> My Little Mages: Kingdom of Friendship
>  by Foxhelm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Liminacy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prologue: The Last Straw

A young woman was sitting at a desk in a bedroom rather dejectedly. She had dark sapphire hair with two streaks, one was rose and the other was violet, with violet eyes, and metallic wings purple and gold in color which seemed to float behind her and yet also come from her back with two amethyst six-pointed stars functioning for the wings like her arm's shoulder balls. She wore a headband with a horn-like amethyst focusing gem on her forehead, with a dull blue robe with large golden cuffs, pink pants and brown boots that went up above her ankle. This was Princess Twilight Sparkle, and she seemed to be having a crisis of identity as she looked to her bed with a tiara that’s front looked like it was made of a series of intersecting triangles and a gold and purple regal looking gown. She gave a sigh before she turned to face the five other young women in the room.

The first of the other five had hair that was like a rainbow in color and that was done in a high ponytail with a hairpin that looked like a stylized cloud and a tri-colored rainbow of red, yellow and blue, with cerise eyes. She wore black sock-like boats that went above her knees, with a dull purple skirt and light a dull blue shirt with white and gold wing styled sleeves. On her waist, usually, was a quiver with a bow and from her ankles came ethereal wing. This was her youngest closest friend, Rainbow Dash. 

The next woman had had long deep-magenta hair with a small tiara on her head with three sapphires cut as kites, this was Rarity, she had azure eyes, and she wore a long alabaster gown with some pinkish-purple with a long slightly transparent pinkish red shawl going around her back and hanging from her elbows. 

Next was a blonde woman with green eyes, named Applejack. Her hair was done in a low ponytail and was dressed in brown pants, brown boots, a red leather jacket with some pieces of armor most notably pauldrons with stylized apples, brown gloves, a scabbard with a longsword in it. 

After her, was a woman shorter than all the others with bouncing cotton pink hair, blue eyes, this was Pinkie Pie, she wore a bear legged leotard with blue cruelly toed shoes a pink jester coat and a dark pink jester’s hat with three balloons, one was yellow and two were blue. 

The last woman in the room, and the oldest of the six, also had pink hair and blue eyes like Pinkie Pie, but her hair was lighter shade of pink and her eyes were a lighter shade of blue, teal actually, she was Fluttershy she was dressed in a green, yellow and light blue dress with a stylized pink butterfly as a brooch for her hood. None of the five knew what to say to help their friend, until Fluttershy spoke up, “It might not all be that bad.” Twilight only sighed again as she looked at the floor.

Just then the door opened as a purple-scaled bipedal reptile with green spines along his back entered. He was about as tall as a twelve-year-old boy, this was Spike the dragon and he was Twilight’s familiar, “Can you believe it!” He exclaimed happily. “I am the Hero of Krystalopolies, it’s like it was only yesterday I delivered to Cadance the Crystal Heart. And the crowd goes wild.” Spike then cuffed his front hand-like talons and started to speak in a projected whisper like those trying to imitate a cheer, “Yay, Spike the Great and Bold, we love you, your scales are so shiny.”

“We get it, Spike.” Rainbow declared clearly annoyed with the dragon’s self-glorification since their arrival the day before and seeing the statue depicting him holding the Crystal Heart up in the air. “You’re ecstatic about the hero worship and that you will the first dragon in Mystician history to ever light the flames for the opening ceremony. Geez, you’ve been like this since we got here yesterday! SHUT UP ABOUT IT!” that last part caused the dragon to dip his head and whimper a little, not unlike an injured puppy.

Rarity gave Spike a hug making him feel better before she rolled her eyes and spoke to Rainbow Dash, “And none of us have ever so much as peeped about any of our achievements. It’s not like Applejack, Fluttershy and I haven’t had to dress up as a masked vigilante to address someone else’s ego. Not naming names.” However, everyone knew whom she was talking about and the events in question. Rainbow Dash could only give a weak and nervous laugh as she rubbed the back of her neck.

“So how you doin’, Sparkle?” Spike asked as he turned to Twilight.

Twilight got up and walked to the bed, “Not good,” she sighed, “But I am glad you are all here.” Twilight fanned a smile which fooled no one. Everyone raised an eyebrow in disbelief, “Alright it just feels like all I’ve gone through, this big change after my ascension,” she said as she flapped her wings as if to mock flight, “hasn’t amounted to much. I am thankful that you all are here, but when the Magetonian Duke, his wife, and their team arrive, I doubt I’ll do more than smile and wave.” Twilight then sat down, avoiding the dress and gave another sigh as she looked down to the floor.

“Unsure about how things have been goin’ since the Summer Sun Celebration and feelin’ that your princess-hood doesn’t amount tah much, given your first thing after that was the Rainbow Falls annual Traders’ Exchange?” Applejack asked cutting to the chase as she sat down next to her friend. Twilight only nodded with a frown. Applejack lifted Twilight’s chin, “Ya gotta real important role in Mystica, it might seem small compared to the other princesses right now, but Princess Celestia wouldn’t have asked yah to come two days before the Mystica team is scheduled to arrive for the games if she didn’t think your role was valuable.”  This brought a much-needed smile on Twilight’s face, “Now that’s more like it, Sugarcube. Now Spike, do yah mind stepping out, wah got to get Twilight ready for this royal shindig, we don’t have much time.”  Applejack said as she got up and walked towards the dress Twilight was to wear. Spike got the hint, nodded and walked out, shutting the door behind him.





About an hour later, along the main road leading to the castle of Krystalopolies, a great number of the citizens of Mystica, including the Crystalborn of Krystalopolies, watched as several people dressed in long many-colored robes, most of them Earthborns. At the head was a man in blue with an ornate purple and gold sash and cape with a tall purple hat with golden designs and a braided beard that covered his neck without a mustache. Walking next to him was fairer skinned shorter woman, a Magicborm, with a metal headdress silver in color and made to look like a semicircle.  Her own robes were purple with a clock of a lighter shade. As they walked, one of the guards announced them, “Citizens of Mystica, welcome the Duke and Duchess of Magetonia!” he proclaimed, as the crowd cheered.

Looking from above on a balcony was Twilight next to an unrolled banner. At the completion of the ‘tonia’, she unrolled the banner, the flag of the Magetonian Duchray. While the duke and duchess finished their procession and bowed to Celestia, Luna and Cadance, all three in their full regalia, Celestia’s was most grand of the three. The Duke and Duchess gave the three princesses gave proper bows and the three nodded in respect.

All the while Twilight just smiled and wave. After another minute, she stepped away from the railing on the balcony turning to her friends and familiar. None of them knew how to voice their disappointment over such an anticlimactic event, save one. “That was it? Princess Celestia asked you to come all the way here two days before the Magiville team is scheduled to arrive for the Mystica Games just to do that? Seriously isn’t that a job for a guard or something.”  The dragon ranted before getting tapped on the shoulder by Applejack. Spike then followed the paladin’s hand and saw Twilight looking down at the balcony floor dejectedly as if her role as a Mystican princess was utterly pointless. Upon seeing that he should have kept his mouth shut, the dragon attempted to correct his error. “I mean, whoa, that was really regal and important!” He then laughed nervously before he was then given a whack on the back of his head by Applejack.





Chapter 1:  Liminacy

Twilight waited in one of the hallways of the Krystalopolian castle. In this one was a console room where Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were discussing matters of state with the Magetonian duke and duchess. She was hoping to dump into the two Magetonians, hoping that her presence was actually important. The doors then opened as the duke and duchess stepped out. As the two approached Twilight, they bowed to Twilight as they bowed to Cadance, Luna, and Celestia. Twilight’s bow was slightly lower than Cadance’s and Luna’s. “Allow me to finally greet you in person, your graces,” Twilight spoke as she rose.

The two rose in turn, the duke then addressed Twilight, “We are most humbled by your greeting, Princess Twilight. We are most thankful for your understanding concerning our request about your absence during our talks with Princess Cadance, Princess Luna, and Empress Celestia and we appreciate that you wished to be part of the matter and still acquests to our requests.” 

Twilight smiled with her eyes closed in a warm and welcoming way, “Certainly.”

Before the Duke and Twilight could talk more, the Duchess spoke up, “Please forgive us, your highness, but there are others we must talk with today. We have to leave in order to discuss with our two nations’ mutual allies with the matters betwixt us if you will excuse us.”

“I understand,” Twilight allowed the two to pass her and proceed on their way. As they exited the hall Twilight heard the console room doors open and close again. She turned to see Celestia, Luna, and Cadance exit the room. Hoping to know if there “Is there anything else I can do to assist with the visit of the Magetonians?”

The three older princesses shared a nervous look, but in it, Twilight could tell there was some sort of rock-paper-scissors game going on between the three. Cadance seemed to have lost the game as she walked up to Twilight and placing both her hands on both of Twilight’s shoulder, the sadness in her voice gave Twilight a vibe of apology, “I'm sorry, Twilight, but everything that we needed to address and resolve with the Magetonians before the Games is complete, all that remains before the Games concerning their time are the matters they have with our mutual allies, protectorates, tributaries, and such, and while we all are mutual allies, there are affairs they have amongst each other. Affairs, we, Mysticans, should not get involved in beyond providing a place for them to discuss where they have equal footing.”

“Oh.” was the only response Twilight had as she dipped her head with a frown on her face and sad eyes, turning from Cadance dejected.

The three older princess again shared nervous looks while also engaged in another game of nonverbal rock-paper-scissors between but between Celestia and Luna, this time Luna was the one to address Twilight asking the question none of them wanted to but they all knew had to be asked, “Is there something wrong, Equal Twilight?”

Twilight sighed before she looked back up to face her three fellow princesses, “I don’t understand why I'm here before the Magiville Team is scheduled to arrive. Couldn't one of the royal guard have unfurled the banner?”

Celestia spoke up this time, as she was the last one that needed to talk to Twilight. In an attempt to answer Twilight’ question, “Magetonian hospitality customs has the youngest of a hosting family hold aloft the banner of the visiting family of equal status, as we are the hosts, and we are family, and because you are the youngest member of the family, thus you would be the one to hold the banner or, in this case, unroll the Magetonian flag.” There was another reason Celestia wanted Twilight to do it, she wanted to keep Blueblood out of genuine official matters, the last time he was part of such proceedings he nearly caused more than one diplomatic incident due to a lack of thought in speaking, granted Blueblood was not the one to actually start the breakdown, he just poured gasoline the fire.

Seeing that didn’t seem to provide Twilight comfort as the youngest turned away from the three older princesses, Cadance came up and hugged her sister-in-law sisterly, “It also gives me a chance to spend some quality time with my favorite sister-in-law, before the Mystican Games start.”

Twilight gave a small smile, as she returned the hug, but as she broke it and stepped back to look at all three of the older princesses, “And I'm happy to see you. All of you…”

Twilight’s trailing off was not unnoticed by the other three princesses. However, Cadance elected to not play the silent rock-paper-scissors test of wills with the senior two, and went to the heart of the matter, “I am sensing a big ‘But’ coming up.” Twilight dipped her head knowing she was called out. Cadance, again attempted to comfort her sister-in-law, trying to know and understand what was bothering Twilight, “Please Twilight, will you tell us what’s the matter?”

Twilight raised her head and turned back to the three a small frown on her face, “You each have some sort of established role.” Twilight directed to Luna first of the three as she turned to the princess of the night, “Princess Luna, you guide the moon along its path and shepherd the minds at rest amongst the Dreamscape,” Twilight then turned to Celestia not seeing Luna dip her head slightly in remorse. “Princess Celestia, you raise the sun and nurture the growth of Mystica day to day,” Celestia too gave a small head dip of remorse as Twilight turned her attention to Cadance,  “Cadance, you protect Kystalopolies and the Crystal Heart and through it spread love and light all over the world,” Twilight paused and looked away from the other three again dipping her in sorrow for second before she raised her head and gave a sad smile and weak wave of her right hand, “and all I seem to do is... smile and wave.” Twilight then turned away as if to walk away.

Celestia walked up to Twilight and placed her left hand on Twilight’s right should. Twilight then turned to face her mentor, “You seem to think that the title ‘princess’ was meant to bestow onto you qualities and such. But it denotes that you have these qualities. Yes, there are some expectations given due to the nature of titles, but you have always brought your best to the role and that is what matters.”

“But what’s my purpose, what part do I play, what’s the plan?”

“Even We demigods at birth can not see all ends, and the same can be said of beings like Discord. While we do see many things, not all of the secrets of existence are revealed to us.” Luna tried to answer the clearly lost Twilight.

“We might not know what part you’ll play in the grander scheme of things, Twilight, but we know you’ll rise to the challenge, you did so with Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, Nightmare Rarity, Sombra, The Grimorum of Star Swirl, Sunset. Need I go on?” Cadance answered and asked.

“I know these words might not offer the comfort you seek. Yet, please know this, Twilight, yes the sun rises, as does the moon, and love can find a place in every heart. You will learn your part, even if Cadance, Luna and I never figure it out, and you will perform it. Not because you are a princess, but because you are Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia then pulled Twilight it a motherly embrace, “Your time will come, my equal.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said before the hug ended and with a smile on her face she headed for her room.

The three other princesses turned to face each other, “Are you certain we shouldn’t tell Twilight?” Celestia asked more so directed at Cadance. “I know I play my cards close to the vest, but you don’t have to follow my example and this is a big deal.”

“It’s too soon to tell if things will go for the best.” Cadance shook her head with her eyes closed.

“Alright then.” Celestia agreed reluctantly with a sad nod.

“Best to bed, tomorrow the games start.” Luna yawned as she headed to her chambers, “How do you all stay awake during the days, I will never know.” the nocturnal diarch contemplated. Cadance then nodded goodbye and also headed to her chambers. Celestia sighed before she did likewise.





A week later, after the Mystica Games finished, late during the last night before Celestia and Luna would return to Chantalot, and Twilight would return to Magiville, deep within the capital city, a Magiborn man with white hair and blue eyes was walking. He wore a simple brown robe, with a pin that depicted for green gemstones arranged in a small equilateral rhombus between his heart and clavichord. He had a basket of oranges as he was heading home. As he used his focus gem to light his way he heard a can clank. He turned around thinking someone was there only to see a cat run away. He shook his head, laughing at himself for being so easily spooked. As he started to walk again he heard heavy labored breathing coming from a cloaked figure, but given how the cloak fell around him, he was borderline asphyxiated. “Terribly sorry,” the Magicborn said with a  few apologetic chuckles. “I didn’t see you there.”

The cloaked figured didn’t respond at first, which begot a short period of awkward silence which made the Magicborn man feel very nervous and uncomfortable. Finally, the cloaked figure spoke in a near whisper, “'Is this person a friend or a foe?', the Mystican does wonders so.” The Magicborn man felt a few shivers run up and down his spine as he took a step back as yellow orbs came visible under the hood. “I  assure you, Mystican... I am not of the former.” The cloaked figure, then held out his right hand as he revealed that in his left hand was a staff, it’s top looked like a bull’s head with demonic horns and an orange orb in between the horns, the size of the head of a pin. The Magicborn froze as he felt his inherent magic pulled out of him and pooled into the orb between the horns on the staff, “I am Tirek, Lord of Midnight Castle, and I am here to claim what ought to have been mine so long ago.” As the self-identified Tirek finished, the Magicborn fell to the ground, exhausted, his pupils becoming gray and his pin, his Aura Mark, was gone. Tirek gave a soft but evil chuckle as his yellow orb-like eyes flashed.





At that moment Celestia gasped in horror as she almost jumped out of her bed. She started to pant to calm herself, she was sweating and she short of breath. She was dressed in a set of alabaster colored flannel pajamas, there was little need for a show of regality at this point in the night. Just then the doors to her chambers were flung open and Luna entered, she was dressed in her usual gothic style dark blue and night black themed dress, her black tiara on her head. “Sister, are you alright?!” Luna almost shouted as she walked in at a brisk pace.

Celestia was able to finally calm herself down and turned to her younger sister, “It was nothing, Luna, I just had a nightmare…”

“That is a lie, Sister, and We shan't let it slide!” Luna pointed to her sister not believing Celestia, “and We know that was no dream. We have searched for your mind in the Dreamscape, for it was not even though you went to bed.” Luna took a breath, she knew she should not be scolding her sister so, those whose minds that didn’t traverse the Dreamscape while they slept, minds that were in a way trapped in the Waking Realm, were minds that truly needed the rest that traveling the Dreamscape allowed. Luna then sat at the foot of Celestia’s bed, as she looked not with harshness for the attempted lie, but with concern over her sister’s state. “You know that wasn't a dream, it was a vision. Now, what did you witness?”

Celestia did not answer as she got out of her bed and headed to the wardrobe she was using her stay and grabbed one of her white robes. “Wake Cadance and Twilight, Shining Armor and Twilight’s friends if you think it is prudent and meet me in the console chambers, we don’t have much time if you are right that it wasn’t a dream. He must be stopped as soon as possible, the more powerful he gets, the greater the danger he poses to all.” Luna nodded in silence and left her sister in a flash of argent light. “Why now?” Celestia asked herself. “What is causing all these events to happen now?”

