> I will kill you yet, Discord!
>  by IMN
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: Party planning in Ponyville*
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Today is the day, my dear Fluttershy.” Discord was prancing around in his best friend's cottage, which, to the suggestion of his partner Cheese Sandwich, was temporarily turned into a semi-observatory, semi-war room with maps and plans and timetables in preparation of this particular event, “Today is the anniversary of my reformation.”

“And I’m so happy for you,” replied Fluttershy, “But isn’t this a teeny tiny tad excessive? I mean you have balloons, streamers, party cannons (and I must say there are a lot of them), three roller coasters, a circus, a bungee jumping towers, a pool filled with jelly, another filled with punch, and yet another filled with raspberry pie. Not to mention the bowling alley, bagpipe parade, tunnels of love, fear, laughter, books, and nursing, as well as  drag queen, clown, and mime shows,” She paused a bit to catch her breath when she noticed something on one of the telescopes, “and what are those mares doing over there?”

Discord scooted to the particular scope Fluttershy was viewing, “Oh! Those are for the gentlecolt party. You girls aren’t invited there.” Fluttershy shrugged at the notion, “Besides, I want this party to include everypony; and I do mean everypony.”

“And it sure will,”  Cheese Sandwich's head popped in the window next to Fluttershy, balloons in hoof and streamers in another, “Thanks to your Chaos magic, I can throw the biggest party Equestria have ever seen.”

“Oh Cheese,” Discord chuckled, “you really are a hoot. By the way, the girls for the gentlecolt party are here, better go check on them.” 

“Righty-O, partner,” And, with that, Cheese Sandwich was off to where the wild girls are.

“I know you two only want to make the very best party in history, but there seems to be a lot of activities. How many ponies are you planning to host again?”

Discord gave Fluttershy a pointed look, “Well, I’m glad you asked...” a thin scroll appeared next to him. However, the moment he opened it, it strolled out from the war room, out of the door, and kept going all the way toward Ponyville. “We have Princess Celestia, Luna, and all the royal guard. You see, after you reformed me, the princesses had their top lieutenants keep following me around like some sort of a baby that needs constant watch. So, I’m going to show them that they don’t need to do that anymore.”

“Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, and the Crystal Empire?” Fluttershy asked as they reached the front door. 

“Well, I went there to help after the Sombra affair, but they kicked me out. Something about the threat being long gone and nothing for me to do other than be a disturbance. Do you believe their nerve?!”

Fluttershy sighed. 

"You did take the crystal heart for one of your sculptures..."

"Only after they told me they were unsightly," Discord huffed in irritation. 

Fluttershy shook her head, she decided to skip until a familiar name comes into view. She struck gold half way toward Ponyville. 

“That’s … that looks like everypony in Ponyville”

“Well you wouldn’t expect me to forget about my favorite friends in my favorite town now do you?”

“Who else is on that list?”

“Just some ponies I helped here and there.”

“Like who?”

“Oh, you know... The Wonderbolts, Daring Do, the Pie family, some Appaloosans, dragons from the south, all my friends from here and there.”

“You do seem to have made quite a lot of them,” the pegasus congratulated.

“I learned from the best,” Discord gave Fluttershy a bear hug, “I just hope that nothing goes wrong.”

“Don’t be silly; nothing will.”

She had no idea how wrong she was.
> Part 1: awakening. Chapter 1: In the Frozen North*
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daring Do was having a pretty bad week. First, she learned that Ahuizotl was after some very ancient and very powerful Discordian relic. It was something called the Azazel’s Scythe, and it had lain dormant deep in the confines of Frozen North for millennia. Then, after going through what she easily described as the most dangerous temple she had ever been in, she was captured right before getting in the chamber. Why did she even bother to get out of bed in the morning these days?

Now, tied up with Ahuizotl’s minions all around, she observed as Ahuizotl laughed maniacally at a glowing crystal spire, her whip at his hip. This would make for a great story, if I can get out of here alive to write it, she thought before turning to the spire itself. Daring had seen many artifacts and some of them emitted energy in a cool glowing manner, but this isn't one of those artifacts, the spire's faint ice blue glow appeared like a candle light through a magnifying glass and yet it appears dead, frozen much like the wasteland surrounding it. Its shape is something akin to a crystal tree coiling up all the way to the ceiling. If this spire was to break, the entire temple would collapse on... however her thought were rudely interrupted by yet another irksome laugh.

“You know, I could do without the laughter, Ahui,” Daring Do had just had enough, “I have better things to do than to listen to you giggling like a geisha all day.”

“Like taking care of inconvenient traps for me?” he quipped, “Thank you for that, by the way. You were a great help for once.”

“You always needed it.”

“Ouch. Tough talk for someone at my mercy. Besides, if I’m so stupid, how have I managed to not only snare the great Daring Do, but stand poised to obtain the greatest weapon ever forged: Azazel, the Spectral Scythe.”

“Do your research, bozo! Azazel’s not a scythe, it’s a pony.” 

“That’s what they want you to believe.”

“Here comes the crazy talk again.”

“I found a tablet a while back describing a scythe that consumes the magical abilities of nearby creatures. With power like that, I could conquer not only Equestria, but the entire world!”

That notion made Daring Do laugh. “Mad rambling and cliché line aside, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but that thing is inside a crystal spire, doofus. How are you going to get it out? A toothpick?”

Ahuizotl grinned his villainous cheeky grin, “I hoped you would ask. you see I..."

“Like to write erotic fanfiction about us?”

“What? No! Shut up! Anyway… Where was I? Ah, yes. How I was going to get the scythe…” And with that, he pulled out his chosen tool. The very sight of it made Daring tremble a bit.

“Are you insane?! That’s King Sombra’s horn! Do you have any idea how dangerous it is?”

“Oh, I do. As soon as I discovered this, it led me to so many amazing discoveries, secrets so old that time itself has forgotten, and places where power swells like a twister, and even to weapons of mass destruction. Judging from how many dark secrets it holds, I’d say it is dangerous enough for my purposes.” He held the horn up high before placing it on his head. Almost immediately, the horn stuck fast, sending a shockwave that traveled from his body to dissipate in the air around him. Purple smoke started to gently trail from his closed eyes, which he opened to reveal a green glow.

Daring Do knew this couldn’t end well for anypony. She struggled with all her might, even as the transformation took place. She needed to stop him. She needed to stop this. She had to do something. She... What could she do? And even if she could do something, did it even matter? Azazel isn’t a scythe, it’s a pony, right? A pegasus, an ancient king from the time before Discord came to rule. So what if they find him? How much damage could a dead pony do? 

… Don’t answer that.

“All this power! I can feel it! ” Ahuizotl chucked in ecstasy as a rush of dark magic surged through his body like wild fire, fueling him with strength he thought he could never have. The possibilities of this new found power were limitless that the thought of Daring Do ever stopping him again became inconceivable. “Now, to business.” Dark energy built up in his new horn with such intensity that even the least magically oriented earth ponies could have felt it deep in their bones. 

He turned toward the spire and fired a stream of greenish black magic at it, All the while his minions were cheering at him like monkeys on a tree. Daring Do found a small reprieve, slipped out of her ropes, and lunged toward Ahuizotl for her preferred weapon. Whip now firmly in hoof, Daring Do jumped toward Ahuizotl in an attempt for a tackle, only to be knocked back by a sudden shockwave just as the crystal spire's glow came to life.

Much to the surprise of the Aztec monster and his goons, and to the dread of the adventurer, a shadow of a pegasus holding a scythe suddenly appeared amid the bright light. 

Daring Do could only stare in fear at the weapon and its wielder, it's smooth edges projected an aura so ominous, it made death look inviting. It's blade so sharp that it seemed to be able to cut the shadow it's coming from. Linked to it was a chain warping around the pegasus like orbits surrounding a core, so unique were its placement and movements that it appeared like a snake ready to fend off anything that comes in its range. The pony holding the scythe didn't look normal either, even from the shadows, Daring could tell he is huge. His frozen stance spoke of a warrior with unrivaled potential, he wielded his weapon with such precision and balance that Daring Do's own expertise failed to distinguish if it's in defense or in offense. 

Ahuizotl continued to pour power into the crystal, frantically drilling to his goal, while Daring froze.

“Something’s not right here!” commented one of the goons.

“Yeah! There shouldn’t be anypony with the scythe!” chorused another.

“Shut up, all of you! That Scythe will be mine!” Ahuizotl focused, intent on destroying the crystal spire to get what he wanted.

In response, the chains started to rotate. Slowly at first, but  picking up speed, rattling resonated seemingly out of nowhere, it's sound increasing until it felt like chainsaw proud. Ahuizotl could only gasp as the motion picked up by the pegasus started to unfold slowly while mimicking the chain's pace. The scythe's blade soared with tremendous power and slammed the spire from within.

And then, with a resounding thwack, everything went black.
> Part1: awakening. Chapter 2: The king of the frozen temple*
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the ringing in Ahuizotl ears finally calmed down, he tried getting up. However, after what Sombra’s horn did to him, even four paws weren’t enough. He just felt broken. It was then that he realized that something was amiss: the central chamber was supposed to be five floors underground, but all he could see above him was the night sky.

“Anyone?” Ahuizotl had brought with him half of the forces of Talacon, along with Doctor Cavaleron’s goons, and a snow tiger, but, as they saw Daring Do entering the ruin, he decided that it was best to simply follow her until the right time to strike. That plan worked better than he would have imagined, until it didn’t, that is. Now...

