Rarity stood quietly in the magically conjured cage, for once too confused and angry to say a word. She wanted to shout at Discord, to call him a ruffian, or perhaps guilt-trip him for betraying Fluttershy but instead said nothing. There were simply too many options before her, and without a clear head to choose her course she merely sat there quietly.

Unlike the majority of her friends, who were either trying to free themselves from the cage or were too shocked to move. Applejack bucked the bars to no effect while Rainbow Dash repeatedly flew into them, earning herself only a few new bruises for her effots. Twilight was trying to use some manner of spell to force it open while Pinkie Pie tugged mightily to no effect.

The only other pony doing nothing was Fluttershy, the quiet pegasus merely laying on the ground. Tears built at the edges of her eye, yet they did not fall, the shock of Discord’s betrayal stunning her to her core. It was enough to make even mild-mannered Rarity want to punch the draconequus right in his lying mouth.

Spike clung to the fashionista's side, the diminutive drake trembling violently. “What's going to happen now?” He whispered.

“I don't know,” Rarity admitted.

“Ahh and to think it was this easy. I really should have started with a giant magical cage,” Discord remarked with a chuckle.

“Let us out of here Discord!” Twilight demanded.

“Let me think about it…” Discord hummed thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. “No.”

“Ahh, so you did manage to catch them,” boomed a voice.

The six ponies, and one dragon, turned towards the newest arrival, watching in horror as Tirek approached. Now taller than the princesses, Discord, and even most houses, the centaur sported a barrel chest as well as chiseled features. All signs of age were gone, his dark fur glistening with vitality, and his burly red arms bulging with newfound muscles.

“I was beginning to think you weren't capable of such a task,” Tirek exclaimed.

Discord rolled his eyes. “Oh puhlease. Of course, I can trap a couple of silly little ponies. They aren't exactly difficult to trick.”

“Why are you doing this?” whispered Fluttershy, tears streaming down her face. “I thought we were friends.”

“Oh, we were,” Discord began. “But Tirek offered me so much more than just tea parties and dainty, tasteless sandwiches. Surely you saw this coming.”

“I didn't. I well and truly didn't,” Fluttershy murmured before breaking down completely, and pressing her face against Applejack’s chest.

The farm pony held her friend tightly, running a hoof through the shy mare’s mane all while trembling in rage.

“Enough of the dramatics,” Tirek demanded. “Discord, I have another job-er request for you my… friend.”

“Whatever did you have in mind, best buddy?” Discord replied arm slung around Tirek’s shoulders.

“I want you to snap one of them away. Somewhere so far away that they could never return,” Tirek demanded. “And make it somewhere random, somewhere even you don't know.”

Discord blinked. “Err why though?”

“Do I really have to spell it out?” Tirek growled, shoving the draconequus away from him. “These six little rodents always manage to slip out of whatever trap they are placed in and end up saving the day.”

“But they don't have the elements anymore,” Discord pointed out.

“If not the elements then some other ridiculous power,” Tirek continued. “These worms always seem to get some last-minute boost of nowhere. Banish one of them to the far end of the universe and our victory will be secured.”

“Somewhere so far away that not even I could get them back… that would take a lot of power,” Discord muttered.

“Don't listen to him Discord. You know doing something like that is wrong!” Twilight shouted.

“Yeah, you’ve been mean enough already. Any more and you won't just be a jerk, you’ll be evil!” Pinkie Pie yelled, the earth pony glaring up at the draconequus.

“Spare me your prattling,” Discord retorted, snapping his fingers and causing the six mare’s mouths to vanish. “The adults are talking here.”

“Do you fear winning, Discord?” Tirek accused.

“No, no, I fear nothing least of which winning,” Discord hastily replied, floating up into the air. “I’m merely worried about the considerable expenditure is all. Teleporting someone out of the local cluster is bad enough but all the way across the universe, now that's a doozy.”

“Nothing you can't handle though, right?” Tirek pressed, wrapping an arm around the other male’s shoulders. “You are the god of chaos, aren't you?”

“That's right, I am!” Discord proclaimed. “And I can do whatever I want, whenever I want.”

The ponies and dragon all struggled both against the zippers and their cage, though their efforts were in vain. Magic seemed to have no effect, and no matter how hard they tugged, the zippers couldn't be removed.

“So snap one of these creatures away already,” Tirek demanded.

“Right then. Just gotta choose one of you…” Discord murmured, leaning down and gazing into the cage. “It would be extra spiteful if I took the apple thingy far from the tree. The pink one is too amusing to banish. Hmm, this is a difficult choice.”

“Just get on with it,” Tirek snapped.

“I’d tell you to hold your horses, but something tells me you don't want to hug these technicolor blobs. Now then,” Discord cleared his throat. “Rainbow face is too funny to get rid of. Twilight and I have that whole mutual respect of enemies thing going on.”

Twilight rolled her eyes and snorted.

“Fluttershy is out because…” Discord’s face contorted briefly before a smile sprung to his features. “Ahh, I’ve decided. The prissy one will be sent away. She always was the most annoying of the bunch.”

Rarity’s eyes went wide, and she looked at her shocked friends to find that they had already surrounded her. Their expressions were fierce, and even Fluttershy seemed ready to lay down her life to defend Rarity. Who was now overcome with emotions, her jaw gritting tightly as she glared defiantly up at Discord from the center of the herd.

“Oh wow, that's really going to save you… not!” Discord shouted, the draconequus snapping his fingers.

His magic was not instantaneous, however, as Rarity began to glow a twisting gold and red light. Her friends grabbed her, Twilight attempted to remove the spell but failed, her horn erupting in a flurry of sparks. Rarity meanwhile, merely gave each of her friends one final look and nuzzle, ignoring the burning sensation creeping up her body.

“I thought your magic worked instantly,” Tirek barked.

“This is quite the spell you know,” Discord murmured, a hand going to his head as he floated to the ground, unable to levitate. “Takes a bit more time than usual I’m afraid.”

Tirek snorted and said nothing, his large arms crossing over his chest.

Rarity’s friends all held her tightly, tears running down their faces as they clutched at the unicorn’s body. Even Spike wrapped all four of his limbs around Rarity’s leg, the dragon holding on for dear life. The sight was enough to make Rarity begin to cry as well, her final thoughts being a sincere thanks for their friendship.

And then, nothing.

Author's Note

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