Chapters Madness and Chaos
Prolouge
Discord sat on his throne, overlooking Ponyville as his chaotic influence spread rapidly. It had already reached Apploosa seeing as how the buffalo wear now dancing around in tutus. As Discord laughed madly at his kingdom of madness, a nagging thought of danger in the back of his head made its way to his conscious mind, but he dismissed knowing all the bearers of the Elements of Harmony wear now under his chaotic influence. Discord – with every scrap of doubt out of mind – outstretched his hand beneath a cotton candy cloud and quickly materialized a glass to catch the chocolate rain in.
“Chaos is a wonderful, wonderful thing!” he proclaimed gleefully before he took a drink.
“Not as wonderful as Friendship!” protested a familiarly annoying voice before discord could drink the delightful beverage.
“Ugh… This again?” sighed the spirit with contempt before he drank the glass and tossed the cylindrical chocolate drink aside, somehow causing it to explode.
“That’s right, you couldn’t break apart our friendship for long!” stated the farm pony.
“Oh, Applejack, don’t you lie to me. I’m the one who made you a liar!” Discord replied quickly snaring her in his magical grasp and levitating her up to him along with the rest of the Elements except Twilight, “Will you ever learn?”
Before Discord could recast his mind-altering spell on them a second time, Twilight teleported amongst them and surrounded them in a magical barrier, breaking his grasp on them, and quickly levitating them back to the ground.
“I’ll tell you what we’ve learned Discord: We’ve learned that…” ranted the unicorn as Discord sat back and watched her give her friendship speech. “Yak, yak, yak, that’s all this pony does” Discord thought to himself, “when she fails again, I got to make sure and put a zipper on her trap.” As Twilight finished her speech, Discord tuned back in to the matter at hand.
“Eeeew, gag! Fine, go ahead! Use your elements and ‘Friend’ me. Just make it quick, I’m missing some excellent chaos here.” Snapped Discord as he teleported back to his seat with a smug grin on his face while a flock of pigs flew by.
“Ha! As if those stupid pieces of jewelry could beat me again, especially since they’re trying to use Spike as the new Rainbo… wait, is that…?” Discord thought to himself. As soon as he came to the realization that Rainbow Dash was in fact there along with them and that the elements were working, it was far too late. The unfortunate spirit felt his powers already weakening as the aura of harmony grew brighter, soon firing a rainbow atop his head.
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAUGH!” cried Discord as the o-so familiar feeling of petrification came over his serpent like body once again. As the process came to its end, Discord cried out in his mind for help from the only person he could think of. “DAAAAAAAAAAADDYYYYYYYYYYY!”
***
Chapter 1
As he stood there in his usual spot – regaining “consciousness” – Discord could hear the sound of revelers and music coming from Canterlot Tower. “Uuuuugh… what happened? Where’s that music coming from? Wait, where am… oh no, NO!” cried the imprisoned spirit angrily, “NO! I’m stuck in stone AGAIN! NO! This HAS to be a dream. Oh, me please let this be a dream. Okay, all I have to do is get hurt and I’ll wake up… now I just have to figure out how to do that while my dream self can’t move.”
“Sorry to say lad, but you ain’t dreamin’,” responded a voice in an atrociously exaggerated Scottish accent.
“Heh, says you. Wait, who are you, where are you, in fact?”
“Aw come on, don’t tell me you don’t recognize your old pop’s voice now,” replied the voice with a slight bit of irritation, “Here, let me get into view.” Soon enough, a dark flash of purple light erupted in front of Discord, and out came a light brown unicorn with a grey beard and mane and an odd looking purple and gold suit.
“Oh, Sheogorath, how good it is to see you again,” replied Discord, mentally gritting his teeth.
“Hey now, what have I told you about calling me by my first name, son?” replied the Mad God in all his pony splendor, “You know how disrespectful that is.”
“Oh what does it matter, I definitely know I’m in a dream now.”
“Oh really? Care to wager on that?” replied Sheogorath with a sly voice. With a snap of his fingers, he levitated the statue of Discord and smacked his head on the ground repeatedly.
“Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Okay, okay, uncle, UNCLE!” Discord cried in pain, his head now spinning, “Ugh, what do you want?”
“What do you mean ‘What do I want’? You called out for me, like a wee baby,” said Sheogorath with a smug grin on his face.
“Oh, right. Well, there’s nothing you can do now. As usual, you’re late to the party. Good by dad, have fun in the Isles.”
“Actually, son, I have an offer that may interest you: You come back to the Isles with me and I’ll set you free.”
“Don’t pull my chain like that, dad, I know you can’t get me out of this prison. If you could you would have done so the first time.”
“You see that’s where you’re wrong, boy, I can get you out right now. Watch,” with a snap of his fingers, Discord was no longer imprisoned, free to fly and spread chaos across Equestria. That is until Sheogorath turned him to stone again mid-flight.
“Ow! Okay, if you could do that, why didn’t you help me the first time I was imprisoned?”
“You never asked,” replied Sheogorath with the most cliché response know in the cosmos, “So, we have a deal?”
"Ugh... fine," Without a moment of hesitation, Sheogorath released Discord from his prison and opened a portal to his plain of Oblivion. “Wait, what about the statue?” Discord inquired after stepping into the vortex.
“Don’t worry, I got it covered,” replied the Mad God with a slight chuckle, leaving behind a statue depicting Discord doing a hand-stand with his tongue while balancing spinning plates on his hands, feet and tail. "Now, when we get home, I've got so much to show you. Like Xedillian for instance..."
As the two vanished from sight, the vortex dissipated. Only two things in the garden were evidence that anything had happened: the new statue and a guard leaning around the hedge wall, his armor rattling.
Alright, now this is my first attempt at making a fan-fic and I know it’s really short chapter but I just wanted to see what you guys thought of this. I figured it would be an interesting idea seeing as how both Discord and Sheogorath are both really “interesting” characters that I imagine would have a lot in common. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter Two
"Wait, what about the statue?" asked the draconequus, walking into the swirling vortex.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I've got it covered," replied the mysterious Unicorn who was just moments ago speaking to the air. As he and Discord left the sight of the guard that was cowering behind the edge of the hedge wall, a new statue materialized on the pedestal that the recently released spirit once stood on, only oddly posed.
As the portal closed, the guard dropped to his knees in shock, not sure if what he saw had truly happened.
"Discord, free, again? That can't be, it's impossible, no way it should be. I, I have, have to...," his ears perked up as his ears tuned back to the regal trumpets sounding from Canterlot Tower. He turned his head to gaze upon the massive spire, and a look of determination grew in his eyes. "I warn Princess Celestia."
Struggling, he got this hooves, still weak from the shock, and he sped into Canterlot Castle. He blazed through the halls, nearly missing turns and occasionally tripping up the palace staff. He ran so hard his hooves ached, but he ignored the pain knowing the princess need this news right away.
As he came up to the massive doors to the tower, he threw all his weight against them and forced them open. Lying on the ground, tired from his sprint through the castle, being greeted by the eyes and gasps of the hundreds of attendants and the Princess herself, he gathered his breath to deliver his message.
"Princess... Celestia, we have... *gasp* a problem!" panted the guard.
"What is it?" asked the princess, curious to know what had this guard so worried.
"It's Discord: HE'S ESCAPED!" cried the guard in panic.
There was a brief pause in the room before everypony in attendance burst out in laughter. "Yeah, sure bud." "How long have you been asleep?" "Were you in a coma or something?" "What an idiot." The more the crowd laughed and mocked the guard, the more he sunk closer the ground, and the more Celestia's gaze became serious.
"Silence!" commanded Celestia in her royal canterlot voice, which quickly silenced the crowd's jeering. She then cleared her throat and looked back at the guard, who had become a small quivering ball of gold armor and white fur with eyes. "Now then, you were saying?"
"Discord, your highness, he escaped again."
"How is that possible? He was just sealed away not a few days ago," questioned Twilight Sparkle, trying to make sense of the guards news.
