The Price of Harmony

by Priceless911

Ch15 Discord...

Star Bolt looked into the cannon tube with caution as he asked, “So… you say this thing can decorate an entire room for a party with just one shot?”
Pinkie Pie smiled as she replied, “Yep. All you do is pull on this string and LOOK OUT!!! Your very own party.”
Star Bolt couldn’t help but smile as he replied, “The last time I saw a cannon in action I had to look out. The dang thing leveled a quarter of Gryphus during the Griffin Civil War. Nevertheless, after a thousand and six years, we would have gotten it right by now… either way, I still won’t use a cannon in war. It’s too risky for our own soldiers. Nevertheless, if you say you have this thing under control, then I suppose its ok with me to use it. So long as you keep it under control.”
Pinkie Pie smiled as she picked up her toothless alligator and held him over the party cannon, “Whatever you say commander. Oh and in the meantime Gummy can be my co-cannonier!... is that how you spell that?”
Star Bolt gave Pinkie a funny look, “How you spe… Pinkie, what are you talking about?”
Pinkie smiled innocently, “Oh… nothing…”

Disregarding Pinkies random comment, Star Bolt looked at the toothless reptile as it jumped out of her hooves and started biting him. Since it had no teeth, the little critter’s bites didn’t hurt so Star Bolt just stared confusingly at the little creature as Pinkie Pie smiled, “Aww he likes you.”
Star Bolt pulled Gummy off his neck as he placed the little pet on the cannon and replied, “Sure… like… well carry on Pinkie. If I were you, I would think of making that cannon shoot something more powerful then party favors.”
As Star Bolt trotted away, Pinkie called back, “Okie dokie lokie!... oops, I mean okie dokie lokie, Commander!”
Star Bolt then looked at Spitfire as he asked, “So how it the training going for the day shift?”
Spitfire replied, “We continued with the training schedule you gave us. And we are seeing some results, though most of the soldiers now hate you for it.”
Star Bolt smiled, “Trust me, when it all comes down to it, they will be grateful they did this when it saves their lives in battle. So how about your Wonderbolts?”

Spitfire nodded her head, “Right now, both Rainbow Dash and Soarin are running some drills with our Jr. Wonderbolts all over Equestria. If all goes well we might be able to graduate a large number of them to assist in the fight.”
Star Bolt felt concerned, “Jr. Wonderbolts? I won’t allow any foals to fight in this battle.”
Spitfire shook her head, “Whoa now! They aren’t foals. They are just the upper classmen from the academy who haven’t graduated yet. In fact, Rainbow Dash happens to be one herself. However, if you will help keep a secret, I plan to graduate her after this crises is averted. I think she has earned her place in the spotlight, don’t you think?”
Star Bolt smiled, “That’s good to hear. But we need to focus on now rather than later.”
Spitfire smiled sarcastically, “Easy for you to say, you’ve been a full-fledged honorary Wonderbolt ever since that day at the Crystal Sea. Not to mention, you’ve had enough of the spotlight to get a tan from it.”
Star Bolt smiled back, “Speaking of which… have you learned to swim yet?”
Spitfire glared at him as she blushed, “I… Um… Shut up!”

Star Bolt chuckled as he started trotting away from her, “That’s shut up, Commander… I do have a tittle you know… Captain.”
Star Bolt then approached Rarity who was also in the same room as she asked, “Mr. Bolt em… Commander? I was wondering about your… ensemble. I couldn’t help but wonder why you weren’t wearing the helmet?”
Star Bolt looked at the royal guard armor he was wearing and replied, “The only reason I’m wearing this thing is because it was suggested by Niether. He says that the rest of the guards would respect me as a leader more if I wore the same armor they wore.”
Rarity nodded her head as she added, “Then why not wear the helmet. On the other hoof, if you want something a little more distinguished, might I suggest little piece I put together on my spare time… I think these navy gems would be absolutely perfect for your appeal. It’s light weight and yet still has that simple something that just screams authority.”
Star Bolt looked at the dazzled up helmet, that Rarity held up as he sighed, “as much as I… um… like the look you gave that… um… accessory. I’m gonna pass. The uniform I wore during the war didn’t require a helmet, so I won’t wear one.”

