In Search of the Sun

by CosmicWaltz

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Adventure, Discord
Length: 42189

Twilight must lead her friends on an adventure with Discord to find a cure for Princess Celestia

Twilight and her fellow Elements of Harmony, along with Spike, must travel outside of Equestria to find a cure for an ailing Princess Celestia. This journey, however, forces them to travel with an old acquaintance they had all but forgotten...

--

An attempt at writing adventure, and moving myself out of my comfort zone and into dialog-heavy writing. Plus, Discord! Whoo!

edit: This story now has two kinda-sequels; the shipfic Diplomacy and the slice-of-life fic A Normal Day!

Published 2012-04-11 13:14:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-05-08 09:18:03 UTC

Chapter 1

In Search of the Sun
by CosmicWaltz

Chapter 1

Twilight's eyes fluttered open as the delightful scent of breakfast swam into her senses. Brushing her mane from her eyes, she sat up in bed, stretching off the dense relaxation of heavy slumber. "Morning, Spike," she yawned out. Hearing no response, she peeked over the foot of her bed. Spike's basket was empty, and with the aroma of eggs and pancakes coming from downstairs, she could only assume he was busy cooking the early meal.

She glanced out the window, prepared to meet gaze with her mentor's golden sun as usual, but was instead met with the night's darkness. Odd, she thought, even for the early Spring months. A quick eye at her alarm, however, revealed the hour to be earlier than she thought: just after 5.

"Why in Equestria is Spike up this early?" she asked herself as she stood from the bed. The dragon was no early riser, more often sleeping in well past sunrise. She even remembered that once in the past winter, when she let him have the day off, he had slept the entire day! It must be a cold-blooded thing, she thought as she reset her blankets properly.

She cycled through her morning rituals. She walked to the mirror across the room, combed her mane into place by her reflection, then brushed her teeth in the small bathroom connected to her bedroom. She looked herself over again, her magic casting light in place of the morning's rays, until she felt she looked ready for her day. She wasn't much for glamor, but she wasn't against admiring her own appearance either. "Looking good, Twilight!" She giggled as she spoke to herself. Too much time around Rarity, perhaps.

As if on cue, she heard a small voice call from below: "Breakfast is served!"

--

As she descended the stairs, the smell of the fresh meal grew more powerful. Being in a library, the small personal kitchen had never seen much use before, but with Spike's growing interest in cooking, it was quickly catching up to its years of being left idle.

Twilight sat at a small study table as Spike busily poured two glasses of milk. "Good morning, Spike. I'm surprised to see you awake this early." She looked over to Owlowiscious' small perch, seeing it empty as well. The owl must still be out for his nightly foraging, she thought.

"Morning, Twilight!" the dragon answered. He retreated back into the small kitchen with the still half-filled milk carton, only to quickly return with two full plates, one balanced on each hand. "I woke up early, so I just decided to cook breakfast!" He placed the two plates before Twilight, returning back to grab his own plates afterwards. Finally taking his own seat, he gave a final concern of his aspirations. "Hope you like it!"

Twilight looked over the meal. The dragon's first few attempts at cooking had resulted in less than savory servings. Once, he had tried to cook milk using his fiery breath, resulting in a solid milk-goo. Another time, he had baked tea cakes, but neglected to mention the gemstone filling until Twilight had taken a rather painful bite of quartz. These failings corrected and a few cookbooks later, however, and Spike was becoming quite the chef. On one plate sat two stacked pancakes, topped with a slice of butter and drizzled with maple syrup and honey. On the other, two sunny-side up eggs were connected by the whites, and a lightly buttered piece of toast was laid to the side.

The unicorn finished admiring the lovingly prepared breakfast, taking her fork with her magic. "It looks wonderful, Spike!" She cut off a small section of the pancakes, piercing the stacked, fluffy triangles through with the fork. Taking a bite, she quickly found the food tasted even better than it looked. "Mmm! If you were a pony, I'd say your cutie mark would be for cooking!"

Spike shoveled in his own serving with haste, hardly savoring his own creation. He paused only to respond. "Hey, I'm an assistant first; chef second!"

Twilight giggled to herself at the serious, yet food covered face of the dragon. He had somehow managed to get the butter slice stuck to his forehead. "And a wonderful assistant you are." She answered, using her magic to clean his face from across the table with his napkin.

The two ate in silence on the first floor of the library. Today, Twilight planned to visit a curios shop on the far side of Ponyville which she had heard about from Zecora. Supposedly, this place had a small collection of unusual books and magical assortments. The usefulness of this venture was debatable, but it would make for an interesting letter to the Princess none-the-less. Princess Celestia, she corrected in her head. She had been so used to knowing only one Princess that it had become second nature to call her "the" Princess. Princess Luna had since retaken her duty as the Moon Bearer, and now both Princesses together ruled Equestria. On occasion, Twilight had wondered if now she was the apprentice of both Princesses, or if she was still under the wing of just the Sun Bearer. Perhaps she would have to ask that in the letter as well. In any case, she would love the opportunity to study under Princess Luna, even if only for a temporary time. Even Twilight's name reflected her love of the night, stars, planets, and further cosmos visible only after the sun's setting. It'd be a wonderful chance to study under the mare that governed that very sky.

She glanced out the window again. Darkness still loomed over the brisk morning. She turned back to her meal, taking a small bite of her toast.

Her eyes flashed to attention. "Wait a minute..." She looked over to the clock. It was now just past 6. "What in Equestria?"

Spike looked up from his meal, face again a mess. "What's up, Twilight? Something wrong with the food? I made sure not to put any gems in yours this time."

Twilight walked over to the small window, a hint of concern in her voice. "It's not the food, Spike. Have you noticed how dark it is outside?"

Spike hopped from his seat, wiping his own face clean this time. He moved beside the unicorn. "Well, yeah. It's really early."

"Wouldn't we at least see the sun starting to rise? Some light over the horizon or something?" she asked, staring out over the blackened silhouettes of Ponyville.

Spike tapped a claw to his chin. "Yeah, I guess. Maybe our clocks are wr-HRRP!" Fire shot from the small dragon as a burp of magic came unexpectedly. Twilight's years of living with the dragon had heightened her reaction time to these transactions, and she nimbly ducked the burst. A rolled scroll fell to the floor with a dull rattle of paper.

"A letter?" Twilight inquired.

Spike recomposed himself. "Isn't it a bit early?"

Twilight shifted on her hooves, staring out into the darkness. "I have a bad feeling about this, Spike."

Spike picked up the rolled parchment before noting an anomaly. "Hey, Twilight, this letter doesn't look like the usual ones."

Twilight looked back to the dragon. Sure enough, the parchment he held was not the typical yellow scrolls of Princess Celestia. This scroll was a pale indigo color, with deep purple trim and glossy, black rollers. "I don't like this. What does it say?"

Spike unrolled the scroll, reading each line as written.

-

Twilight Sparkle,

You and your fellow Elements of Harmony are urgently needed at Canterlot Palace. Gather your companions at once! Within the hour, a chariot will arrive to collect your party.

Princess Luna

-

The message was brief, but impacting. Something was wrong, indeed.

"What do you think it means?" Spike asked, rereading the letter to himself.

Twilight didn't waste time explaining her thoughts on the matter. "No time!" she ordered, rushing to the door. "You fetch Pinkie and Rarity. I'll go get Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. Tell them to meet at the library immediately!" With no further words, Twilight bolted from the building, off to find her friends.

"G-gotcha!" Spike quickly answered to the charging unicorn. Jumping to attention, he headed off as well.

--

The six ponies, with dragon along as well, rode in an unsettling silence. Two pegasus Night Guards had arrived as told, Princess Luna's cart in tow, to provide a quick trip to Canterlot. It was just around 7 now, yet darkness still hung heavy over the land.

Spike had found Pinkie and Rarity easy enough at their homes. Pinkie instantly shot into vibrancy when awakened, but Rarity took longer to coax. She insisted to get ready before any such appearances outside, and was, when she eventually showed, the last to arrive at the library just before the Guards, wrapped in a white coat and lavender scarf.

Twilight had had a bit more luck with the others. Applejack was already awake when she arrived at the farm, preparing an apple cart for the market. Applejack had agreed to get Fluttershy, leaving Twilight with the task of fetching Rainbow Dash. Though lazy-natured, when she was truly needed, Dash would always be ready to go, and proved so again after only a few words.

Twilight read the distressing note to her friends, punctuating the emergency in her tone.

"Wha'dya think it means, Twi?" Applejack asked, staring worriedly out the window to the ground below. She wasn't comfortable with traveling by air, despite all of Dash's reassurances of it being "the best way to go".

Twilight looked down to her hooves. "I don't know, AJ. But, I know it can't be good."

Rainbow Dash relaxed in her seat, sunglasses needlessly covering her eyes. "Eh, probably just some bad guy we have to rough up. The usual."

"I certainly hope it's nothing too serious," Rarity fretted, adjusting her ornate bonnet. "This is cutting into my beauty sleep."

Spike sat beside the posh pony, leaning far too close to her side of the cart. "You're beautiful even without it," he fawned, hearts flashing in his eyes.

His compliment was quickly ignored as Applejack gave her own comment to the unicorn. "Don't ya think yer overdressed jus' a bit, Rarity?"

Rarity feigned a mock horror. "Dearest Applejack, I most certainly am not! I am merely dressing for the conditions. The coat and scarf are for warmth, but that doesn't mean they can't also be stylish!"

"An' th' hat?" Applejack asked cynically.

"It's a bonnet," Rarity answered flatly. "And you have no room to talk, darling," she added, pointing to Applejack's own headwear.

"Girls! Girls!" Pinkie interjected. "Let's not fight. Besides! Isn't it obvious? We've been invited to a party!"

"A party?" the others asked in unison.

"Well, duh!" Pinkie began. "Why else would Princess Luna send us a letter this early? It must be a surprise party!"

Twilight rubbed her temples. "Pinkie, I really don't think it's a party..."

Fluttershy had remained quiet for most of the trip so far. "Um, girls? Did anypony else see the sun rise this morning? I mean, at all?"

"That's what I'm worried about, Fluttershy," Twilight answered, looking up to the crescent moon hovering listlessly above in the sky. "It shouldn't still be this dark out."

"We are arriving at Canterlot," one of the guards bellowed back in a royal tone. Magic torches lined the walls of the dark palace ahead in faint blue light. The shadowed spires of Canterlot loomed forebodingly in the distance as the chariot descended. Hastily, the group departed, led by the guards.

--

At the doors before the throne room, Luna paced uneasily. At the approach of the elements, she ceased this nervous repetition, and turned to face the gang. "Twilight Sparkle! It is most favorable to see thou hast arrived!" In her excitement, she had reverted to her old manners, speaking in a booming voice and ancient dialect. She shook her head to calm herself. "And it's good to see you found your friends as well."

Twilight and company stopped before the Princess, each bowing in respect. Twilight was the first to speak. "Princess Luna! What's the matter? Why hasn't the sun risen?"

Luna sighed heavily. "You are most astute. I assure thee, one has had no such hoof in this affair. Thou-" Luna shook her head again, trying to keep her dialect consistent. "You! You must help me!"

Twilight could sense the frantic emotions fighting the Night Princess. Her eyes grew wide. "Something's happened. Is Princess Celestia okay?"

Luna looked away, unable to meet the unicorn's eyes. "She is not, Twilight. She has fallen ill."

Gasps escaped from the group at the news. Fluttershy stepped forward. "Ill? She's sick?"

Luna only nodded grimly.

"With what?" Twilight quickly inquired.

"Does she need medicine?" Fluttershy followed.

"Maybe a nice soup'll do th' trick." Applejack nervously answered.

"Everypony," Luna interjected. "You will see for yourselves..."

Turning from the group, her magic pressed open the large double doors to the throne. Across the long, torch lit room, a tall figure lay still. It was undoubtedly Princess Celestia.

Twilight charged across the room to her mentor. "Princess!" The others soon reached their friend, seeing the stricken ruler better in the low light. Her coat was paler than normal, and the color had faded from her mane, leaving it striped in grey tones. The magic that normally kept her mane and tail adrift on phantom winds now let the hair drape freely across the floor and steps of the throne dais. Her eyes were closed near-full, only leaving the smallest sliver of space at the bottom agap. Everypony in the room felt a sick twisting in their gut as they saw their once powerful protector lying helplessly in her throne.

Twilight continued trying to stir her mentor. "Princess Celestia! It's me, Twilight! Princess?" She gently shook the alicorn, her soft motions turning frantic with each lack of response. Tears began to form in Twilight's eyes. "Princess? Please! Please, Celestia!"

"She cannot hear you." Luna spoke softly, her own eyes wet with welling tears. "It is the illness that has her now."

Twilight tried a few more times to rouse the downed Princess, before retiring her efforts. She looked to Luna. "What happened?"

"A sickness that can only befall our kind," Luna answered. She moved beside Twilight, placing a hoof gently over the forehead of her weakened sister. "In the millennium of my absence, she has over-used her magic. This debt has been catching up to her. Without rest, our kind grows weaker, and if we press ourselves too far... "

"She did this to herself?" Twilight asked, pained by the implications.

Luna looked away from the inquisitive unicorn. "She must have known. I hoped retaking my duties would let her recuperate, but I was too weak. My powers are still weak from my absence. I can barely maintain the moon, much less the sun!" A tear shimmered in the pale light as it fell from the Lunar Princess' cheek. "I've seen the signs for months now. I tried to help, but she kept insisting she was fine..."

Fluttershy stepped beside the Night Princess. "There has to be something we can do."

Luna let a frail smile show across her tear-streaked face. "There is. There is a cure for what ails her. However, it lies outside of our Kingdom of Equestria."

Fluttershy cowered beneath her mane. "O-outside of Equestria?"

Rainbow Dash was not as daunted by this message. "Where is it? We'll have it back in no time!"

"That, my little ponies, is the problem," Luna responded, lying down in the throne beside her ailing sister. "It is... far outside of Equestria. Even outside of this world's realm."

"Er, beg yer pardon, Princess," Applejack interjected, cocking a brow, "but wha'dya mean by 'outside'a this realm'?"

"I must explain," Luna began. "We alicorns are not from this realm. We are not from this world as you ponies are. We come from a place far beyond. A place called the Eternal Realm. That is where you'll find the cure: the Panacea of Eternity."

This did not dampen Twilight's resolve. "How do we reach the Eternal Realm?"

"You cannot on your own," the Night Princess replied. "You will need the guidance of an immortal."

"Is there any other way?" Rarity asked, a nervous look on her face.

Luna sighed. "No. And if she does not receive this cure, I'm afraid..." Tears again formed in the Princess' eyes.

Twilight moved to nuzzle the powerful mare. "We'll get this cure. I promise." She turned towards her friends. "Right, girls?"

"Right!" the group answered, Spike included.

Luna smiled weakly to the ponies. "Thank you. I cannot raise the sun for you. I am not yet strong enough. But I can keep the moon at its fullest for your journey."

The mare stood, letting her powerful magic swirl around her fluted horn. Her eyes opened, revealing a shining magical light within. A low noise filled the palace as the night's sky brightened in a weak glow. Twilight looked up through the glass ceiling of the throne room, watching as the moon's radiance slowly expanded to it's fullest.

The act complete, there was only one last thing to do. "Come with me. There is one more unpleasantry that must come before you depart."

Twilight followed with her friends close behind as they exited the throne room. "What do you mean, Princess?"

"I told you, Twilight Sparkle; you will need a guide to find the realm."

"But, Princess," the purple unicorn asked. "You said we needed to be guided by an immortal. Doesn't that mean you?"

Luna shook her head. "No. With my sister in this condition, I must act as sole ruler in her place, and I refuse to leave her as she is." She gave a nod to the royal guards by the doors. "Allow nopony in. Use whatever force is needed," she ordered.

Both guards stiffened in place, understanding the severity of the situation. "Understood, your Majesty."

Rarity stepped forward. "Then, Princess, who else is there to lead us?"

Luna sighed weakly. "That is the unpleasantry..."

The group continued their walk in confused silence. The dark corridors echoed with each hoofstep of their journey. Several turns through the dim palace had led them to a large spiral staircase, surrounded by guards of unicorn, pegasus, and stout earth pony type. The stairs descended into a sunless blackness for what seemed like miles, reaching deep into the mountain of Canterlot. At the bottom, the party was led past many doors, all heavily protected by palace guards, both of Celestia's and Luna's ranks. As the hallway opened, they found themselves outside of the final gate. Two large, metal doors sat before them, latches lined with dozens of keyholes, and a runed chain wrapped around its handles.

Luna lifted the strange chain from the latches with magic, placing it on Twilight like a necklace. "Do not remove this, Twilight Sparkle. You will know why soon."

The Princess turned to the final set of guards. "Open the door."

Both guards gulped at the order, but obeyed. Several seconds passed as the guards cycled each keyhole, placing respective keys loosely in the spaces. When all were set, they looked back to the Princess, confirming their task. Luna completed the act with her magic, turning all keys at once with a large metallic clank. The guards then grabbed the handles of the doors, opening the small cell.

The room inside was swallowed in inky blackness, but the group could tell something was moving within the dark confines.

A deep voice rose out of the shadows. "Lookie, lookie..."

"Cookie, cookie!" Pinkie shouted in giggling excitement, unfazed by the eerie setting.

"Ah, Pinkie," the voice called. "I have missed that about you; always laughing."

Stepping out of the darkness, the figure became visible to the group. Long, serpentine body; mismatched limbs; horned crown and winged back; one oversized fang.

Twilight reeled back, shocked anger on her face. "Discord!"

"BINGO!" the draconequus shouted. "Did you miss me?"

"Do not be afraid," Luna spoke sternly. "His magic has been bound to the runes Twilight wears. He is powerless."

Discord fanned a dismissive talon at the mare. "Oh, go and spoil all the fun. You know, I thought you'd be a bit more lively than your sister, but noooo."

"Why is he free? I thought we turned him back to stone!" Rainbow Dash shouted, poised defensively towards the strange being.

Luna's gaze never left Discord. "I turned him back, but not before binding his magic. You'll need an immortal to reach the Eternal Realm. And as much as I dislike it, Discord is the only other immortal."

"What?!" Applejack shouted indignantly to the alicorn. "Yer sayin' we gotta travel with this snake in th' grass? After all he put us through!"

Twilight quickly moved in front of her friend. "Applejack!" she whispered, hinting. "This is a Princess! You can't talk that way to a Princess!"

"Sure you can!" Discord answered, overhearing the quiet words. "Nothing special about a Princess. Hay, if there was, they wouldn't need to rely on you six so often!" He leaned over, turning his upper body almost fully upside down to see Spike. "Well, make that seven."

"I assure you," Luna spoke up, "there is no reason to fear him. Without his magic, he is no match for you. He cannot touch the runes that hold him, nor distance himself too far from them. He is nothing more than a guide."

Fluttershy looked out from her hiding spot behind Rarity. "I-I'm still a l-little scared of him."

The Princess turned to Twilight. "There is no other way, I am sorry."

Twilight looked to the draconequus. He stood on his rear legs, curled over where the ceiling limited his stance. Without magic, he really wasn't the terrible monster from before. He was like any other creature that lurked in the forests and mountains outside pony civilization. If this was what it took to save Princess Celestia, she had to accept it. "Do you promise to behave?"

Discord smiled wryly. His red eyes burned into her as he lowered his face to her level. "I promise to be on my very best behavior. Scout's honor."

She gave one final glance to Luna. She couldn't trust Discord, but the pleading look on the Princess' face spoke louder than the venomous words of the draconequus. "Okay. We'll take him."

"Oh, Twilight!" Discord shouted in a joyous tone. "We're just going to be the very bestest of buddies!" He picked up the unicorn in a hug, swinging her around the room as he spun. As his neck contacted the runes she wore, a bright light flashed, launching him painfully away from the pony and back into his cell. "Owwie."

--

The group stood at the gates of Canterlot Palace, the artificially full moon beaming down from above. Twilight was fitted with a saddlebag containing various provisions and rations for the journey.

Luna bowed before the group, setting aside her rank in this moment. "Please, be swift, my little ponies. All of Equestria depends on you. I depend on you." As she rose, she added, "I will send the palace's own to take care of your personal affairs while you are away, and to inform your families of this mission."

"Thank ya, Princess," Applejack praised.

"We'll do our best," Rarity added.

"We'll do better than our best," Twilight resolved.

"We'll be back before you can say 'sun shine!'" Pinkie joined.

"Oh, joy," Discord added drolly.

Goodbyes said, Princess Luna returned to rule beside her ill sister.

Twilight turned back to her friends. "Okay, first off- hey, where'd Discord go!"

He was gone. Everypony jumped to attention, frantically searching around for the missing immortal.

"There he is!" Rainbow Dash called, pointing to a large horse-head statue by the gate. Discord was curled at the top of it, sitting in a relaxed pose with arms crossed behind his head.

Twilight walked up to the statue. "So, where do we start?"

"We don't," the immortal answered without stirring.

"What?" Twilight snarled, glaring daggers at the draconequus.

"Whatever makes you ponies think I would ever want to help your Princess get better?"

Fluttershy rose a quiet protest. "But, you promised."

Discord leapt from his stony seat, landing before the timid pegasus. His face drew close to her own. "Um, hello? I'm chaos incarnate! I follow nopony's rules, not even my own! What do I care about promises?"

Fluttershy jumped in fear away from the immortal as Applejack stepped forward, holding a fierce gaze. "Princess Luna'd be mighty upset hearin' ya talk like that, Discord. Might wanna watch yer tongue..."

"Or what?" Discord scoffed. "What will the Big Bad Luna do to me?"

"She'll banish you to the moon!" Pinkie yelled to the beast.

"Big deal, there's plenty of fun to be had up there."

"She'll turn ya back t' stone!" Applejack replied.

"We both know she's going to do that anyway, so what does it matter? Besides, being a statue isn't so bad! It's like when your foot falls asleep, really." He leaned against the horse-head statue, paw and talon crossed over themselves.

They were getting nowhere fast, and Celestia was in no condition to be left waiting. Twilight had to think of something to break this stalemate. Racking her mind, she finally found her leverage. "She wouldn't do anything."

This visibly caught Discord off guard. "Come again."

"She'd take your powers, and let you go free."

Discord tapped his clawed paw to his bearded chin. "Free?" he laughed. "Some punishment, huh?"

Twilight knew she could win this match. "For us; no. But for you? Freedom to a life without chaos!"

The realization sank in at once as a small flutter of panic flushed over Discord's features. "Oh, that throws some oatmeal in the recipe, doesn't it?"

"Free!" Twilight continued, walking menacingly towards the immortal. "To an eternity of mornings, and noons, and nights." She moved closer, pressing Discord futher against the statue. "And neighbors and meetings and shopping and sleeping and living a happy, dandy, wonderful NORMAL LIFE!"

"STOP! STOP!" Discord shouted, holding his hands out defensively. "I can't bear anymore! Fine! Being a statue isn't as bad as that!"

Twilight smiled at her victory. "Then where do we start?"

Discord walked past Twilight and the group, paying little attention to their presence. "Everfree. We have to pass through the Everfree Forest first. That will take us to the edge of Equestria."

"Now, hold on, Discord!" Applejack called, jumping in front of the immortal. "Wha'dya mean by th' edge'a Equestria? Ya better not be tryin' t' pull th' wool over our eyes!"

Discord chuckled at her stern position. "Celestia sure has you brainwashed, doesn't she? Just beyond the Forest is the edge of Equestria: the Outer Ridge. Those two bumbling sisters don't rule everything, you know. And surprisingly, Ponyville is closer to the border than you would think. Now, are we going? I'm already tired of walking everywhere."

Reluctantly, the group followed their de facto guide. Their journey was now underhoof.

At the edge of the courtyard, their chariot waited. One guard spoke forward. "We have been advised to take you as far as the Everfree Forest."

"Good," Twilight answered. "We need to make a stop in Ponyville first to drop off Spike."

This caught the dragon's attention. "W-what! But I want to go!" Spike protested.

Rainbow Dash flew past the group to the chariot. "Sorry, kid, but you're just too young for something like this."

"Traveling through the Everfree Forest is... dangerous," Fluttershy added, scaring herself a little with the same words.

"I can handle it!" Spike insisted. "C'mon, Twilight! I want to help!"

Twilight sighed. He was a determined little dragon. Twilight herself had frequently passed through the Everfree Forest, and knew it wasn't as dangerous as others made claim. Still, she didn't know just how far they were going beyond.

She looked back to the dragon. He stared up at her with huge, watery eyes. "Please, Twilight!"

She couldn't resist that look. Besides, having Spike around meant a direct line to Princess Luna if ever needed. "All right. But I want you to stay in the group at all times!"

A huge smile brimmed fin to fin across Spike's face. "Yes!" He bounded into the cart, taking the reins at the helm. "To Everfree! YAH!" He snapped the small strap, quickly being met with the frustrated faces of the two guards at the front. "Oh, sorry."

Discord leaned back in his seat. "We're doomed."

Chapter 2

In Search of the Sun
By CosmicWaltz

Chapter 2

The Night Guards again took to the air, Luna's cart trailing, on their flight back to Canterlot. The adventurous group was left at the edge of the always foreboding Everfree Forest. The songs of millions of strange insects and animals echoed from within the dark depths, creating a static wall of noise. Everypony could feel it staring back at them, almost as though the forest itself was alive.

"This is so cool!" Spike excitedly chimed from his place on Twilight's back.

"No, Spike, this is serious!" Twilight countered, turning to face the dragon. "We're doing this for the Princess, remember? She needs us."

Spike crossed his arms, visibly upset at being spoken to in such a stern way. "I still think it's cool," he muttered quietly beneath his breath.

"Is everypony ready?" Discord asked, taking charge of the group. He walked to the edge of the forest, ready to head in. "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get back to my stone-nap."

Twilight looked over her friends. Spike was back to smiling in excitement on her back, Applejack and Rainbow Dash held fierce looks of determination, and even Rarity looked ready for action. Pinkie was bouncing about in a patch of clovers, but given her nature, that was about as enthusiastic as anypony could say she was. Fluttershy, however, was not as eager. She was lying on the ground, trembling as she stared into the dark foliage before them.

"Fluttershy? Are you okay?" Twilight asked, uncertain of the pegasus' resolve.

Hearing her name called, Fluttershy bolted from her spot on the grass to hide behind Applejack. Peering out, she calmed herself. "O-oh, I'm f-f-f-fine..."

"Uh, you sure about that?" Rainbow Dash asked, hovering beside the grounded pegasus.

"Well, I-I'm a l-l-little nervous..." Fluttershy answered, shaking in fear behind her earth pony friend. "B-b-but as long as y-you girls are with me, I-I-I'll be okay."

Discord propped himself lazily on a large rock. "So, aside from Stuttershy, we're good?"

Spike laughed quietly along. "'Stuttershy'! That's a good one!" An angered look from Twilight silenced his giggling. Pinkie Pie, however, continued to chortle at the joke.

