The Start of the End

A/N: Some people question on how I am setting this up for failure. Not the give up the story kinda of way, but for Discord. After all, they can see Discord going down in flames. However, I am setting up a story that no one really knows the beginning of to start with. Could Discord actually be a friend of the Celestia or Luna, could he just be some random enemy that pitted himself against the Sisters just for laughs? All in all, I am trying my best to put a new spin on an idea already in place. That is that Discord was more than just a friend.

Either way, I am taking into account a lot of things that has been said in the show. During the beginning of Season 2, Celestia stated that Discord was the Ruler of Equestria before he was cased into stone by them. I decided to put a different view on what Discord could have been. He could have been a just and kind leader, so I need something to make him...mad. However, this posed a bit of a problem. The descend into madness is something to take into account. He could of ended up like the Joker from Batman, doing everything from pulling pranks to killing everyone for laughs. So this is where this story is going to explain the balance between simply being Discord that we see on the show and not make him into the Joker in Batman.

No worries though. I got this more or less planned out...I think?

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The sky above caused many ponies and creatures to look up in awe. Both the Moon and Sun were up in the heavens. On one side, the Sun glowed like it was setting for the night, on the other side, the Moon lite up sky softly, surrounded by stars that twinkled brightly.

In Canterlot, the same could not be said about the residents. Currently, they fleeing for their lives from the monsters that invaded. Royal Guards were rushing about, attempting to defeat the monsters, putting their lives on the line to insure no other pony would be harmed by them.

In the sky, three figures could be seen darting around at high speeds.

"DISCORD STOP!"

The draconequus ignored the plea, before letting loose a series of chaotic magic at one of the darting figures. The once pristine white coat was dirty with ash and raked with wounds, Celestia dodged around the magic before speeding straight towards Discord.

"PLEASE!"

He roared as he swiped at her with his claws, his eyes glowing red with madness as he attempted to disembowel the princess. Celestia manage to avoid the swipes, but only by the skin of her teeth. She bucked him hard in the face causing Discord fall back stun.

Flashback

"Please Tia, You and Luna need this training...I can't always be there to protect both of you if we are under attack."

"But Dis, we are at peace now! We don't need this at all."

"We were at peace when the griffons attack mother and father...I can't lose either of you. And if this training helps you survive long enough for me to get there or for you to escape, then all the better."

"Sister...Brother speaks the truth...We cannot always rely on the guards to protect us from assassins or surprise attacks."

"I...yes...I understand Luna...ok Dis, we will go with you to train and better our magic."

"Thank you...both of you."

End of Flashback

I cannot believe we are using the training we receive from Discord...against Discord himself. Celestia thought as she shield against Discord's counter attack. Discord attempted to roar, only to get the side of his head smashed as Luna flew by and lashed out with her hooves as she past. Discord spun once, but it allowed him to throw a large ball of chaos magic at a faster speed at the retreating form of Luna.

"LUNA!" Luna turned around, expecting to see Discord to be behind her. Her eyes widen in fear as she saw the unstable ball of magic flew at her. She manage to throw up a powerful shield before the ball exploded, the blast ended up sending her flying towards the ground.

A single pony sat among the ruins of Canterlot, his cloak torn in several places and his wizard hat had several scorched marks on it. His beard had seen better days as well. Starswirl looked to the sky with a grim frown on his face. All around him, bodies of Chimeras lay on the ground. Starswirl's horn began to glow brightly, the spell he was about to use was not even ready, not by a long shot, but had no choice but to use it and pray for the best. He completely ignored the falling body of Luna, even as she slammed into the ground not even 5 feet from him. Luna groaned as she pulled herself out, then growled as she saw Starswirl.

"We cannot hold him off forever, Starswirl! Hurry and cast the spell!"

"I am attempting to cast a extremely complicated spell, which I might add is not even complete, in the middle of a war torn capitol with various monsters and summons running around! So excuse me if I was slightly preoccupied in keeping myself from turning to stone or worse! And all the while I have to form an incomplete spell on the spot and have to, as the pegasi say, wing it!" He shouted back at her, "Princess." he tacked on at the end of his rant, to be at least somewhat respectful. Luna only shook her head before rushing back into the air towards her siblings battling overhead.

