//------------------------------//
// Part 1, Chapter 5 
// Story: The Discordian's Daughter 
// by Pumpkin Patch 
//------------------------------//

        I really need to get some sleep, but I’m so excited that I don’t think I could. I have all the materials I need and I’m ready to begin. I would start working right now, but I have a really busy day planned tomorrow and I need my rest. I figured writing in this journal for a few minutes would help me wind down.
        It’s going to be so glorious once my plan is put into motion. Our master, the Lord of Chaos himself, will be returned to the throne and the alicorn sisters will be eliminated. They think they’ve defeated him — defeated us — but they’ll soon learn that the Discordians are still here, and we still believe.
        I’ll give them credit, they turned our master into stone and forced us into hiding. Many of our members left us entirely. My wife was among them. She thought I was foolish for staying, but she’ll soon see that I was right. 
Discord is not defeated. He is testing us, just like he always has. This is no different than the time he turned me into a raccoon or made my stove run away. He’s teaching us how to live and delight in the insanity of life. Life isn’t supposed to be lived “in Harmony”.
 That’s where the alicorns are wrong and it shows! Life is boring now that the master isn’t here. Everyday it’s the same old thing. How does anypony live like this?
Well, they soon won’t have to anymore because we, the remaining servants of Discord, are going to storm the castle, overthrow those stuck-up princesses and take those six detestable little toys of theirs. We’ll use those so-called Elements of Harmony to free our magnificent lord from his prison. Then, there we be a wonderful celebration where we’ll crush those tacky trinkets into dust. 
So how are we going to storm the castle and defeat the alicorns when they’re so powerful and there’s so few of us left? Well, that’s where the plan comes in. You see, we can’t go around seeking new members or building an army. The princesses have eyes everywhere and it would attract too much attention. But with my alchemy and my genius, I have come up with a better solution...

“Twilight! She’s waking up!” yelled Rainbow Dash. 
Twilight immediately closed Professor Voidsdale’s journal, turned around and faced the now-moving pony lying on the floor. “Stand back, Rainbow!” she shouted as she rushed towards the awaking pony, horn illuminated.
Immediately after Willow — or whatever was controlling her — was subdued, Twilight asked Spike to go out and fetch Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Mrs. Cake while she watched over Willow’s motionless body, a satchel full of needles by her side. 
Rainbow Dash arrived first, but Spike was still out gathering the other two. Even so, Twilight couldn’t exactly postpone explaining why Willow was lying unconscious on the floor until they arrived. After she described to Rainbow Dash what had just happened, Rainbow decided to keep watch over Willow for her while Twilight searched the journal for clues to the green-haired pony’s condition. 
Willow let out a long moan that sounded like she had just recovered from a severe blow to the head. However, the moan was, at least, in her own voice. 
“Whoah...that was one strange trip,” she said after finally managing to stand up all the way. 
She shook her head slowly to get her hair out of her face. Once she could clearly see, she realized that two ponies were staring at her and neither of them looked particularly happy.
“Uh...hi?” she greeted them cautiously.
“Why did you attack Twilight last night!?” yelled Rainbow Dash.
“Whoah! Whoah, mare! What're ya'll talkin' about?" answered Willow in a panicky voice.
“Oh! Let me guess,” said Rainbow Dash with a sarcastic tone, “You don’t remember, is that it?”
Willow began to tremble and her speech became stammered. “N-no! No! You-you gotta believe me. I didn't do nuthin'!”
“Well, I don’t!” Rainbow Dash declared. “I’m not buyin’ this whole amnesia thing. You’ve been leading us on this whole time, just waitin’ to get the jump on Twilight!”
“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelled at Willow's accuser.
Rainbow Dash didn’t respond to Twilight. She kept her eyes focused on Willow and began to step forward towards her. Willow, trembling, began walking backwards, trying to keep her distance. 
“Twilight’s my friend! And when ponies mess with my friends, I mess with them!”
Willow had backed all the way to the wall in an attempt to stay away from her accuser. Out of room and shaking like the leaf she had plucked from the tree the night before, she fell to the floor, put her forelegs over her face and cried out “Stop!”
The scream was desperate and genuine, so much so that Rainbow Dash obeyed and stopped approaching the trembling pony. 
“I-I dunno what you’re talkin’ about! What’s-what’s happening?” Willow asked. her voice sounding like it was on the brink of sobbing and she was breathing heavily, as if she had just been strangled. 
