Discord and Sombra have everything they could ever want. So why do they feel so miserable? Twilight has a hard conversation with Celestia.
Story 1: Discord and Sombra have everything they could ever want. So why do they feel so miserable? They go to the Cutie Mark Crusaders to find their purpose in life.
Story2: Twilight and Celestia have a talk about Twilight's future as a possible ruler.
Story 3: Twilight brings Discord and Sombra to their therapy session, something she thinks they are actively avoiding.
I know three stories are very short for an anthology but these stories didn't fit anywhere else and I wanted to address this before the sequel. Also thank you to Dovakhiin Master for all of their help on this.
Discord and Sombra had everything they could possibly need. So as they sat in Cadence's kitchen, in wooden chairs that laid against the wall, miserable. They wondered why? Why did they feel so gray blobish? They sighed together as they stared at the ceiling. They had everything, they were good, in a place of love, helped save Equestria, helped save Twilight, were friends with the elements, joined Cadence's family, and they had Flurry. It was a lot of good, so why did they feel so bad? The clock ticked by agonizingly slow as they moped at the kitchen table. Tick…tick...tick, almost as if it mocked them.
They both felt that they really shouldn’t be moping, they knew that. They had a lot to be thankful for, and they were thankful, grateful. So why weren’t they happy? They knew that they should be, having just sent Twilight off, fully recovered. That should be leaving them fulfilled, just like their new family, but something was missing.
“I feel like I’m being ungrateful even if I’m not….ungrateful that is,” Sombra stated into the air as if the statement itself could bring him the help he needed. He thought about his situation as he stared at the shadows that danced on the kitchen ceiling, cast from the large tree outside. His days were a lot easier to live now that he had been fully accepted into the life of the crystal empire.
The crystal ponies accepted him as the royal advisor, they accepted him as a creature, they accepted his magic. These days he got no resistance. One day he was consumed with so much curiosity about their full acceptance of him that he, former en-slaver and king, gave an order. Not 'please could you get me this or that,' with some explanation as to why. No, a real order. An order Shining might give to his troops, something like 'go get x, y and z' and Shining would gave no explanation as to why he needed it; he just told them to do it, and it was done.
Why did Sombra do that? Well, he wanted to see what would happen. To see if there was anything left of the king among the ponies. To his surprise they just obeyed him. No questions, no weird looks, not even a cautious glance. He was so surprised his jaw was still dropped when they came back. Of course, he thanked them, but the experience left him utterly blown away. He was so sure they would freak out, about the whole blood thing when it was found out. Think he was a monster and throw him out for something he couldn't control. He learned much later that most of them volunteered to make sure he didn't die, and saw no issue with it. Maybe it was because he saved Flurry?
He knew they definitely liked him now, a part of their life, really and truly. He’d thought he would never see the day. Then the most unexpected thing happened, his new family, Cadence and Shining, his sort of pseudo-parents. He could not believe that happened, he enslaved those creatures a couple of years ago but now, now they were like family to him. It felt good to help them, it felt good to help, it felt good to care, it felt good to be good. Friendship felt good, love felt good, he did not feel good, not now.
“Me too,” Discord replied. His life was fantastic nowadays. His chaos magic that was once hated was now not just appreciated but loved and wanted. They even joined in, willingly. Sometimes even coming up to him and asking for some chaos in their life. Not only that, but some of them also wanted it in their life regularly, now he was doing something he had never done before, organized chaos. Things like national holidays, birthdays, and the occasional creature who liked their life spiced. To top it all off, as if that wasn’t good enough by itself, it wasn’t just the crystal ponies or Cadence either. Lulu, Tia, and even the Elements had joined in on his chaos. He felt as if he was heard more often, he found that his thoughts, along with Sombra’s, even carried some more weight. Their plan for bringing life back to the Changeling lands was now being carried out, they even helped out with the execution of the plan. It didn’t stop there whenever they had an idea no matter how crazy or unconventional, it seemed to be listened to, even considered.
Creatures understood Discord, his magic, his views. Discord thought he’d never see that day. To be free, to be understood, that was all he ever wanted. He was part of Cadence’s family, he had Flurry, he was a part of the crystal empire. His friends had even started taking an interest in what he did when he wasn’t around them. Questions about where he went, what he was actually doing, even questions about his artwork, which Discord always doged. It was nice, to know he was being thought of, that interest was being taken in him. So as he stared at Sombra who watched the shadows, he too wondered why. Why did he feel so bleg? He liked his new life, being involved made him feel good, friendship felt good, love felt good, he did not feel good.
“Maybe….we should go talk to some-creature?’ Sombra suggested. It took him a while to start depending on his friends, but he did it now. Willingly, he found he rather enjoyed their points of view. Sometimes it led him to conclusions faster than when he said nothing, bottled it up, and tried to do it himself.
“Yes but who? We don’t even know what’s wrong. How are we supposed to ask for help if we don’t know why we need help?” Discord pointed out, he didn’t want this to come off the wrong way. He liked that he could depend on his friends, but he still had a hard time telling them things. Often still relying on jokes, not as often as before, but it was a hard habit to kick. It was one he had been doing for as long as he could remember.
Sombra realized that Discord was right, if they weren’t sure what was wrong. Who were they supposed to know who to go see? “I feel so directionless,” Sombra grumbled. It was an off hoof comment, but it gave him an idea. “Hey! What about the Cutie Mark Crusaders? They point creatures in the right direction. Maybe they could help?”
“You know that isn’t a terrible idea.” Discord said as he teleported Sombra and himself to right in front of the Crusader’s treehouse. The Crusaders didn’t want to move their business outside the treehouse, they grew up there, planned their cutie marks there, it was an extremely sentimental place. So of course they asked their friends, one of them being Discord of course. Discord had quite an extreme idea, he always did. With the help of Doctor Hooves, he successfully made the inside of the Clubhouse bigger than the outside and got it to stay that way. He knocked on their door and waited.
“Hello? Discord! Sombra! What a nice surprise. What are you doing here?” Sweetie Belle asked, having been the one who opened the door. It was always nice to see them. She stepped aside and closed the door behind them as they entered the Clubhouse, which was now the size of a two story Ponyville home.
“We need your help, we need a purpose!” Discord stated confidently as he flopped down onto a nearby bean bag chair, also his suggestion, and groaned dramatically. He was certain that this is what he needed.
