[~~~Twilight Sparkle~~~]
“A year. We will give him a year. After that, we will let him out.”
Rainbow Dash butts heads with Anthony. “Five years!”
“One year!”
“Five!”
“One!”
I decide to separate the two before they come to blows. Unlikely for Rainbow, but Anthony has shown some very new colors today, conflicting ones at that. “How about we compromise? Three years. Also, Anthony, I don’t think you should reform Discord alone.”
“What!? Why not?” That makes no sense, I’m the only one he can actually connect with!”
I narrow my eyes at Anthony. Doesn’t he get how bad an idea that is!? “Because, you let him out in the first place, you egged him on.” There is no way he could be responsible for this task. It’s just too important. “Sure you didn’t intend for him to go this far, but you still enjoy his chaos a bit too much. We need somepony else as well.”
He crosses his arms, a mannerism Minotaurs use as well, one of reluctant agreement. “Fine. We’ll think on who it should be after the three years are up.”
Princess Celestia nods, and teleports herself and Discord’s statue back to Canterlot.
Anthony turns to leave and- “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go check up on a filly.” Who? He just... what? First he releases Discord, makes everything go wrong, and now he’s... worried about a child? What even goes on in his head? I wish I’d finally be able to send him back.
I’m reminded of my... less than impressive progress on figuring out a way to send him home. I just don’t know where to send him to and he seems content to just toy with us... and make my life awful. And yet... he’s more than just an... annoyance. It’s like there’s something he isn’t telling me. Well, his real name for one, I mean, Applejack just came out and told me and I have to admit it’s a pretty strange name. But I’m sure he has a reason. It just makes trusting him harder. But here he is, actually excusing himself to check on a foal? Someone he couldn’t possibly even know that well? As far as I know I mean he might have made friends with some local children but that begs the question... why?
If he’s so interested in disobeying rules and causing chaos and generally being a pain... why does he call us ‘friends’? I mean, friends don’t treat each other that way... do they? Maybe I just need to study that more.
He’s rambunctious like Pinkie, he’s blunt like Applejack, he’s brash like Rainbow Dash and I hate to admit it but I see a bit, just a sliver, of myself in him. He’s a fast learner when he bothers to learn... Is this some other form of ‘human’ friendship, where each person is sort of a fragmented twisted version of a virtue and they rely on the others to untwist it? Or is this just how humans are friends?
I begin to head for home, Princess Celestia acting as the primary escort for Discord’s statue. Even as a statue, he’s still scary and creepy. I suppress a shudder, wondering exactly how anyone could imagine letting him out be a good idea... but he had a point. I certainly wouldn’t like to be trapped in stone... It would make me pretty mad. But Discord deserves it! He did all those horrible things to my friends! But... Anthony wants to reform him? Give him a second chance? How come Discord deserves a fair chance but he walks all over me? I mean, Discord is evil...
His words echo in my head as I walk in the library door. “We reform him by befriending him, this utter hatred of him...”
I don’t utterly hate Discord... or... well... he’s right that friendship is powerful, and it might work, but not on Discord! No way!
“Twilight!” I’m shocked out of my thoughts by a loud yell. “What happened with Discord? Did you beat him?”
I see Spike had been trying to get my attention for at least a minute now. “Yeah, we did it.” I don’t know why I feel like I should say it. “With Anthony’s help.”
“Anthony? What did he do? You just used the Elements, right? Just like last time?” Spike looks a bit confused. I admit I didn’t quite expect it when...
“Anthony distracted Discord for us, he just... punched Discord.”
Spike backs up a bit, eyes wide at this. “Waitwaitwait. Punched Discord? As in, punch punch?” I chuckle at his phrasing.
“Ah... yeah. He said something about Discord being irresponsible... but he started all this. Right?” Spike shrugs. Right, he wasn’t around. “Well he said he did.”
Spike’s eyebrow ridge goes up the way it does when I just made a mistake. But what could it be? “So... you’re trusting his word on this? The guy who released Discord. Sure I believe that, being him, but... how do we know when he isn’t joshing us and when he’s punking us?”
