The Discord Accord

Chapter 5

The nightmares... they never ended... no matter how hard he tried to fight them off... to convince himself he made no mistake. He constantly told himself that it wasn't his fault. It wasn't his fault; he thought he had been helping his father.

War with the zebras was hard enough on father. Discord had thought that, if he could help, maybe the king would finally accept that Discord was no longer a foal. That he was the eighteen-year old military genious he'd always wanted.

When the news hit Canterlot, King Solaras had nearly planned a collision course with the sun and Discord. The King's general, One-With-Galloping-Blade, a native-Equestrian pony, had reported the prince crashing into the center of a zebra encampment they had been planning to meet with the Zavrosian Emperor. A massive tidal wave of dust and smoke blew down many tents. When the zebras attempted to surrender, as was what they appeared to be doing according to the pony on watch, Prince Discord sent fire and raw plasma energy in every living zebra's direction, other than the Emperor. Discord remembered what the words passed between the two to this very day, as the bodies of zebra troops lay scattered all around, creating an eerie silence, which Discord took pride in, for he'd believed he'd done an act worthy of a saint.

"You... why?" The dying monarch choked.

Discord smiled a wide, cruel, evil smile of success. "My father's ponies will no longer die at your hooves, putrid zebra."

"You do not..." a bloody cough. "Understand..." the zebra began gurgling words and crimson liquid simultaniously, but Discord only caught one that would sent icy spears of shame, guilt, and shock through his heart.

Peace...

The worst tragedy had yet to come when Discord was brought to the throne room. King Solaras and Queen Aquarius sat on either cushioned seat, until the King nodded to the queen, who left the room without another word nor even a glance in her son's direction.

However, Solaras had plenty to say. With a hardened, almost deathly stare, he asked in a gruff voice. "Why, Discord?"

The draconaquus prince was kneeling in shame and respect for the king, as not to anger him further. Head down, he responded with a whisper. "I was only trying to... make you happy, father."

"Happy? Happy?!" Solaras' fiery mane literally caught fire as he stood, ready to shout, but the flames died down, and he sighed. "What... possessed you... to believe that slaughtering a potential ally would make me happy?"

At this, Discord looked up in confusion. "But father, the zebras invaded us. We were at war..."

"We ARE at war, still, because of your ignorance!" Solaras' mane hinted combustion once more, embers glowing on his skin. "The Zavrosian emperor was at that camp so we may finally end this bloodshed! By killing him, you've angered their armies! Now, thousands of ponies may die because of you!"

The nerve-racking, thunderous voice of the angered alicorn king should have brought Discord to tears. It should've put him in his place, as was what the king planned to do, as part of his punishment. Remind him that he was still only the lowly prince.

Instead, the acids in the pit of the draconaquus' stomach churned and bubbled with rage and the will to stand up for himself. This time... this time would be different. This time father would listen. However, Discord would forever regret this day. He would hate himself for allowing the bile to become voice. He stood.

"I did what I had to! I was trying to examplify Equestria's power! MY POWER! Use me, father! I can..."

Discord was cut off by Solaras' hoof slamming down on the marble flooring. "I'll do no such thing! You forget your place!"

"No..." Discord whispered. Then raised his voice. "You forget YOUR place! I am far more powerful than you, Solaras! Why..." Then, an idea. "I should be king."

The King only stared at the misshapen creature in utter disbelief. "This... this is unbelievable..." The embers caught the hair, which overheated and created a blinding light of pure heat. "You'd DARE to challange me?! My own son...!"

"I AM NOT YOUR SON!" Electric blue and white energy, hotter than the sun itself, came to life in the now psychotic hybrid. His once onyx pupils were engulfed in a sea of scarlet, surrounded by an ocean of yellow death. "And I will not be titled as such, Solaras!" Discord spat the name, filled with pure venom and hate, as if it were an insult to his very being.

"Then you've no part of this familly!" The King's horn ignited with fire. "Leave this place, monster!"

