A missing Draconequus and a broken mind.

Little stars played before his eyes. A dancing quilt of sequins one moment and the shimmering surface of a water pool on a quiet clear night the next. For most the sight would have been magical and entrancing with its sublime intricacy and regular beauty. Unfortunately sublime beauty and slow crashing elegance was naught but a hindrance to the eyes these visions fell to. Discord had been sat in isolation for over twenty hours and already the slightly mad mind, which was natural for a being of his influence and age, was tormenting him with visions he, alone could never enjoy. The Draconequus could only take any pleasure from one thought and that was how a soul he knew would enjoy such complete order and majesty. "Fluttershy did always love the night," the god realised his mistake to late and the images where ripped away.

The minds trick was not simply to show him great sights he could take no stock in. It was to force him to think of her then change  things up keeping him on a precipice of the shadows that bowed at happiness' feet. Now the canvas of space around Discord turned a cruel fiery red. Flames lapped at his whithering body and the air around him became aggressive, scratching his throat and lungs which warred back with a dark mantra of regeneration which again inflicted more and more pain on the already tortured soul. "I can take this without difficulty darkness, take whatever form you want nothing from my mistaken past can harm me." A sensation brushed the air around the Chaos god which could only be considered as the oppressive, malevolent darkness which hid behind a mask of burning pain tilting its head in thought.

Again the scene shifted placing the Draconequus in a pool of radiance, the light touched his damaged body in a reassuring and comforting way, torture for a being built around personal discomfort. A sound started up to most ears one of reassurance and majesty speaking of comfort and security. To the Draconequus it only droned in a particularly unfortunate dry fashion lending it something of a maddening quality. The voice was familiar and outwardly detested with a similar intensity to the inward appreciation and approval Discord held for it. "Gotta up your game, I am a god. The Chaos god to be specific, gonna take more than that to brake me." The voice was strong but quiet with a slight waver showing that in reality regardless of the bluster of the speaker, cracks where already all to apparent. The image again went blank and dark as the air convulsed with malice stained mirth.

Finally having exhausted its provisional tormenting the presence that occupied the space with the Draconequus used its most awful, terrible card. Comfort and power flowed into Discord warming his body just as quickly as a creeping sense of dread filled realisation slithered around him. he knew exactly what the dark was doing. The image solidified presenting him with what he feared it would, a quiet meadow. A smooth warm pleasant wave of breeze slid peacefully past the Draconequus chilling his blood to a viscous uncomfortable consistency causing it to start to stick in his veins causing slight spots of deep agony to blaze into life in his body. Eyes darted nervously around the tranquil peaceful field of sweet smelling grass and blossoming trees. Finally locking onto what they hoped to not see. A pony far in the distance only precipitable as the yellow of her coat shone out against the vibrant green of grass and blue of the sky that was down to about half her body as she was already going over the horizon. Discord watched completely helpless as the light of his entire life walked out of his sight.

Finally having completed their labour the images snapped away to leave the Draconequus to be alone, the crushing dark served to remind him why he was sat subjected to these visions. "She doesn't care," the voice was mournful and sure and would have struck a lyrical and harmonious sound signalling the creatures complete descent had the wall of his self imposed imprisonment not exploded into a cloud of dust.

Castle Friendship five minuets after the end of the last chapter.

Mortem and Twilight where alone in their shared study. Originally Mortem had inhabited the study next door which was far smaller and much less warmly decorated, this had lasted about a week after him and the purple mare next to him had embraced their feelings for one and other.

Glorious Flashback

Twilight opened the door to her castle hoping to be able to settle with a good book after a rigorous day of traipsing about helping ponies who needed legal advice. This was one of many duties to the town Twilight had adopted, normally Mortem worked alongside her as it was the only Equestria serving work Celestia could get him to do without serious argument but as he had something of a reputation for constantly going against Equestrian law and simply sticking to a policy of not hurting anyone, specific legal guidance was no a topic Twilight wanted him commenting on. As a result she had allowed him to simply go about his own business for the day, relying on Spike, her loyal, capable and willing dragon assistant/ surrogate brother, for help. The Dragon is question followed her in and informed her he would go and make some tea walking away into the kitchen. Later Spike became somewhat annoyed by the fact he was unable to locate the tea pot.

Twilight thanked him and gave him a brief hug to show her appreciation before ascending the crystal stairs towards her study. She rounded the corner gradually and was surprised to see her tea-pot sitting full and steaming on her desk alongside a cup and saucer which in turn was next to an abandoned saucer. 'Looks like Mortem beat spike to it some how.' Twilight was about to go to his study and thank him for the tea when she noticed him sat on a strange but familiar love seat which was placed against one of the bookshelves towards the back of the big rectangular room. Twilight was intrigued as to why he was in her study as opposed to his own which he had personally furnished and stocked when he had been sent to the castle by Princess Celestia.

