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// Chapter 3: The Nudge 
// Story: In Remembrance of Me 
// by Kalameet 
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Chapter 3: The Nudge

The last of the hospital lights turned off. Icarus slipped out of bed and stumbled to the floor. He hadn't eaten in days. The note mentioned that the food the hospital had been feeding him altered his senses to keep him from being alert and thinking straight.

Icarus began to question if he would escape in such a feeble state, but he forced his thoughts forward and focused on the door. He crept up to it and prepared himself. He opened the door and peered out into the hall. It was empty, save for the patrolling guards. Icarus couldn't walk in front of them for fear of being spotted in in their flashlights.

He sneaked out of his room and silently closed the door behind him. The hallway was long, and Icarus was standing in the middle of it. At both ends of the hallway were branches to other corridors of the hospital.

Icarus saw the light from a guard's flashlight appear from the corridor to his right. He ran to his left as fast as his sluggish limbs would allow him in an effort to reach the other end of the hallway in time. He turned around and saw the guard turn into the hallway, so Icarus swiftly slid behind a nearby desk. The steps were getting closer with each passing second. Icarus felt like the sound of his beating heart would give him away. The guard walked right past him and turned left at the end of the hallway.

Icarus got out from under the desk and approached the end of the hall. He peered at the guard to his left, so he turned right in the corridor and stealthily paced down it.

After about a minute, Icarus saw a sign that indicated that the stairs were behind the next door to his left. He opened the door and tiptoed down the stairs.

As he turned the final corner to reach the ground level, a bright light shone into Icarus' eyes. He was face to face with a security guard. Icarus didn't hesitate. He grabbed the flashlight in the blink of an eye and bashed it onto the top of the guard's head. The guard crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

Icarus was shaking. He tried to put the flashlight back into the guard's vest, but it fell out of his trembling grasp and made a resounding sound as it hit floor. Icarus snagged it off the ground and shoved it into the guard's vest as he heard a door open upstairs. He grabbed the guard and struggled towards the janitor closet at the bottom of the stairs. As the door closed behind him, he heard a guard speak up.

"Preston?" came the voice. A short pause issued. The guard spoke up again, this time he was directly in front of the closet. "Where did Preston go? He never leaves his post. Perhaps I should inform the captain of his absence."

Icarus heard the guard turn around and walk upstairs, the sound of his steps fading into oblivion. It was only then when Icarus took a breath. All he needed to do was make it to the front doors in the lobby and he would be free. However, time wasn't on his side. Soon the guards would be on high alert, and Icarus knew he would need to hurry if he was to escape safely.



The train came to a stop and Icarus stepped out onto the platform. A smooth breeze brushed Icarus' mane as he observed Canterlot. The streets were buzzing with activity. Strange sounds and smells filled the air. Amongst the rush of the city, Icarus stood there, searching for any indication of where he could find Discord.

He stepped onto the central road and began to walk down it. Icarus felt exposed. He hadn't been around this many ponies since, well, ever. As far back his memory would allow, he was only in contact with one or two ponies at a time. And soon he would be the center of attention for every being in Equestria.

Icarus stopped short of a small bridge and admired the sight before him. The magnificent castle ahead was home to the leaders of the land, Celestia and Luna. Ultimately, Icarus knew he would have to confront them in the end. The only nudge he needed was from Discord, and from there Icarus had his own plan.

A nearby hut caught his attention. It had been made of wood moments before, but now it had a stone casing to it. Icarus had only taken a step towards it when it flashed into a sky blue color. This wasn't natural, in fact, it was quite…

"Chaotic," whispered Icarus. He approached the hut as its colors and textures continued to change.

As he knocked on the door, the hut acquired a sudden stillness quality to it which made it appear normal. The door opened and Icarus stared with wonder at the individual in front of him. Discord stood tall and proud in front of him. A snug grin stretched across his face as he eyed Icarus.

"Why hello there my dear fellow," started Discord. "What brings you to my humble abode today?"

