World of Discord (RP)

[The Wandering Magus]

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OOC: http://forum.legendsofequestria.com/index.php?topic=8960

Discord won, Twilight failed to go upstairs, never read the letters, never cured herself.  A thousand years later, the world is, quite literally, Tartarus.  Clouds rain exploding chocolate milk, knives, acid, nitroglycerin, giant squids, anything besides water.  The ground has been checkered purple and blue since anypony could remember, aside from within Avalon.  What's grass?  The Six Minions, especially Lady Cruelty, Angry Pie, Rarigreed and Twilight Tragedy, do Big Banana Discord's will, dealing with any magic users still alive and spreading the eternal chaos.  A grey pegasus with a blonde mane limps around the Castle of Chaos on broken legs, with a filly-shaped muffin on her back.  Crows claw at it.  She defends it.  The deal was seven quadrillion laps.  She's made one-point-three quadrillion.

Yet hope endures.  Unicorns that fled south to Zebraci mixed over the years, both species vanishing and melding into modern-day Virgacorns that do their best to survive in this world in secret.  Pegasi and Griffons no longer exist, having melded into hippogriffs, isolating themselves as best as they can in the cotton-candy clouds of ancient Cloudsdale.  Earth ponies and Donkeys long ago melded, but their strength and determination allows them to farm their stone bread and rock pies and survive in this world.

Saint Liarjack does her best, despite the Element of Deceit pulsating where her heart should have been, to be kind and help the suffering citizens of the Capitol of Chaos.  Traitor Dash is an enigma, but at the very least she helps about as often as she betrays.  The impossible choices thrown at her broke her will long ago, but perhaps there is hope left.

Queen Tiamat watches over Her brood, having gathered all dragons and ponies-turned-dragons to Her domain.  Changeling Queen Cadance, with her angelic feather-winged Changeling swarm, holds out in the hidden land of Avalon in the midst of the Everfree Forest, somehow using her harmony magic to prevent Chaos from spreading there.  The dragon-goddess and the Changeling Queen are the closest thing this world has to benevolent rulers, and many refugees have already fled to their respective lands.

Some time ago, the Valeyard personality was forcibly regenerated onto the Doctor, but surprisingly there has been little noticeable change.  Perhaps that is because the Time Lord already rewrote history so many times that there is no more change or contradiction.  Or the ponies have simply stopped trying to make sense of things, because... what fun is there in making sense?

There is another beacon of hope in the Capitol of Chaos itself: the Apple Pie farm.  Saint Applebloom the Heart-healer made it as much of a refuge as was possible in the first decades after having the Blank Curse forced upon her, and after three hundred years managed to bring peace to the denizens of Sunnytown.  Her descendants, and that of Octavia Pie, now farm the rock apples on Sweet Rock Acres in relative peace, mourning the relatives that pass when they can, stoically carrying on when they cannot, and leaving an empty space at the table for those they know have been taken despite not even remembering they ever existed.  There are many, many graves in the fields now.  After Liarjack gave her sister the kindest of lies to allow her to find her eternal rest, the family kept her ashes in a small urn buried somewhere on the farm.

Diamond King Barkintosh and his wife Winona continue to rule the now-crystalline and much, MUCH wiser Diamond Dogs in their underground kingdom, with Guru Fido trading with the Apple Pies now and then to exchange food for tools and necessary skills long-forgotten.

There is despair, but there is also hope.  It is not a world of perfection or harmony in any sense of the term, but perhaps, in time, a group of adventurers may show themselves worthy of the Elements of Harmony and convert the Elements of Chaos.

