//------------------------------// // Reflections // Story: A Kind of Chaos // by Lola Dotz //------------------------------// If there had ever been more of frightening, and hysterical moment than this one, Discord would have laughed at himself for being so naive. There he stood face to face with the most beautiful mare he’s ever known. At least he thought so now, he hadn’t seen the lovely pegasus in that way a few weeks ago, actually his feelings were just of mutual respect and friendship. It was a common understanding in Ponyville that the pegasus had warmed the heart of the Lord of Chaos. Showing him kindness and letting him know that he can be accepted for who he was in the eyes of a friend that would always be there for him. All things are meant to grow and change, but it seems this next change was something far greater than what Discord had ever expected to feel. He gulped, crouching down on his hind legs, sitting like a regular pony. Though his form wasn’t such. His lion paw grazed the back of his neck messing up his black mane, while his eagle claw and hind legs; his dragon and goat counterparts; kept him balanced and frozen on the floorboards of the mare’s cottage. He was a combination of all sorts of wildlife, that was now frazzled and finding the strength to speak difficult to gather. What was so difficult about asking such a simple question? Or telling her something he’s wanted to say since the beginning, but really only realized it till now? Why was it hard to tell her the truth? Sure, Discord wasn’t much for mush or affection, he didn’t know where to begin! He had never felt this way before, let alone confront his feelings! How could he when he didn’t even know how he felt from the start? All he knew was that the moment was fleeting. He needed to tell her, or he’d lose her, and that was worse than being in stone. “Well? What is it Discord? Why did you lie to me?” The yellow mare huffed, she may be shy, but the situation at hoof was enough to break her shell. He had to say it and he had to say it now, because, no matter how much his chaotic counterparts would deny giving up freedom, his heart yearned for the surrender. “Well?” “There really is no excuse to lie to you...but...” “But?” “The truth...is...I-I really….I really…um…” He felt it lodged in the back of his throat, desperate to come out. How could he put it? “I…um.” This sounded so much better in my head… 3 weeks before… A mare off from work for her lunch break sat on a park bench, eating her daisy sandwich deluxe and a batch of hay fries. Nothing could make this mare’s lunch any better, that is if she didn’t get the feeling that she was being watched… A shiver ran down the pony’s spine, and a sudden need for a covering lingered in her spirit. Something telling her to run. A quick movement of the bushes behind her startled her to leap from her seat, but not to scare her away. She gathered the courage to investigate the noise from the plants stalking her lunch spot. Nearly a second later an odd looking rabbit jumped out from the bushes. “Oh, you scared me! I thought you were some kind of beast, or something! Silly me haha…” “Yes. silly indeed!” Replied the rabbit, which froze the pony mare in place, leaving her to stare blankly at the rabbit, who looked more like a jackal-ope. “I mean really, why would a beast be in the middle of a park…” The bunny seemed to enlarge, becoming a menacing draconequus that looked even more frightening than his usual appearance. “Of course,...” the monster paused, “...it would be silly…” his snout leaned in to a whisper, “...to assume no beasts would ever be here, don’t you think?”. He then opened his mouth to reveal his awful jagged teeth and snake tongue. Out of nowhere a bolt of lightning struck from behind the mare making her shrill in terror and virtually run for her life. “Pffft hahahaha! Discord that was the best prank yet!” Laughed a cyan pegasus from the top of a rain cloud. “Oh, why thank you, but I must say the lightning added the right touch to this scandal, wouldn’t you agree?” “Hey, thanks! Not too bad if I do say so myself, but still a neat trick either way!” “Yes, well I suppose by your standards, but then again, you haven’t seen me turn somepony into a toad just yet!” “Awesome! But maybe tomorrow, I’ve gotta hit the hay early. I’ve gotta get the skies clear and help Fluttershy with her bat nursery..." she said with hoof quotes, "or something tomorrow, so naps sound pretty good to me right now.” Rainbow's tongue clicked on her words, adding a yawn to end her sentence. “Understandable, it’s not as if I’m doing anything today either…” “Hey! Naps are important! Besides Fluttershy’s bat thingy is going to take a lot out of my time, rounding all of them up...why don’t you help?” “I’m not certain she would appreciate a claw from me, the last time I helped I turned into a fox to round up her chickens...now I have to enter from the back door for fear of getting my eyes plucked out by beaks...” “Haha, well I guess you’ve got a point...sure could use