> Discorded Skyrim: The Star Swirl scrolls
>  by Fluttercordia
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Guys Night!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"H-hi, I'm here to pick up some things I have on hay-buy." 

A gruff looking stallion looked up from his book, and loomed over the counter, where he saw a small purple dragon, with a moustache. "Name?" He asked.

"Spike." 

The stallion opened a drawer and started pulling out a few games and sorting through the files. "Spike, Spike- ah! Here it is." He plopped the file on the desk and read over it quickly. 

He disappeared into the back room and reappeared a moment later, holding a console in his hand. "Here it is, One game, one Ponystation 4. This seems to be all paid for-" The stallion stopped, and eyed the dragon up and down, narrowing his gaze at the mustache. "Say.. How old are you again? You know this game is rated M for Mareture right?"

"18!" Spike answered quickly, in the best deep voice he could muster. He wasn't a baby anymore, he was 17, he even recently got his wings! But he couldn't handle waiting another year to get this game. While he did appear young, he had matured more mentally than physically over the years. It seemed as though this stallion has no knowledge on dragon biology, and Spike wasn't about to drop everything to give a crash course to this stallion.

A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as the stallion continued to look him over suspiciously. Spike was just about to crack under the pressure, when the stallion let out a deep sigh.

"Alright, here it is. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm about to close for the day, and I really just want to get home. Have fun....kid."

The doors to the local Gamertrot store in Ponyville swung open, with so much force it would have been close to busting off its hinges. 

"HEY! Watch it!" The disgruntled stallion called from inside, out of site.

"OOPS- Sorry!" An overly excited purple dragon called back in a nervous chuckle, clasping a slim black box in his arms. Spike made his way down the path and through the main square, to the castle in the centre of the bustling town. He took off his fake moustache and chuckled over his triumph. "I can't believe that worked!"

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" He said in disbelief, as he proudly lifted the box to his line of sight, staring at it as of it were the most beautiful gemstone he had ever seen. "A brand new PS4! Top of the line too! I'm so glad I put this on hay-buy, they would have sold out!" He had made it just in time, too. The stores were about to close for the day. A bump suddenly caused him to lose grip on the console and he clawed at the air in a desperate attempt to catch it. Fortunately he did just that.

"Well am ah mighty' sorry ere youngin. I ain't seen ya there. Hope I ain't done frightened the jeebers out ah yah."

Spike, with a sigh of relief from having saved his new game station whirled around to the perpetrator who bumped into him, ready to give them a piece of his mind, when he came face to face with Granny Smith. "Oh, Granny Smith! It's alright, how are you doing today?" Spike said, regaining his composure and feeling guilty for almost raging on the sweet old earth mare.

"Well am doin just fine, Applejack and mah' self just packed up our apple cart, and was ready to call it ah day." 

"Applejack? Is she here?" Spike looked around frantically, his eyes darting left to right. He found himself going red at the cheeks for some reason. It was something he had felt a lot since they saved each other from timberwolves many moons ago.

"Nah she gon an went ahead now, Big Mac gave a helpin' hoof an got ere done faster than a fruit bat to a zap apple tree." She laughed wholeheartedly, "He must'ah been mighty excited to get to y'all little get together tonight." Spikes blushed deepened. It seemed like everypony in town now new about guys night and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

"Say, sonny, whatcha got there?" Granny Smith pointed her hoof at the console in spikes claws.

"A Ponystation 4! Or- well, PS4 for short."

"It's a what now?" Granny Smith put her hoof in her ears and twirled it around, hoping to clear it out as if it could help her better understand. 

"A PS4! You put a game inside and it plays on a projector. It's like.." Spike trailed off and rubbed his chin in thought on how to explain. "Its like playing a different pony, only minus the danger. You control the actions and movements to try to complete the quest!" 

"Can't say ah understand all this fancy shmancy technology yeh filly's n' colts are into these days." Granny Smith stated in apparent confusion before shaking her head in indifference. "Yeh see, back in mah day-"

"Well, gotta run!" Spike called to her, already having darted off in his aimed destination. He felt bad, but knew if he was to stick around for the story, he would miss guys night for sure! "It was nice bumping into you though, literally and figuratively! Even if it almost cost me my new PS4." He muttered the last part under his breath with a nervous laugh.

"Alright you boys have fun ya hear!? Dont let that varmit Discord push yeh around either, even if he's become more of a dear since sweet ol' Fluttershy got her hooves on him." Granny called out to Spike.

"I won't! Promise!" He retorted, and disappeared into the now diminishing crowd. 





Spike shut the door behind him and slid to the floor with a soft thump. Although it would be dark soon and the crowd wasn't so big and pushy as before, it was still an immense effort to make his way through, taking extra care not to have damaged his new PS4. He would have flown, but if he had stumbled and dropped his goods, the PPS4 would have broke for sure from that distance, and he didn't want to risk it. He hugged his console and sighed in relief before gazing at it again, rubbing his claw along the edges. "I bet the guys are gonna love this!" he said out loud with delight.

"Love what?" 

Spike screamed as a certain draconequus's face appeared inches away from his own. "Discord!" Spike hissed. He collected himself and stood up, and placed the PS4 on the small, oak coffee table a few feet away. "I suppose I should be used to those entrances by now, though," He admitted.

Discord put his paw to his head in a dramatic display, "YES WELL, it should come as no surprise to see me for another rousing guys night of Ogres and Oubliettes. What IS surprising however, is why you and Big Mac have kept me waiting with the ever so delightful princess of bookworms no less, for so long. Honestly spike, I never expected a princesses assistant such as yourself to be tardy now." Discord huffed and turned away from Spike, arms crossed and clearly disgruntled. "And where pray-tell is Big Mac anyway? Sun-Butt has already begun to lower the sun, and soon Loony Luna will be raising the moon."

"Big Macs not here yet? hm, maybe he got caught up after all." Spike pondered aloud, cupping his chin in his claw. "And I'm sorry i'm late, I had to get to Gamertrot before it closed! I've got a big surprise for -" 

Spike was cut off as twilight entered the room. "Oh hi guys! don't mind me! I promise i'll be out of your mane soon, the girls are coming to pick me up and should be here in a few minutes, then you can enjoy your guys night without us mares in the way." She shot an annoyed glance at Discord, "If somepony doesn't keep me from packing any further."

Discord blew a raspberry at the alicorn princess. "MOI? pfft, all I asked for was a teensy glass of water." 

Rubbing her temple to ease the headache that always seemed to come to her when Discord was around, she made her way to the door to collect her saddlebag when she spied the slim black box on the table and tilted her head to the side. "Oh, Whatcha got there Spike?" She asked, curiously.

"The new Ponystation 4!" Spike said proudly as he puffed up his chest, "Its a gaming system! It plays on a projector, and speaking of which..." He rubbed his feet on the ground anxiously and looked up at Twilight with pleading eyes, "Can I borrow your projector for it Twilight, Pretty please with a fire ruby on top?"

Twilight smiled pleasantly, "Of course Spike, let me just go get it for you, I think I left it in my library from one of my studies last week." With that she turned tail, and disappeared up the stairs again.

Discord made himself comfy on the couch while he waited, though unsure of what for, already dressed in his traditional Captain Wuzz outfit. "UGH- I can't stand this, am I to die from boredom? C'mon lets get this guys night on a role already!" He flung his hands to the air in emphasis. "If Big Mac is being held up by another one of those pies for sugar belle i'm gonna-"

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"That must be the girls," Spike said and he rushed to the door, flinging it open. Standing outside were the 5 ponies Twilight was expecting, their saddle bags packed at their sides. "Hey Everypony! Twilight will be down in a minute. Why don't you all come in?" He gestured inside holding the door open as they made their way into Twilights small castle. 

"Thank you, Spike. I hope we aren't interrupting your guys night." Fluttershy said with her usual soft mannerism. 

Discords ears immediately perked up at the sound of her voice, and in a flash he was beside her, scooping her up in his arms, "Fluttershy!" He said enthusiastically, a small blush appearing on both their faces. As he felt his face warm he turned away briefly in an attempt to hide it. He still couldn't quite understand how a shy yellow pegasus on the opposite end of his spectrum had such an effect on him.

"Discord! Its so good to see you!" She smiled, fluttering back from his mismatched arms after awhile and smiling. "Sorry I missed Tuesday tea this week, you got my letter didn't you?" She questioned anxiously. She knew no harm was done, but she still felt it impolite to have had to cancel something that meant so much to Discord, and admittedly, herself.

"Yes I did, and it is most definitely alright my dear. I understand that Demo- I mean Angel Bunny of yours got incredibly sick with hop fever." He snickered at the thought of that fluffy monster getting his just deserts. "Just means we will have to make time for TWO Tuesday teas next week."

"I'd like that."

Applejack rolled her eyes and smiled at Discord and Fluttershy, the two sure have gotten close after the last year and a bit. She made her way over to Spike as the girls put their saddlebags down to stretch out before the long journey ahead. They were heading to Cantelot to attend the next summer sun celebration, as they now did annually. And had even managed to get substitute teachers for the school, so they could head over a week early and enjoy some much needed down time.

"Howdy Sugarcube, nice to see ya again, Big Mac is gonna be a bit late tonight, ah feel I should let ya know. He Kindly offered to finish my chores so I wouldn't keep all the girls waiting on me to make this trip."

"Oh! so thats why he isn't here yet, well thats okay, we have all night after all!"

"Spike." Twilights disapproving voice came from below the stairs, a projector levitating beside her. "I still expect you to get sleep, NO all-nighters!"

"Awwww but Twilight-"

"No butts, or do I have lock this projector in my room?" She narrowed her eyes and smiled slyly at the little dragon. Although he wasn't a baby anymore in the slightest, its still unhealthy to stay up all night, for anyone and although it be a bit hypocritical of her, given her own late night endeavours, delving into her books or studies, she refused to have spike follow in her bad habited hoof steps. 

Spike sighed in defeat, "Fiiiiinneee." 

Twilight levitated the projector over to him and lifted the cords connected to it, but was at a loss. "So where do you want me to put these?" She asked with uncertainty, as she looked back and forth between the cords and the PS4.