“Now look what you’ve done!” Daring Do scurried from the shadows, clearly nursing a few broken bones, but still better off than he was. “I told you there was more to the scythe, but did you listen? Nooo. And now we have a mad king running loose.”

Suddenly all eyes in the room were set upon her. “Uhm… I’m just gonna go now…” And with that, Daring scampered off. However, with fresh troops after her, it wasn’t long before...

“Got you!” screamed Doctor Cavaleron triumphantly as two of his goons grabbed and pinned her to the ground. good thing I kept them handy outside, Ahuizotl contemplated, at least he and his stallions are in a better shape than mine.

“Hold her down.” Ahuizotl ordered. He felt disappointed, betrayed even, that all of his investments turned sour. He rued the day he bought that brochure from the Crystal Empire that started it all, “and keep her mouth shut, I don’t want to hear a single word from that pain in the flank.”

The Doctor nodded, and his goons tied her well.

“What happened down there?” asked the Doctor. “We heard the explosion, then a spiral beam of light destroyed all of the upper floors! Then, we heard somepony yelling ‘Discord!’ from the top of his lung, and screaming something foreign.”

“I don’t know. I used the horn, I saw the scythe, then, a pegasus came out of nowhere and everything went to Tartarus.” Ahuizotl replied disgruntled. Such a loudmouth for a mercenary. If I had that stupid scythe, I’d put him in his place, he thought, “let’s pack everything and leave, there’s nothing here anymore.” 

However, as he turned toward the exit, a blue pegasus suddenly appeared before him. The Pegasus wasn’t of normal height or stature. Bigger than any he had ever seen, he had a tricolored mane of three different shades of blue. Though impressive, his physique wasn’t his most striking feature. That would be is his eyes. They were deep sapphire, shimmering under the moonlight like jewels from a distant land. Only slits, like that of a dragon, frightening and commanding all at once. But, above all, their glare was as warm as Celestia’s own. 

“Buongiorno1.” said the pegasus with an odd drawl. Oh great, a foreigner. That explains it. Must be new. Where does Cavaleron get these guys, anyway? 

“Listen here. I don’t understand what you’re saying, but if you want to get paid, you’ll get your dues once we’re out of this frozen wasteland.” He snorted. The Doctor looked over in confusion.

“This isn’t one of mine.” The Doctor finally said, realizing Ahuizotl’s mistake.

“You must have me mistaken, mi amico2.” The blue pegasus spoke clearly, his accent of high end nobility, and everything down to his body language was overwhelmingly disarming. “I am only trying to inquire about the fair mare tied up behind you.”

Ahuizotl and Doctor Cavaleron blinked at what this odd turn of events. Confusion was plentiful until they noticed he was pointing at Daring Do, which was violently thrashing around, trying to shake her ties loose.

The silence was broken by laughter. Hooting soon followed accompanied by hollering. Then every goon in the room soon decided to join in.

The blue pegasus remained dignified in the face of it all. As everyone finally settled down, Ahuizotl walked closer to this stranger, placing his hand around him cordially. 

“You’re a funny guy... you know that?” Shaking his head, he chuckled, “Daring Do! A fair mare!" suddenly, all forms of laughter died in Ahuizotl's face as he pointed Daring Do judgmentally, "that’s no fair mare! that’s the thorn Princess Celestia chose to stick in my side," he screamed, "she is my enemy, and I, the great Ahuizotl, have the right to deal with such troublesome prisoner as I wish.”

Ahuizotl let go of his stoic guest’s shoulder as he walked toward his nemesis. 

“I won’t kill her quickly. I’ve got to take some satisfaction torturing her, you know... She’s had this coming for far too long. Then, once I’m done, I’ll leave her here to freeze to death. Slow. Agonizing. I will savor this for the rest of my life.” turning to his emotionless guest, he added “I am however going to be terribly sorry for what I am going to do to you, my friend. You see, I can’t just let you go. I’ll  make it quick, but it has to be done, I’m afraid.”

The Pegasus took a moment to think, then he addressed the thief in front of him, “Es tut mir leid3, my  friend, but that will not happen.”

It was but a flash, faster than a blink of an eye. One moment, he was there; the next, he was standing near the earth pony guarding Daring Do. Nopony had time to even react, when a powerful punch hit the earth pony’s side, sending him flying toward one of the remaining walls, shattering it on impact.

Panic ensued. Some tried to attack, while others simply started to flee. Amid the mayhem, Ahuizotl froze, staring intently at the pony in complete shock.

The Pegasus then gently tugged his hoof underneath his wings, and the dark scythe that appeared in the shadows was being pulled seemingly from the ether. Daring Do could only gasp for the second time upon seeing this majestic weapon. The blade shimmered pale white under the moonlight, scores of runes were written on it's edge, their whitish glow felt as if the dead were carving them. Fully released, the scythe stood taller than Celestia, it's handle clanged resoundingly on the ice floor declaring it's toughness bordering on being unbreakable by gods or any living being for that matter. It's chain rattled ominously from it's nook, warping the pegasus' entire body before leaving a small pointy knife at the other end clinging at his other hoof. The adventurer could only hold her breath praying not to die by its presence alone.

“I am sorry Ma Cherie4, but I must ask you to be patient for a short while. I’ll be done shortly.”

Turning to face the crowd, he missed Ahuizotl’s eyes brightening as he whispered in awe, “Azazel’s Scythe.” 
> Part 1: awakening. Chapter 3: A party crasher with bad news*
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

To say that the party in Ponyville was a hit would be an understatement. It was the party of the millennium.

There were nearly literally thousands of activities to choose from, however, none of them pleased the Great and Powerful Trixie. Why? As she elegantly puts it: everything is tacky. Everything. From the brainwashed little forest animals working the contraptions, to the fact that no one has payed any attention to her, and that was getting on her very last nerve. 

She sighted. As she trotted toward the outskirts of the shameless self-promotion party (the only bearable part of this ordeal), a pony crashed into the bushes right next to her. Oh great. It’s probably that insolent fool from the gentlecolt party. Lighting her horn in outrage, she screeched, “How dare you? You … you … wheel! You nearly squashed the great and powerful TRIXIE! Prepare to face the pain of ages!”

Turning to take a proper look at her target for the first time, Tixie stopped. Shocked, all she could do was gasp “You’re…”





Shining armor and his two princesses were rushing to the hospital tunnel. When they arrived at the ride/hospital, they were greeted by a large crowd.

“Princesses Coming through!” screamed Twilight Sparkle, shoving ponies out the incoming royalty’s path. 

“This is so exciting. I can’t believe we’re going to meet her!” whispered Shining Armor to his wife as they trotted excitedly. 

“It is, so try not to ruin it by saying something embarrassing again," his wife quipped, much to his embarrassment.

They took a small boat to one of the few occupied beds, making their way past the curtain separations. There, they saw the one and only: Daring Do.

She was in a pretty bad shape, covered from head to toe with bandages, and, judging by the bags in the trash cans, had received more than whatever was in her IV needle tonight. 

“We came as soon as we heard,”  Twilight Sparkle said while taking stock of the well wishers. She saw Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Spitfire, Pinkie Pie, Cheese Sandwich, and Trixie?

“What are you all doing here?” 

“Well,” Trixie explained, “The Meek and Humblest Trixie found the Amazing Daring Do injured when she nearly crashed landed on top of her in the shameless self-promotion party. So, she picked her up and started looking for the hospital. She got turned around and wound up at the racing field, where Rainbow Dash and Spitfire where having a few ‘good words.’”

“But then, we saw her like that and we just had to help,” interrupted Rainbow Dash.

"We love you, Daring do!" shouted a pony on a passing boats, "Yeah! You're awesome!" chorused another.

“I told them that she needed to go to the hospital, no matter how badass she is,” Continued Spitfire, “But I didn’t know where it was.  I thought Soarin would know, since he got sick during the pie eating contest, but he got us lost.”

“And that is when they ran into me!” interjected Pinkie Pie, “I was just leaving the rock farming party, and heading to the rock tasting when I saw them, and I went like *gasp*, but Rainbow placed her hoof on my mouth said that this is an emergency and that they needed to go to the hospital, so I told them that I knew where the hospital was and led them but I got distracted by the balloon blowing party, which had an animal balloon making corner in front of the grand cupcake buffet, and got everypony lost again on a wonderful fun adventure until we ran into Fluttershy in the petting zoo party, and I came and asked her if she knew where the hospital is but she didn’t know, though she asked all of her animal friends and it turns out they didn't know where it was either, but the bear knew where to find Cheese Sandwich, and he lead us to the hospital; and that is how everypony came here!”

"You’re the stuff, Daring Do." came the voice of some pony of the passing boats, again. "You rock."

“Okay then… moving on.” 

“Hush, puny alicorn! Trixie wants to hear the rest of the story.”

“But we need to understand what happened!” huffed Twilight.

“It’s alright princesses, I can give you the short version. Ahuizotl was after a very powerful artifact, a scythe used by an ancient king to protect his kingdom during the pre-discordian era.”

“Oh come on, you told us all about that already!” interrupted Rainbow Dash, “Get to the good part! Where Ahuizotl tried to get it using Sombra’s horn.”

“Sombra’s horn?” gasped Princess Cadence.

“Yeah! I bet it...”

“GIRLS!” screamed the annoyed princess of magic, “let her finish. Ms Do, please continue.”

