The Discord Accord
Chapter 2
The rainbow spread all across the land that was recently named Equestria. The massive shock-wave of color even reached the border of Cervidas across the ocean, Eternity's Crossing. The clouds and rainy weather was blown away and torn asunder as the rainbow swept the land. A trail of color eminated from the eye of the explosion that amazed all who witnessed, burning through the atmosphere faster than even the King or Queen had ever flown. The rainbow shot downward and, just before touching the ground, pulled up and into the sky.
A certain alabaster alicorn filly clapped in amazement. Her soft pink hair bounced on her shoulders as she jumped and whooped.
Amazing! I've never seen something so beautiful! She thought to herself. The rainbow arced, curving around and straight to the princess' location. Celestia gasped in suprise when the flier smashed into the earth, approximately four meters to her left. Rocks and pebbles showered her from all around, but she hardly took notice. Her attention was on the broken form below, which was howeling in pain, gripping its unnaturaly-angled reptile leg. Celestia galloped to its side in the center of the smallish crater.
As Celestia reached the body, it put a talon on its wing, which was twisted into an unnatural position, obviously broken. The alicorn filly gently pried its claw off of the appendage, taking into her own hooves. "Let me see..." The webbed skin connecting the tip of the bat-like wing to its body was ripped in two. It was indeed a serious wound, but other than slight grunts of pain when the wing twitched, the creature gave no hints as to how badly it hurt. It chuckled.
"Well," Another cringe of pain. "THAT could've gone better, wouldn't you agree?"
Celestia smiled ear-to-ear. "You did it..."
"What?" The creature gave the princess a confused look.
Celestia laughed in glee. "You did it! You broke the sound barrier! A sonic rainboom! I knew you could do it, Dizzy!" She pressed her lips gently on its furry cheek in a minor kiss, throwing her forelegs around it. It was only a show of giddy emotion, but it made its face red as a cherry.
Its scarlet mismatched pupils floated to the rainbow that was reverberating through the air like sound waves, allowing the sunlight that was originally behind dank, grey clouds to shine upon the earth. "I... I did! I knew Commander Hurricane was wrong when she said it was impossible! She's just jealous that I'm faster than her. Oh, happy day!" It rose to its feet and hopped in mirth, only to collapse to the ground again when it felt the aggonizing pain in its leg. Celestia giggled.
"Come on, Discord. I don't think mother's going to like that you hurt yourself... again. Let's get you to the infirmery." She motioned with her hoof for the draconaquus to rise, but he only sat there with a vacant expression.
"My wing and leg are broken," He deadpanned. "I won't be going anywhere."
Celestia stared blankly at him. "You can levitate, remember? You're just being lazy. She had to hide her smirk at his childish behavior she so loved.
Discord looked honestly confused.
How is he such a good actor? Celestia thought.
Then, said draconaquus gave a loud 'ooooh' as realization hit him. "You're right!" And with that, he snapped his talon. A flash of light and he appeared at the princess' side, hovering in mid- air.
Celestia smiled. Holding up a map of the known area, she pointed to a random spot. The tip of her hoof lay on an illustration of mountains. "Okay, we're here. The closest town," The hoof shifted to a small collection of cloud buildings to the west of the mountains. It was fairly puny compared to the enormous cloud city in Cervidas, Pegasopolis, but it was only recently settled. "Is Cloudsdale."
Discord raised an eyebrow. "Cloudsdale? That back-wash town? I don't think that's the best place, seeing as how Commander Hurricane probably wants to skin me alive if I tell her I pulled a Sonic Rainboom."
Celestia chuckled. "I'm sure." She said sarcastically. Slipping the map back into her saddlebag, and hefting the sack onto her back, Celestia lifted herself into the air, the flapping of her wings almost inaudible.
The adolescant chimera huffed, crossing his arms but tailing his younger friend. "I still think we should go someplace else." He muttered silently.
The duo made their way west, one flapping white wings and the other soundlessly slipping through the air, completely, deliberately, defying gravity and using his chaotic powers to drag himself after the princess.