"Its okay Twilight I got it!" Spike leapt into the air and grasped the cords from their purple aura. He made his way over to the console and started putting them in their correct ports. The mane 6 watched in intrigue as he did so, Discord merely had an expression of disinterest, and gave a small yawn. 

"Ohmygosh! ohmygosh! What is that?!" Pinkie asked as she bounced around the table. Spike tried hard to not be distracted by the eccentric mares antics, and get the last cable in correctly. 

"I know what it is!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly, "Its the new PS4, even I don't have one of those yet! AWESOME!" She ran her hoof over shiny black console, her eyes sparkling made evident in the reflection. 

Spike lightly slapped her hoof away and glared at her. He finally plugged the last cable in and a bright light shone against a bare wall, flashing a variety of colours before turning black, the PS4 traditional logo appearing. Shortly after, the whole screen turning a hue of blue. Clapping his claws together jovially, his eyes glistened with delight. The girls shared in a series of ooh's and aah's.

Discord hovered over to the screen, blocking the projectors light and stroked his goatee in thought. "So this is a PS4, never tried it before, looks.. err..what does it do again?"

Spike pulled out a game from the slim box and pushed it into Discords face ecstatically. "Well I got this game for it, and I was thinking we could switch it up a bit from our regular Ogres and Oubliettes tonight. What do you think Discord?" 

"Skyrim: The Star Swirl scrolls." Discord read the cover aloud. "Hmmph, and whats wrong with Ogres and Oubliettes?" He asked, his face showing clear signs of perplexment.

"Ugh- well, nothing, I just thought we could shake things up a bit, you know?"

"HO-HO, I think not." Discord stated matter-factly.

"What? Why not?" Spike asked, bewildered.

Discord grasped the game and dangled it in his eagle talon in front of Spike, "Why should we play this, when Ogres and Oubliettes is so much better?" 

"Have you played it before?" Spike asked, as he flailed his arms about, jumping to get ahold of the game again.

"Well, no, not exactly." Discord admitted, as Spike managed to swipe it back from him.

"Then how would you know its not just as good, if not better?"

"Spike, when something isn't broke, don't fix it. Ogres and Oubliettes could win the game of games as far as I am concerned."

Fluttershy's sweet laugh drew the attention of the room, "Discord! it's not like you at all to not try something new!" she fluttered across the room and to his eye level. "You should at least try it, I found I like video games myself!" 

Everypony's jaw dropped at this.

Rarity emitted an "OOF" as Rainbow pounced on her back, shoving her to the floor in the process.

"YOU'RE A GAMER?" Rainbow Dash chimed in with disbelief.

"Oh yes! I have my very own Gamecolt at home! I tried to get into Ponkemon, b-but I didn't like making them fight! I do however enjoy animal crossing" Fluttershy squeed. 

"OH OH, I LIKE COOKING MAMA!" Pinky added. 

Rarity got up from the floor and shot a look at Rainbow, once she dusted herself off she made her way over to the console, looking at her reflection on the shiny PS4, "I've never been one for gaming," She said. "But I definitely like the cover of this console, though." And she poofed her mane lightly with her hoof, smiling.

"Likewise," Applejack added, "Errr- about gaming. Too busy with the farm and all ya know?"

"I think the best games are educational ones." Twilight smiled, nodding her head.

Rainbow rolled her eyes with aggrandise, "Lammeee. I like the action packed ones, like Daring Do's Tomb Raider." She started punching at the air giddily, "Or Super Smash Flim-Flam Brothers, or Super Mario! In fact, princess peach looks a lot like princess Cadence."

Spike grabbed his game and briefly read the description. "Well speaking of princess Cadence, according to this, all Equestrias most famous ponies feature in this game in some way or form." 

There was an uproar of excitement, one that surprised the small dragon, he never expected his other friends to get so excited over a game as much as he was. In fact they all seemed more excited than the one pon- well, draconequus he was trying to impress. However even Discords interest took a flip at this, and he suddenly also became a tad more enthused than before. If Spike had fur it would have surely stood up on the back of his neck as he watched the scene unfold before him, ponies jumping up and down on the spot, none higher than Pinkie Pie however. An array of "Oh my gosh!" and "This is sooo cool!" coming from the mares before him. Spike felt a weight on his shoulders, it was Twilight.

Twilight spun Spike around and pressed her face right up against his, grinning ear to ear. "You mean princess Celestia and Luna are in here too!? What about Cadence and-" She gasped. "What about my brother, Shining Armor?"

Spike chuckled nervously and pushed her away from his face, happy to put some personal space between them. "Yea, pretty sure! I even think some of the bad guys we've fought are in here."

"Well, I suppose if IM in there, there would be no harm in giving this a try tonight." Discord chimed in, cockily. 

"I had a feeling you'd have a change of heart, Discord." Fluttershy said, a knowing smile on her face.

Pinkie, laughing and still bouncing almost as high as the ceiling, causing a few books to fall from the shelf, emitted a noise nopony could explain. "I THINK FLUTTERSHY IS RIGHT! It wasn't much like YOU, Discord, to not try something new!" Twilight rushed to her beloved books aid, to keep them from getting trampled on by the eccentric pink mare.

Rarity calmed down and returned to her reflection in the surface of the shiny PS4.  "Indeed." She agreed with pinkie.

Rainbow Dash flew to Discord and shoved her hoof at his chest, smirking. "Between finding out Fluttershy is into gaming and stepping out of her comfort zone, and you not wanting to try a new game or something different, It almost seems you two have switched personalities!"

Fluttershy and Discord exchanged a nervous glance at each other. They weren't sure if they liked to be put in the spotlight like this.

"Now hold ya horses Everypony, I agree here, but what I think y'all need ta' realise is that maybe its just because they bring out the best in each other." 

"Huh?" The girls, including Discord and Spike said in unsion at Applejacks statement.

"Well ya see, Discord helps Fluttershy to try new things, in a good way. Fluttershy helps Discord to find fun in the more simple things he already knows and likes, and to be more content and relaxed, to control his urges to go off the rails, ya see?" The girls all verbally agreed after a moment of thought. "And I Dare say they're truly rubbing off on one another, and that, y'all, is what friendship can do." Fluttershy and Discord smiled at each other, both turning away after a moment in a blush. They were certainly doing a lot of that tonight.

"Well put darling." Rarity stated, The corners of her mouth turned slightly upright, the kind of look a pony would give if they had just received some juicy gossip.

Pinky gasped, "DOES THIS MEAN WE ARE IN THE GAME TOO?!" And suddenly much to Spikes dismay, everypony's ecstatic eyes were on him again. 

"WELL DUH OF COURSE IT DOES!" Rainbow Dash scoffed, "How many times have we saved Equestria from certain doom? We are the Elements of harmony for Celestia sake!" She crossed her arms in a display of cockiness, much like Discord was doing earlier. Everypony agreed happily, she made a fair point.

Reading the back cover briefly again, Spike let out an audible gulp. "they're not gonna like this," he thought to himself. "Um well... it actually doesn't look like any of you are in this, not even you Discord. Or...me?" Spike sadly lowered his head and sighed, Everypony else's jaw dropped. 

"HOW DARE THEY! Not put the likes of us in this- this- GAME!" Rarity shouted in distress. "As Rainbow said, we've saved all of Equestria countless of times! This is an outrage!"

"You don't even like video games, Rarity!"

"Well, yes, i-i know, but-but - STILL!" She huffed, turning her nose to the ceiling. 

"I agree with Rarity, why in the hay are we not featured?" Rainbow Dash coolly stated, in a complimenting mixture of anger and disbelief. 

Pinkie, Discord and Rarity started talking all at once over each other, expressing their disappointment over this rather distressing new found information. Fluttershy, with a look of worry etched on her features, desperately tried to calm them all herself, but her soft voice was easily drowned out by the racket being made.

Applejack put her hoof down, the loud smack on the castle floor enough to cease the commotion. "Now, now Everypony, it ain't the end of the world. We don't save Equestria or help other ponies to be featured in games, or stories, or glass windows." Everypony hung their heads low at Applejacks very true statement, understanding where she was coming from, and starting to feel disappointed in themselves for their behaviour. "We do it to help everypony, and our friends. We do it because, well, we gosh darn want to. Its our responsibility."

"Applejack is right," Twilight said, in a calm and unhurried voice. "Our duty to Equestria is an important one, AND a humble one."

"Though," Applejack started again, Twirling her hoof in circles on the ground. "It is a little... dissapointing." She added meekly.

"WHAT?!" Twilight rebuked.

And the room once again went into an uproar, the motivational speech now already forgotten. Twilight sighed defeated and then calmly cleared her throat for attention again, this time they all stopped immediately. 

"Look Everypony, Celestia and Luna are going to be out of contact for a few days in preparation for the summer sun celebration, and aside from all other duties they have, the princessess had to make a stop in Saddle Arabia to pick up more supplies for the citizens attending." She drew a deep breath and stood tall, regaining her composure. "And that is why we mustn't be late over some foals game."

"Hey its not a foals game! its for grown ups!" Spike stated in defence. 

Everypony ignoring Spikes comments, murmered in agreement. 

"But darling, we are arriving a week early, are we not?"

"Yes Rarity, but I thought we would go early so we could not only help in any means necessary, but so we could have a nice relaxing vacation from the school as well, but we won't have any time for that if Everypony is bickering about a game." Twilight walked over to her saddlebag by the door and strapped it around herself. "Now come on girls, lets go." Twilights cheery manner returned. "Lets let the guys have their guys night." The girls all started to grab their things to follow suit.

"WAIT!" Discord shouted, not in a panic, but in more of a demanding tone. causing all of them to stop in their tracks.

"Mphhmph?" Pinkie muffled, her saddlebag in her mouth.

Everypony cocked their heads, having not understood a word she had said.

Pinkie spat her bag out, "I said, whats up Discord?" Pinkie merrily answered.

Everypony could almost hear Discords eyes roll. "I think I can find a way to put us all as characters into the game!" Discord said, snapping his fingers and making it shower confetti across the room.

"YOU CAN?!" Everypony except Twilight said in excited unison.

Twilight's face deadpanned, "C'mon girls! we don't have time for this! We are going to miss our train!" She grumbled.

