1451 years ago…

“And that is?” Discord asked, crossing his arms and tapping a clawed foot slowly. The young Draconequus shifting impatiently before his master, the sting of failure heating his mood.

“Balance of mind,” Luminescent replied, his ever present patience prevailing as always. “You were so close. Could you not hear the whispers of the world?”
Flexing his hands, Discord gave a sigh of detachment. Already wishing to be somewhere else. “No master, I’m afraid I could not,’ he replied, lowering his head to look at the ground.

The master stared at his apprentice with dull milky eyes, nodding in understanding. “You shall in time,” he said with a sigh of his own. “That is enough for today. You may return to the castle, I wish for you to meditate on today’s lesson.”

His mood brightening instantly, Discord nearly teleported on the spot before he remembered himself. “Yes master, thank you,” he spilled out as the two exchanged a deep bow.

Discord turned to leave but stopped. “Master, I know it is not my place to ask about the princesses but...” He trailed off, chewing his lower lip in contemplation. The question clawing at the back of his mind simmered like a pot ready to boil over, it was agonizing.

“Your place in this world, Discord,” Luminescent said, a faint smile playing at his muzzle. “Is what you make of it.” The old unicorn turned away from the student then, a slight limp in his step as he wandered away. “As for Celestia’s favored choice of flowers, might I suggest, pink and yellow daisies.”

A blissful grin plastering itself over his face, Discord again made to leave, a spring to his step that had not been present moments ago. Today, just felt like the right day, and he was going to make the most of it.

“One more thing, Discord,” Luminescent called out, a hoof gesturing to the destroyed landscape around them, the effects of the failed spell apparent wherever the eye wandered. “Before you go, if you please.”

Glancing about, Discord blanched as he took in the full extent of the damage. The ground was a charred black, the trees of the little valley were scorched and leaning sickeningly away from them in twisted husks of their former selves.

“Oh, yeah, that…” The young Chimera muttered, inhaling slowly as he turned back to take in every detail, hands flexing at his sides as a current of energy built up around him. Taking a wide stance he gazed across the valley intently, bringing both fists up and stretching them out before him. Closing his eyes, Discord sighed deeply, releasing the held breath as the thumb and index finger of both hands moved in a snapping motion eliciting a loud snap. A burst of bright white light flashed from Discord’s body, surely blinding any who were to look directly at the display.

To any who had seen, however, it would appear as though time itself had been challenged, pushed back to spare the valley of the destruction that had been wrought upon it. Wherever this light touched, the damaged and the destroyed were replaced by new, unspoiled lands. Stricken trees stood back to their full majesty, leaves returning to the limbs as though nothing had ever been amiss. The stream meandering lazily down the valley floor refilled with its pristine crisp water, bubbling along oblivious to the recent state of things around it. Even the air seemed to still, no longer disturbed by the near inconceivable amounts of magic that had been unleashed.

Lowering his outstretched arms, Discord could not help but display the faintest smile as he searched over the land around them with his vibrant yellow eyes, taking in the beauty that spread out near as far as most could see. He looked down, gazing in contemplation at his hands, flinching when his master appeared at his side. “It just, comes so naturally,” he muttered, not understanding his own skill in creativity.

“All good things do,” Luminescent said reassuringly. “Given time, and proper encouragement to grow strong till eventually they flourish. Becoming something altogether different,”

Jaw setting in a firm line, Discord’s demeanor darkened, just enough for his master to notice out of the corner of his eye. “And, what if. What if some things aren’t all that good?” Discord asked faintly, his muscles tensing a bit as his eyes found a small section of blackened earth near the end of the valley, untouched by the reversing effects the rest of the land had received. “What if, sometimes, something dark gets tossed in with the good things?” He asked, an arm crossing over his chest to hold the other, eyes never leaving the dark mark. “And, no matter how much time goes by, no matter how much you try, it just won’t go away…”

Closing his eyes, Luminescent stood there a moment, only speaking minutes later when Discord began to shift uneasily beside him. “Many years ago, when I was young, my brother came to me with a question of very similar nature,” he said, choosing his words slowly, seeming to deliberate each one before continuing to the next. “He questioned his very nature, and what he had been told he was meant to do in this life…”

“And, what did you tell your brother?” Discord asked, growing impatient when his master seemed to lose himself to the memory.