"Everypony, stay here. The guards will keep you safe in here while we try to sort this out. Twilight, you and your friends come with me," commanded Celestia in a serious voice. "You as well, guardsmen. We will need to know what exactly happened."
"Yes, your majesty," nodded the guard, once again getting to his hooves.
"Yes, Princess," nodded Twilight, "Alright ladies, lets go!"
As Celestia, the guard, Twilight and her friends made their way to the sculpture gardens, a feeling of dread began to settle in the pit of Celestia's stomach. She had no idea how Discord had escaped his prison prematurely, nor did she want to accept the fact he had, but he needed to be found and sealed again before he began his evil reign again, no matter the cost.
***
Celestia, the guard, and the bearers of the Elements stood in the sculpture garden where Discord's new statue stood. As Twilight and her friends examined the area, the princess trotted over to the unnerved guard, "Now, would you please tell me what exactly happened here? Did you see anything? Such how Discord escaped or where he went?" asked Celestia in her normal, reassuring tone.
"I was just patrolling the gardens, as usual, when I over heard somepony talking," stammered the guard with Celestia listening intently, "I went to examine who was there, since nopony is supposed to be in the gardens until further notice. As I followed the voice, it seemed like he was talking to the wind. As I approached the clearing here, I saw Discord fly above the hedge walls, only to fall down seconds later."
"So you're saying Discord does not possess the ability to fly anymore?" inquired the princess.
"No, it was like he was turned back to stone mid-flight," explained the guard, "I quickly trotted over to where I saw Discord fall and that's when I saw the pony I heard talking to his statue, which was then lying on the ground."
"What did this pony look like?" asked Celestia.
"He was a brown unicorn with a white mane and beard, and wore this odd purple and gold suit."
"Go on."
"I was about to approach him and tell him the gardens were currently off limits when I saw his horn glow. Seconds later, Discord was free again," explained the guard, "He then opened this swirling, purple, thing and they both left through it but not before leaving that in Discord's place," he motioned to the new statue, which Pinkie was lying on the ground next to giggling her tail off, "I didn't see anything else after that, I then ran to warn you of what happened."
"A swirling thing, you mean a vortex?" ask Twilight as she over heard the guard regaling the princess of what transpired. "Are you sure that's what you saw?"
"Yes, yes it is."
"Can you show me where it was?"
"It was over there," motioned the guard with his hoof.
Twilight lit up her horn and walked over to where the guard said the vortex was, tracing her horn through the air. Her horn grew i bright lavender color which pulsated violently, which gave her a mild headache. "Oh no, this can't be good."
"What's wrong, sugar cube?" asked Applejack, knowing if Twilight thinks something magical is trouble, it likely is.
"From what I can tell, the vortex that was here left a massive magical imprint here. It's almost overwhelming," said Twilight, bringing her head back up and shaking off her headache. "The power used to create this portal ripped a hole in our dimensional wall creating a link between our world and another," explained Twilight with a worried look on her face..
"Um, could you explain that in English, please?" groaned Rainbow Dash as she crossed her hooves.
Rolling her eyes in frustration, Twilight let out loud sigh and looked at Rainbow Dash. "It means who ever set Discord free is powerful enough to cancel the effects of the Elements, and possibly rip our world apart."
"Oh...," said Rainbow with a look of horror about her. She then looked to Celestia nervously, "Princess, um, do you know of anyone that could do that? I mean, you are the ruler of our land and all."
Celestia looked back at the blue pegasus, "I'm afraid I don't, Ms. Dash. In all my years of ruling Equestria, very few ponies have even come close to rivaling my power, and my power pales in comparison to what the Elements of Harmony can do."
"What do you mean your power only rivals the Elements?" asked Applejack.
"From what I know, the Elements themselves are the embodiment of Harmony and Order, and their power is sustained by the will of their wielders," she stated wholesomely, "However, if their users become disconnected, their power diminishes, just like when Discord escaped the first time."
"But we can still use the Elements," stated Twilight
"I know, Twilight, this is extremely concerning. There is no one I can think of who could do anything like..." Celestia stopped, remembering something from long ago.
"What is it?" asked Twilight.
"Perhaps, who ever set Discord free, was the one who brought him here to begin with."
"Whaa...?" asked the six mares collectively.
"Follow me and I will explain. Guard, you can have the rest of the day off," Celestia said, adressing their confused looks.
"Thank you, Princess," thanked the guard, making a quick kneel and then trotting off to the barracks.
As the guard left, Celestia led Twilight and her friends back into the castle and into Celestia's private library. Celestia move a few books around revealing a far more ancient tome. She opened it to a page showing a scene of ancient Equestria. "Thousands of years ago, around when Luna and myself had just been accepted as the rulers of Equestria, came a mysterious being from far-away," she turned the page to reveal a picture of a Unicorn with a grey mane and wearing purple regalia, "He addressed himself as Sheogorath, God of Madness"
"Ugh," Scoffed Rarity as she looked at the depiction of the oddly dressed pony, "God of Madness, more like God of Tackiness."
"Sheogorath? You mean Sheo the trickster? I thought he was just an old mare's-tale to teach children not to pull pranks." asked Twilight, rubbing her hoof against the side of her head in thought.
"A prankster huh? Looks like me and Pinkie have got some competition Oof!" began Rainbow jokingly before Applejack hoofed her in the side.
"Now's not the time, Dash."
"You are right, Twilight, that Sheo and Shoegorath are one in the same, but he is far from just a mare's-tale." Celestia stated seriously, turning the page again depicting scenes of chaos. "When he first arrived, he simply pulled tricks here and there, but over time his "pranks" became more aggressive. What started as water replaced with cheese or cotton candy quickly escalated to burning animals, maddening visions, and even murders." At the mentioning of murder, the six mares gasped in astonishment, especially Fluttershy, who nearly fainted. "Indeed, Sheogorath was quickly becoming a menace. Many tried various methods of subduing him, even magic, but nothing seemed to work. Luna and I were forced to use the one thing we were sure would work."
Celestia turned the page again showing her and Luna wielding the Elements and attempting to use them against Sheogorath. "My sister and I tried to use the power of the Elements of Harmony to banish Sheogorath, forcing him out of our dimension. Unfortunately, the beam simply died out as it hit him. He then opened a vortex, much like the one the guard described, and left willingly."
"Wait, he left? Even though the Elements didn't work?" ask Rainbow in confusion. "Why'd he do that?"
"It was likely because he became bored and he left Discord to rule in his stead." Celestia further explained as she turned the page to show Sheogorath leaving and Discord's rise to power. "Why he chose to return and release Discord now, I don't know."
"But why didn't the Elements work on him?"
"That I don't have an answer to, to this day it confounds me. It also makes him and Discord even greater threats. I don't know if they have any plans for Equestria, but we can't just wait idly by and see if they comes again to disrupt the peace we just reestablished." stated Celestia with an uncharacteristically aggressive tone. "I need you six to once again wield the Elements to preserve Equestria, but I fear you may have to leave here to do so."
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" asked Applejack with a concerned look in her eyes.
"I'm afraid so, Applejack. You need to follow Sheogorath and Discord to where they went. A place, if I remember correctly, he called the Shivering Isles."
Okay, I want to apologize for the long gap in updates, things have been getting really busy for me and I've been too tired to do much writing. Also you'll notice I've edited this chapter a bit to help the flow of the story, but don't worry, the next chapter will be all about Discord and Sheogorath. I hope you're all still reading this and I hope you enjoy what I have in store.
Chapter 3
In the Court of Madness, the political center of the Shivering Isles, Haskill was finishing up his tasks given to him by his master. As he threw away the last few wedge of cheese from Sheogorath's latest hissy-fit, he walked over to a chair and sat down to relax his aching back. "That is the last time I tell Lord Sheogorath we are out of cheddar again. I wonder where he went off to anyway. Probably visiting Pelagius again. He always was his favorite subject," remarked Haskill, "Oh well, time to get to work on that latest incident in Passwall. The new gate guardian is causing a real..." Before Haskill could finish his thought, a dark purple void opened in the middle of the court with Sheogorath and Discord walking out.
