Tirek sat in his throne, slightly amused by his newest creation’s attempt to linger in the chair’s shadows. An iron collar, wrapped around the creature’s neck, was secured by a thick metal chain bolted to the base of the throne.
“Are you sure you want to keep it there?” Daybreaker asked, frowning at the yellow abomination.
“Don’t question my reasons, Daybreaker,” Tirek warned. “She’s here because I want her to be.”
The creature hissed angrily, fangs bared at the white alicorn. Daybreaker snarled back.
“I don’t think she likes you,” Heartbreaker chuckled.
Daybreaker snorted. “The feeling is mutual.”
There was a knock on the door and Nightmare Moon entered with a team of stallions behind her, pulling a large cart with a crate on top. Tirek stood up and met them halfway, the other princesses following close behind. He quickly dismissed the stallions; they fled from the throne room as fast as their scared legs could carry them.
“Did he use all of it?” he asked the moment they were alone.
“Yes, Master,” Nightmare confirmed, opening the wooden box. “Every single shard.”
“Excellent. We don't have much time; that fool could show up any minute. Remove it from the box.”
Nightmare lit her horn. The crate vanished, revealing a very impressive cage complete with collar and chain. The blacksmith, Chisel Forge, had once again proved a master of his work. He'd been in the crown's employ for years and had made most of the armor for the palace guards as well as the cells below Canterlot. Tirek had been skeptical that the earth pony could do this task but was pleasantly surprised as he stepped forward to observe the metalwork. The cage bars and collar were marble swirls of gray and blue. He and the princesses admired the smooth surface appreciatively.
“Very impressive,” he said, “but will it do what is expected?”
“Would you like a test run, Master?” asked Midnight.
The centaur frowned. He never thought the Princess of Friendship would be so desperate to prove herself to him but after her failure, any effort to return to his good graces would obviously be sought. He laughed inwardly, amused by her desperation. Under the influence of Darkness these princesses were putty in his hands.
Due to his lack of response, Midnight grew nervous and bowed submissively, nervously adding, "If that is your wish, of course.”
Tirek gave her a look of consideration, enjoying the visible shaking of her hooves. Her punishment was still fresh on both of their minds and it gave him great pleasure to see that he'd rattled her so. The other princesses watched him earnestly, clearly begging to see further torture inflicted. Daybreaker was practically whining in anticipation. Tirek found their thirst for torture and suffering entertaining.
Feeling that Midnight had suffered enough, he said, “Go on then.”
Midnight released a shaky breath and obediently entered the cage. She clasped the collar around her neck, the glow around her horn and eyes vanishing the moment she stepped inside.
“It seems to be working,” she declared. “My magic is blocked.”
Tirek’s eyes danced with glee. The purple alicorn flinched. “Perfect," he said, enjoying her fear. If not strapped for time, he would have inflicted another display of dominance but he'd have to wait 'til later to satisfy such needs. "Get out of there, Midnight. We need to prepare for our coming guest.”
Midnight nearly sagged in relief as Daybreaker grumbled in disappointment and Nightmare angrily scowled over her sister escaping unscathed. Heartbreaker grumpily picked up a key to unlock the collar and entered the cage, inserting it into the keyhole. There was a soft click and the restraint fell off. The two alicorns left the cage.
Midnight stepped up to Tirek and bowed. "Thank you for your mercy, Master."
Tirek snorted. "What you experienced earlier was just the beginning of your punishment, Midnight. We will continue our little session after Discord has been dealt with."
Midnight paled as her sisters gleefully laughed.
Heartbreaker transferred the key to Tirek and the centaur’s hands wrapped around the small piece of metal. He looked at the cage and released a chuckle of his own.
“Discord, you fool,” he whispered. “You have no idea what’s coming!”
Shortly after his secret phone call, Discord left his room and returned to the living area. His eyebrows rose as he curiously observed what appeared to be a makeshift class in session. In one corner the unicorns were trying to teach Mirror Twilight and Mirror Rarity how to cast spells. Rainbow Dash was trying to demonstrate the ways of flight to her counterpart. The Pinkie Pies were sitting on the plaid sofa giggling as they ate cupcakes and pulled random things out of their manes and Applejack was trying to help Mirror Applejack learn how to buck her back legs.
