//------------------------------// // Discovery // Story: Spike the Fairy // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// Princess Celestia wakes up to a new day feeling distressed. She felt a horrible disturbance during her sleep. "What was that?" Princess Luna knocks on Celestia's door. "Sister. It's time to raise the sun." Princess Celestia gets up and raises the sun. She uses her magic to open the door. "Luna, come in." Princess Luna walks inside Celestia's room. Something is amiss, judging her tone and facial features. "What's wrong, Celestia? Why do you look distraught on a gorgeous day?" "I fear something wretched is on the loose. Something indescribable." "Like what?" "Did you feel any disturbances during your late-night duties?" "Nay, Celestia. I was tackling some fillies' nightmares last night. I didn't sense anything peculiar, Celestia. Shall I investigate the manner?" "Your Highnesses," A Royal Guard appears in front of the room. He bows in respect of the two Princesses. "Please forgive the intrusion. I deliver informative news from the Draqonecuus." "Discord?" Princess Celestia and Luna are now worried about the info Discord possesses. "What information Discord has acquired?" Princess Luna asks the Royal Guard. "Here," The Royal Guard gives the letter to the Princesses. Princess Celestia unveils the letter to read. She and her sister's hearts drop while reading the letter. "This.., this has to be some sort of prank.., right..?" Princess Luna is appalled at what's written in the letter. "Judging from the letter, I don't think Discord would be pulling our hinds like this. Discord knows the difference between tomfoolery and sense," Princess Celestia takes a deep breath. "Sir." "Yes, your Highness," The Royal Guard responds. "Gather your platoon. I'm going to the Everfree Forest." "Yes, Princess," The Royal Guard gallops to his squadron. "I'm going too. Perhaps this creature is hiding in plain sight, waiting to ambush a powerful foe." "Very well, Luna," Princess Celestia freshens up for the day and leaves the castle with her sister. The two are outside with a squadron of Royal Guards. "To the Everfree Forest," Princess Celestia and Luna take flight. The Royal Guards take flight, following the Princesses. Discord is sitting on the couch, mourning for a fellow clone that died. It's like losing a piece of yourself. Sunset Shimmer, Adagio, Aria, and Sonata are with him in silence. "To Detective Discord," Discord raises his glass of chocolate milk. His fellow clones do the same in his home. "He found who stole my football," A clone said, clutching onto the football like a baby. "Detective Discord solved the mystery of the missing cupcakes I baked for Nightmare Night. It was me," The clone shed some tears. "Detective Discord loves to take many snapshots. He's great for being a photographer artist," Another clone says. "We will miss him," Discord's clones, and he drinks the glass. "Discord, do you think we should be investigating on the manner?" Sunset asks. "I already sent a letter to Princess Celestia and Luna. If you feel like investigating, I'll send you off. A few of my clones will go. I can't." "Why is that, big guy?" Sonata asks. "If that behemoth was able to neutralize a clone at ease, there's no telling what it can do to me. If I fall, all my clones go with me." "I understand," Sunset said. Not wanting to put Discord in jeopardy in case whatever destroyed the Tree of Harmony can still be lurking. "Hey, we're coming along," Adagio said. "Yea," Aria said. "You can use some backup," Aria cracks her knuckles. "I'm going to stay with Discord; he needs the comfort," Sonata said, rubbing Discord's back. "Alright, let's go," Discord (clone) snaps his claw, teleporting Sunset, Aria, and Adagio to the Tree of Harmony. It's 9:00 in the morning. Neighsay wakes up to a new day in the dorm. He freshens up for the day and leaves his room. Neighsay shakes his head after seeing an apparition appear to him during his dream. "That can't be right.., right?" Neighsay sees Sandbar, Yona, and Silverstream talking with each other. "Hey guys, had a goodnight's sleep?" "It was different, Neighsay," Sandbar replies. "Yona saw Twilight ghost again." "Something about the Tree of Harmony," Silverstream said. "You too, huh?" Neighsay sighs. "I had a hard time sleeping after feeling a dark presence last night. The apparition was vagued with me due to my tossing and turning on the bed." "So, you being a unicorn gives you other senses?" Silverstream asks. "Yes. Some unicorns with higher levels of magic power can sense other variations. When I used to be a member of the EEA, I was given artifacts that most unicorns weren't capable of using. My studies with magic soar than most unicorns in Canterlot. With that in mind, I missed out on vital information the apparition had spoken due to the disturbance I felt." "You think the others received a message from the Tree of Harmony?" Sandbar asks his friends. "Only one way to find out," Neighsay trots to the School of Friendship's cafeteria where Smolder, Ocellus, and Gallus are at. Sandbar, Yona, and Silverstream follow Neighsay. As the four leave the dorm, they see Princess Celestia, Luna, and a squadron of Royal Guard flying in the direction of the Tree of Harmony. They figured the apparition had spoken to them as well. Ten minutes later, the four enter the