Somewhere within the inner machinations of Discord's mind, the control center of all that was Discord, both he and what the word represented, something broke. Something was dropped, something caught fire, and some little brain cell in the shape of a draconaquus was smashing a box labeled 'Reality' with a candy cane. Everything fell into complete dissaray and... well... Chaos! Beautiful chaos! The most wonderful, powerful, and hilarious kind of chaos was his chaos! And he had missed it dearly, and will never again try to hide his identity. This resolution was carved in stone with a single word.

"No."

With that, the walls of the palace shook, causing the king to lose his balance. While Solaras got to his hooves, Discord extended a claw, surrounded in grey energy, and squeezed. The same energy engulfed the king, and went flying to one wall, then another. Godly ichor decorated the white marble. The body was sent back to the ground in front of Discord, who was laughing maniacally.

"Hahaha look haha-at you! So hehe pathetic! Ho ho! I should've done this sooner! This is... Priceless!"

The broken king looked up in defiance. Determination sparked in his eyes as a blast of fire shot out of his horn. Discord was caught off gaurd, only barely shielding himself with a ward of energy. The impact of sunlight inferno and chaotic aura caused Discord to be launched into the ceiling.

With a groan, and carefully stabalizing himself, hovering in mid-air, Discord chuckled. "My my, Sol'. I underestimated petty alicorn magic."

The King stood, barely keeping himself up as his broken hindleg threatened to give way. His voice remained that of a proud monarch. "The only thing petty here, Discord, is how quick you are to become arrogant." Another wave of fire tore through the air, but Discord was prepared. Silver energy formed a giant hand, which swatted away the fire. Discord laughed, surrounding the king's horn with the greyer ripples of power. Solaras' went full-panic trying to barbarically shake off the entity's magic.

To no avail. With a loud crack, and a wave of telepathic energy that made the Sonic Rainboom seem like a puny firecracker, the alabaster horn was seperated from the god's forehead. The king screamed in agony. Too bad the barrier Discord had set up to disallow any unwanted guests to enter the room also made a magickal microphone, so the entire kingdom could hear.

Hilarious, Discord thought. That a god can become mortal with a simple barbaric dismemberment.

Blood poured from the wound. Solaras had stopped yelling, but still gasped for breath and tears ran down his face. Discord approached him, lifting his chin with his claw.

"Father... King Solaras..." Discord still felt something for his adopted father. He felt that the king should watch his kingdom fall. "Let's play a game; I let you live, and you pledge your alliegance to me."

The king spat on Discord's face, unable to form words as his mind was in too much mental pain to really think. Only one thing really got through; he'd lost his son.

Discord shook his head. "Tsk tsk tsk. Pity. Goodnight, father." With that, the claw that had been comforting the king now gripped the white neck.

It was too late when the bones in Solaras' neck were broken when Discord heard a gasp from behind. When he saw the tearing face of the princess Celestia, he knew he'd lost her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The pink bed, now soaked in sweat, was torn around as a screaming draconaquus sat up in bed in suprise. The nightmare had faded, and he was in Equestria once more.

However, after his call of terror, he heard a voice to his side. A pink pony sat next to him halfway under the covers, staring at him.

"You okay, Dizzy? What was that all about?"

Discord openned his mouth to answer, but no words came. Finally, after a minute of thought, he stammered. "N.. nothing. I'm fine." He lay down once more, flipping the blanket back on him.

Seemingly hours passed before Discord realized, shooting upright, staring at the fluffy-maned pony to his side; "Why are you in my... your bed..." He shook his head. "I mean...! Why am I in YOUR bed?"

Pinkie Pie giggled. "You looked cold on the couch."

"Why was I on a... Oh..."

"Yeah," She confirmed. Then, changing the subject, she hopped out of the bed. "Well! I'm going to go set up shop! It's late enough already."

"The sun isn't even risen, though..."

"Well, I just want to be sure everything is ready." Pinkie prepared to leave the room, but turned back. "I gotta make sure my early customer get's her usual."

Discord was going to question Pinkie, but she was down the stairs before he could utter a word.

Boredom devoured the draconaquus' mood, turning it sour and impatient. Or at least, until Pinkie would randomly appear in the room to ask him if he was hungry, bored (which he lied about for her sake), or anything he might need.

