Discord

Chapter 1

It'd been a while since Princess Celestia had decided Discord was, for lack of a better word, stable enough to roam a little more freely around Ponyville - provided that Twilight Sparkle and her friends kept a close eye on him and made sure he didn't cause trouble.

Seeing as the self-proclaimed King of Chaos was considered to be reformed, nopony had thought it would be that hard. Discord had made a conscious move to be an ally of Equestria, rather than a menace, and it certainly looked like he meant it. But no matter how good somepony's intentions, changing yourself is a hard thing to do. The transition between how one wants to behave and how one has been behaving for, in Discord's case, centuries, is anything but smooth. However, the difference between chaotic and reformed is not a neat little switch that can just be flipped.

Fluttershy had decided, upon the first day Celestia brought Discord's stone prison to Ponyville, that she was going to take responsibility for him and she'd stuck by that. It was hard, but no-pony had the patience or understanding that she possessed. The mere fact that Discord still took up residence on her couch, without having been kicked out, was proof enough of that.

But that didn't mean it was easy.

“Oh dear.” Fluttershy murmured to herself, lowering her shopping list to see the state of the town market in front of her.

It could've been worse. At least Discord had made inanimate objects his targets instead of any actual ponies or animals. That was a big step forward. But that didn't change the fact that the market was in a state of complete confusion.

Every stall's sign was scrawled in a completely gibberish language that Fluttershy thought she might have seen in one of Twilight's spell books. The fact that the signs themselves had been turned into cream-cheese, and were slowly melting in the mid-morning sun, didn't exactly help the legibility. The stalls themselves were thankfully sturdier, being comprised of giant seashells. It seems Discord had heard the story that you could hear the sea if you put your ear to a seashell, but apparently, had never actually done it himself, since he'd taken a more literal approach to the idea.

Fluttershy trotted hurriedly over to the carrot stall, where Carrot Top was currently yelling at the top of her lungs, over the sound of the roaring waves.

“I said five carrots will be two bits, thank you very much!”

“Ok! Do you have change for two?!” The customer yelled back just as loudly.

“I said that they COST two! Just gimme what you got and it'll be fine!”

“Oh really?! I only have two though! I can go get some change from another booth if you want!”

“What?!”

“I said I can go to another booth for change!”

“So you don't want the carrots then?!”

Fluttershy waited politely by the wayside as the endless loop of a discussion continued. She looked back and forth between the two ponies, barely making out a word being said. She shifted her weight. The noise and the yelling were making her uncomfortable and she had to suppress the urge to turn and trot away from the racket. However, the longer she waited, the clearer it became that neither pony in front of her was getting any closer to getting their carrots or their money. Eventually she gave up and headed for a different stall instead.

There wasn't anypony in front of the cucumber stall, thankfully, and instead of a squall, the sound of the waves sounded more like a peaceful beach. The stall owner, a stallion with a moustache an absurd looking yellow rain jacket, stood behind his barrels looking irritable and grumbling to himself.

“Um... hello,” Fluttershy greeted him carefully. “I would like to buy some cucumbers, please.”

“Well, there they are!” he snapped angrily, as he waved a hoof at the barrels in front of him.

Fluttershy gave a grateful nod and started scooping some out from the water they were cooling in and into her saddlebag. After about three of them were tucked away, she stopped as something struck her sense of smell.

“Excuse me sir...” she said nervously as the stallion bore holes in her, “these cucumbers smell kind of.. ..funny.”

“Oh they do, do they?!” he spat at her.

“Yes,” she nodded, pulling one out from her bag again and sniffing it carefully, “they smell a little like... well....”

“Fish!” the Stallion threw up a hoof into the air. “Just say it! My cucumbers smell like fish! In fact, why even sugar coat it?! They smell like low tide! And do you know why?!”

Fluttershy shook her head, despite the fact that she was pretty sure she could guess.

“Because every ten minutes or so, this giant rock behind me decides to spit out at least a bathtub full of saltwater all over my stock!” He yelled, bucking the seashell's wall.

This turned out not to be too great an idea as the shell decided this was its cue and immediately sprayed a generous amount of seawater all over the stall-owner and his barrels of cucumbers. Fluttershy gave a small yelp and leapt up into the air, dodging the flood as it pooled underneath her on the cobblestones. Somewhere behind her, she could hear a couple of foals clap and cheer at what was probably the umpteenth splash that morning. The water subsided, leaving the stall owner standing with a stoic expression, his yellow raincoat sopping wet.

“Oh my. I see,” Fluttershy said, slowly setting herself on her hooves again. “Well, that certainly explains the smell.”

“What it explains to me is that this whole town is going insane!” The stallion yelled, slamming his hat down to the ground before stomping on it for good measure. “If this keeps happening, then I don't care how long my wife's relatives have lived in this place, we're moving! You ponies can get your cucumbers from somepony else because I've had it!”

“Oh no, I'm sure it's not that bad,” Fluttershy tried, biting her lip as she looked over the dissipating sea-foam in the cucumber barrels. She thought for a moment, she saw a crab scurry deeper into the water.

“Young lady it is that bad!” He went on, waving a hoof at her. He lowered his voice slightly although he kept his angry tone. “And don't you try and sweet-talk me! You know as well as I do that this is the work of that abomination you've got locked in your cottage!”

“Oh... well I don't... um....” Her ears flattened as she shrunk in place, desperate to try and defend herself somehow, but unable to deny the claim.

“Last week it was that plague of flying cherries throwing themselves against everypony's windows and coating the entire town in red smoosh! The week before that, we were kept up all night by our cutlery that had decided to form a barber shop quartet! A bad barber shop quartet! And now this!”

“Oh, but I'm sure he didn't really mean any harm. It's not like he causes trouble every day,” she tried weakly.

“I don't care if its once a year! You're the one keeping that, that.... Thing as a house-guest! You better find a way to keep him under control or so help me, I don't care if he turns all our mailboxes into... into... I don't know! Flying rabbits! I'm walking to Canterlot to complain to Princess Celestia myself!!”

By this time, a small crowd was starting to gather around the two ponies and cries of agreement could be heard.

“I'm sure he doesn't mean it...” Fluttershy tried her best to defend Discord, although she knew everything the stallion was accusing him of was true.

“I don't care what he means! Just get him to stay away from us townsfolk! I don't care how you do it, just do it!!”

This received much louder cries of support from the crowd.

Fluttershy tried her best to reply, but all she could manage was a small squeak in defeat.

The door to the cottage opened heavily as Fluttershy trudged inside, putting her empty saddlebags away with a deep sigh. Angel bunny, her somewhat trusty pet, immediately ran to her side, smiling wide. A small pang of guilt struck her as she petted him.

“Oh I'm sorry, Angel,” she cooed, “I'm afraid I don't have any new vegetables for you today.”

The rabbit gave a small shriek at this, pushing her aside and half burying himself into one of her bags, tossing out handfuls of coins as he went.

“I can give you some of the leftovers from yesterday,” She smiled gently at him, lying her head down to be at his level.

The rabbit made a strangled noise at this, dramatically grabbing at his throat and stumbling around.

“I know it's not going to be as nice as fresh veggies, but I'll take some extra time to make you the best salad you could want. How does that sound?”

The bunny crossed his arms, glowering to himself as he thumped one of his feet angrily.

“I'll even add some of the bean sprouts I was saving to plant,” She smiled sweetly.

Angel thought this over for a moment before hopping to turn around and nod at her with a satisfied smile.

“There. See, it's not so bad is it?” She giggled as he hugged her face before turning and skittering off in the direction of the kitchen.

“Bean sprouts for supper? I should say that's more like a catastrophe than just 'bad'!” a voice came from behind her.

Fluttershy, standing upright again, took a deep breath before turning to face her semi-permanent house guest.

Discord had decided to pop into existence a few inches above the couch which he then flopped down on. It promptly popped from green to plaid. He grinned at her as he stretched out.

“Discord, where have you been?” She scolded lightly as she closed the green drawer where she kept her bags.

“Oh you know me, Fluttershy. A little here, a little there,” little X's appeared on the floor of the cottage as he spoke, “I'm still trying to get use to this whole 'go wherever I want' thing you know. I don't plan on wasting my days staying indoors.”

“Well yes,” she nodded, side-stepping the new floor decorations as she trotted over, “but I heard you went into town this morning.”

“Ah yes,” he sighed wistfully, resting his chin on his forepaw and claw, “the rustic scenes of this little settlement really does you wonders. So quaint and picturesque you could just puke.”

Fluttershy frowned softly. “I went to go and buy veggies for my animal friends, but when I got there it looked like you'd been causing mischief again.”

“Oh, come come now, my dear,” he said, popping into place beside her and placing an arm around her shoulders, “it's not as if I caused any damage or anything. Just a little harmless decorating here and there. The market's so dull it could use a little redesign.”

“Well the town ponies didn't seem to think so,” she said, wriggling free of his grip, determined not to let him off the hook, “they were very mad. Some even said they would complain to Celestia if you don't stop causing trouble.”

Discord scoffed, rolling his eyes at the threat as he dropped himself down on the couch again. “You ponies are always so melodramatic over every time little change. I don't think it's very healthy.”

“I really think they were serious this time Discord,” she replied, hovering over to sit on the small open space next to him. “They were um... quite loud.”

He raised an eyebrow at her thoughtfully. “Oh, they were?”

“Oh yes,” she nodded, reliving the moment. “It was horrible! They were all yelling and pointing at me and saying really mean things about you!”

“Oh they were, were they?” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Well that's not very friendly.”

“They were just angry.” Fluttershy quickly back-peddled, sensing the change in mood. “If you behave yourself a little better, I'm sure they won't have anything bad to say about you anymore.”

His expression changed on a dime and he laughed, clearly entertained as he twisted his tail around her middle and held her dangling above him as he crossed his arms behind his head. “My dear Fluttershy, as usual you're so charmingly naïve.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but stopped herself, deciding that as long as Discord wasn't in a bad mood, she could let the subject drop.

A bowl came flying across the room and promptly smacked him against the side of the head. Both Fluttershy and her guest turned to Angel, who was standing in the kitchen doorway, stomping his foot furiously as he glared at them.

“Oh my!” Fluttershy gasped, flapping free of Discord's tail and over to her pet. “I completely forgot about your supper! I'm so sorry Angel!”

“Yeeees. Heavens forbid the thing should starve to death.” Discord rolled his eyes, snapping his fingers to cause a gramophone to materialise in the air above him and start churning out an ancient piano.

“But... Discord?” Fluttershy's head popped back into the living room from the doorway. “You will try and behave a little better from now on, right? Pretty please.”

“Yes, yes.” He waved a paw at her dismissively. “I'll be as good as gold from now on, you have my word.”

“Well, alright then,” she smiled as she ducked out of sight again.

Discord puffed at a speck of dust irritably before snapping his fingers, changing the couch from plaid to bright pink leopard-print.

The week went on without any incident. The ponies of Ponyville carried on their usual lives without another peep from the draconequus. The cucumber seller never followed through with his threat about sending word to Celestia and things returned to utter normality.

Fluttershy, after finally restocking on her food supplies, spent most of her time outdoors. When she wasn't tending to her vast array of animals, she was spending time with the other five ponies in her group of friends or helping whoever in town had some or other animal related problem. Life as normal.

It was driving Discord nuts.

He was sitting upside down on the living-room armchair, snapping his fingers every few minutes to swap the entire room's colour palette to a new fashion nightmare. Part of him wished Rarity would come over to visit, just so that he could see her throw one of her famous drama queen fits. But even picturing the diva's reaction to his current mash-up of chartreuse parrot wallpaper and day-glow purple shag carpet wasn't keeping him that entertained.

He sighed much longer than what could really been considered physically possible as he snapped his fingers yet again to change the décor. He waited a moment before he frowned lightly, pushing himself the right way up as he snapped his fingers again.

His frown deepened.

“Oh he's much better,” Fluttershy insisted with a bright smile. “You'll notice, he's not changing living things any more, only objects.”

“Yeah, but he's still making a mess of the town!” Rainbow Dash snapped as she hovered above the conversation.

“Not the whole town,” Fluttershy argued.

“Well, that may be true, but he's still being rather difficult.” Rarity added with a nod as she sipped her tea.

“Not to mention he's ruined a good few folk's harvest!” Applejack said with more conviction than her two friends. “You're lucky it's been a fine summer, Sugarcube or you'd have a riot on your hooves!”

Fluttershy sunk her seat, taking an embarrassed sip from her own cup.

“We're not saying it's your fault, Fluttershy.” Twilight Sparkle smiled at her. “We're just saying maybe you should try and talk to him or something?”

“Oh I have.” She nodded, sitting up again. “I told him he needs to be better behaved and he promised he'd really, really try!”

“Yeah but... it's getting to a point where trying isn't really enough.” Twilight added, biting her lip.

“You should tell that old Discord to stop being an old meanie-face or he's really gonna get it!” Pinkie said enthusiastically, stomping a hoof down on her teaspoon, causing a large helping of whipped cream to fly across the table and promptly smack Applejack in the face. “Oopsie!” She snorted, leaning over to offer her a napkin.

“He's really not trying to be mean.” Fluttershy rubbed one of her forelegs sheepishly. “I know he's difficult, but he doesn't do any of these things to be mean.”

“Well, whatever he's tryin'a be, ya'll better rein him in before the whole place goes bananas!” Applejack said as she wiped her face.

Fluttershy nodded miserably.

“Oh, don't look as if we're reprimanding you dear.” Rarity said a little gentler. “We really are saying these things to try and help. We don't want you to get into any trouble, that's all.”

“Yes, I know.” She nodded again. “But this is my responsibility. I promised Princess Celestia that I would help Discord reform and that's what I'm going to keep doing. If he's causing trouble, then it's up to me to help clean it up.”

“Well... that's very noble of you Fluttershy, but you have got to be realistic about it too.” Twilight said. “I mean, I know he thinks you're his friend, but if he's just going to keep being bad and leaving you to take care of it for him afterwards... then maybe... well.... maybe this is one friendship that you should really reconsider?”

Fluttershy's gasp was one of the more dramatic ones to come from her. “How can you say that Twilight?!”

“Now, I know!” Twilight held up her hooves defensively. “I know ok? It sounds horrible. But sometimes... Sometimes there are ponies, or whatever Discord is, who just aren't worth your friendship. All they do is take advantage of you so they can get something from you. In Discord's case, you're the one who always has to try and keep the peace every time he decides to go on a small rampage. That's not how friends are supposed to act.”

“Well maybe that's how you see it, but that's not how he is!” Fluttershy snapped back in a rare display of anger. “You don't spend as much time with him as I do! He's not like that! And I really don't like listening to my best friends talk badly about him!”

“Hey, easy Fluttershy.” Rainbow flew over to stand next to her. “We're not saying to kick the guy out of your house or anything, we're just worried about you.”

The other four nodded earnestly.

“I would be absolutely horrified to think that that... ruffian is taking advantage of your kindness!” Rarity said, waving her cup around subconsciously.

“You're a nice girl, Fluttershy.” Applejack added. “Sometimes ponies don't appreciate folks that is kind to them.”

“Well, Discord isn't like that.” Fluttershy said firmly, sitting down again with a huff.

“Alright. Just... keep it in mind, ok?” Twilight said.

Fluttershy sighed, but nodded. “I will, but I really think you're wrong about him. You just haven't spent enough time with him.”

“Well... yeah, ok. I guess that's true too.” Twilight chuckled.

“Ooh! Ooh! We should throw a “getting-to-know-Discord-better” party!” Pinkie volunteered enthusiastically, hopping in her chair.

“Oh yeah. That would go well.” Applejack snickered.

“Oh!” Rarity gave what could only be described as a dainty yelp as the teacup tumbled onto the table, spilling the last few drops. “I am sorry! My magic must have slipped.” She smiled, clearly embarrassed. “I just had my horn done you know.”

“Oh yeah! I was wondering why you were shinier than usual!” Pinkie grinned at her. Applejack rolled her eyes, but Rarity ignored her.

“You should try and make time to visit the spa with me more often Pinkie.” Rairty said, her chest puffing slightly as she dabbed at the spilt tea. “Of course they can't exactly polish your horn, but they could try and give you an update on your cheveux.”

“You can try all you want, you are never gonna tame those curls.” Dash took to the air again to flap to the other side of the table.

“It doesn't mean I can't at least try!” She replied with a huff.

“Do they have any pamphlets or instruction books on wing-care?” Twilight added. “I'm still not really sure how to keep these things looking their best.”

“Aw, you should ask me!” Dash said proudly. “No-pony's got better cared for wings than Ponyville's number one flyer!”

“The day I let you give Twilight grooming advice is the day Opal starts giving me sewing tips!” Rarity interrupted, quite seriously.

Fluttershy sat quietly, drinking her tea.

It was early evening when Fluttershy finally returned home to the usual nightly welcome committee of animals. She made her way to her kitchen, not even bothering to notice the purple and green décor of her home. She'd gotten too use to her cottage changing colours all the time. After making sure everypony was well fed she started making her rounds, locking paddocks, making sure all the ducklings were in the pond, and checking to make sure her Blue Jays had enough fluff for their nests. Last was locking up the hen-house for the night. She was about to close its main door when she noticed the weather-vane on its roof. That is to say, she noticed that the hen-house had a weather-vane on its roof.

“What are you doing?” She blinked, taking flight.

“Well, obviously I'm checking which way the wind is blowing!” The little brass Discord answered, hands on hips.

“Oh, um... ok..” She gave a confused smile, not sure it was worth it to ask why.

The weather-vane poofed in a shower of confetti back into Discord's proper form. He yawned and stretched himself out. “I'd say it's about time we hit the old mattress, wouldn't you?”

“Yes.” She nodded as she drifted to the ground again. “I'm exhausted.”

“Oh? Hard day of animal caring, my dear?” He said as he flapped his way down to follow her, his voice laced with fake formality.

“Not exactly.” She said as they walked back to her cottage. “I was with my friends.”

“Ah. Say no more.” He gave a knowing nod. “a full day of chattering girls would drain anypony!”

She felt she should've scolded the remark, but she couldn't help but giggle. “It wasn't like that.”

“Fine, fine. I'm sure it was a long day of deep discussion on the nature of beauty products and hair brushing, as girls do.”

Fluttershy felt herself blush brightly in embarrassment. “That wasn't the only thing we talked about.”

“Well spare me the details if you please.” He floated past her to what seemed to have become 'his' couch in the past months, promptly flicking Angel off it with forefinger and thumb. “I'm sure I'm able to get some sleep without needing the help.”

“Oh yes. Monitoring the wind must have taken it out of you.” She replied with a smile, picking up her sulking rabbit and carrying him over to his basket.

“Doth my ears deceive me?” Discord said, plucking one off his head and polishing it with an arm before putting it back. “Did our bashful host just use sarcasm?!”

Fluttershy said nothing but smiled to herself as she tucked Angel in, pecking him on the forehead as he reluctantly settled down for the night before she turned to climb the stairs.

“I'm rubbing off on you, my dear.” Discord sang threateningly as she went. “You'd better watch out before the rest of the town bring out the torches and pitchforks.”

“Goodnight, Discord.” She replied as she turned out the light.

It was barely daybreak when something thundered on the cottage door. Discord grumbled, popping a pillow out of thin air to cover his head as he curled himself up. Fluttershy, already awake and busy preparing the vast buffet of breakfast for everypony, peered into the living-room with surprise.

Whoever was at the door banged on it again, louder this time if that was even possible. An eagle claw uncurled itself out from under the pillow and snapped its fingers although it was unclear what this did.

“Now, now,” Fluttershy shushed as she made her way to the door, “whoever it is obviously has something important to tell us.”

Discord said nothing, although a red eye peered at the front door with a deep frown. Fluttershy, ignoring her permanent house guest, unlocked and opened the door. She blinked several times.

“Good morning, Twilight.” She said with clear surprise. “What brings you here so early?”

“I'll tell you as soon as you take me to that goat-faced menace!” Twilight Sparkle snapped angrily, peering past her at the couch. “You!”

“Moi?” He sat up, giving a yawn.

His casual behaviour seemed only to enrage her further as she pushed passed Fluttershy and stomped over to him, pointing a hoof accusingly. “What did you do?!”

“I'm not sure.” He said, completely unmoved by her outburst. “I do so many things, it's hard to keep up.”

“Um... Twilight?” Fluttershy closed the door nervously.

“Don't play innocent with me, pal! You know exactly what I'm talking about!! Now you better turn around and fix it! Fast! Or so help me, I'm not even gonna wait to hear from the Princess before I turn you into an oversized garden gnome again!!”

Discord's gaze cooled as he stared at her, not a flicker of worry on his face.

Fluttershy looked back and forth between them, her heart sinking like a chunk of lead. Her ears flattened as she turned to stare at her friend in dismay.

“....Discord?”

Magic

View Online

Chapter 2

Tension hung in the air as Twilight Sparkle continued to glare at Discord. He merely stared back with as much boredom as he could muster, only breaking his gaze when Fluttershy squeaked his name. He uncoiled himself from the couch and stood up, cracking his back with his hands.

“If you're really going to turn me back into stone, you should probably tell me why first.” He stretched his arms out over his head. “As hard as I've tried, I'm afraid I'm not a mind-reader just yet.”

“You just...! You...! You did this!” Twilight yelled, pointing her horn in a target free direction. After a second or so, her horn sparked and sent off a few harmless purple flashes into the air.

There was a drawn out pause, the only sound coming from Fluttershy's hooves as she came to stand next to Discord. They waited as Twilight blinked at the fading lights with apparent surprise.

“That's very good Twilight.” Discord praised her condescendingly before he leaned down to whisper to Fluttershy. “I think our resident princess has lost her mind.” He seemed to think this over for a moment before straightening and adding to the room at large. “Actually... I think that'd be a dramatic improvement. Please, do go on.” He grinned eagerly as he watched her.

“No! No you don't understand!” Twilight said frantically as she began to pace back and forth in front of them, picking up various things in the room with her magic before putting them back down. “It didn't do that earlier! I couldn't do anything earlier! It was like somepony had stolen my magic!”

“Oh my. That sounds serious.” Fluttershy said with honest concern as she walked closer to try and calm her friend. “Are you sure that's what it was? Maybe you were too tired or needed a few more minutes to wake up.”

Twilight shook her head wildly. “No it wasn't like that at all! It was the weirdest thing I'd ever felt in my life! I came downstairs and tried to make myself some breakfast but I couldn't pick anything up! Not the bread, not the knife, nothing! It was like I didn't even have a horn!”

“At least it's come back though, right?” Fluttershy gave a gentle smile. “So luckily it wasn't permanent.”

“Oh I'm sure it was never meant to be permanent!'” Twilight snapped as she spun to face Discord again. “I still wanna hear what you were thinking pulling a stunt like that?! Do you want me to tell Princess Celestia you should be imprisoned again?!”

Discord however didn't answer. He was toying with his beard as he pouted thoughtfully.

“Hello?!” She yelled, starting to get furious. “Are you even listening to me?!”

He seemed to snap back to the present as he turned to Fluttershy, ignoring Twilight completely. “Pardon me Fluttershy, I'd like to test something for a moment.”

“Oh?” She blinked at him as he snapped his fingers. “Oh!”

The living-room completely transformed itself from the small cottage interior to something a tourist might think a tropical island looked like, complete with burning tiki torches, palm trees and the three of them appropriately dressed with a grass skirt, a Haywaiian print shirt and a rather terrifying tribal mask on Twilight. Immediately, he snapped his other claw and the scene changed again, this time to an upscale coffee shop. Again. This time a sauna, then a throne room, a restaurant, a mountain peak, a wrestling ring, at the bottom of the ocean and finally back to Fluttershy's normal living-room.

Discord snapped his fingers one last time, causing the front door to disappeared from the wall. He gave something like a nod, looking satisfied before it popped back into place. He turned back to the two ponies who were trying to control their stomachs.

“Well, it seems to be working fine now.” He grinned, a sizeable mug of something steaming materialised in his hand as he sat down again.

Twilight recovered quicker than Fluttershy as she spun to glare at him again, pointing a hoof furiously. “Well of course it works for you if you're behind it!!”

“Oh, you have such low opinion of me, Twilight Sparkle.” He tossed the entire mug into his mouth, eating it. “I'm quite hurt.” He spat out a frilly handkerchief which he then proceeded to wipe at invisible tears.

“All I know is the last time my magic got taken away it was because somepony took my horn!” Her eyes narrowed at him.

“True, true.” He nodded. “But you also remember I had a goal in mind at the time. What could I possibly be trying to achieve by this? Especially since, as you say, I might end up on the receiving end of your little petrifying spell.”

“So you're saying it wasn't you?” She snorted in disbelief.

A halo pinged above his head as he gave her what was probably his best 'innocent' face.

“Twilight,” Fluttershy finally spoke up, still wobbling slightly. “Do you have any proof that it was Discord who did this?”

“Yes Twilight.” He grinned at her cheekily behind Fluttershy's back. “Do you have any proof?”

She shot him a venomous look but reluctantly replied, “No.”

“Ok. So maybe there's a small, tiny chance you could be wrong about this?” Fluttershy smiled hopefully.

Twilight grumbled, ruffling her wings irritably. “I guess so. But I don't really have any better theories!” She turned to give Discord another dirty look. “Maybe I'll let you off the hook this time. But you better watch it! I'm keeping my eye on you! One more slip-up and then I'm gonna have to do something about this.”

“Oh you don't mean that.” Fluttershy said gently.

“Yes. Yes I do.” Twilight took a deep breath before letting it out slowly, regaining her composure. “Fluttershy, I understand how you feel but if he doesn't stop this, then I really can't ignore it any longer. I'll have to tell Princess Celestia. I promised her we'd keep an eye on him.”

Fluttershy said nothing. She just lowered her head miserably, kicking softly at the ground and staring at her hooves.

“I'm going back to the library to look for another reason why this could've happened.” Twilight said, much calmer. “You guys... think about what I’ve said. Ok?”

She turned to let herself out, giving Fluttershy a worried look over her shoulder before closing the door behind her.

“Oh dear.” Fluttershy slumped to a sit. “That really didn't go well at all.”

“Somepony obviously hadn't had their morning coffee.” Discord scoffed, getting up and walking in the direction of the kitchen. “Speaking of which.”

“Did you really have to do something that silly to her?” Fluttershy said sadly, peering at him through her hair.

He seemed to flinch as he froze in place. He spun, placing his paws against his chest melodramatically. “Don't tell me you're taking her word over mine!” He pressed a paw to his forehead. “Oh cruel fortune! Betrayed by the only one I trust! My illusion of a safe haven shattered!”

“You know she was serious about what she said.” Fluttershy ignored the dramatics as she fidgeted with something on the floor. “If you do anything else to upset her then... She's Celestia pupil. She'll have to tell her.”

“Cheer up my dear.” He said as he twisted around her with a grin. “We'll just have to behave like butter wouldn't melt in our mouths for a while and she'll forget about it.”

Fluttershy mumbled something to herself that he couldn't make out and didn't look that much happier..

“Besides, I would think her magic disappearing is more worthy our attention right now.” He added as he stood himself in front of her. A small table appeared between the two of them, fully set with cups and a steaming teapot.

“So... you really were honest about it not being you?” Fluttershy finally raised her eyes to him as she took her cup from the table.

“Do you really think I'd lie to you?” He said, grinning to show off a rather impressive set of teeth.

“Mmmm.” Fluttershy replied into her teacup, avoiding his eye. He didn't seem too interested in her answer anyway.

“Now personally I would stand by my first assumption that Miss Sparkle has completely lost her mind. However I think she may have been right about her little breakfast disaster.” He said business-like, picking up his own cup and making a show of drinking from it politely. “and I don't mean that as a remark about her cooking skills. I'm sure she can make a sandwich without burning it. If not then Celestia is the one who's gone mad, making her the trusty Princess-in-Training that she is.”

“So you believe her that her magic wasn't working?” Fluttershy asked, trying to keep the subject on track.

“Normally I wouldn't really care. However, as it happens I was having a few erm...” For a second, he looked honestly embarrassed. “...hiccups yesterday. As it were.”

She blinked wide-eyed at him, setting down her cup again. “What do you mean, Discord?”

“Let's just say that most of yesterday was spent giving myself carpal tunnel syndrome trying to get this thing working again.” He said with a grumble, glaring at his own eagle-claw. “Not to mention Twilight's racket on the door would've been cut short much sooner if the thing had decided to do what I told it to!”

Fluttershy said nothing for a moment, staring at him quietly as he gulped down his cup of tea, followed by the cup itself. He gave a content sigh as he sat back. Finally noticing her stare, he returned her expression.

“What?”

“Discord.” She started carefully. “Are you having problems with your magic too?”

“Well, I'm not sure I'd call them 'problems' exactly.” He waved a paw at her.

“But you do admit it's been acting funny?” She insisted.

He fluttered his eyes at her for a few moments, pretending not to understand. But when it became clear she wasn't going to break eye contact he slumped down on the table with a sulk, scratching at the wood with a claw. “Well I may have had a few issues getting it to work. I suppose you could say.”

“Oh my.” Fluttershy said with seriousness, putting a hoof to her chin. “So it's not just Twilight.”

She stood up from her seat, trotting out of sight into the kitchen for a moment before reappearing with several bowls of food balanced on her back and nose.

“We'd better go tell her. Wait here while I finish feeding everypony and we'll go straight to the library. This could be serious! Maybe there's a magical flu going around or something!”

“More like your friend Miss Twilight's been experimenting with unstable spells again.” He said, pulling a newly formed bath-plug from the floor, causing the table and tea-set to literally drain away.

“No, I don't think so.” Fluttershy said as she went. “Twilight wouldn't put any of us in danger like that.”

Discord pulled a face at her back.

After making doubly sure everypony had been fed, Fluttershy and Discord took the walk over to the Ponyville Library. Discord had been living in the small town at least a short couple of months by now, but it hadn't really changed its opinion of him much. Mostly because he spent most of his time out of sight, doing what exactly nopony was sure, and when he did show his face it was usually to start mischief and annoy everypony. Granted annoyance was better than utter chaos but it didn't really help his popularity. The townsponies hadn't so much accept his presence, as they tolerated his existence. And even then only because of their loyalty to the royal princesses.

Needless to say, the walk through town wasn't all that fun for Fluttershy. She tried her best to avoid eye-contact, staring at the road right in front of her and moving at a brisk trot towards Twilight's home. However she could still feel the glaring eyes on her and her friend as she went. She could also feel the burn on her cheeks which made her even more self-conscious. Discord on the other hoof didn't even seem to notice as he flapped his wings lazily to keep up with her.

“It's a real shame I'm on low profile right now.” He sighed to himself as he looked over the small houses and stores they passed. “I have this great idea for a new look to this place. The entertainment level alone would make it worth it.”

“Please don't cause any trouble.” Fluttershy asked politely, turning to look at him instead. Trying not to focus on the stares they were getting.

“Now now, I said I'd behave.” He rolled his eyes, a dog collar popping around his neck, an end of a leash attached to Fluttershy's foreleg. “I know where Celestia wants me. I was just thinking out loud.”

“You shouldn't think about it so much.” Fluttershy said as she tried to undo the leash from her leg and walk at the same time.

Discord laughed, rolling over to fly on his back next to her. “You do realise chaos is all I ever think about, don't you? It kind of comes with the territory you know.”

“Maybe if you found something else to keep you busy it'd be easier for um... all of us.” She gave him a nervous smile. “Perhaps you could find a hobby. You should think of what kind of things you like doing.”

“Hmmm.” He tapped his chin in thought before throwing his arms out triumphantly as an idea struck him. “I enjoy causing trouble!”

Fluttershy's smile changed into a slight grimace. “Um... Yes I know...”

“I also like causing confusion,” He started counting off on his eagle claw. “Nonsense, Twisting reality around, a little bit of mayhem, stirring up turmoil, playing games-”

“Oh! Games!” Fluttershy grabbed the opportunity. “That's a good start. Why don't you think from there? What kind of games do you enjoy the most?”

“Usually the kind that involves any of the aforementioned things.” He grinned proudly, a scroll appearing in his paws with a list with every synonym for 'chaos' in the thesaurus.

“Hmm... Maybe you should try some games you haven't played before and see if you like them. Ones that don't involve making anypony mad.”

“Anh but that sounds so boring!” He whined as the scroll disappeared in a puff of smoke. “Really, what's the fun of playing a game if you can't get some kind of reaction from your opponent? What's the point?”

“Games should be fun for everypony playing them.” Fluttershy smiled sweetly at him. “And if everypony enjoys them, then they'd be happy to try and play agai-!”

Her sentence was cut short as she smacked right into another pony who wasn't paying attention to where she was going. The leash, still tied to one of Fluttershy's legs, not only tripped and caused her to fall on top of the other pony but also succeeding in entangling itself around both their legs. They fell with a crash to the ground, flailing and crying out in surprise.

“Oh I'm sorry!” Fluttershy yelped as she tried to leap off the assaulted pony as fast as she could, only for the leash to snap her back and tightening around the two of them. “Oh no I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!”

“Stop squirming! You're making it worse!” The other mare yelled as she tried to kick herself free pathetically. “Somepony help! Get some scissors or something! Quick!”

“I'm sure we can get free if we just..” Fluttershy tried in vain to loosen a leg. The only thing she achieved was losing her balance and having to adjust her stance which caused a stray hoof to plant itself firmly on the other mare's saddlebag. Something inside made a very satisfying crunch.

“Oh no!! Look what you've done!” The mare wailed. “I just bought those eggs! And you've ruined my favourite saddlebag!”

“I'm sorry! I'm sorry!” Fluttershy squeaked helplessly. “Discord! Please you have to help!” She turned to him desperately. Discord on the other hand was in a fit of hysterics, gripping his chest as he rocked back and forth in mid-air.

“Discord!!” Fluttershy said, this time with some meaning in her voice.

He managed to get some control over himself as he landed on his feet, still giggling like a lunatic as he wiped at his eyes. “Alright alright just hold on a second.” He cleared his throat as he got himself to stop laughing before clapping his paws together.

The leash instantly disappeared and the two ponies collapsed. The mare shoved Fluttershy off her as she threw open her saddlebag and gave a cry in dismay. “My eggs! My bag!”

“I'm so so sorry!” Fluttershy repeated, quickly getting to her feet and backing away from her, ears flattened. “I can pay you back for the eggs if it helps.”

“And are you going to pay for my bag as well?!” She snapped. “This was handmade by an old blind mare in the Obsidian mountains! My husband brought it back from a business trip! I can't just get another one!”

“Oh...” Fluttershy shrunk, backing away a little further.

“Ugh, enough already. I think we get the picture.” Discord stuck out his tongue in exaggerated disgust. “If I fix your precious bag will you stop your squawking?”

“Oh no!” She snapped, swinging her bag away and focusing him with a hard glare. “I don't want you monster touching my things! You just stay away from me!”

Discord gave a shrug. Fluttershy however took a step forward. “He was only trying to help. There's no need to call him names..”

“I don't want to hear it!” She spat at Fluttershy instead. “He's a menace and a ticking time-bomb! And you are either an idiot for standing up for him or a traitor! Either way the whole town would agree we would be much happier if you two just-...” She stopped in the middle of her tirade and blinked several times in what appeared to be shock.

She took a tiny step backwards as an unsettled smile sprung on her face. “Then... then again I... I suppose it's a free world... aha ha ha.. ..ha....” She turned and trotted away so fast she almost broke into a gallop.

Fluttershy blinked at the retreating figure before turning behind her to her companion. “What was that all about?”

Discord's eyes were focused on the other mare as well but she missed his expression as he blinked and gave another shrug with an innocent smile. “Perhaps she decided she didn't like the look of us.” He coiled downwards, grabbing her under the forelegs and mimed her giving small flailing punches. “She probably realised after getting a second look at you she was outmatched.”

“Oh dear.” Fluttershy blinked wide-eyed at this before smiling widely to herself with a small, proud giggle. “I didn't realise I was being so assertive.”

He let her go before resuming his place next to her. “Perhaps we should give the lowly ground-dwellers some space before you scare off anypony else.”

“You're teasing me.” She said although she took to the air beside him. “You did a good job trying to help her though.” She praised him brightly. “It's a shame she was in such a bad mood.”

When somepony knocked on the Library door it didn't take much guessing for Twilight to figure out who it was. The knock was so soft and somehow managed to even sound shy that she didn't even bother asking who was there. She opened the door with a smile.

“Hey Fluttershy.” Her eyes travelled upwards very slightly. “Oh. Hello Discord.”

“Pardon the intrusion my dear Princess.” Discord said as he pushed past the two ponies and immediately circled the library once or twice. “Ahhh. Everything perfectly shelved according to genre, sub-genre and then alphabetically arranged according to the author's last name. Such an orderly and controlled establishment you have here.”

“You so much as breathe on the wrong thing and I'll... I'll...!” Spike immediately noticed the danger and jogged across the length of the room, waving the broom he'd been using.

“'The Complete Guide to Harvesting Frostbite Spider Venom.'” Discord read the cover of a randomly selected book, licking a thumb and opening it with the opposite hand. Something black, hairy and with a lot of legs climbed out of the book's pages. “Oops! Guess I shouldn't have skipped ahead to the advance section.” He grinned as he dropped it. The enormous spider plopping on the floor before getting up and scurrying under a bookshelf and out of sight.

“Discord. Stop it. Fluttershy. Why are you two here?” Twilight asked flatly. She softened a little bit. “Not that I don't like seeing you.”

“Well,” Fluttershy started as she trotted inside. “We were talking about what you said happened to you this morning and we thought we should come over and tell you what we found out.”

“Oh yeah?” Twilight threw Discord and distrusting look. He was trying to surreptitiously rearrange the books while Spike was half buried under the bookcase, trying to jab at the now missing spider with his broom-handle.

“Yes.” Fluttershy nodded. “We were saying how strange it was for your magic to suddenly stop working. Discord said it was probably something we should pay attention to.”

“Really?” Twilight cocked an eyebrow in slight disbelief but trotted to sit on one of her seat-cushions, Fluttershy following.

“Oh yes.” She nodded. “In fact, he said he's been having problems with his magic too.”

“Only a little tiny bit.” Discord interrupted, exploding into existence right beside Twilight, nearly giving her a heart attack.

“Don't get the wrong idea; I'm still quite capable of keeping myself entertained. But when you're use to a more liberal use of your powers,” He snapped his fingers, the large bust on the table transforming itself into a rutabaga. “you tend to notice little changes and dips in potency.”

“Uh huh.” Twilight said, sounding unimpressed. “But you have been having problems too?”

Discord hummed to himself tunelessly for a second. “Maybe a little bit.”

“He's not very happy about it.” Fluttershy whispered across the table.

“But that's really bad news.” Twilight said as she stood up again, trotting over to her shelves and pulling out random books, looking over their covers. “If it was just me then I could try and figure out what I've been doing differently lately. Or I could try and find out if it's a side-effect of the alicorn spell. But if it's affecting others, then that means there's something bigger going on.”

“Do you think anypony else is having problems with their magic?” Fluttershy asked.

“I don't know. I didn't think to ask anypony.” She trotted back, a small handful of books following her as she sat down and started flicking through them. “It only happened once to me this morning, so I didn't really think it was that big a deal.” She looked up at Discord for the first time with sincerity. “How many times did you have these erm... dips in potency?”

“I don't really keep track of things that rigidly.” He shrugged. “But it was once this morning and a few times yesterday.

“Yesterday?” Twilight's eyes widened as she turned back to her book, flipping through it faster. “Why didn't you say anything to anypony?”

“Well frankly, it's none of their business.” He said, inspecting a claw with a bored expression.

“We should ask around if anypony else had any problems.” She said, pushing the book aside. “We should ask the others to help us too. We can cover more ground with six of us. Ask any of the Unicorns in town if anything weird has happened to them yesterday or today and if they can think of anything they've done differently in the last two or three days. Spike,” He jumped slightly, squirming out backwards from the bookcase, the spider clinging tightly to his broom. “You stay here and watch the library. If anypony comes looking for a book, help them and sign it out like I showed you.

He snapped to attention, throwing her a salute. “Yessir! I mean Twilight!”

“I'll go get Pinkie Pie and Rarity. You guys go find Rainbow Dash and Applejack.” She said as she lead them to the door before following them out. “Hopefully it's just a coincidence we both had problems at the same time. We'll meet back here later.”

“Ok Twilight.” Fluttershy nodded as she took wing, physically nudging Discord into the air with her. “We'll see you later.”

“If we can tear ourselves away from all the fun this is going to be.” Discord said sarcastically, pulling a face.

“And no messing with the town!” Twilight yelled at them as they flew away. “I mean it, Discord!”

She hoped he'd heard her and was just ignoring her. She didn't need him adding more problems to the situation. She turned and trotted in the direction of Sugarcube Corner, hoping it really was just a fluke that both of them lost their powers around the same time. Experience was starting to teach her that coincidences didn't really happen that often though.

Tension

View Online

Chapter 3

On the way to Sugarcube Corner, Twilight stopped by the Carousel Boutique. It was Sweetie Belle who opened the door when she knocked.

“Oh, hey there Twilight!” She smiled, letting her in.

“Hey Sweetie Belle. Is Rarity around?”

“Yeeeeeaaah.” Sweetie Belle pulled a face. “She is, but... she's kinda working on a fancy dress thing and I don't think she really wants to talk to anypony.” She leaned closer to Twilight to whisper, “She's kinda in a bad mood.”

“Oh yeah?” Twilight couldn't help but smile. “Why would you say that?”

“Because she's being a real jerk when I try to help her.” The little unicorn grumbled.

“Well, maybe I can get her to cheer up. Is she in her room?” Twilight guessed.

“Yeah, but she's got the door closed. If she lets you in, will you tell her I went to see Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle called after her.

“I'll tell her, don't worry.” Twilight promised, heading upstairs.

She knocked on the bedroom door, wondering if there really was an urgent order for a dress or if Sweetie Belle's specific brand of 'helping' was just getting on Rarity's nerves. The reply to her knock pretty much answered her question.

“Sweetie Belle, I have told you! I need to finish this dress tonight or I will have to undercharge for being late! Now will you please be so kind as to go do something else?!”

“She's already left,” Twilight answered back. “It's Twilight.”

There was a short, silent pause before sounds of scrambling could be heard and the door opened to a brightly smiling Rarity.

“Oh Twilight! I'm awfully sorry! Sweetie Belle has just been rather insistent today and I'm afraid she's worn my nerves a bit thin. Do come in.”

“Thanks. You sure I'm not interrupting anything?” Twilight asked, looking around curiously as she entered the surprisingly cluttered bedroom.

“Nonsense!” Rarity insisted, removing the tape-measure from around her neck and placing it on the work-desk. Twilight made a note of the fact that she did this with her magic.

“Now, what brings you here?” Rarity said brightly. “I really do need to finish this by tonight, but if there's something you need urgently, I can fit it into my schedule.”

“Actually there is, although it's not a dress or anything.” Twilight started. “I'm sorry to interrupt your work but it's kinda important.”

“Oh, by all means!” Rarity nodded, removing her glasses as well.

“Well, this might sound a little weird, but have you had any problems with your magic lately? I mean, has it been acting up at all?”

Rarity tilted her head slightly. “To be honest, I have had a few mishaps.”

“Oh yeah?” Twilight's ears perked. “What happened?”

“Nothing too serious, but I have been rather clumsier than what I'd like lately,” Rarity continued. “It's been awfully difficult getting my needle to do what I want it to. And threading the eye has been an absolute nightmare! My accuracy is completely off! Not to mention I keep dropping things at the worst time. I'm never quite this clumsy so I must admit it has gotten me a bit worried.” She blinked at her friend, “But why are you asking, dear? Has something happened?”

“Hmmm. Maybe.” Twilight said as she bit her lip. She gave Rarity a quick rundown of what'd happened to her that morning as well as what Fluttershy and Discord had said.

“It may be a coincidence, but I really don't think so. If it was just me that'd be one thing, but for it to happen to Discord and now you... That can't be good.” Twilight finished.

“Do you think it will last long?” Rarity asked anxiously. “I mean, I have deadlines to meet! I can't afford setbacks slowing me down. This is my livelihood after all.”

“I'm not sure,” Twilight said. “But I think we need to ask the other unicorns in town and see how many, if any of them are having problems too. Maybe we can find a pattern or something and figure out what's going on.”

“But for it to affect you as well as that Discord, that's already two very different people having the same symptoms.” Rarity said as she led Twilight downstairs.

“Yeah, but maybe it's not really something to do with being a pony or a unicorn. Maybe it's because of something we've done in the past. Or maybe it's got something to do with the Elements of Harmony. Something that ties you, me and him together.”

“Hopefully you're right,” Rarity nodded. “Not that I like this at all, but at least we can find a way to reverse it, if there's a simple answer.”

“Exactly.” Twilight gave a determined nod. “We just need to go get pinkie Pie and then we'll have everypony covering the town.”

Rainbow Dash wasn't at home when Fluttershy and Discord knocked on her door, but it didn't take long to find her. She was above the park, clearing away several small rainclouds that had built up during the night.

“Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy, for lack of a better word, 'called' as she flew over.

“Oh hey, Fluttershy,” Dash said as she bucked one of the few remaining clouds out of existence. “If you were sent here to help, I got it covered.”

“Um. No. No I'm actually here because of something else.” Fluttershy said as she followed behind her moving to the next cloud.

“Oh yeah?” Dash asked as she dealt with it. “What about?”

“Well, Twilight came to see me this morning about her magic,” Fluttershy went on, once again trailing after her friend as she moved again.

“Her magic? Why'd she see you?” Rainbow kicked at the newest cloud but instead of dissipating, it instead grabbed hold of her hoof and clung to it as if she'd just tried to kick wallpaper glue. She gave a startled cry, flapping her wings wildly to try and stay airborne.

Fluttershy frowned as she addressed the immediate area. “Discord!”

“I do apologise.” He replied, a zipper opening itself up in mid-air for him to appear out of. “It was just too big a temptation.” He was trying hard not to burst out laughing.

“Figures!” Rainbow Dash snapped. “Get me outta this thing will ya?!”

“Alright fine.” Discord sighed.

There was a short pause in which nothing happened.

“Well? Lemme go already!” Rainbow insisted, flailing helplessly.

“Hmm. Alright. One more try.” Discord said, his smile fading.

The sticky cloud made a pop before disappearing. Rainbow Dash only fell a couple of feet before she regained her lift and hovered in place.

“Very funny, Dingus!” She grumbled, shooting Discord a dirty look.

“I suppose.” He nodded in agreement. “However no less annoying. The sooner we get this fixed, the happier I'll be. It's really blocking my creative flow.”

“Fluttershy, what is he talking about?” Rainbow said irritably, waving a hoof at him as she turned to her friend.

“That's just it. Apparently Twilight and Discord are having problems with their magic.” Fluttershy answered calmly.

After a short explanation the three of them started heading in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

“Man that's gotta suck.” Rainbow said with sympathy. “Twilight not being able to do magic is like me losing my wings.” She gave Discord a small, stabbing glance over her shoulder. “I hope it's not serious.”

“I hope so too.” Fluttershy nodded. “I'm really worried it could be a magic flu or something.”

“My dear Fluttershy, I have not been ill a single day of my life and I don't plan to start now.” Discord added, ignoring Rainbow Dash. “Besides, I feel fine.”

“Well, if you've never been sick how would you know how it feels?” Rainbow gave him a cheeky grin.

“I've heard enough whining and complaining from sick ponies to get the general idea.” He said, sticking out his forked tongue. “It was always 'eeenh. My head hurts' or 'Uuuugh. I keep sneezing' or 'aaargh, One of my eyes fell out'. It got so repetitive I could almost sing along eventually.”

“Not that I think I'm gonna like the answer, but why exactly were sick ponies coming to you?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

“You forget, I ran this little dog and pony show for a while.” His face dropped into an annoyed scowl. “Until that uppity princess of yours and her sister decided to steal it.”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash came to an abrupt stop. “Don't go insulting the princess while I'm around, ok?!”

“I was merely stating a fact, Rainbow Dash.” He said with a wide smile, petting her on the head. “I was in charge, our esteemed regents showed up, and before I knew it I was 'fired' if you will.”

“I heard you made everypony in Equestria miserable!” Rainbow snapped, swatting at his paw.

“Oh dear... Um... Please... don't fight... ok?” Fluttershy squeaked.

“I made Equestria fun.” Discord said proudly. “Celestia and her sister made it boring.”

“They made it a place where ponies could actually live!” Rainbow yelled back, her temper rising.

“We really should keep going...” Fluttershy mumbled.

“So you say, but you weren't there, now were you?” He gave her a sly grin as he flapped his wings to get going again. “But by all means, take your Princess' word. I'm sure she's never made a mistake before.”

“You're a real creep, you know that?” Rainbow Dash snapped at him as she started moving again too.

“Such harsh language.” He said, feigning offence.

“Let's just say you two have different opinions and agree to disagree... ok?” Fluttershy tried carefully, putting herself between the two of them.

“Whatever,” Rainbow muttered to herself.

They flew in silence for a few minutes before Fluttershy spoke up again, turning to Discord.

“Your magic didn't work when you tried to get Rainbow Dash free of your cloud, did it?”

“Only for a moment.” He answered with a slight shrug.

“We better let Twilight know.” Rainbow Dash said seriously.

“Let's just tell the entire town, shall we?” Discord grumbled. “We could get a town crier and announce it to everypony! I'm sure they'd be overjoyed by the news. Why, they might throw me a parade!”

Rainbow Dash said nothing, but a spiteful smile spread across her face.

With all six ponies plus one draconequus asking around Ponyville, it didn't take long before all the unicorns were asked about their magic. Most gave the same story. Their magic was behaving strangely, usually in that it would choose random periods of time to just stop working, only to be fine a few minutes later. Despite some of the unicorns in town being annoyed or nervous about it, it didn't seem like anything serious had happened to anypony. However, despite identical symptoms, nothing else seemed to tie the ponies together. Whatever was affecting their magic was happening to both mares and stallions of all ages, and from every walk of life.

It was late in the afternoon, almost evening, when the little group met up at Twilight's library again.

“Ugh! I don't get it!” Twilight groaned. “Every unicorn in town has had a problem of some kind and yet nothing's causing it!”

“Well, it's gotta be something. Things don't just happen for no reason.” Rainbow Dash added from her own spot in the main room.

“Are you sure it's not a magic flu or something, maybe?” Fluttershy asked.

“If it was it'd be very weird for everypony in the entire town to all get sick at once.” Twilight shook her head. “And then there's Discord. How exactly does a magic flu affect both ponies and a.... whatever at the exact same time?”

Discord, who had made himself comfortable leaning against the staircase wall raised a bored eyebrow at Twilight. The group had all found various spots in the room on cushions and throw pillows, tired out from walking and flying the entire length and breadth of the town. With no answers and only a better idea of how wide-scale the problem was everypony was feeling irritable and on edge. Spike, who'd noticed this as soon as they'd walked in, was doing his best to dose any serious temper flares with a lot of tea, juice or whatever else he could find on hand to offer them.

“Perhaps there's a natural cause for it.” Rarity added. Her anxiety had grown dramatically throughout the day.

“I don't know.” Twilight shook her head again. “I don't think there's a stellar alignment or anything that'd cause this.”

“And there's no way the weather team would let something like this happen if they knew about it.” Rainbow Dash added confidently.

“As far as weird natural things go, ain't nothin' wrong' with any of my animals or crops.” Applejack said. “Might sound funny, but if there's something' strange happenin' nature wise they're the first ta let you know about it.”

“I don't think I have a 'weird nature thingy' twitch. But if there was something weirdo like that happening, I'd probably find a way to have one.” Pinkie said enthusiastically. “I also haven't had any 'magic flu' twitches, 'Magic-draining spells' twitches, or 'magic-vampires' twitches.”

“Magic vampires?” Spike, tray with refills firmly clasped in his claws, froze in place. “There are magic vampires?!”

“I don't know.” Pinkie shrugged. “But if there were I'd definitely have a twitch for that! Or at least a shake. Or maybe a wobble!”

“The point is, if it's something happening naturally we'd probably be able to figure it out a lot easier.” Twilight interrupted.

“So there's no magic vampires?” Spike asked, a serious frown on his face. “Don't say 'no' unless you mean it! I really don't wanna go to bed thinking I'm safe only to wake up to one hovering over me in my sleep.”

“Why would a magic vampire be tryin' ta attack you?” Applejack frowned at him.

“As the resident dragon, I'm the most magically charged person in this town.” Spike puffed out his chest proudly. “Just because I can't do magic doesn't mean I don't have magic.”

“There's no such thing as magic vampires, Spike.” Twilight sighed. “At least, not in the way you're thinking.”

“Wait... what's that supposed to mean?” Spike set her with a hard stare as he handed Rarity her cup of tea.

“You do get some animals that feed on magic but they're very small and they live in deep caves. They don't attack ponies and they really don't steal as much magic to have this kind of effect on ponies!”

“So they're not gonna crawl into the library when I'm trying to sleep?” He said, to make sure.

“If there was something like that in Ponyville, I'm sure I would've seen it coming out of the forest.” Fluttershy said with a kind smile.

“If I may interrupt,” Discord spoke up, scratching at an ear with as much boredom as he could possibly gather, “you could always ask somepony with experience if something like this has ever happened before. Somepony a little older than yourselves perhaps?”

“Oh yeah?” Rainbow Dash scrunched her muzzle at him. “And who exactly do you think we should ask?”

“Well, I don't mean to brag,” He said as he stood up, fully intent on bragging, “but I am the oldest in this little countryside by... oh I'd say... at least two, maybe three thousand years?” He put his nose in the air. “You could ask if I've ever seen anything like this before. But then, far be it from me to instruct your eminent highness on how to handle these situations.” He said this last bit with a very exaggerated bow towards Twilight.

She shot him a very sour expression in return but nevertheless asked through clenched teeth, “Well? Have you ever seen something like this before?”

“No.” He grinned widely at her, flopping back down on his spot and crossing his arms behind his head. “Of course I can't tell you anything about the few thousand years I spent as stone. You'll have to ask our other eminent highnesses for info during that time period.”

Twilight gave a loud growl at this, glaring daggers at him.

“That may be a good idea.” Applejack said, causing everypony to snap their attention to her instead. “If anypony'd know what in the hay is s'pose to be happenin', it'd be the Princess. Maybe we should ask her if she knows anythin' about this?”

“I don't know.” Twilight bit her lip, calming down again. “If it is just a small magic flu or something I don't want her to think I couldn't handle it on my own.”

“But if it's not, then it might really be very serious!” Rarity added urgently, putting her cup of tea down. “And what if it gets even worse?! What if it's not just Ponyville?!”

“Calm down sugarcube.” Applejack reassured her as she seemed on the verge of hyperventilating.

“I think Celestia oughta know.” Rainbow Dash said. “Even if it is something small, maybe she's got like a reverse spell or something she can send you to fix it. At least she should know what's going on.”

“I agree.” Fluttershy nodded. “If it isn't anything serious she could give you some advice, and we shouldn't let the ponies in town worry so much about it.”

“I guess you guys have a point,” Twilight said in defeat. “I'll write her a letter and send it tonight. Hopefully you're right and it's something she knows how to deal with easily.”

“Well, not that this hasn't been an enthralling conversation,” Discord said, stretching himself out on the floor before standing up and cracking his spine into place, “But I'm all ponied out for the day. I'm heading home. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves but I need some sleep.” He turned and gave Fluttershy on his left a small bow. “My dear, I bid you good evening, and shall see you later.”

A hole opened itself up beside him on the floor, apparently to a dimension of green and purple spirals, which he stepped into before it popped in on itself with a small puff of confetti.

“Yeah well, good riddance.” Rainbow Dash grumbled, leaning her head on a hoof. “You were getting on my nerves.”

“That's not very nice Dash.” Fluttershy said, giving her a puppy-eyed stare.

Rainbow Dash sulked and mumbled something to herself, but didn't try to argue.

“We probably should all get to bed though.” Applejack said as she stood up. “Ain't worryin' gonna fix nothin'. Better wait ta hear what the princess says and take it from there.”

“Wouldn't it be funny if we stayed up all night trying to figure out how to fix this and the answer was to get lots of sleep?” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Gosh, wouldn't that be hilarious?”

“I wish it was that simple.” Twilight said as she stood up too. “But you're right Applejack. There's no point worrying about it if we can't fix it.”

“Well, keep us updated ok guys?” Rainbow Dash said to the two unicorns as they headed to the front door.

“You bet.” Twilight waved everypony goodbye. “And if you find anything let the rest of us know, ok girls? G'night.”

The others gave their goodbyes before splitting up in the various directions of home. After seeing them off Twilight immediately went to her desk to get a fresh scroll and quill. “Spike, we need to send a letter.”

“You got it.” He said, putting down the glasses he was collecting before trotting over. Taking the parchment and quill from her, he took his spot. “Fire when ready!”

Dear Princess Celestia

Lately there's something funny going in Ponyville. All the unicorns in town seem to be having problems with their magic. It keeps failing for short periods of time for apparently no reason. It's affecting everypony regardless of who they are and even seems to be happening to Discord. I don't know if you've ever seen anything like this. Do you have any advice on what to do or what could be causing it?

I hope you and Princess Luna are doing well

Your faithful Student
Twilight Sparkle

The next day rolled around without a reply. Twilight wondered if maybe Princess Celestia was busy with some official business or visiting an area of the kingdom that needed her attention. The magic problems had gotten worse overnight. Maybe it was just because their investigation yesterday had called attention to it, but more unicorns were complaining of being unable to do things properly. The other ponies in town, although not having any problems of their own, were becoming distracted as well. There were rumours that other symptoms that affected all ponies would start happening, although nothing had been reported to back that up. Apart from the rise of worried conversations in the street however, not much else changed in the small town. Some of the unicorns who were having a hard time completing their daily tasks asked their neighbours for help, but things seemed to at least still be functioning.

Another day passed and still there was no reply. Things got worse. If a unicorn's magic managed to do anything at all they were lucky. Concern was turning into paranoia and more than a few unicorn-owned stores had to close, simply because their owners couldn't do their day's work. Some ponies even came to knock on Twilight's door, asking for help. It was a nail in her heart every time she had to tell them she was waiting for a reply from the princess and to wait until then, sending them home.

On the morning of the third day things had reached their breaking point. Twilight called another meeting with her friends at her library and after they all arrived (and in Rarity's case, gotten something sweet to drink to calm her nerves,) they went straight to the topic at hoof.

“Still no word from the Princess?” Rainbow Dash asked the obvious first. She was pacing the length of the room irritably.

“No, nothing.” Twilight shook her head. “She should've gotten back to me ages ago! I don't know if she's maybe away from Canterlot or something, but even if that was the case Princess Luna should've gotten it and written back! But I haven't heard anything at all!”

“Have you tried sending a second one?” Rarity asked, her cup shaking between her hooves. Spike had sat himself next to her when he saw the state she was in and hadn't paid attention to anypony else.

“I sent another one this morning.” He said, giving Rarity a confident smile and a thumbs up. “Even if the first one got lost, and my letters never do, there's no way they can ignore a second one! Especially since it's from another princess, right Twilight?”

Twilight shifted, a little uncomfortable with the title. “I guess so. But yeah, the chances of two letters getting lost through Spike's flame isn't gonna happen. I don't think I've ever had one letter get lost. But we decided better safe than sorry.”

“I hope she gets it this time.” Applejack sighed. “Ponies are losin' their heads out there. If we don't get some kinda attention, this is gonna get ugly.”

“We'll take care of it before it gets too chaotic.” Twilight said determinedly. “Even if I have to do something myself, we'll keep things under control.”

Somewhere in the corner of the room Discord scoffed at this but said nothing. He was scowling to himself and scratching grooves into the wooden floor with his talons.

“Silly! You don't have to do anything by yourself!” Pinkie Pie smiled widely at Twilight.

“She's right.” Rarity nodded. “If we need to knock some sense into anypony's head we will do so together.”

“It's not just ponies though,” Fluttershy said, looking worried. “Some of the animals that I feed in the evening seem to be having a hard time too.”

“So?” Dash stopped her pacing. “What's that got to do with the magic loss thing?”

“Well,” Fluttershy started, thinking for a moment. “Some of the animals I feed live on the outskirts of the Everfree forest. Or at least they spend the day there. Some of the forest-deer's antlers are losing their leaves and it's still a long time before fall. And I haven't seen any salamanders with their fires burning since yesterday.”

“And that's... a bad thing?” Rainbow arched an eyebrow as she finally flopped down on a pillow.

“Salamanders are fire elementals.” Twilight explained. “And forest-deer are different from regular deer as their antlers correspond with the seasons. Both have a bit of elemental magic in them.”

“Right.” Fluttershy nodded. “But they haven't been looking very well for the past couple of days. I'm getting worried.”

“Great. So not just ponies and whatever's, but now we got the local wildlife going crazy too!” Rainbow sprung up again and resumed her pacing and she blew an irritable huff.

“Oh they're not going crazy. They're just-” Fluttershy's sentence got cut-off by a loud knock on the door.

Twilight sighed as she got up. “Just a sec everypony. It's probably another unicorn asking for help.”

The others watched sympathetically as she opened up, ready to once again give her apologies and send the pony away. The knocker greeted her with a furious glare, gritting her teeth and looking about ready to headbutt anypony who said the wrong thing to her.

Taken aback, Twilight had to think a moment before she spoke. “Hello, can I help you?”

“It'd be a nice change!” The furious mare snapped as she pushed passed her and marched into the library. The collected group frowned at her as Applejack got to her hooves and Rainbow Dash stopped pacing again.

The mare apparently didn't even notice them as she scanned the room for a second before he gaze homed in on Fluttershy and Discord. Her nostrils flared as she stomped over to them.

“You!!” She practically yelled.

“Um... er....” Fluttershy somehow managed to stand up while walking backwards at the same time. “Yes?”

“You and you!!” The mare's hoof snapped between her and Discord whose claw had frozen mid-gouge. “I can't take it anymore!! If nopony is going to confront you then I'll do it myself!!”

“Madam, I am certain we have no idea what you're talking about.” Discord said, his voice uncharacteristically icy.

The unicorn mare didn't so much as flinch. “You know exactly what I'm talking about!! I'm talking about this!!” She gestured at her own horn. “I'm talking about the entire town going haywire!! I'm talking about the last straw in this little game of yours!! Well I've had enough!! And so have all the other unicorns!!”

“Now wait just a second.” Twilight said, stepping in and focusing the intruder with a stern glare. “You can't just burst in here and start throwing accusations around!”

“It's not an accusation!! You know as well as anypony that that monster over there has caused nothing but trouble since he got here!!” She yelled back, once again waving a hoof at Discord who was watching her dispassionately, chin resting on a paw.

“Even if that's true, you can't just decide he's responsible for this!” Twilight raised her voice.

“If he really was the one causing all this, do you really think we'd let him get away with it?” Rainbow Dash added, walking over to give Twilight some back-up. Behind her, Rarity and Pinkie Pie got to their hooves too.

“Then you're all either blind or idiots!” The mare screamed back, her gaze flitting to Rainbow Dash for a moment before she turned her attention back to Discord. “How can you defend this this... Thing?! We've had every kind of plague you can imagine in the past few months and it always comes back to him!!”

“But it's not his fault this time.” Fluttershy said in a shaky yet firm tone. “Discord hasn't done anything that would really hurt us since he's moved here. And whatever's happening is happening to him too.”

“Oh of course you'd stick up for him!!” The mare gave a humourless laugh. “He's got you so wrapped around his finger he could get you to jump hoops for him! But I'm not so easily fooled and neither are the other unicorns!”

“That's not fair!” Pinkie Pie yelled. “Everypony knows Fluttershy isn't good at jumping hoops! You don't have any right to make fun of her like that!!”

“And she's not lying either.” Twilight added. “Now please, I know this is stressful for all of us, but you're not gonna help anything by starting fights. I must insist that you leave.”

“You mark my words, I'm not through with you!” The unicorn mare screamed back as she turned to go. “You can kick me out if you want but I'm not the only unicorn in town!! If this doesn't get fixed it won't be the Library we'll come to visit!! And you can't hide in that little cottage forever you spineless, cowardly-”

“I believe,” Discord interrupted her tirade as he uncurled and stood himself up to his full height, “that you were asked to leave.” His eyes locked onto hers “And I would not finish that sentence, if I were you.”

The mare made a noise in the back of her throat as she glared at him but she said nothing. An icy silence hung in the room for a moment before she turned and marched out, slamming the door behind her so hard it swung open again. They could see her meet up with two other unicorns at the end of the path and a heated conversation start as they walked away.

“Charming lady.” Discord said as he lay down cat-like on the floor, suddenly looking completely bored by the whole situation. “You know, I'm starting to understand why Celestia wanted me here of all places. I've yet to find one sane pony in this town.”

“Ya reckon she'll be back?” Applejack asked Twilight as they watched her disappear.

“Definitely.” Twilight said grimly, closing the door.

“We need to do something, and fast.” Rarity said with a relieved sigh as she sat back down, pulling her cup closer and taking a deep drink from it.

“I can fly to Canterlot if you guys want.” Rainbow Dash suddenly spoke up. “It'll probably take two days but I can make it there and see what's going on.”

“Hmm... Maybe.” Twilight said as she returned to her seat.

“Are you kidding?” Dash shot her a proud grin before getting herself in a stance, pawing at the ground eagerly. “I hardly ever get to do cross-country flies! It'd be a good endurance test!”

Twilight nodded but still didn't look completely convinced. “We're running out of options, and I know you can get there faster than anypony else. But I'm worried we might need you here in case anything happens.”

“Like what?” Fluttershy asked.

“I don't know.” Twilight pulled a face to herself. “I just have a bad feeling...”

There was another knock on the door.

“Not again.” Applejack stood up and marched over to the door. Behind her, Discord pushed himself to his feet.

“Look we told ya...!” Applejack started as she swung the door open. She swallowed the rest of her sentence when the knocker took several steps backwards in shock.

“Oh...” Applejack smiled sheepishly, clearing the doorway. “Erm... Twilight you're er.... you've got some mail.”

“Oh?” Twilight walked over, blinking at the startled mail-mare. “Sorry about that. Is there something for me?”

“Uh...Uh-huh!” The pegasus mare nodded hurriedly, digging in her sling-back and holding an envelope out at foreleg's length with a nervous smile. “It's from Canterlot. Mail system's outta whack so it's a little late. Sorry 'bout that.”

Twilight took the letter with a frown, looking it over. “Canterlot?”

“Your parents maybe?” Applejack suggested.

Twilight shook her head. “No, it's too fancy looking.”

“Erm... can I go?” The mail-mare shifted nervously in place.

“Yeah yeah. Thanks for the mail.” Applejack shooed her as Twilight turned to open the letter. The rest of the room closed in on her curiously.

She read the letter through with a frown before pulling back with wide eyes. “Uh oh.”

“Well? What is it?!” Pinkie bounced up and down at the back of the group eagerly. “What's it say?!”

“It's from Princess Celestia.” Twilight said, looking up at the rest of them.

To my most Faithful Student

Communications are difficult at the moment, but from what I have been able to hear it seems that all of Equestria is having serious difficulties in the areas of magic. I am unsure if this has happened in Ponyville or not. I have been trying to get in contact with you through your assistant Spike, but I have not had a reply in some time and so have sent this through the regular mailing system, hoping it will reach you.

I ask that you and the other bearers of Harmony have an audience with me at the Canterlot Palace as soon as physically possible. I need your help in this matter. The railway systems are still running at the time of my writing this and should be the most reliable way of travelling during this time.

Please heed my call and I await your arrival.

Sincerely
Princess Celestia of the Kingdom of Equestria.

Canterlot

View Online

Chapter 4

The train pushed forward through the rolling hills, tamed forests and stretches of open pasture of the Equestrian landscape. With the rather bizarre choice by the train's original engineers of using steam power rather than magic, it was unaffected by the epidemic and ran on schedule, as always. Twilight and her group of friends had a car to themselves as they made the trip towards Canterlot.

“I always found these hulking machines to be rather crude, but thank heavens somepony out there was more open-minded than I am.” Rarity said from her seat. “I have no idea how we would have gotten to Canterlot without it.”

“We would've figured somethin' out,” Applejack said, her eyes glued to the passing landscape outside the window, “Just 'cause you don't got any magic doesn't mean ya can't do nothin'.”

“Well yes. I never meant to insinuate...” Rarity blushed at her friend.

“It's alright, Sugarcube.” Applejack gave her a smile. “I know what ya meant.”

“I really hope the Princess is ok.” Twilight mumbled, mostly to herself.

“Why shouldn't she be?” Rainbow Dash looked up from her book to frown at her.

“I don't know,” Twilight shook her head. “I was just thinking; if Ponyville is going crazy without magic how do you think a big city like Canterlot is handling the situation?”

“Yeah, but Canterlot has royal guards and stuff.” Rainbow grinned. “Now way they'd take any flack from ponies trying to make trouble! You'll see. I bet the Princess has things perfectly in control.”

Twilight smiled, “Yeah, you're probably right.”

“I hope they're not being too hard on everypony.” Fluttershy said with concern. “I mean, yes it's important to stay calm, but they're probably scared and confused. It's not like they're trying to be mean on purpose.”

“I'm sure they're fine.” Rainbow scoffed.

“What I don't get is what the Princess thinks the Elements of Harmony will be able to do in this situation.” Twilight sighed. “I've re-read all the books I could find on them and none of 'em say anything about strengthening or healing magic. They just talk about Celestia and Luna using the elements to build Equestria and stuff.”

“She probably found out there's a bad-guy doing all of this and wants us to go blast him!” Pinkie Pie said. “Or maybe there's some super special spell she needs us to do to fix it! Like how we made Twilight an alicorn!”

“That was more the Princess' doing than anything else.” Twilight said absently, still thinking it over.

“She might be right though.” Applejack said. “I'm guessin' there's some kinda trick she wants us to do to fix this whole mess.”

“Maybe.” Twilight said.

“I hope it won't take long,” Fluttershy said. “I don't like leaving my animals alone for too long. They get a bit rowdy if you don't give them some rules and structure.”

“You mean you don't want to leave them alone with Discord for too long.” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Can't say I blame you.”

Fluttershy shook her head. “No, that's not it. I have perfect confidence in him behaving himself while I'm gone.”

“Yeah well, hope springs eternal I guess.” Applejack sighed.

“I find her faith in me quite becoming.” Discord's head popped itself out of Fluttershy's saddlebag, completely ignoring physics saying he was too big to fit in it.

Shrieks of surprise came from each pony in the car, Fluttershy tumbling off her seat to the floor.

“Discord!” Twilight yelled, half in surprise and half in anger. “What in Equestria are you doing here?!”

“I thought I'd tag along, see how the old place is doing without me,” He said as he pulled free of the bag before dusting himself off, “And our dear sovereigns as well of course.”

“How the heck did you fit in there?!” Rainbow snapped, inspecting the saddlebag. “Did your magic conveniently decide to work or something?”

“If only.” He sighed dramatically as he sat himself on Flttershy's bench, crossing his legs and picking her up off the ground by the tail before setting her upside down beside him. “It took me almost two hours last night to get the damn spell to do what I wanted to. However, I just knew I couldn't resist the look of joy on your faces when you found me coming along.”

The group scowled at him.

“What about my animals?” Fluttershy said as she rolled herself the right-way-up again. “You didn't just leave them did you?”

“As big as the temptation was to set them free to stampede the town, I asked Rainbow Dash to look after them in exchange for some rubies.”

“Huh?” Rainbow Dash pulled a face at him. “Ok look, I know it's your job and all but you're making less sense than usual. I'm right here! And you sure as heck didn't give me anything!”

He waved a paw at her. “Not you. The other Rainbow Dash. Small guy? Purple Scales? Breathes fire but never actually uses it for anything fun?”

“You mean Spike?” Twilight blinked.

“Yes, that's the one.” He nodded. “The new Rainbow Dash as you call him.”

“Twilight, what is he talking about?” Rainbow Grumbled.

Twilight gave a sheepish laugh. “I'll er... explain later.”

“The point is, your menagerie is taken care of, my dear.” Discord said, addressing Fluttershy.

She smiled back, satisfied. “Oh good.”

“We can't turn around and send him home can we?” Applejack said, getting up from her seat.

“We're already halfway there.” Twilight said. “Besides, the princess is expecting us as quickly as possible. I guess he'll.... just have to come along.”

“Splendid!” Discord gave a small applause. “I do admit, I did not look forward to being lynched by the townsponies while you six were gone.”

“I guess that's a good point too.” Rarity sighed. “He can't really do much damage without any magic, and it's probably better he's with us where we can keep an eye on him.” She gave him a look as if he was a grease stain on her favourite dress. “I am sure as long as we are all civilised it won't be a complete disaster.”

“Oh well of course, fair Rarity.” He said with mock charm. “There's no better place for Sophistication and Civilised living than Canterlot, after all.”

“Ooh! We should ask Discord if he knows why the Princess wants to see us!” Pinkie said suddenly, bouncing on her seat. “Do ya? Why's the Princess asking us to see us, huh? Can the Elements of Harmony really fix all of this and make Twilight and Rarity better?”

“I haven't the slightest idea.” He answered. “Apart from the Glowing Rainbow of Death I know very little about those accursed things.”

“And you're tellin' the truth right?” Applejack eyed him.

“He probably is,” Twilight answered for him. “From what I've read, Celestia and Luna found the Elements of Harmony while Discord was ruling the country and then immediately used them to turn him to stone. Not much chance of him learning anything after that.”

“What about before?” Pinkie said, turning to grin at him. “Did you know anything about the Elements before Celestia blasted you with them?”

“I really wish you wouldn't use the word 'blast'.” He pulled a face at her before thinking it over. “I'm not sure. I think there's something about them from a long time ago, but it could be about something else.” He shrugged, sitting back and crossing his arms behind his head. “Probably wasn't that important if I can't remember.”

“Well you're a lot of help.” Rainbow snorted.

“Maybe if you give it some time you'll remember later.” Fluttershy said with a soft smile.

“Doubt it.” Rainbow mumbled as she and Discord glared at each other across the car.

“I hope the city is operating normally enough for us to get some shopping done while we're there.” Rarity changed the topic with a sigh. “Do you remember you promised to show me that quaint coffee house the next time we visited?”

“Yeah I remember.” Twilight nodded. “I don't know if they'll be open during all of this, but if we have time we can check.”

“I wonder if the Wonderbolts are gonna cancel their upcoming show.” Rainbow pulled a face to herself. “I hope not! It'd be kinda dumb right? It's not like they use magic or anything. And ponies could use the distraction!”

“Don't they have unicorns running the safety crew and stuff?” Applejack said. She'd heard enough Wonderbolt rambling to know more about their shows than any earth pony farmer ever should.

“Most of the crew are pegasi.” Rainbow said. “They used to only do shows in Cloudsdale and they kinda just took their crew with them when they started touring other cities. I don't know about the ponies running the venues they use though.”

The topic drifted to various other things the group wanted to see and do while in the Capital. After a while it turned to wondering where they were going to spend the night and if they were gonna get their own wing in the palace again. Eventually the conversation petered out completely and each pony focused on passing the time in their own way. Either by reading, watching the scenery go by or trying to catch a small nap.

Discord was fidgeting in his seat. He was trying his hardest to get his mind focused on something to pass the time but it wasn't working. All he could think about was what kind of reaction he'd get from the ponies on the train if he turned all the cars into different kinds of fruit, or maybe how long it would take before some of them noticed he'd switched their eye-colours. There were a thousand things he felt would be hilarious or get some priceless reactions that he was currently unable to do. He hadn't been lying about the saddlebag. He had spent a ridiculous amount of time, repeating the same spell over and over again to get reality warped enough where he could ride in a bag physically too small for him.

He could almost feel his powers seeping out of him. The confident, swirling sensation of having reality at his very claw-tips to do with whatever he wanted was weakening. Instead he could feel hesitation, frustration and a deep hollowness inside him. And the more he was aware of his power failing him, the more things he thought of that would be fun to do to the world at large.

His leg twitched listlessly as he stared out the window, bored out of his skull.

“Hey Discord!” Pinkie's voice cut through his thoughts like a buzz-saw. He pushed himself up a little straighter and gave a yawn in her direction.

“D'you know how to play Eye-Spy?” She gave him one of her widest grins.

“I believe I am familiar.” he said flatly, resting his chin in a paw.

“D'you wanna play?”

“Not really, no.” He rolled his eyes. “I'm all for games, but they do have to have at least some form of creativity to them.”

“What about charades?” She said, grin never wavering.

“Oh no. I'm no good at charades.” Rarity spoke up. Discord noticed that, despite Pinkie talking to him, the other ponies all seemed to have looked up to include themselves in the conversation.

“Hmmm.” Pinkie thought for a moment, rubbing her chin with a hoof before breaking into her grin again. “Oh I know! We should tell riddles!”

“D'you even know any riddles we haven't heard a thousand times?” Applejack asked although the question appeared to be an honest one and not a jibe at her friend.

“I know plenty of riddles!” She answered enthusiastically. “And no telling riddles we've heard before!”

“I'm game.” Discord said, lying himself down on the bed-like seat of the train, his forelegs crossed over each other as he gave Pinkie a grin in return.

“Great! I'll go first!” Pinkie somehow managed to get her smile even wider. She thought for a moment before reciting enthusiastically; “In a one-story pink house, there was a pink pony, a pink cat, a pink fish, a pink chair, a pink table, a pink bathtub, a pink shower– everything was pink!
What colour were the stairs?”

“Are you serious?” Rainbow grinned at her with a frown. “You just said everything was pink! So that's gotta go for the stairs too.”

“Nope!” Pinkie smiled at her happily. “It's a One-story house! There are no stairs!” She proceeded to burst into a fit of giggles over this, rolling onto her back as she clutched her stomach.

“Ok, I see how it goes.” Applejack smirked. “So, what can ya catch but not throw?”

It didn't take long for the small group to get wrapped up in the game and soon scores came into it as Rainbow Dash insisted on knowing who was winning. Each time a pony guessed a riddle correctly it was up to her to then tell the next one. So far Pinkie was in the lead with twilight not too far behind her. Discord sat silently in his spot, watching answers get thrown back and forth between the group and grinning to himself. As the game started getting into its final stretches, Twilight's turn came around again.

She thought for a moment, smiling to herself before she said; “What's black and white and red all over?”

“A blushing penguin!” Pinkie answered almost immediately.

“I don't think penguins can blush.” Fluttershy said softly.

“A sunburned skunk.” Applejack tried when Twilight shook her head.

“Nu uh.” She grinned, clearly proud of herself.

“It's a newspaper.” Discord suddenly spoke up.

There was a small pause as everypony turned to stare at him. It almost seemed as if they'd forgotten he was still there. After a while Twilight grumbled. “Right.”

“My turn then.” He grinned widely.

“It's gotta be something that actually makes sense and has an answer!” Rainbow quickly interrupted. “You can't just make up nonsense, ok?”

“Oh yes, of course.” He nodded. “What do you take me for?”

“Do you really want me to tell you?” Rainbow mumbled but a sharp glance from Applejack silenced her.

“So...” Discord cleared his throat before staring down the small group. “I am the beginning of sorrow, and the end of sickness. You cannot express happiness without me, yet I am in the midst of crosses. I am always in risk, yet never in danger. You may find me in the sun, but I am never out of darkness.”

There was a long, drawn out pause during which the other ponies exchanged glances. Discord shifted deeper into the seat, watching them with obvious enjoyment.

“I'm... not really sure I want to know what the answer is.” Mumbled Rarity.

“If you forfeit I get the point anyway,” Discord smiled toothily at her, “And I get to go again.”

“Is it a graveyard or something?” Rainbow Scrunched her muzzle. “Something creepy like that I'll bet.”

“Not even close.” He said, putting his nose in the air.

“Is it even a thing we'd know about?” Applejack asked suspiciously. “Ya ain't talkin' 'bout a storybook monster we've never heard of are ya?”

“I assure you, you are familiar with the answer.” Discord said, still sneering at the group as they struggled.

“Well I certainly have no idea.” Rarity said, as if she suddenly found the entire game silly. “I have no shame in admitting defeat.”

“Heck no!” Rainbow Dash snapped at her. “No way I'm just giving up!” She rubbed her temples with her forehooves but didn't seem to be able to come up with an answer.

As silence started to drag out in the car the whistle sounded off and the train started to slow down. One of the train attendant’s heads poked into the car.

“Canterlot Station ladies. Make sure you've got all your belongings.”

“Great, maybe now we can find out what's going on.” Twilight said, standing up immediately to get her saddlebags.

The others followed her lead, quickly scrambling to gather their bags before trotting in the direction of the exit. Discord slid his way past them, giving Twilight a side-ways glance as he passed her.

“Incidentally, the answer was 'the letter S'.”

He flapped his wings once to overtake her and stretch himself out once he was in the outside air again. Twilight pulled a face, mostly at failing to figure out such a misleadingly simple answer. She didn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd outwitted her though.

Canterlot Palace was a short walk from the train station. It'd been designed so that dignitaries didn't have far to go when visiting the Princesses. Unfortunately this meant the small group failed to see much of the city itself. Twilight in particular was anxious to see if the city was noticeably different to how she knew it. The road to the palace was mostly the more scenic route, avoiding the inner city. However from what she could see on the faces of passing ponies and the occasional royal guard, things seemed at least to still be functioning. She didn't miss the increased tension in the air though. There were a lot of worried faces.

Entering the land officially belonging to the palace and approaching the formidable doors leading to the entrance lobby, Discord broke away from the group.

“Do you mind if I do some nosing around while you handle all the formalities?” He sad as he began to leave, not bothering to wait for permission. “I want to make sure they're keeping my pedestal in good condition. See if good old Celestia has turned anypony else to stone to fill up the empty space.”

“You're not gonna go cause trouble right?” Twilight frowned at him.

He made a dismissive noise at her, waving a paw in her direction. “Perish the thought! I just want to do a little sightseeing. Same as anypony else!”

“Oh, let him go Twilight.” Fluttershy reassured her. “I'm sure he'll be well behaved. Won't you Discord?”

“If I could make a halo at this moment I would.” He smiled innocently, putting on what he thought of as his most trustworthy expression.

“Ugh. Fine.” Twilight groaned. "But don't expect us to come save you if you anger any of the guards.

“I wouldn't expect you to.” He said as he trotted off in the direction of the Palace's maze.

“Ya sure that's the best idea Sugarcube?” Applejack said as the palace doors slowly swung open to receive them.

“Of course.” Fluttershy nodded.

“Well.... ok then.” Applejack didn't sound so sure but the subject was dropped as they were met by one of the palace guards.

He led them through the cavernous hallways to the throne room, although why wasn't really clear. All six ponies had been to the palace multiple times and at the very last, knew where the throne room was. On top of that, Twilight knew the entire layout of the palace pretty much off by heart, having spent most of her childhood inside its walls.

'Maybe things really aren't as in control as it seemed.'She fretted silently as they walked. Then again, maybe the guy leading them was new and might not have known who they were. This, however, seemed unlikely. Swallowing her anxiety, Twilight Sparkle focused on getting to Celestia and finally having the answers she came here for.

The throne room looked the same as it had every time they'd been there before. Sunlight poured in through the high-arched windows, dotting the hall with a multitude of different colours.

Celestia, Princess of all Equestria, was seated regally on her throne, the way Twilight had seen her throughout her life. The mere symbolic image of the Princess eased her nerves slightly. She was currently talking to what Twilight recognised as one of the palace advisors who was trying to carry a rather large assortment of scrolls in his forelegs. Twilight's gaze drifted to his head for a second, confirming her suspicion that the stallion was a unicorn. He was flanked by princess Luna, who was listening intently, looking back and forth between the advisor and her sister. As the guard led Twilight and her friends closer though, something nagged her at the back of her mind that something seemed off. It was only when they got closer did she realise what it was.

“Your Highnesses, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends have arrived.” The guard who'd escorted them announced with a bow.

“Thank you, you may return to your post.” She answered as she turned to greet Twilight with a welcoming smile.

“I'll go over these again and speak to your Highnesses later this evening.” The advisor said as his gaze fell over the six ponies. He wrestled his scrolls together and awkwardly trotted out the room. Princess Luna watched him go, a soft frown of concern on her face.

“I am glad you and your friends could make it so soon my dear Twilight.” Princess Celestia stood from her throne, descending the small staircase to stand in front of them. “My apologies for the disobliging communications between us, lately. Things have been... difficult.”

“Not at all Princess.” Twilight said as she and her friends gave her a bow before doing away with the formalities. “How's Canterlot doing? Is everything ok over here? Are you and Princess Luna alright?”

“We are fine, for the time being.” Princess Luna said as she came to join Celestia. “Although We've been feeling this magic epidemic as much as everypony else. Obviously.”

Her gaze drifted to each pony individually, as if sizing them up. He sky-blue fringe had been brushed aside, her mane hanging around her shoulders loosely. Princess Celestia wasn't much different. Her normally flowing hair fell across one of her shoulders with a light curl. Its usual chrome of colours replace by a single shade of light pink. It felt... strange to Twilight. Seeing her like that. In her mind she told herself it was just a physical change and there wasn't really anything dangerous and upsetting about it, but her subconscious and her nerves were telling her differently.

“What's happening Princess?” Rainbow Dash went straight to the topic at hoof. “What's going on out there? Every unicorn in Ponyville's lost their magic! It's going crazy!”

“Not just the unicorns, but the animals in the Everfree forest too.” Fluttershy added from somewhere behind her hair.

“Did you want us to come and beat up a bad guy who's doing all this?” Pinkie said as she growled at the room around them, as if expecting the culprit to jump out from behind a pillar.

“I'm afraid the answer to all of this isn't so easy.” Celestia said once everypony had settled down again. “To answer your first question, I don't know who is doing this. I've had patrols comb the entire city trying to find any suspicious activity or hear any rumours of strange ponies or other creatures appearing recently. So far they've come up with nothing.”

“At first we thought perhaps this was merely happening within the city walls,” Luna added. “But news has been filtering in from other towns and cities complaining of similar problems.”

