March Chapters: Vanguard Variable, Honored Son, Vaderline Solo, Oneshot

Vanguard Variable Chapter 4

Eren had never recalled seeing Mikasa smiling so much as she did while lying in his arms, holding one another in his bed.

They hadn't actually gone that far. That was too much, too soon for both of them. But it had been enough; the kissing, the passionate capturing of one another's lips, hands wandering as they held each other.

"What happens now?" Mikasa asked softly, eyes closed and nuzzling her head against Eren's collarbone.

"No idea," Eren admitted with some amusement. They were both socially inept in their own ways. What did couples even do really?

"More of this is fine," Mikasa murmured contently. "How long?"

"At least a few more hours, I guess, if we want," Eren answered with a shrug, glancing at the window to guess the time.

"No. I meant how long have you felt like this?" Mikasa asked softly.

"Longer than I knew," Eren answered, pulling her closer. "This sounds creepy in my head, but you smell really nice."

Mikasa blushed. "Thank you. And that's not creepy at all."

"Well of course not it isn't to you. You've been sniffing my scarf for years now," Eren teased, getting a jab in the stomach for his efforts. "Hey, hey, watch where you throw those," Eren said with a pained smile.

"I am watching," Mikasa retorted bluntly.

Eren sighed happily, running a hand through her hair. "If they don't find a way around this, I want to make some happy memories with the time we have left."

Mikasa fell silent. "And if they do...?" she questioned nervously.

"Then I guess we'll make a lot of happy memories," Eren retorted softly.

Mikasa smiled. "Sweet, but horribly corny."

"Gee, thanks," he retorted with a fond eye roll. "Now go on, get out of here."

"You're kicking me out of the bed? Isn't that the girl's job?" Mikasa asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You kick me, and I'm healing broken bones," Eren retorted. "And yes, I am. Because I just remembered something important: you didn't eat anything before we left."

"Aren't I normally the one fussing over you?" Mikasa countered with a frown...no, not a frown.

"Are you pouting?" Eren asked with half a smirk.

"No," Mikasa denied as she sat up. "What about you?"

"I will eat whenever I'm sure that headache doesn't come back," Eren assured idly, flopping back onto the pillow.

"Make sure you do," she said, smiling as she leaned over to give him a kiss, making them both blush a bit.

Eren watched her leaving fondly but frowned as she opened the door and stopped, seemingly frozen. "What is it?" he asked as he got to his feet as well and came to the door, peeking out to see what had stalled Mikasa. "Oh, what the hell guys?" Eren asked with a deadpan expression, eyeing his friends who were standing in the hallway with gobsmacked looks on their faces.

Except for Armin, he looked disturbingly pleased and proud, eyes sparking in a way that made the small boy seem terrifying in some way.

"Okay, you all are liars," Floch said, glaring at the rest accusingly.

"We didn't know!" Sasha swore defensively.

"Shut it, not the time!" Jean said through gritted teeth. "Headache my ass you bastard! What did you do to Mikasa!?"

Eren gave him a very blank expression, debating the many things he could answer that with before looking back at Mikasa who was annoyed and just slightly blushing, and..."I did that," Eren answered, jabbing a thumb into Mikasa's face. Or, more exactly, the hickey mark just above her scarf.

Jean looked like he died a little bit inside.

Connie meanwhile, just gave Eren a thumbs up. "Great job man! About time you made a move!" Connie said with a chuckle. "So, did she let you finish in-"

Sasha sighed, putting him in a headlock to cut him off. "Well, I'm sure we ruined something sweet. Come on, let's go," she said, heading off with the others following her as she dragged Connie away. All except Armin.

"Did you have to point out the hickey?" Mikasa asked to Eren.

"In his defense, you'd have a hard time hiding some of those, even with the scarf," Armin said with a teasing tone.

Mikasa blushed, rubbing her neck and chin while Eren looked to the side. "We didn't even go too far, we just kissed. A lot," Eren said in embarrassment. "What were you guys even doing here?"

"Mikasa had been gone a while, so we thought something happened to you," Armin answered with a shrug. "So, when's the wedding?"

Mikasa flushed harder as Eren groaned. "Really, Armin?"

"I have been waiting for this day practically since I met you two!" Armin said with a smile of false innocence. "And believe me, I have plenty of teasing saved up for this."

"Keep it up. I'll be sure to tell any girl you date about how you dressed up as the queen," Eren shot back.

Armin's smile turned awkward at that before silence came over the three.

And they proceeded to start laughing, clutching their stomachs from full belly laughter shaking their bodies.

It was a welcome change, a relief even, to just feel like three friends messing with one another instead of soldiers in arms.

"Well, there was another reason we were looking for you two," Armin said once that was out of their systems. "We received word that we'll be heading to the capital tomorrow."

"The capital?" Eren repeated in surprise.

"Why?" Mikasa asked with a small frown.

