Chapter 37 – Pure Chaos

The last half of the day was just a complete pain in my ass at times. One thing about the Canterlot Mages are they can not agree on anything, but one thing. That they believe they are the wises and most powerful unicorns and they damn near know everything. I mean it's obvious bullshit, and I really wanted to call them out on it. I didn't however as with a little push in the right direction I did get the tidbits of knowledge I was looking for. After that, I gave them an idea, nothing too big. More like a paradox question, is there ever a point when something can't be improved upon? You would think the answer is no, more for the fact of that in someponies eyes that everything could be improved for what they need. Which more or less is true, that's when two of the four began to argue with the thought that yes there is. This was enough to get them to leave and argue among themselves. More because the fighting gave me a headache and I wanted to return the favor. You can call me a dick on this if you want, but you weren't there.

That being said I sat Spike down with the tablet and showed him some superheroes movies I had. I didn't let him get into the more live action ones as that was a bag of worms I didn't want to open. So I played one of the cartoon ones and the guy was completely hooked. Kind of reminded me of myself when I got a new game to play. Couldn't get me out of my zone for hours on end. As he watched with me glancing from time to time, I had laid out my tools and got to work.

With help from the Blacksmith I was able to get my gift for Twilight packed away in my bag, the dagger made with my scales alloyed in, a shield modified for my more tall structure, and two old-school police batons the more tee shaped ones out of metal poles. I thanked him for his craftponyship on the items and the look on his face was completely worth the wait for them. Finds out Coldsteel the name of the copper dust-colored stallion with short silver mane and tail by the way, didn't get enough compliments as most of the guards place their orders, pick up, and went on their way. So to get a compliment from one of them as he saw it alicorns was something special. Honestly, I was just being my normal self. I also stated that if any of my guards fail to at least say thank you for whatever gear. He has full promotion to write me about it. Don't get me wrong, I know guards have a lot on their minds and stuff, but there is still room to at least be polite.

After I left the stallion to get back to his other works, I met up with the tailor. Oh dear god was the most awkward mess of the day. Rarity I can handle when it comes to... stripping for the most part. She doesn't comment about the equipment, but dear god this mare couldn't shut the fuck up about it. Not even kidding about this, after the whole drop the pants bit. Pristine Robes a royal blue coated mare with a faded pink mane done up in a two tear bun with a long silk-like tail had to comment that my mare friend. If I may paraphrase this 'must enjoy the mileage she gets'. There were not enough groans in an echo chamber from a church choir throughout time whole time with her. So after four hours of these really bad innuendos from this mare. I finally got a set of pseudo leather that was dyed to what I had wished. I mean normally I would go for orange but this time I wanted mostly black with red highlights. It had straps for my chosen weapons and everything. The outfit afterward was something I wanted for a while. To put it simply it was long blue dress pants with an orange vest and white long sleeve undershirt. Around my neck was a red ascot, on the back of the vest was a golden shield-like shape as aesthetics with the matching gold buttons on the first. I even got a nice maroon belt with golden buckle to help keep my pants up.

That was for later, however, right now I was already dawned my gear for my match. More to get a full feel for my range of motions in it. That I wanted to see how fast I could run with my gear on so I had one of the Castle guards lead me to the training arena that I sparred again the night guard captains in, so I could run around and fly. For the most part, I was pretty weighed down, but not too much that it would completely impair my movements. Even with the modified pony tower shield which was closer to a more wide shield to me. If I balled up I could hide completely behind it, but standing up it was more traditional shielding that I came to expect. Only two things I had to fix for me to hand it. The grips on it were more rounded for a pony to be able to hold it outside of magic. So I had a long flat bar placed in to for my build as well as I special compartment welded into it.

As I jumped around and practiced against a few of the training dummies left in the arena. One of the Day Guard Captains, a Mystic Blade I think his name came up to me to tell me that both Celestia and Luna were ready. With a nod, I followed the stallion through a lot of the side corridors in the castle. Not a lot of ponies realize that the castle is a lot bigger on the inside compared to what is preserved on the outside. It's hard to tell what kind of magic is doing it and the only reason I figured it out was curiosity. I had asked for the general size of the castle and matched it to the armory location prints I got. Which I knew a lot wasn't on those. So they didn't match with the inside being bigger. I digress, I was lead down similar corridors of those to Chrysalis' cell. The old stonework was slick a little as the Guards horn glowed. I followed silently as I was more observing the tunnels as these looked like some of them from the ruins in the Everfree. Dark stone tiled floors with arching support on both sides of the wall. All leading up to a large set of iron doors that looks like they aren't used much. The two guards in heavy looking armor lit their horns with bright magic as the matching aqua blue and mint green auras, that appeared on the handles. The sound of steel being scrapped against the stone was a little annoying as it could be compared to nails on a chalkboard. Just very cringing and ear piercing alone.

“Wait for me!” I heard echoing from the corridor behind us. Both Mystic and I turned to watch emerald green flame bouncing in the distance. As it got closer we noticed who it was running up with a sack slung on his back.

“Ah, I take it you found what I was looking for?” I asked kneeling down as he got up to me.

“Yeah, you would think finding a sack like this would be easy to find,” Spike said as he held the sack up to me.

“Thank you, Spike,” I said taking it and held it in my hand. “Does it have what I wanted in it?”

“What do you think?” He said giving me a deadpan gaze as he folded his arms across his chest.

“Okay, okay, I was just checking,” I said holding up hands out palms towards him in means of showing no offense. After a few moments, I looked at him then back at the door, followed by returning my gaze back to him. “Want to watch?” I asked.

“You mean it?” He asked a little surprised.

“I don't think Celestia and Luna would mind. It's only a sparring matching after all.” I said standing back up.

“Oh, this is going to be awesome!” Spike said excitedly.

“For at least one of us,” I said taking a deep breath as Spike, Mystic, and I entered the arena before us. It was built similarly to the one I faced the night captains in. The only difference was this one was encased and had a roof. As well as a rough count of twelve pillars in a circle around the arena, most likely for support. Around the room had a lot of sconces made out of what looks like raw iron that supplied the light that filled the room. It worked for the aesthetics to the old stonework and the packed dirt ground with bits of loose stones throughout it.

“The Princesses will be here in a few moments,” Mystic said.

“Thank you, you are relieved,” I said sending him off.

“Of course your highness.” Was the last thing he said before exiting. This left me with Spike.

“Hey Spike, mind helping me with something?” I asked turning to him.

“I'm not helping you fight.” He flatly said.

“It's nothing like that, I just need you to hold something for me and push play when I ask you too,” I said pulling out my old phone with a playlist cued up and ready to go.

“Sure I guess,” Spike said looking at me confused.

“Thanks, and just for safety if any of us ask you to close your eyes. Please do so.” I ask picking him up. With a flap of my wings, I take him up to the royal box where most royalty would sit to watch. If it was anything like the Roman coliseum than this would have the best acoustics and perfect vantage point.

“Why?” Spike said eyeing me.

“This is still fighting and sometimes it's best not to see things. Trust me you will see things that no pony and no one should see.” I warned looking at him dead in the eyes.

“Than why do it?” He asks.

“Because sometimes I will act without a thought in the spur of the moment. So please...” Spike looked at me quietly before sighing.

“Fine, but I get a big gem for doing it.” He huffed.

“I'm sure I can swing that one,” I said with a smile as I rubbed my hand on his head like I would if he had hair to ruffle. With that I turned and jumped off the balcony onto the arena floor, the show was about to begin.

***---***

Both princesses slowly made their way to the hidden arena. They both wore their armors on the way down this hall.

“What do you think he has planned?” Luna asked as she checked her sword once again. She had spent most of the day making sure it was sharpened just right. The large midnight blue concave blade comes down to the box-shaped centerpiece guard that had had two silver spikes that curved up making the whole cross guard look like a pair of horns on a bull with a silver moon in the center of it. The handle spiraled down in pseudo midnight blue leather with a navy blue line following it. All ending in a crescent moon pommel.

