SAAiE: Days Thirteen and Twenty: BoL & Success

DAY THIRTEEN: BEST OF LUCK

 

Time, 4:27

        I'm exhausted. Barely able to keep my eyes open. I didn't want to sleep last night, I wasn't going to risk my sanity before taking the proper precautions.

        I'm currently in the castle's oubliette, sitting in the center of a cell, tied with chains that connect to the three walls of the cell. All I have with me is my sketchbook, and the flower I kept from Twilight's bouquet. The flower however has wilted, and is no longer of life...Oh yeah, there's also the dreamcatcher Luna gave me. She had to rummage through her room for a good fifteen minutes before finding it, but she said that it "wards off nightmares, and is a good luck charm." *sigh* God, I hope she's right.

        I've waited long enough, it's time to face him. Celestia and Luna both wait outside of my cell, in anticipation of what may happen.

Myself: Guys, I'm going to sleep now.

Celestia: Well, be right here when you wake up.

Luna: Do not worry Anonymous, thou shalt be fine...I promise.

M: Thanks.

I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and in a matter of minutes, begin to slumber.

        (I'm once again back in the dream realm. The place has changed drastically from how I last saw it. The path is still the same, but the outskirts are full of large orange and light orange tessellations (tiles), bits of land float in the sky, and chocolate milk rains from cotton candy clouds. I can also hear thunder from storming clouds in the horizon. The only item in my inventory, is the dreamcatcher equipped around my neck. I willingly walk, there is no struggle.

Discord: Do you like what I did with the place? Since I don't need to keep a facade anymore, it seemed like it'd be nice to make things more festive.

Myself:...

D: Anonymous? Don't tell me you don't feel like talking.

M:...

D: Don't you at least want to ask me something? Like what I'll do with your body, my plans...or maybe who I'll corrupt first?

M:...

D: I'll give you a hint: It starts with an 'F'.-

M: DISCORD I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU EVER TOUCH A SINGLE HAIR ON FLUTTERSHY, I'LL DESTROY YOUR STATUE!!!

D: If it was so easy for you to get to my statue, you would've freed me days ago! Celestia moved me to a secret room behind the armory by the way, just so you know where I'm going to take you.

I huff at Discord and focus on the task of reaching him.

        It's nothing but silence for the next few hours (or at least I think it's been hours). The scenery has really begun to takes its toll on me, from the loud thunders of candy storm clouds, to the occasional windy shower of chocolate milk rain. But what's especially getting to me, are the statues. These dull, expressionless statues only make the area feel more dead and lifeless, and it give off a very uncomfortable vibe. It only furthers the loneliness I feel, I don't know how Discord can deal with being here. I hate this place so much.

Myself: How much longer until I reach you?

Discord: Just a little longer.

M: Why's this path have to be so long anyways!?

D: It's a visual metaphor. I shouldn't have to explain that.

M: *sigh*

D:...Anonymous, I know you may have trouble accepting your fate, but I assure you, you'll learn to love being my protégé. You have no idea how much FUN it is to produce chaos on society.

M: Just shut up, Discord.

D:...You'll learn to love it.

        I continue walking for a few more minutes until I eventually notice something at the horizon. At the end, I see a large ring of statues inside an even larger circle formed by the tiles. The entire thing is about 60 feet in diameter. As I enter the circle, I notice the statues are of the mane six, Celestia, and Luna. There is also a pedestal at the vertical end of the circle, absent of a statue. My walking finally ceases as I reach the center, and I stand there, waiting for Discord to appear.

Myself: DISCORD! Show your face!

Discord: There's no need to yell Anonymous.

When I hear him speak, I realize that he is somehow behind me.

I turn around in shock, and I finally see Discord, who is only a few feet away. His size is much greater than it should be. He begins to encircle me slowly, floating the entire time.

M: Why are you so huge?

D: Once again, visual metaphor.

        I can't help but take in his appearance: As a cartoon, he looked childish, silly, and not a threat in the slightest, but seeing him in the semi-realistic third dimension, his row of sharp jagged teeth, piercing red eyes that shine in the darkness, lions claws, unkempt fur. Many things have visually changed, making him a more intimidating looking villain, but I refuse to fear him.

Discord: Welp, it looks like it's finally time. I suggest you don't struggle, it'll make the whole situation much easier for yourself.

