//------------------------------// // Nightmares of the sun // Story: I Always win // by Jade Crossroads //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Nightmares of the sun A tall, slim figure slinked through the dark shadows, passing tree after tree in his haste. The sylvan surroundings a comfort as he recognizes the chaotic unpredictability in this place, the Everfree forest. The sylvan surroundings of the Everfree forest a comfort in their chaotic unpredictability. The creature draws ever nearer, ever closer to his destination, and an unsuspecting pegasus The sluggish draconequus travels fast as lightning through the stretch of wild and free territory, despite his fatigue. Only stopping once to rest at a large stump that obstructed his path. He was only a few short yards off from his destination, though he refused to go any further, at least, not yet. Taking his seat on the now chair- turned- stump, Discord pondered what his next move should be. He would have to approach the weakling pegasus eventually, but how should he approach her in a way that seemed to her that he had come to extend the hand of friendship? Or did he want to discourage her crossing him outright without the whole “instilling trust” thing. It's not as if he genuinely wanted anypony's friendship after all. And say things went as well as they could, all things considered, what then? Discord wasn't sure how much kindness he could bare to sit through. Discord took a breath, and took in his surroundings. It was a shame he couldn’t waste time here, the forest was unpredictable as always. Instead of fully appreciating the scenery however, Discord used this time to rant about all that wasn't going as he originally planned. It seemed things just wouldn't go his way. “First those princesses practically dump me out of the castle shortly after waking; I mean, talk about harsh!” He shouts back in the direction he had opened the portal, though it was miles behind him now. He almost wished he could go back to it. “And now I have to make 'friends' with the wimpiest little pegasus. Just wonderful!” he complains to the sky. It was beyond Discord how Celestia drew Fluttershy's name out of the hat. What was worse, however, was that she honestly expected her to make the villain see the error of his ways! The timid creature will have a heart attack, and flee at the sight, no, the mere mention of me! He would say any other pony would have been a better choice, but really, no pony outside of the main pests could defend themselves against him. Most equines couldn’t stand up for themselves considering all the perils they faced almost weekly! If you asked him, he was doing them a favor. No one would dare overstep him if he were in charge. As for their hopes and aspirations affecting him, or their closed minded perceptions of their boring little world moving him? He reveled in the suffering of others, their pain his entertainment. There was no greater joy than watching their pathetic world crumble at his feet. The current bearers of the accursed elements were little better ‘friendship’ material, too stuck in their own ways of life and their views are constantly grounded, established at their very cores. They do indeed embody the elements of harmony, don’t they? Hmmm… And then there’s Fluttershy. The only significant thing about that puny pegasus is her resistance to my chaos. It was as if I had found myself trying to move a stone wall, she was almost impervious to my influence. Sure he had discorded her eventually ,when he could no longer take her pitiful nature, but his magic is all the more potent when powered by my emotions, such as anger, so was the case for any unicorn, or even the ascended alicorns princesses as well. And he had been furious, no, enraged by her! Every pony else, every last one of them gave into his control so completely, yet her blind faith kept her from his reach. Only Twilight could deflect his magic, as that was her element, but even she gave into despair, accepting her friendless future, at least it would have been, had he succeeded. I’ll have to save that thought for another time. If I’m going to scare off the pegasus by showing up, I might as well start now, and maybe I can get some more shut eye. Maybe I’ll prank Celestia some more. Discord remembers before he snaps his fingers that, while he thought it was worth it, he should probably wait until after Celestia cooled down a little. This morning had been an odd one, and that image of her malicious glare was still imprinted in his mind. He hoped that wouldn’t be permanently burned there. He might just have to take therapy! That made him smile. It would be fun to scare a master of psychology, heck, they’d need a psychiatrist before he got done telling the poor pony half his life story! Discord, with renewed energy magicking his chair-turned- stump away and simply flew backward, seeing the forest in a brighter light. if that were possible when nopony else could see their hooves in front of their face. He had always admired the Everfree for it's at times, random creatures. Another factor was the simple fact that it was the one remaining wild place that still thrived in Equestria. As often as he had come here the growth of the forest didn't surprise him, he recognized the narrowing of trees easily, and the exit to be only a matter of yards away. He hardly noticed the additional leagues the trees had covered in the last few centuries. Discord tried to retain even a fraction of his optimism as his thoughts returned again to his deal with Celestia. Sure he couldn't possibly lose, but he couldn’t help but feel that his time with Fluttershy would be excruciatingly trying at best. He could hardly stand her in the maze, when everything else was going according to plan, so what could be different now? Being who he was, and how he had been received and turned to stone when last he and the mare met, he held no high expectations. This is going to be… strained at best. Discord sighed, and landed with both his legs on the ground. The draconequus dusted himself