//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: You're a demon (Apparently) // by Turtwig-Tales //------------------------------// You were…not looking forward to this. This may not have been the most dangerous thing you’ve done, especially since getting here, but you were still on edge. As you trudged through the musty, cobblestone tunnel, you reflected on recent events. Knowledge of the impending demise of you and possibly many others by some vague universal concept had driven a flurry of activity over the past few days. You were finally able to move around on your own. Twilight was still a bit sore at Celestia for not telling her that her well-crafted circle meant jack-shit, but she had other problems. Poor thing hadn’t slept for days while trying to crack that old summoning spell. On one of your longer treks, you had been formally introduced to Ponyville. It was a nice enough little town. The residents were, understandably, nervous around you at first. However, they seemed to warm up to you after Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Twilight vouched for you. Apparently winning over them meant a lot to them, so they welcomed you. As you got stronger, and your time out of the library lengthened, they got friendlier. You weren’t sure, but you thought a few of the mares (and a stallion or two) were flirting with you. It was flattering, but also extremely uncomfortable. For being herbivores, they sure liked looking at you like a piece of meat. You’d had a brief meeting with Amber when she was able to. It was nice to see her, but…It was hard to see her in that state. She was weak, bandaged, bedridden, but in good spirits. Maybe because she was drugged to hell and back. But she was aware enough to recognize you, even though she tired quickly. At one point she got a bit flirty too, but it may have just been because of all meds she was on. Either way, it seemed…different than the others. Maybe because you were already familiar with Amber? Whatever the reason, before you left she placed her hoof in your hand. It gave you chills. In a good way. Today you had the pleasure of visiting the capital city of Canterlot. It wasn’t a vacation, however. The dungeons weren’t exactly a big tourist attraction. “Are you sure you want to do this? If you feel you’re not up to this…” Celestia asked for at least the tenth time since arriving in Canterlot. “You said it yourself, we’re against the clock. How I feel isn’t the biggest problem here.” You replied as you trudged behind her down the torch-lit hall. Being right was a nice cover for feeling like shit. Celestia nodded, though it was clear she was still concerned. A loud indiscernible scream echoed through the halls, accompanied by a few trails of dust falling from the ceiling. After a moment, you could make out another figure in the dim light. Luna was pacing in front of a cell door, grumbling under her breath. She looked in your direction as you approached. “Feel better, Sister?” Celestia asked with a slight smirk. “Hardly. He still will not cooperate. I am unsure if he is brave or just plain stubborn.” She huffed. “Well from how much I know about him, he’s arrogant. As long as he has a shred of hope, he’ll refuse to give in.” you reply. Luna flashed a wicked grin. “Then let us dash that hope.” Celestia rolled her eyes as her magic opened the door. Inside was weary, dirty, chained-up Father. You had to admit, seeing him like this filled you with joy. Between stranding you here and everything he’d done to Amber, rotting in a dark prison cell was the least he deserved. “Again? Have you come to make more fruitless demands of me?” He croaked. “Not quite.” You answered, not hiding your smirk. His head shot up as scrambled around to face you. His eyes were wide, and his jaw hung open. “G-…Great One…? You have come for me…?” He noticed Celestia and Luna behind you. “Or…captured…?” You could hear his voice fall. “In a way.” Luna said smugly. “…What…?” “As it turns out, ‘demons’ are quite agreeable.,” Celestia added. “But…I offered you everything! Blood, power, mares, everything!” Father cried. “What could they have offered you that I couldn’t!?” “Simple.” You said as you leaned in to look him in the eye. “They offered me the one thing I want. To. Go. Home. And currently you’re the only thing standing in the way of that.” You’d heard of the expression of someone “deflating,” but you’d never seen it before. Father had thinned significantly since the last time you’d seen him, but now? What little mass he had left simply withered away. You almost felt bad for him. Almost. “But…but I…did everything right…” he whispered. “Yeah, well, that’s debatable. NOW,” You snapped. “I want to go home. You have the information to get me there, and at this point, you don’t have anything else to do. So, get me home, and maybe you get a less shitty cage to rot in.” “I promise nothing!” Luna added before being shushed by Celestia. Father didn’t reply. He seemed to be thinking it over, his flickering around frantically. His face hardened. “No.” he said firmly. What. WHAT?? “I summoned you. ME!!” he roared, his rage fueling his new-found strength. “You are meant to aid ME! The only way you will leave this place is by MY will! If you are going to betray me, and I am to rot, then you shall rot with me!” For a long moment, the only sound was Father’s ragged breathing. “You…you realize that there’s a good chance we’re all fucked if I don’t go back, right? Me, you, your daughter, everyone! This isn’t just about you anymore!” You raged back. “Taking you all down with me? At this point, I’ll take it.” Without another word, you left the cell, followed closely by the two Princesses. “Well…Fuck.” You groaned, “That didn’t go well…I knew was an ass, but I didn’t think he’d be such a vindictive bastard.” “Stubborn fool…” Luna agreed. “What now?” Celestia thought for a moment. “…I…have another option.” She said slowly. “But…I wish it didn’t