10.
Luna was walking back and forth in front of the guards. She looked at the guards one by one. Some were extremely young and she shook her head at the newness of them. She looked at one; an earth pony guard. “Ye, tell me how ye shall watch the charge, and how thou shall protect them?” “Ever vigilant and to the death ma’am!” The guard saluted and bowed.
Luna nodded and waved her hoof and the guard stood with the others again. Most were Pegasus and unicorn guards. “We have asked the captain of the guard to choose the most elite of the guards for this assignment. We do not know if ye have heard any rumors, but we shall enlighten thou. Discord is to be obeyed as he is now the ruler of Equestria as such a time that my sister, Princess Celestia is to return. His Daughters and his Son shall be treated right, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for LillyRose; Lady Chaos. As ye all know, Fluttershy shall also be here, she is married to Discord so thou shall take instructions from her as well. Is there any questions for us?”
A young Pegasus guard stepped forward. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Yes?” Luna nodded
“I… I just started this week… are you sure I am fit for this assignment?” She asked nervously as she bowed shakily. Luna looked at her for a long moment. “Ye will be assigned Fluttershy. Ye will guard her with thou life and do what she commands thou to do.”
“Yes ma’am.” She saluted and looked relieved all at once.
Luna then assigned guards to the family members. The one she didn’t assign was a guard for Discord, since he’d be surrounded by guards no matter what and he didn’t really need a guard.
Luna pointed to the earth pony guard. “Ye are one of the bravest of the guards, we pick thou to be Lady Chaos’ personal guard. Ye shall be at her side all the time, be at her beck and call. Do whatever she requires of thou… Can ye do that?”
He had bowed to the Princess and nodded. “I shall make you proud my Princess.” Luna nodded at them, “We are already proud of all of thou. The family will be arriving today. We suggest ye all be prepared.” She walked off with two of her own personal guards walking behind her.
The earth pony guard blinked. “Doesn’t Lady Chaos have wings? How do I keep up with that?”
A unicorn guard laughed. “I guess you will be running a lot then. Didn’t you hear the rumor about her?”
“What rumor?” The earth pony guard asked.
“I heard that she eats the flesh of ponies.” The unicorn guard whispered. “She has sharp fangs that she will sink deeply into your flesh. Her bat wings blotted out the sun on the day that Celestia lost her throne.”
“She has sharp fangs that she will sink deeply into your flesh. Her bat wings blotted out the sun on the day that Celestia lost her throne.”
The earth pony guard looked doubtful. “Come on that is just a rumor.” He shook his head. “I fully doubt that Luna would let some pony like that take over Equestria.”
“That is what I have heard.” The unicorn guard muttered. “Good luck with her Zero. Be prepared to get a lot of exercise by running up and down hallways trying to keep up with some pony that has magic and can fly.”
“It won’t be that bad.” Zero muttered. “Will it?”
The unicorn laughed and shrugged. “Who knows; I was assigned to Lord Paradox and I heard that he is ill, should be an easy assignment.”
Lilly kissed her brother on his cheek. “We are going to move tomorrow Dox. We’ll have guards to watch you every day and make sure you do not hurt yourself. Of course Mom will be there, I think she’d be around you more than any guards.”Paradox slowly rolled over and looked up at her. “Lilly, why didn’t you give into the temptation?”
She blinked at him. “What are you talking about Dox?”
He shrugged as he looked up at the ceiling. “Nothing.”
Lilly was still tired as she stared at him, she then shook her head. “What do you think?”
“I think you should leave me here.” He closed his eyes as he rolled back over to sleep.
“I’m not going to leave you here.” Lilly yawned. “You’re moving to Canterlot with us. Whether you like it or not.”
Paradox pretended he was asleep but was staring at the wall. His ears twitched as he listened to his sister go to her room for the night. He slowly sat up, looked around the room and stretched out his wing and started to pet it slowly. “I would have given in…” He then plucked one of his feathers out; made a face from the pain as he lay back down while staring at his feather.
Fluttershy jumped when Discord appeared right next to her in the kitchen. He was holding Lilly in his arms. “We’re home.” he announced.
Fluttershy gasped as she saw Lilly in his arms. “What happened to Lilly?”
“She’s just tired.” Discord smiled. “She did something wonderful and I’m extremely proud of her.”
“She did something wonderful and I’m extremely proud of her.”
Fluttershy looked at him as if waiting for him to explain what he meant but he carried Lilly into the other room and placed her on the couch. Fluttershy followed him with a look of confusion on her face. “What did Lilly do?” She asked.
He turned and looked at Fluttershy, looking like a cat that ate a bird. “Oh you will never ever guess.”
Fluttershy stared at him. “Discord you know I am not good at guessing games.”
“You give up before you even try.” He said sadly. “Oh! I know! Wait right here.” He jumped up and went upstairs.
Fluttershy looked at Lilly and saw that her daughter had dark circles under her eyes and her color seemed a little drained. “Lilly, are you okay?” She asked.
Lilly looked up at her mother and smiled. “Hi Mom… Did Dad tell you yet?”
“No.” Fluttershy answered as she put her hoof on Lilly’s forehead. “What did you two do in Canterlot?”
“Wait… no Lilly! Don’t… don’t tell her! I want to… Please.” Discord said as he carried a box over to Fluttershy.
Lilly yawned and rolled over. “Then tell her.”
“Discord? Why do you have that crown you and Dox got for me on our 2nd wedding anniversary?” Fluttershy asked.
