Spike woke up shivering from the cold. He stood up and got a sharp pain through his neck. Spike held his neck and had bags under his eyes. He approached the two beings lying nearby. Spike sat next to Twilight and blew a small flame over her, trying to keep her warm. He curled up into a ball and shook. Twilight stirred a wake and looked at Spike in horror.
Twilight saw her little dragon, pale and tired. She wrapped him in a hug. Spike smiled, feeling the warmth of the woman who raised him. They held each other until a loud yawn took their attention. Twilight and Spike looked up and saw Discord holding a pair of eyes at them. Spike screamed while Twilight glared at him. Discord burst out laughing, popping his eyes back in place, and hopped out of the branch. Twilight slapped him and to his surprise, it affected him. He looked at her dumb stuck. Spike punched him in the chest and to his confusion, it didn't do anything.
“Spike!?”
“What? he's being a jerk!”
“That doesn't mean you could hit him!” Twilight said disappointed and a little angry.
“You hit him!” Spike pointed out his face turning red in anger.
Slap me again.” Discord said, gaining the mother and son's attention.
“What?!” Twilight asked incredulously.
“Slap me again.” Discord said dead seriously.
Twilight looked at him uneasily. She then sighed and gave him a gentle slap. Discord rolled his eyes. “Come on my dear you could do better than that.”
“Look Discord I don't know why you want me to slap you but I'm sorry I over reacted.”- She then remembered what had happened two days ago- “again”
“You wouldn't be fun if you didn't my dear, now give me a good old slap and all is forgiven.”
Twilight sighed and brought a hand over her eyes “Discord I don’t want to hurt you.”
Well my dear we need to-” Discord was interrupted by tossing Twilight's hand into his face. Discord smiled when it didn’t affect him. - “Well that settles that, lets go.”
Finally!” Spike hopped out of Twilight's embrace and held his neck and the crack flared up. Twilight glared at the two males for a moment then followed behind them.
The group of three moved further into the woods till they came into a clearing. There stood a woman planting flowers on the ground. Discord looked around looking for a gold structure. Twilight slowly approached the woman slowly. Twilight noticed the woman had brown wings, making Twilight rather hesitant.
The woman stood up and without turning around she cleared her throat “You know it's impolite to stare.”
Twilight blushed in embarrassment “Sorry, um hi I'm Twilight Sparkle what's your name?”
The woman turned around and stared at her in shock. She gained a rather strained smile. “ Well, aren't you an exotic girl?”
Twilight looked down at herself confused. Nothing was out of the ordinary as far as her new body was concerned. Twilight looked at the woman confused. Discord rolled his eyes and approached the woman.
“Freya, hate to be interrupt but where are the Nords?”
The woman named Freya looked at him slightly surprised. “Well hello sir, is she your wife.”
“Not important, where are the Nords? they should be here.”
Twilight's eyes widened in horror. She got in front of Discord and gave Freya a nervous smile with a blush. “um this is Discord's, he's my friend, and sorry for him we're kinda in a rush.”
Freya smiles once more. “I understand ma'am but I never knew the Nords lived in this area.”
Discord groaned frustrated. “Well come on my Dear where have to find where the Nords are.”- Discord turned around and walk away.
“Wait!” Twilight's yell stopped Discord in his tracks.
Twilight blushed, not intending to yell. She cleared her throat- “Discord why don't we talk to Freya here, Let's ask her where they are. If you want to take to us?”- Twilight dedicated her question to Freya who nodded looking between the two confused. Discord turned around and approached them. Spike who up and till now has been quiet till now tugged on Freya's dress and waved at her.
“Hi, I'm Spike, Spike the dragon.”
A dragon you say.”-Freya said a brow raised-“ I have never met a dragon as you or friendly as you.”
Spike blushed at the compliment “Well thank you. I think you're pretty friendly”
“Spike, she is far out of your league.” Discord stated gaining a glare from both Twilight and Spike, while Freya chuckled.
“I will be happy to speak with you but first could you answer a few of mine.”