Discord stayed behind Celestia most of the way. Sometimes, he'd catch himself fantasizing about a fictional life where he and the younger alicorn were sweethearts, constantly kissing and hugging and cuddling. Of course, being around fifteen years of age, hormones pumped through his body, urging him to put extra focus on the make-out scenes. When his mismatched eyes drifted unconciously toward the princess' flank, he'd shake his head in disgust, having so bluntly observing the filly of his dreams.
He found it strange that he had such feelings toward his sister-like friend. They'd been raised from foalhood in the same home, under the careful watch of Celestia's parents, the King Solarus and Queen Aquarius. He shouldn't have such an odd crush on the filly princess. Yet, he did, and there was no ridding himself of that fact. He tried to think back to when it had originated. It was difficult to track, as he had had these feelings for a long time now.
Discord thought of a time before he felt this way. Then, it dawned on him, and dawned was the correct term. He learned of his love for Celestia when she'd first successfully raised the sun, without her father's aid. It had been such a gorgeous sight to the foal draconaquus. Her hot pink mane flowed in the intense breeze eminating from the east, where all of her magical power was focused on raising the burning giant into the air. Her form glowed with energy and all of the glory of the star. The spectical had brought tears to his eyes. It was then that his heart took in her beauty and openned up.
Discord realized he'd been staring at Celestia, a goofy smile plastered on his face. He also realized she was looking right back at him, her own smile indicating his expression must've been the dumbest, yet funniest, thing she'd seen in a while. She giggled as his face turned red.
"You all right back there, Dizzy?"
Discord nodded slowly. He looked away in embarrasment, which only served to make the little princess giggle once more. Finally, he turned back to his friend. "Y... yeah, I'm fine. Just a little... anxious to get there?" His lie was almost a question, and he knew that he was a terrible liar, usually resorting to bending the truth, not directly altering it. Usually, this wasn't a problem, as Celestia was an extremely gullible pony. This time, however, she caught on. She always seemed to know when only Discord was lying.
"Discord," she said rather seriously, which slightly intimidated the chimera. "If there's something the matter, you can tell me." She blinked those pretty little magenta eyes of hers. "I'm your best friend."
Discord shifted his gaze to a passing mountain. He couldn't tell his love how he felt. She was too perfect for an ugly creature like him. He also couldn't lie to her face when she was now directly interrogating him. Then, an idea jumped to his ever-so-clever mind of his. He pretended to be upset about an emberrassing matter, which wasn't hard, seeing as how he was. He sighed, shutting his eyes.
"It's about... a mare..." Discord blushed. "That I may... kind of... maybe... in a way... sorta... like." He muttered the last word, knowing it couldn't possibly describe how he felt toward the princess, but decided to stick with it for now.
Celestia's face lit up. Clapping her hooves together, she squeeled. Ooooh, Dizzy! I'm so happy for you! You're in love!"
No kidding, Discord thought.
"So," The overjoyed filly continued, her smile never wavering. "Whose the lucky filly you've got your eyes on? I bet she's pretty!"
You don't say?
Discord nodded. "She's beautiful."
"So who is it?" She asked, curiousity overflowing. This made Discord uneasy. If he didn't come up with a way to steer the conversation away from this topic...
All too conveniently, out of the corner of his vision, Discord caught sight of a tall cloudy structure. Turning his head, he saw the structure build and build untill it was an entire collection of hydrogen homes and rainbows spouting from the tower in the center of the city. Cloudsdale was, for its small size and young age, a gloriously flourishing trade center for pegasi traveling all across Equestria. It was a wonderous sight, 'till you noticed the damage.
The cloud structure had tears in the fields of streats and cracks in the buildings. The rainbow tower had a large chunk of cloud taken out of it, pegasi swarming the broken area to repair before the structure tumbled over and caused more damage than there already was. Civilians were flying all over to reach their homes to tend to their families. Everypony seemed terribly frightened and panicked.
Discord frowned. Turning his attention back to Celectia, whos jaw hung low in shock, he asked, pointing timidly to the city. "D... did my Rainboom do that!"