the help though. I have to round up all the baby bats from AJ’s farm and bring them to Fluttershy for her to count and do vet stuff. Ever since the bat incident she’d rather not be alone with the little monsters...hey, you’ve never heard that one have you?! Don’t tell her I told you! She doesn’t like to talk about it...but it’s so hilarious! I can totally spare a sec to tell you the story.” “Oh? Bats? Do tell...” The Lord of Chaos found a comfortable seat on a cloud next his friend. “Okay, so one time Fluttershy had to use her stare on these bats that was sucking AJ’s orchard dry, the end result was Fluttershy turning into a FlutterBat, haha!” At that moment the two burst out laughing. Discord couldn’t imagine his gentle, delicate friend turning into a monster that could be comparable to him. “I sure wish to see that, my what a sight that would have been…” “It certainly was! I actually find it weird that she didn't tell you. You being ‘Lord of Chaos’ and all, she’d love to give you a few laughs.” “Well, perhaps she rather not express certain monstrous attributes about herself, or certain situations she could be compared to something of that nature?” The beast gently scratched at his chin scruff, he had cut his beard to make him look less aged, which showed his jaw more hoofsomely. “Hm, I guess, but I thought you guys were...well, you know..” Discord, oblivious to Rainbows true intentions, asked innocently what she meant. “What?” “Well, I just figured that you guys would do more stuff, you know? Like, instead of having tea parties and stuff...don’t you guys do anything else?” “We do have Wednesday Book Club!” he stated eagerly, elated to be discussing a recent activity he had done with the dear pegasus. “We’re currently reading a novel called ‘The Phantom of The Opera’, it’s a pretty good story! I practically begged Fluttershy to get better books, so naturally she picked something for more my taste, that is more ‘scary’, as Fluttershy had put it.” “Pfft hahaha, would you look at that patchwork became an egghead…” “Not egghead, Rainbow, educated. Besides I rather not choose an activity to make Fluttershy uncomfortable.” “I guess not, I wonder what she would do if you were normal though…” Rainbow bit her lip to keep the words from slipping but they had already escaped her. The pegasus folded her wings back to her sides and looked awkwardly in a different direction, hoping to Celestia he hadn’t heard that part. “Normal?” Too late. Though it didn’t seem to affect him as much as she expected, judging by his tone as thinking, not hurting. “As in, a stallion, I presume? Perhaps she would be comfortable doing more leisure activities, but then again, I’m not quite sure she minds my natural appearance…” “Yeah, your probably right about that...sorry Discord, I didn’t mean to make it sound like she’d hate how you look or anything...It only made me slightly curious as to what...or how she would feel if you looked different...but you're probably right, sayin’ that she wouldn’t care whatcha look like, as long as you both are friends, right?” Rainbow seemed reassuring, even very certain that the truth be told it was fact rather than belief. It was no secret that the draconequus and the certain yellow pegasus were the best of friends. They did share a lot of the same interests, did most of everything together, and of course always stayed open with one another with no secrets between them. “Indeed...though now I seem slightly curious…” In truth, he always hated his appearance, he tried to accept it, especially now that his friends accepted it too. However, no matter what acceptance he’d received, he always had the voice in the back of his mind telling him how ugly he truly looked. Like a monster. He tried to not let this voice get to him, but now, as he sat with one of his close friends, he felt a sudden urge to please the mare of discussion, and wondered how she would react if he looked different. “Well, it’s not like you haven’t transformed before right? Why don’t you try it? See where it goes, huh? Then you can tell her later!” The cyan pegasus looked out from her cloud and began to take flight shouting her goodbyes. “Well, I got to go, see ya!”, she stated coolly then flew off in a bolt. Maybe… He thought to himself, trying to picture a reaction from his friend. How would she feel? Would she be more open with me? Would she be okay with it? Would she be more...comfortable...around me? He suddenly felt a longing sigh come from his snout. What was he thinking? Why would Fluttershy care how he looked when she has stated multiple times that she doesn’t mind at all? She doesn’t even mind for him to use his magic, understanding that it was more of a necessity to him, a magic inside he truly could not allow to build up and needed to execute every so often. She is not frightened by that! She is perfectly comfortable with him for who he is...right? Discord grunted holding his head with his paw and claw, then shaking out the thought before they had time to get under his skin, but