//------------------------------//
// Chapter One 
// Story: Planeswalkers 
// by CoastBrumby 
//------------------------------//

											
Prologue

The place was a cave on the plane of Zendikar, and four heroes, a telepath, a soldier mage, a pyromancer, and an Elf had just one a small victory in a larger war. The pyromancer's spell dispersed, and the battle was over. The demon was charred, smoking, propping his shoulder against the wall of the chamber. His pitiless eyes looked to each of them, one by one. "Well done," he said. "Well done. You've chosen to spend your efforts to defeat me, and you have. But every moment you've spent on me, you've allowed Zendikar to suffer. So you've still, of course, lost."

The pyromancer and the other heroes looked at each other. They feared the demon’s words held truth. The pyromancer turned to glare at the demon. The flame-haired hero’s eyes glowed red with power and rage.
The demon returned the pyromancer’s gaze, but made no move to attack. "You fools gained nothing but my enmity from this, and I am far worse any enemy than the horrors you idiotically oppose. I know the true nature of pain and suffering, and I promise you this," the demon said in a low snarl. "I will walk every plane, scour every pathetic world, until I find a way to bring fitting punishment down upon your misguided lives."

The pyromancer howled in fury and blasted fire hot enough to melt steel at the demon.
The blast’s target was too quick. Before the fire made contact, the air folded in on itself, swallowing the demon, and he was gone. The wall of the chamber where the demon had rested glowed red hot, but showed no trace of his presence. 

The pyromancer kicked a rock in anger. The soldier mage placed a hand on the pyromancer’s shoulder. “Forget the demon. We have work to do.”

The four heroes left the chamber to the wider world of Zendikar to face a much larger threat. With great effort and sacrifice, total victory was achieved.

Chapter One


The Plane of Equestria was a realm at peace. Thanks to the efforts of the inhabitants of the realm Harmony reigned throughout the land, and even the most chaotic residents of Equestria were becalmed. 

Discord, a planeswalker and shapeshifting master of chaos magic, had called Equestria home for millennia. Equestria may have been the plane of his birth, but if this was true no being save Discord knew for certain.

Discord was at home. He lived in a strange section of Equestria were unusual things grew, and the force have gravity was far from consistent. It was a place most Ponies avoided. Discord loved it.

Discord sat in a chair and stared at the go board. He was playing against his favorite appoint, himself. Discord posed a question to his doppelganger. “Tell me again why we aren’t playing chess. Go is a challenging intellectual exercise, but it is hardly in keeping with our flamboyant nature. It’s far to Zen and minimalistic.”

The doppelganger snorted. “The Black Queen caught the Black King chatting up one of the white knights behind her back. She is most distraught, and has gone to stay with her mother for a while.”

“Let’s hope things work out. At least, we have a chance this time. We’ll never be able to play Battleship again thanks to that treaty being ratified.” Discord said. “But we only have ourselves to blame. They told us this sort of thing would happen when we started practicing chaos magic.” He muttered. Discords body wiggled as if he was having a seizure. 

“Something is out of balance. There is a powerful alien magic at work. I can feel it.” Discord said. 
“It’s at the Tree of Harmony in Everfree. Let’s not waste time.” The Doppelganger said. 

The two beings disappeared in a flash of white light. Discord materialized as one near the Tree of Harmony. The Tree of Harmony was a powerful artifact that had helped keep Equestria peaceful for thousands of years. It was crystalline, and it was alive. It was under attack. A black magical energy was attempting to wrench magical gems from its trunk and branches. The spell was seconds away from succeeding. It was too late to counter. Discord reacted without thinking. He wrapped his body around the tree and covered it like a second skin. Discord’s face appeared on the tree’s trunk. He winced as a powerful incantation was directed at him.

Discord laughed. “Ah hoo. Do cut that out. I am ever so ticklish.”

A being stepped into view. It was a large demon with glowing blood red ruby eyes. The demon spoke. “I am Ob Nixlix. Why do you interfere, Planeswalker?”