off, stalling for more time. He wasn't too keen on reaching the timid one’s cottage and so soon, but what choice did he have, and would it matter if this was all postponed for a day? Would anything really change? It was more than the current time he was trying to stall, Discord by taking the deal, also bided his time to render the elements and the princesses too weak to resist his take over. He must strike at the elements of harmony in order to guard against his beign overpowered again, all he needed was a scheme first. So far he hadn’t come up with anything. There was one thing he knew for certain however; That Fluttershy will surely make for the worst pal a Lord of Chaos, much less a draconequus could claim association with! Discord’s trek to the Everfree forest’s exit was coming to an end. His flight towards the unknowable, but no doubt insufferably boring day ahead of him could not be stalled any further. It was a small cottage that marked his destination was at an end. It was the only proof this land was indeed inhabited by anypony, that and all the birdhouses and baths for the small flying pests, of which he noted, had yet to begin their accursed chirping and tweeting. They're one of the many creatures that flee at the sight of him. Even ponies ran for the hills, though they claimed to possess greater intellect. If they were beyond irrational fears as they said, they would not have the instinct to flee from him, or wouldn't have had. Thought discord. But now I've given them reason to run from me, and I have no intention of reverting back to the gullible fool I had been. I don’t even know if I could had I the wish. Which brings him back to the matter at hoof, how could he go about befriending, let alone gaining, Fluttershy’s trust? He must approach her in a way that would not promote fear on her part, though she'd inevitably be scared at the sight of him. Discord tells himself, that as result of what happened only so recently before his encasement back into his stone prison, he needed to keep a watchful eye on her. Fear made equines do silly things, desperation even more so. Discord, overtaken now by his fatigue, both from being woken up far too early, and his sprint across the Everfree, searched for a place to rest. He would have materialized something, but anything he made at that point might’ve been painfully obvious. His yellow and red eyes fell upon a few sturdy looking branches over on the right side of the cottage. Hmmm… Now let’s see. He first tried a rather flimsy branch, he could have made it work, but it just wouldn’t do. The second option was too mossy. The third… well, there really was nothing wrong with that one, he just felt like lying at a “safer” distance from the cottage for a wider scope. He finally stretched himself out on a fourth branch in one of the taller trees, a great oak, and waited to spot her. Surely she has to come out onto the path sometime…. She has her animals to tend to and, If I'm not mistaken, her day consists of much the same routine. And according to Celestia she’ll come when the sun rises a little more in the sky. It shan’t be long. not long at- Discord was interrupted by a long stifled yawn, distracting his thoughts with the clouding of sleep taking hold. He thinks on it, weighing the pros and cons of giving into his lethargy. Assuming I am correct, I have time before she comes into sight. I could sleep for a good duration of my wait and not miss her… That settled the issue, he found he couldn’t argue with that reasoning. The Lord of Chaos closed his eyes and began to dream, not having slept last night with all his celebrating, it took no time at all for the dreams to descend. Celestia had clearly miscalculated how long it would take for her to raise the sun. It could be hours before Fluttershy stepped out from her front door. Why not rest up for the bubbling conversing that surely will ensue when he convinced her he meant nopony the least bit of harm, unless of course you counted Celestia in that head count. He wouldn't promise anything in regards to her. She brought out the worst in him. The very mention of 'her royal highness' always seemed to make him grind his teeth and clench both jaw and fists. He only tolerated her now because he hoped to keep their deal. He wanted Equestria, and he wanted the privilege to spread his chaos in all corners of this kingdom. He only wanted what was rightfully his. He would prefer if he could win, however, if he did not succeed, he wouldn't relent and give up his chaos, but then, the only way he could lose was if he became fond of the element of kindness. And that was entirely impossible! In other words, he only had everything to gain. Discord dreamed of what he'd do when did meet Fluttershy. How she might react? He also imagined painting the whole of his kingdom and the pranks he would pull. Nothing overly complicated, just small instances of entropy would do while he was starting out. It would give everypony a taste of what was to come. He'd start with the large scale chaos when he was done gloating. The sun was rising in the east, that’s when the dreams began to deteriorate into nightmares. …………………... I was in full power, the king of everything, master of it all. I had everything, that is, until She appeared. In a cloak of sunlight and masked expertly she reached out to me. I had decided to retire for the afternoon, I couldn't wreak havoc twenty-four- seven. I needed sleep. I also wanted to slip out of sight, I knew that I shouldn't give the royal two opportune chances to sneak up to me. There wasn't much fun being in plain sight either. So I found an abandoned cave in a remote location. I should have chosen someplace else. Anywhere would have been better, for Celestia found me. I didn't necessarily make it hard for her, she and her sister knew I often retreated here when I needed the comfort of solitude. I had assumed I had nothing to fear from Celestia, so I let her enter. I had thought she wished to speak,but she only trotted over to me. She didn't utter a sound, however, and when her hoof rested