In a world of magic, a certain young alicorn princess runs and follows her farmer friend to solve a problem happening at her farm. Once arriving, she can spot her other friends there too, having zero clue to what’s happening either. “Are we all here!” shouted Twilight.

“We are Twi,” said Applejack, turning to face the purple alicorn.

“That’s good,” said Twilight. Spike who was following behind was able to catch up, panting tiredly. “What’s happening Applejack?”

“Its better you see for yourself,” said Applejack. Applejack led Twilight toward a part of the apple orchard; within the orchard was a cluster of trees, but amongst them Twilight could sense something was wrong. Using her magic, she saw it instantly; before them was a massive swirl of magical energy, just waiting to be unleashed. The pool of magic was so great, Twilight flinched back from the magical output it’s making.

“This is dangerous, make sure no unicorns go near that; who knows what it’ll do to those you can cast magic.” Twilight gave a grim look at the swirl of magic, taking a few steps back.

“What is it Twilight?” asked Rainbow, flying closer to take a better view.

“A pool of raw magical energy. I don’t know how it got here, especially a place that isn’t magically enchanted. Usually things like this are more common in the Everfree or other such places that are born from magic.”

“Well whatever it is, will it harm my farm? Or anypony who goes near it?” Applejack stared at the pool of swirling colors worriedly.

“As long nopony who’s a unicorn or uses magic doesn’t go near it; pegasi and earth ponies will feel a little dizzy. And those who have no magical abilities within them won’t be affected, like griffins and minotaurs.” Twilight closely examined the pool of energy, seeing it’s making no attempt to spread. “Good thing it hasn’t gone beyond your farm; imagine these things in town.”

“Twilight.”

“Not now Spike.”

“Well now we know what it is...” said Rarity, getting everypony’s attention. “How shall we handle this situation?”

“Can we block it or something,” said Rainbow, suggesting her idea.

“That won’t work; making a physical barrier won’t do anything and creating a magical one would simply increase it in size. We need a rune-master or an expert on these things. I need to send a letter to Princess Celestia. Spike can you-”

Before Twilight could finish her sentence, Spike inhaled deeply and shouted with the top of his lungs. “THERE’S ONE IN THE CASTLE!” shouted Spike.

Everypony froze instantly, not expecting the sudden shout; luckily Twilight heard Spike’s message clearly and swiveled her head at Spike, staring with disbelief.

“THERE’S WHAT IN THE CASTLE!” screamed Twilight.

“Well, remember I said I had a problem. Well… there’s one in my room, back at the castle,” said Spike, twiddling his thumbs.

Twilight’s eye twitched, slowly laughing to herself. Shaking her head she focused her attention at Applejack. “Applejack, make sure nopony goes near this thing, and tell me if there’s any sudden changes to it.”

Applejack nodded. “Sure thing Twi, I’ll get Big Mac to make a fence around the thing so nopony goes near it.” Applejack runs toward where she last saw her big brother; Twilight turns to her other friends.

“This is the new plan; while Applejack handles this magic pool here, we need to return to my castle. However, to be extra sure...” Twilight turned to face Rainbow and Pinkie. “Rainbow, Pinkie; I need you both to check Ponyville if anymore of those things are within or near town. Rainbow, you check Ponyville’s outskirts, while Pinkie handles the town. Check every nook and cranny, these things can be as small as a pebble, and if left unnoticed… It’s better we don’t find out.”

Rainbow nodded, and Pinkie smiled brightly. “Don’t worry Twi, we’ll find these magic pool-thingies. I’ll do under ten seconds, flat!” said Rainbow, throwing a hoof pump.

“I’ll search for the swirly-twirlies! Maybe I can ask some of them if they and their friends can go somewhere else than here,” said Pinkie, saying things in her usual silly way.

Rainbow and Pinkie left the farm in such speeds that they left a cloud of dust – Pinkie left a dust of cloud in a shape of her – Twilight then moved to her other friends. “Our job is to check the one in the castle. Let’s go girl!”

When the three mares, and a baby dragon – who was tired and sat on Twilight’s back – ran back to town… they saw a sight that wasn’t like it just earlier. Before Twilight left town to go to Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville was completely peaceful this afternoon. Now…

“How could this happen,” said Twilight, shocked.