“I do not know Luna. From what I saw of his combat experience during his bout with your night captains as well as reports I've gotten. He's a very quick thinker when he needs to be. That is all in his pony form, this time we are facing him closer to his natural shape. With the time to prepare unlike his previous fights, it's hard to say what he has come up with. I don't know if he is going to be more brutal or tactful than before.” Celestia commented as she looked forward. Wrapped in her magic was a large bladed ax halberd that had a stylized sun on it with runic marking in the open space before the blade. The pole of it looked like magically treated wood with two places that had wrapped gold. That would have made up as holding places if Celestia didn't use her magic to hold it.

“That is true, I have witnessed a little of his style from his dreamscape. It seems to favor a wide range style when outnumbered. That can't be same here as it is only by one.” Luna said as she gave her blade a test swipe in the air.

“It does pose an interesting match at the least. Most of his tactics seemed unknown, so we need to stay on our hooves for anything.” Celestia said as they reached the door that just had started to be opened for the both of them. Standing in the center of the room was their sparring partner as he was jumping up and down a little. More to losing himself up before the match. “Hello Storm, I presume you are ready?”

“Well ready as I am going to be.” He said stopping to look at them. “If I may ask for a small request before we start.”

“Of course.”

“A hug.” He said with a warm and reassuring smile. They both looked a little confused but consented to this. He came over and gave them both a comforting hug that they returned with a hoof and wing. Much like his reach, they reached behind him while Storm's could only go as far as putting a hand through both of their manes. He smiled before walking back to place some distance between himself and the two of them. “I'm going to assume this is going to be like the match with the captains. Till either unable to battle or forfeits?”

“Of course,” Celestia said as the three of them all took a wide stance.

“Let the best pony win,” Luna commented.

“Of course.” He said before glancing up to Spike in the royal box. “Spike hit it.” With that Spike used the little stylus and clicked play on the phone as a long extended version of Star Wars' Duel of the fates.

“What is this?” Luna asked as she tensed up.

“A little battle music. I figured we could make this a little bit livelier.” Storm said as he drew his sword and pulled his shield from his back. He widened his stance as the soft flutes played waiting for the build up. Celestia didn't wait for it as she was the first one to make a move. She thrust her halberd forward giving Storm only enough time to turn and deflect with his shield. Luna was the next to move as she teleported behind Storm as the ax slid against the shield. She turned to slash at him. Storm flipped the long sword in his hand and used his arm to take the brunt of the blow when Luna's blade struck across it.

Storm flapped his wings to push him in a diagonal so he would be going towards a pillar. He flipped and placed his feet on it so he could jump from. His sword pointed down towards Luna as his angle placed him coming down on her rear end. Her wings flapped as she flew to her right to avoid the attack. This left him open from both princesses as they both fired blasts of magic at him, that forced him forward and onto the ground.

“Ow.” He said getting to his feet as he made a dash forward away from them. Leaving his back open to another blast. This time, however, he kept his ears open to the sound of the magic as he was too familiar with the song to make note of odd sounds. Just before the magic would have struck him. He used his wings to flip around and ball up behind his shield. The impact threw him further back as he uncurled and slid to a stop against the far wall. He smirked as he opened his mouth and let out a torrent of flames at both alicorns, who in turn took to the air. Storm grinned as his horn began to glow around the ground they were only moments ago. The stones that littered the ground began to shoot up at both of them. A few would dink of their armors while a few blows against wings, hooves, and a few in the neck. Celestia wrapped herself in a shield bubble to avoid the attack. Luna, however, took to using her blade's flat side to deflect the stones. Storm smiled as she ducked behind a pillar to move out of Luna's sight as most of it was taken up by the rocks flying at her.

Celestia followed him from a distance as soon as she moved to be able to see him. He disappeared, she looked around to see if she could spot him. The rocks continued to pelt against her shield and Luna's sword before she felt a tapping on her shoulder. She turned to see Storm standing within her bubble. His right hand pulled back when she looked, in a swift action he swung at her. Quickly dropping the shield, Celestia was about to avoid Storm's fist as he wasn't ready for the recovery. She turned her weapon on him and brought it down towards him. Storm only had enough time to bring up his sword, but with Celestia's blow being too hard for him to keep a hold of it in his hand. It dropped and landed blade embedded into the ground. Storm looked back at Celestia before he moved his hand under his shield. He closed his eyes as with a flick of magic the white card he pulled out flashed in a bright light. This blinded Celestia for a moment as Storm dropped to the ground. A loud thump could be heard from Storm's hooves hitting the dirt. His claw reached for the sword before he was blasted it the back by Luna.

“You should keep your eyes on your opponents,” Luna commented with a smirk.

“And you shouldn't underestimate yours.” Storm returned as his horn glowed out of sight as the ground behind Luna began to rise up into the form of a large hand. It was blasted before Celestia dropped behind her sister. They didn't see the grin on Storm's face as his hand shifted under his shield to pull out a bright yellow card. With a smirk magic lightly washed over the card before he threw it at Celestia. She noticed something sparking towards her and reacted with a redirection spell that caused the card to be swallowed up by a whirlpool of magic, only to come out again at Storm. Who smirked as lightning struck him from the card. Both sister's looked in surprise before Luna was body checked by Storm who almost appeared in a flash up to her. She collided with her sister that sent both of them to the ground.

“Clever,” Celestia said being the first to recover, to see Storm pulling out a second card. This time he held it as she watched his magic wash over it.

“You could say I had a spark of inspiration.” Storm said before his arm spasms from the energy washing through him from the second card.

“That was a bad... pun,” Luna said shaking her head from her two impacts. She recovered enough to focus magic into her horn and created copies of her sword. All of them looked like they were made out of pure shadows. She smirked before little round circles of magic appeared the pommel of each one. As soon as they shrunk to pinpricks in size, they flew at Firestorm in the speed close to a bullet. He grinned as he brought up the shield in time for each blow. With his reaction time being sped up. He was about to focus on the torches around the arena. One by one they turned from bright orange flames to ice blue. The shift in color wasn't noticeable at first but when a fourth was changed Celestia noticed. She tried to focus to fight Storm's magic but as she got one changed three more had turned blue. Storm grinned as his magic was working overtime as his right hand remained free and pointed outwards from either princesses view. Storm grinned as with the rapid change in temperature caused his breath to be seen. He smiled as he focused on the moisture in the air. He pulled it towards him, any and all he could grab which was enough that he needed. With a light breath, he pushed forwards against Luna's barrage of shadows. Until he was close enough he deflected a few more before going in for a stab with a large shard of ice. Luna almost didn't have enough time to dodge causing it to scrape off her armor. She growled as she focused magic into her horn and released it as a block of solid shadows.

Storm was pushed back by the shadows as it rapidly approached the wall behind him. He smiled as he crouched down for a moment before putting a lot of force into his legs and his wings to fling himself into the air. The block slammed against the wall unimpeded a moment later. Storm grinned as he dropped and dashed to the left as fast as he could. With the energy in him was quite fast, with each pass the dirt got kicked up more and more. Luna and Celestia tried to impede his path but he only jumped or dived under it to keep it up. With each pass, he got closer to them as they had moved to the center of the arena. The only large gap in it was Storm going around the pillars. The closer he got to them the faster and tighter the laps were. He smirked as he pulled out two more cards and picked up speed that the wind was whipping at both celestial sisters. In a flash, Storm started letting out a torrent of fire that the wind began to pick up and send it up towards the ceiling trapping the both of them within a twister of flames.

They took the air trying to avoid the wider width of flames at the bottom. They feel right into Storm's trap as soon as they got halfway through Storm jumped through the fire with both claws interlocked with each other and slammed down on Celestia's back. Unable to correct herself from the blow to the nerve bundles their she plummeted to the ground with a heavy thud. Luna's eyes widened before Storm disappeared into the fire again.

