//------------------------------// // 9. A Quaint Little Hike/Discord Howlin' at the Moon // Story: Ponies & Keyblades II: Return to Equestria // by GoneGuy //------------------------------// Town Square Ponyville, Equestria "Discord?! What?" Applejack said when she heard the news. "Yes. Sora and Discord will be working together to get Tirek." "I don't think it's that big of a surprise. He can be very helpful." Fluttershy added. "According to Princess Celestia, Discord can sense magical imbalance. The next time Tirek steals magic, Discord will be able to track him down and we can set things straight." Sora said. "Now, sugarcube, Ah can see it in your face somethin's got ya down. What's wrong Twi?" "Nothing, AJ. Just....it doesn't feel like I'm even needed as a princess." Twilight said as she walked away. "Where are you going?" "To the Castle of the Two Sisters... I'm not really needed anywhere else. Might as well do a little reading..." "Twilight?" "Yes, Sora?" "Want some company?" "It has been quite a while since all of us have visited the castle together. Might be fun." Applejack added. "Maybe I could use a little company." Twilight said as the group began walking through the Everfree Forest. Cliff Near the Castle of the Two Sisters Everfree Forest, Equestria "I still can't believe we had to give back the Elements. And I can't believe what happened to yours either, Sora." Rainbow said as they passed the cliff overlooking the Tree of Harmony. "It had to be done, darling, or the Tree of Harmony wouldn't have survived." "But Twilight was right. Even without the Elements our friendship is as strong as ever." "Let's just hope another 'friend' of ours never makes us sorry we had to give 'em up." "Oh, you're talking about me, I presume." Discord said as he floated down on an umbrella. "Why are you here, Discord? I thought Princess Celestia wanted you to hunt down Tirek then get me to help you catch him." "Oh, I was just doing a little reading before I head off on my mission." Discord said, holding a familiar book in his hands. "Don't you have a creepy magic-stealing villain to track down?" "Yes, of course. It's just that I couldn't help but notice Twilight hasn't opened this little chest of hers. I only bring it up because perhaps what is locked inside is something that could help her prove her royal worth. After all, she did say that she was feeling her role as a princess doesn't equate to much." "And how did you know that?" Rarity asked. "I was eavesdropping of course. How else am I going to learn what my best friends are up to?" "You could, I dunno, ASK?" Rainbow said, giving him a glare. "Oh, yes, I see. Not quite nearly as fun though. Well, I suppose I should get going now." "Forgetting something, Discord?" "What might that be, Twilight?" "Our journal?" "Oh yes, of course, here you go." Discord said as he tossed them the book, "I've bookmarked some of the more interesting passages, you really should read them sometime. Oh, and one more thing. It seems a seventh lock has appeared on the chest, on the top. You might want to check it out." Discord snapped his fingers and disappeared, off on his mission. "Sometimes I think the 'reformed' Discord is more obnoxious than the 'before he was reformed' Discord." Applejack said. "But what if he's right?" Fluttershy added, "What if there is something important in that chest?" "Well, maybe we should get up to the Castle of the Two Sisters and find out?" "However will we do that, darling?" "With a little research!" Ancient Library Castle of the Two Sisters, Everfree Forest Equestria "Anything yet?" "Nope, nothin'." "How about you, Pinkie?" "Nopey dopy." "Rarity?" "I am beginning to think this is a lost cause, Twilight." "There must be something in this library that will tell us how to open it. It has to be in one of these books. I just know it." Twilight began to scan the room, and out of the glimmer of her eye, she caught the journal they had all been keeping. "Well, it's worth a shot," she thought to herself. Unknown Alley Canterlot, Equestria "Yes.... more magic...." the mysterious figure mumbled as he walked towards a small unicorn pony he saw in the corner of his eye. Tirek advanced silently and slowly towards the pony, intent on stealing his magic, but as soon as he reached him, the pony's head turned around, revealing a face both oddly different but strangely familiar. "Tirek, I presume?" "Discord... you're... free?" "As a bird." "I commend you on your escape." "I'm afraid the feeling isn't mutual." Discord said, snapping his fingers and imprisoning Tirek's hands in chains. "I should've known you would want to have Equestria all to yourself." "Oh, I'm not doing this for me. I'm doing it for my friends. Just between you and me, it's mostly for Fluttershy." "Fluttershy? You're not saying you're friends with... ponies?" "Surprise!" Discord said as he laughed. "I am surprised that someone with your intellect doesn't see this 'friendship' is nothing but a new form of imprisonment. Clearly you've had to abandon your true nature to stay on their good side." "I have done nothing of the sort." "Oh please, I've seen this before, but he was always weak-minded. You are Discord, you are legend, you cannot fall into the same trap that befell my brother. Help me to grow strong and be rewarded with something far greater than.... 'friendship'...freedom." "Why should I help you?" "Once I have stripped these ponies of their magic, nothing would bring me greater pleasure than to see their world turned upside-down. And who better to do it than the master of chaos himself? Join me, Discord, and reclaim your greatness. Unless, of course, pony errand boy is the role you've always wanted to serve in this world?" "I-I.....I will join you." Discord said as he took one final look at Fluttershy's picture, and broke Tirek's chains. "Excellent...." "Remember Discord, you have to do what Celestia says... don't put Equestria into unnecessary danger...let him rise to power.... then let Twilight and Sora bring him down... but he makes a good point.... what to do?" Discord thought to himself.