"HASKILL!!! I'm HOOOOOOOME!" roared Sheogorath heartily as he entered his keep. "Haskill! Where are you!?"
"I'm right here..." began Haskill before he was pointlessly summoned in front of his master, "*sigh*, my lord. How was your trip to... where ever you were?"
"It t'was well enough. Pelagius is doin' well, aside from his mother issues, that whole inferiority complex and..." Sheogorath began to ramble, stopping after Discord let out an obvious cough to get his attention, "Oh, yes, that's right. Haskill, this is Discord."
"Oh, so is this a new kind of Daedra, my lord, or simply another pet you've created." inquired Haskill looking over the snake like chimera.
"Who're you calling a "pet", you bald-headed secretary!" snarled an irritated Discord before materializing a small blue pail above Haskill which then tipped and poured chocolate milk on him.
"Discord, don't insult Haskill. Anyway, Haskill, Discord is my son," said Sheogorath introducing the chimera to his servant.
"You... have a son? My lord, I have never heard of him before," stated the puzzled Haskill while squeezing the milk out of his clothes, feeling a bit over whelmed with the fact he may have to deal with another mad god.
"That may have to do with the fact I made him long before you, Haskill... also I may have forgotten about him," responded Sheogorath.
"Ah HA! So that's why you left me trapped in stone for all those eons!" accused Discord.
"Well it wasn't my fault. When I left you there it was the end of an age, I had the Gray March to deal with back here," responded Sheogorath, "And my memory gets fuzzy after a Grey March."
"Uh huh, sure. Anyway, I'm feeling a little peckish. Got anything good to eat around here?" asked Discord rubbing his belly.
"Well we did just acquire a large amount of cheese if you'd like some," suggested Haskill holding up the sack full of cheddar.
"Brilliant idea Haskill! We can have a Cheese Banquet! No wait: A Cheese Parade in honor of my son's arrival!" Sheogorath cried out in glee.
Haskill rubbed his eyes in irritation as he was beginning to become sick of cheese. "Alright, until then were would you like me to set up Lord Discord's quarters sir?"
"Hmm... put him in the court of Mania. I'm sure he'd like it there much better than the court of Dementia, wouldn't you son?" stated Sheogorath.
"Where ever is fine, really. I highly doubt I'll be in it much anyway seeing as I've got a whole new world to wreak chaos on," chortled the spirit as he flew out of the Court of Madness and beyond New Sheoth into the Isles' vast terrain.
"Ah, it's good to see him so happy... anyway, back to work, Haskill," said Sheogorath as he watched Discord fly away, "We've got a lot of preparations to make before the parade."
"Yes, my lord," groaned Halkill.
***
Discord flew high above the hills of the Isles and stared down at the vibrant and beautiful terrain. He admired the winding chaotic paths, the destroyed ruins, the loud buzzing of over-sized insects, and especially the giant fungi that towered like trees. He flew over to a nearby cloud and threw himself into its soft and cushy form so he could lie down and gaze upon his wondrous new home. It brought him back to the days when he ruled Equestria before he was imprisoned in stone, and then how he was imprisoned again by Twilight and her cheery little friends. He quickly dismissed those thoughts so he could relax and enjoy his new freedom.
Discord then shifted his attention south and saw a land full of nothing but doom-and-gloom. He took one look at the sorry looking swamps and let out a loud gaging sound as if to mock it.
"Looks like I've got my work cut out for myself," Discord chuckled as his paw began to glow with a golden aura. He then snapped his fingers and a large portion of the swamp became as goofy looking and colorful as a Chuckie-Cheese. As he laughed loudly above his creation -- watching the native beasts run around in agony due to the sudden change from dark to bright colors -- his jubilant laughter was cut short as he saw the scenery revert to it's previously horrid hue.
"What the... hmm... guess I just have to put more umph into it," pondered Discord as he charged up another spell and blasted the area again, making it even brighter and more colorful than before -- and even including soap roads. "There, that should do GAH!"
Once again, to Discords dismay, the land scape transformed back to its original state, infuriating him to no end. He then started to blast the area in a frenzy, hoping to make the change permanent, but no matter how much he snapped his fingers or shot ball of magic the trees and soil always changed back. Soon enough, Discord just gave up, panting heavily. He looked at the dark swamp and blew a raspberry at it.
"Who needs it anyway," spat Discord as he divirted his attention toward the plane north of him, "Let's see what over there, then I'll be back for you," he said pointing spite filled finger at the swamp before he flew up north to see what he could find there to entertain him.
***
Sheogorath sat on his throne and was listing off all the requirements for the Cheese Parade he was going to have Haskill prepare in honor of Discord's arrival in the Isles. "Also we need Swiss Cheese, Farmer's Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Smoked Gouda, streamers, pinwheels..."
"Hold on, my lord. When you say pinwheels, do you mean the toy or the pastry?" asked Haskill, holding rather large scroll and a quill.
"Both. Now then, where was I? Ah, we'll also need goat cheese, cabbages, string and..." began Sheogorath before he was interrupted by the sudden entry of a Golden Saint -- a gold colored female in gold armor.
"Lord Sheogorath, I bring grave news." announced the Golden Saint before approaching her lord and bowing.
"Ooo, this better be very important because you're interrupting the planning for the Cheese Parade," stated Sheogorath in an irritated tone. "Other wise I might have to play skip-rope with your intestines."
"It is, my lord. The Knights of Order have been spotted in Mania, sir: The Grey March has begun."
Alright, this has been a longtime coming, and I'd like to thank everyone who is still keeping an eye on this story. You may notice that this chapter contains a segment from what was originally chapter two, that is because I've moved a few parts of the story around to help it flow better, so if you're a little lost, I recommend going back to chapter two and read the amended chapter.
Chapter 4
Discord flew to the vibrant land just north of the ever so gloomy swamp, which somehow resisted Discord's magic, and landed on a towering mushroom. He then sprawled out on the giant fungus and admired the colorful hills. As he took it all in, he felt an overwhelming feeling of belonging, almost like deja vu you get from a dream. Although, he kept getting this tickling feeling in his spine, the kind where you know something is wrong. At first he figured it was the swamp that was mocking him, but it wasn't that. The feeling felt strangely familiar, but more hostile. His paranoia got the better of him and Discord took flight once again looking for what was causing him his discomfort.
"Where are you? For that matter, what are you?" pondered Discord as he scanned the area for the source of his discomfort, "It can't be rain, nor could it be whole milk. It's something far more powerful, perhaps it's...," Discord began before he looked down at the trail below and he saw what was irritating him, "Order."
***
Princess Celestia, Twilight and her friends, and about half of the guard for the castle were all gathered in the statue garden behind Canterlot Castle. Twilight and each of their friends all had their saddle bags strapped and packed for their upcoming journey to the mysterious realm of Sheogorath. Celestia, after giving strict orders to the guards to defend this area at all costs, approached Twilight, who at the moment was giving a book about magical portal theory a quick skim. Once she finished glancing over the last few pages, Twilight set down the book and looked to her mentor.
"Are you ready, Twilight?" asked Celestia with a tone that had a hint of urgency to it.
"Yes, princes. Sorry it took so long: the pony who wrote this book, Cave something or other, wasn't really direct or consistent with explaining on how portals worked," explained a mildly irritated Twilight.
"But you can make one, right?"
"Yes, I can make one, but to reach our desired location it'll have to be in the exact same location as the last one was made."
"Alrighty, sounds like we're about to hit the road," heartily Applejack.
"Time to go kick some bad-guy flank!" announced Rainbow Dash with an eager look on her face.
"Oh my gosh, this is going to be so fun. We haven't been on a journey like this since Nightmare Moon, or last week with Discord. I wonder how he's doing, oh, or what that Sheogorath guy is like. You guys said he was a prankster so I wonder if we'll get along. Maybe we should throw him a part...," rambled a hyperactive Pinkie, who despite having Applejack's hoof in her mouth, continued her muffled rant.
