Prologue: In love no matter what

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Prologue

When it all begins. Or ends, according to Discord

“Hurry up, we need to move faster” Spike shouted as he flew as fast as he could with his wings.

“I...am not...used to...running...like this” Discord shouted from the ground.

“Nooooope!!!!!!” Big Mac jumped into the air and fell to the ground.

The sounds from the bushes behind was were getting louder as the shouting approached, more blood thirsty than before.

Spike sworn quietly and swiftly changed trajectory of his flight and landed, helping Big Mac got up.

„Discord, how are you feeling ?” said Spike, still observing the bushes of Everfree around them.

Discord played with his beard. Even with his jokey attitude this situation was scaring him.

„We are still too close. Maybe I can cast some kind of protection spell but nothing more.”

Dragon clenched his head in panic

„You are joking, right ?”

Discord growled with irritation, his eyes glowed red

„It is not my fault that Twilight put this stupid spell on the Elements when they were reforming me. I can’t take them away even if I wanted to”

„But this is not Harmony, this Dark Harmony. It is Chaos, shouldn’t you be able to control it ?” Spike answered.

„That’s the point, I need Twilight to reverse that spell for this. Even omnipotent beings have limits”.

Spike chuckled

„Isn’t that an oxymoron or something ?”

Discord stuck his tongue out

„If anyone here is a moron, it is you. It was your idea to go camping out here.”

„Mine ? It was your idea all along !!!” Spike shouted back

„Was not !!!”

„Was too !!!”

„Was not !!!”

„Was-

GUYS !!!” screamed desperate Big Mac.

The draconequus and dragon looked at usually quiet stallion, surprised by his outburst.

Big Mac continued

„Stop this at once !!! Right now, we have to save the girls and this is most important. We need to stick together. We came so far and we cannot turn back now, when the girls are in danger. This is the moment YOU wanted so much, the chance to prove your love. You have to save them from this dark monsters. Discord, will you be able to destroy them if we reverse the spell put on the Elements ?”

Discord was so stunned by the speech of his friend that he only nodded and muttered

„Yep !”

Spike rubbed his spines

„ But we need Twilight to this and she is...”

„...not available at the moment”

Discord, Spike and Big Mac quickly pressed themselves to each other’s backs, assuming the battle stands as they watched a lavender alicorn emerging from the shadows of the forest.

She looked exactly like Twilight. Only difference was a darker colours of mane and eyes and a evil grin, wider than any smile that Twilight’s face ever showed.

„And she will stay gone, as long as I have a saying on the matter”. she grinned maliciously as the five other shadows walked from behind her. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity.

Rarity and Fluttershy walked two steps closer and looked at them directly in the eyes.

Spike felt his muscles tense as he looked into dark, cold eyes of a pony in front of him, not similar to the beautiful sapphire orbs he fell in love with. He could sense that Discord experienced the same by looking at Fluttershy.

They had to be somewhere there.

„So boys, this is the end of the line for you. Your desires will never meet reality” Rarity slowly brushed her mane with her hoof, causing few locks to fell loose. She looked at Spike smiling as the dragon was boiling with anger

„You will never see your precious loves again !!!” Fluttershy laughed and the rest of the group joined her.

They laughed until a sharp voice snapped

„SILENCE !!!”

The dark six looked at Discord, who was breathing heavily

„You think we are that shallow ?” he chuckled „ Maybe we were but now there is so much more to that. We won’t let you take our love and friendship away.”

„No matter where they are or how long will it take, we will free them and keep them safe from you !!!” added Spike

„We won’t give up on them in this world or next. For our friendship to survive and our families reunite” said Big Mac.

„Fluttershy...” whispered Discord

„Rarity...” Spike closed his eyes

„We are coming for you and the girls. And we will win you back, no matter the cost !!!” Discord and Spike shouted in unison.

„Yep !!!” Big Mac said, when the trio confronted the six ponies.

Twilight rolled her eyes and whispered

„We shall see...”

**************

Suddenly, the sign of „pause” appeared across the scene

Discord walked in front of the sign, looking at his another frozen self.

Then he turned around and smiled as he said

„Dear reader, if you are wondering why this story pictures something scary and action packed instead of some sappy, puppy eyed romantic comedy, the answer is that this is definitely not a beginning. And I hope it is also not the end cause in that case I have a problem. Me and Spike had committed a truly glorious screw-up and had a lot of fun in a way towards it. We never expected this to occur „ he waved at the frozen scene „ Anyway, with this remaining of my power I can show you what happened. Maybe you will be able to tell me something I don’t know. Or you just enjoy the adventures of a pair of lovesick fools and their friend. I don’t care. So, here it goes. See you earlier.”

He snapped his claws and the white consumed the entire world.

Opened hearts

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Chapter 1

Where we come up with a plan

Two weeks earlier...

Discord raised over Squizard’s body

„Any last words ? That will teach you not to mess with the Capitan Wuzz, the greatest archer of Spiketopia”

The paper cut-out villain laughed

„Don’t underestimate me, goat face. I am not done yet. Behold my Squid Spray of Ultimate Darkness”

The cloud of blackness exploded in Discord’s face. He quickly moved away as the dark clouds swirled around him. Squizard disappeared.

Discord shouted

„Garbunkle, where are you ? I can use some light here !”

„I am here ! But unfortunately I still didn’t find a way to remove this curse from level 17 and I can’t perform light spells” Spike said as he emerged from the clouds, supporting himself with his wand.

Discord facepalmed

„This is not good. Squizard it is on his way to Flutter...I mean Shutterfly. We have to stop him, but I cannot roll the dice for the aim in those clouds”

Spike crossed his arms

„I thought we were saving Shmarity this time, huh ?”

Discord ignored the question and kept wondering

„Maybe if you combine your abilities with Sir MacBiggun, your combined levels of experience will be able to reverse this curse.”

Spike beamed, forgetting about the “change” of the princesses.

“This might actually work. Where is he ?”

“ I didn’t see him for some time. We have to find him and quickly”

********************

“Sir MacBiggun, there you are “said tired Spike when after twenty minutes of wandering in the clouds, he spotted red unicorn in the amour “ we need you to...”

He stopped as he saw Big Mac staring at some photo.

“OH NO, NOT AGAIN !!! I AM DONE WITH THIS !!!” Spike turned around to see Discord as he raised his eagle claw, glowing with golden light, in the air.

The golden cracks spread around them and reality broke like a shattered glass, to reveal the main hall of Twilight’s Castle.

Discord snapped his claws and the photo teleported onto his lion paw.

It took five seconds for Big Mac, who was still staring dreamily into space, to acknowledge the photo was missing. He looked angrily at Discord.

Spike flew up to see the photo from behind Discord’s back. It pictured Big Mac and his marefriend, Sugar Belle, smiling at each other. They were in the orchard at Sweet Apple Acres and at the background, there was a beautiful setting sun.

Spike sighed, feeling sadness flooding him from the inside. He was happy for Big Mac but there was still this feeling...something was missing...

“Just peachy !” snarled Discord, examining the photo “ How lovely !”

Spike looked at draconequus in concern

“Discord, are you okay ?”

Lord of Chaos facepalmed once again and sighed

“Guys, I just realized something and it is something so stupid that it has to be true. Come on, we have to have some man talk” he said as he snapped his claws making them disappear.

They reappeared high upon the castle, sitting on the cloud facing Luna’s moon hovering over the city which was preparing to sleep.

Big Mac screamed as he noticed a set of wings on his back.

Discord grinned

“I need to enchant Spike and gave you this wings so you won’t fall through these clouds. I believe that this is the most pleasant way to enjoy the night, don’t you think ? Oh, and I suppose I could just enchant Big Mac as well... but where is the fun in that ?”

Big Mac happily examined his body as he spread his wings. Then he frowned and touched his head, giving Discord the puppy eyes.

Draconequus shook his head

“As much as I would like to turn you into an alicorn, I can’t do this. I heard that you dreamt about it, but I unfortunately this won’t happen. After Twilight became an alicorn, I found the concept of changing pony’s race quite amusing so I turned almost the entire population of Manehattan into the alicorns. They all wanted kingdoms, money and coronation so Tia was literally flooded with petitions. They even attempted to storm the castle. So after Celestia reversed the spell, she warned me that if I ever try it again, she will know. And she will lock me in an enchanted room where everything is in perfect distance from other elements, all furniture is from the catalogue, all the colours are matching and...books are alphabetized” the spirit of chaos shivered.

Spike raised an eyebrow

“”You have a trauma or something ?”

Discord glared at him with irritation

“A room like this is a death chamber to my kind. If I am locked for too long in a orderly environment, I get rid of chaos. And if I am getting rid of chaos, I rip out the essence of my being. But anyway, this is not why I wanted to talk to you”

He turned to Big Mac

“I wish I could say that I am sorry for being angry, but since I am not...BIG MAC, THIS CANNOT CONTINUE ! THIS IS A THIRD TIME THIS WEEK. THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE GUYS ONLY EVENT. ALL THE GIRLY STUFF SHOULD BE OUT. LOVE AND HUGS AND Affection a...and...” Discord was talking quitter and quitter

“So you felt it too ?” Spike asked

Discord raised his head.

“Felt ? Felt what ?”

Spike ignored him and turned to Big Mac

“Big Mac, this is not your fault and it never will be. But since you and Sugar Belle starting to date, I realized how lonely I am. And you showing affection...well, it didn’t help and...I felt jealous. I mean, I am trying to win my love for years and you enamoured Sugar Belle so fast...it is just...it suddenly seemed unfair”.

Big Mac narrowed his eyes and slowly said

“Yep...”

“SPHAGZRGHT” came from behind

Red stallion and a dragon looked at Discord, who was now turned back from them as he muttered something under his breath.

“What was that ?” asked Spike

“SPAIZRAIT” came another mumble

Spike flew closer to Discord

“Discord, I can’t quite hear you...”

“I SAID THAT SPIKE IS RIGHT. HAPPY ??!!” Discord yelled

Spike blinked and shook his head

“Right about what ?”

Discord stretched and said

“Remember our talk a few episodes ago, over the cake ?”

“Episodes ?”

Discord smirked and waved his paw.

The voice from nothingness said

„...Love like all things warm and fuzzy, isn’t real !

Then disembodied voice of Spike answered

„...You act tough, but deep down you are softy. I mean, it is not like you have a tea with Fluttershy every week because you like tea...

The voice faded in the night.

Discord glanced at Spike, conjuring the teacup out of thin air and taking a sip

„I really do love teas” he shifted uncomfortably „but since Big Mac started go all lovey-dovey with Sweetie Belle...I mean, Sugar Belle...well, I realized that I may care for Fluttershy even more...it is just too boring, this state of waiting in between”

He finished sipping his tea and threw the teacup behind his back, where it exploded in flames and confetti.

„Well, maybe this love thing is real after all. All this relations, back and forth, drama and excitement...this is one of the most powerful forms of chaos. And it is very tempting. So what I want to say is I don’t want to sit and watch anymore. I did it through a thousand years in stone. No, I was like this ever since the beginning of this universe. But now when I met Fluttershy I don’t want to just fabricate and watch. It is time to act”

Spike nodded as he played with a fragment of cloud.

„Same here. You know, I wish that everypony could see that I really want a true relationship. But nopony believes me cause I am so little. I may look like a baby but I am a teenager in pony years. With the molt behind me, I am an adolescent, not a baby.” he clenched his fists „I may be not big yet but I still can be kind, caring and dependable. But no one wants to give me this one chance to prove myself.”

He pointed at Discord

„Before you say anything, I want to show you that I know what it is when they say „you don’t have right to be in relationship because you are different from us”. I was abused and left behind, even by my own friends, and I was furious because of it. But I decided not to be driven by revenge because this is maturity. Be better than this. But I am a pony in a body of a dragon, something in between. So I think that it is time to do something about it”.

Discord’s face lightened up

„Am I thinking the same as you ?”

Spike smiled mischievously

„We will show them that we are worthy ! We will sweep them of their hooves and show our ladies that we really care about them. And all in this in style, together ! What do you say, Capitan Wuzz ?”

Discord put his hands together

„I am in as long as I will be able to twist this a little. A romance should be an adventure and what is the adventure without a bit of chaos ? Let’s do this, Garbunkle !”

They high fived and looked at Big Mac, who listened quietly to their conversation

„Big Mac, will you help us ?” asked Spike

Quiet earth pony bit his lower lip, thinking deeply

„You know, this is something that we need to do, just for sake of our pride.”Spike continued” I know that you already found happiness so I wouldn’t like to drag you into something that you don’t like. But still, we would like to do this together, as O&O gang. And, as already dating member, you could give us some advice. So what do you say ? You’re in ?”

There was a moment of silence. Then Big Mac smiled and said:

„Yep, I am”

The three friends smiled at each other and preformed their usual dance, changing a words only a little bit

„It’s guys night, oh yeah!!! In love now, oh yeah !!!”

What is our love ?

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Chapter 2

Where we debate of what to do

Discord snapped his claws once again and the group appeared in one of the usual locations of their meetings, the jazz club, sitting by the table in the middle.

The club was empty beside them but the quiet jazz music was playing on its own.

Discord got up and said

„Gentlemen, this is life changing moment. And because of that...” he snapped his claws and a tuxedo with a herb of chaos appeared on him” we have to have the professionalism.

Another snap and the whiteboard appeared in a flash along with a marker

Discord threw the marker to Spike, saying

„With my native professionalism, someone must do dirty...I mean, responsible task of writing down the suggestions”

Then turned to Big Mac

„As an already settled member, you have a right to make a first suggestion”

Red stallion thought for a minute and dictated

„ Maybe ya shall focus on what are ya likin’ in this galls, show them that ya care about who they are and appreciate what they are givin’ to the world ?”

Discord twirled his beard before muttering

„Not bad...”

Spike wrote on the board.

„1.Appreciation”

Discord grinned

„Well, I think I can begin...”

Suddenly, one of room’s wall disappeared and they saw Fluttershy covering animals to sleep and doing her last chores.

Discord turned back to stunned Spike and Big Mac.

„Before you ask, this is a real time projection. And she cannot see, hear and touch us.” draconequus explained.

Then he returned his attention back to yellow pegasus

„I actually saw many, many beautiful mares throughout my long life” he begin” I even tried to invite some to spread chaos with me. But nopony...no, no creature accepted me as I was. They either obeyed me cause they were scared or were forced by me. But there was never a sincerity in this, nor acceptance for my ways. And it seemed that it was fine that way...”

Fluttershy was sneaking up to her own bed and over a moment she was lying comfortably, breathing calmly.

Discord pulled his paw closer to him and the image zoomed in to Fluttershy’s sleeping face.

„But when I met Fluttershy, I realized...”the chaotic amalgamate continued” that there is that one chance for acceptance. She was so kind to forgive me for everything that ponies are mad at me. Yet, I still regret nothing. You see, I embody something that cannot be controlled by definition. But Fluttershy still likes me, even though she knows I am unpredictable. Sometimes, even I don’t know what I’ll do. But after my reformation, after this mess with Tirek, she still cared for me. And she still believed that I can change. And now, I feel that I may try. I don’t know if my doings were wrong. But the reason I think I love her, is that I can try to do this for her to be happy. I love her cause she helped me realize that there are still many things that I can be, even after such a long time. She is kind, and thanks to that, I can still feel the joy of changing the world to something new and unpredictable. She is the being I will fight for, cause she stood up for me so many times. And also, our relationship may not make sense to others, but this was to be expected since I am involved. But she made a storm of chaos in my heart and she still accepts me in the way I am. And that’s what I love and appreciate about her”.

Big Mac clapped his hooves while seating on a chair. Spike finished making notes

„Thank ya Discord, for this confession” said Big Mac "That was actually quite touching, especially coming from ya”.

Discord waved his paw and rolled his eyes

„Don’t get used to it” he grinned.

Spike nodded

„Yes, that was great. That was a wonderful confession and I am sure that Fluttershy will be more than happy when you show how much you appreciate those things in your relationship but...”

Discord slowly faced Spike, half of his face covered in shadows.

„Yeeeeeeeeesssssss ???”

Spike gestured to the real-life projection of sleeping Fluttershy

„Can you turn that off ? It is kind of creepy !”

Discord was taken aback as his head exploded into smoke

„Creepy ? I was just trying to fit into a spirit of confession !”

Then he looked at Spike and danced his eyebrows

„But now it is your turn. We are in this together, remember ?”

Spike’s eyes widened

“No, Discord, wait !...”

SNAP !

The projection changed. Now they were hovering near the Carousel Boutique. More specifically, near the bathroom’s window.

Spike’s heart was starting to beat faster and faster as he spotted a familiar silhouette behind the shower blinder. Even though Rarity was shielded by material, her shadow was clearly visible.

The water started running and the unicorn fashionista hummed merrily as she washed from her the worries and tensions of the day.

Spike felt that he could burst in flames at any moment. He started blushing madly as he watched as Rarity’s perfectly curled mane gives up to water and falls down into a thin but voluminous streaks, sticking to her neck in a seductive waterfall. Same as her tail, sticking to her perfectly curved-

Spike shook his head and glared at Discord angrily

“Stop tempting me!!! This is not why we are here !!!”

The spirit of chaos was now levitating in a cinema seat, eating popcorn and wearing 3D glasses.

“I thought that would be inspiring to you” he chuckled, chewing loudly, visibly enjoying the “spectacle” and Spike’s annoyance.

Spike was completely red at this point.

“This is a total invasion in privacy. I always dreamt of seeing Rarity like this but I want her to show it to me. I need to earn it and to have her permission”.

Discord rolled his eyes again

“Oh, you are no fun. And what will you do if I tell you that my glasses have an X ray vision ?”

Spike’s eyes lit up

“They have ?”

Then he facepalmed and growled

“Stop it !!! I am telling you, I can’t focus on the confession when sheeeee!!!” Spike’s heart did a flip, when Rarity reared her head back and her wet mane flipped from one side to another.

Big Mac coughed and stared at Discord intensely

Discord sighed and with a snap projection disappeared and the wall returned to its original place.

Spike blinked a few times, waking up from his fantasies.

“Thank you “ he said in a weird mixture of disappointment and relief “ So, as you could probably see, I really admire Rarity for her looks. I am not lying when I am saying that for me she is the most beautiful creature in the world. But besides that obvious style and flare, she is also kind, generous and fair with what she does. I may seem like a hopeless case, doing everything I can just to make her smile, but when she is happy, she radiates it around and the world is indeed a better place, not only for me, but for everypony. She is artist and can see beyond the surface of things. This reason was particularly important for me. Rarity perceives everything as unique and full of potential and I always felt that she alone saw me as Spike, not something between dragon and pony, just me. Regardless of her feelings, she was always open to me. I know she is a drama queen and sometimes can manipulate me into doing something. But I matured since my arrival to Ponyville and I am really doing this to help her and make her happy, not because she charms me into it. It would be nice to know if she can give me something in return though, I don’t want it to be one sided forever. That’s why I decided to put this scheme in motion. I am sure that Rarity thinks I am too childish for a potential relationship. But I can work hard and give her happiness. Helping her made me realize that there are small things in life that can make a difference when you care about someone. I know that I can make her happy, I just wish for her to see it. I love Rarity because she is generous and beautiful not only as a pony, but finds beauty and good in others. She is smart in her own right. And regardless of many ponies think, she is not shallow and superficial. I know her for some time and there are still new things about her that are just...wow. I mean, who would think that she can really rock with a guitar, that she can fight karate and is such a good detective ? Wow. Plus, sometimes she has really short fusion despite trying to be a proper lady and it is just too cute” Spike concluded.

Discord flipped the page in the book Freudian Analysis.

“Of course you like drama and panic attacks, why else would you hang up with Twilight during her craziness’ periods ?” his head turn to Twilight’s head which was grinning widely.

Spike raised a claw but then decided that Discord may actually have some point there.

“According to Freud, you may like Rarity because Twilight’s occasional tantrums and the fact that she is a unicorn”

Spike shrugged, unsure what to think.

“...and cause you have a subconscious desire to sleep with your foster mother, Twilight Velvet, and you projected this desire into a unicorn with a white coat.”

Spike chocked, hyperventilated and quickly grabbed the book from Discord’s grasp. He flipped the pages and yelled

“WHAT IN TARTARUS ?!!! WHAT IS THIS BOOK ?!!!”

“It is a work of a psychiatrist from another dimension, who talks about various traits that happen in subconciousness. It is a fascinating lecture, there is so much chaotic things going on underneath skulls, this is too rich. I borrowed it from my friend from another world, John DeLancie, during our monthly tea party. Quite interesting gentleman, I must introduce him to you someday. So Spike, what do you think about the book ?”

Spike expressed his opinion by taking a deep breath and burning book to ash.

Discord crossed his arms

„Now that wasn’t a nice thing to do”.

Big Mac looked like he wanted to say something but Spike silenced him with a glare

“Don’t ask. Believe me, it is better that way, that was some nightmare fuel. Now, with stating with absolute certainty that I don’t want to sleep with Twi’s mom, let’s move to the next part of our planning, shall we ?” the dragon muttered.

Discord looked at the clock, that was showing time backwards.

“Right. Point number two”

With a snap a new concept appeared on a board

“2. Expectations”

Spike tapped the table with his claws

“Well, I know that Rarity wants her partner to be kind, esteemed, refined, noble, to be high in social circles, loyal, caring, independent, willing to give her some space” he counted down “ She wants a prince from a fairytale...that’s why she fell for Blueblood so easily...”

He clenched his fists when he remembered how Rarity was treated on that particular Gala.

„I think that I am capable of giving her what she wants. I actually don’t know who are my parents or who they were...but I am almost like a son to Princess Celestia and over the years I befriended some of the Canterlot Elite...Fancypants for example. Sometimes he invites me to have a tea with himself and Fleur and we exchange stories from Canterlot and Ponyville.”

Big Mac gently patted Spike on the shoulder

„This is good Spike, if she needs anythin’ else in a relationship, we will discover it”.

Spike noded with determination his eyes

„As for myself, I want to work on this manipulation business. I would like Rarity to be honest with me, but I need to try to convince her that I am a good catch first. No more games, I will just prove my values to her. I want her to be happy and this is just it.”

Discord created a small tornado on his paw and swirled it playfully around the table

„Same goes for Fluttershy. I want her to see more things that my powers can offer. I can and want give her the most fulfilling life that mortal creature can have. Not so long time ago she told me that she likes me cause we are so different and that is something that will make a lot of space to do what I want to do”.

Spike smiled

„Now for a final ingredient, we need some outside opinion about things we have to overcome in our relationships”.

Discord face literally lit up

„Leave it to me”

A chart appeared in his claws.

Discord snapped up the item 3 on the board

„3.Outside Opinions”

then started reading

“According to recent researches, both Fluttercord and Sparity have strong base of followers and haters in the fandom. For pros, the fans point out the devotion and strength of feelings of respectively Discord and Spike. Stories as “Bride of Discord”, “Daughter of Discord”, “Like a Fine Wine” and “For the Ones We Love” prove that they can overcome the challenges and create a blissful couple with the mares they love. As the cons, haters point out:

For Fluttercord

a)Discord is Faust knows how older than Fluttershy

b)Discord is unpredictable and irresponsible, certainly not a good material for innocent mare as Fluttershy.

For Sparity

a)Spike is a baby dragon, Rarity is an adult mare, it would be a paedophilia, age difference makes the couple impossible

b)Rarity never cared for Spike the way he does. It will always be one sided “

Spike stared at Discord, confused

“Sparity ? I would never thought...”

“I found those ridiculous and not in good sense” Discord interrupted “ I may be millenias older than Fluttershy, but this only means I have more life experience. I can make myself younger physically, if that would make her happy and comfortable. And to say I am unpredictable and irresponsible...well, this is a bit true but I would never let any of my chaotic behaviour hurt Fluttershy. I would try to brighten her life a bit and protect her. What is a life without some adventure ?”

Spike stared at the dance floor of the bar and said

“As for me, I am not that much younger than Rarity. I am maturing and it started with molt. You can put two different species in same age scale, it is stupid. Besides, we can still share a special bond and wait till I’ll be ready for more...physical commitment. And about caring about me...well, Rarity never said no or yes, so I can assume that she just thinks my feelings are just a simple boyish crush, without any meaning for the future. She just underestimates my desires, I guess that it is understandable, but now I will show her how long my feelings truly run.”

Spike and Discord became silent, analyzing their confessions and smiling to themselves.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by Big Mac, who muttered quietly

“Y’all seem to forget one very important thing”.

Discord raised an eyebrow

“And that would be ?”

Big Mac cringed and shifted nervously, before answering

“Ya, Discord, are immortal, and Spike is a dragon, who can live for the millennia. Don’t ya see that ya will outlive them and inflict misery upon yerselves ?”

The silence that fell in the bar, disturbed only by the quiet jazz music, was not a refreshing silence when one thinks about new ideas. This one was a grim, dangerous one. Even Discord stopped smiling.

Big Mac shivered looking at his friends, who froze at the table. He feared that he did something wrong or went too far.

After which seemed like eternity, Discord snapped his fingers and in front of each friend appeared their favourite drink: chocolate milk for Discord, sapphire milkshake for Spike and fresh apple cider for Big Mac.

Discord took a sip and said

“It is our choice”

“Since they will be the first to pass away, we will be the ones to carry the burden. But I still think it is worth it” added Spike

“My experience with immortality taught me that it is better to engage in things than to avoid them, cause in that case you will at least have memories. In the other you will be left with nothing” finished Discord.

Big Mac looked like he wanted to ask more, but Spike quickly changed the subject.

“So, I guess we have enough information to get to our act. What do you think we should do now ?”

“We have to arrange some situations when we can prove and demonstrate the things we talked about earlier” said Discord. Though he would never said it, he was grateful that Spike finished quite disturbing dispute about outliving your friends.

“Yep” Big Mac approved.

Discord clapped his hands

“Leave it to me !”

Spike finished his shake and protested

“Why you got to organize it ?”

“Simple “ explained draconequus “ I have the most creative ideas. And secondly, I have a power to make the wildest imaginations come to life. You won’t be disappointed and I am sure the ladies won’t be too”.

Spike would argue about the first point, but he agreed on the second one. Discord was almost omnipotent and he could create many, many different scenarios. He also seemed rather serious about the whole affair.

He extended his hand and Discord shook it. Then Big Mac broke their handshake with a hoof, sealing the deal.

Discord got up and stretched

“Thank you for the night, gentleman. Now I will teleport you to your beds and will think about our “dream date” project. Splendid night !”

Then, with a snap, Spike found himself in his bed in a castle.

Soon he was sleeping peacefully, the excitement of the day taking a toll on him, and in his dreams, he walked through a beautiful park alley, with even more beautiful white unicorn by his side.

The sibling fieldtrip

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Chapter 3

Where the real fun begins

Three days later...

Spike was snoring calmly in his bed when suddenly a movement in his blankets brought him back to reality.

He opened his eyes and they were met by another pair, a yellow one with red irises

“Hi” said Discord

Spike screamed and jumped out of bed.

Discord’s head laughed loudly and after a moment the Lord of Chaos appeared in whole mixed up glory.

“You did it again. How long will you find scaring me for life boring ?”

Discord’s expression had all the answers Spike needed.

Dragon sighed, calming his breathing.

“I hope you have a good reason to wake me up like this”

An approval mark appeared over Discord’s head.

“Actually, I do “ stated the spirit “ I have planned our perfect setups to win Rarity and Fluttershy.”

Suddenly, Spike forgot all about his irritation and leaned closer to his gaming buddy, eager to know what he has planned.

Discord coughed and started explaining.

****************

Spike massaged his temples once more.

“So let me get this straight. You are the omnipotent Lord of Chaos, you can make all romantic situations come to life, and here you came up with...”

“...the fieldtrip !!!” Discord exclaimed, confetti falling from the ceiling and fanfares playing.

Spike facepalmed and sighed.

“Please, forgive me for withholding my enthusiasm. How this fieldtrip will be an ideal romantic setup ? Rarity despise dirt and troubles of the travel.”

Discord waved his paw

“Leave this to me, I will give you an options to make her happy and satisfied”.

Spike bit his lip

“If you say so...but this still is quite odd”.

Discord rolled his eyes

„Look, this is just it. They would get suspicious if we got them alone. And this is so out of character that nopony will suspect anything.”

Spike sighed once again. He was starting to have a headache.

„Fine, fine... but what is this „sibling” thing ?”

„Again, this is to create greater illusion. With others our girls won’t expect right away that we have a certain plans towards two of them. And once we will arrive, you and I will have more than plenty opportunities to prove our feelings.”

„You also want to prank more number of ponies ?” Spike asked.

Discord laughed

„Always”.

Spike smiled weakly and asked another question

„So how many ponies are we taking ?”

„17”

Spike’s eyes went wide

„17 ?!!!”

„Well, there are the girls, that makes six, there is us and Big Mac, that makes nine, there are little Cutie Mark Squirts, that makes twelve, there are all the Pie sisters, that makes fifteen...”

„You invited all of the Pie sisters ?!!”

Discord growled

„Well, this is sibling fieldtrip for a reason. Besides, I have some unfinished business with Maud and Pinkie didn’t agree to go if all of her sisters weren’t invited. I guess she didn’t wanted them to feel left out.”

Spike understood that all the participants were going with their siblings. Sweetie Belle with Rarity, Applebloom and Big Mac with Applejack, Scootaloo with Rainbow, as her honorary sister, Limestone, Marble and Maud with Pinkie and...

“Shining Armour won’t be with us “Discord added, as if he read Spike’s mind “ He was very sorry but poor Flurry is sick and he had to stay with her in the Crystal Empire.Geesh...”

Discord flinched

“I know that he is a father and all but babysitting a sick alicorn is like babysitting a nuclear bomb...I hope he gets out of there only half burnt”.

Spike’s gulped and whispered

“Okay...”

Discord winked to Spike

“That leaves a place for you as Twilight’s honorary brother. And it is more than convenient that we don’t have a stallion sabotaging our plans...”

“But who will you take as your sibling ?”

Discord grinned widely

“If you remember, there are still two places left...”

And then he was gone in a luminous flash.

Spike was left alone in a room.

Suddenly, he realized something.

Discord left someone out in his calculations.

Spike put his hands together, his claws tapping each other.

Revenge will be sweet...

***************

Discord materialized in front of the main gate of the Canterlot Castle.

He growled, cursing the protection spells that Celestia casted to prevent him from teleporting inside.

Not that it mattered. Only his teleportation was disabled, rest of his magic remained untouched.

He flew higher and higher until he spotted his destination.

The Royal Tower of Sun.

He flew to the window and opened it, trying to be as quiet as possible.

He got inside.

He was hovering over the huge bed with canopy, ornamented with a solar emblems.

There, under a pink quilt with a tiny bananas on it, was lying Princess Celestia, the co-ruler of Equestria and the immortal incarnate of the Solar power.

Her pastel, multicolour, aurora borealis mane was around her head in complete mess, looking like a weird flame atop of her head. With her legs in all cardinal directions, Celestia was snoring quietly in a small pool in her own saliva.

Discord lowered himself to the level of the sleeping princess, rubbing his hands. This is going to be good.

He turned his head into megaphone and blew the airhorn, yelling

“WAKE UP SUNBUTT !!!!!!”

“Eiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!” Celestia screamed as she jumped up so high that her long horn pierced through the canopy. Meanwhile, her mane came to life, flowing in every direction, so now she looked a multicolour octopus with a pair of pony legs.

Discord fell to the floor from laughter, as princess of the sun was swinging on her horn, helplessly trying to free herself.

“DISCORD !!!! GET ME FROM UP HERE AT ONCE !!!!” Celestia yelled, using her Royal Canterlot Voice.

“Oh-ho-hon it” Discord snapped his claws and the bed disappeared, freeing Celestia. Discord gently levitated her away and snapped his claws once again, making the bed reappear, completely repaired. Then he put the princess to the ground.

“Phew” Celestia blew away the mane covering her face, then gave Discord a grim stare “Welcome, Discord. I am sorry that I couldn’t greet you at the door but I almost died from heart attack when SOME IDIOT SNEAKED INTO MY BEDROOM !!!

Discord smiled

“Nice to see you too, Celestia. You look lovely today and-“

“What do you want ?”

Discord put his paw to the chest

“Why, Celestia, this hurts ! Can’t I visit my favourite princess without a reason ?”

“Not likely. You usually have some business”.

Discord squinted his teeth. She got the point.

“All right, I am going to a fieldtrip, that I planned for some activities...”

“Is it about Fluttershy ?”

Discord’s jaw fell to the floor and he had to pick it up from there. He narrowed his eyes.

Celestia smirked

“When you try to avoid talking about her, you play with your goatee and do this weird thing with your eyebrows...it is just painfully obvious”.

Discord muttered something under his breath. Besides Fluttershy, Celestia was the only pony who understood his chaotic body language.

Celestia gently put a hoof on him

“I am sorry but whatever your love life situation is, I can’t help you in cleaning it. Your fate is in your...limbs. I can’t interfere...”

“But Celestia !” Discord protested

“Now, if you excuse me, the sun won’t raise on its own.” older astral sister started walking to the door.

“But it is not only for me. Me and Spike planned-“ Discord shouted but was interrupted by Celestia, who quickly turned her head to look at him.

“Spike ? Twilight’s Spike ?”

Discord slowly nodded

„Yeah, how many Spikes do you know ?”

In an instant, Celestia galloped back and shook Discord’s paw

“I am in”

Discord stared at her with a mixture of disbelief and irritation

„What do I owe you this very sudden change of heart ? Do you like the idea of Rarity and Spike being together ?”

Celestia bit her lip

„It guess I am okay with it since it makes Spike happy, after all I treat him almost like a son. But it is not a matter of my liking, it is the fact that...” she quickly looked around „ Luna likes it. Very much. At least two times a week she tells me about Spike’s dreams, saying they are plainly adorable. But they are varying from very romantic ones to very private ones... this has to end, in one way or another, I can’t take it any longer. „

She looked Discord in the eyes.

„So what did you needed me for ?”

“Could you be my sister ? This is a sibling fieldtrip and...”

Celestia started to laugh loud enough to wake up the entire castle

“I...your sister...lo-look at you... even in your dreams, I wouldn’t be...” she giggled

“Oh come on, Rainbow Dash considers Scootaloo her sister, even though they aren’t related.”

“That’s different”

“How so ? And was it different back in old days, when we used to live together...”

Before Celestia could answer, a new voice spoke

“Hello my sister. Oh, good to see you too, Discord”

They both turned to window to see the head of Princess Luna, the Moon Princess, sticking from outside the window frame.

Luna flew inside Celestia’s bedchambers

“I just finished lowering the moon and was about to turn in for the day, when I heard Celestia laughing so loudly that it was probably heard back in Ponyville. So, what are you two talking about ?”

Celestia giggled

“Discord wants to become my brother.”

Luna pulled her head back

“Whaaaaat ??!!! And why is that ? We already were once, a long time ago...”

Discord shuffled the ground with his hoof

“It is about the...”

Celestia’s eyes widened

“No, don’t say it !”

“...fieldtrip” Discord finished the sentence.

Luna gasped.

“The fieldtrip ! You mean the fun with your friends around the nature, epic water fights, long talks in the tent, singing songs around the fire, eat delicious treats and stargaze with the ones you hold closest in your heart ?” younger alicorn beamed with happiness.

Discord shrugged

“I guess so. I was turned into stone but I don’t think the definition of fieldtrip changed throughout the millennium.”

Luna looked at Celestia with half closed eyes.

“Tia...”

The white alicorn’s eyes remained cold as steel.

Luna leaned on her sister, grinning widely

“Tia...Tia!!!”

The droplet of sweat flew down Celestia’s brow.

Luna took a deep breath and began

“Tiatiatiatiatia...”

Celestia’s hoof made her on her mouth quiet as the sun princess glared at the indigo alicorn.

“I hear you Luna. But there is no way that I am acknowledging Discord as my brother ! I am still...not quite sure...after that last time...did you really change that much ?”

There was moment when the night ruler thought for a while, with her head lowered.

The she said

“You are right, you shouldn’t do this...”

Celestia sighed in relief

“I knew you will see the stupidity of-“

Luna’s head raised up as her smile returned

“I will !!!”

Celestia’s jaw dropped

Discord rubbed his hands and exclaimed

“Excellent. Now, to cover the formalities “

A document appeared in front of draconequus, who pass it to Luna

The document was called Draconequus Adoption Protocol and consisted of Discord full description and a few formal things about taking the draconequus under care and protection of the signed party.

With a one swift motion, Luna signed the protocol.

“You are now my brother and through me, Tia’s brother too. We are once again a family. Now when is this fieldtrip ?” Luna said as she embraced Discord.

“The day after tomorrow and will endure a week and a half.” Discord responded, more than happy from the turn of events.

The same couldn’t be said for Celestia. Her eye twitched

“Wha...Wha...” she whispered.

Luna faced her sister

“Tia, are you going or not ?”

Celestia blinked

“I...I...really...”

“Oh, come on, we hadn’t got a proper vacations in decades. It will be fun”

“But what about our court ? Our responsibilities ?”

“Well, we will be able to begin day and night from camp as well, and I think that our advisors are more than qualified to steer the kingdom in our absence. And if Cadence will have a moment from healing Flurry, I can ask her to supervise as well”

With this Celestia finally gave up

“All right, I will go.”

Discord threw fists in the air and Luna yelled

“WE SHALL ENJOY THY FESTIVITIES, BROTHER !!!

Celestia shook his head and smiled weakly, watching Discord and Luna bouncing around her on all fours in circles.

“Well, maybe you two really are related” she muttered to herself.

**********

The day of the fieldtrip has arrived.

The ponies gathered at the outskirts of Ponyville, ready for the journey

„I am so super duper excited for this!!!!!!! Sibling fieldtrip is the best idea ever !!!!!!” Pinkie Pie bounced in excitement around her friends

„It is darn strange that Discord planned this all for us” Applejack said sceptically

„Phw pt, he and Spikey-wikey. Otherwise, I wouldn’t trust that crafty devil” Rarity stated, looking at the mirror to check her mane.

Fluttershy gasped

„Rarity, that wasn’t very nice thing to say. Do you think Discord is not capable of organizing a journey and activities for us all ?”

„Well, I think that he most certainly is, darling. But with Spike, this whole event will be more...toned, for our sake”.

„Yeah, I am so glad that boys came up with this „said Twilight „There is nothing so relaxing as reading in nature. I spent so little time outside recently”.

She levitated a sack full of books, along with her sleeping accessories.

„Yeah, and we will eat marshmallows and sleep under sky and do so many fantastic things !!!” Pinkie Pie takled Applejack to the ground in her enthusiasm.

„Whatever ya say, sugarcube „the orange earth pony chuckled” But where exactly are we campin’ ?”

Twilight thought for a moments.

„Spike didn’t want to tell me, saying that the exact location was a surprise, but I assume that somewhere in Everfree Forest”.

Fluttershy squealed and hid behind Applejack

„Oh my, but...Everfree is so...scary. There are...so many dangerous things out there...” she whispered.

Rarity put a hoof on her friend’s back, comforting her.

„Fluttershy, darling, you of all ponies know best how powerful Discord is. If something goes wrong, he will just snap things to normal. And let’s not forget...”corners of her mouth raised up in a little smile „ how much control Spike has over his fire now, after his molting. He was so valiant when he saved me from that Roc, that flames were really something to behold. So you see that we will be safe.”

„I...suppose so” Fluttershy answered hesitantly.

„Yeah, it is not like there is a super secret conspiracy behind it and this fieldtrip will change our lives foreverrrrrrrr....” Pinkie Pie looked around, searching for anything suspicious in her surroundings.

Twilight laughed

„Oh, Pinkie, you are so silly. I am sure that Spike just wants a break, he was working quite hard recently. And Discord may want a break...from...chaos ?”

Five friends shook their heads and laughed merrily.

Pinkie smiled and looked at her sisters, who were getting ready for the journey as well. Maud were playing with the rocks at the side of the road, Marble was shyly watching everything from behind her and Limestone was arguing with Rainbow Dash.

„I can fly faster than sound, how can you beat that ?”

„That’s pathetic, I can crush boulders ten times my size, if I put right pressure. Those chicken flappers on your back cannot do that, can they ?”

„You wouldn’t survive a day in Wonderbolt training !”

„You would be crushed during the first day on our farm !”

„Rockhead !”

„Featherbrain !”

Applejack nodded, overhearing the argument

„Yep, this sure will be interestin’” she sighed.

In the meantime, three younger fillies approached the group

„I am so happy for this, y’all ! This is going to be an amazing bondin’ experience” Applebloom exclaimed cheerfully

„You bet, I know it. Me and Rainbow Dash have many awesome activities planned ! We would rock this forest !!!” Scootaloo said, her wings buzzing from excitement

„Not to mention watching the sunsets and collecting flowers is so romantic” Sweetie Belle sighed dreamily.

The three Crusaders embraced each other, even Scootaloo, usually not eager for a touchy feely stuff, sharing the happiness.

Applejack and Rarity looked at their younger sisters with fondness over their enthusiasm.

„Eeeh, remember when we were like that ?” Applejack smiled

„Indeed, this is beautiful !” Rarity dried her eyes with handkerchief.

„Because, I don’t recall ya like this sugarcube. It had to be eons ago.”Applejack smirked playfully.

Rarity’s eyes snapped open as she thought about some contré for teasing. But her thoughts were interrupted by Twilight, shouting

„Princess Celestia ! Over here !”

A chariot pulled by the pegasi from the Royal Guard descended from the clouds and landed nearby.

The royal sisters exit their vehicle, levitating their baggage off it. Celestia thanked the guards and then the chariot took off and disappeared.

Celestia smiled at gathered ponies, who bowed before her.

„Hello, my little ponies. Please, arise, we are all good friends here, no need for bowing. In fact, myself and Luna are more than happy to be with you throughout this wonderful fieldtrip. Right, Luna ?”

She nudged her sister who stood by her side, with her head lowered down.

Then, the younger alicorn’s head raised up quickly, her eyes opened wide

„I AM NOT SLEEPING!!!!” Luna yelled, hitting her head on Celestia’s bag in same time.

Massaging her head, the night princess let out a melodic yawn.

„You have to forgive my sister, since she is nocturnal, we are now in the middle of her usual sleeping hours. But she stated that she will readjust her biological clock for our fieldtrip. And it is up to me to check if she is not getting herself killed in the meantime.” Celestia explained patiently.

Pinkie Pie started laughing

„You have an amazing costumes, princesses !”

Twilight and the others also noticed the peculiar change of appearance but they tried not to point it out so much.

Luna’s mane was in a frazzle and spiky style, which gave her the look of flowing lightning bolt. She was also wearing her famous „Blame my sister” T-shirt.