Twilight was winding up to speak a greeting and likely question his location but was beaten to the punch. "Hello Twi. grab a cup of tea, one and five eights sugar already in the cup just how you like." His voice was its normal self but with something of a warmer softer quality thanks to the joint efforts of the room's acoustic deadening due to the books and carpets alongside the rare warmth of his heart now that the mare he loved was back and giving him her cute confused but happy look.

"Thanks Mortem." Twilight returned with equal warmth moving over to the tea pot and starting to magically pour it out. "Why are you in here not your study?" Twilight didn't want Mortem to think she was upset with him as she honestly wasn't so she made her voice curious over demanding finding it lent a certain measure of youth to her words.

Mortem considered how to answer that question. 'I know we have only been a thing for a week but the fact this room matches you to a tee makes it infinitely comfortable.' That was the actual justification the Mortem's mind gave him but he figured saying such a thing would be a somewhat awkward and unacceptable as he didn't want to seem clingy and potential hurt Twilight's perception of him. However as he locked eyes with the mare the sheer force of happiness and love he felt told him that maybe a little romantic cheese would be a good idea. (Writer chuckles to himself as a new story idea flourishes in his mind from that phrase.) "Well Twi..." awkwardness caught him in his grasp and he had to look away to say something as cringe worthily sweet as he was about to. "This room is so you... The soft furniture, the subtle beauty of the design which reflects you so well and reflecting your brilliant mind is the absolutely ungodly magnitude of perfectly ordered books." Realising he was babbling and flushing slightly, Mortem pulled himself back on track. "What I mean is the place represents you to me which makes it a really nice place to be..." He stopped again and tried to give Twilight an innocent look hoping he would not be ridiculed as whilst he was normally a completely out and out pony, the idea of being reproached by Twilight in all seriousness was something he hated enough to make his throat stick.

Twilight found herself slightly touched by the awkward but effective endearing sentiment that Mortem's words left. Finally having filled her cup she lifted it off the desk surface and floated it alongside her as she made her way the the stallion she loved. She rested the cup on the slate arm rest of the empty side of the seat built for two and settled next to him leaning some of her weight against him. His arm quickly flew from the book he had been reading previously and slung itself comfortably around her soft shoulders settling on her lower barrel. "Well in that case Mortem." Twilight paused taking a sip of the tea which she noticed was at the perfect temperature for drinking. "I would be more than happy to sit with you whilst we both study. I am sure I will enjoy your company." She had during the process of sitting next to and leaning into him broken from his gaze so she now rejoined it picking up a rueful smile as she continued. "Just so long as keep the tea flowing and cuddle me quietly." Her tone was more jovial than before and a contented small smile flourished on her colt-friend's lips.

Mortem may have been awkward with expressing his passion for the amazing mare besides him verbally but physically he was much more confident, he leant into the her gently kissing the base of her ear. "Of course my dear, wouldn't dream of distracting you." His voice was quiet but suggestively edged in such a manor that reflected the fact that on occasion he would distract her. Not in a manor either of them objected to of course. With that he also sipped at his tea and the two fell into conversation about the very busy day Twilight was recovering from.

Back in the presence that love seat was not the home of them at this point despite being in that same room. Twilight and Mortem where stood drawing up blocking plans for how they would hoodwink the serpent into attacking what it guarded zealously. Twilight had initially planned to use herself as bait due to the fact that after giving his main magical power Mortem would be weakened and as such shouldn't be using magic on something such as a teleporting out of the way of high velocity hostile magic. Mortem had however heard non of it proclaiming even weakened he could dodge sufficiently and would be perfectly capable of drawing the creatures fire onto the box. He backed this argument with the fact that Twilight had never been on a battle field let alone survived facing down a vanguard alone as such he should be doing the more dangerous role. Twilight didn't like the idea of sending Mortem into the fray again as he had gotten badly hurt before but had to bow to his experience in the end.

"And with Discord back we will reassemble, activate the elements power and kick that sucker into oblivion right?" Rainbow Dash cut into Twilight's very calm and level explanation of the plan of action which after completing them her and Mortem had delivered. No one could see it but a vein pulsed harder than normal for a second on one of Mortem's temples as he cringed slightly at how much the complex process of the magical fight that would occur was dumbed down by the pegasus.

