The Sound of Madness

Celestia watched as the small rock was thrown from Derek's hand, time seeming to slow down as it flew across. She tried using her magic, but for some reason, she couldn't do it, maybe out of shock, or some other force, but she was helpless. All she could was yell out.

"NO!" The rock slammed into Twilight's crown, sending it flying off her head. Twilight's eyes widened, and the other elements flew backwards, the power becoming unstable. Then, Celestia was blasted back, crashing into a nearby house. Luna was able to get a shield up, but she still flew backwards, the shield doing nothing. The elements all fell to the ground, not injured but had massive headaches, and Twilight was clutching her head.

"Yes! Suck it! Derek one, ponies zero!" Twilight looked up, opening her eyes slightly. Derek had an arm to the sky, fist clutched, before he winced, clutching his shoulder. He said something under his breath, before Twilight blacked out. The others went to her side, trying to wake her up, except for Rainbow, who looked extremely pissed.

"You think you can mess with my friends!?! Think again!" Rainbow spread her wings, and started flying towards Derek. Derek looked around, before slapping his head.

"Right, I have magic." Derek raised an arm, pointing it at Rainbow, who wasn't deterred. In fact, she seemed to be going faster. Small sparks started coming from Derek's hand, falling to the ground. Derek gasped, his body becoming racked with pain. His vision went blurry, only seeing a cyan blur rush towards him. Falling backwards, a raised his hand up, fist clenched except for his middle finger, before a portal opened up under him. Rainbow Dash slowed down, looking at where the portal had just been, now just white cobblestone. Rainbow snorted, before flying back to Twilight, who was now on her feet, swaying slightly.

"Ugh... what happened? Did we get him?" Celestia walked over to them, draping a wing over Twilight.

"No, he threw a rock at your element, causing the power to become unstable. He blasted us all away, and he was able to escape through a portal. I'm surprised he could do magic so quickly, my arrow should've nullified his magic for a few hours at least." Celestia winced, finally noticing all the bruises she had on her. "But first, we should get you to the hospital. All that magic could have affected you somehow." Twilight was about to object when she noticed her teacher's eyes. They were angry, protective, and sad. Twilight nodded, leaning on Rarity for support.

"Princess? What will you do when you find him... and what exactly was he anyway? It looked like a hairless diamond dog that knew how to speak probably." Celestia sighed, before lighting up her horn.

"I'll tell you after we get you to the hospital... and let me worry about where to find him, I have an idea where he went." There was a flash of golden light, and they appeared in front of the hospital. Twilight staggered, almost falling before Celestia hoisted her up with her magic. "Sorry, I forgot that teleporting might have hurt you, or put more strain on you. Can you walk?" Twilight nodded, leaning on her former teacher for support. Luna went in before them, and when they entered a doctor was already waiting for them, before bringing Twilight to the nearest room. Luna stayed outside the door with Celestia, her eyes not moving from the floor.

"Sister," Celestia looked down, and noticed Luna eyes were misty, "I failed. I could've stopped him earlier, and Twilight wouldn't have gotten hurt... I... I cou-" Celestia draped a wing over her sister, wincing slightly.

"It wasn't your fault Luna, and you know it. Nopony would have guessed he would've returned, especially not so soon after Discord." Luna's eyes widened, before Celestia's did as well. "Discord... could he have?"

"Possibly. Derek would be able to create chaos, meaning Discord could return soon... we should move Discord's statue somewhere else. Where it can be monitored." Celestia nodded, her eyes growing heavy. "Sister, get some rest. I'll wake you when Twilight has awoken." Celestia smiled, before falling asleep in the chair.

"Ah, fuck!" The manticore looked up, noticing a lump fall to the floor. "Of all the goddamn places, I chose the Everfree." The manticore licked his muzzle, his stomach rumbling. Raising his tail, he watched as the creature stood up, patting itself off, dirt falling to the ground. "Well, at least there- nope, not going to say it. If I say it, something bad will attack me, and I'll die." The creature looked up, before kicking some dirt. "Damn treeline, can't figure out the time." The manticore walked closer, the heavy padded paws not making a sound. The creature just stayed still, so the manticore lunged at him. The creature fell onto it's back, the manticore crashing into a tree, snapping it. Roaring, it bit the tree and threw it, before looking at Derek, hunger in it's eyes.

"I didn't even say it, and something is already trying to kill me. Maybe cliches don't work in this world. Now then, manticore, around 1 ton, solitary hunters, venomous tail, paralyzes before eating prey alive. Canines the size of a hand, wings that don't work, but this one is desperate. Haven't eaten in a week, mane slightly manged. Desperate means dangerous. Hungry and desperate means-" the manticore roared, sending birds flying off from nearby trees. "-RUN!" Turning around, Derek sprinted, hearing the massive paws crunching over small bushes and trees. He had to fight the urge to turn his head, knowing that he would just trip and break his neck. He focused on the roots, avoiding them, not trying to trip. Turning, he avoided the tail trying to impale him, it slamming into a tree. Ripping the tail from the tree, it continued after Derek. Derek heard rushing water, possibly rapids. Turning, he bolted to the sound, his legs feeling like they were on fire.

