My Little Discord: Chaos is Lovely

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1: A Little Help?
Chapter 2: The Wandering Stallion
Chapter 3: Stubborness
Chapter 4: Trauma with a Side of Guilt
Chapter 5: Immortal Nightmares
Chapter 6: Trust

Prologue

Dawn in Ponyville is always beautiful,predictable, and short. Twilight rarely wakes early enough to see it, instead preferring to stay up late studying, but today she had made an exception. Applejack had asked her to, said she needed Twilight's help with a favor.

"An' by the apples on my rump, be discrete 'bout it," she had said. "Last thing ah need is ponies in this town runnin' 'round sayin' ah cain't take care myself. This favor involves only you and I alright?"

Rather then arouse AJ's stubbornness yet again, Twilight had chosen to listen to her friend's suggestion, though the temptation was strong to lecture her friend on the virtue of not taking on more than she could handle. Twilight sighs, her eyes gazing off toward one of her books. She tries to shake off a shiver. Her face frowns and contorts. Applejack had told her that she specifically needed magical assistance, that no other pony could help her. Remembering it now makes her eyebrows furrow.

"Spike, why wouldn't Applejack tell me what her job for me was? And why would she need my help? What kind of magical help could a pony like AJ possibly need? Doesn't this seem odd to you? Why so secretive?"

After not receiving a word, she shoots her eyes to Spike, who snores peacefully.

"Oops. Sorry big guy," she whispers. "Well, I'm off. Don't wait up for me."

A quick sideways smile, and a gentle adjustment of Spike's blanket, and Twilight is out the door. A thick fog outside immediately envelopes Twilight. She purses her lips and slows her pace. The warm wall of cloud makes breathing difficult, and sight even worse.

"Rainbow dash!" She calls. "Dash! Where are you? ...What's with the fog?"

No answer. Twilight considers the time of day. Dash awake this early? Unlikely. Still, the oddity of the fog drags Twilight out of her morning sluggishness. The rhythm of her walking is cautious and deliberate. She uses her horn to light her way, but it helps little. Even with the light, she can only barely see the pathway beneath her feet. In the fog, the light practically blinds her. She walks with one hoof outstretched in front of her, like a blind pony searching for the crosswalk. The thick fog almost chokes her. She follows the path forward, searching for any kind of landmark to show she is still moving in the right direction. Her eyes begin darting, as the knowledge that she could be going the wrong way begins to dawn on her. All she can see is the road, but she cannot see which way she is going. She doesn't recognize anything, not in the fog. Immediately, Twilight's thoughts drift.

What if this is some serious problem? Why would Applejack ask her to be discreet? Why magic? And what if this fog is actually...connected to it?

Twilight gasps, half scaring herself with the sound.

Applejack has a serious, magic-related problem, and I'm not going to get there in time to help her, all because of this stupid fog! Whatever is causing her problem might have even put this fog here to slow me down!

With a withered face, Twilight again turns her attention toward finding a recognizable landmark, though her previous morning serenity is now destroyed. Her head turns left and right like a bloodhound that lost its scent. At long last, her face is close enough to see a house. She looks closer and recognizes it as the Sugarcube Corner. A flood of relief washes over her. From the Cakes, it's just a straight shot down the road to Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight turns her eyes back down to bloodhound mode and again follows the road, moving quicker this time. The sight of a shadow in the distant fog halts her.

"Princess Celestia?" Twilight calls. No answer returns to her, and the shadow disappears back into the fog. Of course it wasn't her. It couldn't be her. Celestia would be getting ready to raise the sun right about now. She wouldn't be wandering aimlessly around Ponyville in a fog for no reason. But still. The shadow was unmistakable. It was her outline, down to the hair that flows without wind.
Twilight follows the path again, this time more quickly. The shadow re-emerges. "Celestia? Celestia!" The shadow slows a little, and Twilight slowly catches up. "Yes, my little pony?" Twilight hears Celestia's voice. As Twilight finally catches up to her mentor, she calls out, "Celestia, Why are you here? Aren't you usually raising the sun at this time?"

"Oh no, the voice replies, I decided to stop doing that. I think I'm going to take up music instead. I've always felt in my heart that I'd make a good entertainer, and politics are oh so tiring."

Twilight forgets the fog. "...Celestia?"

She is interrupted by a raspy, familiar laughter.

"Discord! How? I mean? What?"

With a snap of his fingers, the fog in a small circle around them disperses. In front of her stands Discord with all his various parts, but contorted into the outline of Princess Celestia. "Oh miss Sparkle, you truly are a joy to watch. The look on your face, hahaha! Priceless. As you can see, I've been practicing my yoga."

"Discord? What are you doing here?"

"Oh Twilight, you're all business, just like your mentor. You need to stop being so straight to the point and learn to enjoy the journey once in a while."

"Well, whatever reason you're here, I need to visit AJ. I'll leave you to...I don't know, do whatever it is that gods of chaos do."

Discord's eyes narrow and his pupils widen. "You mean cause chaos?"

"I hope not. Or if you do, it better be harmless."

"Oh, I can do harmless, Miss Sparkle. Irritating? Yes. Frustrating? But of course. Life changing and necessary for growth? That's all me. But yes...harmless."

"What are you on about now?"

"Oh you'll find out shortly, but I'll leave you for now. Tata, my little pony."

With a snap of his fingers, Discord disappears once again into the ether, leaving Twilight to wonder if he is somehow connected to the fog or AJ's favor. She walks with even greater haste to the orchard, watching that she doesn't hit anything.

The fog begins to thin out as Twilight reaches the orchard. She knows because she recognizes the familiar smell of the orchard, the slightly sweet smell coming from the apples, mixed with the slightly noxious smell of farm animals. Before she even gets near the outside fence she hears AJ calling to her from inside the barn.

"Twilight, hurry! I need yer help! Ya gotta git here quick!"

Twilight breaks into an all-out dash.

"Don't worry AJ. I'm coming! I have no idea what is going on, but I'm coming."

"Thank goodness yer here Twilight," AJ rubs her neck. "I'm...so sorry I had to do this to you Twilight..."

By the time she reaches the barn, Twilight is out of breath. "Oh, no worries at all, I've woken up early before you know. Now what's this all about?"

"No, not that. I'm...sorry ah had to deceive ya. Discord...he...made me. Said he'd turn mah whole family inta puppets if ah didn't do what he said."

"Wait, Discord? What did he do?"

"Look inside, and you'll see."

Inside are four ponies floating inside of little magical pink bubbles. Rainbow is charging into hers again and again, never stopping once in her attempts to break free. Pinkie is turning innocent somersaults in her bubble. Rarity is complaining about her treatment, and Fluttershy...she just sits there in quiet fury. She seems too hurt for words. Applejack walks slowly up next to Twilight and empathetically frowns.

"Doncha see, Sugarcube? It's a trap."

Twilight's wings drop. "AJ...I..."

"I'm so sorry Twilight. Please, please, please forgive me. I just didn't want to see my own kind hurt, but I didn't think he'd capture our friends. I shoulda known better."

"It's alright, Applejack. We all thought Discord had changed for the better. I guess I should have known better too."

Out of the ether, the raspy laugh again. His voice returns.

"Oh my goodness, Twilight Sparkle, the cute faces you make when you're mad! They are absolutely divine."

Discord creates a camera from thin air and photographs himself next to Twilight and Applejack. "You truly are all about the hilarious faces today."

"You shut that there trap o' yours and git to lettin' my family go, 'fore I hoof ya in the face!"

"Of course, Applejack. A deal is a deal. But stick around for a little bit. I'll need your help."

A similar bubble appears around Applejack and lifts her in the air with the others.

"I will however, give Applebloom a second tail for a while. I'm sure she'll get teased about it at school, but don't worry. It builds character. Imagine how my school days went! Why, with a little luck, she may even grow to be just like her uncle Discord."

"Why you little backstabber! Discord, when I get outtah here, yer gonna wish ya didn't mess with me."

The orange pony flings her entire self at the bubble, pushing against it with all the strength and anger of a wild boar.

"Backstabber? Oh, like you should talk, AJ. How quick were you to turn against your best friends when you found out your family was in danger? And not even real danger, just the mere danger of falling victim to one of my little pranks? Didn't think twice did you? You'd think you'd have learned your lesson from Ms. Dash over here."

Dash stops her charging and looks down. Those few words take more of the fight out of her then any punch to the gut ever could. From the other side of the barn, Fluttershy breaks her stare at the wall.

"That's low, Discord. Even for the likes of you. Even now, you still only think about yourself."

"Fluttershy, I-"

"No! Don't you Fluttershy me! Why would you do this, Discord? Why? I thought we were friends? Is this how friends treat each other?"

"Fluttershy."

"The answer is no! Friends help each other. They don't play mean tricks or threaten others or trap their friends in little pink bubbles and not let them go."

"Fluttershy...I know."

"Excuse me?" Twilight's eyes go wide and she finds herself unable to lift up her jaw."

"I know that isn't how a friend behaves, Fluttershy. But I also know that good friends listen to each other. They don't threaten to stop being friends just because they disagree about something. Good friends trust each other, and if one friend is able to see things that another friend does not, they take a leap of faith and trust them. Do you trust me, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy stares at Discord with a raised eyebrow. "But...but...how can I? After...this?"

