so be put to rest. I will make sure you won't cause any more problems ever again." Unknown to Blaze, Nero heard everything he said through the portal using his chaotic magic. "So you think you can stop me now that I'm more powerful than ever! I will see you soon Blaze. Then everything else in that world of yours will come to an end. " Nero laughed now that he is on his way back to the other world. The New Year arrived as scheduled. New adventures await everyone in both dimensions. Some good, others bad. Only time will tell about Nero's fate along with everyone else's that's on the line.