The Last Keeper of Harmony

Chapters

Prologue
A Size Problem
The Chaos Capital... Again?!?
The Meaning Behind Chaos
Interrogating Chaos
Harmony Enters
Origin of the Keepers
Of Spike and Dragons
Crouching Spike, Hidden Claw
The Tree of Harmony
River Guardian
At Equestria's End
War Council
Around the Campfire
Onward to Oasis
What Ails
The Many Same Answers
Regrets of the Past
Chaotic Rainbow Fire
Salt
Fear, Pain, Concern
Hourglass
Attack of the Changelings
Snippets on the Spiral Stairs
Darkness Approaches
Harmony of Order and Chaos
The Choosing
The Heart of Gold
Library
Turbulent Waters
Epilogue/Sequel

Prologue

"There can only be one princess in Equestria! And that princess will be me!"
"Luna, I will not fight you! You must lower the moon! It is your duty!"
"Luna? I am... Nightmare Moon! I have but one royal duty now: to destroy you!"
"Oh, dear sister. I am sorry, but you have given me no choice but to use these."
"Nooooooo!"

The night was strangely quiet for the forest; never before had the Everfree been so quiet. An oily smoke lingered in the air, a slight hint of arcane magic mixed in. A castle, now in ruins, rose above the tree tops.

A cloaked pony stood for a moment taking this all in. The castle before him, the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, had seen better days. Huge holes littered the walls and roof. Shattered fragments of stained glass windows were scattered along the ground, and once proud statues stood broken. It was clear that a fierce battle had just occurred.

The pony warily moved closer. No guards were around as he nudged a secret entrance open. This does not bode well. He mused, blinking a bit at the sudden darkness that wrapped around its form. He only paused long enough to get used to the dark before moving forward with practiced hooves. After a few moments, the corridor brightened. Ahead, as the hall turned to the left, light poured out. As he got closer, on both sides of the corridor, pony armor on display became visible.

He turned the corner, hooves loudly crushing shattered glass. A hoof lifted up to carefully maneuver around the glass. He took a moment to look up. Outside, past a glassless window, the moon could been seen, rising above the crest of the treetops. A shadow of a unicorn mare could be seen upon its surface. He stared intently at the sight, silently debating on its meaning.

Odd. The pony thought.

He continued to move carefully around the debris. Once he made it halfway down the corridor, he turned to see a door half off its hinges. Sliding through the gap, he entered a grand hall that appeared to be a throne room. Two thrones stood at the end of the hall, and above each one was a formerly gorgeous tapestry, now hanging torn and scorched. Interestingly, only one of the royals was there, and was laid across the wrong throne, no less.

The ears under the cloak twitched slightly, as the sounds of soft sobbing drifted in the air. The sobs were coming from the white alicorn mare with a sun cutie mark, laying across the throne underneath the blue tapestry. Her mane was listless and dull, hanging limply upon her back and shoulders. Her coat matted, cut, and scorched.

He was about to ask what had happened when his hoof brushed up against something hard. Curiosity and concern morphed into rage as he looked down to see six stone orbs. He could feel the dying remains of harmony magic emanating from them. His fury broke out, echoing across the chambers and scaring some birds who were still nearby into a startled flight.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, CELESTIA?!"

"Knight!" Celestia gasped, her head snapping up. She recognized the deep voice. Turning, she saw the cloaked pony, the eyes from within the cloak glowing white in anger and power. She gulped slightly.

Stomping a hoof loudly the stallion that Celestia called 'Knight' angrily retorted, "DON'T YOU 'KNIGHT’ ME! HARMONY HAS BEEN SHATTERED ON YOU AND YOUR SISTER’S WATCH!" He lowered his voice, irritated at the echo drowning out his voice, "Did you forget the safeguards? Or did you decide to not heed my instructions?!"

"But I... I had no choice," Celestia managed to blubber out, ending in a very noticeable squeak.

NO CHOICE!! Knight roared sending a blast of air and mana that shattered what remain of the windows and sent Celestia tumbling back behind the thrones. "NO CHOICE!?"

Why does everything always have to go sideways? Why must disharmony always occur in Equestria just before I get here? Knight thought to himself, trying to calm his rage. He needed to figure out the reason for the moon's recent course reversal as well as the reason for Celestia's 'choice' and he was positive both were related.

“Where is Luna?”

At this Celestia burst into tears once again gazing at the blue tapestry above her between bouts of sobs. Knight just stood there impatiently waiting for Celestia to collect herself. Just as he was about to voice his displeasure she began her tale from the moment that she confronted Luna until the current moment. At the end of it Knight could do nothing but shake his head in disappointment. He had expect better of the Princesses of Equestria.

Celestia chewed her lip before asking the question that she feared the answer to. "What can be done about my sister?"

Knight looked towards the moon before returning his gaze back to Celestia. Thoughts swirled in his head as he formulated a response. "Until new bearers are chosen? Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Yes, nothing." Knight growled, annoyed at Celestia's tone. "The elements were taxed beyond their limit and are useless until they have recovered enough to reform and that could take anywhere from a few decades to several centuries."

"Then..."

"If she was infested by a nightmare then yes." A quick flash of light, and a green and purple egg, with a faint shimmering rainbow aura around it, floated carefully towards Celestia. "Take this dragon egg. With it you should find the new Bearer of... what did you call it again? 'Magic’, right, fine."

Oh my dear little brother, I pray that you hatch soon... harmony is needed, and we have lost it again this night. Knight called out silently, watching sadly as Celestia carefully took the egg in her golden aura.

"Guard it and the hatchling with your life. For if it dies, Princess Celestia, I will make your death a long and torturous one. The fate of this world rests on the dragon within."

With a swish of his tail, the stallion silently turned around and disappeared into the shadows, leaving only the echo of of his hooves on the stone floor in his wake.

**A night 1001 Summers Later**

Spike blinked as he watch what he hoped were stars shimmering far above him. There was nothing else he could see in the dark void that surrounded him. He nervously rubbed the spines atop of his head. Where am I? Looking down he could see that there was no ground which — of course — proved to be a mistake. He suddenly felt dizzy, and the void below him though groundless oddly seemed closer, far too close.

Please tell me I'm dreaming, he thought, trying to hold his spinning head.

"Uhh... Luna?... Anypony?" The dragon called out. This place was making him way too nervous. He really hoped that Luna would show up; he again begged silently that he was dreaming.

"Little brother..." a baritone, male voice, barely audible, echoed from all around.

"Hello?" The dragon ignored his continued dizziness and began looking around slowly. He dared not moved from where he was; he wasn’t sure if moving would cause him to fall. He still wasn't even sure if he wasn’t already falling.

"Little brother..." the voice called again, louder.

"Who's there?" Still, Spike found nothing and nopony. This never goes well in comics, he thought, grabbing the spade at the end of his tail, sucking on it.

"Your big brother of course," the voice chuckled slightly.

"But you're not Shining Armor," Spike dropped his tail irritation overriding his easier fear.

Could this be a prank by Discord? But I didn’t think he could enter dreams... can he?

"No, of course not," The agreement only caused the dragon confusion. Was the voice’s no a no to his objection or his thought about this being Discord?

"Then who are you? I thought only Princess Luna could enter dreams," He absentmindedly smoothed his head spines.

"This plane isn't the realm of dreams, but you are asleep..."

"Then where are we?" Spike’s curiosity overtook him as he looked around again to try and see anything.

"This place has many names... but it is known to non-keepers as the Plane of Destiny or Plane of Memories. However to those like us, it's the Plane of Harmony," Seemingly to confirm this, memories of Spike suddenly appeared around him. Spike looked at them in wonder, reaching out a claw to touch one. Just as he was about to make contact, the memories shimmered, and disappeared back into the void.

Spike fell over backwards from the shock, and the voice seemed to find amusement in this, chuckling softly.

The dragon shook his head to bring himself out of his stupor, "Us?...Non-keepers... Plane of Harmony?" All of this was only adding to his confusion.

"All in good time, brother..."

"You're not my brother!" Spike pouted, wanting to find the voice and give it a good haircut, dragon style. "Who are you?"

"It’s not time yet to reveal myself... besides, I don't have the strength to come to you yet..." The last part sounded almost sickly, weak.

"Why are you speaking to me?" He tilted his head, trying to wrap his mind around everything.

"All in good time, my brother. I will explain everything when the time comes... So many questions! You deserve answers, but I see we don't have the time."

"What do you mean, no time?" Spike scratched his head trying to figure out the puzzle to this deflective voice. A tingling feeling of frustration crept up his spine.

Spike

"How did you know my name?" But the voice did not respond, "How did you know my name?"

Spike

"I will be there soon, but I have a warni..."

Spike...

"..ware of The Dar..."

Wake up Spike...

"Huh... wha?" Spike blinked groggily, and realized that he was back in his basket in the library treehouse in Ponyville.

"Spike, you silly dragon, it's time to get up. It's your birthday, remember?" A female voice called out. Spike took a moment longer than usual to recognize that it was Twilight. He sighed.

"Coming Twi’."

Author's Note

Edited by sunnypack

A mysterious pony and a strange voice, eh? Wonder who those could be....

A Size Problem

** 15 years after Luna's redemption **

A groove nearly an inch deep bored deep into his mind. It screamed at him, laughing evilly at his plight. If he could he would destroy the groove but he didn’t want to have to re-shelf the library as punishment, again. A tired claw moved slowly across the groove. With his eyes he could see every imperfection, every scratch, every, single, one.

Why am I stuck like this?

As if to answer his silent question Twilight spoke, putting her hoof lightly on his shoulder, "I have gone through every book on dragon biology that I could find from Canterlot, the Crystal Empire, and the Castle of the Two Sisters. I even tried talking to some dragons during the recent dragon migration. Big mistake. No one can seem to explain your lack of growth not even Zecora who helped during your *cough* greed growth. The only theory that I have is that it has something to do with your hatching,” His eyes remained downcast, even after she pulled Spike’s head towards her, “Spike, I will not give up I’m sure the answers are out there, somewhere."

Spike looked up at his sister. "I know Twilight…” Changing the subject, to end the uncomfortable conversation he asked, “Isn't it time for a Council of Friendship?"

Twilight blinked a bit, chewing her lip. It was clear to Spike that her mind debated on whether to keep trying to cheer him up or to let it go for the moment. Spike hoped for letting it go. "Of course, are you coming? Or do you need some time?"

"No, Twilight. I'm coming." Spike followed Twilight still trying to put on a smile.

The morning's council went by unusually slow—or maybe it was fast. Spike had a hard time concentrating on the matters at hand. He could vaguely remember several dealings with conflicts between griffons and ponies on Equestria's frontier. The typical family dispute between Derpy and her husband. There was even a letter from Princess Celestia asking for a consultation from the council on a matter concerning some of the nobles in Canterlot. Spike rarely put forward any input on the issues being discussed and debated.

Why am I so small?

How can I protect the ones I care for?

How can I be a noble dragon when I'm so small that they all have to protect me?

When they broke for lunch at the park for a light picnic of daisy sandwiches and cider Spike still didn’t feel well. Spike had a small ruby for a treat from Twilight. She had tried giving him a few more gems but Spike only replied that he wasn't very hungry. Spike did feel hungry but something else gnawed at him that was more powerful than a growling stomach. He sat there staring off, clawing his ruby idly.

One by one, the girls eyed each other as they shared a knowing glance. It was clear that they knew that there was something on his mind. Usually he would be more attentive at the meetings. He was usually the one to take notes on the proceedings but Rarity had to take over when he fell behind. He hadn't been that disinterested for years. He loved to help. The final straw for them must be the ruby. He loved gems so much that he had a tendency to eat all his saved gems while making a gem cake leaving none for the cake.

Rarity was the first to speak. "Spike, are you are right, darling? You have been unusually quiet this morning."

"I'm fine, Rarity," Spike mumbled, not looking up.

"Are you sure Spike?" Rarity pushed further, using her signature poutty face.

"Nothing is wrong!" Spike finally looked up, frustration leaking through his voice.

"Darling, we are only concerned about you. We are all friends here. We just want you to be happy. Please, we want to help." She tried to put a reassuring hoof on his shoulder but Spike only moved away from the gesture.

"You can't help. No one can. No one... no one..." With a puff of smoke Spike got up hastily and ran back to the Palace of Friendship sobbing as he went.

"Let him go girls. I think he just needs some time. I'll try talking to him later," Twilight sighed putting a hoof in front of Rainbow slowing shaking her head. “Not now Rainbow.”

The rays of Celestia's sun was low in the sky when Twilight stood outside a door. She inwardly debated on whether to knock or not her hoof rising and lowering. After a bit of against won and she softly called out. "Spike?"

"Yes, Twilight?" Came the weak voice of Spike.

"It will get better. Don't give up. We will find an answer."

"I know..." His voice trailed off at the end.

“You know that we are all here for you. Every book I've read says that its not good to hold in your emotions. Your friends don't want you to go through this alone. Don't forget that.”

“I know Twi!” Spike suddenly snapped. He cringed a bit before starting again, ”I know Twi… I'm just tired, okay... can't we talk about this tomorrow?”

Twilight again found herself in debate. Warily, she went with not pushing further. "Sure thing. G'night my little brother." She slowly turned around, trotting off to her study.

Spike once again stared into the dark void with stars. He sighed heavily at this and waited patiently. He had gotten used to this happening over the years. He bet ten bits on what the first words would be.

"I'm coming soon," The voice called out.

"This is getting old.” Spike tapped his claws. I owe myself ten bits. He smirked to himself.

After the usual no response, Spike let out condensing, “Hello?” Again, no response. He was not in the mood for this, not tonight. He snorted, flames and smoke coming out of his snout. He was doing that more lately. Twilight didn't know why his flames came out like that when he got angry. They never did before.

“Who are you?" Spike shouted to the voice trying to get it to at least talk.

"Really? My little brother..."

Spike's anger finally boiled over, "Enough! I'M NOT YOUR BROTHER!!! I AM TIRED OF YOU TALKING IN RIDDLES AND INVADING MY DREAMS!" Spike spewed a torrent of green flames. His eye’s blinked feral-like for a moment. His claws clenched so hard that a bit of blood trickled down his hands.

"Calm yourself, Spike. I will tell you everything..."

"YEAH RIGHT YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT SINCE... since." Spike's voice died a bit at the end. He sat down and wrung his tail a bit, blood smearing his bright scales.

"Your birthday all those years ago?" The voice finished Spike’s sentence.

"Hmph."

"I know you are angry, and you deserved answers. You need to remain harmonious on this plane or we will invite the ‘Dark One’ here. If he finds you too soon you may not live long enough to receive the answers you seek."

"I… I..."

"You’re frustrated about your size."

The voice is on a roll tonight. Spike mused. Still he needed to ask, "How did you know??!?"

The voice chuckled, softly. “Really?" Memory after memory played before Spike all of them similar. One was especially sore for him as it showed him snapping at Rarity earlier that day. He cringed a bit really not wanting the reminder.

"Plane of Memories... how could I forget?" He crossed his arms.

"I know why..."

Spike interrupted throwing his arms up in desperation, "Tell me! I need to know." He started running around, begging, trying to find the voice so that he could get his answers. "You keep invading my dreams for years. You never tell me your name. You know I'm having troubles and still you don't tell me what I need to know. What I must know! No more riddles… please.”

Great, now I'm pleading with a disembodied voice! Spike facepalmed at the ridiculousness of his pleading.

"Patience...” The voice went silent for a moment, ”But I will not tell you here...hmmm... It's time, time that I come see you in person..."

"Hello?"

The silence went on for a while before Spike’s vision blurred and faded into black.

Gah, not again!

Author's Note

Revised version 3.0

It appears that we may find out who the voice is... and so soon

The Chaos Capital... Again?!?

"...It's time, time that I come see you in person..."

Spiked yawned heavily, stretched popping a few spines, and peered out to see Celestia's sun smiling back at him through the window.

Wait!?!? Smiling? Spike did a double take before blinking hard a few times. Yep, smiling. He smugly added when he noticed the sun was now sticking out his tongue, or hers, or whatever.

"DISCORD!!!!" There was no mistaking that voice even with the slight distortion that comes from using the Canterlot Royal Voice: Twilight.

CRASH

Spike sighed before opening his bedroom door steeling himself for whatever chaos would greet him on the other side.

Books were flying about except not in a magic aura, usually magenta, but with little feathered wings. Twilight was clearly flustered as her mane in a mess and she sported small cuts all over. She was trying, frantically, to hold on to a book titled War Pony. Apparently the book didn't want to go down without a fight as it snapped open and shut.

Suddenly a book fluttered by Spike a few of its feathers tickled his nose. “Achoo!” Green flames licked out of his open mouth posting the nearest book to Celestia. Opps.

"SPIKE!!" Twilight yelled noticing the aftermath of Spike's sneeze.

"Sorry, Twi. At least I posted it this time." Spike sheepishly replied. He growled in frustration as he attempted to snatch a book out of the air. They kept fluttering just out of his reach almost as if to mock him. He seriously thought of burning them.