"Of course," Discord now sits in a slump. "Oh course you're right." The chaos god breathes a deep, heavy sigh. "I'm...sorry Fluttershy...but I have to do this." With a snap of his fingers, the five ponies disappear. His body drapes over itself for a while, and he says nothing.

Twilight stares at him too, trying to make sense of an emotion she's never seen in Discord. A few moments drift by, then a few moments more.

"So... " Twilight says, "What exactly did you just do to my friends?"

The chaos god perks up his entire body, and a smirk travels across his face.

"Oh that's right! Ms. Sparkle, I got so tied up in my own thoughts that I forgot my little game with you. The long and short of it is that all of your friends now have completely different personalities, don't know who you are and live in entirely different parts of the world."

"What?"

"It's your job to bring them back. What do you say? Are you ready for a little adventure?"

"No."

"Well, it's not like you have much of a choice. If you want to see your friends again, you'll need to find them first."

"While you do what? Run amok in Ponyville and take over Equestria?"

Discord leans back in a circular fashion. "True, true...I could do that, but I think it would be more fun to follow you."

Twilight falls on her back hooves and crosses her arms. "Wait, what? You're just going to follow me around? That's all? What's your game Discord?"

"I already told you the game, Silly McSparklehooves. Now listen. This next part is important. One denies herself in a place of of beauty."

Another one of Discord's riddles. Twilight tunes him out. Really? At a time like this? A riddle? He just went from somber and depressed to this.

"One brings beauty to a place of void."

He totally made his only friend disappear into Celestia knows where and he's saying riddles like it's nothing?

"One turns backwards, sorts oranges from apples..."

None of this makes any sense, though I suppose that's his thing.

"Twilight Sparkle! Pay attention!" The stern rebuke in Celestia's voice jostles Twilight out of her thoughts. She loses her balance and falls, crashing backwards. The raspy laughter again. A long breath of air and then more laughter. "You," Another breath, "You, should have..." Two more wild breaths. "You should have seen your face. That's going in the scrapbook. Discord once again pulls the camera from nothing and takes her picture. When he pulls out the pic, the Twilight in the pic bangs on the walls to get out.

"Quiet, you! Now, where were we? That's right. I'm only going to repeat myself this one time, so listen."

Like a teacher checking on a room of unruly schoolmates, Discord Looks over at Twilight, clears his throat, and waits a few seconds.

"Now then. One denies herself in a place of beauty. One brings beauty to a place of void. One turns backwards, sorts apples from oranges. One went city bound to trade success for joy."

Discord pauses again. He leans over to Twilight and whispers. "The last one is my favorite." Discord reappears on top of the barn. "The last you'll find is closest to home but the farthest from redeeming, for the last you'll see is stubborn yet free, in a manner most unseeming. Now dear, dear Twilight, would you like that in writing? I did bring my crayons."

Twilight stops herself. "Discord, why are you doing this? Fluttershy, she trusted you."

"And she'll trust me still when this is all through. At least...I hope. In either case it's necessary. And to answer your question, you like learning. Consider this educational."

"So that's the point, to teach me? Really?" Her face drops.

"Well, I have my reasons as well, but for now we'll leave it at that. Tata!"

"Wait, I thought you were coming with me?"

"Oh? Afraid to be alone my dear Twilight? Well, Twilight, it is certainly true that I am going with you, but you see, you're more fun to watch when you forget I'm here. Also, I forgot my popcorn."

With that, Discord disappears, leaving Twilight confused and alone in the fog. She has a plethora of unanswered questions, Was it a trick or a trap? Should she talk to Princess Celestia? Where does she need to go? She decides to sits down on a tree stump, relax, and takes a breath. For once, Discord doesn't intervene.

Chapter 1: A Little Help?

The train seems to drag on forever. It had been quite a while since she last rode, but today it seems much slower than it ever has been before. Twilight looks out the window and sighs. Trees blur by outside as the train slowly twists its way around the mountain. Outside of a few small bumps, the ride is quiet and uneasy. Few ponies are on the train today. Twilight's car is empty. The car next to her has a family of three, a mother and father, and a filly without her flank. The energetic way the filly hops around reminds her of Apple Bloom. Twilight's thoughts drift to Applejack. Images play in Twilight's mind, images of the Apple family trying to harvest their crops without Applejack. Images of Applebloom crying after being teased at school and nobody there to comfort her.

Twilight takes out a couple of books that she brought to distract herself during the trip. She pulls out an old favorite, "Creatures from Equestrian Mythology" and looks over a few of the entries. A few minutes later she sighs and closes the book.
"It's hopeless," she says aloud.

Fluttershy's animals, Sweetie Bell, The Cakes, Scootaloo. It seems like everybody misses Twilight's friends. Everyone is worried. Everyone depends on them. Even Spike is busy watching the pets until Twilight returns. That's a ton of responsibility on him for a long time. Her brows clench up again, although she attempts to restrain her features, to look wooden so no one knows anything is wrong. Without Rainbow, there's very few ponies to help with the weather. Without Pinkie Pie, there's little joy in town. Without-

She pushes the thoughts out of her mind. She takes a deep meditative breath, then looks back out the window. More trees. More memories. More reminders that something is missing, has been taken from her. Why is the train so slow today? Of all days, why today? How far away are we any-

"Now arriving! Canterlot!"

It is clear to Twilight that the conductor is well practiced in his announcing, undoubtedly from years of shouting over the roar of the engine, the squeal of the brakes and the rumbling murmur of the talkative crowds, yet today it seems like overkill given the few ponies riding. The older stallion booms again.

"Now arriving! Canterlot!"

"Um, yes, thank you."

The sound of his voice stirs Twilight out of her thoughts just enough to make her amble out of the car, half confused. Once in Canterlot, she makes a beeline straight for the castle. Her stomach rumbles, but she ignores it. The usual business of Canterlot attempts to pull her focus away. On one corner a street vendor sells flowers with an enthusiastic smile. She continues on her way. Further along, a white Stallion with a black mustache and monocle in a nice black hat and matching coat lifts his hat up to her and greets her. He looks familiar, but Twilight presses on.

"Hello there," he says.

"Hi. Sorry I don't have time to talk, but I'm in a bit of a hurry now. I need to speak with Princess Celestia."

"Would you like a lift?" The unicorn gestures to his carriage.

Twilight's ears perk up.

"Um...sure. I...uh thank you."

"The pleasure is all mine, your highness."

"Oh. You don't need to address me that way, Mr.?"

The unicorn lifts up his hat with his magic and lightly bows.

"Fancy Pants. We've met before."

"Oh," Twilight places both hooves to her face. "I am so sorry. That's right. You're Rarity's friend, right? I remember now. I guess I am a bit distracted."

"It's quite alright," He smiles a casual smile. "So how is she lately?"

"Actually, that's why I'm heading to see Celestia. She's gone missing. All of my friends have."

"Missing, you say? But how?"

"Well..." Twilight begins with a waver of her voice. "Have you ever heard of Discord?"

"YOU BET I HAVE!"

The sound of that raspy voice shouting out from the body of Fancy Pants is all it takes for Twilight to tumble backward off the carriage. The transformation occurs in less than half a second, and there Discord stands, his tail curled and laughing like he's never laughed in his life.

"Oh, Twilight! I don't think I'll ever tire of this!"

Twilight slowly pulls herself off the ground. The carriage itself scoops her up and places her back inside. "Discord! Why are you doing this?"

"Well to be perfectly honest with you, it's kind of boring around here, what with your friends all gone and everything."

"Did you forget? You sent them away!"

"I know, I know...and I have to pay the consequences for my little chaotic decisions, but gee, some days being chaos incarnate gets so boring. Do me a favor when you talk to the Princess. Ask Celestia how she entertains herself as an immortal. After a time, it's as though nothing entertains you anymore." Discord sighs a deep sigh. "In either case, we're here. Enjoy your little chat."

"I'll be sure to do that," Twilight says through gritted teeth. She takes a few steps in the direction of the castle.

"Oh, Twilight?"

"What is it now?"

Discord casually looks over his claws as though they were the most interesting thing in the world. "Just thought you might like to know, your memory spell won't work this time around."

"What? Why not?"

"Because it's cheating, Twilight. It's a shortcut."

"Oh that's rich, coming from the likes of you."

Discord's grin stretches across his face like a yawning cat. "Oh, now I'm quite the fan of cheating myself, but I think it's a bit uncharacteristic of you. You wouldn't cheat on a test, so think of this as a test. Why cheat now and rob yourself of the value that comes from the whole experience? No. To succeed in this mission, you'll need to get down and dirty."

"I thought you said this was a lesson."

"Lesson, test, mission whatever. The important thing is that you experience personal growth...or some other such nonsense."

"I've had enough of your nonsense. I'm going now."

"Never let it be said that I stalled a long deserved talk between two princesses. I'm sure together you'll work something out. Tata, my dear!"

In a moment he disappears. The guards all bow as Twilight approaches. She bows back politely and awkwardly. She shudders at the attention.