Celestia nodded reluctantly, still flabbergasted by the fact that such a spectacle could rouse such devastation. Finally, after a few moments of awe, she turned to Discord. "What will we do?"
"I..." Discord began, but halted. He didn't know what he would do. It was either confront the King and Queen on this matter, or lie his way out. The latter seemed like the most beneficial option for him. Then, the thought of Commander Hurricane's rage and his possible punishment made his decision much easier, had he not thought of how Celestia would react to his lie, and wether she could stand up for her friend and lie to her parents for his sake. "They... they don't need to know."
Celestia's eyes widened. "You mean lie? Discord, I don't want you to get in trouble, but you may have hurt somepony. Look at the city!"
It was true. Cloudsdale, even from the distance they were at, was in a state of utter chaos. It wasn't the amusing chaos that Discord enjoyed; chaos that didn't harm, that only annoyed or irritated somepony, but never deliberately hurt or worse... killed. This chaos was alien to Discord, and though he'd, in the future, learn to enjoy other's suffering, that was then, not now. Now he wasn't sure what to do other than worm his way out of taking the blame. But he certainly didn't want to get Celestia dragged into this; to be forced to play along and participate in this selfish act. So he made a decision.
"I know, Tia." Discord held both of her hooves in his plaws (A clever mixture of his paw and claw, which he had come up with, being the talented goofball he was). He dawned a serious expression, looking her straight in the eyes. "I'm going to go speak with Hurricane. Go to father and tell him what happened here."
Celestia shook her head vigerously, tears threatening to flood her vision. "No no no! I won't let you do this alone."
"And I won't let you take the blame for my mistakes." He interrupted. "I'll handle this, don't you worry." He gave a weak smile and rubbed her head, ruffling her mane.
The princess didn't buy it. "No, Dizzy, I can't..."
"You don't have a choice. It's my responsablity to make sure my actions don't go unpunished. I'm sorry, Tia." Celestia tried to protest, but Discord snapped his fingers, and in a flash of blinding light, his crush was sent to Canterlot Palace throne room.
Discord put a paw to his head, a migraine clawing its way into his mind. It always took a massive amount of his magical ability. He was still learning the basics of teleportation magic, and transporting another body long-distance was tough enough. His chaotic powers were immense and untamed, having powers of the King ten-fold. Although, even in possession of this raw power, his abilities were limited in and he was inexperienced in alicorn magic. The peaceful energy used to connect the magic within with the wielder's antics and the spell being used wasn't in Discord's nature. Even being raised to use this energy, his spirit cried out at him to use the chaos that boiled within him; the cosmic and unlimited power that ached to be released. But he knew better than to succum to his evil nature. He had been raised better. So, he had decided long ago to simply learn the ways of peaceful magic, though he still slipped in a few spells he liked to use when he was bored or looking to prank a pony.
Once the headache subsided, the pain now returning to his broken leg and wing, still levitating, Discord slipped through the air toward the cloud city, where a very angery Commander Hurricane was handling problems of her own...
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"What do you mean, the rainbow tower is disabled?"
Commander Hurricane shouted at the pegasus in front of her. The timid butter-colored Private shook in fear at the officer's growing rage.
"The... the tower took m...massive damage, sir. The rainbows aren't f... flowing correctly and the shockwave caused the spectra to fly all over the walls." Private Pansy's voice stuttered to give the report on the damage. So far, fourteen had been blown so roughly that the walls were coming apart. No pony had died, thank the King, but several were injured. Disorder coursed through the city, causing everypony to run in panic and abandon their jobs. Only once the city police had orginized the mobs into groups outside the shelters, which consisted of strong black clouds that hadn't been penetrated in the slightest, had order been, for the most part, restored in Cloudsdale. Fear of a second Rainboom had the civilians being filed into the shelters by military officials.
Commander Hurricane snorted in annoyance. "That's just GREAT! It'll take weeks to repair!" She tried to stifle her anger by lowering her voice and changing the subject. "Has the cause of the Sonic Rainboom been identified, at least?"