“You can't keep hiding from me,” Luna said as she focused her magic around her to create a sphere of magic around her. With a push, she forcibly pushed it outwards that Storm slammed into between jumps from the pillars. His impact was explosive as he was still engulfed in flames when he collided with the ground. He began to chuckle as rose from the ground, echoing around the instrumental track of 'His World' began to play. He grabbed his bent out of shape shield that curved into itself from the impact. He pulled what looked like a hand-sized box from it and attached it to his belt. He then picked it up and with a spin, whipped it at Luna who in her magic grabbed to return it. Storm smiled as he wrapped his right leg in magic as he weaved a spell into it. With a smirk, he stepped a few feet back before giving him a run-up in time to collide the broken shield with his hoof sending it back at Luna with much more force that slammed against her and sent her into a pillar. She fell down on top of her sister who was at that time struggling to get up. She landed back down spread out when Luna dropped on her.

“You're a lot more... powerful than you let on.” Celestia said after using her magic to get her sister off her.

“Not really.” Storm said breathing hard. It was hard to tell from their angle but Storm was nursing a broken rip from his impact and some large bruises being pressed upon by the armor he had on. That and his left arm was throbbing from taking the brunt of Luna's attacks.

“Still...” Celestia said getting to her hooves with her weapon in her magic. “You prove that you can improve in combat.”

“I kind of have to. You never know what's going to be thrown at you.” Storm said smiling as his broken shield landed next to him. With a flick of magic, he forced the shield to bend enough to give him some cover. He pulled out a card this one being lavender as he charged at Celestia. She stood her ground as Storm threw the card that erupted into a magical ball of energy. Celestia smirked as she cast another redirection spell. As the whirlpool formed Storm grinned throwing his broken shield forward. As the ball of energy and shield got swallowed by it. Storm dove in after it causing it to consume him as well. Celestia looked surprised that Storm disappeared in that split second as the ball of magic and shield flew out. This was compounded when Storm appeared out of the whirlpool with his hooves landing against the shield that forced both of them forward until it hit the ball of energy. The explosion sent Storm forward towards Celestia who didn't have enough time to dodge when Storm slammed into her in a tackle that caused her to slide back almost clipping a wing on a pillar she slid past. Storm got up grinning as he held his side that his rib was broken on. At this point, he thought it must be broken for sure.

“How...” Celestia began to say breathing just as hard. “How did you know-” She gasped for air as she took a step. “that was going to work?”

“I didn't, I wasn't sure if the spell would pick up physical matter like that.” Storm commented as he released his sides and pulled out the two-nightsticks. He held them where the longest parts were pointed outwards from his claws. Celestia smiled quietly as she teleported her weapon to her. With a swing, she flew towards her opponent who flipped his weapon around and brought up both arms and blocked the blade against the pole. “Getting a little ballsy their Celestia?” She smirked.

“Enope, just playing the distraction.” She commented before Storm was sent sideways by a blast of midnight blue magic. The blow sends Storm against his other side that if he didn't know better was close to joining his right side in the broken rip department.

“Clever girl.” Storm said slowly rising to his feet.

“Yield Storm, you can't keep this up,” Luna commented holding her sword out towards Storm as she slowly trotted up to him. Without either princess noticing, the music shifted from 'His World' to a remix of 'Real Faction's Simple Sight'. Storm grinned as he dropped one of his batons reaching for the box. He frowned to see he only had eight cards left and three of them needed to work together. But he found the one he wanted then. With a smirk, he grabbed and shut the box.

“H.P. Lovecraft once said 'the oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.'” Storm quoted as his horn began to glow. In seconds the arena began to darken as each flame started to die out. Storm stood up as each one went out slow enough that both princesses could see what was clearly visible on the card Storm held. In the middle of the dark blue card was a black silhouette of the mare in the moon. The aura of his horn started to engulf the card as the eyes on the card began to glow white. Celestia and Luna's eyes widened as both of their ear's flattened back.

“You wouldn't think he would do something so foolish?” Luna asked over the link to her sister.

“With this stallion, there is no telling what he would or wouldn't do,” Celestia replied. The darkness engulfed the arena leaving those in it unable to see except for Spike in a small degree and Storm. Both sisters horn's lit up casting light around them and the arena enough like a touch a top their heads.

“Come out Storm,” Luna said keeping her sword at the ready.

“Na, I'm having too much fun in the darkness.” The voice of Storm echoed in the room. Both princesses noticed the music suddenly cut off and switch tracks to a song that started with pipe organs that soon was joined but dumps and a deep baritone choir. They turned towards the box to see a figure being silhouetted by the glow coming from the phone in Spike's claws. It looked tall and imposing wearing heavy and spiked armor. It's mane and tail sparked like little bolts of electricity that would add to the effect of his form, what made both sister's blood run cold was the eyes, teal eyes that looked in the dark looking at both of them. The figured jumped towards them with a sword that magically appeared in the hand. They split up flying to the left and right to avoid that black great sword that seemed to appear out of nowhere and the figure wielding it. They watched as the figure stood fully up and turned to look at Celestia and Luna.

“Fire... storm,” Luna said as her voice shaken.

“Some would call me that.” He grinned to show his teeth where sharp fangs as he gave a devilish grin.

“You... you didn't...” Celestia said as her eyes focused with determination at her new appoint.

“Maybe.” The figure said grinning as he pulled up his sword and that's when Luna noticed his sword was made out shadows much like here swords from before. The figure grinned as his large wings gave a large flap down and caused him to fly into the air with ease. Luna began to shake as he rushed after it.

“You fool!” Luna yelled in the royal Canterlot voice. She began to swing uncontrollably at her target over and over again. The figure grinned and blocked it with little effort while Luna was wearing herself out. As soon as her blows slowed down enough. The figure disappeared and reappeared behind and used his right elbow to nail her in the back of the head sending her to the ground. She tried to get up one last time before she passed out from the strain. Celestia, however, growled differently as she focused in range with magical bolts that would light up the area's they traveled to. The figure grinned as he swung his sword against the first bolt and it shattered into pieces causing the rest to knock the being from the air into the stands. He smiled walking back to the lip.

“Smart move there Celestia.” He said before the being snapped his fingers and the sounds of chains could be heard rattling through the orchestrated instrumental of the sonic two boss theme. Celestia looked around her as the sound was coming from all around her. The first one flew out past her as it was chains covered in magic. A second one came out above her. As each passing second more and more chains would come out nowhere close to the princess. The would go between pillars and themselves but not close to her.

“What is this?” She said looking up at the figure.

“A trap.” He said as the chains pulled tight as they slid closer to her creating a chain cage around her that pinned her to the ground. She grinned as her horn glowed and she appeared above the chains.

“You're going to have to try better than that.” She said as her wings extended. The figure smiled and pointed down to the ground and Celestia's eyes followed it to a yellow card on top of the chains that began to spark lightly. She only had a moment and she took it to take to the air as lightning arced through the chains that she was standing on. She growled as she flew at the figure with her halberd too fast to stop herself in the heat of the moment run it through the figure. The figure looked surprised as Celestia grinned at it, that shortly turned to shock as blood began to come out of its mouth. She turned down to see that she had run him through. “No... I...” Her gaze returned to the figure as its hand began to glow. She failed to notice in her shock turned into another tune that matched what was about to happen.

“This... this hand of mine-” The figure tried to speak through the blood coming out. “glows with an” the next word couldn't be heard out of the gush of blood. “power, it's loud roar tells me to grasp-” He took a deep breath that looked like it was very painful to do. “Victory.” He got out in an almost slight scream. Celestia's eyes widen as she tried to fly back. The being grabbed her by her armor as its eyes began to glow red. “Erupting burning.” He said with a grin as his glowing hand began to dissolve into what looked like a golden looking card with a stylized red lined tribal fireball on it “Blast!” With that, it and the figure exploded sending Celestia what could be mistaken as a bone-crushing thud to the ground. She breathed quietly to look up where the figure was to see nothing there.

