The moment that the god of chaos and change slipped through the rift and emerged on the other side, he was greeted by a horrific sight. People in excruciating pain, being forced to breathe fire and torment as the world burned all around them. The cubed masses that represented the wrath of the Heavenly Principles ravaged the land as the citizens of a once proud nation were ravaged and torn. However, this was not like any place in Equestria he had seen before. This was most surely Teyvat, and even though he had never been to this particular place, something about it seemed familiar.
However, that was the least of his concerns. Right now, he was focused on trying to find the alchemist, Albedo. Yet, with the way things were right now and the city falling into a very different kind of chaos from the one that he was familiar with, that was easier said than done. To make matters worse, he wasn’t sure what exactly this was. It didn’t look like Teyvat right now, since he had come back from there only some time ago. It looked like the past, but there weren't any temporal distortions in the space around them and unlike when Starlight tried to ‘fix’ the past back before being Twilight’s student, there weren't any traces of magic left behind.
Which could only mean one possibility. That this was a pocket dimension of sorts. One that specifically had the space around them be forged by a memory. Something that was confirmed only a few seconds later.
“Magnificent, isn’t it? A city that prided itself on being protected by no gods brought low in a single night. Not even their resilient souls could withstand pure despair, and when they tried, this was the result of their endeavors.”
Immediately, Discord’s ears perked. The familiar voice came from none other than Grogar himself as he moved closer towards where it came from. For added measure, he used his magic to conceal himself and hide amidst the calamity that was brought upon this city. As he moved, the conversation continued to echo throughout the city as if the words were bouncing off of the walls. Yet, there was one statement with his words where he couldn’t help but stop for a moment to listen.
It was a response to a question that was posed by Grogar. Yet, the Alchemist’s answer was not what he had anticipated as the draconequus watched his vision come alive and glow. “Tell me. For someone who claims to be a creation of my master, you seem to forget the most important lesson from her teachings. While the end may be inevitable, you live on to entrust the future to those who come after. While your story might end, it would inspire another to follow in their footsteps. To hear, to follow, to feel, to wander, to think, to stumble, to teach, to listen.”
Then came the most impactful part, “The only way to truly learn this lesson… is to live, die and know.”
The moment those words were spoken, the horned humanoid being that had Grogar’s voice began to conjure its weapon and lower itself to the ground. Only one more sentence was said, before Grogar charged and their blades clashed.
Words and convictions were one thing, but now came the true test. If he was to emerge victorious against his foe, then the chalk prince needed to hold fast and stand firm against those who wished to lay him low. The hopes and thoughts of those who he called family and friends brought him to this point. If he were to fall now, then the alchemist would let down everyone he knew that trusted and cared for him.
No matter what it took, Albedo was not going to let that happen.
Same as before, the alchemist’s first actions were to be on the defensive to see what his opponent could do. However, unlike the previous engagement, Grogar did not stand idly by and summoned monsters to attack. Instead, he engaged Albedo directly with a twin bladed sword at the ready as the Chalk Prince was quick to block and parry his incoming strikes.
Yet, this time, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Grogar had caught onto what he was doing. Not just that, but it felt as if he was doing the same exact approach. For his opponent wasn’t swinging his blade recklessly like a Treasure Hoarder with a sledgehammer. Instead, Grogar’s attacks were calculated and precise. The Father of Monsters was testing how quick his reactions were and also where the possible weak points would be in his defense. A bold strategy, but an effective one nonetheless.
Once Albedo caught on though, that was when Grogar changed tactics. With one hand, he would wield his blade. Yet, with the other, he channeled his power as chunks of stone from the ground burst forth and flew towards the alchemist to hit him from his blindspot. Fortunately, the Chalk Prince didn’t have to worry about this too much. For when he swung forward and pushed Grogar back, his body was low to the ground and the rocks that were meant to hit him just flew overhead and landed a few feet away.
To him, two can play at that game and when his opponent charged back towards him, he conjured a solar isotoma to raise him upwards into the air. As the father of monsters looked up, Albedo leaped from the platform he created to plunge his blade down as it tore through Grogar’s cloak.
“Tch. You’re a persistent one, I’ll give you that,” his opponent said through gritted teeth, before pushing him back with a forceful blow as the edge of Cinnabar Spindle tore through the cloak. As the alchemist was knocked back and forced to regain his balance, Grogar charged in and swung forward, clipping the side of Albedo’s cloak just before the chalk prince channeled a shockwave of geo energy into the ground to keep his opponent at bay.
“And you are an opportunist, it seems,” the chalk prince remarked with a smile, just before he dashed in and thrusted his blade forward with one hand. Grogar was quick to raise his blade to parry the strike. Yet, the father of monsters was quick to notice that the alchemist had something glowing in his off hand. When he realized what it was, he had seconds to react as shards of geo energy that looked like petals of the alchemist’s other creation erupted from the ground and towards him.
