//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11 
// Story: Chaos Falls 
// by Black Hailstorm 
//------------------------------//

						
Snap of Justice


The door to Zecora’s hut was thrown wide open as the zebra escorted the seven mares and the unconscious stallion inside. Going into her room Zecora instructed Daring Doo and Rainbow Dash to lean Hailstorm up against the wall, while she retrieved a mat from her room so he could lay on it.

Fluttershy watched all of this with a growing sense of worry. The injury Hailstorm received across his shoulder was still there, even after he had reverted back to his equine form and now his hazel brown coat was now starting to take a darker tone of color as the wound continued to bleed.

Zecora emerged out of her room seconds later with a large bedsheet in her teeth. Fluttershy watched as the zebra signalled for Dash and Daring to place the stallion on the sheet as she set it up near her cauldron.

Once done Fluttershy flinched when Zecora called her name.

“Fluttershy I’ll need your help, the others can maintain watch through the window while we get this problem dealt” she stated nodding at Twilight and the others.

Fluttershy glanced over to her friends who all nodded for her to go before they all stepped outside to give the two more time to work. Screwball was the only one who seemed to stay behind staring at Hailstorm’s wincing figure as the pegasus and zebra began examining him for anymore severe injuries.

Fluttershy noticing the worried look in the mare’s eyes, smiling at her warmly before saying with reassurance, “Don’t worry. We’ll make sure he gets better. I promise” she stated placing a gentle hoof on her shoulder.

Screwball hesitated, tentative about leaving but nodding at Fluttershy feeling confident the mare would be able to help their strange friend. Screwball briefly embraced Fluttershy in a thankful hug, one which made the mare eep out of surprise before she relaxed and draped a wing over Screwball in return.

Zecora cleared her throat drawing the two’s attention to her. She held a warm smile but she gestured with her head at the increasingly pained expression that the stallion was starting to give on his face as he lay there.

Fluttershy nodded, her and Screwball exchanging a look that spoke words of reassurance and trust to each other before the two went their separate ways. Fluttershy joining Zecora’s side as the two began examining Hailstorm’s body for more injuries and Screwball leaving, casting one more glance in the former human’s direction before she frowned and turned to join the others outside.

Good luck you two.





Daring Doo had seen a lot of things. She’d fought mummies, faced off against tigers, and beaten Ahuizotl more than once foiling his grand schemes and attempts for world domination or destruction. And now for the first time in her entire life Daring Doo wasn’t really sure what exactly it was she’d seen.

Her travels had given her the opportunity to see tons of different creatures, tons of different magical artifacts and different beings, but this. This was the first time she honestly had to say she was surprised.

When Hailstorm had morphed into that, well being or monster he called ‘human’ she hadn’t been able to see it as clearly the first time back at the temple. But this time she’d been able to see him just fine. 

His appearance was as the others had told her when they entered the forest; the close resemblance of a minotaur minus the hooves, horns, aggressive nature and the extra large bulging muscles with that strong powerful smell that screamed TESTOSTERONE or in other words “I AM MAN.” 

Granted Hailstorm’s body had seemed fine to her but what really surprised her was how quick he’d been able to move even though he was injured. 

And what came off as even more surprising was the whole burning thing that went on. Screwball had explained the reason she stopped Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie from supporting him was because his body had begun to heat up.

When they had questioned her on why it would even do that, if it was dangerous to Hailstorm’s health or how she even knew that, the mare with the propeller hat had only answered two out of three of their questions.

Obviously the last one went unanswered.

A lot of things didn’t make sense right now to Daring Doo and she could tell Dash and her friends were feeling just as confused as her with the large amounts of mystery that shrouded their “human” friend. But if there was one  thing that she knew she was really good at it was solving puzzles. And Hailstorm was one giant box of different puzzles just waiting to be assembled.

Daring smiled to herself, when Hailstorm woke up she’d ask him what the deal with the whole burning branch thing was and try and get more useful information out of him afterwards. 

Hearing hoofsteps, Daring turned her attention to the lilac mare now coming out of the zebra’s home. Screwball.

