//------------------------------//
// Chapter 87: Discord, Agent of Harmony? 
// Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic: Stallion Edition 
// by SuperPinkBrony12 
//------------------------------//

Shining was glad to see his friends again when he arrived in Ponyville, but it didn't take long for him to reveal why he'd come, and what he and the princesses had talked about earlier. Surprisingly, his friends took the news about Tirek pretty well. It was who had been entrusted with capturing him that made them just a little concerned.

"Discord? As in 'Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony' Discord?" Big Macintosh asked. "If this is Princess Celestia's idea of a joke, it ain't funny."

But Shining shook his head. "It's no joke, she specifically said Discord was suited to the task. The next time Tirek steals magic, Discord can sense Tirek's location and track him down."

"I know there was the whole 'plunder seeds' incident that he partially lied about," Thunderlane commented to the others. "But if Princess Celestia is willing to trust him enough to go after Tirek, I think we have to give Discord the benefit of the doubt. Fluttershy has said he can do the right thing."

"Well, he'd better, for all our sakes." Soarin remarked.

Quickly changing the subject, Fancy Pants looked at Shining and asked him. "So, what are you going to do in the meantime?"

Shining sighed. "Well, I don't see those keys to that mysterious chest just appearing out of thin air. It's odd though, I can't put my hoof on it, but I feel like the keys are right under our noses. But I guess there's not much I can do, I've exhausted just about every option there is and I've got nothing to show for it," Then he added. "I guess maybe I'll just walk about and see what's changed since I was last here. That is of course, unless one of you needs me to smile and wave."

"Perhaps a visit to the Castle of the Two Sisters and the Tree of Harmony would cheer you up?" Braeburn encouraged with a smile. "I mean, Ponyville like's a second home to ya. And even princes need a castle to call their own, and I don't see one just magically popping up overnight."

Shining chuckled at Braeburn's statement. "Well, I've got nothing better to do anyway. Another visit to the castle wouldn't hurt. I at least want to double check and make sure we didn't miss anything like that secret cave, where Spike found that tacky old book."

"Oh yes, the Inspiration Manifestation book," Fancy Pants remarked with a frown. "I can't believe Spike sweet talked me into giving it to Miss. Rarity. It's a good thing she was more interested in beautifying the town than trying to destroy it, in more powerful hooves who knows what it could've done?"





As the group approached the Castle of the Two Sisters, their attention was briefly turned to the alcove that held the Tree of Harmony, which still glowed brightly. And of course, the mysterious chest that rested beneath said tree's trunk.

"You really sure we couldn't just take the Elements of Harmony off the tree for a while, and use 'em to defeat Tirek?" Soarin asked Shining, eyeing the tree. "Seems like that would save a lot of trouble."

Shining shook his head. "No, the Elements of Harmony can never leave the Tree of Harmony ever again. They are needed to ensure the Everfree Forest is kept in check, and that the Tree of Harmony survives. Even if we only needed them for a few hours, the Tree of Harmony would be left powerless, and the Everfree Forest would be free to invade Ponyville again."

"Rats. Guess that means we're back to square one, looking for the keys." Soarin remarked.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh nodded. "And let's just hope we find them soon, in case a certain friend of ours fails to complete his mission."

"Oh, you're talking about me, aren't you?" A familiar voice called out, soon revealing itself to be none other than Discord. He descended upon the group, holding an umbrella, and wearing a fancy hat.

"Ah, Discord, what an.... unexpected surprise," Fancy Pants commented. "How did you know we were talking about you?"

"Simple, my ears were buzzing." Discord explained, pointing to his ears which seemed to be on fire. He quickly extinguished them as if it were no big deal.

"I hope you didn't come here to just rub your assignment in our faces." Braeburn said, narrowing his eyes at Discord ever so slightly.

"Ah yes, I see Shining Armor has kept you all well informed," Discord announced, dressing up in a military outfit. "Tirek can run, but he can't hide, not from me! I'll track him down quick as a flash, and with my magic I'll easily capture him and send him back to Tartarus for good! Seems like my magic has an important role to play in Equestria. Ooh, maybe they'll even make me into an alicorn prince," Discord snapped his fingers, and a horn and wings similar to Shining Armor's appeared on him. He proceeded to blow kisses as if he were standing before a crowd. "Oh thank you, thank you all. You're all too kind."

Soarin was not amused. "In your dreams, pal!" He commented, knocking Discord's alicorn costume off.

"Oh, I never dream of such things," Discord replied in an unconcerned tone of voice. "Just ask Princess Luna, she'll tell you," Then, clearing his throat, he added. "But if you want to know why I'm really here, I just thought I'd drop by for a quick progress report. Still trying to find the keys to that chest?"

"What are you playin' at? Out with it, Discord, we don't have all day!" Big Macintosh demanded.

"Oh, you're no fun," Discord commented. "But, very well, I'll cut to the chase. I think whatever's in that chest is very important. I can sense these kind of things," Then he added. "And while it's a big 'What If?', perhaps what's contained inside isn't just Equestria's new last line of defense, but also something that could help Shining Armor prove his worth an alicorn prince."

"You sayin' you know where the keys are?" Braeburn asked Discord.

Discord opened his mouth to answer, but that was when he felt a sudden tingle run down his spine, and he wiggled all about. "Ooh, sorry guys. Looks like Tirek's made his move sooner than I anticipated," He apologized. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I really must be going. Wish me luck, not that I'll need it." Hopping onto a scooter that had materialized out of thin air, Discord sped away and vanished in a flash.

"He's toying with us, isn't he?" Fancy Pants remarked, rolling his eyes. "Everytime you think you've got him figured out, he somehow finds a way to surprise you."

But just then, Discord reappeared in a flash. "Oopsie doopsie, I almost forgot to leave this behind," He announced, holding up the journal the six friends had kept. "This little journal of yours is quite fascinating. Seems like you guys have learned an awful lot," Tossing it to Shining, he added. "Here, I believe this is yours. And fyi, I bookmarked a couple of sections you might wanna take a closer look at it," Then he looked at Thunderlane as he asked the pegasus. "So, what's the word on Fluttershy? We still on for that Tuesday Tea?"

Thunderlane nodded. "Of course, we'll keep your seat warm in case you decide to show up."

"Goody," Discord smiled, as he snapped his paws, and a door appeared in front of him. "I'll bring the cucumber sandwiches. See you all soon!" He called, and stepped through the door which slammed shut and disappeared, once he'd stepped through it.

"Just what in tarnation was that all about?" Big Macintosh asked Shining Armor. "I don't like sayin' this, but I feel like sometimes Discord does this kind of stuff just to get under our fur."

"Now now, let's not talk bad about him behind his back," Thunderlane cautioned. "Discord works in mysterious ways, but he is technically on our side now. I'm sure he has his reasons for bookmarking those sections."

"We can worry about that later," Shining announced. "For now, let's check the castle and make sure to leave no stone unturned!" In the back of his mind, the young prince thought to himself. "I get the feeling we're right on the verge of a big discovery about those keys! But, why do I also suddenly find myself dreading the outcome? Am I getting a vision of the future like Celestia does?"