“Because… I want you to wear it tomorrow.” He said softly.
“Why would I wear it?” She looked at him suspiciously.
“Dad, just tell her already.” Lilly said in a frustrated sigh.
“I’m trying to Lilly, but someone keeps interrupting me.” Discord grumbled.
“Discord? What are you and Lilly talking about?” Fluttershy wrinkled her nose.
“Discord? What are you and Lilly talking about?” Fluttershy wrinkled her nose.
Discord looked at her little nose wrinkle and wanted to just kiss her. “You are so cute when you wrinkle your nose.” He whispered to Fluttershy.
“Geez.” Lilly sat up and looked at her father sternly. “Dad… if you don’t tell her I will.”
“Alright.” He took the crown out of the box and placed it on Fluttershy’s head. “I rule Equestria now and I need you to sit beside me.”
Fluttershy blinked at him then looked at Lilly. “What?”
“Dad, I think you broke Mom.” Lilly said sleepily.
“What?” Fluttershy said again as she stared at them.
“Okay Mom… I will explain this to you.” Lilly said as she got Fluttershy’s attention. “Celestia was possessed and I saved her from the possession, I am more powerful than I thought I was. Anyway, Celestia is very ill and Luna has asked for help in taking care of Equestria. So… Dad is going to rule in Celestia’s place. It is all legitimate.”
Fluttershy blinked and slowly looked at Discord. “You’re the ruler of Equestria?”
Discord grinned as he put his hand and paw around her hoof. “Yes, and I want you to sit beside me. I love you Fluttershy, please share this with me.”
She took in a deep breath and looked down at his paw slowly stroking her hoof. “When Celestia comes back are you comfortable with giving the power back to her?” She asked.
“I will give it up as soon as Celestia is well enough to return.” He didn’t pause as he looked into her eyes. “I will not give up the power because of her though; I will only give it up because of you and only you.”
Fluttershy blushed as she looked at him. “Okay Discord. I will sit with you.”
“Oh thank goodness.” Lilly said as she got up off the couch. “I’m going to bed. Dad, you’d better make the sun go down before you go to bed.” She stomped upstairs.
Spike belched up a scroll and made a face. “Ugh, this scroll tastes like coconut.” He looked at the scroll and it didn’t look like Celestia’s normal looking scroll. It had a different seal on it. “Twilight, a scroll from Celestia… I guess…”
Twilight looked at Spike. “You guess? What would make you guess?” She lifted the scroll up with her magic and looked at it. “That isn’t Celestia’s seal, whose seal is that?”
Spike shrugged. “What does it say?”
Twilight opened and read it. “Dear Twilight Sparkle, your presence is requested immediately in Canterlot. Signed Princess Luna.”
“Princess Luna?” Twilight asked. “Spike something isn’t right, I think I might have to teleport there.”
“Are you sure Twilight?” Spike asked nervously.
She nodded. “Yes I am sure. I’ll be back.” Her horn glowed and she disappeared.
Twilight appeared outside the throne room. Everything seemed normal guards were standing at their posts and they bowed when they saw her.
“Princess Twilight.” One guard bowed to her lower than the others. “You are expected.”
“Is everything okay?” Twilight asked.
“Oh yes, Princess.” The guard stated as he opened the throne room door. “Go right on in.”
Twilight trotted into the throne room confidently and stopped in mid stride when she saw Discord grinning at her from the throne. He waved at her, “Come on in Twilight, I am glad you are so punctual to summons.”
“What in Celestia’s name is going on?”
“What in Celestia’s name is going on?” Twilight demanded. “Are you the reason why Luna requested me? Where is Celestia?”
Discord started to chuckle at her look. “Oh this is too perfect; I want to cherish that look on your face forever.” He stared at her for a moment. “Yes, Luna requested you, but I sent you the message. Did Spike enjoy the flavor?”
“He doesn’t like coconut.” Twilight muttered.
“Oh, I’ll have to remember that.” Discord grinned.
“Are you going to explain to me what is going on?” Twilight growled. “What are you doing on the throne, where is Celestia? Why are the guards listening to you and working for you?”
“Dad, I think you had enough fun with aunt Twilight.” Lilly said as she walked from behind the curtain.
Twilight suddenly felt relieved when she saw Lilly. “Oh so this is just an elaborate joke, right? Celestia you are very funny, come out.”
Lilly shook her head. “No, it’s not a joke; Dad is the ruler of Equestria. Celestia isn’t here.”
Twilight blinked. “What, but… what did you do to Celestia?” She flapped her wings and confronted Discord.
He put his arms up. “I didn’t do anything; it was all Lilly’s idea. Luna agreed.”
She landed while she looked at Lilly; she didn’t understand why Discord had been appointed by Luna. “Lilly?”
“Come on Twilight, we have a lot to talk about.” Lilly said. “Talk to you later Dad.”
“Yeah, sure leave me alone to run a kingdom.” Discord muttered as he sat back on his throne. He then grinned as he summoned a throne right next to him; it was smaller but looked to accommodate a pony. “Yes, she would look beautiful right here beside me.”
Lilly walked with Twilight down the hallway. “Tell me what is going on?” Twilight demanded as her tail flicked in irritation.
“We need your help Twilight,” Lilly said as she sighed. “Celestia is gravely ill and Luna can only do so much, we need you to help Celestia get better. Her mind has been corrupted and is badly injured she needs constant attention something that none of us could do on our own.”
“How did it happen? You didn’t corrupt Celestia did you?” She asked.