The castle has always had an air of both formality and familiarity to it. Twilight had always liked the choice of stain glass windows, even as a filly. She likes how suiting it is for a sun god. If Rarity were here, she'd agree. If only she were still here. Once again, Twilight brushes the thoughts from her mind. She stands outside the door to the throne room, waiting for the Princess to call on her. A castle attendant runs ahead to inform Celestia of her guest. Twilight does not hear much, but it sounds like a muffled conversation between the two.

"Un Hunh, Oh I see! Well what are you waiting for? Bring her in," The doors open. "Princess Twilight Sparkle! Although I appreciate your polite attitude, it is unnecessary. Mi castle is su castle and you are welcome to come and go as you please."
Twilight bows, "Of course, thank you Princess."

"Speaking of which, would you care for some tea?"

"Oh, no thank you, princess."

"Water, cider?"

"Oh, uh...no thanks."

Celestia pauses for a moment in thoughtful reflection.

"...Ovaltine?"

"No. Thank you."

"Suit yourself. Well, what brings you to my castle today, Twilight? Is it business or pleasure?"

"Well, as much as I greatly wish it to be pleasure, I'm afraid it's the former."

"I see, I was afraid as much. How are things in Ponyville?"

"Not well, Princess. It's about Discord."

Celestia straightens herself at the mention of her old enemy. "I'm listening."

"My friends, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, all of them...he changed all of their personalities again and transported them to far away places. We're powerless against him! Not only do we no longer have the Elements of Harmony, but even if we did, all of my friends are nowhere to be found. I don't even know if I'd recognize them now if I saw them. Who knows what they're like! I'm...I'm afraid to find out."

Celestia takes a sip of her ovaltine. "I see. You're correct, Twilight, that is a dreadful situation we find ourselves in. What do you plan to do?"

"I'm not sure what to do. Even if I find my friends, my memory spell won't work this time! I'm coming to you, because for once I don't have a plan and I don't know what to do."

Celestia sets the cup down. "I understand..."

Twilight hesitates. "L...listen Celestia, I know you taught me to be independent and to fight my own battles...and there is nothing more in the world I want then to make you proud, but I ... I just can't save them alone, not this time. I don't even know how to find them."

Celestia takes a deep breath and retreats to the back of her mind. "It is true, Twilight, that I have encouraged you time and again to fight your own battles, even to the extent of putting you in direct danger, because I believed in you and your abilities, which in many ways surpass even mine. Perhaps you think it is wrong of me to have done so?"

"Oh no, I'm not saying that at all it's just that-"

"It's alright Twilight. To some extent I agree with you. When everyone is looking to you for answers, sometimes finding the right decision isn't easy. I know I come off as cold sometimes, tasking you and your friends with fixing everything, but you together are more powerful than I could ever be."

"But this time, We're not together. I have to do this by myself, and who knows what else will happen in the meantime? I mean, we're talking about Discord here. Can't you or Luna help me out this one time?"

Celestia takes another deep breath. She looks directly at Twilight with gentle eyes. "Twilight, the fact is, even though I do want to help, I can't."

"Wait, what? Why?"

"Do you remember when Luna and I were taken by Discord's plants in the Everfree forest?"

"Yes."

"What was it like while you were here in Canterlot?"

Twilight thinks back at the pandemonium during the time. "It was chaos. Ponies were acting up, arguing, fighting, blaming each other. If we didn't find you as soon as we did, who knows what would have happened?"

Celestia nods. "All of the responsibility for running Equestria and controlling the sun and moon would have fallen on you, and were that to happen, you wouldn't have any time to go on a quest. You would be here, signing documents, meeting with heads of state, and generally speaking living your life in boring meetings. Frankly, there's nothing I would crave more than joining you on an adventure, but Equestria cannot run itself, at least not for long. Since Discord only seems to be targeting you and your friends, it's best to play his little game for now. If I join, he may make things worse."

"I understand Princess. So, what are we going to do?"

"All is not lost as of yet, Twilight. I have an idea."

"Okay, what do you have in mind?"

"A former student of mine, has a bone to pick with Discord. Have you ever heard the legend of the Wandering Stallion?"

"The Wandering Stallion, but I thought that was just an old mare's tale!"

"You mean like the story of the mare on the moon?"

Author's Note

In unrelated news, I'm a terrible artist. If anyone wants to make a cover for this, I would be a very happy soul. No pressure though.

Chapter 2: The Wandering Stallion

Twilight walks out of the castle in a daze. Her ears are ringing as though Discord himself had just spun her in circles and proven to her that air did not exist. The Wandering Stallion legend is...true. She had heard the words straight from Celestia, yet they seemed so alien. Twilight recalled the legend:

Back in a day of old, a master sorcerer tried to hold
the power of a monstrous beast, fore he made the world a feast.
But a feast the beast was not after,
wise and clever, he courted disaster.
Fought with mind and magic, not claws,
For this cause the mage was ill prepared.

The beast wished for one small gain,
To amuse himself watching ponies in pain.
The mage took with him spells or war, expecting a battle dreary
But before him was a creature of trickery, who tested his
mind and made him see what could not be.
Time and again the creature played his game as the mage grew weary.
He wished for the trickery to end, so powered his magic,
prepared to rend the creature from this plane.

The creature had but one more game, a trick that was no trick.
Before the mage appeared his family.
Assuming it a trick the mage took his opportunity.
A powerful spell meant to end the existence of a god,
Wasted on 3 mortals.

The creature cackled with delight,
The mage's heart struck with fright,
and guilt, shame, and terrified remorse,
The mage ran from the sight.

But the creature's game was not done yet.
He thought it shameful for such regret,
To only last a mortal's years.
The creature extended out his hand,
And made immortal the Stallion's fears.

Now the Stallion prays for the end of time,
And longs for nothing but the sublime.
He wanders nowhere, longs for none
And begs for the end of existence to come."

The Creature, Celestia had told her, was Discord, and the Stallion was her very first student. "Fireheart," she had called him. She had said he was always passionate and caring, but it had been decades since she had last spoke to him.

"Why him?" Twilight had asked.

"He was always good with riddles. Besides, he's got a bit of a bone to pick with Discord. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't want to help you out. He has a wonderful heart. Also, an extra powerful magic user may turn out to be useful for you."

"How do I know he's not...well you know, crazy by now? I mean it sounds like Discord messed him up big time."

"Twilight, everyone is crazy in their own way."

"...Where can I find him?"

Now Twilight finds herself making preparations to a place she has never been before, a place called the Badlands. The place Fireheart was last seen, nearly 50 years ago. She packs seven days of food and water, a tent, a rope and a few other small items in case of emergencies. Celestia had given her a small unassuming cart to carry everything in. Twilight is grateful for the plainness of it. Celestia could have given her a royal carriage or something similar, but this gives Twilight a chance to travel without drawing unwanted attention to herself. Twilight looks over her cart with all the supplies.

"This...is...crazy," She realizes too late that she once again spoke aloud.

"What is, my dear?"

Once again, Discord is behind her. His popcorn glistens and butter drips off the top.

"I really wish you'd stop doing that," Twilight says through her teeth.

"You didn't answer my question. I happen to be an expert on crazy, so I'd like to know."

"Er, um it's nothing."

"Nothing? You say? Oh, you must be talking about traveling to the middle of nowhere to get help from somepony I clearly bested years ago. Well, I wouldn't call it crazy, maybe hopeless, but not crazy."

"Anything else you want to add?"

"Just that if you really want to find him, you may want me to mark your map first. Discord leans his finger and puts an small X on the map. You'll find him there, though I really think it's a mistake on your part."

"And why is that?"

"For one, you're doing yourself a disservice by eliciting help. This is your quest, Twilight. Take pride in it. For the other thing, he's got many years of anger built up toward me. I've changed Twilight. I'm not like that anymore, at least not as much."

"Yeah, just cruel enough to change your friend's personality and transport her to the middle of nowhere."

"I already told you. It's something I had to do. I don't expect you to understand, but it's important. But that's not my point. The guy hates me."

"Gee I wonder why."

Discord creates a magical zipper and zips up Twilight's mouth. "I'm sorry, dearest Twilight, but I really need you to listen right now. The guy hates me, and it you elicit his help, and he sees me, there's no telling what he'll do. If he knows that I have been having these little chats with you, he may attack you. He hates me that much."

Twilight unzips herself. "That's a risk I think I can take, and all the better if it gets rid of you."

"Well, this is your quest Twilight. Take the risk if you must, but let it never be said that I didn't warn a princess of impending danger."

Discord disappears again. The last thing to disappear is his wide eyed, upturned grin. A baffled expression grips Twilight's face. Discord...protecting her? What does it mean? Or is he just tricking her again? She presses forward, uncertain if she should travel to the place Discord marked.

She sighs and says aloud, purposely this time, "I guess I don't really have a choice, do I?"

She hears nothing but the caw of an eagle, but it almost sounds like Discord saying "nope." She shakes her head and moves forward to the spot marked on the map. There is a lone, tall, flattened rock there. She travels in a pseudo-desert. The wind whips sand in her eyes. and the cart creaks and wobbles through the unsure ground.