“Not a problem.” Twilight stated.
“Good now sir Discord, how do you know of me?”
Discord looked at Freya uninterested “ I'll leave it as we've met before.”
Freya had raised her brow and thought about asking for him to elaborate but thought better of it. Turning to Twilight and formulated a question.- “Ms Twilight, what realm do you hale from? You are certainly not from Midgard.”
“Um-” Twilight thought about how to answer this. Surely telling her about Equestria is the right thing to do, but what if she doesn't recognize it as a realm? Should she explain the dimensions to her? Twilight sucked in a breath and decided to answer- “We're from Equestria. It's not a realm but it's a place.”
Freya looked at her suspiciously, she took in Twilight's expression. She could tell that she wasn't lying but she didn't know what Equestria was. She smiled at Twilight and with a flick of her wrist flowers bloomed out of the snow. Twilight eyes widened as the flowers grew out. Discord snapped his fingers and the flowers pulled themselves out of the ground and started dancing.
“Discord!”
“What!? I'm just trying to make things interesting.”
“She was kind enough to make us those flowers so we shouldn't ruin them”
“I didn't do anything wrong, I just made things more interesting.”
“Interesting! This is-” Twilight looked at Freya who held one of the dancing flowers in her hand. She had a smile as the flower moved about.
Twilight looked at her surprise. Spike grabbed one flower and let it dance in his hand only for it to stop and spray him in chocolate milk. Spike tossed it to the ground and crushed it. Discord chuckled as Spike glared at him. Discord floated over to Twilight and sat next to her. When things got too boring Discord snapped his fingers and the flowers turned into confetti.
Freya let the sparkly papers fall to the ground. Discord coughed to get Freya. She looked over to see Discord wearing a different outfit. “Freya, how about you do us a favor and tell us where the Nords are?”
Twilight looked at him and coughed out “Please.”
“Bless you now.” -He says, giving Twilight once over.- “Will it be Freya?”- Discord asked pointing at her.
Freya nodded and thought for a moment. “Well, I hear the Nords have set up in the Jotunheim.”
“With the prophetic giant. Come, my dear, Spike, we have a byfrost to find.”
Twilight walked beside him giving him an ear full about manners. Spike glared at him but then remembered himself. Turning around and ran back to Freya. He waved at her -“Sorry we have to leave so soon, hope we see you later.”- As Spike ran away Freya smiled, She didn’t know who they were but she was sure she would be seeing them again.
“And another thing, You can’t just-” Twilight was interrupted by Discord pressing a finger on her lips.
“My dear, not know I must think.” Twilight glared at him.
When he removed his and smiled at her, this, however, didn’t remove her smile. Discord realized something. He was losing her. He began to think of a way to remedy of this situation. Twilight shoved him staggering him back. Seemed like he wasting focus yeah that was it. Discord looked at her and looked at her up and down.
“What is wrong with you?” Twilight stated more than asked.
“This is going to be a common thing, isn’t it?”
“Only if you keep acting like a complete jerk.”
Spike walked up to them but noticed they began to argue. Spike decided to look around. Looking up into the sky, he noticed Smoke in the distance. He moved over and grabbed a rock. It was cold and seemed to have a blue crystal embedded in it he placed it on his neck. Spike kept an eye on Discord all the while.
“Look, My dear, I think you're being a bit stiff. Why don't you loosen up.”
“Really? I'm the problem!?”
“Yes, glad you-” Twilight grabbed Discord and pulled him down to her eye level.
“Look buster, I'm not the one with a problem. Since we got here you've been acting differently. What happened?” She asks both anger and concern fighting within her.
Discord inwardly smirked, he now had an opening, he thought about what he needed to say to get her back on his side. He couldn't tell her a lie, it wouldn't go over well but he couldn't say he didn't care, that would most likely cause a larger argument. He cleared his throat -“You're right my dear I have seemed to have forgotten myself.”- true to a certain extent- “I will try to not be as… difficult.”