Lilly sighed. “No and neither did Dad. It was a shadow; it took Celestia and then tried to take me. Apparently, something is deep inside of me that enables me see my way out of darkness. I don’t know what it is, but right now I am very weak. It’s by sure will power I am still standing.” She sighed again.
“You should rest then.” Twilight looked at her. “Does Fluttershy know that you and your father are here?”
Lilly nodded, “Yes, but she doesn’t know what had transpired here. I think Dad wants to tell her. Paradox is extremely ill, so she is taking care of him.”
“Oh! What is wrong with Paradox?” Twilight was looking more worried with all the bad news.
Lilly stopped and sighed. “I don’t know. Twilight can you help us? If you can, Luna will take you to see Celestia.”
Twilight was suddenly surprised that they were standing next to Luna’s room; two of her guards were standing at attention. “Oh! Yes I would like to help anyway I could.”
“Thank you.” Lilly knocked on Luna’s door as the guards bowed to her.
Luna opened the door, Lilly and Twilight bowed to her. “Ye had brought me Twilight Sparkle. We are so pleased, thank ye Lady Chaos.”
“You’re welcome Princess.” Lilly said. “I have told her only a little bit, you will have to tell her the rest. I don’t remember a lot.”
Luna nodded in understanding. “Tis true Lady Chaos, ye were busy. Thank ye again for saving her.”
Lilly nodded. “Princess, I tried my best. If you would excuse me? I think I need some rest.”
“Yes, ye should get rest; tomorrow we shall get thou family into the castle and appoint ye some guards.” Princess Luna nodded as she looked at Twilight. “Princess Twilight, please accompany me to tend to Celestia.”
“Yes Princess.” Twilight nodded as Luna let Twilight into her room shutting the door as Lilly walked away back towards the throne room.
Lilly yawned as she slowly opened the door to the throne room and looked in. Discord was redecorating, using dark colors that matched his throne. “Dad. This room looks too dark.” She muttered as she walked over to him.
“You think so?” He asked as he rubbed his beard.
“Yeah, you should hire Aunt Rarity to redecorate for you.” She suggested.
Discord tapped on his tooth. “Maybe… or… I can ask the opinion of your mother.”
“You haven’t told her yet? Dad, she’s probably worried sick about us.” Lilly blinked tiredly. “I’m… so sleepy…” She wobbled unsteadily. She started to fall over Discord caught her quickly.
“My little double flower. I will take you home.” He looked around the throne room smiled and snapped his fingers.
Discord and Lilly both appeared in a long hall with large stained glass windows stretching from one end to another. The place was huge and Lilly’s eyes widened in surprise at seeing the colorful windows that showed her mother in a lot of them. “Dad… it’s beautiful in here.”
Discord nodded as he frowned looking around the hallway. “Yeah, you seen one… you seen them all. This is very odd… where are the guards?”
“Dad?” Lilly said nervously as she looked at the other end of the hallway she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end as she stared at what she didn’t quite understand.
“What Lilly?” He said as he looked in the direction she was looking. “Oh… That is why there are no guards…” He reached for his daughter as long black wispy tendrils rushed down the hallway towards them. He snapped his fingers and they disappeared. They reappeared up in a tower.
Oh… that is why…
“What was that!?” Lilly asked her father.
Discord frowned. “I don’t know Lilly, but I am going to find out. Stay here.”
“Dad… be careful!” Lilly said as she looked at Discord before he disappeared. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“I’ll be back my double flower. Don’t worry about me.” He disappeared with a snap.
Lilly looked down from the tower and saw the whole city of Canterlot. It seemed that the ponies below had no idea what was going on inside the castle. “I hope everything is ok…” She whispered to herself. A shadow suddenly appeared over her and she started to shake as she slowly turned around. The hair on her shoulders stood up like hackles… she backed away from the hideous shape that was forming from the walls of the castle itself. Slow wispy tendrils started to float around her hooves as she backed up to the balcony of the tower. “What are you?” She asked as she backed up until her rump hit the side of the balcony and she felt so much fear welling up inside of her that she couldn’t make her wings work.
The wisps of smoke seemed to hiss.
“I’ll have you know… I’m a strong draconequus. I can use my magic against you.” She swallowed hard and she finally was able to unfurl her wings as she jumped from the balcony. She floated down from the balcony then flapped her wings and went back to the shadow to look at it better but it was quickly receding, she touched her hoof onto the balcony though and it returned looming larger over her. She felt her heart clench up in fear as it coalesced and was forming shapes within it. Lilly stared fascinated and scared all at the same time she suddenly let out a strangled cry when she saw one of the shapes within was her father.
“Dad!” She yelled. “Dad!”
The wisps of smoke started to flow around her as she looked at her father within; her heart was feeling despair and sadness.
“Don’t let it fool ye Lilly; Daughter of Chaos. That is not your father in there.” A soft voice floated to Lilly’s ears.
Lilly’s hoof slipped from the rail of the balcony and she fell, her wings spread out and she glided down slowly. The shadow quickly dissipated. Lilly landed lightly on one of the streets of Canterlot. The ponies on the ground looked at her in surprise and a couple backed away unsure of her since she didn’t look like them with her horn, antler, long scaly tail and bat wings. She looked around breathing heavily not knowing what she should do.
What should I do?
“Ye need to get back to the tower.” The voice said to her.
“If I go back to the tower, it will get me.” Lilly looked around for the source of the voice. “Where is my dad?” She spread her wings as she pushed off the ground and took flight again. All the ponies watched her fly upwards and they started to whisper and talk nervously.