"Because there is going to be a meeting with all the important members of the government, and the...remainder of the Scouts. It's about what we learned in the journals," Armin explained with a frown. "So, in all seriousness, if you're going to do...anything, either do it now or wait until afterward."

To their credit, they didn't blush this time, just nodded. "Thanks for the warning," Eren said, pausing briefly. "Armin? Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Armin said in surprise.

"I've been so wrapped up in...everything that happened, so tired while trying to process what I read and remembered. I haven't had the chance to ask how you're holding up with what happened," Eren explained with a concerned look.

"You mean, about eating Bertholdt? His memories? Almost dying?" Armin asked, sighing as he ran a hand through his head. "To be honest, I don't remember...what happened to me. It's a faint blur really."

"That might be for the best," Mikasa said softly, having heard from Eren the state Armin had been in, charred from head to toe, alive only by some miracle.

"The fact that I...became a Titan and ATE Bertholdt? That, well, yeah. That one gets to me," Armin said, paling a bit. "But the memories haven't shown up yet. Not like yours have."

"I'm pretty sure the journals triggered mine, reading them anyway. That or it's because I was the son of the last Attack Titan," Eren stated thoughtfully. "Or maybe it's just because I'm finally using my Titan after not knowing about them for years."

"Maybe," Armin said evasively. "So...I'll just leave you two to it."

Eren sighed once Armin left. "Well, that happened."

"You were the one who kicked me out of bed," Mikasa reminded with a small smirk.

"Yeah, yeah," Eren accepted with a sigh, blinking as Mikasa wrapped her arms around him.

"And I've lost my appetite," Mikasa said in his ear, pulling him back into the room by his shirt.

For once, Eren didn't protest.

Timeskip

The minute Historia saw them all, her heart grew heavy. There were so few. Even with all her closest friends in the Scouts surviving, that didn't lessen the blow of seeing such causalities. Almost all the Scouts, save these brave handfuls. So many had been snuffed out, and in their darkest moment, she had to wait in safety as queen instead of helping them as another soldier.

But even with the tragedy their victory had cost, there was some merit for celebration. They had survived and won, Wall Maria was taken back after all these years.

Yet on a more personal level, she was happy for her friends…particularly two of them.

"Congratulations, Mikasa, Eren," she said without prompt.

"Huh? What for?" Eren asked in confusion.

Historia just gave them an amused look.

"She knows," Mikasa said with a frown, rubbing her neck and chin. "Is there another one?"

Historia giggled. "Don't worry, Mikasa. I can just tell," she assured, smiling warmly.

"Are we...that obvious?" Eren asked, a bit concerned.

"It's nothing to worry about," Historia assured before her eyes softened. "I read the report of what happened. As Queen, I feel like I must personally thank you, Eren."

"Don't let his head get too big," Jean muttered.

"Me? If anyone, it's Armin and Floch you should be thanking," Eren deflected.

"Yes, but if you hadn't had that idea, even Hange wouldn't have thought to use a smaller dose. Thanks to that, we have the Colossal and the Armored Titans," Historia pointed out. "Though, I can't say how grateful everyone within the walls is to all the Scouts. Especially those that couldn't return home."

There was a moment of silence there.

"But yeah, we get it," Connie said with a grin. "Eren gets extra credit for actually having an Armin-moment."

"I'm sorry, when did I become an adjective?" Armin asked in bewilderment.

"Trost," Jean, Sasha, and Connie all answered.

"Definitely Trost," Sasha added with a sage nod.

"Still, it's a bit hard to believe. I had a chance to skim the journals, but still," Historia said with a scowl. "Just when I think I hit the bottom of the horrible things my family is responsible for, I find there is another layer. It makes me wonder if I even should be queen."

"Hey," Eren said with a scowl "If you were Mikasa, I would head-butt you right now."

"He would, he has," Mikasa agreed without pause. The others were torn between being impressed and shocked at the admission.

"You're not your family. None of us are our ancestors. You choose to stand against your father and everything that Coward King stood for. We all choose to put our life on the line, for a future we might not get to see," Eren said as he placed a hand on her shoulder-

There was a jolt that ran through Eren's entire body, catching everyone's attention.

"Eren? You okay?" Sasha called out with a head tilt. "Cause you're going to make Mikasa jealous."

He didn't move.

"Hey, Yeager, what's up with you?" Jean called, a wary edge to his tone.

"Eren?" Mikasa spoke, glancing at Historia, who was looking at Eren's face in confusion.

He wasn't looking at her. He was staring intently at something...above her? Behind her? But when she glanced, there was nothing there. "Eren, what is it?"

Eren slowly removed his hand, bringing it to his face to pinch the bridge between his eyes. "I'll be back. I need to talk to Erwin."

Without another word of explanation, he turned and left.

"Wait, Eren, wha-" Mikasa started, but he didn't stop.

It hurt more than normal, him ignoring her, and it showed.

"Mikasa? Don't...take that personally," Historia said with a perturbed look on her face. "Eren looked very...determined about something."

