"What a crazy trip," Rainbow Dash laughed, hovering in the air next to me. Fluttershy was to my left and the others were walking in front of the three of us. "It feels good to be back in Canterlot."

"Ain't that thuh truth," Applejack agreed with her multicolored friend. "The Crystal Empire is nice an all, but there's only one place ah'd rather be than Canterlot."

I could easily piece together what the one place was. The orange mare was the quintessential country pony.

"Canterlot is a truly wondrous place," Rarity chimed in, her adoration for the city shining through. "A city second to none when it comes to extravagance."

The high class unicorn's appreciation for Canterlot made sense, but I hadn't expected the others to feel the same way. They struck me as more... rural ponies, not city slickers. There was only one thing -- one creature -- I could think of that might be fueling their passion.

Celestia...

I still couldn't figure out the fervor for the alicorn. Most of the ponies in Equestria were more dedicated to her than my toys had been to me, and I'd used spells to alter their minds. It was puzzling... and more than a little intriguing.

Can good creatures actually inspire such loyalty?

...

I ignored that question for the time being. It wasn't the time or the place. We'd just gotten off the train and were navigating through the station, trying to make our way to the castle. Back on the train Trix had said that with everything that'd happened Celestia would be expecting a report from her. My eye catching sight of a frazzled Raven looking around in the center of the crowd all but confirmed that theory.

"Pretty sure she's looking for us." I lifted my head towards the ivory unicorn in response to their questioning gazes.

"RAVE!" Fluffball shouted loud enough to draw the attention of Celestia's aide in spite of the noisy surroundings.

"She must be here to take us to the castle," Trix confirmed with a nod, rushing towards the now waving mare with the others following close behind her.

"What are they so excited about?" I didn't really ask anypony in particular, but the pony next to me -- the only one who hadn't joined the other Elements -- responded anyway.

"Getting to see Her Highness is a privilege," Fluttershy said meekly.

I looked at the yellow pegasus in disbelief.

"D-don't you think so too?" she shuddered under my gaze, hiding behind her pink mane.

...

"No?" I looked back at the others in an attempt to remove some of the discomfort from the frightened mare. They were all speaking animatedly with the princess' aide. "You girls really look up to her, huh?"

"Everypony in Equestria does!" she replied promptly and with vigor, letting me know my tactic had worked. "You... don't, Starlight?"

"I..." I wasn't sure how to answer her.

No. I know how to answer.

"Not even a little bit."

Why would I ever look up to anypony? Idolizing somepony was usually due to the desire to emulate a perceived superior. What could possibly make any pony superior to me? No. I didn't want to be like Celestia. I liked Luna and I didn't want to be like her either. Heck, I loved Sun and I didn't want to be like her.

In situations like these -- to avoid a senseless argument -- it was probably better to just tell a little white lie.

"Not really," I shifted my attention back to the pegasus. "Maybe it's because she's one of my mentors."

...

She wasn't buying that one at all, her face scrunching up in confusion.

"I would think that would make you more inclined to admire her," she scratched her mane, really trying to make sense of what I'd said.

Not when it's forced servitude.

"Well, why do you look up to her?" I decided to put the ball in her court in the hopes that she wouldn't ponder my reasoning too deeply.

"OH!" she blushed, a vibrant smile coming to her face. "There are so many reasons," she looked down at her hooves beginning to count the ways. "She watches over all of us in Equestria and keeps us safe."

Except you were just in the Crystal Empire in a life or death struggle with a maniacal tyrant and all she did was sit on her butt here in Canterlot.

"She's kept peace and order in Equestria for thousands of years."

Yeah, if you don't consider places like my town and the Hive. And even places like the Empire aren't safe! If Sun wasn't there to stop Chrysalis it would've been overthrown by a bunch of bugs!

"She even blesses us with her sun every day. Without that we'd all be helpless."

...Guess I can't really disagree with that one.

"She's..." she took a deep breath, her demeanor brightening more and more. "She's a shining example of what we should all strive to be as ponies." She looked at me, noticing my frown. "A-at least, that's my opinion."

"Well said, Fluttershy!" the voice that came from right behind us made me jump in surprise. "You never cease to impress!"

"Discord!" the yellow pegasus' expression lit up with exuberance.

Who's...

I stared wide-eyed at the creature floating in the air before us. Whatever it was, it was... not normal.

"Fluttershy!" the creature scooped the pegasus up into its arms, spinning her around, and hugging her tightly. "It's SO good to see you again after all this time!"

"Discord..." the yellow pegasus giggled like a school filly. "It's only been a few days," she said sweetly, returning the creature's affection.

"Too many, if you ask me," it replied as it set her down and placed a gentle kiss on top of her head before turning its attention to me. "Hello, Starlight. You're just as persnickety as ever."