About hour later, Celestia was greeted by Twilight, her friends, Spike, Cadance, Shining, Luna, and of all people Blueblood in the console chambers. Celestia was about to question why Luna summoned Blueblood but she elected to give him the chance to possibly contribute, if for nothing else than to have someone to state all the plans that won’t work so that no one can say Celestia didn’t cover her bases. In Celestia's hands was an old book, on its cover was a purple five-pointed star. Celestia sat down and place the book on the table. As she opened it images slowly began to take form.

“This is very much like when you told me about Sombra,” Twilight stated until she saw two images take form, one was a reddish brown-skinned man with gray hair and beard, yellow iris, and the whites of his eyes were black. He was a fairly muscular man, somewhere between Big Mac and Bulk Biceps but closer to Big Mac. He wore a sleeveless open black tail coat with silver button links in the front, a red small cap that went over the shoulders with gray fur on shoulders, with a black hood. He also wore a pair of black pants that ended with silver colored boot covers that looked like the hooves of a bull, around his waist was a silver belt that matched a silver neck guard and forearm braces. He had in his left hand a staff topped with what looked like a red bull’s head with demonic horns. Barely noticeable, the man also had a nose-ring. The other image was a brown-haired man with blue eyes and a small brown mustache, he was dressed not unlike Sombra but it was toned down as if he was of a lower rank and was a calming and welcoming blue with no armor and no crown.

“After Luna and I banished Sombra below the ice south of the Crystal Mountains there were several centuries of peace, until about fifty years before…” Celestia stopped as everyone was able to guess what event Celestia was alluding to. “At that time, Tirek the Spellthief, Lord of Midnight Castle attempted to invade Mystica.” as Celestia spoke the image of Midnight Castle was projected next to the two men.

“Wait, Midnight Castle… isn’t that…” Twilight started to ask.

“Yes, yes it is, now please no questions,” Luna took over as the images changed to show the two men with two older people that looked like their mother and father in what looked like the throne room of Midnight Castle. “Tirek felt that Mystica’s magic should have been his or, as he pitched it to his father then Lord Vorak, processed by the people of Midnight Castle. Because of various actions,  Vorak and his wife Haydon stripped Tirek of his birthright as firstborn and banished him and placed Scorpan as next in line.” As Luna spoke the images acted out her narration in a fairly simplistic way, “Before Vorak died of natural causes, Tirek invaded the castle, using what he called 'The Rainbow of Darkness' and usurped the throne and transformed Scorpan into a gargoyle,” Everyone wanted to look away as they witnessed the transmutation of Scorpan. Spike saw something like that before when Sunset with the minotaurs. “Forcing his brother to be a statue during the day. However, it seems that Tirek wanted to torture his brother and so allowed Scorpan to live.”

Celestia took over the narration as the images matched her words showing Tirek and Scorpan striking a deal and their arrival on the westernmost coast of present-day Mystica, “Tirek convinced Scorpan to aid him in his attempt to take Mystican magic, most likely promising to reverse the curse. One night as Tirek slept, Scorpan flew ahead and come across Dream Valley.” The images changed to show Scorpan in flight until he landed in a valley, a valley that looked shockingly similar to where Magiville was, in fact, it showed Scorpan flying over the Everfree Forest.

“Wait, Dream Valley, isn’t that the valley in the center of Mystica, where Magiville and The Everfree Forest are?” Applejack asked as everyone turned back to Celestia, none of them, save Luna, were familiar with the term Dream Valley.

“And Chantalot, or more accurately the side of the mountain it has been constructed on, as well, in fact, the actual name of Mystica is ‘The Everfree Principality of Mystica in Dream Valley.’, if  We may carry on?” Luna explained. None questioned the princess as she took over the narration. “There Scorpan was shocked that he was so well accepted for who and what he was, even in his new form, some of the people there even made a shelter that allowed him to interact with them during the day. So moved by their kindness he confronted Tirek to stop his brother. Scorpan failed to stop Tirek. However, Tirek was defeated and cast into Tartarus.” The images showed Scorpan at first hiding from by and resilient to interact with six young women. Twilight et al could not place their fingers on it, but it was like looking through some strange mirror. The images then showed Scorpan return to Tirek and hand to Tirek an amulet, an amulet that seemed to resemble the crest of Midnight Castle. The images then showed Tirek being blasted by some strange looking but powerful magic forcing him into Tartarus.

Celestia again took over the narration as the images showed Scorpan leaving Mystica, waving farewell to the six young women, “Scorpan, however, left Mystica and returned to Midnight Castle, to help his young son become a wise and just lord. Resulting in a family that has ruled over the comparatively tumultuous lands of Midnight Castle to this very day.” Celestia closed the book and the images faded leaving the table bare, for the knowledge in the tome had already been given and it provided little further help. “However, Tirek had escaped, most likely when Kerberos was absent from his post when someone here, not naming names, attempted time-travel to reverse an event.”

Everyone knew it was Twilight that caused that event but everyone elected to remain quiet on the matter as Twilight seemed to be in thought as Celestia closed the book and the images vanished. Twilight’s focus was elsewhere, she was confused about something, “But that was so long ago, nearly a year? Why is Tirek using his power now, shouldn’t he have been able to do when he escaped?” she finally asked.

Celestia had gotten up and collected the book, as she started to leave the table, “Tirek was sentenced to have his power drained from him at of rate of fifty percent of his power at any moment of every femtosecond until the end of time. That sentence has been over one thousand fifty years before his escape...”

“That’s 33,135,480,000,000,000,000,000,000 femtoseconds,” Pinkie spoke up as everyone turned to look at her confused. “What? He was sent to Tartarus one thousand fifty years ago. There are three hundred sixty-five point two five days in a year, twenty-four hours in a day, sixty minutes in an hour, sixty seconds in a minute and one quadrillion femtoseconds in a second.”  Pinkie Pie blurted out, as everyone looked at her in utter confusion.

Celestia coughed getting everyone's attention and continued, “Even if turns out that Pinkie is off with her math, that sentence in Tartarus has left him unimaginably weak. Only recently has he gained sufficient might to utilize the dark powers of spell theft.”

Luna stood up from her seat, “But since his escape, he grows stronger with each moment that passes. He must be stopped and the damage he caused reversed as soon as possible,” the night princess looked to everyone present, as to indicate that this was the time for them to offer their console, which was the reason they were summoned to be present in the first place.

Cadance turned to face Twilight, “I know who will stop Tirek,” it was more so out a vote of confidence and assurance of Twilight's abilities as the former bearer of the Element of Magic.

Twilight smiled at this for a second before it shifted to be a stern and resolute expression as she was resolved to face the spell thief, “Yes. I'll find him and–”

“And how do you expect to do that?” It was Blueblood that spoke up. He knew that he wasn’t going to make any friends at the table, not that anyone there counted him as a friend, to begin with. Thus he had nothing to lose and nothing to gain with his challenge of Twilight's plan, “Auntie Celestia and Auntie Luna could not even notice the smallest traces of him until earlier this night from Auntie Celestia’s vision. Not even Kerberos knew Tirek was missing until he was long gone. I know I am considered the most useless person at the table, but we all know who can not only detect Tirek draining magic of a Magicborn but stop him before he has enough power to drain a Skyborn and return all the stolen magic back to their rightful person and even if he were to purposely mess some up, the damage can be corrected easily by any of the four demigoddesses here. Heck, even a skilled enough Magicborn can.”

“Yah can’t be suggestin’ who Ah think yah’re suggestin’?” Applejack slammed her hands on the table.

“I must agree that it is a questionable choice, but who else can detect changes in magic like him?” Blueblood countered the paladin in a very calm and yet... polite manner and tone.

“Then we should have somebody with him and I volunteer to go.” Shining stepped in.

“Oh yes, let’s send a powerful Magicborn to find someone able to drain Magicborn of their magic, what could possibly go wrong?” Blueblood rolled his eyes as he turned to face his cousin-in-law the tone of his voice was in the gray area of being sarcastic and sardonic. Throwing up his hands questioning how Shining reach his rank, aside from his marriage to Cadance, “Honestly, you’re the highest ranking officer of the ESM, one would think you’d have a better grasp on tactic and strategy. No, we must let him do it alone.”

Cadance could not help to roll her eyes at her cousin’s actions. “You’ll forgive us, Cousin Blueblood, that we are hesitant to let him go unchaperoned.” Cadance then turned to look at each of the rest of those at the table, “Someone should go with him.” As she stopped at the druid, “Fluttershy?”

Before Fluttershy could answer, “Sure let’s endanger the one person that he actually has a positive relationship with? For all that we know, Tirek is already powerful enough to drain a Skyborn of their magic, and then he can drain an Earthborn of theirs and it’s only a matter of time before he can drain a demigod of theirs. And what if Tirek captures her, even if he can’t drain her magic, she can be used as leverage to tip the scales in his favor. On top of that what if he does succeed in sending Tirek back with Fluttershy unharmed, how would we know if he didn't do it solely out of love for Fluttershy or because he actually adopted Mystica as his new home? And assuming if it’s the former, what happens when Fluttershy dies? And it’s not like he trusts or is trusted by Applejack or Pinkie Pie. So that rules out sending an Earthborn.”

Everyone was utterly dumbfounded at what Blueblood suggested. No one really knew what to do or to say in response for several seconds. All the while Celestia frowned, it was clear that she was deep in thought about what console was offered to her. For once in his life, Blueblood was actually right, she had almost no other viable options. She gave a huff of frustration, “I'm afraid Blueblood is right, it is not a good option, but it is the best one we have, not only in the short term as the most efficient and effective use of our resources but in the long run. He is right, Fluttershy will not live forever and we need him to want to help us down the road of his own accord. We must call upon him to stop Tirek.” Everyone, even Blueblood, especially Blueblood, was shocked that Celestia that she agreed with him. Celestia remained quiet as it dawned on the others that Blueblood was right, it was not a good option, but it was the best option. After Celestia witnessed the silence acknowledgment on the matter. “I will summon Discord!” Everyone, even Blueblood gasped in response.





The following day, Twilight and her friends were flying back to Magiville on Twilight’s skyboat. They have traveled most of the way from Krystalopolies to Magiville, mostly chatting about how close things were for Magiville, but with the exception of one event that the town fielded a team or solo competitor for, which was all but one event, Magiville did get the gold medal, while also commending the teams from Gryphonstone and Krystalopolies for getting the most silver and bronze and the second and third highest medal count respectively. However, such conversations could only last so long before the elephant in the room made itself known. “Discord!  Discord? She want’s Discord to handle this!” Applejack wanted to curse and cuss. She was fuming mad but has thankfully not at the helm.

Twilight happened to be at the helm, she wanted to challenge Applejack and defend Celestia’s decision, but she wasn’t sure how to approach it. Fortunately for her, Fluttershy got up from her seat and walked over to the paladin. After placing her right hand on the paladin’s left shoulder, “I have to admit Blueblood was right with every point he made. Also, Discord can be very helpful when you give him a chance.” Everyone else on the skyboat rolled their eyes in response. Fluttershy knew she would have a hard time convincing everyone that they could trust Discord, but it was like the very mention of the Erisadies’ name brought out the worst of each of her friends as the automatic response. Fluttershy sighed and then continued, “And as an avatar of a primordial force, in this chase chaos, he can detect changes in the balance of the world, in particular, those he hasn’t made. The next time Tirek tries to steal a person’s magic, Discord will be right there and stop Tirek there and then.”

“And once Tirek’s captured, Twilight, Cadance, Luna, and Celestia will cast judgment and sentence him to whatever. So what are we supposed to do until Discord finds Tirek?” Rainbow asked. She was clearly bored out of her mind.

Twilight sighed at first, “Nothing. Maybe smile and wave for something.” Twilight frowned sadly as she looked away from the path of her flight.

Everyone else looked at each other nervously, none of them knew how to comfort their friend. Spike elected to look over the side of the skyboat and see where they were going. He swiftly noted that while they seemed to be heading to Magiville, Twilight’s stirring seemed to have the skyboat drift between arriving in Magiville or the Castle of the Two Sisters. “If I might ask, where exactly are we going? Because you seem to be drifting, Twilight.”

“I was planning to drop everyone off at the Golden Oak before heading to the Castle of the Two Sisters. It’s not like I am needed elsewhere,” Twilight then started to correct her skyboat's path towards Magiville ending the drifting. After some thought to justify her want to the Castle of The Two Sisters, “I have read all the books in the Golden Oak and in my personal collection thrice, might as well read what I can from the library there before they ship all the books to Chantalot.” She then put on a smile, an obviously fake smile.

Everyone looked at each other, none of them believing that Twilight was actually going to read. Rainbow Dash elected to be the one to speak up as she hovered over to her friend and placed her right hand on Twilight’s right shoulder, “You look like you could use some company, Twi. We’re all going to the castle. So step aside and let me stir.”

Twilight could tell that she was not going to shake off of friends at this moment and maybe that was a good thing, “Maybe you’re right about it.” Twilight smiled as she took a seat, once seated she was hugged by Pinkie Pie. She never said it and would never say it, but she needed her friends.





After an hour or so they arrived at Castle of the Two Sisters, which had been mostly taken down, leaving only the library and the parts of the castle still attached to it remaining. Rainbow docked the skyboat in the area that functioned as the hold skyboat docking bay. As the six women and one dragon disembarked they noticed that the deconstruction crew was taking a break. Before heading to the library, “You know what would probably fix this lickity-split? the Elements of Harmony.” Spike commented. Seeing how the six looked to the floor, “Man this is not my week is it?” he asked rhetorically as he went on ahead.

Everyone gave a depressed sigh as they looked to the ledge where the cave in which the Tree of Harmony resided, “Still can't believe that we had to give the Tree back the Elements. They would be so useful. Zap Tirek, return the balance of magic, bing-bang-done.”

Rarity placed her right hand on Rainbow’s left shoulder, “We know that it had to be done. If we didn’t, then the Tree of Harmony would have died, and very likely even worse things would have been allowed to happen.”

Everyone first shivered at the terrifying thought that something worse could happen if the Tree of Harmony dies and then looked to the ground still feeling powerless about the situation. This wasn’t like when Nightmare Moon returned, they had a plan then. Nor was this like when Discord broke free, he wasn’t anywhere near as stealthy. Nor was it like with Chrysalis, they weren’t against an army and they were only narrowly beaten. Nor was this like with Sombra, they at least had something that they knew would work. Fluttershy, however, seemed to the be the only one not so dower. She knew they weren’t powerless, “But Twilight was right then and these past few months only confirm that she was.” Everyone looked up and turned to the druid. “We no longer  have the Elements anymore, but our friendship is still here and is stronger than ever as we have branched out to make new friends,” Fluttershy turned to Rarity, “Rarity, you showed Coco that being a good person was still an option for her to make a living in the fashion industry,” She then turned to Rainbow Dash, “Dashie, you showed Spitfire who you are, and even though it likely cost you the gold, it was worth it,” Fluttershy then turned to Pinkie, “Pinkie, you came to terms that there are some people that are better than you at party-throwing, like Cheese Sandwich, but that doesn’t stop you from throwing your best into a party,” Fluttershy then turned to Applejack, “Applejack, Silver Shill would not have become the man he is without you standing for what was right.” Fluttershy then thought back to herself, “And while forcing the Breezies to leave was hard, Seabreeze has become a better leader in turn.” This brought much-needed joy to the rest. “So, perhaps a group hug?”

Everyone huddled into a group hug, for nothing else, it was to show their mutual support to each other. As the hug ended, Applejack looked to the north, still thinking about how Celestia decided to send Discord to confront Tirek, “Yeah, but Ah hope another 'friend' doesn’t make us regret givin’ up the Elements in the first place.”

Off to the east, they all heard a familiar laugh, “You must be talking about me.” The six women turned to see a man come floating to them while holding an umbrella, wearing a ladies hat and scarf. The man’s skin was a dullish brown-gray with white hair shaped as the horns, his left hand with longer nails than most men, giving a talon-like appearance, compounded by the fact that his shirt’s sleeve ended above the elbow. His right hand and arm were in a yellow gauntlet that went all the way to his shoulder and looked not unlike a lion’s foreleg. He had a blue colored bird wing themed pauldron over his left shoulder and a purple bat-like wing theme for his right shoulder. His right leg was armored like the gauntlet on his right arm but was green in color and looked like a lizard’s leg. His left leg was for the most part normal but the design of his boot had a goat-like hoof looking toe. He wore light brown pants, a waistcoat that’s exterior was a more reddish brown than his pants with a long tail which seemed to be redder and a high collar with gold lining it and where the coat connected in the front.

Everyone but Fluttershy rolled their eyes as the man snapped his fingers and the lady’s hat, scarf and umbrella vanished in a flash of white light. “Ah can’t possibly know how'd yah guess, Discord.” Applejack deadpanned, her voice dripping with sarcasm after she finished her eye-roll.

