The Idol Of Draki

Chapter 1: Discord's Perspective

Discord froze, every muscle in his body tensing as he gazed upon the Idol Celestia magically held aloft. It was solid bronze, shaped like an hourglass. Only a few inches tall, with absolutely nothing remotely frightening about its appearance.

Nevertheless, Discord found it more terrifying than anything he'd ever encountered before. Even moreso than the nightmare he'd had a few times of a giant cockatrice chasing him with the intent of resealing him in his stone prison.

Fluttershy and the rest of the 'Mane Six' had been summoned to Canterlot's throne room so Celestia could inform them about something strange that had recently been unearthed. Discord had tagged along just because he'd wanted to stay near Fluttershy.

What an utterly hopeless fool he was.

Celestia cleared her throat, speaking regally with her hair waving most dramatically, her magic's golden glow lifting the Idol higher for all to see. "This artifact was found near the Tree Of Harmony." Of course that stupid tree would want something like that... "I know it appears unassuming, but its magical aura is very powerful. The researchers who found it believe it may have been restricting the Tree's power, which would explain the recent outbursts from the Everfree Forest." ...Or maybe he and Harmony were in the same boat for once. Huh.

"Do you think somecreature was trying to attack the Tree?" One of the Ponies asked. Discord was too distracted to notice who beyond 'not-Fluttershy'.

"That's the current theory." Celestia nodded gravely, though Discord knew she was enjoying this; she was a bigger drama queen than he was, sometimes. "Who or what could create such a powerful object, and why they would simply abandon it on the ground, are questions still unanswered."

The Ponies all started to talk, each with theories about who it might be that's attacking Equestria this time, discussing what they needed to do to prepare. It was the perfect distraction for Discord to quietly inch his way to the door without being noticed.

He was balancing on all fours, tail swishing nervously, eyes never leaving the Idol. A desperate mantra of Don't ask me what it is, don't ask me what it is, don't ask me anything! rang through his mind as he got closer to making a clean escape.

He was almost there when Celestia's eyes flickered to him, tracking his fearful gaze to the Idol. "Discord, do you know what this is?" She asked, as if she could read his bucking mind.

He should've teleported away the moment he saw the damned thing, but it was too late now. The Idol's spell locked him in place, making Discord grit his teeth as he tried to just not answer and flee. But it was a futile battle, he could barely hold out ten seconds.

"Yesssss." He hissed, trying to cover the forcefulness of the answer being torn from him. He knew she wanted a better explanation, but he wouldn't talk about it until he had no choice.

A few minutes of quiet staring passed as the Ponies waited for him to elaborate, before Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Well, are you going to tell us what it is or not?"

"Not so long I can avoid it." Discord muttered. He could teleport away now, before another order was given, but could he really? They'd just question him later, and he'd worry Fluttershy if he ran off with zero explanation. She came above his fear any day of the week.

Maybe they'd just drop the subject?

Celestia's eyes narrowed, her voice growing stern. "Discord, what is this, how do you know about it, and why are trying to avoid telling us about it? Did you have anything to do with the attack on the Tree?"

Discord was starting to think Lady Luck had it out for him (which she might, if she was still bitter about losing that bet a few millennia ago) . Seriously, did Cece already know how the Idol worked? Because it definitely seemed like she was doing this on purpose.

Discord growled, squeezing his eyes shut as tightly as he could, fighting against the Idol's hold. But he couldn't break free, no matter how hard he tried. Give him a thousand years, he wouldn't be able to overcome it. A feeling he was unused to filled his body; powerlessness.

"It's called the Idol Of Draki." Discord sighed, hanging his head in defeat. The Ponies were shocked at his resigned expression and tone. "I had absolutely nothing to do with it showing up by the tree. I know what it is because eons ago, my parents liked to tell me scary stories before bed. Parents of the year, not."

He scowled at Celestia, hoping she knew how much he hated her in that moment. "I don't want to talk about it because it is the single most terrifying thing I've ever encountered."

