An unspecified amount of time later…
“You sure about this Teacup?” I ask Celestia.
“Yes, I am.” She playfully stuck her nose up. I ask Luna the same thing and she answers the same way.
“Ok, I just… I don’t know… There’s no way they’re going to accept Discord and me.”
“Oh pish posh Ember! Just stay as a pony then!”
“Discord, you know how I feel about that.” He slumped a bit.
“I… I still don’t know. I mean, Celestia and Luna revealing themselves? I...”
“Oh quit being a scaredy-pony!”
“It’s not that!” I elevate my voice. Making the girls shrink and Discord flinch. “Sorry. It’s just… I’m afraid of losing you. Alright? I’m afraid of lose the three of you. I’ve been without friends, family, anyone for so long. And I don’t want to lose you guys...” The room filled with awkward silence, well, maybe awkward for them. I was too busy sulking to notice or care.
“Say,” Discord perked up a bit. “tell you what. I promise that with whatever happens. The four of us will always be together and I’ll turn you back into a human when it’s all over. Or anytime you want.” He gave me a confident smile.
“... Can I, trust you to do that for us?” He was taken aback with my question. But instead of looking indignant, he smiled, and he took on a somber tone when he spoke.
“Ember, Celestia, and Luna. You three are the first to show me true friendship. It didn’t matter to you what I am, or what I look like. You still want to be friends because of who I am as a living being. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.” The girls looked they were gonna cry. Hell, I might as well be on the same boat as them. Considering how much I know about the guy, which isn’t much, mind you, I never expected him to say that.
“Aww, come hear ya big lug!” I go over and hug Discord, soon Teacup and Moonypie join in. “And yes, that was a compliment.” Then I felt him return the man-hug.
“Hey, you know? We’re like one big, happy family.” Discord remarked.
“Heh. Yeah...”
“You ready Teacup? Moony?” The fillies turns to me.
“As ready as we will ever be.” I nodded and turned to Discord from behind the bush we were sitting in. We skipped the village we stayed at and traveled to another one, carrying all the supplies we could on our backs. The fillies turned back around to watch as the unicorns of this other village gathered at it’s edge. All their horns blazing as they began raising the sun.
*I wonder if every unicorn in every village has to do that every night and morning…* I saw the girls tearing up at their sorrow. But before any of could react, Celestia ran out.
“Celestia! No!” No. I’m not prepared for this. What if they suppurate me and the girls? What I never get to see them again? No! No… no….
“Tia!” Luna ran after her sister. I would’ve done the same but Discord held me back.
“We must wait Ember. Let them introduce us. Maybe it can work out for the best.” … At least I still have discord in all of this.
“Ok...” I sit back down and watch as the white filly uses her magic to raise the sun. I already had an idea she would be that strong. I realized a while ago that magic pretty much runs this planet, and apparently the solar system.
“Don’t worry Ember. I’ll make sure everything turns out for the better. No matter what it takes...” I know I’m older than him by a few years, but to hear him reassure me, it’s comforting.
“I know.” I looked to him. He turned to me. And we both smiled, and not just any smile. No, it was a smile that, to anyone watching, might be two guys about to kiss. But to us, they radiated family love. The four us have built a bond with each other so strong I doubt the end of the world could break.
Discord and I turned back to the scene developing. The ponies just noticed the two, and are now walking up to them. Moony cowers behind Tia. Being the strong filly she is, Tia started talking to who looked to be the leader of the village. A grey scale unicorn. They converse for a bit and the stallion turns to the crowd, shouts something, and they all cheer in excitement. The stallion then turns back to the two fillies and talks to them a little. Then Tai turns to our direction and waves a hoof to us, telling us to come out. Discord and I look at each other uncertainly before we resigned ourselves and walk out, still as ponies, just to be safe.
“Are these the two stallions who have taken care of you two?” The stallion asked Tia. So that’s what they were talking about.