Opening his eyes, the pony sighed. “I told him the same thing that I have now told so many others, Discord. I told him that no matter who we are, who we may claim to be, or who we would aspire to be. We all have our faults, our ambitions, and most importantly,” Luminescent said, tilting his head back to look at the cloudless sky above, the light of the sun coming over his face as he did so. “I told him that we all carry a piece of the darkness within us, a reminder that without darkness,” he paused there, eyes glinting as he spoke. “What would be the point of the light?”

Finally able to bring himself to look away from the blackness marring the otherwise perfect landscape, Discord looked to his master, his face letting the glimmer of hope show for a moment, a final question pushing forward. “Did it help?” He eventually managed to ask, seeming to snap Luminescent out of some form of nostalgia. “Your brother, I mean.”

Giving a brief smile of his own, Luminescent followed his students’ gaze back to the gently rolling hills along the far side, the bells of the pony’s hat jingled softly as he moved. “I like to believe it did, on some level at least. He came to me an already tortured soul, a mere shadow of who he had once been. And I pray, that perhaps, there had been some part left that still heard me.”

More time passed with neither saying much as the sun continued its way across the heavens, a cool breeze offering them relief from what would otherwise have been a sultry afternoon. Eventually, Luminescent found more words needing said, a moments glance at his student proving their necessity “Discord,” he finally said after a few minutes of the two just standing, both truly enjoying the others company. “I want for you to promise me something, something I want you to remember to the end of time.”

Glancing down at his master, already being a fair bit taller than the old stallion, Discord perked his ears knowing full well that whatever this was, it would be important. “Of course master,” he replied, stepping closer slightly as the pony lowered his voice to a near whisper.

Eyes still flowing over the distant landscape, the Unicorn continued. “Discord, no matter the trials you may face, nor however dark the days may seem to grow. No matter how unjustly ponies may come to judge you. Never separate yourself from who you are, Chaos is a part of you, my student. And you, a part of it,” Luminescent said, placing a hoof over the Draconequus’ heart. “You, are, Chaos,” he continued a moment later, pressing just a bit harder for emphasis. “Promise me, that you will never forget just how much good Chaos can do. How much it can become under the right influence, how much it can flourish,” the pony finished, taking away his hoof to point out over the new valley.

Following the swing of the hoof with his eyes, Discord found himself with a growing sense of true companionship. Something he had not felt from any other pony, save one… “On my honor as your student, master,” he said dutifully, making eye contact as he spoke the words. “I will always remember these words of wisdom you have shared with me today, I promise.”

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Upon saying their farewells, Luminescent dismissed his charge back to the castle, feeling satisfied in the progress that was made. Even if the one observing from the shadows did not share the same views.

“He is not as the others, Terra. He feels. He regrets,” Luminescent looked away from his departing student as the Draconequus disappeared from view in a telltale flash, a nod of finality cementing his words. “He loves…”

“As did many of the others,” answered a low commanding voice, emanating from the shadowy tree line behind the Unicorn, little effort made in concealing the loathing laced through the words. “Even as they schemed and plotted of our undoing. Before murdering us in our own beds in the name of the very one they swore to battle against. He is no different.”

“No,” Luminescent said, the slightest nod following his words. “But he aspires to be, and only through careful instruction will those aspirations ever bear fruit,” he slowly scanned the valley floor one last time, eyes resting over the mark in the distance. “Lady Aeterna has accepted this, she is willing to forgive. Terra, can you not do the same? For one who struggles as you once did.”

A stony silence fell over the place, the very wind seeming to fade away as neither presence spoke, no words being uttered yet many things were said. Truths long since silenced passed between them as shadow sought balance in the fading light.

/ / / / / / / / / / /

“Oh what a relief!” Celestia all but shouted as she gazed up into the yellowing sky, streaks of orange spreading through the sparse clouds overhead. “That castle is so stuffy, studying all day. Tis maddening!” She tossed her head to the side, flipping her pink mane across her back.