“Don’t you have a purpose? Sombra is the Royal Advisor and your Flurry’s nanny.” Scootaloo stated from the spot on the floor she had been laying on. That was the easiest job they had ever gotten, she thought to herself. But the faces their friends made, she regretted that thought, they clearly did need help.
Discord frowned as he lifted his head from the bean bag chair, he breathed in, his claw pointed up. “That is a very good point.” He stated as his expression became more thoughtful. They were right, they did have a purpose, a direction in life, so why did he still feel so grayish?
“Don’t worry I think we can still help ya.” Apple Bloom stated from her swivel chair which she spun around in frequently, it was her favorite chair. “Maybe ya’ need to try somethin’ new? When is the last time ya’ did somethin’ different?” She felt the need to still help them, they looked so lost. Even if they had a purpose they could still guide them into feeling like they did.
“My best friend is Discord, Discord is Discord. Different is like his thing. We are always doing crazy wacky things. Randomly.” Sombra stated as he elected to sit down in the bean bag chair directly across from Discord, he wasn’t for it at first but they grew on him. Discord was the definition of box pushing, how could they not be trying new things?
“Hmmm, maybe you should expand your hobbies, or try some new ones?” Sweetie Belle suggested. “Aren't you an artist Discord? Try a different medium.”
“Yeah and Sombra ya love apple-bucking, but we neva’ see ya’ other than Zap Apple season and Cider season. Why don’t ya’ work for us a bit?” Apple Bloom suggested she knew he enjoyed the work. They could also use the extra hooves now that she wouldn't be helping as often as she once did, her cutie mark destined her to other things.
“I haven’t really been arting it up like I used to. It would be nice to get back to that.” Discord mused, “guess I gotta start somewhere. Sounds like a plan. See you later.” Discord said as he snapped himself away to get some inspiration.
Sombra smiled, “I do really like apple-bucking.” He said as he felt slightly more hopeful than last time. Maybe exploring something he liked would clear the grayishness away.
“Alright then, I’ll bring ya back to the farm.” Apple bloom stated as she left the treehouse. Sombra followed closely behind her, not that he needed to, he knew the way.
Discord was off to the art supply store to get some inspiration unsure if he would get it. Discord was different, Discord was chaos, Discord had tried different mediums before but he still wanted to give the idea a shot. Maybe if he explored something he tried but decided not to pursue? It was still worth the effort. He looked over the supplies, thinking about what to try again. He spotted pencils first, no he hated the sound of pencils on paper. It was just so scratchy, he could do pens. No, he just wasn’t feeling that. He looked around some more, clay. He could use clay, but that didn’t feel right either. None of it felt right, not even paints, his favorite medium.
He grumbled to himself as he looked over more random supplies, he remembered a time where he couldn’t go anywhere near a store, ponies, or other creatures. How they used to fear him, things sure had changed. He could go wherever, whenever, and not get so much as a scream.
Of course, the glancing over art supplies made him start thinking about how many creatures asked to see his work. He always said no, the only eyes it ever befell was Sombra’s. Discord’s only fan. Why? He was scared to, his paintings were more like a diary than art. He poured his everything into them. It was rather personal for him. He didn’t even have a muse, he used to, but he stopped doing that after a while. Opting for a more abstract approach, it wasn’t that he was against them. He just didn’t find any creature that inspiring. Just like these supplies, just like everything. Even things he personally set up he just felt bleh about these days.
The truth was he had been staring at an empty canvas for a week, it stared back. He felt like it mocked him now. Just sitting there, like him. He sighed. This wasn’t helping, he just felt so gray blob, even though he wasn’t trying to. The motivation just wasn’t there. He just snapped back to Apple Acres, maybe if he tried something else. Something new? But what would that be?
Sombra stared at his empty patch of trees, he bucked them all, but he didn’t feel better. He did enjoy the process, but he still felt so gray blob. Now the empty trees just sort of sat there, like him. He sighed, maybe he should see what Maria was up to. He got up, taking the buckets full of apples with him, stacking them up where they were supposed to go right beside the barn. Just then Discord appeared in front of him looking forlorn. “You too?”
“Yeah.” Discord simply said, he had seen Sombra’s face. This didn’t work, he wished it did.
“I’m going to go say hi to Maria, want to come with?”
“Sure.” Discord said as he followed Sombra into the home of the Apple’s. Seeing Maria was always nice. “Hello, Maria.” Discord said as he walked into the kitchen.
Granny Smith took one look at Discord and Sombra and knew something was up. ”What's with them long faces hoofsomes?” She watched them sit at the table. She decided to gather a can from her cupboard, a soup she made for when her grandchildren were upset. She grabbed a pot and started to cook. Granny believed a good meal healed all wounds.
“Maria, we went to the Crusaders to find our purpose, but we already have one. Then they said to try expanding our hobbies, we tried that too but it didn't work. We have everything we could ever need, but I feel so...gray.” Sombra said as he looked away from his friend. He really did wish he wouldn’t feel this way.
“Ya know, I know ya used ta the elements helpin’ ya out. They are pretty dang good at it but I think I might be able ta help ya. How ‘bout a story?” Granny watched them as they both looked at her with interest. She got three bowls and laid them down in front of her friends. Slowly, she poured the soup into the bowls.
“When I was a youngen', Celestia gave mah family this land but notten else. We were so grateful for ta land, we had been searchin’ for a place for so long. Surivin’ and notten more. We had a place to be, it was plenty enough for us folk. So we settled, here. I remember ta days of travel, being so scared. When we got here, I thought once we had a home everythin’ would be mighty dandy. We built this place ourselves out of nearby trees, we're still so poor, couldn’t afford notten. That’s how I found them zap apples. Lookin’ for food for mah family. I worked hard, erry day, endless hours. Then I did it, I had everythin’ I could eva want. Food, water, a place for mah family, a colt that loved me. I couldn’t help but feel gray. Much like ta two of you.” Granny said as she put the ladle back into the soup, the bowls now filled.