Screwball herself was a strange anomaly and Daring Doo had long since figured out from the beginning that this mare knew things that none of them could even begin to imagine. It was also quite clear that the mare was quite good at keeping things a secret.

When they’d been lost in the fog trying to locate Zecora’s place it was Screwball that had located them. The mare was like Pinkie Pie but possible two times more energetic, yet at the same time extremely more focused than the hyperactive party planner. 

The group had been able to locate Zecora’s place in a matter of minutes with Screwball’s help making it all seem so very easy. While as when they hadn’t been with Screwball, even with the aid of Twilight’s magic and Rarity’s discerning eye, the fog kept leading them astray. The explorer had even tried taking to the skies to see if she could locate the hut, but ultimately found nothing. That is till she saw a blue blur dive into the haze that pervaded the forest, immediately realizing that something wasn’t right.

Daring Doo recalled how serious Screwball had gotten quite suddenly after they’d found Zecora and she had informed her about Dash’s dive. How she’d just suddenly lost all that cheery randomness that bordered on the insane just a bit, gaining a more serious strict look.

Now staring at the earth pony as she trotted by her, Daring still couldn’t put her hoof on it but she knew for a fact that Screwball had some kind of seventh sense or something that gave her the ability to locate others quickly. Like a tracking spell of sorts in her head, because even with her and Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Applejack and Rarity along with Fluttershy and some of the animals in the forest the yellow pegasus had gotten to help with the search Screwball had once again been able to locate the stallion, when all of them a total of possibly twelve or more searching the forest were unable to do so.

Even with Pinkie and her Pinkie Sense, the fog kept beating the mare and her somewhat as Daring had now came to accept as unique ability, Screwball had still managed to find Hailstorm faster than all of them.

Daring’s eyes now slanted with both suspicion and curiosity as Screwball sat down a good three feet or so away from her and the others.

“Just what are you hiding Screwball? What’s your connection with Hailstorm?” Daring asked herself, a hoof under her chin thoughtfully. “Because whatever it is I can’t wait to find out.”





Pinkie Pie kept her eyes glued on the window as she watched Fluttershy and Zecora work. Now having a bandage wrapped around the cut that had been on her front foreleg, the party planner kept one ear on the others and surrounding area, the other focused on Hailstorm’s unconscious form as she watched Fluttershy and Zecora, wipe sweat away from the heavy breathing stallion’s face.

“Hey Twilight” Pinkie called behind her, her eyes never once leaving the three in the hut. “What do you think is wrong with him?” she asked with concern.

Twilight who was actually more worried about the fog itself in the moment didn’t hear Pinkie the first time, so Rarity who’d been sitting beside her gave her a gentle nudge.

Her wings flinching and herself jumping from the rather meek scare, Twilight shot Rarity a small glare for distracting her, but Rarity who clearly couldn’t have cared less simply pointed to Pinkie with her hoof.

Realization coming up and flicking Twilight’s nose, the young alicorn’s annoyed look faded into a frown as she got up and trotted towards her friend.

“Pinkie...” Twilight said stopping directly behind her. She took note of how Pinkie’s ear flicked in response to her name. 

Twilight looked into the window Pinkie had been staring at since they’d been asked to stay out, while the sage and caretaker worked. Hailstorm’s pained expression increased as Zecora tilted his head up and made him drink a green liquid that had no doubt came from whatever mixture the zebra had brewed within her cauldron.

Internally wincing when he began trying to spit out the liquid, the two watched in silence as Zecora let Fluttershy keep Hailstorm’s head up then leave her side to grab something from a nearby table only to shove the two leafy like objects up his nose and make him chug whatever medicine was within the bowl, as he gasped for breath.

“Okay Pinkie, I think we should let them get back to work” Twilight said deciding that watching this would only hurt her friend even more than being able to do nothing while they relied on Zecora and Fluttershy to get the job done.

Pinkie complied, Applejack and Rarity moving towards the two and comforting the earth pony whose expression had grown sadder when she saw them force feed him medicine.

