//------------------------------// // Discord // Story: Earth and Sea // by beasert //------------------------------// Poseidon tore through the sky as fast as his wings would carry him. He had thrown off his cloak somewhere over the Everfree Forest. It was only slowing him down now, and could always be replaced later. Beyond the town below, beyond the rolling hills and farms he saw a shimmer of gold on the face of the distant mountains. Focused on this, the great blue stallion dashed onwards leaving slender contrails in his wake. Night was nearly upon the land as Poseidon glided over the city of Canterlot. He know longer cared for discreetness. Somewhere below him was his mate. He feared for what her disappearance meant, and now he would have answers. Poseidon banked hard to one side, and dove towards the earth. In the town square, a tall red unicorn was making his way among the lampposts, alighting the candles within them. He looked upwards, pointing his horn to the wick above, when he noticed something falling from the sky. The unicorn thought it to be a griffon, but the size and speed made him fear it could be a young dragon looking for trouble. When the creature was close enough, the lamplighter was surprised even further that what he had spied was a strange alicorn. Poseidon landed before a statue of the princesses with a thunderous boom. The witnessing unicorn stumbled back from the force and slipped behind a lamppost. Peeking out from behind his cover, the unicorn watched as Poseidon pawed at the ground. The alicorn paused a moment, then gave the ground a couple of taps as if double checking something. Poseidon looked up to the palace, a smile spread wide across his face, and took to the air once more. Light shone through colourful windows of one of the palaces main rooms. Poseidon softly touched down nearby. He could not see through the glass, but he could hear what was going on. There were happy voices, but they were almost drowned out by the constant clip clop of busy hooves. He could smell delicious scents drifting through the air. Poseidon looked about himself for a way inside. Noticing an open window, the alicorn slipped inside. Every torch was lit in the hallway. He caught a glimpse of a pony in a black jacket and carrying a tray slip through a door nearby. Poseidon followed him, thinking he may lead to a banquet his family was attending. Through the doors and at the far end of the next hall, two guards wearing golden armour stood in silence as servants moved through the portal under their watch. As the door swung shut behind them, Poseidon caught a glimpse of something green flowing from behind a tall chair. His heart stopped. Poseidon entered the hall and marched straight for the banquet hall. The guards saw him, and immediately took a defensive stance. Poseidon paid them no heed. As he neared them, he flatly ordered, “Stand down.” One of the guards faltered, but the other held his resolve. Now Poseidon stopped. He addressed the devote stallion in a low, stern voice; “I am King Poseidon, husband of Queen Gaea and father of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I order you to stand down.” Posedon stared down at the guard fiercely, he eyes seeming to penetrate far beyond the guard's armour and flesh. Cowed, the second guard stood aside to let the king pass. Poseidon stepped up to the door, and paused to look at the humbled guard. “Good work,” Poseidon said with a smile, and entered the banquet hall. The rich aromas of sweet breads and fruits wash over Poseidon, eliciting memories from long ago. Shaking away the dreams, he looked ahead. Rows of servants and guards stood along the walls, as waiters hovered around the long dining table. At the end nearest to him, he saw Gaea's mane and tail flow softly to the floor around her chair. To either side of her, Celestia and Luna sat, deeply engrossed in conversation with their mother. Neither of them noticed Poseidon enter. He decided to take advantage of this. Softly Poseidon crept behind Gaea's seat. He felt the looks of everyone else in the room on him, but knew they dared do nothing. The guards let him in, what could they do? He listened for a moment to enter the conversation. “-her many friends. Your pupil is quiet a studious one,” Gaea noted to Celestia. “She had many questions to ask me. I do not believe she knew there were more alicorns besides you two.” “So, our secret is out?” Poseidon asked. The princesses leaned back to get a look at who spoke just then, and Gaea, recognizing the voice, gave a yelp of surprise. She rose from her chair and spun around. Gaea stared into the deep blue face before her, sea foam hair framing indigo eyes. Poseidon looked upon Gaea; a golden crown, trimmed with jade and encrusted with emeralds rested in her mane. Soft velvets covered her legs, and her hooves were shod in bronze and gold. A delicate chain hung over her chest, a silk veil embroidered with vines attached to the links. The sight made a soft violet rise to the stallion's cheeks as he spoke. “It's good to see you, Gaea.” Gaea embraced her mate tightly. The princesses, realizing what was happening, broke into their biggest smiles yet. Celestia choked back the joy welling up from deep inside. Luna decided a cheer was better suited for the occasin. “Huzzah!” the dark princess cried. “Father! Thou hath returned