Adventures in the TARDIS

It feels unreal for the TARDIS crew to watch the TARDIS fade away with the Doctor inside. Despite his declaration and explanation, it still feels like the Doctor might be bluffing until the TARDIS fully fades away. Only after they continue to stare into the empty space and realize he's not coming back soon did their new reality more fully sink in.

“Well . . . this is a new one,” Stern Wing proclaims with a stunned blink.

“You have to admit the Doctor has a good point, though,” Feather Wind brings up. “He doesn't want mindless automatons with him, he wants friends and companions who can think for themselves.” He gazes among those gathered here. “If we become stronger simply by learning we don't always have to rely on the Doctor being here all the time, then we're more useful to him and to each other.”

“Vision isn't here this time,” Derpy reminds the group. “That's both a good and bad thing. Good because it means her health isn't at risk. Also nopony has to remain behind to watch her.”

“One of my drones could have been suited for that task,” Doctor Kelly also reminds.

“Yeah, but a personal touch is still better,” Derpy argues. “We haven't set up the teleport circle thing yet either. If the drone did detect a problem, we might not be back soon enough to take care of the issue anyway.”

Doctor Kelly nods as she says, “True, but the Doctor promised to address that issue this time. He might be able to solve it before our next adventure.”

Derpy sighs then goes on to say, “Well, anyway, Vision's absence is also a bad thing because we won't receive any forewarning about any disaster. She saved your lives,” she says as she scans between Feather and Stern, “back on Water World. We don't have that safety net this time so . . .”

“I see your point,” Stern Wing acknowledges. “That said, not much has changed in terms of our raw strategy. I did my best during that adventure and I intend to do no less during this one. Honestly, I think our biggest difference here is the Doctor's absence and the presence of Daring here instead.”

Hearing her name mentioned returns Daring's attention to the conversation. Until then, she was observing the fact that their local environment is some kind of cave filled with many various colored crystals spiking out of the cave walls, floor, and ceiling. Just about all of these crystals are glowing, too, which is proof positive that magical energy in the local environment is intense here. There are many crystals growing in various places back in Equestria too, but it's rare to see even a few holding a natural enchantment. Here, however, all the ones she can spot are glowing which means magic here must be very intense.

But when her name is mentioned, Daring is reminded, with a bit of a blush, that she isn't alone in this adventure. Not only that, but the Doctor actually left her in charge of this group! It's mind boggling for her to think she was only recently open to the idea of traveling in groups for her adventures, but to be in charge of one too? That's a significantly higher responsibility than she felt prepared for.

Daring is starting to think the Doctor is taking perverse pleasure in pushing her out of her comfort zone. After all, he really didn't have to leave. She can understand that there are other tasks he can do that are important, but he could have returned with the TARDIS seconds later unless he was killed in the detour, and even then, it could only mean he might return with a different face.

However, the fact he declared he shall deliberately not return until this adventure is done means leaving is entirely the point. In her last adventure with him, he encouraged her to grow through his presence. This time it seems he intends to push her potential, as well as the rest of his companions, specifically with his absence.

“Without him or the TARDIS, we're stranded wherever and whenever we are,” Stern Wing brings up. “I don't think I'm being unreasonable when I declare that I find that fact unnerving.”

“There might be an extra reason for his confidence in us with this adventure,” Doctor Kelly proposes. “Remember, he travels through time and that includes an era ahead of this one. He might already have some evidence that we'll accomplish whatever we're meant to do here.”

“I'm not dismissing your point because you might be right in this case,” Feather counters to Doctor Kelly, “but he also said many times that most time periods aren't fixed. Because of that, seeing evidence of success in one reality doesn't guarantee it in all of them.” He tilts his head to indicate Stern Wing beside him. “So I'm with Stern Wing on this one. Our primary strategy hasn't changed. We do our best in this adventure and don't rest on our laurels. In other words; let's not take anything for granted.”

Feather Wind shifts his gaze to Daring then asks her, “All that said, what do you think we should do now? He did leave you in charge.”

“Yeah. Right. He did,” Daring agrees with a flush of embarrassment because being in charge of an adventuring group is far outside her past experience. In fact, this has never happened to her before.

