Chapter 17: The Visitor
Chapter 17
The Visitor
Months had gone by. I’d promised Torchwood a job, and that I provided. I taught him how to mix the paint, to set paper out in the screens, and how to do all the tasks he didn’t need to know with Graphite. Speaking of whom, the earth pony’s orders were becoming fewer and farther between. I took it to mean he was still sore with me. I couldn’t have cared less. I was getting new orders from the customers who used to buy my work through him. Now that he didn’t carry them any longer, they had to purchase directly from me. It kept both Torchwood and I quite busy.
It was also extremely convenient for him to work with me since I understood the wing spring situation. The windowless bathroom was always open if he felt one coming on. It wasn't as though we were bustling with activity for anypony to notice his sudden disappearances.
I’d resumed my flights with Rainbow, but couldn't convince Torchwood to join us. I didn't say anything, and since no royal guards had come crashing through Torchwood’s door, Graphite must have kept his word as well. At least, that was what I thought until I caught word that Princess Celestia was coming to Ponyville.
“You’ve got to get out of town! Just for a few days,” I begged after reporting the news to Torchwood.
“What about you? They’ll be looking for any thestrals, not just me!”
“She couldn’t know about me. Graphite only knew about you. If he’s leaked the news, he’ll only be able to report on one thestral. I can stay.”
“I want you to come with me.”
“I want to, too, but one of us has to stay behind and find out just how much they know.”
“I only fed Graphite false information about the thestrals. We don’t have to worry about that.”
“But we don’t know if they’re coming to attack the Everfree Sectors or just making an arrest. I have to stay and learn their plan to warn the others!” He sighed in defeat, realizing I was right.
“Okay. But be safe. And come find me when this is over. You know where I’ll be.”
“Midnight Armor, Sector Two. I’d fly across Equestria if I had to,” I promised. He nuzzled my neck. We hadn’t quite made it to a first kiss, but affectionate hugs and nuzzles had become commonplace.
“Come on, Acrylic, you’re going to miss the Princess! Oh, hiya, Torchwood. Do you want to meet the Princess too?” Pinkie sang.
“No, that’s alright,” he hastily excused. “I actually have to run out of town for a bit. Hopefully I won’t be long. Take care, Acrylic.”
“I’ll see you soon.” I barely had time to close up before I was dragged out to the far fields where Rainbow and I sometimes flew. Most of the others were already waiting. Pinkie never did stop bouncing. She was too excited for that.
“I love it when Princess Celestia comes to Ponyville! I got my hooves shined just like Rarity for the occasion. Ya like?” She stopped long enough to display them to Rarity.
“I certainly do!” the white unicorn declared.
“I'm surprised she's not here yet,” Twilight commented.
“I wonder what's taking so long?” Spike agreed.
“And where are Applejack and Fluttershy?”
“Fluttershy's detained helping Applejack with a mishap at Sweet Apple Acres. They'll be along,” Rarity promised.
“But, I still don't get why the Princess would be so late,” Spike pouted.
“She's bringing an important visitor. That could be part of it,” Twilight suggested. Important visitor? If it was that Graphite Sketch come to turn us in, I’d-
“A visitor who's important and slow,” the impatient Rainbow groaned.
“Maybe it's somepony so terribly important, she still had many more terribly important things to do before she got here,” Rarity put in. Spike let out a horrified gasp.
“Maybe the visitor has a deer antler, a goat leg, a bat wing, and a snake tail!” I rolled my eyes. That was likely. Twilight had the same idea.
“Yeah, right. That's Discord.” Rarity was horrified at the prospect.
“Why in the wide, wide world of Equestria would Princess Celestia bring along someone like that?”
“M-m-maybe you should ask... her!” Spike stuttered.
“Huh?” We all looked up for the arrival of two royal chariots. One contained the Princess. The other held the cold, stone form of Discord. My breath caught in my throat. Perhaps this wasn’t about the thestrals after all. But what could it be? With Discord here, it couldn’t be anything good. Twilight knew it, too.
“With all due respect, Princess Celestia, how could you bring Discord here?!” she screamed at her mentor. Realizing that was probably out of line, she cleared her throat. “Your majesty.”
“I'm fully aware that the last time Discord was here, he created serious havoc,” the Princess assured.
“If by ‘serious havoc’ you mean ‘turning Ponyville into the chaos capital of the world’...”Rainbow put in.
“...and tricking us all into being the opposite of our true selves,” Rarity added.
“And making yummy delicious chocolate milk rain all over the place without a single dollop of whipped cream to go with it anywhere in sight! Not a single dollop!” Pinkie squealed.
