//------------------------------// // Chaos of Emotions // Story: Helping Spike // by FireQuill //------------------------------// The realm of the Lord of Chaos was always well… Chaotic. Whether it was trees floating around uprooted, or fish walking and birds swimming there was always something just a little off or unusual. But today it was chaotic and dangerous. Behind the floating house where Discord resided, fire, ice, and lighting were flying. The draconequus stood surrounded by statues in the forms of Tirek, Chrysalis, and CozyGlow. Growling Discord threw fire at a Tirek, and the centaur’s form froze over before crumbling away. Then a Chrysalis was buffeted by snow and ice, and it burned and melted away. Whirling around Discord unleashed lightning from his gryphon claw at a CozyGlow which when struck flew into the air no longer tied down by gravity. The frenzy of magic continued before Discord heard a small voice. “Discord.” The voice called. Discord sighed snapping his claw, the statues all disappeared in puffs of smoke, he didn’t turn around as he addressed the friend he knew was there. “Hello Fluttershy, what brings you here?” He asked quietly. “Well the entrance into your realm was leaking into the outside,” Fluttershy answered approaching her friend slowly. “There was purple lightning, and small objects were starting to float so I was asked to see if.. everything was ok.” “Oh why wouldn’t everything be ok?” Discord asked sarcastically through gritted teeth. “I only almost doomed Equestria because apparently you can’t teach an old draconequus new tricks. And worse then that the monsters I unleashed HURT ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS!!” As Discord roared he threw fire at one of the uprooted trees, this time the fire incinerated the tree and only ash remained. The ancient creature collapsed to the ground shaking as tears gathered in his eyes. Fluttershy looked at her friend sadly, even with her he was never this vulnerable, in this moment he didn’t look like the Lord of anything. The pegasus walked over and placed a hoof on the larger creature’s shoulder. “Even if you released those villains what happened to Spike wasn’t your fault,” She assured. “How can you say that?” Discord asked turning to her. “I believed that they were under my control. And in my arrogance believing that I led them to the power they used against all of you. Damage was done to all of Equestria but Spike… He was hurt deeply and I can’t even help him.” “Chaos magic can’t fix his wings?” Fluttershy asked before she could stop herself. “Chaos magic lives up to its name,” Discord replied dryly. “It usually isn’t used for long term solutions and the last thing I’d want now is to give him a new pair of wings only for them to vanish if he flied too high.” “Well..” Fluttershy said slowly. “I don’t know what we can do for Spike’s physical healing but there is something we can do to help him.” “What’s that?” Discord perked up. “Be there for him. He’s hurting and needs his friends” “He… He probably won’t want to see me.” Discord murmured looking away. “I.. Can’t say that’s impossible, but you won’t know that if you don’t reach out.” Discord was silent for a moment before letting out a shuddering sigh and looking back to Fluttershy. “Will you come with me?” “Of course.” “Thank you and… can we take the long way?” A long walk latter Discord approached the door of the Castle of Friendship with his head down. Fluttershy placed a hoof on his side and nodded. Taking a deep breath Discord knocked on the door. Discord felt his anxiety rising as he heard hoofsteps on the other side of the doors, when they opened they revealed Twilight who’s expression hardened upon seeing him. “I was wondering if you’d show up,” She said through gritted teeth. “Honestly wasn’t sure if I hoped you wouldn’t.” Discord shrunk back at her words. “He’s here to see Spike, Twilight,” Fluttershy said pacifically. “Why should he get to?” Twilight snapped back, her anger was rising and she didn’t care that it was Fluttershy on the receiving end. “This wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t let those monsters out!” “I was-” Discord mumbled. “Just trying to help!” Twilight yelled sarcastically. “But it didn’t help! And after everything you would think-!” “Twilight!” A level but firm voice called. Every creature turned to see Starlight walking toward them. “He made a mistake, a big one, but the nature of it wasn’t so different than many of mine.” “That’s different!” Twilight grumbled. “You never… Well after the map you didn’t…” “Let’s not pretend Twilight,” Starlight sighed. “Even after becoming your student some of my.. Less thought out ideas put creatures in danger, sometimes even all Equestria. You never gave up on me though, I know this isn’t his second chance, we’re well beyond that number, but so was I. And, if we’re honest, it’s not us that get to decide if he’s beyond forgiveness for what happened.” Twilight deflated and nodded. “Alright, I’ll let you in. But,” She looked Discord in the eye. “If he doesn’t want to see him, you’ll leave.” “I’m not here to cause him anymore pain than I already have,” Discord promised. Twilight led the way down the hall. Discord looked at Starlight trying to know what she was thinking, after all she had spoken up for him, but the unicorn was staring straight ahead, not sparing him a glance. They arrived at Spike’s room, Fluttershy looked up at Discord and nodded. “I’ll be right here if you need me,” She whispered. Discord took a deep breath, and knocked. “Who is it?” The tired voice of Spike called. “I-It’s me Spike. It’s Discord.” The silence