One thing about her present situation that does comfort her, however, is the fact she is certain she can trust this group not to be deliberately treacherous. Whether they can handle what they'll face is still in question, but the Doctor hand picked this group himself and he seems to be an overwhelmingly good judge of character. As such, Daring can feel certain that their hearts will be in the right place at the very least so that's one major concern off the table for her.

“I think, for now, a tactical assessment of our situation is in order,” Daring brings up when she forcefully gathers her confidence. “With any adventure, we need to have as much awareness of our situation and environment as possible. I'm pretty sure the Doctor would agree with me.”

“Well, you are a professional adventurer!” Derpy says cheerfully. There's also a hint of relief in her voice.

“Since you bring that up,” Doctor Kelly says with a slight nod to Daring, “I think I need to mention that my race comes from the distant future ahead of all the rest of you so far, and I'm a historian too. Moreover, my race grew up in an environment thick with magical energy and, as such, we have become extra sensitive to it. This means my race, known to my herd as the Magi, can naturally feel the presence of magic.”

“Since they have also learned to cast magic in extremely refined ways as well, they have also learned to downright communicate with magical energy alone,” Feather Wind brings up with a fascinated voice. “As long as they use it to project magic at others equally sensitive and that individual learns to differentiate what those signals mean, then it effectively is very similar to telepathy insofar as it is also wordless communication.”

“That is fascinating,” says Daring, “but I think the more pertinent point here is your ability to naturally detect magic.” Daring focuses on Doctor Kelly. “So what are you detecting now?”

Doctor Kelly briefly nods to Daring as she says, “That is the point I was coming to. I wanted to inform you all that, like my home, this area is very thick of magic as well. However,” she scans about with a discerning look, “something about it is also different. Since I can't put my hoof on it yet, I'm going to have my drones spread out and start scanning some samples here. Once I gather that data, I'll analyze it and give you a more refined answer to that question.”

“While you do that, I have some information to share as well,” Feather Wind brings up which draws Daring's attention to him. “In a way, I can naturally detect the presence of magic too but I think my method is different compared to Doctor Kelly here. Because of the environment her race grew up in, their bodies have become super sensitive to magic. In contrast, my talent is more an extension of soul and my cutie mark.” Feather focuses on Daring's eyes. “I have a strong bond with the air and sky, you see, and it communicates with me on some inexplicable level. For me, I merely have to breathe in the air and it sometimes has a message for me. In this case, I detect the thick magic too, but something more as well. I also detect the mood and spirit of the air as well.”

“Which is?” Daring asks curiously almost to the point of being anxious.

Feather Wind closes his eyes and breathes in deep several times before he answers in a very calm voice, “Calm. Still. Extremely strong harmony. Joy. Love.”

“Oh!” Derpy says in delight. “That doesn't sound so bad.”

Feather Wind slowly opens his eyes and seems to be a bit dazed as he says, “Now this place, unlike Doctor Kelly's home world, might be true paradise because, this time, this energy isn't simulated. It's real. It's alive! It is charged with very colorful and vibrant energy.” He tilts his head a bit. “Despite that, the energy is moving very slowly too, at least in this local environment.” He scans about. “I think what I'm detecting is the energy in the immediate vicinity. Specifically this cave in particular.” He looks back at Daring. “Any area with heavy earth energy tends to be that way. Very slow and deliberate.”

Feather then looks at Doctor Kelly as he says to her, “I'm sorry if you're offended about my opinion of your home world, but for me personally, it feels like a hollow paradise.”

Doctor Kelly lifts an objecting hoof at Feather Wind while shaking her head and says, “I'm not offended with your opinion about my home world at all. In a small way I even agree. Why do you think I left it?”

“Scientific curiosity,” Feather Wind immediately answers. “You said so yourself.”

“True,” Doctor Kelly says with a nod of agreement. “Aside from that, I respect that your opinion is your opinion. I take no personal offense to that fact. Remember, as a professional psychologist and scientist, I have been trained to detach myself from personal matters. As such, I know how to keep a cool and level head.”

