Starlight Glimmer

Eight hours, that's how long I've been acting as a mediator to these two very grown adults. Any attempt at intervening between their conversation was seldom acknowledged. Now, everypony's exhausted. Still, at least they've finally made some progress. The only problem now is that they've become somewhat inseparable.

"You let go," Chrysalis muttered as the two held each other in a somehow tight yet weak embrace.

"No, you," Thorax retorted stubbornly but tiredly.

Sighing, I dragged myself over to the two of them, separating them with my magic. Honestly, acting like children... what to do next... After such a pivotal moment in their relationship, it's best to bond over something mundane. Oh, I know, food. Besides, they've been at it so long, it should be around breakfast time anyway. And I know they're hungry. They've quite literally been throwing love at each other, but not accepting it.

Chimera

Teleporting multiple bodies and a mound of recently purchased goods on a full stomach over an extremely vast distance is among the list of worst ideas I've ever had. If my body was in protest before the warp, it was definitely on strike now. Still, I managed to do it. Though, if I had known the hangover would be this bad, we would've just road the train.

Feeling my gag reflex kick in, I threw a hoof over my mouth as I leaned over the edge of the bed in preparation to hurl. A comforting hoof gently patted my back which did little to soothe the waves of nausea I was feeling. I appreciated the gesture from Dawn though.

I'm currently in a state similar to Mana Burnout. I didn't use up all my magic, but I did output more than my body was capable of handling comfortably in a single instant. There are remedies for this, none of which I currently have access to.

"You alright?" A concerned Dawn asked.

A curt nod was all I could manage in her direction before the dam walls were overpowered by the pressure of stomach bile.

"The bucket! Aim for the bucket!"

Cozy Glow

I should be asleep right now, but what the hay? There's no way I'm going to rest while my spoils of war are right in front of me. Besides, I don't have school tomorrow, so I can sleep in anyways. Rubbing my hooves together, I rolled off my bed and over to the dragon hoard in the corner of my room.

"Let's see what we have here," I said to myself as I began rummaging through the pile.

Honestly, I don't really remember everything I got. I put in some thought toward a few things. As for the rest, I was just trying to get my money's worth for all the trouble I've been put through.

"Chemistry kit, 6x6 Rubik's cube, inflatable dragon, toilet night-light, and?" I paused for a moment to take in what I was looking at.

It was a large gold-rimmed book with purple bound leather, a large golden horseshoe was stationed on the cover with a strange star in the middle. Almost immediately, I recognized the star as Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark. I picked the book up in my magic, not even using my hooves out of disgust. "Eww, why would I ever get this?"

Opening the book to the first page, I began to read, "Twilight Sparkle's Friendship Journal, Cosigned-" I immediately slammed it shut. Even if I wasn't fully conscious of my spending, there's no way I would have just missed purchasing...this. Flinging the book in the corner, I continued examining my pile with a now bitter taste in my mouth.

Twilight Sparkle...my arch-nemesis, the pony who has it all. I could've gone centuries without seeing her again, literally. I'm not sure why she released me: pity, guilt, legality? Whatever the reason, it won't change how I feel about her. I don't like her, not one bit, nor will I respect her, even if she is an almighty alicorn princess.

Still, if that book was written by her, it might give some insight into what makes her tick. In that case, there might be some merit to reading it. Reaching out to the book, I levitated it back over to myself, eyeing it wearily. Friendship's failed me, it always has, so why did it seem to work for so many others, especially purple star-butt. Is it really just because she's an element of harmony, because she was chosen by destiny?

Reluctantly, I cracked the book open again, skipping the first few pages until I saw something that intrigued me. With a sigh, I silently began reading. Dear Princess Celestia...

Soul

Rarity's great and all, but I had no idea she could be so overbearing. After what seemed like hours of constant consoling, concern, and bear-hugs, she finally calmed down enough to let me go. In the end, I was given a recommendation for Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. My cover was almost blown though. When Rarity realized she couldn't get ahold of my parents or guardians, she started asking all sorts of personal questions.

After all, I forged my documents and slipped them into the system to get in. It's actually pretty easy if you're proficient enough with magic...which looking back on is maybe not such a good thing.

If Discord hadn't suddenly come to pick me up, I would have had a problem on my hooves.

"Thanks again, dude. Man, the look on Rarity's face, priceless." I reminisced, leaning back on a floating couch.

"No problem, but daycare pickup's not exactly why I showed up. But, yes, it was rather amusing."

I sat up straighter, already suspecting what this was about.

"There's a sudden spike in chaos earlier, which I immediately traced back to you."

Wait, immediately? "Wait, if you knew, then why did you show up so late."

Discord shrugged. "I was with Fluttershy."

"Fair enough, but you know, I've been wondering," I paused tapping my chin with a hoof.

"Wondering what?"

"When you'd shoot your shot." Discord stared blankly at me as if I had said nothing at all.

"You know, put a ring on it?" Again, no reaction.

I began to gesture with my forelegs crudely. "Discord you gotta get la-" With the snap of his talons, I suddenly found that I had no mouth.

I struggled in vain to speak - as if it would do something - before smacking my hoof against the armrest of the couch a few times to signal that I tapped out. I could just use my magic to cancel out the chaos magic, but there's no telling what would happen if I did that while inside Discord's chaos dimension.

My mouth reappeared as let out a gasp.

"Anyway, I suspect you had something to do with said chaotic burst."

I rubbed my muzzle lovingly. "Well, you'd know if you'd answer Faust's calls." Discord cocked an eyebrow, threateningly raising a talon to snap again.

"Yeah, yeah. Faust said reality's been compromised and in that same instance, my soul was destabilized."

Discord stroked his beard, seemingly deep in thought for a change.

"I see. Can you describe how it felt?"

I gave Discord an incredulous look. "Heavenly."

"Interesting. Well, this is just my two cents, but it seems like something or someone attacked your soul from outside our reality."

Wait, what? "How is that even possible?"

"Beats me, but I suggest you be careful of where you go from now on. You never know if it might happen again."

The thought of it happening again was nerve-racking, to say the least.

"So what do I do?"

"Well, I'm no expert on the soul. Perhaps you should ask Faust. I hear a few Zebra tribes have some knowledge on the matter as well."

"Hmm, well it's an idea," I said as I floated off the coach and toward a portal, "thanks Discord."

"Of course."

Cozy Glow

I think I finally understand it all now. All this time, I just couldn't see it. Twilight Sparkle and her friends... are all bucking insane!

Author's Note

A shorter chapter, but it's not dead.