Celestia’s mane was tied in ponytail and she was wearing T-shirt that complemented Luna’s „I am with stupid „ with an arrow pointing in Luna’s direction.

“So, when shall we go ?” asked Luna

Suddenly, the red carpet appeared out nowhere and Spike, Discord and Big Mac materialized in a flash.

“Dear ladies, the time has come “ Discord spoke through the microphone “We are here to take you to your well deserved rest and holidays. Me and my friends” he gestured towards Spike and Big Mac “ will assure that all of you will have a wonderful time as both families and friends. Starting now !”

Spike nodded and whistled loudly.

From around the corner emerged the carriage pulled by two stallions. Once they reached the point that the group was standing, they got out of harnesses and went back to town.

Rarity squealed happily

“Oh thank Celestia, a proper way of transportation. Now I would not ruin my hooves on the road !”

She received a meaningful glare from Applejack.

“What ?”said the fashionista “I heard that roads are quire muddy this time of year !”

Apple farmer sighed but didn’t bother to comment her friend’s antics.

Rarity turned to Discord

“Well, this isn’t like you to think about so luxurious way of travelling !”

Discord raised his hands in the air

“Your assumption is correct. It was entirely Spike’s idea and he paid for it. He thought that SOME of you may not like the troubles of the travel and we want you to arrive fresh and full of energy.” said spirit of chaos, putting pressure on “some”.

Rarity put a hoof to her chest

“Spike ?” she turned to face the dragon, batting her eyelashes “ Well, isn’t that thoughtful ? Thank you very much Spikey-wikey !”

The unicorn closed her eyes and gave a dragon cute, little smile that almost instantly caused Spike’s heart to melt in his chest.

Applejack coughed and everypony looked at her

“I am sorry to interrupt, but shouldn’t we get our gear inside ?”

“Yeah, but how 17 ponies can fit in there. Is...rather small...” Twilight noticed.

Discord grinned maliciously and new outfit appeared on him: A red robe with an enormous golden collar around the neck.

“Let’s just say that I received some tips from a friend who really knows how to make something bigger on the inside” he rubbed his hands.

The carriage’s door opened and the group of ponies got inside.

They were in an enormous room that somehow was inside a small carriage. It had comfy sofas, a fully equipped library, TV, jacuzzi and sleeping corner for ponies to relax.

Twilight gasped.

“But...but this is a transdimensional engineering !!! No unicorn or alicorn ever achieved such a feat with magic !!!”.

“My friend is neither an alicorn or unicorn” Discord flinched

“Is he an earth pony ?” asked Applebloom, excited about a potential discovery of new “earth pony magic”.

Discord shrugged

“Well, it is complicated. He is not a pony to begin with. He is far older, far wiser and far more Moffatier. I met him on a sci-fi convention, back when I was known as Q.”.

Applejack raised an eyebrow

“Q ?”

“Yeah, Q. You know, short for Q” answered Discord and quickly changed the subject.

“So, why don’t you get comfy when me and Spike get to driving ?”

Princess Celestia raised a hoof

“Discord, me and Luna would like to fly behind you. We usually travel by chariots and we should really give those old bones a stretch. We will meet with you there.”

Discord waved his paw

“Very well. Now get settled and we will start the journey.”

Then he disappeared along with Spike

After everypony was settled, Discord yelled

“ALL ABOARD !!! We are departing...NOW !!!”

He snapped his claws, shutting the door and the carriage started to move on its own towards their destination.

Discord and Spike, sitting on the trestle, spotted two silhouettes, dark and white, soaring higher to the sky.

“See you soon, Kay-kay, Lulu” Discord saluted, then turned to Spike

“It is all going great, isn’t it ? All along the plan !”

Spike smiled

“She smiled at me...Rarity smiled at me...”

He sighed happily.

Discord rolled his eyes and conjured a bucket of water that fell onto Spike.

“Hold on tiger. If you want more, you need to convince her to want you and that means you have to stay focused. But smile is a very good start too.”

**************

When they arrived at their destination, it was late afternoon.

Discord and Spike helped with taking the baggage from the carriage and then draconequus asked for everypony to line up.

All the campers looked at enormous field with a forest on one side and a shimmering lake on the other. It was a very beautiful place but it was lacking one major detail...

“Where are the tents ?” growled Limestone.

“Yeah, I thought ya said that ya’ll coverin’ the tents...” said Applejack.

“Easy, easy there, I can assure you that Discord has it covered.” Spike reassured his friends.

The spirit in question was watching the sky

“Yes, yes I have “ Discord muttered, distracted “we are only waiting for ...”

Then, two alicorns majestically flew down and landed alongside the rest of the group.

“Well, we are in complete. Now, please line up and close your eyes.”

When the ponies did as he commanded, Discord moved his paw in front of them a few times. Then he said

“Open your eyes please !”

When they did, they saw that Discord was holding a couple of the luminescent orbs. He threw them away, into the valley, and after a few seconds.

“Wooooow !!! “ everypony shouted in awe.

In the place that was empty in a moment, stood almost twenty camping houses, each unique and spacious. It was obvious that each represented the preferences and personality of the owner.

“Our sibling fieldtrip officially started ! Come on, your houses are signed, go get unpacking ! “ Spike shouted, clapping his hands “Oh, this is going to be a fantastic camping time !!!”

Sweetie Belle, who stood right next to him, gave the dragon a wink that he didn’t notice in his excitement.

“You have no idea, Spike. No idea at all” she thought and giggled to herself

Spike: Always there for you

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Chapter 4

Where we row right into the heart...

In the time of dawn, Princess Celestia got up to rise the sun.

She exit her house made of white marble in a shape of the ancient temple, with lots of columns and arcs, with a quite simple yet expensive decor inside, a balcony with a symbol of sun and a karaoke machine. (Of course, she didn’t know how it get there. Hehe he he...)

She was under impression Discord’s ability to extract their dream houses from their minds and then bring them to life. Celestia was also capable of performing spell of that kind but she always assumed that mind extraction was a bit intimate thing. Discord of course, didn’t follow this objectives. Or any objectives, for that matter.

The houses were located in a form of horseshoe. During her walk to the lake, she passed Applejack’s mountain like hut made from wooden logs from apple trees, Rarity’s mansion masterfully carved in diamond and encrusted with many other gemstones, Applebloom’s house made of living and blooming plants, Sweetie Belle’s cute white and blue cottage with amethyst topping, Scootaloo battle arena-like house, Twilight’s library house, Pinkie Pie’s inflating castle and...Discord’s chaos dominium, floating over the ground in constant rotation.

Celestia was starting feeling dizzy and sick just watching the streams of chocolate milk going up from the ground and the windows that kept shrinking and enlarging. Not to mention that entire house was changing colour and pattern of style every five seconds.

Suddenly, the owner of the building appeared in front of her.

„What’s up Tia ?” Discord said, waving to her.

„I was up to raise the sun. I must congratulate on the camping. Yesterday everypony was exploring their houses and we all just fell asleep full of excitement about the days to come.”

„Can I go with you to watch you raise the sun”

Celestia hesitated for a moment

„Yes, you may WATCH. Please, try not to distract me.”

A halo appeared over Discord’s head.

„Of course.” he said sweetly.

Celestia and Discord reached the lake. Celestia picked the rock near the water, facing east and began a ritual preformed by her a thousand times before. She focused her attention on the east and started connecting with the sun, hidden behind the horizon. Her body absorbed the energy and power of the celestial body, wanting to unleash the force upon the world

„Burn with me” the sun princess whispered subconsciously, her eyes turning into pure gold.

That was the moment when she was reaching the top of her power as an alicorn goddess. But she knew that she had to move to the next step, if she didn’t want to self-ignite or change into something far worse.

In nature everything that is taken, must be given back.

Accumulating the solar energy and infusing her with her own magic, Celestia lowered her head and then PULLED, giving the power back to the sun, which started to appear, rising over the horizon...

„Naaats ingoyama bagithi baba !!!!” a voice sang behind her.

Celestia gasped and lost her concentration, causing sun to do a flip, set and rise once again. It took all her mind to calm the agitated magic and lock celestial body on its daily orbit

„Gratia solis, ad infinitem” she whispered, finishing the ritual

Discord stood beside her with a hi-fi base canon.

„What ? I thought this particular song will actually help you” he said innocently.

Suddenly, a small cough came from behind him and when the spirit of chaos turned around, he saw Fluttershy.

„Discord...Yesterday, I volunteered to cook breakfast and I wondered...If you can help me up. That is, if you are not busy now...” whispered the shy pegasus.

Discord smiled widely

„Of course I am not, I will be there in a moment”

Fluttershy smiled back and trotted down the hill.

Celestia bit her lip

„Discord...” she said, her voice higher than usual.

Discord looked at her

„Yes ? What is it ?”

Celestia looked at Fluttershy, returning to camp, and then shook her head

„Oh, nothing important”.

Then her horn glowed and she disappeared in golden flash.

Discord did the same, but before the white light enveloped him, he knew that Celestia was hiding something from him.

You are such a bad actress Tia. And I didn’t have to watch Horse Play to know it.

*************

Spike finished his emerald cereals and got up from the breakfast table.

His friends were around him, sharing their plans for today. Applejack and Maud were going to hike on a small cliffs a few kilometres away, Pinkie Pie and CMCs wanted to swim, Limestone, Rainbow, Scootaloo and Princess Luna asked Discord to create a paintball arena, Twilight and Marble wanted to exchange some books and rest reading, Princess Celestia wanted to sunbath, Fluttershy was heading on nature walk with Discord.

That was it. His chance to make a move.

„Rarity, wait up” he shouted after the departing unicorn.

Rarity turned around confused.

„Spike ? What is it darling ?”

She was looking at him with this big sapphire eyes, question lingering in the reflexes of light on a blue irises.

Nothing in the entire nature has such a beautiful shade of blue...

Spike was about to go in a full daydreaming mode, but Rarity’s question brought him back to reality.

“Spikey ? Everything’s all right ?"

Young dragon shook his head with force and answered.

“No, everything’s fine. I just noticed...that you...didn’t plan anything for today...”

Rarity shuffled the ground with her hoof

“Well...I didn’t plan anything in particular...” she answered.

“So I was wondering...” Spike continued “ what would you think about rowing around the lake ?”

Rarity smiled

“I think this is a fabulous idea. Nothing better than take in a breathtaking scenery and sunbath a little along with the best dragon I know”

Spike blushed slightly at the compliment.

**********************

Spike assisted Rarity in getting on a boat that Discord created for them. When fashionista settled on a seat under a little canopy, Spike got to rowing.

Since his molting ended, Spike strenght increased so now rowing was rather easy for him.

For a few minutes they were quiet and then Rarity broke the silence

“What are you thinking about ?”

“It is just so nice to be with you here, that’s all... May I ask you something ?”

“Yes ?”

“What is that you dream about ?”

“Pardon ?”

“I mean, you already are a famous fashion designer, known around Equestria. What else do you think would make you happy ? .”

“Well...” Rarity felt comfortable, no one asked her such a question in a long time “ I know that ponies are like crystals, shining in many hues and shades. As fabulous as I am, I have my own flaws, interests, quirks, many, many different things. I think that I would appreciate somepony to accept me whole and make me complete. Maybe that’s a lot to ask, considering how dramatic I can be but...”

“Not at all !!!” shouted Spike, a little louder than intended.

Rarity raised her eyebrow

“Is that so ?”

Spike rubbed his check, embarrassed

“Yeah, just...look at you. If someone don’t want to be around you, it’s really his loss”.

Rarity giggled, she couldn’t stop herself

“Thank you Spike, this is so sweet of you to say !”

“Even when all my reasoning why we cannot be together, he is always so... so...” the word slipped away from the purple manned unicorn.

****************

Discord watched invisible as Spike turned the boat to the river flowing to the forest.

Till know, situation was surprisingly good. Spike and Rarity really had a good time. Maybe there was a spark of hope for that little dragon after all...

Discord twirled his beard, watching couple talking about Sweetie Belle’s and Twilight’s antics. He growled.

He didn’t resign joining Fluttershy on a nature walk to do nothing. He and Spike make a deal to sacrifice their free time in rotation, in case some of them need a help during a “date”.

But here everything was going good. Everything was so nice and friendly...

“Yeah, friendly...that idiot will never go beside a “friendship” phase if someone doesn’t give him a push in a right direction” the spirit said out loud, knowing that neither dragon or unicorn could hear him.

Push...

An idea appeared in Discord’s mind. Alongside, a hint of doubt appeared as well. That was an extremely risky plan, dangerous even. But with him executing this task, it couldn’t go wrong. Right ?

„Spike is going to kill me for this” Discord muttered.

Then he replied with a usual counterargument

„Meh, I can’t die anyway”

And with this, he snapped his claws.

*******************

„Come here Spike, I want to show you something” Rarity peaked her head over board.

„Sure, what is it ?” Spike did the same, looking at his white companion.

„I’ve been doing some research on how to improve my crystal magic and I believe” Rarity’s horn started to glow, the shine intensified. Suddenly, the river bend shone with various gemstones, shimmering in the rays of sun penetrating the water

“...that I can also raise them, not just locate them.” Rarity said, releasing the magic

Spike clapped enthusiastically.

“This was amazing Rarity. Certainly it would be very useful during our gem hunts”.

Rarity bowed her head, trying to hide her pride.

“Thank you, thank you... it is just such a shame that I don’t want my mane ruined” she looked down through the water “that sapphire looks so beautiful...

Spike thought for a moment and then said

“Rarity, I could...”

But he didn’t express his idea, because in that moment, something happened to the river.

The water, which was slowly flowing through her course, agitated, the masses of water piled up and swirled in a roaring vortexes. The waves hit the boat in fury, making her swing from one side to another.

Rarity’s went wide when the wave hit her, sending her over board.

“Spike !!!” She screamed before disappearing under the surface of water.

Spike’s eyes widened in terror as well.

“Rarity !!!” he screamed and his body reacted instinctively.

He jumped to save her.

The water was cold, colder than he anticipated.

He located Rarity, who was fighting with all her might to go up but was still going down, despite the efforts.

He reached her when she hit the bent.

Spike grabbed something hard on the bent with one hand and Rarity’s waist with another.

Then he pulled up.

They both needed air and needed it now. Rarity’s gaze already became distant and Spike was afraid...

NO.

He swam stronger.

Nothing. It seemed hopeless.

And then he felt that his feet are pushed up by an ascending current of water and...

They re-emerged, gasping air in a greedy, exhausted fashion.

Spike was conscious enough to locate their boat, somehow not thrown upside down, and help Rarity get onto it. He quickly followed her.

When laying there and calming their breaths, the river slowly calmed down as well.

After a few minutes, Rarity faced Spike

“You saved...me “ she whispered.

Spike smiled weakly

“How could I not ? I always try to be there for you.”

Rarity leaned over and gave Spike a long, deep kiss on the cheek and Spike thought that his brain might as well became liquid along with the water.

Not on the lips, but they almost died so...

“Thank you, thank you so much Spikey” Rarity hugged him tightly.

Spike hugged her back

“Always”.

When they parted, Spike grinned even wider and opened his left hand.

“And also, cause I thought that this gem may be tasty”

Rarity put a hoof to her mouth as she watched the sapphire shard that she noticed earlier

“You took it.” she mumbled.

“I would grab more but there was some drowning pony there that was blocking my view” Spike said casually.

Rarity’s eye twitched

“So this is it, I see real priorities” she huffed “ you...you...meanie !!!”

She turned away , holding her nose high up.

She opened one of her eyes when Spike exploded into a fit of laughter and Rarity understood he was only teasing her.

“What...what are you laughing at ?” the unicorn said, trying to sound angry and cover her blush, clearly visible on her snow white coat.

Spike took a breath and breath fire on a gem until it started glowing with blue light. Then he started to reshape and mend the gem and after a while he cooled it with water. Then presented it to Rarity.

Rarity was stunned by the beauty of the sapphire heart that Spike presented to her. It was a little like fire ruby that Spike gave her long ago but much thinner and of course, not carved and polished so perfectly.

“Rarity” Spike said warmly “ I think that this sapphire is better to be with you than under the river. Because even when you wear all those dresses and gems, they cannot make you more beautiful. It is you that make all those things look beautiful, not the other way around. So I think that I am doing this gem a huge favour.”.

Rarity’s eyes start to water and she wanted to somehow express the feelings that exploded in her after dragon said such a heart warming thing, but then she shivered and bent in half in a powerful sneeze.

“Reshoooo !!!!”

“Oh no !” Spike shook his head “The last thing we need is you getting cold. Follow me, I have an idea “

He rowed to the riverside and when he secured the boat and Rarity got out, he told her to lay down on her side, as comfortably as she could.

“You have to trust me on this one. It is a little trick Ember taught me.”

He stepped two feet from the mare and started to firebreath into the ground, creating the circle of slightly burning dirt.

Rarity moaned when she felt her tensed muscles relax in contact with the nice heat

“Thank you Spike, I really appreciate it.” she said as she felt that she is starting to dry up.

Spike waved his hand

“Don’t say it”.

“Aren’t you cold ?”

“Nah, dragon’s have inner fire in them. It takes more than that to make us freeze”.

Then they started talking and in no time, there was afternoon.

**************

“Spike, that day was different...and momentarily scary...but I am definitely glad that we spent it together” Rarity confessed, when they returned to the camp two hours later.

“You mean it ?” Spike beamed.

Rarity smiled as she planted a small kiss on the dragon’s cheek.

“Indeed I do”

“So...you want to spend some time together...the day after tomorrow ?”

Rarity’s eyes lit up

“I would very much like that. Now darling, I will be off to see how did others pass this glorious day. Ta-ta !” she waved at the dragon and trotted to the centre of the camping.

Spike waited till she left his area of sight and then flew up, throwing his fists in the air.

“YES !!!!! THAT WAS AMAZING !!!”

He stopped for a moment

“I wonder...maybe it was a little too easy...”

“You should never say that, you know” said Discord, floating next to Spike

“I know, I know...” Spike immediately entered the conversation. He was kinda used to Discord appearing out of the blue by now. “ I just thought...that she...well, didn’t like me in that way...”

“I wouldn’t say that. I think that since you are so nice and helpful to her, she did held a soft spot for you in heart. But she just wasn’t sure if you are mature enough to take proper care of her. But “Discord winked to Spike “I think that she will take that in consideration after today.”

Spike rubbed his head

“If you say... you won’t believe what happened to us today.”

“I helped you save her life”

Spike stared at draconequus

“WHAT ? YOU SAW THIS!”

“Not only watched, I also sent this ascending current of water to help you get to the surface...”

Spike jumped and flew higher to thank his friend

“This is amazing ! Thank you so much”

“...and I was also the one who agitated the river in the first place “ added Discord.

Spike quickly grabbed Discord’s goatee and pulled it down, his gratitude turning into fury.

“WHAT !!! ARE YOU NUTS ??!!! RARITY COULD HAVE DIED !!!”

Discord freed himself from Spike’s grasp

“No, she wouldn’t. I had everything under control. In the worst case, I could just make an entire river disappear to save you. But I wanted to give Rarity an image of you as her saviour. And it worked !”

“You...little...goat-faced...jerk !!!” yelled Spike, his tension level slowly dropping.

“You’re welcome. You will repay me in the future” said Discord, disappearing in the explosion of smoke.

Spike took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

That effort was ruined when suddenly, he was picked up into the air.

“Aaaaaa !!! What the ??!!” Spike howled and then he heard a familiar voice

“Fear not Spike !!!”

Spike raised his head and noticed dark wings flapping furiously through the air.

“Princess Luna ?” he whispered with disbelief.

He flapped his own wings and flew along the night princess.

“Spike, I need to your help !!! They got me cornered, I cannot win alone “.

“Cornered ? By who ?”

Suddenly, a burning orb flew from the cloud over them.

Luna and Spike barely dodged the projectile and looking up, they spotted the head of the lavender alicorn sticking from the cloud.

“Perfect trajectory. Now, prepare for your dooooom !!!!” Twilight laughed as her horn began to charge once again.

“Don’t take all the glory, Twilight “ said Rainbow Dash, flying from behind the cloud.

Suddenly, Luna and Spike were sucked into a rainbow-like tornado.

Luna grabbed Spike with her magic and yelled

“STOP THY SCHEMES, UNGRATEFUL WHELP !!!!”

There was a discharge of an indigo magic and the shockwave caused Rainbow Dash to crash into the cloud.

The pegasus grinned

“Oh, it is on”

then she hid back in the cloud.

“There are three teams. If somepony is hit, it is “dead” and has to land. But if somepony from the other team is shot , the other can be brought back. So what do you say ? Alliance ?” Luna looked at Spike with expectation.

Spike smiled and shook princess’s hoof.

Then he flew higher and whispered something into Luna’s ear.

The princess of the night rubbed her hooves together.

“I like your thinking “she giggled malevolently.

*********************

Princess Celestia and Scootaloo landed on the big patch of white cloud

“Come out cowards !!!” shouted Scootaloo.

“Yes, you resistance is useless !!!” Celestia joined, scanning the clouds around, her horn glowing with golden aura.

In that moment, a voice echoed throughout the sky.

“Dear Princess Celestia, today I’ve learnt...”

Suddenly, a purple alicorn jumped from behind the cloud and tackled the solar princess to the ground.

“...that it is foolish to reveal your location to enemies by shouting !!!” Twilight aimed at Celestia.

Celestia furrowed her brow

“Twilight Sparkle, your princess does not wish to see this kind of behaviour from you. Get off me this instant !!!”

Fortunately for Celestia, the respect for higher authority, ever present in Twilight, reacted and lavender mare hesitantly took a step back.

„I am sorry Princess...I-I thought that...”

“Gotcha !”

Twilight was hit by a beam of golden light, that didn’t harm but slightly burn to signalise the shot.

Twilight clenched her rib cage and fall to earth in a theatrical spirals

“Curse you !!! I will get you one day !!!” she shouted from down below.

Celestia smiled and let out a little laugh

Then she frowned as she noticed a black spot in the distance

She squinted her eyes

Was that ?...

“Luna ?!” Celestia blinked, her jaw dropping.

The younger princess was indeed flying towards her. More precisely, charging at her. Her mane was completely messed up, and her irises was shrunk to the size of miniature dots.

Celestia experienced this view many times. Luna looked like that every time when she had to be present at some daytime ceremonies and consumed litters of coffee to keep herself from falling asleep.

The ruler of the sun knew one thing. That meant trouble.

Luna rise her front legs and Celestia became even more shocked, when she noticed Spike, held by Luna by hands and tail like some sort of a machine gun.

“FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Luna cried in high pitched voice, pulling the dragon by the tail.

Spike starting to shot a balls of cold fused plasma, strong enough to stupify but not enough to really burn.

Celestia let out a shriek rather not fitting for a monarch and dodged the plasma in the last moment.

Scootaloo didn’t have such luck. Young filly didn’t even had the time to turn around when she was hit. She fell to the cloud and, in the spirit of the rules, remained there motionless.

*********************

After an hour of hunting down and finally “killing” Rainbow Dash, Celestia, Luna and Spike were the only ones left on a battlefield

“So it all comes down to this ? So sentimental... maybe we should settle it in an old fashion way ?” Celestia looked at her sister.

“A showdown ?” Luna gasped.

Celestia smirked

“Unless of course you got a little rusty after a thousand years on the moon”

Luna’s eyes ignited with fury

“Take it back ! “

“Only if you prove to me that I should”

Luna turned to Spike

“Spike, we are flying to the ground. This fight I must endure alone”

“But...”

“I can defeat this cakeoholic tyrant by myself. Now, keep your distance please.”

When they reached the ground, two princesses quickly assumed their positions, Luna on the east, Celestia on the west.

“Celestia...”Luna muttered, narrowing her eyes.

“Luna...” Celestia glared back.

“Discord !” Discord shouted appearing between them “What an exciting ending of our little battle ! A showdown between the royal sisters... begin !!! And also, I took care of sun and moon for you, you don’t have to thank me”

With a snap, the sun started to slowly set when the moon started to rise

With this, Discord seated himself on a cinema seat with a popcorn in his paw. Twilight, Rainbow, Scootaloo and Spike were by his side.

Celestia shouted and the ground around her started to crack and melt with heat. With one swift motion, the wave of lava was thrown at Luna who shielded herself with a big shield conjured up with magic and pushed through the fire, screaming with fury. The shield changed into a scythe that nearly reached Celestia, but was caught by a weep made of flames and exploded into an icy particles. Celestia was covered in ice and froze immediately. Then her eyes turned to golden hue and she exploded in flames, subliming the ice into a mist.

Luna turned into a shadow and sneaked behind Celestia’s back only to be hit by a spear of light that threw her at the nearby tree. She quickly raised up and with a scream

„Black Velvet Inferno !!!”

all of the shadows in the forest reached out for the older princess, whose eyes widened in fear.

But only for a moment. Celestia stretched up and her body started to shine in a bright flash, brighter than anything in the visible spectrum of light. All spectators had to cover their eyes.

Luna growled as she looked at all her shadows vanishing. She assumed a different approach as she turned into a bolt of darkness and charged at her sister.

Celestia turned into a bolt of light as well and the princesses raised into the air, crashing, withdrawing and colliding with incredible speed.

After some time, Celestia reappeared again and shouted

„A Heartblazing Pandemonium !!!!!”

The setting sun shone brighter behind its ruler and all the light in the sky collapsed on Luna. It was like an entire sky fell down.

Celestia screamed and released a new wave of heat.

Luna was flooded by a storm of light and squashed to earth by the wave of fire and heat with a force of thermonuclear blast.

When Celestia descended, Luna was coughing, stretched on the ground with a smoke evaporating from her slightly burnt body. The younger alicorn absorbed most of the attack and repelled it with magic, but it still was too much to handle.

Celestia smiled triumphantly

„Give up sister ! You can’t fight in that state”

She started laughing but quickly stopped when she heard Luna’s laughter as well.

„What’s so funny ?”

„On contrary sister...” Luna gestured with her head.

Celestia turned around and gulped. The sun finally set, only moon remained. The night time has began.

„ ...I never felt more alive !” Luna collapsed into her own shadow and disappeared.

With a flash, she appeared by the edge of the lake.

„You might also noticed that tonight is the full moon. Well, let’s see what I can do with that !” Luna added.

Her eyes became white when the entire lake raised up and swirled above her head.

Twilight watched all of this with her eyes widened in amazement. She heard that, as a Moon Princess, Luna could control waters and tides, but she never believed it.

„ANY LAST WORDS ?” Luna boomed.

„Mommy...” Celestia whispered when the entire lake fell on her.

After fifteen seconds, the water was pulled back to expose a wet and miserable princess sitting on the ground

„I give up...”she mumbled, with the fish in her mane.

Discord clapped his hands

„And we have a winner!!! What a glorious fight, I didn’t see you so agitated since you met me for the first time. Now let’s fix you up.”

With a snap, all scenery, along with the princesses, returned to the state before battle.

Spike approached Celestia

„Princess, are you all right ?”

She smiled, visibly exhausted.

„Don’t worry Spike, me and Luna had to fight like this from time to time to stay in shape”

„Now why don’t we all go to the camp, eat something and get some rest. With great power „Luna yawned” comes a great need to take a nap”

Everypony agreed and headed to the camp.

Spike smiled to himself. That was a fulfilling day.

And there were still many to come.

Discord: It is never too late

View Online

Chapter 5

Where we discover the possibilities of Jacuzzi and chaotic quesadillas...

Twilight Sparkle snored quietly on the pile of books in her house, that was a library, where she could find every book imaginable.

She mumbled quietly and then her ear perked up.

What...

Suddenly, she heard it. The cacophony of sounds, screaming and twisting in the air.

Twilight opened the nearby window and her eyes snapped opened

It was very early in the morning but through the valley between the camping houses marched the army of Discords. Though it was obvious that all of the members in the marching group were the one draconequus, they weren't looking the same by any means. The group near her house was dressed up in a red and black suits and jumping with energy to the rhythm of saxophone, howling "WE ARE NUMBER ONE !!!". The other group was dressed up like a North Neighreans and were playing with pen, pineapple, apple and pen. The other group were in a shirts, exposing their chests and holding roses, singing about love that will carry on. Another was playing the suites of Bethooven, one was dressed in a cat costume and was playing on keyboard. Another group was emo-like and singed about darkness and lack of acceptance. One of the Discords was holding a banner with...what was that called ? Ah, trollface.

Astonished Twilight noticed that some Discords were resembling herself and her friends, screeching the parodies of the songs that they sang throughout the years.

All of the clones were shared one thing. They were singing and playing terribly off key.

The march of the Draconequui didn't remain unnoticed as the more heads appeared in the windows. Rainbow Dash flew near the window of her cloud-like house, keep blinking, to assure herself that she is not hallucinating. Rarity's usually perfect hair looked like a crow's nest as she kept yawning, cringing at the sounds of the music. Princess Celestia's horn started to charge with energy as her eye was twitching. Limestone Pie was cracking her hooves with furious look on her muzzle. Even Princess Luna, usually tolerant of Discord's antics, was repeatedly banging her head on the pillow in her gothic house made out of obsidian and silver.

Finally, all the participants of the chaotic march reached the end of the "horseshoe". They ended their music pieces simultaneously and at once, and when Twilight thought that she won't be able to bear it any longer, the clones disappeared in a flash, leaving only the original Discord.

"Good morning fellow campers, what a glorious day !" draconequus exclaimed cheerfully

The ponies slowly started to appear in front of their houses, giving Discord very grim looks.

"Discord, what the heck was that ? Why are you trying to kill us with this music ?" growled Rainbow Dash

Discord inhaled deeply as his eyes glowed red

"I love disharmonic music. It is full of surprises. And what do you mean by what was that ? As finite as your pony brains are, you surely have to remember Applejack's request from yesterday."

All the ponies went silent for a moment and then all moaned in unison. Now they remembered that Applejack, that always got up early because the farm life demanded it, volunteered to conduce "The Welcome of the Day" by the sunrise with some exercises.

"Dang it, we actually agreed to this" Rainbow growled.

"But-but-but Applejack said she will wake us up personally and..." Rarity begin

"...I was such a good and thoughtful friend I am to do it for her " Discord looked at the ponies, twirling his beard and smiling sarcastically "Isn't that what good friends are supposed to do, hmmm ?"

"I don't feel too friendly towards you right now, you little piece of- " Limestone started walking towards the draconequus in a murderous rage but was stopped by Pinkie Pie

"Hey there grumps, hold it. I think that this was splendorific, I didn't see such a fantastic performance in a reaaaaaally long time. I especially liked your Deadpool costume" the pink mare chatted quickly

Discord chuckled

"So you know this old prankster too ?"

Pinkie waved her hoof

"Duuuh, we are besties. You have to listen to all my adventures with him. It all started on a tuesday..."

"EKHM !" Princess Luna coughed dramatically "Not to interrupt but weren't we waken up for a reason ? Where is that yoga thy speakest of ?"

"Oh, Applejack should be by the lake by now" Discord answered casually. "Now to check the presence. Pinkie Pie ?"

"And one and two and..." the pink earth pony began to sing but was silenced by Rarity's hoof

"She is present, darling, as well as I" the alabaster unicorn said to Discord.

After a minute, Discord gathered all the campers. All but one.

" Come on Twinkle Sprinkle. Join in welcoming el dia with us" Discord levitated himself to the level of library's window.

"Forget it. I am perfectly with where I am. I've been reading almost all night and it is my wish for me to rest." shouted Twilight.

"Do I have to remind you that you said yourself that you will be joining us ?" Discord snapped back.

"Thanks but no thanks. As I said, I am in control of my destiny. So there is nothing you can do to make me" the lavender alicorn replied

Discord's lips stretched into an evil grin.

"Oh dear Twilight, I am rather disappointed. You should know better than to tell a being that can do anything that he can do nothing. On the contrary, I think I can do this and I will"

He crossed his claws, ready to snap them

"Last chance to go out"

There was no answer.

Discord looked at the others.

"You are the witnesses that I tried. I mean come on, she is the Princess of Friendship" he gestured with a Twicane in his paw" she can't miss such a wonderful morning bonding experience".

And with this...

SNAP !

Twilight's house disappeared and changed into a big quesadilla, lying on the hill.

The scream that was heard in the next moment scared nearly all the birds in the forest and was so high pitched that it almost shattered the windows in other houses.

Everypony's jaws dropped. Pinkie Pie gasped, remembering from her secret files, that quesadillas were Twilight's biggest fear.

The quesadilla trembled as if hit from the inside in some places. And then the bolt of purple light emerged from the treat and it turned out to be Twilight. The alicorn flew with incredible speed, like when the other Princesses gifted her their magic for safekeeping.

Twilight landed, covered in molten cheese.

"GET IT OFF MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!" she started to run around, all of her coat standing straight, like an angry cat.

And then came another snap and the cheese and quesadilla disappeared. The house returned on its place and

Twilight became clean as well.

"Do you still feel sleepy ?" asked Discord innocently.

"This wasn't funny. That cheese could..." Twilight begin, breathing heavily, only to be interrupted by Discord.

"Are you saying that one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria, the Element of Magic, who defeated Nightmare Moon, Sombra, Tirek, Chrysalis, Storm King and myself, fears of being defeated by cheese ?!!!"

Discord fell to the ground in a shaking laughter.

Twilight bit her lip as she blushed in embarrassment. She used her magic to levitate still laughing draconequus and take him along with her friends, who were heading to the edge of the lake, where Applejack was waving at them impatiently.

*********************

Discord took his head off his neck, spin it 360 degrees, and placed it back, sighing.

"Well, I have to admit that Applejack is really good in this. I finally got through that pain in my back that I had throughout last 300 years. When you are a statue, you get a lot of body tensions."

He smiled. Now was the moment to take action.

He reappeared near Fluttershy, making sure not to startle her.

"Hi Fluttershy, I was wondering if you are free to go for a walk. I have something I really wanted to show you and..."

The yellow pegasus smiled warmly to draconequus

"Oh, I would love to ! I was going to go on a nature walk anyway..."

Discord brighten up as the ray of light descended, illuminating him and pronouncing his good mood.

"Yes, me and Angel was just heading to the forest..." Fluttershy explained, turning a little to show the white bunny on her back. Fluttershy's pet stared daggers at Discord, who responded in the same way.

Angel. Of course that this snobbish, jerkish, spoiled caricature of the Easter Bunny is here" Discord thought, his teeth squinted and his eye twitched.

The only problem with loving Fluttershy were the ones closest to her. Fluttershy's pet bunny, Angel, and her brother Zephyr Breeze were the creatures most disliked by Discord in all of Equestria. Sometimes Discord thought that switching their bodies and minds won't make any difference.

Fluttershy had a tendency to hang out with enormous jerks and Discord simply couldn't explain to himself how she could stand their behaviours. He wouldn't say that out loud, but in his reformed lifetime, Angel was his greatest enemy. Discord considered him as a quite big villain. Seriously, sometimes he was more jerkish than prince Blueblood, more dark and cunning than Sombra, more craving and greedy than Tirek or more devious than former villain Starlight Glimmer.

Then again. he was a jerk too when he met Fluttershy, the biggest one of them all. And she helped him change and adjust...a little bit at least. She didn't hang out with bad behaving individuals because she wanted to, but because she believed that she could change them and helped them be better. That's what made her an Element of Kindness. And that was what Discord loved about her.

But Angel had to go somewhere else, so Discord decided to put up a small act.

"But Angel, Cutie Mark Crusaders invited you to do a face painting " Discord gasped in a false surprise and put a claw to his mouth "They would be so disappointed if you won't show."

Fluttershy's face lit up

"Oh Angel, you are making a new friends ? Why didn't you tell me ? Of course you can go to have a face painted, you will look so cute".

Angel wanted to protest but was silenced by Discord, who grabbed him into his paw and whispering

"Sayonara, fatass !"

threw the bunny into the air where he disappeared in a flash.

Fluttershy gasped

"What have you done ?"

"Relax, I just sent him to Cutie Mark Crusaders."Discord rubbed his hands " I am sure they will take a good care of him."

Fluttershy sighed in relief

"I hope he will be okay without me. That he won't get lost, or get hungry, or fall from somewhere, or encounter a hungry Timberwolf..." the mare dramatized

Discord was tempted to say that each of those scenarios will be the reason for joy and relief for the most of the equestrian society and brony fandom. But he stopped himself and grabbed Fluttershy by the hoof, dragging her deeper into the woods.

"Yea, yea, he will be fine. Now, about my surprise..."

****************

The hole in the ground was spacious and filled with bubbling, hot water.

Discord nodded with appreciation. He looked up and noticed Spike, covered in dirt and mud. The dragon gave him thumbs up before saluting and flying away.

Discord was grateful that Spike took time to dig up the hole and leave a fire to keep the water warm for quite some time. Discord could easily create this natural jacuzzi by one simple thought, but Spike insisted on helping Discord because of their "gentlemen" deal to help each other to prepare dates.

This dragon was actually worth the loyalty.

Fluttershy gasped

"Oh my, this is wonderful ! This jacuzzi looks wonderful. And in the middle of the forest. "

The yellow pegasus dove into the hot water and moaned with pleasure.

Discord sneaked his sinusoidal body into the hot liquid as well and for a few minutes neither the pony or draconequus said anything, enjoying the relaxing warmth.

Fluttershy watched the butterflies and bees fly above the warm mist.

"Must be nice be a free creature and fly merrily" she whispered.

Discord pointed at her wings and Fluttershy blushed. Even though she was a pegasus, she rarely flew due to her fear of heights.

Discord licked his lips and narrowed his eyes as he thought intensely.

"I think I know how to be in comfort and help you be more with them.

Suddenly, Fluttershy felt that her body becomes light and she floated in the air along with all the water and Discord.

The gigantic droplet levitated, keep changing shape, till it stabilised itself in the air.

Fluttershy swam through the water and stick her head at the bottom of the sphere and pulled her head upside down, her rosy mane flowing and defying gravity.

"Well, this both scary and amazing." Fluttershy exclaimed, watching the water shaping on its own with amazement.

"Glad you think that" Discord grinned at her.

"This why I love to spend a time with you. You always think of something that can make the trip interesting" Fluttershy half said, half bubbled under water.

Discord winked at her and said

"Let's move then"

the sphere started to move quickly through the forest and soon enough, they found themselves over the edge of the lake.

Discord grabbed Fluttershy by the waist and she squeaked in surprise

"Fluttershy, do you trust me ?"

"I would rather say that I am not "not trusting" you"

"Meh, good enough. So,, say weeeeeee!!!!"

"Discord, whaaaaaaa!!!!!"

The sphere of water was caught by gravity and fell into the lake

Fluttershy found herself falling deeper and deeper into the cold void of water, till she reached the bottom.

Soon she started to feel dizzy from lack of oxygen. Why couldn't she reemerge to the surface ?

Her vision became blurred, her throat burned.

Discord, where are you ?

Finally, she couldn't take it any longer and she gulped.

The water flooded her lungs.

She didn't die though.

The timid mare opened one eye and slowly inhaled, exhaled and inhaled once more.

She was breathing. Breathing under water as it was a clean air.

She quickly examined herself to discover one more shocking fact. Though the masses of water swirled above her, she was completely dry.

"How is it ?" Discord swam near her with grace

"I hate when you scare me like this" muttered Fluttershy

"You know you like it" Discord played with his eyebrows, causing Fluttershy to blush.

"This is actually quite nice, but may I asked why you brought me underwater ?" Fluttershy asked, looking around in confusion.

"I know how much you love nature and animals. But you never saw an underwater ecosystem. Good thing I had the powers to give you this"

Suddenly, the water became brighter and clearer. Fluttershy's eyes widened when she saw that they were actually standing in a beautiful garden, with the trees made of underwater plants and with many fish and underwater creatures.

"Go on, you can talk to them. " Discord smiled in way that he perceived as a warm one.

Before he could react, Fluttershy jumped through the water and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you so much. You're right, I always wanted to talk to underwater creatures. But when we were visiting Seaquestria, we were so busy that I simply didn't have time. Oh, thank you Discord".

"I know that you need some time to swim around. I will be back in two hours. If something happens, just shout my name and I will come."

Fluttershy nodded gently, waved goodbye and swam carefully to all the creatures, introducing herself.

Discord rubbed his hands as he pulled out a smartphone, unaffected by water. He put it to his ear.

"Percy, Katara, you're up for a water fight ?" lord of chaos grinned widely.

*******************

Discord and Fluttershy got out of the water. The liquid instantly evaporated as they laid down on a small hill nearby the water, watching as the clouds changed shape above them.

"That was amazing !" Fluttershy cuddled closely to Discord, who chuckled

"You tell me. I had a fight of the centuries against the greatest water masters. Such a shame that they are not from our dimension"

Fluttershy rolled her eyes, listening to Discords bizarre confessions. She loved to spend time with him, even though he was often a little annoying and rather hard to understand. When he got involved, things always got the way they didn't plan. But Fluttershy got at least some excitement out of it. She couldn't complain about her job of taking care of animals. It was her special talent, part of her destiny and she loved it. But it wasn't a life that was bringing something new each and every day.

"Look at this, a bunny" Discord waved at the patch of cloud.

Fluttershy squinted her eyes

"I don't think that look like..."

"Oh, it doesn't matter what it looks like. It is about the potential it has to become something"

With Discord's gesture, the cloud turned into a bunny, then into a symbol of chaos and finally into perfectly detailed face of Fluttershy.

"Oh my" whispered the Element of Kindness.

"No copy match the stunning beauty of the original. You are one of a kind my dear, I don't think even my magic can portray it correctly" Discord complimented her boldly.

Fluttershy blushed madly and shook her head. The veil of pink mane shielded her face and covered her reddened cheeks.

After a moment of silence, something occurred to Fluttershy

"Discord ?"

"Huh ?"

"Remember when I said that I like you because you're so very different from me, back at your place ?"

"Yes...I actually thought about this evening recently...why do you ask ?"

"Well, I was wondering why were you so scared of being different for me and I thought that maybe...maybe you can show me the world through your eyes."

Discord froze and after a moment turned his face to Fluttershy, blinking rapidly

"Do you have any idea what are you asking ?" he answered after a while.

"I know that you can do it and I just want to understand you, nothing more."

"I am not sure about this. You know that I am usually the first one to stick to the unplanned scheme but that can simply be dangerous for you. I had the eons of memories and experiences in my head. If too much comes to you, your mind will simply burn" Discord exclaimed coldly.

Fluttershy shivered when she heard that and tears appeared in her eyes

"I had no idea...I just wanted to..."

"I know. And that's why maybe there is a way that I can show you what you want without exposing you to my past." Discord responded in a more gentle manner " Are you sure that you want this ?"