Unsurprisingly Mirror Fluttershy noticed him first from her position on the floor where she was playing with Fluttershy’s demon spawn Angel. The rabbit was happily enjoying her fingers scratching behind his ears. She gave Discord a questioning glance and he sent her a reassuring smile before clearing his throat to get everypony's attention.
"Discord! Um, hi," said Starlight, trotting over. "We hope you don't mind. We were just trying to help the others. They can't really fight if they don't know how their pony bodies work."
Discord smirked. "As entertaining as it would be to see you carry on, we've got work to do."
With a snap of his fingers the Mirror Ponies were gone, the human counterparts of Equestria's heroes in their place.
Mirror Applejack hugged herself. "I'll never take clothes for granted again!"
"I'll hold you to that, darling," said Mirror Rarity, examining her outfit. "My, this is exquisite!"
"Why, thank you," Discord said with a grin, winking at Mirror Fluttershy. "As with Fluttershy, I took the liberty of providing clothes since I wasn't sure yours would follow you into this world."
"What I'd like to know is how you managed to produce attire we'd all actually wear back home," said Mirror Twilight, impressed by her constellation shirt and purple jeans.
Discord smirked. "As your double already knows, Miss Sparkle, I don't always explain things."
He watched in satisfaction as she frowned in disappointment.
"So this is what you really look like?" asked Rainbow Dash, addressing her double. Mirror Rainbow Dash nodded. The pegasus looked her over before nodding her head. "Not bad.”
"I’m not saying I’m ungrateful,” said Sunset, “but why did you change us back?”
"Because you've already mastered how to use Amity's powers this way and we don't have time for you to learn all the ins and outs of ponydom if we're going to stop Tirek before he can completely destroy Equestria."
"Who's Amity?" Sunset asked at the same time Starlight said, "Does this mean your magic is restored?"
"My reserves are almost full," he answered, "and Amity is the Lady of Order and Harmony, my opposite."
"You have an opposite?" several of the ponies cried.
Discord rolled his eyes, producing a bottle of bubbles and pouring them, already conjured, into the bubble dome. The rubber ducks swarmed the small suds, sucking them up in their bills. Mirror Fluttershy ‘awwwed’ over the display.
"Of course I have an opposite!" said Discord before drinking the rest of the bubbles, bottle and all. "There's a balance to all things in this world. Amity chose long ago to use you ponies as her champions while I decided to remain myself; I prefer doing my own work. The elements and geodes each of you represent are pieces of her."
"I don't believe this," Starlight muttered.
"I think it makes sense," said Pinkie Pie. "Can we meet her?"
"You already have."
"What do you mean?" asked Mirror Twilight.
"Combine the kindness, loyalty, laughter, honesty, generosity, and magic each of you have always shown each other and that's Amity," said Discord as he sat down and leaned back in his recliner. He pointed at Sunset. "Although you are a side of her that I suppose Starlight represents in our group."
"What's that?" asked Sunset.
"Empathy," Discord replied, smiling at Starlight's surprise at this revelation. "You shouldn't be so shocked, my dear. Both of you are reformed villains. You have a unique perspective that Amity sometimes needs to get her work done."
Starlight's cheeks darkened, clearly pleased by the revelation. Sunset caught her eye and the two shared a smile.
"As fascinating as this all is," said Mirror Applejack, "you said something about work that needs to be done."
"Right."
Discord snapped his fingers and all of them reappeared in a conference room, each sitting in a different kind of chair. Discord took his place at the head of the table, his chair an overstuffed recliner on wheels. A stapled packet of multicolored construction paper lay in front of each pony and human next to a pen or pencil. A box of cupcakes sat in the middle of the table, each a different color and flavor. Both Pinkie Pies eagerly raided the box; it replenished itself instantly.
"Um, what just happened?" Mirror Fluttershy asked, her chair a wooden throne with flora and fauna carvings along the sides. She also had a crown of fake butterflies and flowers in her hair.