“I wondered what in tarnation could be wrong wit mah head? I had what I needed. So what was I thinkin’? Was I ungrateful? It didn’t feel like it, I had mah purpose, mah cutie mark, mah love. I tried ta find a new goal, somthin’ I could work on. That just ended up bein’ a distraction, I still felt so gray. I ended up goin’ ta mah love, having an honest conversation wit ‘em. Twasn’t easy. With his help I tried a bunch of stuff, but notten worked. Then one day, I was sittin' by this cliff. I liked it there ‘cus the air would blow through my mane so. It was near this waterfall, real peaceful place. I went there as often as I could. That day I saw somthin' different. Ya want to know what I saw there?”
“What?” Discord and Sombra asked as they hung onto her words.
“A flower, in da middle of a barren wasteland. It confused me so, what in tarnation was a flower doin’ there? It really shant be there, it was a wasteland, what was the point? Growin’ in a place like that? That’s when I realized I was bein’ all silly like. See I should be like ta flower. Sometimes things don’t have a point, a grand purpose. It’s ok ta not have a goal. Ta not be running from one thing ta another. Ta do stuff that has no effect on society, or overall bein’ of eva creature. Sometimes the purpose of existin’ is to just exist. Much like that flower, it grew just because it could. No soal told it ta, it wasn’t doin' it for any reason. It just did. So just do, for the sake of it, ‘cuz it makes ya happy. Ya deserve ta after running yourselves ‘round like that. An one day you'll find yerself a new goal ta go after, but really it ain't the goal that matters. It the journey ta that goal, if ya just keep running ya miss out on all the little moments. Like I might have been mighty scared, but when we was survivin' like that we had these campfire nights, real fun. I didn't appreciate 'em because I was so scared, focused on mah goal and mah new life. Even in ta worst n' busiest of times, there's always somthin' worth remembering. I enjoy those memories now.”
“Wow Maria, I’m not sure what to say….I think you might be the wisest mare I have ever met.” Sombra said in a state of awe. “I’m so surprised you aren't an element. Like knowledge or wisdom, or something. You could be.”
“Please, adventures like that are for youngins. I am mighty happy here, livin’ my life.” Granny said with a smile “plus it is too much work for me, bingo Mondays with the gals is all I eva need.”
“You know what, you are right. I think I'll go back to the crusaders. I could use a new muse, hadn’t had one in a long time. Maybe I’ll end up painting something wild. Thank you, Maria.” Discord said as he chugged his soup and with a snap, he was off to the crusader clubhouse.
“If you don’t mind. I’d like to stick around. In addition, I'd love to help buck when I can. I know you’re short on hooves since Apple Bloom got her cutie mark. Plus I really enjoy bucking Apples.” Sombra said as he sipped his soup. He felt a lot less gray, it wasn't completely gone but the guilt definitely was.
Granny looked around, checking for her grandchildren. Making sure there were no ears about. “More like ya should be buckin’ mares.”
Sombra choked on his soup as he blushed, “MARIA! That was very scandalous of you.”
“Don’t tell no one, I got an image ta uphold. Neighborhood friendly grandma.” She scoffed at her own pun, though she was truly thinking about setting him up with a family member. She already had a list of who she was going to ask in her head. Nice young mares, good for Sombra and Discord. Or were they into colts? She wasn’t sure, she never asked. She should, these were her friends, they deserved to love and to be loved.
Twilight took a deep breath in, she had spent time recovering with her family. Mending the relationship she had broken, it went very well. Then she had spent time with her friends, installing a sort of group therapy in addition to repairing their friendship. Once a week they grabbed a bottle of wine, sat in a circle, and talked about what they wanted to. No pony was allowed to speak until they were done. Nothing was unimportant, nothing was too small of an issue. The wine helped it to be less awkward overall. Twilight was hoping to get Discord and Sombra in on that action but not today. Twilight took another breath, today she was seeing Celestia who allowed her to recover, and rebuild her relationships but who she had not yet conversed with, just sending letters to her.
So she was very nervous as she approached the throne room doors that she had passed through so many times before. She remembered what her doctor had told her and breathed, if Celestia was that angry with her she would have done something already. She was most likely not angry, but Twilight still expected some form of punishment. Maybe a demotion, could you even un-alicorn a pony? Well, it didn't matter to Twilight, she believed that she shouldn't be ruling anyway, so maybe it would be for the best. Twilight slowly pushed open the throne doors to see Celestia and Luna sitting on the floor with.....Starlight?
"Hello, Twilight," Celestia said she looked upon a creature she called her daughter in her head so many times, if she only said it out loud. "I see you're doing better."
"Much, thank you," Twilight confirmed as she sat down on the floor. The two rulers looked tired, concerned. Twilight took another breath, everything would be alright, hopefully, maybe. "I don't think I should rule anymore Celestia. I don't deserve it after what I did. I'm just not fit to rule, I don't think I was ever meant to."
"Twilight, you are going to rule," Celestia stated before being interrupted.
"but-"
"Twilight, I got your letter. I know you have some doubts and you wish to resign. I even got your paperwork, but I threw it away. I have seen you as my daughter ever since you started magic school. I still believe in you. I believe you have the power to one day rule this country. This is the main reason I still insist on you ruling Twilight, but I have to be completely honest with you, Twilight, Luna and I don't have any backup plans for our retirement. Twilight, it is with a heavy heart that I tell you something that is to never leave this room. I'm starting to resent the people I rule. I get treated as a goddess day in and day out. I expect you to understand the pressure of creatures assuming and hoping for you to be perfect, a goddess. I don't want feel this way about ponies I care about, but ruling has taken its toll on me. I can't keep going, for the good of my people, even though I desperately wish to stay and rule myself. Sometimes Twilight, you have to do things that you don't want to, or that hurt you. For the good of the ones you love. You're going to have to rule but you don't have to rule alone."
"You may have noticed we brought Starlight, after a lot of discussions we decided on a plan. Luna and I are switching places, we don't know how long for. We don't know what it'll do. No one has ever sported a cutie mark of another pony for long periods of time. Which is why Starlight will only flip ours back when needed. That way she can still be the new head mare of the School of Friendship. I still get rule, get the break I need and hopefully I fall from the pedestal that I have been put on. I'm still responsible for my people in a way that won't make me miserable or worse. This will make sure my resentment doesn't come out on any creature, my biggest fear. Luna gets to rule full time instead of part-time, something she always wanted to do, but she has to leave the dream world. Something I know she doesn't want to do. You will rule which is something I know you don't want to, but it is alongside many creatures who love you. It won't be alone which I know you want, this is the best compromise we could come to."