Private Pansy stood straight, her courage increasing to show that she was completely serious and professional. "No, sir. We have several cantidates and suspects, but no confirmed ponies."
"Have them taken to the Correctional facility while we figure out how we're going to handle the situation. Once the chaos dies down, we can gather the council and confront the suspects."
Private Pansy saluted. "Yes, sir." And she galloped out of the war room to tend to her duties.
Commander Hurricane paced back and forth behind the large mapped table in the center of the room. Suddenly, all the banners hanging from the poofy walls flapped about and papers on tables flew all around the room as a strong gush of wind rushed in. The all-too-familiar mismatched body sliced through the air following the gust. He stopped in front of the armored cyan pegasus, who was still wide-eyed in suprise at the sudden entry.
Discord gasped for air and panted from the exaustion of flying through the castle halls to the war room. The journey drained the small amount of magic he'd had after transporting the princess, so his body was on reserves for energy.
Hurricane regained her senses, taking on a frustrated expression. "Discord! What's your problem? I had all of these documents organized!" She stomped her hoof. "What's so important that you had to interrupt my work?"
Discord began to speak once more, but the commander's attention was drawn to his wing. She galloped to him and held him still, examining the flight appendage while Discord's heart slowed down from its marathon. "What happened to your wing... and your leg?"
Discord waved his paw. "Nevermind that, I have to..."
"You need to get to the infirmery, stat! Before this gets worse." She whistled and a gaurd rushed in. Hurricane called for a stretcher to carry the crippled draconaquus. Despite his protests and insisting that he was fine, he was wheeled to the hospital wing of the castle, Hurricane by his side.
The medics stopped her at the door to his room, telling her that they needed to treat the wounds without interruption. She huffed, but obeyed. Even with her authority and command over the city and the power given to her by the King, the medical professionals knew what they were doing, and she respected their experiance. Thus, she lounged in a chair in the waiting room. Official matters could wait; seeing the young chaotic spirit and prince so wounded was frightening. The thought of somepony having such brutal power to take him down unnerved her, so she had to give him her full attention and question him as to what happened.
A few hours passed. The commander had fallen asleep in her comfortable seat in utter boredom and worry. When her dreams were disrupted by a door swinging open, her eyes did the same. She stood up and trotted over to the Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Syringe, an alabaster pegasus with a long crimson mane. His mane-style was odd for a stallion, as colts weren't usually prone to allowing their hair to reach past their shoulders. His slim figure and feminine voice, complimenting his girly stance and behavior, often had everypony confusing him for a mare. Once, when he and his niece, Heartfelt, had been to the cafe, a bulky stallion had approached him and really made the colt upset. The stallion grabbed at his flank and pulled him in close, saying 'Hey beautiful, how about you and me go someplace we won't get... interupted.'
Syringe's reaction to this was to turn around and buck the pervert right in his muzzle. The stallion fell to the ground and, standing over his bleeding face real close, whispered. "Next time, don't go around grabbing on COLTS, you sick freak." And with another angry kick, he and his giggling niece exited the cafe.
"How bad is it?" Hurricane asked Syringe. The doctor smiled.
"He'll be juuuust fine, ma'am. Prince Discord simply needs to stay off of that leg for about, say... a month or so and replace the gauze on his wing every once in a while." Dr. Syringe frowned in worry. "Though, he's been going on about how he desperately needed to speak with you."
Commander Hurricane said. "Thanks, Syringe."
The colt looked around suspiciously to make sure nopony was within earshot. Upon spying a nurse passing by, he nodded to her, which she replied, continuing down the hall. The doctor put a hoof on Hurricane's shoulder and whispered to her in a serious tone. "I've also noticed something else. I don't think the others saw, but the feathers on his good wing are singed and the skin beneath have minor burns. I haven't seen this before, and I suspect this is a result of overwhelming his wingspeed limits. I suggest you press him on this matter, it may be important."
Hurricane nodded. "I will. Again, thank you, doctor. Hopefully, it can help explain the Rainboom damage."