“Yes, I understand. But I have use for Discord's magic if it can be reformed to serve good instead of evil. This is why I've brought Discord here, because I believe that you are the ponies who can help him do just that.”
“This will never work! This is a disaster! How will we ever control him?! We're doomed!” Spike wailed.
“Need I remind you that you are the ponies who turned him back into stone like this in the first place?”
“I suppose we can just use the Elements of Harmony against him again if he gets out of hoof...” Twilight caught on.
“Uh, w-w-we probably need a volunteer to run away from here right away to get them. I'll do it!” the baby dragon offered, trying to scurry away.
“No need, Spike. I have them right here, and I've cast a spell so Discord can't take them and hide them again. Now where is Fluttershy? I believe she may know best how to begin reforming Discord.”
“Fluttershy? Really?” Rainbow gaped.
“And while you do not wield any of the Elements, Acrylic, you may also have better success in changing Discord for the better.”
“Me?” I exclaimed.
“It is precisely because you do not wield an element that you may gain Discord’s trust.” I didn’t want to admit it, but it made sense. I reluctantly nodded. “Good. Now, as for Fluttershy...
“Well... Fluttershy’s at Applejack’s right now. There was a problem at Sweet Apple Acres, so they were going to be late,” Twilight confessed.
“Ugh, I’ll go get her,” Rainbow sighed before taking off in a multi-colored blur.
“So, Twilight, how have things been for you in Ponyville?” I shook my head as the Princess initiated idle chit-chat just before we were about to release Discord. How could they remain so calm and collected at a time like this? I sighed, and decided I was safer standing out in the background. It was from this safe distance that I considered the draconequus.
Sure, Discord had tried to take over Equestria and subject it to eternal chaos, but for some reason, I wasn’t afraid of him. As an artist, I’d taught myself to find the beauty in everything. That included Discord and his chaos. But it was something deeper than that. Perhaps it was how our ancestry intertwined. Or maybe it was even as simple as my hard-headed thestral side snuffing out the fear. I could try and convince myself with these lies all I wanted, but deep down, I knew the answer. It was because Discord and I were just alike. Not in the way he hinted at, but in a different way. I was a thestral, misplaced and misunderstood. I couldn’t help being the monster they all saw me as; neither could he. Wings or no wings, I was still Acrylic. Underneath that mismatched stone skin of Discord’s lay something better than the King of Chaos. We just had to bring it out. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted Discord to change. I wanted to help him. If I didn’t, who would? The others didn’t look too sure about the whole thing. Fluttershy might go for it- in fact, she probably would, in her own timid, cautious way. But I had to do everything in my power to help. I took the situation more personally than any of the other ponies. It weighed on me like a personal responsibility.
It wasn’t long before Rainbow had dragged Fluttershy back. Applejack chased behind them from the ground. The Princess smiled at the shy young pegasus, and presented the incredible task at hoof. Fluttershy looked uncomfortable upon first laying eyes on the statue, but was even more frightened upon learning what we had to do.
“I realize that this is a tall order, but I wouldn't ask if I weren't confident you could get him to use magic obediently of his own free will.”
“And... you really think I'll know best how to do that?” Fluttershy unbelievingly gasped.
“I do. Now, I must return to Canterlot for Equestria's royal summit. You may release Discord when ready.” With that, she left us for her royal chariot, which promptly took off. I took a second glance back at the statue. This time, I felt... pity. He looked so frightened. So helpless. I never wanted to feel that way. Perhaps that’s why I wanted to help him so badly. Because if I could pull him through this, then I could get through it, too.
“Okay, ponies, guess it's time to get started. Let's just hope this releasing spell works.” I took position off to the side with Spike where I was out of the way.
“Or... let's not...” my companion whimpered. I reassuringly nudged him.
“He isn’t that bad,” I whispered.
“Let’s see... he almost took over Equestria, turned everypony against their elements, and made Ponyville the Chaos Capital of the world. Yes, he is!” Spike hissed back. I rolled my eyes.
“We'd best keep our elements on at all times 'til further notice,” Twilight instructed.
“Check!” the rest of them agreed. Twilight’s horn began to glow, and the sheer power lifted them off the ground. Spike and I protected our eyes against the light produced from the rainbow explosion as the Elements were activated. Discord exploded from the cracking rock with a mighty roar, which eventually changed into a yawn. He stretched and shook grouchily.