"Think it's going more to do with the Titan-memory stuff?" Connie suggested.

"It might be," Mikasa admitted, less hurt and more worried now. "Eren did get rather...lost when recalling Mr. Yeager's memories the first time. But what could make him react like that and not tell us?"

"I'm sure we'll get an answer out of him soon," Jean assured, despite his curious scowl.

Just what was that suicidal idiot up to now?

End of Chapter 

Honored Son Chapter 5

Father and son traveled steadily through the halls, knowing this would be one of the last times they see one another up close.

"Father?" Zuko spoke up. "May I ask you something?"

"What is it?" Ozai asked evenly, keeping his patience for now.

"What are your thoughts on the Avatar?" Zuko asked carefully. The Firelord glanced at him with a single raised eyebrow. "I mean, I know I'm not expected to find him. But Great Grandfather Sozin was certain that the Avatar still exists."

"You wish to know my own beliefs about the fate of the Avatar," Ozai mused, pausing in his stride, bringing Zuko to a halt. "When the Avatar dies, they are reborn into the next element. If the Avatar was slain with the Airbenders, they would arise in the Water Tribes, and then the Earth Kingdom. Then, eventually back in the Fire Nation."

Zuko nodded quietly, wondering where his father was going with this.

"It is possible the Avatar survived and has been hiding all these years. It is slim, but Sozin lived to be one-hundred-twenty. They say the last Earthbending Avatar lived far longer," Ozai continued, glancing upwards slightly. "Prince Zuko, do you understand that the official objective of any campaign is rarely the only one?"

Zuko blinked before nodding. "Of course. Grandfather's main goal at one point was to conquer the Northern Water Tribe. It didn't work, but he did cripple them, which helped secure the northern coasts of the colonies."

"Exactly," Ozai said with a frown. "Iroh's siege of Ba Sing Se had another objective. To draw out the Avatar."

"What?" Zuko asked in surprise.

"If the Avatar was alive and aware of the world, then the siege would have been impossible to ignore. But the Avatar never appeared," Ozai answered, turning to face Zuko fully. "Most likely, the Avatar was reborn and was killed again before they could realize their own identity. My Father believed so, that was one of the reasons for raiding them of their benders. If they were reborn in the Earth Kingdom, it is doubtful the leaders are aware of it."

"So, the Avatar could be anywhere, and not even know who they are," Zuko mused thoughtfully.

"The secrets of the Avatar's existence were never well known," Ozai stated firmly. "It is my personal belief that we might have unknowingly ended the cycle."

"Unknowingly?" Zuko repeated. "How?"

"I have never heard of any records of the Avatar dying before adulthood, or before mastering the Elements," Ozai stated thoughtfully. "It is entirely possible that killing the Avatar before a certain age ends the cycle of reincarnation."

That topic made Zuko slightly uncomfortable but he nodded nonetheless. "But we can't be sure."

"No. And that is why, despite my personal views, the hunt continues," Ozai admitted.

"I understand, Father. Though knowing Azula's luck, she'll be the one to stumble across the Avatar whenever you send her out to sea," Zuko opined with a smile.

Ozai almost looked amused by that. "Try not to become too much like Iroh. Agni knows I don't need two of him in the palace."

Zuko chuckled despite everything before standing straighter. "Until I return, Firelord Ozai," he said with a bow of respect to his father.

"Until then, Crown Prince Zuko," Ozai returned with a nod.

With that, they both turned and left.

To say there was a high turnout for the Prince's departure would be an understatement. Citizens, nobles, and soldiers all were present as he traveled from the Fire Palace to the docks. Behind him was the portion of the Imperial Procession that had been given to his command, along with Iroh himself.

Both princes had opted to ride komodo rhinos instead of using a palanquin. Iroh because Zuko asked him to, and Zuko because it would be the last time he saw the Caldera and its people. Not to mention it gave him a chance to give one final look back at the palace, the white of his father's ceremonial robes making him stick out even from this distance.

Soldiers kept the order as people cheered and called for his well wishes. Zuko smiled and could make out parents telling stories to their children, of how their prince was going out on a great adventure, to seek out the Avatar if he returned to threaten their noble homeland.

It was true, technically, if exaggerated. Still, seeing the eyes of the younger children sparkling in awe as they saw him, a prince of thirteen, going off like some hero from a legend. Zuko didn't feel he deserved that, but if it brought smiles to those faces, he didn't mind.

They reached the docks, his crew waiting at attention and looking their best for the people watching them.

Of course, there was one unscripted surprise. Though, one Zuko expected.

He smiled and dismounted his komodo-rhino as he found Mai waiting for him, just before the ramp leading up to his ship.

"I'm surprised they let you out here," Zuko said quietly, feeling the many eyes on them.

"I'm sure they weren't supposed to," Mai agreed, bowing her head deeply to him. "May Agni watch over all your days, My Prince, and bring you safely home."