Twilight sighed, she knew something was off about his response but she didn't know what it was. She decided she would have to pry more later. She gave him a fake smile, knowing he would be careful for a little while. Spike cleared his throat getting both of their attention. Discord snapped his fingers and warm clothes appeared on him.
Spike let out a sigh of contentment as the cold stopped its assault on him. “Thank you.”- Spike rubbed his hands together. “I think I found a village nearby.”
“Where is it?”
“North East from here. I saw the smoke coming from it.”
Discord looked at the dragon, slightly annoyed. He was going to shoot down the idea but remember Twilight for a moment. He thought about the risk and decided that nothing bad was going to happen. The group of three moved toward the direction Spike pointed at. As they moved, Discord noticed how stiff Spike was.
Spike walked with his back straight and his head locked forward. Discord cleared his throat “So Spike, why are you holding a rock.”
Spike was taken aback slightly at the question. He looked at the cold rock and then turned around facing Discord. “I um like it that's all.”
Discord rolled his eyes. “Well, that's boring.”
“You know you aren't too interesting yourself.” Spike said, taking a dig at the being.
“Spike.” Twilight said warningly.
Discord glared at the dragon. “Really and what about you, you think the most interesting thing is a rock. Bravo.”
Spike smiled, catching on to what he was doing. He turned back around and continued to walk forward. Twilight hurried up to Spike’s side and picked him up. She gave Discord a nervous smile and looked back at Spike.-“What are you doing Spike?”-She whispered into Spike’s ears.
“He’s planning something, I know it.” Spike responded in the same volume.
“Of course he is, but we can't be arguing all the time.”
Spike looked at her incredulously. “this is coming from the one who's been arguing all day.”
“I'm serious Spike, Discord is the only one who knows this place. If we push him away, we'll be lost in a foreign world.” Twilight stated. Discord smirked behind them, holding his head high.
“Well, then why tell him things?” Spike asked, confused.
“We might be able to reform him. I mean, he hasn't done anything too bad.”
Discord chuckled to himself. He had to admit it was a cute little hope. a small part of him was interested in what that would look like. The three moved faster till they reached the village. Snow covered the ground, the building seemed to be made out of wood and stone. A few people moved around in the snow.
Twilight started at the village and she felt her nerves take hold of her. Her throat felt dry, her legs began to shake, and she looked at both Spike and Discord who both had a look of concern. She inhale placing a hand on her breast then with an exhaled tossing her arm out in front of her. Twilight repeated this a few more times and then walked into the village.
Spike read Discord's expression, he looked at Twilight with both concern and interest. He noticed that he only ever seemed to care when it involved Twilight or picking on him. Spike contemplated what Discord could gain from this. While lost in thought he luckily didn't see the fearful and hateful look shot at them.
Twilight looked around, seeing others glare and gowk at her. Twilight looked between herself and the people of the village. The clothes she wore were a bit more high-end than what the villagers were wearing. Discord glared at everyone who stared at them. He hoped to avoid this, but of course; it was foolish to think these mortals would be better.
Twilight looked at the signs and felt completely lost. She didn't recognize any of the letters. Discord saw this and leaned next to her ear. “Let me guess you can't read anything, right?”
Twilight looked down. “No, I can't. Can you?”
Discord smiled. “Of course, I can, my dear.”
“Is there a library in this village?”
“Why my dear, it's not like you could read them.”
Twilight looked at him dead in the eye, unamused -“gee thanks.”- She said sarcastically- “and we need to find a byfrost right well one of those books might be able to help us.”
Discord looked at her for a moment and shrugged. “Well, I have nothing. Come on now dear.”
The three moved to a slightly larger building and walked in. The library was, to Twilight, slightly disappointing. There was a front desk with a man sitting, bored out of his mind. Twilight pulled Discord to the bookshelves and got him to tell her the titles. Spike however walked over to the man behind the desk and cleared his throat.
“Hello sir, do you have any books with this Language in them.” Spike pointed to his biohazard book.
The man looked at him and the book. He pulled out one book that had a mix of equestrian and Nordic on the tiled. Spike opened his hand waiting for the man to give him the book. When the man didn't, Spike looked at him confused. “What's wrong.”
