//------------------------------// // Discords's birthday present pt 4 // Story: Discord's birthday present // by Penn Hooven //------------------------------// “I have to...I..have...to...” Moon Chaser gulped, trying to hold what was left of herself together. “Run my horn through my sister's heart.” Luna finished. A few tears trickled down her face, leaving dark trials in her deep blue fur. “I'm sorry it has to be this way, but you have to. If I'm to return, you, and only you can do it.” Moon Chaser nodded, her eyes glistening. “We better go.” Discord said, his normally energetic and sarcastic tone subdued. “We don't have much time left.” With a snap they were back on the rocky floor. The alcove no longer existed. All that was left was the floor, and above, both sun and moon stood in the sky, challenging each other, silently watching their champions fight to the death. Both Queen Moon and Queen Aubade were glaring at each other, fur soiled from dirt and rock dust and bloodied from horn gouges and biting from close combat. “How am I going to do this?” Moon Chaser asked Discord as she stared up at the two sisters, who renewed their dreadful battle. Discord, shook himself. He couldn't let what needed to be done scare him. He was the Lord of Chaos, and though he wanted Chaos, he did not want this! Destruction of everything? No, where was the fun in ruling over rubble? Would there even be rubble left? “Now listen here, missy!” Discord took Moon Chaser by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “Luna said to stab Celestia in the heart. She said nothing about killing her. You'll be fine. Just go up, ask them to stop and stab the Princes. Simple, no sweat. She can't die from being stabbed in the heart. Think of it like a key in the key hole. Does that kill a door? No, it opens it. Now, off you pop, I'll make sure you're safe. For reals this time.” And he picked her up and tossed the Pesasus into the air, like he was letting a dove free. Moon Chaser gave an 'eek' before getting her wings to flap right. She turned to glare at the Draconequus before flying into the fray. Truth is, she was grateful for Discord's play off of the matter. She'd seen his true feelings and knew that this was just as hard for him as it was for her. Discord, once he was let free, had warmed up to the Princesses and actually liked them. Other than the Fluttershy he talked often about, Celestia and Luna were his closest friends, and this was breaking his heart. If he could keep a strong front, then so could Moon Chaser. “Stooooooooop!” Moon Chaser screamed once she got close enough, but neither Princess acknowledged her, too busy thrashing at each other. Celestial Aubade had Nightmare Moon by the throat with her teeth, while Nightmare Moon was pawing at her with her fore hooves. “Stooop! Stop it! Stooooop!” Moon Chaser screamed as the Queen of the Sun and Day threw her weakened sister to the rocky floor, gathering her strength for a blast that would end the fight. “Stooooooooooooooo—” Moon Chaser flew straight into the Alicorn, hooves out stretched with Luna's horn glistening in the duel light of the sun and moon. The impact swayed them in the air, but didn't knock them down. “My child, what are thou doing?!?” Celestial berated, taken completely by surprise to see the small Pesasus halt the fight. “Get out of—” She started to sway. Slowly, the Queen of Day looked down at her chest, seeing the dark horn sticking out of her furry breast, held there by Moon Chaser's trembling hooves. “My Child!” She gasped. “Wha? What are you?” “I'm sorry...” Moon Chaser whispered. “I'm sorry...” Looking up with defiance, not for the Queen of the Sun but for her own self, She yelled. “I want my Princess back!” Both Alicorn and Pegasus dropped from the sky, crashing onto the rocky ground. Nightmare Moon, a sneer on her face, trotted up to the two. “And what is this charade?” She demanded. “Have you been beaten by a little Pegasus, dear sister? How sad.” But when her sister did not respond the Queen of Darkness looked more closely. Taking a few more steps forward, she kicked lightly at the Pegasus. “Move.” She said, but Moon Chaser shook her head. “Move!” Nightmare said more forcefully, kicking a little hard, but the mare still wouldn't budge. Finally, Nightmare Moon just kicked her off of Celestial's still form and froze in shock. “....no....” The dark mare said in a small voice. “...no...no, no.. Celestia!” Throwing off her helmet, Nightmare Moon dashed over to cradle her dead sister's head. “Noooooo!” She cried, eyes