Zuko was pretty sure that, in most stories, this was where he did something really romantic and bold, like kiss her or gift her a token to remember him by. But there was no token and it felt...too soon to be that bold.

So he did the boldest thing he could; he hugged her.

It broke about five different rules of protocol and etiquette, but there was a time to forget such things. And judging by how Mai hugged him back, this was a good time.

"May Agni warm your heart and bring the sunrise to your every sorrow," Zuko returned warmly.

He pulled back and was rewarded by Mai's face blushing from his words. There was only a small smile on her face, but it was worth more than gold to him at the moment.

Iroh chuckled warmly to himself, standing away just enough to give the illusion of privacy for the pair. In this age of war and pain, it was a relief to find such pure and simple joy still remained, even in the Fire Nation.

Eventually, they parted and all company boarded the ship and made to depart. It wasn't long until they were clearing the Gates of Azulon and entering the Sea of Zulung, which brought an important matter to the center of attention.

"Where should we set course for first, Prince Zuko?" Captain Taiso asked respectfully.

Zuko stood straight, trying to look as professional and serious as a child his age could, while studying a map in his hands. "As this is technically a search for the Avatar, paying a visit to the Air Temples is to be expected," Zuko started with a hum. "The Western and Southern temples are closest."

"And which would you prefer, Your Highness?" Taiso asked expectantly.

"Neither," Zuko answered, pausing. "At least, depending on the answer to this question: What is the state of the war near the Northern and Eastern Air Temples?"

Taiso looked surprised by the question, if only momentary. "With the Earth Kingdom, the north would be safe. There is more risk from the Northern Water Tribe than them. But even they don't venture that far south of their city. The Eastern Air Temple, I apologized, but I admit I am less certain of," Taiso admitted.

"That I can answer," Iroh commented from Zuko's left. "The Eastern Air Temple is safer than it appears but more dangerous than one would believe."

Zuko didn't sigh. He couldn't do something as petty as sigh at his Uncle's cryptic advice in front of these men he was supposed to lead. "In simpler terms, Uncle?" he requested.

"At a glance, it would appear the worst of all options," Iroh mused, pointing to the map. "Furthest from the First Nation, no nearby colonies, and it would involve sailing between the lands of the Earth Kingdom and the waters teeming with raiders of the Southern Water Tribe."

"I am sensing a "but" coming, Uncle," Zuko noted dryly.

"You should hope it is that of a beautiful woman," Iroh joked, and several men on the bridge hid their amused or smirking faces at the crown prince's blush. "But to finish my point: Many of the threats have been a non-issue at the moment. The Earth Kingdom's navy, what little there is, is primarily used for keeping us from taking Chameleon's Bay, guarding the seas near Ba Sing Se, and entering the main rivers. We have many bases to dock and resupply in the islands to the south, and all of the Earth Kingdom territory on the mainland is mostly desert, with locations rarely having anything more than defensive ships at most. Disregarding the universal risks of sea monsters, storms, and pirates? The only true threat would be the raiders from the south. However, we would more likely run into them in the Southern Air Temple than the Eastern," he explained sagely.

Zuko was silent for a moment before nodding slowly. "Captain Taiso? Set course for the Northern Air Temple," Zuko instructed.

Taiso nodded, turning to the crewmen. "We make for the Strait of Taifeng," he instructed, turning to the royals. "We shall be there in four weeks, Prince Zuko, if the seas are on our side."

"They haven't been on our side for a hundred years, but that hasn't stopped us so far," Zuko remarked with a smile, earning an amused glimmer in the captain's eye. "If you need me, Captain, I'll either be in my quarters or training on deck."

"Aye, Prince Zuko," Taiso saluted before the two royals left.

"A rather bold move, Nephew," Iroh noted curiously. "May I ask, what prompted you to choose the north?"

Zuko glanced around before sighing deeply. "Well, to be blunt? I'm almost positive that we'll run into trouble between here and the Eastern Air Temple," he answered. "And I want to make sure I'm ready before I accidentally sail these men into a battle."

"Hmm, a wise course of action. To flee from danger can be cowardly, but to prepare for it is admirable and wise," Iroh conceded with a smile.

"I just...would feel like a hypocrite if I intentionally picked the location I felt most dangerous first after I stood up for those soldiers at the meeting, "Zuko answered solemnly before shaking that off. "And I figured we could save the Western Temple as a stop to make before taking a trip back home."

"I like the way you think, Nephew," Iroh said with a grin. "And here I thought you just didn't want them to believe you took my advice so instantly."

"Uncle, I think it's safe to say you could be encouraging me or discouraging me to any locations without making it obvious which," Zuko stated flatly.

"What can I say? I wish to be a fair and impartial source of wisdom," Iroh said with mirth.

"Speaking of, Uncle, are you free to train me now?" Zuko asked, faking a scowl. "Or do I need to bribe you with tea?"

"Bha! Insolent nephew! It is I who bribe you with training," Iroh retorted with mock outrage.