“I don't know what in hells you are but you're clearly a boy. Not books unless you have an adult with you.”
Spike looked at him in shock and anger. “Come on, it's just a book. I doubt it's even a mature one at that.”
The man looked at Spike, annoyed “Calm down boy, before you make me do something I won't regret.” the man threatened.
Spike backed away and nodded. He walked over to a bookshelf and quietly growled at the interaction he had. Twilight and Discord moved to him. Twilight lowered herself seeing how upset he was. Discord however laughed at Spike's expression. Twilight sends him a glare then hugging Spike.
Discord rolled his eyes and approached the man at the front desk. “ So what was the book the little lizard wanted.”
The man chuckled at the name a lifted it. -“This one but it cost-” Discord interrupted by snapping his fingers producing tons of gold, silver, and gemstones. The man's eyes widened as he saw the large of the valuables and smiled. Tossing Discord the book. Discord walked back to Twilight and Spike and handed over the book.
“Come on my Dear, let's get some of those books you wanted.”
The three left the library. The sun was going down. Spike reading the book Discord brought. Twilight held a stack of books walking beside Discord with nothing but a smile on his face. The glaring of the people is relatively ignored. Twilight looked back at Spike his face lost in the book. She chuckled to herself as she noticed that that was something she had done not too long ago.
Twilight looked at Discord and smiled. “Thank you for getting Spike that book Discord.”
“Oh, Don’t thank me, my dear. I merely got something to keep us out of our hair.”
Twilight shook her head not buying what he said. “Well, whatever the reason, still thank you. I thought they wouldn't have any books in Equestrian.”
“Take a look at it. You might find it interesting.”
The three moved over to a two-story building. The sign was written in the same language as the library. Discord snapped his fingers and a large gold bar appeared in his hand. Twilight eyes widened but before she could say anything Discord walked into the building. Twilight and Spike rushed in seeing Discord put the gold bar on the desk.
The woman glared at him. “No outsider, get lost.”
Discord's smile didn't falter. “Now come, can't you make an exception for an extremely rich stranger.”
“No means no get lost, asshole.”
Discord snapped his fingers and an extra bar appeared. “How much till no means yes.”
Twilight glared at Discord, grabbed him, and pulled him back, making his eyes widen. “What are you doing.”
“Come on, my dear I'm just trying to get us a room.” Discord snapped his fingers and made three extra gold bars appear next to the other two.
The woman looked at the gold bars and then at the two. She rolled her eyes. “Fine take your dark woman and take the room at the far end of the hall. No refunds.”
The woman slammed two keys on the desk and walked into the back with the gold. Twilight looked at where the woman went then back down at herself. “Why does everyone mention my skin color.”
“Because they don’t know what to do with you. my dear, now come on we have a room to relax in.” -Discord walked up the stairs not waiting for a response. Twilight and Spike looked at each other and shrugged. Twilight grabbed the keys and walked up, Spike behind her.
Spike closed the book and pulled on Twilight's shirt. “Mom, this book is an Equestrian to Nordic dictionary.”
“Really?!”
“Yeah, but it says it's English to Nordic, but still the same as Equestrian.”
The two reached the end of the hall, only not to see Discord. They looked around for a moment, but then gave up and unlocked the door. The two opened the door and saw something they weren't expecting. The room was green meadows with a Tree, a bed, and finally a small blanket on the floor.
Discord fell off the branch he was lying on and landed on his feet. “So what do you think my dear?”
“It's great but I'm sure the owner wouldn't like us messing with the room.”
“I'll change it back when we leave.” Discord waved his hand dismissively.
Spike heard tapping at the window. Walking over he opened it and a bird flew in and landed on his head. The cold air rushed in and Spike closed the window. He grabbed the bird gently and petted him. Discord snapped his finger making a piece of meat and a salad appeared in front of Spike and Twilight respectively.