A goofy smile spreading over his face, Discord trailed along beside her. Barely able to contain his glee over the moment. The escape from the castle had been harrowing, yet he wouldn’t have traded this for all the chaos in the world. “Yeah…” Discord replied dreamily, his gaze flicking away as she looked back at him.

Donning a faint smile of her own as she returned to watching the sunset Celestia sighed quietly. “So, what to do first?” she asked casually, nudging Discord’s shoulder with a wing. “we could go down to the market, get something different than what the kitchens always serve,” she giggled a bit as he nudged her back. “Maybe go prank a noble…”

“Why Celestia,” Discord tisked, his voice mimicking her father’s perfectly. “You know that not to be proper,” he said with an impish smirk as she flushed red, a scowl tightening her lips.

“Ugh. That would be him, sucking the life right out of living,” she muttered as they passed out of the last of the trees at the edge of the gardens and ventured into the village surrounding the castles edge, the beginnings of what was destined to become a fine cityscape spread before them.

Chastising himself on the inside for yet another slip Discord wanted to slap himself, she needed a break, not something else to stress about. ‘Nice move, genius,’ he thought irritably. ‘I rather enjoyed it,’ another thought interrupted him, the familiar voice resonating inside his skull sounding to be in a rare good mood.

Clenching his jaw Discord cursed his luck. ‘Not now M, please, I really think this could be the day!’ He thought back, nearly pleading for the other to stay in the shadows where it spent most of its time.

A sense of mirth and bitter pleasure seeped into his mind from some deeply recessed corner, fouling the mood further. ‘Oh please, you have been senselessly pining after her for years. What makes you think today will be any different?’ The voice queried, some sense of actual interest fringing its tone.

Swallowing, Discord chanced another look at Celestia, the young mare having stopped to admire the wares of a traveling merchant. ‘I, just have a really good feeling today,’ he thought pitifully, his confidence seeming to weaken under the question. ‘So, please? I’ll trade you for twenty percent control tomorrow,’ he bribed.

A slight feeling of enticement drifted through the link, along with the slightest hint of laughter. ‘A truly desperate bargain to be sure, very well Discord. You shall have your day of loused attempts at romance, just remember your offer when it comes time for me to collect…’ the voice trailed off as they passed a collection of small mirrors within another vendor’s stall, a single eye tracked to inspect their reflection. ‘Oh, for pity’s sake boy, you’re in even more trouble than I thought,’ the voice mumbled.

Groaning, Discord turned to face the mirror, scratching at his arm with a talon as he gave himself a once over. Seeing nothing against his liking he shrugged. ‘Okay, I really shouldn’t ask, but what? I don’t see anything wrong.’

The presence slowly began to recede, the feeling of a deep chill leaving his brain. ‘Nothing from the ordinary insufficiencies, Discord,’ the voice scoffed, some amount of tension leaving the link as it laughed bitingly. ‘Good luck.’

Grunting his own farewell, though feeling more of a good riddance, Discord took a final glance at the mirror. He couldn’t help scanning his features again, a claw running over his jaw and brushing his rather impressive fangs.

“See something you like?” Celestia’s reflection asked him as it resolved next to his, her tone teasing and warm. The Alicorn tilted her head with a grin, watching his hands poke and prod, smoothing down an occasional errant hair.

“Nah,’ he replied in a matching tone, adding just a hint of snarky sarcasm for effect. “Just some ugly nut trapped in a mirror, that’s all. Nothing to see,” Discord leaned away from the mirror, his image blurring slightly as he moved to the side and out of its sight.

Celestia frowned as she watched his image fade, her eyes shifting to watch him go. She sighed, a hoof pawing the ground once as she levitated the mirror up to look it over more closely, noting the fine craftsmanship to the brass making up the body, it was all one single piece yet wrapped around itself many times before circling up and around the glass to form an intricate back plate.