before the dragon’s next words felt longer than a thousand years in stone. “Come in.” Discord let out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding and opened the door. Spike was curled up in the center of his bed, comics lay strewn about on the floor nearby, the window was open allowing a gentle breeze in. Spike himself looked tired like he hadn’t been sleeping well, and the upper half of his body was wrapped in bandages. Silence hung thick in the room neither creature knowing what to say until Discord finally broke it. “How are you feeling?” He cringed at the question but it was the first thing that came to mind. “Sore… And tired.” Spike yawned. “Bleeding seems to have fully stopped but doctors and Twilight want me to keep the bandages on for a few more days while the… while the stubs heal over. “Better safe than sorry I suppose,” Discord offered. Spike nodded but didn’t say anything, it was back to silence. The expression on the young dragon’s face was unreadable. Silence was becoming unbearable but Discord didn’t know what to say. What could he say? Sorry? That wasn’t nearly enough, that didn’t encompass the regret he felt. But how could he put it into words? He- “You’re almost the last to visit,” Spike mumbled. “What?” Discord said confused. “Of my friends you’re almost last to visit,” Spike clarified. “It’s been a week, I was starting to wonder if you would visit.” “I should have been the first at your door,” Discord lamented. “Umm who else hasn’t been?” “Now just Gabby, she’s a gryphon, you haven’t met. She works with the Gryphon Postal Service and apparently has been really busy, she managed to get a letter to me promising to be here as soon as she has time. Thorax, Smolder, and Ember visited.. Right after it happened. The girls have been in and out all of them are trying to help in their own way, Rarity brought a robe she made, Pinkie brought gem cupcakes from Sugar Cube Corner...” Spike took a breath and continued. “Big Mac came by a few days ago, you know how he is with talking so we just kind of sat in silence, but it was good to know he was here. The Crusaders came by too, they said that as soon as I was up to going out we should go wherever I want. Even the princesses have come by. Well to be fair Luna has visited in my dreams a few nights but not during the day. Cadence brought Shinning Armor and Flurry Heart, poor filly.” “Poor filly?” Discord echoed. “She could tell something was wrong but didn’t know what. When she hugged me it felt like she wouldn’t let go, she was trying to make me feel better. And well, now you’re here so now basically everyone has visited.” “Spike.. If there’s anything I can do tell me,” The words were barely a whisper, the dragon almost didn’t hear. “Discord-” Spike started. “This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for me, so tell me, I’ll do anything.” “Discord I don’t-” “I can’t bring your wings back!” Discord became more frantic as was growing louder on the verge of shouting. “I wish I could but I don’t know what would happen long term! But Anything! Anything else! I could give you my magic! Yes! It would take time to learn to control it but I could help you! That could work right?! Think about it Lord of Chaos Spike! It-” “DISCORD!!” Discord fell silent and stared wide eyed at the small dragon startled by his outburst. “Discord, I don’t need any of that. I don’t need magic, I.. I guess I don’t know what I need right now, I like my friends being here for me though and.. I don’t blame you for what happened.” “But Spike I released them..” “Sure but everything they did to Equestria? T-To me? They did that on their own.” “I led them to the bell..” “They weren’t stupid, even without the bell they would have found a way to get all that magic.” “I…” Discord didn’t know what to say. He had been so focused on Spike being furious with him he didn’t truly consider he could be forgiven. “They did all this. It isn’t your fault anymore than it’s Twilight’s.. Between you and me she’s been blaming herself, thinks she should have kept me from joining them.” “I.. Well.. I certainly don’t think she should be blaming herself,” Discord declared. “And if seeing me blame myself is making you upset I’ll.. I’ll try not to.” “Thank you,” Spike leaned back looking satisfied. “So.. No magic, but is there anything I can do for you?” “Actually there is,” Spike brightened and jumped off his bed. Running to his closet he pulled out a box which produced a notebook. Hurrying back to his bed the dragon showed his friend the first page. “I’ve been working on a new character for O&O.” “A new character? Really?” Discord leaned closer in interest. “Yeah, Garbunkle has been fun and I’m not discarding him, but Big Mac says he’s interested in leading a campaign and so I thought that could be a good oportunity to bring in a new character.” “Well I see your point, maybe I will as well. But you first, what idea’s do you have?” “Well I was thinking of a bard, with the latest expansion they’ve added some interesting things.” “Ohh show me.” The two friends started to discuss animatedly the options for Spike’s new character. Falling into a comfortable conversation they got lost in their conversation. They didn’t worry about villains, injuries, or guilt. They discussed character costumes, Spike wondered if he could get Rarity to make him a real one. They got hungry and Spike fetched Pinkie’s cupcakes, he rolled his eyes as Discord transformed the emeralds in his to raisins, Discord simply told him that emeralds don’t agree with his stomach. It was a fun time. So in the end, Discord was happy Fluttershy had convinced him to visit Spike.