Fluttershy nodded

"I want to know how you feel, Discord. This is a matter of trust"

Discord gently grabbed Fluttershy's forehead and pressed it to his own.

"Remember, if any of my memories will appear, and I assure you that you will feel that, just call my name and I will pull you out". said draconequus and closed his eyes.

Fluttershy gasped when her eyes turned from a bright blue to a crimson red and the world around her changed. Discord disappeared.

She was standing on a same place but the scenery around her were changing and melting with incredible speed. She looked at the lake, which became wine, then a big forest, which was then eaten by enormous bugs, that changed into the mountains.

The world turned upside down, even though Fluttershy was still in the same place. The mountains became the sky and broke, rotating around the sky that became crimson, then turned into glass and finally melted into caramel. The sun set and rise, multiplied, died and collided with the moon, as the stars fell from the sky, and as they fell they were turning into a waterfalls that floated upwards into nothingness.

The world around her was turning into dust and each of the dust particles became the universe, filled with stories. And even though the world ended, Fluttershy could see it through the veils of many versions of reality, discovering one after another, all running around her like unfocused movies.

She felt that she could watch the possibilities forever.

Everything was everything

But inside of her everything was nothing.

Empty.

She shrieked in surprise when the visions flooded her head.

The silence that stretched through so long...so very, very alone...

The light of the first stars, so bright after millenias of darkness...

Watching as the planets formed from dust. The ignition of the stars and forming of galaxies.

The visions speeded up...

Observing as a small equine creature took few uneasy steps on the surface of the young planet and touched his claws with its muzzle...

Thousands of wars and rivalries, death and rebirth in the endless cycle as the planet bloomed on...

The young pink manned filly watching him with curiosity from the back of the stallion as dark as darkness...

The white filly dragging him into the forest...

The laughs and rotten fruits thrown at him, the reflection looking from beyond the water...

The young adolescent alicorn presenting him her sister, a little indigo blue alicorn...

Watching the meteor shower along with two fillies...

Powerful feats of magic and a disorder that was lingering in his heart...

The look that Pillars of Equestria gave him when they first met him...

Helping young princesses when they were training...

The scenes became darker and Fluttershy felt so much grief and pain that she flinched...

The tall alicorn with mane as pure as light standing upon him, screaming...

The explosion that made the castle burn into ash...

The image of young mare with a moon as a cutie mark screaming at him as he ran...

ran...

And he felt...

grief...

Anger...

And unimaginable power...

The flows of chaos...

Tearing the world apart and turning it upside down...

Torturing the ones that wronged him...

Confronting Celestia and Luna, laughing at them, feeling only misunderstanding and arrogance...

The cold but burning feeling of muscles being turned into a solid rock...

Panic...

Restlessness...

And waiting...

Waiting...

Celestia sending Luna to the moon, her mane becoming multicolour...

Waiting...

Silence...

Emptiness...

Thousands of ideas and stories...

So many different scenes before his eyes...

So many passing generations...

Waiting...

Revenge...

And everlasting chaos...

Waiting..

Waiting...

And the feeling of something loosing hold...

The argument of the three young fillies...

The moment when the stone armour finally fell down...

The fury, the world of Equestria changed in a fraction of a thought...

Facing the Elements of Harmony...

And Fluttershy...

His reformation...

Fluttershy, the only unchanged element...

The warm feeling inside of his chest...

The caring he learned to have...

His shock and grief after Tirek's betrayal...

The feeling, the feeling of lo-

SNAP !

Fluttershy breathed loudly and coughed out a cloud of smoke as she saw Discord leaning over her.

"Fluttershy ? Fluttershy, speak to me !!! I am so stupid !!! I shouldn't let you see that in a first place !!! No mortal creature should ever see this !!!" shouted Discord in mixture of worry and relief.

Fluttershy got up. She felt a little dizzy and there was a smoked raising up from her skin but she was already feeling better.

"That was...beautiful" she whispered " And so sad too. There were so many stories to go into."

"That's because draconequui can see all time happen at once. All the infinite possibilities of the time and space are in front of us. This is an infinite potential and this is how I see the universe"

"Doesn't that...drive you..."

"Mad ?" Discord raised one eyebrow and smirked playfully " You know, for a few thousand years, when I became The Chaos, I actually got mad and insane. But after those millenias it got boring and I became completely sane."

"I didn't mean to but I see your memories as well " Fluttershy told the spirit what she saw.

She was shocked when she noticed a small tear flowing down Discord's cheek. She didn't recall any time that she noticed him tear up.

And then she flew up, wrapping her hooves around Discord's neck and giving him a passionate and warm kiss on the cheek.

"Discord, please don't forget that even after all this years you can be what you choose to be, especially when you have the ones that care for you" the yellow pegasus smiled" You should know best that everything on this world has unlimited and infinite potential to be something else. That includes you and me. It is never too late".

They hugged each other tightly and after a while Discord dried her eyes and rose from the ground

"Well, all this memory revisiting made me hungry "he grinned widely, his usual goofy approach returning " I would love to try Marble's famous diamond and quartz stew."

Fluttershy chuckled

"Maybe I would leave that out. I heard that Pinkie and Princess Celestia made delicious banana cake"

The pair laughed as they teleported away.

Camping Tales: Battle on the beach

View Online

Chapter 6

Where we discover intriguing details of the camp life

Tale 1

A relax on the beach

Marble Pie carefully inspected the surface of the lake

"Come now, sugarcube, there is nothing to be afraid" shouted Applejack, diving in the water.

The grey mare touched the water with uncertainty and then felt a hoof on her back

"Don't push it too hard. If you don't want it now, come later" Fluttershy hugged Marble.

Pinkie Pie's younger sister smiled weakly and said

"Mmmmhm..."

Due to their shared shyness, Fluttershy and Marble Pie understood themselves better than anypony else and spent most of time together.

Fluttershy showed Marble the entire beach where all the campers were resting

"You see ? We are all here so..."

Suddenly, a hoof emerged from beneath the sand and grabbed Fluttershy's leg.

"AAAA!!!!MONSTER!!!" screamed yellow pegasus she galloped away in fear.

The mountain of sand moved and Pinkie Pie appeared from underneath. She sighed

"Uff, where is Dashie ? I cannot wait in this trap forever..." she looked around and spotted Marble "Oh hey Marby, watcha doing ?"

Marble blushed and drew a circle with a hoof .

"Ooooo, I see" Pinkie nodded " You don't know where to go, do you ? Don't you worry your cutsie little head, your big sis will help you. Surely somepony will have a place for you to join !"

Marble Pie still was unsure but Pinkie grabbed her without any hesitation.

Suddenly, they were approached by Cutie Mark Crusaders

"Howdy Pinkie, what are ya up to ?" asked Applebloom.

"I am trying to get Marble somewhere fun" answered pink earth pony.

"Why don't you go with us ? I am trying to make a seashell neckless for Scootaloo..." squeaked Sweetie Belle.

The filly in question jumped grabbing Pinkie's leg

"Please, don't let her make it. It would be super embarrassing for a pony like me to wear something like this " the pegasus cringed at the very thought.

Sweetie Belle felt herself being nudged by Marble. The timid mare gestured on a ground and back on a white unicorn filly.

"You want to show me something ?" Sweetie asked

"Mhm..." muttered Marble as she continue to knock on the shells Sweetie collected

And after a moment, one of the shells opened up, exposing a beautiful pearl hidden inside

"OOOOOH..." Sweetie whispered, her eyes lit up " How did you find it?"

"Our Marbie-Barbie here always had a talent to search and craft within refined materials. Pearls, crystals and, well, marbles" Pinkie hugged her sister tightly. Marble returned the smile.

Sweetie hugged her pleadingly

"Teach me to use pearls to make pretty things ? Pleeeeeasse!!!"

The earth pony looked unsure but slowly nodded and went to the side with Sweetie Belle.

Pinkie, Scootaloo and Applebloom resumed walking, knowing that the pair will join them soon.

Then they overheard the argument an moved closer to see Celestia and Luna, lying on their sunbeds.

"Do you even know what you're talking about ? I don't need to become more darker than I am now !"

"But sister, that's what's beach is for..."

"Oh no Tia, I am going to swim. No way I am staying here and wait till your sun leaves me dry and wrinkled"

The younger princess sprinted towards the water. Celestia shouted

"Come back here, you vampire !"

Luna summoned the purple and back surfing board and jumped into the water, manoeuvring through the waves, sustained by Discord's chaotic magic.

She jumped and swiftly drifted on the edge of the wave...

"Howdy Princess "

"What's up ?"

Luna noticed Rainbow Dash and Applejack surfing near her

"Check this out" said Rainbow, flapping her wings and rotating over the agitated water backwards.

"She is like this all mornin' princess" Applejack sighed " I am glad that at least I am past this competin' nonsense."

"Bah, you couldn't even pull that off so it is a good thing that you gave up" Rainbow tested the apple farmer from the distance.

Applejack bit her lower lip as her eye twitched.

"Ah'm mighty sorry princess but..."

Then she launched herself into the air, did a double flip and landed back on her board, drifting on the edge near Rainbow Dash

"...somepony have to understand the power of muscles here " Applejack shouted triumphantly.

Unfortunately, the wave broke, causing the earth pony to lose balance and fell directly on the cyan pegasus.

"I got you" Applejack shouted, grabbing her friend and splashing her with water and shortly after, the real storm of a fight exploded on the lake, colorized by laughs and swears.

Celestia and Applebloom, lying on the sunbeds with sunglasses on, sighed simultaneously and with enormous amount of will, managed to turn their bodies on the other side.

Scootaloo started wandering on her own, till she suddenly bumped her head into...

Pegasus filly looked up and her eyes widened in shock.

She was standing near the wall of the enormous sand fortress.

"Look out !"

Suddenly, she was pulled back as the sand in front of her exploded and ignited.

"Hi Scootaloo. What are you doing here ?" asked Spike, waving the long stick with a crystal attached to it.

"Just passing by... but what are you doing ?" Scootaloo asked with a shocked expression

Spike lustrated the walls of the gigantic wall of sand, looking for something.

"We are playing an awesome game" he pointed at the wall " our mission is to somehow reclaim this fort. We have flags that had to be put on the top. However, if we let the flags fall into the hands of the defenders, we lose."

"S-S-Spike, i-isn't that dangerous ? I mean, I love adventure and risks, but this..." Scootaloo looked at the crater left after some dark rock hit the ground.

Spike noticed the worry in filly's eyes and smiled, trying to comfort her.

"Not at all. Twilight and Discord came up with a perfect solution how to preserve safety even in this...hm, risky game. And I can prove it. Scootaloo, punch me !"

Scootaloo blinked in surprise

"Spike, what did you..."

"Come on, I just want to show you how this works. Punch me with all that you got."

"But Spike, I really like you, you are my friend, I can't just..."

"Punch me or else I'll tell Rainbow about that time you came over to Rarity to try this pink dress..."

BAM!!!!

Spike fell on the sand, while Scootaloo stared at him with fury

"WE.DISSCUSED.TO.NEVER.BRING.THAT.UP.AGAIN" she hissed slowly

Spike slowly rose up, clenching his face

"And I won't. But I needed something for you to go over the edge. Now watch..."

Scootaloo watched as Spike's swollen eye glowed with green light and emerald mist evaporated from his scales. After a few seconds, Spike's face returned to normal. Scootaloo also smelled a weird scent. It was as if somepony grilled a toothpaste. Minty, but also smelling like smoke.

"According to Twilight, each alive being possesses something called "aura"" he raised his claws and a tiny emerald flames enveloped them" .It is our life energy. Powerful unicorns and alicorns can use aura for their own needs, even as a weapon. So Twilight got an idea that we can play "storm and defend the castle" using our auras as a weapon and defence. As you've seen, they can also heal almost any injury. But normally aura can ran out, so Discord enchanted the area around this fortress to amplify the potential of our energy, so it will never burn out. So it safe to say that near the castle we are almost immortal."

Scootaloo's jaw dropped and then jumped into the air.

"This is so fricking amazing. Myself as a living weapon ?"

Spike smirked, pointing at his wand.

"Yeah, once you control your aura, you can conjure up your one of a kind weapon. So, do you want to play ?"

"You need to ask ?" Scootaloo laughed.

Spike grabbed her by the hoof and they started running around the fortress.

"Discord and Twilight are the ones capable of awakening auras. Since Discord is with my team along with Big Mac, and Twilight is up there with Limestone and Maud, we will go to Discord."

Finally, they reached some kind of a trench and noticed Discord sitting behind it.

"Spike, we need reinforcements. Big Mac is trying to buck through wall. But it's too strong. And I hate to say this..."

Around his claws formed a halo of dark red energy and the air was filled with the unpleasant smell of gasoline and sulphur. Energy shifted into a bow with arrow. Discord let the arrow fly high and after a while a voice of Limestone Pie shouted with anger and the ray of yellow and green light descended, exploding and causing them to fell to the ground.

"...But I am a bit out of breath here too" draconequus finished

"Well, I think I have your backup. Scootaloo wants to join us " Spike said to Discord.

"Little squirt ? Come on let's be serious..." Discord begin, but stopped, noticing look on Scootaloo's face.

After a moment, Discord facepalmed and sighed

"All right, considering our immortality field..."

SNAP!

Scootaloo gasped as the vast amount knowledge about the aura was implanted in her brain. Her entire silhouette was enveloped in magenta light and the smell of hot chocolate appeared in the air.

"You know, every creature's aura is different in colour and smell. Mine smells like smoked emeralds, one of my favourite meals. Now, think about your weapon" instructed Spike

Magenta smoke formed into a bracelets around Scootaloo's legs. Following her instincts, she hit a rock that crushed underneath her hooves.

Then the bracelets shoot out a long cable, that stick itself to the wall. Scootaloo was pulled up and then she shoot the cable once more and detached the second one. She was gliding and swinging around the wall.

"This is just like flying !!!" the young filly shouted in ecstasy.

Discord and Spike watched the filly, until Discord suddenly gasped and rubbed his hands.

"You know, extra players may not be such a bad idea..."

*******************

"So let me get this straight... Ya want us to fight each other ?" Appleajck asked

Twenty minutes later Discord gathered all the campers in front of the castle and explained the game to them.

"Darling, this is positively horrible. Do I look like a warrior to you ?" Rarity huffed, irritated.

"That's exactly why some of you will be in the defence. You need to protect your flags and take the flags of the attackers" Spike explained.

After a moment of convincing the group, especially Rarity, Princess Celestia and Fluttershy, friends split in two groups. Discord, Spike, Big Mac, Pinkie Pie, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Princess Luna and Rainbow Dash were the attackers while Rarity, Twilight, Appleajck, Applebloom, Marble, Maud, Limestone and Princess Celestia defended the citadel. Fluttershy volunteered to be a non aligned and everypony made a silent agreement not to attack her.

The captains, Twilight and Discord, shook hand and hoof.

"Well, good luck. We will go to activate the auras !"

The defenders disappeared as Twilight teleported them away.

"Spike, Big Mac, go ahead. I will awake their energy" Discord said.

The pair saluted and ran to the wall of the castle

"How in tarnation they did it so solid" Big Mac wondered

"Maud and Discord built it, Twilight reinforced it. But it is not solid enough to stop us. Each of us tried alone. But if we do this together..."

Big Mac understood instantly

"Yep"

Two friends grabbed each other as their auras, Spike's emerald and Big Mac's black with red stripes merged. Spike felt stronger and noticed that his weapon, long katana sword, becomes flooded in black glow.

He screamed and hit the wall. A crack appeared.

Another hit. And another. And another.

And then...

BAM!!!

The wall partially collapsed and they saw a small corridor.

They were in

*******************

Scootaloo didn't follow the others as they went into the corridor and spilt up.

She summoned her cable bracelets and with a flag in her mouth, she started to swing higher and ascend till she went to the top.

She landed on a small patio. The designated place to put the flag was so close.

Something was off.

Then she noticed some kind of a blur at the edge of her vision and before she could react, she was hit in head.

"OUCH!" Scootaloo hissed, falling down and letting the flag out of her mouth.

"I'll be takin' that, sugarcube"

When Scootaloo opened her eyes, she noticed a familiar Stetson hat, running away along with its owner.

"Oh no, get back here !" the pegasus shouted

With a fizz, the tentacles of magenta light shot through the patio and wrapped itself around Applejack's hind leg.

Scootaloo started to pull Applejack closer.

Then, the strong scent of hot chocolate was covered by even stronger aroma of freshly harvested apples.

Applejack was covered in an armour in colour of dark, jade green.

She smiled apologetically to Scootaloo

"Sorry Scootaloo, but I can't let ya beat me"

With this she hit the ground with her leg. The floor trembled, the cracks of dark green energy appeared and two ponies fell into the room below.

***************************

A fresh smell of ozone filled the air as Rainbow Dash's rainbow coloured aura focused at her hooves, as she stared carefully at the another end of the corridor from where she came from.

Then, a golden spear swung out from the shadows and Rainbow had to quickly dodge it.

"Shurrrenderrr yfself. Yufff ahr okhtclashed" said Princess Luna, holding the flag in her mouth.

"Please, do something with that flag. You sound incredibly funny instead of intimidating" muttered Rainbow

Luna carefully pulled the flag out and wrapped her wing around it

"Sorry" she rolled her eyes.

Her silver aura was flowing down, congesting in mercury-like droplets. Luna's indicator, lavender, was making Rainbow feel sleepy.

But now she was at high alert when Princess Celestia threw the spear once again and this time Rainbow was bruised, only to regenerate it in a split second.

Luna summoned a silver scythe and her weapon clashed with Celestia's. The older Princess's golden energy was so strong that her cerise eyes became gold as well.

Celestia was slowly going forward and forward, the scent of bananas becoming overwhelmingly sweet, until she cornered Luna near the wall.

"Oh, please, please, nooooo, noooo, have mercy..." Luna howled.

After a few moments of silence, Luna raised her head, smiling widely

"Good acting ?"

Celestia was taken aback

"What ?"

A silver portal appeared under solar princess. Falling through it she landed in a far away end of the corridor.

"Now , Rainbow Dash !!!" Luna shouted.

"Right !!!"

A blast of concentrated energy shot from both legs of the pegasus and crushed the ceiling, separating Luna and Rainbow from Celestia.

The attackers ran away when the pile of sand exploded and Celestia started to chase again.

******************

Sweetie Belle marched quietly through the hallway. She needed to come to the roof for the operation to fool the opponents.

It was suspiciously quiet. Again.

"That game is really getting into me. I am like a ninja" unicorn giggled to herself.

She trotted quietly, when she heard an explosion and noticed a multiple flashes of light in the corridor beside her.

Yep, her time was passing smoothly.

She spotted the stairs leading up and the light at the edge of her vision. Thank Celestia, she found the way out.

Not that she didn't like being inside. This game was awesome. But Sweetie preferred to rather be outside, when she could actually see what was causing the explosions above her head. Not to mention that in all of the sand fortress was now flooded with sharp and contrasting aromas. They were tickling young unicorn's nose quite badly and Sweetie felt like she needed to sneeze.

And then, just before she got out...

"And where are ya goin' ?"

Oh, of course. Dumb luck

Applebloom's orange aura smelled like...

"Why does it smell like wine ?" Sweetie eyed her best friend suspiciously.

Applebloom blushed

"Not wine, ethanol. It is a component of many alchemical potions. Speaking of alchemy..."

The stairs under Sweetie's hooves glowed with orange light and simply melted down, much to the terror of the unicorn.

"What ? How do you ?"

"A simple application of the law of equivalent exchange" Applebloom yawned, watching as Sweetie slowly sinks in the liquid.

Sweetie started to drown in melted liquid when suddenly, she felt a pair of claws puling her out. She opened her eyes to met a pair of reptilian emerald irises.

Sweetie felt a rush of joy and relief when she saw Spike. Then she felt a wave of irritation. Through it all, she felt the strong, irrational need to kiss him, which made her even more mad.

"Where in Tartarus have you been ?" she said, standing side by side with him.

"Oh, you know. Trying to survive this crazy game."

"Well, don't lose your head over it" Sweetie huffed.

"Are ya two done ?" the bolt of orange light interrupted their conversation.

"Not quite" Sweetie Belle smiled, as her own aura of the colour of pale green stretched out from her body, sparkling and glimmering. The gust of wind brought the flavour of vanilla, that sent Sweetie's mind off the track.

Vanilla...Nothing to be surprised about, she loved vanilla. But now that was also bringing back some sad memories.

Vanilla milkshakes...

"Come on, run !!!"

Suddenly, Spike grabbed her and threw up to the hole in the ceiling.

She landed on her hooves and managed to compose herself

Oh no, I am not leaving that easily

Applebloom shrieked when she was levitated above the ground and up to the roof.

Sweetie Belle was stunned. She wasn't so powerful to levitate a pony but that was possible with her magic being amplified.

"Sweetie Belle ! Wait up"

And then he crashed with a sapphire wall.

Honeysuckle...

"Oh Spikey-wikey, with all the pleasant time we had recently, you simply shouldn't bump into a lady like that" Rarity raised her eyebrows, smiled playing on her lips.

Spike blushed and when he got up he noticed that Rarity's aura stretched into a big sapphire sphere, with them inside.

Spike tried to slice the walls, but it was no use

"You won't let me out, will you ?"

"No-pe" said Rarity, accenting the "p" with a pop.

"You rather don't want to play and would rather be locked here with me ?"

Rarity rolled her eyes

"Spike, precious scales, with all the respect, I chose to contain myself with you. I am not locked up with you, you are locked up with me. I just wanted to talk you."

"Now ? In the middle of the battle ? "

Rarity sat down and shrugged

"Well, there is no time like the present"

Spike smiled

"Sure"

****************

Sweetie Belle screamed and her weapon, amplified voice, threw Applebloom at the other side of the patio.

"Stay still for a minute !" Appleboom transferred a current of orange lightning at her but this time the unicorn was prepared for it.

Suddenly, a few things happened at once.

The door on the left exploded and Discord emerged with the bunch of flags in his paw. Behind him was Rainbow Dash and even more behind, Princess Celestia trying to pull Luna's mane while the night princess was repeatedly stepping on her hooves.

On the other side appeared Twilight, shielded by Maud and Limestone. She too was carrying a bunch of flags.

Both groups groups were closing their distance.

Discord reached out with his claw covered in dark red glove.

Twilight did the same with her hoof, glowing purple.

The smells of gasoline, sulphur and old books intensified as the pony and draconequus realized a simple, physical fact.

At this rate, they won't be able to slow down.

They crashed with each other, creating a shockwave.

The entire fortress trembled as the purple and red cracks appeared in the floor.

And then the entire construction gave up and decomposed into a loose sand.

Everypony fell into nothingness.

SNAP!

Everyone found themselves standing on a beach as if nothing happened.

And everyone fell on the sand, looking at the sky

"Maybe we overdid it just a little bit" Twilight muttered.

"Meh, it was cool to me" said Scootaloo.

"Me too" added Spike

"I told Twilight that loosely bonded silicon isn't a very good material but..." Maud said with her usual apathy.

"It would work if Discord didn't overload it with magic" Twilight muttered.

"Hey now, Princess Smartie Pants, I am not the only one to blame. You collided with me as well" Discord called back.

"Hey, stop this. I don't know what yer thinkin' but I had a rather good time. Though, it could be a little hasty and dangerous" Applejack bit her lip

"Yeah, there is nothing so self-satisfying as kicking somepony's butt!!!" yelled Limestone.

"This is not exactly..." Appleajck began, but was interrupted by Scootaloo

"That was amazing ! Rainbow Dash, did you see what I was doing with those cables ?"

"Yeah kiddo, that was really neat. I would like to this myself" Rainbow Dash gently ruffed Scootaloo's mane.

"I think I know someone who can teach you swing rather well... What was his name ? Ah, Levi. It was Levi" Discord whispered.

After a few moments of silence, then got up from the ground Rarity spoke up

"You know, I am not a warrior in the slightest, but this aura smells were better than perfumes. It was simply divine !"

"Duh !!!" Pinkie bounced up " I was keep trying to eat up my glowy thingy cause it smelled like cotton candy. aaaaahh..." she started salivating.

"Well, old banana here had to chase us throughout the entire fortress and then when she got there, she excused herself to the toilet" Luna glared at her sister.

"You are one to talk. You were the one who caused a ceiling to fall on yourself" Celestia giggled.

Soon everypony was laughing and telling each other stories from their crazy moments in the fort. Sweetie Belle noticed Spike talking casually with Applebloom and took a deep breath.

Well, now or never

She trotted closer and then

"THANK YOU FOR THIS AMAZING DAY!!!! I PLANNED A MOVIE NIGHT SO IT WOULD BE RECOMMENDED FOR YOU TO REFRESH YOURSELVES OR TAKE A NAP, IF YOU NEED IT!!!!" boomed Discord, his voice echoing through the beach.

"Discord, we are standing right next to you" Twilight massaged her head.

"Oh, I know. But what is a message without the dramatic echo ?" asked Discord.

"A voice contents without amplified sounds" Maud gave an answer.

Discord facepalmed and sighed

"Anyway, at 10 o'clock we will have a dinner by the fire and a movie night. Right ? Right !"

And with this he disappeared.

Everyone started to go in the direction of the camp, located few hundred meters west.

Sweetie Belle missed her opportunity and she let the group go without her.

She looked on a spot where the sand construction was, the wind playing with her curly locks in two shades of purple.

She still felt the smell of vanilla and the memories were still spinning inside of her.

Half drunk vanilla milkshake...

The tear. Her tear, still smelling and tasting like vanilla.

That was over. She did move on. It wasn't anypony's fault, but it was still better this way. She didn't need to convince herself that she chose the right one.

Rarity thought that she was too inexperienced in dating. But she wasn't a little foal anymore.

Don't you worry Spike, by the end of this trip, I will tell you how I feel. And it will be something new for you and me. I will be happy. But most importantly, you will be happier too

Rarity's sister smiled and galloped to the rest of the group.

Camping Tales: Movie night

View Online

Chapter 7

Where we will be observing a history from a different angle...

"Who wants popcorn ?!!!" yelled Pinkie Pie, standing at the edge of the field behind the camp that Discord prepared for movie projection.

"Me !!!" Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash shouted in the same time and looked at each other, smiling widely.

Another ponies were approaching as well. Rarity had her mane tied up and curled for the night and was wearing a sweater in case of the cold night. Fluttershy brought her own cocoa, Twilight levitated a pile of pillows and a few books (just in case). Applejack was distributing the fresh apple cider that she conveniently found in a fridge inside of her camping house.

"I love movie nights. I wonder what kind of movie it will be ?" Applebloom trotted around in her orange and red pyjama.

"I hope it will be action packed !!! Something cool, like chases and shooting ! Not that lame and boring romantic comedies that Sweetie Belle was treating us in our last CMC movie night !!' Scootaloo raised an eyebrow, turning into the unicorn filly.

Sweetie Belle let out an exasperated sigh, very similar to Rarity's when she was displeased with something.

"Oh, come on !!! I know that those movies weren't from the highest shelf, but how can't you see the love and the beauty in story of those ponies ? Sometimes you really seem like hopeless case if it comes to things like that, Scoots. Celestia help me..."

"Someone called ?!" asked a voice from the shadows and Sweetie Belle shrieked in surprise when mentioned princess walked on the field along with Luna.

"We understood your excitement, dear Scootaloo. There is nothing more fine than watching an intense spectacle under starry sky " Luna said warmly " I wished for my night sky to be a spectacle in question but I guess a pony shouldn't ask for too much at once..."

Suddenly, a whistle came from the middle of the field and the ponies noticed Spike.

"Mares and Gentlecolts, as a supervising movie organiser, I would ask you to take your seats" the dragon said in a polite manner and pointed towards the amphitheatre-like seats, created by Discord.

Ponies took their positions. In the first row was sitting Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Spike and Fluttershy. Second row was occupied by Applejack, Applebloom, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo and all the Pie sisters.

When everypony was seated, Discord appeared, comfortably laying on his spot in a first row.

"It is time to start. Welcome to the movie night !!! And now..." he snapped his claws and a large screen appeared, hovering over ground a 10 meters from the audience " I am giving the lead to my announcer !!!

A ray of light illuminated the spot between the screen and the seats, while Big Mac was standing, facing his friends.

The red earth pony coughed slightly and spoke in his deep, clear baritone

"Ah, Discord and Spike are more than happy to invite y'all to the movie The New History of Equestria." Big Mac sighed and then continued " written, directed and produced by Discord the draconequus. Now, we wish y'all a pleasant and comfortable time. Enjoy the show"

Big Mac's silhouette was consumed by the shadows and the movie finally started

"Hold on, hold on...is this thing on ? " the voice came from the screen and all of the sudden, the pitch black was replaced by the image of Discord in a red and black vest and a pair of sunglasses.

He waved his paw towards the audience

"Welcome to the show ! I am really, really proud to present the movie "The New History of Equestria: The Abridged Series". Me and my amazing executive team" he pointed out towards a small group of his clones in a background " took care of everything. Also, during this projection you don't have to necessarily be quiet, chatting will occur, even will be necessary, it is only the matter of time. After all, with this movie...this is everything you wanted and you hate the most in the same time !"

He took a few steps forward

"So you think you know history of Equestria ?!"

Twilight shifted on her seat and muttered, to nopony in particular

"Well, I did read all 7 volumes on it so..."

"You couldn't be more wrong !!!" the Discord from the movie extended his palm and stretched it out gently booping Twilight's snout, then retracted back to the screen.

"What you are going to see, is a never showed view on the famous events, heroes and villains you all know. Be prepared for laughs and cries, cause this is. THE.NAKED.TRUTH!!!!!!"

Movie Discord bowed and the screen darkened as the scene changed. Now it was showing a green valley filled with blossoming flowers...

"Oh this is just magnificent" shouted princess Platinum, swirling around the beautiful valley filled with flowers and shards of crystals "All those crystals would look simply divine on my ceremonial robe"

Clover the Clever, trotting right behind her mistress, sighed for the hundredth time that morning

"How somepony with my intellect is serving that fru-fru, mindless princess. And she will be our ruler here ? Come on this is ridiculous..." her trail of thoughts was interrupted by the voice of the said princess.

"Isn't that great, Clover ? The rest of our tribe will be so grateful that I found that beautiful land !"

"Yes" muttered the scholar unicorn " I was just thinking how ridiculously lucky we all are to have somepony as competent as you to be in charge."

"Oh, it is a gift from the birth" the beautiful princess batted her eyelashes.

Two ponies approached the crossroads in the middle of the valley.

Platinum levitated the flag and put it in the middle of the road exclaiming

"Now, we shall take over this land in the name of the unicorn race. I, Princess Platinum, hereby decree the official name of the state as the Cornopolis."

For a moment, nopony was saying anything

"Princess, with all the respect, Cornopolis can be more associated with corn than the" Clover began, but was quickly cut off by the royal unicorn.

"But what does corn have to do with unicorns ?" princess blinked in confusion

"Please help me..."

Then the raspy voice came from above

"Freeze !!!"

An armoured pegasi landed with tremendous

BOOM!!!

His helmet had to turn backwards in flight cause her eyes were covered. She turned her back to the two unicorns and screamed once again.

"The resistance is useless. We got you cornered and now we will reap this land from you till our last breath, we will-"

"Excuse me Commander, but you are facing the wrong direction" a much more gentler voice said the pegasus private, in a much simpler armour, landed and slowly turned the furious warrior around

"Really ? Well, this land must be even more tricky than I thought ? Never mind, stay close to me Pansy, it seems that they somehow managed to contain me in some dark void..."

"No, it is just your helmet..." the timid private managed to say but her elder started to gallop around, doing kicks and flips in the air. In the meantime, the helmet flipped to its original position and landed in front of the unicorns, eyeing them suspiciously.

"So, now it's the good time to run away, unicorns. You are outclassed."

Platinum gave amused look to a pegasus

"Oh, you are soooo right, we are indeed outclassed. There is no class to contain our brilliant minds !"

Clover squinted her eyes

"OUR ?..."

The face of the pegasus reddened

"Do you have any idea who are you talking with ? I am Commander Hurricane, the War Lord and a Chief of all the pegasi. You have only one way to not be destroyed: bow to me, gave our tribe a tribute and leave this land forever. The order is irrelevant."

"Oh, now I recall you. You were on that meeting, back in our old homeland. I would say I am sorry, but you were acting so crude that your presence wasn't worth the acknowledgement"

The vein started to pulse on Hurricane's forehead as the Commander roared

"That's it ! Pansy, we are taking those unicorns hostage. One on one "

"Is that really nessec-" Pansy whispered, but was quickly interrupted.

"Yes it is. You grab the nerd, I grab the hottie"

"Why ?"

"Cause I am the Commander, I have to have the best of everything"

"That's not what I wanted to ask..."

"Oh for goodness sake !" Hurricane took off and before Platinum noticed what was happening, she was grabbed by the pegasus and carried high in the air. She screamed in protest and tried to fight back.

Clover the Clever looked at the Private Pansy and both nodded

"Peace ?"

"Oh, definitely. I am sorry, Commander is a jerk but I kind of owe the pony who was protecting me my entire life so..." Pansy smiled in apologetic way.

"It's okay, I am just glad that they are away for a moment. Princess were giving me a terrible migraine entire day. Not to mention the strange, completely unjustified and machiavellic urges to overthrown her" Clover sighed.

Then, the strange sound of trumpet echoed through the valley and Clover turned around and facehoofed.

"Gods, help me..."

The earth pony in a hat reminiscing a bowl of pudding erupted from the ground with a happy cheer, followed by a rustic looking mare.

"Yuuuupi, look what we found Smart Cookie. A new land!!!!" the cheery mare yelled.

The other mare's eyes were bloodshot and twitching, her mane messed up

"Y're sayin' that all those days underground was for nothing ?" she hissed.

"Well, don't be so dull . We have our new home !!!"

Smart Cookie grabbed Clover and shook her

"Please, you have to get me away from her. We were travelling underground for a week, because she messed up the map and she was still singing and talking about a things that don't make sense"

"I hereby this land an eternal property of Hasbro." ecstatic earth pony shouted in a meantime.

Cookie let go of Clover, and trotted away, laughing madly

"You see ? But this stops now " she raised her hooves in the triumphant gesture " from this day on, I don't give a flying fu-"

THUUUUMPPPP!!!!!

When the dust cleared off, ponies noticed Princess Platinum standing right in place of Smart Cookie

"Goodness, I was lucky that I could ease the impact with that spell" she smiled " the landing was softer than I expected."

She trotted forward to reveal a pancake that looked surprisingly like a flat version of Smart Cookie.

"Lady, for somepony as girly you have a really strong buck" growled Hurricane, flying to the ground and joining the rest.

The commander and the princess was quickly grabbed by the earth pony in a pudding like hat.

"Hi there. Can you go veeeery far away from my new kingdom" the mare said with innocent smile.

"Oh, you can wish !" screamed Hurricane

"Absolutely no" Platinum huffed with irritation

"Oh come on, I can throw you a goodbye party !"

Pansy approached Clover and asked quietly

"So now what ?"

The scholar unicorn raised up a hoof

"I have a theory. Let's see. 1...2...3..."

And then, a wave of freezing wind came to the valley, and the snow started to fall piling up with incredible speed. The leaders quickly turned to ice statues.

Pansy screamed and hid behind Clover, who sadly nodded

"This world can be so predictable that sometimes it's just disappointing"

"So what do we do now ?"

"Let me think. The answer is..."

"Flghghrhrhfhghrhb" said the orange pancake with blond mane.

Clover's eyes lit up

"Of course, that's genius !!! Windigos are feeding of our hatred and divide, so we have to become closer together and show a love and respect in order to defeat them."

"How did you know ?" asked Pansy

Clover eyed her with a hint of surprise

"Miss Pansy, I am Clover the Clever, one of the brightest ponies in the world, the Oracle and Royal Advisor of the unicorn race. Of course I can speak pancake"

"ghffgjfgfjgfjhfjhbbbbbgggg" came from the ground.

A small smile appeared on Clover's face

"All right, come over here. We have to save them. They maybe idiots sometimes, but they are still our dear friends."

Two ponies and an orange pancake started to cuddle up closer to each other and soon after, the snow started to melt away...

"Wow, I like this story much better" said Pinkie Pie with a mouth full of popcorn.

"Well, it was pretty scary that some of those ponies looked a bit like us...the way that princess was called hottie" Rarity but her lip, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Well, duh, there was a reason why we played them on a Hearts Warming Eve Festivities." added Rainbow Dash

"I don't even know what to say..." whispered Twilight.

"That was incredible" said Princess Luna, laughing her guts out " Discord is a really fine director."

"I am sorry for Smart Cookie..." Applejack cringed a little, but then Princess Celestia raised her hoof and put it on her lips. She pointed at the screen, that showed a new scene...

A tall cliff was hit by the waves. A thin stallion with a grey coat and short blue mane was facing the horizon

"My name is Stygian "a voice narrated" You probably never heard of me. I am from the small village in the west part of Equestria. About which you probably didn't heard either. All my life I was ignored and treated as a pushover..."

As a confirmation of his words, a cart that passed nearby splashed the water all over the stallion. He dried himself and raised a hoof high in the air

"But today it will change. Our land is in danger. And I am just the pony to gather the most elite group of heroes to save it. And after that, I will finally be acknowledged and respected.

**************************

Stygian approached the enormous gate and screamed

"Excuse me, gentleponies. I am looking for mister Rockhoooooooff!!!!!!"

The last part of the sentence turned into a shriek of pain when something big and heavy landed on him.

The massive pony with orange beard and mane looked at the palisade angrily

"So this is how ya treath yir herah ? Well, ah accept the banishment. Look at me. Ah can managhe without all of yer squabblin' !"

"This is lovely, but can you please get off me... " came a small whisper from down below.

The enormous earth pony noticed the unicorn underneath his hooves and gasped. He helped Stygian got up.

"Ahm sorry lad, mah comrades didn't mahnd where they were throwin' me. Ahm Rockhoof, nice to meet ya"

He start to shake Stygian's hoof, shaking the entire pony in the process.

"I am Stygian and I was looking for you." Stygian muttered, when he shook off the dizziness" I need you to help me save Equestria from sirens. I heard a tales about your strength and determination and I decided that you shall be my brother in arms. Come with me Rockhoof and you shall gain the power and the glory, respect and praise, more than you would ever dream about"

Rockhoof stared at unicorn blankly before asking slowly

"Will ah be able to smack 'em with shovle ?"

Stygian looked at him and muttered

"Y-yea..."

The viking earth pony hugged the scholar unicorn, smiling widely, and said

"Let's go then, a quest lays ahead of us. Ah was kicked out anyway, cause ah used up all the toileth paper in the entireh village. It all started on a fishin' trip..."

Stygian looked pleadingly to the sky but said nothing

********************

"Rockhoof, how are you out there ?" Stygian climbed another dune of sand.

"Ah have a sand in places that ah didn't know I posses" the viking muttered, trying not to drown in a sand once again.

Suddenly, a high pitched laughter was heard from behind the dune.

Stygian's eyes widened.

"There is somepony out there !"

And there was. While running down from the dune, they collided with a pegasus mare.

The pegasus jumped higher and laughed once again

"You have a really long neck, are you a giraffe ? Why do you have four eyes ? This ocean is really high and flowy, and the sand tastes like cinnamon and OH GODS, YOU ARE ON FIRE !!!"

The oriental looking pegasus started to jump and pull Rockhoof beard

"Don't worry...you...musn't...loose...hope..." the mare whispered before fainting...

*********************

"Ugh..." Somnambula opened her eyes to see Rockhoof smiling over her. She screamed and bucked him in the jaw

"Whoooaaaa, pervert !!! Where am I ?"

"Miss Somnambula, I presume ?" the door to the small room opened and a mare with ginger tied up mane and indigo blue coat. " Nice to meet you, my name is Mage Meadowbrook. I am a doctor and this stallion along with his companion brought you here after you collapsed on the desert. They travelled nearly a hundred miles to get to me. Fortunately for you, they made it just in time. Your body was intoxicated with the expired juice from the cacti fruits. But now it is all over..."

"Oh " Somnambula blinked in surprise " This is indeed very fortunate encounter."

She turned to Rockhoof, who was massaging his jaw.

"I am sorry, you just startled me. You and your friend saved my life. Is there any way I can repay you ?".

"Actually " exclaimed Stygian, entering the room " I have a proposition for both of you ladies..."

***********************

Stygian massaged his temples.

It should all be perfect.

After being nearly sliced by Flash Magnus' squadron, sucked to another dimension by Starswirl's portal and being beaten by Mistmane by her gardening tools, he finally managed to form the Pillars, the group of most legendary ponies in all of Equestria.

They defeated the sirens. Everypony should be happy.

Well, he didn't get acknowledgement he longed for. If he could have their abilities, everything would be different. And maybe the fact that they were keep interfering with his private life...

All of this was making Stygian felt like something was breathing a cold breath on his back. Something dark and cold...

"No, no hasty decisions. They are my friends and we should work it out like friends, together." he muttered, climbing the staircase in the castle of the young royal sisters, their temporary base.

He opened the door to the bathroom and froze

The room was totally flooded with soap.

"Ekhm, occupado" Rockhoof voice sounded as the door of the bathroom slammed in Stygian's face.

The unicorn was speechless

"This castle is enormous. This is my PRIVATE bathroom" he hissed.

Then the entire floor trembled from the force of the explosion and seconds later, a slightly burnt Starswirl galloped to him.

"Sorry about that, I overloaded one of the conjunctive artefacts in the spell..." Starswirl shifted uncomfortably. "And I also burnt half of your library. I am truly sorry"

Stygian's eye twitched

"That's fine... that's fine..." Stygian clenched his head, muttering to himself.

He felt a slight tap on his shoulder and turned around to see Mistmane

"Stygian, dearie, I was taking care of the laundry " said the elderly unicorn " but I accidentally put a wrong colorization spell. My eyes and memory are not as in my younger days. But..."

She pulled a set of Stygian's robes and presented them to him

"I personally think that they're looking better in this hue"

Stygian let out a girlish scream when he noticed that his brown robes, the emblem of his scholar status, were now bright pink.

His body started shaking as he spoke in demonic voice

"NO!!!! I WILL NOT TAKE THIS ANY LONGER !!!! NO NAKED VIKINGS SINGING IN MY BATHROOM, CRAZY WIZARDS BURNING MY PROPERTY, AND NO PINK CLOTHES !!!! SHADOWS, I AM ALL YOURS !!!"

His body exploded in darkness that covered everything.

"Poor Stygian, he just wanted to help" whispered Applebloom.

"That's not exactly how I remember it... " Celestia leaned forward to the screen.

"I like that !!!! The amount of misery and pain almost rivals the one I hold inside of my heart" Limestone said dreamily.