one. Would she ever grow tired of me? After going back home, he found himself lost in thought, or felt he was in the dark. He hadn’t even recognized that he was actually cleaning the dishes. His home was the pentacle of chaos after all, where his magic roamed free to mess everything up in an all-so nonchalant fashion. Instead of his usual backward routine however, for the oddest of reasons, he was cleaning his house. He suddenly found himself dusting the giant, actual, dust bunnies from his shelves of knick knacks and other assorted items that either floated from their stands or were placed upside down. That night, he hadn’t gotten much sleep either, he had usually had ‘peaceful’ dreams, to his standards. How odd, it was completely different this time. Nothing. Everything was black, not an ounce of color. All he could feel or hear was the slight breeze of his ceiling fan and the noise of his clock on the mantle, ticking the passing hours of the night. He could hardly sleep at all with his mind a buzz. He groaned...reluctant to get up that morning. What was wrong with him? Why did he feel like he needed to do something so badly? He felt the urge to do exactly what he and Rainbow talked about yesterday. He looked at the picture on the mantle beside his bed. A lovely picture of him and Fluttershy, he recalled that his friend had begged him to join in her picture, and later asked for a copy. His face grew hot for a moment, but it vanished when he looked over at the mirror across the room, it wasn’t always there, for the Lord of Chaos had just made it materialize out of thin air, something occurring to him. He got up and walked on his hind legs, gazing at his distorted reflection. Everything about him was simply confusion and mystery, he was the oddest of the chimera species, he knew this to be true. The worst part was his facial appearance, this seemed to bother him the most. The draconequus had a strong, hoofsome jaw to be sure, but, all in vain for he looked so old, older than he actually was. He recalled when Rarity had asked him how old he really was, curious to see if he was as immortal as the alicorn princesses. In truth, no he wasn’t as old as everypony thought, but did have an immortal lifespan. To put it simply, the stone had changed his aging immensely, keeping him preserved the way he was. Yes, he was very much aware of everything around him, but hadn’t aged a day. His appearance had always made him look older. His eyes had softened more over time, but still looked old and stressed. His one fang hung alone, a reminder of his first time being turned to stone, the day a colt had gotten separated from his class and found the statue of the mighty Lord of Chaos. Much to Discord’s dismay, the colt’s misadventure resulted in climbing up the statue to play, and breaking a piece of the beast instead. “Why doesn’t it just heal back?” Fluttershy asked looking at her friend who had confessed to why he only had one fang. “Well, my dear, as much as chimera are fast healers, I’m afraid dental work isn’t one of our specialties…” He groaned, opening his mouth to reveal a small fang coming in from the other side, growing ever so slowly. Twilight had been generous to help grow his tooth back...but it still would be a slow process to regain such a fang. Another thing that seemed to bother him was his horns, and how each did not match the other...to his great dismay. He would always hate the dis-figuration that came with the burden to balance chaos and harmony. He turned to show his backside to the mirror, then popping his head off and twisting it around like an owl, to get a better view of his shoulders and tail. He had a very thin anatomy, like a serpent or a noodle, that ended with a crocodile tail with a fluffy scruff at the tip. Again, nothing matched. He would change his form to something new if he could but, ultimately, magic had it’s limits. He had always copied the form of something or somepony else, never making a form of himself...which always lead to some type of distortion. Either having antlers, his big fang, or ridiculous hair. “I’ve never tried...but, maybe If I just...think of what I want to be instead of thinking of somepony I saw...my magic would just work on it’s own....” It seemed simple enough, but as he tried it didn’t seem to work as well. Sigh. “Maybe I’m just meant to be accepted as…” He couldn’t finish. He kept trying to use his abundant magic, but he found that he was wasting a lot of his energy. Then he got it. I need something to boost my energy. He quickly conjured up a jacket, knowing that it was still cool outside from the early morning. He made himself a portal and was immediately on the doorstep of a good friend of his… Knock, knock… A few hoofsteps at a time approached the crystal door. “Good Morning, dear Twi, I came in the hopes of you giving me assistance…” “Discord……..IT’S LIKE FIVE AM!!!” The alicorn screeched, making Discord lean back putting his paws up in surrender, and his ears flying back. “Oh, come now, Twilie,” The