The King of Equestria is now Discord and it is up to a foal and his friends to lead a revolution.
A couple of years after the second imprisonment of Discord, the sister princess' cannot seem to settle their differences. The tension divides Equestria, causing chaos and disharmony ultimately leading to war. As the armies line the battle front, Discord is released from his imprisonment and finds that Equestria is unraveling itself for him to rule. Eventually the war ended, parts of Equestria were left scarred and Discord was now the ruler, the king.
The story follows a young foal who is lost in the world after losing those closest to him. He meets many friends and enemies along the way, learning things that foals shouldn't even know. Through the help of his new family, he reignites the hope in everypony across Equestria.
The alicorn of the night wandered through the great marble halls of her Canterlot Palace. The years had been tough on her. Nightmare Night was still insulting to her, she hadn’t brought herself to admit it but she knew that it still hurt her inside. Every Nightmare Night she would put on a fake smile. She felt as if she was just a joke to them as they laughed and the doubt built up as she realized she hadn’t done anything to help rule Equestria alongside her sister.
The alicorn of the sun stood on the balcony, overlooking all of Equestria. The pretty lights of Manehattan and Fillydelphia twinkled like stars in the distance and she looked up to the creation of her sister. The midnight sky glowed purple as the blue and white stars sparkled. The nights weren’t as beautiful when she had banished her sister to the moon. Celestia smiled to herself as she could hear the light clatter of her sister’s trotting from behind.
“Tia,” Luna sighed, thoughts clouding her perception, “I feel that I need to rule right by your side again. It’s the way it should be, the way it was.”
Celestia chuckled softly and placed a hoof on Luna’s forehead. She gave a long hum of thought before smiling and poking her sister on the nose.
“Are you alright?” Celestia asked, “are you sick? You look awfully tired.”
Luna stamped her forelegs. “Enough, Tia! I’m not a foal!”
“No,” Celestia said, getting serious, “you aren’t but you’ve been gone for years and-”
“Whose fault is that, Tia? NOT MINE. It’s been two years now and I think I deserve to be a ruler too.” Luna stamped her hooves some more, anger flaring within her.
“Luna, watch your tone with me young lady,” Celestia said.
“You’re not Mother,” Luna whispered in spite.
The alicorn of the night stormed out of her sister’s quarters with tears streaming down her face. Celestia’s heart sank into the pits of her stomach and followed after her. Luna stopped, Celestia stopped. Luna turned around to glare at Celestia, hate flaring in her eyes. Celestia remembered that look so well, the same look that Nightmare Moon gave just before the great battle. Celestia backed away slowly, careful as to not reignite the darkness within her own sister.
Celestia stepped outside onto the balcony again. Staring up at the sky, she noticed the stars weren’t sparkling as bright as they were before and the majestic purple canvas that was the sky had turned into black. Plain, pitch black.
* * *
Luna hadn’t slept at all and the sun began to rise. Her resent sparkled at first light and stayed there. She was afraid, Luna, afraid that the darkness was consuming her once again. Celestia entered and Luna glared at her. Celestia began to back away but froze mid-step. She furrowed her brows and began to march forward. Luna felt threatened and darted towards the balcony. Celestia galloped after her and the two alicorns took flight into the bright skies.
“Luna!” Celestia cried out from behind her, “stop this right now!”
Luna left behind a trail of glittering smoke which oddly looked like the night sky being painted by her own back hooves. Celestia flew above her, trying to catch up. Luna’s thoughts cleared for a moment, allowing her to stop and recollect. Celestia rammed into Luna and they both began to hurdle towards the ground. Had her own sister tackled her towards the ground?
Twilight set in, it was meant to be early morning though. The stars were visible as the sun fell below the horizon, leaving a soft glow. Celestia stood up and extended a hoof out to help Luna up. Luna shook her head, getting up on her own shaky legs.
“You tackled me,” Luna accused.
Celestia was taken aback.
Ponies began to crowd around the crater they had created outside of Canterlot. There was a boom of thunder as Luna stamped her hooves.
“I did nothing of the sort!” Celestia yelled.
“Yes you did!” a pony from the crowd yelled.
“She didn’t!” another pony yelled.
The crowd began to fight with each other and Celestia watched in horror as the crowd turned into a riot. Celestia’s royal guards and Luna’s royal guards were also among the riot and there was another boom of thunder in the twilight. Celestia couldn’t bring herself to raise the sun again. The sisters glared at each other.
“Luna…” Celestia gave a heavy sigh, “you will stop.”
“NO!” Luna yelled with another boom of thunder, “you will stop. We were meant to rule together, I was nothing but a baby to you though. You never appreciated me.”
Celestia gasped, “No, of course I did, you’re my sister!”
There was a dissonance of cheers and boos from the riot. Luna’s royal guards assembled behind her and Celestia’s royal guards began to do the same behind her.
“We can talk about this,” Celestia said softly, approaching Luna.
There was a sparkle in Luna’s right eye as a tear fell but she quickly brushed it away with a hasty hoof and grimaced. Luna turned away, flying towards the mountains with her royal guards.
* * *
The palace was quiet without Luna. Celestia knew that Luna was stubborn but now she was overreacting, she had left with her own army. Some of the ponies in Canterlot even set out to follow her. Celestia’s heart sank again and her grief turned to worry as she remembered Nightmare Moon.
Canterlot was filled with protestors and riots but Celestia thought nothing of it. She only thought of her sister, she dreaded the thought of another banish. Celestia was restless throughout the day, watching as Canterlot began to tear itself apart. She saw smoke in the town square and set off towards the source.
There was a bonfire and Celestia was greeted with a mixed reception of happiness and anger. She put the fire out with a gust from her mouth and was about to put on a speech before a can hit her in the flank. More cans were sent out from the Luna supporters and Celestia was horrified, her own subjects were turning against her. She left as quickly as she had arrived and concealed herself behind the castle walls.
* * *
Nightmare Moon was coming back; Luna could feel the transformation as the hate grew stronger. Ponies from Canterlot had followed her and she blessed them. She overheard some of the ponies insulting Celestia and she took joy in it. Luna knew that Nightmare Moon would be back and she began to weep in her private cave. Not long ago she was just a filly learning what had changed in a thousand years. She was surprised at how quick she had turned against her sister over a possible misunderstanding. The more Luna mulled it over, the more reason she began to receive, but it was too late to turn back. Nightmare Moon had consumed her.
* * *
With an army at her disposal, Nightmare Moon set off for Canterlot. She ignored her mixed response from her subjects as she approached the castle with her royal guards and supporters following behind her. Celestia was on her balcony, looking down in shame as she realized that Nightmare Moon was back.
“Think about this, Luna,” Celestia said, descending from her balcony.
“Enough, Celestia. Our conflict goes beyond the act of reasoning now,” Nightmare Moon said.
“There never was any reason, I tried but your actions were clouded by anger,” Celestia said.
Nightmare Moon froze, her heart sank but she hid her sorrow with more anger.
“It’s war,” she said.
Celestia let the tears fall this time, she hadn’t cried for over a thousand years and now the tears were coming back to haunt her. She nodded in acknowledgement and turned for the palace.
* * *
The war started over a tiff between sisters which lasted for three days and Celestia felt the chaos abound. The disharmony from Canterlot expanded over Equestria like a pandemic. It was a few months before the war commenced. Nightmare Moon was marching her troops down the mountains, Celestia was marching hers out of Canterlot. Both armies stood in front of each other, then Celestia felt the tingle along her spine, Nightmare Moon felt it too.
Somewhere within the Everfree Forest, the statue of Discord began to crack again. They had tossed it there to forget about it, but tossing something out of one’s mind doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. The God of Disharmony immerged from the forest and took to the skies, eager to watch the war.
The battle had already started. The armies tore at each other with magic and physical attacks. The flurry of magical spells created a storm of magic above the battlefield. The lightening that struck the ground scarred parts of Equestria with its extreme power. Windigoes began to form around them and the magical storm turned into a magical blizzard which slowly engulfed Equestria in its deathly grasp.
The sisters charged at each other, ready for the final confrontation. Their clash left a vast explosion of magic, adding more ferocity into the blizzard. Each army began to dwindle, not from each other, but from the blizzard. The sisters clashed again and another sonic boom of magic boomed across Equestria. Ponies from all over began to suffer from the effects. The sisters crashed into the ground, sending another ultra pulse of magic to scar Equestria.
The Draconequus towered over the two weak sisters. Both sisters gasped in surprise as they lifted their heads to see Discord. Celestia looked at Nightmare Moon.
“We must work together,” Celestia said heavily, “we must rid Equestria of Discord once and for all.”
Nightmare Moon struggled in her mind. Luna had been battling within the body, she knew the war was pointless, she knew it was caused by her own jealousy and she succumbed to the darkness again, the same one which had taken her soul a thousand years ago.
“I- I can’t,” Luna uttered through the voice of Nightmare Moon.
“This is what you want,” Nightmare Moon wailed, “you want redemption for the both of us!”
Nightmare Moon won the battle over Luna and turned her attention back to Celestia.
Discord simply laughed as the two alicorns came together. As the final magical blast echoed through Equestria, Discord intervened. The two alicorns were both lying next to each other with labored breaths and dying strength. Nightmare Moon was no more, lying there was the small frame of Luna.
The last thing Luna could remember was the forgiving eyes of her sister before it all went dark.
* * *
And so the rule of Discord began.
He declared Ponyville the new Capital of Chaos and called the Elements of Harmony fourth. He presented them with a proposal, do as he says or be punished severely. Everypony valued their lives and the lives of their own family so they complied. He set them off to work and sat atop the town hall, claiming it as his throne.
Zebras flocked from all over to work for his Chaotic Commune. Ponies which had lost their moral compass demanded Discord’s approval as they praised him. They were known as the Lost Ones. Discord had no use for them, he only liked the attention and chaos they were causing to their own kind and everypony who wasn’t one of them hated their existence.
Discord was finally the ruler of Equestria again with nothing to fear.
His reign continued for two years and a couple of months without disturbance and he began to feel bored. Everything was bland and boring. There had been times where ponies would try to stand up against him but rarely did they ever provide a fun challenge. He yearned for ponies to partake in a revolution to overthrow him, which of course led to a grand battle in which he would dominate.
Somewhere out there was a revolution being planned. Somewhere out there Discord would finally get some fun. It was only a matter of time.
My heart raced. Everypony stampeded through the ruins, Mom and Dad guiding me through the darkness. I thought I was going to get trampled. Better than Discord’s zebras getting to me. I had to keep running, but my little hooves could only take me so fast and so far. The use of unnatural gunfire echoed in the dark night. A group of us tried to make camp in the ruins but we should have known that Discord’s zebras would find us sooner or later.
Eventually they surrounded us. Everypony around me started to cry as the barrels of the zebra’s guns looked down upon them. I crouched down… waiting… waiting for the sweet release. The easy way out didn’t come for me. Mom used her unicorn magic to push me into the center of the group. Both she and Dad looked at me through the legs of the crowd and gave a feeble smile, mouthing ‘We love you Glace’. At the time, I was oblivious. I was so young, just a small colt caught up in a time where foals shouldn’t have existed.
One by one, everypony fell. I guess I should be thankful that the roar of gunfire masked their dying screams. A warm sensation crept over my body as those adjacent to me began to fall. With the little gears of thought in my brain, I threw myself to the ground in time with the ones in front of me and played dead the moment I hit the ground. After what felt like an hour the shooting stopped, and by then our entire group was on the floor. Each one of them was still, dead as the earth beneath them.
I fought the urge to scream as the leg my head rested on twitched, warm blood beginning to mat my coat. I forced my body to be still as the zebras stomped over around the pile
“Do we burn them?” one of them asked.
“No,” another replied, “this will serve as a warning to anyone who decides to hide from Discord’s Chaotic Commune.”
It was hours before they left. It was painful to lie so still, I could feel every muscle cramping. The strength within me was minimal; I was never a strong colt. I couldn’t picture myself as a well-built stallion, only a young, thin colt who had just been orphaned. The zebras cackled around a bonfire and spoke in a different language. By the time they left, I had already begun to cry. As I stood up, my hooves felt like jelly beneath me. I navigated over each corpse with careful steps. Sure as soil, Mom and Dad were lying there, their coats ravaged by bullet holes and manes burnt by fire.
Until the sun rose, I cried. The thought of Discord’s Chaotic Commune approaching and laughing at me occurred one too many times throughout the night. I was careless, yet who could blame me? I had just watched everypony I knew and loved die right before me, what was the point in living anymore? A little orphaned colt who was too weak, too small to care for himself in a world like this. Suicide was an option, but the thought was too dark for an innocent mind like mine. The tears stopped flowing and I sat there hyperventilating. I dry-heaved and coughed and sniveled, but I had no tears left to give.
I sat myself on a large boulder looking across the horizon. The sun rose sluggishly and seemed a darker orange like it was forced. Like it didn’t want anything to do with Equestria anymore. Celestia had the power to raise the sun, didn’t she? What if she was still alive? Forced to abide by Discord’s very whim? That was a hope. Hope for the restoration of the old Equestria. Ha, yeah, right.
* * *
Each city and town was under constant surveillance. I could have sworn that even the propaganda posters were bugged with cameras and microphones. Discord’s Chaotic Commune was on constant watch, often lashing out at anpony who would make eye contact with them. They make sure that everypony is busy with some productive work; whether it’s in the sweatshops or stay-at-home crafts. Those who were found not working were rarely fined, they were beaten until they were on the verge of death and then given a cruel laugh and a warning.
My parents and I had been wandering the ruins for quite some time. I couldn’t recall what Discord made everypony make, maybe some weapons, new spells or posters. Apart from the ruins, cities and towns, there was another type of place. Patches of Equestria that lay in eternal chaos: upside down buildings, floating islands and chocolate rain which made everything sticky. It was the work of Discord. Apparently after all those years stuck in stone once again, Discord felt the need to perfect his chaos magic. Some said he was weak and needed to practice. Others said it was just a bluff to encourage people to rise against him, only to be cut down by the cruel God’s amusement. Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. Discord was still an intimidating monster in my eyes.
After scrambling through dirt and rubble, I came across a town. The zebras were drinking some moonshine around a bonfire just outside the town. I entered without getting caught and headed straight for the inn named Elven Spices Inn. It was dank and musty-smelling like every other building in the town, but ponies still laughed and joked all around. There were mostly stallions here instead of mares. I wonder where all the mares went.
“Welcome to Elven Spices, sweetness!” a cream-colored pony greeted, “I’m the owner, Elven Spices!”
Her cutie mark was of a green leaf and a red leaf with little white sparkles encircling the two. The mare’s mane was cinnamon colored and her ears were pointy and oddly-shaped like those elf-ponies in foal stories. She spoke with a cute, foreign accent and her golden eyes were wide with glee.
“I- I’m Glace,” I returned.
Glace the foolish foal. Glace the agile. Glace the pony with an ice-tray for a cutie mark. How do you even get that? With a gleaming white coat, an ice blue and oceanic blue mane with teal eyes. You would expect something flash as a cutie mark, especially with a name like Glace where ‘ace’ is present. Apparently I had a fascination with ice cubes and I’d make them every night because sometimes nights would get so hot instead of the usual cold. I don’t know.
“Turn that frown upside down sweetness, it’s the dusk of a new day!” She raised a brow and looked up as if what she said was right. Then she returned to grinning.
“So what brings you all the way out here to Trotten?” she asked.
For some odd reason, this mare was different from other ponies. She emitted some sort of warmth, a ‘good vibe’. So, in dire need of a new friend, I informed her of the massacre. Tears dropped from her beautiful eyes and her lips quivered. The café fell silent, everypony and his dog had their eyes on me and I fell to the ground.
“Get this young colt a room,” Elven Spice ordered the bartender, “now!”
Two stallions used their muzzles to lift me up onto Elven Spice’s back. I was so light that I bounced with each step she took. Upon the bed, she laid me down. The memories of last night flooded my mind and I started to cry again. Elven Spices sent the two stallions out. She placed a hoof on my back.
“Discord’s Commune,” she said, her voice full of spite, “sweetness, Discord’s reign is coming to an abrupt end, I promise. Soon there will be no more pain, no more death…”
She rubbed her hoof up and down my back, stroked my mane and all.
“What do you mean?” I sniveled.
There was a long pause.
“Ponies talk in hushed whispers of an upcoming revolution… but Equestria is divided into many sub-groups and factions that everypony is turning against each other. Every single day is a constant war, either its ponies fighting ponies or zebras fighting ponies or rabid animals fighting everypony. The leader of the revolution is a strong stallion named Silver-Lined Cloud… but that’s all I know. If you want more knowledge of Silver-Lined you’re going to have to speak to his second-in-command, Brass Tacks. Mind you though, Brass Tacks isn’t a pony who has a sense of humour,” Elven Spices explained.
My muzzle was buried within the mattress, my voice came out muffled, “Are they nice ponies?”
Elven Spices chortled, “Silver-Lined may come out as a joker, but he’s a sweet stallion with a heart of gold. Brass Tacks on the other hoof, he seems to be on the straight and narrow. He hates people wasting his time.”
I sat up, “Where can I find him?”
“Sweetness, get some rest, okay? I’ll arrange something. A young gentlecolt like you shouldn’t be wandering Equestria by himself,” Elven Spices said.
With that, Elven Spices left me in the room. The room was cozy and small. The little lantern illuminated the room perfectly and provided me with some warmth. Each painting on the wall was of different plants and the coffee table was decorated with old pieces of paper. One look at them and I could see that it was just poetry written in fancy font, I couldn’t even read any of it. A convenient saddlebag was lying next to the door and I grabbed it. It was empty and I assumed it wasn’t useful to anyone anymore, so I took it. I stuffed the poetry into the saddlebag and placed it on the bed
The ponies downstairs all laughed in unison. I wondered if I would ever be happy again, knowing that my parents would never come back and Discord’s reign was probably going to continue for another good century or so. The lantern burnt out and I was left in the dark. The windows were boarded up and only allowed little light to filter in as thin beams. My eyelids fell like anvils over my eyes and I fell asleep. My body finally gave up for the day.
I turned my tiny body over. Standing there was a stallion of a rustic color palette. He was an earth pony who looked a bit glum and tired. He sighed as I sat up sluggishly.
Elven Spices stepped forward, “I hope you don’t mind, but I told Brass Tacks here about the massacre.”
There was a dull pain in my heart which still ached.
Elven Spices left the room and Brass Tacks took a seat. His mane was butterscotch, his coat was of golden brown and as his cutie mark he donned three golden tacks with the pins pointing in to the center, forming a triangle.
“Glace, is it?” He asked. His voice was monotonous.
I gave a slow nod, “Elven Spices told me to ask you about Silver-Lined Cloud, so… um…”
Brass Tacks’ face was set in stone as the bored and glum expression.
“W- Where is he?” I asked.
Brass Tacks shifted in the seat and yawned. It took him a good two minutes before he replied, “Held captive in one of the Lost Ones' camps,”
The Lost Ones were illogical. They were ponies on the side of Discord, although the zebras treated ponies all the same, like scum whether or not they were fighting for the same cause or not. Unfortunately, the Lost Ones were numerous. They were no longer on the straight and narrow, only out for blood, the blood of their own kind.
“A real one?” I asked.
“A real one,”
“Are you going to do anything about it?” I asked.
Once again, Brass Tacks fiddled in his seat, yawned again and took another good two minutes to reply. He was as slow as me, and I just woke up!
“I’ve tried assembling a team of ponies to storm the place, but they none of them ever came back to report progress,” He said.
“How come you don’t try sending one or two people in? Try taking a stealthy approach,” I suggested.
Brass Tacks muddled it over as he raised a brow and looked into space. He smiled, oddly as if a light bulb just went off above his head. Hopping off the chair, he galloped towards me and we were face to face, eye to eye.
“Do you want to come with me? Take part in the revolution?” Brass Tacks asked.
I couldn’t help but smile and nod.
We left the room. I was so tiny next to Brass Tacks, but with him, I felt somewhat safer. As we stepped down, all eyes were locked on us again. People began to clop their hooves together. A few stallions cheered and Elven Spices came up to peck my on the cheek. Brass Tacks stuck his head in the air and smiled. I hid behind his hind legs. Brass Tacks gave an inspiring speech of reigniting the heart of the revolution. Elven Spices put some herbs and other consumables in my saddlebag. She explained that the consumables were for medicinal purposes and if I was hungry, I could eat them if I wanted to.
The zebras entered the inn and their guns in their mouths, their tongues wrapped around the trigger. One of the larger zebras had a large rifle strapped to their side and I wondered how he would shoot that thing. Then he kicked both his hind legs back and the gun sprayed bullets in the air. Two strings were attached to the trigger and hind legs, pulling his hind legs all the way back would pull the trigger too. It was somewhat creative, but inconvenient.
A few ponies screamed, but most just gave evils and continued their business.