As Rarity put away the helmet, Niether trotted into the room followed by Discord as he nudged him, “Go on… ask him. And if he says yes… then can I come in too?”
Niether sighed as he replied, “Fine… but you better not touch anything in there Discord. And only if he says yes.”
Star Bolt looked at the two and smiled, “Good evening Niether? How’s the research going?”
Neither replied, “Well I would be going a lot better if Discord would stop fooling around while I tried to keep my research materials in order. Sometimes I wonder why I must be the one to keep him company during the day. And with you now filling in for the night commander, I suppose he can’t stay with you during the daylight.”
Star Bolt nodded his head as he smiled, “Well Discord is a hoof full on his own.”
Discord sighed as he tried to prevent the subject from changing, “Yes yes, I think we all know and love me and my chaotic ways… but I think we are overlooking the point here… Mr. Book worm… do you mind cutting to the chase and asking him?”
Niether gave Discord an annoyed look as he replied, “Will you hold your horses? I’m getting to it!”
Discord then picked up Niether and replied, “I don’t have horses so I'll hold my ponies instead… but I’m still waiting for you to just ask him already!”

With Discord holding him like a newborn foal, Niether gave Discord an annoyed look as he sighed, “I’m not your pony… and I wish you will just be patient! Patience is a virtue you know.”
Discord smiled, “Yea, but so is loyalty, and I think we all know how that can steer you in the wrong direction from time to time.”
Star Bolt nodded his head in agreement to Discord’s comment as he replied, “Tell me about it... Anyway, you two wanted to ask me something right. What is it you want to ask?”
Niether looked at Star Bolt from Discords arms as he replied, “Well Discord wanted to know if you wanted to see your exhibit in the local museum?”
Star Bolt was surprised, “My exhibit?”
Neither nodded his head, “Well yes. There is an entire wing dedicated to the Nightmare Crusade. That’s where a number of artifacts from the war were placed shortly after it ended. So would you like to see it?”
Star Bolt looked at a nearby clock and replied, “Well I do have about an hour before Luna wakes to bring the night, so I don’t see why not.”
Discord smiled and dropped Niether on the ground as he spoke, “Oh goody! I was hoping you’d… oh… oops… sorry about that.”
Star Bolt laughed as Niether picked himself up from the ground and gave Discord a dirty look.

The two ponies and their draconequus friend then left the Canterlot castle and made their way to a museum that was on the very edge of the Canterlot. As the trio entered the large building, Star Bolt was lead to a room in the back of the building where he could see wax displays of him standing with Nightmare Moon just outside the door. As they entered the room, the first thing that caught his eye was the glass case in the center of the room that held the weapons of the original Nightmare Officers, to include Lieutenant Viscous’ axe, Both parts of Captain Drib’s broken pike, Gem Stone’s bow and quiver and even Captain Storm morning star. As Star Bolt stared in awe at the familiar weaponry, Niether spoke, “We tried to get Captain Snow’s sword and shield too… but Filthy Rich currently owns the sword and refuses to sell it to the museum, while the shield seems to be lost in time. Nopony knows where it is. Probably rusted and worn away.”
Star Bolt asked, “Why do you keep this here?”
Neither replied, “History is history commander… whether its good, bad or misunderstood, we should always know of events in the past if we want to better our future.”