*****

Inspired by Alexwarlorn's Dark World fanfic.  As a Shadow Who Watches, I now become a Shadow Who Writes, bending one branch of that Heartworld to observe.  Whether good can come of this, who save Fauna Luster, The Father of Alicorns, Entropy, and Havoc, can say?  How this world progresses now lies in the hooves of the Shadows Who Play...

original fanfic: http://alexwarlorn.deviantart.com

*****

Current adventurers:
Chrysteel Chrysalis (Omega_Khaos) - Angel-winged Changeling, Avalon
Bleyd (bleyd) - Pegasus, Everfree Forest
Shadechaser (Shadechaser) - Unicorn, unknown
Asterian Starfall (Asterian) - Unicorn, Everfree
Super Nova (SuperNovaNightmare) - Nightmare Unicorn, nowhere/unknown
Ilias Ligntbringer (ArtVeigar) - Hippogriff, Avalon



Ponyville, the Capital of Chaos:

Another knife-storm.  Actually having repetition is a first.  Then again, what's the fun in making sense?

The Mayor statue kept shouting its indifference about the suffering of Ponyville's denizens all through the storm, as it had since anyone could remember.  Grandpa Stone Pie over at the farm says she's been like that for a thousand years now.  Nobody knows whether she's still sentient at this point.

We had some giant squid to spice up the rock pies a few days ago.  Hey, meat-eating stopped being taboo centuries ago.  You live with what you can get.  That's what Ma always said before she got turned into a dragon and had to go to Queen Tiamat's place.  She also said never to get angry, because what can being angry do anyways?  Miss Angry Pie's always angry, but that's because Big Banana Discord made her that way.  When life gives you lemons, don't go burning down life's house with 'em, 'cause all you'll be left with is no lemons and a big skyscraper-sized Mommy Lemon squashing you.  When life gives you lemons, just thank life kindly and be on your way.  At least you've got lemons now.

Mah name's Apple Pie.  Yer always welcome to come over, so long as ya fit in the house an' ain't a danger to anybody.  Cream Pie's got a grenade launcher left over from those tripod things Big Banana Discord sent over that one time, though, so don't be comin' over if yer just lookin' to steal our stuff.  Not that there's much to steal.  If yer an orphan like the rest of us, we'll adopt you too!  We always can use a bit of help around here, and we promise to take good care of ya!  No matter what the others say, Saint Liarjack is right.  "There's always hope."  She might be the world's biggest liar since forever, but... well, Ah think it's better to believe that than just mope about.  Moping never gets anyone anywhere, right?  And one day... maybe... we'll never have to have empty spots at the table, ever again.  Oh!  You're an adventurer?  You said something about being able to help?  ...well... a-ah guess... yer welcome to stay, of course!

*****

Avalon:

Angelic wings fluttered in the shining light of the hidden land as water tinkled over little falls, making rainbows in the air.  In quiet halls, soft music can be heard floating from classrooms along with the laughter of little foals and chicks and kids too young to understand the cruelties of life.  Refugees, wearing the many-hued robes of silk secreted and woven here in Avalon, may often be found in courtyards or around hearths recounting the tale of their rescue and pilgrimage to this place.

Another golden plaque was added to the walls in the Hall of Remembrance today.  A changeling team had been sent to Queen Tiamat to discuss how to continue dealing with the ever-changing events, but they only made it one mile past the border of the Everfree.  Their swarm-mates have been notified.

Queen Cadance has been quiet these past few days, often visiting the refurbished ancient castle of the pony Sisters to think and meditate on harmony.  We have been told that today was the thousandth anniversary of the return of a pony named Luna, evidently someone very important to the Queen.  None of us had the heart to ask who she was.

There are those among the swarms who wish to fight openly against... the Enemy.  Yet what can we do against such power?  Only the Queen knows what would happen if HE found this refuge.  We... we shall continue serving the Queen however we can, welcoming in the refugees as they continue pouring over the borders.  Cadance forgive us for our cowardice...

*****

Everfree:

The wild wind howls as the sun and the moon switch places for the twentieth time since most creatures chose to awake.  The trees and plants are very different than they were a thousand years ago, having adapted to absorbing both moonlight and sunlight, and whatever chaotic substances are thrown at them from outside the magical border.  The animals would be almost as strange to a pony visiting from a thousand years ago, although in comparison to the creatures of Chaos, the wild animals are quite tame indeed.  The environment is uncannily self-sufficient, even more than it once was, generating its own atmosphere and nutrients and consuming whatever non-sentient materials and energy enter the border with impunity.  By the grace of Cadance, sentient beings not controlled by Chaos are left alone for the most part, and more often than not guided gently towards the Hidden Land.