Twilight walked over to the bed and sat down on the bed. She ate her salad while Discord lay down next to her. Spike glared at him and on the other side of Twilight. Twilight looked at the tree and raised an eyebrow. Looked at Discord who had unbuttoned his suit exposing his muscular stomach and chest.
Twilight blushed, looking at him. Discord cleared his throat and once she looked at him he winked at her. She quickly looked away and ate her salad. After an awkward silence, Twilight finished her salad and looked back. He placed a hand on her back and patted her on the back. Her face red, she cleared her throat and Discord made a glass of chocolate milk appear in front of her.
She grabbed the glass and looked into Discord's eyes. “So um how did you know about Freya and those other beings.”
The bird tilted his head, Spike couldn't help but wonder that as well. He looked at Twilight and noticed how close she and Discord were. Spike began to feel uncomfortable. He pulled the bird into a hug and looked away. Spike got off the bed grabbed the bird and sat down. Next to the window.
“I've been here a long time ago, my dear. I spent time here, making things more interesting.”
“But how come they don't seem to remember you.”
“Ragnarok”
“Ragnarok?”
Spike opened the book and moved over to a page “Ragnarok translates to the doom of the gods.”
Twilight looked at Spike confused. “gods but there is no such thing.”
After hearing Twilight's response he busted out laughing. Twilight looked at him confused. “What?! Why are you laughing at me.”
Discord held back his chuckles and looked at her with a goofy smile. “We are in another dimension in different bodies and suddenly God is where the line is.”
“Well, who are the gods then?”
“God there's only one Twilight.”
The bird squawked, and then flew at Discord. He smoked it to the ground and it let out a screech of pain. Spike ran over to the down bird and looked him over. Twilight looked at him with anger. “Did you have to do that?”
“Don't worry dear” Discord snapped his fingers and the bird was instantly healed. “See you all better. Now where were we… There Is only one god.”
Twilight let out a snort a got off the bed. She walked over and grabbed the book. “Doom of the gods, not god.”
“Just cause you call yourself a God doesn't make you one.”
“So who are those self-proclaimed gods.”
“Aesir and Vanir, they are just as powerful as an alicorn and everybody likes to think of them as gods of the realms.”
“Then what makes your one God different from those Aesir and Vanir.”
“Well, first off, none of us would exist without him.”- Discord said, rather annoyed at having to say it. - “The other is that he controls every reality, every dimension. Everything he made is his, sure we may not want to like it but it's unfortunately true.”
Twilight thought about this for a moment. “How do you know he made everything?”
Discord looked her dead in the eye, merriment gone from his eyes. “I was one of the first he has ever made. I saw the birth of the world and the creation of flesh itself. Me and my brothers help design some of you mortals.”
Twilight looked at him astonished. Spike looked at the bird, not knowing how to take this information. Twilight walked over to him and held his hand.
“Are you okay?” she asked, not really knowing what else to ask.
“I am quite alright, my dear. Now, how about we get some rest?” Discord snapped his fingers and made the blanket appear on the bed. Flying up to branches, he lay on them and looked into the artificial night sky.
Twilight looked at him in concern but then got into the bed. Spike patted the bird on the head and placed him on the windowpane. “Goodnight, little guy. Hope you have a better day tomorrow.”
Spike crawled on the bed and wrapped her up in a hug. Twilight returned the embrace. Discord looked down at them and rolled his eyes. He looked up at the stars and sighed. He lifted his hand and moved, making starlight contact with each star. Discord drew three angels. Discord looked at the stars and waved his hand.
The Angels moved apart. Two angels faced each other, and the third stood in the middle of both. Starlight flooded one angel and had a blade aimed at the one opposite of him. The other one moved the stars in front of it and created an absence of light forming a blade of his own. The last angel was half-filled with the light.
The two angels fought, leaving the last angel looking between them, conflicted. After a few moments, the angel turned away while the fighting dark angel cut the other one. Discord flicked his wrist, making the star angels disappear. He sighed then looked at Twilight and Spike. They are asleep with small smiles on their faces. He closed his eyes and draped himself over the branch.