“Your father is safe, but he is weakened. Lilly ye must help me and your father; maybe all three of us can do this.”
“What? Do what? I don’t understand…” Lilly flew up towards the tower where she had confronted the shadow and landed again. The shadow wasn’t there but she was scared that it’d return. “How do I know if my dad is safe? You could be lying to me.”
The voice didn’t answer and Lilly had a feeling that it was lying to her. She swallowed hard not knowing what to do. She was still feeling sick from being around Paradox and she felt despair sitting inside of her like a cold stone. “My double flower. Please listen to Luna.” Discord sounded strained within her head.
“Dad?” Lilly’s ears perked up. “Where are you?”
“I’m okay, the shadow is a manifestation of your fears and doubts, try not to let it get a hold of you.” His voice was fading.
“Daddy…” Lilly cried out, but he didn’t answer her and she sat down. “What do I do?”
The other voice broke into her thoughts. “Lilly, ye have to go to the throne room; from there we can talk to ye better.”
Lilly put her head down, as she felt her tears fall down her muzzle. She felt scared and very alone, she knew her father needed her, but she felt that emptiness deep inside. “I don’t know where the throne room is.”
“Find the hallway of stained glass, at the far end is the throne room,” Luna said.
“That was the room where the shadows emerged from when Dad and I got here.”
“I know that Lilly and that is where ye have to go. It is where my sister is and where we must confront her.”
“I have to confront Princess Celestia?” Lilly said in a panic. “You didn’t say I had to go against her!”
She was met with no answer.
Lilly let in a deep breath. “I will go find the throne room, but wouldn’t it be much easier if I got Aunt Twilight to help me?”
“No, Twilight would be easily swayed to be on Celestia’s side. She will not see the fear and doubt within her, Twilight will end up being feasted upon and it will make defeating Celestia so much more difficult. Quickly Lilly the longer you take the stronger it becomes.”
Lilly stood up and took in a deep breath. She thought of all the magic that Discord taught her as she put her head down and started the focus her thoughts. She felt her fur burn from within and she shifted her hooves slightly. She closed her eyes slowly as she thought of a protection spell and cast it upon herself. “Okay, I will find the throne room. You better not be lying to me or intending to trap me.” She opened her eyes, they glowed red with an inner fire. She spread her wings as she flew down to the hall that she thought contained the stained glass.
She walked to the double doors and opened them, the hallway echoed emptily as she looked down it. It was the hallway to the entrance of the throne room. Lilly stepped into it and started to walk to the far end. The hallway started the stretch and Lilly walked faster, then she started to gallop as it stretched longer than before. Lilly flapped her wings and flew the rest of the distance until she came to the end of the hall and faced two large doors with carvings of the Sisters upon them. Lilly stood up straight and tall her coat was glowing red within and her eyes were burning like fire embers as she pushed the doors open.
Celestia was slumped on the throne her once beautiful glowing mane was lackluster. She looked like a discarded marionette on the throne; her head was tilted oddly and her eyes looked empty and soulless. Lilly felt like something was slowly creeping up behind her she turned quickly and saw nothing there. Lilly approached Celestia slowly, her hooves made a hollow noise inside the empty throne room. The Princess looked like an empty shell and it made Lilly feel really frightened because her eyes had no light within as if she was… dead.
“She isn’t dead.” Luna’s voice was louder in Lilly’s mind. Lilly almost jumped from her skin as she stared at Princess Celestia.
“I’m here… What do I do now?” Lilly whispered as she kept looking at Celestia. Something caught the corner of her eye and she looked away from Celestia to some curtains to the side. Lilly stepped away from Celestia over to the curtains that were moving slightly. She slowly put her hoof up moving the curtain away. She saw her father… Lilly backed up from the curtain quickly as she tripped over the carpet and she fell backwards. “No… No… You said that…” The image of her father was flashing in her head, bloody, broken.
Broken
“It’s playing with your mind Lilly; don’t believe what ye are seeing.” Luna stated.
“No… You said that he was safe…” Lilly started to shake her head as the images flashed in her head. “No… I want to go home… I don’t like this at all. That was my Dad! This is a nightmare… right?”
“I wished that it was a nightmare.” Luna whispered. “That is not your father. He is with me; I am looking at him right now.”
“I don’t… believe you.” Lilly said softly as she turned and looked up and saw that Celestia had moved.
Princess Celestia had a smile on her face as she stared at Lilly with her dead looking eyes. “Who are you, are you here to talk to me?” She asked.
“Are you here to talk to me?” She asked.
“Princess Celestia.” Lilly said as she suddenly bowed to the Princess.
“Oh, you are a proper lady, bowing to her superior.” She ratcheted her head slightly as if she was being controlled by an outside source.
“I have come to help you.” Lilly said to her.
Celestia blinked. “Help me? Why? I don’t need any help. I am strong enough to not even need help from guards.” Her eyes started to glow purple and the shadow rose from her slowly looming tall, crawling up the wall behind the Princess and like a cancer spreading slowly across the floor. Lilly started to step away from the wispy tendrils as it tried to touch at her hooves. “You do seem strong though. Maybe…”
“What?” Lilly asked.
“Maybe I will just take you.” The shadow slowly surrounded Lilly and she looked around her as it slowly moved to engulf her.
“Lilly, we were prepared for this. Prepare for it. Your father and I; we are going to focus all our energy into your shield.” Luna said sharply.
“Double Flower. Let the shadow surround you, but don’t let it see your weakness.” Discord added.