"Pinkie, please stop talking." deadpanned Applejack. Applejack then removed her hoof after Pinkie rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Girls, be serious. We need to focus on finding Discord and imprisoning him again. We can't let ourselves get distracted while there," said Twilight.
"Twilight's right, the Isles are unknown to us so we don't know what dangers lurk there other than Discord and Sheogorath. You need to complete your task as quickly as possible and return safely," Added Celestia, "Remember, the fate of Equestria rests in your hooves," she said, as Twilight and her friends bowed in confirmation.
"Alright, let do this," said Twilight with determination in her eyes as she focused on the spot where the portal was formed.
As Twilight's horn began to glow, the area of her focus began to shimmer and pulsate with a light lavender color, and the effect grew more noticeable the brighter her horn glowed. As sparks began to fly from her horn, the space began to collapse inward forming a small hole. As the hole got bigger, what started as a light breeze turned into a strong wind that circulated around the portal. Once the hole was big enough, Twilight let up on her magic just enough to allow her to move while still sustaining the portal.
"Alright, it's ready. Go, now," yelled Twilight over the powerful wind that roared around her. "I'll go last so I can keep it open."
"Good luck, my little ponies, and return home and stay safe," said Princess Celestia with a nod of her head.
"Alright, ladies, let's go. Yeee Haaaw!" cried out Applejack as she galloped into the portal and disappeared from sight.
"Geronimo!" cheered Rainbow as she followed suit.
"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodneEEEEE!" squealed Fluttershy as she hesitantly approached the portal before going through.
"Gracious me, this is going to ruin my mane." whined Rarity as her mane flailed about.
"That looks so fun. Wheeeeeee!" giggled Pinkie as she followed her friends.
"Alright, here goes nothing," grunted Twilight as she slowly approached the portal.
As Twilight got closer to the worm-hole it began to fluctuate. Twilight, knowing the integrity of the portal was deteriorating charged straight for it in an attempt to get through before it closed. As Twilight made one great leap into the made the vortex, it snapped shut leaving the gardens quiet.
***
As the Twilight lied on the ground, she could hear the muffled sound of her friends around her. She opened her eyes and looked around, making sure all her friends were okay. She saw Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, but she couldn't see Rainbow Dash or Applejack.
"Where's Rainbow and Applejack? Where are they?" cried an exceptionally worried Twilight wondering if something with the portal spell went wrong. After sitting up quickly, she immediatly felt a sharp pain in her forehead. She buried her head in the dirt and clutched it with her hooves. "Owwwww! My head, what happened?"
"Twilight, you need to calm down. You've had it pretty rough," said Fluttershy trying to get Twilight to relax.
"Fluttershy's right, deary, you need to rest," agreed Rarity wearing a look of concern.
"Here, have a cupcake. It should make you forget your troubles," said Pinkie while offering a cupcake, but something was wrong with her. Her coat was slightly darker and her hair was straight. This got Twilight even more worried.
"Girls, where are AJ and Rainbow? Are they okay?" she asked, still holding her head and on the verge of tears not only because of the pain but thinking of what could have happened to her friends.
"They're fine, Twilight. They're just scouting the area," reassured Rarity "It's you, however, you should be worried about,"
"Wha-what do you mean?" asked Twilight looking at her friends, who were now exchanging worried looks.
"Um, I don't think we should..." started Fluttershy.
"Tell me, please. What happened?" pleaded Twilight. With a sorrowful bow of the head, Rarity opened her saddlebag and pulled out her mirror and held the mirror in front of Twilight to reveal what was causing her such pain. As Twilight looked back at her reflection, her nerves could take no more and she began to sob uncontrollably at the horrific sight: her horn was broken.
Chapter 5
Applejack wandered through the tall grass and clusters of over-sized fungus trying to find some kind of foliage that could be safely ingested, though was a harder task than she had hoped since the isles were completely foreign to ponies. As Applejack scoured the ground, Rainbow Dash was soaring high above getting a bird's eye view of the world. From what she could tell, there were two distinct areas: the bright and colorful plains they were currently in, and a dark muggy swamp that reminded her a lot of the Everfree Forest. She wasn't completely sure, but she could see what looked like a city in the far east.
"Hey, Applejack," cried Rainbow Dash as she lowered her altitude to find her, "Where are you?"
"I'm right here, Dash. What's up?" asked Applejack as she trotted through the grass to get close to Rainbow.
"I think I see a city over that way," motioned Rainbow, "I'm going to fly over there real quick and get a look-see. Just a heads-up."
"Hold up there, missy!" Applejack yelled as she whipped out her lasso to catch Rainbow by the tail before she sped off.
Rainbow Dash groaned, "What is with you guys and my tail?"
"We need to stick together, remember?" stated Applejack through her teeth while still holding the lasso, "We don't know anything about this place so what would we do if you got hurt while we were separated? Also Twilight is hurt, so to make sure no one else does we need to stay close."
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that," Rainbow Dash said gloomily as she landed, "Applejack?"
"Yeah, Dash?"
"Do you think we'll be able to get back?"
"Of course, sugar cube. Once we trap Discord and deal with that Sheo-what's-his-name character, we'll be on our way back," reassured Applejack.
"But how? Twilight is the only one amongst us who can open the portal, but she can't use her magic."
"Well, we'll find a way. Don't you worry, we always do."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. We need to stay tough, and find Dis..." Rainbow stopped as she looked up in the sky.
"Dash? What is it?" Applejack asked with worry.
"It's him, there he goes!" cried Rainbow, pointing out the flying Draconequus in the sky to Applejack.
"Oh, no. He's heading straight for the others!"
"Oh horse-apples, we've got to get back, fast," said Rainbow as she dived below Applejack and scooped her onto her back.
"Whoa-nelly!" cried Applejack as the two flew back toward their friends.
***
"Oh no, no, no, no, no! This is terrible!" cried Twilight as her friends sat next to her trying to comfort her, "How can I perform magic now? How are supposed to get back? Oh, this is the worst possible thing ever! How did this happen?"
"My guess is the portal became unstable when you entered it, because as you were exiting the portal it threw you out alarmingly fast and you hit that rock over there, horn first," explained Rarity, "But it'll be okay, deary. We have the other part in my saddle bag right here," Rarity said as she patted her saddle bag, "Fluttershy can have it reattached once Rainbow and Applejack return."
"Yes, I'm exceptionally good at first-aid, you know, because I've had practice on my critter friends," Fluttershy meekly assured Twilight, "I could have put it in a cast while you were asleep but Rarity said I shouldn't, I don't remember why though."
"Because reattaching a horn while a unicorn is unconscious is dangerous, Fluttershy. The unicorn needs to be aware so they can suppress their magic so they don't accidentally harm somepony," explained Rarity, "I know this because my father had the same thing happen to him several years back."
"But why do we need to wait for..."
"Because the process can be very painful and the unicorn in question needs to be held still. Applejack and Rainbow Dash are the strongest amongst us so they'll be the ones to hold me still while you reattach my horn," Twilight explained, wiping away the tears in her eyes, "And you're sure you can fix it, Fluttershy?"
"Oh, most certainly. I packed all kinds of first-aid gear, just to be safe."
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Twilight cried in joy as she embraced her friends.
"It's nothing, Twilight," stated Rarity, "What are friends for?"
Then, in the midst of Twilight's rejoice, Pinkie Pie bounded into the camp with panic in her eyes.
"Girls, we've got a super-dooper bad situation!" whispered Pinkie as she looked back behind her.
"What is it, Pinkie?" asked Rarity, freeing herself from Twilight's grip.
"I was looking around the camp, trying to see if Applejack and Dashie were on their way back, and I saw two of these tall diamond-like guys walking around. I went up to greet them, like I do with everypony I meet," Pinkie explained, digging a hole at the base of one one of the nearby giant mushrooms, "But when I did they then pulled out swords and swung them at me. I ran away as fast as I could and lost them, but I think they're still looking for me."
Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy gasped as they heard Pinkie's tale. They then began aiding her in digging a hole to hide in. All except Rarity who decided to watch for the diamond men so she could warn her friends in case they wandered their way, also so she wouldn't get her hooves dirty. As Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie continued working on the hole, Rarity spotted the monsters Pinkie described: they were tall and bulky men that looked like they were wearing armor that was cut from a colorless crystal. As they walked toward their general direction, Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity squeezed into the shelter and covered its entrance with some nearby foliage. As the sound of the monsters foot steps got closer, Twilight noticed they failed to hide their saddle bags. Twilight quietly told Rarity advising her to move them with her telekinesis spell. As Rarity lifted the bags with her magic and moved them into a nearby bush, she immediately stopped when the monsters stomped their way into the clearing.
Fluttershy let out a quiet "eep" and trembled in fear as she saw the two pale-armored knights. They examined the clearing and found the saddle bags just a few inches away from the bush Rarity tried to hide them in. They riffled through the bags, taking out every item and examining each one, only to discard them on the ground. It was only when they found Twilight's horn in Rarity's bag did they take seem interested. They examined the horn closely, speaking in metallic sounding growls to each other, but they stopped as a shadow fell over them, drawing their attention to it's source.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" chortled Discord as he floated above the knights who were now drawing their swords, "I must say I was expecting Celestia's pet and her annoying friends, but you guys are much more boring. I mean come on: you're one dull color and your armor is all straight and rigid."
The knight growled loudly at Discord as it fired bolts of lightning at him. As Discord weaved through the air, dodging the attack effortlessly, the other knight joined in with bolts even larger than the first knight's for he focused it through Twilight's horn. This took Discord by surprise, grazing his wing causing Discord to yowl in pain.
"That hurt!" yelled Discord as he summoned a pie in his hand and threw it into his attacker's face, causing him to accidentally hit the other knight with a lightning bolt, killing him. As the cream covered knight tried to clean his face off, Discord levitated a boulder atop him and crushing him with it, leaving Twilight's horn discarded on the ground, "Oops, that was a little much," Discord noted, seeing that he had actually killed someone, "Oh well, that's what you get for trying to kill the Mad God's son... wait, what is that?"
Discord strode over to where the knight stood and picked up the lavender horn, looking at it with a sinister grin then breaking into a hysterical laugh. "So, Twilight Sparkle, Celestia's private pupil has lost her horn, and consequently her magic. Oh happy day! Now there's nothing stopping me from hypnotizing her friends again when I find them."
"Got'cha you beady-eyed varmint!" cried Applejack as she rode Rainbow Dash toward him, lasso in hoof. As she caught the malevolent spirit in her lasso, Discord snapped his fingers turning Applejack's rope into a gummy worm and ate through the binds, "Ah horse-apples."
"Nice try, Applejack, but you're going to have to do better," Discord belittled as he snapped his fingers again making Rainbow Dash's wings disappear.
"Whoa, not agaaaaaaaaain!" cried Rainbow as she and Applejack fell from the sky sending them crashing into a nearby bush and rendering them unconscious.
"Rainbow! Applejack! Nooooooo!" Twilight cried.
Chapter 6
"Rainbow! Applejack! Nooooo!" Twilight cried, bursting from where Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity and herself were hiding. As Discord turned his attention to her, she realized how grave a mistake she had just made. She had revealed where she and her friends were hidden, not only that, but to Discord who had just killed another being. As a wicked grin crept across the murderous spirit's face, Twilight felt that this may be the end.
"Ah, Twilight Sparkle, just the unicorn I wanted to see. I do believe I found something of yours. Tell me: does this belong to you?" he asked mockingly as he held the lavender horn in the air with his paw.
As Twilight stared at Discord, her eyes watery and mouth agape, Pinkie and Rarity bounded out the hole to Twilight's side as Fluttershy slowly lifted herself up and peered out from behind her friends.
"Give that to her now, you brute!" Rarity demanded, striking the same fighting pose she had just the week before with Applejack while under Discord's influence.
"Yeah, or else I'll use this!" Pinkie threatened, pulling out her signature Party Cannon seemingly from nowhere.
"Not now, girls, Twilight and I are talking," he said mildly irritated as he snapped his fingers, teleporting Twilight just in front of him. As Discord towered above her, horn in hand, only a squeak escaped her lips, "What was that? I couldn't hear you. You have to speak up," he said, turning his ear to her and cupping it with his talon.
"Yes," she said in a voice meek enough to rival Fluttershy's.
"I thought so. Do you want your horn back, teacher's pet?" Discord asked with condescension. Twilight simply nodded, which made his smile even wider and more disturbing, "And I suppose you'll also want your friends too." Twilight's eyes shifted to Rainbow Dash and Applejack - the both of them still unconscious - then looking back to Discord, nodding again, "And that is what I have a problem with. You see, if I let you have both your fool-hardy friends and your horn, I'll surely be defeated again. However, if I refuse to give you either then I won't get to enjoy seeing you squirm as long as I'd like."
"That's it! Taste my hooficure you vile beast!" Rarity cried as she leaped in to the air to kick Discord only to be caught in a taffy net that he had spawned with a snap of his claws, "Ew! This is will take hours to get out of my mane."
"Rarity!" gasped Pinkie Pie as the fashionista struggled with the sugary bonds while Discord laughed madly, "You've done it now, you big meany! Eat baked bads!" Pinkie Pie roared, firing a giant moldy muffin from her cannon at the giggling chimera. As the enormous ball of moldy crumbs flew through the air, Discord caught it mid flight and threw it into the party pony's mouth, resulting in Pinkie Pie becoming suddenly and violently ill upon its ingestion. Discord then focused his attention to the quivering Fluttershy, a smirk on his face and his bushy brow raised in contempt for the yellow pegasus who merely continued to cower in the hole. Satisfied that everyone else was finished he looked back to Twilight.
"Now that your friends are done entertaining me, here's my proposal: Two precious treasures I have of yours, your unicorn horn and a couple of bores," waving the horn in one hand and gesturing toward Rainbow Dash and Applejack with the other, "You must choose which one you value most, and you will have it while exploring these coasts," Discord spoke in rhyme, waving his eagle claw across the horizon, then looking to Twilight with a malicious twinkle in his gaze "The one you decide to discard however, will be lost unless you conquer the Xedilian's endeavor."
Twilight felt as if Discord had punched her square in the muzzle, for he was forcing her to choose between two of her friends or her horn. Twilight knew that the obvious choice should be her friends, something was off. She knew the right choice but there was a familiar darkness creeping across her mind telling her to choose her horn over her friends. The conflicting thoughts fought for supremacy in her head, but the longer she weighed the options the more difficult it became to choose. She stood there for a few minutes, trying to make sense of what was happening and what she should do, until Discord let out a sigh of annoyance.
"Okay, this is taking too long," the bored spirit groaned, "To speed this up you must now choose within the next thirty seconds or else your precious friends and horn will become very well acquainted with Tom's cousin, Bob," he threatened, tossing her torn over to Rainbow Dash and Applejack then levitating the boulder over them, then summoning a giant stop watch behind him. With a snap of his fingers the hand starting on thirty quickly worked its way to twenty-nine, then twenty-eight, twenty-seven. The pressure was truly on now. If she didn't make a choice soon, she'd lose both of her dear friends and her horn.
"Our friends Twilight, you must choose your friends," Rarity grunted through her teeth as she tried to chew her way out of her bindings. Twenty-three.
"But what about your horn, Twilight? The source of all your powers. The one thing that makes you special," asked the dubious spirit, the shadows gaining dominance in her mind. Fourteen.
"Don't listen to him! He's just a big, dumb, mean *belch*!" Pinkie pleaded before ducking her head into the bush again to throw up. Ten.
"And what of your studies, Twilight? What would Princess Celestia think if you lost your horn?" Discord asked her, his dark influence eclipsing every thought in Twilight's mind. As Twilight was about to give her answer to the maniacal monster, she took one quick glance to Rainbow Dash and Applejack just as the cyan pegasus's eyes opened looking back at her friend, igniting a spark.