        Discord snaps the digits of his paw, and suddenly appears by my side, I try to react, but before I can, he places his claw to the top of my head. Like a tsunami hitting a small island, my mind begins to flood with obscure thoughts I can't even comprehend. The entire time, he laughs joyfully at my expense.

        Everything gets so confusing, but something about what he shows me begins to fill my heart with an indescribable sense of belittlement for the ponies of Equestria, and an almost irresistible urge to make their lives as frustrating as they've made mine. Soon, my entire environment spaces out, and things become nothing but darkness. After this happens, my mind finally begins to clear, and the laughing stops. Now, there is nothing but darkness around me. Darkness, and silence.

Myself: Discord?

No response.

M: DISCORD!

Still nothing.

I don't know how, but I think Discord's entranced me within my own subconscious. I didn't even think something like this was possible.

        As I stand in the darkness, a vision suddenly begins to flash through my mind. I see myself, struggling to break the chains that bind me. They bend, and one of the chains separate from the walls. The vision ends as quickly as it began, but I can tell Discords, HAS gained control. I can't let him win this. I'm not going to let an entire nation fall at my hand. Even if they don't like me, I have to keep the ponies safe.

        I focus to the absolute best of my ability to brake his force. As I concentrate, I begin to hear his voice once more, but only barely.

Discord: What do you think you're doing?...You're only delaying the inevitable.

My mind sets itself on only one thought, "I cannot let him win. I cannot let him win! I cannot...let...HIM...WIN!!!"

        With all of my willpower, I brake his trance, and re-enter my previous dreaming state. Before Discord even comprehends what just happened, I swing a hook against his face knocking him away. Discord chuckles cockily, as if I barely harmed him.

Discord: You know, I don't actually enjoy fighting; It's barbaric, simplistic, something two monkeys with sticks would think of-

        Discord suddenly swings his tail, which slams me in the stomach and sends me tumbling through the ground.

Discord: -but for you, I'll make an exception.

A strike like that should've easily broken my ribs, but in this dream state, that matter didn't apply. The pain was still horrible though. I work my way to the ground. I'm now literally fighting my own insanity.

Discord: You'll need to do better than that if you want to beat me child.

He snaps his digits, teleports behind me, and swings his tail once again.

D: I've become far too powerful for you to stop.

He lift's me by the wrist and throws me off.

D: Don't pretend this doesn't hurt Anonymous.

        He's far too true, and the pain is horrible, but I still get up.

Myself: I'm not going to let you win.

Discord laughs hardily. I charge at him in an attempt to strike, but he snaps his digits and teleport behind me, only to claw at my back and kick me away. I need to rethink this.

        Discord snaps his digits once again and disappears, I turn to make a quick hook, but he isn't there. I quickly turn in other directions to see where he is. He actually just teleported right back to the same spot he was at.

Discord: HA! Boy aren't you the gullible one!

He snaps his digits and disappears.

        ("Where did he go!") I look to and fro in desperation, before I see him far off by the statue of Rarity. From there he begins to charge at me on all fours at incredible speed. His head collides into my stomach, but I grab at his horn and antler reducing the impact, and slowing him to a stop.

        He tries to lift me up, but his neck lacks the strength and he can't push himself to his hind legs. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I bring Discords head to the ground, launch myself upward, and perform a dropkick to the top of his skull. Discord's swings at me with his paw, but I jump out of the way. He quickly gets up and begins to shoot balls of fire at me. (S#%t! When was THAT ever canon!?)

        I dodge and jump away from Discord's fire, but soon find myself connecting to an invisible wall that's keeping us barricaded. Discord launches his claw at my face, but I duck in the nick of time, and connect with an uppercut to his jaw, I then begin to wail away at his now exposed torso, before he knocks me away with his tail one more.

        I'm launched backwards, but remain footed, only for Discord's to pounce at me, and grind me into the ground. His eagle claw crushes at my chest, and the indescribable thoughts begin to rush back into my mind. I try to fight these thoughts, but to say this is difficult is an understatement.

Discord: Why must you continue resisting me!

Myself: I'm not like you.

His claw pushes harder onto my torso.

M: I'll never be like you!

I grab at Discord's arm in an effort to push him off.

D: Ohohoho come on Anon! I'm at least three times your weight, you won't be able to-

Discords arm begins to budge.

D: OH NO YOU DON'T!

He slams his paw to my face, putting more weight onto my body.

D: LOSE YOURSELF! GO MAD! BECOME ONE WITH THE CHAOS AND SET ME FREE!!!

