The Return

Chapters

The Return
The Backup Plan
Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy
Starlight, Rainbow Dash and Trixie
Discord and Sombra
Discords Impromptu Speech
Battlefield
The Walk
A miracle
Desperation
the alicorns
sad ending
happy ending

The Return

A lot has changed since Twilight started ruling, Celestia and Luna were enjoying retirement, Discord has mended his relationships and started to help out a lot more, Rarity was expanding into Yakyakistan, Applejack started running the farm, Rainbow Dash moved up to being the leader of the wonder bolt team, Pinkie Pie started her own party planning company with Cheese Sandwich, and Fluttershy headed her own team for the sanctuary that had grown triple in size. One thing that hadn't changed was a statue, a statue composed of Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek that still sat in a garden outside the throne room in Canterlot. The mindsets inside that statue did not change either for they were forming a plan and a nasty one.

"You think this will really work?" Chrysalis said doubt ringing in her voice. The plan had to be perfect and in her opinion, they were taking to many chances.

"Yes, we will combine our magic to get rid of the princesses! Only we will know the cure, they will bow to us this time." Tyrek said with confidence.

"I agree with Tyrek plus we will have to take some chances." Cozy glow said pointing out the obvious.

“Fine then I guess it is time,” Chrysalis said though she still had doubts about this whole thing, something felt like it wouldn't work.

They used the magic they had been storing from arguments in the garden, planning to get out the same way Discord once did. A crack could be seen alongside Chrysalis’ face and a light glowed brightly. They were free! It was time to attack; they quickly stormed their way past the castle and past the giant window behind the throne room. They ran away, which was unlike them but it was part of a well-formed plan. They took to higher ground and hid behind some trees. Now they waited it out, some creature would have noticed them running away. The heroes would come to them, just as they planned.

A few citizens and an Alicorn were startled to see three villains run past them. Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek. Though the alicorn was startled she was not surprised she knew it was bound to happen. She turned toward her citizens, “no worries I have planned for this, go home.” She said as she watched her citizens run away she went inside her castle. “SPIKE!” She yelled.

“Yes, Twilight.” He answered in a deep gruff voice.

“I need you to send a letter to all the alicorn princesses, Cadence, Celestia, and Luna. Tell them that Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek have escaped their prison. Tell them to come immediately."

“Of course!” Spike said as he wrote up the letters and sent them off in the fire.

“Thank you spike."

Silver sholes

Celestia looked down at the letter she had just received, she read it. Then she reread it because she had to be wrong but there it was, plain as the day herself. “Luna!” She yelled across the room.

“Thow does not need to yell. I am right here.” Luna said covering her ears with her hooves.

Celestia gave her sister a worried look, “it’s Chrysalis, Cozy Glow and Tirek. They have escaped their stone prison. We must go to Twilight at once."

Lunas’ stomach dropped, “Of course, let us leave immediately.” They teleported straight to Twilight.

Crystal Empire

Cadence looked over to her loving husband, “its Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek, sweetheart they have returned.”

Shining Armor looked at the letter worrying, “we can’t just leave, what about the empire?”

Cadence felt butterflies in her stomach, Flurry Heart was about the same age as when Twilight left Canterlot. Maybe it was time to give her real responsibilities, just like Twilight had gotten. Of course, Flurry Heart had been on plenty of adventures on her own, but this was bigger and more dangerous. They couldn’t just take her with them, “we’ll leave Flurry Heart in charge, it will be a good test for her.”

Shining Armor was shocked but he agreed, “I guess you are right.” He said as he exited the throne room “FLURRY HEART!” He yelled knowing it would get her attention, he usually never yelled like that.

Flurry Heart came rushing to her father, she couldn't imagine what could be wrong. It sounded like there was a panic in his voice and that worried her. She looked up at her father who led her into the throne room, one look at her mother and she knew something was wrong. Very wrong.

“Flurry Heart, unfortunately, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek have escaped. Your father and I need to go help with the battle. We need you to stay here and watch the kingdom.”

“WHAT? But I’m an alicorn too. I can help.” Flurry Heart said with frustration, she was a big mare now.

Cadence breathed a slow breath and used a line Twilight once used on her, “If we fail Flurry you will be our last hope. We need you to be our safety blanket. Can you do that?”

Flurry’s stomach dropped as she felt the weight of the situation grow, “ok, but you won’t fail! So please don’t talk like that.”

Cadence and Shining armor looked at one another and smiled, “sorry.” They said in unison.

Cadence said, “we know you’ll take good care of the kingdom. Don’t Sombra it up.” She giggled trying to lift some tension.

“How do you knnnoooowwwww. I could have slaves” Flurry Heart giggled.

Cadence scoffed at the very idea,” Flurry Heart you are one of the kindest children around, I very much doubt that. We’ll be home soon, hopefully.” She said as she teleported her and her husband to Twilight.

Flurry Heart frowned and sat upon the crystal throne, it was her first time ruling without her mother. “Don’t Sombra it up.” She said to herself, now very worried she actually would. But her parents had confidence in her, so she could do this….right?

Canterlot

Cadence, Shining Armor, Celestia, and Luna teleported before Twilight who sat in the middle of her throne room. “I assume you all got my letter.” Twilight watched as they all nodded. “Good, I watched them run off to the hills and they haven’t moved since. I can only assume they have some sort of plan. Which is why I brought you all here. I believe that with all of us there, they stand no chance.” Twilight smiled, “it’ll be like last time only quicker.” That cause smiled to dawn upon all of their faces. “Let’s go kick some villain butt,” She said as she heard her army gathering behind her doors. They really wouldn’t be needed but you could never be too careful about these things.

Twilight teleported her army to the hills, she left Shining with the rest of the army. Cadence, Celestia, Twilight, and Luna flew up the hill. “Come out Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek, we know you are there. So just give it up now and we will just send you to Tartarus, not stone this time.”

There was dead silence, only a breeze could be heard, Twilight rolled her eyes. She and the other princesses flew towards the trees where the three villains sat and smiled menacingly, they charged up their secret spell, one that would put the princesses to sleep. They would never wake again. Especially since Luna would be entering that sleep, no creature would be there to pull them out of it. Chrysalis had insisted on uping the spell so that it also sucked any desire for them to wake up in addition to putting them into slumber. She wasn’t sure they would stay asleep unless they were forced to. It was quite a genius spell once they were down, they would kill them in front of every creature. The villains could feel the wind coming from the alicorns wing power, it was now or never. They jumped out and with a blinding flash of light, the alicorns were down.

Tyrik laughed, “that was almost too easy. He said as he sucked the magic from the unconscious alicorns. He then turned around to his partners and split the magic among them, they had figured out how to work together. They turned to their former glory. Cozy Glow was now an alicorn, Chrysalis was now a stronger alicorn, and Tirek had his strength back.

Somewhere there was Discord, a shiver ran up his back, “someone just walked over my grave.”

Fluttershy looked up at him with surprise, they had been in the middle of planning a sanctuary expansion. When out of the blue Discord made that odd comment. “What?” Fluttershy asked, concerned.

“Something very terrible, and very bad is happening.” He said snapping up a portal that would lead him to the trouble. His eyes grew with shock as he saw four alicorns hit the ground. ‘SOMETHING VERY BAD!” He yelled as he dove headfirst into the portal, closing it behind him. He ran to the fallen alicorns, scooped them up, and kept running. As he ran he heard a collective.

“HEY!”

Discord did not stop running as he snapped another portal to Twilight's throne room and entered it.

“He just has to ruin everything doesn’t he?” Cozy glow crossed her arms.

“Well he does not have the cure, let's just focus on crushing this army and conquering Equestria,” Tyrik said angrily.

Shining Armor had seen Discord carry off the princesses and he turned to his army, “Your princesses have been hurt. Time to defend Equestria while Discord heals them!” He could see the worry on his fellow soldier's faces. “Don’t worry Discord is very powerful. I am sure he will have them back here soon. We just have to hold out until he heals them.”

It wasn’t supposed to go this way at all. Discord thought as explosions went off in the background. It really, really, wasn't supposed to go this way. They always won, so why were they unconscious? He looked down at the unconscious alicorns on the floor then back outside. In the distance, Tirek could be seen outside wreaking havoc, once again very powerful. He had back up this time too, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow who were, at this moment, also very powerful.

Decisions had to be made about their current situation and how to fix it but of the leaders were waking up. What should he do? Snap them awake, obviously, he then snapped his fingers. Nothing. He snapped them again, and still nothing. He had been so sure that they would wake up but they weren’t waking up. His snaps seemed to only heal them and return a bit of their magic. The elements of harmony wouldn’t work without Twilight. He needed to act fast but he had no idea what he was doing. He decided to summon the rest of the elements and The Reformed. That’s what he called his rag-tag team of used-to-be villains. There was him, reformed by Fluttershy. There was Starlight, reformed by Twilight, Trixie reformed by Starlight and there was Sombra, reformed by Pinkie Pie.

“I have called you here to tell you our main line of defense has fallen. As of now Cadence, Twilight, Luna, and Celestia have all been knocked out. The terrible three are on their move. Decisions need to be made.” Discord said ice skating back and forth on the floor nervously. There was nothing but silence “I have already tried snapping them awake, it won’t work. I do not know why.”

“What do we dooo?” Rarity said, worried about herself, worried about the princesses.

“How am I supposed to know?” Applejack answered her stress rising even more. What would she do?

“Well if we don’t figure out something…” Rainbow Dash said, starting to feel the stress herself.

“I know we have to figure out something!” Rarity answered, as her stress levels rose.

“Well do ya have any ideas?’ Applejack asked her, pressing her snout on Raritys. Her stress at an all-time high, so many bad thoughts ran through her mind.

“No! And I won't have any if you act like that!” Rarity huffed and the bad thoughts started eating at her mind too.

“Well, you're pressurin' me! I don’t have any answers.” Applejack answered, no longer was there a conversation between Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. There was an argument.

“Hey that is not how you should treat-” Starlight started.

“I know! She started it, where are your ideas?” A very stressed out Rarity said, Applejack and Rainbow Dash only provoked her further.

Starlight scoffed as she too joined the yelling, “well if you know that why do you do it?”

“Um...guys,” Fluttershy started to say.

“SHUT UP FLUTTERSHY.” They collectively said causing a single tear to drop from her eye and down her face,

All discord saw was them arguing then he saw Fluttershy cry, oh no no no, you didn’t make Fluttershy cry. Not on his watch “ENOUGH!” He yelled his scream vibrating the walls a bit. An otherworldly, godly power surrounded the air causing the mares to stop arguing and sit down. Discord loomed over them in a very threatening manner unlike what was seen before. “YOU MADE FLUTTERSHY CRY.” He bellowed, the walls vibrating a little harder.

Discord saw the terror creep into their eyes and he knew he went too far, he took a deep breath and started again. “I do NOT believe that this was the type of friendship I was taught, or ever remember learning. I know we are all stressed but arguing will get us nowhere. Twilight would be disappointed in us all.” He could feel his heartbeat in his ears as he scooped up Fluttershy in his arms, he held her close to comfort her. Silence rang over them again “So” he said breaking the silence awkwardly “any ideas?” He was met with only more silence as no pony stepped forward, he waited and waited and waited for ideas to pour forth. Then he realized that he probably just terrified every pony out of their minds. He sighed, he just made the situation worse, didn’t he?

“Libraries.” Starlight said as she realized that Discord was right. She finally broke the silence. “We could go to the library, maybe we can find an answer there on how to wake them up. I’ll take Trixie and Rainbow Dash with me.”

Discord smiled, “that is a great idea. Go now!” He said as he watched the three of them leave, Rainbow Dash carried them away speedily, then he understood why Starlight took her, speed. He put Fluttershy down onto the ground once he felt her stop crying.

“Thank you Discord...for defending me.” Fluttershy sniffled, that sniffle broke his heart.

“Sorry I got so angry. I didn’t mean to.” Discord said as he fiddled with his claws.

“I don’t think I have ever seen you that angry.” Fluttershy continued.

“I don’t think I have ever been that angry.” He chuckled, “so you're not mad?”

She shook her head no, “not really, you were able to real yourself back in. Though you should still apologize anyway.”

“Don’t worry I will, I know I went too far.” Discord coughed awkwardly. He heard another explosion and the ground rattled. The citizens, he thought, what about them? What would Celestia do for them? He turned to the group. “The rest of you need to round every creature up and bring them here to the castle. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy. Will all go and they should probably take some castle guards with them. Do you think you are up for that Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy nodded, someone had to pick up all the animals that they found along the way. She and the rest of the group left but Applejack lagged behind her.

“Discord-” Applejack said as she wanted to apologize to him.

“We can leave apologies for later. Plus Fluttershy deserves it more than I do. Sorry for yelling by the way. I have no idea where that came from.” He sheepishly smiled at Applejack.

She took off her hat and said “It’s ok and you still deserve an apology. I’m mighty sorry Discord.” She smiled at him and put her hat back on.

“Yeah yeah yeah, sappy, sappy sap-ness. Just go already.” Discord said smiling at applejack “thank you.” He watched them runoff.

“Well, that was certainly something.’ Discord jumped at the sound of Sombras' voice. Discord breathed and said, “you scared me Sombra.”

“I scared you?” Sombra asked.

“Yeah yeah. Shut up, we should probably inform the castle guards of the plan.” Discord said getting up and heading over to the guard station.

Sombra smiled as he thought of all the ways he could get under Discord's skin “I’m going to tease you about it so much, but later.” He said as he and Discord went into the guard station.