More of the magical pools were floating all over Ponyville, some unicorns have already befallen the effects of the pools of energy and fainted. Some other ponies were struggling under the strange phenomenon and were either having trouble flying or either had their endurance lowered to extreme levels. The magical pools were so condensed they were visible without the help of magic to see them, this was both good and bad. The good part was now ponies were able to see them and avoid them… the bad news… was that things were getting worse.

“Twilight darling, what do we do now!?” said Rarity. A tiny magical pool was inching near Rarity, and after seeing what just a tiny one could do, jumped away from it, fearing that death itself was near her. “I rather hope you have some form of plan for this.”

Fluttershy was trying her best to help ponies who’ve fallen back, up helping them rest somewhere clear of the swirling energies. “New plan; you girls try to help as many ponies here and get them out of town. With this many magical pools, they’ll all combine together and farm a maelstrom right in the middle of Ponyville,” said Twilight. “Spike and I will head back to the castle and find a solution.”

Rarity and Fluttershy agreed; Twilight left them to handle things there, she heard Rarity shout something to her as she left. “BE SAFE DARLING!”

As Twilight and Spike neared the castle, they entered through the two massive doors – well to be more specific they teleported inside – once inside they reached the library until they passed Spike’s room. Inside was an averagely sized magic pool, slowly growing in size. Ignoring it for now, they reached the library; the second Spike got off, Twilight began relaying her orders. “Spike, write a letter to Princess Celestia! Afterwords, search for any books related to magical anomalies and phenomenons!”

Spike saluted, grabbing a scroll and feather dabbed with ink began to write. After following what Twilight had told him to write, he sent it instantly without delay. The two then began to scavenge through shelf after shelf; two piles were made, one pile of books they need, the other of books that weren’t needed. The pile of books needed were smaller than the other pile, actually to put it in better terms, the books needed was so small it couldn’t be considered a pile itself. So far they found three books, but all of them was more on theory than actual fact.

During this, the two doors that enter to the library burst wide open. Twilight looked to see Rainbow Dash there, a worried look on her. Her rainbow-maned friend zoomed right toward Twilight, panting at the same time.

“Twi… Those things… are every...where,” said Rainbow, able to breath out her message. The poor mare fell to the ground, but was able to be caught by Twilight.

“Wha-what you mean!?” asked Twilight, at a lost of words.

Rainbow took one deep gulp of air, and spoke her message. “Those magic cloud-thingies are all over Ponyville, and beyond the outskirts. It’s impossible to get out by hoof or train, and by air will take to long. With the one air balloon, we can only get at least five to seven grown ponies on it every thirty minutes. And with most of the pegasi weakened from already, the number ponies needed to be carried by air balloon are increasing every passing second. Not only that, but unicorns are starting to shake violently… and… and Rarity...”

After hearing one of her friends names, Twilight placed a hoof to her muzzle, signs of tears ready to fall. Luckily, Rainbow took another breather and continued her mesasge. “She’s fine, for now… If we don’t do something fast, a lot of ponies are going to get hurt. What should we do Twilight?” said Rainbow. While the daredevil mare was never afraid of a challenge or going beyond her limits, Twilight could see she was outright afraid, no terrified of what’s happening.

As he role as princess, it’s her responsibility to protect the ponies of Equestria. Standing straight and tall, she looked at Spike, and told him her next orders. “Spike, forget the books. It’s time we handle the situation full on. Rainbow, get everyone to head toward the town hall; I’ll try something to get us all out.”

Twilight left the library, standing tall and regal-like; Rainbow and Spike stared then at one another. They slowly followed, the sound of flaps of wings and the clinks of claws touching crystal.

Outside, everypony was near the town hall, some tired, others unconscious, others afraid. Rarity was between unconsciousness and being tired, her sister Sweetie Belle was by her side, not wanting to leave her for a single second. Applejack had a bandage around one of her forelegs, as to how it happened is a mystery but the mare was able to stand tall, slightly. Pinkie and Fluttershy tried their best to help the townsponies, while Rainbow finally arrived, with her some other pegasi. “This is everypony Twilight… So, now what?” asked Rainbow.

