The party had traveled a great distance since receiving their noble quest. Through treacherous puzzles, and wicked foes, they bravely ventured toward the dark keep. There were three that approached the entrance; a wise wizard, who's heart yearned most for their prize, a knight, loyal as he was quiet, and their newest member, a paladin, long cursed, who bore the mark of the Oathbreaker. The trio entered the dungeon and were immediately set upon by a horde of skeleton warriors. The wizard began their attack by casting a fireball that dispersed the crowd, leaving the knight and oathbreaker to dispatch the survivors. Between the knights sword and the oathbreaker's great mace, the bones of the undead were broken like twigs beneath a stampede. When the dust settled and they ventured forth, a hidden skeleton assassin attempted to ambush, only to be immolated by the oathbreaker's Hellish rebuke. They followed the main hall and found themselves blocked by two massive doors with a guard at each one.

In unison the guards shouted "Halt!" The guard on the right spoke first. "To pass through, you must choose the correct door."

The guard on the left continued "If you choose incorrectly, you will face a fate worse than death."

The right guard thumped the floor with the end of his spear. "One of us tells only truth,"

"and the other tells only lies." The left guard thumped his spear in kind. "You may each ask one question."

The stoic moment came to an abrupt end when the oathbreaker threw his great mace at the left guards, crushing his head against his door. With barely a sweat, the oathbreaker retrieved his weapon and took the remaining guard by the collar. "Is he dead?"

The right guard's terrified eyes darted between his fallen partner and his assailant. "...no."

The oathbreaker dropped him. "This one's the liar."

A burst of laughter erupted from the trio. They had gather around a table, carefully placed so half could be shielded behind a barrier and there would still be room for them to set up. Spike was careful not to lose any notes or dice in the uproar. "Dude, you are so hostile, it's insane."

Big Mac smiled in agreement. "Eeyup."

At the opposite end, a paler than usual alicorn sat, looking as proud of himself as he could in the state he was in. "Hey, neutral evil is as neutral evil does." Uriah had found himself confined to Fluttershy's cottage after a rather irritating episode of shenanigans. He didn't even think he could get sick, but there he was, looking a little green, red spotted, and very sweaty. "I really appreciate you guys coming over and inviting me in."

Spike smiled and waved it off. "Are you kidding? I've been dying to get you in on our O&O sessions. I'm just sorry it couldn't be under better circumstances."

"You and me both. Hack. Cough. Ugh, ok. So one of you guys ask him which door and we just go the opposite way." Uriah paused for a moment then became faint, almost falling over. "Woah! I'm okay. I'm okay."

Not far from the plagued prince, but still putting as much distance between them as he could, another afflicted individual sat with his back to him. "Hmph. Too much brain fog to figure it out without cheating?" Discord sat cross-legged, looking just as sick as Uriah, but also battered and bandaged.

Uriah didn't turn, but narrowed his eyes and glanced in the direction of the draconequus. "Logic puzzle. You ask either one "which door would the other guard say is correct" and then pick the opposite of whatever they tell you because they're both forced to tell you the same wrong answer." He did end up looking over and flaring his wings, but winced at the aches. "We invited you to play. You said no. Kindly butt out!"

"Temper temper." Discord teased before sneezing. "I'd wag my finger, but somebody made that rather impossible." He raised both his hands to show off the matching casts.

"Don't you dare lecture me you..." Uriah wretched and got lightheaded, but gritted his teeth. "Picassian pool noodle!"

The two glared daggers at each other, practically growling. Then Uriah lost it and tackled Discord. They wrestled a bit, disturbing the table, causing Spike and Big Mac to scramble to stabilize the game. As they brawled, Fluttershy ran into the room in response to the clatter. "Oh, my goodness! Boys! You stop fighting right this instant!"

The very rare happening of the element of kindness raising her voice made them both look up wide-eyed. Discord immediately feigned helplessness. "He started it!"