“Anyway... What Ahuizotl didn’t count on was that the scythe was guarded by ...him," Daring gulped, she could still feel his eyes drilling a hole behind her skull, "a blue pegasus so insane, he made Discord normal in comparison."  

“What do you mean by insane?” asked the captain.

“He…”

“Yes?”

“He killed them all.” Silence reign king. “He decapitated each and everyone of them. He … he … Oh Celestia, the blood!” Choking up a bit, she continued, “it only took him a second. He stepped away, them they were all gone. All but Ahuizotl. He … Even Ahui didn’t deserve to end like that.”

The stillness that fell over the group was rivaled in intensity only by the haze in Daring Do’s eyes. She had seen the horrors unseen by ponies for centuries. She had seen that stallions just… cease to exist. Her rival? Gone. Her innocence? Shattered. The brutality of those death had marked her, true, but worse of all was the murderer himself. He ended their lives casually. There was no reluctance. There was no remorse. Only the cold detachment that usually accompanied looking at a table. That was what truly marked her. That was what would haunt her dreams. 

"Daring Do is our mare; if she can't do it, no one can!" interrupted the squad of pegasi cheerleaders that passing by.

"This is really getting annoying." muttered the irate mage.
> Part 1: awakening. Chapter 4: The Hopeless Lover, the Bored Assassin, and the Mad King*
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daring Do froze in place, and it wasn't because of the temperature drop. Is escape even possible at this point? When stallions twice her size were falling like flies made one thing clear, she was beyond any reasonable doubt at the newcomer’s mercy.

I’m going to die.

He brushed his blue mane back with a hoof, admiring his work. twenty four ponies, one Ahuizotl, and one snow tiger, and not a single drop of blood touched his deep blue coat. Shaking his head he finally commented,  “l'horreur 1, just horrendous, to think that there are people who would treat such a fair, strong and gorgeous maiden in such a terrible fashion, what has the world come to?”

He moved slowly toward her. Though his footing produced no sound, Daring Do's heart raced with her thoughts at every stride. 

I'm going to die.

Just shy of sharing the same space, he made a sudden motion with his hoof. She recoiled for fear of her life, only to discover her ropes were cut in half. Taking a step and ignoring her surprise, he took a bow.

“My fairest maiden, vous êtes tellement jolie2 that you stole my heart. Vos yeux3 speak of wondrous enchanting tales of a thousand and one night, your mane shows the scruffiness of boundless hardship that you so bravely have endured, and your wings... Oh vos ailes4! To think: they could have taken you anywhere but landed in my heart. So elegant, and displaying such … wonderful auxiliary attributes that any pirate would seek them like the stuff of legends.”

The Pegasus took her hoof, gently placing a kiss on it. That was all it took snap her awake. With a jolt, she sprang into motion, recoiling from her would-be lover while begging for her life at the top of her lungs.

“What? Did my word play offend you? I did not think booty was such a sensitive topic.”

Further wailing was his only answer. Confused, he pondered the situation. Why was this mare upset? It was almost as if she just faced brutal death. Oh. That explained a thing or two...

“Abruti5!” said he in a low tone, then he suddenly straightened, screaming, “How dare you, Azazel? You traumatized her!”

Daring Do jumped with renewed fear, but it didn’t take her long to realize he wasn't talking to her. 

Did he just talk to his scythe?

Shifting to a position reminiscent of a scolding schoolteacher, he continued somewhat rougher than before, “Azrael, mein freund6, I did what Draco asked me. I killed everypony except her. Who cares how gruesome it was?”

“Well you didn’t need to be so enthusiastic about it. Franchement7, a little bit more restraint, a few less blood splatter, and it would have been far less scarring.”

“Haha! Wie putzig8... You? Teaching me how to kill? If you’re such an expert, why didn’t you do it yourself?”

“Hmpf! And get all dirty and blood soaked pour mon amour9? Do you think I’m that boorish?”

"Doch10, we are one and the same. You'll still be drenched in blood regardless of which of us did it."

While he bickered with himself, Daring Do calmed down enough to think. He’s insane... No wonder he was trapped in a spire for more than a thousand years. I need to give him the slip.

Distracted as he was, perhaps he wouldn’t notice her giving him the slip.

I need to warn princess Celestia. This guy is dangerous. 

Her thoughts still haunted by the needless violence, she made her way to the hole in the ceiling. She heard something. Something she wished she hadn’t heard. A single word.

"Wait." 

She slowly turned back. She expected anger. She expected to die. What she found was yet another expression on his face. This one spoke of true nobility, not the false chivalry he had when he kissed her hoof, nor the smug, scolding look he bore while talking to himself. This was something more majestic, and, chillingly, far more dangerous than the previous two.  

“Mi dispiace11. My other two personalities aren’t quite as stable as I want them to be.” 

His tone spoke of an inner calm. It was the silence before thunder. It was the calm before the storm. It was the certainty of  slow and inexorable victory. This stallion meant to do something, and he knew nothing could stand in his way.

“My name is Draco Sparkle, high king of the lost western Stormlands of Equestria. The flirty one was Azrael Archangel, and the killer is Azazel Archdeacon. We are the founders and leaders of the united federation of Equestria, tasked to preserve what was left our homes after Discord came.” 

“What do you want with me?”

“You see, I am on a mission. There is somepony I want gone, and I dislike distractions. So, I want you to run along and warn anypony and everypony you meet. If any dare stand in our way, they will die.”

Daring Do gulped. She could feel the ice in his gaze, the seriousness of his tone, everything beyond what words could described. She saw it. she felt it and understood one thing: he was dead serious. He approached her with large, silent, intent strides. Their gaze met. As she stared into those slitted eyes, she nearly lost herself.

“Now; go.”

It took a moments for his words to register, and for a while, it seemed like the air itself was suspended in anticipation. That didn’t last long. She took off, afraid and injured. She fought past the pain through sheer terror as each wingbeat brought her a little bit closer to home. She had to go. She had to get there. She couldn’t give up. The princesses must know. They were counting on her.

Now alone with the bickering voices in his head, Draco Sparkle watched as his former prisoner flew off. She would do as he asked, of course. That would cause mass panic, but that didn’t matter. Panic beats collateral damage any day. After all, he was on a mission. It was very unprofessional to leave a mess.

> Part 1: awakening. Chapter 5: Distractions, distractions. 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Oh, regarde1! Isn’t that Daring Do, over there?” 

“You’re distracted again Azrael... Concentrate.”  Draco didn't want anypony to be aware of their presence. It wouldn't to reveal themselves prematurely. It wouldn't do at all.

“As I was saying, I’ll be heading the search. Ich meine2, we need an organized level headed search plan, and I am the only one who-” 

"Non importa3, we need chaos sensing abilities, and I am the finest among the three of us."

“Check out that hot unicorn over there!” The image of a white unicorn with a purple mane popped in their collective mind. “Sexy, isn’t she?"

“We were talking with each other out loud, weren't we...” 

“Yep!”

Even though holding a mental discussion in public wasn't their first choice, acting all crazy in a big crowd and talking with oneself is not something to make a habit of. They sounded deranged enough already, no need to erase any potential doubt.

“Alright, we’re out of here. We can hide in the Everfree forest until the coast is clear.”

Just as Azazel was about to take off, He suddenly lost locomotive control to his french speaking counterpart.

“Quale4?”

“Jeter un coup d'œil5. We’re talk-to-yourself party, which is right next to act-like-you’re-insane party. I doubt anypony even noticed.” Azrael pointed out.

“How convenient.” Remarked Azazel.

“Well then. I guess who’ll be doing reconnaissance.” Draco wryly noted.

“We’ll get out of the way then. Do what you do best.” 

“Azazel… A compliment? I never knew you were capable of such a thing!”

“Shut up and don’t screw up.”

And, with that, for the first time since they woke up, Azrael could feel silence in his mind as the other two went deep. 

“Maintenant7, where is that hot unicorn?”





As he approached, he couldn't help but spy a little. He soon discovered that she was accompanied by a dashing rustic orange earth pony mare and a trio of fillies.

Silently following them, he noticed a familiar pattern taking shape. Before every activity the two elder ones would argue with the fillies about safety. Young parents then. How interesting.

Seeing that no pony is approaching this particular tower, he thought that he could get closer to the mares by using curiosity as a pretext.

“Bonjour mes demoiselles7.” He said only inches behind their back.

Both mares screamed in surprise and took a step back. Azrael kept his calm, warm smile as he looked at the two mares; who were now eyeing him in with intrigue and caution. “Did I startle you?” he asks nonchalantly.

“Oh hey there stranger.” The farm pony relaxed when she heard him talking without an accent, dear Celestia, he’s huge, she immediately thought, probably bigger than my brother, I’d reckon the size of Princess Luna; “we didn't hear ya coming at all.”

“My apologies.” He replied, while rubbing the back of his head, "I tend to do that sometimes." Then gave a reassuring laugh.

“Oh no need for that my dear, we are just a bit on edge tis' all.” Replied the unicorn, such a handsome stallion, thought this one, and such eyes, I have never seen anypony with eyes like that before.

“I do hope that it’s not because of my eyes.” He cracks a nervous laughter.

“Ah no,” replied the earth mare, “and ‘am not sayin’ that your eyes ain’t weird at all, it’s just that our sister are ‘bout to Bungee jump that we’re nervous.”

“Honnête8,” he replies with a chibi grin on his face, “you are going to be hard to seduce after all.”

The earth pony looked away while blushing, while the unicorn turned the cutest shade of pink but not for the same reason.