"No, there is no way that the Pillars would act like this" Twilight stared at the dark screen in disbelief.

"I don't know Twi, that was soundin' kind of solid and in character " Applejack responded.

"It is nice to see that all admired ponies can act ridiculously from time to time" Rarity took a sip of her cider.

"I wonder what will be showed next " said Sweetie Belle

"Fear not, the best is the last" Discord spoke for the first time since the projection started.

The screen lit up again to show...

"Is that who I think it is ?" Luna's jaw dropped.

Discord gently closed it and whispered

"Shush, Lulu, I want to relive that memory..."

A large red centaur was in the cave, doing his usual workout.

Suddenly, through a roaring of a rock music, a knocking was heard.

"Blast it, who can it possibly be ?" Tirek, the Magic Eater, flexed his tattooed arms as he got up.

He opened another can of "Magic Dew" and a stream of multicolour energy was absorbed by his mouth. His body glowed in dark orange aura when it grew a little

He sighed. No matter how much he worked out, his eating habits was a real problem in terms of losing weight.

Before he managed to get into the door, a red and black motorcycle appeared in a flash.

"Could you explain to me why you bother knocking if you just barge into my home like that ?!" Tirek growled.

"I supposed that is a polite thing to do " A red glow appeared behind the motorcyclist goggles " But then again, I oppose all the rules so I let myself in"

"You want a macho night, Discord ?" Tirek asked

A driver took off his helmet to uncover the playful, yet dangerously looking yellow eyes. A mohawk black mane and a beginnings of goatee indicted none other than a Master of Chaos in his mixed up self.

"Don't mind if I do !" Discord stretched and looked around the cave " Can't I really help you with the design of this place ? My magic does wonders with..."

Tirek grabbed Discord's leather jacket and pulled him up to his eye level

"Try this and I will snap something and it won't be your fingers."

"Oh, I'm so terrified. You know that I can erase you from existence with one simple thought."

"Or I can order every shadow inside of your bodies to explode..." said a deep, calm and sinister voice

A pony emerged from the corner of the room. It was like all the shadows darkened even more to create his body. He was slim, yet muscular and was wearing a royal ermine cape. His eyes were red and green a trails of purple smoke was evaporating from the corners.

Three powerful beings eyed themselves for some time and then all three started to laugh loudly.

"Oh guys, you are awesome. It's dull plotting alone in this cave but you guys have the best sense of humour " Tirek hit Discord in the back so strongly that it caused his head to fell of his neck.

"Kinda my thing " the draconequus put his head atop of his body and turned to dark pony " Glad you made it, Sombra"

The Lord of Shadows responded with a toothy grin.

"And miss such an esteemed event ? " he waved his hoof " Dictators need a break too"

Discord snapped his claws and a fully equipped poker table appeared in the middle of the cave.

"I guess I had to beat you again ? You are up for plotting-and-gaming session ?" Discord raised his bushy, white eyebrow

"IS THAT A CHALLENGE ??!!!! OF COURSE I AM IN !!!!!"

Sombra coughed

"Royalty shouldn't probably act like this but ... "his face turned into a horrible mask out of horror as the shadow tentacles swirled around him. "I will OBLITERATE YOU !!!!"

"I didn't know you have another group before me and Big Mac" Spike gave Discord meaningful glare.

Draconequus rolled his eyes

"It was more like a "taking-over-the-world-and -not-trying-to-reap-each-other-apart" group. I was less old and I wanted some allies. But our O&O group is special, don't worry about it."

Dragon muttered something under his breath but the answer seemed to satisfy him.

Discord looked at the princesses. They expressions were a mixture of curiosity, shock and wonderment.

"I can't believe this. This is..." Celestia mumbled

"Priceless !!!" Luna squealed, with her hooves nearly in her mouth.

Celestia looked at her smiling sister

"I wanted to say weird but I guess it is rather interesting" she focused her attention on the screen again. " If that trio attacked Equestria together, we would be powerless. I wonder what happened to make them act separately ?"

Discord's head popped between princesses who shrieked in surprise

"How funny you mentioned that. Just watch on and you shall see..."

Tirek absorbed one more portion of "Magic Dew" and burped loudly.

"Two pairs" he yelled and put his cards at the table

"Too bad I got a full" Discord levitated his cards as well

"YOU CHANGED IT AGAIN WITH MAGIC !" Tirek roared " I CAN PRACTICALLY SMELL IT!!!"

"Oh come on, T-man. Would I lie to you ?" A halo appeared over Discord's head

"You did on a multiple occasions, during our adventures together " Sombra took a sip of his wine. He got the most refined taste in beverages from the three.

"Liar ! When ?"

"Do you want it in alphabetical or chronological order ?" Sombra scratched his hoof with tendril of shadow sharp as razor blade.

Discord shrugged and looked at his cards again

"So, how are the things in Crystal Empire ?"

Sombra smiled

"Excellent, I ordered my slaves to carve more statues of me in the palace. Those screams of agony under the weeps are like a soothing lullaby for me" he chuckled.

"So, are we playing for the usual ?" Tirek looked at the big map, stretched across the table.

"Yes, for the divide of this land" Discord drew a card.

*************************

"How in Tartarus are you always get the best part ?" Tirek eyed Discord furiously.

"Well, it seems I am destined to rule over Canterlot after all" the spirit said.

"And I got the west part. Good, earth ponies out there will make a loooovely slaaavessss!!!" Sombra hissed.

"Well, I guess the east is not so bad as well. There is plenty of unicorn magic to drain from the citizens." Tirek stroke his beard.

"So with this out of our way, let's get to bachelorette" Discord snapped his claws once again and a three covered models appeared on the table.

"To what ?" Tirek narrowed his eyes.

"I think that he means- " Sombra began

"I know what he meant !" yelled centaur

"You did ? " Discord gasped " That's reassuring, cause I certainly didn't."

"That was a rhetorical question. Who do you think I am, barbarian ?"

Behind Tirek's back, Sombra tilted his head towards the centaur and gave a wall-eyed expression.

It took all of the remaining of restrain in Discord to stop himself from laughing out loud.

"Well, we are long living creatures. We have to have someone to keep us from falling into boredom." Discord explained.

"You want to find us wives or something ? Do you looked in the mirror lately, huh, Discord ?" Tirek chuckled

"No, why should I ?"

"You look like a half of the zoo, that was rode over, chewed up by the second half and spilt out " Tirek grinned with pleasure " You really think that some creature will love you ?"

"Oh, come on " Discord grinned back, a hint of red glowing in his eyes "Should it matter what we look like ? I thought that what truly matters is intentions !"

"Yes, for example, I want my wife to obey my every order. But in return, I would make her the empress of the entire world !" Sombra said, looking at them across the table.

"See, he gets it" Discord cheered in triumph.

"But I am a strong and independent. I don't need a wife. Do I look desperate ? " muttered Tirek.

"Well, coming from guy who tattooed an arrow pointing directly at his di-" Sombra started but Tirek interrupted him with a furious growl

"I THOUGHT WE AGREED TO NEVER SPEAK OF THAT LAS PEGASUS INCIDENT EVER AGAIN !!!"

"Hey, hey, just pick the straws."

The other two villains sighed and quickly pulled the straws that Discord was holding in his paw.

After a half of a minute draconequus laughed

"I won !"

Sombra rolled his eyes and growled

"What an unexpected surprise"

"Son of a-"Tirek cracked his fists, but Discord quickly put the claw on his lips.

"Now, now, look at this"

Discord pulled of the cloak

"Candidate number one: Lovely Princess Celestia, the young daughter of Queen Aurora, direct descendant of Our Mother Lauren Faust, may her world never end. Sophisticated, elegant, diplomatic, loves cakes and bananas. Soft, flowing pink mane and angelic wings. And she is my price."

Sombra chuckled

"Celestia would never agree for you to go out with you. Sometimes, she is as stubborn as her sister."

"Funny you should mention Luna. You pulled the second straw, didn't you ?"

The second model was uncovered

"Number two: Princess Luna, incarnate of Lunar Power, real romantic, edgy gamer with dark side. Loves stargazing, walks by the moonlight and receiving lavender. And she goes to Sombra"

"Perfect !!!" dark king rubbed his hooves together " she is the only one who can truly understand the nature of the darkness. Together we shall reign as the King and Queen of Shadows."

"And finally for Tirek..."

The last cloak revealed...

"Queen Chrysalis..."

"NOOOO!!!!" Tirek yelled " How someone with my hot body may marry this old hag ? Besides, she will drain me of every bit of affection ! No. Fricking.WAY !!!"

A ball of fire appeared between centaur's horns.

"Share yours!!!" he screamed

"NEVER!!!!" Discord and Sombra shouted back.

Suddenly, several explosions covered the vision and everything became black

"Later, we had a pretty ugly fight, that I would rather not mention in this company. " Discord explained quietly, trying not to wake up Sweetie, Scootaloo and Applebloom, who fell asleep some time earlier. " Later we parted ways and I didn't see Sombra since and I met Tirek when...ekhm, I was sent to capture him"

Celestia and Luna had their faces so red that it looked as if they ate an entire plantation of chilli peppers (as Pinkie kindly pointed out).

"I don't know if I should be disturbed or flattered" Celestia managed to say

"Well, there was a time when I almost started dating Sombra..." Luna wondered.

"Luna, maybe tomorrow. I think I had enough." Celestia answered, yawning.

Soon everypony was laying underneath the starry sky. Discord created blankets and gently wrapped CMC in them. He received a warm thanks from their sisters.

Celestia looked at the sky and smiled weakly. In the same time, small tear flowed down her cheek

"You idiot " she thought " Why did you became kind ? And... it made hating you difficult..." .

Spike: Throughout the years

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Chapter 8

(If some mistakes can be found in this chapter, I sincerly apologize. Still tracking them down, should be clear in day or two)

Where feelings are pushed back and forth.

Spike opened his eyes and stretched up

"Oh, that was quite a night " he whispered, looking at his friends, still laying on the field.

He had no idea what hour it was. Celestia had to get up to raise the sun earlier but now she was quietly snoring alongside
Luna.

Spike took off into the air, flying higher and higher above the group. For some time he was just passing over the Everfree without any direction. But as he wandered further and further, so did his thoughts.

This camping trip was nothing but a success so far. He and Rarity managed to spend time with each other twice and had a good time together. Spike was rather sure that she was genuinly content with it, as was he. Everything was going smoothly and there was a chance for Rarity to finally understand Spike's affection towards her.

There shouldn't be a disturbing sense of worry within him, should it ?

But it was there and it was quite annoying cause Spike couldn't actually identify what was the source of this mysterious heartache.

Do I fear that I am not worth her ?

Nah, that couldn't be it. Spike may lack confidence in many areas but he truly believed that he wasn't any less good than all the other stallions that Rarity was chasing after.

He knew that he may not be the perfect choice. But what mattered is that he wanted to improve himself. Since the day he laid eyes on beautiful seamstress, it was obvious to him that he wanted everything good for her and to protect her from any harm. It was after all what love was all about, wasn't it ?

And what if she finally says "no" ?

Well, even if that was the problem, that was why he was there. He was trying to appear to Rarity in the best way he could. He believed that it should be enough to let her finally see the real him. And if all that was for nothing... he was very well aware how much that kind of rejection would hurt him. But that still didn't change the reality: he still loved her. And he wouldn't risk their friendship to fall apart. He would stick to it if it made Rarity happy.

Would it be unfair towards him and all his efforts to be an equal in pony society and to find some love for himself ? Hell yeah.

But if he had to choose between his and Rarity's happiness, the choice was obvious.

Or maybe you are afraid that she will leave you, dying first, and you will be able to just remember her till you die ?

Spike froze in the air. Yep...that could be it. When he was younger, he didn't pay much attention to this. And now, he was avoiding it because he was scared of confronting the truth. Dragons, if healthy and in good environment, could live for a few millenias, when for a ponykind living nine decades was a blessing.

She could leave him... dragon forced to relieve the moments spent with one he loved but unable to truly unite with her.

Spike couldn't imagine how much anguish Discord felt about this topic. As long as dragon's life was, it was still a finite one. Discord however was destined to exist forever.

A faint sound of hoofsteps brought Spike back to reality. He looked down at the forest below and notied some silhouette walking on a path between trees. He descended and approached the silhouette, which turned out to be Pinkie Pie's older sister, Maud Pie.

Spike's eyes widened. Well, that was certainly unexpected.

He landed and slowly walked towards the grey earth pony

"Hi Maud, how are you feeling ?"

It took a few seconds before apathetic mare responded

"With my nerves..."

Spike chuckled nervously

"Hehe, good one..."

They were walking in silence for a minute.

"Boulder wanted to go for a walk " Maud finally said "And laying on the sun is bad for his complexion, so I wanted to ease his tension and take him to shadow."

"Yeah... say, Maud, did you like our game on the beach ?"

Maud blinked slowly few times

"You mean that big building with fortyfing purpouses made of loosely bonded quartz, granit and with coral specks ?"

"I guess so..."

"The flags were not made of rocks, it was kind of disappointing"

"But Maud, how would you carry a flag made of stone ?"

"With your mouth. Or that pointy, sharp extensions of your hands"

Really should have seen this coming Spike growled in his thoughts.

Despite how he and his friends respected Maud, coexistence with her could be...tricky, to say at least.

Spike was just about to make his leave when some idea crossed his mind.

It was a really stupid one, but hey, Pinkie told him once that even the most crazy ideas can be benficient in certain circumctances. It never hurt to try.

"Maud, wait ! Can I ask you for advice ?" he shouted.

Maud stared at him, turning her head sllightly to the left

"I think you can ask me. You just did."

Spike sighed and began explanation

"You see, I have a friend who has friend too. He really cares about her and doesn't want anything bad to happen to her. But she has to go on a trip from which she may never return. So what is he supposed to do to be stronger and not to miss her so much but instead, keep her close enough to remember her fondly but not to be hurt by not having her around ? She is very important to him so he can't just forget her. But knowing she may not return...should he move on to not grow sad and bitter ?" Spike finished and closed his eyes.

That wasn't smooth at all. That was a horribly fabricated story.

Suddenly, he heard Maud's voice

"I think that I may have a resolution."

Spike rised an eyebrow

"You do ?"

Maud slowly drew a circle on the path

"Some gemstones are building their structure of bondings around more common and fragile rocks" she drew another smaller circle inside the bigger one" They do that in order to stabilize and harden even more. It happens cause they have a core that helps them endure the resonance and interferences of the outside forces "

She made a larger circle even deeper.

"But in return, those common cores have some of the minerals from the gem get into them and harden them as well " she erased the smaller circle so only the big remained" And in some cases, the cores became one with the gem "

Spike waited for the finale but it seemed that Maud said what she wanted to say.

So with that, dragon assumed that he must crack the riddle by himself

"Dragons are usually so fierce, strong and ancient when compared to ponies. Their durability is almost like the one of the gem... " he thought slowly " Ponies are...well, soft and easy to hurt. They are fragile compared to dragons. But they aquired stability and are living comfortably when dragons must sleep in the caves. So...maybe when I and Rarity do stuff together, we are living in...how Twilight called it ? Ah, symbiotic relationship We each give other something for our life to be better. Ponies changed me to be more gentle, caring and generally nicer than other dragons. Rarity did her job here as well. I feel better for all she and my friend are offering me. And in return, I am more than willing to protect them...and Rarity. I would do anything to keep them safe. One day I will become large and strong and no one would mess with them if I will be around. But what about my dillema about Rarity dying first..."

Unity...

"Maud, if the same thing could happen to living creatures..." Spike spoke at last " If they both take and give each other strenght and courage and benefit from it, is it possible that...on the way of that exchange they would stumble upon the level of understanding that would make them be as a one creature ? With different personalities but so in synch...that if one of the partners leaves, the other will be able to live on because the memories that he carries inside...becuase they would be in such a unity that the part of the one would be leaving with other...and with one alive, the other won't be truly gone ?"

Maud stared at him for what seemed to be an eternity.

And then corner of her lips twitched. Her version of the smile.

He understood it.

The aphatetic earth pony turned around and walked deeper into the forest without any word.

Spike was just standing there, trying to process what happened. His head was pounding, he wasn't used to thinking this kind of stuff. That was usually Twilight's domain.

"Well, I am glad that I did " he thought, taking off and returning to the camp" Maybe it will help clear up the mess in my head, even if just a little."

******************

"Spike, this place is simply gorgeous. You have a really good taste when it comes to choosing picnic places" Rarity complimented, levitating a napkin and cleaning her lips.

"Thanks Rarity, I just passed this spot in the morning" Spike took a bite of his panini " And those sandwiches are amazing!!!"

"Well, I am not much of a cook, but I gussed that I have to prepare something as a gratitude for your invitation."

They were both sitting on the line of grass between the forest and the lake. When Spike returned from his morning escapade, he got the idea of inviting Rarity to a picnic. The unicorn was quite taken by surprise but ultimately didn't saw any objections. She even took her time to make them some snacks. As usual, they were discussing Rarity's recent ideas for clothing and gossping about their friends.

It was a good time for both of them.

And now they were laying on the grass and watching, a faint blush appearing on both of their cheeks from other's proximity.

Rarity gasped and pointed towards the sky

"Oh Spike, look ! That cloud over there looks just like the Golden Oak Library ! The resemblence is remarkable !"

Not hearing an answer from Spike, she twisted her head a little to see the dragon gazing upon the very same cloud with a nostalgic look on his face.

Rarity's gaze softened

"Ah... I am sorry, I forgot that you and Twilight were..."

Spike raised his claw in the air

"It's okay, I am passed the grief. But it is still sad. So many good memories happened in it. Remember Twilight's welcome party ?"

Rarity smiled

"How could I forget ? That long night changed our lives forever after all"

"Yeah, if I was told before we moved to Ponyville, that I would one day live in the castle with my own throne, my friends being six bearers of Harmony, ancient god of chaos, Dragon Lord and Changelling King, I would laugh my guts out. But...sometimes I can't believe how far we come

„Indeed, though I am definately glad that some things are staying the same” Rarity said with her eyes closed and face turned towards the sun.

Spike shrugged

„Yeah, we always are and will be there for each other...”

„That too. But it is just unbelievable how loyal you are, being enamoured with me” Rarity whispered, her face bathed in sunlight.

The sounds were distant and echoed in Spike's mind.

Did she just...

Rarity faced him and snorted

"Oh come on, don't stare like that at me darling. You weren't actually very good at hidding that. I knew for some time".

Spike held his breath. She knew ? But what does she ...?

"H-how a-are y-you feeling a-about me ?" he managed to say.

Rarity giggled

"Well, I was sure that you will grow up and move on. But I was quite touched with your determination. Of course I was worried what others may think about it. But besides, I was more than content."

Spike gazed at the alabaster fashionista in astonishment. That has to be a dream, one of the thousands he dreamed before.

"Still, I was unsure how you will react when I will be older and my looks will fade. Spike, your devotion to be with me and doing me favours to win me over were so sweet, I couldn't appreciate..."

Twilight once told Spike that dragon's heart is beating much slower than ponies, due to their lifespan and density of blood.
Now Spike felt as if his heart froze and with each slow beat the words echoed in his head

BUMPH!!!

Looks that will fade away...

BUMPH!!!

Doing favours to win over...

"Is that really all ?" he whispered outloud

"Spike ?" Rarity leaned forward

And then Spike laughed in a histerical, high pitched manner

They were right all along. She really doesn't see...

"You might mistake things juuuust a liiitle" he hissed, the ice in his chest quickly melting within the flames of wrath and grief so powerful that his entire body started shaking.

"You think that I like you only because you are beautiful ?!!!! I am not some random stallion chasing with a mare with a nice flank. Rarity, you are the most stunning and beautful pony I know and I would even risk saying that you are the prettiest in all of Equestria. But saying there is so much more to you and I learned throughout the years how gorgeous is your inner beauty. Your intelligence, determination, resilience, generosity. Telling me that I can't see that... this is CRUELTY!!! Before judging me and my feelings, maybe you should realize what those feelings really are. You have no idea..." Spike was now yelling out of pure fury

"How much do you mean to me...What would I do to protect you...What would I do not to loose you. For me... or for your own good... Even when you lived your own dreams, the ones that was bad for me...You were the part of my memories I reached for in my darkest hour. I loved you even beyond this world..."

Spike was now breathing heavily, the tendrils of smoke rising from his nostrils.

"And with all this in mind, you thought I did all that work to WIN YOU OVER ??!!!! ALL THAT MATTERED FOR ME WAS YOUR HAPINESS, SAFETY AND PROTECTION !!!!... I would never, ever use you. But maybe once, you should make an effort to see the real me !!!! Did you ever adress your opinion on my feelings through this time???!!! NO!!!!!

Right now, I should be really mad at you. But even now, when a part of my wants it, I can't be because I still LOVE YOU LIKE A MAD DRAGON I AM!!!! Good looks ? One interesting fact, you probably didn't notice or didn't even care about: I WOULD DIE FOR YOU!!!!" Spike roared and looked at Rarity, frozen in place, with her hoof over her mouth.

He reached his hand to her and his gaze softened for a moment, but then he clenched his fist and ran to the forest, not looking back.

"Spikey..." Rarity whispered, her voice cracking a bit, as her mascara marked the trail of the waterfall that began to flow down her snowy coat.

*************

Running was all Spike could do.

His own warm tears fell down when he sprinted towards the camp.

He felt so sad, angry and frustrated...Crying was now all he can do.

But when he spotted familiar camping houses, he started to slowly calm down.

And a wave of guilt washed over him.

Rarity deserved to hear that. She wasn't all innocent in all of this. But he left her all alone, shouting all his frustrations, and not even leaving her a chance to defend herself.

No, that certainly wasn't right. He needed to apologize to her, even if his anger was justified in some ways.

He then shook his head. He had to do this but definately not now either. He wouldn't be able to face her... not so soon. He needed to think about what to say to Rarity.

Did I hurt her ? Oh no...

Spike sighed and clenched his head. He still didn't want this but Rarity had to hear the truth.

His gaze hardened once more. Did she ever reach to adress their relationship in one way or another ? She kind of owed him that.

But he would ease that, he had to...

Even now he longed for her presence.

Young dragon snorted in annoyance and grief as he was making his way towards his own camphouse, the eastern like residence circled by the ring of fire.

He passed the flames, not feeling anything, and ascended the stairs before opening the door with a massive golden dragon on them.

He entered a small hallway. He clapped his hands and torches lit up with green fire.

Spike felt numb and empty. He didn't want to deal with anyone now. Right now his friends will be the fridge and the big pack of sapphire milkshakes inside.

It looked like Rarity's stress-eating habits rubbed on Spike after all.

That realization didn't make his already grim mood better as one more stream of tears ran down his cheek.

He opened the fridge and took the can. But right then a hoof appeared from behind and pressed itself against his lips

"MHWHHWHWHMMM!!!!" He screamed silently.

"No, no, don't freak out !!! Don't scream!! It's just me..." said the voice behind him, the first parts of the sentences noticibly higher than the last ones.

"SHwity Bherrll ?" Spike muttered.

"You won't scream ?" the young unicorn moved her head closer to Spike's and looked around suspiciously.

Spike noded and Sweetie removed her hoof.

"W-what the hell was that ?" Spike faced the unicorn filly.

"Sorry, sorry, I just didn't want you to scream and make everypony come in here" Sweetie tried to apologize.

"Yeah, cause sneaking behind someone and muting them is the best way to ensure that they won't freak out" Spike said sarcastically.

Sweetie Belle blinked a few times, before smiling lightly

"Good point"

"So..." Spike shifted his balance from one leg to another" Why did you want to see me ? And most importantly, how did you even get in here ?"

"Scootaloo helped me catapult myself over this ring of fire " squeaked Sweetie Belle "Though I can't say that it went so easy."

She pointed at her curly, pink and violet tail, that was black at the end.

Spike gulped. Man, talk about determination.

"It's nice to see you Sweetie, but I must ask you again what brought you here now ?"

Sweetie looked at her hooves

"Well, I have a confession to make...and that's why I was waiting here. I needed to meet you in private"

Spike's head pounded even harder

"I am sorry Sweetie, but can't we wait with this till tommorow ? I had a really awful morning and I am not really in the mood
for talking-"

"Oh, it won't take that long. And it isn't much of a talk either, more of a demostration". Sweetie Belle explained.

Suddenly, Spike felt his hands being pressed to the fridge by Sweetie's hooves as the filly nearly pressed her body against his.

"Sweetie, what is-" was all dragon managed to say before Sweetie Belle's lips locked with his own.

A wave of heat washed over him. He couldn't...that wasn't...WHAT???...

Sweetie continued deepening the kiss and as innocent and unexperienced as it was, it was very warm and passionate.

After few moments of confusion, natural insitcts won and Spike gave in to the kiss, allowing Sweetie's mane brush his cheek.

He felt exhilariated and bevildered as their bodies embaraced each other in that primal form of affection.

But his mind didn't give up complately and kept shouting:

"WHAAAAAAAAAT IS GOING ON????!!!!! MY CELESTIA, THAT FEELS SO GOOD!!!!! NO, NO, FOCUS !!! IS SWEETIE BELLE...NO, IMPOSSIBLE, THAT CAN'T BE...BUT IT IS..."

Sweetie Belle's hooves left his hands as the pair slid down the surface of the fridge.

Spike felt warm, sweet lips of Sweetie Belle and he realized that young unicorn seemed almost...hungry for this. Like every second was a lifesaving medicine.

Then again, he felt that he needed this kind of affection as well, so he didn't complain. He didn't even dream about it.

Finally, they parted, desperately gasping for air.

"Oh, that felt even better than I thought. Wow !" Sweetie Belle said, her cheeks rosy red.

"Mhm Sweetie hghmm" Spike still couldn't clearly formulate a thought after a sudden rush of adrenaline "Did you ....aaaaa...are you in lo-"

"For two years now, yeah" Sweetie Belle gazed at him with a bit of uncertainty "I kind of struggled to tell you because honsetly, I couldn't explain why is that. I admire your nobility and the fact that you always have time to play with us. Not to mention that you are good looking guy too."

She bit her lip

"Rarity always said that lady doesn't kiss and tell. But I am not my sister and this is exactly what I am doing: I think that I included all in my kiss but if you want to hear that...Spike, I started crushing on you two years ago and recently I realized that I may really be in love with you." Sweetie concluded.

"Aaa...haahhh..." Spike was seriously concerned about the state of his brain because it felt like it was melting inside of his skull.

Sweetie Belle giggled

"Yep, that's why I like you Spike. You are so good when it comes to communication."

Spike shook his head

"Sweetie Belle, I just...I don't know what to say...I thought you and Button Mash were dating..."

Sweetie Belle's gaze became more distant.

"Spike, you and Button were always the only ones that I was thinking about. And my heart was kind of jumping between you. Each of you has virtues and flaws. But recently me and Button had a bit of an argument..."

"I understand" Spike noded quietly. He didn't need to be told after today.

"I mean, Button is a great guy. Like, really, really great to spend time with. But I don't have this feeling of complete safety that I have...when I am close to you. Spike, you are loyal and I think I can relay on you. You are not the second resort. I think I made the right choice...better one".

She looked at Spike who stared at her in the mixture of bevilderment and disbelief.

Then her face fell a little

"You said that you had an awful morning... was my sister involved in it?"

Spike's eyes widened

"How did you-"

Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow

"Spike, you spend almost as much time in the boutique as myself. I figured out that you loved Rarity a while ago. And now you exactly like me after an argument with Button. I know that something went wrong. Which makes it easier for me to say that..."

She leaned closer to Spike and met his emerald eyes.

"Look, I just want to say that I WON'T get mad if you choose Rarity over me. You have still the right to choose as much as we have it. I know that my sister would go green from envy if she was in my shoes right now but in the end it is still you who needs to choose between us. So don't worry. But with all that..."

She gave him a small peck on the cheek and galloped towards the door. Just before departing, she turned around.

"...there is no saying that I can't try to convince you. But I am sure that you will choose good. See ya around !"

And then Sweetie Belle was gone.

Spike raised from the ground and shakily walked few steps before puting his head against one of the columns inside the hallway.

"That...that was..."

"Amazing ?" whispered disembodied voice and Spike noticed Discord eating cotton candy on the sofa standing on the celling

"What did you- ?" dragon asked

"Oh, everything from your lovely outburst." Discord grinned " Maybe you should reevaluate..."

"NO!!! ARE YOU CRAZY??!!! One argument can't stop me from loving Rarity. She is the love of my life !!!"

"Are you sure that is true ? " Discord said, reappearing close to him.

"Yes..."

"Cause you know, we can always introduce you to someone new. Do you prefer blondes ?"

With a snap, an light orange pegasus with a blond mane tied up in ponytail. She looked at Spike

"Oh my god, are you a chimera ? Wow, you have such sharp claws !!!Can you be a model for my new line of automails ?!! If I just could make Ed that one, he surely..."

"Or we can go with brunette" Discord snapped his claws once again

Orange pegasus disappeared and was replaced by a weirdest looking earth pony mare Spike ever saw. Her coat was red and covered in black spots. Her short black mane was pulled into two short buns

"Where am I ? Chat, if this is one of your pranks..." he noticed Spike and Discord" Oh no, akumatized villans. Tikki, spots..."

"Next ! Maybe someone more oriental"

A peagasus mare with a short raven mane and in a green cloack soared through the air, swining the sharp, long blades.

"SAAAAASAAAGEEEEYOOO!!!"

"WHAAAAA!!!" shrieked Spike and fortunately, the mare disappeared before she managed to hit him.

Spike rubbed his head in confusion when the stallion materialized in front of him

"Hi little dragon, I am capitan Jack Harckness. Let's run away-"

"NOOO!!! Anyone but you !!!" howled Discord and stallion disappeared.

Discord sighed

"All right then. One last shot"

SNAP !

An earth pony with a long ,fiery red mane materialized out of thin air. The mare was wearing a red suit that was sticking closely to her skin

"Hey ?!!! Who are you ? A new angels ?!!! Shinji, get into the goddamn Eva and come for me, baka !!!"

"Miss, allow me to introduuuugggghhh!!!!!" Discord bent in half when the mare kicked him right between the legs

"What the hell is going on here ? One moment I was standing in the elevator with Ayanami and next..."

She disappeared in a flash.

Spike sighed and walked to Discord who was still holding his private parts.

"Are you done or do you want to bring the entire universe to beat us up ?"

"N-n-noo" Discord hissed and got up "But why are you so indecisive ?"

"If you listened to me instead of messing with girls from different dimensions, we would avoid this mess. I told you that I love Rarity and one fight can't mess it up" Spike exclaimed calmly.

"But she proved totally ignorant towards your feelings. And I bet you are already having second thoughts after what Sweetie Belle did with you, hmm ?" Draconequus smiled sarcastically

Spike's scaly cheeks flashed red when he muttered

"Rarity is too dear to me to just throw her away. I also didn't express my feeling properly all this years so I shall take part of the blame and sort things out. And as for Sweetie Belle..."

His entire face began to reden even more

"That exactly wasn't bad either " he whispered after a moment." She is quite cute..."

Discord stared at him unconvinced. Spike smiled weakly

"Oh fine, she is also an amazingly good kisser"

Discord threw his limbs into the air

"I knew it." he started to sing in terrible falseto " Your heart is in two places, you can only love the one..."

"Oh, cut it out " Spike groaned " it all just came us such a surprise. I mean...Sweetie Belle and Rarity are one of the most, if not the most, gorgeous mares in Ponyville. And I am involved in some way with each of them...Oh Celestia, how did this happen ? They are just so...so..."

"Yummy ?" Discord, as a loyal and helpful friend, suggested right away.

Spike cringed and looked at the lord of chaos.

"I was going to say lovely and cute...but they are just stunning, both of them. How is this possible ?"

"Well, they are sisters after all" answered Discord, playing with DNA helix.

Spike sighed and raised his hands towards the sky.

"Exactly. Oh Cookie Crumbles, what is your secret ?"

"You know she used to be cheerleader ?" Discord said, examining the state of his claws.

Spike's eyes widened.

"No. Way" he whispered.

"Yeah, but then she discovered her talent in making cookies and got a bit...ekhm, round-y. But Rarity's dad was a hoofball player and she was always cheering on him to fight."

"How do you know that ?" Spike asked with curiosity in his voice.

"Because they used to date right under my feet" the spirit said with dismay.

Noticing Spike's blank expresion, he quickly explained

"I mean literally, they were going to Caterlot Royal Gardens and sit under my statue. He was always telling her some stories and she was treating him with cookies" Discord shivered

"Emm...what's wrong with cookies ?"

Discord glared at the dragon under half-closed eyes.

"They were never cleaning after themselves. Those little pieces were later eaten by the pigeons. Do you know what happens when pigeon complately digests the food ?" his eye twitched as he hissed " And do you know how hard is planning the strategy of conquering the world when dozens of pigeons are POOPING ON YOU ??!!!"

Spike chuckled and Discord rolled his eyes

'Looks like I helped him lighten up after all. What a little jerk. Than again, he is really in a pickle here. I am lucky that I don't have a problem like that' draconequus thought.

Then he shivered as he felt as if something cold passed right behind him.

He clenched and unclenched his fist and then turned to Spike with a sly smile

"It is rather chilly out here. Why don't we move outside and join the others at the skatepark ? In the meantime, I can tell you some manly jokes that I created while watching the parents of your two cutie pies "

"No, please don't !!!! Spare me !!!" Spike begged.

"How did HONDO get his second name ?" Discord waited for a few seconds and then finished "Because to be a father of such beauties as Rarity and Sweetie Belle, he had to look for nice FLANKS!!!!"

"Sometimes I really hate you" Spike muttered when the doors closed behind them.

The dream arc I: nightmares and resolutions of the immortal past

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Chapter 9

When we learn the origin of chaos...

A repetitive scratch of the lizard claws and a thumping of a cloven hoof echoed through the soundless forest as Discord walked ahead on the field, gently bathed in the moonlight.

He noticed Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy dancing nearby the fire.

"Discord ?" a voice from behind asked

He turned around to see Celestia

"Oh, hi Tia..." he muttered.

"Why don't you join them ?" the sun princess questioned.

"Maybe I shall, but for now I just watch them" Discord sit on the bench.

"It's remarkable how strong their bond is...they achieved so much in such a short time...we were like this once too. We use to spend all days together, you me and Luna."

"But that was before..." Discord sighed and then tensed, when he felt a cold breath on his neck

"Before you blown everything away." a deep, quite voice whispered.

Discord quickly jumped away. His eyes widened in horror.

Right behind him, standing and staring beyond him, at the fire, was his exact duplicate. The only distinguishing feature was the toothy grin and much darker and malicious eyes, burning with red light

"You know, maybe this is even for the best. How can say that those ponies aren't weak. All they can do is simply run away from their fears and roll over. They certainly good natural resource." The clone looked at Discord, his teeth shining in the light of the fire " Why don't we use some of that ?"

The fire that mane 6 was dancing around grew larger and got out of control. The ponies screamed and run away.

Discord quickly dashed towards them. They looked at him and...

He froze They were looking at him in utter panic and horror

"G-go away. Before we make you " Twilight whispered, backing off.

"Yeah, one step more and ya will never stand straight again" Applejack muttered

"How many times can you promise to change ? You can't fool us !!!" Rainbow Dash yelled

"You meanie ! Because of you, we are all going to die ! Not to mention all those delicious marshmallows, roasted to death" Pinkie squeaked.

"Don't come close to us, you hideous freak !" Rarity snarled.

Discord couldn't believe that. He raised his eagle claw.

"No, it's not like that ! I will SAVE YOU !!!"

SNAP !!!

The flames grew even stronger and closed each pony in the ring of fire.

The mares screamed , unable to escape from blazing heat.

Discord looked at his claw and paw in disbelief and terror.

His powers...didn't work ? WHAT WAS GOING ON ??!!!

He heard a familiar squeal and noticed Fluttershy, backing away from the flames.

He reacted immediately and rushed through the flames, ignoring the pain of the burnt skin and catching yellow pegasus.

They rolled on the ground, Discord shielding Fluttershy from any damage.

He held element of kindness, laying motionlessly on his hands.

"Please, Fluttershy, say something !!!! I don't know what's going on !!!! Please hold on for a moment, I will get help. Just...don't leave me... I will do anything !!!"

Suddenly, the pegasus opened her eyes and Discord gasped.

Fluttershy's lips stretched to a wide smile, completely not fitting for her face. Her irises were bright red.

"You act like you have a conscience but you are just being sentimental, aren't you Discord ?"

A stream of red smoke flew from Fluttershy's mouth, wrapping around Discord and turning into the dark clone of himself he saw earlier.

"You thought that one simple change of opinion will bring you peace ? Look at your own face !!! Nothing can erase your errors. "his counterpart laughed, facing him " You are THE CHAOS, your only purpose is to strike down the order of their peaceful existence. No matter what you do, ultimately you will be the destroyer of their lives. They will never understand you and they never shall. You are born to divide, you can never belong. And if that wasn't enough..."

Evil Discord looked at Fluttershy. Discord followed his gaze and noticed with despair that ponies' body was turning into ash

"...they will all die, no matter what you do. And you will be left alone and cold, in the darkness !!!"

The evil laughter roared throughout the field.

Discord let out a scream of sorrow and agony and the world was consumed by fire.

*****************

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

Discord jumped off his floating bed, a spheres of sparkling energy appearing around his palms.

He looked around the chaotic room with a furious gaze, before reality caught up with him.

The energy slowly faded into nothingness as he covered his face with his hands.

A nightmare...a full blown nightmare...

That was awful. He didn't have any bad dreams since...well, since Fluttershy reformed him.

He sighed...his body was shaking. Not even the omnipotent god of chaos was totally fearless against his biggest fears.

He took a few deep breaths. He needed to go outside and breath some fresh air.

He pressed his claws together and then hesitated.

The visions from the dream was still fresh...what if something will...

He gritted his teeth and snapped his claws.

The flash of bright light enveloped him as he teleported in front of his house...just as he wanted.

'See, nothing to worry about. Stupid dream' he thought.

"You know, every dream lies in the reality" said a calm voice and Discord noticed two alicorns landing near him.

"Kay-kay ? Lulu? What are you two doing here ?" asked lord of chaos, genuinely surprised.

"I was on my night duty, you know, patrolling dreams, when I felt a strong signal coming from some dreamscape nearby. But the dream ended before I managed to enter it." Luna explained.

"And I couldn't sleep when I suddenly heard a scream, that I recognized as yours, Discord. So when Luna flew by, looking for the source of the dream, we talked to each other, added two to two and I decided to check if everything was okay if with you". Celestia added

Discord raised an eyebrow

"Really ? You bothered to check on me ?"

Luna smiled lightly

"Yes, why wouldn't we ?"

Discord massaged his head

"Well, this is reassuring, especially after tonight..."

Celestia looked Discord in the eyes

"Why don't you tell us that nightmare of yours ? We want to help"

Emm, I think I will pass " Discord bit his lip " I will manage, it was not that bad".

"Oh, it certainly was worse than bad. I mastered control over the dream realm through centuries and that dream's presence...it was so toxic and evil... I was kind of surprised that it was yours. I didn't realize that you still sleep" the moon princess shivered.

Discord snickered

"I am a spirit. I am not alive in the same sense as all of you. My body does not require food, sleep, oxygen or light. But I still find natural urges somehow enjoyable. In my dreams, I can be as chaotic as I want and no one is annoyed or is annoying me because of that".

Discord hesitated, but finally gave up and tell them everything

*********************

"You really love her, don't you Discord ?" Celestia muttered, when two alicorns and draconequus lied on the grass, head's to the centre, watching Luna's night sky.

"I care about her more than about anything in this realm. But I am afraid that I am too unpredictable and dangerous for her...for any of you for that matter. I love my chaos, it is just who I am. But in the same time, I have my friends here...and hmm, apparently love as well. I cannot be controlled. What if I do something wrong ?" Discord said, his gazed fixed upon the moon.

"You know, I can see that your trying " Celestia replied, trying to comfort him "When we were younger, a thousand years ago, you wouldn't even consider that the possibility of you, all powerful master of chaos, doing something wrong exists."

"Well, I can't say that I am doing something wrong. Maybe not doing good enough " Discord answered with a snort.

"Still, I don't know how to help you with the second problem." Luna added " Your immortality..."

A grim silence hovered over them.

"Discord..." Celestia slowly framed a sentence "...I am afraid that Luna may be right. And maybe you should reconsider..."

"No" Discord said quietly, his raspy voice cutting through the silence like a knife.

" It will only bring the pain to both of you. You should..."

"No!!!!" master of chaos got up and clenched his fists. Royal sisters quickly followed him "Don't even say this !!!! You know that this cannot be the answer !!!! Not always !"

"You think only you have to struggle with this ? Why do you think me and Tia never f-found..."Luna's voice broke, before she continued " So for once in your life listen to us ! We mean no harm !"

"This isn't a solution ! I had to do something ! I can't just sit and watch" Discord looked Celestia in the eyes. The older princess stood firmly.

"You have only two options " she explained slowly " You can make Fluttershy immortal, but if you really love her... we all know what eternal life can do to the conscience. I honestly doubt you would like this to do this to the such an innocent mare."

Discord's jaw twitched as he slowly shook his head.

"And secondly, you can become mortal yourself. But I don't know if this is even possible" Luna gazed at the stars, twinkling over their heads.

"And besides, you are immortal because you are connected to one of the basic elements of this universe, just as we are. If you die..."

"...The universe will die with me cause of the lack of entropy ! I know !" Discord shook his head once more.

The group remained silent for a few moments

"Discord...I wanted to ask you something connected with this matter for some time now..." Celestia touched spirit's arm.

"And that would be ?" he replied

"If you wanted someone by your side...why not your own kind ? The draconequui ?"

Discord stood without a movement and then he started to giggle, a sound that startled both princesses.

He looked up his irises emanating a crimson glow, his teeth bared. He slowly unclenched his claws

"My kind...my kind !!!" he shook his head " My my Celestia, I didn't know that you of all the ponies would pull of such a prank on me !!!"

Celestia was taken aback

"This is no laughing matter ! How can you even suggest that I would tease you-"

"Then why are you saying this ?" Discord interrupted " You must know how all this works !!!"

His face was covered in shadows. Celestia raise her head only to notice that the sky was now completely overcast by the dark clouds. Dark pink clouds, to be precise.

"Emm, Discord, if you mean your species, you never ever told us ANYTHING when we were younger " Luna threw her hoof in the air " You always said that "it is not important" or "that is boring" or " I don't want to talk about it " or-"

"Because it is all true !!!" Discord yelled and then added, in a calmer tone " Oh...all right ! How long we know each other ? 11 centuries ? I guess that you have right to know as, you know, fellow immortals and my honorary sisters".

He sit on the ground

"What DO you know about my kind ?"