The Ponies, and Spike, just stared at him in disbelief. Except for sweet Fluttershy, who moved beside him and held his paw, soothing some of his discomfort. He flashed her a brief smile, grateful as always for her kindness.

"Discord, what power does this 'Idol' hold?" Celestia's words were slow, cautious. "Why are you frightened of it?"

"Why am I-?" Discord burst into bitter laughter, taking a second to calm down and think. If he had to answer, which he did, he would draw it out as long as possible. Whether to spite them all or just to stall, he didn't really know.

"In times ancient even to the Elder Draconequui, there was a powerful council, the rulers of my people." He waved his talon, causing a golden image of nine Draconequus silhouettes to sparkle into existence. "They were cruel, controlling, and greedy. They wanted nothing less than ultimate power over their own kind, pooling their magic to create a weapon to conquer all others."

The image changed, showing streams of light coming from the Draconequui, forming the 'hourglass' that Celestia still held. Why couldn't she just set it down?!

"With their new weapon, the council made slaves of their own people, treating them with terrible cruelty." Many more Draconequus silhouettes appeared, bound by chains, with mouths open in silent screams. "But the Masters became suspicious of each other, for only one could use the Idol at a time. Its power was such that not even they, the most powerful Draconequui in existence, could resist it. What was to stop one of them from betraying the rest? Which, of course, is exactly what happened."

The image showed the council cowering before a particularly large, mean-looking Draconequus, the Idol in his grip.

"Draki, Lord Of Conquest, became Master Of All Draconequui." Discord shook slightly as he looked at the image of Draki, sitting on a spiky throne, slaves kneeling at his feet. Luckily, only Fluttershy seemed to notice his reaction.

"For many centuries, he ruled unopposed, using his own people as an army to take control of hundreds of other species." Golden Dragons, Gryphons, Ponies, and more floated around the room. Chains connected them all to Draki's silhouetted throne, a whip held in the hand not gripping the Idol.

A single large rabbit with curving antlers floated towards the Master Of All. "A brave Jackalope, her name lost to time, fought back in a most unusual fashion. She got close to him; some say she made her way to his bed, others claim her role was more of a trusted confidant. No matter her methods, she gained control of the Idol, freeing all those it had enslaved."

All the images faded, leaving only the Jackalope with the hourglass, Draki cowering at her feet. After a few seconds, that too faded away.

"No creature knows Draki's fate, though ity said that he was left to the Draconequui version of justice. The Idol was sealed away, but no creature knew where." Discord looked from one Pony to the next. "Lost to time, but forever remaining in the nightmares of my people. Many hoped it was destroyed, others hoped it never really existed in the first place, but no creature knew for sure. Until today."

Everycreature present, besides Discord, warily eyed the harmless-looking object. Some even took a step or two back, causing Discord to laugh, still partly bitter but truly amused. "Oh, don't worry, my little Ponies; its power only works on Draconequui. In fact, it's working on me right now."

This last bit was said so casually, almost cheerfully, that it took a second to register. Celestia spoke, unintentionally activating the Idol's power. "What do you mean? What is it doing to you?"

"Why it's controlling me, of course, dear Princess Celestia." He'd meant to call her Cece, but apparently the Idol's magic demanded a certain level of respect unless ordered otherwise. So long as he had any say in the matter, he was not going to call her 'Mistress'. "At this moment, since you wield the Idol, I cannot harm you. Or let harm come to you. Or lie to you, or refuse to answer your questions. And I cannot disobey any command you give me, no matter how much I may wish to, so long as it is within my abilities. Such as it is with all Draconequui, no matter how powerful."

Discord ignored the stares, ignored everything but where Fluttershy's hoof touched his paw, closing his eyes. He finished quietly. "That's why I'm so scared of it, Princess. You have complete control over me in this moment, and I'm utterly powerless against anything you may choose to do. Or make me do."