“Do you guys think he’ll be alright?” Pinkie asked.

Twilight bit her lip. She didn’t know much about Hailstorm’s human anatomy or physiology so she couldn’t say. The gash he’d received across his shoulder and slightly down his chest, along with the other small hits he’d received along the way weren’t life threatening, but they sure looked painful. Even more so now that he was back in his pony form.

“I’m sure he’ll be alright” Daring Doo stated when no one said anything. “After all, he made it all the way, through the forest even after getting chased down by two timberwolves-”

“Three actually” Screwball corrected.

“and still had some fight in him against a Parolycik spider” Daring continued as if never being interrupted. “He’ll be fine, he’ll need rest but I’m sure he’ll be fine” she said moving up to Pinkie and patting her gently on the back.

This seemed to work as Pinkie smiled a bit.

But since the universe was a jerk and just loved proving people wrong, just as things seemed to get better it decided to prove everyone wrong.

A shout from Hailstorm came from Zecora’s hut, immediately all six mares rushing to a window to see what was happening.

Fluttershy had a solemn look on her face as she was applying some kind of weird liquid on the gash across Hailstorm’s shoulder and the small part of his chest, while Zecora held both his hooves to the ground so he didn’t try to escape. 

Another pained shout made them all wince, before Fluttershy eased off with the ointment done being applied, gently running her wing through Hailstorm’s mane and whispering apologies to him as the stallion’s breathing slowly steadied again and he slowly faded back into sleep.

“That’s it!” Dash said jumping into the air looking ready to barge through the door.

“Dash what the hay are you doing?!” Applejack asked.

“I can’t sit here and do nothing, while Fluttershy and Zecora are in there helping our friend! I need to do something.”

Before she could get the gusto to take off through Zecora’s front door though, before Rarity’s horn could even ignite to stop her, before anything really happened to start a protest everypony froze. Their ears perking up at the faint sound that came at them through the foggy smokescreen.

“Uh Twilight” Applejack said with uneasiness. “You wouldn’t happen to know what exactly is making that noise would ya?” 

Twilight shook her head as her and the others took up defensive positions. “Not a clue.”

Slowly slithering out from the confines of the fog was a serpent like creature with wings. It’s appearance appearing more draconic with the wings only aiding it’s appearance. The snake like creature’s tongue flicked out and hissed silently at the group as it’s nostrils flared, the violet eyes of the creature studying each mare in silence.

Then it spoke.

“Were you the ones that awoke me from my slumber?” the large serpent with wings asked. It’s voice deep and smooth, yet at the same time harsh and cold.

Daring Doo stepped forward, her eyes locking with the large serpent that towered them. “We don’t know what you mean, we only came here to check on a friend. If anything woke you up it certainly was not us.”

The serpent said nothing merely staring at the pegasus in silence before it closed it’s eyes then opened them again, both eyes radiating an intensity that made the explorer wary of the level of danger.

Without turning her head, without even looking at the others, AJ whispered “We’re going inside. Now.”

Dash who’d landed next to the others pawed the ground in defiance. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The slam on the ground from AJ’s hoof though told Dash, Twilight and Rarity how serious she was though. “Inside, now. Ah’m gettin a bad feeling about this and I don’t think we should make any rash actions towards this here fella.”

The ground shook for a brief moment making all three mares return their attention towards the large serpent that had been watching them in silence, Daring Doo now backing away wisely as the serpent stopped the tremors that shook the earth below.

“I do not like being ignored, mortals” the serpent stated with venom. “I have awoken due to the small bursts of imbalance here. There was by far a much stronger source, but I can no longer detect it’s presence. I demand you tell me what is the cause of this.”

At this mention Screwball bit her lip with concern. “I think we should go inside now.”

“If you go inside that hut you invite my wrath.” The beast stated with a hiss, its large wings flaring briefly before folding back into his side.