Twilight looked around her, then at the sky; the original tiny swirls of magical pools turned into a giant maelstrom of unprecedented power, that it could be felt physically and magically by all. It wouldn’t be surprising if Celestia and Luna felt the powerful bursts of energy this thing was giving back at Canterlot. Speaking of which… why didn’t they send any help, is it possible the maelstrom has gotten so out of hoof that even they can get pass it… Or maybe… this is not just happening here, but all of Equestria. If that was happening… this could be the end of the Equestria, the world. Twilight shook the idea away and focused her magic; what she was about to do was both risky… and probably one of the greatest feats any pony would do… if she were an ordinary pony.

With a quick upper motion of her horn, and runic circle appeared around all the residents of Ponyville. The magic from the rune was felt by all, it gave a feeling of comfort, that everything was going to be fine. Twilight was going to do the impossible, something she could never be able to do in her original unicorn form. She was going to use a massive teleportation spell; teleporting everypony within Ponyville, at least a kilometer away from here.

Before Twilight could finish the spell… despair happened; a massive bolt of magical lightening struck poor Twilight, sending her flying and careening toward the town hall’s wall. She created a loud thud, and she slumped down on the stairs of the town hall.

“TWILIGHT!” shouted all her friends. All of them ran toward her, even Rarity who simply began to crawl but was helped up by Applejack. All of her friends, and Spike neared her; some other ponies like the mare and some of Ponyville’s notable residents surrounded her, worried for the Princess of Friendship’s current status.

“Twilight, Twilight get up… please!” shouted Spike, pleadingly. Everypony started to grow quiet, the princess not responding to her young assistant’s pleas. Without nothing else to do, Spike did the one thing that might work. Grabbing one of her hooves… she bit deep down into her fur.

“SPIKE! What are you-” Before Applejack could finish her retort, a loud “YOWCH!” was heard from the previous motionless Twilight. Everypony looked down to see Twilight shaking Spike off and rubbing where he bit her. Twilight looked up and at Spike, glaring at him.

“Spike, what was that for!?”

Spike began to have tears well up, and hugged Twilight by the neck, his little form swinging on her neck. “I-I-I t-t-thou-thought, y-yo-yo-you were d-d-de-deeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!”

Spike started to bawl uncontrollably, not wanting to let go of Twilight with all his might. “NEVER EVER, DO THAT AGAIN!” cried Spike, his tears staining Twilight’s fur. Twilight realized what has happened, and began to hug Spike back, whispering.

“I promise...”

A loud thunderous crackle was heard and everyponies attention was taken to the sky; the maelstrom was growing wilder and more out of control. Before anypony could think it was the end of all hope… a loud poof was heard, and standing tall and wearing sunglasses and a tropical shirt was the Spirit of Chaos; Discord.

“That’s ex-Spirit of Chaos, to you,” said Discord, sipping his mango smoothie.

“DISCORD!” shouted the whole crowd of ponies.

“In the flash,” said Discord, grinning toothily. “Now I would ask what’s happening… but guessing by that giant formation of raw magical energy… I can assume you need my help?”

Everypony gave Discord a very uneasy look, but that’s when they heard Twilight speak. “Please, help us Discord,” said Twilight, a worried look on her.

“Are you sure Twilight?” asked Applejack, skeptical.

“His our friend Applejack, don’t forget that… and his the only one I know who can help us with this problem. The princesses don’t have enough time to get here in time, and it seems he knows what to do,” said Twilight, glancing at the draconequus.

“I know I know, I am that magnificent aren’t I,” said Discord, changing his clothes and staring at his sharpened claw.

“So… will you help us Discord… please,” said Fluttershy, appearing before Discord.

Discord knelt down and petted Fluttershy’s mane. “I’d do anything for you Fluttershy. Now then...” Discord rose up and stared at the maelstrom with a strange gleam in his eyes. “Stand back everypony; this is going to get loud.”

Everypony was confused by the line, but stepped back, just in case. Discord cracked his claw and paw, making a loud cracking noise. He then pulled out of nowhere a giant cannon; the cannon had his face in the front and was oddly colored to look like him. Discord slung the cannon over his shoulder, holding it with both his claw and paw. The cannon began to create a loud noise that sounded like this, “vvvvvmmmmmmm”. The noise began to grow so loud, everypony had to cover their ears until it abruptly stopped, but Discord shouted with all his might.

“FIRE IN THE HOLE!”

With the power to rival the heavens, a bright beam of energy was fired at the maelstrom. The energy pierced the maelstrom, ceasing all activity immediately. All the magic pools began to disperse and the sky returned to it’s normal sky blue, with clouds floating lazily around.