“I wouldn’t expect it any other way.” Discord replied glad that Sombra was going to try and be serious with him. It wasn’t something Discord did often and it always felt weird. “Hey, we need you guys to grab some carts and round up citizens. Then to bring them back here.”

The guards looked up at him and laughed, “we can't do that Celestia's orders were to wait here and be the backup army.”

“Well plans have-” Discord started

“We will not take orders from you freaks.” One of the guards shouted, “we take orders from the princesses, not you two villains.”

Discord and Sombra stood still, stiller then the stone and ice they used to be frozen in. “but we-” Discord said, trying to explain the situation. Both him and Sombra had been working very hard on their reputation but I guess not everyone was so forgiving.

“Can’t you take a hint. We said leave.”

Purple started pouring from Sombras eyes, Discord picked him up. “Well, I guess we just have to go get Celestia, bye.” He said quickly leaving the guard room.

Sombra and Discord sat outside the guard station, Sombra muttered ancient curse words to himself. He eventually calmed and the purple left his eyes. “So now what?”

Discord looked at Sombra then at the station then back at Sombra. He knew Celestia would be pretty mad about this. He snapped his fingers and suddenly he was Celestia. “Sombra we are going to fake it till we make it!” Discord said with a chuckle.

Sombra felt shivers creep up his spine, he looked exactly like her. It was kinda freaky. He just stood outside and listened in. “Hello.” Oh my, he even sounded like her, Sombra thought to himself.

Inside the guard room stood Discord in Celestia's body. “Discord told me when he came down here to relay my orders you gave him trouble. I need you to grab some carts and join Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy in rounding up citizens. Please bring them back here.”

“Is that all he told you? We just caused him trouble?” The guard asked nervously.

“Yes, that was all, why did you do anything else I should be aware of?” Discord said with Celestia's voice he half hoped the stallion would fess up. He was sorely disappointed.

“No Princess Celestia, we will meet them out front as you have asked.” The guard said, he was surprised that Discord did not tattle on him.

Discord watched as they left and went back out into the hallway. He looked at Sombras' confused face “I didn't want to cause any unnecessary drama.”

“Saying something that wise in that body feels so weird. Please change back, It's really freaking me out” Sombra said.

Discord smiled, made sure they left and snapped back into his original body. “So what will be our back up plan?”

The Backup Plan

Sombra and Discord sat there, and from another point of view, they were staring directly at each other in silence. What they were really doing is zoning out into their thoughts, they just happened to be looking at one another. After a long and awkward silence, Sombra finally spoke up “what do you think Princess Celestia and Twilight would do?”

“HM?” Discord said rising from his chaotic thoughts.

“I have been thinking about this as Sombra. Sombra has no idea what to do but Twilight and Celestia would so let's try being them, only together this time.”

Discord nodded “Twilight told me last time that she used the Crystal Empire as the last hope. In case things didn’t work out. Maybe we should just do that again. We didn’t even need it last time.”

Sombras heart dropped “but what about Flurry Heart we would have to tell her that-”

“Yes, we would.” Discord said, interrupting Sombra’s train of thought.

“She should not have to deal with this, she's just a kid,” Sombra said.

“She's an alicorn and Twilight was just a kid when she battled us, she turned out just fine.” Discord added.

Sombra thought about it, “I guess if we have no other choice then we will have to.”

“I'll teleport us there” they were gone in a flash and arrived in a flash, but this time they were in the crystal empire. Sombra and Discord headed for the castle walking straight in, ignoring all the guards' protests. “Hey stop right there,” was one of the many sentences they said that fell on deaf ears.

They entered the throne room. “FLURRY!” Sombra said excitedly trotting over to the mare and rubbing her head with his hoof. She had wormed her way into his heart and he wormed his way into hers. He was like a long lost uncle, who had enslaved a city, but those were just details.

“Hiya uncle Sombra!” Flurry Heart said wrapping her hooves around Sombra and hugged him. “CATCH!” She yelled teleporting into the air.

Discord held out his arms and Flurry teleported straight into them. “Hey there my little chaos horse in training, how is it going?”

Flury smiled up at her other favorite uncle, she activated her horn. Her magic tipped Sombra over and onto a cushion. He gave a light “oof,” sound. “Chaotic.” She answered Discord with a smile.

“Atta girl!” He said scratching behind her ears, she loved that ever since she was a foal. She used to make him do it for hours. Since she wasn’t crying when he did it, so did Cadence. Sometimes Cadence would just appear in front of him, hand him a crying Flurry Heart, and say “scratch.” He always obliged there was nothing quite like a mother's wrath, he did not want to test Cadences so he just did as he was told. His smile dropped as he stopped reminiscing and remembered why he was here. He continued to scratch her in his arms. “Flurry I have some not so good news. I'll scratch you the whole time. So don’t freak out.”

Flurry stopped smiling but didn’t move the scratches made her feel better and she knew she would need that soon.

Sombra got up and sat down in front of her face while Discord held her close. “Flurry Heart” Sombra started as he realized he was slowly losing the courage to speak but he continued. She had to know, she was a big mare now, maybe she would be fine. “Heart Smasher” he continued.

OH NO, flurry heart thought. That's my nickname, he is using my nickname. Sombra gave her that name after he learned what she did to the crystal heart as a baby. Of course, she too learned about it later. She liked the nickname, it made her feel cool, and a little bad to the bone. But now it made her feel nervous, her uncles never beat around the Bush. Every other creature would when they were around her she had been quite sheltered. Like she was made of glass maybe it was because she was born an alicorn, she wasn't sure. She nuzzled closer to Discord's chest, snuggling him was the same thing as snuggling a weighted blanket.

“It’s your mother. Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek attacked all the alicorns with some kind of spell. Discord healed them but for some reason, he couldn't wake them up. We are here because we think you should be our back up plan. If we fail any further then we will need you.” He said as silence fell over all three of them. “I came up with some plans of my own, they aren't perfect but I'll give them to you. It is up to you what you will do if we should need you.”

Flurry Heart unburied herself from Discord's chest. She realized that she had to take the situation seriously, and none of the other princesses made decisions while being held, but she still kept up the scratches because she still desired some comfort. “I’d like to them hear uncle Sombra.”

Sombra fidgeted “well there not very good ones but. When I took over and enslaved the crystal empire I had this armor I used, it brainwashed ponies. I could change the armor so instead of brainwashing them to listen to me and draining their wills. It could feed them instead, it could feed them magic. Almost like eating a bunch of sugar, or cupcakes, or something. It would make them very powerful, it's all the benefits from the armor beforehoof without it being harmful. My second plan is to put the crystal empire into another one thousand year sleep only this time you will be awake, keep all your memories, and not be hurt. You’ll just disappear for a while like last time only this time you could use it to come up with a much better plan than mine. Hopefully, you do that before you cast that curse...well I guess it wouldn't be a curse anymore. So what I guess it boils down to is disappear or go to war. So what do you think?”

Flurry Heart listened intently to her uncle, she did to both of them. She found that it was common that no creature listened to them often. She assumed because of their past but she loved them like family so she always listened, no interruptions. No matter what. “Ok,” She said, “could you modify the armor and the spell right now?”

Sombra nodded surprised Flurry would take his ideas into account “yes I can.”

“Well, I guess that could be my backup plans, go to war or disappear for a thousand years.” She said silence rang, the only thing that could be heard was the scratching of her mane. Sombra took this chance to turn into shadows and leave for wherever he kept the armor and spell.

Flurry Heart broke the silence as she stared up into Discords' red and yellow eyes, “Is it possible to go to the chaos dimension uncle Dissy?”

Discord's eyes widened and he stopped scratching, to which Flurry coughed, and he started up the scratches once more. “Well I don’t know Flurry, only I have lived there for a long period of time. I'm not sure what that might do to non-chaos creatures.” He said snapping up a whistle “but I will give you the option to make that choice, just like Sombra did. This whistle will open and close the chaos realm. Just blow on it, it’ll take you right to my house. Do NOT leave my house till I get back I wouldn’t want to lose any creature to the chaotic void.”

Flurry just nodded as a tear falling down her face. Discord frowned and looked down at Flurry, she wasn’t a kid anymore and as much as that pained him, he picked her up and sat her on her throne, he shouldn't butter up the situation, “Our little heart crusher, the world can be a very scary place. This is the type of stuff aunt twilight dealt with when she was younger. You will have to deal with it too, you're an alicorn. A strong and independent one, you don't need no villains to help you. This type of stuff is what your future will look like. I can not make any promises that everyone will live, that everyone will be ok, but I will do my best. WE will do our best to protect Equestria.”

“Discord!" He heard a shout as he saw Sombra carrying a bag and a paper scroll.

“Sombra lying to her will not help, she is not a child, she is the current ruler of the crystal empire we have to treat her like we would Twilight.” Discord said pointing out the obvious.

Flurry smiled up at her uncles and she wiped her tears off “you are right Uncle Dissy. When did you become smart?” She jested, “are you sick?”

Discord smiled once more “atta ruler!” He was going to say girl but he felt it wasn’t appropriate at the moment Which is why he blew raspberries at her instead. “We have to go back now, you have it handled here?”

Sombra smiled at them and teleported the changed armor and spell to Flurry's side, he sat them next to the chaos whistle. “Don’t Sombra it up Flurry, if I have to shoot you with a friendship rainbow so help me Celestia.” He chuckled

Flurry gasped “I didn’t think-”

“It's fine, I kinda like that I'm a verb. Discord isn’t a verb, I bet he is jealous.” Sombra smiled at her and he knew she didn’t use the statement to be mean.

“Technically it is”

“Oh your name just happens to be one, I was made into one,” Sombra added.

Flurry giggled and the stallions smiled at her “I guess we should be going back, you got this Flurry Heart, and after it is all over..we want you to tell us your decision. Five bits she picked my plan discord." Sombra said with a smile.

“Oh I am in on that action, five bits says she picks mine.” He said as he snapped them both away.

Flury went from smiling to frowning, she looked over her options. She would have to come up with something else or choose.

Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy

Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Spike walked out of the castle. Fluttershy trailing behind them and behind her was Rarity and applejack exchanging awkward glances. "Rarity I'm mighty sorry, I didn't mean…" Applejack started. Rarity looked at her with tears in her eyes "I'm sorry to applejack. I was really stressed but that's no excuse. I'm sorry too." They looked ahead to Fluttershy and nodded to each other. Rarity tapped her on the shoulder and they expected her to be crying.

She wasn't, Fluttershy beamed so hard she had stars in her eyes. She was happy which confused Rarity and Applejack "did you see Discord defend me?!" She said excitedly as she giggled, "he defended me, because he cares about me. Oh, he's come such a long way from not knowing everything about friendship to now. I'm so proud of him"

Applejack and rarity smiled, "yes, I suppose he has. I hate to change the subject but Applejack and I are very sorry about earlier." Rarity said frowning, Applejack added "mighty sorry sugar cube."

Fluttershy smiled at them both, "it hurt but I knew you're just stressed. Besides I'm too happy with Discords progress to be mad at you. Even if I wasn't I wouldn't want to stay mad at you." She said as she hugged them both, she let go to go join the rest of the group who were being stopped by guards. Applejack and Rarity followed closely behind her. Eventually, the group was caught up altogether.

“Celestia told us to come out here and meet you.” One of the guards said.

The group stood there confused. Celestia was still asleep and suddenly a voice rang through their head simultaneously. “No one must know, lie if you have to,”

“Right! Celestia, She told us to meet ya here, Definitely her, no reason not to believe it ain't her” Applejack said wrinkling her nose. Something she did when she lied.

“Yes...” The guard looked at her confused.

“Sorry, she's just panicking, This is all very stressful,” Fluttershy said butting in, covering Applejacks tracks. “Let’s go round every pony up.”

The guards shrugged it off, one of them spoke up “actually let us. Celestia gave us a list of all the homes in Canterlot. We will start with the closest and work our way up. When we come across some pony injured one of us will personally escort them back to the castle. If they are not we will put them in the cart and load them up, taking them back as one large group. This was Celestia's orders.”

Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy's eyes went wide. “Oh.” They said in unison as they tried their best to not act surprised. Not only was Discord currently going around as Celestia but he was going around giving orders as Celestia. It looked like they had no choice but to play along with the situation. There had to be a good reason as to why he pretended to be Celestia and they could just ask him later. Right now time was of the essence, homes were collapsed by the shock waves of the ongoing fight. If they stood here and debated it might mean lives wouldn’t be saved. So the group just followed the guards to the first house saying nothing, but millions of thoughts flew through their heads as they approached the doors of their very first house.

Fluttershy knocked on their first door thinking to herself why? Why did Discord make them a list? That's so organized. It made her anxiety swell up, she knew he could be orderly but it felt different this time and she had no idea why. Something felt foreboding like she shouldn't be here but by Discords side, but she put those feelings aside. She had to focus on her task now, to round up citizens. “Hello we-” she started her sentence only to realize she knew these ponies. It was Mrs. Cake. She had forgotten that they had been just visiting Canterlot this weekend, the Cakes planned on expanding their sweet shop to Canterlot.

“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Cake, we need you to come with us, please,” Fluttershy said boldly or what she considered bold. She had been seeing someone about that, someone who was actually a reputable therapist. Not like last time, when she took a certain minotaur's advice, she now took a kind wolf's advice. Yes, a wolf, a talking one, she would tell you about his backstory but that would take too long.

“Oh thank Celestia you're here, Mr cake is badly injured, Pumpkin and Pound are so worried. I can’t get him out from under the beam it's too heavy.” She said as she watched Pumpkin and Pound run to Pinkie, she whispered. “I have kept their eyes away from it.”