It is an odd thing to say, but the Everfree is a haven now, rather than a place of terror and fear.  Perhaps it is due to its free nature, being predictable in a world where Chaos is now the norm.  If rumors are to believed, it has existed since the beginning of the world, and that at least may give some comfort to those who take refuge in it.  This is not to say, of course, that it is entirely "safe" or "tame" in any sense.  Timberwolves and hydras still await those idiotic enough to let down their guard fully, but at least they give warning and don't just appear out of nowhere to turn you into cotton candy.

Creatures of all sorts come here for rest every now and then, when unwilling or unwelcome to enter Avalon.  Most are crusaders or scouts or refugees.  Very few make this place their permanent home.  Yet... perhaps the adventurers who do make it their home... may one day free the world of its eternal chaos.

[Omega_Khaos]

A young angel-winged changeling comes running down the hall of the rebuilt castle, going right for the throne room.

[glow=navy,2,300]Mother. Mother. Word from Queen Tiamat.[/glow] Chrysteel says running up to Queen Cadance. she holds out the dragon-queen's scroll for her mother to grasp.

[Shadechaser]

Somewhere in the Everfree, Shadechaser awoke from a "nap" to find that the aura of the world seems to not be registered anymore. Shade gets up, looks to the sky, timed so perfectly, then sees the sun rise instantly from the darkness. "As darkness comes from light... This seems might a fright... yet coming from down below, could not have been so. If this world has turned to chaos..." Shade looks to Ponyville. "Sleep may have been too much for me. I should go and see... what has happened to Ponyville, beyond my dreams" Shadechaser starts to walk over in the direction of Ponyville oblivious to the dangers that lay ahead although subconsciously acting to avoid anything that makes a move past, or near, her.

[The Wandering Magus]

The Queen turned gracefully, smiling at the young changeling.  "Thank you, Chrysteel."

With the soft glow of magic, she gently took the scroll from the girl's hooves, whispering an ancient incantation as it slowly opened to calm the dragon-fire that would have destroyed any other being that attempted to peek at the contents.  The Mother did not always approve of the Dragon-Queen's methods of security, but she had to admit that it had been mostly effective these long, long centuries.

Her deep, ancient eyes quickly read through the message, her legendary calmness hiding whatever emotion the Queen may have felt.

As she stood there, the young changeling could feel the infinite well of harmony, love, hope and joy flowing from this... Goddess was the first word that came to mind.  So much strength, so much patience, yet such sorrow, holy and pure.  If this Queen once had Sisters, They must have been just as beautiful and kind as Mother.  Just being in Her presence filled every need and craving Chrysteel had, and she was reminded of the first time the changelings' eternal craving was finally satisfied in full by this gentle Queen.  She could never imagine what life might have been like had Mother not found them and adopted them all.  The idea that in some other world the changelings might have actually attacked Cadance was entirely alien to her mind.  How could anyone attack Mother?  Only the Enemy and his minions would ever dare do such a thing.

((you get to choose what the message says, since you introduced the letter ))

*****

An instant later, the world outside the Everfree was night again, and then day, and then night, switching erratically and unpredictably, sometimes to background music.  Houses floated in the purple sky over checkered ground.  Pies floated up from below and splashed into cotton candy clouds above.  Somewhere there was a moo.

A herd of long-legged rabbits on stilts rushed pass at sonic rainboom speeds.  Each step was a different noise: quack, click, whinny, burp.  One paused and yawned, its jaw stretching to impossible lengths before snapping shut like a rubber band.  It was then eaten by a rock.  A didgeridoo played a funeral march.

The sky opened, literally, as it began raining knives all over the Capitol of Chaos.

