“Sunset Shimmer?”

“Are you okay?”

“What’s going on?”

Princess Twilight Sparkle was at a loss of words as no response seemed to come through. She paced and paced, flung books upon books into view with her magic, but nothing seemed to explain the sudden ferality of the humanoid universe.

Granted, all of these books merely explained possible reasons for a pony to act this way. Like Pony Wasting Disease, Mad Horse Syndrome, Mare Memory Degradation, or even Celestial Prion Affliction… which was a new one. Sure none of them were as aggressive as this, and was usually treatable with magic, but it was a good starting base.

“I don’t understand, Spike… Sunset Shimmer says some disease is spreading… and they’re…” Twilight paused for a second, glancing down at Spike. “I have to go there, Spike. I have to fix this.”

As Spike read the letter Sunset wrote, Spike reluctantly looked up at Twilight, “Are you sure this is something you can fix?”

“I have to try. She’s my friend… they’re all my friends, I can’t just leave them behind.” Twilight took the book from Spike’s claws with her magic, placing it on the table nearby.

“Twilight… this sounds serious. This doesn’t sound like magic at all. It sounds like—like something out of our control. I don’t think magic or friendship will help with this problem. Besides, the Friendship Summit is in two days, can you really afford to miss that?”

“Ugh… I wish I could just be in two places at once.” Twilight continued to pace back and forth. She shook her head, “But some things are more important than others… their lives are at risk, Spike!”

“What’s going on?” The sudden voice behind the two of them made them jump, and as Twilight turned to face the voice, she realized who it was.

“Discord… I-I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I just… got here. Is everything okay? You look like you saw The Headless Horse.” Discord snorted at his joke, but as Twilight continued to pace, Discord realized things may just be a bit more complicated than he originally thought. “Is it about the Friendship Summit? You’ve done fine any other time.”

“No.” Twilight bluntly said, “Sunset sent me a letter.”

“Ah. She needs your help with something but you’re stressed because you have the Friendship Summit in two days—and can't afford to miss anything the Princess’ tell you to do.” Discord stretched and yawned before turning over on his back on the floor.

“They’re dead.”

Discord’s eyes widened for a split second, causing him to flip his body around to look at Twilight, “What?!”

“No— I don’t know—! I-I don’t understand what she’s trying to say in this and I… ugh. Spike, cover for me. There’s only one way for me to see what’s going on, I’m going in.” Twilight’s eyes narrowed as she headed to the Crystal Mirror.

Discord glanced down at Spike, raising a brow before following her. “Twilight? Isn’t this a bit extreme? I’m sure your little ‘human friends’ can handle this on their own.”

“That’s the thing, Discord… I don’t think they can. I’ve looked through every book, every journal entry Sunset and I have shared, and nothing points to some feral apocalypse!”

“Feral apocalypse? Please, Twilight, isn’t that a bit overdramatic? If it’s an animal issue, send Fluttershy.”

Twilight shook her head, “It’s not an animal issue, Discord. Tell the others I’ll be back in three days.”

“Well hold on—” Discord began, but Twilight didn’t listen, immediately stepping towards the mirror before hovering her hoof over it. She sighed before trying to walk through, only to thunk her head against the glass and fall over. Discord flinched, but it didn’t keep him from failing to hold back a snort. “You okay, Princess?”

“What!?” Twilight shot up, making both Discord and Spike—who had just entered the room—jump. Twilight pressed her hooves to the glass, panicking as she realized it was closed. “Wh–Where’s the portal? Where’s the portal?!”

As Twilight continuously tried to fix the portal, Discord and Spike watched from afar, playing a chess game as if nothing wrong was happening.

“Ah, wrong move.” Discord chuckled, “Checkmate.”

“Seriously? You cheated again!”

“Cheated? Me? I am insulted! I don’t cheat, I win.” Discord smiled, curling his tail as it hid some of the pieces underneath.

“Will you two shut up!?” Twilight stopped flying, immediately falling onto her hooves as she scolded the two of them, “The portal is broken and there’s no way I can—” she stopped for a second, using her hooves to make a square around Discord’s face, who was definitely more than confused. “That’s it!” Twilight ran up to Discord, “You can make a portal to the human world without the need of a portal, it’s perfect!”

“Right…” he looked at an imaginary watch on his wrist, “Oh, and lookie here, I think it’s time for Fluttershy and I to head out on our little dinner date.” Discord jumped out of his seat, getting ready to leave as he snapped a tuxedo on himself.

“Date?” Spike asked.

“Ah, not exactly. However, it’s a dinner between two ponies, so it qualifies as one.”

“Discord! You’re going to help me!” Twilight ordered, causing Discord’s suit to vanish.

“Oh come on! I have busy things too!” Discord crossed his arms, pouting slightly.

“Sunset needs your help, and you’re the only pony who can do it!”

Discord’s eyes softened at the mention of Sunset, his crossed arms faltering slowly as he sighed. “Fine. I’ll go rescue Sunset… and her friends.”

“Maybe since you’re using a different portal, your magic and body will remain. Just—don’t scare anypony while you’re there.”

“Right. Because seeing me is definitely something out of somepony’s worst nightmare.” Discord mumbled sarcastically.

“To them? Absolutely. Now open the portal!” Twilight ordered, but as Discord stood there with his arms still crossed, Twilight scoffed, “Hey!”

“Oh? Did you expect me to know how?”

“Discord!”

Discord groaned, “Fine, but I’m making this quick. I’m not missing out on a date with Fluttershy.”

“It’s not a date.” Spike called out as Discord vanished, and as he caught Twilight staring at him, Spike shrugged. “What?”

“I have to tell Princess Celestia about this. Stay here in case he comes back.” Twilight quickly galloped out of the castle, leaving Spike to mess with the pieces on the chess board before realizing Discord hid some under his seat.

“He did cheat!”

Author's Note

There was definitely not a typo in this that I discovered a week after finishing this-