“Firestorm!” Celestia said between the pain and tears on her face.

“What?” Came from to her left she turned to see nothing but darkness. That was corrected when she lit her horn to see Firestorm standing there with his sword back in his hand more used as a crutch to help him stand.

“What did-, never mind I'm putting an end to this now,” Celestia said.

“But I still have one last trump card to play.” Storm said pulling out what looked like a pure black card.

“No... no more.” She said stepping closer.

“Let him, Sister,” Luna commented as she came out of the darkness behind her sister.

“Luna?! Are you alright?” She asked.

“I'm fine, this match isn't over till either side is unable to battle or yields.” Luna remaindered her sister.

“But, after.” Celestia tried to argue.

“Doesn't matter, you've used far worse before. So what's one more attack?” Luna reminded.

“Fine, but this is the last one. The match will be decided in one more blow.” Celestia said with Firestorm and Luna nodding in agreement. Storm used his wings to put some distance between them as his horn began to light up. Luna and Celestia began to do the same as they were going to put a lot into their next attack. Storm grinned as he shifted his hand to show that the one black card was accompanied by two different colored cards.

“The spell card triad for you has been chosen.” He said as a large orchestrated piece of music started to play that echoed throughout the room. Both sisters looked confused and on guard for what he had up his sleeve. He held the black card up while the other two were held at an angle away. “The origin of all things, mother black,” He said before tossing the card from him to the ground a few feet away. Instead of the card hitting the ground, it floated a few inches from the ground before it righted itself and spun till it was nothing but a ball of blackening energy. He turned to his side was viewable to the two as he held a second card up that was the purest red. “A heat that will scorch all creation, fire red.” Just like the first one, he tossed this one in a different direction. Like that one, it righted itself into the air and became a ball of red energy.

“I don't like where this is going sister,” Luna commented over the link.

“Neither do I,” Celestia replied.

“And finally the critical point of everything, burning gold.” He continued with his back turned to him with the last card that match, only visible over his left shoulder. Like the first two, he threw this card placing him in the middle of a triangle between the three energies. He raised his hand above him as he started to yell out the final part. “Burn up, I summon you. Phoenix!” He roared the last word as the three balls of energy shot to his hand before shooting above him. In a second a flash blinded everyone theirs. Once both princesses could see they saw hovering behind him was a massively large phoenix that would put a few dragons to shame by sheer size. They didn't have much time to react as Storm dashed forward his hands sparking. “Go!” he yelled as the bird behind him flew after him as it engulfed itself in fire. It flew over Firestorm as they rushed them. The sisters looked at each other and nodded before they retaliated with a blast of combined magic that slammed into the Phoenix and Firestorm. This caused both of them to fly back. Once the bird of flames hit the ground it disappeared leaving only three burnt scraps of paper where it was and Storm laid out flat on the ground.

“Do you yield?” Celestia said slowly walking over.

Storm raised what looked up a little napkin tied to a stick in his right hand. “I yield.” He said before his hand flopped to the ground. Both princesses let out a heavy sigh of relief at that. That was followed by a light chuckle from Storm who was fighting to get up.

“Here let me help you,” Luna commented coming over shakily to help him into a sitting position.

“Thanks.” He said with a smile and a bit of blood coming from his mouth. “God you two know how to kick the shit out of someone.” He continued wiping the blood from his lip.

“You put up a good fight,” Luna commented.

“Not good enough when it comes to you two, I wasn't sure if I was going to last long.” He said before wincing from taking a breath. “Oh, yeah more definitely broken.” He said holding his right side.

“You had us a few times yourself,” Celestia commented.

“Not really after being slammed the ground like that, it took a lot out of me.” He said trying to get to his feet.

“If I may ask-” Luna asked eyeing him.

“About the moon card?” He asked.

“Yeah, what were you thinking?” Luna asked smacking him on the back of the head with her wing. “Using that kind of power could have corrupted you.”

“I didn't.” He said rubbing the spot she smacked him. She went to say something before Storm held his hand up. “I will explain.” He said pulling out a copy of the card. “Read the back of it.” Luna took it in her hoof not wanting to taint herself with that kind of magic. She eyed it quietly noticing how small the script was. She blinked for a moment and reread the script again.

“A puppet spell wrapped within an illusion spell?” She asked looking up at her.

“Yeah.” Storm said using his magic to pull Spike down from the royal box.

“That was awesome!” Spike said running over before lightly punching him on the leg. However, that was enough to knock him off his feet from the pain that lanced up it.

“Oh god, the pain.” He said hitting the ground on his right side.

“Oh, sorry,” Spike said trying to help him up. Celestia had a better idea and wrapped Storm in his magic and placed him on her back as she left.

“I was familiar with how the nightmare magic worked that it was easy to replicate it as an illusion.” Storm said after a few moments to catch his breath. “Thanks, Celestia.”

“No thank you, we haven't had a match like that in a long time. It was nice to see that even we could be surprised by tactics like this.” She commented.

“Yeah... and I didn't even get to use my biggest trump cards.” He said that caused the three of them to look over at him. Celestia doing it from over her shoulder.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“Check each other's mane.” He cryptically stated. With a bit of magic, both sisters were able to find the white cards that were placed in the mane. The pulled it over it over and read the back.

“Check?” Luna commented reading hers.

“Mate?” Celestia followed before the two of them looked at each other then back at Storm.

“Gotcha.” He said with a light chuckle.

***---***

It was a few hours after our sparring match that I got to lay down to relax a bit. While Celestia and Luna were able to heal most of my wounds, I still had quite a few bruises that needed to heal naturally. Plus my ribs were a little tender from them being magically fixed.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?” Celestia asked as we sat down to eat dinner.

“It's adapted from several things. I've been in a lot of fight when I was on earth and you pick up a lot of things from them. Most of my bladed fighting comes from always keeping a blade on me or when I had to pick up something like a pole or stick to even the odds. It didn't when a lot, but I didn't let it get one sided when I could help it.” I explained as we waiting for our food to be served.

“What about those tactics in our match?” Luna asked.

“Oh that, adapting is human nature. I'm can to absorb lightning and use it as a speed boost. So I used that to create the twister that I know some pegasi can do. Adding fire gave me the cover because no sane pony would go into that inferno, at least without protection. So I used my ability to go into it and gave myself cover. Only leaping out to strike when I saw an opening.” They both looked at me quietly. “That's unless you're talking about tactics with the last five cards.” They both nodded to that. “Let's start with the nightmare card.” Luna winced a little at that. “Fear has a powerful effect in battle. It can cause a fight or flight response that can be used quietly effectively. If I may be blunt here?” I more asked them.

“You may proceed,” Celestia commented.

“I played to both of your biggest fear, Nightmare Moon. I was familiar with the entity from the nightmare event in the dreamscape and from being controlled by it. It was enough to base a card around it to effectively use in battle. With the added safety of not being the one in direct line of fire in this case. I used it to manipulate both of you. Luna's case she rushed in with anger taking the fight option while you Celestia stood back. It was enough deterrent to keep me safe.” I explained.

“How did you make the figure solid?” Luna asked looking at me. I smiled quietly as I place my hand over the table to case a little shadow. My horn glowed as the shadow under my hand began to rise slightly like blacken ooze before it took the form of a little shadow pony that danced around.

“I can to some extent control shadows or in the case darkness. So I made a basic figure and used it to deal with the physical stuff.”

“How did you learn of this spell?” Luna asked.

“I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count.” They both looked at me.

“Shadow?” Celestia asked.

“That's one.”

“A book from the archive?” Luna asked.

“That's two.”

“One of the royal mages?” It was Celestia asking again.

“Nope, you were correct with the first answer, however,” I answered with a smirk.

“But...oh, first two don't count,” Luna said before face hoofing.

“Bingo,” I said pointing to her with my pointer finger extended as well as my thumb to make a fake gun with my hand. Celestia chuckled at the relaxed nature of my joking.