“Fuck… I’m outta shape.” Derek gasped out to himself, before jumping over a fallen log and landing on a river bed. A river was in front of him, rushing wildly. “Can’t cross this, fuck, fuckfuckfuck… okay. calm down. I can do this. I c-” the manticore crashed through the treeline, tail whipping above Derek’s head. “-...Well, I’m dead.” The manticore rushed forward, its fangs glistening with saliva. Derek looked over his shoulder, deciding which was a worse way too die. The manticore stopped a few feet in front of him, before running away. Derek stopped, before his eyes widened when he noticed the massive shadow over him.

“I guess cliches do exist here, there is always something bigger.” Turning around, his eyes kept going up, before he saw an orange mustache. A purple serpent has risen from the water, its scales glistening in the sunlight. It looked down, eyes as big as Derek’s body. Falling backwards, Derek scrambled to get away from the serpent.

“Just because I’m a river serpent doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings.” Derek paused, looking up the serpent. It had just spoke, in a rather flamboyant voice too. Derek stood up, cautiously, before dusting himself off, ignoring the pain in his shoulder.

“Um… hi? Sorry, it’s just that massive serpents are kinda terrifying to anything smaller than it. Thanks for saving me from that manticore, by the way.” The serpent smiled, Derek slightly nervous of his massive teeth.

“It was my pleasure! Those nasties always torment the weak, and I try to stop them.” Derek was about to argue that he wasn’t weak, but he decided against arguing against a massive water serpent.

“So, um, do you have a name or… what?” He nodded, lowering his face til he was eye level with Derek.

“I’m Steven Magnet!” Derek tilted his head slightly, before nodding.

“Well, hi Steven Magnet. I’m Derek. I can’t remember my last name, been too long since I’ve heard it. So, can I cross the river, or is it one of those sphinx riddle things? Where if I get it wrong you eat me?” Steven gasped, shaking his head furiously.

“I only eat fish! Besides, you’re too stringy.” Derek snorted slightly. “Yes, I suppose I can let you across the river,” Steven held out and hand, “hop on.” Derek grabbed onto the hand, hoisting himself up. A sudden rush of air, and Derek was moving across the river, then it stopped. Sliding off, he nodded his head.

“Thank you, do you know the way to a ruined castle near here?” Steven scratched his chin, before thinking back. He remember some ponies who were looking for the same thing.

“Yes… I believe it’s… that way?” Derek noted the tone of uncertainty in his voice, before following the massive claw, which was pointing through a pathway surrounded by trees. “Six ponies went that way around… a year ago? I honestly can’t remember, might have been longer or shorter. So, why do you want to go that way?”

“Private matters, being chased and only place I can think of. Steven’s eyes widened.”

“Yo… you’re being chased? By who… or what? Will it hurt me for helping you?” Derek shook his head.

“No, I don’t think they will. Besides, it is a who. I’ll leave that as a surprise though. If they come this way, just point them in the same direction.” Derek started off, waving a hand over his shoulder.

“Toodles! Have a safe trip Mr. Derek!” Derek smiled, he’s never met someone who was so upbeat, so lively. ‘Did sound sort of gay… I won’t judge, just weird.’ Derek walked for what seemed like hours, the constant crunching of the sticks and leaves under every step threatened to make him go insane. Finally, he was met with a massive gorge. Peering over, he picked up a nearby rock and dropped it in. ‘1…. 2…. 3…. 4..’ Clunk. ‘4 and a half seconds? Jesus. Is there a bridge or something?’ Turning to the right, he saw a rickety wood bridge, with wooden planks for footing. ‘Are you serious!?!’ Derek pinched the bridge of his, before walking over to it. Carefully, he put a foot on the first plank, and the bridge rocked slightly. ‘I’m dead, I’m so dead.’ Grabbing onto the rope, he put his other foot on the plank ahead of the last one. He kept at this, carefully moving across. A few yards from the other side, he heard a ripping sound, barely audible in normal standards, but the  ravine below made it echo, making it seem like someone was tearing something very loudly next to his ear. ‘Don’t panic, don’t panic, just keep at it, you are-’ Something snapped, and he booked it, jumping to the other side, crashing onto his good shoulder. Looking back, he saw a single plank fall into the gorge. Nothing else happened, and he fell onto his back, cursing. Standing up, he continued the only way he knew, forward.

Brushing a vine out of the way, he was met with the ruins of a castle. “FINALLY!” Walking forward, he pressed a palm against the stone doorway, the coarseness rubbing slightly, and the chill of the stone made him shiver slightly. Pushing against the door, it didn’t budge. Putting his good shoulder too it, he pushed. The door groaned slightly, before tipping slightly. Startled, he stepped back, before the door broke, slamming down into the castle. A mighty thud echoed across the forest, causing him to flinch and jump back.

“Everything would’ve heard that… son of a bitch.” He said under his breath. Stepping onto the stone door, he walked inside. Cold, it was so cold. He shivered, breathing through his mouth, and into his hands, before putting them under his armpits. “Well, time to get to work.”