//------------------------------// // Wish Weaver - Chapter 12: When unconventional minds meet. // Story: Wish Weaver // by Limescale //------------------------------// My Little Pony : Friendship is Magic Wish Weaver - Chapter 12 When unconventional minds meet.. “Not that I’m complaining about you taking over so Fluttershy could have a break, but what exactly do you hope to get out of me that will help with Celestia’s rather underhoofed request?”Discord asked as Equinox applied a freshly chilled cloth to his head. “For that matter, why are you telling me of all folk about it?” -Information. I cannot hope to accomplish the task at hoof without some leads to go on, and after careful evaluation of what little information is currently available I have concluded you are my best lead.- Discord arched the brow over the larger of his two eyes as the robot alicorn set about fluffing his pillow. -Your unique ability to sense changes in the level of magical energy could be used to determine if there is any pattern to the times these abrupt shifts occur, or if they perhaps are occurring at any notable proximity to your current location. – Cradling his head and wincing as if wracked with pain, Discord let out a weary sigh. “And in the meantime it’s also why I feel like my skull is stuck in a vice with a giant spike repeatedly stabbing me in the brain. Really dear Equinox, can’t this wait till I’m a bit more like my old self?” Equinox shook her head and refilled the glass of water sitting on the draco-equine’s nightstand. -Time is critical here, Anomaly Discord. The sooner I can figure out the cause of these disturbances, the sooner everyone can rest easy knowing that all is well with Equestria.- Now the chaos god glared in outright refusal to believe what he was hearing. “Well that’s easy for you to say, you’re not currently contemplating whether life as a lobotomized vegetable might be an improvement from current conditions.” Discord grabbed his head and proceeding to unscrew it from his body. Popping the top of his skull open like it was the lid of a soup can he yanked out his brain and sliced several parts of it off with a scalpel. As Equinox quietly watched, the chaos god then placed his hacked up mind back in his cranium and screwed it back onto his shoulders. A quick application of bandages and the chaos god was settling back into his bed, content that he was about to feel a lot better as his body remolded itself to resemble that of a potato. Sadly, another wince and another growl of agony put a quick end to that hope. “Nope, that didn’t work either.” Discord sadly mused as he returned to normal form and gathered up his discarded brain fragments. Equinox grabbed another blanket and helped bundle him up while he stuffed them back into his head. “At any rate, I find it hard to believe your motives for doing this are entirely selfless. Celestia must have offered you something in return for being her little secret police officer.” The cyber-pony paused in her bundling, very wary of the analytical gaze that was now upon her. -She did. In return for taking care of this issue, she will help me try to find out who I am and why I was sent here.- Discord chuckled somewhat as Equinox walked over to open a window for him. “How typical of her, always adamant that she just automatically knows the right solution to everything.” Equinox raised a curious ear. "You doubt her wisdom in this?" The draconequine shrugged. "Well let's just say that there's been numerous times in the past where she could have easily settled on an alternative course of action, and spared Equestria a lot of grief!" Hearing a shrill whistle outside the bedroom, the robot equine politely kept mute till she had walked out and returned with a steaming cup of tea. -Your opinion of those who have accepted you as friend is as intriguing as it is inconsistent. You routinely display disapproval, ire, and doubt for many of the ponies around you, yet still there are cases such as Caretaker Fluttershy whom you seem to respect to the utmost degree.- Discord again drew back in suspicion as he was handed the cup. -If I may inquire, Anomaly Discord, why is that?- The chaos god stoically sipped at his hot beverage, deliberately letting the silence hold the room for as long as the robot could stand it before breaking down and demanding an answer. Unfortunately he quickly realized that was probably going to be quite a while as Equinox just stood where she was like a statue, totally unbothered by the delayed response. “Well besides the obvious reason that I don’t wish to be turned to stone for a third time, this is an…unusual circumstance I’ve found myself in. Based on previous history I always ran under the logical assumption that my ideals and those of Equestria’s rulers would never gel together. I live for the constant change and endless turmoil of chaos, Celestia and co want order and peace. As the bigger and more mature being, I accepted we’d forever be at odds…until Twilight and her friends entered the scene. Yes our first meeting may not have gone smoothly, even if I had enormous fun with it, but still here I am, apparently forgiven for my transgressions and with their intent to prove that Celestia and I were wrong, and that we can co-exist.” Discord sipped his tea and sighed as he felt it calm his spirits. “And what’s even more unbelievable is that so far it’s working, albeit with the odd hiccup here and there.” Equinox nodded slowly. – Caretaker Fluttershy has also indicated you find working with others, rather than against them to be an enlightening experience.- Discord narrowed his eyes. “She has that charm about her. Even when I allied with Lord Tirek I still felt this gnawing sense of shame for having let her down, and by contrast being pleasant with her makes me feel….well….good about myself.” Noting the robot cocking her head with curiosity, he quickly added. “We’re just friends, nothing more!" –I did not suggest anything to the contrary.- Equinox replied. Her patient glowered but let the cyber-pony have her moment. “Your turn now, machine. Quid pro quo.” He set the cup down and lowered his head to stare intently into her glowing eyes. “You still haven’t told me why you’re being so open with me about your secret mission. Out of everyone to blab to, most would say I’m the worst possible choice.” -That remains to be seen. As stated at present you are the only one who can assist me so I must still try to establish trust with you.