Twilight shook her head stifling a giggle, probably, at the dragon’s growing frustrations at being thwarted by flying books. "I know, but maybe it would be best if you try and not catch these... ow..." a book hit the back of her head then flew off, "books..."

"But Twi."

She knew that his whole self esteem was tied in his perceived usefulness but she also didn’t want him to have guilt from posting or Celestia fordid burning her precious books. "I know you want to help but as these books seems to take a pleasure in tickling... I don't think Celestia wants or should be trying to catch these enchanted books."

Spike hung his head, a single tear dropping to the ground. He hated feeling useless and right now it appear he was useless to Twilight. He was her number one assistant after all and a number one assistant with nothing to do...

She landed next to him and lifted his head to look into Spike's eyes. "Spike while I may not need your help I'm sure there is somepony in this chaos that will need your help. I highly doubt that Discord only enchanted just the library books."

"Okay Twilight," He dejectedly turned to walk out into Ponyville proper.

He had barely walked outside when he could feel and hear rumbling. He looked down to see some rocks bouncing on the ground. Slowly he looked back up. His eyes went wide when he saw what was coming down the lane.

A herd of parasprites with legs was stampeding right towards him. Spike tripped over his tail trying to back up. He barely had time to get back on his feet when the parasprites ran by nearly knocking him over again.

"Gosh darn it! Get back here y'varmints!" Applejack ran after the herd with a small dog barking beside her.

"Hey Applejack!" Spike called out with a claw to the air. When he saw that Applejack hadn't heard him he drop his claw and head. Guess she didn’t hear me.

"Heee. Hee. Hee. Whee!!!!"

Spike snapped up to see Pinkie Pie bouncing in the wake of some odd looking low lying clouds raining what suspiciously looked like chocolate milk.

I don't think I'll ever understand Pinkie Pie... If anypony besides Cheese understood Pinkie we'd all be in a world of hurt... Spike shook his head in amusement at Pinkie being Pinkie.

"Hey, wait up for me!" Spike called out trying to catch up. His short legs, however, made it difficult to keep up. Suddenly both ponies disappeared in a flash.

Uh.... okay… He scratched his head in confusion.

He tried his best but nopony would to listen to him. He wasn't too mad about it as most ponies that he ran into were in either in a state of shock or too panicky to really notice. At a loss as to what else to do he decided to see if he could find Mayor Mare. At least she usually remained calm. Years of public service in a backwoods village that seemed to be a weirdness magnet would do that to a pony. The town square would be the most likely spot to look.

When he got to the town square he noticed that the town hall was spinning in the air a brown earth mare hanging on to the building for dear life. Wings would be really helpful right about now.

"Strike!... Oh wait, how do you strike with only 6 pins?" Called out a voice,an all too familiar. Once he move his gaze back to the ground he confirmed it was exactly who he thought it was: Discord.

"DISCORD!" Spike roared. The roar sounded a bit off but he was too angry to make note of it.

"Ah, Spike! Glad you could join me. Care to play?" Discord motioned his lion paw to the six ponies now transformed into bowling pins scattered about the town square.

"Discord turn them back now!" Spike yelled, a puff of smoke escaping his nostrils.

"Sure. Why not? No fun without 10 pins..." Discord shrugged.

"Wait.. what?" Spike was not expecting that and dropped his accusatory claw in confusion.

"I am reformed remember?" Discord snapped his tail to prove his point as the pony pins turned back into ponies.

"Yeah... right..." Spike deadpanned, crossing his arms.

"Really, I'm reformed now," A halo appeared above Discord to prove his point.

"Says the self proclaimed 'spirit of chaos and disharmony.'" A thought occurred to Spike before he continued, "Why are you doing this anyway?"

"It's just that I heard that you were troubled about your size or should I say lack of size."

Spike ignored Discord’s invasion of his privacy but rolled his eyes none the less. He knew that there was more going on. There was always something else going on with Discord.

"Discord get to the point."

"Well you seem to think that you are always underhoof, weak, unable to help, useless..." He checked each off on a list that he had snapped in front of him. A pair of reading glasses perched precariously on the tip of his nose.

Spike swiped his claws at Discord shredding the list.

"Oooh looks like I struck a nerve." He took off his glasses and threw them behind him which promptly turned into a frog and croaked.

Spike only response was to growl menacingly.

"You're so cute when you growl. So baby like..." A baby bonnet appeared on Spike's a head along with a baby pacifier which hung limply around his neck. "Aww I just want to pinch your little checks," Sharp teeth snapped at Discord's outstretched claw. "Hey no need for violence... I'm only trying to help... as a friend"

"A friend!?" Spike snapped.

"A friend doesn't go about making ponies' lives miserable. A friend knows when pranks are going to far and this..." He pointed a claw around Ponyville, "...is too far. And I know that you know that this is too far. Have you not learn anything from the Tirek incursion when you betrayed not only all of Equestria but your friends, especially Fluttershy. Or when you didn't help during the third Changeling invasion? Rarity's wedding..."

"I..." Spike eyed Discord something was off. Discord, for once in his life, was intently paying attention. This was very odd for Discord, to intently listen to any speech especially one like this one. Usually Discord would interrupt with some form of ‘Boooring’, but here he was thoughtfully pulling on his beard. He floated there for a minute before his realized that Spike had stopped speaking.

"How interesting..." Discord commented, clearly to no one particular.

"In... ter... res... ting!?!?" Spike chewed on each syllable trying to contain his confusion, never mind his rising anger.

"Yes—interesting... but enough of about that,” Discord seemed to have snapped back to his usual self. "I do say, my boy, you have passed." He stamped a red A+ on Spike's head.

"Passed?" The hatchling ignored his stinging head.

"Boooooring..." A pillow popped next to Discord's head and he lazily laid his head on it fake snoring.

"Discord..." Spike’s voice icly, a puff of smoke escaped his now clenched jaw.

"Yes, Yes, fine, fine, you passed my little test." Discord held out his eagle claw examining it intently.

Twilight screamed out, "Test!? A test! You did all this as a test?"

"How odd... I do believe I'm having a strange sense of deja-vu." Discord tapped his face in fake bewilderment.

"You should," Twilight stated as Spike calmed a bit. He noted that Twilight seemed to have the situation in hand, for the moment. Discord looked to be lost at her remark.

"Gah! You don't remember the Tatzlwurm? Being stuck at Fluttershy's for a week without your ability to do chaos?"

Discord merely shrugged, "Well... to be honest with you that was a test that I came up with. This one I did not." He pulled out a nail file from Twilight's ear and nonchalantly filed his claw.

"You 'did not’?" Twilight almost looked like she was going to burst into flames. Discord causally pulled out camera which of course tipped Twilight into doing just that.

"Ooo pretty fireworks!" He cooed taking a few pictures. The flashes blinded everypony.
Twilight calmed down momentarily when Spike put his claws on her shoulder. He whispered into her ear, "I got this, Twi." He spoke louder so all could hear. "What do you mean you didn't come up with this 'test'?"

"Oppsie, spoilers... well ladies..." Spike gave him a very sharp glare, "... and dragon. I have to go. It's been nice..." He turned to Fluttershy and whispering slightly too loud, "Oh and Flutters I will be there on the nose."

"Arrivederci!" Nearby Discord balloons stuck their tongues out. With a snap of his tail Discord disappeared in a flash leaving a very confused group of ponies and dragon behind.

On a hill overlooking Ponyville near the edge of the Everfree Forest a lone cloaked pony stood watching intently. A slight breeze rustled the leaves in the trees; a few birds chirp contently from the branches. The pony had been standing there watching Discord's chaos for sometime now. So intent in watching that even some of the birds had landed on the ground nearby, pecking at the ground.

The sun, now without a smile, was low to the horizon when he finally stirred. He stretched a bit before he turned toward the ever darkening forest. He debated on whether to go ahead and leave before finally deciding on waiting a bit longer.

"As always your brand of laughter always top notch," He suddenly spoke.

"I'm too modest to boast," Discord answered popping from out of nowhere in front of the stallion. He eyed the remaining of his handy work for a moment with a slight odd frown on his face.

"You? Modest? Really, Discord?"

A silence passed before them for a few moments before Discord decided to end the, for him at least, awkward silence. "Is that enough H..." A rainbow magic aura clamped down on Discord’s mouth to stop him from speaking.

"Shhh.... that would spoil the surprise."

"But...bbbut you can't break the fourth wall," Discord blubbered, scratching his head.

"Of course not, but I have been around you long enough know how to imitate it."

For the third time in his long life Discord was completely taken aback his jaw, literally, hanging all the way to the ground.

The stallion chuckled at this before he disappeared into the Everfree Forest. Soon Discord could only see darkness as Luna's moon rose into the sky. He stood in a daze for a long time before he shook his head, snapped a claw, and disappeared.

Author's Note

I love Q... I mean Discord so fun to write. I would have this story marked as comedy/random but the only time that will happen is when Discord shows up.

Revised version 3.0

The Meaning Behind Chaos

Dear Princess Celestia,

As you already know Discord has caused chaos in Ponyville, again. While Discord has from time to time played pranks he has not been this destructive in years. Furthermore, something was off about Discord. He implied that somepony else was behind his latest ‘remodel' of Ponyville. The Council of Friendship and I are concerned that this may be a repeat of the Tirek incursion. When we gave up the Elements of Harmony we lost the only known way of keeping Discord inline. I have done some research (after what happened with Tirek) on some other possible magic artifact(s) or magic that could help:

In my research that I have done I have concluded that the chest "seed" and the magic contained within that created the Friendship Place and allowed us to defeat Tirek seems to be a one time deal. I would consider retrieving the Elements of Harmony but the Tree of Harmony can’t survive without the Elements. We don’t want to trade one problem for another.

Sadly, the Rainbow of Friendship doesn't seem to have the same abilities of the Elements of Harmony. I do find it odd that we traded the power of the Elements for something that seems to be much weaker. I have tried before to discover the secrets of this crystal tree but have been fruitless so far. I will however not stop there must be something hidden within the Palace and preferably to help keep Discord in check if and when this happens again.

On that note, I have considered the Crystal Heart. However, it only works within the Crystal Empire so unless we can trick Discord it's out.

I know this is a long shot, but do you know of any other magic that may reign in Discord? Also any thoughts on who may have made Discord do such a thing? I would think he would have learn from the last time he "helped" somepony.

Yours faithfully,

Twilight Sparkle

Beads of sweat dripped down Spike's face as he picked up another book from a huge pile. The last six books where larger than himself and nearly squashed him with their weight.

I swear that Twilight is getting heavier and heavier books for the library.

"Yoo-hoo... Spppike!"

“Yes, Rarity?" He put the book in its proper spot before turning to greet her. It was always a treat to see her even if he was smelly and disheveled from all the book shelving...

Rarity took one look at him and tsked, "Darling, you look terrible. You really need to take a break before you collapse," She pulled out a lady's tissue with her magic and wiped Spike's face. "There, better." She seemed satisfied with that as she finally eyed the piles of books, "Now, darling, I must insist on helping you."

“But Rarity…” Spike halfheartedly protested.

“I insist,” She stated putting her hoof, so to speak, down.

He still had feelings for the mare but he would do anything to make her happy. It was a good thing that Spotlight was such a good stallion to her otherwise he would have had to resort to... he quickly pushed the darkening thoughts away. He knew that Rarity would disapprove of it if she ever found out that he let his thoughts go down that path. He kinda of swore off of that too after what happened on his birthday and those jerks...

Soon they had settled into a routine where Spike would read a title of a book then showed Rarity where the book went. She would then put the book away while Spike would grab a different book to carry it to its spot. On the occasion that a book or scroll were too large or heavy they would work together. Before they knew it the sun was low to the ground and the floor was without a single book, scroll, or scrap of parchment.

Spike’s stomach growled loudly. Rarity glared at him before a very unladylike sound came from her. She turned slightly red at the sound. "I do feel a bit peckish don't you? Ponyville is having a citywide dinner picnic in town square. Let’s go get something to eat, shall we?"

He happily nodded in agreement. They walked out of the palace. A good amount of the town was back to normal although there were still puddles of curdled chocolate milk. Both of their noses wrinkled as they passed those puddles. Spike even looked a bit greener than usual. They picked up their pace a bit and after avoiding a flock of fruit shaped birds they made it to town square. Spike and Rarity wandered around the square until they found a group of familiar ponies. They were sitting near the entrance to town hall.

Spike hadn't seen Twilight so frazzled in a long time. She appeared almost as bad as when Spike got the awful 'Inspiration Manifestation’ book for Rarity. "You look awful, Twilight," he commented sitting down next to her while Rarity sat next to a blue stallion with a spotlight for a cutie-mark.

Twilight frowned heavily which caused Spike to smirk. She rolled her eyes. "Fluttershy, Big Mac, you spend the most time with Discord, any thoughts?"

"Nnope," Big Mac shaked his head slightly.

"Well he was a bit distracted and distant the last time we spoke. Something about not feeling up to our weekly friendship tutoring tea party. Though to be honest he does that from time to time. I'm sorry." Fluttershy hid in her mane even with the gentle leaning from her husband to encouraged her.

"No need to apologize, Fluttershy. Discord has always been ... difficult to..." Twilight tapped her hoof on her chin trying to come up with the correct word, "understand..."

"The only thing I don't understand his that he made it rain chocolate milk without a single dollop of whipped cream," Pinkie narrowed her eyes in anger, "Not. A. Single. Drop."

"Um, Pinks, didn't you say that last time?" Cheese Sandwich who was sitting next to Pinkie knowingly commented.

"Of course, Cheesie, but that its still know excuse for no whipped cream." Pinkie fake pouted.

Cheese eyed Pinkie evilly, pulled out a can of whipped cream, and covered her completely. To top it off he threw a cherry which landed smartly on Pinkie's head.

"Now we're talking!" Pinkie squealed, slurping up the whipped cream. Everypony laughed at the sight even Pinkie joined in, giggling.

Suddenly, Spike burped up a scroll which caused the mood to sour up. He groaned slightly before breaking the seal.

I wish Princess Celestia would find better way to send letters.

Twilight giggled at Spike's expression then gulped when Spike gave her a look that could outburn his flame, "What does she say?"

My dearest Twilight Sparkle,

I understand your concern over Discord recent “relapse”. I must confess that I knew ahead of time what Discord was going to do because he told me in advance. Yes, yes, I know that is odd behavior for him. Before you go off worrying that Discord "corrupted" me in someway let me explain:

After numerous (and annoyingly I assure you ) false starts he told me that somepony needed him to give a test to Spike. Trust me he really didn't want to do what he did. (He's still somewhat nervous even after all these years.) I tried to get him to reveal the pony that coerced him but he wouldn't reveal who. When pressed all he would say is that Luna and I are needed along with the Council of Friendship in Ponyville in two days time.

I do have my suspicions on who compelled Discord but I will withhold that until we meet in person. If I'm proven correct we are all in grave danger, but do not fret in the mean time. I'm sure rebuilding Ponyville and reversing Discord's magic will keep you busy until we arrive. Please keep all of this confidential let no one but the Council of Friendship know of this.

Celestia and Luna

Author's Note

Revised 2.0

Somepony making Discord do things he rather not? And grave danger?

Interrogating Chaos

Author's Note

Thanks everyone that is reading and enjoying the story so far (given that there are better stories then this one lol)

Interrogating Chaos

Spike yawned heavily knowing that it was no use trying to fall asleep. Twilight had been pacing since at least before sunrise. Thinking on it, Spike was sure it was all night. Twilight's pacing had even woken him up and in a middle of a dream no less. He had lived with her nearly all his life and still he couldn't believe she'd work herself up so easily. He yawned again while stretching a bit. Spike got up and walked out into the corridor. Looking both directions he didn’t see the alicorn.

He facepalmed. She must have left the door open again! I have got to remind her to close the council door if she plans on doing that.

He slowly waddled down the hall before turning a corner and climbing down the stairs. At the end of the hall was the suspect door. Yep left it open again.

"Twilight," He poked his head in. He silently hoped that he wouldn't have to raise his voice. "Twilight?" Twilight seemed to ignore him so Spike really did have to raise his volume, "TWILIGHT!"

"What?" Twilight stopped pacing confused for a moment at the dragon's outburst.

"Do I need to send Celestia another letter?" He crossed his arms after closing the door behind him.

"Another letter? .... Yes that's it! Spike take a letter," Twilight commanded still completely obvious to an increasingly irritated dragon tapping his foot.

In a flash, Spike ran up to Twilight and pulled her muzzle down to him so that all she could see were his emerald eyes, his annoyed, emerald eyes. He hissed so softly that Twilight almost didn't hear him. "Two words Twi: Smarty. Pants."

"I'm doing it again, aren't I?" Twilight blushed, pulling away from Spike.

Spike only gave her the look that said No, really?

She blushed even redder. "Well at least we should be prepared for his antics this time. Let's go over his file to make sure we have the necessary leverage."

Spike shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose his is claws. "I know I'm going to regret this..."

The council doors opened allowing Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to step though. Once inside Twilight cast a soundproofing spell.

"I take it that Discord is going to make his usual 'chaotic' entrance?" Twilight asked noticing a lack of one self proclaimed 'Spirit of Chaos.'