“Oh come now, I am just messing with you.” He says before hugging them both tightly each under a hoof, towering over both of them, “you know what they say about us foreigners, we are all weird.”

“Pray tell,” the unicorn remarked, “was that the reason why you entered the talking to yourself party?”

She’s on to us, Azazel voice appeared inside Azrael’s mind all of a sudden, though it didn’t manifest itself.

“Of course,” Azrael proclaimed, “sometimes it’s always good to have a good conversation with your own thoughts, kind of therapeutic really.”

Smooth, Draco remarked. Azrael then bit his lower lip, usually a sign that he doesn’t the other to interfere and they get the message before blood is drawn and withdraw deeper into his mind. He then turned toward the tower and remarked, “It seems they are about to jump.”

The tower had three platform, so all three of the fillies were about to jump at the same time, and so they did, however midway through the free fall the cord started to stretch, two third of the free fall, all three cords snapped at the same time.

The frightened mares yelled the names of their sisters, let go of their stallion companion and started trotting as fast as they can toward the expected landing site.

Time came to a stop for Azrael, everything moved into slow motion, as he spread his wings in utter silence then launches himself with not even a flutter, no pony have noticed him. Maneuvering at extremely high speed he snatched all three fillies in one fell swoop, then lands safely in front of the two mares with so much stealth, it shocked everypony at the sight of him suddenly appearing with all three fillies on his back.

“Does that qualifies me for a date with both of you or what?” said Azrael with the slyest smile on his face, as he let all three shocked fillies off his back. And everypony fell into cheers.

“Wow that was incredible, how you did that?” asked the unicorn.

“I used to be a soldier in the royal guard.” Replied Azrael, there should be some form of royalty I can stick up to, he thought. Good thinking, replied Draco again all in thought.

“Oh so you must be one of Princess Luna’s lunar guard then?” Applejack pointed, "Judging from your eyes that is."

“Princess Luna?” although it was him that said that, the surprise came to all three of them at once.

So my dearest love is still alive, thought Azrael as his heart went into fluster.

Ha! I knew it, they couldn’t resist the pampering, thought Draco in nostalgia.

If Luna is on the throne then so is Celestia, thought Azazel irritated that she might be here.

But upon realizing the questioning looks upon their companions, the personality in charge continued his speech, “Yes Luna’s guard, newly appointed.” Can't even keep up with one single lie, Azazel tsked.

“What in tarnation?” exclaimed the earth filly, “why did you do that for?”

“I beg your pardon?” proclaimed their savior.

“You ruined our ride.” Squealed the unicorn filly.

“The cord snapped in half,” Azrael was trying to be gentle, he does lack the patience to deal with foals, “you were falling for your death mes petites filles10, I am certain that everypony can attest to that.”

“But that’s what’s supposed to happen.” Explained the Pegasus filly.

“Huh?” everypony stared incredulously at the trio.

“The cord snap in half bungee jump free fall.” Said the earth filly while pointing at the board. “It’s said here that the cord will snap in midair after slowing you down to a halt then you land on an inflating pillow hidden near the ground.”

“What pillow?” remarked the mares seeing as there is nothing on the ground other than a carpet.

“I’ll show you.” Said the pegasus filly as she trotted toward the edge of the carpet, plucked one of her wing feathers then gently letting it go for it to land safely on the carpet which exploded into a large balloon.

“Intéressant10.” Said Azrael as he came closer to inspect the balloon.

“Still, you could have warned us about it.” Azrael heard the unicorn mare's scolding from the distance.

“But then, you wouldn’t have let us ride it.” Squeaked her little sister loud enough to cause a headache.

“We wouldn’t have because we care enough for yer safety, isn’t that right Big Mac.”  The last words from the earth mare prompted Azrael's attention. He lifted his head to find a large, though not bigger than him, red earth pony with orange mane standing right next to the earth pony, huffing. Married? No the jaw lines are too identical. He thought, but the pony's “Eyup.” showed enough to alleviate Azrael's mind, Judging from teeth and posture, I’d wager brother or cousin.

The little fillies sighted in gloom for their crushed enjoyment, but seemed oddly submissive.

The unicorn mare then fluffed her mane and said: “Really, leave it up to Discord to come up with such a dangerous game.”

The word rang in their mind, Discord. The realization unified all three personalities' thoughts.

“Did you say Discord?” The ex-King jumped in between them, to the mare’s surprise, though Big Mac was the one who replied with a "eyup.” Causing the ex-King to shift his full focus at him.

“The lord of chaos?” He asked.

“EeYup.” Replied the farm pony stoically, somewhat oblivious to the sense of urgency suddenly emanating from the Pegasus King.

“The draconequus?”

“EeYup.”

“He’s here?”

“EeYup.”

“At this party?”

“EeYup.”

“Do you know where?”

The red pony pointed to some random direction but before he could say anything, he was lifted from the ground and Azrael planted two kisses on his cheeks, said: “Merci beaucoup11,” then threw him onto the giant pillow behind him and took off at blinding speed.





Halt, screamed Azazel in his mind, we have reached the edge of the party and still didn’t find him. You need to ask for directions.

“Right.” Said Azrael, before seeing a pegasus mare crash into one the tents, she looks lovely, he said in his mind. “I’ll ask her,” then said out loud, his other personalities were exasperating hard as Azrael made his way toward Derpy Hooves in the pony-made-disaster party.
	
	
> Part 1: awakening. Chapter 6: What could possibly go wrong?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Celestia and Luna were at the mime party all day long. They learned a few tricks from the professionals around the party and were practicing their newest trick. Celestia placed Luna in a box and is now trying to find a way to free her. As she walked on top the invisible box, the crowd gasped, cheered, and cooed without ever uttering a single sound; for them, both alicorns looked adorable wearing the professional black and white mime outfits. For the most part, the two sisters enjoyed themselves to the fullest in this rare occasion where neither of them have any duties to take care of, and were savoring what little precious bonding time they had.

However, their show was short lived, to everypony's disappointment, when the silence of the tent was broken by a scream of the solar princess's name just as Twilight and her friends came rushing through the front door.

Everypony hushed them. Celestia and Luna glanced at them with idle intrigue.

Twilight walked carefully toward them mindful of the stares cast upon her. Just as she was about to speak, the overseeing mime hushed her with a hoof on her mouth and gestured to her to use hoof signals instead of talking.

Twilight glared at the mime with frustration, but as if he read her mind the mime gestured that he was adamant that she must use her body language and hoof signals only to tell them what is going on.

Frustrated, Twilight turned to her friends and saw Pinkie raise her hoof. She then gestured to her to take the center stage, Pinkie took a deep breath, then she pointed at the princesses, raised her hooves high in the air and shook them, then twirled in place, then started to slide backwards, and finally made a backstroke while floating on the air, before finishing with her front hooves pointed outside.

The crowd Gasped in silence. The mime fainted. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash looked at each other in utter bafflement. Celestia unlocked Luna from the box, then gestured to her student to step outside.

Once everypony was outside, Luna broke the silence: “So what is this about a giant tornado break-dancing in the lake?”

“Wait, is that what it meant?” Pinkie replied, while Twilight facehoofed, “Oh well, guess my mime skills need some work.”

“No, I asked you outside because, there is a major thread that has been issued toward Equestria.” Twilight exclaimed.
Celestia and Luna looked at each other, then exhaled in defeat. “Well we knew this was too good to be true sister.” Luna shook her head, “What is it this time?”

“Ahuizotl released a major nut job from his prison.” Exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

“He harmed others, flirted shamelessly with Daring Do, and he said that he wants to.” Fluttershy swallowed her throat, “kill somepony.” She said visibly shaken.

“Oh my,” Ever since she returned from her banishment, Luna had never heard of anypony wanting to kill or even physically harm another pony. That thought alone brought back memories of the time before Discord when ponies would hack each other up because of a stare, “and does this thread have a name?”

“It’s King Draco Sparkle.” Twilight declared with all her righteousness.

The princesses paused at the accused name. Twilight continued completely undeterred by her mentor's shock. “We need to alert the guards about a giant blue pegasus with a cutie mark the shape of a six pointed cyan star surrounded by a chain and a scythe.”

The royal sisters kept looking at Twilight in dumbfoundedness. Twilight noticed their blank stares, “uhm, is something wrong princesses?”

“Well, it’s just... how can we put this?” In all her years, Luna had not expected to ever hear that name again. Even before her banishment, that name was supposed to had been erased from existence.

“The pony you just named is dead for over a thousand years.” Continued Celestia, her own thoughts running in the same direction as her sister.

“But Daring Do said he told her his name.” Rainbow Dash yelled her frustration, “How can you not believe her? She is the most awesomest pony in Equestria!”

“Beside the point,” Twilight affirmed her friend’s point, “if I remember my history correctly, the descriptions that were provided by Miss Do were spot on, the pegasus king…”

“...Is dead.” Princess Luna let out a sigh, “No pegasus, and on that matter, no pony in the history of ponykind had survived for so long without us knowing about it."

That seemed to have earned the princesses a grumble from Rainbow Dash for not believing Daring Do.

“I have no doubt that Ahuizotl unleashed a dangerous creature, Rainbow Dash.” Celestia gave Rainbow a stern look. “So until we can identify the threat, we will…have to...look…” She however trailed off as Derpy hooves came crashing straight in front of them.

“Heya Princesses.” Derpy waved in her unusually disconcerting position.