“How come they’re not attacking everypony? No one is doing any work,” I asked Brass Tacks.
He crouched down to my level, “Well, zebras are bad, but they’re not that bad. Of course they’ll allow us some free time, but at anytime they can order us to go back to work.”
My parents had told me otherwise. Maybe they over exaggerated their stories to stop me from wandering into towns.
* * *
Leaving Trotten was as easy as getting in. The zebras returned to their bonfire activities and paid no attention to anypony but themselves. Brass Tacks carried me on his back for most of the way as he said I was walking too slowly. The ground was hurting my hooves though, so I thanked him anyways.
We crossed the ruins with caution. Zebras loved to patrol the ruins during midday. I shut my eyes as we past the corpses. Mom and Dad flashed into my head and I buried my face into Brass Tacks’ back. He sighed, glancing quickly towards the corpses which began to already rot and be pecked away by birds.
“So you’re a unicorn pony, huh?” he asked.
“Y- Yeah,” I replied.
“So you can fire a gun?” He asked.
My eyes widened, “Golly gosh, I don’t know…”
He tossed me the small gun from his mouth and I held it in the air telekinetically.
“Now I’m not a unicorn,” he said, “but I’m sure all you have to do is imagine pulling the trigger.”
I shut my eyes and just as I closed them, the gun fired. The recoil sent a stab of pain up my spine and into my brain and I dropped the gun. Brass Tacks smiled and picked it up in his mouth.
“Good job!" he laughed.
I levitated the gun back down to his mouth and he gripped it out of the magical state.
“Just throw rocks at enemies for now until we find a gun for you,” he said.
We stopped behind a rock and stared at a large building, an old warehouse. Corpses lined the loading bay on the side of the building and a run-down cart which contained crates was parked there. Bushes of Poison Joke grew around the cart and Brass Tacks rubbed his head.
“This is the place,” he grunted.
I hopped off of his back and followed him towards the building.
“No cameras,” I examined, “all windows are boarded, they won’t even see us coming from here.”
Brass Tacks looked at me, “You’ve got a knack breaking and entering, don’t you?”
I shrugged.
The doors creaked loudly but at the same time the metal door opened, a hearty bellow of laughter immerged from the darkness, masking the noise of the door.
There was a chemical smell in the air, it made me dizzy and Brass Tacks seemed a bit unsteady on his hooves. It sounded like people were having a party somewhere within the warehouse. I could hear the distant sound of crackling fire and something boiling in a pot. More cackling laughter and Brass Tacks fell to the ground.
“Brass Tacks!” I shrieked.
The laughing stopped. “What the fuck was that?”
I cringed. The F-word was a strong word.
Brass Tacks tossed his small gun towards me and I picked it up in my mouth.
“Find a place to hide, when you can, look for Silver-Lined,” Brass Tacks croaked.
I darted underneath a table, peeking out from beneath the ragged tablecloth. Two stallions marched out, one had a spiky mane and the other appeared to have a shaved mane. They were both gray with swirls for cutie marks. Brass Tacks stood up, ignoring the taunts that the mean stallions threw at him. The F-Bomb was tossed around a couple of times too.
With lightning speed, one of the stallions launched both hind legs at full throttle into Brass Tack’s muzzle. Brass Tacks lurched back violently and I covered my eyes. They laughed as they beat their hooves on Brass Tacks. I had to find Silver-Lined – fast. I pressed myself up against the walls and roamed through the darkness.
I found myself on the second floor, looking down upon the main room where all the Lost Ones hung out. A large cauldron containing Poison Joke leaves was being stirred by a butch-looking mare and other ponies lapped the liquid up. After having a few mouthfuls, the ponies fell back and laughed. I wasn’t quite sure what they were laughing at, but they were really out of it.
Behind me were cells. The first one contained a pony’s skeleton. The second one contained two corpses and the third had nothing in it. I walked around to the other side. Ponies slept and ponies wept in their cells, none seemed to have noticed me. There were ponies of different genders, ages and colors! I studied each cell and found one cell on the far left containing only one pony, a stallion.
This stallion had a silver coat and a gray mane with black and creamy streaks. His eyes were staring right at me, intelligent and dark eyes. His cutie mark was of a single olive branch; it was beautiful and was a nice green which didn’t seem to clash with his silver coat. His wings were hardly noticeable, I nearly took him for an earth pony.
“Silver-Lined Cloud?” I called out to the stallion.
The stallion stood up and approached the bars. “Who said that?” He asked, looking right above me. I knew I was small, but was I really that small that I wasn’t noticeable?!
“Down here!” I said excitedly, jumping up and down, “it’s me!”
Silver-Lined squinted hard.
I reached my hoof in to touch his and he immediately crouched to the ground and looked at me.
“Hello little foal, I was just playing!” he said happily, “what brings you here?”
“Brass Tacks and I came here to help you,” I said proudly.
Silver-Lined bit his bottom lip. “Where’s Brass Tacks?”
I shrugged and just as I did, Brass Tacks gave a groan.
Silver-Lined sighed, “He’s a strong stallion. Besides, these Lost Ones seem a bit passive when it comes to murder. Want to go see how he’s doing?”
I frowned and shook my head, “He told me to get you out first.”
Silver-Lined gave a playful smirk, “And how do you propose to do that?” He asked teasingly.
“Step back,” I said.
He stepped back and raised a brow, still smirking as if he thought my attempt was probably foolish. But this foal was no fool! I levitated the small gun and aimed right at the lock on the cell door. Silver-Lined’s eyes widened with horror as I fired the gun and the cell door came off. The ponies in the other cell stuck their heads and hooves out and begged for help. I smiled but Silver-Lined propped me up on his back and started to run.
“Are we going now?” I asked.
Silver-Lined huffed as he galloped through the halls, the wind ruining my mane. I looked back towards the other trapped ponies.
“Are we leaving?” I asked again.
“No, no we’re not leaving. We’re just trying to find some cover before we let the other ponies out. Lucky for us, it’s their ‘get high and not care if we die’ day,” Silver-Lined explained.
“What’s that mean?” I asked.
Two mean looking stallions stopped in front of us and I got ready to fire my gun but one of the stallions was a unicorn and his magic overthrew mine, causing the gun to go to him.
“Did anyone teach you that it’s impolite to bring a gun to a hoof fight?” Silver-Lined said.
The gun dropped to the ground and the two stallions ganged up on Silver-Lined. I fell to the ground as one of them double-kicked him in the side. The pain of falling onto the concrete floor was too hard to bear, how could Brass Tacks and Silver-Lined take hits like that? Silver-Lined returned the kick and added his own little roundhouse touch. The unicorn went down faster than I expected, his horn shattered as he hit the ground. The other stallion was an earth pony and was ten-times more masculine than Silver-Lined, although Silver-Lined and Brass Tacks were pretty built. The earth pony rammed his head into Silver-Lined and they began to wrestle. More ponies came from the front.
“Now, Glace! Get the gun now!” Silver-Lined yelled before receiving a kick to the face.
I did as I was told, the gun came up quick and I aimed it at all the other ponies and began to fire rapidly. Firing once was no problem, but to fire as quickly as I did takes a lot of concentration and brain-power. Most of them fell; others were injured and moaned in pain. Silver-Lined stood up shakily and turned around with a weary smile. Brass Tacks appeared behind Silver-Lined and they knocked hooves. Something felt different inside me.
“You’re looking dapper,” Brass Tacks teased.
We let the other ponies out but I still had that daunting feeling. The enemy ponies downstairs apparently died from an overdose on Poison Joke. I always thought Poison Joke did the opposite of appealing to your five senses.
“These ponies were taught how to reverse-engineer the leaves with magic,” Silver-Lined explained, “it’s so easy to turn something like this into a hallucinogen and mood enhancer.”
Brass Tacks rubbed his head, “I can’t stand that smell, it makes me feel so… ick!”
Everypony sat down around the fire, eager to leave. Silver-Lined just told everypony to relax and catch their breath before they head back towards Trotten. Everypony seemed distant, nopony laughed except for Silver-Lined who had a foreleg wrapped around me and praised me for being such a brave little colt. It felt… nice. Aside from the guilt which was welling up in me.
“Did I commit murder?” I asked.
The room fell silent.
Silver-Lined nudged me, “No, you stopped them from murdering me. It’s not murder if it’s self-defense, Glace,”
“I’ve never killed anypony before… it… I…” I choked on my words.
Silver-Lined wiped away my tears and smiled softly, “Don’t worry, pal. We’ll be home soon,”
Before we left, I gave Brass Tacks some of that medicinal paste that Elven Spices packed. Apparently you weren’t supposed to eat it, but Brass Tacks still did, so I kept my mouth shut. It wasn't poisonous at all, fortunately. So then we set off for Trotten, the night settled in. The moon seemed a bit duller too, much like the sun. And the previous thought from the other night occurred to me again. Silver-Lined carried me on his back and I fell asleep.
* * *
I awoke in a large bedroom. Silver-Lined was floating around doing stuff, he seemed happy despite the events that had just occurred. He had a few cuts and bruises but that didn’t hinder him from humming a happy tune. Brass Tacks was doodling on a piece of paper. The zebras outside were gone from their usual spot, but left there was a trail of blood.
“Where did the zebras go?” I asked.
Silver-Lined turned around with a grin and Brass Tacks looked up from the paper briefly before scratching on it again.
“You’re awake!” Silver-Lined said.
I couldn’t help but smile at how cheery Silver-Lined was.
“They’re gone now; Trotten is officially the Town of Revolution!” Silver-Lined said.
“That is, until, more zebras come around to check on the town and find out that they’re missing. They’ll pin it on us, those ponies knew about the revolution you were planning to lead, Silver. Discord is bound to find out sooner or later,” Brass Tacks said bluntly.
Silver-Lined scoffed, “Oh come off it, Brass Attacks. They never said anything to anypony or zebra. They only asked the zebras about drugs and then they got introduced to Poison Joke.”
Brass Tacks rolled his eyes.
“What if other zebras DO come here?” I asked.
“Then we all die,” Brass Tacks replied instantly.
Silver-Lined laughed, but my heart sank.
“He’s kidding, maybe you need more rest pal. If other zebras happen to come, then we get rid of them to. They’ll never send an entire platoon just to check on a town. Only certain teams of like - what? Three to five? Trotten can certainly take on more than that,” Silver-Lined reassured.
I rested my head back on the pillow.
“What do we do now, Silver? The gang split-up since your capture,” Brass Tacks asked.
Silver-Lined put his hooves on the ground and replied, “We recruit the old and the new. Locate, track and recruit,”
“Some of them have gone off to create their own revolutionary army… but no one can lead one like you can. We need to get them back,” Brass Tacks said.
“Don’t have high hopes for their return,” Silver-Lined said.
The three of us went downstairs. We sat at a table and ate Elven Spices’ Spicy Soup Special. It wasn’t all that spicy, although Silver-Lined and Brass Tacks had to have a gulp of water after every three spoonfuls. Elven Spices sat with us too. She asked us what happened and we told her.
“Shortest adventure ever,” Elven Spices teased.
“Yeah well it wasn’t all that of a challenge to be honest,” Silver-Lined said.
“Maybe not for you, but for me it was,” Brass Tacks replied bitterly.
There was a pause as we ate, then Elven Spices spoke timidly. “Do you mind if I travel with you guys for a while?”
Silver-Lined shook his head with a huge grin and Brass Tacks mouthed the word ‘no’. She looked at me endearingly and touched my hoof.
“I just don’t want this little trooper surrounded by such hard stallions and no tender care around,” She added.
The smile on my face was much bigger than usual and the warmth in my tummy was unnatural… I hadn’t felt this loved since my parents.
“Well! That was hoof lickin’ good!” Silver-Lined cheered.
Elven Spices gave a look of gratitude.
“Three cheers for the Equestrian Revolution!” somepony yelled.
Everypony began to cheer and I cheered along with them. A look of determination was on everypony’s face, a look of redemption was on mine.
* * *
Mom and Dad stood before me. They were crying and motioning me to come towards them. But with each step I took, they stepped back. I turned around but nothing was there but a bright light. They were happy to see me again, we were a family again. I started to gallop as fast as my little hooves could take me and I fell. Mom and Dad were now in front of me, Mom held out her hoof for me to grab and time seemed to had slowed just as we were about to connect.
BOOM Light blinded me and I found myself in the ruins once again. The pile of corpses, my parents’ bodies were now in front of me. Zebras surrounded me, laughing and cackling. The silhouette of Discord stained the skies and chocolate rain began to fall. I started to yell, I even dropped the F-bomb a couple of times. Mom’s head propped up quickly and the words that came out of her mouth made my head reel and my heart shatter like hot glass in cold water.
“I hate you,” She said.
“Glace,” Another voice called.
“I hate you,” Mom said again.
“Glace come on!”
“I hate you,”
I was blinded by light once again but this time something shook me and I felt a hoof on my forehead. I blinked a couple of times to see Elven Spices and Silver-Lined Cloud sitting next to me on a bed.
“Sweetness, you’re burning up, are you feeling alright?” Elven Spices asked.
No, I was clammy and cold. There was now a metaphoric hole in my tummy where love should belong, where the sense of belonging and the values of family were meant to reside. The bed was wet beneath me due to my sweat and Elven Spices began to fiddle with her saddlebag. I felt so empty.
“Take this.” She shoved a bottle in my mouth and I swallowed reluctantly. “This should cure your shivers.”
“What is it?” I asked into the bottle.
Elven Spices looked at Silver-Lined who just shrugged, “It’s um… it’s just… it’s spices, yeah.”
“It didn’t taste like that at all, it tasted like hard pellets,” I said.
“Well it was pills darling, I don’t know how you feel about drugs but some ponies despise synthetic medicine,” she said.
It was dawn, apparently a few zebras had come to check up on Trotten but they were disposed of as soon as they set foot inside the inn. Silver-Lined informed us that we needed to recruit an arcane science genius by the name of Kiara. Apparently she and Silver-Lined had a thing (I’m pretty sure that means that they loved each other) for a while and broke off shortly before his capture. Kiara was last seen in the work capital of Equestria, Manehattan.
But Brass Tacks shook his head, and since Brass Tacks was so straightforward, I took his word for it instead.
When we reached the bar, everypony clapped for us once again. I even heard someone shout out my name and I smiled cutely. Silver-Lined let me ride on his back again as we travelled. Elven Spices insisted that she held my saddlebag while I recovered but I told her that I was feeling better and that she couldn’t carry two saddlebags at once. Silver-Lined sometimes flew a few feet off the ground with me on him. The first few flights I nearly fell off but he used his wings to keep me balanced. Then I got comfortable and felt like I was a Pegasus myself.
“So what does Kiara look like?” I asked as we flew a few feet above Brass Tack’s head.
Silver-Lined cocked his head as he thought. “She’s a beautiful marine unicorn. Her mane is golden and her cutie mark is of a… what was it again, guys?”
Brass Tacks sighed and Elven Spices gave it some thought.
“A gold crown, wasn’t it?” Elven Spices said.
“No, it was just three gold dots forming a triangle, much like my cutie mark except hers actually shines in the light,” Brass Tacks said.
“So exotic…” Silver-Lined mused.
The night was cold again but Silver-Lined provided me with some warmth so I rested my head. He swooped down and set his hooves on the ground and began to walk. Elven Spices held a gun in her mouth, so did Brass Tacks and Silver-Lined. I had mine resting near my hooves and was ready to use it when it was needed.
The sky ahead of us was dark and gave off a brown tinge. If you squinted hard, you could see the broken skyline of Manehattan. Factories were set up in and around Manehattan, the large skyscrapers served an eerie reminder of chaos to anyone that approached. Manehattan was the capital of industry. It was awfully steampunk-themed. They say the Element of Generosity runs Manehattan after making a deal with Discord to provide him with uniforms for the zebras, although I haven’t seen the zebras wear anything.
“So what does Kiara do here?” I asked.
“She does technical work, repairs the equipment. She’s the only technician they have,” Silver-Lined replied.
Manehattan was walled off, topped with barbed wire on the top. Zebras with rifles guarded the entrance and we stopped in front of them. We placed the small guns in my saddlebag and waited. The zebras approached us slowly and we gave our best smiles. The zebras said something in a different language and kicked Silver-Lined in the side, I nearly toppled over with him but he maintained his balance.
“I want to check this foal’s saddlebag,” one of the zebras said.
We all froze. I reluctantly handed my saddlebag over and he snatched it out of my hoof and nearly took me with it. He looked at me as he opened the saddlebag then closed it before tossing it back. Elven Spices’ eyes widened and Silver-Lined gave a sigh of relief. It turns out that the zebras were too lazy to move sheets of paper to further inspect a saddlebag for weapons. We entered Manehattan and immediately coughed as the pollution entered our systems.
“Where do we start?” Brass Tacks asked.
We wandered Manehattan. A lot of zebras patrolled the streets and gave us curious glances. When they began to approach us, we entered a nearby factor and hid in there for a while. There were more zebras inside than there was outside though and we went back out. It was comical, but the mission was serious. A lot of machines needed some repairing apparently as the factories were filled with billowing smoke.
“‘Mares of Equestria – Join the Innovation’,” Elven Spices read from a poster.
“‘YOU can do it – Rarity Innovations’,” Silver-Lined read another.
Brass Tacks seemed in awe now, “No… Rarity is working for Discord?”
We continued on walking, processing the Element of Generosity working for the Spirit of Disharmony. To me, it really meant nothing. Mom and Dad never spoke of the Elements of Harmony which is apparently what this ‘Rarity’ was a part of. I know that she saved us from Nightmare Moon and Discord once before, but that was about it. I guess the fact that a good guy was now working for the bad guy seemed a bit… overwhelming and disturbing.
“Everypony please line up for the daily Rarity’s Extravaganza,” somepony’s voice echoed throughout Manehattan through speakers.
Immediately, everypony left the factories and lined up, squishing and squeezing each other on the sidewalk. A piano instrumental played, along with brass instruments and strings. The song seemed sinister yet elegant, much like the theme song of some evil mastermind of high status or the head of an evil business like Rarity Industries. Silver-Lined looked over his shoulder at me to make sure I was okay and I smiled, he smiled back.
A lot of Pegasi were flying in the air to get a good view and Silver-Lined had an idea. He whispered in Elven Spices’ ear and then she passed the message onto Brass Tacks. Everypony nodded but I was still oblivious as he flew up in the air. Then his eyes darted around the crowd.
“Help me look for a marine colored pony with a golden mane,” Silver-Lined said.
We soared over the giant crowd. Most, if not everypony was covered in black stains and dirt. Most of them were dreary-eyed, weary workers looking for anything to get out of work. Even if that anything was to watch their superior have the ball of her life. Most of the manes were caked with dirt and if Kiara was anything like them, her mane would be unpolished and dull.
“Come on help me out, Glace. Your eyesight is probably better than mine,” Silver-Lined urged.
Of course, Kiara was a tech savvy mare. And someone who was tech savvy had to operate Rarity’s Extravaganza lighting and machinery. Kiara had to be somewhere on high-ground, on a rooftop because she couldn’t fly, she was a unicorn. I informed Silver-Lined and he started cruising around. Other ponies shoved him as he navigated his way as he was ‘disrupting the show’.
There, the marine color gleamed in the orange glow of the sun behind pollution. Everything seemed rustic like Brass Tacks. She had her eyes shut as she operated multiple pieces of machinery. Intricately, she flicked switches and moved lights around. She was very talented in magic, I could see.
I looked down to see the gleaming white pony with a purple mane. I could have passed as her little brother, we looked that much alike with our coats and the brightness of our manes… and we were both unicorns! She smiled, but it was easy for me to tell that it was fake. Other people may have bought it as a smile of confidence, but it wasn’t real. Her eyebrows often slanted up showing how worried or scared she was but then she’d quickly raise one and pout.
“Kiara!” Silver-Lined called out to the marine pony.
“Nini katika nyasi?!” The marine pony yelled.
All the macinery clattered onto the street or around her. She gave a horrified gasp as the music stopped abruptly and Rarity’s gaze turned up on me. Her eyes were wide with fear, as if she was afraid that her time was up. I waved a hoof at her but she sat there, petrified. The zebras looked up and began making their way up towards us.
“Kiara, is that you?” Silver-Lined asked.
“Oh my Celestia,” the marine pony gasped, it was Kiara, “Silver-Lined Cloud? It’s you?”
I sat there awkwardly.
“Who’s this?” She asked and stroked my mane.
“This is Glace, he rescued me with Brass Tacks,” Silver-Lined boasted for me.
I gave a soft smile.
“He’s so adorable!” she squealed.
“What language were you speaking?” I asked.
Her ears perked up. “Zebra, it was Zebra. When you work around zebra for a while, you pick up the language fast,”
One zebra made it up to the top. He had his rifle and hind legs ready.
“Kiara nini kilitokea?” The zebra asked. At least, I think he was asking her something... his sentence ended with a high pitch.