Lilly felt her heart leap at hearing her father again but she held her ground as the shadow slowly started to crawl up around her hooves. She gulped suddenly when she felt her shield weaken around her and the shadow started to cover her neck and crawl up to her head. She started to panic as it got closer and closer to her face. “No!” Lilly screamed loudly. “I cannot…” She growled as she felt her shield break and the shadow engulfed her completely.
Celestia suddenly collapsed to the floor as all of the shadow left her body and started to possess Lilly.
The doors of the throne room opened and Luna walked in with Discord beside her. Discord ran over to Lilly and looked at his daughter, her whole body was engulfed in black but her eyes glowed red and she didn’t seem to recognize him. “Luna, you said that she wouldn’t become possessed.” He growled as he went to reach for her.
“Don’t touch her.” Luna stated as she looked at her sister. “Celestia is still possessed, but most of it is concentrated on Lilly.”
“I… don’t care.” Discord growled as he kept looking at his daughter.
Lilly slowly closed her eyes and growled deeply at the whispering in her ears. It felt like creatures were crawling and scratching in her head. Her brain hurt as she imagined grabbing one of those creatures and twisting its head off. Her eyes flashed as she felt something in her soul blazing brightly through the darkness.
The tendrils from the shadow started to slowly unravel from her muzzle and she took in a deep breath. “Dad…”
Discord blinked at his daughter. “Lilly, can you fight it?”
“I think I can.” She whispered. “It is trying to get into my fears, my doubts, but I locked them away. I cannot keep it up much longer. Gah! I feel something deep inside stirring; I don’t know… what it… ARGH!” She shook as she stood there as the shadow engulfed her muzzle again.
The whispering of the shadows increased. “It’sss hopeless issss it not? You can be better. You can be everything you ever wanted to be, they don’t really care about you.” The shadow was digging into her with these strange whispers and it kept getting louder. “You can be as great as your father, no… greater. He’sss not like he used to be. We can sshow you you’re potential for a larger ssscale of Chaos, give in, let usss take over. We can open up your true magic and you ssshall become the most powerful of all draconequussss. Don’t you ssee the potential? Let usss in. LillyRossse. LillyRosse.”
She shook and then fell down to her knees. “Ah! Stop the whispers!”
“Don’t you sssee that they usssed you? She only wanted to sssave her sssister; they ussed you that is why we are here inssside of you. You were betrayed by your father. They are laughing at you.” The shadow was working at her doubts. “Let usss in. Lilly. You are ssso much more… No….” The shadow suddenly stopped and seemed to retreat in her mind. “We can’t get it. Ssshe isss being protected by something elssse. She is only one ssside… only one ssside of two.”
Lilly suddenly stood up and mustering all her strength she let a red ember of powerful magic burst from her.
Luna’s eyes widened as she saw Lilly glow crimson making the shadow start to melt away. Discord watched as his daughter fought off the corruption and possession on her own; if he had known Luna was going to use her for this he would have taken Lilly home.
The shadow fled from Lilly quickly as if she was burning it; slowly it went to where it felt safe before Lilly.
Luna watched the shadow in horror as it started to possess her sister again. “No! Ye shall not have her back.” She lifted Celestia off the floor with her magic. She then created a shield around them both.
Lilly’s whole body radiated a dark red aura and her eyes glowed crimson light as sparks of red lightning ran along her horn and antler she flapped her wings as she rose above them. “I AM LADY CHAOS! NO ONE SHALL POSSESS MY MIND AND BODY!” Her voice boomed throughout the castle and out into the streets of Canterlot. “YOU ARE TO BE CLEANSED OF THIS CORRUPTION!” Lilly pointed a hoof at the unconscious Celestia. Red lightning sparked along Lilly’s mane as well as along her wings. Luna’s protection shield faltered at seeing the raw power in Lilly. As the shield fell, Lilly used her magic to wrap around Celestia’s body until it was encased in crimson tendrils.
“Not my sister! No!” Luna shouted and went to grab her but Discord held her back. “Unhand me.”
“You wanted Lilly to help you. Let her.” He whispered as he looked at his daughter proudly.
“You are to be sent away!” Lilly exclaimed as she swept her hoof slightly and Celestia was moved to the side. In a glowing magical cage was the shadow, quivering in a small ball. Lilly turned to Luna her eyes were still glowing. “Your sister is no longer possessed but she is… torn up inside. In the meantime, she needs to be taken some place safe and away from all outside influences until her body and mind are repaired.” She then turned to look at the shadow inside the crimson cage. “YOU ARE BANISHED!” The lightning moved along her body and shot out to the cage and without so much of a noise the cage vanished. Lilly suddenly collapsed on the floor of the throne room, her magic sparked as it slowly dissipated along her body.
Discord went to his daughter and kneeled next to her. “LillyRose, my double flower.”
She looked up at him. “Dad, you’re okay.”
“Yes, I am.” He whispered as he pulled her to him. “Are you alright?” He put his claw up and moved her mane from her face. She was drenched in sweat and she was breathing heavily.
“I don’t know.” She replied as she swallowed hard. “Did I do something bad? I’m sorry if I did.”
“Discord.” Luna said as she approached them. “How did your daughter defeat something we could not?”
Discord shrugged. “Maybe she’s not as weak minded as you and your sister.” He said bitterly since he was angry.
“Dad.” Lilly whispered. “Don’t make her mad.”