A lone thought travels her mind, I should have prepared for this more. I wasn't even sure what the Badlands were like. This isn't like me. I should have been better equipped.

Her thoughts are interrupted by what sounds like a distant gunshot. She freezes in place. The hair on her back stands still and she looks around wildly.

"Pretty smart of ya to not move." 3 tan-colored blankets are thrown upward, and 3 stallions fix guns directly on Twilight. Two of them are earth ponies. One of them a unicorn. "Now what'd ya bring us?" The earth pony speaking to her wears shades and his mouth is covered by a handkerchief. It is unclear if he wears it to hide his face or protect it from the sand.

Twilight nervously laughs. "Oh...I don't have much. Just regular supplies, you know food...rope." She looks at her surroundings and considers ways she can use her magic to save her."

"Nice try Princess," the bright orange unicorn speaks. He seems slightly older than the two earth ponies "And don't get any ideas about using your magic. You see that cliff over there? We got ourselves a sniper fixed right on you. Do anything funny...and well, let's just not be foolhardy, now shall we? Where are the valuables?"

"But...but I didn't bring any valuables," He puts the gun closer to her face. "I...swear! I don't even collect typical princess stuff. The only reason I'm out here is because I'm looking for somepony."

The unicorn snorts, grins, and adjusts his hat. "And who would you be lookin' for in a place like this?"

"Somepony named Fireheart. Celestia sent me. I have to find him!"

The unicorn lowers his gun and takes a step back. He removes his sunglasses. The blue earth pony speaks up.

"Hey Fireheart, how come she knows your name?"

Twilight's eyes go wide.

"...You're Fireheart?"

Fireheart's eyes go wider. "Why are you looking for me? What do you want?"

"I..." She looks down and away, hesitates. A few moments pass. She looks back up. "I need your help."

Fireheart bursts out in an angry laugh. "You hear that boys? The princess needs my help!" The earth ponies join in the laughter. "And what, dear princess, makes you think I'm going to help you?"

Twilight shrugs. "Well, that depends. Do you know who Discord is?"

That shuts him up quick. His eyes grow wider yet. He looks down, studies the sand on his hooves, blinks a few times. It is as though his entire personality leaves the planet for a few seconds. Finally, he takes a deep breath.

"Miss, I don't know what you're about to say to me, but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna regret running into you."

He pauses for one more moment, then throws a large bag of bits to his men.

"Boys, take the night off."

The younger of the earth stallions celebrates. "Yeehaw!" He shouts. "Ya hear that eagle eyes? We got the night off!"

"Yeehaw!" A loud voice echoes in the distance.

The earth pony with the handkerchief says nothing, but slowly sadles up next to Fireheart.

"Swifthoof, didn't you hear me? Ya got the night off."

"Oh, I heard you all right, boss. There's jess one little problem. It's not jess the night off is it?" Swifthoof takes off his shades and sets his steel blue eyes straight at Fireheart. "What exactly are you after with this princess?"

"I have unfinished business," Fireheart replies, "And it is none of yours." He turns away and walks in the opposite direction of Swifthoof.

"Oh I beg to differ. It's all my business if you're goin' way. You're my bread and butter, and...Hey! Don't you walk away from me!"
Swifthoof darts in front of Fireheart. "You look me in the eye and you tell me you ain't goin."

"Swifthoof."

"Look. Without you...we're lost. They're goin' be just as lost without you as me. They're just too damn stupid to see what's 'bout ta happen. We need your plans. We need your magic."

"Sorry Swifthoof. It's not going to happen. You got yourself a good month's wages there if ya budget yourself properly. You'll be okay without me. You all will."

Swifthoof draws his gun and points it at Fireheart's face. "The hell we will! I'm somebody now! I'm not goin' back...not ta who I was. And even if I did, we're wanted criminals, remember? Either ya help us, or ya die. Now wassit goin' be?"

Twilight shrinks back a few steps and tries to think of what to do.

Fireheart stares Swifthoof down. "Swifthoof, you're in over your head."

Swifthoof stares back. "I'll be judge of that."

"So you will. Well? What are ya waitin' for? I haven't got all day."

"Ya that eager ta die, ya old stallion?"

"You and I both know ya ain't gonna pull that trigger."

Swifthoof's finger tightens a little on the trigger. "Ya willin' to bet yer life on that?"

Fireheart says nothing.

"So...Looks like this unfinished business of yours is worth dieing over."

"Yes...In fact, I'm counting on it."

"Too bad. I guess you're not as smart as I thought you were."

Three seconds pass. In that time, a rifle flashes. A purple alicorn cries out. A unicorn stands his ground, and a few disbanded desperadoes perk up their ears at the sound of something in the distance, then go back to their cider. A moment later, Swifthoof stands steady, knowing that the deed is done. Fireheart stands still for a moment, slowly uses his magic to pull the bullet out, then sighs.

"I'm sorry Swifthoof." Using his magic, Fireheart hurls Swifthoof onto a rock, and then forms the rock around Swifthoof. The rocks clasp around him. He throws a canteen of water Swifthoof's way, as well as the bag of gold. "It's about ten hours till sundown. At that time, the spell should wear off. You and I both know you can't track worth a spit, so by that time we'll be long gone. If you follow me, I won't hesitate to kill you."

With nothing left to threaten Fireheart with, the earth stallion spits on the ground near him. "You're ruining our lives, Fireheart. Don't you think for a minute I won't come back to ruin yours."

"...It already was."

Fireheart turns away. Swifthoof hollars after him. Fireheart remains unshaken and walks away.

"...Sorry Swifthoof."

Twilight finally speaks. "Are you sure he's going to be alright?"

"He can take care of himself fine," The Wandering Stallion shifts his shoulders a little and walks on. "We better hit the road. And about this business of yours..." He looks Twilight in the eyes, and sees something. For a moment, the harshness drops off his face, but it doesn't last long. "Needless to say, it had better be worth it."

Chapter 3: Stubborness

Dust, darkness, and her own hoofsteps. It is all Twilight makes of her immediate environment. Fireheart had used a teleportation spell to take her there, but Twilight is clueless on her location.

Was it a cave of some kind?

"I trust you're wondering where we are." Fireheart speaks directly.

A small magic ring draws around Twilight. "Well, yes actually. I was just about to light the place up so I could-"

Fireheart grabs Twilight's horn. "You don't want to do that. Trust me."

"What? Why? I can't see a-"

"There's creatures here that wouldn't like it. Please. Trust me."

Twilight inhales quickly. Pauses herself. "Okay."

"Thank you. To answer your question, we're in an underground cave below the badlands about 10 miles away from our previous location."

"What?" Twilight eyes dilate, both from the darkness and surprise. "Ten miles? How?"

"It's simple really. Mastering long distance teleportation is easy. The hard part is knowing that you aren't going to teleport inside of a rock or something. Messy. So I devised a spell that allows me to see what the area looks like moments before I travel there."

"But it is pitch dark in here. Your spell wouldn't do any good."

"Not for me it's not."

Twilight's head cocks sideways as though it's about to fall off. "Whaaaa? How?"

"Illumination spell. Only works for me."

Are you using it now?"

"Yes."

"But how? There's no aura on your horn!"

"That's another spell."

"So you're stacking multiple spells at once? That is...so...how? What?"

"Look. I've had a lot of time to master things...more time than I would wish on anypony."

"I know, but it's just so cool!"

A distant sound in the caves. It sounds like a loud bang, as though something had been dropped. Next there are footsteps.

"Quiet." Fireheart says.

"But..."

Fireheart places his hoof against Twilight's mouth and holds her against the wall. "Be still as possible," he whispers, "And they won't see you."

The footsteps grow louder, closer. Next she hears their snarls. There is the sound of something dragging in the dirt. Closer. The footsteps grow until they just stop in front of Twilight. She hears sniffing, prolonged sniffing. They pause. She feels the warm rancid mist of their breath. She swears they can see her, smell her fear. She does not know what they are, but she instinctively freezes. She tries her hardest not to make a sound. A low guttural gurgle emanates from nearby one. The gurgle slowly crescendos into a wild roar and Twilight knows it has found her. Suddenly, a louder boom from somewhere further into the cave clangs, and Twilight feels their motion quickly move away. She hears light footsteps darting in the distance.

"Hmph. So much for a safe hideout," Firehoof says. "Stand next to me a moment."

The two disappear and reappear at the entrance of another cave.

"Wha? Is this the cave entrance?" Twilight says.

"No. It's the entrance to a different cave. About 20 miles away. It's easier to spot us here, but Swifthoof can't travel this fast. He's still probably tied up, so we don't have to worry about him here. The underground cave goes very far, and we can travel to a great many places there. Once Swifthoof has had some time, he will start looking for us, so we can teleport back to the cave then and use it to travel where we need to."

"Why not just travel by teleportation?"

"I'm sure you're familiar with how exhausting a teleportation spell is. Even for me, it is exhausting traveling that distance."

Twilight looks around the cave and clinks her hooves together. "So..."

"Now that we actually have a moment's peace, why don't you start with your story. It seems you already know mine anyway."

"Not all of it."

"Oh?"