“Come to your favorite auntie!” Pinkie said with a bounce as she picked them up. It made them smile a tiny bit. She put them in the cart and started to juggle for them.

“Mind showin' us to Mr. Cake. I reckon I can get that beam off.” Applejack asked.

Mrs. Cake took applejack to the back of the house she was temporarily renting, there lay Mr. Cake his leg trapped squarely underneath a beam. It appeared to be broken in many places, and cut up pretty badly, blood-covered some of the floor.

Applejack winced at the sight she hated seeing a friend down like that. In one fell swoop, she bucked the beam in two halves. Mrs cake lifted one half away while rarity levitated the other. It was easier to lift now that it was in two manageable pieces. The two unicorn mares carefully lifted Mr cake off the ground and levitated him out of the house. The guards had prepared a gurney for him. There would have been silence but Pumpkin and Pound spoke up

“Pinkie Pie stopped hugging us so hard we can’t see.” Pumpkin and Pound said.

Pinkie looked at Mrs cake and smiled sheepishly. “Oh, you know your auntie Pinkie just loves her hardcore hugs.” Pinkie pie knew they were grown up, slightly older than Flurry heart but she didn’t care how grown up they were. They didn’t need to see this.

Mrs cake smiled sheepishly back and mouthed ‘thank you’ to Pinkie Pie as she followed her husband back to the castle.

Pinkie pie looked down at pumpkin and pound cake “you guys wanna help the adults?”

Pumpkin and pound smiled “we get to help?!”

“Of course, we could use you to cheer up the ponies that we’ll be putting in this cart. I know you can do it, you learned from the best.” Pinkie Pie said she had a plan to keep them distracted and to keep an eye on them.

Pumpkin and pound smiled up at her. “We’d love to help.” They said simultaneously.

Starlight, Rainbow Dash and Trixie

Rainbow dash got all three mares to the library so fast the walls blurred by them. It made sense why Starlight brought her to the library. She was hoping to find a cure and fast. “I feel so bad for yelling at Fluttershy like that,” Dash commented as she put all the mares onto the library ground.

“Me too. She didn’t deserve it, we’ll have to apologize later. Now we have to focus on the task at hand. I think we should split up. We can cover more ground. I’ll go to the restricted section, Rainbow Dash you go to the health section and Trixie you go to the advanced spells section. Do you all agree with this plan?” Starlight asked. Rainbow Dash and Trixie nodded. “Great,” Starlight said, pointing the mares in the right direction. The mares went over to their respective sections.

Starlight watched them leave and sighed to herself. Hopeful Fluttershy would forgive her, actually, she knew Fluttershy would forgive her. Fluttershy was one of the kindest creatures around, which only made her feel worse. She turned around and started for the stairway to the restricted section. Normally ponies were not allowed here but it was an emergency and she couldn’t ask for permission. She looked up at the bookshelves going over each one of them, she didn’t want to miss anything. A book on theories about bringing ponies back from the dead, no they were alive just asleep. An odd-looking tomb that seemed to be made out of poney skin, it had a face on the front, definitely not this one. Most of these books were extreme, memory wiping, and mind manipulations. She didn’t need those but she was curious. She eventually settled for the mind manipulations it seemed extreme but maybe it could be helpful. She was getting up to leave when an odd purple book with no title caught her eye, it was pretty but not relevant. Starlight left with only one book and trotted over to their original spot, the front of the library just by the doors.

Rainbow Dash stared at all the books in front of her and groaned. She hated that she had this boring job but she didn’t want to fight back. Especially after the argument with Fluttershy. That version of Discord scared her, it still scared her. She never liked to admit when she was afraid. This time it was different, it felt like at that moment it was the end of her life. She looked over the books as carefully as she could but her attention span was fighting her. She forced herself to focus as she read their titles closely. She proceeded to pick up books that seemed to be related to not moving, and not waking up. Things like concussions, and comas, in the end, she had a healthy stack of ten books. She was proud of herself; she felt pretty helpful by the end of her search. She carried the books on her wings and trotted over to the front of the library seeing Starlight waiting with only one book. She was filled with worry, hope, a lot of different emotions as Fluttershy once again came to the forefront of her mind. She swore to herself she would make it up to her best friend.

Trixie looked over her section of the library with some anxiety. The great and powerful Trixie couldn’t choose wrong, but what if she did. She shrugged; she just had to hope for the best. She looked over the shelves a couple of times, reading and rereading the titles. She picked up books on advanced fighting, defense, and paralyzing spells. They seemed to be the most fitting. The great and powerful Trixie made great and powerful choices in books. She trotted to the front noticing starlight and rainbow dash chatting, she soon joined them.

Starlight activated her horn laying out the books they collected. “Alright, we found really good books. Now we have to read them and figure out exactly how to help the princesses.” Starlight said teleporting out of the library and into the room Discord had laid the princesses in. They all looked so peaceful. It was rather creepy given the circumstances, she grabbed Luna from the hidden princess pile. “Alright we will start with Luna, we’ll start simple and go from there.” She said, grabbing one of Dashe’s books. It was one on the mind and PTSD. It could cause the affected to pass out, it was a weak theory but she tried the spell anyway. Nothing.

Starlight picked up a different one on paralyzation and tried all the spells from that book, she went through every single book Dash had. Nothing. “Well, I guess it was none of those spells.” Starlight said nervously. She had hoped for the best, for this spell to be solved easily but to be honest the worst made more sense. Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek had taken down all the alicorns and they weren't getting back up. Whatever they did had to be very strong.

Starlight turned to Trixie hoping her books would help the princesses but a gut feeling told her it wouldn't be the case. She still went through every book and every spell. Nothing helped, no cure worked. Starlight was starting to get stressed out. It had been a couple of hours since discord sent them here. She wondered how he was doing, they needed to find that cure because she had a feeling that he wasn’t doing well. She wasn’t sure why she felt that way, something in her gut told her that. Trixie and Dash could see the look of concern on Starlight's face growing and that made them anxious as well. She picked up her books and read through them. She tried two of the spells that seemed most likely to help. Still nothing. She arranged the books in a circle on the floor so they could see them all. She couldn’t believe that none of these cures.

“Too bad we can’t just ask them what they were hit with,” Trixie said with a sigh of desperation.

“Trixie, you're a genius!” Starlight said running off into the restricted section. She carried back a purple book that caught her eye earlier. Dreamwalking, by Princess Luna. “That’s exactly what we're going to do. I am going to dream walk.” Starlight said with a determined look on her face. She opened the book and started to read.

Discord and Sombra

Discord and Sombra arrived back at the castle to find two carloads of ponies arguing among themselves. Some of them were gravely injured and some of them Sombra and Discord recognized like Mr. Cake and with him Mrs. Cake. Discord looked among the panicked and hurt ponies and he couldn’t help but feel a bit more stressed out. He looked over to Sombra who also seemed a bit stressed at the moment. Discord approached the ponies “hello, everypony.” He started to say.

“Where is Celestia?” a random pony asked.

“Yeah I heard she was here,” another pony chimed in.

“Where is she?” The group of creatures asked.

“She told me to-” Discord started to say.

“We wanna hear it from her!” A different pony chimed in.

“Yeah!” The group of creatures yelled.

"But I could-" DIscord said.

We do not care, you could be lying. Like last time!” A random pony yelled.

That stung discord a little bit, "let me go get her", he said taking Sombra with him he could see the purple coming from Sombras eyes.

“Scuse me,” Sombra said going into a nearby closet and yelling @&#*^$ discord could see the burst of magic even with the door closed it was that bright

“Sorry, that was aggravating,” Sombra said, exiting the closet with a calm demeanor.

“What just happened?” Discord asked, confused.

“I have been taking anger management classes with the Kirin. I find that stepping away, letting out the anger away from my friends, and coming back is a much better solution than just trying to breathe through it like Twilight does” Sombra said with a smile.

“Huh. impressive.” Discord added

Yeah, it really helped, no more Sombra outbursts which is what I know they named them.” Sombra chuckled. Silence came over them once more as Sombra frowned and stated the obvious “I thought we were past them not listening to us, or accepting our help. I thought...well I guess it doesn’t really matter. What do we do now? What would twilight do? What would Celestia do?

You know I'm tired of asking those questions separately. It's getting annoying what would Twestia do? Combine their name, it’ll save us time I guess.” He said trying to lighten the mood as he snapped his fingers to transform into Celestia “I guess we'll just have to give them what they wanted.”

Sombra frowned “this feels wrong, but I guess we don’t have any other options.” They both got up and walked into the room.

“CELESTIA!” They shouted, “Where were you, why do you keep sending Discord, why do you keep disappearing, why, why, why.”

Discord held up his hoof and they immediately went silent. Holy cow, he thought, one hoove wave is all it took Celestia. That aggravated Discord while he had to fight to get people to listen, she didn’t. People respected her, but now isn't the time to be angry. Even though he knew that he couldn’t help the anger that left his voice. “I am here since you demanded it. Discord and I switched places, he now fights on the battlefield for you all. So what was so important you had to drag me here?”

“We need help! Please help us we do not know what to do.”

Like he wouldn’t know how to help, he took a breath and calmed himself down. Discord decided to fake it till he thought of something better. He had been around Celestia long enough to have her mannerisms nailed down. He hoped no one would see through him. He and Sombra didn’t have a good track for leading but at least they led before. So it shouldn’t be that hard right? He just had to keep ponies calm. How hard could that be? He just had to keep asking himself what would Twestia do? They wouldn’t cause a scene, neither would he. Discord looked around the room noticing all the hurt ponies crowded by the unhurt ones.

“We must tend to the wounded.” He said pretty sure that is what they would do first. “We will build a makeshift hospital over there. Any doctors here please head over there. GUARDS!” He called knowing there were a few of them leftover. He waited until they entered the room “get surprised from the supply rooms, grab anything that you think would help build a makeshift hospital.” He watched them all shuffle off together after he was sure they were gone he looked back over to the ponies. What did they need to feel better, he could snap his fingers and make them better but he had never only tried healing magic once, on the alicorns and it didn't help. What if it didn’t work or just made it worse, if he used chaos magic it would also give him away and he needed ponies to listen. This was going to suck, he was torn out his own thoughts when he noticed Mrs. Cake again, her husband needed attention, “we will need volunteer doctors, anypony with a medical background please help the injured ponies to that corner over there.” Discord said as he pointed a hoof over to the corner it was out of the way so it would be best if the hospital was built there. Discord watched as doctors came forward with injured ponies, and even non-medical ponies helped the injured in ways they could. It sure was easy to give orders as Celestia.

“I ask you to put faith in my decisions once again. I will answer questions later by giving a speech.” Sorry everypony this is for the best, you wouldn’t listen otherwise. I’ll just make it up to them later. Oh gosh, he was feeling a little weak, probably just stress right? What would they do next? What needs to be done? What do ponies need to survive? “I need volunteers to make food. For both the ponies here and the armies fighting the battle, they will need the strength. Chefs if you could follow one of the guards to the kitchen.” Discord felt a shiver go up his spine and his stomach turn, he felt a little nauseous. He really did sound like Celestia. Sombra was right, it was kinda freaky.

Bakery ponies and chief ponies alike stood up to volunteer, including Mrs. Cake. “Mrs. Cake, you do not have to volunteer.” He said as he noticed the guards had come in with plenty of supplies to start building up a makeshift hospital.

Mrs. Cake smiled at Celestia “no, but I should.” She mouthed the words ‘discord’ to him. He smiled, he had no idea how she knew it was him. “I trust I can leave all kitchen operations to you then?”

“Yes, she said. Just please look after my husband.” Mrs cake said looking over to Mr. cake who was being tended to by a doctor. “Please, Celestia,” she winked.

Discord smiled, glad at least one pony put faith in him, “of course.” He called upon a guard “Guard! Take them to the kitchen.” This made sense to do right? He really really hoped it would be helpful. His stomach turned, he was feeling a tad more nauseous. He left the chefs behind and turned to Sombra and the room spun slightly. “Get a bucket.” He said thinking to himself that he just had to hang in there, to not give up. It wouldn’t be that long before he thought of something better. He would come up with a better plan, he just knew it. Until then he had to keep himself together.

Sombra ran off to go fetch a bucket. He picked one out of the closest maids closet in his magic. “Why do you need this?” He said with concern.

“Just in case, I'm not feeling so hot.” Discord said using his unicorn magic to levitate the bucket behind a nearby plant. What if the stomach-turning was a sign, should he stop doing this? Stop, doubting yourself will get you nowhere he thought. Confidence, just like the princesses. Think about them, focus on them. He did his best to calm the ponies promising a speech when they all arrived. What would he say? He just hoped that the princesses would wake before then. He kept his body just like Celestia would, his mannerisms and speech matching her perfectly. WWT/C do? That was his new acronym now, what would Twestia do?

He was glad to have Sombra with him, he felt less pressure being around another former villain plus he had leading skills, sort of. Discord noticed that more ponies have entered the castle. He went over to the crowd. “Hello, my little ponies.” He said, still disguised as Celestia. “Please line up in an orderly fashion.” Discord's stomach severely turned and once again felt very weak but he held himself together “are there any injured.” The ponies moved away to reveal some badly injured ponies, cuts and bruises covered their bodies. He gently levitated them over to the makeshift hospital and when she turned back he noticed injured ponies, but not physically. Their magic had been drained “did Tyrik get to you?” They nodded, “you can just relax in that corner until you feel well enough to help us.” Discord said pointing over to another corner he only had two corners left, he hoped he wouldn’t need more than that. “The rest of you line up, please.” He said as he watched them form an orderly line, his stomach turned once again this time dizziness fell over him. “State your name and occupation, please.” He said as he stared at the first poney in line,

“Rocky Road mam I run an ice cream joint.”

