Author's Note

Normally the chapters will not have so many different POV, But I think it was needed in this chapter. Hopefully this will be an improvement compared to the first chapter. Let me know if you are enjoying the story, or if something need improvement!

Chapter 2 The game & powers gained

Shining Armor's POV earlier that day.

There goes my day off! The recent assassination threats on the princesses kept me working around the clock. Since nothing has happened over the past few weeks, I was able to persuade Captain Iron Shield to give me a day off. All I wanted to do was sleep, and not worry about anything else. My captor however had other plans.

Around eight o'clock in the morning a mare yelled in my ear, "Wake up Shinny! We have a big day ahead of us!"

As I opened my eyes, I saw a mare that had big purple eyes, a beautiful light pink coat, along with the ray's of the sun gleamed off her stylish multi-color hair while she flew over me. Then suddenly she stopped flying, landed right on top of me to make sure I was awake.

"Oomph!" I grunted, as she landed on my stomach. Then I slowly leaned up to look her in the eyes. "Cadence, I have plans today. It is my first day off in weeks!" I said, raising my eyebrows in annoyance. She knows I am not a morning pony.

Cadence gave me a big warm smile, for some reason it sent a shiver down my spine. "I know, your plans are with me today. Because Shining Armor you have emergency guard duty today!" She announced, then bounced off my bed with excitement.

"What?!"I yelled, giving her a look of disbelief.

"Now get ready, I'll be back in an hour. We have so much to do today!" Cadence said, while she cheerfully threw her arm up in the air. She took a quick glance around the room. "By the way your room is a mess, you might want to clean it up sometime Mr. Royal Guard!" Giving me a playful wink before she walked out, and closing the door to my room.

"Great, what have I gotten into." Ever since she told me that she loved me, Cadence has become increasingly obsessed over me. As much as I would like to date her, it would damage my reputation as a guard at the moment. The last thing I need is rumors that the only reason that I got into the Royal Guard was because of her, and not my skill in shield magic! That mare does not give up easily on her plans. So I get out of bed to prepare for the day. Ah, I really don't want to do this...

My captor and I eventually arrived at our destination the Royal Gardens. Cadence's plan was to go on a picnic. She took me to this beautiful spot on-top of a hill that has a single tree in the center. As she started to put down a blanket, I saw a wonderful view of the landscape below. It was breathtaking as ever.

The land underneath Canterlot was a lush land full of life. With the natural magic waterfall flowing from the mountain that Canterlot is on, it created meandering rivers that flowed through all of Equestra. From this hill I saw to the Northeast Cloudsdale's rainbows that fell from the sky. Farther south was Unicorn Range with its colorful hills'. The color comes from gems that are in the hills', and farther south of Unicorn Range is Ponyville. My sister Twilight Sparkle is living there now. Not too happy about that, but what could a brother do. Twilly is Princess Celestia's student, and sent there for learning reasons about a year ago. I sure do miss her.

After I finished looking at the view that was in front of me, I walked up next to Cadence then asked, "Cadence, can't ask me out like a normal mare?" Then I playfully swatted her with my tail. "Romantic as this is, being dragged out of bed on emergency guard duty was not on my agenda today!"

She had a slightly shocked, but playful look on her face. "I did that so that your little job could not interfere with my plans for us today." Cadence said, with her trademark smile. "Besides, I know you were just going to waste this beautiful summer day by sleeping through it!" She Playfully swatted me back, hitting me on my flank.

I turned around with a blush on my face. "Th-That is not the point! You are right thought, today is beautiful. Too bad I have to spend it with somepony like you!" I said, jokingly as I lightly pat Cadence on the back.

She looked at me with a pouty face. "That isn't funny Shiny! I was going to let you have the rest of the day off after the picnic, but now you'll be spending the entire day with me!" She said, with a smirk.

It was as if she knew I would say something like that, and planed to take full advantage of it. Putting my hands up in a surrendering motion I said, "Okay, I give up. You win today, but next time I will have my day off." I gave her a heartwarming smile. Then went to go sit down and to enjoy the food that she has prepared.

"I would not be so sure if I was you!" Cadence said, in a playful way then joining me on the picnic blanket.

After we were done eating, Cadence and I spent a lot of time talking. It was around noon when she decided to pack everything up. I stood up to stretch for a bit. Cadence almost done gathering everything."So what is next on our agenda for today?

She turned to me then smiled. "Well, I wanted to play a game." Then she proceeded to walk to the other side of the hill. "I want another race to the center of that labyrinth!" As she points to the Canterlot Royal Labyrinth. When she turned around to look at me, I saw a fierce determination in her eyes! I knew something was up.

Letting out a big breath of air, "What's the catch?" When we played games like this when we was younger, she would always have some type of catch to get me to do what she wanted.

