ELSEWHERE IN EQUESTRIA
It was dark as 2 unicorns made their way along the road in Manehattan. They didn't know that they were being watched until it was too late. Almost immediately before the coaches stopped moving...oh uh sorry. Pardon me, wrong story.
Anyway, the unicorns were just passing an alleyway when a sirenic voice began to sing the Latin introduction to "Hellfire". Lulled, they entered the alley, forgetting everything except to see the source of the voice. They entered the darkness of the alley...and wobbled out following a flash of purple light. Their flanks were bare. Their eyes were gray, dull, and lifeless. Worst of all, they were all wrinkled. A purple alicorn dressed in black with a mane and tail that were black with aquamarine stripes stepped out. Her horn was glowing with the souls she stole.
"Soon, this will all be mine," vowed Twivine Sparkle, "and I'll see to it that Princess Twilight Sparkle rot in Tartarus."
PONYVILLE
Thomas had been released from the hospital as Twilight was returning from Canterlot. He didn't know where to go, so he decided to go exploring. His travels took him to a quaint little cottage in the middle of a forest. Not knowing what to do, he walked over. He couldn't help but admire how beautiful the trees were.
"Henry would love this place," he mused. He was so busy ogling that he didn't watch where he was going. Then there was trouble. Fluttershy was just around the corner with Discord, walking along from having a few spots of tea when she and Thomas had collided head-on...literally.
"Oh my goodness," cried Fluttershy, "are you ok?"
"I guess," groaned Thomas, rubbing his head.
"Now that's what I call a double header," joked Discord.
"Discord!" scolded Fluttershy. She turned to Thomas. "Come inside and we'll get some ice packs."
"Ahem." Discord cleared his throat. Instantly, a flash of green light engulfed them and they were in a sickbay of a spaceship. Fluttershy and Thomas were all wearing red space uniforms while Discord was wearing a sky blue uniform as he examined them.
"They're not too severe though they could do with some ice." He snapped both his eagle fingers and lion...toes and 2 ice packs materialized and strapped themselves to the 2 ponies' heads.
"Thanks Discord," said Fluttershy, "but I think you're scaring our friend here."
"Actually, he isn't," said Thomas. He looked at Discord with narrowed eyes, half interested, half suspicious. "Didn't I hear you before in 'Tapestry'?" Discord also narrowed his eyes, smirking.
"Maybe you did and maybe you didn't."
"Then why are you wearing blue and not red?"
"Because I'm a doctor, not an Expy."
"Um, what's an Expy?" asked Fluttershy.
"Probably something you wouldn't understand Fluttershy," said Thomas.
"Oh, I see you two have met?" mused Discord. Fluttershy told him about meeting Thomas. Thomas picked up on the fact that the hospital had let him out and he was lost. "Well now, I suppose I should show you around the place."
"Uh, maybe I should-" started Fluttershy, but Discord waved her off.
"He knows me."
SWEET APPLE ACRES
Applejack was busy apple bucking the trees. She didn't know that some pony was standing on the other side of a tree until after she bucked it and heard repeated cries of pain. She looked around and saw Thomas sprawled out on the ground in the Western guise of Ricky Nelson as Colorado with apples cluttered around him.
"Thomas?" cried Applejack, "what in tarnation are you doing here...in that...get up?" She faltered as he got up. "Ah like what ah see."
"Oh ho ho, some pony has a crush," sang a voice. Discord suddenly appeared in the guise of Randall Bragg.
"Ah do not!" protested Applejack. "Ah just think he looks good in those duds. What're y'all doing here anyways?"
"Oh just showing our boy in blue around."
"I was let out of the hospital and got...lost."
"Are ya sure ya want Discord to be the one to show you around?" Applejack asked Thomas.
"He knows me," said Discord, "so now we're off to see Pinkie Pie. Come on Thomas"-his eyes narrowed as he smirked-"the tank engine." There was a flash of green light and the 2 were gone, leaving a very confused Applejack behind.
"Tank engine?"
SUGARCUBE CORNER
There was a flash of light and the 2 appeared in front of the counter, Discord in the guise of Ray Bolger as Barnaby and Thomas in the guise of Gene Sheldon as Roderigo. The latter looked at the former in surprise.
"You know what I am?"
"Oh please," snorted Discord, "I am the Lord of Chaos. I know all. I see all. I AM all."
Pinkie Pie appeared out of nowhere. "Like how Thomas isn't really a pony or from anywhere in Equestria, but he is from another place full of talking locomotives that are so similar to us that there are authors that write stories and artists that make pictures of us together?"
Thomas wasn't sure what to be more surprised at: Pinkie Pie appearing completely out of the blue; how she was able to say all that in one single breath; but what he was most surprised at was how she was able to guess all that. "How...? How did...?"
"Just a hunch," said the hyperactive pony, "Cupcakes?" She presented a tray full. Discord accepted one, but Thomas wasn't so sure.
"I don't think I should. These have sugar and given my...condtion-"
"Aw, come on Thomas," protested Pinkie Pie, "just one?"
"No," snapped Thomas, "trains and sugar don't mix."
Discord leaned over and whispered to Pinkie Pie, "Stall him," and slipped off his stool. Whole Pinkie Pie tried to get Thomas to eat a cupcake, Discord turned his back and snapped his eagle fingers; Sweetie Belle appeared instantly. The little filly looked around anxiously, but Discord hushed her and whispered something.
She walked up to Thomas. "Please mister, just try one. Please?" She pulled her cute puppy eyes on him. Thomas blushed and, deciding that he couldn't loose nothing, tried one...then swallowed it five seconds later.
"Uh Thomas? Haven't you forgotten something?" asked Pinkie Pie. Thomas began to choke. Discord slapped him until he spat out the wrapping paper.