The recently identified Discord pointed to his ears, on them were small fires, “I think my ears being ablaze was the biggest clue.” He then snapped his fingers conjuring a bucket with the word  ‘GASOLINE’ written on it. It then splashed onto his head putting out the fire. Discord giving one of his many standard smirks all the while

As Discord dried himself off and vanished the bucket with a snap of his fingers, everyone else shook their head in frustration save Fluttershy who giggled a little, getting the joke Discord acted out. That giggling was lost on nobody, but no one was going to press the matter, they all turned to Discord each wanting to ask the question, but they weren’t sure how to. The five started to play a game of Rock-Papers-Scissors, Rainbow Dash was the first out. The Elementalists turned to Discord, “So, why are you here? Don’t you have a job to do?”

Discord reappeared seated in a tall back chair, wearing drawing room robes, a set of reading glasses and had a smoking pipe that blew out bubbles. In his hands was the group’s journal with various bookmarks “A bit of light reading.” Discord then snapped his fingers and everything vanished as he was dressed in a green three-star general uniform with a round helmet and a corncob pipe in his mouth. He pulled out of nowhere the flag of Mystica, which depicted Celestia and Luna with the sun and moon circling a flag that was a harmonious union of the banner of the Earth Republic, Magicborn Kingdom and Conferadtion of the Sky. “I have to do my research before heading off on my mission to capture a notorious Tartarian escapee.”

Spike had doubled-back when he heard Discord laugh upon the Erisadies’ entrance, but had remained quiet electing to watch and silence until this point. Crossing his arms in disapproval of Discord’s smugness about the situation, “So you can detect when and where Tirek uses his powers, big deal.”

Discord leaned down and blew a bubble from his pipe that encompassed the dragon in a ball, “ That’s right, Spiky, mi’boy.”  Straightening himself back up and taking a stick. “This is a big deal. My magical disturbance detection ability grants me quite the role in Mystica.” Discord then popped the bubble Spike was in, causing the dragon to fall to the ground before vanishing in a flash of white light before reappearing with pink wings on his back and a large ridiculously looking purple crown on his head, “Perhaps I should be a demigods princess too, I would quite the addition to the family.” After his little speech Discord blew kisses with a ‘Mmwah!’ and a ‘Mmwah!’ While the six young women and dragon also heard disembodied cheering.

“Ha! That’s never gonna happen, not even in your weirdest of  dreams!” Rainbow Dash declared at the Erisadies’ antics’

Fluttershy giggled at all this, knowing Discord better than the others, as Discord reverted back to his usual form, “Oh, Dashie.” After she finished her giggling, “Discord doesn’t dream of stuff like that, and Princess Luna can attest to that.” Fluttershy then closed her eyes and giggled at the thought, “Discord a demigod princess, You are very funny, Discord.”

“Ha, ha, the court jester told a joke at the expense of the princesses.” Applejack mocked laughed being fed up with the actions of the embodiment of chaos. “Say Discothèque, don’t yah have a fugitive tah hunt down?” Everyone could tell that the paladin wanted Discord to leave and get on his assignment.

Discord simply brushed himself off dismissing the paladin's tone like dust on his coat. “Of course.” Discord then vanish taking every one of the seven into the ravine and the cave where the Tree of Harmony resided “But I couldn't help but notice that Twilight’s chest remains unopened. It got me thinking,”

“That would require a few more brain cells than you have ever demonstrated processing at any point in the past.” Rarity jabbed speaking to the others covering her mouth with the palm and fingers of her left hand.

Pinkie giggled at that before she gave her own commentary, listing them off with one hand with fingers seeming to appear out of nowhere after the fifth item, “Yeah, underestimating the Elements of Harmony the first time around with Celestia and Luna, hiding the Elements where we can find them, giving Twilight another go at hearing your riddle of where you hid the Elements, not noticing that we were no longer discord-ed, not learning to dodge since the last time the Elements blasted you, thinking that Fluttershy couldn’t convince you to be her friend, and getting yourself exposed to a sick tatzelwurm’s mucus.” Everyone blinked in utter horror at the poly-digited hand of the jester, even Discord’s jaw dropped to the ground literally. Once she finished her list, Pinkie Pie lowered her hand and it was normal. However, she had a little more to add, “And that’s giving you the benefit of the plundervines plan working even though it took almost a thousand years longer than you expected…”

“Thank you for reminding me, Miss Pie.” Discord said as he realigned his lower jaw.

Pinkie was dressed in a coconut palm skirt and top, her arms, legs, torso covered in black tattoos that were in a style not found anywhere that the others knew. As she started to dance it with her arms out in mostly a style of dance from the same place as the tattoos, “What can I say expect ‘You’re Welcomed’ For the tides, the….” Pinkie then covered her mouth and was once again in her usual clothes, cap and all, “Oopies, my bad! Disney copyrighted that.”

Discord shook his head before he continued as he looked at the box, “Well if I may, I was thinking that perhaps what's locked inside can help Twilight prove her worth as a princess.” Discord then turned from the box back to Twilight et al. “I bring it up because she's been feeling that her new state  as a princess hasn’t amounted to much.”

Pinkie Pie held up her left hand and shook it, “Hold on a second!” Placing her left hand on her chest and gesturing to the rest of the group with her right, “We all know how Twilight was feeling that way because we’ve been with Twilight aall~ week long in Krystalopolies for the Mystica Games, the trip there, a few other things up there and the flight here! How do you know that?! Most of us haven’t seen you since the tatzelwurm thing.”

Discord’s expression turned from one that was pretty much said, ‘So much for being a princess’ to one of hurt and shock and confusion as he scratched his head in confusion, “But I thought eavesdropping was the best way to find out what your closest friends are up to.” Everyone, even Fluttershy glared at him. Swiftly he started to fane guilt and sorrow as he leaned back and walked to the box, “Oh woe is me.” The mockery in his sad voice was unmistakable as he dropped to his knees and started to shed crocodile tears as he looked at the box and then to the tree… his tears were literal  crocodiles, “Will I never learn the nuances of friendship?” Discord then straighten himself and vanished the crocodiles that he cried before he cleared his throat, “But in all seriousness, it’s time for me to make my exit.” Over Discord's attire appeared biker gloves, a leather jacket a scarf the Wonderbolts wear as he lowered a go-cart helmet onto his head as he stepped onto a scooter and started it before riding off.

As soon as he was out of sight, “And God Speed!” Applejack was not actually trying to bless Discord, but she wanted the Erisadies as far away as possible.

As Applejack took a sigh of relief, Discord reappeared walking out from under Applejack’s stetson, holding the group’s shared journal in both his hands, in the book were five bookmarks, one orange, one cyran, one yellow, one pink and one alabaster, each at a different angle and on different pages, “Oopsie-doopsie, I almost left without returning the book, don’t want another late book fine.” He then opened it as he walked over to Twilight shimming through it again. “Quite the little journal you've all been keeping. It’s been a fascinating read. I am sure KK is proud of you girls, keeping up your studies, even though you don’t have to her send any more reports.” After he closed the book he turned it to give Twilight a better view of the bookmarking better, “I've bookmarked what stroke me as the more interesting passages.” He then placed in on her focus gem, “You really should take a look!”  He then vanished and reappeared on Fluttershy’s shoulder in the shape of a butterfly, “So tea is still Tuesday this week, Fluttershy?” He asked as he floated to the druid’s ear.

Fluttershy giggled a little as Discord floated in front of her, “I even got a few new blends for us to try.”

Discord then returned to his usual form and size and started to walk away, “I'll bring the sandwiches...!” he singsong as he opened a ‘door’ in reality and walked through it into a realm beyond, slamming the door shut behind him.

Before anyone could make a comment about Discord and his actions, as Twilight took the group journal off of her focus gem Fluttershy spoke up, “You know he was right about Twilight misinterpreting the riddle to find the Elements, he could be right about on how we have gone about opening the box.” Everyone had to agree with Fluttershy on this as they reluctantly nodded before they all looked at the box. Fluttershy had another thought, “Maybe one actual set down reading the books in the library will help us find the answers we seek, it worked with Sombra.”

Twilight looked out of the cave as a smile of confidence formed on her face, “Then let’s find out.





About three hours later, Twilight et al were still in the library scanning through the few books that remained, all the while those that they finished were collected by the workers there to be shipped out so that the deconstruction of the Castle of the Two Sisters would be completed in a matter of days as only the library and the parts of the castle dependant on its walls for support were all that was left of the once majestic castle. Twilight finished the book she read and then turned to everyone else, “Anything?” They all replied with various ‘no’s. Twilight was about to turn to another book, “There has to be something that will help us figure out how to open that box. I know it!”

Before anyone could groan not looking forward to maybe spending the night reading, “Delivery for a Princess Twilight, her familiar and her ladies-in-waiting, we got bedrolls, a twelve-person tent, food, and water.” The group turned to see four people enter the library, three of the four were younger girls, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom and one was a Skyborn man dressed in the standard issued gold colored armor of the ESM with blue hair and blue eyes. On his back was a bronze colored figure-of-eight styled heater shield with a four-point star with stylized wings above an olive branch etched into it and along his waist was an arm-sword in its scabbard. He was the one to speak and carry most of the items.

“Wah came tah help ya'll find what yahr looking for. Mr. Sentry was nice enough tah help.” Apple Bloom said as she took the tent from Flash and started to set it up.

“Well, maybe we can pull an all-nighter after all.” Rarity commented as she helped Sweetie Belle prepare some of the provisions into a meal pleasing both to the tongue and eye.

This was not lost on Twilight as she mouthed a ‘Thanks’ to Flash, Flash, in turn, mouthed a ‘No Problem’ as he started to unpack and set everything else up.
> Five out of Six
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deep in a dark alleyway, late at night, Tirek clung to the shadows, keeping as low a profile as he could. The power he took from that one Magicborn had finally integrated itself into his physical body, he was much less fragile, looking more like a 75-kilogram eighty-year-old man. He kept his cloak on and the hood down. He was waiting to find someone alone. But most of the Mysticans out at this late hour were in groups or were Skyborn or Earthborn women and men of… questionable repute, offering… unique service to Magicborn men and women that valued not only the services but the implied discretion on the providers’ part. Tirek wanted to roll his eyes, these Magicborn could take what they wanted from the Skyborn and Earthborn in question. Much like he could take what he wanted.

However, he knew he had to be discreet, he couldn’t afford to be found out, at least not yet. After another hour he found a man that gave off the aura of magic Magicborn gave. He didn’t see the man’s face, but he knew this Magicborn was very powerful, may be powerful enough that he could soon start draining Earthborn’s of their magic. He crept slowly, a quiet as a shadow and was about to grab the man’s shoulder when his head spun around like an owl. “Good evening Tirek.” the man said.

He then turned his body around spinning it the other way. It was… “Discord?” Tirek asked as he tilted his head to his left. “Is that you?” Tirek knew Discord, more so by reputation and the statue. But Discord’s current form was so… human, it made the Erisadies look less like the embodiment of Chaos he was and more … well like a  madman.

“Oh, like my new form, fooled you into thinking I was a Magicborn,” Discord then snapped his fingers, he stood a little over seven feet tall his horn-like hair became like a deer’s antler and an elongated goat’s horn. His left arm was once again a raptor’s talon, his right arm a lion’s foreleg. His pauldrons became wings with his left one being an avian wing and his right one being a bat-wing. His left leg was a goat’s with his right was more akin to a lizard’s. His shirt’s tail changed to be a serpentine-draconic. He was once again in his ‘true’ form.

Tirek was no fool, he knew Discord was an egoist, but he had to build up to playing to the avatar’s of chaos ego, it was a gamble, but he needed Discord to turn and join him if he were to have any hope to succeed. “What shocks me more is that you out and about.” Tirek then looked around. “You are free, aren’t you. Or is this some kind of a trick on Celestia’s and Luna’s parts.”

Discord had transformed into a vulture-like version of his normal state on a golden perch. “I am as free as a bird and I am the real thing.” Discord then transformed back into his ‘proper’ form and snapped his talons as a cotton candy cloud appeared and poured chocolate milk onto Tirek.

Tirek frowned at first, but he knew he had to placate Discord. He took off his hood, revealing his face and head fully. He then genuflected to Discord on his left knee, turning his torso to his left as he brought his left arm back and his right arm across his chest as he also lowered his head in a bow. “I am truly humbled to be in your presence. Your escape is a feat worthy of epics. Sadly all I can do is to commend you.” All the while Discord was munching on the cloud as it was crunchy candy.

After he finished his snack, Discord turned to the spellthief. He had his fun and he knew he had to be serious. A slight scowl came on his face before he addressed his query, “I can’t say that the feeling is mutual, T-man.” Discord then snapped his talon and Tirek was both in a cage and in shackles. Tirek tried to pull at the chains of the shackles, more to see if Discord was being what he was, a being of pure chaos. After the chains failed to give he tried shaking the bars but they were… “Adamantine, with trace amounts of mithril, cold iron, orichalcum, and various other metals with magical properties, my boy.” Discord said as he reclined on the exterior of the cage. “There is no way you are getting out this time around.”

“I see,” Tirek commented as he stroke his beard, “Well, it would make sense to stop me here and now while I so weak.” Tirek was acting, but Discord couldn’t tell. “Why would you let me run wild and free when you can have all of Mystica to yourself. As you clearly learned how to circumvent the Elements of Harmony and the power they have on you.” Tirek knew better than to believe what he was saying, but he had to placate Discord, it was a massive gamble as Discord could just as easily be offended as he could be complemented, an avatar of Chaos and all.

“Silly Tirek,” Discord said as he reached into the cage and patted Tirek on the head like Tirek was some sort of dog. “This is not for me. My friends asked me to.”

“Friends?” Tirek asked as if he couldn’t spit the word out of his mouth fast enough it disgusted him so. “You’re friends with these… Mysticans?! You can not be serious?”

“Yes, this is one of the few times I am. The nerve of some people.” Discord said as he turned away from Tirek and scoffed at the comment.  As he turned back, “In fact, I made six friends, charming young women the lot. All of them the former bearers of the Elements of Harmony.”

This peaked Tirek’s interest, “Former bearers, you mean someone bore the Elements aside from Celestia and Luna?” Tirek had to know more.

“Yes, they even used them to release me from my prison, after putting me back in it the first time they used it. But not all relationships start out smoothly.” Discord said as he snapped his fingers showed Tirek the six young women besting him with the Elements. Tirek could not help but feel as though he met those six before, but they were still very different. For lack of a better term, it was an uncannily close to his memories. Discord then showed them setting him free, which Tirek considered one of the least intelligent decisions Celestia ever made. Discord then dismissed the images as he showed the Tree of Harmony with the Elements returned to it, “But they were so kind to return the Elements to the Tree of Harmony the day before the Summer Solstice.”

“The Tree of Harmony, you say?” Tirek said as he looked at the image of the crystalline tree, something about it seemed familiar, but like with the six bearers, he couldn’t put his finger on it. Turning back to Discord, “So the Elements no longer exist?” The spellthief wasn’t so much seeking clarification but to make sure all the ‘i’s were dotted, the ‘t’s crossed and minded his ‘p's and ‘q’s. “So there is nothing that can stop you?”

“Well there is this one thing, well person I should say.” Discord clapped his talon and paw and the cage was gone. Tirek was dressed like a stereotypical Freudian psychologist within a chair to the back side of a couch as Discord was laying down on it, “Oh Doctor Tirek, this small quiet Skyborn druid has stolen my heart. She has the most beautiful smooth pink hair, her yellow and green dress are so modest. And she has the most fitting name I have ever heard, ‘Fluttershy’. I feel like I would do anything for her.” Discord tossed on the couch unable to contain himself,  “Oh Fluttershy!” Discord squeed after he said her name.

“Fluttershy…?” Tirek’s right eye was twitching as Discord described her and from the images that the Erisadies showed him, he was finally able to identify her and why she seemed so familiar, she just like Posse, the one the of the six young mages that actually turned Scopran against him. However, Tirek’s mind was also processing more, “The being closest to an actual god in this world has fallen head over heels for a …” Tirek just could not compute what his capture was thinking and saying

“Are you surprised? Almost everyone I tell has been.” Discord snapped the end of his tail and Tirek was back in the cage as Discord was leaning against it.

“Not so much who you have…” Tirek took a second to find the best word “...befriended, Discord. But what does shock me is that you fail to see that you have traded one prison for another and have rejected your nature lest you go back into the prison you think is the worse.”

Discord’s wings had both become the white feathery wings associated with angels, a halo over his head and  he was playing a golden eight-stringed handheld harp, “I have done nothing of the sort!”

Tirek sighed before he spoke, this was a fake sigh but Discord did not pick up on it, “I have seen this before. A powerful being had his nature change by interacting with six young women, namely a druid. Then again his will was always weak. But you, you are Discord, you are a legend, you cannot fall into the same trap that claimed my brother!”

“Trap. What trap?” Discord was caught off guard, he could have sworn that he had Tirek in the cage, that the spellthief was the one that fell into his trap.