“Good,” Daring says to Doctor Kelly. “That'll come in hoofy. In any would-be adventure, it is very important to keep a calm and level head. In your case, if any of us start to stray from that, you have the skills to put us back on track provided you have the time to do so.”

“I said as much when I first joined this team,” Doctor Kelly informs Daring. “The physical and mental health of the whole team here is very important to me, and I'd like to do regular check-ups with that periodically whenever possible.”

“This place is so very pretty!” Derpy marvels as she gazes around at the cave they are in with wonder. “The lights, the crystals, the warm feeling in the air . . . I could be comfortable here forever!”

“And therein lies one of the dangers of true paradise,” Stern Wing says cautiously as she gives a shrewd and narrow-eyed look at Derpy. “We can't allow ourselves to be too content in such places unless we really intend to spend eternity here.” She looks over at Daring Do. “But we came here with a mission and I suggest we keep that in mind. Let's trek on and expand our perimeter search. To that end,” she nods towards the nearby exit of the cave which is spilling in so much light beyond, none of the ponies here can see what is beyond yet. “I suggest we expand our search in that direction in particular.”

“Good idea,” Daring agrees. “I'd like to check this cave just a little bit longer and verify if it really is a dead end or not. If it is, then we'll continue our journey by exploring what is outside of this cave.” She looks at Doctor Kelly. “I'm not certain what you mean by the term 'drones'. I heard of the word but I get the feeling you have something else in mind.”

“I have a link with artificial devices that are flying, multi-purpose tools,” Doctor Kelly explains as she has one of them float nearby to reveal itself. When she does, Daring sees a small mirror-like hovering sphere. It splits apart to reveal some kind of glowing red dot in the center. “With it,” the doctor goes on to explain, “I can accomplish various tasks such as scanning this place. When I do, I'll gather lots of technical data which might come in hoofy now and/or later.”

“Interesting device,” Daring says as she regards it with one eye squinted with semi-confusion. “So, ah . . . how long will your scans take approximately?”

“Probably just a few minutes,” Doctor Kelly answers. “With more time I might be able to come up with more detailed information, but eventually what I can gather with these things will plateau.”

“Continue with your work, then, while the rest of us check out this place as well,” Daring declares. “We'll spread out and search this area before expanding our search towards the exit of this cave. At all times, however, I want each of us to maintain line of sight with at least one other member of our party. Understood? Also, if any of you do find something noteworthy, I'd like a report on that immediately.”

The rest of the group agreed then spread out to do as ordered.

When the group does venture to explore the exit and entrance to this cave, they behold a marvelous sight beyond anything any of them could imagine or experienced before. In addition to the sun in the sky, rivers of rainbow energy dance in the sky and cascade prismatic light to everything down below. Not only that, but many plants, animals, and even minerals cast their own light as well which is bright enough to stand out even in the daylight. Just like back in the cave, there are lots of various colored and glowing crystals spread across this landscape. Some of them had very distinctive shapes to them too as if to represent a tree, for example.

It isn't just the sight of this area that amazes them but every other sense as well. The air has a natural perfume-like quality, probably because of the many glowing flowers across this landscape. The temperature is absolutely ideal for all of them. Humming music also hangs in the air with a soothing and joyous melody.

“Beautiful!” Derpy marvels with a gasp of wonder.

“This certainly beats the claustrophobic and steam-mechanized hallways of the Klaxian ship. That's for sure,” Stern Wing says with a raise of an eyebrow. “When I agreed to join the Doctor on his adventures, I have to admit I didn't expect to ever come across something like this.”

“The energy has changed, too, at least out here,” Feather Wind reports. “Like the cave, I sense deep joy and harmony in the air. Out here, however, it is far more active. It swims through the air with intense motion. Um.”

Feather Wind looks up and studies the apparent aurora borealis that is so bright in the sky, it actually stands out even in the daylight. As such, it bathes the entire landscape with a pattern of whirling and prismatic shifting colors.

After about fifteen seconds, he nods at the swimming energy above with his muzzle then reports, “The energy pattern you see above is pretty much what I sense down below as well. It's shifting and cascading at the same rate.”

Stern Wing squints as she says, “This seems like the last place that would ever need an active hero.”

