//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 - The Bells of Ponyville // Story: Death's Bargain // by Haseo //------------------------------// Chapter 15 The Bells of Ponyville Applejack's eyes rocketed back and forth between Soul and Discord. Sheer fear had taken ahold of her mind. Soul promised to stay calm, but his very own magic told a whole different story. He still didn't turn to face Discord, like he was struggling to contain himself. Coldly, he responded to the ancient Draconequus. “Black colt, you say? So my hunch was right, and you were controlling these griffons.” Discord cocked an eye and hovered closer to Applejack and Soul, mischievously scratching his chin and closely watching the body language of the dark stallion. “Interesting, if I remember right, we hadn’t the chance to talk back then. Our little conflict didn't last for long, but you still remember that I called you ‘black colt’? That’s truly impressive. It’s a shame I have to get rid of you and your friends.” Soul slowly began to move his hooves and turned to the spirit of chaos and disharmony. His vigilant eyes locked upon the playful god and didn’t let go of him. Finally, the Draconequus found acknowledgement in front of his former enemy. A smug smile formed upon his lips, but Soul still remained calm and collected … at least in Applejack's eyes. “Get rid of me? Don't make me laugh. I already defeated you as a colt when you still possessed the full extent of your power, and now you want to fight me and expect to win? Me? The stallion who has the power of Time and Space under his control? I'm even in charge of the majority of Lunacy's magic. There is no way you could defeat me now. You can't be that foolish! You will perish if you seriously consider opposing my wrath.” Rainbow Dash finally regained her stance again and shot forward to face the Draconequus. “Yeah! You aren't a serious enemy anymore! You are just a sparring partner!” Discord couldn't hold his laughter back. He just cringed from pain of his heavy, uncontrolled laughter and almost fell to the ground. “HA! You’re one big talker! If he’s so powerful, why am I still standing here? This is nothing but a meaningless threat.” Rainbow bit her lip. She was ready to punch the Draconequus, but Soul's voice interrupted her concentration and made her gaze strive over to him. His voice sounded regretful and disappointed. “The only reason you are still alive is that I promised not to fight you, and that I won't let my anger drive me.” Shadow cocked an eye at his Captain and watched him in awe. When Soul was still leading the Nightmare Legion, he never missed a good fight, and now he simply decline a fight because of a promise he made towards somepony? It was a sheer disbelief. “Captain? What does that mean? Discord killed your family, right? Why don't you get your revenge now?” Applejack kicked quickly against Shadow's leg and shot him an evil glare. “Because he’s not a foal anymore. He can solve his conflicts without the use of violence.” Shadow's expression was priceless, never before had he heard words like this. “So he made this promise towards you? Now I understand a little bit more.” Pinkie Pie shot forward to assist Rainbow and jumped to the level of her winged friend and managed to stay in mid-air as long as her words lasted. “Yeah! Even if Discord is a big meanie-head, we don't have to hurt him! But if you try that claw-tippy thing ever again we have to punish you!” Discord pointed his paw innocently to his chest and forced the most convincing frown upon his lips. “Me? Why do you suspect me every single time your attitudes are changing? Couldn't it simply be that you finally opened your eyes and saw the truth?” All of the attending ponies shot the Draconequus a distressed gaze. Discord stopped his act and literally rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay. I've turned you once more, but it was quite fun watching.” Rarity slowly and gracefully walked forward and passed Soul and Applejack to join her agitated friends. “Where is the fun in turning friends against each other? You are simply a sick creature, Discord. If this were up to me, I would wipe the floor with you and let you pay, but I guess I have to roll with Soul's decision.” All the talking around him didn't bother Soul, he simply watched Discord's eyes and waited for any reason to defend himself or his friends. Certainly, this wasn’t undetected by Discord. The Draconequus playfully stroked his little beard and turned upside-down in mid-air. “How rich! I would have never thought that you would get your orders from a random bunch of mares! I have to admit that you always stood under the hoof of Luna, but these worthless creatures. They don’t even wield