Discord learns his past from Celestia and learns he wasn't the only one of his kind at one time but one of thousands.
When Discord learns about his past from the royal sisters, they can't help but wonder how he'll fair or if he'll decide to go after Tirek just the same. If he does decide to go after a banished Tirek, he risks being banished himself. Alas, that's a risk he's willing to take.
It's a rainy day in Equestria and Discord is visiting Celestia at the castle. They're walking down the dark hallway when he asks her to tell him the story of how they came to be friends and also to tell him about his family and how he became the last of his kind.
"Fine, I'll tell you, I was bound to have to tell you the truth eventually," sighs Celestia. They go into her private study and they sit down. There she tells him everything.
"When you were little," says Celestia as she pulls out a book on Draconequine history, "you were one of many. You had a mother, father, and sister who loved you. Everything was perfect. You weren't known as Discord yet either, that was a name ponies would give you later. Your family simply called you Dantusko, which translates into "keeper of chaos". Your sister was named Dialina, which translates into "beautiful gem or fair, precious stone". You were happy. Your kind were happy with not a care in the world. One day, though, that changed. The creature known to you simply as the dragon slayer, came through and killed your family right in front of you. Luna and I watched as it happened from behind a bush. My sister wanted to jump in and help you, but I forbid her. We watched as you ran off terrified into the woods not far from where we were hiding. Once the dragon slayer had gone, we left the bush and went and found you crying in the woods. We then took you home with us to the castle and introduced you to our mother and father, Queen Galaxia and King Orion. We then adopted you as our brother. The three of us grew up together. We were inseparable, especially you and Luna. You two would always play hide and seek while I was off studying as I was the eldest child. Once I got done with my studies for the day, then I'd join in on your fun. The three of us had the best of times. Even so, I knew it wouldn't last forever. I knew eventually you'd live up to your name and become the chaotic creature known to all as Discord."
"What was the dragon slayer's real name?" asks Discord.
"You may know him better as the magic stealing centaur Tirek," replies Celestia bowing her head, eyes closed.
"Tirek killed my family," says Discord, "he killed the rest of my kind."
"Yes," replies Celestia. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way."
The two then go and walk around Canterlot since the rain has finally stopped. As they walk, Celestia continues to tell Discord of his kind. "Your kind wasn't meant to be chaotic," sighs Celestia, "your kind was meant to be good and a neighbor to ponies and all the other creatures in Equestria. Your kind was meant to be kind hearted, generous, beloved by all. But the scars losing your parents and sister put on you was too much and it caused you to snap and become the chaotic creature you are today."
"I...I had no idea..." responds Discord.
"You wouldn't, since Luna and I have been trying to lie to you about your past since day one," replies Celestia, "and sometimes we feel like it's our fault that you're this way."
"But it's not," replies Discord.
"But it is," replies Celestia as she bows her head, "it's all our fault."
"Please, continue with the story," replies Discord. "I want to know more about my mother, my father, my sister..."
"Your mother and father were the king and queen of the Draconequine race. Their names were Galavere, which means "daughter of a noble birth", and Cordonious, which means "son of the cobra". They ruled the lands we called The Beyond until the day Tirek struck them down. Once your parents were out of the way, Tirek came after you and your sister. He killed your sister but spared you because he saw you as an asset and a potential ally someday. Once he killed your sister, he continued to take out the rest of your kind one by one. Ravendawn, the elder of your people, was the last to die, but he died with great honor."
"I remember Ravendawn, he was like a brother to me," replies Discord as he hangs his head and lets a tear fall from his face.
"I thought you might," replies Celestia. "He was a great and fair creature. The perfect example of your kind and what they were supposed to represent."
The two then go out onto the balcony and Celestia lets Discord soak in all the new information. Once he has, he begins to cry and she comforts him as best she can. She looks into the sky in the distance as a rainbow forms overhead. It's the start of a new day, a new chapter, but deep down inside, she knows for Discord, things are beginning to change and become more clear than ever before.
The next day about midnight, Discord heads off in search of Luna. He soon finds her in her favorite area, the moon garden near the old observatory she and Celestia used to use long ago.
"Hey Luna," says Discord.
"Oh, hey Discord," replies Luna, startled, as she turns around. "What do you need from me tonight?"
"I want to know more about my parents, Celestia told me some but I know she didn't tell me everything," he replies.
"Okay, sure," replies Luna. "Come down and sit with me amongst the stars, then we'll talk." He does so.