All the princesses gave Derpy an inquisitive look.

“Hi, Derpy,” Twilight cautiously replied, “What’s up?”

“Hey Twilight, I got a message for princess Celestia and princess Luna.” Derpy said as Rainbow Dash helped her get back on her hooves.

“Well, what is it miss Hooves?” Celestia extended her hoof, expecting a letter. Only to bring it back when Derpy shook her head. 

“Not that kind of message silly!” She gave princess Celestia a wide grin with her disheveled eyes.

“Then what kind of message is it?” Luna asked impatiently.

“Just wait, I need to prepare.” Derpy then closed her eyes.

The princesses looked at the messenger then looked at Twilight who shrugged at her in return.

What happened next caused Fluttershy to faint; Pinkie to hide behind Twilight; Twilight to gasp in horror; and Rainbow to hang her mouth open.

Derpy opened her eyes, and looked straight into the princesses with straight, non-crossed eyes with blueish overshadow.

“Greetings ‘Tia, Lu.” She talked in a somewhat coarser voice than her usual cheerful self, “It has been a while, how art thou? I have located Discord maugre some difficulties. I shall make my kill soon. Inform the rest of the resistance forthwith of my action, and to follow protocol capricorn. Oh and Azrael wishes to inform Luna that…”

Derpy gave a big sigh before turning toward Luna, “That he awaits thou in his velvet dreams tonight.” She suddenly dropped a sullen gaze, then suddenly turned to her left, “Ich kann nicht fassen,1 you forced me to say this. I understand not what you see in these old hags.”

Suddenly Derpy turned to her right with a horror gasp. “Tu oses2, My alicorns are the fairest in the land,” then turned toward Luna and with a wink, “I’ll see you tonight.” Before finally closing her eyes, and when she opened them again, her cross-eyed self spoke in her usual unusually cheerful voice, “That's it.” She then waved goodbye and flew to some unknown direction.

Rainbow flew in front of the princesses with a smug look on her face, “You see, I told you Daring Do wouldn’t lie. Now we have to get that monster and save the day.”

“I can’t believe he did that to poor derpy!” Fluttershy gasped in concern as she came to.

“I can’t believe he’d flirt with princess Luna!” Pinkie sneered her pinkie sneer, “and in public, shamelessly!”

“What I can’t believe most was calling the princesses old hags!” Twilight couldn’t wrap her head around how somepony could possibly insult the princesses that way, “Anyway, we need to act immediately before somepony might get hurt...Princesses?” 

Twilight waved her hoof in front of princess Celestia who, with her sister, appeared to be transfixed at the spot where Derpy was left.

“Luna’s out too.” declared Pinkie as she waved her hoof in front of princess Luna with the same response.

“That mother…” and for the second time Fluttershy fainted as princess Luna started calling Draco every profanity known in the english literature.

“Princess?” Twilight poked princess Celestia skittishly, praying for her sake that her mentor's reaction may not be the same as her sister.

“That, Fumbling, Buffoon!” Celestia woke gradually from her stupor, “Of all the time he could have shown up. He chose Now to exact a millennia old vengeance!?!”

“So we’re going after him?” Rainbow suddenly hovered in excitement.

“Oh, we are going after him, alright.” Celestia reply came exceptionally acidic causing all the blood to suddenly drain from Rainbow’s face.
    
		
> Part 1: awakening. Chapter 7: Everything just went south.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	After leaving the gentlecolt party, Discord went to prepare the party canons for another firing to declare the beginning of the climax of his party. However there has been no trace for him thus far. The princesses feared the worst, while everypony else got a mixed feeling about this; with the exception of Fluttershy, no pony particularly liked Discord, he is the most annoying creature around, always spreading mayhem, creating more work for the ponies that get involved with him, and that is after he had been reformed. But to go so far as wanting him dead, now that is just wrong.

“So this pony wants to kill Discord?” Applejack asked through the telepathic relay, which is basically a magical walky-talky inside everypony’s mind, that Celestia cast in order to coordinate everypony’s efforts, she and Rarity took the east side of the party to look for either Discord or Draco Sparkle. "Is that even possible?"

"In a normal situation, Discord is far more capable to handle any attack being thrown against him, even from a hafling like Draco." Celestia explained in details, she knew if her ponies were to get up against Him, they need all the information they'll get. "However, after their first encounter,  somehow Draco's cutie mark got altered, and he gained an ability to suppress magic in all it's form, rendering Discord and everypony else defenseless against his onslaught." Luna and she were searching the north side of the festivities.


"Suppress all magic? How can we fight against somepony like that?" Shining Armor didn't like the odds, nor did he liked the princesses's behavior, he needed to formulate a plan before things could get any worse. Cadence and he took the south side of the party.

“We never said he was invincible," Luna went against him more time than she could count, she knew his weaknesses better than anypony, alive or dead. "His magic suppression predominantly resides in his scythe, which has an exact range of 97.85 hooves in a spherical proportion, he can also transfer the suppression effect from his scythe to his chains, which only seemed to be controlled telepathically, but is not. He's just too good at maneuvering it. Anyway the maximum range of the suppression from the chain is 6.37 hooves at the entire length of the chains."

“Those are some pretty precise figures,” Twilight complemented, Pinkie pie and she were in the west side of the party.

"Thank you. If you have spent half the amount of time trying to get away from him as I have, you do pick up on every single detail of his abilities."

"And how exactly are we suppose to fight somepony like that?" Shining Armor did not like his dwindling chances at all.  

"He is strong, underestimating him means defeat, if not death." Celestia's voice was surprisingly calming, even if her words were foreboding. "But there is hope my little ponies. For one, he never fights with the chain and the scythe together. He has three personalities, and each personality prefer to use a different weapon. Be mindful of which personality you are fighting. There lies his weakness and his strength."  

“Then what are we waiting for, let’s find him and stop him before anypony gets hurt.” Rainbow Dash cheered, while scouting the air with Fluttershy and the wonderbolts.

“Can we enlist the help of the rest of the royal guard?” asked Rarity, “I’m sure we can find him quickly if we had more help.”

“Unfortunately that won’t help, mainly because we do not want to create mass panic,” Celestia replied, “I’m sure if we asked nicely enough he will calmly comply.” While a picture of her choking a certain blue pegasus appeared in everypony’s mind, causing all under the relay to cringe.

“Serve’s him right.” Affirmed Applejack.

“Actually, he’ll break your hoof like he did last time.” Just on cue, Luna sent an image of a the same pony holding Celestia’s hoof in an uncomfortable, and a rather compromising position, which spun a large wave of complaints from the searching squad.

“What’s up with you?” Pinkie Pie have had enough angry ponies for one day, “You are all too grumpy for ponies who were suppose to have partied all day!”

“I don’t know about the princesses,” Rarity started her tease, “I do know that Applejack is upset because the stallion that we met kissed Big Mac and not her.” Eliciting a blush and a jab from the farm mare.

“Wait, there were two Stallion kissing? EWW.” Soarin remark irked Cadence.

“Any pony can love any pony.” She scolded, “There is no shame in that.”

“I’ve read in a book that in the old kingdoms of Equestria, two kisses on the cheeks were a sign of gratitude.” Intervened Twilight.

“Well whatever it was, Big Mac have been shock from it ever since it happened.” Applejack burst out, causing more gasps throughout the relay.

“He is in shock from being thrown by that pegasus a few hundred hooves in the air and landed on his head, not because he was kissed in public.” Rarity replied with more annoyance than anger.

“Oh my. Is he going to be ok?” whispered Fluttershy.

"He's going to be fine my dear," Rarity replied, "we placed him in the same room as Daring Do, Cheese Sandwich remained with them for entertainment."

“Can you all be quite?” yelled Trixie, who was the only pony monitoring the main square of the party/ carnival, “You are all giving the great and powerful a great and powerful headache with all this rambling.”

“Trixie’s right, we have to concentrate on finding him instead of just chatting.” Twilight gave a stern command amid different grunting, sighing and giggling sounds.

Only to have all the different responses interrupted with Trixie’s “EEEEP” that emanated loudly through Everypony’s mind.

“Is something wrong Trixie?” Asked Princess Celestia.

“Some creep brushed my tail.” Replied Trixie. “And now he is standing in front of me,” she paused, “A giant blue pegasus with slit eyes.” Her voice shrieked at the end.

“Everypony, to the center square.” No one was paying attention to know who gave the order but every pony within the relay started trotting and flying as fast as they can to that square.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Trixie's scream caused the alicorn sisters to turn to each other with a "uh oh." 

"What is it?" Twilight asked frantically.

“Don’t touch my horn, Don’t Touch My….” Came Trixie's plea before the entire space suddenly turning black with all the noise disappearing from the background. Promptly, everypony inside the relay can see each other clearly, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and the two wonderbolts were flying up high, and each pair was standing, there was Celestia and Luna, Pinkie and Twilight, Applejack and Rarity, and Cadence was alone in her corner. And in the middle was a giant pegasus placing his hoof on Trixie’s horn.

"We forgot he could do that." Luna shook her head at the rookie mistake she and her sister made in using a telepathic relay with a pony that can enter other ponies' consciousness.

“Tutti attenzione1,” the pegasus declared, “This is only an illusion, don’t move much because you’ll be fumbling blind.” He lifted his hoof off of Trixie and peered at Cadence, “Impressive, your companion was able to avoid being trapped, you ought to be quite proud.”