“So you think it isn't coming from inside Canterlot?” Twilight asked.

“Although I do not want to rule out the possibility, I suspect whatever is causing the magic loss is coming from elsewhere, yes.” Celestia nodded.

“But what could even cause this?!” Rarity said. “What in Equestria could cause us to lose our magic?! And even effect your Royal Highnesses?!”

“We've had Our scholars and researchers scour the Canterlot library for some kind of explanation.” Luna answered. “Unfortunately this is a peculiar situation. We do not remember anything like this happening in all Our years as Princessess.”

“So... ya don't have any idea?” Applejack said with dismay.

“Perhaps not, but I think we may have found a starting point at least.” Celestia said.

She turned and walked to her throne again, removing a book from her arm-rest and bringing it over to Twilight. She set it down in front of her to see. The book itself didn't look too old, at least not in comparison to some of the books Twilight herself had read in the royal library. The leather that it was bound in was still in good condition and the gold lettering on it was clear and still had shine to it. It wasn't really what she was expecting from something that could give them some answers.

“'Keepers of the Alternative Powers. A study of the Cults of the Arcane Powers in Equestria. By Ogham Augur.”

“So, what's it all about?” Rainbow looked up after Twilight had read the cover out loud. “Is there like some group of crazies doing this?”

“Do you want us to go zap them?!” Pinkie said, bouncing enthusiastically in place.

“Not quite.” Celestia said. “The author of this book, Ogham Augur, is the leading researcher in the field of occult studies. He is the expert's expert on the subjects of peculiar cults, rituals and alternative worship within Equestria. If there is perhaps some connection there to what is currently happening to Equestria, he would be the pony to know.”

“So what does he say?” Rarity asked.

“That is where things get troublesome.” Celestia sighed. “Ogham has long ago left Canterlot. After he retired from his official duties as a palace scholar he moved to a town to the north of the Canterlot mountains. We have been trying to reach him since these events started but so far none of my usual methods of contacting him have been successful. Not even the simple mail has been able to reach him, possibly due to the confusion happening everywhere. Which is why I have called upon you six.”

“Us?” Rainbow stared at her. “You want us to go knock on his door and ask if he's got any info for us? Sure, no problem!”

“But why did ya need all six of us for that? ...Beggin' yer perdon Princess.” Applejack interrupted her eager friend.

“I have asked you here to give you a mission as the bearers of the elements of harmony.” Celestia said as she straightened again, regaining some of her more regal posture. “I need the six of you to travel to Ogham's home in the town of Coltchester and ask him if he has any information that could lead us to solving this situation. If he is able to give some insight on this, then I ask that you follow his lead, track down the source of this and find a way to resolve it.”

“Shouldn't we let you know what we find out first?” Twilight asked.

“I feel the longer we wait, the worse this situation may become. Coltchester is already a far distance to travel and to return only to set out again could cost us time we may not have.” Her expression softened. “I realise I ask a lot of you in what is already an alarming and confusing time, but I have confidence in Ogham's knowledge, as I have confidence in your ability to reverse this blight.”

“If this is the work of a cult, magic gone awry or a sinister plot, the Elements of Harmony will be Our best weapon and defense against it.” Luna added. “And as my sister and I can no longer use Our power, it will be your task to reverse this and help Us restore Equestria.”

Twilight took a deep breath as she processed this but gave a firm nod in response.

“We won't let you down Princesses!” Rainbow added with confidence.

“Woo hoo! Road trip!” Pinkie cheered.

“I do hate to be the voice of reason... really, I do.... but aren't there a few holes in this little plan of yours, Celestia?” A voice echoed around the tall throne room.

“Discord. I was not aware you were her too.” Celestia said with a neutral tone.

Discord was hanging halfway into the throne room through one of the highest windows. It was opened inwards by a small fraction and he'd stuck his torso through it to watch the ponies below him. Once he was discovered he slid the rest of the way in and flew down to stand in front of the Princesses.

“It's been a while, Celestia. Love the new look. It takes about a thousand years off your face.” He said, although whether he was being sarcastic or not was unclear. “Now, I'm not saying that finding this bookworm of yours and going on a little adventure is really a bad idea, but how is your precious student suppose to take care of herself in the cold, unforgiving wilderness without any magic?”

“You forget snaggletooth; we're going with her!” Rainbow said, buzzing right up to him to poke him in the chest. “So what if she can't do magic right now? I've never had magic and it's never slowed me down! And with six of us there's nothing that can get in our way for long!”

“And I'm not just some student whose never left home before.” Twilight added with a frown. “There's more to me than just magic you know!”

“You don't need to explain yourselves to him.” Luna said, any icy bite to her voice as she stared down her muzzle at the trickster in front of her. “My sister is the one who trusts you unfalteringly, and therefore so do I. His opinion shouldn't be given much weight.”

“Maybe you're right, sweet Luna.” Discord snaked his way over to her, putting a finger under her chin. “However, I am curious as to why your sister would send children to do this so-called important mission and not you.”

“We are needed here.” Luna snapped, twisting herself away from him. “Keeping the ponies of Equestria safe and taking care of their fears is our task. Even if we were to ask somepony else, they would not be able to bring them the security they need right now.”

“Are you concerned there's something too dangerous for them to face alone?” Celestia interrupted. Twilight turned to stare at her but she was using her diplomatic face, not a single flicker betrayed her emotions or intent behind the question.

Discord immediately backed off at this and flapped his way back over to the small group on his back lazily.

“I was just curious as to how you expected them to do anything with that magic jewelry of theirs. After all, isn't the point of this little exercise to get magic working again? Although I suppose watching them try and realise this little fact on their own might've been worth it.”

“Shows what you know.” Twilight tore her attention away from Celestia to glare at him instead. “The elements of harmony don't get their power the same way unicorns, salamanders and whatever the heck you are do!” She puffed her chest out proudly, a slight smirk on her face. “The elements get their power from our friendship! Even if there was no magic left in Equestria at all, as long as we stick together the elements will shine just as brightly as they always do!”

The other five ponies punctuated the little speech with various cheers and calls of agreement. Discord stuck his forked tongue out as far as he could.

“I think I am literally going to be sick. But fine! Fine! If that is how you believe the elements work I won't rain all over your little self-congratulatory party. Not that I thought anypony would listen to my sage advice in the first place. By all means, go and find your scholar and track down your answers.”

“You know we will.” Twilight stared him down. Discord shrugged in response but didn't argue back.

“Are you having magical disruptions too, Discord?” Celestia asked. Still staring with the same passive, unassuming tone of voice, although her eyes bore into him.

“We did just go over the whole 'magic everywhere is going down the drain' didn't we?” He rolled his eyes at her, crossing his arms.

“And yet climbing into a tiny bag didn't seem too hard for you.” Rainbow Dash remarked, giving him a slightly malicious smile.

Celestia said nothing for a moment, her eyes still locked onto Discord. She seemed to be thinking to herself. Luna watched her silently, frowning to herself as she waited to hear what was going through her sister's head. Discord on the other hand ignored her stare, leaning against his own tail as he sulked. After a moment Celestia seemed to come to a decision.

“I feel it might be in everypony's best interest if you went with them, Discord.”

The cry of “What?!” echoed all around the room as the other ponies gawked at her in disbelief.

“Are you serious?!” Rainbow said, throwing her fore-hooves out. “Princess this guy's gonna drive us insane! He's just gonna make our lives difficult and give us even more problems than we already have!”

“Not to mention he's extremely uncouth and lacks any sort of manners!” Rarity added.

“Ain't there something better he could be doin' durin all of this?” Applejack said with more level-headedness than her friends.

“Your votes of confidence are overwhelming.” Discord remarked flatly, although there was a hint of a grin on his face.

“Sister, I must ask what you presume he can contribute to all of this?” Luna asked skeptically, although she didn't seem as against the idea as the six ponies in front of them.

“Discord is older than all of us,” Celestia rose her voice slightly, speaking formally to the group. “Although he has been imprisoned for millennia, he understands the dangers of Equestria's wilds, and he has travelled the land far more than Twilight and her friends have had the time for. He would be a valuable asset as a travelling companion and, should the need arrive, perhaps his insight on Ogham's information could be useful, coming from a different perspective. It would be wasteful to have him remain in Ponyville or even at the Canterlot palace.” She relaxed her shoulders again, speaking more naturally. “I wouldn't suggest it if I felt he'd only be a burden.”

The ponies shifted in place, a few of them looking slightly embarrassed. For the most part they still seemed unhappy with the idea.

“Hmmm. See the sights? Take a vacation from the dreadfully boring countryside to see the dangerous and wild countryside? Potentially get into some fights with crazy cultists? Celestia, I do believe you know me better than I had anticipated!” Discord grinned at her widely. He seemed honestly excited at the prospect.

Celestia gave the small group a nod and that seemed to be the end of the matter. “I am afraid we will have to do some catching up a little later. There is much Luna and I need to attend to at the moment. But please, make yourselves comfortable. I have arranged the west wing be prepared for you. I don't intend to kick you out and send you back to Ponyville immediately.” she said this last part with a more playful smile.

“Thank you Princess.” Twilight gave a smile and a small bow in return. “We'll start figuring out a plan of action.”

And with that, the meeting appeared to be over. The ponies plus one Discord left the throne room, muttering amongst themselves about the new information. Celestia watched their backs until they exited and the doors were closed behind them. After they were gone Luna walked to stand closer to her.

“You didn't want to tell them the real reason you wanted him with them? She asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.

Celestia gave a weary sigh. “I didn't want them to think I had any doubts about either this plan or their abilities.”

“But you are worried about them?”

Celestia was silent for a moment before a soft, private, “Yes.”

“We will overcome this sister.” Luna said, more gently.

“I'm not worried about them failing,” She said as she turned back to her throne, “But... I am worried about their safety.” She gave Luna sheepish smile over her shoulder. “Is that silly of me?”

“Maybe.” Luna said as she followed her. “But then you have always been mother-hen type.”

“And you've always been the blunt type.” Celestia laughed softly as she returned to her seat. One of the Canterlot scholars was shown in, carrying a book almost the same size as he was on his back.

a Strange Evening

View Online

Chapter 5

Celestia had made arrangements so that each pony had their own room in the royal palace. They weren't the grand guest rooms used for visiting royalties, but they were still more lavish than any home in Ponyville. Despite everypony getting their own place, they still gathered in Twilight's room to go over what they were going to do the next day.

It was pretty clear that they needed to get to Coltchester as quickly as possible, as quickly as possible, seeing as their bags were already packed and with no answers left in Canterlot, leaving the very next morning seemed like the best idea.

Usually, somepony would take one of the airships to traverse the thick forest between the capital and the small town. However, with the magical problems of late, air-travel was too unpredictable and unsafe to use. Keeping the flame under control in a small balloon would be difficult and the larger airships' engines required magic in some form to steer.

The next option was a carriage, but this idea was almost immediately scrapped. There was no point in using a carriage that was probably too small for six ponies and Discord that would need to have been pulled by an extra group of ponies.

In the end, it seemed the easiest way to travel would be on hoof. Coltchester wasn't too far to make it impossible and thankfully, despite the forest separating the two, the area was well mapped and documented. Twilight made sure to get the most up-to-date map she could from one of the palace scholars and together they worked out a route. It looked like a relatively easy trip. It wasn't as dangerous as the Everfree forest but still had its fair share of wild animals they'd have to watch out for, but other than that it seemed fine.

With their trip planned, their baggage gone through, unpacked and repacked to make sure they only had the essentials, they decided to call it a night and start the next morning as soon as they'd all had breakfast.

However, there was one small detail Celesta had not foreseen. She hadn't expected the seventh guest. Discord seemed entirely unconcerned and had apparently decided to just share Fluttershy's room. Not that he asked or anything, he just followed her when they all went to bed and promptly started scoping the room for a place to sleep when she closed the door behind them.

The bedroom was large and almost circular. Its walls were soft blue with one wall curving outward into a set of three, tall windows. In front of the windows, a large daybed, piled high with different bottle-blue pillows, had been placed to look out over the kingdom below. Discord made a B-line for it and flopped down, stretching his arms above himself and flipping several pillows to the floor with his tail.

“Finally, I can get some time away from ponies and their small-talk!” He crossed his arms behind his head with a content sigh. “A trip out into the wild, far away from villages, cities and towns. Won't this be fun, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy trotted to the delicate vanity table and put down her bags, rummaging around for her comb. She noticed that Discord hadn't even considered taking the canopy bed for himself. She made a mental note to praise him for being thoughtful later.

“I don't know about 'fun',” She said as she brushed out her mane. “It seems a little scary. I mean... Celestia talking about strange groups of ponies who use dangerous magic... I really don't like that. And traveling through a dark forest on our own... What if something bad happens to us...?”

“Don't be so gloomy, my dear.” Discord brushed her off nonchalantly. “There's nothing to worry about, you'll see. Your cottage is right next to the Everyfree forest after all, and there are far worse creatures in those woods.”

“Yes, but I try not to go into the Everfree forest.” She said, turning to brush her tail once or twice. “And even when I do, I know the Everfree forest a little better. I don't know anything about the place we're going to.”

“One forest is more or less the same as any other.” Discord rolled over to his stomach, grinning at her back. “They have some landmark differences and maybe different animals but in the grand scheme of things they're pretty much the same.”

“I don't know about that...” Fluttershy said as she put down her comb and trotted to the canopy bed, lying down to face him. “What if there's something in this forest that makes it special that you don't know about?”

Discord made a scoffing noise. “I'm sure I can handle it. Seeing as our dear Princess has decided to make me the designated babysitter, I guess I don't have much of a choice do I?” He rolled his eyes with the last remark.

“I'm sure she didn't mean it like that.” Fluttershy said. “Besides, even if she did, isn't it nice that she's trusting you enough to do something like that?”

“I think she's just trying to find more subtle ways of torturing me.” Discord sighed dramatically, pinching the bridge of his muzzle as if he developed a spontaneous migraine. “On the one paw, I'm delighted at getting to move around a little and having some freedom. On the other, I have to do it while tethered to the Princess of brown-nosing, Twilight Sparkle, and those other four you insist on spending time with.”

“That's a little harsh.” Fluttershy said in what probably passed as scolding. “They're my friends. I like spending time with them.”

“Why, I have no idea.” Discord yawned as he curled his back. “They're so dull. Always going on and on with their mundane self-interests and day-to-day thoughts and mindless retellings of whatever they've been doing lately. I'm on the verge of falling asleep every time I spend more than ten minutes in their company.”

“I don't want to hear you criticising my friends in front of me, Discord.” Fluttershy threw him a serious frown. “I care about them and I don't like hearing people badmouth them behind their backs. It's not very nice.”

Discord cocked an eyebrow at her but didn't reply. Seeming unmoved by her words either way. She sighed and calmed down again. “I don't think you've really given them a chance.” She gave him a soft smile. “Maybe this trip will be a good way for you to spend more time with them. I'm sure you'll learn that there's more to them than you think there is.”

“I doubt it.” He pulled a face. “I've spent a lot of time around ponies already and I'm pretty used to what to expect.”

“Oh... I see...” Fluttershy sunk in place slightly. “Well.... I like them a lot. They're my friends... I just thought maybe if you tried to get to know who they really are, you'd like them too.... I guess...”

There was silence for a few moments as she stood up and started pulling back the covers. Discord watched her out of the corner of his eye. She crawled into bed and started tucking herself in when he gave a sigh, catching her attention.

“I enjoyed the riddles on the train. I always have had a soft spot for word games.” He said as he turned to watch something out the windows.

“Maybe next time you can play with us a little more.” Fluttershy smiled, perking up.

He broke into a smile at this, a glint in his eye. “My dear Fluttershy, what makes you think I wasn't playing the entire time?”

Her smile dropped in confusion. “But you only told one riddle. You hardly said anything during the entire game.”

He gave a laugh at this. “Telling the riddle isn't the only part of the game, Fluttershy.” He sat up a little straighter, gesturing dramatically. “You need to survey the competition. You need to observe how each pony plays their hoof, how their line of guesswork moves, how their thinking pattern works, what kind of questions they themselves will throw out with confidence and in what direction their questions go. Then, once you have your opponents pegged down to where they think they're the one in the lead, you strike. You back them in a corner and slowly weed them out one by one.” He waved a finger in the air with a knowing smile. “It's all in how you manipulate the game to your favour.”

Fluttershy stared at him for a moment before giving her head a gentle shake. “I don't know if I really understand.”

“Oh, sure you do.” He lay down again. “Perhaps in the context of a game it's a little confusing, but you and I both know you're no stranger to manipulation in of itself.”

She blinked wide-eyed at this, looking rather shocked. “Huh? I am? I never knew.” She tapped her chin with a hoof, looking worried. “I... I don't think I've ever manipulated anypony. Maybe I did it without realising it? Oh dear... I'd better ask my friends and make sure I've never done anything like that to them... Oh my, I'd feel really bad if I came across that way...”

Discord watched her for a few minutes as she silently fretted. Eventually he yawned again and rolled onto his back. “Anyway; perhaps being on the road will make things a little more exciting regardless of who we're travelling with.”

“Huh?” She turned back to him before catching up with the conversation and smiling with a nod. “Oh. Yes. Yes, I'm sure it'll be livelier at least.” She pulled the blankets over herself before reaching to turn off the side-lamp.

“Even if it's a little scary, I think being in a group will make it more fun,” She yawned as she curled herself tighter, “and you'll be coming with us.”

“Indeed.” He replied.

Fluttershy spent most of the night dreaming of strange shapes among trees and being stalked down empty streets by a shadow. It never caught her, and she never found herself terrified, but the oppressive feeling of the strange dreamscape and the nervous tension of knowing an invisible threat was on her heels made her sleep restless. She trotted down an alleyway whose walls and cobblestone street had been painted black, the shapeless mass in an unseen corner behind her.

“Just keep walking” She said to herself, looking in every direction for the invisible hunter. “Keep going forward.”

“Now that's not very smart of you, is it?” a Disembodied voice chuckled as she took another corner to avoid her pursuer.

“I can't just stand still and get caught.” She answered, focusing on the twisting path in front of her.

“You're not manipulating the situation to your favour.” The voice remarked, sounding almost bored.

“What?” She came to a stop. “I don't understand.”

The second she came to a standstill however, the unseen pursuer threw itself over her and she snapped awake.

It took her a few seconds to focus and remember where she was. A large shadow above her made her start until she realised it was only the top of the canopy. The large room was almost completely dark except for the flood of moonlight shining through the triple windows. She realised neither she nor Discord had drawn the curtains before going to sleep, something she was rather grateful for at the moment.

Once she had woken up a little more, she realised there was a rhythmic, faint tapping sound in the room. Like a branch tapping at the window. However their rooms were far above the trees of the Canterlot gardens, and the sound was too orderly spaced to be an insect bumping against the walls. She listened for a few moments, at first nervous that it might be something she should be worried about. After a while though, she managed to relax again when nothing else seemed to happen.

She rolled over, pulling the blankets tighter around her shoulders. She turned her gaze to the light of the window, hoping to clear her head when she noticed Discord sitting upright. She blinked to herself, wondering what was going on. His silhouette stared down at at his own claw, and at least one of the mysteries solved itself as he snapped his fingers. She watched him for a moment, waiting to see what was going to happen, but nothing did. Discord merely snapped his fingers again, waiting for a few minutes before repeating the action.

Part of her wanted to ask him what he was doing and for a second she almost did, but before she could get the words out, she stopped herself. His outline sat absorbed in his task, oblivious of anything else around him. She wondered if he'd be angry if she broke his concentration. Maybe he woke up and couldn't get back to sleep and was just bored. If that was the case, he'd probably be happy to see she was awake too. She watched the place where she knew his face was, trying to catch his features in the low light. She could barely make it out, but if she strained her eyes she could pick out the line of a frown, and the soft reflection on his eyes as he stared at his claw. It almost seemed like he was snapping it in rhythm to something, even though the sound merely echoed around the room quietly without anything following or leading it.

Her curiosity burned, but she kept silent, feeling like a peeping Tom on what may be a private moment. But if it was a private moment, what was it suppose to be exactly? Would he be embarrassed if he knew that she was watching? Would he mention it himself if she pretended she never saw any of this? If she asked him what he was doing, would he even tell her?

She slid a little deeper under her covers at this last inner question. Partly because she didn't know the answer, but mostly because she could at least guess. Discord never really told her anything private. At least not about himself. He told her things she didn't think he'd tell her friends. Mostly about how they annoyed him or things they probably wouldn't like hearing somepony say. However he never told her anything just about... him.

The claws snapped again, and this time there was a small spark, almost like static. There was a strange reverberation to the sound, as if there was more than just the snap. One of the dark throw-pillows on the daybed shrank in on itself before popping out again, having been transformed into a vase filled with a plant she couldn't recognise.

She heard Discord sigh and shift position. He reached out, picking up the newly formed vase and putting it beside himself on the floor. He then stretched his arms above himself, the faint sound of something clicking back in place barely audible. He pushed himself up, turned to face the opposite end of the daybed, and lay down again, his tail curling around him.

Fluttershy kept her eyes on him but after a few minutes she heard his breathing change as he fell asleep. Her gaze drifted to the shadow of the vase on the floor.

Eventually she rolled over to face the other side of the room, hugging the covers against herself.

I don't understand you... She thought as she lay alone in the dark.

Start of a Journey

View Online

Chapter 6

Morning came, as always, a little too early for Discord's liking. The moment the sun cleared the Canterlot mountains it proceeded to burst through the high windows next to the daybed and almost instantly woke him up. He grumbled at the unwelcome light before he changed his mind and grumbled at Celestia instead. After a few minutes of trying to ignore it, he had to admit defeat and got up and began to stretch himself in ways that seemed to suggest he'd lost all the bones in his body.

After the brief display of physics shattering, he turned to the canopy bed. Fluttershy wasn't there, and by the looks of it, she hadn't been there for a while. The bed was nicely made with the pillows fluffed and put back in their place. A quick glance to the vanity in the room confirmed that her saddlebags were still where she'd left them last night.

He didn't think much of her disappearance. Fluttershy almost always woke up before he did to feed her animals and get some food going. Taking a moment to clamber over the canopy bed and mess up the covers, he stepped out of the room and made his way through the palace chambers to go and find her.

He had taken a few turns and gone done more than a couple of hallways before he realised he wasn't sure where the kitchens were. He'd been going the way he remembered the old palace layout to be, without thinking about it. Despite realising this, he kept going the way he had been heading already. He was either going to end up where he wanted to go, or somewhere else. Either way something was bound to happen.

He kept himself entertained by inspecting the tapestries he walked past. He was inspired with some great ideas for those but, seeing as it would probably be more effort than it was worth to put them into action, he settled with pulling some of them down and hiding them in various places as he continued his search for the kitchens.

About halfway down one of the more lavish halls he noticed a couple of palace guards on patrol. Unable to resist, he took to the air and flew closer. They'd been chatting idly as they walked the length of the hall, but upon seeing Discord they immediately went silent and regarded him with hard, suspicious glares. They came to a standstill, the unicorn guard lowering his horn ever so slightly in aggression. Discord tried to contain his grin.

“Excuse me gentlemen, I'm looking for my friend. Could you by any chance direct me to your fine establishment's kitchens?” He leaned heavily on the word 'friend' punctuating it with a wide, toothy grin.

The guards gave each other shifty glances, clearly not sure whether to trust their former enemy or not.

“Of course, if you'd rather not say I can always wander the castle trying to find it on my own. Unsupervised. By myself.” Discord said, inspecting a claw with feigned boredom.

The guards rethought their hesitance at this; “You're in the west wing. Go back the way you came, follow the hall on the left until you reach a staircase. It'll take you to the first floor. The door to the kitchen is at the end of the grand ballroom.”

“Of course it is.” Discord nodded sympathetically. “I'm sure, being who I am, I will be able to remember such direct and orderly instructions.” He then turned and flew away in the opposite direction, leaving two nervous and slightly confused guards behind him.

The kitchens weren't too hard to find after that though, and a few minutes later he crossed the grand hall where the Grand Galloping Gala was held annually and followed the adjoining hallway.

It seemed breakfast was over as only a handful of staff were left cleaning up the last of the disaster left in the wake of feeding the palace residence. Discord had woken up later than he realised it seemed. However, he could hear somewhere in the back the unmistakable sound of what can only be described as 'cookery'. He made his way past the rows of silver workstations to the source of the noise. However when he rounded the corner of the last row of stoves, chopping blocks and wash stations with the intent to startle his roommate, a very different pony greeted him.

“Hi there Discord!” Pinkie beamed.

“Ah. Pinkie Pie.” He answered, clearly disappointed as he tried to look past her in case Fluttershy was hiding somewhere.

“Are you here to help me bake cookies for the trip?” She smiled happily, a large bowl cradled in one foreleg as she stirred with the other.

“Not really.” He said as he turned his attention back to her. “Frankly I have better things to focus on right now.”

“You're not here to wreck the place and be a big meanie are you?” She asked, her smile snapping into a hard frown as she put the bowl on the counter.

“Oh please, and waste my time with these completely cowed ponies in the palace?” He pulled a face, sticking his tongue out as far as he could.

“Good!” Pinkie instantly switched back to her default mood.

“Yes. Well. If you'll excuse me.” Discord said flatly as he moved to go.

“Hey wait!”

Despite his better judgement he turned back to her, only to have something abruptly stuffed in his mouth.

“I baked that batch earlier but I don't know if they'll do the trick as travel-cookies! They have to help us keep our energy up. Whaddya think?” Pinkie practically glowed at him, waiting for an answer.

Discord swallowed down the ball of sugar before rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Good texture. Well balanced. Likely to cause serious hyperactivity. Perfect, I would say.”

“Yay!” She bounced in place happily before spinning around and promptly shoving the bowl she'd be stirring into his arms. “You hold that and keep stirring! I'm gonna throw the rest of the stuff in it!”

“Oh goody.” Discord scowled at the mixture in his paws.

Nothing would've given him greater pleasure than to add a few 'ingredients' of his own while Pinkie's back was turned. He wondered if he could still get his chance with what was lying around the counter. However it didn't seem like he'd need to as the next thing Pinkie tossed into the mixing bowl was a generous amount of chilli powder, humming to herself happily. She blinked up at him with a smile and made circular motions with a hoof.

“Stir! Stir!” She urged as she turned back to the counter.

Discord stuck his tongue out at her but did as he was told, if only out of curiosity as to what she was going to do next. He said nothing though, hoping that she'd made a mistake and was going to pay the price when she tested the dough.

The next thing to go in the bowl was almost an entire bag of sugar, eggs, chocolate chips, everything you'd expect from cookie batter. After she seemed satisfied with her concoction the moment of truth arrived and she dipped a spoon into it, taking a bigger bite than what was probably necessary. Discord waited, wearing his best poker-face. However, he was disappointed as she merely licked her lips and made various noises of approval.

“Perfect!” She squealed happily as she took the bowl again to presumably carry on with the next step.

A part of him really didn't want to take the bait but his curiosity had completely gotten the better of him. “Do you use chilli in all your cooking? I feel I should ask for future reference.”

“Of course not, silly!” She giggled at him with a snort. “These are for me! I like mine with a little extra kick! It's good!”

He nodded in response, satisfied with the answer. Feeling he'd been let go, he was about to leave when a thought crossed his mind. He smiled to himself as he pressed his forepaws together and said in what he felt was his most innocent voice; “Pinkie Pie, I just thought of a way to make snack-time on this trip a little more fun.”

“Really?” She twisted her head to grin at him.

“Why don't we take some of your 'extra-kick' desserts and mixed them in with everypony else's?” He said, walking closer to put an arm around her shoulders.

“Aw, but they don't like them spicy.” She sulked. “They always say its way too hot for them!”

“But think of it for a moment,” Discord urged. “If you mixed them in with everypony's then it could turn it into a game!”

“Yeah?” She blinked at him with interest.

“It could be a game of luck,” He continued. “Because none of them will know which of your treats are spicy and which aren't, every time they eat one it's a surprise as to what they're going to get! It'd be like a game of roulette, only everypony gets cookies.”

“Ooh!” She clapped her hooves together. “That sounds great! We could take turns guessing what the next pony is going to get and dare each other to take two at a time and stuff!! It'll be super fun!”

“Indeed it will.” Discord grinned as he started to leave. “But I will leave that up to you as I have other things to attend to.”

“I think Fluttershy's in the gardens.” Pinkie said, turning back to her dough. “She's been trying to make friends with the animals there forever! They don't seem to like ponies though.”

“I see.” He replied as he left.

“Don't tell her about these cookies!” She called after him. “It's our secret!”

“I wouldn't spoil your fun, trust me.” Discord grinned to himself.

“Thanks Discord! You're pretty neat!”

He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to reply to this. Eventually he decided it probably wasn't worth answering and continued in the direction of the exit.

It hadn't taken him long to find Fluttershy. The second he entered the Canterlot gardens she trotted past, chasing after what looked like a chipmunk which bolted straight up a tree and out of sight. She hovered in front of it, looking despondently into its branches.

“Oh please come down.” She cooed. “I'm sorry I startled you. I just wanted to say hello.”

Again, a perfect opportunity presented itself and Discord was unable to snap his fingers and make the most of it. Instead he made do with walking until he was directly behind her before speaking.

“Having trouble, my dear?”

Fluttershy shot straight up into the tree with a yelp, sending several twigs and one irritated squirrel to the ground.

“Oh... good morning Discord.” She smiled at him sheepishly when she recognised him.

“It doesn't look like the royal rodents around here are too friendly.” He remarked as she floated back to the ground, shaking herself free of leaves.

“They're probably just shy because ponies don't talk to them very often.” She answered, “If I just keep trying they'll realise I don't want to hurt them and they'll be my friends eventually.”

“If they think you're not good enough for them, I'd say just forget it and use your energy on creatures who are more worth your time.” Discord stuck his nose in the air.

“Like you?” She smiled innocently at him.

“Well I don't mean to blow my own horn...” He smirked and was rewarded when she laughed softly.

“Forget these snobs.” He said as he took flight to hover above her. “We can have fun without them.”

“Maybe if I give them a little space they'll calm down enough to come out.” She said, not fully listening to him.

“Yes, space. Like about 2 miles.” He nodded in agreement. “In fact why stop there? We can give them all the space in Equestia if they want it!”

“You're being mean.” She said with a light laugh.

“Just being myself, Fluttershy.” He shrugged. “Isn't that what you ponies always say is important?”

“Maybe...” She nodded.

“Unless you're a snob yourself, I suppose.” He suddenly gave a dramatic gasp. “Don't tell me you've been taking tips from our debutante, Rarity and want to join that little social circle of snobbery!”

“What? No, of course not!” Fluttershy shook her head, honestly alarmed at the idea.

Discord continued on with his performance, throwing an arm over his eyes. “All those trips to the spa together! Now I see the true reason behind it all! She's been grooming you to join her world of parties and fashion shows! Farewell to poor Discord and hello to high society!”

“I'd never do something like that!” She insisted, taking to the air to hover around his head with concern. “I'd never abandon one of my friends for anything! Especially not something so shallow!”

He couldn't keep up the facade and burst out laughing at her sincerity, rolling in mid-air to clutch at his chest.

“You're terrible!” She tried to glare at him but all she seemed able to manage was something between a pout and a light frown.

“How can I resist not taking advantage of such a heartfelt response?” He said, grabbing her around the middle and holding her out at arms length to grin at her. “You're just so easy to rile up and get a reaction from!”

She made a small noise at this, blushing to herself. Discord let her go to circle himself around her, grinning from ear to ear. “Your innocence is one of your most endearing qualities, my dear. I just can't help myself.”

He noticed a smile break on her face at this, despite her blush getting darker. “You don't need to make me feel dumb for caring about your feelings though.”

He laughed again, but this time with less of a bite to it. “Tell you what. To make it up to you, why don’t I try and catch one of these little rats for you.”

“Really? You won't hurt them will you?” She lifted her eyes to stare at him again.

He made a dismissive noise at this. “Of course not! I'll just get one face to face with you so you can pet it or feed it corn or whatever it is you want.”

“Well.... I suppose if you're gentle it won't be such a bad idea. I do want to make friends with them.” She caved.

“Of course you do!” Discord said, turning his attention back to the tree and scanning its branches. “Now... where did that ball of hair go?”

Seeing the oncoming danger, the chipmunk bolted further into the tree with a squeak. Discord shot after it, sending a rain of twigs down to the ground. Fluttershy watched from her spot with slight concern.

She was surprised. She'd never really considered Discord as athletic or anything but he was a lot faster than she'd thought he'd be. The chipmunk was still winning though. Every time it looked like Discord was going to grab hold of it, it jumped on either a branch several feet away or on his head for a means to escape. After a few too many close calls, it leapt out of the tree and shot across the garden's lawn. Discord streaked after it, leaving a sizeable gouge in the grass where he dropped down.

“Oh dear. Be careful.” Fluttershy called as she watched, but she was either ignored or unheard.

The chipmunk'd been aiming to run up another, larger tree but Discord cut it off. It slid under what looked to be very expertly trimmed hedges blooming with small christmas roses instead. Discord barrelled in after it. Fluttershy lost sight of them for a while, only hearing a mess of breaking twigs and several obscenities from Discord. She was about to fly closer to see if they were ok when they exploded into sight again.

However it seemed the rodent had had enough and disappeared in between the roots of a large oak down a burrow. Discord slid after it, apparently intent on following it, but whatever plan he'd had in mind for fitting in the hole obviously didn't work out and he smacked into the tree trunk, managing to get his muzzle stuck. Fluttershy trotted closer when she was sure the danger was over.

“Are you ok?” She asked after he'd managed to dislodge himself and sat glaring daggers at the burrow.

“My pride may take some time to recover.” He grumbled as he dusted himself off. “I can't believe you got me to chase after a rat like an idiot. I must be losing my mind.”

Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle to herself at this, causing him to snap his gaze at her instead. She tried to get herself under control again until she noticed his antler-like horn had speared several leaves during the short chase and now resembled a small bush growing out of his head. She burst into a fit of giggles all over again.

“Hilarious isn't it?” He shot her a frown before a sneer crossed his face. “Allow me to share in the occasion then. I'd hate for you to feel left out.”

She wiped her eyes to ask what he meant when he crouched down, aimed to pounce as his eyes flashed. She yelped and spun around, galloping in the opposite direction as he leapt to where she'd just been standing before giving chase.

She tried her best but Fluttershy had never been any good at sport and after a few laps around the garden Discord jumped, creating a bridge over her so she couldn't go backwards or forwards without running into him. She gave a small squeak and stumbled in place as she tried to find an escape but in the brief moment of standstill Discord snapped her up, curling himself around her and gripped her in a snake-hold.

“Oh no no! I'm sorry!” She squirmed against him to no avail.

Deaf to her pleading he then proceeded to bury his face in her stomach, resulting in her bursting into uncontrollable laughter as she tried her best to get free. The more she struggled the more tangled she seemed to get, as Discord refused to let her off the hook until she'd received her own amount of humiliation. Under a nearby tree, the chipmunk was watching this disgusting display with the most disapproval a chipmunk could muster.

“Hey you two! Where've you been?” a voice interrupted above them, followed by a grumpy Rainbow Dash.

She came to a hover a few feet above their heads as Discord let the yellow pegasus go, shooting Rainbow an annoyed look, daring her to comment on what she'd stumbled into.

“Twilght's been looking everywhere for ya! We need to get going or it'll take a whole extra day to get to Coltchester!” Rainbow said, catching his eye and pulling a face at him in response.

“Oh! I completely forgot!” Fluttershy said, turning serious again as she pushed the distracted Discord off her and took wing.

“About time.” Discord said as he rolled himself the right-way-up again and strolled after the two pegasi. “The sooner we can get out of here the better.”

“Don't like being so close to the Princess, huh?” Rainbow shot him a smirk. “What's the matter? Scared she's gonna do something to ya if you don't listen to orders?”

Discord rolled his eyes as hard as he could manage without his powers. “Actually, I'm just not the biggest fan of stained glass. It's a real strain on the eyes.”

“Yeah whatever.” She said as she grinned to herself.

“The wildlife could also do with some discipline.” He added with a slight hiss.

Fluttershy tried her best to stifle her giggling as they made their way to the Palace front doors.

Once everypony had gathered at the doors of the Canterlot palace and had their saddlebags brought to them, it was finally time to hit the road. Celestia and Luna saw them off as the group gave their formal goodbyes.

“We are counting on you Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said, giving her student a warm smile. “My sister and I, as well as all ponies of Equestria. Remember, you are now just as much their protector and role model as Luna and I.”

Twilight gave her a bow. “I won't fail you Princess.”

“Be cautious. Think things through. Remember your ultimate goals.” Luna added to the group at large. “And good luck.”

“You can rely on us, your Majesties.” Rarity said followed by several nods and vocal agreements coming from the rest of the group.

And then, with bags tightened and farewells said, it was time to go. They left the palace grounds, the Princesses watching them until they turned a corner and were out of sight. They trotted through the streets of Canterlot, chatting idly and commenting on various things in windows and on menus as they headed for the city gates. Several ponies stopped and stared at them as they walked past, some even hurrying out of the way or disappearing inside a door. The small group tried their best to ignore them, although Rainbow Dash kept shooting Discord dirty looks and Fluttershy kept her eyes on the street in front of her. Discord, despite obviously being the main focus of the paranoia, didn't even seem aware of the attention and merely brought up the rear, Fluttershy pinned to his side. He seemed to be enjoying himself the most, watching everything they strolled past with interest or, probably more accurately, mischief in mind.

But the City gates soon came into view and once they'd crossed them and wandered past the initial guard houses and watch towers, they hit pure countryside. A few small farms broke up the green fields with their patchwork of crops, but after some travel even these petered out and they were alone. Grass became less trimmed and orderly and started showing a more wild mixture of flowers, long grasses, dandelions and clovers. The wind rushed across the open landscape easier and unidentified winged insects buzzed across the road in front of them from plant to plant.

The sun climbed higher and the day grew hotter. The soft chirping of grasshoppers were replaced by the harmonised buzz of cicadas hiding in whatever shade they could find. As the afternoon started to grow long the group took an afternoon break, finding a stray tree to wait out the hottest time of the day and eat something. Except for Discord who immediately scaled the tree and spread himself out on a branch to watch the ponies underneath him.

“Anypony wanna cookie?” Pinkie asked happily, looking from face to face eagerly.

“No thank you dear. I'm more interested in having something to drink.” Rarity sighed, pulling out a hoofheld fan from her saddlebag to cool herself off with.

“I thought you weren't gonna take that?” Twilight criticised as she unpacked some of the juice from her bag.

“Well, I thought about it again after we talked and I realised that with my magic being what it is at the moment I wouldn't have any other way of cooling down. And really, if I overheat then my hair gets completely out of control and I am just a wreck. I would hardly be the best traveling companion in those conditions so really, it's for all our sakes that I brought my fan.”

“It ain't that hot.” Applejack took off her hat and placed it beside her as Twilight passed her a carry-mug. “Besides it's only gonna be like this for another hour or so before it starts ta cool down.”

“Will we have to sleep out in the open when it gets dark?” Fluttershy asked nervously as she took a cup and held it over her head, a paw coming down to take it from her and into the tree. “I didn't see any tents in our bags.”

“We'll find somewhere to take shelter once we get in the forest.” Twilight said as she broke off a piece of bread for herself. “Otherwise yeah, we'll have to sleep outside, but it'll be fine. Luckily it's summer or we'd probably be in trouble.”

“It'd be too hot to sleep in a tent like this anyway!” Rainbow Dash added. “Ya got nothing to worry about Fluttershy.”

“I must say, I'm not really that excited about sleeping without a proper bed either.” Rarity commented, sipping from the cup she held awkwardly in her hooves. “If it rains then I can forget about doing anything with my mane until we return to Canterlot and I see a professional stylist and who knows how far in the future that will be?”

“Don't worry Rarity! I talked to Celestia's weather team before we left and they said the got it under control.” Rainbow shot her a smile and a wink. “There's no showers for like another two weeks. We'll be back in a proper house way before then!”

“Good thinking Dash.” Applejack praised.

“Yes, thank you Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said with a sigh of relief.

Time marched on and after a snack (sadly involving no cookies) the group pressed onwards. As evening rolled in they finally reached the forest. It started out thin with a few younger saplings before it grew thicker and darker around them. Yet at no point did it top or even match the ominous feel of the Everfree forest. The sky was always visible above them, and the shadows fell green and yellow around them rather than the strange purples and blues. Trees looked less gnarled and more traditionally shaped. Invisible birds sung around them and at one stage a rabbit ran across the path a little further ahead of them.

“I guess this isn't so bad.” Fluttershy said, mostly to herself.“I thought it'd be much scarier than this.”

“I told you it was nothing to worry about.” Discord said as he floated lazily above the small group.

“We'll head for Rainbow Falls and set up camp there.” Twilight said, trotting in the lead. “Then we'll start out again tomorrow at 6am sharp. That way we'll clear the forest late tomorrow evening and we can get to Coltchester about midday after that.”

“And of course, nothing ever goes wrong when ponies set themselves to such well-laid plans.” Discord remarked somewhere above her.

Twilight ignored him. So far everything seemed to have fallen into place just as she'd plotted out. She was confident that as long as they stuck to her instructions it would go exactly as she predicted. After all, this was her first proper mission as an alicorn Princess and proper designated leader of the group. She'd taken extra care to make sure nothing could go wrong.

Discord didn't try and push the issue. He merely pulled faces at Twilight's back before turning his attention to Fluttershy, leaning down to whisper to her although whether he actually cared if the others could hear him wasn't clear.

“Better stick close to me, Fluttershy. Just in case our wise Princess has made a mistake in her perfectly laid plans.”

Twilight said nothing, but she couldn't stop herself from ruffling her wings, wondering if Discord really had lost as much of his power as he said he did or if he'd merely been using it to read her mind in order to annoy her more than usual. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. At least she'd only have to put up with him for this trip. After that he'll either go back to staying at Fluttershy's house or, if he really got on her nerves, the Canterlot palace to be supervised by Princess Celestia. She contented herself with the fact that all she had to do was resist the urge to strangle him in the meantime.

The evening grew cool as clouds drifted over them lazily, slowly building in the east.

Author's Notes:

Enjoy this moment of respite, dear readers. After this... things get harder.

I actually really struggled with this chapter. I was worried I was making Discord too nice. It's difficult to write him without his powers and somehow still make him be 'Discord'. I hope I'm doing an ok job. Please let me know how you feel it's going ok? I was also worried this chapter was too sugary sweet. My intention is not to write a sugary sweet fic. However, these moments are also needed in the larger picture.

Does America have Cicadas? We always hear them in summer here, although they sound different to the Japanese ones most people probably think of.

It's summer here as I write this, and the days keep getting hotter. Time for iced tea and cheese sandwhiches in the shade :)
Please let me know of any grammer or typos ok? and thank you very much for any and all feedback. And thank you double for even reading in the first place.
I hope this wasn't too boring a chapter TT^TT

The Storm

View Online

Chapter 7

“Are we there yet?”

“No.”

“Are we there yet?”

“No.”

“Are we there yet?”

“Discord....”

“Are we there yet?!”

“Pinkie, don't encourage him!!”

The group trudged on through the forest, heading for Rainbow Falls. The day had been going well, but as it grew late and things became darker, Discord was making more of an effort to get on Twilight's nerves. For the past half hour it'd been nothing but the same repeated phrase over and over again. She had a sneaking suspicion that despite his whining, he knew exactly how far they had left to the waterfall. Even if he didn't, she doubted him asking had anything to do with how far they had left to go and had more to do with driving her crazy. Pinkie Pie wasn't helping matters either.

“Are we gonna be there in five minutes from now?” She blinked at Twilight innocently. Behind her, Discord snorted into his paws.

“No Pinkie. We're not gonna be there in five minutes from now.” Twilight grumbled.

“Ooh! How about six? Are we gonna be there six minutes from now?”

“No.”

“Hmmm.” Pinkie rubbed her chin, sticking her tongue out in thought.

“What about ten minutes? Ask her if we're going to be there in ten minutes.” Discord urged, giving her a grin in encouragement.

“Ooh! Yeah!” Pinkie nodded eagerly. “Twilight, What about ten minut-”

“Look!” Twilight spun around to face them. “How about until I say, 'we're here', you just assume we're not there yet and keep quiet, ok?”

They stared at her for a few minutes before she turned to the front again to stomp onwards.

“Easy sugarcube.” Applejack patted her shoulder, picking up the pace to walk beside her.

“If I hear one more 'are we there yet', Applejack, I swear I'm gonna lose it.” Twilight muttered.

“She's not very polite, is she?” Discord whispered somewhere behind her. She had no idea why he bothered since so far, Discord's 'whisper' had almost always gone heard by everypony around him.

“Fluttershyyyyy!” Twilight came to a halt.

“Oh... um... yes?” Fluttershy trotted to stand on her other side.

“Can't you do something about him?” Twilight waved a hoof at Discord who gave her a wide-eyed stare, doing a pretty good impression of a kicked puppy.

“Um... well....” Fluttershy gave a sheepish smile. “I don't think he's being that bad. He's been a lot better lately. I think maybe we're all just a little tired after walking the whole day... Or maybe... I mean.... not to say you're tired or anything...”

“Ugh! Ok I get it! Nevermind! Just... try to get him to shut up, ok?” Twilight said.

“I am rather tired, if I may add my two bits.” Rarity said. She'd taken the opportunity to sit down for a few moments, fanning herself with a hoof. “It isn't that much further is it, darling?”

“No, we've only got about an hour to go until we reach the falls.” Twilight said with sympathy. Rarity had actually complained the least so far which, to be honest, was pretty shocking.

“Yeah! C'mon guys!” Rainbow Dash swooped down. “Last push and we're there!”

“You know, I am rather impressed with your energy reserves Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said as she got up to keep moving again.

“Hah! If I can't handle a day of leisurely flying I'm gonna make a pretty lame Wonderbolt!” Rainbow boasted as she weaved in the air above them.

“We can eat my cookies when we get to the water!” Pinkie said as she bounced happily after them. Apparently the day's walk didn't have much effect on her either, despite her whining.

“Good idea, Pinkie Pie.” Discord commented nonchalantly.

“Let's get there first, ok?” Fluttershy said gently, slowing in pace beside him. “It won't be much longer. Twilight knows what she's doing.”

Discord mumbled something but didn't say anything out loud. Twilight sighed to herself. It was better than more whining, she supposed.

They moved onwards and after a while they heard the sound of rushing water somewhere in the near distance.

“Finally!” Twilight gave a sigh of relief as she broke into a trot. “Almost there guys! Rainbow Falls is just up ahead!”

“Thank goodness,” Rarity smiled, following suit. “It's almost dark.”

“It's 'cause the clouds rolled in.” Applejack said as she turned to peer at the sky through the trees. “Ya sure about what the weather team said, Dash?”

“Of course I'm sure!” Rainbow Dash scoffed at her. “The Canterlot weather team is the highest ranked weather team in all Equestria! They've been handling the weather around these parts longer than Ponyville's existed! They know what they're doing, don't worry!”

“I would still prefer if we can get to the waterfall before it gets completely dark.” Rairty repeated.

“Me too!” Twilight nodded. “I wanna see the waterfall in the light.” She turned to talk to the others over her shoulder as she trotted. “Did you know Rainbow Falls is one of the very few waterfalls in Equestria that actually has real rainbows in it? They say that somewhere in the Canterlot Mountains where the peaks go over the cloud-cover, rainbows spill out from the clouds and get mixed in with the water. Even this far down you can still see the different colours when the water rushes fast enough! I read all about it last night when I was planning our route!”

“That sounds nice.” Fluttershy said politely.

“I can smell the stream. We ain't far now.” Applejack commented.

Sure enough, after passing a line of willows they came upon the waterfall in question. The waterfall itself wasn't really spectacularly high, maybe the same height as a two story house. The water cascaded down large granite boulders, its path marked black on the grey stone as it showered down into a sizeable pool before running off again through the trees. Even this late in the evening they could see a few insects buzz around its surface. Every now and then a swift would torpedo down from one of the trees to catch its supper before disappearing into the darkening woods.

“Yay! We're here!” Pinkie cheered as she broke into a run and jumped into the ankle deep water at the pool's edge. “Ahhhhh...” She sighed.

“Wait for me, darling!” Rarity trotted over, eager to soak her own hooves in the cool water.

“Don't go too deep, you two!” Applejack called as she and Twilight removed their saddlebags. “Ya'll don't know if there's anythin' in that water!”

“Aw, I'm sure they'll be fine.” Twilight smiled, her mood having brightened considerably. “Do you know how to get a fire started, Applejack?”

“Sure do!” She smiled proudly. “We'll need some wood though. Ya think you and Rainbow Dash can handle that, Fluttershy?”

“Huh? Oh, yes.” Fluttershy smiled. “A fire sounds nice.”

“Too bad we don't have any marshmallows, huh?” Rainbow said as she landed beside her fellow pegasus.

“We got cookies though!” Pinkie called from the pool.

“I guess that's better than nothing.” Twilight giggled.

“Discord, do you want to help us find some firewood?” Fluttershy asked, turning to him.

She blinked when she noticed he was looking at the waterfall with a strange expression. There was a light frown on his face as he seemed to be concentrating on something. It didn't look natural on him.

“Discord?”

In an instant the spell broke as he turned to her, breaking into a smile. “Looking in a forest for wood? Do you think we'll find any??”

She gave a laugh but it was a little half-hearted.

“Get it together chuckle-head,” Rainbow Dash interrupted as she trotted past in the direction of the trees, “Else we're gonna be cold tonight!”

“Oh, well, we wouldn't want the great Wonderbolt to be cold now, would we?” Discord mocked, but he followed her all the same. “I do hope you're not too disappointed though, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Huh?” Twilight looked up from her bag. She'd been pulling out her snack reserves along with her travel blanket.

“Weeeell...” He drew out the word, a curved smile on his face. “I knew how much you were looking forward to seeing the rainbow in the falls. Bad luck isn't it?”

“What are you talking about?” She gave him a hard frown. “What bad luck is-” she stopped when she turned to give the waterfall a second look.

She'd only given it a passing glance when they got there, and in the fading light hadn't really paid much attention to the details, but giving it proper attention now she noticed that things weren't right. The waterfall ran healthily over the rocks and threw up a thick spray as it hit the bottom, as all normal waterfalls did. But that was all. In the white water pouring down and in the dark pool it ran into there wasn't a single trace of colour out of place. There was no rainbow sheen, nothing that made it different to any other waterfall.

“...That can't be right.” Twilight frowned as she trotted closer to get a better look. “There's suppose to be a rainbow in the water.”

“Maybe it's too dark to see it?” Applejack said as she unrolled her blanket.

Twilight gave her head a hard shake. “No no no! It's not like a normal waterfall's rainbow! It's the water itself that's suppose to be different colours!”

“Are you sure we have the right place?” Rarity asked from her spot on the water's edge.

“I'm positive!” Twilight said as she trotted back to her bag and pulled out her map. “I've been following the route just like I planned it! There aren't even any other waterfalls in this forest!”

“Maybe it's new?” Pinkie smiled, trotting over.

“Waterfalls don't just come out of nowhere, Pinkie.” She said, not looking up from her map.

“I beg to differ.” Discord said, watching the scene in front of him with amusement. “However our fearless leader is right. This is Rainbow Falls.”

“So where's the rainbow, smart guy?” Dash shot him a frown.

Discord gave a shrug. “Don't look at me! I don't have any real powers at the moment, remember?”

“Powers...” Twilight looked up from her map and back at the waterfall.

There was a short pause before Applejack walked closer to her. “Whatcha thinkin' Twilight?”

Twilight frowned as she rolled up her map, still staring at the water. “I think this magic problem is getting worse.”

“It broke the rainbow?” Pinkie asked.

“Yeah. Yeah I think it did.” Twilight said.

There was another pause.

“Well.... hey! It's not so bad!” Rainbow Dash eventually broke the silence, giving Twilight a sideways smile. “That's why we're gonna fix it right? Besides, it's just a rainbow in some water. It's not something that's gonna hurt anypony.”

“Yeah,” Twilight gave her a halfhearted smile in response, “I guess you're right.”

The moment was disrupted when something in the willows started to rustle, soon followed by the other trees and shrubs shaking. The surface of the pond threw up small ripples as its surface became unsettled. Within a few seconds the entire area shook with the low hiss of rain.

“Maybe the missin' rainbow won't, but that will!” Applejack said, pushing her hat down tighter.

“Huh? But that ain't right!” Rainbow Dash said, turning her eyes upward. “There's not suppose to be any rain for another two weeks! The weather team said!”

There was a flash and after a moment or so thunder rumbled loudly over their heads. Rarity immediately pulled her hooves out from the pond and ran to the rest of the group, pulling Applejack's hat off her head and pinning it down over her own mane. The rain grew harder, turning from a decent shower into an absolute torrent. Fluttershy whimpered as another flash lit up the sky.

“Quite a nice display. It's been far too long since I've seen some proper rain.” Discord commented, grinning happily to himself as he strolled to Fluttershy, arching himself over her like a bridge.

“I'm telling ya, this isn't suppose to happen!” Rainbow Dash insisted.

“Well, if it's suppose to or not, it's happening.” Twilight said, quickly scooping up the hooffull of things she'd unpacked and stuffing them back in her bag. “We gotta get away from the water and find somewhere to hide until it blows over!”

The group grabbed their belongings and quickly ran back into the cover of the trees, the rain tormenting them the entire way.

“Where exactly are we going?” Applejack called as they trotted.

“We have to take shelter,” Twilight called back. “Rarity, can you try and detect somewhere with a large concentration of gems?”

“Whatever for?”

“Well if there's gems there's probably a cave or something too right?”

“Twilight, I haven't been able to find anything for days now! You know that!” Rarity replied in dismay.

“We're looking for a cave? I know where there's a cave!” Pinkie yelled happily, bouncing from puddle to puddle as they ran.

“Huh? Where?” Twilight slid to a stop to turn to her.

“Uhmmm....” Pinkie rubbed her chin, looking around the area before pointing a hoof. “This way! It was this way!”

“Alright everypony! Follow Pinkie!” Twilight yelled as the changed direction. “Discord, c'mon!”

“Oh alright.” Discord rolled his eyes as he picked up the pace. He'd been watching the lightning, applauding it every time a bolt struck ground somewhere in the distance or made a deafening bang, scaring everypony else out of their wits.

“You sure ya know where you're going Pinkie?” Applejack asked as she ran to keep up with her.

“Yup! You'll see!” Pinkie insisted.

She wasn't wrong either. After a brisk run she led them right to what looked like a pretty decently sized cave. Its mouth was perfectly round, jutting out from a rock face where the forest met the foot of the Canterlot mountains. Its sides were cut straight into the rock, the entranceway slanted to prevent rain from pouring in.

The group ran inside, standing away from the door to prevent the spray and wind from hitting them.

Various complaints and moans were muttered whilst each pony wrung out their mane and tail, wiped their faces clear or, in Pinkie's case, shook themselves dry.

“Ok, we're all here, right?” Twilight looked over the group which gave a nod in return.

“And I was worried this night'd be boring.” Discord grinned as he stood beside Rarity who was fussing over her mane. As soon as he was sure she was getting it under control he shook himself, sending a fresh shower of water over her.

“Where are we?” Fluttershy asked nervously, looking around what turned out to be a tunnel going deeper into the mountain.

“I'm not really sure.” Twilight said, frowning to herself before, reluctantly, turning to Discord. “Hey! You have any idea what this place is?”

He pulled his attention away from the distraught Rarity, his grin widening. “Is the great Princess of Equestria really asking for the help and advice of a disreputable person like myself?”

“Cut the theatrics and just tell me if you know what this place is.” Twilight brushed him off as she pulled out her map again. “I wasn't expecting to find a cave with actual passages. I was just looking for a rock-hollow of some kind. These formations look kinda weird too.”

“Of course, just the fact that you're out of the rain isn't good enough.” He sneered at her. “You have to properly dissect and understand every little piece of something before you're satisfied.”

“Please Discord?” Fluttershy interrupted, trotting over to him. He groaned in response as he put a paw over his face, already knowing he wasn't going to be able to reject her. “It might be dangerous if we don't know where we are.”

“Fiiiiine.” He grumbled, turning and looking over the area with a bored expression. “I never heard of a cave being around here. It doesn't even really look like one, however it reminds me of those buzzy, changelings' home town. Really unpleasant place I might add. They have no sense of humour in those parts. Even less than ponies.”

“Ya mean this is like a hive or somethin'?” Applejack gave a hard frown. “Ain't that bad? A hive for what?”

“No idea.” He yawned.

“Thanks.” Rainbow Dash muttered darkly from where she sat at the entrance.

“It's ok.” Fluttershy said, turning to Twilight. “Whatever made this place probably isn't here anymore or they'd have chased us away by now.”

“Are you sure Fluttershy? As in.. absolutely sure?” Rarity asked with a shudder, giving paranoid glances back and forth. “What if they're just hiding? What if they decide to attack us when we don't expect it? With legs and wings and feelers OH! I don't even want to think about it!”

“It's either that or the storm.” Applejack commented, turning to look back out at it again. “We're really between a rock and a hard place ain't we?”

“No, they'd have come to see what all the noise we're making is.” Fluttershy said confidently. “I think it'll be ok if we stay here for a while.”

“Well, ok.” Twilight nodded as she put away her map again. “If you say so Fluttershy, it's probably true.” She slung her saddlebags on her back again. “I think we should go deeper into this thing and away from this door or we're all gonna get sick. If it's a hive there's probably a turn up ahead somewhere. We can bunk down there so we're out of the wind and wait for it to stop raining.”

“Well, if you're sure there ain't any bugs in this place.” Applejack nodded.

“Please don't say 'bugs'.” Rarity shivered as she trotted after Twilight. “My nerves can only stand so much in one day!”

“What kinda hive is this, huh Fluttershy?” Pinkie smiled widely. “It's pretty big! Is it for something giant? Are there giant things that live in hives?”

“I don't really know much about the hives that aren't bees.” Fluttershy admitted as they all made their way deeper down the tunnel.

“Oh, I suspect it was made by antlions.” Discord interrupted as he pushed himself under her and scooped her up to ride on top of his head. “They like digging through straight rock and they like eating ponies. Being so close to Canterlot, they'd have a real buffet if they got hungry enough.”

“Oh....” Fluttershy shrank on her perch, looking nervously around them.

“Raindow Dash, are you coming?” Rarity asked, coming to a stop as she noticed the pegasus trailing behind.

Rainbow was watching the torrent through the hive's entrance as she skulked after the others. She turned back to the front when Rarity spoke to her, glowering to herself. “Yeah yeah...”

“Are you alright, darling?” Rarity asked, walking beside her.

“I'm fine.” Rainbow said shortly.

Rarity blinked at her but took the hint and dropped the issue.

After taking the first turn and walking only so far as to be out of the wind, the group settled down for the night. Finally bags could be unpacked, blankets set down and food be passed around as the day's travel was officially behind them. There was no fire since there was nothing resembling wood inside the cavernous hive and the rain refused to let up outside. Luckily the hive itself was dry and due to how it was dug, avoided the draft from outside as best as physically possible. This coupled with each pony's blanket and they could at least avoid catching pneumonia.

After Twilight made some changes to her map to mark they way they'd travelled and they'd pretended to listen as she explained tomorrow's plans, they hunkered down. Tired wishes of 'goodnight' floated around the tunnel as each pony pulled their blanket over themselves and curled up. Rarity had also sneaked in her sleep-mask into her luggage, Twilight noticed. Applejack pulled her hat over her eyes and Pinkie sprawled herself out on the floor, using Rainbow Dash as a pillow.

Fluttershy curled up, tucking herself in under her own turquoise travel blanket before closing her eyes with a sigh, trying to get some sleep. She was still clammy from the brief run in the rain and tried to keep as much of herself under the blanket as she could. She lay silently for a few minutes, listening as her friends fell asleep one by one. Something shifted and she heard somepony get up and move. A moment later the culprit lay down beside her and she felt it wrap around her. She leaned into it with a small sigh, grateful for the extra heat as she fell asleep.

It felt far too early when she was woken up again. At first she wasn't completely sure why she was awake, until Applejack's voice echoed around the tunnel a second time. Discord grumbled irritably and shifted against her as he turned his head in the other direction.

“Twilight! Rainbow Dash, wake up! Everypony up!”

Her voice was hushed but urgent. The others woke up, some of them complaining sleepily.

“What's wrong Applejack?” Twilight blinked at her through her hair.

“Will ya'll keep it down!” She hissed at them, effectively shutting them up.

They stared at her, waiting to hear what was wrong. Fluttershy prodded Discord's side until he eventually pulled his head up to give her a dirty look before he noticed Applejack standing in the centre of the tunnel, her ears pushed forward as she frowned to herself, listening intently.

“Applejack, what is it?” Rainbow Dash whispered when she couldn't take it any more.

“There's something in here with us.” She whispered back, her eyes locked on the darkness ahead of them.

“Are you sure?” Twilight said with a frown, getting up to stand beside her and follow her gaze.

“Positive.” She replied.

There was silence again as the group waited and listened, not daring to move.

Somewhere, echoing from deeper within the hive, they heard something call. Its voice was a mix of a reptilian hiss and a low rumble. The noise was joined by a slow, rhythmic thump of a heavy mass moving in the darkness. Where it was coming from wasn't clear, but it was getting louder, its step sounding focused and with purpose.

“That's no antlion.” Twilight said, backing away.

Behind them, booming through the empty tunnels, a thunder strike cracked loudly from outside as the storm raged on.

Monsters in the Dark

View Online

Chapter 8

Almost as one unit the group of ponies got to their hooves, all staring into the darkness where the noise had come from. The echoes bounced around the tunnels like it was coming from multiple places at once. The slow footsteps were joined every few moments by a drawn-out, dry hiss. Whatever it was, it knew they were there.

“I thought you said the things in this horrible place were gone!” Rarity whimpered as she hid herself behind the stalwart figure of Rainbow Dash.

“I don't think it's an Antlion, Rarity. But whatever it is, let's hope there's only one of them.” Twilight repeated herself.

“It don't seem like it's too sure where we are. I say we keep it that way and get goin'.” Applejack whispered back.

“Not with those clouds!” Rainbow argued, struggling to keep her voice down. “It's crazy out there! And there's no way I can clear that mess up by myself! If we go out there with those things clogging up the sky, we might as well throw ourselves in a pool of electric eels!”

“Wait,” Fluttershy spoke up, “We don't even know what it is. Maybe it's just some poor, scared animal that got lost in the rain, like us.”

“She's got a point,” Twilight said, pursing her lips “At least, she's right about finding out what it is. We can't really make any decisions without knowing what we're dealing with.”

“So what's the plan, O Exalted One?” Discord asked, watching the conversation with amusement. “Walk up to it and kindly ask it its name?”

“Not exactly.” She said, ignoring his tone. “If we could get somepony to sneak up and find out what it is without being seen, then we can decide if we should be worried or not.”

“D'you want me ta go, Twilight?” Applejack offered.

“Ooh! Ooh! Me! Pick me!” Pinkie Pie jumped up and down somewhere in the background.

“I know you could do it Applejack, but would you know what it is if you saw it? I think Fluttershy'd be better for the job. She knows more about animals than the rest of us. Our best bet would be for you to go with her.” Twilight said, ignoring Pinkie.

“What?!” Fluttershy paled, backing away. “Oh no no no. I can't go into that dark, cramped tunnel!”

“You said yourself the antlions or whatever dug this place are gone. We just have one, unknown creature to deal with,” Twilight reasoned with her, “and I'm not gonna send you out there alone. Besides, like you said, what if it's just some animal that got lost in the rain?”

“It's not the animal in the cave I'm afraid of.” Fluttershy mumbled, trying her best to disappear behind her hair.

“Show a little backbone, my dear.” Discord said in what was probably his scolding voice, although he was grinning widely. “I'm sure we can handle any water-logged squirrel or stray cat or whatever else.”

“Oh, you're going with them, are you?” Twilight cocked an eyebrow at him as she tried to suppress a smile.

Discord rolled his eyes so hard it hurt to watch him. “I thought I'd save you the trouble of giving any more royal orders.” Twilight's smile faded at this as his perked. “Besides, as your chaperone and babysitter, I don't want Celestia thinking I've been napping on the job. She'd take any excuse you could give her to replace me on her lawn. I believe the Grand Galloping Gala organisers are beside themselves trying to plan the decorations without my handsome visage in its usual place.”

“Ok, ok. Whatever.” Twilight waved a hoof impatiently before setting him with a serious look. “But just get a look and come back here to tell us what it is. And do it quietly.”

“And you'd better watch Fluttershy's back or I'm gonna whup you so hard you'll be wishing you were made of stone again!” Rainbow Dash threatened, glaring at him.

“Yes, of course.” Discord said, giving her the bare minimum of attention. “Let's go and say hello to the neighbours then, shall we?”

“Ok.” Fluttershy squeaked, although she needed him to prod her in the back before she started walking. Discord trotted behind her with a bounce, completely unconcerned by present events. Applejack gave Twilight a nod before she fell in step with them.

“Do you really think sending Discord with the two of them is a good idea, Twilight?” Rarity whispered.

“No. But he is right. Princess Celestia sent him with us because she said he knows about Equestria's wilderness. At least I don't think he'd do something stupid enough to get Fluttershy in trouble.” Twilight turned and headed back for her blanket. “Let's get our stuff together in case we need to make a break for it, storm or no storm. I don't want to take any chances.”

“Swell,” Rainbow Dash growled to herself, “I always wanted to run headfirst into an uncontrolled storm.”

“I haven't!” Pinkie hopped after her. “It doesn't look like it'd be much fun, Dashie.”

“Yeah yeah....”

Applejack's gaze flittered back and forth as they made their way through the dark. The sound of patrolling footsteps still echoed from somewhere unseen ahead of them. They passed several arched entrances to other parts of the hive, some of them leading to round, hall-like rooms. Others merely spiraled off deeper into the mountain. The sounds of the intruder were growing louder with every step they took and Fluttershy was starting to wonder if she'd still be able to identify whatever it was when she saw it. She was shaking all over and it was getting harder to keep going with every step she took. The tunnel around her felt like a never-ending, giant mouth that was constantly on the verge of snapping shut on top of her.

“Sounds like he's around this corner.” Applejack whispered to them over her shoulder, sinking down to peer around what seemed like the hundredth side-tunnel.

Fluttershy tried to nod, but it came out as a collection of spastic twitches. Behind her, Discord sounded like he was trying to stifle a laugh. It didn't do much to ease her nerves.

“That... ain't no lost squirrel.” Applejack muttered.

Fluttershy swallowed, but her tongue felt like it had been replaced with sandpaper. Somehow, she managed to scrape together what courage she still had and moved forward to lean over Applejack and take a look.

The thing that was patrolling the tunnels may have been bigger than a squirrel, but it was still smaller than its footsteps and reptilian hisses had made it sound. In reality it looked about the same size as a cow. Bigger than any of the ponies there, but smaller than Discord. However, that was probably the only reassuring thing about it.

It had a broad, square torso, on each side of which grew something resembling wings. They'd never be able to keep anything in flight, though. Rather than elegant beaters of the air they were large, awkwardly shaped fins that jutted out and upwards. A muscular neck curved into a small, triangular head that looked too small for the rest of it. A whip-like tail dragged behind it as it marched in the direction away from them, it's two, thick legs ending in dark, curved claws. It didn't look like it knew they were there, as it slunk away into the darkness, hissing to itself as it went.

“Oh my...” Fluttershy said softly, blinking to herself. “That's a really strange looking animal.”

“Ya mean a weird lookin' animal.” Applejack pulled a face in disgust. “Ya wouldn't happen to know what it is, would ya?”

“I don't think so.” Fluttershy looked down at her friend. “I've never seen anything like that in the Everfree Forest. Maybe it's a young dragon?”

“An ugly young dragon.” Applejack mumbled.

“Close, but not quite.” Discord snorted above them.

“Oh, so you know what it's suppose to be then, huh?” Applejack scrunched her muzzle at him.

“As it so happens yes, I do.” He answered with a proud smile. “It's a Basilisk. Not the best creature to invite to a dinner party, by the way. However, they can be fun to have around if you have the right occasion.”

“I think I might have heard of them.” Fluttershy nodded, turning back to try and find the Basilisk's disappearing form again. “Aren't they a kind of Cockatrice?”

“Not really, but they get mixed up from time to time by ponies who don't know better.” Discord patted her on the head, but she didn't seem to take offence.

“So cut to the chase; is it dangerous?” Applejack interrupted, pulling back from the tunnel's mouth.

“Only if you're too slow or stupid to get away.” Discord said brightly. “Or you challenge them to a staring contest. They have a habit of turning things into stone by looking at them.” His ears flattened as he mumbled to himself. “Sounds like somepony else we're all acquainted with, come to think of it.”

“So it's probably not a good idea ta be stuck in a tunnel with it.” Applejack nodded as she turned to walk back the way they'd come. “We better go tell the others. I don't like the idea of that thing stumblin' in on us by accident.”

“It probably did come in to avoid the storm though.” Fluttershy said as she followed, her earlier fear forgotten for the moment.

“Oh yes! The storm.” Discord added gleefully. “Now, I wonder how Rainbow Dash is going to react at hearing we'll be running through the rain again.”

“Between that or turnin' to stone, I think she'll understand.”

“Are you nuts?!” Rainbow snapped when Applejack had finished. “Go out there?! Didn't you hear me the last fifty times I told you it's a really bad idea?!”

“Bravo with the reaction Rainbow Dash. Well done.” Discord said somewhere in the background with mild applause.

“Look Rainbow Dash; I know it's bad out there-”

“Really bad out there.” Rainbow emphasised.

“Ok, really bad out there, but if we wait for it ta clear up and have that Basiliwhatsit find us, we ain't gonna be in any better a situation.” Applejack argued.

“And what if it doesn't find us?” Rainbow argued back, “What if it just keeps walking and gets lost somewhere?”

“I'm pretty sure it knows we're in here with it.” Fluttershy answered her nervously. “I don't think it knows where we are, but it looked like it was trying to find us.”

“And the three of you were standing around right behind it and it didn't!” Rainbow Dash turned to her instead. “It doesn't sound like it's that smart if you ask me. And even if it is smarter than it sounds, I'd still take my chances with it than try and travel in that storm!”

“What do you think, Twilight?” Applejack said, turning to her.

Twilight looked back and forth between the group as they turned to hear her answer. She frowned to herself for a moment, weighing the options.

“Rainbow Dash, how long do you think that storm's gonna last?” She asked eventually.

“I'm not really sure,” Rainbow said, pawing restlessly at a rock, “Normally the weather team and I would set aside a whole night for a big project like this, or even into the next morning if it's been dry enough. I can't really tell with a wild storm, but I don't think it's gonna clear up before tomorrow, at least.”

“Which is still a few hours away.” Twilight finished, mostly to herself.

“If it could hear us while we were sleeping, I don't think it will take that thing long to find us if it has a few hours to look.” Rarity said, looking considerably paranoid.

“It'll probably turn around and start looking this way when it can't find us the way it was going.” Fluttershy agreed.

“And I'm telling you if we go in that storm we'd be making the biggest mistake of our lives!” Rainbow stomped a hoof.

Twilight bit her lip as she tried to think. “No going outside... and we can't stay here....”

“Ooh! Hey! I just had an idea!” Pinkie interrupted, putting herself at the center of attention. “Why don't we put the monster outside?”

“Come again?” Applejack gave her a flat look.

“Aw, come on! It's not that hard!” Pinkie waved her forelegs at her. “We need to stay in here, but we can't do that if the monster's in here with us! So we need to get him out of here!”

“How're we suppose to do that?” Rainbow Frowned.

“Hey, I can't come up with everything!” Pinkie shrugged. “Although if I could I probably wouldn't get as many surprises and that's no fun.”

“Would that be possible?” Rarity asked, eager for any solution that got her away from the Basilisk. “How are we suppose to get it outside?”

“With bait.” Applejack said, a grin forming on her face.

Rainbow Dash gave a dry laugh but was ignored.

“When Big Mac and I are havin' trouble with the pigs, we use bait to get 'em out of the pen. Then when we get 'em out, we close the gate behind 'em.” Applejack said, turning to Twilight for support.

“And how do we 'close the pen' exactly?” Rarity asked. “I've only seen one entrance to this place and we can't close that or we'd trap ourselves.”

“We can trap it in one of the round rooms.” Applejack said without missing a beat. “We passed a bunch of 'em when we tailed that thing. If we can get it inside one and cave in its entrance we'll have it trapped!”

“Cave its entrance? And bury ourselves?!” Rarity yelped.

“Nah, we'll find a way to keep it under control.... somehow.” Applejack said finally losing her strain of confidence.

“If we crack the room's entranceway beforehand we should be able to keep the cave-in controlled enough.” Twilight said.

“And you have to have something that can crack stone.” Rarity pointed out. “I'm afraid my horn is still being uncooperative, Twilight.”

“I was thinking we'd ask our babysitter for help.” Twilight said, nodding her head in Discord's direction.

“And what makes you think I'd have any better luck?” Discord said, curiosity all over his face.

“You're probably the strongest one here,” Twilight answered, “Both in magic and in brawn. If we work together with your help, we might just pull this off.”

“I'm guessing this is one of your 'Power of Friendship' gambles then?” He gave a shrug. “Fine. Whatever gets me back to sleep fastest I suppose.”

“Twilight...” Fluttershy said with clear hesitation. “Not that I don't think this is a good plan but... uhm... how... what are we going to use as bait... if you don't mind me asking?”

“C'mon Fluttershy, that's the obvious part!” Rainbow Dash said, already stretching her wings.

“Oh.” Fluttershy said sheepishly.

It took longer than expected, but once Discord got his powers to crack the stones Twilight had mapped out, they were ready to put the plan into action. Applejack and Discord were given 'stone smashing duty' and hid themselves close to the crippled entrance. The idea was that a first pony would catch the Basilisk's attention and get it to chase them. They'd keep running until they reached the next pony who would then take over as bait. That way they could avoid running out of breath and getting caught or making eye-contact.

“Remember, don't look back once it's chasing you,” Twilight warned them yet again. “If it looks you in the eye it'll turn you to stone, and I don't have enough magic to help if that happens. And in this darkness I don't think Fluttershy staring it down's gonna have much of an effect.”

They all nodded before taking their positions. Rainbow Dash volunteered to be up first, saying she could go the longest distance before getting tired. The last pony would be Rarity. She had the shortest distance to run but she was the one who'd have to lead the basilisk into the trap. If everything went according to plan, Rainbow Dash would've caught up to the front by then and be able to grab her and fly them both out before Applejack and Discord collapsed the entrance.

With everypony in place, Rainbow Dash marched down the tunnel Applejack and the others had seen the basilisk go. She could still hear it thumping in the near distance. She didn't know what a basilisk looked like, but she was betting it was ugly. It didn't matter though. She'd rather face something that could turn her into a statue than a wild storm. A storm that wasn't suppose to exist. One that should've been impossible to form if Canterlot's weather team had been keeping things in check. She didn't doubt them or their word, but that didn't change the fact that outside the hive it was pouring down. Violent and uncontrolled. She'd faced stray storms from the Everfree forest before, but none this big, and never on her own. But monsters? Monsters she could handle. Flying and speed she could handle. Everypony staying inside and out of the storm she could handle. Even if there was something hunting them in the dark.

The footsteps grew louder and she slowed her march, getting ready to react to whatever was waiting for her. As she got closer to the sound, she could figure out the silhouette of the basilisk from the rest of the shadows. It was blocking the tunnel in front of her, its triangular head turned upwards at the ceiling as it listened. Presumably for her. Its profile was as ugly as she expected. Small, black eyes scanned the roof of the passage, its beaked mouth twisted in a snarl. Rainbow gave her wings a warm-up flap before taking a deep breath and yelling at it as loud as she could.

“Hey you mangy lizard! You looking for me?! 'Cause you sure are LOUSY at it!”

As soon as the words left her mouth she spun around and took wing, rocketing back the way she'd come. Behind her she heard the animal let out a sound like a tortured violin before thundering after her. She willed herself to keep her eyes to the front, scanning the floor ahead of her for the splash of colour that was Pinkie Pie. She strained her ears, making sure she wasn't outflying the monster who continued to scream angrily at her.

“Over here! Over here!” Pinkie's voice echoed from somewhere before Rainbow Dash noticed the pink pony waving at her energetically.

Taking her cue, Rainbow dive-bombed the spot where Pinkie was waiting and flattened herself behind a rock. Pinkie shot her a grin before turning back to the monster and bouncing in place, waving as many of her legs, forelegs and tail as she could to make sure she had its attention.

“Hey you big meanie! Bet you can't catch me!” She called at it, jumping in place before turning and running down the tunnel.

The basilisk didn't seem concerned about whether the pony in front of him was still the same one he'd been chasing or not and crashed onward past Rainbow's hiding place. As its echoes bounced back to her, Rainbow looked up to make sure it'd kept going before she jumped to her hooves and ran after it.

Pinkie led the monster up the tunnel, coaxing and calling at it. When she passed Twilight she half buried herself in the ground as the alicorn took over. Fluttershy took the lead next, relying on her hooves more than her wings. Finally, they reached the last change-over point where Rarity was waiting.

Fluttershy didn't even need to worry about hiding as Rarity let out an eardrum bursting shriek as soon as she saw the dark mass of horror stampeding down the tunnel towards her. She galloped at full speed towards the trapped room, screaming bloody murder the entire way. The basilisk's own yells of fury almost matched her pitch. Its gait had become sloppy as its stamina was running out. Rarity could hear the haggard panting in between its enraged hisses and scream-like roars that felt like it made the walls shake. Rarity was convinced that she had never in her life wished harder for her magic to work so she could wink herself into the deepest, darkest hiding spot she could imagine.

Her fear had propelled her faster than any concious effort could, so that within minutes the trapped room appeared ahead of her. Doubling her efforts she shot towards it, sprinting through the archway and skidding to a stop in the middle of it. She turned, her gaze scanning the entrance's roof, looking for the cyan figure of Rainbow Dash. The basilisk stumbled clumsily through the arch before it started closing in on her. Its beaked mouth unhinged as it let out another violin screech.

Rarity's eyes dropped to focus on the monster as it barreled down on her for only an instant before she squeezed them shut, frozen in place with no idea what she should do.

“Rainbow Dash where are you?!” She screamed.

“Rainbow's late!” Applejack said from her spot at the room's mouth. “We gotta get her outta there!”

“No!” Fluttershy called as she galloped towards them. “I've got wings! You knock down the door!”

Before either Applejack or Discord could get a single word out she'd already ran past them. The basilisk flattened itself, ready to lunge as Fluttershy leapt over it with and grabbed Rarity around the middle. The unicorn let out a panicked cry as Fluttershy dragged them both into the air. The monster threw itself forward mere inches underneath them.

“You're too heavy Rarity! You have to run!” Fluttershy said as she dropped her to the ground behind the basilisk which was trying to relocate its prey.

Rarity stumbled but only for a second before she went back into her run, her expression choked with fear. Fluttershy flapped furiously above her as the monster screamed, storming after them.

“C'mon ponies! Move it!” Applejack yelled, her haunches shivering with tension as she stood ready to buck the damaged wall with everything she had.

Fluttershy baulked at the sight of Rarity putting more and more distance between the two of them. She buzzed her wings, trying to regain her own speed as the monster's breath felt close against her flank. She shuddered, willing her wings to beat faster. But she'd never been a strong flier. She pushed harder, giving a small cry of exertion, refusing to let her weak wings be the end of her.

The small noise from the pegasus seemed to triggered something in the air. Applejack watched in horror as her partner on the other side of the entrance left his post and leapt into the room, leaving her alone to cause the cave-in with strength she didn't have.

Discord torpedoed forward, paw and claw outstretched, wings plastered on his back for speed. He threw both arms around Fluttershy as she literally crashed into him. The basilisk slammed its beak shut a hair's breadth above them as Discord coiled himself and sprang back in the opposite direction for the entrance. Leaping clear over Rarity in the process.

Confusion rocked the unicorn as she watched them, unsure if Discord needed her to do something so he could grab her too. Further confusion hit her when he kept going and didn't even look back. Her hooves knotted themselves and she slammed into the ground, hitting it so hard her flank tipped her over and left her flat on her back. She threw her forelegs over her head in pain before snapping her attention back to the present. She lifted her head to gather her bearings and found her muzzle pressed against the snarling, beaked mouth. Her gaze travelled up along it before locking on the small, black, pebbles-for-eyes boring into her.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for the delay guys. Some family stuff happened.

In case anyone's curious, I based the basilisk's look on the Jenny Haniver illustration by Aldrovandi from 1613. Many Jenny Hanivers of that time period were sold to museums as 'Basilisks'. Picture is here; Jenny Haniver

I also recently drew a picture of it as it would look with the ponies and closer to the show's style... kind of...
C-Puff's Basilisk Drawing

They are different from Cockatrices (who are also sometimes called basilisks) because a cockatrice is specifically a basilisk that is part chicken and part snake. Both turn living things to stone though. Also, I'm a nerd.

I will try and get the next chapter up sooner this time, but if I don't see you until January, Happy Life day!!

Please let me know of any typos, grammar or punctuation errors. I'm not very good at that kind of thing and have no BETA. Also, feedback and (gentle) crits are welcome.

Conflict

View Online

Chapter 9

Twilight Sparkle came storming down the tunnel just in time to see Discord, with Fluttershy firmly wrapped in his arms, shoot out of the room and slide to a stop several paces away. Behind him, Rarity stumbled and fell flat on her face before sitting up and looking at the monster looming over her, its sail-like fins vibrating angrily.

Twilight quickly put two and two together. Her face set into a hard frown as she stampeded forward. Her magic may have been weak if not completely gone, but she refused to stand to one side helplessly while one of her friends got turned into stone.

Rarity continued to stare at the monster, quivering with fear. Neither she nor the basilisk moved, its beak-like mouth twisting into a snarl.

Rarity blinked. Then blinked again. Despite her panic at the hideous figure, she was able to bring her attention to the fact that she was not turning to stone. She wasn't turning into anything. And yet she was staring straight into the billiard ball sized eyes. It didn’t matter anymore. She just had to focus on getting as far away from the monster as possible, instead.

Breaking eye-contact at last, she twisted herself right-way-up and scrambled to her hooves, lunging towards the entrance. The Basilisk's head snapped up. There was a small delay before it let out another scream, realising its primary form of attack had done nothing.

Twilight was running at full speed, her head lowered instinctively as she tried to will power into her horn. There was a rush of wind as something streaked past her before shooting into the room. Doing a loop in the air, Rainbow Dash turned herself around, racing back towards the room's entrance. She swept low to the ground, forelegs outstretched. As soon as she was within reach, they clamped around Rarity and pulled her into the air as Rainbow used a last burst of speed to escape.

Twilight skidded to a halt as the pegasus got Rarity away from the scene. The furious basilisk thundered after them, screaming its tortured-violin-screams.

“Twilight! The door!” Applejack called, getting into a position to buck the wall.

Discord was setting Fluttershy down several paces away. Grasping Applejack's meaning, Twilight ran for the other side of the doorway, turning her shoulder and physically slamming herself against the weakened structure as Applejack delivered one of her hardest, farm-pony kicks. Dust rained down on them as stones cracked and slid into awkward positions, some landing with hard thuds around them.

“Again!” Twilight yelled, backing up a few paces before tackling the wall again. She wasn't alone this time as a puffy ball of pink seemed to pop into existence and throw itself against the rock with a slew of giggles.

Something gave way and a rumble echoed through the tunnel. Rocks and boulders crashed down on the domed room's entrance. Dust and sand billowed around the group, making it impossible for a few moments to see anything. Deep throated coughs and splutters echoed all around as the noise of the landslide died down. Thick clouds of dust hung in the air, but slowly the miss-formed shapes of ponies could be made out as it slowly started to settle.

Twilight coughed and spat at the taste of clay in her mouth as she tried to take stock of the situation. She blinked rapidly against the dirt trying to get into her eyes, rubbing at her muzzle with a foreleg to try and clear her lips and nostrils of the stuff.

“Everypony okay?!” She called with a cracked voice before giving another cough. She took a few tentative steps towards the area she'd last seen everypony.

“We're okay over here!” Rainbow Dash called from somewhere further up the tunnel.

“Are you alright, darling?!” Rarity added. She seemed shaken but otherwise sounded okay.

“I'm okay! Where's Applejack?”

“Right here.” Applejack answered close to her right. There was a shift in the swirling dust and she became visible again, waving her hat in front of her to clear the air. “Everypony else?”

“Wow! That was some rockfall!” Pinkie called out enthusiastically as she skipped back into view. “Sorry I was late, guys!”

“I think you were right on time, Pinkie.” Applejack gave her a smile.

“We're okay too.” Fluttershy's said, followed closely by Discord who was dusting himself off.

“Excellent destruction!” He beamed with approval. “Really top form! Personally I wouldn't have bothered to keep it quite so... controlled, but seeing as we're not buried under the mountain I can't really complain. And listen!” He put a paw to one of his ears dramatically, leaning towards the tower of rocks where the entrance once was. Somewhere beyond it, sounding far away, they could just make out the sound of furious screams and snarls as something thudded against the other side.

“Aaah, the sound of a victim of a great joke.” Discord said, smiling to himself serenely. “Only downside is we couldn't see its face when the roof came falling down on top of it, but we can't always have everything now can we?” He clapped his paw and claw together and grinned at the rest of the group. “Well done everypony! Medals all around! If I could make some for us, I would.”

The rest of the group were too busy brushing dirt from faces, muzzles, manes and tails to really pay any attention to him. Except for Twilight who marched towards him, her ears pinned flat.

“What in the name of Celestia did you think you were doing?!” She snapped, coming to a standstill a few inches in front of him.

“Me?” He put a claw to his chest and batted his eyes at her.

“You were suppose to stay and help Applejack! If the rest of us hadn't shown up, that thing would still be out here! What where you thinking?! Did you want us all to get turned into statues?!”