"Magic, silly!" Mirror Pinkie Pie giggled as she twirled around in her fluffy pink chair. "Discord's about to share his master plan to fix everything and save the day!"
"Indeed I am so listen up!" Discord said. "The key to our success is restoring Twilight and rescuing Fluttershy."
He pulled a chart down out of nowhere with an illustration of each pony, Fluttershy wearing the same crown as her double.
"And how do we do that?" asked Starlight.
"And why am I sitting in a coach-style airplane chair?" Sunset complained, shifting around in discomfort.
Discord ignored her, changing the slide on the chart with a click from his clicker pen. The image switched to the Canterlot throne room, a crude drawing displaying Tirek on a toilet and the evil princesses standing in front of him.
"I plan to go to Canterlot to confront Tirek about Fluttershy. While I'm battling for her safety, I'll leave open a portal that only Midnight Sparkle will be able to see and penetrate. You ponies will be standing in front of it, perfect bait for our lovely evil princess. She'll swoop right in, the portal will close, and I'll appear a moment later with Fluttershy safely in my arms. We'll change Twilight back using the geode Rainbow Blast and then come up with another plan to defeat Tirek and the rest of the evil princesses."
Every pony and human blinked, before Sunset broke the shocked silence.
“There are so many holes in that plan!”
“Like what?” Discord demanded, folding his arms.
“Um, like the fact that Tirek could take away your magic,” said Rainbow Dash.
“Or that the princesses could go all ‘attack now, ask questions later’,” said Mirror Pinkie Pie.
“And how do you know Midnight will even fall for a stupid trick like that?” asked Applejack.
“What if something prevents you and Fluttershy from returning?” voiced Mirror Fluttershy worriedly.
“And do we really know if our geodes are strong enough to do what you expect them to?” said Mirror Rarity.
Discord let out an exasperated sigh. So many questions.
“Alright, first off, yes, Mirror Rarity, your geodes will be able to revert Twilight back to normal,” he said. “I know because I can feel the Death Rainbow radiating from them all the way over here. As to whether or not the princesses will attack when I first show up, I don’t believe they will. They’re under Tirek’s command and something tells me that centaur is going to want to talk before firing any angry blasts my way.”
“Okay but what about Midnight entering the portal?” asked Applejack. "It seems kind of arrogant to assume she'll just do what you expect her to."
“Oh, I have no doubt she will. She was looking for you five before, remember?” said Discord. “Why didn’t she head off to Canterlot with the others after Tirek changed her? Because he asked her to hunt you down and she’s obligated to obey. She won’t rest until her task is complete. She’ll keep trying over and over until she succeeds. The portal with you five standing in it will be an opportunity she won’t be able to resist.”
“That does sound pretty convincing,” Starlight muttered, “but what about Tirek taking away your magic?”
“It’s a risk,” Discord admitted. “If it happens, I’ll just have to trust that all of you can think of a way to rescue me and Fluttershy. Twilight will be with you though, so you won’t have to figure it out alone.”
“I don’t like it!” Rainbow Dash said, folding her forelegs. “You shouldn’t go in alone. We should go together!”
“And doom Equestria as Tirek takes away all our magic? No thanks,” Discord said, folding his arms with a heavy frown.
“But we can’t risk losing you, Discord,” Starlight argued. “You’re stronger than all of us.”
He sent her a grateful smile. “While I appreciate the praise, my dear, that is not necessarily true. Amity resides inside each of you. Combined together, you achieve her full power, a force even I can’t fight against.”
“Why can’t we just open the portal for Midnight and change her back into Twilight before rescuing Fluttershy?” asked Applejack.
“Because Tirek might take his wrath of losing Midnight out on her and I’m not willing to take that risk,” Discord answered. “I know all of you want to come but if this plan fails, I need to have a backup.”
“And we’re it,” Sunset muttered, understanding.
Discord produced two glittering pink keys and gave them to the Pinkie Pies. “When in Equestria, these keys will allow you to open a portal to my home. All you have to do is stick it in the air and turn. You’ll all be able to enter safely and no one can follow unless you give them permission. If you use it in my dimension, it will open a portal to wherever you’re thinking.”