draconequus said casually brushing off his brown leather jacket…”, I thought you’d be more happy to see me? Besides, when have I ever openly asked for a favor?” He stated without the slightest expression on his face, then grinning in innocence. “Ha! Yeah...right...you don't want a glass of...water?” She said jokingly. “Well played...but sadly, I must decline your oh-so polite gesture of refreshments...I’m in a bit of a rush...so, may I come in...please?” He did mean it. He was completely serious about asking for help from Twilight Sparkle, and she could see it. It intrigued her that he wanted assistance from her, and against her better judgement she gave in. “Come on-” Before the Princess of Friendship could finish Discord made himself comfortable in the throne room across the hall from the door. “Oh thank you ever so much Twi...really I do mean it…” The chaotic being said it as sarcastically as possible, but deep down he did mean it, he was appreciative of Twilight’s help. He considered her his best friend, besides Fluttershy. “Yeah, yeah, alright...let’s get this over with. What is it you need my help with?” She said trudging the polished floors of the throne room with her slippers. She yawned before moving to take a seat, when she found herself being escorted to a now pulled out chair. “Thank you, Flash, you can go back to your chambers. We’ll proceed with lessons in the Library at eight, so be up by then.” “Are you sure you want to be left alone? I could get you something to eat...you haven’t eaten yet...or a drink of coff-” “I’m fine Flash, go back to bed...You stayed up all night with me helping sort out my library and lessons. You deserve at least a few hours of rest…and besides, Discord is a friend...he won’t hurt me…” She finished before Flash Sentry, her loyal guard given to her by Cadence, could finish his gentlecolt-like statement. “Yes, ma’am…” With that, the soldier swallowed his pride and moved on to his chambers across from Twilight’s room. Discord watched how the guard treated her. He was so polite and gentle with his princess, treating her with the utmost care, always ready to defend her, and keep to her needs. Another longing sigh left his lips. Why is it that he had the feeling to do that for somepony too? “Sorry to bore you…” Twilight said as witty as possible noticing Discords sigh in a melancholy state as he sat across from her in Fluttershy’s chair, but saved her grin for later. “Now, I’ll ask again...What is it you came here for?” “Well...this is something quite personal and I’d wish to keep it secret...from everypony...especially Flutters…” He was laying on his back, outstretched horizontally across Fluttershy’s throne, with his mismatched claws dangling off the arm chair to Twilight’s right, and his paws holding his head up against the left arm chair. After saying this, the draconequus turned his head slowly to look at his friend across from him. “Understand?” Twilight was a little hesitant to agree, since it was such an odd request to keep things from the others, especially Fluttershy. Then she dismissed it, realizing the fact that Discord had always been odd. “Fine.” She grumbled in annoyance, but at a higher pitch, loud enough for her friend to hear. “Good.” Discord then sat up in his seat and folded his arms against the table. “I need a book, or more specifically a spell...to be even more precise...a transformation spell or something to help give excess energy…” Twilight stared at him blank faced for a moment with her mouth agape. Why would he want a transformation spell, or something to give energy? Probably for his magics use? Why would he want that? Unless… “Discord...do you...want to change your appearance?” Busted. Sigh. His ears dropped back in submission. Discord knew Twilight was too smart to be fooled easily, she'd figure it out before anypony could. But he continued to play his turn, while remaining somewhat truthful to his word. “Yes, I do wish...to change my appearance, only for a temporary amount of time. But for specific reasons, and now I find I need more energy for this transformation than any other. You see I’m doing an experiment to see how much I can really do with my magic...where my boundaries are, this is for protection purposes and as well as fun…” Lies: 3; Truth: 1…I’ll keep score. Discord thought to himself, now sitting up straight and smiling to reassure his friend. “Oh...well, I certainly can help you with this. Come on, I’ll take you to the library.” Twilight finally replied, once Discord's smile began to fade. “Thank you…” “I have few books on transformation, they’re mainly centered around 24 BC (Before Celestia) and alicorn Magic, which makes them extremely difficult spells to cast,” Twilight began to say all this while leading Discord down the halls towards her Library. “However, I’m certain we have plenty of books on energy transfer and magic stamina, I’m positive we can find something for you to use…” “You sound quite proud of yourself to have a vast collection of knowledge…” The draconequus rolled