Dr. Syringe's eyes widened. "You don't think he..."
"I do. I mean, first a Sonic Rainboom occurs, then the Prince comes in with a broken wing with burns moments later. How often do Sonic Rainbooms come attacking the city?"
Syringe looked back to Discord's room door, marked with a bold '34' near the top. Turning back to the commander, he replied. "I trust you. But please, do not openly accuse the Prince, as the King and Queen may get upset, should you be incorrect."
"I'll handle it."
Again, Syringe's hoof rose to Hurricane's shoulder. "I'm trying to help you. As a friend, listen to me when I say it's dangerous to incur the wrath of the royals. As much as you hate to hear this, they are the authority of Ponykind."
Hurricane turned away in irritation. She did despise being reminded that she didn't have the power that she had worked years to obtain. She used to be Commander Hurricane, supreme military official and the ultimate say in pegasi society, then came the Windagos. There had been no problem with uniting with the other pony races, until the alicorns took control, proclaiming that they were all powerful and knew what was best for the 'minor' ponies. But her friend was right; they were in charge now, and her protesting would only be bad on her part. She sighed to release her growing anger, facing the doctor once more.
"You're right, 'Ringe. I'll try not to say anything that'll bite me in the rear."
Dr. Syringe grinned. "Thank you. Now, I'll leave you to it." And with that, he trotted down the hallway, turning a corner and out of sight.
Commander Hurricane eased the door open, the creak of the hinges sending chills down her spine. Once the slab of metal was against the wall, she gasped quietly. Not alot suprised the bold pegasus commander, but what she saw before her was a legendary sight.
The draconaquus lay on a white, pale blue-sheeted bed. A large caste donned his dragonic leg from claw to waste, completely straight. His unharmed leg was parallel to the injured one, hoof on the mattress. His lion paw rested on the eagle talon's elbow, the claw doing the same on the furry arm; crossed, as they always were when he was impatient or annoyed. His gaze was fixed on a poster on the wall in front of the obviously uncomfortable bed. The poster depicted the internationally known stallion who made all the fillies swoon; Thunder Hoof. His wing speeds were marveled by any and all, only outmatched by Commander Hurricane and Discord (who, being the spirit of chaos, had the annoying habit of making logic itself illogical, as his mismatched wings shouldn't reach Mach 7 wingspeed. Suprise suprise, they did, and it agitated Hurricane like hay). Rumor was, Thunder Hoof was holding auditions for the fastest pegasi in Equestria to assemble a team of stunt flyers to join him in his shows to amaze everypony with their orginized tricks. The name wasn't sure yet, but it was something along the lines of; The Lightning Wings, The Fireflyers, or a name Hurricane had suggested; The Wonderbolts. She thought the name was catchy.
Discord heard the door open, and his face lit up at the prospect of company not consisting of stuck-up doctors. Upon seeing the commander, he grinned. Despite his ravaged wing, which was tied up in gauze, and the news he wasn't looking forward to breaking to her, he was happy to finally have some time to talk to her. They acted like children around other ponies, but in private, they were the best of friends. Their competitive attitudes were stifled when they shared their experiences; adventures, fights, flights, etc. They enjoyed extracting the awe of the other when hearing of the marvels each had performed, or the beasts they had faced and defeated.
Commander Hurricane's hooves clip-clopped to Discord's side as he watched her smiling face. "How're ya feelin'?"
Discord gave a dry chuckle. "Swell. Those doctors reeaaally loved twisting my poor leg around and playing with my bucked-up wing. Fun."
"Sounds like it." Hurricane frowned. I'm not here to laugh, she reminded herself. I'm here to find out what happened.
Discord noticed her dramatic change of attitude. He cocked his head to the side. "Whatever is the matter?" Then he remembered why he was here.
"We need to talk."
A/N- Finally! An update! Rawr! Thanks for your patience, everybody! And oh em gee... a cliffhanger! I normally hate them, but I suspected it would work best in this situation. If this chapter was too boring, tell me in a review! Ya'know I'm lovin' the feedback!