“F- Friends,” she answered quickly, “they’re my friends and somepony knocked me right out of my concentration and they came to see if I was alright.”
The zebra eyed us suspiciously, “Si basi ni kutokea tena.”
With that, the zebra walked away.
“What’s happening?” I heard Rarity ask a zebra.
The zebra spoke in Zebra.
“What’s he saying?” Rarity asked again.
More Zebra.
“Can...” Her voice broke off as the festivites continued.
“Can this wait until after the parade? Meet me near Rarity’s Palace, I have my own quarters there. Just say Kiara sent you, they’ll be bound to let you in,” Kiara said.
“I can wait here with you, can’t I?” Silver-Lined asked and pecked her on the cheek.
Rarity’s Palace was out of place with all the yellow, orange, golden and rustic colors that Manehattan was enshrouded in. It was white and glistening with diamond imperial arches and diamond decor. A large poster of Discord was scrolled in the center of the massive palace with Rarity giving a smile behind him. An army of zebras circled the castle 24/7 and I spotted the purple mane of the illustrious Rarity looking longingly out her bay window.
The inside was flash. Diamond and marble was what everything was made out of. Anything that was cloth was lilac silk. Large portraits of Rarity and her little sister Sweetie Belle, who I adored, lined the walls and zebras guarded each door and archway. There was one zebra for every two steps on the grand staircase. Brass Tacks seemed to be in awe of everything, Elven Spices just kept her eyes on the zebra and showed her disgust towards them.
Kiara’s room was filled with knick-knacks and doo-dads. Brass Tacks was busy musing at everything and asking if he could touch things. Mechanical and arcane magic science books cluttered her worktable, as well as tools and goggles. Silver-Lined showed me a picture of the two of them. After all this, I was still on his back.
“So you’re going through with this?” Kiara asked.
Silver-Lined brought a hoof to his lips and shushed her.
Kiara raised a brow, “What? I asked them to not bug my room, they still did. You know how I am with technology... I got rid of all the surveillance in this room anyways.”
I hopped off of Silver-Lined’s back and trotted around the vast room. Plans and blueprints lined the walls. I looked up and of course, more blueprints and plans lined the ceiling as well! A metal sculpture of Discord was placed on her workbench and a zebra toy figures. Elven Spices lifted me up onto the workbench and I began to play with the zebras.
“Don’t touch those!” Kiara shrieked.
Everypony flinched.
She looked at everypony nervously, “Those aren’t toys, Glace, sweetheart,” She said and began to gather them up. I kept one in my hoof.
“What are they for?” Elven Spices asked.
“I couldn’t just disobey Rarity unless I wanted to die. She ordered me to create sculptures of Discord and his zebra army. I even started creating a few pony sculptures but Rarity threw those away... I don’t know why,” Kiara replied while placing her hooves on the Discord statue.
“I don’t worship him,” Kiara added, “it’s just my job to create things people request... and repair things.”
Silver-Lined let me hop on his back again, “Yes, to answer your previous question, the revolution is still in its minor stages. We need more recruits.”
While they discussed the revolution, I hopped off again and left the room. The zebras wouldn’t have minded, right? As long as I didn’t touch anything I was okay. I kept the zebra figure in my mouth as I walked. They all seemed to be glaring at me while I wandered up the stairs. It took all my strength to jump up on one step alone.
The palace was full of corridors and stairs. I just kept on going up. Each floor contained less zebras than the previous one as I kept on going up. Eventually I reached the staircase leading towards the top floor and standing there was Rarity. She was walking slowly with her head hanging low. I made a noise to get her attention, a meow.
“Opal?” She asked and turned around.
Her eyes widened as she saw me.
“W- What are you doing here you foul foal?” she asked.
I crouched against the ground, feeling scared. Rarity gave a sigh and walked towards me. She seemed to be strutting, one hoof in front of the other and her hips swaying gracefully with each movement. Her volumized mane bounced with her. She nudged my horn with her muzzle.
“Get up, darling,” she said kindly, “you simply must be more careful. These zebras don’t care much for foals.”
She guided me up the steps. It was her very own Queen Quarters, complete with glass walls. Her palace was bigger and taller than the Canterlot Castle which was in the distance. Pink cotton candy clouds dotted the landscape and burnt land scarred parts of Equestria. Looking down upon Manehattan, there was nothing to see but a thick brown haze.
“What are you doing here Rarity?” I asked.
She sighed, “I ask myself that question everyday,”
Her gaze was fixed on the setting sun. A tear dropped down her cheek and I brushed it away. She then asked for my name and I responded.
“Glace,” she mused, “what a beautiful name with a cute cutie mark match. Where are you parents?”
I fell silent and she gasped.
“Oh, darling, I’m so sorry...” she whispered.
“Glace!” Silver-Lined’s voice rang throughout the palace.
The booming stampede got louder and louder as they progressed down the hall and up the stairs. Silver-Lined, Brass Tacks, Elven Spices and Kiara all stood there with zebras holding guns to their heads. Rarity gasped and slapped me before shoving me to the ground. I cried.
“I- Oh my Celes- I mean Discord! Oh my Discord what in the hay is going on here?” Rarity gasped melodramatically.
The zebras said something in Zebra.
Rarity sighed, “Right, okay... I still need to learn Zebra. Leave, you zebras, before I inform Discord of your incompetence, leave the ponies with me,”
The zebras obeyed.
“Oh goodness, Glace I’m so sorry. I have to be so convincing that I’m an evil pony or else Discord will...” Rarity choked on a sob and recomposed herself quickly.
“Rarity, what is going on?” Kiara asked.
Rarity explained.
Since Discord’s release and conquer, he called upon the Rarity and the other five ponies – Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack. Each of the six made a deal with Discord to spare there lives and the lives of loved ones. Rarity made a deal to supply him with manufactured items. But Discord’s play on the deal was that she had to act horrible towards everypony and dictate them till their brains melted and their hooves bled... if she showed any act of generosity, Sweetie Belle was to be executed publically.
“Do you want to come with us?” I asked.
“Did you not listen? If I even do one act of kindness in front of these zebras, Sweetie Belle will die... I wouldn’t be able to live with myself,” Rarity said.
“What deals did the others make?” Elven Spices asked.
Rarity just shrugged before sprawling across her bed.
“If we were to get Sweetie Belle back,” Silver-Lined said, “then you’ve got freewill?”
Rarity thought about it. “Yes but...”
“We’d be able to turn Manehattan into a revolutionized capital, you’d be able to help us and best of all, you can be generous again!” Silver-Lined said.
“She’s all the way in Trottingham... I don’t even know where that is,” Rarity said.
“Look no further,” Kiara intervened, “the prisoners convoy is making its transfer tonight. Pretty sure I heard the zebras talk about Sweetie Belle on this convoy.”
“Why Canterlot?” Rarity asked. “Ponyville is the Capital of Chaos now, all prisoners are usually transferred there from Trottingham.”
“The Canterlot Palace is being used as a brothel and-” Kiara was interrupted by Rarity shrieking.
“She’s so young! You have to do something!” Rarity said, “You must! You must!”
Silver-Lined gave a large grin. “That’s what we’re going to do.”
“This first strike will mark the beginning of the revolution...we’ll free Sweetie Belle and all the other prisoners!” Silver-Lined cheered, “that should strike some fear into Discord.”
* * *
The Capital of Chaos – Discord’s Domain
“The convoy has not arrived at Canterlot,” a zebra reported.
Discord twiddled with a ball of yarn in his paw and claw and let out a discontent grunt as a reply.
“The Canterlot Brothel has not many fillies and mares, not a lot,”
Discord laughed and threw the ball of yarn at the zebra. It appeared that the ball of yarn, though looking soft and plush was as hard as a diamond as it knocked the zebra out cold.
“That wasn’t even a good rhyme!” Discord said playfully.
Discord felt a creeping suspicion. What was he going to hold Rarity against now? He couldn’t just kill her. She was supplying him greatly although her outfits were useless and kiddie. May as well let her have her fun, he thought. He drank a glass and the water turned to fire. Surely the disappearance of Rarity’s sister will drive her to disobey. Discord rubbed his beard. As he thought, he called in another zebra.
“Hey, what rhymes with orange?” Discord asked the zebra.
No response, just a nervous look.
“Wrong answer,” Discord said and with a snap of his fingers, the zebra exploded.
* * *
Brass Tacks and Elven Spices led the convoy back to Trotten while Silver-Lined, Kiara, Sweetie Belle and I went back to go see Rarity. We had to meet her outside the city walls so the zebras couldn’t see Sweetie Belle. Rarity and Sweetie Belle hugged each other for a long time and cried.
“I really didn’t want to make soup, Rarity!” Sweetie Belle sobbed.
Everypony exchanged confused glances and then laughed. I didn’t get it.
“What do we do about the zebras? There’s so many of them,” Rarity asked.
We thought about it.
“Not too sure, we can keep Sweetie Belle in Trotten if you like until we sort this out,” Silver-Lined suggested.
Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle who shook her head. Rarity looked at us sadly, a tear which sparkled like her three diamond cutie mark slid down her cheek. Sweetie Belle was clutching onto Rarity’s leg and I put a hoof on her back and then stroked her mane. Sweetie Belle turned around to look at me and smile.
“I... I could try sending the zebras back to Discord, saying that I know how to rule Manehattan with a tight hoof! But I’m pretty sure the zebras are only here to keep an eye on me rather than make sure everypony is working hard... I’ll try it... wait here,” Rarity said.
Rarity’s voice came out strong and bold. The zebras raised a brow at each other at first before one of them cheered about having a bonfire and drinking all day. I counted over thirty zebras leaving Manehattan, Sweetie Belle only counted fourteen before she lost count. She smiled at me again and pecked me on the cheek. I couldn’t help but blush. Rarity returned and let Sweetie Belle ride on her back.
“Somepony, somezebra is going to inform Discord,” Rarity said, “if he comes here and sees Sweetie Belle...”
“If the zebras are sent back, round up some workers who want to be a part of the revolution and are willing to fight. Line them up just inside the gates so once the zebras enter, they’ll be walking into a death trap,” Silver-Lined said.
“What if they don’t listen to me? They all hate me,” Rarity said.
“Nopony hates you; they’re just tired of working. Let them have a break and during that break, let them know of our situation. They’ll love you in no time,” Kiara reassured.
With that, Generosity was on our side. Rarity agreed to supply Trotten with tools and weapons for as long as she can until Discord comes. We agreed to stay with her for a while longer to see if anything would change. We stayed in Manehattan while she gave her speech too, everypony cheered and a glimmer of hope was in everypony’s eyes. A few zebras returned, but there was more to come, no doubt.
“Twilight Sparkle knows a spell that creates a bubble which Discord can’t penetrate... if we can generate that around Manehattan and Trotten... it would grand. The fight wouldn’t be so one-sided,” Rarity said.
“Do you know where we can find Twilight?” Silver-Lined asked.
“You’re going to have to ask somepony else... It’s been a while since I’ve seen any of them,” Rarity replied solemnly.
“Alright, thanks Rarity,” Silver-Lined said, Kiara nodded and I smiled.
Rarity waved us off, Sweetie Belle gave me another peck goodbye.
I was worried for Sweetie Belle. Something inside me wanted to stay with her and keep her safe, but I was just as vulnerable as she was when it came down to the nitty-gritty. We were both two foals in endless love. At least, that’s how I saw it. Silver-Lined was gliding through the air again with me on his back. Kiara used a spell bubble to levitate herself up in the air with us. We flew high above the clouds where the sun was. Things seemed much more vibrant up here.
“I haven’t seen Trotten for a while,” Kiara said distantly, “it really has been so long since we’ve all seen each other.”
Silver-Lined glided towards the ground and Kiara followed.
“That’s where we’re going now. We need to regroup with Elven Spices and Brass Tacks before we do anything else,” Silver-Lined said.
Trotten had begun to build a fence. I assumed that the zebras outside that saw it thought that the zebras inside were doing a pretty good job in containing the ponies. Barbed wire decorated the top of the encircling fence and the gates were open. As we entered a huge banner was sprawled from building to building in the central main street that read “WELCOME BACK REVOLUTIONARIES” Trotten was eerily quiet. A lot of ponies seemed to be leaving and entering the infirmary so that was where we went to first.
The infirmary was an old clinic which still contained an abundance of medical supplies. Doctor Phalanges and Nurse Silk Tourniquet ran the place. Many people didn’t like Doctor P. and Nurse Silk Tourniquet because of their bitter and harsh personalities so everypony went to Elven Spices for treatment. But apparently a lot of ponies had been injured in something and had to go to the infirmary.
I found Dumb-Bell with his front hoof in a cast. He looked a bit paler than when I first met him on our first operation. He and Silver-Lined talked for a bit and then he winked at me with a smile. Silver-Lined rubbed his own head with his hooves and Kiara stroked his mane. The hospital was filled with bloody, bruised and injured stallions.
“Apparently a patrol group of Discord’s Chaotic Commune caught up with the group. It must have been a large patrol group because they took all the mares and fillies, including Elven Spices to the Canterlot Brothel,” Silver-Lined explained.
“What kind of soup?” I asked.
Kiara and Silver-Lined raised a brow before talking again.
“Brass Tacks is still in intensive care so we can’t see him just yet,” Silver-Lined added.
Silver-Lined let me climb onto his back and we started for the illuminated palace of Canterlot. The palace was something that stood out in the nights; all the lights and neon signs captured the attention of everypony to come try their different soups. Sometimes loud music played out and Mom and Dad told me to cover my ears. The music contained groaning and other weird mare sounds, I thought it was neat that the mare was expressing the deliciousness of the soup they had at the brothel.
The ruins brought back memories which seemed so distant and surreal. A pile of skeletons was to my right and I was staring at it long and hard for a feeling or memory to come back to me. Nothing came. Maybe that wasn’t the pile, if it was it decayed awfully quickly. I just wanted to see the faces of Mom and Dad one more time.
As night drew near, the music began. Kiara looked at me with a worried expression and I bounced on Silver-Lined’s back to the music. Silver-Lined gave a hearty laugh before telling me to cut it out. The beat was all techno with a heavy bass. The mare’s moans and laughter sent chills down my spine.
“This music is so erotic...” Kiara said in disgust.
Silver-Lined bobbed his head with me, “It’s kind of catchy.”
Kiara clopped Silver-Lined and frowned at me, “Both of you stop that! Glace you’re too young okay? Silver-Lined stop encouraging the poor colt!”
Zebras guarded the Canterlot gate but they let us in. Nopony that wasn’t a Lost One would ever come here so zebras just assumed that anypony that entered hated their own kind and loved Discord. The streets were marked with brute-looking and punk ponies dressed in scary clothing which was often decorated with spikes and skulls. A lot of mares crowded the streets too. They were dressed in leather and lace and were caked with make-up. They stuck their legs out and clopped their hooves with a sinister smile.
“Maybe I should have left Glace back in Trotten,” Silver-Lined said to Kiara.
I hugged Silver-Lined’s back and crawled up to his neck. Canterlot emitted an unsafe vibe that I was going to get kidnapped or exposed to something I didn’t like. The music got louder as we approached the towering palace. The lights seemed much more blinding as we approached and I squinted. Scary looking ponies and zebras wandered around the front courtyard. Some were sitting on the steps drinking something which made the flinch and go for another swag.
“Who is this mare?” a zebra asked.
Kiara nudged Silver-Lined and I squeezed his neck as he took a bit too long to think of an excuse. The zebra just stood there, his eyes looked in opposite directions and he seemed a bit confused and out of it.
“She’s just another Lost One here to see the sexy mares,” Silver-Lined said.
Kiara nudged him again and he just smiled. The zebra gave a shaky nod and staggered past. The doors were large and were covered in graffiti. Silver-Lined asked if I could read it and I shook my head and he gave a content huff. Upon entering the Canterlot Brothel we were greeted with everything that had nothing to do with soup! My nose burnt to the smell of chemicals and cheap perfume and my eyes watered with the constant flashing rave lights. I cowered against Silver-Lined’s back and he and Kiara exchanged worried glances.
Somepony shoved Silver-Lined and I nearly fell off, thankfully, Silver-Lined used his left wing to keep me steady. They exchanged a few words until Kiara hushed Silver-Lined to not draw attention to us. The palace was full of skimpy looking mares and fillies which looked too tired to care about anything. A few sobbing fillies were upon a stage where three mares were spinning and doing fancy moves on poles.Lost Ones and zebras cheered. We moved up the stairs and wandered the halls where each room emitted more of that mare moaning and the sound of something thumping against the walls and floors echoed around up here.
“Where’s the soup?” I asked hesitantly.
Everypony up here was making out; some of the mares tried to push away but were slapped and kissed again. We followed a group of ponies into a theatre where everything was dark and laser lights blinded me again. Silver-Lined took a minute to adjust his eyes before falling to the floor with me crashing right after him.
Kiara helped him up and Silver-Lined went to see if I was okay before picking me up again.
“Celestia,” everypony looked at Kiara, “Discord... sweet Discord, Silver! What is wrong with you?” She asked.
Silver-Lined seemed a bit shaky on his legs and shook his head. “I- I’m fine, just a bit dizzy.”
The lights completely turned off and everypony was left in utter darkness. Somepony screamed and another pony laughed. Music played again, classical music before a techno beat was added with another heavy bass. A well-dressed, neat-looking mare walked on stage with a microphone placed in front of her.
“Hello zebras and fellow haters of ponies, I am Duchess,” the mare spoke, “welcome to my Canterlot Brothel.”
“Tonight a new band of merrily misfits has arrived and will be the stars of tonight’s show. Put your hooves together for the Prim Filly Double-Duo: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spooner!” there was a pause, “O- okay, never mind. Let’s welcome the exotic, the foreign, the never-before-seen mare with the weird accent: Elken Spicy!”
Silver-Lined and Kiara gasped as the pony caked in make-up and dressed in skimpy clothing trotted out with a worried expression. Her eye make-up was running as she started to cry. The music started and a familiar pony whom I loved very much was none other than DJ Pon3. Was she working for Discord? Or working against her will? She didn’t have her signature smirk; instead she looked serious and solemn.
This mare that danced sluggishly looked familiar, though she was too caked-up that I couldn’t make her out. The cutie mark should have given it away from the start, red leaf, green leaf surrounded by white sparkles; Elven Spices. I gave it some thought; the name wasn’t all that creative.
As the show went on I could feel Silver-Lined’s back muscles tensing and I hugged him harder to calm him down. I shut my eyes tight and waited for the show to be over. Everypony laughed and shouted vulgar comments that made me want to cry. Kiara stroked my mane and Silver-Lined’s wings rubbed against me, making me feel safe and secure. The lights seemed to fade out and the music abruptly stopped and I opened my eyes.
Somepony or something had broken in through the rooftop. There was gunfire and a brawl and everypony hit the floor as a bullet bounced off the walls. Silver-Lined ran out of the room, Kiara following right behind him. Out here a lot of ponies were lying on the ground either dead or injured. A pony in a blue jumpsuit and a wavy orange mane fired her gun at a zebra and another pony with a wavy blue mane with the same outfit ran towards us. The blue pony kicked his hind legs into Silver-Lined’s face and Silver-Lined stumbled back.
“Stop!” Kiara yelled before studying the stallion, “you’re... Soarin’.”
The pony kept a straight face and led us towards the orange maned pony, “Spitfire, these two aren’t hostiles.”
Silver-Lined’s lip was bleeding and my heart ached. I began to stroke his mane like Kiara did and he winked at me with a grateful smile. More ponies in blue jumpsuits battled it out with Lost Ones and zebras. I’ve heard stories of the Wonderbolts and there heroic actions and events. I didn’t realize they were still alive during this entire Discord ordeal. Soarin’ and Spitfire tossed Silver-Lined and Kiara a gun as we battled our way through the palace. There wasn’t much to do as the other Wonderbolts had the situation under control.
“What are we doing?” Kiara asked.
Spitfire turned around and fired her gun over my head. I turned around to see a zebra in the middle of falling over his hooves.
“Trying to free as many ponies as we can,” Soarin’ replied, “we’re trying to change things back.”
Silver-Lined cocked his head in thought as we galloped. A zebra tackled Spitfire and brought her to the ground. A Lost One bit Soarin’ on the neck and he gave a howl. Silver-Lined knocked the zebra off of Spitfire and fired his gun while Kiara used her unicorn magic to throw the Lost One into the wall with enough force to crack it.
We reached the ballroom where the battle turned into a full-fledged war of the Wonderbolts against zebras and Lost Ones. The large windows were shattered and I spotted some of the Wonderbolts guiding the mares and fillies outside into the courtyard where the war continued. We galloped down the stairs and darted past everypony. Waiting outside was a yacht of pure blue and gold, the same color scheme of Kiara. We boarded the yacht with everypony and it began to set flight. The Wonderbolts in the palace all flew out at once like a flock of birds and pushed the yacht away into the distance.