to us!” “Hello, girls,” Poseidon said over Gaea's shoulder. “My word, look at you two. You've grown more beautiful than I heard.” The sisters rose up to meet their father. While they knew that Gaea would day return, Poseidon had disappeared from the world shortly after tending to Gaea. His return was something Celestia and Luna would never have guessed they would see. A servant retrieved a chair for Poseidon, and the four sat to catch up on so many things. However, no sooner had they made their selves comfortable, a maid stepped beside Luna. “Your Majesty,” the maid began. “You are needed for the rising of the moon.” “What!? Surely it cannot be-” Luna started to protest, but caught a glimpse of a grandfather clock on the far wall. “Oh.” She turned back to her family, “Please excuse us, but we have to attend to this. We shall be return upon the hour.” Luna made her way towards the palace towers, casting a glance back at her family. Poseidon gave a wave. Comforted, the princess dashed away to bring forth her night. “You've done a good job looking after your little sister it seems,” Poseidon said. Celestia beamed. “I'm just glad she forgives me.” Gaea coyly looked to Poseidon. “When did you notice I had left?” “A couple of days ago. I tried to contact you. My friends had just brought me news from abroad, and I wanted to share what I had learned with you. You must have just left, because I was able to figure out which way you had headed.” Gaea turned away. She had not meant to make her mate worry. She wondered what trials he must have gone through in his search for her. Looking back to her mate, Gaea smiled warmly. “Thank you for always taking such care of me.” Poseidon smirked in return. “Any time.” Celestia let the intimate moment hang between her parents for a moment before cutting in. “Father, where was it you have been all this time?” “Well, I spent some time with your mother in the beginning, but I can't live underground as comfortably as her. So, I found a nice tropical island with an active volcano to communicate with Gaea through. She would always ask about you and Luna, so I had birds gather news from all over the world. There is so many wonders beyond Equestria.” “You will have to teach me,” Celestia said. “My duties don't allow me to travel outside of the country often.” “I think Twilight Sparkle would love to hear your tales as well,” Gaea chipped in. “Yes, I've heard of her,” said Poseidon, putting down the chocolate drink he was sipping. “A Pinkie Pie said her, Twilight, and their friends are the current wielders of the Elements.” “Mother was just speaking of her time spent with them yesterday. She seem to have had quite the day.” Gaea chuckled. “They are a lively bunch of ponies. I have felt their presence over the last couple of years when they used the magic of their friendship.” Celestia frowned a bit. “Did you know why they used the Elements of Harmony?” Gaea closed her eyes. “I suspected the first time had to do with Luna. I knew she escaped that night, but I knew not for certain what her fate had been after the encounter with the Elements. When I went to the old palace and saw the scorched silver armour, I feared the worst.” She looked to Celestia. “I cannot express how glad I am to see her happy and well after all that time trapped in that bitter form. The second time I felt the Elements being harnessed, they failed. They were not in harmony. Tainted hearts were trying to tap into their power. I-” Gaea paused, looking away again. “I was frightened. 'He' was doing it. He had escaped, and, though I was so far away, I tried to fight him, but I was powerless. I had no effect on the havoc being wrought.” Gaea went quiet for a moment. “I failed as a queen that day.” Poseidon leaned close to Gaea. “You did not fail,” he said softly. “We did what we could. We kept the outer lands from suffering under him, but we were not chosen by the Elements of Harmony.” Gaea was comforted by the assurance from her mate. She turn back to Celestia. “You saved them. Twilight Sparkle told me that last night. You saved them and the whole of Equestria.” Celestia gave a knowing grin. “I only sent her out to make friends.” Gaea and Poseidon laughed at the cleverness of their daughter. They talked on into the evening, recounting their adventures over the past days. When Luna returned, they told them all over again, and listened closely to the tales the princesses had to tell of their time of rule. The hour grew late before they realized, and soon the family was yawning loudly. Saying their good nights, the alicorns departed to their rooms. Gaea settled onto the large bed, letting herself sink into the plush mattress. Poseidon lay next to her, and took Gaea into the fold of his wing. “I am sorry I worried you,” Gaea whispered. “It's alright. Everypony is fine, and better than we hoped.” “Yes, I suppose you are right.” They lay silently in the dark for a moment. “Are you truly well?” Poseidon eventually asked. Gaea thought how to answer. “I cannot put to much stress on myself, but I am well enough.” “Then maybe we can stay.” “I would like that” There was another moment of silence as the couple lay amongst each other, their touch conveying what words could not. Above, the gibbous moon glided silently amongst the stars. Their cold and beautiful light cast a silver glow across the land. Some of that magic light found it's way into the window of Gaea and Poseidon's room. As they gazed into each others eyes for the first time in an age, the stars dancing in their brilliant orbs, a whisper was carried into the dark. “I love you.