Discord smiled down at him “next!” Discord said as he organized the ponies in groups according to what he needed them to be. Kitchen staff or Medical staff, magic drained ones went to go recover. Soon enough he was through the small group of ponies. He sighed, satisfied with himself. “Sombra take the chefs to the kitchen, check on the food status, and make sure it’s running well. Medical team, the hospital is over there.” He said pointing to the corner with his hooves.

Sombra smiled, he felt his sumach turn slightly, “if you would follow me, chefs, to the kitchen.” He said leading the chef ponies out of the throne room.”

Discord looked back to see more creatures and a pony lined up at the door, his stomach turned again, harder this time. Back to organizing, he really wished he could just snap his fingers. He was in too deep now, ponies would for sure not listen to him if they found out he was lying. Everything was a well-working machine they didn’t have to know right now. Discord looked at all the animals surrounding what he assumed was a vet “Fluttershy.” He said with a smile.

The vet smiled back at him, “yes.”

Discord pointed to the back left corner and called the guards. “Guard! Help this nice mare here build an animal hospital. Please.” He said as he watched the vet and guards trot away to the corner of the room. Of course, Fluttershy would be picking up animals, not that he minded. It was just like her.

He heard shadows coming together behind him, it was Sombra he would bounce back between pony and shadow. It was faster travel then running. “Food has been made for every pony but we're starting to run low on it. We will need to find supplies.”

Discord frowned, well Celestia frowned, he was still faking it. He had not come up with a better idea yet but he wished he would. Lucky the answer to the food problem was right behind him unlike the whole he dug by pretending to be Celestia. “Excuse me.”

He turned around to see several earth ponies and an idea formed in his mind. “All earth ponies follow Sombra to the garden. Try and grow as much food as you can. Once the guards are done setting up the animal hospital I’ll send them to find rations.”

Sombra gave him a worried smile; he was now keeping track of a kitchen, a hospital, several drained ponies. This was just one more thing for him to oversee, he felt his stomach turn again. “Follow me this way.” He said leading the farm ponies to the garden, luckily it was facing away from the battlefield.

Discord sighed, he had seen Sombras face he had been feeling the turning of his stomach for a while now. Maybe they were both just really nervous. This wasn’t anything they had done before. Discord looked back and saw the number of citizens had tripled since he had talked to Sombra. Oh no, he thought as he realized that he felt strange, weaker almost. He felt more confused, did anything make sense right now.? Why was it so hard to connect thoughts together. He continued to organize ponies where he needed them to be. Chefs to the kitchen, Any kind of doctor to the makeshift hospital, all castle maids refocused on cleaning the medical supplies as needed. Vets took care of the occasional animals that appeared. Soon Discord ran out of room corners as foals without mothers and parents had started showing up and he gave the last free corner to them, the bottom right one. Mrs. Cheraly had shown up earlier that day she was helping cook but now she had a different job.

Sombra go get Mrs. Cheraly please,” he said to a tired-looking Sombra. He vanished in a puff of smoke only to come right back with her.

“We need you to look after lost foals, please.” The decided Discord said.

“Sure Celestia.” She said going to the last corner of the room.

Discord looked back at Sombra who took a new group of earth ponies to their respective spot and to check on their progress. Discord had decided long ago that any ponies that couldn’t fit perfectly into food, medicine, and children would be assigned the groups that would benefit from their presence the most. He felt sick once again, he was going to throw up now he could feel it. He had to leave, now. He turned to see a mare, the first to recover from being drained dry of magic.

“Excuse me.” He said to the mare. “Could you cover me? I know you just recovered. I Have to use the little mares room.” He whispered to this random mare. Her coat was a bright yellow, her main was a swirl of green and blue. He hoped this was a good enough excuse and that she would help him as Sombra was busy checking on the food situation, then the drained ponies than the foals. To make sure that every pony was getting along and that there were no problems. They both split the duty of making sure the air in the room still felt cheery even though there was a war going on.

“Of course!” The mare blushed she thought to herself that made sense even goddesses needed to use the restroom.

“Separate ponies into categories and if they don't fit perfectly give them to the group that would benefit from their presence the most.” He said trotting away, picking up the bucket he secretly stashed behind a plant and ran into a vacant closet. He threw up. It was awful he felt exhausted but better until he looked down. Was that blood? He threw up again, all blood. “buck” He whispered. He hid the bucket under some furniture, the fast pace that he hid it in cause him to feel very dizzy. This wasn’t good but he knew he could pull himself together. So what there was a little blood, it wasn’t like he was dying. He would be fine, he was sure of it. That made sense to do right? Did it? It felt like he was trying to climb up a wall with his arms tied around his back. Or like he was wadding through clouds. Did those apologies make sense? WWT/C do? He just had to focus on that one train of thought. Though he admitted to himself that he did need help, badly. He teleported right next to the mare he asked for help. He faced his helper seeing she got through just as many ponies as he did, she was efficient.

“May I ask you for a favor?” He asked while he organized the ponies in front of him, hoping this pony wouldn’t freak out too much. He needs the mare's help.

“Sure Princess, anything.” The mare looked up at him with a smile. “My name is Amber Bee” she said, sticking out a hoof.”

Discord went to go say his actual name then he remembered what was happening “Celestia, you know that of course” he said shaking the hoof in front of him. I hope you can forgive me for lying later he thought to himself. I really need your help. “I came back from the battlefield because I'm sick. I need your help. With your help, I can occasionally leave when I need to, but I need you to Pinkie Pie promise not to tell anyone I'm sick. Please.” Discord asked, giving the most pleading eyes he could. It wasn’t a total lie just mostly one.

“I Pinkie Pie promise I won't… but if you get too sick you have to stop.” Amber looked at him with nothing but concern for him. Well, I guess it was more for Celestia then for him but he still appreciated it. It really must be nice to be her, all these ponies willing to help her at the drop of the hat. It made him feel sad. He wished Sombra and himself had something like this, maybe if they had always been good like Celestia they would.

“Thank you.” He said laying a hoof on Amber’s shoulder. “I shall reward you greatly after all this mess is done.” He said turning to the ponies getting back to work. He noticed more and more of them were soldiers, Shining must have sent them over or maybe they were found. He hoped that Starlight, Rainbow Dash and Trixie found that solution and soon. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could last, he wasn’t sure how much longer anyone could last.

Discords Impromptu Speech

The number of citizens that were pouring in halved while the number of soldiers that poured in doubled. It was getting late and what Discord feared was coming true. He would have to lower the sun all the way and raise the moon but that wasn't the problem, the problem was the speech. Shining armor must be having a hard time, he had to. Sombra and discord were going to have to figure out something, Discord could easily send Sombra there in a snap, but that would give him away. He really did dig a big hole by pretending he was Celestia. It was too late, to tell the truth, and if she turned back they would only give him trouble. He found an empty closet at one point and when he got a moment he would snap his fingers and cause a tiny bit of chaos. It made him feel better at first but the more he did it the less effective it got. The longer he stayed the more suspicions the ponies would get, he was sure of it. So he just had to take what he could get. He felt weak and confused maybe it was from throwing up so much blood, or maybe it was the stress, he wasn’t sure. He was in too deep now, he had to keep pretending to be Celestia if he fessed up now it could cause a panic.

This was the least of his worries for right now and that was saying a lot as he found himself in that closet more and more. Desperately needing the chaos breaks. He had to make a speech at some point. He promised, he also hoped the solution would be found before then. It was looking like there wouldn’t be a cure before then. He just had to keep pushing forward, he was sure he’d think of something better than faking it maybe when the rest of his friends came back. They could think of something together.

Discord was on his way to get Sombra when he felt his stomach turn once more, he ran back to the storage closet where he kept his bucket. This time Sombra caught him in the act. Sombra opened the door to see Discord in his own body, throw up and he panicked. His stomach had been swirling for quite some time now, he was worried it was shared stress, stress that was affecting Discord worse than it was affecting him. “Discord…” Sombra started “are you ok?”

Discord looked over to his friend and smiled sheepishly “you have to pinkie pie promise not to tell any creature."

Sombra was worried about making such a promise but maybe it wasn't that bad, he nodded “cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” he said, doing the motions of the classic Pinkie Pie Promise. Which he soon regret because when he got closer he saw the bucket was filled with blood. He stood and rubbed Discord’s back with his hoof comforting the poor creature. He cringed at the sight of Discord throwing up more blood. Sombra was going to lighten up the mood, “Discord, remember what rarity would say during times like this.” And doing his best to impersonate rarity he said “What do we doooo ooo oooo” and chuckled hoping to cheer discord up. He looked at discord and fear ran through his body. He didn’t feel it often and suddenly he understood why Discord was doing all this. If he felt panic at such a crucial time, then other ponies would too. If ponies had known that they were lying, that the princesses were still unconscious, it would cause an all-out panic. The most disturbing was his eyes so empty and exhausted he watched as Discord shed a single tear.

“I’m in so much pain...Sam” Discord said, shedding some more tears.

Sombra was floored; he usually called him Sam to tease him but it was more like he was using it to comfort himself, so Sombra felt frozen. He had never seen Discord be so honest and emotional before. This was hurting him more than Sombra assumed. “Discord please-” Sombra started to protest but was silenced by a claw on his shoulder.

“No I can do this, I'm sure of it I only have to do it a little bit longer. I’m sure I’ll think of something. Or maybe a cure will be found soon, or Fluttershy, rarity, rainbow dash, pinkie pie, and spike will be back soon. I can do this. I just have to hold out a little longer.”

Sombra frowned “one hour. If our friends don’t come back in one hour, we are stopping this.”

Discord smiled, he was absolutely certain that this was the right thing to do, what had to be done. “Thanks, Sombra. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

Sombra cringed and hoped that this was just from stress, and Discord would be just fine, they both left the closet to go back to ponies. Discord noticed the steady stream of ponies, not just any ponies more soldiers than citizens. But Discord didn’t get the chance to check it out further as he was buried by ponies demanding he give a speech, they wanted answers. He sighed, looked like they had to deal with another problem. He took to the stage wishing his friends were here. Sombra was, but Discord could see all the stress was eating at him as well.

Just then Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy arrived but discord hadn't seen them yet, his senses dulled from the exhaustion. “My loyal subjects, I know you all have questions. I promised you answers.” The main room erupted with questions, pony yelling over pony. “Please, if you could just remain calm I will answer your questions.” Discord held his hoof over the crowd to silence them just as Celestia would. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy were surprised at how much he acted like her. If someone had told them that this was Celestia they would have believed them. That was quite a wild thought.

“I will start with the first question. How come I just came back? “I came back to care for you. I love all my subjects and someone should be here. I couldn’t get any of you out of my mind. Don’t worry, Twilight, Cadence, and Luna are all capable mares as well as alicorns. They have my faith. I know they will be fine without me on the battlefield.” One down nailed it Discord! See you could do this, it wasn’t that hard.

“As for why are we all here in the room? Why did I gathered you here” Oh gosh, why did he do that, he had to make up something WWT/C do? “we are all in the same room because it makes it easier to care for you all if you are all in one place. Not only that but do you remember that big battle we had with Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Chrysalis before? The one before Twilight became the current ruler of Equestria?” He asked as he waited for the crowd to answer. They started nodding their heads yes.

“You mean the team up Discord caused?” A random mare said, causing whispers to sprout among the crowds.

“Yes, that one, but that isn’t my point. My point is that you all helped twilight, she took magic from you and used it to defeat them. We want to do that again.” He said calming the crown down with a single hoof once again. “My sister and I think this is the quickest and most effective action. Any more questions?” Silence thanks Celestia they are calm discord thought. He felt bad for lying to them and making up another plan on the spot. That wouldn’t matter when the princesses woke up and who's to say that idea wasn’t worth a try.

“Now I must go and set the sun and raise the moon in a couple of hours. Everypony get as much rest as you can, we will need you all to be in your best shape.” He said, noticing Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, and Fluttershy out of the corner of his eye. He quickly trotted over to them. “Hello girls, I need you to do me a solid and take charge of the areas Sombra and I built. We both desperately need a break. Applejack go meet the farmers out back in the garden. We are getting low on food since we have all these mouths to feed, they are trying their best to grow it and could use some help. Pinkie pie you are on kitchen duty, go meet with the head chef he’ll tell you what you need to do. We will need to feed ponies tomorrow, again. Fluttershy please go join the vet in caring for the animals, I know you sent them here. Rarity if you could help out the medics that would be great and spike you're on daycare duty. Any questions?” He said he had been giving orders all day so it just rolled off his tongue.

The group just stared at him, wide eyes. “Are you doing ok Discord?” Rarity asked she was incredibly concerned for him. “Because you don’t look so well.”

“Sombra and I have just been running ourselves ragged, I need you all to take charge now so we can get some rest.” Discord said in Celestia's body.

“Speaking of you, why are you Celestia?” Rarity asked.

“Can you please just do as I say, I am Celestia because I have been running into people not listening like right now. Let me show you.” He said tapping their heads with his hoof.

“Freak”

“Monster”

“We want Celestia”

“We won’t listen to you.”

The main sixes eyes widened further, they were shocked to see all the trouble that Discord and Sombra ran into when Discord wasn’t pretending to be Celestia. Discord said, “I just couldn’t think of any other option.”