- Scrutinizing the metal alicorn, Discord rose and ripped the bandages off his head. “And how do you know I’m not actually the one behind this? Most would suspect this is all just an elaborate trick to throw suspicion off myself so I can conjure up some other means of taking over Equestria!” Despite the threatening tone being cast at her, Equinox remained where she was, calmly staring up at her charge while he put on a very intimidating visage. -Logic would suggest otherwise. You are a being of many talents, Anomaly Discord, but subtlety is not one of them. If this was in fact your doing you would have already let everyone know by now, in order to savor their shock and horror.- The dracoequine promptly deflated and slumped weakly onto his bed. “Well deduced, Equinox. I must say your dedication to looking at facts rather than heresay is actually kind of refreshing.” He muttered while staring at the machine. “You honestly trust me?” Equinox nodded. –As a friend and a partner if needs be, provided you are willing to assist me.- The chaos god looked to his tea cup, then to the rest of the room which Equinox had been tweaking to his exact preferences. “Well it’s hard to argue with this amount of pampering. Has Fluttershy been giving you lessons?” -When she can. I also strive to remain observant of all around me.- Equinox replied as she reapplied the cool cloth and pulled Discord’s blanket back over him. –Now, can we talk?- Making himself comfortable again, the dracoequine sighed and nodded. “Ask whatever is on your mind. I’ll do my best to answer.” -Thank you. Now when did you first begin experiencing these magic fluctuations?- Equinox summoned her visor and began recording the conversation. “Oddly enough only a day or so before you first turned up. At first I thought you were the cause what with that dazzling entrance you made on the front lawn.” Equinox narrowed her eyes. “But considering none of your abilities technically qualify as magic, at least not in the traditional sense, I’m confidant that’s not the case.” Discord quickly added. Equinox stoically stared at him through her visor as she asked her next question. -Do you sense these fluctuations on a consistent basis, or do they occur randomly?- Groaning as yet another painful jab penetrated his skull, Discord tried to think. “Initially I was fortunate in that it was the latter, allowing me the briefest spells of blissful relief. Now, however, over this last week, it’s been getting more towards the former.” Equinox beeped and then chirped as she processed this new information. -Does your ability allow you to determine which cardinal direction a fluctuation is occurring in, if only as a rough estimate?- Now it was Discord who had to narrow his eyes. “Really, if I did do you think I’d be lying here in woeful agony, rather than using that direction to find the source and kindly show it the errors of its ways? Magic doesn’t work like that. It’s more...oooh, how can I put this in words your flash-fried mind would understand? Think of it like a river, or maybe an ocean, flowing over everything. I can sense when something happens to alter the flow, or the level, but as for where, well, typically I just hazard a guess. It’s usually pretty easy to determine who’s swimming around and not abiding by the lifeguard’s rules.” -Except for this instance.- Equinox noted, again ignoring the scorn being flung at her. “Yes, well, quite.” Discord murmured. “What else do you wish to know?” With another soft chirp, Equinox replied. -Could you possibly gauge how close the source of a fluctuation is to you?- Discord’s ire faded a bit as he contemplated. “Well now that…MIGHT be possible. If I may continue the aquatic analogy for a moment, the ripples of a disturbance are strongest when they first emanate from the cause. If I were to focus really hard I could wander around Equestria and see where my condition worsened vs. improved. Sort of like ‘hot and cold’…” He turned as there came a happier beep, and saw Equinox’s head was bowed in deep thought. -Understood. That could prove useful…- Discord eyed the robot cautiously. “I trust you aren’t planning to use me as some manner of detection device!” He said. Much to his chargrin Equinox merely jostled her mane and whirred in satisfaction. -I would prefer to avoid worsening your condition, but if no alternative option presents itself...- A knock at the door mercifully cut that comment off before it could go somewhere unpleasant. Letting themselves in, Fluttershy and Rarity trotted happily up to their chaotic and cybernetic companions. “Hello darlings! I do apologize for the interruption, but we come bearing the most splendid news!” The white unicorn exclaimed. “I think we’ve found someone who can help you, Discord!” Fluttershy followed, though rather than cheer the dracoequine this just made him hold his head with greater need. “Oh Fluttershy, your optimism is so endearing yet your naivety is so tragic. We both know there’s nothing that can be done for me!” He flung himself down upon the pillows as one might do when they have finally accepted the end is upon them. “The finest doctors could do nothing for my condition. Zecora’s mastery of mixtures failed to alleviate anything. My only recourse is to make peace in my final hours and bid farewell to my friends.” Fluttershy looked horrified, Rarity simply looked cynical. “No! Discord seriously, we saw what she can do! She has powers unlike any other pony! And she promised she could make you better!” The yellow pegasus pleaded. “I might venture if she could also make you a little less dramatic as well.” The white unicorn muttered while turning to Equinox. “Do you mind if we take him off your hooves for a little bit?” -Not at all. I believe I have obtained all relevant information from him for the moment. Now I must consult with Astronomer Star Gazer. He may be able to lend further assistance.- Rarity was a bit puzzled by this but let it slide as she turned to help her friend pull Discord out of his bed. “Discord please, I don’t want you suffering any longer! Can you please do this, if only for me?” Fluttershy begged. “Even if it turns out to not work, what do you have to lose?” Rarity added, smiling when the dracoequine finally rose and conceded her words. “Hmmm, a fair point. It’s either that or be used as our metal friend’s magical dowsing rod.” He stood and took the ponies by their hooves. “Lead on, ladies.” Equinox went about making Discord’s bed, prompting him to look over his shoulder at her as he departed. “Oh and, uh, thanks for keeping me company today. Conversation was a bit stilted but your tender care was still appreciated.” He said. Though her mane hid her face, the metal alicorn's ears rose, as if hearing this delighted her. -As was your honesty and willing spirit, Anomaly Discord.- She quietly replied.