As if to answer a stone statue of Celestia eating cake dropped into the middle of the room. The sudden appearance and accompanying crash made everyone jump slightly, Celestia more from the horror of the statues subject matter. "DISCORD!!" She yelled in the Canterlot Royal Voice. This of course spooked Fluttershy into hiding behind her cutie-marked throne. She softened her voice when she noticed Fluttershy cowering. "Discord this is a serious matter. Please reign in your propensity to doing pranks and such for one simple meeting."

"Very well, Celestia." The statue spoke then flashed and Discord's usual chimera body taking the place of the statue, "I will at least tone it down...a bit."

Celestia glared threateningly at him but Discord seemed to ignore it. Fluttershy slowly stopped shaking and sat back on her throne though she still looked nervously through her mane.

Seeing that everything had calmed down, for the moment, Twilight started, "Well, Discord, are you going to explain what exactly is going on?"

"I'm not allowed to say..." He sheepishly replied, rubbing his hands nervously.

"What!??!" Twilight yelled her left eye twitching slightly. Rainbow looked ready to pounce as she was already flapping in the air.

"Must I repeat everything I say? It gets really boring..." Discord rolled his eyes like dice before commenting mostly to himself. "Rats! Snake eyes again..."

"Oh, Come on!" Rainbow flew straight at him and pushed a hoof into Discord's face. "If you don't start spilling the beans..."

"Come now, Rainbow, no need for violence. We are among friends," He snapped a claw causing Rainbow's hoof to be encased in a pillow, "and as for beans..." His tail snapped and a pile of beans buried Rainbow Dash.

"DISCORD!" Everyone shouted except Rainbow who has too far buried to be yelling anything.

"As I said I made a promise not to say who it was." Discord went through the motions of the Pinkie Promise even smashing a huge cupcake in Pinkie Pie's eye. Pinkie Pie happily slurped up the cupcake.

“Mmm creamy, creamy frosting!” Pinkie giggled.

“Pinkie!” Everypony but Discord facehoofed, or claw in the case of Spike.

"Discord you don't ever make promises without putting in a loophole." Twilight said knowingly shaking her head at Pinkie antics.

"Well, I never.." Discord pouted.

Twilight interrupted Discord's rant, "Spike go into my office and pull out of the Discord cabinet his ‘promises’ file for me.

"Right away Twilight," Spike got up and walked out of the chambers through a side door.

"You have a whole cabinet just for me?" Discord wiped a tear from his eye, "I didn't know you cared so much about me to give me my very own cabinet."

Twilight’s only reaction was to glare. Fluttershy and Applejack took the opportunity to unbury Rainbow. After a moment the pile rumbled and a streak of multicolor light flew straight up causing the entire pile to explode outward.

“Rainbow!” Rarity yelped, barely blocking the explosion with her magic.

“Eeh, ehh, sorry.” Rainbow sheepishly apologized before landing on her throne. Rarity glared at her hotly before quickly removing the now mashed beans from the room.

A door opened which got everyone’s attention. Spike walked back in, closed the door, and handed a file to Twilight with a few more under his arm.

"Ahem… and I quote," Twilight spoke in smug authority.

"Yes, Princess, I'm ready to use my magic for good instead of evil. Most of the time."

"Sound familiar?" Twilight looked at Discord.

"Well yes... but..." Discord objected crossing his arms.

"Twi, try this one." Spike said, handing a different file to Twilight.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, took the file glanced at it, and then smiled wickedly which only caused Discord to uncharacteristically gulp, "I would think you remember saying this:"

"Tirek tricked me into believing that he could offer me something more valuable than friendship."

"How do you know you haven't been tricked like before?" Twilight narrowed her eyes for effect.

"Hmmm...I think that might be a spoiler," He stamped Twilight's forehead in red ink the word ‘spoiler.’

"This isn't some book!" Twilight angrily tried to rub off the ink before it set.

Discord laughed and winked.

"Gah!" Twilight yelled exasperated at Discord's usual riddles and round about way saying anything.

"Discord you need to tell us who it was that got you to do all of this," Fluttershy Stared at Discord. She knew that the Stare wouldn't work but she also knew how much Discord valued their friendship.

"Well.. I... well that is..' Discord stammered, visibly shrinking. Now that they were friends it unnerved him to see her using the Stare on him.

"Quit stalling and tell us who got you to do this," Rainbow snapped, flapping in the air near Discord again forgetting the earlier incident with beans.

"It was me." A mysterious baritone voice responded.

Harmony Enters

"It was me." A voice spoke.

Everyone but Celestia, Spike, and Discord gasped as a voice rang out in the council chambers. Spike was the first to respond.

"YOU!" Spike roared; his eyes going feral. His eyes darted to and fro desperate to find where that voice was coming from. He looked like a predator about to pounce on some unsuspecting prey.

When Twilight saw this she got very concerned, “Spike?”

"Calm yourself, brother, I kept my promise." The male voice called out again. This time everypony knew they weren't hearing things and began to look around. Pinkie Pie had somehow managed to slip into a Sherlock Holmes costume and was examining the floor with a magnifying glass.

Twilight had a problem Spike had gone feral. She frantically tried to hold the very ticked off dragon in her magic. It was not easy given a dragons natural resistance to pony magic. Never mind that Spike was wildly trying to claw everything in sight including her.

"Spike, what is he talking about?" Twilight turning Spike so she could face him properly. One look at him worried her she had not seen his eyes like that since that one day she'd like to forget. "Spike?"

“Calm down.” The voice again called out. Still nopony could discern the source. Celestia and Discord seemed to just calmly sit by apparently content to wait.

Spike seemed to only get more enraged. One of Spike claws even manage to scratched Twilight on the muzzle. Wincing slightly at the pain she yelled out, “Celestia I need help holding him so that I can cast a calming spell on him.”

“Don’t.” The voice said with such authority that Twilight paused for a moment to consider. Celestia, who had gotten up to help Twilight, sat back down.

“Why not and for that matter who are you?” Her curiosity building. Who is this voice?

“Let his dragon fury subside it had been building up too long anyway,” The voice matter of factly spoke.

After a few minutes Spike stopped clawing the air and he sat down, sulking. Fire and smoke pouring out of his nostrils in anger.

“That's better...”

Discord nodded at this then started going around the room pulling paper bags from everyone's ears. Discord was about to get a paper from behind Luna's ear, "Get back from me, thou foul trickster."

"Very well, Luna, but I will not be responsible for what will happen..." He smiled evilly at this before continuing down the line of ponies.

"What exactly is going on Discord?" Twilight asked as Discord pulled a bag out of Pinkie's nose eliciting a giggle from her.

Discord looked thoughtfully at the Rainbow Dias in the center of the room "Okay, everypony is ready," then almost to himself, "Well, almost everypony"

"Discord who are..." Twilight began but the glowing light coming from Dias stopped her as she stared at it. We didn’t active the Rainbow what is going on here!?

The Dais glowed even brighter. The Rainbow shot out and began spinning around the room. Twilight never seen the Friendship Rainbow do that before and pulled out a notepad and began taking notes. Soon the Rainbow tighten its spinning around the Dais

"Gah! I'm out of practice," The voice called out, this time from within the vortex, "Can somepony please turn this thing down?"

"How?" Twilight asked still taking notes.

"For starters lessen your concern for Spike, and Spike I said CALM DOWN!" The voice yelled the last part. Spike heard this and his eyes went less feral but his anger still showed.

Slowly the Rainbow died out and everyone could see a cloaked figure within the rainbow. Soon the Rainbow dissipated completely given everyone a clear look at the figure. The figure was quite tall. Twilight couldn't be sure but she could at least hazard a guess that the figure stood about the same height as Celestia. The brown cloak that was wrapped around him was tattered and torn but seemed to be enchanted to prevent anyone from see who has inside. For a moment no one spoke. Then a strange rainbow magic aura engulfed the clock and the clock was thrown off.

The figure was a stallion alicorn. Shocking everyone(except oddly Celestia, Discord, and Luna) as they thought the only alicorns were the princesses. He was a touch taller than Celestia so Twilight had guess right. However, it was hard to look at him. His coat, wings, and horn was all the colors of the rainbow. Normally that wouldn't make it hard but the colors on the coat and wings kept shifting. His mane was white and chopped in a military cut but his tail was long, jet black, sleek. The strangest thing, besides the shifting fur color, that everyone noticed was what he was lacking a cutie-mark. He was too old not to have one. Of course a pony at his age could have lost it if he lost his magic. But it was plain to see that he clearly had magical ability.

"I must say I have always been jealous of your coat Harmony." Discord smirked slightly, "Always brings a bit of chaos whenever you show up. Although I don't think I want to make my coat like yours... too much work in the morning."

Seeing the green faces only getting greener Harmony sighed deeply, "I suggest that you look at my mane or horn as they are static unlike the rest of my coat. It will make it easier to look at me without getting nauseous..."

Harmony waited patiently for the ponies to collect themselves. After a few minutes the green faded. Harmony opened his mouth to speak when when all Tartarus broke loose as everypony began speaking at once.

“What is the meaning...”

“...oo pretty…

“...tarnation…“

“Hey, I was speaking…”

"Girls."

“No you weren't…”

“Ooo can we have a party….”

“...Pinkie…”

"Girls."

“Such awful coloration…”

“...high pulluting..”

“Well I never...”

“Who are…”

“...Spike…"

“...dragon…”

"GIRLS!"

"Thank you, Bearer of Kindness." Harmony removed his hoof from his eyes, his headache dissipating. He turned to Spike, "I must say I'm surprised at your silence through all this little brother."

"Why do you keep calling him that?" Twilight asked cutting off Spike. Spike glared hotly at her but refrained from giving a snarky remark.

"I think the answer, Twilight, would be a spoiler and might mess up the pacing." Discord answered before Harmony could even open his mouth.

"Discord's right." Pinkie Pie agreed bouncing.

Everypony stared at Pinkie and Discord. Harmony kept going back between the two. Something was definitely was weird and familiar about the Bearer of Joy, too familiar. Harmony thought on this for a while. He thought on it so long that everyone noticed that he had blanked out. He seemed to have lost all sense of reality. Spike knew that look but as Harmony was not Twilight he was at a loss for how to fix it. Discord, on the other hand, seemed to have an idea as he moved in front of Harmony.

"Hey." Discord spoke waving both arms in front of Harmony's eyes.

"Harmony!" He shouted. Harmony was suddenly dressed as a clown. Discord squeezed his nose with a resounding honk. When that didn't work he pulled Pinkie in front of Harmony with an unnaturally overlong reach, whispered something in her ear, then snapped a megaphone in front of Pinkie.

"HEY, HARMONY!" She yelled the blast of her voice knocking everyone down. "YOU IN THERE??"

"And.... he's pulling a Twilight." Discord commented after everyone's hearing stopped ringing.

Spike for once actually agreed with him, which scared him slightly. Discord turned to everyone dressed in a commander uniform. "Well ladies, this may take a bit. Celestia and Luna, I will fill you in with what is going on so you can get back to your girly duties." Luna scowled at this while Celestia giggled. "I think we can do this back at Canterlot." Discord snapped both hands and his tail and in a flash the princesses and Discord were gone.

"Wait, what about us?" Twilight called out annoyed at not getting answers. What was the point of bringing the princess... Twilight stopped right there she just didn't want to deal with that at the moment. Too much information; not enough sense.

"Discord knows what is going on and will be able to fill the princess in on everything. Besides I think that I should explain this to my Bearers, personally." The alicorn finally answered, clearly snapped out of his daze.

"Your 'Bearers'!?" Rarity spoke with surprise.

"Yes, of course," Harmony stated in a way that made it sound like it should have been obvious. "Although to be fair, I'm here more for Spike then for you."

Nearly everyone went into various from of disbelief. Pinkie Pie had stiffly fallen over so stiff was her body that one could have mistaken her for a mannequin. Applejack and Rarity were eying Harmony with very hard expressions. Fluttershy being timid as she was did nothing but coward behind her mane. Rainbow Dash crossed her hooves in irritation, hovering over her throne. Spike was being held back from attacking him by Twilight's magic so Twilight didn't have much ability to respond. His eyes had gone feral again.

Harmony shook his head at Spike. "Spike, enough. Calm down don't let the fury overtake you again." He turned to Twilight, "I don't think he will calm down with me here just yet. There appears to be more fury built up then I anticipated. When you get him to calm down and stay that way then come to Zecora's home in the Everfree."

"Wait, how do you know Zecora and Spike?" Twilight asked tilting her head slightly. "What exactly is going on!?"

"Zecora is good friend of mine. As for Spike, I have been speaking with him for years."

"Is this true?" Twilight spun Spike around to so that she could look into Spike' eyes and force him to not look at the pony of his anger. Again she asked, "Is this true?"

Spike blinked, his eyes back to normal " ...Yes..."

"Hey! Where'd he go?" Pinkie pouted, "How can I do a welcome to Ponyville Party now?"

Everyone looked around at Pinkie's outburst and found that they were alone. Harmony had vanished.

Spike facepalmed and groaned. "Not again!"

Origin of the Keepers

"I'm not one for mistakes, but isn't that form Spike's?" A zebra rhymed as she stared into her cauldron.

"Why, Zecora, I do believe you are right... and in only two days?" Harmony answered heading out the carved-out tree home.

Once he stepped out the sounds of Zecora's chanting and bubbling cauldron faded and the sounds of the Everfree Forest rose. He stood patiently looking down the most likely path that Spike would be coming down.

Slowly the forms of Twilight and Spike rose out of the mists. Harmony sat down comfortably and waited until they joined him. He stay that way even once Twilight and Spike stood before him. They eyed each other waiting for anyone to speak up. The silence grew, closing in on all sides just like the forest around them. Harmony seemed content while Spike and Twilight shifted their eyes around. Even after all these years neither were very comfortable in the Everfree.

"It's good to see you both Bearer of Magic and my little brother." Both Spike and Twilight jumped a bit at the sound of Harmony’s greeting. "I would have like to have talked inside but as Zecora is currently working on a very sensitive and dangerous potion so we must do it out here." A small explosion and a puff of green smoke poured out of Zecora hut to prove Harmony's point.

"We could go to the Castle of The Royal Pony Sisters." Twilight responded, confused. She was really wondering why they had to me out in desolate location.

"I really don't want to taint that place with the tale I'm about to speak." His eyes darkened. Twilight instinctively gulped a little. How could that place get further tainted?

"Now, Bearer of Magic, Spike, listen carefully," he eyed her pulling out a quill and parchment. He shook his head slowly. "None of that. This tale is not to be recorded down. I suggest to use your amazing intellect and memorize it in your head as best you can. I will speak of it only once to you and only because of your ascended status." He turned to Spike staring deep in his eyes. Spike started to squirm a bit under the stare before Harmony spoke again. "Good the built up frustration and anger has left you, for now. I know how we can fix that, brother, but sadly not today."

Spike looked annoyed that twice now that Harmony publicly had used 'brother' to refer to him but he didn't have time to respond before Twilight spoke the question. "Why are you calling him 'brother,' and why you keep calling me 'Bearer of Magic' and not Twilight?"

Harmony thought for a moment chewing on what was the best way to deflect the question. "Not yet. There is a good reason for me delaying answering and I promise that it will be soon. It would take a bit to answer, and I need to set the groundwork first."

I pass to you the tale of The Dark One and the Keepers of Harmony.

In time memorial, long before the time of Celestia and Luna, even further back before Discord when the world was young there was harmony. The races that inhabited our world are things of legends now only a few of these races, Elder races, remain. You know of two of them personally. One them being the Alicorns. However, things shifted and like a bowl of water disturbed harmony can sometimes be disrupted by change or even lost.

The shift, you may ask? The Younger races appeared. They are in a way descended from the Elder races hence the title for them "Younger races." You, Bearer of Magic, are, by blood, a member of the Younger races... the ponies, griffons, minotaurs to name a few. The Younger Races were... raw, unfocused, and not yet in harmony. Like all newborns unsure of their place and curious to the point of accidental self harm. The Elder races decided to guide the younger races for they saw in them a potential greater than themselves if only they were in harmony.

But, there was one… One that thought they should not. His name is forever gone. None remain that remember his real name, and all records were swept clean. He now goes by many ‘Titles’: Dark One, Chaos Bringer, EldersBane... ugh... The ‘Dark One’ hated the Younger races and their potential. He felt that the Elder races shouldn't being teaching the Younger races anything that they should instead should take everything they could from them. In his pride, he felt that the Elder races were superior and of the Elder races, his own was even greater. To him they should subjugate the younger for they were weak in his eyes and not worthy of this ‘potential’ the others saw in them.

Dark magic, brrr.... it’s what ails the world, and it’s the greatest achievement that this 'creature' created. It was destructive, manipulative, corruptive, disharmonious. It brought great pain to this world so much that they tried to persuade him to stop his experimentations. What they didn't know was he was beyond that. The dark magic had warped him. He only went further into his madness, further corrupting the Younger races and the world. So it was decided that something drastic needed to be done. For the first time the Elder races knew war. It caused great devastation.