"Oh please Twilight, I think we would all love to see ourselves in this game!" Fluttershy pleaded softly. Everypony seemed to agree.

"Well that settles it!" Discord said, as he cracked his knuckles. "I think you were right about this game Spike. This is going to be an absolute HOOT! - No offence to Owlowiscious."

"I am?" Spike asked.

But before Spike could even get an answer, Discord unusually snapped both his paw and eagle talon at the same time, a sly grin on his face. A menacing glow came from the PS4 and it slowly started to shift into a swirling mass, much like a tornado. The mane 6 and Discord himself lifted into the air, their own glowing aura connecting with that of the consoles. They didn't have time to think before they started being sucked into the spinning vortex and into the PS4. The girls screamed, all except Pinkie Pie who simply squealed and laughed with delight. Spike had to hold on to one of Twilights incredibly heavy books to keep from joining them.

After a moment, the winds in the castle died, and Spike finally felt it was safe to let go and open his eyes. He scanned around the castle, the room they were in seemingly empty. Swallowing nervously, he called out to his friends and received no response. Taking a glance over to the PS4, he noticed the glowing aura had now started to fade. The pieces of what took place started coming together.

The projector displayed the Skyrim: The Star Swirl scrolls, loading screen, and seeming to function on its own clicked over to the slot which was labeled "New." After a few seconds the game had officially started, and there on the display itself, the mane 6 and Discord stood front and centre with high definition, in the lush forests of the Skyrim.

"This can't be good."
> Discord, what have you done?!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A strip of light made its appearance near a wide dirt trail in a dense forest, slightly pixelating at the seams and emitting a sound much like a glitch, or corruption of something electric. The surrounding flora and wildlife remained mostly undisturbed, even though the unnatural happenings had no business being there. From this light a purple alicorn popped out and landed plot first on the ground below with a thud.

Twilight groaned and rubbed her backside, slowly starting to get up, "What the hay!? Wha-what happened?" Her thoughts weren't long lived, as a pink blur fell atop of her, and she was once again down, this time on her face.

"WEEEEEEEE!" Pinkie Pie gushed, not noticing her crumpled friend beneath her. "LETS DO THAT AGAI-"

Pinkie was halted mid scentence as she too was crushed under the weight of 4 other screaming mares and draconequus, who was oddly heavy for his slim physique. Now in what used to be a tranquil scenery, lay a groaning mass of ponies, and twitching hooves. Discords laugh soon drowned that noise out too.

"This is PRICELESS!" A camera which had fallen out of Twilights saddlebag lay in front of him, he snapped his fingers and a weak spark shot out, and he was suddenly dressed like Photo Finish. Picking the camera up he aimed it at the mountain of seething ponies. "Say Cheese sandwich!" 

"UGH, my wing! it hurts!"

"Close enough I guess." Discord mused. The camera flashed a few times. "Alright, now these photos are coming out great, but Twilight, i'm going to need you to stick your tongue out and cross your eyes, I feel it will really capture your grimace."

The girls started untangling themselves from each others limbs and dusted themselves off, each one rubbing a particular joint in hope of soothing their poor, various muscles. They looked around, taking in their new surroundings, confusion written on all their faces, only Pinkie had a smile on her face, aside from Discord. It was beautiful, enchanting almost, rays of light shone through the dense trees on one side of the dirt trail, the other side was void of any, and the land stretched as far as the eyes could see. But as lovely as it looked, it was unfamiliar, which was frightening in its own right.

Twilight threw an agrivated look at Discord and grit her teeth, "Cut this out!"

In a flash his Photo Finish attire was gone, and he looked down at his form, in surprise? "I didn't.. do that." Discord thought to himself. "I didn't snap my fingers, I didn't will it, then why- how?" Discord was starting to feel uneasy, he was usually the one that causes confusion, not the one to suffer from it.

"Discord! What have you done?! Where are we?" Twilight bellowed again. 

This pulled him back to the situation at hoof from the thoughts that had just been relaying in his already convoluted mind. But this didn't deter him from his usual demeanour. "So many questions, bit of a shame that bump to the head didn't give you a sense of humour. But to answer your questions...We, My little ponies, are in Skyrim!"

"WHAT?!"Everypony shrieked.

"You mean, Spikes game?!"

"The very same."

"Discord..."

"Yes, Twiley?" 

Twilight cringed at the use of her nickname, only her brother had permission to call her by that, as far as she was concerned. "And WHY the buck did you bring us here!?"

Discord was a bit taken aback by this, even though he didn't like making sense, its not like it wasn't obvious as to why he had brought them here, he had told them his intentions before they arrived here, did he not? And they seemed to be on board with this idea. "Damn mares, they can never decide what they want." He crossed his arms and looked right into Twilights eyes, "Come now Twilight, what a silly question, and I know silly. I don't think I have to tell you to look up 'obvious' in the dictionary, as i'm sure you read them as if they're erotic novels." He stuck his tongue out it disgust.

"Twilight! Such language!" Rarity chided, though she was quite frustrated herself, she was still a classy mare. She put a hoof to her chest as if the word 'buck' had physically harmed her, regardless that it was not directed at her in the slightest. 

Discord drooped his ears in an obnoxiously faked display of offence, and waved his paw dismissively, "It's quite alright Rarity, I don't think it even warrants a profanity tag on this story."

Usually a statement like that got some weird looks, but this time it went ignored. The girls were not having it, especially Twilight. The others didn't have much time to get a word in, as Twilight was clearly getting more frustrated by the second. "Don't make me ask again." She demanded, in a voice that cut like glass.

"You all just seemed so disappointed to not be featured in this game, and being the good 'friend' I am, I decided to change that, like I had stated. You all seemed to be on board with it at the time!" 

"We didn't think you meant you'd literally put us in the game, Discord! We figured you meant as playable characters, why do you think too much into these things?!"

"Think too much into these things? Now that was actually insulting Twilight, you know I never think about things before I do them."

Twilight was about to speak again when a disembodied voice cut her off.

"Twilight, Everypony, Are you all okay?!"

"SPIKE?" Shouted the 6 of the mares, looking around to find him in this foreign landscape, he sounded close and yet, he was nowhere to be seen.





Spike sat on the couch, controller in claw. He had seen and heard the commotion through the screen. He could not contain the surprise he had felt when they had replied to him, as he never expected for them to have actually heard him. Seeing them all look around for him, he darted to the screen and put his claw against it, thinking he might be able to walk through to them himself. But no, the screen just cast his shadow due to the light he was blocking from the projector. Making his way  back to the couch, he slunk back down, a little disheartened.

"Hey guys, i'm back in Equestria, I don't think you can see me, though. Can you still hear me?"

Twilight turned, scanning their digital area again, and for a second he saw her look directly at the screen. "Spike! I'm so glad you're okay, yes we can all hear you just fine!"

"Wow, in all my days of shouting at games, i've never actually had a reply from the characters before.." Spike said, a hint of excitement growing after each syllable he spoke, happy that he might actually be able to still communicate with the group. "You wouldn't believe this, but you're all in my video game!"

Twilight frowned, "We are aware Spike, Believe me, and as you could guess, this is all Discords doing. Can you get us out of here?"

"Ummm," Spike started fiddling with the buttons on his controller, hoping that any one of them would do anything to help their situation at all. Suddenly, Fluttershy hit Rainbow Dash on the side of her head. It didn't appear to be a hard punch, but it did make the multicolour pegasus stagger slightly. Everpony gasped in shock at the usualy sweet Fluttershy's actions.

"Hey! What gives Fluttershy?!" Rainbow snapped, rubbing the back of her head, and moving a few feet away from the suddenly violent buttercream mare.

"O-Oh my, I-i swear I didn't mean to Rainbow dash, i'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me!" Fluttershy profusely apologised. She stared at her own hooves in horror and bewilderment.

"What in Tarnation has gotten into ya Fluttershy?" Applejack sternly questioned, walking over to offer Rainbow some assistance. "I know we're all upset, but that ain't an excuse for you ta' take it out on Everypony! Are you alright Rainb- OOF!" A blue hoof hit the country earth mare square in the face. This time, the unexpected blow came from Rainbow Dash. 

Rainbow Dash, naturally being a lot stronger than Fluttershy, managed to knock her friend right off her hooves. Applejack sat up on the ground and put her own hoof to her nose, checking for blood but finding none there. "Well that's the last darn time i'm sticking up for you!" She spat at Rainbow. 

"Ohmygosh! Applejack- I- I swear-!"

Pinkie pie started walking forwards, she couldn't explain why at all, and ran straight into Rarity, not bothering to go around the fashionista at all. Rarity caught in surprise managed to stand her ground, but Pinkie kept walking, and with what seemed like little effort, pushed Rarity along with her.

"Goodness Pinkie! If you want me to move out of your way, you could have just asked!"

"I Dont even know why i'm moving! I'm not doing this! Well I am but, i'm not meaning to walk, its like I can't control my hooves!" Pinkie argued. "I don't think this is one of my Pinkie senses either!"

Twilights jaw hung open, "has Everypony lost their minds?!" She thought to herself. She could only guess whose doing this was. "DISCORD, whatever you're doing, STOP IT!" She barked.

Discord, seeming a mixture of shock and amusement from all the chaos in front of him, raised his hands in defence. "I wish I could take credit, but i'm not doing this!" 

Spike continued to frantically press buttons, trying different combinations, and sometimes holding down 4 at once. He was far to busy intently looking at the different options on his Ponystation controller, that he hadn't noticed all the commotion unfolding before him on screen, until he finally took a peak to see if any of his attempts had made any good progress. What he did see was Applejack rubbing her nose, Pinkie pie running off screen with Rarity in tow, and Fluttershy sobbing, muttering to herself that she was a monster.

"Did any of that help?" Spike asked, "And what happened to you guys?"

"Did what work?" Twilight queried. "And i'm not quite sure, Everypony just started hurting each other, among other things."

Spike looked down at his controller, "had I really just done that?" He quickly dismissed the thought, "Nahh, no way I could have-" He started again at the commotions on screen, they had halted the moment he stopped doing anything. Maybe this wasn't as far-fetched as he thought? "I think that was me, Twilight."