"Your parents were good creatures," replies Luna, taking his lion paw in her hoof, "they ruled The Beyond with great care, love, and pride. You and your sister ruled alongside them. The four of you were happy. You didn't have any other care than to protect your fellow draconequines. For the most part, everything was calm and everyone was happy. There was no need for chaos and destruction. The world was at peace with itself. That all changed when Tirek came in and mowed all your kind down to the dirt like they were nothing but ants to be crushed under his giant hooves. He stripped them of their magic then squashed them like bugs. They died cruel deaths under him. Well, that's enough for tonight," pauses Luna.
"Please, no, tell me more," begs Discord.
"Fine, but first, I need to check on the dreams of the ponies," she replies. He nods. At least, Luna's telling him more than Celestia ever did.
A few moments later, Luna returns and continues to tell him about his parents and how Tirek is to blame for all that he's lost. Discord continues to listen with eager ears all the while. Who knew there was so much that Celestia refused to tell him? With Luna, he knew he'd hear every single detail and to him, that was what really mattered. Luna was always straight forward with him unlike her big sister, Tia. That was why they were so close. He knew Luna would never lie to him. That's why, deep down inside, although he'd always pine over Celestia or Fluttershy, he'd always love Luna more.
Three thousand years ago in the land known only as The Beyond, young Draconequines play as the king, queen, prince, and princess watch from their thrones. Every draconequus is happy and content. The elder Ravendawn smiles as he watches the subjects from alongside the ruling family. Everything is perfect.
"Sire," says Ravendawn as he pulls Discord's father King Cordonious aside, "we have some urgent business we need to tend to."
King Cordonious follows Ravendawn out of the outside throne room and into the main building of the great castle that was built by his father and grandfather several years ago.
"What did you want me to come in for?" Asks the King.
"I'll let the guard tell you," replies Ravendawn.
"Well," says the King.
"Our main watch ponies Dasken and Treader saw a strange creature on the outskirts of the woods. It looks to be half horse half bull, is it possible?" says the guard.
"It is possible for a centaur to be this close, but why? I wonder." replies King Cordonious. "Keep me posted Chontardo. "Yes sir, I will sir," replies the guard as he slips out of the room and back to his post. King Cordonious goes back outside to join his family.
"What was that about?" asks Queen Galavere.
"Nothing," lies King Cordonious.
"If it was nothing, why are you pursing your lips? You always purse your lips when you lie," she replies.
"Fine," he sighs. He then whispers in her ear. "There was a centaur sighting near the back boundary of our lands.
"Why would a centaur be down here?" she whispers back in reply.
"I wish I knew," King Cordonious whispers back. The two then switch subjects as they watch their children, Dantuskoand Dialina prance about the gardens below them. The two can't help but smile.
"We're so lucky, you know that?" says Galavere to her husband as she rests her head on his shoulder. He nods in agreement. After all, a kingdom, a family, what more could he ever ask for in life? Definitely not much. He puts his arm around his wife and kisses her on the head.
"Chase me, bet you can't catch me!" Dialina teases Dantusko.
Dantusko gladly begins to chase after his big sister with a smile across his face. She may be fast but he is definitely faster.
About ten minutes later, he catches her and pins her down.
"I win!" Hollers Dantusko.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," replies Dialina. She gets up and the two start a game of tag. King Cordonious and Queen Galavere just smile as they watch their children play. Their children are their world and that is one thing they're glad will never change.
Chapter 4: Tirek, The Everfree Woods on The Beyond Border
Thump! Thump! Thump! The crashing sound of thundering centaur hooves thundered through the woods.
"They're getting closer, King," said Ravendawn to Coronious.
"I'm aware," the King replies.
"Where is the king of the creatures known as the Draconequines? Where is he?" Roared Tirek.
"Here!" Hollers Coronious from the other side of the Everfree Woods. "If you want me, come get me, but leave my wife and children alone!"
"No can do," replies Tirek, "you will take me to them!"
"Never in a thousand years as long as Galaxia and Orion rule over all!" he responds resiliently.
"So be it!" Replies Tirek before grabbing Coronious by the neck, snapping it in half then draining all his power from him. He then heads into the area known as The Beyond. There, he finds the Queen and princess and kills them too as a young Discord watches from his hiding spot. Then, out of the corner of his eye, Tirek spots the young prince and proceeds to chase after him. Once he sees the young prince, he realizes that the young prince is better left alive as he could be a possible ally someday. Tirek lets Discord live but at the price of watching the rest of his kind killed before his very eyes. On that same day, Dantusko swears revenge on Tirek and takes on the name Discord as well as the new title of King. Tirek will pay for his crimes to the Draconequine crown, of that, Discord will make sure.