"Like why you're hanging out with petty thieves?"

Fireheart sighs. "I don't know what you want me to say. When you've existed for a long time, you start trying to find new creative ways to spice things up a bit. Eternity is a boring existence at best. At worst, it's outright hell."

Twilight's eyes widen. "That's your reason? You were bored?"

Fireheart shrugs. "Sure. I mean, it's not like I need the money."

"That's not what I meant! Hunh. You almost sound like Discord."

Twilight feels two hooves shove her hard against the cave wall. "You listen to me. I"m nothing like that fiend, you hear? How dare you even mention him and I in the same breath!"

"I...I'm sorry...I didn't."

His hooves drop. Silence passes. "I'm sorry princess. It is I who owe you an apology," He steps away and closes his eyes. "Maybe that was his point all along, to show me why he does what he does. I refuse to believe that I've grown to be like him, but perhaps you're...right." He sighs. "Even after all this time I can still feel something, even if that something is anger. I suppose I should be thankful."

"You're welcome...I guess?"

Fireheart gathers some wood with his horn and starts a fire. He stares into it for a time. "Why do you need my help Twilight?"

Her eyes join the fire.

"It's my friends. Discord has changed all of their personalities and transported them to different places."

"I see. What else has he done?"

"That's it."

The words shock Fireheart out of his daze.

"That's it? What do you mean that's it?"

"Well, he hasn't done anything else."

"You came all the way out here to get me because your friends are having an identity crisis? Seriously? No, this is Discord we're talking about here. He's after something else, some bigger game. Just have to figure out what it is..."

Twilight scratches her ear with her hoof. "Uh yeah...listen. About that...Discord's not exactly the same creature that you knew him as."

"Oh no? So he's not a mismatched creature made of different parts who uses trickery to ruin lives while bragging and joking about it for his own personal amusement?"

Twilight rolls her eyes. "Oh no. That's still the same. It's just now he's less cruel about it."

Fireheart's head tilts back like in an almost disgusted expression. "What do you mean less cruel?"

"Well, you see, after we defeated him with the Elements of Harmony, Celestia asked us to revive him and try to reform him."

"You're kidding me. That is literally the most idiotic thing I have ever heard."

A small laugh escapes Twilight. "Well, honestly, I kind of thought the same thing at first, but the thing is, we actually did it, thanks to my friend Fluttershy."

"What did she do?"

"She befriended him."

"..."

"What?"

"Okay, now that is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard."

Twilight steps forward. "Hey now. You weren't there. I was skeptical too at first, but Discord, while still being mischievous, has toned down himself considerably. He's more annoying now than threatening."

Am I really defending Discord? Twilight thinks.

"Twilight, I'm not buying his act for a minute. I've known him for thousands of years. He is a god of chaos. He changes in every possible way imaginable save for one: the ability to not heartlessly wreck ponies lives. Anything he's done up to now is just because he's after a bigger fish, perhaps a better trick, perhaps a way to outsmart us and show off his ability to turn things on their head. I can promise you it's not benevolent."

"Well, if you feel that way, then why not help me find my friends? Surely their mix up has something to do with this supposed bigger plan, right?"

"Because that's what he wants us to do. We go off on his little quest, and in the meantime he wrecks havoc."

Twilight rubs her chin. "Hold it. That doesn't add up."

Fireheart huffs. "Why not?"

"For one thing, Discord doesn't need me out of the way to destroy stuff. He's already gotten rid of my friends. Without them, we cannot power the Elements of Harmony, which means that he can get away with whatever he wants already. Additionally, he didn't do anything to harm them to the best of my knowledge."

"That simply means he needs you away, and specifically you for a long time, but why?"

"I really don't think that's what's going on."

He rolls his eyes. "Look, as I said before, I'm not buying it. He wants you away. It's the only explanation."

"If it's the only explanation, then Discord would have made some move by now. I'm already away."

"That's a good point. We'll need to move quickly if we're going to make things right. Where is home for you?"

"Well, Ponyville but-"

"Ponyville. Never heard of it."

"It's a smaller town. Look, I don't think Ponyville is where we need to--"

"And I think it is. We need to find your friends, and I will agree to help you, but only after we go back to your Ponyville and make sure everything is normal."

"Ugh! Okay, fine! But we're wasting time."

"We shall see." Fireheart uses his magic to poke at the fire with a stick. "Goodnight Twilight."

"Yeah. You too." She rolls over and lays her head down. "Aren't you going to sleep?"

"I'm not tired right now. I'll sleep when I'm ready. You don't worry about me."

"Okay...I guess? Well, goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Author's Note

Hey everybody! This little story is chugging along slowly but surely! It takes me forever to write, but drop by drop the rain fills the bucket, eh?

Chapter 4: Trauma with a Side of Guilt

The cave is dank with a stank that can only be described as rank. Twilight gulps multiple times, trying not to allow herself to get sick. Periodically Fireheart had been teleporting them whenever he had recovered enough from his magic to move more quickly. They move quickly through the underground cave but are still miles from Canterlot.Twilight tries to study him when he casts it, but without seeing the subtle gleams of light from his masked horn, it is difficult to see how he does it. She longs for her books to break the monotony and thick suffocating air.

"Why does the air smell so awful?" she says. "It's like breathing in moist garbage."

Initially, Fireheart says nothing, warps again, and then decides it is time for a rest. He stops and ponders for a moment, but decides to continue. "Far back in Equestrian history, a lot of awful things happened down here. One would think the smell would go away by now, but it never does. The cave has a way of retaining things. There is a secret tunnel in this cave that connects directly to Canterlot, more accurately, Celestia."

"What?" Twilight stomps her hoof down. "How do I not know about that?"

"You know many things, Twilight, but you know far from everything."

She huffs. "I don't expect to know everything. It's just that, I'm her student. She shares everything with me. How could she not trust me to know this?"

Fireheart's mane droops over his eyes. He throws his head back to banish away the hair. "Hey, I was her student too. Keep that in mind. Celestia cares, but she's overprotective. She probably didn't want you to know about how brutal this place was, and...I don't blame her."

"Yeah, but she told you about it."

"Actually, she didn't. At least, not until she had to."

Twilight's face contorts. She turns her head a little to the side. "What do you mean, had to?"

Fireheart pauses for a moment and looks away, sighs. "I don't wish to talk about that right now Twilight."

Twilight feels fury building in her hooves. "Oh you're going to talk alright, Mr. Secretive. I..." She stops herself. "It's because of what happened in the story isn't it? I'm sorry."

"It's fine...We need to keep moving."

"Yeah, about that. This is clearly draining you. Why don't you let me do some of the teleporting?"

"Can you teleport long distance?"

"Well, no...but,"

"Can you see where you're going to end up?"

"Again no. Here's what-"

"Then how's it going to work?"

"Well, maybe if you stop interrupting me, you'll find out!" Twilight finds herself raising her voice a little too much. It echoes through the cave, to the point where the most distant of her echoes almost sounds like a cackle. "Look. All I'm suggesting is that you use your spell to show me where I'm going, and I can do the teleporting for a while. It may be a shorter distance, but It's worth a try."

Fireheart stops and thinks for a moment. "Hmm. That's actually a pretty good idea. The viewing spell doesn't drain me very much. This could work. I'm going to rest a moment longer, and then we'll continue."

"Just hurry before we see more of those things."

"Don't have to worry about that. They don't live in this part of the cave."

"How do you know that?"

"Let's just say I've spent too much of my time here already. I know these caves like the back of my hooves. Nothin' lives 'round this part of the cave."

"Oh?" Twilight cocks her head. "Why is that?"

"I don't know. Best as I can tell, it's like the local wildlife can just sense that something bad happened down here. If you haven't noticed, this part of the cave is silent too."

Twilight's eyes widen at the mention of the fact. Up until this point, she was surrounded by an ambient background of typical cave noises, water dripping, hollow sounds, even the occasional bat screech, but here, there was nothing. No sound whatsoever. Twilight gulps with uncertainty.

"Even after all these years," Firehoof continues, "I gotta admit I've never gotten quite used to this part of the cave."

Now Twilight ponders, resting her hoof to her chin. "You know, you're a pretty somber Stallion, you know that, Fireheart?"

The Stallion snorts. "Heh. Yeah. I s'pose I am."

The two continue onwards, taking turns teleporting, and as they near Canterlot, the silence inexplicably seems to grow. Twilight teleports and finds herself mere feet away from the remains of a long deceased pony. She gasps.

"Careful." Fireheart shoots out a hoof. "You don't want to touch that."

Twilight jerks her head back. "Why would I want to touch it?"

"Boredom? I don't know. The important thing is to not touch it."

"You touched it before, didn't you?"

"...Yes...Don't touch it."

"Heheh...okay. Noted."

Twilight walks a few steps forward, then stops again. "Why?"

Fireheart pauses too. "What?"

"Why don't I want to touch it?"

"You just don't, okay? Look. It's better that you just forget about it and move on."

"You touched it. You seem fine."

"I'm immortal."

"Well so am I...I think."

"Wait, what?"

"Well yeah. I'm an alicorn now, so I'm pretty sure that makes me immortal."