“Let me answer that Socatically, this ‘friendship’ you have, how did it come to be?” Tirek said as he held his hand together with a small smile growing on his face as he could tell that the tables were starting to turn in his favor.

Discord scratched his head with his talon before he answered. “Well, Celestia thought that Mystica would benefit from an alliance with me so she tasked Fluttershy to… reform me.” Discord dropped to his knees as things began to dawn on him in a new light.

“And what did she do, trick you into helping her around her home, one small chore at a time?” Tirek asked as he rubbed his beard, Discord’s silence spoke more volumes than his words ever could. “I see. Might I ask did she initiate the actual ‘friendship’?”

“She convinced me to give each of the six one request that I am bound to fulfill. And her request was to be her friend…” Discord answered he had not once looked up only down to the ground and to the side.

“I see…” Tirek pondered.

Discord then shook his head, as he looked up to Tirek in anger. He knew couldn’t take Tirek at his word, the spellthief didn’t know his relationship to Fluttershy, “No. No. Fluttershy gets me, we have tea at her home every Tuesday, she makes the best finger foods and makes me feel at home in her cottage.”

Tirek was unmoved, he knew he had hit a nerve, all he had to do was strike while the iron was hot, “Does she treat you like she treats her other friends?”

Discord had to look down again as he thought about the question and how his friendship and Fluttershy had played out thus far, “Well.. um… no.” However, he again looked up to Tirek to challenge the spellthief. “But I am a lot newer to the whole friendship thing, also you can’t expect a woman to treat a male friend like one of her female friends, nor can you treat me like a human. I am Discord after all.”

Tirek only smiled as he pressed the matter, unphased by the boiling rage just under the Erisadies' skin, “But what about her friends, how do they treat you?”

The fire went out as Discord looked into the void between him and Tirek, he tried to be resolute, but his voice shook as he answered, “Well they don’t trust me. But I often pull the worst aspects of themselves out of them and I have got out of my way to mess with them and …. And…”

“They have you shackled with what they call ‘friendship’. They have placed you in another prison. But unlike the last one, this one has the illusion of agency and independence.” Tirek stated, Discord could not argue, he could see Tirek's point, he was in another prison, a prison he made for himself thinking he was free. “Help me in my quest, set me free from these shackles. And I will set you free from the shackles of friendship these Mystican have placed on you. I will help you achieve true freedom.” Tirek offered as he reached out his right hand to Discord, “Once I've collected all the Mystican magics, I can think of nothing more pleasureful than seeing their world turned on its head. And I cannot imagine anyone better  to do that than the very avatar of chaos.” Discord looked at the hand and started to bring his paw up, but he pulled it back as he let it fall to the ground. “Help me and join me, Discord, let me help you reclaim your true greatness.” Tirek paused as he took a step back within the cage as Discord looked at the ground in forlorn sorrow, “Unless, of course, this is the role you always wanted to play; someone else’s 'errand boy'.” Discord looked up to Tirek then the night sky and then to Tirek, his eyes were lifeless, his skin seemed to turn pale by two shades as if the life was drained out of it.

“I.. I...I…” Discord said as he raised his talon as if to snap it.





The following morning as everyone was back to looking through the books, they had covered  all but a dozen books and were reading them currently, this was mostly due to Twilight’s and Pinkie Pie’s abnormally almost insane high reading speed and near-perfect retention rate, for Twilight she was an avid and prolific reader before she became a demigod, and her reading speed had only increased exponentially and retention rate had also improved to a state for all practical purposes 100%. As for Pinkie… well enough said. Twilight had put down the last book from the library that she was reading and looked at the group journal, it was the only thing that had not been read in this quest, ‘Maybe the old troll might actually have been helping us out,’ She first read it front to back, nothing stuck out. She looked at the book, taking in the five bookmarks, she opened the book and used them as a reference point, as she read each one she saw a few common themes, her friends were point to a test of their element, they made the right choice at the moment it mattered and they were each given an item from someone who seemed to learned from them. She looked up and saw Flash had collected the last of the other books, boxed them and Brighteyes was about to fly off taking them to the Chantalot Archives. Flash was packing up all the things he and the C.M.C. brought, with the three younger girls’, Spike and the rest’s help. “Sorry Twilight, but this was a bust,” Flash commented, not knowing about the journal. With everything packed, he and the C.M.C. started out, “I got to get back to town, I have to oversee a drill between the garrison and the Magiville militia.”

“We got to get back for school, Miss Cheerilee is having us watch the drills,” Sweetie Belle informed.

“Yeah, military history is the major subject of the week,” Scootaloo added sounding more sarcastic than generally excited.

“Well, yall behave now, Sugarcubes.” Applejack and the others waved the four off. The five young women and Spike then turned to Twilight. “So any luck?”

“I think I found something.” Twilight stated, since everyone was already looking at her there was no need for a ‘eureka!’like declaration in her voice. “I was re-reading our journal, and I noticed a few things on it the sections Discord bookmarked.”  Twilight then opened the journal to the entry denoted by the orange bookmark. “Applejack, you remember when you told everybody that the tonic the Flim Flam brothers didn't really work?"

Applejack leaned against the closest wall as she thought back to that day, three weeks before the Mystica Games, while everyone else was otherwise out of town, Twilight and Rainbow were searching for A.K. Yearling, Rarity was looking for the perfect place for her future Chantalot shop, Fluttershy was still helping chart a route for the Breezies and Pinkie was spending time with Maud at the Pie family Rock Farm, following the whole ‘Make-Maud-Friends-with-My-Friends’ near disaster. “Ah’ll never forget.” She took out a one-bit coin and looked at it.

Applejack was shocked at what Silver Shill said, she looked away unsure what to do until she saw Braeburn take one of the tonics, she saw a rainbow made of the colors orange, yellow, alabaster, cyan, purple and pink glitter on the bottle. Applejack’s eyes then reflect the same rainbow and she knew what she had to do. As Braeburn was about to drink the tonic that Flim and Flam sold. Applejack took her lasso and pulled it away. “STOP!!!” she shouted. Everyone turned to the paladin as she drew her sword and point it into the air, “Zona Vero!” she shouted as a clear bubble formed around those gathered. “That tonic is nothing more than the juiced beet leaves and old apples. It has no healing properties. Ah been equivocating for those charlatans!” she said pointing to Flim and Flam. “They have done nothin’ but con yall of yar hard earned bits! And Ah helped them.” Applejack lowered her head in regret. 

Silver Shill then stepped forward and threw the portable tray he had on the ground. “So have I, I have helped them con you all and many others. Not only that I helped them force Applejack into equivocating on their behalf. I am sorry.” 

“Thank yah, Silver.” Applejack said as she accepted Silver’s apology. Her face, however, grew stern as she turned back to Flim and Flam, “But no more and never again!” She made a cross with her right hand as it glowed green like a granny smith apple. “Ah curse myself, should Ah ever help these two with lies and equivocations, may Ah die where Ah stand!” Applejack’s body then glowed with golden delicious yellow light as the curse took hold. She then turned to Flim and Flam and making the same cross pointing at them. “And Ah curse yah two, too. May yah never leave Las Magus ‘til yah both become honest men, through and through.” The brother’s bodies also glowed the same shade of yellow. “And leave your ill-gotten gains!” After making the curse on the brothers, Applejack swung her blade as granny smith green bolt appeared to be sent from it striking the two and sending them flying. 

Back in the present, “Still have the coin Silver gave mah.” Applejack said as she flipped the coin into the air and caught it with her right hand. “Ah have tried tah equivocate but Ah knew then and there that Ah can no longer rely on anything short of the truth. So what does that has to do with openin' the chest?”

Twilight then turned to the entry by Fluttershy, “Well each of you faced a situation where living up to your Element of Harmony wasn't easy and it wasn't clear how." Twilight then face Fluttershy, "Fluttershy, it was when you realized that the way to show kindness to the Breezies was by forcing them to leave your home."

Fluttershy thought back to that day as she took her pouch off of her belt and opened it, in it was  the small blue flower from the Breezie’s Mound, “Oh,  I remember the looks on their poor little faces!”

Fluttershy had just told the bees to go back to their hive and turned to Seabreeze. “Menkyulen. Thank you! Thank you so much! Thank you for coming after me!” The small fairy said as he hugged her and then sat down on a branch so that they were at eye-level.

Fluttershy gave a smile as she looked at Seabreeze, “Of course. You could've gotten seriously hurt out there. Even Magiville is much too dangerous for you on your own. At your size, even one tiny acorn is a threat!” Fluttershy pointed out as she reached her right hand to Seabreeze silently offering to carry him back.

Seabreeze threw his arms into the air, expressing his frustration over the situation, “Yeah, I know! That is one reason why I have been trying to get us to go from the beginning!"

Fluttershy was a little taken aback, but the direness of Seabreeze’s situation was finally dawning on her, “Oh, my goodness. I was just trying not to hurt any creature's feelings, but my displays of kindness may have cost you everything…” She gasped as she realized how little time Seabreeze and the others Breezies have before they would be trapped outside of their mound. “Time is running out, and you may never make it home!”

Seabreeze gave a sigh before he spoke, “That is exactly what I have been telling all of them! But they do not listen to me! Nobreezie ever listens to me!” He turned away from Fluttershy and looked down towards the ground forlorn and dejected.

Fluttershy placed a finger on his shoulder as a soft smile grew on her face, “Seabreeze, I understand your feelings are hurt, but it's hard for them to hear you when you're shouting and being mean. The message doesn't get across.”

Seabreeze turned to Fluttershy and pointed towards the beehive he barely escaped from, “But what about those bees? You were not nice to them, and that was the only way they listened!

Fluttershy shook her head at first, she could not help but feel that Seabreeze was conflating being firm with being abrasive “Yes, but they had to go, and they wouldn't listen to me any other way.” Fluttershy paused as she saw a rainbow made of the colors of orange, yellow, alabaster, cyan, purple and pink glitter on Seabreeze’s wings before her eyes reflected it. She knew then and there what she had to do. “We need to go, now!” 

“But after I spoke with Seabreeze I knew that telling them that they had to go was the kindest thing I could do.” She took the flower Seabreeze gave her out of her pouch. She smelled it, “Still fresh.”

Twilight then turned to Rarity as she turned the journal to the page that was marked with a purple bookmarked which was the entry by Rarity on what happened in  Manahatten, “Rarity, even after Suri took advantage of your generosity at Fashion Week in Manahattan, you didn't let it cause you to abandon your generous spirit.”

Rarity started to fiddle in her portable emergency sewing kit which had the spindle of rainbow colored thread given to her by Coco. As she took it out, she thought back to that day.

Rarity was in awe at how her hotel sheik line was a massive success among the audience. People cheering and cameras clicking all the while, “ Oh! They're liking it! I think I may have just won this thing! Oh, I can't wait to celebrate with…” As she looked at the audience only to see the section reserved for her friends was vacant. “My friends. They didn't come. What have I done?” 

Before Rarity could fully let the absence of her friends and the start to recover from it, Prim Hemline took her out to the stage. Rarity didn’t know it but she was the only fashion designer that Prim ever escorted to the stage as the last model presenting her competitive line “Rarity, they all adore you! Aren't you going to tell them about your fabulous pieces?”

Rarity looked to the area her friends were to be and saw the cord that was in front of the area. She saw it glitter rainbow made of the colors orange, yellow, alabaster, cyan, purple and pink. Her eyes then flashed the same rainbow. She knew what she had to do. Shutting her eyes and leaping off the stage heading towards the back exit. “I have to go.”

Prim gasped as she called out to Rarity, “Come back at once!” The audience gasped as Prim stormed a short distance but stopped before stepping off the stage. “This is unheard of!” Phim shouted. 

Back to the present as Rarity looked at the spindle for a second and then turned to her friends, “I simply couldn't have lived with myself if I didn't do something special for the friends who have always been so generous to me!”

Twilight then turned the book to the paged marked with the cyan bookmark and then turned to Rainbow Dash, “Rainbow Dash, you had the chance to fly with the Wonderbolts at the Mystica Games in the sport you wanted to be in, but instead you chose to compete with your friends.

Rainbow dug into her pockets and took out a golden Wonderbolt pin. She smiled as she thought back, “Sure!”

Rainbow was in a room of the Rainbow Falls Hospital and Soarin had just finished telling her about how he was faking his current state so that he didn’t have to make a choice. Rainbow was slightly taken aback at this among other things of recent, in particular, that what she had been told about Soarin was, in fact, a lie, ironically while trying to perpetuate a similar lie. She was ashamed of herself. She then looked at the glass of water on the stand next to her bed. She then saw it glitter with a rainbow made of the colors orange, yellow, alabaster, cyan, purple and pink. Her eyes then flashed the same rainbow. She knew what she had to do. She got out the bed. “Come on Soarin, we got work to do.”

“But being loyal to my friends was way–” Rainbow stated but was cut short.

Pinkie Pie jumped up and down cutting Rainbow Dash off, “Ooh, my turn, my turn!” She continued to bounce as Twilight turned to the page in the journal marked with the cotton pink bookmark.

“Calm down Pinkie,” Twilight said with a giggle as everyone shook their head at Pinkie’s child-like antics. As she actually looked at the entry, “you realized that seeing your friend laugh was more important than proving you were a better party planner than Cheese Sandwich.”

Pinkie reached into her hair and pulled out the rubber chicken Boneless. She looked at him and thought back to that day, Rainbow’s birth-iversary.

The almost titanic pinata nearly crushed Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie gasped as she ran to Rainbow Dash. After the dust cleared, Rainbow was unharmed but it was a near miss.  “Rainbow's not having the best party ever!” Pinkie said realizing how close her friend was to being killed. Pinkie looked up and her eyes flashed a rainbow made of the colors orange, yellow, alabaster, cyan, purple and pink.She knew what she had to do. “I... I broke the Pinkie Party Promise! Stop! The goof off is off!” She shouted having everything come to a halt which was not already stopped by the near miss. Everyone was muttering in confusion.

“But I haven't named a winner.” Rainbow said as she brushed herself off, shaking off what happened in her usual manner.

Pinkie Pie shook her head as turned to Rainbow Dash, “You don't have to. I forfeit. Which means... Cheese Sandwich wins.” Pinkie was the verge of tears and ran to Sugarcube Corner.

Back in the present, “Best party I've ever had to date. You and Cheese were awesome.” Rainbow said as she hugged Pinkie.

Pinkie returned to the hug, “Yeah and Cheese was such a great sport.”

“It's clear we've all had our moments to shine, Twilight, but I'm with Applejack. What does any of this have to do with the opening of the chest?” Rarity commented as they all turned back to Twilight.

Twilight shut the book, “You all had a tough choice to make.” Twilight looked to each of her friends, “Yet you each made the right one and embraced your element. And in the process showed that virtue to someone else and help them, in turn, make the right choice too.” Twilight then looked at what was in each of her friends' hands. "Each of you received something from the person you helped.”

“Are you suggesting that these five otherwise everyday items will lead us to the keys?” Rarity’s eyebrow rose, finding the notion preposterous.

“I know it sounds crazy, but the chest is connected to the Tree of Harmony, the Tree is connected to the Elements, and the Elements are connected to all of us. And we are connected to the five people you have helped through these items. There must be a connection!” Twilight then taught about the conclusion she made, she would have never considered this .. well insane notion if Discord had not bookmarked the pages and made a big deal about himself reading it. “Looks like you were right Fluttershy, Discord was trying to be helpful after all.”





At the box, ten minutes later,  as they all looked at the items each of them was given since the Summer Sun Celebration, less than two months ago. As Twilight scanned each with her magic, “I am not finding anything, no clues about the keys’ location. They’re… just what they are.” Twilight sighed in frustration. The only clue they had was a much a dead end to everything, Discord must have been messing with her, again.

Pinkie picked up Boneless and started shaking the rubber chicken with an angry snarl on her face and before she shouted at it, her anger was borderline comical, but it was also unnerving as it reminded the others of that one time someone broke a ‘Pinkie Promise’. “BONELESS! GIVE ME THE KEY!” She threw the rubber chicken at the box, as it struck the box it squeaked upon impact. As it bounced back a light came from the box from the keyholes and Boneless was transformed into a golden lever-lock key, it's shaft looked like a group of balloon strings and the bow was themed after Pinkie Pie’s three balloon Aura Mark. As everyone watched on, the key then floated to one of the keyholes showing that it had Pinkie’s Aura Mark etched around it.

Everyone looked at each other baffled at what happened. Applejack picked up her one-bit coin and placed it on the box, it followed the example of Boneless but its bow theme was the stylized apple on Applejack’s pauldrons and its shaft was like an apple tree and the keyhole showed it was etched with Applejack’s Aura Mark. Rarity took the spindle of rainbow thread and did like Applejack’s coin and Boneless but the theme was her three sapphires cut into kites. Fluttershy did the same thing with the flower Seabreeze gave her and then Rainbow with the pin Spitfire gave her. Both items emulated the previous three but each themed after Fluttershy’s and Rainbow Dash’s Aura Marks respectively.  Twilight looked at the box, now with the five keys, “So Discord was helping… in his own twisted way.” Twilight then took a long look at the empty keyhole. “But there’s still a key missing. My key. The one for the element of magic.” Twilight then looked at the ground a soft sad frown on her face.