“Ok Discord, we'll do it, but we'll be haven' to talk about you lyin' to so many ponies later.” Applejack said. they split up and went to their respective corners only leaving the organization of ponies to Discord and Sombra, the workload was substantially cut. With amber bee helping to organize it was extremely easy to get through the ponies. It would have probably been fine but Shining Armor just had to barrel through the front doors.

“Half the army is down, hurt or dead. We need to talk….Celestia?! What?”

Discord put his hoof over the stallion's mouth and teleported them all into the closet. He transformed back into Discord. “It’s me.”

"Why?” Discord tapped Shinning's head and gave him a flashback. “Wow. Ok, this is really bad. But I guess I’ll have to let it go for now. We are losing ground. What is the status of the princesses.”

Sombra looked at one another, Discord had to raise the moon soon. Who knew if Shining would hold out all night. What were their options? They certainly couldn't rely on the princesses.

Author's Note

more chapters woop woop

Battlefield

From inside the closet Discord rose the moon and set the sun, he had to do it at some point this war was taking longer than thirty minutes, in which everything was normally solved. It was easier to raise it using his magic and from out of view he could use it. Silence hung in the air as Sombra and Discord tried to think of something to say to Shining. What would- you know what that was getting them nowhere. While thinking as Celestia and Twilight helped them somewhat. All the alicorns were still down, no cure was found. Maybe something else should be tried.

“ I have an idea, we should Sombra up the situation,” Sombra said with a smile.

“You-” Shining armor began before he was interrupted.

“Yeah yeah I know, I'm a verb. Discord teleport us to Flurry, I have a plan. Shining stay put we’ll be right back.”

“Ok,” is the only thing that Shining could say because they both teleported away before he could say anything. Whatever Sombra was thinking, he hoped it would help.

“Hello, Flurry,” Sombra said as he and his friend appeared in the Crystal Empire throne room.

“Heya uncles!” Flurry responded, happy to see them. Even though it seemed like they just ran several miles high speed.

“We're gonna need that armor. I'm sorry Heart Crusher, we don't have time to stay.” Sombra said trotting over to the bag that contained his armor. He picked it up in his muzzle and dragged it back to Discord's side. He put it down right next to his friend.

“It is bad.” Discord said blatantly.

“It's...not looking great, no” Sombra said trying to be a little more careful about how he worded the situation. He didn’t want to panic Flurry.

Flurry noticed that her uncles didn’t just look tired, they looked sick. Very sick, and this worried her, they have never been sick before. “Don't push yourself too much,” she really hoped they wouldn’t.

“We won't.” Sombra and Discord said together as Discord teleported them back to Shining, they both knew that their limit had been pushed long ago. They were overexerted, especially Discord, he used a lot of power to teleport that he wanted to store for later.

“We are back,” Sombra said as he grabbed onto Shining, and Discord used more of his limited supply of magic. Discord wondered to himself how much magic he had left and decided to only use magic when he had to, no more causing chaos to make himself feel better. His train of thoughts were interrupted once they had been brought to the battlefield. It was a mess. Even worse than they both feared. Many ponies lay dead or dying, the army was more than halved and they could see that they were losing land and fast.

“What's the plan?” Shining said.

Sombra levitated a bag to shining, he opened it to reveal Sombras's armor that he once used to enslave ponies. “We are gonna use this.”

“What?!” Shining's heart jumped into his throat.

“I've revamped it, it now gives instead of takes. It would make your army a lot stronger. Trust me.” Sombra said, trying to smile the friendliest smile he could. “Look, if your army sees you put it on, they will too. I know you have to be scared, but I am being honest. Hurting you would hurt Flurry and I would NEVER hurt Flurry, Shining.” He said handing over the armor to Shining.

Shining looked up at the shadow pony and he believed him. He wouldn’t have ever thought he trust Sombra but he knew how much he cared for Flurry. So Shining took the helmet from Sombra and put it on, he summoned a shield around his army and shouted “WE HAVE BEEN REINFORCED WITH NEW ARMOR I ASSURE YOU IT IS SAFE. SEE?” He said taking the bag with him and delivering out the armor to the ponies who could still fight. There was just enough in there for them all.

“Shining, come!” He heard Sombra shout, Shining ran back to Sombra thinking maybe he had more ideas. He could feel the power inside the armor and it felt really good like he had a long night's rest and then some. He dropped the shield and ran to the rock Discord and Sombra were hiding behind. “Yes?” He asked as he noticed the color of Sombra's eyes. They swirled with so many colors, not the usual purple and green that he came to know.

Sombra frowned as he encouraged Shining to sit in front of him, he took the stallion's helmet off. “Shining, it's your wife. She...hasn’t woken up yet. We do not know when she will be or if she ever will. I am sorry, but I have to do this. Flurry can’t lose both her parents.”

Shining went to protest but suddenly his world went dark and he fell over. Shining, now asleep, Sombra shoved him under a nearby rock. He looked over to discord “I'll lead the army if they don’t listen you have to fake it again.” He watched as Discord just noded “your magic feels very faint you should try and store as much of it as you can and let me handle most of this.” Sombra smiled “plus I know how we will win.”

Discord smiled “agreed, I’ll stay by and be ready to impersonate him if you need me to.”

Sombra's eyes started to trail black smoke at the ends, a swirling rainbow where his eyes would have been. He turned to Discord and a red ring of letters formed around him and he lifted into the air slightly. Corpses rose from the ground, colors of all kinds leaked from their eyes, it matched Sombras to a tee. Sombras hair flowed much like the princesses as a second ring of magic wrapped around him, the rest of the army rose back to its full glory. The army of the undead, dark magic may be dark but sometimes it was useful.

Discord looked to the battlefield and frowned; he hated seeing necromancy, it felt gross. But the army was so thin and they had no reinforcements unless they called flurry. That was a last-ditch effort, they would make sure they wouldn’t need her. She should stay away from all this.

“Back down,'' Sombra's voice ripped fro the dead's throats, it made for a creepy sounding echo. “This is Sombra, not shining, I will not have mercy on you. Give up now.” Sombra said, feeling the two very different magics he was using coursing through him. He had to be careful not to cross them at any point. Dark magic for the dead, light magic for the living.

His voice caused the mean three to get chills, it had been easy killing so many ponies but necromancy would make their life a lot harder, just when they were getting so close to victory. “He can’t cast that spell forever” Tirek pointed out, and it was true he was using two different magic spells, using different types of magic, and they were both complicated. There was no way he could keep this up.

“He’ll run out of steam eventually.” Cozy Glow said smiling menacingly “we just have to outlast him.”

“NEVER!” They yelled in unison.

“So be it. ATTACK.” Sombra said as he pointed a hoof forward, he started his battle plans, one legion to the left, one to the right, one to the front. The dead led the forefront of the attack to stop the death of more ponies. Well the death of living ponies, the living dead would just get back up no matter what.

Discord sighed as he looked at Sombra “you can do this. We can do this.” He said as he suddenly felt a strange shift in magic. One just like the one he felt right before the alicorns fell, he poofed himself up an all-seeing mirror. He could teleport but he was drained, exhausted. His magic felt low, and summoning this would cost less than teleporting to see the situation. In the mirror, he saw an opportunity for a plan and he smiled, he really was a genius

The Walk

Starlight, Rainbow Dash and Trixie started to notice the sun go down. Discord was most likely doing that, how she did not know. She chose not to focus on it too hard, as she had her assignment to do. She cast the first spell in Luna’s dream walking book. It gave her and her friends immunity to the moon, preventing them from passing out at the sight of it. Now for the hard part, walking in dreams.

Starlight had to enter the dreaming world which was going to be hard. She has done hard spells before but this one was different. This one was cutie mark specific but she had to try. She looked at Trixie and Dash, she made sure they stood outside of her range of magic. Starlight didn’t want to accidentally drag them in with her. She had to make sure that if this went wrong at least somepony would be around to tell Discord. Starlight calmed her mind and focused, she thought of the dream world just like the book said to do. She thought of it in detail, the book described the place as purple with white dots. Those white dots held the dreams of every pony in Equestria, this was Luna’s main hub. It’s where she would look over general dreams. You could also conjure up doors to enter the dream you need to, but that would be even harder than just attempting to get into the dream realm. That was usually for more specific means.

Starlight slapped her face with her hoof, she was thinking of this all wrong. She didn't need to see everyponies dreams, she didn’t need to watch over them. All she needed was to reach one specific ponies’ dream. She put all her focus on just appearing in Luna’s dream alone and when she opened her eyes. She was there; she was in Luna’s dream realm. Twilight was gonna freak out about this. She giggled to herself thinking about what the mare would say about Starlight Glimmers’ magical feat. She looked around the dream, it was an all-white room, nothing was there. It was just a void of nothingness, it gave starlight the creeps.“Luna?’ She asked afraid for the worst. Where could she be?

Luna was flabbergasted at the sight of starlight in her dreams, she just stood there and stared at starlights back. Was this a trick? Surely she couldn’t really be here. No pony besides herself has ever been able to access the dream realm. “Starlight? How are you here?” She asked, worried that she might be fake or worse, oh Celestia what if “Did he get you too?” She asked her heart pounding in her throat. Did Tirek get her too, was he winning? If she only tried to wake up harder, who was she kidding? She had tried to wake up. She tried, but never succeeded, every time she attempted to do anything she lost all magic, motivation, and energy to do it. Every attempt at fighting back drained more and more out of her.

“No actually, I am dream walking, I read your book. I hope you don’t mind. I came to ask you what they got you with. I've tried to cure you with a bunch of stuff but nothing worked. Maybe if you could tell me what you saw. What happened to you?” Starlight said as she hoped to everything good that Luna could give her a cure. Something, anything, she didn’t care what she had to do at this point.

“Well, we were all standing in a line before Tirek ready to fight him. We were confident we could beat them but we were blasted with a spell. It was unlike any I have ever seen. Every time I try to wake up all my energy is zapped away. It’s almost like it’s feeding off of me, it makes me want to stop trying, to give up.” Luna frowned, she held doubt within her. Would starlight be able to save her and her sisters? “Starlight, I hope you find the answer.”

“Great, so we just have to give you some of my magic willingly just like when the changelings gave love instead of taking it.” Starlight said with a smile.

Luna frowned “That is a good thought but magic transfer is a lot harder than you think Starlight, I wouldn't want you to lose your magic permanently. This may be a situation just like raising the sun and moon. You could forever lose your magic.”

In a state of desperation Starlight connected all of their dreams. She had seen the spell in Luna's book. It was a very weak connection but she yelled. “Wake up, please wake up. We need you.” Then she broke her connection, the void started to crumble around her. “Sorry... I thought... I thought that I could do it myself.”

“It was an honorable attempt but this spell is more then what just my magic can solve. Remember the attacked us with a group spell. It’s more complicated than that. Don't worry starlight I’m sure you’ll figure out an answer and maybe one of them will wake up. With any luck.” Luna said bringing starlight into a hug, she felt better, hopeful. If Starlight could link dreams, even for just a moment. She could definitely do this, that spell had been the hardest to craft.

“Thank you, Luna, also sorry for reading your book without your permission.” Starlight said, she would figure this out. She already had a working theory. She will get them out of the dream world. In a flash Starlight woke up on the floor, exhausted but she had done it. She had dream walked, but it didn’t feel as successful as she had hoped it would. She looked over at Trixie and dash who had exhausted looks on their faces. “I think it's time to pass out.” But before she could get the chance to complete her thought all of them passed out. She joined them shortly after entering a dreamless sleep. The spell had caused most of her energy to drain and though she didn’t mean to, she took her friends' energy as well.

A miracle

Starlight awoke with Twilight flying over her. “Hi, Twilight.” She said yawning and looking at the clock. 10 am. She sure slept in late. “WAIT! WHAT “TWILIGHT!?” Yelled Starlight as Twilight smiled at her. “Did you get my message?”

Ok, Discord thought to himself. Fake it till you make it, I’m sure this will work out. Twilight smiled and landed on the floor, she trotted in place excitedly. “Yes, I did! I Can’t believe you walked through dreams. I Have so many questions. But they can wait.” Discord tried to show excitement in his eyes but not too much. “We have to stop the terrible three first, unfortunately,” Discord did his best to look angry. Was he being convincing, he sure hoped so. Starlight didn’t know he had been masquerading around as Celestia. In fact, he had not talked to her at all since she had started her research. So she wouldn't suspect that he was pretending to be Twilight, right?

"Don’t worry I explained everything to all our friends. I have already talked to them, we already have a planned form. It was actually Discords, we're going to shoot them with the rainbow again." DIscord said in Twilight's body, he was going to give himself as much self-praise as he so wished. He deserved it at this point.

“Don’t worry I’ll answer all your questions and have a completed report on your desk.” Starlight said, “cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye.” She could see the excitement in Twilight's face. What a nerd, she missed her so much.

Discord giggled. Was he doing a good job? He had followed Twilight around enough but she was going through a lot of maturing. Which made it a bit harder to nail her character. She hadn’t grooved herself into a habit like Celestia, ironically she was more unpredictable than predictable.

“We’ll have to put waking them up on hold, I assume. I haven't found a cure yet. I guess you only got out of there by pure luck or friendship. How did you get out, I thought magic couldn’t be in the void?” Starlight asked, raising her brow something felt wrong, something felt strange.