One.
"My friends!" Twilight cried out as the hand struck zero, the corrupt shadows burning away, and Discord scowling. As Rarity and Fluttershy cheered and Pinkie giving a weak "whoop", Twilight gave Discord a smug smile, locking eyes with him, "Nice try, Discord. I fell for you tricks once, but I won't fall for them again," she proudly proclaimed, stomping her hoof down in front of him.
Discord stared at Twilight with extreme loathing for she had resisted his corrupting influence, again. However, rather than lash out over the fact his clever plan had failed, he simply let out a sigh, figuring it to be expected. His mouth then curled upward on his face turning into a most sinister smirk, "Fine, you can keep your friends, but I'll tell you this: You will not survive. Even if you were to have both your horn and your friends, this island is far more dangerous than anything you or your little friends have ever encountered in Equestria," he said levitating his hostages out from under the boulder to Twilight and her horn to his hand, "This place will tear you all apart and when it does, I'll be there, laughing. So I hope you enjoyed your little victory, because it'll most certainly be your last. Arrivederci!" Discord snapped his fingers and vanished from sight, the giant rock falling as his aura dissipated.
After getting Rarity out of her sticky snare, Twilight and Fluttershy quickly huddled around Applejack and Rainbow Dash while Rarity trotted over to see if Pinkie was doing any better. As Twilight helped Fluttershy drag the orange and cyan ponies to shelter, Twilight felt no remorse whatsoever that she didn't choose her horn. She new that her friendship was far more important; also, she knew where she would have to go to get her horn back: Xedilian.
Chapter 7
"Alright, so according to your report we've got knights showing up in Valenwood and Overlook Road. Were your soldiers able to slay them, Aurmazl Zudeh?" asked Sheogorath, stoking his beard in worry.
"They have been able to stamp out all of the Knights of Order they saw, located the crystal they came from and managed to disable it," answered Zudeh, taking note of Sheogorath's more serious state, "Although..."
"Although?"
"We're not sure if any other crystals have been activated and if so how many. It'll take us days to comb Mania and find all the crystals," she quickly explained hoping that the news hasn't upset her lord.
"Then get your soldiers on it fast. We can't have those bastards marching across my land during our people's celebration of the return of my son now can we?" he commanded sternly, "Speaking of..."
"I'm sorry, my lord, but there have been no reports of he daedra which you described."
"I see."
"Don't worry, lord Sheogorath, I will be sure to have my soldiers keep an eye out for Discord as well and have him returned to you as soon as possible," she assured the mad god, quickly exiting the hall.
Sheogorath sat upon his throne worrying for not only the safety of his land but for his chaotic offspring, Discord, who was nowhere to be seen. He knew Discord was adept at magic and was far more powerful than any knight but he was created to be a prankster to toy with people, well, ponies in Discord's case. If Discord was too careless he could end up a casualty of the Grey March. Speaking of which, he knew the Grey March was close at hand but he didn't know that it was happening right now. He had hoped for a few years at most to ready Discord for what was now on his door step. Sheogorath sat there for a good long time thinking to himself until his mind registered that Haskill was talking to him.
"Eh, what?"
"I said should we alert Autkendo Jansa of the knight's return so that she may be more prepared when they start appearing in Dementia?" asked Haskill, wiping a few beads of sweat off his brow.
"Yes, do that, and make sure they get Xedillian running too. I don't want any outsiders to jeopardize our efforts to repel these scum," commanded Sheogorath.
"Ah, just what I wanted to talk about," Discord's voice rang-out from the end hall as he approached Sheogorath and Haskill.
"Oh, thank goodness you're okay, my boy. I was a little worried you might have run into some trouble out there," Sheogorath laughed as he hopped from his seat, glad that he was still alive.
"Well, that's the thing," Discord said, a hint of irritation in his voice, "There was a small... problem while I was out enjoying myself."
"What happened? Were you attacked," he asked, his expression changing from joy to worry then to anger.
"If you call what those silver armored things did 'attacking'. They were barely a challenge for me, all they managed to do was graze my wing," he scoffed, turning his serpent-like body to show Sheogorath the small burn on his wing, causing him to start grind his teeth in rage.
"Silver armored things, you mean like adventurers?" Haskil asked his curiosity peaked.
"I don't know. They looked like someone took a piece of crystal and made it into armor and they could only growl at me while they shot lighting to try and bring me down," he said, rolling his eyes at how inept the creatures that attacked him seemed to be, "They went down so easily too. All I had to do was chuck a pie at one which caused him to kill the other and I then dropped a boulder on the remaining idiot."
"I see," Sheogorath replied, stroking his beard in worry as his eyes burning with rage knowing what Discord had described were the Knights of Order, "That settles it; Discord, I must forbid you from leaving the castle during this crisis."
"What?!" Discord cried in outrage, infuriated by the idea of being held against his own will again, "But I just got free, I refuse to held here!"
"I'm sorry, my boy, but I can't risk you getting yourself killed by the Knights of Order. You are too important to me," he stated, firmly planting his foot on the ground and meeting his son's eyes with a stern gaze.
"But I need to get Xedilian ready!"
"How do you know about Xedilian, and why do you need it?" Sheogorath asked, remembering he wanted to talk about it earlier but was distracted by Discord's tale of his encounter with the knights.
"You told me about it while we were going through the worm-hole to get here. You said you'd give me a tour of the facility once I got settled in."
"That's right, I did tell you about Xedilian," Shegorath recalled, "Unfortunately the situation has changed and it is too dangerous to take you there. The facility is in disrepair and who knows what's residing inside. The knights could already be there for all we know."
"But..."
Sheogorath brought the end of his staff onto Discord's reptilian toes, silencing him before he could argue further. As the draconequus yelped and held his now scarlet foot, Sheogorath resumed his stern pose "I already told you, I can't let you go to Xedilian or anywhere else. Until it is confirmed safe, you are not permitted to leave."
"Oh yeah, try and stop me!" Discord shouted as he took flight toward the door. Before he could open the door, Sheogorath casted a spell on Discord as he was flying through the the threshold. As the draconequus laughed maniacally as he flew, he was brought to a complete stop as he collided with a pillar. As he rubbed the bruise on his head, wondering where the stone column came from, he noticed he was still inside and that he was lying in the ground in front of his father and his dull chamberlain. "What the..."
"Sorry to do this to you, boy, but I can't let you leave. If you try go through any of the doors that lead out of the courts of Madness, Mania, or Dementia you'll simply come out the nearest door leading back in," explained Sheogorath, his face showing the frustration he was feeling with trying to keep Discord inside and safe, "Again, until I hear that Xedilian and Dementia are safe enough to travel through you will not leave."
Discord growled to himself, loathing Sheogorath for trapping him against his will. He got to his feet and sauntered out of the room, containing his frustration and rage until he was out of the room. As he entered the Court of Dementia, he closed the door and raised his hand and snapped his fingers. He preceded to walk down the hall, smiling with content as the loud 'splat' sound of a million coconut cream pies hitting the floor came from the Court of Madness.
"I'll get out, just wait and see," he growled as the opened the next door he came to and walked through, adamant to escape this new prison and deal with Twilight and her friends.
Chapter 8
Pinkie Pie lied on the ground in agony, her stomach growling angrily at her for having consumed that horrid confection. She should had figured Discord would have turned her attack right back at her, but seeing Discord hurting her friends just set her off. Which reminded her she didn't have too much room to complain: Twilight had her horn broken, Rainbow and Applejack were nearly crushed by a giant boulder, and Rarity had taffy stuck in stuck in her mane - which having first-hoof experience with such an issue knows that takes forever to get out.
Pinkie pushed herself up using her fore-hooves and looked over the bush she had buried her head in. Twilight and Rarity were bandaging up Rainbow Dash and Applejack's injuries from the fall - they were nothing serious but did need to be covered and treated to avoid infection - as Fluttershy trotted over to her with a medicine bottle.
