The Tale of Discord and Pacer

CHAPTER 1: Beyond the Dream World –

It was a peaceful night in Equestria and all the ponies and creatures in the land were snoozing softly.

Especially in Ponyville where Twilight, her friends and even Starlight Glimmer were resting in Twilight’s Crystal Castle. Everypony in their separate beds and guest beds dreamed happy dreams that Luna watched over.

Twilight dreamed about a re-enacted scene from a book she was just reading. Spike was once again dreaming about an ice cream house for him and Rarity (but this time, with vanilla and mint). Applejack was dreaming about the biggest apples, carrots and oranges being shown off at a fair. Rainbow Dash was dreaming of Daring Do (again). Pinkie Pie was dreaming of Maud Pie making cakes with Gummy. Fluttershy was dreaming of helping Applejack herd sheep (and bunnies). And Rarity was dreaming of dating Fancy Pants for a day!

As for Starlight Glimmer, she dreamed the same dream she’s had for a while: what would have happened to herself if Twilight hadn’t stopped her. She knew Twilight did, but she couldn’t help but worry about her past actions. Then Luna visits quickly to say, “Maybe you can tell Princess Twilight about what’s on your mind so she can help…” And with that, Starlight agrees, as she has realized how much of a friend/mentor Twilight has become to her life.

Luna leaves with a smile, and is about ready to help her sister lower the sun. But then, once again, she sees a special section of the Dream World that she cannot access (yet). It’s considerably small, but Luna keeps wondering what’s in there. But each time, she reminds herself to go back to reality and wake up Equestria!

__________

Unknown to her and Celestia, that area they can’t access is a section of the Spirit World! The Spirit World is so close to the Dream World because bodies and dreams are connected to the souls of those dreaming. And the most popular creature in the Spirit World was none other than the Star Swirl the Bearded!

In the Spirit World, Star Swirl, who was as old as he looked, led a spiritual academy of magical animals that have also moved on to the Spirit World. Star Swirl was waiting for his next session of magic training, and was humming as if he were meditating. Star Swirl takes deep breaths and smiles. “Finally, I once again have inner love, hope and peace.”

But just as he says that, a harpoon grazes his wizard hat and hits a tree just right behind him! “Great,” Star Swirl groans. Then as a second harpoon rushes towards his face, Star Swirl leaps onto his front hooves, blasts the first harpoon into pieces with his magic and catches the second to break it in half.

Star Swirl looks up and smiles to reply, “Brimstone Abalone, we meet again.”

At least a mile away from Star Swirl stood on its hind legs a dark brown elk with gold-like horns and ENORMOUS white wings! He even wore a black captain hat on his head, a black and white cape on his shoulders and a grey belt on his waist. “Star Swirl, old friend,” the winged elk replies slyly.

“You and I both know our battle ended in reality five-thousand years ago,” Star Swirl reminds Brimstone.

Brimstone growls, “Well now I’m ready to end it here.”

“About time,” Star Swirl giggles.

Brimstone then launches himself at his opponent, soaring with the help of his wings. Then a mountainous crystal flies in front of Brimstone, but he doesn’t slow down! He swipes his wings and slices the mountain-like crystal in a perfect half! Then Brimstone slams down on Star Swirl’s piece of land, but misses him by a second!

“I can tell you’ve gotten stronger,” Star Swirl complimented as he summons a gust of wind that hits Brimstone.

“Five-thousand years of banishment in the Nightmare Realm, you learn a few things. And if you wonder how I got here, I had a little help,” Brimstone replies. “In fact,” Brimstone adds, “with their help, I have captured the souls of every creature in the Spirit World!” Brimstone gestures to a fiery cage full of magic creatures. “And soon I’ll capture you too!”

Star Swirl gasps in shock. “When will you learn, brother?” And with that, the great unicorn waves his horn in the sky and summons a tornado that engulfs Brimstone sending him spiraling out of control into the sky!

But Brimstone quickly got back on track and summons lightning bolts that shape into stars that surround Star Swirl himself! Star Swirl dodges all but one electric star, which paralyzes his body completely (except for his face). Star Swirl struggles, but it’s no use!

Brimstone drains the magic from Star Swirl’s ghostly body and smiles evilly, “With your magic, I’ll make it back to the Dream World where I will get even more help! And from there, I’ll get back to reality and rule it AS A GOD! And this time, you and Pacer can’t stop me!”

“What about the other guy?” Star Swirl replies boldly yet weakly.

“What about him?”

“What will you do to him?” Star Swirl finishes.

“Easy: he’ll meet the same fate!”

Just then, Brimstone finishes draining the magical abilities from Star Swirl, and then Star Swirl himself turns to ashes!

“Well, as a tardy pirate would say: See you guys later!” Brimstone calls to demonic laughter just as he slams his fist down and sends of a light that would even blind Celestia herself! He was going to the Dream World!

__________

Meanwhile, Discord wakes up shaking. It was just his magic sixth sense sensing what had just happened in the Spirit World! “That can’t be right…Woah, Déjà vu!” Discord didn’t see or feel the exact details, but he did know something big is gonna happen. Until then, he needed to be prepared…