Rainbow Dash stood there silently for a moment. Gradually, her stance loosened and she lowered her head. At long last she timidly spoke to the green pony before her. “Hey. I’m sorry.”
At Rainbow Dash’s apology, Willow's breathing slowed back to its normal pace and her shaking eventually diminished. She calmly stood back up. “It’s all good, mare. We’re cool,” she said as she walked toward the pony she had previously backed away from. Once she was in range, she lifted her forelegs and gave Rainbow Dash a warm embrace. Rainbow Dash smiled and gently patted her back. 
Willow backed down from the hug and turned to look at Twilight. “Uh, I seriously don’t know what's goin' on. You all right?”
Twilight nodded.
“I'm okay,” said Twilight. “Well, I'm not okay, but I don’t think you’re to blame for it. So... what is the last thing you remember?” 
Willow thought for a moment, then offered “The last thing...was you leavin’ to get a pin. Then I went to go check out the leaves some more and then there was funky green haze in my eyes and all I could hear was noise. Couldn’t feel nothin’ either. Then it all faded out and when I woke up ya’ll were givin’ me the freaky faces.”
Twilight explained to Willow what happened in the missing pieces of her memory, how she — or at least the thing that possessed her body — had pounced on her, chased her down the stairs, and pinned her to the floor. Twilight then told her how Spike subdued the creature by using a syringe they had found next to her glass prison. 
 Willow’s face nearly turned pale. She quickly approached Twilight and embraced her even more tightly than she had Rainbow Dash. “I-I dunno what to say. I would never do that, mare. Never!”
Twilight returned the hug. “I don’t know what’s happening to you, Willow, but we’re going to find out and we’re going to fix it!” 
Willow let go of Twilight. “Well mare, I’m glad to be out of my old man’s shack, but I’m not glad to hear that I got some bad juju in me,” She frowned. “Every silver lining’s got a touch of gray, I guess.”
“Well, I think the touch of gray in this case is your father,” said Twilight. 
“Yeah,” Willow agreed, “I don’t remember him, but it sounds like I don’t want to. Whatever happened to him, anyway?”
“He exploded,” Twilight said casually.
“Ah,” Willow replied. Then, she started. “Wait, wha?”
“He was a very talented alchemist, but he was also a bit of a klutz. And it didn’t help that he liked to experiment with the, uh, explode-y kind of alchemy. That’s why his home was condemned for so long. He had made so many things go boom in his house that it damaged the foundation. Anyway, one day he took it a little too far and blew himself up.”
Willow looked at Twilight with a blank, stunned expression. “Huh...heavy.”
Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Wait, so he was a gray pony with a yellow mane and he was clumsy? Wow. That really reminds me of —” Rainbow Dash stopped herself and her face straightened, “You know what, I’m not even going there.”
“I wanna go there!” said an enthusiastic Pinkie Pie as she burst through the door right next to them. “Wait, where are you not going?”
“Hey there, funny mare!” Willow greeted Pinkie. 
        Mrs. Cake and Spike came in shortly after Pinkie Pie, and much less flamboyantly. “I’m so sorry we didn’t get here sooner, Twilight,” said Mrs. Cake. “I was already asleep and Spike and Pinkie had to wake me up. So is something wrong?”
        Twilight explained to them what had happened the same way she explained it Rainbow Dash, though adding that Willow had awoken with no memory of the incident. 
        She ended her explanation with “...so I think whatever Professor Voidsdale was doing to her did something to her mind and he made the chemical that’s in these syringes to keep it in check.”
        Mrs. Cake put her hoof on Willow’s shoulder. “You poor thing,” she said consolingly. Then she turned to Twilight. “So...what are we going to do?”
        Twilight thought for a moment, then said in a very serious tone. “Willow, I think it’s best that you don’t go outside at all until we have this figured out.”
        Willow frowned. “Bummer. I’m mean, I guess you’re right n’ all, but it’s just kind of a drag. I wanna be free for once, ya know?.”
        “I know,” said Twilight, “but I have the professor’s journal and an entire library of research. With any luck, it won’t be long.”
       	“Does this mean that we can’t have a welcoming party?” Pinkie suddenly blurted out. 
        “I think that’s out of the question, Pinkie,” said Spike.
        Pinkie immediately bursted into tears. “But I already sent the invites!” she sobbed.
        “You did what!?” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “You only got off the train two hours ago!”
        “Huh,” said Mrs. Cake, “And where, pray tell, was this party going to take place?”
        Pinkie wiped her eyes and she sniffled. “Sugarcube Corner."
