//------------------------------// // Flash MAGNUS! // Story: The Diary of Discord Wimp // by ThePianoMan //------------------------------// “You can’t call it an adventure unless…” -Brian “Okay.” Twilight scraped a layer of cobwebs from her face and mouth. “Now all the traps are marked. So we can get to work cleaning up and excavating this place.” Looking at the tiny brushes that Twilight had given him earlier, Discord mumbled to himself as he contemplated where to start. Everyone was busy with something. Big Mac was being carefully directed by Twilight to move debris and rubble onto a tarp to be sorted out. Managing the scrolls and books was Spike. The dragon wore gloves to carefully catalogue and take note of every piece before tucking them safely away in sealable plastic bags. Rainbow assisted Fluttershy in collecting tapestries to be transported later. Finally picking a spot, Discord began to use his brushes to carefully displace dust, dirt, and any other lose foreign object that marred the intricate carvings along one wall. “So, explain the magic to me again.” Twilight continued to inspect each piece of rubble that Big Mac moved. “Remember how Spike said this place was cursed? Well, it’s not actually a curse. It’s like protective barrier.” “So,” Rainbow chimed in after she and Fluttershy carefully lowered another tapestry, “it actually keeps this place hidden. But, why can we see it? And, why hasn’t anyone else ever found this place?” “That’s a good question Rainbow Dash, but in all honesty, I don’t know.” Twilight eyed Discord. “You said something about feeling uneasy in this place.” “Yeah.” Discord sighed. “I don’t know. It’s like I’m not supposed to be here or something.” He stared up at the pedestal with elements of harmony. Shivers filled his spine as he dared to get close. But upon getting closer, Discord found something. “Twilight! Look a this. Something’s been carved here.” Kneeling closer, Discord brushed away the surface with one of the finer brushes. “Oh my goodness.” Twilight glanced over the carvings in the pedestal. “It’s a spell! It says, lest evil doers should offend, let this castle this spell defend, let no creature enter alas, only the worthy shall pass.” Discord’s heart sank. “I’m not worthy.” Rainbow spat out a laugh. “What are you talking about? Of course you’re worthy! How else could you get in here?” Twilight began to stutter as she tried to find her words. “I-uh. I think I do know this spell. I read about it. Any person that the spell deems worthy can invite anyone else through the barrier.” Spike shook his head. “But, Discord came in by himself.” “No.” Discord looked at Fluttershy. “She pulled me in, before and today.” His eyes began to well up as that revelation hit him. “That’s why I feel so uneasy here. I’m not worthy.” Fluttershy flew to Discord. “It’s just a spell. It doesn’t mean anything.” Discord lost track of her words as he grabbed his bag and took off down one of the corridors to hide his face. He could feel it, he was about to cry. And, he didn’t want them to see it. He didn’t want his friends to see him cry, Fluttershy especially. In his haste, however, Discord forgot about the traps. He stepped directly on the loose stone that had been marked with an orange flag. The floor opened up under Discord, swallowing him in darkness. He had no time to react or use magic before he was spat out of a tunnel that dumped him into another room. Pain crept into his body from where he landed. “Ouch.” Rolling over, Discord groaned at his bag which had spilled across the floor of the room. The room in question was a larger space with bookshelves, furniture, and stained glass windows that were similar to the banners that bore the emblem of the moon and sun. In the middle of the room was a bare podium. Discord began re-collecting the items from his bag until he came across the Flash Magnus comic that his mother had brought home the other day. Someone left it behind at the hospital where she worked. It was new. And that was strange, considering that the next issue wasn’t due to come out for another week. Discord hadn’t had the chance to look at it yet. “Huh?” Picking up the comic, he saw it had opened to the very last page which was blank except for some cursive writing in the bottom right corner. “You can re-.” Discord squinted at the small writing. “Hm.” Taking the comic to the podium, he snapped a magnifying glass into his paw so he could get a closer look. “You can return to the place you started when the evil Empress is defeated. What does that mean?” He continued reading. “Take a closer look to join the adventure in this book.” The moment Discord finished reading the writing, green sparks began to fly from the pages and circle around him. “Woah.” He leaned forward to look at the comic as it began to emit a bright aura. “Discord! What are you doing?” Rainbow slid into the room along with everyone else. Discord shrugged. “It’s not me!” He tried to walk away from the comic, but something pulled his arm back. The light latched onto him, dragging him in. “Help!” Discord barely caught the podium before being dragged completely into the light. “It’s got me!” Spike dashed to his aid, latching onto Discord’s arm. “I gotcha.” He began to slip. “I don’t gotcha!” Rainbow and Fluttershy flew in to grab Spike’s legs, but they were also being sucked towards the light bursting from the comic. Big Mac wrapped his forelegs around Rainbow and Fluttershy’s legs, trying with all his might to pull them all out with assistance from Twilight’s magic. It was all for nought as every last one of them was sucked into the comic book before it closed on them. ##### Upon the large planet drifting through space, the Empress sits in her massive throne room of gold and obsidian, contemplating the excess in time she had at her disposal. “General Betox.” A cloaked stallion with a computer visor floated into the room. “Yes, Empress Zebrina.” Sparks from his metallic horn drew out a long blade that arched with electricity. “Is there some offender you wish for me to dispose of?” The Empress stretched her black and white striped form which was adorned in gold ornaments crafted from the melted heirlooms of worlds long since conquered. “What I require has no need for a sword, executions won’t help the fact that I’m bored.” “Ah ha.” The stallion returned his blade to its scabbard. “I’m sure I can remedy that.” The empress reached out her hoof, using the magical band around her leg to raise up a curved panel containing a myriad of controls and displays. “I am sure of what you say. What new play thing have you for me today?” The stallion tuned the main display to the image of a plane. “It’s an obscure geocentric body in the Equorum system.” The lips of the empress twisted into a cruel smile. “So peaceful this planet is at this hour,” reaching forward with her magical band, she activated one of the switches, “and its inhabitants shall know my power.” A sign lit up above the activated switch, flashing with the word hurricane. The stallion laughed as the display showed a massive storm tearing apart a coastal city. “Most impressive your highness. Will you destroy this planet?” “Only after I’ve had my fun. I’ll destroy it when I’m done.” The Empress smiled as she magically flipped another switch for a meteor storm. The stallion frowned as he altered one of the controls. “Your highness. We are receiving a transmission from one of the continents. A country. I believe the inhabitants call it Equestria. They are calling for peace.” The empress hummed as she eyed the continent on the display. “Then Equestria shall be the first nation, to witness annihilation.” She erupted into laughter as she activated more switches, sending disaster after disaster to the planet