"Essentially yes." Twilight replied handling her friends enthusiasm far better than Mortem had. Twilight looked around at her group hoping that they would all be okay. She noticed that they all looked sure with two exceptions, the first being Fluttershy who looked so off from her normal placid/ passive self it was slightly eerie. She was standing strong determination in her eyes knowing full we that they needed to do this to save the draconequus she loved. The second exception was Celestia who wore and unbearable expression and was readying to speak.

"I feel you are forgetting me, Twilight." Her voice showed no emotion at all, in reality she was slightly peeved that she would be left out by her trusted student when high level magical power was the subject. "Me and my sister have the same amount of power together and Discord and Mortem do alone. You are going to need as much help as you can so we are coming with you." She looked towards Twilight and Mortem, Twilight was readying her counterargument whilst Mortem seemed to be indicating through his gaze that he agreed with Celestia. As a direct result she shot him a somewhat pleading glance hoping to win him to her corner in the debate that was doubtless to ensue.

"But Princess, you and Luna are needed here, if something goes wrong we can't lose..." Twilight paused slightly appauled at the situation she was envisioning so she changed the tone of her words. "someone has to run Equestria." Twilight had written the Princess out of her plan for this reason not wanting to risk any more than necessary. It also stemmed from the fact that whilst Luna and Celestia where powerful both abstained for violence whenever possible and as such Twilight didn't want them in a situation where they may be hindered by inexperience. Not only that she disliked the idea of two gods of their level potentially crossing let alone four.

Twilight was ready for whatever reply she got as she could see it building behind the sun goddess' eyes but was surprised when Fluttershy spoke up. "The Princess is right Twilight, you have seen how powerful that serpent is. The more powerful allies we have on our side the better." The normal quietness was diminished but the softness was not which gave her voice something of an angelic property. Fluttershy was stood upright and had been trying to make herself sound more authoritative as she was determined that if their was some pony that could help bring Discord back, they would help.

Twilight was slightly taken aback that apparently she was lone in her stance on this and decided to look to the person who had co-written the plans with her for support. She met his eyes and he gave her a slightly sorry look before speaking. "Sorry Twi, they're right. I am going to be weak after transferring my power and baiting out an attack. I am going to have to defend as well after the fact, we need as much help as we can get." He sounded sure and Twilight wondered why he had not raised this before. She decided it likely had something to do with him not wanting to outwardly seek assistance due to pride.

"Fine." Twilight snapped unintentionally in the direction of the Princess instantly feeling like a horrible pony. "Sorry Princ- Celestia. I shouldn't have doubted you, how fast can Luna be here?" Twilight was mentally adjusting her plans and trying to find what she could have the royal sisters do in the time it would take for them to get Discord out of the box once it was open. She realised this was actually a fantastic idea as that way a power drained Mortem didn't have do bait the creature as Twilight knew he wouldn't argue that the Princess's couldn't handle it between them.

"This fast." Said a familiarly dreamlike voice from close behind the purple Alicorn who started turning quickly about to see the Princess of the Night standing there apparently having just appeared in the conversation. Her main was flowing slightly faster than usual and her coat gleamed, it was evident she had been practising magic for a while since her return and Twilight could almost feel the power coming off of her.

"Hello Luna." Mortem's voice was completely dead, not in a hostile way to suggest any kind of ill feeling towards her but dead as if the situation directly inhibited his emotions. Twilight new exactly why his voice was like that, she had been told the story of how close the two had been around the time she turned into Nightmare Moon. She knew how Luna's imprisonment on the moon and fall to madness had caused Mortem enough pain to have him abandon Equestria for just over a millennium. Since he had returned him and Luna had seldom talked due to the doubtless awkwardness that reigned  between them. (Finally got a horse pun in there.)

"Hello Mortem." The same muted tone rang out of her which evaporated completely when she turned to Twilight. Alongside the shift in tone she also noticeably brightened with a friendly smile. "And hello Twilight Sparkle, we have been told of you situation and we are more than happy to assist." Twilight was still not entirely comfortable with taking both of Equestria's rulers into combat that could potentially lead to both of their death's but had to admit that having them along would increase the odds of success dramatically and took a lot of the danger away from Mortem who would be to weak to protect himself.

"Good evening Princess Luna." Twilight finally said having found her voice again, she may have been finally coming around to calling Celestia by her name but wasn't as familiar with Luna even if she was on good terms with her. She instantly regretted it when she saw the slight irritation in Luna's eyes and expected to be told not to call her by that name again.

"Please Twilight call me Luna, we have been through a lot together. Far to much for formalities, in fact that goes for all of you." Luna had previously with the help of most of the present company gotten over a crippling personal tormenting issue and as such felt that those around her shouldn't feel below her in any way. With that said she shot them all a warm look before quickly turning back to the mare she was talking to. "We don't know if you have planned when to leave but we feel after dawn would be best. Gives us the most time before either ourself or Celestia will be needed here in Equestria."

