The Dragon

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Twilight stood firm at the steps of the pyramid. She had a long sword on her side with wing blades equipped. She wore strange armor that seemed to wrap around her body. Beside her was a stallion with gold fur. His two forelegs were a talon and a lion's paw.

She looked to her left side and saw two long, serpent-like creatures. The closest one was a male. He had a dragon tail, a goat's leg, dragon leg, his arms an eagle claw, and a lion’s paw. On his back were two elegant blue wings that glowed in the sunlight.

The female looked similar to the male apart from the mane, which was pink, white, and dark blue. The Female had a massive shield and a long spear. She wore a beautiful armor set that glowed similarly to the male’s wings.

The male turned to her. “Well, here we are Twily.”

“Discord, If I don’t make it plea-” she was cut off with a kiss.

“None of that now. we’ll make it.” he gave her a reassuring smile

A white dragon with feathered wings sprouting from his back came beside them. “Brother, steel yourself. Lucifer won’t go easy on us.”

Twilight looked and took in the dragon. He had gold armor with a cross engraved into it. He had a flaming sword that burned with the passion of a million supernovas. In the other arm was a shield made of the cosmos itself.

She looked behind her and saw an army of every species in Equs. Four of her friends were at the front. Three ponies and one griffoness. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Freya. She looked back at the white dragon who yelled out

“Children of Our Father's Fruit, we will fight the darkness and drive deep to the fiery pits of Hell. We will save the dimensions and Do Father’s will”

Everyone shouted in agreement, as they were all ready for battle. Discord held his paw up and a second later, a battle axe flew into it. The golden stallion had a staff held at the ready. The Female had her shield and spear at her side.

Twilight looked up at the pyramid. A black dragon stared down with a smirk. Beside him were all sorts of creatures, all with demonic wings of different dark colors. The white dragon created a trumpet out of nothing and blew into it. Everyone shouted a cry as the war of Equs began.

Twilight woke up extremely confused and a little concerned. She rolled out of bed and grabbed a piece of paper and a quill. She trotted downstairs and wrote down every detail she could recall. As she moved downwards, she then smelled a heavenly scent coming from the kitchen. She trotted into the room and sat down at the dinner table.

Unbeknownst to Twilight, Spike had a plate of French toast and syrup. He placed it down next to her and hugged her. She finished a paragraph and gave Spike a quick hug. Twilight then went back to her writing. Spike let out a sigh and walked over to the other side of the table. He sat down and ate his toast, looking over at her.

After a while, Spike picked up his plate, walked over to the sink, and placed it in. He was running the water. Spike looked back at Twilight, hoping she would eat her food. He finished washing his plate. Spike trotted over to her and grabbed her paper. Twilight looked at him, anger evened in her eyes.

“Spike! I’m doing something really important. Could you please give it back?” She stated

He looked at her fearfully, then responded, “It’s just that I made you breakfast, and I wanted you to eat it before it gets cold.”

Twilight felt a sting strike at her heart as Spike looked at her. She pulled him into a hug and let out a sigh. “I’m sorry Spike, I shouldn’t have gotten angry like that.”

“It’s okay Mom, I know how important your studying is.”

“No Spike, I- I shouldn’t get too wrapped up in things without making time for them.”

Twilight released the hug and turned to the plate, putting it in front of her. Spike smiled as she consumed the delicious meal. He looked down at the paper with a smile and read it. Spike raised a brow before letting out a small chuckle. Twilight looked over at him and then blushed as she realized what he was laughing at.

“Give that back.”

Spike snickered, “Sure, but why are you writing this”

“It feels too real to be a regular dream. I need to ask Princess Luna about this.”

Spike perked up -“Oh right, Um.”- Spike approached the counter and grabbed a scroll.- “We have a lot of things to do before the gala.”

“Right, what's the first thing on the list.” Twilight said, finishing the last sentence of the dream.

Spike looked it over and inwardly sighed. “We have to get our outfits from Rarity. Then I have a two-hour study session followed by a test of everything I learned this month.”

Twilight looked at him, and then at a calendar next to the sink. “The gala is today! How did I forget? Come on, Spike, we have to get to Rarity’s.”

Twilight grabbed the saddlebags Spike packed for her and gestured for him to get on her back. Spike grabbed a history book and ran over to her. He got on her back and looked over the parchment with a task for the day. Twilight smiled at him, and the two trotted out of their home.