Everypony rejoiced happily, hugging one another and shouting in joy; Discord removed his cannon as it disappeared in a loud pop noise. He was suddenly surrounded by hugs from Fluttershy and the CMC. “THANK YOU DISCORD! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!”

“Whoa whoa whoa; Fluttershy, I did it because your my friend.” Discord heard a cough and saw the other Mane 6 staring at him. He sighed and continued his sentence. “All of you are my friends.”

Everypony giggled, as Discord groaned but his a smile. In the distance two giant flaps of wings could be heard; up in the sky was Celestia and Luna who had a group of royal guard and lunar guard ponies following behind.

“AH! Cellie, Lulu; good to see you two!” shouted Discord, waving toward them.

The two alicorn sisters landed before the group of ponies and bowed instantly; the two alicorns responded for their ponies to stop their bowing, checking their for any injuries of any kind. Celestia then turned to the two groups of guardsponies. “Check the injured, and the surrounding area for anypony that was still outside Ponyville!” shouted Celestia, though not as loud as the Royal Canterlot Voice.

All of the guards nodded and moved throughout to do their roles; some of them were higher ranked and started shouting orders while those with some medical degrees or know some healing spells moved toward the citizens. One unicorn moved to Princess Twilight to heal her wounds but Twilight dismissed her and told her to help the others. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” said Twilight. The unicorn nodded and moved away.

Celestia approached Twilight, helping her up to her hooves. “Twilight, are you alright?” asked Celestia. “We received your letter but didn’t had enough time to respond; we’re glad Discord was able to reach you in time.”

“Speaking of that troublemaker… How did you know Twilight was in danger?” asked Luna, turning to face Discord.

Those who were near, like the Mane 6, Twilight, the princesses and Spike all turned to stare at Discord. The Spirit of Chaos was busy waving at ponies when he caught a glance at everyone eying him. Discord; while not often reliably in many – or any – situations, was surprisingly helpful. “How can I help you fine ladies this afternoon, hmmmm?”

Fluttershy was the first to move forward and ask Discord the question in everypony’s head. “Discord… How did you knew that storm was coming? Its not bad you did that… I was wondering… we were all wondering thought how you knew. If you don’t mind...”

Discord’s brow rose up, slightly floating in the air before returning to its owner. He coughed on the back of his paw, and rubbed his neck with his claw as he grinned guiltily. “Wwweeelll… What if I told you I know instead of how I knew, but why I knew,” said Discord, smiling sheepishly.

That was when it was Twilight’s turn to speak. “Discord… What did you do?”

“It wasn’t my doing… bbbuut, when I was wandering about I saw… something… interesting.” Discord pulls out an object, a quiet pop and said object is floating before everypony to see. The object was a shard… a shard of mirror. “Apparently, that mirror portal that Twilight used to retrieve her crown and go back to see… Sunnypants or something?”

“Sunset Shimmer,” said Twilight, stating her friend’s name.

“Yeah her; apparently the portal imploded back at the Crystal Empire, and its shards have spread out across Equestria, causing these magical abnormalities. I did stop a few like the one here at Ponyville… but whatever is causing them… Is happening in the other side of your friend’s world.”

It then hit Twilight hard like the friendship train; with renewed vigor, Twilight teleported back to her castle. Of course Celestia, Luna, and Discord teleported themselves and the rest of their posse. They were in the castle’s lower levels, and in one spacious room was the remains of Twilight’s prototype portal. Twilight was busily preparing and fixing a few bugs on the machine.

“Twilight? What are you doing?” asked Applejack.

“If Discord is correct, then something is happening or about to happen back at the parallel world Sunset is at! Discord you said the shards… ‘exploded’?”

“To be precise, they imploded and were teleported across Equestria, causing the magic from each shard to create these abnormalities. I tried to collect a few… but some were in harder areas to find and trust me… there are a lot, a LOT of those things.”

“Then we can’t gather those shards; the best way is to go to Sunset’s world, find her and ask her assistance to make sure the portal on her side won’t implode either. Whatever caused it’s implosion may happen to her too… or worse.” Twilight gulped, plugging a few wires and pulling a few switches; soon the machine began to come to life, and instantly Twilight stood ready to enter through.

“Hold on Princess Twilight,” said Luna. “Is it safe for you to go alone?”