Twilight groaned in frustration as she looked back to Discord. "Yeah, we're ready."

"Great!" the draconequus gleefully exclaimed, returning to a stand. "Don't worry, it's a quick walk through EverDEATH Forest."

"D-D-D-DEATH FOREST?!" Fluttershy shrieked, cowering even lower behind Applejack.

The farmer had had enough of the prankster's antics already, but wouldn't take him scaring her timid friend any longer. "Discord! Stop that, ya hear!"

"You brute!" Rarity joined. "Can't you tell the poor dear is scared enough already!" She moved to nuzzle her whimpering friend.

"Yeah, leave her alone!" joined Rainbow Dash in the pegasus' defense.

"Oh, come on!" Discord defended. "It was only a joke. Besides, this is probably the safest place we'll have to pass through!"

Another terrified squeak rose from the pegasus.

"Ah said that's enough!" Applejack reinforced, taking a step towards Discord.

"Yeah, ya big meanie-pants!" Pinkie joined, scowling at the devious prankster.

"It's not my fault she's scared of the dark!" Discord countered, taking an angered tone.

"You're not helping, you lout!" Rarity added.

Discord crossed his arms across his chest. "Better she drop out now than when it's too late, I say. No use for a coward where we're going."

Rainbow Dash darted within inches of Discord's face. "Shut up!"

Discord smiled wryly. "Or what?"

"ENOUGH!" Twilight yelled, having heard all she cared to. Silence instantly fell over the scene in the wake of her words. Even the forest grew soundless for a moment.

Calming herself with a few heavy breaths, the unicorn continued. "We don't have time for this! Let's just get going, everypony!"

"Excellent idea! Onward!" Discord answered, heading into the forest, a smile again on his face. Twilight reluctantly followed with Spike in tow. The rest of the group soon fell in line behind them, all except for Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash stopped at the edge of the forest and looked back to the cowering pegasus. She felt bad for Fluttershy. She couldn't imagine facing a world where almost everything stunned her in crippling fear. She was also angered at Discord for exasperating the situation for the poor pegasus. She returned, landing beside the still trembling pony. "Don't let that bully get to ya, okay? Nothing bad's gonna happen in there. I'll be right beside you the whole time."

Fluttershy looked up from behind her mane, her blue eyes glowing in the moonlight. For the first time that day, Fluttershy found a smile on her face. "Th-thank you, Rainbow."

"Not a problem!" the cyan pegasus answered, putting a hoof to her puffed chest in one of her prideful, heroic poses. "Now c'mon. We gotta catch up with the others."

The two pegasi departed into the forest, quickly closing the distance to their friends.

--

The forest hummed with alien life around the group as they cut their way through the undergrowth. Little of Luna's gifted moon could pierce through the thick canopy above, making what pale beams could reach the ground play vicious tricks within the shadows. Twilight Sparkle, however, had her magic on her side. Her horn glowed with light, illuminating their path. Discord lead the group, fearless of the dark unknown before him. Pinkie bounced happily behind him, a smile never leaving her face. Twilight and Spike were close behind, with Applejack and Rarity following near. Tailing the back of the group was Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. The timid yellow pegasus was still shaking and jumping at every noise, but Dash kept her word, opting to walk beside her friend instead of flying ahead.

"You know, I always did love the Everfree Forest," Discord spoke as he walked. "It's chaotic enough without my help! An oasis in a far too sane world! Some of the beasties in here are far worse than anything I could have cooked up!"

Twilight was growing weary of the villain's attempts to frighten them. "The Everfree Forest isn't so bad. My friend Zecora lives here, and I travel to see her all the time."

"Zecora?" Discord asked with new interest. "That's a zebra name, isn't it? Oh, tell me! Do they still do that thing where they only talk in rhymes?"

Twilight stopped in place at the sudden question. She hadn't even noticed it before, but Zecora in fact did speak in nothing but rhymes. She resumed walking as she answered. "Uh, yeah. Why?"

"My own handiwork, eons ago!" Discord proudly boasted. "Guess Celestia never got around to fixing it! Ha!"

Pinkie fell out laughing, rolling in a small pile of leaves. "Hahaha! That's priceless!"

"Pinkie!" Twilight scolded. "Don't laugh! That's horrible!"

"Oh, come on, Twilight," Pinkie replied through her laughter. "It's kinda funny, don't ya think?"

"See, she has the right attitude!" Discord shouted joyously. "The rest of you, I just don't understand. All this normalcy is mind-numbing!"

Twilight hung her head in frustration. "Ugh! Let's just get through with this already!"

"Couldn't agree more," the immortal responded, pushing aside a curtain of vines in his way.

"Um, g-girls?" Fluttershy spoke up in a meek voice. "D-d-does anypony else notice that we're... b-being watched?"

Twilight was taken aback by the notice, but in fact, they were being viewed from all sides by hidden, glowing eyes. The inhabitants of the Everfree Forest stared upon them as they traveled.

"Yeah... You're right, Fluttershy..." Spike replied, seeing the attention aimed their way. He shrank down, clinging tighter to Twilight. The forest was of course full of various life, but never before in any of their visits had so much of it focused on them.

Discord looked around, seeing the haunting eyes peering back. "Oh, that? Nothing to worry about. They're just drawn to me."

The entirety of the group stopped at his answer. "What?!" they begged in unison.

Discord also stopped his progress, turning to face his less-than-fellow party members. "I told you, this place is chaotic enough without me. Chaos is drawn to chaos, and I'm the King of Chaos! They're curious. Isn't that neat?"

Twilight again looked around to the looming eyes. "Sure. Thrilling," she replied sarcastically, nervousness edging in.

Discord waved a dismissive paw. "Bah, no fun! Just you wait. When I rule again, things will be way more interesting! Grass will grow on the clouds, birds will sing opera, all the tables will run in herds. And don't even get me started about 'Hotsauce Tuesday', every Thursday!"

Pinkie gave an excited gasp. "Twilight! Did you hear that! Chaos has a day for hotsauce! Hotsauce, Twilight! Doesn't that sound fun! I want more chaos!"

Twilight rubbed a hoof to her forehead, the weak throbbing of a headache beginning to take hold. "No, Pinkie. Discord's a bad guy, remember? We don't side with bad guys."

Discord laughed at the unicorn's annoyed state. "But you know it's fun," he added as he continued to lead the way.

The forest seemed to close in around them the further they proceeded. As time drew on, the group found themselves passing old landmarks. The stream they had once met the sea serpent in was much easier to cross without his woeful lamenting over his facial hair, and even the hanging bridges provided little difficulty this time around. Changing their heading from their previous adventure, the ancient castle was faintly visible against the skyline in the far west. They carried on, into territory none of them had yet experienced.

Twilight looked over the group again. Spike was asleep on her back, obviously drowsy from his early morning. Rarity also looked tired from the journey, being unused to such long walks. Applejack walked beside her, her gaze still fixed firmly ahead. Fluttershy had calmed herself, walking side by side with Rainbow Dash in silence at the back of the pack. Pinkie Pie had since fallen back into the group, her bouncing finally giving way to walking. Twilight looked forward to see Discord still taking the lead, his condition not a concern for her.

"So, where are we going?" she asked, breaking a long silence.

"The Eternal Realm," Discord answered flatly. "I thought we were clear on that?"

"I know that much!" Twilight shouted back. "But where is it? How much further?"

"How much further?!" Discord repeated, laughing at the question. Without halting, he bent his upper body backwards, using his serpentine body to look Twilight in the face, albeit upside down. "Haha! A ways still, I'm afraid. It's a long journey ahead."

"Where's this journey'a yers takin' us, then?" Applejack asked.

"Quite far," he elaborated, bending himself back upright. "First, we have to cross the Everfree Forest. We're almost done with that, at least. Then, we climb over the Diamond Caves of the Outer Ridge."

Rarity snapped from her tired, autonomous walking. "Diamonds, you say?"

"Then through the Draconian Mountains."

Fluttershy stiffened, trembling. "Dr-dr-dr-draconian?"

"And finally, we pass through the Abhorrent Lowlands."

"The Abominable Whatlands?" Pinkie asked in confusion.

"And finally, we reach the Gate of Eternity. That's the way into the Eternal Realm." He twisted his body around at his waist to look at Twilight as he walked. "Easy as pie, right?" He gave a final mocking laugh before turning back to where he was headed.

Twilight still had questions. "What is the Eternal Realm, anyway?"

Discord stopped in his tracks, halting the group's progress behind him. He stared ahead blankly for a moment, before finally uttering his answer. "It's where all immortals come from. Our birth place, if one can even call us 'born'. A place of infinite magic and power."

A long pause followed his words. Only the endless sounds of uncontrolled nature continued.

"What's it like?" Rarity asked, intrigued by Discord's new, odd behavior.

The draconequus shook his head clear, continuing his stride. He spoke dryly, with a strange, vicious mocking to his words. "It's like an amusement park. Sure." His abrupt shift in mood made it clear that he was done speaking on the topic, and the others respectfully declined to press it further.

The sounds of the forest changed around them as they continued. The din of animals unknown faded, replaced by the ominous chorus of raging water up ahead. The thick growth finally parted, and visibility returned as the moon shined down unobstructed. The origin of the noise was revealed to the group as a huge river crossed before them, a mountainous ridge just visible on the opposite side. Rapids tore across the water's surface, making jagged points as waves crested and fell back into the blue abyss.

"Now, how th' hay are we s'pose t' cross this!" Applejack shouted above the loud clamor.

Discord shrugged. "Beats me. That's for you to figure out."

The loud commotion stirred Spike from his slumber. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he jumped in startle at the sight before him. "Whoa! What's going on!"

"A problem, I'd say," Rarity answered, stepping to the river's edge. A chilly wind from the river's surface blew by, making her shiver. Adjusting her scarf and bonnet, the unicorn was quite glad she had dressed warmly. "We need to find a way around."

"No way around," Discord answered pessimistically, lying back against a fallen tree on the shore. "This is the Everfree River. It runs this thick all the way to the ocean. And none the shallower, either."

Rainbow Dash stepped forward, Fluttershy still sticking close. "We can fly across! Twilight, do you remember the wing spell you used on Rarity?"

Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin, attempting to remember the complicated spell. Sadly, her mind drew a blank. The difficult spell wasn't one she noted to reattempt, and quickly left her memory soon after that day. "No, I don't. I'm sorry."

"For the better, anyway," Discord spoke again. "The winds that come off this river would sweep you clear off the map! I wouldn't even attempt flying over it."

"C'mon, Twilight!" Spike encouraged. "You're the most powerful unicorn in Equestria! You can do something, right?"

Twilight bit her lip. The first obstacle they had come to in this quest, and she felt helpless against it. She had to find some way to reach the other side. She thought of teleportation, but staring across to the distance, blurry bank, she knew it was too far for her to jump in a single spell. Teleportation took a burst of magic, and how many others she carried with her would take an exponential amount of energy. The river was easily a half-mile across, roaring waters rushing the entire width if she failed. She thought of casting a water-breathing spell over her and the others, but knew the current was far too powerful to swim through either. The raging river stood defiant to any of her ideas!

"What do I do?" she quietly asked herself, her ears dropping in worry. Her friends were depending on her. Equestria was depending on her! But, more than anything, Princess Celestia, her mentor, the pony who was like another mother to her, depended on her. She had to think of something.

She looked to the ground beneath her, hoping for any muse to cross her way. "C'mon, think, think!" She spoke to herself.

Below her, she saw a trail of ants, following in a single line over the moist soil beside the river that blocked their path. She looked closely, following the ants' progress. A smooth trail had formed as they etched out the soil underneath their small legs.

An idea flashed like lightning in her mind, springing her head from its hanging position. "I've got it!"

She ran to the edge of the water, spreading her legs to brace herself for what was to come. Bright light poured from her horn with sparkling flickers of magic as she willed a change around her. Spike hopped from her back, taking in the spectacle from a safe distance with the others. Twilight's eyes glowed white with intense energy as her magic swirled around her. A wedge split the waters of the river, piercing the current like an invisible knife. As the part grew deeper, the water was further split, soon cleaving a trail clear to the river's bottom. She had parted the river all the way across, making a road for the group to cross in safety.

Cheers rose from her friends at the marvelous feat. Even Discord had taken notice, a shocked look apparent on his face.

The hard part concluded, the magic surrounding Twilight died down, only remaining as a faint glow around her horn as she held back the water. It was easier to hold the spell than to cast it, as it often is with continual magic. She turned to her friends again. "Now we can cross."

"Twilight..." Spike began, his mouth agape. "That. Was. AWESOME!"

"Ah reckon yer on t' somethin' there, Spike," Applejack added in awe.

Twilight blushed. "Well, it was just something I came up with. Let's get going."

Discord finally gathered his senses, again leading the group through the now open road. "I guess that was pretty impressive," he only quietly uttered as he passed the purple unicorn. "Just don't let that magic of yours go, or we're all doomed."

As the group poured nervously into the parted river, they took in the powerful sight. On either side, clear water stood in perfect walls. Beyond the edge, fish and other aquatic life could be seen faintly as distant silhouettes. Fluttershy smiled as she watched small fish come to the wall, curious to the unusual visitors in their domain. Above, the water rose to towering heights, showing just how deep the river truly was. As they walked lower and lower, darkness again took hold where the moon could not see. Only the faint luminosity of the filtered moonlight guided their path now, casting shining water patterns over them and the ground.

They reached the halfway point, their passage finally ceasing its descent and returning back to a climb. Nopony spoke, almost as though none wished to jinx the situation. Twilight's magic, however, held firm.

Fluttershy felt her nerves jitter as she looked up the heights of the watery walls. Fear spoke to her, reminding her of how easily the massive walls could come crashing down, crushing her and her friends under its weight. Her hooves began to shake, panic eating at her as it often did.

She shook her head. "No!" she thought. "You can't think like that, Fluttershy!" She chastised herself for letting fear get to her. She had to be strong, for the sake of the others. And more, she couldn't prove Discord right.

Fluttershy again looked to her side, marveling at the brightly colored fish and sea-snails and crabs that stared in from the edges of their home. Fear left as fun thoughts again entered her mind. Of swimming with the beautiful fish, and of what new animals she'd see on their journey. Her hooves again stamped in steady rhythm, excited at what was to come.

Instantly, the fish that gave her courage vanished, dashing back into the darkness in panic. The snails shrank into their shells, and the crabs all scurried away at once. This struck the pegasus as odd. Why would they run away, she thought? There's nothing to be scared of.

Fluttershy stopped in place. Nothing to be scared of, she repeated in her head. But, what if... there was?

"Um... Twilight?" Fluttershy whispered lowly, catching up to the unicorn. "I-I think we should, um, maybe speed up, I mean, if that's all right with you."

Twilight looked to the pegasus beside her. "Why? Is something the matter?"

"W-well," Fluttershy continued, hiding beneath her mane. "I just, well... I just don't think it's... safe here."

Twilight giggled lightly. "Oh, Fluttershy, don't worry! I'm not letting my magic go, you can count on it!"

A low, groaning noise echoed within the passage, freezing everypony in place.

Rainbow Dash hopped into the air, hovering above the others. "Wh-what the hay was that?"

Fluttershy began to tremble fiercely. "Th-th-that's what I was afraid of..."

The growl sounded again, bouncing around the small gap. Everypony looked around, trying to determine where it was coming from.

Twilight's eyes darted around. "Discord," she asked, her voice hushed and low. "What do you think is making that sound?"

She looked to the draconequus. His eyes were wide, limbs stiff as stone. "Discord?" she asked again.

Discord stared blankly forward. "Oh, buck."

A mighty crack split the air as a large tentacle ripped through the watery wall, lashing across at the adventurers. With quick reflexes, the group ducked the fast limb, with Dash taking flight over it.

Spike hopped back to a stand, leaping onto Twilight's back again. "What was that?!"

Discord was quick to respond. Charging ahead of the group, he shouted back. "RUN!!" The rest of the group was quick to agree, making a dash for the far side of the river.

Another splintering crack shattered the air as a tentacle crashed down mere feet before Discord. The draconequus skidded to a halt before the large limb. Twilight, with Spike, however, were not as quick to stop, and barreled into Discord's back, launching him over the slimy appendage that blocked his way.

Dazed from the blow, Twilight's magic waned, the walls sprinkling down a small mist from either side as a pulse of magic rolled over them.

"Twilight!" Spike urged in panic. "You gotta stay focused!"

Twilight shook her head, clearing her mind, moments before another tentacle swept through the walls towards her. She hopped to the side, dodging the tentacle as it crashed down. Her saddlebags were not as lucky, getting captured by a suction pad on the tentacle and ripped from her back, sending Spike in a tumble to the ground. The bag and all of their gear was whisked away into the dark waters. Twilight gathered herself, assessing the situation. Behind her, her friends fought sweeping tentacles of their own from the darkened waters, each screaming in panic as they nimbly avoided the attacks. In front of her, Discord had again taken to running away. Not too far ahead, however, he ran into an invisible wall. The binding necklace Twilight wore wouldn't let him distance himself far.

He fought the magic barrier a few more times before turning back to the unicorn. "Would you hurry up! I'd like to not get crushed by a sea-monster today!"

"I'm not leaving without my friends!" Twilight shouted back. She quickly grabbed Spike from the ground, throwing the dazed dragon onto her back again as she ran back to the others.

Discord was unwillingly dragged back with her as his magic leash was pulled away. "WHAT?! NONONONONONONOOO!!"

Twilight jumped into the group again, dodging multiple swings from the unseen beast. "Girls! Run! I'll hold it off!" She poured magic again into her horn, painstakingly widening the pass to give her friends more room to escape as she telekinetically swatted away the assaulting limbs.

Her friends heeded the command. Pinkie, Applejack, and Rarity quickly ran towards the shore. As she passed, Applejack snatched up Spike from Twilight's back, tossing the dragon onto her own. "Time t' go, Spike!" They bounced over Discord as he lay in the way, still trying desperately to get beyond the unseen barrier the necklace held him at.

Fluttershy stayed pinned to the floor, terror locking her limbs as she hid below her mane. Another snap of the air signaled as a thick tentacle barreled down towards her. Fluttershy looked up at the loud sound, only to see the crushing blow headed her way. She again hid her eyes, screaming as she waited for the strike. Rainbow Dash, however, got to her first, snatching the poor pegasus up from peril just before the tentacle hit. A boom echoed as sand and dirt were crushed beneath it.

Fluttershy looked up, seeing Rainbow Dash holding onto her by the forelegs. "I told ya, Shy!" the cyan pegasus spoke through the calamity. "I'm staying by your side!"

Fluttershy found courage again coursing through her as she looked up to her friend. Her own wings pulsed with life, lifting her by her own power. "Thank you, Rainbow."

The two pegasi now in the air, it was time to retreat. "Twilight!" Rainbow Dash called down to the struggling unicorn. "Let's get out of here!"

Twilight again let her magic rest, the pass widened enough for their escape. She turned on her hooves, bolting towards the shore with the pegasi flying above her. Another tentacle whipped through the wall, smashing into the spot where she had stood just moments before.

As she leapt over Discord, the immortal was quick to catch his senses, following in haste behind the unicorn. "I'm attached to you, remember?! Don't do that again!!"

The shore was in sight now as the pale moonlight brightened around them. On the bank, the rest of the group called frantically to them, urging the remaining ponies on.

"Hurry, Twilight!" Spike encouraged from Applejack's back. "You can make it!"

They were almost out. Twilight pressed herself harder, closing the distance. She jumped onto the dry land, Discord following close.

Dash and Fluttershy were further behind still. They flew sharply upwards, above the river's surface. "CLOSE IT, TWILIGHT!" Dash cried as they cleared the gap.

Twilight responded with immediacy, letting the split close with a dull boom as she released her magic.

A loud roar again cried out from the dark depths. A final tentacle fired from the water's surface, aimed at the two pegasi above. Rainbow Dash bobbed below the limb as it passed. Fluttershy, however, had been caught unaware. The tentacle wrapped around the yellow pegasus before she could react, pulling her quickly towards the raging river below. "RAINBOW!" she called out, just before the waters rose to overtake her.

Time slowed as the others looked on in horror. In an instant, their friend was gone.

"NOOOO!" Rainbow Dash screamed in terror. Turning in air, she dove into the water after her friend. Within seconds, she reemerged, much further down the river. She dived in again, and again, trying several times, but it was hopeless. The current was too strong, and Rainbow Dash was a weak swimmer.

Exhausted, she fought the waters to again find air beneath her drenched wings. She hovered over the river, staring downstream into the distance. "FLUTTERSHY!!" she called, hoping her voice would carry below the rushing waters. Time drew on as she waited, her friends just as worried on the shore. No sign of the lost pegasus broke the surface. Dash's soul sank as the moment caught her, the spark of hope growing weaker with each passing second. Her wings burned from their abuse, and reluctantly, she landed beside her friends. Her gaze was fixed on the ground below, unable to look up. "I... I couldn't save her..."

Fear held a deathgrip over everypony, save for Discord. Could they really have lost one of their own? Silence hung sickly in the air as reality sank in. Everypony's eyes fell to the ground, painful sorrow stabbing at their hearts.

"Um, can somepony help me, if it's not too much to ask?"

Everypony snapped to attention at the soft voice speaking low against the crashing waters. Turning to look, they were met with a soaked Fluttershy lying on the water's edge. Rainbow Dash's heart sprang to her throat as she saw her friend again. "FLUTTERSHY!!" The group ran to the bank, helping to pull the tired pegasus further from the river. Each pony shouted words of joy and love to the drenched pony as she was wrapped in numerous hugs.

"Fluttershy!" Dash began, tears still wet at the edge of her eyes. "I thought we lost you!"

"Ya made it!" Applejack cheered, happy to see their friend safe.

"Oh, Fluttershy!" Rarity joined, hugging her friend again. "I'm so glad you're all right!"

Spike sprang up in joy. "You're alive!" he exclaimed, before a confused look found its way on his face. "But, how?"

Fluttershy averted her eyes, staring at the soil below. "Um... it was nothing..."

"Nothin'?" Applejack repeated, tilting her head. "What'd'ya mean 'nothin''?"

Fluttershy lowered herself, letting her wet mane drape her face. "Oh, well, it was... well..."

"Darling," Rarity inquired, "whatever is the matter? You're acting like-" Realization suddenly hit the unicorn. "Wait." She drew back, putting together the pieces in her head. "Oh, dear, you used The Stare, didn't you?"

A blush rose on Fluttershy's cheeks. "M-maybe a little..."

Applejack rubbed a hoof to the back of her mane, her face contorting. "Aw, jeez, Fluttershy. Th' Stare? Th' poor critter..."

"The Stare, huh?" Pinkie asked. She opened her eyes wide, letting the orbs roll lazily in her head. "Spoo-oo-ooky!"

Fluttershy shot forward. "I didn't mean to! It just happened!"

Twilight laughed. "We're just happy you're all right! But, how did you make it back to the shore?"

"Well, I swim a lot, so I'm pretty good at it," Fluttershy explained, blushing from all of the attention. "I have to be when taking care of Mr. Walrus and Ms. Whale."

"Waitwaitwait!" Dash interjected. "You have a whale?!"

Fluttershy smiled weakly. "Sure. I have a lot of pets."

"Well, that's a whale of a tale!" Pinkie shouted with a snorting laugh, landing a flying hug onto the timid pegasus, rolling her over onto the ground. The rest of the group joined in the now group hug.

Discord sat back from the others, shaking the water from his fur. He didn't want anything to do with the sappy scene behind him. "When you ponies are ready, we have a lot of ground still to cover." He added under his breath, "and hopefully a place to dry off."

"So, what did that thing look like?" Spike asked, curious to the beast they had just fought.

Before Fluttershy could answer, Discord replied. "That was a Cephalosaurus. A giant octopus-like monster-thing. And they make terrible pets! I used to have one, but it just kept making a mess of its aquarium."

"I've never heard of such a creature," Twilight mused, a small glint of fascination sparking in her at the unknown.

"Because most ponies don't survive seeing one." Discord added with a twisted smile. "Now, we need to get moving." He pointed to the towering mountain ridge before them. "We have to get over that next."

"What's the rush?" Rainbow asked, glaring at Discord. "Can't you see Fluttershy needs to rest?"

"Fine," the draconequus answered, walking away from the others towards the mountains. "If you want to hang out by the river, be my guest."

The group turned, looking back to the water. As each one remembered the previous ordeal, they began seeing sense in making distance. They were soon following Discord's example.

Chapter 4

In Search of the Sun
By CosmicWaltz

Chapter 4

Twilight slept restlessly, her dreams filled with nightmarish images. A blackened sun, exploding in silence and raining a blanket of darkness over the world. Ravenous packs of wild dogs with diamond teeth, nipping at her tail as she ran. Chains tightly gripping the skin, dragging her down into fathomless, watery depths. Visions of black, inky skies. Sickness. Death. A laughing snake with twisted horns and piercing, red eyes, tightly wound around her neck.

The hours of miserable slumber final gave, the unicorn waking in a cold sweat with a start. She had expected the warming light of day to shine into her weary eyes before the reality of the situation flooded her again. Night still held dominance over the sky, the moon shining down as Luna's protective blessing. She wanted to believe that it was all a dream. That Princess Celestia wasn't sick. That the sun would be shining down like always. That they weren't so far away from home.

"Oh, look! Our fearless leader is finally awake."

That she wasn't stuck with Discord in the middle of nowhere.

"Wakey-wakey, Twilight!" the immortal teased. "I know there's no sun, but trust me, you overslept."

The unicorn raised herself, looking around. Of course, there was Discord, lying just inches from her, mocking her like a bad alarm clock. Further over, she saw her friends, getting what breakfast they could around the stream.

She stood, her energy returning as she further woke. "What time is it?"

Discord rolled onto his back, looking up at the sky. "I'd say noon-ish."

Twilight matched his gaze, seeing the moon above. "I miss the sun."

"You know," Discord continued. "I can raise it. Easy-peasy! All I need are my powers back, and it could be daylight in no time!"

"And then night again in just a second?" Twilight asked rhetorically, casting a smirk to the immortal. "I know how you like to work, Discord. No deal." She walked towards the stream with her friends.

"Can't blame me for trying!" the draconequus called to her as she left.

As Twilight approached the stream, weary faces met her from all sides. Everypony was growing hungry, the few blades of grass available being an insufficient ration. Spike was doing better than the others, having smuggled some gems from the caves the night before. Lack of sunlight was also contributing to their weakened states. Rarity was still out of sorts, sleep having done little to erase yesterday's injuries. Fluttershy had made a salve from nearby herbs sometime during the morning, applying it to the cut on Rarity's head. The bruises were much darker now, blood having pooled into the injured tissue throughout the night.

"Twi," Applejack started, nudging the unicorn. "We gotta hurry. The grass ain't lookin' so good."

It was true. The lack of sunlight was slowly killing the plantlife that thrived on it. The grass below was beginning to sag, and wilt, turning a sickly yellow shade.

"Mah apples ain't gonna make it much longer if we don't get that cure fer th' Princess," the farmer nervously continued.