Luna seemed to ignore his comment. “What am I to do? I cannot run Equestria by myself, if Celestia needs to heal… I will need to tend to her as well as take care of the Kingdom.” Luna was shaking her head.
Lilly slowly stood up on unsteady legs. “Dad can do it.”
Discord blinked at his daughter. “What? Wait… Lilly… I am not sure about this.”
“You always wanted to. Now is your chance.” Lilly said to him. “Why would you refuse? You know how to raise the sun, you have the power.”
Luna looked at him hopefully. “We would be most grateful for any help. My sister is too weak and I cannot summon the sun.”
He looked at Luna then looked at Lilly. “What would your mother say?” He asked Lilly.
Lilly shrugged at him. “I don’t know Dad.
Luna watched them and nodded. “Ye need to decide soon, but we need to contact Twilight, she needs to know what has transpired here.”
Discord rubbed his muzzle. “Okay Luna, I will take over for Celestia until she returns.” Then he started to rub his paw and claw together as a grin sketched across his face. “Can I do whatever I want during the day though?”
“It is not my affair what happens during the daylight hours.” Luna stated. “Just as long as the sun rises and is taken away for my night.” She waved her hoof as she slowly lifted Celestia up with her magic. “I will return; I want to take Celestia somewhere safe.” Luna’s horn flashed and she disappeared with Celestia.
Discord started to chuckle deviously as he looked around the throne room, he rubbed his goatee slowly. He glanced at Lilly. “We’re going to have to move into the castle.”
Lilly nodded. “Yes, we’ll have to.” She watched as her father walked around the throne room, and blinked when he snapped his fingers. Celestia’s throne was instantly replaced with her father’s throne from his castle. Big tall throne with crooked horns sticking up from the top of it. “Really Dad?”
“Aww, Lilly. It’s my favorite throne.” He said as he went over to it and started to rub the arms. “Don’t worry; I won’t let her hurt your feelings.” He whispered to the throne as he sat down on it.
Lilly shook her head. “Dad… you’re acting strange… more than usual.”
“I have been granted the ability to rule Equestria how I wish.” Discord smiled as he leaned back on the throne. “Unless you want to…?”
“I’d rather you do it Dad.” Lilly replied. “Should I send a message to Twilight?”
Discord started to laugh lightly. “Oh yes… I cannot wait to see the look on her face.”
“You can’t leave yet Lilly. You are needed in Canterlot.”
5.
Few Months later
Paradox stayed in bed again and Lilly told her friends that she wouldn’t be going out with them for a long while. She sat in the room with her brother she felt ill when she sat with him, each of his heart beats matched hers and she felt like she was in a tunnel flooded with darkness. Even when the outside was clear with birds singing; she felt despair and loneliness.
“Paradox… I want you to know that I will find you a cure. You’re not alone… You’re my brother.” Lilly muttered to him. “I don’t know why I have been feeling sick. Ever since you got ill, I have been sick.”
Paradox looked at her, his eyes were dark rimmed and unemotional. “Just let me get rid of the monster.”
“No. You promised Dad you wouldn’t.” Lilly whispered, “That is why we sit in the room with you. So you don’t hurt yourself.”
“I hurt myself by living another day.” He muttered as he rolled over to look at the wall.
Lilly got up and left the room. “Augh! You make me so frustrated.” She stopped suddenly in the hallway by Scarlet Grace.
Scarlet looked tired as she looked at Lilly; she blinked and her eyes turned blind. “You can’t leave yet Lilly. You are needed in Canterlot.” Grace then shook her head, her eyes turned normal and she frowned at her sister. “Lilly! Where are you going? Dad said not to leave Doxy by himself.”
“I’m not leaving him for long.” She walked behind Grace and pushed her into Paradox’s room. “See you are here. Watch him for your big sister.”
“But… It’s not my turn!” She looked at Paradox lying on his side facing the wall. “Not that I don’t mind sitting and watching my sweet kind older brother.” She muttered as she sat down.
Lilly went down the stairs quickly as she felt a chill down her back. What did Scarlet mean by saying she was needed in Canterlot. Maybe her father would know, she stumbled off the last step of the stairs and fell on her face. “Ouch.”
Discord looked up from the book he was reading to see Lilly on the floor getting up slowly. “It’s easier to walk when you look at where you are going.” He said as he put the book up to read some more.
“Dad…” Lilly said as she jumped up and ran at him in a full gallop only to plow into him making him drop the book and fall backwards out of the chair he was sitting in. “Dad, Scarlet spoke to me.” Lilly panted after she got up.
Discord frowned as he got up too. “No, Scarlet never talks unless it is something very important.” He picked up the book. “Are you sure it wasn’t her faraway voice?”
“I am sure. She told me that I shouldn’t leave and I am needed in Canterlot.” She shook her head as she put her hoof on her muzzle. “I hurt my muzzle.”
“Who’s watching Paradox?” Discord asked.
“Grace.” Lilly said quietly.
“Lilly, you need to take responsibility. Come on.” He went upstairs with Lilly when they got up to Paradox’s room Grace was staring at her brother but he had fallen asleep. “Hey little Grace, what is new?” Discord ruffled Scarlet Grace’s yellow mane.
“Hi Dad. I was just watching Dox for Lilly…” She stood up then stretched her back legs wiggling her dragon toes.
“Thank you for watching him for a few moments.” Lilly said as she sighed and walked past Grace.
Scarlet grabbed Lilly with her claw and then grabbed Discord with her paw, her eyes turned blind again. “You’re needed in Canterlot. The Princess of the Moon needs you, it’s important.” She then shook her head again as she let go of her father and sister. “Dad, I have a headache, can I go to bed?”