below. ##### Discord blinked until his vision cleared up. “Oh. What happened?” Looking through a window to his left, he saw nothing but stars. “Did we sleep in the castle? It’s already night.” Trying to get up, Discord found that his body was held in place by straps. “Huh?” Unlatching the straps, he was surprised as he began to float without any help from magic. “Woah!” He crashed against the opposite side of the round white structure he was in. Looking through the window again, he could see a planet getting farther and farther away. On the planet, Discord could make out the outline of the equestrian continent. “What’s going on?!” “Discord!” Fluttershy called out. “Where are we?” Discord pushed off from where he was and floated towards Fluttershy. “I think we’re in space.” He stared at Fluttershy. “Oh.” “What? What is it?” Fluttershy asked. Discord raised a claw and tapped on the unicorn horn on Fluttershy’s head. “You’ve got a horn. And, you’re taller.” Fluttershy stretched out her wings and pushed at the horn. “Oh, my! How did this happen?” Spike was in another set of straps. “Uhh. No dad, no more brussel sprouts…” “Spike!” Discord pushed off to wake the dragon up. “Hey! Come on! Are you alright?” Spike shook his head, flapping his cheeks before he looked around their environment. “Why are we on a rocket ship?” “Woah dudes. We’re in space?!” Discord, Spike and Fluttershy gasped at the electronic voice that buzzed at them. “What’s the matter? Guys? Why are you looking at me that way?” Discord recognized the voice under the chrome face that had a slight blue tint to it. The rainbow colored wires that traveled down its head and neck made it even clearer. “Rainbow Dash? But, you’re a- uh.” “A what?” Rainbow screamed as she looked at her now metallic hooves. Her body was now a series of chromed panels jointed together with tubing and wires. “A robot! Why am I a robot?!” “No way!” Spike unlatched his own straps and pushed himself towards rainbow. “You’re a Robotic Autonomous Life Form!” Discord scrutinized the words. “R-A-L-F. Ralf? As in Ralf from the Flash Magnus comics?” “Exactly!” Spike inspected one of Rainbow’s legs. “It looks so real!” Rainbow pushed Spike away, her digitized voice panicking. “Well how do you unRalf me?! I’m not stuck like this am I?” Spike looked at Fluttershy. “Of course. Fluttershy! You’re…” Discord looked at the crown and mantle she wore as he unstrapped her. “...you’re Princess Deleja of the Southern Meadowlands. You’re the alicorn leader of the resistance against the Nortican Regime.” Spike looked at himself. “Tweed jacket, bowtie,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver tipped guitar pick, “I’m Doctor Sparky Buckaroo, the rockstar scientist! And Discord, you’re him.” Discord looked at the futuristic armor he wore. Feeling his head, he felt the cool surface of a steel centurion helmet. “I’m Flash Magnus? But, that can’t be right. Why am I Flash Magnus?” “Yeah!” Rainbow buzzed. “And, why am I a bucket of bolts?” Spike looked around. “Wait. Remember the last thing that happened? We got sucked into some sort of light.” “The comic book!” Discord remembered. “We’re inside a Flash Magnus comic book. There was some writing in the back. It must have been a spell.” Fluttershy kept brushing a wing at the horn on her head, as if it’d come off somehow. “Oh, dear.” “Carefull.” Rainbow snickered. “If you mess with it, you’ll go blind.” “Really?!” Fluttershy tucked her wings behind her back and stared cross eyed at the horn. “No, that’s not how that works.” Discord looked around with Spike. “Okay, we’re in a space capsule of some kind.” “I designed it.” Spike’s eyes widened. “I don’t mean me, really. Sparky designed this rocket ship. Discord, remember in issue seven? He was building this to explore space.” “Hold up.” Rainbow beeped as she freed herself from her straps. “Who exactly are all these characters?” Spike pulled a lever that raised a console in the center of the capsule. “Okay, so you know who Flash Magnus is, right?” Rainbow nodded. “The Cloudsdale Royal Legion cadet who outsmarted the dragons with the shield of Netitus? Every pegasus knows that story.” “Correct.” Spike nodded. “It’s the same Flash Magnus. Only, in the comics, Flash gets trapped in a cave that’s filled with a magical gas. The gas preserved him until he was reawoken five thousand years later by Sparky Buckaroo who was looking for a way to fight back against the Nortican Regime. Legends of Flash Magnus had endured long enough that everyone knew of his military prowess. It was Princess Deleja who called upon Flash Magnus to help fight back against the Nortican forces.” “So,” Rainbow tapped on her metal chest, “what about me?” Spike talked as he worked the controls on the raised console. “Ralf, Flash’s companion. After pulling you from a ruined building, your programming made Flash your master, so to speak. You’re the most advanced robot ever built. You can run faster, jump higher, and even shoot lasers from your eyes.” “Really?” Rainbow excitedly hummed as her eyes began to glow. “Wait!” Spike waved his claws. “Not inside the capsule that’s keeping us safe from the vacuum of Space.” Fluttershy watched as Spike manipulated the controls on the console. “How do you know how to use that?” “I don’t.” Spike admitted. “But I’m Sparky apparently, and Sparky knows how to fly it.” Peering at a monitor, he quickly responded to a loud beep. “Message incoming.” Spike pushed a large green button that lit up a purple holographic image over the console. The hologram was of another scientist with a bandage around his head. “Flash? Sparky? I wanted to get this message out to you before our communications tower went down. It’s bad down here. I hope you’re able to make it to the source of these strange and dangerous occurrences. Please, the world depends on you. You’re our last hope-.” The image cut out completely as a siren wailed. “What is that?” Rainbow shouted. Spike looked at the readings on the console. “According to this, the moon’s just been destroyed. It’s gone!” The entire capsule shook as red light waves spiraled around outside the capsule. “A portal of some kind just opened.” Discord’s eyes boggled as he stared out the window at the massive grey and red object that appeared. “Is that a planet?” Spike nodded. “Yes, but it’s not even from this dimension.” Lasers shot from the planet’s surface, shaking their capsule. Discord held Fluttershy as she cried out. “Who’s attacking us?!” Spike pointed out the window. “Invaders, from the thirteenth dimension!” His jaw dropped at the new warning sound. “Strap yourselves down! We’re caught in its gravitational pull!” Rainbow mumbled out a series of alarms and buzzing as she strapped herself back in. “You sound like Twilight!” Spike growled, “Shut up!” Discord got Fluttershy strapped back in before he strapped himself back in. “Let me have the controls!” Spike flipped a lever before strapping himself in. “All yours.” The console folded and transformed into a helm that slid up to Discord. “If Sparky can build it, Flash can fly it, right?” Spike shrugged. “Hopefully. Did you ever read this issue? You know what happens? I sure don’t.” “Not a clue. I didn’t have time to read it.” Discord took a hold of two joysticks to maneuver the representation of the rocket ship on the display. One look at their descent speed, and he was really freaked out. “Not good! Too fast.” Pulling back on the joysticks, he pressed down on a pedal that opened up flaps and activated the reverse thrusters. “We’re going to crash! Hang on!” Another wave of lasers shook the capsule. One struck one of the windows, melting a hole through the clear barrier. The air began to be sucked out. Rainbow began to beep as her eyes flashed yellow. “My sensors indicate that