In the waning days of the war, in great desperation, as the ‘Dark One’ was winning, quite soundly, the greatest casters of each of the races came together. They cast a mammoth spell that would imprison the ‘Dark One’. The spell they wove was none that world had seen nor I suspect will ever again. Sadly, they could only seal the ‘Dark One’ away, his power was so great. As you know when a caster of a spell dies even so does the spell unless there is an anchor that can hold the spell. Enchantments which are spells with anchors can hold spells longer but even those can fade over time it not properly taken care of. As the Elder Races faded so would the enchantment that held the ‘Dark One’ allowing his influence to seep out. The reason for this is intentional as they knew that it would be impossible to maintain the enchantment forever as not only would it naturally weaken over time the ‘Dark One” would fight against it from within.

To nullify this they put something else in the spell one that could destroy his power permanently bit by bit. As an Elder race diminished to the point of leaving this plane a child of that race would be born. But not of ordinary means but by the magic of a spell. The child would be imbued with the magic of harmony a power that would guide the Younger races to the harmony they should have been. They also would permanently seal part of the ‘Dark One's’ power. These beings born of magic to bring back harmony were known as Keepers of Harmony.

In rage, as the ‘Dark One’ was being imprisoned, he cursed his own race. Though this act greatly weakened him but he vowed that that as his prison weakened he would also curse the Younger races that each Keeper was charged over. And so he was imprisoned to await final judgment when the power of harmony once again flowed across this world.

“Now, I think you are familiar with the curse that came upon the ponies. King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis are the embodiment of that curse. I know that you think that Nightmare Moon was as well except that what took over Luna is known as a Nightmare. Nightmares and Wendigos and examples of abominations that the ‘Dark One’ created to subjugate the Younger races in general. Fear and jealousy are great ways to control a population into submission.

"As for the number of keepers... Twelve races took part in the spell so there are twelve in total. There are only three of the twelve left. I being one of them, the eleventh to be exact. I am the Alicorn Keeper of Harmony. My job is to bring harmony to the pony races and seal the ‘Dark One's’ ability to affect them. As for who the other two are, now is not the time to discuss that." Harmony had now finished and was answering the barrage of questions that Twilight was now asking. Though he was deflecting quite a few of them. Spike, though, sat there staring off, blankly, oblivious to both alicorns.

He is deliberately leaving something out. I know it. It has something to do with me, but what is it?

“One of the terms for a police pony is ‘keepers of the peace.’"

"So then Keepers of Harmony are..."

"Same concept."

He looked at me weirdly both when he talked about this 'Dark One' and mentioning that we knew of two elder races but only mentioned one. Of course there is also the unknown third one.

"Whoa, whoa, take a few deep breaths, and say that more slowly now." Harmony shook his head, chuckling at the now increasingly hyper pony.

What is he not saying?

Of Spike and Dragons

"I'm pregnant." Discord chimed happily.

Every pony stared at Discord with varying forms of shock or disgust.

Click.

"What fabulous faces! What poses! You will be the next stars in fashion!" Discord cooed taking a few more pictures while upside down.

"Discord." Harmony lightly chastised trying to not giggle himself. Discord righted himself then settled down near Fluttershy.

"Well I see that the shock of my 'revelation' seems to have worn off." Discord snapped a talon and a chalkboard popped into existence behind Harmony with the words Dragon Biology 101 written at the top. He then snapped out of the room.

Harmony facehoofed before speaking, "I think what is obvious to everyone here is that dragons age differently than ponies do. While ponies live to be between 80 and 150 depending on which of the three they are. Of course this excludes alicorns. Dragons, no matter the breed, have no known upper limit to their lives. Barring illness or battle Spike will live indefinitely."

Given that Twilight had previous studied every book that ponies had on dragons (with help from her friends) no one seemed to be shocked on this revelation. One of the few things that ponies got right was agelessness of dragons. They all had, very tearfully too, already dealt with the knowledge of Spike's life span.

"Now as for stages of growth..." Harmony drew an egg, an image of Spike, one that everyone suspiciously thought looked like Garble, and then finally one of that looked like the red dragon that Fluttershy had Stared into leaving his cave. “Here are drawings depicting the four major…uh stages of a dragon’s life.”

He pointed to the egg drawing. "Dragons lay a single clutch of two to four eggs. A dragon can only hatch two eggs ever and eggs are usually hatched by the mother... unless, of course, there is more than two then the father helps.’ Harmony noticed a hoof raised but waved it off,” More of that in a bit.”

“Dragon eggs are unlike other animals that when they lay eggs. When the eggs are laid they already fully developed. The egg requires a dragons fire (which is magical in nature) to be hatched. The amount of magic needed is extremely high so it can take quite a bit of time to hatch. Now there is something very interesting about the hatching process. The sex of the hatchling is dependent of the sex of the one hatching. Because Twilight hatched Spike is male. If it was a male that hatched Spike he would have been female."

Harmony paused for a minute. He could hear stifles of laughter coming from at least one mare. Spike looked like his scales could turn permanently red with the fierceness of his blush.

Harmony coughed in annoyance grabbing everyone’s attention. Even Rainbow, was on the edge of her seat. "I see that you are itching to continue so here we go. When the egg hatches he or she is known as a hatchling" He pointed to the image of Spike. "A dragon stays as a hatching for about three years. That is when they get their wings..."

"Wait!!! Are you saying I was supposed to have my wings, like, over twenty years ago!?!?" Spike interrupted his eyes a bit watery.

"Yes... I'll get to what I think why you're still in the hatchling stage in a bit." Harmony promised as Spike wiped his eyes a bit.

"When a dragon gets wings they are known as 'whelps.'" Harmony chuckled a bit before continuing. "Also when a dragon gets wings they also get their first natural growth spurt..."

"Wait, I thought dragons grew up by greed." Twilight called out like a know-it-all student.

Harmony rubbed his head a bit, a headache forming, before answering, "Yes, and no. There are two magical ways a dragon grows. Spike experienced one of them and is known as Greed Growth which can only occur during the hatchling or whelps stage. The other..." Harmony shuddered violently and stared off for a bit.

“The other?” Twilight asked unsure if she really wanted the answer.

Seeing that Harmony’s eyes were glazed over, Spike walked up to him and snapped his claws, "Yo! Harmony! Snap out of it!"

Harmony blinked, then blushed which was difficult to see given his constantly changing colors coat. "Sorry about that... I think its best that you don't know what the other magic growth is," he shuddered again, "The 'natural' way one is what I have been explaining for a bit."

"So why did Zecora talk like the greed growth was the only way?" Twilight asked, her curiosity interrupting Harmony again.

"She wasn't. But you try making yourself plainly known by only rhyming. Now the thing about dragon growth spurts is that, even the natural one at the whelp stage, they are technically magic in nature. They grow not only in body but in mind almost instantly. Which I'm sure you noticed during Spike's greed growth. This is not like ponies that slowly grow in body and in maturity slowly... I think Twilight you have noticed that even though Spike is nearly twenty-seven years old he on occasions still acts like a 'baby' dragon?"

Twilight nodded slowly. Spike glared hotly at this. Rainbow had to stile a laugh again.

"The only reason he isn't still acting like a hatchling all the time is the unusually long time his has been in that stage.... and that I have been working on him during his sleep to help him compensate. Now let’s see..."

“Wait what!?! You have been seeing him for years?

“Yes.”

“In his dreams?!”

“Technically, no, but I…”

“Spike, why haven’t you told me this?” She snapped forgetting who was in the room her anger overtaking her,” He could have been a danger and you didn’t think to bring this voice talking to you to me sooner!?!”

Suddenly Twilight head was shifted by magic back to Harmony who had somehow gotten right in her face. She gulped mightily at the look that Harmony was giving him. “I suggest you drop it.” He spoke with such coldness that everyone shivered at the mental drop in temperature.

Harmony demeanor suddenly shifted back to his normal self or as least as much as anyone could guess, "Ah, yes, I was on whelps... A dragon stays as a whelp for about twenty to twenty-five years. The final stage is an adult dragon….”

“Wait. Wait. Stop! Are you saying that not only that I should be in the ’whelp stage’ but should be either an adult or near it by now?” Spike eyes were getting more and more teary as he spoke.

Harmony went over and lifted Spike head so he could see the warmth in his eyes. “Do not fret for the reason I am here is that you are closer to an adult then you think.”

Spike looked deep into those eyes and could see that he was speaking the truth. But as he looked further there was something else. Spike’s mood turned from sad to sour. He is hiding something again…

“Hmm…” Harmony mused for a moment at the change in Spike but let it drop. Turning back to the chalkboard he continued, “Wings are a sign of a dragon becoming a whelp. A name is the sign when a dragon becomes an adult. This name, translated, is known as a Hoard Name. This name has a meaning that is similar to the meaning of a pony's cutie-mark though not completely. Unfortunately it’s not a concept that is easy to explain or understand to a non-dragon."

“That’s it?” Spike huffed,” That’s all that it takes? A name?!?!”

“Yes and no, Spike it’s more complex than that…”

“Seems simple enough. Though I hate the name ‘hoard’…”

The room again turned dark and the temperature dipped dramatically, “No pony takes their cutie marks lightly, nor should you take Hoard Names lightly or despise them. You are a dragon and should have respect for the ways of the dragons even if you are among ponies.”

Harmony paused for a minute to let that sink in. "Now as for growth spurts in this stage... They have several growth spurts while as young adult though these spurts only make the body grow not the mind unlike those of a whelp or during greed growth. Adult dragon's mind matures like a pony from then on slowly and by experience. The number of spurts and when they occur as far as I have been able to gather vary between dragons."

"Now I skipped a bit here and given Spike’s outburst I think this is now the best time to explain about dragons and names. To a dragon a name is a possession, a representative of who they are. Most dragons have three to four names throughout their lives two are magical in nature the others are not. A dragon's egg name, one of the magical ones, usually signifies what the parents see or want as their destinies. For example, Spike's roughly translates to 'glittering sparks in darkness that brings hope.' Long winded I know but that is typical for an egg name... While the name is magical in nature it’s not important right now how so I won't go over it.”

Harmony paused for a moment. Twilight wanted take advantage of the lull and ask why it wasn't important but after the last outburst she felt it best to wait even though it was driving her crazy.

“Spike's current name corresponds to a hatchling name. It usually is related to a physical attribute or something that the hatchling does at hatching. A whelps name is sometimes different depending on whether a dragon has it or not usually depends on its liking or disliking its hatchling name and most of the time they don't. Teenage rebellion seems to be the same in all the races...”

“A Hoard Name is the very first thing a Dragon hoards and before you panic they aren’t grabby like during a greed growth. Dragon aren’t as greedy as you think they are they don’t steal as that is dishonoring and lessen the value of what they stole. Try not to base what you know of dragons by the encounters you have had. Their culture is richer then what you can see. They just don’t show it to just anyone.”

“So they also hoard their culture.” Twilight asked.

“No they don’t… Ugh, now is not the time to learn that. We are dealing with biology not sociology.”

“Equestrian, please.” Rainbow hotly stated confused at the bigger words.

“We are dealing with bodies not with how said bodies interact with bodies,” Harmony rolled his eyes a bit.

Rainbow snickered a bit at this which made both Twilight and Harmony to facehoof.

“As a reminder, once they have that name no greed growth... Now because Hoard Names are a part of a dragon's hoard it's rare for a dragon to share that name to anyone. Most dragons are known by titles, the location of their hoard, or if you're lucky or have difficulty pronouncing their titles or locations they will allow a ‘nickname.’” The room again went a bit dark as Harmony coldly stated the next part,” NEVER, EVER call a dragon by their previous names. If you are lucky they will ignore you, if not... not good. That I think covers the basics though I had to skip and skim over some things otherwise we'd be here for a lot longer..."

Harmony stretched a bit popping a few joints. "Alright, now I think we should get to something that will be of more interest to Spike here."

"Like what? I have learned more about dragons than ever before. What could be of more interest to me?" Spike snapped up upon hearing his name. His preoccupation lost.

"For example, your 'breed' and your issue with your size." Harmony plainly answered, "First, you are a Spark dragon. If he was female it would be Sparkle, and yes I know the irony of it."

"A what dragon? I have never heard of that kind of dragon." Twilight interrupted, ignoring the snickering Rainbow. Harmony glared at both of them.

"I'm not surprised you haven't heard of a Spark Dragon. With pony's limited knowledge of dragons they are surprisingly aware of nearly every breed. However, even most dragons don't know of Spark Dragons. They are extremely rare and an Elder race much like alicorns. I suspect that besides Spike here they may only be a handful left, if any at all." Harmony pulled something out of his saddle bag. "This is a reference guide on dragons that I wrote many years ago. Try not to drool over it as it’s my only copy. It covers everything I have spoken about plus a bit more as I am only doing an introduction into this."

"And what of my parents?" Spike asked steadying himself mentally for what he was sure to not be a happy answer.

"Dead." Harmony bluntly answered. “How and why I will discuss with you, in private, later. As for your egg it was laid some time before Luna's banishment. I don't remember the exact year... pony reckoning is different from dragons never mind that as a being as long lived as I am years can get a bit blurry.

“How long lived are you?” Twilight asked.

“Not a question you should be asking. However, I am close to ten thousand years old.” Harmony shook his mane a bit,” We are here about Spike not me. Now, as for how Spike’s egg came into the care of Celestia's school that is a story for another time." Spike looked like he was about to interrupt but his mouth wouldn't open due to Harmony keeping it shut with his magic. "Later, I promise."

"I suspect that the one of the reasons that you are stuck in the hatchling stage may have something to do with the method of your hatching. It may be preventing your ability to enter the whelp stage. No dragon that I have known has even been hatched by anything other than dragon fire.” Harmony turned to face Spike staring right at him. Spike squirmed a bit under that gaze but Harmony did not stop, "The other is that you don't know who you are.”

“I’m a dragon though I didn’t know I was a Spark Dragon.” Spike answered a bit miffed at what he thought Harmony was insinuating.

“That is not what I meant. I don't mean knowing yourself here," He put a hoof to Spike's head, "but knowing yourself here," he moved his hoof to Spike's heart. "You are a dragon that acts like a pony. This is in complete conflict with being a dragon. I think somehow you don't want to become like those dragons you met at the Dragon Migration. Yes dragons are beings of raw power but they also of passion, honor, loyalty, and nobility. These traits are in you and are you. But you fear so much becoming like those... 'jerks' I believe is the word you used or like the 'monster' that you became on your birthday... This ‘pony’ part of you is inhibiting your ability to be who you really are. You want to protect those you love but you can't do that as a hatchling. This is a conflict that must be resolved."

Harmony suddenly yawned ever so slightly, "That's enough for today... Spike I need to speak to the Bearers in private for a moment. I suggest you take this time to take a look at the Dragon Reference Guide." He watched silently as Spike excitingly exited the Council Chambers for his room then spoke again, "What I am about to tell you can never leave this room and a Pinkie Promise will not do. I will need a Magic Oath from you all."

"Magic Oath? Never heard of that spell before." Twilight questioned looking a bit flustered. Her talent was magic and to not know such a spell was a bit disheartening.

"It's similar to a tell-the-truth spell but this one will prevent you from spilling what you promise not to say. And before you try to learn, duplicate, reverse magic, or write it down let me make myself clear. This spell if or one like it is used or written down by anypony will get you banished from Equestria at minimum... That includes you Princess Twilight Sparkle."

“What give you the right to order her like that?” Rainbow flew into Harmony’ face threatening him with an outstretched hoof.

Harmony casually used his magic to force her back onto her throne. “You are in no position to ‘threaten’ me over this matter. If the Bearer of Magic does use or record the spell Celestia and Luna will not hesitate to do exactly what I said. Now do you agree or not?”

"Then you should be banished as well for doing it..." Rainbow countered. She put on a smirk on her face knowing that she got him there.

"Nice try, Bearer of Loyalty, but I'm the only exception. Don't believe me? Ask the Princesses."

Twilight gulped slightly. The bearers looked at each other for a moment then in turn nodded. Rainbow was a bit slower at it she was not happy about this alicorn threatening her friends like that.

"Good." Harmony's horn glowed for a moment then died out. "There, done. I also added a sound bubble so we don't have any accidental overhearing."

Harmony breathed a sigh then slowly began. "There was something I left out about the Hoard Name. When Spike finds what his name will be it will imprint him with that name so hard that he will instinctively despise all his previous names."

"That doesn't sound that bad...but didn’t you already say that?" Twilight began before Harmony shook his head slowly silencing her.

"If he was raised by dragons, no... and, yes, I did, but you really should let me finish," Harmony sighed heavily again feeling the headache getting worse. "You remember when I said that outside of greed growth that dragons never hoard until adults and that they begin to hoard at adulthood starting with their name?”

Everypony nodded.

“Good because that is important for the next part as something else that happens when they find their Hoard Name. As you know dragons don't like someone else trying to hoard or steal their hoard..."

"But I don't have a hoard, and I make sure to..." Twilight began to object before getting cut off.