"I know," Twilight answered, taking a bite of the dying grass. "We'll make it in time. I promise."

Their breakfast concluded, the group met Discord by the edge of the ridge, staring down into the area beyond Equestria. Below, a multitude of valleys and mountainous peaks dotted the darkened lands, reaching into the sky. Faint glows of red were visible throughout, providing an eerie atmosphere to the mysterious lands.

"Ooh, spooky!" Pinkie exclaimed, hopping beside the immortal. "What's down there, Disco?"

Discord looked to the pink pony beside him. "'Disco', eh? I like that! Nothing more chaotic than disco!" He swept his talon across the landscape ahead. "Those are the Draconian Mountains. Dragon lands!"

Fluttershy froze, dropping behind a large rock. "Dr-dr-dragons? A place with nothing but giant, fire-breathing dragons?!"

"Of course," Discord flatly answered. "You didn't think ponies ruled everything did you? Ugh, typical. You're all the same! You don't own everything your precious sun shines over." He raised his paw, counting off on his fingers. "There are dragon lands, griffon lands, zebra lands, oceans full of sea-ponies, and let's not forget the forsaken lands!"

Fluttershy shrunk further behind her rock. "F-f-f-forsaken lands...?"

"Oh, yes," the immortal continued, lowering his tone menacingly. He drew his face close to the pegasus' own. "A dark, wasted territory where once great beasts fought their own kind with terrible machines until the bitter end."

Rainbow Dash flew forward, inches from the draconequus' face. "Stop it, Discord! "

"Yeah!" Applejack joined, defending her meek friend. "We know yer jus' tryin' t' scare us! Ain't no such place as a 'forsaken land'."

Discord waved his talon dismissively. "Believe what you want, sister. You've never seen chaos like what they could do!"

"That's enough!" Twilight again intervened. "I don't care about these other lands. All I care about is getting Princess Celestia's remedy. If we have to cross dragon territory, then that's what we'll do. Come on, everypony."

As Twilight stepped forward on the downward winding path of the ridge, an audible hiss of pain was heard behind her. She turned back to see Rarity struggling to move forward, Applejack doing her best to support the unicorn's bad side. She returned to the two. "Oh, Rarity. How're you holding up?"

The injured unicorn smiled. "Oh, just fine, darling. No need to worry."

"She ain't 'jus' fine', no matter what she says" Applejack corrected. "She's hurt pretty bad."

"I am fine!" Rarity protested. "Just watch!" She stepped away from the farmer, walking on her own. "See? I'm as fit as a model!" Within a few steps, however, she found her front leg growing weak, and her power wavering. She dipped, losing balance.

Applejack was quickly at her side again, helping to prop her back up. "Ah told ya! Now, don't go hurtin' yerself t' prove a point."

Rarity scoffed, cursing her weak leg. "A few bruises is all. I'll be fine."

Fluttershy walked over, joining the conversation. "Rarity, I really think you might be hurt."

"Oh, Fluttershy," Rarity whined. "Not you too!"

"I'm sorry," Fluttershy quietly answered, looking away. "But I think you might need a doctor."

"We should be gettin' 'er back t' Ponyville," Applejack continued. "She ain't in no shape t' keep goin' like this."

Rarity turned to Twilight, hoping to find sense in her fellow unicorn. "Twilight, darling, I'm fine! Honest. Yes, I'm sore, and I am having trouble walking, but we have no other options! We can't split up, not this far away from home, and the Princess is running out of time!" She stared pleadingly into Twilight's eyes. "I won't be a burden, I promise."

Twilight had a lot to think about. Rarity was in a bad way, but she had a point. They needed all the help they could get to continue. To take her back, she wouldn't feel comfortable sending her with any less than two of her friends, cutting their party in half. And how would they cross the Everfree River again without her! No, they were in too far now.

"Rarity," she began, sorting her thoughts. "Are you sure you can make it?"

The unicorn nodded. "I'm sure. I must look worse than I feel, darling. I know I can keep up."

Twilight smiled. Rarity really was a brave pony when she needed to be. "Okay. But please, please don't push yourself too hard. You're just as important as the mission, Rarity."

Rarity returned the smile. "I won't."

"Ugh!" Discord called out with disgust, a talon pointed down his throat in show. "Can we get on with it already! All this sappy friendship nonsense is going to throw me off my appetite!"

Twilight rolled her eyes. Surprisingly, she was starting to find the immortal's antics less obnoxious, and more entertaining. Maybe there was something to this "chaos" business after all.

--

A slow descent down the opposite side of the mountain found the adventurers on the dry and cracked soils of the Draconian Lands. Vegetation was scarce to grow on this side of the ridge, a sharp contrast to the jungle on the other side. The earth was singed, crumbling beneath their hooves with every step. An uncanny heat radiated from the ground, which grew in intensity the longer one lingered in place. Huge stones and boulders littered the way ahead. They proceeded forward, Discord again guiding them.

"How's everypony holding up?" Twilight called back to her friends.

Rainbow Dash was again in the air above her, overlooking the way ahead. "All's good up here," the cyan pegasus called.

Behind her, Applejack walked alongside Rarity. "We're doin' all right."

Spike rode on Applejack's back, keeping a close watch on the wounded unicorn he felt so strongly for. "Yeah, we're good."

Pinkie hopped around the group, taking no set place within. "Just peachy, Twi! Teehee!"

Fluttershy was at the back of the group, trembling with each noise. "I-I-I-I'm o-o-okay..."

Twilight didn't feel as reassured by the yellow pegasus' response, but knew of her trouble with dragons. As long as they kept moving, Fluttershy would be fine. She looked ahead. "And Discord? You?"

"Me?" Discord repeated. "You're asking about me?"

Twilight raised a brow. "Huh. I guess I am. How're you doing?"

The draconequus groaned in his throat. "My feet hurt and I'm bored as hay. I feel great. How kind of you to ask."

"Ugh, nevermind..." Twilight hung her head. Why she bothered to ask him, she didn't even know.

Spike looked up at the sky. "Hey, anypony else notice how dark it is?"

"Uh, Spike?" Applejack answered. "It's been dark fer two days now."

"I know!" the young dragon defended. "I mean, doesn't it seem darker now?"

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash called from above. She descended, landing beside the others. "I can't even see you guys from the air anymore! What's up?"

"It's the volcanic cloud overhead," Discord answered flatly, focused on the path ahead.

Twilight stopped in place, halting the group behind her. "Volcanic cloud?!"

Discord slowed ahead, turning to face the group behind him. "Of course. The whole range is full of volcanos. Dragon's love 'em! Like bird baths for the fire-proof. The smoke rising from the fires is blocking out the moon. It's going to get darker the further we go."

This was another piece of unsettling news for Twilight. Darkness was dangerous. Her horn began to glow with magic light. "That's not a problem for us."

"Twilight, tell me," Discord asked, a half-cocked smirk on his face. "Are you trying to get eaten?"

"W-w-what?!" came a shrill, terrified voice from the back of the group, which everypony knew to be Fluttershy's.

Twilight narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Let's pretend you were a flying, carnivorous dragon," the immortal began, waving his pawed hand as he spoke. "And let's say, you saw a glowing light on the ground as you were searching for, oh, we'll say your lunch."

Fluttershy was quickly at the front of the group, covering Twilight's horn with her shaky wing. "W-w-we d-don't need l-l-light, r-right?"

Twilight sighed, letting the glow die down. "Okay, I get it. Everypony, just stay close, all right. Be sure to stay in the group! But we have to find some way to see where we're going."

"Not a problem!" Spike called, raising his claw. "I can see in the dark!" He flexed his tiny arms for Rarity to see. "We dragons are cool like that."

"That's great," Twilight commended, relieved. "Take the lead with Discord."

"I can see too, you know?" Discord returned, unamused.

Twilight looked back, glaring. "Yes, but I don't trust you."

The small dragon dismounted, first walking to Rarity's side. "Are you going to be okay without me?"

"Ah think we'll be all right back 'ere, Romeo," Applejack teased, both her and Rarity getting a small laugh from the dragon's romantic efforts.

With a smile, Spike moved to the front of the group, taking position beside Discord. "Onward!"

--

As they continued on, true to word, the landscape grew dim. Before long, only the weak, distant glow of molten drifts could be seen, barely illuminating the path ahead. Everypony walked close now, within touching distance from one another. Nopony was to be left behind. Step by step, they proceeded into the dark unknown.

Time drew on in unnerving silence as hooves crunched the dry ground below. Fluttershy walked alongside Rainbow Dash, shaking in pure terror. Dash looked to the poor pegasus, a scowl growing on her face. Her friend was terrified of the dragons Discord spoke of, but there hadn't been any sign of the monsters yet. He had been poking fun at Fluttershy since they stepped out of the palace, and she suspected this was all another one of his stabs at her fearful nature. She was tired of the games.

"So," she began, glaring at the draconequus before her, "I thought this was supposed to be some 'dragon land' or whatever?"

"It is," Discord replied, without much interest in the pegasus.

"Then where are all the dragons?" she returned, an irritated tone in her voice.

"How should I know?" the immortal answered, his voice showing his growing frustration. "Just be glad we haven't run into one yet."

"I-I agree," Fluttershy quietly added, eyes scanning the blackness above.

"Aw, don't fall for it!" Rainbow Dash shouted, rolling her eyes. "There aren't any dragons here! He's just messing with you!"

Twilight turned to her friend, trying to see the pegasus in the darkness. "Rainbow, I'm not so sure. We should keep quiet."

Dash stopped in place. "Don't tell me you fell for it, too! My kitchen is more dangerous than this place!"

The group stopped, turning to the pegasus. Twilight let her horn glow faintly to light the scene. "He's been right about everything else, Dash. Why would he lie?"

"Because he's Discord!" Dash returned, waving a hoof at the unicorn. "Isn't chaos and disloyalty his thing?"

"Normally," the immortal answered, sitting back on his tail. "But not when my hide is on the line as well."

"But it isn't!" she continued. "You're just picking on Fluttershy, admit it! You're just doing this to get a laugh!"

"Rainbow," Applejack joined in, "He was right about th' diamond dogs. Ya know 'e was!"

"And he wanted to avoid the caves for it!" the pegasus argued. "So, if this place is so dangerous, why the hay are we walking across it now?"

"Keep your voice down, or you'll find out why I'd rather not be here!" the immortal countered, anger breaking into his voice.

"Oh, yeah?" Dash scoffed. "Your imaginary friends gonna get us?"

"Rainbow Dash," Rarity chastised, stepping forward with a limp. "This isn't the time!"

The pegasus took to hovering in the air. She cupped her hooves around her mouth, shouting into the darkness. "OH, MISTER DRAGON!! YOU OUT THERE?! YOOHOO!!"

Everypony save for Rainbow Dash and Discord froze in place, their eyes darting upwards into the cloud of ash waiting for the fires of a dragon to rain down. Instead, only the distance echo of the pegasus' call returned to them.

"See?" Dash asked, feeling she had proved her point. "Just smoke and hot air up there. What Discord's full of! Nothing to fear."

A loud thrust of wind sounded as huge wings shook the air. A dark figure crashed down in the darkness nearby, sending a pulsing shockwave through the ground, followed by a loud, roaring screech.

The group acted fast, hopping behind a small ridge rising from the crusted earth. "What was that?!" Rainbow Dash asked in a panic, her voice now barely a whisper.

"That," Discord responded in a similar volume, an accusing tone just present within, "is the dragon you just called here. Why don't you go say 'hi'?"

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie whispered, a smile on her face. She turned, bouncing away towards the new creature before Applejack's teeth caught her tail, dragging her back.

"W-what do we do?" Spike asked, his claws digging into the rock behind him.

"Stay quiet, and don't move," Discord returned, lowering himself as far as possible. "Remember, they can see in the dark, but their hearing isn't very keen."

"What?" Spike asked, cupping his hand around his fin towards the immortal.

Discord slapped his paw to his forehead. "Exactly. Now, everypony, shut up!"

Heavy breathing was heard just on the opposite side of the ridge as booming steps cracked the ground. Everypony was still, hoping the unseen beast would not find them.

"I-i-is it still th-there?" Fluttershy squeaked quietly, eyes clenched tight.

Rainbow Dash pressed herself hard against the rocky wall behind her. She raised, peeking over the edge. Though the darkness prevented her from seeing much, she could make out the black shape of a large beast not far from their location.

"Guys," she began, whispering to the others. "I think he's looking the other way. We should go."

Applejack took a glance herself, confirming the situation. "But what if 'e sees us?" She looked to the unicorn beside her. "Rarity ain't in much'a shape fer runnin'."

"I can get us out!" Pinkie voiced excitedly. "With this!" Balanced on her hoof was a large pink ball, decorated with a cyan star. A fuse rose from the top of the sphere, a hissing spark slowly crawling along its way to the base.

"Pinkie," Discord asked, his ears dropping in shock. "What is that?"

"The Party Bomb!" the pony answered with a huge grin.

Twilight stared back in confusion. "Where did you even get that?!"

The pink pony giggled, her eyes blissfully closed. "Oh, Twilight, I never leave home without one. Never know when you'll need a party!"

This raised more questions for the unicorn. "But, where-"

"Not important!" Discord shouted, watching the fire near the bomb. "Whatever you're going to do, do it now!" He fell to the ground, covering his head.

"Oh, right!" Pinkie said, surprised. She tossed the bomb into the air. It reached its height, turning to fall back to earth. Pinkie reared on her front hooves, pulling her hind legs back to her, and as the bomb reached level again, she gave a mighty buck, launching the globe over the rocky wall towards the shadowy figure.

The bomb bounced along the ground, stopping just behind the beast. The dragon turned to the object tossed towards him, giving a confused grunt as he watched on. Over the ridge, eight sets of curious eyes also watched, waiting for whatever would happen. The spark disappeared into the bomb, fizzing one last time before issuing a puff of smoke from the top. Seconds ticked by.

"Pinkie?" Twilight asked, worriedly.

The earth pony was biting her lip in suspense. "Here it comes!"

Sparks shot out in a small fountain from the fuse-hole, creating a dull glow, as stage show piano music sounded from within. As the musical notes reached their crescendo, the bomb lived up to its name. A huge, colorful explosion of bubbles, streamers, glitter, and confetti veiled the scene, with glowing streams of light firing high into the sky and bursting into large patterns, spelling "PARTY!" far above.

The dragon stared in awe at the sky above, watching the fireworks explode in glorious detail. The adventurers watched on as well, equally as impressed by the show.

"Told ya!" Pinkie spoke in a singing voice.

Twilight felt a smile creep onto her face as she looked on, before being reminded of the circumstance. "Come on! We need to leave while its distracted!"

The group skulked off, leaving the wide-eyed dragon to marvel at the display.

--

More hours seemed to vanish as they continued. The low growl of sliding stone and bubbling lava set the atmosphere around them, always keeping them on edge. Everypony stepped lightly, none wanting to find a weak spot in the cracked earth. Distant, reptilian screeches could be heard far off, reminding them of the predators that hid in the darkness above.

Spike walked beside the towering immortal, eyes well tuned to the eternal night. "Hey, Discord?"

"What?"

"Have you ever met an adult dragon?"

"Me?" Discord asked, arching a brow that only Spike could see.

"Yeah," Spike elaborated. "I mean, you're part dragon, right? Your leg and tail, anyway."

Discord smirked, glad to see somepony remembered his mixed composition. "Yeah, I've met some. Why?"

"Well," Spike continued, "I've only met one before, and he was a big meanie." He fumbled with his thumbs as he tried to find the right words. "I'm just wondering, well, are all of them like that?" He looked up to the immortal with hopeful eyes.

"Like what? Mean? As best I can tell, yeah." He smiled a toothy grin back to the dragon. "They'd rather eat you than greet you."

Spike's expression dropped, his spines drooping at the news. "Oh..."

Discord was taken aback by the shift. "What's your problem?"

Spiked stared down as he continued. "I don't want to be mean when I grow up..." he answered, solemnly.

The immortal felt a coldness within himself. Normally, he'd probably have felt indifferent, or even happy about delivering painful news such as that. Something was different this time, however. As he looked to the crestfallen dragon, eyes cast to the ground, something bit at his heart. It was an alien feeling, but one that spoke loud, telling him he had done something wrong. He didn't like this feeling, and had to correct it. "Well... You won't be."

Spike snapped back, looking to the immortal. "But, you said-"

"Those were wild dragons I met," Discord explained. "You've been raised as a servant your whole life. By your age, a dragon should be a killing machine, not a librarian!" He crossed his arms, looking away from the dragon. "You're way too soft to be anything like those others. It's pathetic, really."

Spike touched his claw to his chin, thinking over the words. "Discord?"

"What?"

"Thank you."

Discord threw his hands up. "Don't thank me! I just insulted you!"

Spike giggled, smiling again, before turning back forwards. As Discord looked over the young dragon, he couldn't help but feel the smallest bit of joy. He vowed then that he would get as far away from these ponies as possible the moment he could. Obviously, they were contagious.

Within minutes, the group reached the base of another mountainous ridge. "We have to climb over," Discord spoke quietly. "We'll be more visible, though, so everypony stay low."

"'M-m-more visible'?" Fluttershy repeated, cowering. "As in, th-the dr-dragons can s-s-see us?!"

Discord crawled on all four limbs up the inclined passage. "Well, they can see in the dark too."

"I dunno," Rainbow Dash spoke up. "We don't need to run into another one." She had been quiet for a while now. Though never having apologized, everypony could tell how sorry she was for what had happened. Everypony silently agreed to not bring it up, letting it sum to a simple mistake.

"Yeah," Pinkie added. "And I'm all out of Party Bombs."

Discord turned back, his smirk hidden in the darkness. "Just pretend it's a game! To win, make it up and over without being seen!" He looked up, running his talon over his beard. "Though, if you lose, you die, so maybe it's not the best game for a social gathering."

A piercing squeak sounded at the back of the group, again from Fluttershy. "I can't do this!" the pegasus shrieked quietly.

"What's wrong!" Twilight asked, rushing back to her friend. She let her horn glow, just enough to make out what was happening.

"I can't go on girls!" the pegasus again squealed, curling up on the ground. Her friends were forming around her now, concerned. "I can't! I just know that a big hungry dragon will swoop down any second and gobble me up, I just know it!"

"Fluttershy!" Rarity spoke, attempting to comfort her dear friend. "It's okay, darling. Nothing bad is going to happen, but we have to keep moving."

Fluttershy didn't seem to hear any of what her friend had said. "I can't I can't I can't I can't I can't..."

Twilight knew of the pegasus' problems. Fear could cripple her, and it would be difficult to console her. She had to do something quick. "Discord, how much further until we're out of the dragon lands?"

The immortal scratched idly at his brow. "Still many hours. Not like we'll be making much good time." He pointed to Fluttershy. "I mean, look at her! I moved more than her as a statue."

"Is there any way we can cut time?" the unicorn begged.

"Well," Discord began, looking off in thought. "I guess if we cut through the mountains. That means more caves though."

"But no open sky," Twilight interrupted. "If we're inside, there's no way a dragon could get us!"

Fluttershy snapped back to reality at the words. "No dragons?! Inside?!"

Spike glanced around, using his night-eyes to scan the ridge. "I think I see an opening over there," he said, pointing with a claw.

In a blur of yellow, Fluttershy was already waiting by the cave opening for her friends to catch up. The others soon closed the distance, happy to be moving again.

--

The group huddled close in the dark caves. Without the looming threat of the skies, Twilight was again able to light their way. Lifeless, rock walls lined the path deeper into the blackened space.

"Everypony, stay close," Twilight issued, taking the lead again.

"I bet they'll listen to you," Discord mocked. "But me? Noooo."

"Can you blame us?" the unicorn returned, cutting her eyes to the draconequus. "You are, you know, a villain."

"Only a little!"

Twilight ignored his antics, focusing more on her closer friends. "Fluttershy? How're you doing?"

"Oh, much better," the timid pegasus answered, walking with much more ease. "I'm sorry. I just really don't like dragons."

"Hey!" Spike shouted, again riding on Applejack's back. He looked at the pegasus, seemingly hurt by the statement.

"Oh, not you Spike," Fluttershy corrected herself. "You're different."

Spike smiled again. "Apology accepted!"

As the group continued, the caves opened up, turning into a large chamber veiled in shadows.

"So," Twilight continued, looking to Discord. "How far do you think these caves go?"

The immortal looked up in thought. "Well, dragons dig these things deep, so who knows? As long as we keep heading forward, we'll be fine."

The unicorn slowed as the immortal's words sank in. "Wait... dragons dig these caves?"

"Duh," Discord continued. "They live in them when they're not patrolling the skies."

Fluttershy froze stiff, her legs failing her. "S-s-so we c-could be walking r-r-right to them?!"

Discord spun on his heels, throwing his arms out in show. "Yep! Won't that be fun! Like room-service!"

"WHAT?!" Twilight charged forward, staring down the immortal. "Why didn't you tell us this!"

"Because you wouldn't have listened anyway!" Discord argued back, raising his voice. "You haven't believed a word I've said this whole trip!"

"This isn't a game!" Twilight shouted back, matching his tone. "This is dangerous! Life or death!"

"Uh, guys?" Spike tried to interject, walking to Twilight's side.

"Well, none of you are treating it like such!" the draconequus countered, glaring back at the unicorn.

Twilight recoiled, a disgusted look on her face. "You can't be blaming us for this!"

"Hello?" the dragon tried again, nudging Twilight.

"Oh, yes I can!" the immortal yelled back. "How many times have we almost been picked off already? The river, the ridge, the dragon outside!"

"Those weren't our faults!"

"Funny, but I don't think we would have been in those situations otherwise!"

"HEY!" Spike yelled, louder than both the draconequus and unicorn.

Silence fell on the setting as the two opposites ceased their bickering. Soon, however, the sounds of growling breath reached their ears. Twilight looked to her friends, all stock-still in place, eyes cast in an unknown direction to her opposite side.

"Spike," Twilight asked, unable to move her head in sudden fear of what was behind her. "What is that sound?"

Spike turned Twilight's head to look at the source of the ominous noise. "That's what I was trying to tell you about..."

Twilight's gaze met with three large, red dragons, each staring her down. Smoke flared in wisps from their nostrils as they drew and released each immense breath.

The unicorn's eyes went wide as she stared down the three predators. Silently, she slowly lifted Spike with magic, placing him gently on her back. "Everypony," she quietly began.

The dragons' eyes narrowed, teeth showing in ferocious display.

"RUN!" Twilight flashed her magic directionally, temporarily blinding the dragons. She turned on her hooves, leading the group again with guiding light as the sprinted into an off-shoot of the cave. Soon, the dragons found their wits again, giving chase to the group.

"This is exactly what I mean!!" Discord yelled, his back arched with how fast his legs were carrying him. "Again, we're running for our lives!!"

"JUST SHUT UP AND RUN!" Twilight shouted back, charging down the passage. "If we get outside, I can teleport us away from here! Do you see anything ahead?"

Discord narrowed his eyes, his night-vision cutting through the dark cave. "Yeah! Looks like an opening ahead! We can make it!"

Pinkie hopped into the air, twisting and landing in reverse, carrying herself backwards with the same speed. "They're right on us!" she alerted before correcting her stance. "Hurry!"

Rarity's face contorted with each fall of her injured leg. Waves of pain blasted throughout her as she tried to run. "Girls! I can't keep this up much longer!"

"Oh, yes ya can!" Applejack told her, slowing to run beside the unicorn. "Ya gotta keep goin'!"

The dim sky was visible outside now through the gap in the rocky wall. The air was growing more powerful as they ascended towards it.

The unicorn felt her body growing cold as her limit grew closer. "No..." she quietly answered, her eyes watering. "You'll... you'll have to go on without me!"

"Don't say that, Rare!" Rainbow Dash yelled, flying overhead. "We're going to make it! All of us!"

The opening was mere meters away now, the rolling clouds signaling their escape. Behind them, furious roars rose like the sirens of Tartarus.

"We're almost there!" Pinkie exclaimed, excited.

Rarity, however, had reached her breaking point. Tears streamed down her cheeks in pain and fear. "I... I can't run anymore! I'm sorry!" Her leg twisted beneath her as it lost strength, sending her into a tumble against the stone floor.

Applejack and Fluttershy stopped, returning to their friend. "Rarity!" Fluttershy pleaded. "Don't give up! Please!"

Through tearful eyes, the unicorn looked up to her friends. "Take care of Opalescence for me. And tell Sweetie Belle I'm so sorry."

Twilight skidded to a halt, turning back to her friends. "Rarity! You can't!"

"NO!" Spike leapt from Twilight's back, dashing back along the path before the motionless group. The darkness split across the scaled faces of the three dragons charging closer. "YOU WON'T HURT MY RARITY!!" In his shout, the little dragon filled the cave with a huge blast of green, magical fire, attempting to shield his friends from the approaching threat. A clawed, red hand pierced the fiery wall, its grip locking fast to the small dragon before yanking him back through. Spike's scream trailed back into the cave.

"SPIKE!" Twilight shouted, rushing after him.

Suddenly, a reptilian tail whipped through the fires, hitting the group in a broad sweep and tossing them out of the cave. As the adventurers landed outside, the loose rocks arching over the opening began to tremble, collapsing in a cascade and blocking the entrance before anypony could react.

"NO!" Twilight screamed, rushing to the sealed cave. "Spike! Come back!" Grabbing boulder after boulder in her magic, she tossed the stones aside with a jerk of her head, only to have more fall into their places. It was hopeless; the way back was gone.

The rest of the group recollected themselves, all in shock by the sudden event. They watched on as the unicorn tried in futility to reopen the cave, tears flying from her with each sharp motion. "Spike! SPIKE!" Her magic drained her with each use, and her power slowly left her. Her attempts drew weaker, before ending entirely. She fell, crying loudly on the rocky ground. "Spike..."

Applejack felt her heart drop as she looked on. She slowly moved to Twilight's side, placing a hoof over the unicorn's shoulders. "Sugarcube..."

Rarity tried to stand, only to slip back onto her belly. "Why?" she asked, pained both physically and emotionally. "Why did he do that! Why would he do something like that!"

"Oh, Rarity..." Twilight sniffled, turning to her friend. "You know how he feels about you..."

Terror washed over the white unicorn. "He... he did that over me..."

Twilight sobbed again, closing her eyes. "... Spike..."

"ARGH!" Discord shouted, flaring his wings wide. "That's IT! Come on, Twilight!" He swooped over, grabbing the unicorn by her sides. He made sure to keep his hands away from the amulet on her neck.

"Discord?" Twilight asked, shocked by the change in the immortal's demeanor. "What are you doing?"

He hovered off the ground, holding her tightly. "Spike's a dragon. He's got a better shot in there than you think, but we have to move fast!"

The unicorn rubbed the tears from her eyes. "But, how?"

"They're dragons," the immortal continued, determination in his voice. "They'll take him to their lair, and a dragon's lair always has an opening to the sky! I can't get too far from that necklace of yours, so you're coming with me!"