* * *
Cloudsdale; the pinnacle of peace and untouched by both the effects of war and Discord. Unicorn Wonderbolts cast a spell on each pony which wasn’t a Pegasus with a spell that allowed them to walk on clouds. Soarin’ and Spitfire requested that Silver-Lined, Kiara and I see them at the Cloudsdale Stadium, the Wonderbolts HQ.
A lot of ponies ran the circuit around us while we walked across the cloud field. They were all training to become part of the Wonderbolts revolution. Soarin’ and Spitfire hadn’t said anything for a long time and there was an awkward silence between everypony until I spoke up.
“I love you guys,” I said.
Soarin’ rubbed my mane and Spitfire pecked me on the cheek.
“There’s nothing wondrous about us anymore... we weren’t able to help Equestria at all,” Soarin’ said.
“We were thinking of calling ourselves the Thunderbolts because of the force we strike back with. We’re trying to lead a revolution. Did you guys hear about Manehattan? Rarity’s gotten Sweetie Belle back and refused to help Discord,” Spitfire added.
“Discord visited Manehattan?” Silver-Lined asked.
Soarin’ and Spitfire nodded but Soarin’ spoke. “Discord seemed pretty pissed but characteristically he laughed and wished her the best of luck in her revolution to rise up against him. He said, and I quote: ‘Have fun trying to defeat me again’,”
“We rescued Sweetie Belle,” I said, “she’s really pretty, just look at her next time! I really like her mane!”
Everypony laughed.
“Silver-Lined Cloud, Rarity told us about you. You too Kiara. And Elven Spices and Brass Tacks. By the way, Elven Spices is just getting checked for any ‘diseases’ that horrible place would have been carrying.” Spitfire said.
“We wanted to thank you for what you did for Manehattan, this revolution is growing quicker than we really expected thanks to you. What we’re trying to do is strike some fear into Discord, like you’re doing. But it seems you’re trying to win back the The Elements of Harmony,” Soarin’ said.
* * *
Capital of Chaos – Discord’s Domain
Nopony will ever be ready for what Discord has in store,
Let Rarity disobey,
Let the Wonderbolts have their play.
But no one will ever rise against the Spirit of Disharmony ever again...
Ever.
It seems the only way to strike fear into everypony is to be orderly and dictate everything...
When can Discord have his fun?
Discord twiddled with the rock-hard ball of yarn again. He seemed so bored but was busy plotting details and plans in his corrupted mind. He stroked his beard and giggled to himself. Sweetie Belle was with Rarity. Discord couldn’t just simply kill Rarity. That will just ruin all the fun! Where’s the fun in killing the game so soon when the party hasn’t even started? It was the thing that always gnawed at Discord’s brain; he couldn’t destroy the Elements of Harmony or Mane Six because it went against everything that went on in his mind. It may seem weird, it may seem stupid, but Discord could never ruin a game he was planning... ever.
* * *
I sat on Soarin’s back as we flew back to Trotten. Elven Spices was in Kiara’s little flying bubble. We laughed and joked and played. Soarin’ and Spitfire decided to relocate to Trotten while more Wonderbolts relocated to Manehattan. The revolution was going along smoothly. We had Rarity’s industrial expertise and the Wonderbolts brawn... we just needed Twilight Sparkle’s knowledge of spells.
We reached Trotten. Brass Tacks kissed Elven Spices as we touched down. Brass Tacks had two black eyes and a busted muzzle wrapped in bandages. Although the bandage limited his speaking capabilities, he still communicated with us.
“Twilight Sparkle is apparently working in a laboratory somewhere in Equestria,” Brass Tacks reported. “I heard two zebras talking about it while they took the mares and fillies to Canterlot.”
I looked back towards the Canterlot Brothel palace. That place wasn’t for soup; it was for something more dark and sinister. I wanted to cry and scream for being so naive! Silver-Lined gave me a hug as one of my tears stained his back.
“Fillydelphia?” Spitfire suggested, “that place is too ahead of time to be part of this era. It’s so cyberpunk.”
The journey to the futuristic Fillydelphia was a long one. We crossed the ruins and trekked our way around Ponyville where the cotton candy clouds were infinite and the chocolate rain was plenty. Froggy Bottom Bog was land untouched by chaos and war, much like Cloudsdale except uncivilized and with few residents, if not any. Apparently it was home to hydras, but I’d be dead before I saw it in this thick fog.
“Do we even know where we’re going?” Elven Spices asked, she seemed to be fine despite the whole Canterlot Brothel events.
Silver-Lined looked at the map which Kiara held in front with her unicorn magic. Fillydelphia was through Froggy Bottom Bog and Appleloosa. Elven Spices insisted that Silver-Lined flew and Kiara could just use her floating bubble spell to carry us all. Kiara didn’t look too keen on the idea and Silver-Lined ultimately settled with walking with everypony.
We continued forward until the bog began to emit a very different smell, it smelt almost like poison and everypony fell to the ground. Silver-Lined fell on top of me and I couldn’t get out from under him. Scary looking masked ponies approached us, Lost Ones. I started to cry as the masked ponies began picking everypony up. They looked at me, scoffed and then put a paper bag over my head. Every time I tried to let out a cry they’d pinch me.
* * *
I awoke in a jail cell. Silver-Lined hugged me as soon as I opened my eyes and everypony else stroked my mane.
“We were so scared for you,” Kiara explained.
There was a dull pain like something hit me on the head. I tried not to think about it too much. There were other ponies here. Silver-Lined introduced me to a southern-accented pony named Braeburn who looked at me sadly. Then I looked at all the other cells, I was the only foal.
“They guided the foals out of Appleloosa,” Braeburn explained, “t’ain’t fair fer you li’l colty.”
Braeburn ruffled my mane with a hoof and I hugged him. He hugged me back. Something about him just made me feel so warm and belonging. This time I was on Braeburn’s back. Braeburn explained that the Lost Ones stretched all the way out to Appleloosa so they could have their own power in Equestria. Ever since Discord’s rule the buffalos hadn’t been seen since.
“On the plus side, the Lost Ones are too scared to actually kill anypony 'round 'ere,” Braeburn added happily.
Every now and again we were let out into town. The Lost Ones gave us scary looks and terrifying glares which seemed to scare nopony but me. Braeburn told me not to worry and I tried to loosen up. The sun was bright out here and it felt like a whole new world in Equestria, like everything was normal. Minus the Lost Ones, everything was normal here. Discord didn’t extend his rule to Appleloosa it seems.
A lot of the time was spent playing with cards in the saloon. Braeburn took me on a risky walk through the town where it was nopony but us two. He showed me the dead apple orchard which they used to live on. Now they lived on either rotten apples or the Lost Ones' own creation – Pie Surprise. We sat on the cliff side for a bit until a small buffalo wandered up behind us.
“Li’l Strongheart!” Braeburn greeted.
The little buffalo gave a nod and a smile and then sat next to me.
“We’re trying to prepare...” Little Strongheart said.
“Everypony is countin’ on you guys, ya know that righ’?” Braeburn asked.
Little Strongheart gave a determined nod. “Chief Thunderhooves is preparing. We were trying to see if Discord would come here... it seems he hasn’t cared much for Appleloosa,”
With that thought, everypony smiled.
“Then this should be easier than expected,” Braeburn mused.
“Anyways,” Little Strongheart got to her hooves, “they’re coming now, see you tonight.”
Little Strongheart bounced down the canyon edge with swift speed and disappeared into the shadows of the rocks. A few ponies approached with spiky manes and I hid behind Braeburn.
“Howdy!” Braeburn greeted happily.
The ponies eyed him suspiciously and turned around. Braeburn shut his eyes tightly and just as the pony retracted his legs back into a powerful kick, I jumped in the way. The force was bone-shattering but it was so hard, so sharp that the pain was nothing but a numbed pinch. Braeburn let out a horrified moan as I hit the rocky ground and I curled up into a ball. The Lost Ones gasped and ran for the town.
Somepony had trotted up and spoke, it was Elven Spices.
“Hey, what was that all about?” she asked.
A groan escaped my throat and Elven Spices gave a shrill shriek before I finally blacked out.
* * *
I was placed on an old cot within the jail. The springs dug into my broken body and I felt a wet cloth against my forehead. Braeburn was in a cot next to me with only a gash. He gave a feeble smile and told me it was just a rock. I looked up towards the light and found Kiara and Elven Spices digging around in my saddlebag. I had completely forgotten about it. Silver-Lined and Brass Tacks were outside, staring down the Lost Ones. Apparently due to my injuries, they gave us the benefit of not being imprisoned tonight.
“How are you feeling?” Kiara asked, her golden mane looked even more lustrous in bright artificial light.
I shook my head weakly, “Is anything broken?”
Elven Spices nodded sadly, “Just a rib and a fractured leg.”
Silver-Lined walked in at that moment with a big grin, “It’s not like you walk on it anyways Glace-o, so you’re great!”
Somepony gasped and another pony gave an alert yell. Silver-Lined helped me onto his back, my front left leg was put in a sling which was tied around my neck and left hoof. Elven Spices told me to hold it at exactly ninety degrees, I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to look or feel like.
Upon exiting the prison, everypony seemed to be hiding inside and looking out of the windows. Some ponies even hid in barrels and behind unused market stands. A stampede of zebras came galloping down the dirt road from Froggy Bottom Bog and cotton candy clouds followed them over their heads. My stomach churned the butterflies and I hid behind Silver-Lined’s wings. Silver-Lined backed up into the building and watched from behind the windows instead.
The manifestation of chaos itself came into perspective as he descended on a cloud of cotton candy. He had a ball of soft yarn bouncing in one hand. All the Lost Ones gathered in front of him and armed zebras stood behind Discord, they looked ready for a battle.
“And what are you ponies doing here?” Discord asked with a smile.
The Lost Ones', Buckshot looked around nervously. His blood-red mane and coat seemed to be shivering while his eyes darted around for the correct answer. There was always a right and a wrong answer when it came to Discord asking questions. It was all part of his ‘games’ that he loved to play.
“H- How did you find us?” Buckshot asked.
Ooh... wrong answer.
But Discord still kept a smile on his face and twiddled the ball of yarn on a claw before squeezing it with his paw.
“I have a knack for sensing the discomfort of little foals, specifically little white colts with ice blue manes and a cutie mark of an ice tray and three ice cubes,” Discord said.
Silver-Lined shivered. I looked at my cutie mark... uh-oh.
Discord’s different sized eyes looked right at me and Silver-Lined ducked. I couldn’t see what was happening outside but whatever it was, somepony had given a blood-curdling shriek and Discord laughed manically. Bye bye Buckshot.
“Silver-Lined,” Discord bellowed, “we all look forward to playing with you soon.”
Silver-Lined stood back up slowly. But Discord had disappeared and the zebras began to massacre the Lost Ones.
* * *
The buffalos didn’t come that night and Braeburn’s smile disappeared. The zebras had ordered everypony back into their cell and Silver-Lined, the others and I took our spot in the corner. A very kind pony offered a cloth for me to lie down on. I was placed in the middle of everypony in our group and comfort and sleep became much easier as they surrounded me in a wall of love. I guess now I can accept that I have a new family.
My nap didn’t last for long as a zebra ordered me out. It was Brass Tacks who helped me walk towards the exit but was rudely shoved back by the zebra after he had collected me. I looked over my shoulder; Braeburn’s radiant smile was on his face once again when we made eye-contact. He reassured me that everything was going to be okay.
Appleloosa’s medical clinic was so dark. The windows were boarded up and the only source of light came from the strangest plant. Gazing around and from what little I could see, foreign looking masks and decor upon the walls and spices placed in small glass jars. A female zebra dismissed all the other zebras and we were left alone in the dark.
“Are you going to kill me?” I asked softly.
The zebra guffawed.
“Come now little one,” the zebra said, “I’m not the one that you should shun. I’m only here to make you better; maybe you’ll think twice and send a thank-you letter.”
Her rhymes were a bit random. She looked like a witch doctor with her brown smock and dabbling into a sparkling powder pouch. A name was stitched on her smock: ‘Zecora’. She wasn’t like all the other zebras; she was kind and slow-moving and tried her best not to startle me.
“This land is no place for a little young foal. Be very careful or life will take its toll,” Zecora gave somewhat of a warning.
Zecora began to ground up a mix of leaves and seeds. She sprinkled some sparkling powder on it and the smell was appetizing and my stomach started to rumble, it had been a while since I ate a meal. Before I knew it, Zecora stuffed the bowl in my mouth and forced the dry concoction down my throat. At first I coughed then gagged but something inside me started to move and I gave a yelp as something in my chest snapped and my fractured leg stuck out on its own.
“Just an old bone fixing remedy,” Zecora replied and wiped the tears from my eyes.
I looked up at her walls. There was only one photo frame which drew my attention. There was a pony; white coat, purple mane and a unicorn horn... Rarity! Zecora and her were pouting their bottom lips. The next photo over, they were laughing. I looked at Zecora who was staring at the photos too.
“I never chose this task. Discord is just too crass. Discord chose me specifically for these medical tasks and to research new recipes in a flask. My home was destroyed in a fiery blaze and my perspective grew too obscure in the haze... I wish I declined Discord’s help. I...” Zecora didn’t finish her sentence, she began to cry.
I patted her mane. Her eyes glimmered in the light of the odd foliage and she hugged me. There was an awkward silence as neither of us had anything to say. I asked if she wanted to help the ponies escape, she seemed hesitant at first. After mentioning the buffalos, Zecora gave it some thought.
“I will guide the zebras into the bog; the buffalos may strike while I keep the zebras lost in the fog,” Zecora said.
The doors slammed open and I was dragged off the bed and onto the floor. Zecora argued with the zebra in their own tongue and they exchanged threatened glances before I was whisked away back into the safety of Silver-Lined’s hooves.
* * *
A battle cry woke me up and I found everypony ramming against the metal bars. Outside the prison I could see a stampede of buffalos ramming down zebras. The bars went down after three tries and Silver-Lined picked me up as we ran onto the dirt road. A buffalo ran past us with a force so strong that it nearly swept me off my hooves. In the clinic doorway I could see a buffalo towering over Zecora.
Why had the buffalos struck so early? Then I remembered that there was no way to communicate with them.
“Stop!” I yelled and ran for Zecora.
The stampede of zebras and buffalos was all around me. I felt like I was in the middle of a tornado. The force of the general velocity of everypony was so strong that it was going to whisk my little body up into the air, but I fought against it. I saw a buffalo lifting his hoof over Zecora, ready to stamp down. A zebra knocked me down and I crawled. My leg was crushed beneath a buffalo’s hoof, but I kept going.
“Stop!” I yelled again and the buffalo put his hoof down by Zecora’s head.
Zecora’s gaze met mine and I gave her a smile. I felt something grasp my mane and pick me up, Little Strongheart. She carried me over to Zecora with the speed of a phoenix. Little Strongheart dismissed the buffalo and I helped Zecora up with the little strength I had. She sprinkled a powder over my hurt leg and all the pain went away.
Zecora gave me a smile and galloped into the fog of the bog. Nopony said a thing as she disappeared, probably never to be seen again. I peered into her workshop of medicines which had been trashed. A blood stain was sprawled across the wall and I cringed and trotted back out. Silver-Lined grabbed me by the mane with his teeth and swung me onto his back.
Appleloosa was engulfed in flames by the time unicorn ponies used their magic for battle. Bullets flew in all directions and some ponies even threw pies around. Strangely enough, the pie method was effective as it blinded their target, giving the pony enough time to dispose of his opponent. Kiara levitated three pies and began tossing them out, I hopped off onto Elven Spices’ back and both Silver-Lined and Brass Tacks dove into the fray.
Elven Spices, Kiara and I entered Zecora’s workshop and began to place things in my saddlebag. I hopped up onto Zecora’s workbench and began going through her books. There was a book on medicinal herbs and miscellaneous magic munchies. We stuffed those books in my saddlebag. By the time we cleaned everything out, my saddlebag was too heavy to carry by myself so I was stuck with using my unicorn magic to lift it all. Elven Spices insisted on carrying it for me, but I shook my head.
The three of us got split up as the brawl got pushed towards us. I found myself dodging hooves upon hooves; the gunshots weren’t too daunting as the bullets flew over my head anyways. It might have looked funny to everypony as I began throwing myself at zebras in an attempt to knock them to the ground but they simply brushed me off, I might have felt like a parasprite to them.
I tried to find my way out of the brawl by relocating outside into the open, but that strategy backfired as I left myself exposed to the zebras. I let my saddlebag drop and I lowered my head and got ready to charge at them with my horn. Shutting my eyes, I ran right at the zebras. There was nothing crashing into my horn, but I still kept my eyes shut. I started to run upwards and before I knew it I had propelled myself into the air somehow. Braeburn had beaten the zebras as I was charging and acted as a slope for me to run up on and up into the air. The grin on his face was unforgettable.
* * *
Appleloosa looked as depressing as the ruins in Equestria. Flames were still being put out and worker ponies had begun to rebuild and reshape Appleloosa into its former glory. Little Strongheart and the buffalos had gone out to patrol the areas around Appleloosa for any reinforcements the zebras may have called for. Silver-Lined and Brass Tacks had gone around Froggy Bottom Bog to look for Zecora while Kiara and Elven Spices fiddled around in my saddlebag at a table where a black coated unicorn pony wearing a paper boy’s brown cap over his white mane was sitting. His cutie mark was of a purple scroll and quill.
The stranger pony seemed to had taken an interest in the pieces of paper I found back in my room at Trotten’s Elven Spices inn. I was going to go ask him what the deal was until Braeburn approached me and Silver-Lined’s silver mane was shining within the fog of the bog.
“You alright, ice-cube?” Braeburn asked.
I gave him a slow nod, “I could be better, but Zecora fixed me riiiight up!”
Braeburn chuckled heartily and Silver-Lined was now trotting up behind him.
“We have to go to Fillydelphia, Glace-o,” Silver-Lined called out, “we’ll be coming back to Appleloosa though to see how things are going.”
Braeburn turned around and both he and Silver-Lined conversed. Brass Tacks rounded up Kiara and Elven Spices.
“Look,” Elven Spices said to me while pointing to something behind me, “Fillydelphia.”
I was surprised that I hadn’t noticed the tall skyline of Fillydelphia. Everything looked so shiny and new from here as the windows glinted from that far. All we had to do was follow the railway line and we would be there by nightfall. Elven Spices handed me my saddlebag and I looked back at the black pony who was staring back at me with his worried green eyes.
Mom and Dad used to talk of Fillydelphia being the saviour of Equestria albeit already falling to corporate corruption and espionage. They said that Fillydelphia consisted of so many battling mechanisms to fight Discord. Nothing happened though and Fillydelphia was never talked about again. It still looked untouched by everything. We were crossing the bridge towards it now. A lot of carts were trying to leave Fillydelphia but were abandoned by their former owners. With closer inspection I spotted a lot of bones and I turned away.
“It looks so... clean,” Elven Spices said.
There were no ponies or zebras in sight as we finally entered Fillydelphia. The buildings were so tall that the roads were forever covered in shadows. The streets were cluttered with carts and bones but nopony was around. We entered one of the buildings, still nopony. I began to get the shivers again and Silver-Lined looked a bit worried.
“Has anyone ever heard of those ghost stories?” Brass Tacks asked.
“Not now Brass,” Kiara sighed.
I curled up into a little ball, peering up at Brass Tacks who was looking right at me.
“They say Fillydelphia is the City of the Lost where the dead come to roam,” He began.
Elven Spices interrupted, “I’m pretty sure it was where all the Lost Ones met,”
“Then the place wouldn’t be so clean,” Kiara scoffed, “the version I heard was that it was merely an illusion, that we’re not really here but we’re walking the fiery grounds on the edge of Equestriaaaaa,”
“Shut up you guys, you’re scaring Glace,” Silver-Lined said.
Everypony snorted.
“Oh come on, you of ALL ponies love to tell horror stories,” Kiara said.
Silver-Lined winked at me. “We have a scared little colt with us; I like to make sure he’s comfortable. Besides, maybe those stories were told to keep everypony away from here... to hide something.”
Everypony gasped with wide, interested eyes.
Fillydelphia was really really big. We ventured deeper and deeper into the urban jungle to find that nopony has ever walked the cracked roads of Fillydelphia for quite a while. Vines and flora were growing up and along the buildings and the deeper we got into the city, the more foliage was present. The strange thing was, plants needed sunlight to thrive. The plants wouldn’t have nearly gotten enough sunlight to grow as green and big as they did.
“Our answer is underground,” Elven Spices observed.
Her and Kiara were inspecting a baby vine by pulling it out. Kiara gently used her unicorn magic to pull it out. It wasn’t a growth spell she was using, it was simple telekinesis and the vine was reaching to about the size of four Silver-Lineds! It started off as a vine no bigger than me as well. As the vine finally stopped, it ripped. Kiara and Elven Spices shoved their muzzles into the tiny hole it was growing from and dug at it with their hooves.