Shining felt a surge of magic coming from the relay and manage to cut his connection from it just in time. After he recovered from the mental disorientation that accompanied breaking a telepathic link abruptly, he found his wife just standing there. Cadence suddenly exclaimed: “So this is just an illusion?” He then realized what the surge meant and what is going on; he was thankful for his training in the royal guard that prepared him for something like this. He knew that he had to go to the center square and stop the pegasus before he does anything rash.

Something is definitely wrong here, he thought to himself as he made his way toward the square,the princesses didn't say anything about magic, yet this guy just casts an illusion on an alicorn. Not to mention, he managed to hijack a telekinetic relay with a simple touch. No matter how many times he reviewed these facts, something just didn’t add up. I’ll have my answer when I face him, I just hope he doesn’t do anything reckless before I get there.

But before he manages to finish his thoughts, Discord’s voice boomed in the speaker: “Hello Everypony, hope you are all having a great time, because now is the time for this party’s climax. Come all to the center square to watch the firing of the party cannon brigades.”

Oh buck, Shining started to trot faster.





Back inside the illusion Celestia turned to the blue pegasus: “Good to see you again, Draco.”

“Sempre un piacere2 Tia, Lu.” He replied with a smile on his face, “I have been traveling Equestria for the past couple of days and I can’t help but notice it being returned to normal, I am guessing the elements worked then?”

“Yes they worked,” Luna replied, “but there is something you need to...”
“Bene3,” Draco interrupted, “Then all that is left is to behead the beast and be done with this war.” He says ignoring the sisters entirely.

Before anypony can object however, Draco released the illusion which shattered the relay, cutting the connection between them.

Trixie saw him looking at the center stage where Discord is teasing the audience, who apparently were cheering for him. “Stay here, Fräulein4, this will be over quick." Draco said before disappearing in the crowd.

“Well now, let the countdown begin.” Discord said enthusiastically, as the screen appeared behind him.

“Five.” The audience screamed.

Rainbow Dash and the wonderbolts arrive at the center square.

“Four.”

They spot a large pegasus approaching calmly the stage while Rarity and Applejack appear from the east.

“Three.”

Everypony start to converge toward him, but it’s too crowded to reach him in time.

“Two.”

The pegasus disappear from view just as Twilight and Pinkie Pie reach the square.

“One.”

Discord’s expression turns to fear, as the scythe wielding pegasus suddenly appeared in front of him on stage. “Aufwedersehen5.” He said before bringing down his scythe. The stage exploded upon impact.
	
	
	
> Part 1: awakening. Chapter 8: Battle Commence.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Princess Mi Amore Cadenza reached the central square at last, everypony had already fled the scene with the exception of a few military personnel, the Wonderbolts, the bearers of harmony, Shining Armor, with Discord wrapped tightly around him muttering to himself something about dying today, was at the other end of the square keeping as much distance from the pegasus a very angry looking scythe wielding pegasus on stage as possible.

That scythe though. Even from that distance something seemed terribly wrong with that scythe. Being a princess, Cadence was no stranger to weapons, with those used by the royal guards, and Shining Armor's blades and shields collection which now has a room at the Crystal Palace. Yet this was the first time in her life that Cadence felt this nervous around a weapon before.

She approached her husband and asked: “What happened?”

Shining grabbed Discord’s claw and removed it from his muzzle, “I managed to teleport Discord just in time, before he got sliced in half.” Then placed the claw back on his muzzle.

Twilight approached the trio, she then placed her hoof on Discord trying to comfort him, “calm down, everything is going to be fine, we’re here, there is nothing to be afraid of.”

Discord looked at her, eyes filled with fear, then muttered in a trembling tone, “N-no, y-you d-don’t unders-stand, he’ll k-kill us, he-he will…”

Soarin and Spitfire flew near the frightened deity, then grabbed him by the arms, and yanked him off the captain of the royal guard.

“Take him as far away from here as possible.” Shining Armor ordered as they lift Discord off of him. “Go to Canterlot if need be, we’ll find a way to stop him here.”

The two Bolts nodded, then took Discord and flew away as fast as they can. Flash Sentry flew behind his captain, “What's the situation, Captain?”

Shining Armor took a step forward, then addressed his soldiers with his usual drilling voice. “Listen everypony, this pegasus here,” while pointing at Draco, he raised his voice, “is trying to kill Discord due to an old grudge, I know we all hate Discord but this pegasus’s actions goes against all that Equestria stand for, as members of the royal guard we will stop him right here, right now.”

“Don’t you think this is over?" Said Flash Sentry, "I mean, we have the bearers of harmony with us, we also have two princesses, and there are a lot of high ranking officers around, all of them against one pony?”

“No,”  Cadence replied, “This one is special, I don’t think we can stop him even if we double our number.”

“Princess Celestia said that to underestimate him is to face certain defeat, if not death." Twilight explained. "And after the stunt he just pulled, I can testify to one thing, he's not normal."

“You heard the stallion,” screamed Rainbow Dash as she swooped in front of Draco, “Put them up.” She then made a boxing gesture to his face.

Draco smiled, ignoring the mare in front of him, he looked at Shining Armor and beamed, “Interesting. You would rather uphold your morality even if it means your life, and all for that monster nonetheless.” He jumped to the far edge of the stage then raised his scythe high above his head, the markings started to glow intensely then a magical shroud started to warp around it. “Let’s put your words to the test, shall we?”

The scythe came crashing down on the stage floor, and a magical circle appeared briefly before the entire stage was swallowed by a pitch black hole.

“Behold the Stygian.”

A giant worm the size of ponyville town hall rose from the portal nearly knocking Rainbow Dash. Its roar was deafening, on its body were scales like flesh with further insignia glowing on them, it's mouth was filled with sharp edge teeth and a foul stench emanated from it.

“What in Celestia?” exclaimed Rarity at the hideousness of that thing.

“The Stygian worm, one of the ten known lords of Tartaros.” Shining blurt out, “I can’t believe he can summon something like that.”

“Captain! what's the plan?" Flash asked his captain with urgency.

But before Shining Armor can figure out a plan, he caught a glimps of something blue flying off.

"He's going after Discord." Twilight urged her brother in case he didn't notice him.

“I saw him,” Shining then pointed at Flash, “Flash, you’ll carry me, we are going after him. Twily, Cadence you come with. Everypony else, distract that thing until princess Celestia and princess Luna arrive to deal with that thing.” He barked his orders and everypony saluted in return.

Flash Sentry, with the aid of another pegasus pony guard, picked their captain up and started flying as fast as they can after the blue pegasus, followed immediately by Twilight and Cadence.

“So any idea how to deal with that thing?” said Applejack before the worm gave a very menacing look to the ponies down below, while Rainbow Dash started to prepare to hit the worm under the chin, all the guards started to reorganize their formation in preparation of the upcoming battle, but before anypony could react…

“WAIT.” Came the voice in the traditional royal Canterlot fashion of Luna, and all eyes, even the worm's, looked toward Luna and Celestia coming from the south.

“What is wrong oh great Stygian, why are you so down?” Luna calmly soothed the worm.

“He summons me after a thousand year and doesn't even bother with a hello.” Replied the worm in a rather dejected voice, to everypony’s shock.

“Don’t worry about it, he is just cranky a bit.” Replied Luna with her charming demeanor, “We’ll go after him and see if we can make him come back and apologies, ok?”

Happily, the worm nodded in affirmation. Then Luna waved good bye and went after Discord.

Celestia came close to Fluttershy and whispered in her ear, “I would recommend you bringing him some tea, he likes tea.” She said as she flew away after her sister.

After a long pause of silence, the worm looked toward Rainbow Dash who was flying closest to him and said: “would you like some tea? They told me I make the best Earl Grey.”

Rainbow shrugged, “Yeah sure, why not.”
	
	
> Part 1: awakening. Chapter 9: Arial Battle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Back in the open fields toward Canterlot, Shining Armor’s party catch the mad king flying low and slow to the ground, “Alright, let’s go over the plan one more time, we are fighting long range, I don’t want anypony to come even close to that guy, you got it?” he turned toward his wife and sister which nodded in affirmation, “Cadence, you and Twilight will take care of the offense, I will take care of the defense, so don’t you dare fly very far away from me, you got that.”

“Crystal.” Replied Cadence in a good soldier tone.

“Also, I am putting the both of you in a tremendous amount of danger, the moment you feel this battle is lost you run, you run as far away, as fast away from here, understood?”

“But what about you?” asked Twilight with concern.

"Don’t worry about us, Princess” Flash Sentry replied, “it is the duty of the guards to protect the princesses, not the other way around.”

Everypony chuckled, the amount of times that Twilight alone saved Equestria from danger far outnumber that of any guard.

“Focus, we are about to intercept.” Barked Shining.

As the party reached a distance of five hundred hooves, Shining gave a single order: “Now!” Both alicorns started shooting at the pegasus who skillfully dodged every strike sent against him. He then started ascending toward his assailants, closing the distance between them to four hundred hooves, but still managing to evade all attacks sent against him.

“He’s approaching too fast.” Twilight pleaded to her brother.
“Not if I can help it,” her brother replied before casting an energy shield of three hundred and fifty hooves. Although this shield was far smaller than the one cast upon Canterlot, it's at least fifty times stronger.

With a single motion of his scythe, the blue pegasus shattered the energy shield with no effort at all.

“Nicht gut1, you have to do better than that, if you want to defeat me.” Azazel teased, as he made his way evading both Twilight's and Cadence's attacks.