“I am certain that since we each found our own key, you must have also, Twilight,” Fluttershy said as she placed a hand on Twilight’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

“Think, Twilight.” Rarity said as she also placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder, but while Fluttershy was from Twilight’s back, Rarity was in front of Twilight. “When have you completed a difficult magical task, and as result, someone was encouraged to do the same?”

Twilight thought back, but nothing that matched what each of her did came to mind for her, “That’s just it Rarity, since the Summer Sun Celebration, I haven't. The closest thing was when Discord sought to ruin my day with Cadance.” Twilight then walked away from Fluttershy and Rarity, in fact, she avoided Applejack, Rainbow, and Pinkie and walked to the Tree of Harmony. “But that was Discord throwing my title in my face and all I got out of that was a headache and sore wings. If I had gotten anything like what you all got or had an experience where I proved my element, I would have written about it in the journal.” Twilight groaned as punched the tree, it was not hard or intended to cause damage. “So much for all that help, Discord. We might have five keys, but without the sixth key we might as well have none of them.”

Spike walked up to Twilight and gave her a hug, like a younger brother would an older sister, “Don't worry Twilight. You'll find your key.” Spike started to encourage, but he then started to inhale sharply thrice before he exhaled one of his green message sending flames as a scroll with the seal of Celestia and Luna appeared. Twilight caught it and opened it. “I hate it when Celestia does that.” He groaned before he and the others turned to Twilight as she opened the scroll and read it. “So what does it say?”

“That I'm needed in Chantalot at once! It’s a good thing I’ve been working on my teleportation spell. I’ll tell you all what it’s about when I get back. We’ll meet up at the Golden Oak.”

“You go, darling, time is of the essence!” Rarity ordered. Everyone else nodded in agreement as they all stepped back as Twilight cast her teleportation spell.





Twilight arrived outside the doors to the throne room in what felt like the instant she finished casting her spell. She saw that the guards at the doors were unmoved. “Princess Celestia, Luna, and Mi Amore Cadenza are waiting for you.” The one on  Twilight’s right said as he opened the smaller door within the large ornate doors. Once the door was open, Twilight flew in, “I teleported so that I could come as quickly as possible!” Twilight said as she flew to Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. The three were at the far end of the room. “What’s wrong?” Twilight asked as she landed in front of older princesses. She doubted Celestia would summon her if all was well.

Celestia sighed as she conjured projection gem and had it send images out, it was of Discord dressed as a magician that would pass through the Dodge Junction/Appaloosa area with the fake thin mustache, black and white wand and tall hat to boot. He was on a stage with a full audience of Magicborn. He placed the hat on the ground, he tapped it and the hat became Tirek. The spellthief still looked like a frail eighty-year-old man, using the staff to support himself. “I'm afraid I trusted Discord and the effect that Fluttershy’s friendship would have upon him too much,” Celestia said as Twilight saw the crowd drained of their magic as Tirek started to become healthier in his appearance. “As you saw Discord has betrayed Mystica and joined forces with Tirek. “ Celestia said as the image changed to Las Magus, one of the Skyborn majority city as Discord carried Tirek up to one of the walkways designed for the Magicborn and Earthborn residents and visitors. Discord then teleported everyone into a titanic slot machine pulled the lever got three Celestia icons and all the people came out utterly confused and disorientated allowing Tirek to drain all their magic.

Twilight didn’t need to be told how powerful Tirek had become as she saw the recordings of him draining the magic of Skyborn and Earthborn. It was only a matter of time before he would be able to take the magic of demigods and it was all thanks to Discord. “How could Discord do this?!” She asked in anger over Discord’s action. “I thought our friendship meant something to him! I thought he had changed.”

“Discord is the embodiment of chaos, it is foolish to impose our understanding of the world and actions on him,” Cadance said trying to offer some comfort to her sister-in-law. As she spoke the projection gem showed Discord and Tirek going to other cities across Mystica, and Discord making it easy for Tirek to drain the Mystican’s of their magic. All the while Tirek seemed to become younger and younger, healthier and healthier, stronger and stronger, more and more fit, etc, etc.

“But we are running out of time. We must act lest Tirek claims our demigod magic as well. If that were to happen all would be lost.” Luna interjected calling out the severity of the situation.

“We do have one solution. It is not a good one, but it’s the only viable option open to us currently.” Celestia said as she turned off the projection gem. The point had been made to Twilight as the youngest princess turned to her mentor, wondering what solution Celestia had. Celestia then looked at Twilight, much like how she did when she took Blueblood’s console to send Discord alone, a stern and reluctant look, “We must rid ourselves of our magic before Tirek can steal it from us.” Twilight could only gasp in response.
> Betrayal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia continued following from Twilight’s gasp, “Tirek is set on possessing demigod magic. When he comes here to claim it, we cannot have it.”

Twilight collected herself. She looked to the three other princesses, trusting to their collective wisdom and their collective experience. “I'm more than willing to do my part and give up my magic.”

“Our magic cannot just disappear into thin air. While not gods, we are still powerful beings able to alter the world on levels most cannot imagine. Our power is more like a hurricane than a gentle summer breeze, it won’t go away easily. Somebody must keep it.” Luna informed.

Twilight nodded and turned to Celestia, believe that the power of the four demigods would be best consolidated in the oldest and most experienced of the four. Seeing this, “That somebody is you, Twilight.” Cadance said catching Twilight off guard making her turn to face her sister-in-law. Twilight’s perplexed expression asked  ‘why me?’ without the use of words.

“We knew we should have called for her earlier,” Luna said to Celestia before turning to Twilight. Celestia just gave a sigh of frustration, clearly saying ‘must we bicker now,’. Ignoring her elder sister, “We had this debate before you were summoned.” Luna informed as she summoned another projection gem.  After she activated it, Twilight watched.

It was an hour before Twilight was summoned, Luna, Cadance, and Celestia were in special console with the entirety of the Mystican national government in attendance, including but not limited to Baron Roy Fancypants, Marshall Shining Armor, even Archduke ‘Prince’ Blueblood. Celestia had just finished speaking. “FI!” Luna shouted stepping onto the floor, “That plan is folly!”

“Well Princess Luna, that is why I called for this emergency meeting. I am looking for a better one!” Celestia countered. Everyone remained silent, they have heard Celestia’s case for her plan and while none like it, they knew it was less than useless to get in between the two elder princesses in their state.

“Now Aunts…” Cadance tried to speak up be diplomatic as she too stepped onto the debate floor, only to be ignored.

“Twilight is the least qualified of the four of us for this task! And if she were to fight Tirek and Discord the odds are against her!” Luna pointed out “Even Cadance would be a better choice! But if we must put our magic into one of us, then it should be you. You have the best chance to defeat Tirek!” Luna declared.

“Tirek remembers us, Luna, and he will very likely know of Cadance if not now then soon! Let’s not forget Discord is still in play and the only the Elements of Harmony could best Discord and while Discord’s loyalty to Tirek is questionable, we cannot count on Discord betraying Tirek!”

“Then all four of us should take Tirek on in battle!”

Celestia held out a hand and started to count with her fingers, “1) As I just said Discord is still in play and he’s unpredictable, He could betray Tirek, he could turn us all into chickens, literally. 2) Discord can only be defeated by the Elements of Harmony, 3) The Elements were returned to the Tree of Harmony, in short, they’re gone! 4) Tirek only needs to drain the power of one of us and the battle would be lost!”

“Then we four should hide away until the Rainbow of Light is found!”

“Why didn’t you present the Rainbow of Light as an option in the first place, before it was agreed to ask Discord to help?” Celestia asked. 

“You called the meeting effectively over after Blueblood’s console and it has been over a thousand years, We have forgotten it then and didn’t think about it. Our mind is not a steel trap.”

“Regardless, we still have the same series of problems if we decided to hide away! And Tirek would be beyond the power of the fourth one of us if we were to hide in separate places. As for the Rainbow of Light, we have no idea where it was placed after it used. Even if you and I have both tasked are respective orders of devotees to search Mystica for any and all misplace magical items of yore. If the Rainbow of Light still exists and is in Mystica, it is would most likely be in the chest the Tree of Harmony gave Twilight. If that is the case our only hope is that Twilight and her friends find the keys soon and to do that we need to buy her time. And that means forcing Tirek to go on a wild goose chase for our magic!”

“As you so frequently pointed out, Discord is still in play and he can still sense the disturbance that will be caused by the transfer of power when we do it and can tell Tirek.”

“I AM AWARE OF THAT! THAT’S WHY I CALLED FOR THIS EMERGENCY MEETING, WOONA!” for a second Celestia’s hair become fire, the whites of her eyes a reddish black and the irises were yellow and the pupils were cat-like slits.

“DON’T YELL AT US, TIA! YOU’RE THE ONE THAT TOOK BLUEBLOOD’S CONSOLE!” For a second, Luna looked like Nightmare Moon but without her armaments.

“YOU’RE THE ONE THAT INVITED HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE!”  Celestia pointed out.

“Um excuse me, Aunties  may I…” Blueblood said as he stepped to the debate floor.

“YOU’VE SAID ENOUGH BLUEBLOOD!!!” the diarchs shouted at their distant nephew. Blueblood stepped back his face as pale as a sheet.

Luna and Celestia both stopped and looked back each other. They both took a few calming breaths and returned to their normal state. “This is not getting us anywhere.” Celestia then turned to all others in the room. “Anyone with a better idea, please now speak your piece or forever hold your peace,” Celestia commanded. No one seemed to have a better idea. 

Blueblood, however, did speak up. “I was going to say I was wrong to console against Cousin Cadance’s idea of having Fluttershy accompany Discord and that I am sorry.” 

Celestia and Luna both sighed, “Anyone else?” Luna asked as she too looked at all the others in attendance. After a minute of awkward silence as no one had something to add. “Then it’s best that you try to hide yourselves, your families and everyone you know. The fewer Tirek can steal magic from the better. Celestia, Cadance and Us will go to the throne room and wait for Princess Twilight once Celestia sends the summons for her.” Luna and Celestia then flew towards the throne room of the castle as everyone started out. After five minutes only Cadance, Shining and Blueblood were left. Shining still in his seat as marshall, only getting up when everyone else had left.

“I am less than useless, aren’t I?” Blueblood asked rhetorically not looking at Cadance as he stared at the ceiling.

“It was a risk that Discord would betray us no matter what, you thought that by sending him alone he would have the fewest reasons. You weren’t entirely wrong.” Cadance tried to comfort Blueblood. Blueblood shook his head and walked off to sulk alone. Cadance could only sigh before she and Shining went to the throne room, she could not help but feel pity for her cousin, the one-time Blueblood tried to be helpful and it blew up in his face. 

The projection then ended, “As you saw, this not a decision anyone likes, it is a bad plan. But it is the best plan we have.” Luna informed as she sent the projection gem away. “And before you ask, the lifespan of a gargoyle while longer than a normal human, is less than a millennium. So we cannot ask Scorpan for help and we are running against a clock so going to Midnight Castle is not an option. Not that Discord couldn’t find us there.”

“Our only viable option is to give you our magic and hope that Discord has any degree of self-interest and keep quiet about you as you and your friends search for the six keys,” Cadance added. “Do you understand what we’re asking of you?”

“Before I answer that, I have good news and bad news, the bad news is that we haven’t opened the box, but we have found five of the six keys.” Twilight informed. While that brought a smile on Cadance’s and Luna’s faces, Celestia’s was less moved, while Twilight could see a glimmer in Celestia’s eyes that she recognized this as good, there were other matters at hand. Twilight took a breath before she gave her answer, “Yes.” She paused as she looked away, “It's just... I'm only now learning how to control my own powers as a demigod. But to take on even more–”

All three could see the doubt Twilight had Celestia elected to speak up, cutting Twilight off there. “Don’t forget, my pupil, you bore the Element of Magic, you recreated it. Its connection with you allowed the other Elements to return it to you when Sunset tried to force it to attune it to herself. You were able to make new magic and complete the spell Star Swirl gave up on. You solved the riddles of King Sombra, mastering dark and light-based magic. You represent the very element of magic. If there is anyone who can do this, it's you.”

Twilight was silent as she let her mentor’s words sink in. Celestia was right, she had accomplished several magical feats that most would have deemed impossible. Twilight then smiled and looked to Celestia with resolve, “Taking on this task will be one of the most difficult things I'll ever do, but with the help of my friends, I know I can do this. This must be the role I am meant to play as a princess of Mystica! I will not fail to do my duty!”

Celestia smiled, “Then we must begin at once. Twilight all you have to do is remain calm and let the magic flow.” The three then formed an equilateral triangle around Twilight and began to pull their magic out of themselves. Twilight watched as the three were actually straining and sweating. It was clear that they were in great pain. Twilight shut eyes and took deep breaths remaining as calm as possible as the demigod powers of the other three began to make its way to her as the new vessel.





In the one of the few parks of Manahatten as Tirek, now looking like he was in his late sixties but still very muscular, was draining the magic of the residents, Discord was using a couple of them like they were puppets only to have his whole body shake, shiver, and spasm as if every atom of his being was moving differently than it normally would. Once he recovered he was quiet for a second before he stroked his chin and beard, “That’s odd.” he thought he whispered.

“What’s odd?” Tirek asked as he turned to Discord from his latest victim.

“Oh, nothing. Just some chaos acting up.” Tirek raised an eyebrow at that answer. “You would think the very embodiment of Chaos would have more control over it.” Discord continued. “Well carry on.” Discord waved his paw. Tirek shook his head and went back to draining magic. Discord then went back to stroking his beard trying to solve the riddle for the disturbance he felt.





Back in the Chantalot Castle throne room, Twilight was surrounded by white light as her eyes glowed purple as her hair floated in the air much like how Celestia’s and Luna’s would. After a few seconds, Twilight appeared to be normal again. She looked around her and saw Luna, Cadance, and Celestia on lying on the floor clearly weaken and tired, each of their Aura Marks was gone and Celestia’s and Luna’s hair no longer floated, acting like normal hair. Twilight elected to help them each up and to the three thrones, helping Cadance and Luna first. Once Celestia was seated, “It is done.” the eldest of the four in the room said, “You best hid as best you can start by destroying your window. Travel to Magiville by the least noticeable means and try to keep as low a profile as possible,” Celestia ordered. Twilight nodded as she destroyed the window and ran to her old room in the castle, she knew the clock she wore as Clover the Clever was going to be useful aside from a performance of the Kindling.

Once in her cloak, she slipped out of the castle and the city and started to travel the Starplains in the direction of Magiville on foot. It was going to be a long walk, fortunately, she did pack some provisions. As she left she saw her brother’s protecting spell go up.





The next day in the in the mid-morning hours, Shining and the members of the ESM stationed in Chantalot were on patrol checking the shield. He knew that with Discord this shield little more a something to boost morale.  Shining was currently on his own, in his purple armor. On his back was his usual spear, but he was armed with two javelins, one in each hand, he had ordered that everyone was to use ranged weapons if they were to engage Tirek. So far everything was fine until he heard a voice come from his helmet, “What brings you by, Shining?” Before Shining could respond, Discord in his ‘original’ form seemed to grow from under Shining’s helmet, wearing it as he snaked around Shining. Shining was able to repeal the Erisadies and free himself and rolled away from Discord. While doing so he threw one of his javelins at Discord striking the Erisadies in the chest missing the heart and nailing him to the closet door. Discord was caught off guard and tried to pull the javelin out or slide along it, to no result. “Nirvanan Steel. Should have seen that coming.”

Shining prepared to throw the other spear, “Now you will pay for your crime, traitor.” Shining then threw it but it blasted from behind Shining by a magic bolt orange in color. Shining turned as he grabbed his spear to see a squad of the ESM being drained of their magic by Tirek. Tirek seemed to become younger and stronger with each Mystrican he drained.

“Discord betrayed was himself when he abandoned his true nature to make friends with weak-minded children who offer him nothing!” Tirek countered. “And what is your name?”

“Why do you ask?” Shining Armor asked gritting his teeth as he tried to figure out a way to run Tirek through the Spellthief’s heart without using his magic or getting caught by Tirek. One well placed strike was all he needed.

“Your armor is different from all the others, I assumed you were of a higher rank.”

“He’s Marshall Shining Armor, head of the Earth-Sky-Magic Coalition and he is the Consort of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, the Crystal Princess of Krystalpoloies, and a demigoddess. Shining here is just very powerful Magicborn. But it would make him part of the royal family.” Discord informed.

“Impressive, especially for a boy of your age.”

Discord laughed at that, “Shining, a boy. Good one, Tirek. But Shining’s in his late 20’s, in fact, he might be pushing 30.”

