//------------------------------// // The Lineup // Story: Where We Are // by canonkiller //------------------------------// "Oh, ground! I'll never leave you ever again!" Fluttershy squealed, lying down on her belly and stretching out her hooves. "It's even foggier down here." Rarity whispered. "He could be anywhere..." "Or everywhere." Luna added, glancing around. "He is the god of chaos." "Get your patchwork butt out here!" Celestia roared, stomping a hoof. "You are not going to enjoy my wrath once I get my magic back!" "Ohoho, who says you'll ever get it back?" Twilight backed up beside Luna, seeing her friends do the same. The only one outside the ring was Celestia. "Discord! Show yourself!" "Am I the only one getting a major deja-vu~? Well, I guess having little Lunacy here is new." Luna blushed and ducked her head, her mane falling over her face. "What is it? Not feeling up to the challenge of fighting your old friend?" A small flash lit of the mist, and the ring scattered as Discord appeared over Luna's back. He lay back on the air, leaning down so she could see his face. "It certainly has been a long time, though. Anything I should know?" "N-n-nothing..." Luna stammered, "nothing at all..." Twilight glanced over at her mentor, willing her to intercept. Instead, the Princess was staring, petrified, at a small, fluffy pony standing in front of her, one eye twitching. Glaring at the puffball - which smiled innocently - Twilight snorted, bracing herself to tackle Discord. Unfortunately, she was beaten to the punch. "YOU DON'T SCARE MY FRIENDS!" Pinkie yelled, hitting Discord square in the shoulder and pushing them both down to the ground. Luna's head shot up as soon as Pinkie yelled, letting her witness the surprising battle about to ensue. "Normally I don't physically hurt ponies." Discord growled, brushing dust off his sides and leering down at the pink pony. "And I don't like making exceptions to my own rules." "I've stood up to you before, and I'll stand up to you now! So, go ahead!" Pinkie shouted. "Punch me!" The draconequus clenched one talon into a fist, pulled it back... and hesitated. For a few tense seconds, he stood there, facing Pinkie, the pony staring him down, unwavering. Discord turned away, releasing his clenched fist and snapping the puffy pony away from the princess. "Look, I haven't even touched your precious elements this time. There is no convenient flaw in my plan that includes my puzzle hiding my downfall. Instead, I simply made sure you couldn't get them either. And, as Pinkie Pie here has impressively proven, I do not intend to interfere completely. Here are my rules. No wings, no magic, as I have already shown. Once the test begins, unlike the previous, you will have absolutely no contact with each other. "And I believe you've seen your team, your pretty Princesses and their precious elements, so you can see mine." Discord waved a claw, spreading a huge swath of fog away. Behind it stood six figures the ponies had never wanted to see again. Gilda was on the far left, glaring angrily at Rainbow Dash with the same intensity as a cat to a fat mouse. Next to her was Trixie, who was leaning away from the griffon, disgusted. Flim and Flam were standing in the middle, looking smug and slowly edging away from the next in line; Iron Will, towering over the others and possibly Discord. At the far end was Prince Blueblood, standing as far away from the minotaur as possible without being lost in the fog. As the ponies quickly spotted their rivals, Celestia slowly turned to Discord, who was looking pleased with himself. "What about Luna, myself and Pinkie?" "Well, up until a few minutes ago, Pinkie seemed far too like myself to ever need a rival. Look at this!" Discord reached out and pulled Pinkie over, holding her up between him and the Princesses. Her eyes grew larger and she let out a little squeak, hanging her hooves on the top of Discord's hands. Celestia felt her insides drowning in cuteness. "So, she'll just be milling around someplace." Discord finished, putting the pony down and letting her eyes return to normal. "As for you two, you get to enjoy my marvelous company for the entirety of the challenge! What could be better than that?" "Endless and eternal torture in Hades." Luna muttered. Discord cast a semi-interested glare over at her before bowing towards the elements and their counterparts. "Let the games-" "WAIT!" Pinkie shouted, jumping in the way. Discord rolled his eyes. "Would you just stop? I'm trying to make a villainous cameo here." "I'll volunteer. I'll take Fluttershy's place. She's my best friend, and I don't want her to face this." "Pinkie, it's okay." Fluttershy whispered, trotting up and putting her hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. "I'll be fine." "Well... I guess..." "If I'm gone for a long time, go home and take care of the animals for me, okay?" Pinkie nodded. "Don't die." "I'm not killing anyone." Discord interjected. "You guys should know this." "I won't die, Pinkie. Don't miss me too much!" Fluttershy smiled, hugged her friend, and flew back to her place. "Are you done? Like, completely? I can start now?" Discord glanced at each pony, nodding as none shifted. "Well, the moment's definitely gone, so... I guess you can just start." He snapped his talon, and the pairs vanished one by one. Discord leaned back, conjuring up a bunch of beanbags and a huge television screen. "Feel free to join me whenever, this could be entertaining." "We are not entertained by the misfortunes of our subjects." Luna declared, sitting down where she had been standing. "Right, sister?" "Speak for yourself!" Celestia laughed, sitting in one of the beanbags. "Discord! Popcorn!" Discord conjured a bag beside her chair. "Whatever." "Celestia! You said you hated him!" "Hate the host, enjoy the game. Come sit." "We cannot believe we are related to you." Luna sighed, watching Pinkie take the beanbag beside Discord and steal his popcorn. "We cannot believe we have ever talked to any of you." "Hush, Moony Loony. I can't hear." Discord stated, hovering her over to the beanbag beside her sister. "Rump down and mouth shut." Luna glared at him for a couple of seconds before burrowing into the beanbag and glaring at the screen.