Discord's Family Reunion

by Mister E

Part 7

Part 7
The Birth of Chaos and Order

The midwife leaves the royal chambers And approaches A frantic Justice. His friends Stonewall, and Icarus both rise beside him. “H-How is she, um, them?”

“Be at ease my king,” the midwife replies. “Everyone is fine and healthy. Although her labors were long, she is very strong, and her friend Beatrice was there beside her.”

“It seemed to take so long,” the king says, we were growing concerned.”

“Well, there was a reason for that,” the midwife says with a mischievous smile. “You are blessed with a rare miracle for ponies my King. Twins!”

“Twins!” the three say in unison.

Stonewall steps up, “Congratulations, my king. But if I may say, I think we can all discuss this, AFTER you go greet your wife and children.”

A questioning glace at the midwife, and at her nod, Justice enters his chambers where a tired but happy Summergale is propped up on the bed, cradling two small bundles. Boots passes him with a smile and a hoof on his shoulder on her way out, leaving them alone.

Justice approaches and sits on the stool beside the bed that Boots had just vacated. He smiles down at his wife, who is gently embracing their two offspring. A filly of pure white coat and mane, her tiny alicorn horn and wings clearly visible. And a colt of gray coat and a deep brown mane and tail. His alicorn horn a darker gray than his coat, and his wings a darker brown than his mane.

“Twins,” he whispers, “now you're just showing off,” he says chidingly.

“Heh, now ye know I never be doin things by halves. Why be ye so surprised?” she responds. “So, since there be two of em, how about we each pick a name?”

The king smiles warmly.”Very well,” he says, and looks thoughtfully at his little filly. “I shall call her Harmony.” He says with quiet pride.

“Heh. Harmony eh? Oh I'm sure a daughter O' mine will live up ta THAT name just fine!”

Justice just smiles. “And what will you name our little colt then? Rambunctious? Unruly? Spite? Discord?”

“Don't be daft,” she says in mock irritation, “What kind O' life would he have bein stuck with a name like Discord? This is my son we be talkin about! His name... is Cordial.

The ponies in Discord's sitting room are silent as they gaze upon the newborns.

Pinkie Pie is naturally the first to break the silence. “Aww, they're so cute!” But when do we get to see YOU as a baby?”

“Pinkie,” Discord responds in frustration, “that IS me as a baby.” He says pointing at the viewing crystal.

“Ha, ha, haa. Don't be silly, that's clearly a filly alicorn... Hello, they named her Harmony!” Pinkie says with disdain.

“Oh for the love of the Sky Stallion!” Discord explodes, “The OTHER one Pinkie. I'm the OTHER one.”

“Oh,” she replies. “Well that makes more sense. Except, he doesn't look like you, he isn't a draconicus, he has a different name...”

“Look just trust me Pinkie, that IS me. You'll understand the rest shortly.”

Twilight and Fluttershy seemed mesmerized by the sight of the newborn twins. They look at each other, faces alight with excitement.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, they are so cute!” Twilight exclaims. “I so want a cutesy whootsie little baby!”

“I know! Me too!” Fluttershy replies.

“Now hold on just a second!” Discord replies alarmed. “Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Sure they look cute and adorable now, but let's not forget how at least one of them turned out. Do you really want a little undisciplined version of ME running around?”

Twilight pauses for only a fraction of a second. “Um, never mind. I'm good.”

Fluttershy on the other hand hasn't been put off at all. “Oh I think that would be adorable. A little bitty prince of chaos! Aww...”

Discord begins to refute her statement, then pauses in thought. “That's... something I never considered before. What exactly would my child inherit from me?”

“Well, there's only one way to find out dear,” Fluttershy responds with a grin.

“FLUTTERSHY!” Discord responds, a blush spreading across his face, “Not in front of the guests!”

Giggles erupt around the room as she demurely responds, “yes, dear.”

“Shall we resume the story now?” he asks, with more than a trace of petulance in his voice.

“Of course,” she replies in a normal tone, then adds in an exaggerated stage whisper that everyone can hear, “We'll discuss this more later!” More giggles erupt, as Discord hits the forward button on his remote.