"Okay, Pinkie, just take two of these and they should help soothe your stomach so you don't keep throwing up," Fluttershy informed Pinkie, setting the bottle in front of her before backing up a few feet, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Oh, don't be sad, Fluttershy. I know things aren't going well with Rainbow Dash and Applejack getting hurt and Twilight losing her horn," Pinkie began using the cheeriest voice she could muster, "but once she gets her horn back, seal Discord away again and we get back home I'm going to throw us the biggest party in Equestria since the Grand Galloping Gala, only fun and not boring. So there's no need for those tears."
"What? Oh, sorry, I'm not tearing up because I'm sad," Fluttershy corrected, confusing Pinkie Pie, "It's just that your, um, sick is rather nasty smelling and it's bothering my eyes."
As Fluttershy pointed out the tragic stench coming from the bush next to her, Pinkie too noticed the smell which caused her stomach to lurch in response. Pinkie then threw her head back into the bush, letting out another sickening belch and coughs of disgust. After giving Pinkie Pie a comforting pat on the back and giving her some time, Fluttershy trotted over to Twilight and Rarity as they were finishing up mending their wounds.
"Ah, Fluttershy dear, how's Pinkie Pie doing? Is she getting...," Rarity began before interrupted by another belch from Pinkies bush, thoroughly answering her question.
"Yeah, though I gave her the antacids I brought so she should be better in a bit. What about you guys, are you two any better?"
"Well I applied the antiseptic to Rainbow's scrapes and just finished bandaging them up," Twilight said proudly, motioning to Rainbow Dash's bulky, inexpertly applied bandages. Rainbow look fairly irritated having difficulty flapping her right wind and bending her left fore-hoof, "I think I did a pretty good job considering I didn't have my magic to help me."
"Yeah, a real great job, Twilight. Hey, no offense but next time I think I'll take my chances and let Rarity dress my wounds," she snarkily remarked, looking over to Applejack. Applejack wasn't better: while her wounds were better dressed she was decorated head to hoof in various accessories such as hair pins and bows, much to her discontent.
"I, ain't, happy."
"Oh, come now, Applejack, not only are you on the mend but you now look absolutely fabulous," Rarity teased as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash sniggered at Applejack's sour disposition.
"Whew, okay, I'm feeling better. How're you girls doing over here...?" Pinkie Pie asked as she trotted, pausing before bursting out laughing at Rainbow Dash and Applejack sorry state.
"Anyway, now that we're all patched up I think it's high time we started looking for Discord. We came to seal him up again and that's what we're going to do," Twilight said, trotting over to her saddle bags over by a tree and throwing them on, "Are we ready?"
"Twi, I hate to be a stick in the mud but where in, whatever this place is, are we gonna start? He could be anywhere and we don't know a thing about this place?" Applejack interjected, prompting the rest to pause for a moment and consider what she had brought up.
"You're right, Applejack: we don't know anything about this place. We don't know how big it is, what all the hazards are or where we are at all, but I'm pretty sure I know where Discord is," Twilight began to answer, pacing back and forth, "Before he left, Discord mentioned some place called "Xedilian". I'm willing to bet my horn that's where he's at."
"But how do we know that it isn't a trap?" Rainbow Dash asked, attempting to take to the air only to be foiled by her bandages, "What if he isn't there?" she theorized with a groan.
"You raise a good point Rainbow: It is likely to be a trap, but that's why he's going to be there," Twilight stated, "Discord enjoys other people's misery and he wouldn't want to miss out on watching us suffer as we play his game."
"It's true! When we were in the maze and we got separated, he made this awesome balloon garden to lure me in because he knows I love balloons, especially the ones with the smiley face, but anyway he then started taunting me and it made me sad and he started laughing at me and then heumf!" Pinkie rambled before Applejack stuck her hoof in her mouth again to get her to stop.
"So you basically agree with Twilight's theory?" Applejack asked, removing her hoof from Pinkie mouth after she nodded in confirmation, wiping her slobber off onto the grass.
"So we all agreed?" Twilight asked, the others confirming by either nodding or by saying so, "Then it's settled: We're off to Xedilian!" Twilight declared with an outstretched hoof pointing to bright horizon. After getting their stuff packed up into their saddle bags and onto their backs, they set off into the wilds of Mania, ready for the terrors that awaited them.
Chapter Meta
Warning: This chapter completely, and utterly breaks the rule about going Meta on FimFiction.
You have been warned.
Discord lay across the floor in the Court of Dementia, tapping his eagle claws against ground, the sound ringing through the dark and practically lifeless room. He let out a long sigh which turned to a frustrated growl as he arched his serpent-like body, his back and neck letting out a series of pops.
"Alright, when in Tartarus is this story going to get rolling again?" Discord asked no one in particular. Discord looked to the door leading outside. Remembering that Sheogorath had placed a spell on him that kept him from leaving, he abandoned the idea of opening it and trying to leave, but Discord's boredom overcame him and he went over anyway, "Might as well try seeing as nothing's happening fast."
As Discord opened the door and walked through it, he noticed he wasn't back in Dementia. In fact, it looked like he wasn't anywhere. Just an empty black void, it's lack of anything sending Discord's thoughts spiraling.
"Wha... I... I don't, wha?" he mumbled to himself before he noticed something off to his left.
Off in the distance Discord saw a cheap card table with a desk lamp and a deck of cards resting on it. On either side of it was Sheogorath and Pinkie Pie, both holding five playing cards in their hands and staring at each other intensely.
"Alright, I'll wager 5 gold," Sheogorath finally said after several minutes of silence, pushing a small stack of coins to the table's center.
"Okie dokie, I'll see your 5 and raise you 500 bits," Pinkie follows pulling out a satchel filled with coins, hoisting it up onto the table, the legs buckling beneath it.
"I fold," Sheogorath proclaims throwing his cards on the table.
"Ha! Gotcha, silly," Pinkie Pie responds as she throws down her cards and pulls all the gold toward her.
"Wait a minute, these were all you had?" Sheogorath asks in disbelief, "A 2, an 8, a get out of jail free card and two land cards from Magic the Gathering? By my beard, how do you keep doing this?"
"What's going on?" Discord finally interjects drawing Pinkie and Sheogorath's attention.
"We're playing poker, I think, and somehow she keeps winning," whines Sheogorath.
"You're just upset because you lost again," Pinkie retorts.
"No, I mean 'What's going on?', you know, with the story?"
"Oh, you didn't get the memo? We got cancelled," says Sheogorath as he points upward. As Discord looks up he sees giant red lettering reading "CANCELLED".
"WHAT!?" Discord screams at the top of his lungs.
"Yup, my guess is the writer got bored and decided to just end the story. And that's how we ended up here, in Fan-Fiction Purgatory."
"But, but, what about the Grey March, and my plans for Twilight and her horn, and the Prom?" Discord asks as he paces back and forth, coming his fingers through his hair in worry and disbelief.
"Guess we'll never know, sit down and play a few hands. It'll be nice to have a new player," Sheogorath offers, pulling a chair out of nowhere and pushing it toward Discord.
"No, I can't abide by this. This will not do. We will not be another Firefly," Discords proclaims as he marches away before snapping his fingers and creating a rift in space, walking through it. As his tail finally goes through, the rift snaps shut, leaving the Mad God and the pink party pony alone again.
"Huh, I wonder what he's up to," Pinkie wonders before dealing out another hand to Sheogorath, continuing their games.
Chapter 9: To Xedillian!... right?
Chapter 9
To Xedillian!... right?
Night crept over the trees and giant fungi of the Shivering Isles, the sun casting the last of day's golden rays as it sunk beneath the horizon of the mystical island while Twilight and her friends marched through the colorful forest. Twilight, with a determined stare, marched ahead with Rainbow Dash trotted by her side as the rest followed behind.
"And you're sure it was in this direction?" Twilight asked, not bothering to cast a glance toward Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah, absolutely sure, a city toward the east just past this forest and a few hills," Rainbow confirmed, trotting beside Twilight since her wing was still bandaged up. It was mildly irritating since she couldn't fly, but it was better than it was earlier since she had Fluttershy redress it for her. She wasn't taking any chances having Rarity wrap her wounds like she did with Applejack. "It's really the only thing I could see of note before we saw Discord heading for you."