“Well first of all, it didn't turn our fair Rarity to stone,” Discord held up a finger calmly.

“And we were suppose to know that how?!” Twilight yelled, her voice growing louder by the second.

“And second of all, it's not my fault the blunderbolt didn't get here on time.” Discord jutted a thumb towards Rainbow Dash who was trying to help Rairty pick sand out of her mane.

“How was I suppose to know Rarity can go into hyperspeed when she panics?” Rainbow gave him a dirty look.

“I'm sorry I couldn't get you out of there on my own, Rarity.” Fluttershy muttered softly, giving her an apologetic look. “I really did try my best.”

“You don't need to apologise for anything, sweetheart. You did save me after all.” Rarity smiled at her, lifting her disheveled fringe out of her eyes.

“So you just decided to do whatever you want?!” Twilight yelled over whatever it was Fluttershy said. She had no intention of dropping the subject.

“Fluttershy looked like she could use the help.” Discord said, cocking an eyebrow at her. “I'm rather surprised Princess Twilight. I thought you'd be happy that I'd saved one of your 'closest friends'.”

“Don't give me that! I know this had nothing to do with trying to be a friend to anypony!” Twilight gritted her teeth. “You left Applejack to try and handle the tunnel collapse by herself! And while you grabbed Fluttershy you completely ignored Rarity! I saw you! You jumped over her and didn't even bother to check if she was gonna make it! You could've grabbed her without even slowing down and you didn't! You only cared about saving the one pony keeping the rest of us from turning you into a lawn ornament! You don't care about anypony unless they can give you something you want, do you?!”

“Uhm.. Twilight... I don't...” Fluttershy mumbled from somewhere.

Whatever she had to say was ignored as Discord interrupted. “Oh well, do forgive me your royal majesty for not doing everything just as you so desire.” She gave the seething Twilight a deep bow, his face a mask of cool indifference. “I suppose risking my life to only save one pony just isn't good enough for your regal expectations.”

“Why did Celestia think we could trust you?” Twilight rubbed her face. “Why did I believe her that we could trust you?!”

“I was trailing behind a little...” Fluttershy said meekly.

“While I would've preferred the help, I did fall all on my own, Twilight.” Rarity said, giving her friend a concerned look.

“Yeah, but he could've taken the two seconds to help you too!” Rainbow snapped, crossing her forelegs. “I'm with Twilight on this one. You only helped Fluttershy 'cause she's your mealticket.”

“Not that we aren't relieved you're alright, Fluttershy.” Rarity added, giving her a sideways glance.

“I can't believe you'd care so little to just leave somepony behind!” Twilight went on, although she was slowly calming down. “I'm glad you helped Fluttershy. I really am. But I'm also not blind or stupid. I know you have your own agenda. You always do! I just thought you'd be smart enough to hide it better and we could actually start to count on you a little.”

“Well I'm awfully sorry to disappoint,” Discord gave a shrug and a sideways smile, “But honestly Princess; you should've known better to expect anything else from me. So who is really at fault here?”

“Whatever! I'm not getting into mind games with you.” Twilight spun around, stomping in the direction of their camp. “Let's just get some sleep and get out of here. The longer this mission goes on the longer it'll take to get you away from us.”

“Right behind you.” Rainbow said, giving Discord a look as she went.

The other ponies exchanged glances with each other before they followed them. Applejack adjusting her hat and Rarity giving Fluttershy a shaky smile. Pinkie blinked at them wide-eyed before turning to Discord with an unreadable expression. She then turned and trotted after them.

Fluttershy had her forelegs pinned against her chest, staring at the floor. “I erm... I guess we should go with them.”

“About time.” Discord said, his smile widening as he turned to go. “Next time let's schedule this fun and excitement until after my beauty sleep.” He ran his paw and claw over his middle as he struck a pose for her.

“Mm hmm.” Fluttershy nodded absently, not looking at him.

Despite, or maybe because of the excitement, everypony in the group fell asleep almost instantly once they'd unpacked their blankets again. The storm seemed to be blowing over as the thunder grew less intense and the rain slowed from a heavy downpour to a more rhythmic shower. Twilight lay awake for a little while, scowling to herself. But despite her bad mood, she fell asleep after a few minutes. Fluttershy took a little longer, lying on her back and staring at the dark ceiling, listening to the others. Eventually however, she also drifted off.

When Applejack prodded them awake the next morning with a loud 'Rise and shine everypony' there were several grumbles and complaints. As soon as Twilight managed to wake herself up though, the double team of her and Applejack managed to get everypony else on their hooves and ready to start out on their trip again. Twilight, unhappy about the day before's slip-ups, was determined to reach Coltchester the next day at noon like she'd originally planned.

Last night's storm had finally blown away. The clouds left over were already burning away in the summer sun as morning warmed up the dripping forest. And so with bags packed, plans explained to the rest of the sleepy group and course plotted, Twilight and the others left the hive and resumed their trek.

Fluttershy stared at the hive's mouth as they left, a worried frown on her face.

“Everythin' okay, Fluttershy?” Applejack asked, noticing.

“Oh. Yes everything's fine.” Fluttershy answered with a soft nod. “I'm just a little worried about leaving that creature trapped in there like this.”

“Well, we can't exactly dig it out without getting close to those claws.” Applejack said, but she gave Fluttershy a sympathetic smile all the same.

“I know. But I still don't like just leaving it.” Fluttershy sighed.

“I don't think you need to worry too much, my dear.” Discord said halfway through a yawn. Of the group, he'd taken the longest to wake up which had done nothing to improve Twilight's attitude towards him.

“You think it'll be okay?” Fluttershy asked, turning to look up at him.

“I'm sure of it. Those claws aren't just for catching ponies. They're pretty good at digging too. It'll get itself free by tomorrow if it's angry enough.” He shrugged, not caring either way.

“Well that's good ain't it?” Applejack said with a nod.

“I guess it'll be fine then.” Fluttershy nodded as well, relieved. “I really didn't want it to stay trapped there forever.”

“Well, I hope it's long gone by the time we head back this way to Canterlot,” Twilight interrupted, “I've had enough monsters to last me a lifetime.”

She finished her sentence by giving Discord a small glare before turning to the front again. Discord tutted to himself.

“I guess I'm still in the dogbox then?”

Twilight didn't answer. To enforce the fact that she was ignoring him, she pulled out her map and took a moment to check their route again. Discord sneered and rolled his eyes but said nothing else. Fluttershy's ears lowered as she turned to face the front.

The day's journey somehow managed to go without more fights breaking out, despite Discord's best efforts. He wasn't being any less annoying than usual, but he seemed to have completely written off what happened last night to the point of probably forgetting it. Twilight did her best to ignore him. He seemed to get bored with trying to get a reaction out of her and instead bugged the other ponies who, despite being a little chilly towards him, were still willing to snap at him or try and counter whatever he was saying with logic. Watching ponies try to win with logic was one of his favourite games. Mostly because they never seemed to win. The lack of powers made the game a little more frustrating but he was quickly learning that words alone could get just as many priceless reactions out of them.

Fluttershy watched him tease the others, mostly Rainbow Dash who, despite being in a much better mood since the storm subsided, was still mad at him. This meant Discord was getting some of the best outbursts from her which, of course, meant he was encouraged to keep poking her more than the others. Fluttershy did her best to intervene when she felt he was pushing his luck, but otherwise she was quiet for most of the day. Instead of reigning him in or scolding him, she just watched. She watched his behaviour and tried to find any differences from yesterday. She also kept her eye on Twilight. She watched her friend's reactions to Discord. Every comment he made was accompanied by an irritated ear twitch, dark frown and subtle hoof stomp.

The weather was milder than the day before and evening felt gentler as a result. As the day was drawing to a close they'd reached the edge of the tree line and took shelter under a large oak. Its roots created surprisingly high walls around them in a half-moon. The sky was clear and the open countryside stretched out in front of them. Large open fields dotted with tiny white flowers and ankle-deep clover went on for miles, broken up only by hills and a stream. A few rabbits had come out of hiding to graze before disappearing for the evening.

The ponies had lain their blankets close together between the oak's roots. Rainbow Dash found a large, thick branch to spread out on a few feet above them. Twilight was making adjustments to her map, nodding happily to herself at their progress. Applejack sat beside her, double checking their planned route for tomorrow. Pinkie Pie was busy trying to get a resisting Rarity to take a bite out of her cookies. Fluttershy was beginning to suspect she'd put something in them because she'd been really insistent on the others eating them since they had left Canterlot. Discord was busy rummaging through Pinkie's saddlebags behind her, pulling out various snacks and putting them beside him.

Fluttershy went to her own bags and pulled out a bottle of water. She took a few large gulps before closing it and carrying it towards Discord.

“Discord?” She asked carefully. He pulled his head out of Pinkie's bag at lightening speed, swallowing whatever he'd been chewing in one gulp.

“Just checking our reserves,” He gave her a broad smile. “We're low on candy bars by the way.”

“Okay... we'll get some more at Coltchester. In the meantime, will you help me fill my water-bottle? I don't want to go to the stream by myself.” She said, ignoring his obvious guilt.

“Now that you mention it, I could use some refreshment myself,” He said, pushing himself up and licking his claws. “That's one of the worst things about having my magic capped like this. What I wouldn't give for a nice Piña Colada right now. Virgin maybe, but then again.... you only live once, right?”

“I suppose so.” Fluttershy nodded as the two of them headed between the trees for the small stream that came from Rainbow Falls.

Twilight had made sure to make their camps close to water both nights, most likely foreseeing the fact that they'd need to restock their bottles during the trip. The stream was small at this end of the wood, but it flowed fast and was full of small silvery fish. Fluttershy hovered over it to fill her bottle rather than doing it standing on the bank. She had no desire to fall in and cause more problems. Once she was done, she flew back to Discord who was waiting patiently for her to finish.

“Did you catch a fish?” He asked when she landed.

“Uhm... no.” She said, making sure the cap was tight. “But listen, I want to talk to you before we head back.”

“Oh really?” He grinned at her, spreading out on the ground and propping his chin up in his paws. “What about? Please tell me we're plotting something while we're out of earshot. I think Twilight's finally about to crack.”

“Yes. I mean no. I mean, I do want to talk about her but we're not gonna plot anything.” Fluttershy said, sitting down in front of him. Trying to give Discord a serious talk was always hard. Scolding him was okay because he tended to at least understand what he was doing wrong without her needing to explain to him, but to try and have a serious talk always took a lot of patience.

“It's about what happened yesterday with the basilisk.” She started.

“You're welcome.” His grin widened at her.

“Oh! Oh yes. Thank you.” She blushed, realising she hadn't thanked him for saving her yet. “Really. Thank you very much. But... I think we need to talk about the other things you did.”

“Oh yes?” He said idly, his attention caught by a passing dragonfly.

“Twilight's really mad at you.” Fluttershy went on, deciding to get straight to the problem. “I know you were doing what you thought was best, but she seems to have really taken it the wrong way.”

He turned his attention back to her, suddenly looking bored. “And your point is?”

“Well,” She brushed her fringe out of her face, “I think it would be better if you say sorry for making her mad.”

He snorted, pulling a face at this, his claw tugging at the grass irritably.

“I know you were trying to help. I know that, but I think Twilight doesn't know you well enough to realise you were trying to be nice.” She paused to watch him but he merely plucked at the grass, frowning at something above and to her left. “Applejack wanted to leave her spot to help Rarity before I got there too. But I think Twilight's more mad that you ran past Rarity without helping her.”

“She seemed perfectly fine running on her own.” He grumbled, shaking grass from his fingers.

“Yes, but Twilight doesn't see it that way. We're a team, Discord. And we have to look out for each other. Because that's what friends do. We're suppose to protect each other and help any way we can. We're friends, and nopony's more important than anypony else. I know you're not use to having friends, but it's an important thing to understand.”

“Explain something to me then, Fluttershy;” He said businesslike, curling his paw around his chin as he turned to stare at her instead, “You say you're all a little team and you're all a super best friends club and I understand that perfectly. But here's the thing; What exactly are Rarity or Twilight or any of those ponies to me? Answer honestly now.”

Fluttershy blinked at him as he stared her down. She wasn't really sure what he meant, but after a pause it was clear he really did want an answer. She forced an awkward smile on her face and shook her head in confusion.

“Your friends are a lot of fun, Fluttershy, but they're not that much different to any other ponies. Twilight's a little more entertaining than most, I'll admit, but I don't see why I should be so choked up about her little royal tantrum.” He pushed himself to his feet, dusting off his paws. “I really don't see why I should concern myself with them any more than I need to.”

“Rarity and Twilight and the others are my close friends.” Fluttershy said strongly, getting up as well. “You need to understand that what you do to them is important to me. Even if you don't really like them, you should try and be a friend to me and not get into fights.” She frowned at him. “If Rarity had been hurt I'd have been so sad. You're my friend right? Shouldn't that matter to you, just a little bit?”

Discord made a drawn out noise at this, pulling a face in slight disgust.

“I know you didn't think about it that way, but it's really important you understand.” Fluttershy carried on. “They're important to me. As my friend that should mean something to you too.”

“Alright alright fine!” He flapped his paws at her. “I get it! Enough with the sap already or I'm going to lose my lunch.” He sighed and crossed his arms. “It's really unnecessarily confusing but I got it. Okay? Can we drop the subject now and get back before they come looking for me with torches and pitchforks?”

Fluttershy's frown stayed where it was but she shifted in place, unsure if he was being honest or not. “So you understand why Twilight's mad at you?”

“Yes already!” He grumbled, rolling his eyes as he turned to walk back. “Play nice with the other kids. Don't feed them to monsters. Got it. Spectacular.”

She trotted after him as they returned to the oak, unsure if she'd really gotten through to him at all. When they reached the tree he clambered up into the higher branches and curled himself around one, hunkering down for the night without a single word or glance to the others.

“You get the water okay?” Applejack asked Fluttershy as she moved back to her blanket.

“Yeah.” She mumbled, putting the bottle down beside her before lying down. She rolled onto her back to stare up into the tree. Above her she could see Rainbow Dash's legs dangling around a low branch. Higher among the leaves, Discord gave a long yawn before resting his head on his paws. Fluttershy sighed to herself and rolled over. Twilight was busy packing her things into her saddlebags before getting under her own blanket. She scanned the surrounding area once to make sure everypony was there before she closed her eyes.

Fluttershy pulled her blanket tighter around herself, focusing on the sounds of nightfall as she tried to go to sleep too. They had just over half a day left until they reached Coltchester. She was starting to wonder if Twilight was right and the faster they got this mission over with, the faster she could separate her and Discord. Maybe that was really the only sure way to keep the peace. She wasn't sure. She just didn't want to be in the middle of it. One day was enough. What was worse was that nothing seemed to have changed.

Ogham Augur

View Online

Chapter 10

The next morning, the group was woken up by a piercing scream. Twilight snapped awake, looking back and forth frantically.

“What?! What?!”

Her, and the rest of the ponies' attention, turned to Applejack, who had once again been the first up. She was sitting bolt upright, using one hoof to fan her mouth with her hat while scratching urgently through her bag with the other.

“Applejack, whatever's the matter?” Rarity asked, pushing up her sleep-mask.

“Are we in trouble?” Rainbow Dash dropped out of the tree, her hooves raised and ready as she looked around.

Applejack finally found her water bottle and proceeded to completely drain it. She calmed down once she'd finished and gave a loud sigh.

“Applejack, what's going on?” Twilight asked with a frown as she stood up.

Applejack turned and gave Pinkie Pie an accusing glare. “I thought I'd get somethin' to eat and get myself goin'. It seems, however, that somepony thought it'd be funny ta lace the snacks with hot sauce!”

Pinkie burst out laughing, as the others all turned to follow Applejack's gaze.

“It ain't funny!” Applejack snapped at her, but all this seemed to do was make her laugh harder.

“You- you should see your face!” She managed to hiccup, holding her sides.

Applejack grumbled to herself irritably. Rainbow Dash, on the other hand, gave a snerk before laughing as well.

“Not you too!” Applejack moaned, turning to glare at her instead.

Rainbow tried to get herself under control, only to completely lose it. She dropped out of her hover to land beside Pinkie, where the two of them continued their hysterics. Applejack was about to roll her eyes when she noticed the rest of the group were doing their best to suppress their own laughter. She gave a sigh in defeat.

“Alright. I admit, ya got me good,” she gave a chuckle.

Taking this as a sign, the rest of the ponies all broke out into a fit of giggles, finally infecting the stubborn farm pony as she joined them. Even she couldn't deny the fact that she must've looked ridiculous.

“Whaaaaat?! I missed it?!” Came a cry of dismay as Discord dropped down from his perch, his tail keeping him hanging above them.

“Best reaction ever!” Pinkie giggled, bouncing in place. “Good prank!”

She jumped and gave Discord a rather one-sided hoofbump. He pulled his paw back up, rubbing it with a sulk, but he didn't seem entirely displeased.

With the abrupt wake up and the shared laugh, everypony was properly awake. With no reason to delay, they ate their breakfast (with the rest of the cookies all being given to Pinkie Pie), and prepared to set out again. The day looked like it was going to be another good one. The sky was clear, except for some thin clouds in the far distance. The forest birds were calling to each other enthusiastically, and the fields ahead of them were dotted with early morning animals, either just waking up and coming out to graze, or hurrying back to their lairs after a night's foraging. Cold dew soon covered their hooves as they made their way across the fields, heading for the hills ahead and onwards to Coltchester.

Discord seemed to actually be behaving himself, Fluttershy noticed. Or maybe he was just half asleep, as she caught him yawning to himself every few minutes at first. However, as the day warmed, he went back to entertaining himself by pestering either the other ponies or any animals they passed along the way. Twilight wasn't treating him any friendlier than yesterday. She was clearly still angry.

As the morning started going into afternoon, and they were starting to see the outlines of the town, Something caught Rainbow Dash's attention.

“Hey, That's kinda weird.” She said, frowning at the sky in general.

“What''s up, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked as the group came to a stop.

“Do you guys see that, or have I got sunstroke or something?” Rainbow replied, pointing at what appeared to be nothing.

The others turned to follow her hoof. Twilight squinted, trying to figure out what Rainbow was talking about. After a few seconds, she realised what it was and gave a small gasp.

“The moon! It's still up!”

The group all turned to her with similar noises of surprise before looking back at the sky. Sure enough, hanging low, there was the moon. It was waxing and wasn't completely full yet, but its white, almost-circular form was unmistakable even in the light of day.

“That can't be good.” Applejack muttered darkly.

“You don't think anything has happened to the Princesses, do you?” Rarity asked Twilight with concern.

“I don't know.” Twilight bit her lip.

Their attention was broken when Discord started laughing behind them. As one, they turned to him. He was rocking back and forth in the air, not even trying to hide his amusement. Twilight growled quietly before taking a few steps towards him.

“Do you know anything about this?” She snapped.

He tried to calm down, wiping at an eye. “I'm sorry, but I've never seen anything so precious! Ponies really are the most entertaining creatures!”

“You didn't have anything to do with this, did you?” Rainbow cocked an eyebrow at him, however she didn't seem to fully believe he would.

“Of course not. He's been with us the whole time,” Fluttershy said with sincerity, “Isn't that right, Discord?”

“Oh yes. I assure you, I am completely innocent.” He nodded, regaining his composure.

“But you do know what's going on, don't you?” Twilight kept her frown.

“Now now, there's no need to get so worked up,” He said. He seemed to want to pet her at first, but seeing her expression, he changed his mind. “I can assure you nothing has happened to your Princesses. At least, that I would know of.”

“So what is this?” Rainbow asked, looking confused.

“This, my dear fillies, is what you get when you don't have your dear and dutiful Princesses running absolutely every minuet detail into the ground,” He said, smiling widely as he flapped over to hover beside her.

“So, nopony's controlling the sun and the moon?” Twilight paled.

This only caused Discord to break into laughter again but he quickly pulled himself together, clearing his throat. “Simply put; no,” He smiled and snaked his way next to Twilight, putting an arm around her shoulders. “You do know that your beloved Celestia and her sister haven't always been around, don't you?”

He let her go when she tried to swat at him, turning to walk on ahead instead, his arms behind his back. “She may be a little older than the rest of you, but she is still a pony. A pretty powerful one, I'll give her that, but a pony nonetheless. Before she showed her face, the sun and moon were just fine on their own.” He put his arms up dramatically at this. “Of course they had their own ideas about how to do things, but they didn't just fall out of the sky because nopony was telling them what to do and when.”

Twilight gave the sky a second glance. She had to admit, despite the unsettling sight of both sun and moon being up there together, things had been pretty normal that day. The sun had risen, the day had grown hotter as morning went on and with afternoon upon them, the sun was high in the sky. Apart from the strange view, things seemed close to how they always were.

“So, we're ok, right?” Rainbow said, wanting to be clear.

“It'll be fine,” Discord said, turning back to her. “You may not believe this, but some things can, in fact, survive without ponies holding them on a leash the whole time.”

“Well, that's a relief.” Rarity sunk with a sigh, fanning herself with a hoof. “For a moment, I thought we had even more things to worry about.”

“I don't like the moon hangin' around without a reason, but I don't think it'll have much affect on the farm if the sun moves like usual,” Applejack agreed reluctantly.

“It's good you told us,” Fluttershy beamed at Discord as he trotted to walk beside her again, “otherwise we'd be worrying about it all day.”

Twilight said nothing. She merely frowned to herself as they got going again. Something about this new information didn't sit right with her. The small voice in the back of her head told her it was because she'd always thought the sun and moon were completely dependent on Princess Celestia and her sister. Seeing this, and learning that perhaps her mentor was not as essential to the world as she had believed her whole life, felt strange and uncomfortable. It felt wrong to her. She gave Discord a surreptitious glance as she walked, watching him chat happily to Fluttershy about how silly they were for being afraid. Twilight's expression darkened.

Coltchester was different from Ponyville. Not just because it was slightly bigger, but also in its design and layout. Whereas Ponyville, even in the centre of town, was quite spacious, the buildings of Coltchester were close together with thin side-streets between them. The small roads were cobbled and had floral sidewalks on each side. The ground seemed to be uneven and always tilted at a slight angle. The town must've been built on a hill. Trees popped up wherever there was enough space for them, which wasn't really that often. The houses themselves seemed almost stretched. Most of them only had about two storeys, but their roofs jutted upward sharply, while also reaching lower to the ground than what seemed necessary. The stream from the forest had grown larger by now and ran through the center of town, several arched bridges made of stone crossing it.

The townsponies seemed normal enough. They were the usual assortment of unicorns, earth ponies and pegasi. They didn't seem that much different than the ponies from ponyville. Perhaps more skittish, but considering the magic situation, that didn't seem to be a reflection on the town itself.

Twilight's group decided the best plan was to stick together, to prevent getting lost, and ask for directions to Ogham Augur's home. Most ponies they spoke to didn't seem to know who they were talking about. Some of them would give a sideways glance to Discord before muttering something about not knowing and trotting off. After several incidents like this in a row, Fluttershy and Discord stayed back and let Twilight do the talking while they sat and watched from a nearby bench.

This seemed to do the trick as eventually, somepony realised they were looking for what she called 'The weird researcher' and pointed them in the right direction. Thanking her, they headed for the east side of town.

'House' might've been the wrong word to describe what they found. At the edge of town, overlooking a ditch, stood a tiny tower. It was probably only three floors high, but with its round shape and pointed roof, 'tower' was the best thing to call it. Its small windows were closed near the bottom, but were open on the top floor. Apart from its strange shape, there didn't seem to be anything remarkable about it.

“Should we wait for you to knock first?” Fluttershy asked as they walked to the front door.

Twilight turned to blink at her and Discord. He gave her a grin and a wave, making her sigh. “Yeah, that'd probably be for the best.” She looked around the small street before noticing a patch of grass that'd been left open to grow various wild flowers and a small, twisted tree. “Wait over there and we'll call you once we've um, made the introductions.”

“Don't introduce us too much,” Discord said as they turned to go, “I don't want to miss this guy's expression when he sees me.”

Twilight made a disgusted noise but said nothing. She turned back to the door. After taking a moment to mentally prepare a greeting, she knocked. The rest of the group stood a few paces behind her, waiting anxiously. After a few minutes, the door opened and a dark teal stallion poked his head out.

“Yes? Who is it?” He asked, sounding polite but irritated.

“Hello,” Twilight said, smiling in what she hoped was a friendly manner. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends. We've come from Ponyville to talk to Ogham Augur about something very urgent.”

The stallion gave her a once over as if trying to decide something. Twilight couldn't place how old he was. He was either young with a weathered face, or he was older than he looked. His mane was cherry red and stood up in the back. There was also a lime bandana around his neck.

“Did somepony send you?” He asked, his brown eyes staring into her hard. There were rings around them, and the scar along his jaw made him look rather intimidating.

Twilight cleared her throat. “Well, like I said, we're from ponyville. I don't know how things are in Coltchester, but we've been having a lot of problems back home. So, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sent us to speak to an old scholar of their's called Ogham Augur,” she gave a nervous smile. “He does live here, right?”

She noticed the stallion's eyes look to her wings, then up at her horn before he gave a nod, opening the door fully. “Yeah, he lives here. You'd better come in.”

“Thanks,” Twilight said with relief, beckoning to the others behind her, “These are my friends; Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Rarity.”

“How do you do,” he said with the same polite yet distant tone.

The room he lead them into was round with a wooden floor. On the one side sat a heavy looking desk, almost buried under loose papers and books with hundreds of bookmarks stuffed into them. On the other side there were two off-blue couches and an armchair surrounding a fireplace, which was currently dark. A brass pot hung over the dead logs from a hook. At the opposite side of the door was a small staircase with an open trapdoor leading to the floor above.

“Do you want some tea?” The stallion asked. Clear of the doorway, Twilight realised he was a pegasus which struck her as a little strange.

“I'm ok. Anypony else?” She asked, looking around to the others.

“I wouldn't mind a cup, if I may be so bold,” Rarity said as she headed for the seating area.

He nodded and turned to a small preparation area next to the fireplace. The group sat down, giving each other awkward glances. Twilight remained standing, waiting for the stallion to say anything else. When the silence drew out too long, she found herself forced to be the first one to speak.

“Um... Is Ogham Augur home?” She tried.

“I am,” He said, walking over and giving Rarity her tea before giving the others their own cups, including Twilight. She noticed as he did so that most of his forelegs had long, permanent scars cut into them.

“Oh. Thanks,” She said, looking away to hide the fact that she'd been staring. “So, you're the pony who was working as one of Princess Celestia's scholars?”

“I was. But I'm retired now,” he said, getting his own cup before taking his seat in the chair across from them. “If Princess Celestia really sent you, it must be important.”

“What do you mean if she really sent us?” Rainbow Dash interrupted. Applejack elbowed her in the side.

“I don't understand,” Twilight frowned at him, “Why would we lie about something like that?”

“Let's just say, I'm not that trusting of strangers,” he said, eyeing her over the rim of his cup.

“That's really sad!” Pinkie blurted out, looking horrified. “If you don't trust strangers, how do you make any friends? Every stranger could be a friend waiting for you to say hi to them! If you don't trust anypony you're never going to make friends!” She gave a dramatic gasp. “Wait, do you have any friends?!”

“Pinkie Pie!” Rarity said, appalled.

The stallion called Ogham Augur blinked at her with round eyes, taken aback.

“Sorry about her,” Applejack said, giving a nervous smile, “she means well.”

Ogham Augur said nothing, but he looked bemused by the outburst.

A loud knock on the door Startled them. Discord was practically halfway inside already, looking around with excitement.

“Hellooo~? Did you forget about us out here? That's not very friend-like of you now, is it?” He strolled in, not bothering to look at them as he started to circle around the room before coming to a stop at the desk where he proceeded to leaf through everything on top of it.

“I'm so sorry,” Fluttershy came in after him, blushing darkly, “I tried to tell him to wait until you said it was alright, but he wouldn't listen.”

“I can explain!” Twilight said, spinning back to face Ogham.

The stallion was gaping at Discord in disbelief, his eyes wide as dinner plates. Twilight was impressed he'd managed not to drop his cup.

“He's with us!” She added, flailing her forelegs around. “I know it sounds strange but Celestia asked that he come with us to help! We'd never been to this town, you see! He's just here to stop anything bad happening to us! Although I guess that doesn't really make sense to you! But I swear it's true!”

“No way!” Ogham said and at first Twilight was sure it was to argue with her. However, she was proven wrong when he put his cup down on the floor and practically jumped up, trotting over to Discord at a brisk pace.

“So, you're the pony good ol' Celestia says can fix this 'broken magic' problem,” Discord said when he noticed the stallion walk over to him. “I must admit, I was expecting something a little more impressive.”

Applejack groaned, putting her hat over her face.

“And you're Discord!” Ogham said. It was as if somepony had flipped a switch in him. He was beaming brightly as he took wing and did a few circles around the Draconequus. “I'd heard Princess Celestia had you freed but I never expected she'd let you so far out of her sight! This is fantastic!”

He dropped behind his desk, causing a flurry of paper to shoot into the air. “I have a notepad here somewhere. You gotta answer some questions for me! I've read tons of books about you and I gotta know if they were accurate or not! And to think, just last night I'd finished reading Rowan's manuscript about alternative deities! When I tell him who showed up at my doorstep; Hah! I can just see his face! Where the heck did I put that quill?!”

“He seems nice.” Discord shot Twilight a smirk.

“Um... Mr. Ogham?” She walked over, ignoring Discord. “We really need your help.”

“What?” His head popped out from his mountain of papers to stare at her. “Oh! Oh yes of course! How rude of me, I apologise!”

He took wing again, flying over to return to his spot although he remained on his hooves.

“I suppose there's no mistaking it now. If you have the Spirit of Chaos with you, you must have come from Princess Celestia!”

“That's what we've been telling you!” Rainbow Dash waved a hoof at him impatiently.

“We're really sorry to just burst in on you like this, Mr. Ogham Augur,” Fluttershy added as she came over. She'd grabbed Discord by the paw and dragged him with her, presumably to get him away from the desk of important documents that was clearly a temptation.

“Oh please, nopony calls me that except the Princess! My name's Oggie. My parents are the ones who decided 'Ogham Augur' would be a good name for a young colt. Linguists, both of them. I suppose it could've been worse, but I've yet to meet a pony with a more ridiculously unwieldy name.” He smiled at them. It was as if the pony who'd invited them into the house had popped out of existence, to be replaced with somepony completely different.

“Ok then, Oggie,” Twilight said, sitting down. “We really need to talk to you. I don't know if it's happened here, but back in Ponyville, and even Canterlot, everypony's magic seems to have stopped working.”

“Yes, it's been happening here too,” Oggie nodded vigorously, picking up his cup again. “It's dreadful! I've been trying to contact my colleagues, but getting ahold of anypony outside of town has been a nightmare! Rowan asked me to read over the manuscript for his new book and I haven't been able to get any of my notes to him at all!”

“Yeah well, Princess Celestia is real worried about it,” Applejack said. “It's not just ponies whose magic is on the fritz either.”

“The animals are having a hard time too,” Fluttershy carried on. “I've seen so many creatures come out of the Everfree forest who are suppose to have some magic to them who just don't anymore.”

“Not to mention none of us unicorns are able to do anything!” Rarity lamented. “None of us can do our jobs and everything is in complete chaos!”

“Ah tut tut!” Discord waved a finger at her from his spot next to the couch. “Let's not be pointing fingers. I've already assured you, I had nothing to do with this!”

“He's probably telling the truth about that,” Rainbow Dash said reluctantly. “You don't have to believe him, but I don't think he'd do this and take his own magic away.”

“'His own magic'?” Oggie turned back to Discord. “Your powers are nulled as well?”

Discord's ears flattened as he carved a groove into the floorboards with a claw. “I'm not enjoying the experience, honestly.”

“Well, that's not good!” Oggie said, getting up again. He started pacing around the room, frowning to himself. “I had no idea the problem was so widespread. I could've told you from the start that Discord wasn't the culprit though. Taking magic away doesn't fit his MO in the slightest.”

“THANK you!” Discord threw up his arms. “At last, somepony who doesn't just blame me for every little problem!”

“Princess Celestia said you're the expert on weird cults and stuff,” Twilight went on. “None of her other scholars have been able to find anything that could cause this. She was wondering if maybe you knew a group of some kind that might be behind this.”

“Hmm.” Oggie came to a stop, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Not a bad theory, I must say.”

He trotted back to his seat again. Apparently sitting still wasn't his strongest point. “You won't believe the things some groups devote themselves to. It's truly fascinating! Do you know, I once interviewed a group purely focused on changing cutie marks to whatever they saw fit? They never succeeded of course, but it was insightful to hear their reasons. I can see their point of view, though. Some ponies are just unlucky when it comes to their destiny. Most ponies I know have no idea what my own cutie mark is suppose to be.” He gave the mark on his flank a sideways look.

“Um... Isn't it a wisdom knot?” Twilight blinked.

“Correct!” He smiled happily. “But then you're Princess Celestia's student, Twilight Sparkle, aren't you? I heard you'd managed to complete Starswirl's spell, recently! I wasn't at the Coronation myself though. I try not to leave Coltchester unless I have a reason.”

“Don't worry about it. But, you said this might be a group of ponies after all?” Twilight said, trying to get back on track.

“Oh yes. As I was saying;” He nodded, getting up once again to go to one of his bookshelves, “There's quite a few strange cults that might want magic to stop working. There are several 'Pro-Earth Pony' groups out there for instance, but I highly doubt this is their work. They're pretty fanatical about their 'no magic' policies and this is definitely the work of some strong magical force.”

“You really think so?” Applejack said, twisting in her seat to watch him as he pulled books out and inspected their covers.

“Most definitely,” He nodded. “So, I think we can rule out any cults who are anti-unicorn and more than likely any cults with a small list of members. I doubt a group of ponies numbering ten or less would be able to pull off something like this.”

He came trotting back with a small pile of books, dumping them in the centre of the floor before paging through one of them.

“You really think there would be a large group of you ponies rude enough to do something like this?” Discord said, crossing his arms behind his head as he leaned against the couch.

“I can believe it. Some ponies are just crazy!” Pinkie said with a hard frown.

“But why in Equestria would somepony use magic to destroy magic?” Rarity sighed. “That doesn't make any sense.”

“Does it have to?” Discord said, shooting her a sideways look.

“Don't even start, Discord!” Rainbow pulled a face at him.

“No, he's right,” Oggie said, pushing his book aside to page through a different one. “Some cults operate with a completely different mindset to most ponies. What seems nonsensical to us probably seems perfectly logical to them. In fact, there are many cults whose sole goal itself is the lack of sense!”

“Oh really?” Discord broke out into a wide grin at this.

“Oh yes!” Oggie said, nodding enthusiastically. “You yourself are quite a celebrity! There are so many groups devoted to the Spirit of Chaos it's staggering!”

“My my,” Discord grinned in a manner that made Twilight uncomfortable.

“Please don't encourage him,” She muttered.

“No please, do tell!” Discord said, leaning forward to try and peek into the book himself. “Thanks to a certain somepony, I've been out of the loop for the past, oh, thousand or so years.”

“Well, there's the biggest one, the Order of Discord. Quite a clever pun, I must say. They're of the mindset that ponies shouldn't be ruling ponies. They view it as unfair; glorifying members of our own species as deities, if I remember correctly. Then there are a bunch of others more or less with similar ideas regarding power and age and politics. It's a little confusing. Politics have never been my strong point, I admit.”

“Oh. Politics.” Discord rolled his eyes and sat back again. “That's disappointing.”

“Not all of them are politically driven though,” Oggie went on. “Some of them are just, I don't know, sinister I suppose.” He closed the book he'd been reading and pushed it aside, his smile fading. “There's a group operating outside of Equestria called 'The Defectors'. The name doesn't inspire much, however they're one of the more fanatical groups focusing on the idea of Chaos.”

“That's more like it,” Discord said, perking up again.

“I'm afraid it's not you they have much interest in,” Oggie said. “You see-” He stopped as something seemed to occur to him. He tapped his chin with the tip of a hoof. “Actually, perhaps they are relevant to our current predicament.”

“Really?” Twilight said hopefully. She'd been wondering if they were going to get anywhere at all.

“The Defectors are a cult with a rather unique goal in mind. They believe that the world we live in is too controlled. They see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruling the sun and the moon as overstepping our boundaries, but they feel all ponies are equally to blame. They believe we are on the verge of physically killing magic. In their opinions, magic needs to be wild and untamed. It needs to flow freely, both in the world around us as well as through us. Or at least through those of us who can channel it. To tame it as much as we have is an affront to nature, and they have taken it upon themselves to try and reverse the now inbred hold we have over it.”

“Sounds pretty crazy to me,” Rainbow Dash pulled a face, “and how exactly do they plan to do that?”

“It's not a pretty picture, I'll tell you that much,” Oggie said. “They've set up their base of operations in an old ruined castle, to the north, across the border. It's close to a small town called Falabell, but still far away enough to do what they like. They generally experiment with unstable magic and unleashing spells without proper direction. There are quite a few accidents, of course. However, they're a fairly large group and it never hurts their numbers. Of course, they're not the kind of ponies to let their members leave, even if they wanted to.”

“But you said they just want magic to be wild, right? Would they do anything to stop it completely? How would they even do that?” Twilight asked.

“Unless they're so crazy they're actually right!” Pinkie gasped. “Maybe we did kill magic!”

Twilight opened her mouth to argue, but after thinking it over, a sickening realisation hit her that Pinkie might have a point. The tense silence told her she wasn't the only one who realised this.

“Wouldn't that be something?” Discord said. “Unlikely though. Ponies have been doing what they like for literally ages. I don't see how today is any different to, say, last century.”

“I agree,” Oggie nodded, “But I do bring them up for another reason.” He pulled a third book closer, but this time he paged through it with purpose, stopping on a page and turning it around for the others to see. “Just under a hundred years ago, the group got their hooves on this.”

He pointed to a rough pencil sketch. It looked like an idol of some kind, or maybe statue was a better word. From a spherical pedestal grew two snake-like creatures, twisting around before facing each other. The space between them was coloured in, and in the middle of this there was drawn a small rectangle with a hole in its centre.

“This might have something to do with what's happening,” Oggie said with certainty.

The Story

View Online

Chapter 11

Twilight stared at the crude pencil sketch held out to her. She didn't recognise it, nor could she recall ever having seen it in any of her books. The drawing, apart from showing the shape of the idol, didn't give any details of how large it may be or even what it could be made of.

“I don't think I know this statue,” she confessed, looking back up at Oggie.

“It's not really the entire statue that's important, just this,” he pointed a hoof at the small rectangle held between the serpents. “The figures around it were added later by early members of the Defectors. The stone itself was discovered by the cult's founder almost ninety seven years ago in the Everfree forest.”

“Ooh! We live near the Everfree forest!” Pinkie said enthusiastically.

“So what is it?” Rainbow Dash asked, frowning at the picture.

“It appears to be some kind of jewel, if I'm not mistaken,” Said Rarity, peering past Twilight's shoulder. “It may not be the best piece of art I've seen, but I do know a gem when I see one.”

“Correct,” Oggie nodded. He turned the book back to himself and scanned the open pages briefly. “The Defectors call it 'The Stone of Null'. Discovered in the Everfree forest, where magic does whatever it wants and which some claim was so powerful it even corrupted the younger Princess, the stone was found to completely suppress magic. At least, within a certain radius. When its founder realised his unicorn magic was so drained he couldn't even pick it up, he felt he'd stumbled upon an artifact as unique and powerful as the Elements of Harmony themselves.”

“You mean this thing can block magic? Block it completely?” Twilight asked, partly shocked but partly fascinated.

“It can.” Oggie nodded.

“So what did the guy do with it? I'm guessing he wasn't smart enough to hand it over to Princess Celestia or anything.” Rainbow scoffed.

“Not exactly,” Oggie said. He stopped for a moment as he regarded the group in front of him. Twilight stared back at him, uncertain what his expression was suppose to mean. After thinking something over for a moment, he went on. “Tell me, do any of you know the Creation Myth?”

“Huh?” Rainbow looked up at him. The others looked back and forth between themselves, trying to see if anypony understood what he meant.

“Ya mean the Hearth's Warming story? Sure. I mean every filly knows that one,” Applejack finally said as they turned back to him.

“Oh yes, I rather like that one,” Discord piped up from his spot, his chin in his claw as he stared at the ceiling. “Princess Celestia's little story of 'Be nice to each other or you'll all freeze to death'.”

“That's not what the story's about! I mean... yeah it is, but that's not what it's about!” Rainbow snapped at him angrily.

Ogham cleared his throat, trying to return attention to his story. “No, I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding. I don't mean the story of Equestria's Creation. I mean the story of everything's creation.”

“I don't think so.” Fluttershy asked, eager to stop a fight from starting.

“I think I read something about it in the Canterlot Library when I was a filly, but I don't really remember the details.” Twilight said, frowning to herself.

“Well, the thing is, nopony remembers the details,” Oggie said, crossing his forelegs in front of him as he lay down. “Some fairy tale books have it in among their other myths and legends, but it's not really a popular story for foals. Not that it was ever meant to be for foals in the first place.”

“I don't really remember what happens in it,” Twilight said with a nod. “I grew out of fairy tales quickly, so I only remember the more basic ones.”

Looking over the rest of the faces, Ogham was met with nothing but slight confusion and some anticipation. The only one who didn't seem eager to hear the story was Discord. He was facing away from the group, but Oggie noticed the sideways stare as he kept his expression blank. Oggie cleared his throat again, as if preparing for a public speech, before he went on.

“Ok well, before I go any further I'd better get us all on the same page.”

“What page are you on?” Pinkie looked up from the book. “Are you seeing a different page than me?”

“Hush Pinkie,” Applejack said.

“I'm not sure what it has to do with anything, but if you think it's related, you'd better remind us.” Twilight said as she lay down as well. Around her, the other ponies adjusted their seating, getting comfortable.

“Well then...” Oggie started. He paused before beginning.

“We're not really sure of the exact time period, but this is believed to have happened long before ponies split apart into the three nations. Some books I've read say it happened before ponies even existed, but I've read others that say ponies had to be passing around stories by word of mouth for the story to be remembered at all. Regardless, it happened so long ago that ancient writings talking about it as an already ancient story, is all we have to go on.

The world we live in was protected, and some say even created, by a benevolent Power which cradled and cared for it for eons after it first came into being. Some versions describe this Power as a vast glittering cloud which enveloped the world, forever hanging in the sky above it. Others describe it as a physical being that walked the earth. Whatever it looked like, this Power was where all kindness, warmth and loving energy in the world came from. And while it was there, either in the sky or walking across the country, life in our world was happy, peaceful and full of beauty.

But this shining existence didn't go unnoticed. At some point in time, a Dark force turned its attentions to the world that the Great Power protected. It's not properly explained in any text we've found whether this Darkness came from our world, or maybe somewhere else. Nevertheless, this Darkness moved to destroy our world. There are very dramatic ancient texts describing fire, swirling clouds, the ground breaking like water, and other sensational language that probably isn't very trustworthy, as far as historical accuracy goes anyway.

What is described almost exactly the same in every account though, is the final battle. When it seemed like the darkness would suck all life from our world, the Great Power rose up and faced the threat head-on. The two forces clashed in what is described as a battle that tore apart the sky. Again, the sensational language should probably not be taken too literally.

But during this great fight, the Darkness was threatening to trample over the Great Power to finally destroy our world it protected so closely. Seeing that there was no other way, the Great Power used every particle of itself and lunged at the Dark force. With the entirety of its existence, the Great Power used its own being to cancel out the Darkness and destroy it. But just as it cancelled out the Darkness, so the Darkness cancelled out the Great Power.

As both forces crumbled and died, the story goes that the great power gathered itself up in a brilliant light. It then split apart and the pieces that remained of it fell to the earth. These pieces were then later discovered and named the Elements of Harmony.”

The group Listened intently to the story, Twilight frowning in concentration as she tried to commit every word to memory. Despite them lying in in her saddlebags across her back, the Elements were still a strange power to her and any information that could teach her more about them, even if it was just a fairy tale, could be useful later.

“So I gotta ask, do the elements of Harmony have somethin' to do with this mess?” Applejack asked, her face serious.

“I'm not sure,” Oggie admitted, “At least, I'm not sure if they are part of the puzzle in reality, but there's another part of the story that ties them into all of this.”

“There's more?” Rarity blinked rapidly at him.

“The Creation myth is at least commonly known about to some extent these days, but there's a lesser known continuation to the story. The text explaining it was discovered almost a century ago and at the time, it caused quite a stir in the researcher community.

The text mostly covers the last battle between The Great Power and the Darkness, and the eventual death of both. It also includes the detail about the Great Power breaking into pieces which became the elements of Harmony. However, unlike any of its contemporaries, it goes on to explain another element that broke from the Great Power in that moment. This seventh broken piece was different from the other six as it was not a crystalised shard of The Great power's goodness. Instead, when the Elements of harmony were created, all the shadows of the things they represented; Laughter, Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity and Magic, came together to create what the researchers called 'The Seventh Element'.”

“Hey! I know that!” Rainbow Dash, who'd been nodding off, sprung upright at the name, waving a hoof at Oggie. “There's a Daring Do adventure with something like that in it! 'Daring Do and the Seventh Element!' It's the one where Daring is trying to get back a thing called the Seventh Element from an evil unicorn who used to be one of her expeditions' benefactors. The thing was said to have awesome power, and there's even an illustration in the book of all this crazy red lightening and stuff coming from it.”

“I've read that one too,” Twilight nodded. “The Seventh Element contains everything that's the opposite of the Elements of Harmony and is a crystal of pure evil.”

“Yes, the Daring Do books have a tendency to be a little loose with its facts.” Oggie rolled his eyes but kept his warm smile.

“Hey! You can't talk about Daring like that in front of me!” Rainbow quickly went on the defense.

“Well... the ancient text wasn't exactly that clear about it,” Oggie back-pedalled. “All it said was that there was a seventh stone created during the battle, and that it was the shadow side of what the elements represent. That's really all. Some researchers were quick to call it one of the greatest pieces of texts found on the creation story, while others questioned how accurate it was, saying that if such a thing existed, it was probably a piece of the Darkness and not the Great Power. Even others claimed the text was either a giant hoax, or it was a fantasy added on to the original story to make it more interesting. The age of the text seemed to rule out the possibilities of it being a hoax, but there is sadly no way in this life we'd be able to tell if anything in it is a record of a true event, or just an embellishment.”

“Wow. I never thought any of the things Daring Do found were actually real!” Rainbow Dash beamed proudly to herself.

“So, if I'm following correctly, this supposed 'Seventh Element' is what these horrible ponies found in the Everfree forest?” Rarity said, craning her neck to look at the drawing again.

“That, we don't know. But we do know that the pony who found it believed it was. Not soon after it was found, the 'Defectors' group came into being. Although they were a very small sect, they gave up their homes, possessions and ties to Equestria and moved out of its borders. Still close enough to survive through trade, but outside of Celestia's governed lands.”

“So if this weird group have this thing and it can cancel out magic, it's obviously them doing all of this now, right?” Rainbow Dash confirmed, getting to her hooves with a determined expression.

“But how would they make a stone like that affect the whole of Equestria? Especially if they're not even in Equestria.” Twilight said thoughtfully, biting her lip.

“Who cares?! Let's just go there, break down their doors and get that thing away from them!” Rainbow flapped her wings to hover above the group.

“Go to a place with a bunch of scary ponies to take an evil stone? I.. I really don't know.. that seems... really scary...” Fluttershy shrunk where she sat, flattening on the floor.

“Scary or not, it's the only lead we have,” Twilight said as she turned to the rest of them. “If this thing is that powerful, even if it's not the Seventh Element or whatever you wanna call it, there's no way some crazy ponies practicing wild magic should have their hooves on it!”

“Plus, we got the Elements of Harmony,” Applejack added. “So even if this thing is that evil doohickey, there's only one of it and six of us. If we're smart about it, I'm sure we'll figure out a way ta get that group of wackos away from it.”

“We should blast it with our rainbow!” Pinkie bounced in place.

“But what if the Elements of Harmony don't work?” Fluttershy squeaked, sitting up again. “What if this evil element cancels out their magic too? What if we can't find where they're keeping it? What if we get lost just trying to get to them? I've never been outside of Equestria in my whole life! We don't know anything about these ponies, or what they might do to us if they caught us!”

“Calm down Shutterfly,” Discord muttered, sounding bored as he proceeded to pick her up by the tail, dangling her close next to his head. “You don't really believe this little fairy tale about a magical rock that cancels out magic, do you? Personally I think the paradox is rather clever, but before I get my hopes up that it exists, I'd wait for more than just a story written by somepony who had nothing better to do one afternoon but scribble down a fanfiction about some fable nopony cares about.”

“Well, unless you have any better ideas, and knowing your kind of ideas I know you don't-” Twilight growled at him through her teeth.

“The stone does exist.” Oggie interrupted, closing the book.

Everyone's attention turned back to him at this. His expression was serious, looking more like the face that had first greeted them at the door.

“Did you read that in a storybook as well?” Discord grinned toothily at him, dropping Fluttershy.

“Not exactly,” Oggie said as he sat up. Something flashed across his face but Twilight didn't have enough time to identify what the emotion was.

Ogham took a breath. “I've seen it.”

Author's Notes:

An update? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS??

Seriously though, I apologise for the ridiculously long wait guys. Life happened. And I got a full time job! Hurray!! But this story started nagging at my brain again and I've started trying to get back into the flow of things. This chapter is a little short, but a lot of important info is in it and hopefully its a good way to get back into the story. (Hopeful people still remember what was going on!)

So here you go. I will try and work on it more again so expect better updates now :)

This is the part of the story where Season 4's premiere derails a little bit, but I don't think it clashes TOO much with the canon of the show unless something has happened in the newer episode I have not seen yet. I've said that this story takes place some time before season 4, or could be seen as a sort of AU from that point in time. Whichever you prefer.

Also, I have not been keeping up with Season 4 and have not seen the Finale. I please ask that you don't discuss it just yet ok? Please?

I apologise for the wait, and I hope you enjoy it and will forgive and continue to follow me. :)

Please let me know of any errors

Plans

View Online

Chapter 12

Ogham's announcement of having seen the stone quickly silenced the quarreling group. Discord threw a sulk at having the wind taken out of his sails, but a cocked eyebrow and stare showed his interest had been caught.

“You've seen it?” Twilight snapped her head back towards Ogham. “You mean in real life, right? Not just in a book?”

“Of course,” He gave her a frown, as if insulted.

“So if you've seen it, you know where it is, right? I mean, you can show us?” Twilight went on eagerly, nodding slightly as she leaned forward.

“Well, I thought that's where we were logically heading, so yes. I fully intend on giving you directions. I er... thought that was obvious?”

“Well, thank goodness that's one less thing for us to be worried about.” Rarity said with clear relief.

“Thank you, Oggie,” Twilight beamed at him.

He shifted uncomfortably but seemed pleased. “You're welcome.”

“So we're heading to the kooksville headquarters and busting some flanks, right?” Rainbow Said enthusiastically, boxing the air with her front hooves. “Then we get to this rock and blast it with the Elements of Harmony. Got it!”

“I think there might be a bit more to it than that, Dash.” Applejack gave her a sideways smile, “But that's the rough idea so far.”

“I don't suppose we could... ask them nicely to stop what they're doing?” Fluttershy mumbled.

“I don't think so,” Twilight said, giving Oggie a sideways glance. “Would they even listen if we tried?”

“No.” Oggie replied with certainty, “and I'd advise against even trying. The current leader of the group, a Unicorn called 'Black Lavender' is not the kind of pony one can reason with. He's frighteningly zealous about the group's ideals. I would go so far to call him insane if it wasn't for his intellect. And he's not the only member to be deluded beyond all sanity. I'd recommend taking the stone away from them, because they will not hand it over willingly.”

“Good to know,” Twilight gave a nod.

“Oh yes, very reassuring.” Discord stretched out his spine and gave a long yawn, “Six ponies against a large group of unstable lunatics. And not the fun kind of lunatics but lunatics with Conviction. Oh yes, I see this going swimmingly.”

“You're going too, you know.” Rainbow Dash scrunched her muzzle at him with a sharp frown.

“Wouldn't miss it for the world,” Discord added with a bored expression, “No doubt it's going to make for quite a spectacle.”

“If you think it's such a hopeless idea then you might as well stay behind!” Twilight snapped, spinning towards him with gritted teeth. “If you're just gonna sit back and watch us try and take this on ourselves without any kind of help then we're better off without you!”

“You don't mean that, Twilight,” Fluttershy said wide-eyed. She turned to Discord laying beside her with an equally innocent eyed expression, “And you won't ignore us if we need help, will you Discord?”

Discord was inspecting his talons on his eagle claw. “I'm merely saying that if we were to follow our Rainbow Dash's level of forethought we might as well gift-wrap ourselves and ring the front doorbell.”

“Hey!” Rainbow yelled but he ignored her.

“The lack of imagination here is staggering. It breaks my heart. Surely you ponies can think of a better idea than just breaking the door down and hope you won't all be instantly hacked to pieces by mentally unstable cult members?”

“He has a point,” Oggie added to Twilight's annoyance, “The Defectors may have a twisted perception of reality regarding the use of magic, but they're not the mindlessly insane ponies you might think them to be. They are ruthless, singleminded and devoted to their beliefs, but they are also most of them highly intelligent. You must remember, most of them, at least in the higher ranks, are either scholars, researchers or high-magic users. And if they aren't recruits from the nearby towns and villages then they are ponies who have come from Equestria where they most often left behind positions of high standing. Walking into this without a well put together idea would most likely be a suicide mission. And let me ask you this, if you reach the Stone of Null and use the Elements of Harmony to destroy it, would you be able to get out of the stronghold afterwards?” His face hardened into a serious stare. “Don't get any ideas that you only need to break in and not out again. You carry the Elements of Harmony, and you can be sure that items of such power should stay out of The Defectors' hooves. Not to mention yourself, as well.”

The last comment was directed at Twilight who blinked in response.

“You are an Alicorn, Twilight Sparkle. One of the minuscule few ponies in existence with incredible magic pumping through your veins. Magic so strong it keeps its carrier forever young and forever powerful. Do you think it would be a good idea to allow yourself to possibly be captured by ponies such as this?”

Twilight sucked at the inside of her cheeks and avoided his gaze. “No.” She said as she glared at the floor.

“I suggest you first educate yourself on what lies in wait for you.” Oggie got up, collecting the books from the floor and carrying them back to his bookshelf. “If I may offer further advice, I suggest you spend the night, and tomorrow I can give you a map to the stronghold they've made their home. It'll also give us some time for me to give you any information I have on them.”

“Not to mention we could get some supplies from town,” Applejack added. “We only packed to get as far as Coltchester. If we're gonna be headin' for the border, we're gonna need a lot more than we're carryin'.”

“What do you think, dear?” Rarity asked Twilight.

Twilight took a breath and nodded, raising her head again with a determined expression. “I think you're right. We have to fix this as fast as we can, but rushing into it and not planning ahead is not going to help Equestria or the Princesses or anypony.”

“Can we drop it for tonight, then?” Discord asked, sitting up. “I'm dying for a warm bath and some clean sheets. Don't know about the rest of you but if we're going to do any more walking I need some mental preparation. And that requires Bubble-bath.”

“There's a tub upstairs.” Oggie replied as he trotted back, smiling once more. “No bubble-bath though.”

Discord gave a long, mournful sigh as he headed for the stairs. “Oh, the trials we must face on this journey.”

“I calls dibs after the walking headache's finished.” Rainbow said quickly before Twilight could snap at him again.

“Me next! I call next!” Pinkie bounced to her hooves. “Good thing I remembered to pack my shampoo! And Rubber duck! And shower-cap!”

“Ya gonna have enough room for seven of us, Oggie?” Applejack got to her hooves as well.

“Some might have to bunk on the floor, but I think I can fit you all in.” Oggie gave her a smile as he moved to collect everypony's teacups.

Rarity groaned, “I do hope we can put this whole ugly business behind us. I don't know how much more of this I can take.” She caught herself and blushed lightly, giving Oggie a sheepish smile. “Of course we do thank you, Oggie darling. You are very kind.”

“I... guess that settles that then.” Twilight added, giving him her own lopsided smile.

“No problem at all,” Oggie grinned, something flashing in his eyes. “Wait until I tell Rowan who I had staying over in my home.”

The evening went by relatively calmly. Discord took way too long in the bath, annoying several ponies who'd at some point formed a line waiting for him. Oggie, not having enough in his cupboards to feed seven extra mouths, had supper ordered from a small local store which specialised in making basic home-cooked meals for ponies who were too busy to cook their own. With the absence of magic they'd become very popular in the last few days, but hearing that Princess Twilight was one of their customers they were keen to serve. Twilight was a little unsure about this, but Rainbow Dash guilted her into not thinking about it and just being happy she could feed the rest of them without any more problems getting in their mission's way.

Although the news on what was waiting for them wasn't the best or most reassuring, the group rested easy that night. Thankful to have a clear answer to the problem at last. They had spread themselves out on the first floor of the small tower with the use of several pillows, the available couches, extra blankets and whatever else they could gather that was soft and comfortable. Pinkie and Rainbow had set about building a fort for the two of them but after a brief power struggle and a mutiny, the fort was ransacked and torn to the ground, its ruins pillaged by the other ponies for their own beds. Rainbow took a spot on top of a bookshelf to sulk. Rarity had claimed the couch and by her expression it was clear she would murder anypony who tried to take it from her. Nopony dared. Oggie had initially offered to give up his bed for Twilight but she absolutely refused. Discord had curled himself up under the large desk, dragging Fluttershy with him to use as a teddy bear. The others had gathered around the dead fireplace, lumping together in a large nest where they eventually fell asleep.

Early next morning Pinkie had woken up first and proceeded to try and drag Discord from his hiding place, babbling something about finding a candy store to buy 'supplies'. He tried his best to ignore her, but Pinkie was not a pony one could really ignore. After the ruckus had woken everypony else up, she was bribed by the offer of breakfast and coffee to calm her down.

Once everypony was properly fed and Pinkie had finally coaxed Discord out from the desk, freeing Fluttershy in the process, she practically dragged him out the front door. Discord, either too tired or too uncaring, didn't resist too much. Fluttershy had trotted after them, looking nervous. Applejack volunteered to go too and make sure they didn't spend all their money on chocolate and skittles. Once she was finished, Rainbow Dash also left, mentioning that she wanted to speak to the local weather team. Finally, seeing everypony else had gone, Rarity left as well, saying they should probably get more than just food for the trip.

This left Twilight and Oggie alone, where the two of them pulled out several maps and started discussing the best route to take beyond the border to the stronghold. Falabell was less than an hour's walk away from it, but Oggie still marked the exact location of the fort on the map with some red ink. He gave a very detailed description of Falabell and some suggestions of where it would be safe to spend the night, where they wouldn't be spotted by any of the Defectors. Oggie seemed very well-informed on the area.

“And how do you think we should get inside?” Twilight asked him after he'd described the basic layout of the stronghold. “You said it'd be a bad idea to try the direct approach.”

He nodded, “There aren't many entrances besides the main gate, but there are a few places you could slip in unnoticed. I'd recommend splitting up into a smaller group, but it depends on how safe you feel doing so. Using the entrance for pegasi wouldn't be a good idea. You'd be spotted in the air easily. There's a backdoor leading to a garden that goes to the kitchens but I wouldn't recommend that either. The kitchens are almost always occupied and the door is in frequent use to harvest the vegetables and flowers they grow. Your best options would be the cliffside entrance on the North-Western side. There's a wooden walkway leading to it that's in disrepair. The pegasi don't use it since it's a little awkward to get inside while flying. There's another entrance you could try but it's a little less pleasant. The fort has an underground water system which leads out to a small stream at the foot of the cliff. If you're not confident in the integrity of the wooden walkway, you can enter through the stone pipe and work your way up to the inside. However, The water is usually cold and it isn't exactly the best smelling or easiest walk.”

“Got it.” Twilight gave a nod, committing this to memory.

“If all goes well, you should be able to get in unseen, retrieve the Stone of Null, and then leave through either of these ways again. I'd suggest using one to enter and the other to leave. I must warn you to try and stay away from The Defector's higher ranking members altogether. The leader, as I've said, is a stallion named Black Lavender. He rarely associates with the lower ranked members but it's possible he might be around the chamber where they keep the Stone. Luckily, his strongest power is in his magic. If this lack of power extends to the members of the cult, and I see no reason why it wouldn't, he doesn't have that much more strength over you. However, every member of the cult will follow his word to their deaths, so it's best to stay away from him. He's a grey-purple unicorn with a black-purple mane and tail. Below him is his right-hoof pony, another unicorn called Blue Jay. I wouldn't worry too much about him if you catch him on his own. Without his magic he has little going for him. He's thin and frail and due to some burn injuries he got as a colt, he isn't the best athlete. However, like his master, he will be obeyed without question by the others. Other than those two there is Cloud Bastion, a white pegasus stallion who is a strong flier and physically well-built. I'd avoid him completely. Also Shielded moon, a silver unicorn illusionist who does not require her magic to create apparitions and traps. She's also a skilled alchemist and knows how to use her potions to her advantage. If you see her, do not go near her. It's best to turn the other way and find an alternate path to where you're trying to go. Lastly, there is Stoneflower, a blue earth pony. She's in charge of the lower ranking members of the cult. Her strength is her powers of persuasion and intimidation. She's also uncompromisingly devoted to the cult's ideals. Nopony will question her orders and if she spots outsiders in the stronghold she most likely will attack you herself. She almost always carries some kind of blade on her. She is probably the most unstable of the higher ranked members.”

Twilight repeated the names of these ponies to herself, nodding as she said each one out loud. “Alright, Try not to get caught and if we see any of these ponies we'll try and stay away from them.”

“That's about all the info I can give you,” Oggie said as he rolled up the map he'd marked. “Things might have changed a bit, but I don't think it'll be too different than what I've told you. Just keep out of sight, don't underestimate the cult members and once you retrieve the stone, don't return to Falabell. It's better to head straight for the trees and put as much distance between you and them. Even if you're not seen, it won't take long before the realise the stone's been stolen.”

“You really know a lot about these guys.” Twilight said.

“Well... I am the expert.” Ozzie said, handing her the map.

“No kidding.” She smiled, taking it from him. She paused for a moment before going on. “Why don't you come with us?”

“What?” His ears perked as he stared at her.

“Why not?” Her smiled brightened. “You know so much about these guys and what the place looks like, if you come with us I bet we could be in and out of this place in five minutes.”

“Oh no, I couldn't.” He said dismissively as he started to tidy the area they'd been working.

“Aw c'mon,” Twilight went on. “We could use the help. And if anything unexpected happens I'm sure you'd know better than any of us how to deal with it. Plus, it's kinda obvious you've been to the area. Even if you don't come with us into the stronghold you could at least guide us there.”

“I have been there. And I won't go there again.” He said as he put some books away.

“Why not?” Twilight asked again. “Is there something you haven't told me about the place?”

“No, I've told you everything.” He said, his voice stiffening.

“So why then? If there ever was a good time to use your knowledge I'd think it'd be this, right? Celestia said you know more about cults and renegade groups than anypony.”

“And I retired from her court, remember?” He turned to her again, this time with his stony frown firmly in place.

“But Equestria could use your help. Look, I dunno why you retired but I'm sure-”

“You're sure what?” Oggie said harshly. “Do you think I retired from the Canterlot Palace for simple reasons? Do you think it was done on a whim or that I'd just gotten tired of it? I have a reason for leaving both Canterlot and the Palace behind me, Twilight.”

Twilight was taken aback by the sudden change of mood, but she kept her ground, frowning lightly. “This is something that's affecting every magical being in the entire country, maybe even further than that! Whatever it is that happened, can't you put it aside for a while?”

“No. No I can't!” he snapped. He gave his head a shake, trying to cool down. “I can't, alright? And it's not by choice, nor is it something I am proud of but I can't. I can't go back there.”

“But why?” twilight asked again. “If you'd tell me...”

He bit his lip as she trailed off. She waited, her frown still in place. If Oggie refused to guide them, then she couldn't do much to change his mind, but she felt she deserved an explanation. With so much relying on her quest and the trust of the Princess riding on her, she wasn't going to ignore any advantages they could have. Especially now that she knew this wasn't some force of nature or freak accident, but the malicious work of other ponies. That she wouldn't stand for.

Oggie finally gave a sigh, straightening as he regained his composure. “Alright, I suppose it's only fair you know my reasons.”

“That's all I'm asking for.” Twilight said assuringly.

Oggie nodded, sitting down again and thinking over what he was going to say. Twilight lay down in front of him, waiting patiently. After a moment he nodded to himself.

“When I was working as the head Researcher of Alternative Worship at the palace, I would often do field research, interviewing and, if the needed, briefly attending cult gatherings. I never got deeply involved with any of the groups, mainly just joining on a temporary basis, or speaking with members who might be under the impression I could give their cause more publicity. I am a bit of an odd pony, being a magical researcher who has no magic. But this also gave me an advantage in my research. You see, nopony really expects you to be a serious researcher in the field of magic unless your a unicorn. This meant I had a much easier time getting into these groups as I wasn't seen as being very suspicious.

This also meant I was a prime candidate to investigate The Defectors, and see if they could pose a threat to Equestria as their name might suggest. And so, not fully knowing what it was I was getting into, I joined the cult to see what they could be hiding. It was only after I'd gotten inside the building that I realised I'd bitten off more than I could chew. But I gathered as much information as I could and I made sure to observe and record every small thing of interest. It was my grandest and most frightening on-field study I'd ever done. But I overestimated myself, and eventually suspicion started to fall on me. I never found out who, but somepony reported my excessive writing to Stoneflower. I managed to hide my true motives by giving her my notes on the physical building, claiming I was interested in its history and architecture. I don't know if she suspected me of any other motives, and perhaps she fully believed that I was just interested in the stonework, but as was her nature, just the act of doing something secretly in my own time and showing interest in something that she claimed was 'beyond my proper focus' angered her. Stoneflower is not a pony you should ever anger.”

He shifted in place, rubbing one foreleg over the other subconsciously. The movement drew Twilight's eyes and she once again noticed the permanent scars on his legs, chest and neck. She said nothing.

“That night I left behind all my notes, papers and belongings and fled. I used the cliff-face door and flew away. And I did not stop flying until I reached Equestria's border.” He paused for a moment, lost in thought before carrying on. “When I had recovered from the experience, I moved to resign from the Palace court. However, Princess Celestia, instead of accepting my resignation, granted me retirement. This left me with full access to all research, books and materials I had while working for her and it meant I would receive monthly payment from the palace for my past contributions. I left Canterlot and moved here. I'd visited Coltchester some years ago to attend a festival honouring the nature surrounding the town. A left-over from more pagan beliefs before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna came into power. I've had no desire to go back to the capital.”

He seemed to bring his focus back to earth as he turned to Twilight again. “I can't go back to Falabell and the stronghold with you, Twilight Sparkle.” He hesitated before saying, rather softly. “I'm afraid.”

There was a heavy silence in the room as the two ponies regarded each other for a moment. Twilight broke eye contact, nodding softly to herself.

“Ok.” she said gently.

Oggie stood up again, turning and walking to the other side of the room. “I'm going to make myself some tea. ...would you like some?”

“Yes.” She nodded again. “Yeah, I think that'd be a good idea.”

Later that day, the rest of the group filtered back into the tower. First came Rarity, wearing a practical but stylish sunhat and carrying a few parcels of what she called 'necessities'. A few minutes later saw the return of Pinkie, Discord, Fluttershy and Applejack. Applejack was carrying several paper bags filled with travel-safe food. Fluttershy carried another one behind her. Pinkie and Discord on the other hand wandered into the room with candy sticks sticking out of their mouths and Pinkie holding a box of pastries. She was perched proudly on Discord's back, who trotted into the room on all fours. The slew of words that came from Pinkie explaining their purchases and the hundreds of different candies they'd gotten went well over Twilight's head as she instead helped Applejack and Fluttershy sort their more reasonable food between the saddlebags. Pinkie didn't seem to notice as she and Discord were still giggling among themselves. Granted, Pinkie's laugh was probably easier to described as 'giggling' than Discord's as they recalled the various surprised and sometimes terrified reactions he'd gotten in the town. Twilight was starting to wonder if it was safe to leave the two of them alone together in the future. She hesitated to picture what they could get up to without Applejack and Fluttershy to keep an eye on them. Fluttershy on the other hand seemed very pleased with herself for some reason, smiling happily at Discord and Pinkie's enthusiastic babbling. Applejack shook her head and rolled her eyes but ignored them. Rarity gave a disapproving glance and eventually turned the conversation to what she'd bought for them to protect them from the sun.

A few hours later Rainbow Dash came back as well. She'd spent her day with the local weather team. When asked what she'd done, she went into an explanation about weather patterns, cloud control, wind currents and other things regarding the strange weather patterns and what the team were doing to manage it. Apart from Fluttershy an Oggie, the others couldn't really follow much of it, but at least Rainbow Dash seemed to be feeling better about the topic than she had when the freak storm had hit them.

The evening went by with Twilight and Oggie giving the group a summary of what they'd discussed that day, as well as the route they were going to take. Discord got bored and dozed off halfway through it much to Twilight's annoyance, but the others seemed to get a basic idea of what was to come.

And so the next day, with bags packed, maps double checked and a large breakfast eaten, the group set out once again, this time heading North for the border. Oggie walked them to Coltchester's outskirts before seeing them off. Pinkie waving goodbye wildly at him as they left.

Twilight was the last to leave, giving Oggie her heartfelt thanks before turning to follow her friends.

“Twilight, if I could just give a word in parting,” He drew her attention back.

She turned to him questioningly. He smiled at her, although his tone of voice was slightly more serious. “I don't know what's happened on your journey so far, but I want to suggest you don't behave so aggressively towards Discord. I couldn't help but notice you seem to have some strong animosity.”

Twilight's face instantly pulled into a frown. “Don't let him fool you Oggie, he's only here for himself. He may seem like he's playing nice, but he's shown that he hasn't got any loyalty towards any of us.”

“That's probably true,” Oggie nodded, “but as you're the one leading this group, I think it'd be better if you hid your anger. You're the one who has to be in charge, and if you're in charge then it's your responsibility to make sure the rest of the group knows they can rely on you. Getting angry and allowing yourself to get pulled into childish bickering won't help this quest. Leave it for when you've succeeded.” His smile perked slightly at the last sentence.

Twilight pouted. “You don't have to be in his company twenty four seven.”

Oggie gave a dramatic sigh and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Gods' strength, Twilight Sparkle.”

She smiled at this, turning to go, “Trust me, I'll need it.”

She trotted after the group, her gaze set on the horizon. She felt reinvigorated, confident in their goal, and ready to kick down some doors and get things done. The Defectors' Stronghold was waiting for them, as was the solution to their problems and a return to normal life back home. Safe from mad cults, crazy weather and annoying draconequuses. All they had to do was be ready for the kinds of ponies that were waiting for them.

Pinecones

View Online

Chapter 13

Getting to Equestria's border would take several days' travel. Twilight and Oggie had planned a route that led them through any towns they'd be travelling close to. They also used roads as often as they could, although sometimes they had no choice but to go cross-country as following a road would add too much time to the trip. Twilight was unsure if their mission really had something like a 'deadline' attached to it or not, but she'd decided it would still be best if they moved as if time was of the essence. They tried their best to spend nights in the towns, but as they headed further north, the farther apart the towns became. Eventually, you could hardly call them 'towns' so much as 'villages'. A few families gathered together would be all that really differentiated them as more than just a family farm. Most of the small villages had a singular large building that was a generic 'social gathering place'. Adults went there for cider and sometimes a cooked meal, younger colts and mares went to find other younger colts and mares, and those travelling through the area could find a room, maybe two, that were partly used for storage and partly rented out. Often the six ponies and Discord huddled together in a small room for the night, with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy finding spots on the rafters to give the others more room on the ground.

As they went further, even these small villages started to petered out. When they didn't spend the night outdoors, they'd try to ask any farms or homesteads they passed if they had or knew of somewhere they could get some sleep. Tiny cramped rooms became barns, something that actually seemed like a trade up. Barns gave the group room to stretch out, and hay made for comfortable beds. Pinkie and Discord would ignore Applejack's advice to keep the hay neat and just burrowed themselves in the biggest pile of it they could find like a couple of dormice. It wouldn't take long before a paw would come out of the newly formed nest and drag Fluttershy in by her tail as well.

Food supplies relied less on stores and buying crops from farmers and became more a game of mushroom hunting and searches for wild flowers. Discord was very vocal about this, complaining about 'rabbit food' and sometimes refusing to eat what was available, only to whine the entire next day about starving to death. Twilight really wanted to tell him to keep quiet and stop acting like a baby, but she tried her best to remember what Oggie had told her. Keep it together. Act like the leader she'd made herself. It was hard, and often she found herself grinding her teeth to keep herself quiet.

Fluttershy on the other hand, had no problem scolding Discord for his complaining. However, her soft toned voice and gentle coaxing only managed to keep him quiet for a few hours before he'd start again. The group very quickly learned to find more than mushrooms and flowers to use in their meals just to get some peace and quiet.

The landscape changed as they went. The summer fields and forests of lush greens had changed to hardier plants and much rockier fields. Sloping hills had started to become grey mountains, jutting out sharply in the distance. Large, ancient clusters of rock littered the valleys they walked through with scratchy weeds and shrubs growing in the cracks between them. Patches of evergreens grew tightly together in patches all around them, completely at random. Sometimes they would pass what may have been a house or a farm once, but years of neglect and the elements had thrown its bricks around the building's remains. The paths they followed were more cracked and not very well maintained when made of cobblestone, and when they were dirt roads, the only clue that you were even following a path was the slight difference in colour between it and the surrounding ground. Sometimes a pheasant or lizard would run away from them, having been sunbathing in their way. It was still summer, as the sun shone down on them heavily, but the evening air was colder than back home and it set in faster.

Rainbow Dash grumbled on several occasions about pegasi needing to pay more attention on keeping summer and autumn separate, until Twilight wondered out loud if there even were any pegasi weather teams around this place.

“We should probably thank this strange little group for organising their coup during the summer,” Discord said one day when the weather was brought up again. “The north is really quite unpleasant any other time of year. Cold winds, unpredictable snow, frost, and a lot of other annoying quirks of nature I much rather did away with than worry about when I was running things.” He thought for a moment. “When I bothered to come up here, that is. And I can promise you there was very little that I'd bother to come this way for.”

“Doesn't look like anypony really comes up this way.” Applejack said, her eyes scanning the bleak looking landscape.

“Ponies find a way of taking root anywhere.” Discord said dismissively. “You're a bit like a mould. Even when others can't see you, you're usually still around, hidden from view.”

“I must protest that comparison!” Rarity said, lifting the brim of her sunhat to look up at him with a frown. “I am most certainly not a mould!”

“Oh, I beg your highest pardon, Fair Rarity,” Discord gave her a mocking bow. “Will you accept 'lichen?”

“Ain't lichen a fungus?” Applejack asked. She didn't seem too interested, but long periods of silence was tiring, especially when their walking stretched from almost sun-up till sundown.

“I will not be compared to a fungus either!” Rarity huffed.

“Mr. Davenport back in Ponyville recently found out he has a family of squirrels living in his roof,” Fluttershy spoke up, causing the others to turn to her.

“What's that gotta do with moulds and fungus?” Applejack asked.

“Well, when he asked me to come ask them if they'd leave, they told me they'd been living in his roof for a few years already and he just never knew about it.” She smiled at them. “I guess I just meant, maybe that'd be a nicer way to say it. Ponies can probably make homes and have families like that, where other ponies don't expect them to. Right?”

“Exactly right, my dear.” Discord nodded.

“I suppose I can handle being compared to a squirrel,” Rarity agreed. “At least if moulds and funguses are my second choices.”

“So if ponies are squirrels, what does that make you, Discord?” Pinkie bounced herself to walk beside him, grinning widely. “Would you be a fungus or whatever?”

“Pinkie, what are ya even talkin-”

“If I was a fungus I'd prefer to be one of those that glow in the dark, or one of those nightmare tentacle-looking things.” He shot Pinkie a grin, flashing his teeth while completely ignoring Applejack. She merely shook her head and gave up trying to bring logic back to the conversation.

“But if you glow in the dark, won't you be easy to find if ponies come looking for food?” Pinkie carried on, putting her forehooves over his back and clambering on top of him.

“Why would ponies want to eat me? Didn't you say they were squirrels?” Discord asked, apparently unphased by her using him for transport.

Pinkie frowned, trying to back-peddle her thinking. “Oh yeah... So won't you be easy to find if squirrels come looking for food?”

“Squirrels don't eat mushrooms, Pinkie,” Fluttershy said, smiling up at her. “They eat nuts, mostly.”

“Oh ok,” Pinkie frowned deeper. “Ok, so ponies eat mushrooms... but ponies are squirrels, so they eat nuts.. so they won't eat Discord because he's not a nut.”

“He's totally a nut.” Rainbow Dash peered down at her from where she was lazily flying.

“I can't really argue with that,” Discord agreed.

Pinkie put her hooves to her head. “Ok so... So Discord's a nut... but he's also a mushroom... and ponies eat mushrooms but they're squirrels so they eat nuts... but Discord is a nut... but he glows in the dark.. but, what kinda nut glows in the dark?!”

“C'mon guys, ya'll short circuit her if ya keep it up.” Applejack came to Pinkie's rescue, the others giving her three separate grins.

“We should probably start finding a place to make camp for the night,” Twilight interrupted. “It's gonna get dark soon.”

“There's a big group of trees that way,” Rainbow called down as she pointed in the right direction. “D'you wanna head over there?”

“Sounds good Dash,” Twilight called back up at her. “Lead the way.”

“Are there any dangerous animals out here?” Rarity asked. It was unclear if she was nervous or just curious, her gaze going to Fluttershy.

“I don't know,” Fluttershy answered. “I never thought I'd be this far away from home.” She turned to Discord, as did Rarity and Pinkie, still perched ontop of him.

“Are you implying I would know?” He asked, grinning at their expectant faces.

“Well, I just assumed...” Rarity trailed off.

“Oh, you assume right, but I just wanted to be sure, since nopony's bothering to ask me out loud.” His smile perked at her slightly. Unsure if he was offended or just messing with her, Rarity gave an unsure smile back.

“So... there are dangerous animals around here?” Applejack asked directly.

“It depends what you mean by 'dangerous',” Discord started. Twilight suppressed her urge to groan at this opening statement. “In the northern mountains rocs sometimes move in.”

“Rocks?” Fluttershy blinked up at him.

“Not a bad idea,” Discord considered for a moment. “Giant rocks that live on mountains, terrifying any hikers when they suddenly start walking around. I'll have to remember that one. But no. No, R-O-Cs. They just look like giant eagles to me. Disappointingly boring in appearance actually. They like ponies though.”

“I'm guessing you don't mean in the good way,” Rainbow Dash commented.

“Well, good for them.” He turned his grin on her instead. “Never eaten Pony myself though, so I can't give any real insight on that.”

“Ugh.” Rarity shuddered.

“Are there really giant eagles around here?” Fluttershy squeaked, suddenly looking frightened. She gave the sky several nervous glances as she edged closer to Discord.

“He's just trying to scare you guys. Rocs live on the high mountain peaks, and we're still inside the borders. We don't need to worry about them.” Twilight said, turning to look at Fluttershy over her shoulder.

“But how can you be sure?” Fluttershy whimpered.

“Princess Celestia keeps them away from Equestria.” Twilight said with only the slightest hint of pride in her voice.

“My my, I do wonder how our benevolent dictator manages that?” Discord mused thoughtfully.

“I hope it ain't with a spell,” Applejack added. “Otherwise we might need ta actually start thinkin' about watchin' the sky.” Discord's grin widened behind her.

“I never asked her,” Twilight admitted. “But even if it is a spell, rocs aren't magical. They probably don't know about the lack of magic at the moment. They'll probably just stay away from the area. We're too far away from the mountains for them to really care anyway.”

“Of course, of course,” Discord nodded sympathetically. Twilight felt her cheeks flare up a little but she bit her tongue. “Good thing you don't have Thunderbirds this side of the world. Now they do have magic.” He turned and gave Pinkie a wide, expectant smile. “Bit of luck there.”

Pinkie however, seemed immune to his attempted paranoia mongering. “You really know a lot about birds,” She grinned back. “D'you like them? Huh? Which kinds do you like the most?”

“Those little sugar ones you put on cakes,” Discord answered.

“Bon Bon's really good at stuff like that!” Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, apparently satisfied with the answer. “And she's an earth pony so she doesn't even need magic to make them!”

“Ya don't need magic ta do everythin', Pinkie.” Applejack scoffed with a roll of her eyes.

Discord made a noise and stuck out his tongue, “I beg to differ. This lack of magic is killing me. What I would give to be able to spice things up around here.” He gave the landscape a frown. “This place is duller than ditch-water. I don't think even Ponyville is this boring and that, is quite the accomplishment. Honestly, a roc might liven things up a little right about now.”

“We won't be going anywhere near where those things would be, are we Twilight?” Rarity asked, turning to her.

Twilight shook her head. “We're fine, Rarity. Don't worry so much.” She gave her a reassuring smile. “But if you can't help worrying about it, at least we'll be under the trees. A giant bird's wings are too big to get in-between them. See?”

She ended the sentence by tapping a trunk with a hoof as they reached the copse. The trees were a collection of firs with a few paler species growing amongst them. The ground was free of grass and covered with a thick blanket of pine needles. Several pinecones lay around and Pinkie immediately jumped off Discord's back to start collecting them. There was a single large rock in the middle of the grove. A single tree was trying to grow on top of it, its roots curling around it to the ground, creating something almost like a small hollow. It seemed the obvious choice for their camp. They cleared away as many pine needles as they could and set their blankets close together. Pinkie's pinecone collecting turned out to be a better idea than they realised when Applejack pointed out that pinecones sometimes had nuts inside them. With the few supplies they'd gathered from the last farm they found they had a good meal that not even Discord could complain about too much.

After they were full, and with a few short hours of daylight left, they decided to look for more pinecones and any other edible plants growing in the forest to restock with. It soon turned into a game, and, with the promise they wouldn't cheat and leave the cover of the trees, the group split up to try and find as many different foods as they could.

Twilight knew she wasn't doing so good at the game. She was so use to using her magic to carry things she was actually a little confused about how to carry the knobbly pieces of wood back to camp. They tasted kind of bad, and she found carrying them in her hooves to be awkward. She could balance them on her back, but she couldn't carry as many as she'd like, and she had to walk slowly so they wouldn't fall off and roll away. She was making her way back to their spot slowly when she noticed Discord twisted up a tree, pulling down pinecones that hadn't fallen yet.

She watched him for a few moments. Her burning anger from the basilisk had faded by now into a lukewarm annoyance. And yet, every day he seemed to say or do something that stirred the coals and made her anger at him flare up again. She'd actually managed by force of will to keep quiet when he said something she felt was either mean-spirited or unhelpful, but somehow it felt wrong. She knew what Oggie had said was right, and that she couldn't lose her temper at him every time he said something, but she also felt completely ignoring him wasn't going to make anything better either. Seeing him without the others around, she suddenly felt tempted to confront him and at least try to get him to be more careful what he said to the others. An old idiom crossed her mind for a moment; 'it won't get better if you pick it'. But she scrunched her nose at the thought and shook it off. Besides, that saying was created in a literal sense. Her subconscious throwing it up was just her inner critic making her second guess herself. She made up her mind with this and trotted towards him. She felt her pinecones tumble off her when she moved too fast, having forgotten she was carrying them.

She sighed at them before carrying on. She stood herself at the bottom of the tree and looked up, spotting the snake-like figure twisting around in the high branches.

“Hey, Discord? Can you come down? I wanna talk to you.” She said, loud enough for him to hear.

His head popped down between the needles and, she noticed with the familiar stab of annoyance, his eyes lit up when he saw who it was. “To me? What an honour!”

He disappeared upwards again before dropping down, his arms full with his harvest. “Now Princess Twilight, if you're here to suggest a team-up I'm afraid I'll have to say no. Not really the 'friendly' thing to do, ganging up on the others now, is it?”

“Erm.. no. No I actually wanna talk to you about something a little more serious.” She said business-like.

Discord started tossing his pinecones lightly into the air, getting them into a lazy juggle. “A royal decree perhaps? Or maybe a new law against enjoying yourself?”

She suppressed the urge to mention that a decree and a law were kind of the same thing. “I actually wanna talk to you about what you were saying today. About rocs and things.”

“Really now Twilight. I knew the others might get spooked but I suspected you knew better than to take my little joke seriously.” He moved the pinecones to a single paw, using his other one to scratch at something in his ear.

“That's kinda the point,” she went on. “Why do you always have to say something to scare everypony like that? It's not exactly helping the mood, especially when we actually have real problems to worry about.”

“Aaah, I see.” Discord said with apparent realisation. He stopped his juggle, letting the pinecones fall into a neat pyramid. He turned to face her better and smacked it over with his tail into a disorganised heap. “You think that I'm trying to tell them scary stories because I think it's funny.” He pouted. “Twilight, I'm hurt that you would think that of me! Would I really do something so pointlessly mean? Even if it is hilarious?”

She gave him a flat look. “That's exactly the kind of thing you'd do. And if we were back home I probably wouldn't care that much, but like I said, we actually do have real problems to worry about without you talking about things that could eat us that aren't even around.”

“You seem so sure of that,” He said with a pert smile.

“Ugh! Alright yeah, I get it, maybe there is a chance that some of the creatures outside the border could find their way into Equestria, but we don't know if it's true. We haven't seen anything that could mean rocs are around! And with us going to meet a bunch of ponies that are totally crazy and an actual threat I don't think you scaring everypony for no reason is the best thing to do right now.”