“Neato!” Pinkie Pie cried, hefting the key in her hoof.
“Why give them to the Pinkie Pies?” asked Rarity before adding, “No offense, darlings.”
“None taken,” they both said cheerfully.
“Because the keys can only be activated by somepony or someone who possesses chaos magic,” Discord revealed.
“Say what?” Pinkie Pie cried. “I have chaos magic?!”
Discord stared. “How else would you explain being able to whip out a party cannon from thin air?”
“I don’t know,” she answered, tapping her chin. “I just kind of think about it and it happens.”
“Chaos magic,” he smiled, waving his paw. “You have a natural affinity for it. Both of you do.”
“That is so cool!” Mirror Pinkie Pie squealed, bouncing up and down.
“Just do me a favor and don’t lose the keys,” said Discord. “I trust you but there are other creatures out there who might figure out how they work and I’d rather not find an unwelcome Doctor in my house.”
“Huh? What doctor?”
“Never you mind,” Discord muttered before clearing his throat. “Right, I think I’ve covered all the bases. Oh, one more thing!”
He pulled out a card and handed it to Mirror Fluttershy. She glanced down at it, her eyes widening as she looked back up at him in surprise. Discord winked.
“Keep it secret unless you need it,” he commanded.
Mirror Fluttershy nodded.
The others looked between them, Mirror Rainbow Dash being the first to ask, “What’s on the card?”
Discord swiped it from Mirror Fluttershy’s hand and burned it before anypony could take a look.
“Seriously, what was that?”
“Nothing,” Mirror Fluttershy said, her face turning as pink as her hair.
“It sure didn’t look like nothin’,” Mirror Applejack argued.
“What did the card say?” Sunset demanded, turning to Discord.
The draconequus smirked. “Sorry Sunset; need to know basis and Flutters here is the only one who needs to know. And, no, she won’t be telling anyone anything once I’m gone either.”
Mirror Fluttershy nodded, her teal eyes hardening. “No, I won’t. So don’t ask.” Her friends were clearly surprised and a little hurt by her admission. She immediately apologized. “It’s nothing against any of you. It’s just something I Pinkie Promised to keep secret.”
Every pony and human, reluctantly, curbed further inquiries about the note. Each of them knew the importance of keeping a Pinkie Promise and the consequences that would come from breaking one.
“Right, I believe that clears up everything we needed to discuss,” said Discord, snapping his talons together.
The meeting room had been replaced with the living room again, this time accompanied by a suspended cage and a buffet table of every kind of imaginable snack for pony and human alike.
“Um, what’s with the cage?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“That is what will keep Midnight in place while you work your Rainbow Magic,” Discord answered. “The moment she comes through the portal, it’ll drop on top of her. I suggest you have your geodes charged and ready, ladies, because the cage won’t hold an alicorn for long. Remember, my little ponies, to be standing in the portal’s doorway. Humans, keep hidden. I don’t want to give her any reason to hesitate flying in here.”
“Um, Discord?” Mirror Fluttershy called before the draconequus could snap away. He looked at her questioningly and her cheeks darkened. “Could you attach a bathroom somewhere in here?”
Discord blinked. “Oh, uh, sure.”
He snapped and a door appeared next to the kitchen slide.
“Thank you,” she said.
Starlight reached out a hoof, placing it on Discord’s arm. “Be careful,” she said.
He surprised her by pulling her in for a hug. “I’ll try my best.”
The other ponies took this as an invitation, all of them wrapping their hooves around him. Discord chuckled, rather touched. “You silly little ponies and your hugs,” he muttered affectionately.
“Admit you like them, you big softie,” Rainbow Dash said as they pulled away.
“Not on your life,” he said, laughing.
Sunset approached, rubbing her arm awkwardly. “Hey, we may not have gotten off on the right foot but, good luck.”
Discord shook her hand. Mirror Fluttershy reached for his face. Discord lowered it and she latched on, placing her forehead against his. “Please be careful.”
He smiled at her. “I will be. Take care of yourself.” He looked to the others and raised his paw. “Here goes nothing.”
