- >You sit at the bar, a mug in hand and head on arm, drowning your sorrows away.
- >It wasn’t your fault. At least that’s what you try to tell yourself.
- >All the logic and reasoning in the world can’t sway what you feel deep down.
- >Humans are emotional creatures and you’re no different.
- >It was a split second decision. He would’ve done the same thing in your shoes.
- >But you can’t know that for sure. You can never know how things could’ve turned out.
- >You lift your head enough to pour more alcohol into your gullet.
- >Only if your parents could see you now, a weeping drunk, a murdering drunk.
- >You can almost hear them nagging in your ear.
- >Anon, how could you? Anon, didn’t I raise you better? Anon Anon Anon…
- >”Anon?”
- >The feminine tune draws you out of your delusion and towards Rainbow Dash.
- “Oh, hi Dash.”
- >”How’re you doing, not like I have to ask,” she says plopping next to you.
- “I could use a drink,” you sigh, finishing off the rest of your cup.
- >Dash orders some water, “I think you’ve had enough to drink already.”
- “You can never drink too much.”
- >”Well I can’t, but you can.”
- >Oho, she’s a clever one.
- >You slouch and bury your face into the hair of your arm.
- >With all this liquor pumping through your veins you could just pass out right here.
- >Oh that would feel so good.
- >Just drift away from here and into your own little world…
- >”It’s not your fault.”
- “Don’t start, please. I’m not shifting blame; I pulled the trigger that stole his life.”
- >You wipe your dampening eyes, cutting off what’s to come.
- “I’m not a killer RD. I’m just a guy trying to make his way in life.”
- >Light falls to his knees and to his back.
- “But you know the worst part is? When I sat next to his dying body, I saw the life leaving his body.”
- >You can see his body go limp. You shudder.
- “And I liked it.”
- >This catches her attention, “Don’t say that.”
- “How can I fight nature? It’s a primal lust that transcends every lesson and morale implanted within me. I’m…”
- >”You’re better than that. We all know you are, so don’t say things like this.”
- >You chuckle and peek your eyes over to Dash.
- “I’m lucky to have such good friends.”
- >Dash rubs a hoof on your back, “What would you do without us?”
- “I don’t know to be honest.”
- >”That question was rhetorical.”
- >You nod, but still… there’s an answer to that question and you’re afraid of it.
- “What time is it?”
- >”A bit early for the hard stuff.”
- >The bartended silently nods. You give him a knowing look and push away your mug.
- “Fine.”
- >”That’s the spirit, now let’s leave this place in the gust.”
- “Don’t you mean dust?”
- >”I know what I said.”
- >You roll your eyes and follow her out the door.
- >She helps keep you steady as you head out the tavern and towards the castle.
- “Why is it so bright?”
- >”The sun’s up.”
- “It wasn’t when I got here.”
- >”This is what happens when you spend all your time at the bar.”
- >Meh. She has a point, sort of.
- >You shield your eyes from the blistering source and hurry through the courtyard and into the castle.
- “The dark… thank Jesus.”
- >A ‘humph’ sounds to your right, an alicorn, deep blue with a mane of stars walking down the hall.
- >She steals a glance at you but keeps on her way, a contingent of guards stepping behind.
- “The hell was that?” you ask with her out of sight.
- >”Luna. She’s uhh, an interesting one. You know her as Nightmare Moon.”
- “Ain’t that a thing.”
- >”Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”
- >She leads the way to a washroom and practically bucks you inside.
- “Could’ve just asked nicely.”
- >You quickly wash up and it’s only then do you realize exactly how much you reek of booze.
- >The stench could melt the foundation right off a building.
- >That’s a funny thought.
- >Oh yeah, bathing…
- >You towel yourself off and get dressed, kinda ruining the point of the bath.
- >Whatever.
- >You step outside, “Took your sweet time did you?”
- “Oops, looks like I missed a spot.”
- >She grabs you before you escape back inside.
- “So,” you yawn, “Am I missing something important?”
- >”Why do you ask?”