we’re losing oxygen. Weird. I have sensors?” “We have to close the opening!” Spike shouted. Discord realized the weight that was strapped to his back. Maneuvering around the straps, he pulled out an ornate bronze like shield. Rainbow stared in disbelief at the object. “That’s it! The Netitus shield. So, awesome!” “It’s tough, and it’s fireproof.” Discord could see flames begin to gather around the broken window. Pressing a button on his bracer, the shield magnetically stuck to his arm. “Okay.” Fluttershy tried to grab Discord as he undid his straps. “What are you doing?” “We have to close the opening.” Discord took in a deep breath before jumping atop the shield and aiming for the window. His plan worked as the shield was sucked against the hole, sealing it. “Awesome!” Rainbow booped. “My sensors are saying that oxygen levels are stabilizing.” Discord looked over his shoulder at Spike. “Take over the controls.” “On it!” Spike flicked a lever, twisting the controls around to him. “Discord!” Discord looked at the window, which was starting to crack. “Uh-oh.” He looked for the release button on the shield so he could get back into his straps. But, before he could, the window shattered. Discord heard Fluttershy calling his name before he blacked out after being sucked into space. ##### “Awake her.” Fluttershy felt something, an energy flowed through her, prompting her eyes to open. Looking up from the black obsidian floor, she saw Spike with his arms in binds and Rainbow in a bubble of energy. “Where am I?” Around them, she could see strange creatures dressed in varying armor and dresses, all with bowed heads. “Princess Deleja.” Fluttershy saw above her, a black and white striped mare on a throne. “You’re, a zebra?” A cloaked stallion with a metal horn stepped forward. “You are speaking to Empress Zebrina, and how dare you compare her to any such creature of your planet’s filth.” The stallion sent a bolt of electricity from his horn at Spike. “Gah!” Spike twisted in pain as he fell to the floor. “I’m sorry!” Fluttershy cried. “I didn’t mean to offend you!” Spike shook his head. “Don’t bother. She’s just gonna throw us away when she’s done.” “Please.” Fluttershy mimicked the rest of the crowd around her by bowing her head. It all came back to her. She recalled the crash landing and the absent member of their party. “We lost a friend in our crash.” She looked and looked, but she didn’t see Discord anywhere. “Ah yes.” The Empress stood and approached Fluttershy. “Your scientist named him as Flash Magnus. However, he is no longer with us. My soldiers scouted ahead, but he is believed to be dead.” “No.” Fluttershy shook her head as her body began to tremble. “That can’t be true. That must be impossible.” The Empress laughed from her throat. “I sense love from your fearful motions. Please, don’t waste my time with your pathetic emotions. There is some use I have for you in my tower, where I’ll drain every last drop of your power. Your scientist, for General Betox I leave behind, so he can torture and destroy his mind.” “What about me!?” Rainbow buzzed through her bubble. The Empress laughed. “Don’t worry your little synthetic heart. You’ll be stripped apart.” “No!” Fluttershy scowled as her horn lit up. “You won’t get away with this.” Spike yelled out to Fluttershy. “Your magic! Use your magic!” Fluttershy’s eyes grew at the sight of the ball of energy growing over head. “What?” Trying to shake the light of the energy away, she sent it bouncing around the throne room, taking out guards as it went. At last, the ball of energy struck the bubble Rainbow was trapped in. “Woah!” Rainbow fell to the floor as the bubble dissipated. “Halt!” Betox ran at Rainbow before he was blasted across the room at the Empress by a laser shot from Rainbow’s eyes. “Run!” Spike yelled. The Empress shoved Betox away and began to float up into the air. “Foolish cur! Somebody competent, capture her!” She snapped her head at Fluttershy. “And as for your outburst you unruly whelp, after my daughter prepares you for extraction, there’ll be no one to help.” ##### “What is this? Why do you waste our commander’s time with a weakling.” “We found him, he fell from the sky.” “And he’s alive? Impressive. Then he must not be a weakling at all! What do you think, commander? Is he of use to us?” “E-yup.” Through all the muffled voices, Discord recognized that last one. “Big Mac?” As his vision cleared, the red blob standing over him focused into the face of Big Mac. Another pony-like face stood over Discord. “What did you just call Commander Mantos?” “Commander?” Discord remembered he was still in the comic. “Commander.” Sitting up he looked over at the other pony. “I’m sorry I don’t know you. I am Flash Magnus.” “Flash, a curious name.” The young orangish pony had a blue mane and matching eyes. He saluted with a hoof against his heart. “I am Captain Mars Markas. Allow me to introduce my Commander, Mantos San of the Steelwings.” Discord imitated the salute to Big Mac. “A pleasure to meet you, Mantos.” “E-yup.” Big Mac chuckled. Discord looked him up and down. He quickly noticed the metallic wings mounted on Big Mac’s back, as well as the other ponies in the hut-like room he was in. “If you don’t mind me asking, who are all of you?” Mars stepped forward. “Commander, shall I fill him in?” Big Mac nodded. “E-yup.” Mars took a seat on a cushion next to the cot Discord was laying in. “We witnessed your primitive rocket ship crash down. If you don’t already know, you’re on the planet Zebrulon. Once this place was a peaceful planet. That was until the Empress, Zebrina, manipulated its inhabitants. She lied to the people, promising them peace and protection in exchange for their obedience. Zebrina abused her power to conquer other worlds, grafting them into her own as she dragged them through ripples in space.” “Why did she take over worlds?” Discord asked. “Power.” Mars said plainly. “She sought after the energies belonging to each world’s most powerful leaders.” Discord recalled Fluttershy’s new form as an alicorn. “Princess Deleja, and my friends, I have to find them.” “If they were on your ship,” Mars lowered his head, “I’m afraid the empress has them.” Discord sat up. “Then we must find them, and stop Zebrina!” Big Mac smiled as he helped Discord up. “E-yup.” “But sir!” Mars interjected. “The Empress possesses untold power from countless worlds. How can we ever hope to overcome her? We’re not even close to having the firepower necessary to launch an attack on her palace.” “We got somthin’ that she ain’t got.” Big Mac pat Discord on the back. “Someone on the inside.” Discord caught wind of what Big Mac was saying. “Our-, I mean, my friends. If we could get a message to them, they could operate from the inside.” Mars nodded. “Yes, having someone inside could aid our attack. If they could get free, they could lower their defensive force fields. But, that doesn’t solve our issue of firepower.” “I’m sure we can improvise.” Discord went on. “What if we hijacked a weapon or craft from the Empress’s forces?” A voice piped up from among the other steelwings. “What about the rocket ship Destiny?” “Fool!” Another steelwing coughed. “It would take all of us to take it down.” Discord weighed the options before him. “Look, if the Empress takes the powers of Princess Deleja, you’ll have even less odds of ever beating her. If we take Destiny, we might have the chance to act before it’s too late.” “E-yup.” Big Mac eyed Mars and the rest of the steelwings. “He’s right. If you do nothin’ now, you’ll be slaves forever. Are we just gonna sit here on our flanks, or go and take back our freedom?” Discord excitedly raised his paw in a fist to the air. “I will stand and fight for Mantos and the steelwings!” As the rest of