the power of Harmony anymore. There is no reason to follow their words!” Shadow stepped in hesitatingly for his Captain. He took a deep breath tried his best to keep eye-contact with the still-frightening spirit. “If they are so worthless, then please tell me why you were trying to get rid of them? This story doesn't seem to make sense.” Discord took his turns in the air before he answered Shadow's question. “Can you even imagine how miserable it is to be turned into stone twice? I simply wanted to get my personal revenge!” “Liar!” Everypony's eyes turned to Soul. He was gnashing his teeth. More and more magic was leaking from his horn. “I saw into Fluttershy's memories! You were talking about your mistress! So don't try to fool me, Discord! Your mistress has to be a pony who knows about this power very well. Just tell us why you are helping her!” It felt to every attending pony like the coin had finally dropped. Everything made sense now. Applejack's confidence grew and grew with every single word of the black stallion. She summed up enough confidence to shout carelessly at the ancient spirit. “There ya go Discord! Nothin' stays hidden in front of us! Not even your lies... ya with your fancy new necklace thingy.” A cold shiver ran down Soul's back. How could he possibly have missed something like that. His eyes strived downwards from Discord's eyes to his neck. There it was a light orange, masterly-crafted necklace made of a single citrine gemstone, formed like a single, big diamond. Various ancient-looking signs were carved into the shiny gem, tightly attached to Discord's neck with a purely white ribbon. Soul forced his jaw apart while the anger inside of him was still raging. “This necklace... I'm certain that I have seen it before. Where did you get it?” Discord sighed and waved his paw carelessly in the air. “Well, isn't it obvious? It is a gift from my mistress. She’s so generous! Isn't she?” The air around Soul got constantly colder with every passing minute. Applejack already prepared for the worst, but she won't leave Soul alone. Instead of fleeing, she got closer to him, letting him know about her presence. But Soul's magic was still raging like it had a mind on his own. “Why would she have made you such a gift? Are you sure there is a different meaning behind it? And why are you helping her anyway, since she was the one who turned you into stone in the first place. Without her doing, there were no Elements to banish you.” Discord seemed to be bored from this in his eyes pointless conversation, but he still played along. “Well, I was already wearing it when I awoke, so maybe there is a different reason. But I honestly don't care about it; I'm free and I'm able to spread chaos once more. The only thing she told me to do was get rid of you, and it seems like my plan is going well.” Shadow cocked an eye. All of this seemed to be so spontaneous to him. How could there be a plan? “Stop lying to us! You had nothing planned, it is just fate that we all met here now!” Once more, Discord's mischievous laughter rang through the mostly deserted city of Ponyville. His single fang shimmered in the sunlight and blinded Shadow for a brief moment. “Oh, really? I don't think so. Do you really think that I didn’t noticed that Fluttershy was watching as you were devoured by my magic? I simply chose to let her get away. I wanted Soul to search through her memories. And now we are all here, united. Just so that I can get rid of all of you at once.” Soul snickered while Shadow glanced about, worried by Discord's flawless logic. Soul acknowledged Discord's strategic abilities, but he still didn't feel threatened by the ancient spirit. “A wise move, Discord. But there are a few tiny mistakes. First of all, I'm not fighting you. Secondly, you won't get rid of any of us. And finally, you won't get away from here either. So what kind of brilliant plan do you have? I'm the strongest being in existence how could you possibly rival me?” Discord's face became stern and serious. The complete opposite from before. It was a rare sight to see him like this. His usual self was so ridiculously careless and chaotic. “Puny little colt! Don't be so full of yourself! My mistress is far more powerful than you can ever dream of, and I know what I'm talking about! Since I was the one that showed you your true self when you just wanted to walk away and leave these ponies in the Colosseum of Canterlot!” The Draconequus snapped his claw and created the very same mirror pond that Soul had to oppose when he walked in between the fabric of time two years ago. It's shiny surface bent and showed the image of every pony, one after the other, revealing their truth selves. The mirror pointed first of