"You!? But-how?"

"I think I can control some things on my PS4 controller, im not 100% sure, but it would explained what just happened." Spike then got an idea, probably a bad idea, but one nonetheless. "Only one way to find out!" He declared, and he pressed the button on the controller closest to the direction of the screen.

Twilight then lunged forward at Discord, in attack, but missed narrowly. 

Discord started backing up from the alicorn princess. "Now, Twilight, come on, I didn't mean any harm here." He croaked. He had been threatened to be turned into stone before, but physically maimed? not quite as much.

"Believe me, as much as I want to hit you right now, I would never actually do it. That wasn't me." 

Spike laughed at what he had just made Twilight do, and by the looks the mane 6 and Discord were wearing, let Spike know they could hear his amusement. Now totally sure he not only has some control of his friends actions, but had caused the little scuffle earlier. His laugh died down, as the guilt started to wash over him. He hadn't meant to hurt anypony. "Well, that settles it guys, that was me that made you do those things earlier, i'm sorry. I was just trying to find a way to help you all, that maybe there was a 'go back to Equestria' option or.. something."

"Spike don't touch anything else!" Twilight screeched. 

Suddenly, intense and frightening orchestral-like music started playing, The Mane 6 looked around Frantically, even Discord had no idea where this ominous music was coming from. "Oh-Oh." Pinkie Pie Fretted, her whole body shaking.

"What is it Pinkie, is this one of your Pinkie Senses?" Twilight Questioned.

"Yes, remember when I said there was a really big doozy about to happen at Froggy Bottom Bogg?"

Twilight mentally groaned, how could she forget? she had never quite come to understand the Pinkie sense, but at least this time their was no doubt that she believed it. Twilight visibly became uneasy recalling the events, "Is this...another doozy?" Twilight asked, nervously.

"You Betcha!"

"Spikey-Wikey, where is this music coming from?" Rarity Questioned.

"This isn't good, this is combat music! from what I remember about the games i've played with Button Mash, It only appears when there is enemies nearby!" He stuttered.

Applejack looked around frantically, putting herself in a power stance to give her a steady advantage on whoever or whatever was coming. "But ah' don't see anypony, or any enemies?!" She declared.

"YOU NEVER DO! At least not until they're already on you!" Rainbow chimed in, preparing herself as well for attack. However the oddest thing happened, instead of an enemy appearing, the image before Spike went black, and all he could hear from his friends before the loading screen came, were their sounds of struggle, and then, silence.
> And so, the game begins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The mares and draconequus stirred, each of them waking up at the same time to the sound of a carts wheels beating against the rough terrain, and hoofsteps of the ponies assumed to be puling it. Once their eyesight had adjusted to the blinding light they realised they were in this cart, sitting merely inches across from one another, and there appeared to be other ponies there too. They blinked a few times, and looked at their surroundings, shooting each other looks, as if asking if they knew what happened or where they were. Rarity went to rub her temple with her left hoof, only to find her other hoof came with it. They were all bound and chained at the neck. Twilight, Fluttershy, Discord, and Rainbows wings were bound as well. Rarity and Twilights horns were wrapped in a cloth that felt damp and heavy, Discord didn't appear to have any magical restraints. If any of them had something to say, they couldn't find their voice. 

"Guys! you're okay, thank Celestia." Spikes voice could be heard, evident with relief.

"Spike, where the hay are we?" Applejack asked in a raspy, tired voice, looking to the sky as if she might see him there.

"I don't know, i've never played this before, I can only use one of you to look around at the moment, I don't have any control over anything else right now. Pretty sure this might be the intro in that case."

"Hey, you, glad to see you're all finally awake." A dark blue earth stallion spoke to the group. He had a blonde mane up to his shoulders, two braids at each side of his face, and facial hair that implied he hadn't kept properly groomed for a month. If he had a cutie mark they couldn't see it, as he was adorned in chain mail and a blue cloth that wraped around the quilted armor underneath it, with leather belts fastening around the torso. "You were all trying to cross the boarder right? walked right into Celestias Imperial ambush. Same as us, and that thief over there."

"Damn you Stormcloaks." snapped the light brown stallion of whom the earth mare was referring to. He was a pegasus, wings bound as well, like all pegasus in the cart with them, and the two other carts ahead and behind their own. Although his face was bare of any facial hair, he looked even more unkempt than the other, head to hoof in rags and his dark brown mane sleek with natural oil. "Skyrim was fine until you came along, The Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn't been looking for you, I would have stolen some supplies and been half way to Hoofell by now." He sneered, and looked at the unique group in front of him. "We shouldn't be here, its these Stormcloaks the empire wants." They glared at each other for a short while, an edge in their eyes.

"You have NO idea." Said Twilight, and she turned to glare at Discord, who was looking at his hands a bit dumbfounded. She hadn't seen him snapping his fingers with no results.

"We're all brothers and sisters in binds now, thief."

"Shut up back there!" One of the soldiers pulling the carts chimed in. He was a pegasus, And was dressed in steel armor that looked incredibly heavy.

Ignoring this the thief looked at the only pony that had a blood stained bag over their head in the cart, "Whats wrong with that one, huh?" The mane 6 followed his gaze. The pony looked like a pegasus, as the wings were bound as well. But what caught their attention most was her visible dark blue ethereal tail, which seemed to glitter as it defied gravity. surely that couldn't be-

"Watch your tongue!" The Earth stallion snapped. "You're speaking to Nightmare Moon, the true high queen of Skyrim!"

"NIGHTMARE MOON!" The girls gasped.

"This. Is. Awesome!" Spike stated through the console, his voice getting higher with every syllable. 

"Well what do you know," Discord grumbled, "She looks better with a bag over her head."

"Nightmare moon? Jarl of Windhelm? Sister of queen Celestia?" The thief said in disbelief before starting in a panic, catching on to the situation at hoof. "You're the leader of the rebellion, If they've captured you- oh gods, Celestia! Where are they taking us?!" 

"I don't know where we are going, but Sovengarde awaits." The now confirmed rebel, declared.

"Sovengarde?" Rarity asked aloud, With nothing better to do, and a little curious.

"Its a place i've read about in books, a legend really. Back in the medieval days of Equestria, it was believed that if you proved yourself in battle, you would go to this place in death, and you could, well, I guess with a lack of a way to put it, party to no end?" Twilight described. "It's an afterlife, essentially." Twilight would usually enjoy sharing her knowledge with anypony, but right now, she was tired, frustrated, and most certainly would have missed the train to Canterlot.

Pinkies jaw hung low, her eyes sparkled at the thought. "I no longer fear death." She gushed in a whisper.

Rainbow started to grunt and jerk, trying in vain to get the binds on her loose. Applejack, seeing her friends attempts, motioned with her head for Rainbow to lift her hooves up. When she did so, Applejack tried to naw at them with her teeth to get them loose, but that wasn't working either.

"WILL SOMEPONY GET US OUT OF HERE!?" Rarity screeched. "I SWEAR I'M LOSING MY HEAD OVER HERE!"

"No! This can't be happening! This isn't happening." The thief fretted, starting to hyperventilate.

"Hey," The Rebel pony said, in a soothing manner almost, "What village are you from, thief?"

The thief's voice quivered slightly, "Why do you care?"

"A ponies last thoughts, should be of home." The rebel said with solemn.

There was a thump in the carriage, which briefly jolted everyone on board. They were passing through a small stream, if they hadn't been in this situation, this would have been an enjoyable scenic ride. The mane 6 and even Discord remained silent, intrigued with the conversation happening before them. Twilight would even say she was proud of this stranger pony before her, for providing comfort to somepony he didn't even know, and dare she say... adding comfort for herself. It seemed her friends were feeling the same way, due to their more relaxed composure.

"Rorikstable. Im from Rorikstable" The thief said, visibly calmer, like he had found his happy place. 

An entrance came into view, a bridge above it manned by a guards stallion, The roof was made of wood and log, a great wall surrounding the entirety of the structure of what so far, appeared to be a small town. The ride became more bumpy due to the sudden switch of dirt to cobblestone. The cart passed a sign that read 'Helgen' pointing towards their headed destination.

"General Sining Armor, sir!" A soldier pulling the cart said as he made is way past a group of ponies, or at least 2 of them were ponies, the others looked different. They were... changelings, at least, what the changelings were before their reformation back in Equestria. No doubt about it, Black fur, holes like Swiss cheese, bug like wings. "The headspony is waiting!"

"Good, Lets get this over with." The Unicorn dressed in more finer armour than the others, stated with indifference, before turning back to the group of changelings. 

"MY BROTHER!" Twilight shouted. The girls gasped in delight. surely they had found someone to save them from whatever fate lay ahead of them. "Wait, did they say headspony? But that means-" Twilight had only just processed the meaning of the word and interaction. "Shining! Shining its me! your sister, Twilight and the rest of us! You have to help us, this is a mistake!" If General Shining heard her, he didn't show it. The girls watched on as they drew further away from Twilights brother, their hopes dashed. Discords ears had flattened as well. which didn't go unnoticed by Twilight. "Why is he so concerned, he could just get us out of hear if he just came to his senses!" Twilight mentally accused, in anger

The thief had come to the same realisation as Twilight it would seem, as he too started to ramble incoherent sentences in fear. "Divines! Celestia! Please help me!" He pleaded.

Discord snickered at the thief, and nudged Rarity, who was sitting to the left of him, "Finally, somepony who might be more Dramatic than you." 

Rarity scowled.

"So, Shining Armor is the general in this," Spike could be heard exclaiming. "I...dont think he can hear you Twilight. Or maybe he can? i'm not sure."

Fluttershy, on Discords right side, leaned into him for comfort, which put him in distress, he knew how scared she was. "Its just a game, my dear." He whispered, "I won't let anything happen to you, I swear it." Fluttershy believed him, and couldn't help but feel more safe, and still, she whimpered, pushing her face slightly further into his side. It was a lot warmer than this crisp cold air coming in from the mountains, visible from their position. As her eyes were off him, she didn't notice him look at his paw and claw, visibly miserable.  