the steelwings cheered, Mars furrowed his brow. “How do we know we can trust you, Flash? For all we do know, you could be an agent of Zebrina.” “Then, I’ll prove myself.” Discord squared up to Mars. “I won’t fail.” Mars looked to Big Mac. “The Hom Tabbar?” Big Mac’s face sunk a little as he thought about it. “E-yup. Take ‘im to the totem.” Discord followed Mars and a few steelwings who guided him from the hut. Outside, he could see he was high above the ground on a structure held up by massive trees. The trees held a series of similar hut-like buildings that were all interconnected with suspended bridges. Mars led him to one hut in particular that was darker than the rest. Ducking under the hanging beads, Discord was surprised to come face to face with a wrinkly faced dragon with no eyes. Where eyes would have been, skin had grown over and scarred. The dragon’s form was wrapped from head to toe with bandages, similar to a mummy. The dragon gestured to a beastly statue carved from dark wood holding a red box trimmed in silver. “Come warrior, place your arm in the box.” “What’s in the box?” Discord asked. The dragon brushed his claws against Discord’s face. “It is the Hom Tabbar. The test of courage and bravery. If you are worthy, it will not take your arm from you.” Discord froze before he reached for the box. Worthy? I’m not worthy. “Doubt, is how you lose your arm.” The dragon took Discords arm and held it tight. “Doubt is how you lose yourself and what you stand for. What do you stand for?” Images of Fluttershy flashed through Discords mind. I stand for her. For her, I will be worthy. He looked for what Flash would say and poured his reason behind it. “Freedom.” Discord thrust his arm into the box. In the blink of an eye, two silver jaws curled out and pinched his arm tight. He was stuck there. The statue’s eyes glowed an eerie green color as it’s voice emanated through it’s unmoving mouth. “Speak your litany of courage.” Discord felt the silver jaws tightening over his arm. “What does it want?” The wrinkly dragon held Discord by his other arm. “You must speak truth. You must speak your code of honor to prove your integrity and honor. If you do not speak these words, you will suffer the lesser death, a belittling one of shame.” Discord quickly recalled the first issue of the New Adventures of Flash Magnus. He remembered the Royal Legion mantra that Flash had spoken alongside his comrades before battle. Discord remembered because he had it memorized. “I do not run with my legs, he who runs with his legs has forgotten the face of his princess. I run with my mind. I do not fly with my wings, he who flies with his wings has forgotten the face of his princess. I fly with my soul. I do not fight with my shield, he who fights with his shield has forgotten the face of his princess. I fight with my heart!” The silver jaws released Discord’s arm. The dragon raised his claws in the air. “The Hom Tabbar has spoken. He is worthy!” “Forgive me.” Mars knelt by Discord’s side. “I have misjudged you, Flash Magnus. You have earned my deepest respect.” “E-yup.” Big Mac entered the hut. “And, we shall fight side by side to capture Destiny.” ##### Fluttershy fought against the gold clad guards that dragged her up the stone spiral staircase. Now knowing that she had magic, she fought the inhibitor clamped around her horn, but to no avail. “Let me go!” Flailing her limbs, she managed to free a leg and clock the one guard in the face, sending him rolling down the stairs. “Oh, my! I’m so sorry!” The remaining guard brandished his electric spear at Fluttershy. “You’ll pay for that.” “Halt! Stand down, guard!” Fluttershy only saw a shadow from the top of the staircase where a new voice came from. The guard stood at attention. “Yes, Princess.” The voice came again. “Guard, leave us.” The guard tapped his electric spear on the ground before heading down the stairs. Knowing that the guards would be down there waiting. Fluttershy headed up. “Who are you?” “You know who I am,” the voice groaned, “but for some reason, everyone keeps calling me Princess Dora Bella.” “Twilight!” Fluttershy almost didn’t recognize her as she had changed. Aside from the blue gold ornament about her frame, her fur had changed into a striped pattern similar to the empress’s with darker shades of purple. And, she noted that Twilight’s horn was missing. “I’m so glad to see you!” Twilight embraced Fluttershy. “You’re glad? I’m glad to finally hear someone call me by my real name. What’s going on, and,” she looked at Fluttershy’s head, “since when are you an alicorn?” “We’re trapped in a comic book.” Fluttershy wasted no time in bringing Twilight up to speed. She explained as much as she could remember from what Spike and Discord had said along with the crash and what happened in the throne room of Empress Zebrina. Twilight did her best to wrap her head around it. “Okay, but, there has to be a reason why we’re in this comic book.” “Discord said it might have been a spell.” Fluttershy remembered. “Have you ever heard of anything like that?” “Well,” Twilight thought, “there was a group of unicorns that made enchanted books that allowed you to live through the adventures of any novel you wanted. But they were banned, and they never made comic books.” “So, how do we get out of this place?” Fluttershy asked. “Follow me.” Twilight led Fluttershy up into a large room which was furnished with a luxurious bed and a revolving rack of dresses. “We have to finish the story. I’ve been gathering clues to figure out what’s going on. Now that I know we’re in an enchanted comic, everything makes a little more sense. Everyone I’ve met thinks I’m the Empress’s daughter, Bella Dora. I found her secret journal entailing her plans to overthrow her mother and free the enslaved subjects.” From under the pillow of the bed, Twilight struggled to pull out a journal with her hooves. “She kept a list of groups that would sympathize with a revolution. At the top of the list is a group of people called the steelwings.” Fluttershy saw that the steelwings were circled on the list. “How do we get in touch with the steelwings?” Twilight flipped to another page. “There’s a detailed map to an abandoned communications tower at the opposite end of the palace. If we can get there, we might be able to make contact. But, we have to avoid suspicion. If either of us goes missing, Zebrina might suspect something is up.” “Rainbow Dash is still in the palace somewhere. If we can find her, we could send her to the tower.” Fluttershy sighed. “But, she could be anywhere by now.” Twilight nodded. “You’re right. Where would we start to look.” A static cough sounded from the ceiling. “How about up here?” Fluttershy beamed at the sight of the open ventilation shaft above. “Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow slipped through the opening, igniting thrusters in her steel hooves to slow her descent. “Thank goodness that worked. It’s not the same as flying, but still, so cool!” Landing in front of Twilight and Fluttershy, she tapped a spot on her chest which opened up to reveal a display with a map. “I’ve been exploring this place, using my scanners to map out the ventilation shafts and hallways.” “Fascinating.” Twilight inspected every inch of Rainbow’s robotic form. “I wish I had time to study how it all works.” “Hey! No touchy!” Rainbow flipped around and gestured to the map on her display. “I overheard your plan about the communications tower. But, I need the rest of the map to get there.” “Oh, of course.” Twilight offered up the journal with the map to the communications tower. Rainbow’s eyes lit up with a light blue laser that scanned the pages of the journal. “I got it all! I’ve patched the map from the journal into my map, so now I