Discord flew out the portal and collided with a pair of heavy metal doors. Ow. Discord stood up and massaged the sore spot on his skull. He felt around his face before conjuring a large mirror with a snap of his fingers and heaving a sigh of relief at the reflection. Unlike Twilight and Spike, the draconequus had retained his original form and abilities. Discord shuddered at the thought of executing his plan as a powerless human. Somehow, I doubt the "new transfer student" excuse would fly here.
Discord turned his attention to where the portal had opened. It was a storage shed filled with a variety of sport and educational equipment. A small sliding window in the corner provided the only ambient light for the building. He combed the room for portal's exit, carefully examining each object before stopping in front of a mobile whiteboard in the back.
Discord extended his lion paw which partially disappeared, causing the glossy surface to ripple and distort. He grinned before strolling up to and opening the window.
Discord shrunk down to a fraction of his size and slipped outside, sealing the shed's door with an enchanted lock as he left. Can't have any uninvited guests stumbling into Equestria, now can I? He faded from sight and began moving along the adjacent school building's perimeter, following the faint sound of conversation.
Arriving at a window left slightly ajar, Discord peered inside and grinned at the sight of Korosensei's classroom.
Students were still filing into the room, casually chatting about their weekend plans and the upcoming entrance exams. They quickly took their seats and began gearing up for another day of trying to assassinate Korosensei. While a majority were loading their firearms or unsheathing their knives, a few were wrapped up in special preparations such as bespectacled girl with long braids. She was pouring a clear liquid into a soda bottle before placing it back in Korosensei's desk. Discord watched the scene unfold before turning his attention on a group of students near the windows.
Discord recognized several of their faces from the Dimensional Viewer, though one in particular caught his eye: an azure-haired boy with a notepad. He was rather effeminate with a slim figure and wing-like pigtails. A friendly demeanor and short stature only added to his overall harmless appearance. However, there was something about the boy that Discord couldn't place his claw on. Something hidden behind that innocent smile left Discord feeling uneasy.
The hallway door slid open, shaking Discord from his reverie. A crimson-haired boy with yellow eyes had entered the classroom. He closed the door and sauntered towards the rear of the classroom, cradling several wallets in his arm. The other students briefly regarded him with exasperation before returning to their conversations. After taking his seat, he turned and addressed the azure-haired boy near the window. "Yo, Nagisa. You want to catch a movie after class today? It's my treat."
Nagisa responded with nervous smile. "Karma, did something happen on the way to school?"
"I ran into some delinquents who were giving an underclassman a hard time." Karma's subdued smile quickly morphed into a devilish grin. "I gave them a lesson in manners and took these wallets as payment."
The students eagerly gripped their weapons as the clock ticked down, ready to strike at a moment's notice. With only a minute left and no Korosensei in sight, they exchanged puzzled glances with each other. Korosensei took the utmost pride in being an educator, so being late for the start of class was unheard of.
"I wonder if something happened to Korosensei..." Nagisa wondered aloud just the building began to rattle.
Korosensei burst into the classroom in time for the clock to strike nine o'clock, stopping in front of the blackboard and panting heavily. After regaining his composure, he retrieved the attendance book from his robe and placed it on the front desk.
"My apologies for cutting it so close, children. I lost track of time while in Paris." Korosensei grinned as the students brandished their weapons. "Now, let's begin homeroom. Class monitor, your orders please."
"Stand up! Attention! Bow!" A majority of the students let loose a hailstorm of gunfire aimed at the front of the classroom while Nagisa and a few others with knives lunged directly at their octopus teacher. Korosensei danced around the combined attack with anti-sensei bullets bouncing harmlessly off the wall and blades slicing through empty air. It was a typical morning for Kunugigaoka's Class 3-E.
Discord had peeled himself off the building exterior in time to drink up the chaotic spectacle. He identified a few students as Korosensei called out their names over the cacophonous gunfire. The students ceased the assault after a minute and swapped out their weapons for notebooks. While Korosensei wrote out the day's lesson plan, Discord teleported up to the fluorescent lights and plotted his next move.
Those kids might prove troublesome. I just have to bide my time before making my grand entrance. Anyway, it gives more time to gather intelligence.