“I...” I think about the question. How do I know when he’s trying to trick us, for whatever reason? Applejack says he doesn’t tell the truth all the time, but I can’t tell. And, well... he seems trustworthy. According to Celestia, he attacked Luna and that’s horrible, but other than that he hasn’t harmed anyone... and certainly not for the sake of being mean. He says he’s chaotic but I know there’s reason behind his actions. I can’t see them all, but he clearly acts through logic, even if they aren’t the right things to do. Hay, even Rainbow Dash has started to like him, and she’s always had a hard time trusting untrustworthy people.
Maybe Spike’s right, trust my gut. And my gut says... thinking is hard when hungry. Sighing, I smile at Spike. “I’m not sure. But let’s get dinner, and we can think about it. You and me, like our old study sessions when I was still in school.” I say, and his expression brightens up at the reminder of our time back in Canterlot.
“Sure! But if we’re going to that restaurant with that weird fancy waiter guy, I’m gonna have to complain. Those fries were nowhere near ‘extra crispy’.” Once again, I chuckle, Spike always able to cheer me up. A quick effort of will, barely noticeable, and the baby dragon floats up to rest on my back, a comfortably familiar feeling.
“Alright, don’t worry. We’re going to Hoofy’s Burgers this time, they just opened a branch here in town.” We both loved that restaurant from Canterlot, so it’s a good thing they’ve begun to chain here to Ponyville.
While the inside is a bit different, the menu is mostly the same, though I notice a new item. It’s more expensive than a hayburger but there’s an option for fish instead. Must be because it’s an Earth Pony town, and I’m curious, but I order my usual instead. That experiment will wait until I’ve figured out what Anthony’s up to, releasing Discord then being worried about somepony. It just seems weird.
The burger and fries arrive, and they smell delicious. The scent brings back excellent memories of my youth, my times spent... well, almost alone, unfortunately, while studying. Spike quickly chews down his own burger, and begins eating the fries.
Mouth full, he begins to talk again. “A’right, sho, any ideash?” his voice slurs around the potato bits filling his mouth and bulging his cheeks. Honestly, he’s so adorable when he does this. I swallow my food before replying.
“Well, let’s consider what he’s said and done. It’s odd because, well he admits he’s a liar, which is true... but then that means he’s telling the truth. So either he doesn’t know either, or... he just lies on a whim with no shame, or reason. My question is, though, how lying comes so seemingly natural to him that he can freely admit he does it as if it’s normal?”
Spike just blinks and swallows. “Uh, well... maybe he has to lie? In my comics, heroes have to lie to protect the ones they care about. If everypony knew their secret identity, the bad guys would go after their un-super sister or something.”
“Spike that’s ridiculous, Anthony is not a hero he... well okay he immediately came to me when Discord got out of hoof. And he even said Discord was too irresponsible to be allowed to have his powers... and he distracted Discord so we could use the Elements on him and then he stopped Discord from escaping.” I think that over for a second, looking at the facts now that I’ve said them aloud. “Wow... you really think... he might be a hero who acts like a jerk to hide his identity?”
Spike ponders, getting that cute ‘thinking’ face on. “Well, most of the heroes that want to remain unknown, and usually have a mask. So unless he’s got some sort of fake face on or whatever he seems pretty open about who he is.”
“Right.” I shake my head. Anthony a super hero from one of Spike’s comics? That’s just silly. “But he does good things, but then does bad... and then good again. Whose side is he on?”
Spike thinks. “Maybe he’s the Ponisher?”
“What?” I ask, not understanding. Must be more comic stuff.
“Well...” Spike looks around for a bit. “The Ponisher is kinda like a hero. He goes after bad guys like most of them right? But he’s all serious, and creepy. He’s more... brutal. He actually killed this gryphon who threatened some family.”
“So he acted heroic, but through violent means? That doesn’t sound like Anthony, Spike. He actually suggested we try befriending Discord... he argued that Discord should be let out sooner, but first he said that Discord should be imprisoned for what he did... it just doesn’t add up.”