He snapped, vanishing in a burst of light.
Discord materialized in the shadows of the Canterlot throne room and wrinkled his nose. Everything was so dark and dreary. Where was the color? Where was the individuality? He felt like he’d just stepped into some old horror film.
"All that's missing is the cobwebs," he muttered, his keen eyesight observing the shadows for any hidden threats.
Near the end of the gloomy room, Tirek sat on a tall black throne outlined in rubies. The four princesses stood at the base of the dais in a slightly ominous half-circle, ready to defend their master at a moment's notice. Discord raised an eyebrow at the classic yet clichéd display of villains.
"Welcome, Discord," said Tirek. "We've been waiting for you."
“I’m sure you have,” he said, quietly snapping his tail tuft and activating the portal to his dimension. It stayed behind his back, small enough that Midnight wouldn't be able to notice it- yet.
"I can't say I like what you've done with the place," he commented, making his way towards the tacky set up. "A bit too 'Phantom Pony of the Opera' if you know what I mean."
"Careful not to insult our Master, Discord," Daybreaker warned.
The Lord of Chaos stared, finding her fiery persona rather fascinating. The inferno of her hair and tail raged and licked at the air in a blazing dance. How was she not getting scorched? Discord had half a mind to steal her tail so Lesti could have a friend.
Nightmare Moon and Midnight Sparkle looked like they had stepped out of a nebula, their hair twinkling with tiny stars.
Once a crusader for love, Heartbreaker now possessed a passion for pain and misery, her broken cutie mark a testament to the fact.
"Celestia, ladies," he greeted with an appreciative eye, "I must say I like the new look; very chaotic and fitting for evil henchponies."
He came to a stop near the base of the dais and folded his arms, glaring up at the large centaur. Tirek looked the same as he remembered except something lingered behind his eyes; something vile and dark. Something…familiar?
Discord mentally shook himself. He needed to focus. His main priority was not Tirek’s hidden partner. It was to find Fluttershy.
"I believe you have something that belongs to me," he said, getting right to the point.
Tirek smirked. "I'm not sure that I do."
Discord's lips pulled back, exposing his sharp teeth. He was not in the mood for games. "Where is she?" he demanded, his voice menacing and low, his pupils glowing bright red.
Tirek bent over the side of his throne and muttered to something in the shadows. The creature that emerged looked like a pony at first but, upon closer inspection, Discord could see drastic physical differences. A pale yellow coat, long rumpled pink hair, fluffy ears, red eyes, fangs, powerful bat wings; Fluttershy looked like the equivalent of a vampire pony. She snarled and hissed, lunging at Discord, a tight metal collar on a chain being the only thing preventing her from succeeding in her attack.
There was silence. Discord's eyes widened and he blinked, his jaw dropping slightly in surprise. He watched as the bat pony strained and growled, hissing and snapping her jaws, her eyes fixated on his throat. Tirek and the princesses started to laugh, enjoying his shock. Their laughter died prematurely, however, when Discord’s pupils suddenly dilated and his cheeks turned rosy. Letting out a squeal, he flew forward and started hovering just out of Flutterbat's reach, taking in every new feature.
"Fluttershy, you look adorable!" he happily squeed. "I was afraid he'd turned you into something nasty but this? This I can get behind! The ears, the wings, the fangs!" He pulled his hand back before she could bite him. "Now, now, not here, my dear," he chuckled. "There are witnesses about."
"What is wrong with you?!" Nightmare Moon snarled, the first to break out of the villains’ stupor. "Are you not upset that she is different from the pony you knew?"
"Well, I miss her ability to speak but the animalistic behaviors are quite a turn on," Discord replied, petting Flutterbat’s head and pulling back before she could bite him. "Awww, how cute!" He turned to Tirek. "Right, you've convinced me; I'll take her!"
He shoved a handful of cash into Tirek's palms, the centaur all of a sudden wearing an ugly car salesman's suit. Tirek ripped the suit off, threw the money away, and pushed Discord away from him.
"Enough of this fool’s shenanigans!" he snapped. "Do it NOW!"
A cage suddenly fell over Discord, having been slowly lowered by Midnight until it was right over his unknowing head.