Surveying the classroom from his vantage point, Discord's gaze settled on the notepad laying on Nagisa's desk. The heading of Korosensei's Weakness #37 on the open page had piqued Discord's interest. Hard to imagine what sort of weaknesses Korosensei would have...let alone over thirty of them.
Discord soon felt his lingering sense of boredom return, much to his dismay. The students rarely shot at Korosensei, instead focusing on the lesson at hand. In spite of Korosensei's energy and enthusiasm, the academic discourse nearly lulled Discord to sleep. He began leafing through the latest issue of Power Ponies in order to stay awake. I'm positive Spike can wait a bit to read the finale of 'Battle of Balkham'. It's not like he's been anticipating it for weeks.
Class went uninterrupted for several periods with Discord being occupied with the comic. Korosensei used his mach speed to instruct each student individually, personalizing the lesson to their strengths and weaknesses. After morning of hectic studying, the class stowed their books as lunch break began. The students resumed their conversations and took out their bento-boxes while Korosensei retrieved a soda bottle from the front desk. He quickly downed the sugary drink before recoiling in shock. Korosensei grew horns and turned a deep purple before smiling at the bespectacled girl. "I see you laced my cola with selenic acid, Okuda. You've come so far since last year."
Discord had nearly finished the comic when the classroom door slid open, revealing a young woman. She wore a turtle-neck sweater and long black shirt with her flowing blonde hair tied in a loose ponytail. The students were mildly shocked by her sudden appearance.
"What are you doing here, Bitch-sensei? Social Studies doesn't start until later." Kayano inquired, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
"Karasuma said he had a meeting with the Ministry of Defense," she said with irritation evident in her voice.
Korosensei had changed clothes in the split second that students' attention was diverted. Instead of his graduation cap and gown, Korosensei now wore a red cap and a simple white shirt with his name written on it. "As a result, Irina-sensei and I will be supervising P.E. today. Come along, children."
Korosensei exited the classroom with the students following suit, weapons in hand. Discord listened for student's footsteps to grow fainter before disappearing in flash of light. He rematerialized a moment later within Nagisa's bag and gazed upon his prize. Discord conjured a blank tome and magically copied the information with a snap of his fingers. After checking the other student's bags and coming up empty clawed, he stroked his beard in vexation. There has to be more than this. Maybe, I'll have better luck with the teachers.
Discord teleported to the staff room and grinned at the laptop and documents left unattended. Aside from miscellaneous academic records, he discovered a few databooks written by Korosensei. They contained information about the entire class, ludicrously detailed to the point of detailing their romantic interests. Discord also found plans for a novella using this information. This could prove useful in the future. Discord copied the contents into the tome and moved to the laptop.
Discord watched the device power up as his claw radiated a purple aura and took on a cybernetic appearance. He reached into the screen, rummaging through a collection of files dating back over a year. The computer's defenses attempted to repel Discord intrusion with no success. Like a simple firewall is going to stop me. While a majority were communications between the government and various assassins, there was a folder containing a numerous files on Korosensei.
He grasped the folder and ripped it from the computer before teleporting back to the classroom. As the students and teachers returned, Discord summoned a cushy armchair and sat down with folder in hand. He tuned out the classroom's chatter and began leafing the amassed documents. Time to see what makes you tick, Korosensei
Another uneventful afternoon passed by in the Crystal Empire. The citizens had settled back into their routines following the excitement of the Equestria Games. From the castle balcony, Princess Cadance wore a content grin as she watched a trio of crystal fillies play in the courtyard.
It's been really peaceful these last few weeks. Sometimes, I wish a little excitement would come my way. Cadance turned to reenter the castle and paused for a moment. Then again, being sent to Tartarus might be enough excitement for a while.
Upon entering the castle, Cadance found a tired Shining Armor slumped against the wall. She kissed him on the cheek before took her seat. "Another long day with the court, dear?"
Shining Armor gave her a warm smile before walking to the base of the throne. "You've got that right. It took three hours just to decide which crops to plant next season."
