Discord floated the three items into the structure. The magic that lit the pillars pulled off and wrapped around the three. Discord added his magic to it, and the items spun. Discord backed up with a smirk. It would take some time to break the field. If a certain drake were to show up, He could easily stop it. With that being done, he looked around.
The sun wasn't up yet, which was strange. Normally, Tia had a better handle on time. He sighed, and with a snap of his paw, the snap replaced the moon with the sun. He flew to Twilight, who had a rather somber expression on her face.
Discord considered entering her dream, but when she stirred, he dashed that thought. Spike groaned as he looked around. Seeing the forest, everything rushed back to Spike. She stood up only to wince as he felt a burning sensation in his leg.
He looked down at his left leg and saw a missing scale. He sighed and then glared at Discord. “You took it when I was asleep”
“Well, would you have preferred to wake during it?”
“Awake during what?” Twilight asked, rubbing her eyes.
Discord wrapped himself around her with a big grin on his face. “Well, I got the last item from dear old Spike here.”
Twilight looked at Spike in concern. “And the last thing was?”
“A scale, of course.”
Twilight slapped him, sending his head to the side. Spike burst out laughing as Discord gaped at her. “You hit me.”
Twilight wiggled and writhed in his grasp. “You can do whatever you want with me but, No one ever hurts my Spike!”
Discord was about to say something when she slapped him again. His head moved to the side once more, and he gained an angry expression. Turning back to her she striker him again, only if nothing happens. Twilight’s eyes widened as Discord grabbed her by the neck and floated up into the air.
Spike ran to them, only for Discord to ascend higher into the air. Twilight looked between Discord and the ever further ground below. She noticed his grip wasn’t too tight. They stopped just above cloud level.
“Do you really think you could strike me and get away with it!” he shouted
Twilight cowered into a ball, tears threatening to fall from her face. Discord snarled at her only for the reality of what he was doing to settle in. He looked around seeing the empty blue sky. He looked down to see clouds floating by. Finally, he looked at Twilight.
She had tears falling down her face. She shook and whimpered as dangled from her neck. Finally, he looked into her eyes. They were full of fear and a plea for him to stop. His heart ached. What was he doing? This wasn’t him, not anymore.
He laid back, pulling her into his chest. He floated downwards, shame etched on his face. Twilight was confused. She thought he was going to drop her now he’s hugging her. She looked at his face. His expression was a pensive yet sad one. He reached the ground. He placed her on the grass. Discord snaps his talon and disappears.
Discord appears about two miles away from the clearing. He turned to a tree and banged his head against it. Discord berated himself for how he handled Twilight. He banged his head a few more times, not noticing the blue stallion flying down to him with a scowl.
When the stallion landed, he cleared his throat, grabbing Discord’s attention. He turned around and saw someone he thought he never would again. Discord fell back against the tree and sighed.
“Hello Gabriel, I hope everything is alright with you.”
Gabriel's scowl didn’t relent. “It has no thanks to you.”
Discord let out a defeated sigh. “Here to tell me how stupid I am for what I did or are you here to give me a message?”
“Message, Father wanted you to know that if you and Twilight complete a task for him in the nine realms he would reward both of you handsomely.”
Discord rolled his eyes, making Gabriel's glare intensify- “And why does he think I would do something for him?”- Discord pointed up to the sky
“I think it's more for her then, although I don’t know why Father and Michael will waste their time with you.”
“Wait, Father is giving me a chance. Hu some chance, gives me a mare he’s given some strange power over me and-” Discord got a slapped in the face.
Gabriel had blue flames wrapped around his body. Gabriel gained a menacing glare spread across his features. “Be grateful he even gave you that. That is more than you deserve.”
Discord looked at him with sympathy. “Gabby-”
Gabriel slammed Discord against the tree. “Gabriel, my name is Gabriel, you traitorous scum. Father wants you to get your Chaos Axe and cut down four world tree roots. I doubt you would do it, but I did my part. Now I have to head back to Israel. They always need defending.”
Gabriel unfurled his wings and took off faster than any mortal could process. Discord fell back against the tree with a defeated sigh.- “Good luck Gabby, I’m-”- Discord trailed off.