“On the other hoof, it might be among the most ideal to have a miraculous cure that is later extinct,” Doctor Kelly points out. “I say we count our blessings. Our journey here might not only be safe, but downright pleasant. Still, we should keep in mind why we've come here and not get too distracted.”

“A venus fly trap seemed pleasant to a fly at first, too,” Stern Wing cautions. “I caution you all not to drop your guard. No matter how pleasant a flower might seem, it might also be hiding some deadly thorns.”

“Normally I'd agree, and in a way I still do,” Feather brings up, “but the degree of harmonic energy I sense in the air is so intense, it's as if conflict never existed here. Not even once. All things that exist cast off energy that gets imprinted in the air. For the air to feel this pure means something far more intense than we have ever encountered before. Every creature and plant here grew up with this intensive joy and harmony so strong, that influence would cause them to never even consider harming another. In that regard, we are the odd ones out. The dark and corrupt aliens from the future that don't really belong here simply because we're capable of conceiving the mere concept of conflict to any degree.

“I do, however, agree that we should keep our guard up nevertheless. It's always possible harmonic energy even this intense might be hiding something sinister.”

“Or accidentally harmful,” Doctor Kelly points out. “Every flora and fauna here might have a disease that they are all immune to. Put displaced aliens here, however, and it might be a different story in both ways. Just because something doesn't intend us harm doesn't mean it isn't capable of it anyway. All it would take is for us to stumble in a pothole or the like, so I agree that we should remain alert and aware of our environment no matter how hospitable it appears.”

“I, too, have studied history,” Feather Wind announces. “But in all of my readings, I never came across anything like this before.” He looks at Daring Do beside him and says, “The Doctor assured us that this is our world but in an earlier time period. Have you ever come across anything like this before? Do you know where and when we are?”

“No,” Daring Do answers. “I am not sure, but I think this is another continent I've explored just a few times before. If it is, it seems to have changed a lot. Then again, I didn't explore that entire continent before in my time.”

“Then we're all in very unfamiliar territory,” Feather reasons. “Any suggestions for us to start with?”

“I have one,” Stern Wing brings up. “Several, actually.” She focuses on her small, sky blue unicorn friend. “You can communicate with the wind and air, right? I remember one time such a thing tried to download the entire planet's history into you.”

“Wow! Really?” Daring asks Stern Wing then looks at Feather Wind with a surprised blink. “What was that like?”

“Overwhelming at first,” Feather answers Daring. “But over time I noticed a lot of what it reported was the same thing over and over again so it was easier for my brain to process. It just reported the weather across all of its eras and mostly in big picture context.”

“In this case, I wonder if you can inquire for specific details,” Stern Wing muses. “Could you ask where the cure we seek lies? Or any clue thereof?”

Feather Wind winces at Stern Wing as he says, “I can try, but the perception of elemental spirits, like the air, has a vastly different perception of the world than we mortals do. Largely what they notice is whatever falls within their purview. If we sought a forest fire, for example, I'm more likely to get a precise answer because such a fire would cause lots of smoke to rise in the air and that is a change in their environment strong enough for them to notice. On the other hoof, this cure would likely go entirely beyond their notice unless it affects the wind and sky to some significant degree.”

“If the cure is a plant or animal, it normally breathes,” Doctor Kelly brings up. “So that affects the wind and sky.”

“So does an ant,” Feather retorts to Doctor Kelly. “Think you can find a specific one because of that fact alone?”

“No, but I'm not a wind spirit,” Doctor Kelly replies evenly. “I have no clue what falls under their perception, and it might even be different from world to world or even the same world but different time periods. It’s still worth asking.”

Stern Wing knocks on the side of her head three times as she proposes, “The other suggestion I have I'm a little wary to propose but, strangely enough, all of us in this party can fly to some degree. Even you, Doctor,” she adds as she looks at Doctor Kelly. “I saw you float off the ground with those force constructs of yours. I don't know how high, far, or fast you can travel with those means however.”

“That might actually be something worth testing,” Doctor Kelly says with an interested tone. “Because the answer might actually change from world to world. The method I use to cast magic might differ from unicorns of your various eras, but the fact remains I recharge my magic depending on the strength of magic in the area. Here it's very strong so that might affect my spells accordingly. Even if it doesn't, it at least affects how fast I recharge my magic. In this case, I sense I would recharge my magic very fast indeed.”