“Well... if he is responsible, then he might feel bad for the chaos getting out of hand? I mean, if he wants to be Discord’s friend, then that means he sees something he likes about the guy, right?” Spike asks, innocent expression on his face.
“Well yes I suppose that’s true... but what-”
“Also, bad guys don’t have friends. They get minions, or assistants, or allies, but they never have friends. The Mane-iac has a bunch of goons, but she never has friends. Nightmare Moon didn’t have friends, or she wouldn’t have been Nightmare Moon. Trixie may not have been evil but she sure didn’t act like she wanted friends, just ponies to lord over or something. See what I mean?”
“I... do see. But then, if he isn’t a hero, but isn’t evil either... what is he?”
“Oh, he’d be an Anti-Hero! Again, like the Ponisher, or like Night Wings, or Batmane!” Spike says, so enthusiastic about his theory. Heh, I think he gets that from me...
Unfortunately I have no idea what he’s talking about. It makes no sense. “Spike, that’s a contradiction. We already discussed he’s not evil, he can’t be an anti-hero. That means he’s a bad guy. Did you forget your prefixes?”
“No, no, an Anti-Hero is a hero who doesn’t always act nice, and will hurt ponies or gryphons to do good. Exactly like Anthony! Batmane beats up gangs and villains, and sometimes really hurts them, but he never kills or uses lethal weapons or anything, because he’s a hero and still has a moral code. Anthony must be like that!” Is this really what you find out in comics? Because that’s... surprisingly deep.
“Well, he did act violently towards Luna, but he didn’t kill her even though he could have, and he physically assaulted Discord... maybe. But then why is he so mean all the time? Sure these ‘anti-heroes’ may not be nice but I doubt being rude and socially offensive is a requirement.”
“Well... no, it’s not. Batmane is tough... but only with the bad guys. And if he’s mean to us but friendly with Discord... do you... nah, that’s crazy.”
I decide to push him, I want to know what he’s thinking. “Maybe, but he’s admitted possible insanity, so what is it?”
Spike wrings his tail between his hands. Awww he looks so cute when he’s nervous. “Well... what if... what if he thinks... we’re the bad guys?” What!? “Yeah, I know, totally crazy. Just ignore it.”
No, maybe he’s on to something... but what? Why would Anthony think we’re the bad guys... What have we done that might make him think we’re guilty of wronging him?
“Maybe he just hates ponies?” Spike suggests, using that odd ability he has to seemingly read my mind. It’s nice having someone who can read me so well.
“Maybe... no, he specifically said he was going to check on a filly in the hospital. He only uses words like that when he specifies ponies, I’ve noticed.” I pause. “So... what could it be?”
Spike just shrugs. “No idea. Maybe we just have to show him we aren’t the bad guys. I mean... you did kick him in the... you know.”
I pout. “He was being completely out of control!” I sigh. “But I suppose you’re right, it wasn’t the right thing to do. So do I apologize? Does that work on these Anti-Heroes of yours?”
“Eh, sometimes. Some will just think you’re being patronizing, or will rebuff you to keep you safe - if they like you, that is - or they’ll accept it. But again, it depends on the hero. Every character is an individual, after all.” he says, with a shrug, and I don’t think he even understands how... big of a statement that was.
Maybe there’s more to comics than fancy pictures and a horrible typeface. Nevertheless, that doesn’t solve Anthony... but it’s closer than I was this morning. “Come on Spike, let’s go home and worry about him later, alright?”
“Alright.” Spike replies, still looking a bit thoughtful.
“Something on your mind?”
“Yeah, how would one even start trying to reform Discord? I’d probably just, Idunno, keep him in stone forever.”
I’m about to agree but then I end up echoing Anthony from earlier. “If we keep imprisoning him, eventually he’ll want revenge, and do we really want a Discord who actually wants to hurt ponies?”
Spike gets a look of ‘oh!’ and nods, smiling. “I get it, it’d be like when the Marevengers reformed The Sight, and brought ‘em into the group.”