“Oh! Ooh! Oooh! Well, it's about time somepony got me out of that prison block. What a relief!” He pretended to stretch to the right in a failed attempt to mask the snapping of his lion paw. The rest of them gasped as a nearby squirrel transformed into a giant hulk.
“What do you think you're doing?!” Twilight burst.
“Nnnnnnnnngh– Why, stretching, of course. When you're a creature of chaos, stone bodysuits aren't your typical go-to fashion choice. Nnngh...” Another snap of his tail brought about a screeching hulk of a rabbit. I expected Fluttershy to have a fit, but it was Pinkie who didn’t like that at all.
“Make that bunny cute again! Now!” she demanded.
“Oh...” Discord snickered, “he's adorable the way he is.” That excuse was blown when the mutated rabbit tried chomping off a finger. Discord blew a raspberry to get even. “You know what else is adorable? You ponies truly believe that you can reform me, and that you're putting your faith in these two here to make it happen. Makes me wanna pinch your little horsey cheeks...” He leaned in to Fluttershy in an attempt to do so.
“How'd you know about that?!” Twilight demanded.
“Being turned to stone doesn't keep me from hearing every word Celestia says. Although I admit it makes rolling my eyes a challenge.” He proceeded to literally remove his eyeballs from his head, roll them like dice, and cast them into holes in the ground. He then reappeared from the grass, the holes representing his eye sockets.
“That’s gross,” I flatly commented.
“Oh, hello again to you too, Acrylic! Our last meeting was brief, but quite enjoyable. Although, you never did take me up on my offer, did you? Still, it seems you’re the only pony here who can appreciate my chaos. Perhaps that’s why Celestia thinks you have a chance at reforming me.”
“I don’t know why she thinks so, Discord,” I replied in a business-like tone. I didn’t want the others to know how close I’d come to accepting his offer.
“Well, no matter. Where shall we start?”
“Start what?”
“A new masterpiece, of course! Now, I always forget; do you put in the foreground or the background first?” He stretched out his cleft hoof and poked the ground, causing the grass beneath to change to pink checkerboard. I didn’t budge, and kept my eyes locked on his, stern and purposeful, but not commanding. He seemed to be bored with my unresponsiveness, and turned to watch the other ponies back away from the changing ground.
“Discord! Unless you want us to turn you back to stone, you'll zap everything back the way it was, pronto!” Twilight threatened, finally realizing the checkerboard was safe to step on.
“Oh, you wouldn't dare turn me back to stone and risk disappointing your precious princess,” he mocked.
“Try us, ‘Dip-cord!’” Rainbow sneered.
“You think you can treat poor defenseless animals like that and get away with it?!” Fluttershy was finally getting angry.
“Yeah! You go, Fluttershy,” Rainbow encouraged.
“You'd best watch your step, buster, or I'll give you... the Stare!”
“The Stare? Oh no, please, not that! Anything but your disapproving eyeballs!” he sarcastically laughed. “Oh no! No no no, stop! No, no! I can't! Stop! I can't take it anymore! I'll do whatever you say! Because...” He burst out laughing, rolling on the ground and then in the air. “You are hilarious!” I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle. He was rubbing off on me. I straightened out after I received dirty looks from the other ponies. “Well, at least somepony gets my sense of humor, eh, Acrylic?” I coughed in embarrassment.
“If it turns out we need to use our elements against you, I'm sure we can convince Princess Celestia it was for a good reason!”
“Mmm... I suppose that's correct.” With another snap of his fingers, all animals within our sight were returned to normal. “Well, it looks like I know where I'll be crashing while I'm being ‘reformed’... With you, Acrylic.” I expected him to teleport behind me, but instead, I was brought to him. Even his skillful teleportation powers left me in a dazed stupor, and I couldn’t argue when my hat was knocked aside for him to give me a noogie. The rest of the girls gasped in pity upon realizing my predicament. I batted Discord away, causing him to let go and allow me to drop heavily to the ground.
“Well... you heard the Draconequus. Art Life ho,” I sighed, retrieving my hat and taking the lead.
“Art Life? Oh, that’s just the most adorable name I’ve ever heard,” Discord cackled.
“Thought you might like that,” I rolled my eyes. Rainbow almost bowled me over as she pulled me to the side.
“Are you sure about this?” she hissed.
“Why not?”
“Why not?! This is Discord!”
“Yes, we’ve been introduced, thanks. Look, this is what the Princess wanted, isn’t it? So what’s to be afraid of?” Rainbow was silent. “Exactly! Nothing. Now would you ease up on me? Him, too. I know I wouldn’t want to change for somepony who wouldn’t let me be myself.”