all at Rarity. There was no trace of the brilliantly-white mare in the reflection inside the mirror. The signs of greed and egoism were well visible. Her coat was coloured in the sick hue of a darkish purple. Her eyes were slitted and her tongue was split in the manner of a snake. Her eyes widened when she finally recognized herself in the mirror. “This is what I have become... no... no … NO! I can't let this happen. I don't want to be greedy or egoistic! My friends are the most precious thing I have, and I won't betray them!” The mirror moved on and took the so confident-seeming pegasus into its focus. It showed the speed demon from a whole different side. Surrounded by various medals and trophies for trying hard; second and third places everywhere, but no victories, no real achievements. But there was one thing that had a special place inside this picture. The photograph of her and her friends was placed at the best spot between the trophies. Everypony that would have entered that room would catch sight of this picture. The cyan pegasus hovered in front of the mirror. A faint feeling of insecurity crept into her mind, but as soon as she caught a glimpse of the photograph, her confidence returned to her.”Are you trying to fool me like this, Discord? It doesn't matter how many races I can't win if my friends are still at my side! And nothing will force me to think differently about this! Not even this crappy mirror!” This mischief causing grin returned on Discord's face while the mirror went on to its next target. By chance it took Shadow into focus. Chains were formed around his muzzle and hooves in his reflection, holding him still and keeping him away from anything other than the principles the Nightmare Legion had thought him. His whole appearance was swallowed by a massive shadow. The restrained stallion looked upwards and caught sight of the shadow's origin. It was a gigantic portrayal of Soul Tearer. Shadow suffered under the impression of this image. It felt right to him. He was never able to step out of the large shadow his Captain was throwing above his subordinates. Shadow forced his eyes shut. He fought with the image inside his head, but something changed inside of him when his eyes snapped open again. He looked back at Soul and simply smiled at him. “This thing is right: I was never able to step out of Soul's shadow, but that doesn't matter to me! This was the life I choose to live! When I joined the Legion, I wanted to equal him! Even to surpass him! I learned quickly that this would be impossible, and so I become one of his most loyal soldiers. Nothing will ever surpass my Captain! He always treated us respectfully despite his supremacy! He always protected us! None of us died, because he could prevent it! I'm proud to fight for him, even if he is unreachable to me!” Through all of his anger, this words made Soul smile. That one of his soldiers was thinking this way made him proud in every way a Captain could be, but the mirror hadn’t stopped yet. It turned further and took the pink mare at the far end into focus. The cheerfulness in the reflection was gone. It was replaced by a single, flat-maned, little filly, sitting all alone in an empty barn. Only a few little rocks were accompanying her as she tossed them back and forth the entire time. Her face showed watery eyes and remarks of tears on her cheeks. The only cheerful thing was the faint rainbow-coloured light that fell inside the room from the only window. A forced half-smile crept onto her face as she stared outside and searched for the source of the light. Discord snickered and flashed the pink mare a smug smile. “I guess the ones that laugh the most are the saddest”. Pinkie bit her lips and struggled to withhold her tears. “Yes, I hate being lonely and sad. I feel lost without my friends, but I know that they are always there for me! It doesn't matter how far away they are! They will always find me and help me cheer up!” The mirror made its next turn and locked upon the harsh farmer. The picture blurred and exposed the image of a little, blonde-maned filly with a little plush-pony tightly wrapped by her hooves. There were two ponies standing in front of her. They looked oddly like Applejack. One after the other, they slowly faded into thin air and left the little filly alone. She was all alone and cried into her little plush-pony until it finally ceased as well. For a short moment, she was all alone, forsaken and forgotten. Applejack's heart ached as she saw her parents fade around her, but soon three different ponies appeared around her. Her family... her younger sister Applebloom and her Granny Smith. Only a big, red stallion was standing far from them, waiting in the shadows. “Did ya