Zuko just smiled as they continued on.

Meanwhile Azula sighed contently as she walked around the parameters of the palace garden. "Zuzu is finally off on his fool's errand. Poor Mai went to see him off. I wonder how she'll feel if he drags back a foreign concubine one day," Azula mused with a smirk. With things calming down and her brother no longer a distraction, she could finally refocus on her training with her father's help. "Of course, he might drag back Ty Lee, which would be a pleasant surprise."

She was brought out of her musing as she heard an all too familiar quaking sound. She looked over at the garden pond and saw a servant girl feeding the turtleducks. Azula narrowed her eyes, unwillingly reminded of her mother and the time she spent doing just that with Zuko.

"You there," she addressed as she approached the servant.

The turtleducks scatted away at her sharp and sudden tone.

'Oh! Princess!" the girl greeted, bowing deeply to the princess. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"You can tell me what exactly you're doing?" Azula asked, glancing at the bread in the servant's hands. "Besides wasting the palace bread."

"Prince Zuko asked some of us to feed the turtleducks while he was gone," the servant explained with a small smile.

"Of course he did," Azula drawled in distaste. "You can ignore that. There's no need to spoil the urchins."

The servant smiled awkwardly. "With respect, Princess Azula, I really can't."

Azula's gaze gained a piercing, dark quality without changing a single muscle. "I see. I didn't expect such an act of defiance over something so trivial."

"Defiance? I would never think of disobeying the royal family, Princess," the servant assured patiently. "But a servant such as me can no more disobey the crowned prince for you than the Firelord himself."

Azula's gaze widened minutely as those two words echoed in her head.

Crowned Prince.

Crowned Prince.

Crowned Prince.

That was her brother's title, yes. Something was given to him solely by being born ahead of her. It had never mattered, truly. He had never attempted to pull rank like that over her on anything. Father probably wouldn't let him, but still.

Now, it was something as simple as this that brought the fact of their stations to the forefront.

Blue flames curled in her hands.

The servant gasped, taking a step back. "P-princess...?"

"Leave. Now," Azula demanded coldly.

The servant ran, closing her eyes as she heard the wave of firebending being sent into the empty pond. She ran and never looked back.

She could be forgiven for not noticing that she passed by Firelord Ozai, discreetly watching the display with an unimpressed frown. Azula threw fireball after fireball into the water, as if she was trying to boil the entire pond away. Perhaps she was.

He didn't hear or know what had caused his daughter to act like this, but he had a good guess, judging by the pond and the bread the servant had dropped.

"Not even present, and you allow Zuko to rile you so?" Ozai murmured to himself in disappointment, turning to leave.

He resolved to keep more of an eye on Azula. He sensed that he would be needing to speak to her eventually if she continued like this.

End of Chapter

Oneshot: Mantle of Discord

It was over. Finally, the battle was over, and the day was saved.

Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy were all trapped beneath a giant muffin, their powers back into the Bell of Grogar.

Discord, after removing his magic from Pinkie for everypony's safety, had returned the magic to Celestia and Luna and-

"Wait, where did Discord go?" Twilight asked in surprise.

"Probably just slithering off, still ashamed of this mess he made," Applejack, more out of annoyance than expectation.

"Oh, not quite."

The mane six turned around, just in time to see Discord holding the Bell of Grogar.

He was pointing it at Twilight.

"Discord, wh-?!" Fluttershy called out in alarm, but it was too late.

Twilight blinked as the entire world went white. She found herself in a void. No light, no darkness…only this empty whiteness that went on forever.

"Not quite how I wanted it."

Twilight turned in alarm, seeing Discord approaching her, seemingly from nowhere.

"But I suppose this is the best time," he said with a smile.

"Discord? What did you do now? Haven't you learned after how your last plan turned out?" Twilight asked in annoyance.

"And what makes you think that all wasn't the plan?" Discord asked with a chuckle.

"I doubt losing your magic was part of the plan," Twilight said with a flat look...which faded away as he kept smiling. "Discord, what...what did you do?"

Discord took a seat beside her. And it seemed like his leg was dangling over a cliff that wasn't there. "Celestia and Luna are not the only ones passing torches, Twilight."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked, concern growing in her voice. "What's going on? Where...where are we?"

"A place between the end of one eon and the start of another," Discord answered mysteriously, turning to look at her with a strange...strange look; Like he was so proud and so tired of something. "I've outgrown this world, Twilight."

"...What?" Twilight asked. "What does that even mean?"

"It means I'm long overdue for a promotion," Discord said bluntly. "But I didn't want to leave my old position vacant."

"Okay? So just let Pinkie keep the magic? She's probably meant to be a God of Chaos," Twilight suggested, even if that was a bit intimidating to think about.

"Who said I was the God of Chaos?"

Twilight paused and blinked. "What?"

"I'm the Spirit of Chaos, Twilight," Discord corrected playfully. "It's not what I'm god of. Just something I am. But I've been looking for a divine replacement for a long...long time, Twilight."