"Look at him," the rebel nodded towards Twilights brother. "General Shining, the military governor. And it looks like the Changelings are with him." He shook his head. "Damn parasites, I bet they have something to do with this." The last cart made it's way through the gates, and they closed behind it. "This is Helgen, I used to be sweet on a mare from here, I wonder if Berry Brew is still making that mead with juniper berries mixed in. Funny, when I was a colt the celestial imperial walls made me feel so safe."

A young earth colt, with brown fur and a two-toned orange mane and tail, was watching from the deck of his small home, "Who are they Daddy? Where are they going?" He questioned curiously. A larger Earth stallion, who was leaning on the rails beside him, straightened up. 

"You need to go inside, Button."

"Why? I wanna watch the soldiers."

"Inside the house. Now." The presumed father ushered him along, and the colt reluctantly followed.

The cart finally came to a halt in front of a wall, much to the mane 6 and thief's confusion. “Wait,” said the pegasus thief, panicking, “Why are we stopping?”

“Why do you think?” asked the rebel rhetorically, as if it should be obvious, “End of the line.”

The girls and Discord drew in a sharp breath and a few nervous swallows. It didn't go unnoticed by them that there was a chopping block in front of a large tower to the left of them, and they were almost 100% sure it wasn't used for chopping vegetables.

"Hey, Rarity! You were right! We ARE going to lose our heads!" Pinkie laughed. Not only were the girls dumbfounded at Pinkie, so was Discord. She was clearly not taking the situation they were in seriously.

All of the prisoners hopped off the cart. “The Imperials love their damn lists,” said the Rebel. There was a light orange Pegasus and a yellow pegasus. The orange Pegasus was wearing steel armor, His mane was a a dark hue of blue, with the eyes to match. The yellow pegasus had a yellow and orange mane, spiked and fashioned into a mohawk, She was wearing a mixture os steel, and leather armor, it looked as though she had a higher status. Her amber eyes locked with the orange ponies own, urging him to proceed. The pegasus looked down at his list, then back up at Nightmare Moon.

“Jarl Nightmare Moon of Windhelm,” he called. Nightmare Moon stepped forward and turned left toward the group of prisoners that had already been checked off.

“It’s been an honour, Jarl Nightmare,” the Earth pony said with a small crack in his tone, showing he truly was nervous himself. 

"Mane Moon, of Rorikstable!" The now named pegasus they had shared a cart with lurched forward in distress. “No! I’m not a rebel! You can’t do this!” and he suddenly galloped past the imperial soldiers, "You can't kill me!" He taunted, making it halfway down the villages road.

"ARCHERS!" The yellow pegasus yelled, and a group of pegasi from above and earth ponies from below drew their bows, and at her command they released their arrows into the pegasus. 

The mane 6 and Discords mouths dropped. Applejacks heart sunk to her stomach, Fluttershy felt the ground sway beneath her hooves, and Rarity actually fainted. "SPIKE, I THOUGHT THIS WAS A PG GAME!" Twilight shouted in distress. She did not receive a response because unbeknownst to her, Spike, having witnessed this himself had sunk his face into the pillows of the couch in fright. For a game it had incredible graphics, and it was easy to see the blood splatter under the fallen pegasus.

"Anypony else feel like running?" The commander of the archers asked rhetorically. The mane 6 and Discord shook their heads in response, though it wasn't needed. 

"Hey Everypony, im sorry ta bring this up and all, but remember when we first got here, and Rainbow socked me in the jaw?" Applejack queried. Everypony nodded their heads, wondering what her point was.

"Really, you're gonna bring this up now?!" Rainbow rasped. 

"What im tryin ta say is that it HURT!"

"I said I was sorry!"

"Gosh darn, Rainbow, Everypony, what im trying to say, is if THAT hurt, then who's to say getting our heads chopped off is gonna be a walk in the orchards?!" The realisation dawned on them of what she was implying. Fluttershy stumbled, but Discord caught her with his body and helped her regain balance. 

"Discord! You need to get us out of here!" Twilight frantically pleaded. She had no anger in this moment, just fear. "Or Spike, whoever, I don't care!"

"This isn't fun anymore!" Pinkie wailed, bursting into tears.

Discord knew the situation was dire, and he snapped his paw. Nothing happened. "This couldn't be happening, not right now, not to my friends, not to me... not to Fluttershy." He thought to himself. Spike, back in Equestria, was also frantically smashing buttons again, which caused Rainbow to lunge forward and bump into the orange Pegasus soldier. 

"You there! all of you, Step forward." He commanded. They all did so, aside from Rarity, who was still unconscious on the ground. “Who… are you?” He asked them. There was a moments pause, and a bar appeared below and above the lot of them, each with their names written on the bar below. On the bar above it read;
 Race    Body     Head    Face     Eyes    Brow    mouth    Hair


Twilight looked above her, and saw this. "What in Equestria?" The others followed her gaze and was left in equal bewilderment. There was a soft click, and the girls turned to look behind them and cringed at the sight. Discord was now in hysterics.

Rarity started to stir, and opened her eyes to see all her friends standing before the soldiers, and looking at her. She blinked a few times, "What are you all looking at?" She asked softly, curious, but she needn't have wondered for long when she looked up and Shrieked. Her hair was now a ghastly green, fashioned into a bundle of braids that had absolutely no correlation. "Getting my head cut off doesn't seem like such a problem anymore!"

Disembodied laughter could be heard all around them. "Spike! What are ya doin? Whats goin' on now?" Applejack looked around sternly, hoping that Spike, from wherever he was, could see the utter seriousness in her tone and eyes.

"It's creation mode, I can make all kinds of changes on you." Another Click came, and Applejack turned into a stallion, looking much like her brother, only with her own unique features such as her cutie mark and colour. Discord was now on the floor at this, laughing along with Spike. Another click came, and Fluttershy was suddenly a Bat Pony. She drew in a gasp and pulled her hoof to her mouth to hide her fangs, forgetting she was bound and losing her balance. This was not something she was fond of, as it brought back old memories of when she had turned into that nasty Flutterbat. 

Discord couldn't help but fawn over her new appearance, "I must say, My dear, that look is quite becoming on you." He purred.

"DO ME! DO ME!" Pinkie squealed. jumping up and down in place, the chains around her neck clattering together in the process.

Twilight put her back hoof down. "NO, Pinkie! Spike change us back to the way we were, RIGHT NOW! THIS IS SERIOUS!" 

"Okay, okay, jeesh." Another few clicks rang out and Everypony seemed to be back to their normal selves, Rarity held onto her mane as if it would fall of her head, sighing with relief. Another box appeared, "Do you want to rename your characters?" The "Yes" below it was highlighted. "Spike..." Twilight warned.

It switched over to no.

"Hm," The soldier spoke again, slowly. "Twilight, Rarity, Pinkamena, Fluttershy, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Discord." He looked over to the yellow pegasus, flipping the papers of his lists down again. "Captain Spitfire, What do we do? They're not on the list.

“Forget the list,” captain Spitfire said. “They go to the block.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said the soldier, giving a small salute. He looked at the unusual group one last time with an apologetic gaze. “I’m truly sorry. At least it’ll all be over quick,” he said solemnly. “Follow the captain here.” 

They made their way over involuntarily to the now fairly large group of prisoners, awaiting their fate by the block. Shining Armor faced Nightmare Moon, her bag now off her head, cloth wrapped around her horn in what can only be assumed to have anti magic cast upon it. 

Nightmare didn't seem to waver under the generals stare. “Nightmare Moon,” Shining affirmed. His voice was raspy, and held confidence. “Some ponies in Helgen may call you a hero. But a hero doesn’t use a power like the Voice to attempt to murder the Queen, and plunge Skyrim into eternal night,” he said, narrowing his eyes at the ethereal alicorn. Nightmare Moon said nothing. “You started this war! You plunged Skyrim into chaos, and now the empire is going to put you down, and restore the peace!” 

A strange thunder was heard in the distance.

"I'm surprised ya still have an appetite." Said Applejack, thinking it was Spikes stomach.

"Huh? That wasn't me."

"Yes, General Shining." Captain Spitfire looked over at the executioner, a unicorn from what they could see, as only a horn protruded from their black hood. "Give them their last rights." She said to an elegantly dressed earth mare. The mare started to speak their last rights.

"As we commend  your souls, let the blessings of the eight divines and Celestia be upon you-"

"For the love of Luna - Lets get on with it!" A unicorn rebel demanded, interrupting the priestess, and walking over to the block, head held high, bravely. 

The priestess glared at the unicorn stallion, insulted, "As you wish.."

Captain Spitfire pressed the unicorns head against the block. "Come on! I haven't got all morning. Does Celestia even know you are doing this to the ponies of Skyrim?" The unicorn questioned angrily. 

Everpony ignored this. The executioner held an axe high, it glinted in the sunlight. The mane 6 couldn't bare to look, and turned away from the sight. The axe came down and easily sliced a clean cut through the stallions neck, the sound of bones cracking. 

"YOU IMPERIAL BASTARDS!" Sompony yelled from the crowd.

"JUSTICE!" another onlooker shouted.

"As fearless in death, as he was in life.." The earth stallion they shared a cart with stated solemnly. 

Captain Spitfires gaze returned to the prisoners. "Next, the Rainbow pagasus!" 

The strange thunder came again, and a few soldiers commented on it. Captain Spitfire dismissed this. "I said, next prisoner!"

"To the block prisoner, nice and easy." The orange pegasus guard requested, softly.

"Huh-What?" Rainbow couldn't control her own hooves, they moved forward to the stone slab adjacent to the rest of them. Her Head was pushed against the slab, with Captain Spitfires assistance. Rainbow Dash could hear the protests of her friends, but it seemed it all fell on death ears. For a game it all felt so real, the blood from the previous fallen pony was warm, Rainbow could swear she smelt the copper aroma coming from it, and it took all her strength not to gag at the unicorns head in the basket before her. This was all too real. She made a last attempt to wriggle her way out of the binds. "DO SOMETHING DIP-CORD!"

Fluttershy watched her best friend since she was a filly wriggle in vain, this was on par with the demise of Moon Mane she witnessed only moments earlier, as one of the most frightening things she had experienced in her life. Not even the dangers back in Equestria had ever truly seemed life threatening, and those that did were far and few. "Discord! Please!" She begged.