“With really clean and positively charged energy, too,” Feather Wind adds. “The energy here is so outrageously positive, I wouldn't be surprised if even our bodies would regenerate quickly from any scrapes and bruises. Here, we might even have significantly longer lifespans so long as we spend that extra time entirely here.”

“That's not our plan but good to know for several reasons anyway if true,” Daring Do notes. “If we indeed heal fast in this place, then so does anything else we might encounter. If they just happen to be hostile, it could end up a very long fight indeed. Plus, if this place could expand our lifespan here, then the lifespan of that which we encounter could potentially be long indeed too. So, if it is an opponent, it could be an individual with a great deal of experience on how to be effectively hostile. The only thing that conflicts with that fact is that this place naturally encourages everypony to be super friendly.”

“There can be some drawbacks to that too,” Stern Wing brings up. “For example, with any society that is so friendly that they are not used to conflict at all, they'd be especially unprepared for it in the rare times it does show up. We could potentially find ourselves surrounded by many innocent beings who have no idea how to save themselves from danger during the very rare times it shows up. Let's keep that in mind too.”

“I've actually read something like that by scholars who made that same argument about the naturally peaceful lifestyle of Equestria,” Feather Wind announces. “That most of our society, too, wouldn't know what to do during the rare times true danger is involved.” He then looks at Daring Do. “The only exception to that rule is any pony who specifically has a cutie mark involving the ability to meet and confront danger to some degree.”

The group is silent for a moment, broken first by Stern Wing.

“Anyway, the reason I made that proposal about our ability to fly earlier is it could make for effective aerial reconnaissance. We could either fly together and explore a large amount of territory or split up and multiply the information we gather even further.”

“I don't think we should split apart this early in the journey,” Daring Do says with an uncomfortable squint. “This place seems unusually nice but we just got here. If any of us does run into trouble, I'd prefer if that pony isn't alone. If that option becomes more necessary later on, however, then I'll keep it in mind.”

“I could send my drones out right now and accomplish the same thing,” Doctor Kelly proposes. “I can even make them invisible so as not to disturb any life form here. If and when we have a later need for them, I can call them back. By then, they may have more data to report.”

Daring Do almost says something but Stern Wing beat her to it.

“For the moment, I agree with your assessment,” Stern says directly to Daring Do. “It's a little too early to split up. If any of us encounters trouble, I think we'd be more prepared for it if we stick together.”

“If trouble you seek, then Trouble you'll find,” suddenly announces an ominous and mysterious disembodied voice that echoes around them a bit. “Whenever you do, you'll be in a bind.”

This announcement puts them all on sudden alert. In Derpy's case she's quite frightened too. The voice they just heard was such a stark contrast to all the peaceful energy that surrounds them which makes it even more negatively surprising.

“Who's there?!” Daring Do calls out as she sinks into a ready battle stance. She also scans about herself very vigilantly. The others do too, but in Doctor Kelly's case, she has her drones secretly assist her with that. “Show yourself!”

Unnervingly, the response Daring gets is just an insidious laughter. It continues to echo too which displaces the voice’s true position. It seems to surround them instead.

“Everypony, stay close!” Daring orders while remaining on high alert. “Keep your eyes peeled too. Kelly and Feather, do you sense any unusual magic nearby us? Something that might help to explain this?”

“Five little ponies who are out of place,” announces the mysterious individual again. “Little would most realize that they traveled from space. Far they have come, and desperate is their stride. They have arrived, to this time, without their usual guide. With their resources, they have brought some; while nary they realize that Chaos has come!”

While in another fit of maniacal laughter, finally a visible target starts to appear. A creature starts to materialize in front of them in much the same way the TARDIS would except this creature lacks that vehicle's usual sound effects and it is considerably smaller. What does appear seems to be a very strange creature indeed. At first it looks like a cat, but as it solidifies more, they gradually realize it is more like an amalgamation of various creature parts. The face is very feline-like which includes cat-like ears above its head. However its eyes are overly large and it seems crazed. Just like a cat, it has vertical slits for eyes. It is also heterochromic in a highly unusual way. Not only is the color of its iris's different colors, but so too is what would normally be the whites of its eyes. Those eyes also glow and keep shifting colors, but those colors are always mismatched compared to the other eye. Its eyes are very naturally hypnotic to behold.