Twilight stiffened as everything around her changed. She saw the world flashing, many different events. Sunset Shimmer leaving Equestria, Celestia and Luna facing Discord, The Pillars of Old Equestria ready to face another foe, and all the way back to when the three tribes united under the Fire of Friendship that drove away the Windigos.

And there, on top of the mountain, beneath the Fire of Friendship, Twilight stood and perceived Discord…not the Discord she knew, but one from ages ago, staring up at the purple flames with an expectant look.

"Discord? Why...why are you showing me this?" Twilight asked in bewilderment.

"I'm not showing you anything, Twilight Sparkle," The Discord of the Past said.

Twilight's wings sprung up in alarm and shock. "Wait? Isn't...isn't this a memory? A vision of the past?"

"Yes, yes it is," Discord answered with a smile. "So, you're the one I'm waiting for."

Twilight shook her head. "Wait, I still don't understand? Why me? What do you even want?"

"I haven't told you yet? I suppose my manners will be slipping," Discord said with a chuckle. "I'll be seeing you, Twilight Sparkle."

"Wait-!" Twilight called out as she was thrown back into the white void with the Discord she knew. "That wasn't real. Tell me that was NOT real!"

"Why would I, Twilight Sparkle?" Discord asked with a chuckle.

"Because I can't...I can't believe that. You've been waiting thousands of years, just for me? You knew the future, somehow, somewhat? But you never acted on it?" Twilight asked in bewilderment.

"Didn't act on it? Twilight, everything has gone exactly as I wanted," Discord said bluntly.

"What does that mean?" Twilight asked with a furrowed brow.

"That every battle and trial you have faced has played out in the palm of my talons, "Discord answered, holding up a chest.

The Chest of Harmony.

"...The keys. Your betrayal," Twilight realized numbly. "Even then? How?! No, why!? What is this!? You want me to take up this mantle of yours, and you molded me to be it?!"

"Tempered, I'd say, but yes," Discord answered, placing a hand on her withers.

Twilight jerked away. "No, no more riddles or jokes. Just tell me the truth. Why?"

Discord fell silent for a moment. "I can ascend anytime I want, Twilight. Reach my higher state. But I didn't want to leave my old throne empty."

"Yes, but why? What's so important about it? Why me?" Twilight asked pressingly.

Discord smiled. "Because if I didn't, I'd be abandoning this world, Twilight. I...do a lot more than you might think. Things you'll understand in time. But the long and short is...I wanted to protect this world from the true chaos I would cause if I left."

Twilight blinked as she stared and found something rare in Discord's eyes. "You're serious," she said in alarm. "You were...worried about everyone? The whole world?"

Discord nodded sagely.

"...You said you're not the God of Chaos," Twilight said slowly. "What are you God of then?"

Discord smiled as he leaned down and whispered the answer into her ear.

Twilight's eyes widen more and more with each word. She could deny it, yet she...couldn't. "You're the God of...? And you're getting...something even beyond that?"

Discord chuckled. "There are many more worlds, Twilight. More than you can ever count. I've spent these long years as a planetary god. Time to spread my wings a bit and see the rest of the cosmos."

"B-but I can barely even wrap my head around being Princess of Equestria! I can't even imagine what being a God would mean!" Twilight said in alarm. "Discord, please. You...you make this sound like you'll be gone after this. Even if I can accept all of this, I don't...I don't want you to leave."

"I know," Discord said gently. "And yet, I have to leave. If I stayed...I might destroy this world by accident. New, greater powers and all that," he assured and saw Twilight's eyes growing wet. "Don't worry, Sparkles! My position comes with several perks, one of which you'll desperately want."

"And what's that?" Twilight asked skeptically. "A book on how to actually BE a God?"

"..." Discord's smile widened, his eyes glimmering.

Twilight couldn't help perking up. "Wait...Really?!"

Discord chuckled. "Kind of! Let's just say you'll know what to do and how," he assured before sighing. "Damn you, ponies! I've been ready to leave for ages, and now..." he paused with a smile. "I almost don't want to go."

"Then why...?" Twilight asked.

"Because if I don't, I might never leave," Discord said before shaking his head. "And honestly? Twilight, I'm beginning to grow wary of this throne. Every decade, I grow less motivated to keep up with the job. I'd rather leave it in capable limbs before I start to neglect this world too much."

"...Is that why Celestia and Luna are retiring?" Twilight asked softly. "Did they grow wary of ruling and want to pass it on to someone who they could trust?"

"Maybe," Discord said with hum. "Maybe you should ask them someday."

Twilight sighed deeply. "I...Okay, Discord," she said with a sigh. "By the way? Why didn't Tirek or anyone get your full power then, if you're not the God of Chaos?"

Discord smirked. "Because godhood cannot be stolen, Twilight Sparkle. It can only be earned, or granted. And you've done both."