I have no idea why, but I took a step away from the creature.

"Am I supposed to know you?" I tried to muster up some confidence but wasn't able to.

This... thing is way too weird.

"'Fraid not," it shrugged with a cocky smirk on its snaggletoothed face.

"This is Discord," Fluttershy looked up at the creature with an adoring grin on her face. "He's a draconequus and one of our best friends."

A draconequus?

"Our?" I tilted my head.

"DISCORD!?" A cyan blur slammed into the creature, pushing him backwards several feet. Strangely enough, he didn't collide with any of the other creatures his body should have. Instead, he passed right through them as if he were merely a projection or an illusion.

"Still far too slow, Dash," he held the blue pegasus' hoof in his eagle claw. She'd thrown a punch straight for his jaw and he'd managed to stop it with apparent ease. "As I've said dozens of times, you'll have to try much harder if you ever want to hit me."

"I'll get ya one day!" the mare smirked, withdrawing her hoof. "Good to see you!"

"You as we-" His eyes widened in surprise.

"DISCORD!" Fluffball had her forelegs wrapped around his midsection, squeezing him tightly.

"Hello, Pinkie," he laid the same claw atop her mane, patting her like she was a young filly. "I'll never understand how you manage to catch me unawares like that."

"It's Pinkie," Applejack joined us along with the rest of the Elements and Raven. The Princess' aide smiled at me, lifting her hoof slightly in a silent greeting. I lifted my head in acknowledgement, still too focused on this "Discord" creature to fully take my attention off of him. "'Nuff said."

"Fair enough," he shrugged with a grin. "You're looking well Applejack."

"Feelin' well too," the farm pony chuckled. "You're not lookin' to bad yerself, Discord. Ya get some work done?" she raised a playful brow.

"You noticed!?" he began glowing. Literally. "I just got my horns filed this week," he stroked the two appendages on his head with his lion paw and eagle claw while still patting Fluffball's head.

...

Wait, how-

"Well, you're looking absolutely magnificent, darling!" Rarity beamed. "It's a pleasure to see you, Discord."

"You're as well mannered as ever, Miss Rarity," he bowed low and lifted her hoof, kissing it gently. "Always a pleasure madam."

"Such a charmer," she fanned herself with her free hoof. It was easy to see just how difficult it was for the ivory mare to hold in her giddiness.

"Discord." Trix looked up at the draconequus, her expression betraying no emotions. Fluffball finally backed away from her friend, letting him fully focus on the blue unicorn.

"Lulamoon." He mirrored her blank slate.

...

Everypony was silent, watching them closely for any sign of give. Somehow even the surrounding creatures seemed to have quieted down. And then, without saying anything more, they hugged one another. After a moment they separated, small smiles on each of their faces. "I'm glad everything turned out well," he announced to all of them. "I can't wait to hear all about i-"

"Hold on one second!" I trotted forward, pulling the spotlight onto myself. "Just what exactly is going on!?" The girls all shifted their focus to Discord.

"Whatever do you mean, Starlight?" he feigned ignorance but I knew he knew what I was referring to.

"This isn't possible!" I waved a hoof at our surroundings. "None of these creatures are even glancing at us! And one of them passed right through you a second ago! HOW!?" I demanded an answer, angrily slamming my hoof into the ground.

...

"Magic, obviously," he shrugged with a smirk. I narrowed my eyes at the pompous being.

I stared up at him, completely dumbfounded by his answer. It felt as if he'd just slapped me right on the mouth. The slight lifting of the corners of his lips made me feel even more belittled. If the Elements weren't around I might've ignited my horn and already started flinging threats, but their presence stopped me.

Well, them and the nagging feeling of anxiety that gripped me whenever I looked directly at Discord. There was definitely something off about him. Something that told me he wasn't the type of creature I should push too hard. No. This would take a method other than my usual MO.

"It's not nice to ridicule somepony." I didn't feign sadness or anything stupid like that. They'd all see through something like that easily. Instead, I just huffed angrily, expressing my actual feelings at the moment. His eyes widened a bit, but only for a moment.

Guess he's not as stupid as he looks.

"Do forgive me, Starlight," he sighed, lifting his arms in a submissive manner. "I simply thought someone of your caliber would easily identify my chaos magic."

Chaos magic?

I tried to keep from looking confused but failed. I'd never encountered anything like that before. Dark? Sure. Evil? Maybe. Chaos? Not once.

"Never heard of it." In another attempt not to appear ignorant I avoided asking him what it was in the hopes that his arrogance might get the best of him. "It must not be very powerful," I shrugged with a sigh.

...

The others looked up at Discord along with me, waiting for him to reply, though none of them possessed the same smug attitude I did.

He lifted his claw, his expression unchanging.

