Arriving late in the evening at Canterlot the group walked to the castle to ask the Princesses about any places the Discordians could hide.
"Greetings element bearers, you have returned sooner than expected. Have you located the statue of Discord so soon?"
"Uh, not exactly Princess Celestia. We have an idea they may be hiding beneath Canterlot itself so, is there a place they could hide?"
Celestia raised an eyebrow slightly in interest. "There are caves beneath the castle, yes. They are full of crystals we use to aid us in focusing our magic easier for the celestial movements, it would make an ideal hiding place since we can't focus our magic into it without scattering it aimlessly. I will show you the entrance and give you two guards to accompany you. When you're in there use caution with your active magic usage since some of the crystals have reflective powers and will redirect your attacks."
Walking to the throne room with the others she asked two guards to accompany the six as they went below the city. Walking behind the throne Celestia cast a spell that opened a hidden door with a staircase leading down. "Follow me."
Walking down the group felt odd magic swirling around them. "What is this place? It feels all weird, like creepy almost."
"Scootaloo, this is where the caves begin. To the left is Starswirl the Bearded's laboratory to the right is the entrance to the crystal caves. You are not permitted to go left at this time. Fare well, I will leave your to your mission." Celestia turned and walked back up the stairs leaving the eight in the mystic glow of the crystals to the right and unending arcane fires to the left.
"LEFT!" Rainbow shouted galloping to the entrance only be to shocked and flung back by a magic field.
"There was a reason her highness said you are not allowed in, colorful one. We will take the lead and you will follow us." The guards turned and walked ahead, spears at the ready and wings lightly opened ready to attack or defend in an instant.
Walking into the caves they all looked around in admiration at the beautiful formations and the light the emitted and reflected.
"Where d'ya suppose we should go? This place is a dangerous maze, these things're sharp. Take a wrong step and we could get impaled," Applejack said poking a crystal tip with her hoof carefully. It wasn't sharp but it was blunt at the tip and a fall of a few feet would pierce flesh effortlessly.
"Lets just walk and try to get as deep as we can, they would probably find that the safest."
"How do ya think, Twi?"
"Secret of the Dark Knights."
Applejack and the others laughed loudly. "Ya think one of my movies is gonna answer this riddle? Why not throw a rock and say 'that way.'"
Twilight blushed lightly and puffed her cheeks. "Well it's an idea, what else do you have?" The others let their laughter died down and the guards shrugged putting their spears back on guard they walked another path leading deeper into the caverns.
"Ugh, we've been at this for hours. How long until we get there?" Rainbow moaned as she flew slowly with the others.
"It was your idea to come down here in the first place and Twilight had the genius idea of watching one of AJ's movies so now we're moving to the center of the mountain I guess. Keep your wings sharp and your mind smooth, we'll find something soon."
"Fluttershy, what's she mean?"
The Pegasi all chuckled. "It means be ready to move fast. I haven't had a chance to tell you about phrases we use yet."
"I know flock you and buck you and get the spell out. Those count?" Laughter erupted again as Fluttershy blushed slightly.
"That's not what I meant, but you're on the right track. We'll discuss it when we get back to the cottage." Again the laughter died down as they moved deeper into the mountain.
The guards stopped suddenly and readied their spears while flaring their wings. "Hoof prints, stay behind us and prepare your spells Twilight Sparkle." Twilight thought of spells she knew but most were low level defenses she used to keep Trixie and herself safe. She could expand it into an arc shield but it'd break easily. She nodded confidently hoping she wouldn't have to use magic as they slowly moved ahead. Fire and lantern light reflected through the crystals getting more random as they continued.
"We're getting close, stay quiet" the guard whispered. Entering a clearing where the crystals had been removed and cleared out stood the statue of Discord, laughing into the caverns roof. The area was deserted and it looked like it had been for a while. "I think it's clear, Twilight can you sense any ponies around us?"
Twilight cast an area spell that detects mice but it had picked up cats and dogs before. It might work on ponies. "Nothing nearby, as far as I can tell anyway. Let's get the statue and get out."
"Twi, how do you expect us to carry that out of here? On our backs or with your magic?" Applejack smiled as the humor washed over Twilight.
"Yeah, good point. Let's see how much it weighs, maybe it weighs less than it seems," the group walked to the statue and tried to move it without luck. "Okay, my idea's out. Any other thoughts?"
"Oh, we can push it?"
"Scootaloo, that's a very nice idea however it's too heavy and we don't know what would happen if we broke it."
"Why don't we talk to it, maybe it'll roll. Cuz it's a rock!" Rainbow laughed and held her sides as the others rolled their eyes.
"I wish Trixie was here, she has really good telekinesis. Together we could do it."
Night chuckled under her breath. "I bet you'd do it."
"Oh yeah, whatever. You wish you had what we had. Your only love interest is a statue of a monster. 'Oh, he's strong and knows magic and is full of surprises.' You sure know how to pick 'em."
"Like you're any better choosing a show boasting twit that talks in third person all the flocking time. Sex must be a blast. 'Trixie likes this. Trixie wants more. Trixie-"
"Shut up you traitorous bitch! What the spell gives you the right to take my lovers name like that. She never did anything to you or any pony else except want their admiration. And in bed she talks normal and is a dynamo. You wouldn't last five minutes with her, or any other pony in Equestria that isn't a statue."
The statue began to crack as they argued, the others stepped back as a laugh began to fill the chamber stopping the mares just before they came to blows again.
"Oh crap, what's happening?"
"HE LIVES." A pony said from the distance, others began chanting his name filling the chamber as his laughter and chants. "Discord. Discord. Discord."