"Well there's another name I suppose I have to remember."

"WHAT did you say?"

"Look, when you're immortal, ponies live and die before your eyes in the blink of an eye. It's impossible to keep track of names, let alone anything else that distinguishes them."

"Celestia does it. She remembers you. She remembers more of the ponies in Ponyville than I do. That's an excuse."

"She does it because that's her job as Princess of the Sun and ruler of Equestria, and even she forgets sometimes, or gets names jumbled." Fireheart takes a few steps closer to Twilight. "She's even done it with me before when I was a little colt. She called me Starswirl before." He looks her in the eyes. "She's never done it to you?"

Twilight rolls her eyes back. "Uh...nope. Never before." She doesn't want to admit it to him, but Fireheart is right. Even Celestia shows a little absent-mindedness when it comes to her own students' names. There were multiple times she had referred to Twilight as Sunset Shimmer, but of course their names were similar. Twilight shifted in place. She didn't like the way she felt when she thought about the imperfections of her own mentor.

"Right."

"Well. I guess we should keep moving, hunh? Twilight says.

"Yes," he agrees. "And forget about the skeleton."

The pair continue to take turns teleporting through the cave. As they travel, the silence continues to grow until they reach a certain point, where it suddenly relents.

"Do you hear that?" Fireheart says. "Trumpets."

"You mean?"

"Yes, we are almost there."

Twilight and Fireheart approach a strange wall on the cave. Behind it are sounds of music, commotion, and hoofsteps.

Twilight gasps with excitement, and then lightly squeals. "We're right under Canterlot!"

"Yeah, that's what I've been trying to tell you. Remember this switch, okay? You never know when you'll need to use it."

Fireheart places his hoof on a rock on the wall and pulls it down. The door slides outward. The two follow a long winding stone stairway as the commotion grows larger. Another door.

"Wait," Fireheart says.

"Why?"

Fireheart knocks seven times on the door, six in a quick fashion, the last more delayed. A few moments pass. A few moments more. Fireheart's face grows wrinkled. He steps back.

"Hunh? Usually that works...Unless...Something happened to Celestia?"

"Uh how about we try it one more time?"

Fireheart begins the knock again but is interrupted by a muffled, "Don't worry I hear you, but I need you to wait a few moments please."

A loud announcement is made. Neither Fireheart nor Twilight can tell the who or what, but slowly the commotion meanders over to a different room. Soon, quiet returns. Then, the door opens. The two step outside, only to see that Celestia's throne is moved, and there at the top of the stairway is the Princess herself. The two step out into the brightly lit throne room of the palace.

"Oh, Fireheart! Long time, no see! And Twilight, I see you found him after all! Wonderful! Any news on the Discord situation?"

Fireheart shakes out his mane. We were hoping you'd tell us. Anything unusual happen since Twilight's friend disappeared?"

"Not as far as I'm aware of, though Applebloom I hear now has two tails. Distressing and cruel as that is, it's far from a Equestria wide crisis."

"See?" Twilight glares at Firehoof. "I told you we had nothing to worry about."

"Why don't you two stay for a rest? That's no small tunnel. I'm sure you're exhausted."

Fireheart interjects. "No thank you, Princess. I need to make sure everyone else is okay."

"Well, if you insist, but I really don't think you have to wor--"

"I know." Firehoof scratches his ear. "This is just something I have to do."

"Well I for one am staying for a bit," Twilight says.

"What do you mean?"

"Look. I'm about to do a whole lot of traveling, going to places I never wanted to go in the first place. I'm hungry and tired from teleporting and so are you. You need a break. Besides, I have some catching up to do with the Princess."

"I'll break when I'm dead."

Celestia claps her hooves together in an excited fashion. "Oh an immortality joke! Wonderful!"

Fireheart and Twilight both deadpan.

"What?" Celestia smiles. "You two need to learn to relax sometimes."

Firehoof snorts and meanders out the door. He casts a spell that only he is aware of, one that allows him to more easily spot peculiar changes in his environment. He wanders for a time until he is out of Twilight and Celestia's sight.

"Good. I could use a break from him," Twilight half mutters.

"And why is that?" Celestia smiles down at her. "Is his abrasiveness getting to you?"

Twilight jumps up. "Oh, um Princess! I'm sorry. I didn't...think...you heard me." Twilight's face drops and turns flushed. "I know he used to be one of your students. I apologize."

"No need," Celestia says. "His abrasiveness gets to me sometimes too. There's a reason we haven't spoken in fifty years. Just know he wasn't always like that." She looks out one of the painted glass windows in the palace onto the outside garden. She takes a deep, peaceful breath.

Twilight joins her. "How do you do it, Celestia?"

"Hmm?"

"You have the most stressful job of anypony. How do you keep it together? You're always so peaceful."

"I have to be."

"You have to be?"

"If I wasn't, you know what would happen."

"Is it because you're immortal?"

"No actually. I have plenty of cause to worry for my subjects, even if I know I cannot be permanently harmed. It's more like this: There is always one thing or another threatening Equestria. Take for example, Discord's most recent antics. Is there cause for worry that he's done what he has to your friends? Of course. Do I let worry control me? Of course not. Whenever I'm in a situation like that, I ask myself a question. Have I done everything in my power to remedy the situation? If the answer is no, I go do what I can. If the answer is yes, I relax and cease to allow myself to worry. Worry will only cripple my effectiveness as a leader, which you can be sure will make the situation ten times worse. When there is nothing else you can do, the best solution is to wait, and maintain your composure."

The two princesses share a few moments of silence. Celestia's mane waves like a proud flag.

"Celestia, thank you."

"Whatever for?"

"The good advice."

Celestia smiles. "Anytime."

A few more moments.

"Why didn't you tell me about the tunnel?"

Celestia takes another deep breath. "Nopony should have to know about that tunnel, Twilight. It represents a part of Equestria's history that I'm not proud of. I should have figured you'd stumble upon it sooner or later. You've always were a curious one." She turns her head toward Twilight. "I'm sorry I hid it from you, but I'd do it again if I had a choice. It is a place of pain and sadness."

Twilight rubs her hoof upon the ground, uncertain if she should ask her next question. She looks back at the garden, radiating peace and glory. Such a drastic difference from the tunnel.

"Something wrong, Twilight?"

"I...okay. Here it goes," She straightens herself out and looks back at Celestia. "What happened to Fireheart when you first showed him the tunnel?"

"Oh yes. That. That was...some time ago. It was. Hmm." Twilight thinks of Fireheart's words as Celestia struggles to remember. "It was such a chaotic day for him. I remember that. Everything changed for him that day. Fireheart had devised a spell so powerful that he believed it could banish Discord from this plane of existence forever. Just when he was about to cast it, Discord made his family appear in front of him, his wife and two kids. Fireheart earnestly believed with all of his heart that it was another of Discord's tricks, and it was. Just not the trick that he thought it was. Fireheart believed Discord took the form of his family to make him not want to cast the spell, when instead he really teleported Fireheart's family in front of him to shield him from the magic. I don't think even Discord expected him to cast the spell. Discord was different back then, younger and more fierce, more fierce even then when the six of you first faced him."

"How is that even possible?"

"Oh he was. He was...He decided to make an example out of Fireheart. Knowing Fireheart would live in guilt for the rest of his days for what he did to his family, Discord decided it would be a good 'joke' to make him immortal." She looks over to her throne and back to Twilight. You know his cutie mark?"

Twilight pauses for a moment. She turns her head perplexedly to the side. That's strange. How did I miss his cutie Mark? That's so weird?

"Well actually, Celestia, I have to confess, I have no idea what his cutie mark is."

"You wouldn't. He doesn't have one."

"Wait. What? How?"

"I'm not sure exactly the reason, but it disappeared a few hours after the incident with Discord and his family. I don't know if it was Discord's magic, or his family's loss that caused it. Firehoof took it to mean he no longer had a purpose without his family. Discord enjoyed it all the more."

Twilight covers her mouth with her hoof. "That's terrible. I didn't know that part of the story."

"By the time he came to me, he was a broken Stallion. His entire personality just sunk that day. He was such a great student."

"You speak about him like he's no longer here."

"He's not the same Stallion that he was. When he got here, everypony assumed he purposely cast the spell on his family. Discord made sure to make his mischief in as public a setting as possible: Town square in Canterlot. Everypony was furious, demanding he be tried for his crimes. He explained what happened to me, but the only way I could prevent a riot was to tell them that he was being privately tried. After I led him down to the passage, I left him on his own and told the people of Canterlot that he had managed to escape before the trial could be finished."

Twilight raises her eyebrow. "Didn't ponies find that story, you know, suspicious?"

"Some did, but there was no evidence of it, and soon people started to forget. Now, few remember anything about it, except for the story."

"Wow," Twilight struggles for something to say. "Tough break."

Celestia lets out a half laugh. "Yeah. You said it."

The palace door swings open. In steps one of Celestia's assistants. "Celestia, are you coming, your Majesty?" She stops mid stride. "Oh, Twilight Sparkle, your Highness. I didn't see you come in."

"Oh, Heh. I guess I can be a little bit sneaky sometimes." Twilight posits a lame smile.