“Shame, being trapped like that, the poor dear,” Celestia uttered softly, just loud enough to catch Discord’s attention as he looked elsewhere. “Do you think we could let him out?” Her eyes flashed in his direction, catching Discord’s as they did the same. “No one should ever have to feel trapped, not here,” She said as he shuffled back to her.
“Well,” Discord said slowly, moving back so that he appeared in the mirror with her. “Maybe, he’s not trapped at all. What if, he stays hidden in there because he’s afraid of getting close to anyone because of what others think of him?”

Leaning closer slightly, Celestia scoffed at the reflection in a teasing manner before gazing at his image intently. “Hmm. Well then I certainly hope that he will come out eventually, there are those who would very much like to get to know him better,” she finished simply, summoning a few coins and paying for the mirror.
“We cannot hide from anything in life, Discord,” Celestia continued, twirling the mirror gently in her aura. “All we can really do is to do what we can.”

Smirking, Discord nearly laughed as he looked over her straight face. “And who told you that?” He asked, his mood brightening just from their close proximity.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth before she answered. “My father, actually,” Celestia eventually replied as the two set to walking again, passing by more stalls of curios from far off lands.

“Really,” Discord dead panned, the Draconequus rubbing a clawed hand over his face. “That sounds like something you might read off the back of a cart,”

“Which is probably where he got it,” Celestia said, trying desperately to hold a straight face as she walked beside him.

The two spent the next hour wandering about the market, pausing occasionally to inspect some ridiculous trinket and contemplate the possible reasons behind its existence, or gape at a street performer as they twirled down the cobblestone street.

Eventually though, their travels led them down the road leading from town along the side of the mountain where it opened into the rolling little hills surrounding it. Just off the road, hidden behind a grove of small maples was a meadow filled with lush grass, tiny pink flowers, and beyond that a crystal clear pond with waters that sparkled invitingly in the sunset.

“I’m just saying,” Discord groused, still looking over his small collection of purchases. “Just because they put ‘ye old’ in front of the name does not make it authentic,”

Putting a hoof to her mouth as she giggled, Celestia watched as Discord continued to glower, attempting to smooth the edge of an old feather hat he had acquired during their travels, he was still trying to get the thing to sit properly atop his head. “Oh, stop fretting,” she said, moving closer and pulling the brim down over his eyes with a flash of magic. “Now, quit clowning around and come watch the sunset with me. Mother will be lowering it any moment.”

“Made in Chineigha, figures,” Came Discord’s muffled response from deep inside the hat as he reached up and pulled the brim away, his body freezing at what his eyes beheld. Standing before him was what his mind claimed to be the epitome of beauty, and he could not have agreed more.

Celestia stood tall, silhouetted by the blazing orb resting on the edge of the world with her pink mane flowing gracefully through the gentle breeze. Her eyes were closed as her face reflected the orange light perfectly, enunciating every facet of perfection to the point it nearly hurt to look upon her. Yet, he could never look away.

“Isn’t this beautiful?” Celestia eventually asked, opening her eyes and inhaling the fragrance wafting around them, the scent of the flowers thick in the air.

“Yeah, it really is something,” Discord replied blankly, his mind grinding to a halt as he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. Careful to take deliberate steps, lest he trip over his own limbs again, he moved to stand beside her. Rocking back on his heels awkwardly, Discord fixed his gaze straight ahead, not really able to look any place else.

As the sun began to move, making its way over the edge, Celestia suddenly leaned into his shoulder. “Thanks for this, Discord. It’s nice to have someone to talk to, and sneak out with when things get boring,” she said quietly, nuzzling his neck.

Not sure what to say Discord just looked down at her. Leaning closer, the moment feeling perfect as she gazed back at him with a look of silent permission. They drew closer, lips nearly touching as Celestias eyes gazed deep into his own, nothing left of the world around them as time froze. Two friends, brought together by chance, ready to become more.

A second to soon, Celestias eyes focused passed him and she looked away, the sound of rolling thunder reaching them as tendrils of lightning flashed above the mountain and split the sky. Backing away Celestia had to avert her vision, the sight of his pained face wrenching at her heart.

Glancing back over his shoulder at the castle Discord knew that it was over, their little escapade at an end.