Dash flew forward, Fluttershy at her side. "We're coming too!"

"No, you're not!" Discord barked. "The little moron put too much in to getting you out of danger, so don't muck it up by throwing yourselves right back in!"

Twilight took a kinder approach. "Rarity needs you girls. We'll be back when we get Spike."

"An'" Applejack asked, slipping her hat from her head. "What if ya don't come back?"

"We will," Twilight replied, casting no doubt of her resolve.

Without further word, Discord took to the air, the purple unicorn in his clutches.

--

The two flew to the top of the mountainous range, Discord's eyes guiding the way.

"There," the draconequus spoke, nudging his chin forward. "There's an opening."

"Do you think that's it?" Twilight asked, straining to see what he could.

"Either that, or another volcano," Discord returned, aiming at the gap. "Guess we'll find out when we drop in it! Here we go!"

"What?!" Twilight shrieked, staring wide-eyed at her carrier.

The two turned fast in the air, diving straight down into the dark space. The weak light guided them down to the floor below, into the orange glow of a fire-lit chamber. They landed, both taking an aggressive stance, ready for war. In a moment, they again were greeted by the three dragons from before, now glaring at them in full lighting from one side of the room.

"Hello, gentlelizards!" Discord boomed, lifting his balled fists before him. "I think you have something of ours."

Twilight stepped back as the dragons drew nearer. "Discord..." she whispered. "Can we do this?"

The immortal turned to her. "Don't tell me you're scared! You're Celestia's understudy. This will be nothing for you! And I'm not as feeble without my magic as you might think." He winked to the unicorn, a smile on his face.

Twilight returned the smile, determination firing in her eyes. "Let's do it!"

The dragons growled low, each stepping towards the two with spines flared. The rescuers, however, were undaunted, and charged forward, ready to meet teeth and claws with hooves and horns. The dragons returned the initiative, taking thundering steps towards the assaulting group, the battle soon to begin. "FOR CHAOS!" Discord issued, raising his talon into the air.

"WAIT!!" a voiced cried from behind the reptilian beasts. The draconian trio slid on their claws, each stopping on demand.

Twilight and Discord stopped as well, just as shocked by the sudden interruption. Twilight stepped forward, eyes wide. "What..."

From between the three towering monsters, a small, purple dragon emerged. "Take five, guys. They're with me."

"SPIKE!" Twilight shouted gleefully, rushing to hug the dragon. She tackled her young assistant, rolling with him onto the ground in a tight embrace. "Spike! It is you! You're okay!"

Spike hugged back just as hard. "Twilight! I'm so glad to see you!" He pushed away, standing again and dusting himself off. "I was starting to wonder how I was going to get back to Ponyville. Nopony here's heard of the place."

Twilight looked over the dragon. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

Spike looked back to the trio of dragons behind him. "The guys? Nah!" He looked back to the unicorn. "Turns out, they thought I was one of their own, and that you were dragonnapping me! I told them they had it all wrong! And, I think they have something to say." He cast a glare to the dragons. "Right?"

The dragons looked about nervously, scratching their scales. "Um..."

"Come on..." Spike insisted, sternly.

"We're sorry..."

"Yeah..."

"Our bad..."

Spike smiled fin to fin. "There! That's better!" He turned back to his rescuers, a new worry dominating his features. "How's Rarity?"

"She's fine, thanks to you!" Twilight answered, smiling back. "But you really worried her."

"She's not upset, is she?" Spike asked, nervously.

Twilight giggled. "I think she'll get over it when she sees you're okay."

"Can we go now?" Discord asked, his arms crossed over his chest and lip pouted. "This lovey-dovey feel-good atmosphere is killing me!"

--

The group dismounted from the backs of the dragons, carried clear to the edge of their territory. They waved as the three dragons disappeared back into the shadowed distance, appreciative of the assistance. The adventurers were situated on the top of another mountainous range, just on the outskirts of the volcanic clouds. Moonlight again shined down as the group set up a resting spot.

"Another mountain, another campfire!" Discord shouted in faux excitement. "At least this one has a cave," he added, curling up in the shaded overhang of the mountain. "Still, what I wouldn't do for delivery pizza."

Twilight lay down in the cave as well, watching her friends huddle around the fire nearby. "Discord? Thank you."

"For what?" the immortal asked, laying down his head.

"For helping us," she clarified. She gave him a smile. "For helping me. If it wasn't for you, we never would have found Spike."

Discord groaned, turning his head away. "I was protecting my own investment, is all. I'm still bound to you, you know."

"To me," Twilight corrected. "Not Spike. You didn't have to save him, but you did."

"I'm no hero," the draconequus mumbled. "So don't get any ideas."

The distance sounds of laughter and joy from her friends made for better atmosphere than the night before. Plantlife was plentiful on this ridge, if not just as stale from light deprivation as the other batch had been. Still, it was sustenance, and everypony was happy for it.

Twilight's smile slipped from her. "What really happened?"

Discord turned to face her again. "Why are you asking me? You were there too. Or did you forget?" He looked up, counting off on his talon. "Let's see, there were dragons, lots of fire, screaming, 'OH NO, HELP US, HELP US', and then loverboy over there-"

"Not that," she interrupted, meeting the immortal's eyes. "I mean, if the books aren't true. What really happened in your story?"

Discord shifted back, laying his head straight. "Oh. That. Maybe I was... provoked. I'm still the villain, like you said. What does it matter, anyway?"

"I just want to know."

"You're far too curious."

Twilight chuckled. "I've been told."

"Hmph. Fine," Discord began, sighing loudly. "Celestia and I weren't always enemies. There was once admiration between us. Or, perhaps more. Tell me, have you ever been curious as to why so much is controlled in Equestria? How so much is ordered and structured? That's because there is no chaos. There is nothing random, or spontaneous. It's all thought, and control, and organization. It wasn't always like that. Once, chaos worked with order. Perhaps one isn't as bad as it seems, and one isn't as good alone. They need each other. Harmony and Balance."

Twilight caught on quickly. "You used to work with Princess Celestia?"

"And Luna," he continued, not minding the interruption. "Something of a trifecta, we were. Back when leaves fell from trees on their own when their time was done. Back when clouds formed, and rain fell without notice, and when some days were just windy. Nopony liked my work, no, but it was needed. Every day, lines formed, full of ponies ready to thank Celestia for the day. Never did one pony so much as look my way without a scowl. I was the one who rained out their picnic, or made leaves change before they could truly enjoy them. I was a pest."

Twilight gasped lightly. "You felt neglected, like Nightmare Moon..."

Discord chortled. "Nah. Luna felt she wasn't appreciated. I knew I was. Just, not by you ponies. By only one. The only one I ever cared for in return. I thought there was something more there. But, there wasn't."

"So, you and Celestia..." Twilight's eyes went wide as she connected the threads. "Oh..."

Discord sighed wearily. "No. Just me. Love is the most chaotic thing of all, isn't it? She couldn't give me her heart, because she had already given it to every one of her subjects. She loved all of ponykind, and couldn't choose favorites. She's too good. Too good for me, anyway. Love can be a bitter thing, Twilight. It takes everything you've built and twists and mangles it below a fog of joyful powerlessness. And you don't even care. You're so high up, you can't even see the ground anymore. But when it disappears, you can see the wreckage it left beneath. And sometimes you get mad. And sometimes, you just don't care about the leaves, or the clouds, or the rain, or the world. Sometimes, you just want the ground to quake, and the winds to blow, and the storms to never end. Sometimes you just want to watch everything fall apart, with no control, and nothing to stop it. Sometimes, you want Chaos. I'm no hero. I'm the villain."

Silence took the space between words. Twilight looked over the seemingly distant immortal. "But, that was so long ago. Isn't there somethi-"

"I was right. You're far too curious," the immortal laughed. "And you need your rest. We tackle the Abhorrent Lowlands at sunstay, hahahaha!"

Twilight cocked a brow, a smirk on her face. "What?"

"Get it? Like 'sunrise'? But, it's staying where it is?" After a few vacant seconds, Discord gave up, tossing his paw dramatically. "Oh, you're just no fun!"

"Heehee! Well, okay." Twilight stood, walking to a corner of the alcove to lie down. "Goodnight, Discord."

"Bleh."

"And, Discord? You were a hero today."

"BLEH!"

As Twilight stepped away, Spike ran up to the draconequus. "Hey, Discord!"

"Ugh, what now?" he groaned again, unamused with being the sudden object of attention.

Spike smiled, "Twilight told me what happened. That you came to rescue me."

"We didn't rescue you," the immortal corrected. "You weren't in any danger. Hay, you gave them nicknames!"

"But, you didn't know that," Spike pointed out, "so, you still rescued me."

Another sigh came from the draconequus. "Sure. Whatever. Do you want an autograph, or is this eternal admiration free of charge?"

Without warning, Spike moved forward, wrapping his arms around the immortal's long face in a hug. "Thank you. I knew you weren't such a bad guy."

Discord was stunned by the sudden affection. "Um... well..."

Behind them, Rarity's voice called out. "Where has my fearless protector gotten off too?"

Spike broke the hug, bounding back to the fire and his unicorn. "Coming, Lady Rarity!"

"Hmm..." Discord lay back down, curling over his arms. He spoke out to the long gone dragon. "I'm still the bad guy. Don't fool yourself, twirp."

Though sleep would never come to him, the immortal was comfortable letting himself zone out until morning.

Chapter 5

In Search of the Sun
by CosmicWaltz

Chapter 5

Twilight's eyes drifted open, met again by the deep teal of a midnight sky. She sighed, still finding it hard to accept the situation. She looked out from beneath the cave overhang, again marveling at the enormous moon that shined down to provide the light they needed.

Around her within the sheltered alcove her friends also stirred from their slumbers, stretching out the fatigue of their poor bedding.

Rarity stood, letting her classy façade fall as she loudly popped her back. "When we return to Ponyville, I am going to buy the biggest, softest mattress in all of Equestria."

Applejack sat beside the unicorn, stretching out her neck. "Ain't that th' truth." The farmer was adjusted to early work hours, but often under better circumstance. She turned, looking to her friend. "Feelin' any better there, Rarity?"

The unicorn did the best she could with her magic to fix her bedworn mane. "Quite, darling." She stretched out her front leg, wincing a bit as a sting caught her. "Though, I am still sore." She turned to the orange pony, smiling warmly. "Nothing the spa can't fix, however."

"I think we'll all be making an appointment after this," Twilight humored, laughing lightly. She took note of the others. Rainbow Dash flew outside the cave, letting the cool air and exercise further wake her. Her tendency to nap wherever in Ponyville had come in good use, letting her fight the stiff pains from sleeping on the rocky ground that afflicted the rest of them. Fluttershy and Pinkie had moved to wait beside the campfire, holding what sounded to be a jovial conversation just out of the unicorn's earshot. Spike was curled in one corner, still snoring loudly as he slept.

Twilight giggled, watching the small dragon kick in his sleep. She moved to his side, nudging him gently with a hoof. "Wake up, Sleepyscales."

"Five more minutes..." Spike groaned, batting away her hoof.

Twilight had gotten used to his difficult morning ways. She smirked. "But Rarity's already awake. Weren't you her protector?"

Rarity overheard the attempts to rouse the dragon, giggling as she took her cue. "Oh, wherever is my fearless protector?" she called dramatically.

Spike's eyes popped open immediately. "Oh! Right!" He hopped to his feet, a claw raised proudly. "I will be your knight, my Rarity!"

"How brave!" Rarity said, smiling at the young dragon as he bounded to her side. "My own little Spikey-Wikey!"

Applejack walked to Twilight. "Ain't that jus' somethin' else?" she whispered to the unicorn. "He's really takin' t' this 'guardian dragon' thing, ain't 'e?"

"I think it's cute," Twilight returned, watching the pair from the side. "Besides, using Rarity as an excuse is a really easy way to get him to take a bath now!"

Fluttershy and Pinkie walked over from their places by the fire. "Good morning!" Pinkie exclaimed, no signs of tiredness in her voice. "Did everypony sleep okay?"

Disgusted looks rose from each of the group. "Don't even get me started on that," Twilight laughed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Is everypony ready to get moving?"

Fluttershy perked, looking around the cave. "Um, I think we're missing somepony."

"Huh?" Twilight quickly began recounting everypony around her.

"Yeah!" Pinkie answered first. "Where's Disco?"

A panic immediately flushed Twilight's features. "Discord!" She spun, scanning every corner of the small alcove. The immortal was nowhere to be seen. She immediately checked her neck, noting that the magic necklace binding him was still in place. "He can't be far."

"He's up here!" Rainbow Dash called, pointing just above the cave from outside.

Twilight and the group rushed out, turning to look up at the immortal. He sat perched on the ridge above. "Discord? What are you doing?"

"Sitting," he replied, eyes affixed on the wooded lands just on the other side of the mountain.

Twilight rolled her eyes, though with a small smile on her cheeks. "Well could you get down here? We're ready to go."

"Without breakfast?" Pinkie replied, rubbing her belly. "Aw..."

"We're a little pressed for time, Pinkie," the unicorn answered, staring at the night's sky above.

"Come on, Twi!" Rainbow Dash said, hovering back down to earth. "We can at least get a little to eat first!"

"It's better than going without," Fluttershy quietly answered, trying to silence her rumbling stomach.

Twilight looked to the paling flora nearby, and felt a growl in her own belly. "Well, maybe a quick bite."

The group quickly charged to the greenery, diving in hungrily. Wilting or no, it made a great meal. Twilight giggled, walking to join her friends.

After indulging on the pale foliage, the group met Discord on the edge of the ridge. A swampy land lay hidden in a dark fog below them. A cacophony of frogs and insects sang up into the night, chirping and clicking in the mud below. "That, my little ponies, is the Abhorrent Lowlands!"

"The last place before the Eternal Realm," Twilight reflected, a hope shining in her eyes. Below her breath, she whispered. "Hold on, Princess."

The immortal laughed. "Don't tell me you think this will be an easy trip! Down there are all manner of monsters! Cockatrices, manticores, timber wolves, chimeras, basilisks, and huge tribes of orcs!" A simple smile grew on his face. "It's wonderful, isn't it?"

Twilight looked down into the bubbling bog below. "Only you would think something like that about a place like there."

Discord lowered his face to beside hers. "Somepony has to be upbeat about this, don't they?"

Twilight scanned over the others, checking on the group. Each face met hers, brimming with renewed life. They were closing in on their goal, and everypony could feel the electric energy in the air. There was just one thing to complete before they began. "Let's send a message to Luna first."

Repeating the magic from before, she again created paper and ink from what surrounded them. She then needed another quill. "Oh, Rainbow Dash?"

The pegasus sprang into the air, flying far away from the unicorn. "Oh, HAY NO! Not falling for that again! Get Fluttershy's feather!"

Twilight turned to the other pegasus of their group, flashing a large, pleading smile. Fluttershy caught the gesture, and immediately began to tear up at the edge of her eyes in a frightened expression. Twilight looked away just as quickly, unable to even fathom continuing that plan with somepony as fragile as her. "I couldn't." She was humored, however, knowing that Fluttershy could wrestle a bear to the ground, but was scared of having a feather plucked.

Discord sighed loudly. "Oh, just take mine." He reached over, plucking a shimmering blue feather from his wing's plumage without even a wince. He handed the piece of himself over.

Twilight levitated the feather to her, shaping it into a quill with a few sweeps of magic energy. She smiled to the immortal. "Thank you, Discord."

The draconequus crossed his arms over his chest, pouting. "Don't mention it. EVER."

She handed the assorted supplies to Spike, letting the dragon take over as she narrated her note.

--

Dear Princess Luna,

We are nearing the Gate of Eternity, the door into the Eternal Realm! According to Discord, only the Abhorrent Lowlands lie between us, and Princess Celestia's cure! With your precious moon overhead, we will soon hold the remedy, and will swiftly find ourselves back at your side!

Twilight Sparkle, and company

--

Discord held out his tongue as she read her message aloud. "Is that an update, or a love letter? Bleh!"

Twilight sighed, though she had come to expect his kind of humor. Part of her even wanted to laugh. "Send it, Spike."

In a belch of magical fires, the note was sent, the smoky trail faintly visible as it took to the sky. "Done!" the dragon answered proudly, brushing off his claws.

"Well, let's get going!" Pinkie cheered in a sing-song voice, bouncing carefree down the ridge. "Daylight's'a wasting!"

Discord chuckled, following the pony's example. "Oh, Pinkie Pie. You are so random!"

"Hey!" Dash, shouted, a smile on her face. She chased after the two. "That's my line!"

The rest of the group laughed along, following their friends down the hillside.

As they reached the bottom, the rocky ground disappeared beneath a thick soup of mud and slime, bubbling from unseen life below. Large lily pads and mushrooms broke the surface, as grey, barren trees reached up towards the moon. An acrid odor of mold and stagnation hung heavy in the air, made worse by the damp, misty fog around them.

Pinkie hopped right in, splashing mud about with each hop. She didn't even seem to notice. Discord haphazardly walked in as well, slinging the gooey mess with each exaggerated step. Fluttershy and Dash took to the air above the sickly stew, both glad to have wings at their disposal. Twilight hesitated at first, her mind flashing with all the things she had read in books before about "trench hoof" and swamp bacteria. She remembered more, however, that Princess Celestia needed her, and boldly stepped in.

Spike rode on Applejack's back, keeping close to the unicorn that the farmer stuck near. Rarity was moving better, but was still slow from her injuries. Even if she could walk on her own now, Applejack refused to leave her side. As Applejack trotted into the bog without second thought, Rarity halted at its edge. "Girls, wait!"

Each pony turned, looking back to the unicorn. "Everything all right, Rare?" Applejack asked, concerned for her friend. "Ya ain't hurt'r nothin', are ya?"

Rarity grimaced, looking into the murky waters below. "I'm quite all right, Applejack dear, but look at this horrid filth!" She dramatically lifted a hoof to her brow, feigning a swoon. "My outfit will be simply ruined if I proceed into this disgusting swamp!"

Everypony of the group looked away, unable to tell the mare what they already knew. Applejack finally found the courage. "Uh, Rare? I didn't wanna tell ya before, but it's... uh... well..." Unable to find the right words for such a delicate situation, she pointed a hoof to the ensemble decorating the unicorn.

Rarity looked herself over, scanning for what the earth pony could be implying. Her once fashionable coat was in tatters, matted with dirt and specks of blood. Much of the material was charred or frayed, and what wasn't was marked with grass stains and chalk. She looked up, blank of expression. "I see." She stepped into the mud ahead without another word, joining the group again as they continued their progress.

--

As they moved further, the swamp engulfed them. Beams of moonlight fought to pierce the mossy canopy above the group, reflecting against the filthy waters below. Around them, animals unknown to them looked on, taking in the strange sight of these new creatures that breached their domain. Pinkie led them now, bouncing merrily almost on top of the sticky sludge. Discord followed, the rest in tow, showing that they were indeed headed in the right direction.

Twilight's eyes danced about as she noted all around her. "This is so exciting! I've never seen anything like it! These trees, frogs, insects, moss- all of it undocumented by ponykind!"

"Because no pony has ever been here," Discord answered with a smile. "Though, there are many zebra tribes that live in these parts."

Twilight immediately felt a kick to her curious nature, realizing that for whatever reason, she had never asked Zecora where she had come from before settling around Ponyville. However, if she had come from the swampy terrain of the Abhorrent Lowlands, it would easily explain her quick adaptation to the Everfree Forest. Her curiosity again burned with another question. "What else lives here?"

"More beasties than you can count on both hooves," the immortal continued. "Well, I guess that wouldn't be many, though. Pretend you have fingers and you'll know what I mean!"

She giggled, imagining a pony with fingers. Only Discord would think of these things. He was chaos, she supposed. Another question came to her. She looked up to the pegasi above. "Fluttershy? How are you doing?"

"Oh, me?" the pegasus returned instantly, as if the question had broken an intense concentration.

"This place is kinda scary," Twilight elaborated. "And I know how you can get a little... you know, flighty. Are you okay?"

Fluttershy gulped loudly, her mind flashing all manner of monsters known and unknown that could be lurking in the darkened muds around them. She shook her head clear, however, and quickly put up a strong face. "As long as there aren't any dr-dragons, I'll be fine."

"No dragons," Discord continued, sloshing through the mud ahead. "Too wet for dragons. But there is much worse than that living in this swamp."

"Don't even start, Discord!" Rainbow Dash shouted down from the air. "We've all had enough of that!"

Undeterred, the draconequus continued. "There's a nasty rumor of a legendary monster living in these swamps. The Lowland Goliathan."

Twilight cocked her head, curiosity again aflame. "What's the Goliathan?"

"Some would say a ghost story to scare little foals," Discord said, his voice growing low. "But some would say it's the most monstrous monster known to this world!"

"Right after you, huh?" Applejack joked, smiling.

"Well, of course!" Discord laughed back. "I'm King Monstrous Monster! I have a coffee mug that says as much!"

Rarity drudged alongside Applejack, kicking through the soupy waters. The stains in her once fashionable outerwear would be impossible to remove now, but she was well enough content to burn the ensemble once they were done. "The sooner we're out of here, the better! This place is filthy!"

Spike had taken leave of Applejack, splashing playfully in the mud. "I don't know, I kinda like it!" he giggled with a smile.

Applejack smiled. "Yer such a boy, Spike."

"Hey, Disco?" Pinkie asked out of vision, having bounced far ahead of the group.

"Yes, Pinkie?"

"What's an 'orc' look like?"

Discord scratched his maneless crown, sifting through his long memory. "Like a pig with hands. Often carrying something to hurt you with."

As the group walked forward, the pink pony again came into view, held upside-down in a net by a pig-faced armor-clad creature. Green-tinted skin seemed to glow below his thin layer of fur. Large tusks grew from his bottom jaw, and a heavy, blunt ax was in the grip of his other hand.

Pinkie's smile was big as ever as she pointed a hoof towards her captor. "So, like him?"

Discord held up a claw, ready to speak, but found no words to the sudden situation. The sounds of nets being tossed came from all sides, pig-like grunting signaling their assailants. As he awaited the snare of their traps to befall him and the group, he solemnly answered.

"Yes, Pinkie. Just like that."

--

The group found themselves lined up on a wooden walkway, placed around a large fire in the center of an orc village. Thick ropes were tied about their bodies, holding their forelegs, and the arms of Discord and Spike, to their backs. Minimalist huts, made of large branches lashed with swamp vine stood around them, twisted and leaning from their poor construction. Warrior orcs took vigil in the eternal night, standing proud in leather armors with savage, crude axes and cudgels in their hands. Many took watch over their new prisoners, beady eyes affixed on them intently. Around the fire danced three elder orcs, dressed in decorated outfits of colorful feathers and patterned furs, chanting in squeals.

Discord held a blank, yet stern expression as he sat in tight rope bonds. "Captured by brutish thugs, held against my will. Possibly going to be eaten. Why does this feel familiar?"

Twilight struggled against her ties beside him. No give met her efforts. She let out a sigh as she ceased her fight with the fibrous braids. She decided instead to observe her captors.

The elders ceased their tarantism, each taking their place sitting in a triangle around the huge flame. A large, decorated warrior walked over to one of the elder orcs, a conversation starting between them in their native tongue of squeals and grunts. Though Twilight had studied many foreign languages and dialects, these sounds were new to her, and untranslatable.

She leaned towards Discord. "What are they saying?"

The immortal scoffed. "Do I look like I speak orc?" He stuck out his tongue, rolling it dryly over his lips. "Hold on a second," he said to her, before turning to one of the orcs at his side. "Hey, you!" Discord then began to squeal out a string of guttural sounds, alien to Twilight's ears, though the tones seemed to mimic the orcs' own words!

The surly warrior looked to the draconequus, his half-flopped ears perked. As Discord finished what Twilight could only assume was talking, a wry smile spread on his face. This smile was instantly met with the balled knuckles of the muscular orc, spinning the immortal's head around uncannily to again see Twilight.

The unicorn drew back, a mix of shock and confusion on her face. "What was that?!"

Discord ran his tongue over his teeth, checking that they were all still present. "I asked him for a soda. I'm quite parched." He nudged his oversized fang, ensuring it was still firm in its socket. "He said 'no'. With his fist."

Twilight groaned in frustration. "If you understand orc, what are they saying?"

Discord sighed. "You're so boring. All right, all right!" He continued to turn his head in the wrong direction to again face the orcs around the fire. His ears lifted, listening closely. "They're talking about the sky going black. Something about strange creatures entering their forest. Possible dinner tonight, blah blah blah. Oh, and the snake-goat god with them?" A huge smile spread on his face. "They think I'm a god! Excellent! Finally, some praise!" Within seconds, the smile slipped away, being replaced by a look never seen on the draconequus' face before. "Oh... wait..."

To Twilight, the sounds were still jibberish. "What? What are they saying now?"

Discord listened for a few more seconds in silence. "They're saying to sacrifice the foreign god to bring out the day. They're going to sacrifice me to the sun!"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "So? What are you worried about? You're immortal."

Discord twisted his head back around proper, leaning towards the unicorn. A distant panic seemed to show through his faux-calm voice. "Immortal is not invulnerable, my dear. Especially when I have no powers, and fire is involved. Just because I never age doesn't mean I can't die!"

The words washed over Twilight like a thundering wave. "So... they're going to kill you?!"

"Seems so!" Discord laughed, though a laugh of nervousness. "Isn't that a surprise? Live for all of time, causing endless chaos, and I'm going to be sacrificed to bring back order, which will guarantee order will never return! How ironic! Just delightful!"

"What do we do?" Twilight asked, hoping the immortal had some plan to get out.

"You still have magic, don't you? Untie these ropes!" he hissed, the prospect of death causing more emotion to show on his surface.

This was an option Twilight had already considered, but found complicated. "I can't! It would take time, and if they see what I'm doing, I don't think they'll wait for ceremony to start!"

Rarity leaned forward. "What if I assist, darling? Magic's not my specialty, but I can surely help."

Twilight liked Rarity's confidence, but it was risky. "That will still take time, and we can't do anything with this many eyes on us!"

"So what are we going to do?" Spike asked, his ropes seeming much thicker on his tiny frame.

Discord groaned, throwing his head back. It was the best option they had, and he knew as such. "We need a distraction."

"I got it!" Dash spoke up. "All you have to do is get me and Shy loose, and we can draw their attention from the air!"

"Ugh! Rainbow!" Applejack shifted, bumping her shoulder into the pegasus. "How're ya'll s'posed t' get free t' distract 'em if we need t' distract 'em to get ya'll free?"

The pegasus caught the paradox. "Oh. Uh... Well, I don't see you coming up with anything!"

Fluttershy did her best to speak up. "Maybe if we asked them really, really nicely to look the other way?"

Pinkie immediately began bouncing in her ropes. "OOH! OOH! Don't worry! Just leave it to Pinkie Pie!" The pink pony immediately leapt up, taking to her unrestrained rear hooves.