really think Ah would break down when ya showed meh this? Ah have lost so many dear friends and family members, but Ah promised to stay strong, and Ah will, no matter what! Mah family and friends are always there for meh! Don't ya see Discord? Instead of driftin' us apart, ya only strengthened our bond!” Discord was still playing with his little beard, but what made Applejack suspicious was Discord's self-confident grin. “Are you sure, Applejack? The little sight-seeing tour isn't over yet.” Without a break, the mirror went on and didn't pause until it reached Soul. Everypony was eager to learn how Soul's true self would look, but their curious gazes were disappointed. The reflection in the mirror remained completely empty. Applejack passed the moment of confusion and shot Discord a victorious smile. “Ya see? Soul is already true to himself! That is why we can't see anythin'!” Another sinister laughed escaped Discord's lung. Applejack gnashed her teeth, her gaze strived back to Soul. As soon as she caught sight of him, she forgot about Discord. Soul looked strained, like he was staring at something horrible and fearsome, but what could possibly scare him to this measure? Applejack followed his gaze and ended up at the empty mirror. Her eyes snapped back to Discord. “Say somethin'! What did ya do!” The Draconequus licked his lips and hovered to the mirror. He stroked gently over the magical frame and shot Applejack a unheeding look. “You aren't completely wrong, my dear Applejack. You can't see anything inside this mirror, but beings like us are able to see something, and it seems like he doesn't like what he sees. This is the mirror of self-awareness.” Applejack raised her eyebrow while she thought about Discord's words. “Beings like us? What are ya talkin' about?” Discord pointed his paw once more at his chest and prepared for a full-fledged explanation, but the cracking sound of a thousand shards stopped him. His sight fell upon the sinister, glaring, black stallion. His horn was still faintly charged with magic. Discord cocked an eye and watched him. “So you are finally willing to fight?” The intent to kill was clearly visible inside Soul's eyes. Every single muscle inside his body was tensed up. “You cursed fraud... the time will come when I finally get my revenge, but that time is not now.” Soul turned around and proceed to walk off, but Discord had still something in mind. “I see. Not even this can change your mind, but what if I told you that I was the puppeteer behind Midnight Veil's and Harmony's death?” The black stallion stopped immediately, only gazing back from the corner of his eye. Discord seemed to finally have found the right nerve. “You heard that correctly. Remember? I was turned to stone after the two Alicorn Princesses had fought each other. You rose to power with my help. I forced the dragon to destroy the little village of Ponyham, so your chaotic powers would awaken. Or why else do you think this dragon spared you with his first strike? Everything went according to my plan until this horrible Harmony pony appeared. She just had to go, and you know what?… It was so much fun to see her die...” The air around Soul's horn began to crack, the pressure of his magic was far too high to withstand. Applejack raced back to reach him, but before she made her first step, she found herself and her friends wrapped inside a sphere of Soul's magic. It was the very same sphere, where she had to witness Soul's fight against Lunacy. There was no way to pierce through that shield. Sparks of black magic originated from Soul's horn and met the ground while the frightening stallion slowly turned around to face Discord once more. Applejack was unable to do anything, just like the rest of them. It was impossible, their only option was to watch Discord and Soul fight each other. Discord flashed him a confident smile. Even in face of a strong magician like Soul, he wouldn't budge. “There you go, black colt. Let your hatred flow through you! Use your whole wrath and anger to fight me!” Soul's eyes began to shine, but it wasn't the beautiful shimmer of his sapphire blue magic, but the threatening dusk of black. Discord felt a strong push at his back that left him no other choice than to fly towards the angered stallion. Scythe-formed blades formed by Soul's black, burning magic aimed for Discords body. The ancient spirit couldn't react in time, and the blades dug deep into his flesh. A surge of blood flew to the ground beneath him. The blades changed their form into thorned chains and wrapped Discord's body fully. The Draconequus tried to free himself with a snap of his claw, but nothing happened. This was the first time Discord showed fear. Soul's laughter was terrifying