“Father knows,” Celestia said, her tone saddening noticeably as powerful thunderheads began to build over the mountain, shaking the hills around them with the noise. “I’m sorry, I must go, he will be looking,” the Alicorn muttered as she turned to leave.

“Okay,” Discord replied lamely, hanging his head and turning away in defeat. ‘So close’ he thought. Every time he got close, something always came between them, and he never got the chance to tell her.

The Draconequus nearly fell over in surprise when a pair of soft lips graced his cheek, sending a jolt of happiness shooting through his very core as the quick peck left its intended message. It only lasted a moment, but for him it may as well have been an eternity.

“Many thanks for the walk, Discord,” Celestia said with a smile, “Perhaps, tomorrow we might go for another?” And with that, she spread her wings and was gone, leaving a dumbstruck Draconequus staring after her. A moment later, he fell flat on his face.

High above standing precariously at the edge of a small tuft of cloud was Tillook, gazing at the pair with a tiny hand pressed firmly over his chest. His beady little eyes tracking every movement. With a low groan of pain a thin wisp of energy exited his body, flowing into the palm of his hand and coiling into a ball.

Smiling down at this action the newt gently placed the sphere over the glowing shackle around his left wrist, watching with a near maniacal grin as the ethereal bond boiled, a sense of fresh power entering his body as part of the bond faded away. His skin flashed with colors before returning to a dull brown.

“Two down, five to go,” he muttered darkly, cocking his head to the side as he looked around, a quizzical expression growing on his face as he did so. “Since when can I walk on clouds anyw…?” The moment this question left his lips, he plummeted downwards and out of sight.

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Present events…

Celestia couldn’t help but cringe, she could feel her blood beginning to boil, her power surging as her anger grew. Despite her efforts she was becoming enraged to the point her magic threatened to run away with her. The Draconequus its target.

With great care she set about pooling her energies, carefully concealing them as they built to whole new levels, something she had not done for a very long time. Resigning to wait a few more moments, Celestia had to groan internally as Discord continued his disillusioned monologue. Just another testament to how truly insane he had become.

“That's how you know who wins, right? The last one standing is the winner... the survivor. That's what I am. I'm the one that was left standing. A survivor. So, why are you the ones who got everything? Why am I the only one who was left with nothing? I am forced to watch and wait while you sit on your thrones and control the world. I no longer posses your wings, your horns, your powers, and yet, I am still here. Because I survived!”

The creature shifted in his position over the princess, staring down with a look that showed far greater remorse than his tone implied. “There are different types of strength, Celestia, different kinds of power. I have mine; I have honed it into something unparalleled, something unlike anything this world has ever witnessed. And I've seen how you use yours. Taking on the burden of rule yourselves, shouldering all that responsibility has not been easy for any of you, much less yourself, Celestia. You've proven that you can indeed endure the hardships of controlling this world. But you have also allowed yourself to make mistakes, mistakes you were aware of. That's irresponsible. In its own way, that is an abuse of power.”

Tuning him out the best she could, Celestia focused herself, reigning in her magic and preparing for what was about to unfold. Knowing what needed to be done yet wanting desperately to minimize the impact upon her little ponies as much as possible should things get out of hoof, a duel between the two would likely level the whole of Canterlot. She had to get him away from the city; it was the only way to save them all.

What she needed now was an opportunity, some way to get the upper hoof in order to end this quickly, and not give him the chance for any of his dirty tricks. A smile spread across her face as she sensed the approach of an all too familiar presence. ‘That will do,’ she thought, closing her eyes tightly and shoving her head into the dirt for protection.
Confused by this action and having suddenly found his sense of the surrounding energies blurred Discord was taken completely off guard when a ball of bright orange flames crashed into his face, resolving an instant later into the familiar form of a phoenix.

Philomena smirked at his surprised expression before erupting into a blinding ball of superheated plasma, burning the hair along the Draconequus’ snout and singing his eyes till they bled.

Celestia immediately rolled over and bucked Discord away from her, sending him crashing through the trees at the edge of the gardens. “Magnificent timing as always Philomena, thank you,” the princess said, rising into a seated position and glancing over her shoulder at the writhing Draconequus.

