//------------------------------// // Chapter 65 - Harmony's Fear. // Story: Terraria: Friendship Is Magic // by Pomp-Neigh //------------------------------// -EQUUS, CORRUPTION BIOME, CANTERLOT CASTLE, - Blueblood is currently leading his new found allies towards the Canterlot Castle's throne room which was positioned just at the end of the hallway they were currently traversing.  Tempest and her fellow allies follows their quarry with a mask of cooperation but were inertly shocked by the condition of Equestria's capitol. The infection had truly claimed this place for every nook and cranny had become warped and molded beyond the point of recognition. In addition, it didn't help that there were skeletal remains of various species but given that this was Equestria... most belonged to deceased ponies. The broken unicorn even recognized the guards pony who screamed for mercy within Dr Whooves's drone footage. Said pony was now nothing more than a mummified corpse and the only reason Tempest could identify them was due to their body still remaining where they fell and the armor they wore was still recognizable. "We're almost there everyone. Please, don't mind the castle's current condition for it shall be returned to its former glory once I have truly ascended to God-King. Ah, here we are.", Blueblood says as the white unicorn turns around and extends his right front hoof, beckoning them to enter. "Please, after you our dear guests. You'll find Lord Ocram positioned just before the large orb inside. Although, you probably already knew that given the footage from Dr Whooves. I must return to The Empire so I bid you adieu.", The would be God-King then conjures another portal and steps inside as he disappears behind the closing vortex. The time has now come to face The Corruption's hivemind as Tempest turns back to her allies and questions: "Here we go everyone. Remember, we're going to see some pretty messed up things while we play this game so make sure that you have the stomach for it. If you doubt yourself, get out now." Everyone simply narrows their eyes in determination and nods contently in response to which prompts the purple unicorn to say: "Alright then, let's go meet our new boss and let me do all the talking unless that thing specifically asks for you." "Everything is going to plan, those fools in The Empire can enjoy their little victory all they want-" Suddenly, Ocram's words were cut off as a series of clopping hooves and footsteps from the two bipedal members of the group echoed throughout the room. The entity turns towards the source and is greeted with Tempest and her party who were now drawing near the entity's current position. The broken mare nods to her allies and lowers herself in a kneeling gesture. Those who accompanied her followed suit although Chrysalis in particular was metaphorically dying inside. Having to bow to anyone was practically torture for the former changeling ruler. "I take it you must be Lord Ocram? Blueblood has brought us here in our hope to appeal to you and serve The Corruption.", Tempest says as she and her allies remain lowered to the throne room's floor. "Please, allow us to give you our sins in return for power. Help us achieve our goals and-" "We've been expecting you all. Blueblood has informed us that he managed to procure more sources of sin. But, we must be sure that you are not deceiving us.", Suddenly, seven tendrils extend from the entity upon which they then place themselves onto each and every member of the group present.  "No offence Mr. Bossman but, uh, this is kind of... uncomfortable.", Capper comments as his eyes are currently focused on the tendril that sat upon his head. "Silence you fool, if our new master needs to ensure our loyalty then Trrrixie says we let them."  "Indeed, we swear our loyalty to you great one.", Sunset Shimmer replies. Grubber, Stygian, and Chrysalis simply closes their eyes constantly as they too have tendrils placed upon their heads. A purple aura surrounds Ocram which then spreads towards each of the entity's limbs. The aura then surrounds those who were touched by these tendrils as they start to grunt in discomfort but not with a single shred of pain. The dice have been cast and now they await Ocram's assessment as they allow the entity to continue its work. -EQUUS, THE EVERFREE FOREST, CAVE OF THE TREE OF HARMONY- “I must say Harmony: you look just as dashing as ever. It does beg the question though: why the form of a pony?” “You expected me to be in my… other form?” “Why of course! I mean, don’t you just miss the good old days you told me about? When you could do whatever you-“ “No!”, Harmony interjects in exclamation as she takes on an angered expression. “I will not allow the sins of my past to repeat itself especially since-”, Suddenly, the ethereal pony-like entity’s eyes were widened and her expression changed to what could best be described as a hint of fear mixed with remorse. “My actions caused It to come to our world.” “Ok, seriously… enough with all the hints and secrets. Besides, I doubt that whatever you attracted to Terraria is as bad as what I did when Cthulhu came knocking on its door.” “Disidian, Cthulhu is nothing compared to what I had brought upon the world. Because of my arrogance, that monster came to Terraria in search of me. I was able to push it back and seal it away but not only did it take a lot out of me, the rest of Terraria became ravaged and desolate. I had to make a deal with the dryads in order to return everything back to normal.” “A deal?” “Yes, it was a simple deal and I intend to keep it. In exchange for their help… I'd leave Terraria forever. But, just before I did, I left another piece of myself to watch over The Hallow. That piece of me aided the dryads in the restoration process before I lost contact with her. I don’t even know what became of my biome back in Terraria. At least… I can watch it grow here on Equus and I’m so proud of the life that has flourished from it.” “Ah yes, I often forget that Equestria is technically