“And who are you to demand such a thing from us!” Dash asked with a accusatory hoof. “Just who do you think you are, talking to the-”

“Bearers of the elements” the serpent stated. “I know who you are. I do not need a crash course lesson in the present Rainbow Dash” the serpent chided.

The noise had drawn Zecora who was carrying a very annoyed look on her face as she stepped out to look at the others.

“What causes all this noise-” she froze seeing the serpent that towered in front of her home. At that moment the zebra’s jaw dropped at the serpent she stared at.

“My eyes deceive me, for this cannot be” Zecora said. 

“What is it?” Twilight asked not liking one bit of the tone in the zebra’s voice.

“A dragon whose height, rivals the extent of his vast knowledge, power and sight. Jormanzir, the dragon god of serpentine.”

Dash’s confidence fell at this statement, “What?”

“God of Serpentine?” Starlight asked with genuine interest at the large red and gold serpent.

Jormanzir actually smirked, glad to see at least one creature on this planet knew of him. “Zecora, the wise, I believe. Not surprised you know of me, but now I have a reason for being here. Since Discord isn’t the one causing this problem then whatever it is must be coming from that hut” he stated his massive tail swishing to the side.

“And what do you plan to do with the cause of this imbalance?” Rarity asked.

Jormanzir smiled a smile that only made him appear more of a threat, his violet eyes flashing with a vengeance, his form only appearing more menacing as the fog masked his figure all except his bright violet eyes.

“I’m going to get rid of it.”





Discord lay staring at his slightly disheveled floor, his bed upside down on the ceiling just the way he liked it. And with some annoyance he felt another shiver work it’s way into his body.

For the past two days he hadn’t been to Equestria, he’d simply stayed home in Chaosville not really feeling like he should go out for a multitude of reasons, the main one being he was lazy.

Though now for the past two days he’d found small reasons to pop in for a visit. Wanting to see what was going on and why he kept sensing magical imbalances and disruptions of the magical flow in Equestria.

At one point when it all began he had felt an extreme wave of powerful energy that gave off the sense of another draconequus or being with his level of magic or just as much level of power. A very powerful being indeed. The sense was different though, familiar almost. Something he knew he had sensed before possibly a millennia or so ago, but right now it didn’t matter. What did matter was why he had just felt another pop in the balance of magic that was in Equestria.

“This is seriously starting to get annoying. What are they doing out there?” he muttered floating off his bed and landing on his floor. “I mean honestly are they having a magical showdown there or something? What’s causing all these small breaks in the magical balance?” he thought with both interest and slight annoyance.

“I do love a good prank and chaos now and then but this is ridiculous!” he thought. “And more so what was that familiar power surge I felt earlier” he said aloud, thoughtfully stroking his beard.

I know I’ve felt that kind of power before but I just can’t place my hoof on it he thought, speaking of which his hoof leg was now hopping away.

Discord sighed, snapped his lion paw and got his leg back instantly. “I’ve told you multiple times to stop doing that” he said reprimandingly to his leg. “Now!” he stated straightening out.

“It’s time I go see what on earth is-” he froze, as a shudder traveled gracefully up his tail, through his spine, shook his entire body and made his pupils wobble in his eyes for a brief second.

Grabbing his head and shaking it, Discord regained focus of his eyes as he sensed a new strong presence emerge in Equestria, particularly in the Everfree Forest. Which now that he had recalled had been giving him a tingly feeling in his tail for the past few hours.

With a sigh, Discord trudged over to his wall and stabbed it with his eagle claw, running his index finger along the surface a thin line appeared which expanded into a small window, that window showed him the one thing he hadn’t expected to see. The ruby and gold body of a serpentine dragon.

Discord’s eyes widened a bit as he touched the window like a touch screen and moved the view away from the large being and onto the group he was staring at. It was Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Daring Doo, AJ, Pinkie Pie, and... Screwball?!

Hmm haven’t seen her in a long time he thought with some surprise. She must have sensed the disturbances also and followed them along to see what was-

A gasp escaped Discord as he realized that the only reason this guy would be awake was because of all the magical disruptions. And if those five were out there and possibly in danger then that meant.

