//------------------------------// // Discord’s Legacy // Story: Discord’s Sacrifice // by desertbat //------------------------------// During the banquet, every creature began speaking to one another with far less prejudice. With everything that had transpired - weirdmageddon, the death of arguably the most powerful being on the planet, and his funeral - you would have thought that none of the kingdoms ever had conflicts with each other. This would have been something that put a smile on Twilight’s face, but, as she moved past every creature, she had only one objective; talk to Fluttershy. After the yellow pegasus pony swore vengeance on, arguably the world’s biggest malefactor, she just disappeared from her friends. Twilight knew she hadn’t left thanks to the conversations around, so she was hoping she could talk to her. It wasn’t going to be a lecture from the princess, but a chat between friends. Luckily, the purple alicorn discovered her friend at the snack table. It was kind of a relief to see Fluttershy’s appetite return. Now all she had to hope was that she was still going to be kind. Twilight approached Fluttershy, who, noticing the princess, swallowed the fruit she was eating and had a friendly expression. “I assume you want to talk about my speech,” Fluttershy almost said with a giggle. Twilight didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she awkwardly looked side to side; trying to put the right words in her mouth. She didn’t get to speak her questions because Fluttershy answered it as if she was prepared for it. “I meant what I said, Twilight, but I’m still your friend.” Twilight decided not to interrupt, but to let her kind friend continue to speak her mind; it felt like she had been rehearsed this for some time now. “Whoever did this hurt so many, if we meet, I can’t show kindness to someone who won’t hesitate to do anything to me. If it’s who I think it is, we can’t let her live.” Wait…her? Fluttershy already has an idea? “I asked Luna to double check the moon to see if I’m right, but I already know the results.” She then put the last bit of fruit in her mouth and practically swallowed it instantly; holding in a noticeably loud belch. Fluttershy blushed at the expression her friend made. “Sorry. I need to start taking better care of myself again. I was more hungry than I thought.” Twilight was about to ask who her friend was suspicious of, but mentioning the moon made it clear who it was. The princess didn’t want to ruin the mood with pointless questions, instead she hugged the yellow pegasus. The hug was returned and they stayed like that for a moment before breaking it. “I want you to remember that you’re not alone in this, Fluttershy,” Twilight said in a serious tone. “I know he was your love, but he was still my friend. If it’s really her, we’ll see to it that we stop her. The leaders already agreed and we are going to start an anti-chaos training program. This possibly just gives us more justification.” “Good,” Fluttershy said, “ Then you’ll like what I left in your bedroom,” Twilight looked puzzled.”What’s that?” “It’s a book about chaos magic and ways to counter it. Discord left a will in my house and wrote that he wanted to make sure you had it.” Fluttershy looked down with a slight sulk, “Something tells me Discord knew about this possible plan. That all of this was being elaborately orchestrated from the start. I’ll be busy preparing for this my way, so I’ll see you mostly at our usual meetings. Twilight. Please be careful. We don’t know what forces never decided to make a move out of fear of what Discord would do to them. They know he’s dead, and now we truly have to rely on ourselves. It won’t be like Sombra, and it won’t be like Bill Cipher.” Twilight had thought about that before, but she was hoping it was just her usual paranoia. She took a deep breath and relaxed. “I will. I’m not going to ask what you are planning, but I ask you to please keep taking care of yourself. I also know I can’t stop you from your goals, so I have one more request.” The shy pony looked to her friend more noticeably before the conversation continued. “I don’t really know if it’s justice, vengeance, or punishment you’re seeking, but please don’t let hatred be your motivation.” Fluttershy’s expression softened as she saw the tears in Twilight’s eyes. “You don’t understand how much of an amazing woman you are. You are so sweet and kind. It’ll break my heart if hatred consumes you and I never see that mare again. I don’t want to lose you like that. Please. I’m not strong enough for it.” She nodded and held her friend longer than before. She didn’t let go and she decided to talk. “You’re right. I have to make sure I don’t lose who I am in this process. I’ve always been so happy that you came to Ponyville, Twilight. The day you came made me a stronger mare. I won’t let you become as fragile as I once was.” They broke the hug, and Fluttershy began to walk away. “I’m going to see every pony else now. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be busy with my plans. You are amazing, Twilight. Thanks for always helping me. I’ll see you later, my friend.” Without another word, the two parted ways, and Twilight watched as Fluttershy disappeared into the crowd. Flashes of memories flooded as she thought about how the pegasus got to this. A sweetheart that was so shy and scared of everything - even her shadow - became this determined mare who felt like she was preparing to face the world. “You’ve always had a talent for changing a pony’s character.” Twilight’s attention shifted and she saw Luna smiling. “You may not see it now, but you have changed the lives of so many for the better. Just have faith in your abilities. You were the princess of friendship for a reason.” “Thanks,” Twilight said, a little bit softer than she meant to. “I guess Celestia is still chatting with the leaders?” “Indeed. I came here to inform you that your plans are going to be coming together faster than you think.” Twilight was dreading to ask but she decided to get it over with. “You checked already? Didn’t you?” There was a nod. “So she escaped the moon after all?” “It seems that way,” Luna said, “Perhaps she made some kind of deal with Bill to escape her prison. Regardless, we will have to act fast. We don’t want to go back to square one.” “Agreed. Apparently Discord already saw this coming and managed to give us one more chance. Thanks for letting me know, Luna. We can’t let that monster destroy the legacy Discord left behind.” Chaosville was as chaotic as ever: pits of horror, tentacle monsters, flying piranhas, etc. Though in this abominable world, there was a house. All creatures that dwelled in chaosville knew it was the home of Discord; the lord of chaos itself. They heard of his death, and a few tried to approach the home - to raid it - but soon regretted that decision. All chaotic beings that approached it turned to dust. He had left a dangerous barrier around the house; making its land unapproachable. They should have realized that no creature was going to ever set foot in there for all eternity. All they could do was growl in anger and look from a distance at the possible power it held, but would never be their’s. Without warning, the door to the house opened and, to the surprise of the beasts, out came a small yellow pegasus. She observed the monsters that snarled at her. The pony let out a yawn and made it clear she was neither intimidated or impressed. “Could you all go home,” she asked calmly, “I’m trying to concentrate on something and I don’t like all of you making such a noise outside my house. You’ve been at this for weeks now.” The creatures went silent until one spoke up. “Hold on a minute. You’re saying you live here? I thought this was the lord of chaos’s home.” “It was, but he left it and everything in it to me. I’m his queen,” she stated with pride. “Now would you please keep it down? I’m busy preparing for a fight that will come, and I’d like to be ready.” The monsters stared at her dumbfounded. They were still trying to register the new information given to them before their ringleader began laughing. Like the rest of this group, he had the body of a werewolf, but the head of a squid. “You’ve got to be kidding. You,” he pointed to Fluttershy, who looked annoyed, “You’re supposed to be his queen? I doubt it. You look like such a feeble creature. If it wasn’t for this barrier, you would be in my stomach right now.” Fluttershy’s annoyance turned to an exhausted sigh before she spoke up. “I just had to suffer though my lover’s funeral yesterday, so I’m not in the mood to explain that I’m not that pony you’re talking about anymore. She died a few weeks ago.” Suddenly, the pegasus used her right wing to imitate a large hand. An audible snap could be heard and the barrier went down. “On your knees, animals. I want you to beg me for forgiveness. Do it, if you value your life.” The words were spoken softly, so it took the creatures a second to register what the pony just said. Before saying or doing anything else, they finally noticed the look in her eyes, along with the powerful aura that radiated from her. The barrier had most likely hid the true power from this weak looking pegasus. Another snap and they saw that hundreds of swords engulfed in flames surrounded them from above. It hit them that they had made a grave mistake approaching her. “Well, I’m waiting,” the pony said, a little annoyed.” Without any delay, they got on their knees and bowed. “Please forgive us, oh queen of chaos,” one said in an attempt to preserve his life. “We were such idiots for laughing at you,” another said in a sob. “I promise never to laugh at you again. Please don’t kill me,” the leader pleaded. “I’ll do anything you want. I swear.” “Anything, huh,” Fluttershy said with interest. The group began to dread what was going to transpire. “Ok. I’ll hold you to that. Inform the other creatures that Chaosville has a new queen. I’d practice my sword skills on you, but I won’t for my friend’s sake. That, and I might need an army. Now then, get out of my sight before I reconsider.” The creatures fled as fast as they could and didn’t even think about looking back; they feared it would change her mind if they did. Fluttershy took a deep breath and walked back into the house. “Now then. Where was I,” she said to herself. “Oh, that’s right. I was going to try adding more power again. I might be able to control it better now.” The pony walked over to a mismatched table and picked up a bell. The same bell that contained so much power and caused a war throughout Equestria. Discord kept it after the last battle, and put a small piece of his magic in it; rendering its power useless to those who couldn’t control chaos. It had been a few weeks, but Fluttershy was able to finally control something with a fraction of the power. “I’m not there yet, but I promise you, my love. I will learn to control this chaos that you left me. I will either find a way to bring you back, or use it to save your legacy. Your ex will regret ever making a deal with Bill Cipher, and taking you away from me.” The bell rang, and Fluttershy had a new surge of magic flowing through her. Most ponies would have lost their minds to this chaos, but those ponies were never in love with chaos itself. She didn’t laugh or cry, or even tremble. All she did was smile with determination. “Prepare yourself Comos. I’m coming for you.”