"Twilight Sparkle thou are a strong mare a real ruler learns from their mistakes and improves the lives around them. That's what it means to rule. Something thy do all the time and continue to do. Just look at all thy have done since thy experience." Luna said, stopping her silence.
"But what if-" Twilight said before Luna interrupted her.
"When we stepped up we were nervous too, who knew how it was going to go. It didn't go perfectly. I turned evil, my sister had to rule both day and night. She didn't want to, but she did, for her ponies, for her friends, for her family. We can't promise thou rule will be perfect, but it will at the very least be better than ours. We believe that from thy very core. If we are wrong and thou mess up. Thou have thy friends to help catch thou and we promise. We pinkie pie promise that if this gets to be too much and thou can't handle it. We'll think of something else. We're asking that with thy new-found knowledge thou compromise with us Twilight, please. For us, for thy friends, for equestria."
Twilight breathed in and out, she wasn't the only one who had to do something she didn't want to. So she thought about it, if she did fall, her friends were there and her family promised they would find something else. More importantly, they promised to catch her. All she had to do was give it another shot, until a different plan could be formed. She had to rule, for now, but now wasn't forever. "I love you, I love my friends, I love my country. For the good of them all, I'll give it another shot. I will rule but only until we find a different pony to take my place."
"That is fair, thank you Twilight. I promise we will think of something." Celestia said, but she had no idea what that something was. Twilight went through years of training, and Celestia still believed she could do it, she could do this. Responsibly is something you have to take, whether you liked it or not. It comes at you hard, fast, and unexpected. Celestia understood this and who knows maybe one day, Twilight would come around to the idea. Regardless if she did or not she would have to be a princess, that was something that she could not avoid.
The main six had everything set up once more for their therapy sessions. So far it was going extremely well. Most of the time Twilight talked but her friends opened up too. Every pony was surprised when Pinkie brought up 'Pinkie Pie you're so random.' Not because she brought it up but because it bothered her so much, so they stopped doing that. Of course, it was very awkward, sometimes even after the meetings had finished but that awkwardness would eventually pass as they ended up laughing it off. The hardest part was opening up in the first place that's why Twilight gave everyone two glasses of wine and no more. The point wasn't to get trashed, it was to relax, get comfortable.
So with the glasses poured and the main six seated around the table in Twilight's living room they waited to see if Discord and Sombra would show up. They usually bailed. Well, they assumed they bailed, since the main six were always told that Discord and Sombra were too busy, either by word of mouth or by parchment. The main six suspected there were other reasons. That's why Twilight sighed to herself and blew the whistle she carried around her neck. They had to come at some point. Now was that point.
"Hello, Twilight." Sombra greeted as he suddenly appeared in Twilight's living room, curious as to why he was called her.
"Hey Twi what's going on?" Discord asked following right behind Sombra, wondering why he had been called here. Maybe she wanted to have some more fun. He hoped so.
"Sit down, join us for our therapy session. I'm sorry but I can't help but feel like you're avoiding them. So sit down, let's talk." Twilight said as she motioned to two empty chairs. She watched with a smile as Discord and Sombra quickly sat down.
"Yes, we have been avoiding them but for a good reason. I don't have anything to say. Discord and I are pretty happy these days. Soooooo, meeting over?" Sombra said as he picked up a glass of wine and sipped it, red wine, his favorite.
Discord picked Sombra up, careful not to spill the drink he had in his magic, and carried him how he would many ponies. "Yeah, agreed. There isn't much to say. Is there something that has been bothering you? You're the ones that keep insisting we come to these."
"Why do you do that?" Rarity asked, "pick up ponies. Why do you pick up ponies? I've always been curious if you had a reason or if you just did it to do it." She personally felt as if he had a reason, especially after spending so much time with him as her model.
"Excuse me?" Discord's heartbeat increased, he had to tell them at some point. Yeah, Cadence, Spear, Shining, and Ivy knew. Discord and Sombra never explicitly told the elements so they had no idea. He didn't think he had to, no, more like he was nervous too. He hated seeming like he was weak. Even now, it was still something he struggled with. Like being straight forward.
"Picking up ponies," Pinkie clarified, this bothered her too ever since Sombra had started his reformation. He was so strictly no touch. "especially Sombra. He hated touch when he met him. He's better now, hugs and hoof shakes. But why, why did he allow you to pick him up, and why do you pick us up?" Pinkie Pie added she loved touching things, everything. She wanted to understand her friends. Why did Sombra avoid touch for so long? She knew it wasn't her from talking to Sombra, so why?
"Oh...I guess we could tell you. Our other friends know and that went well." Sombra said as he looked back at Discord who nodded yes. "Our reasons have changed though, well mostly. There are rare occurrences. Discord picks ponies up due to his time in stone. He wasn't always sure he left, so he picks ponies up, when he was in stone he couldn't do that. The visions would disappear when he tried to. Probably due to his powers being what they are, but that is now a very rare thing. Despite his demeanor, he's a pretty anxious creature, so that, and he just likes doing it."
"I was frozen in ice. I sometimes get the feeling I'm still there, in ice. Discord is very warm, like a weighted blanket. Also, my aversion to touch has nothing to do with affection. Well, sometimes it's too much, but it's more the texture. Discord is like a blanket most creatures I touch are greasier, or rough in the wrong way. Also, it's just very comfortable. As for why we became evil, I caved to temptation. Discord.....I guess you could say he caved to his own powers but that is all we will ever say on the matter." Sombra explained calmly, they were still working on telling Cadence everything. They wanted to tell her first, before any other creature. They knew no matter what she would still love them, other creatures were a lot riskier.
"Oh....we...had no idea," Twilight said with surprise, though the more she thought about it the more it made sense. Who wouldn't be affected after a thousand years in stone? It made her think of Cozy Glow, she was just a child, and she was stuck in that. So were two others, they may have earned it but that didn't mean they deserved it.
"Why... is Sombra talking for you Discord?" Rainbow Dash asked noting that her friend had been completely silent, a thing he didn't really do all that often.
"Straightforward isn't really my thang, I make a lot of jokes and you wouldn't be able to tell when I was being serious, so it's best if he talks. Doesn't super matter anymore anyway. The past is the past. Any more questions?" Discord replied, doing his best to be as straightforward as he could. He also tried his best to get the conversation over with, it was truly uncomfortable for him.