his eyes, grinning in an effort to mock the small alicorn walking in front of him. “Well, yes, I am...and if I wasn't...I'm not sure you'd have the help you're receiving right now…” She replied back, smiling as she said it. “Touché…” “So what started these thoughts of ‘boundaries’ and ‘limits’? I thought your magic had no limits?” The lavender mare opened the door for Discord, allowing him access to a large library full of crystal columns and old books. Impressive. He wouldn't admit to it aloud, but Discord loves books. He found his magic from them to begin with, and has always enjoyed the company of stories, specifically Romance and Gothic Fantasy as a personal preference. Mainly why Fluttershy had picked The Phantom for their reading group with all her other animals. It was one of his favorites. “All magic has a limit, it just depends on the strength and preference of the wielder. You should know that much Twi…” “I assumed yours to be different is all…” Twilight began their search by going to the farthest shelves and began to pull books off the section“M”, for magic. “It is, but I do have limits, my magic is dependent on my strength...I must be of optimal health at all times in order for my magic to be used properly. Even the type of foods I consume affect my magic…” Discord also began to take books off the shelf. He stood in the center of the room and called forth the books of request with one motion of his paws from the space in front of his face to his chest, gently bending the toes of his claws. Star Swirl’s Spells of Magic. Nope. Alicorn Basics. Nope. Magic: Levitation and Potions. Blah. “That makes sense...I guess…” Twilight replied to their earlier discussion. “Please dear, the least you could do, since I've swallowed my pride asking you for your assistance, is refrain from saying my reasoning is logical…” The Lord of Chaos smirked as he looked down at the pages of a book. Twilight snickered as a reply to the mix matched creature, as she levitated circles of books across her face and above her horn. They searched for anything that could help, basic spells...magic transfer, or appearance potions. It all seemed in vain. Manticores: History. Notta. General Magic. Probably not. Pegasus Culture and Habits. Maybe I’ll keep this one. Transformation Spells: Ages and Appearance. Bingo. “I think I found one!” Discord called out still reading the synopsis of the book. “Really? What is it? Is it magic transfer, I think I found a book on that too…” Twilight trotted over to the concentrating creature with two levitating books in his possession. “How is Pegasus Habits going to help? Unless...oh..hehe…” Twilight put a hoof over her lips and giggled innocently. “I wonder who that is for? Certainly not a yellow pegasus I know, right?” She snickered, too amused by the draconequus’ choice in reading material. “Yes, yes, laugh it up...it’s for something else…” It seemed Twi knew more than she let on, though she shook the conclusion out of mind and, smiling gently, brought her book into view. “I’m sure it is Discord...now what about the other book or this one?” Magic Transfer Volume II. Probably. Though the one I’m reading seems slightly more promising. “What does yours say?” The Lord of Chaos questioned now looking at Twilight’s magic glow around her book she held with levitation. “It’s a transfer of magic from somepony else to another, or something like energy from a tree to somepony else.” “It doesn’t sound like it would give enough energy for the transformation I’m looking for…” He turned back to his book with all his focus on the words. “This does…” “What is it exactly that you want to turn into first? It seems that it needs a lot of energy...is it like a dragon or something of large size?” “A stallion.” Discord said bluntly turning another page of the book, then gasping. “Well that sound interesting...what did you find?” asked curiously, trying to read over his shoulder. “Exactly what I’m looking for.” The draconequus didn’t wait another minute, he ripped the page from the crease and read deeper into it’s contents. “HEY! THAT’S MY BOOK YOU KNOW!” Nopony ripped her books without facing dire consequences. “Shh, I’ll fix it when I’ve read it…”, Discord said, trying in vain to calm her down. “No, you fix it now!” At that moment Discord took his leave and walked out of the library, leaving behind a frantic Twilight to her now destroyed book. The Princess insisted the beast fix her book, but he was already outside of the castle. The draconequus made his way back home, opening a portal and stepping into his realm. He hurried to his room closing the door and locking the knob as if somepony could break in to see what he was up to. “Let’s see...it’s complicated for such a spell, but I’m sure I can do it…” Discord walked over to the mirror in the corner of the room, standing on all fours while still observing the spell. Finally ready to test the spell, the draconequus set the paper down and stared deeply into the his distorted reflection, and began the spell. It took