Luna twisted her head

"Well, draconequui are a nearly omnipotent, multidimensional race of amalgamated creatures with a powers based on chaos and disorder. And that's it"

Discord shook his head once again.

"No, not quite. You don't know how my race reproduces"

Celestia blushed deeply

"Discord, this is really personal, no wonder we didn't..."

Discord ignored her babbling and snapped his claws. A few colourful orbs appeared over their heads

"As you said, draconequui are living in more than one universe. In fact, each and every one is connected with the life force of one certain universe. Draconequus lives as long as does the realm.

When the universe is created, there is a huge release of chaos and energy, basic elements are evolving into something random and complex. But every universe has its limits when it comes to amount of chaos. If there is too much, the entropy would cause it to collapse"

Two colourful spheres started to move towards each other

"...ad as it collapses, it is pulled by another dying realm. Finally they merge. And as they do so..."

Two spheres crashed and with a small flash a sphere of third colour appeared in their place

"...the draconequui bonded to those universes merge as well and give a life to a one new draconequus, along with new universe. Always one. The parents die along with their realms, leaving a newborn in the void of new world, with only the knowledge how this whole "colliding" works. Don't you see ? I am the only one in this universe and I am destined to live till the end of it. I never known my parents and I won't know my child either. Even if wanted to be with my kind, we can never reach each other !!!!"

The thunder roared and then, droplets of chocolate rain pouring faster and faster on Discord, who lowered his head and assumed almost fatal like position.

And then...

SLAP!

Discord found his cheek red as he noticed Celestia above him, massaging her hoof

"Why...wha-"

"YOU IDIOT!!!" screamed white alicorn " Why...why didn't you tell us ? We...we would... you should..."

And then she just broke into tears and embraced him, her angelic wings spreading open, partially blocking the rain.

Discord was speechless. Then he felt another warm body pressed against him from behind as Luna shielded him with her wings as well.

Trio was just sitting there, sobbing in the streams of chocolate rain, till Discord finally spoke up

"But why are you doing this ? "

"Because... " Celestia sniffed " Although our history may not completely say so, we want you by our side. We...really do care about you Discord."

"Indeed. We never known you are exposed to such a cruel fate and despite our past...disagreements, we want to help you now. We are immortal too. That means we can never grow older and die with our friends, never can grow to attached to anyone, never have a proper family. And...I miss that days, when I was a filly and Tia met you... we were almost like a family. I always wanted an older brother. I mean, I love Tia very much but back in those days, she couldn't fail the manners in the slightest. And she was keep blaming our father for the disappearance of all the pastries since he and Tia shared that appetite-"

"And remember !!!" Celestia almost shouted, clearly wanting to change the subject. This caused Discord to chuckle " That meteor shower, when you were telling us stories that happened long before our birth."

"Yeah, it was the first celestial shower I ever created" Luna sighed dreamily " Remember when you two helped me name all the constellations that I created ? You ended up with Starswirl's Underwear, Jelly Snake and Chocolate parfait."

All three burst in laughter.

"And I wrote that later on Starswirl's test by mistake " Celestia giggled "the look on his face was priceless !"

"Or that day when we went on the hike on the mountains." Discord sighed as well.

"Yeah, we almost fell to our death because you turned snow into soap " Luna huffed " I was still learning how to fly you know "

"But sledging was fun !" Discord grinned for the first time, the playful spark igniting in his eyes.

Luna rolled her eyes

"Yeah, Tia screamed so loudly that we came home chased by an avalanche."

"At least Aurora didn't ask us to wash ourselves, since we were covered in soap" Discord muttered.

He dove into memories.

During his endless wanderings throughout Equestria, he encountered a carriage that couldn't move because of the tree blocking its way. When he removed it with his magic, a stallion exit the carriage.

Discord quickly changed himself into his adolescent version. This proved to be pretty handy when it came to dealing
with strangers. He didn't seem to be any danger like that. But that assumption was a big mistake...

Stallion walked closer and Discord felt a chill in his stomach.

The stallion's body was pitch black and quite...insubstantial, with black smoke evaporating from his entire silhouette. He had a large horn that looked like back crystal and a short mane in a grey hue, moving on its own. His purple eyes scanned the draconequus, who suddenly felt uneasy.

"Umbrum" Discord thought, gulping

He was the oldest creature in this universe and yet...he felt intimidated. He met Lords of Darkness once before, when the planet was merely starting to cool down. The meeting wasn't very pleasant experience.

The shadow pony grinned, a sharp white fangs flashing in his mouth, and moved even closer

"And what we have here ?" he said in a deep melodic voice " A stranger kid walking alone in the night ? What are you ?"

The stallion narrowed his eyes.

Discord prepared to snap his claws when...

BAM !!!

He was hit by the stallion on the back with a force that would break his spine, if he actually had one.

Stallion laughed cheerfully

"I don't know who you are, little one, but I am sure grateful that you removed that blasted log. I want to get my daughter home safely and we are already running bit late, my wife is worried. You know, it is long past Tia's bedtime"

"Dad !!!" a voice came from inside of the carriage " I am 9 years old. I can stay up longer than few years ago !"

A dark stallion rolled his eyes and extended a hoof to Discord

"My name is Dusk Noctis, I am a ruler of this part of the land. And you..."

Discord hesitated but then reached out and shook the hoof with his paw

"Discord " he replied

"Well then Discord, it's not a good time for kid like you to wander through the forest. As my gratitude for your assistance in our journey, you may spent a night in our castle. Hop in !"

Before spirit could protest, he was pulled up and shoved into the carriage.

Dusk entered as well and after his command, the carriage moved on.

Discord looked up and encounter the gaze of another passenger.

Right in front of him sat a small white filly, with both wings and horn, and a rosy mane flowing on the non-existing breeze.

"Tia, why don't you introduce yourself to this...ymm...gentlefellow."

A young filly bowed and then reached out with her hoof.

"I am lady Celestia Aurora Astralis. Nice to meet you." she said, looking Discord in the eyes and blushing slightly.

"Likewise...I am Discord...just Discord" the spirit muttered after a moment.

*****************

"Mommy !!!" Celestia galloped to be greeted by the tall figure in the doorway of the enormous castle on the hill.

The tall mare's coat was pure white and emanating a bright white glow as well. Her mane was in the colour of amber, it shone in the orange hue as her blue eyes penetrated Discord, who stood in the stairs with Dusk.

"Dusk, who is this ? Why did you brought here" her voice would be very nice to listen to, if not the lingering cold infused in the sentence.

"Aurora, this kid helped us reach the castle and from what he says, he has no home or family. He wandered on our grounds, I think we shall provide him shelter by the ancient laws " Dusk answered firmly

Aurora Astralis came down and looked at Discord closely

"Whatever he is, he is certainly not a kid. I feel something coming from him..." then, she gasped and her eyes widened " Now I remember ! Back in my home, on the Edge of East, was a glyph that looked just like him. A creature of mayhem and confusion, causing destruction and despair whenever he goes ! A draconequus !"

Discord bowed lightly. She was right, although that the mentioned glyph also mentioned his incredible looks

"My lady, I mean no harm to you and your home. It was really nice from your husband to take me here."

Aurora raised her eyebrow

"And what does the Child of Chaos seek in our home ?"

"I want to pee, eat and rest. In irrelevant order or all at once"

That caused Aurora to chuckle lightly

"You surely have a sharp tongue, don't you ?"

"I promise I will behave myself " Discord thought for a moment till he found the strongest promise he could think of " I swear on the blood of my species !"

Aurora sighed

"Very well, if you make a promise like that, and my idiot of a husband will take a responsibility..."

"Honey..." Dusk cringed, looking at the east, where the first rays of light started to penetrate the forest " I must go..."

"Yes..."Aurora galloped to him and gave him a long passionate kiss.

"See you in the evening" Dusk whispered before disappearing in the black mist.

Aurora reverted his gaze back to Discord

"Welcome to the Castle of Equinox Discord. Now let's go, you will help me in the kitchen. Household has a free day, so we have to see if you can cook Discord. Tia, clean your hooves before eating"

"Mom !!! Don't embarrass me !!!" the young princess squeaked.

"I can do more than just cooking " Discord rubbed his hands " Prepare to be amazed !"

**********************

And so it started. Discord worked hard to make Dusk and Aurora believe that he is no threat. He did many jobs around the castle and after a while he became a part of a small family. Dusk adored spirit's sense of humour and although Aurora still couldn't make herself to fully trust him, she turned out to be a prankster and shared Discord's jokes.

As for little Celestia, she instantly claimed Discord her playmate and spent hours chasing after each other and playing in the castle. It was from Celestia that Discord heard the tale about the love of Dusk and Aurora.

They both manifested darkness and daylight, as respectively Umbrum and Light Guardian. In the beginning of existence, those two races were engaged in a war, that cost many, many lives. (Discord remembered it because he was the one who (accidentally !) started it. Maybe his reputation as a dangerous creature was justified in some ways).

But one day, a mediator propose a union of the youngest son of the Umbrum king and the only daughter of Empress of Dawn. They were forced to spent a few months in a cell with each other. But even in those weird circumstances, they fell in love and felt united by one desire.

To run away.

So they broke free. And because of this ceasefire was granted.

The only problem was that Dusk could maintain his physical form only during night time and Aurora in the day hours. The only time that the lovers spent with each other were one hour before dusk and one before dawn.

They wanted a child so with life risking effort they managed to conceive Celestia who, as half-umbrum, half-light guardian, could live both in the night time and daylight.

A few years after that, a queen successfully gave birth to a second daughter, Princess Luna Nyxia Astralis.

Discord and Celestia both hugged the little alicorn to themselves and play gently with her, as Queen Aurora hummed her lullaby and Dusk made silly faces.

That was good life

Aurora made Discord teach Luna to control her emerging magic which meant that he needed to fly after her with fire extinguisher all the time. Dusk was burdened with dealing with the products of metabolism of the younger alicorn and Discord always laughed when he saw an umbrum with clips on his nose and a full, stinky bag.

Celestia and Aurora learned Luna to walk, fly and later speak and write. Discord was grateful that Celestia played with her sister cause now he was spared of making dollhouses and dressing in skirts (terrible traumas).

Years past on, lot has changed. Luna and Celestia became the students of Starswirl the Bearded and discovered their talents with raising sun and moon. Discord didn't want to tell them that back in the old times, the celestial bodies moved on their own. But he made a spell to move them and it got stuck like that.

And everything was fine till that night...

**********************

"Abomination ! Monster ! Freak !" a rotten tomato hit Discord in the eye.

"Discord !" Luna caught draconequus before he fell to the ground.

She turned back to the angry mob of villagers

"Leave my brother alone, or thy shall perish !!!" She began to charge at the ponies, but firm grip on her shoulder stopped her

"Luna, no !!!" Celestia's horn glowed and they teleported back to the castle.

"What do you mean "No" ? This is a third time this week !!! They keep storming the castle !!! We can't even go out and they are going after us..."

"Not "us" Discord corrected, a tomato sauce and eggs dripping from his fur " They want me..."

"Discord !!!" A voice Aurora boomed through the hallway " Come here please!!!"

Discord looked at his sisters. Celestia gently nudged him

"Go, it sounds urgent !"

"Don't let her eat you" Luna giggled

Discord teleported upstairs, having a bad feelings about the summon

*********************

"You really want to do this ?" Discord asked, wanting to just run away. But he stood still.

"Yes, Discord. We believe that we finally found a method to remain together the entire 24 hours. But we need your powers to perform the ritual " Dusk put his hoof on Discord's shoulder.

"You will be a transfer stabilisator, when we will infuse each other with our magic. This way we should be able to be able to remain in physical forms day and night, just us our daughters." Aurora explained, pointing at the circle with a symbol of sun and moon written within the hexagram.

"But my magic can be unstable " Discord felt his throat " If something goes wrong..."

"Discord, we have a trust in you. You became almost as a son to us. We believe that if someone can do this, it's you ".

Discord exhaled loudly

"Okay, I will try "

Dusk patted him on the shoulder.

"That's the spirit. As a reward, we decided to give you and Tia our blessing" Aurora muttered.

Discord reddened on the face

"WHAT ???!!!"

"Oh come on, I know how you two look at each other. But we will discuss this afterwards"

Suddenly, a beams of magic wrapped around Discord who felt a stream of power flowing through him.

And in the same time, the door opened.

"King ! Queen !" asked the crowd, galloping inside " We want you to purify the castle from..."

There was a loud gasp from the crowd as they saw Discord, wrapped in the streams of magic coming from the rulers

"He is trying to kill them !!!! Kill him !!!! Kill the beast !!!!" the mob shouted.

"No !!!! Stop it's not what you are thinking !!!!" Celestia and Luna shouted, trying to stop the villagers.

Then one of them threw the spear at Discord.

He saw as Celestia slowly notices the weapon and with silent scream runs in front of him, shielding him with her own body.

He yanked forwards

"Celestia!!!!!" he screamed and reached to his own magic.

The spear disappeared in the last moment before piercing the princess through.

But the magic within Discord started to charge and grow. The magical bonds became hot as lava

"No !!! No!!! Nononononono..." he yelled, trying to break free.

The hexagram cracked and the earth started to tremble.

"Your majesties !!!! Please, listen to me !!!" Discord shouted to both royals.

But with no response. Their bodies started to shine and were brighter each moment.

"Luna !!!! Tia!!!! Run !!!!" Discord shouted and with one last effort teleported the princesses from the chamber.

That last feat of magic was it. The hexagram exploded in flames and light, destroying everything on its way. The walls vanished consumed by blinding flash.

**********************

Discord slowly raised from the broken marble.

"Oww..." he shrieked as he felt his body hurt.

He opened his eyes. And then he gasped.

He was standing under the sky. The entire castle turned into ruins, with a flames lingering on top of fallen walls and columns.

Discord started to desperately dig through the stone and marble. Dusk and Aurora. They had to be underneath. They had to !

"Your majesties !!!! Dusk !!! Aurora !!!! Mom...Dad..." his yelling broke.

They vanished. Not a single trace.

"Discord..." came a trembling whisper from above.

He looked up to see Luna standing on the one of the fallen columns. She had tears in her eyes

"What happened ? What...what did you do ?" she asked.

Discord felt his throat to dry to answer.

He clenched his head.

It wasn't me...

It wasn't...me...

Itwasntmeitwasntmeitwasntme....

No...

It was them...

They interrupted the ritual

THEY ARE THE ONES TO BLAME !!!!

Discord stretched up, ignoring the pain.

"No, please, wait !!!" Luna screamed but he was already gone.

He appeared on the hill near the nearby village.

"Ponies of this kingdom !!!!!" he shouted, the magic amplifying his voice "You speak of justice and purity, but you are the ones who can't see the light !!!! From now on, I am free from your rules, the way I always should be !!!! I am Discord, The Lord of Chaos, and from now on, your ruler !!!! I will destroy your happiness just as you destroyed mine !!!! You shall regret ever crossing my path !!! Let the chaos reign !!!!"

The wave of red energy turned calm fields into a mad checkers board, the building levitating and rain streaming upside down.

The laughter of the draconequus was heard in the entire kingdom

Discord opened his eyes and saw Luna's and Celestia's horns glowing as they shared a memory.

"Back then, we thought something possessed you and that after the incident, it wasn't you anymore. We thought that through encasing your body in stone, we will protect the good name of the former you. It took me a centuries to figure out that you actually went mad from grief." Celestia said.

"But we never blamed you for their disappearance. From what we managed to discover, they were sent to a dimension of pure energy. They are alive, just unable to ever reach us. I feel presence of father every night." Luna spoke calmly.

"But it is all behind us. And I want us to be as close as we once were. Like a family." Celestia hugged Discord.

Spirit snorted

"A little problematic family, where siblings encase each other in stone and send themselves to the moon"

"We came through many hardships. But our immortality is giving us a chance to raise up over and over again. To be better" Celestia gestured with her hoof in the air.

"So when we need each other, we will be here. Sometimes, it is okay to cry. With each droplet of rain, the clouds become smaller and the rays of light can shine through". Luna looked to the sky.

The pink clouds disappeared. Rain stopped. Only the stars and a smooth, silver glow of moonlight.

Discord sighed.

He felt calm. At peace.

All nightmare was gone.

He was home

"Thanks lady Astralis" he grinned at both sisters.

"Likewise, "just Discord" they answered in unison.

The dream arc II: freedom and blame

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Chapter 10

Where Luna performs sleep-healing session...

All of the sudden, Luna's horn started to play a melody, glimmering in a faint indigo glow

Discord exchanged an amused look with Celestia.

Luna get up, glaring at them with a warning look

"Not a single word..." she hissed " This is a dream alert. I am needed in a dream realm."

"This is hilarious. Can't believe that I didn't think of that "tooting horn" earlier. Maybe we should adjust melody a little " Discord rubbed his hands, smiling.

"This is interesting. I had no idea that you can detect nightmares if you are awake yourself." Celestia questioned her sister.

"Only if they are powerful enough..." Luna stood straight, eyes focused with concentration. " I am going to take a shortcut and dream-jump. Catch me when I fall !"

Her horn glowed and after a few seconds her eyes rolled in their sockets and she fell without any tension.

Discord and Celestia caught her and put her on the ground.

Discord glared at moon princess

"Dear Faust " he cringed " she still snores ?!!!"

Celestia massaged her head with her hoof

"Daily meeting room is under her bedroom and sometimes I have to use my Royal Canterlot Voice to break through this roar ! Somepony would think that the princess of the night would be more graceful in her sleep. Twilight states we must got her a sleepover with Starlight Glimmer to see who is louder. So...are we watching over here, till she wakes ?"

Discord shrugged

"I know you are not nocturnal creature, you are tired. I think I have enough sleep for a few decades, so I may as well stay here and watch over her".

************************

Luna floated alone in a dark void

"Enter the Infinite Self. Forward...launch !!!" the princess thought the command

A point of light appeared in the darkness and Luna was quickly sucked into it, dashing with incredible speed. Then she recognized all the familiar galaxies of Infinite Self, the collective consciousness of the entire world. It was a cosmic, endless void in a mixed shades of many colours but mainly the dark ones with the occasional specks of light.

The galaxies were groups of ponies, and other creatures from Equestria, maybe cities or provinces, Luna couldn't really tell.

Inside the galaxies, the stars were swirling around in the forms of constellations.

The stars were the dreams and each and every one glowed in another hue, forming a glimmering, multicolour structures looking like arcs or bridges in the infinite void. Some were in groups and some were alone.

"All right, let's track you down..." Luna muttered, narrowing her eyes and putting her tongue slightly out with her lips closed in determination.

The speed increased even more as the princess fell (or raised) through the constellations, manoeuvring with insane precision between dreamscapes.

Right, left, left, straight, turn around, over the arc...

Luna felt the nausea. As a ruler of the dream world, she could shape Infinite Self in the desired form of an entrance compartment. She preferred a passage with a door like portals to dreams. But using that form of entrance would took much longer time to locate the nightmare, and that was her top priority right now. Dream-jumping was making things quicker, but it also meant being pulled by the source of the dream through the most raw form of the dream world with the speed above the sound barrier, that would be damaging in the waking world.

Finally, she spotted the purple orb in the distance. She knew that was the one.

She opened up her hooves and the orb entered her body.

Then she shivered, the feeling she always felt while connecting with the dreamscape.

Reality literally shot up from her body, forming the world around her and covering her like a lead cloak

She stumbled a little as her body retrieved its actual weight (well, as actual as it can be in the dream) but quickly returned to balance.

And then she nearly died from a heart attack when a giant claw crushed the earth a meter from her

"Put me down !" half scream, half sob came from above.

Luna looked up and her jaw dropped.

She was right under the full grown dragon, with a body almost as big as castle, sharp green spines, and a purple scales in the size of small houses.

In the one claw he was squeezing a familiar silhouette. A white unicorn with a royal purple mane

Rarity.

"Do you see what have you done to me ?" the dragon said in a booming, hollow voice " Without you, there is nothing to hold me back. To becoming like this. Are you happy for rejecting me now ??!!! Happy that I turned out to be what everypony thought: just a monster in disguise. All because of your cold heart !!!!"

"No..."the unicorn's cheeks were almost black from the dried tears mixed up with mascara and her usually perfect mane was a mess "...I didn't know...I never thought...I am so so sorry, Spike..."

Luna stared at the scene, only two questions in her mind

"What in Tartarus happened to make Rarity dream about Spike like this ?"

and

"What kind of an idiot dreams on the mascara and make up ?"

Setting the doubts aside, Luna flew higher and shouted

"I, the princess of the night and lady of dreams, order you nightmare to leave this mare alone !!! Be gone !!!"

She blasted the dragon with a stream of magic, careful not to harm Rarity.

The beast version of Spike roared and disappeared.

Rarity screamed when she started to fall but Luna swiftly caught her after a few seconds

"Th-thank you princess !" Rarity said with gratitude.

"Fear not, dear Rarity" princess said landing and putting the unicorn on the ground " You are now safe. But something tells me that we must have a conversation about what I just saw."

"Yes, I suppose that I owe you some explanation your highness" Rarity cleaned her cheeks.

"I am here to listen and help you" Luna looked around at the fields of the grey and red grass, sick in its appearance " But first maybe leave your dreamscape until I stabilise your psyche."

Luna raised a hoof and then stopped and groaned

"Whatever is the matter princess ?" asked Rarity with concern.

"You know, in the dream realm I am as powerful as Discord and for the first time I really hate that I don't have this whole...fingers, to snap something out" she sighed "But nopony is perfect."

A shining portal appeared in the air

Luna gestured at Rarity

"Come on, pass through"

Rarity slowly entered the portal and screamed when she found herself in the endless cosmic void

"Oh my Celestia, what is THIS ??!!!"

"Actually..." Luna pointed out from behind, a sassy smile on her muzzle " my sister has no power here. This is zona de Luna. So call me instead, fair Rarity. And answering your question, this is a realm between dreams and reality. One name you may have for it is Eternity, the other Aether or perhaps Void of Lost Desires or the Library of Souls. I prefer to call it Infinite Self.

Now hold on, it will be a bit dizzy".

The entire space swirled around them and then the corridor with hundreds of doors appeared, floating in the cosmic vacuum.

"There, that shall do it." Luna said.

She trotted to the black obsidian door with a silver moon carved within the stone.

"Come on, this is my personal dimension. Here we will be able to talk in peace before we wake up"

Behind the door, there was a hotel spa overlooking at the ocean. The shimmer of the waves gently smoothed the atmosphere and the burning torches were giving enough light to make the marble patio with two sofas and a table with some grapes on it .

"Oh, this is simply marvellous !" Rarity sighed, taking in the amazing scenery.

"Thank you " Luna nodded lightly " I created it especially for your needs. I want you to feel comfortable for this conversation. Let's lay down for a while. "

They both rested comfortably on a soft sofas. With a small gesture of Luna's hoof, the beauty necessities started to fly through the air and their backs were massaged by the pair of invisible hands. They both moaned in pleasure as the tension from the nightmare started to vanish.

"So..." Luna started after a few minutes "What happened between you and Spike ? I could clearly see that it was something big and you were really concerned, otherwise you wouldn't be dreaming about Spike as a monster."

"Spike and I...we had a little...argument during morning breakfast. In one moment I wanted to tell him about my gratitude for being such a good and supportive friend...but then he became furious...positively scary...I never heard him so angry ! He told me that I was blind and he....he told me that he loved me. And...then he left...and I don't even know what should I do differently to make things good again. Whatever shall I do ???!!!" the unicorn raised her hoof over her head in a dramatic gesture, sobbing quietly.

Luna tapped her chin with her hoof, thinking profoundly.

"I see. Well, I already have some advice but first allow me to get a better understanding of the present situation. Allow me..."

She leaned over to Rarity and pressed her hooves on both sides of unicorn's head.

"Princess...what is the meaning of this ?" fashionista shivered, a bit uncomfortable with the position.

"Don't worry, it won't hurt. Me and my sister have telepathic abilities. I believe that if I see the entire situation myself, I will be a better assistance. You don't need to worry about as spying on your thoughts either. That form of mind reading works only through physical contact."Luna closed her eyes and inhaled deeply "Now try to concentrate on what Spike said to you, so I won't have to force it to come out."

Rarity hesitantly thought back to her argument with Spike and flinched when suddenly the memory became unnaturally bright and sharp, Spike's voice echoing in her mind.

"You think that I like you only because you are beautiful ?!!!! I am not some random stallion chasing with a mare with a nice flank. Rarity, you are the most stunning and beautiful pony I know and I would even risk saying that you are the prettiest in all of Equestria. But saying there is so much more to you and I learned throughout the years how gorgeous is your inner beauty. Your intelligence, determination, resilience, generosity. Telling me that I can't see that... this is CRUELTY!!! Before judging me and my feelings, maybe you should realize what those feelings really are. You have no idea... How much do you mean to me...What would I do to protect you...What would I do not too loose you. For me... or for your own good... Even when you lived your own dreams, the ones that was bad for me...You were the part of my memories I reached for in my darkest hour. I loved you even beyond this world..."

"I've heard enough" Luna severed the mental connection and Rarity blinked a few times after a burning flash of her memory died down.

Luna stared on the ocean for a few seconds before letting out a sigh and turning to face Rarity

"Considering how Spike is feeling towards you, the choice of your words was rather unfortunate. I actually can understand why Spike got so angry."

"But what exactly went wrong ?"

"You two were dancing around the state of your relationship, whatever it actually is, for years now. And from what I saw and heard, each side had a different assumption on each other's feelings. Rarity, are you afraid of Spike taking advantage of you ?"

"Goodness no !" the unicorn huffed again " I know him well, he is too sweet and caring to do something so horrid. It's just...until yesterday I didn't actually realize how deep his feelings run."

Luna sighed , turning to let the magic massage her another side

"Exactly. False perception. And that leads me to the next point. Through all this time, you were ignorant about Spike's love ?"

Rarity shifted on the sofa

"Well, I did realize he had this crush going on for years, but I just didn't..."

She stopped noticing intense look the princess of the night was giving her

"Rarity, I don't want to scold you, but all you need is a bit of honesty. No more fooling around, no lies. I were overseeing equestrian dreams for a long time now and though you may not realize it, I was visiting you when you were filly, chasing away the nightmares of you being abandoned by your parents..."

Rarity stared at Luna in awe and fright, her eyes becoming two big spheres of blue.

"Your parents were travelling a lot "the alicorn continued" and you were afraid that it was because you were not enough. So now you are hungry for affection, especially from the ones close to you. Spike admires you in many ways and he offered help anytime and anywhere. You were afraid what will happen if you move on with it. You liked this constant praise and took advantage of him, didn't you ?"

Rarity bit her lip and blushed in embarrassment. But suddenly, the look in her eyes become sharp when she faced Luna with her face held high.

"Yes ! When you put it like that...my approach wasn't the best. And I am...really sorry for that. Truly, I am. But it would be delightful if we figured out how to make it right, hmm ?" unicorn almost growled the last part.

Luna's eyebrow rise as she heard unicorn's outburst.

She gestured towards the sky and aurora borealis lit up across the stars.

"Dreams are the mirror of the soul and very few can falsify them. I can assure you that Spike has a pure heart and his feelings for you are true."

The northern lights flashed the scenes of Spike dreams, in which he protected Rarity from various beasts, walked by her side in the park, kissed her at the altar...

Rarity felt her lips form a smile as she watched the scenes with the tears in her eyes

"Know the difference Rarity. Spike doesn't just have a crush on you or fancies your physical appearance, like many stallions you met. He loves you. And this is something that one must be really careful with. True loyalty of romantic love can create beauty in almost every place but can also can turn into a weapon of terrible destruction, especially towards the one who is carrying it." Luna looked at the unicorn, scanning her with her midnight blue eyes.

Princess put her hoof under Rarity's chin and gently lifted her head up, so the two were looking each other in the eyes.

"As every living creature in this word you two have a choice where to go with your own destinies." Luna whispered " But the most important part is considering what will bring you the happiness. Both you and Spike made mistakes. Spike was too caught up in his fantasies and afraid of you rejecting him to explain his feelings, which lead you to create the false image of him. You shouldn't think about your deeds as the blame though. A strong relationship often has a foundation on mistakes and errors. Because without the wrong choices, we wouldn't learn to make the right ones.

You are ready to make amends and let the truth in your heart, I can see it in you. And I am pretty sure that Spike will try to make things right too. So when the time comes, don't run away. You both need a time to talk about what you feel towards each other. I know that this is much and it can be terrifying, but it must be done if your hearts want to have peace.

Do you know already what you are going to say to him ?"

Rarity's mouth opened, closed and opened again

"I think I knew but after tonight, I don't think I am sure anymore..."

Luna twisted her head

"If I recall correctly, you had some doubts..."

"It is just, he is so young..."

"Actually, all the problems can be solved if you are stubborn enough. Spike was aware that by the time he will be an adult by dragon standards, you will be either old or...dead. So he asked me and Tia to make his body age to match yours. He was willing to sacrifice a part of his lifespan to be with you."

Rarity felt the tears once again filling her eyes

"Spikey..." she whispered.

"We said no, because in that time, we didn't know the method to do it and it was a really big decision, that could be carried on only if you loved Spike back. But we discovered that there is indeed a spell that can force cells to decay to some point. And if that fails, Discord can always do Spike a favour with...emm, a snap. So you see, it can all be solved. The only question is your heart".

Luna raised up, stretching herself like a cat.

"I will leave you now Rarity, to think about our conversation. You will awake automatically after I leave."

Rarity nodded, thinking intensely, before saying

"Thank you, I indeed had a lot to think about and I am more than willing to make things right. But if I may ask..."

Luna froze with one hoof on the black door

"Yes ?"

Rarity flipped her mane and asked

"Have you ever been in love, princess ?"

In that moment, Rarity could swear that all the shadows on the patio became...longer, reaching for Luna, as the night princess looked at pretty unicorn with a sad smile and the eyes in which the unicorn could see the glimpse of the centuries old creature locked in a body of young and beautiful alicorn.

"Funny you mention that. I had a debate with Discord and my sister about love and immortality before I visited you...and yes, there was a time when I was younger when my heart was stolen. But this is a story for another time...another night..."

The playful sparks returned to Luna's eyes, when she said

"Try to figure out your feelings rather quickly, because somepony closer than you think may enter this battlefield of love, to be your rival" she added with a wink, before disappearing behind the door.

Rarity blinked in surprise.

"A...a rival ?!" she muttered before disappearing.

*************************

Luna inhaled deeply when her soul re-entered her body.

She sat straight to meet the gaze of Discord, who was sitting nearby, smoking a pipe and playing with the smoke.

"Done" Luna smiled.

"Should I teleport to your usual after-treatment meeting ? Lunar Congress ?" Discord asked.

Luna brushed her mane

"Yep, I can't wait to gossip about Celestia and Usagi with my cat counterpart. Loud should provide some music and Miss Lovegood offered to make some cookies...I hope this time edible..."

"Before you go, can you tell me if it was a success ?" Discord looked at Luna curiously.

"I think Rarity got it" Luna got up.

Draconequus twirled his beard, grinning widely

"This is really going to be interesting. The conclusion is closer than ever."

Retreat or the story of Discord, toast and Luna’s pyjamas

View Online

Chapter 11

Where we face many challenges towards the way to the Tree of Harmony...

"And then it turned out that cousin Applecrisp was actually Braeburn wearing the skirt" Big Mac concluded the joke, making Discord and Spike explode in laughter.

Though Big Macintosh was not fond of talking too much, his occasional jokes were priceless. Even if some events in Apple family were...a bit odd, especially if they involved Braeburn.

"That Braeburn is such a hopeless case " Discord chuckled " I should introduce him to Smoozie, I am sure they will have fun."

Spike was about to say something but decided to remain silent. The gang continued their walk through the forest around the camp. The weather was just beautiful and the calm breath of the forest was soothing all the tensions away. And there was absolutely nothing that could ruin such a-

"IIIIIAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Suddenly, a scream was heard and from the forest emerged a pony in the cloak, chased by three timberwolves. The claws of the ferocious beasts nearly shredded the stranger to pieces.

But Discord motioned his paw lazily and three monsters shrunk to the size of small puppies. They kept barking and squeaking for a few seconds, before noticing the change in their bodies and quickly running back to the forest.

Spike ran in front of the group to the hooded figure.

"Hey, you really startled us. You should..."

"Ask all of you why it took so long !!!" the hood fall back to reveal...

Three friends gasped in shock as the pony in front of them quickly pulled a hoof to his mane

"You know, that cloak did a number on my mane. So much for intensive maintenance !"

Standing in front of them was no other that Fluttershy's infamous younger brother, Zephyr Breeze.

********************

Discord felt the entire world spinning.

Zephyr...for all the ponies he could save...it was him.

Gods, how he hated that jerk.

"What. Are.YOU.Doing. Here ?" the spirit muttered slowly and though he was perfectly in control of his emotions, for now at least, the air got slightly colder and their breaths turned into mist.

"Ymm, I was invited of course." Zephyr answered with his typical ignorance " But it was such a shame that I couldn't go with you. I got a bit lost in the woods. It was a tragic and devastating tale of heroism and bravery. But now when it is all over, why don't you take me to the others ? And get me something to eat, I am famished."

Discord's eye twitched

"What I want..."

is to kill you and make sure I will never hear of you ever again !!!!

"...is to express my SINCERE apologies for overlooking somepony so INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, such guest as you. In fact, I can make things right just about now."

Discord raised his eagle claw but Spike quickly dashed between him and Zephyr.

"Hey, hey, don't be too hasty here ! Discord, come with me for a moment. Big Mac, why won't you show Zephyr around ?"

Big Mac looked like he wanted to throw up but gestured Zephyr to follow him.

Discord waited until they were far enough and snapped his claws.

"There. Now no one will be able to notice their presence beside us" he muttered "The last thing I want is that idiot ruining the trip for us."

Discord glared at Spike, dangerous fire appearing in his eyes.

"Now, what's with that invitation ? I would never invite him which means that it was YOU !!!"

"Well, I simply thought that I will do you a favour since you overlooked the brother of one of the girls."

"Blast that kind of favour ! It was a blessing ! You know that I can't stand this guy !"

"Fluttershy would be upset if her brother wouldn't show up !"

"Not likely. She loves her brother but usually can't stand him just like I do "

Spike sighed

"Okay, at the beginning I didn't like the idea of the fieldtrip so I invited Zephyr to got the revenge on you. Sorry..."

Discord stared at the dragon and then started to laugh.

"Oh, you really got me " he patted Spike's shoulder as he gritted his teeth " Got me there for real..."

Then he put dragon's face right in front of his own

"But if you ever pull that off again, I will punch your little body straight into space !"

Spike rolled his eyes and saluted

"Yeah, got that"

Discord facepalmed

" So now we have to deal with him and quickly. What if send him to another realm and then alter everypony's memories ?"

Spike just gave him the look and slowly said

"Discord, if you ever want to go out with Fluttershy, you have to be in good terms with her family. And I am afraid that it also includes Zephyr. Maybe you should just talk to him."

Discord groaned.

"Oh, fine !"

SNAP !

They reappeared right next to Zephyr and Big Mac.

"Say Zephyr, how long has it been since you saw your sister ?" Discord started the conversation in a cheerful voice

"Oh, my sis ? I think that since I graduated from Mane Therapy. What about her ?"

"Well, I don't know, what would you think about somepony...someone going out with her"

Zephyr raised his eyebrow slightly.

"Kinda random topic to bring, eh, Dis-man ? But if asked, I would say that my sis deserves the best of the best

Discord proudly presented his chest, pushed forward.

"Yes..."

"Somepony as normal, courageous and intelligent as moi." Zephyr added bluntly.

Discord's body shivered with fury and his eyebrows caught up fire.

" Reeeeeeeealllyyyy ?" he said in a deadly calm tone " Well then, we'll see if you change your mind.

Spike exchanged a look with Big Mac. That wasn't good.

Discord put so many "e"s in really only when he was in the mood of destroying the entire armies. Who could say what he was planning now...

The said spirit conjured up a toast with cheese and levitated it to Zephyr.

"You said you were hungry. So here, have this toast"

Zephyr blinked a few times before taking the food

"Gee, thanks, I..."

"But first" Discord continued " allow me to tell you some allegory. You see, this toast is you. You can think that it's refined because of this tasty cheese and organic, bread-y apparition. But the looks can often deceive"

With small gesture, a spark burnt toast to a crisp. Zephyr gulped.

"Toast can be burned and then it's neither yummy, good looking or useful "Discord kept going " All the bread turns to carbon, just like somepony's good looks when it comes to working or fighting. And somepony's morals can melt down, just like the cheese. So you think that it's a good material for a life partner ?"

Zephyr bit his lip but said nothing

"On the other hand " Discord made a glass of chocolate milk appear in his paw "chocolate milk is a liquid, it can adapt to face the world, just as some handsome spirit I know. You can also heat the milk up and it will get even tastier. The rich flavour of the chocolate only increases the sweetness of cotton candy that goes with it. So Zeph, what will it be ? Toast or milk? Think carefully now. Very.Carefully"

Zephyr slowly pointed towards the glass

"Good choice. I guess somepony with your incredibly skill of deduction could easily see through my little food metaphor. So, if you willingly admitting my superiority, I will allow you to make your exit without damage on your health or life"

"Hey hold on right there..." Zephyr tried to protest but Discord put one claw on his forehead.

"You will forget that this conversation ever occurred and that you ever been here. You never received any invitation. But remember our little chat about toast. Never forget it. And you can have both toast and milk, no need to thank me. Bye".

Zephyr disappeared.

A bunch of confetti exploded and a flashing neon "APPLAUZE" appeared behind Discord when he turned to Spike and Big Mac

"That's what I call talking. All settled in a polite and diplomatic manner !" the spirit beamed.

Spike looked at him with arms crossed

"Well...the thing is that...it actually...it wasn't...I mean..."

"Ya suck in diplomacy" Big Mac said, expressing a bold straightforward honesty so often present in his sister.

"Oh, come on!!!"Discord shouted " Don't tell me you wanted this moron here either !!! Now he is at home, won't be causing trouble and no one knew that he was even here in a first place !"

He sighed

"And I promise that when I will be introduced to Fluttershy's parents, I will be honest, fair and square, with no magic. I Pinkie Promise !"

Spike rolled his eyes and smiled

"Fine, let's go already. We have to announce that we are moving today to the rest".

" Well spoken" Discord rushed behind his two companions " A cameo can only last that long."

*******************

"WHAAAAAT ???!!!" Pinkie Pie gasped. standing with all the campers in front of Discord, Spike and Big Mac.

"You heard correctly. For the rest of the sibling fieldtrip we decided to change the location of the camp. We will set it just in front of the Tree of Harmony."

"We also thought that I would be more beneficial for ya to take the nature in ya, so we are walkin' there. It's not so far away"

"****!!! What kind of plan is that ?" growled Limestone

"Me and my sister insisted on spending night near our old castle " Luna said calmly.

Limestone bit her lip

"In that case...pardon my rudeness, but you can shove thy ****..."

"Why don't you give it a try, Limestone ?" Maud put a hoof on her sister's back.

The grumpy earth pony stood back and muttered.

"I guess so..."

So half an hour later Discord teleported their entire camp to the gorge near the castle of the two sisters and they started to walk through the forest.

*******************

Celestia massaged her head once again

"Look, it's not like I am being overprotective...am I overprotective ? Nah, it can't be it. This is just a totally normal concern. Me and Discord knew each other for centuries...well, I mean if we count all those times that I came under his statue and wondered what kind of sick trick of fate claimed his sanity. But I just don't know...what if he gets hurt ? You could ask why do I care...well, I know...I think I know..."

She laughed hysterically and continued blabbering

"We were practically like a siblings back in the days. He was the only immortal besides me and Luna. I just don't know if he understands...and I think that Fluttershy certainly doesn't...does he even have a concept of relationship...It's not like a spent many sleepless nights thinking that I might be in love with my adoptive brother and later hating myself for hating him...it is it, isn't it ? "

Celestia looked at her companion.

Marble Pie stared at her with big eyes, as they were walking at the end of their caravan.

"Umm..."

"Nonono..." Celestia giggled " It can't be...I am an esteemed royal, that would be simply stupid...but you know that, do you ? It's not about me, I am really concerned..."

A droplet of sweat appeared on Marble's brow as the princess hang on her.

20 meters further

"So, how is my little sister enjoying our glorious fieldtrip" Rarity asked, ruffling Sweetie Belle's mane.

"Great, I had so much fun so far "Sweetie Belle squeaked " How about you ?"

Rarity cringed a little

"Well, as much as find this holiday pleasant and enjoyable, there were some...bumps along the road".

"Lightly speaking. And you weren't the one most hurt" Sweetie Belle muttered to herself.

"Did you say something darling" Rarity asked curiously.

"Meh, nothing that important. So..."

"Sweetie, I have something important to tell you" Rarity interrupted.

"Really ? I have something to say to you too" Sweetie looked at her in awe.

"You go first" the older unicorn suddenly backed up.

"No, you go first" her sister countered.

"No, you"

"You first"

"I insist that you go first"

"I insist for you to not insist"

"OH, FINE ! I think I fell in love !!!" both of them shouted in unison and then covered their mouths.

"NO.WAY" Sweetie's eyes widened

"You too ? Sweet Celestia, you are growing up so fast" Rarity sniffed.

Both sisters grabbed each other and giggled, jumping in the air

So maybe that's why Rarity told Spike all those things. She probably found somepony and tried to tell Spike that her heart is already taken without hurting his feelings. Well, she failed but it doesn't matter anymore cause I will have Spike's heart all fixed up, now that Rarity's out of the way. thought Sweetie Belle.

Thank heavens, Sweetie Belle finally found somepony to be her coltfriend. I always believed in her. And I am almost ashamed to admit it...almost...but I feared that she may take my Spikey-wikey away. I mean, she's got the looks, she is my sister after all. But now all I have to worry about is that mysterious rival Luna mentioned... flashed through Rarity's mind.

The unicorns were walking in silence for a moment, with goofy grins on their faces, before Rarity spoke up.

"I know him for quite some time but only recently I want to be on better terms with him"

" As for me, I didn't know him very well and I didn't know how to approach him cause he seemed taken for a looooong time. But now I think I had a chance !" Sweetie's eyes lit up.

"Good luck, Sweetie Belle" Rarity exclaimed cheerfully.

"You too sis" came the reply.

High above the sisters, Discord took a bite of a cotton candy cloud he was travelling on

"They are so dense..." he sighed.

Another 30 meters further

Luna shouted

"What do you mean is gone?'

Twilight took a deep breath

"Princess, I must still state..."

"I don't know where it is but you have to find it !"

"Hi, what are you talking about ?" Spike marched to two alicorns from behind.