The throne room doors swung open and revealed Flash Sentry. He trotted up the crystal monarchs before producing a scroll from his saddle bag and bowing. "A message from Prince Celestia, your Highnesses."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. You are dismissed." Shining Armor said with a nod. He watched Flash Sentry exit the throne room before turning his gaze to Cadance, who was holding the scroll in a light blue aura. She had already broken the seal and was reading the message.
"Discord is apparently going to on some sort of friendship quest. He's going to gone for the next few days." She looked down from the scroll to find Shining Armor had perked up.
"That's great news! I can finally conduct a drill without any interruptions." Shining Armor shuddered as memories of last week's training regiment came rushing back. Discord had inspirited the weapons to lead a rebellion against their former owners. The ensuing battle lasted for two hours and demolished a chunk of the barracks.
Cadance tilted her head and eyed her husband with an anxious expression. "You've been ordering a lot of drills lately. If there's something wrong, you can tell me."
The smile fell almost immediately from Shining Armor's face. "Sorry, it's just... I've been feeling kinda worthless lately. Two times Equestria has needed me to protect Canterlot and I failed both times."
"Oh Shiny. It's not your fault. Chrysalis had everyone fooled, and nobody could handle Tirek one-on-one." Cadance placed a comforting wing on Shining Armor' back. "When the time comes again, everypony will see that you're a great captain."
"Thanks for that." He nuzzled her affectionately before gesturing to follow. "Come on, let's get some lunch before the next meeting."
Cadance grinned and followed Shining Armor into the hallway. They trotted to the dining hall where the smell of local delicacies filled the air. After enjoying some crystal berry compote and sharing a crepe, the couple entered the meeting room and seated themselves.
Cadance's mind began to wander as the court officers argued about some flugelhorns being off-key. On the other hoof, maybe I'll go fight the tatzlwurm again.
As the school bell rang and marked an end to another school day, the students packed their supplies in preparation for trekking down the mountainside. Korosensei wished the students a safe weekend while dodging a few parting shots. After watching Karma and Nagisa depart, Korosensei turned his attention to the back of the classroom. "Any problems show up during your diagnostic, Ritsu?"
The monolithic computer had shown no signs of life for the duration of the school day. However, a rectangular screen lit up in response to Korosensei's question. It displayed the image of a lavender-haired girl wearing the same uniform as the other students. She smiled warmly and opened a window displaying the results. "None whatsoever, Korosensei. Are you excited for the series finale tonight?"
"Why, of course." Korosensei glided to the other side of the classroom. "For now, I'm going to collect my paycheck and run some errands."
Korosensei was about to take off when the window closed in front his eyes. He regarded the sudden closure with a mixture of shock and confusion before failing to pry it open.
He darted across the room and found the door equally immovable. Korosensei desperately searched for an exit as apprehension gripped his mind. Despite being the ideal set up for another assassination attempt, Korosensei didn't see any signs of the other students. "Ritsu, what's going on he..."
The words died in Korosensei's throat as he laid eyes upon Ritsu's computer body. Nothing had changed from a few moments ago except for the image on screen. Ritsu's virtual avatar was frozen solid in a block of ice with the same warm smile on her face. Someone had hacked directly into Ritsu's mainframe. That's impossible.
A mysterious voice emanated from behind the octopus teacher. "Don't worry about her, Korosensei. It's a light freeze so she'll thaw out in about 10 to 15 minutes."
Korosensei whipped around and stopped dead in his tracks, a blue pallor spreading across his face. A creature was sitting behind the front desk and casually leafing through a comic book. It resembled something out of myth, a chimerical fusion of various animals. He stared unblinkingly at the otherworldly intruder, barely able to choke out a few words. "Wh-what are you? Wh-who are you?"
"Where are my manners? I haven't properly introduced yet." The creature tossed away the comic book and teleported next to the octopus teacher. "I am Discord, the Lord of Chaos and spirit of disharmony. I've traveled a long way in order to meet you face to face."
Korosensei was profusely sweating and shaking, his initial fear having morphed into full-blown panic. Unlike the caves in Okinawa, he was being confronted by a genuine magical creature. Korosensei's mind frantically searched for a way out of this situation.