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - After Celestia raised the dawn, she headed downstairs for a well deserved breakfast. She had a busy day ahead of her. The princess wanted to arrange an official announcement to all of Equestria that their lost king and queen had returned. Celestia knew they did not intend to take over the rule, wishing instead to act as advisers, guiding her and Luna in running the country. She figured the details could be worked out over the next couple of days. In the banquet hall, Celestia found Luna and Poseidon in the middle of their meals. Her father was working through a platter of various fruits and a pitcher of juice smelling sweetly of pineapples and bananas. Luna, who was actually preparing for bed soon, was nibbling on some toast and jam with a small wedge of cheese on the side. See looked up from her meal to greet her sister. “A good morning, dear sister. How was thy slumber?” “I could hardly sleep,” Celestia replied, taking a seat. “I was too busy planning the announcement of our parents to everypony.” The white mare glanced about the room. “Where is mother anyway?” Poseidon washed down the orange he was chewing. “She wanted to have a look around the gardens this morning. She said that she only caught glimpses of them when she came here, and wanted to get a closer look.” “Oh, well, I'm sure she just wants to think things over,” Celestia concluded. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There was her target. In a secluded corner of the garden, its grotesque shape twisting high on a pedestal, stood a mismatched beast in a stoney prison: the draconequus, Discord. Gaea narrowed her eyes at the monster. She going to enjoy this. Stepping up to the statue, Gaea made sure nopony was around. She felt the earth, and, satisfied that she was alone, touched her horn to the statue. “Discord, answer me.” Gaea's thoughts flowed into the statue before her. She saw the world beyond the meagre shell of marble. A black and endless void of strange sights and sounds spread out into unfathomable depths. Gaea found herself standing solidly upon nothing. She called out once more. “Discord!” A droll, taunting voice rolled out from all around. “Why, hello there, Gaea. How nice of you to visit.” Before her eyes, a black throne came into existence. There was a flash of light, and in the throne appeared Discord. His serpentine body curled over itself, and he rested his chin upon his paw. “To what do I owe the honour?” “I heard you managed to escape once. I am going to make sure that does not happen again.” “Oh, I'm so frightened,” Discord teased. “And just what do you think you're going to do to me?” “I am going to kill you.” Discord burst into a wild fit of laughter. “This is too much! You're just a washed up old mare!” he said between breaths. “Even back in your day, and I mean way back, you couldn't stop me. And, as I recall, you were even more pathetic the last time I was around.” “Yet a handful of little ponies sealed you away.” Discord frowned. “Yes. Those blasted ponies with the Elements. And before that your daughters. However,” he added, a wry smile forming on his lips. “Both of those times, the Elements were used against me. You don't have any of them.” This time, Gaea laughed. “I have been been doing some research into that, actually.” Discord gave the alicorn his full attention now. “We ponies did not always have the Elements of harmony. Back before Celestia and Luna, before Equestria, you were a king. You ruled in secret, much like I, but you flourished on hate. You were more subtle in those days. A failed crop here, an angry dragon there, but you wanted more. The windigos were your creation unto the world, made only to strengthen you by fostering more hatred in the world. However, your greed yielded something wonderful. At the darkest moment, a fire fuelled by love, the Fire of Friendship, sprung to life. Your plans fell apart, and unity spread throughout the land. From that fire was forged the Elements of Harmony, pure in form. A perfect weapon against the likes of you.” Clap. Clap. Clap. Discord gave a sarcastic applause to Gaea. “Well, that was boring. But do you know what I did like about that story?” Gaea readied herself for some form of trickery. “I thought it was interesting how you left out the part where I won anyway.” “What?” Gaea did not know what the draconequus meant. “Do you remember what I looked like before being trapped in this silly prison.” Gaea thought back. While the statue of Discord currently looked afraid, the expression he had when imprisoned by the Elements of Harmony, it used to have a mirthful expression. “You looked... happy.” “Very good!” Discord smiled. He snapped his fingers, and a sticker of a gold star appeared on Gaea's nose. She blew it off with a snort. “I was indeed happy, because I knew I would one day be free. I had already tainted my captors.” Gaea gritted her teeth at the monster. “What did you do?” “I knew the Elements of Harmony were dangerous to me, and as long as their wielders were joined to them, anything done to me would be permanent. That's why I tried