"Pinkie, wait!" Twilight called after her.

It was too late. Pinkie was suddenly beside the two orcs by the fire, both recoiling in surprise. "Hey! What's all of this 'sacrifice' talk? That doesn't sound very nice at all! I can think of something much more fun to do for the sun! Heehee! That rhymed!"

Twilight watched on in horror. "Pinkie, they can't understand you!"

Pinkie flashed back a smile. "I don't have to speak orc, Twilight! I just have to speak the language of laughter!"

All of the orcs' eyes were upon the pink pony now. Whatever she had planned, it had better be good.

She cleared her throat.

"Weeeeeeeeeeeell~!
You can write the sun a poem
You can sing the sun a song!
You can dance throughout the night
And invite the sun along!"

Discord blinked incredulously. "Is... Is she... ?"

Twilight smiled. "Yep. She's singing." The unicorn's magic immediately went to work, undoing the bonds of each of her friends around her. "Way to go, Pinkie!"

The earth pony continued to bounce between the distracted orcs, each taking a fascination to her song, despite having no grasp of the lyrics.

"You can throw the sun a party
You can bake the sun a cake!
You can buy the sun some icecream
Just don't get a tummy-ache!"

Twilight and Rarity focused their magic, each quickly unravelling the tight knots. Their focus was to simply loose the bands, having each of them break free at the same moment to better catch the orcs off guard. Afterwards, they would untie Pinkie, her current diversion making her the focus of the tribe.

The pink pony performer hopped up onto a large wooden idol, singing the last stanza of her impromptu song loudly.

"There's a hundred things that you can do
A thousand ways to play!
There is so much to do for the sun
To celebrate the daaaaaaaaaaay~!"

She held her last note, a subtle vibrato carrying it home. Ending the note, the sounds of the swamp filled the space in what could be called a silence. In an instant, cheers rose from the orcs, issued in squeals and oinking grunts. Swamp lilies were tossed up to her on the totem.

"Thank you! Thank you, Lowlandians!" Pinkie returned, taking a bow. "You've been a great crowd!" She beamed one final smile to the orc tribals. "And now, for your next performance, give it up for Twilight and my friends! Woohoo!"

"Thank you, Pinkie Pie!" Twilight answered from behind the crowd of orcs.

As the pig-men turned back to their prisoners, they were met by a fierce team of five ponies, a dragon, and an immortal, each taking a strong-willed pose against them.

The orcs, however, were not very intimidated. They clasped their weapons tightly, taking a step towards their once-captives.

Discord laughed menacingly, holding up his talon and paw in a pugilist's stance. "Ever tick off a god before?" He cast a quick glance at Twilight, signaling the unicorn. She quickly caught his idea. With a discreet spell, she cast light onto Discord, letting the being they thought was a god glow brightly. He smiled wide. "Maybe I should show you all how I took away the sun!" he bluffed in his own language.

Whether or not the orcs could understand his words, they seemed to recognize what they were against. Each took a step back, fear growing quickly on their faces. Worried oinks and grunts rose from the warriors as they looked up towards the platform. In an issue of retreat, the pigs dropped their weapons, each scattering into the swamp opposite the adventurers.

Twilight let her spell fade, smiling in pure joy. "It worked! We scared them off!"

"Aw," Rainbow Dash sighed, "I was looking for a good rumble!"

"Let's just get Pinkie untied," Twilight said, looking back to her friend atop the idol in the now empty village center.

Instead of the confident, excited face she expected of the party pony, she was met with a look of terror to rival that of the orcs. "G-g-g-girls?" she muttered, eyes wide. "I d-d-don't think they were scared of you!"

The sounds of a wood snapping behind them drew the attention of the group. Each turned, just in time to dodge the huge tree tossed towards them, the air off of which ruffling their furs. Quick to find where the attack came from, they were met with a huge, terrible beast, whose very image looked to have been born in Tartarus.

The muscular behemoth stood over twice Discord's height, scales and fur black as a moonless night. Four tauren legs held him to the ground, each massive hoof planted deep in the mud. From above his forehooves extended the torso of a dragon, with huge, clawed and spined arms rigid at his sides. In one claw, a huge branch was clutched as a club. At its neck was an enormous, ferocious wolf's head, teeth barred as it growled with a malicious rasp. Red and yellow eyes burned back, pure evil behind their stained sclera.

Twilight's ears dropped as she looked up to the giant. "What... the buck is that!"

Discord laughed, giving a huge grin. "My Goliathan!"

The rest of the group all turned to him at once. "YOURS?!"

Twilight shook her head to make sense of it. "You made that?! You made the Lowland Goliathan?!"

The immortal turned to look back to her. "It was a slow weekend, I got bored! You try keeping things interesting for an eternity!" Eyes set back on his creation, he stepped forward. He spoke in baby-talk. "Aw, you missed your daddy, didn't you! Yes you did! Yes you did! Who's a good little giant blood-thirsty monster! Who's my little monster!"

Instead of love, the immortal was greeted by the downward strike of the branch-club the Goliathan wielded, barely dodging the lethal blow as it splashed into the mud. "WHOA! Hey!" Discord chastised, shaking a talon to the beast. "Don't try to kill your daddy like that! That's a bad Goliathan! Bad Goliathan!"

Slamming itself down lower on its claw, the Goliathan roared with the voice of a king dragon at the immortal, mouth opened wider than the draconequus was tall. Slimy, jagged fangs lined its maw, various pieces of bone and flesh being loosed from its teeth by its powerful cry. It slammed its mouth closed, staring with vicious focus at the immortal.

Discord lowered his talon, spit dripping from his coat. He turned, walking casually back to the others. Taking his place beside them again, he calmly spoke. "So, it seems he's forgotten me."

"An' what does that mean, 'xactly?" Applejack asked, never letting her gaze stray from the monster.

Discord cleared his throat into his paw. "It means, Applejack, that we're all going to die." Calmness was immediately replaced with terror. "RUN FOR IT!!"

Another roar from the monster was all the others needed to take Discord's advice. Each pony barreled off into the mud, charging away from the chimeric beast. The Goliathan was quickly in pursuit, driven by an unprovoked rage.

Pinkie splashed down from the idol she had stood upon into the mud below. She hopped in panic after her friends. "Girls! Girls! Wait! I'm still all tied up!"

Twilight turned, sliding to a stop in the slippery mess. "Pinkie!"

Discord slid around, using his arms to regain traction as he bolted back towards the village. "I've got her!" He scooped up Twilight under one arm as he passed, making sure he'd have the distance needed from the necklace.

Pinkie struggled to bounce on her back legs as the terrible beast drew nearer to her. She huffed with exhausted breath as the beast's shadow spread over her, cast by the distant ceremony fires in the village. She could smell his breath as he roared out just behind her. "HE-E-E-ELP!"

Before the Goliathan could reach her, however, Discord had closed the distance. He quickly wrapped his serpentine body around the pink pony, gripping her tightly. The Goliathan reared back his branch, ready to bring down a devastating blow to the three creatures. Discord aimed his head from his coiled pose back to the beast, and in a massive roar of his own, fire spewed in a jet from his mouth. Singed and startled, the Goliathan stumbled back, rubbing at its toasted nose. Taking the opportunity, Discord stood with Twilight, taking Pinkie under his other arm. "Hey, Twilight, ever consider sports?"

The unicorn cocked a brow. "What does that have t-" Before she could finish her question, Discord reared back, holding the unicorn in his paw like a sportsball. In a single motion, she was tossed in a high arc at a blistering speed back towards her friends. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!"

Discord turned back to his creation, placing his pawed thumb to his nose as he stuck out his tongue. "You're not getting any treats today, I'll have you know!" The Goliathan recovered from his stunned state, again lifting his club to strike. The immortal, however, hopped into the air just as the magical barrier of the rune necklace caught up to him from Twilight, zipping him away faster than the counter-attack of the Goliathan on the winds of the magic wall.

Pinkie looked to the immortal from under his talon as they flew carelessly through the air. "Wow! I didn't know you could breathe fire, Disco!"

Discord smiled, letting his chest puff up with pride. "I'm a 'draconequus'. Dragon's in the name!" He coughed out a single puff of smoke, watching it trail out behind them. "It leaves such a terrible aftertaste, though."

Twilight screamed through the air, flying fast towards the rest of her group. "DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSCOOOOOOOORD!!!"

Rainbow Dash slowed from her own flight, hearing the steadily growing wail behind her. "What the-?" As she turned, she was graced to see the unicorn zooming to her, anger and panic glowing on her face. "WHOA!" The pegasus was quick to stop Twilight's fall, catching the unicorn in midair. "Wow, Twi! I thought I was the fastest flier!"

Twilight trembled in fear, her wide eyes staring at the ground. "Yeah, ha ha, now put me down!"

As Twilight was dropped back onto the muddy earth alongside her friends, Discord caught up, flying on his own trajectory. As he hit the ground, he twisted himself into a skillful roll, instantly popping back onto his feet with Pinkie in tow. "No time to rest, Twilight! Keep moving!"

"I'm going to kill you!" Twilight shouted after him, again finding speed.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew alongside Applejack. The farmer was moving slower than the others, carrying Spike on her back and helping the still wounded Rarity to keep pace. "AJ!" the cyan pegasus called. "We gotta do something to slow this guy down!"

Applejack took a moment to look back, seeing the distant silhouette of the Goliathan again forming in the shadowy fog behind them. They couldn't outrun the beast, and she knew as much. "All right, Rainbow! Ah got an idea! You and Fluttershy get Spike and Rarity outta here!"

Dash was quick to respond, hefting up Rarity in her forehooves as Fluttershy took Spike in hers. "Geez, Rare!" Dash said as she lifted the unicorn into the air. "How much do you weigh?!"

Rarity flushed with rage as she was carried off. "WHY I NEVER!!"

Now alone, Applejack took to work in haste. Grabbing a vine from a nearby tree, she yanked the fiber down, gaining a long length to use. She quickly tied the end into a lasso just as the sounds of thundering hooves grew near. "Yer tanglin' with the best dang rodeo pony in Equestria, partner," she spoke, turning to face the monster. The Goliathan barreled towards the lone pony, its terrible club raised to strike. "Ya better be ready fer th' ride!" She bolted forward with the lasso in her mouth, dashing faster than the beast could expect between his legs. As the Goliathan turned to again find his prey, he was instead snared about the mouth by the vine, the earth pony taking her place on the broad back of his bull-like tauren body. "YEEEEEEEHAAAAAH!"

The beast sprang into action, thrashing wildly by instinct to displace the pony on his back where claws could not reach. Applejack tightened the lasso around his snout, holding the vine fast with her teeth as she held on. Each violent kick and jolt fired through her, threatening to toss her from her vantage point. Her determination gave her strength, however, and with each move, she balanced herself to remain just out of the monster's reach.

The Goliathan stopped, ramming his front hooves down into the mud with violent aggression. He arched back, roaring like a beast driven mad. His powerful jaws spread wide, shredding the vine as though it were twine. Applejack gasped in shock as she suddenly found no grip in her tether. As the Goliathan bucked a final time, a wave convulsing through him, the pony could not keep hoofhold. She was tossed high into the air, hooves flailing in the hope of sprouting wings. Below, the Goliathan turned quick, sharp fangs aimed up as he awaited the fall of his prey. She gripped her hat tight to her head, deciding to at least go out with her dignity.

Before Applejack found herself in the gullet of the constructed beast, however, she was saved, plucked in her descent by a blur of rainbow. Her senses collected, Applejack looked up, seeing none other than Rainbow Dash holding her. "Miss me?"

Relief flashed over the farmer. "Did Ah ever!"

Both ponies landed, staring at the now riled beast. "So," Dash began, "got a plan of action?"

Applejack's heart was still racing from her previous ride. "That was mah plan. This thing's nothin' but power!"

A smirk crossed the pegasus' face. "My turn, then." Dash shot into the air, disappearing into the dark sky. "Keep him busy!" she called down. "I'll be back!"

The earth pony followed her friend's ascension before reseting her gaze to the Goliathan. It had again sighted her, taking another raging charge in her direction. Applejack had only enough time to jump out of his way as the monster barreled by, snapping trees like twigs against his body as he passed. The farmer used her time well before the Goliathan could collect himself, arming herself with another tree vine. She made sure to get a thicker vine than last, hoping for more tensile strength from this band. As she tied her slipknot again, the beast came back into vision from the shattered brush, galloping to her with club raised high. Now was her time to act. With a toss of her head, the vine was quickly wrapped over the claw that wielded the large tree-weapon. Undeterred, the beast swung downwards, an enormous splash reporting as his club missed the agile earth pony. Applejack was quick to action, running around the beast with as much speed as her hooves could purchase from the muddy ground. The vine wrapped around the Goliathan, binding his arms to his torso as he attempted to grasp what the pony was doing. She darted from tree to tree, letting the vine's length slip through her teeth as a throttle. The beast tried to raise its club again, only to trip itself as it found the vine about its hooves as well.

With a final twist, Applejack fastened the long braid to a tree, standing back to watch the beast struggle against its overlapped ties. "That ought'a hold ya!"

Fury rose in the beast as it began thrashing wildly against the binding vine. Applejack looked on in fear as even this vine began to fray under the stress.

"LOOK OUT BELOW!" a voice called from above.

Applejack looked up to see Rainbow Dash descending with incredible speed, directly towards the Goliathan. She knew what was coming next. The farmer dove into the mud, clutching her hat over her face with protective hooves. The Goliathan looked up just in time to see the explosion of rainbow light above.

--

The rest of the group sat in a clearing, exhausted from running. Pinkie had been untied with the help of Spike's claws, the two being the only ones spared the exasperation of treading the muddy terrain. Light rainfall pattered into the waters around as the adventurers took harbor on a grassy knoll, dotted with large, bleached stones.

Pinkie sat down on one of the rocks. "You know, this isn't as fun as I thought it'd be."

"You're telling me!" Discord joined, hunched over his knees. He breathed with heavy fatigue. "I'm not built for running! My legs aren't even of the same Class!"

Fluttershy shook the rain from her fur, her wings sore from flight. "What about that terrible monster! What are we going to do!"

Rarity winced as she moved, her leg again throbbing with renewed pain. Twilight helped the unicorn to lie down in the thick grass, Spike quickly at her side with worry.

Twilight stood, looking back into the dark woods. "Applejack and Rainbow Dash can handle him. I know they can."

Just then, a huge explosion shook the ground as bright, prismatic light flashed in the distant marsh behind them. A mushroom cloud, composed of many brilliant colors rose over the trees, shining with under-lighting against the night's infinite sky.

"Ooh!" Pinkie shouted, leaning forward with huge, gleaming eyes. "RAINBOOM! RAINBOOM!!"

"'Rainboom'?" Discord asked, leaning back. "More like a Rainbomb!"

Vibrations trembled through the ground for several seconds, sounds of a rolling thunder echoing far off. The colors above died out as two figures became visible in the air. Rainbow Dash flew down to the group, Applejack in her hooves.

Fluttershy galloped forward, overjoyed to see her friends again. "Oh, girls! You're okay!"

Dash smiled, stretching her wings. "Of course! Nothing can stop us!" She turned to Applejack, the two old friends bumping hooves in victory.

Discord stepped forward, a concern in his eyes. "And Mister Mittens?"

"Who?" Twilight asked, taken aback by the name.

Discord shot the unicorn a glare. "The Goliathan!"

Applejack shook her head. "Ain't gonna have no more trouble outta 'im."

A pained look briefly overcame the immortal, but faded just as fast. "I see..."

Twilight looked to the immortal, a true empathy in her heart. As much as Discord tried to play it off, she could read the pain on his face. Monster or not, the Goliathan was his creation. "I'm sorry..."

The immortal scoffed, quickly turning from the others. "It's not so bad. He wasn't even house broken." His joke sat cold over the group as he sniffed back his sorrows.

As much as Twilight wanted to help comfort the draconequus, she knew it was better to let the incident rest. "We have to keep going. The gate must be nearby."

Discord spun, a smile again on his face. "Right you are! Very right!" He waved his talon over the meadow. "In fact, this is it!"

Twilight tilted her head, looking over the small island they stood on. "This? But, there's no gate here!"

"Of course there is," the immortal continued, lifting one of the large stones with effort. He dropped the stone on top of another, the two almost matching perfectly at their edges. What before looked like simple markings in the rock matched up, forming a bevel and ancient symbols. Discord turned back, propping himself against the small stack he had begun to form. "Some assembly required."

Twilight took in the meadow, noting the stones around her. They were all marked with similar etches and grooves, as though part of a greater structure. "Of course!" she remarked, a flash in her expression.

With a huge burst of magic, the unicorn lifted all of the rocks into the air, rolling Pinkie rudely off of the one she sat on. Turning and repositioning the stones in the air, she began to piece together the puzzle. The rest looked on in awe as stones were shifted and spun, being placed over each other at their faults. Another stone stood across from where Discord stacked the first, firmly attached into the ground as the second post. She built from both sides, meeting the towers at the top in a curved arch. As the final stone was placed at the top, a magic of their own bound them together again, letting the unicorn's magic rest as she looked over the large archway standing on the hill.

"Th' gate!" Applejack exclaimed, joy in her voice. "We found it!"

Twilight narrowed her eyes, more determined than ever to see her mission through. "All right, Discord. Time to work your magic!"

The immortal lay against the outer post of the gate, scanning the claws of his pawed hand. In a calm tone, he spoke. "Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry, I must have missed that. Do what?"

"Open the gate," the unicorn replied.

Discord gave a quick laugh, picking dirt from below his pinkie claw. "No, I believe you said, 'work your magic', which is precisely the problem. Maybe Luna forgot, but I can't just wish the gate open. I need my powers."

"What?" Rarity said, lifting her head from the grass. "But you don't have your powers!"

Life sprang back into the immortal as he jumped from his seated pose. "Ding-ding-ding! Correct!"

"So, how do we get into the Eternal Realm?" Fluttershy asked, shifting her eyes around nervously.

"Well, it's easy! Twilight?" he called, walking to the group again. "Take those gems around your neck, and smash them into a million pieces!"

Twilight looked down to the necklace Luna gave her. It bound his powers, but made him incapable of opening the door for them!

"No way!" Pinkie shouted. "You'll have your magic back!"

"Precisely!" Discord laughed. "It's the only way!"

"But, if we do that, how can we trust you'll keep your word?" Rainbow Dash asked with obvious anger. "How do we know you'll open the gate!"

"That's the fun part: YOU DON'T!" he bellowed, chaotic joy dancing in his eyes. "I might just walk away and never come back! But, if you don't release me, you'll never get in anyway! Isn't it sensational! MHAHAHAHAHA!!"

Twilight looked up again, a solemn expression on her face. "Okay."

Shocked gasps arose from all around the unicorn at her resolution.

Even Discord's maddening laughter sputtered to a stop. "Wait, what?"

"Okay," the unicorn repeated. "I'll release you. I trust you, Discord."

The immortal cocked a brow. "You trust..."

Before his contemplations could find hold, Twilight lifted the necklace from herself, and in a toss of magic, hurled the protective runes towards the stone gate. As it made contact, the necklace shattered, a bright blue light flashing briefly as the remnants flickered into dust.

She looked back to the still stunned immortal. "There. Now, please help us."

A malicious smile crept onto Discord's face as magic surged back into his being. "Heh. Heheheh. HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The draconequus reared back, cackling mad into the lightning flashed sky above. Chaos took hold of their surroundings: the rain reversed, heading back into the sky; flowers bloomed through the grass, opening into small phonographs, each blasting out the eerily off-tune sounds of polka; the waters around the small meadow began to spin, transforming into a typhoon of catseye marbles. Discord reached out a talon, grabbing a large pair of gem-studded sunglasses from the very air. "Twilight, you put far too much trust in the good side of others!" He placed the shades over his eyes as he lifted himself into a magical hover. "One day, you'll learn that not everypony has one!"

Twilight cast her eyes down. Had she been wrong to see him as a friend, even after all they had been through?

Without warning, the chaos overtaking their world fell silent again. The marbles melted back into water, the phonograph flowers twisted back into the soil, and the rain met its height, falling back onto the adventurers from above. Discord sighed, landing back onto his legs. "But, today isn't that day." With a snap of his fingers, a sheet of blue and purple magic sparked within the arch of the gate, waving gently as it swirled around. The Gate of Eternity was open.

Twilight felt a warm grin slide across her face. "Thank you, Discord."

"Stop thanking me!" Discord shouted back, a true anger growling in his voice. He turned, walking off from the group. "I'm gone. I've done my job. It's up to you now."

"But, we need you!" Twilight begged, rushing forward.

Discord continued to take his leave. "HA! Laughable."

Twilight ran in front of the immortal, spinning to face him. "We don't know what we'll find in there. Discord, this is your home. You can guide u-"

"It's not my home, foal!" Discord corrected, lifting his sunshades. "I don't have a home. And you're not my responsibility."

The words stabbed at Twilight. Her expression sank into dejection. "Discord..."

"One day, you'll learn not everypony has a good side, Twilight," the draconequus repeated, dropping the shades back onto his long snout. "A calm in the storm isn't always a sign the weather's clearing." Without further word, the immortal vanished into a flash of magic, setting off to some unknown destination.

As the magic sparks died, Twilight was left staring into the open air. She sighed, feeling betrayed. Still, she had greater motive than befriending the essence of chaos: she had to get the cure of Celestia. "Come on. We're so close now."

Rarity shook her head. "Girls, I can't go further."

Fluttershy moved to nuzzle her sore friend. "Oh, but Rarity-"

"No, Fluttershy," the unicorn interjected. "I'm in no condition to go in there." She stood, her legs trembling as she put weight in them. Despite Spike's attempts to help, her weak leg gave, and she collapsed again into the wet grass. "See? I'll just slow you down."

Twilight wanted to protest, but knew it was true. It would be reckless to drag the wounded unicorn into the unknown dangers of the Eternal Realm. "Rarity, are you sure?"

"I'm certain, darling," the alabaster unicorn replied, smiling softly. "I'll be here when you return, I promise."

Spike stood by Rarity, taking a strong pose. "Don't worry, Rarity. I'll stay here to protect you!"

Rarity blushed. "And I know I'll be safe with you here, Spikey-Wikey."

Spike's scales flared as he bashfully smiled.

"Ah'm sure ya will be with a big, strong dragon t' protect ya," Applejack continued, lying down by the unicorn. "But jus' in case ya need some extra protectin', Ah'll stick by ya, too."

Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash turned to the gate. "I guess it's up to us," Dash said, staring into the portal.

"I'm not scared,' Fluttershy proudly added, stepping forward.

"Time to get serious!" Pinkie said, hopping into place.

"All right, girls," Twilight confidently spoke. "Let's do this. For Princess Celestia!"

Boldly, the four ponies stepped into the swirling magic of the archway.

Chapter 6

In Search of the Sun
by CosmicWaltz

Chapter 6

The sounds of the crackling fire alone permeated the heavy blanket of silence in the library. The weak warmth that grew from it only seemed to make the cold at its distance more frigid. Twilight didn't mind. She felt the cold was her punishment, piercing into her very soul like the arrows of judgement. She didn't deserve warmth.

The unicorn sat on the opposite end of the library, far from the small comfort of heat that she denied herself. Her breath billowed out in misty clouds as ice nipped at her fur. She slowly turned, peering out the frosted window beside her. Beyond the pale, weary reflection of herself, she could see nothing. Darkness reigned over the world now, impenetrable, and uncaring. Winter had taken the place of all seasons, snow piling high in the eternal blizzard. What few ponies remained had long since left, but not her. She had to stay. She had to suffer.

The shelves around her were bare now. The books that had once given her endless joy had long since been fed to the fire, sustaining its dying light. At first, she had convinced herself that it was to survive, but she now accepted that it was only to prolong her misery. She only moved into its forgiving warmth when she could take the cold no longer.

She lifted the final book to her, placed on a small desk by the door. "The Essential Writings of Starswirl the Bearded". It was her favorite book. She had brought it from Canterlot when she first moved to Ponyville. A smile grew on her face as she gently traced a hoof over the embossed cover. It was a First Edition, given to her by Princess Celestia after her first year of apprenticeship. The alicorn had said it was her own once, given to her by the great magician himself. She opened the cover, the faded quill marks still visible on the first page. There, as always, was Starswirl's own signature, written modestly in the bottom corner, out of the way. She imagined him to be a humble pony, despite his prominence. It always made her happy to see that name, marked forever in the pages of his legacy. It truly belonged in the Museum of Magisters, and yet, Princess Celestia had given it to her, trusting her student with such a legendary piece of Equestrian history.

A hollow pain struck at Twilight's heart. Princess Celestia. She could no longer remember the great ruler she had once studied under as she was. She could only barely recall the colors of her mane, or the soft smile that she always wore. The features that once held her in awe were lost to her now, replaced by the sickly, dying alicorn that she had seen in her final moments. She could only remember the greyed, ailing Princess, robbed of her color and life by some illness alien to the mortal world. She remembered the final pulse of life falling still in the once great pony, and remembered watching her mentor and friend flicker away into shimmering dust as her time came and passed.

Her tears trailed her cheeks, leaving a soothing warmth before growing bitter in the cold of the room. Sorrow turned to anger. She didn't deserve to cry. She didn't deserve to remember Princess Celestia as she was before.

She tossed the book onto the fire. Within seconds, the flames greedily devoured the ancient tome, flaring with renewed energy.

The cold had again neared her to delirium, the subtle tug of oblivion on the fringe of her consciousness. She had been here many times in the past months, torturing herself with each shiver as her body reached its limit. With numb hooves, she moved to lie by the fireplace. As she watched the fire destroy her most treasured gift, feeding on the last kindling it would receive, she knew she would not leave that spot again.

She had failed.

She had failed Celestia.

She had failed her friends.

She had failed Equestria.

She had failed everypony.

Her heart swirled in a miasma of pain, sorrow, and fury, each troubled emotion lashing out from within. She didn't deserve to feel.

Suddenly, there was a rapping on the door, heavy and slow. She turned, looking to the long-since used entrance. She didn't care who was on the other side. They were better off not knowing her.

She looked back to the fire, already dying from its previous nourishment. Its embers pleaded for more to stoke its flames.

Another series of thudding knocks came to the door, more forceful now.

"Go away," she spoke quietly, her voice cracking from months of disuse. Her gaze never left the fire.

What if she threw herself onto the flames? Would that be enough? Certainly, she didn't deserve better. To be tossed onto the fire like trash. To feel the heat of the sun punish her. The flames danced in her eyes, calling her with its hypnotic spell.

The knocking grew more fierce now, never letting up. Whoever was waiting on the other side desperately wanted in.

Twilight stood, walking with quivering limbs to the door. "What do you want? I don't want to see anypony." Maybe it would be more fitting to walk out and let the cold have her, she humored. She slid back the lock.

Immediately, the door was thrust open, knocking her back onto her haunches. As her wits came about her, she was met with the unforgettable features of a draconequus, hanging from her door frame over an infinite darkness. "Dis... Discord?"