"Twilight here lost my favourite pyjama last night."

Spike raised an eyebrow

"Twi...you made Luna's pyjama...go away from her body."

Twilight blushed and her eye twitched as she realized the hidden meaning in the entire scenario,

"It wasn't like that idiot" she snapped "Princess Luna kindly allowed me to perform an experiment on her for the researching on the nocturnal magic but the side effect was that I...sort of... stripped...Princess Luna"

"This is like my work attire. It's the most ergonomic of all my clothes. We have to get it back. I feel naked without it" Luna squealed.

"You are naked princess" Twilight noticed.

"MY SOUL IS NAKED !" Luna started to cry.

"Okay, okay, calm down !" Spike insisted gently. He usually pictured Luna as a super powerful immortal goddess, seeing her cry was disturbing on some level. "What did it look like ?"

"It's a kigurumi"

"A what ?" Twilight frowned.

"Emm... I think I might know what it is" Spike rubbed his head, looking embarrassed "It is Neighponese, it is a costume that represents somepony..."

"I know what it looks like. I saw it with my very own eyes. I just had absolutely no idea that this thing has some specific name." Twilight muttered.

"Oh yeah, it does..." Spike's mind wandered to a fateful sleepover when the O&O gang got the amazing idea of importing kigurumis from Neighpan. Surprisingly, it was Big Mac idea, not Discord's. When Discord paid for the costumes and they dressed up, they realized that they look exactly as mare of their dreams. It was something between cute and creepy, though Discord stated he once wore something like this, when he was practicing before a tea party with Fluttershy.

All was good before Discord got that amazing idea of animating the costumes. Before they could stop him, it brought disturbance to the entire new level.

Spike shivered, chasing the memory away.

"But..." he resumed " how exactly did it look like ?"

"Well" Luna said with pride " it was half mare, half-bat, with a little cape, the power of justice, the vengeance of the night, the-"

"Idiot !!!!" Twilight scream

Luna glared at her and the bookish mare realized what they were talking about.

"Sorry, sorry..." she apologized quickly " it is just that I realized what's happened to your...kiri-thingy. I focused my magic on your silhouette and external aura and it had to resonate with your magic, that I wanted to obtain for the research. And when it started to come out, it had to dematerialize your kigu-rigu...your pyjama. Don't worry though, the next time you use nocturnal magic, it will unlock the pocket dimension were it was transported".

Luna snorted with irritation

"You better be right Twilight Sparkle "

Suddenly, a scream came from the front.

"Hey y'all, we are here !!!!" Big Mac exclaimed.

17 campers noticed that they were indeed near the stairs carved in stone, descending into the deep ravine. On the bottom there were their houses and in the distance, there was an ethereal glow coming from the cave, the home of Tree of Harmony.

**************

"Woah, it is all here. Now all we need to do is to build a fire " Rainbow Dash glanced slightly in the direction of the sun, slowly setting over the walls of the ravine.

She turned back to face Scootaloo.

"Squirt, go get some fire wood. We have to get some neat atmosphere over here and right now it is kind of gloomy here".

She was kind of right, with all the ponies exploring the ravine or staying in their houses, there was a strange silence in the air.

Scootaloo glared at the trees on the top of the walls and gulped.

Cyan pegasus rolled her eyes and said

"I know that you are not very comfortable with being in the forest after dark. So maybe I can call Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to come with you ?"

Orange filly instantly brightened up

"Yes !!! Thank you Rainbow Dash, this awesome of you !!! You are really best honorary big sister a pony can want"

She hugged Rainbow, who looked back with a little bit of a tenderness, something she rarely allowed herself to show. Then she quickly put Scootaloo aside

"Hey, let's not overdo it. I still need that wood, asap. Can you do it ?"

Scootaloo saluted proudly

"Yes ma'm !"

"That's the spirit " Rainbow cheered " Now go !"

******************

"Scootaloo, ya do realize that is much simpler to collect the fallen branches instead of climbing the trees to break them" Applebloom said as the pegasus once more fell from the high oak.

"This is lazy. What I am doing is way cooler."

"If you fell, you won't be able to do anything cool in a long time" Sweetie Belle pleaded " Get down from there !"

"No. I am almost there..." Scootaloo reached for the branch but there the part of the tree that she was clinging onto, cracked and...

TRACH !!!

"AAAAAAAAA!!!!!" Scootaloo screamed, falling down...

Only to stop, hovering in mid air.

"If anyone is more reckless than ponies, it's younger ponies" Discord emerged from the shadow, slowly levitating Scootaloo back on the ground.

Sweetie Belle bowed her head lightly

"Thank you Discord for saving..." Scootaloo received a strong bump on the head " for saving this stupidhead"

"Hey !" pegasus recoiled" at least I have that branch now..."

"Yeah, no kiddin'. We owe you a big one" Applebloom sighed in relief before looking at the draconequus " What are ya doing here anyway ?"

"Oh, just revisiting some old memories, that's all. And you ?"

"Well, we are collecting the wood for the fire." Scootaloo gestured towards the almost full cart " we are almost finish here."

"Good. I won't have to save you anymore" Discord snarled with irritation and started to walk away.

Applebloom suddenly shouted

"Discord...can we ask you for something ?"

The spirit sighed and slowly turned around

"What is it ?"

"We were wondering if you...might help us get down to the Tree of Harmony. We would go by ourselves but that cart make it a bit difficult."

Discord twisted his head

"Why do you want to go over there ?"

"Cause it is like, the most awesome thing here. And you may not believe, but we never saw it. We are not allowed to go deep into the forest without the supervision and our sisters don't really have any reasons to go here so often. So...yeah, we really want to see it" explained Scootaloo.

Discord shrugged

"Well, if it means you will be quiet"

SNAP !

They repapered in the entrance to the luminous cavern.

And there it was, in all its glory, a majestic crystal tree. The crystal roots were the foundation of the shining trunk, with a symbol of the sun and moon. In the centre, a brilliant star marked the place where the branches separated and on the end of each, there were the Elements, represented by various, differently shaped and coloured gems. An apple, a lightning, a crystal, a balloon and a butterfly. Hundreds of silver leaves were hanging from the crystals wines, making the Tree even brighter.

The Crusaders stared at the Tree, amazed, before Sweetie Belle finally turned around to Discord

"You are not going to come in ?"

He shook his head

"Me and the Tree are not in the best terms so I would rather go before..."

In that moment, a wind out of nowhere started to blow through the cave.

Discord facepalmed

"Perfect, everything but that !" he growled.

"What-" Sweetie began but Applebloom quickly made her focus on the spot of light growing in the middle of the cave.

The light became a silhouette of...

"Twilight ?!!" three fillies cried in surprise.

The sparkly version of their alicorn friend shook her head

"No, I am only the physical representation of the conscience, an interface if you prefer. I am the Tree of Harmony. Welcome-come-come-come-come-come..." the avatar froze and started to glitch, repeating the syllable over and over again.

Three ponies stood frozen by fear till Discord shouted

"For real ?!!! And they say I am the one who doesn't have control of my life ! In that cave, it can't be very strong"

"What ?..." Applebloom asked.

Draconequus rolled his eyes

"What are you, stupid ? The Wi-Fi signal of course ! No wonder she is glitching ! Kick that root over there !"

Applebloom slowly walked over and bucked the root.

The avatar stopped flashing

"...come to my cave. You are very welcome to look around, sisters of my bearers."

Astral Twilight looked over fillies and noticed Discord, still standing in the entrance.

"I sensed your return, son of Chaos. I saw you coming to my roots once before." the interface looked almost...concerned.

Discord exhaled and straighten up

"Long time no seen...Harmonia. Don't get the wrong idea, I still am the Chaos and I still kind of don't like you, but...now I mean no harm to you. Promise."

Avatar nodded slightly.

"As I hoped. Remember that my Elements still a threat to you and I won't lower my guard until you opened your part at some part of my power."

Discord lowered his head

"I keep that in mind"

Sparkly phantom twisted its head

"And yet I sense...something different inside of you..."

Discord waved his paw dismissively

"Those are probably those super spicy cupcakes Pinkie Pie was serving. Harmonia, do you think a creature without a stomach can have a diarrhoea ?"

He could swore that the avatar's lips twitched in a small attempt to smile.

"Farewell then-en-en-en-en..." she lagged once again.

And then she exploded into the light.

Discord shook his head and smiled

"Never change Harmonia. Maybe someday-"

Then he froze.

The pain came so quickly that he didn't have the time to react. It flooded him like a wave of acid, burning and freezing in the same time.

His head was filled with images of something dark and cold, full of hatred and wrath. He fell on his knees, clenching his skull.

Slaughter. Fear. Revenge.

Then, it all disappeared.

"Discord !!! What happened ?"

He noticed three fillies galloping towards him.

Discord shook his head and looked at his limbs.

That magic... acid, murder....

That aura...

It couldn't be...

She wouldn't ever allow that...

He shook his head once more

"I am fine..." he got up, carefully scanning the cavern " I just felt a little weak...Let's go and light up the fire !!!

He smiled weakly and Crusaders slowly smiled back.

They exit the cave and Discord was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the new addition to Scootaloo's cart.

Two minutes earlier...

As Discord started to converse with the Tree or as he called it, Harmonia, Crusaders were exploring the area near the trunk of the Tree.

"Wow, I can't believe that those leaves are so pretty" Sweetie said dreamily

"Who would thought that those seeds planted by Pillars would grow into such a powerful tree. It would be fun having something like this in the orchard" Applebloom wondered.

"Don't forget that those Elements helped defeat many villains. No that is neat"

Suddenly, Scootaloo felt something close to his hoof.

"What the-" her eyes widened

She was looking at six small logs of wood, each in different colour.

"Well, that's strange. Why did a tree, which is made out of crystal, leave behind a wooden logs ?" Scootaloo thought.

She looked at her cart

"Actually, there is still a room for it to be a complete..."

She grabbed the logs and was about to put them into the cart...

And then Discord screamed.

The logs fell to the rest of the wood.

And stayed there when the group left the cave.

***************

"...And then, Luna told me that if she doesn't get the throne, she will bring the toilet along with her. So she did. I was so embarrassed that I let her have one" Celestia concluded her tale.

All the ponies laughed loudly as the fire cracked, giving them nice warmth and comfort.

Pinkie Pie licked her stick with melted marshmallows

"Maybe we can tell a story about how my sisters went to a hike"

"Sweet merciful cobalt, have mercy" muttered Limestone.

"Or we can play some game ? It is fun and expands your brain capacity." Twilight proposed.

"Oh, like a similarities ? Apple !" said Applejack

"Applejack !" Rainbow Dash followed.

"What an ingenious connection, I must congratulate you darling" Rarity huffed" rope !"

"Hoofcaps !" said Fluttershy.

"Now that is a chain reaction " Luna laughed.

****************

Discord watched as the flames danced before him. He was unusually quiet the whole gathering.

His mind was still back in the cavern.

Normally would laugh the pain away but this time...

Something was off...

But what...

An acidic aura...

A reflection...

...

One of the problems with having a chaotic mind was that you could never know when the resolution would strike.

***************

"So why won't we do a shadow theatre ?" Rarity raised up her hooves to create a dancing ballerina

Luna laughed

"This is a shadow play ? I will show you..."

*************************

Discord wasn't sure if time really slowed down when Luna started to summon her magic

Something that wants revenge...

There was something on the back of his head...

That magic...

****************

And then few thing happened at once

Luna summoned the shadows and in the same time something fell from the sky on her.

Twilight narrowed her eyes

"Is that ?"

Spike blinked

"A kigurumi"

Luna started to trot around in panic

"Help, I can't see anything !!!"

******************

Deception...

A slight hint of darkness...

A biological receptacle...

Why did it sound familiar ?

*******************

Bump !!!

Luna's flank smashing towards the wood, ready to fall into fire...

*******************

A spell that complex...

*******************

A wood started to fall...

*******************

He knew.

Discord raised his head, terror igniting in his eyes.

When you add chaos and darkness, you will get...

A Dark Self spell...

A copy...

Wanting to posses...

He felt it near the Tree...

It came from down there...

Had to be stored in some sort of basic organic matter...

Like..."

He looked up to the slowly falling logs. Six colourful, out of place logs.

"Like wood !!!

NOT AGAIN

His mind calculated every option

Too slow

His claws crossed. Just one snap.

Still too slow.

In every surrounding reality the summary was the same.

PLEASE...

The wood almost touched the fire

****************

Discord snapped his claws

The ponies all looked at each other with confusion when a barrier appeared in front of them

"Discord, what are you ?"

Then all the air was sucked away as the fire exploded.

Discord screamed in pain and so did the princesses. The barrier was shook by the powerful force and started to crack.

"GET OUT OF HERE !!!" roared Discord, trying to keep the barrier up.

All the ponies started to run. Except princesses

"It burns...that hatred..." hissed Celestia

"GYYYYAAAHHH!!!" Luna screamed.

Discord confronted the dark magic with all his strength.

But then the shockwave broke through.

It came through his entire body, making it numb and weak.

He fell on the ground.

He heard a wicked laughter and noticed a streams of light in six colours flying though the forest.

Darn it, he was right.

His vision started to become blurry and spin.

He had to do something.

On the edge of passing out, he snapped his claws.

The last thing he remembered was a fragment of rosy mane and an blue eye watching him carefully.

Then everything went black.

The return of Dark Harmony Part 1

View Online

Chapter 12

(Slight violence may occur in this chapter, I am stating this only for formality)

The blur of white and blue lights, all foggy and in disarray.

He was awaking slowly. Odd.

And it meant something really, really bad.

Slowly, his sight become sharper and Discord was able to recognize his surroundings.

Some kind of cave. And in the far corner, he spotted his friends, laying down on the pile.

He smiled. They were alive and in some areas the plan worked out.

Then something else caught his attention.

He was located far higher than them.

He craned his neck and looked around.

His irises quickly shrunk.

He was wrong. This wasn't bad. This was critical.

He was chained up to the Tree of Harmony. The chains were made of pure aura and bonded magic.

Discord tried not to freak out. Not many things could scare him but...if he stay close to the Tree for too long, it could end up very badly.

He tried to teleport or to make the chains disappear.

Instead, his whole body exploded with pain and the smoke raised up from his skin.

Discord hissed. No, they planned it too well.

"Enjoying yourself up there ?" A voice spoke from the shadows" I sure hope so. Personally, I would just use you and get rid of such a pathetic trash, but Cruelty insisted upon this welcome gift. She is an idiot, like all of them, but I can admire the creativity. In that move there is that sweet sense of irony. The invincible god of Chaos tied up to his sworn archenemy. Even now it's draining magic from you and I wouldn't try to use any power you have left if you want to stay in one piece."

This explains why I am so weak Discord thought. That made a lot of sense. The Elements of Harmony could banish him or encase in stone. But the contact with the very Tree...well, it could suck all the magic from him and then...he didn't want to know.

"So this is your plan ? To destroy me here ?"

"Oh, it would be to simple and short-termed. But I can assure you, having you out of the way is a very nice bonus"

The pony stepped out of the shadows. Discord narrowed his eyes and inhaled hastily

"Twilight ?"

Indeed, there was a purple alicorn standing down below, somepony identical to a lavender princess Discord new all too well. But there it was getting complicated. The cutie mark, darker mane and eye colour, all different, suggested the presence someone else. And maybe the evil smirk and a hint of malice also gave the weird Twilight away.

Alicorn flapped her wings, ascending to the level of chained draconequus.

"You mean that idiot I took that body from ?" she started to laugh, looking Discord straight in the eyes " I am sorry to disappoint you, but goodie princess checked out and let Despair this body !!!!"

*******************

A few minutes earlier

Spike slowly opened his eyes.

Where the hell was he ?

He looked around.

A cave...familiar cave...a Tree of Harmony !

He shook his head. All he remember was that explosion, Discord yelling and everypony running. Then those weird streams of light and... his head being hit from behind.

Something was really wrong. He needed to get out of here and get help.

He looked around. His friends were laying around, motionless. Spike sighed and stirred in the chains. His captors really did their homework, his handcuffs will be extremely difficult to bite through or even melt it down.

But on the bright side, his legs weren't tied up. He started to crawl towards the centre of the cave and hid behind a rock.

Then two voices started to speak. Spike carefully looked above the rock and almost got the heart attack.

He saw Discord chained up to the Tree, looking as if in terrible pain, and somepony who resembled Twilight. But Spike knew her foster mother/guardian/adoptive sister long enough to see it through. That was definitely Twilight's body. But if it wasn't Twilight...then who was it ?

And in that moment, his heartbeat increased when he noticed other ponies emerging from the shadows.

******************

"So, I hope you figured it out ? It would never allow myself to eliminate an idiot. Leader must have authority you know "called fake Twilight aka Despair.

"You are a...product of Dark Self spell. A ritual that allows an individual to create a copy of anyone they desire. However, it brings back their worst flaws and instincts. But...I thought that it was long since lost, destroyed and forgotten"

Despair flew closer and patted him on a cheek before gliding down to the ground

"My superior being is a living proof that the spell isn't a legend" alicorn added quietly.

"But it doesn't add up." Discord muttered " There is no way that someone from this time knows this magic. It had to be some creature from the Old Era... Sombra is destroyed, Tirek has no materials, Grogar is not supposed to appear until season 9..."

His eyes got big

"Chrysalis !"

"Took you long enough " Despair growled " We have to stay on schedule, so I fill you in to save time, since you going to die anyway. You see, old bug indeed created me and my sisters from those pathetic harmony bearers. She wanted to use us to take over the Equestria, because we came from the ponies, who control the Elements of Harmony. But she miscalculated two things. Firstly, that we may not be satisfied with her ruling over us. And secondly, that we represent the exact opposites of the Elements, so the Tree may not be exactly thrilled to see us. It tried to kill us. But my brilliant mind predicted that and I managed to use some of my power to turn us into our original, wooden form, before the Tree managed to completely vaporize us. Still, dying hurt like a ***** !"

She swore and started pacing around, her eyes not leaving Discord's.

"Even the stone encasement doesn't hurt as your entire body melting down. But, as it turned out, it was still a price worth to pay. For you see, the Tree sucked in a large part of us.

"But since you yourselves survived in that wood..." Discord interrupted " you were still able to corrupt the Tree from within. But it wasn't completely possible when you didn't have a real physical form. Come to think of it, that explains why Tree didn't protect itself, decomposing your logs. You waited for somepony to destroy that wood. You were able to posses your counterparts bodies. Those were the streams of light flowing through the forest. And now...you want to conquer the world by using the Elements, am I correct ?"

Despair chuckled

"I can't answer that. You are close, close but not quite. But I am not falling for a "proud villain explaining all the plan" trick. I want you to meet someone."

Four ponies emerged from the shadows and marched to Despair's side, two for each. Their expressions varied from boredom to borderline wrath.

"Those are the ones created with me, my warriors of new era, the Dark Harmony : Sorrow, Treason, Greed and Cruelty." she said, pointing at "fake copies" of Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy.

Discord felt his innards turn into a block of ice. How could he let something like this happen ? He was supposed to be omnipotent god and he was took down and tied up like it was a piece of cake.

He hissed once again as the smoke raised high in the air. The magic was leaving his body faster than expected. He didn't have time or luxury to be mad at himself. He needed to think of something.

Fake Fluttershy, which Despair called Cruelty, flew slowly to his eye level.

"Hi there sweetie !" she purred and Discord flinched, seeing Fluttershy's eye so filled with hatred "You will suffer a death thousand times after I will be done. I guess the fact that you can't die will make it even more fun."

"You monsters...You will pay for what you've done to my friends. When I got out of here..." Discord tried to kept his voice calm, but seeing Fluttershy in such a state was a torture more than a pain caused by his magic being sucked away.

"And who is going to stop us ?" Despair smirked " You ? Even if you somehow free yourself from those chains, before the Tree turns you into dust, you won't have a power to even teleport. The fatal flaw of Tree of Harmony is that it is more than willing to sacrifice itself for other beings. When it defeated for us for the first times, she absorbed our energy, but it couldn't purify it because we were still alive. We used it to corrupt it and now look at it".

She pointed at the black crystal veins spreading from the point where Discord was chained up, to the black branches and the Elements themselves, partially consumed by blackness.

"That Tree is stubborn. However, when it absorbs your magic, it will become weak and we will be able to retrieve the Elements for our use. So, thank you for your contribution, Discord."

Discord shook his head, fixing his gaze in the distance

"There is something more to it than that. I can feel that you're hiding somethingggghhh!!!"

Discord bent in half when he was kicked in the stomach with full strength

"YOU WILL NOT QUESTION US, YOU PIECE OF GARBAGE !!!!" roared Cruelty,

Discord took a shaking breath

"Fluttershy, I refuse to believe that you are gone. If you are still theeeerrrrrhh!!!

Another hit followed.

"If you are, give me some sign. I WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU !!!"

A yellow hoof, flying down to strike, was suddenly stopped in the middle of the way.

Cruelty looked at her limb with a hint of shock before the leg backed up, hitting her in her own face.

"Agggh!!! You will pay for this ! " the pegasus flew down.

The dark ponies gathered in group, discussing something in agitated manner. Discord managed to hear: "damned counterparts" and "relapses"."

He smiled weakly. Fluttershy and the others were still there, prisoners in their own minds. Now the question remained: how to get them to the surface ?

*****************

Spike held his breath when Cruelty was hitting Discord. Seeing draconequus so helpless was unnerving to the point where the dragon wanted to simply charge right ahead and free his friend.

Only the remaining power of will ordered him to wait and come up with something better.

Sadly, he realized that he may not be able to think of something good in time. He was never the best strategist.

But then something caught his attention.

Discord called out Fluttershy and pleaded for pony, who wasn't supposed to be here, to stop the violence.

Cruelty shouldn't be affected by that. But she stopped.

Now that was more interesting. That meant that the personalities of his friends was merely suppressed, not completely destroyed.

Yet.

From what Spike heard, Dark Six corrupted the Tree. It was mainly in their power, probably obedient to them. Elements themselves however, remained partially untouched.

That untouched parts had to be Twilight and the girls. They had to battle for control with their evil counterparts. If only there was something to help get the upper hand...hoof...whatever.

Suddenly, Spike felt his body shiver.

That was why they needed the Elements out. With them, they would finish the corruption and with them turned to their side, completely overtaking the bodies they were now possessing.

Spike knew that no matter the price, he had to keep the Elements away from the clones.

He looked at Rarity, who was examining the cave with quick, nervous looks as if she feared that someone will took the surroundings away.

Greed.

Spike felt the need to get the evil spirit out of white unicorn and burn it with fire to make sure that it will never hurt Rarity again.

No matter what will happen between the two of them in the future, if he doesn't help her now, she won't be having any future. And that was something he couldn't allow as long as he was alive.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice a pair of hooves grabbing him from behind.

He tried to fight back but the grip was really tight.

He looked up to met pair of dark green eyes, narrowed and hostile

"You know, Ah really tired of a smartass who thinks he can trick the Mistress of Lies. I to loose, got that ? No one fools Deception. Nice fur ya have there " Blond mane fell over the eyes of the orange earth pony, as "Deception" leaned over her prey.

Spike could only think two things

"I am so screwed" and "the hell was that about the fur ?"

**********************

"So you still have problems with...hmm...assimilation " Discord chuckled as he eyed Despair with hint of strange merriment.

"This is only a minor setback. We will deal with them quickly and they will perish for good" alicorn hissed back "Sooner than you think. And then nothing will be able to stand in our world. The entire world will bow down to us !"

"Yeah, as I should care. Wake me up when it will be my cue to go" Treason yawned and fell down on the ground.

Despair eye twitched

"You know, we are not only the opposite Elements. We come from the six ponies that have other sides, flaws insecurities and secrets. And we are an amplified model. So better speed things up. Clock is ticking. Clock. Is. Ticking."

*******************

'Sorry AJ" Spike thought when he bit an orange leg.

Deception flinched and her grip loosen enough for Spike's struggling to become slightly more efficient as now he was more pulling away from the Applejack's bad version, than just being kept squeezed to death.

Of all the copies, Deception was probably the worst made. Since it was possessed, Applejack's eyes turned into dark spheres of green that looked like a dark, dirty water from the swamp. Her mane was frazzled and dirty. But the worst part was cutie mark with free green apples, instead of the red ones.

"You think this is over ? We will send your friends a birthday cards, throw them a party and only later eliminate them. We are superior to you, you don't have a chance. I remember when I was at the party with the squirrel name Gerome. Fun guy really, but nothing special. And yes, we will make Equestria a clear place, with monarchy..." the evil clone rambled

That crap of a talk, unconscious lying of his enemy and the fact that he needed to fight for his very life, made battling this fake AJ extremely difficult.

Unfortunately, his foot slipped on a crystal fragment of the floor and he fell to the ground. Of course, in an instant a pair of legs landed on his chest, pinning him to the ground.

Spike considered using fire, but that idea was quickly rejected. If Applejack was still alive, attacking and wounding Deception could hurt her as well.

Something different.

Anything !

"You see little dragon, you don't have to wonder where your goddess is " earth pony leaned closer " Cause she is right here. And she is fresh out of mercy ! You are a potato !"

And suddenly, her eyes rolled in her sockets and she fell on top of Spike.

Spike glanced at shock at the tall figure in front of him

"How..."

********************

"...are you proposing to defeating me when I still have a secret weapon !" Discord exclaimed with triumphant expression.

"There is no solution for our misery. We are all gonna die" growled Sorrow " So can I kill you first please ?"

Discord sighed

"No, what I meant is..."

Despair looked at him with pity

"Oh, please, I know about your backup plan. It's..."

*******************

"...Princess Luna ?" Spike shouted as the alicorn massaged her hoof.

"I am sorry that it took so long. Me and my sister needed to regroup and think of a way to get you out. We figured out that those who captured you were indeed a Dark Self spell." Luna explained, pulling up

"You mean...some ritual that created those opposite personalities ?"

Luna flinched slightly as the shadow appeared in her eyes

"Back in the old days...the spell I used to become engulfed in Nightmare Moon and to let her overpower me...it was my own variation of Dark Self spell. I was sad, broken and alone, I couldn't think of any better solution. I was relieved when I heard that when I was on the moon, the knowledge that hurt me was forgotten and couldn't harm anypony else. Sadly, it seems that I was wrong."

"Someone remembered..."

"Yes...as for the spell, I am almost certain that Sombra was the one who created the original version. When we were allies, he tried to teach me during our...our..." Spike could be mistaken in the faint glow of the cave, but he was almost certain that princess blushed "...anyway, the spell works on a few stages. Firstly, it creates exact replicas of the ponies, only with opposite personalities. Secondly, the clones merge with their counterparts, leaving one body with two souls. And finally, they corrupt the bodies completely. Good news, the need really powerful source of magic to complete the process. Bad news..."

"They may be close to achieve the one" Spike glanced upon the sick looking Tree

"Yes. We don't have much time. We have to join Tia immediately." Luna grabbed Spike and started galloping away from the Tree.

"What about Applejack's body ?" Spike looked back and saw that the orange earth pony was still lying motionless.

"Believe me, she will be fine. Once possessed, the body shared with dark consciousness changes. They are stronger, faster and can heal in a matter of minutes. I doubt even decapitation would stop them. So we have little time before that Deception fully regenerates. After all, I only knocked her out."

"All right, I guess you know what you are talking about...soooo, how did you even get here princess ?" Spike asked.

"Before Discord was taken by the evil versions of our friends, he used his powers to teleport me and Tia into relative safety. When we recovered from the shock, we agreed that the best option will be to follow the enemy and strike when it's the right moment to do so. So here we are, and we are busting you out"

"But...technically we were guarded by one of them...how could you know that they won't be prepared for that?"

"Oh, we didn't know. But we assumed that least one of you will go investigate and distract the guard long enough for us to take action"

Before Spike managed to point out how ridiculously risky that plan was they arrived to the place where the prisoners were kept.

Spike noticed Pie sisters, Crusaders and Big Mac discussing something quietly and looking afraid.

They saw Spike and Luna coming.

"Thank Celestia that you are here. We were really worried about you" Sweetie Belle looked at Spike and there was indeed a glimmer of worry in her emerald eyes.

Luna's eyes scanned the area

"Speaking of my sister, where is she ? When we split up, she was supposed to free all of you and get you out of here."

"She did..." Limestone begin

"...but then she told us to wait here and galloped in the direction you came from"

Luna froze before shaking her head

"No, no !!! Tia, you fricking suicidal maniac ! What is she thinking ?"

Big Mac gave a princess questioning look

"What is happenin' to her ?"

"My sister walked straight into hell. And they're saying I am the reckless one." Luna growled with annoyance, before speaking in more regal manner " Spike, Big MacIntosh, come with me. Rest, get out through that corridor, as far as you can".

********************

"So that was your plan ? For the princesses to save you ?" Despair eyed Discord carefully.

"Yeah, I mean that was kind of a nice plan when you feel that your head is going to explode from magic overload"

"That sounds lame " Treason muttered in her sleep.

"Life is lame" Sorrow stared blankly, a madness lingering in her gaze, as a stream of saliva flowed down to the ground.

"I couldn't disagree more" a strong voice echoed throughout the cave. In the entrance stood Princess Celestia, her aurora borealis mane flowing through the air.

"Oh look who decided to join us" Cruelty smiled sadistically " one more for beating up !"

"Not today. I am here to free Discord and make things right. And you..." Celestia looked at Despair " I won't stop until you will see the judgment and be gone from this body. Twilight Sparkle is not only my former student, she is like a daughter to me. Right now, I am a mother who lost the children. And I lost too many along my long life to just walk away. You wouldn't even know what I am capable of right now"

Discord moved in his chains

"This is all really sweet but CAN WE MOVE TO THE PART OF FREEING ME ? I NEVER EXPERIENCED DEATH BEFORE, I WOULDN'T LIKE TO CHANGE THE STATE OF THINGS !!!"

White alicorn spread her wings and a sparks of golden aura filled the air with fresh smell of bananas

"I was getting to that"

Despair narrowed her eyes.

Celestia dashed forward as the evil alicorn shot the black ray of light.

The princess swirled around and soared through the air and shot her own beam, directing it at Discord's chains.

After a few seconds, Celestia's aura started being sucked in by the Tree and princess flinched in pain but didn't stop the spell.

And finally...

the chains shattered and draconequus fell to the ground.

Celestia smiled and then was hit by a ray of black light.

She shrieked in pain and fell to the ground next to Discord, her golden aura still absorbed by the Tree, mainly overtaken by their foes.

"Celestia...I will make it up to you... I promise..." Discord whispered

She nodded, watching their enemies closing in on them.

"Discord...you wouldn't like what I am going to do...but I will be all right...find Luna and the others, okay ?"

Discord's eyes widened

"Celestia, what are you doing ? No, don't you da-"

He disappeared in a golden flash.

White alicorn stood up, shaking, and faced Despair.

"Let's see if your darkness can devour my light" she challenged them.

*********************

Spike, Luna and Big Mac were running through the crystal corridor when suddenly a bright light blinded them.

"What..." Spike blinked when he saw Discord spread on the ground.

"Emm, hi ? " Discord waved at them weakly.

"What the hell happened to ya ?" Big Mac yelled.

Discord was about to say something, but then a muffled yelling from behind his body and indigo aura enveloped, his body rising him above the ground.

"Hyyyyyp !!!!" Luna, inhaling deeply " Please, never do that again. What is going on ?"

Her horn stopped glowing and Discord almost fell once again, but Big Mac and Spike caught him under arms.

"Celestia. She...teleported me here, staying to fight for herself and I...I couldn't do a blasted thing !!!" the spirit roared in frustration " I was exposed to the Magic of Harmony...or Negative Harmony...for far too long and now I can't even levitate, not to mention creating anything useful. I can't make chocolate rain, or flying pigs, or dancing buffalos or turn world upside down. Gods, I can't even TELEPORT. I HAVE TO WALK ! WALK !! WAHAHALK !!!"

Draconequus froze with his claws held high in a dramatic gesture and noticed a glares the remaining trio was giving him.

Spike facepalmed and said

"You know, I really love Rarity and I am already starting to miss her, but there is no reason for you to become a substitute."

Discord sighed

"Alright,I guess that I am very upset that I can't help you fight right now. But seriously, this is really annoying. I don't want to be useless."

"You won't be useless. " Luna shook her head " So you are saying Tia sacrificed herself for you and bought you some time ? Well, even if that is the case, don't let her sacrifice be for nothing. I have to help my sister, if the Tree is really sucking our magic in, she must be exhausted by now. Spike, Big MacIntosh, take Discord away from here, the further the better. I believe that Tree has a long area of magic absorption, but the further you go, the faster Discord's abilities will be back. And when he recovers, he will make a final blow. Got it ? Discord, I don't want to hear any objections now. You are not in shape to fight anyway"

"Thanks for a reminder of the day, Lulu " Discord muttered, before a mischievous glance appearing in his eyes " I actually think that it may be good to regroup cause I have a plan ! You see, I was used the variation of Dark Self before on the very same ponies, back when I first confronted them. I think that if I could use the Elements, I would be able to reverse the spell. Or maybe I can make those clones obey me, since that magic is partially chaotic. But in both cases, the problem is that, as you may remember, Twilight enchanted the Elements before Fluttershy started reforming me. So even if I had all my powers, I wouldn't be able to take them away. Twilight herself must remove that spell, she and only she can do it"

"Leave it to me and my sister. We will pull Twilight out of this monster no matter what " Luna declared " But I fear what usage of the Elements under such circumstances. Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony using The Elements of Harmony. Even if that was possible, that would kill you for sure. I know very well that when you are immortal, you can become reckless when it comes to the perspective of dying...are you aware what your plan may bring upon you ?"

"More than aware" Discord's eyes remained in place, cold as steel.

Luna felt her eyes become weirdly moist. Maybe it was because of the crystal dust in the air.

"You three, take care. If something happens to me and Tia, you are our greatest hope to defeat the Disharmony. Don't die here. This is an order ! I want to laugh it off with you over a drink. Now go. We will try to deal with Despair, you figure out how to reverse the spell. Good luck !"

And with that, she disappeared.

Earth pony, dragon and draconequus looked at each other

"We shall move." Big Mac said quietly

"Yeah. I think I can even run now" Discord stretched up and tired to snap his fingers but the phased through each other. He swore under his breath " No, still nothing".

Suddenly, the sounds of galloping was heard in the corridors.

"Get them now !" yelled Despair.

"You are not getting anything !!! They are all miiiinneee!!!! I want to posses this little dragon so badly, my own, miiiine " howled Greed.

"HONEY, WHERE ARE YOU ???!!! I NEED TO BREAK SOMETHING TO YOU...OR IN YOU ? MWAHAHA !!!" laughed Cruelty.

Trio looked at each other

"Okay, that is horrifyin'" Big Mac whispered

"I always wanted for Rarity to say that she love me, but I didn't mean that" Spike gulped

"Gentlemen, there is only one solution to this..." Discord raised his paw in the air " FRICKING RUN !!!!!"

They turned around and dashed through the corridor. After a minute, they reached an exit and emerged into the fresh air of the forest.

*****************

Discord couldn't run any longer. He didn't run in a millennia.

Spike flew above them, shouting to go faster.

Discord watched as Big Mac trips over the branch and Spike helps him got up.

That plan could work. It had to work.

"Discord, how are you feeling ?"

'Damn it, what can you feel after being almost turned into an ash ?'

"We are still too close. Maybe a protection spell, but nothing more ?"

"You are joking, right ?"

'No, as much as I want an try, my powers are still not still fully back yet'

**************************

Spike rubbed his spines

„ But we need Twilight to this and she is...”

„...not available at the moment”

Discord, Spike and Big Mac quickly pressed themselves to each other’s backs, assuming the battle stands as they watched a lavender alicorn emerging from the shadows of the forest.

„And she will stay gone, as long as I have a saying on the matter”. she grinned maliciously as the five other shadows walked from behind her. Cruelty, Treason, Sorrow, Deception and Greed.

Greed and Cruelty walked two steps closer and looked at them directly in the eyes.

They had to be somewhere there.

„So boys, this is the end of the line for you. Your desires will never meet reality” Greed slowly brushed her mane with her hoof, causing few locks to fell loose. She looked at Spike smiling as the dragon was boiling with anger

„You will never see your precious loves again !!!” Cruelty laughed and the rest of the group joined her.

They laughed until a sharp voice snapped

„SILENCE !!!”

The dark six looked at Discord, who was breathing heavily

„You think we are that shallow ?” he chuckled „ Maybe we were but now there is so much more to that. We won’t let you take our love and friendship away.”

„No matter where they are or how long will it take, we will free them and keep them safe from you !!!” added Spike

„We won’t give up on them in this world or next. For our friendship to survive and our families reunite” said Big Mac.

„Fluttershy...” whispered Discord

„Rarity...” Spike closed his eyes

„We are coming for you and the girls. And we will win you back, no matter the cost !!!” Discord and Spike shouted in unison.

„Yep !!!” Big Mac said, when the trio confronted the six ponies.

Twilight rolled her eyes and whispered

„We shall see...”

************************

'And now, we may never see them again. What shall we do ?'

Discord mind was racing, when suddenly, Greed moved closer to Spike

"So what is it gonna be, Spike ? Give yourself to me and I consider leaving myself in your claws..."

Spike shivered, but stood firmly and said

"I will pass, I won't be used as a slave. Besides, I love Rarity, not you"

"How dare you ?!!! You will be mine, like it or not. Everything in this realm will belong to me and it's mine only !!!"

"Oh, did she just insulted your ass, miss Avaricious ?" Deception chuckled

"I think he just has a problem. His love is not here anymore..." Sorrow rolled her eyes

"Well, it's the same ass" Treason yawned shamelessly.

"ENOUGH !" Despair yelled " We will and your pitiful existence now and nobody will..."

BAM !

Despair looked at her horn and the red apple that was directly on top of it

"Who threw that apple ?" she yelled in fury.

"CHARGE !"

The group of ponies emerged from the forest and charged at dark six

"What..." Despair managed to hiss before two alicorns fell from the sky and grabbed her.

"You will not " Despair kicked in desperation when the princesses disappeared with her.

Spike looked at Greed

"Chase me if you really want me, sweetcheeks !" he put his tongue out and dashed towards the forest. Before he became absorbed by the sea of green, chased by beautiful, but extremely furious evil spirit, he exchanged a glance with Discord.

Lord of Chaos nodded and used his accumulated power to send a telepathic message.

Get the one you are with back to the Tree of Harmony. I know what to do

He saw Big Mac trying to hold Deception with the help of Applebloom, Pie sisters cornering Sorrow. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were handling Treason, Despair was with Celestia and Luna and that meant...

"Owww !!!"He screamed when he was hit in the stomach third time this day.

Good. She was angry. Now he could manipulate her to going back to the Tree.

So he did and he ran.

****************

The alicorns reappeared high above the old castle of the royal pony sisters.

Despair kicked Celestia who countered with an equally strong buck.

Evil alicorn tried to use her magic, but the attempts were quickly blocked by Luna

They fought, falling down, connecting and disconnecting with each other.

And then... Celestia screamed as her skin, burnt black, hissed after the touch and she spiralled down.

"Sister !!!!!" Luna yelled.

Despair laughed and laughed over and over. But suddenly, her breath become hitched and laughter turned into cough.

She felt another presence in the mind.

'No, no, it cannot be so cliché' she shouted in her mind when deep behind the veils of thoughts and feelings another purple alicorn opened her eyes.

Twilight Sparkle has awoken.

Purple wings folded as alicorn dove, flying as fast as she could, before catching the sun princess with her magic.

"Princess !! Are you all right ?" alicorn asked in worry.

Celestia looked her in the eyes

"Twilight, is that really you ?"

"Yes but I don't have much time. She is already taking control back. It's hard to fight it..."

"You want to see all your friends free and happy"

"More than anything in the world !"

"Then remove the spell you used against Discord so he wouldn't take the Elements away"

"I think I know what you are planning... I should do it !"

"I will help you" Celestia put a hoof on Twilight's head as she shared her knowledge of that spell, helping the Princess of Friendship, a her horn started glowing

*******************

'Harmonia, please ! If you want to help your bearers, and keep balance in Equestria, if any part of you is still conscious, please, help us' thought Discord as he entered the cave in front of the Tree.

Behind him was Big Mac, struggling with Deception, Treason who actually flew to her own doom, Sorrow, yelling and swearing something in the direction of their sisters and lastly, Spike chased by furious Greed.

They were all in positions. Now only Despair remained.

'Harmonia, I...I am sorry. I...I would rather die, that let something happen to them' he put a paw on the trunk, not feeling the burning heat.

*******************

"So you faked it ? To get me out ? " Twilight muttered as she was finishing the spell " That was Luna's idea, wasn't it ?"

"Well, I fell for real, but I could save myself easily" Celestia smiled " I knew something that strong will get you out for a while, which was exactly what we needed. I know I can count on you as you can count on me !"

Twilight's horn stopped glowing.

On that sign, Luna hugged them tightly and disappeared with them.

*********************

Discord felt the Tree...sigh.

As if it exhaled and inhaled.

On the edge if his vision he noticed Celestia and Luna materializing with alongside Twilight on the ground.

They were all here.

And then, he was blinded by light that shot out from the Tree, illuminating the entire space.

"Well, we shall see how it will go."

He felt his body turn into smoke as he and the others were absorbed by the core of Tree of Harmony, into a kaleidoscope of shapes and colours.

The return of Dark Harmony Part 2

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Chapter 13

Spike

Spike groaned and slowly raised up.

Discord's crazy plan probably worked, didn't it ?

He looked around and gasped.

Young dragon was standing on the path of glass...or crystal, but in that case, very see-through.

The paths of glass were stretching up, floating up in the black nothingness, leading in every direction. Shining paths were very distinctively separated from dark background.

Spike noticed that his reflections were also stretching in each fragment of glass.

He narrowed his eyes.

So this was the core of the Tree.

This realm was the birthplace of Harmony.

But now, if it was infected...Celestia knows what could await them.

However, according to Discord, it was still the best chance to end this once and forever.

He started walking quickly, with determined look on his face.

In a hurry he didn't realize that one of his reflections didn't followed him, but instead glared at him behind his back and smiled, showing sharp fangs.

Twilight

Despair yelled in fury as she appeared in a corridor of glass, floating in the limitless abyss.

"How is it possible ? That's...but no matter ! Those fools just sentenced themselves to death !"

'I won't let that happen !'

Despair felt another presence touch her mind.

She turned around and lustrated her surroundings. In this realm, barriers of mind didn't exist and someone could easily get to one's head. Not hers, she was obviously too smart for that. But still...

No, the presence had to come from the inside. Which meant... she jumped within her own mind.