"Please try not to interrupt this is going to be very difficult as it is.” Harmony now had a headache of migraine proportions but he shrugged it off needing to continue,” When a dragon becomes an adult they forget everything from childhood... The only thing left is memories of emotions and their names which is part of their nature. I have no idea how they remember their names... This ‘forgetting’ mechanism protects not only the parents but the newly adult dragon as dragons tend to kill anything that tries to steal their hoard. Dragons also don’t just share hoards either… So along with the ‘forgetting’ they are driven also to leave the nest to find a hoard..."

Harmony couldn't continue for at that moment Twilight stopped thinking and only reacted. "NO I WILL NOT LOSE HIM!"

"You can't interrupt this process or tell him. You risk not only his life but your own." Harmony stated bluntly. Everypony was in different states of shock or disbelief. Twilight, however, had gone off the deep end and was past the point of hysteria.

"I don't care. There has to be a way. I will find a way even if I have modify a memory spell!" Twilight resolved, hiccuping as her emotions went wild. "I WILL..."

"ENOUGH!" Harmony shouted in the Canterlot Royal Voice. Lowering his voice once he noticed everyone calmed down though Twilight still sobbed. "He. Is. A. Dragon. You know that Bearer of Magic. Quit treating him as a pony. He will die if he remains as he is and the world will plunge into darkness worse than anything you have seen yet. No matter what you try to do his memory will be wiped without anyway of recovery, period.” Harmony eyed everyone for a moment and saw for the moment that he was not going to be interrupted, again. Staring straight at Twilight he spoke again. “While you will lose Spike, if you play your cards AFTER he becomes an adult you might gain him as a friend. A friend for a dragon is a rare thing and they treasure that friendship almost like that friend is part of his hoard."

With that Harmony teleported out of the chambers leaving six very distraught ponies behind.

The starry void again filled Spike's vision.

I must have fallen asleep reading that book.

"Harmony, why am I here?" Spike called out into the void.

"I was going to ask you the same thing." Harmony shimmered into existence near Spike.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Spike crossed his arms while raising a brow.

"Spike I didn't bring you here. You brought me here."

"How?" Spike sputtered a bit slack jawed.

"...I think... well that is... uh..." Harmony stammered trying to come up with something, anything.

"Enough! You are leaving things out. I may not be the Bearer of Honesty but you have always been one to leave something out.” Spike began ranted pointed an accusatory claw at Harmony, “Now, I expect some things to be left out. However, now is not the time to play riddles and ‘read between the lines. Celestia's letter hinted on something grave. I can forgive giving the abridged version when time is of the essence but you never give 'abridged' versions.”

“Well… I... That is…”

“But what you are leaving out I'm sure are the more important aspects of the story." Spike countered Harmony's continuing stammering, tapping his claws on his crossed arms.

"Wisdom and insight..." Harmony whispered almost to himself although Spike heard it clearly with his draconian hearing.

"That's the other thing you do."

"Hmm?" Harmony raised a brow.

"Deflect."

Harmony laughed so hard that soon he was wheezing. Spike on the other hand was getting angrier.

"Easy... brother." He mouthed.

Spike took a few deep cleansing breaths. Mainly he did this to not get angry at the word brother, again, but to calm down from his earlier frustrations. Zecora's breathing exercises works on more than Twilight, it seems.

Harmony looked nonchalantly around while they both calmed down. After a long and admittedly awkward pause Harmony answered. "Yes, you deserve the unvarnished truth. Given that you can detect that I am hiding the truth even though what I said was so close to the truth. Normally, you shouldn't. You seem to know that what I was saying was slightly... off. That means that its almost time... Spike... I can't give you too much yet as it will put you and your friends in even graver danger then we already are. Well actually it will get more dangerous but too quickly and before you all are ready. I'm trying to minimize that as best as I can. I am sorry, but that's all I can say on the subject. I do promise that I will tell you as much as I can.”

Spike eyed Harmony for a long time before responding. "Very well... If you don't mind I want to dream a bit."

Yeah probably about wings... Harmony chuckled at that. "See you soon, brother."

Spike shimmered and disappeared. Harmony sighed deeply and waited patiently, knowing he was watching.

"You know, Harmony, I’m simply booored of all this Slice-of-Life. When are we getting to adventure? I mean it is tagged as such," came Discord's voice. There was a flash of light and Discord appeared as a constellation of stars.

Harmony blinked, then answered. "If... I understood you correctly, then not much longer. Spike's harmony abilities are beginning to surface... Which I'm trying to delay, Discord. They shouldn't be manifesting until he figures out his name. He's old enough to have one but his body is still a hatchling leaving him without dragon magic. His harmony magic won’t work completely until then as his is currently in a disharmonious state."

Discord's expression went suddenly dead serious. Harmony resisted the urge to gulp. It was never a good sign when this happened. "What is it?"

"I think we are running out of time for delaying." Discord shuttered and pointed. In front of them both, they could see what was going on outside of the Plane of Harmony. Dark clouds seemed to be forming on the horizon near Ponyville. Harmony eyes went wide in shock at the sight.

"By all things that buck! Not now! Discord gather the Bearers and Spike and have them meet me near Hidden Claw's cave in the morning. I guess you are getting your adventure 'tag', whatever that is, Discord sooner than I wanted to."

Author's Note

By the way with Twilight's expected outburst Harmony was stopped before he explained another detail that I'm sure you are all asking... If he loses every memory but his name and emotions of childhood how can he function?... well next chapter will give a hint.

Revision 2.0

Crouching Spike, Hidden Claw

The sun had yet to break above the tree tops when everyone gathered near an all too familiar cave in the depths of the Everfree. Fluttershy was attempting to make herself as small as she could behind Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash meanwhile yawned, clearly annoyed about being up so early. Spike and Twilight were the most nervous. They were sure they had been here before and had been chased away from a very angry dragon.

Nearly an hour went by and no sign of Harmony could be found. Discord had forbade them from going anywhere and would not speak on why exactly they were out here.

“What is taking him so long?” Rainbow spoke repeating the same question she had been stating every minute for the last hour.

“Rainbow must you always be this impatient?” Rarity coolly stated annoyed at the constant moaning.

“Listen you…” Rainbow started but stopped noticing movement coming from the cave.

Harmony walked out of the cave and greeted everyone. "Good morning everyone." Everyone, however, were staring at him as he looked disheveled and his mane looked like it got singed in a fire. The usual white of his mane was grey from ash.

"It won't be good for long," Discord spoke what everyone was thinking. " Please at least tell me he is in a decent mood this morning."

"He is in a great mood, actually. Don't let my mane fool you." Harmony responded shaking his mane a bit to get the soot out.

"Please tell me we are not going in there the last time I was in there the dragon nearly killed me." Spike twisted his claws in worry.

"Well you learned a lesson in not stealing from another dragon's hoard and to ask before eating." Harmony chuckled.

"I don't find that funny, Harmony." Twilight fumed, ready to smack him.

Rarity seemed to agree with Twilight but she went one step further and actually gave him a good whack. With a humph she turned around and joined Spike and Fluttershy at the back of the group.

"Perhaps..." Harmony spoke not even flinching.

They stood there in silence for a moment as tempers cooled a bit. Harmony's expression suddenly went dark gaining everyone's attention but also giving them all a bad feeling in the pits of their stomachs, "There are some things we need to go over before we enter. One, never show fear to a dragon. So, Bearer of Kindness... GET. OVER. IT. The only dragons that ever consider eating ponies are under the effect of one of the two growths. This dragon will not eat you at all. Your fears that control you will one day get you and those you care for killed. Period."

Fluttershy eeped then cowered even further. Rainbow, however, got angry, no one hurt her friend.

"Enough! can you see you are hurting Fluttershy?" Rainbow flew up getting right into the face of Harmony readying a hoof to strike him like Rarity.

"Bearer of Loyalty, can it". Harmony angrily responded to Rainbow's get-in-the-face reaction. "As Bearers of Harmony you all have to deal with things that threaten harmony here in Equestria. Some of those threats WILL KILL YOU WITHOUT THOUGHT! Dragons are the least of what could come your way. Take a look at the sky.” Everyone looked at the darkening clouds that were gathering in the sky. “Those ominous clouds that you have been unable to dispel are a sign of what is coming. Buck up."

Harmony began to pace, anger coming off him in waves. "This is not some walk in the park, 'Friendship is Magic' will fix it. Now while I'm thinking on this,” He stopped for a moment to look at Rarity, ”Bearer of Generosity I don't think I need to remind you that letting your greed take over will get you killed. You got lucky last time with Smokey. If he had been fully awake..." Harmony, Spike, and Rarity all shuttered slightly, a horrified expression upon everyones face.

Harmony soften his expression slightly but a bit of the hardness still remained. "Second, do not talk unless spoken to. If and when you address him address him as He of Everfree. Third, do not try to defend Spike or me from any possible attacks real or otherwise, verbal or physical. Dragons are very honorable and don't attack without reason. Interfering with what you may perceive is an attack is extremely dishonorable and dangerous. Given your past experience with him you do not want to be dishonorable again."

“Past experience? Then it wasn’t my imagination...” Twilight gulped slightly remembering that night vividly.

Spike grabbed his tail and wrung it slightly he didn’t want a repeat of the last time. No amount of gems were worth it,

“I believe you remember this cave Spike and Bearer of Magic? It was here that Spike ran away to and gorged on gems. This was before he found out that he was in the cave of a dragon and that he was eating said dragon’s hoard. You nearly got killed over I might add.”

“Eep.” Fluttershy squeaked then took cover behind Rarity.

Harmony dragged her roughly out from behind her. “What did I just say!?”

“To.. ttttoo not… Show…” She barely stuttered out shaking violently.

“...Fear.” Harmony finished for her. Fluttershy gulped heavily leaning on Rarity for support.

"Now I'm going to use a thought linking spell so you can ask questions without speaking out loud. It will also allow you to talk amongst yourselves. Talking to each other is considered rude and dragons have very good hearing." Harmony looked at Fluttershy. Although he could still see fear in her eyes there was also a resolve to protect her friends. "Good. I see you are fighting through your fear. Discord, Bearer of Loyalty, Generosity, stay near her to give her some support."

With that Harmony beckoned them into the cave. They had only barely gotten inside when Harmony stopped. "He of Everfree, we humbly ask for an audience to right a wrong." He called out his voice echoing.

"He of Harmony, you and your charges may enter, but do not touch my hoard." A deep, gravelly voice answered.

Harmony nodded for them to continue. They soon could see a large pile of gems and a very familiar, green, fully adult, dragon standing guard nearby.

"He of Harmony why do you bring that hatchling into my hoard?" The dragon spat glaring at Spike. "He is a dishonor to dragonkind for he is a thief. He should be skinned alive for what his has done."

How barbaric! Rarity spat through the mental link.

Maybe by pony standards. Harmony reasoned. And thanks for remembering to use the thought link.

"He of Everfree, Spike has lived among ponykind all of his life and is not aware of the ways of dragons. He meant no front as he wasn't aware of your hoard being yours."

"Is that so? Then it’s time for his first lesson. Defend yourself!"

"What!" Spike yelped while the same word echoed through the link from the Bearers. Rainbow clearly wanted to defend Spike but remembered the look in Harmony's eyes from when she tried to defend Fluttershy.

He of Everfree roared then opened his maw and a wave of heat poured out. Harmony moved out of the way leaving Spike to receive the full onslaught. Spike responded with fire from his own mouth. The adult’s fire quickly overpowered Spike’s.

What are you doing Spike needs your help! Twilight cried out with approval from Rainbow Dash who had to have Applejack hold her down.

No that would be interfering. Spike dishonored himself when he took those gems and fled. Dragons do not steal from another dragon’s hoard. That alone is bad, but the fact that the Bearer of Magic and an owl helped... If a dragon desires something from another dragon’s hoard they must fight for the right to take from that hoard. Depending on what the dragon desires and how the defending dragon feels about said 'request' the duel could be to the death. Spike must take whatever punishment that comes his way if he is to restore honor to himself. You are here to learn dragon culture and ways. Not Spike. He will know soon enough the ways of dragons. Do you want to become friends with him or not?

Spike by this point has throwing gems at the older dragon trying to hit his eyes to blind him. He of Everfree only laughed and blocked the assault with his tail. Spikes popped out of his tail in a retaliatory attack. Spike tried to dodge but was hit. A groan escaped his lips as pain coursed through him from being thrown down across the cavern.

He quickly trying to extract himself from the rubble that surrounded him but the pain was too great. Spike collapsed in defeat.

Spike! Twilight yelled through the link.

Wait. Harmony said putting a hoof out.

At the sight of Spike the green dragon stopped and growled angrily, smoke poured out of this nostrils. He started making clicking and chittering sounds. Harmony responded in kind. Everyone else looked at each other confused on what was going on.

*Remind me again why we are doing this pointless exercise? You have already restored his honor though the right of substitution... You know as well as I do that the hatchling will gain the Dragon Heritage Memories at the time of his Choosing.*

*Yes, I know, Hidden Claw. You were the one that told me of the details of the changes that a dragon goes through. We are here so that his clutchmates understand what it means to be dragon so that when it happens it will be easier for them to accept it.*

*Hmph. I still don't understand how a dragon would ever consider ponies as clutchmates...* Hidden Claw growled slightly at that *So are they aware of the memory wipe?*

*Yes, but Spike does not.*

*As it should be.* Hidden Claw shifted to look more proud like, growling threateningly at the unconscious Spike.

Uh, Harmony, what is going on? Please tell me that what I'm hearing is not the changeling language.. Twilight nervously asked.

Nothing you need to worry about, and as for the language its is not the changeling language although it is similar. You can go get Spike now. I can see that he will need help to get up. Harmony answered back.

A flash of lighting and the roll of thunder echoed into the cave stopped everyone.

"Harmony..." Discord suddenly spoke up, concern and fear in his voice and eyes.

Everyone, even Hidden Claw, stared at Discord. Fear rose in all of them. If a dragon was in fear it was never good.

Harmony turned back to Hidden Claw. "He of Everfree, I fear that we have ran out of time, but we can not flee until we retrieve the Elements of Harmony."

Twilight managed to break through her fear but forgot to mentally speak." We can't do that!! If we remove the Elements from the Tree of Harmony it will die and the plunder vines could take over again."

Harmony looked sympathetically at Twilight. "Bearer of Magic, when you successfully opened that Seed Chest and grew the palace the tree died."

Author's Note

A proud Dragon and Discord being spooked? Not good.

Revision 2.0

I can always use an editor...

The Tree of Harmony

...the tree died."

"What!?!" Twilight blurted out again forgetting to use the mental link

"Are you telling me, He of Harmony, that your hoard is gone?" Hidden Claw moved his head right up to Harmony's face staring straight into his eyes ignoring Twilight for the moment.

Harmon resisted the urge to blink or turn away lest he offend Hidden Claw. "He of Everfree, ponies don't usually hoard... however the answer is yes... and no."

"Wait, how is that..." Twilight gulped to a stop as Hidden Claw growled at her no longer ignoring her rudeness.

"He of Harmony remind your charges to not speak unless spoken to." He turned back to Harmony to get the answer he seeked.

Harmony turned to Twilight "Bearer of Magic your initial outburst was forgiven but if you continue to do so He of Everfree will shut you up forcibly and I will not stop him... however..."

"There is no 'however,'" He of Everfree growled snapping his jaws at Harmony.

"He of Everfree hear me out." Harmony harden his eyes at Hidden Claw," They are Bearers of the Elements that were imbedded into the tree."

"Are you saying that you trust them with parts of your hoard?" Hidden Claw looked at the ponies, impressed. "Very well, but keep the outbursts at a minimum."

"I suggest... we mm-ove this conver-versation to the tree..." Discord stuttered out.

"And what is wrong with being here at my hoard? Are you so insolent that you feel we'll be safer at his hoard? You really are a foolish chimera."

"No... no.. He Of Everfree but what is coming may need both you and the Elements to combat." Discord entire body shook out of fear, not of the dragon, but of something else.

"I'm afraid Discord is right." Harmony stated not taking his eyes off of He of Everfree.

"Don't question my ability to protect my hoard." Hidden Claw roughly grabbed Harmony right off the ground then Brought him up so that he could see the dragons fury. "You are lucky that I will have my answers."

Harmony winced at the pain and clicked a few words *My apologies, oh great dragon of Everfree, but its best that ponies see that is a deadly folly to ever question a dragon's ability to protect his hoard.*

Hidden Claw growled but placed Harmony back on the ground. Blood trickled done Harmony's coat.

Rarity ran up and checked out the injuries. "Discord. Bandages" Discord snapped some hot pink bandages into Rarity's waiting magic. After a few minutes Rarity smiled and nodded her approval at her handiwork.

Harmony grumbled at the pink bandages but glad his injuries were dressed. I will get you for this later Discord he promised.

Hidden Claw raised an eye at this then blew some smoke. "I tired of this. Lead the way, He of Harmony."

"Of course, He of Everfree." Harmony turned and began to walk out The Bearers and Discord close behind. Spike was on Rarity's back, still passed out due to the pain of his injuries. Once everyone had left the cave Hidden Claw began his walk out of his cave placing traps and magic barriers to prevent entrance.

After some some time the group got to the stairs that lead down to the cave where the Tree of Harmony grew. Twilight couldn't see that faint glow that always emanated from the cave. This was not good and she feared what she would see once they got into the cave.