"Oh Shinny, you know me all too well!" she teased, as she skipped down the hill trying to look cute and innocent. When she got to the bottom of the hill she turned around, "If you win, I will not bother you on your next day off."

Her statements got my attention, so I kept up with her pace toward the labyrinth so she doesn't get a head start. "If you win?" I asked, worried about what she is going to say next.

"Well, let's just say I see a lot of emergency guard duty for you in the future! With the recent assassination treats, I might need a Big Strong Royal Guard to take care of me." She purred, while batting her eyelashes, and rubbed up against me.

Slumping my shoulders, then letting out another big breath of air. I was afraid of something like that would happen. "Fine," I replied. "But no magic, or the use of your wing! I remember the last time we did something like this, and I didn't specify that." While I was lost in the labyrinth, she just flew over it. I was angry about that for an entire week.

"Deal!" She yelled happily, then got into a running stance. "Three, Two, One, Go!" As Cadence starts to sprint towards the maze, she threw the picnic basket at me.

Stumbling as I caught the basket. That gave Cadence the head start she wanted. I quickly gave chase!

Discord POV this morning.

Today was just the same old turned to stone life style. Standing in a garden might be peaceful to others. However, I am Discord, Lord of Chaos and the spirit of disharmony! Like the average Joe needs his morning coffee. I... need... chaos! It has been very lonely since being turned to stone for over the past one thousand years. I might see a pony once in a blue moon, but I know just the pony I want to visit as soon as I break free of this dreadfully boring imprisonment. Celestia I will take my kingdom! She is a fool for thinking one can live without at least a bit chaos. During my daily monologue I felt something off in the air.

What is this? Is that chaos coming from Celestia's precious little castle behind me? It is only six in the morning, yet chaos is spreading like wildfire! Now this is something I can enjoy. Now only if I could move I would grab some popcorn!

A few minutes later I noticed a shadowy figure run into the gardens. Chaos was practically oozing from this individual. Felling my power returning to me as they got closer. That is when I knew that it was finally going to happen today...freedom! Of course I'm going to thank my liberator when I get free. That would happen sooner if they came over all ready! The poor thing looks lost. Oh well, they will get over eventually. It is just a matter of time muhahaha.

When they finally got over here. I was able to get a good look at him. The light brown hood hid most of his face. However, I could still see his lower jaw, and that gave away what species he is. Most creatures that are intelligent are bipedal, so it was hard to tell at first. It warms my heart knowing that someone else could have that much chaos inside him. Shockingly, he had a large amount of harmony inside him as well. It was like some odd balance, that would make me shiver if I could move. This boy has potential. I need to get a hold of him quick before Celestia turns him into a 'Love and Harmony' spreading fan-boy.

"So your Discord?" he said aloud. "Why does that name seem familiar?" Then he took a look around in a paranoid motion.

This was it! The spell is just about to break. Only a little more chaos flowing to me after that I will be free!

The sound of marching troops was getting closer. "As much as I would love to stay and chat I have to run. It is not as if you can hear me anyway." He said, as he went to the Labyrinth with a worried look on his face.

Oh, you poor boy! The thing is that I can hear you." Crack....crack...crack, crack!

"FFRRREEEDOOOOOMMM!" I roared, simultaneously snapped my fingers to magically give me leather armor, along with blue paint spread on half my face. "Now I do believe I have a date with somepony that is long overdue!" I said, with a wicked smile that would make even the bravest of warriors cringe.

Then I got an idea, an AWFUL idea, I got a wonderful AWFUL Idea. Snap! I magically enhance Labyrinth. "That should entertain my boy. I will come back for you later, but first!" Snap! I needed to say hello to an old friend.

Will's POV after entering the maze.

It is official I...HATE...MAZES! At least this one anyway, I can't shake this uneasy feeling that someone is just messing with me. One of my talents has always been my natural sense of direction, but apparently it does not apply when I am in a maze that looks and acts like the Triwizard maze from Harry Potter series!

For what feels like hours, I have avoided guards, traps, along with this psychotic maze that has come to life. Seriously, who puts a maze like this in their gardens! As I ran through this crazy maze, I was not paying any attention to my surroundings. One of the vines of the hedges reached out and grabbed my left leg making me trip. My Lightsaber flew out of my hands. It hit the ground hard enough to skid out of my reach.

"Come on!" I roared, as more and more vines start to latch on to my legs. Looking at my Lightsaber that was clearly out of reach I had an epiphany. If that Lightsaber was real, maybe the Force is too! Reached out as I tried to grab my Lightsaber by using the Force, but when it did not come to me I started to beg. "Please you beautiful piece of technology...come to papa!"