"Me?!" Uriah couldn't tell if it was his blood pressure or the fever, but he was fuming. "You ruined a day off for my sister and cousin, tricked them into waiting on you hoof and claw, then sent them on a wild goose chase that almost got them eaten alive. You're lucky I didn't stretch you over the nearest cactus!"

Discord pointed with his free hand cast. "See? He's so violent!"

Pinkie, having heard the shouting, entered with two desert trays and a stern look. "I don't care who started it, we're finishing it. Now both of you get back in your chairs and be nice or you won't get any of the get-better-brownies I made."

Uriah's ears and wings drooped as he let go of Discord's neck. "Yes, Pinkie." He slunk back to his recliner while Discord got back on the couch. Uriah coughed and wheezed all the way. He sat back down in time to catch Spike and Big Mac doing the "ooh, they're in trouble" hushed giggle. "Grow up."

Once the boys had calmed down, Fluttershy's look softened and she couldn't hide her concern. "Oh, you two still look just awful."

Uriah slumped over in Pinkie's direction. She offered up a brownie tray and he took it in a barrier box. It floated toward him, phasing through the medical bubble Twilight had put up for them when she dropped them off. He set it down on the coffee table and just kind of rested. "I feel awful. Every part of me aches, I'm itchy, I'm sweating, my eyes are burning, and my vision's been blurring in and out."

Pinkie wanted nothing more than to hold him and tell him it was going to be okay, but she had to settle for pressing herself against the magic bubble. "Aw, my poor special guy. I didn't even think you could get sick."

Uriah tried to reach for her, but just sort of went limp in his chair. "Normally, I don't. All the passive healing magic I've got running through me, any normal pathogen trying to penetrate my immune system is the equivalent of throwing an egg at solid steel. Except this isn't a normal pathogen. Because genius over there decided to enrage a tatzelwurm. Possibly the most magically disease ridden creature to ever live." He pathetically kicked his leg in Discord's direction.

Discord threw up a bandaged hand in outrage. "I didn't know! How could I have known?!"

Uriah lifted his head up to glare at him. "You wouldn't have needed to know if you'd have just left Twilight alone!" He heard something pop. "Ow." He let his head fall back. "Seriously, you weren't even sick until the worm infected us. You were just trying to con somepony into taking care of you. How are you so attention starved?"

Discord rolled his eyes. "Well, excuse me for thinking it might be nice to know, after eons of being alone, that somepony actually cared about my well being."

The pale alicorn sat up with an initial glare. "Well that's..." he stopped himself and his expression fell. "That's actually a fair point. I apologize." He settled down and took a brownie. "I'm sorry I throttled you like that. I found my little sister getting bamboozled and then she was in peril and I just kind of snapped. I should have talked it out first."

Discord pouted at first, but relaxed into a look of regret as he listened to the apology. "I'm...sorry too. I'm still trying to figure out this whole friendship thing. I guess I shouldn't be dragging anypony else down to placate my insecurities."

Fluttershy smiled with pride. "That was very big of both of you."

"I'd offer you a hardy hoof shake, but I don't want to mess up your hands anymore." Uriah chewed his brownie in defeat.

Discord waved it off. "The spirit is appreciated." He pondered the ceiling for a moment. "So how exactly does this game of yours work?"

Spike and Big Mac exchanged a look, then looked to Uriah, who gave them a nod. Spike sat up and presented the handbook. "Ogres & Oubliettes is a fantasy role-playing adventure game. Our goal, defeat the evil Squid Wizard, or..." The little dragon stifled his laughter. "as we call him... the Squizard!" He shared another hushed laugh with the red stallion. Discord rolled his eyes. Spike gestured to the map he had set upon the table. "The Squizard has laid siege to the last free city in Spiketopia. That's the name of the land. He's kidnapped a beautiful unicorn princess named Shmarity...which is a totally normal name in Spiketopia. No need to read into it."

