//------------------------------// // Lesson One // Story: Discord's Daughter // by Speedy Quill //------------------------------// "Where are we going?" Discord smiled at his daughter as they flew over the Everfree Forest. "I'm going to give you a lesson in the power of Chaos." Derpy slowed to a stop. "I thought you didn't do that kind of stuff anymore." The draconequus nodded. "Not usually. But the lesson isn't for me. It's for you." He watched her eyes cross in confusion for a moment. "Huh?" He grabbed her hoof and snapped his claws together. They popped into existence in a clearing somewhere in Everfree. Discord sat down and cleared his throat. "I'm sure you've noticed that things always seem to go wrong when you're around." Derpy lowered her gaze to the ground, poking at the dirt. "Yeah. I just don't know what happens." "It's because you're my daughter. You inherited some of my powers. But since you're not a unicorn, you have never been able to harness this magic." Discord paused, watching Derpy nod. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Did you understand any of that?" ""Umm.... I'm magic?" He smiled. "Yes! Yes you are. And I'm going to help you learn how to control it." "Neat!" -------------------------- Discord and Derpy sat across from each other. Discord hovered a few inches off the ground, his legs crossed. He closed his eyes and let out a long breath. "Now my young pegasus, you will learn the art of Chaos. When we have finished your training you will be able to control the power within yourself. You will no longer cause trouble wherever you go." "Really?! I won't screw up or anything?" Discord opened an eye slowly to find a wide grin on his daughter's face. He chuckled. "Yes. You screw up because that's the only way the magic can get out. With my help, you'll be able to direct your power towards more....constructive things." He shuddered. He was still getting used to the idea of using power for good. He wanted to show Derpy all the fun she could have, but he knew that would only make things worse. Standing up, Discord stretched out his arms. "Today I will teach you a very simple exercise. It not only works your muscles, but also twists your body in a shape very few can achieve. As you try to make the form, concentrate on the shape you want to make. The magic will direct itself to helping you make that shape." "What shape do we have to look like?" "This form is called 'The Q'." He began to bend his body around as he worked to form the circle of the letter. Beads of sweat begn to form on his brow. He hadn't done this exercise in decades. But just as he had explained to Derpy, his magic began to inch him further. He could feel his power slowly bending and tweaking his body. Soon he was bent over backwards, touching his feet. With a final grunt, his wings unfolded. They touched the ground and kept him from rolling away. Not only that, but it formed the Q's tail. Derpy applauded. "Wow! I don't know if I can do that!" "You won't know until you try." Derpy smiled and began to bend over backwards. She only got halfway before falling into a reverse somersault. She rolled a few feet before stopping. She laid sprawled out in the grass for a moment before standing. Discord walked over and put an arm around her. "That was a perfect first try. I would have been surprised if you hadn't somersaulted." That got a laugh from her. "Let me do it again!" -------------------------- Three more attempt were made, all of them ending with her flat on her back. Just as she began to get discouraged, Discord chimed in. "You're thinking to hard. Just relax and bend." She nodded and narrowed her eyes. "Okay." Her head went back as she began to bend. She held her hooves over her head, reaching for her hind hooves. She felt her muscles straining in the unnatural position, but she refused to quit. She let out a slow breath and found her four hooves touching. "I did it? I did it! DID IT!!" She looked over at her father. Wait... Wasn't he supposed to be upside down? Nope. Discord was hovering upside down. And he was smiling. "Don't forget the tail." The tail! She had to do that or she would roll again! She looked down to her wings. They were already out, holding her steady. When had she done that? She looked to Discord. Discord chuckled. "You see? The magic helped you finish. Go ahead and relax." Derpy didn't need another word. She let her wings fold and rolled onto her back. She began to laugh. -------------------------- Another hour was spent on various stretches and forms, each on seeming far simpler for Derpy. When she questioned her father, he smiled. "That's because we started with 'The Q', the hardest form of all." Derpy's eyes widened in surprise. "The hardest? Why would you make me start with the hardest?" "I had to know how good you were. And you're extremely good. You made me very proud when you formed that letter." She smiled. Praise from the father she had never had. It was the best moment of her life. -------------------------- Derpy opened her eyes as she heard hoofsteps approaching. Se looked to the edge of the clearing to see Princess Twilight approaching. Even though she was balancing on only her head, Derpy waved. "Hi Princess!" Twilight giggled. "What are you two doing?" Discord, who was also on his head, looked at the princess. "Relaxation and control exercises. Care to join us? You'll gain great control over your chaos magic." Twilight rolled her eyes. "I don't have chaos magic. That's your area of expertise. Besides, I don't think I can balance on my head alone." Derpy smiled. "But you wouldn't be alone. You'd be with us!" She and Discord began laughing, eventually tipping over and falling to the ground. -------------------------- Twilight sat to the side as she watched Derpy go through her exercises, each one getting harder. She leaned towards Discord. "How does this help her?" Discord whispered. "Her energy is being focused elsewhere. Haven't you noticed that this clearing is still in one piece? Her magic and attention are on her exercises. It's helping her build concentration and control." The princess nodded in understanding. The pegasus was indeed concentrating on the exercises she was performing. She doubted she had ever seen Derpy so focused before. Derpy finished her current form and smiled. "And now for the final form! The Q!" The Q? What could that be? It didn't take long for Twilight to get her answer. She stared with a dropped jaw as Derpy bent herself into the shape of the letter Q. How was she doing that? Derpy unbent herself and bowed. Twilight and Discord applauded as she ran over to Discord and hugged him. "Thanks." The draconequus smiled down at his daughter. "No problem. But don't think this is our only lesson. We have a long way to go still." Derpy returned the grin. "Awesome."