“This is bad. This is really, really bad!” said Twilight, gazing at the empty room previously owned by Discord. With the exception of his throne, everything was normal; meaning he wasn’t planning to come back. “From what Shadow said, the Elements of Insanity were powerful enough without Discord!”
Celestia closed her visible eye. “This is indeed alarming.” she said calmly. “With Discord at their side, these Alternate Elements will have more than enough power to challenge me and Luna.”
Luna headed to the door. “I shall alert the guards to watch for these Elements.” she said. Celestia nodded, and Luna left. Celestia turned to The Inverted Shadow.
“Inverted Shadow, since they have Discord on their side, they will be planning an attack, correct?” she asked him.
“It will be a while before their ready.” Inverted Shadow said. “They’ll need an army to storm Canterlot. And to raise an army, they need somewhere to call HQ. And please, call me Shadow Rush.”
Celestia turned to the Elements. “You six; go to the Crystal Empire and warn my niece and nephew-in-law about the danger. If the Elements of Insanity do indeed intend to raise an army, the Crystal Empire is at risk of invasion.”
“You can count on us, princess!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
Fourteen tickets appeared in front of the Elements and Shadow Rush. “Here are your train tickets to and from the Crystal Empire.” Celestia said. “I shall teleport you back to Ponyville to gather supplies and say any goodbyes you need.” With that, she charged up her horn and teleported them home in a flash of golden light.
Meanwhile, in the temporary HQ of the Elements of Insanity…
Discord was getting to know his new buddies. There were Rainbine, Rarifruit, Applepills, Pinkis Cupcake and his personal favorites; Fluttershout and Brutalight Sparcake. He was having some fun ‘redecorating’ his part of the insanely large cave. When he was done, he placed a bowl of popcorn in the microwave and started cooking.
“I’m glad you decided to join us, Discord.” said Brutalight, walking over to him, “We will have many uses for your… unique abilities.” There was a DING and Discord pulled a bowl of Popcorn kernels out from the Microwave. I may never get used to that… she thought to herself.
There was a loud shatter as the draconequus took a huge bite out of the bowl; the kernels themselves staying in the shape of the bowl. “How could I resist?” he said. “Celestia, Luna and those Elements turned me to stone TWICE! Did they just expect me to turn good like that?” he snapped his fingers and something outside the cave exploded.
Fluttershout walked beside Brutalight. “On to the matters at hand…” she said. She paused to allow Discord another bite of his bowl. “To attack Canterlot and take over, we need to build an army of creatures and ponies that want Celestia and her pony followers gone.”
“Not to mention we need a spy in Ponyville to keep us informed on the Elements of Harmony’s actions.” said Pinkis Cupcake, who was in the middle of eating a Manticore that she caught.
Discord scratched his chin and stroked his beard. “I may have a candidate…” he said. He took one of the kernels out of formation and flicked it at the floor. A watering can appeared above it and watered the kernel. After being buried in the ground by Discord, a green stem sprouted out from the ground. When the stem stopped growing taller, a television popped out from the top, revealing a static covered screen.
“Darn,” he said. “I forgot there is no signal in caves.”
Shrugging, he pulled his horns off from his head and placed them on top of the television, and Discord’s eyes, mouth and tooth appeared on the screen among the static. An arm grew from the stem and snapped its fingers. Discord’s facial features disappeared and were replaced by a wall-eyed purple earth pony. She was wearing a propeller hat and had a baseball sided by a screw as her cutie mark. Looking at her face, she had a light purple swirl in her deep purple irises. Moving to her hair and tail, both were purple and white; and as poufy as Pinkie Pie’s.
“Her name is Screwball,” said Discord; who was now standing beside the Elements, completely intact. “She is one of the few ponies in Equestria that actually worship me as well as Celestia. She currently goes under the alias of Topsy Turvy. If given the chance to help me in a cause; she will most likely accept.” Taking another kernel, a similar plant grew from the cave floor, with a phone on the top instead of a T.V. Picking up the receiver; he dialed 869-908-8789 and waited.
In Ponyville, Topsy Turvy was hanging out with Ditzy ‘Derpy’ Doo again. Being the only two wall-eyed ponies in town, they got along nicely. “How was work Ditzy?” Topsy asked.
Ditzy sighed. “Diamond Tiara got angry at me for accidentally knocking her crown off.” She said. “Thankfully I’m friends with her Filthy Rich; otherwise I might’ve gotten fined.” Ditzy looked at Topsy; and her face hardened. “Are you even listening to me?”
As much as she hated to admit it, Topsy was having trouble focusing on Ditzy’s voice. “I don’t feel so good,” she said; holding her fore-head with her hoof. “Sorry Ditzy, I’m going to go home now. See you later.” Leaving a worried Ditzy behind, Topsy left for her house. When she got home, she was met by her guardian; Ms. Cheerilee.
“Hello Topsy!” Cheerilee exclaimed. She saw Topsy’s face and started getting worried. “Are you ok dear?”
“It’s nothing Ms. Cheerilee,” Topsy said. “It’s just a headache. I’m going to go lie down in bed.”
Cheerilee smiled weakly. “Well, if there is anything I can do or get you, just let me know.” Topsy nodded and headed to her room. As soon as she got to her room, she flopped herself onto the bed. She could just constantly hear this ringing! It was driving her insane!
To her surprise, the ringing stopped. Thinking that she could quickly catch Ditzy before she headed home, Topsy was caught off guard by a strangely familiar voice. Screwball? Can you please imagine picking up a phone receiver?
Her mood was brightened higher than ever. Doing as she was told, Screwball yelled in her thoughts. Lord Discord She thought, it’s such an honor to hear your voice! What do I owe this pleasure?
Some friends of mine need me to keep track of the Elements of Harmony. said Discord on the other end of the line. Out of all my followers, you are the most loyal. That is why I’ve come to you for help.
Certainly, my lord! exclaimed Screwball, What is it you require me to do?
All I need you to do is follow the Elements around and take mental notes. said Discord. I’ll get all of them here. Find excuses to go where-ever they go. Danke, Kamerad! Auf Wiedersehen!
With that, the newly-appointed Screwball headed back outside. Cheerilee noticed this and approached her. “Feeling better Topsy?” she asked. She was taken a little aback when ‘Topsy’ chuckled.
“I’m doing fine.” ‘Topsy’ said. “I am going to go to the Crystal Empire, you know; see the sights.” She headed towards the door, but stopped and turned towards Cheerilee. “By the way, call me Screwball.”