Discord waved it off. "Spike, I'm far too sick to care about your romantic delusions."

Uriah shrugged. "I've been in weirder relationships." He glanced over to the kitchen door in time to catch Pinkie face-first in the mixing bowl, licking the excess brownie frosting. He smiled. "In a nutshell it's just a lot of improv and math. You create a character, plan out your stats and abilities, choose how you want to interact with the story around you, and roll dice to see how well it goes."

The draconequus stroked his beard. "I do sense a chaotic potential." His eyes started watering and he let out another sneeze. "Ugh, I think I'll pass though. The state I'm in, I'm not going to be able to bring my usual creative zing to it."

Uriah leaned himself against the armrest again. "Now that you mention it, my head is throbbing."

Big Mac tilted his head and looked at Uriah curiously. "Your horn's on the blink too."

The sickly alicorn's eyes widened. He glanced up to find that the red glow of his magic was flickering on and off. He winced in annoyance. "Great. Just great, I'm being summoned." He sat up straight and took on an apologetic tone. "Sorry, fellas. Can we pick this up another time?"

Spike waved it off. "No problem. We got in a good two hour session and made it to a rest point. Plus, we were gonna have to call it early anyway. It's a weekday and Big Mac's still got some chores to take care of on the farm."

The red stallion nodded. "Eeyup."

Spike smiled and started packing up. "You just hang on to your notes and character sheet. Next time we'll have a proper guy's night and get an all-nighter going." Big Mac got up and gave a parting nod to everyone, everyone reciprocation in their own little wave. Spike, looking a little nervous turned back to Uriah. "I've still got free time. Twilight, Luna and Cadance are having a girl's afternoon to make up for the time Discord wasted. You need me to take care of anything?"

Uriah shook his head. "I appreciate it, but I'll be fine. This might actually help me get over this. Just gotta sit back, take a little nap, do a little astral projecting. Just don't let Pinkie try to get in the bubble. I don't want her catching anything and taking a plague back to the bakery."

Pinkie stepped in looking a little offended. "Hey, that only happened the one time and it was because Applejack got that recipe wrong."

The alicorn sat up in a meditative position. "I shouldn't be too long. I just answer this and maybe make a check in on the way back. If I start making sounds and my eyes roll in the back of my head, don't worry about it. It just means I'm overexerting. Just let it play out and I'll snap out of it on my own."

Fluttershy and Pinkie both exchanged a look of concern. The yellow pegasus gently hovered over to face him through the bubble. "That sounds painful. I mean you just said your head was hurting."

Pinkie placed a hoof on the bubble. "Yeah, are you sure it's safe to be doing this projecty-thingy when you're sick?"

He closed his eyes and tried to relax. "It's just a little out-of-body experience. Things might just be a bit fuzzy. Besides, I only set this particular alarm spell for one thing. It's important." He opened one eye to look at Pinkie. "You'll still be here when I get back?" She gave an enthusiastic nod. "Then I'll be fine."

He closed his eye and took a deep, slow, breath. His horn went from flickering to a soft, stead glow. He began to softly float in place just above the chair as his gathering of friends watched in concern and wonder. Except Discord, who helped himself to some more brownies.

Celestia could never forget the place, but she barely recognized it. A long forgotten part of the garden that she alone tended. If one could call it tending. She cast a few spells to keep the plant life thriving, but she could never bring herself back. It was an isolated square, with a marble fountain as its centerpiece. It was a simple marble carving. An undetailed depiction of a mare and her foal, circled by flower carvings with fountain heads built in. The plant-life had overtaken the square. Rose bushes and thorny vines covered everything they could. Even the fountain seemed fractured by the entangled vines.

