"Why are you cheering?" Discord demanded, inspecting the crowd. "You are freed from Arzeroth, and you think it will stay this way?" He laughed a croaking laugh. "My lieutenant, Hoof, had lead me to expect more from you." He gestured to Healing Hoof, standing beside him. "He assured me that if we saw fit to free this place, you would work tirelessly to keep it free, is that not the case?" He croaked louder, hoping to elicit a response from the crowd. (Well in the film, the locals come to believe that one of them is a God due to a series of coincidences, a situation both of the friends take advantage of to defeat their enemies and live like kings. But when it comes time to leave, the now deified friend decides he's going to stay, deluded by his new position, and that's when the locals discover the truth and it all goes to pot. Could be quite an interesting story arc, not sure who should become 'God' though; maybe Frozen? He can actually use his magic, and perhaps some of these local ponies used to worship Windagos?)
(interesting thought!) Frozen emerged quietly from the tent, his head raise, his mind determined. Discord's speech was havinng its desired effect, the ponies were shouting in agreement, their anger growing. Frozen slipped away quietly, outside, and began to work on the defenses. These indivduals were of every breed and species one could find in Equestria: earth ponies, pegasi, unicorns, even the occasional changeling and Minotaur. They wanted a leader, somepony like discord. Frozen thought that was only proper, he wasn't a leader or a king. He couldn't do it when his father asked him to take the throne and he couldn't now. A pony who can't rule himself can't rule others.
Once he had the crowd suitably roused, and hopefully somewhat pliant, Discord set about organizing them into fighting groups. He was no great martial thinker, and the very act was against his nature, but he managed as best he could; the Pegasi and Griffons were his air core, tasked with reconnaissance and aerial attack; the Unicorns were set up on the walls, ready to pelt any attackers with ranged spells; the Changelings and Zebras he made into his own personal 'Wildcard Guard', who would accompany him and fill many roles (he'd always had a soft spot for their species'); and finally, the Earth Ponies, Minotaurs and the handful of other strange creatures present would form the foot soldiers, holding back any force that managed to penetrate their defences. With the Awoken (as he decided to dub their new followers) made aware of their new roles and busy training to fulfil them, Discord left Healing Hoof in chargeand went to see how Frozen was getting on.
Frozen was quietly weaving a web of ice magic around the walls of the fortress, his mind occupied with his thoughts and doubts.
"Well, it might not be totally hopeless," Discord announced, flapping down to perch on the wall above where Frozen was working. "A lot of these poor souls seem to have long forgotten military experience; they must be from a dark period of Equestrian history." He cocked his head at Frozen's handiwork. "How are you doing?"
"Well enough I suppose," he said, "I noticed the Hive among them." A Windigo term for a changeling. He pitied them, as he pitied his own people, for they were similarly cursed. He had tried to explore the relationship between changelings and Windigos, but it never amounted to anything and always led to a dead end.
"Yes," Discord said, nodding, "I think they may be the most in need of help; they are hatched to follow, and would never be able to gain freedom on their own." Discord wondered what would happen to the changelings after they left; would they be able to leave too? Or was their Queen trapped somewhere in this forsaken realm, awaiting their return?
"Have you located their queen or hive leader? If their queen is present, she was likely being used for a concubine and would be in the fortress proper."
Discord's eyes grew wide at the thought; a changeling queen? Possibly in need of rescue? "I, uh, need to go." He said, hurriedly, before taking flight and heading towards the top of the tower from whence Arzeroth had fled, hoping to find his private quarters.
Frozen chuckled, he didn't realize that Discord had a soft spot for Changelings. But then, Frozen had always found Chrysalis attractive.. Frozen shook his head, "What is it with me and mares I can't have?"
Flying up above the tower, Discord identified what he assumed to be Arzeroth's quarters; a balcony near the top, leading into the darkened interior; He flew down for a better look. Landing on the balcony, Discord stared into the gloom at what appeared to be some kind of eating/planning room. He conjured up some lamps for the walls, which brightened the place up considerately, and allowed some of the features to be seen; on the large table was a map of the realm, which would doubtless come in useful. Discord left the map for now, and pushed further into the tower, looking for some kind of bedchamber. Passing down the dank corridor, he found a kitchen that had been used to cook something foul smelling, a room that could only be described as a torture chamber, and a small armoury. Finally, he was stood before the last door. "This must be it," He said to himself, pushing it open. Inside, he did indeed see a large bed and a fireplace, which still held smouldering embers. If the half light, he could see a figure in the far corner; as he moved closer, he realised it was a scared looking zebra mare. "Hmm, a little disappointing," He muttered to himself, preparing to explain the situation. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a noise behind him, and turned just in time to be hit across the face by a hole-riddled hoof. "Gwah?" he mumbled, laying sprawled on the floor, looking up at the changeling Queen. It slowly dawned on him that he was still in disguise.
"My lady," came Frozen's voice, as he entered through the balcony, "He means you no harm I assure you." He was suddenly thankful he decided to follow Discord..
"*ahem* No, indeed quite the contrary." Discord said from the floor. "I am Discord, and that is Frozen Heart. We have liberated this place from the cruel grip of Arzeroth! It was quite the courageous and gallant act, even if I do say so myse- uh!" The Changeling Queen had pinned him back on the floor as he tried to get up, and was now studying him mistrustfully through narrowed eyes. "Prove it." Demanded the Zebra, seemingly talking for the Queen. Discord got the impression the changeling either couldn't, or wouldn't, speak.
Frozen stepped forward, in his true form, "My name is Frozen heart, son of Northern Light, exiled Prince of the Windigos. Discord and I are trapped here, as are you, and we are trying to liberate it."
The zebra shook her head. "It is hard proof we seek, and only more empty words do you speak." She nodded to the changeling, who looked back at Discord and charged her horn menacingly. Discord reverted to his normal form and laughed nervously. "Uh, you might look outside? The guards are no more, and everyone else is preparing to defend against counter attack."
Frozen looked out the window, at the group in the courtyard. He returned his gaze to the Zebra. He wanted to help them, but wasn't sure how. After a few moments, a thought occured to him. "Reach out and ask your subjects, the changelings, what it is that truly happened," he said, "Otherwise, believe what you will, I have a war to fight." With that, Frozen began to head towards the window.
The Zebra looked at him darkly. "The dark one took from her that power; this is why we remain trapped in his tower." She looked back at the changeling queen, to check she still had Discord under control; he was still being pinned, and was looking up at the changeling with a mix of fear, nervousness, and adoration. Satisfied, the Zebra mare walked cautiously over to Frozen, and peered out of the window; she saw no guards, but it could still be a ruse. she needed a closer look to be certain. She fixed Frozen with her steady green eyes. "Show me that what you say is true, and my friend won't run your friend through." "Run through?" Discord half whimpered, looking over, "Not something I'm interested in; please do as she asks, Frozen."
Frozen motioned for her to climb onto his back and he carried her down to the ground. All around them, the former prisoners were working on weaponry and the defenses. A pile of dead guards was on fire in the center.
The zebra mare wandered around the courtyard, inspecting the goings on. When she came to the Wildcard Guard, she questioned the zebras in their own tongue. After a while, she seemed convinced. She returned to Frozen and nodded. "My kin have vouched for you, so you have gained my trust too." She looked back up to the tower. "We should head up and rejoin our friends, let them know we've made amends."
Frozen nodded and allowed the zebra to ride on his back until they reached the top of the tower. Once there, he let her off and escorted her to the queen. "Now my lady, may I have a word with you in private?"