“I can bring Spike, he and I can-”

“Bring Discord with you.”

Everyone turned and saw it was Celestia who suggested to bring Discord. Everyone in the room had a bewildered look – even Discord – and, began to realize what she just said.

“But sister… Why Discord? Can’t we send any of our guards or the Mane 6 instead?” asked Luna, shocked.

“Our guards couldn’t handle such a life-changing moment; to realize another world exists. And we can’t send Twilight’s friends without encountering their own counterparts either. From what Twilight told me, Discord and Sunset are the only two Equestrians who don’t have their own counterparts in that world. Strange as it may… Discord may actually have a use for Twilight.”

“HE CAN!” shouted everypony.

“I CAN!” shouted Discord, too. “I MEAN- I mean… Thank you, Celestia; I won’t disappoint.”

“I hope so too… and… be safe you three,” said Celestia, a small smile forming on her snout.

“Don’t worry princess; I’ll make Twilight or Discord don’t do anything reckless!” shouted Spike, saluting.

“You mean that you don’t cause any trouble; I’m sure a talking dog is worse than whatever Discord would do,” said Twilight.

“Don’t jinx us Twilight.” Spike was the first to step through the portal, following behind were Twilight and finally Discord before he did one final farewell.

“Adios my friends! I’LL BRING SOME SOUVENIIIIII-” Discord’s sentence was cut out as he entered the portal. Everypony present watched the portal, until Pinkie spoke.

“Oh! I wonder what he’ll get for us!”

In the other side, some moments after Uni left with Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna through vehicle; Spike reappeared at the front of CHS’s statue in his dog form, with Twilight appearing next in her teen form… when finally…

Tumbling out the portal – and landing face first to the concrete – Discord skidded across the ground until his whole body slumped still on the ground. Spike began to laugh while Twilight tried to stifle her laughing. Discord pushed himself up with both hands open… that was when he noticed his new look.

Discord who stood as tall as Principal Celestia – possibly taller – wore a brown suit, with brown pants. He worse a belt that had a belt buckle with a silver draconequus, he also wore two gloves, the glove where his lion paw used to be was yellow and had a texture similar to said paw. His other glove which was the same color as his claw had pointed ends but weren’t sharp but felt… pointy-er. Other details was his mane or hair in this case; it was short but thicker and was black with grayish lines going through the middle. On his face was a thin but noticeable tuft of gray hair, his eyes were oblong and his pupils slitted like a snake’s. He worse a pair of dark red shoes, that were flat but made a unique clacking noise with each step. What was even more interesting was that he also had a cane that looked like his tail and had two designs of a pegasus’s wing and a bat’s wing on it. The top hat was the last accessory and had two decorations sewn into it, they were two horns; one of a deer antler and the other was a blue goat horn.

Even though Twilight and Spike already saw Discord’s true form, this still baffled them to see him look like a human. Discord looked at his new duds and grinned, his signature snaggle-tooth smile still there. “I like this new look… I think I’ll use it when we get back to Equestria… Also why do I have the strange urge to laugh evilly?” said Discord.

“What?” said both Twilight and Spike.

“Oh well, I’ll do it for the heck of it.” Discord began to laugh, using his evil laugh instead of chortling. Once he stopped and took a deep breath, he glanced up at the sky. “Seems it’s about to get dark soon. Any ideas, oh Princess of Friendship?”

Discord bowed jokingly, but Twilight shook her head and also noticed the sun setting, pulling out a bag – which was a saddlebag – she brought a journal that connected to the journal she gave to Sunset when she became her apprentice. She opened the journal and noticed some new entries but decided to read them later; pulling out a feather and dipping it in some ink she began to write a quick message to Sunset. With that done she put away the journal and feather, looking back Discord who had Spike staring up at him.

“We’ll wait for not here; I told Sunset that we’re here at the front of CHS. She’ll come over to pick us up then we’ll ask her of any strange occurrences… Which means Discord, behave.”

Discord looked up at Twilight, busy looking at Spike. “Yes yes, I’ll be-have… besides, this world while having no magic, I can still smell the chaos just brimming here.”

Twilight sighed and looked up at the sky, hoping bringing Discord wasn’t a mistake. Let’s home we can find out what’s causing the magical anomalies… I hope Sunset’s doing well.

Author's Note

Drawing of Discord as a human here: CLICK