[Omega_Khaos]

the message reads, [glow=red,2,300]The time has finally come for the destined ones to make their move.
The sky has shown the signs. In the days to come we must remain vigilant.
On a side note your request is in. please come at your earliest time.[/glow]

[Shadechaser]

"When the world comes to an end..." Shade said to herself at she watched these strange occurrences. While looking to the ground, a knife seemed to fall straight through her, and she was not injured. Noticing the knife, attempts to pick it up. "When all goes to day, one must change their ways." Seeming to not even be able to touch the knife, Shade ignores it and casually goes back to the Everfree. "When darkness comes to light... The reality is left in sight. Once the shadows come to stay... No Pony wants to play..." Shade constantly says riddles to help her mind adjust to the harsh reality that was forced upon her. If she can find a way through the awestruck emotion of this reality, then she might be able to explore this "new world" of Equestria. "When all makes nonsense, the world comes from... Discord." (Really that quick?) Shade recites one of her riddles that she said in a past life, then looking back to Ponyville. "If I go to the heart of the problem now... I may not be more of this world than just a simple shadow of the yesterday that was normal..." Shade stares toward Ponyville for what seems to be days, judging by Discord's magic, although, it would be more like five minutes.

[Asterian Starfall]

Out in the shadows of Everfree, amidst the winding trees and tangling vines, a rogue Unicorn was foraging for food; the same routine he had followed for sixteen years of his life. He tossed and over-turned the leaves of the forest looking for anything available to him, but there was... nothing. Not even the slightest morsel of food could be found. He got up miserably and began his journey back to his cavern he called home with nothing more than half of a rotten pheasant corpse and a sprig of rosemary. The forest around him was nothing but bleak, but he felt as if he was better off dead than eating rotten bird-meat.

He slowly followed the trail back to his home, hoping that some form of solace would appear to him.

[The Wandering Magus]

The Queen smiled softly as she rolled up the letter again.  "At last.  At long, long last.  Thank you, Chrysteel."

Sisters... perhaps now, after all these centuries... you can finally come home...

She bowed deeply to the empty thrones, mouthing something to herself, as if in prayer, then turned back to the changeling still standing before her.

"Are the guards and the chariots ready for mass ring-teleportation at first notice?  I must speak with Tiamat as soon as possible."

She motioned for Chrysteel to follow alongside her as they exited the refurbished castle.  Her ears flick for a moment as she senses some of the destined ones.  So... it will be one of my Children and others who will save this world... oh Father, Mother, help me stay strong for my hive...

*****

Within the Everfree, Shade senses a shift.  A trail that was not there before had opened up, leading deep into the heart of the forest.  There was a whisper in the wind, not enchanting, but an offer.  She was free to ignore it and do as she would, or she could follow this path to wherever it took her, whatever strange, Hidden Land it may lead her to.

*****

The unicorn felt a shift in the air, as he had not felt since... well, since ever.  What is this word, "hope"?  Yet there seemed to be a trail that ran alongside his own.  A whisper in the wind, not an enchanting one like the ones that the Enemy liked to use, but more of an offer.  He could ignore it.  Many did ignore it, if they were not yearning for the Hidden Land or seeking refuge.  But the road was open to him, and to those Destined.  He felt another presence also, a Shade, somewhere at the near edge of the forest...

[Omega_Khaos]

[glow=navy,2,300]Yes...Mother they are. May I come with you this time? Also I have the most recent reports for the patrols. More refugees are hiding in the forests again.[/glow]
Chrysteel continues to present the rest of her teams' patrol report. Chrysteel seams determined to help those in need of it, just like how she was brought up and her power definitely shows it.
Her mother's love aura seams to radiate throughout the chamber calming any who are in touch with emotions or are sensitive to it. The aura also seams to be made of pure innocent true harmonic energy, untainted by the touch of discord. A love that none can deny exists.

[Shadechaser]

"If the dark comes near... there is nothing to fear..." Shade staring down the path that was created. "If this is the way to find a being of true logic... one that can make sense of this... The right way is always needed when one is lost..." Shade stares down the path. Using her vision, that was converted by the dark arts, to see any creatures big or small on this road. "If the dark abandons me... where am I to go... what am I to see? Through what do I know, that can help me find so..." Shade walks down the path, being cautious about the creatures that may have been created... in this land of Discord. "Sweet mare of the moon when did this happen... when did all this chaos ensue?" Shade now looking to the sky, ignoring the light cycle changes, while walking down the path.