“What about that oh what was it called... Erupting Burning Blast I think it was?” Celestia asked turning to me.

“It was adapted from a show I know of,” I said as I watched four ponies come and serve us our dinners. I asked for the cook to surprise me this evening as a more try to open up to pony cuisine. In this case, I got what looks like a stew of some sort. I could see some of the ingredients like carrots, and potatoes. The others not so much in the rather thick tomato red broth. “To be honest the whole sepal that was said wasn't need. Like most of the cards, I just need to wash it with magic and it would work. The only thing that needs a verbal component is the summon cards at the end.”

“Those were curious cards. Could you tell us more about them?” Celestia said as she took a spoon full of her soup to her mouth. I took a bite of the rather spicy broth to find it that it had an impactful heat with a sweet undertone to it. My god was it delicious! I reached into the pocket in the more dress wear pants. With a pull, I opened the card case I had with me to pull out three matching cards to the ones I used. These, however, didn't have the scripture on them and I placed them on the table.

“Once again this was adapted from another show. Besides what these were based on was the music that the show had. It's set for a summoning of sorts.” I explained before I took another bite.

“A summoning of sorts?” The both of regents asked.

“It's not really a summoning like making a quill and pen to appear before you. In this case much like the Nightmare card is for show. One summons the image, the other creates the sound, and the last one gives it the elemental base. For the Phoenix set here, you can easily assume that it was-”

“Fire.” Celestia finished for me. “Which you can shape at will.”

“Precisely, I have a set for water and stone summons. Lightning is still a bit tricky to get down.” I explained as I slid the cards back into my case for them.

“Are your guards going to have cards like these?” Luna asked.

“To a point, I have a few cards I'm still working the spell scripts out on and I need to test a lot of them. So once I got a lot of them finished my guards are going to have a few to use, but those are more defensive in nature.” I explained.

“Understandable, what are some of these other cards suppose to do?” Celestia asked.

“Well, I'm working my head around a magic nullifying card. More to use to counter magical based attacks.” I said as I took a few more bites.

“He's been really working on that one.” Spike piped in on.

“How much work?” Celestia asked.

“I've gone through every book in the library and broke down each rune into a short guide that I can refer to when making cards. From there I have tested over and over again in the practice field firing spell after spell at each card. I got most small blasts, but they can be easily overpowered and some of it still gets through. From what I heard that there are a lot more books on these runes here in Canterlot.” I explained.

“That we do and I think I know a few runes that you may be interested in. If you don't mind if I come to your room after my duties.” Luna said taking a bit inter her large sandwich she had requested.

“I don't mind,” I said with a smile.

“If I may switch topics for a moment,” Celestia asked and I turned to give her a simple hand gesture to proceed. “What do you have planned for Hearts and Hooves day?”

“What and what day?” I asked since I believe this is the first time I heard it.

“Hearts and Hooves day, when you show your special somepony how much you care about them.” She clarified. I slumped a bit at that.

“Of course there would be an equivalent to valentines day here,” I said rubbing my face a bit.

“Valentine's day?” Celestia, Luna, and Spike asked at once. The latter of the three with a mouth full of gems.

“Well bear in mind that it's been a while since I learned about it so my facts could be a little off, but from where I'm from around February fourteenth, we would show our affection for those that we love. Through either candy flowers and gifts, all in the game of saint valentines. As the legend goes the Roman emperor Claudius the second decided that single men made better soldiers. Since they didn't have wives and families to hold them back.” I began to explain.

“That's ridiculous,” Spike said with a roll of his eyes.

“Welcome to human history Spike, where some of our more historic moments are made by complete idiots. Back to what I was saying, Claudius deciding he knew better, outlawed marriage to preventable body men to marry and be held back-” I tried to continue only to be interrupted by Luna.

“That's just... just-”

“Monsterous, immoral, or downright stupid, take your pick. As I was saying, Valentine of the Catholic Church realized the injustice in that decree and defied the emperor by continued to perform the marriages of young lovers in secret. We all know how that song and dance went, because down the line Valentine's actions were discovered and Claudius had it ordered that he would be put to death. Some versions of the story said that Valentine had been killed for attempting to help people escape the harsh Roman prisons. Especially those that would often been beaten and tortured. According to one legend, while imprisoned, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself after he had fallen in love with a young girl. More than likely being his jailer's daughter, who would visit his confines. Allegedly before his death, he wrote her a letter signed 'From your Valentine.' An expression that was still being used before I came here. That's just a few legends that the holiday came around by celebrating the death or burial of Saint Valentine. The pagans at the time had a much different viewpoint to it.” I continued before I finished off my meal. I turned up to watch the three of them look at me in surprise. “What?”

“Are humans always so... chaotic?” Spike asked and this got the princesses to look at him before they turned back to me wanting the answer.

“Do you want the blunt version?”

“If you don't mind,” Luna answered.

“This is rather tame compared to a lot of things that have happened in human history. If you had to boil everything that has happened on earth, it would end up being harmonious chaos.” I explained with a hand gesture to show it as a whole.

“That's impossible, there is no way that chaos can be harmonious!” Luna said being the one to have an issue with this.

“Well, that's the kicker in all this. Here, I could see that... it's just we are talking about earth. A place that I spent my first life on. Unlike Equestria where everything is relatively peaceful, besides one of the villains getting too big for his britches. Where murder isn't even commonplace. On earth, I could name more things off the top of my head that had happened that would make Sombra's actions look outright mild compared too. That things are so chaotic that we end up coming up with that topple Discord who is supposedly the 'lord of chaos.' Please, I've seen more chaotic things in a Saturday morning cartoon compared to what he had done here.” I said with a smirk as I ran a claw through my mane. The three of them just outright gawk at me after that. With a glance I saw a few of the guards doing the same thing, it was like I just defiled a monument in front of them.

“You've got to be kidding,” Spike said looking at me with the emerald forgotten in his right claw.

“Well... let's test it then,” I said with a smile before turning to Luna. “Luna, would you like to explain some of my nightmares to them?” That got her to pale a bit.

“I would prefer not to scar poor Spike with just a retelling of them.” She said with a shiver.

“How would you describe them?” I asked as Celestia looked back and forth between her sister and myself.

“Horrid, one of the blackest nightmares I've ever seen, a blight on pony kind, completely and undoubtedly-” Was all I let you get out before I cut in with.

“Chaotic?” That got her to shut her mouth as she looked at me her eyes widened. “I will take that as a yes. That point was on the same levels of nightmares that I dealt with on earth. I understand chaos a lot better than anypony. Don't get me wrong, I will make a point that Discord knows a fraction of chaos and he has the power to show it.” I answered with a smile leaning back. “Be glad that he will never understand what real chaos is and the order that it brings.”

“Order within chaos?” Celestia asked.

“Carl Jung said once 'in all chaos, there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order.' It boils down to this. You can't have chaos without order as you can't have order without chaos. Earth at its core works with this principle in mind. There is always the laws of the universe, the laws of a government, and the laws of one being. All that wrapped within a layer of chaos, and no matter how much you try, no matter how much you want. You can't escape that fact.” I said smiling quietly as I let it sink in. I picked up my cup of tea and took a look drink from it as I watched the gears turn.

“Than... Discord is working with an order in mind?” Celestia asked eyeing me.

“Yes, from what I have seen it's trying to bring chaos into the world, but in fact, he's just trying to bring a new order is all. A to a point vastly different order than what everypony is used to, but an order none the less. Don't get me wrong I can see to a point what he's trying to do. It's just flawed, to begin with, and I don't think he's noticed.”

“Than let me pose this question to you.” Celestia started before taking a drink.

“Go right ahead.”

“If you had to pick a pony that could curve Discord to a more agreeable nature, who would it be?” Celestia asked.

“Fluttershy,” I answered without missing a heartbeat.