The immortal shot a mischievous smile back to her. "Time to go, Twilight!" he said, grabbing the pony before him by a foreleg. He let go of the frame, falling back into the abyss with the purple unicorn in tow.

Twilight flailed as she tumbled down into the infinite space beyond the door. Winds quickly rushed up through her fur. "WHAT'S HAPPENING?! DISCORD?!"

Beside her, the immortal seemed relaxed in his freefall, his arms behind his head and his legs propped over one another. "See, Twilight, this is what I've been saying; you just don't know how to let go!"

She almost wanted to smile, if the situation at hoof didn't seem more pressing. "What are you doing here!"

Discord rolled, laying his body flat as he propped his head on folded arms. "I knew you foals couldn't handle yourselves. And maybe..." He lost eye contact, looking off into the distance. "Maybe I'm not such a bad guy."

Even in the fall, Twilight couldn't hold back her joy any longer. She lunged towards the immortal, hugging him around the neck. "I knew it!"

Discord squirmed, trying to free himself from the hold. "Hey hey hey! No hugging!" His magic back at his command, he detached his head cleanly from his neck, sliding his body out from under the unicorn's grip to reattach himself beside her. Despite his attempts to sound upset, he was smiling. "It's already sappy enough that I came back for you!"

Twilight looked down, more endless blackness below them. Her mane streamed behind her as she quickly approached a ground she could not see. "Where is the bottom to this place?!"

"The floor?" Discord asked, floating alongside her. "Oh, yeah, right here." With no effort, the immortal ceased falling, taking a stand on an enormous book that seemed to form from the air.

The unicorn continued to flail in freefall, despite being beside the draconequus still. "Wait, what?!" She looked back down, taking in the odd situation. It finally struck her that she was not falling at all. Her mane fell back down as though in a sudden stop, and she gently hovered down to stand on another ghostly book beside the immortal.

"Now, you're getting it!" Discord exclaimed, throwing his arms wide. "Chaos isn't so hard, is it?" In a flash, more of the oversized tomes appeared around them, forming multiple walkways into the distant blackness. "Now, let's find the others."

Pain all at once hit Twilight again. "The others..." Her eyes fell to the phantom ground below. "We were too late..."

Discord cocked his brow, before a wave of realization washed the look away. With a sly smile, he lowered his face to beside Twilight. "Were we now? Think about it."

Twilight couldn't help but think about it. Horrible memories she wanted nothing but to forget. That was, until she truly tried to remember them. More and more, the past seemed hazy, and details became dull. "Wait..."

"Think, Twilight," Discord encouraged, a somewhat soothing tone in his voice. "What exactly led up to this very moment? Think back as far as you possibly can."

She tried to follow his advice, letting her mind try to piece together a history that just didn't seem to fit. She could no longer remember what she was doing there, or how she had even gotten to that point. "I... I don't know... It's getting really hard to remember..."

The immortal lifted himself off the ground, letting himself loll gently within the air. "Then tell me, where are we?"

As if called, the true memories rushed back to her. She remembered the gate. She remembered walking through with her friends. "The Eternal Realm!"

Unseen buzzers whipped into a frenzy as though she had struck jackpot at Las Pegasus. Discord stretched himself out from the small space behind her, now dressed in a tuxedo and holding a microphone. He spoke in a mock-announcer's tone. "That's correct! Tell her what she's won!" In front of her, the immortal reappeared from seemingly nowhere, sans attire, his arms stretched wide. "You've won control!" The sounds of a phantom crowd cheered her on.

The bizarre antics of the draconequus only served to further confuse the unicorn. "None of that really happened? But, it felt so-"

"Real?" Discord finished for her. "Don't all dreams when you're in them? This is the Eternal Realm, Twilight. I told you it was powerful." He looked around, a cold glare in his eyes. "And it seems to be quite upset about being left alone for so long."

Twilight walked to the immortal, joining him on the book that held him afloat. "You say that like it's alive."

"In a way," Discord returned, analyzing the distant paths. "It has a will of its own. Luckily, it's nearly powerless when you know you're in control."

"Good," Twilight sighed, relieved. "I was worried the others were in danger."

Discord chuckled dryly in his throat. "They're in far worse trouble than you could ever imagine, Twilight."

"What?!" Twilight shouted, quickly turning to the immortal. "But you just said it was harmless!"

"Hardly," Discord said, looking down to her. "Tell me, Twilight, in that little room of yours up there, how did you feel?"

The past emotions flashed back, the bottomless sorrow still vivid to her. "Awful..." She shook her head, letting the memory die again. "But that wasn't real!"

"You thought it was," the immortal countered. "And before I opened that door, what did you feel like doing?"

She tensed, terror in her eyes. She had almost forgotten already just what she had wanted before. She looked down to her hooves, unable to fathom what could have possessed her to rationalize such thoughts. "I... I just..."

Sensing the shift in mood, Discord softened his tone, crouching to Twilight's side. "Felt like doing something stupid?"

"... Yes..."

"And what do you think would have happened if you did?"

Twilight's heart fluttered in her chest. "I don't want to think about it..."

His point made, Discord stood again. "This place can't hurt you, but it can make you hurt yourself, and provide ample resource. It's like a dream, here. It tries to separate you, and the lines between what's real and what isn't begin to blur. Memories get replaced with falsehoods. Before long, you've forgotten where you are, why you came, or what you're after." He again patrolled the distance, a talon shielding his eyes needlessly. "You came in with Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash, didn't you? The others were still outside. Right now, they're lost in here, and the Eternal Realm is trying to break them just as well. We have to move quick."

Each word drove fear deeper into Twilight; a fear not for herself, but for her friends. Though many questions still begged to be asked, she had no time. "Let's go."

Discord smiled, narrowing his eyes. "That's the spirit!" He dropped his talon, twisting his mouth as he thought. "All roads lead to Rome, so-"

"Rome?"

"Before your time. Anyway, I guess any path is good, so let's-"

Before he could finish, Twilight was already quickly headed down a forking road of hovering books. Discord laughed, chasing after her in flight.

--

The two rushed down path after unfolding path, finding the roads showing no new signs of where they were headed. Blackness still made up most of the world, with an unknown light illuminating only what seemed to fade into existence for them. Scrolls, inkwells, and scientific apparatuses hovered just out of reach, floating by placidly. At one point, they had crossed a bridge made of a large telescope.

Twilight found herself growing short of breath, hopping from book to book. "Discord," she began, stopping on the open pages of a gigantic encyclopedia. Two paths branched to either side, both disappearing into nothingness not far from where she stood. "What's with this place? I thought it was supposed to be some kind of paradise before. Why is there nothing here?"

Discord flew alongside the path. He spun in a backwards loop, diving forward into a huge rolled scroll suspended in air. Coming out the opposite side, he had a giant quill perched behind his ear. "Paradise is as the tourist sees it, Twilight."

"What does that even mean?" the unicorn responded, finding no time for the riddles.

"That's the problem with normalcy," he spoke with a sigh, hovering in air beside her. With the enormous quill, he began to draw glowing pictures within the air. "You get too used to one way of thinking."

"Discord!"

"Fine!" he sighed, shooing away the stick-pony he had just created. As the glowing character ran off into the distance of the realm, he turned to face Twilight again. "This place gives you what you want, but not unlike a dream. You see more than what is really there. Hay, when I found you, you were lying on a stone slab in front of a fire with a door and some empty bookcases beside you."

This news visibly caught Twilight off guard. She could still recall every detail of her library in Ponyville from that room. Each slat in the floor, every web in the corners. Could it really have been as vacant as the draconequus now said?

Discord continued. "You see what you want to see here. Or, what the realm wants you to see. But whenever you're over its spell, there's hardly anything to see."

Twilight was beginning to understand, but one detail still nagged her. "So, what's with the books and stuff?"

"Residual information," Discord answered flatly. He rolled onto his back, hovering lazily with closed eyes. "It's projecting the most basic of things from your mind. That's how you know it's still trying to get in."

"Then why isn't it reading your mind?"

"I'm more willful."

"Then who's thinking about gumdrops?"

Discord's eyes popped open as the odd question hit him. "Wait, what?" He spun, taking in the sight of giant green and blue gumdrops drifting by in unnerving silence. "Oh. Gumdrops."

Twilight smiled wide. Only one pony would have candy so ingrained in her mind that it would appear at random. "Pinkie!"

With Discord following, they bolted down the path of books towards the gumdrops. Soon, the road began to change, the volumes of knowledge becoming interspersed with various pieces of oversized hard candy. Colorful balloons drifted by listlessly, mingling with beakers and inkwells from Twilight's own mind. As they crossed a liquorice rope bridge, a large gingerbread house became visible on the path ahead.

"That must be the place!" Twilight exclaimed. In a burst of magic, she teleported herself to the doorstep of the confectionary building. Before Discord could catch up, she kicked the door open.

The completely grey room inside was a harsh change to the bright colors just on the opposite side of the door. The dimensions inside the house were remarkably different, seeming almost four times the size of the outside. The walls buckled inward, corners awkwardly askew from standard angles. Bare walls, bereft of any detail, looked in with disturbing presence. In the very center of the room was a long, wooden table, empty seats on all sides. On the far end, in bright contrast, was the party pony Pinkie Pie.

Discord reached the door, peering in over Twilight's shoulder. "Homey, isn't it?"

Twilight burst in, a huge smile on her face. "Pinkie! I'm so glad we found you!"

The pink pony did not reply, nor even look up from her absent gaze across the empty table. Her mane lay draped over her shoulders, flat and lifeless.

Twilight slowed as she neared, realizing that something was amiss. "Pinkie? Are you okay?"

Pinkie blinked slowly, eyes affixed to a world neither Twilight nor Discord could see. Under her hoof on the table sat a shining kitchen knife.

"Discord," Twilight asked, slowly nudging the pony before her. "Why isn't she waking up?"

The immortal slid across the table, stopping just before Pinkie. He looked into her eyes, searching for signs of what vicious trick was at work. "She's still in there somewhere. Shaking her just isn't going to do anything."

Quietly, the earth pony spoke to herself. "Nopony likes me..."

Panic crept over Twilight's face. She shook Pinkie's shoulder harder, trying to wake her friend from the trance. "What do you mean! I just snapped out of it when you showed up!"

"It was different for you," Discord answered, sitting up on the table. "You're a unicorn. You're used to magic and its effects. Seeing what's real and what isn't. All it took to wake you up was to show you something out of place." He ran his paw over his beard in thought. "The others are going to be harder to reach."

In a quick motion, Pinkie slid the knife up with her hoof, jamming the sharp end firmly into the wooden surface of the table with a solid thud.

Twilight's pupils shrank in abject terror. "Whatdowedo-WHATDOWEDO?!"

Even Discord's expression flashed with urgency. "Okay, okay, let's not panic here!" He stood on the table, cracking his knuckles with crossed hands. "If she wants a party, LET'S PARTY!"

In a flash of magic, Discord vanished, instead being replaced by a bright, colorful cast of characters. In each seat sat large rag dolls, gently swaying with the sound of music coming from some unknown origin. Balloons bobbed in place, tied at each corner of the table. In the center, amidst an array of dancing teapots and plates, stood a three-tier cake, bouncing in musical rhythm. On the middle layer, Discord's face was easily visible, looking back to the pony. "How's this for a party!"

Confetti rained down over the still gloomy earth pony sitting at the head of the table. Different, however, was that her eyes followed the glittery pieces. Her eyes shifted sorely back to the cake on the table, no expression present.

Twilight smiled, knowing that they were getting through. "C'mon, Pinkie!" She encouraged, hoping her words would carry to the other side. "It's not a party without you!"

Another lethargic blink came from the pony sitting at the table, before a distant life again shone in her eyes. Her hair gently rose, beginning to kink and curl again, matching the upturning at the edge of her lips.

The unicorn beside her watched on, seeing the pony she knew slowly return from whatever dark reaches she explored before. "Pinkie...?"

In an instant, Pinkie's mane popped back into its normal curls, only a moment before the earth pony herself dove forward. She tackled the large cake, the party immediately vanishing back into silence as she rolled with the now-returned draconequus across the table. Pinning him down, she hugged onto his neck. "DISCO!"

Discord caught his breath from the sudden assault. "Hey! No hug-" As the earth pony squeezed tightly onto his neck, a huge smile spread from ear to ear, his resolve faded. "Well... maybe just this once..."

Twilight dove onto the two as well, catching both Pinkie and Discord in a now-group hug. "Oh, Pinkie! You're okay!"

Freed from the embrace, Pinkie sat up, still atop the draconequus. "Of course I'm okay!" A pulse seemed to wash over her, dropping her expression just enough to notice. It was obvious that she was remembering whatever reality she was shown in her dream. "Well, I am now." Her smile grew again, the present outweighing her nightmares. "Thanks to you two!"

"As touching as this is," Discord issued, a talon propping his head off the floor. "I would like to point out that you're sitting on me, and that we're on a tight schedule."

--

Now with Pinkie, the three adventurers continued their feverish search for their friends. Darting down a road paved with candy and literature, they hoped for any sign of the two pegasi.

"This place is kinda neat!" Pinkie said excitedly, running alongside Twilight. "I mean, look at the size of that chocolate bar!"

Discord flew beside them, just off the path. "I'll make you one when we get out of here, but right now, we need to hurry!"

"What would we see if we were near Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked, mostly to stimulate her own thoughts.

"Hmm," Pinkie pondered, running absently as she looked up. "Clouds? Rainbows? Bunnies?"

"The mother of all butterflies?" Discord asked, pointing ahead.

Sure enough, ahead of them, the path of books and candy ended, leading to a butterfly to rival the size of a dragon. Glittery dust flickered off with each pulse of its enormous wings.

Twilight looked ahead in awe. "Yeah, that's a pretty good sign."

Stopping on a peppermint at the end of the path, each pony looked to each other with uncertainty, before stepping off onto the back of the creature. With quiet obedience, the butterfly began to move, carrying them off in an unseen direction.

Twilight sat back, looking over the details of the large insect. "How is it that we can find each other here? This place must be endless!"

Discord reclined on a hammock between the butterfly's antennae. "It's not as big as you'd think. It's more like a labyrinth than anything. And whether it wants to or not, you can always find what you're looking for with enough persistence."

"Is that how we find the cure, too?" Twilight asked, remembering the true reason they were there.

Discord laughed drolly. "I think it will find us."

"Acorns! Acorns!" Pinkie chimed, bouncing excitedly on the abdomen of the insect.

Around them, visions of nature began to form, mixing with the visions from each of their own minds. Acorns and leaves passed by, dotting the spaces between sweets and knowledge. The images began to grow odd, fusing together in unusual ways. A gnarled twig took the form of a candy cane, and a history book opened into blooming flowers.

"This... is getting weird," Twilight commented, a taffy scroll floating by.

"This is getting delicious!" Pinkie shouted in return, taking a bite of the scroll as it passed.

"But we're on the right track," Discord replied, pointing ahead. "Look."

Before them was a small island, floating in the infinite blackness. In the center grew a tree at the end of a dirt path, a single door set in its bark. A multitude of small butterflies hovered just over the lush foliage of its branches. As their transportation flew to meet the path, the three adventurers disembarked.

Twilight ran up the path, quickly flinging the door open. Inside, another grey world met her, this one much smaller than the last. The room was hardly the size of a carriage, six nondescript surfaces all starring in. Fluttershy lay on the floor, curled into a trembling ball in a small puddle of her tears. Around her, her shadow split, traveling up each wall and branching into dozens of pony silhouettes. Each shadow-figure looked back with hollow eyes, laughing with toneless voices back at the pegasus they branched from.

Twilight was stunned by the setting, taking a step back instinctually. "Whoa."

"Somepony has some demons," Discord remarked, barely able to see into the small doorway around the unicorn.

"Don't worry, Fluttershy!" Twilight spoke to the terrified pegasus. "We've come to help!"

The unicorn shot blasts of magic against the shadows on the walls, hoping to destroy the ghostly visages. Instead, the dark forms seemed to absorb her magic effortlessly. She recoiled, the intimidating shadows seeming to laugh back at her failed attempts. "What? How is that possible!"

Discord groaned, moving Twilight aside. "I've got this."

The immortal leapt at the wall, sliding into it and becoming a shadow himself. The silhouettes around him drew back in confusion for a second, before returning to their haunting laughter at the defenseless pegasus before them. Shadow Discord, however, took a boxing pose, and began to swing his fists towards the figures. With each blow, the shadow pony struck was popped, yet reappeared only a moment later. Discord switched tactics, trying to take out as many as he could at once, flailing wildly with arms, legs, tail, horns, and even wings. His efforts seem to win at first, clearing the entire wall he was on, but he was immediately hurled back into the real world when the shadows suddenly rushed back.

He shook his head, dizzy. "Well, that didn't work. I'm out of ideas."

Behind them both, Pinkie cleared her throat, drawing their attention. With a stern face, she pushed past both the unicorn and immortal, standing square in the doorway of the horrible room. She looked back to her friends. "Amateurs!"

The pink pony turned again to the room, looking at the shadows all around. She inhaled deep, preparing herself for battle.

"Ha!" she spoke into the room.

With the simple declaration, multiple malicious figures vanished into shadowy vapors.

Twilight and Discord both looked on, astonished.

"Ha!" she continued.

More of the silhouettes burst away, halving the number of tormenters.

Fear crossed the shadow faces in the room. It was time for the final blow.

"HA!"

In a wave, the room was cleared, the vicious spectres all being swept away.

Pinkie smiled, her work done in three syllables. "Like I say; just laugh and make them disappear!"

She and Twilight filed into the room, taking both sides of the pegasus. "Fluttershy!" Twilight said, lying beside her sobbing friend. "Fluttershy, it's okay! We're here for you!" She nuzzled the pegasus, trying to sooth her.

Slowly, Fluttershy stirred, peering out from beneath her mane with wet, reddened eyes. "G-girls...?"

"It's us, Shy," Pinkie cooed, putting a hoof over her friend. "It was just a bad dream, that's all. Now, let's see that smile!"

Fluttershy looked to the friends at either side of her, the past terror of her dream fading fast in the grip of familiar faces. She felt tears well in her eyes again, now forming in joy. She shot up, wrapping her hooves and wings around the two ponies in a tight hug. "GIRLS! I'm so glad you're here!"

"Of course we're here, Fluttershy," Twilight said softly, trying to hold back tears of her own. "We would never leave you behind!"

Discord sat in the door to the odd room. As eyes turned to him, he crossed his arms, averting his gaze. "Don't look at me. I'm all 'hugged out' for the day."

Fluttershy scanned the area around them. "But, where's Rainbow Dash?"

The ponies around her drew back, worried looks on their faces. "We haven't found her yet," Twilight regrettably answered. "We have to go. It's not safe here, and she's all alone."

The two ponies helped Fluttershy stand, the pegasus still trembling in terror. As she began to calm down, their pace hastened, and the group was again in search, hoping to find Rainbow Dash before it was too late. They ran down the path, rejoining Discord as they boarded the butterfly again. With each heavy beat of its wings, the gentle giant carried them further off towards more of the unknown.

--

Chaos to rival Discord's own swirled around them as their flight carried on atop the butterfly. The Eternal Realm was reaching into them, pulling out imagery from their subconscious minds. Rabbits played on globe islands, shaded by candy cane trees. Books flew by in flocks, flapping their covers frantically to escape pursuit from gummy sharks.

"So this is where you got ideas from," Twilight remarked, her comment aimed to the immortal beside her.

"Nah," Discord replied, humored by the sights around. "You've either got it or you don't. I am taking notes, though."

"This place is so strange," Fluttershy said, gently petting the insect they rode. "But, it's kind of nice."

Pinkie sat, her rear hooves hanging off the back of the butterfly. "Yeah!" In her forehooves, she held a fishing pole she had somehow acquired. Below, she watched with growing hunger as large caramel-coated pecans nipped at her line. "Well, when it's not being a big meanie-pants!"

Twilight remembered the pain the realm had shown her at first. "A little too mean." She turned to Discord. "I see why you wanted to leave."

"That's not why we left," Discord mused, watching with watering mouth as Pinkie reeled in a catch. Taking the treat from the line, he split it, handing Pinkie her half with a smile. "When we were here, it was a lot nicer. Just boring."

"Boring?" Fluttershy asked, unsure of the ethics or how she felt on the matter of her friends eating the semi-sentient pecan. "But, how can something that makes you happy be boring?"

"It wasn't real," Discord remarked dryly, chewing his portion of the snack. "It doesn't matter if it isn't real."

Twilight hadn't expected such an answer. "You? Looking for something substantial? I never would have thought."

Discord returned a wide, mischievous grin. "I'm just full of surprises. Besides, what fun is chaos in a world that seems overjoyed to give it to you?"

"That sounds more like the Discord I know," Twilight answered with a giggle.

Fluttershy hopped to a stand, wings flared. "Girls! Clouds!"

Everypony turned, looking over the front of the butterfly. Ahead, amidst the turbulent chaos, clouds began to show. Some drifted by peacefully, white and fluffy, while others dripped with heavy raindrops or snow. Occasionally, one would pass, raining down assorted chocolates or squirrels into the infinite spaces below.

Twilight ran to the front of their ride. "Rainbow Dash! She has to be nearby!"

"I think that's our stop ahead," Discord commented, pointing to a trail of clouds. Each mass sat close to another, raising into the air in a large spiral.

Instead of meeting the path, however, the butterfly turned, taking them further from what they assumed was their destination.

Twilight watched as the trail grew smaller and smaller. "H-hey! Wait!"

Fluttershy looked down into the butterfly's large eyes. "Oh, Mister Butterfly! I think you missed our stop!"

"Do something!" Pinkie exclaimed, hopping in place.

Discord sighed. "All right, fine." With a clap of his hands, he and the three ponies flashed into light. In another burst, they reappeared, positioned on the first of the cloud steps.

Twilight looked over their new hoofhold. "Why can Pinkie and I walk on these clouds? Shouldn't we need a spell for that?"

Discord laughed, following the path around. "Physics is for chumps, Twilight."

Pinkie bounced by, smiling wide. "Duh!"

Twilight was humored by the odd behavior of the immortal. She and her friends were soon alongside Discord, setting a blistering pace around the spiral.

As they continued to circle the coil, a voice began to sound. At first indeterminable, the voice grew louder, and could immediately be recognized as that of Rainbow Dash.

"She's just ahead!" Twilight yelled to her friends. With renewed energy, the group hastened their steps, turning the final bend of the spiral.

As the four adventurers reached the top, they were met with a large gap, finding themselves standing on a lone cloud at the end of the path. Across the divide, a large nimbus set the stage, with many faceless pony mannequins standing atop. Darting between them was the pegasus they were after; none other than Rainbow Dash.

"Why can't you see me!" the cyan pegasus yelled, pushing her face close to one of the mannequins' own. She gripped the side of its head in her forehooves, tears moist in her eyes. "LOOK AT ME! I'M RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!" she screamed, shaking the simulacrum.

Pinkie skidded to a stop at the edge of the final cloud. "Uh oh! She's having a Dashie-moment!"

Twilight peered across the gap to her distressed friend. "Rainbow Dash! Snap out of it!"

Her pleas unheard, the pegasus continued her delusional episode under the effects of the realm. "Speak to me! C'mon, somepony! ANYPONY!" As Dash charged from mannequin to mannequin, hoping for any recognition from the lifeless figures, the winds following her speed began to swirl. In her frantic efforts, she riled the grey, static-charged cloud below her hooves, whipping its edges into a fury. As the winds grew faster and faster, they took a life of their own, and within seconds, began to spin themselves into a funnel, rising above and below the island Dash now found herself stranded on in a maddened tempest.

Fluttershy attempted to fly, hoping to meet her fellow pegasus within the eye of the storm. Lifting herself even just off the cloud, she could immediately feel the pull of winds stronger than herself, threatening to toss her into the turbulence. With a squeak of terror, the pegasus threw herself back against the cloud below, doing her best to grab on for support.

Winds whipped by, tossing Twilight's mane into a frenzy. "We can't do anything with this storm!"

"DASHIE!" Pinkie called, her curly man being pulled straight by the wind. "We're over here!"

Dash was still beyond their reach. Tears poured from her as she flew between the faceless figures. "CAN'T YOU SEE ME?! I'M! RIGHT! HERE!!"

Discord tried his hoof at flying through the storm. The moment his legs left the cloud however, the incredible force of the tornado grabbed him. In a sudden motion, he was pulled around the arc of the storm, powerless against the wind. As the others looked on in shock, watching him disappear over the edge of the violent winds, his screaming grew quiet. In a moment, however, the scream was heard growing louder again. Turning in time, the group was able to see the immortal being flung back around towards them, unable to gain control in the air. Each pony quickly ducked, the immortal passing over them in spinning chaos. Twilight quickly hopped up, grabbing him in her magic before he could be thrown around again. She dragged him back, dropping him onto the cloud.

Discord sat up, his eyes spinning in his head. "That... didn't work as expected."

In the storm, Dash was in a panic, giving up on words in place of screaming into the faces of the mannequins for attention.

Fluttershy looked on, fearful for her friend. She had known Rainbow Dash the longest, and could almost tell what twisted world the cyan pegasus must have been seeing. Dash could never stand being alone, with nopony there for her.

Then, an idea came to her.

"Rain-bow Dash. Rain-bow Dash," she softly began cheering, accenting each syllable in beat. Her voice was hardly a whisper, but held all the focus of a full cheering squad.

Beside her, Pinkie caught on to the mantra, repeating it herself. "Rain-bow Dash! Rain-bow Dash! Rain-bow Dash!" Her own voice added highs, helping the chant to pierce the winds shielding their friend.

Twilight joined next, her voice filling the harmony. "Rain-bow Dash! Rain-bow Dash!"

Still, even with the three voices together, the pegasus at their destination could not hear them over her dream.

Discord held crossed arms over his chest as he watched on. The three ponies beside him were giving their best to try to reach their friend, but were just shy of the power they needed. It was his turn. In a flash, he was suddenly wearing a Junior Speedsters fan jersey, with a ball cap positioned on his crown. "RAIN-BOW DASH! RAIN-BOW DASH! RAIN-BOW DASH! RAIN-BOW DASH!"

Four voices chanted in chorus, each carrying their own power through the storm. Inside, Dash stopped her rush, her ears perking at the sound. "H-huh?"

"RAIN-BOW DASH! RAIN-BOW DASH! RAIN-BOW DASH!" the mantra continued.

Slowly, Dash turned, looking back to her friends with a hollow gaze. She searched, squinting to see where the distant notes were born of. Through the blackened winds, she could just make out the group that called to her. Light pulsed back into her lifeless eyes as the nightmare lost hold of her. "GIRLS!!" She charged through the miasma, spreading her forelegs wide to tackle the three ponies in a hug.

Discord stood back, a scowl on his face. "And guy! Don't forget the guy here!"

"We're so glad you're all right!" Fluttershy squealed, hugging onto her friend.

"I'm so glad you're here!" Dash commented, still sobbing, now with more joy than fear. "Wh-where are we?"