of anger and hate melting into tears of shame and sadness. “...no...Celestia. I'm sorry...I'm so sooorrrryyy!” Discord walked up next to Moon Chaser, who lay where she was kicked to. Everyone's eyes were full of tears of regret and sorrow. “I'm sorry my dear.” Discord said. “I...I...” He took a deep breath to steady himself. “I just wanted to give you a birthday present. As you and your sister reformed me, so I can use my magic for good of my free will, I wanted to give you that same gift. Nightmare Moon has power that could help you protect Equestria. That is why I did it.” His chin trembled and his shoulders slumped as his emotions got the better of him. “I never intended for this to happen.” He sobbed. “I never wanted Celestia to die! I just wanted to do good! And to help you and your sister!” “You lied!” Moon Chaser accused Discord. “You...you....you said it was going to be alright. You said it was like a key and a key hole!” It was unfair of her, she knew, but Moon Chaser had to hold on to something, had to blame someone other than herself. Even as she looked at her now blood stained hooves, she kept telling herself that it wasn't her fault. How could it be? She had to do it. “Just like a key and a key hole.” Discord nodded sadly. He walked over to the still form of Celestia, and turned the horn. Click. For a moment, all were still, each hearing the click. Slowly looking up at each other, they waited. For one long minute they waited. Celestia gasped. “Sister!” Luna threw herself at the white Alicorn on the ground. Moon Chaser collapsed into tears of joy as Discord gave a wide toothy smile. “Easy there Luna!” Celestia gasped. She sat up and turned over, so she could get up. It was then that she noticed the horn sticking out her her chest. “Uhh...would anyone care to explain?” Discord, ever quick on his feet, pulled the horn out, with no ill effects and twirled it. “I'm sorry my dear, but the game is over, and our little Guard over here, did not pin the horn on the Alicorn correctly. No biggy, all is well, and all is well.” Moon Chaser was so relieved to see the Princess alive again, that she didn't even bother to protest the sudden blame put on her. “I'm glad you're back.” Luna hugged her sister again.” “Back? Why I was never gone.” Celestia replied. “Uhh, where are we?” Snap. “Why we're in the throne room of course.” Discord replied, his usual suaveness back as he bowed to Celestia. “I do believe that it is time for Ice cream and cake. I absolutly love a good party!” “Hold on for a moment!” Princess Luna held up a hoof. “There is a matter I must take care of first.” And she pulled on the bell cord next to her throne. An earth pony trotted in. “You're Highness?” He bowed. “Summon Commander Flick for me. And tell him to come Post Haste!” Before anyone could ask why, Commander Flick, who was in a near by room Galloped in, hastily bowed and stood up to attention. “What is it, My Princess.” Princess Luna pointed at Guards Mare Chaser. “I demand this guard be no longer a guard!” She said. “I have too many guards who are well qualified for the position. Instead, she is to become my Mare in Waiting. I also request you give her all the training that you would of your advance fliers and fighters, as I can not have my personal Hoof Mare be anything less than the best Wonderbolt there is! Understood?” Commander Flick, who had no idea where all this was coming from gaped openly at Guardsmare Chaser before coming back to attention. “It is already done!” He saluted. “Lady Chaser, when you come back to the barracks, I will give you your affects, and tell the earth ponies of your new position. You'll also be given personal quarters adjoining Princess Luna's quarters. Tomorrow, you'll meet with Spitfire and Shining Armor to asses you're current skills and see what type of training we'll give you. Until then, keep to the Princess. Understood?” Moon Chaser snapped her wings to attention. “Sir!” She barked out. Commander Flick's face softened into a smile, the first one that Mooney had ever seen him give. “I don't know what you did, filly, but I'm proud of you. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to call.” He bowed and left the throne room. Luna tackled Moon Chaser into a tight hug. “I'm so glad that's over with.” She sighed. She looked at Discord, who was standing as out of the way as he could. “Come here you!” She demanded with a smile. Shyly, the mismatched creature, came closer. “You know, for everything you put us through, it wasn't that bad of a birthday present.”