Even cast spells weaken under the scythe's effect. Seeing the futility of a shield, Shining Armor decided on joining in the attack, combined with the attack of the two alicorns, the heavens seem to have went ablaze. 

Let's see if he can stop flying missiles instead, the barrage of magical missiles seemed to have halted his advancement, until he suddenly stopped in midair. They took that opportunity to send an immensely large volley of energy beams against him. All it took him was a single well placed swing, and all the volleys disappeared.

He's too skilled, however Shining noticed something, magical energy is destroyed in proximity to that scythe.

“Besser2, but not good enough.” Azazel jested while diving headlong toward the group, this time both evading and intercepting at the same time.

Closing the distance to two hundred and fifty hooves, Shining realized the futility of his triple attacks, he needed a shield but one that isn't made of energy, he decide on improvising, gathering a large amount of magic from his horn, he released a sphere twice the size of Canterlot.

Azazel swung his scythe making a small hole in the shield, however he realized something was amiss, this is not a shield then, what is he up to?  He thought.

“Now that is just sad.” He jeered.

“You haven’t seen nothing yet.” Shining voiced, full of confidence, as he compressed the magical sphere around him.

The sphere started gathering all the clouds within it. it’s compression became so fast that it whooshed around the pegasus from the hole he made blinding his with a temporary fog.

As the fog around him settled, he looked up at a sphere of clouds some one hundred and twenty hooves across.

A cloud shield? How original. Impressed by his foe, Azazel decided to test it; he flew at top speed toward the cloud, then brought his entire momentum to a single strike of his scythe, the blade pierced the cloud but was stuck in it as well, unable to move it or even make a tear in the clouds he wrenched it out of its place through sheer force, which propelled him back. 

Everypony cheered when they saw the scythe being retracted from the magically fortified cloud shield. That was the first time they gained any ground since the confrontation began.

“How did you come up with that idea for using clouds as a shield?” Twilight was envious at her brother's quick thinking, she was too focused on his movement to come up with a plan to counter his suppression.

“Luna said that his scythe can suppress magic, so I thought what, if the shield isn’t made by magic?” Shining replied, “There is no time to waste here, we need a plan, fast; I doubt this stalemate will last for long.”

Shining however didn’t have time to finish his words when a loud laugh boomed from the pegasus, “Einmalig3, simply amazing.” Said the source of the mad laughter, “it has been a long while since any pony managed to stop my scythe, I am impressed; c’est tellement magnifique4.” 

A sudden rattling roared in the heavens. No pony had time to think when the chains wrapped around Shining Armor’s neck and with a swift motion he was whisked away outside his own shield.

As the cloud shield dissipated, two alicorns and the royal guards bore witness in horror as the once captain of the royal guard was dangled upside down with the chains wrapping around his entire body.

“You are amazing, sait tu?5 I was so impressed by the way you stopped Azazel that I just had to come out and dance around a little. Serieusement6, you are that good.”

“Let go of my husband.” Roared Cadence as she light up her horn before charging straight to her husband gaoler.

“Princess!” Exclaimed Flash as his private and he flew hard trying to match Cadence’s speed, flanking her from both sides.

Azrael looked at them with disdain, “nuisance.” he scowled, with a single movement of his hoof, his chains crackled and slammed into Flash Sentry at blinding speed, sending him crashing into Cadence, who crashed into the private. Before sending all of them plummeting to the ground with the loudest crash.

However Azrael’s victory was short lived when Draco suddenly woke up in his head. Watch out. Azrael flexed his head out of reflex barely dodging the magic bolt that whizzed a hair's width from his head, “Well, well, well, some pony had been a naughty filly, n’est-ce pas7?”

“Let. My brother. Go.” Twilight Sparkle, alicorn of magic, princess of Equestria, was visibly shaken. For the first time in her entire life, she felt threatened. Not just threatened by the pegasus who holds her brother’s life by a thread, not just threatened by his menacing attacks, swift movement, and ever changing temper. No, she felt threatened by the simple prospect that she was about to take another pony’s life without a second thought. Worse, she took the moment when he struck down Cadence, her foalsitter, her sister-in-law whom she adored as an opportunity to do so.

Azrael simply looked mischievous, when they scouted Equestria, the three personalities had already summarized a bunch of things, chiefly among them that a new era was brought forth, which means, new alicorns. However, they weren't expecting them to be ruthless fighters, surely their predecessors, Celestia and Luna, dabbled in the art of combat. But they were in no way vicious enough to use one’s downfall to score a victory shot.  This one is unique, I want her, his thought ran.

Indoctrinate her. Came the order from an equally impressed Azazel.

“No,” he replied to her with a daring smile.

Sensing the impending attack from his hoof's movement, Shining shrieked, “RUN,” before watching in horror as the chains stealthily wrapped around his only sister at lightning speed, trapping her like a snake constricting it’s prey.

Twilight yelped, her magic suppressed, her wings and forehooves tied neatly by the chains. “Alicorns are a wonderful thing,” Azrael said while settling on the dispersed cloud shield, “they used to be shunned during my era. Draco’s adopted brother, Shade-Light, was dishonored by his entire village when he ascended, even his own mother tried to kill him when she saw what her precious son had become.” He let out a chuckle, then turned toward Shining Armor, “dit moi, will you let me have her?”

Shining Armor struggled, “Don’t you dare and touch her.”
“Try and stop me.” He teased before stopping shy to an ever more struggling Twilight. “You are quite lucky, to have a brother that cares for you so.” he addressed Twilight with such casualism that it made her stop for just a moment. A moment too late. As he placed his hoof on her forehead, Twilight’s eyes widen with a vacant gaze. “However that just makes me want you all the more, little goddess.”

“Stop, I said, Stop.” Shining Armor tried to struggle even further, lashing out in every possible way, trying to shake his shackles off.

“Too late.” Azrael replied calmly as he peered straight into Twilight’s eyes, his own suddenly shimmering brightly.

“Release her.” was the only warning he got before a flash so bright caused him to break his spell.

Azrael looked up at the solar princess glowing eyes, her horn ablaze with fury he’s so familiar with.

“I said release her.” she uttered, anger swelling in her voice.

Azrael smiled casually, “comme tu veux9,” he replied casually, flicking both Twilight and Shining toward Celestia, whom she caught with her magic.

“Princess!” Shining Armor flailed uncomfortably within Celestia’s grasp, trying to push himself toward his younger sister, “He did something to Twilight.” he accused.

Celestia didn't even shift her gaze from her ‘old friend’ when she replied with a brief “I know.” 

“Ma belle Celestia10,” Azrael exclaimed with a shock, “is it just me or have you been growing younger?”

“Enough Azrael,” Celestia’s horn went ablaze with arcane, “Come back quietly so we can sort everything out.”

“Es tut mir leid, mein freund11,” The sudden shift to Azazel caused Celestia to reel back onto the cloud as she tried to leave his magic suppression field. When all of a sudden she lost hold on both Shining Armor and Twilight sending them both hurtling to the ground.

“I have a greater prey to catch.” Azazel muttered in silence as he returned the scythe that he barely produced, before storming off after his original target.

Midair, Celestia felt the suppression over her magic suddenly lifted, she quickly stretched it toward the falling siblings only to sense that another’s magic has already wrapped around them, Cadence; thank Faust, with her mind at ease over their safety, she turned all the accumulated arcane energy from her horn then tore the skies with the biggest, widest solar attack she could muster.





Back at the party, the remainder of the mane six were have tea with the Stygian while watching the battle from afar, there were a lot of cool lights at first, then a giant ball of cloud was formed before getting scattered, leaving a very cloudy sky.

“Ugh, this is going to take forever to clear!” Rainbow Dash let out an exasperated sigh. 

“I see princess Celestia!” exclaimed Pinkie enthusiastically over her binoculars.

“Your friend is quite impressive if he were able to block Azazel’s scythe, I’ve seen that thing tear through enemy lines like butter.” the Stygian commented.

“Well,” replied Fluttershy after taking a sip, “This is our captain of the royal...guard..!!” however she was interrupted as a sudden flash of golden light appeared in the distance. 

Suddenly the light engulfed all the sky above and beyond, making it nearly impossible to see.

“Sweet Celestia!!” Gasped Rarity.   

“That is Celestia alright,” affirmed Stygian, “I doubt that she is being sweet at the moment though.”





Where is he?

The solar flare subsided, the magnitude of the attack left the once extremely cloudy sky clearer than a hot summer day, Celestia looked up in agitation trying to spot any movements.

Darn it Tia, what were you trying to do? Blind everypony to submission? her sister uttered inside the telekinetic relay between them.

Apologies, I was trying to stun him, must have gotten carried away, she replied to Luna, do you see him?

Yes, he made a timely escape as usual, I’m shadowing him but he’s moving fast, he’ll catch up to Discord in no time.

Good, keep tailing him, I’ll join you shortly.

“Auntie?"

Celestia turned toward her niece’s voice, “Cadence, I’m glad you’re alright, how are you? how is everypony?”

Celestia’s inquiries were cut short when Cadence placed a hoof on her shoulder, “I’m fine, thanks to Lieutenant Flash who took that hit for me, he’s not doing great actually, a broken wing, several broken ribs. The private isn't fairing any better. Twily is unconscious but otherwise fine, and the only wound Shiny have is on his pride, so he’ll be alright.”

Celestia nodded, “Good, I must get back to the chase. I’ll leave you to take care of everypony here.”

