Writing is Magic

          “I can’t believe we have to deal with Discord again,” I said on the train to Canterlot.

          “Princess Celestia told me that he has possibly come up with an answer,” Twilight responded, “Besides, it wasn’t like he wasn’t any help the last time.”

          “I still don’t trust him farther than I can throw him. And I can’t throw him very far.”

          The six and I soon made it to the Canterlot Palace and into the presence of both Celestia and Discord. The master of chaos seemed uncharacteristically glum.

          “Tell them what you have to report,” the princess of the sun told him.

          “There is only one thing that could bring about all the events you described,” Discord began, “The Elements of Chaos.”

          “The Elements of Chaos,” Twilight pondered aloud, “No such thing exists.”

          “Of course they do. Just like the Elements of Harmony, they exist in the soul of everypony. But unlike your elements, they have never been brought together under one banner.”

          “They sound like something you would create,” Rainbow Dash scoffed.

          “I can assure you that I did no such thing.”

          “What makes these things such a big threat,” Applejack inquired, “I reckon they’re mighty powerful.”

          “Yes, they are. There are seven Elements of Chaos: Hatred, Melancholy, Greed, Treachery, Corruption, Sorcery, and Ignorance.”

          “They are the opposites of the Elements of Harmony,” Twilight deduced, “Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, Honesty, Magic, and…”

          “Knowledge,” I finished her sentence.

          “Precisely,” Discord said, “That explains why you are involved, Art. Each element needs to defeat its opposing element. However, there is one little problem.”

          “And what is that?”

          “Although I know that the Elements of Chaos exist, I don’t know what form they will take. When whatever or whomever is using them appears, you may not know it until they begin their work.”

          “So in other words, you’re just as useless as always.”

          “Art,” Fluttershy interjected, “there is no need for such harsh words.”

          “Well Discord, if you were using the Elements of Chaos against the seven of us, how would you do it?”

          “I would try to overpower each of you individually. It’s nearly impossible to defeat all of you when you are together. The only time I ever got close was when I forced the six to separate.”

          “There’s no way we’d fall for that tactic twice,” Rainbow protested, “We’ll stay together and fight back as a team.”

          “That’s the goal, I suppose. But there is a big difference between saying you will do something and actually doing it in the heat of the moment.”

          “Discord,” I spoke up, “if I didn’t know better, I would say that you are actually being logical.”

          “I may be the lord of chaos and all, but it doesn’t mean that my thought process is just as chaotic. As someone who has tried more times than I can count to think up a strategy to once again take over Equestria, I do believe anything that can be thought up has already gone through my head.”

          “What’s the common denominator? What makes all those plans fail?”

          “I am only me. One being against six, now seven of you ponies. But if I imagine a scenario where there are equal numbers that may produce a different result.”

          “Here’s my question,” Twilight said, “if the Elements of Chaos are like the Elements of Harmony, can they truly be destroyed. Nightmare Moon tried to destroy Harmony, and failed.”

          “As with me,” Discord answered, “they cannot be completely destroyed. But if you could get your hands on the Elements of Chaos, they could be better controlled.”

          “That is your mission,” Celestia said, “When the chaos makes itself apparent, you seven will stop them and bring them under control.”

          “Understood princess,” Twilight answered.

          “Oh, and to do that, Art you will need this.”

          The princess lowered her head, pointing her horn toward my neck. After a little magic, I once again wore a necklace adorned with my Element of Harmony.

          “We won’t fail,” I said, “you can count on us.”