Discord stared at Grace and then looked at Lilly. “That was Scarlet.”
“I told you Dad.” Lilly said.
“What are you talking about?” Grace asked as she looked at them. “Oh my head is really hurting.”
“Go lie down Grace.” Discord smiled at his daughter. “I’ll get you something for your headache.”
Grace walked to her bedroom slowly and closed the door behind her.
“Dad, what does it mean?” Lilly asked. “You said that Scarlet only talks when it’s important she talked to both of us.”
Discord still looked shocked. “I… think we need to go to Canterlot.”
Lilly was suddenly flustered, “B… but Dad… I don’t know why me, why do I need to go? I’m scared… Why me?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know Lilly. We have to tell your mother. Stay here with your brother.”
Lilly sat down as she looked at Paradox sleeping. “What is going on?” She asked as she looked at her brother.
Discord reappeared next to Lilly and she jumped slightly. “Alright Lilly, your mom will be up here in a moment. Then we leave immediately.”
“We’re leaving? But… I never been to Canterlot. I… What about?” Lilly started to stutter as tears started to form in her eyes.
Discord smiled down at Lilly, “You’re just like your mom.”
Fluttershy trotted into the room. “Sorry it took me so long… Are you sure you have to go? Grace and I will have to keep an eye on Dox alone.”
“I’m sure Fluttershy my love. Scarlet only talks when it’s important.” Discord kissed her. “Lilly and I will be back as soon as we could.”
“Mom. I love you.” Lilly said nervously as Discord placed his claw on her shoulder and they disappeared.
Lilly felt her soul was ripped up and she laid her head on the table as she looked at her mother. Fluttershy was crying as she looked at her daughter and felt at a loss at what she could do to make her feel better.
Scarlet Grace walked into the room. “Dad and Doxy are gone.” She went over to Lilly, “Are you feeling any better?”
Lilly looked at her sister as she moved her hooves on the table. “No… I don’t feel well. I just don’t know… what it is.”
“So, what do we do?” Fluttershy said as she touched Lilly’s hoof with her own. “Where did they go?”
Grace looked at her mother. “Dad took him to the doctor.” She blinked. “They will be back soon. Don’t blame yourself Mom.”
“What?” Fluttershy said as she stood up to look at her daughter. “Grace, what are you saying?”
Grace shook her head. “I just told you that Dad took Dox to the doctor.”
“You said that I shouldn’t blame myself.”
“I did?” Grace looked confused.
Lilly sat up. “Mom, should we go to the doctors? I can take us there.”
Fluttershy was about to nod when Discord appeared in the room holding Paradox in his arms, Paradox had his arms wrapped in clean bandages and he looked small and miserable. “We’re back.” Discord commented softly as he placed Paradox on a chair.
Paradox slumped on the chair and looked across at Lilly. “I… didn’t mean to…”
Discord frowned when he heard his son mutter those words. “Paradox, you need to get rest.”
Fluttershy ran to Paradox. “Your arms, oh Doxy… what happened?” She looked at his eyes and they looked sad and his luster was gone. “Can I do anything for you?”
“Mom, I tried to get rid of it… but Dad told me to not do it, he told me not to hurt myself, but it’s there.”
“What? What’s there?” Fluttershy asked as she looked at him.
Paradox leaned to her. “You don’t see it?”
“No…” Fluttershy looked scared.
Lilly sat up. “Mom, don’t… it won’t help.” She said in a panic as she felt her stomach lurch.
“I tried to claw it out of me, the monster… I’m the monster and I tried to get rid of it… I didn’t mean to… I didn’t want to… Dad made me promise not to harm myself again.” He put his head down; his mane seemed to turn gray with his mood.
“I feel sick.” Lilly commented as she put her head down as well.
Discord put his paw on Fluttershy. “Paradox needs rest.” He then kneeled next to her and said in a whisper. “I don’t know what happened before, but he tried to do himself a lot of harm. We just have to keep watch over him.”
“Dox, Lilly… You both need rest.” Discord said out loud.
“I’ll be okay.” Lilly said as she sat up again and took in a deep breath. “I’m going to…” She turned pale, stood up and ran out of the kitchen.
Scarlet Grace put her paw and claw on her ears when she heard Lilly retching in the other room. “Ewww. Lilly puked.”
Lilly put her hooves around her head; she let out a growl as she sat at the kitchen table. Fluttershy sat across from her she was worried about both her son and daughter. Discord appeared in the kitchen. “What! What happened?” He looked at Lilly who was clutching her head as if she was going explode. He went over to her and looked into her eyes. “LillyRose? Double flower. What is wrong?”
Lilly looked at him and flinched at the pain inside her head. “Dad, it’s not me… It’s Paradox, he’s…” She gasped out as she put her hooves over her ears. “He’s going to hurt himself.”
Discord stood up quickly and disappeared. He reappeared in the hallway upstairs and he opened the door to Paradox’s bedroom. He saw his son on the floor feathers all over the place along with paintings and artwork torn up from Paradox’s own claws. Paradox was clawing at his arms leaving long scratches through his fur and bleeding. “No!” Discord grabbed Paradox, holding his paws back. “Stop that! STOP! Don’t hurt yourself… Don’t… I won’t… let you.” He used his magic and wrapped Paradox’s arms in the bedding that was torn up. He looked into Paradox’s eyes making him look at him. “Why are you doing this?”