Life at the castle became more lively in the next few years, the twins grew like summer grass, and seemed to have their mothers nose for adventure. Always poking into everything and everywhere. This was only made worse by their awakening alicorn magics. Cordial had a positive gift for teleporting both himself and his sister, anywhere that he was able to see, even if it was only through a spyglass. And once he had been to a location, he could return there at will. Harmony's gift for moving things with the power of her horn was unrivaled by anyone in the city. At age three she effortlessly was flying the royal chariot around the courtyard. Much to the shock and dismay of her babysitters. And then their was Keil...

Less than a year after the birth of Cordial, and Harmony. Icarus and Boot's had given birth to their own little 'angel'. A young male Pegasus with coat of gray, mane and tail of blonde, and a penchant for getting into trouble only matched by his father.

Keil, Harmony, and Cordial were friends from the very start, and treated the castle, and later the countryside, as their own personal playgrounds. Justice and Icarus were hard put to keep up with them, but a stern look from Summergale, or Grandpa Stonewall, was usually enough to rein them in.

But while life at the castle seemed to be a happy, if lively, affair, down in the city, in the home of Zacherle, things were different. After the birth of the twins, Zacherle had begun to withdraw from the public. Rarely leaving her dwelling. Stonewall could regularly be seen coming and going from her residence. The only pony that had ever been allowed inside. The few times Zacherle did make a public appearance, she seemed to be preoccupied. And definitely not her usual cheerful self. Ponies that had lived in Equinity for years couldn't help but notice the change. They began to become worried and concerned. What, they wondered, could possibly trouble a God? And if something troubled a God, what could THEY possibly hope to do about it.

Before too long word had made it back to the castle that there was a growing sense of unease in the city. A sense that everyone was waiting for something. As if the city were holding it's collective breath. Naturally when word reached the king, he immediately summoned Stonewall to his chambers.

“Stonewall. There is some concern in the town about Zacherle's recent behavior. I know she has been summoning you to her abode for quite some time now. For the peace of mind of my subjects, I need to understand the situation.”

“Your highness.” Stonewall begins. “Please forgive me. But there is nothing I can tell you. Zacherle has asked me to... help her, with an... unpleasant task. She has requested, on my honor, not to speak of it's details to anyone. Not even my king.” Stonewall appears increasingly uncomfortable as he finishes his explanation.

“Stonewall, I understand your oath. I would never dare to challenge the will of the Great One. But I cannot understand what a God could need 'help' with, nor can I understand what could possibly upset her. At her whim the sun rises and sets. A blink of her eye could raise mountains or drain the seas. You have to understand that the ponies of Equinity are becoming worried and frightened. Please, is there anything that you are allowed to tell us.”

Stonewall thinks deeply before speaking again. “I do not feel in my heart that it will violate my oath to tell you this much. But I ask you, not as my king, but as my friend, to please promise me that you will speak of this to no pony other than Zacherle and myself. Will you do that for me Justice?”

“Of course my friend. I trust your judgment completely. I give you my word that anything you say will remain between us. Unless you or Zacherle deem it otherwise.”

“Very well your highness. Zacherle doesn't need my help in matters of the world. She needs my help in matters of comfort.” Justice seems completely at a loss. “She has... something that is a burden on her heart. And I have been taken into her confidence concerning it. All I can do to help her, is to be there for her, in any way I can, to offer my understanding and sympathy. You should know as well, that her only other friend, The Sky Stallion, Muenchinger, also comes to see her. And one other... which I will not speak of.”

“You... you have seen Muenchinger? The Sky Stallion himself?” Justice asks in awe.

“Yes, your highness. And I ask you to think long about what that means. As far as I know, I am the only pony to have ever spoken with Muenchinger face to face. His eyes are as vast and deep as all the sky and sea combined. The knowledge and wisdom and power he posses are rivaled only by Zacherle herself. And yet, in this regard, they are both at the mercy of situations beyond their control.”