The solar princess rested herself along the edge and stared into the stagnant waters, her reflection murky and green. It seemed fitting. This is where her life had been forever tarnished. This was the place where she had banished her son. "I was so sure of myself. I told myself, every day for five hundred years, that I had no other choice. As if that ever made a difference. Not seeing your face, not hearing your voice. I was so deep in misery, but I couldn't tell anypony. I tried to find ways to keep you with me, help ponies the way I thought you would. When the Apple family first visited Canterlot, looking for a place to call their own, I thought Uriah wouldn't just load them up with food and bits and send them off, he'd help find them somewhere to live. Gently guide business their way once they started producing. Short while later, Ponyville was born."

"Oh, goody. Gold star for you." The cold voice echoed in her ear, seeming to come from everywhere at once. The surface of the fountain water began to bubble and a cloud of black haze rose up from. It it snaked around the statue, crackling with red magic, stopping inches from Celestia's face. A pair of solid red, glowing eyes opened in a sinister glare. "Of course, I would have been down in the dirt helping them build. Better than leaving the fate of a family up to one little filly wandering into the Everfree." Uriah's voice came through like a low growl. Celestia steeled herself as the cloud brushed past her, it's magic snapping at her ear. "Aw, all done letting your guard down? No more lamentations that arrive too late?"

"Do you always need to be like this?" She kept her head up as the cloud's eyes narrowed. "You wanted me to suffer? I suffer. Your aunt Luna and Twilight won't even speak to me unless it's royal business, Luna hasn't even been home in over a week..."

"She is home. Home with Twilight and away from you." It was that special brand of venomous Uriah saved just for her. "I thought we covered that last time we talked. I also thought I made myself abundantly clear I could do without the melodrama of another chapter of Celestia and the Consequences of Her Own Actions." The cloud slithered away from her and back toward the fountain. "Honestly when did you get so...*cough* blasted whiney? *hack*"

Celestia's expression softened and it suddenly dawned on her that this projection was uncharacteristically small for her son. "You're sick."

"Don't do that." Uriah's voice came through like a hiss. "Don't pretend to care."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm your mother. However sour that may land on your ear, it still means something." A look of guilt washed over her. "Not that I've acted like it myself...What happened?"

The cloud reared back like he was going to snap, but shuddered into another coughing fit. It recoiled like a wounded animal and looked at her in a begrudging defeat. "Tatzelwurm. Discord shenanigans. I'm fine. Pinkie's looking after me."

She managed a smile. "She's good for you. Are you at her bakery? Perhaps if I come down there, both our healing magics together could..."

"Just stop." It was short reply, but rang hard. "I am really not in the mood to have my time wasted. Since you're here, I'm assuming you've made your decision in regards to my offer?"

Celestia took a breath and held her head up. "There was another attack. Tirek tore through a town in the countryside just east of Dodge Junction."

Uriah paused. He didn't know about that. He should have known about that. Which is why he knew the answer to his next question. "Was anypony hurt?"

The sun princess shook her head. "Not too badly, thank goodness. Just a few bruises and he didn't take any of their magic, but he blasted a nearby dam. The resulting flood destroyed everything. All those homes, all those business. my poor little ponies had to watch as their lives were washed away and I wasn't there to help them!" She shed a tear and caught her breath. "He vanished again. No trace. Uriah I don't know how he's masking all this power he's amassed, but you've tracked elusive foes like this before. We need you."

The smoke tilted slightly. "Yes...and you know what I want."

She stamped at the ground. "Did you not hear me? Our people are suffering."

Uriah's projection locked its eyes with hers. "And my heart breaks for them, but let's not forget. The last time I acted without your word, things didn't go so well for me...your word, Celestia."

She could feel a chill when she caught his meaning. With a heavy heart, Celestia stood strong. "I, Princess Celestia ex Sole, in my full capacity as ruler of Equestria, do hereby give my solemn vow. Should you, Uriah ex Sole, subdue the menace of Tirek and deliver him to my custody, I shall then, in a full public declaration, restore your status as crown prince and heir apparent of Equestria, and promptly abdicate my throne to you."