- “I mean, it better be important to pull me away from those enticing bottles of paradise.”
- >”It’s just…” she searches for the words, “We all left that place feeling depressed, but you left… different. You have us worried.”
- >”Did you mean what you said back there?”
- “About?”
- >”About Light.” You fake a smile and shake your head.
- “That was the booze talking.”
- >She wipes her head and deeply exhales, “Phew, you had me worried.”
- “Just give the alcohol some time to wear off and I’ll be fine.”
- >The lies are spewing out of you like word vomit.
- >No amount of booze would make you think that.
- >You hold open the door for her, several voices calling your name.
- “Miss me much?”
- >AJ spits on her hoof and shakes your hand, “Nice to see you up and at it.”
- “The feelings mutual,” you reply wiping the saliva off on her neck.
- >You say hi to the others, Fluttershy tugging at your side.
- >”Are you alright?”
- “As good as I can be.”
- >She gives you a knowing look, “Truly?”
- “I’ve been better.”
- >She nestles into you arm and hugs you tenderly, managing to lift your spirits.
- “Just got a whole lot better.”
- >You kiss the top of her head and brush your cheek against her hair.
- >Finally, a truth.
- >The day drags on while you get caught up with the others.
- >Things have been slow, no sign of Discord or his work.
- >It’s as if you broke his will.
- >But having him in your head taught you otherwise.
- >Still, he’s not actively fucking your life which is good news.
- >For now you can relax, not like you weren’t doing that before.
- >Now you get to learn to do it sober.
- >You can’t wait…
- >You take your time and stay focused, eyes locked on target.
- >This is your last chance, there’s no going back.
- >You flick your wrist, the world gone quiet.
- >”Four.”
- “Fuck!”
- >”Language,” Fluttershy peeps up.
- “Sorry, but seriously. FOUR?!”
- >You move your wagon up four spaces.
- >Twilight has a gleam in her eye, “Los Pegasus. That’ll be 4300 bits.”
- >You look at your paltry sum, a good 2k short.
- >All lands mortgaged, no one willing to buy them.
- “I hate this game so much.”
- >”Don’t be such a spoil sport,” AJ retorts behind her mountain of cash.
- “How did you even get that much dosh?”
- >”We got a lot of time in the winter.”
- >Fucking farmhands.
- >You take your leave from the rest, at least you weren’t the first to go out.
- >Still, the only reason Fluttershy lost first was because she bailed you out not once, not twice, but four times.
- >Your ego would’ve been a smoking pile of ashes if not for your sheer will to persevere.
- >Fluttershy tags along, making sure to remind you exactly where your quarters were.
- >The time you spent there has been minimal since you’d gotten back.
- >Back-alleys and bars have left you with a misplaced sense of home.
- >Fluttershy manages to cut through all of that.
- >You’re not sure how you’ve been able to neglect her so, and even more unsure about why she stuck with you through it.
- >You know that you wouldn’t have.
- “So how’ve you been? I never really asked.”
- >”Better now that you’re here.”
- “And before?”
- >”It’s in the past.”
- >The past. Were it so easy to cast it aside.
- >She did though, and if she could so can you.
- >You lie down on your bed and stare at the cold stone ceiling.
- >”Dash told me what you said before…”
- >Your heart skips a beat and you gulp, “So did you mean it?”
- >You open your mouth, but still your tongue.
- >No more lies.
- “I meant what I said, yes.”
- >”Would you do it again?”
- >That’s a new one; no one’s asked you that yet.
- “I guess not.”
- >”You guess?”
- “Just guess.”
- >She joins you by the bedside and looks dead at you, “Promise me you won’t.”
- “How long have we known each other Fluttershy?”
- >She starts counting up in her head, but you cut her off.
- “Long enough to know that I’m not going to make a promise I can’t keep.”
- >”Lie to me then, just say you won’t.”
- >You fall back on the bed.
- “I’m sorry.”
- >Her hooves hit the floor as she gets up, defeat heavy in her voice, “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
- “Just guess.”
- >The door clicks shut as she leaves and you sit up.