“There’s more of it down there, these plants must have some sort of... underground garden that they’re growing from,” Elven Spices said.
Brass Tacks and Silver-Lined had their shot at digging at the hole. We weren’t sure how deep this ‘garden’ was or if there really was one at all. Elven Spices was doubting herself more and more by the minute. Eventually something rumbled and a mechanical mare voice erupted throughout Fillydelphia. Being inside of Fillydelphia felt like walking a city where everypony had simply vanished and nopony roamed Equestria. Fillydelphia fell into ruins and dilapidation due to no more pony activity. Even the buildings looked unstable and were ready to fall any minute. A small tremor sent everypony to the ground and the road began to crack. We fell into darkness and I felt the tendrils of grass scratching at my face. Opening my eyes I could see something falling down over us. Silver-Lined jumped over me, protecting me from any debris that was falling from the sky and eventually it all stopped. The ominous creaking of something broken echoed in the tunnel.
The tunnel was the Fillydelphia Metro-line. Plants and vegetation lined the floor, walls and ceiling as if Fillydelphia was laid to ruins many centuries ago. The pitter-patter of hooves echoed in the distance and the sound of a leaking drain was starting to get on my nerves. A billboard had fallen over the hole we fell in, preventing our exit and leaving us enshrouded in darkness. Kiara and I lit our horns using a simple illumination spell.
“The only plan of action is to keep walking down the train tracks until we find a metro station to get back up to the surface,” Silver-Lined said.
“N- No, wait,” everypony looked at me, “our answer is underground right? Maybe the answer lies in the metro-line somewhere.”
“Regal Dusting,” a gruff sounding mare called, “is that you?”
We hugged the walls. Everypony grabbed their guns from their holsters and I crept to the floor as we walked. Silver-Lined stretched his back and complained of it being tweaked, although he wasn’t a robot pony. I was forced to walk beside him, almost underneath him. We hugged the walls and dimmed our unicorn lights.
“It’s over here,” another pony said.
Before I knew it, Silver-Lined fell back, knocking Brass Tacks along with him. Elven Spices shrieked and Kiara flew against the wall, a magical aura surrounding her body. There was a gunshot and I put my hooves under my eyes and hugged the ground. Somepony grabbed me by my mane and threw me against the wall. The pain was numbed by my fear.
We were escorted in the dark. Kiara and I were forced to keep our unicorn lights off. The silhouettes of our captors looked brawny, one looked thin. One of them patted my mane and gave a content giggle and I hugged Silver-Lined’s leg. We were approaching the light and eventually our captors came into view.
An earth mare with a brown, short, pixie-cut mane and a dark red coat with the cutie mark of binoculars and a dagger, another mare, a unicorn, with a light blue coat with a long, flowing blonde mane with the cutie mark of a monocle and spyglass. Finally the earth stallion with a shaved mane and a light pink patch of skin replacing it over his dark red coat, his cutie mark was of small dots leading to an X.
The sight before us was scary; it appeared to be an excavation site with nopony working on it anymore. The walls had etchings of elegant shapes and design and the constellations were deeply carved above an old, rusting door. Vegetation and old, dry fountains confirmed my observation; we were in a courtyard.
“I’m Regal Dusting,” the light blue mare introduced, she was the skinny one. “This is my sister Treasure,” She pointed to the brawny, dark red mare. “And my brother Hunter.” She pointed to the stallion who was as big as Brass Tacks.
“We’re treasure hunters,” Hunter declared in a booming voice, “we’ve travelled all over Equestria to seek treasure amidst the chaos, it’s quite fun.”
Their accent was very posh, very ‘high-class’. Although they didn’t look like the part, apart from Regal Dusting.
“What is this?” Kiara asked, seemingly intrigued by the mechanisms that decorated the courtyard.
“We found this a month ago,” Treasure said, gazing at the constellations, “it was carved into Fillydelphia during Discord’s reign some time ago so we can only assume that it was Discord that did this.”
I trotted around the courtyard. Skipping and hopping around like an over-excited foal on a sugar rush during Nightmare Night. Kiara followed me to the door and she placed a hoof on it before shutting her eyes and placing her horn against it. She gave a shriek before falling back. Everypony gasped and stared while I galloped the short distance between us to help her.
“Sweet Celestia,” she took in a deep breath, “that thing is imbued with all types of security spells.”
“A sense of chaos magic?” Regal Dusting asked while swaying her mane around her horn.
Kiara shook her head, “No... oddly. But there’s a whole lot of magical presence in this room and behind that door is the catalyst.”
Kiara gave another crack at the door but this time was able to sustain it. She drew in a sharp breath and stumbled back. This time I put my horn to the door – horrible idea. A powerful current of electricity surged through me and I flew back a few yards. Silver-Lined galloped towards me this time and hugged me.
“G- Glace!” Kiara yelled, “don’t do that! This magic is really strong... I... I don’t know if I’ll be able to crack it.”
“Twilight Sparkle,” Silver-Lined whispered in awe, “magic like that, it has to be Twilight Sparkle behind those doors.”
Regal Dusting placed her horn against the door before stumbling back. She gave a nod, agreeing that the magic was strong within the door. I tried kicking the door and Brass Tacks laughed as the force of my kick sent me face-planting. Silver-Lined scolded him and joined me. The door was impenetrable.
Kiara placed her horn there again before instructing Regal forward to do the same. As Regal placed her horn there, the tension in Kiara’s body slipped away. I trotted forward and did the same. Everything seemed fuzzy and reality began to melt into a dark void. The void pulsated purple every now and again and slowly but surely, I began to regain my bearings.
Shadows of tall alicorns materialized before me. Kiara and Regal materialized in front of me too. They looked at me, gave a nod and we charged our horns at the alicorns. Of course, I should've known better. The alicorn I charged for simply lowered its own horn down and parried, sending me up into the air and crashing down on my haunches. I let out a cry and Regal stood in front of me with her horn glowing.
The alicorn froze and began to dematerialize. She swished her head around at the other alicorns and charged. Kiara did the same and I sat there, dumbfounded and vulnerable. Eventually the alicorn army disintegrated into the void and we stood there gasping for air.
Purple walls began to rise from the ground and the voice boomed, “Initiating DataCore Labryinth.”
I galloped around corners and through tight spaces. It was impossible to tell whether I was running around in circles or going somewhere different. Screaming for Kiara or Regal proved useless as the void produced an unwanted static all around, it was almost deafening. My galloping slowed to a trot and I studied the walls.
Mysterious etchings and computerized codes decorated the purple walls and every now and again a constellation was drawn. So much data and information must have been stored in this mainframe, this... computer. I galloped again and this time reached a shiny sphere. Was this it? Kiara galloped up behind me and shrieked as my hoof touched the sleek surface of the sphere.
An explosion of light engulfed us.
* * *
“Glace,” Silver-Lined’s voice rang through my ears, “wake up, pal.”
“You blew it,” Kiara yelled, “you blew the core and now the door won’t ever open!”
Silver-Lined hugged me as I opened my eyes which were quickly becoming wet. Regal gave me a dirty look and Kiara continued.
“What pony touches the core of a super-computer like this?” Kiara raged, “it’s common sense!”
“You have to remember Ki, Glace is just a foal. He doesn’t know as much as you two who have worked around technology and stuff for most of your lives,” Silver-Lined said.
Regal gave a discontent huff and said, “you don’t know me,”
The door sparked and Brass Tacks stood in front of me, returning Regal’s fiery glare. Elven Spices wandered towards the door and poked a hoof at it. The door creaked and she laughed.
“It’s vulnerable now,” she said, “if you’ve got any more explosives, use ‘em.”
Kiara, despite being proven wrong, was still in a sour mood.
Hunter and Treasure lined red sticks of dynamite along the base of the door while Regal’s horn was emitting flames, ready to ignite the wick. When she was signalled, she bowed her head and galloped behind a stone wall. Brass Tacks dragged me by my tail and I glided along the courtyard cobblestone on my haunches while giggling. Kiara’s marine face was purple with anger and she looked away from me.
The explosion erupted like a volcano and pieces of the door went flying in all directions. The courtyard walls cracked from the force and the courtyard trembled as if there was an earthquake. We stood up and stared at the smoke which concealed the door from view. A mechanical humming started up and everypony began to move towards the source.
A purple pony was curled in a ball within the force field. Magical auras and tethers connected the purple pony’s force field to a metal storage unit which fed into a gigantic computer behind the data collector. The purple pony seemed to be in suspended animation, although operating the machinery all around her. Silver-Lined told me that it was Twilight Sparkle.
Kiara and Elven Spices ran for the super-computer while Hunter, Treasure and Brass Tacks fought the zebras that came in from the door. Silver-Lined popped me up on his back, grunting as I landed and flew in the air, trying to look for a way out. A paw immerged from the shadows, swatting Silver-Lined and I to the ground like a parasprite.
“Tsk tsk tsk... you shouldn’t be here,” Discord said before flicking Silver-Lined with a claw.
Discord exhaled a ghastly smoke which covered the room in its haze sending everypony, even the zebras, coughing and falling to the ground.
I found myself standing on gravel and surrounded by thick fog. Three little ice cubes slid along by my hooves and melted with each second, getting smaller and smaller. I felt numb to the world around me and simply observed the three little ice cubes. Then there was a sharp wind which blew me on my haunches.
“Glacey baby,” Mom’s voice echoed with the wind, “you’ve got your cutie mark!”
Another icy wind blew and this time Dad’s voice echoed along with it, “Ice cubes and an ice tray.” He sounded unimpressed. “Good Sun what is Equestria coming to?”
A stab of pain pierced my chest and I sunk lower into the ground, melting and melting like the already liquefied ice cubes.
“Come off it Mighty Hooves,” Mom reasoned, “there’s not a lot of stuff out here except death and destruction, feel blessed it isn’t a cutie mark like your thundering hoof or my sad mask.”
I took a step of faith and then another and another until I was walking. As the wind kept blowing, more memories hit me.
“We can’t stay in Gallapolopolis,” Mom said, “we have to leave. I’ve already talked to Mystic and she has already assembled a plan.
Dad took a deep breath and sighed. “And if Discord finds us, we’re all dead.” Dad emphasized the last word, making sure it slipped into Mom’s mind to induce fear, but Mom was strong.
“As long as Glace is safe, I don’t care if I die,” Mom said and with that, she stormed off.
“Oh Marjorie...” Dad sighed.
The fog wisped like smoke being sucked into a vacuum. Before me was a pile of dead ponies and at the top stood a zebra, laughing at me. I hid my face with my hooves and cowered. As I walked around it, the laughing lessened into the sound of Mom weeping and Dad yelling, they exchanged hurtful words and insults and the sound of a hoof smacking into a pony’s face crackled in the air around me, I cringed as Mom let out a cry.
The ominous sob continued and was joined by another, my sobs. I put my hooves to my mouth to see if it was moving but it wasn’t. It wasn’t me, I didn’t feel sad, only scared and lost. I tried to call for Silver-Lined and the others but the sobs turned into vociferous wails. Finally, two silhouettes of a stallion and mare were in the distance; my parents. And finally, I was just about to see their faces for the last time.
The pink cotton candy coat of my mother, her aquatic mane flowing like the seas of Equestria and her eyes as green as the Everfree Forest. The beige coat of my father, his gray mane bolting with the blowing wind like a vivacious flame. I ran up to them, calling them with tears streaming from my eyes.
“Mommy,” I sobbed, “Daddy!”
My parents tilted their heads before turning around. I shrieked a sound I never heard myself ever make as the ponies’ faces came into view. They had no eyes, no nose or mouth. They were like mannequins from a boutique. The ponies stepped towards me mechanically and they imitated the sounds of gunfire from within their bellies. The words ‘hate’ and ‘abandoned’ were carried along with the wind, along with the words ‘forgotten’, ‘despair’ and ‘death’.
Discord’s silhouette stained the sky again and chocolate rain fell, matting my mane into sticky patches. The bits that fell into my mouth tasted sour and made me gag and I started to run blindly into the darkness. The two previous ponies that I had sadly mistaken for my parents began to follow me. Their gallops were forced and unnatural and it was strange that they never fell head over hooves.
Discord laughed as the ponies tackled me to the ground. The barrage of words boomed like a million gunshots in my ears and the mannequin ponies scratched at my face as if they wanted to claim it as their own. It didn’t hurt, it was numb. Eventually they took out my eyeballs and I died.
* * *
Everypony seemed restless on the Fillydelphia bridge. We had all awoken from deep slumbers, whether the other ponies had nightmares or illusions too was a mystery to me. I didn’t want to bring it up; I couldn’t without trying hard to suppress a sob. Regal Dusting, Hunter and Treasure disappeared. I looked towards Fillydelphia which was now dotted with sniper nests of zebras. Why didn’t Discord just kill us?
We decided to walk back to Appleloosa for a spirit boost; I guess everypony did have a nightmare. Brass Tacks carried me on his back this time as Silver-Lined let out a groan every time he touched his back. There was a dark purple spot where Discord had struck him and I frowned. Silver-Lined caught my gaze and grinned.
Kiara and Silver-Lined spoke in hushed whispers and Elven Spices stopped to smell the roses that we came across. The mountain was easily traversed over and Appleloosa was in the distance. From here I could see worker ponies rebuilding and other ponies tending to the apple orchard. Buffalos seemed to be doing a circuit around Appleloosa with Little Strongheart leading them.
“That’s one of Discord’s tricks,” Brass Tacks finally said.
“T- The nightmares?” I asked.
Brass Tacks gave a slow nod.
“He plays things that are hidden deep within your memory, things you want to hide and forget or things that make you sad... it usually takes more than a nightmare to break me down but shit... pardon my fancy... that nightmare was just too much,” Brass Tacks shivered.
I patted his head. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“Mother Tacks always told me that keeping things bottled up was a self-hazard... so...”
* * *
Brass Tacks was a little colt and was wandering the empty carnival grounds. Brass Tacks was always a sucker for adventure and always believed the Mares Tales he was told by his peers. Apparently the Trottingham Carnival Grounds were haunted by a particular clown pony who had massacred his audience in twisted ways such as using his pet Manticore to rip them to shreds or performing his ‘magic’ tricks. The tale made Brass Tacks’ heart and soul crave for investigation.
The candy-colored carnival tents betrayed their eerie presence. It was strange that they hadn’t taken the place down but I guess they left it there for novelty; the Mares Tale was pretty well-known. Brass Tacks strapped a camera around his neck and had taken his father’s pocket knife which he now carried in his mouth, you know, just in case.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Brass Tacks, Father Tacks was following him. Father Tacks specifically told Brass Tacks not to enter the carnival under any circumstance. Of course that only made Brass Tacks want to check it out more! Father Tacks approached his son and pressed a hoof on his mane without seeing the knife that was in his own son’s mouth.
Brass Tacks, though adventurous and rebellious was still a young foal who was easily frightened by loud noises or sudden movements and touches. He constantly told people to never approach him from behind or else he’d lash out in fright... poor Father Tacks.
A hoof was pressed against Brass Tack’s butterscotch mane and he gave a threatening neigh before turning around and slicing the stranger across the chest. Brass Tacks jumped back and gasped, he struck his own father. Father Tacks looked at his son with sad, scared eyes and gave a groan before falling on his haunches and then toppling on his back. The large stallion didn’t move.
Red liquid pooled around his father and Brass Tacks began to laugh. Oh Father Tacks, always pulling Brass’ leg. But deep down, Brass Tacks knew this wasn’t a joke and he began to gallop away into broad daylight.
Years passed and Mother Tacks was now in a near catatonic state and Brass Tacks was taken care of by a young mare. The adventures took a slow down for Brass Tacks as he suffered from depression. His father was found dead but Brass Tacks was never convicted as a suspect and eventually the case was stumped and closed.
His lifetime ordeal forever changed him; he was never his adventurous self and would never take charge of anything, rather follow anypony that led. He hoped that following anypony would lead him to his destiny and all the time the little bug gnawing at his brain would test him to turn himself in... fat chance.
Silver-Lined Cloud was his only friend, they met each other during a bar brawl between earth ponies and Pegasi. Since both of them were the last two standing, they declared each other the strongest ponies in all of Equestria (Yes, they were drunk) and became the adventuring, crime-fighting duo. Brass Tacks had told Silver-Lined and things went bad, leaving Brass Tacks in a depressing state again.
Suicide was a recurring option but he was too strong to let the world bring him down. Silver-Lined eventually accepted him and consoled him as his only best friend. During the war they stuck with each other, protested with everypony about how stupid the war was and were beaten together by the riot pony squad. When Discord ruled, they were still together and vowed for a revolution.
* * *
Feeling like I was about to cry, I wrapped my hooves around Brass Tacks’ neck, “I still love you lots, Brassy!”
For the first time, I saw Brass Tacks give a genuine, heart-felt grin and I couldn’t help but return his smile.
Eventually we reached Appleloosa. Silver-Lined and Brass Tacks had gone to the Town Hall to speak to Braeburn who was now running the small town. It was great to know that there were fewer pony casualties than zebras and it was even more reassuring to know that the zebras hadn’t called for back-up.
“So Brass Tacks and you both had those nightmares?” Elven Spices asked, rubbing my back.
I nodded.
“Oh, wow, you guys too?” Kiara asked.
Kiara told us about the many arguments and fights both her and Silver-Lined had during their relationship. Kiara sided with Princess Luna while Silver-Lined remained neutral. During those fights they both said horrible things and hurt each other. Kiara would hit him; he would hold her back, sometimes hurting her by accident.
“It was a real mess,” she said, “eventually he walked out on me. It’s really not that big of a deal now, clearly Discord is the bigger problem. We set aside our differences and banded together.”
Kiara cocked her head to the side in thought and told us that the dream made their fights more vivid and scarier. “What I mean is that it’s not a big deal now. But in those dreams... they really bought back some terrifying feelings. I can still feel my hoof smashing into his face and...”
Elven Spices placed a hoof on Kiara’s and they smiled at each other.
Elven Spices told us about her nightmare. It was her very first medical procedure after leaving medical school and got a job as a nurse at the Fillydelphian Emergency Center. It was a heart transplant and the unicorn mare surgeon was busying focusing on her magic to keep the heart in place while Elven Spices gathered the equipment the unicorn was asking for. Meanwhile, all of Elven’s superiors watched from above as she clumsily trotted around the operation room.
Elven Spices was so clumsy that she bumped the unicorn, knocking her out of concentration and sending the heart into the air and giving a meaty slap as it hit the floor. The unicorn screamed, Elven’s superiors gasped and she simply ran away, leaving her medical studies and knowledge behind to study magical methods using spices and brews. She used to study from a zebra recipe book, but ever since the war she left those methods behind.
“It’s... daunting to think about,” Elven Spices said, “but I’ve helped so many other ponies and... I don’t know... that nightmare was just utterly horrible... I can’t believe Discord,”
“It’s Discord being Discord,” Kiara said bluntly.
Elven Spices sighed.
“Do you know anything about Silver-Lined?” I asked.
Elven Spices turned her attention away and Kiara just looked at me. Her anger and hatred for me before had disappeared as quickly as it arrived and she gave me a smile.
She spoke, “He lost his parents when Discord took control of Equestria. Both of his parents joined this huge group to fight against Discord, before he had any zebras to back him up. Of course they were walking into a slaughter, and almost everypony ran for their lives. Silver-Lined’s parents were the only ones that stayed and fought. Discord gave them a... he gave them a slow and painful death while Silver-Lined watched from his hiding place... I’m surprised he’s still himself. I think that’s why he has taken a personal liking to you, your parents died to zebras, his parents died to Discord. He can relate and he wants you to have the safety he never had during the reign.”
“How many years has it been since his reign?” Elven Spices asked.
“Two years and a bit,” Kiara said then looked at me, “Were you born before or after Discord’s reign?”
“Before,” I said, “but I hardly remember my life back then...”
* * *
Everypony left for the conference at the town hall. I was told to stay outside as it was a ‘grown-ups’ thing. Silver-Lined didn’t feel comfortable about leaving me outside by myself, I assured him I wasn’t and he just looked at me with a puzzled expression before entering the building. I wasn’t alone; I had the black-coated unicorn.
The unicorn watched me as I trotted happily towards him, bouncing on all fours with a huge grin on my muzzle. His eyes narrowed and he started to get up and move away but I called out to him, freezing him in place.
“Hey you!” I yelled, “stop!”
The unicorn sat down slowly as I took my seat in front of him. Pieces of paper were scattered across the wooden table and with his unicorn magic, he was levitating the pen across each page. Scrawling words I couldn’t read because of all the fancy writing... because of all the fancy writing. I pulled out the two pieces of paper from Trotten and put them in front of me.