know how to get there.” ##### From the middle of General Betox’s laboratory, Spike rolled his eyes. “Really? How original.” He struggled against his restraints that held him down to a metal table. Between his legs, a laser beam slowly crawled towards him. Betox angrily slammed a button on the laser, shutting it down. “Have you no fear? This laser could cut you clean in half.” “I’m just saying, you could come up with something a little more creative.” Spike shrugged. “I thought you were supposed to destroy my mind or something like that.” “What makes you think I’m not in the process of destroying your mind already?” Betox pulled up a tray of tools. One by one, he inspected each instrument and tested their abilities. “Oh, here come the sharp pointy things,” Spike mumbled, “seriously, you really are just the second rate crony to the Empress. It’s more sad than terrifying.” “Enough!” Betox pulled a device down and latched it onto Spike’s head. “Here we go!” Spike said excitedly. “Finally, we’re getting to the meat of it!” “Oh come on!” Betox kicked the tray of tools across his lab, sending some of the contents onto the table. “You’re worse than the Empress.” Spike squinted. “Ooh. Strong words coming from number two.” “And what would you know about being number two?” Betox relaxed into a chair next to a control panel. Spike laughed. “Are you kidding me? I go through life feeling like all I’ll ever be is number two next to my friend. Flash? That guy? It’s like he’s always off with the princess now more than me. But, it’s okay. I get it, it’s frustrating being in the shadow of someone who always seems more powerful, stronger, or braver than you are. But when you’re friends, what can you do? Being number two isn’t so bad. Where would Flash be without me, Sparky. If I hadn’t designed his armor and all the weapons he used to fight the Norticans, where would he be? Where would Zebrina be without you acting as her General and commanding her armies?” Betox sighed. “Nowhere, probably. You know, you are far less foolish than I made you out to be. And while your knowledge of the universe is primitive, your conceptual understanding of our technology is superb. It would be a shame to waste a mind like yours, Sparky Buckaroo.” Spike nodded. “So, we good?” “Yes.” Betox stood up. “However, I’m still going to kill you for my Empress.” “Impressing a girl.” Spike distantly smiled at the thought of Rarity. “I’ve been there too.” Betox began to activate the device strapped to Spike’s head. “Yes, she is beautiful. Isn’t she?” Spike turned his head away to hide his gags. “Sure.” In the direction he turned, Spike noticed something he hadn’t before. “Wait, those string instruments on the wall there! Are they yours?” “Yes.” Betox replied. “But, I fail to see their relevance to me destroying your mind.” Spike had an idea, one that might keep him alive long enough to escape. “You play? I’m quite the string picker myself. Back in equestria, I have my own band. Sparky Buckaroo and the Canterlot Guards. You admitted it’d be a shame to waste my mind. Why not get a use of it before you waste the opportunity?” Betox tapped his chin in thought. “It has been awhile since I’ve had the privilege of playing music with one as skilled as myself. Alright, Doctor Buckaroo. Let’s play some music, but you’ll be restrained the whole time. So, no funny business.” Spike stretched his wrists as his arm restraints unlatched. “Sweet, now let me see that six string there.” Standing up on the table, he caught the six stringed instrument that Betox threw to him. He immediately began to tweak the tension of the strings. “What are you doing?” Betox asked. Spike tweaked and tested each string to his liking. “Tuning. What shall we play. You got a beat? A song you know?” “How about a challenge?” Betox activated a platform which raised him off the ground to meet Spike’s level. “If you can outplay me, I’ll make your death painless.” Two sparking cables shot out from the platform and attached themselves to Betox and Spike’s instruments. “Play your best song.” “Okay. I’ll do you one better.” Spike picked up a shaded visor from the tools that spilled onto the table from earlier and used them as shades. “I’ll play the greatest song in the universe.” Spike pulled the silver tipped guitar pick from his pocket and played the first thing that came to his head, and it just so happened to be… ##### Discord couldn’t help but smile as he slid into the actual hover carriage that Flash Magnus used to navigate the northern wastes and rescue Princess Deleja in issue seventeen. “How did you find this?” He admired every curve and corner. It wasn’t too unlike a regular auto carriage. Brushing his paw over the controls, he committed as much of its detail to memory as he could. Between the domed windscreen and the double grip steering mechanism, Discord felt like he had gone to another heaven second to the presence of Fluttershy. Mars pointed towards where Big Mac pointed out the crash. “We recovered part of your rocket ship. We assumed it was one of Zebrina’s ships, which is why we confiscated the contents we found.” “E-yup.” Big Mac passed a large parcel to Discord. “I think you’ll be needing this.” Discord unwrapped the parcel to find the shield that had undoubtedly saved his life from his fall to the surface of Zebrulon. “Netitus.” Examining the shield, he could see it had been polished and affixed to the strap was a series of steel feathers. “What are these?” “Tokens of allegiance, from our bravest warriors.” Mars explained. “They have gifted them to you for good luck during our charge on Destiny.” Discord mounted the shield on his back. “How soon till Destiny approaches?” “Soon.” Big Mac spread out his metallic wings. He spoke to Mars. “Let’s get into our positions.” Discord smiled as he fired up the hover carriage. He hummed at the sensation of the twin jets on the back, warming up. Once the jets lit up with fire, Discord slowly pushed the altitude throttle forward until the hover carriage began to lift off from the deck it rested on. “Let’s do this!” Big Mac and Mars both howled as they took to the sky. Discord found the acceleration petals by his feet and eased into them. The hover carriage took off, catching up to the flocks of steel wings that flew through the trees. Maneuvering left and right, Discord followed them under the cover of the canopies. Mars and Big Mac flew up alongside Discord. Mars hollered to Discord. “Up there!” Looking up, Discord could see the rocket ship Destiny begin to pass over them. It was a symmetrical cone with ornate fins that divided three separate thrusters. “I’ll distract them!” He pushed his altitude throttled to full blast. Mars shouted up at him. “Impetuous fool!” Breaking through the canopy, Discord accelerated around the rocket ship, circling it. The Destiny’s crew wasted no time in firing laser beams in his direction. “Come on, that’s right. Over here boys.” As the Destiny followed him, he could see the flocks of steelwings spilling from the canopies. “Come on.” He waited for them all to gain enough altitude over the Destiny. “Almost there.” The moment the steelwings were in position, Discord turned the hover carriage and dove beneath the rocket ship, narrowly missing the spire on the end of its nose. “Now!” Big Mac’s voice boomed across the sky as he yelled out his order to the steelwings. “Dive!” Like a wave of chrome, the steelwings dove in a particular fashion, reflecting as much light as possible at the windows to Destiny’s control deck. Amidst this, a third of the steelwings split off to board the decks of the Destiny. Lasers began to blast away at the steel wings, send them hurtling down below. Discord pushed his altitude throttle all the way up again. Reaching the right height, he