- >You had to be a dick. How hard is it to lie, if only to make her feel better.
- >Fucking hell Anon, what’s wrong with you? Do you make it a habit to ruin everything in your life?
- >You catch your head in your hands and rub your eyes before looking at the floor, dollops of water leading to the door.
- “Oh Fluttershy…”
- >You leap to the door and look around for her, finding nothing but empty halls.
- >Just drive a stake through your heart and finish it.
- >You slam the door shut and yell through clenched teeth.
- >This isn’t a drunken rage, this is true rage.
- >You kick over your nightstand, the vase shattering upon impact.
- >You begin demolishing your room and by the time your done you’ve vented the majority of your anger.
- >Just most of it though.
- >A knock sounds at the door, “Everything alright in there?” a guard asks.
- “Just dandy.”
- >”Try and keep it down then.”
- “Yes sir.”
- >Fucking cunt.
- >You cast your eyes to the ground and rub your head in an attempt to bring some peace.
- >Of course, nothing is ever so simple.
- >At least you’re trying, that’s something you guess.
- >You look at yourself in the mirror, the last piece of the room you haven’t demolished.
- >A stranger stares back at you, his eyes cold and unforgiving.
- >But beyond the cold exterior you see an old friend.
- >You raise your fist to strike the reflection, but stop yourself.
- >What would that solve? This is who you are now, and you’re going to have to live with it.
- >You yearn for the past, back on earth where everything was so simple.
- >Go to work, hang with friends, enjoy the easy life.
- >But no, this is what you have to look forward to.
- >The light’s dimmed where only a glimmer of hope remains.
- >You fall back on your bed and close your eyes.
- >You dream of rowing a boat amidst an everlasting ocean.
- >Just you and the world, alone.
- >You cease your rowing as the wind begins to pick up and raise the sail.
- >The piece of cloth is put to the limit by the torturous winds.
- >It tears and shreds to pieces as the waves begin to pound your vessel.
- >Amidst the shrieking winds and thunderous waves you’re lost.
- >You’re knocked off by another wave, your arms sapped of strength as you drift deeper into the ocean.
- >Your chest burns in agony as you hold your breath, it won’t be long.
- >Just accept it. You open your lungs to the torrent of liquid and shut your eyes.
- >*It’s so easy to give in.*
- >You shoot up, body covered in sweat and heart pounding.
- >He’s here.
- >A scream pierces the castle from outside as you stand up.
- >You look out the window and into the courtyard, fires ablaze amongst the foliage and guards frantically moving to and fro.
- >An explosive blast erupts from the center of them, and from the smoke Discord emerges, his infamous smile missing.
- >That is until he sees you.
- >A guard charges him only to be crushed under his mighty tail.
- >He pushes the corpse away and returns his gaze to you and raises his hand.
- >Your eyes go wide as you realize what he’s about to do.
- >You bolt away from the window, the force of the explosion throwing you across the room.
- >You groan and stand back up, your ears deaf and pounding.
- >”If it isn’t the trigger man himself. I hope you’re happy about all this.”
- >His talons grip your throat and pin you against the wall.
- >”I was going to make things different this time around you know. Living in stone has taught me patience, but noooo. You have to ruin everything.”
- >He catches the air as it enters your throat and ceases the flow.
- >”Light was innocent, all he wanted was to be with Chrysalis and I gave him that. Don’t you understand? I could’ve made things better here.”
- >You flail your legs in an attempt to kick him, but he’s too far away.
- >”But I’m done playing around. If I can’t have Equestria, neither can you.”
- >The door bursts open and a rain of gunfire and spectral blasts shoot from outside.
- >Discord snarls and teleports away as Luna comes to your side, “Art though of good health?”
- “W-what?”
- >”She means ‘Are you ok?’” Flavus asks extending his hand.
- >Duff pushes him to the side, “He’s a big boy now, he can take care of himself.”
- >He pulls you up and shoves his pistol in your hands, “You’re going to need this again.”
- “I’m fine, thanks for asking Luna.”