Seeing this distract Tirek, Shining made his move, however, just as the spear point touched Tirek’s skin it squeaked and bent like an inflatable rubber toy. Tirek laughed as both he and Shining connected the dots and concluded that Shining’s spear was changed by Discord’s magic. “You’re out of your league, boy. But that was a commendable albeit futile effort.” Tirek then took hold of both of Shining’s shoulders and opening his mouth drained the ardent of his magic. After which he let Shining fall to the ground as he freed Discord by destroying the other javelin.

“How... could you... do this...?” Shining asked as he tried to get up turn to Discord only to fall back to the ground. “You... were... her friend.”

Discord was taken aback at what Shining said, he knew the 'she' Shining was referring to and it wasn’t Fluttershy or Celestia. Noticing Discord current questioning of loyalty and not needing him to get the power of the three demigods but not yet ready to take Discord’s power, “Why don't you go and have a little fun? I won't stand in your way. Discord giggled as giddy as a schoolgirl as he went to change things up in the capital. Tirek scowled as Discord vanished, he turned to Shining, “If it is any consolation, I don’t trust him.”

Tirek then started towards the throne room. “Discord… you fool.” Shining attempted to get back up, but he couldn’t support himself. “You… poor fool.”

After walking deeper into the castle and finally reaching the throne room and drained the magic of the castle guard and staff as he went on his way. When he reached the throne room, Tirek saw Blueblood in front of doors with a court sword drawn. Before Tirek could say anything “I am Archduke Blueblood Vladimage the Seventh, better known as Prince Blueblood, of the house of Princess Platinum, nephew of the diarchs Princesses Celestia and Luna of The Everfree Principality of  Mystica in Dream Valley!” Blueblood was preparing himself mentally to fight.

Tirek rolled his eyes, he was not shocked by the young man’s action. “Do yourself a favor and get out of my way!” Tirek ordered not impressed with his new challenger.

“To quote mother’s favorite uncle Jean Lu, ‘NO! A line must be drawn here!’” Blueblood said as he drew a line in the stone with his magic coming for the point of his blade. “‘This far, no further! And I will make you PAY for what you've done!’” Blueblood then turned to have his right side facing Tirek, as if to fence with the Spellthief. Blueblood took a few breaths as his magic started to encompass his sword’s blade. As he tried to focus on the upcoming fight his mind could only see one thing, the one woman he forced away from that he shouldn’t have, the one that might have been the one, the one that seemed to be like all the others but was fully unique, the ‘Rarity’ Blueblood whispered. “FOR RARITY!!!” The prince bellowed as a war cry as he charged Tirek.

Tirek didn’t move utterly befuddled at the sheer stupidity of this move, it wasn’t until the blade was actually in his gut that he snapped out of it. He then took Blueblood by the young man’s shoulders and opened his mouth to inhale. As he did so Blueblood’s magic was drained from him. TOnce Tirek has done with Blueblood, he threw the prince to the side and then pulled the sword out of him. After which he cast the blade to the side as well, with his right hand as he cast a healing spell upon himself with his left binding the wound. He then walked up to the door. He didn’t even bother to knock as he blasted it open with his stolen magic leaving the doors little more than splinters. Tirek saw the three demigoddesses and chuckled. “So you’re not going to run. Some would count you cowards for such actions.” As he held out his hands as he summoned a ball of magic to hover between them meant to extract the magic out of the princesses. After straining for five seconds with his focus on Cadance, he was befuddled that he was not draining any magic from her. After waiting the same amount of time with his focus on Luna, “What have you done?!” His frustration was starting to boil over. He tried Celestia and after another five seconds, the magic ball he summoned made its way back into him as he roared so loud all of the capital city shook in response “WHERE IS YOUR MAGIC?!”

Celestia and Cadance turned to Luna with triumphant smirks on their faces and nodded to her, “Sorry Tirek, but your princess is in another castle.” Luna said as she too smirked triumphantly at Tirek. Tirek roared as he slammed his right hand into the castle wall.





At the exact moment, Tirek’s hand made contact with the wall Twilight was about to enter the Everfree Forest from the Chantalot side. She had not only been on her feet. She had tried teleportation, some levitation, and proper flying. Her teleportation was sporadic taking her farther than she wanted to go, her levitation lasted too long and her movements about when it was too forceful and her flying… well, the trail of light the same color as her hair with white stars in it was too obvious and she had a hard time controlling her flight. “I have to gain better control. I sure can't practice out here. But, I can't practice in Magiville either.And my friends don’t… Wait, our psychic link when we first used the Elements of Harmony and my Master-Familiar link with Spike." She smiled but then frowned as she realized something else, "But I would have to keep it short or else my new power could break them mentally. Okay, it has to be short and cover as much information as possible. Think, think, think.”

Twilight found a spot to sit down and think. “Okay, Discord is helping Tirek. Four words, short and to the point. I just hope I can deliver the message without causing too much damage to their minds.” Twilight took a few breaths and reach out to her friends using the link. “Spike, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, I …” Twilight started to ‘speak’ through the link.

“What the BUCK!!!” Applejack shouted in great pain.

“OOOWWIEE! OOWWIEEE! OOWWIIEE!” Pinkie Pie screamed matching Applejack’s tone of pain.

“Make it STOP!!!” ordered Rainbow Dash.

Spike, Rarity, and Fluttershy all screamed in response. In that instant Twilight stopped, ending the attempt to communicate via their link. “Gaaahhh! That was a waste. I should’ve sent them a message through a dragon fire candle before I left! Stupid, stupid, stupid.” After a minute she calmed herself down. “I have to get to Magiville. Maybe Zecora might know of a potion that allows for more control of one’s power.”





After the sudden migraine-like pain vanished, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, who were at the school as part of the military history week. (Applejack was going to give a short lecture on paladins with regards to their roles, Rainbow Dash was going to give a lecture on the Wonderbolts, having been given the assignment from Spitfire because of how passionate Rainbow become of Wonderbolt history following her Reservice Exam. Rarity was going to cover changes in what soldiers wore over time.) The three looked at the students and Cheerilee, all of them concern. “Sorry about that, Sugarcubes.” Applejack said first trying to laugh it off.

“Was that Twilight trying to reach us through that psychic link?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I think so, Darling. Something is most definitely wrong. We must evacuate the town.”

Applejack ran to the door, “Cheerilee, you get the kids to the sanctuary at the Temple. Apple Bloom, tell Big Mac tah ring the bell and Granny that Ah told yah. We’re gonna take care of the rest of the town. Rainbow go get Fluttershy tah help. Ah’ll get the garrison, Rarity yah get Pinkie and Spike. Move people, move, move, Move!”  No one questioned the paladin and followed her instructions.





At the same time, Spike, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were in the marketplace. Fluttershy was getting supplies for the next month, Pinkie was stocking up for the next party and Spike was shopping for the first issue of the Hum Drum solo comic series. This week the three booths they were shopping at were next to each other. “What was that?” Fluttershy asked as she was the first of the three to recover.

“I think that was Twilight,” Spike commented.

“Hold on a second, let me…” Pinkie then lept out of the text but could not scroll to read anything before Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack was also recovering. Jumping back into the text of her scene. “That’s odd, I could usually go all the way back to the prologue. Curse you FOXHELM!!!”

“Um Pinkie, what are you talking about?” Fluttershy asked.

“And who are you shouting at? There’s nothing three feet in front of you, expect us.” Spike added.

Pinkie pulled out a massive megaphone, Spike and Fluttershy covered their ears. “ATTENTION SHOPPERS THIS IS A PINKIE ALARM! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! EVERYONE GET TO YOUR LOVED ONES, FRIENDS, ETC AND GO TO SWEET APPLE TEMPLE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!”  All the while Pinkie’s elbows and wrists were twitching in opposite directions of each other. What no one but Fluttershy noticed was that Pinkie was actually making them twitch. Everyone then began their evacuation to the sanctuary. Pinkie turned to Fluttershy, “You better head to your cottage and get Dashie here, Spike, go to The Golden Oak and tell Rarity, I am en route to help Applejack.” Pinkie was serious, not the comical over the top serious, legitimate serious. Fluttershy and Spike did not question.





Back in Chantalot, Tirek had taken Celestia’s throne as he looked down at the three demigods as they stood before him, they were battered and bruised with burns and other injuries on their bodies. “Well I must admit, you are a lot harder to break than I expected.”

“You know can’t get us to tell you where our magic by that torture or threatening our lives or any other means. You don’t care enough about our subjects to be bothered with killing them, and that would give Discord pause and a reason to rethink his life.” Celestia stated before she spat at Tirek’s feet, blood in the saliva. “And threatening to or inflicting pain on them is not going to work either as you don't care enough to follow through.” Despite their state, three princesses were adamant in their defiance.

Tirek chuckled at that, he had been given victory on a golden platter, while it didn’t have the demigods’ magic on the side, he wasn’t going to turn down this meal.“But in all seriousness, getting rid of your magic so that I cannot take it from you? That was your plan?” It wasn’t really a question, but a critic of his foe’s plan. “Oh Celestia, you have gone senile, even though you haven’t aged a day.” Tirek chuckled at this and the scowl of defiance on Celestia reducing in its intensity as she had nothing to say to insult Tirek threw her. Tirek then clapped his hands and three orbs orange in color appeared and in each was an image of either Skyborn, Earthborn, and Magicborn. “How does it feel, knowing that soon, every Skyborn, Magicborn, and Earthborn will bow to my will and that there is nothing you can do to stop me?” Tirek then clapped his hands once and the three orbs shattered.

“You cannot win unless you have our magic, Tirek. Without it, you will not prevail.” Celestia challenged the Spellthief, “Especially with Discord still able to question his loyalty.”

Tirek was aware of Discord’s potential threat to him, but he had a plan, it would have been easier with the power of the demigods but he was not shaken. He clapped his hands again as a portal to Tartarus opened under Celestia, Luna, and Cadance, “Give my regards to Kerberos, Tia.” After the three feel through he clapped once again and the portal closed. Tirek smirked and started walking down the hallway in the throne room actually looking at the windows, the banishment of Nightmare Moon, her return and the restoration of Luna, the encasing of Discord, his escape, capture and reformation, the invasion of Chrysalis, the banishing of Sombra and his defeat by Spike and the Crystal Heart, the Tree of Harmony granting and then receiving the Elements of  Harmony. He stopped at the window showing his banishment to Tartarus, and blasted it, shattering it into millions of pieces.

“You meant our will, didn't you?” came Discord’s voice as he walked through the open window. Noticing the broken glass,  “Oh this will never do.” Discord then snapped his paw and the window was restored but changed to show Tirek and Discord holding aloft a sword and a long roll of bread in a very buddy-buddy state.

Tirek elected to ignore his allies action as he came up with an answer, “It’s hard to speak for you when you’re not in the room or if I don’t know if you are.” Discord seemed to buy the lie as he floated to another window looking for ways to inject some glorious chaos into it. Tirek knew he needed to convince Discord that they were both allies, he needed him just a little longer, “I have something for  you.” Discord turn to Tirek as the Spellthief took off a triangle shaped amulet.   As he handed it to Discord, “This was given to me by someone that was very close to me. I give it to you as a sign of my gratitude.”

Discord had his head pop off as he let the string of the amulet fall around his neck, only for his head to screw back on once he fully accepted it. “Oh, my! I do love a good accessory. I suppose that's Rarity's influence.” Discord then snapped a full body mirror and started to make poses to ‘show-off’ his new amulet.

Tirek could not help but have a good laugh at Discord’s antics and he started to walk the hallway again, “Amusing. But we have no time for such things. Even without their magic, with the princesses out of the way, there is noth–” Tirek paused as he looked at a window showing Twilight’s ascension into her demigod state. Turning to Discord, assuming it was some sort of joke on the Erisadies’ part, “ is this meant to be humorous?!” there looked to be a vein or an artery along his forehead that looked like it was about to burst.

Discord turned to Tirek and waving his paw and talon to the sides like someone denying and action, “Oh, no, I haven't touched that one yet,” the embodiment of chaos lied, he knew Tirek was a bigger threat than anyone or anything else, he too knew better than to trust his partner fully at all other points.

Tirek started to massage his head to both calm down and get the pressure off of the vein or artery, scowling at Discord all the while, “There are four? And you did not tell me?!”

“Well Luna did say that and I quote, “Your princess is in another castle” unquote,” Discord said as dressed in a mockery of Luna’s gothic gown, after changing out of that, “Now I get that she might have been trolling you…”

“Trolling…” Tirek asked.

Discord snapped his paw and a dictionary appeared in front of Tirek, “Look at the informal definitions.” As Tirek read the entry, “Now where was I… Oh yes. Luna might have been trolling you, but I just needed some assurance that you truly considered this a team effort.” As Tirek finished the book and turned back to Discord after throwing the book away, Discord pointed to the amulet, “And now I have it.”

Tirek took a deep breath to calm down, “Then where can we find this fourth princess? Where is her castle?”

“Castle?” Discord fell to the floor and started rolling on it laughing so loud it shook the hallway, after a solid minute and getting back to her feet, “No, Princess Twilight lives above a library in Magiville. Castle?” Discord laughed again as he started to float away.

Tirek scowled at the window and then started to chuckle, “Not for much longer,” and placed his right hand on the window and melted it.





Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Spike meet up just outside of the Golden Oak. “Alright, yall. Ah, think that’s everyone. We best get tah the temple and seal it up, Ah hope Princess Celestia’s faith in Discord is well founded. No offense, Sugarcube.” Applejack said the last part to Fluttershy.

The druid shook her head, again none of her friends were giving Discord a chance, “I'm sure Discord will catch Tirek and this will all be over soon.” Fluttershy’s faith was absolute.

“I bet he’s taking his sweet time,” Rainbow said rolling her eyes, earning her a few glares from her friends.

Before Fluttershy could speak on Discord’s defense, “Or perhaps these things just take time.” Everyone turned to see Discord in his ‘post-reformation’ form his arms crossed as if he was insulted.

Fluttershy gasped and dove at Discord and the two shared a hug, “You're back!” After a few seconds, she broke the hug, “Well it’s Tuesday, did you bring the cucumber sandwiches?”

Discord smiled as he snapped his left hand and a platter of cucumber sandwiches, enough for all five the women and some emerald sandwiches for Spike, “I did. I imagine they'll be your last decent meal for quite some time.” Everyone was baffled at that comment before they were placed in a metal cage. They all gave various exclamations as Discord took his original form, “Ta-da!”

Just then Tirek walked from the shadows of the buildings he was hiding in, his staff in his left hand, “You've gathered up all of them?” Tirek asked as he mentally counted the party of five and Spike while starting to see four more of the six mages that confronted him before. The pink-haired jester, while an Earthborn, looked so much like the blonde Skyborn Surprise, it was like they were cut from the same cloth. The Skyborn with hair like a rainbow had a temper much like Firefly, the Earthborn paladin was very much like the cleric Applejack as she held a crying Fluttershy, and finally, the Magicborn dressed in white was shockingly similar to Sparkler.

Discord pointed to each in reverse order of the one Tirek noted the group, “Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. And Twilight’s little dragon, too.” Spike chomped at Discord’s paw, barely missing it as Discord pulled it back before Discord snapped and had a muzzle on the dragon.

Crying over the betrayal at the hand of Discord, Fluttershy turned to him, “Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends!”

“Oh, we were.” Discord said as he leaned on the cage and had his talons filed for a second. “But Tirek offered me so much more than just tea parties. Surely you saw this coming.”

The tears didn’t stop as she turned into Applejack’s shoulder, “I didn't. I really didn't.” All the while the scowls on the others more or less said that they were waiting for Discord to stab them in the back like he just did.

Tirek pointed his staff at the five young women and the dragon and started to drain them of their magic. Once their magic was drained, Tirek absolved the magic and seemed to become much like a man in his late thirties. All the while Discord, for reasons he could not understand why, looked away dipping his head and closing his eyes in guilt. Once Tirek was done, he turned to Discord, “You really think she'd do anything for them?”

“If Twilight has magic to give, it will be yours.” Discord clenched his fist, almost assured of the two’s victory. “Soon there won't be a single person who will be able to stand up against us.”

Tirek tilted his head to his right, slightly confused, or how Discord viewed it, “Us? Who said anything about us?”

“You did…” it was then that Discord started to connect the dots, “didn’t…”.

Discord was soon encased with orange magic he struggled to get out but it would not give, it was if he was in a pocket of pure order, “You've helped me grow strong, you've provided the means by which I can obtain all of Mystica’s magic, and now you are  of no use to me.” Tirek then drew a magic circle with his right hand in the air and drew all of the magic out of Discord like he did all of Mystica thus far. Discord shifted from his normal form into the human form he has been taking since his ‘reformation’ and then into a normal human with only his pants only as normal people would wear. Tirek himself then seemed to become like an early thirty-year-old version of himself, “It’s nothing personal, but no one should ever trust the people that betray his enemies to him, it’s only a matter of time before the traitor betrays him.”

Discord fell to his knees and then to his hands as he struggled to get back up he looked to Tirek his eyes glazed over, his spirit broken, “But you said this was a sign of our fraternity, of your gratitude. A gift from someone close to you.”