"Oh course, your Highness. Celestia Majesty?"

"Tell them I will be with them momentarily, Quill Dabber."

"Yes your Majesty." Quill Dabber steps out and Celestia flips the switch to move her throne back in place.

"I'm sorry Twilight, but I must go now. We are having a meeting to organize next year's Grand Galloping Galla," Celestia rolls her eyes in a very exaggerated motion. "Oh well. Duty calls."

Twilight nods to her and Celestia walks lightly out the door. Twilight tries to take one of Celestia's deep breaths. "Well," she mutters. "Now what?"

A quick puff answers Twilight and she jumps back. "What the?"

Next to her is a disheveled Fireheart. He leans over in a slump. "Fireheart, what are you--"

"Everything looks fine."

Twilight's body prepares to ask a question, but then she catches herself. She grabs his arm and helps him walk. "You know what? I've asked enough questions for one day. You need to rest. Come on. I know a room in the castle you can stay. It used to be my old room."

"You mean my old room."

Twilight rolls her eyes. "Whatever."

Author's Note

Well, this one was a little longer. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 5: Immortal Nightmares

Void. Complete darkness. Cold nothingness. Nothing but a voice.

"Dad? Where are we?"

The voice wavers. It is the voice of a child.

"Dad...why did you send us here? Dad? It's...cold here."

The voice cries.

"Dad, I'm so scared. Please dad...I want to go home."

The sobbing grows louder. "I want to go home dad. Please. I miss you. Why did you send us here? Did I do something wrong?"

The crying turns to screaming. "Dad? I'm sorry dad! Please! Why did you do this to us? Dad please! I want to go home."

The voice shrinks back to soft sobbing. "I want to go home."

Fireheart bolts straight up in bed, his forehead cold with sweat, his whole body shaking. He stares terrified at the floor in front of his bed. He rubs his hooves against his face and forces himself out of bed. He looks at the clock. 3:30 a.m. He walks to the room's balcony and opens up the window with his horn. He silently stares at the moon for awhile.

"Firehoof? Celestia didn't tell me you were here."

The alicorn glides past the roof and lands next to him on the balcony.

"Hello, oh Princess of the Night." Firehoof says. "Eavesdropping on the dreams of ponies as usual?"

Luna gives an slightly sad but empathetic smile. "Firehoof. After all these years it still-"

"Yes."

She looks up at the moon with him. "You know. Sooner or later, you're going to have to forgive yourself."

He shoots an angry look toward her, then regains his composure. "That's a pleasure that's only reserved for the innocent."

"You were innocent. Discord tricked you."

"I should have played it safe. I was a fool, Luna. What was I thinking gambling with the lives of my family? And you want me to forgive myself?"

Firehoof looks to the bottom of the balcony. He spots a couple out for a late night stroll together. "There is no forgiveness for that."

"Listen." Luna takes a deep breath. "I know what's it is like to think of yourself as a monster. Believe me. It doesn't help matters." She turns her head back toward him. "I'm sure if your family knew why you did what you did, they would understand."

Fireheart sighs. "I guess I'll find out when I bring them back."

Luna jolts. "What do you mean by that?"

"I can bring them back Luna. I have the means. All I need is the opportunity."

"Fireheart. It's been thousands of years. By now, they're-"

"Still there," Fireheart says sadly. "The place I sent them to is timeless. They might as well have been immortals like myself."

"If you bring them back, will you finally forgive yourself?"

"I suppose there's only one way to find out."

"Then I wish you the best of luck in your efforts." She raises a suspicious eyebrow. "Just...don't go hurting anypony in the process."

"Nopony who didn't have it coming already for a long time."

"...You mean Discord, don't you?"

Fireheart's face turns red. His eyebrows narrow. He stares at Luna but soon she sees him staring past her, as though his stare is meant for the past itself. Several moment pass before Fireheart speaks. "This is what I have to do to fix things."

"Fireheart, Discord has changed."

Fireheart raises his voice. "Everypony keeps saying that, but I'm not buying it! HE doesn't change. He never will. You want proof? Look at Twilight's friends. Him and I have a debt to settle, and when I'm through with him, he won't hurt another pony ever again!"

"Fireheart..."

"It's been a pleasure talking to you princess. Goodnight."

"Fireheart,"

"I said goodnight."

Luna pauses for a moment, and begins to fly away. She pauses one more time. "You were Celestia's pupil for a reason, Fireheart. I know you'll make the right choice. Don't let your soul be poisoned like I did."

Fireheart watches the princess fly off into the night sky. He watches her intensely. "Well, looks like another sleepless night," he mutters.

In her temporary sleeping quarters in the castle nursery, Twilight too suffers from a sleepless night. She paces the floor with worry. Worry for her friends. Fear and suspicion of Fireheart. Confusion over Discord's riddles and attempting to remember them correctly. She stops herself and walks down the hall to the restroom for a glass of water. She picks up the glass, spots something out of the corner of her eye and jolts.

"I told you he was trouble, but does Twilight Sparkle ever listen to her friends? Noooooo."

"Discord!" Twilight angrily half whispers. "You scared me half to death! Who is trouble?"

"You know who." A glass-shaped Discord returns himself to his normal form. "You know, Twilight. That time, it wasn't actually intentional. Discord clears his throat and glass sprays out. "We need to talk, and we need to do it discreetly." Discord transforms himself to the form of a gray stallion. "Follow me,"

Twilight rolls her eyes and follows. Discord leads her outside to the garden square just outside of the hedge mazes.

"Really?" Twilight says, "You're leading me here?"

"Ah, such fond memories. Look. It's only because nopony else is going to be wandering around out here at 3:30 in the morning, and Luna is claustrophobic."

Twilight cranes her head. "She is?"

"Focus, My Little Twilight."

"Okay, so what's all of this about?"

Discord stretches out his hooves. "Ugh, how do you ponies handle moving in such a constrictive form? Okay...how do I explain this? Look. You know I'm not making you do this quest just to be cruel, don't you? I mean, I know it looks that way, but it's not."

Twilight raises an eyebrow. "Care to explain why then?"

"Well, it's just that this whole thing is designed to teach you something, something extremely important."

"Which is?"

"I can't tell you."

Twilight grits her teeth. "Why not?"

"I can't tell you that either. All I can say is that it's something that needs to be shown, not told."

The two continue to wander down the maze. She stops for a moment.

"What is it, Twilight?"

"Why are you avoiding him, Discord?"

"I'm avoiding him, because if he knows I'm around, it will put you in danger, not to mention potentially the rest of Equestria, though he doesn't know it yet."

"What are you talking about?" Twilight says, "What kind of danger are you talking about?"

"Can't say, so I suppose time will tell."

Twilight growls in frustration. Discord bends himself over and in front of Twilight. "Now before you get all bent out of shape, allow me to be a good friend and assist you with one of your problems. You were having trouble remembering my little riddle, weren't you? Allow me to write it out for you. I've been studying your handwriting. Let me know if I'm on the mark. I even brought a quill."

Discord pulls out one of Twilight's feathers. He sneezes out a bottle of ink. "Well now, what was that doing up there?"

He manifests a scroll and writes the riddle on it. "There now. Now you don't even have to go on memory. Show it to your friend, if you like. Trust me, it was painstaking to learn to write the way you do. You're just so...obsessive about it."

Discord's riddle shows a legible, clear, controlled font, almost identical to Twilight's.

"I got to hand it to you, Discord. This looks an awful lot like my handwriting."

"Of course it does. We're best buddies! How would I not spend my days studying your every move and expression?"

She raises her right eyebrow. "Uh, seriously?"

Discord instantly reappears in front of her in the form of Twilight and raises his right eyebrow. "Uh, seriously?" Discord even parrots her voice. Discord turns back into himself. "That's what you sound like."

He shrugs. "In either case, you're a smart little pony, so I'm sure you'll figure the riddle out right away. You have my vote of confidence, Twilight. The first one I made easy on purpose. Just don't over-think it like you tend to do, and you'll be fine."

"Discord, when are you going to give me some answers?"

"In due time, Twilight. In due time. In the meantime, I think you are in need of some rest." Discord snaps his fingers, and the two appear back in the nursery. "Tata!"

Another snap of his fingers, and Discord is gone. Twilight stares at the undersized nursery bed for a moment, sighs, and lays down. With the morning comes some sanity and the energy to think things through. Tonight, however, she'll take what she can get.

Author's Note

I wrote this chapter in the middle of the night. Pretty fitting, eh? Sleep well, my friends.

Chapter 6: Trust

Her vision blurs as she stirs. Her whole body drags sluggishly out of bed. She yawns, stretches, and squints as just enough sun shines in through the nursery window to bother and awaken her.

The door to the nursery opens quickly, startling Twilight. "You awake finally? About time. Come on." Fireheart steps out.

Her head aches and she knows already that this is going to be an obnoxiously long day.

Twilight slowly follows outside of the nursery. "ugh, I know we need to get moving, but what's the rush?"

Fireheart stops in place and looks her over. Her mane is matted and frizzy. "Do you know what time it is?"

"No, why?"

"11 o' clock."