"Ouch!" he hissed, wincing as the solid metal top smacked into his horn and antler. He eyed the cage and attached collar, unimpressed. "Seriously?"
He closed his eyes, a confident smirk on his face, and snapped with flair. Nothing happened. He opened his eyes and frowned in confusion, snapping again. Still nothing.
"Something wrong?" Tirek sneered as Discord’s fear plainly began to manifest for all to see.
"What-?"
"What happened to your magic?" Daybreaker asked. "You could say we took a leaf out of Chrysalis' book."
"The metal bars and collar are infused with the remains of her throne," Heartbreaker revealed, chuckling darkly.
Tirek yanked on the chain attached to Flutterbat's collar. The bat pony choked but still continued her futile attempt to attack Discord, her face reddening from a sudden lack of air.
"Stop it!" Discord cried, his fingers wrapping around the bars.
"Put the collar on and I will."
Discord looked on helplessly, watching as Flutterbat continued in her struggle to reach him. She would likely pass out if she kept it up. Dropping his hands to his sides, his ears and head lowered in defeat. He looked at Tirek hatefully.
"Go on," the centaur commanded, gloating in triumph.
Discord continued to glare as he picked the collar up with his tail and clicked it into place. The centaur let go of Flutterbat's chain and commanded her to be still. Discord's relief was obvious as the bat pony practically collapsed in exhaustion, her chest heaving as she gasped for air.
"Now what?" the draconequus asked, already loathing the metal rubbing against his fur.
Before Tirek could reveal the next phase of his plan, however, Midnight gasped and flared her wings.
"We're being watched!" she cried.
"What? By who?"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it!"
She took off, flying straight towards the portal now large enough to see the rest of her old friends.
"What are you doing?" Daybreaker shouted. "There's nothing there!"
But Midnight ignored her, flying straight towards the portal. "I won't fail this time!" she shouted.
The others gasped when she seemed to vanish into thin air. Discord grinned triumphantly. At least part of his plan had been successful. He feared for what would happen to Flutterbat though.
I'll just have to trust those ponies and humans to pull off the rescue I failed to do.
"Where did she go?" Tirek demanded, noticing Discord's pleased smirk.
"Somewhere you won't be able to reach her," he answered.
"You're in no position to gloat!" Tirek snapped.
"No, but I can relish in my own small victory. Twilight won't be very happy with you when she and her friends return. You may have me and Fluttershy for now, but your reign is over. What a shame too; your father would be so disappointed."
Tirek snarled, slamming his hands against the bars. "You will not speak of him!"
"I'm sorry," Discord grinned. "Did I strike a nerve?"
"Shut up! I'm through with listening to your snide comments. You may have taken Midnight from us but you won't see a rescue. You'll be too busy being the beast you fear everypony thinks you are!"
Black magic leapt from Tirek’s fingertips and slammed into Discord’s chest, furiously digging through the skin towards his heart.
Discord wasn’t aware of the fact that he was writhing on the cage floor. All he knew was that something had invaded his body, the poison hitting his bloodstream and rocketing from his heart towards his brain. It latched onto his memories first, sealing them behind locked doors. Then it attacked his consciousness, twisting his understanding of who he really was into the belief that he was nothing more than an animal, a draconequus, a predator with a need to survive.
The wicked transformation now complete, the draconequus lifted himself on all fours and roared, the red pupils in his eyes thin and glowing with an angry fire. He sniffed the air, his ears laid back from the sounds of laughter coming from four intimidating creatures. The words 'centaur' and 'pony' came to mind, identifying them. He didn’t know how he knew what they were but they smelt dangerous. The draconequus instinctively backed away, his back hunched and large wings flared as a means of intimidation. Something caused his neck to strain and he looked down, confused by a metal strand attached from the thing on his neck to the barred box he was in. He snarled and bit at the chains, attempting to free himself.
“He has no idea who he is, does he?” the black pony with dark blue hair asked.
“He’s nothing but an animal now,” the centaur confirmed, a wicked smile on his face. He seemed to be enjoying his struggles.
Why weren’t any of them trying to help him?