“Oh I don't think it'll be that bad,” Discord said nonchalant. “If these cultists are trying to get rid of magic it most certainly won't be working for them either. So no spells, no magical traps and a bunch of unicorns with their main method of attack taken away. Personally I think you and the fanboy are exaggerating things.”

“This is serious, Discord.” Twilight stomped a hoof slightly, her frown getting deeper. “These ponies aren't normal! And from what Oggie said, they're not just pushover academics either! They've got some real sadistic tendencies by the sound of it! And even if you ignore all of that, who knows what they have in their fortress! They've apparently had this anti-magic stone for almost a hundred years! What have they got their hooves on that suddenly now it's affecting all of Equestria? They could have anything in that place! That's what we should be worrying about! Not to mention how are we gonna get the thing to stop doing whatever it's doing? Instead of trying to scare everypony, why don't you use all the free time you seem to have and think about what we can do about it? Princess Celestia sent you with us because you're suppose to know about things outside of Equestria, right? But so far all you seem to do is make the trip three times harder than it should be and making everypony scared and panicky!”

Twilight was getting worked up as more and more pent up frustration found itself into her words. She was now frowning at him hard, his impassive expression and apparent lack of reaction only making her angrier.

“You seem so sure that I'd have the faintest idea on how to fix this little magic problem,” he said when she finished, his smile frozen where it was. “I was under the impression that that was your area of expertise. Granted it usually boils down to 'blast it with the Elements of Harmony' but I must admit, why try something else if it's working?” He gave a shrug.

“I'm not saying you know how to fix it, I'm saying you shouldn't waste everypony's time when you could actually start doing something useful!” Twilight snapped. “Do you think it's a good idea to work everypony up like that? How are we gonna be able to focus and keep calm about the real threat if you're stressing everypony out with nonsense?!”

“You're starting to repeat yourself,” He said, sounding bored. “I really don't see what the big deal is here, Twilight. I understand you've been raised by Celestia and her fun police, but do try and lighten up a little bit. And, if you want my advice-”

“I really don't.” She said shortly.

“Well, if you did want my advice, I'd suggest not to blame your personal problems and worries on me.” His smile, perked again. “It's not very becoming of royalty, you know.”

Twilight knew it was bait, but she couldn't help herself. The words came out before she could stop them. “And what exactly do you mean by that?”

“I'm not blind, Twilight Sparkle. I know you don't like me.” He gave her a sideways glance as he started to pick up his pinecones again. “And really, I could care less if you did or not. You were right about one thing; as long as you and your clique don't turn me to stone I'm not all that interested in what you think of me. But if you're really so intent on giving your little friends less things to worry about, maybe you should start with your own behaviour. You've become really sour since we started this little field trip.”

“Only because you're driving me crazy!!” She yelled, unable to take any more. “The entire world's gone insane and everything is wrong and nothing's working right and instead of doing anything to help you're just making me go insane too! I never thought you'd be even worse without your magic but you sure proved me wrong! For somepony who seems to be annoyed at not having it anymore, you seem perfectly happy without it! You're good at being a menace just by opening your mouth and saying things! And you're wondering why I've been acting a little tense?! If I didn't know any better I'd say you probably don't even care that your powers are gone! You really don't seem that anxious to help get them back! You don't act like you care at all!”

“I could say the same about you” he said, turning back to her with his arms full. “Only in the reverse of course.”

“I don't wanna hear it!” Twilight spat, turning slightly to leave. “Obviously you can't have a conversation for more than a minute without talking nonsense!”

“I am quite serious, actually,” He said, his smile getting a slight edge to it. “Just like you seem to think I do not care about losing my powers, so I noticed that you don't seem to care that you've lost your's either. At least, as far as the significance of it goes.”

“And what 'significance' is that?” Twilight asked, her tone mocking. She was still intent to give up and leave, but something in his tone of voice was stopping her.

“Well, this whole magic business,” Discord started, putting his pinecones down again and sitting down on them, crossing his legs. “Being the Element of Magic, that's probably not made you very happy. Especially after getting the ultimate filly-scout badge of becoming a Princess. Alicornification comes with that little deal, of course.” His smile grew, “Yes, it must be frustrating to be given so much power pumping through you, only to get it taken away again. Certainly, that's the only thing you seem to give any attention to regarding this situation.”

“This doesn't have anything to do with that!” Twilight snapped. “Even if I was still a normal unicorn I'd still be trying to fix this!”

“Ah, but you're not a normal unicorn anymore, are you?” Discord said, his tone of voice never getting louder than it had to. “Or at least, you weren't when you still had your alicorn magic. And that's where I noticed how you really don't seem to care what has happened now that that magic is gone. I mean, it's not like your life depends on having magic. You're not going to stop existing without it.. You just had things made a little less convenient for you. Suddenly ponies can't control everything any more. Suddenly Celestia and her sister don't hold dominion over every aspect of every living creature's life. Suddenly there's complete anarchy and those who are not ponies actually have some freedom. But none of that is really something that keeps you or any other pony alive now, is it? Even our benevolent reagents, old and powerful as they may be, won't pop out of existence without magic. But that is all you seem to be worried about. You're so concerned about this loss of control, but you don't seem to care about the only thing which could be considered life-altering, which is that it's made you normal again.”

“If I'd never been turned into an alicorn I'd still have magic! I've always been a unicorn! Not having any magic at all sure isn't normal” Twilight yelled back.

“That's not what I meant,” Discord went on. Somehow, there seemed to have slipped a drop of bitterness to his voice, but his smile was still wide. “What I am saying is, you may have the wings and the horn, but you're no longer 'Twilight Sparkle, the Great and Immortal Alicorn'. You're just normal 'Twilight Sparkle' again. Perhaps a little downgraded from your unicorn self, but normal once again. But you seem to not care what getting your powers back would do. You'd be 'Great and Immortal' once again. Just like your dear Princesses.-”

“I don't see how that would be any different-,” Twilight hissed at him, but he ignored her. His voice raised in volume to talk over her, a sterner tone to it.

“-And with your powers, you and your princesses will keep watching over Equestria for years. And decades. And centuries. And Millennia. And Millions of years. Epoch upon epoch. Age upon Age. Stretching out for all eternity. Living forever and ever as your magic keeps you alive. Watching everything and everypony around you change, while you remain forever just as you are. But for this moment, without that magic, you are 'Twilight Sparkle' again. Just the same as your friends who you claim to hold so dear. And yet you're so intent on getting that alicorn power back. You don't seem to care about anything else at all. You haven't even stopped to consider perhaps you and your friendship with the others are better without it.” His grin widened again, his teeth sharp and gleaming. “You are mortal again, and you don't even seem to care.”

Twilight was glaring at him with all the anger she thought it was possible for a pony to feel. Her eyes prickled as the blood throbbed in her cheeks. At that moment, Discord seemed to be the concentrated form of everything in the world she despised. And as she felt his words about her immortality and her friends dig itself deep into her mind, she only despised him more for making her realise there was some truth in what he was saying. She broke her gaze, finally turning to leave for good.

“I hate you.” She almost-whispered, venomously.

Discord watched her walk away. It almost looked like steam was curling off her in the darkening light, but it was not just from anger. Her expression clearly showed him he'd struck a deep wound. When she was out of sight and he knew she wouldn't turn back to look at him, the smile dropped from his face and his eyes grew hard. Something had shifted in him when Twilight had said he was making everypony's life harder, and he didn't understand why. He'd lived thousands of years, turning reality inside out without any consideration for any other living thing. Twilight was probably one of the nicest critics he'd ever had. The anger and hate he'd received in the past when he ruled Equestria and the lands beyond it were much more serious and brimming with threats of violence than anything she'd said. Not to mention there were often ponies who would go so far to rise up and try to attack him physically. Armed with every slicing, piercing, burning, hexing and cursing weapon to exist, there had been countless times he'd faced ponies, gryphons, and Minotaurs who were more intent on killing him as brutally as possible than just telling him they didn't like him and he was making them miserable.

So why this emotion? Why this uncertainty in what he'd always considered to be his unshakeable confidence? Somehow, and he couldn't understand why, she'd gotten to him with what she said. Somehow, she actually made him realise he cared about how he was affecting the others. He didn't like it. He knew Twilight Sparkle disliked him and he always thought himself beyond giving it much thought. He'd never had any intention of worrying about how others felt about what he said or did. So then why? Why did the idea that the others would be happier without him bother him? Why did he care?

There were soft hoofbeats behind him and he twisted his head backwards, woken up from his sulk. Fluttershy stepped out from the trees. He was about to push the thought of Twilight and her accusations aside to greet her, until Fluttershy's expression stopped him.

She rounded the pile of pinecones to stand directly in front of him, her eyes glued to his. Her mouth was drawn in a tight line and a strange, almost pained frown was on her face. Her eyes were sad, and somehow confused.

“Why did you say that?” She finally asked, shifting in place.

“I said a lot of things,” He answered as he stood up, bending down to pick up the pinecones again. “What part do you mean exactly?”

He looked back at her when she didn't answer. She was staring off to the side, her face still twisted up as she bit down on her lip.

“Oh come now, my dear. It's not as if Twilight ever liked me anyway,” He said, straightening up. “Nothing I said could make her dislike me any more.”

She shook her head slowly at this as she turned to look at him again. Her eyes were shining.

“What you said, I... I never thought about it before. I never.... I never realised that because she's an alicorn and we're not... Oh poor Twilight.” She shut her eyes, plopping down in place. “Oh Twilight.... you've probably made her so scared and lonely...”

Discord wrung his paw and claw together, pulling a face to himself. He finally gave Fluttershy a rather pathetic smile and was about to say something in his defense when she turned back to him.

“How could you say those things to her? Why did you bring it up? I'm sure she already knew what being an alicorn means. Why did you even mention it?” She gave a sniff. “Why is it so easy for you to play with ponies' feelings? I don't understand you. I don't understand you at all.”

“Well to be fair she was the one-” He started, although his voice was less confident than he was use to.

She shook her head. “I don't think I've ever understood you. I've been thinking and I've realised... I don't think I even really know you. Sometimes I think I do and I think you really are a good person but then you go and... say things and do things like this. And you seem to enjoy it.” She looked up again, and this time her face carried more than just disappointment and sadness. There was a slight desperateness to her. Something urgent, and slightly scared.

“Is this the kind of person you really are, Discord?”

Whatever piece of himself Twilight had awoken with her accusations, stirred again. Something inside him felt like it'd sprung a leak, and whatever the unfamiliar emotion was, it was slowly starting to spread.

Fluttershy said nothing else, blinking away tears from her large, innocent eyes. Her gaze was begging him to tell her she was wrong, and for the first time, Discord felt a small pang of something at the fact that he was hesitating to answer.

Author's Notes:

adshjagdjhsagdjha I've been tweaking this chapter forever and it's insanely long and I don't even know if it's terrible or not but if I try and change it any more it's gonna stop resembling any kind of sense at all so here it is! DX

There was gonna be more, but I'm saving it for the next chapter since this one seemed pretty well self-contained and the next part seems to be self-contained as well.

A roc, in case you don't know, is a giant bird from Persian and Indian mythology said to carry off elephants and dolphins to eat. Sinbad faces one during one of his seven voyages. The Nightmare tentacle looking mushroom Discord's mentions is an Octopus Stinkhorn. I dunno if it's the same in other countries, but here you can get these really tasty nuts from pinecones. But they grow in the south part of the country and they're expensive to buy here. They were a big part of my childhood.

Thank you once more for all your feedback, help, support and comments guys :) It makes me so happy!

A Strange Feeling

View Online

Chapter 14

Evening had rolled in. The calls of nocturnal birds could be heard as they flittered in the trees and broke through the canopy to streak off across the open landscape. The sky was inky blue, with only a thin red band on the horizon marking where the sun had set. The stars above them grew slowly in number. With no artificial light to compete with, they seemed to make up most of the world.

Discord and Fluttershy sat high in one of the trees. Discord lay along the length of the branch while Fluttershy sat on the next one over, which twisted itself close to his. They were both quiet. Fluttershy was watching Discord's face as he stared off into the middle-distance with a frown.

He never answered her question, but he hadn't said anything else either. After a long, drawn out pause, he'd turned and climbed up a random tree without a word. She watched him go at first, confused by this, but when it became clear he wasn't planning on coming back down she followed him. Not entirely sure what he was planning to do, she just sat close and waited. The long silence helping to calm her initial shock to hearing the things Discord had said to Twilight. As she sat, she risked looking off in the direction of their camp every moment or so. Fluttershy knew they had to go back eventually, but she had no idea how to handle the confrontation that could follow when they did.

But it was already dark, and something had to be done soon. She half wondered if Discord was planning to sulk forever.

The things she heard Discord and Twilight saying to each other were still heavy on her own mind. As well as his lack of an answer to her question. She took a breath that seemed a little shaky before she finally spoke up, breaking the silence.

“We have to go back to others... eventually...”

Discord gave a meaningless grumble in response.

Fluttershy waited, but after a moment it didn't look like there was anything else coming.

“We can't hide up here forever. They'll get worried.” She tried again.

“Nopony's keeping you.” Discord mumbled irritably. Fluttershy decided it was best not to point out that he was, in fact, keeping her there.

She gathered up her patience as she prepared to continue. At least she'd gotten him to say something. “You can climb up another tree when we're back with the others if you want to. They just need to know where we are.”

“Like I said; Nopony's keeping you,” He said again, shifting to sit up. “If you're so worried, just run off then.”

“I'm not really sure they'd be happy if I uhm... came back alone,” She said diplomatically.

Discord scoffed. “You're most likely right. Princess Twilight will undoubtedly find some way to twist that into me leaving you alone to get eaten by wolves or something” He put a paw to his hips and a claw to his chest when he said her name for emphasis, swaying in place mockingly.

“She probably is a little upset,” Fluttershy said carefully. “You did say some erm... well... you did say a few things that made her sad.”

Discord scoffed again and flopped back down, his chin in his paw and claw as he scowled. Fluttershy rubbed a foreleg against the other as she watched him. In truth, she was anxious to get back and talk to Twilight. To see if she was alright and if Fluttershy could maybe do anything to make her feel better. She wanted to give her a strong hug and tell her it was going to be alright. But something was keeping her with Discord. She wasn't entirely sure what it was. Maybe the expression on his face, or the strange overreaction to her question.

She gave a soft sigh, deciding to try a different tactic. “If I upset you by asking if you're a mean person, I didn't mean to. Maybe it came out worse than I meant it to.”

No response.

She licked her lips nervously and went on. “I wasn't lying when I said I don't always understand you but...” She faltered. But what? She was silent for a few moments before she tried to finish the thought. “...but... I don't think you were blatantly trying to be cruel to her.”

“Oh, I most certainly was,” Discord said as he sat up again, twisting around to frown at her.

Fluttershy blinked wide-eyed at him. “You were trying to be cruel to her?”

“Of course I was,” He said irritably. “She was asking for it! I don't care what sort of 'importance' old Celestia has placed on her or what sort of 'special snowflake' feelings you and your friends have for her, but I have no intention of letting her say whatever she wants to me and not give her back the same as she gave out!”

Fluttershy blinked again, dumbfounded. Discord crossed his arms and slumped over, glaring at the horizon again with flattened ears.

Fluttershy frowned to herself lightly for a moment before she spoke again. “So... you hurt her feelings... because she upset you?”

“What?” He snapped, twisting back to glare at her.

“Well, that's what you said, isn't it?” She kicked at something on the branch sheepishly.

Discord's frown narrowed. He turned back to the landscape, gave her a sideways glance, and then turned back to her again, throwing out his arms.

“She thinks she can just decide things for every one of you ponies and then march over to me, completely minding my own business I might add, and then lay down orders as to how I should and should not behave when I didn't exactly hear anypony else complaining about it!” He made a clicking sound with his tongue as he calmed down again. “No wonder Celestia decided she'd make a good protégée.”

“I uhm... I didn't hear all of the conversation.” Fluttershy admitted apologetically. “I only caught the end of it.”

“You missed quite the performance then!” Discord went on, standing on the branch and making dramatic motions as he spoke. “Apparently, according to our fearless leader, I am making everypony's lives and absolute living nightmare! My lighthearted stories are giving all of you borderline anxiety attacks that will most likely cause the silly cultist to be able to capture and eat you alive! And as far as she's concerned, I might as well dig a hole here and bury myself in it because you'd all be happier and a lot better off without me around!” He clenched his fists and huffed to himself with an annoyed growl. “I've had ponies throw halberds at my head who weren't as infuriating as she is!” He turned back to Fluttershy and waved a claw at her. “Blatant attempts at my life I can take, but that unbearable smugness? Well! If she thought I'd just roll over for her and listen like the good little watch dog I'm suppose to be on this trip then she's sorely mistake! So I simply spoke my mind.” He calmed down again, running a claw over the back of his neck along his mane. “Isn't that something you ponies always go on about? Telling the truth? Being yourself? Honesty? All that good stuff? I was merely giving her a piece of my own mind in return for her's. It's not my fault she can't handle criticism as well as I can.”

Fluttershy tried hard not to comment on the last statement. Instead, she focused on what she realised was quite a remarkable change in the Draconequus.

“She hurt your feelings, so you got mad at her and said something mean back. Is that what you're saying?”

“I don't believe I stuttered,” He gave her a flat look.

Fluttershy lay down on her branch, her eyes still locked on him. “Are you mad because she said we don't need you around? Is that what upset you?”

Discord rolled his eyes at this. “Fluttershy, you're being remarkably slow on the uptake today.” Suddenly, the dramatics stopped and a lighter, more serious expression grew on his face. “Why? Do you agree with her?”

“No. No, I don't think so.” Fluttershy said gently but with conviction. “Twilight... is probably just a little mad at you right now... but I don't think the others really want you to go away.”

Discord crossed his arms again with a 'humph'. “Not that I much care what the others think.” He said, rather unconvincingly.

“Well, I don't want you to go away.” She said, giving him a small smile.

He said nothing, but gave her another sideways glance, the frown easing a little.

“You told us some scary things today about the wildlife, yes. But even if they aren't found around here and you were just playing a joke, I don't think you were trying to make us scared. Not really.” She stared at him softly. “...were you?”

He broke eye contact as he mumbled, sounding like a school filly afraid of getting in trouble. “Your reactions were pretty entertaining. Not as extreme as I'd have hoped for, but it was funny all the same.”

Fluttershy thought about this before asking the question again, changing her wording, “Did you want us to be nervous when we went to sleep tonight? Did you want us to lie awake because we're afraid?”

“No, of course not.” He waved a paw at her dismissively. “Where's the fun in that? Besides, I need my rest as well, and I don't want to have to deal with a bunch of jittery ponies keeping me awake all night.”

Fluttershy smiled again, this time more to herself. She put one foreleg over the other. “You can be uhm... annoying? I guess? And a little loud. But none of that is really anything I'd tell you to go home for. It would probably be very boring around here if you did.” Her smile warmed at him. “So no, I don't think I want you to go away.”

Discord's reaction to this struck her as strange. What normally would've gotten her an attack of a hug or a toothy grin, merely caused him to stare at her. He looked a little surprised and, strangely, uncertain. He soon lapsed back into a frown, but this time it seemed more thoughtful as he scanned the canopy below them, resting his chin in his claw.

She watched him a little while before giving a dainty cough, deciding to try her luck with the other thing she wanted to talk about. “What you said to Twilight... about being an alicorn?”

“Mmm?” He looked up, pulled from his thoughts.

Fluttershy's smile faded as she gave him a more innocent look. “Is it true? I mean.. I guess it is but... You really did mean it when you said because she's an alicorn, she'll live forever?”

“I thought that was common knowledge,” Discord gave a shrug. “Celestia and Luna have lived thousands of years, haven't they?”

Fluttershy lowered her gaze. “I guess they have...” She looked up again. “But you said if we don't get magic back she won't? She'll just live normally, like we do?”

“I see no reason why not,” He said, picking at something under a claw.

Fluttershy ran this through her head for a few minutes. “So... you think it might be better if magic didn't come back?”

“I never said that.” He said, stretching his arms above his head before giving a yawn. “I just said that for the sake of her friendship with you normal ponies, maybe it would be better for her. Of course, I am enjoying the thought of ponies not having everything underhoof, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. But in reality, a world without magic is tragically boring. The mental list I have for fun, perfectly innocent chaos I could cause has grown so long I'm starting to forget some of my own ideas! And I have a pretty excellent memory, I can assure you.”

“So, you really want your powers back.” Fluttershy said.

“Of course! I'm dying without them!” He said, putting a paw to his chest while throwing the other into the air melodramatically.

“Hmm.” Fluttershy made a small noise. “But then... if magic comes back... then Twilight will be immortal again. And we won't.”

“True,” Discord nodded, sitting back down, “And without magic, ponies might not be running things, but I can't do anything fun either. So either way, it's a raw deal for both of us.”

Fluttershy nodded at this. “Being a unicorn without magic is probably like being a pegasus without wings. Or an earth pony without the soil to grow things in. And it's not just Twilight. There are some ponies who need magic to do what makes them special. Imagine having a cutie mark for the rest of your life telling you the one thing you're very good at and that's most important to you, but you physically can't do it.” He ears lowered slightly. “There must be a lot of sad ponies out there. I can't even imagine how Twilight feels. Her cutie mark is magic itself.”

Discord stuck out his tongue. “She certainly has been antsy enough over getting her magic back. Funny though,” He scratched at the bark of the branch. “She'd have a whole lot less to worry about if she didn't have the rest of you in her life. If you ask me, it seems this whole friendship thing just causes more problems than it's worth.”

“Do you really think so?” Fluttershy gave him a sad expression.

“Well, that's her problem, isn't it? Really, without the other five of you she'd probably be ecstatic about her immortality. Friendship seems to just complicate matters.”

“Maybe,” Fluttershy nodded, to his surprise, “But if I were her, I don't think I'd give up having friends just because I'll live longer than them.” She let her hair fall over her face as she fiddled with something on the wood, avoiding his gaze. “If complete freedom means having no friends... it may not really be such a good thing... you know? I mean... if she had her magic back but didn't have any friends... she'd probably just be lonely...”

“She's going to be lonely anyway, eventually.” Discord said curtly.

“No.” Fluttershy said, “I mean... she might be but... there are other ponies out there.” She smiled to herself absentmindedly. “With my animals, I've watched some of them grow old and eventually pass away, but I also get to know new friends through their babies. Now I'm not sure if uhm... I'd ever have babies but... friendship really is a magical thing. Once you learn how to make friends with somepony, it teaches you how to be friends with other ponies. And after a while, you meet even more ponies in your life that you become friends with. I think it'd be the same for her... only stretched out for a much longer time...”

“A little bird told me she didn't have any friends before your little group,” Discord said matter-of-factly, “What if she can't make other friends besides you? What if she's just incapable of getting ponies to like her?”

“When you become friends with somepony, you learn how to be a friend yourself. And that teaches you how to be friends with new ponies.” Fluttershy smiled in response.

“And what if she doesn't want any other friends?!” He said sharply.

“Are we still talking about Twilight?”

Discord gave a guttural sound at this and got up on all fours. For a second, Fluttershy regretted blurting her thoughts out loud. But instead of snapping at her, he turned and moved to start climbing down the tree again without another word.

“Hey, wait up!” She called, taking wing and flying after him.

He dropped to the ground and, to her relief, stayed where he was as he waited for her to catch up. When she landed beside him he started walking in the direction of their camp again. Fluttershy at first took this as a sign that he was done with the conversation. However, he brought it up again a few minutes later as they walked.

“Not that it really matters,” he said, holding his head high in a show of false loftiness and sudden disinterest in the subject. “We may not even get magic to work again at all.”

“But you hope that we do?” She asked, still nervous that he might be angry.

“I told you, I'm absolutely dying without it! I couldn't get it back fast enough!” He said loudly and without hesitation.

She nodded, deciding to finally let the subject drop. “You're not gonna start fighting with Twilight when we get back, are you?”

“Pff! She can try to argue if she wants, but I'm going to bed. I don't have the energy to waste on her and her personal issues. I'm certainly not going to give her the satisfaction of giving me bags under my eyes!”

“If you say so...” Fluttershy said, not completely convinced.

After a while, she gave him a surreptitious glance when she knew he wasn't looking, and noticed the thoughtful frown had formed on his face once again.

Author's Notes:

Again, no idea if this chapter is actually any good or not DX I'm having a bit of an "I suuuuuuck!" Mentality lately. I hope you guys enjoy it all the same though. Please let me know if I've made any typos or anything.

This chapter ended up not having the mood I wanted it to, unfortunately. But there's chapters to come that I hope will capture the emotion I'm going to go for. Perhaps it was myself trying to stop myself from showing my hand too early with the characters' emotional responses. Maybe it's just too early and I'm impatient. I'll have to see if I have the skill to pull off what I want when the time truly comes.

Thank you very much for the feedback and attention and support you guys have given me so far. As I have said before, I am not a confident writer at all, so your feedback is very important and really helps me to think that maybe I'm not as useless as I sometimes think I am.

Falabell

View Online

Chapter 15

When Fluttershy and Discord came back to the camp site, a world of awkwardness was waiting for them. Twilight seemed, at the very least, to have calmed down by now, but she still shot Discord one of the most venomous looks Fluttershy had ever seen from her friend. To her relief though, Twilight didn't look like she had any intention of speaking to him. Discord in turn, didn't so much as give her a second glance. He strode past her, his head held unnaturally high, and clambered up the tree trying to grow over the boulder. Fluttershy watched him go but didn't follow him this time. Once she caught sight of him in the higher branches, she turned and went over to Twilight.

Applejack was keeping her company, although from the blank expression she'd given Discord, it looked like Twilight hadn't told her what had been said. Pinkie Pie was somewhere in the background, sorting through the now rather large pile of pinecones, arranging them by different levels of 'quality'. Or at least what she herself considered to be different levels of quality.

When Fluttershy sat down among the small group she was quick to ask if Twilight was feeling alright. She was, however, careful not to bring up the touchy subject itself. If Twilight hadn't told Applejack what the fight had been about, then Fluttershy didn't think it was right for her to mention it. Twilight muttered something about feeling stupid for letting Discord's mind games work on her. Other than that, it didn't look like she wanted to talk about it.

Applejack coaxed the other two into helping Pinkie Pie pick out the seeds from the pinecones. After a while, Rainbow Dash and Rarity rejoined them, Rainbow carrying a large pile held in place on her back with her wings as Rarity trotted after her, 'supervising'.

After the ponies had pried loose what they could from the tough shells and packed away everything but their blankets, they settled down for the night. They huddled close together underneath the curve of the tree roots. The small copse was quiet, and the cluster of trees shielded them from the breeze rustling in the treetops. Fluttershy lay awake, listening to the sounds of sleeping ponies around her. She cast an eye to the branches somewhere high above them, but in the pitch darkness she couldn't see the shape of Discord. He hadn't come down again at all since he climbed out of sight. She wondered if maybe she should fly up and bunk up in the tree to keep him company, but eventually decided against it. Unlike Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy wasn't good at sleeping in trees. She could do it if she absolutely had to, but she tended to have a restless night when she did.

She gave a soft sigh as she closed her eyes and settled down again. She replayed in her mind the things Discord had said to her while they were alone together. Despite the uncomfortable subject and his obvious irritation at the time, she could still feel a faint smile spread on her face. Something about the way he'd spoken to her, and the kind of things he'd said out loud, made her feel better about where the two of them stood with each other. It'd been a stressful confrontation, and thinking about the topic of Twilight's immortality still upset her. But somehow, in between the fight and the hurt feelings, Discord had dropped his guard. If only a little bit. She wouldn't ever pretend she knew what made him tick, and getting things smoothed out between him and Twilight might not exactly be possible, but at least she could see a tiny shift in him. A small crack in his apathy towards the world.

Her thoughts became scattered as she drifted off to sleep.

Morning came far too early the next day. The air was cool and dew had formed over most of the high needles on the evergreens. The world grew steadily brighter as the sun rose somewhere behind the mountains. The light reached the copse, but the warmth would take a while before it got there. Birds started chirping to each other softly in the trees, getting ready to start their day in the open fields.

Discord slept soundly on his perch. He lay on a thick branch, another one hanging low above him making a natural roof over his head, shielding him from falling dew. He'd twisted his tail around the makeshift bed, anchoring himself as he rested his head on crossed arms.

Something tapped his forehead. He mumbled and put one of his arms over his face before going back to sleep. Whatever it was tapped him again, this time on the end of his muzzle. It repeated itself and he swatted at it with a noise. Whatever it was it seemed to give up for a few minutes, but just as Discord was about to let himself drift off again, the tap came back, this time followed by a surprisingly loud 'Pssst!'

He growled and tried to roll over but this didn't seem to deter whatever it was. If anything, it seemed to encourage it as it once again tapped his head accompanied by a whispered “Pssst! Hey!”

Finally admitting defeat and too tired to put up any stronger a fight, he lifted his head and turned to glare at whatever was trying to wake him up with as much disdain as he could without actually having to put any effort into the expression.

“Wow! You're a real heavy sleeper!” Pinkie giggled when she saw he was awake.

“You have ten seconds to explain yourself,” He said flatly. Unfortunately, the warning seemed to have absolutely no effect on her as she stood up on the branch, her pony legs positioned awkwardly to balance herself.

“I don't think I need ten seconds to tell you that! Besides, don't you already know? I'm waking you up! How can you not get that? Are you still half asleep?” She immediately launched into a string of words.

“Yes, but why, Pinkie?” He growled as he lifted his head properly and rolled to a better position. It was clear that no matter what he said to her, Pinkie wasn’t going to leave him alone. He held on to the very faint hope that if he let her say what she wanted to, she might let him go back to sleep again.

“Well, I woke up and I was thinking about some stuff, and then I realised that if I woke you up then I could talk about that stuff to you before we had to start walking again. So then I thought it'd be a good idea to come up here and talk to you. So I did.” She smiled widely at him.

“And what, he asked stupidly, did you want to talk about that demanded I be woken up at this unholy hour?” Discord hissed at her. He thought about asking her how she managed to climb up a giant tree by herself, but after a moment he realised he didn't care.

“You had a fight with Twilight again, huh?” Pinkie said as she sat herself down with a plop, the smile still bright on her face.

“Is she spreading spiteful rumours about me?” Discord asked with a bored tone of voice. He gave a long yawn as he sat up, arching his back cat-like and cracking his spine. “Of course, I imagine you and your friends are all dying to hear how the big nasty Discord hurt her feelings.”

Pinkie laughed at this with a snort. “No, silly! She hasn't said anything about it!” She recovered and stared wide-eyed at him. “But she's really super upset about it! Whatever you guys were fighting about must've been a doozy!”

“Quite,” Discord said as he lay back down before fixing her with an even expression. “Is this going anywhere, Pinkie Pie? Because It is far too early to be this early, and I would appreciate getting some rest before I have to be in the company of our benevolent Princess again.”

“Well see, I was thinking,” Pinkie carried on. “Twilight doesn't wanna talk about it but she's really mad at you. So I thought whatever it was, being a doozy and everything, it probably made you mad too! I mean you're up here by yourself.”

Discord frowned at this. “I suppose that's a crime as well?”

“No, ya goof!” She giggled. “But since you didn't come down last night, I couldn't ask why you guys were fighting.” She stood up and awkwardly hobbled closer to him, Discord having to pull his head and neck backwards to try and keep some personal space. “Why did you guys fight? Did something happen? Did you guys fight over who'd gotten better pinecones? Because if that was it, you both came back empty hooved, so you kinda both lost.”

Discord said nothing, a bottom eyelid twitching.

“Or was it about food again? Didn't you want to eat pinecone nuts? You weren't saying anything before so I figured it was ok. But maybe you wanted to eat something else? You've been complaining about food a lot lately.” Pinkie went on.

“Pinkie...” He said with a growl in the back of his throat, reaching up and massaging a temple. “Normally I'd be happy to play this game with you, but I'm really not-”

“Or did you guys fight about the monster in the cave again?” Pinkie said with a small gasp. “That musta been it, huh?! Twilight was really mad 'cause you saved Fluttershy and not Rarity! I bet you guys were fighting about that!”

“If I say yes, can I go back to sleep?”

“Twilight's still not really forgiven you for that,” Pinkie nodded to herself. “I mean, it's totally understandable. Rarity is our friend! Of course, I get why you only saved Fluttershy, but it's still kinda mean if you look at it from our side.”

Discord rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes. I saved Fluttershy because she stops the rest of you from turning me to stone and I'm only looking out for myself, Twilight already went over this.”

Pinkie frowned to herself, although Discord noticed that even when she frowned there was no seriousness in her expression. “Well yeah, that's what Twilight said when she was angry, but that's obviously not the real reason you did it.”

“And what, pray tell, is the real reason?” Discord said, resting his face on a paw. He was starting to doubt sleep was in his immediate future.

“Well duh!” Pinkie pulled a face. “You saw Fluttershy was gonna get eaten and you got scared!” She grinned widely at him. “Obviously! Sheesh, it's not like it's that hard ta figure out!”

Discord, surprised at this, raised an eyebrow at her. “You think so?”

“Of course!” She insisted. “Fluttershy's your best friend! So she got in trouble and you panicked. Twilight says you were being selfish but she's just mad because Rarity was almost hurt. Ponies say all kinds of things when they're mad.”

“Hmm,” Was all Discord replied with, a puzzled frown on his face as he stared at the pink pony in front of him.

“So... you guys had a fight about it again, huh?” Pinkie asked, but carried on before waiting for an answer. “I dunno what you guys said, but I bet neither of you said sorry about what happened. Otherwise you wouldn't be up here sulking.”

“I do not sulk!” Discord said indignantly, placing a paw to his chest.

“Well I dunno about Twilight, but I think you did the right thing,” Pinkie said, completely derailing whatever tangent Discord was preparing.

“You... think I did the right thing not saving Rarity?” He asked. He found himself in the uncomfortable position of being confused by a pony. He didn't like the role reversal much.

“No, I mean you did the right thing when you jumped into the cave and saved Fluttershy,” Pinkie said, still smiling widely. “I mean, she was about to get eaten. I don't think anypony would've been happy about that”

“And I suppose you think Rarity was better off without me trying to grab her?” He said, his frown staying where it was.

“Rainbow Dash saved her, didn't she?” Pinkie said, getting up and looking over the side of the branch.

Discord huffed to himself, scratching the back of his paw absentmindedly. After a drawn out pause, he mumbled; “I suppose if I'd really stopped to think, I could've grabbed the prima donna on my way out.” The sentence was so grumbled it was almost impossible to make out the words.

“Always next time!” Pinkie said as she shot him a grin before turning back to her problem of getting down.

Discord gave an exaggerated sigh as he stood up, cracked his neck and wandered to the edge of the branch. He picked up the pony and tucked her under an arm before flapping lazily to the ground.

“You could try and twist Twilight's thinking in that direction, you know.”

“Nah. She's really stressed out. I don't think she's gonna wanna have some sense talked into her,” Pinkie said.

Discord gave a deep-rooted groan. “Asking a pony to talk sense into a Princess... what has become of me?”

Pinkie giggled at him.

It wasn't long before the other ponies woke up as well. Of course, Pinkie's loud babbling to Discord about whatever popped into her head didn't exactly help them get their rest. With everyone awake and the road still ahead of them, they packed up their blankets, checked their route, and moved onward again.

Despite the clear animosity between Discord and Twilight, the next few days of travel were not half as unpleasant as Fluttershy had expected. They mainly avoided each other, Twilight taking the lead and chatting idly with the other ponies while Discord and Pinkie either ran in wide circles around them or ran off ahead, chasing after whatever insect, bird or imagined animal they'd seen. More than once Rainbow Dash had to zip over to them and tell them they were getting too far away from the others. However, the games kept Discord and Twilight apart which, for the moment, seemed like the best thing. Fluttershy found herself splitting her time between the two. She stuck close to the other ponies, giving kind words whenever it was needed and enjoying whatever light topics of conversation were brought up. Then she would trot to Discord and Pinkie to make sure the two of them weren't causing too much damage to the local wildlife. Discord seemed insistent that she hang out with them instead, but with some gentle persuasion, he'd let her walk with the others again, although it was always with a pout and melodramatic words about being abandoned by his only friend.

Some days later, they reached the Equestrian Border. It wasn't much to look at. The road they were on was cobbled and, for once, well-kept. Apart from a couple of tall guard towers and a small office, there didn't seem to be much else separating the Kingdom of Equestria from the wilderness beyond. Twilight couldn't help but feel her stomach twist a little at this. She'd had ideas in her head about a vast canyon separating the two. Or maybe an enormous wall. Or a wide river. But other than the outpost, it didn't look like there was anything to mark the change. She spoke to the guard and, after explaining who they were and where they were going, asked him what protected Equestria from outside dangers. She felt a little better when he told her that normally the kingdom had a magical barrier following along with the border. Not potent enough to be called a shield, but strong enough to at least make it harder to enter Equestria than just strolling into it unnoticed. Although with the lack of magic, there was at the moment little to nothing protecting the kingdom, to Twilight's dismay.

After the short wait, they carried onwards, the land steadily rising as they entered mountainous countryside. The roads starting to climb steady inclines, sometimes twisting and turning around cliffs, and sometimes turning in the complete opposite direction to avoid an upcoming obstacle. The weather was growing colder here. The wind blew almost every day, not enough to make their trip dangerous, but enough to carry a chill. The sparse scenery was no more, as now dark trees and twisted shrubs grew thickly wherever there was soil free from fallen boulders. The ground was gravelly and white, and once they left the main road, they never found another one that was more than a trail cutting through the otherwise wild environment. It was a far call from the picturesque and ordered mountains of the Canterlot Palace back home.

They eventually spotted the huddle of roofs and smoke coming from the town of Falabell. It sat in a low valley between two mountains, a small stream flowing close by. Fields lying in pony-made clearings hugged its outskirts. As they got closer, they sometimes saw the silhouette of a pegasus flying above it, or the figures of ponies in the fields, tending their crops. The night before they finally reached it, it was a comfort to see the small spot of glowing light in the darkness.

They reached the town early the next morning. It was a humble place, but still bigger than the clusters of homes they'd passed on their way getting here. The buildings were a mixture of wood and stone, the latter making up the bottom of buildings. The roofs were thick with thatch bleached pale by the sun. The roads within the town were once again paved, and several ponies were going about their daily lives. All in all, it didn't seem that far removed from Ponyville, and after the long trek through valleys and mountains, it was nice to be back in civilisation.

“So, what do we do now?” Rainbow asked, landing beside Twilight as she inspected a signpost.

“The first thing we should do is go to the inn Oggie suggested,” Twilight said, turning to her. “The ponies in the fort don't come down here often, but it'd be a good idea to avoid where they go when they do. Just in case.”

“Do you think there's any chance that there would be a spa in this town?” Rarity asked wistfully. “My hair hasn't had any proper grooming in ages, and I could certainly use an afternoon to refresh myself before we wander into the mountains again.”

“Oh! And we need more candy! Lots more candy!” Pinkie bounced up and down in place.

“We'll get to that after we get our rooms sorted out,” Twilight promised, giving them a smile as she started trotting in the right direction. “Oh, and don't mention the fort or the cult to the innkeeper when we get there. I don't think it'd be a good idea to let anypony know the real reason we're in town. We're just here on a uhm... a small vacation.”

“Think they'll fall for that with tall, dark, and ugly here?” Rainbow asked, nudging Discord in the side.

“Now, now Rainbow Dash, that's no way to talk about Rarity's hair.” He scolded her, waving a claw.

“Oh no,” Rarity groaned. “Is it really that awful?”

“No, it's fine, Rarity,” Fluttershy assured her with a smile.

“Guys, focus!” Twilight tried getting their attention back to the present. “We can't goof around too much. Remember, we're very very close to these crazy ponies' headquarters. We have to keep our eyes open and be careful.”

“Careful's my middle name, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash assured her with a grin.

“Yeah, well, my middle name right now is hungry.” Applejack interrupted, trotting to walk beside Twilight. “Think we can get somethin' ta eat at this inn? Ah noticed they got some good lookin' fields on the way here. If they got somepony other than unicorns cookin' we could finally get a good meal in us again.”

“I think that can be arranged,” Twilight said brightly.

They cut a path through town. Much to Rarity's relief there was, while not a spa, a small health center that offered massages and a sauna. There weren't any candy stores, but a small bakery displayed some tantalising pastries in its windows and they had to physically drag Pinkie away from it, promising her she could come back later. In the center of town stood the largest building. With three storeys and made completely out of stone, it looked to be the place where the mayor, or whoever ran the town, did their business. They also spotted two ponies lounging in front of it and having an idle conversation, who were both dressed in something like police uniforms.

The inn Oggie had recommended wasn't in the best location in terms of town layout. It was far from the shops and other business. Then again, this meant it wasn't very popular either and, although they stuck out too much to go completely unnoticed, they could still expect more privacy there. When they opened the door they were welcomed by a sturdy looking earth pony. He was a chestnut brown stallion with fetlocks, a dark brown mane and a cutie mark of a barrel and a flagon.

“Welcome to the Amber Eagle!” He greeted them heartily. “My name's Hop Shot and I'm the owner of the place.”

“Hi there,” Twilight smiled back, glad to see the owner was at least pleasant and didn't seem thrown off by a large group of customers. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends. We're travelling through the area and we were wondering if you could spare some rooms for a night or two? We don't mind sharing.”

The innkeeper laughed at this. “You've been travelling rough I take it? No worries Miss, the Amber Eagle has a good few large rooms for your little group and... uhm...” He cocked an eye at the figure of Discord.

“Uhm.. yeah.” Twilight said, keeping her smile in place. “That'd be great. I think if we go two in a room we'll be fine, right guys?” She turned to the others with a questioning smile.

“Dibs.” Discord said, picking Fluttershy up by her wings.

“Ah think that's a yes,” Applejack nodded.

“Sure thing!” The innkeeper nodded, motioning for them to follow him. “I'll put you on the second floor. With the summer I generally let guests stay there since the stone walls below can become a little stifling. They're a life saver in winter though!”

“I can imagine,” Twilight said politely as he led them up a wooden staircase and down a passage.

“The weather's been kinda funny lately though,” He went on as he unlocked three doors, stopping at the fourth. “Are you bunking with one of your friends, Miss? Or would you like your own room?”

Discomfort hit Twilight when she realised he was only giving the option to her, realising that, once again, her horn and wing combo was getting extra attention. Her ears flattened with embarrassment. “Uhm.. no... no that's ok. I er... I don't mind sharing with one of the others.”

He nodded. “If you're sure, but if you change your mind don't hesitate to ask. We don't have many visitors around here and the place is pretty much empty apart from me and Old Timer, the watchmaker. He and his wife don't really get along.” He gave Twilight a wink at this, although she had no idea what he meant by it.

“Thanks,” She merely said.

“Let me know if you need anything!” He said as he gave the others a warm smile, heading back downstairs. His gaze lingered on Discord a little longer than the others before he disappeared from sight.

With that, the group split up to put down their saddlebags and stretch out. The rooms were simple but welcoming. The walls and floor both being made of wood and left to keep their natural texture and colours. The roof above them, despite being thatched on the outside, was also made of dark wood, obviously cut from the local forests. After a few minutes of getting themselves unpacked, they regrouped in what had been made Rarity and Twilight's room.

“Alright, I think we're good for now,” Twilight said with satisfaction. “It doesn't look like we'll need to worry about anypony giving us trouble in this place. There's still a lot of daytime left so I think we can take a break and check out the town, see what kind of ponies live here. Just make sure to get back here before it gets dark. We'll focus on restocking our supplies and going over a plan of action tomorrow.”

“If I could make a suggestion,” Applejack added when Twilight had finished, “I say we should buddy up with somepony else just ta make sure none of us get into any trouble. Just in case some of those wackos really are wanderin' around town.”

“Good idea,” Twilight nodded. “Let's not get too comfortable just because things look so normal here.”

“Does it?” Discord spoke up and Twilight instantly felt her fur bristle.

She shot him an annoyed looked. “Does it what?”

“Does it really look so normal here?” he repeated, giving her back a look as if she was something he'd stepped in.

“I certainly didn't see anything out of the ordinary,” Rarity blinked, giving the others a questioning glance. “It seems like a rather nice place, all things considered.”

“Except there's no candy store!” Pinkie said with seriousness. “But I guess you can't have everything. Those cakes looked yummy though! We're gonna go back for them, right?”

The question was directed at Discord but he ignored her, turning to the other ponies instead, expectantly.

“I dunno what you're talking about!” Rainbow pulled a face. “You probably just want the whole place painted in tartan don't you?”

“Not a bad idea, although you could be more specific with which tartan you mean, but no. That's not what I'm talking about.” He looked over the faces staring at him, some confused and a few looking irritable. “Really, none of you ponies noticed it when we did our bit of sightseeing?”

“Just spit it out, smart guy!” Rainbow flopped down beside him.

“I suppose I have to,” he gave a mournful sigh, “Honestly, I weep for the generation of ponies I've had the misfortune to wake up to from my stone prison.”

“Just tell us already!” Twilight snapped at him.

“Well, as we were having our little walk around town I couldn't help but ask myself something;” He said, turning to talk to everpony except Twilight. “Where are all the unicorns?”

Rarity frowned, “What do you mean?”

“Well I didn't see any, did you?” He gave her a meaningful look. “Even in those little hick villages we travelled through, we almost always saw at least one unicorn. And I will have you know, if you want to take my advice for once, that where there are ponies there will always be at least a few of them of the unicorn persuasion. And yet I didn't see a single one.” He stroked his beard. “Seems rather strange if you ask me.”

“Come to think of it,” Rainbow rubbed her chin, “The big guy's right. I saw earth ponies and pegasi, but I don't remember seeing any unicorns.”

“I wasn't really looking,” Fluttershy said apologetically, “But I don't think I saw any either. Maybe.”

“So what about it?” Twilight asked, her gaze still fixed on Discord. “So you didn't see any unicorns, so what? Maybe there aren't that many in town? I really don't think we saw everypony who lives here. And even if we did and there are no unicorns here, why is that so weird? Ponyville was founded by earth ponies and for a long time no unicorns lived there either.”

“We're not in Equestria anymore either,” Applejack added. “Dunno if that has somethin' ta do with it but, just sayin'.”

“Right,” Twilight nodded, glad for the support. “Anyway, I don't see why you're bringing it up.” Her voice had an edge to it, an unspoken warning behind her words.

Discord gave her a rather icy glare before giving a shrug, lying back on the floor. “I just thought it was strange. Not something I personally would consider 'normal' for ponies anyway. You did just say we should keep our eyes open, didn't you?” He gave her a sideways glance. “I would consider it as rather suspicious.”

“I think we can handle a lack of ponies with unicorn magic,” Twilight said flatly, rolling her eyes.

Discord opened his mouth to retort but Fluttershy, who was sitting quietly beside him, gave him a soft nudge with one of her wings. He turned to her for a moment before he sighed and sat up, twisting his tail around her and keeping his thoughts to himself. Fluttershy lay down on the red tail circling her like a nest, turning back to Twilight.

“So, with that out the way,” Twilight brushed the issue aside, “What is everypony planning to do?”

Most of them seemed to want to head into town and get some lunch or buy something to eat on their way somewhere else. Twilight nodded as she made mental notes, making sure she had a good idea of where everyone would be. At least it didn't look like they'd have to work too hard pretending to be tourists.

Discord watched Twilight as she made plans with the others for the day. He shrugged again, trying to pull his attention away from her and ignore the irritation in his gut whenever she spoke. He focused on Fluttershy instead who was listening to the others and eagerly adding her own plans to the day's list of activities. When there was a spare moment where she had nothing to say he leaned closer to her and muttered irritably.

“There really are no unicorns in this town, Fluttershy.”

She turned to blink at him, smiled, and gave a nod. “I believe you.”

He stared at her carefree expression for a while as she tilted her head at him before turning back to the conversation. He started scratching a small groove into the wooden floor with a claw.

Author's Notes:

This is another Chapter that's kinda like the Lord of the Rings movies. Not because it's epic and grand in scale.. but because there's such a large amount of WALKING! I tried to keep it as streamlined as possible. Luckily, all kinds of fun things come in the next few chapters. I'm excited for it!

You might be wondering how Pinkie got up a tree. Well, here's the answer;

I hope that clears everything up.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I was struggling with it and it took TWO DAYS just to edit it (and by that I mean it literally took almost my whole weekend. Not just an hour after work for 2 days). Please tell me if I've missed any typos or grammar or punctuation mistakes. It really helps me out.
Thank you for all your support and feedback guys. As I keep saying, I'm not that confident and I am trying really hard to write a story that you can enjoy. That's really my end goal here, is just to make something people will have fun reading.

The Mayor

View Online

Chapter 16

After they'd made sure where everyone would be, the group of seven split up in different directions from the inn, each with their own mission for the day in mind. Rarity insisted on going to the health center to get some pampering and was quick to talk her usual spa-buddy, Fluttershy, into being her second for the day. Hearing about Rarity's plans for grooming, a session in the sauna, some massages and hooficures, Discord opted out of joining them, much to Rarity's relief. Pinkie Pie's offer of going to buy a bunch of cakes and other sugar frosted pastries seemed much more interesting to him and they ended up trotting off together before any of the others could ask if they were gonna stick together for the buddy system. With Fluttershy's assurance that Discord was in fact listening, the three remaining ponies wandered into town to try and find somewhere to eat that served more than cake.

It didn't look like restaurants were that high on the town's priority list, but after a short search and asking around, they came across a small place which doubled as an antique store. It seemed the antique part of it was closed for the moment though. The food was basic, but filling and Twilight, Applejack and Rainbow Dash ate their fill, happy for whatever warm meal they could get after foraging in the wild. Afterwards, the trio took a walk around town. Twilight was quick to find a general store and got a more detailed map of the area. Idle chit chat, window shopping, and asking about the local wilderness took up most of their time. Eventually, they found themselves trotting back in the direction of the inn.

“Turns out it's not such a bad place, huh?” Rainbow Dash hovered lower to grin at her friends.

“I gotta admit, it is a little more normal than I was expecting,” Twilight nodded with seriousness.

“'Cept o' course for the unicorn thing,” Applejack added. She turned to give Twilight a sideways glance. “I was lookin' around and as much as I hate ta admit it, Discord was right. I haven't seen hide nor hair of one this whole day.”

“I wasn't looking,” Rainbow Dash brushed it off with a shrug. “Besides, Twilight was right. So what if there aren't any around? It doesn't really change anything for us.”

Twilight hummed to herself thoughtfully at this with a light frown.

“You did say it was nothing to worry about, right?” Rainbow added at seeing this.

There was a short pause as they walked, or in Rainbow's case flew. Eventually, Twilight gave an exasperated sigh. “Well he is right. I don't think there are unicorns here and...” She gave a small, irritated puff of a breath, “and that is kinda weird.”

“That's not what you said earlier,” Applejack cocked an eyebrow at her. “Ya seemed pretty sure of yourself when it was brought up.”

“You're probably just second guessing yourself because of what Discord said,” Rainbow said with a nod. “You shouldn't take what he says seriously, Twilight. He's just trying to mess with your head and get you feeling all screwed up. You know that's like his favourite thing to do ever!”

“But... it is true,” Twilight sighed again, coming to a stop. The other two did the same, turning to blink at her. Rainbow Dash landed beside Applejack as Twilight gave them a serious frown. “Look, I know I said it wasn't really anything important when Discord brought it up, but I gotta admit, it is kinda weird. I'm not sure if it really means anything, but it does make this place feel... a little bit odd.”

“Bit of a change o' tune than ya had at the inn,” Applejack said, her expression staying the same.

Twilight shot her a frown, “Applejack, if you've got something to say then just say it.”

Applejack gave a sigh herself but set her friend with a serious look, “It's just, ever since we had that run in with the monster in the hive, ya've been really set on hatin' everything Discord has ta say or do this entire trip.”

Rainbow made a noise and rolled her eyes, “So what? The guy doesn't have the best track record, Applejack! And reformed or not, you don't just turn around and become a completely different person just because somepony told you to! Remember, we were talking about this in Ponyville a while ago? All the guy does is warp the truth so that it kinda sorta still sounds true, but he says it in a way to make you feel all confused and unsure of yourself. Heck, I don't think he even knows how to talk to ponies without doing that! I know I've never gotten a normal conversation out of him!”

“I agree with ya,” Applejack nodded, her frown staying where it was, “And I'm not sayin' we don't remember who he is or how he acts. But Twilight,” she turned back to her other friend, “It's gotten ta sound more than just bein' wary of him. You're startin' ta sound... kinda bitter.”

Twilight's ears flattened at this and she scratched at the ground irritably. “Only because he's being such a pain! Instead of actually helping us like Princess Celestia said he should, he either just drives us insane with his usual nonsense, or he says something about our current situation that only gets everypony worked up and nervous!” She shook her head with a grumble. “So far whatever small little details he's had to say about where we are or what we should do haven't been anything we couldn't have figured out ourselves! So he's not really helping in that category! And besides that, the only other things he's had to say are either infuriating or just mean!”

“Not much different than usual then,” Rainbow pulled a face.

“Don't mean ya gotta be so spiteful. That ain't really like ya, Twilight.” Applejack carried on, her frown becoming one of concern. “I mean... yeah I'm totally with ya on the annoying thing and I'll be the first ta admit I don't like him much myself, but doesn't it feel kinda like...” She gave Rainbow Dash a nervous glance before turning back to Twilight, “..Like you're kinda pushin' it too far?”

Twilight frowned back at her before sinking with a sigh, starting her walk again. “I dunno Applejack. He just gets to me. I'm honestly doing my best to try and keep quiet, but every time I think I've got a grip on it, he says something that just makes me so mad!”

“I wouldn't wanna live with him, that's for sure,” Rainbow nodded in support.

“But ya know he says what he does because he knows it'll get ya riled up,” Applejack argued. “Why give him the satisfaction? Ya'd get a lot more over him if ya just ignore whatever he says and watch him pout 'cause ya don't wanna play his game.” Applejack broke into a grin. “He likes attention. If ya just ignore him it'll get under his skin a lot more than snappin' at him does.”

“She does have a point,” Rainbow nodded again. “I sure would love to see a little less smugness from him! Besides,” She flapped into the air again, “Like you said, he does just talk crazy talk and nonsense.”

Twilight however, didn't seem comforted by this. She stared thoughtfully at the cobblestones as they walked.

“Just... don't give him the satisfaction of turnin' you inta the bad guy here, alright Twi?” Applejack concluded with another smile.

“I suppose you're right,” She gave a sheepish smile in return. “But I dunno if I can really promise anything. He just... he just has a way of knowing exactly what to say to get me going. And we all know he's only here for his own selfish reasons.”

“Or he's worried Ponyville will lynch him without Fluttershy around,” Rainbow laughed.

“Just try not ta pay any attention to him, sugarcube,” Applejack added, the inn coming into view as they rounded a corner. “Like ya said, it's not like he says much that's worth anythin' anyway.”

Twilight just nodded, keeping her smile where it was.

Upon entering the inn, they were greeted with the sight of Pinkie and Discord sitting in the main room at one of the small, round tables which was currently completely covered with every desert known to ponykind. From the powdered sugar and icing all over the two of them, it was pretty clear they'd been sitting there eating for a while, and yet the large collection of sweets didn't look like it'd suffered much damage.

“Oh, and look who it is,” Discord said pleasantly, picking a cherry off something white and fluffy and waving it at them as he spoke, “Did our Princess and her loyal subjects enjoy their royal inspection of the town?”

Twilight immediately felt her cheeks flush as she grit her teeth. Just as she was about to snap something back, she felt the soft nudge of an elbow in her side, followed by Applejack giving her a levelled stare. Twilight huffed and sank in place, glaring at Discord angrily as he flicked the cherry into his mouth, apparently not concerned with getting a response.

“Did you guys bring back any desert?” Pinkie popped into sight with a wide, sugar-loaded smile.

“We didn't really think of it,” Rainbow gave her a nervous smile at this, wondering just how much sugar she was intending to eat during their stay. “Sorry, Pinkie.”

Pinkie gave a heartfelt whine, sinking in place. Discord reached down and attempted to pet her hair, only to have the sugar on his paw get stuck to her. “There there, I am sure my friend Fluttershy will be a little more conscientious and considerate to our needs.”

“They're not back yet, then?” Rainbow said, trotting closer to the pile of food and selecting a cupcake, taking a large bite out of it.

“Rarity ain't had her mane done in a while,” Applejack said, coming over as well, “She's probably goin' all out ta compensate.”

She reached out to take a brownie but Discord leaned forward sharply and flapped a claw at her to shoo them away. “Hey now! I don't believe anyone said this was an open buffet!”

“Aw, they won't eat that much,” Pinkie grinned at him, offering him a brownie she'd plucked from somewhere else. “We're a team here! We gotta share, ya know?”

Discord shot her a look but sat back, crossing his arms with a sulk. “They could very easily get their own.”

“Yeah, but since there's this pile of the stuff right here anyway...” Rainbow argued, giving Applejack another cupcake.

Discord scowled at her, raised an eyebrow at Pinkie, then snatched the offered brownie from her and chewed on it as if it was a household chore. He glared at the other two ponies currently tucking into his hoard.

“Ah! you're back as well!” Came a voice from a door. Hop Shot wandered in carrying a cleaning cloth across his back. He was addressing Twilight, although he turned to give the others a passing smile as he trotted towards her.

“Yeah, we were sightseeing,” Twilight said, giving him a smile as he came to stand in front of her. “Did you wanna talk to us or something?”

“Not exactly,” Hop shot explained, his pleasant smile never faltering. “I was running some errands in town when I ran into Broken Arrow, one of the town guards. Anyway, he mentioned seeing some tourists in town, one of which looked like an alicorn to him. I explained to him who you were and it seems he must've mentioned it to somepony, because later I was visited by Beam Rider and he told me to tell you that the mayor wants to see you.”

Hop Shot beamed at her, apparently expecting her to be impressed.

“O..oh! I see,” Twilight nodded, giving an uncertain smile. “I er... I'll be happy to meet the mayor if he's anxious to see me. Although I don't really know why he'd want to.”

“Well see, I was kinda curious about that myself,” the innkeeper went on, his tone of voice in full 'small-town-gossip' mode. “So when I asked Beam Rider about it he said he didn't know the details, but that the mayor asked to see the alicorn staying here in private to 'discuss important matters' with her.”

“In private? Why in private?” Applejack interrupted with a frown, a cupcake halfway to her mouth.

“Well I'm sure I couldn't tell you,” Hop Shot said, with obvious intent to tell them anyway, “but as I understand it, the mayor believes that since you, Miss, are an alicorn, you must be here for an important reason. Why else come to Falabell? We're a small town and can't offer anything that the larger places outside the border can't. She probably wants to talk about why you're here. That's the only thing that makes sense to me.”

“So much for being surreptitious,” Discord said, focusing more on the continued destruction of his food than the conversation. “Small towns are always so remarkably quick on the latest news.”

Twilight ignored him, frowning lightly at Hop Shot. “I still don't see why it has to be in private.”

He shrugged, turning to trot to one of the round tables as he pulled the cleaning cloth from his back. “Like I said, I can't really say what reason she might have. But I wouldn't keep her waiting. The mayor doesn't really talk to anypony unless she has a good reason.”

“Yeah,” Twilight nodded thoughtfully, although it wasn't clear if she was nodding in reply to the innkeeper or not. She looked up at the rest of the group who were waiting to hear what she though about this. Twilight gave a small glance at Hop Shot before turning to the stairs. “Guys, mind if we have a quick word before I go see her?”

“Sure thing,” Applejack nodded, a frown still on her face. Rainbow Dash rounded up Discord and Pinkie, ushering them up the stairs to their rooms and away from the pile of dessert. However, they both still managed to fill their arms before running after the others.

“I don't like it,” Applejack said almost immediately when Rainbow Dash closed the door to Twilight's room. “I dunno if we should trust this 'Beam Rider' or whoever it was about this. How do we know this ain't some trick ta get ya away from the rest of us?”

The group settled down in the room as Applejack spoke her mind, Discord stretching himself across one of the beds to continue with his snacking. Pinkie clambered up after him, sitting down on his back and chewing on a donut happily as she got comfortable.

“I'm with Applejack on this,” Rainbow nodded earnestly, sitting down beside the occupied bed. “I mean yeah, if it was just a meeting with the mayor that'd be fine, but to specifically ask Twilight to come see her alone? That sounds fishy to me.”

“Alright, let's just think this over first,” Twilight nodded, sitting down on her own bed. “I agree, asking to be seen alone doesn't sound like the best idea, but it could just be that the mayor really wants to discuss something she doesn't want anypony else to know about. If she's in charge of this place, she probably knows a few town secrets that need to be kept, well, secret.”

“Like why there aren't any unicorns for example?” Rainbow scrunched her muzzle.

“Ah, so you were listening,” Discord broke into a toothy grin at this, immediately showing more interest in the discussion.

“Not to mention the mayor might be able to give us some more insight on these cultists,” Twilight went on.

“Didn't you say we should lay low about that?” Rainbow said.

“Yes I did, but the mayor's a different story,” Twilight said with certainty. “If anypony knows anything about those creeps she probably does. If they come into town to buy supplies there's no way the mayor wouldn't know about it. Look how fast she found out we were here. If nothing else, maybe she can let us know if there's been any sort of change with them in the past couple of weeks.”

“That still don't mean you should go see her alone, mayor or no mayor.” Applejack said definitely.

“That, I have to agree with,” Twilight nodded. “If she's asked to see me in private, I don't think we could walk up to her door as a group, but I don't have any intention of going all by myself either.”

“So what're you suggesting?” Rainbow asked impatiently.

“Well, I think not going to see the mayor would be a bad idea,” Twilight tapped her chin lightly as she thought it through. “If she doesn't know anything useful then that's fine, but we don't want her to think we're here to cause trouble for the town. We don't want to make enemies of anypony. So I have to go see her. We can't go as a large group, but I'm sure I can ask for at least one of you guys to come with me as a backup.”

“Ooh!” Pinkie's foreleg shot into the air as she waved it around energetically. “Me! Pick me! I'm super good at backing up!” She hopped off of Discord and proceeded to shuffle around the room backwards enthusiastically. “See? If there was a Ponyville backing up champion I'd definitely be the super best champion of back up!”

“Thanks Pinkie, but that's not really the kind of backing up I had in mind,” Twilight said, turning, “Applejack, you're pretty good at knowing when somepony's being honest, and let' face it, you're probably the strongest pony here. If anything goes wrong I know you can help get us out of there. And if nothing's wrong and it really is just a simple meeting, you can help and hear if anything the mayor has to say sounds suspicious to you.”

“What about me?” Rainbow got up, puffing her chest out in hurt pride, “I'm almost just as strong as Applejack and I'm way faster than she is!”

Applejack made a scoffing noise, “As far as I remember ya weren't exactly beatin' me at the last runnin' of the leaves. And who exactly is it that can buck an entire apple orchard in just a couple o' days?”

“I may not have the kick you have, but I've got a meant right hook! And if I was allowed to use my wings during the running of the leaves race you know I could cream you! I haven't exactly seen any sonic rainboom's from you.”

“Even if that's true,” Twilight diffused the growing argument quickly, “I want to ask you to do something else.” She waited until she was sure Rainbow was paying proper attention before she went on. “I need you to fly over to the health center and tell Rarity and Fluttershy where Applejack and I are going. If they're finished with their grooming they should come back here to the inn and wait for us. Same goes for you.”

“And what do I do?” Pinkie asked, popping into existence beside Twilight, causing her to jump slightly.

“I need you to stay here,” Twilight said, taking a second to calm her heart. “I don't think we should be split up until Applejack and I get back. If this is a trap, getting split up will only make it easier for us to get in trouble. You and Discord wait here for Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Make sure our stuff is packed just in case we need to make a get away, but don't tell the innkeeper. If gossip spreads this fast we don't want him blabbing that we're getting ready to go to the wrong pony.

“I don't suppose you have any clever plans for me, then?” Discord asked, a grin still all over his face.

She gave him a sharp glance, “Stay here with Pinkie. We're still doing the buddy system.” She turned back to Rainbow. “I suggest you get to the health center and back here as fast as you can. It may be a bit overkill, but stay in the air while you're by yourself.” Twilight broke into a smile. “I know nopony can catch you while you're flying.”

“You know it!” Rainbow broke into a wide grin at the praise, satisfied.

Twilight nodded. “Alright, then we all know what we gotta do. Stay sharp everypony, and let's hope this really is just a simple meeting to find out why we're here.” The others all gave her a definite nod.

Discord watched the group, fiddling with an eclair in his claws.

With the plan set, Twilight and Applejack left the inn and started in the direction of the town's main building. The sun had disappeared behind the mountains. There were still a few hours of daylight left, but with the sunlight hidden, the air was already starting to cool. Above the two ponies, the streak that was Rainbow Dash sped off in the direction of the health center. Some of the pegasi wandering around town stopped to watch her go, looking impressed.

The main building was a couple of minutes away. Twilight took the time to get another look around to see if anything had changed in the town since the afternoon. She wasn't entirely sure what exactly she was expecting to be different, but the sudden call from the mayor was making her uneasy. The town looked normal, for all intents and purposes, but she made sure to not let herself forget just how close they were to the threat of the fort. The town however, seemed to be exactly the same as it had been earlier. Earth ponies and Pegasi trotted down the streets, finishing their daily tasks before heading home for the night. Some were carrying bags with their day's shopping in it, some were coming in from tending the fields.

“Kinda seems like a lonely place, doncha think?” Applejack mentioned as they walked.

Twilight turned to her, confused. “Why d'you say that?”

Applejack gave a shrug. “Just thinkin' out loud. Don't see many couples walkin' around. Most ponies seem ta be keepin' to themselves.”

Twilight nodded. “Maybe they're just not the kind of ponies to hang out outside of their homes.” Her face became a little grim. “It's not like they've got nothing to worry about, being so close to crazy headquarters and all.”

“Can't argue with that,” Applejack agreed.

They approached the stone building just as the sky above them was turning a darker shade of blue. At the main door they were stopped by one of the sturdy police-looking ponies they'd seen earlier in the day. He seemed much more 'on the job' than he had when they wandered past that morning. His lazy conversations with his partner obviously long forgotten.

“I was told the mayor wanted to see me,” Twilight explained, giving what she hoped was a disarming smile. “I brought my friend Applejack with me. I hope that's alright. Sometimes I forget to ask or say things. She's a lot better at remembering these things than I am.”

Applejack gave the guard an innocent smile. He gave her a once over, as if trying to judge what kind of threat the earth pony could pose. After a moment he gave a nod, leading them inside.

The large doors of the town hall lead to a room with two staircases on the left and right side, and a sturdy desk near the entrance. It seemed to mainly be for show, as no pony was currently seated at it and it was clear of papers, pens or any other office equipment. Faded paintings of the surrounding mountains took up most of the wall space. They were old fashioned and dusty, hinting at the building's age. The guard led them between a second pair of doors set between the stairs. This lead to a large central hall which took up two storeys of the building's height. Multiple doors lead off on each of the walls save the one they faced as they walked in. This was covered in a large tapestry faded with time and possible neglect, behind it the faint outline of large windows could be seen, although they were all shut tight save for one which let in the evening air. In front of this, on a slightly raised section of the stone floor, stretched a dark wooden table surrounded by matching chairs. It was adorned with goblets and metal dishes that were clearly displayed more as a decoration than anything to actually use. The rest of the hall was empty, the only other decorations being the large, maroon carpet under their hooves and the various paintings and tapestries against the walls. Four stone pillars stood in each corner of the room, reaching up into the high ceiling where heavy wooden rafters crossed above them. The place felt more museum-like than anywhere any actual town business would be handled. Twilight wondered if the hall was ever even used any more, or if they'd been lead there simply for the mayor to show off. As if compensating for something.

The guard told them to wait while he informed the mayor of their arrival. He turned and walked through one of the side-doors, leaving them alone in the oversized room. With nothing to do and feeling uncomfortable in the open space, Applejack and Twilight inspected the decorations while they waited.

“Seems kinda stuffy here, don't it?” Applejack commented, running her hoof along one of the picture frames and blowing the dust off of it. “They don't seem ta clean all that much.”

“Yeah,” Twilight nodded, looking the room over once more. “Guess they weren't expecting anypony to use this room.”

“Probably don't have much cause,” Applejack added, joining Twilight to inspect an orange tapestry that may have been red at some stage. “Don't look too bad though. Probably just gave the maid the week off or somethin'.”

“Doesn't it feel kinda... I dunno... deserted to you?” Twilight asked carefully, lifting the piece of cloth to look behind it.

“It does kinda feel empty now that ya mention it,” Applejack nodded, shifting her weight. “Dunno what ta make of it though.”

“Me neither,” Twilight nodded back, turning to her. “But I don't think I like it. I say we don't stick around longer than we have to.”

“Ya sure you're not just getting' paranoid?” Applejack asked. The question seemed to have been asked honestly, and not meant as an accusation.

“I dunno,” Twilight said again. “Do you think I'm being paranoid?”

“No more than what's common sense, considerin'.” Applejack said.

“Well, I think I was right not to come alone, at least,” Twilight said, giving Applejack a grateful smile. “I'm glad I have you with me.”

“And what about me? Don't I count for anything?” A third voice spoke up.

The two ponies spun around to see Discord sitting on the large wooden table, a goblet raised to his face as he peered into it, as if expecting to find something to drink if he looked hard enough.

“Discord!” They cried out in unison, sounding equally annoyed and alarmed.

“What are you doing here?!” Twilight demanded, stomping towards him furiously.

“Well see, After the two of you left I started wondering some things to myself,” Discord said, sitting up straighter and tossing the goblet over a shoulder, “I was thinking; wasn't the entire reason I was sent along this little trip to make sure no hideous beasties of the wilds ambushed and attacked Celestia's little fellowship? So then I thought, 'well, if there was ever a time when I should fulfill these duties it would probably be this one when our fearless leader and her dear, loyal friend went to meet some strange pony in a strange town who asked to see them under suspicious circumstances.' And after I had this thought, I just couldn't bare waiting for you to return and I just had to make sure you were all safe and sound. So here I am.”

He finished with a wide, toothy grin, beaming at them.

“Oh please!” Twilight rolled her eyes with a disgusted noise, “As if you have a protective bone in your body!”

“Ya do have bones, right?” Applejack raised an eyebrow at him curiously.

“How did you even get in here?!” Twilight interrupted before he could answer. “I'll eat my crown if the guards let you in! And... wait... did you leave Pinkie Pie back at the inn alone?!”

“Of course not! Twilight, you insult me.” He put both paw and claw to his chest, batting his eyes at them. “I waited for Rainbow Dash to come back before I slipped out. Not that there's any reason for you to get your tail in a twist. It's frightfully boring back at the inn. Fluttershy and Rarity need to finish up before they can go back and we'd run out of pastries. Really, it's a waste of my talents to hang around some place with nothing to do but twiddle my thumbs.”

“So you came here.” Twilight said, grinding her teeth. “I ask again; why?!”

“Is it really so hard to believe I was worried about you two?” He gave them what he judged was his most innocent expression.

“Yes!” They both replied without missing a beat.

Discord sunk in place with a huff. “Well alright, maybe I had some ulterior motives.” he slithered off the table and stood himself between the two of them, hooking an arm around each of their shoulders. “To be honest, I have some questions for this mayor pony myself. It completely slipped my mind to let you know what they were of course. So I just had to come over and make sure we don't miss anything. We do want to learn as much as we can about this nasty cult business don't we? And, I admit, I am bursting with curiosity as to what this mayor might be like.”

“Yeah I bet it just 'slipped your mind'.” Twilight grunted, dipping her head to free herself from his arm. “You realise you being here might scare this mayor to death, right?! What if she takes one look at you, decides we're in cahoots with these crazy ponies, and sends the guards after us?! Did you even bother to think about something like that?!”

“First of all, I must compliment you on using 'cahoots'. Haven't heard that word in a while. Secondly, if she knows about the big important alicorn princess wandering around town, I'm pretty sure she's aware of my dashing self accompanying you.”

“Hate ta agree but, I think he's got ya there, sugarcube,” Applejack said with a serious expression.

Twilight made an infuriated noise and rubbed her temples. “Alright! Whatever! But I still don't see why you thought it was a good idea to-”

She was interrupted when one of the heavy wooden side-doors leading into the hall was pushed open and two pegasi guards walked inside. They were dressed in a similar uniform to the ones outside. However, unlike the outside guards, there was a slightly more serious air about them. They were larger for one, and they had the hard, cautious expressions of guards that had seen more than just the odd fight break out at the local inns in town. They looked more like the kind of ponies you'd see in the Canterlot Palace.

They walked with a distinct purpose, their eyes turned to watch the trio standing in the center of the room. Behind them entered a third pegasus stallion, and walking close by his side, an earth pony mare. She had no armor and carried herself with the distinct air of authority that left little doubt as to who was in charge. Her coat was powder blue, her mane and tail white and cut short, the former hanging in a rough bob around her face. Her pegasus companion was just as muscular and broad shouldered as the two guards. His eyes were sharp and suspicious. His coat was an ash grey, his mane and tail a few shades darker.

Applejack pushed herself free from Discord and moved to stand beside Twilight, watching the entrance with a frown, trying to decide what to make of the newcomers. Twilight frowned as well. Somewhere in the back of her head, a memory was trying to get her attention.

The mare stood herself a few paces in front of them, her gaze shifting briefly from Discord, then to Applejack, then back to Twilight. “Greetings to you, Miss alicorn. Although I thought I asked the innkeeper tell you I wished to speak with you alone.”

“I brought my friend Applejack with me in case I forgot to ask or mention anything,” Twilight answered, a little annoyed at being addressed by her breed. “As for Discord... well... he kinda just decided to tag along.”

Discord offered the mayor a smile and a slight wave. She stared at him, a mixture of confusion and slight annoyance on her face. Twilight looked her over a second time while her attention was elsewhere. Something about her was sending warning bells off in Twilight'd head. She just knew there was something about this pony that was screaming at her to be cautious. It was on the very tip of her mind, if only she could focus in on it.

The mayor turned her gaze back to Twilight, dismissing the presence of the other two guests for the moment. “I suppose there's no helping it now. If they are here then there's little I can do about it. We might as well carry on with why I asked you to see me.”

Twilight's gaze drifted to the mare's flank, trying to catch a better view of her cutie mark. It was hard to see from this angle, but she thought she could see enough to get the rough idea. It seemed to be a bluebell, and at first that looked to be all. But when the mayor turned back to her and shifted her weight, Twilight caught sight of the rest of it. The bluebell symbol was sprouting from a rock split down the middle, the plant apparently having grown straight out of the stone. The memory clicked into place as Twilight felt her breath catch in her chest. She immediately turned to look for the grey pegasus' cutie mark. It showed a picture of a castle or more accurately, a garrison made out of clouds.

Twilight felt herself pale, shifting from one hoof to another as she looked back and forth between the two ponies in front of her, then to the intimidating guards standing on either side of them.

The mayor tilted her head, frowning at this. “What's the matter? You look ill.”

Twilight snapped her attention back to the mare, her face settling into a hard frown as she regained her composure. Applejack as frowning at Twilight, turning to give the mayor a confused glance as well. Discord merely raised an eyebrow, looking bemused but curious.

“I know who you are!” Twilight said accusingly. “I was warned about you! You're one of those ponies from the Defectors! You're Stoneflower, aren't you?”

Applejack and Discord both snapped their heads to gape at Twilight, taken aback. They turned back to the mayor, staring at her. The mare blinked wide-eyed at Twilight herself, obviously shocked by the statement. Her face then twisted into a venomous scowl, glaring daggers at them.

“It seems this whole little play-act was pointless then, doesn't it?” Stoneflower hissed, furious at having her cover blown. The air in the hall changed, guard ponies tensing themselves and their impassive stares becoming focused and hard, wings unfolding.

“Why are you here?!” Twilight demanded, opening her own wings threateningly. “What have you done with the real mayor?!”

“I am this town's mayor now!” Stoneflower declared with conviction, her voice dropping whatever shred of politeness she'd been forcing. She raised her head high, staring down her muzzle at the trio with clear abhorrence. “What happened to the pony in charge before me is irrelevant! Now, since you seem to know who I am, I demand you to tell me why you and your group have come to Falabell!”

“Yeah, like we'd happily explain it knowin' who ya are now!” Applejack said, flaring her nostrils as she scratched a hoof at the ground.

Stoneflower made a noise in the back of her throat, giving Applejack the briefest of glances before focusing her full attention back on Twilight. “If you're so aware of who I am, then I am sure I can take a good guess who you are. Or at least who's holding your leash!”

“I think I rather take offence to that!” Discord said with a hint of annoyance far understating the situation.

“Regardless, it seems I still have the upperhoof,” Stoneflower added, her eyes narrowing. “Whatever plan you and your troupe had, We've out manoeuvred you. Blue Jay should've known better than to send such obvious agents to come and destroy what's left of us!”

The trio froze at this, the wind taken out of their sails. They looked back and forth between each other, exchanging puzzled expressions before glaring back at Stoneflower.

“Who?!” Twilight snapped.

“There's no need to try and save face!” Stoneflower snapped back. “You've played your hoof too early, alicorn! Had you pretended not to know who I was you may have been able to draw out my suspicion a little longer. But there's no doubt in my mind now! It certainly explains that being with you!”

Stoneflower spat poison with the word as she indicated towards Discord with a nod of her head. The pegasus at her side unfolded his wings, turning his strong wrists towards them aggressively.

“Now that, I do take offence to,” Discord said, his voice instantly dropping its lighthearted tone as he uncrossed his arms, a dark frown settling on his face.

“You expect me to believe anypony other but Blue Jay could reign in the bearer of the Seventh Element to do his work for him?! His insults to us know no bounds! Did you honestly think I wouldn't question that being in my town?! Did Blue Jay think I'd suspect some other pony to be behind its appearance here?! Does he think we did not realise immediately he was the one who stole the Stone of Null and murdered Black Lavender?! Does his arrogance really blind him that much?!”

Stoneflower's temper flared up as she spoke. She started pacing in front of them, her eyes never leaving Twilight's as her voice boomed around the cavernous hall.

“We're tellin' ya, we have no idea who this-” Applejack started.

“Wait a second!” Twilight interrupted, her eyes wide. “What do you mean 'stole the stone'?!” She paled. “Blue Jay? You... Isn't... He's the second in command of the Defectors isn't he? Are you saying he stole the Stone of Null and... and left?!”

“Enough!” Stoneflower raised her front hooves and slammed them hard against the stone ground. “I see I was right to suspect him!” She snarled at the trio. “Well, he misjudged me! He may control the stone, but we still remain the Defectors! Even without it, we will not be turned away from our ideals! Not as he obviously has.” Her eyes narrowed as she started to calm down again, straightening once more. “To send an alicorn and the spirit of chaos, two of the most magically infused creatures in existence. He has made it clear he has no loyalty to our goals. But we. We will not stray from our beliefs. We will be the ones to liberate all magic. Every last drop. Every fibre that still rests in alicorn and unicorn blood. It will be us who will free it from that prison. We will not let a heretic like him be the one to change the course of magic!” She scoffed, but there was no hint of a smile as she did. “But how could we ever suspect him to understand? He carries a unicorn horn of his own. He must've known what fate lay ahead for him and been unable to accept it.”

“Alright, alright! We get it! You're crazy!” Applejack yelled. “But ya can spout as much crazy talk as ya want, we don't know this Blue Jay pony! And if the stone of whatsit ain't here then we got no reason ta stick around! So unless ya want your head knocked in by an Apple family buckin', ya better open those doors and let us leave!”

“I suggest you take that advice,” Discord added, a strange chill creeping into his voice. He lowered himself to all fours, raising his head above the ponies surrounding him as he kept his eyes locked on the mare standing in front of him. “Unless you'd like to try your chances with me.”

A cold smile crept on Stoneflower's face as she finally turned her attention away from Twilight and to Discord. “I have no intention of letting the three of you leave and report back to your master. No. As the leader of the Defectors, I cannot let two beings carrying so much magic trapped in you leave this town.”

She clopped her hoof against the stone floor and, on cue, five pegasi made their appearance above them, having been hidden on the large wooden rafters. Raising forelegs, they each showed the telltale arc and metallic glint of crossbows, all pointed at the trio in the center of the hall.

“Not good...” Twilight mumbled, turning to growl up at one of them, pressing her back against Applejack who turned to stare down another to the left.

Discord however, merely rolled his eyes. “Such crude methods. I was under the impression your little club had a large membership to call upon.” he broke into a sneer. “And here I was wondering if I should be worried.”

He unfolded his wings, his chest lowering as he widened his stance, his tail stretching out to counter balance.

“I wouldn't try anything if I was in your position,” Stoneflower said, her expression stoney and unfeeling once more.

Discord gave a mirthless laugh “What? You think you could hit me with those? You have, well let's see,” he turned to gaze at the poised archers, “One, two, three, four... five crossbows. My my. Well, I might be remembering this wrong but if I'm not mistaken, those don't have the best reloading time, do they? Unless of course there's been some breakout research I am unaware of.” He turned his gaze back to Stoneflower. “So, you think you can hit me within five shots before your little surprise party needs to reload?” His grin widened. “Sounds fun. Should we bet on it?”

“It doesn't matter if they can hit you, chaos spirit. But are you so confident your friends over there are as quick on their hooves as you are?” She turned to Twilight and Applejack.

Twilight clenched her teeth, trying with every ounce of her being to flare some magic into her horn, but it refused to so much as spark. Behind her, she could feel Applejack's tense breathing as her friend's heart thundered against her back. Her gaze darted around the collection of archers as they kept their arrows aimed directly at the two ponies, the threatening strain of cord echoing somewhere in the room. Twilight risked a sideways glance at Discord, her legs tensed and her wings open, ready to throw herself forward the second he made his move.

He stood rooted to the spot, facing Stoneflower but with his eyes turned to stare back at Twilight, a deep frown frozen on his face. She could see him protract and retract the claws on his paw, a slight twitch running through his tail.

He turned his focus back on Stoneflower, his expression darkening. He shifted and relaxed his stance, a low, menacing rumble in his throat. “Touché.”

Stoneflower gave her archers a sharp nod. They responded by taking wing and circling the trio, arrows at the ready in case any of them moved too suddenly. Stoneflower turned to the grey pegasus at her side as she started heading for the door.

“Keep them locked up.” She stopped for a moment, shooting Discord another cold, hard stare. “We will see magic free of every creature holding it captive. And we will see if you bleed without it.”

Discord showed no reaction, merely staring her down, unblinking. There was a flutter to her expression for a second, before she turned and exited the room, leaving the three of them to be escorted away at arrow-point.

Author's Notes:

This chapter is on the lengthy side, but I didn't feel right splitting it into 2. That would feel like needless padding to me which I really don't think is needed.
That being said though, This was an easier chapter to write for me. I always find situations like this to come more naturally to me rather than long descriptions of walking scenes. Which is of course why I wrote an entire fic composed of long walking scenes. I'm a genius.

As always, let me know if you guys catch any spelling or grammar mistakes. It really helps me out a great deal! :D and thanks to those who have been doing so! Just be aware, as I'm South African I use British spelling. So if something is consecutively spelled wrong, please make sure it's not due to the British spelling when you point it out :)

Thank you to all the wonderful comments and opinions you guys have been bringing up! It really motivates me as well as keeps me on track as best as possible with how to handle things.

Trapped

View Online

Chapter 17

Twilight, Applejack, and Discord were led out of the hall through a side door, two pegasi leading them and two following behind. The fifth member of the ambush flew above them. They walked through several short, wide hallways. All of them made of the same mountain stone and decorated with aging tapestries and oversized paintings. Twilight's gaze darted back and forth as she kept her head low, making a mental map of every turn, door and room they passed through. Committing every painting, piece of fabric, and outdated decoration to her memory as she hastily pieced together an escape route. The only problem was, how to get to a point where they could use an escape route. The guards still had their crossbows aimed directly at them, flapping their wings to hover above the ground. The overhead guard flitted his gaze to Discord every few moments, obviously marking him as the biggest threat.

Twilight had to share the sentiment. Every doorway and window they passed she expected him to seize an opportunity and make his move. Each time she tensed herself, ready to react and focus on protected Applejack and herself. And yet, every time, he didn't so much as take a step out of place. He marched between the guards in front and the two ponies, his head kept down, as if constantly ready to strike. His eyes were narrowed and glued intently on the guards leading the way. But he made no move. Twilight, despite being relieved that, so far, no chaos had erupted, couldn't suppress her growing frustration. He should be doing something. Why wasn't he? What was he planning?

They reached a spiral stairway leading downwards. The small rectangular windows along its wall showed the last remains of daylight were dying away. The bottom of the stairs opened up to what was the town jail. A black, barred gate greeted them, beyond which was a long, dark passage with numerous steel doors lining it on either side. The doors each had an impressive lock, and a small, slit for a window. At their foot, there was a second slit, no larger than a letterbox, meant for food to be passed to whoever was inside. The place was eerily quiet, and no matter how hard she strained her ears, Twilight couldn't hear any sound of ponies being behind the cell doors.

They were led to the door furthest from the entrance. One of the guards unlocked it, Twilight making sure to take note of where he pulled the key from. It was made of the same black steal as the door, and was surprisingly small and sophisticated looking. This wasn't some ancient lock designed hundreds of years ago. This was a modern creation by a skilled locksmith.

Once the door was open, the guard pony stepped aside, turning his gaze back to the trio. Without a word, they were ushered inside, the guards' crossbows aimed at the ready. Once all three of them were in, the guards closed the door again, the neat 'click' of the key locking it shut.

The three of them waited for a few minutes, listening to the sound of leaving hoofbeats. Twilight and Applejack's heads turning to follow the sound. Once they were sure they were alone Applejack gave a loud, frustrated huff, stomping a hoof against the stone ground.

“Well this is a fine mess if I've ever seen one! I can't believe these insane cultists were right here in town under our noses!” She spun to Twilight, waving a hoof at the door angrily. “Did ya hear what she was sayin' about unicorns and magic and whatever the heck else?! I know Oggie said these guys were outta their minds, but I've never heard such crazy talk in all my life! Do you even believe this, Twi?!”