"The Eternal Realm," Twilight replied, sitting back. "You were under its effects."

"But you're all better now!" Pinkie squealed.

Discord stuck out his tongue. "Sappy moment alert!"

A strange noise groaned behind the immortal, instantly drawing his attention away from the group hug in front of him. Turning back, the tornado still raged, now filling with imagery from the realm. Candy, books, animals, and clouds all met the tempest, forcing it to grow larger. The winds twisted and buckled, each strange item throwing it further and further off balance. With no source to provide it stability any longer, Discord knew what to expect. "Um, girls?"

--

Twilight pushed a giant peppermint off of herself, rolling out from under the debris with a dusty cough. Around her, all manner of item lay strewn. The paved stone ground they found themselves upon was littered with candies and brush debris. Clouds hovered lopsided overhead, raining down mixed weather. Pages from books torn asunder drifted down in peace with leaves.

"Is everypony okay?" she asked, finding the strength to stand.

Fluttershy stood first, a chocolate fish in her mouth. She spit it out onto the ground. "I'm okay." She then recoiled, looking to the confectionary animal flopping on the ground. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Pinkie immediately hopped over, swooping up the creature in her mouth. She swallowed hard, letting her tongue roll out in satisfaction before her wits returned. "Okie-dokie!" She turned, looking to the horrified pegasus beside her. "What? It was a chocolate fish! You can't expect me to not eat a chocolate fish!"

Dash lifted a heavy book off of herself, letting it topple over with a heavy thud. "Yeah, I'm good." She looked around, a confused look on her face to the odd world she had not yet been introduced to. "Okay, what the hoof is going on here?"

Twilight did not answer. There was still one missing from their group. "Where's Discord?"

Pinkie's eyes went wide, pointing just on the opposite side of the unicorn. "Um... Twilight?"

Sensing that something was amiss, Twilight followed Pinkie's direction, turning to see what lay behind her.

A wall of light stood as a barrier, raising high into the nothingness of the realm. On the opposite side was Discord, but he wasn't alone. In front of him, in his stunned gaze, was Princess Celestia. They stood across from each other, ensconced in each others eyes.

Twilight looked on, dumbfounded. She moved closer to the wall. "... Princess?"

"What's she doing here?!" Dash shouted, rushing forward to the barrier.

As each pony looked inward, a scene began to play out.

"Discord," the Princess spoke, her voice soft and haunting. "I've waited so long for you."

Twilight narrowed her eyes. "Girls, that's not the Princess!"

"Looks like the Princess to me!" Pinkie answered, tilting her head.

Discord smiled sheepishly, a blush on his cheeks. He spoke back to the alicorn, his voice crooning with fondness. "Oh, Celestia. It's so wonderful to see you again."

A gentle blush rose on the alicorn's face. "I knew you would come back."

Fluttershy jumped, visibly unsettled. "Wait. Did she say 'come back'?"

"I knew it!" Twilight yelled, reaching her conclusion. "That's not her! It's the Eternal Realm! It got to Discord!"

She rushed forward, hoping to tackle the wall of light that divided them. When she made contact, however, she found herself forced back by a tremendous energy, rolling her onto the stone floor a distance back. She rose from her sprawled pose, shaking the strange sensation of magic away.

Discord chuckled, just on the opposite side. "Celestia, my dear. It's been a long time." He lifted his paw, gently rubbing the fake Celestia's blushing cheek.

"SNAP OUT OF IT, DISCORD!" Twilight screamed, making another assault on the barrier. Shot after shot of magic energy left her horn, harmlessly melting into the glowing divide.

Fluttershy hovered down from some distance above. "It just keeps going! There's no way over it!"

"Can't go around, either!" Rainbow Dash added, flying back from alongside the wall. "Seems to go on forever!"

"But what about Disco!" Pinkie shouted, beginning to panic. She set herself to work, trying to dig under the wall through the stone floor, only to find no such luck.

This news was not what Twilight wanted. Discord was their only way out of the realm, and the only one who could help them find the cure. And, as strange as it felt to say, she had come to see him as a good friend. She wouldn't leave him behind. "DISCORD! WAKE UP! SHE'S NOT REAL!"

Discord couldn't hear the unicorn, his mind set into what the realm wanted. It fought back against the invaders, now no longer with fear, but with desire. His eyes glistened as he spoke to the image before him. "It's been over a thousand years." His thumb ran back, gently stroking the fur of her cheek as the alicorn cooed in his hold. He drew back his hand, lowering his face to meet her own.

Twilight looked on, fearful that she may not be able to save the immortal from his own hopes. "Discord..."

With gentle eyes, Discord smiled back to Celestia. In a hushed voice, he spoke. "Meh. I think I'm over you now." He blew a puff of air into the surprised Princess' face, watching the image disappear into glittery dust on an unfelt wind.

Immediately, the wall of light shattered, vanishing away.

Joy welled up from the ponies that watched on. Twilight couldn't hold back the huge smile on her face. "Discord! You're back!" The group charged forward, again taking to his side.

The immortal shot back his own grin, brimming with his own unique enthusiasm. "It's going to take more than old flames and soft fur to make me fall for this place again. Besides, it was a terrible impersonation! Celestia's much more frigid than that!"

"Hey, now! That's the Princess you're talking about," Twilight warned, still grinning with humored joy.

Discord snickered. "Okay, fine. Retracted!"

Rainbow Dash even found herself grinning, despite the odd ends she sat on with the immortal. She had other questions, though. "All right, we're all together again! Time to get this cure and get out!"

"Ah, yes," Discord said, picking up the conversation. "The Panacea of Eternity." He looked over his shoulder to a fountain sitting just behind him. "It's right over there, help yourselves."

Twilight looked over to the fountain. It was an unassuming piece, made of white stone. A round pool at the bottom stood half her height, and a large decorative pillar rose in its center. No water poured from its spouts, and as she approached with her friends, she found none sitting in its reservoir either.

"Discord," she began, confused by the spectacle. "There's nothing here." Worry sparked in her as she looked into the desiccated font. Had their journey been for naught? And what did that news mean?

Discord leaned over the edge, looking in. He laughed. "Yes, there is! You just have to look!" With his talon, he reached over, dabbing at a single droplet hidden within the corner of the well. From somewhere unseen, he produced a bottle, and with careful precision, placed the single bead inside. Sealing it with a cork, he held it out towards Twilight.

Before the unicorn could take the vial, Pinkie rushed forward. "That's it?" she asked, placing her eye to the glass.

"This tiny drop?!" Dash exclaimed, flying over and pushing Twilight aside.

Fluttershy also moved to it, further blocking Twilight from the prize. "Um, but there's so little there."

In a flash of magic, the three ponies were lifted, suspended in air by a magenta light. Twilight walked under them casually, lifting the glass bottle in more of her magic. "This is what we came for. Is it enough?"

"What you hold is the most powerful cure-all that has ever existed," Discord humored. "Trust me, one drop will do."

The unicorn set her friends back on the ground, all of which were immediately around the bottle again. Inside, a single drop of clear liquid rolled around, a golden sheen being cast off by refraction. If one looked closely, they could almost see the shifting colors of magic energy shining within.

Twilight felt tears forming in her eyes. They had found their goal. "Hold on, Princess." She looked up to the immortal. "Now, where's the exit?"

Discord turned around, looking into the nothingness of the realm. A split of light formed in the air, the blackness parting like huge double doors into a blinding white glow. Winds whipped out from the gap, whistling by with a subtle chill.

The adventurers walked forward to Discord's side, marveling at the amazing sight.

Calmly, the immortal spoke. "The Eternal Realm gave us whatever we wanted. Even when we wanted out." He looked up, a tranquil look of appreciation on his face. "Thanks, again, old friend."

Together, they stepped forward into the brightness, and were engulfed by the impossible light.

--

The five figures walked out through the Eternal gate, first glowing white with energy, before returning to their original tones. They were back under the night's sky, their hooves sinking within the muds of the Abhorrent Lowlands.

Spike hopped up from beside Rarity. "Hey! They're back!"

Applejack helped Rarity to stand, the two slowly moving to their friends. Rarity winced with each step. "Did you find the antidote?"

Twilight held the bottle up, if only to confirm it hadn't been a dream. She sighed, watching the liquid swirl around. "Right here."

"So," Applejack asked, "that's it? It's done?"

"It's done," Discord answered. He bent back, stretching out his sides. "Now, to get home."

Rainbow Dash groaned. "Great. Just when I was starting to feel better about this, we have to walk all the way back!"

"Oh!" Discord mused, an idea seeming to flash on his face. "Did I mention, I can just teleport us all back to the palace from here?"

Twilight was stunned. "What?!" It was no surprise that the immortal was more powerful than her. He was more powerful than both of the Princesses! Even so, this declaration of his strength surpassed even what she thought was possible. "You can teleport us that far?!"

"Oh, yeah!" the immortal replied, rubbing his knuckles over the fur of his chest. "Piece of cake!"

"If you could have done that," Dash protested, "why did we walk all this way the first time?!"

Discord crossed his arms, turning away from the pegasus. "Because I didn't have my powers."

Twilight gave the immortal a look back with her own impish grin. "But if you had them back then, would you even have helped us?"

Discord spun, throwing his hands into the air. "Hay no! I would have turned the lot of you into colorful gelatin molds and rained elephants down over Canterlot!"

Giggles rose from all around him. Fluttershy even felt comfortable around the immortal. "So, why are you helping us now?"

Discord felt a blush rise to his cheeks, which he quickly looked away to avoid showing. "Let's say I've had a change of heart. You girls," he looked to Spike. "And dragon, have grown on me. But don't take that as a compliment! You've grown on me more like a fungus, if anything!"

Pinkie bounced in place, bubbling with a happy laugh. "You're a good guy!"

"Now don't go slandering my bad name! Very unshowmare-like!"

--

The still scene outside the gates of the palace was disrupted, a bright burst of light flashing as eight figures reappeared. The ponies and dragon of the group were each dizzy, stumbling from the odd sensation of long-distance teleportation. Even Twilight and Rarity, unicorns who were used to the effects of magic, were off-put.

Discord stood at the head of the pack, lifting a pair of aviation goggles from over his head. "We're back! Told you it was nothing!" He turned back, looking over the group. "By the way, all of you non-unicorns are probably about a month older than you were a second ago. Just a warning."

Rainbow Dash shook her head wildly, fighting off the spinning sensation. "How does that work!"

"Look, there are some side-effects, okay!" Discord shouted back. "You're a bit older now, these things happen!"

Pinkie squealed excitedly. "Hey, Rarity! This means I'm older than you now!"

Twilight rushed towards the gate, the cure still clutched firmly within her magic aura. "C'mon! We don't have time to waste!"

She exerted more of her impressive magic, tossing door after door open, a job normally at the responsibility of the guards, on her way towards the throne room. Each seismic pulse stung at her, her magic being tested by the abuse, but she had resolve to see her mission through to the very end. She had no time to spare in getting the Panacea to the Princess. Her friends followed in her wake, all doing their best to keep pace. Even Rarity, still sore from injury, gave her all.

Twilight neared the end of the corridor, the throne room just in front of her now. She burst in, declaring loudly. "Princess Luna! We have the cure!"

Just as she had met them, Luna stood over her ailing sister, ever-vigilant to whatever threats may seek their audience. As Twilight entered, Luna sparked with new energy. "Twilight! You have returned!"

As Twilight neared, her friends close behind, Luna quickly took to work, taking the cure from within Twilight's magic into her own. She did not even check the contents of the bottle, trusting fully in the efforts of her sister's own chosen understudy. With wordless haste, she removed the cork, placing the bottle to Celestia's lips. With a tilt, the droplet disappeared, slipping into the ill alicorn's slack mouth.

All eyes were upon the grey alicorn, each with hope burning as bright as the sun.

Time drew on, nothing shifting within the downed Princess's appearance. Silence froze the still world.

Twilight bit her lip. "Come on..."

Luna leaned down, nuzzling the sick mare. "Please, Celestia. Please wake up."

Twilight moved to the alicorn as well, whispering softly. "Please, Princess. Your subjects need you. I need you! Please!" She closed her eyes, fighting away the worry that ate at her.

Silence. Bitter and cold, and dark as an endless night. Trepidation gripped every breath of the room with fathomless apprehension as everypony awaited whatever may come.

"... Twi... light...?"

The unicorn's eye shot open, peering into the face of the alicorn before her. "Princess!"

Sparkling glints of energy began to twinkle around Celestia. The pink tones of her coat returned, replacing the lifeless grey before. Again, the phantom winds of her magic rolled at the edges of her mane, picking it up in a wave of energy as color rushed back through. She opened her eyes, fired again with the powers of a Princess.

"Sister!" Luna cried, joy bubbling in her voice.

Twilight felt the same ineffable delight rise in her heart as she watched her mentor reach her hooves, all the radiance of her title returned. "Princess Celestia! You're all right!"

The alicorn stretched her wings, flaring them in full. "I am now, Twilight. Thanks to you, and your friends." She looked over the smiling faces that met her, each glowing with hope and accomplishment. "Thank you all."

"Not a problem, your highness," one voice called beside the group. Discord lay in an open archway of a window, curled in the sill in a reclined pose. "Next time, however, I suggest consulting a licensed physician. Maybe get them to walk half-way around the world for you."

Celestia gasped, spotting the immortal. "Discord!" She lowered herself, taking a defensive stance. "What is he doing here!"

Discord stood, walking forward from the window. "All right, let's get the statue-ing over with already." From behind his back, he procured a pair of glasses, equipped with false eyebrows and nose, and fake eyes on the ends of springs. He placed the odd item on himself, letting the spring eyes bob freely. "Let me at least look dignified this time."

"WAIT!" Twilight shouted, running between the two beings. "Princess, wait! Discord's on our side!"

"Side?" the immortal countered, removing his ridiculous eyewear. "I'm on nopony's 'side'!"

"Now's not the time, Discord," Twilight hissed back through a clenched smiled. "I'm trying to help you here!"

Celestia's gaze softened. She exited her fierce pose. "Is this true?"

"He helped us get the Panacea," Twilight answered, defusing the situation. "And he led us to the Eternal Realm."

"Yeah!" Pinkie added. "And he was great company!"

"As much as I hate to say it," Rainbow Dash joined. "We couldn't have done it without him."

Celestia turned back to the draconequus. "You were their guide?"

He smiled. "Trust me, they needed one," the immortal jested.

An air could be felt between the two powerful beings, unspoken and intense. Celestia walked over, passing Twilight, to stand just before the draconequus. She sat back, looking into his eyes. "Discord. Thank you."

"Why does everypony keep thanking me lately?" Discord mused, obviously enjoying the moment. "Though, from you, I think I can get used to it."

Celestia laughed, having had many centuries of experience with his kind of humor. "And Discord?" she continued, her voice softer than its normal, proud tone. "I'm... I'm sorry. For what happened between us."

The witless, vacuous smile that normally marked Discord's face melted away, replaced with a look of somber reflection. Another sheepish grin spread over.

Twilight sat back, a strange, hopeful yearning in her heart. Ever since Discord had told her of his previous connections with Celestia, she had been curious to if he was being truthful. Now seeing the obvious link before her, there was a voice inside that wanted to see the two find mutual ground again, and maybe more.

"Celestia," the immortal spoke in a warm, gentle voice. He immediately snapped back to his typical self. "It was nothing." He turned, walking away from both the Princess and the group. "But I think this makes us even now, so I'll be taking my leave."

Though his actions came as no surprise, Twilight had not anticipated that he would go. She rushed forward, calling to the draconequus. "You're leaving? But, to where?"

Discord stopped, tapping his talon to his chin in thought. "You know, I have a feeling there are some orcs in the Lowlands that need a little more chaos in their lives. And besides," he added, looking back to the unicorn. "I need to make another Goliathan, don't I?" He continued to walk forward, before disappearing into his magic. His voice called back as he vanished. "So long, everypony. It's been a blast!"

The immortal's departure made the room seem strangely colder. After all they had been through, the adventurers had begun to see him in a different light, and could call him a friend now. Twilight felt a simple joy though. Something inside told her they hadn't seen the last of the chaotic being.

Luna stood beside Celestia. "It is good to see you well, sister. But there is still business to attend to."

Celestia knew without word what was needed. She moved to the window, taking flight through it into the night. The gathering moved to the windows at the side of the throne room, looking through at the spectacular scene that was soon to unfold.

Celestia flew high into the air, golden light shining from her horn. Trails of orange bloomed over the east horizon, piercing the night sky. More and more light shined over, banishing the darkness that had cursed the land, and in seconds, the life-giving star broke over the darkened mountains.

Twilight looked on in fathomless elation as the sun rose again, feeling the touch of its radiant warmth again bless her yearning skin. A new day had risen, and with the night, their journey had ended.

/End/

--Author's Notes--

This... is an immense story. One to rival that of many published novels. And it's a fanfiction...

I never thought I'd make something like this, and more than that, I never could have without you guys: the fans, the watchers, the friends, and the critics. You guys all rock.

I really hope you've enjoyed the story, and all the twists and turns involved, and I'm so grateful for all of the comments, faves, and encouragement along the way!

... I should hardcover this and put it into my portfolio. XD

Chapter 3

In Search of the Sun
By CosmicWaltz

Chapter 3

It was a short walk ahead before the group would reach the mountain range Discord had only referred to as the Outer Ridge. Beyond lay the lands outside of Equestria; alien terrain to the mortals that composed the adventuring party. The rocky surface looked to rise steep from the earth, visible just above the treeline. Climbing this jutting height would be exhausting, but any distance put between them and the perilous river they had just passed seemed wonderful at this moment. Nopony was willing to forget the dangers they had just faced.

Twilight looked up at the moon frozen above them. She wondered what time it would be now, and yearned for the warm rays of the sun to kiss her dampened coat. Behind her, the rushing waters of the Everfree River still roared, reminding her of the danger she had placed her friends into. Everypony would reinforce her, saying it was because of her that they escaped, but she knew that if she had not taken the situation so lightly, they would never have been beneath those terrible waters in the first place. Spike lay on her back, his heart still fluttering from their previous ordeal. He wouldn't even be here if she had thought this out. Her friends could defend themselves, she knew, but despite how mature he carries himself sometimes, Spike was still just a young dragon. She was his guardian and protector. He looked to her as a big sister, and she brought him into this mess. All of the times she had crossed the Everfree Forest to see Zecora, and with her friends, she had forgotten the true threats the forest could pose. There was no turning back now, however. They had to complete their quest. She thought of Princess Celestia again, and the alicorn's weakened state. Her pale features no longer shining in radiance, and her mane drained of its resplendence. The image haunted her, but strengthened her resolve to see this through. She vowed to do better by her peers, and not to take this mission for granted again.

"Hey, Twi? You okay?" Spike asked, raising a brow at the unicorn.

Twilight snapped from her mind, ceasing her autonomous walking. She smiled back to the dragon. "Yeah, just caught up in thought."

Spike smiled back, though with an exhausted look glazed in his eyes. "Good. You had me worried."

As Spike let his eyes fall closed in rest, the unicorn promised to let nothing happen to him. Before her, she saw that they were now approaching the foot of the mountains.

"Welcome to the Outer Ridge!" Discord exclaimed, holding his talon out towards the structure. The grey surface glistened in the moonlight by the quartz powdering its face. Numerous small cave openings were visible, dotting its length as far as anypony could see. "It's the final landmark before we leave Equestria, but it's a hard climb," the draconequus continued. Beneath his breath, he added, "It'd be easier if I had my magic."

"What's the problem?" Rainbow Dash asked, their recent encounter still driving her adrenaline. "You've got wings, ya know? You can just fly all the way to the top like me and 'Shy!"

Discord folded his arms, scoffing. "I could, if not for my leash." He nudged his head towards Twilight, the unicorn casting a glare back in return.

"Looks like yer hoofin' it with th' rest'a us," Applejack continued. "Besides, we need t' stick together." She directed her attention to Rainbow Dash. "So no flyin' off ahead, ya hear!"

"Ugh! Fine, mom..." Dash answered. She rolled her eyes, upset that she would be stuck at a slow pace.

Pinkie suddenly bounced up behind the pegasus with a gasp, despite being nowhere near just a second ago. "Applejack's your mom?! Why didn't anypony tell me this?!"

Nopony in the group knew whether or not to take Pinkie seriously in moments like this, so a near-unison sigh from the others sufficed for an answer. Discord, however, was chuckling mad at the pink pony's antics. "Of course she is, Pinkie!" he answered, holding his sides. "And Fluttershy's her dad, and Spike's her big brother! Hahaha!"

Rainbow Dash crossed her hooves over her chest as she hovered in place, the immortal's words obviously affecting her. She hated being the brunt of a joke. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Rockie!" she fought back with her own mocking tone.

"Oh, hardy-har-har," Discord returned, a smile never leaving his face. He ran his paw down his mane. "You're just jealous of my statuesque looks!"

"Duh!" Pinkie joined, giggling. "Everypony knows you're a stone-cold looker!"

"Yeah! You rock!" Spike spoke up, taking part in the humorous banter.

"Ah dunno," Applejack quietly laughed along, enjoying the joking puns. "Some would say he's awfully stiff!"

"Y-yeah," Fluttershy added, attempting to get in on the fun. "Like talking to a brick wall!" She caught herself, retreating back into her reserved nature. "Oh, if that's, um, funny, I mean... Please don't be upset..."

The small group was laughing even harder now, each holding their sides as they let the silly moment sink in. Only Rarity and Twilight abstained from this diversion.

"This isn't the time for jokes!" Twilight interrupted, taking an authoritative tone. "We're on a mission!"

Discord sobered again at her demands. "Fine, fine! Party pooper." He rose from the ground he was just rolling on in laughter, stepping towards the mountainous expanse ahead. "I think I see a foothold over there. Going to be quite the work out, you know?"

"Discord, darling?" Rarity finally spoke, visibly stunning the immortal with the oddly friendly term she had attached. She had been staring at the mountain since they had arrived, scanning its surface. "Didn't before you mention something about 'Diamond Caves'?"

Discord shook off the strange effects being called "darling" had on him. "Yes, this is the place. The entire ridge is full of gems and crystals." He picked up a small rock beside him, crumbling it in his talon. Littered within the dust and debris that fell away were numerous gemstones of various color and size.

As the crystalline bounty sparkled in the moonlight, so did desire glisten in the unicorn's eyes. Plans had changed for her. "Girls, I'll see you on the other side. Spike and I will cut through the mountain and explore these caves."

Spike was caught unaware. "Wait, we are? Sure!" Despite being uncertain of the call, he didn't need much persuading to join the glamorous unicorn that held his affections. He hopped from Twilight's back, rushing to Rarity's side.

Discord scoffed. "Don't be a foal. You're not the only one here greedy for those gems, you know? The whole rock is overrun with diamond dogs."

Rarity helped Spike climb onto her own back, standing again with the dragon. "Oh, come now! Diamond dogs? Those brutes are too slow to catch a cold! There's no threat there." She began walking into one of the caves nearby. "We'll set up camp on the other side. See you then! Ta-ta!"

"Rarity, wait!" Twilight called, but was unanswered.

Discord watched the pony walk into the darkness, a worn scowl on his face. "Well, they're dead. Let's get to climbing."

"What! We can't go without'em!" Applejack exclaimed with a menacing look directed towards the draconequus.

"Looks like we are!" Discord returned, grabbing onto a jutting rock and pulling himself up. "Because I'm not going into those caves."

Twilight growled in her throat, growing angry at the arrangement that set her along with Discord. She did have one advantage over him, however. "Oh, yes we are! Come on, girls!"

The remaining ponies charged into the caves after their friends. Discord watched as they passed, disinterested in their course of action. That was, until he felt the faint tug of magic, reminding him of his bounds to Twilight. He sighed, knowing what to expect. "Drat..." Instantly, the magic ties pulled at him, dragging him harshly against the rock wall towards the opening of the cave, and tossing him in as he reached the mouth.

--

As the group slowed, Discord was able to catch up, outrunning the powerful magic wall that kept him within distance. Together, they searched for the missing unicorn and dragon. Around them, the light cast by Twilight's horn shimmered against the crystal-lined rock walls, creating a dazzling rainbow-refraction through the prisms. Stalactites and stalagmites lined the passages like teeth in the maw of a ferocious dragon. Various forms of fungi glowed with bioluminescence along the walls. As intimidating as the dark caves were, they saw no signs of habitation from any other creatures, much to their relief.

Twilight marveled at the visuals around them. "This place is amazing." She could have spent days classifying each form of plant-life they encountered, and collecting gem specimens for magic study. "I can't believe I never knew of these caves!"

"I know!" Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing along. "It's so pretty! This would be a great place for a party! Ooh! Ooh! Or a rave!" She grabbed one of the brightly glowing mushrooms along the cave floor in her teeth, snapping it at the base of its stalk, and proceeded to dance around as though it were a glowstick. Within seconds, however, the bitter, astringent taste caught her tongue, causing her to promptly reject the fungus and spit it out. She stuck out her tongue, rubbing the horrid flavor away with her forehooves.

Discord was unamused even by Pinkie's antics, still sore from his rather unglamorous invite to their search party. "It's on the Equestrian border. Trust me, those greedy Princesses of yours wouldn't pass up making this territory their own if they didn't have to. This isn't a friendly place."

"Aw, hush it!" Applejack retorted, scanning for the others. "Diamond dogs ain't nuthin' to worry 'bout."

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash picked up. "Rarity's dealt with a whole pack of them before, alone!" She laughed as she recalled the state they found the Ponyville diamond dogs in after their day with the unicorn. They were begging them to take her off their paws. "If they can't even handle that pageant pony, we'll be fine."

Even Fluttershy walked on with a smile. "I'm not even scared of them, and I'm scared of a lot of things."

Discord cocked a brow in confusion. "I don't know what sad breed of diamond dogs you have in Ponyville, but I assure you, some whining glamor-pony and a baby lizard won't win over a true dog."

"What are you going on about?" Twilight asked, shining a beam of light down a narrow branch of the cave beside her. "Rarity can handle herself, and so can we. It's not that big of a deal."

Discord crossed his arms, frustrated. Under his breath, he spoke. "Just like how Everfree was a cakewalk, huh?"

Twilight froze in her tracks. She was immediately reminded of the ordeal in the river, and how she had taken the Everfree Forest too lightly, despite warning. If she was wrong about that, she could just as easily be wrong now. She spun to face Discord. "What do you know about diamond dogs?"

Discord smiled wryly. "Oh, so now you're going to listen to big bad Discord? Well, maybe I'm tired of talking." He turned his head away, sticking his nose in the air.

Twilight was in no mood for his games. "What do you know?!" she roared. The rest of the group took notice now, circling around the pair nervously.

Discord faced her again. "Ooh, fiesty. I like it! Fine, then. What's there to know? They're diamond dogs; vicious predators with a penchant for collecting shiny stones."

Fluttershy tensed. "Pr-pr-predators?"