"What?" Twilight jumps up. "Omygoodnessomygoodness, I wasn't supposed to sleep in this late. We got to get moving. We've got to find-"

Fireheart laughs from his belly. "Well, that got you moving."

Twilight freezes in place. A light blush crawls across her face. "Sorry, it's just...It feels like we've wasted too much time." She recomposes herself and her blush is replaced with a strong, determined look. "We can't get complacent. We have to find my friends."

Fireheart smiles. "I couldn't agree more."

"So...how long have you been awake for?"

Fireheart hesitates a bit. "3:30 or so."

"What?" Twilight looks at Fireheart in surprise. "How? After how exhausted you were?"

He rubs his head. "Heh. I don't always sleep the best."

Twilight raises an eyebrow slightly. "I should say not."

"Looks like you were right about Canterlot. I don't know what Discord's game is, but he still hasn't made a move." Fireheart shrugs. "So I guess that means it's your move. Where to? Do you know where any of your friends actually are?"

"Well, first stop is ponyville."

"Ponyville? Why go back there?"

"I need to gather some supplies. Plus, I need to check up on some people. My friends' disappearance probably has not had the best impact on Ponyville."

The two decide to give the teleportation a rest, and board the train to Ponyville.

"So," Fireheart says. "You got anything to go off of? Any idea where they might be?"

"Not a lot." She shrugs a little. "I have the riddle Discord told me. I wrote it down."

Twilight winces at the small deception. She pulls out the scroll. Fireheart reads aloud. "One denies herself in a place of beauty. One brings beauty to a place of void. One turns backwards, sorts apples from oranges. One went citybound to trade success for joy. The last you'll find is closest to home but the farthest from redeeming, for the last you'll see is stubborn yet free, in a manner most unseeming. Hmm. I don't think I'll be able to help without knowing a little about your friends. Describe them to me please."

Twilight's face lights up at the thought of describing her friends. She catches herself, and scrunches her face when she thinks about how she longs to be near them again.

"Everything okay?" says Fireheart.

"Yeah, yeah. I just miss them already."

"All the more reason to get started."

The train travels steady now, rhythmically. The turn of the wheels sounds like a musical beat, the cadence of which relaxes Twilight and at the same time energizes her. Even the teacup she has set out on the table rattles excitedly. She takes a breath, eager to talk of her friends, a topic which she could speak on about all day despite her usual reserved nature. Fire heart smiles wide. Twilight notes how rarely that happens, and momentarily questions it, but quickly brushes it off as a unicorn who has taken thousands of years to finally learn how to relax.

She describes her friends in detail to Fireheart. She speaks of Applejack's blunt plainness. She speaks of Rainbow Dash's boastful, yet determined personality. She tells him about Fluttershy's inward strength and calm demeanor, about Rarity's love for fashion and penchant for self sacrifice, and about Pinkie Pie's bubbly personality and determination to bring a smile on anypony's face.

"Hunh. Well no wonder."

"Whadya mean, no wonder?"

"No wonder you miss your friends. It took me years to form a bond like that with somepony. For you to accomplish that with 5 other ponies, well that takes some kind of mastery."

The smile again. It bothers her. It seems unnatural coming from him.

"Okay. Who are you?"

"Excuse me?" He says

"You aren't Fireheart. Fireheart doesn't smile. At least, I have yet to see him do so." A moment passes and then her eyes go wide. "You aren't Fireheart, you're Dis-"

The moment freezes. The rhythm stops. The air itself stays still. And the teapot? Of course, the teapot was Discord. Even Fireheart remains frozen, a confused expression on his face as it begins to dawn on him what Twilight is accusing him of.

"Oh no no no no no, Twilight. We can't have you accusing Fireheart of being me, now can we? He stretches backwards. "Why would I even do that?"

"I dunno. Because you've been forming yourself in the shape of everything else."

"Hmm. I have? I guess I haven't noticed. In either case, if you finish your little accusation, then he'll know we've been talking, and that, Mrs Sparkle will put you in danger. If I were you, I'd think about what you're going to say and be careful what you speak."

"Uh, heheh. Right. Uh Sorry?"

"You're lucky you have a good friend like me along. Well, places everyone."

Discord transforms back into a teacup. Twilight stands back where she was, relatively. "Okay." She says.

"No no, Twilight. That's not where you were. Hold on."

Discord returns to his former self and moves Twilight back to the same spot she was and then meticulously moves Twilight's body so that she has the same body language that she had before.

"Okay. That's better. Don't move." He returns to teacup form. The moment unfreezes. The air comes back to life and the train returns to its rhythm. Twilight stares for a moment.

"Dis what?" Fireheart says.

"Um, what I mean is."

"Wait. You thought I was Discord trying to trick you? AHAHAHAHA!"

Fireheart practically falls over with laughter. Twilight has never seen him like this before. She has never heard him laugh before.

"Okay fine. Be that way."

He pulls himself up. "No no. You don't understand. You're absolutely right to be suspicious. I think a level of paranoia like that is good."

"So why the sudden change from brooding immortal to happy person?"

"Because. Well. Because you were right and I'm grateful for that. I'm just used to things going wrong. Also, I guess I have a little hope for the future now where I didn't used to."

"What do you mean?"

"Well. I can't really explain it to you. Not now, at least. But maybe in the future I will."

She shrugs. "Well, at least you're in a good mood."

The train hisses and clanks to a slow roar. The wheels squeal as the engine slowly stops. "Now arriving Ponyville!!" The conductor's voice travels even further than last time. The two step off the train and Twilight makes a beeline for her library.

"So this is Ponyville eh?" Fireheart says. "Nice little town."

"i'm surprised you haven't been here before, being immortal and all."

"Well," He shrugs. "I haven't done much traveling in the last 500 years or so. How long has Ponyville been around for?"

"About...Well actually, I don't know."

"Hmm. Well now you have me doubting you, Twilight. I figured with your personality you'd know everything about this town."

Twilght makes a mental note to brush up on the history of Ponyville.

"Apparently everything but that."

Fireheart smiles once more. Laughs too.

Twilight and Fireheart arrive at the library. "I'll guard outside," he says.

"What? Why? It's not like we're going to be attacked or anything."

"One can never be too careful."

"Well, there's the cynical stallion I know. Welcome back." She shrugs and goes inside. "Spike! Spike! Where are you?"

A distant muffled voice calls out from upstairs. Suddenly the door at the top of the stairs bursts open. "Twilight! Is that you? Boy am I glad to see you!" He runs to her and hugs her. "Things have been getting crazier since you left. The apples are having to work harder for the harvest without AJ. Derpy has taken over weather duties for Rainbow, which, trust me haven't worked out all that well."

"Wait," Twilight tilts her head. "Derpy?"

"Yeah, you know, Ditzy Doo?"

"Oh Ditzy! Why'd you call her Derpy?"

"That's what everypony calls her."

"Since when? I've never heard that. That doesn't even make sense. Derpy?"

"Yeah, you know, cause she's like 'Deeeerp.'" Spike squishes his face together as he says the words.

"Spike, that's not very nice. Also, who even says that?"

The two spend a moment looking at each other with raised eyebrows.

"...Lots of ponies." Another moment. "Anyway, The point is, things are getting crazy over here and to top it off, I got this letter from Cadence this morning."

"Letter? Spike, have you been reading my mail again?"

"I didn't know when you'd get back! It could have been important, which it was."

Twilight shrugs. "Hmm. Fair point."

Dearest Sister-in-law:

Princess Celestia has informed me of the sad disappearance of your friends at the hands of Discord.
My heart goes out to you. I'm writing, however, to inform you that I may have found one of them.
I noticed her in the castle the other day. Her mane and tail were a completely different color. She was wearing long pants and glasses, but what struck me as familiar was her raspy voice. I asked one of my attendants who she was,
and they told me that she had begun working for us as a tax collector a few days ago, and was showing
a remarkable aptitude for it. At first I thought I was imagining things, but when I saw half of a lightening bolt
sticking out from her pants, I immediately knew that I was looking at Rainbow Dash.

I tried calling out to her, but she respectfully refused to be called that and insisted she had never heard of anypony by that name.
As soon as Celestia wrote to me about the incident with Discord, I knew I needed to inform you. If I hear anything about your
other friends, I will be sure to inform you, but I can verify for you that Rainbow Dash is here.

I hope to see you soon,

Cadence.

Spike looks up at her as she finishes reading the letter. "You're leaving again, aren't you?"

"Oh course I am, Spike. We have to help rainbow!"

Spike slumps over. "I know, but we need help here too. You don't know how bad things have gotten. We could really use your magic." Twilight looks around and sees the mess the pets have made of the library.

"Spike, thank you for taking on so much responsibility. I know it isn't easy for such a young dragon."

Spike looks back. "Oh them? Don't worry about them. They've been great so far." Spike wavers when he laughs. "I just wish I could come with you."

"I know Spike, but Ponyville needs you. I know I'm needed around here too, but each friend that I rescue is a step toward returning Ponyville to normal, and one less pet to watch."

"Well, I guess you have a point. Just...take care of yourself, okay?"

"Oh course I will." They hug. She leaves. Spike sighs.

Twilight steps outside. Fireheart is gone.