Twilight looked on confused while Spike looked her over, worried. Why did he look so sad? Did he regret what he did to her? If he did, why did he do it in the first place? Twilight thoughts ran rampant through her head.
Spike finally wrapped her up in a hug, tears falling from his eyes. “Mom, please talk to me.”
Twilight Returned the embrace “Spike, I’m sorry I’ve been wrapped up in my head.”
“I was worried. What did he do to you up there?”
Nothing, He did nothing.”
Spike looked at her confused “What but why would he do that then.”
“I just made him angry.”
Spike snorted, “I wouldn’t do that if I was angry.”
Twilight smiled at him. “I know, but I don’t. He was thinking.”
“That’s no excuse, though. You always have to think about what you do. That's what you told me.”
“It’s always good to think before you act, but I don’t think Discord does that too often.”
“What makes you say that?” he said disbelievingly
“Discord seems to live in the moment. When I met him the moment he heard about the vision, he took me here.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes, Spike, that's simple I think,” she let out a sigh, “I think your plan can work.”
“So we are doing it then.”
“Well, you already convinced Princess Luna, so I guess we have to.”
“Alright then”- Spike looked at the pillars- “looks like we're going to be here awhile that looks like it's going to take a long time.”
Twilight examined the structure and noticed her magic was interwind with Discords. She quickly scanned and felt the magic pressing against a much larger, far more powerful barrier. She cut off her magic and backed away.
“Well, I guess I should apologize then”
Spike looked at her, confused. “Apologized to who?”
“Discord”
“What!?”
“If this is going to work, we need to have no problems between us and him. If he thinks we’re on good terms, it would be easy to… trick him,” The last part made Twilight’s stomach turn.
Spike wanted to protest, but he knew better than to challenge Twilight when it came to a course of action. Twilight pulled him into a hug. She kissed him on the head and lit up her horn. She took the magical signature from Discord's side of the spell and then tracked where Discord was.
She let Spike go and trotted towards where he was. She did the calculations in her head and saw he was Two miles from her location. Twilight mixed a silence spell with her teleport. After inputting the distance and volatility, then teleported.
She spread next to a set of bushes. She peered over them and saw a stallion yelling at Discord. When the stallion shoved him, she gasped. Discord hit the tree and fell to the ground. He looked up with regret painting his features, while the stallion burst into blue flames.
“Be grateful he even gave you that. That is more than you deserve,” the stallion snarled, then unfurled his blue wings.
They glowed with their own light. He flew up faster than Twilight could process, looking around, trying to see where the stallion went. She ignores the mysterious stallion for now and focuses on Discord. He was in a miserable state. He was looking up at the sky, defeated. She was about to reveal himself when Discord started speaking.
“So you put her from in front of me. Sending her my way for what, exactly? Is she my test? Is that it? Oh, Discord here is a cute mare now prove to me you are still my boy.” -Discord looked down at his mismatched hands. He spoke in a low voice Twilight had amplified the voice for her to hear -“Do you even really care? Or are you just going us me like Lucy did?”
Twilight broke her spell and walked out of the bush. Discord looked up at her with a pho grin on his face and flew off the ground. He moved to her side and spoke. “Why hello my dear, I didn’t expect to see you out here.”
Twilight looked at him taken aback. She knew he wasn’t happy, yet he was trying to make it seem like everything was fine. Twilight took a deep breath and sighed- “Discord”
“Yes, my Dear”
“I’m sorry.”
What?!” Discord looked at her in surprise.
“I shouldn't have slapped you like that. I should have handled the situation better. so I’m sorry.”
“Well, this is currently unexpected. again you throw me for a loop.” Discord smiled at her
Twilight gave a sad smile. “Well, I guess I’m full of surprises.”
Discord's smile faltered for a moment but regained it quickly. “Chaotic ones, and well we both may have overreacted. I just wanted you to stop, but um, they better ways of doing that.”
Twilight chuckled, “Yeah, was uh, you um, want to walk with me?”
“Sure thing, my dear.” He flew beside her as they moved back to the clearing.
Discord looked at her with a pensive look. He knew that she must have heard his little rant. Discord wondered how much of it she heard. She was looking at him, concerned.
“Are you okay, Discord?”
Discord smiled at her. "Yes, my dear, but I have to ask, how long were you behind that bush?”