cafeteria. They see their friends at the table looking sluggish. "Wow, those guys don't look good," Silverstream said. Ocellus, Gallus, and Smolder yawn a bit. It appears they had a rough night sleeping. They see their friends coming up to them. "Hey," Gallus yawns. "What's up with every creature?" Yona asks. "We're tired," Smolder replies. "Last night, I dreamt of seeing Twilight during the middle of a nightmare. She mentioned the Tree of Harmony before she vanished," Ocellus said. "I saw Twilight in my dream. I was having a tea par-" Smolder coughs. "I was having tea while fighting a.., a..," Smolder pouts after seeing her friends noticing her lie. "I was having a tea party in my dreams. Twilight said something about the Tree of Harmony before she vanished." "I was having a nightmare about failing Maud Pie's class for not paying close attention to detail when Twilight appear to say about the Tree of Harmony. Then, poof, she was gone," Gallus said. "I think it's fair to say that we all had a visit by Twilight," Sandbar said. "Well, more like the messager from the Tree of Harmony," Yona said. She remembers the encounter when Cozy Glow tried to take over the school and Equestria by draining the magic. "Oh yea," Everyone else said; they remember seeing the messager during the crisis months ago. "The apparition was vague with me last night. Also, I felt a disturbance during my sleep." "What kind of disturbance, Neighsay?" Gallus asks him. "Magic power that's on a different level. It made me toss and turn in my sleep," Neighsay said. "I believe the answers we need is where the Tree of Harmony is." "Let's go," Silverstream said. The Unity Seven leave the cafeteria and bumps into Headmare Glimmer, spilling a cup of coffee. "Ye-ouch!" The cup of coffee is splattered all over her coat. "Hot hot hot hot hot hot!" "Sorry, Headmare Glimmer," The Unity Seven apologetically say in unison. "Why are you seven in a hurry?" Starlight Glimmer asks. "Quick question, did you feel a disturbance last night?" Neighsay asks. "No. Why do you ask, Neighsay?" "I felt a disturbance in my sleep. Also, an apparition of Twilight appeared in my dream. She was vague due to my tossing and turning in my sleep. My friends heard what the apparition said. Tree of Harmony before vanishing. We're going to the Everfree Forest now and see why the messager mentioned the Tree of Harmony." "The Tree of Harmony speaks mysteriously. If you believe that the Tree of Harmony has called out to you, go. I will excuse you for the day under one condition." "Anything," The Unity Seven says. "Make me a cup of coffee. A good cup." After a few minutes of making Starlight Glimmer a good cup of coffee, the Unity Seven leaves the School of Friendship. On the way to the Everfree Forest, Zecora comes out with her belongings, looking sad. "Zecora, what happened?" Silverstream asks. "My home's grace is now a disgrace. The Everfree, once green, is now clean. Desolate and desecrate is all you'll find," Zecora trots into Ponyville, looking for a hotel to stay at. "That doesn't sound good," Sandbar said. "She just became homeless from what transpired last night. Something that we don't know about," Smolder exclaims. "Perhaps the disturbance caused it," Neighsay said. "Let's get moving," Yona said. The Unity Seven ventures into the Everfree Forest. After passing a few trees in the Everfree Forest, the Unity Seven understands what Zecora had mentioned about the Everfree's condition. They are silent, seeing ashes on the ground from many trees, including remainings of what appears to be Timberwolves. Many animals that reside in the Everfree Forest are in hiding. Whatever did this had them spooked. Half of Zecora's hut is missing its bark. Princess Celestia, Luna, and the Royal Guards land in front of the entrance to the Tree of Harmony. They are disturbed by the features of half of the Everfree Forest. "What or who did that?" A Royal Guard speaks loudly, unable to hold his thoughts in. "I don't know. Honestly, I'm not looking forward to finding out," Princess Celestia said. "The variations of magic are off, Celestia. I'm sensing power beyond our understanding. It's beyond my magic when I was Nightmare Moon." Princess Celestia sighs. She proceeds to enter the cave with Luna and the Royal Guards. Princess Luna and Celestia feel a stronger presence within the caves than outside; when they were above the wastelands of the Everfree Forest. They see the Tree of Harmony and Elements of Harmony shattered all over the floor along with petrified rocks. "Celestia, do you feel that?" "It's eerie similar for some reason," Princess Celestia responds. "How so?" "I.., I don't know. It's familiar, and I don't remember why." Sunset Shimmer, Adagio, Aria, and Discord (clone) arrive in the presence of the Tree of Harmony remains. They see the Princesses and Royal Guards investigating a bit. "Discord, it's good to see you," Princess Celestia said. "Well, technically speaking, I'm a clone. Discord is grieving for the loss of Detective Discord." "Like a clone, do you share and feel memories with the original?" Princess Luna asks. "Indeed. Why do you ask?" "Does the presence remaining feels eerie similar to you?" Princess Celestia asks the clone. "Well, I feel Detective Discord's magic power within the cave. That's one thing," The clone concentrates on the disturbing magic power that remains in the