When the vines completely encircled my legs, it started to drag me towards the hedges. I looked down, "No, no, no! I don't want to plant food today!" Putting faith that the Force is real, I reached out to try to grab my Lightsaber again. This time something was different. I felt a wave of calmness flow through me, and I haven't been this at peace since I have arrived where ever I am. Noticing the Lightsaber started to make a rattling sound as it slightly shook.

"YYEEESSS!" Now focusing on the grip of the blade, I could feel the Force flowing through me. At this point the vines encircled up to my upper torso what is more I was about to be dragged under the hedge! "Come on...come on!" I groaned, while waiting for the Lightsaber to make its way to me.

Just when it was almost too late, the blade flew to my hand. Turned on my Lightsaber while simultaneously yelling, "Take that, you overgrown pile of weeds!" The blade szhooms though the air as I repeatedly strike at the vines to cut myself free.

After standing up then dusting myself off, I noticed from behind me a loud shimmying sound. Turning around to see what was going on. What I saw in the distance was the hedges that made the walls of the maze, start to collide into each other, as well as rapidly coming toward me. "Me and my big mouth!" I cried, dashing away from collapsing walls.

This kept up until I came across a T-intersection. I saw in the distance the walls colliding with each other, and was rushing toward me as well. My only hope of not being crushed, was to turn the corner at the intersection.

I was not going to make it at this speed. "This is Bull Crap!" I blurted out, with the collapsing walls right behind me. I have run all day. I am SICK of this maze. There is some way to get out of this mess.… Using my knowledge that I know about Force I quickly came up with the answer. "Burst of speed!" I yelled. Now I have to use it just to survive.. Like right Now!

I felt the Force flow through me, as I increases in speed. Everything felt like a blur like time slowed down as I became faster, but unlike other time I used Force, I cannot say I felt in complete control of it, and I did not feel that calmness. I felt angry. I felt empowered, as if I can do anything with this kind of power! Is this the power of the dark side? I have read that it grants the user power quickly, but this is unreal! Just as I turned around the corner, the walls behind me collide, it ripping a bit of my robe as I ran. This path leads to an opening! Maybe it's the way out! I can get out of this dreadful maze!

The opening lead to a circle style area that was roughly fifty feet in diameter. As I walk into the area, the way behind me becomes sealed off. The hedge combined forming a new wall. "Well, I am not going back that way any time soon." There was an exit across the room, so at least I had a way out. This area was almost bare, the only thing this pace had in it was a fountain that had a statue of some warrior pony standing in a victorious pose at the focus point.

Hold on a minuet...fountains usually have water. Using the last bit of energy left in me, I made a mad dash to the north area of the room where the fountain was it. "Please, oh please oh please.… Let there be water in that!" It was like an oasis in a desert! I dove my head into the water cooling me off, also drinking my fill of this crisp clean water. I start to relax, I am so sore that muscles I didn't even know I had hurt. Suddenly, my body starts to shut down. All that raw power of the Force being forced into my muscles must have really hurt me. The adrenaline probably was the only think keeping me going. Falling on my back as I drift in and out of consciousness. "Th-This..is not good," I muttered. I started to see something before I passed out but was unable to make out what it was.

_______________________________________________________________________________

An image of the first day at the convention entered my mind. My friends and I rode down the elevator from the top-level of the hotel. Mat wore his Big Boss cosplay from Snake Eater with pride. His chest was stuck out trying to act cool. Jessie was laughing at him for trying to act all macho, which irritated Mat further. Jessie was wearing a Navi cosplay from the Legend of Zelda. She wore it out of spite, because Mats commented to her a month ago that, "No one listened to her." John...just wore a MLP T-shirt and blue jeans, I saw the shine in his eyes as he looked in amazement at all the people below.

When we walked into the lobby John said, "All right everyone I want to take a picture over there near that fountain!" As he pointed to where he wanted us to go.

"Why? We did that last year," Mat replied, tapping his foot with his arms crossed. "I just want to get to the con already!" He Waved his hand in frustration.

"It is tradition! Because it is the one time out of the year that we all to come together as friends, it proves how strong our friendship is! No matter where we are, or what we do. You guys are my best friends!" Then he grabbed Mat and me around the necks. John started to drag us to the fountain. "I am getting that picture to commemorate our friendship!" He said with a silly smile.

That derpy grin he had...That was the last thing I saw in the vision was fading, was that Dam..Derpy....Grin.... Am I ever going to see them again?
_______________________________________________________________________________

As I woke up, something did not feel right. I felt different, and using the reflection from the water as a mirror, I jumped back away from the water horrified by what I saw. Gray coat, big blue eyes, and Pony ears! "This.. Is.. Not.. Happening!" I Frantically start to remove my Jedi glove gauntlets, Throwing them on the ground, praying that what I saw was not true. I desperately, what I saw was a light gray fur coated hand. "I was not like this when I got here!" I yelled, the thoughts of everything that has happened today start to cloud my mind. "Right?" Shaking my head, I start to walk back and forth. "This has to be an effect of this accursed maze! How long will I have to stay like this? I wouldn't have to deal any of this If I was at home." My eyes widen, body stiffens as I froze in place, "Home..."