The smoke billowed and sparked, as Uriah's eyes burned with matching energy. "I, Uriah ex Sole, Will accept your vow and the conditions of the contract as you have laid them out. On the condition that, after I have fulfilled my end, should you attempt to back out of our bargain, your magic is forfeit." Celestia gave a begrudging nod. Their eyes lit up, and the wind pressure around them grew fierce. Magic arched out from Celestia's horn and the projection's eyes, meeting between them in a blinding flash. They spoke in unison. "This contract is sealed and binding. Our vows are our power and our power our vows. Should one break, so shall both." The wind burst out as the magic dispelled. Celestia rubbed her head in pain, while Uriah projection sputtered and wretched. "Ok. *Weeez* We're done here."

Celestia watched as Uriah's projection struggled to blink away. "Goodbye, son." She wasn't sure if he heard her or if he cared, but she certainly felt better having finally said it.

The dank quiet was so very oppressive. There was an ambience of wetness and a foul stink in the air. A short red glow illuminated a long winding tunnel as Uriah's projection materialized into the cave. It sputtered and coughed as the sickness he'd tried hiding from Celestia made itself fully known. "Oh... for crying...I am in bad shape. Just gonna go tell the gang the news and go back to my Pinkie." He floated along, trying to get his bearings. It felt odd for some reason. "Why is it so dark in here? I know my aim's a little off, I'm probably in an off-wing, but the Goblins should have more light than this. Wait..." He really started paying attention to where he was. "Am I in the wrong mountain? Is...is that water?" He aimed the projections eyes down and found a rather unnerving sight. Water, pitch black water. He illuminated his eyes to examine the cave. It went deeper, bending further down. The water covered from one side to another. He looked behind him and saw an opening in the distance, just enough for him to see daylight and the open ocean.

Uriah felt himself compelled to ignore the light and go deeper, driven by curiosity and a strange familiarity. "This strait...I've seen these walls before. I've navigated these turns. This couldn't be..." His glow guided him as he rounded the bend. He stopped at a sight that would bring dread to the less seasoned travelers. A ship, thrown up and smashed against the crags, stained with copious amounts of blood. Uriah's projection drifted closer to the wreck. "Yeah, it most definitely is. Poor fools." He examined the scene, paying little mind to stray gore. He wasn't counting bodies. "Only five torches. That'll do it." He floated back toward the water. A sudden splash made him turn suddenly, but he found only darkness and a slight disturbance on the water. Every instinct told him not to look down, but he did. There was a blur of teeth, but a quick turn sent the massive serpentine shape back down, disappearing in the murky depths. The little black cloud just stared with wide red eyes. "I'm not really here. I'm not really here. I'm not really here."

Then it came. Like the toll of a bell breaking the eerie silence. "Hello." It was a deep, feminine voice, with a wet distortion. Uriah turned around to find a massive pair of eyes looking into his own. It the head of a colossal mare, half hidden beneath the water. Pale green coat, contrasted by a very dark green mane, matted and hanging around her like a cluster of seaweed. Her ears were like fins and her haunting eyes pierced the dark with their white irises and black sclera. She began to rise out of the water, flashing a smile full of razor sharp teeth. Uriah suddenly felt like a bug once her giant form filled the cave. Glistening fins lined her forelegs and in place of back legs was a long tail, lined with sharp spines and ending in a large fin. The most startling aspect of her form began to rise out of the water and surround the cloud. Sprouting from her midsection were the forms of six horrible serpents. Glowing white eyes, gaping jaws with teeth like swords and fins at either side of their heads. Her body swayed in a grotesque ballet as the serpents lifted her over them so she could loom over her prey as they surrounded the prospective morsel.

Uriah watched as the hissing maws practically drooled in preparation for the strike, then looked up at the sheer malevolence of their mistresses hungry smile. Wide-eyed, the cloud tilted slightly. "Scylla?"