"I… I have a proposition for you," stuttered Icarus.

Discord chuckled. "Well isn't that splendid. Do come in. I prefer to talk about potentially important matters inside."

Icarus hesitated, but he followed Discord inside the small hut. He would prefer to talk in private somewhere outside. After his confinement at the hospital, Icarus hated being inside. It made him feel contained and incompetent. But he didn't dare oppose Discord. Icarus knew the next conversation he was about to have could be the starting point that he needed.

He looked around the hut, only, it wasn't a small hut anymore. In fact, he was in a large room that led to many other rooms in the building. The hut was many times larger on the inside than the outside, but considering it was the home of the master of chaos, Icarus wasn't taken aback too much.

Discord closed the door behind them. "You still haven't even told me your name yet."

"My name is Icarus. I have traveled far to find you and I believe I have an idea that can be quite beneficial to both you and me."

"What is this proposition you speak of?"

Icarus took a breath. Presentation was everything.

"How would you like to rule Equestria? You wouldn't be contained or controlled by others. You would have complete control over your power and could use it at will."

Discord chuckled again. "And you think I haven't thought of that before? Although the Elements of Harmony are no longer in possession of Twilight and the others, they still have the power that it provided them with originally. Besides, what do you have to offer me that could achieve this grand idea of yours?"

Icarus forced a determined smile onto his face. "This power you claim that these ponies possess is strong, but I know of a counter."

"There is no counter to friendship!" retorted Discord. "I tried to sever their friendship when I was first released, but it was to no avail." Discord sighed. "Again I ask, why do you think you're so special?"

"I have a plan to remove the issue of Twilight Sparkle and the others. You say their power derives from their friendship. What if you were to become a strong friend with a powerful ally to fight the opposing friendship? With the command of chaos, the power from your friend, and the power from the friendship itself, you would be unstoppable."

Discord raised an eyebrow. He stood in silence, pondering the suggestion. He started to pace back and forth. "And what power does a rogue individual like yourself boast of?"

"That is why I am here. I believe I have found a way to surpass the abilities of princess Celestia herself. The only issue I have is a starting point. If you lend a small portion of your chaos power to me, I can become your powerful friend and we can take Equestria together."

Discord seemed deep in thought. "How do you plan to grow in strength if I only provide you with a small portion of my chaos?"

"I have several ways," answered Icarus, "but if I told you them now, you could use them for yourself and then I would be useless to you."

"Fair enough," mumbled Discord. "Wait here."

Discord preceded to exit the room, leaving Icarus alone in the large room. Several minutes passed until Discord returned, and he was carrying a small wooden box.

"This box contains a chaos orb. If you crush it between your front hooves, the ability to control minor chaos powers will be yours."

Icarus accepted the box wordlessly as Discord continued.

A troubled expression presented itself on Discord's face. "What about Fluttershy? We are still friends and she is the first real friend I have ever had."

"When you and I are in complete control of the land, we will have the ability to wipe the memories of every being in Equestria and input what we want them to think what happened. We can simply brainwash Fluttershy to make her your friend again."

"I suppose," replied Discord. He turned his attention back to Icarus. "I wish you the best of luck. Once you have the power you speak of, return to me and we can develop a plan to take Equestria."

Icarus nodded. "Of course." He then promptly turned around and left the hut.

As Icarus stepped back out onto the street, he carefully opened the box and peered inside. A shimmering dark ball of swirling colors rested inside. It looked delicate, but it was also very beautiful. He closed the box and started towards the train station.

He had done it. He had tricked Discord into giving a portion of his power to him. Icarus had recited the lie in his head dozens of times in an effort to make it more presentable. Discord didn't know it, but he had just given Icarus a tool that would lead to Discord's downfall, but that didn't matter at the moment. Icarus had obtained the starting point that he believed would lead to the return of his forgotten past.



A/N: This chapter begins to show the start of Icarus' journey, as well as his true colors once he arrives at his first objective. As the story progresses, you will learn more about him and how he became the way he is. ~Kalameet