Discord cocked his head. "Are you feeling alright?"
"NYUYAAAAAAAAAAH!" Korosensei screamed and rocketed toward the window, all thoughts of collateral damage having left his mind. Instead of shattering under the impact of Mach 20 collision, it stretched around Korosensei before rebounding back to normal. Korosensei was flung against the floor and started ricocheting all over classroom, inadvertently destroying the blackboard and several desks.
Discord watched Korosensei pinball around the room with increasing worry as more desks were smashed to pieces. He summoned a large pillow which Korosensei hit at top speed, resulting in an explosion of feathers.
As the dust settled, Korosensei gazed upon Discord standing amid the ruins of his classroom. "Sorry if I scared you a bit. Allow me to take care of this mess." With a snap of his fingers, the classroom was restored to its rundown glory.
Korosensei's panic was supplanted by a new feeling: confusion. The self-professed "Lord of Chaos" was acting inexplicably cordial, going as far as repairing the damage to the classroom.
Slowly regaining his composure, Korosensei stood up and warily eyed Discord. "I take it that you're not here to kill me."
Discord was momentarily taken back by this remark before erupting in hysterical laughter. "Kill you?! Quite the opposite, in fact. I've come here to become your friend."
Korosensei stared blankly at Discord, having achieved maximum bewilderment at that moment. Discord's statement struck him as completely absurd. Why would such a powerful creature ever want friends? There had to be some ulterior motive.
"I can tell you find this situation rather hard to swallow. Understandable given your particular line of work." Discord sighed. "When we get back to my world, I'll answer any questions you have."
Korosensei began to panic again, imagining what sort of world Discord resided in. He shouted the first excuses that came to mind. "Wait! Hold on a minute! I can't just leave! I have a responsibilities! A class to teach! Students to look after!"
"Don't worry about it. You'll be back before class starts again. Think of it as weekend trip." Discord said dismissively, summoning a small backpack. "I've already packed all your travel amenities, including your favorite pillow. Anyway, don't you want to sample the local delicacies and have a conversation with someone who isn't trying to murder you?"
Korosensei scanned the classroom for any possible escape routes, finding himself completely trapped. He was in no position to refuse Discord's offer. Although, the offer didn't sound too bad itself. "Very well, I'll go. Lead the way."
Discord grinned and snapped his fingers, causing both of them to disappear in a flash of light. They re-materialized moments later inside of the shed. Discord pulled the mobile whiteboard closer and gestured to it, earning a quizzical stare from Korosensei. Discord rolled his eyes and extended a claw into the portal.
Korosensei briefly considered bursting out of the shed and creating as much distance as possible between himself and the draconequus, only to quickly discard this idea. It wouldn't be wise to anger a creature capable of bending reality on a whim. Korosensei took a deep breath and reached into the portal. After retracting his tentacle and momentarily, Korosensei leapt headlong into the portal with Discord following suit.
Minutes after Korosensei and Discord departed for Equestria, the classroom door slid open. Nagisa, Karma, and several other students peered inside before turning to each other. "Korosensei isn't here. He must be out cashing his paycheck. Anyone able to call his cellphone?"
"I tried, but it went straight to voice mail. He probably forgot to charge it." Karma shrugged. "Don't sweat it Nagisa, Korosensei will pop up one way or another."
Nagisa responded with a weak smile. "You're right. I'm just nervous about the entrance exams. I was hoping Korosensei could help me go over the practice test."
"I can help you out with that. Let's meet up at the restaurant where Isogai works tomorrow." Karma smiled and turned to other students. "If anyone else wants to join, feel free." The group murmured in agreement before moving towards the school's exit. However, a lone student remained behind and continued staring at the empty classroom. She had purple hair arranged in a bob cut with an excited look on her face.
"Is something the matter, Fuwa?" She turned and saw Nagisa standing at the ending of the hallway, mild concern showing on his face.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just lost this week's issue of Jump." Fuwa replied nonchalantly, waving Nagisa off. "I'm going look for it. You go ahead, I'll catch up." She disappeared into the classroom before Nagisa could answer. He shook his head and rejoined Karma and the others for the trip down the mountain.