"Of course it matters, we care," Twilight stated, making sure that they knew that they were their friends, and their friends loved them.
"I have more questions! How long have you known each other? How old are you? When are your birthdays? I just sort of gave you one since you never said anything." Pinkie Pie rambled, she had been wanting to ask these things for a long time. She tried to before, but always got shot down, now was the time.
"Uhhh how long have we known each other?" Sombra asked Discord, a pondering expression covered his muzzle. He tried to remember, he really did.
"I'm not sure...." Discord said as he sported a similar expression as he tried to think about how long it had been.
"Do....do we know how old we are?" Sombra asked hesitantly as a feeling of dread washed over him. How much time had passed them by?
"Uh, we spent a thousand years trapped, so at least a thousand." Discord said, how old was he? How long had it been? "At least as long as Celestia has been alive I think we were late teens when Celestia rose to power. She was what, 12? How long has she been ruling?"
"I don't know, nor do I remember my birthday. I had one at some point, I think." Sombra said as he stared into the map, hoping that maybe looking at it would jog his memory in any capacity.
"I don't even know mine, so I guess you could argue we were never born." Discord joked and laughed at his own joke causing Sombra to laugh too. "We're sooooo helpful, packed with knowledge." Together, they snickered.
That's when it hit her, Discord's comedy wasn't just for show. It was a coping mechanism. A heavyweight fell onto her shoulders, how many of his jokes were jokes? All that, brushed away, they could have been cries for help. Cries that went unheard. He told so many of them over the years she had known him. It would be impossible to remember them all, but maybe if they worked hard enough they could remember a good chunk. That was something Twilight was going to do later, with the help of her friends of course. For now, there was something she wanted to know.
"Who are your parents?" Twilight dared to ask, surprising every creature in that room. Though what happened after that was even more surprising. Sombra never looked afraid, Discord never looked ashamed. The elements had only seen them that way very few times.
"We...we will not bring that up," Sombra stated, his heart beating in his ears, that's how nervous he was right now.
"But-" Twilight started.
"No, I do believe we had enough questions for today. Look do you wish to talk about your mental breakdown Twilight? You all have something you wish to not talk about, even here. We do too, it's this. We don't have anything to say besides asking you to respect that. We will not bring up what we don't want to." Sombra snapped at them, purple poured from his eyes. It was clear they hit a nerve as old flickers of a well dead king were ever so briefly seen in his angry demeanor.
"I'm sorry," Twilight said as she looked off to the side. It had been so long since she had seen him behave like that, whatever happened must have been bad. If that wasn't bad enough Discord was just completely silent, the familiar air of a well dead lord washed over him. Twilight realized, she messed up.
"It's fine, drop it. I think we will be going back home now. It was nice to see you all." Sombra said as Discord teleported them away without saying another word.
"Well that was somethin'," Applejack stated not sure what to make of what just happened.
"Well, I think we have upset them enough for one day. They know they have a place here if they need it." Twilight stated, "that being said we should talk about Crystalis, Cozy and Tyrik."
"You know it's really annoying to just keep saying their names all the time. Just call em what every other creature calls them. Doom Trio." Rainbow stated as she flew in small circles above her chair.
Discord and Sombra were very excited, why? Because they were invited to the Apple family reunion, which was today! They couldn't be more excited, neither of them had met AJ's extended family before, but they liked the Apples. So it was safe to assume they would like them too. They were so excited they arrived early but they weren't the only ones there.
"Hello girls," Sombra waved to his friends who were already there, setting up for the reunion.
"Hello Sombra, Granny is in the kitchen. She'll assign you a chore." Rarity said as she laid table clothes down on the wooden tables. Making sure they covered what they were supposed to.
"Alright," Discord said as he picked Sombra up and went off to see Maria, leaving behind his friends.
The elements frowned as they went in, feeling a twinge of guilt. They finally learned why Discord picked up ponies, his time in stone. He said it was no big deal and that he held no grudges. The elements still felt a bit guilty about it, they did put him in there. Not to mention Sombra, who also still felt side effects.
"Hello Maria," Sombra said as Discord carried him into the kitchen.
"Well hello, glad ta see ya could make it." Granny Smith said. She was gathering her cooking supplies to be taken outside. So the family could all make dinner together.
"We report for duty! Rarity said to." Discord said with a smile and a tail swish. He, for one, was very excited about this. In fact, he had been looking forward to it for a while.
"I got a special job for each of ya. Sombra ya gonna join me and mah friends. We can work on da quilt and it'll be a tad more interesting with ya there. Discord ya can wrangle ta youngens, I know ya love 'em and they are packed ta da brim with energy. When they are down, Rose will tell ya what she said ta tha colt. Applesauce will be there ta, she was there when Rose said it." Granny Smith said, more excited then normally. Other creatures hadn't joined the quilting circle in so long, just not old enough. As it was a tradition that at a certain age you stopped helping with cooking and setting up, and started helping with the quilt instead. Sombra was technically over the age, and the elders held a lot of say in what they wanted to happen. So with both those cards at her disposal, Granny was ready to exploit the situation so Sombra could join them.
"Oh, I cant wait to find out, I hope she tells us. Anything else we can do for you?" Discord said with a bounce. he hoped whatever it was, it was saucy, or appalling.
"Help ta elements. Since ya jobs don't start till da family shows up." Granny said as she put the last pot onto the table. "Be a dear and take these out. Put them on a table till the cookin' areas are set up."
"Of course," Sombra said as he levitated all the pots up with his magic, not needing to be put down quite yet. He was able to do it from Discord's arms, they weren't even that heavy. He carefully levitated them out of the house and to a nearby table. He laid them down gently on that table. He smiled at his friends, then he frowned. They looked distraught, "are you girls ok?"
Discord wondered similarly, what could be wrong? Well, these were his friends, he was going to find out. "Tell us. I'm sure we can work something out." He said as he noticed they were all staring at him with forlorn expressions. Then he knew what this was about, his time in stone. It was an awkward conversation, encouraged by Cadence. As she thought free and open communication was the way forward. Straightforward wasn't Discord's forte, he just felt awkward so he just joked it off. Sombra too, even Pinkie Pie when she brought up the 'Pinkie Pie you're so random' phrase. He didn't open up about everything, but he did give it a shot. "Look we talked about this, I'm fine. Really. I am. This just makes me feel better. I also just like doing it."
