The two ponies sat opposite of the draconequus, who was now idly floating himself around in miscellaneous positions. Both bore annoyed faces, contesting to the strange feelings of awe they felt at seeing another living being besides themselves for so several months.
Twisting his body around in an "O" shape, Discord popped his head though and spoke, "Well? Something amiss? You seem to be awfully quiet today, especially you Rainbow." A muzzle spawned around the cyan pegasi's mouth, and then removed itself. "Feel free to speak freely. I know it isn't Equestria, but there is still free speech in this dimension!" Rainbow Dash growled in return.
Upon not invoking any response on the equine part, Discord frowned. "Aren't you two happy to see me? After months of being trapped in this devoid place?" He raised an eyebrow questioningly.
Twilight cleared her throat. "Not if you're the one who put us here."
The element of chaos feigned shock. "Moi? My dear Twilight, you must be confused!" He glided closer, saucily rubbing a claw under the alicorn's chin. "I have absolutely nothing to do with you being here. You jumped through that portal out of your own free will!" Twilight bit his finger.
Jerking his claw back with distaste, he continued. "Besides, even if I was the reason you're here, I did what you asked. I brought you to Rainbow Dash." He folded his arms and took a diplomatic stance behind a desk that suddenly appeared. "You can even ask my lawyer."
Twilight sighed and rubbed a hoof on her temple. This conversation was already giving her a headache and it had just begun. "Discord, can you please just tell us why you're here?"
The makeshift office dissipated and Discord turned his attention back to the mares. "Oh yes, of course!" Turning to Twilight he said, "I have something of yours." Reaching under his tail, he pulled out a rather large box wrapped in purple paper, neatly tied with a green bow. Twilight's magic went to open it, but was counteracted by a flash of random colors. "Tisk tisk, don't open it until I say so!"
Discord turned back to Rainbow, reaching his hand into his grey, mangled mane. He retracted his arm, holding a smaller, blue box. "And this, I believe is yours." Rainbow accepted the box, looking at it curiously, and shook it lightly. "Don't shake it!" cried Discord, holding both of her forelegs still. "You have no idea how much trouble I went through to get it!"
Now, with both ponies having their respected boxes, the draconequus took a step backwards. "Now, before I take my leave, let me tell you one thing." He spoke very seriously, with almost a hint of darkness to his words. "Time works differently here than it does in Equestria. While for you, it's been only three months, thirty years have passed in Equestria." Twilight gasped. "I can't bring you back just yet. It is not the right time. Equine Fall is coming, and you are the only two ponies who can stop it."
Rainbow looked at Discord, confused. "What the hay is 'equine fall?'"
Twilight winced. She had wanted to keep the whole "apocalypse imminent" out of the way. But now, there was no way around it. She would have to tell Rainbow the truth.
Discord opened his mouth to begin the explanation when the lavender alicorn jumped in and cut him off. "Equine Fall is the Equestrian name for the apocalypse, Rainbow," she said gloomily.
Rainbow Dash just raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Uh, Twi? Isn't 'apocalypse' the Equestrian word for 'apocalypse?'"
Twilight facehoofed. "Yes, but... never mind. Anyways, Equine Fall is going to be catastrophic, and is going to happen relatively soon." The mare went on to explain about the creators and separation of planes. When she was finished, Rainbow Dash just started at her.
"What? Did you read that in a book somewhere?" asked Discord sarcastically.
Twilight just shook her head. "Princess Luna told me."
The draconequus raised an eyebrow. "Princess Luna died before anything related to Equine Fall could even be perceived as relevant," he said in a serious tone, the first time any pony had heard him use such. Then, as if a lightbulb had popped up over his head, he didn't had a revelation.
He smiled down at Twilight evily. "My dear Twilight, how on Earth did you manage to find a way to die here in this lovely place?" Discord looked around, and feigned a gasp. "You feel off the cliff, didn't you!" A fence suddenly appeared along the precipice, reflective tape and blinking lights adorning its surface.
"No," said Twilight in an irritated voice. "I ran into a tree."
"Headfirst," she added as an after statement.
Discord spat out the tea he had suddenly begun drinking. "You what?" he cried, laughing hysterically. "Y- you died by crashing into a t-tree?" He fell over, clutching his stomach in bouts of laughter.
Twilight just shot an evil glare back at him, refusing to dignify his comment with a response.
However, Rainbow had other plans. "Her horn had fallen off you idiot!"
Silence immediately filled the air; Discord's laughter cut off as if stopped by a plug.
"What?"
Dash glared at him. "Her horn fell off, and when she crashed into the tree, the base of it crushed into her skull." The pegasus emphasised her point by slamming a hoof on her forehead.
The master of chaos looked quizzically at the lavender alicorn. "Why- how did it fall off?"
Twilight just shook her head, muttering, "I don't know."
The draconequus gazed over Twilight for a few more seconds. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, smiled brightly. Rearing back, Discord smiled. "Well, no matter. It's back now, everything is fine! Don't forget to open your presents later!" And in a blinding flash of light, he disappeared.
"Well," said Rainbow. "What the actual buck."
---
The two presents sat on the stone foundation to the future cabin, unopened, as Twilight and Rainbow stared down at them.
Suddenly, Rainbow Dash spoke. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, seemingly downcast.
Twilight just sighed and shook her head solemnly. "Rainbow, you seemed too content..." she looked up at her. "I didn't want to ruin that." Twilight smiled softly, trying to hopefully lighten the mood.
The alicorn gestured to the boxes in front of them. "Come on, let's open these presents!" she exclaimed cheerfully, and pulled the purple one towards her.
Rainbow begrudgingly pulled her blue one closer, and the two ponies began to tear at the paper, revealing the boxes beneath.
Suddenly, Twilight held up a hoof to signal the pegasus to stop. "I can sense magic inside of these. Be careful when you open it."
Rainbow looked worryingly at her marefriend. "Oooookay?"
Then, the two ponies opened the boxes.
Twilight shrieked as a purple and green blur popped out of her box and took a deep breath.
"S-spike?"