That is when hit me like a ton of bricks as I fell to my knees, talking ponies, a castle in mid-age times, and now this! As much as I tried to think it was a joke, as much as I was hoping this was not real. I am not in my world! Is there even away go get back...?"

As I was just sitting in sorrow, and fear. Shing! Something with bright light appeared behind me. "Such a shame really.. What they have done to you I mean."

Fear lead to anger.

I stand up. "Who are you?" But when I turned around no one was there. "Okay, I know someone was just talking to me, show yourself!" I unattached my Lightsaber from its clip before I get into a defensive stance. After my eyes narrow, body stiffens as I prepare for a fight.

Shing! Now the light is above me. "Hohoo ho hue! You should see yourself right now. The expression on your face, so intense. Aha ha Ha! It's hilarious!" Snap! A bucket of water appears over my head. "Perhaps you should cool off!" Snap! The bucket starts pours the water over my head.

"I Am Done with being messed with!" A Light blue aura formed around my left hand, thrusting my arm into the air, I Force Pushed the water that was about to hit my face out-of-the-way. The muscles in my arm start to hurt. I guess my body is not attuned to the force yet. If I keep forcing myself, it is going to hurt worse. I Searched the sky for the mysterious creature, he disappeared into thin air.

When he reappeared right in front of me, I was able to recognize who he was. "Discord?" I asked.

"The one and only! You have me at a disadvantage, you know my name, but I don't know yours?" He reached out offering his paw with a palm up gesture.

I forced myself to calm down, after all the last thing I need is another enemy. "William Gray." I reached for his paw, then shook it with a strong grip.

He disappeared then reappeared behind me. "Such an odd name, for a Pony that is." He said, while stroking his beard. "But we both know that you are not, so I have a deal for you, Mr. Gray." Disappeared then reappeared in front of me again. This time he was wearing a business suit. "We have a common enemy you and I. So I wanted to offer you my aid."

This guy was tricky. I could not tell if he was telling me the truth, or even if he was evil. "So, who is Our common enemy. What exactly have they done to me?" Hopefully now I can get some answers to why I am in this accursed place.

He Looked at me with a grin that rivals the Grinch's. "Why the ponies of course! After all they are so xenophobic that they turned you in to one of them... You see they can't stand something that is Different or Odd for that matter. The reason I was to help you is that you freed me from my dreadful stone prison. My only crime was I was an eye sore to their leaders Princess Celestia and Luna." He offered out his hand.

I sensed he was somewhat telling the truth. Even though he was hiding something, I decided to trust him for know. "I know the feeling of being persecuted just for being different, but I know you are not telling me everything. Like how did I free you? And when did they turn me in to... This." I pointed to myself.

With a nod his suit disappeared. "I see there is no fooling you. I admit, I am a being of Chaos, but that doesn't make me evil! I just like to have fun is all. Your chaotic little episode in Princess Celestia's castle is what freed me." Discord was looking down at the ground. Prepaid for what he thought I was about to say next.

I crossed my arms, then said with a strong tone in my voice. "Why did she turn me into one of them?" Depending on how he answers that question, determines if I can really trust him or not.

He Looked up at me with a shock look on face. He was expecting me to immediately tell him to go away. "You have a unique power, and she wants it. Celestia uses manipulation to get her way. She has tried to break you down, so she can gain control." He turned around after that he started to walk away. "I tried to help, but it took me a long time to break though her defenses...I am sorry I couldn't stop her." He continues to walk away in a depressed slump as a pink rain cloud appeared, then rained chocolate upon him.

I rushed to grab his arm. "So, how are you going to help me... my friend." The rain cloud disappeared. He flew in the air in a spiral shrinking. and.. shrinking... shrinking.... Until eventually he disappeared into nothing.

POP! He reappeared at full size with confetti and the sound of party blowouts everywhere."You believe me! Wonderful! Things are already set in motion. I can help you get out of here, but that is all I can do at the moment. The majority of my power ripped away by something called the Elements of Harmony. Help me get my power back, and I might be able to send you home!" He said, with exceedingly quick happy voice.

Did he just say a way back? My eyes widening with shock, with joyful expression on my face. There is a way home! It sounds sketchy, but I do not care. "Discord my friend, you have yourself a deal!" I shake his paw with both hands. "Now, let get out of this awful garden." With a snap, I teleported away.