"But-"
"No buts, this is supposed to be fun. Now drop it, please. You'll only hurt yourself if you keep feeling guilty. Just let it go, if you want to make it up to me. You can let me carry you around more often." Discord said with a scoff, this was starting to frustrate him. He didn't want this. He just wanted to be understood. "Let it go."
"We're sorry," Twilight said with a small smile, Discord was right they couldn't keep holding onto the guilt.
"I know." Discord replied. "But I'd like to let it go now. I told you, no hard feelings. I mean it."
Granny approached the crew, everything had been set up. Big Mac and Spike had set up the cooking pits. "Discord, Sombra come over here, I got ponies ya been dying to meet." Following her were two older mares. "This one-," she started saying as she pointed a hoof to a mare, pale orange, with a pale red mane. Her cuttie mark an apple and some roses, "is Apple Rose and this one-." Grany said as she moved her hoof over to a green mare with a white mane. Her cutie mark was some growing seeds, "is Applesauce."
"Mrs. Rose, Mrs. Applesauce it's a pleasure to meet you both. I am Sombra." Sombra said as he stuck out his hoof. Shaking the hooves of the two mares.
"Mrs?" They said collectively, being used to being called something else, Rose went by Ma and Applesauce by Auntie. When was the last time they went by Mrs? Neither of them could remember but it made feel young.
"I like ya already!" Applesauce said with a smile.
Rose liked him too. Then she took a closer look at him and just stared, starry-eyed. She had never seen a unicorn quite like him. "Can I touch ya horn? I ain't seen nothin' like it."
"ROSE!" Granny scolded. "Ya can't just ask that."
"What? We neva get ta see nothin' cool no more." Rose said with a whine, this was the most exciting thing to happen in years. No offense to any of the activities they were partaking in.
"You like different? I'll give ya different. Names Discord." Discord said announcing his presence, the fascination of his friend caused him to go unnoticed. A first. He got down on all fours as he reached out a claw. "It's nice to meet you fine young ladies. Rose, I'm especially excited to hear from you. I heard you're all kinds of trouble."
Rose's jaw dropped "Woe," she simply said. "How many animals are ya? Do ya have thier powers? Can I see ya use them? Ya right, Maria, I love 'em. You can both call me Rose," she said used to going by Ma'. She shook his claw, "I ain't neva shook a claw before!"
"That I know of? 10. Dragon, deer, lion, eagle, pegasus, bat, goat, dragon, snake, and zebra. Yes, I have some of their powers, and yes you can see me use them." Discord said as he breathed a little fire for his new friend. Who he was taking a great liking to already. She was a curious one, and a bonus, she liked different things.
"Neat!" Rose said as she fretted over Discord and Sombra, beyond interested. She couldn't decide who to look at, she shifted her head between them both.
"You can call me Applesauce," Applesauce said as she shook their limbs, "Come with us hoovesomes, I'd for one would like to quilt and see more magic tricks."
"Sure!" Discord said as he and Sombra wondered off with their new friends.
The group went to the hills and settled down upon the top. Granny put down the basket holding the quilt, she then dragged the quilt out of the basket and gently laid it down on the ground. They all gathered around the quilt in a circle.
"Wow, this thing is huge." Sombra said as he looked over it, "did you make this?"
"Sort of, when an Apple becomes older they join ta quilting circle. Every square here tells ta story of a family member, it's our family history." Rose explained. "Plus from here we can see ta children play. I wonder what poor soal will watch em this year.
"That would be me, don't worry. Maria told me all about how crazy they can get." Discord said, in all honestly he was very excited. They sounded rowdy, very rowdy, and he couldn't wait to play with them.
"He's right, no worries I seen him wit Flurry. He's got this." Granny said dismissively as a wave of parents climbed the hill. "Hello, y'all."
"Granny," they collectively said until just one of them spoke. Apple Tart. "Where is the baby sitter Granny?"
Granny pointed to Discord who waved excitedly. The parents stuttered, that was watching their children?
Granny looked at her kin and saw concerned faces, "don't worry he's qualified. Takes care of Flurry real good."
He was the one she talked about, the crowd of parents questioned. In the letters sent to them, Granny described Discord as a wonderful caretaker. He was just a tad....offputting in real life. Though Granny was trustworthy and if she said something it was usually true. So the parents cautiously handed their kids over. Who investigated their baby sitter for the day with great care.
"Hello, little ones." Discord said with a smile as he slapped his claws into the ground lightly and many times. He was so hyped "I brought games!" He said as he teleported them away, to the bottom of the hill.
The parents had to admit he was pretty excited to be taking care of them. They reassured themselves once more, Granny knew what she was doing. They collectively went off to go start cooking.
"Here ya go!," Applesauce said as she handed Sombra a needle and some thread.
"What are you giving me this for?" Sombra asked as he levitated the supplies in his magic.
"Ya gonna help us silly." Rose started as she pulled her embroidery supplies out.
"With the quilt? I have no idea how, Discord's the artist." Sombra said in a matter of fact way. Though he was honored to be asked to help with it.
"We'll teach you!" Rose said with a smile.
Cooking was quite, too quite. The young and old weren't heckling for food. Tartarus they didn't even stop by. Dinner sure was going to be done sooner this time around, though that wasn't the point.
"Maybe I should check on the youngins," Apple Tart stated, she did trust Granny but that was her daughter over there. She could help but worry, just one peek wouldn't hurt.
"I should probably rescue that poor colt that the grandma's coltnapped. Who knows how many stories he's been subjected to?" Spicy Jumbelia said. He remembered when he got an earful after marrying his sweetheart. Apple Tart.
"Ight be safe you two." Fritter said as she continued to chop vegetables up for the soup.
Jambalaya went to go rescue the colt he didn't know the name of. He'd seen him when he dropped off his son to that odd creature. Discord he called himself. Then he went off to cook.
"Like this?" Sombra said as he hoofed over the quilt to Apple Rose.
"Much better," Rose said as she looked at his stitch work. "Its startin' to look real professional. Soon you'll be just as good as us."
"Sorry about that" Sombra said as he pointed to the past few patches. He was adding blank spaces while his friends embroidered them with memories. Those blank spaces were covered in thread, crooked, and bunched up in some places.