Twilight looked down to the ground for a moment, then looked back up to him. “I saw that stallion yelling at you.”
“Oh.”-Discord sighed- “don't worry about him. He's just-” Discord trailed off, He gained a sad expression.
“Who is he to you?”
“Someone I used to care for, and let's leave it at that.”
“But-”
“Leave it,” he stated firmly with a sad look.
Twilight sighed, looking down at the ground. Discord saw her down trotted expression. He wrapped her up in a side hug, not wanting to see her look like that. Twilight looked at him, confused once more.
“What are you doing?”
“You look better with a smile, my dear.” Twilight blushed as she noticed his paw wrapped around her. She gently pushed his paw off of herself.
“Thank you, Discord, um, you have a pleasant smile, too.” She attempted to compliment him.
He gave her his best smile. Twilight couldn't help but laugh, as his silly toothy grin didn't really fit him. Discord joined in on the mirth. The two then moved along in compatible silence.
Twilight looked at him, remembering him flying her into the air. Despite how it turned out, was he really trying to stop her or was he going to drop her till he stopped himself?
Discord noticed her shift in mood and stroked her mane. Not expecting to be touched while lost in thought, she jumped away. Discord chuckled as she tried to regain her footing.
Twilight glared at him as he continued to laugh at her expense. Unbeknownst to him, there was a tree in his way. Twilight was going to warn him but thought better than it. Discord ran into the tree, his face slammed into the tree. Twilight laughed as he moved away from the tree.
“Now, my dear, that's not fair.”
“All is fair in love and war,” she quoted him.
He shook his head, a smile plastered on his face. “Not the level of chaos I'm used to but still welcome. Although I do wish to pick your brain a bit, my dear.”
“Only if you answer some of my questions, too?”
“Very well, then ask away.”
Twilight was about to ask about the stallion, but stopped. She didn't want to bring the mood down. Gathering her thoughts, she cleared her throat and moved closer to him.
“What are you, Discord?”
He rolled his eyes with a smile. “I'm just Discord, nothing more, nothing less.”
“Wait, so you're the embodiment of Discord, like an argument?”
He smiled a wicked smile. “I'm just Discord, nothing more, nothing less.”
“But-”
“Ump, Ump, it's my turn for a question now and you have to answer.”
Twilight looked at him, Longley. She needs an answer, but he just gives her a riddle instead. Well, if he was going to play like that, she could too.
“Okay, then. What's your question?”
“How do you know you are good old Cele and Lulu? They went through a lot of trouble finding you.”
Twilight thought about it a moment. “guess you can say I've known them all my life.”
“Hey, now that's a nonanswer.” Discord protested.
Twilight smirked. “Well, it counts as an answer by your definition. So now for my question.
Spike sat on the grass, holding a book in hand. He was trying to read it but couldn't stop thinking about Applejack and Princess Celestia. They both have encouraged him to find Twilight. now they’re.
He sighed and closed his book. He placed the book back into his backpack and was about to find something else to do when he heard footsteps behind him. Spike turned around and saw a white dragon walking towards him.
The dragon mesmerized Spike. He was handsome with blue eyes and Golden Spines. When the dragon closed the distance from Spike, he lowered himself to Spike’s eye level.
With a kind smile, the dragon spoke, “Hi there, little one. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I am.” Spike felt secure. He didn't know why, however.
I'm looking for a creature. He is a mix of multiple creatures. A unicorn mare should be with him.”
Spike aw struck features fell. “Discord isn't here, neither is Mom. Um, I mean the unicorn.”
Spike flinched away from the dragon. Spike was worried about the dragon’s reaction. When he felt a gentle pat on his head. Spike looked up to the dragon, who kept a kind smile. The dragon sat down beside him.
Spike looked at him and then realized something. “Wait, why are you looking for Discord?”
“Yes, my name is Michael. I have bad news for him.” The dragon looked rather sad to Spike.”
“What's the news? If you don't mind me asking?”
Michael patted Spike on the shoulder. “I can't go in your mother's stead.”
“You wanted to help too.”
“Yes, I still can, but I can't remove your mother from this.”
“Well, what can you do?”
“Keep the more dangerous things from them, but my sight is not infinite.”
“Anything else, please.”
“Perhaps I could send some assistance their way.”