“Discord’s self is a powerful psychopath who will stop at nothing to take over Equestria!”
“We’re not here to change Discord completely, just to tone him down a little. Remember how I had to tone it down?” My glare caused her to drop the topic. Discord winked at me from above to tell me he’d heard the whole thing. With a heavy sigh, I hurried back to the lead so I could unlock the door.
“Hey, Acrylic? What does Torchwood think about Discord staying here?” Twilight asked, jumping as the draconequus leapt out from beneath a table in the dark room.
“He’s out of town,” Pinkie bounced.
“Who is this 'Torchwood'?” Discord inquired, levitating an unreal number of pencils and creating a couch for himself with them. “Oh, how cute. Does Acrylic have a boyfriend?”
“Yes, in fact, I do,” I sniffed, turning up my pointed nose.
“Well, excuse me,” he huffed, sensing my indignation. “So tell me, is Fluttershy staying over as well? Celestia is counting on the both of you.” I looked at her, and her expression told me that she would be willing if I requested it. I looked back at Discord resolutely.
“Yes.”
“I suppose I should start making you more comfortable, then. Those pencils must be terribly uncomfortable,” Fluttershy offered.
“Thank you, Fluttershy, for your concern. If only your pony friends could be as considerate...”
“Don't listen to him, Fluttershy! He's just trying to drive a wedge between us like he always does.”
“Now why in the world would I ever try to do a thing like that?”
“So we can't unite and use the Elements of Harmony against you, that's why!”
“I never thought of that...”
“You big liar!”
“Now, look who's a liar. Anyone can plainly see that I'm not big at all.” To demonstrate, he shrank to the size of a rabbit before springing back to full size. Unfortunately, there was a little too much spring, and he knocked several paint jars off the table. They shattered, sending dye every which way. I only just dodged the glass shards. “Oops.” With a snap of his fingers, the mess was gone, leaving some odd creation behind. It looked like a glass sculpture, but the paint had been used to partially stain the glass. It almost resembled Discord himself. “There, all better.”
“I can't watch...” Applejack groaned.
“That’s alright; this is an art store, after all. It’s kinda cool, actually.” I tried looking at it from a lower angle, letting light sparkle through the rough shards.
“We'll be outside,” disbelieving Rainbow informed.
“Are you both sure you're okay with this?”
“Of course,” I affirmed.
“I know it's not gonna be easy, but Princess Celestia's counting on us. And... I think I actually know what to do.”
“You do?”
“You do?!” I echoed.
“I think the key is to befriend him. Being kind to him and letting him be your house guest is probably the best way to do that. That was so nice of you, by the way,” she added.
“And you really think that'll work?”
“I think it's worth a try.”
“I know it’s how I’d want to be treated if I had to go through rehab.”
“Okay, but if you need us, all you need to do is call... or whisper ‘help,’ and we'll be back here with our elements.” She turned back to Discord accusingly. “So watch that goat-legged step of yours, pal!”
“Wh-what?! Look at me! I'm practically reformed already.” He transformed the pencil couch into three fancy tall backed chairs. A round coffee table was placed between them, a steaming teapot sitting atop. He had created a suit for himself, complete with gloves and monocle. Fluttershy were both teleported into the two remaining seats, a dizzying sensation returning to my head. Shaking myself back to alertness, I found Discord offering me a cup. “Might I interest you in a spot of tea?”
“Don’t mind if I do,” I playfully agreed as Fluttershy hurried back to the door. (Discord was thrilled with my enthusiasm.)
“It’ll all be fine. You’ll see,” she promised, closing the door behind her. And so, we were left alone with Discord.
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There has been a couple grammatical errors, but FiMFic has been a butt about laptops being closed and certificate times not matching recently. This leads to everything I typed being deleted.
My only issue with this chapter is that Acrylic and Torchwood instantly jumped to the conclusion that Celestia must be coming to Ponyville for Torchwood, completely ignoring tons of potential reasons for her to come – not least of which includes a visit with her student. I get it, they're worried, but geez, jump to conclusions much?
5648467 Considering their physical predicament (their 'wing springs' as it's put) and the fact that every pony, even Princess Luna who had previously been considered a Nightmare quite literally, and still isn't seen quite in the best of lights, seems to hate Therestals (i probably misspelt that, so excuse me), they must be pretty paranoid with one mean pony knowing of their species and threatening to tell the world. Admit it, you'd be pretty paranoid too, wouldn't you?
Also, please excuse my grammar.
you should have said Dipstick
I like this happening early