one giant Hallow Biome. Sunshine, rainbows, ponies, you even brought those fairies with you. Now, that’s all nice and dandy but can we get back to my earlier question? What was this big threat that you brought to terraria? There’s clearly a story to be told so hurry up and... enlighten me.”, Discord says with a smirk. “Did… did you seriously just make a pun? This isn’t funny, Disidian.” “Oh alright! You know I’m starting to see where Lulu gets her lack of humor from. At least Celly still has some fun here and there.” “Ah yes, I’m so proud of those two. Luna had a rough time with that whole Nightmare Moon incident but i’m happy that it was resolved.” “You know you could just, oh I don’t know… visit them?” “It’s not that simple, Disidian. Besides, what am I supposed to tell them? That they were both conceived by the Cosmolight duo? That Solaris and Faust were items that I gave forms of flesh? That their grandmother was once a... tyrant.” “Well... You’d only have to tell Lulu. Need I remind you of Celly’s recent fate? S-sorry... that came out wrong.” Harmony’s expression suddenly became one of sorrow as she recalls the death of the sun princess.  “You need to get more involved, Harmony. I did you this favor only because you allowed me to stay here when I was banished from Terraria. I don’t involve myself because of my nature but you? These are literally your creations! Luna is your literal grandchild! What has you so afraid that you’d just sit here and let-” “It’s because I don’t want The Devourer Of Gods to come here!”, Harmony exclaims as she emits a bright light as a result of her rage. “I brought that monster to Terraria and I’m so scared of getting involved, of using my powers, that I'll attract that damned thing to this world! Are you happy now?! Is that the truth you wanted?! It pains me to have to watch the beings of my beautiful creation experience the pain of this corruption. It hurt me more than you could ever know when Celestia died! She and Luna are my grandchildren for goodness sake!” “Devourer Of Gods? What in the world did you contend with? You’re telling me that this thing is far worse than even Cthulhu?” “Cthulhu might’ve been strong, at least based on what you told me about him, but that entity is nothing compared to the eater of gods. I hid myself not only to protect this world from that monster’s gaze but to protect Celestia, Luna, and the other alicorns as well. Alicorns are considered to be deities, gods/goddesses, the very thing that monster hunts down to devour. What do you think will happen to them all? To you? To me?” “Wait wait wait wait! You mean to say that you’ve been hiding from a monster who can literally eat gods?! What about all those times I abused my powers here on Equus?! I could’ve drawn that thing here! Why didn’t you tell me this before?!” “I covered up your mess and let's be honest, you’d ignore me despite my warnings. Let’s not forget how arrogant you became back when you ruled over these lands, which you still owe me compensation for, that you even forgot the kindness I did for you. I allowed you to stay in this world that I created and you stabbed me in the back. My granddaughters turning you into stone, not to mention the element bearers, doesn’t even begin to amend how much you hurt me when you did that, Disidian! So go ahead, call me a terrible mother to my creations and children, a horrible goddess to my beloved Equus, but if there’s one thing I refuse to be called it’s someone who doesn’t love them! You only recently learned about love! I felt it for eons even before Equus was even conceived by me!” The Lord Of Chaos was absolutely dumbfounded and utterly shocked by this revelation. His actions from over a thousand years ago would have attracted this monstrosity to the world of Equus. However, another realization dawns on him as he says: “The ponies that were sent to Terraria… Twilight is among them, she might attract-” “Do not worry for Terraria is safe from that monster’s wrath. The dryad’s have ensured that The Devourer Of Gods remains forever banished from Terraria and can never enter it unless someone gives it access. Fortunately, none but the dryad’s can unleash that horror but given their kind nature we shou-” “Actually about that… I uh, ehehe.”, Discord laughs nervously as he starts to scratch the back of his head. “Disidian, what happened to the dryads? What did you do when you told me about the battle with Cthulhu? When you aided that monster. You were vague about what happened to them and I only didn't press the issue because I realized how that story troubles you.” “I didn’t kill them if that’s what you’re getting at-” “No! But I’m getting the impression that you are part of the reason that something terrible has happened to them! Come to think of it, I sensed one of the noble dryads who came here to help my beloved creations drive back Razeem. But, that’s the key word: One.” If Discord wasn’t nervous enough before, he definitely was now as he fidgets in place and sweats up a river before replying: “D-during the fight with Cthulhu… the other dryads sacrificed themselves to stop him but not enough to completely destroy him. All but one dryad were killed as a result of their sacrifice. That dryad you sensed? Her name is: Celebes, she was the one who I asked to banish me from Terraria. She is also the last of her kind.” “...” “You’re mad… I know.” “...” “Harmony? Please say something?” “...” “I know I messed up when I helped Cthulhu but-” “Get out of my sight before I literally risk letting The Devourer Of Gods find me as I eject you from this reality.” “I’m so sorry Harmony, I had no-” “LEAVE!” [SNAP] [POOF] Heeding her request, Discord snaps his lion’s paw and vanishes in a smoke of powdered chocolate milk. Harmony sighs deeply as she says: “I can only hope that the dryad lives a long and prosperous life for upon her deathbed… The Devourer Of Gods shall arise. I hope that you and the element bearers will become strong enough to defeat the divine devourer one day... Twilight Sparkle.