Spike sighed but smiled. “Thank you, mister Michael, but I just want Mom and I to go home and get as far away from Discord as possible.”
Michael looked away, saddened. “He was too reprehensible today. Was he?”
“He threatens to drop him from the clouds.” Spike snarled.
“Temperance child. Don’t let your rage control.”
Spike glared at Michael “You’re not my Mom, you can’t tell me what to do”
“I am your elder, and I advise you to keep your anger under control, before you may do something you regret.”
Spike raised his claw but took a breath and lowered it. He was still angry but looked away from Michael to hide his glare. “Why do you care about Discord anyway?”
“He is family”
“What!” -Spike shouted- “how can he be your family.”
“We were made together, along with our other siblings. He was the only one who saw me as his brother, while other siblings just saw me as their commander. The way he is now was not always him. I hope I can return him to who he used to be.”
Spike didn’t know how to react. This dragon was Discord’s brother, and he wanted to save him from himself. He should be angry but he also feels like he should help Micheal.
Michael sighed.- “Do you wish to hear an old joke my brother used to tell me?”- Michael offered.
Discord laughed as Twilight finished up a story about Fluttershy telling off the dragon. Twilight chuckled with him, knowing full well what a dragon is capable of. Her chuckles died down as the fear of the creature beside her crept in.
She wanted to berate herself. He didn’t do anything to her. He scared her. That was it. She shouldn’t be sacred, or should she? No, she can’t think that way. She looked over to him. He laughed a manic laugh that seemed right somehow.
Twilight gained a thoughtful look. Besides, this morning, Discord had been relatively kind to her. She looked back at how callous he was towards the Eikthyrnir. Twilight shook her head. He has negatives, but he also has positives. She needs to approach this very carefully.
She looked back to Discord, who looked at her with a raised brow. “Finally got sick of the dirt. Don’t even lose a staring match against the ground.
Twilight blushed, “Sorry. Uh, what were you saying?”
Well, I wanted to hear about that pinkie friend of yours. She seems rather chaotic.”
Twilight smiled. This was an opportunity. “Yeah, I think you and her would get along. She is spontaneous. I can introduce you when we’re done here.”
Discord's smile faltered slightly. “I doubt they would want to meet me.”
“I’m sure they will a friend of mine is a friend of theirs.”
Discord stopped in his tracks. Twilight looked back at him concerned “Discord?”
You think we’re friends”
Twilight nerves kicked in. Did she cross some sort of line? Discord looked at her, his friendly Demeter gone. “You consider me your friend?!”
“Yes despite something that happened, you were kind to me.”
“I-” Discord didn’t know what to say. She just dismissed something that would have been a deal breaker for most mortals, yet she’s okay with it. He looked her in the eye and floated over to her.
Discord knew he shouldn’t have brought this up. He should have accepted her offer of friendship as it would get him closer to his goal, yet here he is. Why did she get this reaction out of him? He’s the lord of Chaos. What did it matter what she thought?
He let out a sigh “I could have dropped you to your death.”
“You didn’t. in fact, I know you regret that.”
“Really? How so?”
“When we were coming down, I noticed you were sad and disappointed.” she gave him a reassuring smile.
Discord looked at her. She had some fear in her eyes, but he saw some care too, She believed it. He should just accept her friendship and continue. This was good for him. If she thought they were friends, then it should be no trouble making her fall for him.
“I’ve done far worse in the past. I… would have been able to drop you easily.”
This made Twilight step back slightly, but she still gave him that reassuring smile. “But you didn’t and I'm sure you know it was wrong.”
This was ridiculous. Discord should have stopped and gone with her back to the clearing, but why is he pushing back on her so much? He looked into her eyes; they sparkled. He looked into them for a good while and noticed an innocence and purity he had not seen in a long time.
He let out a sigh. “I hope you regret this.”
Twilight smiled and placed a hoof on Talon. “I’ll never regret making a friend”
He looked at the smile she was giving him and returned it but then he remembered something, something that had to be addressed. “Twilight, remember the deal we made and the consciences if you broke it?”
Twilight's smile fell, and the sight made Discord's heart spike. “Um yeah, I remember it but we made that deal when we didn’t know each other too well, I’m sure you wouldn’t have if you knew could trust me.”