At some point, around noon, hoofsteps were heard coming up the stairs. Discord paid no mind to them until he heard following thumps. With haste, he hid under the bed, magical camoflauge mechanism active. The door openned, and a sound that was somewhat like a voice, though more annoying and nagging (reminding him of Celestia), asked; "Where is he?"

It was Twilight Sparkle! The Princess' little pet!

I'm doomed...

That is, he thought that 'till another voice, this one more gruff and harsh than the other, accused, "He probably ran off. Whimp!"

"Hey!" Pinkie's voice nearly shouted in that high-pitch, squeaky tone. "Don't be so mean!"

"He almost completely ruined our friendship and destroyed Equestria! I can say anything I want about that... that..."

"Monster?" Pinkie finished. "I'm telling you guys; he's really changed! I mean, after last night..."

"I don't care what you guys did last night!" Meany-head McJerk Pants spat. "He's still a bucking creep that...!"

"ENOUGH!" Twilight yelled. Speaking to Jerkface McGee, she said; "Look, we need to at least talk to him. Ask him what he's going to do now. If he was willing to be civil for a night, then he must have a good reason for coming to Pinkie. He could have went anywhere, but he went to a bearer of harmony instead. Let's give him a chance, Rainbow?"

A groan. "Fine..."

To Pinkie, Twilight said. "And Pinkie, Rainbow isn't in the wrong, either, when she's aware that Discord IS the puppet master. He may just be using you for his benefit, but like I said; We need to know for sure."

Pinkie made a silent agreement.

"All right. Now..." The lavander unicorn questioned. "Where is he?"

Hoofsteps to the bed, then Pinkie appeared, upside-down, and smiled at Discord. "Right here!" she called.

Discord was slightly embarrassed that they would all know he'd been listening in on them the entire time, but was also proud to have Pinkie Pie as his defendant. He wondered whether that was a good or bad thing, but settled for mystery. Beggers couldn't be choosers. He got to his feet on the opposite side of the bed with a sheepish smile.

Rainbow Dash looked like she were ready to buck him in the face and stomp the remains away. To her left stood the silent (yet deadly, as last night proved) pegasus; Fluttershy, who looked absolutely horrified. In her eyes, he saw images of him tearing her to pieces or turning her into a candy cane. He would enjoy such things, but her expression made him feel guilty for thinking this way.

Finally, Braineyak Brown-snouter Twilight Sparkle stood next to a nervous Pinkie Pie. Twilight looked neither angry nor happy to see him. She looked... indifferent. As if she were just here to settle unfinished buisiness. Like he were some sort of criminal and she were the neutral judge. This made Discord slightly unnerved, for the last time he'd seen her, she had hated his very being. The change was not unwelcomed, but not so much welcomed either. Merely... foreign.

Discord shifted his body to lean on the bedpost, wearing a fresh smirk, his cocky attitude returning. "Well! How lovely to see Celestia's little helpers again!"

Rainbow Dash sneered. "Shut up! You're lucky I'm..."

"Rainbow, remember what we talked about?" Twilight snapped.

"Um... yeah, Rainbow. Uh..." Fluttershy's voice was quiter than a whisper, yet still audible. "He might hurt you if he..."

Discord burst into laughter. When he settled down, wiping a tear out of his eye, he shot behind Fluttershy, levitating, curled around her. "Oh my dear, I wouldn't think of such a thing! If I wanted to harm anypony..." He sped in front of the pgasus, cupping her face in his talon. "II wouldn't use your barbaric methods. I'd simply toy with your petty pony minds."

"Get off of me!" Dash swatted him away, but no contact made as he disappeared. Pinkie then decided to pipe up.

"Nawww. Dizzy wouldn't do anything like that! He's good now!"

"Dizzy?" Twilight cocked her head to the side.

Ignoring the embarrasment of his nickname being used, Discord chuckled. "That I am, Pinkie Pie!" Reappearing on the bed, lying down, he added. "I've learned that my chaos is unwelcomed here, in Equestria."

Twilight shook her head. "As much as I'd like to, I don't believe the god of dissaray would just 'stop' being chaotic."

Discord once again laughed. "Sweet gods, no, my little pony!" He sat up on the bed, legs crossed. "I will simply find my own way of creating mischief and amuzing myself in a fashion more appealing to your ponies. That is, if Celestia doesn't try her Elements on me again.