The Phoenix landed nearby and chirped happily, nodding rapidly in Discords direction as she hopped closer. Celestia nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, I will be fine. But please, do be careful, you know what to do,” she said quickly, climbing back to her hooves and turning away to face Discord as he too rose to a shaky stance. Nodding a final time, the fire bird took flight and headed out along the edge of the gardens.

Discord staggered backwards on shaky legs, hands clenching tightly over his eyes as he let loose a scream of pain. Nothing but glaring white and static filled his senses as he struggled to keep his balance, remaining unaware of the seething Alicorn climbing back to her hooves before him. “Ahh! Damn you Philomena! How dare you get involved!” The Draconequus roared, swinging blindly in her vague direction.

Peeling back a bleeding lid, he had only time enough to gasp in surprise as a pair of gilded hooves connected with his chest. The powerful buck hit with devastating force, the energy pulverizing the ground and blasting the few nearby trees into matchsticks. Blood flying from his mouth the chimera sailed away through the night air, impacting near the mountain’s summit with rock-shattering force.

Attempting to pull himself free from the crumbling stones, Discord’s disoriented senses barely managed to pick up on the rapidly approaching Alicorn an instant before she smashed into him with both front hooves. Growling in sheer rage Discord thrashed under the blow as Celestia drove him clean through the mountaintop and out the other side, the flames of fury burning brightly in her eyes.

Barely able to contain the beast she contested, Celestia flared her wings to slow her momentum, causing Discord to tumble away from her down the side of the mountain below. Channeling power into her horn the Alicorn unleashed her fury, a monumental sphere of sun colored magic exploded down the cliffs before her, obliterating everything in its path.

Quickly righting himself as he tumbled Discord snaked to his feet, digging them into the snow covered ground and slowing his descent. Coming to a stop at the edge of a high precipice, the Draconequus spread both arms wide, channeling power through his whole form.

Mere moments before Celestia’s magic reached its target a shimmering bubble of energy condensed around the Chimera, wrapping him in a shield as the rocky ground around him vaporized in an instant.

Undaunted by this action, Celestia pressed her advantage. Blurring forward in a burst of speed she slammed into the barrier, shattering it like fine glass and tackling Discord into a roll of swinging limbs, gnashing teeth, and gleaming feathers. All around them the rocks of the mountainside were blown apart by the power of the dueling titans, giant mounds of snow scattered through the air as shockwaves burst away from the force of the connecting blows.

Above the carnage, a precariously hanging ledge of snow lost what little stability it had left. One final pressure wave impacted the face of the mountain, and countless tons of snow and ice let loose from the rock, careening down towards the two battling below.

Seeing an opportunity, Celestia ignored another of Discord’s half-blind swings, choosing instead to grab his tail in her magic she swung him around and whipped his body into the ground below. Without pause she dumped all the magic she could into her telekinetic will, slamming him further into the ground as the merciless weight of the snow crushed and buried him.

Watching from her place in the sky, Celestia eyed the rushing torrents of snow below. Her breath came in soft pants as she surveyed the destruction, the entire east face of the mountain lay in ruin from their brief bout, craters and charred trees stretched out for several miles in a line from summit to nearly the base. She gazed intently at the scar, watching as the avalanche did its best to hide what had been done to the lovely scenery. At what had once again been allowed to happen.

Most importantly, though, Celestia eyed the place she knew Discord laid. Knowing quite well the Draconequus was far from beaten, he was much too durable to have been finished so easily. She steeled herself, already feeling him pushing against her, his rage boiling.

In an act of pure fury driven power the Draconequus burst forth from the still rushing snow, his body alight with energy as he pushed through Celestia’s magic with an animalistic roar rising above the thunder of the avalanche. Discord clawed his way towards the Alicorn, his sheer will seeming to be enough to reach his target.

Not wanting to give ground Celestia held her position, straining as her mind fought to hold him back. Gritting her teeth she focused everything into telekinetic force, sending it down upon her foe, only to watch in disbelief as his rate of advance did not falter.