Star Bolt sighed as he looked a Niether, “And how should this be used to better anything?”
Discord walked up wearing a suit of Nightmare Legion armor as he replied, “Well it shows what happens when darkness corrupts a pure heart. And it also shows what happens when you have enough confidence in our skills as a leader.”
Niether didn’t realize Discord was wearing the armor as he nodded his head, “just another example of… DISCORD!!! I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING!!! Put it back NOW!!!”
Still wearing the armor Discord posed while he replied, “But it looks so cool… very retro look if I say so myse…”
Niether continued yelling “NOW!!! Now, now, now NOW!!!”
Discord sighed, “Oh… fine. I guess this is the price I pay for trying to look fashionable.”

As Discord turned back towards the empty armor display case, he began removing the armor and placing it back on the display manikin as Star Bolt looked at another part of the exhibit to find another glass case, with three more familiar items. In the center was a small number of stones propping up a Celestial Crusaders spear with a red bandanna tied just below the blade. Next to that, some old destroyed armor with a damaged shield propped against it revealing the insignia on both. In other words, Commander Mist’s spear as it was displayed on the battlefield where he fell, Nightmare moon’s armor, and his old shield, as it was displayed in the palace of the alicorn sisters more than two years ago. Shortly after directing Discord on how to reassemble the armor, Niether turned back to Star Bolt as he continued lecturing Discord, “I turn my back for one seco…”
As soon as he saw the expression of interest in Star Bolt’s face, he smiled, “I see you noticed the three most valuable artifacts in this museum.”
Star Bolt nodded his head as he looked at the shield and replied, “You’ve cleaned off the blood… for sanitary reasons I would guess right? I’m happy to see Gem’s gift to him still on his spear.”

Niether nodded his head as he replied, “You can thank Lady Mist and Mist Jr. for that. Shortly after Chrome Mist the third was born, they both donated this spear with instructions to never remove the bandanna. They said since it was a gift from an enemy, it was precious in its own way. So removing it would be an insult to them both, the commander and his foe.”
Star Bolt smiled and nodded his head, “Well Blade… I mean Serenade Mist, always looked at battle in an unusual way. But then again that’s how The Cutters were. If there was one thing they praised more than money, it was a good fight, and a worthy opponent.”
Discord nudged Star Bolt and smiled, “so I guess you and them had something in common… right?”
Star Bolt gave Discord a dull look as he replied, “Actually, I hate war… it’s caused me nothing but trouble. But as a guard, that’s what I had to do.”

Discord put his hand on his chin as he replied, “Hmm… then why is it that you like to train soldiers to fight, and you continuously put yourself into situations that usually end with you fighting your way out of?”
Star Bolt sighed, “Discord… those situations find me. Not the other way around. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have the need to carry a sword. I would just live out my life with the feeling of peaceful freedom. That’s what I want.”
Discord smiled as he nudged him, “I think you’re leaving your beloved princess out of that life… right?”
Star Bolt blushed a little as he replied, “Well… I… um…”
Niether smiled, “So it is true, you and Princess Luna are getting back together! That’s great to hear commander. Congratulations!”

Star Bolt shook his head as he tried to defend himself, “First off… we were never together in the first place. Second, I’m only allowing myself the chance to understand whether or not she truly wants this… That’s all!”
Discord smiled as he made a wedding dress appear on him and a flower bouquet in his hand, “Oh that’s what they all say at first, but then before you know it, that chance becomes like, then like to love, then love to dates, then before you know it…”
Discord turned around and threw the bouquet behind him as Star Bolt caught it to avoid it from hitting him in the face, then Discord continued “… those dates become a wedding then little fillies and colts. Followed by the stress of threatening teenage colts to say away from your daughter, and the whole, my son thinks I’m lame phase.”
Star Bolt threw the bouquet down and demanded a subject change, “Thanks for being specific Discord!… However, my personal life is nothing to either one of you! And furthermore, it’s my business so I suggest you two, butt out!”
Discord smiled as he turned to Niether and smiled mischievously, “Ok… then what about Mr. Historian here and his lovely Rose? What’s the story between you two?”