come to this.” She cleared her throat. “I believe it is time for you to try.” she said to seemingly no one. Suddenly, there was the blare of a train horn and a bright light from the far end of the tunnel. Then, riding on a miniature version of the train that brought you to Canterlot, was the same creature that had invaded your dream: Discord. He was wearing a conductor outfit and exhaling smoke from his ears like a chimney. More smoke blew from his mouth every time he made another train noise. As he pulled up to the three of you, he stepped off and pulled out a large pocket watch. “Right on schedule.” He said cheerily. He noticed you. “Oh! My old friend, how are you doing?” “Alright, now. No thanks to you.” You snapped. He recoiled as though you slapped him. “You wound me! After everything I’ve done for you!” “Oh, you mean the multiple times Amber or I almost died?” “Name one time I left you out to dry.” “The Diamond Dogs, the storm, the Timberwolves, the Ursa Minor, AND you near-homicidal pony-pals!” Celestia and Luna looked between the two of you looking rather confused, but at the same time somewhat sympathetic to you. “Puh-lease. You think I would be so callous as to leave you alone in an alien world with no help?” Discord countered. “Yes.” You replied without hesitation. Discord scoffed. The lights dimmed as he pulled out a projection screen. Pictures of your journey thus far appeared as he monologued. “I was looking out for you the whole time. Or did you think that a random branch would end up at the bottom of a rocky ravine? Or that Zecora would be out, in the rain, at night, and show up to an Ursa Minor’s cave? And how about the odds Twiggy and her friends showing up in the nick of time to save you and your gal pal from a pack of Timberwolves?” Discord snapped his claws and the lights returned to normal, and the screen disappeared. “All rather convenient, isn’t it?” There was a moment of silence. All your internal alarms screamed BULLSHIT, but you had to admit it made sense. You decided it best to let it go and spare the headache that you felt would always happen when you dealt with this thing. “Fine, whatever.” You said, throwing your hands up. “What are you even doing here, anyway?” “I know exactly why, but I want a certain somepony to say it.” He replied, putting a microphone in front of Celestia. “Discord, I need your help.” She groaned as she rubbed the bridge of her muzzle. “Our…guest has information we need but…he is being rather difficult.” “And what’s in it for me?” Celestia sighed. “One hour. No restrictions.” Discord grinned and grabbed her front leg and shook it so hard she began to vibrate. “Done and DONE. And remember: No backsies!” he cackled. “I’ll be just a moment.” After a quick twirl, he donned a dark robe and was now holding a single candle that shone a little too brightly. He seemed to float as he entered the cell by phasing through the door as ominous chanting echoed faintly from nowhere. “…Is he always so…extra?” you ask. “YES.” The princesses replied instantly. “Why put up with him?” “Simply put, we’d rather he be an ally than an enemy.” Celestia sighed. “And at this point, we would not be able to get rid of him even if we tried to. He takes far too much pleasure in annoying us.” Luna added. “You know it’s rude to talk about someone behind their back, right?” Discord had appeared behind you like the freaky bastard he was. You almost had a heart attack. “Anyway, Father and I had quite the talk.” He went on as you tried to slow your racing heart. “I don’t know what you were talking about, he was nothing but cooperative for me.” “That was fast, even for you…” Celestia remarked. “This is nonsense! What could you have possibly done that I could not?” Luna demanded. The creature just smiled and patted her mane. Luna did not look pleased. “My dear, if you have to ask that, then you don’t want to know the answer.” Celestia cleared her throat. “Did you get what we needed?” He handed the Princess a paper. As you looked over her shoulder, you could feel your eyes cross trying to understand it. Numbers, equations, diagrams, and the seemingly random symbols were more than you could understand. Thankfully, Celestia seemed to get the gist of it. “I see. Frankly, I’m surprised this even works…Although I suppose that’s a relative term in this case…” “But it works, right?” you meekly asked. “It should, yes. But we will need some time to gather the proper materials. I just hope we have enough time. Discord.” The draconequus turned and froze as he was scribbling on a paper that had the words “To-Do List.” The so-called list actually was a very detailed picture of himself riding a rocket-powered tuna-salad sandwich (hold the mayo) in space, with a sad-looking Celestia wearing a dunce hat in the background. Mini-Discord was wearing a floral-print dress and a cowboy hat. The 3-D Celestia ignored in and addressed Discord himself. “I know you are eager, but I ask you to hold back your hour of free time until our friend here has returned to his home. The situation here is unsteady enough without your…help.” “Fine…” Discord whined. He patted his 2-D self on the head, which returned with a sad look and a whimper. “I’m sorry, little one.” With a snap of his claws, the paper faded to dust which floated away in a non-existent wind. “So…How long do you think it will take? We’re kinda against the clock here.” You remind the group. “Not too long.” Luna replied, looking over the paper herself. “Although, some of the components are a bit hard to come by. Father must have spent years trying to get them all together. Fortunately, the Crown provides easier access to such materials than a disgruntled unicorn. Perhaps a day or two we will be ready to begin.” “Good.” You said as you strode back the way you had come. “Then, in that case, I’m heading back to Ponyville.” If you were leaving soon, then you were going to spend as much of that time with Amber as you could.