There was a collective gasp of confusion from the serpent heads as they lurched back, causing their mistress to lose her balance. They clumsily moved to catch her, splashing the water as she leaned toward him in confusion. There was a hopeful tone in his voice. Like he was happy to see her. She blinked in astonishment. "Uriah?" One could almost swear the cloud was smiling the way those eyes brightened as it nodded in reply. Scylla's face lit up in a way that brightened the whole cave. "Woah-ho!" She lunged toward him with open hooves and landed with a tremendous splash. Uriah's little cloud popped out from under her bulk as she bounced back up from the water. The two laughed like children at play. She splashed at the water and he danced around her. As they went, she backed herself up to the crags. "It's you! It's really you! I can't believe it!"

"My Scyll." Uriah practically cooed as he piloted his cloud around her body. He gave off little sparks that tickled her as he went. He savored every melodic note of her laugh. "My Scyll, my Scyll, my Scyll. Oh, you beautiful, flesh eating, abomination. I've missed you so much!"

"Hmph." She pouted and her serpents lined up to pout with her. "Could have fooled me. For five hundred years, you don't call, you don't write," She hefted herself out of the water with a slight groan, her serpents coiling in a sort of nest around her titanic form as she settled near the fresh shipwreck. "Oof, Typhon, I'm getting heavy."

"Nonsense." He continued to drift along her body, adjusting his magic discharge to a more massage like pulse. He made his way to that sweet spot on her back where she kept her tension. "You're still the most elegant, lithe, beautiful nymph this side of the Messina."

Scylla purred in response. "Mmm, there's my hero...wait a minute." She snapped out of the trance he was working and turned to shoot him a glare. "I'm mad at you!" two of her serpents hissed and shooed him away. "You disappeared for centuries without so much as a word. I was worried sick about you."

Uriah cringed at the hurt in her voice. "I'm sorry. Aw, Scyll," He gave her a sorrowful look and she nodded for him to come to her. Uriah's cloud gingerly floated and nuzzled under her chin. "I...I crossed the line, Scylla. I wiped out the Basilisks."

Her eyes widened at the realization. "So, that was you. After it happened, You-Know-Who and, his brother, Bolt Boy came barging in looking for you. God King was really blowing his top. He wasn't exactly thrilled you tapped into divine magic to smite an entire race of people."

Uriah rolled his eyes. "Yeah, 'cause that's his thing." He took a breath and continued his explanation. "So, what happened?"

Scylla looked rather proud of herself. "I jumped out and sent those big babies crying all the way back to Olympus. After that, from what Charybdis heard from her dad, the thunderbolt got dropped. There's been a total embargo on divine intervention with the lives of Equestria. Unless one of you guys comes to them in their domain, the gods aren't having anything to do with you." She cocked her head and gave him a puzzled look. "So, what happened to you?"

He drifted down and rested on her chest. "I was banished. Celestia crippled my magic, stranded me on a comet, and then wiped the memory of me from the whole world. With the exception of Scrivvler, my little goblin friend, and you for some reason."

She shrugged and started petting one of her serpents as it slithered over her shoulder. "Probably Circe's curse. That's divine magic, maybe it made me immune to whatever your mother did?"

The little cloud started to deflate. "Aw, I forgot I was supposed to fix that, I'm so sorry."

Scylla smiled and shook her head. "You don't ever need to apologize to me. I'm just glad you're okay. I'd be heartbroken if anything happened to my vacation boyfriend."

Uriah hushed a laugh. "You know, I used to get so flustered when you'd call me that. Now, it's...nice to have that back. I lost everyone, Scyll. All my friends are dead, Scarlet's dead. I'm getting a new start, but I'm worried I'm gonna ruin it." He started coughing. The projection was getting harder to hold. "I'm not gonna hold this if I keep upsetting myself. Tell me about you. Please tell me you've been okay."