“Yes, Ember,” she points her right forehoof to me. “and Discord,” she points the same hoof to Discord. “are our caretakers. We would be grateful if they would stay with us.” The grayscale stallion gives us both a once over before nodding.
“Fair enough. Come, we shall head to Canterlot.” He turned away and started walking with the four of us in tow.
*Teacup you clever girl…* I look over to Discord and he has a warm smile curving the corners of his lips. “Looks like it'll be easy sailing from here Discord.” His eyes turn to me.
“Indeed.”
“Monster!”
“Demon!”
“Kill them!” The mob of ponies shout out at Discord and me.
“I just had to change back.” Discord muttered as we ran.
“No kidding.” I darkly reply. Dodging a pitchfork some pony threw. “I told you to be sure when changing-!”
“I know!” He roared. “Just keep running!” I nod and keep up my pace with his. My talons ripping the dirt ground as I ran.
*This is the last thing I wanted to happen…* The mobs chased us to some dank, dark forest. And for a while, we kept running, even though I stopped hearing the shouts of the ponies chasing us. But eventually both of us grew exhausted and slowed to a stop.
“Whew… That was… something...” I huff out. “Where… are we?”
“The Evergreen Forest.” Discord replied. I nod and we sit on the grassy ground to catch our breath.
“So… what do we do now? The ponies know what we are, and our disguises… we can’t go back… and see the girls. Who knows what they’re thinking.” I droop sadly.
“Don’t worry Ember.” Discord said hopefully. “We can wait it out. We just have to wait for us to fade from the pony’s minds and we can make a return!” He threw his mismatched arms in the air happily.
“But… how much time do we have to wait? I’d hate to leave the girls for long...”
“At least a few decades, maybe five just to be safe.”
“Oh...” I droop even more, if that’s possible in my current state.
“What?”
“I don’t think I have that kind of time, Discord.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m close to forty.”
“And?”
“And at this rate the most I have are a good fifty to sixty years left in me.” I mutter. “If I want to see them again, we’ll have to go back as soon as possible.” Discord dropped his demeanor, goat ears wilting and all.
“Oh, I see. I didn’t know...” I wave it off with a smile.
“Don’t worry about it you, nor the girls never asked.” A thought occurred to me. “At least I have you with me in all of this.” I grin. “I don’t know where I would even begin to do this all on my own.”
“Even with all this time we’ve spent in the woods?” He smirked.
“That’s different, we depended on each other.” I smirk back at him. “But, then again. I can probably find a way to… extend my lifespan?”
“Oh? How so?” He quirked up a brow.
“No idea, yet. But it does have some things to do with your magic, if possible. Or...” I snap my fingers in a ‘eureka!’ moment. “You remember what I told you about my people and our technology?” He nodded. “And about the little robots in my body?” Once again, he nodded.
“Yes, where are you going with this?”
“Well, do you know any… growth spells?” He looked up in thought and nodded.
“Yes, but why..?” I grinned widely and he understood what I meant.
“Oh, you plan to make more of those things?” Kind of.
“Not exactly. You see, back then, I used to work for people that specialized in making those robots.”
“Oh?” His head tilted in confusion. “Oh.” His face went straight. “Oh!” He started smiling wildly. “Ember you clever bastard!”
“Thank you.” I said in mock smugness. “Now, where to start? I don’t suppose you know any, uh… summoning spells? I’m still not too familiar with magic...”
“This is never going to work!” I pound my fists onto the table, scattering bits of metal and scrap everywhere. Discord poked his head in through the doorway.
“Nothing new I assume?” He asked nonchalantly.
“No! After so many god damned tries! Nothing! Fucking nothing!” I scream to the heavens in my chair.
“Oh lighten up chap!” Discord get closer to me and patted my back, being mindful of my wings. “At least we have a roof over our heads now. Not that it’s the best house in the world.” He trailed off looking around.
“Well maybe if you helped built it more...” I very nearly snap back.
“Oh whatever!” He exclaimed. “At least I supply us with food!”
“Yeah, can’t argue with that.” I chuckle. “Say… how long has it been now?”