“Ok, ok. We just gotta calm down,” Twilight said, her head turning back and forth as she took in every inch of the jail cell. There wasn't much to see. It was the same stone walls, floor and ceiling as everywhere else they'd passed through. Some ancient hay lay in one corner but besides that, the square room was completely barren. Not even so much as a chain against a wall. No windows, mouse holes, or cracks between the stone could be seen anywhere. It was in infuriatingly good condition.

Twilight growled to herself, walking over to the door and looking it over. “There has to be some way out of this place!”

“Why would there be? It's a jail cell,” Discord grumbled darkly. He'd lain down on the musty hay, the tip of his tail twitching back and forth irritably as he fiddled with a stalk in his claws. His ears were flattened as he scowled to himself.

Twilight ignored him, laying herself down flat to inspect the slot at the door's foot. It only swung inwards and she couldn't hook her hoof under it properly. Even if she could, it was too narrow to put her leg through it. Behind her, Applejack trotted closer, flattening herself as well to try and find a way to help.

“Did you hear what she said?” Twilight asked her as she struggled with the door, “About the stone?”

“Something about a pony called Blue Jay stealin' it,” Applejack said, watching her. “Ya said Blue Jay was the right hoof pony or somethin'?”

Twilight nodded, finally giving up on the slot and sitting back, shaking her hoof painfully, “Oggie said that Black Lavender was the unicorn in charge of The Defectors. Blue Jay was supposed to be his second in command.”

“She said something about him killing this Lavender guy,” Applejack summarised, thinking it over with a hard frown. “Sounded like he was still alive. Don't really see that mare lettin' the guy stick around with how mad she sounded. He probably ain't hidin' out in that fort, then.”

“Meaning the stone's not there any more either,” Twilight finished, fixing Applejack with a serious stare.

Applejack gave a drawn out sigh. “Which means... we're high and dry and ain't got nowhere ta go from here.”

“Yeah...” Twilight said, turning to stare at the metallic door.

There was a long pause, each pony running this new information through their heads. The thick walls of the cell echoed the silence around them. After a while, Twilight took in a shaking breath, held it for a moment, and then let it out. Applejack turned to her when she did, watching her face. After another moment of silence she finally spoke.

“So... what do we do, Twilight?”

Twilight said nothing for a few minutes, her gaze locked unseeingly ahead of herself. She then adjusted her wings and stood up. “I don't know about this missing stone, or Blue Jay, or any of that stuff. But right now the first thing we need to do is get out of this building, find the others, and leave. We can try and think of something when we get away from here. But let's take this one step at a time.”

Applejack nodded, getting up as well. “Good advice. So, first thing's first; we gotta get outta this cell. Uhm.... any ideas?”

Twilight bit her lip. She gave the door another glance before looking over the room again. It stubbornly refused to give her any new answers. Her gaze rested on Discord who hadn't moved since he plopped down to sulk. He was staring at the wall, his chin in his paw as his claw idly picked at the hay and snapped stalks of it one by one.

Twilight felt her throat tighten. She didn't like to admit it, but no matter how angry she was with him, she wasn't so petty to deny they could use his help.

She sighed, swallowed her pride, and then spoke up; “Discord, can you do anything to help?”

“Pardon?” He snapped his head up to blink at her, woken up from his brooding.

Twilight gave him an annoyed stare. “I said, can you do anything to help us get out of here?”

He stared at her for a few moments before he sunk, his ears flattening again as he fixed her, to her surprise, with a rather toxic glare. “And what, exactly, would you have me do?”

Twilight stared back at him, wide eyed. She shook her head and frowned back, but with considerably less venom. “I dunno. That's why I'm asking. Could you do something to move this door, maybe?”

“Like what?” He snapped, sitting up. “I may be stronger than you ponies are, but I am by no means that strong!”

Twilight's frown darkened as she felt her patience strain at his tone. She bit back her anger, “Do you have any magic working for you at all? Maybe you can make this slot bigger or-”

“No I do not have any magic working for me, Princess Twilight!” Discord interrupted her, getting to his feet.

“Well, you got any other plans?!” She snapped back before she could stop herself. “I don't hear you coming up with any bright ideas on how to get out of here!”

“Twilight...” Applejack said nervously.

“Maybe that's because there is no way out of here!” Discord yelled back, turning and pacing in place, keeping his gaze locked on Twilight. “Did that ever cross your oh so intelligent mind, Celestia's Faithful?!”

Twilight made a noise in disbelief at this, frowning hard at him, gritting her teeth. “We're not gonna get anywhere if you just sit there and sulk instead of at least trying!”

“So what?!” He stopped, throwing his arms out. “What would you have me do, Princess?! Melt down the door?! Turn it into pudding and we eat our way out?! Teleport us away?! Summon a giant crab to free us?! Shocking as this news may be for you, magic, isn't, WORKING! I can't do anything! We are stuck, Princess! We are stuck in this pitiful pony cube with no power to break out!” He stared pacing back and forth again, growling at the floor, “Never in all my life would I have ever seen myself caught and held prisoner in a crude stone box made by pony hooves with no hope of escape! I should laugh so hard I could weep!”

“So you're just throwing up your hooves and giving up?!” Twilight slammed a hoof against the ground. “Is that it?! You think it's too hard so you're not even gonna try?!”

“Don't try and take the high and mighty road with me, Twilight Sparkle!” He spun back to face her, stabbing the air with a finger. “If it weren't for you we wouldn't even be in this situation!”

“Me?! What did I do?!” Twilight yelled back.

“Guys, this is seriously not the time to-” Applejack tried her best to intervene but neither of them seemed aware that she was in the room.

Discord threw his head back and gave a loud, fake laugh. “Oh, you have to be joking! Where do I even start?!” He started counting off on his fingers, “You ignore my advice when I tell you there's something suspicious in this town! you disregard every single thing I have had to say on this trip not even considering for a moment that maybe, just maybe, I might have a better idea of what I'm talking about than you do! When I say something that, despite being true, clashes with your oh so precious world view you automatically write it off as nonsense! You spend all your energy focusing on how much you despise me instead of paying attention to things around us! Frankly I find it remarkable we haven't all been eaten by mountain trolls by now! You have been hostile, irresponsible, and selfish this entire expedition and blaming your own narrow-mindedness on me! And you're surprised it has gotten us in trouble?!”

Twilight felt her cheeks burn as blood rushed to her face. The words stung, and they stung hard. She gave her wings a meaningless flap, fighting back angry tears. “And what about you?! Are you saying you're the innocent, misunderstood victim getting bullied here?! For every useful thing you've said on this trip you've said a thousand other things for no reason other than to scare us, or make us angry so you could get a reaction! You said whatever you could think of just so we could give you a single ounce of attention! You act like you're five years old!”

“Oh well, I am so sorry that my behaviour would affect your concentration so much you'd allow your friends' lives to be put in danger!” Discord put his paw and his claw to his chest mockingly. “Please forgive me! I had no idea my very existence is such a burden to you! Please! Allow me to volunteer to go first when those ponies come back so you can at least have five minutes without me before they start with you next!”

“Now that's enough!” Applejack said loudly, taking a step forward.

Twilight shook her head, hard. She felt furious tears run down her face. “They're not gonna get a chance to do that!” She fixed him with a hard stare. “We are going to get out of here! But we need your help!”

“And I've already told you, I can't do anything!” Discord flapped his wings at her, his tail swirling back and forth. “Do you think I want to stay stuck in here?! Do you think I enjoy the fact that we're trapped here while Fluttershy is outside in this town by herself?! Rarity is still with them! And you can trust me that once these maniacs are done with unicorns, eventually they'll start with the pegasi as well!” He broke his gaze away from her, looking around the cell himself, a panicked frown crossing his face. “Oh yes, I am far happier being locked in here while the others are by themselves out there! No, this is far nicer! I enjoy picturing what they'll do to Fluttershy when they catch her! I enjoy the idea of her getting hurt! It's an absolute delight!”

With this last statement he swung out with his tail, slamming it hard against a wall. There was a rain of dust, but otherwise the cell refused to change in response to the blow.

Twilight coughed, breathing in a mouthful of the falling dirt. Beside her, Applejack took a few, long strides forward, standing herself dangerous close to Discord and glaring up at him with a no-nonsense expression.

“Alright, now I've just about had enough of this temper tantrum,” She turned and shot Twilight a hard look, “From both of ya'll!” She turned back to Discord. He stood as if made of stone, glaring down at her as if he was gonna lash out and eat her at any moment. She was unmoved by the expression. “Look, I get it. You're scared and you're worried. But panicking ain't gonna solve anythin'.”

“I am not scared!” He yelled furiously, raising himself as high above her as the roof would allow.

“I don't care what ya call it!” Applejack said. “Whatever it is, it ain't helpin'. Now calm down.” She turned around, facing Twilight. “And that goes for you as well, Twilight.”

“But he's being so-!”

“I don't care!” Applejack said sharply. “I don't care if he just told ya you're actually a duck he turned into a pony and your whole life is a lie! This ain't gonna get us outta here any faster and it ain't gonna help anypony still out in the town.” She gave Discord a glance over her shoulder. “It ain't gonna help Fluttershy if ya lose it 'cause some crazy pony pulled a fast one on us.”

Twilight bit down on her tongue, taking a series of deep, hard breaths. She raised a foreleg and started rubbing at her face, trying to wipe away her tears.

“And so what if we do get out, and everypony is fine, and there's a nice symbolic rainbow and they've won over the entire cult with the magic of friendship?!” Discord snapped at Applejack, although the anger was fading from his voice. “What then?! There is no stone for us to steal, Applejack! It's too late now! We have failed! This whole quest was pointless!”

“Maybe it was, and maybe it wasn't,” Applejack said bluntly, her expression not so much as flickering, “But like Twilight said; that ain't what we gotta focus on right now. First, we find a way out, we get together with the others, and then we can talk about the rest of this mess.”

Discord flopped back down, crossing his arms on the ground in front of him as he scratched at the stone floor with his claws, an acidic expression on his face. For a moment it looked like he wanted to say something else, but seemed to change his mind at the last moment, glowering at the floor instead.

“Applejack's right,” Twilight spoke up. She sat down in place, rubbing at an eye with a hoof before turning to look at them both.

“Of course she is, she's just repeating what you said!” Discord snapped at her.

“I meant,” Twilight hissed at him, “She's right about... the other stuff too.” She shifted in place, breaking eye contact. “It doesn't matter what you say to me, I shouldn't let it get in the way of actually doing what's important.”

“I believe I said that before she did.” Discord grumbled.

“Well then you were right!” Twilight yelled, fixing him with an angry glare.

Discord said nothing, glaring back at her. He gave a huff and turned to sneer at the wall beside him instead.

Twilight watched him for a few moments. Applejack leaned forward into her line of sight. She pulled a slight face and tilted her head in Discord's direction, meaningfully. Twilight swallowed, sighed, and then cleared her throat.

“Look. Discord,” She started. He didn't move, but she saw his eyes turn to stare at her through his frown. “You drive me crazy. You really do. But...” She faltered. She clicked her tongue and gave an aggravated groan before plowing forward. “You always say things which make me angry! And they make me angry because... well... you say a lot of things that I don't like hearing. Especially because I kinda sorta know... you're telling the truth.”

Discord showed no reaction to this, but he kept his gaze on her, staying silent. Applejack sat down, her gaze locked on Twilight as she gave a soft, encouraging nod.

Twilight continued, “I don't think you're very nice, and you don't choose the best way to say things. But it's only when you say things that I know are true that I really get upset.” She pulled a pained expression, “Maybe if I wasn't so hung up on those things, this wouldn't have happened.”

Discord kept silent, but he turned to frown at her straight on. Something was behind the glare though. He still seemed angry, but a slight hint of confusion was there. If Twilight didn't know better she'd call it uncertainty. Applejack shot her a small, soft smile as Twilight took a deep breath, getting ready for the plunge.

“If it really is my fault we got into this, then I'm sorry.” She stood up, adjusting her weight self-consciously but not breaking eye contact. “I don't know what we're going to do about the stone, or Blue Jay, but right now we need your help. I'm worried about the others. You are too.” She softened her expression. “Is there anything you can do?”

Discord stared at her. He looked deeply conflicted, his claws frozen in mid-scratch on the floor. He turned to look away, his ears flattening once again, but not in anger. His eyes ran slowly across the entirety of the room, a light frown settling on his face. He pushed himself up and walked over to the steel door, sitting down to inspect it himself.

Applejack came to stand beside Twilight, watching him. Twilight felt a soft nudge in her side from an elbow. When she turned to her friend, she was greeted with a warm, gentle smile. The farm pony stared at her for a moment before turning back to the door, waiting.

Discord rubbed his chin with a paw before taking a step back. He held both paw and claw in front of him, cupping the air as he stared hard in concentration at the space between them. From where they stood, Twilight could see the tendons in his hands tense up. He was frowning to himself, hard, almost as if in pain. She could see him grit his teeth.

A long, drawn out moment passed, and then Twilight saw it. A small, glowing orb of white started to spin in the space between his hands. A tiny, faint, flicker of magic. She held her breath. Seconds ticked by as the small orb grew in size, painfully slowly. Beads of sweat formed on his head as Discord strained with effort. The small collection of power flickered, faltering. With a small gasp, Twilight stepped forward. She lowered her horn, standing close to Discord as she closed her eyes and focused as hard as she could on the glowing marble of light. She forced everything she had into her horn, her shoulders tensing painfully hard. The fur along the back of her neck all down her spine stood upright. Slowly, a sensation of heat grew in her horn. She focused in on it, blocking out everything else. Her entire being homing in on only that small, tiny spark. There was a sensation like a static shock and she felt it shoot itself free. The glimmer of purple swirled itself around the collection of magic Discord was trying to keep in existence. The ball made a telltale sound and popped with a flash of light.

The door clicked open.

Fire

View Online

Chapter 18

Twilight and Discord both fell back on their haunches as the door unlocked. Applejack immediately trotted forward and put her ear to the door, listening closely. Twilight took the moment to catch her breath. She'd never had to work that hard to get such a small amount of magic to well up in her before. Even when she was a filly, she was, at worst, clumsy and a little unstable with her magic, but she'd never needed to struggle to get her magic to just exist. She didn't like it. She shook off the brief feeling of exhaustion, getting her wind back as she stood up to focus on the door.

“I don' hear anypony comin',” Applejack said when she noticed her. “Don't think they were close enough to the door ta hear ya.”

“Or they're banking on the fact that we can't use our magic and nopony's there,” Twilight said with a frown. “But let's not lower our guard just yet.”

“So, should we just stay inside this nice, homey cell we've unlocked forever instead?” Discord said irritably, getting back to his feet as he caught his breath.

Twilight turned to frown at him but she found her anger had been dulled and, even if she tried, she couldn't get it to well up again. Discord fixed her with an intent stare, waiting to see what retort she'd throw at him. He was dusting off his paw and claw. He flexed his fingers before he started rotating a wrist. Twilight found her eyes drifting to the show of discomfort, then back up to, what suddenly dawned on her, was a rather uncharacteristically serious expression. Annoyed and impatient, but still serious. Her expression must've given her away because she noticed his own frown twisting slightly in confusion.

“Er... Twilight?” Applejack caught her attention again.

“Sorry,” Twilight said, focusing back on the present. “You say you don't hear anypony, right?” Applejack nodded, “So, that either means there's nopony guarding the prison, or the pony that's guarding the prison isn't coming to check on us and probably doesn't know we've unlocked ourselves.”

“If there ain't nopony there we got nothin' to worry about. If there is, we can probably get the jump on him. But we only get that chance once.”

“Right,” Twilight nodded, “And if we're going to be fine if nopony's there anyway, better to assume there is and deal with them right away.”

“So, we kick the door open?” Applejack asked, turning to get her back legs in position.

“You got it,” Twilight nodded, unfolding her wings and crouching down to jump.

“Whatever gets us out of here fastest,” Discord shrugged, lowering himself to all fours. “I've probably caught claustrophobia from being cooped up in here so long!”

“You can't 'catch' claustrophobia,” Twilight said absently as Applejack gave the cell door one of her tree-cracking bucks, causing it to fly open and slam noisily against the outside wall.

The trio sprung into the hallway, wings and hooves ready to hit anything that might be waiting on the other side. There was the clatter of wood against stone as the three's eyes swung to the lone guard, his halberd having fallen from his hooves. He was standing at the complete other end of the prison's hallway, next to the iron gate leading back up the stairs, several long paces away from them.

The short moment of confusion passed and the guard sprang into action. His one foreleg dove into his uniform's pocket and pulled out a key which he stabbed into the iron gate, unlocking it.

“Dangit!” Applejack swore, breaking into a full gallop to stop the pegasus before he flew off for backup.

Twilight was hot on her heels, giving her wings a hard flap to get herself airborne. The take off was wobbly, and uncertain, but she gained enough lift to keep her in the air. The guard threw open the iron gate and unfurled his wings. Applejack leapt forward just as he shot into the air, landing inches short of grabbing him. Twilight pushed herself forward, but only for a second as she suddenly found herself thrown off balance as Discord shot past her in a full leap.

Twilight tumbled awkwardly to the ground in a heap of feathers and legs. Discord didn't seem to register the fact that he'd bumped her aside as he arced over Applejack getting back to her hooves, his arms curled tight against his chest. The guard was about to twist around the first turn of the circular stairway when Discord shot both sets of claws out, grabbing the pegasus around the middle before the rest of him crashed into him. There was a tangle of limbs as they fell back down the bottom steps before Discord stood upright, holding the guard out at arms length, gripping him tightly by the wings with his claw.

“Release me! Let go!” The guard thrashed wildly. Discord merely fixed him with an exaggerated frown, marching back over to the two ponies at the gate.

“Nice catch,” Applejack said with a long breath, adjusting her hat back into place.

Twilight, having pulled herself together, quickly trotted over to the key still left in the gate and removed it, hooking it around her horn as she trotted back to their cell. “C'mon! Before anypony else shows up!”

“You snakes! You abominations!” The guard continued to yell at the top of his lungs. He'd given up trying to free himself from Discord's grip and was instead trying to lash out at the draconequus holding him prisoner with every single hoof. Discord had to hold him out as far as possible and curl his body away to avoid getting struck.

“Yeah, yeah,” Applejack rolled her eyes as she trotted after Twilight.

“We'll lock him up and hopefully buy enough time before anypony realises we've gotten out,” Twilight said, turning to Discord.

He hadn't followed her, instead staring at the pegasus guard with a thoughtful expression, stroking his beard with a small noise, completely ignoring the continued throw of insults.

“Come on!” Twilight said urgently. “Somepony's going to hear him!”

“I just had a thought,” Discord said, his tone of voice light and cheerful once more. “Wouldn't this strapping young fellow know if any of our friends have been caught?”

Applejack stopped, turning back to him. “Ya know, that's actually a good point.”

“If you think I'd share one scrap of information with the likes of you-!” The guard spat, still trying desperately to kick Discord wherever he could reach.

“If you do know anything about our friends, I suggest you tell us,” Twilight said with a serious frown on her face as she walked towards him.

The guard stopped struggle to glare daggers at her. “You 'suggest', do you?! What in the world do you have to threaten me with?! You have no magic and no weapons and you're trapped in this town where every single pony is a member of our order! Your idle threats aren't going to work, you viper!”

“Now, now. There's no need for name calling,” Discord reached out and patted the stallion condescendingly on the head, pulling away sharply when the guard tried to sink his teeth into Discord's paw. Discord shook it slightly with a small noise before focusing back on his prisoner. “I say we all just take a deep breath, put this poor introduction behind us and try again. Now; I am Discord, this is Princess Twilight, and that's Applejack. You wouldn't happen to know where we might find the rest of our little group, would you?”

“I will have your horns for a trophy!” The pegasus screamed, lashing out again with renewed fury.

“Points for the polite approach, but there's a time and a place,” Applejack said, giving the guard a snort from her nostrils.

“Well, I thought we should give the nice stallion a chance before we follow up on Twilight's little threat,” Discord said, ignoring the failed kicks towards his face.

Twilight opened her mouth to argue that she wasn't trying to threaten anyone, but stopped. She thought for a moment and then closed it again. She cleared her throat and instead said; “I'll ask again. Do you know anything about what's happened to our friends?”

“Your words are empty and I have no intention of telling you anything!” The guard yelled back.

“Hmm. Not going to take that chance then, it seems.” Discord said as he tapped his own chin.

“And what do you plan to do with no magic and no weapons?!”

Applejack was about to snap something back but Discord interrupted before she could, inspect his paw absentmindedly. “I've never had much interest in crude pony weapons. They're so dreadfully boring and straightforward. Of course you are right, magic isn't returning my calls at the moment.” He turned his gaze back to the pegasus, eyes narrowing but his expression never flickering past the show of slight boredom. “Honestly, I find all this nonsense beneath me, but I'm in a bit of a hurry to meet up with my friend, so I will ask again;” The raised paw curled slightly as white, curved claws slid themselves free. He reached forward and put a finger good-naturedly under the stallion's chin. The needle tip of a claw resting neatly right on his Adam's apple. “Have you seen our friends?”

The stallion glared poison back at him, his teeth clenched tightly, but he said nothing. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.

“I'd answer him if I were you,” Applejack said with true nervousness in her voice. “He's been actin' kinda grumpy today.”

Twilight suppressed the urge to tell Discord to back off. She suppressed it with all of her willpower. 'He's bluffing,' she told herself. 'That's all it is.' But even as she repeated this to herself, she couldn't stop herself from shifting nervously from hoof to hoof, watching Discord's unchanging expression.

The guard's gaze flickered for a moment on Applejack, then on Twilight, and then back to Discord who was giving him a small, pert smile, waiting patiently. He made a noise like he was choking on something and grimaced, breaking his gaze, although the needle point on his throat didn't give him much room to move.

“We'll find the others soon enough.” His gaze snapped back to Discord and his eyes narrowed. “Even if this thing isn't here to see it, we'll find them!”

“All I needed to hear,” Discord shrugged and immediately backed off, turning and strolling to the open cell. “Now if you'll excuse us.” He stopped and turned expectantly at Twilight, raising an impatient eyebrow.

Relieved to see the change of mood, she trotted closer. She found the same small key she'd seen the guard earlier use and put it in the door, ready to lock it at a moment's notice. As soon as he saw Twilight was ready, Discord tossed the guard rather unceremoniously into the cell.

“Must be going. Hope the whole 'take over the world by being insane' thing works out for you. Ta-ta.”

They slammed the door as the guard tried hurriedly to get back to his hooves, Twilight locking it tight. She trotted to the cell opposite the one now occupied by the guard, and slid the keys through the slot at the bottom of its door.

“Time ta go!” Applejack said, already breaking into a brisk run towards the stairs, “That took longer than we needed!”

“Don't suppose anyone noticed a backdoor on the way here?” Discord asked casually as he trotted after her. “I wasn't paying much attention at the time.”

“I got it covered,” Twilight said, speeding up her trot to take the lead. “Follow me.”

They ran up the spiral staircase, Twilight in front. When they reached the doorway to the first floor they stopped for a moment, making sure no-one was in the hallway beyond it before moving on. They stopped again at the door on the other end, putting their ears to it.

“I hear hoofsteps,” Twilight whispered after a few seconds.

Applejack nodded in agreement. “How far till we can get out of this place?”

“If we can get back to the main hall, we can try and get out through the large window behind the tapestry.” Twilight whispered back.

“All the way back there?!” Applejack hissed. “How the heck are we gonna get past all these crazy ponies without gettin' ourselves killed?!”

Twilight bit her lip. Several ideas ran through her head but none of them sounded all that good or sane to her. “Think we can push our way through them if they try and stop us?” She asked hesitantly.

“I mean we could try, but I don't think that's the smartest thing we've ever gone and done,” Applejack replied with a slight grimace. “There's just you, me and Discord and, no offence, without your magic ya ain't got quite the kick I do. At least not against pegasi stallions done up in armour.”

Twilight made a meaningless noise as she thought this over, turning to Discord. He wasn't paying attention, looking over the hallway behind them with what she'd come to recognise as his 'trouble-brewing' expression.

“I don't suppose you could help Applejack and me get these guys to leave us alone, could you?” It was more a request than a snarky remark.

He turned back to her, his face a mask of innocence. However, hearing her question he sat back and made a show of thinking it over. Twilight shifted irritably in place, but kept quiet. When the silence drew out and neither she nor Applejack said anything, Discord turned his gaze to her curiously, standing up again.

“I'd rather avoid the three of us getting crossbow bolts in our flanks if we can help it. But if we were to, say, divert their attention elsewhere, I think I can manage helping you with the stragglers without keeling over.” He walked to one of the oil lamps suspended from a wall, picking it off its hook and removing its glass chimney.

“What exactly are you suggesting?” Twilight asked cautiously, walking over to him. Applejack stayed by the door, keeping her ear close to listen for any approaching ponies, but turning her gaze to listen to the conversation as well.

“I'm just saying, it would be so much easier for us to take our leave if, say, the guards were concerned with a more obvious problem.” He said innocently, tossing the glass tube up and down in his claw.

“You want to set the place on fire?!” Twilight tried to choke her voice down, afraid they might be heard.

“Oh, you know,” Discord said with a small shrug. “I just thought we could mask our escape with a little... chaos?”

He flashed her a shiny grin full of teeth. She stared at him, a hard-set frown on her face. She glanced at the small flame he was holding. After a moment she turned to look over her shoulder at Applejack. Her friend gave her a torn expression and a nervous shrug. Twilight turned back to Discord who was still smiling expectingly, waiting for her answer. She blew a breath through her nostrils.

“The place is made of stone. Not much to burn.”

“Don't be silly!” Discord said as his smile spread widely. He spun on a heel and bounced over to an antique writing desk, an ancient tapestry hanging against the wall above it. “I've wanted to set this hideous décor on fire since I got here!”

He tossed the oil lamp onto the desk, causing it to break apart and spill its contents all over the wooden piece of furniture. The oil lit up instantly, drawing out the splash in flames. Discord watched it smilingly for a few moments, as if to make sure it was burning properly before he grabbed the tapestry and gleefully ripped it off the wall, throwing it over the desk before kicking both over onto the long, stretch carpet.

“Gonna need more than that ta get their attention,” Applejack said, trotting over to another lamp against the wall and removing it. She turned back to Twilight, giving her a sheepish smile.

Twilight sunk and gave her one in return.

“Oh, and they'll need to see it's happening of course!” Discord bounced back over, having pulled three more lamps off their walls as he headed for the door. “Where's the fun if we don't share the surprise?”

Twilight turned to follow him, her face serious once more. “Remember, we need to get to the main hall. And we need to get there in one piece.”

“Yes yes yes, of course.” Discord waved a claw impatiently at her, waiting eagerly for the door to be opened.

“I really hope this insane idea works,” Applejack as she smashed the lamp against the carpet before trotting over.

They threw open the door, Twilight and Discord jumping out into the hallway as smoke billowed in after them, the passage behind them ablaze in bright yellow and white as the fire tore through the dusty carpet and grabbed onto every tapestry and ancient piece of furniture it passed. Three guards who had been on their way to inspect the noise, froze in place, horrified by the vision of their captives bursting into existence in an explosion of hellfire.

“Catch, ponies!” Discord yelled at them, tossing a lamp straight at their hooves.

The guards leapt out of the way as the thrown lamp hit the carpet right in front of them, erupting into flames. Applejack gave them no time to recover as she torpedoed her way towards them, skidding to a halt and using the momentum to turn, and then strike out with her back legs, catching one of them square in the jaw. Twilight took wing and sprang over the remaining two, heading for the door on the other side of the hallway. She landed in front of it, yanked it open and turned, waiting for the other two to follow her. Applejack jumped the flames, dodging a halberd thrust towards her general direction. The two guards still on their hooves made a move to run after the two ponies before a blanket sized tapestry was thrown over both their heads and they were pulled into the air as if they'd been caught in a burlap sack. Discord hammer-threw them in the opposite direction before jumped over the flames himself and bouncing through the open door past the two ponies, laughing wickedly to himself.

They ran through several more hallways, Discord stopping to throw another oil lamp behind them as they went. The sound of ponies sounding the alarm and calling for water started to fill the air as they headed for the main hall, Twilight guiding them wordlessly through every side door and passageway. Smoke was thick in the air, and Discord's continued efforts to rip lamps off the wall and throw them at seemingly random chairs, tapestries and sometimes even suits of armour meant the fire was by now burning properly out of control.

They reached the final door leading to the hall and Twilight wasted no time throwing her shoulder against it, forcing it open. She nearly ran straight into five of the guards, each carrying a bucket filled with water. She jumped into the air just inches in front of the nearest one, barely avoiding slamming into his chest. Applejack wasn't far behind Twilight, but faster on her hooves and side-jumped before spinning to face them, rearing to throw her forelegs out at them. The guards went into a formation to deal with the sudden appearance of the escapees. Buckets dropped to the floor, spilling their contents as they reached for short swords and daggers. The two pegasi of the group, got themselves airborne.

Discord made his entrance by pouncing the guard nearest to the door. Throwing himself full-force into the pony, Discord threw him literally head over hooves across the room. The other two earth pony guards, turning to see what in the world had just attacked them, took their eyes off Applejack. In return, she gave one of them a hard uppercut with a foreleg before shooting out and catching his unexposed gut with a back leg.

Seeing one of the airborne guards getting himself in position to dive bomb her friend, Twilight launched herself at him. Her inexperience with flying meant she wasn't able to give the guard quite the blow she meant to, but her kamikaze straight into his back did the trick as they both hit the ground, Twilight having her fall broken by the larger pony under her. She rolled herself off of him, turned, and gave him a buck to the face, making sure he wasn't going to spring up and try to sink his dagger into her.

Applejack turned to face the last earth pony guard as Twilight spotted Discord over-arm pitching his last lamp at the pegasus, who was trying to find the best angle to attack Applejack from. The pegasus dodged the lamp, which landed on the large, stretch dinner table. It caught fire immediately as oil and years of poor quality varnish met open flame. Twilight watched as the fire grew higher, sparks thrown up by cracking wood hitting the central tapestry which started to smoke.

“We need to get out of here!” She yelled out, turning to the others.

“Right behind ya!” Applejack yelled back, hopping backwards to dodge a sword swipe before shooting forward and head butting her opponent. Using her momentum, she knocked him off his hooves before jumping over him, running to Twilight.

“We're leaving already?” Discord said with almost a whine. He'd twisted around one of the rafters, still facing off against the remaining pegasus guard. He didn't wait for an answer as he leapt down to the ground again. The guard dove after him, aiming for his back but Discord, landing himself at an angle, swung out with his tail, smashing it into the guard's side before physically slamming him to the ground. Discord then bounced himself to his feet and ran to join the others.

“I saw an open window when we were here this afternoon!” Twilight said over the sound of fire. “If it's still open we can-”

“Oh, why bother?” Discord interrupted impatiently, picking up one of the large, ornate, and currently on fire chairs, before hurling it at the tapestry.

The chair tore the ancient fabric from its fixtures as it smashed through the windows behind it in an explosion of glass, fabric and smoke. Cold, night wind poured into the room and the flames roared with new life. Behind the trio, Twilight could hear the sounds of metal scrape stone as the guards were getting back to their hooves. There was a loud, barked order as the sound of more hooves thundered into the room. Twilight turned to Applejack but before she could tell her to do anything, an arm grabbed her around her middle and she felt herself hurtling forward, through the broken window and out into the cold. A choked, surprised yelp from Applejack told Twilight her friend had also been scooped up as Discord took wing and streaked off into the night. The town was drowned in orange light as the mansion behind them continued to burn wildly.

Discord banked and took a sharp turn, heading for the fields on the town's outskirts. As soon as he was close, he dove into a forest of what appeared to be wheat, letting go of both ponies as they disappeared from sight among the stalks.

Applejack immediately stumbled a few steps backwards before falling to a sit, looking a little ill. She adjusted her hat more than once, taking it off and wiping it before putting it back on. Twilight gave her head a shake, regaining her senses before she flapped her wings and hovered a few feet above the ground, just enough to see over the crops. She said nothing, listening closely as she scanned the area. All she could hear were the hard breathing of herself and the others, occasionally muffled as a breeze blew over the top of the field. There was no sound of anyone else, and she couldn't see any rustling or dark shadows moving through the tall stalks.

After a minute or so, she let out a deep breath and floating back down to the ground. “I don't think they know where we are,” She whispered to the others.

Discord, still trying to catch his breath, gave a chuckle before breaking out into a full laugh. “Did you see them run?! Did you see how panicked they were?! Oh, I haven't had this much fun in ages!”

Applejack gave a light laugh as well, adjusting her hat for the umpteenth time. “I don't think that's.. ..that's somethin' ya should...” She snorted. “Ya shouldn't be so happy about... You...” She gave up, collapsing into exhausted laughter herself.

Twilight, afraid they would be heard, tried her best to keep her composure, but the burst of adrenaline, the run through the town hall, and the unforeseen fight had taken its toll and she broke down into a fit of giggles as well.

The break of tension didn't last long, as Applejack pulled herself together, sitting up again. “Alright... alright s.. so. So now what?”

“Huh?” Twilight looked up, still giggling.

“I said,” Applejack repeated, her smile slowly fading into something more serious, “Now what do we do?”

Twilight's laughter died away as she took a breath, trying to bring her attention back to the present. They weren't out of danger yet. Far from it. They still needed to regroup and get as far away from the town as they could. And, fire or no fire, she was sure Stoneflower was not the type of pony to ignore their escape. She reminded Twilight a tiny bit of the villains she read about in storybooks when she was a filly. The kind who would not let something like her home burning down distract her from recapturing the good guys.

Twilight took a breath again, a frown forming on her face as she turned to Applejack. “We need to find the others. Hopefully our escape will draw Stoneflower's attention away from them and to recapturing us instead. But even if that's true, we need to find them as soon as we can. We don't know if they have any idea what kind of town this is.”

“So, we're looking for Fluttershy?” Discord said, wiping away tears as he continued chuckling to himself.

“And the others too,” Twilight said, turning to look at him, “But yes.”

“Finally!” He said, calming down properly and giving her a smile. “And then hopefully we can take our leave of this, honestly, rather dreary place?”

“Right,” Twilight nodded. “If they're anywhere, they're probably still at the inn. Unless something's happened, I don't see why they'd leave.”

“I hope the fire doesn't make 'em leave ta see what's goin' on,” Applejack said grimly.

Twilight pulled a slight face. “I hope they don't go looking for us.”

“So let's not dawdle,” Discord said, getting up sharply. “I won't lie, I'd be rather annoyed if they went off trying to save us from a fire only to get caught themselves.”

“Wait!” Twilight urged, flying up and pressing his head back down below the wheat stalks. “We need to make sure none of those cult ponies are around.”

“Well hurry up then!” Discord snapped, slumping back down and giving her a sour expression. “In case you haven't noticed, I've had quite enough of wondering what's happened to Fluttershy during all this time!”

Twilight frowned down at him lightly, watching his face as he pouted, crossing his arms and lying back down. He raised an eyebrow at her expression, pulling a face at her.

“You really are worried about her... aren't you?” Twilight said thoughtfully.

Discord blinked at her wide-eyed for a second before making a small, irritable noise in the back of his throat and breaking eye contact.

“Friendship, et cetera et cetera.” He mumbled grumpily.

Twilight stared at him for another second before flying back up over the wheat. She turned, making sure there were no immediate threats before she rose, getting a better view of the entire field. Apart from the wind, nothing else moved. She could hear the sounds of the fire and loud calls coming from the town. In the glow coming off the mansion, she could make out the silhouettes of ponies running back and forth, but none of them looked panicked. The whole scene looked planned out and organised. Each pony seemed to have purpose to the direction they ran, or in what they were carrying, or who they were talking to. It didn't look like the confused terror of a town on fire, it looked more like a well planned, well practised fire drill. But she saw no sign of ponies heading to the fields. Not the wheat field they were hiding in, nor any of the other fields surrounding them.

Satisfied that they were still safe, she flew back down to the other two, landing rather clumsily between them. “I don't see anypony around. I don't think they saw which way we went.”

“Excellent,” Discord said, getting to all fours anxiously. “So we can go?”

Twilight gave a nod. “I say we stick to the ground. We'll be harder to spot with all the ponies trying to deal with the fire.”

“Fine by me,” Applejack nodded. “I think I've had enough flyin' for one day.”

“The inn is that way,” Twilight pointed in the appropriate direction with a hoof. “If we walk straight we should reach the outskirts of the town nearest to it. Once we get there we'll sneak inside, try and find the others, and we'll leave before anypony sees us. We'll head for the trees and try to move as quietly as we can away from here. The further we can get before daybreak, the better.”

“And, if we should happen to run into the innkeeper?” Discord asked with mock innocence.

Twilight hesitated. She'd forgotten about Hop Shot. “Well... That guard we spoke to said that the whole town was made up of ponies who belong to the Defectors.” She looked up at him. “We'll have to assume he's not going to let us go easily if he sees us.”

“Dang liar probably knew exactly what he was sendin' ya to when he gave ya that message,” Applejack growled as they started to make their way through the field. “I kinda hope we do run into him, just so's I can give him a piece of my mind.”

“For once, I think I agree with you,” Discord said, although his voice didn't hold as much anger in it. Twilight wondered, however, if he was just hiding it.

She kept her eyes to the front as they walked in silence for a while, keeping her ears open for any sounds out of place. However, Twilight found her attention drawn away by the question that'd resurface in her head. When it became clear she couldn't ignore it away, she turned to Discord slinking through the crops on all fours next to her.

“Hey... You weren't really going to hurt that guard, were you?” She said carefully, keeping her voice low.

Discord turned and gave her a smirk, “Should I have threatened to eat him instead?”

Twilight didn't answer, chewing on her lip for a moment. “I just... I couldn't figure out if you were bluffing or not.”

Discord gave a chuckle at this. “You mean you didn't automatically assume I was going to use him for a scratching post?”

He turned to grin at her, but she didn't respond. She kept her eyes on him, her expression remaining unchanged. Serious and thoughtful, but not angry. Discord's smile faded and he made an impressed noise.

“My, my.” He said with bemusement.

“I want to be clear about what you were doing,” Twilight said.

Discord shrugged his shoulders as he kept up his light bounce of a step. “I was making things up as I went, to be honest. Not sure what the next step would've been if he hadn't answered,” He gave her a sideways glance. “But anxious or not, I'm not that fond of making a mess.” He frowned comically to himself for a second before adding, “Well... not like that anyway.”

He sped up, becoming partially hidden in the crops. From somewhere in the dark she heard him say; “You will remember to tell Celestia in your next letter what a good boy I'm being, won't you?”

“Hmm.” Twilight hummed, not quite sure what she was going to say to Celestia in her next letter about Discord.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for the delay guys, Here's the next chapter. The good news is, however, I actually trimmed this chapter short and moved a lot of events to the next chapter over. This means the next chapter is also almost finished and I can try and get it uploaded tomorrow! So guys will almost certainly get a double update this week! Yay! (I hope?)

Update: Just updating to say yes, there will definitely and certainly be another update tomorrow :)

As always, please let me know of any spelling mistakes, typos, grammar mistakes and anything of the like. It really is a big help when you guys help me correct these things! :D

Incidentally... I could go into a big emo ramble about what my mindset is like as I continue to write this story... but I think this pretty much sums it up;

Really... sometimes the only reason I keep writing despite my rock-bottom self esteem is because... well... it's fun XD;
But hopefully you guys are still enjoying it. Even if my writing isn't perfect.

Into the Woods

View Online

Chapter 19

The trip to the inn took longer than normal as the trio did their best to stay out of sight. Luckily, most ponies seemed to be focusing their attention on putting out the fire at the center of town. All the group really had to worry about were the pockets of guards searching the streets and houses. They found themselves sometimes curving their way several streets in the opposite direction, climbing over rooftops and through tight alleys. Finally, the inn came into view and the small group made quick work of finding a window and slipping inside. No sooner were they indoors when Discord broke away from the two ponies and disappeared up the nearest flight of stairs, heading for the rooms.

Twilight tried to call after him to stay hidden, but he was gone before she could get the words out. She sighed, turning and heading for one of the round tables where she had left the brochure map she'd gotten earlier that day. When the innkeeper had told her about the mayor, she'd set it down and forgotten about it. Applejack turned to head for the stairs as well when she stopped, freezing in place.

“Twi? We got company!” She said, her ears flattening as she backed up a few steps.

Twilight spun in place, turning to glare in Applejack's direction. Hop Shot, the innkeeper, had just walked into the room, carrying a wooden bucket on his back. He jumped slightly when he saw them, only managing to keep the empty bucket in place through years of practice.

Twilight gave a slight growl, taking several large strides forward to stand beside her friend, her wings opening up aggressively. Hop Shot, however, broke into the same, friendly smile he'd greeted them with when they first arrived.

“Oh, you're back are you?” He said cheerfully.

“Yeah,” Applejack said with an unamused tone. “We're back.”

“I heard you'd escaped the prison somehow,” Hop Shot went on. He moved to walk forward but Applejack's scraping hoof and Twilight's angry flap of her wings stopped him.

“We're here for our friends,” Twilight said pointedly.

“Your friends?” Hop Shot blinked, looking confused.

“They're not here!” Discord suddenly came back into view, taking the stairs two at a time. “The beds are made and there's no sign of Fluttershy or the others or even their-” he stopped when he noticed Hop Shot who'd turned to stare at him in surprise. Discord made a dangerous noise, dropping to all fours before advancing on the innkeeper, head lowering.
“You! Where are our friends, Earth pony?!”

“I was just about to say,” Hop Shot said, taking a few steps backwards but apparently not that frightened. “They left here about an hour ago.”

“They left?!” Twilight snapped. “What do you mean they left?! Where did they go?!”

“I don't know,” Hop Shot said with a shake of his head. “After I told them I heard from Ice Crystal that he'd heard from one of the guards that you'd escaped, they checked out and left. I thought they were going to meet up with you three.”

Discord gave a single, loud laugh. “You think we would believe you after your little play-act this afternoon?!”

“Calm down, Discord.” Applejack said, trotting closer to stand beside him, keeping her eyes on the innkeeper.

Hop Shot seemed confused by the statement. “I'm afraid I really don't know what you mean.” He turned to Twilight. “You did see the mayor, right? I assume so since I heard you three had been thrown in prison. So... I don't really see what you mean by 'play-act'.”

Applejack and Twilight exchanged glances before turning back to the innkeeper. “You knew the Mayor was going to imprison us when you said she wanted to see me, didn't you?”

“Well yes,” He said simply, reaching and pulling the bucket off his back before putting it beside him. He adjusted his shoulders before sitting down. “You're an alicorn after all. Stoneflower isn't fond of ponies with magic in them.”

“Well, did ya think maybe ya coulda warned us about that before ya sent us into that crazy mare's funhouse?!” Applejack snapped.

Hop Shot stared at her before frowning in thought. “Well... no... That wasn't part of the message she sent to you. I was just delivering the message.”

“Along with your oh so insightful blithering on why you thought she might've asked to see Twilight!” Discord spat, although he seemed to be winding down.

“Because she thought the young Miss was here for an important reason. Yes,” Hop Shot nodded earnestly. He looked back and forth between the group, appearing at a loss.

Twilight turned to Applejack with a troubled expression. Applejack tapped the side of her head at the silent question. Twilight made a noise at this, turning back to the innkeeper staring at her with honest confusion on his face.

“So... our friends really left?” Twilight said carefully, watching his face.

“You're not believing such an obvious lie, are you?” Discord said, giving her a frown. “Really Twilight, I would've expected better of you.”

“But they really did leave,” Hop Shot said, standing up again. “They seemed upset when they heard you'd been put in prison, but when I told them you'd escaped and that's why the town hall was on fire, they said they needed to go and left.” he gave a small shrug. “I heard from Beam Rider when he came looking for them that you were assassins sent by Blue Jay, so I just assumed they were heading back to Kerry Shire to meet you.”

“Heading where?” Applejack asked, looking the innkeeper up and down with less anger and more uncertainty this time.

“Kerry Shire,” Hop Shot repeated. “Unless Blue Jay decided to go somewhere else. I just presumed it would be Kerry Shire since he always talked about it so much.”

“Hold on! You actually talked to Blue Jay before he left the Defectors?” Twilight said, her attention focusing in on this new information instantly.

“Not that much, really,” Hop Shot said, picking up his bucket again. “But he often spoke of his home town. Always said how he was going to go back there eventually. I never really understood why. From what I'd heard the town had been burned to the ground by fire ants years ago.”

“Wait, so you're sayin' this Blue Jay pony, after he took the stone thingy, went to this Kerry place?” Applejack added.

“Well, going back is something he always said he'd do. When he stole the stone and killed Black Lavender I just assumed that's where he went.” Hop Shot said as he adjusted his bucket on his back again, making sure it was properly balanced.

Twilight looked over the faces of the others. It was clear from their expressions they were thinking the same thing she was. If Hop Shot really was to be believed, and to be honest she was starting to wonder how much sanity the pony had, Blue Jay returned to his home town after stealing the Stone of Null. She had to admit to herself it was a long shot, but with no other leads and no plans on what they should do when they all regrouped, she wasn't about to ignore this scrap of info. No matter how unhinged the pony giving it might be.

“You wouldn't happen to know where this town is, would you?” Twilight asked cautiously, taking a few steps closer to him.

He thought for a moment. “Like I said, it was burned to the ground many years ago, but I remember hearing from somepony that it was a stroke of luck that Kerry Shire was burned down but not Dartmoorton which is just a mile or so away.” he gave his friendly, service pony smile. “I know where Dartmoorton is.”

Twilight, still unsure whether to trust anything said by this pony, looked over to where she'd dropped the brochure map. She looked back to Hop Shot before trotting over and picking it up. She came back and held it out to the innkeeper.

“Could you, maybe, show us where that is?” She asked, frowning lightly.

“Oh, of course!” Hop Shot smiled happily, turning and trotting over to the stretch bar, scratching around for a quill.

“If I may give my humble opinion,” Discord said in a hushed tone, leaning closer to Twilight, “I don't believe our friend here is operating with a full deck, so to speak.”

“Do you think he's lying?” Twilight asked.

Discord stared at the innkeeper's back, thinking it over. “It's so hard to tell with mental cases. But if it helps, I believe he believes he's telling the truth. He seems too certain of the facts for it to be random nonsense he's made up.”

“I gotta agree,” Applejack nodded. “Well, I mean I can't say anythin' about craziness or any of that stuff, but I don't think he's lyin'.”

Twilight nodded. “Even if he is, I guess it's better than no leads at all. We have to start somewhere, don't we?”

Applejack gave another nod. “Get the place we gotta go to. I'm gonna make sure we ain't getting cornered in here.” She trotted over to one of the windows facing the front of the building, pulling a tasteless curtain aside to peer out.

Hop Shot trotted back over, carrying a quill in his mouth. Twilight set the map down and, after looking it over, Hop Shot made a small x over a spot a few miles to the north of Falabell. He put the quill down and traced a path with his hoof. “It's a few days' walk from here, but it's not that far. Most pony towns stick close to the border. I'm not really sure, but I think Kerry Shire was to the east of Dartmoorton. There's a small canyon separating the two, but it joins together here. You can see it's marked as a tourist spot.”

“Delightful, I'm sure. Can we go now?” Discord said, picking up the map and rolling it up in his paw and claw.

“Still in the clear,” Applejack answered from her spot by the window.

“One last thing,” Twilight said with seriousness. “Did our friends say or did you see which way they went when they left?”

“I wasn't paying too much attention, but I heard Snake Oil say she saw them heading to the forest,” He waved a hoof at one of the walls. “Around that way.”

“Well then, if there's nothing else,” Discord said, not waiting to hear if there was as he headed for the window they'd used to get in.

“Thanks,” Twilight said as she half turned to follow, giving the smiling pony an uncertain look.

“You're very welcome, Miss,” He smiled at her, giving Applejack a small nod as she passed him to follow Discord.

Twilight turned and moved to leave before she stopped, turning back to him. “You know, you should probably leave this town. I mean... it's not safe here. Even if you're an earth pony. You should get away.”

Hop Shot tilted his head at her. “But then who'll run the inn?”

“Come on, Princess!” Discord hissed impatiently from outside.

Twilight gave Hop Shot a last look before she joined Applejack and they climbed out the window. As they darted and weaved away in the direction he'd pointed, Twilight turned and glanced over her shoulder at the inn. She noticed the innkeeper trotting out of it with his bucket on his back, heading for the town hall, looking no more anxious by their talk than he had before.

Stepping carefully and taking advantage of the dark the further they got from the hall, the trio reached the edge of town after a few drawn out minutes. The last few buildings, wooden sheds used to hold farming equipment, gave way to young trees growing on the edge of the forest separating the town from its mountains. They took the last stretch of open land at a run before they got past the tree line. Taking a chance to look over her shoulder, Twilight saw the dying red glow of the town hall as its flames started to lose the fight with the ponies putting it out. She noticed several more silhouettes of pegasi flying over the rooftops than there had been before. They hovered in place before swooping in seemingly random directions, stopping and hovering in a different spot. She didn't need a lot of imagination to guess that with the fire dying down, more ponies were out searching for them.

The forest past the saplings was thick with old-growth and black barked trees. They passed a few stumps left by the town's woodcutters, but they were mossy and each hosted a variety of different mushrooms. There hadn't been much tree felling in some time, it seemed. The uneven ground, unattended undergrowth, and wild, sporadic placement of trees slowed their run to a more deliberate walk. The heavy canopy above them blocked out any shred of moonlight, and the forest almost felt like it was underwater in the darkness. They kept going, always listening if someone was following them, or for the sounds of voices they'd recognise.

“How in the blazes are we gonna find anypony in all this?” Applejack asked, keeping her voice low.

“Hop Shot said they went this way,” Twilight gave as a way of answering, ducking a branch that sprang into existence in front of her.

“The guy was clearly crazy, Twilight,” Applejack said as she picked her footing carefully. “I don't know if we should trust anythin' he had ta say about anythin', to be honest.”

“You can go back and wait for them, if you want to,” Discord said as he strolled confidently through the wild foliage. “Personally, I'd much rather look for Fluttershy and the others in a place they could be rather than a place I know they're not.”

Applejack growled but turned back to the front, grumbling to herself as she caught a hoof in a tangle of roots.

“Keep moving guys,” Twilight urged, “Even if we don't find them right away, we need to get away from that crazy town. They haven't given up looking for us yet.”

“I wish they'd call it a night already,” Discord sighed. “I'm really losing out on my beauty sleep. And I'm doing so without a single drop of earl grey or spiced chai in me. Really, it's quite tragic.”

“Gettin' tired already?” Applejack shot him a sideways look and a lopsided smile. “Ya gonna let 'the ponies' out class ya?”

“Certainly not!” Discord said with a huff, shooting her a frown. “But I must comment on the rather barbarous treatment of their guests these cult ponies seem to have.”

“You mean besides the whole 'getting rid of unicorns' thing,” Twilight sad bluntly as she kept her eyes open for any signs of the others. She wished her horn would respond and give her at least enough light to see more than a few paces in front of her, but it stubbornly refused.

“Well, that's just garden variety madness. But there's a very large difference between being insane and being just plain rude,” Discord said with conviction.

“I'm sure ya'll can offer them some pointers next time,” Applejack said. She punctuated the sentence with a surprised hiccup as her forelegs caught on something and she tripped forward.

The other two stopped, Twillight walking back over.

“You alright?” She asked, helping her back to her hooves.

“'Course,” Applejack grumbled. “It's just these dang trees! I can't see a lick in front of me! Twilight, how're we gonna find anypony? Are we even goin' the right way?”

“I think so,” Twilight said, looking around the area again. The wind rustled leaves and tugged dead branches loose in the trees above them. There were calls from night birds, and unidentifiable insects buzzing to each other in the undergrowth around them, always surrounding them, but never seeming to exist wherever they walked or stood.

Twilight turned to look at the canopy above them. “Maybe... I should check just to make sure?”

“You won't get yourself seen, will ya?” Applejack asked seriously.

“I won't leave the canopy,” Twilight promised, getting airborne.

“Well I'm not going to stay down here,” Discord said as he took wing after her. “I trust my night vision better than yours, Princess.”

“You better not do anythin' crazy and give us away!” Applejack called after him, straining to balance her voice from being heard while also keeping it quiet.

Twilight worked her way up through the branches until she found one high enough to see over the treetops, but which still gave her proper cover from anyone else that might be flying around the area. Discord's head popped up next to her as he landed on the tree and twisted himself snake-like around it.

The town was still close, Twilight was surprised to see. She'd expected to have put more space between them and it in the while they'd been walking, but here in the treetops, she could still clearly make out the wooden rooftops and where the buildings ended and the fields began. Pegasi were still swooping over it, but they were less distinguishable from here and looked more like gnats floating over the scenery. She scanned the town before she spotted what she hoped was Hop Shot's inn, tracing a line from it to where the three of them were. They were wandering a little far to the right, but they hadn't gone too badly off course.

The canopy itself seemed clear of pegasi, although the moving branches and rustling leaves played tricks with her eyes and made her second guess if they really were alone, or if there were ponies she couldn't see hiding in the trees. She decided not to wait around and find out. Satisfied they weren't lost, she was about to fly back down when Discord tapped her on the head.

She turned to frown at him. In response, he pointed a paw towards the forest in the direction they were heading. Twilight couldn't see what he was trying to show her though.

“Is something there?” She whispered, leaning forward.

“There's a pegasus sitting in the tall Douglas Fir over there. Do you see it?” He answered.

Twilight strained her eyes a little harder, trying to spot it. The tree Discord was pointing at stood higher than the ones around it. It's christmas-tree branches fanned out, growing sparse as they neared the top. On one of the higher ones, she finally saw the outline of what she could trick herself into believing looked like a pony. It appeared as a black shape, pointing upwards rather than outwards like the branches. But more than that, she couldn't make out. The tree wasn't far from their own, and Twilight found herself suddenly feeling uncomfortably exposed.

“A guard maybe?” She asked, reluctant to take her eyes off it.

“Or somepony else,” Discord said, squinting as well. “Can't tell all that well from here.”

Twilight made a noise as she turned to fly back down. “Let's keep moving. We're still going the right way.”

“It could be Fluttershy, or Rainbow Dash,” Discord whispered after her, not following.

Twilight stopped, hovering below him. She bit her lip, lowering her eyes as she thought it over. After a moment she lifted her gaze back up at him.

“Have they seen us?” She whispered up.

Discord turned to look at it again before answering, “No. It doesn't look like it.”

“What's goin' on?” Applejack called up, standing herself on her hind legs against the tree.

“There's a pegasus in a tree not too far from us,” Twilight answered her.

“Is that a good thing?” Applejack asked.

“We're not sure,” Twilight said, flying down to talk without raising her voice. “We can't tell anything in the dark. I think it'd be safer to keep walking the way we were. Better to try and find all our friends than approaching a single pegasus that might give away where we are.”

“You do that,” Discord whispered down at the two, unwinding himself from the tree trunk and climbing lizard-like down a branch. “I'm going to go say hello.”

“Discord!” Twilight hissed angrily at him. “It could be anypony!”

“Exactly,” He answered, not bothering to look at her. “It could be Fluttershy.”

“Discord, would you just-!”

He ignored her, jumping free of the branch and flying off in the direction of the fir tree. Twilight flew back up, swearing under her breath. She hovered just above the canopy, watching him as he faded to a serpentine shadow in the darkness. She almost went after him, but stayed behind, floating back down to stay with Applejack instead.

“C'mon, let's keep moving,” She said, trotting more urgently in the same direction.

“That whatever-he-is is gonna get us all killed good and proper one of these days,” Applejack grumbled, trotting after Twilight, trying to dodge fallen branches and tangles of ferns as they went.

Discord skimmed over the treetops, focused on the Douglas Fir in front of him. He couldn't make out much in the dark, but he was sure the dark shape sitting in the tree was a pegasus. As he flew, several arguments came to mind that he could've used to persuade Twilight it might be one of their friends; The fact that they didn't appear to be searching for them. The fact that they were a little far from town to just be sitting in a tree. The fact that they seemed to be alone and not backed up by any other pegasi. But somehow, he was glad he hadn't bothered. He probably could've given Twilight a logical reason to go see who it was, but he was never one for logic. He saw a pegasus, and he wanted to know who it was. That's what he wanted to do, and doing what he wanted was all he ever really paid attention to. Logic took too much work. Explaining took too much work. Impulse. He was much better with impulse. Impulse and spontaneous action. And occasionally, a strong cup of tea.

As he got closer, he saw the pegasus shadow move, noticing him. It stood up, watching him for a moment before crouching low on the branch in what looked like an aggressive stance. He adjusted his flight, rising from the trees and travelling through open air for a more direct approach.

When he broke away from the vast blackness of the treetops and his outline was more visible against the sky, the pegasus stood up again. It stayed in place for a moment longer before it took off and flew free of the tree, heading directly for him. It wasn't a dive bomb, and there was no sharp manoeuvring to its flight. It merely flew to meet him. With no sign of danger, he adjusted his flight again, this time flapping more naturally.

“Discord?! Where the heck have you been?!” Rainbow Dash said loudly when she got close enough.

“Oh. It's you,” Discord said with open disappointment, his ears flattening.

“Nice to see you too,” Rainbow crossed her forelegs at him. “Where's Twilight and Applejack?! What happened to you guys?! That innkeeper guy said he heard form somepony who heard from somepony that you were caught by the crazy mayor or something! And he said you set a building on fire?! What've you guys been doing?!”

Discord massaged a temple with his claw, flapping his paw to try and silence her. “Please Rainbow Dash, it's been a rather tiring night and I'd appreciate you keeping your ramblings to a lower volume, if you can.”

“Not until you tell me where Applejack and Twilight are!” Rainbow snapped angrily.

“They're perfectly fine,” Discord rolled his eyes. He waved his paw idly behind him. “They're over there somewhere. I believe they're heading this way.”

“Great!” Rainbow said, moving to fly past him.

He grabbed her by the tail and yanking her back. “Hold on a minute! I have some questions myself! Where is Fluttershy?! Why are you up in a tree by yourself?! Did you leave her and the others behind somewhere?!”

“Heck no!” Rainbow said, snatching her tail back. “I was keeping look out for you three! The others are fine. They're hiding down below in a tree trunk. There's been guards combing the whole place since you set the town on fire!”

“Hardly the entire town,” Discord said, but his mood lightened upon hearing Fluttershy was safe. “Besides, it was either that or get ourselves squeezed like oranges of our magic. Look, it's a rather long and, frankly, exhausting story. Twilight and Applejack are heading this way, so I think I'll bid you goodnight and wait for them with-”

“Didn't you hear me?!” Rainbow yelled, turning back to head in the direction Discord had come from. “I said this place was crawling with guards! I can't let Applejack and Twilight wander around on their own when there could still be crazy ponies around!”

“Well, I'm going to find Fluttershy, so if you want to fly off by yourself, then you-” He stopped mid-sentence, a sharp frown forming on his face as he twisted his head off to the side.

“Then I what?!” Rainbow snapped, turning to glare at him. “If you wanna say something then just say it! I don't have time to try and figure out your mind games when-”

Discord launched forward and threw his full weight against her, knocking her completely off balance and causing Rainbow to go into a spin. She corrected herself and flapped her wings furiously to stop from crashing into the canopy.

“What the heck was-!” She started to yell at him, but was cut off when something whistled past her out from the trees below, dangerously close to her ear.

She gave a yelp, shooting away from wherever the thing had shot out from, banking hard to the left as another one was shot in her direction. She could hear the snap of leaves and whistle of wind as several more of the same objects tore upwards.

“Would you get down?!” Discord yelled at her, streaking past clumsily before making a u-turn and heading back towards the Douglas Fir, diving into the trees.

Rainbow didn't need telling twice as she went into high-gear, rocketing after him as the sound of several more arrows shot up at her. She landed on the forest floor a few paces from where Discord was waiting anxiously, ready to run.

“If you could point out where you've hidden away the others?!” He snapped angrily, breathing hard.

She ignored his tone and flew off in the right direction. “Over here!”

He sprinted after her as she half ran, half flew over the uneven ground, fallen trees and branches. Somewhere not too far behind them, Rainbow Dash could make out the sound of pony voices calling instructions to each other. She pushed herself forward, dodging the trees that sprang out at her, heading back to her friends.

The large, hollowed out tree trunk appeared out of the darkness and she landed, going into a gallop.

“Everypony out, guys! We got company!” She called as she ran.

Two pony heads popped out of the tree, followed by a burst of pink as Pinkie Pie jumped out to meet her. “Company?! What kind of company?!”

“The kind that wants to use us as pin cushions!” Rainbow said, skidding to a halt. “C'mon! Twilight and Applejack are headed this way and I dunno if-”

“Fluttershy!” She was interrupted by a heartfelt cheer as Discord bounded over.

Upon seeing him, Fluttershy broke into a warm smile and started trotting towards him. However, she stumbled to a stop as he pounced on her, picked her up, and then proceeded to crush her against him.

“So happy to see you're alright, my dear!” He said enthusiastically, swinging her back and forth as he clung to her.

“It's... it's good to see you too, Discord,” She squeaked, squirming in the uncomfortably tight hug as she patted his arm gently. “Could you maybe... if you don't mind... not squeeze so tight?”

“I'll squeeze later,” He said, letting her go and turning to the others.

He promptly grabbed Pinkie in one claw and Rarity in the other, putting both ponies on his back before picking Fluttershy up again.

“Fluttershy, Fashion pony and candy pony. Alright, all here! Let's go!” He said, not waiting for a reply as he shot back the way he'd come, Rarity squealing in terror and Pinkie squealing in excitement.

“Whoa, wait up!” Rainbow called as she flew after him.

They flew almost blindly through the twisted forest, speeding past town ponies and guards as every now and then a flurry of arrows tore past them and buried themselves in tree trunks. Soon, the yells from the guards were more behind them than in front, as the heard hooves chase after them. But at full speed, Rainbow Dash had no intention of letting any guard keep up with her, and they eventually heard the voices get more and more distant.

Discord stopped abruptly and dropped to the ground, Rainbow barely preventing herself from crashing straight into him. She was about to ask what was wrong when a familiar pair of voices interrupted her.

“Discord!” Two figures ran towards them out of the darkness.

“Twilight! Applejack! Oh darlings, you have no idea how relieved I am to see you!” Rarity called when they came into better view.

“Hey Everypony!” Applejack called back, breaking into a wide smile. “Boy, am I glad ta see ya'll!”

“I'm so glad you're all ok!” Twilight added, running over and grabbing the nearest pony, being Rainbow Dash, into a tight hug.

“I wouldn't call hiding in a dank forest with all kinds of nasty crawling creatures 'ok', but I suppose things could've been worse,” Rarity said with a smile as she climbed off of Discord to hug Applejack.

“Yay! Group hug!” Pinkie cheered, bouncing over and grabbing each pony she passed until she had everyone clutching each other.

“Alright, alright! Less hugging! More getting away from here!” Discord panted, splitting the group of ponies apart with his arms. “Or would you rather forget the trigger happy maniacs chasing us?”

“Right,” Twilight said, her face serious again. “We're heading this way! Follow me, everypony!”

She turned and ran onwards through the trees, heading north. The mental image of the canopy, the location of the town, and Hop Shot's inn all pointing her in the right direction. The others followed close behind, Discord slowing as he scooped up Rarity and Pinkie, putting them back in place between his wings before picking up Fluttershy and clutching her close to his chest.

Author's Notes:

As promised, here's the next chapter :D
Looking at how long it ended up being, splitting it off from the previous chapter was honestly the right move. I didn't expect so much information to go into these set of events, but there you go. I hope you guys feel its length is justified.

Earl Grey and chai are both black teas with a moderate to high amount of caffeine in them. They are also both delicious. Discord + Tea is my OTP.

There's going to be another delay with the next chapter since I will be busy this weekend. I'll probably have time to write, but I'll be away from the internet so don't expect an update this week. Depending on what my time is like I might update during the week next week... but it really depends.

Thank you endlessly for all the support and kind words everyone has been leaving me! and thank you for continuing to help me with my typos and other mistakes XD; I swear I do read these things over multiple times before I upload them (including reading them backwards) but somehow words still sometimes escape my notice. Thanks for helping me out.

I hope you enjoy the chapter. and thanks for reading this far :) more to come when I can.
feedback is lovely >w<

Mortal

View Online

Chapter 20

The trip out of the forest went much slower than their initial mad dash. With some distance put between them and the ponies from town, the group chose their path more carefully, avoiding fallen trees, dips in the land, and thick clusters of underbrush. Every so often they heard the sounds of ponies in the distance calling instructions to each other, but these grew less frequent and further away as they moved on. After almost an hour went by without any more noise, the group eased into a more relaxed pace, keeping their eyes and ears open.

As they slowed down, Rarity slid herself off Discord's back, Pinkie bouncing after her. She gave Discord's side a well-meaning pat as she adjusted her saddlebags.

“Thank you dear, I think we can manage from here.”

“I suppose the seating isn't as luxurious as you'd like.” Discord grunted, but the jibe was half-hearted at best.

“No, of course not,” Rarity said dismissively. “Your wing kept poking me, I admit, but really; there wasn't much need for you to carry us off like that in the first place,” He could just make out the smile she gave him, “But thank you all the same. It was very thoughtful of you.”

Discord merely grumbled something sheepishly in response, hugging Fluttershy a little closer.

Fluttershy wondered if she should ask him to let her go. She didn't really mind being carried around like a teddy bear, but she couldn't decide if it'd be better if he put her down.

On the one hoof, it was clear to her by his attack of affection, that he'd been very worried. She could easily understand why. She knew what it was like for a bird not to come back home for spring on time, or for one of her Everfree friends to go missing for a few days. When they did come back to her cottage, she'd often lavish them with extra large meals and a few hugs that were much tighter than she'd have given otherwise. Fluttershy wasn't exactly sure what had happened while they were all split up, but she could see that whatever it was, it'd obviously bothered her friend. Considering Discord was not easily bothered, she felt his possessive clinging spoke volumes to how relieved he was to see her.

However, on the other hoof, she was getting the sense that whatever had happened, it had been more than just an easy escape and quick search to find the rest of them. She could feel Discord getting tired. Fluttershy wondered if she'd really stopped to consider that Discord was, like any pony, a living thing. And like all living things, he got hungry, and anxious, and tired. When he was in her cottage or causing mischief in Ponyville, he was always bursting with so much unfocused energy and displaying so much reality warping magic, she sometimes forgot that there was a physical creature behind all the shapeshifting and teleporting.

As Discord pressed her against him, Fluttershy was picking up all the little signals that the long night's events were taking their toll. His march was even and deliberate, each step taken with conscious effort rather than just a natural pace. His chest rose and fell more dramatically than normal as he panted. Under the surprisingly soft fur, Fluttershy could feel the beat of his heart. It pumped hard and fast, not with the adrenaline that came with physical activity, but with over exertion, and a need for rest.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash were talking about direction. Applejack was trying her best to keep Pinkie's noise level down, while Rarity was trying her best to touch as little of the forest around her as possible. Fluttershy made up her mind.

She raised her voice as much as she dared. “Uhm... girls? Could we uhm... maybe... stop and rest a little bit?”

Twilight and Rainbow didn't seem to hear, but Applejack and Rarity turned to blink at her as Pinkie bounced in circles around them.

Fluttershy shrunk a little on reflex at the sudden attention, but she cleared her throat to keep going. “It's been a long time since we heard anypony. And, well, none of us have gotten any sleep. Shouldn't we... maybe... try and find a safe place to take a break? Even if it's just for a little while?”

“Excitement getting the better of you, my dear?” Discord smiled down at her, coming to a stop.

“I must admit, I am feeling a little frazzled.” Rarity said as the others stopped as well, save for Pinkie who continued to circle the group like a brightly coloured vulture.

“Everypony alright?” Twilight asked, noticing the change in pace.

“I'm just wondering if we shouldn't stop and rest,” Fluttershy repeated, squirming slightly to see if Discord would put her down. He didn't.

“I dunno. I'd be a lot happier if we could get outta these woods before we start thinkin' about puttin' our hooves up.” Applejack said with a light frown.

“Those crazy ponies would probably chase us all the way to Tartarus if they could! I say we get as far away from them as we can while the getting's good!” Rainbow agreed.

“You may be right, but not everypony is as athletic as you and Applejack are, Rainbow.” Rarity said. She shifted in place, looking like she was about to sit down, but after glancing at the forest floor, she seemed to change her mind.

“I'm getting pretty tired too,” Twilight said, pulling a slight face. “But I agree, we shouldn't relax too soon with the town still after us.”

“So what do you propose we do, Oh fearless leader?” Discord said, sinking down without any concern for how dirty the forest floor was.

Twilight made a thoughtful noise, scanning the area around them despite barely being able to see her hoof in front of her face. She turned to look up at the branches above them.

“We've been heading as close to north as we can, but I don't really know how big this place is, and there's not much point in checking the map in the dark.” She gave Discord a sideways glance. “You do still have the map, right?”

He rolled his eyes. “Much as it may shock you, I am able to prioritize. I put it in Fluttershy's bag.”

Twilight nodded, turning to Rainbow Dash. “Before we make any real decisions, we should try and find out how long this forest is going to go on for. Could you get us a visual on how far it's stretching out around us, Rainbow?”

“You got it!” Rainbow grinned proudly. “Back in a flash!”

She zipped up into the trees, the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs the only things marking her path. The others settled into positions mirroring their level of fatigue. Rarity, after what appeared to be a deep inner struggle, sat down uncomfortably on a fallen tree branch. Pinkie had stopped her enthusiastic bouncing and flopped down over Discord's tail, her internal switch going from full to empty in an instant. Applejack trotted over to her, running her eyes over the area, her ears twitching. Pinkie had been carrying her saddlebags which Applejack now took and put over her own back with a word of thanks. Twilight sat down as well, but kept her eyes on where Rainbow Dash had disappeared. Discord finally let Fluttershy go as he lay down with an all-but-silent sigh. He crossed his arms in front of himself, lying his head down on top of them as he adjusted and readjusted his wings uncomfortably. Fluttershy watched him, although in the dark she couldn't read his expression.

She turned to watch Applejack, as she walked past and stood beside Twilight. Fluttershy tried to make out how tired they were from where she sat. If Discord was running out of fuel, she was sure her two pony friends were probably completely exhausted. Maybe not Applejack so much, but definitely Twilight. She couldn't see much of them though, and decided to wait until later to make sure they weren't pushing themselves too hard.

Discord adjusted his wings again as Rainbow Dash dropped back down from the canopy, shaking leaves from her mane.

“Any good news?” Twilight asked as she stood up again.

“Yeah,” Rainbow nodded before pointing a hoof. “We're not that far from the edge of this place. If we keep going that way, we'll get outta these trees in an hour or so. I didn't see any ponies anywhere and I could barely see the town. I think we're in the clear as far as them finding us goes. It also looks like the sun's gonna come up soon, but I can't really tell lately. Since this whole magic business it's been acting kinda weird. It's slower than it should be, but I saw the sky going lighter in that direction,” She pointed east, “So I think morning's not too far away either.”

“Good to know,” Twilight nodded, giving her a grateful smile.

“Oh yeah! And before I forget!” Rainbow added, turning and pulling the second set of saddlebags off her back and handing them over to Twilight. She grinned brightly when her friend took them from her. “I figured it wouldn't be a great idea to leave your element of harmony back at the inn.”

“Thank you, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said with a relieved noise. “Who knows what those ponies would've done with it if they'd found it.”

“Ta get back on track, what's the plan, Twilight?” Applejack asked, anxious for them to make a decision.

Twilight turned serious again. “If we're not that far from the edge of the forest, I think we should keep going. At least until we get out of all this. Hopefully those ponies won't go far from the town, and if they do, we'll have a much better chance of spotting them in open countryside. I really don't feel like getting jumped again.”

“I hear that!” Rainbow agreed enthusiastically.

“And then, could we possibly rest a little before we move on to... wherever it is we're going to be moving on to?” Rarity asked hopefully.

“If we can find somewhere safe enough.” Twilight nodded.

“Or, we better make somewhere safe enough,” Applejack whispered to Twilight. “Some of these gals are startin' ta run a little dry, if ya get me.”

“Yeah,” Twilight nodded as she turned to start walking again. “I'm one of them.”

“Come on everypony! Just a little more!” Rainbow Dash urged the others back to their hooves, giving her wings a flap as she trotted around them.

Various groans answered her as the other ponies got back up. Discord muttered something under his breath but otherwise said nothing as he pushed himself to his feet and followed the others. He didn't pick Fluttershy up again, but as they settled back into their walk, his paw put itself on her head and she felt the gentle ruffle of her mane before he let her go again. She smiled to herself softly, moving to walk closer beside him.

Rainbow Dash hadn't been wrong. Within an hour, the ancient firs were replaced by wispy saplings and the thin branches of smaller trees. The underbrush grew less knotted, and the ground became clean of fallen branches and hollowed out logs. The air grew brighter as the canopy thinned and the sky shifted from night to dawn. Birds started calling each other, first softly but soon becoming a loud chorus of different species waking up. The group cleared the forest and wandered blinking into the open wilderness once again. In front of them was a long valley cupped between stretching mountain ranges. Weather-beaten grass of yellowish green and tan coloured the scenery, broken up by fallen rock and the occasional wild hedge that seemed to have no logic to where it grew or why. Clouds were rolling over head, but they were the cold, misty clouds of early morning and would burn away in the sun before they could ever hope to bring any rain.

“C'mon,” Twilight said wearily, “Let's try and find some cover and I'll fill everypony in on what the next step in the plans are.”

“You do that. I myself, plan to find the nearest patch of sun and ignore the rest of you for as long as it takes for my head to stop feeling like it's made of cotton,” Discord said grumpily. He turned to Fluttershy, adjusting his wings. “Incidentally, I have done that before. I wouldn't recommend it.”

Fluttershy smiled up at him with a light giggle. She was about to ask him why he'd turned his own head into cotton, when the movement of his wings caught her eye. Her gaze froze and the words disappeared before she could say them. Discord was waiting smilingly to hear what she thought about his antics when he noticed her expression. His face sank and he turned to the front, frowning hard.

Fluttershy blinked to herself before getting into the air and flying over Discord to see the other side of him more closely. Her voice caught sharply in her throat as she realised she hadn't been mistaken.

“Something wrong, Fluttershy?” Rarity asked, turning at the sound.

“Excuse me, could everypony please stop for a moment?” Fluttershy said, flapping to hover over Discord's head to address the others.

“Oh good,” Discord grumbled, pinching the bridge of his muzzle and squeezing his eyes shut. “This ought to go over well.”

“What's wrong, Fluttershy?” Twilight repeated Rarity's question as the group came to a stop, turning to see what the problem was.

“Don't mind her,” Discord said, trying to shoo Fluttershy away. “I believe she just needs to have her daily anxiety attack before we can all carry on with our lives.”

“Hush,” Fluttershy said, ignoring his swatting claw, perfectly aware that he would never actually hit her. “Sit down.”

Discord gave a drawn out, whiny noise but did as he was told, crossing his arms and sulking.

“Fluttershy seriously, what-?” Twilight insisted, trotting over.

“One of those awful ponies must've hit him while you were looking for us,” Fluttershy said as she hovered over Discord, reaching out and gently taking his bat-wing in her hooves, unfolding it and inspecting it more closely. Discord winced, and then scowled to himself, muttering something incoherently.

“What? Really?” Rainbow Dash added, trotting over to take a look. “When did this happen?”

Twilight ignored her, turning her attention to the wing. The purple-black membrane of the limb had been pierced by what she guessed to be one of the cult's crossbow bolts. The rod had stuck itself through the skin from the inside outwards. It's fletching caused it to lodge in place and it now sat like an obscene piece of jewellery. From where the arrow stuck, a trickle of deep, rich crimson ran down the stretched skin as the wound bled. Barely, but bled nonetheless.

“Is it serious, Fluttershy?” Twilight said as a hard frown formed on her face.

“I'm still around, aren't I?” Discord snapped at her. “I know you enjoy ignoring me, but hopefully you pay enough attention to notice that at least.”

“Arrows ain't nothing ta sneeze at,” Applejack added with her own frown. “Why didn't ya say somethin' sooner, Discord?! This is sorta the kinda thing ya oughta let us know about! I'd call ya stupid if I didn't know ya were anythin' but! The heck were ya thinkin'?”

Discord clicked his tongue and pulled his wing out of Fluttershy's hooves. “Maybe I wanted to avoid this awkward scene and was going to bring it up when I could actually get some sympathy points from you lot!” He flapped his claw at Fluttershy as she tried to take hold of the wing again. “Oh, don't fuss, don't fuss!”

Fluttershy blinked at him before what would've been described as 'a light frown' on somepony else, settled on her face. “Now you listen here, Discord; I'm not interested in how awkward you feel. I want you to sit still and let me look at your wing and make sure it's not serious. And if you don't let me do that, then I'm not going to talk to you for the rest of the day.”

“Hah!” Discord scoffed, shooting her a small glare. “I thought I already mentioned that I'm going to sleep for the rest of the day! Unless you're planning to have a rather one-sided conversation, I'm not in the mood to have any deep, soul-searching discussions anyway! And may I recommend you at least try to bring some menace into your threats if you plan to make them, Fluttershy? Although in all seriousness, you really shouldn't even bother. You're not very good at them.”

Fluttershy didn't answer. Her frown didn't fade as she hovered in front of his face, her gaze locked on his. He glared back at her as hard as he could with stubborn denial. It was surprising then, that after barely a minute of the staring contest, Discord gave a long sigh and broke eye contact. He lay down to resume his sulk as he unfolded his wing, holding it up in the air for her.

“There, that's not so bad, is it?” Fluttershy said, her frown melting away as she gave him a much softer expression before flying over to take a look at the injury.

“And everypony thinks you're so nice...” Discord grumbled irritably to himself, avoiding everypony's gaze as he shifted in embarrassment.

“If you're hurt, we'd better take care of that right away,” Rarity said once she was sure things had been diffused. She pulled off her saddlebags and started rummaging through them. “I'm afraid I don't have anything I would call ideal, but I'm certain I packed a summer scarf we could use to wrap it with until we find something better.”

“You gotta pull that thing out first,” Rainbow added, getting airborne to hover beside Fluttershy. “Don't think you can pull it out with those feathers on its tail, and the pointy part won't go back the other way. What if we snap it and pull it out by the middle?”

“You will do no such thing!” Discord said sharply, once again pulling his wing back but this time to protect it from Rainbow Dash. “Do you want me to bleed to death? I do not have the magic to keep myself alive, you know! Now, would everypony please stop fretting like a gaggle of aged school matrons?!” He shot the group a pout. “Honestly!”

“I was just trying to help!” Rainbow protest angrily.

“He's right though,” Fluttershy said gently, setting herself on the ground again. “You should never pull out an arrow if you can't bandage the cut right away.”

“Thank you, Fluttershy,” Discord sighed in exasperation, standing up again. “Now, will you please tell them that I'm fine and I'd appreciate it if they saved the sympathy until after I've gotten some rest and have the energy to deal with ponies again?”

“It's not that bad,” Fluttershy nodded, turning to the others. “We'll get it wrapped up and after a few days of proper food and some care it'll heal itself. At least,” She tapped her chin thoughtfully, “That's how it is with my bat friends. I suppose it's almost the same thing, right?”

“Splendid,” Discord nodded, picking up his walk again with stubborn vigor. “So with that out of the way, can we find that shelter and deal with it there?”

“Well... alright,” Twilight said reluctantly. “I'm gonna trust Fluttershy on this. But really, you should've let us know you'd been hurt sooner, Discord.”

Discord gave another scoff. “The second you saw it, we stopped and had a lengthy discussion in the open fields a stone throw away from where insane ponies are still looking for us. Really, you ponies are so panicky it's a wonder you ever step foot out of your front doors.”

Morning started to turn to afternoon and there was still no sign of any ponies leaving the forest to chase after them. The group was finally starting to consider that maybe the cult had given up on them. Away from the old forest, the countryside had little to offer in the way of trees. Or at least, trees that could provide some sort of shelter for them. After a lengthy walk, they came across a collection of rocks and boulders which either jutted up from the foot of the mountain, or were overgrown with grass where they'd fallen. Either way, the small cluster of chest-high walls and shallow dips in the ground seemed to be the best they'd be able to do for a while, and the group settled down, exhausted.

Twilight had intended to explain everything she, Applejack and Discord had learned as soon as they found a spot to rest. However, as they lay down in the grass warmed by the sun, shadows of clouds passing overhead, and insects buzzing lazily over them, Twilight found she had no desire to start talking about plans and magic stones and insane ponies right now. She lay down her head and almost immediately dozed off. Pinkie Pie flopped down close by, rolling around on her back enthusiastically before she went to sleep as well. Applejack lay down close to Twilight, taking off her hat as she got comfortable. After a moment or so, she started nibbling at a patch of clover by her forelegs. Rainbow Dash landed on one of the taller rocks and sat down, taking the role of sentry.

Discord and Fluttershy huddled down against the natural curve of rock as Fluttershy turned her attention back to her friend's wing. Discord, apart from holding the limb outstretched for her, lay down and shut his eyes, a nap clearly the first and most important thing on his mind.

“I don't know if you'll be able to sleep while I take this out, I'm afraid.” Fluttershy said apologetically.

“Really my dear, after what I've manage to ignore while on your couch, do you still doubt my devotion to the concept of sleep?” He said, not bothering to open his eyes.

“Well... maybe... but I'm afraid this is going to sting a little bit. I'll try really really hard to be gentle, but I can't stop it from hurting completely. I'm very sorry.” She floated back to the ground, going over to her saddlebags.

Rarity, spotting the event unfolding, stood up from where she'd thrown down her blanket and trotted over.

“Are you taking care of that wing, Fluttershy?” She asked when she came close enough.

“Oh, yes.” Fluttershy nodded, pulling out what was possibly the tiniest first aid kit ever created. Rarity blinked at it for a moment before giving Fluttershy an almost disappointed look.

Fluttershy smiled sheepishly. “I brought it with in case we ever found a poor little animal that was in trouble. Of course, I was thinking more along the lines of a bird or a bunny. I didn't really think.... That is....” She let her hair droop over her face shyly. “I never really thought that maybe one of us would ever get hurt.”

“That is because you are earth-shatteringly naïve.” Discord piped up from where he lay.

“Now, now. Don't be cranky.” Fluttershy said gently as she flew back over and sat down beside the wing.

“I am not cranky, I am over-tired,” Discord grumbled, opening an eye to glance at her. “So let's get this over with as quick as we can, please.”

“I'll do my best,” Fluttershy promise, putting the first aid kit down and turning to the wing itself. After looking it over for a minute, she reached out and took hold of each end of the arrow before snapping it in two.

Discord visibly flinched as the hackles down his spine stood on end, before settling back down. However he said nothing, feigning sleep. Fluttershy started cleaning the wound the arrow had left. Her first aid kit may have been small, but she always made sure it was never empty of the essentials, especially a small bottle of antiseptic. When it came to injured animals, infection was almost always the biggest and most common concern. She had learned to never underestimate the importance of carrying antiseptic with her if there was ever a chance she might come across an animal in need.

Discord waited patiently, his wing only giving small twitches in response to her touch. After a few minutes, Fluttershy pulled out two small pads of gauze which she taped in place over both the inside and outside of the wing.

“There now,” She cooed out of habit when she finished. “That should feel a bit better.”

“Would you still like this?” Rarity asked, holding out her yellow floral scarf. “It's not exactly a bandage, but if could at least keep that plaster from falling off.”

“I think that would be very nice. Don't you, Discord?” Fluttershy turned to smile at him encouragingly.

He grumbled, giving the scarf a frown. “Not really my colour, is it?”

“No, not really,” Rarity agreed before Fluttershy could reprimand him. “But I'm afraid it's all I have. I can make you a better one once we're back in Ponyville, but for now this will have to do.”

Discord gave a melodramatic sigh. “I suppose you're right. At least it's not last year's fashion.”

“Somehow, I doubt your erm... avant garde sense of style has ever really been in fashion.” Rarity said diplomatically, handing the scarf over to Fluttershy who proceeded to wrap it around the injury.

“You should probably keep off that for a while,” Rainbow Dash piped up from her perch. “Wing injury like that won't get any better from flying around.”

“Fantastic. More good news,” Discord said bitterly. “No magic. No flying. I might as well get turned to stone again at this rate!”

“There there, It's only for a little while,” Fluttershy said as she packed away her things. “Try and take a nap. You'll feel better when you're not as tired.”

“Something we can agree on, at last.” Discord said, lying back down.

“You will let us know when you want to get some rest too, won't you, Rainbow Dash?” Rarity said as she trotted back to her blanket.

“Huh? Oh. Yeah, sure.” Rainbow said, snapping her attention to Rarity. She'd been staring at Discord's wing, a troubled expression on her face as a realisation struck her. She gave the dozing draconequus another confused and even worried glance before she turned to watch the landscape again.

Fluttershy put her saddlebags aside before walking back and lying herself down against Discord with a small sigh, her own drowsiness catching up with her. One of Discord's arms lifted and put itself around her as he shifted and curled up slightly, the two of them dozing off together.

They ended up spending the rest of the day between the rocks. Most of the group managed to get their share of sleep during the afternoon, but when they'd finally gotten their energy back, the evening was already getting long and they had no intention of travelling in the dark. Instead, they took the time to go over what Stoneflower and Hop Shot had said about Blue Jay, the stone, Blue Jay's home town of Kerry Shire, and its neighbouring town of Dartmoorton. They all agreed that, with no other leads, Kerry Shire was probably their best bet on finding the Stone of Null. Twilight went over her tourist map several times, trying to find the best route to the canyon that split the two towns from each other. While she did so, the others exchanged their stories on what had happened while they were split up.