“Isn't that a hasty answer,” Luna commented looking between the two of us as she floated a few bits towards Spike who was outright smirking.

“Not really, Twilight, Rarity, Dash, and Applejack still holds a grudge against Discord. I only know from Twilight's stores of her adventures. She always gives a huff when talking about Discord.” I answered.

“Ain't that the truth.” Spike chimed in as he slides what looks like five bits into his bit bag.

“What about Pinkie?” Celestia asked.

“She would be more interested in the cotton candy clouds that rain chocolate milk and possible other sweet food based Chaos. So she wouldn't be able to curve him as you want. Fluttershy would be the only one to do it. More for the fact that Discord from what I've been told and scene haven't really found something in another pony. Other than a plaything for his amusement. So if anypony would do it, it would be Fluttershy who is literally the Element of Kindness.” I explained.

“That is surprisingly thought out.”

“Oh you wound me, Celestia, do you really think so little of me.” I sarcastically said as I placed the back of my right hand against my forehead and my leftover my chest lightly.

“Haha, very funny.” She said with a smile and I couldn't help, but chuckle a bit. “What about you?”

“I wouldn't work as I would more be interested in besting him at his own game. Nothing on how to let's take over mind you. More a game of one up.” I explained.

“A game of one up?” Luna asked.

“Think of it as a magic duel. Where opponents would try to one-up each other to see who's the best. In this case, it would be me against Discord.” I said with a smile.

“Are you nuts?” Luna asked looking at me like I said the craziest thing in Equestria. Come to think of it, I probably just did.

“Hasn't been completely proven yet,” I answered.

“We could easily fix that.” She shot back.

“Followed by the backlash and possible tabloids using it as fire to give a pony like Blueblood who would use it to try and usurper your thrones from you.” I countered.

“You don't think he would do that?” Celestia asked with both Spike and I looking at her with a flat stare.

“Yes, I do.” Both of us said at the same time. I smirked and used my hand to motion to Spike after that.

“Point made,” Celestia said with a sigh.

“It's alright, at least he's not... here.” I said before I noticed the door opening with said pony coming in. Following him was a tray cart being pushed by one of the griffon chefs.

“Please Prince Blueblood, I need to get back to the kitchen, I have much left to do.” The griffon pleaded.

“I don't care, you need to see this to understand what kind of-” He stopped in his tracks to look at me. “What in Tartarus is that thing?!” He shouted pointing to me.

“Blueblood it's rude to point at anypony like that.” Luna chided.

“It's alright Luna, I am pretty weird looking,” I said getting up and dusting off. “If you three would excuse me I would like to retire for the evening.”

“Of course, I wish to talk to you later.” Celestia comment.

“Than I shall wait for your arrival. Now if you excuse me I wish to get a few books to read.” I said slowly walking towards the door. With a flick of magic, I shut Blueblood's gaping mouth as I passed him. “Good day to you sir, the food was excellent as always.” I complimented the chief. He puffed out his chest with a smile.

“Thank you, sir, I hope you have a good evening.”

“Thank you,” I said before I walked past them and through the still open door. As I made a turn towards the library a song come to my head that I couldn't help but sing to. “We must be swift as the coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon!” Some of the guards watched me as some of the night guards smirked at the lyrics I sang.

***___***

It had been a few hours since dinner and my trip to the archives to find every book they had on magical script. Frankly, it wasn't much more than I already knew, I did pick up a few more than I did, but it still wasn't a whole lot. After that, I decided my brain needed a break from studying and went to take a relaxing shower. Well, semi-relaxing as I was still pretty bruised. I stood there and let the warm water wash over me as my mane flattened out behind me, where my horns could be more easily seen. My two back ones were harder to be seen as they curved back before they pointed out. The sensation of water gently patting my main horn felt rather nice. I get why when horns are a little sensitive to a feeling sensation.

If my memory served me right that was because of the magical veins or thaumaturgy lines that run through everypony. It was to help explain why wings didn't need to be almost three times the size for pegasi and alicorns. The magic in them was enough to gain lift. Twilight explained that some ponies have thicker or more condensed lines that allow them to do more things. In Dash's case, it gives her heightened speed and resistance to being pushed back by air currents. For Twilight and most unicorns that excel in magic, they can push more magic through their horns for bigger effects. It was like normal lines would be closer to a garden hose. While the line's like Twilight's was closer to a firefighters fire hose. Much bigger and able to pump out much more through it. Twilight had tested my lines, which are stronger in my wings compared to my horn. I figured that was more from starting as a dragasus than a dracorn. It's pretty cool seeing the scans myself as a lot of the thaumaturgy lines look a lot like veins, closer to blood vessels in a way. Just unlike normal scans of blood vessels that turn out to be either blue or black depending on the device doing it. The magical scan shows them as the middle ground of purple and violet with a thin white line running down each strain.

As you would expect the lines are cut off at the plate on my right foreleg at the time. I couldn't help but sigh a little looking over at the complete lack of a limb there. Now would have been the perfect time to have it back as it would feel right in some ways. I went as far as to create an arm of ice to help me lean up. Which I will admit not the best idea, but it helped numb some of the bruises I had before the hot water helped soothed them away. After I finished getting cleaned up and dried off I stepped out into my room only to find both Luna and Celestia standing just inside my door. They looked at me for a moment as I looked back at them with the towel draped on my head to help get the last of the water out of it. One of the many downsides of having a thick mane. I watched their gaze suddenly lower as my eyes matched them only to widen. I shot back up to look at them to watch them both with a bright blush on their muzzles before I stepped back into the bathroom so I could get one of the larger towels to wrap my lower half up with.

“Sorry about that,” I said with a nervous chuckle.

“It's quite... alright,” Luna said still blushing quite brightly.

“So what did you two want to talk about?” I asked after I left once again as I walked over to my clothes and decided to put my sweatpants back on using both towels as my curtains to block any more unneeded awkwardness.

“Well, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to company me back to Ponyville in two days time,” Celestia asked having the dignity to at least not look in my direction. Unlike Luna who was watching me, probably to get another very unneeded eyeful.

“If I may ask, why are you heading to Ponyville?” I asked after I had slipped my tail through the hole in my pants that I made. After that, I folded up the towels in my magic and set them off to the side so they could be picked up.

“It's about Discord,” Celestia asked and I eyed her quietly for a few moments.

“Fluttershy?” I asked getting a feeling I knew where this was going to go.

“Fluttershy.” She answered back.

“Sure, I would love to join you. Are we going by train or by-”

“Chariot.”

“Lovely...” I sarcastically said.

“Storm you need to get over this fear of heights someday.” She commented.

“I am working towards it, doesn't mean I'm thrilled about being that high up.” I shot back with a flat look.

“True.”

“What's the other thing you wanted to talk about?” I asked sitting down at the table as I pulled the call rope they installed into the room.

“This is a rather personal matter,” Luna commented.

“How personal are we talking?”

“Herd personal.” Celestia tacked on.

“Okay, let me guess Twilight asked you two to talk to me about it?” I asked as a cerulean blue mare with a wild orchid purple mane and tale, both rather long and curled. She came in with a maid outfit on.

“What could I get for you, your highness?” She asked in a voice that reminded me of Jodi Benson's Arial voice from the little mermaid.

“Some green tea if you don't mind.” I requested.

“I will take the same,” Celestia answered.

“I will take dandelion tea,” Luna said before the mare bowed and left us in silence.

“To answer your question no, she didn't. I had asked her if she had brought it up with you before.” Luna answered as I run my left hand over my face. I was not serious about to be asked if they could join a herd with Twilight and I? Besides the fact that Twilight only brought it up the day before I came to Canterlot, and I'm still processing that she wants a herd. Now I have to factor in that I may have the ruling parties of Equestria in this? I just motioned with my left have for them to proceed, I may as well hear this insanity now. It's not like I could avoid this, besides the fact that they could literally send ponies to hunt my butt down. All to address this issue in the fullest.