Discord slammed into Celestia, his roar unrelenting as they sailed through the air, lashing out at one another in a blur of limbs moving too quickly for most to see, disappearing entirely at times.

Smashing back to the ground their decent blew trees and bits of rock away in a wide arc, leveling several acres of forest in their wake as waves of pressure and excess magic flew through the air.

Discord charged her again, eyes glowing red with rage as Celestia dodged aside, the Chimera shattering through a jumble of boulders before turning and coming for her again. A blast of golden magic impacted with the Draconequus’ face, forcing him back as his feet slid across the ground.

Not wasting a second Celestia launched into him again, driving the smoldering creature through several trees before they impacted the side of another sheer cliff. Discord growled dangerously at her, seeming to ignore the telltale snap from one of his wings as his tail came up from behind and wrapped around the Alicorn’s neck, peeling her off and slamming her down into a river below.

Wrenching free of the rock Discord shot both arms forward and unleashed a beam of magic, vaporizing the flowing water with ease and gouging deep into the riverbed below.

Coming out of a teleport high above him Celestia sped downwards, her rear hooves angling for his head only for Discord to eel his body out of her way at the last possible moment. Teleporting again she was once more above him, this time finding her mark. The two slammed into the stone bed of the river, exploding the rocky soil and throwing up plumes of water that had resumed flowing from up river.

Celestia then proceeded to deliver heavy blows to the Chimera’s unprotected back, hammering away at what remained of his aura, only increasing in her ferocity as it began to flicker and he let loose a cry of pain as his skin tore, spattering blood. Her attacks began to grow in strength to the point that even through her own aura her golden shoes cracked and shattered, simply being blasted into dust.

At some point, though she really couldn’t be sure when, Celestia had begun to cry. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued to bludgeon her opponent, a thousand years of pent up bloodlust and revenge showing their colors as her sides shone white with power. She didn’t stop, not as his screams came louder, not as blood began to fly from his mouth. Not even as the earth gave way under them, the impacts driving Discord further into the rock.

Rearing back to slam down both front hooves in a devastating blow, Celestia barely had time to grunt in surprise as Discord rolled over and kicked out with both legs, hurling her away down the river bed. Rolling to a stop she quickly climbed back to her hooves, taking an aggressive stance as she saw Discord doing the same, if not much more slowly.
The two stood there a moment, staring the other down. Neither moved for what must have seemed like hours, one with a look of growing anger. The other, a mask of determination and loathing.

A chill wind blew in off the mountain, a sign of the approaching storm as angry black clouds approached from the south, thunderheads gathering over the Everfree as if coming to watch the showdown, drawn to the massive expenditures of magic.

Celestia took an advancing step as lightning flashed across the sky, water from the river beginning to flow around her hooves as the wind picked up. She was in pain, but took no notice of her wounds as she eyed the source of her true anguish.

Taking a firm stance of his own discord sneered at her, his power flaring anew giving the impression he thought very little of the damage that she had dealt him. The blood seeping from his mouth told a different story, however. “I have to admit, Celestia,” he said after another minute of watching her. “You’re not quite as soft as I thought. Perhaps there still remains part of the warrior that bested me the last go around, yes?”

“Think what you will monster,” Celestia growled back, the water flowing around her hooves beginning to steam as she spoke. “For it will not matter much longer, without the Elements of Harmony to grant you their mercies. I have but one choice,” tiny sparks of electricity crackled along her body, arcing through the water and popping with static. A dark hollow laugh filled the night air, stilling her from making her next move.

“Their mercies?” Discord growled at her, standing up straighter to stare her down. “And what would one such as yourself know of their mercies?” He questioned, leaning forward and coughing. “You fail to comprehend what they are now, much less that what they once were. But, it is as you said,” he looked back at her, eyes blazing. “It will not matter much longer.”

With that both combatants charged again, coming together as lightning flashed and thunder roared across the night sky, and the world shook under their fury.

Author's Notes:

Part of me hopes she kills him.

EDIT: Holy cow pies I was in one of those moods again last night... -Jake