cave. "I do feel a disturbing level of power within the caves. Not the Tree of Harmony nor the Elements." "What is it that you're feeling, Discord?" Sunset asks the clone. The clone turns to the Princesses gaze. "Celestia. You're not going to like for what I have to say." "Please, tell us, Discord," Princess Celestia calmly asks. She takes a deep breath, mentally preparing her mind. "The magic I'm sensing is Underworld Magic." "Underworld Magic?" Everyone around says in unison. "We're talking about Black and Dark Magic, right?" Sunset asks the clone. "It's the closest theory I can come up with at the moment. Whoever did this was observing and planning how to weaken us. Whoever did this took out Equestria's strongest weapon and form of defense." "That sucks," Adagio said. "Who would do such a thing?" A Royal Guard asks. "Could be any creature that resents Equestria. It could be any creature that resents Friendship entirely. Luna and I will recall our history to any villain that may want vengeance." The Unity Seven arrives. They see Princess Celestia, Luna, the Royal Guards, Discord, Sunset Shimmer, Aria, and Adagio talking. The Unity Seven wonders if the Tree of Harmony has reached out to them as well. "Hey, every creature, did the Tree of Harmony reach out to you as well!" Yona shouts at everyone in the cave. They turn to the Unity Seven. "Hey, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" The clone of Discord says. "Aren't you supposed to be teaching?" Smolder asks. "I'm a clone representing Discord today, Smolder." "What did you mean by the Tree of Harmony reaching out?" Sunset asks the Unity Seven. "Last night in our slumbers, an apparition of Twilight Sparkle came to us and mentioned the Tree of Harmony before vanishing. I didn't hear much of her because I sensed something disturbing in my sleep." "Why did the Tree of Harmony reach out to you seven?" Princess Luna asks. "Just as before, when the apparition of the Tree of Harmony came to us, we were destined to save Equestrian Magic and stop Cozy Glow. Perhaps, we're meant to help the Tree of Harmony in some form of way," Silverstream said. "Hey, what's this?" Ocellus picks up a camera that's in stone. "You've found Detective Discord's camera!" The clone snatches it from Ocellus' grasps. "Perhaps the images he took have the answers we need." "Why is it in stone?" Yona asks. "We're about to find out," The clone of Discord uses his magic to uplift the stone's spell on the camera. It doesn't work. "Huh?" He uses his Chaos Magic to uplift the spell. "Wow, whoever did this has more magic power than Discord." "Perhaps we should help you uplift the petrification of the camera," Sunset suggests. "Yes," The clone nods. Princess Celestia, Luna, Sunset Shimmer, and Neighsay amplify their magic power to help the clone remove the petrification spell. It works as the camera winds up taking another snapshot in the process. "Perfect, now we can see the images that were taken," The clone prints the snapshots the camera took. After a few moments, Sunset looks at one of the pictures and gasps. "Oh no..," Sunset steps back a bit. "What's wrong, Sunset?" Aria asks her. Judging the look on Sunset's face, it must be crucial. "What on earth is this creature?" The clone looks at a tall creature in front of the destroyed Tree of Harmony within the picture. "We have a serious situation, everyone," Sunset said. She has flashbacks of fighting Midnight Sparkle during the Friendship Games. "How serious are we talking about, Sunset?" Princess Celestia trots up to her. Sunset Shimmer takes a deep breath while everyone looks at the picture the clone is holding, trying to figure out what it is. Sunset sighs heavily. "Twilight is back," Every creature gasps after Sunset's claim. "I know because I once fought Midnight Sparkle. An alternate version, the opposite of Twilight. That, in the picture, is her." "Then, that means..," The clone realizes what it means. "Spike the Fairy defeated Midnight and brought her to Equestria." "And if that's the case..," Princess Celestia connects the dots. "Twilight is scheming an idea of returning to Earth Land or something much more sinister." "We all need to have a watchful eye on any of her antics," A Royal Guard says. "Twilight is a smart pony. Her knowledge of certain spells and artifacts now terrifies me," Princess Luna said. "Discord," Princess Celestia turns to him. "Clone," The clone of Discord corrects Celestia. "Go to the Crystal Empire and inform Cadance and Shining Armor. They must protect the Crystal Heart from Twilight's clutches." "Can do, Celestia," The clone turns to smoke and leaves the caves. Princess Celestia takes a deep breath. "Luna. I want you to guard Tartarus." "Yes, Sister," Luna nods. "Why Tartarus?" Sunset asks Princess Celestia. "I have a theory that Twilight could be heading on over to Tartarus for unexpected allies or any other relics I have hidden within Cerberus' watch. I need to go back to Canterlot and protect the library Starswirled the Bearded had written." Princess Celestia and Luna leave the cave, knowing that Twilight Sparkle has returned. The Royal Guards split up. Some go with Celestia, and some go with Luna. "Hey, want to stay with us while we uncover what the Tree of Harmony wants us to do?" Gallus asks Adagio. "Sure. The clone is our ticket back home. We don't have anything else better to do."