She gave him a gentle pet and a knowing smile. "I'm happy with me. I've lived a good life, mostly because of you. You helped me get back together with Glaucus, which has been wonderful. He's really done so much to help me take the weight of the curse off my mind. I've learned to love myself as much as he does. I'm a mom now."

Uriah's projection perked up instantly "For real?"

She nodded, practically beaming. "Oh, yes. There's been at about a dozen new monsters come and gone, all grown and off to claim their territories and conquer the world. I saw a lot of you in them. All wild and free."

He drifted up and rested gently on the tip of her nose. "I wish I could have been here to see." There was a calm resignation in his voice. "I've gotta go. I have get this call to the right cave before I can't keep the signal up anymore. Soon as I'm better, I'm coming back in my corporeal form for some proper quality time. I wanna feel the touch of your scales, breath in the smell of your air."

Scylla blushed. "Aww. You like my smell?"

Uriah didn't skip a beat. "No, you reek like brine and carrion, but by fates, do I miss it." One of the serpents snapped at him. "Stay beautiful, Scyll." His cloud vanished in a crackle of magic.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Then came the sound of rowing near the entrance. "See, didn't I tell you I know all the coolest sight seeing spots? So dark though. Make sure you got the flash on your camera, I'll get the lamp helmets."

Scylla smiled and licked her lips. "Oh, goodie. Desert." She crept to the edge of the crag and silently dove head first into the water, vanishing in the murky depths.

Trixie never thought she'd be able to fully relax in present company, but the bean-bag she was sprawled out on proved other wise. She was comfortable as could be and very happy she talked Uriah into adding a lounge for their little bad kids club. Chrysalis was on the rug by the fire place, sipping tea, Tirek was on the sofa across from her reading, and Trixie was happily munching pop corn. "Ah, this is the life."

Tirek didn't take his eyes off the page. "It's certainly better than Tartarus. Warm place to sleep, homecooked meals on demand, practice in authority managing Goblin Town, and, admittedly, rather decent company."

"Aw, I didn't know you cared." Chrysalis gave a little teasing laugh at his pouting. "It really has been nice though. Not having to be ready to fight like my life depended on it all the time. Friends. Who knew?"

Trixie raised a hoof in agreement. "Amen to that, sister. I don't think I could be anymore at peace if I tried."

There was a sudden bang and a thunderous crackling of magic as a dark cloud erupted in the center of the room. "Gaaaaahhhhh!"

The trio was collectively taken aback, but Trixie was the most vocal. "Aaaaaaaaaahhh-ACK!" She fell off her bean bag choking on her popcorn.

The cloud sputtered and swayed trying to stay in focus. "Oh...oh no. How do I have dry heaves, this thing doesn't have lungs."

Tirek sat up at the sound of the voice. "Uriah. Astral projection? I was expecting something...more together."

Chrysalis got up and circled the cloud, watching it crumble at slight gusts. "Something's wrong. He can't hold it together. Uriah, are you okay?"

Uriah was grateful he wasn't there for her to see his smile at her concern. He didn't want to embarrass her. "Tatzelwurm...sick..." He focused and the cloud took a more solid form to loom over them. "I'm fine...I'm fine." He glared at Tirek. "What's this I here about you flooding a town?"

Tirek set down his book, folded his hands and met Uriah's accusatory eyes with an unflinching calm. "I grew bored simply sitting on the side-lines waiting for the big number. So, I decided to take some initiative."

Chrysalis hissed in response. "How dare you?! After everything Uriah has done for you, all of the effort he's put into the plan so far..."

Uriah cut her off. "Thank you, Chrysalis, but please. Let's let him explain himself. Now, given that my little security spell I placed on you when I gave you your power didn't alert me and render you catatonic..."

Tirek nodded. "I was very careful not to actually hurt anypony. A roar there, a smashed apple cart there, suplexed a shed, but I made sure to herd everypony out of harms way before I blew the dam. Not a single scratch on their little heads as all their homes and businesses were ruined."