.
“I... suppose. But what could we gain from having Discord around all the time? Maybe Anthony hasn’t thought all the way through this... Oh, here I said we’d stop talking about him and he’s the main subject again... why is he so hard to ignore even when he’s not here?”
“Because the world revolves around me. Duh.” Comes the reply to my rhetorical question.
“Oh, Anthony, hi... we were just talking about you.” I say, trying to appease him but the look on his face stays that playful evil grin I’ve seen only on Discord before.
“Yes, you were. Behind my back.” Okay... he has a point. Maybe Spike isn’t absolutely wrong when he says it’s possible he thinks we’re the bad guys. We aren’t exactly doing him any favors.
“Ah, right... sorry. We were just uh... thinking of ways to send you home.”
He just looks straight at me his grin turning into a frown. “I’d suggest switching wardrobes. ‘bullshit’ is a bad combination with your shade of purple.” comes the admittedly correct reply, along with crossed arms.
“Well... uh... Sorry it’s just, you make lying look so easy. I was wondering how you did it.”
The tone and body language don’t change “It comes from practice.”
My mind races, trying to think of a way to talk my way out of this but I must admit he’s too perceptive for thin disguises... Before I can speak, Spike asks the question first. “Anthony, do you think you’re a good guy or a bad guy?”
I grin sheepishly. “Oh don’t mind him he’s just-”
“Anti-hero. Don’t expect you to understand what that means though.” he’s serious in his response and and he doesn’t seem to be lying, heck he doesn’t even blink before responding.
“I know what one is!” Spike says indignantly, but Anthony’s glare doesn’t stray from me. It’s getting a bit uncomfortable.
“I wasn’t talking to you Spike, I’m talking to Twilight. Don’t know why though. I’m outta here.” Anthony’s arms unfold to give a dismissive wave and he walks off.
“Wait!” I cry, admittedly louder than necessary.
Anthony turns around and looks annoyed, but not angry at least. “Ugh, what now?”
“I just wanted to ask, why did you hurt princess Luna?”
“How is that any of your business? I thought you were Celly’s student, not hers.”
“I’m not, I mean I am I mean... Luna’s still a friend, that entitles me to know why!” I insist and...
“I suppose you’re right.” Anthony relents? What? Just like that? “Luna made a mistake. She was going to be my friend but she just ruined that. I don’t want her dead, that’s too far, but she crossed a line and that’s all you need to know.”
“No, it’s not. I need an explanation.” I insist and again, Anthony seems to relent. What is going on? A minute ago he was glaring daggers at me, now he’s answering my questions? It makes no sense...
“I burned her literally because she burned me figuratively. I wouldn’t expect you to understand what I mean.”
“I know what revenge is Anthony.”
“Not revenge you stupid pony.” Scowl is back. “It’s called betrayal.” What? What betrayal? “You remember that little diamond I made her?”
Of course I remember, it was the last thing he did before we had to rush him to intensive care all the way to Canterlot since the local Hospital wasn’t equipped enough. “Yeah, what about it?”
“That was what was called a peace-offering. When I got here, my first day was spent being an ass, especially to her for no reason, so I wanted to make up to her so I gave her a gift.”
That... makes sense. Wow, pieces are fitting together, but that just leaves one huge hole. “And then you betrayed her? Why?”
“She betrayed me.” Anthony scowls, fist clenched. “I put effort enough to hospitalize myself into making a gift specifically for her, and how does she repay me? Acting like I’m some wild animal who needs a fucking leash. If I do nice things and get spat on for it, I’m going to spit back. I’m nobody’s patsy.”
I think I’m starting to understand. “So you were hurt when Luna... did what?”
“I’m done here, I’ve said all I need to. Seeya ‘round Sparkle.” With that he just leaves. This went... oddly enough pretty well. He’s made some sense so yes, he’s acting logically, just acting extreme as well. I’m going to add this to my journal on him and send the update to Princess Celestia. Maybe she can figure something out from there.