“Poor Discord,” mocked the white pony who had fire coming from her head and rump. “Nothing but a beast.”
She seemed to be talking to him. The draconequus continued to fight against his chains as he wondered why she’d called him that. Was it a name? Was it his? His jaw starting to ache from use, he resorted to using his paw, talons, and dragon foot but it was futile; the restraint remained fixed.
“Watching him struggle is getting boring,” the dark pink pony complained. “Can’t we do something else to him? Something more fun?”
The centaur walked up to the box and sneered down at the draconequus. “I have something in mind.” His eyes gleamed. “You must be hungry, Discord. I have something for you. But I’d like you to put on a little show for us first; you always were one for flair.”
There was that word again. Discord. That must be his name. And the centaur said he had food? His stomach rumbled at the thought and he licked his lips in anticipation. What did he have?
“I want you to really play with her before putting an end to her misery,” the centaur instructed, "A good mauling with those mismatched digits of yours. Make her bleed.”
He wanted a long kill? Discord actually liked that idea. It sounded fun.
The centaur walked away, heading towards a small yellow thing on the ground. The prey perhaps? He muttered something to it. Discord’s advanced hearing picked up the words “put”, “fight”, and “give up.”
“Release them both!” the centaur commanded.
Discord backed away as the fiery white pony approached the box. Stopping several feet back, the horn on her head lit in a dark red glow. The box lifted. Discord bound out of it but was yanked backward by the thing around his neck. He choked and snarled, fighting for freedom, his eyes fixated on the small yellow prize the centaur clearly wanted him to have.
The white pony acted quickly while he was distracted by his prey, swooping in behind and breaking the chain attached to the metal thing around his neck. Ignoring the large ring still rubbing against his fur, Discord charged, his mismatched feet pounding across the ground as he practically flew towards the small yellow creature. It was female and looked like a pony but somehow wasn’t. She had leathery wings that stretched out and beat furiously, hoisting her into the air before his claws and talons could dig into her flesh.
Discord snarled, his eyes watching the tiny pony as she gained even more height, ignoring the jeers coming from their audience. He would attack and feast on them later; right now he needed to concentrate on hunting the yellow one. She hissed, almost like she was taunting him from above. Discord spread his wings and leapt into the air, relishing the fear that suddenly filled her red eyes. Clearly she had not expected him to invade her heavenly sanctuary. She flew away from him, weaving this way and that, trying to slow him down. It was all for not; he shot through the air like an eagle, quickly closing the distance. He opened his maw…
She turned and disappeared. A wall suddenly flew into view and Discord couldn’t turn in time. His body slammed into it, the force knocking his head and tail against the stone. He grunted and fell, twisting and flapping, attempting to regain equilibrium. Their audience roared with mocking laughter. Ignoring their cackles, Discord barely managed to glide across the floor before hitting the ground. He tumbled, his lengthy body flipping and rolling a few feet until he righted himself with his claws.
Taking his fall as a sign of victory, the prey gained confidence and went on the offensive. She dived, swooping low and sinking her teeth into his neck, ripping into his flesh and sucking his blood.
Discord roared angrily and smacked her away, the claws from his lion paw ripping the membrane of her wing to shreds as he sent her flying. The pony landed several feet away, hastily returning to her hooves, hissing in anger and pain. Discord's blood flew from her mouth as she folded her wing against her side, her own blood dripping to the ground. The metallic smell tickled Discord’s nostrils and his hunger grew.
The pony crouched low, her red eyes watching him warily. Discord began stalking forward, knowing she could no longer fly with that injured wing. He needed to take out her legs. He pounced. She ran. The centaur and other ponies cheered, spurring him on with shouts of encouragement.
The prey was surprisingly fast for one so small. Discord could have easily overtaken and ripped her legs off but he was enjoying the growing fear reeking from her sweating body. He swiped over and over again, teasing her, taunting her, his claws inching closer and closer with each provocation.
