2 years later
"Good. Now let's try one that you've particularly had a lot of trouble with; cloning yourself."
Discord was reluctant. He spent the last two years in the Dragonlands training with Spike on how to accurately hone in and curb his powers on a controlled level. During those two years, he has never been able to duplicate himself. Why would this time be any different? Sure, he was a God; but not even Celestia herself could make her mirror image or any of the other Gods for that matter. Discord was pretty sure that the Titans couldn't do it either, and Spike trained them! So what in Equestria made Spike think Discord could succeed in doing what none of the other most powerful beings could?
Discord threw his head back and groaned in exasperation, “Ugh! Come on, Spike. I have been stuck on this island with you for two years. And in those two years, I could never do it. Why can’t you just face facts and accept that I can’t...” he stopped mid-sentence, becoming aware that there was an echo of his voice after each word he spoke with uncanny precision.
Just like with words, the Discord copy echoed every movement the real Discord made. Making it seem more like the easier explanation of a reflection in a mirror, rather than magic.
"I...I don't..." he trailed off, too transfixed on his other half to continue his train of thought.
Spike was standing with his arms crossed and a knowing look on his face. "I knew you had it in you."
Discord didn't know how or what he did to duplicate himself, but whatever he did, he did again, because the Discord duplicate poofed away before his very eyes. “Yes!” He cheered, shooting fireworks into the air. “Next stop, Mt Aris!”
Spike chuckled at his enthusiasm, “Alright alright, slow down, Discord. Hold your horses for a minute.”
“Come on, Spike. I want to get off this hunk of rock and go do something heroic.”
The little dragon hesitated, “I don’t know...”
Discord made his eyes as big and shiny as possible, “Please, Spike?” He begged.
“Fine, you want a trial run? Pack your bags kid, we’re going to Manehatten!”
“What’s in Manehatten?” Discord asked as he flew alongside Spike as they flew above the Whitetail Woods.
“A lot of problems. Manehatten is the roughest and toughest city in Equestria. It’s a great place to start building a reputation.”
As soon as he said that, a scream pierced through the air. It wasn’t a loud scream, in fact, it was fairly quiet. It was loud enough for Discord to pick up with his acute hearing.
“You go on ahead, I’ll meet you there.” He said as he dove down in the direction in whence it came.
“Wait! Discord, where are you going?!” Spike shouted after him, but Discord was already long out of earshot. Annoyed with this unplanned set back, Spike had no choice but to dive down after him.