        “Naturally.” said Mrs. Cake sarcastically. “Thank you for letting me know.”
        "Ugh," groaned Willow, “Double bummer. I was lookin’ forward to groovin’ with some new ponies.”
        “I’m sorry, Willow,” said Twilight, “but we just can’t let our guard down like that.”
        “Guard! That’s it! We can still do it!” shouted Pinkie Pie as she instantly jumped up and down excitedly. 
        “Um, how?” asked Spike.
        “We can give her a bodyguard!” suggested Pinkie. “Well, not really a bodyguard because we’re not protecting her from other ponies and instead are protecting other ponies from her, but still! We’ll just have somepony follow her around with a bunch of needles and if she starts acting funny, we poke her!”
        “Ouch,” said Willow.
        “That’s still too risky,” said Twilight. “Whatever attacked me last night was really powerful.”
        “Hmmm...when’s the party?” asked Willow.
        “Two days from now!” Pinkie happily answered.
        “Okay then. Twilight, how ‘bout this,” said Willow looking at her host. “We figure out how to handle, um, me in the next two days. I’ll stay in your pad the whole time. If it’s all good by then, then we party! How’s that sound?”
        Twilight thought again for a moment, then said “Well, it’s not a lot of time, but I think it’s enough for me to at least find a temporary way of keeping that monster from coming out. Okay. I agree. We’ll try to get you fixed up in two days so you’ll be ready for your big Ponyville welcome!”
        “Sweet! Thanks, mare!” said Willow, her smile finally returning.
        “Yay!” shouted Pinkie Pie, once again jumping up in the air and coming back down with confetti in tow. 
        “Wonderful,” said Mrs. Cake, “Willow, Twilight, let me know if you need anything. In the meantime, I’m going home. I have to get some rest tonight because I, apparently, have to get ready for a big party soon.”
        “Thank you, Mrs. Cake,” said Twilight. “Have a good night!”
        Mrs. Cake turned and began to walk toward the door. Upon seeing her leaving, Willow asked Twilight. “Hey mare, since I’m going to be cooped up for a while, do you mind if I step outside now and get one last breath of fresh air?”
        “Well, as long as you keep it short and we’re out there with you, I guess it’s okay,” said Twilight.
        “That’s cool with me,” agreed Willow.
        Her, Twilight, Spike, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash stepped outside. They waved at Mrs. Cake who was now a distance away from the library. 
Willow took a deep breath, inhaling the night air as if she was trying to store it up for her impending incarceration. Her eyes also wandered back and forth as if she was trying to memorize every detail of the view.
        “Such a solid place ya’ll got here. Really wish I could go out and take it all in,” she said.
        “You will,” Twilight encouraged her. “We just have to —”
        “Um, Twilight?” said Spike, tugging at her leg and pointing to her left.
        Twilight turned and looked in the direction he was pointing. Far away, she could see a white object rushing towards them. At this distance, it resembled a marshmallow. 
        “Oh no,” is all she could say.
        Rainbow Dash now turned to look as well. Her eyes widened. “Not good.”
        “Incoming!” yelled Pinkie Pie as she ran and hid behind the Golden Oaks Library’s trunk. 
        As if it had just then dawned on her that something was amiss, Willow slowly turned to look at the incoming white blur. “Wha—?”
        She was too late. As soon as she laid eyes on it, it was right on top of her, grabbing her and pinning her against the tree.
        “What happened to your hair!? It’s absolutely dreadful!” screamed Rarity right into Willow’s face as she held her against the tree. 
        It took Willow a few seconds to shake off the shock of the surprise impact. After her vision corrected itself and she could clearly see the heavily-makeuped, meticulously-groomed white pony before her, her face turned grim. “Lay off, mare!” she said, pushing Rarity’s hooves off her. “You don’t even know me and you’re already trashin’ my style!?”
        Rarity’s expression became as cross as Willow’s. “What style? You obviously have never combed that hair in your life! And it’s so long that it’s dragging on the ground! Did you even know that your mane exists?”
        “Rarity! What are you doing!?” yelled Rainbow Dash. 
        Twilight was gritting her teeth. “Don’t make her angry...” she muttered.
        “It’s called natural, princess!” Willow yelled at her second accuser of the night. “Some ponies actually like lookin’ the way we’re meant to look. You know, the look where you’re not drownin’ your mane in toxins?”
        “You don’t have to be so hot and bothered just because you’re jealous!” Rarity rebutted. 