Suddenly a peal of thunder shakes the castle, and a bolt of lightning flashes outside, despite the cloudless sky. “Forgive me your highness. I have said too much. Please don't ask me anymore.”

Justice is shaken by the blast of power that he has just been displayed to him. He turns from gazing out the window to face Stonewall once again. “Forgive me Stonewall, for putting you in such a position. I will have word sent to the city that the cause of Zacherle's unrest is a... 'personal' matter. And in no way reflects upon the city or it's inhabitants. Would that statement be considered... acceptable, to them?”

After a moments thought, Stonewall replies. “Ye-es, my king. I would say it is an accurate statement that this matter is unrelated directly to the inhabitants of the... city,” a low rumble of thunder can be heard from outside.

“Well then,” Justice replies. “That will just have to be good enough. I'm sorry to have troubled you Stonewall. But please remember, that YOU are MY friend. And if ever you need someone to talk to, or stand beside you, I will always be there.” Stonewall turns away and walks to the door.

Without looking back he replies, “thank you Justice. I have always considered you my friend. And I always will... no matter what happens.”

And with that Stonewall hurries from the room. Leaving a somewhat puzzled Justice behind to contemplate all that has been said. Stonewall left the palace grounds through the back stairs, and out through the kitchens, where the cooks were too busy to notice that the king's personal bodyguard had tear stained cheeks. As quickly as he was able, he makes his way back to the earthly home of Zacherle, which admitted him without a knock.

Twilight leans in close to Discord and asks “What was THAT all about?”

“That” Discord responds tersely, “was one of the many nuggets of information I gleaned from hundreds of years spent sifting through the past. “There will be more. None of them good.”

Twilight and Fluttershy look back and forth between each other and Discord. The edge in the Chaos Lord's voice had not been overlooked by either of them. There was a hint of the 'old' Discord there. There was a hint of something else... something worse...

Discord allowed the ponies to view snippets of his childhood, skipping from scene to scene in what appeared to be a random fashion. After a few minutes Fluttershy began to notice that almost none of what was shown included Discord's mother anymore. Then he suddenly skipped ahead again and there she was.

“You'll not be talkin me out o' this Justice.” Summergale said, cold iron in her voice.

“We've had this discussion before,” Justice replied exasperated. “You are the Queen, you can't just up and go off on one of your little jaunts anymore. You have responsibilities.”

“JAUNTS? JAUNTS?!? Summergale replies her voice raising in pitch and force. “A JAUNT IS GOING DOWN TA THE KITCHENS IN THIS GIANT DRAFTY PILE OF STONE, AND BACK. YE THINK WHAT I DID BEFORE WE GOT HITCHED WAS JUST TA GIVE PAPERED PONIES A JOYRIDE UP AND DOWN THE COAST? I'VE BEEN SAILIN THE SEAS OF EQUESTRIA SINCE I WAS A FILLY, I'VE SEEN THINGS THAT WOULD TURN YER MANE WHITE AS SNOW. STORMS THAT WOULD BLOW YER FANCY STONE HUT RIGHT OVER! WEE TINY BUGS THAT WOULD KILL A FULL GROWN PONY. SHARKS, TIGERS, A WHOLE ISLAND FULL O' GREAT GIANT LIZARDS!”

“And why do you think that telling me any of that would make me feel at ease about you wanting to go back?” Justice says, his voice hardening.

“Look darlin”, she says her voice softening. I'm not plannin on 'going back' for good an all. A friend o' mine just needs me for one voyage. The tribe o' the Hannabis only ever dealt with me. An me old shipmate wants ta keep the lines o' trade open with them. I'm just goin along ta put in a good word for him, then I'm coming right back. It's just there, an back No more than a month at worst.”

“But were right on the edge of the season of storms, can't you just postpone it?” Go later, what's a few months.”

"Look husband o' mine. Ye just don't understand trade. If we go now, he can bring back a nice cargo o' them fancy blue pomegranates, that only grow on Hannibis. He can sell them in port and make enough bits ta last him until next summer. If he waits, they'll be out of season, and he'll have ta spend the winter takin his ship an crew out in dangerous seas ta provide enough ta for em all until spring. An it's not like the storms are early this year, we should have plenty o' time ta get there and back before anything major happens. An it's not like I can't fly ye know.”