Her fears were confirmed once she could see into the cave. The tree was, as Harmony had said, dead. The tree was dark many of its crystal leaves where missing. The only thing that looked lively was the Elements. They looked just as they were the last time she saw them still in there imbedded in the branches and, in the case of the Element of Magic, trunk.

Harmony stared sadly at the tree for a moment then lifted the Elements out of the tree. "Discord I need the necklaces" Discord snapped an ornate box into existence, a set of six necklaces inside. Harmony took them and placed an element into each one. "I'm placing these in the necklaces so that they will not fall off. No tiara for you Bearer of Magic this time." He placed each necklace around the neck of their receptive Bearer.

"Ooooooo, they are so prrrretty!" Pinkie cooed.

"A bit more utilitarian than before but I agree, darling." Rarity agreed.

"Bearer of Joy and Generosity, neither Discord or I are experts on making jewelry and Discord can't just snap into existence nice necklaces they have to be formed without magic. But I'm glad you find them to your liking." Harmony smiled with pride.

"Silly Harmony, I'm the Bearer of Laughter." Pinkie bounced giggling.

"No, you are not…Hmm how to answer this…” Harmony thought for a moment then spoke, “I suppose now is as good as any time to explain why I'm a... ugh... a 'blank flank.'" Harmony spat in disgust at the derogatory term.

"Bearer of Magic when you first read about the Nightmare Moon you remember the drawing of the Elements of Harmony arranged on a golden compass?" Twilight nodded slightly "That is, or actually, was my cutiemark."

"Wait, then why do you still have magic? A pony losing a cutiemark means they have lost their magic." As she remembered the vampiric Tirek, she shuttered.

"Very good question. I actually only lost one of my magics. My harmony magic was imbued completely into the Elements. Given that my cutiemark is tied to my destiny of being a Keeper of Harmony and I lost that magic when the cutiemark disappeared. I still posses alicorn magic, however."

"Okay enough of skirtin’ the issue. What in tarnation is He of Everfree talking about when he calls The Tree of Harmony your hoard?" Applejack asked.

Harmony put a hoof to his head slight rubbing to mitigate the coming headache. "Bearer of Honesty... He of Everfree, like all dragons, considers possessions to be part of the owner’s hoard.”

Everyone mouthed an oh but waited for Harmony to continue.

”Back to what I was saying, long ago I was given a crystal tree seed from a fellow Keeper. Ever notice similarities to to the Tree of Harmony and the Friendship Palace to the Crystal Empire? Don't answer.” Harmony stopped Twilight from speaking her thoughts I can’t have her going off scholarly I’m so tired of the headaches that it causes

“They are similar because they come came from the same place. As for the Elements those are very rare flawless, aged, diamonds. Crystals from the Empire and gems (especially flawless diamonds) are very good at not only holding, channeling, and expelling magic in massive amounts but to be enchanted. That is what I did to the elements. Once I was doneI embedded the elements in the growing tree to protect them."

"Might sorry to ask another question but yah nevah told us what a Keeper of Harmony was."

"I haven't have I? Okay short version as we are low on time..."

Thunder rolled again grabbing everyone's attention. Shortly after that a howling could be heard echoing across the canyon.

"Timberwolves." Hidden Claw growled. He sniffed then added "And living stone..."

"That's our cue. We leave. Now.” Harmony began to run back to the stairs. He called to back to the now angry dragon and spoke out of fear. "Hold our rear, He of Everfree!"

Hidden Claw growled angrily at Harmony. "Remember your place Keeper! The Nameless One's lackeys will rue the day they threaten my forest!" Hidden Claw few up, roared, and flew towards the howling.

"He has given us a bit of time to flee. If we are lucky we will draw his forces away, sparing Equestria."

Discord piped up, having taken up the rear grabbing the now fainted Fluttershy in his arms. "And where do we go? I'm all for random but in this case we need a plan."

Harmony thought for a moment and spoke one word: "Hourglass."

Author's Note

Uh looks like Harmony got interrupted again as he never did get to why Joy and not Laughter...

Revision 2.0

River Guardian

"Hourglass? Why did you have to pick that place?" Discord groaned using a foam hand to facepalm his head.

"I..." Harmony began but a series of howls cut him off. "No time, run!"

Harmony spirited off for the stairs; the rest just stood in fear for a moment. "You heard the pony, RUN!" Discord barked swatting at the frozen ponies. With a jolt they made for the stairs, Spike still on Rarity's back. Discord shook his head and mumbled, "I swear he's going to be the death of us all." before he himself took the rear.

Harmony waited until everyone got to the top of the stairs. "It is easy to get lost in the deep Everfree so keep a sharp eye on the pony in front of you and keep especially a good eye on my coat." Everypony nodded in understanding and with that Harmony turned towards the deeper part of the forest and sprinted off at full gallop.

"Oh, dear." Rarity fretted knowing her mane and coat would get ruined at the pace that Harmony had set.

"No time to worry about your looks; just run!" Discord growled. The howling of the timberwolves only accented the truth of his words.

Once everypony caught up to Harmony at the edge of the tree line Twilight's bookish curiosity got the best of her and yelled ahead to Harmony "What and where exactly is Hourglass?"

"Hourglass is the name of the ruined city where Discord was born." Harmony yelled back. "Try and avoid talking... I'll explain more when we have a moment to rest..."

With that no more words were spoken. They only slowed down to skirt around groves of Poison Joke. The pace never slowed down even after a few hours after no one had heard a single howl. The only sound they would hear was the increasing panting as the hours slipped by. Spike was switched from Rarity to Harmony at a small break next to a creek to get a drink and catch their breaths. The flight continued on as the hours slipped into the afternoon.

"Where are we going? This is not the right way to Hourglass..." Discord remarked after eying the position of the sun.

"We need more help slowing down our tail."

"Don't tell me..." Discord panting coming to a sudden realization.

"Yes... River Guardian." Harmony himself panted, ignoring Discord's objection.

"I... Said..." Discord wheezed no long able to protest.

"Harmony, ah don't think we can keep up this pace much longer." Applejack remarked, observing the rest of the group.

Harmony stole a glance back and noticed that what Applejack was saying was true. Both Applejack, whose hard work on the farm made the flight easier, and Rainbow Dash, whose athletic ability was legendary, seemed only slightly winded while the rest were looking like they were going to faint from exhaustion. "Hence, River Guardian," was his only response turning his head back to the path.

They traveled for another painful thirty minutes before anything changed. Applejack and Rainbow, the only two who had energy to look around could see a slight thinning of the trees. Soon Harmony slowed down to a slow canter and left the trail at an almost imperceptible bend. After crashing through the trees for a few minutes Harmony and the group tumbled out into a clearing near a cliff. A river could be heard below the cliff.

"We are here." Harmony stopped. A collected groan and sigh of relief came as the girls collapsed in a bundle. Discord was so tired that he didn't bother conjuring anything and just rested heavily against a nearby tree. "Spike time to get off." The barely awake hatchling stiffly slid off his back and limped over to the girls. "Rest for a bit everyone... We should be safe for the moment."

Harmony, himself, took a few moments to rest. The normally moving colors of his coat had almost come to a standstill. After catching his breath he went to stand by the cliff's edge. He seem to just be staring off into the distance. No one spoke for nearly an hour. Spike had fallen asleep while the rest, though just as tired, were too on edge to fall asleep.

Harmony had never once moved or uttered a word for that entire hour. When He did everyone nearly jumped. "He comes."

Suddenly a clearly annoyed thin purple dragon with blonde hair and a curly mustache popped above the cliff's edge.

"I do find it rude to not announce that you are here." The dragon spoke crossing his arms.

"I do apologize, He of Everfree River." Harmony bowed without taking his eyes off of the dragon.

"Hmph." He of Everfree River stuck up his nose in disgust. "River Guardian, if you please."

"Please forgive us we have been in flight since early this morning..." Rarity started before River Guardian stared at the very rude interruption coming from the pony pile. Harmony only casually glanced her way, stoic in his looks.

"Do my eyes deceive me? Is that the pony from before that restore my beautiful mushtash?" River Guardian noted eying a very disheveled Rarity looking at him with bags under her eyes and her mane in a mess. " She looks absolutely terrible! Here," He handed a brush to Rarity, "this should help."

"Thanks, darling." She weakly replied, grateful for the brush.

"Now, what exactly is going on that would cause her to look like some tramp?" River Guardian turned his attention back to Harmony. Rarity hotely glared at him but quickly went back to her brushing.

Without missing a beat Harmony deadpanned two words "Nameless One."

A very undragonlike squeak escaped River Guardian at the mention of that ‘name’. Everypony nearly jumped at it in surprise. Harmony took a moment to glance at the river below and could see it churning unnaturally. "Well that is not good... not good at all..." Harmony looked back at him at this and noticed that it looked like he was about to do another undragonlike thing with his claws.

"River Guardian I have a boon to ask of you."

"Uh... ?" River Guardian snapped back to his old self." Yes, of course. What is it?"

"Do you still have that river barge?"

"Of course, but I don't see why you needed it." Tilted his head in confusion.

"Oh, I don't need it, but..." he motioned toward Rarity who was still busy fixing her mane. "Rarity needs it."

"Oh, really?" River Guardian looked towards Rarity who had now was staring back in a confused state.

"I..." Rarity began but stopped when she saw Harmony nodding his head slightly. She then understood what Harmony was trying to do. "Uh... Yes, I do, we have a long ways to go and I would prefer a way that wouldn't mess up my mane again. I find running for my life in the Everfree makes keeping up a good appearance a trifle on the hard side."

"Try flying." River Guardian commented, clearly understanding, resting his head on his hands "I would be glad to give you some tips but I have a feeling that you are pressed for time... One moment, I'll be right back." At this he ducked down below the cliff.

"Harmony, where did he run off to?" Rarity asked stepping out toward the cliff edge her mane and coat now looking much better.

"His hoard... we are just above a cavern and one of its entrances."

Discord took this opportunity to interrupt and complain. "Harmony are we going to be stopping by everyone of your dragon 'acquaintances'? Because, I swear, if Smokey makes a cameo I will have some words with a certain writer..."

Harmony ignored the odd threat and sighed "No..."

River Guardian then slide his head back over the cliff nearly causing Rarity to tumble backwards in fright. "I have the barged tied to a tree just down river." Looking at Rarity he smiled wide. "You look much better."

"Why thank you." Rarity handing back the brush with her magic. "Is there anything we can do for you in payment for your kindness?"

River Guardian looked a bit flustered at this tapping his claws nervously "I..."

"Whisper it in my ear." She spoke noticing his embarrassment.

River Guardian complied and moved his long neck to whisper into Rarity's ear. After a few minutes he returned to his previous position patiently waiting for her reply. After a moment Rarity took a deep breath and nodded slowly. River handed her one of his scales and without a moments hesitation she took it and chopped off her tail. An audible gasped came from the girls and Spike.

Author's Note

Short tails must be in season again...

Revision 2.0

At Equestria's End

Harmony appeared back on the barge nearly jumping because Twilight was nearly standing right on top of him with her horn glowing. At this she tripped somersaulting backwards slamming into Rainbow.

"What are you doing?" Harmony asked raising a brow.

Twilight pulled herself off of Rainbow "You disappeared along with Discord and Spike."

"Nothing to worry about. Spike is sleeping in a corner of the engine house. As for Discord..." He put a hoof to his chin in thought " Your guess is a good as mine."

"Are you alright?" Harmony looked hard at Fluttershy his coat suddenly deathly still. " That is I... I mean we..."

"... Need not worry." Harmony ended the conversation by walking away then taking flight.

"Well, that stubborn... " Rainbow snorted stomping her hoof. The other girls rolled their eyes stifling giggles.

After a few hours Harmony returned. This time, though, no one dared to talk to him unsure of his possible reaction to questioning. Seeing Applejack at the controls he called out "Bearer of Honesty this is good enough we need to to walk the rest of the way."

Nodding Applejack spun the wheel and the barge turned leaving the river current and headed towards the shore. It soon ran aground near a large oak. Harmony got the rope and tied the barge to the oak tree then threw a very large stone into the river. Before anyone could ask he simply stated "The rock is to let River Guardian know that we have left the barge for him to retrieve at his convenience."

Testing the waters Rarity walked up still a bit nervous. "Please tell me we are not going to be running for our lives again. I don't want my mane messed up again."

"I don't think we will be in full flight this time, Bearer of Generosity. We only have a few hours walk until the edge of the forest and then we will be at the border of Equestria and the Badlands."

"Wait. What. Badlands?! We are in the wrong direction for the badlands around Appleloosa which means that you really mean the Desert of Chaos of which Tirek and Scorpan came though when they first visited Equestria. The one that magic is untamed and chaotic." Twilight bit her lip.

"The very one.. my element!" Discord squealed in delight.

"Is anyone else worried that Discord is happy? "Rainbow muttered under her breath to the rest of the girls with a slight nod of agreement from most of them.

Harmony laughed heartily making Rainbow jump a bit, blushing sheepishly. "Actually Discord is only happy to be in a place that is more conductive to his magic. The Badlands are dangerous even to the likes of him. Let's get moving I would like to reach the border before nightfall."

With that Harmony began to lead them along a trail. This part of the forest seem much brighter and friendlier than the other parts of the Everfree. The pace was slow and steady almost carefree as the girls decided to tell stories to pass the time while Harmony and Discord hardly said anything. Spike grew tired after a while and Twilight put him on her back so he could rest.

It was late afternoon by the time they had cleared the trees. They walked through grassland for another hour before the grass dried out and the land became dry. Soon they could see a line of large stones.

"That must be the border." Twilight commented noticing the textbook way of marking a border with boulders.

"Yes that is. Let's stop here a moment as I need to go over some things." Everyone attention turned to Harmony as he continued, "The land can be disorientating so here are some are the ground rules. For magic users it can do some strange things to your magic so Twilight and Rarity refrain from using magic for a couple days until you can get used the effects of the untamed magic," sliding some horseshoes that Discord produced to Applejack and Pinkie Pie. "This should help you keep your footing. And Rainbow and Fluttershy... well more Rainbow then Fluttershy, under no circumstances are you to fly."

"Fine by me." Fluttershy softly agreed.

"It doesn't look that dangerous. It looks just like the land around Appleloosa." Rainbow commented looking through one of the larger gaps in the boulders.

Harmony turned back to face her then stepped out of the way in an invitation. Rainbow took off in a flash. Twilight suddenly could feel what Harmony was saying. "Rainbow! Wait!" She called out hoof raised.

But it was too late. Rainbow had crossed the boundary into the Badlands. Suddenly her flying went wild. The only thing Rainbow could think was It's Poison Joke all over again! Losing control and heading straight back at the group she yelled a warning "Watch out below!" She crashed upside down muzzle first tearing a trench in the soft earth.

"This is going into my scrapbook." Discord laughed slapping his knees.

"Believe me now?" Harmony eyed Rainbow for a bit before helping her up, "I warned you about the turbulent magic in the Badlands."

"How would that affect my flying?"

"Really?!? Rainbow all ponies use innate magic how else do you think pegasi walk on clouds." Twilight facehoofed.

Rainbow only shrugged.

"Okay one last thing" Harmony stopping the coming arguing by turning to Spike holding out a hoof, "cough it up."

"Cough what up?" Spike asked innocently.

"The anchor that allows you to send letters to Celestia and vise versa"

"I..." Spike blushed heavily.

Harmony leaned down and whispered "Don't worry I wont tell or let anyone see it."

Spike cupped his hands together and puffed a small flame into it. Concealing the object he handed it over to Harmony who promptly grasped it with his magic then flung it at near mach speed towards the sun.

"Hey!" Spike cried out trying in vain to grasp at the already disappeared object.

"What is the meaning of doing that?" Twilight snapped holding Spike a bit with her magic. She hoped that Spike would not do anything too rash though she herself was thinking of doing something rash.

"Not. Now." Was all Harmony said still staring off at sky.

"Not Now!? I think now is the perfect time..." Twilight argued moving between Harmony and Spike.

Discord interjected repeating Harmony "Not. Now."

"Don't you start." Twilight pulled Discord down to bring his head so she could glare straight into his eyes. Discord squirmed uncomfortably under her gaze. Even with the seriousness of the situation Rainbow and Pinkie Pie both had their hoofs in their mouth to stop from laughing out loud at Discord.

Pulling them apart Harmony admonished, "Enough!" Turning to address Twilight, "Do you trust Celestia?"

"What kind of a question is that!" she gritted, angry at the insinuation of lack of trust of her admittingly former teacher and mentor.

He only repeated, "Do you trust Celestia?"

Rubbing her head in exasperation she finally answered, "Yes, of course."

"Celestia trusts your care to me. Do you think she would do that if she didn't completely trust me? Especially after having the numerous changeling invasions over the past decade? If you trust Celestia then you should have no trouble with me."

Applejack had had enough and decided now was the time to speak up. "Why? You seem to be hiding a lot of things from us."

"Bearer of Honesty what makes you think that you deserve to know everything? What makes you think you can handle it?"

"An’ why not?"

