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// Chapter 8: Titannus' Confrontation 
// Story: My Little Pony: The Element of Distortion 
// by Thunderwing250 
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	After the conversation, the train stopped unexpectedly.  Looking out the window, they noticed something very unusual, for even the Conductor asked all the passengers to remain seated while the train lines were being switched.  Curious, Twilight asked the Conductor what occurred, only to nod his head.  She decided to walk outside only to feel shocked at what she saw.  Her friends, the Archivist, and Discord followed as they looked at the track, destroyed by an unusual force.  Discord immediately took flight to see ahead only to widen his eyes.  
“I am maybe the Master of Chaos but this…this is beyond Chaos itself.  It’s Destruction.” He stumbled.
Fluttershy flew up next to him, only to ask her to not look, but when she did, she could only gasp in horror.  The Archivist looked up to him.
“What happened?” 
Fluttershy hugged Discord for comfort.
“Madame Archivist…there is only one creature on this planet that could destroy an entire village near the waterfront.  But this…I have no words…” Discord sadly responded.
Floating down, he sat and tried to relax.  Twilight and the rest walked to him, curious at what he saw.  Knowing that a severe danger lies ahead, he became very compassionate to assist them on their quest to defeat this unknown creature, even if that means losing his life.  Discord knew that this enemy is beyond his power and that this creature means only one thing…War.  He turned towards Twilight and her friends.
“Twilight.  I know in the past that I’ve been considered your enemy and somewhat of a fool, betraying you for Tirek.  But I want to bury those dark thoughts I’ve had, for this threat is truly something we should worry about and resolve fast.  The safety of Equestria depends on it because if he manages to make landfall, we are all in trouble.  I am willing to give my life to protect you and your friends.  I just can’t believe that his return…” Discord was interrupted.
The Archivist stomped her hoof on the ground.
“No!  I refuse to believe Titannus is alive.” She yelled.
“Do not doubt his return.  His destructive force he left behind in that village proves he is back.” Discord mentioned.  
Over at the train, the Conductor called out to them that the train will have to halt for the night for the switch was disable, preventing them from going any further.  While the passengers groaned about the incident, they all decided to walk a mile where another village stood, unharmed.  Though still in one piece, Twilight felt uneasy.  Yet at the same time, she knew rest was needed, thus going anyway with her friends.  Approaching the hotel, the ponies gathered their belongings and went to their rooms.  Twilight, who was next in line was pleaded not to stay by the manager.  Claiming the village is unsafe from a creature.  Curious, she asked what had occurred but the manager was too frightened to answer.  The Archivist pulled Discord aside to a hallway.
“I need you to sleep outside with me tonight, to make sure nothing enters the village.” The Archivist said.
“I agree.  Funny that I was going to mention just that to you.” Discord commented.
“We’ll give them rest, and once we are up, we need to move out fast.”
“I understand.” Discord said, walking outside.
Twilight and her friends walked up to the Archivist looking outside.  
“Where’s Discord going?” Fluttershy asked.
“We’ll be spending the night on the roof to monitor.  If the manager of this hotel said to you that we should go, then something is up.  Anyhow, what you six need is rest.  I will wake you early tomorrow morning to get a head start.” The Archivist smiled.
Twilight and her friends smiled back as they all went to their room.  The Archivist’s smiled soon died down after thinking about what may lie out there, bent on laying waste to Equestria.  That problem, she thought, will hopefully occur that night to clearly identify what the creature is.  Yet, the appropriate question was “who is it”, not “what is it”.  Two hours had passed and a storm brewed in, forcing the Archivist and Discord to build a tent.  While the ponies in the village slept, the Archivist continued to monitor, until she and Discord fell asleep.  They were awoken suddenly, by loud stomping sounds.  Curious, she ran out in the stormy weather and looked down, where she realized a mist had brewed it, preventing them from seeing what was happening.  Now, frightened she woke up Discord.
“Wha…What happened?” Discord yawned.
“The mist is out.  We need to go down to the ground.” 
“Just one more…” Discord stopped as soon as he heard the stomps.
“I take that back.  Hurry.” Discord said flying down under the fog.
As the stomping continued to be heard, Rarity awoke complaining about the sound and decided to go down to the lobby and complain.  In doing so, she walked out of the hotel, only to look up at something that frightened her so much she could only scream in horror.  Hearing her, Twilight and her friends jumped out of bed and looked for Rarity.  Now desperately trying to find her, Twilight ran downstairs and saw Rarity run back into the hotel only to have the creature blast the entrance.  Twilight immediately used her magic to knock the creature backward, but deflected her magic.  Suddenly, the Archivist used her magic sending the creature down the street and into a cottage.  Luckily, no pony was in there at the time, the creature swung his tail into a line of cottages, forcing ponies to flee their home.  Twilight flew out and blasted again, until the creature roared out with a powerful force knocking Twilight backwards.  
“Who are you?” Twilight struggled to speak.
The creature stepped closer as a lightning bolt struck next to him revealing his true self.  The Archivist, who stood nearby dropped her glasses in shock.  For the first time ever, she was proven wrong.
“Titannus…” she and Twilight whispered.
“Twilight Sparkle the filth who defeated my brothers.  Now, you shall deal with me.” Titannus spoke, swinging his tail and hitting Twilight.
Twilight was immediately knocked out unconscious from the force of his tail, thus scaring the villagers out, as well as the passengers from the hotel.  Leaving everything behind, the ponies thought of saving themselves from the danger.  Twilight’s friends were petrified by Titannus’ appearance that they hid in a nearby alley.  As the fog grew thicker and thicker, Twilight struggled to get back on her hooves.
“Remember well, Twilight Sparkle.  This is only the beginning…the next is your destruction.” Titannus’ voiced echoed.
Twilight’s rage grew as she fired a powerful magic through the fog, but sadly, she missed.  Once the fog cleared, Titannus was gone.  Disappeared before their very eyes, Twilight thought.  Discord, who was also blinded by the fog, crash landed next to the Archivist.
“Discord?  Where were you?” she asked.
“I don’t know.  Seems the fog summoned by Titannus blinded me greatly.” Discord said.
“Change in plan.  We leave for Las Pegasus, now!” the Archivist said.
“Yes.  I will hurry to the train” Discord replied.
The Archivist ran over to Twilight, followed by her friends.  They all looked down at Twilight, as her body was steaming.  A very unusual power the Archivist sensed, however at least Titannus didn’t do too much damage…or did he.  On the train, the ponies did all they can to switch the track and luckily, it switched.  The conductor called out to the ponies that all was well and that it was departing for Las Pegasus.  As they all ran back on board, the Archivist summoned her blade-wing spells and flew up to view the village.  Observing it, she noticed not a single structure stood.  It was as if everything was wiped out from a massive hurricane.  Though still feeling doubtful of Titannus’ return, this maybe the first time she may be proved wrong.  Twilight from the train called out to the Archivist.  Twilight watched as the Archivist descended slowly.  
“Is everything alright, Archivist?” Twilight asked curiously.
“You’re encounter with Titannus was quite unexpected.  How he knew that you were there is quite puzzling to me.  For now, I’m glad you and your friends are alright.” The Archivist replied.
As the train whistle blew, it headed for Las Pegasus.  Twilight who was sitting by her friends talked about the incident among them.  Discord who stood by the Archivist felt curious.
“Titannus must be holding a grudge against her for some reason?” he spoke.
“Of course he does.” The Archivist replied.
“How do you know?” Discord asked.
“I don’t know.  I immediately noticed it when I looked at Twilight’s eyes.  Once we get to Cabaleron’s lab, we’ll find out more.” The Archivist replied.