[Asterian Starfall]

The stallion looked at the trail with a peculiar eye, as if judging it carefully. What it was or where it led he did not know, but his heart knew that if he followed it, it could very well lead him to salvation... or to ruin. He took his hood off of his head and weighed his choices. Should he stay in the forest and continue to survive? Should he follow the pathway in the hopes he might thrive?

He followed the echo of the call and walked down the trail less traveled, encouraging himself, "Though the world around me is full of danger, aggression, and hostility... I still hold out hope. May this road change things for the better." As he continued to walk down the dirt path, he could sense he was not alone, but it didn't matter to him. With every step he took he felt more and more secure from corruption and oppression. Whatever it was that followed him could not have had ill intent.

[bleyd]

It has been a long journey is not how long i slept, but this is not the world that I remember, this forest was once beautiful now is not more than a shadow of what it was, but everything can be fixed, mother nature has sent me here to help, the truth that if brother.

The speaking sitting under a tree near a swamp where a hydra what listening carefully,

Then Brother tell me how much time has elapsed since the chaos broke out, i need to know everything possible about this forest, and its very bright.

It takes the hand in his bag of containment, their most sacred object now because it contains, the seeds of all the plants that esistian before the chaos is unleashed, oak, apple almond, Rosales, hundreds of varieties of native plants without corrupting, reploblar waiting for the world. the power of the earth will change to the animals to what once were with poliformares, with time and the spells of reincarnations, the former species already missing will return to be what they were, but there is much to be done, perhaps too,

[The Wandering Magus]

The Queen smiled lovingly to her Child.  So eager to help the needy... she has grown so much.  "Yes, Chrysteel.  You may accompany us to Queen Tiamat."

Destiny has chosen you, my Child, thought Cadance with a torn heart, feeling both joy and sorrow.  You will change the world... but will the world change you also?  So much suffering lies before you...

Her smile never vanished.  A Queen must be strong for her hive.  She lives to serve the changelings, her Children, though they insist otherwise.  And she would not have it any other way.

"Chrysteel, there are several others who will be coming here, to Avalon, the Hidden Land.  Destiny has chosen NOW to bring them together, though none of them chose this path, and I did not set it before them.  A great change is coming, my Child.  And..."

And will you be able to bear the burden of being a Destined One, my Child? she thought in her heart of hearts.

*****

Shade and the stallion became gradually aware of each other's presence as they walked the winding path.  For the stallion, it was oddly peaceful and free of dangers, though he somehow knew in his heart that this was not a trap.  For Shade, it was a path of gentle shadow.  It reminded her of a time when there was such a thing as night, when the shadows were not something to be afraid of but embraced.  There was a clear, fresh smell in the air, orderly, harmonic, free of the bewildering, chaotic smells that plagued the world outside.

There was an arching of vines and branches before them that could almost be a gateway, or a door.  Though beyond it the trail seemed only to continue on without end, both now knew without doubt that it was indeed a doorway.  What lay beyond?  It was their choice, whether to enter, or turn back.

*****

The creatures of the forest told Bleyd that chaos ruled the world for one thousand years.  "Big Banana Discord" was "god" of this world.  Ponies suffered everywhere, and both plants and animals died every day, in acid-storms and knife-storms.  However, there were two places where there was hope and peace.

Avalon, which was called the "Hidden Land", was a peaceful paradise inside the Everfree Forest.  It was governed by Changeling Queen Cadance and her angel-changelings.  Many refugees live there also.

Far away from here, Dragon Queen Tiamat governed all the dragons in the world.  Even the dragons could not fight Discord.  The dragons went to Tiamat for protection.  Some ponies that were turned into dragons by Discord also lived there.  Queen Tiamat protected both the dragons and the ponies-turned-dragons.

There is a prophecy.  The creatures of the forest tell Bleyd that the prophecy says that six "Destined Ones" will save the world.  Maybe Bleyd is one of the "Destined Ones"?