Only a day after the destruction of The Beyond and the mass killing of all the Draconequines by Tirek, Discord runs off in search of a new home. Not long into his journey, he stumbles upon two young ponies: Celestia and Luna. "What's your name little one?" asks a curious Luna.
"Discord," replies the young Draconequine, "prince, well rather, now, king of what used to be an entire Draconequine race, but they were all killed by Tirek. I was the only one spared. I know him better by the name dad used to call him: The Dragon Slayer."
"Well," replies Luna, "we're sorry for your loss, how'd you like a new family, one with me and my sister, Tia?"
"I'd love that!" replies Discord with a smile. He follows the sister to their home, where he's introduced to their mother and father, Queen Galaxia and King Orion.
At the castle, Luna and Celestia run off to their rooms while Discord talks with their parents.
"Where do you come from?" Asks King Orion.
"The place known as simply, The Beyond," replies Discord.
"And what are you?" Asks Queen Galaxia.
"I'm what they call a draconequus," Discord responds. "In fact, before they were killed, I was part of the ruling head of the Draconequines. They and the rest of my kind are all dead now. A creature known as Tirek killed them." This causes Galaxia to panic. Orion notices this and decides to let the young creature run off and play with the sisters as they agree to grant him a home in the castle. Orion, in the meantime, will be trying to comfort his queen.
"Why does the name Tirek bring you dread my dear?" King Orion asks his queen.
"The name Tirek brings me dread because, long ago, he was the beast that killed my sisters: Princess Anedople and Princess Evening Lily," replies Galaxia. "He killed them right in front of me because he knew it was a fate way worse than death! I watched him grin as he did it too. That creature has no remorse for pony life!" She bursts back into tears.
"There, there," says the King as he strokes her mane and continues to comfort her.
Meanwhile, in the garden, Celestia, Luna, and Discord are playing hide and seek. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten! Ready or not, here I come!" hollers Celestia. She then chases after Luna and Discord and soon tags both of them within the minute. They then begin to play another round, laughing and giggling all the while.
Meanwhile, in the Everfree Woods, Tirek is plotting his next move. This time it's against Galaxia, Orion, and their two daughters. He wants them gone for good and he knows just how to accomplish that.
A few hours later, Tirek approaches the castle of the Alicorn King, Queen, and princesses and attacks it. He then goes inside and kills the King and Queen in front of Celestia and Luna who watch from a locked secret room. Luna bursts into tears as Celestia holds her in her arms. Tirek then storms out of the castle since he can't sense the presence of the two sisters and presumes they are outside. He returns to the forest. The princesses are safe for now.
"Discord, Discord, wake up!" says Luna as she shakes him. The draconequus soon awakens.
"Oh, good morning, Luna," sighs Discord as he stretches.
"Do you want to know more about your family and your history?" asks Luna.
"No, not for a little while, I need time to process, but thanks for asking," replies Discord before he snaps his bird claws and disappears back to his cave. He needs time to let everything soak in.
"I can't believe that I wasn't always the only one of my kind. I can't believe my family and kind were taken from me by Tirek. It's so much to comprehend. So much to understand. Too much to soak in," sighs Discord. He sits down and thinks about what he's just learned from the sisters about his family, his kind, and his past. There used to be a whole land just filled with others like him. Now to avenge their deaths, he has to go after Tirek.
Once Celestia gets word of Discord's plans to go after Tirek, she goes to his cave and confronts him. "Tirek," says Celestia, "is already banished to Tartarus. There's no point in going after him."
"Yes there is," replies Discord. "He killed my kind, my family!" he yells.
"Then you leave me no choice," sighs Celestia letting a tear fall to the ground. She shoots him with her magic and turns him to stone. "It's for your own good." Another tear falls from her eye as she flies away leaving a stone Discord alone in his cave. The next day, she returns with a chariot to fetch him. She then puts him in her throne room, so she can keep an eye on him.
"Why did you turn him to stone?" asks Luna.
"He was going to go after Tirek even after I told him that I already banished Tirek," replies Celestia, "but believe me Luna when I say it's for the better." Luna nods and takes her seat beside her sister. At least, this stone spell is only for one hundred years and not one thousand like the last two. The two sisters can definitely agree about that much even though, deep down inside, Luna does disapprove of her sister's methods.