When her breathing was clearly ragged and her fear was at its peak he decided it was time to strike. He lunged, extending his claws. They sank into her flesh and raked across her body from her neck all the way down to her flank. She screamed painfully as blood immediately stained her creamy coat. Discord relished in the sound and smell. He stopped the chase, dashing up in front of her and swatting with his tail. She tried to jump over the red scales but her back hoof caught on his razor sharp spines. She went down, rolling end over end. He forcefully stopped her momentum, his paw and talons digging into her back. She weakly flailed and tossed her head, her screams even more panicked than before. Her blood was scattered about the room, lingering on his claws. He could almost taste her. His mouth watered, his saliva dripping at the corners.
Forcing her onto her back, he exposed the tender flesh of her neck. She kicked her back hooves uselessly, her forelegs pinned beneath his paw and claw. She whimpered and cried, her chest heaving, her eyes wide with the fear all prey have when they know they are doomed. She was his. He leaned in for the kill-
And stopped, his jaw frozen in place, just above her neck.
“What are you waiting for?” the centaur shouted from across the room. “Finish her!”
But Discord didn’t move. Her scent was a lot stronger in this proximity and had suddenly slammed into him, overpowering the smell of blood. Oddly, he found it…pleasant.
A warmth spread through him as he buried his nose in her mane and began to explore. She smelt heavenly and strangely familiar. She nipped at him -a defensive reaction- and he snarled reproachfully, drawing back so he could glare down at her. She whimpered and stared uncertainly, fear still her most dominant emotion. He let out a low growl. She communicated with a soft, questioning hiss. Sensing her reluctant compliance, he returned to his exploration, sniffing different parts of her. The more he explored, the greater his certainty grew: he wanted her. As he probed, her body shivered beneath the touches of his snout, her fear slowly transforming into open -even eager- invitation. A very unique, poignant smell began filling the air. She wanted him too. A low purr rumbled in his throat as he lowered his snout to hers. She licked the side of his face. He licked hers, his forked tongue enjoying the feel of her short hair gliding across its surface. The two began to nuzzle.
“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!”
Startled, the two creatures pulled back, Discord releasing the yellow pony from underneath him.
The centaur had been the one who shouted. He was standing several feet away, his anger and confusion palpable.
“Heartbreaker!" he bellowed, “EXPLAIN!”
“They’ve… imprinted,” the pink pony answered, her tone a mixture of confusion and disgust.
“They’ve what?”
“They’ve imprinted,” she emphasized. “He’s claimed her as his mate and she’s accepted.”
“Well, change it!”
Heartbreaker stepped forward, her horn lit. Discord coiled protectively around his mate and started to growl, the volume growing the closer the pink pony advanced. His mate shivered against his body, digging herself into his fur, seeking security. A strange pink beam shot out of Heartbreaker’s horn, swirling through the air until it divided and slammed into both Discord and his mate.
He expected pain but nothing happened. The pink attack disappeared and he quickly checked on his pony. She looked a little shaken but otherwise fine. Discord’s relief transformed into anger and he roared in warning, flaring out his wings, hoping the others would understand his intentions. Any who wanted to hurt his mate would have to go through him.
“It didn’t work,” Heartbreaker said, her jaw dropping in shock. “It didn’t work!”
“Why not?” the black pony demanded.
“I don’t know! It should have!”
“Fluttershy, attack him!” the centaur commanded.
His mate sat up and hissed, not at Discord but at the centaur; a hiss of defiance.
“You dare-!”
The centaur started forward but Discord wrapped his arms around his mate and took off. He flew towards the doors, tucking in his head and using his shoulders to force them open. They broke apart, splintering under the force of his speed.
“STOP THEM!” the centaur raged.
His mate whimpered in fear. Discord squeezed her reassuringly. He wildly searched around until he picked up the scents of the outside world. There! He could see the open sky through a small hole in a colorful wall. He flew towards it and busted through, crying out in pain as the wall shattered, pieces embedding into his shoulders and neck. Several blasts from the centaur’s ponies started coming from behind but Discord flew faster, his body cutting through the air a lot easier than theirs. Eventually they fell behind but still he flew. His mate could be heard hissing in discomfort beneath him but he kept his course, determined not to stop until he found a safe place for them to hide.
He ended up flying for a really long time.