“I'm aware you have the basics of herds down and the fact that your herd-” Celestia started before I raised my hand to stop her for a moment.

“Can we not call Twilight and I together a herd just yet? I'm not comfortable about that... yet.” I requested.

“Alright, well since you and Twilight are together that counts it as a royal... couple.”

“And I'm guessing that's going to have one hell of a stipulation to it.”

“To a degree, it's not often that a royal would join another's herd,” Celestia said using her hoof to make gestures.

“Outside of Blueblood's herd of course.” Luna tacked on.

“Oh, boy,” I said not liking this already.

“After the whole Silvertongue debacle, we thought it would be wise to inform you of the possibility that you may have a repeat performance,” Luna commented.

“Damn it,” I said with a sigh as I hung my head. “Is this how it's going to be? Just if something 'big' happens it's going to be paraded all about Equestria?” I said while using air quotations with the word big.

“Why do you say that?” Celestia asked looking curious. I couldn't believe she asked me that, I got up quietly and walked over to the end table where I sat the paper that was left for me when I reentered my room. Just by the cover page, I didn't really want to read the story, because it was just outright celebrity gossip and I honestly didn't care much for it. It was part of the reason why I ignored shows like TMZ when I was on earth. I flopped it down on the table before both royal sisters showing the rather large black and white photo of Celestia enjoying a rather large piece of cake. They both looked down at the photo on the front page of the paper and then back at me as I was giving them my trademark cocked eyebrow adorned flat stare. “Point.” Luna at this point picked up the paper and started to read it over. “To a degree, you still will have to deal with them as well as your other royal duties.”

“Great.” I groaned. “I thought it was bad enough with some of the 'issues' that came up from Cloudsdale.”

“Issues?” Celestia asked.

“Yeah, out of my few days starting. I've had a total of eight 'meetings' that was nothing but a waste of time. Most of them from the weather factory.”

“They wanting an expanded budget again?” Celestia commented.

“How did... you pawned it off on me didn't you?” I said stopping as it clicked.

“I... may have,” Celestia said not looking me straight in the face.

“Not cool Celestia, not cool,” I said staring back at her with my left eye twitching.

“Be that as it may, back to the matter at hoof,” Luna said putting the paper down again folding it up into a neat rectangle. “Whatever pony that decides to approach you about this matter, I would suggest taking a lot of it with a grain of salt.”

“Let me guess, I should expect ponies to try and bribe me so they can get their hooves on political power or at least to reserve the princess or prince title for their own means?” I said flatly.

“How did you know?” Luna asked a little surprised.

“It's not unheard of on earth. Some humans try to do whatever they can to get the upper hand in things. It seems this is something ponies and humans share.” I explained.

“That's a little comforting...” Celestia tacked on.

“How so?” I asked.

“Well, when we were talking earlier you had made out that humans are rather... brutish,” Celestia commented. “Like they don't have much... oh what's the word I'm looking for?”

“Love in their hearts?” I supplied.

“For lack of a better wording, yes.” She said.

“Well... to a point you would be right. They can be very brutish as you put it, but not all of them. Regardless of the saying that history is written by the victories. Humans have done things both peacefully as well as brutally. We've had cold wars which are nothing more than conversations that could have lead to another hostel war. We've had historical figures that did what they could peacefully to meet their ends. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought equality between different human races by speeches, by sit-ins, and much more. 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.' He wasn't the only one. Another figure Mahatma Gandhi was a predominant figure in an independence movement. He gave inspiring quotes that historic figured down the road of history idolized and followed. 'Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will' and, 'happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” I could go on and on about those that I know. Not personally but historically know from earth. Abraham Lincoln, 'nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.' Ulysses S. Grant, 'although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace.' Theodore Roosevelt, 'the only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.' Franklin D. Roosevelt 'it is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.' Let's not forget John F. Kennedy 'if we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.' That's just from one nation, the earth has over 7 billions of people, last I check from a multitude of races, cultures, and so forth. Not all of them are violent, but not all of them are peaceful.” I said in a complete tangent. Both princesses stared at me quietly for a few moments blanking.

“Um... wow.” Luna said by the sound of it she wasn't sure what to make of it. Which caused me to shrink back a bit and slump a little.

“Sorry, I sometimes run into a tangent if not stopped at times,” I explained.

“We can tell,” Celestia said with a smirk.

“And I think once again we got off subject.” I wanted us to look past the whole me running at the mouth moment I just had. Just felt awkward for me to sit there with the two of them staring at me.

“Right... “ Luna commented eyeing me. “Ponies will try to join your herd for personal gain. We've had a lot of issues with that problem before.”

“Blueblood or personal experience?” I asked.

“Both.” They said in unison, my left eye twitched at that.

“You know what, screw it,” I said wanting to face plant the table only to be stopped by my horn. That was followed by me frustratingly messing up my already messed up mane. “Why can't things just be simple?”

“How so?” Luna asked.

“I get the whole royal bit, I get the guard bit, but now I have to worry about being used... again,” I said sighing, it was a few moments before I sat back up. “It's been less than a year since I came to Equestria. You would think I would be used to the twists and turns here. I mean yeah, I'm used to being around ponies that has the same levels of intellect as humans. Some more than others, and the whole flight and magic. I'm use to the whole standards of being a pony. It's the whole royalty bit, I just can't wrap my head around at times. It's just...” I sighed again. “When it comes to the whole herd thing. Twilight and I said we would cross that bridge when it came together. So... if you don't mind can we just drop this for now?” They looked at each for a moment and something didn't feel right about it. I would expect it to a non-physical movement on this but it was Luna that lightly nodded. It was a small hard to tell nod, but a nod none the least. At this point, I just didn't want to deal with it.

“We can agree to that,” Celestia said with a smile.

“So besides that, what did you all want to talk about?” I asked looking up.

“I did have a question.” Celestia started and I eyed her for a moment.

“Yes?”

“Luna has informed me about some of the human technology that you're familiar with. I was wondering if you could explain it to me as well. I don't think Luna had fully told me everything.” She said and I smiled getting up.

“Do either one of you know the image projecting spell?” I asked going over to my bag to grab my tablet.

“I do,” Luna answered.

“Good, please case it on my tablet here,” I said using my hands to point where to project it. With a flick of her horn, the screen appeared and I already set to work to cue up a few videos. I had quite a bit of videos besides movies saved on this thing. Like a series of satisfying videos of technology at work. Mostly assembling lines for various things. I started the videos up to show quite a bit as I began to go into a lecture of what I knew which mostly lasted the night till even past Spike returning from the comic shop.

***---***

The last day and a half weren't pretty eventful in the side of paperwork. For the most part, it was predictable. I was given a rather sizable stack of files that are now traveling with us in the carriage with Discord. Celestia, Spike, and I were in the leading carriage being pulled but four royal guards. Lucky enough Spike and I got a free hour to deal with some personal business. I took a sip of my tea that I got to go before we took off.

“Hopefully this is going to work out,” I commented over the link to Celestia.

“Do you have faith in Fluttershy?” She countered.

“Having faith is one thing, but you never want to place all your chips on just one pony. If anything I would place it on a group. If what I have been told is true. The rest of them are going to help in one way or another, but actions speak louder than words.” I said taking a long drink.

“Spoken like a true prince.” She countered.

“No, spoken like someone who has been burned before and learned for it.” I said emptying my drink. “But, I plan to keep an eye out. If things look like it has gone south after a few days. I will let you know or Shadow will let you know.”

“That I can agree to.” She said as we began our descent to Ponyville. In the distance, I could see Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie, and Dash all talking with each other as we came down. They turned to notice the twelve us come to a stop. Since we had eight guards with us in total. Celestia, Spike, and I all stepped out of the carriage and over to the group. It was Twilight being the first one to come up to us.

“With all due respect Princess Celestia.” She said before yelling close to the top of her lungs. “How could you bring discord here?!” She cleared her through after that. “Your magistracy.” I simply watched as Celestia just smiled with a light chuckle.