It took me two seconds to match it, yeah! I was that fast! And I hopped on the table and sat there, smiling at him. His eyes hadn’t lifted up from the pages. A stack of books were stacked one on top of the other by his side and I looked at them. One of them was labelled, ‘The Land Beyond Nightmares’.
“Hey!” I said, “my...”
All the cheeriness left my face and soul and he slumped down.
“My mommy used to read that book...” I finished.
The unicorn’s eyes finally lifted towards the horizon; he donned the same teal colored eyes as mine. He glanced at the pages I pulled out of my saddlebags and began to inspect.
“My name is Inkwell,” he said quietly before nodding over to me, “your mom has good taste.”
“Glace,” I said, “just Glace.”
“Where are your parents, Glace?” Inkwell asked, still quiet and avoiding eye contact.
Puddles began to form in the corners of my eyes and Inkwell’s eyes widened before apologizing.
“I... I guess we’re in the same boat,” Inkwell said, finally connecting our gaze.
Inkwell's face froze for a second, then he face-hoofed 'What the hay am I talking about?! You're situation is a million times worse! Losing your parents this young, in an Equestria like this?! I mean, that deplorable brothel alone is bad enough, what kind of a time is this for self-pity?!" Inkwell ranted, berating himself for a crime I might never understand
“We put an end to the brothel,” I said, “you didn't hear about it?”
“What?,” Inkwell asked, as if I'd said that I'd just destroyed Discord with my bare hooves.
“Well yeah, the Wonderbolts actually did it and I helped! It was so fun, you know? There was no soup but then I was told that a brothel is a naughty place for promiscuity! You know what that means? It means-”
“I get the point,” Inkwell gave a nervous chuckle, “continue?”
I blushed. Why was I being such a blabberpants?!
“The Wonderbolts and everypony else brought every promiscuous pony to Trotten,”
Inkwell’s eyes widened again, flickering with so many emotions I couldn't begin to guess them all. Hope? Fear? Determination? Guilt?
“Oh right! I almost forgot,” I used my magic to levitate the pieces of paper from Trotten in front of him, “what’s that say?”
“It’s a poem; it’s not that good...” Inkwell said.
“Read it!”
“A devil stood in stone
Sun and Moon had lost their grasp
and the devil left his home
suffering and chaos abound, with Equestria in the clasp
of the devil now unbound
unnatural clouds filled the sky
and chocolate pain rained down
the docile animals then refused to comply
weary hearts aching all around
with the devil there unbound
But the dark age wasn't yet due
for at the princess’ request
six destined mares of virtue
were sent to best
the devil unbound
Twists and turns the devil's gambit
the mares' virtues undermined
took days to win through friendship's magic
but all the same, in stone confined
The devil now is bound”
I found myself staring at Inkwell intently, engrossed and entranced. There was a way with his wording that sent chills down my spine, the same way Sweetie Belle’s mane, eyes and voice did to me.
“That was written after his second imprisonment in stone. I hope to write another soon. Listen, are you going to Trotten?” Inkwell asked.
I shrugged. “Maybe, I don’t know. You can come with us if you want! That’d be so cool! A famous writer travelling with us!”
I bounced on all fours and Inkwell smiled.
“Well actually I’m not really that famous. In fact, I’m not famous at all, really,” Inkwell said.
“Pish posh! Modesty can kill!” I said.
Inkwell furrowed his brows. “Right, we have a deal then?”
With that, Inkwell stood up and marched into the Town Hall. I sat there by myself, brooding over a new family, a new beginning and life after Discord. Images of the faceless ponies that were sadly my parents flashed before my eyes and I knew where I had to go next, Gallapolopolis.
Braeburn accompanied us back to Trotten and Inkwell was walking behind everypony, keeping to himself. He left all of his books behind but put the ‘The Land Beyond Nightmares’ in my saddlebag. Silver-Lined let me on his back again and he was walking alongside Braeburn and talked about the Canterlot Brothel. Elven Spices and Kiara were busy giggling with each other and Brass Tacks did the same as Inkwell, kept to himself and walked behind everypony.
We trotted across the ruins towards Trotten in the distance. The wooden fence had turned into a stone wall in progress. The workers greeted us as we walked past them and in through the large golden gates. There was a new banner welcoming us and below that, everypony in Trotten was lined up and was cheering. Zecora stood at the front. I trotted towards her and hugged her.
Spitfire moved to the front and began to speak with Soarin’ by her side. “Zecora told us about what happened at Appleloosa. First Manehattan, Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Appleloosa and now I’m told you went into the Wretched City of Fillydelphia?”
Then Spitfire turned to me, “And you! You saved Zecora!”
“Thank you Little Glace,” Zecora bowed, “for you have been my saving grace.”
I hopped on all fours again, excited and happy, “We got some of your spices and stuff from your workshop! Here!”
I opened my saddlebag for her to peek inside; she nodded her approval and then turned to Elven Spices, “Oh Elven by the way, I’m running your place if that is okay?”
Elven Spices didn’t look too particularly fond of Zecora but she gave her a nod and thanked her, “Perhaps you can, while I’m out.”
“Maybe you two can work together, you know, create the ultimates brews and potions and stuff!” I suggested.
Elven Spices gave me a look as if to tell me to shut up, but Zecora was all too joyful at the idea and galloped away into the Elven Spices Inn.
After the celebrations, the crowd began to disperse into their own areas. Elven Spices went into her inn, Kiara and Silver-Lined were sitting outside the Inn, Brass Tacks and Braeburn went outside to help build the wall and Inkwell sat with me. He was scanning everypony that walked in front of us.
“What’re you looking for?” I asked.
Inkwell shook his head as if breaking out of a trance and gave me an irritated look, “Nothing.”
I turned around to pick up my saddlebag and get Inkwell’s book when I remembered that Elven Spices had taken it into her workshop at the Inn. I told Inkwell to wait and I galloped towards the Inn. Everypony looked at me, cheered and then went back to their bottles and mugs. I stopped as I entered the kitchen, seeing a bunch of ponies with culinary cutie marks cooking away at fireplaces. Where was Elven Spices’ workshop?
Eventually I was pointed to a room at the back of the kitchen and I trotted inside. Elven Spices and Zecora were mixing up a concoction of boiling, pink goo. The room was decorated with pictures of Elven Spices and Brass Tacks. Books cluttered her desk and the bookshelves were crammed with books and ingredients.
“Hey there,” Elven Spices said, seemingly surprised, “what are you doing here?”
“My saddlebag, can I have it please?” I asked.
Elven Spices looked at Zecora and they both laughed. “He’s the cutest.” Elven Spices said before securing the saddlebag around me. I thanked them and galloped back outside.
Inkwell was outside talking to Dumb-Bell, neither of them had noticed me trotting up towards them.
“She’s a mare,” Inkwell tried his best not to sound quiet but he failed, “she has a light blue coat, a mane of lilac and golden eyes which shine like stars. She’s a Pegasus too, have you seen her?”
“No, sorry...” Dumb-Bell said.
Inkwell trotted away with his head hanging low.
“Inkwell!” I yelled, galloping towards him.
Inkwell didn’t stop, only slowed his pace so I could catch up.
“What’s up?” I asked.
Inkwell didn’t speak. He craned his head at a couple of mares then shook his head. It looked like he was about to cry and I hugged his leg. He kept on walking while I was attached and it was like a really fun ride! Inkwell tried to shake me off a couple of times but to no avail.
“Who’s this ‘mare’ you’re talking about?” I asked.
Inkwell sighed, “No one.”
We crossed the main street and I watched as he strained his eyes to peer through the muck covered windows. He seemed too timid to enter any of the buildings. We wandered around Trotten until we finally sat down for a breather. I handed ‘The Land Beyond Nightmares’ over to Inkwell but he pushed it away.
“It’s a gift to you from me. Foals don’t get to read a lot nowadays and I thought I’d give you the luxury to do so. You might like it,” Inkwell said.
My eyes glinted with tears of happiness and he smiled softly. I opened the pages, flicking through them with a huge grin on my face while bouncing up and down. But through all the joy and excitement that drove my body into an epic vibration, one thing bugged me; Inkwell’s mood. He’d look at every mare that walked past and then frown and look down or at me.
“Is she your sister?” I asked.
Inkwell shook his head with a pained expression, “No.”
“Girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Is she your-”
“She’s a friend! Just a friend! Stop it!” Inkwell yelled.
Everypony around us looked at him and he escaped back into his shell, staring at the ground with hard eyes and pursed lips. He tensed and was as still as stone for a while. Then a mare walked up to us. Her lilac mane was flowing and vibrant, her eyes were like liquefied gold placed in her iris and her coat was a beautiful light blue which gave off a healthy glow. Her cutie mark was of a mannequin with a cute little fedora. Her face lit up, tears streaming down from her eyes.
“I- Inkwell?” The mare asked in a voice as smooth as silk.
Inkwell looked up and as soon as they connected eyes they stood there, staring at each other. Inkwell also had tears streaming down from his eyes and I hopped off the bench. They shared a deep hug and froze for about five minutes before looking at each other again.
“Blue Bonnet,” Inkwell said, “thank Celestia, you’re still okay!”
“Ah thought ah’d never see ya again!” her accent wasn’t like Braeburn’s or anyone from Appleloosa, it was an old southern belle accent form Neigh Orleans.
They hugged each other again and something pierced my heart and reopened the hole in my stomach. These two shared something deeper than friendship and for some reason I felt envious. I tried to grab Inkwell’s attention but they were too busy talking to each other, smiling and laughing and sharing stories, I was left in the dark. I threw the book away at his hooves and he still didn’t look at me. I wanted to cry but all I felt right now was fury and I stormed outside the walls of Trotten.
Gallapolopolis, here I come.
* * *
Returning back to where it all began was a hard journey because I had to go back to where it all ended for me, the ruins. The exact spot of where everypony had been shot was empty aside from the deep red stain. I trotted around it and began to traverse the steps that everypony was taking last night. Going the opposite direction would take me right to Gallapolopolis.
There were a lot of pink clouds over the shantytown of Gallapolopolis. It was never a real town, just an illegal settlement that was left abandoned. I trotted inside, nopony in sight. There was a drizzle of chocolate milk which began to mat my mane. There had to be somepony I knew that didn’t leave, Ditzy Doo didn’t come with us, neither did Mr. Cake and a bunch of other ponies. They had to be still here.
Gallapolopolis was a small, tight-knit community. I used to play with the foals and talk to everypony. It was peaceful and everything until Mom and a lot of others decided that it was unsafe to stay and they had to migrate. Leaving Gallapolopolis was like leaving a family behind, so many ponies stayed while the others left. I wanted to stay, Dad did too but Mom insisted that we left. So we did.
Everything seemed like a distant memory. Actually, it seemed like a fantasy. I crossed the metallic playground and the laughter of foals echoed with the wind. The Cakes’ shack was all boarded up, as well as Ditzy Doo’s. Part of me wanted to knock on the doors and say hello, the other part wanted me to keep moving.
My shack was located at the heart of Gallapolopolis. It was larger than the others because Dad was one of the Founders. I wandered into the broken shack, entering darkness which hid many years of memories. The front room used to be filled with light and laughter when Dad had a bunch of friends over and Mom would be making stuff in the kitchen with Mr. Cake. Now, the front room was broken and shattered glass shards glittered and sparkled on the floor as the chocolate rain drizzled in.
The hallways were filled with pictures that were taken down and rested on the floor, face down. I lifted up one of the frames to find that my parents’ faces had been scratched out. I raced to other frames; my parents’ faces had been scratched out on all of them. Galloping into my bedroom, my toys were laid out as if someone was playing with them. I sat back on my haunches and fiddled around in my saddlebag. I took out Kiara’s zebra figure from Manehattan.
I sat there for a while, playing with my toys in the dark as the rain began to pour in. There was a crackle of thunder which sounded like party poppers which made me jump. I hopped on my bed, bringing the toys with me, and continued playing soldiers. A bunch of pony figures encircled the metallic zebra and one by one they attacked the zebra. I giggled to myself until a tear ran down my cheek. I stopped and sat there in silence, listening to the pitter-patter of rain.
Eventually I worked up the strength to walk again and I hopped down and galloped towards my parents’ room. There was a flash of purple lightning which turned into white light, casting colourful illuminations into the bedroom. Mommy stood there, smiling with Daddy. I galloped towards them and they embraced me. It felt so real, the warmth, the fulfilment and love but I knew it was my imagination and I began to pull away. I looked at their faces, remembering them instantly. I stepped back into the doorway, savouring and embedding their faces into my brain until it all went dark.
“Holy Chaos...” A familiar voice murmured behind me.
I turned around.
Discord towered over me, dumbfounded. He stepped forward, waving his claw where my parents were standing and then turning to face me, still surprised. I turned to run back but I ran into him. How did he get there that fast?
“How did you do that?” Discord asked.
I tried to push past him but he kept a paw on my head to keep me in place. Discord just laughed before putting his head against mine with a large ear-to-ear grin. In an attempt to fake Discord out I sat on my haunches and immediately pounced up and tried to run past him again. He was abnormally fast for such a large Draconequus. Then again I didn’t really know what a Draconequus was capable of or what it was.
“How did I do what?” I finally gave in.
Discord’s eyes widened in surprise. “You mean you don’t know? You made yourparents appear right before our eyes! How? You made everything clean and clear again as if nothing had ever happened...”
I stuck my tongue out at him, “It’s not nice to delve into other pony’s minds!”
“Ah, but I didn’t,” Discord said, “you used your magic to recreate a memory, to rematerialise your parents’ exact faces from scratch when I tried my best to keep them hidden... only a pony with talents such as Twilight Sparkle can possibly, if not even do that sort of thing...”
“Y- You scratched the photos?” I asked.
Discord nodded and paced up and down the hallway and I knew that if I moved, he’d be right in front of me in a flash.
“This will be fun indeed,” Discord said before putting his head against mine, “tell me Glace, did you really know your parents?”
Discord moved past me like a snake and sprawled himself across my parents’ double bed. He placed a claw on a tiny book that Mom used to carry around everywhere. Every now and again Mom would write things in there that I couldn’t read because of her handwriting. It’s not that I couldn’t read, I promise!
“Look here,” Discord turned to a random page, “‘when will Glace realize the reality he’s stuck in? When will he open his eyes and acknowledge that Mighty Hooves and I aren’t his real parents...’”
I sat on my haunches, not aware of what he had just said. Discord gave me a look before rereading it.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
Discord cackled and rolled around on the bed, “your ‘parents’ weren’t your parents! Can you even remember life before my rule?”
I shook my head. “N- No... But I know my parents, don’t lie to me!”
“Aaw... Glace its okay, just think long and hard. Maybe you can recreate a memory from scratch!” Discord gave another cackle.
I didn’t like being patronized, I was a big pony. A big big pony!
“No!” I yelled, suddenly feeling cold inside and out, “NO! Don’t lie to me you stupid liar! You’re not going to fool me!”
A gust of crystallized particles flew out of my mouth in a flurry. It was as if snow was coming out of my very mouth. I wailed and screamed and threw insults all around the room as the icy wind from my mouth began to create snow and a strange cloud from above. Discord watched in utter amazement and fear. The clouds above began to swirl and the glowing eyes of ghostly stallions appeared in the haze.
“I hate you!” I yelled, “I hate you I hate you I hate you IhateyouIhateyouIhateyou!”
By the time I stopped for breath, there was a blizzard inside the tiny bedroom. Discord blew fire to melt the snow and ice but it just kept coming back. His utter amazement turned to utter fear as he squalled away through the ceiling, leaving me by myself in my winter wonderland which already had begun to melt.
The ghostly stallions neighed and whinnied as they disappeared with the dissipating cloud. My mane was wet with melted snow and ice and I began to shiver. The chocolate rain had stopped and the cotton candy clouds began to shift away. My breath turned warm again and I slumped down, reading the page of the book. The writing was all smudged due to the blizzard but I kept the book anyways... maybe somepony else could read it.
For the rest of the night I slept. I tried to explore the town a little more but I knew that nopony had lived here since we left. Discord probably got to them, hence the chocolate rain and cotton candy clouds which began to clear. If Discord felt so threatened by me, why didn’t he just kill me? Maybe the stories were right... he’s not quite strong yet.
* * *
I awoke with the book against my chest. My breath was still normal and my pulse was at its normal pace than yesterday where it was beating as fast as anything. Anger had consumed me, sadness had consumed me... did I really possess so much magical capabilities? The thoughts escaped out the other end as I heard somepony call my name from outside.
“Glace!” Silver-Lined’s voice called.
“Where are you?” that was Elven Spices.
I looked out the window to see Silver-Lined and the others with Braeburn, Inkwell, Soarin’, Spitfire, Dumb-Bell and other ponies. Quickly, I put what I could into my saddlebags; my toys, my old coloring book and an old photo album which was too dusty to look at. I trotted outside the doors and slowed to a solemn walk as everypony saw me exit the shack.
Silver-Lined was the first to reach me as he hugged me, upset and worried as I began to cry into his coat. Everypony gathered around us and I began to sob even harder as I was about to leave everything behind again.
“It’s okay Glace,” Silver-Lined whispered, embracing me, “it’s okay, we all love you. I love you.”
We returned to Trotten. Silver-Lined flew me on his back, just the two of us, to calm me down. But the snivels just came in short intervals. I tried to do that icy breath thing again but nothing happened. Silver-Lined asked what I was doing but I just said that it was nothing.
At Trotten, there was a crisis between ponies. Pegasi and unicorns surrounded the earth pony garden where the Trotten crops were grown as food. Both the Pegasi and unicorns yelled and insulted the earth ponies for not being able to grow enough food to compensate the growing population of Trotten.
“They’re not even growing enough for our soldiers!” a unicorn said.
Eventually Spitfire dismissed everyone and Elven Spices went to tend the garden with the earth ponies. We all entered the Inn and immediately, Silver-Lined, Brass Tacks and Kiara left me to go to their own rooms. Inkwell and I sat across from each other at a table. He was busy reading a book.
“Can you read it to me?” I asked.
Inkwell lifted his eyes, “Uhh… you can read, right?”
I nodded.
“Uh-huh! I’m not stupid! Mom used to be a writer too and she taught me everything I knew about reading and writing!” I said.
“Right, let’s go to your room then, shall we?” Inkwell offered.
My room was his room, he had visited it before me and he studied the place for a while before sitting next to me on the bed. There was a bellow of laughter from below and Inkwell rolled his eyes before chortling to himself. He placed three books on the bedspread in front of us: Wings of Love, The Land Beyond Nightmares and The History of Equestria: Hearths Warming Eve Tales.
“Your pick,” Inkwell said.
I grabbed ‘The Land Beyond Nightmares’, practically hugging it as I dragged it onto my lap.
“Where’s Blue Bonnet?” I asked as he took the book from my lap.
He opened the book on the first page before replying. “A Wonderbolt took her to Manehattan so she could work with Rarity to create new apparel for all of us that need them. They both share the same passion for fashion,”
Inkwell read the first word before stopping and looking at me with sad eyes. I scooted over to him and ducked under his right arm so it was wrapped around my back. He squeezed me tight before reading. It was about a young filly in a world not so different from the one I was living in. It was Equestria ruled by a different devil, Nightmare Moon.
“I can relate!” I said.
Inkwell laughed softly.
We were halfway through the story and I was lying down on Inkwell’s lap as he read. My eyes were slowly starting to close but I knew I’d regret it. The filly was now in a new land called Equesyium where she was adopted by the Executive Leader of Military Defense, learning and training alongside him. Inkwell paused for a moment and patted my mane.
“Did you find anything?” Inkwell asked, “anything you want to talk about?” I reached over to my saddlebag and pulled out my Mom’s diary. He seemed a bit skeptical at first as I showed it to him. Then I began to turn the pages and he gave a sigh as he knew that I couldn’t read it because of the handwriting. I turned over to where a couple of red dots were present, this was the page.
His eyes widened and his brows furrowed before he gave a frown. He looked at me for a brief moment before closing the small book and placing it in my saddlebag. I looked at him for an answer but his face was blank. He hugged me tight.
“What does it say?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Inkwell sighed, “nothing at all.”
I wrestled in his grip and pounced out in front of him before turning around to face him. My muscles were tense and I could feel my eyes starting to water. Inkwell looked upset but he tried his best to put on a fake smile. The book he was reading slid off his legs and fell limply onto the ground.
“What did it say?” I asked, my voice was strained and high in anger, “Discord said that they weren’t my parents, is it true?”
“Glace, I hate seeing you like this. Discord was lying to you,” Inkwell said.
“Then why won’t you tell me what it said?” I wailed.
The regular muffled chatting of the bar below was gone and I could feel my breath turning to ice.
“I’m just upset that you’re just a young, fragile foal and Discord did this to you. Look at you, you’re a mess. The entire page is all about how much you mean to your Mom, come on, come here.” Inkwell wrapped his forelegs around me and I sobbed into his coat.
I fell asleep.