“Fluttershy!” Discord exclaimed. Clapping his hands together the portal grew wider till it was large enough for Discord to walk through.

Donning a helmet, knight’s armor and holding a sword, Discord let his horse leg paw the ground as he gained a staunch smile.

“I’m coming Fluttershy! And the rest of the gang!” he stated charging in, with the portal belching loudly before it shut with a burp instantly as Discord went through.





Jormanzir, watched the group of mares take up defensive stances once more at his statement. In all honesty it was cute, foolish. But still cute.

“What are you doing elemental bearers? Where is the element of kindness, perhaps she may be more willing to bring the object that has awoken me from my slumber.”

“Please Jormanzir, sir” Twilight said, taking a slightly shaky step forward. “Our friend might be the cause of all your sleep being disturbed-”

This only made Jormanzir slam his tail into the ground, literally uplifting everyone on the ground and uprooting a tree or two.

“Bring your friend to me” he ordered..

“You don’t understand!” Screwball stated desperately. “He’s not from this world!”

At this everyone looked at Screwball. The mare’s eyes were focused once more and now they stared into the god’s eyes.

An amused chuckle escaped the serpent as he leaned his massive figure towards the mare who as he could tell seemed to have remnants of chaos in her very being.

“Then explain to me” Jormanzir stated. “What does that have to do with awakening me from my slumber?” he said his nostrils flaring as he breathed hot air onto Screwball.

Screwball backed up a bit, her confidence not dropping, but obviously understanding it would be wise not to anger the sixty-four foot tall dragon serpent.

“I’m afraid we cannot let you destroy our friend” Zecora stated before Screwball or the others could put another word in. “But if it is a battle you want then I must tell you, you will surely meet an unpleasant end.”

Jormanzir’s eyes looked at the zebra, narrowing in rage before he rose his massive figure up. His eyes once again being the only thing visible through the fog.

“So be it” he stated as a flame illuminated his menacing stare. “Your magic is nothing compared to what I can do when enraged. I will forget this happened if you give me this friend of yours that causes these disruptions every now and then. It will save me time, and will save you all the pain.”

Starlight who didn’t really know Hailstorm much still didn’t like how god or not was talking to them. And so with a snort she stated: “We’re not giving you Hailstorm.”

A dark chuckle escaped the serpent. “Then die.”

All five mare’s powered up. Going into their elemental forms, while Starlight’s horn ignited with a powerful light of magic, Daring Doo who seemed up for the challenge spread her wings ready to take off. Zecora however being the wisest decided to go back inside and see what else she needed to do for her patient, Fluttershy now dabbing sweat off his brow back in the room.

“Let me know the results. I’ll be back in my hut and the door will be shut” she stated going inside.

Screwball nodded before turning her attention to her allies who were all ready to face off with the god.

“Ready?” Twilight asked everyone. A cheer was the response she got before they all pawed the ground in unison. “Good, now let’s show him he shouldn’t look down on us ponies!”

Jormanzir, not at all impressed but now actually starting to grow annoyed by this trite corny show spread his massive wings menacingly, fire leaving his mouth as he spoke. “If you believe you can face against a god. Then do what thou see fit” he ordered his eyes narrowing.

“But it will be your end.”

With that six vs one glared at each other before a few seconds of silence passed. The god of serpentine, staring down the adventurer, the enigmatic erratic mare, and the five elemental bearers that blocked his way.

“CHARGE!” Twilight yelled all of them floating towards the beast, with Screwball somehow managing to do the same with her propellor cap.

And just before Jormanzir unleashed a burning flame, hotter than the pits of tartarus. Everyone became blinded by a giant ball of light, that snapped into existence.

“My, my” a voice said. “I leave for two days and you all throw a party?”

Fluttershy’s ear perked up when she heard the familiar voice from within the hut. “Discord?”

“The one and only” Discord stated with a smile as he emerged from the bright ball that had stopped everyone in their tracks.

“Discord” Jormanzir hissed with annoyance.