        The thoughts begin to burrow themselves further into my mind. It's almost too much to handle, but I can't let him do this to me. Another vision occurs, I've broken the chains, and slowly I'm prying the bars with my bare hands, Celestia's trying to hold me back through magic, but it's somehow failing. The vision last for barely a moment before fading.

        Knowing that Celestia and Luna are in trouble at my expense, causes a new feeling to occur. It's hard to describe, but it feels...motivating. I suddenly feel able, and I push Discord off of me with a swift kick to the gut. Discord falls, but we both get up at around the same time. As I get up, I notice a strange glow coming from the dreamcatcher.

        Discord, pounces once more, but I grip his... prehensilities (paw and claw) causing us to be stuck in a grapple. His thoughts are no longer corrupting me.

Discord: WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GIVE UP ALREADY!? I can give you power, longevity, revenge. ANYTHING YOU'RE HEART DESIRES!

Myself: You just don't understand.

Despite Discord being larger, I somehow begin to push him back gradually. The entire time, the dreamcatcher glows brighter and brighter.

M: I may be feared, I may even be hated, but I DO have ponies that care about me. I don't care what you can give me, you could give me the world even, but I WILL NOT-

I push him back further.

M: EVER, let you harm, my, FRIENDS!

        Discord kicks me away and teleports, with a snap of his digits. I don't move an inch, I simply listen and wait for him to reveal himself.

        Discord yells in an almost dependent tone, "YOU WILL BE MINE ANON!" as fire begins to gather in his mouth. He releases a fireball even larger than myself, and it rockets towards me. I don't even try to run, I stand and take the flames head on. The fireball exploads into an engulfing inferno, but my will against him is so powerful that the flames don't even harm me. I run through the fire and jump towards Discord. He's surprised and completely unprepared to defend himself.

Discord: HOW!?

As the dreamcatcher's light reaches its brightest, I deliver the hay-maker of a lifetime directly to his face, with all of my might.

        As the blow connects, a powerful force is released from my fist. this force not only knocks Discord a dozen feet away from me, but it also disintegrated the environment around me. Discord falls to the ground, motionless and completely defeated. The dreamcatcher slowly dims away to its original state. I walk towards Discord, but like everything else around us, he slowly disintegrates into nothingness. Eventually, all that's left is myself, and the dark emptiness of what was at one point, my lost sanity.

        I've won.)

       

(FOLLOW-UP) DAY TWENTY: SUCCESS

 

        It's been a week since the incident with Discord had occurred. For the most part, I'm doing better: My skin has reverted to its original hue, the nightmares have stopped, and I no longer feel the need to fight, much to the dismay of Basaltic. Speaking of Basaltic, he's doing much better after the "incident" that occurred. He still needs another week or two, but he'll be fine and able to work again. Things are definitely turning out for the best.

3:17

I'm in my room, when a knock comes to my door.

Myself: Come in.

It's Celestia...again.

Celestia: Good evening Anonymous.

M: Hey Celestia, ya need me for something? (As if I don't already know.)

C: Well, I'm feeling much better after our last session, so I'd like you to come back to the testing room so we can try this again.

M: Ugh, another test session. *sigh* Sure, why not.

        I once again find myself in a position, I am far too familiar with: Sitting Indian-style in the center of Celestia's test room. Celestia's been really determined lately to have her spell work, but it still has not yielded results. Sure is tenacious though.

Celestia: Don't worry Anonymous, I get closer every time, I can do this.

Myself: That's what you said last time.

Guard 5: And the time before that.

Guard 3: And the time before that.

C: Now now, no need for the negativity.

        Celestia places her horn to my forehead once more. And she dawns that smile she always has when she's doing this. Celestia's spell starts out perfectly, like it always does, but it doesn't take long before she reaches her struggling point. As always, Celestia's magic concentrates to the tip of her horn, and light from her horn begins to flood the room. This is the indication that she's going to have a massive release of magic soon, but to my surprise, she doesn't release. Thirty three minutes pass, beating her previous record of twenty four minutes.

        Celestia's going on waaaay longer than anyone was expecting. The place is so full of light, that I'm almost blinded. Her horn's also beginning to give of a much louder 'magical aura noise'. The whole things getting really concerning, as everyone anticipated the discharge, yet it still hasn't happened.

Myself: Celestia, maybe you should stop wile your ahead.