* * *
Moonlight flooded in through the window when I woke up. An arm was wrapped around me and I twisted around to see that it was Silver-Lined. He yawned and stretched before opening his eye sluggishly. He gave a goofy grin before kissing my mane. His hug tightened and I burrowed into his chest. He felt like a brother to me.
“How are you feeling, Glace-o?” Silver-Lined yawned.
I shrugged. My eyes felt puffy and my heart was still giving off an erratic beat. I noticed that I was in Silver-Lined’s bedroom.
“Do you want a drink?” Silver-Lined asked before sitting up on his haunches.
I shook my head and tackled him down, wrestling my way into his forelegs again and nestling in the warmth of his coat.
“Settle down there,” Silver-Lined laughed, “we’re going to the new Sweet Apple Acres to find Applejack. But just rest for now, alright Glace-o? Nighty-night.”
* * *
Elven Spices’ Inn was rearranged so it was able to fit in a stage for ponies with a knack for entertainment or in case someone wanted to give a speech. Brass Tacks and Elven Spices put it to good use as they declared their plan to travel to Sweet Apple Acres to find a reliable source of food. Everypony cheered and before Brass and Elven stepped off stage, they shared an intimate kiss. I turned around to see Silver-Lined and Kiara kissing too. Too much love.
Before we left I tried to look for Inkwell, not even Blue Bonnet knew where he was. I found pieces of paper on his bed and photos of me with the scratched faces of my parents. I didn’t have enough time to process my thoughts though as Silver-Lined whisked me by the mane and plopped me on his back and left for Sweet Apple Acres.
“What’s the deal with this Applejack mare?” I asked.
Brass Tacks looked at me as if to say ‘you’re joking, right?’
Elven Spices was the one who answered me though. “The Element of Honesty, strong-willed mare. Family means a lot to Applejack, to the Apple Family for that matter. So when Discord threatened to kill her older brother, little sister and her grandmother, she had nothing else to do but supply him and his Commune with food.”
Sweet Apple Acres was located far from civilization in a secluded, private part of Equestria. It was nestled in a valley and surrounded by large hills. There were only a couple of apple trees around the small cottage and I wondered how in Equestria she able to provide for Discord. A couple of zebras set up camp on the hills and had a few sniper nests. Suddenly, a siren sounded in the distance and a tiny crater formed in front of Silver-Lined. The zebras spotted us.
We galloped down the hill. Silver-Lined lost his footing and tumbled violently down the hill while I rolled like a little white bouncy ball. Brass Tacks tried his best to keep up with me and lift me up but what I lacked in size, I made up in speed and I began to pick up the velocity as I rolled down the hill. Bullets flew all around us and zebras were wailing in their own language. Kiara howled and fell to the ground. I caught a quick glimpse of a red ribbon being released from her right hind leg. Silver-Lined was stumbling on his hooves at the bottom of the hill with his eyes rolling around. Brass Tacks dove underneath Kiara and lifted her up on his back, carrying her down the rest of the way.
“What in tarnation?” An orange coloured pony immerged from cottage before squealing and running back in.
We battered in the door for her to open up and repeating that we weren’t zebras and we weren’t here to kill her. The large wooden door gave a loud ker-chunk! as it opened and we all toppled inside at the orange mare’s hooves. There was a long pause while the orange mare whizzed around the house, closing metal shutters over the window and locking the front door. Her blonde mane was tied into a messy ponytail and she gave a feeble smile when she was finished.
“Applejack,” Silver-Lined greeted, his voice wavered, “so nice to finally meet you.”
Applejack scoffed and they both shook hooves. Brass Tacks was in a totally different world though. He was moving swiftly as he threw Kiara down on top of the couch and began to fiddle in my saddlebags for something. He swore and shut my saddlebags with nothing in his muzzle or hooves. Elven Spices moved to his side. Kiara had been shot. The colour from her coat grew a bit pale and she was sweating.
Silver-Lined stumbled over to her, still dizzy and comforted her. Applejack still stood there, not sure what to do. We were probably the first pony-visit she ever had in a while. I trotted over to Kiara and she gave a smile. Yep, she was going to live. Elven Spices insisted that the bullet went right through without causing major damage and Kiara gave a sigh of relief but Brass Tacks locked a hard gaze on her with his jaws clenched tightly.
Elven Spices went into my saddlebags to find her little first aid kit. Brass Tacks was probably looking at that as he looked stunned, stunned that he couldn’t find it himself. Elven Spices began to clean the wound where Kiara would gasp in pain but eventually let out another sigh of relief as her leg was bandaged.
“What’re y’all doin’ ‘ere?” Applejack asked.
Silver-Lined explained the situation to her. The gunfire had ceased but they could hear the zebras outside. By the time Silver-Lined finished explaining, Applejack gave a nod. Elven Spices asked how she grew enough food for the zebras and Applejack merely led us down into her basement.
The basement was brightly lit with fluorescent tube lights. Rows among rows of shelves containing glass pots of clear liquid and a seed lined the basement. At first I thought it was water but it wasn’t, it smelled disgustingly antiseptic. A couple of the glass pots contained green stalks with apples hanging on the side. These weren’t apple trees.
“Hydroponics,” Kiara managed to groan out while Brass Tacks carried her, “how neat.”
“Ah’d rather do it the Apple Family way, y’know? But this is what Discord wants,” Applejack explained, “’sides, Big Mac has been too sick fer work ‘n Apple Bloom is too young ‘n we also don’t have enough room for a proper apple orchard.”
“W- Wait… Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom are here?” Elven Spices asked.
Applejack nodded, “’Course, Granny Smith too.”
“What’s Discord holding you against then?” Elven Spices asked.
“Well, Discord has threatened he’d take ‘em both away from me if Ah don’t comply. B- but Ah’m more than happy to help ‘im as long as he doesn’t pull any of them tricks,” Applejack said.
“R- right…” Elven Spices said.
“Honestly, I don’t like it o’course but there’s nothin’ Ah can do… Ah’d love to help ya but I don’t wanna risk the life of mah family,” Applejack said.
Silver-Lined shook his head with a smile, “No! No of course not,”
We walked around the basement, studying the plants. I thought apples only grew on trees? But here they were, growing on thick green stems.
“Chemically made,” Applejack said, disgusted, “it’s a disgrace.”
We wandered back upstairs and Applejack fetched us an apple pie. We sliced it up and offered some to her but she shook her head. It tasted weird, it had a sour aftertaste and wasn’t sweet at all. She was right, the chemical apples were horrible.
“Can I see your big brother?” Elven Spices asked.
Applejack led us into a tiny room where large, red-coated earth stallion was lying down. In his forelegs was a tiny earth filly who was fast asleep. The stallion’s eyes were barely open and his face was pale. There was a bucket lying next to him and he raised a brow at the group of us. Applejack introduced us and he gave a shaky nod in acknowledgment.
Elven Spices pulled out the first aid kit again. She tested his temperature while placing a hoof on his forehead. She nodded as if she knew she was right and then pulled a bottle of pills out before putting them in his mouth. She made a gentle motion for him to swallow and he did.
“H- Hey!” Applejack yelled, “don’t go puttin’ weird stuff that I don’t know about in his mouth!”
Apple Bloom moved around but was still asleep. Her eyes looked puffy like mine.
“Relax Applejack; he just has a really strong fever. Those pills will help him settle down a bit. I advise you keep Apple Bloom out of this room for a while before she catches the fever to you, ultimately leading to your sickness,” Elven Spices said.
Applejack nodded her head although she looked confused. Big Mac shut his eyes and inhaled deeply. Applejack’s eyes began to tear up but she held them back and led us outside into the main room. She didn’t want to disturb Apple Bloom right now.
“The best I can do is give you pouches of seeds, apples, carrots, celery stalks, colorful flowers too if you want ‘em,” Applejack offered.
Silver-Lined nodded, “That’s more than enough. But I guarantee you, we’ll give you your freedom soon… I mean, why don’t you just come with us to Trotten? Abandon this place. We’ll definitely keep you safe and concealed at Trotten.”
Applejack bit her bottom lip.
“We’ll give you time to reconsider, we’ll send some Wonderbolts over to see if you’re willing. They’ll travel with you,” Silver-Lined said.
There was a pound at the door and everypony tensed. Applejack moved towards the door slowly and opened it. It was Soarin’.
“Howdy there,” Applejack greeted.
“Soarin’!” I cheered and leaped towards him.
He picked me up and propped me onto his back.
“We cleared the zebra menace. I kind of followed you guys and saw that you had yourselves a bit of trouble. I called in some of the Wonderbolts to help. No more zebras!” Soarin’ said.
Applejack’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
I turned around to see zebra bodies all over. A couple of days ago I may have looked away in fear. But now I was happy that they were dead.
“A- Ah think I’ll come to Trotten… once Discord sends his li’l delivery party here to pick up the food and they see this… Ah’ll be dead fer sure. Take me with you,” Applejack sputtered.
Getting Big Macintosh up the hill was hard. Soarin’ and Silver-Lined tried their best to help him although he kept insisting that he could get up on his own. Brass Tacks carried Kiara on his back and I spotted Silver-Lined giving him a dirty look. I was bouncing on Elven Spices back while she walked next to Applejack. Apple Bloom was on Applejack’s back and we looked at each other for a long time.
“Howdy,” Apple Bloom greeted, her voice faltered a bit and her eyes gleamed, “Ah’m Apple Bloom.”
“Hi!” I said, a bit too excitedly, “I’m Glace! Silver calls me Glace-o. I like your mane!”
Her mane was bright orange and red and topped with a pretty pink bow. She smiled at the compliment and thanked me. We played ‘I Spy’ on the way back to Trotten; it was hard because everything was just gray and brown around us. I liked Apple Bloom, but she was no Sweetie Belle.
* * *
“So…” Applejack began, “Discord has never ever been to Trotten?”
Everypony shook their heads and she seemed to settle down a bit. We were inside Trotten now and again, everypony crowded around to greet us. Rarity came out with tears streaming down her eyes as she saw her best friend. Applejack tried her best to hold in the tears but they just came out. Apple Bloom spotted Sweetie Belle and they hugged each other briefly before playing tag.
“Oh Celestia…” Rarity sobbed, “Applejack, I’ve missed you so much.”
Rarity and Applejack walked together towards the garden. Elven Spices led Big Macintosh, Silver-Lined and Soarin’ into her Inn with Brass Tacks and Kiara following. I followed them too. I wanted to see if Inkwell was back.
Inkwell sat on the bed with his back towards me. He was looking through my old photo album. When did he take that out of my bag? I looked in my saddlebag but the album was still there. How in Equestria did he get his hands on…
“You went to Gallapolopolis…” I said.
Inkwell turned around quickly and shut the album, “I… yes…”
“And my parents aren’t really my parents… are they?” I pressed.
“No, I’m sorry but-”
I cut him off with a wave of a hoof and sat on my haunches. My tears splashed down onto the wooden floor but I was wailing, I wasn’t sobbing. I guess I knew, deep down. Inkwell hugged me and sat me on his lap while we looked through the old photo album.
The mare and stallion that surrounded me while I was smiling were nameless to me. I hadn’t seen them before and it only made me more upset because these were my parents. A white coated earth mare with a dull, gray mane and a snowflake cutie mark and a large, gray stallion with a white mane, his cutie mark was of a compass rose. Signed beneath the photograph in writing that I could read said:
“We love you forever Glace, this war is pointless and I only hope you can wake up before we leave you. We love you forever and always.
Snow. That was the first thing I saw when I woke up the next day. When I woke up I tried to remember the faces in the photographs but to nothing. They only raised question after question and no matter how hard I tried, how much I strained my brain, nothing came to. Crying was pointless, it wouldn’t bring them back.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming!” Elven Spices burst through the door of Silver-Lined’s bedroom.
I turned over to see Silver-Lined next to me rubbing his eyes and giving a long, loud yawn. Then I turned back to Elven Spices who had a massive grin on her face and a large saddlebag filled to the brim with colorful boxes.
“No way!” I yelled happily and jumped on all fours.
Elven Spices nodded her head ecstatically.
“Yeah way!” She replied with the happiness that could only match a foal’s on Hearth’s Warming morning.
Silver-Lined propped me up on his back and we followed Elven Spices downstairs. Everypony in Trotten had gathered around in the Inn for Hearth’s Warming. Colorful lights were lined across the walls and wreaths with pretty red bows had replaced the paintings and a huuuuuge tree was placed in the center of the stage where a bunch of presents lied under.
Everypony was laughing, as usual and were dancing to the little jingles that played on the radio. It was a warming atmosphere and Silver-Lined sat me at a table with him and Elven Spices. She cooked us some hay fries for breakfast and looked a little embarrassed as Silver-Lined and I pigged out.
“I’m awfully embarrassed,” she admitted as if reading my mind, “but I didn’t really have enough time to cook anything special for you two, Brass and Kiara… hay fries were the only thing I could cook.”
“Speaking of Kiara, how is she?” Silver-Lined asked.
“She’s okay, she could be better, but she’s in a stable condition. Brass is giving her some company,” Elven Spices said.
Silver-Lined’s eyes flared up quickly but Elven Spices didn’t seem to notice. I patted Silver-Lined and he gave a swift smile before returning to the plate of hay fries. He clearly had something on his mind. I tried to eat as many hay fries as I could but Silver-Lined finished it before I could even get a decent helping. Silver-Lined stood up to leave but Elven Spices stopped him to talk about something.
I hopped off the table and trotted up the stairs. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom walked past me without a single greeting and there was the feeling of emptiness. I turned around but neither of them looked back. I presumed that it was because they were away from each other for a couple of years and they just wanted to spend a lot of time together. Sweetie Belle would come back to me soon.
Kiara’s room was right next to Silver-Lined’s. The door was open a crack and I stopped to see if Kiara was talking to Brass Tacks. There was no sound. I opened the door and hopped in and yelled,
“SURPRISE!”
Brass Tacks had his forelegs wrapped around Kiara, their muzzles were touching! Kiara was vigorously rubbing Brass’ mane and took a deep breath. Their forelegs and legs moved all around each other and I froze. It took them a few minutes to notice me and Kiara shoved Brass away. He seemed a bit upset.
“Passed out!” Kiara blurted out, “I, uh, passed out and he…”
She also stopped to think.
“Gave her CPR!” Brass finished, “yep, she passed out and I helped her with CPR.”
“The kiss of life,” Kiara exhaled.
“You were kissing!” I accused.
They started to laugh and exchanged nervous glances. Then they shook their heads and messed each other’s manes up even more.
“I’m not stupid!” I yelled.
Brass Tacks towered over me now with a grimace. His head was lowering to level my gaze as I crouched against his hooves. Brass Tacks slid me across the wooden floor with a hoof and took me outside of the room. I turned my head and saw Silver-Lined trotting up the hallway. I quickly galloped to him and Brass Tacks tensed.
“What’s going on?” Silver-Lined asked.
Brass Tacks glared at me and I pursed my lips.
“Nothin’,” Brass Tacks replied nonchalantly, “nothin’ at all.”
“Yeesh, you look all tasseled up!” Silver-Lined laughed.
Brass Tacks just huffed uncomfortably.
Silver-Lined trotted past Brass Tacks and smiled at Kiara who was pretending to be asleep. Brass Tacks nudged my side softly with a muzzle and gave a nod. His face was as serious as ever. He was intimidating me.
“They kissed!” I finally yelled.
I felt my mane billow like it was during the Gallapolopolis storm. Then I realized that I was arcing through the air, above Kiara’s bed, bounced off the headboard of the bed and landing right in her forelegs. She looked bewildered and covered my ears with her hooves while Silver-Lined and Brass Tacks started yelling. I wanted to close my eyes as Silver-Lined threw the first punch with his fore-hoof, cuffing him around the face. Then Brass Tacks delivered a hard buck, sending Silver-Lined in the air briefly before toppling over his own legs.
Inkwell was the first to enter the room. His initial reaction was shock as the two large stallions battled it out while I bawled my eyes out in the background and Kiara was yelling. She had tried to stand up but she only managed to injure her back leg more. Inkwell charged himself into the center of the two and tried to break up the fight but that only led to a buck in the face and sent him the ground. Blue Bonnet stood in the doorway with a horrified expression.
My sobs were uncontrollable as I hugged the bedcovers. Elven Spices finally showed up and Kiara shut her mouth, staring at her with pleading eyes. Elven Spices had no idea what was up until the two stallions stopped and began to yell the situation to her. Elven Spices walked forward and slapped Brass Tacks. Both stallions were bruised and bleeding, they even had a couple of bite marks on each other.
Brass Tacks tried to charge at Silver-Lined again but Braeburn and Soarin’ intervened. Spitfire and Inkwell helped Kiara out of bed and both her and Elven Spices began to talk. It was a heated argument at first but then they just exchanged stern words under the supervision of Inkwell and Spitfire. Zecora sat next to me to comfort me and I began to trace the black lines on her coat with my hooves.
“It’s H’arth’s Warmin’ everyone!” Blue Bonnet declared, “y’all should be happy and carin’ for one anotha.”
Silver-Lined and Brass Tacks were still iffy with each other but nodded. Kiara and Elven Spices weren’t smiling at each other, but they were civil.
Everypony wandered downstairs to find that the tables had been rearranged in the center of the bar to act as one, large table fit for a royal family.
Silver-Lined sat next to me and Inkwell was on the other. Across from me were Soarin’, Spitfire and Braeburn. Brass Tacks was in the bathroom cleaning himself off but Silver-Lined just fixed his mane and asked Elven Spices for a few bandages and he was done. He asked me to clean the dried blood from his muzzle and I happily obliged.
While Elven Spices was in the kitchen still making the food and everypony was busy talking, I decided to go to the bathroom myself. Silver-Lined asked where I was going but I pretended I didn’t hear him and trotted away. The bathrooms were located underneath the stairs and I found Brass Tacks dabbing a cloth to his muzzle. I approached him cautiously but he simply smiled at me.
“I- I’m sorry…” I said.
He waved a hoof to say ‘forget it’.
“What’s done is done, Glace. You meant well, I guess,” Brass Tacks said.
I hugged his forelegs and he tensed. I buried my face into his legs and he tried to shake me off gently. He laughed softly and nuzzled my mane.
“I’m sorry Brassy! I didn’t want anypony to get hurt!” I sobbed.
He picked me up by the mane and placed me in the sink in front of him. He dabbed the cloth on my forehead and it stung a bit. It was a cut.
“I apologize,” Brass Tacks said sadly, “I threw you across the damn room. The landing must have hurt.”
“Oh, naw,” I said, “it didn’t hurt.”
Brass Tacks’ faced softened as he began to wipe my face with a cloth. My face felt puffy again and my eyes were sore from crying. As he finished wiping my face, I felt rejuvenated and I gave my most radiant smile. Then, for the second time, Brass Tacks full-heartedly gave an ear-to-ear grin. My heart melted.
“You remind me of South Pole,” I said quietly.
“Your father?” Brass Tacks asked, “Inkwell told us about the whole thing. We knew he was going to Gallapolopolis, it was Kiara’s idea and we all backed her up on it. We all knew how much it pained you when Discord read that book to you.”
“Oh.” I shrank back in the sink.
“No, no! Don’t worry. We’re all a family now, we’re all here for each other,” Brass Tacks said.
“Then why did you and Silver-Lined fight? Why did you kiss your own sister?” I asked.
Brass Tacks laughed again, “Maybe calling each other family was weird. But you’re like a brother to me, so is Silver-Lined and sometimes brothers fight. Maybe Elven Spices and Kiara are like sisters to you, but I see them as best friends.”
“Why did you kiss her?” I asked.
“She needed someone. Silver-Lined wasn’t even with her when she needed someone so-”
“Silver-Lined was hurt too!” I argued.
Brass Tacks patted my mane, “Yes, he was. Now that I look back on it, it was silly of me. Kiara still loves Silver-Lined, I still love Elven. We just need a bit of time to ourselves and we’ll be okay.”
“But it’s Hearth’s Warming…” I sighed.
“Don’t fret it, Glace. We’ll be okay,” Brass Tacks reassured.
Brass Tacks looked at himself in the mirror and handed me the cloth. He pointed to a cut on his chin and I began to dab away at it. Something in my stomach ticked and everything went dark.
* * *
“Happy Hearth’s Warming!” I yelled as I galloped into my parent’s bathroom.
Winter Withers and South Pole were busy sprucing themselves up for their Hearth’s Warming breakfast party. South Pole propped me up on the counter in front of him and I watched intently as dad began to shave the extra hair growing around his muzzle. The process was slow and intricate and I couldn’t wait to be able to shave my own muzzle too!
South Pole winced as the razor went a bit too deep into his chin and he dropped the razor. I gasped and quickly grabbed a piece of tissue. I dabbed at the red dot and South Pole laughed. We all laughed with each other before ending it with a group embrace.
“Glace,” daddy said, “you’re my only son, and the only one I want.”
* * *
“Are you alright?” Brass Tacks asked and waved a hoof in my face.