On the small field woven of violet starlight, a small figure of lavender alicorn was facing the sea of darkness before Despair's back

"So...you are still alive ?" Despair eyed her counterpart with angry fire in her eyes

"You still in my body" Twilight replied coldly.

"There is nothing you can do about it, this a lost cause for you"

"On contrary, I think I can. Princesses' actions on the other side allowed me to regain 49,5 % control over cerebral transference. But 1% is still in the balance"

ZAP !

Twilight wobbled through the corridor, shouting

"Get out of my head ! If you want me whole, I won't come willingly. I won't let you put a hoof on my friends"

ZAP !

"Make me ! You have to see that there is no hope left for you now, with all of us trapped inside this Tree, that is in our control" Despair yelled using the same lips.

ZAP !

"If I didn't knew better, I would say that I am a good rival for you." Twilight muttered, as the control switched once again "We share the same brain, which means the same brain capacity. I challenge you "

ZAP !

Despair clenched their head and laughed madly

"You ? You of all ponies ? I am not fooling for this ! I won't accept a challenge from the weakling like you "

"If you are truly that strong, beating me shouldn't be any problem. Believe me, I came so far, faced so, so many different things, changed so much to become who I am now. They are my everything. So I am not stopping now"

Twilight felt as half of her lips raises up and she felt her vocal cords...growling, without her control.

"You know what, fine. You have to be really an idiot to insist upon your doom" Despair purred and suddenly, the glass shattered and partially darkened, creating a chessboard.

Despair appeared on the other side smiling widely

"If I win, you will disappear forever, Twilight Sparkle. If I lose, I will give you control back. Deal ?"

"You have something hidden out there, behind the lights in your irises" Twilight whispered, making the first move and looking into her own face " I can sense it"

"I am your darkness Twilight, all that is hidden within you. Ask yourself and you will find the answers" Despair moved a knight.

And after a few minutes...

Twilight felt herself sweating heavily as her body started to glow and crack, when she lost her first figure.

Despair was beaten up as well but that was just too risky...

They were both struggling to take hold, in this chessboard in the edge of creation, with the air filled with aural smell of old books.

She had to pull through...

But could she really...

The pieces were still...missing...

**********************

Rainbow Dash

"Okay, what is your problem ?" Rainbow yelled, floating in the cerise vortex.

Treason looked at her with her eyes half closed and yawned

"Look, it isn't actually quite personal, but I like to be alive. Sorry about Despair, she can be real pain in the butt."

"But why me and my friends ?!!!" the blue pegasus yelled.

"Isn't that obvious ?" her counterpart rolled her eyes "You are powerful and strong, you are the ideal target."

Treason suddenly jumped , leaning directly over Rainbow Dash

"In fact, you are even better" she grinned "So buddy, what if we join your friends and fight my dark friends together ? Sounds good, huh ?"

That actually does sound nice, Rainbow thought. But an alarm was still ringing in her head. She was named Treason for a reason...

"As promising as that sounds, I will pass. Who can tell what would you do to me and the girls later"

Treason licked her lips

"Good girl. You are so good. Is to.."

Rainbow swiftly avoided the aural knife that behind her back

"To die for ? Really, you seriously need to improve your since of humour. Well, since you are my opposition, that explains it"

"Oh really ? Allow me to give you so insight in that fricking swamp of manipulation ? What can you do to win, to be first, to be adored...to have a purpose ? "

She pulled the cyan pegasus in the headlock but Dash countered with a kick in the stomach and freed herself once more.

"We can do this Celestia knows how ! I am not backing up. For someone that should be changing fronts so quickly, you seem pretty determined to beat me up" Rainbow cleaned herself from invisible dust

A sparks of electricity shot into the air as Treason raised her eyebrow

"I just want to satisfy myself. I want to stay alive and wealthy, and I do whatever that takes to keep it that way. No matter the costs, promises or lives, I will win. I admit, you have impressive reflexes but you just can't avoid me forever. Some time you will make mistake...and it will be your last one."

"Bring it on, sucker. I am not afraid" yelled Rainbow as two halves charged at each other.

************************

Pinkie Pie

"Hello ?" Pinkie shouted and only echo answered, resonating in a strange pink abyss.

Pinkie, for obvious reasons, usually liked the colour pink but this shade was like something that could be seen in a horror movies. The cheap horror movies but it was really creepy anyway.

"As fun as that place looks, I think I should look for the exit." Pinkie bounced around, looking forward" No walls, not even that invisible one with the stickers and faces on the other side. That place is incredible ! If I could throw a party in here, I am sure that it would be bombastic !"

"No..." came a sad voice behind her.

Pinkie turned around to see a pink mare with a dark, dead eyes and a straight, dark pink mane.

"Who are you ? Oh , let me guess, let me guess !!! You are me !"

"Your happiness almost brings more misery into my already crappy existence" Said Sorrow, tears flowing down her face " Come join me ! We can wait here...till we die. There is no use in running it is going to happen anyway"

"Oh come on you little grumpy, no one wants to die when you can live" Pinkie smiled " Don't be so gloomy, come join the party."

"You still can't see it, can you ?" Sorrow's voice got a bit higher and her eyes shone crimson red.

Pinkie shivered slightly

"You..."

"Yes, me" Pinkamena Diane Pie smiled a exploded into a mad giggle " Something finally got into that cotton candy brain of yours."

"How can you be here ? I should forget you, threw away , like a big party pooper you are " squealed pink party planner.

"Our mind" continued the psycho killer " is so complex that it can house many personalities. You didn't actually believe that all those parties can bury the feeling of revenge you felt when you were abandoned and without love on a cold stone of the rock farm ? I will always be here by your side. And one day, I will make a five sets of very special cupcakes"

"Neverrrrr!!!" Pinkie growled and her pink aura formed into a giant party canon, ready to fire.

"Cream frosting with strawberry icing, what am I gonna do" she thought when suddenly she heard someone calling her from behind.

************************

Applejack

They died because of you...you wasn't there...it was your fault...

"Noooooo!!!" yelled Applejack, breathing shakily " Get out of mah head !"

"What in Equestria do you mean sugarcube ?" purred Deception " I have a right to visit some of my old memories, don't I ?"

"Ya bloody wish they were yers" Applejack spit on the jade light soil that was stretching into endlessness beyond them " Why did I even believe ya ? Those lies are terrible...well, lies"

"Shucks, since I fused with ya, I suppose I became better with. This is mah disharmonic gift. So how many times I will have to brainwash ya before ya disappear"

"Ya sick hussy, ya'll never-"

Applejack screamed and collapsed, clenching her head

Sis, where is mommy...I have to be strong...but I want to cry...they mustn't now...

"No. I. Won't. Give. UP!!!" Applejack raised up and with pained expression started to move towards Deception "They need me...my friends...my family...they need me, regardless of who I am, I must protect them..."

"Seems like we have to repeat this AJ" Deception growled.

But then, Applejack saw a small silhouette entering the pool of green light

Was that ?...

********************

Fluttershy

"Eeek..." Fluttershy squealed and tried to run away.

Her counterpart sighed and reappeared right in front of her

"Hey, you little mistake. This f***ing place is inside our body. You won't be able to hide from me. Besides, if you will try to move, your demise will be more painful. Come to think of, it that's better for me if your death will be more painful. Woooohooo!!!!"

"Why..." Fluttershy shivered, still trying to back away" Why are you doing this ?"

"You know sweetie..." Cruelty's eye twitched as she eyed scared pegasus " I didn't ask to be born in this fricking world, and have all this wrath within. THIS IS REALLY PISSING ME OFF !!!! So, if I am like this, I shall enjoy it, right ? I will bring suffering to every living creature in this damn reality and"

"And then what happens ? You will be left with nothing else. You will push everypony away" Fluttershy managed to raised her head and look Cruelty in her place.

Cruelty laughed loudly and moved closer to Fluttershy's ear

"Look, I don't need your pity. Tonight, I will strike down the gods in heaven and drench this bloody world in all the cruelty that I have in me. And no one will stop me, especially not you"

"I...I am sorry...for you" Fluttershy whispered, tears flowing down her face.

Cruelty's expression become the one of the shock, before turning into twisted, vengeful mask once again

"Hey, earth to idiot ! Those are the last moments of your life. I am going to kill you any moment now. And you...still pity me ?"

"I just realized who could I become if I took in all the insults world threw at me. What would I turn into if I didn't meet girls and...gave my heart to Discord... so I am sorry..."

"Ugh, you are insufferable "Cruelty groaned loudly " You are going to vanish from existence and you not only pity me but also confess your love ? Seriously ? You have to be threatened like this to drop your barriers and realize your feelings ? You make me sick. You and your animal accident lovey-dovey. I will go sprightly to kill him after I assume full control over body."

Fluttershy suddenly jumped, enraged

"Don't hurt him ! You can have my body but don't you dare put a hoof on him ! Please... I won't let you near him as long as my heart beats !"

Cruelty jumped high, roaring

"To bad it won't be having to many beats left !"

And then, she was caught in the middle of the flight and turned around, to meet the pair of red irises glowing in fury

"According to those stupid pony traditions, you shall invite girl to dinner before you ask for her heart. I am sorry, Cru-cru, but you want the heart a bit too literally. So, to be clear... LEAVE MY LOVE ALONE OR I WILL DESTROY YOU IN ALL REALITIES !!!!"

**************************

Discord

Darkness, stillness...

Was this death ?...he never knew how dying felt like...

No, as far as Discord could tell, his senses were still active.

He managed to get to the other side.

Which meant that now he got to find the others.

He gulped as he remembered Cruelty. In this realm, the barriers of the minds were lowered. Who knew what kind of torture sadistic spirit could serve Fluttershy.

He will save her... even if he needed to bust through entire Tree to get to her.

But that place... it was so dark, he couldn't even manage to find a proper direction...

And then, he heard it. The faint sound of some song.

No, not just some song...that was...

Discord quickly extended his senses and followed the sound, whispering in the absolute darkness.

Every atom of his being resonated along with the melody.

The song didn't have words. It didn't need them.

He heard it only once. But he memorized it and couldn't let go through his endless existence.

The melody that sounded in the first days of the universe.

The Chant of Creation.

He remembered as he was wandering in empty universe, full of random elements, filled with chaos, cold, alone and not understanding anything.

A newborn draconequus.

And then, this song came.

It filled heart with love...and hatred.

Finally, Discord spotted something.

It was a ball o light, medium sized, floating in the empty space. Its glow was faint but still bright in the darkness.

Discord slowly took ball between his hands.

"Discord..." a distant female voice came from the orb " I knew that you'll come..."

"That was a tricky one" the spirit managed to grin " Only two beings in the universe can sing that song, even if it resonates within everything..."

"I was born to it" Harmonia said quietly

"I know. That's...why I hated it" Discord muttered.

"Look at us now. We lived billions of years, trying to overthrow each other, and now you are within my core, holding me in your arms. See how far we've come..."

"I guess that I learned something from mortal creatures" said Discord.

"I think...I might be dying..." Harmonia whispered.

The abyss remained quiet for a moment

"I...cannot comprehend...what is like to die ? And I am...agitated....moved...scared ?" the spirit of harmony added.

"You can't die" Discord shook his head " Without you this universe will cease to exist. This world needs you. And I need you...too."

Silence.

"After all this time, we learned that we don't have to hate each other. Fate sure is strange." the voice from the orb whispered

"Well, sometimes we destroyed a few civilizations in a fight for domination " Discord looked at the orb" But there is no denying that you were the one who understand me best...my sister, Harmonia. I shouldn't feel that way, we are supposed to be enemies. But rewriting destiny is one of my specialities. My mortal friends... Compared to us, they are so tiny and fragile, they lives are a droplet in eternity, that we walk through. But those creatures showed me how to live a happy life and...Harmonia, I think I found love"

He could almost feel his female counterpart smiling

"I always knew that you have what it takes to feel this way. We are have potential to overcome our nature. If we could only work together for once...After all, love is most potent form of chaos there is."

"True, but without harmony to stabilise it, it is just eternal thirst and longing."

"Discord...can't you see we are both needed for this world. Isn't that crazy ? We can both be who we wish to be, spread our magic. I know that we are separated by Ancient Laws, and the closer we get, the more we kill each other...But I believe that together, we could create a better world"

"I guess that without harmony chaos is just destruction..."

"And when the darkness of destruction overcomes the realm of the living, the things have to go unplanned for creation to shine so brightly"

Discord suddenly hugged the orb, which equally surprised both of them.

"I promise that it won't like this. I have plan and this... this time I will save everyone ! I will save Fluttershy, others and even you ! My mortal frenemy !"

"Discord, what happened back there with the parents of Sun and Moon...you should let go of"

"Don't you dare die on me ! I...I...just stay here" Discord snapped

"Of course" Harmonia said softly" I shall manage to create a portal for you"

A door opened in the void.

Discord turned around and floated to them. Just when he wanted to pass them, Harmonia spoke once again

"Hey, Discord..."

"Hmm ?"

"Please be careful. It would be boring without you here. So fight hard. And when you reunite with one you love...trust your heart and don't let go"

Discord saluted and nodded

"See ya, Harmonia. Thank you for everything"

The door closed behind him

"Farewell brother. I will be waiting" said the dying spirit of harmony.

*********************

"What...what sorcery is this ?" Luna yelled as she examined her body, floating in the ethereal, silver mist.

All parts were in place, except...

"Why am I SMAAAAAAALLLL???!!!!" squealed filly princess.

Her mane, her beautiful flowing mane from the enchanted starlight, was now loose, light blue mane, quite short. That was the look you she wore in the older days, before she discovered her true nocturnal abilities. When she returned from being Nightmare Moon, she was so weak that her entire body reversed in growth into this very state. It took time before she grew again.

"Enjoying that body princess ? " Whispered a disembodied voice.

Luna looked at the dark mist that mixed up with her silver aura and revealed all too familiar head wearing a helmet.

"What are you doing here Nightmare ?" she asked quietly.

"What do you mean ? You can very well ask yourself. Why, you are..."

"if you are going to say "me", I would rather send myself to the moon. I am never ever sharing a mind with you and all that stupid crap."

Nightmare's spirit giggled

"You know, even if your friends will be purified, our connection is a bit different. You won't be getting away so easily. But for the time being, I will let you taste the happiness. You have to feel what you'll lose. Farewell, for now..."

Malicious mare lowered her head to Luna's level and looked her in the eyes.

"But remember no matter where you'll be, I will be watching you...from the shadows !"

Luna blinked and looked around. She was alone in the dark corridor. To her surprise, her body returned to its normal, mature form.

"Well, that was creepy...and kind of ominous" she said, shaking with each step as she forced herself to march forward.

One of Luna's eternal dilemmas was the choice between her own lifestyle and others. She felt no inferior to those around her and felt that her personality was worth preserving as well.

But she was born in difference, she was like this from the very beginning. She chose to venture and discover something no pony has ever dared to discover.

But she was also always on the edge. She was the daughter of the incarnates of night and day. She had power, knowledge.

And freedom.

But freedom brought solitude to her life.

A feeling she could never get rid off.

Suddenly, a motion caught her attention

"Who goes there ?" she asked in the voice a bit high and shaky.

"Oh, thank heavens, Luna !!!" the shadow galloped closer and turned out to be none other than Celestia.

She jumped on a shocked Luna and hugged her tightly.

"Oh, I was so worried about you" she said, squeezing her to death.

And then, two sisters just broke into tears in each other's embrace, releasing all the tension they've been through.

After a few minutes, Luna spoke

"What have you see Tia ? Was it..."

Celestia nodded sadly

"Yes, it was her. She...she burnt all the world...and she kept laughing...and finally I felt that one laughing is none other than me..."

Celestia gave her sister a tired look

"Luna, please tell me...after everything we've been through...everything we gained and lost...are we a good ponies ? With all the bitterness and rage harboured through those lives, with all the danger we present, how can we be called a good ones in that story ? Little sister, I saw want to return to those old days. When it was just me, you, Discord and world, waiting to be discovered. But so much have changed since then...how we can ever go back ?"

Luna blinked before frowning a little

"I...honestly don't know." She looked high in the sky and a droplets of her silver aura raised high and shone brightly, just like stars. "You know, I remember when I first created a star. All the excitement I felt back then. It was as if I put a part of my soul outside and let it shine like the one inside never could. Peace and understanding, dear sister. That's all I ever wanted in this life. And when we went further and further, I was sometimes losing faith that I can still love. That I can smile. And that I can forgive. Through the centuries, I was rejected, misunderstood or even hated. But after I saw you, awoken after a thousand years-long nightmare, I remembered again...what it felt to love. Tia, we can't know all the answers. That's why we need to keep moving forward and try to learn from our mistakes. So even if winds of destiny erase our hoofsteps from the face of that life, the world may be changed, to show that we fought for what we believe. Our struggle is far from over. But we are still alive and that's what matters. And you can still protect the ones you love. Then at least, you'll be at peace. Because sometimes, when the wind blows gently, the trees are humming their melody and moon shines brightly, I feel that everything still has meaning. Every creature I see, I see as the glow of that first starlight. And on those nights, I can feel that I... am ready to let go. And my thoughts are becoming stars. It doesn't matter if it happens right here and now. Even if star dies, her light can still illuminate the worlds that never saw the light. And that's who I am."

"You are right, my little Luna. Whether you are bad or good is not for you to judge...not yet at last. But you can still shape your fate into a better one" came a voice from behind the princesses.

Two alicorns turned around and froze in shock.

There, in all they glory, stood...

"Father ?!..." Celestia cried

"Mommy..." Luna whispered

"My girls, how long has it been ?" said Dusk softly, his translucent body glowing in dark but still visible aura " A thousand years ? I know you were worrying but there was nothing we can do. We were in this dimension this whole time but we can no longer manifest ourselves in the physical realm."

"We know all about your troubles and...we are truly sorry that we couldn't be there for you. We failed you as parents. And now you are in danger again" Aurora looked sadly at her daughters.

"I...thought we won't see you again" Celestia said, crying once again " I am so glad."

"Celestia, look at you. You grew so much. And I like your new mane too. Though I wander if a lady should wear something so flashy"

"Mother, we need to save our friends and subjects. They supposedly are here as well. Can you help us ?"

"The one with a strong magical aura, smelling like books,is not so far away " Dusk interrupted " But her lifeforce is fading fast. You need to act quickly if you want to help"

"Yes, that sounds like Twilight" Luna nodded.

"My little Lunypie is so strong, just like her dad " Dusk grinned widely" Tell me, did you managed to become a proper hunter ?"

"Ymm..." Luna didn't exactly wanted to tell her father that in the modern times, cast of hunters almost completely vanished. Umbrums liked taste of meat, but Dusk and Sombra were the last of their species. Normal ponies were herbivores. So the need for hunters disappeared.

"You cannot believe how happy I am that we can see you" Celestia bit her lip " But that pony you sensed... she is very close to my heart. If she is in danger..."

Suddenly, a hoof phased through Celestia as Aurora tried to grab her in a hug.

Embarrassed, the Queen of the daylight said

"Ups, my bad. Tia, being a royal means confronting a difficult choices. We know that you wanted to talk to us and we don't want the two of you to go anywhere."

"But if you want to put yourself in danger to protect the one you care about, we couldn't be more proud of you. Both of you" Dusk looked at Luna and extended a hoof to her face.

"Go, my children. Help your friend. We will try to aid you in whatever way we can and maybe meet up later"

Celestia and Luna stood there with tears in their eyes, before slowly nodding and turning in the direction pointed out by Aurora.

They started to gallop off, when Aurora's voice came from behind

"Girls !"

"Yes ?!!!" both alicorns asked in unison.

"If you meet Discord, tell him that it was not his doing. He won't be able to find a true peace if he doesn't let us go first. So tell him that we forgive him. Do it for him. And for us"

Celestia smiled and nodded

"Yes, we will do just that"

"Then farewell. Hope we see each other soon"

Two princesses exchanged one last look with their parents and dashed to help Twilight Sparkle win her life back

**********************

Sweetie Belle

"Where am I ?" Sweetie Belle's voice echoed through the nothingness.

"Where you always were and where you've never been" she heard a voice behind her.

Sweetie turned around and screamed when she saw her own reflection behind the crystal.

"That was so freaky" she muttered to herself.

"What do you mean freaky ? I look quite good, if I can say so myself" her reflection frowned.

"Whaaaa!!!!" the filly unicorn clenched her head and started to trot around" That's it. I went nuts. Now I am talking to myself. This is just awesome"

"You don't need to fear. Each of your friends has some kind of mental battle now. You are now in place where mind is all and heart is the compass. I am you, your hidden part brought to you by the dying Tree of Harmony"

"The Tree is dying ? We must help it fast then !"

"Sweetie Belle, what are you afraid of" reflection tilted its head.

"What ? " unicorn asked

"You can't very well go out there with your heart in a mess. Do you feel important ?"

"why are you asking me this now ? And if you really are me, shouldn't you know the answers ?"

The reflection smiled weakly

"Just because I am you, doesn't mean that I can talk to you like this every day. This is a very rare occasion so I want for you to truly understand before you do what you feel is right"

"You know, I still don't like being overshadowed..."

"Like the fact that Rarity is taking your every chance to be with Spike ?"

Sweetie Belle's eyes widened and she just stood there motionless for a moment

"I...I hated my sister for that" she muttered after a while.

"And what changed ?"

"Emm, I am still convinced that I would be a better choice but...the thing that I fell in love with Spike...it wasn't all that easy. In the first moment, I was afraid of my feelings. A pony and a dragon. Ridiculous, right ? But then there is a thing...even though Spike is quite handsome, I felt enamoured by his nobility. The fact that he always put others before himself. And if he started going out with me but still wanting Rarity, it would just be a dumb life for all three of us. I am willing to back away...if it makes Spike happy"

Reflection looked at her blankly

"And what about your own happiness ?" she recited

"I wish I could be happily in love but I just feel like he is too important to me to overlook his feelings"

"Well, Spike feels the same way about the ones he chose to protect. "

"Again, that's why admire him so much. For once, he should let the other take his problems to heart. I can save him. I would feel truly happy knowing that he is safe from harm. I need to do this"

"Why him ?"

"Because of Spike is always there for others when they need them, always trying to cheer them up, not caring that his own life wasn't exactly a piece of cake. I can understand how he feels about being an orphan. My parents...I love them very much but they aren't exactly the role models in the area of parenting. They were leaving me with my sister so often that I once thought that Rarity is more a mother than a sister to me...Spike is between the worlds, he doesn't know where he fits. And I want to have a circle of friends...and family where everyone knows where they belong."

"Is that...compassion ?"

"Yup. Always"

"This may get you in big trouble"

"Hey, I am already in a weird, dying dimension inside of a corrupted Tree. I don't think it will get any more weird."

Her other half smiled weakly

"If your heart is pure, and desires clear, here is what you have to go through..."

*****************

Rarity

"Hey, turn around right now" Rarity yelled in fury

"WHAT THE HELL ???!!!" Greed roared back.

"I demand you to release me immediately" Rarity huffed " and stay away from Spike."

Greed slowly approached her, her eyes shining dangerously in the sapphire blue light.

"Yes, that's right " Rarity continued, even though she was starting to shake violently " I heard you thinking about him. And you are not getting anything when I am here"

"That's why I have to get rid of you, missy" the dark beauty snarled, licking her lips " Such a shame. Really, I am the last to throw something away. But you, like all the things in this pathetic world, are expendable. Everything is fading. Money, power, lovers, slaves, health, beauty. So this is why I shall take it, take it all. I am Greed the Avaricious and I will make this world my domain !!!"

"Bravo, bravo !" Rarity nodded in sarcastic acknowledgement " How creative of you... I cannot let that happen ! Release me and my friends at once, you ruffian !"

Greed smiled at the fashionista

"And why shall I do that ? I have much better idea. I shall crush all your faith by taking the heart of your little dragon lover."

Rarity jumped, only to crush on the invisible wall between them.

"If you harm him, I will destroy you" hissed the Element of Generosity " I will rather kill myself trying to stop you. He already suffered enough because of me. He..."

"Oh really ? How valiant of you ! And why has that sudden change of heart occurred ?"

"My heart never said no. I just had to listen in the right way to overcome my own limits" whispered Rarity

Fool !" Greed dismissed that confession with a wave of a hoof " As long as your feelings are in flux, you are lost. And so is he...

"I won't say so" someone said quietly and both unicorns turned their heads to see...

"Hmm, isn't that convenient ? Me and miss prissy were just talking about you, Spike the Dragon"

"So I noticed" Spike, said looking at the ground.

Rarity leaned closer to see Spike's face. Her eyes widened.

His lips were trembling, and there was a track of tears down his scaly cheek. His posture was seemingly relaxed, but underneath there could be sensed something dangerous. As if he there was a screaming rage just wanting to be unleashed.

'Oh Spikey, what has happened to you' thought Rarity, knowing that something had to occur earlier, before he managed to somehow get into her mind.

"My friend Discord told me that in this reality, there is no difference between thought and a word. Correct ?" Spike asked in a cold, dry manner, that made Rarity shiver even more

"Yes" Greed slowly nodded.

"Very well. I give you one last chance. Leave Rarity alone and never come near her"

"Never" the avaricious villain laughed " You are a good natural resource"

"I see that you are hungry. So then" Spike threw his arms in the air" let me give you my feelings. I know you can sense them. So, I give you all my feelings for Rarity and you will let her go"

"Spike, no !" Rarity shouted " I...I am glad that you came. But please, run while you can. She still controls most of this place, you are not safe"

"I am not leaving you here" dragon remained in place.

Greed opened her mouth and looked at Spike, madness flashing in her eyes.

"I won't reject such a kind gift. Now, GIIIIIIIVEEEEEEE MEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!"

Spike was pushed forward as the streams of his emerald aura started to leave his body and envelop around Greed

Magical bonds were pure emotions and both Rarity and Greed were consumed by them, in the sea of thoughts, dreams, and memories...

Rarity, I just want you to know... how much do you mean to me..."

Spike looking for Rarity at the Gala, to dance with her...

"What would I do to protect you..."

Spike charging at Diamond Dogs with a battle cry on the lips...

"What would I do not to lose you. For me..."

Spike helping free Rarity from the grasp of the Nightmare, ruby heart becoming whole once again.

"or for your own good..."

Spike releasing Rarity from the Inspiration Manifestation spell

"Even when you lived your own dreams, the ones that was bad for me..."

Rarity smiling at the pictures of Trenderhoof with Spike standing quietly beside her.

"You were the part I reached for in my darkest hour"

Spike rampaging through Ponyville, fuelled by his greed, until Rarity's kiss allowed him to change back

"I loved you even beyond this world..."

The image of gorgeous teenage girl with violet hair hugging a puppy.

***********************

Rarity felt something...ignite. She felt her heart melt within the sea of loyalty, devotion and compassion in front of her soul

Even if her wildest dreams, she would never thought.

"Spike !!!!!!" she screamed, looking at the dragon, now kneeling, his memories and feelings still being drained away.

Greed was now levitating high above them, howling in ecstasy.

Suddenly, the magic beneath her started to swirl and shine.

Greed looked at that with confused look of her face

"Wha..."

"You see" Spike said with effort " I didn't come here unprepared. My love for Rarity was unrequited. It may be unhappy, but someone close to me taught me that it can also be a whole universe. Dreams of days never lived, stories never told, paths never crossed. It is infinity. At it is too much, even for your appetite."

The magic exploded and engulfed Greed

"You littttllllllaaaaaaahhhh !!!!" screamed the evil spirit before turning into a trail of smoke and vanishing.

Rarity fell on the side. Spike quickly got to her

"Did you...just overpowered her with love"

"Yeah" Spike rubbed his head " I know it sounds lame but hey, Shining Armor and Cadence once did something like that"

"Spike...I am sorry" she smiled at him.

"We need to get you out of here. Lack of Greed will soon make this part of your mind collapse. You can't stay here. So take this"

Spike opened his hand. Within it was a ball of green aura, pulsing like a heart.

"This is..." he hesitated for a moment " a key to get out. It can act like liquid, so drink it and you will be safe."

He was starting to hand mysterious orb to her when the white hoof stopped his movements

"Spike, don't interrupt the lady while she is explaining herself. I know I was manipulating you in the past and that I was indecisive...but not anymore. So what I want to say is..."

"Rarity, you have no idea how long I wanted to hear those three little words, but this is not a good place" Spike exclaimed, as the entire reality around them started crack and shatter.

Rarity blushed and yelled

"What I want to say is that you should use it yourself, idiot. Can't you just be selfish for once ?! Please save yourself Spike !"

Spike raised an eyebrow and slowly took the ball to his lips and "drink it".

Rarity smiled and closed her eyes.

But a moment later, they snapped open.

She felt the warm lips around her own, half-opened ones.

She couldn't believe that was real.

And through that warm and gentle kiss, he gave her all the liquid-like aura,, which Rarity instinctively swallowed

They parted and the unicorn looked at Spike with disbelief.

Dragon smiled sadly

"Gotcha"

"Spike, no, nonono, please don't-" Rarity begged before she vanished in a flash of sapphire light.

The reality .shattered completely and Spike started to fall down. He prepared for death.

But it didn't happen.

Instead he felt someone grabbing him by the neck.

He opened his eyes once again and craned his neck to look up

"Discord ???!!!!!" he yelled.

Draconequus smirked tiredly, his entire body glowing in burning crimson light. He seemed as if he was in great pain.

"I am not letting go of you that easily, Garbunkle. You still owe me for the last match, remember ?"

"Thanks. I thought I was done for. So, how are we going to get out ?"

"I have no idea" Discord laughed at the thought.

Spike's eyes showed absolutely everything he thought of Discord's amazing planning abilities.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for the wait, I was a little busy this week and that's this took me a little longer than usual. It was a big chapter. But I simply couldn't split it. Anyway, it was a writing full of emotions and I am really glad that this story is concluding rather nicely. This is penultime chapter. I think it is full of great moments, though I am still not 100 % satisfied with it, so slight changes may come.

In the next chapter, we will see the liberation of the Mane Six from the Dark Harmony. But the spirits are still around them and the Tree is still dying. Our heroes have to think fast. Can love of Discord and Spike be the key to save all of their friends ? Will their loves finally say yes ? Will Elements of Harmony unite again ? What about Sweetie Belle ? Also, do you wonder what happened to Spike before he confronted Greed ? Or how Discord fought Cruelty and came for Spike ?

The answers will be found in the last chapter before the epilogue, "What's worth more ?"

What is worth more ?

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Chapter 14

Applejack

"Applebloom...Big Mac" Applejack reached her hoof towards their faces "what are ya doing here ? "

" We know how ya like to do anything yer way, but we were lookin' for ya for quite some time now" Big Mac shielded his sister with his body " We couldn't just leave you here with this monster. We tried to reach ya the moment we got here"

"Hey, watch who you call a monster !!!" Deception roared, turning red" Ya stupid ponies ! That orange brat almost got a nice half melted brain, easy to corrupt. Deception never leaves work unfinished. Step aside if ya don-"

BAM !

A mass of muscles ran into her when Big Mac charged on her, sending her flying and crashing on the jade wall of the space around them.

"Why you..." she hissed and jumped at red stallion.

Two bodies locked with each other as Big Mac shouted

"Applebloom, take Applejack somewhere safe. I trust ya that ya'll do good. I'll buy ya some time here !"

Little filly's lip quivered but she obediently semi-lifted Applejack and started to help her walk away

"Don't worry sis. I am here with ya" Applebloom whispered.

Applejack muttered something under her breath and shook her head

"What the hell happened here ? I am the one supposed to care about you...When did ya become so wise, huh ?"

"I didn't, just..." Applebloom hugged Applejack tightly " When we found...yer body...ya where shivering and screamin'...somethin' about mom, dad, not wantin' to fight anymore, takin' care of everythin', even if it wasn't your choice to take those problems upon ya...that was really scary. And we just...went here. I don't know why or how...but I do know...that we can't let that bad pony have ya. Sis...ya're not the only one who misses mom and dad. I didn't even had a chance to properly meet them. Big Mac misses them too, even if he is not so good in revealing feelings. I can't say how lonely I felt because I never had what others had...but there is no reason to give up. We can be stronger, three of us and Granny. We can show those evil spirits where is their place. We will go back home. And even if our family is broken, we can't let it fall apart again. As long as we love each other, it should be enough. Ya can rest now sis. You don't have always be mom to me. I am glad that you were but...I love you as my sister. Big Mac and I will help you with your doubts. Just come home with us "

Applejack blinked and her eyes started to water, which for that extremely tough, not-crying mare was an occurrence as rare as snow in August.

"Apple...bloom...Ya dummy" she said in a broken tone, hugging her younger sibling even harder.

Their embrace would probably be longer but then something flew directly over their heads.

Both sisters turned their heads and screamed, when they saw Deception plastered on the jade rock, sticking from the mist.

Her body was bleeding deeply and two of her limbs seemed to be broken. But she was laughing loudly.

Somepony put a hoof on Applejack's back

"I don't know how much longer ah can do it. I am sorry" Big Mac whispered, his eye swollen and body bruised " She is incredibly strong, ah never seen anything like it"

"But at least you made her tired, right ?" Applebloom asked pleadingly

"Sorry to disappoint ya kiddo" The cut and broken body moved and a steam rose from the wounds, which began to close. Bones cracked, connected and returned to original configuration when Applejack's clone raised up and yawned " That was lovely bit of exercise, but I am one of Dark Reflections. I can't be killed by physical force. And my counterpart can't return to control as long as I am here. So good luck !"

"What are we goin' to do ?" now it was Applebloom's turn to hug Applejack.

Older earth pony patted her sister on the head in reassurance

"Whatever will come on us, we will fight together" her eyes shone

"Yep !" Big Mac nodded shielding his sisters once more.

********************

Rainbow Dash

"You...are...seriously...annoying, you know that ?" Treason laughed as she was thrown against cerise sphere only to raise up and charge at Rainbow Dash, while both were soaring through the sky

"So I've been told. But at least I am not a fricking masochist who likes to thrown against the wall and still laughs that off" Rainbow replied through the wind.

"Oh, that's so cold, especially coming from you. There is nothing wrong in enjoying a good fight, is it ? Tell me then, how many times you risked your own safety because you wanted to impress others ? And when I think about it, what about the times you endangered others to get what you wanted ? You and I, we are really not that different..."

"Hell we are not !" Rainbow bucked but Treason grabbed her hoof before the impact and smiled

"In that case..."

She kicked Element of Loyalty with full force and sent her flying to the ground, while yelling

"We have nothing to talk about anymore !"

Rainbow crashed on the earth and Treason was over her in an instant.

"I really admired your fighting , I didn't have a stretching like that in eons. But now I will be taking your body and stab some more backs. Prepare to-"

Suddenly, Treason screamed as something pulled her back and off Rainbow Dash.

Trough half-blurred vision, Rainbow saw Treason struggling with some orange shape on her back, which was pulling her mane.

Her eyes widened

"Scootaloo ?" she whispered.

Finally, Treason tossed pegasus filly near Rainbow Dash

"For Tirek's sake, give me a break !!!" she yelled hysterically " Just who the hell is this brat supposed to be ?!!!"

"I am Scootaloo. And I am here to save my big sister" said Scootaloo, as valiantly as she could manage with her trembling voice.

"Better move aside if you don't want me to finish you too"

"No " shrieked Scootaloo " Rainbow Dash is coolest and most amazing pony I know. She took care of me when nopony didn't care about poor pegasus that can't fly. Heck, she believed that I can be even stronger than any flyer if I keep my spirits high. So I am not giving up on her. Not ever !!!"

"Scootaloo, don't be stupid...run while you can...it is too dangerous out here" Rainbow muttered.

"Like I care about that. Like I said, I can't just leave you here" Scootaloo countered.

"This is really sweet and all...PERISH ALREADY !!!" yelled Treason, jumping at them.

Then he crushed with a thin, magenta wall.

Dark spirit fell on the ground only to jump back on all fours.

"Ah, I see. You both express strong Loyalty, my natural opposite. It would take a bit more time to break through this magic. But I am up or it !"

"Keep it up Scoots. This is neat and it can actually help. I am really, really proud of you now" Rainbow smiled in the way she considered as a reassuring one.

"Thanks !" Scootaloo beamed. Though both of them were scared to death, they felt more understood than throughout most of their lives"

*******************

Pinkie Pie

"Do you we want to know what happened here ?" Limestone cringed, looking at the pink mist and Pinkie Pie standing alone right in the middle " Besides, didn't goatface jerk said that it will be two of them ? Something is off..."

Limestone and Maud moved slowly towards their sister when Marble trotted closer to pink pony

"Pinkie..." her soft voice was more quite than the softest breeze.

Pinkie Pie started to turn around

'Crap' Limestone thought 'this isn't good !"

Then, Pinkie smiled brightly

"Hi there, I missed you !" Let's get out of here of this gloomy place. I was stuck here with some boring evil monster but it got bored and left me here alone so. I was so sad that it happened but then I found you. Let's go out before she founds us"

Marble ran to her twin sister and hugged her

"Hmm" Limestone muttered " Maybe I am just paranoid. Oh man, did I just say that out loud ? **** !"

Pinkie Pie started to walk alongside Marble when suddenly, Maud stopped them

"Hold it" she said quietly

"Yes Maud, what is it ?" Pinkie twisted her head, smile still not leaving her face.

There was a long moment of silence when Maud's dull, but in the same time strangely focused eyes penetrated Pinkie

'Celestia damn it, what is going on here ? Just say something ?' Limestone thought once again.

Finally, Maud stepped back and hardness of her gaze turned from that of the regular rock to that of a diamond

"My little sister would never use words "gloomy", "sad" and "boring" so close to each other. You're acting was obvious. Conclusion: You are not Pinkie Pie." the rocktor explained with unphased expression.

Marble gasped

"She is not..."

"GIVE US OUR SISTER BACK, YOU MONSTER !!!" Limestone jumped on the imposter, when suddenly...

"You passed !" The false Pinkie reached to her back and...zipped her own skin away. Underneath the costume was...

"Pinkie ?" Limestone yelled, trying to stop herself in flight. In the result, she flew few meters up and fell flat in almost the same location she pounced from.

She blushed and yelled at pink pony, who just came from the costume...of herself.

"WHAT WAS THAT !!! HONESTLY, I WAKE UP EVERYDAY WITH A FEELING THAT MY LIFE DOESN'T HAVE ANY SENSE BUT THIS IS EVEN BEYOND ME !!! PINKIE, ARE YOU TRYING TO BE KILLED ?!!!"

"No silly !" party pony hugged her sister, who was still red from wrath and embarrassment " I wanted to test you. Since I was here with that evil meanie, I thought that if someone comes for me, I have to check if they are indeed who they are pretend to be. So I disguised myself and tried to act abnormally. And you passed. I am so happy right now"

"Pinkie..." Marble trembled " You have a full size costume of yourself"

Limestone sighed

"Seriously ?! Our sister can defy physics, journey to the other worlds and do literally everything and this is the disturbing detail ?!! Well, when you think about it, it is quite off...but still..."

Suddenly, the mist around them started to swirl and darken

Maud stared at the mist before stating

"The mist is moving. Pinkie, did you tell us everything ?"

The bulb of light lit up over Pinkie's head

"Ooooooh, riiiiight..." she said, playing with her puffy, pink mane " Did I forget to mention that this whole test was a deal with my buddy Sorrow before you came here ?"

"So where she is now ? " Limestone looked around " Somewhere in that mist ?"

"I think..." Pinkie sniffed and tasted the air for a few times " She is the mist."

"Yes." A hollow, depressed voice echoed from everywhere" Come join me in my Mist of Death. You are all going to-"

"We are going to die" Maud frowned as if she discovered some insect flying near her.

"W-w-we a-a-are go-going t-to d-die" Marble became white and started shaking

Limestone's eye started to twitch

"Pinkie, my most beloved sister..." she said in a perilous voice" can you tell me...why dID YOU HIDE THAT VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ?!!! YOU KNOW, THE ONE ABOUT AS SUFFOCATING IN THE CREEPY MIST IF WE DON"T GET AWAY QUICKLY ??!!!"

Tears appeared in Pinkie's eyes

"But she Pinkie Promised that she will let us go if you pass the test"

"I am you reflection, I will always VIOLATE that promise" echoed through the fog.

Pinkie Pie pouted and sit on the ground

"Whoopsie, my bad ! I am so silly" she giggled

***************************

Twilight

"So it came to this... in all of the times I needed to win..." Despair and Twilight stared at the chessboard.

There were only two pieces standing.

Two kings.

"Looks like we have a stalemate, Twiley. A pity really... guess we have to move to a Plan B"

Twilight felt her head hurt and screamed.

"Me and my sister Deception can perform a telepathic attacks. You have a strong will and mind, but even you will be crushed beneath my might she heard Despair in her thoughts.

Twilight focused all she had on blocking the attack but she has already very weak from the chess match, that almost made her loose her body and earlier battle in the physical world. She felt her barriers crumble...

Tharima, shilea ! someone spoke in a calm voice over Despair

Evil alicorn flinched and severed the connection, looking around with wild expression

"Aka lima ! Impossible ! There is no idea you could know the Speech of Truth. You are too young. Unless..."

The sky above their heads became a mixture of silver and gold. The air was filled with aromas of bananas and lavender.

"YES, EVIL SCUM !!! LEAVE OUR FRIEND'S BODY AT ONCE !!!! " the all famous Royal Canterlot Voice boomed from behind.

There they were standing in her full glory. Royal pony sisters, Princesses Celestia and Luna.

Celestia lowered her head

"As you noticed, my sister and I both know the Old Speech" she spoke in a cold voice that suggested a control anger " You must be also aware that, as the basic language of magic, usage of that speech can grant you a control over somepony's mind, if the speaker is skilled in magic. I had a centuries years of experience. More than enough to defeat you. So, we will ask one last time. Give body back to Twilight and be gone. We will spare you as long as you stay away from Equestria"

Despair smiled

"Sorry, no way. You shouldn't underestimate the superi-"

"Fï aen deta, träigo ! " Celestia whispered in an instant.

The air around Despair self-ignited and explosion threw Twilight's clone high in the air, when she started to circle above the ground still surrounded by flames.

"Yrd calos ay hudami !!!" came a roar from above and the flames swirled in a ring around Despair and fell down on Celestia.

Princess looked at the inferno and snapped

" Callä liri atrope, yrd sela gimah foro !"

When the rain of flames fell down, Celestia stood there, not touched by heat, but seemingly glowing like a sun

"You don't know how to quit, huh ? Fine then ! Neyna, shetellai !"

The bonds of darkness covered Celestia, wrapping themselves around her tightly.

Solar Princess smiled

"Thanks for the comfortable spot. Let's end this now ! It will be quick ! La, feimah !"

Her body shone like a star and darkness faded away.