“My brother who betrayed me.” Tirek scoffed as he picked up the weakened Discord and shoved him into the cage. As he shut it and started towards Sweet Apple Temple, “It is as worthless as he is.”

As Tirek was gone Applejack turned to Discord, while still holding Fluttershy as she still cried over everything Discord just did, “ Surely ya saw this comin'?”

Discord dipped his head back down as realized in his master plan to see what was in the box he ignored a basic tenet of conquest, never trust someone that betrays your foes to you. As he realized that he too could be played like a fiddle, “I didn't. I truly didn't,” he cried weakly.
> Friendship's Spectrum
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight had arrived on the other side of the plateau where the Castle of The Two Sisters stood from the ravine that was home to the Tree of Harmony, now all that remained of the once proud and majestic castle was the walls of the castle’s library. Twilight was still ways from Zecora’s hut, but she froze, she felt something was wrong. She could barely sense Spike’s familiar end of their link, it was not so much severed as if it was being suppressed. She had a similar sensation with regards to her psychic links to her friends that they got from the Elements of Harmony. She had to get to Magiville as quickly as possible. She closed her eyes and tried to focus, the outskirts of Magiville, just on the Magiville side of the Everfree Forest. “I can do this,” she said to herself as she took a deep breath and focused on her destination.  After her magic hummed around her for a second, she reached her destination in an instant, “See! Ha! Perfectly controlled teleportation–” Twilight started only to be cut short as the magic acted up and she was teleported to be in a crag in a large boulder a little closer to town. She growled in frustration, wanting to actually control her power, but it seemed that every time she managed to take a step forward it was as if she was forced ten steps back. She could come to one conclusion, having the magic of more than one demi-deity in one vessel meant that a level of focus and control no magic user could hope to see in any ordinary or extraordinary lifetime could hope to see was needed. That would take time to practice; time which she didn’t have.

“Princess Twilight!” She heard roaring.

She knew who it was, even with not having met him or heard his voice as it was, but she knew. She gasped in terror, “Tirek!”

“You have something that belongs to me!” Twilight heard as she tried to teleport away only for her to end up right in front of Tirek. The spellthief was much younger than Twilight expected but she knew who he was in an instant and started to fly away. “You're going to give me what I want!” Tirek roared as he tried to blast Twilight. He missed as Twilight managed to get to the Golden Oak. Once there she looked out her telescope on the balcony off of her room. She witnessed Tirek turn towards her with an ever-growing ball of orange and black magic and prepared to aim it at the Golden Oak.

Twilight gasped as rushed into the tree to get Owlowiscious, and just as the blast hit the Golden Oak, Twilight teleported out of the tree with Owlowiscious, screaming as the two were forced further forward due to the explosion that struck the Golden Oak. Twilight was able to shield Owlowiscious as she fell to the ground. After the landing, she got to her feet and turned back to look at the Golden Oak, she gasped in horror. The once great tree’s trunk was blasted open, the content housed therein were either destroyed or scattered throughout the area, some on fire. Her home, the greatest wealth of knowledge in Magiville, the city’s oldest resident… was dead. Witnessing this… murder… broke Twilight. She started to breathe in an attempt to collect herself, but while tears of sorrow were shed, she was gritting her teeth in wrath. She let go of Owlowiscious, the bird didn’t need to be told to find somewhere to hide. She turned around to see Tirek walk towards town. At that moment in the window of Vinyl’s half of the house she shares with Octavia, a song the disc jockey would play at a metal rock-themed club started. During the first twenty seconds of the song, which had no lyrics, Twilight’s hair started to crackle, her eyes flashed white, she bobbed her head up and down until she roared looking to the sky. Her eyes lost all their color save for the irises. The purple of her irises took over the rest of her eyes and started to glow. Her hair became wavy and floated like Celestia’s and Luna’s, with what seems to be white stars in it. “THIS IS OVER, TIREK! AND ALL OF MYSTICA WILL BEAR WITNESS TO IT!!” she roared as she charged Tirek, casting a spell on her and him that would show to the whole of Mystica their duel.

‘I see the golden era hath gone
Fimbulwinter now hath come
Oh signs of fate the ravens know
Dark greed will take the brother's breath
I see kinships struck by death
Hear the howlings of the wolf asound
Axe- and sword-age
Shields are cleft
Wind- and wolf-age
The serpent rais'd its head
Ragnarök
See the earth go up in flames
Ragnarök
The great serpent writhes in rage
The doom of gods now hath come
The fall of the sun
The gates of Hel devour the dead
At the twilight of the gods’, The first verse of the song played as Twilight struck Tirek at full speed as she forced him into the heart of the Starplains. Once there she drove Tirek into the ground and pulled back. Lifting her arms into the air as she pulled as seemed to instantly pull rawr solar plasma in the form of a pillar and blasted Tirek with it. After it was spent, Tirek tried to get back up only to be knocked back down Twilight after she encased herself in what looked like a blue crystalline heart. Once he on his back, Twilight took hold of the sides of his head and roared before she fell back and semi-corporeal images of gargoyles, dragons, and other monsters, most of where the jailors of Tartarus, appeared and started attacking Tirek. All the while Twilight didn’t let up her own assault striking Tirek with fire, acid, electricity, frost, and other such forces affiliated with the four primal elements.

There was a twenty-second break in the lyrics as Tirek was able to form a shield and forced Twilight back destroying the illusions she conjured, “Now I understand what your fellow princesses have done!” Tirek commented as he saw images of Celestia, Luna, and Cadance surrounding  Twilight before converting into lights that surrounded her.

“Slow on the update, aren’t you?” Twilight asked as she charged at Tirek, the golden light of the sun, the argent light of the moon, and the crystalline blue light of the Crystal Heart, were harmonious with her own stellar purple light surrounding her as the lyrics started up again.

‘I see dark crowds of Muspelheim
Ride across the field, their swords aflame
Loudly the Gjallarhorn atones
Valhalla's gates stand open wide
Helm Bearer's sons prepare to strike
The final war, the spear is thrown
Stars now vanish
Sun turns black
Rising steam
Oh Midgård stands aflame
Ragnarök
See the earth go up in flames
Ragnarök
The great serpent writhes in rage
The doom of gods now hath come
The fall of the sun
The gates of Hel devour the dead
At the twilight of the gods,’ All the while the two went at each other, back and forth, but unlike the start of the fight, Tirek was able to stand his ground and counter Twilight, even though she still had flight, he was not caught off guard even able take her by her throat and slam her into ground. All the while the Starplains were ravaged as the two’s magic tore the land apart, plowing to close to the actual ground and craters were made. Just as the lyrics stopped and a minute fifteen second long instrumental began, Tirek had Twilight by her throat and prone against the ground, “First Shining Armor, then Blueblood, Celestia, Luna and Mi Amore Cadenza, and now, finally, you. It’s a pity you Mystican royals fail so easily, or I might have a sense of satisfaction now. But in all seriousness, why throw your life away so recklessly?” Tirek asked as he tried to choke Twilight as he straddled her.

Twilight pooled a great ball of magic right in front of her chest more or less ignored by Tirek, “That’s a question you should ask yourself, Tirek.” Twilight fired her spell at Tirek send him flying allowing her to get back up and get her breath before renewing the battle.

Back and forth the two combatants fired  their magic  at each other, each evading, deflecting, and countering  the other’s attack even as the lyrics of the song started up again and well into the verse, ‘Stars now vanish
Sun turns black
Rising steam
Oh Midgård stands aflame
Ragnarök
See the earth go up in flames
Ragnarök
The great serpent writhes in rage
The doom of gods now hath come
The fall of the sun
The gates of Hel devour the dead
At the twilight of the gods’, at the second to last line, “AZARATH METRION ZINTHOS!!!” Twilight and Tirek shouted as their spells collided with each other and as the lyrics ended the spells imploded upon each other.

As the last twenty seconds of the song’s instrumentals ended, the two stood in the ravaged and destroyed area of the Starplains, both panting slightly. Tirek could tell that he was not going to overpower Twilight to gain her magic ever, and with his own, it would take Twilight almost forever to beat him. He also saw that all options more or less would lead the two back to this point. “It appears we are at an impasse,” he stated. Twilight only scowled at him, it was clear she agreed with him but was far from happy about it. She then started pool magic in front of her in order to start the battle anew. Seeing how the Mysticans act Tirek had a plan, it was a gamble, as big of a gamble as trying to use a silver tongue on Discord. “How about a trade, Princess Twilight?” Twilight was unmoved by this if she was, she was willing to go harder, the difference in power between her and Tirek was in her favor and a joke compared to the difference when she first faced the Tantabus. Tirek then snapped his fingers and a series of seven bubbles appeared, in each were one of her closest friends, Spike, and Discord. Twilight gasped in horror as her hair and eyes returned to normal. “Their release for all the demigod magic in Mystica.” Twilight gasped seeing her friends were at the mercy of this… demon and the Faustian bargain he offered. Everyone, even Discord tried to shout various protests, but all of it was muffled by the bubbles. “What's it going to be, Princess?”

“Don't do it, Twilight!” Rainbow pleaded Twilight not agree to Tirek’s terms, her voice muffled by the bubble she was in.

Fluttershy also consoled against agreeing to the deal, “We aren't worth it!”

“Oh, but you are, Fluttershy.” Discord countered, “You're the one that taught me that friendship is magic. In fact, all of you did, and I threw it away and for what?” this wasn’t really a question he wanted to be answered in his sorrowful state, “I had magic and friendship, and now I don't have either.”

“Enough!” Tirek roared, causing the seven bubbles to quake mid-air, “I want an answer, and I want it now!”

There was a moment of silence, save the blowing of the wind as Twilight saw each of the bubbles flash a color, the one Applejack was in flashed orange, the one with Fluttershy flashed yellow, the one with Rainbow Dash flashed cyan, the one with Rarity flashed alabaster, the one with Pinkie flashed pink, the one with Spike flashed purple, with the one with Discord flashed the whole rainbow of those colors. Twilight’s eyes then flashed the same rainbow. After a moment thought she knew what she had to do, “I will give you my magic, in exchange for my friends.” Everyone, even Discord gasped at the decision.

Tirek smiled as he clapped his hands,“As you wish.” All the bubbles popped and then everyone seemed to float to the ground, save the one for Discord. The six that were free walked over to Twilight, she could see how to breaking they were.

However, there was still one more to account for. Twilight turned back to Tirek, “You haven’t honored your end, Tirek. Release, All of my friends.”

Tirek was taken aback at that statement, he could not fathom how or why Twilight would still call Discord a friend in spite of despite everything that he had done to enable to allow Tirek’s rise to his current state, “After his betrayal, you still count him as such?”

“Don’t do it Twilight!” Discord shouted, “Leave me to my fate. You can still fight him. Without Fluttershy and the others, he has no leverage over you. Even with my powers, he is still not your equal!”

“Quiet!” Tirek said as he snapped his fingers and Discord was shocked with orange and black lightning.

After a second of seeing Discord contort and writhe in pain, screaming all the while, Twilight scowled having had enough, “Release him!”

Tirek snapped his fingers stopping the shocking, and turned to Twilight, “If that's what you want.” he clapped his hands and the bubble popped as Discord came crashing down with a resounding thud. Tirek then threw Discord to land at Twilight’s feet, however, Twilight caught him in her magic and placed him on his feet.

“I am sorry, everyone…. I am so sorry…” Discord wept shedding real tears as he fell to his knees. In a weakened and broke tone, he looked to Twilight, “Thank you, Twilight.”

“Your turn,” Tirek said

As Twilight prepared to have her magic drained, “NNNOOO!!!” Discord shouted as he got to his feet and tackled Tirek to the ground. “YOU WILL NOT HAVE HER’S TOO!” The depowered Erisadies assaulted the spellthief in a clearly desperate attempt to stop him. But Tirek not only had enough magic to go toe-to-toe with the consolidated power of four demigods, he was by far the most physically powerful person in Mystica. With almost no effort, Tirek took hold of Discord’s neck with his left hand and began choking the avatar of Chaos as he got back to his own feet.

Tirek then threw Discord into the girls, knocking to the ground Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity., he then took out his staff and pointed it at Twilight. “Enough!” A beam of orange magic and began to the magic in Twilight out of her, including the magic given to her by Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. Twilight screamed all the while as Tirek absorbed the magic roaring “YES!” as he started to again age backward to be like a man in his mid-twenties. On Twilight’s end, she fell to the ground and as she rose her irises were gray, having lost so much color and her eyes appeared dead.

Tirek left the group laughing in victory as everyone tried to comfort Twilight with embraces, Discord spoke up, “Tirek tricked me into believing that he could offer me something more valuable than friendship, granted I have never invested as much as I should have in our friendships. As I treated it as little more than a series of obligations.” Discord then took off the necklace and amulet. “But now I see that there is nothing worth more.” Looking at the amulet, “He lied when he said that this medallion was given as a sign of fraternity, gratitude, and loyalty between the two of us” He then placed the amulet around Twilight’s neck. “I know it is almost of no comfort if any, but when I say that it is a sign of our true friendship, I sincerely believe that I am telling you the truth.” The amulet then flashed much like the coin that Silver Shill gave Applejack, the Wonderbolt pin Spitfire gave Rainbow Dash, the rubber chicken Cheese Sandwich gave Pinkie Pie, the spool of thread Coco Pommel gave Rarity and the flower Seabreeze gave Fluttershy. “I think this is the last key.” Discord commented. “I guess I was helpful after all.”

“We have to get to the chest,” Twilight said as she held the amulet and then started to the chest and the five other girls gave various agreements before following.

Spike and Discord remained behind, the two turned to Tirek as he was walking away, “Buy the girls time to unlock the chest?” Discord asked turning to the dragon.

Spike exhaled some fire, “It’s not much, but I still got my fire breath. Yeah. Let’s do it.” The two turned to look at Tirek, then back to each other gulped and charged.





After they arrived at the box at record-breaking speed, “How did we get here so fast, it was like one second ago we were in the Starplains and now we’re here?” Rainbow asked.

Pinkie’s hair seemed to fizzle and fuzz, “What do you know? I had some leftover magic after all.” Pinkie’s hair then deflated like a popped balloon as all of the items in Pinkie’s hair fell out of it and her pockets burst to empty themselves of their contents too. “Well, it looks like that’s the last bit of magic I have.” No one pressed the matter, having long ago realized that to do so would compromise their sanity.

Twilight placed the amulet Discord gave her on the box and it changed to be a golden lever-lock key like the other five, with its bow theme being the large purple star and white star of her aura mark and its shaft like a wizard's staff. The new key then went into the empty keyhole. Twilight then tried to turn her key, but it didn’t turn. Swiftly realizing that they had to open the box by turning the six keys...“Together! I think we have to do this together!” The others all grabbed the end of their respective key and the six turned the keys at the same time, opening the chest.

The top of the box opened not unlike a flower blooming and six sets of lights launched from it to show six young women, one was an Earthborn druid, dressed much like Fluttershy, but she had a stylized posey as her aura mark in lieu of a butterfly. One was an elementalist Skyborn she was dressed very much like Rainbow Dash but her garb was clearly of an older style covering her arm fully covered and wearing a long skirt, her hair was blue and was done in a high ponytail with her pin being a set of three blue lightning bolts. Another was a Skyborn with blonde hair and dressed in a white version of what Pinkie wore, with three purple balloons in lieu of the one yellow and two blue balloons. The next was an Earthborn woman much like Applejack but dressed in the robes of a cleric in lieu of the bronze and red leather paladin armor with a whole symbol of her belt that was a quill and a needle with her aura mark being an apple pinned to her chest. Next was a Magic born dressed in a long gown not unlike Rarity but her gown was a shade of light blue, her hair had a long dark red streak, her tiara had four kites much like Rarity’s own. The last was a Magicborn that looked like  Twilight before her ascension, her hair was white with a purple streak and her aura mark was a five-pointed star. Upon each group seeing the other they all gasped at the uncanniness of their similarity. “NO WAY!” Surprise and Pinkie Pie said in unison, as they started to mirror each other in a very comical manner.

“Who are you?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I am Firefly, the cleric is Applejack, Posey’s the druid, Sparkler’s in the dress, Twilight is the one with the staff and Surprise is the one playing  mirror with…”

“That’s Pinkie, I am Rainbow Dash, the paladin is Applejack too, Rarity has the tiara and white dress, Fluttershy is our druid and Twilight Sparkle is the demigod.” Rainbow Dash informed.

"You must be the namesake of the coolest Wonderbolt?" Pinkie asked Surprise.

"You mean Firefly's pipedream actually got off the ground?" Surprise asked in turn. Pinkie nodded. "Tell me more, tell me more! Did I have children and grandchildren, I always wanted to name a son or grandson Holder Colbalstone and or Tanzanite Thrower," Surprise couldn't contain herself, neither could Pinkie. 

“Surprise, we don’t have time for this.” the cleric Applejack said speaking with a voice that sounded like the paladin Applejack but without the drawl. Surprise and Pinkie stopped, “So why did you unlock the box?” the cleric said turning to Applejack.