“Oh about a year, give or take a few months.”
“Wow. A full year away from the girls.” My mood darkened.
“Hey! Cheer up! At least they know we’re still around with that… thing you gave them a couple of months ago.” He pauses. “Tell me, how did you go about doing that again?”
“Firstly.” I turn around in my chair. “It’s called a mechanical iris. A crude one that since I made it our of wood. And secondly,” The Draco leans in like a child waiting to hear their favorite story. “It was a dark and stormy night, the gardens devoid of life as per usual. Perfect for something, or someone, to sneak in. And so, the only human to ever set foot in those gardens, clutching a very important item in his hands. He was determined to let his little girls know he was still here with them. Even though the ponies of the land shunned him and their draconequus friend.”
“The human, tired from hiding from the royal guards whose sole purpose were to protect and serve their newly founded princesses, spotted the elder princesses bedroom balcony. It was only through his sheer strength and agility that he was able to climb up the wall onto what he considered a small balcony. The human looked through the windowed doors and spied the filly. Peacefully sleeping away the stormy night with her sister. It brought a smile to his features to see them happy despite his predicament.”
“With enough care to carry a delicate piece of glass artwork. He opened to door and walked in, gently closing the door behind him just as a flash of lightning filled the room for the briefest of seconds. The accompanying ear piercing crack of thunder woke the two fillies from their slumber with a shriek. The human paused, not knowing what to do, then the fillies saw him in the dim candle light.”
“Ember?” The elder sister asked in shock.
“Is that you?” The younger asked.
“Yes. It’s me.” The human answered. The fillies, overfilled with joy, jumped from their bed, ran over to the towering human, and leapt into his arms, crying tears of joy. “I missed you two.”
“We missed you too.” The elder sister said.
“We never thought we would see you ever again!” The younger added. Holding the human tighter. Just then, voices could be heard from outside the room.
“If only this moment could last forever.” The human admitted sadly. The fillies looked up to him, a new, different kind of tears threatening to begin flowing. “But I did come here to give you both something to remember me and Discord by.” The human held up a strange carving.
“What is that?” The young one asked.
“This, my dear Moony. Is called a mechanical iris where I come from. To most, it is nothing but an alternative method to artificial sight. But to you,” he handed the wooden carving to the two princesses. “I want you two to have this, something to know that no matter what. I will always be around. I will always come, or at least try, to come visit you, no matter what it takes.” Voices started from the main doors, growing louder as the ponies outside got closer. “Got to bed. I need to go now.” With sad smiles, the fillies nodded and did what the human told them, just as two royal guards entered the room, the balcony door shut as the human made his quick escape.
“Even though you lack skill in storytelling, you are definitely not the worst I have heard.” Discord commented.
“Well, I can always never-”
“No!” The Draco yelled. “I-i mean, no. I don’t mind you telling me stories. They’re… interesting.” I chuckled.
“You’re fun to mess with, Discord.”
“Likewise.” He snarkily, but playfully, replied.
A chair warps into an abomination of wood and pies.
“Discord! Wait! You can’t do this!” He turned to me with that manic grin threatening to split his head.
“Oh my dear Ember! Why don’t you join me? We can rule this world together!” He waved his arms about. More of his chaotic influence affecting the land around us. The house we spent the better part of a month building twisted, warped, and changed color wildly.
“This is not the right way Discord! Why can’t you see that?”
“Because.” He appeared to my right. “I am the God of Chaos!” He cackled and sped off towards Canterlot, leaving a trail of chaos behind him. The City at the foot of a titanic mountain off in the distance.
“Discord!” I shouted after him. I open my wings and give chase. It took a bit of effort but I managed to catch to him. “Discord! Stop this now!” He turned to me and scowled.
“If you are not going to help then so be it!” He waved his paw at me and I was sent like a rocket flying away. Before I could hit the ground I right myself.
