It wasn't even a minute after Spike sent the letter that a blinding flash of white light immediately followed by a golden POP ushered the arrival of the Solar Goddess. She scowled at me, which puzzled me.
"Michael! You're supposed to be in the hospital recovering! What are you doing here?" Celestia asked impatiently.
"Your Majesty, time is of the essence here. Trixie and Twilight from the other universe sought my assistance as Discord is on the loose again, this time in their universe. We seek to travel to that universe in order to dispatch him. They healed me so I could assist them in whatever capacity is necessary. Please, if I may have the amulet so that I may assist them, your Majesty."
"I suppose that cannot be helped, Michael. I am disappointed by this news, but I shall assist you in your endeavor." She procured the amulet for me and gave it to me. As she did so, Pinkie Pie returned with Applejack following close behind and Rainbow Dash flew in with Fluttershy in her fore-legs.
"Rainbow, I had no idea you were that strong! I seem to recall Fluttershy having some difficulty in carrying me when I was in Twilight's body," I said, smiling at her.
"Just goes to show you how awesome I am!" the cyan pegasus chuckled.
"Um, nice to meet you again, Trixie and Twilight. So it's Discord this time? I dealt with him here recently. Maybe I can repeat my effort?" asked Fluttershy.
"Well, things may be different in that other universe, Fluttershy," I stated. "There's no telling whether or not he'll react the same way in their universe as he did here. I would consider banishing him to be the safer method of dealing with him. But wouldn't it be crazy if the Discord from here were to meet his counterpart in the other universe?"
"Don't give him any ideas, Michael!" the Sun Goddess exclaimed. "The last thing we need is for two Discords to be working in concert!"
"Yeah, that would be bad," I mused.
"What? You mean he roams unmolested here?" the other Trixie asked with great exasperation.
"He has been reformed, Trixie. However, the thought of two of them working to create chaos together is extremely disconcerting," Celestia stated. "Such a possibility is highly undesirable."
"Will you be joining us, your Majesty?" asked the other Twilight.
"I suppose I may, as I would like to discuss a few things with my counterpart in your universe. Everypony make a circle, we shall be leaving momentarily." Princess Celestia lit her horn once again, enveloping all of us with her golden aura. A moment later, we were standing in front of the Golden Oaks Library in the other universe. I had to rub my eyes as it looked as though nothing had changed, except that now it was night-time in the other universe.
"The time difference between the two universes throws me off," I stated with mild bemusement.
"How much longer before the sun is to be raised?" asked this Twilight.
"I shall return shortly," the Sun Goddess said, which mystified all of us. She promptly disappeared in a flash of light and another golden POP.
"Where in tarnation is the Princess going?" asked Applejack. "What if Discord shows up while she's gone?"
"We form a circle around him and use the harmonic magic against him," I chuckled. "Everypony have their Elements?"
A resounding "Yes" from everypony broke the stillness of the air. The other Twilight said, "I don't have one."
Suddenly a weird zipping sound was heard as Discord made his appearance. "Well, well, well. Looks like the whole gang is here. Sorry to disappoint you girls, but I've got more important things to do than mess around with you." Before we could do anything, he disappeared again, chuckling as he teleported away.
"Okay, so now what? Does anypony have any ideas?" asked the other Trixie. "He does this to us all the time. I don't know how to stop him, and neither does Twilight. She and I have checked all the books in the library, and we can't seem to find any answers. Our Princess Celestia seems to be equally mystified."
"Well, the six Elements of Harmony were used to turn him into a statue," I offered. "But the last time we encountered him, he was on my homeworld. We had two Rarities with us and the extra Rarity caused the Harmonic Magic to expel him from my home universe. That's why I was puzzled when Nightmare Moon here was turned into a crystal sculpture."
"A most unusual occurrence, Michael. So you can help us defeat him, should he choose to return," the other Trixie mused.
Princess Celestia returned with her counterpart to join us. "We have determined his location. Discord has a unique magic signature, so we shall teleport all of you to his whereabouts. Be prepared to use your Elemental Magic as soon as you see him."
"What if he teleports away from us again?" I asked.
"Michael, must you always complicate the situation?" Celestia asked, showing a slight degree of exasperation.
"Perhaps another good night's rest is in order," I suggested. "Considering the lateness of the hour, your Majesty?"
"For this matter, I shall raise the Sun immediately," stated the other Sun Goddess. She teleported away for a few moments and used her magic to raise the Sun. After doing so, she returned once again.
"There is no excuse for futher delay, Michael. Please address this issue immediately. There shall be time enough for slumber upon your return to my realm," our Celestia stated flatly.
"Begging your pardon, your Majesty, but after addressing this issue, I would like to return to my home world in order to finalize certain matters pertaining to my human life, should circumstances permit."
"Very well then, Michael, I shall allow you that indulgence. Everypony, prepare to meet Discord." Both Alicorns enveloped us in their auras and sent us to Discord's lair. I was just hoping to myself that they didn't send us into a trap.
We arrived in a massive flash of light, which caused Discord to shield his eyes with his lion's paw. He growled at us and cursed Celestia for her interference. "That witch doesn't know when not to interfere! When I'm done with you, I shall take care of her personally!" he shouted.
"Discord! You're goin' down!" Rainbow Dash shouted at him. We encircled him, readying our magic.
"Go ahead and see if that works!" he chuckled. All of us started levitating above the floor, our bodies glowing with bright magic. A rainbow-hued vortex formed around him and started swirling. I watched him curse again as his body was turned to stone. A look of horror was frozen in time as the statue was completed by our magic.
"He never learns, does he?" asked this Twilight. Everypony congratulated each other, a few of them patting me on the back with their fore-hooves. Shortly after that, both Celestias appeared.
"We see you have been successful," our Sun Goddess smiled. "You have performed admirably."
"Thank you, your Majesty," and other gratitudes were spoken to her by all of us.
"Without any further ado, your Majesty, I must be off," I stated.
"But Mikey! We need to have you attend the party!" exclaimed a dejected Pinkie Pie.
"That can wait for another time, Pinkie," I said. "I need to go back -- I hope I'm not too late."
"Until we meet again, Michael, farewell," said the other Celestia. I returned my amulet to our Solar Goddess and lit my horn to teleport back to my home world. A pink aura surrounded me as my vision was filled with a blinding whiteness. I felt the all-too familiar feeling of my stomach dropping as I reappeared in the front yard of my home on Earth. I noticed a distinct lack of my van.