I stand there, arms folded. This princess is a wuss. I know. I’ve said all kinds of things before, and she hasn’t done anything. Luna might try something, but there’s no way Celestia had the guts to-

Sudden intense pain!

Like I was in an oven... burning... I can’t open my eyes, but I feel like I’m on fire. Burning... charring me to the core. Now pressure. Like the air around me has turned to heated stone and is crushing me. Can’t... Stand...

I try to scream, but all I manage is a hoarse choking sound, my throat dry from the heat. Smoke fills my lungs. I can’t breathe... The sound of crackling fire slowly turning into a dull buzz as my ears give in. So much pressure. Feel like... my ribs are... breaking. I hear a crack. From inside. Oh good god the pain... Losing... focus. Can’t...

Suddenly, water. Freezing cold. Soaking me, shocking me awake.

I sit up, taking lungfuls of air. Cool, sweet air.

I get to my hands and knees, but my legs are still too weak to stand. I manage to open my eyes. I’m in the throne room. Sitting on her throne is Celestia, glaring at me.

“Have you learned respect?”

I choke out a feeble response. “Y- yes...”

“Are you aware that I am not going to tolerate any form of misconduct while you are in Ponyville?”

“Y- yes, princess.”

“You are not yet familiar with my laws. Twilight will supply you with a list of rules and regulations I have placed upon my land. Once informed, you will be a law-abiding citizen. If you misbehave, there will be negative consequences. Am I clear?”

I hate her authoritative tone. I don’t like being subjugated, made impotent... I hate it, so much. People who act like they’re better than anyone else... even if they are.

“Am I clear, Anthony!?”

“Yes, princess Celestia.” I spit the words out like venom.

“I’m not sure I like your tone.”

Okay, that’s too far, way too far. “Too f&#@ing bad!”

“It seems you have not learned respect.”

“Oh I have, but I only give it to those I feel deserve it.”

“And you feel I, the one who could have killed you earlier and yet spared your life despite your insolence doesn’t deserve your respect?”

“You haven’t earned it.”

“I haven’t?”

“No. You haven’t.”

“Do you need another demonstration of my superiority?”

“It’s that superiority that makes me not respect you. You hang it over my head, threatening me with it. I can’t possibly win against you, and you take advantage of that to get what you want from me. I don’t give respect to bullies.”

“All I want is your cooperation.”

“I’ll cooperate if I feel like it. I have free will. I’m nobody’s slave.”

“I’m not making you my slave, I’m-”

“Shut up!” I realize that the reason I can’t move is because I’ve been chained to the floor. “You think I’ll do anything you ask just because you nearly kill me, revive me, and enshackle me!?”

“You brought that upon yourself. I tolerated your antics for much longer than I should have.”

I glare at her and she glares back.

Suddenly, a guard walks in. “Princess, you have someone here to see you.”

“Tell them I will send for them once I am ready. I’m busy at the moment.”

The guard turns to leave. “No!” The guard turns to me quizzically. “Bring them in. I don’t want to be a burden. I’m sure our wonderful, powerful princess can handle two tasks at once... If she’s not full of hot air, that is.” I sneer.

Celestia grits her teeth. “Send them in. Now.”

“As you wish, your highness.”

I know I’m digging my own grave, but now that I’ve started, why stop? I’m going to push her. If I’m gonna be killed, then I want it to be a show. And what better show than the perfect princess murdering a chained creature in front of one of her subjects?

The pony that walks in is Twilight. Perfect.  This is absolutely perfect. I know Celestia can see my grin. I’m aware that she knows what I’m doing. That just makes it much sweeter.

“Hello Twilight. Celestia and I were just having a very interesting chat. How have you been?” I ask sweetly, as if my current situation was a regular occurrence.

Twilight looks at me. I don’t know if I look burned, but the expression on her face is definitely an interesting one. “I... I’ve been fine.”

“Oh, how wonderful to hear. Now what were you saying Celestia? About saying that if I don’t do as I’m told, then you’ll burn me alive once more?”

“What!?” Twilight was freaking out.

“Well, it’s not like she didn’t do it before. She just gave me the honor of a spared life. I’m sure that she’d have no complications finishing the job. What with her vastly superior... everything.”

“Anthony, that is enough.” Celestia said sternly.

“It is? Oh very well then. I wanted to be cremated anyway. This way I won’t have to pay any funeral expenses at all.” Twilight just keeps looking at Celestia and I, not sure what to do. “Have you ever seen anyone burned alive Twilight? I hear it’s quite interesting. First their flesh melts away, and as their bones become charred, their internal organs begin to immolate, turning into a hot steaming-”

“Enough!” Twilight cried out, looking positively sick to her stomach.

I don’t stop. Never. Not now. “And it’d be so easy for your beloved princess. Just a wave of her horn and I light up like a box of tinder. My body would become hot...” Strangely, I do feel hot. It might be the malice I’m dealing with. I hate being chained. Now that I think of it... “And my chains would start to get hot as well. The metal heating up, turning an angry red that digs into my wrists and ankles, burning straight through the skin, maybe even cutting my hands and feet off. I wonder what that looks like. Perhaps you’d like to take some notes...”

Twilight can’t handle it anymore. She loses her lunch, the contents of her stomach pooling at the ground by her forehooves.

Celestia sighs. “Fine, you win... You may go.”

“What? But surely-”

“Just shut up! I’ve had enough of your words, Discord!”

Huh?

In a bright flash, I’m in the library in ponyville. Why did she call me Discord? I mean, I know she doesn’t like the guy, but... weird.

It’s almost nighttime now, and I’m in a chair reading a book when Twilight and Spike walk in.

I smile and wave. “Hiya Twilight, Spike. Nice to see ya.”

Twilight just stares at me like I’m insane. Spike hops off her back and heads up the stairs, probably to go to sleep. He looks tired.

“Anything you want to say, Twilight?”

She looks down at the ground, obviously thinking hard. After a while she responds. “No.”

She levitates a book off the shelf and flips it open, moving to the table to read.

“Listen, Twilight... I-”

“No. Don’t say anything.”

“Twilight, please, I need to know.”

“Know what?” Her nose is still in her book.

“What you were thinking. Back at the castle I mean.”

“I’m not sure. I mean... I suppose I want to like you, I know I ought to since we’re going to be spending a lot of time together, but... the things you said back there...”

“I don’t hate Celestia.”

“Huh? But... what she said you told her...”

“It’s not a problem with Celestia herself is what I mean. I don’t like anyone who acts like they’re better than me.”

“Well, no offense, but she is.”

“Oh, I know. I have no problem with being inferior, it’s when those above me push their superiority on me, as if they think that if they push me, I won’t push back. I have pride.”

“I... I suppose that makes sense... but why egg her on like that?”

“I wanted her to know that I was pushing back. Sure I’m afraid of dying, but I’m willing to risk it if that’s what it takes for someone to realize they can’t break me by being better than me.”

“She seems to realize that now. So are you just going to wander off around town and do whatever you want, causing all the havoc you wish?”

“Heck no.”

“Huh?”

“Rules are in place for a reason. Sure sometimes they may seem boring or stupid, but they all have a reason for being in place. They’re to keep us safe. I fully intend on following whatever laws your princesses have issued.”

“Bu, then... why all the...”

“Because chicks dig rebels.” I say with a grin, making it clear I wasn’t serious.

Next Chapter: Chapter 8 Estimated time remaining: 33 Hours, 32 Minutes