Trixie managed to climb back up on her beanbag. "No, I'm fine. Nobody come help me. It's just a blocked airway, I was already blue anyway."

Uriah made a mental note to hug her when he got back, but stayed focused on the conversation. "I would be more angry about the unsanctioned cruelty, if it wasn't so effective. Excellent work, Tirek, you've secured us our door."

The changeling queen beamed with excitement. "You mean it's finally happened? Celestia agreed to your terms?"

Uriah mustered a wicked chuckle. "The deal is struck. All that's left is to put on our little show at the Gala and the kingdom is and her fate is sealed." He gave each of them a look. "We're almost there. Everything we've been working toward is in our reach. Just keep a level head and no more improvising." Tirek gave him an accepting nod. "We'll iron out the final details when I get back. I'm counting on all of you." With a few sparks to leave with a flair of menace, Uriah's projection vanished, leaving the trio to revel in their accomplishment.

Uriah awoke with a sharp inhale. He knew his body had to be in a profound amount of pain to affect his mental state, but the kick was still shocking. "Ow. OW! Oh, that's not fun. Am I dead? I think I might be dead." He looked about, but his attention was drawn to a soft, warm, sensation at his side. Pinkie had curled up and tucked herself under his wing. "Aw, Pinkie, no. You're gonna..." His words didn't get through. She was fast asleep.

"You don't need to worry. We're not contagious anymore." The alicorn's gaze quickly turned to the glib tone of the draconequus across the room. Discord sat, sipping his tea, looking out the window. "Zecora came by. Twilight, being the caring little sister she is, told her what happened and convinced her to come help us out."

The paler than usual alicorn slumped into the cushions. "Is she still mad I blew up her house?"

Discord nodded. "She appreciates the attempt at amends, but is having trouble adjusting to the ramshackle iron shack your little green cohorts built. She also expects an in-person apology at some point."

Uriah petted Pinkie's mane, which made her snuggle closer. "I'm not a good person...I just completely tore up her life, threw some scrap over it and moved on."

"You are a good person," Discord corrected. "You'll make it up for real eventually. You're not exactly one to leave a damsel in distress behind." He set his cup down on the table. "Fluttershy's out tending her animals and your lady's out cold. Any interesting gossip from your cosmic telegram?"

There was an urge to tell him to buzz off, but Uriah was still feeling weak. Clearly whatever remedy Zecora slipped him still required rest. "Celestia's agreed to give me what I want in exchange for Tirek's capture. I think I've just won. So long as everything goes according to plan..." He paused for moment, being very sure Pinkie wasn't listening. "Do you want in?"

Discord raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

"On the plan." Uriah clarified with a sleepy tone. "This whole villainous cabal I've got going to overthrow Equestria. Do you want in?"

The chaos spirit seemed confused, but pleasantly surprised. "Well, I'm flattered. I didn't think you wanted me involved in your intricate machinations."

Uriah shrugged. "I'd rather not have the chaos factor, but I'm not stupid. Assembling the greatest enemies of Equestria for such a massive undertaking. It'd be foolish not to at least invite Discord to play." He could see Discord was hesitant. "I can promise a neutral part. One that's of vital importance that won't compromise your friendships. I just need you to keep Twilight, Luna, Fluttershy, the rest of the girls, and any bystanders safe and out of the way when things go down." They locked eyes as he posed the question again. "Interested?"

Discord took a breath, then smiled. "I've been waiting for you to ask since chapter twelve."

Author's Note

Moving right along. Footloose and fancy free. Getting there is half the fun. Come Share it with me.

Thank you everyone for sticking with me. We are getting close to our exciting conclusion. I'm thinking at least three chapters and perhaps an epilogue. I'm really proud of this story and I'm gonna cherish my time living in this world in my head. It's gonna hurt to see it end, but maybe I'll find my motivation for a sequel, or a prequel. If not, I'm glad everyone's had a good time so far.