"Good, then we're on the right track."
"Ah hate ta' be that filly, Twi," Applejack began, pulling the last of Rarity's bows from her bandages. "But are you sure that there city is Xedillian?"
"Nope."
Applejack, Rainbow Dash and everyone else just gave Twilight a look as if they didn't hear her right. They all looked amongst each-other with confused glances before looking right back at Twilight.
"Uh, beg-yer-pardon?"
"No, I have no idea if the city in the distance is Xedillian," Twilight answered bluntly, producing the same reaction from her friends again.
"Then why in Celestia's name are we going there if you don't think that it's Xedillian? Why are we wasting our time going somewhere that isn't where we're supposed to go?" Rainbow Dash asked with an incredulous tone.
"One: I didn't say it wasn't Xedillian, I said I wasn't sure if it was or wasn't," Twilight explained, stopping to face Rainbow and everyone else. "Two: Since it's a city, what do you think it'll have?"
"Um... a restaurant?" Rainbow pondered.
"An Inn?" Rarity followed. "It'd certainly be better than roughing it out in the wilderness."
"A store?" Applejack inquired, going along with everyone else.
"Ooo! Oooo! Ooooo! A parade or a big Par-Tay with cake and streamers and cheese?" Pinkie enthusiastically added whilst doing a jig.
"People?" Fluttershy added quietly as the rest watched Pinkie's antics.
"Bingo," Twilight confirmed. "Cities have people, and it is very likely if that city doesn't happen to be Xedillian, then somepony there will know what or where it is, which will save us a lot of time finding it ourselves."
The others let out a collective "ah", understanding Twilight's plan, however, Pinkie looked not quite as sure as everyone else. "Wait a minute, girls, what if that city is full of "those" things."
"What things, darling?" Rarity asked, Pinkie's sudden twist from cheer to worry also worrying her.
"You know, the big, white, growling guys with the swords that tried to kill me?!" Pinkie exploded, bouncing into the middle of the group. "What if we get there and the city is full of those meanies and they surround us and they *GRACK* us!?" she theorized as she drew a line across her neck, flopped on to her back with a daisy held to her chest. With Pinkie's grim display, the group all became worried, especially Fluttershy who dashed behind a tree to hide.
"Ah think she raises a fair point, Twi. From what you told me and Rainbow, those fellers didn't seem too keen on makin' friends, at least not in anyway tha' makes sense ta me." Applejack agreed.
"But it's the only lead we've got. What other choice do we have?" Twilight stated, her face wrought with worry and despair. "Where else could my horn be?"
"I'm sorry to say, darling, but I must agree with Applejack and Pinkie Pie," Rarity chimed in. "The risk is far too great for us to consider even going there."
"What if Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy fly above and check out the town, see if it's safe?" Twilight desperately pleaded. "Surely that would work."
"As much as I'd be on board with that plan, Twilight, I can't because my wing is still messed up," she pointed out, giving her wing a flex, eliciting a wince from the pain. "And without me up there with her, Fluttershy wouldn't even be able to lift off."
"Speakin' of, where is she?"
"The poor dear ran into the bushes after Pinkie Pie's ghastly performance," Rarity answered, casting a glance at Pinkie who gave a nervous shrug.
"Sorry, I'll go get her," Pinkie volunteered as she trotted over to the tree where Fluttershy had hid. "Come on out Fluttershy. I'm sorry I scared you. Don't worry, it's only a thought... Fluttershy?" Pinkie continued to search for Fluttershy where she thought she had fled. "Fluttershy, come on out. Now I'm getting scared. Fluttershy, Fluttershy, FLUTTERSHY!!!"
As Pinkie continued to fruitlessly search for her timid friend, the rest became incredibly worried and rushed over to look for her too. They called out to her and searched every shrub, mushroom and rock in the area but turned up nothing.
"Oh dear, where ever could she have gone?" Rarity worried, probing bushes with a stick to find her lost friend.
"She wouldn't go far, the only thing she'd be more frightened of than bein' in this here place would be bein' here alone," Applejack stated, turning over various rocks and shrubs.
"Then what could have happened to her?" Rainbow Dash asked as she tried to climb up a tree with her hooves. "Oh, poor Flutters, where are you?"
"Girls, I think I know where she went," Twilight called out. They all galloped over to Twilight, standing next to a series of tracks and drag marks in the dirt. "I think... I think something took her
"Oh dear! How did this happen. This really is the, Worst, Possible, THING!" Rarity cried out, after which she began to hyperventilate. Pinkie quickly dashed over to her side and tried to calm her down.
"Well what're we waitin' for? Lets follow these tracks and find 'er! Ain't nothin' takin' mah friends and gettin' away with it!" Applejack snorted as she galloped off after the tracks.
"Right behind you, AJ!" Rainbow Dash, cried as she follow suit.
"Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Stop!" Twilight cried after them, however before she could give chase she felt something slam into the back of her head. As she toppled to the ground, she could see the same had befallen Pinkie and Rarity, with three frog-like creatures standing next to them, all before she lost consciousness.
"Come on Rainbow, keep up! Ah know yer wings ain't workin' right but those legs should be fine!" Applejack called back, still following the track that Fluttershy and her captures.
"Hey, I'm keeping up just fine!" Rainbow Dash called back with indignation. "Just keep following those tracks, we've got to find Fluttershy! We need her!"
"Ah am, it's just getting hard. I need more light!" Applejack said, squinting her eyes trying to follow the tracks.
"Hold on, let's have Rarity shine some li...," Rainbow Dash stopped as she looked back she noticed that Rarity, nor anyone else was following them. "AJ, hold it!"
"What? What is it?"
"Where is everyone? they should be behind us."
"Ah horse-feathers, we must've been goin' too fast fer 'em and they lost us. We have to go back," Applejack stomped as she retraced her steps.
"Wait! What about Fluttershy? What if we lose her?"
"Ah know but what if we lose Twi and the others too? Look, we can't get too separated. We need to go back and get to the others first and make sure we stick together. Maybe Twilight and Rarity can put together a spell to find Fluttershy and we'll be able to find her, lickity-split," Applejack stated, giving Rainbow the straightest face she could to mask her mounting worry and fear.
"Yeah, but...," Rainbow began, her eyes tearing up. "What if we don't find Fluttershy in time?"
Applejack couldn't hold her poise together anymore, seeing someone as tough as Rainbow start to break down like that. "Look, sugar cube, ah know you and Fluttershy have been friends longer than any of us have, but right now our other friends need us too. We need to stick together and hold it together, for them, for Fluttershy and for us. Got it?"
"Yeah... *sniff*, I got it," Rainbow looked to Applejack and then back to where they came. "Come on, lets find the others before night time comes," Rainbow said, but as she turned to look at Applejack she saw something behind her ready to strike. "AJ! Look out!" She cried too late as the creature brought its weapon down upon the farm pony's head, knocking her out cold.
As Rainbow Dash was about to jump and pummel the the creature that had clocked her friend, she too felt something bash against the back of her skull, everything going black.
Twilight began to regain consciousness, her head feeling like it did when Derpy dropped all of that furniture on her while she was spying in Pinkie. As she opened her eyes, the world coming into focus again, she saw that she laying upon the ground in a dimly lit room.
"Wha? What... what happened, where...," Twilight murmured as she tried to remember what happened before she awoke. She quickly regained focus as she looked around and saw all her friends, including Fluttershy, where all asleep around her. As relief began to rise in her chest, a feeling of dread began to smother it. Once she finally regained all of her sense, she realized she and all of her friends where locked away in cages. Not only that but where she was now was completely different from where she was before.
Panic began to over take over as she looked frantically around the room. She saw a table with various items upon it, some looking to be knives and other nefarious objects that could bring about great pain. She was now hyperventilating, she retreated to the back corner of her cage and curled up, silently muttering to herself, her rambling turning to sobs.