The Heart of Chaos

by Jaestring


Prologue

"Oh, Celestia… you absolutely must lighten up! All of this royal duty you insist on participating in has made you so utterly boring."

The white mare snorted, her usual composure slipping as only he could cause. He laughed inwardly, Perfect, I'm starting to get to her.

"This is the third time this week! You can't just go turning the water in the fountains to chocolate milk or the birds in the aviary to flying goldfish..." She sounded stern, but he thought he heard the echo of laughter in her voice. Or perhaps he imagined it. She continued on, lecturing him about respecting the grounds and the grounds keepers.

Blah, blah, blah. Lectures were so… boring, "What happened to you Celestia? You used to be so much fun."

"DISCORD," she practically shouted, stomping her forlegs in frustration. THERE. That was the old Celestia he remembered! He watched as Celestia took a deep breath and let the tension fade from her shoulders. Even if he had glimpsed her for only a moment, the old Celestia was still in there. Maybe all of this nonsense wouldn't be so boring after all.

Two of her guards ran into the otherwise empty throne room, ready to provide assistance to their beloved princess. They instantly turned their eyes on discord, taking on a defensive stance they thrust their spears in his direction. Oh, where was the trust? At least Fluttershy gave him that, even if she was duller than a Canterlot Sunday.

In the calmest, most patient voice she could muster, Celestia said, "There is no need for alarm. Everything is alright."

The guards didn't want to leave, even after the past three uneventful months they didn't like Celestia being alone with him. They watched him from the corners of their eyes whenever he was near, and he had caught them following him more than once. Discord's jaw tightened, they were right to fear him! He was the most powerful, most unpredictable creature in this room. In all of Equestria! Even Celestia couldn't hope to defeat him without the Elements of Harmony, which were all tucked safely away in Ponyville. Harmless, because of the pony that called herself his friend. But, because of this pony, his claw and paw were tied.

He had a game to play, but he had to carry it out carefully. He wouldn't overtly betray his one friend's trust, but she just couldn't understand what he had been through. She couldn't understand why revenge against Celestia would taste so sweet. It was a part of Fluttershy's nature, to be kind and forgiving - he couldn't fault her for that.

Oh, Celestia was speaking to him again... he'd better at least pretend to listen, "I know you've been feeling cooped up, Discord. I can only imagine that after being trapped as a statue you wouldn't want to stay in one place for too long…"

"A condition you and your sister put me in, I might add," he mused, letting none of the malice he felt leak into his voice.

Celestia glared at him, continuing on as if she hadn't been interrupted, "…but I must beseech you to remain patient for just a little longer. I have just a few more preparations to make before we leave to take on the task I require of you. The task for which I had you reformed…"

"Wait, wait, wait… " Discord jumped into the air, floating closer to the princess, "before WE leave?"

"Yes, Discord. We." Celestia looked down, almost as if… she couldn't possibly be ashamed, could she? "There is a situation I must attend to, but I know if things go wrong I couldn't hope to take care of it myself. That's why I need you, Discord. I need your help."

Old feelings returned, unbidden. His heart swelled with pride, he had to fight his old compulsion to run to her side in her time of need. He stepped on his old feelings, squashed them. It had been thousands of years, yet she could still touch those old, musty memories he tried to forget. Her ability to still make him feel this way only made him angrier, but he mustn't let on.

His voice was smooth as silk, "But you have Luna. Together, you are more than capable of taking on almost anything. Then there are the Elements of Harmony, whom are at your beck and call. What about them?"

Celestia sighed and walked towards the window, her horn glowing as she prepared to lower the sun. Discord let her, knowing she was deciding what to say. This was so interesting, what could possibly make Celestia so worried? In his experience, she was never at a loss for words. She never let her composure be ruffled. No, this just wouldn't do. As Celestia prepared to speak, he reached his magic out toward the aviary.

"Luna wants to come. She feels that, in part, this is also her responsibility. However, royal duties will require at least one of us to stay. Even when Twilight becomes comfortable in her role as princess, it will be a long time before she is prepared to rule alone. Longer than we can afford to wait."

The shadows that fell across Celestia's face as her sun sank showed the weight her duty as princes had laid upon her. She looked older, almost as ancient as she really was. No, this just wouldn't do at all. He felt the little creature affected by his magic flying towards the balcony as she continued.

"As for the Elements… We will be travelling far, Discord. Very far. I can't afford to leave Equestria unprotected, so Twilight and her friends must stay."

"Then can you at least tell me what it is we will be dealing with?"

"I… I can't tell you just yet. I need to confirm a few of my suspicions first. Please, just wait a little longer and I'll make everything clear."

Discord knew that tone of voice, he had heard it dozens, no -hundreds, of times before. It meant the conversation was over.

"Very well, Oh Royal One, but I must warn you. Don't wait too long, I have my limits, you know," he looked past her. Ah, there was his creation, hovering just inches from Celestia's face. Perfect.

"Oh my, it seems you missed a little something when you were cleaning up after me earlier."

"Huh?" Celestia turned her face in the direction of the goldfish-bird. As her eyes fell upon it, he sent a little tendril of magic instruction: to spew a stream of water directly into her royal face. When its resource of water ran out, it flew towards the ceiling of the throne room, startled. Discord, couldn't help but laugh incessantly as Celestia's mane fell flat, water dripping from her chin. After a few moments, the shock on her face melted into laughter. No longer looking as old and dreary as it had before.

A tender smile drew itself across Discord's face, uninvited.