Chapter Three: Theft
I woke with my head throbbing, propped up on a lush couch in Discord’s living room. I swung my hooves over the side of the couch and landed shakily on my hooves before they gave out under me. I felt soft fur grab one of my forelegs and claws grasp me around the belly. I look into Discord’s yellow and red eyes, startled by the concern I see there. I shake off his help and stand on wobbly legs.
“So,” I begin, once more looking out the window, “Thou art a subject of the celestial princesses? And thy has a job at the residence of the Element of Magic. Why doth thee not steal the element thyself?”
“Because, I didn't feel like it.” Discord turns away from me.
My mane begins swirling about, filling up the room, “THOU…” I prepare to vent my anger upon the draconequus when he grabs me and thrusts his paw over my mouth.
“Disguise yourself, Rose.” He whispers urgently in my ear. My horn glows red and in my place is now a brilliant white unicorn with a dark red mane and tail. The image shimmers and then solidifies as a knock sounds at the door. Discord thrusts me onto the couch and calls to the guest, “Come in,” once he is, again, a pony.
A purple unicorn with a blue mane and tail that are both streaked with purple and pink steps into the room. She looks at my bed and steps towards me worriedly, “Hello there, are you Joker’s cousin that he was talking about, um, I’m sorry, I don’t think Joker told me your name.”
“Oh, mine name be Brok-” Discord nudges me discretely, “My name is… Broken, Shadow. What is th-,” another nudge from Discord, I glare at him crossly, “What is your name?”
“My name’s Twilight Sparkle! Nice to meet you, Broken Shadow. Joker, I need you back at the library. Come on, you can come too Broken Shadow, if you want.”
“Okay, but first I need a word with my… cousin.”
Twilight left and, as soon as the door shut, I turned to glare at Discord, “What was that all about? I am not thy cousin, and thou art no Joker.” I then glanced at his cutie mark, and it was indeed, a playing card with a joker on the front. I sighed loudly.
“Ah yes, that. I told you I was a respectable citizen of Ponyville!” Discord grins, I merely bury my muzzle in my hooves.
“Very well, but why wouldst thee not allow me to use mine name?”
“Twilight knows your name. She’s Celestia’s student, she has access to the records of your brothers death. Couldn't take the risk that she would know about them.”
“Very well, I shall accompany thee to the library.”
“Just remember to talk normally, please.”
“Thy forgets, this is my normal,” I grin slowly, “But I shall speak the modern tongue, for now.”
Discord and I head out of the small house and trot over to the great oak that stood for the town’s library.
I knock on the door to the library, a small purple dragon opens it. I look down in surprise as Discord invites himself into the library.
“Hey, Joker! Twilight’s in the Daring Do section helping Rainbow pick something out,” Discord nods and walks towards a part of the library, currently occupied by Twilight and a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail. I was guessing that this was Rainbow Dash. The purple dragon looked up at me, “Hi, my name’s Spike, I’m Twilight’s number one assistant!”
I smile, “I’m sure th-,” I freeze, trying to remember the proper term, “I am sure you are.” I find it hard to wrap my tongue around these strange words. Thankfully, Spike does not seem to notice, “My name is, Broken Shadow. You can just call me Shade though.”
“Come on then, Shade. Let me show you around the library!” The baby dragon races off to show me every aspect of his home.
Close to the stairs that lead up to what looks like living quarters is a glass case. In it are five necklaces and a pretty tiara. I notice that the star on the tiara is the same one as the cutie mark on the purple unicorn, ‘What was her name again?’. I pause, staring at the case whilst I try to remember.
“Twilight! That’s her name,” I mutter under my breath. Spike turns around to see me staring at the case.
“What did you say?”
“Oh, um… I asked what is in this case?”
“Oh those,” the dragon comes up to stand beside me, “Those, are the Elements of Harmony. They've been kept here ever since Twilight and her friends defeated Discord.”
“Interesting, they are quite beautiful.”
At that moment, Discord finishes helping Twilight reorganize the library. He comes up to me and nudges my flank.
“Come on cuz. We should get going, you have to be on a train tomorrow.”
I nod at his hidden message and step away from the Elements. Thanking Spike for the tour and nodding my goodbye at Twilight, I head out the door, following Discord to his home next to Sugarcube Corner.
~
Back at Discord’s house, I relax on his couch, unable to fall asleep. I stare at the ceiling, knowing that Discord expects me to steal the Elements of Harmony and be gone by tomorrow morning. I sigh, swinging my hooves over the edge of the couch and standing up.
“You’re finally going.”
I look up to see Discord standing in front of me, looking awkward as he wrings his paw.
“Yes, I am going. The Elements will be in mine possession by the time dawn breaks. Thou might collect them from my home in the morning. I trust thou knows the way,” frustrated sarcasm drips from my voice, “After this, any debt I owe thee is paid in full.”
“Deal,” Discord turns and walks into his bedroom, throwing one last glance over his shoulder at me.
I wait before going out the door, debating whether or not to disguise myself with a glamour. I decide against it, instead throwing over my cloak to hide my glowing fur.
I walk over to the library, keeping to the shadows. The door creaks slightly as I open it. I freeze in panic, straining to hear any sound of life. No noise comes from the bedroom of the purple unicorn and her assistant. I slip over to the case containing the Elements of Harmony silently. I open the case and place the Elements in my saddlebags before closing the case quietly.
“Hey, who are you? Get away from there!”
I turn to see Twilight on the edge of the steps staring at me as her horn begins to glow. I gallop towards the door, ignoring the pony’s cries to freeze. When I reach the door, I feel my cloak snag on something. I turn to see what and notice an owl tugging on the end of my cloak. I snarl and unclip it, letting it drop behind me. I hear Twilight gasp as I stretch my wings wide and take off into the twinkling stars of the night. My tail spreads a streak of blood across the sky as I fly.