Niether blushed as he replied, “What? You mean me… and Roseluck?”
Discord sighed as he made a rose appear in his hand that hade Roseluck’s face in the center, “no… I’m talking about me… Of course, I’m talking about Roseluck… who else? I know that you two have been spending a lot of time looking up research on The Dark Alicorn together… and don’t think I didn’t notice how she seems to always smile when you’re near her.”
Niether’s face turned red, “I… um… well…”
Star Bolt smiled, “Don’t listen to him Niether. He’s just jerking your rains. I think you two are perfect for each other. And don’t worry, I think she already liked you so she is already hooked… you just got to reel her in.”
This time Niether got angry, “Wait just a second commander… what was all that about minding our own business?”
Star Bolt smiled as he turned back to the door of the exhibit and replied, “I guess you’re right, so let’s get back and let you two settle it yourselves then.”
Trying to avoid continuing the conversation, Niether followed the other two back outside in complete silence.

Not long after the three were outside, Discord paused when he felt a dark presence in the area. When the two ponies noticed his hesitation, Star Bolt started to ask, “Discord? Is something wr…”
“I beg thy pardon… but wouldst thou mind, if I asks thee a few questions?”
Discord worry became fear, as the three turned around to see a stallion wearing a dark cloak that covered both his face and his body. As Discord stared nervously into the darkness of the cloak’s hood, both Star Bolt and Niether didn’t realize their danger as Niether replied, “Well, I see no harm in answering a question or two.”

The cloaked stallion gracefully nodded his head as he continue, “This city… would this be the city of Canterlot?”
Star Bolt replied, “Yes… are you a wanderer?”
The stallion nodded his head, “Of sorts… so am I to assume that thou are residence of Equestria? Ruled under the alicorn princesses, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna?”
Both Niether and Star Bolt nodded their heads to the question, however while their full attention was on the stranger before them, they didn’t notice that on the cracks of the cobblestone road beneath them, black sand was slinking through just outside of their view.

The dangerous stranger continued, “Judging by thy appearance… am I to assume thee to be… a scholar, and… a soldier?”
As the question was being asked, a small amount of the sand beneath the two ponies turned into a glass spike that was pointed directly at Star Bolt’s chest and held its position while he waited for the two stallion to answer. Discord saw this spike as his anxiety grew, but he continued to hold his silence as Niether answered first, “Close… I’m actually a historian. However, you could call me a scholar of sorts.”
The cloaked creature looked at Star Bolt and continued, “And what of thee? Wouldst I be correct to accuse thee of being a soldier of Equestria?”

As the stranger readied the glass spike to attack, Star Bolt sighed, “No! I am no soldier. I’m only here to settle some business… that’s all.”
The Stranger continued, “Business? Yet thou art wearing armor of Equestria?”
Star Bolt looked at the armor he was wearing, still not noticing the glass spike that was just below his wing as he replied, “I guess this armor is just a requirement of this business.”
The cloaked stranger smiled as his glass spike that was still out of the two pony’s sight, quickly dissolved back into sand and creep away from the two without them seeing it. Then he replied, “I see… thou must still make sacrifices, to get what thee desires… correct?”
Star Bolt nodded his head, “True… too true.”

Discord sighed in relief when he saw the sand recede, so he kept quiet as the stranger replied, “My apologies for taking up thy time. And so I wish thee a good evening. Oh… but first, wouldst thou kindly show me to the nearest inn? Tis a long journey I just completed and I would like to find a place to retire for the evening.”
Star Bolt started to reply, “Well I'll sh…”
Discord quickly interrupted, “Um… Star? I can take him there myself, perhaps you should go along back. The moon will rise soon so you wouldn’t want to miss that.”
Star Bolt was surprised for two reasons, first, Discord has never called him Star, and also Discord has never been one to volunteer for anything that would help somepony else. However, since Discord was right about the time, he could only replied, “Well… ok, I guess I'll see you later then.”
Niether added, “I can go with you if you wa…”
“No thanks… I’m sure something this simple won’t take long. Then I'll do you a favor and go to sleep for the night. It’s been a long day annoying you and I’m a little tired myself.”
Niether and Star Bolt were both confused, but they just turned around and started back towards the castle, “Well… alright then. I'll see you tomorrow Discord.”