locked the hover carriage into auto drive so he could stand up. On the hood of the hover carriage, he used Netitus to deflect the lasers and even reflect them back at the crew members arming the laser turrets. One by one, Discord cleared the decks for the steelwings to board the rocketship. After so many of the steelwings were aboard, the rocket ship’s thrusters began to reverse until the ship came to a complete halt. Circling the Destiny one more time, Discord could see it’s cargo bay open to reveal a smiling Mars and Big Mac. He flew in to meet them. “We are victorious! And little of our warriors were felled.” Mars embraced Discord and Big Mac. “They will live on in our memories.” Even though he knew this was all fiction, Discord found that he couldn’t help but feel the weight of their fallen comrades. “Their spirits will be with us when we defeat Zebrina.” “E-yup.” Big Mac wiped a subtle tear from the corner of his eye as he pulled on Discord’s arm. “Come on. Let’s point this thing towards Zebrina’s palace.” Discord nodded as he broke off his embrace with Mars and followed Big Mac to the control deck. The deck was cleared as the steel wings tied up the crew and transported their captives elsewhere. Big Mac gestured to the main seat at the helm. “She’s all your, Captain.” “Captain?” Discord asked. “E-yup. You got a ship, you’ve been promoted.” Big Mac took a position at a set of controls marked as the controls for the defense lasers. “Captain Magnus!” Another steelwing hollered from the communications controls. “We’re receiving a distress call. It’s coming from the palace.” Discord sat at the helm. “Put them through.” A crackle and a buzz popped before a voice finally came through. “This is Ralf, calling to the steelwings. The princesses and I are calling for an attack on the Empress’s Palace.” The sound of Rainbow’s voice brought a fresh bold smile to Discord’s face. “This is Flash Magnus and the steelwing army. We hear you.” ##### Rainbow ran over Discord’s instruction again. “Disable force field, gather our friends, and defeat Zebrina. Piece of cake.” A noise set her senses whirring for a loop. “Gah! That sound. That music!” She felt like her audio interpreters were melting like butter to the perfect collection of power chords that were stuck in a final symphony of perfection. Popping open the vent below her, she investigated. Spike was on his knees, locked in a stance with his pick in his trembling claws over the six strings that were still glowing. His head raised to face Betox who was ragdolled against the wall in a pile of debris, still clutching his shattered instrument. Spike laughed towards Betox. “You got a hay of a lot to learn about rock and roll.” “Hey!” Rainbow shouted down at Spike. The dragon looked up and smiled. “Hey.” He took a moment to catch his breath. Rainbow looked back and forth between Spike and Betox. “What happened?” Spike shed his visor shades. “I just played the greatest song in the universe.” “Whatever.” Rainbow shot lasers from her eyes at the restraints holding Spike's legs. “Write a tribute later, but right now we gotta get the palace’s forcefield shut off for Discord.” Spike slung the sing string instrument over his back. “Discord is alive?” Rainbow unfolded one of her hooves to let down a grappling hook and rope. “I’ll explain it on the way. But for now, hurry up!” Spike pocketed the visor and hopped on the grappling hook as it raised him up to the ventilation shaft. “Betox described the barrier. It’s in the trekar quadrant of the palace. Do you know where that is?” Rainbow tapped her metal head. “It’s all in here.” ##### Fluttershy whimpered at the tightness of the dress Twilight helped her into. “What’s taking so long for Rainbow to get back?” The black dress was skeletal in form, lining up almost perfectly with her joints and form. “She’s probably looking for Spike. Don’t worry. And don’t struggle too much.” Twilight groaned as she silently cursed at her hooves. “I’m practically useless without my horn!” “Ouch!” Fluttershy jumped as a piece of her fur was caught in the lacing of the dress. “This dress isn’t very forgiving.” “Sorry,” Twilight apologized, “in fact, it’s not really a dress. It’s designed to suck the magic and your life force from your body so it can be transferred into Zebrina’s leg band.” Realizing the harshness of that statement, Twilight apologized again. “Sorry. You must be terrified.” “I’m worried about Discord.” Fluttershy admitted. “I’m worried that he might really be gone.” Twilight sighed, staring at her hooves. “Me too.” “Twilight?” Fluttershy looked to Twilight, worry spreading even deeper into her face. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing!” Twilight snapped. “Nothing.” Fluttershy brushed Twilight’s face. “Hey. It’s alright. You can tell me if you want to. I won’t tell anyone else.” Twilight looked away from Fluttershy as she crawled onto the bed. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Fluttershy frowned as she walked over to Twilight. “I understand. Just know, that if you ever want to talk about it, you can talk to me.” Twilight snapped at her. “I don’t want to talk to you.” The doors to the room flew open as Empress Zebrina walked in. “Oh daughter of mine, the work you have done is fine.” She activated her band and spun Fluttershy around to look at her. “Oh what a sight so glorious, in my hour victorious.” “Put me down, you witch!” Fluttershy swept out a hoof and managed to kick the Empress in the face. “Oh.” The Empress wiped a trickle of green blood from her cheek. “Strike me you may, but for that you will pay. Come with me my daughter, and witness this peasant’s slaughter.” Twilight wiped her face and turned to the Empress with red eyes and a crooked smile. “Yes, mother.” Fluttershy blankly stared at Twilight. “What? You can’t let her do this. No. This isn’t like you!” “Maybe, it is.” Twilight led the way up the spiral staircase. “Let’s get a move on, mother. We don’t want to waste any time.” “No!” Fluttershy kept trying to build up enough energy to blow the inhibitor off her horn, but nothing worked. “Don’t waste your energy.” Twilight’s smile widened. “Mother won’t be happy if you use up her power.” Fluttershy screamed as they reached the top of the tower. The top was capped by a spherical glass and steel form that let in the light from the stars of space. At the center of everything was a white chair with restraints. The Empress cackled as she set Fluttershy in the chair. “No!” Fluttershy’s eyes welled up as Twilight tightened the restraints herself. “This isn’t you.” Twilight whispered into Fluttershy’s ear. “You won’t get in the way now.” “What?” Fluttershy shook her head. “What are you talking about?” Twilight attached a coupling from the chair to the inhibitor on Fluttershy’s horn and another coupling to her dress. “Ready for extraction, mother.” “Excellent.” The Empress raised her leg over a spot in front of the chair where a small pedestal arose to hold the leg band. Slipping out of the leg band, the Empress readied the switch for extraction. “Now, your power and soul will be mine!” “Your majesty!” The Empress moved away from the extraction switch to meet the screaming Betox. “General! Speak.” Betox heaved as he talked. “Doc-tor Bucka-, escaped. Flash Magnus,” he sharply inhaled, “approaching.” “Betox, are you joking?” The Empress cocked a brow. “What do you mean Flash Magnus approaching?” ##### “Alright, he says the shields will be down in three, two, one…” True to Rainbow and Spike’s word, the red forcefield around Zebrina’s palace deteriorated before Discord’s eyes. “Wall down!” Discord shouted over the intercom. “Commander Mantos San, fire at anything that attacks.” Big Mac grinned as he manipulated the laser controls. “E-yup!” Discord