After they'd been told that Twilight, Applejack and Discord had been captured, the others had tried to think of ways to break in and rescue them. However, when the news came shortly afterwards that the trio had gotten free by themselves, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash got the saddlebags and left town. Rainbow Dash said that she had wanted to stay and wait for them, but they'd been worried guards might come looking for them while they were at the inn. After that, they went as deep into the forest as they dared before waiting for Twilight's group to catch up with them. Rainbow had taken on the job of lookout, until she saw Discord. The rest they all knew.

“Quite the daring escape all round, I would say,” Discord yawned. “Of course, our story was much more thrilling than yours. Mainly thanks to me, of course.”

“Yeah, well, sorry we didn't think of burning the inn down when we left.” Rainbow said, giving him a smirk.

“Should we go back and do that?” Pinkie asked with a troublingly enthusiastic smile.

“No.” Several ponies said in unison.

“I still wanna know; when exactly did that happen?” Rainbow asked, waving a hoof at Discord's wing with a light frown.

“Must we keep bringing this up?” Discord said with an exasperated noise.

“I just... I wanna know for sure if what I'm thinking is right.” Rainbow said, giving him an earnest stare.

“If it's really that important for you to know, they must've nicked me while I was preoccupied trying to find where you'd hidden Fluttershy.” He said dismissively. “Really, it's you ponies' fault. You've gotten me far too used to your company. Had I been my old self, I'd have noticed the sounds of pony hooves below us ages before they attacked! I have a right mind to file some sort of legal action against you,” He turned and gave Fluttershy a wide grin. “Think I can get a nice settlement for this?” He raised his wing meaningfully.

“Would ya put it down!” Rainbow Dash snapped at him. “It's not gonna heal any faster if you stretch it like that!”

“Why Rainbow Dash, I am touched,” Discord batted his eyelashes at her. “And here I thought you didn't care.”

Rainbow's face flared up as she dug at the ground with a hooftip. “I just... don't wanna be the reason you... you know....”

“Your gratitude is highly appreciated.” Discord grinned, although there was something in the smile that spoke of more honesty in the statement than he was letting on.

Rainbow looked up at him sheepishly before giving a shaky smile in return.

They slept again throughout the night, Pinkie Pie taking the role of lookout. That is, until they kept getting woken up every five minutes to the energetic cries that everything was still ok and there was nothing to worry about. Rarity took over instead, insisting that she wasn't all that tired after her afternoon nap and if she was going to be kept awake by Pinkie anyway, she might as well do something useful.

The next morning came and, after taking an extended period of time to coax Discord to wake up and get moving, they continued their journey once more.

They travelled a long stretch of country before they reached a road again. The road was barely more than a dirt path over the hills and valleys, but it made for easier travelling than going cross country. When night came around, they settled down in a small thicket just off the path, out of sight from anypony who might be travelling through the area.

The next several days were uneventful. They didn't meet any ponies on the road to Dartmoorton which was good as far as avoiding any contact with the cult went, but became problematic as the days worn on.

Discord, it seemed, was more hindered by his wing than they'd originally thought. At first, Fluttershy was convinced he was just playing up the injury to get sympathy or, at the very least, attention. But as time went on, she started getting the impression that his slowed pace and general lack of energy was more genuine than he wanted to admit.

Apart from slowing the group down, Discord was staying off the wing like Rainbow had instructed, but he never seemed all that anxious to even try and get himself off the ground. Normally, Fluttershy would've needed to tell him every five minutes not to stretch the wing. However, he was simply refusing to move it, without any scolding from either Fluttershy or any of the others. He became quieter as time went by. His comments and playful remarks became less enthusiastic, until he spent most of the time silent and seemingly wrapped up in thought. Pinkie tried to get him to join her in some of her games, but he'd always divert her attention to something else before she could talk him into it. Pinkie didn't seem to notice his dodging, but Fluttershy did.

After a few days went by without any sign of improvement, Fluttershy got Twilight out of earshot from the others to talk, not knowing what else to do.

“You think it's more serious than he's letting us know?” Twilight asked.

“I'm not really sure,” Fluttershy admitted. “The wound really didn't look like anything serious at all. But he hasn't seemed himself lately.

The group had settled down for the night under a trio of pines, a short distance from the road. The others had gone about the usual tasks of sharing food with each other, setting down blankets and looking for anything edible growing in the field they were in. Fluttershy had pulled Twilight aside on the pretence of going to look for berries in one the wild hedges when she brought up her concerns.

Twilight hummed to herself thoughtfully for a moment, thinking it over. “I haven't really noticed him behaving strangely.”

“But that's just it. He's supposed to be acting strangely.” Fluttershy insisted.

“I don't know, Fluttershy,” Twilight said doubtfully. “Are you sure he's not just behaving himself better after what happened in the town?”

“I don't really see why he would,” Fluttershy shook her head. “Why? Did something happen while you two were there?”

“Kinda...” Twilight shifted self-consciously. “We had a... I guess you could call it a 'moment of understanding' when Stoneflower caught us. I've tried easing up on him a little bit, but I haven't had much reason to do so, actually. He's been rather quiet.”

“And that's why I'm getting worried.” Fluttershy insisted.

“Are you sure he's not just trying to be nicer to us after we all almost got killed?” Twilight pressed.

Fluttershy shook her head again. “I know how he acts when he's trying to be nice, and this isn't the same thing,” She wiped her fringe out of her face awkwardly. “It's a little hard to really explain but... there's a difference between that and how he's acting now. I can tell.”

Twilight regarded her friend for a moment, thinking this over. She tried to bring up a mental image of how Discord had been acting for the past few days, but found she was having a hard time doing so. His presence hadn't been as 'front stage' as she'd grown to expect during the trip, and he had started to blend together with the rest of the ponies in the group for her. It no longer seemed to be a case of 'the six of them and Discord' as much as it was 'the seven of them'. However, thinking about it now, she realised that that in of itself probably meant Fluttershy was right and something was out of place with him. Discord was a lot of things, but 'a face in the crowd' definitely wasn't one of them.

“Should I ask him what's wrong?” Twilight asked, turning her attention back to Fluttershy.

“He won't tell you,” Fluttershy said without needing to think about it. “He doesn't like talking about himself.”

“He talks about himself all the time.” Twilight said with a light scoff and a chuckle.

“Not really,” Fluttershy said gently. “He talks about himself, but... not really.”

“Hmm.” Twilight murmured. “So, what d'you think we should do?”

“I'm not sure,” Fluttershy said, giving Twilight a desperate look. “All I can think of is that we should maybe find a doctor or something to make sure his wing is ok but... Twilight, I really don't know if that's what the problem is.”

Twilight nodded, rubbing her chin with a hoof.

“I've been thinking we should head straight for Kerry Shire,” She said eventually, “But maybe... we should go to Dartmoorton first. Hop Shot said Kerry Shire was burned down a long time ago, so I don't know what state the town would be in when we get there. There could be nopony there at all. But Dartmoorton is still on my tourist map, and Hop Shot seemed to know how to get there without thinking too hard. My guess is it's still a functioning town. Hopefully we can find a doctor or... I dunno... a vet maybe, and they can give us some help.”

“Do we have time to do that?” Fluttershy asked anxiously. “What about finding the Stone of Null?”

“Yeah...” Twilight nodded. She pulled a slight face to herself before turning back to Fluttershy. “Do you think he'd listen to us if we told him to stay in Dartmoorton while we keep going?”

“No,” Fluttershy shook her head. “Definitely not.”

“What if you stayed with him?” Twilight asked.

Fluttershy paused for a moment. “I'm... not really sure. It would definitely help to get him to wait... but I don't know if he'd be happy to let the rest of you leave us behind.” She raised her eyes to meet Twilight's. “But it's no use wondering about it. You need me to use the Elements of Harmony on the stone. So I have to come with you. And Discord won't listen if you tell him to stay behind without me.”

“I've noticed.” Twilight admitted.

“It's just because he'd be worried.” Fluttershy said in his defence.

Twilight nodded. “Yeah. That's what I've noticed.”

She sighed, turning to walk back to the rest of the group. “Let's get to Dartmoorton first before we try and figure out what to do from there. Who knows, maybe he just needs a booster shot or something and he'll be fine.”

“Do you really think so?” Fluttershy asked as she followed her.

“No,” Twilight shook her head. “But I'm starting to accept the fact I can't figure out how he works at all.”

“I think... I might be getting better at it...” Fluttershy said quietly. “...Maybe...”

It turned out changing course to Dartmoorton was something they'd have ended up doing regardless if Fluttershy spoke to Twilight or not. They started covering less ground as the days wore on. At first, it was unclear as to why they weren't making the same kind of time they use to, until one afternoon when Pinkie Pie flopped herself over Discord's tail and bluntly asked him if his wing hurt because he was slower than usual.

Discord hadn't answered directly, but his face flushed and his ears flattened as he growled something under his breath. After that, it became an open secret that the group's focus had turned from heading straight to Kerry Shire, to finding a town that could offer them help.

Discord hadn't said anything in regards to this, merely grumbling something about wasting time at one point. Sometimes, Fluttershy noticed him give one of the other ponies in the group a confused stare. Something seemed to be on his mind, but he never brought it up, and Fluttershy knew better than to try and pry it out of him. She had faith that, if she gave him some time and showed him some kindness, he'd tell her himself what was bothering him. She wondered if that really did mean she was naïve, thinking the draconequus would open up when in the past, it'd always required some sort of shift in the situation before he'd admit anything to her. She reminded herself though, that not that long ago, she was lamenting the fact that he never opened up to her. Things had changed with time. She was hoping time would help change them even more.

Something was bothering him, clearly. She just had to make sure she was there when he needed somepony to talk to.

By the time they reached the canyon separating the road to Dartmoorton from Kerry Shire, the need for supplies went beyond just looking for a doctor. The higher landscape and fewer trees meant their food supplies were growing low. Being ponies, the chances of running out completely was unlikely, but even ponies needed more than wild flowers to keep them going. On top of this, Fluttershy was anxious to get her first aid kit restocked as well. Just in case. In case of what she hadn't allowed herself to think about but... just in case. Of anything.

They followed the road hugging the canyon, heading west. The canyon itself wasn't anything particularly spectacular. Calling it a 'gorge' would probably have been better, if not as good for the tourist trade. The two stretches of land were cut cleanly down the middle by a narrow valley. At its bottom, a thin, rocky stream cut its course steadily between the two rock walls. Swallows darted back and forth, catching insects on the wing before ducking into their various holes.

The going was slow, as had become normal for the past few days. By late afternoon, the group was thinking of calling it a day and trying to find some form of shelter when something in the distance caught Rainbow Dash's attention. Flying high to get a better look, she came with the news that there was some sort of cliff-side cottage not too far ahead of them. It didn't take much debate for the group to agree that asking to sleep in a cottage seemed a lot more inviting than just bunking down outside in the elements again.

“Think they'll have any tea to offer their guests?” Discord asked hopefully.

“Where would they get tea out here in the middle of nowhere?” Rainbow asked, scrunching her muzzle at him.

“All civilized places carry tea, Rainbow Dash.” He said with conviction.

“I don't have any tea at my place,” Rainbow Dash argued.

“Exactly my point,” Discord said, shooting her a grin.

“Alright alright, I walked into that one,” Rainbow snorted, landing to stand on his head.

“All I'm hoping for is a nice bed with some clean covers,” Rarity sighed wistfully.

“And some breakfast!” Pinkie added, hopping along side her.

“Pinkie, it's almost supper time.” Applejack pointed out.

“You've never had Breakfast for supper?” Pinkie gasped, staring wide-eyed at Applejack.

“Can't say I have, Sugarcube.” Applejack rolled her eyes.

“Have you ever had breakfast for supper, Discord?” Pinkie asked, hopping over and poking him in the ribs with a hoof.

“I suppose.” He answered absently.

“It's the best!” Pinkie carried on, turning to smile at the world in general. “If the ponies at this house have the right ingredients I can make us some!”

“Provided there are ponies at this house.” Twilight said doubtfully as they approached it.

The cottage was made of rough stone and had a thick layer of thatch for a roof. Against its outside wall was an old, weatherbeaten bench. Along the edge of the roof, various roots and herbs hung tied up with twine. They'd been bleached dry in the sun and gave off strange smells. Next to the wooden door sat an old basket woven of straw or grass. It was filled with brown ears of corn, also baked dry by the sun. Where they had come from was a mystery, as no sign of any corn grew around the small house. Behind it, the wall of the gorge jutted outwards to form the more traditional image of a cliff. The grass on this small, natural garden was softer than the wild fields around them and much greener in colour. There was a small patch to the side which appeared to be for vegetables, although at the moment it was bare.

“Think they're still around?” Applejack asked, looking the cottage over.

“There's smoke coming from the chimney,” Rainbow Dash pointed out from where she hovered. “There's gotta be somepony home.”

“Or something, at least.” Discord muttered, mostly to himself.

Fluttershy blinked up at him. “What do you mean?”

“There's more than ponies beyond the borders, my dear.” He murmured, giving the door to the cottage a suspicious frown, shifting his weight.

“Well... I don't see anything to suggest it'd be something dangerous,” Twilight said with a shrug. “Besides, I don't think we should ignore anything that might be able to give us some help, right?” The last statement was directed at the group in general, but her eyes lingered on Discord for a moment longer than the others.

Discord stared back at her for a moment, apparently puzzled by her expression. He then sat down and picked at one of his eagle claws idly. “I would say it's worth the risk, if you don't mind facing the consequences, should it turn out to be the wrong decision.”

“Exactly,” Twilight nodded, apparently in agreement. However, just as she turned back to the door to knock, she shot Discord a subtle smile.

He pretended not to see it, crossing his arms.

Twilight knocked on the door. After a moment passed without any noise, she knocked again.

“Hello?! Is anypony there?!” She called, turning to look at one of the small, shuttered windows. “We're travellers from Equestria and we were wondering if we could ask for your help!”

There was a few moments' silence before they heard movement come from inside. Twilight took a step back at the noise. The door creaked heavily as it was pushed open and the scent of every herb and roasted plant known to ponykind hit them. However, the overwhelming smell barely registered as the thing which opened the door came into full view.

It was no pony. Nor was it a mule, or a griffin, or even a roc. The creature was large. Very large. Not only in terms of height but also in girth. It resembled a minotaur, but at the same time not at all. It stood on tree-thick hind legs, pushing open the door with awkwardly long arms and twig-like fingers. It was dressed in moss green material that hung heavy and torn in a mix between a cloak and a dress. Its face was very long and sheep-like, grey woolly hair falling well past its shoulders and golden hooped ears. It stared at the group with small, black eyes, trinkets and bracelets jangling as it stepped outside.

“Ponies...” It uttered in a deep, earthy voice.

“Troll...” Discord growled, lowering to all fours.

Author's Notes:

This chapter nearly killed me. First of all, it's much longer than the other chapters, however if I had split it into two chapters, both chapters would've been very uneventful and boring, so I apologise for the length, but I couldn't find a way to structure it better. Secondly, I had the bright idea to try and write this thing during the week. I am so tired after work that I usually could only do an hour before my brain wanted to give up. This drew out the writing much longer than it needed to be. I don't think I'll be trying to write during the week again. It obviously doesn't work.

Hopefully you guys enjoy this chapter, even if it's not as eventful. However, the next two chapters are gonna be heaps of fun... although it may make some of you want to kill me. We'll have to see. Things are going to start coming to a head soon. This chapter was necessary to bridge the events of the previous chapters from what happens next, as well as introducing certain things that will come into play.

Anyway, I really do hope the chapter is still enjoyable. They can't ALL be action scenes now, can they?

Please let me know of any typos or mistakes I might've made. I was dying near the end of this so I might have missed a few errors. You guys' help is always appreciated.

Thanks for your continued support and for reading my story guys. I read every comment you leave on it, and it always makes me so happy.

The Troll Woman

View Online

Chapter 21

The group and the troll stared each other down. Discord's eyes narrowed as he stood rooted to the spot. Fluttershy whimpered something as she took a few steps backwards and hid between his legs. The other ponies remained where they were, legs and wings tensing as they waited to see who would make the first move. Twilight's gaze stayed locked on the large creature as it looked over the ponies in front of it. Its gaze resting a little longer on Discord before it turned its full attention on Twilight. Her stance widened slightly, but she didn't budge.

“You are asking for help?” The troll asked. Its voice was layered with a thick, guttural accent.

A few of the ponies exchanged uncertain glances with each other. Twilight straightened a little but kept her guard up, a light frown on her face.

“We thought there might be ponies living here who could help us.” She said diplomatically.

As her initial shock wore off, Twilight looked the troll up and down once again. By the shape of its chest, style of clothing, and the length and condition of its wooly hair, Twilight guessed it to be female. She didn't seem to have any weapons either in her hands or among the small pouches, amulets and dried herbs on her belt.

The troll gave her head a slow shake. “No ponies in the area. Too far from town. You go to Dartmoorton you find the nearest ones. If you walk for a day over there.” She pointed in the direction they'd been heading.

“There's nopony before that at all?!” Pinkie whined with disappointment.

Twilight gave a small sigh, but nodded. “Thank you.”

She turned, ready to lead the others away from the small cottage when the troll spoke up again, not having moved.

“Perhaps is not a good idea for you to be travelling in the dark,” She said. It wasn't a question. “You say you are needing help. I can give to you,” She turned her gaze to Discord, pointing a twig-like finger at him. “Your friend is hurt, I can see. I can give help to you if you want. It'd be better than walking further until Dartmoorton.”

Twilight's frown deepened at this. She stared at the troll woman with suspicion before she turned to the rest of her friends, a meaningful look on her face. The others answered the silent question with worried, nervous expressions, except for Pinkie who was nodding eagerly with a large grin on her face. Twilight turned back to the troll and was about to decline when Discord spoke up.

“I don't suppose you have any tea, do you, my good woman?”

Twilight spun to give him a wide-eyed stare but he ignored her, regarding the troll woman instead. He was no longer glaring at her and had apparently relaxed into his usual, nonchalant mood that he reserve for strangers.

The troll woman gave a deep nod at this, turning and beckoning them inside. “Nettle. Is very good for health.”

“Better than nothing.” Discord said, standing up again and strolling over. Fluttershy gave a squeak and trotted after him, trying to hide from the world in general under his tail.

“Discord, do you know what you're doing?” Twilight hissed with a sharp frown as he walked past her.

“No need to get worked up, Princess.” Discord said with a lowered voice, giving her a condescending pat on the head. “She won't eat us or she would have tried to grab us by now.”

“And what if she tries to eat us later?” Twilight cocked an eyebrow at him.

“She won't,” Discord shrugged. “Trolls are funny things. At least as far as the ladies go. Now if it had been a gentleman who greeted us, I would have advised we turn tail and run. But a lady will always decide whether she's in the mood to help somepony, or roast them for their fat, and then keep to that decision. Lucky for us we've gotten her in a good mood.”

“Otherwise... she woulda eaten us?” Applejack asked nervously.

“Oh, without a moment's hesitation, yes,” Discord nodded. “No question about it.”

“Great.” Rainbow grumbled.

“I really don't think I like this.” Rarity said, shifting from hoof to hoof nervously.

“It'll be fine, I assure you,” Discord said with certainty, turning and heading back for the cottage. “Trust me.”

Twilight pursed her lips, turning to give Fluttershy a questioning glance. Fluttershy was shaking, but gave a weak smile.

“If... If Discord says it's alright... I... ..I guess we'll be ok... maybe.... I hope...”

“Plumb fool idea, if ya ask me.” Applejack muttered, adjusting her hat.

“But she said she could help!” Pinkie bounced in place enthusiastically. “And she has a really neat house, and it smells kinda funny and she said she'd give us nettle tea! And Discord thinks it's ok!” And, apparently satisfied that this would settle the argument, Pinkie bounced forward and entered the cottage.

Discord gave a nod and followed after her, his head poking out the door again to see if they'd follow him. Twilight gave a deep sigh, thought it over for a moment, and then headed in after them.

“We won't spend the night but... maybe we can see if she can help us get some supplies at least.” She mumbled, turning to the others.

“Alright, but if that thing tries anything funny, I'm gonna whack it so hard!” Rainbow promised, landing.

“I don't know if I like Discord's opinions on who we should and should not trust, but I'll do what ever you feel is best, dear.” Rarity said to Twilight nervously.

“Plumb fool idea.” Applejack grumbled, but she followed all the same, rolling her shoulders as she adjusted her saddlebags.

Twilight gave them a grateful smile as she stepped inside the small house, hoping Discord was thinking this through beyond just the promise of tea.

The inside of the cottage was cluttered, to say the least. One of the walls was completely hidden behind a large set of shelves piled high with green glass bottles, as well as leaves that'd been tied together, dried out honeycombs, various claws and teeth, and the occasional skull from a small animal. Against another wall, several household items were stacked up. A moldy looking broom, woven baskets similar to the one outside, dented bowls and pans made of rough steel and a random assortment of wooden utensils. Every rafter seemed to be used for storage of some kind, as bundles of herbs, antlers, animal jaw bones, and clusters of feathers dangled down. There was a fire-pit in the middle of the room, over which a cast iron pot was suspended from a spit. Its steaming contents smelled of wild plants and roots.

Discord circled the room a few times, looking over all the strange things and ingredients before he headed for what seemed to be the troll woman's sleeping area. It was less a bed and more a nest of straw, animal hides, sheets of fabric, and mottled feathers. Discord flopped down onto it and made himself comfortable, giving a drawn out sigh. Fluttershy made some nervous noises as she trotted over to him, but the strange surroundings unnerved her and she struggled to say anything coherent.

The other ponies gathered awkwardly around the room as the troll woman headed for the set of shelves. She started scratching around, pulling out handfuls of leaves and twigs. Eventually, she turned and headed for the spit. She put the gathered items down before collecting a well-used mortar and pestle from her disorganised pile of dishes. With a verbal noise of discomfort, she sat down on the floor and went about grinding her ingredients together.

“Strange time for you to be travelling.” She said as she turned to watch the group.

Rarity had moved to sit down on the wooden floor a few feet away from the fire. Rainbow Dash was giving the dangling items dirty looks, while Applejack seemed to be inspecting the assortment of herbs on the shelves with honest interest. Pinkie was sticking her nose quite literally into every nook and cranny of the cottage, smiling widely to herself as she explored. Twilight had been looking over the room at large, but turned to focus on the troll when she spoke.

“You mean with magic not working?” She asked, sitting down as well.

The troll woman nodded slowly. “Things are not so good, I think,” She turned to look at Discord who was busy trying to coax Fluttershy into joining him in the nest with apparently little success. “Things are not so good for you too, I see.”

Discord turned to her when he realised he was being spoken about.

“What, you mean this?” He extended his bat wing. “Oh, it feels worse than it looks, I assure you.”

“It'll feel better if you stop stretching it!” Rainbow snapped as she came and lay down beside Twilight, shooting Discord a frown. He stuck his tongue out at her but curled it away again.

“Is more than that,” The troll woman said. She put down the mortar and reached for a ladle in the boiling pot, stirring it and then scooping out a small amount of water to add to her grinding. “This area is not good for travelling. You look like you come from somewhere else. I think you might want to leave this place and go back home.”

“Why? Magic isn't working anywhere. Or is there something else we should know about that's around here?” Twilight answered.

She tried to avoid telling the troll that, in reality, they had no choice but to keep travelling through the area, regardless of whether it was dangerous or not. Even if trolls were not the most social creatures she'd read about, Twilight didn't want to risk any other travellers along the road finding out why they were there.

In answer to her question, the troll woman made the tired, weary noise that seemed to be reserved for old women. “There is bad things happening here. Is why I move away. I stay here a little while then go on to the mountains, higher up.”

“Bad things? Like what?” Rainbow asked, scrunching her muzzle.

The troll woman put down the pestle and, with considerable effort, stood up again. She carried her mortar towards Discord and Fluttershy. Fluttershy seemed to have given in to Discord's tugging on her wing, and had sat down on the edge of the nest. When the troll came closer though, she hopped to her hooves and skittishly moved out of the way. At the movement, Discord raised his head from where he had been dozing off to see what was wrong. Noticing the troll woman's approach he relaxed again.

“There is a strange pony in Kerry Shire,” The troll woman started. As she spoke, she lowered herself to sit on the ground once again. She reached out for Discord and took hold of his wing, to which he responded by stretching it open for her. She went about unwrapping Rarity's scarf and undoing the gauze. “I knew him when he was young. But he is not good now.”

“Ya mean Blue Jay?” Applejack guessed. “We've been hearin' about him. Sounds kinda like he's got a few screws loose or somethin'.”

The troll made a drawn out noise at this. “He was clever when he was young. Not so many unicorns this far from your country. Blue Jay was not only unicorn, but very good at magic. I lived close to Kerry Shire then. Sometimes came to buy food or tools. Blue Jay always showing off and acting smart. He said to me one time he was greatest at magic. Nothing too strange for a young pony to say. Did not think much of it. He seem really serious though. I think he was sure he could do anything with magic. But Kerry Shire was burned by fire ants. Blue Jay not able to do anything and became upset.”

She stopped, turning to look at the ponies again. “Is long story. Blue Jay came back to Kerry Shire now. Is better you don't be around here.”

“But he's exactly the pony we gotta go see!” Pinkie blurted out. “He's the meanie-head we have to tell to stop messing around with magic!”

“Darn it Pinkie,” Applejack sighed, giving her a frown.

“What? It is what we're here for, right?” Pinkie blinked back at her.

There was a pause in the room as the ponies looked back and forth between each other. Twilight bit her lip, turning to see what the troll's reaction to this was. The troll, however, didn't seem as outwardly shocked as Twilight expected. She was busy dipping her thin fingers into the ground up paste before methodically layering it over the small puncture wound on Discord's wing. Discord was watching her out of the corner of his eyes as she worked, but his paw and claw were busy playing idly with the tip of Fluttershy's tail.

Twilight gave a long sigh. “Yeah. We're here to try and at least talk to Blue Jay,” She confessed. She adjusted herself, lying down on the floor and putting one foreleg over the other as she turned to watch the troll woman with renewed intensity. “We know he's the one who is responsible for magic no longer working, both here and in Equestria. We've come to see if there's any way for us to stop him. He stole something from a group of ponies to the south which we were told can cancel out magic around it. We don't know how he's done it, but it looks like he's found a way to amplify its power.”

The troll woman gave a meaningless noise at this, putting down her mortar and getting up, heading back to her shelves. “I spoke to him when he was coming back this way. Still close to Kerry Shire at that time. I say he must stop, but he is saying he needs to be finished.”

“Finish what, exactly?” Rarity asked.

“I think,” Twilight said thoughtfully, “that you may need to tell us what happened after Kerry Shire burned down.”

Returning to her seat with a rolled stretch of fabric, the troll woman was silent for a few moments. Then, after sucking in a breath through he teeth, she continued;

“Kerry Shire was burned down by fire ants. Very sad. Many ponies and others in the town die. Blue Jay hurt but did not die. He became very angry. He always saying too many creatures know too much magic. He say that ponies should not let creatures like that do like this. But Kerry Shire was too broken. Ponies which was left went to Dartmoorton or back to your country. Blue Jay want to go find fire ants but he could not go alone. No-one else want to go. Blue Jay stayed in burnt Kerry Shire for a while. Always trying to get stronger with magic. I tell him once it's dangerous, but he not listen and practice more wild magic. I could see the light from my home.

One night there was big noise and I go outside to see. I could see glow from spell in broken village. I went to see what is happen and I find Blue Jay. He is hurt and I care for him for a while. He says to me he knows now what to do. He can take magic away from such creatures. He can make it so no-one has magic to burn villages. He says he learns how to take it away so nothing is left.

I tell him is bad idea, but he no listen. He is still thinking he is one of the strongest magic ponies. Not many other unicorns outside your country. Not many unicorns for him to know. He says to me, in his spell he spoke to the land. He says the land tell him to save her from ponies with too much power. I tell him this is not true. The land does not speak to us in such ways. She uses her own language, and it is too old for a pony to understand with words. But Blue Jay no listen. He say he must take away magic, from ponies with power and creatures who are hurting others.

So he leave. I thought he was on a futile mission. But then he came back, and he has a stone. The stone keeps away magic, but he say he learned how to use it. He say he study for a long time and speak to many other ponies to learn how. That night, I see the light again, but this time it is white, and keeps going. In the morning, I see the animals of magic suffer. I decide to go. I leave, heading for the mountains, but I see magic fading everywhere.

I come to this house. No-one live here so I make it my home for now. I was hoping something would change if I wait. Nothing yet so far.”

At the end of this, she raised her eyes to Twilight again. “But you say you are here to see him now.”

Twilight gave a silent nod. She was a little dumbfounded by the story. Not because it was unbelievable, or any stranger than anything she'd ever had to face before, but because all of what had happened to them, Equestria, and the princesses, was because a single pony had had something bad happen to him and was lashing out. Part of her felt bad for a pony who had their home and family destroyed by wild animals, but no matter how she tried thinking about it, she found she couldn't stir up enough sympathy to see his actions as being justified.

'Oh, so self-righteous, Princess Twilight.' The little voice in the back of her head purred. She pulled a face to herself.

“We need ta stop him from all this craziness!” Applejack said sharply. “Ya can't go hurtin' other folks just 'cause somethin' bad happened ta yours.” The last sentence was said with her usual strong conviction, but after she got it out a pained expression crossed her face and she dropped her gaze.

“I agree!” Rainbow Dash all but interrupted, getting to her hooves again. “And hey, at least a crazy pony is something we can deal with! We've had to face enough of them on this trip already! What's one more?”

“I might actually be relieved,” Rarity said with a breath. “I was imagining the worst kinds of monsters we might have to face at the end of all of this.”

“This'll be easy!” Pinkie added, clapping her front hooves together.

“Let's not get ahead of ourselves, everypony,” Twilight spoke up, trying to quell the rising excitement. “Just because this is the work of a pony doesn't mean it won't be dangerous. After all, Sombra was 'just a pony' too. Technically.”

“Aw, why you gotta be a buzzkill, Twilight?” Dash whined, her wings slumping.

“She's right though,” Applejack agreed, her composure regained. “I don't want us getting' ourselves inta trouble we coulda avoided 'cause we weren't bein' careful.”

“Right,” Twilight gave a serious nod, standing up again. “We'll get to Dartmoorton, find a doctor, refill our supplies, and then we'll go and see exactly what kind of pony this Blue Jay is.”

“You still going to Dartmoorton first?” The troll woman asked. She'd moved back to her spit as the ponies talked and was busying herself with a small, cast iron kettle and a handful of dried nettles.

Twilight, almost having forgotten they were not alone, nodded. “I don't want to chance anypony being hurt or hungry if we have to face against Blue Jay. I'm certain what you've done for us will help, but I want to be absolutely sure we're at our best when we go to see him.”

The troll woman hummed again thoughtfully as she made the tea. “Is not such a good idea, I think.”

“Is something wrong with Dartmoorton?” Rainbow Dash frowned at this.

“Is not Dartmoorton,” The troll shook her head slowly. “But it is time. Magic dies away slowly each day. You see you can not use magic, and I know you see animals on your way who can not use magic. For you this is bad, but is not so bad. But even with no spells and no powers for animals, magic is still here with us. In the air, in the ground, in the rock. You ponies still fly, you can still make potion with little power, and spirits still live. But magic, it dies slowly. You go to Dartmoorton you have more time that magic fades away. And then no ponies fly, no potions work, and spirits around us die.”

She stirred the brew in the small pot slowly, blowing on it softly. “Is better your friend does not die, I think.”

There was silence in the cottage as the ponies all stared open mouthed at her. The only movement came from her swirling spoon as she watched the nettles slowly turn the water green.

“What...?” Twilight asked in a strangled noise.

The troll woman looked up, blinking at her slowly. “Your friend is spirit, is he not? Not feeling so good already. I thought you see this thing. You take too long, his magic will all go, and he dies. Spirits no live without magic.”

Nopony answered. One by one, they turned to stare at Discord with various degrees of shock and alarm on their faces.

Discord was picking his fangs with a lion claw, looking bored. He cocked an eyebrow when he realised he was being stared at. He turned to look back at them.

“Oh. Did I forget to mention that?”

He pushed himself off the troll woman's nest, stretching his arms over his head with a drawn out yawn before he got up and walked past the group of ponies.

“Must have slipped my mind.” He gave a small shrug, opening the door and leaving the room.

Author's Notes:

For funsies, here's a picture of the Troll Woman, like I did with the Basilisk.

A short chapter. I expected it to be longer, but with the troll woman's dialect, her exposition turned out to be much shorter than I anticipated. Personally I think that's a good thing. Otherwise it can be a slog to get through an entire exposition dump. I hope you guys agree. Despite its length though, this chapter definitely needed to be its own thing and DEFINITELY needed to be separated from the next chapter.

I've been dropping hints about Discord's erm... situation for AGES. I tried to be subtle about it, and as far as the comments go I haven't seen anyone say they noticed the hints, so I guess I did a good job. Hopefully if you ever go back and check, you'll notice where I've been making references to this development.
But if not, more will be revealed in the next chapter. (I sound like an old tv announcer with that sentence.)

As always, please let me know of any typos, errors, or grammar mistakes. It always helps.
And thank you from the cockles of my heart (that's a saying, right?) for reading my story. I love you guys' comments and theories on what will happen so much! It's addictive x__x

Fluttershy and Discord

View Online

Chapter 22

The sun was setting outside. The sky had started to turn from yellows to reds. A light breeze was blowing up along the cliffside. It tugged at the herbs dangling outside the cottage and rustled the thatch of the roof. Swallows swooped and dive-bombed into the gorge below to their clay nests, where they gave calls of goodnight to each other.

Discord walked a few paces away from the front door before he stopped. He realised he had nowhere to walk to, as nothing but open landscape stretched in front of him. He turned around and marched back the other way. He considered the roof of the cottage for a moment, but with an injured wing he could not fly up to perch on it, and he did not have the energy to bother trying to climb it. Frustrated, and with no other options of where he could go to hide from the group of ponies, he walked around the cottage to the cliff outcrop that served as its garden. In the cooling air, the grass felt warm from the day's sun. He trudged across the wild lawn before flopping down near the cliff edge overlooking the slow moving stream below.

He put his chin in his claw and glowered to himself, digging trenches in the soil with his lion claws irritably. He had hoped to avoid the others finding out what this mission meant to him personally as far as the whole 'spirit of chaos' thing went. Emphasis on the 'spirit'. He had been perfectly content with just complaining about not having powers and just leave it at that. Now the truth was out and, undoubtably, with it was going to come a ton of awkwardness, hoof pointing for not mentioning it sooner, complications and arguments over 'what they should do now' and a whole slew of other things that seemed to have no point other than to make him feel uncomfortable. He was already feeling out of sorts, he did not have much patience for ponies and their strange behaviour at the moment.

But then again, if it had to be brought up eventually, it was perhaps better for it to have been brought up by a stranger. It saved him from having to tell anypony himself. At least they knew about it now, and they had actually looked rather alarmed by the news. Discord did not enjoy handling pony emotions. For as far back as he could stretch his memory, the only pony emotions he'd had to deal with before were pretty straight forward and easy to decipher. It mostly involved anger, fear and occasionally mass hysteria. But since he had been 'reformed' as they called it, and come to interact what he though of as 'the modern pony', he'd had to try and figure out how to handle being on the receiving end of all these other nitty gritty feelings. It would not have been so bad if he could figure out how he was suppose to react to them. Long ago he had come to accept that his existence was met with nothing but hate and fear. 'Chaos' had always been the answer to anything a pony said to or about him in the past. Turning things pink, changing them into marshmallows, altering gravity a little, that sort of thing. But now, it did not feel like the right response to everything anymore. He had lived his life being suspicious of pretty much everything and everypony. Now he found himself in the uncomfortable position of having to consider that their feelings about him might actually be genuine. Avoiding scenes like this was far easier than dealing with all of that confusion.

'They DID look shocked, though.' He thought to himself, plucking out blades of grass one by one. He did not like these awkward emotions and reactions to his personal wellbeing, but somewhere deep down, he had been putting off not saying anything for another reason as well. He had been afraid that, if they had learned the truth, they would not have reacted at all.

He sighed, shaking grass from his claw as he wondered when exactly he had allowed such uncertainty to take root in him.

“Uhm... Discord?”

He flinched at the voice. Pushing himself up to a sit, he twisted his head backwards to blink at the figure of Fluttershy trotting over to him. At least she was alone.

“Come to enjoy the evening air, my dear?” he said, turning to look at her properly as he shifted to make space for her.

Fluttershy, however, did not sit down. She stood in place before him, rubbing one foreleg with the other and staring at the ground. “Uhm. No. No, not exactly.”

“Pity,” Discord said, turning back to face the gorge. “It's rather nice weather for it.” There was a pause before he added; “Lots of birds around here. I suppose you could try and make some new friends. You spend so much of your time looking for the most ridiculous things to-”

“Is what the troll woman said really true, Discord?” Fluttershy interrupted, an unusual action for her. “Will you really die if magic keeps fading away?”

Discord said nothing, his frown settling back in place. Fluttershy waited for a few minutes before she walked closer, standing beside him.

“I've noticed you seem to be acting a little... well... not yourself lately. Is it really because magic is getting weaker?” Fluttershy persisted.

Discord grumbled something under his breath, lying down again as he glared at the gorge as if it had insulted him. Fluttershy did not need to guess what he meant by this. She took in a breath of air, too small to be a gasp, but too sharp to be anything else.

She stammered out, “I... I see.”

“I'm surprised our local Princess didn't realise it sooner,” Discord said casually. “Being so very good at magic and so absorbed in her books, you'd think she'd have put two and two together at some point. Then again, I have overestimated her before.”

“Why didn't you tell us?” Fluttershy blurted out, staring at him with her large, honest eyes. “Discord, if I had known you were in so much trouble I would have-”

“'Would have', what exactly?” he cocked an eyebrow at her. “No really, I'd love to hear the end of that sentence.”

Fluttershy's gaze dropped as she tried to think. “I... I would have... I don't know... done something... I guess.”

Discord scoffed, “There's nothing you can do about it, and you know that.”

Fluttershy snapped up her gaze and shot him a frown. “But why couldn't you tell us?! Even if we can't do anything, if we at least knew, maybe we could've put our plans together better! Or maybe Twilight could've planned our trip so we'd get to Kerry Shire faster! Or we could've tried to think of a way to help you! Just... something!”

Discord watched her in bemusement, resting his chin in his claw again. “Personally, I think that apart from a few minor hiccups, things have been going rather well for us so far. Better than just heading straight for the cult's little club house, finding it empty, and then not having anywhere to go from there. Wouldn't you agree, my dear?”

“How long have you known about this?” Fluttershy asked accusingly.

“Well, I've been thinking it might be something to actively worry about for a while now,” he said.

“And how long has that been, exactly?” Fluttershy pressed.

Discord looked slightly annoyed for a moment before answering, “When we got to Rainbow Falls and found it rather rainbow-less, I had started to suspect something was amiss. But I didn't give it much serious thought until more recently.”

“That long?” Fluttershy looked almost pale.

At this, Discord waved his paw at her dismissively, “It was just suspicions, mind you. I thought it was something that would take a considerable amount of time to actually start showing. At least until I found myself on the business end of that arrow. But by then it felt like a bit of a faux pa to bring it up after such an extended period of time.”

“But why didn't you tell me?!” Fluttershy asked, putting her hooves to her chest. “You could have at least told me! If you didn't want the others to know I would've kept it a secret!” Her voice cracked. “Why couldn't you tell me?”

Discord frowned at her. “I'm not so sure if the Royal Policer of Friendship would have been very pleased with the two of us keeping secrets from her.”

Fluttershy gave her head a hard shake, “That's not why you didn't say anything! You'd probably enjoy annoying Twilight by keeping secrets from her!” She turned to stare at him again. “Why couldn't you tell me? I need you to be honest with me, Discord! I know you don't have much practice, but I need to know why you kept such an important thing from me!”

“I was being honest,” Discord said, sounding offended. “There is nothing to be done about it, Fluttershy! At least nothing you yourself can do! What point would there be in telling you something you can do nothing about?! It's not your problem, after all.”

“But we're suppose to be friends!” Fluttershy said. She was raising her voice which, he had to admit, was putting Discord on edge. “You're suppose to be able to trust me!”

“I do trust you!” Discord said, much to his own surprise. “But I repeat; there is nothing you can do about it!”

“But that's not the point!” Fluttershy said, sinking in place. “What about your feelings?!”

“What are you talking about?” Discord pulled a face.

“Aren't you upset?!” Fluttershy pushed, looking pained. “Aren't you angry or... or sad or... I don't know! Something?!”

“I fail to see how-”

“Because that's why you need to tell me these things!” Fluttershy interrupted again. “I can't help make you better maybe but... but I'm suppose to be your friend... I... I thought maybe... maybe at least...” she suddenly gave a sob, he forelegs raising to rub at her face, “...I don't want you to be alone... I... I thought I... could...”

“Oh no no no no!” Discord flapped his paw and claw at her frantically. “No, don't do that! I don't know what to do when you do that!”

“I thought... I thought I could be there for you... I thought we... Oh, Discord...” her futile attempts to try and wipe her tears disintegrated as she crossed her forelegs over her face and started to sob, heartbroken.

Discord bit his bottom lip and looked around the garden with a panicky expression. What exactly he thought he'd find that could help is anypony's guess. Realising he was not going to find a solution to the situation, he was forced to focus back on the crying pony. He twisted his fingers a couple of times before he leaned forward and nudged her softly with his paw.

“Fluttershy... er... Look, I did not mean for it to be malicious of me. In all honesty, I wasn't entirely sure how to...” he twisted his claw in the air, trying to think of the right word, “...approach the subject, shall we say?”

Fluttershy didn't seem very comforted by this and Discord felt his ears drop. He leaned down on all fours so he could put his face closer to her's.

“I never intended to upset anypony, least of all you, I swear. I am sorry, Fluttershy. Sincerely.”

Fluttershy pulled her forelegs away from her face, gave him a gut wrenching look, and then put her forelegs around his neck and buried her face in his fur where she let loose with a fresh batch of sobs. Discord shifted slightly, staring at her with wide-eyed panic for a few moments before he reached forward and put his arms around her as well.

Fluttershy dug herself deeper against him. “I'm... I'm so scared...!” she choked out.

Discord opened his mouth to respond, but couldn't think of anything. He stroked her back instead, at a loss for what he could or should do.

After a minute he tried to give her a grin but it was shaky at best. “It's not really all that bad, Fluttershy.”

“How can you say that?” she pushed away to look him in the eye. “Discord, this is something that's going to kill you!”

“Well... yes...” he nodded, “But I am, at my core, a being of chaos. And as much as you ponies may try, chaos isn't something you can kill. You may do all you can to remove it from the world, but it will always be somewhere. At the very least it will always find a home in ponies here,” he put a finger to her forehead. “and here.” he moved it to her chest.

She shook her head wildly. “I don't care about that! It's you! You're the one who'll die! I don't care about chaos or magic or anything else like that! I care about you!”

“Is it... really so bad?” Discord asked. There was hesitation in his voice.

“Yes!” Fluttershy insisted.

“So it's alright for, say, Twilight to outlive her friends, but it's not alright for me to do it to you?” he gave her a frown, but his heart wasn't in it.

“I'm not going to be murdered!” Fluttershy broke into fresh sobs. “I'm going to have a life! You're going to be killed right in front of me! It's not the same thing!”

Discord tried to think of a rebuttal but nothing came to mind.

“Touché.” He grumbled.

Fluttershy made a noise and buried herself against him again. “Oh Discord... I... I'm so scared for you!” her shoulders gave a sharp spasm. “I... I don't want you to die!”

Discord's paw froze against her back at this. After a moment he turned to look down at her again. “Pardon?”

She looked up. “I don't... don't want you to die! Discord I... I don't... I don't want...” she couldn't get the rest out and hid her face again.

There was a very long pause after this. Fluttershy's sobs calmed down after a while. She continued to cry, but her tears slowed and her breathing became less frantic.

“Nopony's ever said anything like that to me before,” Discord said from somewhere above her. He quickly added; “Cliche as that statement may be, it's the truth,” he lowered his head and she felt him press his forehead against her's. “Nopony's ever said that to me.”

She turned her eyes to meet his. His gaze was uncharacteristically sincere, and open.

“Why didn't you tell me you were in trouble?” she asked again, her voice soft and broken.

Discord blinked at her before he gave a long sigh. His ears lowered as he looked away.

“...I was afraid nopony would care.” he said as he closed his eyes.

Fluttershy sunk against him as she took deep breaths, calming down. She tightened her grip. “I care.” She nuzzled her face against him. “You're my very important friend.”

She felt him shift his weight before he twisted himself snake-like around her and hugged her back. “I'm afraid something bad will happen. Something to you.”

He pulled his face back so he could look her in the eye again. “Fluttershy, the root of this problem is so much deeper than I anticipated it to be. The others seem convinced that dealing with a single pony means it will be easy. But by the sounds of it he still has his magic, and I can feel my strength starting to fail me. I can't act the way I know how to meet this threat, and I don't know how to protect you or anypony else any other way!”

“None of us will face what'll happen alone.” Fluttershy said softly, her eyes never leaving his. “I don't think it'll be easy, because it never really is. But we can face this pony and his magic even if we don't have any ourselves. As long as we do it together.”

Discord gave a disheartened noise at this. “Because 'friendship is magic' or whatever slogan your little clique likes to use?”

“Yes, but not in the way you think,” Fluttershy said gently. “With the elements of harmony, we use the power of our friendship to cause magic to happen, but that's not what I meant. I could never do any of this if I didn't have friends to help me. Not because they have magic, or because they're faster or stronger than I am. But because they are somepony I can care about, and caring about others gives me my own strength. And, because of their kind hearts, they choose to care about me too. And the fact that ponies can and even want to feel this way about each other, that is what's so magic about it.”

“It sounds all very nice and greeting-card like when you put it like that, but that is also why I'm not sure I can believe it.” Discord said. The brief moment of renewed skepticism faded though as he lowered his gaze again. “I'm afraid I don't have much faith in it as you seem to.”

Fluttershy pressed her face against him again, closing her eyes. “You don't need to be afraid Discord. The others may not know you like I do, but I can see they want to try. But even if they or any other pony in the world didn't want to, I am your friend. I want to help you. And I don't want anything to happen to you.”

Discord's grip strengthened as he tensed.

“I care about you so very much... I don't want anypony to get hurt. And I am afraid they will,” he said with what sounded like considerable effort. “But somehow... even more than that... I am afraid we will fail. And when we do, nopony will give me a second thought, or even a sideways glance. Suddenly, and I don't even know why, I... I'm afraid of being alone.”

Fluttershy said nothing to this, resting her head on his neck. He was warm and soft. His grip felt strong as he clung to her. The deep, comforting rhythm of a heart beat against her as she listened to him breathe.

“I'm sorry I got upset,” Fluttershy said, her voice hoarse, but soft and calm. “Don't worry. I'll be ok. We'll all be alright in the end. I won't let you be alone. You're my dear dear friend, and I love you. You won't be alone, no matter what happens.”

Discord said nothing to this, a twitch running through him.

Fluttershy nuzzled him gently. “It's alright. It'll be ok, Discord. Don't cry.”

Author's Notes:

I have now officially been writing this story for over a year! Holy crap! That's the longest I've ever worked on anything I've ever written ever! Granted most of it is because halfway through I was hit by major writer's block but still!

This is probably one of the first chapters I had a clear idea what would happen. It's once again a short one though which I didn't expect. I know some of you have been waiting for this event for a very very long time. I sincerely hope it met you expectations. I think I'm satisfied with it. Perhaps not blown away, sadly, but satisfied. And i don't think I can do much better than I have. but I hope you enjoy it.

It's way too late and I have work tomorrow and a storm is brewing so I have to unplug to internet now.

Please, as always, let me know of typos, grammar errors and anything of the like. it really helps me out! And thank you all for the wonderful comments and responses you have given me. And thank you for reading.

Aftermath

View Online

Chapter 23

The ponies left over in the troll woman's cottage exchanged alarmed glances. After some time, Twilight got to her hooves, at first thinking to follow after Fluttershy, but deciding against it at the last second. Instead, she just stood in place, shifting her weight from hoof to hoof. The others all stared at the door with varying degrees of concern, from Applejack with a guarded expression, to Rainbow Dash gaping at it, horror-struck.

As they gradually got over the shock of the bad news, the group started giving each other anxious, meaningful looks, waiting to see who would break the silence first. Unsurprisingly, it was Pinkie Pie.

“Oh no!” She said with clear distress, but not as much volume as one would expect. “That's really really not good!”

She turned and trotted towards the troll woman, staring up at her with large, baby blue eyes. “Are you really really reeeeaaaalllyyy sure about what you said? Huh? Is it true? Is Discord really in trouble? Is he really gonna die?”

The others stared at the troll woman as well. Normally, Pinkie's bombardment of questions would have been hushed by Applejack or Twilight, but at the moment, every pony in the room was just as desperate for an answer as she was.

The troll woman lowered her head at the pony who stared back at her. There was a slight quiver in Pinkie's lip, her ears flat against her head. The troll woman made a soft, sympathetic noise with no true meaning to it, putting down the spoon she had been stirring the tea with. She turned to face Pinkie and, with some effort, squatted down on her haunches to address her better.

“If your friend is being so strong of magic, he cannot live if he does not have it. I don't know what animal he is, but I can see he is one of the ones who are old. I also can feel him,”

She faltered at this, and her slanted brow furrowed as she thought something over. “Is hard to say. I see him when he comes in and I can feel. I feel with what my eyes see, but also in what my stomach says. He is like an old pot. Very large and with much room. That room in him is filled with magic, but now is not so much. Is like it has been scooped out. Now there is little, but is more empty room than magic left.” She made another noise, this time in what sounded like defeat. “Is not good explanation, I think. Empty pot is still a pot. But your friend without magic, he will not live.”

“Well, if that's the case we'd better saddle up an' get this mess fixed right now,” Applejack said with conviction, getting to her hooves.

“I know this is very upsetting,” Rarity spoke up at this, “but if we could just focus back on reality for a moment, shouldn't we be prepared? Believe me, I am just as anxious to try and set this right as you are, Applejack dear, but we can't just lose our heads.”

“Meaning what?” Applejack asked impatiently.

“Meaning, that although this does indeed put some considerable strain on our time, it does not change the fact that we still need rest and supplies,” Rarity got up and walked over to Applejack, giving her a sad but encouraging smile. “I understand how you feel, but we cannot ignore the fact that we are also ponies who need rest and food. Thundering off into the night with heroic intentions won't be very helpful, I'm afraid.”

“Rarity's right,” Twilight nodded as she slowly regained her composure.

Applejack gave a long, aggravated sigh, “Yeah, I know she is. But dangit! I feel right useless just sittin' around after hearin' all this!”

“It's... really not the greatest news we've heard on this trip,” Twilight admitted, her ears lowering.

“Is he gonna be ok though?” Rainbow asked, as she got up as well, her wings adjusting themselves on her back. “I mean, is he gonna be ok to get to Kerry-whatever? Will he be ok until we get this over with?”

“I don't know,” Twilight said, turning to look at the troll woman.

She had stood up again and was currently scratching around in her pile of dishes, pulling out a series of small, round bowls made of nondescript pottery. Hearing the question, or perhaps simply anticipating the ponies' worries, she turned to look back at Twilight.

“It is better you hurry, I think,” She said as an answer, leaning over the small pot of tea. “You get there quickly, it will be better for everyone.”

“Maybe he should stay here and wait for us 'till we get back,” Rainbow went on, turning to the troll woman too, as if for support. “I mean, running around with us to go beat up some wacko pony who probably has a ton of magic isn't gonna help him feel any better, right?”

“If he ain't doin' well 'cause magic's fadin' away, I don't think sittin' around here is gonna make that big a difference, Rainbow.” Applejack said. “'Sides, even if it was, I don't think we'd be able ta get him ta stay put.”

“Not even if... I dunno... what if we ask Fluttershy to stay with him, or something?” Rainbow faltered, adjusting her wings again.

“We can't do that Rainbow Dash. We need Fluttershy to use the Elements of Harmony,” Twilight shook her head to clear her thoughts. “No. No, I don't think we can really do much more to help him,” She straightened again with a small degree of authority. “What we can do though, is double our efforts and head for Kerry Shire as fast as we can. We can't change needing to sleep and eat, but we can try and speed things up. We're going to need to scrap the idea of heading to Dartmoorton first. It's not like a doctor's going to be much help, we know that now. As for food, we'll have to make do with what we can find on the way.”

Twilight turned back to the troll woman who was handing a sniveling Pinkie a small bowl of nettle tea.

“Is there any way we can ask you to help us with some basic supplies? And, if it's not too much trouble, a place to sleep for the night?”

The troll woman straightened, taking the rest of the bowls and slowly circling the room, handing one to each of the ponies as she spoke. “You can sleep here. Is no good walking more in the dark. Food I can give to you, but I will ask you give to me something too.”

“Like what, may I ask?” Rarity said, nervousness clear in her voice as the troll woman put a bowl in front of her.

The troll woman pointed one of her twig-like fingers at Twilight. “You don't have magic right now, but you are different from your friends even so. You give me feather from you and one from your spirit friend. I use for my things I make.”

It was Twilight's turn to adjust her wings as she tried to fight back a suspicious frown. “What'll you do with them if we give them to you?”

“I don't know yet,” The troll woman said. “No need to use such things soon, but one day could be important to have. Is difficult to find. Is better to ask for them to keep for later than look for you again when I need.”

Twilight made a thoughtful noise at this. “You're not gonna use them to hurt anypony or do something to me or Discord, are you?”

The troll woman gave a series of jerky, dry noises as she laughed. “No reason to hurt you if you are not here. No. I use for something else some time. Is too hard to find ingredients to waste on hurting others. No, I keep them. I use them some day, I think. But that day is probably far away. I will wait for it.”

Twilight gave a nod, although she still looked unsure. “I guess I'll have to take your word for it. If you help us, and don't do anything to hurt us tonight when we sleep, we'll give you what you want.”

“Just don't give her a primary,” Rainbow Dash muttered as she sipped on her tea with a dejected expression. “It'll screw up your flying.”

Twilight nodded. “You got it, Dash.”

“Do you think Discord and Fluttershy are ok out there?” Pinkie piped up suddenly. She was craning her neck from where she sat to try and see out one of the cottage windows, although why she was trying to see out of a shuttered window was anypony's guess.

“They've been gone kinda long... yeah.” Rainbow agreed, turning to stare at the door again.

“Perhaps I should go check on them,” Rarity offered, putting down her bowl.

“No, I think I'll go,” Twilight said, turning to leave.

“You won't... like... fight with him about this, will you?” Rainbow Dash asked, watching her.

“No,” Twilight said without missing a beat. “I won't.”

Night time had fallen on the world outside. Inside, the fire pit had kept them in a cocoon of warmth and light. Twilight was a little surprised when she saw how dark it had become. Stars shone brightly overhead, not having to compete with any ponymade light. The orange glow streaming from the doorway and through the cracks in the shutters made it feel to Twilight as if the small house was the biggest and brightest thing in the entire world, pointing out where she and her friends were to any pony and animal within miles. The idea of having a very large, muscular troll nearby did not seem all that bad, suddenly.

She looked around the immediate area as she trotted away from the fire's light, letting her eyes adjust. After a short search she spotted Discord and Fluttershy in the back garden near the cliff edge. She could make out Discord wrapped around Fluttershy who looked very much like Spike in his basket within his coils.

Twilight headed towards them, glad to see they were together. At least Discord hadn't shooed Fluttershy away after she followed him. Twilight wasn't really sure why that mattered, but somehow it did.

Fluttershy must have heard her hoofbeats because she lifted her head and turned it towards Twilight. Seeing her approach, Fluttershy shifted and waved a hoof at Twilight with a shake of her head.

Twilight stopped with a puzzled frown. She tilted her head at this in a silent question. Fluttershy responded with a sheepish smile and a small, defeated shrug before shaking her head again.

Twilight pulled a face at this, looking the two of them over, but after Fluttershy put her front hooves together in a sign of pleading, Twilight sighed, rolled her eyes and turned to head back to the cottage. She gave her friend a smile when she saw her mouth the words 'thank you'.

Satisfied that the two of them seemed, at the very least, to be keeping each other company, Twilight headed back indoors. She gave her shoulders a slight shake as her skin prickled at the change in temperature once she was inside.

“Are they ok out there?” Rainbow Dash was quick to ask, putting down her bowl of tea.

“Looks like it,” Twilight nodded with a sigh, sitting back down close to the fire and pulling her own bowl closer again. “Fluttershy waved me away. I'm going to guess Discord's not in a very talky mood at the moment. Looks like they're going to sleep outside tonight.”

“Oh.” Rainbow said.

“He probably feels super weird right now,” Pinkie said with a firm nod. She seemed to have gotten over her dismay and was now guzzling down her drink. “He's kinda shy, you know.”

Applejack nearly choked.

“Really,” Rarity said flatly.

“Oh sure!” Pinkie nodded. “Why else would you run away as soon as everypony starts staring at you like your head's on fire?”

“Pride, I should think,” Rarity said.

“Same thing,” Pinkie shrugged, downing the last of her tea.

“Well, whatever his reason, I say we take the hint and get some shut eye as well,” Applejack said, removing her hat and putting it down to emphasise.

“A little early, isn't it?” Rainbow asked.

“Maybe, but the earlier we get some sleep the earlier we can get up and get goin' tomorrow,” Applejack went on, pulling her saddlebags closer and scratching around for her blanket. "I ain't about ta ignore this new detail, believe you me."

“I don't think I can argue with that,” Twilight nodded. “How about it girls?”

“You'll hear no complaints from me,” Rarity said as she pulled her own bag closer and fished out her comb. “A single day at that wretched town's spa is not going to get rid of these bags under my eyes.”

“Dibs on the bed!” Pinkie called out, hopping over before pouncing and sinking into it.

“Uhm... Pinkie.... I dunno if that's the best place ta-” Applejack started.

“Is better than sleeping on the floor,” The troll woman interrupted, a crooked smile on her face. “I tend to my pot. I don't need to sleep yet. Don't need as much sleep as ponies.”

“I still don't think-” Applejack tried again.

“In that case, scootch over Pinkie,” Rainbow said, getting up and heading over. “There's more than enough room for two of us.”

“Maybe three, if you don't mind,” Rarity added as she headed over as well. “I don't mind taking the floor if there isn't enough room for us all, but I'd far rather use a soft bed while I can.”

“I think we're outnumbered, Applejack,” Twilight gave her a smile.

Applejack just sighed as she got up to follow them.

Despite the sun being far too low to shine light down into the gorge, the noise from the flock of swallows living along its walls was still loud enough to wake Fluttershy up. She was surprised she had managed to fall asleep at all.

She remembered spending a long time lying awake, cradled in her nest made of Discord as the horrifying reality of the situation spun around in her head. She remembered stabs of almost physical pain each time the thought surfaced sharply and clearly through all the muddled anxiety of everything else.

'Discord is dying.'
It was like a kick to her chest, and she could feel every ounce of her flinch each time the words bubbled up in her mind. If she had been lying in her own bed and not on top of Discord, she would have been rolling around the entire night, but fear of waking him up kept her still. Perhaps that had been for the best, as she was certain she would not have slept a wink otherwise.

Then again, simply lying still was probably not the only reason she had managed to relax. The soft, curled body under her rose and fell gently. The snake-like spiral trapped the warmth from them both and shielded Fluttershy from the cool night air and the early morning dew. She took in a long breath before letting it out again slowly, taking in the comforting feel of life wrapped around her. She then gave small, self-assured nod as she mentally pulled herself together. The time for fretting and despair was over. It was a new day today, and it was time to focus on solutions instead. Sympathy was important, but it alone was not going to be enough to help them. It was a day for action, for moving forward.

Fluttershy shifted, adjusting herself to lie a little better as she watched the swallows and swifts take wing and leave the gorge, heading out for the day. The sun was starting to clear the mountains, and she could feel the first warming rays start to reach them. Above her, thin white clouds of smoke and steam floated out of the cottage chimney. She could just make out the scent of cooked corn.

“I've been thinking,” A voice said softly beside her.

“Oh, you're awake,” Fluttershy blinked, rolling over carefully to peer over Discord's side to where he had rested his head on his paw and claw.

He gave her a sideways glance and a wide smile in greeting before he repeated, “I've been thinking a few things over.”

“Like what?” Fluttershy asked, putting one foreleg over the other.

Discord paused for a moment. Fluttershy felt the warm bed around her adjust before it uncurled slightly. Discord raised his head and gave a long yawn, stretching his arms out in front of him.

“I've been thinking that perhaps, just perhaps, I might be able to trust you on this.”

“Oh, really? Uhm... on what exactly?” Fluttershy pushed herself up before carefully stepping over him and standing back up on solid ground again. She gave her mane a slight shake before she stretched out her wings.

Discord unwound and stood up, putting his paw and claw on his back and cracking his spine back into place. He turned to grin at her, popping his knuckles as he watched her try and get her mane back under control. Without a comb, or anything other than hooves, she didn't seem to be having much luck.

“A few things, actually,” He went on. “Firstly, I suppose I can trust that our little... erm... heart-to-heart will remain between the two of us?” He twirled his claw in the air as if to establish he didn't really care too much either way. “Now, I know your little pen pal group with Celestia is probably great fun, and I'm sure she would be absolutely tickled pink to hear how much of a milksop you've turned me into, and all the deeply moving lessons we have learned, but really. It's not as if all that much happened last night. We only had a conversation. No need to bother her or, say, any of the others with insignificant details or anything of that sort.”

Fluttershy smiled as she watched his show of putting up airs. “I don't think anything we say to each other should concern anypony else. I wasn't going to say anything. Not... well.... unless you wanted me to, I mean. But uhm... I didn't think you did.”

Discord gave a placid nod at this, but she could see his shoulders sag in relief. “Good, good. Glad to see we're on the same page, my dear.” He perked into a smile again as he reached down and started pulling stray strands of mane out of her face. “I was also thinking I could trust you to dissuade any troublesome questions that might come our way. Of course, normally I would have no problem telling others all about myself, but I think perhaps it would be better if we focused on this little mission instead. Now, I know they will all most likely be very disappointed by this but,” He sighed dramatically, putting a claw over his chest, “Our priorities must lie on what our dearest despot, Princess Celestia, has sent us forth to do. I'm sure they will understand if you explain it to them.”

“Alright... I think so,” Fluttershy giggled lightly as the two of them walked back to the cottage together.

“Perhaps I should write a tell-all book about myself instead,” Discord went on. “I'm sure Twilight would be very excited about that. Anything in binding seems to catch her attention, after all. And it would save me the trouble of having to repeat my life's story to multiple ponies over and over. Not that I would mind that too much, but I do have other things that require my time.”

“That sounds like a nice idea,” Fluttershy nodded. She was quiet for a moment before she gave him a small glance again. “Is that everything you thought of trusting me about?”

“No,” Discord answered, but he didn't elaborate, and Fluttershy didn't press him.

He threw open the door noisily to the cottage and bounced inside. The single room of the troll woman's home was thick with the smell of cornmeal porridge and herbal tea.

“Good morning, my fellow intrepid travellers!” Discord announced as the others spun to face him, some with their cheeks stuffed. “Everypony set to face down this 'Blue Bird' fellow and tell him to cut out these shenanigans of his?”

“Uhm... I think it's 'Blue Jay', actually,” Fluttershy corrected him as she followed.

Discord waved a paw at her as he plopped down in front of the pot, ignoring the dumbfounded stares from the others. “Blue Jay, Blue Bottle, Blue Moon, whatever. I'm famished! We wouldn't happen to have any nutmeg to go with this, do we?”

As the troll woman hurried herself with finding another pair of bowls before Discord took the whole pot for himself, Fluttershy sat herself down quietly beside Twilight.

It took a few moments before Twilight noticed her. She hurriedly gulped down her mouthful of porridge before she leaned over and asked, “Everything alright, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy said nothing for a moment, thinking the question over as she watched Discord 'helpfully' try and find a bowl for himself, only to cause the precarious pile of pots to collapse all over the floor.

“No...” She answered thoughtfully, “Not right now, maybe. But I think they will be.”

“That's... not exactly comforting,” Twilight pulled a face at her.

“I know,” Fluttershy admitted, “But it's true.”

The troll woman had done her best to fill the group's saddlebags with everything edible she had. Almost all of it was something that had been dried in the sun, but at least there was a lot of it. The troll woman gave hearty assurances that if they were to boil the plants and herbs, it would make a very filling soup that would last them much longer. With words of thanks and the promised payment of alicorn and draconequus feathers, the group took to the road once again. They headed in the direction of the bridge that crossed the gorge and would lead them on to whatever remained of Kerry Shire.

The mountain road was weathered and lonely. Thick, slow moving clouds rolled overhead, casting dotted shadows over the valleys and hills ahead of them. They passed an unreadable signpost which pointed its bleached names in meaningless directions. They were travelling slower than they had been when they started their journey from Canterlot, but each step was planted with hard determination.

Conviction and determination. It was thick in the air around them. It hung like a cloud as they marched onwards, fighting back despair and fear which threatened to overtake them if they so much as gave it half a thought, or a second glance.

Author's Notes:

Hey everybody. I'm so sorry for the delay. I dunno if everyone saw my comment, but the previous 2 weekends were insane busy for me, and then the last weekend I felt absolutely awful and just didn't have the energy or motivation to write anything. The first half of the week kinda sucked for me, but I ended up having some free time the last few days so I decided to work on this. Especially since, after the importance of the last chapter, this one was rather tricky, if only because it's another 'Bridge' chapter of sorts. It's important for pacing, but it's difficult to write after everything that happened in the last 2 chapters.

The next few chapters should be easy again though. We're heading towards a lot of happenings in upcoming chapters. :D

Thank you so very much for all the support, comments and corrections everyone. They help keep me motivated and tricks me into thinking maybe I'm NOT as bad at this as I tell myself I am. <3

Please let me know of any typos or grammar mistakes and I'll fix them as soon as I can. I'll check this again tomorrow to see if I missed any but let me know if you spot any yourselves as I sometimes just skip over them for some reason.

Kerry Shire

View Online

Chapter 24

The next few days were a careful balancing act between travelling too slow, and travelling too fast. The more athletic ponies were eager to push forward at a brisk pace, but the others in the group wore out quickly, and they lost more time travelling hard for half a day and exhausting themselves than they did when they slowed down. Eventually, they found the middle ground between the two and headed steadily on to Kerry Shire.

Twilight led the way, her map sticking out of a saddlebag ready to be pulled out at a moment's notice. Rarity spent the trip commenting on the rocky landscape. She would wonder out loud what sort of jewels were hiding just underhoof that could be turned into exotic fashion. Her magic to find them had faded away, although this seemed to fuel her curiosity more than it dampened her spirits. Or at least, that was the impression she was giving. Applejack listened politely to her friend. Normally she would have changed the subject to something she actually understood or cared about, but the inane talk kept her mind occupied while things like her eyes could stay open to pick up any traces of trouble. Ever since the troll woman's cottage, they had all been much more on edge. There was no concrete reason for the paranoia, but the tension was making Applejack a lot more vigilant than she had been a few days earlier.

Pinkie busied herself chasing any lizards or birds that crossed their path, often yelling about wanting to be friends. When she could not find any animals to traumatise, she would hop alongside the others and let loose with whatever random thoughts came to her mind. She and Rarity ended up having a surprisingly detailed conversation about gems, rocks, and the boulders that dotted the landscape.

Discord's wing was still wrapped up, keeping him grounded. He did not give any indication that this bothered him, but Fluttershy suspected that, as usual, what Discord said and what Discord felt were two very different things. She had noticed the subtle rolls of his shoulders as he walked, or the brief moments of bristling feathers and fur. At first she wondered if it was something she should mention, but after thinking it over and watching him grin and make his usual brand of snide comments, she decided to keep quiet. Discord was not acting as morose as he had been, but Fluttershy had a suspicion this change in mood was a conscious one. Discord was trying to cover up how he was feeling, both emotionally and physically. He did not want them to ask how he was doing. He did not want to show his weakness. Especially not, as Fluttershy understood it, as that weakness slowly grew.

But they knew. Maybe Discord did not know them well enough to be able to tell, but the other ponies knew. Fluttershy could see it. There were no pitiful stares, or sudden acts of concern, or anything else so obvious you could describe it, but Fluttershy could still see it. A change in body language, a nervous flick of an ear, or a release of pent up energy as somepony would 'stretch their legs' or 'run to see what's up ahead'. But nothing was said. Yet the open secret between them was there. That was enough for the moment. If a time came to talk about it, they would do so. Fluttershy, however, hoped they would never get to that stage. She was worried what it would mean if things came to a point where it had to be talked about. The idea scared her. All she could think to do to handle this fear for now was to ignore it, just like everypony else.

Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, was finding the whole 'ignoring it' thing to be a lot harder than Fluttershy. She flew over the group, scanning the landscape absentmindedly as she listened to the conversations going on below. Each lighthearted word or ordinary topic felt like somepony was plucking out her feathers, one by one. She started to catch herself giving Discord small glances as she flew. She felt like a rock had settled in her stomach, and as time passed, it slowly grew in size. It felt like it was taking up all room inside her, filling up space meant for food, or water, or sleep. Rainbow tried pushing it out of her mind. Now was not the time for one of her neurotic meltdowns, especially not one that came from insecurity and guilt. Of course, feeling guilty about feeling guilty did nothing to help.

Eventually, Rainbow Dash decided that she had no choice but to talk to somepony. It really was no choice too. At least, if she wanted her brain to stop being a mess and actually focus when they faced Blue Jay, that is. Back at Ponyville, she may have waited a long time before giving up and talking to somepony about her feelings, but with Kerry Shire just beyond the horizon and her mind distracted by pointless guilt trips, she swallowed her pride sooner than usual.

At first she thought about talking to Twilight, but Rainbow realised this was not going to make her feel better, at least not completely. She thought about talking to Applejack, or Rarity, or even Pinkie, but it was no use. As much as it knotted her insides to think about it, there did not seem to be any other way for her to get over herself. She was going to have to talk to Discord.

On the day they saw the pointed rooftops ahead of them, they made camp with the belief it would be their last before they had to face the town, and Blue Jay himself. There was a small body of water not too far from them. It was too big to be called a 'pond', but it was by no means a sprawling great lake. It lay at the foot of the mountains, with the town just beyond it. With nearby water, the landscape around them was greener than the windswept valleys they had walked through until now. There were more trees for one, and it was under a large rowan that the group took shelter. In the evening, its higher branches were thick with the calls of waxwings. Luckily, the birds settled down as the sun set, and it seemed a quiet night was ahead of them. Applejack and Pinkie pulled down some of the tree's clusters of red fruit, but finding them to be very bitter, they ended up abandoning the idea and instead focused on the food they had brought with them instead.

Rainbow Dash made the excuse that she would survey the surroundings to fly anxiously back and forth above them. She muttered to herself, trying to form a conversation in her head of what she wanted to say. She did not get very far but with the sky growing dark, she decided it would have to be now or, possibly, never. She took a deep breath to collect herself, then flew down to the others.

“Everything okay, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked when she landed.

“Huh? Oh, oh yeah. Yeah, we're all good,” Rainbow answered, looking around for Discord.

He was busy pulling faces at the flaxseed bread Fluttershy was trying to coax him into eating, lying cat-like with his pony friend beside him. Rainbow swallowed, fighting down her nervousness and trotting over to him.

“Hey, erm, Dingus. Do you wanna take a walk for a sec?” She said, hoping she did not sound as stupid as she felt.

Discord cocked an eyebrow at her, but stood up all the same. “Well. That's rather rude. But if you need to have some girl talk then yes, I suppose I could-”

“No no! That's not what I mean,” Rainbow hurried to stop him. “No I meant, d'you wanna take a walk. With me. Like... the two of us. Go walking... so we can talk....”

Discord's expression stayed where it was but he said nothing. He did, however, sit back down. This was probably not a good sign. Rainbow suppressed the urge to sigh. One sentence in and things were already awkward.

“Is something wrong, Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy interrupted, putting down the bread.

“No,” Rainbow scratched the back of her head with a foreleg, “but I wanted to ask something,” She turned back to Discord. “Or... I dunno.... maybe tell you something?”

Discord watched her for a few moments before breaking eye contact and sticking his muzzle in the air. “Well, regardless if it's one or the other, I'm rather tired tonight. Perhaps we could save it for, oh, say, tomorrow morning?” He tapped his chin with a frown. “Then again, we'll probably be a little busy tomorrow. How about next Tuesday?”

“No, no it's gotta be now!” Rainbow insisted, fighting to keep her voice down. She gave the rest of the group paranoid glances, hoping they were busy with their own things and were not listening to what looked to be turning into a bit of a disaster.

Discord, seeing the nervous shifting of hooves and the anxious looks, found his curiosity peaked. He threw Fluttershy a subtle expression, pursing his lips in a silent question.

Fluttershy caught the look and stepped forward. “It sounds like it could be important. Are you sure nothing's wrong, Dash?”

Rainbow gave her wings an irritable half-flap. “No, nothing's wrong. Everything's fine,” She stopped at this, frowning. “Well, I mean everything is fine with us but... I guess maybe they're not so fine with me? I think? Argh! Look! Just get off your keester and come with me for a sec, will ya? I really gotta talk to you about something!” The last part was once again directed at Discord as Rainbow turned and started trotting away in a random direction, looking over her shoulder to see if he was following.

Fluttershy watched her go before looking up at Discord as well. “Uhm... I think, maybe, she might be serious.”

Discord gave a groan. “I can't say I'm really in the mood for this,” He turned to Fluttershy. “Can't you go talk to her instead?”

Fluttershy gave him a gentle smile, “It sounded to me like she wants to talk to you. Rainbow Dash doesn't really... uhm... do the 'serious talk' thing. At least, not like Twilight or Applejack. So it really must be important. I think you should see what she has to say.”

Discord grumbled something but got up to follow the pegasus anyway. “If she's not an enthusiastic talker either then this promises to be one enthralling conversation.”

“You don't have to answer anything you don't want to, okay?” Fluttershy said, sitting down as she watched him go.

He gave her a hangdog expression before he and Rainbow Dash walked off. Once they were further away, Fluttershy's smile sank as she watched them with concern.

After they had walked an arbitrary distance in silence, Rainbow stopped and finally turned to face Discord.

“Okay, I don't really wanna talk about this and I'm pretty sure you don't really want to either, but if I don't say anything I'm gonna go completely nuts! So do me a favour and shut up for a sec or two while I get this out, okay?!” The sentences came out rushed and aggressive, as if she was expecting him to cut her off at any second.

Discord, however, said nothing and gave her a look which could be described as saying 'you may or may not have my attention.'

Rainbow gave an aggravated sigh and carried on, “Okay, so this whole wing thing of yours,” She waved a hoof at his injury, “And this whole 'oh no, my magic's kinda killing me' thing. I gotta ask; is the magic thing the wing thing's fault?”

Discord's frown deepened at this. “I don't follow.”

Rainbow grunted and started pacing in front of him. “Okay, let's try a different approach. So, the magic thing... no... No, let's say the 'I'm not doing so good' thing. Is that because you got shot?” She came to a stop, turning to frown at him.

Discord tilted his head at her. Part of him was anxious to steer the conversation away from the sensitive subject of his magic and his sudden mortality, but Rainbow Dash's disjointed rambling was not giving him much to grab hold of and twist in his favour.

“You're asking if my wing is bothering me? I must say, I'm not so sure I enjoy the limitation, but I suppose it is giving me a nice insight into how some ponies have to-”

“No no no!” Rainbow shook her head. “No! Just listen, will ya?! I'm asking if getting shot in the wing is the reason you've been not so great lately and looking kinda spent! Is that so hard to understand?!”

Discord blinked at her. He found himself suddenly, honestly, curious as to where she was trying to go with this. “It certainly didn't help, if that's what you mean.”

Rainbow Dash sunk at this, dropping her gaze and instantly switching from annoyed to miserable. “Oh... I was afraid of that.”

“It helped realign our priorities, though,” Discord went on, unfolding the wing as much as its bandaging allowed and looking it over. “I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I wasn't so sure of how I was doing until I had that arrow, point it out to me, so to speak.” He turned and grinned at her.

Rainbow didn't look amused. If anything, she looked even worse at hearing this. “Yeah... the arrow....” She kicked at a tuft of grass idly, her ears flat. “You got that when those wackjobs tried to get us in their forest, right?”

“Yeeeeesss?” Discord raised an eyebrow at her.

Rainbow kicked at the grass a little harder, “I didn't see or hear you get hit when we were running. Did you get hit when we were talking?”

Discord sighed, he was starting to sound bored. “Yes. We were talking, they started shooting, and they hit me.”

Rainbow lifted her eyes, just enough to be able to look at him. “I didn't see you get hit but... I remember... we were talking and you kinda sorta, almost tackled me out of the sky for a second there.”

Discord made a noise and rolled his eyes, “Oh, you were fine.”

“Yes...” Rainbow nodded softly. “...I was.”

“Look, are you going anywhere with this, Rainbow Dash? I wasn't joking earlier when I said I was tired, you know.”

Rainbow Dash was silent for a moment, trying to think of how she could get herself to say the next sentence out loud. Discord crossed his arms, waiting impatiently. He looked like he'd already written off the conversation and was just waiting for the right moment to turn and walk away. Rainbow gathered herself, and finally asked the real question on her mind.

“Were you hit by that arrow because you pushed me out of the way?” She tried her best, but couldn't get herself to look him in eye. She could feel her cheeks flare up.

If Discord noticed, he did not comment though. He stroked his beard, watching her with something like confusion.

“I thought you already knew the answer to that,” He shrugged, “But if you want it to be clear, then yes. You were so busy being delightfully irrational, I doubt you would've even noticed if it had hit you.” He gave her a proud grin, lacing his fingers together and looking extremely pleased him himself.

Rainbow Dash however, looked mortified at this. She stared pale-faced at him for a moment before she seemed to deflate, her head and shoulders sagging. “So it really is my fault...”

Discord twisted his head upside down so he could look her in the eye, still grinning from ear to ear. “Not too shabby, wouldn't you say? And without the bookworm Princess prompting me! I really do hope you won't forget to mention that to Celestia. Not that I care much what she thinks of me, but if I'm going to start doing impromptu acts of heroism I'd at least like to rub it in her face a little. All in all, Pretty good if I do say so myself.”

“No it's not good! It's not good at all!” Rainbow bounced back up to her hooves, glaring at him. “My stupid hotheadedness got this whole mess spinning out of control! Okay, yeah sure, losing your magic and stuff isn't my fault, but if I'd just opened my dang ears instead of yelling like a bratty teenager we wouldn't be having any of this... this weirdness right now!”

Discord's smile melted away at this. Slowly, a frown grew in its place and he straightened up again.

“Ugh!” Rainbow slumped down to a sit, smacking a hoof against the side of her head. “I can't believe how dumb I am!”

“Let me see if I have this straight,” Discord interrupted. “If I hadn't done something the way I did, you would almost certainly have found that arrow through you instead. So, I unconsciously did something to help, and you consider this to be a bad thing?”

“Well yeah! You got hurt didn't you?” Rainbow looked up at him again with a frown. “I'd say that's pretty bad!”

There was a pause as Discord stared at her with clear shock, his frown hardening. He then shot out a paw, finger in the air as he turned to head back to the others.

“Don't move,” He said as he went. “Stay right there.”

Not waiting to hear any protests, Discord marched back to the remaining group of ponies. Fluttershy blinked at him as he walked past her without a sideways glance. The others were busy finishing off what was left of their supper and discussing with some nervousness what might be waiting for them in the town ahead. Discord cut straight through them, heading for Twilight who was going over her map. She barely had enough time to register he was standing in front of her before Discord picked her up, tucked her under an arm, and marched back the way he had come, ignoring the stares from the others.

“Hey, what-?! What the heck are you doing?!” Twilight yelled when she got over the sudden action. “Discord! Put me down!”

She struggled and flapped her wings but Discord did not even acknowledge her, and Twilight found herself unwilling to actually try and kick him. She was pretty sure if she did he would let her go, but even so, she found herself unwilling to do it.

Discord walked back to where Rainbow Dash sat watching the scene with blank confusion. He stopped in front of her, plopping Twilight on the ground between the two of them rather unceremoniously. Twilight scrambled for a second before she managed to roll herself right way up again. She sat up and immediately rounded on Discord.

“What was that suppose to be?! You know, you could try this thing called 'asking' at some point in life! Rather than just running up to ponies and-!”

“Explain this to me, Twilight, because clearly I'm not getting it!” He cut her off, sounding aggravated. “So, we face a big monstrosity and I don't protect Rarity because my focus was elsewhere, and this is bad, right? But then Rainbow Dash here,” he shot out an arm towards the pony in question, causing her to flinch away as if his paw would bite her, “gets nearly run through with an arrow from some ponies with questionable ideals and I actually find myself protecting her from this... and now she says this is also bad!” He threw up both his arms in a show of defeat. “Do me a favour and please explain it, Twilight. Because as much as lack of logic and complete nonsensical behaviour is my bread and butter, I would prefer it if it was not used to paint me as the villain from every angle!”

“Wait... what?” Twilight blinked.

“I didn't say it was a bad thing!” Rainbow quickly argued back at him. “I mean... I don't think you were the guy doing something bad! It's bad, but it's because of me, not you! You actually did something pretty awesome back there!”

“So why are you acting as if I'd just pulled the plug from your raincloud?!” Discord snapped, gesturing wildly.

“I told you! Because it's my dumb fault you're hurt more than you should be and I feel bad about it!”

“So I should've just ignored you and you'd feel better?!” Discord ran a claw over his face.

“Wait wait wait! So... let me see if I got this right,” Twilight held out both her forelegs, as if to physically silence them. “Discord got hit by that arrow because he was shielding you, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow sunk in place in response.

“And now you feel bad about it because he got hurt,” She turned to Discord, “And you're...” She paused, “You're... well... Discord.”

Discord gave a noncommittal shrug.

Twilight's gaze lingered on him for a second, and Discord could almost hear the gears in her head turn. After a moment, she broke her stare and gave a sigh.

“Alright, well, first of all; Discord, you did the right thing,” She turned back to him, this time with a much softer expression. “You looked out for somepony who was in trouble and tried to help. It's sad you got hurt because of it, that's not something I think anypony wants to happen to the pony helping them, but that doesn't change the fact that you did good.”

At this, Twilight gave him a warm smile. Discord shifted in place and crossed his arms again. He grumbled something nonsensical at her in response. He tried not to wonder if Twilight had ever actually smiled at him before now. Because he didn't care. And it wasn't worth thinking about. So he didn't. Because he didn't care what ponies thought of him.

Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash, her expression slightly more serious. “I know it has to feel bad Rainbow, but wouldn't you have done the same thing for somepony?”

“Heck yeah!” Rainbow answered immediately, looking almost insulted that Twilight even had to ask.

“So, don't beat yourself up so much, alright?” Twilight smiled again, “We know you have our backs. You should let us watch yours too, right?”

“I guess so,” Rainbow said with a huff. “I just wish this whole stupid thing that happened wasn't so... stupid.”

“Eloquently put,” Discord said, apparently to a passing katydid.

“I say it's best to just accept that it happened, acknowledge the remorse, be grateful for the kindness, and move forward,” Twilight said to Rainbow, turning to head back. “Come on. We have our work cut out for us tomorrow and I think we should all get some rest.”

“I had every intention of doing so before this little comedy of errors, believe me!” Discord said irritably, turning to follow after her.

Rainbow Dash watched them for a moment before she took off. She dipped slightly when she got close to Discord, just close enough so he could hear her.

“Just... sorry about the wing, okay? And... thanks.”

She did not wait for a reply as she flapped her wings and headed back to their camp, landing close to Applejack and loudly demanding her share of supper. Twilight headed back for her map and blanket, although Discord noticed she gave him a look over her shoulder before she did. He could not quite place it, but it was not anger, and although it did look a little confused, it did not look like the irritated confusion he was use to seeing from her. Whatever the expression was, it made him feel a little uncomfortable. Although, to his personal horror, it did not make him feel particularly bad.

Discord walked back over to Fluttershy. Before she could say anything, he scooped her up before clambering to one of the lower branches of the tree. He anchored himself with his tail as he settled down for the night, Fluttershy hugged in his arms.

“What did Rainbow Dash want?” Fluttershy asked after a moment, wriggling softly to get herself into a more comfortable position. She looked down at her discarded saddlebags, wishing she had closed them before the nightly assault of Discord.

Discord made a soft, scoffing noise at this. “Your friends are all insane.”

“Oh?” She turned to smile at him. “Is that... good?”

To her surprise, Discord seemed to take the question more seriously than she intended, frowning to himself as he thought it over. He sighed, apparently giving up as he curled in on himself a little tighter.

Almost insultingly, the next morning came just as normally as always. The cacophony of waxwings in the tree had everypony awake at nearly the crack of dawn. The noise and anxiety of what was waiting for them destroyed any chances of getting a few more minutes of shut eye, and soon the small group was busying itself with what had become the normal morning routine. Manes and tails were combed, blankets were rolled up and tucked away, food was passed around and one last look was given to Twilight's map.

“What d'ya want us ta do when we get there, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked. Checking their route that day was more an act of habit than anything else. With the pointed roofs of the town in sight, it would have taken conscious effort to get lost.

Twilight made a noise as she rolled the map up. “The first thing we should do is take note of what the town actually looks like. There's no telling what condition the buildings are in if it burned down once. If anything goes wrong and we need to take cover, I don't want us to run into something that will collapse on top of us.”

“I could do a sweep over the place if you want,” Rainbow Dash offered.

“No,” Twilight turned to her. “I think it's better if we don't split up. Bad things tend to happen when ponies split up in a place they don't know with something or somepony dangerous around. I'd suggest you fly overhead, but keep us in sight and don't fly ahead. If you see anything suspicious, let us know right away.”