"Ugh guys, you don't think that.. if you die in this game you die in real life, do you?" Spike asked, he sounded like he was welling up with tears, but no pony could be sure, being that he wasn't visible to them.

"Thanks for that pleasant thought!" Rarity sarcastically replied.

A distressed Pinkie Pie called out to Rainbow Dash, "If you go to that sovengarde place can you save me a cupcake, surely a party afterlife has cupcakes..."

"NOT HELPING PINKIE!" 

Discord frantically snapped his paw, his tail, his eagle talon...nothing. He started sweating from the forehead. "Why isn't this working, what in Equestria is going on?" He tried harder, more force, gritting his teeth so hard his lone fang bit into his bottom lip, drawing a speckle of blood. "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?" Twilight shouted in a panic, not understanding Discord wasn't waiting for anything, he was simply failing the task at hoof.

Rainbow Dash swallowed nervously, from the corner of her eyes she could see the executioner make the same motion they used before the unicorn's untimely end. She shut her eyes tight, ready for what she would consider "A world of hurt." Even the voices of her friends were starting to become muffled, due to the blood rushing to her head, but she swears she made out the words "What in oblivion is that?!" The earth beneath her rumbled as if coming to life, a wind blew back the ominous cloaked unicorn, that was about to end her life. She looked up and saw to the top of the tower to her left, and saw..

"A DRAGON!?" Twilight cried. 

The dragon was black, with red eyes that looked like tiny fires on his much larger face. He was horned, he was HUGE, and he was NOT like any dragon the girls, nor Twilight had ever seen in Equestria before. Twilight took a step back instantly, and when she was able to do so, she realised she could move again, she rushed over to Rainbow Dash, who had been too busy staring up at the huge beast to move. "Rainbow Dash, we gotta go, NOW!" Twilight pulled at her bound wings, not focusing on freeing them, but rather moving Rainbow out of harms way.

The strange thunder came again, the source was not unknown anymore, it was the dragons doing. it was LOUD, and it had warped the skies in a swirling storm, electricity evident in the atmosphere. "Get the townsponies to safety!" General Shining called out. 

The rebel earth pony they had shared a cart with came over to them, crouching to stabilise himself. "Hey, get up! Come on, the gods won't give us another chance!" He had a small white arrow on his head. The girls didn't question this, and they didn't need to be told twice. "This way!" He instructed, running to the tower ahead of them. Discord followed in tow, as did the mane 6, well, as best they could with their hooves and wings bound. Discord was quite used to standing on two legs, but they eventually made it to the safety of the towers walls, along with Jarl Nightmare Moon and a few others. Rainbow Dash rubbed her neck, happy to have it still attached to her.

"Jarl Nightmare, what is that thing? Could the legends be true?" Asked the rebel, in disorientation.

Nightmare Moons restraints were no more. "Legends don't burn villages to the ground." She said in a regal tone, head held high. 

"How poetic." Rarity said dreamily.

Discord groaned, "Yes, yes, its all very nice, I've got one to. Roses are red, poison joke is blue, I think we should run, but I don't know about you!"

"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy chimed in distress, at the display of injured ponies occupying the tower. They were being tended too, lying in pools of blood. She made a mental note to cross this game of her 'to buy' list. This was definitely more violent than any game she had ever indulged in.

"We need to move, NOW!" Jarl Nightmare commanded. 

"Up the stairs!" Applejack cried. They all started ascending the spiralling staircase in the tower, a few of them stumbling up the steps due to their restraints. 

"What the hay were you doing Discord? Why didn't you snap us out of this mess?" Twilight cried, helping Applejack, who tripped a little on the 5th step, find her hoofing again. 

Discord looked at her with low spirits, as they slowly made it halfway up. "Twilight I-" 

A huge blast cut him off, knocking a few of the ponies down. Twilight lost her balance and was about to fall from the staircase. Thinking quickly Pinkie and Rarity caught her by her binds with their teeth, pulling her back up to safety, or at least what they thought was safety, as when they turned around the dragons face was merely inches from the group. Its breath created a gush of wind which pushed their manes back easily.

"WATCH OUT!" Spike warned.

"DUCK!" Rarity cried.

"Ducks? Where?!" Asked Pinkie, looking around the tower, "I don't see any-"

Rainbow Dash tackled Pinkie to the ground just in time, as the dragon spat a large wall of flames into the tower. The heat singing a few wings. Rocks tumbled around them from the shaken building. The dragon then flew back and retreated, to cause more havoc on the village and its ponies. 

"I'm hot enough, thank you very much." Discord spat, putting out a small flame on his antler. He looked at the hole in the wall, their was a building adjacent to it, the roof had been reduced to ruble, and it seemed in leaping distance.

The rebel stallion made his way up to them, "See the inn on the other side? Jump through the roof and keep going! Go! We will follow when we can!"

"I figured as much already, jeesh." 

"Oh no, I am not jumping from here!" Rarity insisted, stubbornly. 

Spike grunted and held down the △ button on his Ponystation controller, whilst moving the joystick forwards. 

Rarity started to move forward with no control. "Spike, SPIKE! DON'T YOU DARE - AHHHHH!" Rarity shrieked as she involuntarily flung herself from the tower and onto the roof, "OOF!" She grunted, Landing with only a small thud. She got up and from the wooden ruble, and groggily looked around.

"Rarity! are you okay?!" Twilight shouted. 

"Yes, i'm... fine. A little warning next time Spike, if you don't mind." She sneered.

"Sorry Rarity, I panicked." Spike added meekly.

Pinkie Pie did a gallop up to the broken wall, surprisingly fast for somepony who had two hooves tied together. "WEEEEE!" She cried out in delight, as she jumped onto the ruined Inn, joining Rarity, who had to quickly move out of the ecstatic mares way. "It's not that bad! Kinda fun actually, like skydiving without a parachute!"

"Okay Everypony, on the count to three, we jump!" Applejack commanded. Everypony lined up at the wall and swallowed some deep breaths. 

Fluttershy whimpered, shaking as she looked down at their destination. It was still too incredibly far down for her liking. "Umm... can we at least count to ten?" 

Rainbow Dash and Applejack sighed, "Alright on the count to ten." Rainbow Dash said.

"One." Applejack started.

"Two." Twilight continued.

"TEN!" Discord shouted, and he lunged himself into the mares backsides, pushing them all out of the tower, where they fortunately landed on the building with no harm. Discord then jumped himself, landing a lot less hard than the majority of them. "Okay, now thats out of the way, LETS GO!" 

Discord led the way, coming to a hole in the floor, wood burned all around the, Rainbow Dash started to cough and splutter from the fumes. With a great leap Discord jumped to the ground below, the others hesitantly followed suit. He dashed outside, but stopped when he noticed the others had come to a halt. "This is no time to horse around! Pun not intended.. Move!"

The girls looked at him in disbelief. "Back out there?!" Rarity cried.

"ARE YOU CA-RAZY?!" Pinkie asked rhetorically. Twilight, with a look of determination on her face, didn't question Discord. She followed him outside and into the chaos, and surprisingly, the most unlikely of ponies followed behind her, Fluttershy. The rest reluctantly joined.

The Orange Pegasus soldier pulled a young colt from harms way, as another building collapsed under the weight of fallen stone and flames. "Short Round! Get out of here, NOW!" He shouted. The little colt ran and ducked under some fallen debris. "That a boy! You're doing great" The soldier praised. "Everypony get back!"

The soldier turned to the mane 6 and Discord. "Still alive prisoners? Keep close to me if you want to stay that way."

"He makes ah convincin' argument." Applejack said, and motioned for the others to follow her and the soldier. They all made their way through the crumbling village, now being led by the pegasus, Pinkie ran through a small fire in the process of trying to keep up. 

"OUCH!" She cried out in pain, but pressed on with the others. A bar below her in red, started decreasing in colour. 

"Careful Pinkie!" Spike hollered.

"You alright sugar-cube?" 

"Yeah," Stated Pinkie, catching her breath. After a moment the bar below started increasing colour again. "After a few moments, it doesn't hurt at all!" Pinkie concluded.

"Stay close to the wall!" 

Discord skidded to a halt, obeying the soldier. He pushed the mane 6 to the wall with him, and loomed over Fluttershy, She blushed, for not only being so close, but for the mere fact that he would put himself in more danger, if it meant adding a little more protection to her. The Dragon landed on the wall above, his wings draping over, almost touching the mares. It didn't seem to see them. It breathed another round of intense heat and flame onto the landscape in front of the group. The soldier took of again, commanding them to keep up. 

"Its just a game. Its just a game. Its just a game.." Twilight muttered, repeatedly in a panic, trying to convince herself. 

"It's a scary game! it's a scary game! it's a scary game!" Squealed Pinkie Pie, joining in with Twilights rambles.

The townsponies and guards were fighting the dragon off, vigorously, and shouting all sorts of profanities. "Its you and me prisoners, stay close!" They all passed under a bridge, the dragon flying above them, more engaged with the other ponies than themselves. The pegasus soldiers, including captain Spit Fire, joined combat in the airspace. The soldier that had been leading them ran over to the doors of the building, by the end of the village. "Come on, all of you, into the keep! With me prisoners, lets go!" He motioned for them to come inside. "We've got to get out of here." The mane 6 and Discord followed, Applejack stood by the door, making sure Everypony got in safely before herself, and then she dashed inside too, slamming the door behind her. 





The image before Spike cut to a loading screen. He took this moment to release the breath that he didn't know he was holding. "WOAH, that, was intense." He looked to the ceiling. "Wish I was a big, strong, powerful dragon like that." he mumbled to himself. "Well.... maybe not AS scary."

A knock came at the castle doors. Spike eyed the door curiously, and dropped the controller on the couch. He made his way over to door, opening it only slightly and peering out the crack. Big Mac raised his eyebrow in confusion, it was guys night, surely he was expected, although late. So why was Spike being so cautious? "Big Mac, hey!" Spike opened the door fully to give Big Mac some room to come in, as he made his way through the door spike glanced outside looking left to right before shutting it again and heading back to the couch.