to get close to Celestia and Luna.” “What did you do!” Gaea screamed. “Don't get your tail in a bunch. I never touched them.” With a scowl he added, “You and your mate saw to that...” Gaea gave a triumphant smirk. Discord snapped his fingers again and appeared beside Gaea. “How is everything in there. Did it finally get back in the right order?” he asked, giving Gaea's ribs a pat. Gaea lashed out at her enemy, but he had already slithered off. Gaea spotted Discord relaxing on a large bubble nearby. “I thought you did not hurt anyone directly?” Gaea growled. “Normally, yes, but you two threw a mountain at me. Fun as it was, I think you overreacted a bit.” “Answer my question, snake.” “Gladly.” Discord stretched out the bubble he was riding into a disc. In it, pictures took shape. Gaea saw Luna, sitting alone on top of a hill, looking down at a village. She was a small filly, and looked so alone surrounded by the dark of the night. Something caught the child's attention. A firefly drifted lazily before her. It perched itself on a blade of grass at the filly's hooves. Luna leaned in close to the bug. “Hello,” she whispered. “You look like a little star!” “Thank you,” chirped the firefly. Luna gave a squeal and tumbled backwards. She had never heard of an animal that spoke. The insect continued. “You looked so lonely up here all by yourself. I thought I'd come by to say hello.” “Thanks,” Luna said with a smile. “It was a bit lonely up here.” The smile then faded. “It usually is.” “Why so?” asked the firefly. “Everypony is asleep whenever I'm awake. I have to take care of the night, so I'm up late all the time and have to sleep through the day. I don't get to play with anypony.” The filly's eyes began to water. “I think they just don't like my night.” The firefly gasped. “Why wouldn't they? The night used to be so boring before you came along.” Luna perked up a bit. “I saw when you added the constellations, and made the stars fly across the sky. Do you know what I thought was the neatest trick out all?” Luna shook her head. “When you made the eclipse.” “Really?” Luna asked. She thought it was an interesting idea herself. “Oh, most certainly. Do you know how amazing that was? Night in the middle of the day! It was so exciting! And everypony saw it. They loved it.” Luna blushed with pride. “I liked it too, but my big sister said I can't do that very often.” “Why would she say that?” “Well, she said the plants and stuff need her sun to grow.” “Psh!” the firefly said dismissively. “Your moon makes light too. I think she just doesn't want to share her friends with you.” “No!” said Luna. “She wouldn't do something like that.” “How do you know? The ponies are always going on about how great Princess Celestia is. I've actually never even heard them talk about you.” “No!” Luna cried. “I'm liked too! I-I know I am. Somepony likes me...” Seeing Luna on the verge of sobbing, the firefly floated before the filly's face. “I like you,” he said in a suave tone. “I'll be your friend.” Luna smiled, and took the insect to her chest. The vision ended with them staring into the twinkling sky. Gaea was stunned, and Discord smiled broadly and the distress he had just caused. “We stayed together for a long time. I taught her distrust, bitterness, hate... All so she would lose her connection to her Elements of Harmony. I watched even from my prison, the darkness in her heart taking form.” “No...” Gaea thought. “He did not...” “And when she became Nightmare Moon...” Gaea reared onto her rear legs and roared. Outside of the statue, Gaea's body slipped its horn through the figures chest. Inside Discord's realm, a great spike spitting magenta flames burst forth from behind Gaea. It rocketed straight at the surprised draconequus, and pierced his flesh. “AHHH!” he screamed, writhing and twisting on the end of the spike, the flames enveloping him. “Burn, snake!” Gaea cried. She panted furiously at the effort she was making. The Fire of Friendship, brought forth by her love, was the weapon she had brought to complete her task. “AHHhhhahahaha...” Discord was still twisting violently, but it was because he was in a fit of laughter. “Gotcha!” he said, grabbing the spike. A white light shone from the draconequus, consuming the entirety of the void. Gaea shut her eyes as the world rushed around her. When the calamity ended, she looked out. Discord was gone. “The look on your face right now is absolutely priceless!” came a taunting voice from everywhere. Gaea panicked. She did not know what had happened. “You are so fun to play with. That temper of yours is such a blast to set off.” “You are supposed to die!” Gaea screamed. “And what is going to kill me. That 'Fire of Friendship'? Please. You lost control of that along with your head. You see, I learn from my mistakes... unlike some ponies. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some chaos to wreak.” Gaea wondered who this 'we' was. Then, a portal appeared before her. Through it, she saw the statue of Discord. The view swung around to the rest of the garden and approached a fountain. It leaned over to look into the pool, and Gaea saw her face. A crooked smirk was curling her lips, and she made a few faces in the water's surface. Gaea heard Discord speak once more, the reflection speaking along with him; “A bit uniform for my tastes, but it will do for now.”