Twilight turned back to the huddled group of ponies as a whole, “We need to find where Blue Jay is keeping this stone. If he's using it at the moment, and seeing as my magic isn't working he probably is, there should be some indication of a spell. And if it's reaching all the way to Equestria, it has to be a pretty powerful one too. Keep your eyes open for Blue Jay, but it's the stone we're really after. I'm guessing we'll find him when we find it, but I don't want us to expect that to be true and get ambushed instead.”

“I've had quite my fill of ambushes,” Rarity agreed, scrunching her muzzle.

“If we find Blue Jay first, don't try and take him on immediately,” Twilight carried on, a serious expression on her face. “I don't think he'll answer anything we say, but we have to at least try and see if we can get him to tell us where the stone is and to stop what he's doing.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow rolled her eyes, “I'm sure that'll go great for us.”

“If he doesn't want to stop this, we need to subdue him somehow,” Twilight gave Rainbow a dirty look but went on. “I'd like to say we can try and find a way to trap or capture him, but if he's still got his magic and none of us do, I don't think we'll have much of a choice other than to hit him with the elements.”

At this, Twilight opened her saddlebags and started pulling out the elements in question, handing each pony her matching artifact. She stopped when she reached the one shaped like a butterfly, looking around.

“Uhm... Where's Fluttershy?” She pulled a face. “And where's Discord for that matter?”

“Pretty sure they're still sleeping,” Rainbow Dash said, getting to her hooves. “I'm gonna guess Fluttershy's awake though, and Discord's giant flank is just squashing her. Again.”

“He couldn't possibly have slept through that noise this morning, could he?” Rarity asked, looking rather impressed.

“If he can sleep through Dashie's snoring, he can sleep through anything!” Pinkie said brightly.

“I'll go get 'em.” Rainbow sighed, taking off.

“Gettin' that load outta bed is gettin' harder every day!” Applejack grumbled.

“Yeah,” Twilight agreed with a soft frown.

Once they finally got a complaining Discord off his branch and back on his feet, the group gathered their bags and headed down the dirt road once more.

The road they were following could barely have been called a road anymore. The hard sand under their hooves told of heavy traffic that once used it, but the wild grasses and weeds that sprang up all across it and the complete lack of cart tracks or hoofprints made it clear of how long it had been neglected and forgotten.

As they got closer, they were able to make out the details of the buildings. There was little left to properly distinguish what some of the buildings actually were at one stage. Their walls were all made of the same, rough-cut mountain stone, but the windows and doorways stood open and bare. Some of their roofs had nothing left but the heavy wooden rafters. Others, made from thinner logs stacked closer together, were mostly intact although gaping holes could be seen in a few of them. Pottery and unidentifiable pieces of clay and porcelain lay scattered across the ill-kept streets. Through the open doorways they could see inside some of the houses, although most of the insides were just as covered by wild grasses, flowers and weeds as the streets and gardens. Broken or crumbling chairs, bed-frames and various shelves and cupboards lay empty in the exposed rooms, or sometimes in the overgrown gardens and open doorways.

The stone and wood that remained all had black streaks and trails on them that seemed burned beyond just stains to actually having been baked deeply into them. But there was no ash, no smell of smoke or fire, no heat, and no glowing embers. That there had once been a fire was clear, but the cool mountain wind, the smell of heather and chamomile flowers, the slow flying beetles and the far off calls from meadowlarks all painted the picture of a town very long abandoned and forgotten.

Twilight was not convinced. The empty town was eerie, and the sounds of nature were calming, but she was not buying into this picture of normality. Somewhere in this town, a very dangerous pony was busy tearing the world she knew apart at the seams. She just had to find his weapon for doing so. Her mind was, out of habit, running through all the spells she had memorised over many years of study, trying to think of something she could use to home in on the Stone of Null's location, although she knew it was no use. Her horn had refused to work at all ever since she had sprung the lock in Falabel. Even a simple locating spell was beyond her right now.

Unless...

She turned an eye towards Discord who was strolling near the back of the group, looking around at the scenery with large, curious eyes. He looked like nothing in this world would have made him happier than to run rampant in this abandoned playground, sticking his nose quite literally into every corner and crack and pulling apart every discarded personal belonging left behind by whoever had lived here. Pinkie seemed to share his enthusiasm, hopping in wide circles with continuous cries of 'what's this?! What's this thing?! What's that?!'. Fluttershy was perched on Discord's head, hiding herself behind his horns which she clung to with her forelegs, ears flattened as she whimpered to herself.

Twilight sighed and gave up the idea. She had no doubt if she asked him the right way with the right words, the two of them could try and pool their magic together to find the stone, but somehow, it seemed like it would not be worth the risk. Twilight frowned at this thought and ran it through her mind again.

It would not be worth the risk.

She drew her lips tight, thinking the phrase over. Eventually, she blew out a soft breath.

'No. I guess it wouldn't...' She thought.

She turned to Rarity instead, knowing the question was pointless before she even asked. “Rarity, can you get any trace of the stone in this town at all?”

“I'm really sorry, Darling,” Rarity gave her an apologetic look. “I've been trying to do so already, actually. But I just can't seem to pick up a trace of anything. And I know that isn't right, because a few houses ago I noticed a rather lovely jewelry box and I didn't need my horn to tell me those were garnets on its lid. But my horn hasn't so much as flickered,” She gave a dramatic sigh. “My one great magical talent and I am utterly useless at it!”

“Yeah yeah yeah, I'm moved to tears over here,” Rainbow Dash flew lower to pull a face at her. “I'm trying my best, but it's hard to get a good look around without going higher. You sure you don't want me to just do one sweep of the place, Twilight?”

“I'd rather not, Dash,” Twilight said, “I don't like the idea of this guy getting a clear shot of you or splitting us up.”

Rainbow Dash groaned but resumed her flight over their heads.

“So, what's the stone look like, huh?” Pinkie bounced closer, grinning with excitement.

“You saw the picture didn't ya?” Applejack nudged her. “It's this triangle thing with a hole in it. Right?”

Twilight nodded, focusing on the surrounding buildings.

“Yeah, but how big is it gonna be?” Pinkie continued, hopping backwards to grin in Applejack's face. “Is it gonna be like a giant boulder? Or maybe it's like a river rock! Or maybe it's the size of an entire mountain!”

“If this Blue Jay feller could carry it off, then I don't think it's gonna be mountain-sized,” Applejack answered with a lopsided smile. “If ya ask me, I say it's probably gonna be the size of these things.” She tapped her necklace with a hoof.

“What makes you say that?” Rarity asked, trotting a little closer to include herself in the conversation.

“Well, Oggie said some folks say it's a seventh element or somethin', right?” Applejack went on. “Now I dunno if it is or not, but if some ponies think it is, I don't think it's gonna be that much bigger than these.”

“But nopony had seen the elements until we found them in the old castle,” Fluttershy said from her perch. “Maybe they weren't sure how big the other elements were when they said it was one of them.”

“There's pictures of 'em, ain't there?” Applejack went on.

“Yes, but Twilight's book about them is pretty rare... isn't it?” Fluttershy said. “I don't really know how many other ponies even really knew about the elements before we found them. Most ponies didn't even really know who Nightmare Moon was outside of a holiday and a strange pattern on the moon.”

“Poor old Luna,” Discord added with a sigh. “Banished away for a thousand years, and when she came back, nopony even remembered her.”

“Hold up a sec,” Twilight interrupted, coming to a stop.

The others all turned to her, the conversation instantly forgotten. Twilight had her head lowered as she frowned to herself. Her ears twitched as she shifted her hooves from one to the other, feeling the ground.

“Is something wrong, Twi?” Applejack asked after a few moments.

“Do you guys feel that?” Twilight answered without looking up.

The others all looked around the area, tilting their heads for any stray sounds and pawing nervously at the ground.

“I can't feel anything,” Rarity said after a while.

“Not sure I do either,” Applejack added, turning back to Twilight.

Twilight turned her attention away from the ground to look at the rest of the group. “None of you feel that?” When they shook their heads, she turned back to frown at the space between her hooves.

“What is it, Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“I don't really know,” Twilight said as she slowly started to walk again. “There's something rumbling in the ground. It kinda feels like a pulse. Or some kind of energy.” She looked back at them, speeding up slightly. “Come on. I think I can follow it to where it's coming from.”

The group fell in step behind her as Twilight started her slow tracking for the source of the pulse. Sometimes she would stop and make a u-turn, always heading for where the pulse felt strongest. After a while, Discord reached up and lifted Fluttershy off his head. He put her down and gave her an absentminded pat on the head before he moved to walk beside Twilight, watching her as she frowned at the ground.

“Getting warmer?” He asked as he fell in step with her.

“Kinda,” She answered, turning her head slightly to give him a sideways look. “You don't feel anything?”

“Well, I am feeling a bit hungry,” Discord said thoughtfully.

“You know that's not what I mean,” Twilight sighed, turning back to glare at the ground.

Discord shrugged. “I'm afraid I'm not feeling much beyond that, actually.”

He watched her in silence for a while as she continued her slow, swaying path to the source of something only she could feel. Discord cleared his throat.

“You know, if I were to try and get some nosy intruders off my lawn-”

“Celestia's lawn,” Twilight corrected him, not really paying attention.

“Fine. Celestia's lawn then. Regardless, if I were to try and get some annoying interlopers out of the way without immediately turning them into a collection of houseplants, I'd see if I could lure them to a playing field more in my favour.”

“Like a hedge maze?” Twilight said, still focusing on her task.

“Yes, Exactly!” he grinned widely with a nod. “But of course, I'm not sure our dear Blue Bird friend has the patience or grace of skill to neither grow or take care of a maze... but I'm not so sure we should let that convince us he wouldn't try a few other tricks to, quite literally, lead us astray.”

Twilight stopped at this and looked up at him. He had laced his fingers, putting his forefingers against his mouth with a wide smile and large, innocent eyes.

“You think it's a trap?” Twilight asked, turning to face him properly.

“I'm sure I wouldn't know,” Discord flapped a claw at her, as if to wave away the issue. “I'm afraid so many years of distrust and disdain has made me rather wary of sudden turns of good luck. Much like suddenly feeling an energy ripple telling us where to go.” He eyed her curiously, waiting to see her reaction to this.

Twilight gave a hard frown, thinking it over with a soft noise.

“But why is Twilight the only one who can feel anything?” Rarity asked, walking closer. “I may not be an alicorn, but I am a unicorn and I can't feel any sort of pulse or whatever it's suppose to be.”

Discord shrugged at this, “Personally, I like to single Twilight out of your little club of harmony and friendship. Partly because, being the element of magic, she's not exactly lacking in the power department. Of course mostly it's because her disproportionate reactions to things are endlessly fun! But I think the first reason might be one others out in the world may share with me.”

“He's got a point,” Applejack said. “A muddled, rather rude point, but a point all the same.”

“Why thank you,” Discord widened his grin at her but she ignored him.

“Maybe... maybe we should look for the stone somewhere else,” Fluttershy mumbled, looking around skittishly before she moved to hide herself against Discord's tail. “I mean... what if Discord's right? What if we're just getting led to a trap?”

“Aw, but if we don't go this way we'll never know what's giving off Twilight's weird psycho waves!” Pinkie argued, Tail waving back and forth eagerly. “Besides, if it's magic psycho waves, why can't it be the evil rock thingy? There's not a lot of other stuff around that gives off magic anymore, right?”

“That Blue Jay pony could have left us a magic trap or ward of some kind,” Twilight said, although it sounded more like she was thinking out loud than arguing with Pinkie.

“Wouldn't it have been better to set one up right at the town's entrance, then?” Rarity asked. “Why create such an elaborate trap if you just want to keep ponies away? It seems like an awful waste of energy for something simple.”

“Unless he's toyin' with us,” Applejack grumbled.

Twilight thought for a moment longer before she looked up, seemingly coming to a conclusion.

“Hey Rainbow Dash, are you hearing all this?” She called.

“Yeah I heard ya,” Rainbow answered, landing back down. “It's kinda hard not to being only a couple of feet above everypony.”

Twilight gave a nod. “In that case, what do you think? Do you see anything like a trap ahead of us?”

“I'm too close to the ground to see over these houses,” Rainbow said. “From what I can see, it doesn't look like anything interesting's ahead at all, but I really can't tell.”

Twilight nodded again. She seemed to be struggling to come to a decision. Eventually she sighed to herself and said, “Do you think you could fly up just high enough to see if there's anything dangerous up ahead? Not too high, we just need to know if this is leading us into a trap.”

“I'm on it!” Rainbow said with a wide smirk, clearly happy to get into the sky.

She flew up above them before going into a hover, doing quick, short darts in every direction as she looked everything over. The others waited in silence for her to come back down, eyes and ears listening closely for anything that might sound like something approaching them. It was not long before Rainbow Dash flew back down.

“I dunno if it's a trap or not,” She said once she landed, “But there's definitely something weird up ahead.”

“Weird how?” Twilight asked.

“Well, it's kinda hard to really describe,” Rainbow said, sitting down on her haunches and indicating with her forelegs as she spoke. “It's kinda like a really big bubble, but it's on the ground, right in the middle of what I think is a courtyard or whatever? But it's just sitting there in the middle of it going all 'whom whom whom', you know what I mean?” She looked up to make sure Twilight did. Getting a nod from her, Rainbow went on. “And there's like these water ripple things on the ground around it but it's not actually in water. I dunno. It's like glowing with this really white light.”

“Pretty sure that's what we're lookin' for,” Applejack said.

“Did you see a stone of any kind?” Twilight asked.

“I dunno, I couldn't see anything like that around the place, but the bubble thing seemed more important than anything else. Maybe if I got closer I could look for it I guess.”

“No. I think maybe, we should go see what this bubble is all about,” Twilight said, rubbing her chin with the back of a hoof. “It sounds a bit like a magic shield, but I've never heard or felt a shield give off a pulse before. Did you see anypony around?”

Rainbow shook her head. “Place looked pretty deserted, but if I gotta guess, I'd say that creep's hiding around here somewhere. If I were him, I wouldn't want a giant throbbing bubble out of my sight for long.”

“Right. Then we're heading for this bubble,” Twilight turned to the others. “Keep your eyes open everypony, and don't get too close. We don't know what this thing could be.”

As the group made various noises of agreement, Twilight turned her attention back to the feeling of energy under her hooves, leading them towards its source.

Rainbow Dash's description of the bubble turned out to be pretty accurate. In the middle of what looked to be the town centre, like an overturned fishbowl, sat a throbbing ball of light. It didn't exactly make the noises Rainbow Dash used to mimic its throbbing, but there was a soft, held note over the sound of everything else around them. It was not that it was loud as it did not technically make much noise at all, but the high pitched sound seemed to take up all space in the town centre, like a background trill you could not find in a large room, or the ringing of your ears that happened for no reason.

There were no signs of any pony interference with the bubble. No open spellbooks, or enchantment circles or threads of magic connecting it to anything else. It just seemed to exist, completely free of anything around it. The only thing that had a connection to the glowing ball was a small shape in its centre. The speck of black contrasted sharply with the white light around it as it hovered a few feet above the ground, spinning lazily in place but never once shifting from its position. It looked like it was made from onyx or obsidian, cut into the shape of a triangle with polished, rounded edges. In its centre was a perfectly round hole. If it had been an ordinary gem in a jewelry store, it might have been considered quaint, but pretty. Or perhaps the word was elegant.

The group stared as one by one their attention was drawn away from the large encompassing bubble to the more important dark triangle spinning inside it.

“That's gotta be it, right?” Rainbow Dash said, landing beside Twilight, her eyes locked on the object in front of them.

“Looks like it,” Twilight nodded weakly.

“Wow. It really kinda does look like an Element of Harmony, doesn't it?” Pinkie piped up, “D'you think they're right? What if it is another Element?! I mean, it really does look like one, right?!”

“It's not,” Discord said.

Pinkie turned to him with a pout. “Aw, why d'you have to spoil the fun so quickly? You don't think there's even the teensiest, tiniest possibility it might be another Element?”

Discord was only half listening. There was a hint of confusion on his face, but otherwise he wore a hard frown, looking dead serious.

“It's not an element, I can assure you that,” he repeated, not looking away from the stone.

“Discord?” Fluttershy looked up at his face as she leaned against him. “What is it?”

Twilight tore her gaze away to look at him as well.

Discord's frown flickered ever so slightly.

“I... don't know,” he said slowly. “But... I've seen it somewhere before... once... a long time ago...”

Author's Notes:

I'm really sorry for the long delay guys. Life has been pretty intensely dumb lately. If it's not one thing its another, and of course they all have to be BIG things. The next few weekends and weeks are also going to be quite busy, so please don't expect another update next week or so.

I also didn't really mean for this chapter to be such a beast in size. The characters just refused to shut up. I could have split it into 2 chapters, but I felt that if I did that it would just needlessly draw things out and it might seem as if I was just repeating Fluttershy and Discord's conversation from earlier, which was not the intent nor goal of the conversation in this chapter. So I'm sorry for those of you who prefer shorter chapters. This one kinda just turned out this way.

I struggled with the first bit of this chapter, but I think it came out alright.
Please, as always, let me know of any typos, grammar mistakes or anything else I might have overlooked. It's always helpful.

Blue Jay

View Online

Chapter 25

There was silence as the ponies stared, either at the spinning triangle, or the frowning figure of Discord. When the moment drew out too long, Applejack shifted and cleared her throat, bringing everypony back to the present.

“Well, if ya've seen it before, maybe ya have an idea of what it is?” She urged Discord.

“Or more importantly, if there's a way for us to dispose of it?” Rarity added.

Discord pulled himself away from his thoughts and turned to blink at the ponies, finding himself suddenly the center of attention.

“I'm afraid my memory seems to be failing me,” he said, “but from what I can remember, it's mostly certainly not some kind of mysterious lost Element.”

There was a pause as they waited for him to elaborate. Discord, however, merely stared back at them blankly, eventually tilting his head at an almost ninety degree angle in response.

“Wait, that's it?!” Rainbow Dash let out.

Discord straightened and made a show of thinking it over.

“Seriously?!” Rainbow continued, not giving him the chance to play with their anticipation.

He shrugged at this, as if it was not that important either way. “It's not one of the Elements of Harmony. Surely clever ponies such as yourselves can find a way of putting that to our advantage?”

“Well, I suppose that is probably a good thing,” Twilight said, frowning back at the stone in question. “I'm not so sure you can use the Elements to destroy each other, being the Elements of 'Harmony'.” She turned back to Discord with a hard-set frown. “Is there really nothing else you can remember? At all?”

Discord turned and settled Twilight with a head-on stare, “Not completely, but something in the back of my mind insists that, whatever else it is, it isn't good,” he cocked a brow, “Or fun.”

“Good enough fer me!” Applejack said. “Let's blast this thing so's we can all go home!”

“Right behind you,” Rarity agreed, moving to stand in position beside her.

With this seeming to mark the end of the discussion, the ponies moved to form their semi-circle. Fluttershy gave Discord a worried look before she moved to take her spot.

Twilight adjusted her tiara before she turned her full focus on the spinning stone in front of them. The jewel on her head started to glow, the other necklaces following suit. As the glow grew to a shine, Twilight felt the familiar power well up inside her chest, slowly flooding upwards, growing to the gem on her head. She could feel it reach out to the ponies standing beside her, searching for its fellow Elements with invisible tendrils. As she concentrated on guiding the flow of power, Twilight felt a long held tension in her gut finally ease up. The Elements of Harmony shone just as brightly as always, unhampered by the outside world and its droughts of magic. No twitch or spark felt out of place. No sudden dip in the flow of energy. Just the growing warmth she had almost gotten use to by now.

The power slowly built to its peak, ready to either banish, destroy or turn to harmless rock. As Twilight got ready to let it loose, a sudden, violent sound exploded what felt like mere inches to her right. Twilight's eyes shot open with a yelp as the collected energy crackled and dispersed like electricity.

The group of ponies all gave out their own cries of alarm and surprise, looking around wide-eyed at each other, the stone, or Twilight. Discord, who had surreptitiously stepped out of the range of fire, bounced forward, barely catching himself to hide his concern as he stood himself next to Fluttershy once more.

“That's never happened before!” Pinkie spoke for the rest of them, rubbing her head as her eyes almost rattled in their sockets.

“What the heck was that all about?!” Rainbow snapped to the world in general as she flew up into the air, giving the bubble in front of them dirty looks.

Twilight adjusted her stance with an angry puff from her nostrils as she turned to face the thing herself. Before she could think of any way to let out her frustration though, her attention was pulled away when somepony tapped on her shoulder.

“If you could hold off on any plans for a royal tantrum for just a moment,” Discord's voice joined it, “I think there's been a change in our priorities.”

Twilight turned to grumble at him instead. Discord was staring at something on the other side of the courtyard however, and for once did not seem too interested in her annoyance. There was a light frown on his own face as he straightened to his full height. Twilight turned to follow his gaze, quickly realising what had ruffled him.

Standing a short distance away from them, on the other side of the stone in its bubble, stood a stallion, his horn still smoking slightly. Daring a glance to her right, Twilight noticed the blackened chrysanthemum against the wall of the nearest building. Her frown hardened.

“Heads up, guys,” She whispered to the others, unfolding her wings at the new threat.

The confused murmurs and questions if everypony was ok died away as the others turned to see what was wrong. As soon as they realised they were not alone, Rainbow landed next to Twilight and proceeded to scratch at the ground with a foreleg, her open wings held high.

“Hey you!” Rainbow Dash called at the stranger, “What the heck was that?! Did you just try to blast us or something?! Who d'you think you are, huh?!”

“Easy there, Sugarcube,” Applejack said with an even tone, not looking away from the new arrival.

Rarity and Pinkie stepped forward, Rarity's frown best described as 'disapproving' while Pinkie's was nothing less than a 'game face'. Fluttershy whimpered to herself, but moved closer as well. She only half noticed Discord beside her dropping to all fours.

The stallion was silent, as if carved from stone. Whether he was thinking something over, trying to judge how much of a threat they were, or simply trying to unnerve them was unclear. Eventually he fell into a slow stride, heading towards them.

The group of ponies shifted in place. Rainbow gave her wings an angry flap and stomped a hoof. The approaching stallion did not seem too concerned by this, but he did come to a stop before getting too close. Standing beside the glowing bubble, he regarded them silently. His eyes moved back and forth, settling on each pony, and Discord, in turn.

Twilight used the moment to look him over as well. If his blast of unicorn magic had not been enough of a hint, his appearance pretty much confirmed her suspicion that this had to be the 'Blue Jay' they had been told about.

He was, as expected, a light blue in colour. His dull cobalt mane and tail were both straight, his mane streaked with white. He looked thin. Not emaciated or starved. Just thin. There were patches of bare skin on his forelegs above his fetlocks, as well as his jawline. It did not take much imagination to see these were old burns, long ago healed but too damage to regrow his coat. His cutie mark was a golden bird cage, inside of which sat a small bird. Specifically, his namesake.

Twilight realised that the mental image she had unknowingly crafted of this pony, who was threatening her home and way of life, was that of an intimidating, strong, villain with broad shoulders and sturdy legs. Perhaps because they had been told Blue Jay was a stallion, and the added fact that he was suppose to be very skilled with magic fueled her subconscious. It was a far cry from the thin, slightly hunched, insecure looking pony standing in front of them.

His eyes, however, did meet her expectations. They were silver, or maybe grey, and he stared at the group with a flat, apathetic gaze.

Using the drawn out silence to her advantage, Twilight pulled herself up to her full height, stretched her wings open and spoke with as much authority as she could scrape together.

“Are you 'Blue Jay'?” She asked, although she pressed forward without giving him a chance to reply. “I am Princess Twilight of Equestria. We have come here by order of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to investigate the weakening magic in our country. We have reason to believe you are the one responsible. Do you have anything to say regarding this claim?”

There was another pause as Twilight tried her best not to gulp. She was nervous. Why the greasy looking unicorn was intimidating her, she was not sure. Maybe her lack of magic was making her feel vulnerable. Especially since she was aware that the burn mark on her right still seemed to be smoking.

The stallion who was most likely Blue Jay, frowned at her. He turned to the glowing bubble beside him, looking it over almost critically, before he turned back to the group in front of him.

“I was wondering if anypony would be sent to try and stop this,” He said.

His tone of voice was direct and matter-of-fact. Had this sentence been said by any of the other villains and monsters the ponies had faced, it would most likely have been a jeer or an arrogant start of a monologue. Blue Jay, however, merely stated it as normally as if he was wondering where he had left his saddlebags.

“You've been screwing up magic all over Equestria! And a heck of a lot more than that, even! What did you think was gonna happen?! That Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were just gonna ignore it and hope it goes away?!” Rainbow Dash spat at him.

“We want to give you a chance to put a stop to this,” Twilight interrupted her more impulsive friend before anything ugly developed. “If you break whatever spell you've cast on The Stone of Null and hand it over, we'll inform the Princesses that you were cooperative.”

“Nice speech, Princess,” Twilight half heard Discord grumble behind her, a cynical streak in his voice.

Blue Jay stared back at her, his look of apathy becoming a sharper, more focused glare. “You can't have come all this way expecting me to just give up quietly.” He turned, moving until he stood between them and the glowing bubble. The other ponies readied themselves for any sudden attacks. “I don't know how well ponies from Celestia's country know about things out of their Princesses' reach, but just in case you really do expect an answer to your offer; no.”

There was a pregnant silence as the group and the unicorn stared each other down, neither willing to back off. Twilight had kept quiet, waiting to hear the stallion explain himself, or give reasons for his denial, or even start launching threats. Blue Jay, however, seemed satisfied with his simple 'no', and now merely stood defiantly in front of his bubble.

Just as Twilight was getting ready to try and convince him, Discord interrupted with an acidic tone of voice she was not sure she had heard him use before.

“I can't help but notice this little vendetta against magic or nature or whatever it's suppose to be, conveniently leaves you still fully in charge of your powers, my dear Blue Jay.”

The name was not said with much affection.

“Hey, yeah!” Pinkie bounced up, pointing an accusing hoof at the stallion. “You're suppose to be a big Gloomy Gus about magic and stuff but you totally tried to blast us! That's not fair, right?!”

Blue Jay seemed unmoved. “'Fight fire with fire', as the saying goes. You still need a spell to undo our world's tip in balance.”

“Oh, is that what you call it!” Rainbow Dash yelled back. “And lemme guess, you're the only pony who's the best at whatever to do it, right?!”

Blue Jay's eyes narrowed at this, but only slightly. “Perhaps. Perhaps I was merely the right pony at the right time. It doesn't really matter.”

“Oh, I'm not so sure about that,” Discord smiled like silk, stepping forward and gently elbowing Rainbow out of the way. “Perhaps it doesn't really matter, in a 'grand scheme of things' sort of way. But I'm sure it matters to you now, doesn't it?”

“Discord,” Twilight hissed at him, but he ignored the warning.

Blue Jay raised his head a little higher and turned his full attention to Discord, his glare sharpening. “I've no intention of playing your mind games, Shadow Spirit.”

“I beg your pardon?” Discord pulled a face, straightening slightly.

“That this thing should even be here just illustrates how we so called 'civilised ponies' have allowed ourselves to do as we please with magic, as long as it means we get a tighter leash on this world we live in.”

“Hey!” Rainbow lifted herself several feet above the ground, barely keeping herself from tackling the stallion. “Discord's not a thing! Keep your dirty talk to yourself, buddy! You don't see any of us calling you names!”

“Although I could certainly think of a few,” Rarity muttered.

“Everypony quiet down!” Twilight raised her voice above the growing argument, addressing her friends just as much as the pony before them. She then turned back to Blue Jay, her expression firm.

“We've come to try and reason with you about this, if you would let us. I'm going to ask you one last time; Stop this, and hand over that stone.” She insisted, this time without any doubt in her voice as to what she meant.

Blue Jay turned back to her, his expression slipping back to barely interested annoyance. “I gave you my answer.” He paused for a moment, breaking eye contact and addressed the middle distance on his right instead. “I appreciate the decency of an offer, even if it was hollow. But I've already started this. I made my decision, and this is where we are.” He turned back to them, his gaze sharp once more. “It is sad, but I don't regret this.”

“Ya realise what you're doin', right?!” Applejack interrupted, “Have ya seen what your foolhardiness has done ta the place?!”

She took several loud steps forward, glaring venom at him. “And I ain't just talkin' 'bout Equestria! Ya've gone and hurt everypony! Not just whoever ya've got grudges or ill feelin's towards! Everypony! And ya haven't just gone and taken away their magic! Ya've outright killed a lot of critters out there who need magic just ta stay alive! Critters who ain't ever hurt anypony! Critters who ain't even that powerful or have that much magic in 'em! And it ain't just them neither! It's ever plant, rock, stream and cloud! Ya wanna make a case 'bout ponies bein' too full of themselves I ain't gonna say you're wrong! Don't know 'bout you bein right, but I ain't sure you're wrong either! But I'm an earth pony! Ain't got no magic and ain't never had magic! Ain't ever wanted it neither! But in getting ourselves here ta try and talk some horse-sense into ya, I've seen a lot of folks really hurtin' from this thing you're doin'!”

She stomped a hoof on the ancient cobblestone, her voice raising as she steamrolled forward, unable to stop once she started.

“I know ya ain't had the happiest of times, trust me, I get that! Heck, I probably get it better than most! But ya don't go around hurtin' folks just 'cause somepony out there with more power and strength decided to do so to you and yours! Ya just don't! And if ya really can't tell why, then no manner of speech Twilight gives ya is gonna matter! So if ya don't wanna hear about doin' what's right, and ya don't wanna hear about the misery ya've caused, then hear this; ya ain't fixin' anything! Not a dang thing! And ya've only managed ta make the world a bigger mess than ya seem to think it already was! And magic or not, I ain't standin' for it! Ya had all this bad stuff with magic happen to ya, and you're tryin' to fix it by doin' even more bad stuff with magic! I tell ya I ain't standin' for it!”

She panted once she finished, having taken several steps closer to the stallion as she yelled. Twilight gaped at her, completely dumbstruck by the sudden burst of anger from what she had always thought of as her most level-headed friend.

The charged silence following the rant was broken by a steady clap.

“Bravo,” Discord said in his usual bemused tone, staring wide-eyed and smiling at the still glowering Applejack.

Twilight turned back to Blue Jay, almost forgetting the very real threat still facing them. Blue Jay was glaring at Applejack with the same sharp intensity he had given Discord, but Twilight noticed the ridge running down his spine as he bristled furiously and his eyes flashed.

“No matter how much you try and paint me as a heartless villain,” He said with a low, steady voice, “You are still the ponies who decided stopping me was important enough to throw away your morals and team up with that monstrosity!” He stabbed a hoof in Discord's direction.

“One more crack like that and you'll officially have pushed it once too far, pal!” Rainbow threatened but was ignored.

“You carry the Elements of Harmony!” Blue Jay went on, turning back to Twilight. “Yes, I know what those jewels you have are! I have heard of your powers! Even beyond Equestria, ponies have head of Nightmare Moon, Luna, The Changeling invasion and your other storybook worthy feats! And despite this, despite being the supposed living embodiments of the Elements themselves, you have thrown away your morals and the very thing you and those stones stand for to ally yourselves with the living antithesis of your supposed core beliefs!” Once again, a hoof was pointed accusingly at Discord. “You come here and try to talk, while holding a magically charged monster's leash! You want to point out my hypocrisy? Whatever damage my actions have done, your showing up with that has done only one thing; proven my point that ponies will capture and tame anything, as long as it gives them a more powerful hold over everything else!”

“Alright, that does it!” Rainbow Dash's patience broke as she tried to launch herself at him.

Blue Jay's horn flared with magic, glowing a bright cyan as he prepared to retaliate. Had Applejack not bit down on her tail, and Rarity not grabbed hold of Applejack, Rainbow would most likely have rammed headfirst into a burst of magic.

“Enough!” The scene was interrupted by a loud, furious command.

Every head present turned in the direction it had come from, struck silent. Rainbow Dash hovered awkwardly in place as Blue Jay's charged horn fizzled out.

Stepping out from an Alleyway and heading across the courtyard, her eyes blazing with anger and her pegasus partner close by her side, Stoneflower marched towards them.

Author's Notes:

Holy CRAP it's been a long time since I updated! I'm really honestly sorry everyone! Life became incredibly hectic at the end of last year. From stuff at work, to the holidays, to applying for a Mensa membership (I passed btw! yay!) to my birthday to everything else! And of course, once I found time to get back to this, I was rusty and it took me a good week or so to get going again. And to top it all off, I break the hiatus with a rather short chapter! Seriously, I'm very sorry guys!

Firstly though, this WAS going to be a much longer chapter, but I realised when I got to the end of this, that to continue from this point without a break would not be a good idea. It might overshadow important things that were said in this chapter, and I felt it might be too much to have both Blue Jay and Stoneflower appear in the same chapter to yell at everyone. So, despite being sorry to return on a short note, the chapter was not cut just to give you guys an update. The reasons were all story related.

I drew this a year ago, and it has taken me THIS long to finally have Blue jay make an appearance so my art has improved since this, but it helped me keep his appearance and personality close to what I wanted when I first came up with his concept, so all is well, I suppose.

Many special thanks to Alarajrogers for helping me get back in the groove of things. Your help was invaluable! And many thanks to my buddies Bryce and Tiff for going over the older chapters and helping me smooth out things.

As always, since I am impatient and don't edit as much as I should, please let me know of any typos, mistakes, grammar errors or anything else. It always helps.

Next update will be much sooner. I promise

Best Laid Plans

View Online

Chapter 26

Applejack let go of Rainbow's tail as she landed, eyes glued to the approaching figures of Stoneflower and Cloud Bastion. Twilight glanced briefly at Blue Jay, realising the sudden surprise arrival meant he could easily get a shot at them while they were distracted. Blue Jay, however, seemed just as shocked as everypony else, staring slack-jawed at the approaching mare.

“Oh, Splendid,” Discord muttered as he stepped over Fluttershy, making her peer out between his arms. “I was just thinking we could do with a few more opinionated maniacs to yell at us.”

“Anypony know who that is?” Rainbow asked in her trademark 'too loud to actually be quiet' whisper.

“That's Stoneflower,” Applejack said icily, “The 'Mayor' of Falabel.”

“Oh! So she's the pony telling that bunch of crazies what to do?” Pinkie said with a wide grin which immediately fell into an angry glare. “Yeah, I don't like her.”

“What are you doing here, Stoneflower?!” Blue Jay called.

Stoneflower and Cloud Bastion stopped a few paces away from the other two groups. Stoneflower's mouth was drawn into an angry line as she glared back at Blue Jay. Her eyes briefly flickered to the glowing bubble before snapping back to him.

“I'm here to stop you and your little entourage!” She yelled, her voice still thick with arrogance as well as a barely hidden anger. “You had to know I would find you eventually, Blue Jay! Did you really think your plan to assassinate me wouldn't backfire on you?!” She broke into a cold smile, “You seem to do so well with things backfiring on you, you must have expected this.”

“Leave, Stoneflower,” Blue Jay turned back to face Twilight instead. “This has nothing to do with you any more.”

“I am here to retrieve the Seventh Element!” Stoneflower barked, clearly insulted by the brush off. “And you can be sure when we do leave with it in our possession once more, we will not give you a chance for another attack on us!”

As the Mayor of Falabel ranted, Twilight kept her gaze firmly locked on Blue Jay, a deep frown on her face. Without looking away, she reached out and tapped the closest pony with the tip of a wing. Rarity blinked and turned to her, unsure if the tap was actually meant to catch her attention or not.

Twilight's eyes flitted to her to make sure Rarity was paying attention before she spoke under her breath. “We need to stop this before any of those three can do any more damage with that thing.”

“What should we do, Twilight?” Rarity asked, moving closer to her friend for the hushed conversation.

Twilight said nothing for a moment, looking from Blue Jay, to Stoneflower, and then to the stone.

“We need to hit that thing with the Elements, but I don't know if we're going to have enough time to charge our attack. Our other option is to try and get to the stone and take it away from here where Blue Jay can't use it and use our Elements on it later.”

Rarity pulled a face. “Frankly, I don't think I want to lay a hoof on that thing myself. Who knows what touching it could do?”

“Maybe,” Twilight nodded. “But I don't know if touching it would actually hurt. Blue Jay doesn't look like it's done much damage to him, but getting close enough to grab it means we have to get past him and his magic. I don't think Stoneflower will be too happy with that either. It's a big risk.”

“So, we're still going to hit it with the Elements instead?” Rarity whispered back.

“If we get a chance to charge our attack,” Twilight repeated.

“And how will we do that, dear?” Rarity turned to look at her properly.

“That's what I'm still trying to figure out,” Twilight said, pulling a face.

Blue Jay rolled his eyes at Stoneflower. “Seventh Element.” He gave a loud scoff. “I've said it before Stoneflower; you are wrong. The Stone is nothing like the Elements of Harmony. But that's the problem with you and the other Defectors, isn't it? You were always so willing to believe it was what you were told it was that you never stopped to think it might be something more powerful than that.” He turned to face her properly. “This Stone is not your 'Seventh Element' Stoneflower. It never was. Now I will say it one last time. Leave.”

“Blasphemer!” Stoneflower Shrieked. “We never should have let you inside the Fortress! I tried to warn Black Lavender of what a little worm you were! He didn't listen and just look at what you gave him for that!”

“Forgive me for eavesdropping, my dear compadres,” Discord lowered his head to join Twilight and Rarity's hushed conversation, “but perhaps if we were to divert the Peanut Gallery's attention elsewhere for a while you could power up your Rainbow of Death in peace?”

Twilight risked turning away from Blue Jay to look at him. “Meaning what exactly? A distraction?”

“Well done,” Discord said although Twilight ignored the condescending tone. “I was just thinking to myself while we're standing around not doing anything useful or interesting, 'I would really enjoy have a little one-to-one with our current and former hosts.' There's quite a few things I would adore getting off my chest.”

“You want to go over and talk to them?” Rarity whispered back. “You do realise that awful stallion still has a horn full of magic, don't you?”

“She's right Discord,” Fluttershy crawled out from under the cover of his chest to look up at him. “If you make that pony really angry, he might try and hit you with his magic, or maybe something worse.”

Discord bristled slightly as he turned to pout at her. “I find that rather insulting, my dear! Do you really think without my magic I'd be outclassed by such an amateur? I still have my wits about me, and he appears to only be playing with a half deck!”

“Yes, but your wing's still hurt and you can't fly,” Fluttershy reasoned, turning to face him properly. “And you haven't been feeling well either, remember? Well... I... I suppose you would remember... but we also remember, so don't try and pretend we'd just forget and let you do something dangerous like this.”

Discord gave an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes so hard he looked like he might have strained something. “All right, all fair and so on, Fluttershy. But if I may pose this question then; What choice do we have at this point? Those two aren't going to keep arguing and forget about us forever.”

Fluttershy bit her lip.

Blue Jay seemed to shudder for a moment when Stoneflower mentioned the old cult leader. However, he shook it off before continuing. “Black Lavender would not listen. I told him as I'm telling you, the stone is not the Seventh Element! If you don't want to end up the same way you will return to your tower with the rest of your misguided idiots!”

As he said this, Blue Jay's horn started to glow as he pointed it at Stoneflower. She grit her teeth but seemed in no hurry to turn around and walk away. At the raised horn, Cloud Bastion blew his nostrils and took a few steps forward, scratching the cobblestones with a hoof.

“I...” Fluttershy sunk, her ears flattening. “...alright... but don't do anything silly, okay Discord?”

Discord broke into a broad grin. “Now Fluttershy, what a silly thing to say!”

She shook her head. “Just, don't do anything to get yourself hurt.”

He rolled his eyes again. “I'll be fine... however,” His expression snapped to a frown as he turned to Twilight again. She stared back at him, unsure if she should frown back. He jabbed a finger towards her, meaningfully.

“Do not hit me with your magic jewelry! Do you understand me?”

“Huh?” Twilight blinked several times before nodding. “Oh... Oh yeah. Yeah, we won't. Just keep those three away from the stone.”

He did not budge. “I mean it, Twilight Sparkle. If you hit me with those, so help me, I will turn every book in your library into a deep sea spider crab and you will have to figure out what to feed them, how to groom them and how to take them for walks without any help from me! Or your books! Because I will turn them into deep sea spider crabs!”

“Alright alright! I get it already! We're not going to hit you with the Elements!” Twilight snapped back.

Discord held his frown a moment longer before straightening. “Good.” He broke into a grin again before turning and strolling towards the heated argument.

Twilight blew out a breath before turning to the others. “Alright, you heard him. We don't have much time so let's get these things going.”

The others nodded, moving back into formation. Fluttershy stumbled absentmindedly into her spot, watching Discord as he went.

“You're not going to shoot me, Blue Jay.” Stoneflower said, her face twisting into a cold smile again. “You were always such a weakling when you wormed your way among us. Even as Black Lavender's second in command, you always shirked giving out discipline to the lower members. Too afraid of blood to ever do anything. You always left me to pick up the slack for you.”

“I killed Black Lavender, didn't I?” Blue Jay threatened, his horn glowing brighter.

“Yes,” Her smile faded away, “I was surprised when I heard. But even then, you couldn't do it face to face, could you? You had to leave a hex as you slunk off into the forest,” Her face hardened. “Not only are you a coward, but you are also the most traitorous pony I have ever come across. Not only did you murder our leader, but you did so with the very magic you claimed to want to set free! You betrayed your ideals to do exactly that which we set out to put an end to! I thought that, despite everything else despicable about you, at the very least your conviction was true! I should not have given you so much praise!”

“Stop. Talking!” Blue Jay screamed, raising his voice properly for the first time.

“Oh no. Please, do go on,” Discord said pleasantly as he walked over.

The other three ponies spun to face him, Blue Jay's horn fizzling out. Stoneflower's eyes narrowed as Cloud Bastion unfolded his wings, turning away from Blue Jay to glare at Discord instead.

Blue Jay gave a low growl. “Don't push me, Shadow Spirit! My patience is at an end!”

“I wouldn't dream of it,” Discord said, standing himself uncomfortably close to the stallion. “After all, I'm afraid you have me at a bit of a disadvantage. I'm still without my powers after all. Which reminds me, I've been meaning to ask how it is you've managed to hold on to yours?” He gave a pert smile at the seething stallion. “Just out of curiosity. After all, should this ever happen again I'd much rather hang on to my own magic. It's such an inconvenience to have lost it. Not that you'd understand that of course. Actually,” Discord frowned, tapping his chin. “Are you planning to give up yours as well? After all, you seem rather against the whole 'ponies with magic' idea.”

“I don't have to answer anything from you!” Blue Jay snapped, turning back to Stoneflower. “Take your insane rambling somewhere else. I have other vermin to deal with first!”

“Oh, Vermin am I?!” Stoneflower yelled, taking several steps forward.

“Don't get so worked up, your Mayorness,” Discord said sympathetically, walking to stand between the two of them. “Now, I know you and your other earth ponies are far superior to us lowly magic users, but you can't expect poor Blue Jay to understand. He's a little touched, after all.” He leaned forward towards her, raising to talk behind a paw without bothering to lower his voice. “I heard the poor boy thinks the land spoke to him once. It's sad really.”

“Oh?” Stoneflower broke into a smile once more, turning back to Blue Jay. “Are you still spouting that nonsense to ponies? I thought you only said that so Black Lavender would let you join us. You actually believe it?”

Blue Jay seemed unmoved by this, gradually calming down again to stare at them with cold contempt. “I use to. But I was wrong,” He drew himself up, lifting his head high. “It was never the land who asked me to set it free. It was the stone.”

“Ah, of course,” Discord nodded, “I should have known. It's silly for the ground to talk but a rock? That's completely different.”

Blue Jay's eyes narrowed. “The stone is more than you or even they ever imagined it to be,” He nodded towards Stoneflower and Cloud Bastion with a disgusted expression. “It's no Shadow Element of Harmony, and it's no magical rock either,” He cocked a brow at Discord. “It's much more.”

Discord gave a drawn out yawn, “Yes yes. All very dramatic, I'm sure. But that doesn't change the fact that you seem convinced a piece of rubble from many miles away locked in a tower spoke to you asking to set it free.” He smiled widely. “May I suggest next time trying to find a princess in a tower instead? Far more rewarding, I assure you. Besides, you look like the kind of stallion who could use some, shall we say, rewarding.”

Blue Jay made a disgusted noise, but broke into a smile of his own. “You can insult me all you want, Shadow Spirit. You have no hope to stand up against the Stone.” He turned back to Stoneflower, his smile staying where it was. “Why don't you do me a favour and go back with this mare to her following of clowns? She seems so eager to get her precious Seventh Element and I've had more than I can stand from all of you!”

Stoneflower made an infuriated noise, marching forward again. “That makes two of us!”

Cloud Bastion gave a flap as he took off, hovering over his leader as he glared daggers at the unicorn. Blue Jay's horn flared with power once again as he prepared to fire.

“And we were having such a pleasant conversation too,” Discord sighed, going to all fours. He turned and gave Blue Jay another grin, but this one had a sharp edge to it. “But then, all good things must come to an end after all. Besides, I see my friends are all set and ready to go.”

Blue Jay snapped his head to Discord before spinning to the group of ponies he had completely forgotten about.

The group of six were engulfed in light, a rainbow'd ribbon connecting them to each other as Twilight at the front spread he wings and opened her eyes, glowing with energy. There was a blinding flash as a second rainbow burst out from the group, barreling towards the glowing bubble and the Stone of Null.

The bubble resisted the blast for exactly two seconds before it started to crack. Long spider-web like cracks streaked across its surface before it seemed to break apart completely. The rainbow sped forward once more before slamming full force into the spinning stone at the center.

The world exploded into white with a deafening boom. Discord found himself instinctively shielding his face from the light. Even as he did so a small voice from somewhere inside him spoke up, chastising him for not facing the blast head-on. For not standing proudly and defiantly instead of, once again, cowering. For showing weakness and letting ponies know that despite all he is and all he ever was, they can still overpower him whenever they wanted. And yet he could not stop the stab of panic that shot through him. The anticipation of getting locked in place unable to move, unable to speak, unable to live. Locked in marble and plunged into dark, silent loneliness.

'It's not for you,' A second voice spoke up, quieter than the first, but with more conviction.

'It's not meant for you.'

He lowered his arms slightly.

The blazing light faded.

Swirling dust, or maybe smoke, tumbled away from them in all directions. The sudden rush of wind died down. Somewhere, several streets away, there was the sound of something wood and stone crumbling in on itself. The clouds above them rippled and broke apart.

There was coughing as all ponies present got back to their hooves, shaking dirt from their manes and brushing their faces clean. Discord turned to the group of ponies who had just fired their Elements, but they all seemed fine, considering.

Twilight spat the grit out of her mouth before getting up and turning to where the Stone had been floating.

The triangular artifact hung in the air in front of her, spinning lazily on its own axis. The glowing bubble of light surrounding it throbbed, causing small ripples around its base. There was a soft, held note in the air. A quiet trill somewhere in the back of her hearing. Like the ringing in your ears that happened for no reason.

Twilight stared at it. She could physically feel blood and heat drain out of her face as ice seemed to grow itself up her spine. She realised she was shaking her head, but she could not make herself stop.

“Nothing happened...” Pinkie's voice, sounding far away, squeaked.

“You monstrous heathens!” Stoneflower screamed, leaping into a full canter as she stormed towards the glowing bubble.

“Stop!” Blue Jay yelled, stumbling to his hooves. “Get away from it!”

Stoneflower ignored him, torpedoing towards the stone, Cloud Bastion swooping down and following after her.

“Stop her!” Applejack yelled, jumping to her own hooves and running towards the bubble as well.

“Right behind you!” Rainbow called back, shooting into the sky.

Stoneflower leapt the last few feet, her forelegs outstretched as she plunged into the bubble of light, grabbing the spinning triangle with both hooves. She broke into a manic smile, eyes wild as she ripped the stone from where it spun with a triumphant cry.

The bubble throbbed, shrinking in on itself before swelling dramatically in size. There was an off-kilter sound as the high-pitched trill dropped and a moment of dead silence filled the air. The stone in her hooves flashed white for a moment before bursting into what could only be described as a light devoid of light.

Stoneflower screamed but did not let go. She shut her eyes, arcing her back as the dark light engulfed her. Cracks, like a drying riverbed, shot across her body as she seemed to glow with her own inner light. Her scream drew on, growing louder and higher.

And then, she burst.

Crystal like shards rained down on the others as they turned to shield their eyes, or simply stared in horror. Applejack skid to a stop only a foot or so in front of the bubble, spinning in place as she turned her face away, throwing both forelegs over her eyes. Rainbow, who had been aiming for Cloud Bastion, looped in the air and instead streaked towards Applejack, her legs outstretched. As soon as she was within reach, Rainbow grabbed her friend around the middle and continued forward towards the others, pulling Applejack away from the danger.

Cloud Bastion faltered to a stop, flapping wildly as he stared at where his leader had been standing. There was clear terror on his face, but not a single sound came out of him.

In the center of the bubble, the dark light around it fading to nothing, the triangular stone fell back into its rhythmic spin, the bubble reverting to normal. Neither showed any indication that anything had happened.

Discord stood rooted to the spot, watching the series of events unfold with a dumbstruck expression. He gave his head a shake as he realised he had not moved in the past few seconds. He turned to Blue Jay.

The pony was standing in the same spot, staring at the bubble and the stone with a sort of quiet conviction. Discord had seen that expression before, long ago on the faces of ponies who had that terrible thing in them; a sense of duty.

He turned to the panicked Cloud Bastion, who was now flying large circles over the courtyard. It seemed almost as if he was looking for Stoneflower, as if she had simply teleported away and he would find her standing in an alleyway or street just a few houses away if he looked hard enough. There was a terrified madness to his eyes.

Discord turned to the group of ponies carrying the Elements. Rainbow Dash had landed with Applejack among the group again. Rarity was anxiously asking if the two of them were alright. Twilight stood as if she had been frozen in place, staring at the glowing bubble in shock.

Fluttershy had her hooves to her mouth as she stared at the stone. She appeared to be trembling.

Discord dropped down and bounded towards them. He stopped in front of Twilight, cutting off her line of sight with the spinning stone. She blinked several times before turning to look up at him.

“Time to go,” Discord said, reaching over her and picking up Fluttershy.

Twilight blinked again, apparently struggling to come back to reality. “We... We can't... we... We have to...”

“Later,” Discord interrupted, dropping Fluttershy on his back before reaching and grabbing hold of Rarity and Pinkie as well, tucking one under each arm. “Right now, it's time to go. You two alright to move?”

The last statement was aimed at Applejack and Rainbow, who both nodded dumbly in reply.

“Alright then, off we go,” He turned and without waiting to hear another word, sprinted down a street and away from both Blue Jay and the Stone.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were quick to follow.

“Come on, Twilight!” Rainbow urged, grabbing hold of one of her forelegs and tugging her with them.

Twilight turned to stare at Blue Jay. He stared right back, but made no move to follow them. His expression was cold and distant, as it had been when he first stepped out to face them.

Twilight stumbled forward before breaking into a run and following the others down an alley, across a street, and out of sight from the courtyard.

Author's Notes:

See? I promised the next update would come sooner than last time.

So uhm... yeah. This is a thing

Here's a picture of Stoneflower, as I realised I'd done the other 2 major OCs of the story but not her.

I was on a real roll with this chapter and really wanted to get it up before Monday. So once again, please let me know of any typos or grammar mistakes or anything of the like. It's always appreciated.

I can't think of anything else to comment with. I'll try and get the next chapter up as soon as I can. And I really hope you guys enjoy the story. I really truly am trying my best. I really am. And I want to thank you for all your comments and support, as always. If not for you I might've given up because of my inner critic looooong ago.

It's actually a 'Japanese Spider Crab' but that wouldn't make much sense in Equestria.

Together

View Online

Chapter 27

“What in the name of Princess Celestia do we do now?!” Rainbow Dash yelled, throwing open her hooves.

The group had put some distance between themselves and Blue Jay. The reason why was not exactly clear, but after the double shock of the Elements not working and the sight of Stoneflower being killed, it had seemed the smartest thing to do. As it became clear Blue Jay had no intentions of following them, the group stopped to take shelter in one of the larger ruins.

No sooner had they caught their breath, than Rainbow Dash went into a near-hysterical rant. She was pacing the length of the cracked and broken floor, trampling over patches where grass and moss had spread.

“I don't understand it,” Twilight said to nopony in particular. “Why didn't the elements work? They had power, I could feel it! So why didn't it work?”

“Maybe the big shiny bubble stopped them somehow?” Pinkie offered as she watched Rainbow pace.

“But the blast of magic broke through it,” Rarity said, “I saw it break through!”

“So why didn't they work, huh?” Pinkie said, turning to Twilight.

“I don't know!” She said, rather loudly. “It doesn't make any sense!”

“What the heck is that thing anyway?!” Rainbow said, spinning back to face the others. “It didn't even flinch! Did you see what it did to that crazy mayor lady?! She exploded!”

“Yes, Rainbow Dash, dear. We were all there,” Rarity said with strained patience.

“How the heck did she and that bodyguard find us anyway?!” Rainbow went on, starting her pacing again. “I thought she lost us in the forest! And I can tell you right now I never saw any pony following us! Where the heck did she come from?!”

“That Innkeeper musta told 'em where we were goin',” Applejack said with an absent tone of voice. “He had a bit of a screw loose. Didn't think much of givin' the three of us directions.”

Rainbow threw her hooves up at this. “Great! So you've got a crazy mayor and her crazy followers, but they're not even the kind of crazy where they just sit around and scream at invisible bushwoolies! They gotta be able to think! Well that's just great!” She spun back to the others again, “What kind of pony just runs up and grabs a weirdo stone of evil, anyway?! And what kind of evil weirdo stone makes ponies explode?!”

“If I knew that, I'd probably know why the elements didn't work!” Twilight snapped at her, although she immediately looked ashamed for it. “There has to be some kind of explanation. Maybe... Maybe Oggie said something we forgot?”

“You'd think he'd remember to say 'oh, by the way, your whole plan of using the elements isn't gonna work'! I think I would've remembered that, Twilight!” Rainbow snapped back as she gave a fallen pile of wood and rafters a punch with a foreleg.

“Hey, I'm just trying to make sense of this, alright?!” Twilight said with a frown.

“What sense is there to make?!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “Doesn't matter if we can figure it out or not, we're up a creek over here with nothing else to throw at that thing!”

“Rainbow Dash, would ya calm down already?” Applejack came back to reality. “We're all upset about this but ya don't need ta get everypony else into a state!”

“Oh I don't, huh?!” Rainbow turned on her instead. “Well maybe I'm just a little freaked out by the fact that we saw a pony explode!”

“Will ya stop sayin' that already?!” Applejack snapped. “We all saw it, Dash! Ya don't need to keep goin' on about it!”

“I think if there's anything worth going on about it's how that stone thingy just made somepony blow up into a thousand pieces just by touching it! After it got hit by a giant rainbow made of magic! You don't think that might kinda be a little important?!”

“We know it's important, Dash!” Twilight spoke up again. “But we need to think about this logically and work out what went wrong!”

Rainbow Dash scoffed. “What went wrong is we're all a bunch of idiots for not trying to think of some kind of plan B instead of just relying on these stupid things!” She tapped her necklace.

“But they've always worked on big baddies before!” Pinkie said.

“This wasn't really a 'baddie' though,” Rarity said thoughtfully to whoever would listen. “It was a rock, or... a stone or... jewel perhaps?”

“Shoulda still worked right?” Pinkie turned to smile at her. “It's a bad rock or stone or jewel! So the Elements shoulda taken care of it anyway, right? I mean we've zapped alicorns and Discords and scary nightmare creatures and all kinds of stuff with them! A rock shouldn't really be that big a deal. I mean, I know a lot about rocks and they're not exactly super awesome magic blockers. Well, not normal rocks anyway. I dunno about other rocks. My sister Maud would know! She's really super smart and knows a lot of stuff about rocks I've never even heard about before!”

“Well your sister's not here!” Rainbow snapped at Pinkie this time, apparently committed to staying angry. “There's nopony here but us and that big pegasus guy and somehow I really don't think he's gonna be any help!”

“Rainbow, seriously, ya gotta calm down!” Applejack yelled, marching over to her.

“I am calm!” Rainbow yelled back, sticking her face dangerously close to Applejack's. “For a pony that's just seen a magic rock ignore the most powerful magic blast in Equestria before blowing up another pony just for touching it I am incredibly calm!”

Fluttershy stood to the side of the heated scene, watching her friends scream and shout at each other with flattened ears. She shifted her weight from hoof to hoof, trying to hide behind her hair. She took a few nervous glances above them, worried of some unseen danger that might swoop down on them while they argued. The roof of the building had very long ago caved in, and the late afternoon sun was pouring down through the beams and rafters that remained intact. Glassless windows on the second floor hung thick with ivy and innumerable small plants that had taken root right on the wooden frames. There was no sign of something watching them. No Blue Jay, no grey pegasus, and nothing else that her imagination was coming up with.

She turned to Discord, wondering if he was perhaps keeping a look out while the rest of them were shouting. However, Discord seemed as oblivious to their surroundings as the others were. He was watching the unhinged argument with rapt attention, his ears perked as his attention flitted back and forth between whoever was yelling the loudest. For one moment, he almost looked like he wanted to add something to the fight, but apparently changed his mind.

Fluttershy turned back to the argument as well. She did, however, take note of the fact that Discord was making an active effort to stay out of it instead of egging anypony on. She decided to praise him for it later.

The word 'later' stung for a moment, but Fluttershy refused to think about it.

“What do you want us ta do, Dash?! Huh?! What exactly is it ya want us ta do about all of this?!” Applejack yelled, poking her friend in the chest.

“How the heck should I know?!” Rainbow slapped her hoof away. “I don't have the faintest idea what we're suppose to do! 'Get to the stone and blast it with the Elements'! That is all I've been focused on this whole trip, Applejack! I'm not the one who comes up with the smart plans around here!”

“So you think because of that you can just yell at the ponies who do?!” Twilight interrupted, marching closer.

“No! That's not what I meant!” Rainbow turned to her instead. “But I don't have any idea of what we gotta do, alright?! And none of us have said anything about what we'd do if these things didn't work!”

“How were we s'posed ta plan for that?!” Applejack snapped.

“Well, maybe if we took some time to think about it we could've figured it out!” Rainbow yelled.

“Well we didn't!” Twilight said, stomping a hoof. “And there's no use complaining about it now!”

“So what exactly are we supposed to do?!” Rainbow turned to her again.

“I don't know, okay?!” Twilight yelled. “I have no idea! I'm trying to think and I'm trying to remember anything that can help but I don't know! I'm trying, alright?! I'm trying as hard as I can! I didn't mean to let everypony down! I am doing my best!”

“That's not what I'm saying!” Rainbow shook her head. “I never said anything about letting anypony down!”

“But I have, okay?!” Twilight yelled back. “I'm suppose to be the pony leading this group! I'm the one in charge of all this magic stuff! I'm the pony who got turned into a princess! It's supposed to be my job to stop disasters like this!” She took a few heavy breaths which audibly trembled. “It's my responsibility to protect Equestria! And to protect my friends! I'm the one who promised Princess Celestia to do everything I can to make things right!”

“Hey! Woah, wait a minute!” Rainbow interrupted, the frown on her face breaking slightly.

Twilight shook her head. “I'm sorry, alright?! I thought the Elements would be enough to fix this! I didn't think things through like I should have and I'm sorry!” She hiccuped.

“Now just wait a second!” Rainbow marched over to her. “This isn't your fault, Twilight. None of us thought of any other ideas if the Elements didn't work!”

“But I'm the alicorn here!” Twilight insisted. “I'm the one who's a Princess!”

“And we're the ponies who helped make that happen!” Rainbow interrupted again, raising her voice above Twilight's. “Princess or not, you're not the only pony here whose job it is to protect Equestria! Just because you got yourself a set of wings to match your horn doesn't mean the rest of us can just put up our hooves and not put in any effort!”

“Rainbow Dash's right,” Applejack nodded, walking over as well. Unlike Rainbow however, she said this at a normal volume. “Ya may be the bookish one here, Twilight, but none of us said 'maybe we oughta think of another way ta deal with this guy'. We all just decided the Elements were gonna work and nopony thought we might be wrong about that.”

“But I should've known...” Twilight rubbed her face with a foreleg.

“And how, precisely, should you have known this would happen?” Rarity asked, although she did not sound as forceful as she probably intended.

Twilight looked up at her. “I'm the element of Magic! I'm... I'm supposed to think about these kinds of things!”

“And I'm the Element of Honesty and I shoulda told Applebloom where fillies come from when she asked,” Applejack said. “But just 'cause your special talent is magic, and ya have that fancy crown, don't mean ya have to know and live and breathe everythin' ta do with magic. Sure, ya've got the wings and stuff, but yer still a pony, same as anypony else. Just 'cause ya've got a little more power in the magic department than the rest of us, don't mean ya've turned into some omneepohdant alicorn that knows absolutely everythin'!”

“'Omnipotent,'” Rarity corrected, cocking a brow at her.

“Whatever,” Applejack waved a hoof at her. “Point is, yer still Twilight. Yer smart and yer pretty good with the magic thing, but yer still Twilight. And Twilight is a pony, just like the rest of us.” Applejack gave Twilight a Lopsided smile. “Honestly? It's kinda snobby fer ya ta think ya should have all the answers just 'cause of that crown on yer head. Don't ya think?”

Twilight sniffed, but said nothing.

Rainbow Dash cleared her throat.

“Yeah... uhm...” She scratched at the ground with a hoof. “I er... I didn't mean to make it sound like... you know... you had to fix this by yourself or... or should've known this was gonna happen... or anything... you know?”

“You said a lot of other stuff, though!” Pinkie bounced closer, putting her forelegs over Dash's back as she grinned at her.

“Yeah... Yeah I... I guess I kinda lost it...” Rainbow gave Twilight a sheepish grin. “Sorry Twilight... I was just... you know... not scared or anything but... you know...”

Twilight smiled at her, wiping her muzzle as she gave a nod. After this she sunk, sitting down on a patch of moss. “What are we going to do now?”

The others exchanged glances.

“Well, I suppose... best we can really do is... oh dear...” Rarity rubbed her head. “I'm really not sure. What do we know about this stone?”

“Does anypony remember what that Oggie guy said about it?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I know we were all there, but some of that guy's talking kinda went over my head.”

“I remember some of it,” Applejack offered.

“I remember the neat pictures he had in his book!” Pinkie added.

Twilight gave a nod, straightening a little. “I think... I remember most of it too.”

“Okay. So... where do we start?” Applejack said, sitting down as well.

“At the beginning?” Pinkie suggested, smiling widely.

“Good idea,” Rarity smiled.

Fluttershy was running her hooves over her mane as she tried to think. She herself did not remember all that much of what Oggie had said. Most of what she remembered had to do with the Cult he thought still had the stone. And the only reason she remembered that clearly was because at the time she had been afraid of facing them. Other than that, her memory was hazy at best.

She turned to Discord, hoping perhaps he would remember more than she did, although she was not sure how much attention he had been paying at the time. Personal experience had taught her Discord only really had two responses to a lecture. Either he would ignore it completely, or he would look like he was ignoring it while actually listening to every word.

The spot where Discord had been sitting was empty. The grass and moss still had an indentation of where he had been lying. Fluttershy looked around to see if he had shifted when she was not looking. It was only by chance that she spotted the flick of a tail as he disappeared, walking out and around the ruined house.

Fluttershy gave her friends a sideways glance, watching as they calmly tried to sort through what they could remember. She stood up and left the crumbling room, heading after Discord.

Fluttershy walked out into what was slowly becoming evening, looking around for any sign of the draconequus. She spotted him strolling down one of the streets, heading nowhere in particular from what she could tell. She trotted after him. It did not take too long for her to catch up.

“Where are you going?” she asked when she was close enough.

Discord stopped and turned to her. He seemed surprised to have been followed. However, he broke into a wide smile and turned to face her properly.

“I thought I'd go for a little walk, actually. Clear my head and all that. Besides, it didn't look like I was going to be much use in there,” He gave a shrug.

Fluttershy stared up at him for a moment. She took off lightly and flapped to hover at eye level with him.

“I don't really think you're the type of pony... erm... draconequus, who wants to do something like clear their head,” She said.

Discord gave a chuckle. “Well said. However, I assure you it's true. Actually, there's a rather lovely oak near your cottage I'm quite fond of that I like to lie around in and do some head-clearing, when I have nothing better to do.” He frowned to himself. “Then again, I suppose that would count more as a 'nap' than 'clearing my head'. But in the end, I suppose it amounts to the same thing, really.”

Fluttershy did not seem very interested in Discord's Oak, though. She lowered her head slightly, rubbing her forelegs together. “Oh.”

Discord watched her for a few moments, but it became clear after a while Fluttershy was not going to break the silence herself. Usually that meant there was something on her mind and she was nervous about saying it out loud. Not that that meant too much. Fluttershy tended to be nervous about saying things quite often.

“Anything wrong, my dear?” Discord asked, leaning forward to smile at her.

“Uhm... no. Not really,” She pulled her mane back out of her face. “I... I was kinda worried you were... maybe... leaving? Or something?”

Discord stared at her, but she refused to look him in the eye. He gave a soft laugh. “Now, Fluttershy, I'm insulted! Do you really think I would just wander off and leave my little pony friends to face this rude Blue Bird by themselves?”

Fluttershy mumbled something but he did not catch it. He did notice her cheeks flare up, however. He laughed again and picked her up out of the air, holding her out at arm's length.

“Really, my dear. You worry far too much! Why in Equestria would I do that?”

Fluttershy peeked up at him, looking sheepish. “I don't know... Maybe... you don't think there's anything we can do?”

Discord's smile stayed where it was. Perhaps, more accurately, it froze in place.

Fluttershy turned to stare down at the ground, fiddling with her hooves. “We're doing our best but... I was worried you might think... it could be hopeless?”

“Hopeless, huh?” Discord said, lowering her a little.

She snapped her gaze back to him in alarm. “I'm not saying it is, of course! I just... I was worried maybe you were thinking it was so... you might decide to...” She trailed off, breaking eye contact again.

There was an uncomfortable pause. Fluttershy could feel her chest tighten. She felt the urge to say something. As she was about to, Discord broke into a stroll once more, hugging her against his chest. He did not head back to the others, instead taking a turn and walking down a side street.

Fluttershy turned up to look at him. “Where are we going?”

“I don't know,” Discord replied. “Over there, somewhere.”

His voice somehow sounded distant.

It did not seem like taking a walk was really at the forefront of Discord's mind any more, however. After only a street or so, he seemed to lose interest in the whole thing and clambered up a half-destroyed wall of a house instead. He put Fluttershy down to stretch out, cracking his fingers above his head with a yawn before he lay down to bask in what remained of the sun.

Part of her was urging Fluttershy to tell him they needed to get back to the others as soon as possible and try to figure out what they could possibly do to stop Blue Jay. But as soon as she thought about it again, she felt worn out. And what was worse, she knew no matter how hard she tried to think about it, there was not any way she was going to be able to think of something Twilight or Applejack would not think of first. She just did not have the mind for it. Truth be told, the only solution that came to her mind at all was to ask Blue Jay nicely to stop because he was hurting others. She knew she could be naïve at times, but she was by no means that naïve.

She gave a long sigh as she trotted across the flat roof, or possibly exposed attic, and lay down beside Discord. Fluttershy said nothing for a while, listening to the sounds of evening around them. Calls from birds, the buzz of insects, the far off cry from a meadowlark. The very very distance hum of magic.

A breeze rolled over the gutted houses and played with her hair for a moment. She listened to it rustle the long grass in the forgotten gardens. The sky was turning from blue to yellow. The few rays of the sun that reached them felt warmer than usual in comparison to the cooling air. There were the ghostly lights from fireflies just waking up for the night among the unkept bushes. Not that far from them, the roofs of the houses reflected the cold glow from Blue Jay's bubble.

Fluttershy turned to Discord. He lay on his back, arms curled against his chest dog-like. He scratched at his fur as he stared at the sky above them. He looked wider eyed than normal as he stared, almost with dread, at nothing.

Fluttershy's ears drooped. She shifted a little before she lay her head down across his stomach. It was not very long before she felt a soft paw start to stroke her mane.

She bit her lip as something inside her started to ache. But she said nothing.

The sky had turned red. The moon, still following its own route free of guidance, was waning. Soon it, the fireflies, and the distant glow were going to be the only lights in the empty town.

“I've been thinking,” Discord broke the silence.

Fluttershy blinked to herself, but did not sit up.

“Something that Blue Bottle pony said is bothering me,” Discord went on without prompting.

“I don't think you should pay too much attention to what he says,” Fluttershy said gently.

“Now now, my dear. One should always listen to what your enemy has to say to you. You never know what they might let slip,” Discord said. She could not see it, but she could almost hear him wag a talon at her. “But like I was saying; he mentioned something which is tugging at my mind.”

“What did he say?” Fluttershy lifted her head to look at him.

Discord was still staring up at the sky, as if he was talking to the moon rather than her. “He said the stone was not a Seventh Element or anything of that sort. Something which, I assure you, I remembered quite clearly before he ever mentioned it. I don't believe he was lying about that.”

“Have you remembered why you don't think it's like one of the Elements?” Fluttershy asked.

Discord frowned to himself. “I'm not entirely sure. I do remember seeing it once before. However, I'm almost certain it did not look like that when I did.”

Fluttershy blinked at him. “What do you mean?”

“Well that's the frustrating thing. It happened so long ago I can't really recall. I would remind you I can remember the forming of the three pony Kingdoms and the rather chilly winter the windigos brought quite clearly. Windigos, incidentally, are not really that much fun. Very single minded and no sense of humour. All they care about is snow. Dreadfully boring.”

“I'm afraid I don't really understand how Blue Jay saying the same thing you already knew would bug you, Discord,” Fluttershy tried to focus him back to the topic at hand.

“That's not really the part that bothers me,” Discord said. He paused for a few moments before he asked, almost hesitantly; “Do you, by any chance, remember what that charming Ogham fellow said ponies believed the Seventh Element was? If it did exist?”

Fluttershy blushed and shook her head. “I was so worried about facing the cult members, I didn't really think about the details of the stone, I'm afraid.”

“That's surprisingly thoughtless of you, my dear,” Discord raised his head to cock an eyebrow at her.

Fluttershy's blush darkened. “I was a little scared.”

Discord laid his head back down, not commenting on what he thought of Fluttershy's fear of things that had not happened yet. “Ogham mentioned that the Seventh Element broke off from the same World-Guardian as the other elements, but it was a shadow representation of the other six.”

“What does that mean exactly?” Fluttershy asked. “Is it like the opposite of the Elements of Kindness, laughter, and the others?”

“No no, Fluttershy. It is the shadow part of those,” Discord raised a finger pointedly.

“I don't really think I understand. So, it's not bad?”

Discord said nothing. He frowned to himself for a while before he lowered his finger again and shifted to get more comfortable.

“I don't know.”

Fluttershy watched him for a while as he lay thinking. He stared unseeingly with wide eyes, giving no indication he was even aware that she was still there. It did not look like he was going to raise the subject again.

Fluttershy sighed quietly, lying her head down on top of him again. The sun had disappeared behind the mountain, but despite the cold evening air, Discord was warm against her cheek.

It almost made her want to cry.

“We should probably go back and stop this pony before he gets too full of himself,” Discord said eventually. The joke sounded half-hearted, however, and he did not move to sit up right away.

“What are we going to do?” Fluttershy asked. He voice was softer than normal.

“I'm not entirely sure,” Discord said as he shifted, making her lift her head again. “I think, however, I have something of an idea that could, possibly, help.”

Fluttershy blinked large eyed at him. “You have?”

He gave her a toothy grin. “It's a bit of a long shot. But then again, those tend to be the most fun. You never know how they might actually turn out. If things go as they should then everything is fine. If not, you usually end up with an utterly wonderful mess you couldn't dream of consciously making yourself.”

Fluttershy's ears lowered again. “That's not really reassuring.”

“Perhaps not,” Discord sat up. He leaned towards her as he smiled ear to ear, eventually scrunching his nose against her's, “but it's the best I've got. Besides,” He pulled back, picking her up again and holding her out in front of him. The smile stayed where it was, and at a glance nothing in his expression really looked like it changed, but there was the faintest shift in his voice. Hardly even there at all. “We'll do this together, just like you said... won't we?”

Fluttershy regarded him for a moment before she smiled warmly. “Yes.”

“Well then,” He cleared his throat, putting her down on the roof before he started to climb over its edge, “We should probably head back before the others start mounting a search party for us.”

Fluttershy watched him climb down before she flew to follow, landing beside him while he waited for her. They headed back to where the rest of the group had taken shelter. The walk was slow, and with every step Fluttershy could feel something made of lead start to grow in her stomach.

“Oh, one more thing before I forget it again,” Discord said suddenly, giving his own forehead a mock slap. “You mentioned it a while ago and I realised it completely slipped my mind to answer you properly at the time.”

Fluttershy stared up at him, at a loss. “What is it?”

He did not meet her eye, focusing instead on the way they were going, but he smiled again. In a way, it almost looked sad, somehow.

“You're my best friend, Fluttershy,” he said, matter-of-factly, “and I love you too.”

“There you two are!” Rainbow Dash grumbled when Discord and Fluttershy strolled back into the ruined house. “Where'd you run off to?! We were starting to get worried!”

“Don't get your feathers in a bunch, Rainbow Dash,” Discord waved a claw at her. “We were just out enjoying the evening air. Taking in the local wildlife. Seeing the burnt out, charred sights.”

“Well, you could've said something,” Rainbow huffed.

Twilight rolled her eyes with a smile before focusing back on the other two. “Did you guys find anything... I dunno... useful at all?”

“I found a blackberry bush,” Discord grinned. “They're still green too, so they have this wonderful bitterness to them.”

“Did you come up with any ideas of what we could do to stop the stone, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, turning to scan the faces of the others hopefully.

They gave various shifts and coughs in reply.

“I'm afraid not,” Twilight sighed. “We've been going over every tiny thing we can remember Oggie saying about the stone, the cultist, the old manuscripts calling it a Seventh Element—”

“Which it isn't,” Discord interrupted.

“—the creation story he talked about, where the stone was found. Everything. But we can't think of anything that might actually help us stop it.” Twilight finished.

“I know so much about scary dark powers from outer space fighting magic protection dust I could write a book about it!” Pinkie groaned, wrapping her forelegs over her head.

“The only idea we thought might be kinda useful is when Rarity said the thing could be like an evil Element of somethin',” Applejack added.

“Fluttershy, can you hear me? Because I'm starting to worry I might have been struck mute at some stage,” Discord said with clear annoyance.

“Not that it's an evil Seventh Element, you dingus!” Rainbow stuck her tongue out at him. “That it's maybe some evil element that came from somewhere else!”

“Like a mirror universe where we all have moustaches and creepy opposite coloured manes!” Pinkie said with enthusiasm.

“Maybe,” Twilight said, “But even if it was, that doesn't exactly help us stop it.”

“Unless we open a portal back to its home and shove it into it!” Pinkie argued, miming the action.

“And how exactly do we do that?” Rainbow pulled a face.

Pinkie shrugged. “Hey, I can't think of everything around here.”

“Interesting theory, Pinkie,” Discord said, playing with his beard. “Remind me of that complementary coloured manes thing later, if you don't mind. As for right now though, I think perhaps I have an idea of what could give your little trinkets an extra boost of power.”

Twilight immediately turned her full attention on him. “Really? What?! What did you find?!”

Discord waved his paw and claw at her in defense. “Calm down, Princess! Let's try and keep some form of royal decorum here!”

“Discord, seriously. If you've found something that could help—” Twilight said, fighting back every urge to grab and shake the answer out of him.

“It's nothing we've found,” Discord said, circling her in a way he knew she hated, “I was just doing some thinking while I was sunbathing. And I said to myself, I said; 'Myself, your pony friends are in quite the bind here. And seeing as I would also openly welcome my powers back, perhaps I should do a little more than wave pom poms on the side-lines while they try and fight yet another Equestria-threatening menace.'”

“You have pom poms?!” Pinkie's ears perked up.

“Sadly not,” Discord said without missing a beat. “But what I do have is perhaps just that little extra power that could help put an end to all of this.”

He put his paw and claw together and smiled at Twilight, waiting for her to put the pieces together.

She frowned for a moment before the penny dropped. “You want to pool your magic with ours?!”

“Right first time!” Discord gave a small golf-clap. “See, Twilight? We are getting better at communicating!”

“Wait a minute!” Applejack interrupted, walking closer. “The last time ya'll did that it took a ton of effort just ta spring a locked door! How the heck are we gonna have enough power ta even scratch that stone?!”

Discord made a tutting noise. “Applejack, that was so last week! We're using the elements now! It didn't take that much for your light-show to break through Blue Moon's shield around the thing. I'm sure with some extra oomph we can put this whole mess behind us and go home for a decent bath and a warm cup of tea.”

“You said you don't really have that much magic anymore,” Twilight gave him a deep frown.

“Well, I'm still here, aren't I?” He turned to smile at her instead. “I'm sure I can scratch up a spark or two from somewhere. Just enough to 'fuel your fire', if you'll excuse the expression.”

“I don't think you used that one right,” Rarity frowned to herself.

“But Discord, won't you get hurt?” Fluttershy spoke up, circling him so she could look him in the eye. “I know I'm not a unicorn or anything and I don't know as much about magic, but that really doesn't sound very safe.”

“Oh yes, because everything else we've done so far has been a Sunday picnic,” Discord rolled his eyes.

“I mean it, Discord,” Fluttershy said. “This really doesn't sound like a good idea! What if you use too much of your magic and hurt yourself? What if trying to combine your magic with the Elements somehow backfires on you? What if Blue Jay somehow uses your magic against you?”

“All valid arguments,” Discord nodded. “But considering the alternative, which is to pack up and head back home, I think it would at least be worth trying before we have to tell Celestia 'bad news, old girl. We gave it our second best shot, but in the end decided it was too risky to try and save Equestria so we came back home instead. So, how have you been'?”

“He's got a point,” Rainbow Dash said.

“A rather rude one, but I'm afraid I have to agree somewhat,” Rarity added.

“I don't know,” Fluttershy sank. “What if it doesn't even work? What if your magic can't be used with pony magic at all?”

“No, we know it can,” Twilight said. She was rubbing her muzzle with a hoof as she thought it over. “Like Applejack said; we did it back in Falabel to get out of the jail cell they locked us in. I was only using my own magic though, so we couldn't really gather a lot of it together. We did get the lock open, though,” She looked up. “With the Elements' power, it might just be enough to stop this.”

“Can't we try something else first?” Fluttershy said, turning to Twilight.

“Like what exactly?” Rainbow scrunched her muzzle. “Trust me, Fluttershy. We've been frying our brains trying to come up with a way to stop this creep!”

“Maybe there's something... I don't know...” Fluttershy rubbed one of her forelegs with the other. “Isn't there maybe something else we could use the elements on that could stop the stone?”

“We could always try and hit Blue Jay instead,” Rainbow gave a shrug.

Fluttershy spun to her, pale with horror. “Oh no! No we couldn't do that! Use the elements on another pony?!”

“We used it on Nightmare Moon, didn't we?” Rainbow argued.

“But Nightmare Moon was evil!” Fluttershy insisted. “She was a pony twisted by evil power! Blue Jay isn't evil he's just... bad.”

She sunk down further, avoiding eye contact.

“I appreciate the sentiment, my dearest Fluttershy,” Discord said, bending down to smile at her where she could see him. “But again, considering the alternative, I think we should take the gamble and see where we are once we're at the other end of it.”

“But what if something bad happens to you?” She lifted her gaze just enough to meet his.

“Like I said; considering the alternative...” His smile perked as he gave a shrug.

Fluttershy said nothing. She sat down, shrinking in defeat. Discord straightened and gave her a pat on the head. He then spun on a heel and turned to address Twilight, Business-like.

“Now, with that settled, let's work out the nitty gritty of this brilliant idea I've come up with! I will leave that to you, Twilight. I know how much you revel in organising the insignificant details of a plan.”

“Well I... I guess if you really think it'll be ok,” Twilight said. She only hesitated for a moment, however, before she turned to the group as a whole. “Alright, Everypony. We need to figure out how we'll get close enough to the stone to use the elements without getting attacked.”

“Blue Jay didn't seem that keen on hittin' us at all, if ya ask me,” Applejack said. “He coulda hit us the first time we tried ta power up, easily. I don't really know if he's got it in him, ta be honest.”

“Maybe,” Twilight nodded, “but I don't want us to take that chance. When it comes down to the wire, I don't want us to rely on the fact that maybe he won't get desperate enough to fire at us.”

“And what if this doesn't work?” Rarity spoke up.

Twilight said nothing for a few moments, pulling a grim face. “Then we'll need to consider using to Elements on... something else,”

The others mimicked her expression, Rainbow Dash grumbling something to herself.

Twilight gave a small cough, “Anyway... Let's start with the idea that it will work, and figure out what to do if it doesn't once we've got a better idea of Plan B first.”

The others nodded, satisfied for the most part with this for now, although Rainbow still looked cranky about it.

Fluttershy sat silently as Twilight and the others worked out a plan of action. She turned to Discord every few moments, watching as he enthusiastically gave advice, his own thoughts, or simply derailed the entire conversation.

She said nothing, focusing instead on listening to the plan and Discord's non sequiturs. But she could not shake the terrible feeling she had.

Seven Elements

View Online

Chapter 28

The plan was simple, at least in theory. How simple pulling it off would be, however, was another matter.

Although Blue Jay had not followed them, Twilight doubted he would let them get close enough for a second shot. Even if it failed the first time, and even if he fully believed he had already won, Blue Jay did not strike Twilight as the kind of pony who would just ignore them walking up to try and destroy his plans again.

The first thing to do was to either distract him long enough to power up the Elements, or keep him occupied so he could not stop them even if he tried. At this point, the plan almost wrote itself. Twilight and the others needed to charge the Elements, and Discord did not. It was agreed that he would keep Blue Jay away from them until they were ready. Next, Discord would add whatever power he could to their blast. However, this would leave Blue Jay free to launch a counter-attack at them.

So, the lynchpin of the entire plan was how fast Discord would be able to get away from Blue Jay and use his powers. Applejack was at first concerned, remembering how long it had taken him to gather his magic simply to unlock a door. There would be no time to sit and gather energy with Blue Jay's attention fully on him.

Discord, on the other hand, seemed completely convinced he would preform better than they were giving him credit for, and actually seemed insulted that they would think otherwise. And once he decided that their lack of faith was insulting, no amount of reasoning or concern from Twilight could convince him that his magic would be anything less than spectacular.

Twilight had spent enough time with Discord by now to know when she had hit a stone wall with him. So she had little choice but to put her faith in his ability and do the best she could on her own end. If Discord did not have enough magic to help them, or even if he did and it made no difference, another decision was going to have to be made.

Twilight said nothing about this to the others though. In truth, she was not that eager to even think about it. But if it came to it, she at least had to consider turning the Elements on Blue Jay and target him instead. Whether it would actually help, she did not know. But if they had no other options, she was not sure what else they could do.

Twilight had no idea what hitting a normal pony with the Elements of Harmony would actually do. The only time they had ever even come close to something like that was when they used them on Nightmare Moon. And as Fluttershy pointed out, the Elements focused in on the darkness inside Nightmare Moon, and left the true Princess Luna at the core unharmed. It had stripped some of her magic away and had weakened her, but it had not taken very long before Princess Luna's emotional and mental wounds healed, and she was once again the imposing, tall alicorn she had been centuries ago. But Blue Jay, skilled with magic or not, was still just a normal pony. Would the Elements hurt him? Would they turn him to stone like they had with Discord? Would they even have any effect on him at all?

Twilight did not know. All she could do was accept the possibility that, if worst came to worst, they would need to attack him directly. In the very worst case scenario, the Elements might seriously hurt him.

Actually the worst case scenario would be if the Elements had no effect on him either, but Twilight would not even think about that. They were stretched for time, and any failures at this point would mean failing the entire mission. Twilight simply refused to accept this as an option. The disappointed faces of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The slow decline of the wild as magical creatures faded away and disappeared. The literal fall of the Pegasi as they lose the ability to fly. The metaphorical fall of the unicorns as their magic stopped working in the ways modern ponies needed them to. The slow death of the earth ponies as they lose their touch with the ground beneath them, unable to grow anything, unable to nurture what has grown already, unable to understand nature's quiet guidance. The not-as-slow death of creatures so magically charged they were more spirit than animal. Twilight's mind refused to process it. They would succeed. Even if it was not in the way they would like, they would succeed. She promised herself that.

The group of ponies secured their Elements, gathered their nerves, and headed back to the town's center. They left their saddlebags in the ruined house for now. There was nothing inside them that would be helpful for what they were about to do.

Twilight and Discord lead the way. Twilight, so she could get into her position as fast as possible, and Discord so he could veer off and keep Blue Jay's attention before any of the others were targeted. Fluttershy walked beside him. She looked a little pale, but Twilight figured she was just nervous about facing Blue Jay again. Fluttershy was not a pony who dealt with conflict well. As for Discord, Twilight could not tell if he was looking confident, or strangely grim. His pace was almost urgent, and there was a sharp edge to his eyes. There was also a seriousness to his face. He had the same expression when he, Twilight and Applejack were trying to find Fluttershy and the rest of the group in Falabel, as well as when Twilight and the others had faced against him, just before they turned him back to stone.

Thinking about stone brought up the questions of what would happen if you used the Elements on a normal pony again.

“Can I ask you a question?” Twilight said, turning to Discord.

Discord's expression broke as he turned to face her. “Well, I was trying to form a proper 'game face' over here, but if you must.”

Twilight suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, realising he had noticed her watching him. Instead, she focused him with a steady look, hoping she came across serious enough to at least get a half-serious answer from him in return.

“When we used the Elements of Harmony on you and turned you back to stone, what exactly was it like?”

“Rude, for one thing,” Discord stuck his nose in the air.

“That's not what I mean,” Twilight shook her head. “Did it hurt?”

Fluttershy leaned forward to listen in on the conversation.