"Because its not your burden to have... but I think I can finally get around to the question you asked several days ago. I..." Harmony trailed off at the sight of Discord tapping his wrist.

"What? The one about what exactly a Keeper of Harmony is? How is that an excuse for not explaining to us what is going on?"

"Questions, questions." Harmony sighed. Noticing Discord tapping his wrist again more frantically, "Just move. NOW!"

They had barely crossed the border when a loud sonic boom echoed across the landscape. Everyone turned around to look to see a dissipating band of purple along the border in the sky. Suddenly a second sonic boom could be heard and this time a green band of light flew across the sky also stopping at the border. After a second or two both bands disappeared.

"What was that?" Applejack and Rarity asked in unison.

"Celestia."

"Why would she do that?" Rarity mused admiring the colors it reminding her of a certain dragon.

Rainbow added "It looked almost like a sonic rainboom..."

"She is responding back to what I sent her. Long message short 'Good luck.'"

"Why was it in the colors of my scales?" Spike pipped up interested in why the sonic booms were in the colors of his scales.

"Probably because the message was for you Spike."

"We had better find a place to set up camp night is coming." Discord commented pointing towards the sun low in the sky.

After a moments looking back everyone but Harmony turned to face the desert with Discord leading and urging them on. Harmony only stood for a few moments more, a single tear running down his muzzle. Turning around he nearly tripped over backwards. Twilight was standing right in front of him glaring with anger that could melt iron.

"That was no message. It was a modified memory spell." Twilight coldly stated.

Author's Note

Harmony keeps having his explanations interrupted hopefully its a theme that will soon be stopped.

Uh oh Harmony is in trouble again and this time it's Twilight!

*******************************************************************************
Also I had to retag the story with dark. I had originally taken the dark tag off but the direction my writing is going it seems the story will tip into dark at times.

War Council

"That was no message. It was a modified memory spell." Twilight coldly stated.

"Want to play game with me? Fine." Harmony asked in a sarcastically cheery voice.

Before she could object flash engulfed both her and Harmony and both disappeared. Noticing the flash everyone besides Discord turned to see that Twilight and Harmony and were no where in sight. Looking at Discord for answers his only response was, "They will be fine. Now let's find that campsite, shall we?

Twilight blinked slowly to clear the bright lights from her eyes. After a few minutes of rubbing her eyes her vision cleared and found that she was no longer in the desert. In front of her was a ordinate carved wooden double doors very tall and wide. Turning around she saw that she was in a circular cave like chamber. Twelve thrones were in a semicircle along the far wall a window between each one. It appeared that outside was night time but another look made her think that it actually something else altogether. Nine of the thrones had firefly like lights blinking in and out around them. She look down at the last throne on the right side and saw Harmony sitting on it, angry.

"Where..." She stared.

"THE COUNCIL OF HARMONY HAS COME TO ORDER. GUEST IS THE HARMONY BEARER OF MAGIC, PRINCESS OF FRIENDSHIP, TWILIGHT SPARKLE." Harmony cut Twilight off with the Canterlot voice.

Now her curiosity was overtaken by anger, "What the buck is going on! Why am I here and for that matter where is here."

Harmony still hot took a deep breath knowing to answer a few questions so they could get back to business. "The Chambers of the Council of Harmony within the Plane of Harmony. I called the council to order to prevent...interruptions."

"You think you can foalnap me and bring me to your council of 'Harmony'?" now screaming she continued to rant, "Naming everything after yourself. Saying you all about harmony. First you tell us Spike is doomed to forever be gone. You won't warn him or let us warn him! You then have some sort of memory spell casted on the whole of Equestria! An agent, a keeper of Harmony, bah! You are some sort of tyrant! I think you're no better than Tirek, Sombra or Chrysalis."

“Really?!? Really. Celestia: sun. Luna: moon. Applejack: apple farm. Diamond Tiara: wears a diamond tiara! Pony names usually have something to do with what their special talent will be. I did not choose the name 'Harmony.' I didn't name this chamber, the council, the plane outside, or the Keepers of Harmony! That spell was necessary to prevent problems after the memory wipe. Outside of Celestia and Luna and us no one remembers him and there are no records of Spike now in Equestria."

"Yeah and who gave you that right to do that!? Messing with peoples memories on such a mass scale! Who watches the watchers!" Twilight countered.

"Who watches the watchers! You dare play that card! You dare make that kind of accusation!" Harmony stop for a moment the lights suddenly flickered brightly nearly blinding Twilight for a second.

Once the lights dimmed and her sight return she could see that Harmony no longer looked angry. He looked defeated, tears flowing from his muzzle. Continuing softly "You see the nine thrones with the firefly lights dancing around them? Those are the 'thrones' of Keepers that died protecting this world! One of them is personally responsible for saving Celestia's life! We Keepers carry the shame, the failure, and the burden of our respective Elder Races. We are the LASTBORN! A Keeper isn't just chosen! When no more can be born the spell I told you of activates and the magic essence of a pair that race is combined. With that the final child of that elder race is born. No more can come upon this world again, only ascended versions like yourself.”

“The Keepers of Harmony carry the sin of our ancestors, we carry the absolution of the Elder to the Younger! See the crimes of the Elder Races! We could have stopped it sooner! But we didn't ... we didn't." Harmony hung his head in shame.

Suddenly Twilight found herself seeing one gruesome image after another, all of ponies. Some ponies were being tortured with fire others had their limbs cut, torn and bitten off. Twilight retched violently at this. She then saw the horrors of slave labor, the whippings and beatings. Mass graves came and went, murders, kidnappings and more. As the images stopped she nearly retched again.

"You saw only a taste of all that horror that befell just the pony races. THAT was caused by a Spark dragon! Spike is the same type of dragon. I have told you the tale of the one who hated the Younger races the one who has no name but only titles? One in which you have heard me use: 'Nameless One.'

Twilight went pale at this revelation but Harmony kept going "The second magic growth that I hinted at? That I shuttered at? THAT is the type of growth that brought this world the 'Nameless One'." Seeing her paling further he steeled himself to go on. "You do not want Spike succumbing to that growth. Which can happen if you interfere with the Choosing of his name or bring up anything of his 'past life.'

Harmony waited a few minutes while Twilight vomited a second time, worse than the first. Seeing that she could still handle a bit more he continued. "Your burden is much lighter. Not only that you have your friends you have Celestia, Luna, and Candace.”

“Do you know why the lights only move lazily with no apparent pattern around the thrones? It because you never met them. You had to have met them in life to see what they look like. I can only see the outlines of two. One of those died shortly after meeting me to explain my place as the Alicorn Keeper of Harmony when my cutiemark first appeared. I'm not sure of the circumstances of the death other one. The two unoccupied remaining thrones? One is Spike's; the other..." Harmony rubbed his mane nervously. "The other is not important right now..." With that he collapsed on his throne.

Running up to see if Harmony was okay Twilight could see that he was barely conscious. Sweat had matted his fur badly and the coat's color movement had stopped all together.
Whispering almost too softly for Twilight to hear, "You see Twilight I don't want Spike to be alone... He would only have two living Keepers if we survive. I couldn't live with myself if Spike's own sister, his friend, his family could not be there if he needs someone.”

Harmony coughed violently but continued nonetheless,“It's disharmonious to shatter that bond between you and it already is going to happen. That is opposite of what we do; it's opposite of what you do with the Council of Friendship. I'm trying to find a way to make sure that what will be shattered can be put back together. Sure it won't be the same but the bond can be fixed. That is our jobs: maintain and return harmony.”

“Do you know why I created the elements all those years ago? I made the Elements to allow the magic of harmony to be used by someone other than myself. Ones that are worthy and would carry on the mission of the Keepers if the pony races ever needed harmony magic if I ever I would die... Council.... dismissed..." With that he slipped into unconsciousness.

Twilight now understood why he was careful what he did and said. She remembered all of the things that Celestia had told her about Luna's banishment and the years following. Celestia had many regrets about her role in Luna's fall. What made it worse for her was the lack of good friends in which to confide. Twilight now felt guilty that she forgot that burdens carried alone without friends is hard, soul crushing. She saw now that Harmony too didn't have the circle of friends like she did, friends that could carry the burden with him.

Twilight sat there helpless unsure of what to do when suddenly a familiar voice spoke, "I see He did it again..."

Author's Note

Two guesses on the voice's identity.

Around the Campfire

"Okah what's with the torches around the campsite, and why is the fire red?" Applejack asked.

"Because yellow is so boooring." Discord drawing out the last word ignoring the first half of the question.

"No really."

"Because red will make to easier to see if I need to light up the area if we are attacked."

"Attacked!? By what?" Fluttershy now spoke up, nervous.

"Let's hope you don't have to find out. Now if you excuse me I have two ponies to recover." With that he snapped his tail and was gone.

"You know between Harmony and Discord I'm getting annoyed." Rainbow huffed.

“Here, here.” Rarity agreed.

They didn't have time to say anything else when a flash of light appeared near the edge of the campsite and a figure approached. Everyone tensed up a bit before they noticed that it was a very disheveled Twilight walking towards them. Spike ran up to help hold her up.

"What happened? Are you alright, Twi?" Spike asked guiding her to a spot by the fire.

"...Yeah... I just need some sleep." Twilight collapsed. Spike quickly threw a blanket over her and sat next to her. She didn't even want to know why the campfire was red in color. She was too tired from her ordeal to care. Soon she was snoring lightly.

Everypony just watched Twilight for a while concern etched on their faces. Now it was common knowledge that she tended to overexert herself in the midst of doing complex experiments or stressing out by over thinking a simple problem but this was different. Her eyes had looked haunted like she saw some terrible horror.

Soon another flash of light appeared outside the campsite near the perimeter torches distracting them from Twilight for a moment. Everyone blinked hard, rubbing their eyes.

"I'll go check it out," Spike picked himself up and walked cautiously outward. After a moment the effects of the flash wore off and his naturally strong night vision could make out Discord and in his arms was an unconscious Harmony. Running now, he nearly tripped over a rock before getting up close to them. "What happened to Harmony?"

Putting Harmony down gently then wrapping a blanket around him Discord sighed heavily "Harmony is trying to get himself killed." Squeezing his hands hard in anger." Spike, you see, Harmony is trying to handle the mantle of The Keepers of Harmony by himself. It was never meant to be that way. Why else do you think that the Elements require the all six current bearers and before them both Celestia and Luna? Can't have harmony with only oneself...."

Discord was silent for a few moments then looked down at Spike gazing straight into his eyes "You have something very precious that Harmony never really had. Actually, something that no Keeper has ever had..."

"What is that?"

Discord looked off into the distance "Family... "

Spike swore he saw the glint of a tear fall down Discord face. He looked out trying to see what Discord was seeing but could not see anything of importance. Taking a seat between Discord and Harmony he looked outward into the desert lost in his own thoughts.

"So what do you think?" Applejack asked whispering to avoid waking Twilight.

About what? Rarity asked also whispering.

"This whole affair. Ah mean Harmony is elusive in answers. Spike has been more withdrawn since Harmony entered our lives. Twilight comes back after disappearing with Harmony visibly shaken. Ah just don't trust this Harmony character. Ah don't even need to speak on Discord..."

"Twilight did have horrible bags under her eyes and I think her complexion was paler than normal." Rarity commented mindlessly checking out her coat for mars.

"You would notice that." Rainbow rolled her eyes.

Rarity glared at her but Rainbow appeared to either did not notice or care "I'm also concerned about my Spikey-wikey...You are right he does seem so troubled lately...and I still don't want to believe that Spike has to have some sort of uncouth 'hoard name.' Why would someone who claims to be about harmony would say something so cruel as to say..." Rarity shuttered.

"I do find it weird that he insists that you are the Bearer of Joy not Laughter." Rainbow looked at Pinkie trying to not think on what she knew Rarity left unspoken.

"Yeah that is odd... I'm just sad that he never allowed me to to host a party for him!..."

Everypony just blinked slowly at this. Speaking a bit louder Pinkie piped up "Ooo! anyone want some marshmallows?"

"Pinkie!" everypony harshly whispered.

"Oopsie." Pinkie blushed.

"What do you think Fluttershy?" Applejack asked Fluttershy.

Fluttershy stood up walk around the fire and stared off in the direction of Discord and Spike. "I trust them."

"Why?" Everpony said in unison.

"I..."Fluttershy squeaked hiding her face behind her mane and crouching down to try and make herself small.

"Darling, relax, you're among friends." Rarity reassured her everypony nodding in agreement." Go on..."

Fluttershy took a depth breath then let it out slowly. "Because no one in his condition would do this much while risking his own life. I don't think you noticed but Harmony is very frail...Remember when Harmony was out for two days?"

Everypony looked at each other then nodded slowly.

"During that whole time Discord was wrought with worry. Harmony could have died because he was overexerting himself."

"How would you know that?"

"Because," turning back to look towards Discord "we are good friends. We talk about a lot of things."

"Mind if I ask you a personal question?"

"Oh yeah? And what is this personal question?"

"Discord, you seem know a lot about the Keepers and seem to be friends with Harmony. How can that be? I mean chaos and harmony it doesn't make a lot of sense. It was Harmony's Elements that put you in stone for so long.”

Discord pulled on his beard a bit before answering "That is both a simple and complex question to answer."

Spike smirked, "Must you always give out knowledge in riddles?."

Discord shrugged, "What can I say?"

Spike slapped his face hard at this. He made a note, again, to stop playing right into Discord's antics.

"You better head off and get some sleep I'll keep watch."

Spike looked at the sleeping Harmony then back at Discord. Though he really wanted to wring the answer out of him Twilight was his biggest concern for the moment. "Okay."

He walked back to the girls, laid down next to Twilight, and fell fast asleep. The rest of the girls decided it was time to also get some sleep. Soon the only thing that could be heard was the crackling of the fire and the soft snoring of one dragon and seven ponies. This left a very world weary Discord, alone in his thoughts, on guard for the dangers of the desert.

Author's Note

Chaos and Harmony really doesn't make sense... what is the deal with these two?

Onward to Oasis

"Wake up, Spike." Twilight shook him slightly.

Spike rolled over mumbling, "Five more minutes..."

"May I?" Discord asked Twilight.

She eyed him suspiciously but nodded consent.

Wiggling his hands in excitement, Discord first popped his knuckles in front than behind. He floated up a bit producing a bucket. He eyed his target then dumped the contents onto Spike.

"What the!" Spike jumped up as soft vanilla soft serve dripped down his scales.

"Oh, shucks, I forgot the cone!" Discord snapped his paw in frustration. "O, well..." he shrugged.

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash went wild with laughter. Twilight and Rarity both gave them dark looks. However the corners of their mouths strangely struggled to stay down. Spike glared at everyone leaving the worst for Discord. Sighing he quickly licked all the ice cream off.

"Oh, Darling, that is.... ewwwww." Rarity blanched.

Discord sprayed disinfectant from a large arousal can he produced out of a handbag that had, of course, appeared out of nowhere.

"Discord! *cough*" Twilight yelled trying to clear the air around her magic. Instead of blowing the disinfectant away her magic seemed to produce confetti which promptly flew all around them.

"Harmony did warn you." Discord spurted failing at not laughing.

"Don't you dare...." Rarity exclaimed seeing the giant fan Discord had produced. Her objections were too late as Discord flipped a switch blowing the disinfectant, confetti, and sand away which, of course, messed up her coat.

"Okay now that you 'cleared the air'. What are we going to do about Harmony?" Twilight asked miffed at Discord antics in the light of Harmony being unconscious.

"I will carry him, for now. Later I'll put him on a stretcher and two of you girls can take turns. We can't stay in one spot in the desert for too long... it's too risky."

Discord picked up the alicorn keeping him lightly wrapped in the blanket. Cradling him in his arms he gestured for them to follow.

"Twilight remind me to never let Discord to carry me like that." Spike whispered into Twilight’s ear. Twilight only shushed him quietly trying not to giggle.

For days they traveled the endless desert. Discord would begin and end each day with Harmony in his arms. Two of the girls would volunteered to take the stretcher during the afternoon. A third had to occasionally carry Spike who couldn't go as long as the rest due to his smaller body and legs.

The terrain changed as they went. Midway through the second day they started seeing sand dunes and by sunset they were walking over the sand dunes. A sandstorm blew through during the morning of the third. Discord tied ropes to everyone and they told them to continue. On the fourth day, with thanks, they noticed that the terrain was becoming more flat again.

Also early on the fourth day of their march Harmony finally stirred enough to whisper. "How... loong... how long this time?"

"Four days." Discord answered keeping his eyes to the horizon.

"Where are we?" He weakly shifted to get a look about.

"A days walk to the Oasis before the Salt Flats." Discord replied.

Harmony whispered even softer. "Good, let’s... let's hope Scorpan is still alive."

"I hope so too, otherwise the next time you will die."

At this, Harmony passed out again. Discord sighed and shifted Harmony to better carry him then continued the long march.

The sun was low in the sky when Rainbow muttered, "I think this dessert is getting to me that is the tenth mirage today alone.”

Discord squinted his eyes, "That is no mirage. That is the Northern Oasis. We will be stopping there to hopefully meet an old friend."