"No worries ya got it now plus look," she said as she lifted the blanket up to show Sombra areas that looked like his. "Every creature gotta learn at some point."
Jambalaya was surprised at the sight. He...was helping? He was way too young to be on the hill. He had to help this poor bloke. He coughed "may I borrow him?"
"Oh, ya don't need ta he stays here wit us." Granny Smith said with a smile. She for one was having a grand old time.
"But we could really use-" Jumbelia was going to come up with the excuse for some extra hooves but he was interrupted.
"You know what, I could use a drink anyway. Ladies, would you like anything specific?" Sombra offered.
"Oooo what a gentlecolt. Na just get us whatever ya want. I wanna see what ya pick." Rose said, who knew what he was going to come back with but that was part of the fun.
"Alright," Sombra said as he followed the colt down the hill. "How can I help you, uh, I don't know your name. I'm Sombra" He said as he headed straight for the booze.
"Jambalaya. You can't I just thought I'd rescue you from the crazy old coots. Probably talking your ear off, you're too young to be up there anyway." He stated as he entered the cooking area.
"First of all, your grandmother's are not crazy. They're the most interesting mares I've ever met. Secondly, I enjoy their company greatly, I like listening to them. I like hearing their stories. Third, I'm about 2000 years old, so if the age requirement is let's say 100. I'd say I qualify to be there and then some, 20 times over in fact. Lastly even if I was young I wouldn't want to hang out down here with you. Treating your grandmothers like their crazy. I'm not as nice as they are so I'm not going to pretend to be. Treat your grandmothers with some respect. You. Ungrateful. Piece. Of. Shit." Sombra said as purple poured from his eyes, jabbing his hoof into the colt he was yelling at. He was still careful not to hurt him, he didn't want to cause too much of a scene, just defend his friends. He grabbed the Manhattans he made for those friends in his magic, snuck a bottle into his shadow, and went off. Back to his spot on the hill.
"Damn." Fritter said, summing up the family thoughts at that moment. Never had anyone not called the elders crazy or old. It was just was something that was done. Though the more she thought about it the more she realized he might be right. They might be being disrespectful.
Jambalaya wasn't just gonna take that so he followed Sombra. How dare he? Such accusations.
"Sombra ya seem angry. Is it da Society of Historical Preservation again? Have ya had any luck gettin' ya stuff back?" Granny asked, concerned for her friend's attitude. She could see the purple pouring from his eyes.
"I'm sorry, what?" Rose asked.
"Its a long story but I ended up like the Pillars. Classified as dead, and speaking of them. I teamed up with the Pillars. Apparently, the Society refuses to hear their input on the past, despite knowing everything about it. Some of them can't get their belongings back either. Poor Rockhoof can't even go home because it's an excavation site. Some of them are currently staying in the chaos realm until they get back up onto their hooves. Others just got lucky. Cadence gave Mistmane a job. Mage Meadowbrook, Starswirl, and Flash Magnus just went back to their old ones. Which just leaves Rockhoof, Stygian, and Somnambula but I'm sure they'll find something. They did just get back a couple of weeks ago."
"I'm sorry, it's a sin they treat ya like ya dead." Granny said, "I mean I'm talkin' to ya right now."
"Eh, I'm not too bothered by it, just inconvenienced. Could be worse." Sombra said as he tried to look on the bright side of the situation.
"I thought just being treated like a crazy old coot was terrible." Applesauce frowned "but ya make it look not so bad."
"It is, that's why I'm mad. They keep calling you that." Sombra stated with a huff.
"Preaching to the choir sweetheart, but we still love em. Ya just ignore em." Applesauce said.
"Well I didn't ignore them, their ungrateful little shits and they should know it," Sombra grumbled. If he had this when he was young he probably wouldn't have turned evil. Tartarus if he could go back in time and tell himself this was his future he'd stop his takeover right then and there.
Rose just laughed "yeah they are. Thanks for standing up for us Sombra but were ok with it. One day they'll understand."
Jambalaya slowly went down the hill. It didn't take a genius to figure out Sombra was right. When he got there he found most of his family missing. Though he could hear them. He followed the sound of collective swooning. Jambalaya wondered what it was over.
It was Discord, they were swooning over Discord. Discord had snapped up a slip n slide of mud. At the end of it were children, he picked one up in his claw "four!" He yelled as he tossed the kid down the slid and into the other children. Scattering them, foal bowling he was calling the game. The parents were very worried of course until they learned Discord turned their kids into rubber. Not just them all of their surroundings were too, he didn't want any creature getting hurt. Plus the kids were having a blast "again, again, again." They cried out. Discord was so good with the children and it drove the mares crazy.
The parents had to internally admit now, that it did look like a lot of fun. One grown creature did not stay quiet about it.
"I wanna try!" Twilight yelled out as she trotted up to Discord. "Can I go?"
"Sure!" Discord squeaked as he cleared the kids, sticking them to the side on a nearby tree. Getting pouty faces in return. "No worries after she goes you can go." The children cheered in response.
Discord snapped his friend, also the elements of harmony, to him and placed them at the bottom of the slide. "Ready?" He asked as he got into position.
"Ready!" They responded.
Discord tossed Twilight down the slide, she was giggling the whole way. She ran straight into her friends who bounced about, giggling as well. "Yay!" Twilight yelled, she got a strike. Then she rolled around in the mud getting the kid's attention. She levitated some of them off of the tree onto her back. "Wooosh." She said as she ran around giving piggyback rides to all. Her friends smiled at her glad she wasn't taking life too seriously these days, becoming more flexible, having more fun.
"If the part-time ruler of this country likes it, you should try it too." Discord said trying to coax more chaos out of the situation. With the children's attention elsewhere he could cause some here, with the parents. They looked like they could use a break anyway.
The parents looked at her, then at the elements who joined the children in the mud. It did look like a lot of fun. Dinner was all premade, all that was needed was to cook it. "Ok." Fritter said. Soon enough almost every creature that attended was covered in mud and being thrown into other ponies. It was an absolute blast and the parents could see why Granny chose Discord for this job. He was fun, yet still responsible. Most of the parents couldn't even remember the last time they had that much fun for so long.
"I wonder why the grandmothers haven't hounded us yet." Apple Tart said, she was curious. Usually when a break was taken nagging started.