"Sorry i'm late, got a bit held up, hope ya didn't start without me." Big Mac stood behind the couch, and looked around the room. "Erm, Where's Discord?"

"Okay, Big Mac, don't freak out or anything, but," Spike drew in a long breath and started to speak rapidly, without taking a breath at all, "Theres this new game I got for guys night that features almost Everypony in Equestria except them and this made Discord and the girls a little disappointed so Discord hurled them all including your sister into it and it turns out I can control some of their movements and actions and- " Spike stopped and gasped for breath before continuing. "And then they got caught by Imperials and taken to Helgen where they were about to get their heads cut of and I had a thought and mentioned that maybe they could die in real life if they die in the game but i'm not 100% positive!" 

Big Mac noticed Spike going purple at the face from ranting without so much as a single stop for breath, well, more purple than his natural hue. He opened his mouth to try to get a word in, but the perturbed dragon piped up again.

"Then a pegasus DIED! And the Rainbow Dash was about to get her head cut off and then a big scary dragon attacked and they had to run away and-" Spike finally stopped his ramble when he caught Big Mac's overwhelmed expression. Spike sighed, "So, thats just about it..." There was a brief awkward moment of silence between them, when Spike motioned to the couch. "Soooo, you wanna play too? erm, i mean join?"

Big Mac stared at the screen, then to the PS4, and then back to Spike.

"Eeyup."
> Achievement unlocked! - Unbound - part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discord and the Mane 6 took a moment to catch their breath. They were in the dark keep of Helgen. Tall candelabras dotted the room. Beds were lined up neatly on either side of the walls, a small table and cupboards in the back, right corner.  The room shook from the commotion outside, small rocks and dust fell from the ceiling. 

"Was that really a Dragon? The bringers of the end times?" The pegasus soldier asked, in a croaked voice. "We must keep moving. Come here. Let me see if I can get those bindings off. Discord and the others made their way over to the soldier. He cut the ropes restricting them and untied their wings. Twilight, Rainbow and Fluttershy stretched their wings out, sighing with relief. Though they were only bound for a short time, it felt like forever. Discord rubbed his batwing, tenderly, grumbling all the while.

Rarity and Twilight, now with their hoofs free, ripped the damp cloth from their horns. Rarity stomped on hers and swivelled it further into the floor for good measure.

a smaller rumble was heard.

"He's really goin at it huh?" Applejack stated

"Actually that was my stomach this time," Spike admitted. "I'm gonna go get a quick snack, you want nachos?"

"Eeyup." 

Spike could be heard shuffling from the couch and making his way to the kitchen, a few pots and pans clanged about, and a small crash soon followed, which made Twilight cringe. She hoped that when she made it back, the castle wouldn't be in too much disarray. Well, if she made it back.

"Big Mac?!" Applejack queried.

"Eeyup!"

The mane 6 and Discord started murmuring to themselves happily, it seemed it was always nice to hear another friendly voice. One that wasn't screaming about Dragons, and about to cut their heads off. "Hi, Big Mac!" They all greeted in unison. 

Discord leaned against one of the keeps stone walls casually, "Was wondering when you'd show up ol' buddy ol' pal, sorry you missed out in joining us. Next time I'll see to it you tag along."

Big Mac shook his head vigorously, "Ah don't erm.. have much of ah problem with that." he nervously chuckled.

Applejack sighed, looking at the ground. "Don't suppose ya know how to get us outta ere?"

"Ee...Nope."

Twilight drew her attention to their saviour, "Hey, thanks for your help there, that was a close call. Whats your name?" Twilight asked the soldier. He said nothing. "Ummm, did you hear me?" Twilight asked again. Still nothing. Twilight frantically waved her hooves in the soldier's face, trying to get his attention. Twilight groaned and dragged her hoof down her face. "Rude.." She muttered. 

"OH HEY! Its Flash Sentry!" Pinkie squealed.

"Flash?" Twilight asked in confusion, he did look like Flash Sentry, but they hadn't seen his cutie mark through all the steel attire. But come to think of it, he sounded and looked an awful lot like him. "I think you're right, Pinkie. How did you know?"

"Says so right here!" Pinkie pointed her hoof to the chest of the soldier, which had a text seemingly hovering in mid-air, front and centre.


⊗ Talk
Flash Sentry


Discord cocked his head and made his way over to Flash. He waved his paw through the text, the paw just simply glided right through it as if it wasn't even there. Panicked, he quickly grabbed hold of Fluttershy, and she let out a small squeak at the sudden movement. He sighed in relief that he was still able to grasp and touch things, he wasn't fading away again like the time he tried to bury his chaotic nature, the day he hosted the tea party for Fluttershy. 

"Um, Discord.." 

Discord looked down at the startled Fluttershy in his arms. He quickly set her down carefully on the floor and turned away. As soon as he did so, he wished he hadn't, for some reason.

Flash Sentry finally spoke up again, "Take a look around," He suggested, "There should be plenty of gear to choose from. I'm going to see if I can find something for these burns." And with that, he turned around and started aimlessly pacing the room.

"Huh. He doesn't seem to have any burns." Pinkie Pie said, scratching her head with her hoof. "Oh hey! I don't either!" 

Rainbow ignored Pinkie, who was now moving around in circles, inspecting herself. "Is it just me or does Flash seem a bit slow?" Rainbow snickered.

Twilight scowled but held her tongue. Flash Sentry was the best of the best when it came to his work in the royal guard, aside from her brother. Her face was becoming red hot, resembling a bright fire ruby. This didn't go unnoticed by Rarity.

"Darling, pay no mind to them, and their uncouth comments." Rarity whispered to Twilight. Rarity had definitely started to see the way Twilight admired Flash Sentry, every time they seemed to run into him, which had become less frequent these days as her new teaching duties made their work correlate less. She knew she had been so looking forward to seeing him at the Summer Sun Celebration.

Discord made his way over to one of the weaponry racks on the wall, there were two simple iron swords hanging from the frame. He picked it up and inspected it closely with one eye, clasping both ends on either side of his paw and eagle talon. Rainbow flew over to the same rack and picked up another, exactly like the one Discord was holding. "Awww Yeaaa-UGH!" Rainbow was pulled to the ground under the weight of the sword.

Discord shook his head. "I wouldn't be changing your name to Rainbow Slash anytime soon." He sighed. 

Pinkie and Fluttershy made their way to one of the chests on the right side of the chamber, that had the same distinct white arrow they had witness hovering over Flash Sentry, outside. 


⊗ Search
Warden's Chest


Pinkie took a quick glance at her hoof, shrugged and placed it on the circular symbol marked with an 'x' the chest made a metallic click and opened, instead of finding anything in the chest itself, a drop box appeared.


Imperial Light Armour (2) 
Iron Sword (2)
Imperial Light Boots (2)
Helgen Keep Key
Saddlebags (6)


"Ooooh!" Pinkie gushed in delight. The Mares selected their share of the bounty. Fluttershy and Pinkie both did a small jump when they looked down on themselves, to find they had both suddenly adorned the clothing and weapons. Simple iron swords at their sides, their protective gear a light brown leather, chainmail shoulder pads at both their sides. It appeared to also be studded at the skirts with some type of metal, maybe iron, it looked too dull for steel.

"Hey, Everypony! I found our saddlebags, they must have been taken by those soldiers!" Pinkie passed them around to their respective owners, then buried her head in her own bag, "Huh? I swear I packed more than this! Wheres the confetti? The streamers! The Party cannon?!" She withdrew her head and turned her saddlebag over, giving it a good shake. Nothing came out. 

Rainbow sat up from the floor. "How did you even fit your party cannon in there?! Ah- Nevermind... I don't want to know." 

The mares did a collective sigh.

"I still have my camera.. for some reason?" Twilight confirmed.

"Mine doesn't have any of my things in it either! did any of you find a sewing needle and thread in those chests?" Rarity asked as she made her way over to one of the many bannisters that littered the room. "These tapestries are the only divine pieces of fabric in this here room, and I can't bear to leave them in such a state." She whined. 

Rarity looked around the room to see if she got an answer, but all she was met with were eye rolls and groans. She then noticed the new looks Pinkie and Fluttershy were sporting. She was in astonishment. "If only I could change as fast as that!" She looked over the mares new attire again and gagged, "THIS COUTURE IS DREADFUL! Out of all the things that brute of a dragon was burning, it should have been THAT!" Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie cocked their eyebrows at the dramatics. "Keep it away! Keep it away, I say!" Rarity hissed, backing up from them.

The others, wanting to give the fashionista some 'cool down space,' left Rarity to hyperventilate while they searched the room for more items. unfortunately, there were no more weapons or nor armour for Twilight, Applejack, or Rarity. Twilight shrugged, "at least both Rarity and myself still have our magic, and Applejack has her brute strength, Discord should have no issue, speaking of which." She turned to Discord and cleared her throat.

Discord was giving his sword a few swings, humming a tune, when he heard Twilights not so subtle demand for his attention. The room went silent, all eyes were on him. They didn't say or ask anything, they didn't have to, he knew what they wanted to know. Discord tapped his claw on the handle of his sword nervously. "So, I can presume you're all wondering...about... all that." They Said nothing, their stern gaze was enough confirmation. Discord sighed, his ears dropped back, and he drooped his head down in such a way, the mane 6 realised that this was a sincere display. "I can't seem to get us out of here."

The girls were so surprised by this, they couldn't even find their voice, a small gasp was all that managed to escape their lips. Fluttershy slowly made her way over to Discord and put his hoof on his paw. "Discord, are you- is this the truth?" She asked softly, urging him to be open and upfront.

"I tried, and tried, I swear to you. I don't know how this managed to happen and I don't know how to fix this. It just doesn't make sense, and not in the good kind of way!" He shouted, Fluttershy slightly flinched, it was clear he was starting to get frustrated, 

The room shook once more, the roar of the dragon could be heard, more dust fell, landing on their manes, much to Rarity's dismay. Pinkie Pie shrank to her hooves, "I think we better get going, we've kinda lost track of the task at hoof." 

"Let's keep moving! That thing is still out there." Flash Sentry commanded. The group had almost forgotten he was there.

"HEY! Thats what I said!

Rainbow Dash scoffed, "You got lucky Discord, Saved by the Dragon... again." 