Before Despair could react, Celestia made four quick gestures with her hooves, invocating

"Era, aigo, vea, sera, neyna, lä. Tesu, vi hë tara 'menami"

Air, fire, water, earth, darkness and light. Please, aid me to fight with my love

Twilight blinked when she suddenly realized that she understood the weird language. She looked at Luna who winked at her and whispered, putting a hoof on her back.

"Telepathy. I will translate it for you, for your comfort"

Twilight nodded weakly and returned her attention back to the princess.

And she shivered. Celestia's face was a mask of cold determination, a sight Twilight saw only once.

In memory invoked by the elixir Zecora gave her during princesses' ponynapping. The memory of Celestia fighting Nightmare Moon.

Despair roared and her face melted a little, her eyes started to evaporate the same kind of violet smoke that Sombra and other umbrums.

" Ilatir eali verokami " she hissed and Twilight felt that the words automatically gained meaning.

Your life will fade with my word

The stream of magic flew towards Celestia...only to be caught by her in one hoof.

Despair backed away and for the first time, a genuine fear flashed in her eyes.

"My death magic ! How can you catch it like that ?!!!"

Celestia looked at the ball of energy and then on Despair

"I am Celestia Aurora Astralis, the Rising Sun and Protector of all Ponies. I cannot die here, when the most precious to me are in danger. I already lost Luna once to the likes of you. I will not lose Twilight too. Retha !"

Despair was caught in a telekinetic grasp and lifted in the air. Suddenly, chains made from fire, earth, water, darkness and light appeared and started to close around her, while the air was keeping all of this contained in the form of the sphere.

Despair started to howl, wildly trying to break free.

"This will suck all of you real quick." Celestia nodded and lowered her head.

"Wonderful work sister. Now we just need to sent her where she came from" Luna spoke quite cheerfully.

Then Celestia lifted her head and Twilight screamed, putting a hoof to her lips.

There were a golden cracks near Celestia's eyes and her irises turned into a golden discs.

"More...more..."she whispered in a odd, raspy tone " Meta si 'kosa, ä horo iilikathaset !!!"

Despair's body started to decay and turn to dust, only to be reconstructed a moments later, in endless cycle of death

Luna's eyes widened

"That magic...No !!!! Tia, snap out of it. This is too much. Lea, lä neynaza, cora mellei elaka !!! "

Celestia inhaled deeply and her eyes returned to original, cerise shade.

The elemental sphere broke and Despair disappeared in a cloud of black smoke

Celestia was shaking.

She hugged both Twilight and Luna.

"I am sorry you had to see that. Especially you Twilight. It is nothing, it happens when I try to use too much powerful magic at once. But...the good news is that I made Despair leave. She is out there somewhere...but here victory is ours."

Twilight nodded. She could only think of how much research the experiences of recent days will require.

********************

Spike (before fight with Greed)

Spike was running as fast as he could.

Must reach Rarity in time he had to.

"Spike !" came a shouting from behind him.

Spike spin around in an instant and was caught by surprise by the sight of a unicorn filly galloping towards him.

"Sweetie Belle ? What are you doing here ? Are you okay ?"

Rarity's sister stopped next to him, breathing in a erratic pattern.

"I am alright more or less, I had quite weird conversation before I started searching for you. But...Spike, I know that you are in a hurry, but please...I have something to tell you. It is really important."

Strangely, Spike came closer and put a hoof on her back

"What is it Sweetie ?"

Sweetie Belle took a deep breath and began

"Spike...you know that I...really, really like you. In that crazy, inexplicable kind of way that happens only in those books Rarity is reading. I fell for it hopelessly..."

She chuckled lightly

"You know, I can't even figure out why I feel what I feel. And I hoped...that I will understand one day. But after today, I see that it is not meant to be"

Spike's eyes begin to widen

"Sweetie..."

She silenced him with a quick gesture, a small stream of tears flowing down her cheek.

"Please, just listen. I love you Spike, and cause of this I want to see you safe. I know that you feel the same for my sister and I can't really blame you...I do know that I became to love your conviction towards my sister and the others and your will to sacrifice everything for our sake. So now..."

Spike gasped when Sweetie's consciousness touched his own

"I like to think about the world as a story. A story of infinite choices and characters. Spike, I can give you something that I wanted to give you for some time. I give you my heart Spike. What I am going to do now, you won't accept. I don't expect it. But please, let me save you this time."

A streams of vanilla aura started to flow from Sweetie Belle towards Spike, who simply started at white unicorn, too shocked to even properly frame a thought.

"Sweetie Belle, no !!! Please stop !!! We will work this out !!! Please, don't do anything stupid ! You...can't just all of the sudden..." his vocal cords finally started working again and tears appeared in his eyes as well.

Sweetie smiled, with the green mist evaporating from her.

"Actually, I think this is the best things I ever did. I know that from very beginning your heart was set on my sister. You really love her and I guess I was just too late for that. So now I will give you all my memory and feelings of love towards you, so you can save Rarity. I am more than happy to help."

"But what about your own happiness ? I...I don't want to make you forget...I am really just a dragon who messed with love..." Spike shouted, his eyes gazing deeply into Sweetie's.

The filly shook her head and sighed

"Those feelings are mine Spike, but you made me feel them. It is natural, me returning them to the source. I think that the portion of love will save one of you from the place that you will be locked in. I know that being a silly idiot that you are, you will probably save my sister instead of yourself. And I...

She wrapped her body, now shining green, around him

"I would really hate to lose you. Some things cannot be erased. But..."

"Sweetie..." Spike tried to add something, but it was cut by the lips pressing against his own.

They stood like there for a few moments and when they finally parted, Sweetie said, sliding against him to the ground

"Spike, I...wanted us to be happy. Together. But I know what I have to do to help all of you save the day. So Spike...if you had any feelings for me whatsoever..."

Spike clenched his fist

"You...and Rarity...I don't....I mean...love..."

"Sssssh..." Sweetie Belle interrupted gently " I am going to lose my feelings for you and this realm will give them to you. You are going to be sad, you are going to be furious, but....don't let this change you. Stay true to your heart, the heart I fell in love with, and you will save my sis, and everyone else. And I am sorry, cause I am your test here..."

Magic started to fade, disappearing within broken Spike. Sweetie put a hoof to his cheek.

"Before I go, please smile for me. The last time I will remember..."

"How in Equestria can I smile now ?" Spike muttered.

Sweetie's gaze fixed dreamily upon him

"I don't regret doing this. I really wanted our story to begin but...I feel good knowing that we got the possibility to even consider it happening. That's a good thing. So...please remember my love, Spike. You have to find my sister, tell her how you really feel, then you shall date, and get married and have a bunch of kids. But as long as you will carry me within you, it would as if I were there with two creatures I most love. And that still would be" she winked at Spike and smiled weakly " the greatest story never told..."

Then her eyes closed and hoof fell to the ground.

It could be seconds, minutes or even years before Spike moved. He didn't really care.

He reached his shaking claw the check the pulse.

She was alive, breathing was regular, as if she was in a coma or just deep sleep.

Spike stood up and took a few wobbly steps.

Then he screamed and as he screamed, flames flickered between his clenched teeth and slowly, the scream turned into powerful roar, one worthy the ancient dragon such as Torch.

"WHAAAAAT THE HEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!"

Spike slowly turned to sleeping Sweetie and fell to his knees once again, sobbing and shaking over the friend, who chose to save him and Rarity.

The crying attack lasted several minutes.

But then it suddenly stopped.

When he raised his head, his eyes were cold and seemingly calm.

That wasn't a wrath that was like fire, incinerating everything on its path

It was wrath consuming and devouring everything like a deep ocean.

A flame so cold it could burn even more.

Spike took still unconscious Sweetie on the back and started to run, searching for a weak scent of honeysuckle.

'They will pay dearly' he thought ' No one hurts the ones close to me. I am going to find Rarity, save her, tell her that I really mean it, we will save everyone...but I will never forget your love Sweetie Belle. Not a one minute. I promise."

Holding a ball of energy, which was Sweetie Belle's love, he ran until he spotted a familiar white silhouette.

He put a filly on the ground and looked at fashionista, cracking his wrists.

"Greed...I am coming for you...I will make you leave" he muttered in a grim tone, when he collapsed, venturing into Rarity's mind.

************************************

Discord

Cruelty flew higher to meet the burning gaze of draconequus.

"How the **** are you still ******* alive ? I thought that the Tree will kill you !!!"

Discord grinned, conjuring a white flag with his picture showing thumbs up.

"Harmonia and me... we are enemies, but for the benefits of both of us, we have ceasefire"

Cruelty licked her lips

"The ********* I care ? You are a pest that must be exterminated !!!! DIE !!!!"

She kicked Discord in the face but draconequus teleported beside her and struck her down to earth.

Cruelty was pinned to earth, when Discord increased gravity. She laughed and slowly raised up

"Your magic is still regenerating, isn't it ? Such a ******* pity !!!" she punched him in the jaw.

Discord summoned the flames that surrounded Cruelty.

Evil spirit looked shock and started to scream for help...

but then started laughing once again.

"You are forgetting..." she passed through the flames as if it didn't burn her flesh " Inflicting a suffering upon my own body is also a form of cruelty. I am immune to all physical pain. So, mister all high and mighty, how are you planning to defeat me ?"

Fluttershy galloped to Discord's side

"Discord !!! Are you all right !!!" she asked with worry in her eyes.

"Throughout billions of years, I've been better. But it is almost as badly as Celestia beat me up when I walked into the bathroom and she was showering..."

"Discord... " Fluttershy squeezed her eyes shut " I want to tell you something...just i case we don't make it..."

Discord smiled tiredly

"What an interesting coincidence. I have something to confess to yo-"

He was tackled to the ground by Cruelty

"Don't ignore me while we fight."

"Don't you dare interrupt me !!!!"

With a snap, Cruelty was send flying backwards and crushing back on the earth

Discord focused on Fluttershy once again

"Fluttershy, I promise you, I will make her go away and when I do, we will talk after this whole thing blows over. But before I settle this, I need to ask you something. Do you-"

He was interrupted by a soft kiss placed on his lips

"You don't have to ask" Fluttershy whispered " You changed so much since we first met...of course that I trust you. Do what you have to and I'll stay here to support you

"Thanks, I really...appreciate that" Discord said, giving her a wink and turning away.

'On the other hand, maybe you shouldn't trust me. Even I am scared of what I am about to do. If it works, it will definitely make that monster go away. But if it fails..."

The pile of rocks erupted and Cruelty jumped from the dust

"You are mine !!!!" she roared.

And then she stopped motionless in the air

"Wha..my avatar...why..." she looked at her opponent

Discord was looking down, his body sparkling with red currents of lightning.

"Don't let it swallow you...keep the grip tight..." came the muttering.

"Excuse me, what in the" suddenly, Cruelty was muted. She tried to speak but no sound came out.

Discord raised his head and Fluttershy's eyes widened. His eyes were now entirely red and some parts of his face were crossed by red cracks.

"WE HAVE NEVER FELT MORE FREE" he spoke and it sounded more like a choir of voices than one, singular voice. They were ancient, dry and malicious "ALL AROUND US WILL BOW TO OUR WILL"

Suddenly, all of the space disappeared as chaos overtook it and make a pandemonium of reality. Only Fluttershy remained untouched on the scrap of space floating in the kaleidoscopic maze of everything and nothing.

"SPEAK SOMETHING BEFORE WE OBLITRATE YOU."

Discord (if it was still Discord) snapped his claws and Cruelty yelled

"Just what are you"

"LISTEN !" Discord clenched his paw and Cruelty's body was squeezed as well " IF YOU DON'T WANT US TO DESTROY YOU, YOU WILL LEAVE THIS BODY IMMIDIATELY. AND IF YOU DON'T..."

A luminous glow enveloped his claws, which he directed at his heart

"WE WILL KILL OURSELF, ALONG WITH THIS UNIVERSE. ALONG WITH YOU !"

He appeared next to Cruelty and lifted her chin by one claw

"IMMORTAL BEINGS ARE ESPECIALLY AFRAID OF DYING AND NOTHINGNESS. HOW IRONIC..."

"You...you can't do that " Cruelty started shaking " You would destroy your precious whiney pegasus friend too."

A smirk twisted Discord's lips

"YOU THINK THAT WE CARE ?!!! WE ARE CHAOS, WE ARE EACH ORDER THROWN OUT OF BALANCE, THE DESTROYER OF HARMONY, BRINGER OF PANDEMONIUM, DISASTER OF THE UNIVERSE. WE ARE DESPAIR, SORROW, DECPETION, GREED, TREASON... AND CRUELTY. AND NOW BE GONE...YOU ANNOY US"

Cruelty screamed, clenching her head...and disappeared in bloody red mist.

The world returned to normal.

Discord levitated a few inches above the ground when suddenly a small tear fell down to earth.

"FOR WE...ARE...DISCORD" he muttered.

Then he fell to the floor

Fluttershy was by his side instantly

"Discord !!!! Discord !!!! Say something !!!! That was really scary, please don't ever do that again. I was so-"

Now it was her turn to be silenced by the kiss

'Jeez, silencing by kiss is becoming really common in this story' thought Discord.

"I am glad that work...that was so close... Fluttershy, I am so sorry you had to see this...but I had to let my full power in to overcome her spirit...please forgive me. You know that I would never let you die, right ?"

She hugged him, wiping his tears away

"Of course I knew all along. That's just how much you changed. Few years ago, you would just let your power destroy everything but instead, you saved my life. I am so proud of you. You were willing to destroy the universe for me...this is...ehm, very flattering...but don't do this ever again, okay"

Discord nodded

"Yeah, never ever. Pinkie Promise"

When he did the motion of the vow, he could have sworn that he heard Pinkie screaming in the distance.

He grabbed Fluttershy and snapped his claws.

"Come on Fluttershy, we got friends to save" he said, locating his teleportation on Spike.

**************************

Rarity (Spike and Discord too, sort of)

Back to present time

"Discord, how are we going to escape ?" Spike shouted through the roar of the wind pulling everything in the black hole down below.

"If only you had some strong emotional anchor on the other side, you could pull yourself back to your physical body" Discord wondered.

"Wait, you can exit whenever you like ?" Spike ask

Discord shrugged, trying not to lose balance and holding Spike in the same time

"Guess so. But my reformed morality is telling me to help you. I would appreciate if you came up with something though. I just confessed my feelings for Fluttershy...well, more or less. I really don't want to die on her right now."

Spike smiled

"Yeah, we will get the girls. Just as we planned"

Discord's tooth shone in the blackness

"Together"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rarity gasped and coughed, opening her eyes

"Oh, Rarity ! So good to see you awake !"

When Rarity's vision regained its sharpness, she saw Fluttershy leaning over her.

"Fluttershy...darling...you are alright" Rarity muttered.

Fluttershy smiled

"Yes, I am, thanks to Discord. But I am really worried about Discord. When we arrived, he just disappeared, saying he needed to help Spike"

Rarity's eyes widened.

Spike...

Memories flooded her mind...

Spike giving her that aura...kissing her to save her...

She raised herself up and looked around until he saw him.

A body of the purple dragon, laying motionlessly on the ground.

She approached and collapsed in front of him.

"Spikey..." she whispered" please wake up...this is some kind of silly joke...you will be awake in a moment and we will be joking about this...Spike, please...just open up your eyes...you....you..."

She felt her tears flowing down

" Idiot !!!!!" she cried, starting to shake him "Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot !!!..."

She finally stopped shaking dragon and hugged him, her beautiful face now twisted with sadness and grief

"I am...an idiot" she sniffed.

Fluttershy extended a hoof, but then backed away. Some instinct told her that she was witnessing something important and that it was better to leave Rarity alone.

Rarity looked at Spike's face

"Spike...please don't leave me now. I...I know I screwed up, I really did, but...in that time, I was scared of what other's might think and...do you know how many stallions were chasing after me ? Your crush was adorable, but how could I know that you weren't just enamoured with my body ? I was scared and stupid, Spikey. Over the years, I kept repeating that you will grow up from it eventually. As if you loving me was something wrong...You know, I was so caught up in the fact that you had a crush on me, that I was overlooking that you were all that good partner supposed to be. You were always there for me, looking for me, supporting me and rescuing me from the oppressions...Spike, I had to learn it the hard way...but now I know. That sometimes fairy tales come in all forms. When I was a little filly, I was just sitting in my room, dreaming about my knight in shining armour...a little princess waiting in her often empty home for someone to take her away. But later, life kept showing me that the dream is never such good as something...or someone for that matter. You proved time and time again to be wonderful friend. But I just didn't know how to face it, until...this Hearthswarming, when you sang this beautiful song. You really think of me as something that nothing can compare too...I can honestly say that I never received so much warmth and affection from any of my previous admirers. From that moment, I just didn't know how to feel. And I kept myself in illusion until a talk with Princess Luna few nights ago and what I saw when you confronted Greed... Spike, I am sorry that you have to suffer from unrequited love for some long. It would be so easy to know a simple answer. But I guess not only you had to grow up. Spikey..."

She put a hoof on his cheek

"Please wake up and I will make it up to you...I will be there for you, just like you always were there for me. I will try to make you smile, to spend time and laugh will you. I won't ever use you again. If you are willing to forgive me for all the heartache I put you through...I am ready, Spike. Ready for...us. So please come back. The Boutique won't be the same without you there...I couldn't possibly walk away from loosing you. What I mean is...I love you. And I will pull you out of...whatever you are, no matter what !!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rarity's words were echoing through the darkness and even through the wind.

"Did she...was that...you ?" Spike asked Discord, his thought spinning in shock.

Draconequus smiled a little

"Maybe I worked with dimensions a bit so you can hear each other. But we still need the link. We-"

And then the three little words echoed through the void.

Discord raised an eyebrow

"Don't tell me that this phrase is your anchor. This is so..."

Then he noticed Spike's dreamily gaze and sighed

"Well, it's fine as well as it saves our asses" he smirked watching his buddy disappearing in a green smoke, before disappearing in a flash of light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So what if we are different species ? Or I am a bit older ? We will work something out !"

Rarity nuzzled Spike's cheek saying.

"There has to be some way to reach you"

She slowly approached his lips and kissed him.

And then she felt an opposing pair of lips kissing back and some sort of moan.

She quickly pulled back to reveal Spike smiling with his eyes closed

"Well, now I can die. I achieved total enlightenment" Spike said cheerfully, opening his eyes.

Rarity's sapphire eye twitched as her face reddened.

"You...you..."

SLAP !!!

"Owww!!!" Spike shrieked, grabbing a cheek with a hoofprint on it "What was that for ? "

"That's for leaving lady alone in important moment" Rarity huffed

"Hey, I-"

A pair of sweet soft lips claimed his. They embraced and kissed passionately, putting the last ounce of will and love into it.

"And that's..."Rarity panted, after a long break without oxygen" is for coming back for me. I love you, Spikey-Whikey"

"I think I can get used to that" Spike slowly raised up and looked at Fluttershy and Discord, standing in the distance.

"Welcome back" Fluttershy waved at him and Discord showed thumbs up.

"You come back just to be killed !" A tornado of darkness surrounded them. Discord and Spike shielded the girls when they spotted familiar silhouettes of the Reflections.

"No !" someone shouted from above.

It was as if a star descended to earth. The beautiful alicorn with a body of pure light and a face that was more and more beautiful every second.

"I can't let you kill them. " said Harmonia coldly " Especially Discord. If he is killed, that happens only by my hoof and my hoof only"

Discord muttered something under his breath but said nothing.

"This is impossible ! You were sick and dying !" Despair hissed " How can you be here ?"

Harmonia smiled

"Throughout my realm, that group stayed true to my Elements and that was giving me enough power to stay alive. However, it was not until those two pairs confronted their feelings and opened their hearts, that I could manifest and help them.

Dark Forces, you were violating my laws for far too long. If you won't withdraw, I shall end you"

"Ha ! I would like to see that. You don't have enough power. We can strike you down in an instant !" Cruelty laughed

Harmonia sighed

"Then you leave me no choice. Discord, this is THE time."

Spike, Rarity, Fluttershy and Discord raised in the air. Two pairs positioned themselves in Yin-Yang position, with Harmonia between them.

"Harmonia and Chaos are meant to be opposites and foes. But in some rare occurrences, they can work in conjunction. And then they can do anything. Omnipotent beings, a god-like force. But it needs to come from the heart..."

"Save us this ! We have to world to conquer !" Greed interrupted.

Harmonia reached to Spike

"Love born from Harmony of heart, from dragon who always want to protect the one he cared about..."

Another hoof stretched and grabbed Discord's paw

"Love born from Chaos, from a spirit who fell in love with a mortal being..."

Harmonia began to shine brightly, looking at the Dark Harmony.

"This is the true power of Chaos and Harmony. Together, we can change everything and get to every heart, purify every darkness. This is The Love of Chaos and Harmony"

Despair, Greed and Cruelty all jumped at once.

Harmonia closed her eyes and said firmly

"Rewrite Light !"

The world was enveloped by the brilliant light and...

****************************

...Everywhere, the ponies felt the wave of love and peace flow through them and all the darkness perishing... the Tree trembled in foundations and roots...

Six Reflections were screaming...until it disappeared as if nothing happened.

*******

Spike blinked at raised up.

Then he was tackled down by two ponies.

Rarity and Twilight

"Spike, I don't know how, but you did it" Twilight smiled " We tried to distract the rest of the Reflections but...you really saved us."

Spike looked around and gasped. They were back in front of the Tree. In physical world.

They did it. They returned.

Spike could see all the ponies around him. Everywhere made it back safely, besides few bruises here and there.

Tree itself looked more healthy but it was dull and not-shining.

"Me and Harmonia were able to use our magic together, thanks to our love" Discord explained quickly" We managed to literally rewrite the history and erased them from there. But I am afraid that it really weakened Harmonia's magic... did I say that OUTLOUD ?! Gah !!!"

"Well, we will check if everypony is okay and then return to Ponyville." Princess Celestia ordered, before lowering her head. Luna did the same " Thank you all. Because of your efforts, we managed to meet our parents once again."

Discord blinked

"P-Parents ?"

"They wanted you to let them go Discord, it wasn't your fault. Do that for them and for us"

Discord looked at them with gratitude and nodded. He looked around

"So...what now ?"

Fluttershy flew up and gave him a peck on the cheek

"Now...we will fix everything up"

Spike felt Rarity's hoof in his claw and found her smiling warmly at him.

He smiled back, realizing what adventures awaited for them in the future.

Rarity...my marefirend...

This was too good to be true...

Still, it was still one thing to go through.

He looked at Sweetie Belle, still sleeping peacefully.

If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't save Rarity and because of that, everyone else.

It couldn't end like this for her...

Spike looked at Discord and the Tree of Harmony

God-like powers, huh ?

It wasn't the end. He still had a favour to ask.

This is not the end

View Online

Chapter 15 (and epilogue)

Beginning at the end

"Wake up...please !" the voice whispered

Spike slowly opened his eyes and heard a familiar scratch on the floor.

He raised up, stretching his muscular body along with the wings, and noticed a small figure standing in the door of the bedroom.

He sighed

"Tough night again Cryss?"

Little filly slowly nodded and said, pouting

"I tried to get to Seri's bed but..."

"Hey, I didn't say you can't sleep with me " another filly, approximately three or four years older, entered the bedroom yawning "Just that I had to go to the toilet..."

"No, she ditched me, I know she did !" the younger one cried

"No !!! This is an unfair accusation I will not respond to !!!"

"Crystal ! Serenity !" Spike gestured rapidly, pointing at the bed " Please, be quiet. It is still early. You know how your mom is acting when someone is interrupting her beauty-"

Suddenly, a white hoof appeared pulling him back under blanket.

Spike chuckled, when the too familiar violet locks fell on his face.

"Speaking of mom...girls, hop on ! You can go sleep with us. But this is the last time."

"But what if I will have a nightmares again..." filly called Crystal sobbed.

"In that case, you will have your big sister to protect you" Serenity smiled, before turning to Spike " But daddy, I am 12. I think I am bit of too old for that".

"There is no such thing as being too old for anything, trust me on that" came an unknown voice and then.. the door exploded.

Two fillies jumped on the bed, when from the smoke emerged a two tall, hooded figures emerged from smoke.

Rarity jumped up, cucumbers falling from her eyes

"Wha- wha-" she muttered half-asleep before noticing the intruders.

She immediately got in front of the fillies

"Who are you ? What do you want and what are you doing in my home ?" she asked, holding her head high.

"We are the ones who will claim this land for our own and reign for eternity. But to do this ,we shall need The Catalyst. Give me your children, and no one else will be harmed"

"Oh, forget about it ! I don't know who you are and why are you doing this but better go right where you came from ! I will rather die than let somepony take my children away. Especially somepony wearing such dreadful robes as you"

The eyes under the robe flashed maliciously

"If you stand in our way, we shall grant you your wish"

A lightning flew across the room in Rarity's direction

Spike jumped in front of her , shielding her and his daughters.

"RAAAAAAAAARITYYYYYYYY !!!!!!!"

******************************

"AAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!" Spike jumped up and looked around wildly, breathing heavily.

He was laying on the hill by the riverside of Ponyville. It was warm, summer night. Down below, ponyvillian archivist was playing some romantic comedy, that in Spike's humble opinion was piece of garbage, but Rarity insisted upon going, saying it was a classic of cinematography so...

A nudge in the back made him turn around

"Spike..." Rarity let out a cute, musical yawn. Turned out that she was bored too so both of them fell asleep. "I know that the movie is positively horrible, but no need to scream about it..."

She focused her gaze on him and gasp

"Why Spikey, you look very pale. Is something wrong ?"

Spike gulped and spoke, trying to hide the shaking of his voice

"It...It's nothing Rarity. I thought I saw something strange...but it's okay now. I will just...go stretch my legs a bit. I will be back in an instant" he kissed her on the cheek.

"That's nice..." she smiled and sat straight " I'll wait here..."

"I will be right back" said Spike, walking away.

When Rarity disappeared from eyesight, he clenched his head.

What in actual hell was that dream ?

He was...taller and stronger in it...he and Rarity were...sleeping together...and he had...children...and somepony...or someone...attacked them ?

What. The. Hell ?

There was no way in the world that he could simply IMAGINE all of this, was it ?

"Hey man, what are you doing on the ground ?" said a bit high, yet unmistakably masculine voice.

Spike opened his eyes to see yet another familiar sight

"Hi, Button. I just...was thinking about something, no biggy. So...I guess Sweetie is around too ?"

Button Mash waved a hoof

"Yeah, she went to buy some snacks cause she decided that even if that movie was a crap, we still can have picnic date. So you are here with Rarity, right ?"

Spike massaged his head

"Yes, and I probably should be going back to her. She will get angry that "gentledrake shouldn't leave a lady by herself at this hour" then she will start worry that something happened to me and then she will accuse the entire Ponyville of taking me hostage, making them guilty of me leaving her alone...that's my marefriend for you."

Button Mash patted him on the shoulder

"Yeah, we are hella lucky to have such awesome marefriends. Plus, we get to spend more time gaming together"

"Yeah, guess so" Spike laughed.

He didn't know Button Mash very well before this whole Dark Harmony thing. They only played video games occasionally, along with Tap Dancer and Rumble.

But one day, few days after the defeat of Reflections to be exact, Button ran into the castle to tell Spike that Sweetie Belle wanted to date him once again. Since Spike begin to date Rarity few days prior, two of them went on a guys night to celebrate winning the hearts of the most gorgeous unicorn sisters in town. Spike had no idea that one could get drunk drinking an apple juice. But sometimes, Button was denying all laws of logical reasoning.

Still, Spike's thoughts wandered off to Sweetie Belle. He still didn't have a courage to tell Button that he was one of the main reasons behind Sweetie's change of heart...

Three months earlier

"Discord, Miss Harmonia, please hear me out before we go !!!" Spike shouted and his voice echoed throughout the cave.

"Yes, dragon youngling ?" a whisper came from the Tree.

Spike pointed at Sweetie Belle, who was now in Rarity's embrace. When older unicorn learned what happened before Spike got to her, she momentarily broke into tears, firstly hugged Spike and now were sobbing, hugging sleeping Sweetie Belle.

"My friend here sacrificed something precious to her. If it wasn't for her, we would all be doomed. So I want her to have a happy ending too...as much as it is possible. So I have an idea."

Spike flew to Discord's ear and whispered something into his ear.

Discord's eyes widened.

"That's...a surprisingly good option. I can't believe I didn't think of that. But I can't do it alone and I am not sure if Harmonia-"

"I already know everything from young dragon's...Spike's thoughts. Pardon me for intrusion, but mortal creatures can be extremely slow in framing plans. I wanted to speed things up. Spike, it is indeed noble plan and I agree to it. I still might have enough magic to perform it. However, the task you request will leave me very weak. And until I recover, you have to make a vow that you will guard Equestria in my absence. Please..."

The Elements of Harmony disconnected from the Tree and materialized around the necks of their surprised bearers.

"Hold on to my elements why I am healing. It would be better for my state to not to use them but...who knows what awaits in the future."

"Miss Harmonia" Spike said nervously " Please don't do anything that can harm you"

"Young dragon, I am the Harmony. Only goat-face jackass here can kill me. I will be fine and as I said, I am choosing to help you. Remember your promise, Spike. Protect my land."

"I won't let you down" Spike proudly pushed his chest forward.

"And we will stand by his side to support him " Twilight hugged Spike and five of their friends smiled to him.

"Well then..." Harmonia materialized in his alicorn form, made of pure light " I suppose we shall do it now. Discord, are you ready ?"

Draconequus grinned widely

"As long as you are. Man, I haven't done this in eons. This sure will be fun"

Harmonia nodded and looked to Discord's side

"And Miss Fluttershy..."

Fluttershy's head shot up and she lowered her head, intimidated by immortal creature

"Y-yes ?"

"Keep an eye on Discord while I am absent. Someone has to make him behave himself ?"

"Such a painful words !!! Such lack of trust !!!" Discord clenched his heart and a halo appeared over his head. It quickly deflated and fell on his antler.

"Spike, come in the centre. Miss Rarity, may I borrow your sister for a moment ?"

Rarity wiped her tears and nodded

"Of course" she said, levitating Sweetie Belle near Spike.

Harmonia inhaled and invocated

"Meta haitha, deta leatha, yrd mah akviir fatan mone e cera lia enamath !!! My Children, give me your strength"

The cave was enveloped by darkness. Spike and Sweetie Belle levitated a few meters in the air.

Elements of Harmony shot six rays of Light that united into one , shining orb in front of Harmonia.

Discord and Harmonia walked under floating Sweetie and Spike. The orb of energy situated between them.

Lord of Chaos and Lady of Harmony closed their eyes and said in unison, extending their limbs to each other

"Universal Creation !!! Seconded !!! Motion carried !!! Let it be rewritten !!!"

The claw grasped a hoof.

And the ball of magic exploded, a roaring column of raw power enveloping Harmonia, Discord, Spike and Sweetie Belle

The rest of the ponies could only watch soundlessly as Discord and Harmonia begin to sing. A song without words, infused with every emotion and feeling. And while everypony, especially princesses, felt like they heard it before, they could not tell when.

Spike felt as if his entire body was pulled in every direction and then...

He saw himself. His exact replica floating right in front of him. When he turned right, he saw that the same thing happened to Sweetie Belle.

The magical orb was now completely white and her fragments started to fly higher and ignite...becoming galaxies.

Then stars lit up the nothingness...

The planets appeared...

One in particular...Earth...

The world started to spread in every direction...

The entire universe, Earth and the entire nation of Equestria was recreated once again in a fraction of the thought...

Discord and Harmonia were still singing, Harmonia slowly and profoundly, Discord quickly and terribly off-key.

The entire universe was reconstructed.

The shadow-copies of Spike and Sweetie Belle found themselves in front of the Tree of Harmony. They bodies glimmered when they gained physicality. They looked at all the ponies around and smiled, hoof finding claws once again...

Meanwhile, the group watching the ritual, plus original Spike and Sweetie Belle, disappeared with the last note from Discord and Harmonia.

**************************

Twilight blinked a few times before speaking, her voice sounding a bit distant

"Was that...did you..."

Spike raised up, still a bit dizzy from experience.

"Since I heard that Chaos and Harmony together posses a power of god, I wanted to test it." he explained " We just recreated our universe, with everything in it, all of us included. Except a few changes. The version of me that was copied, was purified of all my love to Rarity, and Sweetie Belle's love for me was restored. Plus, Sweetie Belle and Rarity switched places during the events inside of the Tree. It was Rarity who gave me the love and Sweetie Belle that joined me, Discord and Fluttershy in final battle. Those copies have our memories, they are us...only couples changed. Hopefully they will be happy together, the other Sweetie and other me. So, here you go."

"Here you go ?!!! That was something to behold !!! I can't imagine how much magic it required !" Celestia

"An entire pocket dimension just because of one couple ? That was...Tree ex machina !" Luna shouted.

"Hey, don't leave me out. Half of the world is mine" Discord muttered from the ground" Creating a new universe can make you really hungry !!!"

Rarity approached Spike and kissed him softly

"To think that you came up with all of this to make my sister happy...somewhere. I am very grateful for what you did Spikey-Whikey"

"Well, I guess it worked. Kinda sad that we won't be able to watch the effect though." Spike frowned.

"Oh, don't you worry about it one bit " Pinkie chatted, winking to Discord " Me and Discord will visit them from time to time. Maybe I will throw all of you an interdimensional party !!!"

Celestia looked at the Tree, which lost all its brightness.

"I think she is...sleeping ? Regenerating ?"

"Yep. And with my friends, we will protect Equestria no matter what in her name" Spike said, as he joined the group hug.

**********************

"You know, we had to help Taps with Applebloom and Rumble with Scootaloo. This way we all..."

"This sounds like awesome plan, but I had to go back." Spike shouted, waving goodbye to his friend " Tell Sweetie that I said hi"

"Sure thing. She is always happy to see you so..." Button was hit in the head in mid sentence. He sighed " Right, right, I know that you don't want to undermine me... see ya !"

Spike returned to Rarity's side, enjoying conversation with her and later escorting to Boutique. After a good night kiss, Spike walked to castle, but stop in the middle of the way.

"There is no way I am leaving this dream unspoken. Who is the specialist in the weird, unexplained stuff."

He sighed and shouted

"Discord ! Discord ! Discord !"

He blinked when he realized he wasn't in Ponyville anymore. He was standing on the floating rock, in the dark, violet space, filled with various wonders, that Spike's mind couldn't or didn't want to comprehend. In front of him was a small house.

So this was Discord's place.

He rang knocked and the door opened on their own

Spike run in

"Discord !!! I have a really imp-"

Then, his vocal cords were muted.

He looked around, throughout the chaotic residence, with furniture on the ceiling and stairs leading to nothing, sink filled with clean plates , ready to be dirtied...until he saw Discord...and Fluttershy hanging on his neck, yet sleeping soundly.

Discord placed a small kiss on Fluttershy's forehead and yellow pegasus disappeared, probably teleported back to her cottage.

Discord sighed and snapped his claws, returning to Spike his voice.

"You better have a good reason" draconequus growled.

Spike coughed and began

"I do and I think it may be interesting for you, as an expert of all things chaotic and stuff. So, I was on a date with Rarity and we went to a really boring movie and I fell asleep but then..."

************************

"So...what do you think ?" asked Spike after he finished his story.

Discord was sitting on the upside down sofa and somehow, he was eating the juice and drinking the sandwich.

He frowned

"That sounds really strange, like you said. There is no way that you could imagine it in such a detail. Which means that someone was sending you a vision to your mind. But who...and why ?"

He started to twirl his goatee, while looking at Spike with one eye closed

"Not only that, someone who sent that vision had to be really powerful, if the message could travel not only through space, but also time. This is really fascinating"

He flew down, eyeing Spike suspiciously.

"Hmm...but you and Rarity...have you considered it ?" Discord asked, raising an eyebrow.

Spike twisted his head

"Considered...what ?"

Discord grinned malevolently

"You know...doing good to each other, filling the hole, becoming one, kamasutring, exploring the cave of wonders"

"Gyaaaahhh!!!! Noooooo!!!" Spike shrieked, blushing. " We both agreed to wait at least three years, when she will be in her late and me in my early twenties. For now, there is only kissing, dating and laying on the same bed but...ehh, no sex yet. no. Though, if you could..."

Discord waved a paw

"Of course I could, I can do it. But wait a little longer. This is supposed to be an emergency option. Not that I don't want to see their faces if I modify your body..."

"That reminds me " Spike coughed and leaned closer " What about you, Fluttershy and this whole immortality thing you had going on ?"

"Well..." Discord sighed once again and conjured up paper scraps, that he immediately began to chew "I discovered a way to make myself mortal...or at least I think so. If I expose myself to the Elements long enough, like that time when I was chained to the Tree, maybe I can stay with Fluttershy and die together."

"But you said that the whole universe will be destroyed if you die before your time"

A "works in progress" sign appeared over Discord's head.

"There are a few concerning factors, such as destruction of the entire reality as you know it...but it is nothing I can't handle !"

"Riiight..." Spike took a sip of his sapphire milkshake "So...this vision...should I tell anypony about this ?"

Discord shook his head as he landed on the ground

"Nah, not yet anyway. We will wait for the turn events...but that doesn't mean we can't a bit of research in the meantime !"

He snapped a phone into existence and put it to his ear.

"Hello...yes...yes...no...it is not about the lottery...I know you are in space right now...yes...tell those aliens to wait a minute...no!!!...listen to me, this is something important, Equestria's safety depends on it...what ?...fine, fine...just get me all the info about Spike the Dragon, his family and surroundings in proximity...well, let's say...10 years. Yes, in current timeline...good...good...take your time...but come back in my place, in this moment...I owe you one, thanks"

Discord hang off and rubbed his hands.

"Not long for now we will have all the answers we need"

A strange noise filled the room and a moment later, a chestnut colur earth pony appeared, carrying the pile of documents.

Spike's jaw dropped

"Time Turner ? What are you doing here ?"

Stallion straightened his tie and muttered

"For the record, I am only doing this because I know what you will face. So here you go. I took me a week to collect those. And Spike, you might as well call me the Doctor."

Doctor glared at Discord with serious face

"Discord, remember what we talked about when we first met. No temporal violation, no messing with fixed points. Actually" he glanced at the medium-size pile of paper and sighed " the less you read it, the better. Check the information only when necessary. Now, if you excuse me, I still have an invasion to stop and I left Ditzy for far too long. Farewell. Phone if you have questions."

Then he marched off the room. The noise sounded again, until it became a distant echo

"What was that ?" Spike muttered " And how did he get it all so quickly ? You phoned a minute ago !!!"

"He...has his ways" Discord dismissed Spike's doubts "What matters now...is this treasure over here."

A glasses appeared on Discord's nose when he and Spike gathered around the documents. Three cards in particular caught their attention.

Each one had a photo attached to it.

First one depicted the young unicorn mare with a white coat and loosely falling mane in a colour of light purple. Her eyes were in a mixed shade of green and blue. Note under photograph stated:

Serenity Radiance Twilight,

16 years,

Canterlot High School Cheerleading Club, A Decoration Department, Charity supervisor

The next photo showed a slim teenage dragon, wingless, with light green scales and sharp, white spikes. His eyes were very bright blue, almost white.

Flare Hondo Armor

14 years

Hoofball Club, Scouting Club, Comic book Club.

And finally the last picture presented the most strange looking filly. She appeared to had claws instead of hooves, but her body was definitely pony shaped. White scales covered her entire body. She had a dark purple mane, but it seemed to be rather thick and a bit shorter, compared to Serenity's. Her eyes were in lighter shade of purple and had vertical, reptilian pupils.

Crystal Belle

13 years

There wasn't any description of the clubs or organisations that Crystal was part of.

Spike just stared at the photographs in amazement.

"Are they...really..."

"Afraid so. Those are your children"

"Well, they definitely are Rarity's . "Spike eyed the purple manes and Serenity's perfect figure " But I guess they are mine too... I am so...I don't even know... Discord, why are we doing this ?"

"To gather as many clues as we can get from that vision of yours" Discord reflectively" But I think that all those things will happen faster than it is expected. Your family isn't the only concern here. What if I told that the noble act of preserving Sweetie Belle's feelings disturbed the balance of Harmony in Equestria and some dark forces will seize this chance to break free to take over the world ?"

They quietly stared at each other, before exploding in laughter

"Right, right...for now, we wait for the future. Ears and eyes opened, but we try to forget about what we just told each other" Discord said, raising the glass of chocolate milk.

Spike smiled and joined the toast

"Agreed. To the future, our friends, our love and Ogres & Oubliettes !"

Author's Notes:

I can't believe that story finally came to an end. I had so much fun writing this and I think I can say with full sincerity that it was my first true story. Thank you for the amazing support, as well as my wonderful family. As I said, it was a real pleasure to write this, I think I included all things I wanted to add in it. So yeah. This part is close...but as you may see, this is not the end cause I am preparing for the sequel. Before I officially change the status of this story, I will add some extra parts fro future Part 2, Echoes of Eternity. Hope you'll enjoy them.

Since this is my last note in the story, I would like to express my wish. There is something truly wonderful for the author to listen to his own story. So if any of you has a voice-recording talent or knows something with that ability and rexommend the story to him...I would really appreciate the gesture. I was even dreaming of this story becoming audio drama but hey, baby steps. After all, the judgement if this story is even worth reading, let alone recording or doing the project with, is yours and yours only. So yeah, I said it. Thanks for hearing me out.

For all the people that followed me, thank you so much. Be sure to share this story to your friends if you want to recommend it. For people new to this story,
warm welcome. For the ones that didn't like it, thanks as well. It's because the people like you that I can improve my writing skills.

Regardless, see you all in Echoes of Eternity. As mentioned, I will give you a sneak peek, for you to see what are we marching into. First chapter should be published in the period of two weeks. And to all worried that I will turn this story into some kind of Sparity admiration club, fear not. Sparity,Fluttercord and their children will only be one of the three main focus points of the sequel, the other two being the families of the Mane 6 plus Starlight and all five alicorn princesses, especially Celestia and Luna.

See you !!!

Thanks for reading !!!

The love of chaos and harmony or the romantic adventures of the O&O gang

by Shadowlight Wanderer

Prologue: In love no matter what

Opened hearts

What is our love ?

The sibling fieldtrip

Spike: Always there for you

Discord: It is never too late

Camping Tales: Battle on the beach

Camping Tales: Movie night

Spike: Throughout the years

The dream arc I: nightmares and resolutions of the immortal past

The dream arc II: freedom and blame

Retreat or the story of Discord, toast and Luna’s pyjamas

The return of Dark Harmony Part 1

The return of Dark Harmony Part 2

What is worth more ?

This is not the end

Echoes of Eternity extras