- >She sticks her nose up at your thanks, “Twas merely asserting your condition.”
- >Flavus pats her neck, “That’s her way of saying your welcome.”
- >You don’t doubt it.
- “What are we going to do?”
- >Duff aims down the sights of his pulse rifle, “Twilight’s getting the elements of harmony, in the meantime though, we kill Discord.”
- “It’s not that simple.”
- >”Nothing ever is,” he replies.
- >The others are waiting outside, a few guards among us.
- “We’re all that’s left?”
- >”All those that haven’t fled,” Mickey answers.
- >This doesn’t even faze you anymore.
- >You move down the hall with the others at your back.
- “Let’s kill this bastard.”
- >”We only need to distract him,” Mous persuades you, “When the elements are ready Discord will return to his imprisonment.”
- “A temporary solution at best.”
- >”I have no sympathy for the creature, but it’s his nature, he doesn’t deserve to die.”
- “We’ll see about that.”
- >You turn the corner and a brief smack later you’re flying through the air again.
- >How does he do that?
- >”Oh shi-“
- >You scramble up as Discord begins to assault your team.
- >Flavus tackles Duff, saving him the an oncoming fireball.
- >You stand up and take aim, your bullet turning to silly putty by the time it reaches him.
- >He cackles maniacally and swallows Mickey’s torrent of flame.
- >”Delicious.”
- >Mickey screams and tackles him, drawing his rage to increase his strength.
- >The two crash through the wall and down to the earth below.
- >You peek through the hole, neither of them in sight.
- “Come on,” you shout to the others, “They couldn’t have gone far.”
- >Flash picks up the discarded Incinerator and joins you with Mous.
- >”I’m getting too old for this shit,” Mous jokes.
- >You land in the bushes, Flash and Mous falling soon after.
- “The rest of you guys head around the main entrance!”
- >You don’t wait for a response and move to the garden.
- >Fire burns brightly through this once beautiful place, the critters long abandoning their home.
- >This place was special to her and Discord destroyed it.
- >He’s going to pay.
- >You push through the blaze, your ears guiding you to the sounds of battle.
- >As you emerge Mickey comes flying into a nearby bush, the flames engulfing him.
- >He comes out, face red with rage and body covered in flame.
- >He huffs, the fire disappearing, “About time you got here.”
- >Discord crosses his arms and looks at you four.
- “Let’s complain about it later.”
- >You charge him head on, strategy escaping you.
- >He catches you with his foot and slams you into the dirt.
- >”Pathetic.”
- >You fire again, your bullets as useless as before.
- >He forces the air from your lungs as he steps over you, Flash drawing his sword and circling him.
- >The others do the same, Mous resorting back to his cane and Mickey cracking his knuckles.
- >They come in on all sides, Discord merely sighing and deflecting their attacks.
- >His tail sweeps the ground and sends Mous to the floor clutching his knee.
- >Flash’s sword is stolen from his grasp and kicked away.
- >Mickey lands a punch to his side, but Discord backhands him into the dirt.
- >”Truly disappointing.”
- >Discord perks up, spinning around and lobbing the sword like a javelin.
- >Your chest aches as you turn to his target.
- >Duff is on his knees, his armor split open from the fighting and the sword piercing his chest.
- >Light fell the same way, the same gleam in his eye.
- “No. NOOOO!”
- >Discord chuckles and steps on you again, “You’re lucky I didn’t choose you. Still, shame to know a source of chaos has been extinguished.”
- >A shimmer of light catches your eye, six p0nies beginning to rise in the air.
- “Discord?”
- >”Yes Anon?”
- “Learn some humility this time.”
- >”What do you-“
- >A crack echoes across the sky as a rainbow shoots toward the god of chaos.
- >He stares it down unnerved, the stream catching his body, his limbs morphing to stone.
- >He sighs and taps his stone foot, the stone crumbling away.
- “That’s impossible.”
- >The rainbow disappears and Discord brushes off the dust, “I am surprised it got that far. Must’ve been Duff, the fool.”
- >He waves his hand and tosses the mane 6 to and fro.
