//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: Discord // by PurpleWonderPower //------------------------------// Chapter 11 "Hmmmm hmmmm hmmmmm," Discord hummed, as he sat against the Tree of Harmony, waiting for Twilight to come. He was very much looking forward to today. In just one night, all his feelings of dread had become feelings of joy. Twilight would be staying with him in the Everfree Forest forever, and his curse would never come true. As he smiled and thought about all the things he and Twilight could do together in the future, he suddenly heard the sound of lightning-fast hoofbeats from outside the cave. Twilight Sparkle appeared at the entrance, swerved to a halt and galloped into the cave! "Twilight!" beamed Discord, standing up, "I'm so happy you're—" He broke off as he saw the sweat running down her brow and the panicked expression on her face! "Is something wrong, my dear?" he asked, worriedly. "I..." Twilight gasped, breathless from flying here so fast, "It's...I...my...I'm..." "Slow down, Twilight," said Discord, stroking her mane as she gasped for breath, "Just take your time." Twilight's back hooves gave way and she collapsed onto the floor, her bulging saddlebag falling off her back. After a few moments, she managed to regain her breath. She took a great gulp, and wiped the sweat from her brow. "When were you going to tell me I'm cursed?" she asked. The comforting expression on Discord's face was replaced by panic and worry. He had dreaded this. Twilight had said that letting her stay in the Everfree Forest with him was the best gift he could have given her. But he was always afraid she would find out about his first gift. The gift he had given her at her christening. "Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo aren't my aunts," Twilight said, "And my parents aren't dead like they told me. I'm a princess. They say I was cursed when I was younger and that my parents sent me away to live with them to protect me from it." With each word out of Twilight's mouth, a horrible rush of guilt flooded through Discord's body. He sighed and looked back at her. "They told me I was cursed by an evil spirit," said Twilight, "His name was...oh...I can't remember his name...they said it was...it was..." "Discord," said Discord, softly. "Yes!" said Twilight, "Discord. Discord the spirit of chaos and disharmon—" Then she stopped. She looked up at her friend and the smile on her face disappeared. "N-no," she stuttered, "No." Discord sighed. He closed his eyes and bowed his head. Twilight's eyes widened, and her mouth opened in shock as she stared at her friend. "Is it true?" she asked, tears welling up in her eyes, "Are you...Discord?" There was a moment of silence, and Discord reached out a paw to comfort her. "Twilight—" "No!" exclaimed Twilight, ducking his paw, "Don't touch me!" She backed away from him. "You're the evil that's in this world!" she sobbed, her eyes welling up with tears. Her horn lit up with pink magic, which ripped the BFF necklace off her neck and tossed it to the ground. "And just when I thought I had a friend!" she sobbed! She galloped away from the cave, spread her wings and shot off into the sky, leaving a purple and pink trail behind her! "Twilight!" exclaimed Discord, throwing out a paw, but it was too late. Twilight zoomed through the sky, tears streaming from her eyes as she watched the cave behind her get smaller and smaller. She knew she couldn't go back to the cottage where she was raised, or to the land she loved so very much. The only thing she could do was return to the castle where she had been born. As she shot through the air, her trail glimmering in the sky like a rainbow, she saw the faintest dot that was Canterlot appear on the horizon. Flapping her wings as hard as she could, she headed right for the palace. As soon as she arrived, she was met by the palace guards. Although doubtful of her identity, they brought her straight to the throne room, where three female alicorns and a white male unicorn sat at their thrones. "Your highnesses," said one of the guards, bowing, "We found this young alicorn outside the gates. She claims to be the princess." Looks of shock crossed all four of the ponies' faces! The smallest of the princesses, a pink alicorn with a colourful mane stepped down from her throne. She slowly approached Twilight, and their eyes met. "Twilight?" Cadance said, softly. Twilight stared at her. Her eyes were a sparkling lilac, and mane was pale gold, with the same streaks of rose and violet as Twilight's. From just one look, Twilight could tell she was looking at her mother. "Is it true?" asked Twilight, "Are you my mom?" Tears formed at the edge of Cadance's eyes, and she looked back at Celestia and Luna, both of whom looked shocked. "Those Breezies brought you back a day too soon," said Cadance, in a distressed voice, "Guards!" she ordered, "Take her to her room and lock her up! And don't release her until the day is over!" Meanwhile, the three Breezies were flying across the land to Canterlot. "Oh, it feels so good to be small again!" squealed Sweetie Belle, pirouetting through the air on her transparent wings, "I love my tiny hooves!" "Pay attention, Sweetie Belle!" ordered Apple Bloom, "We've gotta find Princess Twilight before the curse comes true! I sure don't want the princesses gettin' mad at us!" Back at the castle, Twilight pounded against the door of her room. It was locked tight, and even her magic couldn't unlock it. She sighed and collapsed on the bed. She looked back at the room. It was very fancy, with the four-poster bed, chandelier, and exquisite carpets. The walls were a light cerulean with crystal pillars by the entrance. Twilight sighed. Only yesterday, she had thought she would be free, living in the Everfree Forest with her special friend. Who knew that in less than twenty-four hours, she would find out she was a princess cursed by her supposed friend, and straight after that, end up locked in a room? Life, huh? Twilight sighed and lay back against the pillow on her bed. She couldn't stop thinking about Discord. All this time, it had been him. The one she had cared so much about and loved to spend time with. The one she had thought was the most interesting and entertaining person she could ever have imagined. The one she had made BFF necklaces for. After all that, it had been him. Twilight shook him out of her head and got off her bed. She walked over to the window and stared out at the miraculous view of Canterlot. Who would have known this was where she had been born? Then her gaze ascended, and her eyes fell upon the land beyond. She squinted into the distance and was just able to catch sight of the ruined castle she had spotted when she had first crossed the border from her home. That was the day I first met Discord, she thought, sadly, The day I made my first friend. NO! she shook her head, fiercely, Discord is evil! He is an evil spirit who put a curse on me! I don't even know if we were ever friends at all. He was probably just playing me for a fool all along! Why would an evil spirit care about me? She tore her eyes away from the window and used her magic to close the curtains. She stomped away and instead her gaze fell on the walls. On one hung a magnificent tapestry of the two princesses protecting the land. Their wings were spread and their heads were held high. Twilight smiled. She opened her wings and held up her head, imitating the pose the princesses were making. She flapped her wings and turned a somersault in the air, before landing back on her hooves and laughing. Then her eyes fell upon her wings. Discord was the one who taught me how to fly, she remembered. "NO!" she yelled, shaking him out of her head and stomping away from the tapestry, "Stop being so stupid! Discord isn't your friend!" Just then, she heard whispers in the room. She froze, and her ears pricked up. "Twilight..." Butterflies fluttering in her stomach, Twilight slowly walked round the room until she finally found where the sound was loudest. She used her magic to pull back the tapestry and her eyes widened to see a door there. She knocked softly on the door, and it opened. A unicorn with a very light aquamarine coat and a shiny cyan mane opened it. Not stopping to think, Twilight bolted past her, ignoring the unicorn's shouts.