“Discord!” I angrily yell. I could feel my anger consuming me, wisps of flame dancing around me. “Urgh, no.” I tried to calm down and the wisps vanished. “I can’t do that, not to Discord.” I look to Canterlot. The royal city at the foot of a tall mountain. “But maybe I can help them stop him.” With a furious beat of my wings I make my towards the glistening city.
Disguising myself as a pony, Discord had long ago taught me transformation magic, I briskly walk through Canterlot City. Heading straight to the castle. I had to ask a few ponies where I could get to the princesses. But I did get here before Discord. Hopefully I have enough time.
“Hault!” The guards standing by the front gates leading to the castle stop me. “State your business!”
“I come with a dire warning! I must warn the princesses!”
“What could you possibly be going on about?” The stallion let of the gate skeptically asked.
“A wicked creature of chaos is making his way here! He plans to usurp the princesses and take the throne as his own!” I was dancing in place. I need to let the girls know of Discord.
“What is the creature you speak of?” The stallion to the right asked curiously.
“A draconequus!” I shout. “Please let me through! I need to warn the princesses!” The guards went wide eyed and let me through.
“Which way is it coming from?”
“The south!” Hastily respond as I run toward the castle.
“You heard the Stallion! To the south!” A large commotion makes itself known from behind as I kept running. The guards open the front doors, allowing me to run right past while they join the rest. The hall before me is barren, tables and pews to my left and right. The red carpet I’m running on lead straight to two thrones. Each one themed for the girls. Nightly for Moony, sunny for Teacup. They both spot me and the flinch a little.
“Teacup, Moony. It’s Discord! He’s gone mad!” Since there weren’t any other ponies around I called them by the nicknames I gave them.
“Ember? What do you mean?” Moony asked.
“There’s no time to explain! He’s on his way here! He wants to take over Equestria!” They both gasp. “You have to stop him. I tried, but as you can see...”
“Do not worry Ember.” Teacup said. “We shall stop him.” Her and Moony got up from their thrones. “Now go! We can’t risk you being here. I fear a battle ensuing.” Teacup said gravely.
“... Alright...” I couldn’t put up an argument. I looked up to them, my, they have grown so much… Teacup’s a full head and neck taller than me as a pony!
“Do not fret. We will do the best we can to end this peacefully before it begins. Now go.” She said with a reassuring smile. I managed a strained smile.
“Alright. Good luck you two.” Moony turned to me.
“Thank you.” With that, they walked past me and head out the front doors. Leaving me with my thoughts…
A loud crashing noise made me jump, nearly changing back to my human form. I turn to see who dropped or whatever fell. It was a pony dressed in a maids outfit. She was still holding her hoof up as if she was still holding the plate currently on the floor.
“Nopony speaks to the Princesses like that...” She whispered. “Who are you?” Her brow furrowed. Balancing anger with curiosity.
“Let’s just say I am an old friend, someone who used to take care of the princesses before they became princesses.” She looked at me weirdly before realization hit her.
“You do not mean...” I sigh and change back to my human form.
“Yes, I am the creature you speak of.” I continued before she say anything. “But we have to go! A terrible threat is going to befall this kingdom!” She nodded and ran off. I changed back into a pony and ran out the front doors. And the place seemed deserted, no ponies in the streets panicking like I expected.
*Slam!* Blinds to several windows and doors closed. Ah they’ve all gone inside, good. I started walking around, looking for any ponies still about.
Hushed sobbing comes from the street to my left. I immediately run to the crying and spot a earth filly sitting in the middle of the street. Her light pink fur grimy and her bright yellow hair dirty and unkempt. I rush to the filly and tap her on her withers. She jumps and turned to me.
“Hey there. It’s ok.” I say in a placating tone. “What are you doing out here? It’s not safe for little fillies.” She sniffled and looked up to me sadly.
“I… I lost my mommy and daddy.” Her voice shook from sobbing. “I don’t know where they are!” She wailed. I sat on my haunches and gently picked her up.
“Shh...” I whispered sweet nothings to her. It helped little as her sobbing reduced to sniffs. “It’s ok. I’ll help you get home. Do you know where you live?” She nodded weakly.