The torso and limbs of this creature is lizard-like. An iguana is the closest comparison, especially given its size. It even has spines off the spine of its back. Its tail ends with the head of a snake complete with its own mouth. The claws in each of its paws are unusually long, too. They stick out about three inches beyond each of its paws. Closer examination would reveal the exact length of each of its claws is always off by at least a few centimeters.

This creature just floats off the ground in front of them but seems to be laying on something invisible. Whatever it is, its fore claws hang over the forward edge of this invisible thing while its snake tail swishes lazily down the other end.

“Hello, my new friends. I have come to play!” greets the chilling creature. “I seek entertainment on this most auspicious day.”

“And you think we are out of place?” Stern Wing challenges it. “Ever look into a mirror recently?”

The large, hypnotically shifting colored lighted eyes of the creature widen even further as it says in delight, “What a wonderful idea you have brought unto me. I'll happily acquiesce with a sense of glee.”

Then, mysteriously, a hand-sized mirror just fades into existence then hovers beside the creature who then regards it with a vain expression on its face. To the mirror, it says, “Hello there handsome. Glad tidings and well met. Surprising, you are, is my usual bet.”

“What do you want with us?” asks Derpy in a very frightened way. The gray pegasus mare is visibly shaking so much that some nearby her can feel it without even looking at her.

“Motion to this story, come what may,” the creature says as the highly unusual looking thing looks back at them. “Excitement I seek on the eve of this day. As you continue your travels, our meeting shall repeat. Onward with you till our journey's complete. Until then, I shall be counting our days. Forever you shall be in my gaze!”

Suddenly the creature rushes at them which greatly startles them. At the last millisecond it curves and whirls around them instead. It creates a brief and tiny tornado around them that whirles with leaves and magical sparkles. As it continues, though, the creature eventually vanishes and the tornado dies seconds later. While all of that happened, it laughed maniacally again. When the creature and tornado faded, so did the echo of its laughter.

The group remains still and stunned into silence till eventually Stern Wing is the first to break it.

“What in Celestia's name was THAT monstrosity?!”

“I'm not exactly sure, but I do have a guess,” announces Daring Do.

“I'm all ears,” Stern Wing says immediately and with an insistent tone.

“If I had to guess, I think we just encountered a draconequus,” Daring Do figures.

“You mean Discord?” Derpy querries curiously.

Daring Do shakes her head as she says, “No. Well . . . I doubt it anyway. I think that thing was a draconequus but not Discord. This is another individual of the same race.” Daring stands up straight now. “Until now, I had wondered if the name of his 'race' was a moot point if Discord is, and always was, the only member of it, but it now seems there might have been other members of his race . . . at least at one time.” She scans about the horizon carefully. “And it's either highly ironic or appropriate that a spirit of Chaos and Disharmony appears in a time and place where harmony has never been higher that I know of.”

“Whoa-whoa-whoa. Time out here,” Stern Wing requests as she crosses her wings into an X pattern in front of her for a second before lowering and refolding her wings. “Just because you say the name 'draconequus' doesn't mean it is a fair explanation. I have never encountered a name like that before and I have no idea what it means.”

“I'm sorry.” Daring Do turns to face the others. “You're right. Some of this knowledge relies upon encounters more native to my time as well as Derpy's. From that time, we, unfortunately, encountered an entity that exists outside the bounds of normal space/time. It claims to be a creature of Chaos and Disharmony and it can easily evoke it because it seems to have the ability to change anything in reality as it sees fit.”

Feather Wind and Stern Wing look stunned at that announcement. Doctor Kelly narrows her eyes a bit at Daring Do while continuing to suck on her lollipop. Eventually Stern speaks up by saying, “You're kidding . . . right?”