“Does it bother you?” He asked.
Only about the um death part, but we can finish this trip and come back we can start over right?” She felt a sting in her heart as she saw a hopeful expression break out on his face.
She shouldn’t be doing this to him. They were planning to trap him in another world and her giving him hope seems very cruel. She wrapped him up in a hug and then let go just as quickly.
“I- let's get back to the clearing. I don’t want to leave Spike alone for too long.”
“Why don’t you go on ahead, my dear I’ll catch up.”
Twilight nodded, then continued to trot forward. When Discord knew she was out of earshot, he looked up once more.- “Leave her out of whatever game you have her in. She is not your Pawan.”- He glared.
Spike glared at the sky. He was lying on his back next to Michael, after getting a laugh from him. The conversion died down quickly. Leaving the two in silence. Spike looked over to Michael, who was lost in thought.
Spike then began to contemplate things as well. Who was Michael, he’s Discord’s brother, as strange as a thought that, is but he said ‘We were made together’. What does that mean? He mentions siblings. Could they do what Discord could do or was Discord the exception?
He looked back at Michael and sat up “What happened?”
Michael looked at Spike inquisitively. “Pardon?”
With Discord what did he do to end up like this?”
Michael looked down at his arms for a moment. He remembered seeing an axe cutting through them and then a horrified expression on his brother’s face. “He made a mistake that he believes seals his fate.”
Spike raised his brow “And what was that?”
“He had to choose between one of our other brothers or Me.”
“What?!”
“Tell me Spike if your kin fought would you choose if they need your help?”
“The one who needs it the most, I guess”
Michael sighed “Yes well, I supposed that's what my brother did. He helped the one who needed it most.”
How could helping somepony make you like that “When you help evil you become it but there’s always a way to salvation as long as you wish to walk its path.”
“And you think, Discord what’s to walk that path.”
“Yes,” Michael said in a low tone of voice.
Spike doubted it but his mom taught him better than to mention his thoughts on it. Spike stood up and patted him on his shoulder. Michael smiled at him standing up and patting him on the head.
Michael turned his head up looking off in the distance. Spike turned around to see Discord and Twilight. Twilight was confused while Discord and a smirk. Discord floated over to them.
“Well it seems like you found a friend Michael”
“Brother it is good to see you.” Michael smiled
Spike looked over to Twilight. She seemed surprised but not as much as he expected. Moving over to her he gestured for her to lower her head. Once she did he cupped his hand over her ear.
“Do you know him?”
“He was in my vision, he had a flaming sword.”
“cool, buy what but he's Discord's brother.”
“What are you two talking about.” Discord whispered.
Twilight and Spike moved away from Discord making him laugh. Michael moved over to them chuckling. “Brother let them convers they have not seen each other for some time.
Discord had smile on his face “its been a while since I heard that laugh, Mikey.”
“It has been a while since we've met.”
“Oh please It's only been a few hours.”
“For us to discuss more than our crusades. It has been millenniums”
Twilight and Spike gapped at hearing this. Discord smile faltered as he looked upon his brother. He looked down to the ground.
“he said no didn’t he?”
Michael face fell “I'm sorry”
Discord didn’t say anything, he lifted his talon and let out a beam of magic into the pillars. Twilight felt the mana in the air strain as it was Being pulled into the pillars. The sky began to fracture and crack as the spell pushed against the barrier. The sky shattered into billions of pieces, which rained down and disappeared just as quickly.
“Come on my dear we have things to do.” Discord stated coldly.
“Brother please don’t do this” Michael pleaded
“Sorry Mikey but we've wasted enough time.”
Michael sighed. He opened his feathery wings and was about to take off when Spike held his leg. Michael looked at the pleading look in Spike’s eyes and came up with a plan.
“Brother, wait.” Discord Turned around and tapped his goat leg on the ground
“They need to eat. When you’re out in mid guard it would be difficult to find a meal.”
“I could just snap my talon and they eat as much as they want.”
Michael sighed “Would you kindly break bread with me brother if not for me then for them.”
Discord snapped his claw and a salad and a cooked piece of meat appeared in front of Twilight and Spike respectively. Spike grabbed the meat not recognizing it. He smiled at it and smiled. He took a bit and hummed to himself enjoying the food he was given.