The two ponies continued up the road towards the castle. When they were out of sight, Discord turned back to the cloaked stallion as the stallion spoke, “Very bold move brother… to drop thy guard and allow them to leave without explanation… if I didn’t know any better. I'd say thou wanted to protect them. Was that thy intention?”
Discord replied, “… Maybe… so why didn’t you attack yet? I figured that somepony like you would leave no hesitation in destroying Canterlot the moment you arrived… you growing soft in your old age?”
The Dark Alicorn put down his hood as he smiled, “Now, now brother, thou know as well as I do that the only reason I could age was because thee were a part of me. Yet I am struck by confusion. I thought thou was a spirit of chaos… why are thou living amongst the ponies, when the true spirit would live over them.”
Discord replied with a devious smirk, “The Elements of Harmony.”
The Dark Alicorn nodded his head, “I see… so those troublesome trinkets still exist… no worry. They cannot defeat me.”

Discord smiled, “But they could trap you… right?”
The Dark Alicorn’s expression became serious, “Tis the queen’s doing that trapped me… yet even her magic couldn’t hold me in forever. I realized that the day she separated us. My darkness from thy light. But I digress. On your guard brother… for I will retire, only after I remerge with thee.”
Discord looked back at the Canterlot castle one last time as he sighed, “I won’t fight you… but I will make a deal… or in your words, Tis a friendly arrangement for the safety of thyn home… did I say that right?”
The Dark Alicorn smiled, “Bartering with thyn life? Now this is a spectacle to behold. Perhaps the ponies have affected thee in a way that overshadows the chaos in thyn soul.”
Discord nodded in a serious way, “Perhaps…”
The Dark Alicorn nodded his head, “If memory serves I was a civilized pony at one time, so I see no harm with bartering… yet, the terms do affect the decision. What are thy terms?”
Discord continued, “I want you to leave the ponies of Equestria unharmed.”
The Dark Alicorn shook his head, “Thy princesses must meet there fate… and all who supported them must share that fate. Sorry brother… but that offer is declined.”

Discord rubbed his eyes in frustration as he tried something else, “Then… how about postponing your attack… or giving them some sort of chance to defend themselves.”
The Dark Alicorn thought to himself and replied, “Till the day they discover thy absence… and not a second more. I will allow them life till they find that either I have escaped from my prison, or that they find out that thou has reemerged with me… is that satisfactory brother?”
Discord sighed as he replied, “Since that is about all I can get from you… I accept, so long as you keep your word.”
The Dark Alicorn bowed in a noble way as he replied, “Dear brother, a monster I may be… but I am nothing if not honorable to my word. As a former servant to thyn king and queen of Eden… I gladly accept the terms and swear on my honor, that no harm will come to anypony in this city till they display their concern in my escape.”

As The dark alicorn finished his sentence, Discord walked up to him and placed his hand on the alicorn’s head and watched calmly as the sand quickly started climbing up his arm and spreading over his entire body. As Discord was now covered from head to toe in the sand, he could only smile peacefully as he mumbled to himself, “Good luck… Commander Bolt.”
With those last words, the sand covered draconequus melted away leaving nothing in its wake but a pile of sand. At first The Dark Alicorn seemed unchanged by the event, but all of a sudden, he began to cringe at the amount of knowledge that poured into his mind all at once. Knowledge about the city he was in, the world around him, and the ponies of Equestria began spiraling into his mind as if he were living a second life and experiencing all the emotions and events all in the blink of an eye. Once it was all said and done, The Dark Alicorn opened his eyes and smiled as his voice sounded more modern but more evil as well, “Princess Celestia of Equestria, and her younger sister Princess Luna of Equestria. The last of the royal alicorn… but two others exist now… a fake… and a mortal. And to top it all off. The fake wields the element of magic. This sin… shall not go unpunished. However, I will continue to observe them I should at least adhere to the final request of my shadow. Even if he allowed his heart to be corrupted by the likes of mere ponies”