Grogar though was actually amused by this, because to him, it meant that the chalk prince was beginning to take this seriously. That the abilities he demonstrated by himself on Mount Everhoof alone was not going to be enough to match his level of strength. Yet, by combining his swordsmanship and alchemical abilities together, Albedo was now on the same playing field as he was. Something that made his blood boil with excitement.
“Hehe, you seem to be catching on,” the Father of Monsters smirked, “Shame that it will not help you in the end.”
“And what makes you so certain of that?” Albedo asked as he brushed the dust off his cloak, “Do you think that my defeat is predetermined?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. The end is inevitable to all living beings no matter who they are or where they live,” Grogar proclaimed. “Even in the cold expanse of the abyss do beasts thrash about and hunt prey. No matter how you resist, you will fail to stop me. In a sense, it’s almost… disappointing.”
At that, the Chalk Prince couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Even though he still kept the tight grip on his blade to anticipate any moves his opponent might make. “Disappointing?”
“For someone who claims to have known Rhinedottir, you lack the same power that she had,” In the blink of an eye, Grogar was back in front of his face and swung again. This time, he had split the grip of his weapon to where he now held two swords as the blades began to extend. Not only that, but there was more power and weight behind his blows as Grogar swung wildly, “You may be able to stand against me, but there is still something that you’re holding back!!”
As Albedo tried to keep up with Grogar’s attacks, the Father of Monsters lashed out some more and kicked the alchemist in his midsection. A surge of pain shot through him as he was sent tumbling onto the cobblestone. When he tried to get up, the pain in his ribs made it difficult for him to stand as a trickle of blood came down on his face.
“I told you that only one of us is leaving this place alive from the start! I don’t care what it is that you’re trying to prove by limiting yourself, but that will only lead you to a swift death. Or is that what you want? To have the end come sooner than you want it to be?”
In that single moment, something in Albedo’s mind clicked into place. Even though he hated to admit it, Grogar was somehow right. He thought that by keeping himself in check with how much alchemical power he’d use, it would allow him to stay in control. For if he lost control, his power would end up destroying Mondstadt, the city that welcomed him with open arms and was his home.
Then again, he wasn’t in Mondstadt now. And he did not plan on bending the knee so easily.
“Nothing to say, huh? Well, I guess that means one thing.”
Just as Grogar was about to strike, a blooming golden sigil took form and immediately shot out a crystalline shard that struck his left wrist. The force of the impact made the Father of Monsters stagger and drop his blade. Yet, when he tried to move it, he began to realize that the single shot had now concealed his hand. Coated in a rocky crystalline substance that prevented him from moving it as he turned to see the alchemist rise back onto his feet.
“I know that all creatures will eventually reach the end of their days. Alchemy itself is the study of life, and to know of life means to know death as well.”
In a rage, Grogar swung his other arm in an attempt to hit the alchemist. However, just as the blade was about to reach him, two more sigils manifested on the side of a nearby fallen building and wrapped his forearm in chains. Inside his head, Grogar did not know what was happening at all. For a moment, it looked like Albedo was on death’s door. Yet, right now, he was able to not only get back up on his feet, but somehow stop his advance? That… was impossible.
“As a knight, I know that there will come a day where I will reach the end of my journey and hang up my blade,” Albedo spoke, before he placed his hand on the edge of Grogar’s weapon of choice as the blade glowed. In seconds, it transformed into the trunk of a tree as it withered apart and decayed. “But that day is not today.”
The Father of Monsters grit his teeth, before forcefully yanking his arm back in an attempt to free himself from the chains. In doing so, Albedo swung his blade forth, narrowly missing his neck as Grogar stumbled back. The alchemist watched as Grogar tried to pick up the weapon that was on the ground, but began to have difficulties as the crystals on his arm began to expand further.
“Grr!! What makes you think that you can defy the end!? This domain and everything here bends to my will! And I will not let-!!”
For a moment, despite his claims and his attempts to alter the space around him, nothing happened. Something that Grogar himself was shocked by as he looked around. “What? What’s happening?! Why isn’t it-?!”
“Are you looking for something?”
As the Father of Monster turned, his eyes widened in a panic. The vision that was hanging around his neck earlier was now on the ground, just a few feet from where he was. As he saw it, Grogar realized that the alchemist’s earlier attack was not to strike him, but to cut at the cloak that kept it hanging from around its neck.
“No!! How dare you-!!” he shouted, before Grogar leaped towards it in an attempt to reclaim it. However, Albedo had anticipated this. With a flick of his wrist, another sigil formed behind Grogar and shot a stone towards the vision, knocking it away from Grogar and underneath Albedo as he picked it up.
“How you came to have such a thing means little to me,” the alchemist said calmly, “But what I know for certain is that as long as you have this in your possession, you will continue to torment the lives of everyone who live here and in Teyvat. That is something that I cannot allow under any circumstances.”