With that, he brought himself down to embrace her, his head against hers. Twilight starred in surprise as Discord closed his eyes. "I'm going to miss you silly ponies."

He opened his eyes and...something was different. "Discord? Your eyes, wh-?"

Discord just smiled and the void faded back into the world.

Twilight found herself on a medical bed in Canterlot Castle. She stood without preamble, rubbing her head. "Twilight, you're awake!" Cadence said in relief as she came to her side. "I'm so glad you're awake. Everyone has been so worried about you."

Twilight nodded absently. "Discord is gone."

Cadence nodded. "Yes, he...after whatever he did, he turned to dust and vanished. He seemed almost...sad though? No one is sure where he went."

Twilight sighed and shook her head, looking up. Cadence gasped at the sight of her face. "He claimed his throne above," Twilight said idly, looking at Cadence. "What's wrong?"

"Twilight, your...your eyes," she said in surprise.

Twilight hummed. Right. The white of her eyes was now yellow.

"Wait here, I'll get a doct-" Cadence started, only for Twilight to shake her head.

"I'm fine, Cadence. Just a parting gift from Discord," Twilight assured levelly, glancing around in idle curiosity, seemingly at nothing.

"Are you... sure?" Cadence asked skeptically. "Twilly, you're acting a bit...strange?"

Twilight smiled. It was genuine, but it felt older than her usual smile. "Let's just say I have a lot on my mind. Speaking of which, I need to talk with Celestia and Luna. Everyone, really, but mainly those two."

Cadence opened her mouth, and then tilted it. "Twilly? When did you stop calling my aunties Princess?"

"Just now. I'm assuming they'd want me to now?" Twilight said before frowning. "No, that's not right. They've always wanted me to be less formal with them."

"Well, yes, that is true," Cadence agreed. "Twilight, please. What did Discord say or...do to you?"

"Oh, he just gave me a job," Twilight answered, looking straight up again. "And you know, as intimidating as it seemed, that'll probably make being Princess easier."

"What do you-" Cadence blinked as Twilight disappeared in a flash of teleportation.

"Whoops. Meant to grab Cadence with that. Leaving her like that felt rather rude," Twilight noted before looking back at the thrones, Celestia and Luna speaking with several guards and officials about repairs and aid needing to be sent out across Canterlot.

"Twilight, you are awake," Celestia said with a relieved smile.

"Yes, most fortunate," Luna agreed.

"Thank you," Twilight said with a smile. "And...we need to talk."

"Is it about Discord?" Celestia predicted, squinting her eyes as she realized Twilight was different.

"In more ways than one," Twilight answered with a sage confidence she had never possessed. "Please come with me, I feel like I need to trot and walk."

The royal sisters shared a look. They got the distinct impression that Twilight was about to reveal something incredible to them.

"Lead on, Princess Twilight," Luna accepted curiously.

End of Oneshot

Vaderline Solo Anthology

"You brought him here?!"

Most people did not have the thought, or were not thoughtless enough, to yell at Grandmaster Yoda; Either out of respect for his ancient wisdom or cautious of his legendary might.

Yet, it was the Master of the Order, Mace Windu, who found himself doing just that.

Granted, Yoda didn't exactly blame him.

They were both in the medical bay of the Jedi Temple. Behind Yoda, floating in a bacta tank, was an unconscious Darth Vader.

"Ill choices I possessed," Yoda acknowledged. "Leave him to die, I could not. Overtaxed, Coruscant's medical facilities have become. Confusion and fear cloud the public at this moment. Safer here, he is."

"And who keeps us safe from him?" Evan Piell asked, narrowing his good eye. "Need I remind you, Grandmaster, this Sith marched on the temple just yesterday?"

"How many slain, has he?" Yoda countered, his fellow council members growing silent. "How many slain, did Sidious?"

"Master Yoda, you know as well as I do that Vader used us to kill Palpatine," Windu said levelly.

"Better, I think, than to be used by Sidious. For anything," Yoda said grimly.

No one disputed that. Vader was dark, evil by the definition of some, or even many, but between him and Sidious? There was no contest of who the more terrible entity was.

"Perhaps we should summon the rest of the council?" Piell questioned

"Those of us that remain?" Yarael Poof asked, appearing seemingly from nowhere.

It was only by great discipline and trust in the Force that none of the Jedi Masters drew their blades at the surprise entrance. "Not the best time for that, Poof," Windu said with a head shake.

"I suppose not, but it was the only way I could join you without being questioned by so many, Jedi or not," Poof said, shaking his head atop his long neck. "The people are still very scared. The council members who were not slain are either present, helping the rescue efforts, or already receiving treatment of their own."

Piell turned a glare to Vader's unconscious form. "What do you think, Poof? Do you think this was his plan, so many deaths and chaos?"

"If you were paying attention at all, you'd know the only death he was concerned with was Darth Sidious," Poof said. "If we are to believe it, Sidious and his master had a duel. Vader intended to lead us to a wounded or dead Sidious. He didn't expect Plagueis to spare him for a final show."