Cadence bite her lower lips “Auntie Tia?”

“Yes Cadie?” her aunt replied.

“No, it’s nothing, it can wait.” 

Celestia gave another nod before flying away. 

Cadence returned toward her fuming husband, who was cradling his unconscious sister, “So,” he looks up to her, “What did she say?”

“Nothing important.” his wife replied absentmindedly.

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

“She never enjoyed battle, always left a bitter taste in her mouth, she told me once.” Cadence looked toward where her aunt had flown, “She even held back at my wedding, got herself injured on purpose back then, did you know that?”

“Yeah, so?”

“So, why was she smiling against him?”





What was that? Spitfire was growing anxious, that intense light that came from behind was very worrisome.

“Spitfire, can you take him already? I am two seconds away from punching the guy.” Soarin complained.

“We need to go as far away as possible, Captain’s orders.” She replied to him.

“But we're already far away and I’m starting to get tired from the heavy load.” Soarin’s complaint reached a deaf ear, “Besides I don’t see him following us anymore, I’m betting that the princesses have already defeated him with that attack back there.”

“If it gets you to stop complaining I’ll take him from you.” She said before she extended her hooves to carry Discord.

But just as Discord was being exchanged by the two wonderbolts, he coils around Soarin tighter and screams: “He’s here. He’s here. He’s here.”

To both the Wonderbolt surprise, their pursuer was catching up, and by Celestia he was fast.

Spitfire turns to Soarin: “Go, I’ll try to hold him off.”

“But...” Soaring tried to complain before being cut off, “This is an order.”

He nods to Spitfire and starts flying as fast as he can, While Spitfire starts flying toward the assailant.

“You are not getting away,” she flew hard hoping she can catch him by surprise with her speed, but as soon as she reached him, he  evaded her with ease, and continues heading toward Soarin with remarkable speed.

“Noooo.” She screamed as he closes the distance to the Discord carrying pegasus, before suddenly he disappears.

For a split second, he completely vanished from her viewpoint, only to reappear in front of Soarin, and with a single motion from his hoof, Soarin and Discord were sent plummeting toward the ground.

Spitfire lands next to Soaring who landed on top of Discord.

“Would you mind getting off of me?” Discord’s complaint was music to her ears. 

“You snapped out of it, that’s great.” Soarin says as he hoists himself off of him, “Thanks for breaking my fall.”

“Don’t mention it.” Discord says but he doesn’t move, “Oh fudge cake, I’m trapped.”

“How is that possible?” remarked Spitfire, Discord only needed to point at the chain that is wrapping around his claw, and for some reason attached itself to the ground.

“I can’t use magic and I can’t even move.” Discord was definitely annoyed at how his attacker is treating him. “Where is Azazel anyway? AZAZEL,” he screamed, "If you want to kill me, do it quick, I'd rather not suffer."

The awkward silence persisted. But just as relief starts to sets in, a large boom was heard overhead, as they looked up a rainbow colored ring appeared in the sky and a blue stream was falling at a ridiculous speed toward them.

“Is he planning on?” asked Soarin.

“Yep.” Replied Discord.

The two pegasi started panicking at the falling apocalypse.

When suddenly Luna teleported in front of Discord, raised a hoof and using her Canterlot royal voice said: “STOP” from the top of her lungs.

And everything went up in smoke.
	

> Part 1: awakening: chapter 10: Farewell, for Now.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	In the old legends, the stallion slays the evil dragon lord with his mighty sword to rescue the princess in distress, and then they get a happily ever after.

Conversely, that is not the scene that Celestia walked into when she reached the site of the explosion. Discord was laying on the ground subconscious, but definitely alive. The Wonderbolts were just resting there unconscious as well. Her sister Luna is between the hooves of Azrael in a rather intimate (non sexual) embrace, with him looking straight into her wobbly eyes, as she tried to shake the dizziness away. Oh and the scythe is planted some ten hooves away from everypony in a crater without a single smudge of blood on it.

“Have you awoken from your stupor, Ma Princesse?1” he whispered in her ear as she shook herself awake.

“Hi Azrael,” she replied in a nervous tone, “you are too close to comfort, can you put me down?”

“But, ma Cherie2, my fairest of maidens, how long have I longed for those dark eyes of yours to enchant me to no ends. How I missed moon gazing at your tapestry of heavens, thinking of the wetness of it all when my dreams will come to an end.”

“Alright then, thou have gotten far too intimate for my bearing,” Luna suddenly snapped as she realized that her annoyance caused her a regression toward her archaic self, “might I suggest thou GET YOUR HOOVES OFF OF ME, before I snap them in half?”

“Azrael,” interrupted Celestia, “Always good to see one of Draco’s more charming personalities.”

Azrael looked up, with possibly the most annoyed gaze anypony gave to the princess of the sun directly, “Halt die Klappe3 Sun-butt, I am still not talking to you.”

The rudeness of that comment left the sun princess flabbergasted.

“They were harmless pranks, Azazel” the sun princess justified herself, “you have done far worse to me within the past minute than all the pranks I pulled on you for a decade.”

“Ja4, I did.” He replied in a strict tone, dropping Luna in the process, “It was a sweet payback for all the times You made me look weak in front of our entire faction; not Azrael; not Draco. ME.”

“Can you put our history aside?” Realizing the futility of this argument, Celestia moved to the main event, “there is something important we need to talk to you."

He huffed in frustration, but his expression changed to amusement when Shining Armor charged to the scene with a battle, horn ablaze, hatred in his eyes. The first bolt, Azazel dodge, the second bolt, he blocked, Shining didn't have time for the third bolt when Azazel tackled him, pinning him to the ground, horn carefully secured on an unwanted target, Celestia.

“Don’t struggle,” commanded Azazel, as the chains appeared out of nowhere on Shining’s neck, “Explain yourself.”

“You hurt my sister!” Shining replied, struggling futilely against the grip of a larger opponent, “She woke up and couldn't stop crying, didn't even let me touch her. You ruined my sister!”

Azazel sighed, “Well, that’s what happens when you get interrupted in the middle of a mind link.” He gave a glare at Celestia who suddenly shrunk in size, “Can’t fix her, entschuldigung...”5  He then wrapped part of his chain on Shining’s muzzle making sure the captain won't voice any accusation in the near future, “Now, if you can excuse me, I have some important things to care about."

Azazel walked toward his scythe. “It took ten years, but now I can finally get rid of you, once and for all, nun da6 I have you under control,” he pointed at Discord, then trailed his hoof toward Luna, “I can return to ma princesse1.” He said skipping toward her.

“Oh for pity’s sake,” exclaimed Discord, “Just kill me already and be done with it, this routine is getting too dull.”

“Ah you’re awake.” Replied Azrael, “désolé7, but I need to make sure that my midnight celebration is complete before I indulge in carving you up."

“Did he call me his midnight celebration?” Luna had a suspicion, and Celestia nodding to her wasn't helping alleviate it at all.

“Why yes,” the prying pegasus quipped, “Just like your mane.”

“You sniffed my mane, didn’t you.” Luna’s disgust was apparent.

“L’arome8 Midnight mist,” he replied poetically, “Sparkly with a hint of freshness to it.”

“You are incorrigible.” She exacerbated with a huff.

“I sure am,” Azrael replied with a mischievous grin, “Ora,9 for some bloodshed.”

“Finally, someone we can talk to.” Celestia flew the small distance between Discord and Draco, making sure he finally got her  undivided attention.

“And what is it you want to talk about?” Draco walked in an exceptionally calm manner, however he did not stop when reaching Celestia, which caused her to skid back protectively toward Discord.

“Listen, you don’t really need to harm Discord anymore.” She explained while spreading her wings and hooves over Discord, “we managed to reform him a while back, he’s one of the good guys now.”

“we turned him to stone for a thousand years,” Luna landed next to her sister, trying to impose a stronger front against the executioner, “then he escaped, then the new bearers of the elements of harmony turned him for a year before finally convincing him of the importance of friendship, thanks to a very sweet mare that I think you will adore.” 

“And if you do anything to harm her.” Discord sneered, “I’ll make sure you pay dearly for it. YOU HEAR ME?” he yelped when Celestia kicked him in the stomach with a "you're not helping" warning.

A moment of awkward silence settled in, Draco wore a different expression than the one when Celestia asked him to listen to her, she later described it as a very creepy smile decorating his face.

“Draco?” Luna poked him tentatively.

“Did you say a thousand?” Draco's question came out unusually timid.

“Yes, a thousand years.” replied Luna, “Is there something wrong with that?”

“Is there, something wrong?” Draco gave a very nervous laugh, “Everything Is Wrong With That,” the nervous laugh turned into a full bellowing, “How in the wide wide world of Equestria could I have lived for a thousand years? I'm mortal, I shouldn't have outlived all the dragons, the griffons, the changeling king, the sentinels of the Frozen North, and each and every pony I ever knew, but the funny thing is That No One Even Bothered To Check If I Was Alive!!!”

Tears were running out of his eyes to everypony's surprise, his sobs turned into a bitter laugh, “even my vengeance have lost it’s meaning, there is no justice if all those who suffered have long perished to dust.”

“I’m terribly sorry Draco,” tried as she might, Draco refused Celestia's embrace.

"I am left with nothing," before tears would run down his cheeks, he released his prisoners, then with a single jump he vanished from existence. 

As Spitfire woke up, she looked around to see everypony was still in shock, “What happened here?” She asked.

“I have no idea” replied Shining Armor.