[bleyd]

Thank you brother, you've helped me a lot last thousand years i have enclosed in the ice, it is now my Dever, leave the world as it was before, I shall be leaving immediately the dragon kingdom, because they remain my animal brothers much closer to the mother that the changing nature of Avalon, but taimat , is estrao that Bahamut, not to get involved in the protection of their children also, peace be with you brother.

Having said that bleyd is moving away from the hydra in the direction of the dragon kingdom

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian couldn't help but marvel at the gateway. For sixteen long years he had lived in Everfree, but never had he known about this place nor the trail. He now knew in his soul that this gateway would lead him to not only salvation, but perhaps even his true destiny.

He stepped forth, not even considering to turn back for a second. He committed himself to follow the pathway until it ended, however long it may take.

[Shadechaser]

Shadechaser seemed to be entranced by the essence of night that was completely apparent to her. Her mind set on following the path, yet not noticing the arching vines and branches. Shade's mind feeling at ease and free from the madness that was shown earlier. A song stuck in her mind playing on repeat, and calmly following the path in a seemingly mindless state.

[Omega_Khaos]

[glow=navy,2,300]Mother...don't worry, what lays ahead is meant to be and thus we must meet it head on. I was not chosen to be an ambassador for the hive for nothing. I also know that only you know of my work for the underground. Discord's rule of the land must come to an end and if I am in someway able to help bring it about, I will do my best not for my self but for all I cherish. You taught me that being a Queen or a Princess means that one must help others and at times be helped by others. Am I not mistaken?[/glow] Chrysteel says to her mother Cadance knowing that she means well for her children. Chrysteel continues to walk with her mother.
[glow=navy,2,300]Should I go and meet our new guests when they come or should I stay with you till they come?[/glow] she asks with curiosity in her voice.

[The Wandering Magus]

Bleyd was in a world of chaos.  The purple sky rained knives.  Buffalo ballet dancers flipped over unicycles.  Pies fell upward.  Monkeys ate marshmallow balloons.  Putty flowers burped cows over rainbow towers of bubblegum.

But a dragon waited for him.  "GREETINGS, BROTHER.  QUEEN TIAMAT SENT ME TO BRING YOU TO HER." it bowed.

*****

Asterian and Shade crossed the gateway... and found themselves in the beautiful vale of the Hidden Land of Avalon.

The gentle wind sighed in the leaves of many trees, bringing the sweet scent of flowers and fresh, clear, clean water.  A gentle glow, like moonlight in the depths of summer, illuminated the many quiet pathways running here and there.  It was neither hot nor cold, but comfortably warm and cool at the same time.  Many fruits, edible leaves and other good food grew along the pathways, ripe and free for any to pick at their leisure, for the land here was ruled by Harmony through the grace and power of Queen Cadance.

---

The Queen placed a comforting wing briefly on her Child's shoulder.  "Two are already here," she smiled softly.  "Shall we go and meet them?"

A circle of comforting green flames appeared around them as changeling guards came to their Queen's side to accompany her in welcoming the Destined Ones.

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian fell to his knees at the sudden change in scenery. All this time he had been living in the forest and he never knew of this haven. He looked up and the tree and, noticing the fruit hanging from it, jumped up and knocked down one of the apples hanging from it, but this presented another problem... His magic had not worked since he was a colt. Despite this, he concentrated on the fruit and his horn began to glow. He strained to break past the mental barrier, until after a few seconds of focusing, he broke the psychological lock that had Suppressed him for so long.

He levitated the apple towards his mouth and bit a small chunk out. Its sweet taste seemed to give strength to his exhausted legs. He looked down at the pheasant carcass he had been smuggling and discarded it. Starfall could feel the enchantment of the Land flowing through him, bringing peace within. For the first time in his life, he knew he belonged. He couldn't help but shed tears at the notion that he had found a beacon of light in the darkness. He couldn't help but cry at the thought that he felt that he had come home.

[Omega_Khaos]

[glow=navy,2,300]Yes mother lets say hello.[/glow]
Chrysteel happily says as she will be able to meet the new arrivals to her home for the longest she could remember. she trotted happily next to Cadance not caring about the group of guards that have formed to protect the queen.