"Please tell me its not another... dragon..." Fluttershy fearfully squeaked.

"I doubt it... If he is still alive Twilight might have an heart attack in excitement..."

"EEEEEEEEE..." Twilight squealed in delight already mentally going over a list. "And who might that be?"

Discord rubbing his brow of sweat in exasperation. "You ponies are going to be the death of me!"

After an hour they had entered a stand of palm trees surrounding a small clear lake. A small stone house stood on the other side of the lake. Though everyone was tired, they were all curious as to who would live so far out in the middle of not only nowhere but in a very dangerous and wild desert.

Discord walked up to the door of the house and knocked loudly. After a few moments a tall male gargoylish creature opened the door to greet them. He stood on two pawed feet, had bat wings, and a lion like mane. The mane and fur, though brown, was streaked with grey.

He spoke looking straight at Discord, "Discord??! What are you doing here? I..." he stopped when he noticed Harmony on a stretcher between Rainbow and Applejack. Gently moving around the ponies he picked up Harmony and walked back towards the open door to the home...

Taking a quick glance through the open door Twilight noticed that the inside of the house was huge. How is that possible?

"Harmony did tell you about the magic of the Untamed Wilds, did he not?" the gargoyle spoke answering Twilight's unspoken question. Stepping into the house "Well, come on in."

"What am I? A block head?" Discord responded to the slight, reshaping his head into a square.

"You are more likely not to tell them to get some sort of amusement out of it."

“Touche,” Discord grumbled.

The gargoyle turned to face his guests who he noticed were admiring the grand entrance. A spiral staircase led to a second floor. Various hallways and corridors went off in all directions. Leading them down a side hallway he spoke to everyone as a whole "By the way my name is Scorpan, and I welcome you to my home."

"Scorpan? By change are you the Scorpan!?" Twilight nearly screamed in delight. Spike and Rainbow Dash rolled their eyes, trying not to laugh.

Scorpan chuckled lightly at Twilight's burst of giddiness, "The one and only. I might relate some stories later, but first let's get Harmony into the den." Turning around a corner in the hall he opened a door and stepped into a cozy room. There were a couple of comfy chairs and a couch near a fireplace.

He placed Harmony gently on the couch, covered him up, and then placed a log into the fireplace. Looking around for a match and finding none he turned to go get one when he saw Spike.

"A dragon hatchling?!?" Scorpan exclaimed but then added, "That is odd..."

"What is so odd about it?" Twilight piped up, incensed. Spike didn't react having had long given up getting upset over ponies being in shock when seeing him with the girls.

"That he is a hatchling and not a whelp or an adult." Spike lowered his head at this, nearly in tears. Noticing Spike's changed demeanor he quickly added "My apologies, young one, I'm not familiar with curtsies given my hermit ‘status’ for centuries." He thought for a moment then he figured a way to cheer him up, "Why don't you light the log for me?"

Spike nodded and went over to the fireplace and blew his emerald green fire on the log until it was lit. Scorpan grabbed a few logs from a nearby stack and gently placed them on top of the now burning log. Without another word he left the den, the Bearers moving to the sides to allow him passage.

A moment later he returned with a bowl filled with water and a stack of rags. He pulled a chair closer to Harmony and placed the bowl and rags on the end table. He took a rag, dunk it gently in the bowl, then wrong it out. He gently dabbed the sweat from Harmony's forehead.

Speaking softly he asked, "How did this happen?"

Discord, with a few interruptions from an excited Twilight, recounted the events of the past few weeks. Scorpan spoke nothing, listening intently.

It was only after Discord had finished the tale that he spoke. Turning to face the sleeping alicorn," You foolish alicorn. How can you complete your work if you keep trying to kill yourself." Standing up he turned to look at his other guests. "We should go into another room so we can get to know each other better without disturbing Harmony."

"Can I stay with him?" Spike asked not taking his eyes off of the sleeping alicorn.
Scorpan looked at Spike. Seeing his pained face and knowing that he could not persuade him otherwise "You can. We'll be in the room across the hall if you need anything."

Without another word spoken everyone walked softly out of the room leaving Harmony and Spike alone.

Author's Note

Scorpan interestingly was not surprised about Spike's being there but was surprised that he was a hatchling... Scorpan seems to know something...

What Ails

"Has anypony seen Discord?" Twilight asked at an early breakfast the morning after arriving.

"I thought I saw him go outside." Scorpan answered, placing some toast on the table.

"*yawn* Why do yah need to find him? Yah know him. Never around when yah need him. Won't leave when yah don't..." Applejack yawned taking some toast and apple jelly. She looked at the jar and was surprised to see that it was an Sweet Apple Acres product. "Scorpan, where'd yah get this?"

"Harmony brings me treats from Equestria from time to time. I think that was from a place called Sweet Apple.. Sweet Apple..." snapping his claws trying to remember the rest of the name.

"...Acres" Applejack finished for him "It's mah family's farm."

"Oh is it? Well tell me what things besides the obvious do you grow?"

Twilight had heard all this before so she quietly left to go find Discord. She was glad Scorpan knew where he went. She did not want to try to find him in the confusing layout of the house.

Twilight walked out into predawn air. Shivering lightly at the chill in the air, she began to looked around. Given the small size of the Oasis it only took her only a minute to check the lake shore, the trees, and behind the house. He was no where in sight. She was about to go back inside when she noticed that Discord was hovering high over the lake. Though she could not see his face, as he was facing away from her, he looked very troubled.

"I'm a bit surprised to see you out here Discord." She called out.

"You thought I would love being inside with the maze of halls and dead ends? Too much like a poor pony's version of Canterlot Castle." Discord answered without moving, his back still to her.

"Now that you mention it..." Twilight trailed off. She stood there for a moment trying to remember why she was out here looking for Discord. "Discord? Can we talk?"

Not turning to look at her Discord guessed. "If I was a gambling draconequus I would have made big money on what you are asking." Flipping a coin expertly but still staring off at distance. "You want to know about Harmony's condition don't you?"

Twilight opened and shut her mouth repeatedly, loss for words.

After an awkward silence Discord finally coughed and began to speak. "So... about what is affecting Harmony. You should know something first." conjuring an illusion of the Tree of Harmony and the Crystal Heart for Twilight to see. " These are examples of artifacts created from a Keeper giving up their harmony magic. It allows the magic of harmony to be used even if for some reason the Keepers are unable to help. (I don't think either one of us what to know what would happen if there was no Crystal Heart to stop Sombra.) From our experience with the Tirek incursion you know what happens when a pony loses their magic. It is very dangerous to give up your magic even more so for a Keeper given their dangerous lives."

"Shortly after creating the Tree, Harmony went on one of his... excursions into the dragon lands. He contracted, what is now, a very treatable disease, but at the time had no treatment. Of course, even if there was a treatment by the time he could have gotten back it would have been too late... The disease is called Pony Magic Wasting Disease...Well, it's not very accurate, any magical race can contract it."

Twilight went into shock. She knew that disease quite well every pony was taught what to look for. She was surprised that she didn’t see the signs in Harmony. Admittedly it was only the early stages that are taught given that nopony had ever reached the advance stage in nearly a millennia.. Of course if Harmony had the advance form she was at a loss on what to do. Still she knew she must try.

"But there has to be something we can do. Spike is taking his illness hard. I fear that Spike needs help... and as much as I want to help him... I fear.... I fear..." Twilight started to cry thinking back to something Harmony said. "When a dragon becomes an adult they forget everything from childhood..."

"I would try talking to Scorpan." Discord ignoring Twilight's breakdown over Spike.

"Why him?" Twilight sniffed.

"Really? For such a Starswirl the Bearded fanfilly you should know the part of the legend were Scorpan befriended a young unicorn? I mean, true, its not the most obvious thing but..." Discord then noticed that he was alone. Sighing heavily he again stare off, lost in worry.

Twilight stumbled into the kitchen knocking over some pots and pans.

"Twi wha's th' mattah? Yah tryin' to wake everypony?" Applejack exclaimed, helping her up.

"Sorry, I... I need... to speak ...to Scorpan... about... Harmony." Twilight huffed heavily pulling a pot off of her head.

Scorpan raised an eyebrow, "Well, then let's go to my study. Applejack, if you or anypony need me, see that cabinet?" Scopran pointed to a plain wooden cabinet secured to a wall on the other side of the kitchen near a dumbwaiter. Above it was a line of small bells. "In that box there is a bunch of strings. Pull the one marked 'Study.'"

Scorpan motioned for Twilight to follow him through a side door. After going through several hallways Scorpan stopped at a door, pulled out a key, unlocked the door, and walked in the now unlocked room. Twilight was suddenly envious. Admittedly it was a small room. But along every wall there was bookshelves that went to the ceiling full of books. From what she could see nearly every book was extremely old and on subjects that she doubt was even in the Canterlot Archives. She never saw a personal collection this large. The library, along with the books, in Ponyville was technically not hers and given her side job as the librarian she never saw the need to have a very large personal archive..

Taking a seat behind a desk, and motioning for her to sit on the cushion in front of the desk, Scorpan began, "So uh... What was your name again?"

"Twilight Sparkle." She absentmindedly sitting on the cushion.

"Thank you, my memory isn't as good in my old age. So, what can help you with concerning Harmony?"

"His illness... I want to do something to help him, but..." Twilight trailed off

“I see.” Scorpan crossed his claws thoughtfully, “Tell me, why should I tell you about it if Harmony himself has not told you?”

“Because Spike cares deeply for Harmony. Spike is going through... uh... changes in his life and I don’t know how to help him as I know very little about dragons. Harmony seems to be the only one with those answers. I can’t help but worry that his is at deaths door. I would not be a good big sister if I couldn’t find a way to help Spike by helping Harmony.”

“Hmm…..” Scorpan thought but said nothing further. Time seemed to past slowly for Twilight as she waited for a response. She so desperately wanted to plead further but she couldn't think of anything else that would further her cause.

Suddenly Scorpan started speaking again, "Twilight Sparkle... Twilight Sparkle..." he chewed on Twilight's name. Twilight titled her head in confusion. "Ah! Now I remember why you name was so familiar! You were the one that finished Starswirl's unfinished 'masterpiece.'"

"Um..." Twilight blushed heavily at this.

"You know... " shaking his claw in excitement, "I think you might be able to take another one of his masterpiece to the next level..." Scorpan turned around and began looking through his books. "...although to be fair Harmony and I helped him with this one."

"What? I never knew he had any help with any of his spells, potions, magic studies..."

"Not surprising.” Scorpan cut her off, “Not everything is recorded. But there is there also a lot of your history that was deliberately shrouded in mystery. There are some things Equestria is not yet ready to know..." Scorpan headed off Twilight's indignation. Turning to face Twilight for a moment he say the look on her. "Relax, Celestia is not trying to hide things from ponies for nefarious reasons... don't forget that nopony knew that Nightmare Moon, Luna, was Celestia's sister. Can you imagine how much chaos there would have been if that was common knowledge? Ponies, by their very nature, panic easily."

"Sadly I know what you mean…” Twilight sighed heavily,” Wait how do you know all this?”

“I may be a hermit but like the apple jam Harmony does keep me informed of what goes on in Equestria as well as a few other lands that you don't need to know about.”

Twilight decided to turn the conversation back to Starswirl eyeing some of Scorpan's books, “So back to this masterpiece of Starswirl that you think I can take further?"

"Oh, yes, of course. It's Starswirl's treatment for Pony Magic Wasting Disease... never could understand the 'pony' part of it..." Scorpan answered returning to his search through his bookshelves.

"Wait I thought it was too late for Harmony?" Twilight seemed confused. She knew that advance cases were untreatable which is why everypony was taught how to watch for it.

"Maybe, but if anypony can solve a problem that Starswirl couldn't solve I think it would it would be you. I have his notes in a binder... Ah here it is." Scorpan pulled out a binder. It looked like papers were haphazardly stuffed in it. Turning back to see Twilight's excitement, "Here's the deal. There will be breaks to leave the lab for food three times a day. Also six hours minimum of sleep, in a bed, a night. No exceptions."

Someone is taking a page from Spike. Twilight thought.

Noticing her processing his stipulations he chuckled a bit. "I have had practice with a certain over working pony and I don't mean Harmony." Scopran then pulled his beard, adding "Although he was almost as bad."

Twilight cringed a bit at Scorpan's knowing look but then nodded, solemnly.

"Good. Follow me we have much work to do." Scorpan motioned Twilight to follow as he walked out of the study.

Author's Note

Pony Magic Wasting disease eh? Maybe that's why Harmony was unable to come during the prologue...

Revision 2.0

The Many Same Answers

For days Spike sat next to Harmony, hoping that he would survive. The only rest from his vigil was when Scorpan and Twilight left the lab to get something to eat or to rest and Scorpan dragging him away leaving either one of the girls or Discord to watch over him. Most nights Somepony would discover Spike fast asleep and would have to cover him up.

On the fifth day of his vigil Discord caught Spike uttering something unintelligible to Harmony. "Spike you been at this for four days now. You need to take a break."

"But..." Spike pleaded.

"No buts..." Discord groaned. "Oh, help me. I'm starting to sound like you, scolding Twilight..." seeing that Spike was still unsure of leaving or not he reassured him "Don't worry, I'll watch him and will let you know if anything changes right away."

Spike reluctantly got up, stretched, his joints cracking loudly. Harmony stirred a bit, groaning softly. Spike sheepishly froze and after a moment or two Harmony went silent again. Discord silently snapped on a nurses outfit and gently put a thermometer in the sleeping alicorn's mouth.

"Go on." Discord whispered waving with his hands not looking at Spike.

Spike’s stomach growled softly as he left the den he went down the hall and into the kitchen to grab a sandwich and a few gems. After making his sandwich he walked out and decided to eat by the water.

Splashing his feet in the cool water, his mind wandered to another problem that had been plaguing his mind. This problem had been plaguing him for years and had only recently been partially answered. The dangers of the past few weeks only made the urgency of solving it more pressing.

"A name is the sign when a dragon becomes an adult. This name, translated, is known as a Hoard Name. This name has a meaning that is similar to the meaning of a pony's cutie-mark though not completely...

You are a dragon that acts like a pony. This is in complete conflict with being a dragon...

You want to protect those you love but you can't do that as a hatchling. This is a conflict that must be resolved."

Harmony was right. Even though he would never admit it publicly, as he got older it got harder to behave in a pony fashion. Harmony helped him smooth out some of the rougher edges of being a dragon but he always acted a bit different then most colts. One of the things about the Hoard Name that made sense that was lately he had the urge to hoard but not in the way on his birthday.

When he had his ‘growth spurt’ on his birthday he wanted everything that he saw. Everything was things, objects to have. There was no rhythm or reason to it. The more recent... urges.. was different, it was as if there was something specific he needed to hoard but he knew not what. Something, however, that Harmony said to him last seem to touch on this.

"You want to protect your friends ... your family right? To protect them from harm? And what does a dragon protect?"

Choose wisely, he had said, but he wasn't sure how to do that, yet. How do you pick a name that says he wanted to protect his friends and family without coming off as some sort of brutish dragon that treated ponies with disdain or worst... This of course meant to choosing a name that was less dragon-like and more pony-like. He so wanted more help from Harmony but with him deathly ill that option was out. Twilight was also out as she knew just as much as he did.

He thought that maybe seeing some happy memories would give him some ideas, and if not it could at least get his mind off of the current events. That would require getting into the Plane of Harmony which he was unsure how to get in there. The last time he got in there was an accident. There had to be a way of doing it again but this time on purpose.

He closed his eyes and thought back to how he did it before and tried to repeat that. After a bit nothing happened. So he thought harder and his features crunched up from the increase and still nothing happened. It wasn't until he inwardly shouted that he needed advise that something happened. He could feel the air around him cool, the breeze stopped.

Tentatively opening his eyes he found that instead of the Plane of Harmony he had managed to get back to the same place that he discovered Discord and Harmony fighting.

"Okay not where I wanted to go but I guess this will work for now... The only problem is where am I?" Spike wondered out loud his voice echoing slightly.

The Council of Harmony meeting chambers. What is the answer you seek. What advice do you need? Several voices chanted in unison echoing loudly.

"Ouch." Spike covered his ear from the sudden loud, chanting voices. "Who said that?"

When no one answered he shrugged thinking it was the stress causing him to think he heard voices. Better not tell Twilight that.
The last time he was here Harmony and Discord were arguing he didn't get much of a chance to figure out where here was. Looking around, he could see twelve white marble thrones in a semi circle. Nine of them had sparks floating around them. Between each one he saw a window and outside he could see what he was sure to be the Plane of Harmony. It looked like he could enter the plane from a set of two very large double doors larger than the ones at Canterlot Castle. However, the sparks seemed to grab his attention. Going up to one of the thrones he tried grabbing one. His claws however seemed to go right through every spark.

"Must be magic." He mused. "Why, though, are they not around three of the thrones?"

The three without have Keepers that are full of life. Came the chant again.

"That figures." Spike rubbing his spines. "Guess that means the chanting voices must be magic too."

It seems to answer questions that I pose which means...

"How does a dragon choose a Hoard Name?" Spike tried to ask the question on his mind.