Discord opened his eyes and saw himself in a cosmos full of doors. Snapping his fingers, Twilight and Spike's doors appear in front of him. He walked to Twilight's door and entered. Discord looked around and spotted Twilight as her unicorn self reading a book with a dream version of Spike. He walked over to her and snapped his finger, taking on his mismatched form from her world.
“Hello, my dear.”
Twilight looked up, and her eyes widened. “Discord! what are you doing here?!”
“Can't see my friend now, is that it.” he said jokingly.
“No, it's fine, just wasn't expecting anyone.” Unbeknownst to her, the book and dream Spike disappeared.
“Well, it seems like you're localizing quite nicely, didn't ever have to correct you that time.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Well, what can I do for you.”
Discord gained a mischievous smile. He snapped his fingers. The surroundings changed and Discord lay down on the bed, seductively lying on it. “Well, if it's up to me~”
Twilight's blushed profusely “Discord!!”
Discord tried to keep his sultry expression but couldn't help but chuckle at how flustered she was. Twilight let out her horn and began to hit him with a pillow. He snapped his fingers and two pillows descended on Twilight's head. She let out a squeak and galloped at the bed. She lifted the pillow over her head and brought it down on Discord's head.
He grabbed her and pinned her to the bed. Twilight struggled against Discord's hold. After a few moments, she stopped struggling and gave Discord an amused smile. “Okay Discord, you win. Now let me go.”
Discord smirked at her. This was a good time to get her on board with him. He closed his eyes and went in for a kiss. Twilight blushed as she saw this. Lighting up her horn she brought a pillow and smacked him on the head. Discord brought his head. He looked down at her and then rolled his eyes. He got off of her and looked around the room he created.
Twilight saw him, his demeanor was different, it seemed disappointed, almost sad. She sighed and got off the bed. “I'm sorry Discord.”
Discord turned to her confused “What for?”
Twilight at him with what seemed like pity. “I know you like Discord.”
Discord laughed “You think I, um if you haven't noticed I'm messing with you.”
Twilight looked at him sadly. She trotted to him and held his talon. Discord stopped laughing and looked at her “I'm not rejecting you, I just need more time.”
Discord didn’t know what to say. He didn't even know what this thing in his chest was. He pulled his talon out of her hoof and pulled her into a side hug. “Fine, I'll mess with you some other way.”
The two locked eyes and smiled. They sat there for a few minutes before Twilight remembered something. She turned back to him trying to format it. “Discord, you never told us how you knew them and how they didn't know you.”
“Ragnarok remembered.” he said patting her on the head
“What Is it, what happened?” Discord contemplated it for a moment. “It's when Asgard gets attacked by the giants and some being named Loki.”
“But if it happens, how come they are still here? How come they don't remember you.” Twilight asked, confused.
Discord patted her on the back. “Near the end of Ragnarok the realms get destroyed, and everyone dies but dear old dad didn’t like what happened so he had me and my brothers reset things.”
Twilight looked at him in shock “Michael and you can reset reality.”
“Yes, but we don’t make it a habit. So I made sure it would rest every time Ragnarok ends.”
That's horrible, is there any way to stop it?” Twilight asked, concerned.
“Not really it's up to them. Me and you can't do anything different for them that would help.”
“But that can't be true if it's up to them then maybe we can convince them to change.”
“No, you can't, Odin, Thor, and every one of the Aesir wouldn't listen to anyone who they think is lesser than them.”
“But what about Loki? We can convince them to choose peace.”
Discord looked at her in sympathy. “My dear, Loki means waiver. Anyone can be Loki and it doesn’t do .”
But there has to be something.” Twilight started not wanting to hear no for an answer.
“No my dear, you can't now let worry about something else”
Twilight when silent. She laid her head on him and he kept her held in a side hug. The two stated like this for a while. Twilight looked up to Discord who was string forward. Maybe what Discord was saying is true but if she can’t help them, maybe she could help him. Twilight held on tighter to Discord steeling herself for what ever might come there way next.