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// Chapter 7: Crouching Discord, Hidden Alteros 
// Story: My Little Pony: The Element of Distortion 
// by Thunderwing250 
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	Nightfall came over Las Pegasus, as Cabaleron, Amplitude, and Spectra continued to monitor the scans.  Unfortunately, no scans were picked up, making their searching much more frustrating.
“We spent all day trying to find the scans and still nothing.  What’s going on?”
“I don’t know, Amplitude.” 
Suddenly, ponies took to the streets, demanding answers on an unknown cause.  While the three looked out the window, Daring Do and Bronze Compass continued their search throughout the library for the book.  Shelf to shelf, book to book, they found it rather difficult to identify the book they were looking for.  Daring Do could only remember the number but did not understand who wrote it.  Bronze Compass took the paper from Daring Do.
“We’ve been here for hours.  We can’t find the book” Daring Do said.
Bronze Compass rubbed his chin.
“If I were father, where would I put a book that is so secretive, I would hide it in no other place than the…Records Room!” he quickly said.
Hurrying to the Records Room, the two went to the back and noticed an empty shelf with an unusual seal carved into the shelf.  
“We found it.  But where?” Bronze Compass said leaning on the shelf, revealing a secret room.  	
In the middle, the two looked around to realize a light shined down on a book that stood in the middle of the room.  Bronze Compass looked down and noticed the books location was in the middle, surrounded by nothing but a large never-ending dark pit.  Frightened, he backed off but Daring Do smirked for a moment for she felt this was her moment of being sneaky.  Slowly making her way across, she reached the book, took it, but suddenly the ground began to shake.  Quickly the two made it out just in time before the platform in the room collapsed.  After succeeding in obtaining the book, they hurried back to the lab only to confront a crowd of ponies standing in front the Mane Hall.  Bronze Compass tapped her shoulder, nodding to return to the lab.  As they went into the room with the book, and breathing heavily.
“What happened to you two?” Amplitude asked.
“Do…not…ask.” Daring Do exhaled in anger.
“The book should’ve been easy to find.  What did you two do?” Cabaleron asked curiously.
“You never told us it was hidden in a secret room where everything falls if the book is taken.” Bronze Compass added.
Cabaleron raised an eyebrow, then he turned to Amplitude and Spectra.  He turned back towards Bronze Compass Daring Do. 
“Your father only told me that it was on a shelf?” Cabaleron questioned.
“Of course it was…until I moved it.” A voice spoke.
From behind, a shadow figure appeared and walked into the light.  He was dark purple with a vortex for a cutie mark.  Daring Do tilted her head in curiosity.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“Greeting, Master Alteros.” Cabaleron bowed his head.
“Father” Amplitude, Bronze Compass, and Spectra said.
Alteros turned to Daring Do.  
“Their words explain it all.  However I am glad you have come.  Forgive for my apprentice’s previous way of recruiting you and you denying it.  As you know, it was my doing that I had asked him to recruit you.  I am interested in your intellect and your adventurous personalities for it serves as a way to ensure the safety of some secrets on this planet.” Alteros spoke. 
Daring Do could only have her jaw drop, since this is the second superior she met after Khaoios first reappearance on Equstria.
“Yes and thank you, Master Alteros.  I have told your apprentice that I rather work alone because I feel that trust is…” Daring Do was interrupted.
“You needn’t worry about that, my little pony.  Trust is one thing I am picky about and trust with you, my apprentice, and my children is of high importance.” Alteros added.
“I see.  I may need some time to think about that offer, but I am interested.” Daring Do replied.
“Very good.  Now, what have you scanned?” 
“Well, scan...” Amplitude paused.
The scanner was picking up unusual waves from the hydrophones.  As they all got closer, they immediately recorded it and re-enhanced it only to shock them.  Alteros remained perfectly calm, realizing exactly who it is.  Daring Do looked to Cabaleron and Alteros, in confusion.
“Who is it?” Daring Do asked.
Cabaleron, Amplitude, Bronze Compass, and Spectra looked up to Alteros.
“That, my little pony…is Titannus.” Alteros replied.
On the train, the Archivist continued to nap, while Twilight and her friends continued their conversations with fun and laughter.  While asleep, she heard the voice of Alteros and realized one key individual was missing and would most likely be required for this expedition.  Lifting her head up, she turned to Twilight.
“Is there something wrong?” Twilight had asked.
The Archivist thought for a moment and turned to Fluttershy.
“Miss Fluttershy.” She asked.
“Yes?” Fluttershy replied.
“Where is your friend, Discord?” the Archivist asked.
“What?!” the ponies yelled.
“Yes.  We may need Discords help on this issue, especially when it comes to reasoning with his former master.” The Archivist.
“Former Master?” Rarity tilted her head.
“No! Please don’t call Discord!  He’s just gonna cause some…” Rainbow Dash was interrupted by a flashbang from behind her.
Surprisingly, Discord appeared in the coach.  
“Oh I heard some pony was talking about me?” He said.
Fluttershy flew over and hugged him.
“You’re here.” She said.
“Of course I am.  Yet, worry not, my dear friend.  I understand this is quite some important issue that must be dealt with.” Discord said.
“What would you have me do, my beautiful Archivist?” Discord continued.
The Archivist blushed for a second, but held herself together.
“Well first off, the answer is no, you will not go on a date with me as I’ve said several times in the past.  However, we…I need you to speak with your former master.” The Archivist spoke.
“Alteros…” Discord gasped.
He shapeshifted into a chicken, trying to slowly back away.
“You know, how he feels about me.  I’m sorry but I cannot help…I have some other plans ahead…” Discord stopped, with the Archivist stepping on his tail.
“Don’t be a chicken, Discord.  The reason for this job is because since you are the apprentice of alterations and distortions, I need you to sense…aquatic environments.  Per say…” the Archivist added.
“Oh please Discord.” Fluttershy pleaded, with a puppy eye.  
Discord sighed, knowing what trouble lies ahead.
“If Fluttershy is here and needs help with her friends, then very well.  I shall assist.” Discord happily replied.   
“What is the purpose for sensing distortions in the water?” Discord asked.
“I communicated with Cabaleron and informed me that distorted sounds were heard in the water and only you and Alteros can identify it?” The Archivist mentioned.
“I see.  Did he say what it sounded like?  Every distortion does have a different sound.  Like my record” Discord said, summoning a broken record playing.
“Unfortunately, no.  We’ll find out more once we arrive.” The Archivist nodded.