Both Celestia and Discord were flying around one another. To those that can see them, it was the most beautiful and terrifying battle they ever saw. Magic was being thrown and being shielded against, causing multiple explosion to decorate the sky. A third opponent jumped in and sky lite up as more magic was being thrown about.

Flashback

"Where is Discord? Where is my fiance!" Celestia panicked as she could not find Discord that morning.

"I-I don't know Princess, I saw him in the gardens last night!" Celestia flew as quickly as she could, however the only sign that Discord was there was a small note.

To the love of my life

I'm sorry. Not even your soothing voice can calm me now. I just want to hurt everypony I see. Even you. I cannot allow that. My head swells with chaos and I can barely think straight. I love you so much. Please do not send the guards to come find me. I doubt I will invite them over for tea. I may be just a raving monster the next time you see me. I love you Celestia. So I can not put you or Luna in danger.

Discord.

End of Flashback

Discord did return, about a month later, ranting and raving before snapping his fingers summoning monsters to cause chaos. This force both Celestia and Luna to battle him while Starswirl attempts to cast an incomplete spell. If that didn't work, the only thing left was the Elements of Harmony. Something that Celestia did not want to use in any way. The way things were looking though, she may not have choice.

On the ground. Starswirl's horn glowed with power, all the while his mind racing in attempt to finish the spell. The power needed for the spell was simply unheard of, but Starswirl was sure he can cast it. The drawback to the spell was that if he missed, there was no second chance to try again. He will be to exhausted to continue. A second overlay of magic covered his horn, and already he can feel the strain.

Not enough...

He continue to pour magic into the spell, all the while his body screamed in agony at the strain. Bolts of lighting formed around Starswirl, coming from his hooves and hair. The very ground he stood on began to crack from the large amount of energy being brought forth.

In the sky, Discord paused, then turned his head to see bolts of lighting forming around a single pony. Even in his chaotic state, he knew a bad thing when he saw it. He roared, blowing past Celestia and Luna.

"Starswirl!" Both Alicorns cried out, before giving chance.

Thats it...come closer...almost there.

Starswirl's eyes began to glow with power, his pale blue coat sudden turn white as Celestia's, his hooves suddenly exploded and lighting formed around them. His very Mane and beard shifted and transform in lighting itself.

Discord ignored any semblance of self preservation instinct that popped up as he rushed towards the ground before leveling out near the ground. He continue his suicide rush towards Starswirl, a vicious smile on his face during the entire flight. Luna and Celestia gasp at the amount of magic Starswirl was putting out.

Starswirl roared, rising onto his hindlegs as bolts of lighting began to tear the area to pieces. Discord was a mere 50 yards away, speeding straight towards him.

Forgive me, Lord Discord...

Starswirl slammed his forelegs into the ground, which buckled and broke apart. Lighting exploded from his body before reforming into his horn. And then, there was small pause, almost as if time itself froze. As if a higher being wanted the image before him to be remember for a lifetime

Discord was just 10 feet away from Starswirl, his mouth open, teeth bare to capture the pony before him. Starswirl had a face of grim determination, his teeth clench together, eyes focused onto his King. His horn ablaze with magic, glowing with a spell that will either fix Discord...or destroy him. 30 feet away from either of them, Celestia and Luna bringing up behind Discord. Their faces fill with shock, fear and hope. Their bodies showed clear exhaustion, but they were still pushing themselves in hope to bring Discord back to them.

Time then resumed itself.

A large blast of pure white magic rushed out of Starswirl, slamming into Discord, who received a face full of magic before vanishing inside the blast. Celestia and Luna dove to the side as the blast of magic continued on, destroying walls and buildings from the sheer force of the magic being thrown. The magic then reversed itself back to its target, Discord.

Starswirl slumped to the ground, a second later, Discord went flying over him and slammed into a building. Plowing right through it and into a second building before finally coming to a halt onto his third.

All around Canterlot, various monster and being suddenly began to crumble away. A being running on two legs cackling away, using an odd weapon never seen before, firing and killing left and right. His face was as pale as paper, his green mane wild and dirty, all the while smiling like like a mad pony.