Twilight hadn't considered that and she left slightly foolish for it. 'The couldn't take a whole day surely,' argued her inner rational voice but at the same time she knew that their was nothing wrong with being even more prepared in case something did go wrong. Twilight realised she had not considered the rule she had previously lived by in her student days and mentally checked herself before replying. "Good point, now that you and Celestia are coming it should give every pony else time to rest up whilst I make all necessary alterations to the plans." Twilight would like some sleep herself but felt, as the plans where in need of updating thanks to her over-sight, it should be her that does it. In truth she knew it was poor idea as even though she had gotten some sleep after stabilizing Mortem it had been restless and fitful, plagued with nightmares making the creature far stronger and Mortem's wounds far more grave. Not to mention waking up to the screams that had characterised Tartarus really wasn't the best alarm clock, as those to factors wed it left her somewhat drained.

"Agreed," said the whole present company who climbed into their thrones as they bedified themselves under Twilight's magical command. Luna and Celestia looked to each other then to Twilight wondering where they should sleep.

It took Twilight a few seconds to figure out why the two rulers of the entirety of the biggest empire in existence where awkwardly looking at her. Finally it clicked and Twilight gestured to a corridor opposite the doors that lead to her and Mortem's bedroom, "third and fourth doors on the right are guest rooms." In truth the whole corridor was guest quarters with eight in total but Twilight was sure they where the most free of the random clutter and oddities that had built up as a reaction to having a large building and being bad at dealing with strange and often unused stuff. With that Twilight started walking back to her study hoping to still be able to get to sleep some time before midnight, as it was eleven in the evening at that point, and get a decent amount of rest before what would no doubt be a taxing ordeal tomorrow. As she walked she did not notice Mortem was trailing her in the shadows watching her movements closely and trying to Decide a plan of action.

The short walk over with Twilight readied to take a seat at her desk and go over the strategy again. Settling into the seat she started to think about how to suggest the Royal Sisters bait out an attack from the extraordinarily dangerous serpent. She almost missed the fact the seat under her was rising into the air. Starting slightly, she was tipped backwards wings flaring only to fold away again as she landed in a soft cradling pair of arms. Realising instantly what had happened she looked up into Mortem's eyes trying to mask the fatigue driven comfort him carrying her gave behind a miffed look. "Mortem I need to fix these plans and you need to rest, you need as much time to recover as possible if we are going to fight that creature tomorrow." Twilight's voice was firm but not enough to phase when she was cradled in a pair of arms belonging to some pony who thought she was adorable.

"Nope, sorry Twi. I am perfectly fine already, bar my pride  of course which I will fix tomorrow, you are the one that doubtless had to float me all the way back here and saw to cleaning my wounds. I cannot imagine much of that was easy to see, we shall deal with the plans when we wake up. Right now we are cuddling for the next eight or so hours." Mortem was slightly surprised at how he had managed to wed a tone of authority and the warm voice only Twilight got to hear. He could tell she was about to protest so he put his lips to hers for a quick unexpected peck before throwing her over his shoulder and walking away.

Twilight had to stop her speech to return the kiss and found that after it she didn't really have the drive to go against what she actually wanted just for the sake of getting something that could be easily postponed done. 'Wow he is really getting to me, used to be I would get everything done in half the deadline.' Twilight's brain criticised her half heartedly knowing full well that rest and cuddles where far more conducive to being capable tomorrow than hard work and planning. "Fineeee" she drew out the e with an entirely fake scornful tone which ended as more whiny and playful.

"Besides Twi, if I don't get to cuddle with you then I don't really see this life as worth saving." Mortem wasn't serious as he was in a good mood. It was true Twilight was the reason he hadn't made this a brief return to Equestria but he wasn't actually threatening to not help with the plan if she didn't bow to his cuddling wants. Either way when they reached the door to their bed room Twilight was feeling slightly fuzzy at his words and decided she would turn the potato sack style carrying into an embrace which took a few well timed wing beats. With that Mortem, with Twilight clinging to his chest, settled under the covers and magically dipped the lights. "Good night Twilight, I love you."

Twilight only sighed happily in response as he had started to rub her back which was melting away the stress of this whole situation and lowering her slowly into dreams.

Secondary authors Note. (Need this at the bottom whilst the other needs to be at the top.)

I know this is a touch short. I could only have time to edit this half of what I had written which was far bigger than most of the chapters so I decided to split it, release this and then edit the rest tomorrow.