“Grr. Do you really think that destroying that will be the death of me?! I will still remain and as long as I draw breath-”
“Do you think that I’m going to do that?” the alchemist asked, his tone being both calm and cold. Something that caught Grogar off guard, “For someone like you, who forces the endless torment of those afflicted by your ‘masterpiece’, you don’t deserve the same fate.”
Then, the alchemist raised his blade and aimed it at the vision, “Instead, you deserve worse.”
With a swift motion, Albedo took Cinnabar Spindle and with the elemental energy he poured into his weapon as he stabbed the vision. Its crystalline surface shattered instantly as the memory that was around them began to become distorted and fade. As for Grogar, an unbearable pain that he had never felt before began to surge through him as he felt his body burn and split apart.
“From that temptation, you have been sundered. Your body and soul will split apart, never to reform again. The tragedy that you caused will never be repeated. For all those who have welcomed me and accepted me as friends and family, I will take it upon myself to ensure this. For I am the Kreideprinz, and Rhinedottir’s legacy is my responsibility.”
As Grogar’s form ceased to exist and the ruins of Khaenri’ah were no more, the alchemist sheathed his blade and calmed his emotions as the cold air began to return. Though, as the realm around him turned white, he felt something on his shoulder and heard a simple voice.
Thank you
When Albedo opened his eyes again, he found himself back on the frigid cliffside of Mount Everhoof. Everything seemed normal and the darkened clouds that once surrounded the peak had now dissipated. Despite the incredible amount of pain that coursed through him and exhausting himself of a lot of energy, everything seemed to be over now. With Grogar's defeat, not only was Equestria safe, but there were no more interruptions. He and Klee could finally go home.
However, there was still one more thing that needed to be taken care of. Something that the Alchemist was reminded of when he heard a voice from his right, “Well, that was not what I expected… and you left quite the mess in your wake.”
When he turned around, Albedo was greeted by the sight of a creature that had the parts of multiple different animals and creatures behind. It was a bit to take in, but the chalk prince couldn’t help but feel as if he had either heard about a similar creature before.
“Um, hello. Who-?”
“We haven’t met before, but you probably have heard of me a bit… and I most certainly have heard of you,” the being replied, “My name is Discord. In this world, I am seen just as a spirit of chaos and disharmony. However, where you are from, I am known as the god of chaos and change. A deity, not like the archons, but still one nonetheless.”
A deity? That was something he didn’t really expect. Then again, from the stories he heard about Discord, there were some things that sounded like things only a deity could do. “I see. Out of curiosity, what exactly does a deity want with me?”
“Well, originally, I was going to bring you and the little girl you care for back home on the request of a dear friend,” Discord folded his arms, “But upon arriving, I realized that you caused a lot more trouble than I thought. Monsters don’t just randomly spawn from the abyss, especially ones that are only supposed to be in Teyvat. This is a big mess to clean up, and could have further repercussions if something isn’t done.”
It was at this moment that an idea surfaced in the alchemist’s mind. Something that might have seemed a bit cruel, but given the situation they face, it was necessary. “What if this was a story that only you and I knew the truth of? A story that we will take to the end of our days?”
That caught Discord by surprise, but also seemed to intrigue him as he scratched his chin. “Go on.”
“A friend of yours told me that you wrote the story of them and Grogar. So, as the god of change, I would see it as being well in your power to change the narrative of this story,” the alchemist proposed, “Over the course of my journey here, I have come to the realization that the secrets of Teyvat and its people are too dangerous for the creatures that call this world home to know about. So, wipe that slate clean and tell a new tale instead.”
“You… do realize what you are proposing, right?” the draconequus told him, “You are asking for me to not only have everyone that has ever met you in Equestria to forget about you, but for your sister to forget her experiences here too. Not only that, but to change the course of events of everyone in your world that helped you. This includes delaying the journey of your traveler friend and their floating companion as well.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take. Besides, even if memories are lost, with Klee, she can easily make new ones with everyone we know. After all, the truth of this is something that only you and I will keep.”
It took some time for the god of change to process Albedo’s proposal. To think that the alchemist was willing to go forward with this was something he did not expect, especially since humans were known to cherish memories. Yet, perhaps there was something to this that he could benefit from as well. To set a new stage and provide a new narrative for everypony to take part in. That was something that he could get behind.
“You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Albedo,” the god replied, “Yet, your proposal is better than any of the other ones that I could think of. The question is… do you trust me?”
“If the traveler was able to help you with making sure we can come home, then I trust that you could do that,” Albedo replied. Yet, at the corner of his eye, he turned to find that Klee, Twilight and a familiar wolf boy from Wolvendom had climbed up Mount Everhoof to find him. “Though, if you would be so kind, I would like to say goodbye to everyone, one last time.”
“That I can,” the god of chaos smiled, watching as the alchemist went over to embrace his sister in a tight hug, “It’s the least I can do for everything that you have done already.”