to every pony around. It was so dark, so evil, so full of hatred. He ripped his scarred eye wide open and let his tongue strive above his sharp teeth. “What is wrong, fraud! Can't you use your puny magic anymore? You are such a hopeless fool! I'm in possession of the true magic of chaos! There is nothing you can do about it! Just by the touch of my magic, I can suppress yours! There is no way out for you! There is no chance that you can ever suffer in the way I had to, but I will make sure that your death will be as painful as possible!” The burning chains dug deep inside Discord's flesh and made him wince in pain. The thorns ripped big pieces of flesh out of him while the chains slid tighter and tighter around his body. More and more flesh and blood met the ground below the hovering spirit of chaos. Discord was truly no enemy to Soul. The ponies below the sphere couldn't bear the sight of Discord being tortured like this. Only Shadow didn't take his eyes of this horrifying act. The mares were shivering and waiting for Soul to stop. Shadow observed how the magic around Soul was changing. The magical pressure became stronger and stronger, the buildings around them began to crack and break down. There was absolutely nothing that could survive in this magically charged environment. Discord struggled to keep consciousness while Soul was slowly levitating into the air by the surge of his own magic. “FINALLY, YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SINS YOU'VE COMMITTED! MEET YOUR CREATOR, FRAUD!” The whole sky above Ponyville turned dark and millions of tiny stars began to shine from far away. Seconds passed and the stars seemed to grow bigger and bigger. Until the whistling sound of something very fast distracted from their growing form. Discord's eyes widened in fear. It was the very same spell that almost ended his life a thousand years ago … 'Urano Metoria'. Every single one of the million stars was aimed at Discords body. Not a single one would hit a vital spot. They are just preciously aiming for what wouldn't kill Discord, but would exposing the worst possible pain to him. Just before the bright light passed Applejack and her friends, their gazes focused on the scene before. Only a fragment of a second before the stars would hit the Draconequus, his necklace began to shine. The necklace dispersed into thin air and blocked the stars from hitting Discord. The stoppage didn’t last for long. The stars turned and struck around Soul before anypony could comprehend what was happening. Too short was the distance between them. Everything was covered by a cloud of dust. The only thing visible for the ponies underneath the dome was the freed form of Discord. The chains around him had vanished. Terrified, the constrained ponies waited for any sign of Soul. The dust settled and exposed the extent of Soul's own destructive magic. Applejack paled when she caught sight of Soul's remains. There wasn't much left that would identify him as pony. His spine was broken, and two of his legs were torn away. His blood covered the majority of the ground. Soul Tearer was gone. Discord licked his lips while the sphere of magic cracked open. The sphere broke apart, and the shards fell to the ground. None of them could move. The shock held them still. The still-bleeding Draconequus hovered higher into the air. “I told you I would get rid of him.” The cold around them was gone. It seemed like it was getting even hotter than before. The sun was shining brighter and brighter above their heads. For a final time, the ancient spirit flashed his mischievous grin. He rose his paw to grab Applejack's throat, but a sudden pain rushed to his body and forced him to back down. Discord looked for the source of the pain. His entire body began to shake as he caught sight of him. The wretched, bleeding form of Soul was slowly rising. His wounds were healing in the moment Discord looked at him. His bones replaced themselves and were set back into the right order. His horn was brightly glowing. Applejack and the others couldn't believe that Soul was still alive after his own powerful magic hit him. The dark stallion was barely keeping his consciousness, but with his last strength he forced his jaws apart. “How... how could Twilight create such a powerful charm?” Discord's cocked an eye. He didn't understand the gravely injured stallion. “Twilight? What has Twilight to do with all this?” Soul's eyes widened in shock. The heat around them increased more and more. Quickly, he turned his gaze upwards and caught sight of a blazing flare of fire above them. A final time he charged his horn before the flare met the ground and covered Ponyville in its blazing embrace, turning everything into ashes.