Discord threw a somber look onto Twilights' face “I got out through the magic of friendship, I heard your message and thought of my friends, my loved ones and I got out. I tried to free the other princesses but I wasn't strong enough. The void drained whatever I poured into it.” Discord said with a hopeful smile. Or he at least hoped it looked hopeful. He hoped starlight didn't see right through him. He only saw the end of their adventure in his mirror. He had no idea what void Starlight spoke of. He just completely made it all up and hoped he was right enough.

Just then Starlight felt a shiver go down her spine. Something felt off, the answer didn’t quite make sense to her. Unless friendship could solve this and she had followed the wrong lead with Luna. The magic isn't dependent on figuring out a specific cure to a specific spell. It had been friendship, just as it always was.

“Come with me, I need you to cast a projection spell for me.” twilight said having starlight follow her. “Remember the last time we battled the three of them, we're going to try that again. Though I don't want to bring the ponies to the battlefield this time. That's where you come in starlight. You’ll cast a projection spell so they can see me, be safe, and contribute.”

That made sense to Starlight but something was still eating at her. Where was Discord? He should be around here somewhere it was quiet and not a good quiet. It was sort of looming quiet like something bad was going to happen and soon.

And as if twilight was reading her thoughts she proceeded to say. “Don't worry about discord he's fine, just exhausted resting in Celestia's room.” She said leaning the poney to the main hall. They all greeted twilight with excitement, her friends already up and they seemed relieved to see her. She took to the stand where discord had made his speech.

“Hello! I need you all to pay attention very closely. We will follow Celestia's plan to recreate our last battle with the terrible three. Starlight if you could pleas-”

“I'm on it,” she said to bring a projection up of the battle it looked like they were winning but something was off. Something was very off, who was that black shadowy alicorn with four wings. He was surrounded by red inscriptions, a rainbow was in his eyes but it poured black. Eyes were covered and gasps were heard as they saw a few ponies hit the ground dead, only to get back up. Emasculated corpses covered the battlefield but not in the normal way, they fought back.

“IS THAT NECROMANCY?” Rarity yelled, “I thought that was forbidden magic.”

An argument was about to start but then they heard a yell of pain come from the screen the shadow alicorn had gotten bigger and the ring of writing wider. Instead of four wings, he now had six. He roared “DISCORD WHERE ARE YOU I NEED A BREAK!” Tears fell down his muzzle and he picked up a branch and bit into it. He looked to be in pain.

Silence fell over them for a few moments before Starlight put two and two together “is that..is that Sombra?”

Discords heart felt if she found out his plan she wouldn’t agree and they didn’t have time to argue. “Yes, it would seem so. He seems to be the reason we are winning. I know this looks bad but you’ll be able to see me from here, think about our town, our country, our planet, think about the love between you all for those things. Think about those you love: friends, families, lovers, and anyone else. Pay attention to only that.” She said flying up so all could see her putting her arms to her chest she said “feel it rise in here and focus that energy toward me best you can. We have to help Sombra.” Discord said teleporting to the battlefield, he went instantly, he did not want there to be any questioning.

He felt bad that he had to leave Sombra like that but it was important. The troops seemed happy to see him, well I guess they were actually happy to see Twilight. Discord looked around their numbers drastically fell they were barely making it, it seemed that one-third of the army was alive and the rest was under Sombras control. Starlight ran out of time she had no cure for the princess. He'd have to do it himself just like twilight would. Quickly think like her what would she say? He refused to let this become a slaughter of the civilians as well.

“Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Crysalis your reign of terror is over. Give up now.” Discord said standing tall and defiant. He hoped to everything good they didn't see right through him.

“How-we -we.” Crysalis started to say

Discord interrupted her “with the power of friendship and of love. Love for my kingdom, for my friends, and for my citizens. They love me and I love them. I love them all and while my journey didn’t start out as seeking friendship. Friendship and love came to me. So here I am, now princess of a thing I didn’t even know I needed. And I'm so glad to have made the friends I did” Discord thought to himself, now in twilight's body, did that sound convincing enough?

He didn't really lie, he did love his friends and he was happy to have them. Did people believe him on the rest of it? Did they believe he was twilight? Harmoney if you are out there and you can hear me. Work with me, just this once. Even if it never happens again even if you have to kill me. Do it, do it for them, do it for my friends. Please. Please work. Their survival was on the line.

He felt himself lift off the ground and he felt all the love meant for twilight seep into his body. It hurt like hell, it stung his very being. He started seeing stars. He pushed through the pain and focused on the villains in front of him if Sombra could handle the pain he went through so could discord. He shot a rainbow at them hearing them scream. Oh god, it hurts so bad. How can something that's supposed to be good hurt so bad? It felt like he was going to rip apart but he did his best to focus on his task, and his friends.

He looked down on the three of them turning back into stone once again. He noticed Sombra stopped casting his spells and slump over onto the ground. He hoped Sombra would be ok in the end. Suddenly he was back on the ground, there was cheering, all ponies present happy that they stopped this before it had gotten any worse.

That's not what Discord heard, all he heard was ringing in his ears and he felt a violent turning of his stomach. Oh, Celestia, he was going to be sick, he couldn’t, he couldn’t hear anything, he couldn’t see anything. He threw up so much blood, he couldn’t hold it back then he transformed back into Discord and passed out right next to Sombra.

Shocked. That is one word that describes everypony at this moment. Shocked at what they just witnessed. What was this? What just happened? Shining armor immediately teleported Discord and Sombra back to the castle. “What on Tartarus just happened” he yelled confused about why his sister wasn’t his sister anymore. Why wasn’t he allowed to fight? Sombra had kept him under that rock when he could have been helpful to the situation. He was angry.

Starlights heart dropped “oh Celestia. Rainbow check on the princesses, now!” She said

Rainbow dash was gone and back in a blink of an eye. “They are all there, haven’t moved an inch.”

"Go get all our friends!" Starlight said as she watched Rainbow Dash bring back pinkie pie, spike, Applejack, and Fluttershy. Starlight could feel her anxiety rising. She looked down at Discord, blood covering his mouth and fur. He looked over to Sombra, his body mostly shadows and suddenly he was a six-winged alicorn. To think they would go this far, push themselves this much and all for their friends. She watched Discord threw up again, his eyes rolling back and his breath becoming labored.

The entire gang eventually gathered back into the room “DISCORD!” Fluttershy yelled as she went over to him “what is wrong with him?”

Starlight said, with tears forming in her eyes, “I don't know.”

Everypony just stared at the two villains a silence rang over them only to be disturbed by a tiny “fuck me.” They looked over to see Sombra had woken up and was now sitting up straight though he still looked the same. “I think I’m going to throw up.”

Pinkie Pie came running to him with a bucket, where she got it no pony knew. She placed it in front of Sombra and he proceeded to throw up into it. It was a rainbow but it had more red than any other color.

Fluttershy flew over to Sombra “I know you don’t feel too well but you have to tell me what Discord and you are feeling.”

Sombra said, hanging his head in shame, “but I pinkie pie promised. You all know what happens when you do that. Maybe Pinkie you could relieve me of the promise, please it could save our lives.” He said holding pinkies hoof in his own, pleading with his words and his eyes. He would have never sunk so low beforehoof but this was now and it was half his fault.

“O-okay.” She said as she sheepishly smiled, “keeping this promise isn’t worth your life Sombra, I won’t be angry. Promise. Please just tell Fluttershy.”

“Discord has been throwing up blood ever since he took over and pretended to be Celestia. I was there almost every time, I thought it wasn’t that bad it wasn’t that much blood and Discord said he was fine. Then one time he told me he was in pain and cried. I had never seen him so...desperate. We stuck it out thinking it would be fine once this was over, but the army was failing and the princesses were still asleep. I was busy fighting...I should have kept closer attention to Discord, I should have stopped him” Sombra looked towards the ground. Silence held over them once again the only thing heard was Discords' painful panting.

Fluttershy looked down at Discord tears forming in her eyes “I can’t believe he pushed himself this far.” She started cleaning the blood off of him and rolled him to an easier breathing position. He was all curled up and that wouldn’t help. Everypony else remained silent as the just stared at Fluttershy helped discord. He had them all fooled. “Could you maybe list your symptoms, tell me what it is you feel right now.”

Sombra threw up again, the rainbow was shrinking and slowly turning into only red. When he stopped he said. “Feeling and being sick, lots of stomach pain, drowsiness, dizziness, and weakness. Its been both very hot and very cold. I keep shivering. Headache, irritability, and confusion.” He looked over to discord who had not moved a single inch “and I guess a loss of consciousness.”

“What did you eat?” Fluttershy asked.

“Uhh, I'm not sure we had anything since lunch why,” Sombra asked, then threw up.

Fluttershy frowned “you have been poisoned.”

Sombra looked at her confused “what? How?”

“I’m not sure but it sounds like all the symptoms but if you didn’t eat anything then how? Can you tell me anything else?” Fluttershy said as she trailed off into deep thought.

“Well, we have just been doing how you would be doing things. I’m not sure why It would be any different.”

“Say that again?” Starlight asked.

“We have been doing things your way, you know. Serious harmony stuff like organizing and using light magic, that kind of stuff. Stuff Celestia and Twilight would normally do.”

Fluttershy and starlights face dropped as they put two and two together “you have been poisoned by harmony.” They said together.

Sombras' face dropped “I didn't know that was possible. I thought harmony was supposed to be good. Even for Discord and I, it’s not like we are evil anymore.”

They looked at one another when Starlight said “yes but you were using a lot of it. You weren’t taking any significant breaks. You just kept going until it built up in your system. You are not used to it like us.”

“He...he saved us.” Rarity said tears in her eyes as she looked around. Ponies were hurt and much of the army passed on, but due to all of Discord's efforts mortality rate of the citizens was low. The rest of the main six joined her as they shed tears, no one knew how to help him. “We have to do something.”

“Excuse me.”

The group looked back to see a pony they didn’t recognize “my name is Amber bee, celestia….well I guess discord told me he was sick but also made me promise to not tell. Pinkie promised, I had no idea it was that bad. I’ll take care of running things, you find answers.” She smiled “I have been helping them both run this thing I think I have it covered."

Starlight stood up and looked over to the pony who confessed to covering for discord ,"I need you to continue to do that. I'm taking Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Spike, Rarity, and Trixie, to the library we are going to find something to wake the princesses up with and find a cure. Fluttershy will stay here and look over discord and Sombra." They split up into different directions.

A doctor stepped up "it may be pointless but I could try and see if I can do anything."

Fluttershy just nodded and stared down at her friend.

Desperation

Starlight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Spike, Rarity, and Trixie approached the library with haste. Arriving there in a blink of an eye.

"Alright, we should wake the princesses first. I have some ideas for a cure for that one. Their help would be crucial for Discord." Starlight said fear wavering through her voice. This was no time to panic, she had to stay clear-minded.

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Spike, Rarity, and Trixie nodded as they looked at Starlight. She picked up where she last left off. "I'll make the cure to wake the princesses you all look through the library for anything that sounds like order poisoning." She said pointing her hoof toward the shelves. "Pick up any book restricted or not, we'll worry about the consequences later." She said as they all ran off into different directions. She hoped they would find something. Anything. She looked back down at her books. She had a theory about what knocked the princesses out. She thought it had to do with Chrysalis Changling magic and Tirek's magic.

Maybe they combined their magic together to make something extra powerful. Causing them to not wake up. They both had powers that sucked things like love and magic, and from her conversation with Luna, it seemed the spell sucked up wills. Like the will to wake up, or escape. Starlight trotted over to the restricted section once more and levitated the books on feeding off of other magic off of the shelf and down onto the floor. Knowing how they did it would give her insight on how to undo it. She trotted back over to her book pile and started reading the index. She looked down the list feeding off of desire, in away. Feeding off of fear and hate, not this time, but she marked it for a possible cure for Sombra. Feeding off of magic, she tabbed that chapter and continued reading down the index. Feeding off of will power, she tabbed that chapter as well and the chapter after it, feeding off of love, just in case it was important. She was hoping by reading the index that she wouldn't have to read the whole book but looks like she was going to have to do that.

-------

Fluttershy stared at Discord he had thrown up again. His coat was fading in color. It reminded her of the time he hypnotized them except worse, way worse. He did not look good, the doctor gave him an antibiotic. It was the only thing he thought would help but it didn't look good. Sombra had joined discord in throwing up blood but he was still awake. He looked so scared, he was shaking.

"Fluttershy.." Sombra said trailing off.

"Sombra no, save your energy," Fluttershy said flying over to him.

"Fluttershy I have to tell you…discord is totally heads over heels in love with you. He fawns over you all the time." He smiled looking at her shocked face. "I don't think he's loved anything so much, well other than himself...and chaos. He once told me that he would give up chaos just so he could live as a normal pony with you. He made me pinkie promise not to tell you all this." He said looking at Discord's worsening condition.

"Why are you-"

"I need you to tell pinkie pie I love her." He said tears formed in his eyes, he did not look away from Fluttershy. "Tell her I'm sorry for being such a pain in the ass. I should have been nicer to her. She is the best pony, discord would yell at me for that. He believes you should be everyone's favorite pony, he's so ridiculous. I'm sorry discord, my friend, hehe what a world. I can't believe we make such good ones, who'd have thought. What fuck ups we are. Bad at being villains, bad at being good guys. Look at us, what happened to us?" Sombra laughed a hollow laugh. "Fluttershy we won't make it..that's why I-'' Sombra trailed off and joined discord on the floor.