"More Sidious's punishment, I sense that was," Yoda said with a frown. "Cruel, Plagueis was. But earned, it might have been. Felt fading, Sidious's presence in the Force, I did. Even before his death."

"Force Severance?" Evan said in surprise. "That technique hasn't been seen in a long time."

"Vader could have still been leading us into that," Windu pointed out.

"Yes, we can also go as far as to assume he has a small army of Twi'lek apprentices to work as assassins while working their way close to powerful people by pretending to be slaves," Poof remarked.

There was a shift in Vader's Force signature, grabbing their attention.

"Did I just annoy him or give him an idea?" Poof asked in surprise.

"Both is not out of the question," Piell reminded.

"If we're done being outraged for the sake of it," Dooku remarked, drawing their attention to where he stood, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. "Perhaps we should discuss more pertinent issues than the unconscious, healing Sith that saved the heart of the republic. For instance, the aftermath of what he stopped."

No one was particularly happy with the way he phrased it, but none disagreed.

"The people are confused, and the law enforcements have little idea how to calm them," Poof informed. "They know the Jedi were involved, and word is spreading of Palpatine secretly being a rogue Jedi of some kind."

"I'm sure we'll find a great many messages from the Chancellor waiting for us," Windu remarked with a frown. "Have they found out how many layers deep the damage goes?"

"Including the surface? Four at least. Word is still unclear on those beyond that," Poof answered.

"We are only fortunate that the Works were never that populated," Piell said with a scowl. "Is the word I hear true? Even the planet's criminal underground is offering aid."

"Take advantage, many will," Yoda warned but nodded. "Yet genuinely aid, some do."

"I'll see about sending aid to Coruscant," Dooku mused. "Though, I doubt they require it as much as they do bodies and room. Coruscant's infrastructure for dealing with a disaster like this is rather rusty."

Yoda nodded solemnly. "Need healing, our own do. Of the body, and the mind."

Poof actively shivered. "I've been trying to help dispel some rather nasty nightmare our younglings are having, fueled by the lingering traces of Sidious's attack on the temple."

"How terrible could they be? He definitely didn't have time to torment every youngling individually," Piell said with a morbid curiosity.

"Normally, you'd be right. But I believe Sidious was using a technique that directly affected the fear portion of the brain," Poof said grimly. "He didn't need to personalize their nightmares, he knew how to make them do it to themselves."

*Crack!*

Heads turned once again, but much more sharply as they saw the line formed into Vader's bacta tank, and felt his ire rising.

"I doubt he'll stay asleep long," Poof said with some minor alarm. "It might be best to fetch his arms and legs. I'd rather not see how creative with the Force a limbless Darth Vader is."

"Being repaired, they are," Yoda answered.

"You think he trusts Jedi to do that?" Windu asked skeptically.

"He trusted us to bring him to the temple," Dooku remarked before smirking. "Besides, his mechanic is not technically a Jedi. Yet."

Yoda looked all too amused by that while Windu, Piell, and Poof all became confused.

Meanwhile "What is this GARBAGE?!"

Ahsoka winced, covering her montrals. "Skyguy! Loud!"

"Right, sorry," Anakin said as he stood on a stool to look over the work table. On it was the very imposing armor and limbs of Darth Vader. They were also very poorly designed in Anakin's opinion. "Why would someone make it like this?! How does he even move around in it properly?"

Ahsoka looked up at him quizzically.

Anakin opened his mouth and then closed it. "You wouldn't understand even if I explained it in your tongue, would you?"

The youngling shook her head without hesitation.

"Right. It looks like someone made this very badly and Vader...or, I'm assuming Vader...managed to improve it as best he could without just getting something better," Anakin said, running a hand through his hair. "Only one hand is insulated. Why is only one hand insulated?! That makes less sense than none of it."

"Skyguy. Bed. Rest," Ahsoka scolded, pointing to the medical bed reserved for Anakin.

"Ahsoka, they already cleared me. And I don't really know if I trust anyone else messing with Vader's stuff," Anakin waved off.

Ahsoka looked concerned and annoyed as Anakin continued to fiddle with and fix the technology before him. She stared up at him with eyes that didn't really comprehend everything that happened. So much happened in just a day or so, ever since this boy appeared in the temple and Vader came not long after.

So much fear and darkness. But...

She looked at Anakin again, in the force…bright and full of life. The Force around him felt happier just by his presence.

And when he looked at her, it felt like he wasn't just smiling. It was as if he was smiling with the Force. She never knew a Jedi could do that.

But then, Anakin wasn't a Jedi. Maybe he could teach her how to do that. It felt like...more than just sending emotions of happiness and peace.

Yes, much fear and darkness, but plenty of new light and warmth too.

End of Chapter

NOTE: To anyone that read to the end, Vaderline Solo is the placeholder name for the Vaderline Anthology I mentioned where Vader is the only timetraveler.  I'm still work shopping the title, obviously.