saw the fleet of small ships beginning to swarm around them. Perhaps against the steelwings alone, they might have stood a chance. But against Destiny, their fates were sealed. “Keep it going.” Diverting the rocket ship’s power to it’s force field, now that they were in range, he brought the ship alongside the tallest tower. Discord could see Fluttershy through the glass dome top. “Mars.” “Yes, Flash?” Mars approached him. “I need you to take over.” Discord switched the controls over to automatic, so he could pass the seat to Mars. “I’m going after Zebrina and the Princess.” Mars pounded his chest in salute. “Flash, you’re a miracle. Go get her!” Discord dashed down to the cargo bay where he fired up the hover carriage again. Taking off into the frey of the fight, he had to dodge lasers and enemy ships as he descended straight at the tower. Before he could make it, however, one of the stray enemy ships his engine with a straight laser shot. “Not so fast.” Discord jumped from the hover carriage as it plummeted to the ground. Pulling Netitus from his back, he stood on top of it like a surfboard, riding the lasers that struck the underside of the shield. Getting his trajectory right, he crashed through the glass of the tower, sliding to a halt and activating the magnets in his armor, sucking Netitus onto his arm. Rushing forward, Discord stood between Fluttershy and the Empress. “Forget it, Zebrina! You’re not taking her power.” The Empress chuckled. “Flash Magnus, we meet at last. Too bad you’ll die so fast. Betox!” Betox lunged at Discord with his electric sword. “You will die!” His sword arched as he and Discord fought to push him back. “Your friends will all die.” “No!” Fluttershy used one of her free hind legs to kick Betox in the side. “He’ll save every one of us.” Fluttershy’s aid was enough to give Discord the edge to launch Betox across the room. “Zebrina, you coward. Your fight is with me!” “Stay away from her!” Betox came back with a vengeance as he relentlessly swung his sword at Discord, only to be stopped again and again by Netitus. “You will die by my blade!” “Actually.” Discord smiled at the sight of Spike and Rainbow. Spike raised his arm high with pick in claw as he readied his weapon, a laser grid tied into the six stringed instrument he carried. “Power chord.” As he struck his weapon’s strings, lasers shot from its neck, sending Betox flying across the room. Barely able to lift his smoking head, Betox mourned his broken horn before he stared at Spike. “Be you an angel?” “Nay.” Spike flipped his visor shades onto his face. “I am but a dragon.” The Empress reached for the extraction switch. Discord took a knee, bracing himself as he pressed a button on his arm that sent Netitus flying at the Empress, slamming her face with a loud crack. “Disable the chair!” Rainbow aimed her laser eyes at the chair’s circuitry and fried them before blasting the inhibitor off of Fluttershy’s horn. Fluttershy ran to the pedestal where the band was, but there was nothing there. “Oh, no.” Discord felt his body hit the floor as some invisible force weighed down on him like a ton of bricks. He looked up to see the Empress with her band on, her face ridden with sick delight. “Ha, ha, ha.” The Empress moved in on Discord. “You think you are worthy to defeat me? Look around you and see.” Using the magic of the band, the Empress used the same power to bring down Spike and Rainbow. “Is this the best Equestria has to offer? If so, you’ve made me a scoffer. Your friends, you can’t defend. And now, you’ll meet your end.” Discord could see the Empress’s eyes begin to glow red, along with Spike’s, Rainbow’s, and Fluttershy’s eyes. “No.” The Empress laughed. “Kill him.” Twilight screamed as she tackled the Empress. “No!” Discord felt the weight lift from his body, but Spike, Rainbow, and Fluttershy were still preparing to attack. “Uh-oh.” He held up the shield in time to hold off their attacks. Netitus deflected Spike’s laser guitar, Rainbow’s laser eyes, and Fluttershy’s magic. Quickly seeing that the energies all merged upon being deflected from the shield, Discord turned to direct it all at the Empress. “See you in tartarus, Zebrina!” The Empress screamed at the top of her lungs as the combined energies lit her up. “No, no mortal can kill me! That’s impossible!” Her entire form fizzled out in a bright flash that turned to dust before falling to the floor. “It’s over.” Discord ran to Fluttershy who was shaking her head. “Hey. You alright?” Fluttershy blinked her eyes back into focus. “Discord! Wait. Where’s Twilight?” Discord turned to see Twilight picking up Zebrina’s band. “Twilight? What are you doing?” Twilight slipped the band on and sent Fluttershy flying back into the chair, locking her horn back up with the inhibitor. “No. I have the power. I’m not losing him again.” Discord dropped his shield and held up his arms. “Twilight. Please stop. I’ll do anything you want, just let Fluttershy go. What do you want?” “You!” Twilight screamed. Spike’s eyes grew under his visor shades. “Woah, didn’t see that coming.” “A love triangle? Seriously?” Rainbow looked around. “This is a dumb comic book.” Fluttershy spoke up. “Twilight. You love Discord?” “Yes.” Twilight shook her head, stuttering. “N-no. None of you would understand!” Spike set down his weapon and walked towards Twilight. “Stay back!” Twilight snapped at Spike. “What are you doing?” “You said you weren’t going to lose him again.” Spike kept walking to her. “But, you weren’t talking about Discord were you.” Twilight’s face began to twist as her eyes filled with tears. “N-no. I wasn’t.” “You were talking about someone else, someone you loved very much, but isn’t around anymore.” Spike stopped only when Twilight threatened him with with the power of the band. “He said he would come back.” Twilight began to shake. “He said he would come back, but he never did.” Hot tears began to roll down her face. “He said he would come back from the war!” “The changeling wars?” Discord asked. “I met your parents though, your dad is still-.” It clicked in Discord’s mind. “Oh. Your brother.” Discord remembered every moment with Twilight. He remembered her reaction to him sticking out for her and how she followed him around, always taking interest. “Twilight. I’m sorry. I’m not your brother.” “You’re Spike’s!” Twilight howled. Discord chose his words more carefully. “Just because I’m not your brother doesn’t mean I’m not your friend. Twilight. Please. Let Fluttershy go.” Twilights tears of sadness turned to tears of anger. “Is she all you ever think about!?” Spike dared to take a step forward. “And if your real brother had fallen in love, would you get rid of her? Would his life not matter? Yes, Discord and Fluttershy are spending time together. That doesn’t mean Discord cares less about you than the rest of us. He cares just as much if not more than I do.” “What?” Twilight cowered back from Spike. “What are you saying?” Spike knelt down on a knee. “Twily.” “Don’t call me that…” Twilight’s words drifted away. “Twily?” Spike opened his arms for her. “I understand, but you can’t hate him for not coming back. I may not be your brother, or the one you want to be your brother. I can’t be your brother. But, I can be the next best thing.” Twilight began to calm down. “Like what.” “Well, your highness if I’ve learned anything today,” Spike shrugged gesturing to Betox, “every princess deserves a number two assistant.” Twilight stared at Spike for a while before finally sliding Zebrina’s band from her leg to the ground. “Number one?” “Sure.” Spike offered up his best smile. “Number one assistant.” Twilight rushed into his arms and quietly wept as the dragon held her. Discord removed the restraints and the inhibitter as he picked