on my arm….. It hurt; I was being seared by her brilliance. “What?” I pulled back, "Celestia! What was that for?!" I snarl as I withdraw my arm and step a few feet back. "You know very well why I did that Discord. Your tyranny ends today. I can't let you destroy all I've worked for. I will be your downfall." I have trouble processing this. Many questions arise with her words, but I decide on one, thinking I could at least take back the upper hand despite my confusion. "Surely you care for me still? I don't think this is good way to show that.” “No,” she laughs, lowering her hood. “I never loved you. You were never my friend. And I have long since planned this day, your downfall. While you slept, I schemed, and now I can put that plan into action.” all I could manage was a tilt of the head to cover the pain, and my ignorance. I was pitiful, not understanding what she meant. “Aren’t you proud? You’re the one who told me not to trust anypony, not to let them change me. It's only right that I question why you should be any different?” I look at her, disheartened by her words. She's lying! She has to be lying...... “You….have changed. You say you’re doing this to prove that I haven’t changed you, but I see that I have. The very fact that you come here not for your people, and without your sister to confront me with your remembered elements, proves it." "I do not need my sister's aid." She retorts, glaring daggers at me. Although the said pointed objects were figures of speech, I felt their piercing blows. All is quiet a moment as her voice echoes throughout the cave. "Don't you? But for what it's worth," I give her a sympathetic look as I find the right words to formally apologize for what pain I had dealt out to her as well. “I am…. sorry.” I was truly remorseful that I could have brought this side out of her, where it had not been before, but… she did bring me to this, to being a monster, and yet, I regret this change in her, she used to be so sweet and caring to all walks of life, look what I have brought her. I stopped short of comforting her however much I may pity her… That we should change in such ways that we no longer recognize the monsters in the mirror. The ones that stood beside us so well known at some point, strangers the next moment. There is no reasonable excuse for our coming to this. I hate how this has all turned out in regards to what could have been, but I am presently content, after all, I have a kingdom under my complete authority. I have everything! Except love. But what do I need that for? I brush off the thought, it being no more than a whisper, the remnants of the past, all I have besides the painful memories I’ve locked away. They still manage to wriggle free of that vault on occasion, the only time I don’t appreciate a little disorderliness. “I don’t need the elements to defeat you either, I can go it alone!” she stands tall, though she already had that royal posture and all. I grin down at her from my throne, no longer feeling threatened, her earlier scorching touch forgotten. “Oh, really? I'd like to see you try.” I challenge her. That’s interesting. I think to myself. "A little angry aren’t we?” I point out, mocking Celestia. “You couldn’t defeat me any of these previous years, what makes you think I can be overwhelmed by you now?” I taunt her, she really can be quite hilarious in her arrogant pride. She continues to seethe in her own anger, and I wait. Summoning a cold glass of chocolate milk from my cotton candy clouds above. I take a long drink from the glass of chocolaty perfection, and drink the glass afterwards, why not? It’s perfectly natural for me to drink my beverage and eat the glass too. It was then, and only then that I turned my attention back on the enraged alicorn 'princess'. Grinning yet again to find her just as she was moments ago, awaiting my response. “Alright Celestia, I accept your challenge.” I say formally. "Just let me warm up first." I stretch out. Exaggerating and making my back crack and even punch an invisible opponent for good measure. But in the process of jump rope, I swipe her horn away and therefore her ability to use magic. “Terribly sorry dear! I guess I went too far with my exercises, perhaps another time?” I show her to the door. "But really, don't forget to take a rain-check, I'm sure I'll give your horn back in... let's give it a couple months." I put emphasis on my words by magicking a storm cloud overhead. I wonder, should make it follow her home? Decisions, decisions.... “Perhaps you should head back to Canterlot while you still can, much as I enjoyed this little visit of yours.” Something changes in her eyes, and she jabs her hoof on my chest. “Where is your heart monster?!” She says in her royal Canterlot voice. The loud one, which she usually reserves for grand occasions that require the lungs it takes to accomplish such volume. I am surprised at her. “Celestia?” I inquire, worried now. I see that her horn is back and glowing, “Now how did you-” I am overtaken with a sense of wrong, what is she doing for my senses to prick so much? It can’t be anything too bad, much less irreversible. That was before I felt …. something in me change, becoming distorted and twisted and all together changed. It was the core of me, where I one day felt grow to its current size, It was the root of my magic, It was… me. She was changing me, but more than I had ever corrupted anypony, she was erasing my very nature, and my form too changed with her magic. I was becoming symmetrical, logical and transforming into something I never wanted to be. I was becoming a pony… and it was immensely painful, and she just wouldn’t stop! I found myself pleading with her as I began to fade into nothing, into someone else. Through the pain I saw her as she stared on, staring me down all throughout this ordeal. “Stop!” I scream. “No, Stop!” Unbeknownst to me I was no longer alone outside of the dream, nor was it even before dawn. The sun had begun to rise to, though it would be awhile longer before it would reach its peak. ........................