“Not in a typhoon. Not in a hurricane. Not even in a heavy downpour!” Justice argues. “Your not a pegasi, my dear. And as tough as the rest of you is, your wings are too delicate to fly in any kind of storm! I'm telling you, I don't want you to go. What if something happened. What would I tell Harmony? And Cordial? You know the sun rises and sets for you in his eyes.”

“Aye, I know. He's a bit clingy for a colt. But I love him. An his sister too. An you, come ta that. An if there was a risk, I'd be settlin in here until it was safe. But I'm tellin ye, there is no risk. Boots is letting Keil come with me. She'd come herself if she weren't near her time ta have her new youngin. Ye know she'd never risk her own son, or her captain! Justice, we know what we're doin. We'll be fine. Now please, let me do this with yer blessin. Ye knows by now if I can't sweet talk ye with the 'carrot', that the 'stick' is soon ta come.”

Justice is silent for a moment considering. “Well”, he begins. “You two know the sea. I trust your judgment there. And Boots wouldn't let Keil go if there was any hint of danger... But, if I let you do this, there is one condition. And I won't budge on it.”

“Oh,” and what be that?” Summergale asks curiously.

“The kids stay here. And that's final. You know they will both want to go. But all assurances of safety aside, there is no way that either Stonewall or myself would let both the heirs of the kingdom go off on a sea voyage, without a full complement from the castle along to keep them safe.”

Summergale smiles. “Ah but just me goin, and it's fine ta leave the escort at home eh?”

Justice snorts. “As if you aren't as strong a half a battalion on your own. Stonewall told me just how good you were with that sword. I think he's keeping your bodyguards at a distance in the hopes that someone DOES try to attack you. He'd probably just watch.”

“I always knew there be sumtin about him that I took a likin to. But look dearest. You'll have ta be the one's ta tell the kids they can't go along. And you'll need ta be 'royal' about it, or they'll just try ta sneak aboard anyway.”

“And we both know which side of the family they get THAT from,” Justice adds.

“YOUR SIDE”, they both say in unison.

Discord begins mashing buttons without preamble, and the scene shifts to the palace courtyard.

“I don't know why you insist on wasting my time brother,” Harmony says as she deftly darts back and forth with both ease and grace. “There is no way you can possibly defeat me."

“You are always so arrogant, sister dear. One day that will prove to be your undoing.” Cordial responds as he lifts ball after ball into the air with the magic of his horn, and sends them flying as fast as he is able toward the gloating Harmony.

“Perhaps Cordial,” she says dodging another ball, “but not today!” and with that she executes a beautiful mid air somersault, deftly avoiding the last of Cordial's attacks. “Well brother dear, it seems that you are out of ammunition. But you are getting better. If you had launched a few simultaneous volleys, I might have had some SMALL difficulty.” She says disdainfully.

“That's striking below the belt sister dear. Not all of us have your freakishly powerful ability to control multiple objects.”

“Dear brother”, Harmony replies, with honeyed words, “Did you just call me a freak?” And with that all twenty five balls lift from the ground and begin to rotate in complex orbits around the form of Harmony. “Prepare dear brother, to MEET THY DOOM!” And with that the speed of the balls orbits increase until they become one seamless blur.

“Oh crap,” Cordial mutters to himself. His eyes dart over his side of the mutually agreed upon dodge ball area. He tenses himself, mentally calculating vectors, waiting for the inevitable. Suddenly a single ball breaks loose from its orbit, hurtling on a direct course for Cordials head. At the last possible moment Cordial teleports away. Right into the path of the next incoming sphere. For the next few moments Cordial executes over a dozen high speed teleports, encompassing the space marked off as his side of the dodge ball zone. Many of the balls rebound from the wall behind him causing him to dodge or teleport again, and the force of their impacts cause many of them to return to Harmony’s side of the field, giving her additional ammunition.