- >Duff’s body lies lifeless on the floor, Flavus kneeling next to him.
- >Mickey picks himself up and attacks Discord in desperation.
- >This can’t be happening, not after all you’ve been through.
- >Your mind wanders as you stare into the sky.
- >Discord could’ve done this from the beginning, but he didn’t.
- >He could’ve slew you in your sleep and turn your corpse into silly putty, but he didn’t.
- >It was never personal for him, but you blocked him every step of the way.
- >It’s always been you. You and your friends.
- >A stream runs smooth until a rock is placed in its way.
- >Rainbow Dash pulls you away from the ensuing battle, the rest of the mane 6 nearby.
- >They’re fatigued, it seems the elements take a lot out of them.
- >You tell them they need to try again, just once more.
- >”What’s your plan?” Twilight asks.
- “Just be ready to go and whatever you do, don’t watch.”
- >Fluttershy looks to you with concern. You sit next to her.
- “Hi Fluttershy. How’re you holding up?”
- >”What’re you going to do?”
- >You swallow the lump in your throat.
- “I know the last time we spoke we didn’t leave on the best of terms, and I’m sorry for that. We’ve had our share of good with the bad. What I wouldn’t give to be there now…”
- >”Please think about this Anon.”
- >You smile, she always was a perceptive one.
- “Remember the good times ya hear? I want all of you to remember the good.”
- >Fluttershy’s eyes begin to water, “Please don’t do this…”
- >You embrace the shivering mare, you have to appear strong for her, now more than ever.
- “Just remember, I love you Fluttershy,” you let her go and find your way back to the others.
- >You’re going to finish this.
- >Flash is coordinating with the others as you approach, “Good timing Anon, Mickey can’t hold him off much longer.”
- >You look at Duff, his eyes empty.
- “What’s the plan?”
- >He looks over his shoulder to Discord, “We need to overwhelm him. He’s strong, but he’s only one against many.”
- >You look over everyone, tuning him out. This is going to hurt you a lot more than them.
- >”So what do you think?” Mous asks.
- >You snap back to attention, your hand gripping your pistol.
- “I think we’re out of time.”
- >Mickey rolls to your feet, Discord cackling behind him, “Let’s hurry this up. I have chaos to spread.”
- >So do you.
- >You raise your weapon to Mous, hand shaking from anxiety.
- “Forgive me.” *bang*
- >He falls to the floor, cane lying atop him.
- >Flash tries to stop you… but you stop him first.
- >It needs to be done.
- >Discord watches as you dispatch your friends, Mickey unable to defend himself.
- >Now all that’s left is-
- >The cold steel presses against your throat, “So this was your choice after all.”
- “You heard him. You would’ve done the same.”
- >He smiles, “So I would. So I would.”
- >He lowers the blade, sparing you from his wrath, “You know what happens next don’t you?”
- “I’ll take care of it.”
- >He turns his back to you and gets on his knees, “I’ll see you there.”
- >The crack of the muzzle ends him and leaves you alone.
- >Discord claps his hands as you lower your gun, “Well done Anon. Truly spectacular work.”
- “We’re all monsters, all of us.”
- >”But you accepted the label, and that is noteworthy in my opinion.”
- >He eases up your chin and looks at you, “I knew you were something else the second I entered that noggin of yours.”
- >Talk all you want you freak. Monologue your life away.
- “Then it’s over for me.”
- >”Maybe not. I find myself enthralled by your actions. How can I discard my most valuable tool?”
- >His claw scraps the back of your neck, “You can serve me yet.”
- >A niggling sensation builds at the back of your mind, his influence creeping within.
- >It’s time.
- >The air chills as the elements activate once more.
- “I’d rather rot in Tartarus.”
- >You raise your hand to your head as the light closes in.
- >The metal rod presses against your skull, the rainbow circling the two of you.
- >He reels back to escape, but he won’t win this time.
- >Visions of the past flicker through your mind, years passing in seconds.
- >No regrets.
- >You close your eyes.
- >And squeeze.

