Title:           Elements of Disharmony part 2
Author:          Commander_Xillian
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/UPAEseGW
First Edit:      Thursday 5th of April 2012 01:13:21 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Thursday 5th of April 2012 01:13:21 AM CDT

>You weren’t sure it could happen
>Well, you weren’t sure of much anymore
>Just a little bit ago, you were being lead down the halls of a Fortress, where you were to be put in a jail cell.
>Your own ally who had busted you out of Tartarus was hellbent on killing Celestia
>And now, a Skeleton was helping you escape custody
>After your most recent events, you were not really that shocked by this
>It was much easier to wrap your brain around this after your most recent encounters however.
>Now, you doubted you’d be shocked by anything
“So…”
>You kick the dirt a little bit as you walk, the silent skeleton simply content to lead with a tireless gait.
“… You got a name or anything?”
>The Skeleton doesn’t bother to answer for a few moments, and you think he might be ignoring you.
>”They call me…”
>He makes a small hand motion, as if trying to conjure the right words
>”My name is unimportant, honestly. I have used many over the ages.”
>Wow, was this guy skirting around the topic or what?
“Well, fine. My name is Ano-“
>”Anonymous, more commonly using the moniker ‘Shermanator’, I am aware.”
>Well fuck.
“How did you…”
>The Skeleton finally looks at you, his tiny green eyes flickering coldly
>”I have been watching you for a long time, Anonymous.”
>Not creepy at all, is it?
>Fuck it, you want answers
>You stop, and the other notices immediately, spinning to face you.
“I think you at least owe me your name then, if not some Buckin’ answers.”
>He tilts his head to the side, and you hear a whispered laugh.
>Buck this mother was creepy as all piss.
 
“You are correct, I have been terse thusfar.”
>Big words don’t bode well.
>Incoming bullshit, all hands brace for the storm.
>“I am, as you are well-aware, old. I have spent much of this time watching Equestria. Not just one, but all, in fact.”
>That’s a massive load of horse-crap, but then again…
>“While loath to directly interact, some events have forced my hand. It involves the Elements of Harmony.”
>That got your attention.
>You have one question at the very fore-front of your mind.
“Is Dash alright?”
>That same, echoing chuckle that seems to come from everywhere all at once at a meager whisper.
>”Yes, yes, though the same cannot be said for the element in question.”
>The Skeleton holds up a small medallion, a pale thunderbolt, which you recognize almost instantly.
>That was Dashes Cutie mark.
“Tell me everything.”
>Your voice is a deadpan as your knuckles crack.
“And give me the straight truth this time.”
>If this bastard wouldn’t tell you what you wanted to know, you would beat it out of him.
>”Calm my frien-“
”I am not your friend. Talk.”
>The Skeleton ‘sighs’ and shakes its head.
>“Dash was hurt in a fight with Discord, not physically, nor mentally, but in her ability to fight against Discord. This is why I have found you.”
>You reach for the Medallion, but the Skeleton pulls it away.
>Your right fist pulls back, and you drill holes in the other with your malice alone.
>”The Elements were corrupted. Changed. They are the opposites now of what they exemplified.”
>Four likewise medallions float from his robe, and circle around him, and a small tiara joins them.
>”Now, each Element can only be accessed by its polar opposite.”
 
>“To use Loyalty, we must find the worst of traitors. We must find AEther.”
>Oh for the love of Celestia…
“Tell me that’s a joke. Please, tell me.”
>The Skeleton looks down, and its shoulders visibly slump.
>”I wish that it was. But as it stands, we need to assemble the worst of the worst. Unless we work together…”
>The Skeleton shakes its head, looking at you.
>”Celestia, Rainbow Dash… Everyone. They will be utterly destroyed. Discord will annihilate everything you love.”
>Your head sinks, taking in what you’ve been told.
>To save Rainbow Dash, your greatest bro?
>To save Celestia, your savior in your hour of need?
>You could stomach AEther, for the time being.
>There was no choice, you did this, or people you loved got hurt, and bad at that.
“If it will save them…”
>You look up, your eyes determined.
“I will do anything. Not even an army of Diamond Dogs will stand in my way.”
>That Skeleton’s poker-face is flawless, but you imagine he’s smiling now.
>The tiara floats down into his hand, and he extends it to you.
>”You, Anonymous, are the element of Brutality, the Antithesis to Magic.”
>You take the tiara in your hand, and it feels warm to the touch.
>Almost like…
>How morbid, it almost feels as warm as blood running across your fists.
>In a flash, the Elements shatters and whirls around your arm.
>Your eyes go wide, as you recoil.
>The shards grip your arm, squeezing your flesh lightly.
>There is a surge of light, blinding you.
>Your eyes squeeze shut on reflex, as you raise your hand to shield your face.
>A few moments pass, and you slowly open your eyes.
>Upon your forearm, is a sturdy copper bracer which you can feel pulses with your own heartbeat.
 
>It is calm, and you feel yourself growing more and more calm as it sits upon your arm.
“What.. What..”
>The Skeleton puts a hand on your shoulder, almost comforting.
>”This was once the Element of magic. With your help, it can be so again.”
>You clench your fists.
>You can feel the power in this brace.
>You look up to the Skeleton, a slight smile on your face.
”You never did give me a name…”
>The Skeleton tilts its head, before responding, in a measured tone,
>“Sometimes, when I was younger… I was called.. The Chronicler.”
>The Chronicler
>Flashy
“Well, Chronicler, I think we need to track down AEther. You’re going to have a hell of a time convincing him to come with us though..”
>The Skeleton pulls back, and with a snap of its fingers, a thin green mist condenses around its hand, forming into a jet-back staff, topped with a green gemstone.
>”Leave that to me.”
>You nod, as he slams his staff into the ground, vanishing in a flash of emerald light.
>You look down at your bracer, and examine it further.
>On the outside is a blood-red gem in the shape of a clenched fist.
>Your hands ball up, as you remember how you and AEther fought.
>You would make sure he knew exactly how you felt.
>But that would come later, much later.
>You had friends to save.
>You had a whole world to save.
>So, no pressure.
>You look up into the setting sun, and turn your back on it, walking in the same direction the Chronicler was headed in with you before.
>It was odd he decided now of all times to show he could teleport…
>And what was with that staff?
>You push these questions out of your head.
>According to your new-found frie-
>No, Ally.
>You knew now AEther was no friend of yours.