I begin to scoot back, but Celestia immediately moves forward trying to continue.

Celestia [breathing heavily]: NO! *huff* Just a little more. *huff huff* I can do this.

Guard 3: Maybe you SHOULD give up.

C: I CAN DO THIS!

        I didn't think it was possible, but her horn shines with an EVEN GREATER brightness that blinds everyone, including herself. I try to move back, but Celestia yells to me, "DON'T MOVE". I stay in my place.

Celestia's breathing becomes loud and deep as she focuses all of her magic to her horn.

Celestia: *huff huff* It's happening.

Myself: What?

C: IT'S HAPPENING!!!

M: Oh god!

        I brace myself for impact, but to my surprise, she doesn't release. Her breathing slowly begins to regulate, and in less than a minute, her magic dies down until eventually ceasing. She finally lifts her horn away from me, and I look to Celestia, who has a very satisfied expression upon her face.

Celestia: I think I've found your dimension.

Myself: Re...Really!?

C: I think so: As said, I can't see where you've been, but this spell allows me to know where you've been, and whatever I found, certainly isn't anywhere on this planet. I suppose this means we're done.

M: Wow...Thank you...Thank you Princess Celestia!

I give Celestia a massive hug, quickly reminding me of how sweaty and exhausted she is.

M: What happens now?

C: Well, now that I know where to send my spell, I need to perfect interdimensional travel.

M [fearfully]: Will you need me for that?

C: No, I don't need you anymore. As a matter of fact, now that I'm done using you, you can finally return to Ponyville, if you'd like to that is.

M: Are you kidding! Heck yeah I want to go back to Ponyville!

C: I'm not surprised. I shall arrange the transportation, and I'll have you back in Ponyville  by tomorrow.

M:...Tomorrow?

C: Yes, probably in the morning, that way the guards can return to Canterlot by evening. This won't be a problem, will it?

M: No, not a problem at all.

I'm completely lying through my teeth.

C: I'll send a letter for Spike to inform Fluttershy. She'll be eager to know you're coming back to her. First however...

She laughs softly with a touch of embarrassment.

C:-I must take a bath.

 

7:14

        I don't want to tell Luna that I'm leaving, but it's inevitable that she'll find out. I need to be the one who tells her. After getting some guidance from 'Gilt Brigandine', I find Luna who's actually in her room doing...umm.

Myself: Hey Briggs, what does Luna do in her room?

Gilt: Hmm...I think she reviews what Princess Celestia works on...or something like that. I'm just security.

I knock to the door.

M: Princess Luna, it's me, Anonymous. Can we talk?

Luna opens the door enough for her to walk out, and closes it behind her. Gilt leaves us, knowing this won't end well.

Luna: Anonymous! Always a pleasure. What do you wish to talk about?

(Luna's begin speaking with much less formality now that we've become such close companions. The only other...life form, she uses 'you' with is her own sister.)

M: Well...remember when I told you I was here because Celestia needed me for testing?

L: Oh dear.

Luna's silent, afraid to continue speaking.

L:...Anonymous, are you trying to tell me what I think you are?

M: *sigh* Yeah; Celestia doesn't need me anymore, and I'm supposed to go back to Ponyville tomorrow.

Luna's head drops slightly.

L:...You could post-pone your departure.

Her head rises with slight hope.

L: I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.

M: Luna, please don't do this. I can't stay in the castle. I'm leaving tomorrow, and that isn't going to change.

Luna's hoof slams to the ground.

L: BUT WHAT ABOUT US!? You are a much better player of cards than 'Saros', and...

Her head drops completely, and her voice lowers to that of an almost whisper.

L:...I'll, miss you, if you leave.

I turn my head, unable to look at her.

M: I don't want to leave you Luna, but it's the way it has to be. I promised the other's I'd be back as soon as I can, and I still need to make the citizens of Ponyville approve of me. I'm sorry.

        We're both stand, silent, disheartened, and unable to look at each other. Luna eventually breaks the silence.

Luna: I have work I must attend to.

Luna's magic begins to open the door just enough for her to enter, and she slowly backs away into her room.

Myself: Luna, please don't do this.

The door closes on me.

M: Luna!? *sigh* Luna?

With my head hanging low, I walk back to my room.

 

 

 

BONUS CONTENT: Sketch Artist Anon in Equestria, Canterlot Arc Sketch.

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120718210731/anoninequestria/images/3/3d/IMG3.jpg