"Hush don't ruin a good thing. You'll jinx this." Fritter scolded.
"Yeah!" Both children and parents yelled, the parents didn't want to go back to responsibilities. They were having to much fun.
"Oh you won't have to worry about that," Discord said as he pointed over to some buzzed and shambling creatures. He had heard them a mile away, he did have good hearing.
"Shut the Tartarus up Maria your gonna get us caught." Sombra snapped, in his magic, he carried a plate full of stolen food. He was the mastermind behind this plan. The parents and children were occupied, the food was wide open. It was a perfect time to go hunting.
"I ain't making that much noise ya are making way more." Granny snapped back carrying her own plate of stolen food.
"Hey don't yell at him!" Rose snapped at Granny.
"Ya just want him on ya good side cuz he's hot," Granny said as she pointed her hoof accusingly at her friend.
"Hey, I'm a free mare. I can ogle all ta hot studs I want." Rose said.
"Ladies please, you're gonna get us in trouble." Sombra whisper yelled, his stomach growled.
"You already are." Discord stated as he looked at the three of them, trying to hold back laughter as the entire family was now watching them very closely.
"Uhhhh," Sombra said, unsure what to do, caught red hoofed.
"BAIL!" Rose yelled as she, Granny, and Applesauce ran for their hill.
"Hi, Discord." Sombra smiled sheepishly hoping if he stayed his friends would get away.
"Hi Sombra, did ya get buzzed with Maria then get hungry, and while we were playing, did you hunt for food because we weren't looking?" Discord said, he did not care that they were disobeying rules. He did care about the chaos and what he could do to add to the fun.
"No?" Sombra said while looking away and trying not to laugh.
"No? You don't sound too sure about that SomBRUH." Discord snorted.
"You're hallucinating, ooooowoooowooowowowow I'm a ghoooooost." Sombra said as he started giggling, waving his hooves around in the air, as if that would help him convince Discord he was right.
"I thought I was hallucinating."
Sombra immediately bailed, turning to smoke and disappearing. After that Discord laughed it up. Things went back to what they were as every creature was getting hungry from all the excitement. Dinner was done in 30 min, the quickest cook time ever. Every creature sat down and talked. Covered in mud, buzzed, or both. Dinner was quickly eaten as every creature there was famished and the kids were taken to the barn.
"But we don't want to take a nap, we're not tired. We wanna yaaaawwnn play with Discord." Apple Specs whined, Discord was the best playmate ever. The rest of the children agreed with that statement.
"Maybe you can play before you leave, and don't worry some of us will join you. We're tired." Fritter said as several sleepy parents decided to join collective nap time.
While that was happening five friends sat at a wooden table sharing a 151 Sombra had snagged from the booze table. That's what brought four of them to buzz town. The fifth was playing caretaker and so had some catching up to do, electing not to drink while watching over creatures. They took turns taking sips out the bottle, the more they drank the less they cared.
"So tell us, tell us what you said to that colt after you kicked him in the crotch. I for one am dying to know." Sombra said, he and Discord had been waiting for this part all day.
"I dunno...it was pretty vulgar." Rose teased as she tried to seem floppy on the idea of telling them, wanting to tease them a bit.
"Come on, we probably heard worse. If you tell us. I'll tell you the dirtiest joke I know." Sombra sported a smug face, "unless you don't want to know."
"It's a deal I said suck my god damn dense chode you piece of harry garbage. I'll fucking kill your whole family.."
Sombra and Discord laughed. Sombra, between laughs, had managed to say. "Oh my, that's gotta be the best sentence I have ever heard."
"Now tell us the joke!" Rose yelled, she was dying to know.
"A deals a deal. Ok, ok, what does a deaf gynecologist do?" Sombra asked.
"Well I dunno," Rose said, stumped.
"I'm not sure either." Applesauce said.
"They read lips," Sombra stated
It took a few seconds to hit but when it did Rose just laughed, Applesauce squealed then laughed, Granny gasped which turned into a laugh. Sombra just smiled smugly and so did Discord, Discord was the one that told him that joke.
The apple family that had gone off to check on their family was shocked. They just went back to the barn, trying to process what just happened. When did their grandmothers get so interesting?
"I like ya, I like ya a lot. Applesauce and I have a little surprise for ya, ima get it right now." Rose said as she ran off to the cooking area, now a hangout. The family that was there trying to seem like they hadn't overheard their grandmothers.
"Fritter, Core, Honey, Lilly, front, and center!" Rose demanded and, of course, they followed that order.
"Yes?" They said.
"Ya comin with me." Rose said as she led them to her friends who were laughing it up at the table.
"Sombra, Discord. This is my daughter Fritter and my son Core." Rose said and her children took a polite bow
Applesauce smiled, "this is Honey, and Lilly, they are my daughters."
"Granny told us all 'bout ya and I have ta say ya lived up ta tha hype. She also said ya single. We can solve that." Rose said as she wiggled her eyebrows and pointed to the youngins.
"Oh no, no, we, we, couldn't," Sombra said with a hoof wave and a blush.
"Ya, ya can. We suggestin' it." Rose insisted.
"Uhhh, I'm very sorry about this," Sombra said as he ushered the ponies away from the table and back to the cooking areas. "I think we need to have a word with your grandmothers." He said as he watched them wander back, as soon as they were gone he approached the table and sat down.
"Ladies, I'm honored you'd offered us something like this. I am, I can't believe you like us so much you'd marry us off to your own children." Sombra started before he paused, he had to say this very carefully.
"I am also honored, but we're just not ready. Sombra and I just got our lives back together after the whole evil thing. Don't get me wrong I love chaos and all that.....but I'm sort of....enjoying the stability of our new lives. Love invites a lot of drama. One day just not today." Discord said.
"I'm mighty sorry, I talked over the phone about how great ya were and I let it slip that I was thinking of setten ya up. But I did NOT expect THIS!" Granny said as she glared down her friends. She wanted to talk it out first, before acting.
"That's sweet, really, we just don't want to right now. Thank you though Maria. I know you were doing it because you wanted us to be happy. We are happy now, promise." Sombra stated.
The rest of the night was spent talking about days, lovers, and youth gone by shared over a bottle until the family came to pick them up one by one. It was a good night Discord and Sombra couldn't wait to see them again.