“Tirek escaped Tartarus, and he has the power of four demigods, an avatar of one of the primal alignments…” the demigod Twilight started.

“The Rainbow of Light is the only thing that can stop him,” the Twilight from the chest answered. “It’s the only thing that ever could. We cannot use it because we are more or less… well dead.”

“So how do we use it?” Twilight asked.

“We merge, temporarily,” Sparkler answered, sounding like Rarity, minus the poshness.

“But how does it work?” Fluttershy asked.

“The Rainbow of Light pulls all the magic Tirek has. Exactly how, we don’t have the time to tell you. Perhaps, after all, is done.” Posey offered. “But we can say that once you use it, a part of you will become part of the Rainbow of Light and will reside within it with us.”

The six that turned the keys looked at each other unsure for a minute, “We took a gamble with the Elements of Harmony.” Pinkie said. The rest nodded and turned to face the six specters they released.

“Let’s do it.” Twilight declared.

Surprise smiled as she reached into the pile of stuff that was in Pinkie’s hair and pockets. “It’s in here some… got!” The spectral jester then pulled out the portable stereo Pinkie and Lemon used during the gymnastics square off over the Element of Laughter. She popped over the part with a cassette player, flipped the cassette around and closed it. “We good!” she declared as she pressed the play button and the song recorded on that side of the cassette started. ‘You got the touch
You got the power’

As the next ten seconds of the song played mostly as an instrumental, the twelve paired off. As the lyrics started again,‘After all is said and done
You've never walked, you've never run,
You're a winner.’ As next set of lyrics were sung, the two Applejacks reach and took grabbed each other’s upper arm, and were consumed in an orange light to reveal the paladin, but she had two streaks of red and one pink in her hair and her gloves and boots had various stylized apples appear on them and her low ponytail was done with green ribbons.
‘You got the moves, you know the streets
Break the rules, take the heat
You're nobody's fool’ Rainbow Dash and Firefly chest bumped each other and were consumed by a cyan light to reveal Rainbow Dash but her hair was spiked up, her wings came from her back and has a rainbow-like coloration with purple at the end with red at the base, there seemed to various stylized lightning bolts of different colors tattooed on her body.
‘You're at your best when the goin' gets rough
You've been put to the test, but it's never enough’ Rarity and Sparkler took each other’s hands and were bathed in an alabaster light, once it was gone, Rarity remained, but she a light blue, lighter purple and yellow streak, with white rhombuses outlined in her hair.‘You got the touch
You got the power’ Fluttershy closed her eyes as she allowed Posey to come towards her and they were bathed in a yellow light only to fade to reveal Fluttershy with streaks of darker pink, off purple, earthy teal and metallic teal in her hair. Her ethereal wings came out of her back and while mostly yellow, the tips had stylized purple hearts in them and her dress was covered in stylized butterflies. ‘When all hell's breakin' loose
You'll be riding the eye of the storm’ Pinkie and Surprise dove at each other were bathed in a pink light only to reveal Pinkie Pie, but she had a blue bow with a five-pointed star in it, her hair had streaks of yellow, orange and blue and her shoes and gloves were yellow and covered with balloons. ‘You got the heart
You got the motion’ Finally the two Twilights embraced each other, in a purple light. Once the light faded, the demigoddess was the one that remained. In her hair were two more pink streaks, and a yellow one, her attire was littered with stars that matched her aura mark. ‘You know that when things get too tough
You got the touch’, the six looked at each other and nodded before they jettisoned back to the Starplains to confront Tirek.

As the next part of the lyrics started, ‘You never bend, you never break
You seem to know just what it takes
You're a fighter’, Tirek threw Discord and Spike to the ground. The dragon and Erisadies were battered and looked to be on the verge of death, just one more strike and they were finished. “It was a commendable effort, but futile nonetheless,” the spellthief roared and prepared to finish the two off. But before he blasted by a solid rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple. ‘It's in the blood, it's in the will
It's in the mighty hands of steel
When you're standin' your ground’ As the recovered from the first attack, “How is this possible?!” The spellthief questioned seeing Twilight et al  were bearing wielding the power of the Rainbow of Light, “You have no magic!”

‘And you never get hit when your back's to the wall
Gonna fight to the end and you're takin' it all’. 
“You're wrong, Tirek! Twilight Sparkle may have given her demigod magic, but we carry within us the most powerful magic of all! A magic you have failed to best before! A magic that will best you time and time again!” Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie said not only in their own voices but in six voices Tirek thought he never hear again, Twilight of Dream Valley’s voice came from Twilight’s mouth, Applejack the Cleric came from Applejack’s, Sparkler from Rarity, Firefly from Rainbow Dash, Posse from Fluttershy and Surprise from Pinkie Pie, in addition, he heard the thirteenth voice of all twelve that have used the Rainbow of Light against him. “THE RAINBOW OF LIGHT: FRIENDSHIP!!!”
‘You got the touch
You got the power’

‘When all hell's breakin' loose
You'll be riding the eye of the storm’ Rainbow Dash readied her bow, Applejack her sword, Pinkie her mallet, Rarity a small away of gem-shaped magical missiles, Fluttershy changed her form into a dragon that scales matched her dress with spines along her back that were colored like her hair and Twilight pooled a part of the Rainbow of Light in front of her as if to fire upon Tirek. ‘You got the heart
You got the motion’ Twilight and  Rarity fired their magic at Tirek, As Fluttershy breathed not fire up another Rainbow of Light and Rainbow let loose an arrow that looked like the magical blasts and fire sent at Tirek. ‘You know that when things get too tough
You got the touch’ Applejack and Pinkie Pie closed the distance, Applejack’s blade and the head of Pinkie’s mallet were like their friends own ‘weapons’.

‘You're fightin' fire with fire’, Tirek roared and screamed in pain as he struck by each of the girl’s attack, notice that instead of spilling his blood, the wounds allowed the magic he stole to be drawn to them. ‘You know you got the touch’, Desperately he tried to close the wounds and pull the magic back, but they didn’t let up the assault, causing him to scream in pain as he began to rapidly age and grow sickly and frail.

“THIS TIME TIREK, YOU’RE NOT COMING BACK! TO KERBEROS WITH YOU! The group said as they sent a blast of the Rainbow of Light to the ground under Tirek’s feet, ‘You're at your best when the road gets rough
You've been put to the test, but it's never enough’

‘You got the touch
You got the power’ As the song ended, Tirek screamed as the portal to Tartarus was opened under him and he fell in. He landed in the cage Discord put him in. But it was opened at the top and he looked up to see a growling and snarling Kerberos, with all the snakes that inhabited its fur hissing at him. At the same time Cadance,  Luna, and Celestia were allowed to exit, having been freed by the Rainbow of Light.

“And Tirek is done! YEAH!” Rainbow Dash cheered as the portal to Tartarus closed.

“So what do we do now?” Fluttershy asked after she returned to her human form, as everyone started to join Rainbow Dash in her cheering over their victory.

“Perhaps return to us and the rest of Mystica the magic Tirek stole,” Luna suggested earning a few nervous laughs from  Twilight et al.

“I FEEL ANOTHER SONG COMING ON!!!” Pinkie screamed with great cheer as the sound of as another musical started more or less out of nowhere. But before any of the six could question it they more or less transformed into The Rainbow of Light and circled around Celestia, then Luna, then Cadance. Each princess regaining her aura mark, her wings began to move, her wounds healed and her magic restored.

Twilight’s voice was heard as the lyrics of the song started, “Each one of us has something special
That makes us different, that makes us rare,” as the Rainbow of Light then went to Spike and Discord, the dragon body flash the purple of his scales as he regained his draconic magic, as Discord’s form changed to his original form able to manipulate reality in his ‘normal’ way.

“We have a light that shines within us
That we were always meant to share.” Fluttershy’s voice took over as the Rainbow flew towards Magiville namely Sweet Apple Temple, to restore the residents there first.

After splitting into six rainbows upon arriving at the Temple, all six began to sing, “And when we come together
Combine the light that shines within
There is nothing we can't-do
There is no battle we can't win,” all the while they restored the magic taken by Tirek to each person much like Spike, Discord and the princesses. They continued to sing as each of them headed towards the rest of Mystica. “When we come together
There'll be a star to guide the way
It's inside us every day.” Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy headed towards the various Skyborn dominated cities, such as Cumula and Las Magus.
“See it now! See it now!” Pinkie Pie and Applejack headed to cover the move Earthborn dominated cities like Appleloosa, Dodge Junction.
“Let the rainbow remind you
That together we will always shine
Let the rainbow remind you
That forever this will be our time.” Twilight and Rarity headed to several other cities, namely Manahatten and the capital of Chantalot.

“Each one of us will sometimes falter
We may stumble, we may fall.” Twilight sang as the rainbow she circled around and resorted the magic of everyone in Chantalot, the focus being her brother Shining and of all people Blueblood.

“But we still have a kind of magic
One that will see us through it all” Rarity’s voice is heard singing as she paused around the various residents of Manahatten before heading off.

All six started singing again as they headed towards other cities, the residents of Magiville, the other three princesses, Discord was looking at the remains of the Golden Oak, failing to restore and resurrect the tree, began working on a new home for Twilight.“And when we come together
Combine the light that shines within
There is nothing we can't-do
There is no battle we can't win.”

“When we come together
There'll be a star to guide the way
It's inside us every day.
“See it now! See it now!
Let the rainbow remind you
That together we will always shine
Let the rainbow remind you
That forever this will be our time.” As the six continued to sing and travel more and more of Mystica returning the magic Tirek stole, each, save Twilight, taking a focus on the person that gave them their key, in Fluttershy’s case actually going into the Breezie’s mound. All the while more and more of Mystica’s citizens from the various cities, including from the technically autonomous city-state of Krystalopolies, came to Magiville. Each lending their help to the construction of a new castle. One for Twilight. As the castle took shape it resembled a crystalline tree that was slightly smaller than the castles in Chantalot and Krystalopolies with what looked like Twilight’s Aura Mark in its bough with a few balconies and such to give it a regal appearance. Inside, the castle, a set of seven thrones, one smaller than the other six, each of the larger six had one of Twilight’s and her five friends aura marks above them housing a wide array of memory gems as a chandelier was the remains of the Golden Oak. In the meantime, there was a mandolin solo to the song as the six Rainbows finished traveling all over Mystica returning all but Twilight’s, Applejack’s, Rarity’s, Fluttershy’s, Rainbow’s, Pinkie’s magic and merged as back into one Rainbow and flew towards the chest.

“Let the rainbow remind you
That together we will always shine.” Twilight sang as the Rainbow of Light transformed back into the six young women after they in the form of the Rainbow, reached the cave that housed the Tree of Harmony and the chest that housed the Rainbow of Light.

“Do we have to put it back?” Rainbow Dash asked as they walked or in her case floated the rest of the way to the chest and surrounded it.

“Sorry Sugarcube, but while wah used it as wah needed, it might be needed again, and like the Elements, it might need a chance tah recharge.”

Rainbow pouted, “Oh Dashie, don’t be like that.” Rarity countered, “If the Posey is right, a part of us will be added to the Rainbow of Light, and we can also relay a message too. Also since we’re going to write this down, and make sure the keys are easily accessible for any future users.” There were no further arguments as reluctantly they each placed their hands on their respective keys and the Rainbow of Light returned to the box as the six return to their normal state. The chest then closed and locked before the keys returned to each of them, Pinkie’s key turned back into Boneless, but his right leg wasn’t the regular orange but a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple, and floated to Pinkie before it was attached to her belt. Applejack’s key turned back into a coin, but instead of the golden color it was a  rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple, and instead of the usual Mystican flag and rendering of Celestia and Luna in profile, both sides had a stylized apple, then a hole form and a black cord that went through it allowing Applejack to wear it like an amulet. Rainbow’s key became the Wonderbolt pin again but instead of golden all over along the bolt of it was a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple, it then pinned itself on Rainbow’s shirt. Fluttershy’s key became the flower again, it was normal save for one pedal with was a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple as the flower seemed to merge with her hood right over her left ear. Rarity’s key became the spindle and then a shawl that was a rainbow like the actual thread with one small side being a rainbow of orange, yellow, cyan, alabaster, pink and purple perpendicular to the rest of shawl. Twilight’s key became Scorpan’s amulet again, but it was not as Discord gave her, it was now colored like all the other items. The chest was then pulled into the tree housing itself in the trunk under the Element of Magic.

As the six exited the Everfree Forest and looked at Magiville, they saw what looked like a purple crystalline tree shaped castle that rivaled the Chantalot Castle and the Crystal Castle of Krystalopolies, “Sweet Celestia! Are you all seeing what I'm seeing?” Rarity’s jaw almost fell to the ground as she asked. Everyone else nodded and gave various agreements as they too were dumbfounded.

“But... whose is it?” Twilight asked as the six continued to the castle, passing the dug in the pit that the Golden Oak was once planted in.

“Why, it’s yours, Princess Twilight.” came Celestia’s voice as the six finally arrived at the castle to see her, Luna, Cadance, all the people of Magiville, Discord, Spike and many others were taking a break as if they had been working on the castle. “We went for the tree look, it’s not the Golden Oak, but I am certain you can make it home,” Celestia said with a smile. Twilight took awhile to fully process everything as she walked into the castle with her friends as they looked it over.  As the six looked at their thrones, with Owlowiscious perched on Twilight’s throne, “You've been wondering what you are meant to do as a princess. Do you know now?” Celestia asked getting Twilight’s attention.

Twilight stopped looking around her castle, to her friends, Discord, Spike, the other princesses, and the small army of the citizens of Mystica that were there. She thought about everything she had experienced since her ascension and coronation and she finally had her answer, “As a princess, I believe I have the power to spread the magic of friendship across Mystica and with any luck across the world. That is the role I am meant to have in our world! The role I choose to have! But I didn't defeat Tirek on my own – it took all of us to unlock the chest!” Twilight declared before she turned back to her friends, “I doubt I am meant to take this task on alone.”

“We just beat a guy with all the raw magical power of Mystica, we sealed Discord, freed Luna of Nightmare Moon’s hold, and so much more. We’re not leaving you now.” Rainbow declared as the others gave various agreements.

“Congratulations, Twilight Sparkle, Mystica’s Princess of Friendship. You have found your part.” Celestia said.

“You knew this would all happen didn’t you?” Twilight asked.

“Well, they do say, ‘there’s nothing new under the sun’.” Celestia joked.

Before Twilight could counter or press the matter, Discord in his post-reformation form was among the thrones, “Wait a minute, Spike has a throne! Where's my throne?!”

Fluttershy flew up to him and shook her head, “I don't think you're quite there yet.” she pointed out with a degree of patience most still wouldn’t show Discord.

Discord rubbed the back of his head and laughed, “Yes, well, I suppose not.”

“And I forgive you, Discord.” Fluttershy said more or less speaking for everyone else, “But you’re uninvited to the rest of this year’s book club meetings.” Discord gulped at that. Granted everyone knew it was a slap on the wrist, but Fluttershy has never uninvited anyone. Earning a slight chuckle from everyone else.

“Oh before I forget,” Celestia said as she took a handful of acorns out of one her pockets. “We could not save the Golden Oak itself,” Celestia then pointed above them indicating the remains of the Golden Oak, “but we able to find some its acorns. It will take it some time to be like its parent, but we already have books en route for the library that will be in the castle, in addition to everything else that was not recoverable.” Twilight accepted the acorns knowing she was being asked to plant them where the Golden Oak once stood.

At that moment, “Hey, where do I put the beehive?” Everyone looked to see Brighteyes with the  beehive that clung to the Golden Oak, “They’re all fine, but really angry,” Twilight could not help but shed a tear with a smile on her face as she cast a spell that made a brach for the hive to be attached to on the outside of the castle. Twilight could tell this was a small gesture to help her adjust to her new home, but it was always the little things that mattered.





Epilogue

Back at the Tree of Harmony, a light made not only the Elements of Harmony, but the recently re-housed Rainbow of Light pulsated from the tree. That light, then toned down as it followed one of the many and ancient roots of the Tree, traveling towards the recently made Castle of Friendship.  Once there the light traveled to the throne room and in the empty space that the thrones of Twilight et al encircled it flashed a roundtable, a blink and you’ll miss it flash. This went unnoticed as Twilight and her friends were looking elsewhere in the castle.





At the same time, late at night on the cliff that Twilight and her friends looked down at Midnight Castle and its adjoining city, three figures wearing long monastic black robes with hoods hiding most of their faces save for their feminine lips and chins. Around each of their necks was a necklace of a black cord with a ruby. The center of the three had a Treble clef with a light orange gem next to it embroidered on her robe, the one to her right had purple five-pointed star-shaped gem over a forte symbol and the one to her left had a heart with an eighth note stylized to have a slight lightning bolt theme. The center one spoke, “Well, well, well, look what we have here?” a faint green mist seemed to float from the city towards the three as their gems glowed the three laughing all the while. Before they started to sing, “Oh-whoa-oh, oh-whoa-oh.”