“I am Discord, and this is my realm. Get lost.” The shapeshifter replied as he tightened his coils around the tree of harmony.
The demon grinned. “That answers my questions. The elements I desire from this tree would enable me to punish some old enemies of mine. I could use them to divide and conquer. I could bend them to my will with my magic, but this tree and the elements it contains are useless to a chaos master such as yourself. I think you protect them because you value the wellbeing of its owners.” Ob Nixlix said.

Discord grimaced. “So what? Your magic isn’t nearly strong enough to touch me. You’ve failed. Planeswalk away, and I will forget I ever met you. I was in the middle of a game when your mischief interrupted me, and I would like to get back to it before the playing stones unionize or something ridiculous like that.”

The demon scratched at the wall. Leaving deep claw marks in the stone. “No, I want those elements, and I am not leaving this plane without them. You are correct. I am not strong enough to hurt you, but you are trapped there. The moment you leave the spell I cast will reactivate, and the elements will be mine. So I will leave here, and cause trouble. Sooner or later the one you love will be in peril, and you will be forced to react. I will then take the gems, planeswalk away, and forget I ever met you.” Ob Nixlix said. He made a vile gesture in the direction of Discord.

“You’d regret doing that.” Discord said.

“Is that a threat? You’d be no match for me once I wield the gems. If you chased me across the multiverse, it would only be to your doom.” Ob Nixlix clasped his claws together menacingly.

“It wasn’t a threat. It was a warning. I am not the only magic user in this world.” Discord said.

“You mean the unicorns? I have traveled this world in disguise. I met these magic users. They are nothing like you or I. They are weak and childlike in comparison. They will not be able to oppose me without access to the magic of this tree.” Ob Nixlix said.

“It is not the magic of The Tree of Harmony that keeps the peace in Equestria. It is the Magic of Friendship. You would be foolish to underestimate its power. Say, I’ve got an idea. Let’s you and me be friends. You can forget this whole revenge thing. Revenge never brings happiness, so what’s the point. You can come back to my place, and we can play a few games. You’re old. I can tell. I bet you’ve got some stories to tell. Perhaps we’ve been to some of the same places. I used to travel before I settled down.” Discord said.

Ob Nixlix paused. None had ever offered him friendship before today. He tried to consider the proposal, but found it too counter his nature. Ob Nixlix laughed manically. “Your Chaos use has effected your mind, but you will find clarity once you here the one you love cry out. You will rue your madness when your delusional friendship magic fails to save anyone.” Ob Nixlix transformed into a ball of smoke and fire and departed at an unholy speed. 

Discord blinked a few times. “Oh this will end in tears, but I’m stuck here for the moment. I’ve been encased in stone before, but this is the first time I’ve encased a stone. I must say I prefer the ladder. Perhaps I will use this time to work on my memoirs.” He said. A notepad a pencil materialize in front of Discord. It began scribbling. Discord called out. “Do come out. I know you’re there.”
Zecora, a Zebra potion master, who lived in the Everfree Forest, stepped out from behind a rock. She trotted up to Discord’s face. “Of your encounter, I saw all. Have you ever seen such a being before?” She asked. “If sight alone does not make you think how could you forget the stink?”

“Some of us are rather fond of sulfur, but there is no accounting for taste. He is a demon from another plane of existence. He is very dangerous, and he will cause a great deal of trouble if he isn’t stopped at once. He’s really no fun at all. I’m glad you’re here. I need you to do somethings for me.” Discord said. A piece of paper tore of Discords not pad, and it floated into a pack Zecora was carrying. “First, I need you to get that note to Princess Celestia. Find Twilight and Spike. Spike should be able to do it. I’d send the letter myself, but she would be suspicious of a not sent directly from me, and she takes everything that little dragon delivers with his amazing magic fire breathe seriously. Secondly, I need you to bring Twilight Sparkle here post haste. There are things going on here that only she can fully appreciate. Don’t tell her I said this, but I find how much wisdom she possess for one so young impressive.”

Zecora nodded. As was her custom, she spoke in rhyme. “Of your praise, she will not hear a peep, but I too find her mind both wide and deep. For my presence, you will not yearn for I shall be quick to return.” The Zebra turned and galloped off.  
Discord returned to scribbling in his notepad.