Discord smiled at the serpent god before turning his attention to the others another shiver traveling up his spine due to the fog.

“Brr, chills” he said. “Are you all doing alright?” he asked with a raised brow. 

“We’re all doing fine, thanks” Twilight said with a confused look.

“What are you doing here anyway?” AJ asked.

“Same thing he’s doing here” he said jabbing a thumb at the massive serpent, who’d now shrunk his size to twelve feet. “I came because of the disturbances.”

“Do not try to stop me draconequus” Jormanzir stated. “I am going to put an end to this annoying nuisance once and for all.”

“And what exactly is causing this?” Discord asked turning to the others. 

“It’s Hailstorm” Screwball stated.

“It might be because of his...that thing he did earlier today” Starlight said. “His transformation I suppose.”

Discord stroked his beard thoughtfully nodding. “I see.” Turning back to the serpent god Discord, floated up to Jormanzir’s face and smiled. This made the serpent god snort smoke in his face, making Discord cough.

“Nice to see you as well old friend” Discord said in between coughs and a slight smile.

“We are not friends” Jormanzir stated with annoyance. “You woke me from my sleep on two different occasions during the Chaos Era, and I swore to you if you ever did that again I would burn this world to the ground, whether you tried to stop me or not I will not be awoken during my sleep. The alicorn sisters know of this as well.”

“Understandable” Discord said with reassured gestures. “But how about we do this” he said increasing his own size so he could place an arm around the serpent.

“What if you go back to sleep. I try and solve this problem. And we don’t mention this to any of the other gods okay?” he said with a smile.

Jormanzir’s tail smacked Discord’s arm away from him as his violet eyes moved towards the elements of harmony. His face expressing one of thought, as he considered this.

His wings folding back to his side, Jormanzir slammed his tail into the ground once again uplifting everyone on it.

A shout from within the hut, showed that Hailstorm had hit his head on something, as Fluttershy stuttered apologies to him. 

“Fine” Jormanzir stated with a pleased smile. “I will retreat for now” Discord smiled, glad he didn’t have to actually use his powers to subdue a wrathful god like Jormanzir.

“But” the serpent god stated with warning. “I may retreat for now, but if these disturbances do not stop” he said his eyes now back on Discord. “You know the others will not take this kindly, especially those that have had their eyes on this world for awhile.”

Discord’s grin faded becoming understanding. “I understand. I’ll see what I can do.”

Jormanzir nodded, his eyes once again turning towards the group of mares. His figure returning to it’s giant size as he slowly began to fade out of the area. 

“Ponies” his voice boomed down on them. “Watch your friend carefully, for there is another force that rivals not just mine but Discord’s power as well. And if you want to make sure nothing bad happens to your faire land” he stated with sternness.

“I suggest you ask your friend what is really going on” he stated. “And make sure he does not awaken me a second time. There will be hell to pay, Discord’s power may be enough to temporarily stop me but you can’t banish a god from their own domain forever” Jormanzir stated, as he leaned his violet eyes close to the mares who all gulped. “And if it comes to that you do not want to see me here again. Understood?”

Everyone, including Discord nodded.

“Good” he stated his body fading almost completely now, but before he completely vanished his eyes glanced over to Discord who smiled weakly at him.

“And Discord, do something about this annoying fog.”

“Will do sir” Discord stated. 

And with that the serpent god was gone.

Discord let out a relieved breath. “Well that went better than I thought” he said with a smile. The others were still looking surprised and slightly scared.

“Wait” Starlight said. “You’ve known what’s been happening the whole time?!” she asked with anger.

Discord nodded. “Yes, now let’s go see what’s with this friend of yours shall we” he said ignoring all the looks being thrown at him.

“Discord” Dash said, he turned and looked at her with a raised brow as Screwball went ahead inside to the hut.

“The fog?” 

“Oh yeah” he said with a chuckle. With a snap of his lion paw a burst of magic cascaded into the area, the fog disappearing with it. “Now then” he said when all the fog was gone.

“Let’s meet this friend of yours.” With a snap he was inside Zecora’s hut.