//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Return // Story: Grievance from Perdition // by Vin Diesels Go-Kart //------------------------------// Applejack and Pinkie Pie walked side-by-side down one of Ponyville's many streets, heading for the market square. The farm pony pulled a cart full of fresh apples, while her bubbly pink companion bounced along, keeping pace. "Thanks again for helpin' me out at the orchard today, Pinkie." Applejack said. "With Big Mac in Appleloosa for the next three days, I wasn't sure I'd be able to get all the apple buckin' done that I needed to." "Hey, that's what friends are for." Pinkie replied, bouncing extra high. "Normally today is the day Rainbow Dash and I do our usual pranking fest, but she's busy trying to catch a rogue cloud. Anyway, I figure helping my friends is almost just as much fun as pranking them!" Applejack gave her an odd glance. "Rainbow Dash is doin' what now?" "Hunting down a rogue cloud, at least that's how she put it! I guess there's one flying around Ponyville and shooting lightning like BANG, BANG, BANG..." BOOM The two mares stopped dead in their tracks when a large clawed appendage shot up from the ground right in front of them. It was big, black, and all around unpleasant to look at compared to the bright and colorful town that surrounded it. "Dang Mole Ponies! I told you all they'd invade, but nopony believed me. Looks like I was right all along, you foals!" They heard Geri shout from a nearby shop. The old pony hobbled back inside after giving his two cents. Applejack's mouth dropped open, while Pinkies' simply opened enough for her to speak. "Heya there, claw thing! I've never seen you in Ponyville before..." BOOM Another arm exploded through the ground, joining the first one. Before Pinkie could welcome the second arrival, both arms planted themselves firmly on the ground, and then exerted all their strength to lift whatever it was they were attached to. Upon seeing these events unfold, most of Ponyville's closest residents had either hidden themselves or run for their lives, leaving the two former Element bearers to stand against whatever horror now rose up from the ground. Slowly it emerged from its ancient crypt, bones and joints snapping due to over a millennium of stasis. It wasn't long before a head emerged between the two arms, followed by a torso. Applejack took several steps back, soon followed by Pinkie Pie, who seemed far less inclined to welcome the creature now that it was fully revealing itself. It leaned forward, allowing its legs to exit the large hole that was now in the middle of the street. Flames spewed forth from the opening, licking at the demonic creature, as if it were a portal to Tartarus itself. When the beast had fully left its confines, the opening closed on its own, leaving no evidence that it had ever been there. Now both Applejack and Pinkie Pie found themselves standing before a hulking mass of what could have easily been charred flesh. It stood incredibly tall, easily a head above a fully grown minotaur. Spikes protruded from its shoulders and it seemed to be covered in some type of organic armor. Its face was hidden behind this material, and nothing could be seen but its red eyes. Pinkie, naturally, was the first to gather herself and address the creature. "Hi there, I'm Pinkie Pie! Welcome to Ponyville, friend!" The creature lifted its snout and started sniffing the air, as if it were acquiring a scent, then it looked down at the pink earth pony. It walked up to her, its talons digging into the earth with each step, until it was mere inches away. Pinkie had to look straight up at the beast, while Applejack chose to step back another foot. "Pinkie, get behind me." she advised. "What's your name?" Pinkie inquired, ignoring her friend. "My name is not important, earth pony. I wish to speak to your ruler. Bring me to him." the creature demanded. His voice sent shivers through Applejack's spine, and she again tried to plead with her friend. "Pinkie, for the love of Celestia, get behind me!" Pinkie turned to Applejack, a stern look on her face. "Now Applejack, I'm surprised at you! We all learned that we should never judge somepony based on how scary they look, like thirty-two episodes ago." She gestured to the demon who was casting a large shadow over both of them. "This guy deserves just as much kindness as anypony else. He's clearly new in town, so it's my job to welcome him and offer my assistance like any friend should." Pinkie looked back up at the creature. Its fists were now clenched. "How does that sound? Would you like to be friends?" she asked, a smile on her face as wide as a mile. The beast remained motionless, the only sound coming from its loud breathing. After a moment of contemplation, it spoke. "Very well, earth pony. I will accept this offer of companionship on the condition that you assist me in locating the one I seek." Pinkie walked victoriously over to Applejack, putting a hoof on her shoulder. "You see, Applejack? Just let good ol' Pinkie Pie negotiate with strangers. I've got this all taken care of." "Pinkie, I really don't think we should..." "Don't worry Mr. Big Scary Monster Guy, we'll help you find who you're looking for!" Pinkie declared, ignoring Applejack once again. "Good." He replied. Looking around, he noticed the large castle overlooking the large city on top of the large mountain. "I assume that is where I will find him?" the demon asked, pointing at it. Pinkie followed his razor-sharp finger. "What, Canterlot? You're looking for Princess Celestia?" "Princess?" the demon scoffed. "Don't tell me that disgusting cur switched genders over the years." "Wait, who exactly are you looking for?" Pinkie inquired. "Back in my time, he called himself Discord." Pinkie gasped. "You're friends with Discord!? I didn't know he had any other friends!" The demon stared at the pink mare, then to the orange one. "Yes, we knew each other long ago. I wish to reconnect with my... friend." The ice in his tone when he said the word "friend" went right over Pinkie's head. She put a hoof to her chin. "Hmm, well I don't think he's in Ponyville anymore, but Twilight knows this really neat spell that can totally summon him here!" Applejack walked forward. "Now hold up, sugarcube. We don't even know if she