"SOMBRA!" Fluttershy said pushing into him, trying to wake him up. Tears formed in her eyes. "You won't die. We'll find a way. I promise we will." She turned around to the audience that gathered no pony knew what to do so they all sat quietly. Tears streamed down her face "I know it's hard but try and stay calm for them." She pointed over to discord and Sombra "they're the reason most of us civilians are alive...unlike last time they attacked. And now they need our help. I want someone fast to volunteer to go get pinkie pie right now!" She said, waiting for a volunteer.

A pegasus rose from the crowd "spitfire mam, reporting for duty."

"Go get pinkie," Fluttershy said, pointing her hoof to the door watching Spitfire leave only wind. She was gone in a flash and she was back in one with pinkie pie in her arms.

"Pinkie…" Fluttershy's voice broke. "Pinkie Sombra said…Sombra said. That-uh." She said tears streamed down her face. She didn't want to say it out loud.

Amber bee came out from the crowd. They all heard his confession. Although it was odd, it was his last wish and this mare would respect that. They saved them after all. "Let me." She said patting Fluttershy on the shoulder watching her go to Discords' side. Poor thing, she took a breath and looked Pinkie Pie in the eyes. "Pinkie, Sombra broke a pinkie pie promise and told Fluttershy about Discord's feelings for her. He did it because he thinks ...that they won't make it. Pinkie pie...they are both dying. Sombra said with his last breath he wanted you to know." She breathed a sharp breath, tears forming in her own eyes. "That he loves you and he's sorry for being such an ass. His words. I promise." She said doing the pinkie pie promise. She turned around and went back to sitting with the crowd and left the two mares alone.

Pinkie's mane fell flat and straight, tears formed in her eyes as she looked over at Sombra who was covered in blood, his blood. She walked over to him and sat down quietly rubbing his side. "You little shit...you know better than to break a promise. I only permitted you to break one" She said sobbing into his side "I love you too you idiot."

The crow joined both mares at this point crying together over former villains. The lord of chaos and a shadow tyrant now lay on their floor having protected them with their lives. There had to be something they could do but what, with the princesses out and the elements not complete. There wasn’t much they could do.

the alicorns

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Spike, Rarity, and Trixie were in the library looking through stacks and stacks of books looking for anything resembling order poisoning. If that is what was actually wrong. They were all feeling desperate at this point so they had just started gathering anything that may be helpful, no matter how unrelated it was to order or poisoning. If there was the slightest chance it could help, the book was picked up and brought to pile in front of Starlight. The system was working fine and they were starting to collect a healthy pile of books. When they heard Starlight scream. It was one of surprise and they all ran back to her. Something was wrong and all of them could tell. Rainbow Dash. Applejack, Spike, Rarity, and Trixie stood by and watched as they saw Starlight talking to Spitfire.

“Spitfire?” Rainbow Dash asked in surprise. What was she doing here in the library? She wasn’t normal in libraries but neither was Rainbow Dash.

“Hiya Dash, no time to talk, I need to take pinkie pie with me. I already explained everything to Starlight. She will tell you” She said pinkie pie up and flew away with her. “Weeee” They heard her yell as Spitfire flew down the hallway. When they looked from the hallway back to inside the library they saw Starlight's face, grim and devastated. It wasn’t good news, was it?

“Discord is dying, so is Sombra. Spitfire said that Sombra gave his last words” she said, tearing up. “We have to do this and fast. We are running out of time.” She said, picking up the spell she had been working on to wake up the princesses. She hoped that this would work; she combined the spell with Tikrk, Cozy Glow, Chrysalis, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Twilight's special cutie mark magic with a couple of other spells. She read most of their work, save for the villains who had no work to read but she had been around them long enough and read books close enough to what they could do. Starlight sort of understood what made their specific magic so unique. Why only they could wield such power. So the cure had to be specific to them and their spell along with those trapped in it. She focused her energy and hoped that this would be the cure she was looking for. Wake up she thought. “WAKE UP!” She yelled out loud an explosion of light radiated out. It blinded every mare in the room. Eventually, the mares opened their eyes and saw hope, the princesses they were waking up.

“Wha- what happened” Twilight started to say.

Starlight interrupted her, finally breaking down from all the stress. “Discord faked being Celestia all day and then faked being you to defeat the villains. He… he and Sombra are dying because of all the order flowing through them. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAVE THEM.” She sobbed hysterically, the stress of the situation had become too much for her.

Twilight got up to comfort starlight. “It’ll be ok we’ll figure it out.”

Celestia went over and took a spear out of a nearby suit of armor, “guess we’ll just have to kill Discord. We'll figure out a cure for Sombra when-” Celestia said walking towards the door.

WHAT?” Twilight interrupted as she ran over to block Celestia's path. “No wait we - we can find a cure.”

Celestia giggled “Twilight he will come back. It’s not like this is the first time he’s ever died. He has a few times before but he always comes back.”

Twilight was floored this is the first time she's ever heard of this. Why hadn’t she known? She had a thousand million questions that ran through her mind but Luna had the most sound one of all.

“But sister…what if he doesn't come back. He doesn't have his normal powers anymore due to the order poisoning. I think if he dies he might actually die.” Luna said pointing out the obvious, “also how do you not know it was not a prank?’

Celestia dropped the spear “oh…your right! Oh my well, myself, I almost murdered him!” She said, turning around, “I swear I have seen it...once.” She thought to herself, it could have been a prank. “Maybe you are right Luna, maybe it was a prank. I shouldn’t take that chance.” Celestia looked over to Starlight and smiled “I also believe a congratulation is in order.” She said lifting up Starlights’ new wings with her magic.

All the mares just stared at her in surprise but Celestia wasn’t surprised. She had expected this eventually just not in such a dire situation. “I’m...an alicorn? How? Why? What am I the princess of?”

Celestia smiled “self-love. I believe you are the princess of self-love. You have let go of your past and moved on in ways I could not have foreseen. Your magic is unique and special dealing with cutie marks and identities. You help other people find their worth even if they already have an identity or cutie mark. You help remind others what their special talent means to themselves. You help creatures love themselves, do you understand?”

Starlight was confused but she could figure it out later, “well we can celebrate later. We have to help Discord.” She said teleporting them all back to Sombra and Discord.

The alicorn princess, even the new one, looked down in shock at the state that their friends were in. They weren’t sure what was more shocking. Sombra was now huge, had six wings, and was an odd combination of smoke and pony. Discord was still, but breathing, lying in his own blood saying nothing. It was odd to have him be so quiet. Then there was everypony else, they dare not move for fear that they may do something wrong and make it worse. Nopony knew what they were feeling at this moment emotions ran rampant. For a few seconds, everypony in that room just watched Sombra and Discord struggle to breathe. The princesses were here but now what? They had no idea what to do. They had been creatures of order since the beginning, they never suffered from order poisoning.

“There has to be something we can do. We need to drain all the order they soaked up. Maybe instead of draining all magic, we just drain some of it?” She theorized but it wasn’t the soundest of plans, just a guess. It might suck all their magic away, could you make a spell that specific? Well, you could, the mean three did, but she wouldn’t know how to start forming the spell and that could take a while. What were they going to do?

Author's Note

get ready for the ending!

sad ending

The group could think of nothing, and that's what bothered them all. No creature had an answer. They just sat and watched Sombra and Discord struggle to breathe. When suddenly, out of the blue, Sombra sat up, his eyes slowly opened. “Uhg. I feel like shit.” Is the very first thing that came out of his mouth, and it was true. His bones hurt, which he didn't think was possible.

“SOMBRA!” Pinkie Pie said, hugging him, “you are ok.” Hope radiated throughout her very being, but it wouldn't for long.

“I don’t think so Pinkie,” he said as he threw up into the bucket once more. He looked back up to see the face of the mare he loved covered in devastation. “I think I'm just dying slower than Discord is.”

“You...you...you aren't.” Pinkie protested but Sombra brought a hoof to her mouth. He picked up his bucket and laid against Discord. “Come snuggle with me. I wouldn’t admit it if I wasn’t dying but snuggling Discord is very satisfying. I think it might be the fur or maybe it is because he is so warm, I'm not sure.” He snuggled himself into Discord's coat but Discord didn’t move. “When I die, I'm dying comfortably. Pinkie, you have to know. We don’t regret what we did. It was worth it.”

“But!” Pinkie protested, she wanted to convince Sombra that everything would be ok but he passed back out before she could. She eventually sat next to him and snuggled up. Fluttershy joined them, she didn’t care if it bothered people. Neither of them did, they just snuggled up into one big pile. “I don’t want you to...” Fluttershy said, she and Pinkie once again started shedding tears lightly but it wouldn’t be lightly much longer as both Fluttershy and Pinkie felt them stop breathing.

“No!” Pinkie said as she held Sombra tightly.

Fluttershy just sort of stared at Discord, she hoped that he would say ‘gotcha’ and it would all be one elaborate prank. Then she would scold him, but at least he would be alive, but he didn’t move. She didn’t join Pinkie's uncontrollable sobbing until Twilight asked, “are you ok?” Fluttershy responded with a wail and a “NO!” They weren’t sobbing alone for much longer as the entire room joined them.

“They HAVE to pay!” Fluttershy yelled with rage, something that was usually uncharacteristic. “We can NOT let them off easy, not this time. They are beyond redemption, they killed so many. They killed our friends!”

Twilight frowned, being the princess of friendship she had hoped they would come around but it was obvious now they never would. She teleported to the battlefield and back again, this time she was carrying a statue. “I’m putting the statue in Tartarus, where they will be locked up for the rest of their lives. No second chances, no visits, nothing. They get nothing, even if they regret this later.” It broke her heart that they couldn’t be redeemed as Discord and Sombra had.

Celestia frowned “I don’t think that is enough Twilight, we’ll put just Cozy Glow in there.” She said activating her magic, she separated Cozy from the rest. She teleported out and then back in, this time without Cozy. “For the second time in equestrian history. I’m calling for execution.” Her subjects eyes widened “only one other time have we done this, with Grogar. Chrysalis and Tirek knew what they were doing, I still hold out some hope for Cozy. I know she is about Twilight's age when she left for ponyville, I hope she comes around one day. As for those two, they will never come around. I will not sit back and allow this to happen again.” Celestia looked down at Twilight, she knew that Twilight ruled now and could overturn her call for execution she did not care. She knew Twilight had a big heart and that she would never do it but Celestia would, and no amount of twilight resisting would have stopped Celestia from killing them both. Even if it means that she herself had to be turned into stone or sent to prison. Luckily neither of those happened as Twilight had given in and reluctantly agreed with Celestia. She activated her magic, the stone statue exploded into bits.

The room was filled with awkwardness, execution was a punishment meant for only the worst. I guess they had been the worst but it still made many feel uncomfortable. Maybe because it was such a harsh punishment, and they saw it happen

“What, what do we do now?” Twilight asked as she just stared at the two bodies on the floor.

“We have a funeral. We honor their sacrifice and make a memorial. Never would I have thought that these two would save us like this. Thank you. You have saved us all.”Celestia said, "I'm very glad to have called the both of you my friend."

Cadence looked down upon Discord and Sombra and remembered them fondly, they took such good care of flurry. Then the realization dawned on her “Somecreature is going to have to tell flurry.” Cadence said her tears flowing freely “oh Celestia how am I supposed to tell her this?” Cadence flowing tears turned into choked sobs “she loved them like family, she’ll be devastated.”

“I already know.” A voice answered from the back of the crowd. She had heard the ending of the conversation, she had felt a shift in power and assumed everything was fine. That they won the war so she waited, ignoring the feeling that she shouldn't be waiting, that she should leave and come here, if only she had listened to that feeling. Maybe she could have helped. She closed her eyes, she didn’t want to see them like this, this isn’t how she wanted to remember them.

Cadence came running to her daughter and pulled her into a hug, “oh flurry I'm so sorry. I know you loved them very much.” Flurry just sobbed into her mother's arms, now her only source of comfort. There was nothing they could do now but remember them, and honor them for the sacrifice that they made.

happy ending

Flurry Heartfelt a shift of power and instead of waiting; she immediately teleported to the scene and to the front of the crowd. “What?!” She yelled as she looked down at some of her favorite creatures, even though Sombra was different she knew it was him. She watched them struggle to breathe “what happened?”

“Flurry don’t look,” her mother said putting a hoof over her eyes but flurry just lowered it down. “What happened?” she repeated.

Fluttershy looked up from her spot, a spot that was buried into Discords side “Discord, and Sombra have been poisoned by harmony magic. They were using it all day, pushed themselves to the limit, and then pushed further. Sombra combined both types to fight on the forefront and Discord pretended to be twilight and used harmony magic to seal the mean three back into stone.”

“I was thinking of trying to make something to suck the harmony out of them, but I'm not sure how long that spell would take to make although I guess if anyone could do it be me.” She said pointing to her new wings “turns out I can not only control cutie marks but their magic as well.” She smiled sheepishly “so maybe I can do the same thing the mean three did and make a spell to suck just their magic out.”

“It’s too risky it could take the rest of their magic too if we aren't careful enough. I have a better idea anti-bow.” The alicorns just sort of stared at her with confusion except for starlight.”

“Because-” Starlight began

“All we would have to do is think of all the times they made us happy, memories from loved ones.” Flurry's heart continued the train of thought.

“If we fill the rainbow with their specific magics as well as love meant for them.”Starlight said fully on the same page as Flurry Heart.

“Then cast it at them we would be-” Flurry Heart proceeded.

“Balancing out the overwhelming harmony magic within them while giving them harmony magic meant for themselves, not others, flurry you are a genius.” Starlight said with an excited hop.