"Speaking of which," He continued, raising an eyebrow. "Shouldn't she be here by now?"

"Why would she? Does she even know you're here?" Twilight asked.

"I had assumed you informed Ms. Joykill of my location?"

Twilight Sparkle stared at him in annoyance.

Discord rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll lay off." He Summoned a golden, jewel encrusted mirror in his hand, which viewed the princess reading a large book in the Canterlot Palace library. "But seriously; You haven't snitched on poor old Discord yet?"

The unicorn shook her head. "Pinkie assured us that you had at least the benefit of doubt."

"That I do." He said, observing still the alicorn in the mirror. Celestia looked around, seemingly aware of the spy, but never looked directly at the mirror's POV. "Ha! Look at her face!" After a few giggles, the god cleared his throat. "I'm amazed that the Princess' prize protage is keeping secrets from the royal highness."

"Like I said; I trust Pinkie's word."

"Awww," Pinkie Pie gave her friend a hug worthy of an Ursa Minor. "Thanks, Twi!"

Twilight gasped for air. When her already purple face turned a deeper shade of the color, Pinkie released her. Several breaths of air and an awkward smile at her friend, Twilight addressed Discord.

"Anyway, before I let you off, I need to know what everypony thinks of your staying here first."

Discord gave a double take. "Everypony... as in Ponyville?!"

To Discord's dismay, Twilight nodded. But she corrected herself. "Well... not everypony. Just our friends."

"And they would be...?"

"Ponies we think should know about you, without letting word get out completely." Twilight turned to Pinkie. "Obviously you are fine with him here."

Pinkie Pie, without any doubt, nodded vigurously. "But he can't stay here anymore. It's too dangerous. If some customer decided to come up here, he'd be seen. Plus it's waaay too crowded."

Twilight put a hoof to her chin, expression turning sour, then she sighed. "Fine. Discord, you can stay at the library for the time being.

"Fluttershy..." The butter-colored pegasus looked at Discord, then Twilight again. After some silence, she nodded.

Twilight smiled. "Good. Now..." She faced the gruff rainbow pegasus who'd been almost as silent as Fluttershy throughout the entire discussion. "Rainbow?"

Rainbow Dash gave Discord another of her deathly glares, to which he grinned.

Damnit... Rainbow thought. She sighed in exasperation.

"Fine. But only because Fluttershy thinks he's cool and you seem to think this is best, Twi." When she finished, she trotted to the window. "I'll go get Rarity and Applejack. In fact, I'll get everypony to Sweet Apple Acres. It's best if we get everyone there and tell them all at once."

"Sounds like a plan." Twilight agreed. "Now, Discord, as much as you'll hate me for saying this, we're also sending word to Princess Luna to come as well."

"WHAT?!" Discord choked on a taffy cookie he had been munching on in boredom. "ARE YOU INSANE?!"

"I understand you two have had your differences..."

"She HATES me!"

Twilight continued. "But she's vital to this plan. She knows you are here, as of last night, and she won't tell Celestia if she's convinced to do otherwise."

Discord groaned. "And about last night; I expected better from Equestria's most talented unicorn! I'm thoroughly disappointed in both you and Luna! Pinkie, yes. Fluttershy, a slight shocked, but the goddess of night and Celestia's student?!"

Twilight stomped her hoof. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep up with such reputations that she and I have?! It's not like everything is fun and games for me! I have responsibilities!"

"As do I, Twilight Sparkle." Discord sneered. The unicorn's accusation that he was unnaware of the princess' stress was outragous, as well as her thinking he had it 'all good', as it were. "Have you any idea what I have been through?!"

"I know you're a tyrant and tried to destroy Equestria."

The draconaquus god scoffed at this. "And who told you this?"

"Princess Celestia."

"Perhaps, it would be best if I told you the truth... the WHOLE truth, my ignorant little pony..."

A/N- I apologies in advance for my lack of updates! My computer had to be completely disasembled and I had NO access to it whatsoever! I do hope you enjoyed this chapter! Anyway, I bid you all farewell, 'till next update!