        Willow’s eyes sharpened, “I would never be jealous of somepony like you, prissy!”
        For one tense moment, the two stared at each other loathingly, then finally Rarity stuck her nose up at Willow. “Fine! If you want to be a slob the rest of your life that’s your choice!”. She then turned around and stomped away, passing up Twilight and the others like they were part of the scenery. 
        Everypony was silent. Twilight, however, attempted to break the silence on a positive note. “Well, at least we know you don’t transform when you get angry.”
        Willow shrugged. “I wasn’t mad when it happened last time, either. And I wouldn’t be mad now if it weren’t for whats-her-name over there gettin’ all high an’ mighty on me.”
        “I’m sorry about that,” said Twilight sincerely. “Her name is Rarity. She’s actually a very nice pony. It’s just that fashion is her specialty and beauty is important to her.”
        “A little too important sometimes.” added Rainbow Dash. 
        “I see that, mare.” said Willow. She took a deep breath, trying to calm down. Bowing her head, she declared “Ya know, I don’t like fightin’. I love everypony, even if they don’t love me back.” 
        She slowly walked towards Rarity, who was now a distance away from the group. When she finally got in range, she called out to her. “Hey mare, wait up!”
        Rarity reluctantly stopped at Willow’s call and waited for the unkempt pony to catch up. “What?” she huffed. 
        “Look,” said Willow, “I think we got off on the wrong hoof, mare. I-I actually think you’re pretty. I just didn’t dig the tone is all. Pinning me to a tree didn’t help either.”
        Rarity looked a little surprised by the apology. “Oh, um, well, I, uh, I’m sorry about that.” Her face flushed and she hung her head. “I really don’t know what came over me. I guess I’ve had a rather stressful day. I don’t even know who you are.”
        Willow’s tiny smile emerged. “Well, now you do! I’m Willow. I’m Twilight’s, uh, guest.”
        Rarity returned the smile. “Willow. What a lovely name. My name is Rarity.”
        “Nice to meet you proper this time,” said Willow.
        “I’m sorry for what I said about your hair,” said Rarity, “It’s just, well, it’s just not a style I’m used to.”
        “Hey, different strokes for different folks,” said Willow. Then, she got an idea. “Hey, I tell ya what, why don’t we hang some time and I’ll let you style my hair however you want.”
        Rarity instantly bubbled up with excitement. “You would let me do that?”
        “Sure! I can’t promise I’ll keep what you give me, but it’d be a great way to wrap together, ya know?”
        “Absolutely!” said Rarity. “How long are you going to be in town, dear? Would tomorrow night be okay?”
        “Uh, sure!” said Willow hesitantly. “I just, uh, have to make sure it’s cool with Twilight.”
        “Of course. I understand,” said Rarity as she turned to begin walking away. “Well, let’s plan for tomorrow night and you just let me know before then if you can’t make it. Have a good evening, Willow!”
        “Same to too, Rarity!” said Willow as she watched Rarity walk away. 
        Willow returned to Twilight and the others. “What happened?” asked Rainbow Dash.
        “It’s all good,” said Willow. “She wants to hang out and give me a new do tomorrow night!”
        “Uh...you really think that’s a good idea?” asked Spike.
        “I don’t think it is,” said Rainbow Dash bluntly.
        “Sorry Willow, but I agree with Rainbow,” said Twilight. “I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to fix your problem in that amount of time. The two days we just planned on is already stretching it.”
        “Hey wait!” said Spike as if he was suddenly inspired. “This could be a great way to test out Pinkie’s bodyguard idea! I, er, one of us should go with Willow to Rarity’s place and see if I’m, uh, they’re able to keep the monster from coming out!”
        “Hmm. I can dig that.” said Willow.
        Twilight raised an eyebrow. “I think you’re just looking for an excuse to go to Rarity’s.”
        “I am not!” said Spike indignantly. “I just want to protect her. Uh, Willow I mean, you know, from herself.”
        “I see,” said Twilight with a smirk. 
        “C’mon! I stopped that thing once already! I can do it again!” argued Spike.
        Twilight sighed, “Yes. Yes you did. Okay. Willow, you can go see Rarity tomorrow night.”
        “Groovy!” said Willow..
        Twilight then turned to Spike and gave him a very stern look. “But I need you to stay focused, Spike. This is very serious.”
        “I know, Twilight,” said Spike sincerely. “I won’t let you down.”
        Twilight smiled. “I know you won’t.”
        Pinkie stuck her head out from behind the tree. “Is she gone yet?”