"Alrighty Y'all, we will ave' plenty of time ta figure this out later, right now- "  some battle cries were heard from outside, and what sounded like a collapse of rock and roof from deeper in the keep, echoed through the tunnels. Applejack Shuddered, "ah don't think this is tha time or place."

Flash made his way over to the end of the chamber and pulled a rusted metal chain, indented in the wall, the cage that separated them from the rest of the keep, lifted to grant access. Flash carelessly rushed off into the next room, the group tailed behind him. Pinkie slammed into the wall, just missing the tunnel.

"NOPE, sorry Pinkie." Big Mac, back in Equestria cringed.

Pinkie peeled herself off the wall, her light blue eyes rolled around in her their sockets, and unsteadily made her way through the corridor. "Pffft, don't even worry about it Big Mac, I'm Okie dokie lokie! But maybeee you should let me handle my own hooves... or at least wait for Spike."





They made their way to the next room but stopped before turning the corner, they heard voices. 

"We need to get moving, that dragon is tearing up the whole keep!" Came one of the voices.

"Just give me a minute... I'm out of breath."

Flash Sentry took a side glance to Twilight, "Hear that? Stormcloaks, maybe we can reason with them."

Twilight nodded, and slowly crept her way through, giving herself a much needed mental pep talk. "Okay, this is should be simple enough, princess of friendship just making more friends." 

The all too familiar threatening music played as soon as she stepped foot into the small room.

"YOU WON'T TAKE US ALIVE!" The storm cloaks whinnied and charged at the alicorn princess and her party.

Twilights first reaction was to shield herself with her wings, though it wouldn't do her much help. "TWILIGHT!" Her friends shouted in blind panic. A loud clang of metal echoed through the keep, as Discords and Flash Sentry's swords met the ones of the rebels. One of the unicorn rebels had more of an uperhoof, as he was able to levitate his own weapon and attack at a further distance. 

Discord let out a predatory roar as the unicorns sword made contact with his shoulder. He stumbled backwards, a bar made an appearance below him, red, like the one Pinkie had seen on herself when she ran through the flames outside. This one too started to decrease in colour. The unicorns sword was now not only encased in a purple aura but the blood splatter of the wounded draconequus. 

Fluttershy let out a shrill scream and rushed towards her fallen friend. "DISCORD!" 

Discord gritted his teeth through the pain, this was the first time he had been hurt in this virtual world, if he hadn't understood the girls' fright before, he could definitely understand now. "I'm okay Fluttershy, get back!" He demanded, and swiftly moved her to the side with his tail, from the coming onslaught.

Rainbow Dash didn't have any trouble this time lifting her sword, it was amazing what adrenaline can do. With her own unique battle-cry, she charged into the battle, grunting as she tried to disarm their opponents. She didn't wish to seriously harm anypony, she specialised in hoof to hoof combat if anything, never to cause anything more than unconsciousness. 

"NOPE! NOPE! NOPE! NOPE!" Bic Mac cried. He frantically mashed the buttons on the Ponystation controller, which made Applejack lunge forward at the unicorn rebel. 

She managed to knock him back, making him stagger slightly. Although surprised at her actions, she gathered herself again. "Alright Big Mac, whatever it was you did, do it again!" She said as she readied herself again, determination written on her face in high definition. 

Big Mac didn't need good graphics to see she was ready to take these rebels down. Repeating his prior actions Applejack swiftly moved again to the unicorn rebel, who was starting to get back up again, this time she bucked the unicorn so hard he fell backwards with a bloodcurdling cry and didn't get back up again. 

Applejack breathed heavily, Discord, Rainbow and Flash taking care of two other rebels behind her. She poked the lifeless unicorn on the stone floor, praying for some movement. He was still, lying in a pool of blood that felt warm to the touch. Her breath quickened, as she frantically tried to wipe the blood from her hooves, smearing it more so on the ground before her. Tears started welling up in her eyes. 

Not even the sounds of iron and steel crashing together could drown out the sobs of Fluttershy, though. She was being held back by Rarity from running to Discords aid and being comforted by Rarity. Rainbow Dash looked around frantically for Twilight, she was still in the middle of the room, Rainbow rushed to her in an attempt to pull her from the commotion.

Discord withdrew briefly from the battle, a sudden thought occurring,"Why am I doing this? I can just use magic, sure I might not have been able to get us out of here, but that doesn't mean that I, the lord of chaos, doesn't have any at all!" He laughed to himself, how could he have forgotten for a brief moment what HE was capable of. "Sure none of my magic worked before at all, maybe I did have some magical restraints I hadn't noticed? Yes! That must be it." Discord looked to his sword and tossed it aside with confidence. He chuckled darkly at the remaining rebels, "All right then, gentle colts, GAME ON!"

Discord snapped his paw and claw, they erupted in small, almost pitiful flames. He stared at the flames, deadpanned, "You've got to be kidding me..." 

Twilight was looking around the room frantically, trying to place a thought on what to do, should she let her friends handle this on her own? "No, I have to do something!" She concluded. 

Rainbow had just reached her when she left out again, her horn erupted in a purple aura, and she fired at the two standing enemies. 





Spike fumbled from the kitchen, "Okay Big Mac, I got nachos, homemade guacamole, one of them has emeralds in it, that's for me." He placed them on the crystal coffee table adjacent to the couch. "And I also got Quesadillas! Twilights afraid of them.. says they're too cheesy, so guys night is really the only time I can make them." 

Big Mac was too busy nervously biting his hooves to answer, not that he ever had too much to say anyway. Spike turned his attention back to his friends on the screen. "WOAH! What in the name of Celestia is going on now!?" He could see a brawl going on, blood splatter was everywhere, and a draconequus growling at his paw and eagle talon, alight with fire. 

Big Mac saw this too, "Discord! ya got yer magic back!"

Discord looked around, his face stopped when he came to directly face them through the screen. He somehow had a nat for knowing where to look, it was almost like he could still see through to Equestria.  Discord scoffed, "This isn't Magic! Pinkie Pies birthday candles have more flare than- THAN THIS!" 

Pinkie Pie shrugged, "It's true!"

"Sp-Spike." Applejack said through tears. She was standing over a lifeless unicorn from what Spike could see. 

"Applejack, are you okay?!"

"N-No Spike, I ain't okay. I just ended someponies life!" 

"Applejack, listen to me, please. Its just a game, these ponies aren't real." Spike assured, trying his best to comfort and console the broken mare.

"But it feels so... real, so so real." Applejack hung her head low and wiped her tears from her eyes that were now rolling down her face, dampening her fur. 

"You're the element of honesty, so tell me, do you think I would lie to you Applejack?"

Sniffing, she looked up to the stone ceiling above her, "You're right Spike," She gave a weak smile, "Though, I don't think I could get used ta this. Maybe one of ya can search some books to see if ya can find anything on this situation, Surely-"

"WHAT?! FLAMES? I didn't cast a fire spell!"

Twilights horn had a small fire on the tip, her hooves on the floor alight as well. Spike noted that It didn't appear to harm her, however, as her health bar didn't decrease in colour. "Spike! Whats happening now?" She asked in frustration. "Ugh what next?"

"Hang on Twilight, let me check! I think i stumbled on something while going through all the controllers' buttons when you first got there." Spike ushered Big Mac to scoot over for him on the couch, and pass him the Ponystation controller. Big Mac practically threw the PS4 controller at him, as if it were an apple he just found a worm in, hitting Spike in the head.

Spike rubbed his temple, scowling at Big Mac. He picked it up and pressed the ◎ button, A small menu, displayed like a compass almost, appeared. It had 4 options, in clockwork order; Level up, Items, Map and Magic. Spike chose the fourth, which opened to another drop box. As soon as he did so the fight ceased, as if the whole world they were in, had frozen in time. 

"Umm, Twilight. Looks like the only spell you can do is 'flames,' its a destruction spell." 

"ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME?!"

Spike shrunk back into the pillows of the sofa. "You don't know any other spells in this game Twilight, and your Magicka is only at level one! You have about.." Spike exited out of Magic and selected Skills, looking over the stats. "100/100 Magicka." 

"What does that mean?" 

Spike reached for the games case and opened it, to find the manual of the game. "That would have been helpful a long time ago..." Spike grumbled to himself.

"What was that Spike?"

"Nothing, nothing. Ah so, when you use a spell you use up these points, and when it decreases from 100 to 0, you won't be able to cast the spell anymore, until it regenerates. Kind of like energy I guess."

"Can someone unfreeze time over here! I'm not used to being still for this long!" Pinkie demanded, she was getting a little agitated and fidgety.  

Spike exited the menu, and the battle resumed. 





"Here goes.." Twilight revved up on her hind legs and shot forth a feeble line of fire at the two remaining targets. They lit up like a hearths warming tree, only the light was caused by the fires of which consumed them. For a moment the rebels fought on vigorously, as if not understanding their predicament, but soon they dropped too, lifeless. 

Flash sheathed his sword as soon as the rebels fell, and the ominous battle music stopped. "Let me see if I can get that door open." He said, whilst making his way to the next iron gate, opening it. 

Twilight was just as shaken as Applejack, and for a moment thought she would collapse at her friends' hooves. With all the strength she could muster she shook it off, and followed Flash, who seemed completely unaffected by the massacre. She would have asked if her friends were okay, but she felt if she merely breathed, she would break right there, and she couldn't bare her friends to see her like that. Twilight knew she had to hold herself together for them.

Fluttershy ran to Discords side, wrapping her hooves around him. He stared blankly at the wall behind her as he held her there in his mismatched arms. The bar below him increased in colour again, and all evidence that he had ever been wounded ceased to exist. She remained there for a while, panting through sobs, not saying anything. 

Discord reluctantly and gently pushed her away. "We have to go, come on." He whispered, brushing her mane out of her eyes, a few strands sticking to her cheek thanks to the wet fur, subject from her tears. 

Pinkie pie lagged behind slightly and spied a broom. 


⊗ Take
Broom


"Meh." She shrugged, and took the broom, shoving it in her saddlebag. It seemed to fit just fine, it was like the bag was endless.

"Pinkie! Where'd you go?"

"Coming Rarity!"