The Shadow Plague

In the year following the Battle of Equestria, prosperity has excelled across the land. Thanks to Twilight Sparkle and her friends’ fair and passionate leadership, the kingdom has thrived like never before.

It was the final evening of winter; Twilight Sparkle and Spike were in the throne room of the Canterlot Castle where Spike was filling the Princess in on the last news of the day and of the season.

“…and that’s Mayor Mare’s report on the fastest Winter Wrap Up in Ponyville history!” Spike was just finishing up reading Twilight a newsletter from Ponyville.

“That’s excellent news! My lesson on organization has gone a long way. I’m so excited for the trip to Ponyville tomorrow for the Spring Banquet.” Twilight said striding to the window and looking out at the magnificent evening view of Canterlot. “It will be so nice to see my friends again, and check in on how the friendship school is doing. Starlight says the graduation rate is at an all-time high”

“Ah yes, home sweet home. You all packed up for tomorrow Twi?” Spike asked

“Yup, all done this morning” She replied cheerfully

“And you’re not going to repack everything to make sure you have everything?” Spike asked with a smile.

“Actually, I don’t need to, but I do want to go over the checklist with you one last time just in case. But I think we are ok for the train ride tomorrow” Twilight replied

As Spike and Twilight turned to leave the throne room, there was a loud crack and a spark of light, and Discord was standing in the doorway. He looked distinctly unwell and had a bluish tinge to his skin, his eyes were blood red and he appeared to be leaning on the wall for balance. He was also holding a large black box. Twilight stopped, “Oh, Discord, what a surprise. Can I help you with something?” she asked slightly confused. Discord said nothing. All he did was close his eyes and groan. He appeared in a lot of pain.

“Are you ok Discord? This isn’t some kind of trick is it?”

Discord shook his head and groaned louder.

“What’s the matter? Get into the Apples’ secret cider stash before the season?” Spike asked, laughing. Twilight bumped him and shot him a stern look.

“Discord, is there anything we can do to help you?” Twilight asked, a concern growing in her voice now.

At last, Discord spoke. “It happened so suddenly, as if out of nowhere.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “I have been examining it lately to see what other uses it could have. Then, I felt I got struck by some invisible force. I couldn’t see anything, I also didn’t detect any dark magic. I felt fine after, but then suddenly, I was in pain everywhere, my magic was suppressed, I could barely stand. I used the last of my energy to come here, but there is no more” Discord slowly raised a trembling hand, snapped his fingers and small sparks flew from his hand but nothing else happened. He groaned loudly again, obviously in a lot of pain.

Twilight looked at Spike, Worried. “What were you examining?” She asked Discord. Discord held up the large black box, he seemed unable to bear its weight, he nearly dropped it, but Twilight used her magic to take it. Then, Discord collapsed.

“Discord?” Twilight turned to look at him lying motionless on the floor “No!” yelled Twilight. She rushed to his side, desperately trying to examine him. “No, Discord No!” tears flowed to her eyes.

“Uh, Twilight?” Said Spike from behind her

Twilight turned to look, Spike had opened the box and was holding a large irregularly shaped object. The object was a pale green color and looked quite old. Its bottom was hollow, and on top it had a loop that looked like a hook or handle. Spike looked puzzled.

“Oh my Celestia!” Gasped Twilight “That’s… That’s Grogar’s Bell!”

Spike looked down at the object he was holding, and dropped it immediately with a loud clang as it hit the floor.

“Careful with that!” Twilight scolded “S-Sorry” said Spike as he backed away nervously from the bell. “But how?” he asked clearly in shock.

“I haven’t seen this since the Battle of Equestria” said Twilight “It was how Cozy Glow, Tirek and Chrysalis got so powerful that they nearly destroyed all of Equestria. It was only this same bell that could contain them for us to defeat them.”

Spike stood, still in shock. “How did Discord get it?”

“He must have taken it after the Battle of Equestria” replied Twilight “Which would make sense, Discord’s magic is powerful, and though he wouldn’t have been my first choice, I suppose he is trustworthy to keep it safe. I wonder what he was examining about it.”

“Well whatever it was it seemed to really hurt him” Said Spike. Twilight looked over to Discord.

“Spike, change of plans, we leave for Ponyville right now. We need to get him to Zecora’s, she might be able to help him. Alert the guards, tell them to organize an emergency transport to Ponyville leaving in 10 minutes.”

“Yes ma’am!” said Spike running off.

Twilight looked again at Discord, then at the bell. “What could possibly have done this to him?” she wondered. She walked over to the window and looked out. The sun had disappeared behind the mountains on the horizon. “I need you girls, we have a friend in desperate need. I so hope we can fix this, together.”

“Twilight, time to go, are you ready?” Spike asked from the doorway. Two of the royal guards loaded Discord onto a stretcher and carried him off. Spike moved to grab the bell.

“Don’t! Here, let me do it” Twilight said using her magic to put the bell back into its box.

“This is so strange Twilight. We haven’t seen Discord in a long time, and now he just shows up here, with Grogar’s bell, and passes out from some inexplicable illness?” Spike said as they walked out of the castle to the transport.

“I know, Spike. It is very strange” Said Twilight. “And I have this uneasy feeling that it’s only going to get a lot stranger soon”