I shook my head quickly and smiled, “I think… I think I’m remembering.”
“What?”
I galloped out the bathroom and I jumped onto the table.
“I’m remembering!” I cheered,” I’m really really remembering!”
At first everypony was silent, not quite sure what I was on about. Then Elven Spices and Silver-Lined stood up, clapping and coming over to hug me. Then Inkwell caught on and smiled, feeling happy that he had helped me with my troubles. Then everypony was cheering, laughing and smiling. I caught Sweetie Belle’s admiring gaze and I smiled at her.
The Inn rattled and a couple of ponies that were smoking outside came galloping in with scared looks. There was a thunder of party poppers and chocolate rain battered the rooftop. A hole was punched through the roof and the daunting figure of a Draconequus was coming down. A blast of lightening hit the rooftop and sent the edges of the hole on fire, illuminating Discord’s grinning face.
Everypony cowered but I threw a plate. Discord blinked at the plate his him in the muzzle and he frowned.
“That wasn’t nice,” he said and rubbed his muzzle.
I threw another plate, then another and he began to get irritated.
“BE STILL!” He commanded.
The force of his voice sent me staggering back but I tried to remain defiant.
“H- How did you find us?” Elven Spices asked.
“I can sense the bitter feelings of promiscuity, young Silver. Oh, and also there’s this annoying nudge in my head that tells me that Glace is remembering things that I’m trying to keep suppressed… I guess I have you to thank for that mister Inkwell,” Discord said.
“So you’re the owner, Miss Spices?” A claw picked up Elven Spices by the mane and she tried to wrestle out of it, “such a kind pony, a beautiful mare with such a different accent. Tell me Elven Spices, are there any times that you feel like hurting somepony instead of helping?”
Elven Spices shook her head slowly and then curled into a ball as Discord channeled his hypnotic gaze into her.
Silver-Lined, Brass Tacks, Braeburn and Soarin’ all launched an attack on Discord. They jumped towards him with their forelegs ready to drag him down to the table where everypony would have a piece at him. Discord laughed and time felt slow as he used his paw to smack them all away. The four stallions smacked against the wall, giving painful grunts before slumping to the ground, weak and trembling.
The coldness inside me swelled up and I yelled. Discord raised his eyebrows and then his eyes widened in horror as the small ice particles began to escape my mouth. I inhaled deeply before screaming at him with such a force that the icicles began to thicken and I was finally breathing out a blizzard. Discord threw Elven Spices to the ground and breathed a great flame. The blizzard and firestorm collided, creating a miniature explosion which sent me flying back, but only disrupting him for a second.
“Hmm, this is worrying,” Discord mused, “this is going to get veeeeeery interesting.”
The skies cleared to reveal nothing but the disarray of twinkling stars and Discord flew away into the sky. The fire disappeared and moonlight shone through the hole, casting a light of elegance into the place. Elven Spices and the four stallions regained their strength and sat themselves at the table.
“The celebration shall continue!” Blue Bonnet declared and the music started again.
An idea circled around in my mind and I went over to Sweetie Belle.
“You’re so brave!” she cheered, “you’re amazing!”
I shrugged with a goofy grin.
“Come up on stage with me,” I invited.
“N- No… I’m not good with shows… ever since the Ponyville School Talent Show. I’m never performing again!” Sweetie Belle buried her face in her hooves and Apple Bloom was nodding her head behind her.
I nuzzled Sweetie Belle’s perfect mane and she smiled. She looked at Apple Bloom who shrugged and she nodded determinedly. We both trotted up on stage and I began hum the tune of the Hearth’s Warming Carol. Her cheeks turned rosy as I nudged her and then she began to sing. Her voice was smooth and delicate, like silk to the coat. Her voice was shaky at first, but then everypony joined in on the singing and she began to gain some confidence.
“The Fire of Friendship lives in our hearts
As long as it burns we cannot drift apart
Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few
Laughter and singing will see us through
We are a circle of pony friends
A circle of friends will be to the very end”
Sweetie Belle turned to me with misty eyes but a large smile on her muzzle. She nuzzled me and we hugged. Then we tried our hand at muzzle-to-muzzle kissing like Brass Tacks and Kiara were doing. Everypony laughed but in the background I could hear Rarity yelling for Sweetie Belle to stop, but of course, that only made Sweetie Belle want to do this even more.
Sweetie Belle looked at me with her large, emerald eyes before turning bashful.
“You’re going to get rid of Discord once and for all!” she said happily, “if anypony can do it. It’s you, Glace.”
Brass Tacks had broken out the hard apple cider when I got sent to bed with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. We were in Rarity’s room which she had spruced up in such a short amount of time. She had tiny pictures of her and Sweetie Belle and even started to add new wallpaper which was plain white. The bed was new with large posts and a canopy above with beautiful pieces of cloth hanging and intertwining above. The floor was completely redone too with a carpet as white as fleece.
The three of us were lying in bed with eyes wide open. Sweetie Belle was in between me and Apple Bloom and we were listening intently as the bigger ponies laughed and shouted with drunken joy. Sweetie Belle turned over to whisper stuff to Apple Bloom. I heard my name and I smiled to myself.
“What’re ya smilin’ about?” Apple Bloom asked, propping herself up to look at me.
“N- Nothing,” I replied, hiding beneath the covers, “nothing at all.”
Apple Bloom huffed and rested her head against the pillow. She was too scary for such a little filly. The Apple Family was a strong family of earth ponies, so it was only natural that I was afraid of an Apple Family filly! Sweetie Belle on the other hand was a sweet unicorn of a gleaming snow coat like me.
I levitated a glass of water to my muzzle and placed it back down on the end table. Sweetie Belle watched with large, studying eyes. I levitated the glass again and brought it to Sweetie Belle. She stuck her tongue out as she concentrated on the glass intensely. The glass fell and spilled all over the sheets as I ceased my magic and the fillies screamed.
“Wha’d’ya think yer doin’?!” Apple Bloom shouted.
“It’s not his fault Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle argued, “he was just trying to help me.”
“With what?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Her magic,” I finished.
Sweetie Belle smiled sweetly at me.
“I don’t even use my horn much, you know? So what if magic is my special talent like Twilight’s?” Sweetie Belle explained.
Apple Bloom nodded with a smile.
“That’s awfully sweet of you,” Apple Bloom said to me.
We sat on the bed, experimenting with things. Sweetie Belle’s horn would glow but then fizz out abruptly, bringing a frown on her muzzle. I offered to try something smaller, like a sheet of paper but she insisted with the glass. Eventually all the energy was drained from her body and she just wanted to sleep. She pecked me on the cheek and went to bed. I left the room with a huge grin.
Apple Bloom asked where I was going but I ignored her. Everypony was downstairs drinking so I thought the opportunity to sneak into Inkwell’s room. Upon entering the room, I gasped. My eyes darted from wall to wall at the amount of pictures and notes were written on the wall. The notes were scrawled with the fancy writing again, Inkwell’s writing. The pictures were of Winter Withers and South Pole. The photo albums had been stripped clean of photos and stacked in the corners of the bedroom.
“Glace?” Inkwell’s voice came from behind me.
I jumped.
“This wasn’t here before,” I said, turning to face him.
“I just did it now,” Inkwell said, “I saw how happy you were to remember. I just wanted to help again.”
I looked at a photo which had Winter Withers, South Pole and me standing in front of the Canterlot Palace in its former glory of white walls and cleanliness. The three of us were laughing at something, our eyes were tightly shut and our muzzles were wide open in exuberance. The empty feeling in the pit of my stomach returned and I looked away towards Inkwell.
“Why aren’t you downstairs?” I asked.
“I don’t drink, I don’t do crowds,” Inkwell replied.
“Where’s Blue Bonnet?”
“Downstairs, why?”
“Look out for Brass Tacks,”
It was a joke, but Inkwell shot a glare at me and tensed. I crouched against the ground and apologized. He sighed and left the room, seemingly paranoid about the whole idea. I stood there in silence as everypony downstairs regarded him by yelling out his name and cheering.
The more photos I looked at, the happier my family looked. Why and how could I forget something so special like that? The void in my stomach quelled and tears formed in my eyes. There was a photo of South Pole and me at the Summer Sun Celebration with Celestia in the background. There was another photo of me and Winter Withers during Nightmare Night, Winter Withers was dressed as Clopatra and I was dressed as a ghost. It looked like the perfect family.
On the end of the bed was the little notebook that belonged to Marjorie, my ‘fake mother’. All the thoughts in my head merged and it only got more confusing and painful. I opened the book and hoped for a miracle that I could read everything. But Celestia wasn’t around to grant miracles anymore and I was left in silence. The laughter faded away as my eyes drifted shut into slumber.
* * *
The sound of somepony throwing up their guts woke me up. I placed my hooves over my ears and looked around the room. It was Silver-Lined’s bedroom and the more I heard the pony in the bathroom groan, the more it sounded like Silver-Lined himself. Somepony had a bit too much to drink. I wandered over to the bathroom door which was open a crack. I’d wince every time the pony vomited.
“Silver?” I called out, knocking my hoof against the door, “are you okay?”
There was a laugh before another groan and dry-heave. The toilet flushed and the water ran and I wandered inside. Silver-Lined dunked his muzzle into the sink and began to clean himself off. His mane was tussled in disarray as if he had been shocked and his eyes were droopy and bloodshot. He gave another laugh after looking at his trashed self in the mirror then turned to me.
“Don’t drink,” he said and rubbed my mane.
“Celestia,” he groaned before plopping himself on the bed, “Berry Punch sure knows how to work the heavy beverages.”
He regurgitated and I fetched a bucket for him.
“We’re meant to be looking for another pal, Jelly Jumper,” Silver-Lined said weakly, “funny stallion, he was. An amazing orange coat and teal mane with a cutie mark of wrapped sweets to match his bubbly personality.”
“So almost like you?” I asked, “you’re funny and sweet and stuff.”
Silver-Lined laughed before letting out a sonic rainboom of a belch.
“Eh, I guess,” Silver-Lined said.
I trotted outside to find Brass Tacks pawing at the floor in boredom. His eyes lit up as I left the room. The large stallion towered over me again, a huge grin on his face.
“We’re going to the Everfree Forest!” he exclaimed.
“Oooh!” I hopped on all fours. “Is that where Jelly Jumper is?”
“Jelly J- what? Who said anything about that lunatic?” Brass Tacks asked.
“Silver-Lined said we’re going to be looking for him, to join the revolution,” I said.
Brass Tacks shook his head. “Well Silver-Lined isn’t particularly up for the task now, is he? I could hear him from out here. Poor sod can’t keep a drink down like I can. But anyways, we’re going to the Everfree Forest to recover some of Zecora’s stuff.”
“Who’s going?” I asked.
“You, me,” Brass Tacks said and placed his hoof under his chin in thought, “yeah that’s about it, you and me.”
“N- no…” I said nervously, “there’s so many scary monsters in there, not even the zebras wanna go there anymore!”
Brass Tacks snorted and rubbed my mane and the worried look on my face disappeared, replaced with a look of happiness. I hopped on all fours and cheered for a reason I didn’t even know. Brass Tacks raised a brow before laughing again.
“You’re crazy, kid,” Brass Tacks said, “but I love ya.”
We wandered downstairs. Everypony was sluggish and tired as they mumbled to each other. They raised their mugs as if lifting heavy weights and gave a half-hearted cheer as we left. I didn’t like the idea of entering the Everfree Forest, it was close to Ponyville and it was home to the monsters of Equestria.
* * *
We were at the opposite end of the entrance to the Everfree Forest from Ponyville. Signs were placed in and around the boundaries of the forest. They warned anypony nearby of monsters and mysterious creatures. A deep rumble echoed throughout the forest as we entered and I hugged Brass Tacks’ back.
“Why are we here alone?” I asked.
“Because I feel that we needed to bond, you know? I never wanted to hurt you.” Brass Tacks’ voice was oddly mellow.
We continued on through the forest. It felt like it was night as the thick foliage screened the safety of Celestia’s sun from us. There was a roar from afar and Brass Tacks said that it was the roar of a Manticore: the lion-dragon things with scorpion tails. I had only ever read them in my little foal’s books back in Gallapolopolis.
“I’d never lie to you,” Brass Tacks finally said, “I’m blatantly blunt and can’t lie to save my life, as you could probably tell.”
I nuzzled his mane and he let out a content huff before bouncing me on his back. He seemed more relaxed after letting out his thoughts. There was a rustle in the leaves and the distorted cluck of a Cockatrice came from behind us. Brass Tacks froze and I turned around. The Cockatrice stared into my eyes and I squealed in fright. Brass Tacks gave a bit of a jump and I fell off of his back, breaking the gaze between the Cockatrice and myself.
The Cockatrice clucked in anger and charged for me. Brass Tacks dove in front, bucking it in the head and it flew into a tree. It clucked again before slumping down into the bushes and it went quiet. Brass Tacks studied me carefully, making sure I was okay. He smiled softly and helped me up.
We ventured close to the edge of Ponyville. The borderline was fenced off with high, dark iron bars with pointy spikes at the top. There were floating patches of land in the sky and the cotton candy clouds were numerous. Where there was meant to be grass, there was a white and pink checkerboard. The pathways had been turned to soap and some ponies floated around in the sky, their eyes swirling like whirlpools and their tails rotating like a merry-go-round. It was true Discord Chaos.
We turned back towards the forest before giving another glance. There, just beyond the cotton candy clouds and around the white, fluffy cloud house was the silhouette of a soaring Draconequus. A cackle echoed through the air, sending shivers down my spine and making Brass Tacks freeze. Eventually Brass Tacks shook it all off and galloped into the forest, leaving Ponyville behind.
Zecora’s Hut was nearby in a clearing which let the sunshine in. The trees around us concealed the darkness and danger of the Everfree Forest and there was a distant roar followed by the clucking of multiple Cockatrice. We entered the hut in a hurry, shutting the door behind us. Books among books lined the shelves, bottles, canisters, buckets and jugs of different substances were hanging from the ceiling and were lined on a table. There was a purple witch’s hat lying on the workbench, it was decorated in pretty stars of blue and yellow. Brass Tacks placed the hat on my head and we laughed at how huge it was and how goofy it looked.
Our laughter stopped short as we studied the workbench. A box containing a mortar and pestle, beakers, test tubes and other organic stuff for potion-making was lying on the bench. Some of the potions looked untouched as they were covered in cobwebs and dust. The books were all about unicorn pony magic and the innate magic of both earth ponies and Pegasi.
“Zecora was a pony fanatic?” I asked, “she seemed more interested in her zebra brews instead of actual magic.”
It suddenly grew dark outside and there was another cackle, a mare’s cackle. A Manticore’s roar boomed outside the hut and everything inside shook. A paw came in through the hut’s windows and struck Brass Tacks across the face, sending him to the ground. We both crashed into table, sending the books into the air.
“You dare disturb the Great and Powerful Trixie?” The voice of the mare boomed in the darkness.
A gust of wind threw Brass Tacks against the wall and I cowered under the table. It all felt familiar, I was hiding under a table while Brass Tacks was getting beaten, again, just like in the Lost Ones' warehouse. I was not going to let it happen again. I trotted outside and yelled, the cold swelling up inside me and tingling my horn.
“Stop it!” I yelled, “you’re nothing but a stupid bully!”
The Manticore took me by surprise, leaping onto my back and pinning me to the ground with one paw. I yelped in terror as the Manticore grazed my back with a claw slowly as if he were playing with his prey. A flock of Cockatrice was running wildly in front of me while clucking their demonic dissonance. The silhouette of a mare stood in the darkness and took the big hat off of my head and placed it on her own. Her eyes and horn both glowed with intense magic.
Brass Tacks rammed into the Manticore’s side and sent it crashing into a tree. It gave a fierce roar before it was imprisoned in bars of concentrated magic. Magical copies of ponies encircled Brass Tacks and me and charged at us one by one. One of them managed to clop me over the head and I hugged the ground, two of the ponies bucked Brass Tacks from both sides, sandwiching him. We stood back up and took a fighting stance; I channeled a magical ward to absorb the incoming hits.
One of the copies charged for me with a flying buck but hit the ward. It gave a mechanical cry before disappearing into small blocks which faded away with the wind. The two copies that had sandwiched Brass Tacks tried again but Brass Tacks ducked and the two copies bucked each other and they, too, disappeared with the wind. The silhouette of the mare watched us closely. Three of the copies charged for me at once with flying bucks and the three of them managed to dispel my ward which caused me to fly back and crash into the hut. Brass Tacks took a defensive stance over me as I stood up.
“We can’t fight them all.” He was breathing heavily, “there’s no way we can win this.”
The copies disappeared and the silhouette stepped fourth into the light. It was a mare with an azure coat and cyan mane. Her eyes were a light magenta and were glowing like flames as her magic intensified on Brass Tacks. Brass Tacks croaked and tried to reach for his neck as his face began to turn a sick purple and blue colour. She was choking him. She gave a cackle as she stepped forward.
The coldness was back in my mouth and I screamed, sending an icy wind fourth. The mare’s eyes widened as the icy wind hit her, interrupting her focus and dispelling her magic. She fell to the ground and began to shiver. I immediately felt guilty and ran over to the mare. This was the second time I had hurt somepony and the burden that came with murder wasn’t something I liked.
“Ow,” the mare groaned.
Brass Tacks’ breathing was labored as he walked forward. He propped me on his back and nudged the mare as she slipped into unconsciousness. The Manticore had disappeared into the forest along with the flock of Cockatrice. We dragged the mare into the hut with us and waited for her to wake up. She was a pretty mare. Her cape was the same as her hat; purple, decorated with yellow, blue and white stars. On the inside of the cape’s collar was a stitched name that read: ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie’.
* * *
A blue hoof clobbered Brass Tacks’ muzzle sending his head reeling back. I turned my attention away from the books and saw that Brass Tacks was struggling with holding Trixie down. She yelled angrily and constantly asked us if we knew who she was. Brass Tacks did.
“The Witch of the Woods,” Brass Tacks said.
Trixie gave a content huff before relaxing. Brass Tacks removed his hooves from her forelegs and she sat up on the table. She flipped her mane to the side and rubbed dirt off of her flank. Her cape fell from around her back and her hat slumped off of her head as her face turned solemn.
“I never liked that name,” she admitted, “it’s sooo degrading. I’m not a witch, I’m a unicorn. A great one at that.”
“Feel flattered,” Brass Tacks said, “even Discord won’t go near here because of all the illusions you can create. Wow, you should think of it like this: a mare who has the power to make even chaos falter.”
Trixie smiled slyly. “Yeah, I’m pretty amazing.”
“We could use someone like you, a pony with extreme magical powers,” Brass Tacks said.
Was he flirting?
Trixie blushed and put on her cape and hat. “Well why would I want to get rid of Discord? Everything I’ve ever wanted his here. I’m alone, just me and my unicorn magic.”
“You’ve always wanted a spotlight,” Brass Tacks said, “a lot of ponies back home know of you and what you’re capable of.”
“Or they just remember my big mouth…” Trixie sighed.
There was a long pause as Trixie began to pace around the hut. She gave me a quick glance but continued back into her thoughts.
“I lied about the Ursa Major, sure,” Trixie said, “but that doesn’t mean I’m nothing, that I don’t know magic as well as anypony else. I know just as much as that Twilight Sparkle.”
Brass Tacks hushed her softly and began to comfort her. I shot him a glance but he brushed it off. I felt invisible.
“Everypony will appreciate your presence, we need you,” Brass Tacks whispered into her ears.
“G- Give me a minute to pack my things.” Trixie was blushing. “Where do you want to me to go?”
“Trotten,”
“Trotten… okay, I will meet you there,” Trixie said.
And with that, Brass Tacks hurried me out of the hut before turning around to flash one of his genuine smiles at Trixie. The coldness came back but settled quickly.
* * *
Brass Tacks hadn’t said a word to me on the way back to Trotten. I accused him of cheating again but he said nothing, only frowned. I tried to stomp on his back but it didn’t even faze him, he just kept on walking without a break in his stride. I began to hop up and down, landing deliberately to catch his attention. He turned around so quickly that I fell to the rocky ground.
“WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?” he flared.
I cowered against the rocks and hid my face.
“Not a minute goes by where you don’t receive attention. We get it; you’re a foal, foal’s need attention. But you need to stop looking for it,” Brass Tacks said angrily, “you’re annoying, you’re so thin-skinned. How about you grow a pair and toughen up.”
He continued on fourth to Trotten. I followed behind him with sluggish steps. He grunted in frustration as I began to cry and he kept on going. Eventually my vision was obscured by the tears and I fell into the dirt, muzzle first. Brass Tacks gave another frustrated grunt and helped me up. I yelled, wrestling in his grip and galloped towards Trotten on my own. The last thing on my mind before I went into a full sobbing fit outside the Trotten gates was ‘grow a pair of what?’