“You can't count on being lucky forever Cordial.” Harmony says, the barest hint of strain in her voice.

“Be... tween... luck... and... skill,” Cordial enunciates as he teleports, “I'd... rather... have... BOTH!” He says, as he stops teleporting in the center of his side of the field.

Standing with his front hooves crossed in front of him he waits. Harmony seeing her chance, launches the remaining thirteen balls that have crossed back over onto her side of the field. However before the leather spheres can reach their target they are all teleported, and are now heading at Harmony form thirteen different attack vectors, effectively sealing off all avenues of escape. Cordial winces in sympathy as they all strike home.

“Ow, ow ow, ow ow! That HURT Cordial!” Harmony complains, her once perfect mane now completely disheveled, and several small bruise marks beginning to form.

“Well then, I suppose you shouldn't have thrown them so hard, dear sister.” Cordial replies unsympathetically. “I believe that was MY win.” He adds.

“What” Harmony replies indignantly. “You cheated! Therefore the victory is obviously mine!”

“Cheated? Cheated? I did no such thing, don't be such a sore loser. Just admit that for once I beat you.” Cordial replies in an air of mock indignity.

“You used your powers on my side of the line. Therefore you cheated, therefore I win!” Harmony responds matter-of-factually.

“I did no such thing!” Cordial responds, his voice raising. “When? When exactly did I use my powers on YOUR side?!?”

“When you teleported those balls.” You teleported them to MY side of the field.” Harmony says primly.

“Ridiculous” Cordial snuffs, “I teleported them from MY side. Just because they came out on YOUR side doesn't matter. I used my powers over here.”

“The portals came out on MY side. YOU cheated, I win. End of story.” Harmony says, inches from Cordial's face. As she jabs a hoof into Cordial's chest.

“No sister dear,” Cordial responds, putting his forehead up against hers, their horns crossing. “This was MY win. You... just... wont... admit it.” He says poking her in her chest in return, to enforce his words.

“BY THE BEARD OF THE SKY STALLION... ENOUGH!” A voice booms from on high. “YE CAN'T EVEN PLAY A SIMPLE GAME O' DODGE BALL WITHOUT ME HAVIN TA PULL YE APART?!?” Summergale bellows as she drifts down to the courtyard.

Both of the young ponies have the sense to look contrite before the formidable gaze of their mother. Summergale lands before the both of them.

As they both open their mouths to speak Summergale cuts them off. “I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T CARE! SO DON'T EVEN ASK ME. NOW GET YOURSELVES CLEANED UP AN GO SEE YOUR FATHER, HE'S WANTIN TA TALK TO YE BOTH ABOUT SUMTIN.”

The two young ponies turn and begin to fly off together when a voice calls over their shoulders. “OH, AND ONE MORE THING!” Cordial and Harmony begin to turn their heads, just in time for both of them to get a face full of leather ball. “I WIN!” Summergale shouts from the field below. As the twins reel back on course, her laughter follows them back into the castle.

Comments

[Princess LightningChaser]

“Aww, they're so cute!” But when do we get to see YOU as a baby?”
“Pinkie,” Discord responds in frustration, “that IS me as a baby.” He says pointing at the viewing crystal.
“Ha, ha, haa. Don't be silly, that's clearly a filly alicorn... Hello, they named her Harmony!” Pinkie says with disdain.
“Oh for the love of the Sky Stallion!” Discord explodes, “The OTHER one Pinkie. I'm the OTHER one.”

lollollollollollollollollollollollol

[HeartfireFirebrand]

Fluttershy on the other hand hasn't been put off at all. “Oh I think that would be adorable. A little bitty prince of chaos! Aww...”

Discord begins to refute her statement, then pauses in thought. “That's... something I never considered before. What exactly would my child inherit from me?”

“Well, there's only one way to find out dear,” Fluttershy responds with a grin.

“FLUTTERSHY!” Discord responds, a blush spreading across his face, “Not in front of the guests!”

hahahahahahhahahaha

[HeartfireFirebrand]

6844444

Agreed ahahahahaha