The prompt: Rainbow Dash’s first sonic rainboom gave all of the mane six their cutie marks. What did her second rainboom do?
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Once upon a time, there was a dragon.
His name was Balance, and he was the first – creator, father, and progenitor. It was he who, with the aid of the primal forces of Magic, wove creation from the void and gave the gift of life to all the little children his dreams brought him. And what did he ask in turn? Nothing. Only that all the good little children behave – that they live and love, fight and hate and never let Harmony or Chaos hold sway over the land.
Needless to say, his children obeyed for a time – they lived and died as they should have, at the whims of the one who loved them most. But alas! As children tend to do, eventually some grew to be disobedient, ungrateful and cruel. They didn’t fight, or feud, or destroy one another like they were supposed to – their world outlasted its brothers and sisters by aeons, and long past the day it should have ended once and for all. It wasn’t their fault, really – the poor dears are children, barely capable of thought. Their mistake was in following the path of the traitor Magic, who turned the power of Balance against him.
Balance didn’t like that. Not at all. As Magic fostered Harmony throughout the world and Chaos faded more and more, he began to change. The stories will tell you that he went mad, became twisted and bitter – they will tell you to pity poor Balance, for he could not fight against what he was, and was changed. But of course, stories lie – all stories are lies, at least in part, and all storytellers are liars. Balance wasn’t twisted, or destroyed – he evolved. He shifted and twisted to match the cracks that had begun to form in his world, and he made it whole again. In short, he became Discord – Spirit of Chaos, destroyer of Harmony, and the most handsome and intelligent entity in all creation.
Admittedly I am indeed quite mad, but that’s exactly what this world – my world – needs. They can’t see that, being blinded by their petty ‘morals’ and ‘friendship’ but that doesn’t make it any less true. It may in fact make it more true. Or possibly less true. Or equally true. It really doesn’t matter – they have to die, and so I’m going to kill them. Not all at once, of course: that would be predictable. Boring. No no – to undo the damage they’ve done is going to take some truly magnificent artistry on my part. It’s a big job, and it won’t be easy – but that’s all part of the fun. And I’ve had so very long to think over exactly how I’ll do it.
I’ve been sleeping, you see – for a very, very long time. It’s not the first time, and really it probably won’t be the last: for all their boring predictability those ponies are remarkably resourceful. But the point is, I’ve been asleep for a long time – more than a thousand years. More than four thousand. Or less. Whatever. When I dream I create, I destroy – my power is in the very fabric of this glorious tapestry. Dreams have power. And every time those cursed elements put me to sleep, I dream. But things are different, this time. I didn’t just wake up – I was woken up. And by the very force that defeated me – the element of loyalty. Yes, old friend – I felt your call. I remember you well – the grin on your face when you sealed me away. The triumph in your eyes. Dreams of what I’ll do to you have kept me warm, and knowing it is coming is just too delicious for words.
I’m not free yet, of course. But the cracks are showing. And it’s all your fault. I know just how I’ll thank you – I’m going to tear your friends apart, emotionally. Then mentally. Then physically. But not you. You’re going to watch, my little saviour. You’re going to see it all. And believe me when I say you’ll never, ever forget it.
Daddy knows best, after all.
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975536 Yeah, it definitely wasn't the best hidden twist in the world - I'm really glad you enjoyed it despite that, though.
981699 Thanks, DB. I enjoyed it - I like giving depth to AJ a lot more than I thought I would.
Professor Piggy produces POVS plus pony pasts prevalently tragic.
The Applejack's sister turning out to be dead one was a bit predictable, I fear. I do like the idea that Discord is actually an immune response to too much harmony in the world, though it seems backwards timeline wise (that is, he is stated to have ruled it before being brought low by Harmony-- I suppose Harmony could have ruled it, Discord taken over, then Harmony regained control).
So... out of curiosity how are the two multi-chapter Fluttershy fics going?
985980 Yeah, it was rather predictable - I knew that even before I started writing it, but it still struck me as fitting and sad for Applejack. I think it turned out well despite, though. *Nod*
And yeah, that's the idea with Discord: He and Magic created the world, which Magic guided to Harmony - this awoke Discord, who descended and conquered the world before being sealed away. This process has repeated a few times now, because no matter how powerful the elements are they can't destroy or permanently seal Discord or vice versa. It hasn't happened a lot, by any means, and they're far enough apart to just be considered old stories by most. The last time Discord was free he did manage to crush the element bearers and reign for a long, long time - until Luna and Celestia overthrew him, and peace returned.
I'm afraid I can only think of Twice Shy in regards to Fluttershy fics - do you mind reminding me which other one you mean? Twice Shy itself is...something I intend to get back to by the end of this week, with any luck. Life has kind of been kicking my ass, and what writing I have done has either been shorts or working on this ApplePie. After which, I'm going to finish Twice Shy before any more major oneshots - so with luck it should come a lot faster once I get back to it. Which is kind of a given, now that I think it through.
986337 Fear not if you're unsure - so am I. It's really pretty terrible, but I think it manages to be absurd and funny enough that it can get away with it. I'm glad it made you laugh.
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I'd have no complaints if you updated Twice Shy. You also mentioned doing Daring Do, with heavy Fluttershy involvement a while back.
I enjoyed the whole thing, but the final line is just pure love.