"Run run little animal. Joker is here play, and I don't play nicely! HAHAHAHAHA!" He then leveled his weapon on injured guard. The guard only growled as he attempted to crawl away from the mad being. "Aw...why so serious? BWHAHAHAHA-!" His arm simply crumble to ash, he stared at it his arm and then his body before simply shrugging.

"Ah well, it was fun as long it last. Tootles for now Ponies, I hope to play again. But I got a Bat to annoy. Oh the ideas I have! HAHAHAHA!"

Other beings, from a bunny surrounded by dead pony guards to a large black creature that had acid for blood that crawled the wall, crumbled to dust.

Celestia rushed through the hole to Discord, partly to insure that he was ok, and the other to insure that he didn't try to continue his rampage. Luna landed next Starswirl and began to heal his wounds.

"Did...did I do it? Did I get him? Please tell me I got him..."

"You got him Starswirl. But we have yet to see the results of the spell."

"Can you take me to him? I can barely move my head."

"Of course."

Discord laid before Celestia, she cautiously moved forward, her horn glowing with a spell in case it was a ruse. Discord moan as he tried to sit up.

"My head..."

"Dis...is it you?"

"Wha-what! Tia! What are you...oh no..." Discord cried out as he saw the ruins of Canterlot around him. "What have I done."

"Something that you were not in control of Lord Discord." Starswirl groan out, floating besides Luna.

"Starswirl...did I-"

"No my Lord...just magical exhaustion, I be right as rain in few days."

"I left Canterlot so I can avoid this..."

"You came back, brother..."

"Damn it all! But...my head doesn't feel...so chaotic...not like before."

"Great! The spell was a success!"

"You finished the spell!"

"No...I had to wing it."

"So...you hit me with an untested spell."

"Yes..."

"...Well...I can't argue with the results. But the damage done here..."

"No worries love," Celestia hugged him tightly, "We will tell them what has happen to you...they will understand. After all, you are their king."

"No...I am-"

"Yes, you are... They love you...but it will take time."

"Brother...perhaps it is best that you stay hidden for a few days."

"Yeah...I should do that...Starswirl...you have my thanks."

"Thanks is not need my Lord...I was only doing my duty."

"Come," Celestia grunted as she lifted Discord, "Lets head back to the castle. No doubt everyone is worried about us. We will inform them of everything...Right my love."

"Yes...they deserve an answer."

The four walked...well, three walked while one floated, back towards the castle. Each one thinking of a way to tell the public on what had happen here. Discord, however, had one thought that jumped up to the forefront of his mind.

"Who wants some chocolate milk, I got craving for it all of the suddenly."

Not the end. Couple more chapters.

Bio for Starswirl.

Name: Starswirl

AKA: Starswirl the Bearded, Master Conjuror, Animal Shifter

Magic Affinity: Lighting

Bio: It is unknown where Starswirl was born. However his exploits are well known. A powerful mage in his own right, he taught and mentor several students in his life. Most notable being Clover the Clever, who founded New Canterlot after the destruction of Old Canterlot from Discord's Madness War.

A powerful Unicorn, he led various studies. Most notably the Ascended Mage form. A form in which has two levels. Level One form is Elemental Form, usually only appear in powerful unicorns in times of great stress. The second form is when the magic being call forth, the unicorn eyes glow with great power, enough to cause even Alicorns a pause. Starswirl is the only mage to so far go beyond what was document. That being call Perfect Ascension Mage form. A mix of both level 1 and 2, this form was powerful enough to affect beings like Discord, whose is very magic resistant.

Eric Peterson: This Gilda and the Gilda on the show are two very different gildas. Although they can be related. just got to work the right angle. And i am trying to emulate the history as closely as i can to show itself. meaning Discord will still be in stone at some point. afterwards though, its free game.

Disney: I try to make cameo as much as i can. also, Luna turning into Nightmare won't be for another couple of chapters, which will be about a couple of centuries after discords fall. Truthfully, Luna will be moving on, just takes a while.

What you think? Need more, let me know so I can add or correct!