can perform that spell now that the Elements are gone." "Well it's worth a shot if it means reuniting Discord with his long lost friend!" "Yes, I've missed him dearly." the demon added, a hint of malice in his words. Applejack hesitated. None of this sat well with her. The thing that loomed over them seemed vaguely familiar, like she somehow knew who he was, but nothing came to mind when she thought about it. In any case, Pinkie had a point. Too many creatures in Equestria were victims of prejudice based on how they looked. She herself had been guilty of it, and she couldn't stand it. "Alrighty then, I suppose we can take him to Twilight." Applejack conceded. "Grrrrreat!" Pinkie beamed, bouncing past both Applejack and the creature. "Follow me, you two." With that, the three were off down the street. Pinkie led the trio with the dark king following close behind her. Applejack brought up the rear, keeping her distance from the visitor. While they walked, the demon continued his questioning. "You've made reference to this, Celestia, several times now. Who is she?" "She's the ruler 'round these parts." Applejack replied. "Highest power in all of Equestria. Raises and lowers the sun every day." "Hmm... I would think that the draconequus still ruled here." he mused. "Oh, Discord hasn't ruled for over a thousand years. Celestia and Luna kicked his flank right off the throne using the Elements of Harmony, then we kicked it again when he tried to retake control just a little while ago!" Pinkie explained. The demon stopped walking. "What is Celestia? Is she a High Peradic Dragon, or a Shoderian Wraith?" Pinkie had to think about it. "Nope, I'm not exactly sure what any of those things are, but Princess Celestia is an alicorn." He sighed at this. How could a meddlesome spirit have usurped his thrown, only to get ousted by a couple of ponies right after? It was the greatest of insults, and that just meant Discord would suffer all the more. He wouldn't be able to deceive his way out of this one. "We're here!" Pinkie announced as they arrived at the Golden Oaks Library. It seemed to have been carved right into a tree. There were several windows and a balcony overlooking the street, with a beehive hanging from a branch, buzzing with activity. Quaint. Pinkie zipped over to the front entrance. "I'll go grab Twilight. Just wait out here since you probably wouldn't be able to fit through the door." The pony disappeared into the library, leaving Applejack outside with the demon king. To say it was awkward would have won the award for grossest understatement of the year. After about thirty seconds of waiting, the farm pony decided to break the silence. "So uh, how did ya meet Discord?" He glanced over at her. The question caught him a tad off-guard, but merely grunted in response. Applejack tried again. "So uh, are you some kinda... uh... what exactly are ya?" she inquired. "My kind goes by many names, none of which I myself am familiar with." the demon answered. That statement was only half true, he knew, but this wasn't "Q&A with the ancient tyrant" time. He was here for one reason, and one reason alone. There would be no distractions now. Discord was going to pay dearly. Before Applejack could question the demon further, Pinkie Pie returned, bringing with her another pony. "You ponies have become quite numerous since I was here last." the creature muttered. "Mr. Monster Guy, this is Twilight. She's a princess!" Twilight stood and examined the fallen king with great interest. Even with his imposing looks, she remained unafraid. She couldn't tell if he was looking back at her or not, since his pupils were non-existent. The princess had studied all kinds of creatures from all over the world. This beast didn't look like anything she'd ever seen, either in person or books. "So, are you a spirit, like Discord?" she asked once she finished studying him. "No." he said simply. "Are you a demon?" "Yes." "And you're friends with Discord?" "Sure." Her eyes narrowed, and she studied him further. While she did, he took an opportunity to look her over as well. "You don't look like royalty to me. Are all alicorns princesses?" "Well, out of the four alicorns in Equestria, all of them are princesses, but I suppose being an alicorn doesn't inherently make you a princess, anymore than being a princess requires you to be an alicorn." Twilight replied. "But didn't you have to turn into an alicorn to be crowned princess, Twi?" Applejack pointed out. "Hmm, yeah I guess I just contradicted myself there." she admitted. "I was told you knew of a spell that could summon the draconequus here for me." the demon said, getting back to the matter at hand. "Well yes, I do. Although I've never tried it without the Elements of Harmony before." The king stood up to his full height. "I would consider it a personal favor if you tried." Twilight stepped away from him, a concerned look on her face. "Sure, I mean... I don't see why not." Like Applejack, she too found something oddly familiar about the creature, but didn't know what it was. Seeing no harm in it, Twilight charged up her horn and performed the spell. A bright rainbow slithered out of the lit tip of her horn and traveled in a circle, finding its way back and causing a large flash. The spirit of chaos was now in front of her. His eyes were closed as he lounged on a sofa. "Hmm? Who's there?" he said, opening an eye and finding Twilight standing next to him. "Twilight, Twilight, this is the second time you've abused that spell of yours. Princess Celestia isn't going to like it when she hears about this." he said, wagging his finger back and forth at her. "Someone's here to see you." she said, giving him an annoyed look. Discord sat up. "Oh? And who might that b-Ack!" He stopped mid-sentence when a claw wrapped itself around his neck and squeezed. The claw pulled him up until he was face to face with the demon king. "Hello, Discord. I believe you and I have some unfinished business." he hissed. "O-O-Ocraten?" Discord managed to wheeze out. "Ocraten!?" the three ponies repeated in unison as his familiarity suddenly dawned on them. Meanwhile the dark king had reached behind his back and pulled out a large blade. "If memory serves..." he said, holding the blade up to Discord's throat. "...we left off right about here."