Michael looked at the meat worried “That is kosher right.”
Discord burst into laughter, Twilight looked at the patty slightly disturbed but knowing it was going to happen eventually. Twilight eats her salad. Discord floated over to her with a raised brow.
What’s wrong My Dear?”
Twilight looked at him and sighed “It’s nothing.”
Discord knew he shouldn’t pry but his curiosity was peaked “Well we both know that’s not true.”
Twilight looked back at Spike. “I- he found us.”
“That’s it?”
“That's not it.” Twilight said still looking at Spike who was talking to Michael.- “It feels like just yesterday he was hatched and now. I’m just being stupid.”
Twilight looked at him expectantly. When he didn’t say anything she cleared her throat. Discord looked at her with gain a raised brow once more “What?”
“Isn’t this the point where you say ‘Oh you worrying over nothing my dear he’s still your little boy and he has plenty of time with you before he grows up.” She said in an imitation of his voice.
Discord burst into laughter making Twilight blush as she heard this “It's not funny!”
Discord tried to control his chuckles “he’s ten, eight more years isn’t much”
Twilight let a tear fall from her face “Thanks for the reassurance”- She said sarcastically
Discord wrapped a tear from her eye “My dear he’ll always be your little boy no matter how old he gets. Of course, have him as he used to be but what that old saying ‘if it means more when it’s there’s less of it.’”
“But I don’t want him to grow up, I want him to stay my little boy.” Twilight's tears fell once more
Discord was concerned and wrapped her up with himself.-“It’s going happen my dear but It would be alright he cares for and I believe once he is old enough he will come back to you. You won’t lose him.”-Twilight embraced him tears falling from her face and staining his fur.
Spike looked over to Twilight who was crying into Discord's chest. He fumed and was about to move to them when Michael stopped him. Spike glowered at him. Michael patted him on the back trying to calm him.
“What did he do, She’s crying!” Spike questions, smoke coming from his nostrils
“I don’t know but I don’t think he caused it.”
“Oh, I doubt that.”
Micheal looked at the two and smiled “Look, my brother is trying to confront her and She has him in an embrace.”
Spike crossed his arms and snorted, “So, I bet it’s because he did something that hurt her or something.”
“It’s best not to assume If he did something wrong, then he clearly wants to make amends. If she was distressed, then he is confronting her.”
More smoke came from Spike’s maw, but steeling himself the best he could, he breathed in and stowed his anger. He sat back down and finished his food. Michael sighed, knowing this was going to not end well. Looking up to the sky, he saw the sun coming down on the horizon.
He looked back down to Spike, who pulled out his book. Michael smiled, but then he screamed off in the distance. Michael stood up, and let out a jet of flame from his maw a flaming sword appeared. Twilight and Spike's eyes widened while Discord nodded, knowing why Micheal summoned his sword.
“I hope the trip is fruitful, for you wrought on this world can never be undone.”
Spike's eyes widened in horror as Micheal's words sunk in. Twilight looked at Discord, who looked more stoic than she had seen him so far. Micheal unfurled his wings and flew off faster than the concept itself.
Discord stood up letting Twilight go. He moved over to the pillars and with his lion's paw, ripped open the very fabric of reality. Discord pointed his talon at Twilight’s horn. When her magic pulled it from her horn and into a little ball in front of Discord’s talon. He smiled at her and pointed it in the air then at the rip. Twilight looked on in interest as Discord fired into the tear. A pink vortex enveloped the rip and solidified.
Twilight looked on, dumbstruck. She rushed to his side and cleared her throat to get Discord’s attention. He looked at her with a smile. gestured at the portal. He bowed to her with a suit appearing on his body.
“Lady first, as they say.”
Twilight looked at the portal nervously. “Would the spell kill me if I go through?”
Discord’s eyes widen- “That’s a good point my dear.”- He grabbed her and backed up, then ran into the portal, Twilight screaming all the while.
Spike’s eyes widen as they enter the portal. The portal started closing; He ran at the portal as fast as he could. He leaps, barely making it into the portal. All around him was pink energy. He let the magic pull at his body but strangely; the magic didn’t affect him beyond that. After what felt like years, Spike finally saw a Light out of the tunnel. He braced himself as the snowing ground came to meet him.