Warning: Contains anthropomorphism and potentially ideologically sensitive material. And lots of some lots of shipping.

Discord, The Reformed 'Most Evil Monster in Equestria', has become terrifyingly absent as of late. Normally, this would simply be indicative of him taking a vocational detour - meaning he was off terrorizing some poor city somewhere - but, as sworn by his own mouth, he is "done with that life". This brings to Princess Celestia a horrible foreboding sense that there is something much larger at work here. For, even though Discord is, or was, evil, are not there more devious things lurking in the dark? More malevolent things?

Unable to leave her post as co-regent of Earth's most peaceful nation, she beckons on her trusted disciple once more. The safe return of her newest assistant lies solely in the capable hands of Twilight Sparkle and company, which is not something Celestia would hand out lightly. Only trouble is: there are dark whispers among the kingdom, whispers of the return of a great evil. If such an evil were strong enough to corrupt Discord, would not a mortal pony be little more than putty in its claws?