"Well, duh," Discord replied dryly. "They'll eat just about anything with a pulse, including their own! I think that gets you the label of 'predator' in most circumstances." The shocked expressions he found returned to him gave him the answers he needed. "How do you ponies not know of this?! They're fearsome beasts!"

Twilight was floored. Diamond dogs were normally foreign to Equestria, the one pack on the outskirts of Ponyville being the only she had even heard of. She had taken from them that they were no threat, but had neglected further research, focusing on helping Rarity that day. Could they really be the monsters that Discord spoke of now? "Discord, you're joking, right? Tell me you are..."

Discord lowered himself to face Twilight. "If they weren't dangerous, why would I suggest taking the long way around?"

That was all Twilight needed. "We have to find them! Now!"

The search was hastened, each pony calling out for the missing two as they charged the passages.

"Spike!" Twilight shouted, her eyes darting down each forked channel they passed. "Rarity! Where are you!"

They rushed the length of the cave, pressed mad to find their friends. Applejack and Twilight took lead, with Rainbow Dash overhead. Fluttershy ran behind them in the center of the group, repeating a mantra of "oh-no-oh-no" in cycles. Behind her ran Discord, mostly just to keep himself from being dragged along by the amulet's limit again.

Ahead, a dull light radiated from around a corner. Twilight easily recognized it as the light of unicorn magic. She nodded to Applejack as they neared, and the group pressed themselves even harder. They rounded the corner with a skid, unsure of what to expect.

There was Rarity, scanning the area with her magic, and Spike, a huge collection of large gems stacked in his arms.

"Rarity! Spike! We found you!" Twilight exclaimed, overjoyed to find her friends unharmed. She pounced the two with a hug, sending the gems Spike carried flying in all directions.

Rarity was caught off guard, yelping as she was rolled by the hug. "Twilight?! What is the matter?!"

Twilight caught herself, raising off of the two. "Oh, whoops!" She blushed, embarrassed.

Spike found his feet, dazed by his sudden induction into a unicorn hug-sandwich. "W-what's happening?" he asked, shaking off confusion.

Twilight stifled a giggle before remembering the urgency of the matter. "I'm so glad we found you! We have to get out of here!"

"Leave?" Rarity asked, standing again. "When there are so many wonderful gems around?"

"I don't think it's safe here, Rarity," Fluttershy said, stepping towards her long time friend. "Please, let's go?"

Rarity smiled warmly to the pegasus. "Darling, I assure you, it's perfectly safe here. The most ghastly thing in this cave is the dust!" She laughed, brushing a small spot of dirt from her hoof. "Spike and I are fine, and have been having a lovely time." She turned to the dragon. "Isn't that right?"

Spike had again stacked the tower of gems in his arms, straining under their formidable weight. "Y-yeah... This is f-fun..."

Discord smiled, walking to the dragon. "That looks heavy. Here, let me help." He plucked a large sapphire from an alcove on the ceiling, dropping it on the pile Spike carried. The little dragon's knees briefly buckled under the added weight before giving out. An avalanche of priceless stones tumbled over the dragon, burying him underneath, much to Discord's delight.

Twilight ignored the rather mean stunt, again trying to sway the unicorn. "Rarity, we're serious! We have to leave now, before-"

A low growl echoed from the shadows around them, cutting the unicorn's words short. The group froze, scanning their surroundings.

"W-what was that?" Spike asked, rising from the pile of gems.

Pinkie sat back, looking at her belly. "Well, I am kinda hungry."

Another growl was issued, louder now.

Discord looked around, only to find pairs of glowing eyes staring back. "I don't think that was your stomach, Pinkie..."

Fluttershy darted behind the draconequus, trembling. "Th-th-they're everywhere..."

"All right, girls," Applejack whispered quietly. "Let's jus' back away real slow-like, an' head back outside..."

With a different idea, Rainbow Dash shouted into the blackened spaces. "You don't scare us! Show yourselves!"

The hoard surrounding them in darkness didn't need more incentive. A dozen armor clad diamond dogs stepped from the shadows into the magic light of the unicorns, paws held up menacingly. The adventurous group bunched together staring down the new arrivals.

"Everypony stay calm," Twilight spoke softly. "Just leave this to me." She readied herself, preparing to flash-teleport herself and her friends to just behind the dogs. "When I say 'run', be ready to-"

Before she could finish, the attack began, as unseen dogs dove out of hiding, ropes and ties in hand. The other dogs quickly joined, overpowering the group of adventurers with ease.

--

Twilight was tossed into the rough metal cage, barely her own size, landing with a painful thud. Her hooves had been tied together with rope, and a strange stone-braided band was wrapped around her horn. The talisman containing Discord's magic was still around her neck, the diamond dogs unable to budge it. Luna had apparently granted only Twilight the ability to remove it, which the unicorn was now thankful for. She nudged herself around to see the dogs that threw her in. The small torch-lit room, carved out of the caves that tunneled through the mountain, was filled with diamond dogs, all clad in shimmering metal and gem armor and carrying all manner of warring implements, from rock clubs to quartz spears. They were passing around various effects from the captured party, including the uncovered gems, Rarity's bonnet, and Applejack's hat.

She looked to the cages beside her, her friends locked up in their own cells as well. Rarity had received the same treatment, being bound in ties, where the rest did not. She wore a confident look on her face, despite the circumstance. Fluttershy cowered in the corner of her cage, hopping from one side to the other whenever a dog came near. Spike and Pinkie Pie's cages were beside each other. The two were in the midst of a word game between their cells, both still smiling and laughing, and quieting whenever a dog would yell at them to stop. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were less sedate in their manner, trying their best to bust open their cells with what little movement they could muster, but to no avail.

Discord was also trapped in a cage beside the unicorn, though one the same size as the others. He was coiled about, filling the entire space with his face pressed hard against the bars. "Wonderful."

"Don't worry," Twilight whispered to the discomforted immortal. "I'll open these cells. When I do, get ready to attack."

Discord chuckled. "No, you won't."

Twilight scoffed at the draconequus' manner, but even if she had to take on the dogs on her own, she would. Besides, she knew Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn't need any further reason to start a revolt once the cages were open.

She felt the shift of magic powers within her, swirling through her and into the flute of her horn, swelling into an alteration of the world around her. She gave a final pulse, letting the spell free with a flash of light. The cages, however, stayed locked.

"W-what?" she asked, confused that her magic failed her. "What happened?" A few of the dogs that saw this attempt laughed at her misery.

"I told you you wouldn't," Discord answered flatly. "That chain on your horn is wound with amethyst. It's a stone that absorbs magic. There's nothing you can do."

"WHAT?!" the unicorn shrieked. "I don't have my magic?!"

"Not very fun, is it?" Discord teased, sticking out his tongue as best he could towards her.

Twilight struggled to get her hooves free, but the binds were secure. "Reach over here and help untie me."

"HA!" the immortal returned. "Okay, one: no, and two: 'reach over'? I can't even scratch my nose in here! My wings are in knots around my horns and my tail feels like it's jammed up my-"

"SHUT UP!" a guard dog yelled, bashing the top of Discord's cage with a club.

The draconequus groaned. "You get the point."

Rarity had overheard the conversation. "There's no need for worry. I know these brutes look fearsome, but appearances can be deceiving." She watched as two of the guards passed around her bonnet, trying it on for laughs. One guard, however, forgot to take off his helmet first, splitting the hat as he forcefully tried to put it on. Rarity grimaced as her custom work was ruined. "Though, they are rather uncivilized! Let's not waste our time. I'll have us out of here soon, just you watch. Oh, mister guard?"

Twilight tried to stop her friend. "Rarity, no! They're not like the others!"

"Please don't!" Fluttershy protested in her quiet voice.

"Mister guard!" the fashionable unicorn continued to call. "Yoo-hoo!"

"What does the mule want?!" the guard hissed, moving to the cages.

Rarity shrugged off the rude term. "I am no mule, sir. I am a pony, and a Lady, and wish to be addressed as such. Now, if you'd please, I'd like to speak with your leader."

The diamond dog was not amused by her tone, lowering his face to her cage. "Mule wants to talk? HA! Why should the mule get to see boss?"

Rarity kept her cool. The theatrics needed the right company, namely their "boss", as he was called. "I'll be sure to bring up this rudeness with you leader, I'll have you know. But, I can help you gentle- uh, dogs. Those gemstones you took off of us? I found them myself. I'm very adept at such matters, and I can do the same for your leader."

The guard rubbed his chin idly, eyes turned up in thought. "Mule may be useful after all." He fumbled with a keyring on his hip before finally locating the rusted key to Rarity's cell. Unlocking the cage, he threw the bound unicorn over his shoulder carelessly, carrying her like luggage away from the others, with "Lady" Rarity berating his uncouth behavior the entire way.

"Rarity!" Twilight called again, fighting her ropes. "Discord, we have to do something!"

"Let's start a petition! That'll show them!" the immortal laughed, mockingly. "We're not getting out of these cages, so there's nothing to do."

"We'll get out'a this yet," Applejack joined, trying to get enough space to buck the door of her cell open. "Jus' you watch."

Another guard walked by, hitting her cage with a gnarled cudgel. "Shut up, mules! No talk!"

Rainbow Dash rattled in her cell, furious. "If I get out of this cage, you're all in for it!" She rammed her shoulder against the bars, trying to pry the lock as best she could.

The guard only laughed. "You get out, mule. You get out for dinner! Hahaha!"

"D-d-d-d-dinner?!" Fluttershy cried, shrinking even further into a curled, trembling ball.

"Great!" Pinkie exclaimed happily, rubbing her stomach. "I'm starving!"

On the far side of the room, Rarity was carried to her destination. The guard dropped her hard on the floor. "Careful, you ruffian!"

She found herself before an ornate, gem-encrusted throne, the largest of the dogs sitting in its seat. An elaborate crown of crystals sat on his head, and he held a decorated metal staff with a huge ruby on its end, showing his status. The shining silver plates he wore made his blackened coat look even darker, and his beady eyes seemed to glow with a vicious light.

"Why have you brought me this prisoner?" he asked the guard, his voice considerably deeper than the other dogs'. Rarity had to admit that she was impressed to hear more proper sentence arrangement from him. Maybe he'd be more sociable than she had expected.

"Mule say she can help us get gems!" the guard proudly boasted, his tail wagging as though expecting reward.

"She said she can help us?" the leader asked, narrowing his eyes. "So you let her out?"

The guard began to nod wildly, his metal helmet clattering with each shake, and slobber flying in all directions.

Rarity cleared her throat. "Yes, your kingliness, I-"

"YOU MORON!!" Her sentence was interrupted by a loud crash, the leader bringing his scepter down violently onto the guard's head, shattering the dog's helmet as it broke through. The dog fell to the stone earth, his body limp. The leader turned to the two guards by his throne. "Throw him in the pit! We have no use for an imbecile!" Hopping to his commands, the guards dragged the incapacitated dog off down a branching corridor of the cave, disappearing into the darkness.

Rarity's eyes were wide with horror, her words caught in her throat at the terrible display. "I-I-I-"

The leader grabbed the collar of her jacket, lifting her to his eye level. "What is your name, mule?"

"R-R-Rarity! My name is Rarity!" The games were over now, and she knew such. These weren't the same dogs she had met before.

"Rarity," he repeated, staring with piercing eyes at her. "And what can you do for me? Find gems?"

"Y-yes!" Rarity sputtered, nodding as adamantly as the guard had moments before. "I can find you gems!"

The leader narrowed his eyes at her. "You're lying."

"N-no! I swear!" Rarity begged, not wanting to wear this dog's patience too thin. "I-I can show you!" She smiled as best she could through her fear, trying to convey her sincerity.

Her smile was met by the toothy, malicious grin of the dog. "We'll see." He dropped her back onto the ground. With a razor sharp claw, he sliced the braid from her horn, freeing her to use her magic. "Prove it, mule."

Rarity didn't need to be ordered twice. Magic glowed at her horn, illuminating the hidden gems within the walls to her eyes alone. She levitated a small fragment of the smashed helmet from the floor around her, using it to mark locations. "There are some th-there, and a f-few over there, a-and, some right there. See f-for yourself!"

Without removing his scornful eyes from the unicorn, he ordered more of his dogs to dig. Within seconds, bounties of gems were found in the spaces, verifying her abilities.

The diamond dog leader was impressed. "That is a useful power."

Rarity smiled, relieved. "I can help you. We can harvest every gem in these caves."

The leader glared at her. "And, surely you expect something for this?"

"Well, yes..." Rarity glanced back at her friends in their cages, all now looking with worry back to her. "I only ask... that you let my friends go."

"Rarity!" Twilight shouted, shocked at the request. "You can't!"

"Don't ya go tryin' t' be th' hero, Rare!" Applejack shouted, pressing herself hard against the door of her cell.

"Whoo! Go Rarity!" Discord shouted. "Get me out of here!"

"I got you into this mess," Rarity answered, her voice frail. Her gaze fell down to the floor. "If you can escape, that's all I want."

The leader sat on his throne again, smiling to the unicorn. "I have a better offer."

Rarity snapped to attention, looking back to the dog. "W-what?"

He leaned back, stretching a leg over the side of his throne. "How about you help me, and I keep the prisoners!"

Rarity was horrified at the proposition. "W-what! There's no way I would agree to that!"

"Oh, you will," the leader answered. "Or I'll break every bone in your body. We only need that horn of yours to find gems."

Rarity recoiled in terror, her bound legs keeping her from straying far, however. "Y-y-you what...?"

"You!" the leader shouted, pointing to one of his guards. "Which should we eat first? The snake-horse looks exotic!"

"WHAT?!" Discord screamed from his cell, knowing which one of the group he was referring to. "Snake-horse?! I'm a Draconequus, I'll have you know! Dra-con-e-quus!"

The guard licked his chops, staring into the cells. "Nah. Too old. Baby dragon taste good, boss. Tender, and juicy."

Spike gulped, sliding back against the far wall of this cage. He was on the menu now.

"N-n-no," Rarity barely managed to speak. "You can't!"

The diamond dog leader ignored her. "You're right. Best eat him before he spoils, huh? HAHAHAHA!"

Twilight threw herself as best she could against her cage. "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!!"

"Guards, fetch the lizard!" the leader issued from his relaxed pose. "Be sure to keep him alive. You only get that special flavor if they're still squirming in the pot!"

"N-no..." Rarity again uttered, watching the guards close in on Spike's cage. "NO!"

The leader turned again to the unicorn. "Do not worry. You are special. We'll eat you last."

Rarity ground her teeth, anger trembling through her. "You monster..."

The lead dog laughed. "Weak mule."

A smirk crept onto Rarity's face. "I'm no mule." Magic wound around her horn, glowing bright. "I'm a unicorn!" With a powerful pulse, the air was filled with the metallic clicks of cage-locks being turned.

Dash burst from her cage instantly. "CHARGE!!" She threw herself onto the first guard she saw, landing a flying kick to his face. Applejack was quick to follow, bolting from her cell and landing bucks to any dog that tried to stop her. As Spike's cell flung open, he jumped onto the first guard near his cell, sinking his fangs into the dog's leg, much to the guard's surprise. Pinkie and Discord poured out as well, joining the sudden melee.

The leader shot to the edge of his seat, shocked at the sudden uprising. "What?!"

Rarity laughed menacingly. "Didn't your mother teach you to never mess with a Lady!"

The dog growled, turning his attention back to the treacherous unicorn. "You... YOU MULE!" He reared back, sweeping his staff in a fast arc. The large gemstone barreled towards the prone unicorn, bashing her in the side of the head and sending her flying into the rock wall beside the throne.

"AGH!" Rarity fell to the floor with a heavy thud, a pain like she had never felt before flooding her mind. She tried to stand before another blow landed hard against her ribs.

Above her, the leader stared her down, rage burning like hellfire in his eyes. She tried to run, only to be reminded that her limbs were still tied. The dog lifted his staff. "YOU!" He landed another powerful blow to her side with the scepter, issuing another pained scream from the unicorn. "WORTHLESS!" A strike to her shoulder, firing a pain down the limb like ice. "RUNT!!" He reared back far, aiming the heavy gemstone for her head.

Applejack arched, bucking away another clueless guard, when Rarity's pained yelps caught her ear. She cut her eyes through the crowd, spotting the unicorn at last, helpless below the vicious ruler, readying himself for a final blow. "Rarity!" The farmer fired into action, charging at the assailant. "Leave 'er alone!"

She bowled headfirst into the dog's knee, dropping him from the limb with a yelp. "Ah! What is-" He was silenced immediately as Applejack landed a strong buck square in his jaw. He rolled backwards, knocked out cold.

Silence fell over the room as the remaining dogs watched their leader drop. With their tails between their legs, they were quick to retreat.

"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash shouted from her place in the air, one of the dog's metal helms set over her mane. "You better run!"

Discord twirled the club he had obtained in his paw. "I haven't had that much fun in ages! Haha!" He dropped into a handstand, holding his hoofed leg out towards Dash. "High hoof! Don't leave me hanging!"

"We won!" Spike shouted, a rocky lance held with difficulty in his hand as he rode on Pinkie's back.

Pinkie reared up, kicking her front legs. "Whee-ee-ee-ee-ee!" she whinnied, a smile still on her face.

Fluttershy had skulked her way into Twilight's cell, avoiding the fight as best she could. She helped untie the unicorn, pulling away the thick rope.

Twilight hopped up. "Is everypony okay?"

A round of voices confirmed their well-being, the dogs proving to be better at ambush tactics than fighting. The unicorn sighed with relief. One solemn whimper, however, shattered this happy state. "Oh, no. Rarity!"

The group charged to Applejack's side as she stood over the injured unicorn. "Rarity!" the farmer cried worriedly. "Rarity, talk t' me!"

Rarity wearily opened her eyes, staring back at the pony above. "A-App... Applej-jack...?" She was a mess. Heavy bruising was already visible on her side, seen through the many tears in her dirt-stained outerwear. A small trail of blood ran down her face from a cut by her ear. "Applejack... T-tell me..."

Applejack lowered her face to better hear her friend. "Tell ya what, Sugarcube?"

Rarity groaned as she tried to move. "T-tell me... is... is my outfit okay?"

Applejack drew back, a confused look on her face. Soon, her expression changed into a warm smile. "It sure is, Sugarcube. Ya look good."

"I look good?!" Rarity whined, lifting her head, sadness in her eyes.

Applejack bit her lip, looking away. "Uh... I meant 'great'?"

Rarity smiled, laying her head back down. "Thank you, darling."

The group helped untie the unicorn, being careful of her injuries. She managed to stand on shaking, weak legs with the aid of Applejack as a prop, though a bad limp crippled her walking. Together, the group beat a hasty retreat, opting for any exit they could find that would take them away from the caves.

--

Exiting a small opening near the top of the ridge, the adventurers eagerly filed out. They were fortunate enough to find a flat area, perfect for camping. A small stream of fresh water flowed nearby, supplied by the melted snow of peaks further above, and fresh grass and flowers found fertile ground along its bank.

Pinkie bounced over to the stream, taking a space by Rainbow Dash. "Who's going to keep watch for the night?"

Dash looked up the earth pony, blades of grass still clinging to her mouth as she chewed. "How do you know it's night?"

"Because it's dark out, silly!" Pinkie answered, taking a drink.

"Pinkie," Dash groaned, slapping a hoof to her forehead. "It's been dark all day."

Pinkie popped up, licking her lips of the water. "But it's supposed to be dark now. Before, it was day-dark, but now, it's night-dark! Duh!"

Dash turned, giving an incredulous look to the others. "Anypony understand that?"

"She has a point," Twilight said, lying down on a bed of foliage plucked from nearby bushes. "It sure does feel like it's night." She used her magic to start a small campfire out of dried vines. "We should rest here."

Applejack helped Rarity to lie down by the fire. She set her reclaimed hat back over her mane, adjusting it back how she liked. "With those dogs jus' below us? Ah don't know if that's th' best call." She lay down next to Rarity, not leaving the unicorn's side.

Rarity laid her head on her forehooves. "Those brutes won't be messing with us again. You all saw to that, I'm sure."

Spike ran up, taking to Rarity's other side. "Don't worry, Rarity. I'll protect you."

The unicorn smiled weakly, nuzzling the small dragon. "I'm sure you will, Spikey-Wikey."

"But what if they do come back?" Fluttershy asked, nervously looking around for any more hidden diamond dogs.

Discord groaned, curling himself on the ground. "I never sleep. I guess I'll keep watch."

"Not alone you won't," Twilight answered, not trusting the immortal. "I'll stay up with you." She looked up to the moon. Princess Luna should know that they were okay, she thought. "Spike, take a letter."

Spike looked around. "Uh, how?"

Twilight all at once remembered having lost the supplies in the Everfree River. She was resourceful, however. She looked about.

A mountain bush grew nearby, it's leaves wilting slowly from the lack of sun. She plucked the foliage with magic, laying the leaves in a layer before her. With another pulse, she fused the leaves into a sheet of paper, perfect for writing on.

Next, she found a small stone sitting beside her. Using alteration magic, she transformed the stone into a bowl. Moving smaller rocks into this bowl, she gave another burst of magic, and transformed the pebbles into ink.

Now, for a quill. "Hey, Rainbow Dash? Come here."

Though the pegasus wasn't happy to have one of her feathers so brazenly plucked, it had provided Twilight with a usable quill. She levitated the implement over to Spike. "Now, take a letter."

--

Dear Princess Luna,

We have reached the summit of a place called the Outer Ridge. Discord has been difficult, as expected, but we have made steady progress. We have lost our supplies, but we will manage. We will get this cure for Princess Celestia. I promise.

Twilight Sparkle, and company

--

With a flash of fiery breath, Spike sent the letter, its vapor trail disappearing into the night. His job done, he marched back to Rarity's side.

Twilight sighed, laying her head down against the leaves below. "I know we can do this."

"Ha!" Discord laughed, overhearing her. "Yeah, because we're certainly off to a wonderful start! A giant, prehistoric monster almost drowns us, and then, I'm almost turned into a decorative rug by a pack of crazed dogs! With an expert team such as yourselves, I'd say your Princess has nothing to fear."

Twilight glared at him. "Oh, shut up! I'm not happy about this arrangement either! If Princess Celestia didn't need us right now, there's no way I would ever, EVER work with you!"

Discord flapped his paw open and shut, mocking her. "'Celestia this', 'Celestia that'! You know, Twilight, you sound like a broken record. I don't even know why you follow that pony with your nose so far up her flank. Believe me, you're barking up the wrong tree."

"What do you have against Princess Celestia, anyway?" Twilight asked with an aggressive tone. "Still upset about being turned to stone? You deserved it for what you did, and you know it!"

Discord propped his head on his paw. "And just what did I do, Twilight Sparkle? Enlighten me."

"You were a malicious trickster, tormenting her subjects!" the unicorn barked.

A wry smile spread on Discord's face. "So you do believe everything you hear. Or, I suppose 'read' fits you more."

Twilight grimaced. "Don't play innocent, Discord."

"Me? I'm not innocent," the immortal answered, drawing lines in the soil with his clawed talon. "But perhaps there's more than you've heard."

"I've heard enough," Twilight returned, laying her head back down. "You're nothing but a liar and a cheat."

A small chuckle rose from the draconequus. "I'm not the only one. Tell me, who writes the history books? What does it say on every cover?"

Twilight's head lifted again, a strange realization in her eyes as his words sank in .

"That's right: the Palace Scholars. Celestia's own writers. Don't you think that maybe, and this is all hypothetical, but maybe they fabricated just a little bit?" He finished his drawing, moving his talon away to reveal a trace of Celestia's cutie mark carved in the dirt.

Twilight looked back to the immortal. "What are you saying?"

"What am I saying?!" Discord shouted. He smashed his fist down against the dirt. "I'm saying that maybe Luna turned into Nightmare Moon because her dear sister didn't pay attention to her! That maybe I wasn't the monster in my tale! That maybe your precious Princess isn't perfect! That maybe..." He calmed, moving his talon from the ruined picture in the soil. "That maybe she's made mistakes."

Twilight snorted. "She wouldn't lie to me."

Discord blew at the dirt, scattering the image. "But does she always tell you the full truth? Wake up, Twilight. Things aren't black and white." Liveliness flashed again in his eyes. "Ooh! But that does sound like an amazing color scheme! I'll have to remember that when I'm in power."

"Like you'll ever be in power again," the unicorn stated confidently. She looked back to her friends, all asleep from the tiring day. Rainbow Dash had pulled a small cloud down to the camp, resting just off the ground. Fluttershy was curled close to Pinkie and the fire, enjoying the warmth. Rarity was sandwiched between Spike and Applejack, sleeping off her injuries. She had been very brave today, and Twilight respected that.

"How come you're not asleep like they are?" Discord asked, breaking her concentration.

Twilight turned back. "I don't know. Just not tired."

Discord narrowed his eyes with a smirk. "Funny..."

"Ugh," Twilight groaned. "What now?"

"You're a night-body!" the immortal excitedly answered. "I mean, it's even in your name! Twilight! Without the sun to wear you out, you're too awake! How peculiar that you follow the sun when the night speaks to you loudest."

Twilight hadn't considered it before, but he was right. She was always more active at night. She would study well into the morning, and observe the stars and planets. Even her name signified the end of the sun's time in the sky. "Well, that's why I need the sun, then. More than anypony else. Night's just darkness without a day."

Discord smiled at her. "Never a truant, eh? Well, you're not the first to try and touch the sun. And some of us get burned." He laid his head back down on his hands.

"You never told us what the Eternal Realm was like, you know?" Twilight asked, hoping to learn more of their destination.

Without stirring, the immortal answered her. "It's full of ice-cream and puppies. Fun-fun-fun."

"You're lying."

"I always lie, and never tell the truth."

"You really don't like it there, do you?"

Discord turned to face Twilight again. "The Eternal Realm is where all immortals were born. Or made, or whatever we were. It was like a paradise. Anything we desired, anything we wanted, it made available for us. It gave us everything it could to make us happy. And we hated it for it."

Twilight drew back. "What? Why?"

"When you're given everything you want, you want nothing, Twilight. There's no joy in endless joy. We grew tired. We wanted more. Then one day, one of us escaped. He found an exit, and came back to tell us of a wonderful, wild world on the other side. One with struggle, and strife, and joy, and wonder. Life. Freedom from our wonderful prisons. The Eternal Realm wasn't happy about that. It wasn't happy that we wanted to be free. And it grew angry."

"Angry? It's just a place! How can it be angry?"

The immortal laughed. "It's no more 'just a place' than you are 'just a pony'. It's alive, in its own way. And when it's angry, you'll know it."

Silence lingered as Twilight waited to hear more. "So what happened?"

Discord, however, was done with his story, giving a loud, obviously faked snore. Twilight pouted, but didn't feel like pressing the issue more. "I know you're awake. You said you don't sleep."

"I always lie," he said, between snoring sounds.

Twilight yawned, stretching her neck. "You're on watch, remember? I'm going to get some rest." She laid down her head, letting her eyes fall closed as sleep took hold.