Discord looked down at Twilight from the corner of his eye, but said nothing. Twilight did not budge. She stared back at him, waiting for an answer. Her expression was patient, and had a strange concern to it. Discord was not entirely sure how to interpret that, or if it was even there. It was possible he just imagined it. But the fact that he could not tell for sure was enough to make him feel uneasy.

He turned to her properly. Twilight was still waiting. He wondered if he did not answer if she would just keep waiting forever until he eventually caved. That did not sound like much fun to him, so instead he grinned widely at her.

“If you're thinking of apologising for that, I'd be happy to hear it,” he put his claw to his chest, “A late apology is better than no apology at all, so they say. But then, I wouldn't know about that,” His grin widened at her so she could see every sharp tooth, “I've never gotten any apologies before. Not even from Old Princess Cellie! But do go on! I'd really like to know how it feels to get one!”

This time Twilight really did roll her eyes. “You didn't really give us a choice at the time, you know. You'd warped all my friends into acting like horrible ponies and you'd turned the whole of Ponyville into your personal playground as you threw the biggest tantrum in the entire world.”

“I do not throw tantrums!” Discord said loudly, pulling back from her until his neck resembled a question mark.

“You throw tantrums all the time!” Pinkie Pie giggled as she bounced forward. “You're worse than Pumpkin and Pound! But not as loud.”

“And you still haven't answered my question,” Twilight interrupted, turning serious again. “Did the Elements hurt?”

“I'm not entirely sure I should answer that!” Discord huffed, crossing his arms. “Why exactly do you want to know? For future reference, perhaps? Making sure you can trap me in marble with a clear conscience if you get annoyed with me enough? Well, I think I'd rather keep that kind of information to myself!”

Twilight sighed at him, “I just want to know how it feels!”

“It feels exactly how you'd think,” Discord stuck his forked tongue out at her. “It feels like getting blasted by the most powerful artifacts in Equestria before being trapped in stone and unable to eat any of those tiny finger sandwiches they serve at the Canterlot Palace garden parties which you will now have to attend for the next couple of thousand or so years against your will!”

Twilight gave her head a shake in defeat. “Nevermind. Obviously you don't want to talk about it.”

“Is it important, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.

“Not really. I was just thinking about something.”

“Well whatever you're thinking, you should stop right now!” Discord said, waving a finger at her. “All you need to know is it's incredibly uncomfortable, and boring, and birds will try and make nests in your mouth and sometimes the gardener doesn't chase them away in time and then you're stuck with eggs in your mouth and it can take months for that taste to go away after they leave!”

“Geez, calm down, Discord! I'm not going to turn you to stone again, alright?!” Twilight said over his rambling.

“Promises, promises!” Discord sniffed, snapping from annoyed to a puppy-eyed stare. “And here I thought we'd gotten so close since we started this roadtrip! Has our time together meant so little to you?”

“Really, Discord. I promise I'm not asking because I'm going to use the Elements on you. You have my word.” Twilight said, surprisingly gently.

“Yeah yeah!” Pinkie bounced up and down again, grabbing Discord's tail and crushing it against her. “We promise we won't turn you into stone again! Not unless you become the biggest Poopy-head in all of Equestria! And even then we'll totally ask you to stop first! Cross my heart and hope to fly! Stick a cupcake in my eye!”

“Well done,” Discord tried his best to peel her off of him but she would not let go. “But forgive me if I'm a little bit jumpy about the subject!”

“You really didn't like it, did you?” Twilight said thoughtfully.

“No!” Discord turned back to her. “It was the absolute worst thing that had ever happened to me in all my life! And I remind you, that's a lot of life to consider!”

“Alright,” Twilight nodded, more to herself than anything else. “I guess.... that does kind of answer my question, in a way.”

“You'd think you ponies would ask how I felt about things before turning me into a lawn ornament,” Discord grumbled, kicking at a loose cobblestone. “It was insufferable!”

“Yeah,” Twilight nodded, turning back to him. “I guess it would be.” Her expression changed as a thought came to her. She looked Discord over for a moment. “Probably even more so for somepony like you.”

Discord growled something, giving her dirty looks.

“I still think it was the right thing to do, and that it was your own fault,” Twilight said, turning back to the front, “but if it did hurt at any time, I'm sorry, Discord.”

Discord made a choked noise, paw and claw flying to grip his chest as he threw himself flat on his back. Fluttershy gave a small gasp and ran closer to see if he was alright. Discord, however, sat up again instantly, pointing a frantic finger at Twilight and looking at the others.

“Did everypony hear that?! You all heard that, right?! You'll remember she said that, right?!”

“Shut up, Discord,” Rainbow Dash pulled a face at him as she flew past.

“Don't scare me,” Fluttershy mumbled with a frown, giving him a light tap in the side with a hoof as he bounced up again. Discord ignored her. He bounded forward and without warning, scooped up Twilight, Pinkie, and Rarity who happened to be too close by, in a group hug.

“Look at how well we're getting along! You see what a good team we can make when everypony agrees that I'm rather incredible and just misunderstood? Now let's go and put this Blue Berry in his place and show the rest of Equestria they should say sorry for the numerous assassination attempts on me over the centuries with the power of our friendship!” He then proceeded to burst into song, much to everypony's horror, “For united we stand~ Divided we fall~”

“Discord, if you don't put me down I am going to kick you right in the kidney!” Twilight threatened, struggling. “And I don't need my magic to know all the soft spots I can jab this horn with either!”

“Heads up, guys!” Rainbow Dash interrupted, swooping closer and pointing.

The group went silent, turning as one to follow Rainbow's hoof. A short way ahead was a stone house whose roof had completely caved in on one side. The other side had managed to stay in place, largely thanks to a thick chimney built of what looked like granite. On top of this sat the silent figure of Cloud Bastion. He was staring at the town's center, his ears flat against his head. In the cold light, they could just make out the heartbroken expression on his face.

Something must have given them away, because a moment after Rainbow Dash pointed at him, Cloud Bastion spun around. Seeing them, his face turned to a hard glare. He got to his hooves, turning to better stare them down. They glared back, frozen in place. Twilight felt Discord's arms around her tense.

The seconds dragged on and neither party moved. Then, without a word, Cloud Bastion spread his wings and took off from his perch. He hovered for a moment, keeping his glare on them, before he turned around and with a silent flap, flew off into the night, away from them, the courtyard, the bubble, and the town.

The group watched him go until he was completely out of sight. Twilight breathed a silent sigh of relief.

“Where's he going?” Rainbow gave a snort.

Discord shrugged, putting the three ponies down.

“Dunno, Dash,” Applejack said as they fell into step again, “but don't look like there's anythin' more for him here, it seems.”

Rainbow watched the spot where he had disappeared for a moment longer. She then flew to rejoin the others. The glow from the bubble lit up the streets ahead of them.

The group soon found themselves huddled in an alley leading to the town center. They hunkered down behind a long-ago destroyed wagon. Past the alley, Blue Jay's bubble sat throbbing and pulsing just as it had when they first arrived. Blue Jay was lying beside it, watching the area around him. He had a hollow frown on his face, but did not seem aware they were there. He did not look like he was going to leave his spot any time soon.

The group pulled back out of sight. Twilight turned to Discord with a serious expression. He grinned in reply before getting to all fours to slink off.

“Be careful, dude,” Rainbow Dash muttered at him.

Discord made a motion to wave her off. Fluttershy watched him, rubbing one of her forelegs with the other. He turned to her and his smile brightened before he reached out and gave her a pat on the head.

“Be careful...” She repeated.

“Better you follow your own advice instead, my dear,” he said. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers gently. “Do me a favour, won't you? Keep in mind what I said earlier.”

Fluttershy was not sure what he meant. He had said a lot of things earlier that she felt were somehow important. Which part he meant exactly she did not know. Before she could ask, he pulled back and slithered away down a street.

“Well, that was new,” Rainbow commented, staring at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy, however, had other things on her mind to worry about than what Rainbow Dash thought of an affectionate Discord. She turned to Twilight with silent worry.

Twilight's frown did not even flicker as she stared back. She turned to the others.

“Alright. Now, we wait until Discord's got Blue Jay's attention. Then we step out and get ready to attack.”

“Right on!” Rainbow Dash grinned at this, wings held high in anticipation.

“I hope this works,” Rarity said, turning to stare at the glowing bubble.

“Of course it will, silly!” Pinkie said in a loud whisper, almost vibrating in place. “Now let's go punch this magic rock in the face with our rainbow!”

“I heard that!” Applejack agreed.

They turned back to the courtyard, twitching with nerves and scratching their hooves against the street. Only Fluttershy remained quiet, gaze fixed on Blue Jay.

Discord slunk through the alleyways, making sure to put a good amount of distance between himself and the group of ponies. He travelled in a wide circle, always keeping to the edge of the courtyard. He kept himself low, suppressing the urge to climb up the buildings for a vantage point. Night or not, the glowing bubble would almost certainly give him away.

He found the spot he was looking for, and stepped out into the open, smiling toothily at the lone unicorn.

Blue Jay turned to him almost immediately and sprung to his hooves. He snorted and straightened once he got a better view of who it was.

“Oh. It's the Shadow,” He said with a flat tone of voice. “Finally escaped from the other ponies, I take it.”

“Actually, we never got a chance to finish our conversation,” Discord said with a polite smile. “I was just in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd come by and see if we could continue from where we left off,” He frowned to himself, tapping his chin. “Now let me see... We were discussing how you could still use magic... and then we talked about your auditory hallucinations... Oh dear. Where exactly were we when we last spoke?”

Blue Jay clicked his tongue, sounding impatient. He scanned the streets and alleys behind Discord, looking for any other figures hidden in the dark. “I have nothing more to say to you. If you've managed to get away from those other ponies, I suggest you count your losses and leave this town before they recapture you. And in case the insane thought ever crossed your mind, there's no use planning to use me as a shield against them.”

“Not at all, Blue Gill,” Discord waved the issue away, his pleasant smile staying where it was. “Like I said, I just felt the need to ask you a question or two I didn't get around to before.”

Blue Jay seemed uninterested. He turned his back to Discord and lay down again, facing the opposite direction, exactly where the other ponies were waiting in the shadows.

Discord started walking closer, gesturing with his paw and claw as he spoke. “For instance, this nickname thing you seem to be quite fond of. Now don't get me wrong, I rather like it, myself. It makes me sound like some supernatural banshee wandering the forests. Or maybe an avenging ghost who punishes evildoers! And occasionally door-to-door salesponies.” He gagged. “I never fully realised the level of malice ponies can show each other until I had one of those knock on our door while I was having a bath. And just to try and sell Fluttershy an encyclopedia! Of course, if it were up to me I'd have bought one just so I could go through a list of things to turn him into out of spite but Fluttershy-”

“I wouldn't press my luck, Shadow Spirit,” Blue Jay snapped his gaze back to him, eyes narrowing.

Discord stopped in place, putting his paw and claw to his chest. “Me? Why, whatever do you mean?”

“I mean, you'd better keep your distance,” Blue Jay stood up again, turning to face him as his horn started to glow.

“Now, my dear Blue Grass, have you forgotten? You're the pony with the upperhoof here! There you stand with your horn sparking and ready and, alas, here I am without a scrap of magic left to my name!” He put his paw to his forehead dramatically.

“So you've come to see if you can steal some of it back?” Blue Jay scoffed, not lowering his horn. “It won't do you any good, you know. Even if you somehow managed to get to the Stone, there's no way you'd be able to use it!”

“No, I'm sure only a clever little pony like you would know the spell for that, wouldn't you?” Discord's smile widened, his stare turning icy.

Blue Jay gave a humourless laugh, shaking his head.

Discord cocked an eyebrow at this. “Something funny? Oh, do tell!” He broke into a smile again. “I love a good joke! Especially at the expense of others! Of course, I'm not so fond of the ones directed at me, but that's no reason to keep it to yourself!”

Blue Jay sneered at him. “What's funny is you seem so convinced it's a spell or anything I've done that would stop you! What's funny is you've come all this way to try and reclaim some of your magic when you would have been better off staying with the ponies who had you by a leash earlier!”

“Not really a good joke,” Discord looked disappointed. “Not much wit to it. And the irony is vague at best,” He frowned for a moment. “Or rather nonexistent, really.”

Blue Jay's grin darkened as his horn throbbed. “Maybe you'd like to come over here and see for yourself what I mean? If I wasn't sure you'd turn and dig your claws into me, I'd welcome you to try and use the Stone without the other Elements with you. It worked so well last time.”

Discord rolled his eyes at this, “Yes yes. You're very mysterious and threatening. I'm very impressed. But since you're offering...” He started walking closer again.

Blue Jay's smile melted as he took a step backwards, his horn burning brighter. “You made a mistake coming here without the other Elements, Shadow Spirit! There's nothing you can do without them!”

“Oh my,” Discord's smile perked as he sped up. “Now we're finally getting somewhere with those questions of mine. Tell me more.”

Blue Jay grit his teeth. “I've avoided using magic on you, but if you don't turn around and leave I'll have no choice! Hurting me wouldn't do you any good, anyway! No matter what you do, even if you kill me, there's nothing you can do on your own!”

“No need to get so flustered about it,” Discord said, leaning forward before dropping to all fours, never missing a step as he continued to smile. “After all, you were the one who offered I come over there and try something, right?”

A trail of sweat ran down Blue Jay's face. “There's nothing you can do!” He repeated.

Discord said nothing, his march picking up speed. The white claws on his paw uncurled themselves as his shoulders rose, turning his casual trot into a stalk.

With an angry cry, Blue Jay shot a crackle of cyan lightening towards him. It cut through the cobblestones, bursting with a loud crack where Discord had been standing. Discord pounced aside and skidded to a halt. He turned to grin at Blue Jay again, tail swishing in the air.

“Now that's hardly fair! How am I suppose to fight you with no magic?”

Blue Jay shot another bolt of magic at him, once again missing by inches. Discord side-jumped the blast, landed gecko like against a wall, and then sprung forward again.

“And here I am with an injured wing, too! Whatever is a poor wretched thing like me to do?!”

Blue Jay charged at him, horn crackling with energy as he let loose with a hail of shots. Discord ducked the first one before launching himself upwards, stretching open both wings and gliding over the unicorn before landing heavily behind him. His smile glinted as he turned to Blue Jay who skidded to turn himself around.

“I suppose I'll have to fall back on some of my more... crude weapons.”

Discord doubled back, raising talons and claws as he launched himself at Blue Jay head-on. The stallion looked glued to the spot for a moment before his magic flashed and he teleported a few feet away. Discord hardly seemed to notice as he landed and immediately coiled to throw himself to where Blue Jay had reappeared.

Blue Jay screamed at him, bolts of magic shooting wildly at the oncoming threat. Discord slid to a stop before changing direction and streaking to Blue Jay's left. The unicorn spun to follow his movement, slicing more gashes into the cobblestones as he did so.

Discord coiled himself in spirals and hoops as he dodged the ongoing assault. Sometimes he turned as if getting ready to try and pounce again before he was forced to jump out of the way of an oncoming blast. He jumped on top of a half destroyed market stall which exploded into arm-long splinters just as he leapt off it again. He grabbed hold of the nearest building's gutter and hoisted himself up onto the roof. He turned to stare down at Blue Jay with a smug expression.

Blue Jay's face turned a dark shade of purple as he charged the building. There was another flash as he teleported onto the roof as well, where he let loose with a fresh barrage of blasts. Discord twisted around the building's chimney, which was soon lost in a cloud of dust and broken bricks. Blue Jay ran to follow him, sliding on the ruined slate but never so badly as to fall.

Discord jumped to the next house over, turning to make sure he was still being followed. Blue Jay's ears burned as he focused all his attention on the other building, another shot from his horn blowing apart half its roof.

Discord dodged the attack, but remained where he was, peering into the newly created hole with curiosity. Blue Jay jumped at him, but barely cleared the gap. He grabbed hold of the other roof's edge and scrambled over several loose tiles to stop himself from falling. He glared pure poison at Discord, rage-fueled sparks shooting from his horn.

“Careful now,” Discord said as he watched him with bemusement. “A fall like that won't go so well unless you were a pegasus.”

Blue Jay snarled and sent a few more shots at him, but the effort in clinging to the roof ruined any chances of getting a good aim at the draconequus.

There was a sudden light from the courtyard, tearing Blue Jay's attention away. His blood ran cold as he saw the group of ponies from earlier once again standing in position a few feet away from his Stone. They were glowing with a pink tinted light as they almost floated off the ground. A thin rainbow had started to snake out from the Elements of Harmony around their necks, joining them together.

“No!” Blue Jay thrashed, scratching frantically at the loose slate to pull himself up. “Stop! You'll kill it again! Stop!”

Twilight could barely hear the stallions screams. She focused herself inwards, feeling the comfortable warmth inside her. She felt her friends around her. She of course knew where they were standing, but as the energy gathered itself inside her, she did not merely know where they were. She could feel them. Their gathered feelings grew to a smoldering warmth which started to climb up from Twilight's chest, travelling to the tiara on her head.

As she was ready to unleash the gathered power, something inside her seemed to shift, just slightly. Her concentration flickered. The strange feeling suddenly bucked, and it almost felt like an empty hole opened up inside her. The gathered pool of magic faltered, just for a moment, but it was enough for her to feel the change in energy. It was as if it was trying to drain away. To be swallowed up by something she could not properly focus on.

'No, no!' She squeezed her eyes shut so tightly it physically hurt. 'Not now! Not yet! One more shot! Please! Just be strong for one more shot!

She used every learned and studied technique she knew, forcing the power back from where it was being pulled to, scraping it together again. The power inside her swelled, and just before she lost her grip on it completely, she opened her eyes.

The rainbow blasted out from the group, barreling towards the bubble. It slammed itself straight through the shield, enveloping the spinning Stone.

The group pushed with everything they had, everything they thought could grant the blast the extra inch it needed to overpower the Stone. Memories of their time together, thoughts of what they had shared. What they had gone through. What they wanted to do together in the future. Laughing together, standing by each other, sharing with each other, never doubting what they felt, listening gently to each others' problems, focusing on how special each pony was to them.

Putting themselves in danger for each other out of loyalty. Laughing at successful pranks pulled at each other's expense. Speaking bluntly when somepony needed to hear a hard truth. Giving each other advice that they needed even if they did not like it. Putting their friends' wellbeing above their own to selfishly protect who they cared about most.

Fluttershy's knees started to buckle. The blast still poured out of them, but she could feel it reaching its end. She was panting with exertion. She could not tell if any of this was even scuffing the surface of the dark, spinning stone. Her head was starting to pound. She did not think she would be able to stay on her hooves for much longer. She squinted her eyes open, risking a glance at the scene in front of them.

The Elements of Harmony's rainbow bore into the Stone like a drill. The Stone was was fixed in place, vibrating as if in anger as it resisted. White light poured off of it, making it look like a star that had fallen to earth. The ground cracked and burst underneath it.

A pony shaped shadow, almost black against the light, was racing towards the Stone. Despite limping badly, it hurtled forward as if its life depended on it.

The Stone refused to budge. It shook and trembled but refused to move even a fraction from where it hung. The obsidian-like material it was made from darkened to something deeper than black. A curling steam rolled off it, growing into a pulsating cloud.

Fluttershy's attention was pulled away as something streaked through the air just behind the ball of light.

Discord arced through the air, paw and claw stretched out in front of him with his wings pinned to his sides for speed. He physically shattered through what remained of the bubble's shield as he dove for the Stone. He threw his arms around it and ripped it loose from where it hung, clutching it to his chest before curling himself around it completely.

The Elements of Harmony's rainbow turned white.

It felt as if the whole world exploded. A rain of sparks poured over the town. A column of intense, white light tore upwards through the clouds, reaching endlessly into the sky. The star-like ball shrunk in on itself before it shot out like a tidal wave in all directions.

The black, triangular, stone froze in place before long, golden-yellow cracks streaked across its surface. It split in half, and then burst into a powdery dust.

The light faded.

Fluttershy lowered her hooves from her face. Her ears rang and there were blueish spots in her vision. Something cold slid off her neck before thudding heavily to the ground. The Element of Kindness weakly flickered pink for a moment before it dulled, fading to an empty grey.

The courtyard was silent. The only sound was a distant rumble of what could have been thunder. Dirt continued to fall all around her.

Fluttershy's legs carried her forward. She could not get them to wave away the clouds of dust and smoke that surrounded her as they seemed to be working of their own free will.

“Fluttershy?”

It sounded like Twilight, but she could not get her mind to focus on the voice. The clouding dust smelled faintly of gunpowder. She came to a stop, reaching the center of the courtyard.

A large black halo was burned into the ground. Inside it the cobblestones had melted together into something sleek and glassy. At the very center, an obsidian coloured dust was slowly blowing away in the wind.

A trickle of sparks floated down to the ground for a moment. But they also soon faded and disappeared.

And then there was nothing.

Homecoming

View Online

Chapter 29

The world felt unnaturally quiet after the assault of noise. The town's courtyard was inky black without its bubble. The sky was clear. Somewhere, the faint noise of a family of quails who had been woken up by all the commotion could be heard. There was a strange static to the air, but no more hum, and no more sense of pulsing energy. The clouds of smoke and dust rolled over the cobblestones, but they were heavy and already starting to settle in a thin layer on the ground.

“Did we do it?” Pinkie was the first to speak, blinking wide eyed.

There was a short pause as the rest of the group looked around, waving dust out of the way, trying to get a better look at the now dark surroundings.

“I... I think we did it guys,” Rainbow said, sounding nervous to even believe it.

Applejack said nothing, using her hat to fan the air in front of her clear.

“It's gone,” Rarity said, sounding more dishevelled than she looked.

Rainbow gave a loud burst of a laugh, punching the air with a hoof. “We did it! I can't believe we actually pulled it off!”

Pinkie lit up as if somepony had flicked a switch on her. She hopped in a tiny circle which grew wider with each pass.

“We did it! We did it! We did it!”

She skipped her way over to Rainbow Dash and threw herself around her, picking her up off her hooves in a death grip. “Dashie, we did it! We did it!”

Rainbow squirmed, but despite herself could not wipe the smile from her face. Eventually she gave up and hugged Pinkie back with one foreleg while she shook her other hoof at the sky.

“Did you see that?!” Rainbow yelled at nopony in particular. “Did you see how we kicked that thing's butt?! Aw yeah! Do not come and throw your weight around here, pal! Because the seven of us are gonna pound you straight into last week!”

“I can't believe it worked,” Applejack said, putting her hat back on as she trotted over. “I mean... I guess, yeah, I thought it would but... yeah! It really worked!”

Pinkie proceeded to grab hold of her and drag her into the hug as well, as the group broke into uncontrollable giggles, both in joy and relief.

“Hold on...” Rarity's voice said, but they did not hear her.

“That was one doozy of a pop!” Pinkie said, looking back and forth between the other two, grinning almost too wide for her face. “We were all like 'Zap!' and it was like 'nu uh!' and then it was all like 'Boom!'”

“Hold on, a moment,” Rarity repeated, a little louder this time.

Applejack turned to her, smile fading at her tone of voice. “Somethin' wrong, Rarity?”

“Hey,” Rainbow interrupted. Applejack turned to her instead to find the pegasus frowning at her chest. “Is this thing suppose to look like this?”

Applejack turned to follow her gaze, stopping on the Element of Loyalty around Rainbow's neck. The normally red lightning bolt was now a dull, foggy grey. Applejack frowned at it.

“Ain't never seen it do that before,” She said with concern.

“I never really checked them after we blasted anything,” Rainbow said, pulling free from Pinkie as she started fiddling with the necklace's clasp. It came apart surprisingly easy and she was left holding it in her hooves. “I'm sure it's not suppose to look like this, though.”

“That's what I was trying to tell you,” Rarity said, trotting closer. She stopped halfway as her own Element slipped off her neck and fell to the ground with a lifeless 'thunk'. She stared at it for a few moments. A slow frown spread on her face as she leaned in closer towards it.

“Maybe we overtaxed 'em or somethin',” Applejack said, removing her own to inspect it. “That was a lotta energy we just shot outta them. Maybe they're just, kinda, drained?”

“My balloon's all sad looking,” Pinkie pouted, ears drooping.

“I can't pick mine up,” Rarity said.

“What?” Applejack turned to her.

Rarity was still frowning at her Element on the ground, but she looked up to speak. “I can't pick mine up! My horn still isn't working.”

“What d'ya mean your horn isn't working?” Rainbow said, a hard frown on her face.

“Exactly what I said! It's not working!” Rarity repeated, her voice becoming shrill.

“Why not?” Pinkie turned to her as well. “Didn't we win?”

“How in Equestria should I know why not?!” Rarity almost shrieked, straightening. “It's not working! I can't feel anything in my horn at all!”

“Alright, calm down Rarity,” Applejack said. “Twilight, what-?” She turned to address her friend but found her not standing in her spot. Applejack looked the courtyard over, fighting down her growing panic.

“Twilight?!”

“I'm over here!” Twilight called back.

Applejack squinted in her direction, finally making out her friend through the settling dust. Applejack trotted over to her clumsily as she used one of her forelegs to keep her Element pinned to her neck. “Twi, what's goin' on?! Our Elements ain't lookin' too good!”

“What?” Twilight stopped in her tracks. She had been heading to where the bubble had stood.

“Look!” Applejack walked over to her, followed closely by the others. She held up her Element. “Everypony else's is doin' the same thing!”

Twilight gave the Element a hard frown, inspecting it closely.

“It ain't suppose ta do that, right?” Applejack asked. “We gave that rock one heckuva blast, but I don't think that's right, is it?”

“What's happening, Twilight?” Rarity asked, her voice quivering.

“I.. I don't know,” Twilight broke her gaze with the Element of Honesty, turning to look over her shoulder at something, “but something seems wrong.”

“What is it?” Rainbow asked, leaning to see what Twilight was looking at.

“I don't...” Twilight gave a frustrated sigh, turning back to them before trying again. “I don't know. I'm not sure what's happened. Let me get Fluttershy, and we'll figure this out.”

“Why? Where's Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.

“Over there,” Twilight pointed as she turned to trot forward again.

Only a few stray trails of dust and smoke still hugged the ground as the evening air blew the courtyard clear again. Not too far off, Fluttershy was standing in front of an impressive burn mark on what was at once cobblestone.

“What's wrong with Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked, sounding impatient.

“I don't know,” Twilight said again, turning to look back at Rainbow. “She seemed kinda spaced out when everything settled down. Just stay there and... I dunno, Just stay there.”

“Where did that Blue Jay go, by the way?” Rarity asked, turning to frown at the scene around them.

“Forget that meanie! Where'd Discord go?!” Pinkie asked, twisting her own head almost a hundred and eighty degrees to look around as well.

“Maybe he chased the jerk away?” Rainbow said.

“Everypony, just calm down.” Applejack said, turning to the others, adjusting her stetson. “Let's get everypony together before we start figurin' out what went wrong.”

“Then we need to know where Discord is, silly!” Pinkie insisted. “Otherwise we're not gonna be all together without him, right?”

“If he's trying to keep Blue Jay away from us, looking for him might not be very smart,” Rarity said, her frown staying where it was.

“I could do a sweep of the town!” Rainbow suggested, taking off to hover. “I can do it in like, eight seconds!”

“You stay right here, Rainbow Dash!” Applejack, said, looking dead serious.

“But I can-”

“We take five minutes and calm down, get us ponies together, and then we'll see where we're all at. So come back down here, put your hooves on the ground, and count ta ten,” She turned to the others. “And that goes for all of ya'll.”

Rainbow grumbled something, but she lowered herself until she was standing back on solid ground. The others said nothing. Pinkie was fretting to herself, her eyes puppy-like. Rarity was tapping her horn with a hoof, tight-lipped and anxious. Applejack turned to watch Twilight, keeping her own worries to herself.

“Fluttershy?” Twilight asked once she was close enough.

Fluttershy did not answer, but she dipped her head so her hair fell over her face. Twilight took this as a sign that she was listening. She rounded Fluttershy until Twilight could properly see her.

“Are you alright?” She asked with concern.

Fluttershy lifted her head just high enough to meet Twilight's eyes. She looked far from alright. Her cheeks and nose were flushed and her ears were flat against her head. She looked like she was barely holding back tears.

“Fluttershy!” Twilight was quick to move forward, putting her forelegs around her and pulling her into a tight hug. “What's the matter? Did you get hurt?”

Fluttershy shook her head against Twilight's neck, putting her forelegs around her as well.

“Twilight...” She choked out. “Twilight he... he... I saw him... and... I can't... he just...”

“Woah, easy there,” Twilight gave her a soft squeeze before pulling back and sitting Fluttershy down in front of her. “Take deep breaths, Fluttershy. What happened?”

Fluttershy tried her best to take a deep breath but it was ragged at best. At least it seemed enough for her to get her thoughts straight.

“Twilight he... I op-opened my eyes and... I saw the Stone and... we w-were f-firing at it... so... and... so I l-looked a-and... and it wasn't, wasn't working b-but Discord...” She faltered, taking another deep breath. “D-Discord... I mean he said... he was going to help... And... and you said... with the lock... and the troll... and his magic and...” She sniffed. “So he j-jumped and.. and he grabbed it!”

Twilight gave her head a shake, running a hoof over Fluttershy's head. “Fluttershy, I can't understand you. This is about Discord? What happened? What did he grab? His... magic?”

Fluttershy shook her head, wiping at her face furiously. “No! No.. He... no...” She turned to look Twilight in the eyes again. Tears had started running down her cheeks by now as she struggled to keep it together. “He... Discord, he...” She gave a sob but tried to fight it back, putting her hooves over her face. “Twilight h-he grabbed t-the, the Stone! H-he... and he... and the light and he... Twilight he grabbed it! W-we, we were shooting and h-he... he just...!” She hiccuped, and then completely broke down.

Tears rolled down Fluttershy's face as her whole body was racked with sobs. She openly wept, not caring how loud she was or who could see her. She bawled and cried as if her heart had been grabbed and torn in two, ripped open like a piece of fruit. Twilight pulled her close and clutched her, but Fluttershy would not calm down.

“He's gone!” She sobbed. She clung to Twilight as if Fluttershy would shatter into pieces if she let go. “He g-grabbed that thing and.. and now he's gone! He's gone!”

The words were as physical as if a knife had been sliced into her, and Fluttershy could not get anything else out as she cried.

Twilight held onto her friend. Her cheeks prickled as the blood drained away from her face. There was an awful sensation inside of her, as if the bottom had dropped out of her stomach. A tingling cold rushed over her shoulders and the back of her neck. Twilight's grip tightened.

“He grabbed it...” Twilight repeated.

Fluttershy said nothing, unable to cry any harder than she already was.

“What's going on?” Rainbow Dash's voice interrupted.

Twilight turned to see her flying closer, concern all over her face. Applejack was hot on her heels, looking somewhere between stern and worried as she unsuccessfully tried to stop her friend from barging into the conversation. Behind them, Pinkie and Rarity were shifting on their hooves, looking desperate to come closer and see what was wrong too, but unsure if they should.

Twilight shook her head slowly, unable to think of anything to say.

“I...” She faltered. Trying to arrange the actual words of what Fluttershy had said, seemed to shoot straight through Twilight and made her eyes sting.

“C'mon, don't scare me here!” Rainbow landed, watching her friend's face. “What happened, Twilight?” She turned to look at Fluttershy for a moment, her ears flattening before she turned back to Twilight, looking desperate now. “What's wrong?”

Twilight took a shaking breath, and then another. She let go of Fluttershy to wipe at her tingling face before she answered as best she could. “When we used the Elements...” She cleared her throat, continuing in a clear voice. “When we used the Elements, Discord... he grabbed the Stone...” She trailed off, unable to think of what else to add. “He grabbed the stone.” She repeated lamely.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack stared at her, stunned.

Rainbow gave her head a robotic shake. “No way...”

“What? No! Why?” Applejack gave her head a shake. “No, I mean....” She paused. “I.. I don't know what I mean...”

“No way!” Rainbow repeated, this time much louder. She stomped her hoof, glaring at Twilight. “No way!”

“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight started.

“No way!” Rainbow Dash shook her head, giving her wings a flap. “Not buying it! No!”

She took off. “No way! I'll find him! He's gotta be here! I know he's here! No way he'd...! Just no way!”

“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack called after her, but Rainbow would not listen. She streaked into the sky, heading straight upwards.

“Rainbow Dash, come back!” Applejack ran to where she could get a better view of her, but Rainbow did not look like she had any intention of coming down again. She started circling over the courtyard.

“What is she doing?” Rarity asked, trotting over to Applejack with Pinkie close behind.

Applejack pulled a grim face before she tried, as calmly as she could, to fill them in on what she understood had happened.

Twilight remained where she sat. The tiny, logical voice inside her said she should fly after Rainbow and bring her back. None of the others had wings to do so, except for Fluttershy. And yet, Twilight could not get herself to even let go of of her friend. Twilight's eyes stung, and her vision blurred. She tried her best to keep her eyes clear, but it was getting harder. She closed them instead, nuzzling her face into Fluttershy's hair.

“I'm sorry, Fluttershy...” She said with a shaking voice.

Fluttershy buried herself harder against Twilight, her voice so broken it almost sounded like a stranger's.

“He was my friend.” She sobbed.

Twilight squeezed her eyes shut at this, giving a tight nod. “I know...”

Something rumbled far overhead.

Rainbow Dash circled over the town, flying as high as she could without losing sight of the others. She scanned every street and alley leading from the courtyard, but there were no hints of what could have happened to Discord.

“C'mon, Rainbow Dash!” She grumbled at herself, banking hard to look again. “He's gotta be here somewhere.”

The streets, alleys and ruined houses hardly looked different than when she first passed over them. One or two had collapsed in on themselves when the Stone broke, but apart from that and the hole Blue Jay had blown in one of them, nothing else had changed that much.

Rainbow Dash pulled a face to herself, then gave her head a shake. “One more time! I gotta be missing something!”

A third sweep of the area, and still nothing. Rainbow gave a furious growl as she came to a hover, looking in every direction, determined to find what she must have been overlooking. Ignoring the idea that, in truth, she was not overlooking anything, and the situation was exactly what it seemed to be. She turned, first one way, then the other. But the cold realisation was starting to set in that, maybe, there was nothing to find.

Her throat grew tight, and her cheeks burned. She gave her head another shake, trying to physically shake off what she was thinking and feeling.

“One... one more time!” She said, looking around for the best place to check again. “Just... One more time!”

But she did not move. Staring helplessly around her. She tried her best to think clearly, and when that stopped working, she tried to think stubbornly. But neither was helping any more. Her chest felt like lead, and she could feel it dragging her back down to earth. She almost shook her head once again, but gave up.

She hovered in place, not bothering to search again, but not rejoining her friends either. She just hovered. Staring at the ground below her, feeling her face flush.

There was another rumble above her. She scowled, turning to glare at the sky. She was getting angry, finding the idea of her and her friends getting rained on somehow adding insult to injury. She was surprised to find there was not a cloud in the sky.

There was something else though.

High above her a ball of light, maybe the size of a beach-ball, was flickering. It hung in the air as its light blinking in random patterns. After a moment, it gave off a spark brighter than the others, and thin tendrils of something that looked like electricity crackled off of it as it gave a rumble. When it quietened down, it looked larger than it had been moments ago.

Rainbow Dash stared, unsure what to even make of it. Her initial thought was that it was ball lightning, which was something the weather team always got warned about. But it took less than a second for her to realise it had to be something else. Ball lightning did not just hang in place without any clouds around.

The ball gave another rumble and a crackle before growing once more. Then another. The pauses in between each surge were growing shorter each time. The sparks of energy also grew in size, as the thin tendrils started to resemble real lightning strikes. One of these, instead of just fizzling away into nothing, shot out and made contact with the ground below.

Rainbow Dash took this as her cue and swooped back down to the others, landing close to Applejack.

“Guys! We've got a thing happening!” She said, turning to make sure Twilight also heard her.

“Oh no, what now?” Applejack said, turning to her with a bleak expression.

“Heck if I know! Look!” Rainbow pointed up at the ball of light only to be shocked herself. It was lowering to the ground, picking up speed.

“W-what is that thing?” Rarity asked as she smeared mascara all over her face, wiping her eyes clear.

“I dunno, but I don't wanna hang around and find out!” Rainbow said, backing away from it.

“I hear ya, Let's get goin', everypony!” Applejack said, heading to Twilight and Fluttershy.

“But I don't wanna go!” Pinkie protested.

“Do you wanna stay here and find out what that thing wants?” Rainbow snapped at her.

“Maybe!” Pinkie stuck her tongue out at her. “Maybe it's friendly!”

“It's a giant energy ball, Pinkie!” Rainbow argued. “How's it suppose to be friendly?”

“You won't know unless you try!” Pinkie replied, scrunching her muzzle at her.

“Pinkie, now is not the time for-”

“Twilight, watch out!” Rarity cried.

Pinkie and Rainbow both spun to Twilight, just in time to see a comet-like piece of light arc out of the ball and shoot straight for her. Twilight could barely register what was happening before she shoved Fluttershy off of her and out of the way, just as the thing smacked her in the head.

“Twilight!” Applejack broke into a gallop.

Fluttershy sat up, turning to Twilight with a horrified expression. Twilight buckled where she stood and had to catch herself before she could fall over. She gave her head a dazed shake, reaching up to rub at a temple, just as Applejack reached her.

Applejack put her hooves on Twilight's shoulders to steady her. “Are ya alright, Sugarcube?!”

“I... I think so,” Twilight nodded, rubbing at her eyes. “What in Equestria was that?”

“I've no idea, but-”

“Here comes another one!” Rainbow interrupted, running towards them.

In fact, there were two more of the comet shaped lights. The first one barrelled towards Rainbow Dash, who reared when she realised what was happening, ready to hit it back. She swung hard with her left, but the light passed straight through her hoof before striking her in the chest, knocking her off balance.

“Ugh! That stung!” She grumbled, sitting up again. She reached to rub the spot where it had hit, only to find her Element of Loyalty in the way.

The second bolt struck Rarity, who was trying her best to dodge it without any real success. She whined loudly as it also hit her square in the chest. Three more lights shot from the ball.

Rainbow Dash, however, was more occupied with her necklace. The red lightning bolt on it looked almost like it was glowing as she brushed her hoof over it. It felt hot, not enough to hurt, but hotter than it would have been simply from her wearing it.

Applejack tried to shield Twilight from a second blow, but should not have bothered, as she was struck instead. Fluttershy put her forelegs over her face, but stayed where she was as she received her own bolt. Pinkie was hopping in place and as hers streaked towards her. She bounced extra high, making sure it would hit her dead center. It knocked her out of the air and she tumbled onto her back in a fit of giggles.

The large ball crackled again, long arcs of light shooting off of it in every direction. Some slammed themselves into the ground, others tore upwards through the sky, bending to fall down again miles away from the town. A few broke off and headed for the six ponies again, travelling so fast there was not even time for the group to see them coming, let alone avoid them.

Twilight tried to shield her face, but only half-heartedly. After the first blast, she was seriously questioning if this was something to be afraid of. The second blast hit her in the forehead.

To describe it as getting struck by lightning would be wrong, as getting struck by lightning is generally a bad thing. But it was the closest comparison Twilight could think of, if you removed the idea of pain and damage. Electric energy shot through her and she felt it spit off of her wingtips, hooves and the end of her tail. Most strongly though, she felt her horn flood with something white-hot. It burned, as if charged with more magic than she could gather in her lifetime had been distilled into it, and she felt more than saw the purple sparks burst out from it.

The feeling calmed down after a moment, and she became more aware of a new sensation inside her. A swirling, sparkling energy that filled up every hidden corner of her body. It was bursting with power, and made her feel giddy, anxious, and above all, rejuvenated.

She took a couple of sharp breaths, turning to the others as she felt herself break into an involuntary smile. The others were looking themselves over, as if in disbelief at their own existence. If Twilight could have sworn they were glowing.

Twilight turned back to the ball, lost in disbelief. The light barely resembled a ball any more. So many sparks, crackling energy, and arcs were bursting from it, it now more resembled a sea-urchin, as best as she could describe it to herself. Added to this, it had started to send out circular waves which shot through and past the group, traveling over the houses and the town, rolling over the mountains and hills that surrounded them, and off into the night.

A large, much slower arc of light shot up out of the ball, spinning on its axis. It came to a stop and hung in the air in front of them. A second light rose, the two melding into one. The newly formed orb gave a throb. A third light, and then a fourth joined them. A full handful followed, until the smaller ball of light gave a last, powerful throb, and then cracked open.

There was a flash, forcing the ponies to shield their eyes. When they opened them again, the smaller ball had vanished. In its place, glowing white for a moment before fading into the more familiar colours, hovered the self-proclaimed King of Chaos.

He stared at them, looking bewildered. He blinked, looked down at himself, and then up at them again. They stared back, struck silent.

Discord blinked again, then smiled, then burst out laughing.

Behind him, the ruined houses shook as green icing and multicoloured sprinkles rained down on them from nowhere.

Fluttershy realised she had been holding her breath. She inhaled sharply, then again, and then leapt to her hooves.

Discord barely had time to turn to her before she threw herself against him and burst into tears.

Behind him, the ball of light was dimming. There were less arcs and streaks of light coming from it, and it was starting to shrink in on itself, fading away.

Discord was staring in shock at the bawling pony clinging to him. He reached out to try and pet her, looking almost afraid to touch her.

“Erm... hello again, Fluttershy...” He tried, giving a shaky smile.

She shook her head violently and pounded a hoof against him, although not very hard. “Y-you big... big... dumb... dumb... big... idiot!”

Discord stared at her, pulling his claw back as if he was afraid she would bite it. “Fluttershy, I'm afraid I don't fully underst-”

“You're s-so.. so stupid! And...and dumb! And s-stupid!.. I hate you so much!” She grabbed hold of him again and buried her face in his fur.

Discord looked as if a house had just slammed into him. He put both arms around Fluttershy and hoisted her off her hooves, wrapping himself around her her.

“Fluttershy, dear, I'm awfully sorry! Truly I am! Please stop!” He looked almost panicked.

Fluttershy shook her head against him as she tightened her grip. “Y-you.. you s-scared me almost t-to death!.. H-how... w-why did y-you... Why did you d-do that?!”

Discord gave his head a shake. “I didn't mean to upset you this much, my dear. I would never even dream of it!” He pulled back to look at her, ears flat and eyes watering. “Fluttershy I'm very sorry. Please... I don't want you to...” He bit his lip, trailing off. “I don't think I could bear it.” He gave her an expression both desperate and heartbroken. “Please... Forgive me?”

Fluttershy sniffed, hiccuped, and turned to meet his gaze. In a way, Discord seemed almost afraid of what she was going to say. Fluttershy adjusted her grip and pressed her cheek against his chest, squeezing him.

“I'm s-so happy you're okay,” She stuttered. She squeezed him again. “I'm so.. so happy you're alright. D-dont... don't every do t-that again... please.”

Discord said nothing, clinging to her.

Fluttershy sniffed, nuzzling him. “I w-was so scared I'd never see you again. Y-you're very... very important to me... please don't... don't ever scare me again.”

Discord's grip tightened. Fluttershy felt a tremble run through him, and she hugged him back.

The others stared dumbstruck at the scene in front of them. But only for a moment.

“Discord!” Pinkie exploded, jumping several feet into the air before she tackled him in the back, almost knocking both him and Fluttershy off balance.

“Ack!” Discord spun his head to see what had smacked into him.

“You're okay!” Pinkie cheered, wrapping her forelegs completely around him in a way that did not really seem possible. “I'm so happy! Yay! You're back!”

“I won't be for very long if you don't-” Discord tried to push her off but this was made harder when Rainbow Dash proceeded to grab him in a chin lock and ram her hoof into his skull in what was, supposedly, a show of affection.

“Ya big Doofus!” She said angrily. “You gave me a heart-attack, you know that?! I'm gonna be sending you one heck of a doctor's bill when he puts me on anti-anxiety meds!”

“Not to mention my psychiatry sessions,” Rarity added as she trotted over and put her forelegs over his tail.

Applejack rolled her eyes as she smiled, until Pinkie's hoof shot out and dragged her into the group hug as well.

Discord flapped his arms and made several gagging noises. “Would you bunch of twittering ponies stop making me feel my own feelings already?!”

There was an off-kilter noise and he popped out of existence, snapping back into view next to the ponies who collapsed into a heap on the floor, whining and yelping as they tried to detangle themselves.

“Really!" He gave a huff, dusting himself off. “It's like none of you have ever heard of personal-space before!”

He snapped his fingers, a feather duster, brush, and industrial polisher sprung into being beside him and proceeded to clean off whatever imaginary germs he seemed to think they had.

“Pinkie Started it!” Rainbow snapped, “Rarity, you have the pointiest elbow in the whole Equestria, could you move?!”

“I would if Applejack would pull her hoof out of my face!”

“That ain't my hoof.”

Twilight laughed, putting her hooves over her mouth to try and stifle the noise. It did not do much good, and she laughed again, shaking her head. She turned and trotted over to Discord, who was watching the pile of ponies with a large grin. She noticed one of the cobblestones near him sprout spider legs and scurry away as another turned into a soap bubble.

“Fluttershy said you grabbed the Stone of Null while we were firing the Elements at it,” She said, standing herself beside him.

Discord turned to look at her. He stuck out his tongue. “I suppose you're going to scold me about that too! Look, what exactly was I suppose to do?! It's not my fault the Elements of Harmony are finicky baubles that need an extra kick of power to deal with evil stones from outer space! That Blue Print pony practically invited me to put a stop to this myself!”

Twilight tilted her head at him with a smile. “I didn't say anything.”

“You were thinking it!” Discord wagged a finger at her. “I know how your mind works by now, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Oh, well then. I guess that means I can expect a little more understanding from you from now on,” Her smile perked.

She sat down, reached out a foreleg, and put it around him in a half-hug. “I'm glad you're still around, Discord. Really.”

“Ugh! Don't you start too! That's the last thing I need!” Discord stuck a finger down his throat. “The Princess of Goody-Two-Hoofs who hates me acting all gooey and sentimental! It's enough to make one heave!”

Twilight's smile brightened, not letting go of him, “Is that why you've been blushing for almost five minutes now?”

Discord fell silent and gave her a dirty look, his face darkening. He disappeared, teleporting beside the struggling ponies. He reached inside the pile and extracted Fluttershy.

“Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I for one would love to start heading home,” He said, rather loudly.

“Me too,” Fluttershy nodded with a weak smile, turning to put her forelegs around his neck.

“Me three!” Pinkie said, hopping out of the pile to stand beside Twilight, grinning eagerly.

“Then we gotta get our bags and make camp somewhere,” Applejack said, freeing herself as the group finally managed to get off each other. “I don't fancy much spendin' the rest of the night here.”

“I don't 'fancy' spending the rest of the night outside,” Discord said, holding Fluttershy in one arm as he snapped his other claw.

The groups' saddlebags appeared a few feet above the ground before they plopped down in front of them.

“So, what do ya suggest then?” Applejack frowned at him, putting hers on.

“I thought I mentioned it already,” Discord said, grinning at her. “I'm fed up with this whole 'outdoorsy, roughing it' thing. All I want now is to go back to Ponyville, have a hot cup of Earl Grey, and then go to bed in my own home.”

“And we're going to do that... how?” Twilight asked, cocking a brow at him.

“With the power of hopes, dreams, and pure imagination,” Discord rolled his eyes, in opposite directions. Twilight pulled a disgusted face at this.

“Now, are we all packed and set, my little ponies?” Discord grinned at the others as they finished securing their saddlebags and gathering the Elements of Harmony together again. “Anypony need to use the restroom? Too bad! Here we go!”

There was a flash of white light, a discordant sound, and the group teleported away.

The town was silent. a light breeze rushing through the empty streets as a trickle of dust rolled off one of the roofs. Somewhere by the lake, a diver that had been woken up started calling out to its neighbours.

A ruined cart sprouted a pair of chicken legs and started walking away, as one of the houses turned a sharp shade of chartreuse.

Ogham Augur was still awake. He always found he did some of his best writing at night. This caused him to have a terrible sleeping scheduled, but seeing as he tended to keep to himself and never had much that needed attending to during the day, it did not seem like such a bad trade off in exchange for well thought out report, letter or essay.

At the moment, he was writing to Princess Celestia. It had been what felt like a very long time since he had seen off Twilight Sparkle, Discord, and the rest of their group for Falabel. He had informed the Princess of what they had discussed and what he had advised them to do. It had taken a while before the message reached her, and a while longer still before a reply came back to him. He was not sure how long it would take for this letter to arrive at the palace, this urged him to write it when he did.

He had not heard anything at all since Twilight and the others left, and he was starting to grow concerned. Part of himself was berating him almost daily for being too afraid to go with them. Although when he told Princess Celestia he had stayed behind, she almost seemed relieved by the news. She had said in her letter that, once again, she was deeply saddened by what he had experienced at the hands of the Defectors, and she only wished she knew of a way she could better help him.

Despite her understanding though, Oggie could not stop his feelings of guilt. As time went on, he more and more found himself urged to do something, to help in some way. He was not sure what he could do, other than leave and go back to the Defectors himself. The idea of this made him break into a cold sweat, but he almost could not bear just sitting alone in his small tower while Twilight and her friends were doing all that they could to restore magic. And so, he had sat down to write Celestia a letter. Partly, it was to ask her advice on what she though he could do to help, but it was also a veiled way of asking if he should follow the way the others had gone. He was terrified at the thought of going back, but he was finding it harder and harder to live with himself.

A commotion from outside derailed his train of thought. He looked to one of the windows. Very few ponies, if any at all, were usually up at this hour. And yet it sounded as if somepony had decided to throw a very loud, very excited party. There were cheers, stomping and clapping of hooves, whoops and hollers and innumerable other noises.

Oggie put down his quill and trotted to his front door. He opened it as much as its secuirity-chain would let him, not feeling safe enough to open it fully.

It did not look like there was too much to see. Some ponies ran by, smiling widely to each other as they met up with two more before the group disappeared into the night together. Oggie could see what looked like fireworks going off down one of the streets followed by more cheering and merrymaking.

He sighed to himself and closed the door again, writing it off as possibly a birthday or house warming he did not know about. He turned to go back to his desk when a bright flash in the middle of the circular room startled him so badly he tripped over his own hooves.

He scrambled up again, his heart pounding.

“Whoops! Not quite far enough,” Discord said, looking the room over with a slight frown.

“Hi Oggie!” Pinkie Pie waved frantically at him before there was another flash and they disappeared again.

Oggie sat blinking on his floor, trying to process what he had just seen.

He smiled, ran a hoof over his hair, and then broke into a laugh.

“Sister! Sister, wake up!”

Celestia grumbled and pulled the covers over her head. She was many things, but Celestia was not a pony who got up any sooner than she needed to, unless there was an emergency. If it was not six o'five in the morning yet, she did not want to hear about it.

“Celestia, I implore you to wake up, already!” The voice of Princess Luna urged, much louder this time.

Princess Celestia gave a long sigh as she lifted her head, her blanket sitting like veil. “I sincerely hope this is serious, Luna.”

Luna was standing beside Celestia's bed, out of breath and excited. She looked offended by her sister's comment though and frowned at her. “Would I come and disturb you if it were not? Now listen! Something splendid has happened!”

“That's good to hear,” Celestia sat up with a yawn, covering her face with a hoof.

“Celestia, would you listen!” Luna stomped a hoof, raising her voice again.

“Alright, I'm listening,” Celestia turned to focus on her, slowly waking up.

Luna broke into a smile that almost shone, her mane flowing around her, sparkling with its own, inner network of stars. “Sister! I was watching over the moon when I felt something powerful come over me! I saw a wave of light come over from afar and the next thing I knew, I felt myself revitalised!”

Celestia frowned, pulling her covers aside and getting up. “A wave of light? What do you mean?” her frowned deepened as she looked her sister over again. Her eyes widened as realisation set in. She turned her head sharply to look over her own mane and tail.

They flowed behind her, swirling in the unseen trails of magic that wove through them at all times, making them glow and sparkle even in complete darkness.

“Sister, I think we need to wake up the rest of the palace immediately!” Luna urged, still smiling.

“I think you might be right,” Celestia nodded.

There was a bright flash followed by the sound of several bodies collapsing into a heap on the floor. The Princesses stared speechlessly as the group of ponies groaned and whined.

“Ah, there we are,” Discord said with a nod to himself. “Much better. Oh, hello Celestia. Luna.” He added, almost as an after thought.

“Discord, I swear, if you pop us halfway across the world one more time, I will grab you by the nostrils and stuff you into a breadbox!” Twilight snapped at him, trying her best to get Applejack off of her.

“I think I'm gonna hurl my guts,” Rainbow mumbled, putting her hooves to the sides of her head.

“Not on the royal carpet!” Rarity shrieked.

“Royal Carpet? Where exactly did you bring us, Dis...?” Twilight turned, spotting the two Princesses staring at them. Twilight turned a bright shade of red, putting her wings in front of her face to hide. “Oh no...”

“Hi Princessessesses!” Pinkie waved at them with a wide grin, bouncing forward to give a small bow.

“Welcome back,” Celestia smiled, beaming with pride.

Author's Notes:

Long chapter is long but there really was nowhere to cut it properly. The only two places would have resulted in the most depressing Chapter ever (and have readers chasing me out of town with fire) and the other spot would make for one good chapter, followed by an incredibly bad on where nothing of major note would happen. So.. long chapter it is.

This is another chapter I spent some time editing, so I'm unsure if the emotions are coming across clear any more. I'm a little nervous of how this one will be received, I must admit. but I hope you will enjoy it.

Please let me know of any typos, grammar mistakes and inconsistencies, as always. It really helps a lot!

One more chapter to go Maybe two if it turns out that way, but I'm 99% sure it will only be one. Stay tuned guys.

Chaos in Ponyville

View Online

Chapter 30

It was still a few hours before dawn, but despite this, the entire palace was awake and buzzing. Luna's royal guard were still on duty, but the day guard had now joined them. Orders were being passed around to patrol the Canterlot streets and spread the word, as well as keep an eye out for any suspicious unicorns who may try and use the sudden return of magic to make trouble before everypony else caught on. The advisors, diplomats, researchers and other members of the court were roused to be told the news. Some of them immediately went to work, writing to various ponies, gryphons, zebras and the larger horses outside of Canterlot to reestablish contact. Letters between cities, not to mention beyond the border, had almost ground to a halt, and many members of the court were anxious to hear from both other dignitaries, as well as distant families and friends. Even the palace staff, whose only duties were in basic domestic work, seemed to be running back and forth with renewed vigor. To do what exactly was not clear.

Princess Luna and Princess Celestia gave out instructions on what needed attention to the relevant guards, staff and researchers before the two of them began a more official audience with Twilight, her friends and Discord. A scribe was asked to be present to take down what was said, on Princess Celestia's insistence.

Celestia apologised to the group for keeping them awake after what was most likely an exhausting experience, but nopony seemed ready to go to sleep just yet. And so, the group proceeded to give a play-by-play of the face-off against Blue Jay, his bubble, and the Stone of Null.

This alone took a while as each pony would interrupt the other to add footnotes, personal reactions, or elaboration to whatever was being said. To add to this, Discord was eager to get some use out of his powers to make up for lost time. Almost every sentence spoken by one of the ponies would be emphasised with the sudden appearance or disappearance of props, costumes, sound effects, and at one point, a full puppet-show.

Once the recount of Blue Jay was over, the group rewound events and started the story from the very beginning once they left Canterlot. From the encounter of the basilisk in the abandoned antlion hive, to Oggie, the discovery of the cult in Falabel, the escape from Stoneflower, the dark woods, the meeting of the troll-woman, until they finally ended up back when they faced Blue Jay.

As the story wove on, the group started losing steam. Their adrenaline had run dry, and it was now demanding payment. What was first only a stifled yawn or two, devolved into tired eye-rubbing and blank stares into space.

When the basics of the adventure were over, and the Princesses had asked all that was immediately important, Celestia suggested they got some rest before any more was said.

The group was shown out and led to some guest rooms. Princess Luna took her leave as well. She wanted to get a report from her guards and the rest of the palace staff. As it was not yet morning, she insisted that the responsibility over the palace was still hers. The scribe also excused herself, wanting to write her shorthoof out clearly while the recount was fresh in her mind. Celestia, however, took note of the fact that the scribe was a unicorn, and could not help but wonder if this was just an excuse for her to use her returned magic again as much as she could.

Eventually, only Celestia and Twilight were left in the throne room. Celestia got up from her throne and came to stand beside her. Being alone together, the official atmosphere melted, and they slipped into the more familiar, and more comfortable role of mentor and student.

“Are you not tired, Twilight?” Celestia asked with a smile.

Twilight nodded, looking thoughtful. “I am. But... there's still a few things I don't think I really understand, Princess. If I may, I'd really like to ask you about them.”

Celestia gave a light smile. “And they can't even wait until tomorrow?”

“Well... I guess technically they can,” Twilight admitted, “But I'm worried I'll forget what I wanted to say if I go to sleep now. And then I'll remember when we're half way back to Ponyville. And I'm going to feel so stupid about forgetting in the first place! And then I'll have to write you a letter when I get back home but I'll probably forget again as soon as I sit down to write and then-”

“Alright, alright,” Celestia laughed. “I suppose we'd better discus this now then, if that's the case. If you don't mind, though, I would like to talk somewhere a little less formal.”

“Okay,” Twilight nodded, following the Princess. In truth, she was not sure why the throne room was not good enough for a talk, but she took Celestia's word for it. The idea that Celestia had noticed the tear tracks cut clearly over Twilight's dust smeared face, never occurred to her.

Celestia did not go far. She led Twilight to a smaller room meant to keep important guests comfortable while they waited to have an audience with her. It had a faint resemblance to a smoking room, minus the smell of cigars or pipes. The walls were heavy with tapestries and there were several large chesterfield sofas made of a thick, carpet-like material against the walls. In the center was a sunken, circular space which housed a large pillow. It had been designed with ponies, gryphons, and other creatures in mind who would be uncomfortable in chairs not designed for them. It was on this that Celestia sat herself down among a collection of expensive looking throw pillows. Twilight followed her. She meant to just sit, but the softness under her hooves made her flop to lie down instead as she gave a drawn out, tired sigh.

“Now,” Celestia said, pretending not to see Twilight's less-than-royal manners. “What was it you wanted to ask about, Twilight?”

Twilight seemed to almost have forgotten why they came to the room in the first place as she sat up. “Oh! Yes, of course.” She smiled in embarrassment.

Celestia, however, merely waited for her to start.

“Well,” Twilight said, pulling a face in thought. “The most important thing is, what are we going to do about Blue Jay? I mean... he just kind of disappeared after the stone broke. Rainbow Dash was circling the courtyard to find Discord, but if Blue Jay was around she should have seen him. It's like he just vanished,” Twilight bit her lip. “It's possible he was killed when we destroyed the Stone I guess, but that's not something I know for sure. I'm worried if we just assume that's what happened it'll come back to bite us later.”

Celestia nodded, her expression turning serious. “I agree, it's a loose thread I'm not happy with. Perhaps he really was destroyed with the Stone, but I would like proof of this before I accept it as fact. I will send a search party to Kerry Shire's ruins to track him, but I will speak to my court magicians as well. Perhaps they will have some insight into what dark magic Blue Jay might have used to keep his magic alive and what destroying the Stone might have done to him because of this.”

“What about Falabel?” Twilight said, the mention of a town triggering her memory. “Stoneflower and her group of cra-... of ponies were doing some pretty awful things there. The Stone may have killed her, but I'm sure there were a few other ponies in that place just as cruel as she was.”

“That is where things may be a little more complicated,” Celestia said.

“What d'you mean?” Twilight blinked at her.

Celestia lay down, putting one foreleg over the other. “Whatever the Defectors feel or felt their agenda was against Equestria, Falabel is outside the border. They are ponies who left to be free of my and Luna's rule. That is what they wanted. If I myself, Luna, or any of our guard were to infiltrate the town, it could result in more problems diplomatically.”

“Wait,” Twilight frowned. “You're saying you can't do anything about a group of crazy ponies killing each other because of politics?”

Celestia sighed, but it sounded more tired than impatient. “Politics are perhaps the most troubling, ruthless, and insidious part of ruling a country” She turned back to Twilight, with a small smile, “A Princess who has no country to rule would have more freedom to do what is right, than a Princess who needs to worry about all the paperwork and screaming officials that would come afterwards.”

Twilight did not seem satisfied with this. “That doesn't change the fact that there's some seriously messed up stuff happening in that town! Is there really nothing you can do?!”

Celestia's smile stayed where it was. “Not until now, at least. We have known about this group for quite some time, thanks in large part to Ogham Augur's infiltration a year or so ago,” something flashed across Celestia's face, but it was too quick for Twilight to fully understand what the emotion was. Celestia carried on. “We knew of their creed and of certain violent members within the group, as well as unstable magic practices they sometimes held, but nothing they did could justify an official visit by Equestria,” She focused back on Twilight. “It seems things are different now, though. If what you have told me and Luna is correct, and I see no reason to doubt anything you would report to us, then perhaps the time has come for diplomatic intervention. Before the situation gets any further out of control.”

Twilight let out a long, relieved breath at this. She sank into the soft mattress-like pillow, lying down again.

“That's good,” She mumbled.

“Is that all?” Celestia said, watching her. “You really should get some rest. It would be very sad for Princess Twilight to get sick when we should be celebrating her success and safe return.”

“Just... one more thing,” Twilight said, rubbing an eye with a hoof. “I dunno if you can even answer this one, but I need to ask just in case.”

“Yes?” Celestia said, smiling again.

“About the Stone of Null itself,” Twilight turned back to look at Celestia full-on. “I still don't really know what it even was. Why was it so powerful? Why did Blue Jay say he heard it talk to him? Why didn't the Elements of Harmony work on it the first time? Why could we only stop it when Discord helped us?”

Celestia said nothing for a moment, thinking this over. “Have you tried asking him yourself?”

“Who?" Twilight asked.

“Have you asked Discord why he needed to help you for your Elements to work?” Celestia repeated.

Twilight pulled a face. “No. I'm not really sure he'd give me a straight answer if I did. He said he remembered the Stone from somewhere, though. But it didn't look like he was very sure about that.”

“Perhaps that's why he knew he was needed,” Celestia said. “I can only give theories, Twilight. I'm afraid only Discord will be able to give you any definite answers.” She smiled again. “I apologise for that.”

“No, it's alright,” Twilight shook her head. “I'll ask him about it later.”

“And if he doesn't give you a proper answer?” Celestia turned serious again.

Twilight, however, just shrugged. “I'll have to get it out of him some other way. He likes tea. Maybe I can bribe him or something.”

“I wonder if you're not underestimating him, Twilight,” Celestia said with a guarded expression.

“I don't think so,” Twilight yawned. “He'll let me know if he really doesn't want to talk about it. If that's the case I can't really do much about it. But if he'll just try and double talk me because he thinks it's funny, I'm sure I can find a way to get him to tell me, if I keep trying.”

“Perhaps you're right,” Celestia said, although she looked doubtful. “At the very least, you could try. But I do not expect you to send me anything on what you may learn. Reformed, powerful and occasionally helpful as he may be, I know how frustrating Discord is to talk to.”

“He's not really that bad,” Twilight said, resting her head on her forelegs. “Annoying and frustrating, but not much worse than that. He's a good guy, really. Just immature.”

“I think it's time you get some rest, Twilight,” Celestia gave her a concerned smile.

“Yeah,” Twilight nodded, sitting up again. “I mean... Yes Princess.”

Celestia's smile warmed as she lead Twilight out of the room again. If she was not so tired, Twilight might have made something of the fact that Celestia showed her to a room for the night herself, but Twilight did not even notice this.

After they said goodnight, Twilight dragged herself to the large canopy bed in the middle of the circular room and collapsed on top of it. She did not even pull the covers over herself before she fell asleep.

When the morning sun started creeping across the bed, Twilight woke up again. She groaned and curled up, reaching around with a hoof to find the edge of the blankets to pull over herself without much luck. She pushed herself to a sit and looked around blearily. It took a moment for her to remember where she was and why, but when she did she was still too tired from lack of sleep to fully appreciate it.

Twilight did not feel very well. Her head was pounding, her hair felt heavy and in need of a wash, and her eyes burned from dust. Her mouth also felt dry. She dragged herself out of bed and stumbled to the door with the intent to find a bathroom and at least get something to drink, even if she was not ready to face a bath just yet.

It took a few minutes and Twilight had to ask a guard to direct her, but eventually she was able to get some water as well as wash her face. She felt better, but she was still tired. She wondered how much sleep she had actually managed to get, remembering it had already been night when they returned to Canterlot, before they even started their recount of what had happened. By the gentle warmth shining through the stained glass windows and the crisp air, Twilight could tell it was still early in the day. Habit was the only thing that had woken her up.

However, apart from a twitter of excitement running through every guard, maid and official she walked past, nothing in the Canterlot palace seemed out of place. If Twilight had not experienced last night for herself, she could almost believe it was just another normal day. As such she saw no reason to be awake yet, and headed back to her room.

Halfway there, a thought struck her. This was the first in a very long time Twilight had gotten some sleep in a room all by herself, and not as a group with her friends. In some way, having privacy again was extremely satisfying, and normally it would be all she would want after spending so much time in constant company with other ponies. However, with last night's memories and, more importantly, emotions still clinging to her, Twilight found the idea kind of lonely, and a little sad.

She found another guard and, after some brief directions, headed for the rooms her friends had been taken to. She headed for what she was told was Applejack's room first. If anypony was awake yet, it would be Applejack. She was a lot like Twilight in that, regardless of how tired or worn out the day before had been, she could not break free of her hard-wired routine of getting up early to start the day. And even if Applejack was still asleep, Twilight was sure her friend would understand if Twilight were to curl up on the end of the bed.

Twilight reached the door she had been pointed to and knocked. She waited a moment, but when nopony answered her, she opened it to peer inside as quietly as she could. However, Applejack was not asleep in bed like she expected. In fact, Applejack was not in the room at all. The covers on the canopy bed had been used recently, lying wrinkled and twisted as somepony had pushed them aside. The light green Saddlebags lay next to the bed. But there was no Applejack.

Wondering if, perhaps, Applejack had gone to get something to eat or maybe clean herself up, Twilight closed the door again. She turned to Pinkie's room instead, once again knocking before pushing it open. Pinkie would almost certainly still be asleep, but Twilight knew she would not even bothering asking why Twilight had crawled into her bed. Just like Applejack, however, Pinkie was nowhere to be found.

Twilight frowned to herself, starting to worry. She was not sure what it was she should be worried about exactly, but not being able to find her friends made her very uncomfortable, and somehow seemed to intensify her want to not be alone.

Twilight did, however, have enough sense to check on the others before she jumped to any rash conclusions that were spurred by stress and a lack of sleep. She moved on to Fluttershy's room. Once again, Twilight knocked on the door and got no reply. She pulled a face to herself as she pushed the door open, peering inside.

Fluttershy was asleep in her room, just as she should have been, but she was not alone. Twilight had expected Discord to be there, although exactly why she expected this she was not sure. But there he was, lying across the bed like a spilled noodle. Fluttershy was lying with her forelegs and head resting on his chest, fast asleep. Pinkie lay curled up against her, cuddling Fluttershy's tail as if it was a teddy bear. Rainbow Dash lay sprawled across the top of the canopy as if it was her own, personal hammock, snoring loudly. Rarity lay in the curve of Discord's tail, eye-mask and curlers set firmly in place. Getting attacked by delusional unicorns and their otherwordly stones was apparently no reason to neglect her looks. Applejack was lying on her back precariously near the bed's edge, her head dangling over the side.

Twilight stood in the doorway for a few moments, watching the mess of ponies plus one draconequus lying like a litter of stray kittens all over an exquisitely woven blanket in the finest palace in Equestria.

She then smiled as she closed the door behind her, walked over, and wriggled into an empty spot on the bed. As she fell asleep, she subconsciously curled her forelegs around Discord's tail, hugging it against her.

“Oh my,” Fluttershy said, coming to a stop.

The Ponyville market was much livelier than she had expected it to be.

All the usual stalls were there, as they always had been. However, the stall that she knew from memory sold lemons, was completely hidden behind a large crowd of ponies, all waving their coins in the air. They raised their voices above each other as they haggled, pushing and shoving each other to get closer to the actual fruit.

It had been about a week since Fluttershy and the others had returned to Ponyville, and things, for the most part, seemed to have finally gone back to normal. There was at first an extreme amount of excitement at their return. The town had obviously slapped together a welcoming party, because as soon as the group stepped off the train, they were accosted by half the ponies at the station while the other half ran into town. When they had finally pulled themselves away from the excited greetings, they were met by yet another group, apparently this time consisting of the whole town. They even had a banner welcoming them home.

After somehow moving through the crowd and avoiding a speech by the mayor, they finally started to find their friends and family. The Apple family had the easiest time making their way over to Applejack, as Big Mac simply used his size and pressed a path open for himself, Applebloom and Granny Smith. Spike was not far behind, barreling down on Twilight and throwing himself against her as if he was trying to tackle her to ground. Eventually, Twilight had to gently ask him to let her go, as his crushing hug was starting to hurt her.

The Cakes, with twins in tow, found and met up with Pinkie as Rarity had an extremely tearful reunion with her parents and Sweetie Belle. That is, until Sweetie Belle asked Rarity to stop because she was getting embarrassed. Scootaloo was all over Rainbow Dash and seemed to demand an instant recount of everything that had happened right that very second.

Fluttershy, however, was anxious to get back to her animals and make sure they were alright. She was also getting antsy around a large crowd of ponies all staring at her and trying to talk to her at once in louder and louder voices. She was not sure how to ask to leave, and when she finally got the courage to say so out loud, it did not look like anypony had heard her. Or if they did, they did not seem to care.

But apparently somepony had heard her. A moment after she managed to ask if she could go home, she felt herself getting picked up. She found herself dangling over Discord's head as he proceeded to stroll through the crowd, smiling widely at everypony he passed and greeting them with enthusiasm. This seemed to do the trick, as most ponies moved out of his way as soon as they saw him, giving nervous smiles in return or dirty looks.

What followed was a two day party. Fluttershy was not sure if this was Mayor Mare's or Pinkie's doing, but it was one of the biggest parties she had seen Ponyville throw in a long time. Ponyville seemed much more interested in having fun than staring at her, and she found herself fully enjoying it. She even managed to drag Discord away from turning the punch into tabasco sauce to dance with her. At least for a while. She lost of track of him, only finding him later with Pinkie as the two of them had started a mission of emptying all the piñatas they could find. This would not have been so bad if Discord had not decided to use a flamingo as his club. He insisted it made the game a lot more interesting, but the flamingo obviously had not agreed and seemed to have vowed to cause as much bodily harm to Discord as it could before flying away. They found it the next morning in Discord's swimming pool punch-bowl where it was trying to catch the ice-cube fish swimming in it.

Life settled down as days passed. Things went back to business as usual. Stores were open for regular business once again, the weather team had put an updated schedule on the town hall's bulletin board, and the night before, Fluttershy had been visited by a family of hedge-hogs from the Everfree Forest who she had not seen since the magic crises. She was relieved to see they all looked healthy as they snuffled around her living room and shed their leaves all over the place.

Today, Fluttershy had gone to restock her cupboards of the different foods she needed for her animals. Spike had done a great job looking after them, but the food he had bought had run out. Fluttershy had not thought much of going to market. It was something she had done almost every day. However, the over enthusiastic crowd nearly tearing the lemon stall apart to get to what it was selling was not something she could say she was use to seeing. She was only grateful she did not need any lemons.

She skittered past the mob and headed for the cucumber stall. Nopony else seemed even remotely interested in it, and the cucumber salespony was resting his cheek on a hoof as he watched the lemon stall with a bored expression.

“Uhm... excuse me?” Fluttershy tried to get his attention.

The Cucumber salespony snapped out of his daydreaming and turned to her, looking surprised. Nevertheless, he smiled and turned his attention to her fully.

“G'mornin' Miss Fluttershy. Lookin' for somethin' for that fussy-eater rabbit of yours?”

“Yes, I.. I suppose so,” Fluttershy smiled at the ground. “I've been gone for so long, I thought I might make it up to him.”

“If you're looking for cucumbers, you don't think you'd wanna come back tomorrow instead?” The stallion asked.

Fluttershy looked up at him again, puzzled. “No? I promised Angle I would fix him a salad with the freshest veggies I could find. I know it would break his little bunny heart if I went back on my promise.”

“Well, if you're sure,” The salespony said. He sounded reluctant, as if selling his goods was not something he wanted to do.

“Is... something wrong?” Fluttershy asked. A nagging thought had come to mind, but she tried to ignore it and hoped there was an innocent explanation to the salespony's behaviour.

“Well, not exactly,” He nodded his head towards the barrels in front of him.

Fluttershy turned to look at them. Cucumbers lay cooling in the barrels of water, just as they always did, except for one difference. Every cucumber was a completely different colour, or even texture, from the rest. And not simply singular colours, but eye-straining clashes of cyan, magenta, bright yellows, deep greens, luminous purple, criss crossing in plaid, or covered in paisley curls, or splattered with polka dots. One of the cucumbers looked like it was made from ostrich feathers, while Fluttershy was pretty sure another one was more crayon than cucumber.

Her ears flattened and she dropped her gaze, scratching at the ground with a hoof. “Oh.”

“If you come back tomorrow I'll be sure to hold some aside for you,” the stallion offered.

“No,” Fluttershy shook her head sadly. “I promised Angle I'd make him his salad. Do they... are they still at least cucumbers when you cut them?”

The stallion shrugged. “I wouldn't know. Nopony's bought any today.”

Fluttershy sunk in place, wishing the ground would swallow her. “I'm really sorry about this.”

“Oh?” The salespony cocked a brow at her.

“I'm sure he didn't think it would hurt anypony,” Fluttershy went on, meeting the salespony's eyes again with considerable effort. “If I ask him, I'm sure Discord will turn your cucumbers back to normal. He probably didn't realise nopony would buy them if they were strange looking. He really doesn't mean any harm. Really.”

Fluttershy was expecting, at best, a sigh and a sad dismissal. At worst, an explosion of anger and hoof pointing. What she was not expecting, was for the salespony to give a lighthearted laugh and wave the issue away.

“No need for any of that, miss. This's been happening all week.”

“Really?” Fluttershy asked. She was dismayed by the news, but the salespony's unusual reaction was distracting her too much to feel bad.

“Yeah. I mean it's silly and disruptive, and I ain't gonna lie and say the other stall owners were happy the first time their stock turned into cotton or grew legs or sang show-tunes to customers, but it actually turned out to be a pretty good arrangement. As long as ya didn't mind ponies actin' crazy and throwing their money at you the next day.”

Fluttershy stared at him, trying to figure out what on earth the salespony meant. Eventually she gave up and shook her head. “I'm sorry... I.... I don't think I understand.”

“You haven't been to market this week? At all?” The stallion blinked at her. He then grinned when she shook her head, pointing at the lemon stall. “Yesterday, Lemon Drop's stock was doing a scene from 'Reigning of the Shrew'. Today her lemons are back to normal, but from what I could see before the crowd set in, they've doubled in size. Same thing happened to Sweetberry the day before. Her strawberries are normal now, but the day after they declared marshal law on her stall, they were the sweetest, shiniest, most perfect strawberries I'd ever seen in my life.”

Fluttershy stayed quiet as she listened, turning to look back at the chaos over at the lemon stall.

“Happy to see your pet monstrosity has finally gotten to my cucumbers,” The salespony snickered. “I was startin' to worry he was gonna give me the cold shoulder. I'll have to ask the wife and my oldest son to help me with sales tomorrow, though. It's gonna get hectic.”

Fluttershy turned back to him. She watched him for a moment before dropping her gaze back to the disaster that was the stall's cucumbers.

“Then again,” The stallion said with a frown. “If I'm gonna have anythin' like what's goin' on over at Lemon Drop's tomorrow, it might actually be better if you buy them now. I know they're funny looking, but they should be alright. I'll try to find the least eye-straining ones for you, shall I, miss?”

“Yes,” Fluttershy said, breaking into a smile. “Thank you very much.”

As Fluttershy trotted over the bridge leading to her cottage, she nearly dropped her groceries when Discord's head popped down from a tree directly in front of her.

“Fluttershy!” He greeted happily, as if he had not seen her in weeks.

“Discord, you startled me,” She said, picking up a stray apple that had fallen out of her paper bags.

Discord dropped down from the tree, grinning at her. “Did you get me anything? Something sweet I hope. I've had this incredible craving for a chocolate banana all day! Of course, I don't expect you to be a mind-reader, but anything chocolate will do! Unless you bought some stuffed olives. I'd be fine with those too.”

“I'm afraid I didn't buy anything with chocolate in it,” Fluttershy said, giving him an apologetic smile.

Discord gave a dramatic sigh at this. “No. it's alright, my dear. I will just have to go on without it,” A handkerchief popped into existence and he proceeded to dab his eyes with it.

“You should have said something when I left,” Fluttershy said, heading towards her cottage, unmoved by his dramatics.

“I would have, but I just had so many other things on my mind it completely escaped me!” Discord said, appearing ferret-sized in her mane. He leaned over her head to look her in the eye. “Maybe we can go to Pinkie's cake-house thing later and buy something chocolate-y from her? What do you say? I'll even share it with you! Of course, you'll have to lend me a few bits to pay for it.”

“Can't you just make chocolate on your own?” Fluttershy asked as she pushed open her door.

Discord gave a drawn out whine, teleporting across the room to throw himself over the couch. “But it's not the same! Besides, do you know how much effort is needed to create chocolate out of thin air? I have to lift my arm, put my fingers together and snap them!” He acted out the motion as he said this, a large bar of chocolate appearing in front of him. He grabbed it and took a large bite, not bothering in unwrap it. “At this rate I'll starve to death!”

“Chocolate isn't really food, you know,” Fluttershy giggled as she put her groceries down and started to unpack.

Angel bunny came streaking across the room, as if he had never seen food before in his life. One look at what Fluttershy picked up out of the bag, however, and the rabbit threw his paws around his own throat, making a gagging noise before he threw himself to the ground.

“I'm going to make Angel bunny a salad before I feed the chickens,” Fluttershy said to Discord. “It may not be chocolate, but I can make you a cup of something if you want me to.”

“No thank you,” Discord grinned at her, rolling off the couch and bouncing to his feet. “In all seriousness, I need to get going. My day-planner is pretty full today.”

“Really?” Fluttershy smiled at him. “Do you need help with anything?”

“I doubt it,” He said, taking a fedora from a coat-hanger Fluttershy was sure she had never seen in her cottage before. “I have to meet up with Pinkie Pie. She's throwing a birthday for some five year old and asked me to join her. She said a birthday party with nothing but toddlers filled with so much sugar they inhabit another realm of existence was something she could use my help with.”

“Oh, I see,” Fluttershy looked nervous. She made a note to herself not to accept any invitations to a party today.

“After that, Rainbow Dash, the pegasus one, not the dragon one, wants me to join her over the Everfree Forest. She said something about dealing with strange weather patterns and being prepared in future if the weather team ever lost control or something of the like. I wasn't really paying attention. But anything Everfree forest is always a riot. After that Rarity and the dragon Rainbow Dash are going looking for gems, and I believe they were going to head into Diamond Dog territory and that did not sound like something I wanted to miss out on.”

“Did Rarity ask you to go with them?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well, not in so many words,” Discord shrugged. “But sometimes you have to read between the lines. But as I was saying; after that, I need to go to Applejack's and move her barn three paces to the left of where it is.”

“Uhm... why?” Fluttershy blinked.

“I want to see if she'll notice,” Discord grinned widely at her.

Fluttershy could not help but give a light laugh at this.

“And then finally, Twilight wants me to visit her so we can start writing those memoirs I mentioned a while ago.” He finished.

“Oh, I didn't realise you were serious about that,” Fluttershy said.

“Well, just between us,” he leaned forward to whisper to her, “I wasn't.”

Fluttershy giggled, pushing him away playfully. “And after all of that, what are you going to do then?”

“I'm going to come home, be a nuisance while you feed the squirrels, make us each a large plate of arugula salad for supper, and listen while you read to the injured sparrow,” His smile warmed at her, just by a fraction, “That's the part I'm looking forward to the most.”

Fluttershy smiled, “Actually, Mr. Sparrow needs to leave the birdhouse today. He's grown strong enough to go back home.”

“You could have told me that sooner,” Discord grumbled, looking disappointed.

“I'm sorry,” Fluttershy said. She tilted her head at him, watching him sulk. “If you want, I could always keep reading to you, even if Mr. Sparrow is gone.”

Discord stuck his tongue out with a noise as he moved to leave the cottage “I'll get my bib and rattle ready for it, shall I?”

“We don't have to if you don't want to,” Fluttershy said, walking him to the door.

“There is one more thing I really need to get to today,” Discord said, coming to a stop.

Fluttershy stood herself beside him. His tone of voice had changed slightly, and Fluttershy kept quiet, waiting to hear if he would continue.

Discord turned to her, but rather than face her, he started toying with one of his talons. “It's nothing all that important, mind you. I could always put it off. But it's becoming really boring to have to think about all the time. I might as well get it out of the way and be done with it.”

“Yes?” Fluttershy urged, wondering if Discord was going to manage to move past the wall of quantifiers and say what was on his mind.

“I was just curious,” He gave a shrug, as if he really did not care one way or the other, “You seemed rather angry back when we were cleaning up Blue Jay's temper tantrum. Not that I really blame you, of course. No pitchforks or torches were involved, so it wasn't the worst I've ever had to deal with. I was wondering about something you said though.”

“What did I say?” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh, nothing all that bad,” Discord grinned. He turned to meet her eye for a moment before he immediately became engrossed in filing his lion claws, an emery board appearing in his hand. “As I said, I'm just curious. Among the rather pathetic attempts at trying to call me names, by the way I think you could really use some tutoring as far as insults go, you mentioned you were upset with me for startling you.”

“I was,” Fluttershy nodded.

“Ah,” Discord's voice wavered, the emery board stopping mid-file. “I see.”

“Was there... something specific I said?” Fluttershy tried, taking a step closer to him.

“Just some of this and some of that,” Discord brushed it aside, turning to face her with a guarded smile. “You said something about detesting me at the time, but it's nothing I haven't heard from ponies before. No harm, no foul. Forget I mentioned it.”

Fluttershy thought for a moment, trying to remember the exact words she had yelled when Discord sprung back to life. The memory was a bit of a blur. She had been so choked with relief and anger, the words had just poured out of her on their own, and he could not fully remember what exactly it was she might have said. Something in her mind clicked though, and she turned back to Discord with large eyes.

“Oh dear! I just remembered!”

“Do try and keep up, my dear,” Discord gave a chuckle, turning to leave again.

Fluttershy, however, took wing and wrapped her hooves around his neck, giving him a soft squeeze. Discord stopped in his tracks, half-turning to look at her in confusion.

“I could never hate you, Discord,” She said, nuzzling him.

Discord froze at this. He said nothing for a moment before he slowly turned to look back to the front. Fluttershy gave him another squeeze before she let him go, hovering in front of his face with a warm smile.

“No matter what you could ever do, I would never ever hate you. Not really,” She beamed at him. “Even if I get angry, or upset, or even if you ever did something to hurt me, I would never hate you.”

Discord looked alarm for a moment. “Do you honestly believe I am even capable of hurting you, Fluttershy?”

“No,” She shook her head, wrapping her hooves around him again. “I know you, and I trust you.”

For a minute, neither of them moved. Eventually, Discord reached up and wrapped his arms around her in return. He held her tight for several moments, before he let her go again, smiling an honest smile, one Fluttershy did not see him use as often as she liked. He held her out at arm's length.

“Thank you, Shutterfly,” He stuck his tongue out at her playfully.

She giggled and flapped free of him, moving to land back on the ground.

“Now, I'd better get going before they send out a search party for me,” Discord said, clearing his throat and switching back to his usual bemused, but 'hinting at trouble to come' tone of voice.

Fluttershy nodded. “Pinkie probably needs your help with those fillies.”

“I'll bring you back some cake,” he said as he left.

Fluttershy gave him a small wave, walking to close the door behind him.

“And I get to choose the book tonight!” Discord called as he crossed the bridge.

“I know,” Fluttershy smiled.

The End

Author's Notes:

And we are finally done! Hurraaaaaay!

I could write paragraph upon paragraph of thanks and updates of what's coming next and so forth, but I don't want to clutter the fic itself. I'll talk about those details in a blog post. I'll post a link here and stuff, in case you guys want to check it out
Blog post!

What I WILL say here though, is that I would never have finished this, or even enjoyed reading it, if it was not for the wonderful support, feedback and comments you guys have left me. I know that's such a cliche thing to say... but it really is true. As I have said many times, I am not a "writer" per se. I've not really had any kind of classes on how to write stuff or formal training or anything. So this has been a intense learning exercise on how to suck a little less. I think I've made a lot of progress in that area, and for that I can't thank you enough. Writing a fanfic, even a long one, is probably not all that big a deal to most people... but to me it was very VERY important. probably more than it should have been.

I sincerely and dearly hope you guys will stick around for anything I write next. I've grown rather attacked to my readers. I don't think I really want to see you guys scatter off.

As what is almost a custom by now, I uploaded this impatiently, so please let me know of any typos, errors, grammar mistakes or anything of the like so I can fix them. It's always helpful and I appreciate it very much.

Thanks guys. love you! Take care of yourselves, and I hope we'll hang out again.

C-Puff

Chaotic Neutral

by C-Puff

Discord

Magic

Tension

Canterlot

a Strange Evening

Start of a Journey

The Storm

Monsters in the Dark

Conflict

Ogham Augur

The Story

Plans

Pinecones

A Strange Feeling

Falabell

The Mayor

Trapped

Fire

Into the Woods

Mortal

The Troll Woman

Fluttershy and Discord

Aftermath

Kerry Shire

Blue Jay

Best Laid Plans

Together

Seven Elements

Homecoming

Chaos in Ponyville