Chapter 5

Back at Blueberry's farm, Celestia and Luna had just had lunch and were getting ready to leave. Blueberry and Chestnut were giving them directions and advice, and had also packed them supplies in a saddle bag they gave to Celestia.

"Avoiding Discord needs to be your first priority," said Blueberry. "Since he flies everywhere, stick to the wooded areas when you can, and always check the skies if you need to go out in the open."

"But you should also beware of timberwolves," said Chestnut anxiously. "Oh, Blue, you really should go with them-"

"It's alright," said Celestia, "we should be okay if we know where to go. So how do I find the unicorns?"

"Well," said Blueberry, walking over to a desk and pulling out a map, "unicorns can only be found in the few enclaves they've established throughout Equestria. Of course, these enclaves have to be well hidden so Discord can't find them, but fortunately those of us in the country know the location of a few of them. Just head east through the White Tail Woods, cross the river where it turns northward, and then turn south when you reach the edge of the Everfree Forest. Here, take this map with you. That will take you straight to an enclave in Ghastly Gorge."

"Ghastly Gorge?!" cried Chestnut. "Blueberry, you can't be serious! That place is dangerous, and it's so close to Ponyville! They should go south, to the desert enclave near Appaloosa."

"Ghastly Gorge is the closest one available," Blueberry said patiently. "The unicorns will be on the lookout, and from there they can go see Starswirl."

"Who's Starswirl?" asked Celestia.

"Starwirl, or Starswirl the Bearded, is the most powerful unicorn in Equestria," said Blueberry. "Back when Discord was hunting down unicorns left and right, Starswirl would gather groups of them together and hide them with his magic. If anyone has information regarding your family, he does."

"Why was Discord hunting unicorns?" asked Celestia.

"It was a favor for someone else," said Chestnut bitterly. "If Discord runs into any magical being, they're never seen again."

"We'd better get going then," said Celestia. "I really want to find out if Mother and Father are still alive. Come on, Luna!" Celestia turned, and with Luna right behind her, opened the front door and walked outside.

Right into Discord.

Celestia stopped in her tracks, looking up at the bizarre creature in surprise. Luna bumped into Celestia's flank. Discord stared down at the two fillies momentarily, smiling eagerly.

"Look at you!" he exclaimed. "Wings and horns! Who'd you need to bribe to get those?" Blueberry and Chestnut looked out at the sound of Discord's voice, and turned pale when they saw him.

"Discord!" cried Chestnut. "W-what are you doing here?"

"A little bird whispered in my ear that there were new ponies in Equestria," said Discord. "I simply couldn't let this go! As Supreme Being of this land it is my duty, and my pleasure, to show these little fillies around their new home. It's the least I can do for these poor, confused kids, all alone in a strange country." The nasty smile that accompanied these words made Celestia and Luna shrink back. Blueberry stepped forward. His legs were shaking, but he looked Discord right in the eye.

"Now see here," he said, his voice steady. "These girls haven't done anything to you. They're completely harmless. You don't need to waste your time with them. Why don't you go find something your own size to play with?"

"Well, I would," replied Discord. "but there happens to be nothing my size left in all Equestria, except dragons, of course. I got bored with dragons ages ago, there's only so much fun you can have with a creature who's only response to everything you do is to roar and breathe fire." He turned back to Celestia. "Let's go kids!" he said cheerfully. "Time's a-wastin' and there's so much chaos to enjoy!"

Discord reached out to grab Celestia and Luna. Blueberry, after a moments hesitation, leaped forward and rammed himself into Discord as hard as he could. Discord, taken by surprise, stumbled backward. Chestnut rushed forward to help. Blueberry turned to Celestia and Luna.

"Run!" he shouted. "Head east! And remember everything we told you!" he then struck out with his back legs, striking Discord in the midsection. It seemed Discord was not used to being attacked, for he just stood there staring at Blueberry in shock. Luna jumped on Celestia's back, and the two dashed for the berry bushes. Celestia ran as fast as she could, running straight through the woods. She never looked back to see if Discord was following, but deep down she prayed that Blueberry and Chestnut would be alright. After all, Blueberry had said that magical ponies who ran into Discord were never seen again. Would he also spirit away two earth ponies if he crossed them? Celestia closed her eyes, blocked out those thoughts, and kept running.

They ran for what seemed like hours, Celestia was cramping in her side, and her breath came in short gasps. Finally, however, she saw the trees end ahead, and managed to put on an extra burst of speed. If they got to the river, they could hide near it and see if Discord was close. When Celestia broke past the last of the trees, however, she got an enormous shock.

They were back at the berry farm. Celestia turned around in disbelief and saw the trees she had just run past had been large berry bushes, but she couldn't understand how they had gotten turned around. She was certain she had been running in a straight lint the entire time. What happened?

Discord was sitting on the front step, and when he saw them, he waved. "So, you've come crawling back to me, eh?" he said. "I'm not surprised. Those woods can be dangerous, it's easy for a filly to get lost."

"What's going on, Celestia?" asked Luna. "How are we back here?"

"Now that's a good question, kid," said Discord. "You see, I am in control of these lands. That means everything that happens only happens because I let it happen. And everything I want to happen happens. Which means, if I don't want two little fillies getting away from me while I deal with a rebellion, the forest will gently steer those fillies back to me."

At the words deal with a rebellion, Celestia's blood ran cold. "What did you do with Blueberry and Chestnut?!" she cried.

"If you mean those two ponies who so rudely assaulted me, I have put them in their proper place." Discord snapped his fingers, and a pie materialized out of nowhere. He held it under Celestia's nose. "Hungry?" he asked sweetly.

Celestia looked down at the pie. The blueberry-flavored pie.

"You turned Blueberry into a pie?!" Celestia shrieked.

Discord looked affronted. "On the contrary," he said, "that would be unoriginal and tacky. Blueberry's just the filling, his dear wife is the delectable, flaky crust. I was going to spend my day giving you the grand tour of Equestria, but since you seem to be so busy, I might as well just have my lunch." He held the pie up to his mouth.

"Stop, stop!" cried Luna. "Celestia, don't let him!" Celestia had a split second to make a decision. She didn't know if Discord would actually eat Blueberry and Chestnut, or if they were even the pie in the first place. But she did know that she couldn't let anyone die on her account.

"Okay, we'll go with you!" she said. "Just please turn Blueberry and Chestnut back!"

"Why certainly," Discord said. He cast the pie aside and snapped his fingers. In a moment, the pie was gone, and Blueberry and Chestnut were lying on the ground, both unconscious. Discord reached out and scooped up the two fillies in each hand.

"Right then," he said, holding them up to his face and smiling. "Let's go. I've got a friend I'd like you to meet. A pony who often helps me out when I have a problem on my hands. And if he seems a little nuts to you, it's because he is!" Laughing loudly, Discord took off and flew south, heading for the desert. Celestia looked at her sister and gulped. What was going to happen to them now?

Author's Note

Sorry this one took so long, but I been a little busy of late. In Chapter 6, you will learn what actually happened to all the unicorns Discord caught. See you then!