many tries to get it right, he wound up draining all the magic in his room to conjure up the spell. On the final try his magic, unlike what it usually did, glowed a bright red around his body. The light shimmered brightly and started to turn white, shining so bright the Lord of Chaos was no longer visible, but in his place stood a stallion. The spell was cast and the once tall beast was now a skinny stallion tripping over his own four hooves. “Ahhh!” A baritone voice with a slightly different pitch than before, shouted out as the new body of Discord hit the floor. “Ow…” He complained touching his chin where he hit it against the floorboard. Wide eyes veered to the mirror to see what he looked like, to his amazement...hoofsome. “Oh...my...Celestia…” The stallion now stood looking at his new face. He had a perfect jawline that grew a small black beard. The color of his eyes were red and quite enchanting, the kind that made you feel the need to look away, but get lost in their bright color before you could turn your neck. His mane and tail were the same black color they had always been, but there was more of it and his eyebrows were smaller and black also. The ears this new body had were still the same shape, but a different size to be more proportional. Discord felt relieved that he was not hideous as he had feared and thanked his magic for being able to conjure a good frame for him. Suddenly Discord felt heavy and slightly light headed, almost tumbling over his own hooves again until his wings caught his balance. He had just realized the wings that had sprouted from his back, and how normal they were. Quickly the stallion turned to see his flank, excited but also nervous. Sigh. It was a pentagram with many different colors and shapes representing Chaos Magic. Discord took one more long look at his new reflection and sighed again and and forced a smile, revealing two small fangs. That’s better… “Wow, I wonder what she’ll think now? Now that I’m a hoofsome stallion who...feels...totally unclothed...and cold…” The stallion form of Discord was shaking from the chilling sensation from his room. He hadn’t noticed it until he turned, he froze, his mouth agape from the sight of his now grey bedroom. He had drained all color and life from his bedroom when he took it’s magic away. “Geez...” Discord summoned some clothes and a coat to cover his shivering self, his wing illuminated like a horn as he put his new clothes on. He wore a white dress shirt folded at the elbows and a brownish red vest that matched the color of his previous body, and his old leather jacket. As he shrugged the last of his garments on the Lord of Chaos observed the grey, cold room, so lifeless compared to him and the rest of the house now. He hadn’t meant to drain the colors, or anything, he just wanted energy to cast his spell. He quickly realized his mistake and turned to face the picture frame that looked to be deprived of magic. Discord stared at the black and white frame but sighed in relief to see a colored picture. He didn’t want to grey the most precious item he had kept. What will she think? He remembered that the bat nursery was in the process of being built at AJ’s farm and Fluttershy would be there to count and nurse the new offspring. The disguised draconequus sat for a moment, deep in thought. How can I be there without raising suspension? I wasn’t asked to help...well I was, but not this random stallion. I could say that I sent myself...Would they know I was fibbing? AJ migh, she’s good at figuring things out. Though Rainbow might vouch for me, she was with me after all. But she doesn’t know this form. I could say I’m a friend of Discord’s that heard about the bat nursery from Discord and was told that I should help, which I then agreed to and go. They wouldn’t buy that. Wait. I got it! The disguised Discord galloped out of his room to his shelf of very old books and knick knacks. Aha! I knew I kept it! The hoofsome stallion then took one of the books off the shelf and summoned a pack for himself along with something small and green. It looked to be a piece from jewelry, which he proceeded to pin on the collar of his dress shirt. A long sigh came from the draconequus new muzzle, as he reluctantly grabbed a pair of small glasses. Hadn’t worn these in ages, but I must look the part. He levitated the pair of glasses to his eyes and gasped as he looked around his house. “Wow, I forgot how blind I was! And my house actually looks clean! That’s not a good thing though...oh, well! The checkered wall looks good however, always did look a little blurry…” He smiled somewhat happy to see more with his old glasses on. The stallion then fluffed up his wing and created a portal that lead to AJ’s farm, then stepped through finding himself in front of the iron horse gates of Sweet Apple Acres. “Professor Cords has some studying to catch up on…” The new body of a giant, draconequus chimera then walked slowly forward proceeding on the dirt road that led to the orchard, ready to execute his new plan.