“I'm fully aware that last time Discord was here, he caused serious havoc.” She said comfortingly as two guards pulled the petrified Discord from the other carriage. Two of the other guards were on order by me to deliver the files to the library.

“If you mean serious havoc as turning Ponyville into the Chaos capital of the world,” Dash commented before Rarity chimed in with.

“And tricking us all into being the opposite of our true selves.”

“And making yummy, delicious chocolate rain all over the places without a single dollop of whip cream to go along with it anywhere in sight. Not a single dollop!” Pinkie added sounding increasingly more angry as she continued.

“Yes I understand, but I have a use for Discord's magic if it can be reformed to be used for good instead of evil. This is why I brought Discord here because I believe you are the ponies that can help him to do just that.” Celestia calmly stated.

“This will never work, this is a disaster. How will we ever control him? Were doomed!” Spike said losing his little mind.

“Need I remind you that you are the ponies that turned him back into stone in the first places?” Celestia cheeky added.

“I suppose we could just use the Elements of Harmony on him again if he gets out of hand,” Twilight commented with a nervous smile on her face. That's when I noticed Spike slowly walk away from the group.

“Um, we probably need a volunteer to run away right away to go get them. I'll do it.” Spike said trying to bail from this. There is only one problem with his plan.

“Small problem with that Spike, we brought them with us,” I commented with two stallions bring up the blue chest that had golden ironwork. On the front side with the lock, two golden vine leafs placed to either side of the lock. Celestia magically opened up the box after the stallions set it down to show the Elements of Harmony resting onto of a cushion that was a mixture of pink and lavender.

“And I cast a spell on them so Discord can't take and hide them again,” Celestia added before sure looked over to the group and noticed two ponies that have been missing to the whole group. With one that we would admittedly need. “Now where is Fluttershy? I believe she will know best at beginning to reform Discord.”

“Fluttershy, really?” Dash said flying up to Celestia.

“Yes, really Dash,” I said after I came up next to Twilight. “She deals with animals all the time so she has the best handle on dealing with the unpredictable nature of Discord.”

“Oh... I guess that makes sense.” She said scratching the back of her head with her hoof.

“Does anypony know where she and Applejack are?” I asked.

“They are over at Sweet Apple Aches dealing with some beaver problem.” Pinkie answered.

“Makes sense, hey Dash could you zip over there and see if they are almost done?” I asked looking up at her.

“Can do.” She said before she flew off leaving a prismatic contrail in her wake.

“Storm?” I heard Twilight said and turned to her with a warm smile.

“Yes, Twilight?” I asked before Twilight disappeared and reappeared trying to tackle me. Small problem with that, I had much more weight on me and better footing so it was more I caught her and held her in my arms.

“I missed you.” She said giving me a kiss, which I happily returned.

“I missed you too.” She reached around and placed her forelegs around my neck and gently pressed into a still bit of a tender bruise I had. I couldn't help but flinch at that.

“Are you alright?” Twilight asked looking at me which got the rest of them to look at me.

“It's nothing to worry about, just that spot is a little tender.”

“Tender? Tender from what?” She asked eyeing me.

“A friendly sparring match.”

“With who?” I shifted my gaze over to Celestia.

“With Luna and myself.” She answered for me.

“But why?” Twilight asked.

“I wanted to test his combat prowess in this form.” She answered.

“Let's just say I got put through the wringer by the both of them,” I answered with a smile.

“Don't downplay your actions. The tactics you used had caught both of us by surprise.” The princess said coming over to the two of us.

“I just played to my strength.”

“And what was that?” Both Rarity and Twilight asked.

“Doing something stupid of course,” I said before I got a telekinetic slap to the back of the head. “Ow, what was that for?”

“That's for getting yourself hurt again and for doubting yourself,” Twilight said giving me a flat stare.

“Okay, in all fairness the sparring wasn't even my idea,” I said rubbing the spot.

“He is correct, it was ours. We wanted to know the first hoof what he was capable of when given enough time to prepare, and he didn't disappoint us.” Celestia cryptically said.

“Really?” Twilight asked looking between the two of us.

“Yes, Twilight. Your coltfriend has a knack for thinking on his hooves and is very adaptable when given enough time to think.”

“Well, I can't say it wasn't fun as we went at it,” I said before setting Twilight down. “Just wish those healing spells worked better on bruises.”

“I wasn't as good as Luna was with those kinds of spells,” Celestia admitted.

“It's fine, I've healed from much worse,” I said with a smile.

“Like being stabbed by a stone horn through the heart, broken ribs, a chunk of wood through a hind leg, oh-oh-oh don't forget losing an eye.” Pinkie started listing off.

“Thank you Pinkie, I think we get it.”

“Don't forget when he had part of his coat burned away from being used as a floor sander, the snapped wing.” She continued.

“Pinkie, that's enough,” I said with a light growl.

“Than there was a-” She got cut off by her hoof being shoved into her mouth by Rarity's magic. Course that didn't stop her from continuing to talk through said hoof.

“Pinkie darling, I do believe we get it.” Rarity tried to say as I found a nearby stump to sit down on. I had been standing for most of the trip, mostly due to the little space there was for me to sit down at all.

“Okay.” She squeaked through her hoof a little too clearly for it, but this was Pinkie after all so I didn't want to quest it. It wasn't long for Dash to fly back with Applejack and Fluttershy in tow. Celestia had explained to Fluttershy what was going on with Applejack mouth laying wide open after seeing Discord's stature standing them. Well... more she left it open after she gave us a good 'what in tar-nations is he doing here?' and we explained. I could tell from Fluttershy's body language that she wasn't sure about this was mostly on her.

“And you think I know best what to do?” Fluttershy asked not looking Celestia right in the eyes. Celestia only smiled and gently used her hoof to raise Fluttershy's gaze up to her.

“I do.” She said comfortingly before she took to her wings to fly over to her ride back. “Now I must return to Canterlot for Equestria's royal summit. You may release Discord when ready.” She said before taking off. I knew I wasn't to be at the said summit because one of the topics that were going to be brought up was me. The only reason I know this was part of the paperwork I did yesterday more for formalities than anything else. It seems that my sudden royal status needed some paperwork done so show that I was from Equestria. Which with my mother being Clover the clever it was hard to deny this. There were a few other things about me that needed to be gone over, both Celestia and Luna had informed me that they would be speaking on my behalf. So I felt reassured in this as it was a lot of technical royal jargon that I had no idea about. I would have to join one of the summits down the line but that wasn't for some time now. After Celestia was well out of sight I turned to the girls to watch them.

“Okay ponies, I guess it's time to get started,” Twilight said floating the box next to her before she opened it again. “Let's just open this releasing spell works.”

“Or let's not.” Spike tacked on from behind Twilight.

“Let's keep our elements on till further notice,” Twilight added as she magically attached them to each of them.

“Check.” The rest of them said, minus Spike who ran over to me to hide. It was a few moments before Twilight's horn began to glow brighter than I've seen it glow washing the area in a pink light. That's when the other elements began to react. It started with Fluttershy who's element began to send out a yellow outline of her pendent's gem. Dash and Pinkie followed suit with red and sky blue outlines. Finally, it was Rarity's with purple and Applejack's with orange that all fired towards Discord. That continued till a rainbow ribbon of magic began to seep out of Pinkie's gem on her pendant. It daisy-chained off the other elements either side of her before they all swirled around Twilight keeping them all a few feet off the ground. When both sides of the ribbon touched the Element of Magic on Twilight's crown. It began to send out a prismatic beam of light directly at the statue. It began to send spiderweb cracks throughout the whole of the statue. With each crack having a bright light shine from under it. First, it was his lion and eagle arms that broke free. Followed by the rest of him as he stood straight up in a groan, and with that Discord was free... once again.

-End of Chapter-

Author's Notes:

And just like that, Firestorm meets Discord.

But here's a question, how well it turn out?