Paradox looked at his father as if he didn’t recognize him; his blue eyes lost their shine. Discord swallowed hard seeing that his son had changed so suddenly in just a few hours. Paradox blinked slowly. “Why… did you stop me? Why? I… Am not supposed to be here… I am not supposed to be… I am a monster.” He grabbed the wrappings on his arms. “I’ve got to destroy the monster.”
“No!” Discord pulled his son to him. “Don’t hurt yourself. Don’t…”
“Dad…” Paradox said softly.
“I’m here Dox. You’re not bad, don’t hurt yourself. Promise not to hurt yourself.” Discord said to him. “You hurt yourself you hurt your mother, you hurt your sisters, and you hurt me.”
“I won’t hurt myself Dad. I… don’t feel good. I feel… horrible.” He looked down at the torn sheets around his arms and there was some blood showing through. “I think I am bleeding.”
“I know.” Discord swallowed as he pulled Paradox close. “We’ll go to the doctors, get you healed.”
“Nothing will heal me.” Paradox muttered as he felt emptiness inside. “There is no cure for a monster.”
“Who called you a monster?” Discord asked.
Paradox shook his head. “Does it matter? No… I have seen the monster and it is me. I am nothing but a monster. I will always be one… Not deserving of… anyone or anything.” He looked at his paws and they shook as he retracted his claws. “My fingers are red.”
“My fingers are red.”
Discord put his paw on Paradox’s paws. “Don’t look at them and don’t say that about yourself. We love you, your family loves you. Remember that. I’m taking you to see the doctor.” He snapped his fingers and they both disappeared and the feathers and papers on the floor flew about in the aftermath. Scarlet Grace had watched the exchange quietly.
2.
Lilly opened to door to the cottage. She saw Fluttershy coming down the steps and as her mother saw her she looked relieved and scared all at once. “Lilly, your brother, he won’t open the door.”
“I’ll check on him. Is Dad home yet?” She hugged Fluttershy.
“Not yet. He should be soon.” Fluttershy whispered.
Lilly went upstairs and stopped when she saw Grace standing next to the door. “Grace, tell me…”
Grace was only a couple years younger than Dox and Lilly, and they were now in their late teens. Grace was only deaf in one ear and had very limited sight in her eye but she had unusual visions. “He is devastated, hurt, and crushed. Lilly, you can save him, but not today.” Grace whispered in a faraway voice and then shook her head. “He is calling himself a monster.” She said in her own voice.
Lilly hugged her sister, “Thank you. I’ll try and talk to him.”
Lilly tried the handle to the room, it was locked. She teleported in with her magic and she gasped when she saw that all the art work he had done was on the floor torn up and crumpled. She stepped towards him and she heard him sobbing into his pillow. “Dox?” she asked while she approached.
He stopped sobbing briefly as he looked up from his pillow to see his sister looking at him. “Lilly.” He slowly sat up and put his paws to his face. “I locked the door… you shouldn’t be in here…”
“You know you cannot hide anything from me.” Lilly was feeling anger well up inside of her and she didn’t know why. “Stop it Dox.”
“I’m sorry Lilly, I cannot help it.” He cried again. “Just leave me alone, it hurts so bad, I feel myself dying.”
“I’ll get father. He will know what to do.” Lilly said as she walked to the door unlocking it. “Don’t lock the door.”
Paradox growled as he pulled his pillow to him and started to tear into it with his claws ripping it until the feathers started to spill forth. “She was right… I’m a monster…”
This is a story that follows The Story Her Butterflies. A few years into the future. MLP:FiM Universe.
LillyRose and Paradox are older. A little wiser, a little stupid too. This story will be rated NC-17 in spots.
Paradox went upstairs to his room.
Paradox’s Despair
By: Colleen Phillips
Started writing on January 11, 2015
Paradox looked at the pony that tore his heart out and stomped on it. She was a mare with a gray coat and a dark brown mane he had given her gifts of gems and jewelry. Today though… when he had asked her to be with him; she had laughed in his face. “I could never be with you… look at yourself… You’re nothing but a monster.” She had said with venomous intent and she turned away from him.
It was this instant that made his heart fall; his body seemed to suddenly be drained. His slow descent into despair began, and he walked home to the cottage opened the door, didn’t hear his mother greet him as he stumbled up the stairs to his room.
Lilly suddenly was hit by a wave of hate and nausea as she looked around curiously. It was as if her soul was clenched in a heavy vice and was being squeezed. “Paradox.” She whispered.
“What did you say?” Lilly’s friends asked her when they noticed that she looked worried. Her friends were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Silver Dash, Sprinkle Icing and Crispin.
“I think my brother needs me.” Lilly answered them as she apologized. “Sorry. I’ll talk to you later.”
They waved to her as she rushed home.
Silver Dash looked a little worried. “I wonder what happened.”
Scootaloo shook her head. “Who knows, it’s Paradox.”
“Didn’t you go out with him?” Sprinkle asked; she was a light pink earth pony with a fluffy light blue mane.
“Yeah, he was fun, we had a lot of fun, but I guess it was just puppy love, we drifted apart.” Scootaloo sighed as if she had a little bit of regret.
“Ever vigilant and to the death ma’am!” The guard saluted and bowed.
Luna looked at her for a long moment. “Ye will be assigned Fluttershy. Ye will guard her with thou life and do what she commands thou to do.”
Luna nodded at them, “We are already proud of all of thou. The family will be arriving today. We suggest ye all be prepared.” She walked off with two of her own personal guards walking behind her.