“I live with mommy and daddy on an apple farm.”
“Do you know where it is?” She shook her head no. More tears flowing from her eyes down her cheeks.
“Don’t worry I’ll get you home. Hold on.” To have a better hold on the little filly I changed to my human form. Once done she looked up to me with a look I can’t quite place.
“What are you? How did you do that?” I went to pick her up but she flinched away, eyeing my hands wearily.
“I am a human, and magic.” I answer her questions. “Now please, let me take you home.” She bowed her head, scared out of her wits. But eventually, after seeing my concerned look, let me take her in my arms. “Alright, let's go.” I beat my wings and take to the air, taking care to hold onto the filly tight enough to not let her fall from my grip, but gentle enough for her to be comfortable. She clung to my arms tightly, clutching with all her might while burying her face into my chest, she’s terrified of heights...
I look around for a bit and spot a large patch of organized trees.
“Is that it?” I got her to look and she nodded. “Alright.” I dive at a gentle pace towards the house and land right in front.
“Here we are, are you sure this is it?” I set the filly down, she staggered a bit but recovered quickly by shaking her head.
“Yes, this is my home. Thank you… uhm...”
“Ember. My name is Ember.”
“Oh, well it was nice meeting you, Ember. And my name is Pinova.” She glanced to the farmhouse-looking building. “My grandparents should be inside.” I nodded and looked off into the distance. Right towards the Evergreen...
“... I think I will stick around for a bit.”
“What?” She turned to me puzzled.
“I have nothing else to do besides wait, and hope.” I stare off into the distance. “And make sure you, and your grandparents, stay safe. I have no doubt of the princesses, but...”
“I understand. Come with me then! I can introduce you to my grandparents!” Pinova said with a wide smile.
“Alright, but would they not react too well to seeing a me for the first time? I do look rather… imposing to you.” Pinova mulled my question over for a second. Putting one of her hooves under her chin in thought.
“Well, maybe if I tell them about you first!” She joyfully exclaimed.
“Very well.” I agree. She beams a smile and runs inside. I spend a few minutes waiting anxiously outside. Not about meeting the filly’s grandparents. But how Teacup and Moony are doing with Discord. He was so dead-set on ruling Equestria. No doubt he wants to turn this land into a chaotic landscape.
“Ember! You can come in now!” Pinova calls from the front door. She waves me over and I walk with her, having to nearly crawl through the door frame to get inside, and having to slouch due to low ceilings. The interior was… quaint, not that it doesn’t make sense for a farm house. I just happen to like rustic architecture.
“This is nice.” I offhandedly comment. Through my peripheral I saw Pinova grin brightly.
“This way.” She lead through the house, going through the kitchen and walking into a living room. There I spy two elderly ponies. A stallion with a faded red coat and blondish hair, next to him, a mare with an orange coat and soft green hair, and she’s wearing a cowboy hat. They were facing away from us so they didn’t notice me yet.
“Ember. I would like you to meet Red Delicious,” she points to the red stallion just as he starts to slowly turn his head. “and Honeycrisp.” Both ponies turn to me and they gawk at me, as much as an elderly pony could.
“Well, that is something you do not see everyday.” The stallion, Red Delicious, said amused. His voice was gruff and told of his old age.
“I agree. You are a remarkable creature.” Honeycrisp’s voice was old as well, but hers seemed more delicate, as if speaking above normal volume would shatter her vocal cords. They both got up from the couch they were sitting in. “Sorry, but could you tell me what you are? My memory is not as reliable as it used to be.” I smile.
“Of course, I am a human. And it’s a pleasure to meet you both.” I offer my hand, they look it at before Red puts his hoof in it. Me and him shaking my to hoof. Honeycrisp did the same.
“It sure is a pleasure to meet you as well, Ember.” Red said, his tone becoming more casual.
“Yes. It is not every day we get to meet a human.” I chuckle.
“Yes. That is true.” Honeycrisp tittered.