Flurry just blushed “well I do have my moments. I will start, I remember all the times we used to go out for cupcakes. My favorite, raspberry cupcake with vanilla icing. Then one day the shop stopped making those cupcakes which made me sad so uncle Sombra and Discord spent the next week getting that recipe from the shop owner. They hand make them for me now, just to make me happy.” She started glowing an array of colors more like a kaleidoscope than a rainbow.

“Even though I thought it was frustrating, Discord would make my books disappear. I never put two and two together but it was always on days that my friends had their sleepovers. I would go reluctantly then I would have fun. My books would always come back after, eventually I realized he was doing it on purpose so I would go out and have some fun with my friends. I never thanked him for that.” Twilight said smiling over to Discord and Sombra, her friends, “thank you discord.” She too started glowing a kaleidoscope of colors.

“We never thanked them for all the times they watched you Flurry. You were quite the handful when you were young. When you got too upset I'd just go to Discord and give you to him because you’d never cry if he scratched you. Then when you got older they always took you to the park when we needed a break or a nap. They never said no when it came to spending time with you.” Candace said joining the kaleidoscope herself.

Shining wasn’t too far behind “I never thanked Sombra for helping you with your math homework. It isn’t your mother and I's strongest of subjects but surprisingly it’s Sombras. I had never seen your grades climb so fast.”

It got brighter as flurry added, “no matter how angry I got, Sombra never got mad at me, he made it a lot easier to understand.”

“I remember all the time's discord turned into the pony I needed him to be, then I would tailer the gown, or suit, or whatever I was sewing onto him. He never complained no matter how long I took, except for the fact my fashion was never chaotic enough. If he wakes up, maybe we can fix that, I'll step out of my comfort zone. He deserves it for being my living manikin.” Rarity said, causing the kaleidoscope to mix at a faster rate.

“I never thanked Sombra for doing my taxes for me, for doing all my boring paperwork, for taking care of the legal side of my bakery. I just wanted to bake, he took care of all the other details and I never thank him for it. I’ll throw a thank-you party for them both after this.” Pinkie pie added, the group started to lift slightly into the air.

“I never thanked Discord niether, zap apple and cider season is much easier. He just snaps his fingers and the apples plopped straight into their buckets. We ain't as tired and drained out as we used to be. We make more products, get more sleep.” Applejack added “and while he did that Sombra would help us keep track of the money. Helpin’ us count it up and run it to the bank after every season.”

The light grew brighter as every creature thought about the good things Sombra and discord did with their magic, everything from little favors to saving all of their lives. Anything that could be considered good was thought up. The light erupted from all of them, when it left their eyes they all noticed that Discord and Sombra were breathing a little easier. Smiles donned their faces but exhaustion rang through all their bones. Every creature just collapsed.

The next morning.

The main six woke up and looked around and they noticed three missing creatures. Discord, Sombra, and Celestia were gone. Worry overtook them and they walked to the dining room. They opened the doors to see Discord and Sombra eating pancakes, tears forming in their eyes. They were fine. There they were back to normal, well not exactly normal, they were back to being alive and well and Sombra was singing. They sat there in stunned silence.

“Ruhuhurr naaammen” He was singing in old ponish.

“You know its really hot when you speak old ponish. Especially the way you roll your rrrrrsss.” Discord said nonchalantly stuffing a pancake into his face.

Sombra stopped singing and started to blush “you’re lying.”

“Now why would I lie about something so stupid as your speaking talents? It’s not like your voice wasn’t already hot” He said stuffing more pancakes into his face. “I bet you five bits that creatures, other than me, find your voice hot.” Discord said waving a fork through the air.

“You're on!” Sombra said, picking up his guitar in his magic once again.

“OOOOOHHHH, Celestia! Could you come here a moment.” He said popping her into the room. “I need you to listen to Sombra talk than sing for me.” He said putting her down at the head of the table

“Okay.” Celestia said turning her head toward Sombra.

“Ok, I’ll sing one of my favorite songs. That's ok with you princess?” He said, starting to strum his guitar and sing “Ruhuhurr naaammen.” He looked up at her after the first sentence and noticed her go redder and redder. Sombra went red and stopped, “witchcraft, you put a spell on her.”

I did nothing of the sort.” Discord looked at Sombra with a huff he said. “Just admit it, your voice is hot confirmed.” He said with a mischievous smile.

“It is not,” Sombra yelled.

“Get a room,” Celestia yelled using all the will in her body not to break down into laughter before she got the sentence out.

“Oh?” they both went. Sombra and discord climbed onto the table and scooted closer to one another. “Should we? Really?” Sombra said as he scooted even closer to Discord, his muzzle a few near inches away.

“Is that what you would like to see Celestia?” Discord said as followed Sombras lead and climbed onto the table. The chaos was right there, and he was going to cause it. He slid his neck down to Sombra's head height. “Should we just fuck on this table, right here in front of her.”

Sombra smiled “sure,” he said as they slowly closed the gap between them until they heard a familiar pomf of wings. They both fell over half an inch away from a kiss, laughing their asses off.

“I can’t believe THAT gave you a wing boner.” Discord snorted

“What are you into? Shadows having sex with entire zoos, what a niche sexual kink.” Sombra added, making Discord only laugh harder.

“Maybe she is just into freaks of nature, which you now are, along with me of course. Congrats.” Discord added with a smile.

“Oh, I guess I would be huh. I never did change back. I wonder if I will. We should make a club like the cutie mark crusaders only we would call ourselves...hmmm...The Abomination Squad. Sins against nature!”

“Nope, you won’t change back, look at your ass.” Discord said as he snapped up t-shirts with a logo and a tagline reading what Sombra had just said ‘Abominations. Sins Against Nature.’ He snapped one up for Celestia too only hers said ‘Abomination Lover.’ Discord and Sombra just sat on the table and laughed.

Once Sombra stopped laughing he realized what discord had said about his ass. Sombra looked to his side “holy shit I have a cutie mark, I’m not supposed to have one of those, what does it mean?”

“We’ll just have to stop by the crusaders and ask. They could help!” Discord said with a smile.

“Congrats Sombra, also I think I’m not the only one with this kink. We should make a fan club for everyone who loves you.” Celestia said, deciding she would play along. It was nice to have them back and be out of that terrible white room. It made her appreciate both of them more, made her want to participate in the mischief and chaos they created. “But maybe having sex on the table is a bad idea it isn’t very sturdy. You can do it in my bed but only if I get to watch.” She said grabbing pancakes out of the middle of the table. She decided to stay and enjoy their company for right now. She would have to reword them both later. They took such a big risk to save them. She also owed that mare discord talked about, he owed her too. She wondered what that mare would ask for, but only briefly as she looked at their surprised faces and just enjoyed the fact they were there with her.

Discord and Sombra blushed “kinky.” They said in unison as they snorted.

The main six sat there stunned as Celestia just filled the chaos discord was making and having fun doing it. What did they just walk in on? They were laughing, they were fine, they were having fun. It was really good to see that again. Suddenly they were all pushed over by a rampaging flurry heart.

Flurry heart ran to Sombra crashing into him. “Sombra! Discord!.” She said tears falling onto him. “YOUR OK!” She cried and she hugged him. She had heard some of the conversation and it made her blush a little to acknowledge that it happened but she wanted to set one thing straight “I don’t think your abominations” She said as she held them both.

“What?” They asked together.

“I don’t think you are abominations, or monsters, or evil. I think you're my uncles and I love you both so much!” She said as she felt them shake. “What..what is wrong? Is it something I said”

“Nope.” They said as tears ran down their face “we love you too Heart Crusher.” There was a moment of further stunned silence as both Celestia and the mane six watched tears flow from their eyes. It wouldn’t be silent any longer as pinkie pie dashed to Sombra, she couldn’t wait any longer.

“Pinkie...pie..i...can't...breathe.” Sombra said, his windpipes currently being crushed by this pink pony.

“Shhhh. You can breathe fine.” She said continuing to hug him and he couldn't help but smile and give in. She was crazy but he loved her. The snuggle puddle got bigger as Fluttershy ran to Discord and snuggled into his side. One after the other the main 6 piled into the hug and Celestia even joined them on the table at one point. They all took a moment to just enjoy the hug when Discord separated from the pile just a little bit. Discord noticed the longing look that Sombra and pinkie gave each other and he just could not resist the chaos, it was right there. He turned to Celestia and grabbed her attention with a “psst ‘tia.”

Celestia looked up from the hug and saw the sparkle in Discord’s eyes, there was chaos coming and she couldn’t wait for it to happen. “yes?”

Sombra could see out of the corner of his eye, Discord. He didn’t want to tear away from staring at the pink blob next to him but he was curious. He immediately regretted it as he watched discord form a circle with one hand and point one finger out on the other. He took the pointed finger and put it inside the circle in a lewd manner. Getting stifled giggles from Celestia. She was quaking from trying to not laugh too loud.

Cadence just stared at Celestia and discord wide-eyed as she teleported flurry back to the crystal empire. Flurry may be an adult but she felt like this was going to get weird and fast. She wanted to protect her daughter from the possible conversation they might be having next.

“Perverts. Both of you!” Sombra said point a hoof at Celestia and discord. This disturbed the cuddle puddle that formed on the table. It was a miracle that the table had not given out but no creature was complaining.

“Oh you're just mad ‘cuz you're a shadow-ice virgin!” Celestia said, finally letting out the laughs she had been holding in. Every mare in the room blushed as the topic turned back to something vaguely sexual. Cadence was glad she sent back Flurry Heart. Celestia couldn't care less, every creature in this room was an adult.

“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SICK BURN CELESTIA.” Discord said trumpets sounding behind him. “Up top.” He said going in for a high five from Celestia which she gladly gave.

“I am not!” Sombra yelled as he blushed a deep red.

“Prove it!” Discord said, pointing out his tongue.

Sombra Blushed further “I am sorry I did not take my sexual experiences, write them down and put them in a book. You’ll just have to take my word you pervert. I'm leaving you’re both giving me a headache. Let's go for a walk pinkie. We have things to discuss anyway.” He said, leading Pinkie Pie outside with him. She bounced by his side.

The mares blushed further “what?” twilight asked, “I’ve never read anything like that.”

At that very moment Celestia dropped a pancake out of her mouth “I’m sure you have twilight you have read every book there is. Maybe you just forgot.” She hoped that twilight would just say she did.

“No, I'm pretty sure I would remember something like that,” Twilight added, not quite getting she was supposed to fake having read it.

“YOU DIDN’T PUBLISH IT?!” Discord exclaimed “I gave you that manuscript ages ago. What happened?”

Celestia blushed “I uh...kept it for uh...personal reasons. Then I loaned it to Cadence for uh….personal reasons.”

Discord laughed “well as funny as that is I'm disappointed it didn’t cause as much chaos as I had hoped. Oh well.”

Celestia just smiled “of course you are, I missed your nonsense Discord. Maybe I’ll give it to twilight. Will that cause enough chaos to make it up to you?” She hugged him close, snuggling into his body.

Discord thought about it “potentially, especially since I am the one that wrote it and she knows it. We’ll see.” Discord chuckled a forced chuckle, it sounded as if he was uncomfortable. Cadence's smile spread across her face as she noticed this and she turned to Celestia and whispered in her ear. Celestia smiled and teleported all alicorns over to him. They all took to different positions around his forehead and gave him a kiss all at once. To which he squeaked out “what was that for?” His face burned a deep shade of red.

“We love you ya' big lug,” Cadence said she wanted to say it so that it would come off as more of a sibling love than a romantic one.

Discord picked up his tail and fidgeted with it “thanks I guess.”

“Aww, your blushing!” Celestia said as she smiled.

“AM NOT!” Discord said he was trying his best to hide his blush although it was unsuccessful causing the alicorns to giggle at his struggle. Discord started fidgeting with his tale some more.

“You know I think I would love some pampering, scratch me,” Celestia said as she changed the subject, she knew Discord felt uncomfortable with affection, only because he never got it much, that's why she insisted on doing the group kiss as well as telling him how much he meant to all of him. She pushed discord off the table and onto the chair she sat in front of him and laid down on the table. The rest of the group sat in their seats as well. “I have seen you do it to Flurry Heart. I was wonderrrrrrrrrrr. Ohhhh that feels so good.” She said as she melted into the table, he was always better at giving attention then receiving it.

“I guess I could give you a massage, only cuz we're friends!” Discord smiled down at Celestia. “Though you should get more of them your back is tenser then stretched, rubber bands.” He said as he focused on rubbing the knots out of her back, periodically stopping to give her scratches.

“I call next!” Cadence said getting increasingly jealous of Celestia's current relaxed condition.

“Oh, I want to go too!” Rarity said with a smile, she had massages before but not by any creature with claws or paws and she wondered if it would be different.

“You can all have a turn. We are all friends, so why not.” Discord smiled at his friends and noticed Fluttershy with a small half-smile and he was concerned. “Fluttershy are you ok?”

Fluttershy just smiled “I think we should talk over some tea later. For now, we can continue to have fun.”

“Are you sure you look like your-”

“Yes, Discord I am sure,” Fluttershy said with her heart beating in her throat she wasn’t sure what she felt discord at that moment but she hoped to sort out her feeling by tea. Until then he was distracted by giving out massages to his friends. She would use that time wisely to figure out whether or not she would date Discord. Was the feeling she had for him friendship love or love-love? She just let him continue to cause chaos as she thought about it, they all did.

Author's Note

That's all folks i have to say this was the biggest and most complicated story i have ever written and i think it ended up being pretty decent. If you end up reading this all the way through feel free to comment on what you liked and didn't like about it. It'll be a while before i try and attempt something like this again.