up Fluttershy. He whispered to her. “Princess?” “Please don’t.” Fluttershy shivered. “I don’t want to be a princess. I don’t have the nerve for it.” Rainbow blasted Zebrina’s band until it burst into flames, releasing a plume of energy that escaped through the broken glass above. She beeped as everyone looked at her. “What? Did you honestly think I’d let that thing sit there for Beta over there to pick up and use to bring that crazy Empress back from the dead? No thanks.” Big Mac flew into the tower from outside. “What did I miss?” He was followed by Mars and a few more of the steelwings. “A lot.” Spike commented. Mars stepped forward. “Is she gone? Is Zebrina really defeated?” “Yes.” Discord smiled. “Once and for all.” Mars stared at Twilight. “Dora Bella. My princess.” He knelt before her and Spike. “I kept my promise. I told you we’d meet again, my love.” Spike smiled at the confused Twilight. “Go on. This is all just a comic book. Enjoy it a little.” Nodding, Twilight smiled up at Mars Markas. “It’s, uh, a relief to see you again, uh, my love.” She yelped a bit as Mars drew her into an embrace before spinning up into the air with her. Twilight giggled as Mars brushed his nose against hers on the way back down. “All's well that ends well.” Fluttershy hummed to Discord. “Hm-nope.” Big Mac shook his head. “The planet Zebrulon still drifts through space.” Spike scratched his chin. “Our planet’s moon was destroyed by Zebrina, but maybe we could shift Zebrulon into an orbit to give it a home as our new moon.” Spike chuckled to himself. “I’m gonna miss talking like Twilight.” “I don’t know.” Rainbow buzzed. “Finding a good home for friends? That sure sounds like Spike to me.” Spike tapped Rainbow’s metal shoulder. “Thanks.” Mars stepped up to Discord. “Flash, you have defeated the evil Empress and your scientist has offered us a new home next to yours. How can my people ever repay you?” “Don’t worry about it.” Discord hugged Fluttershy a little tighter. “I’m just glad Zebrina is no longer a threat to our world. I couldn’t ask you to aid in our battles.” Mars hummed with a wide smile that lit up his face. “When my people have fully recovered, I promise to help you overcome the forces of evil on your world.” Discord nodded in agreement. “But first, a lift home would be nice.” “Discord, look!” Fluttershy pointed to the sky. Looking up with her, Discord marveled at the fireworks that lit up the sky as the sun began to set. He didn’t even notice the bright light that was gradually surrounding him and his friends. ***** Everyone screamed as they fell from the pages of the comic book, back into the castle of the two sisters. Fluttershy rubbered her now bare head. “Thank goodness, no more magic.” Spike reached for the lapels of a tweed jacket that was no longer there while Big Mac sighed at his bare back that no longer had metal wings. Rainbow stretched, popping every joint in her body. “Wow!” She squeezed her own face and sighed with relief. “It’s good to have skin and fur again.” Twilight sighed as she made a few sparks with her horn. “It’s good to have this back.” She winced before turning to face everyone. “I’m so sorry, everyone.” Discord moved to take off his helmet, but he laughed at the fact that it was no longer there. “Twilight. Like Spike said, I understand. We may not be siblings.” “But,” Fluttershy lifted Twilight’s chin up, “we are family.” Fluttershy embraced her. “We’ll always be family, no matter what. And, I’d be proud to be your sister.” Twilight wiped her eyes. “Even though, we’re not really sisters. We’re family.” Discord joined in the hug along with Spike, Big Mac, and even Rainbow. “Can you ever forgive me?” Twilight asked. Discord and Fluttershy looked at each other and simultaneously answered, “Promise.” “Yes.” Spike smiled. Big Mac added, “E-yup.” Rainbow hid her eyes as she wiped them. “Of course, squirt.” Discord rubbed Twilight’s head, playfully. “You know, you taught me something today, Twilight.” “Really?” Twilight asked. “Yeah.” Discord nodded. “You’re special, Twilight. You see, I was doubting whether I was worthy of my friends, until you convinced me otherwise. I saw how far you were willing to go to keep me as your friend. Each of us has something special about us. Fluttershy is kind, Rainbow has an unwavering loyalty, but you? Your friendship is magic.” “Thank you.” Twilight looked to Spike who gave her a thumbs up. “Thank you all.” Fluttershy planted a kiss on Discord’s cheek. “Now do you understand how much you mean to us?” “Yes.” Discord leaned down and kissed Fluttershy. “I do.” They all turned at the sight of the comic glowing green before disappearing into thin air. “Darn.” Discord brushed over the spot on the podium where the comic had been, but there was nothing there. “I guess we’ll never find out where that comic came from.” “Well,” Fluttershy hummed, “we made it out with our lives.” Spike wiggled his claws. “I think I want to learn guitar.” He paused then. “Wait. Do you hear that? It’s some sort of humming.” They all wandered back to the main entryway where they found the pedestal with elements of harmony, in pieces. “The elements!” Twilight ran towards the rubble. “Huh?” “What is it?” Discord asked. He got his answer as he saw that three of the stones had cracked open. Picking one up, he brushed away the dirt to reveal a gem shaped like a butterfly. Recognizing it, he held it to Fluttershy’s side. “It’s the same as your mark.” “This one’s the same as mine, almost.” Rainbow dug out a bolt shaped gem that matched her eyes. Twilight used her magic to pick up another gem in the shape of a star. “What’s going on here?” Discord collected the other elements and showed them to Twilight. “They’re pulsating.” ***** Rainbow groaned as she stared at her lunch, ignoring the bustling students around the cafeteria. “I’m bored. That comic book escapade was the most fun I’ve had in years.” “E-yup.” Big Mac nodded. Spike fiddled with a cheap plastic guitar pick. “It’s kinda freaky to readjust to school after saving the world.” “It wasn’t real though.” Twilight muttered as she stared at the star shaped element. “But, it felt real.” Fluttershy nudged Discord. “Is that how it feels when you read your comics?” “I suppose.” Discord shrugged. “I think the only thing that comes close is the end of an O&O campaign.” “Yeah!” Spike agreed. “You get connected to these characters, and it’s a little sad to see them go.” “But,” Discord sighed, “I think we’ll hold on to the best parts, the parts that somehow make a difference in our lives. Hopefully for the better.” Twilight let out a long sigh as she tucked the element back in her bag. “I think I’ll go to class early. See you guys later.” “See ya.” Everyone called out, but before Twilight made it even ten steps, she ran into a colt and dropped her bag. “Who is that?” Rainbow asked. “I don’t know.” Discord admitted. “He kinda looks like Mars Markas, the steelwing from the comic.” Twilight shook her head as she recovered from the impact. “Sorry, I-uh.” “Sorry,” the orangish colt nervously helped Twilight pick up her bag. “Oh.” He picked up her disruptor, accidentally turning it on. “Whoops, is it supposed to make that sound.” “It’s okay.” Twilight switched it off and tucked it in her bag. “Science experiment.” “Nice.” The colt scratched at his blue mane. “Sorry, I’m new here. Do you know where shop nineteen is?” “Sure. I mean yes. I can show you.” Twilight struggled to not stare at the colt. “I’m Twilight, by the way.” “Hi there, Twilight.” The colt smiled. “I’m Flash Sentry.” Discord, Big Mac, and Rainbow’s jaws dropped as they smiled to one another. Discord grabbed his ears. “Flash? That’s freaky.” “E-yup.” Big Mac shook his head. Spike shrugged his shoulders. “Meh, I don’t think I like him.”