"Discord..." Fluttershy said quietly. "Be nice."

"She'll be fine," he said evenly before snapping his fingers a single time.

In an explosion of white mana I was transported... somewhere else. Surveying the area for only a moment I could guess where I'd been teleported to. The celestial body was bare and lifeless.

TH-THE MOON!?

My heart pounded as I looked up to find my world hundreds of thousands of miles away.

"No way..."

I meant to speak out loud, but no sound came out of my mouth. I don't know why I wasn't dying from lack of oxygen, but that wasn't really a concern at the moment. I'd honestly rather be dead than have to live isolated on the moon for god knows how long.

"Discord!" Again, no sound. My heart slammed into my ribcage even harder.

"DISCORD!"

Nothing.

In another flash of white light, I was standing back in front of the draconequus and the girls, as if nothing had ever happened to me.

"Powerful enough for you?" he lifted a curious brow. I nearly fell over, feeling like I might vomit at any moment.

"STARLIGHT!?" Trix caught me just as I was about to collapse.

"Shouldn't have messed with him, Starlight," Rainbow chuckled. Apparently, she was quite pleased with my swift defeat as she held a hoof up to him. The draconequus bumped a closed paw into the pegasus' offered hoof. I guess she felt some kind of retribution from seeing me get whipped so easily. I'd remember that.

"I think you've made your point, Discord," Fluttershy said firmly. Or at least, as firm as somepony like her could sound.

"I have," he crossed his arms. "I'm finished."

"Thanks, Trix," I whispered to the mare who'd saved me from further embarrassment.

"Of course," she whispered back with a slight nod of her head.

"Discord..." Raven finally spoke, her voice definitely not conveying a sense of happiness. "You know Princess Celestia asked you to stop using your magic on her ponies."

"She did," he said in a matter of fact manner. "But I'm certain she'd be fine with it if I was... instructing one of her pupils."

"You-"

"Besides," Rainbow Dash interrupted the aide. "Starlight was kind of asking for it."

"RAINBOW!?" Applejack and Rarity both shouted in shock.

"What?" The pegasus lifted her forelegs. "She was."

I would definitely remember.

"Maybe. But ya don't have tuh-"

"She's right," I spoke up. I smiled at Trix before standing under my own power. I looked up at the behemoth that had defeated me so easily. "You're a lot stronger than you look."

"I assure you, Starlight, looks can be quite deceiving," he smirked.

Apparently.

"We should go a few rounds," I suggested honestly, a smile spreading on my lips. "I might actually be able to learn a thing or two from you."

"Sounds... interesting." He seemed to be genuinely intrigued.

"It'll have to be some other time," Raven interjected, drawing my attention. "Her Highness wishes to speak with you, Trixie, Twilight, and Sunset."

Figures.

"Some other time then." Discord sighed with a disappointed shrug, though I couldn't be sure if it was genuine or not.

"I'm game whenever," I declared confidently.

"Very well," the draconequus consented to a rematch before turning his attention to the Elements. "Now then, since our dear Lulamoon will be busy for a while, what say we all go back to my place? I've got snacks for everyone and you all can tell me about your adventure in the Crystal Empire."

The Elements -- save Trix -- couldn't have been more enthusiastic about his offer, all five mares clamoring at once that his suggestion was a great idea.

"Great!" he clapped his "hands" together. "I'll pick you up as soon as your debriefing is finished, Lulamoon?" he said to Trix.

"Sounds good, Discord," the azure unicorn nodded her head with a smile.

"Good! Then we'll see you in a bit," he smiled warmly at her. "You're welcome to join us as well. If you wish, Glim Glam."

Glim... Glam?

"O-okay," I stuttered. His nickname had caught me off guard and I didn't have a clever response prepared.

The girls and the draconequus said their goodbyes and then disappeared, whisked away to Discord's home in a blast of white chaos magic. The bystanders around us all began walking much closer. It was obvious without Discord's magic we were a part of their reality once again.

"You should really come, Starlight," Trix commented as we turned to convene with Raven.

"Maybe," I smiled at the mare. "We're ready to go, Raven."

"Okay," she began looking around the depot once again for Sun and the traitor. "I just have to find the others before we-"

"I almost forgot to mention," the draconequus' voice echoed around us. "Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle are already with the princesses. I relocated them myself, so you don't have to worry, Raven. Her Highness wanted to speak with them first."

"OH! Thank you for letting me know, Discord," Raven simply looked up to reply.

"Think nothing of it," he cackled as his voice faded away.

"Well, that being the case then, we can head out now," the white unicorn smiled at us.

"After you, Raven," Trix smiled as Celestia's aide took the lead. We followed close behind her.

Author's Note

Discord is not to be messed with. Star had to learn the hard way.