Back in Canterlot, Star Bolt stood smiling peacefully as he watched Luna and her graceful magic as it raised the moon to begin the night. When the moon reached its point in the sky, Luna turned and looked at the peaceful smile on his face as she blushed, “What?...”
Star Bolt shook his head, “Oh nothing… just remembering a few things. So… what’s on the agenda for tonight? I need to train some of the night guard later, but for now I have a few hours to do whatever it is you need.”
Princess Luna began trotting down the hall beside him as she replied, “Well we could go through the garden for old times’ sake, but we may get bothered by Discord. Sometimes I wish he would just disappear.”
Star Bolt replied, “I think you’re being a little harsh. I mean, sure he can be annoying about… well one hundred percent of the time… but when you think about it, he isn’t that much different from you and I. We were all caught in trouble that caused pain for others… but I think he is coming around. Less than an hour ago, he agreed to show a random pedestrian how to get to the nearest inn.”

As the two finished going through the hall and began entering the throne room, Princess Luna replied, “Really? That doesn’t sound like him at all… are you sure it’s the same Discord?”
Star Bolt shrugged his shoulders, “Hmm tall draconequus, Kind of annoying but funny at the same time. Big fan of my chaos, Yea it seemed like him alright.”
Princess Luna sat down on her throne as she asked, “But… why did he do that?”
Star Bolt sat beside her as he shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know… maybe he wanted to do it since I had to be here. Either way… this one good deed may very well be the one thing that changes him. Who knows we may be looking at a completely new Discord come tomorrow morning.”
Princess Luna smiled, “Well… since you say so, I guess I'll go a little easier on him. Who knows, we might actually become friends.”
Star Bolt smiled, “Discord is a character on his own, but give it time, and I bet you will. And if he is like me, like he claims… I bet that’s all he will need to become a better citizen. Because despite how strange he can be… Discord is a good friend, and I’m looking forward to fighting beside him.”

Author's Note:

Welp. looks like Pinkie managed to break the 4th wall on this one...

Comments

[Solowing32]

Mmmhm, 'dat foreshadowing.
Yet another good chapter, keep up teh good work.

[Dimiein]

would have been funny as hell if niether hadd turned around after yelling at discord and bolt had broken the display case and was getting his shield.

[Priceless911]

3767491
thx

[Priceless911]

3767545
true, but I think starbolt wouldn't mind it if he never saw that thing ever again.

[kyubbiman]

so awesome I can't wait for more

[Albino pygmy rhino117]

Goodbye Discord, You will be missed.

[Nightspawn]

The two ponies and their draconequus friend then left the Canterlot castle and made their way to a museum that was on the very edge of the Canterlot. As the trio entered the large building, Star Bolt was lead to a room in the back of the building where he could see wax displays of him standing with Nightmare Moon just outside the door. As they entered the room, the first thing that caught his eye was the glass case in the center of the room that held the weapons of the original Nightmare Officers, to include Lieutenant Viscous’ axe, Both parts of Captain Drib’s broken pike, Gem Stone’s bow and quiver and even Captain Storm morning star. As Star Bolt stared in awe at the familiar weaponry, Niether spoke, “We tried to get Captain Snow’s sword and shield too… but Filthy Rich currently owns the sword and refuses to sell it to the museum, while the shield seems to be lost in time. Nopony knows where it is. Probably rusted and worn away.” Star Bolt asked, “Why do you keep this here?” Neither replied, “History is history commander… whether its good, bad or misunderstood, we should always know of events in the past if we want to better our future.”

All I can Think of is the Scene in Winter soldier where Cap goes to his exhibt