“If only I was,” Daring says grimly. “This creature that I spoke of, calling himself Discord, was a threat that was dealt with by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna many centuries ago. It was frozen in stone and-”

“WHOA!” Feather Wind interrupts with an exclamation of shock. “Wait a second. I think I saw that statue you speak of!”

“Really?” Stern asks her short-stature friend. “This is the first I heard of it.”

“Then you haven't been to the Canterlot Gardens like I have,” Feather says back to Stern. “Plus I read about this creature.” He looks back at Daring. “But it was in a book of myths and legends. Are you saying that that statue is a real creature?”

“Was a statue in my time,” Daring answers. “When that changed, he brought with him . . . well . . . chaos and disharmony as promised.” Daring turns her head about with a thoughtful look. “This creature, however, I sense is different. It might be the same species but I think this one is much weaker. It is also much smaller.”

“I can vouch for that,” Feather Wind agrees. “As I said, I saw Discord's statue.”

Stern Wing passes a discerning look from Feather to Daring as she asks, “Are you sure it is weaker? And what makes you think so?”

“No, I'm not sure,” Daring says as she looks back at her friends. “It's just a hunch.” She points at Stern. “But even if I'm right, it shouldn't be underestimated. Just because it only has the power to turn our heads into watermelons instead of an entire mountain into a giant watermelon doesn't mean we should relax around it, for if our heads did indeed transform into such a fruit then . . . Well. Let's just say it might be hard to think in our usual way. Such an act might even outright kill us.”

“Wow. That's just what we need!” Stern Wing growls sarcastically. “I told you all these roses of this time might hide thorns!”

Although still shaking with fright, Derpy squints one eye as she says in a tone of objection, “While it's certainly possible that Discord could do a thing like that, and he used to be very cruel . . .”

“Used to be?” Stern inquires.

Derpy just shakes her head, deciding to momentarily ignore that recent question, and goes on to say, “Nevertheless, he didn't seem nearly that homicidal. Rather than that, things were always about 'games' to him.”

Daring Do nods at Derpy and says, “Agreed. Entertainment seems to be the primary motive of these creatures in addition to spreading chaos and disharmony. As such, I think they'd rarely be lethal on purpose. They wouldn't want a quick end to their opponents. That would end their sick little games too soon.”

“If these are spirits that can control reality, I don't see what would normally frighten them anyway,” Feather Wind figures. “Princess Celestia and Luna once dealt with one of their kind before. I'll bet you anything Discord underestimated them back then. He's too used to having his way. Plus, as a true spirit, I suspect they lack any physical needs like eating, drinking, sleeping, and even aging or being hurt in any standard way. If they can control reality, they are probably used to instant gratification of any wish. Accordingly, if all of their needs are permanently taken care of, then it's only their wants that ever motivates them into action. As such, they are likely always acting on pure whim.

“However, you did say this one might be weaker,” Feather adds with a nod at Daring. “The prevalence of Harmony here might be an explanation for that, yet at the same time attracting it to whatever degree that it can hoofle. More powerful draconequuss simply might be unable to come to this era yet. There is also a possibility that that entity is Discord exactly, but a younger form of him.”

“That had crossed my mind as well,” agrees Daring to Feather. “This one might be weaker simply because he's younger, or hasn't inflicted as much chaos yet. Maybe that's harder to do in a world already full of so much harmony.”

“Pony feathers!” Stern Wing curses. “If you're right, I think I just figured out why that creature is so interested in us in particular.”

Feather Wind widens his eyes for a moment then looks at Stern as he nods at her. “That's a good point. This creature might be so interested in us because, here in this time, we're an anomaly more likely to evoke chaos rather than harmony. Even if we don't plan to be, we might be accidentally because of our ignorance. Plus, compared to the rest of these creatures raised in this time, we could seem like the darkest creatures imaginable.”

“'If you seek Chaos, then Chaos finds you',” Stern quotes then shakes her head. “It said something to that effect when it first appeared.”

“I think the word it said was 'trouble',” Feather corrects.

“Well, regardless, it now seems we have even more reason to be cautious here,” Daring says as she spins about and faces the outward environment. “We need to press on with our mission, but as we do so, keep in mind that there are things here worthy of keeping up our guard for. Stay close and stay sharp.”