Ponies gave them a wide berth as Twilight and Spike moved through the streets. Twilight looked around sadly. She looked back and noticed that Spike was reading the History book. She sighed as she heard whispering coming from the surrounding ponies. Spike heard the ponies whispering about a dragon, about him.

“What is that thing doing with that book?” a Mare whispered to her friend

“That thing is going to hurt that mare one of these days.” a stallion told his wife

Spike did his best not to ignore them, but despite that, he knew he couldn’t, not really. Burning hot tears welled in his eyes and his face contorted in anger until a familiar voice came from behind them “Hay Twilight.”

Spike wiped his tears away and looked at an orange earth pony mare. She had a brown stetson and a bright smile on her face. “Good morning Applejack, where are you heading.”

“Rare’s, She should have our gala dresses ready.”

“Hopefully, my suit looks just as good as yours does.” Spike says flipping to another.

Applejack turned to Spike and smiled “ I bet it will be Spike. Hopefully, you're not too tired after yesterday.”

“No, I’m good just studying although if you still need help on the farm I’m your dragon.” Spike said, giving her a kind smile.

Applejack chuckled while Twilight looked at Spike, Happy that he had at least one friend. Applejack examined the text Spike was reading then whistled. “Spike, that's some advanced stuff. I didn't learn about the pegasus revolution till I was about seventeen or so.”

Twilight looked at Applejack like she grew a second head but then brought a hoof to her head as she realized that the level both Spike and her were learning at “I homeschool him AJ, I teach him a subject by month.”

“Yeah, mo- Twilight is really good at making a learning plan.” Spike said, doing his best to play off his slip as nothing special. Applejack wouldn't understand.

Applejack raised his brow but then continued, “Alrighty then besides ancient Equestria, what else have you learned recently?”

“Well, I learned about geography and what animals live in certain environments.”

“Nice, but what does that have to do with history?” Applejack directed the question at Twilight.

“Where animals live can help identify what time period, it is and even the location with the surrounding environment.”

Applejack and Spike looked at each other, then Spike nodded and went back to his book. Applejack just shrugged and trotted to Twilight's pace. The three moved quickly down the road as the ponies around seemed to have been getting more nervous as they lingered.

The three trotted up to the door of the Carousel Boutique. Twilight knocked on the door and after a few moments, Rarity opened the door. She greeted Applejack and Twilight with a warm smile. Spike waved at Rarity, who ignored him and waved for the two mares to come in. Spike got off Twilight's back and tried to walk in behind them when Rarity closed the door on him.

Twilight glared at Rarity and was about to say something when Applejack held a hoof up. “Hay rares, you closed the door on Spike.”

Rarity raised a brow “Did I? I must have not seen him.”

Applejack glared at her. “You're really going to lie to me.”

Rarity had a nervous expression, but then sighed and opened the door. Spike had an annoyed expression but walked into the boutique, anyway. He moved over to Twilight and she pulled him into a side hug. Applejack gave Spike a smile then turned to Rarity “You going to show us the outfits or?”

“Right, Spike, here you go.” Rarity levitated a black suit to him.

Spike smiled at the suit and then up at Rarity. “Thanks Rarity, this suit is great.”

Rarity raised her head. “Why to thank you Spines.”

“Spike!” Twilight and Applejack coughed out in unison.

“Right come girls, let us show you your looks.” the three followed her to a section off part of the shop.

Spike saw many mannequins with dresses and suits alike. Spike looked at the suits and saw unique designs on them. One was pink and blue with a yellow bow tie. Spike smiled. He could picture a certain pink mare wearing it if she were a colt. Looking around, he began to notice how dull his suit was by comparison.

Applejack noticed Spike's expression falling as he looked at the suits around the room. She trotted to him and patted him on the shoulder. “What's wrong, sugar cube?”

Spike looked up and gave a false smile. “Nothing AJ, I'm just admiring Rarity's work. She put a lot of work into them.”

She looked at the suits around the room and then down at Spike's suit. It was a standard black with a red tie with nothing else of note. Applejack frowned at this. She was no fashion expert, but she knew that compared to every other suit, this wasn't her best. She cleared her throat and smiled at Spike. “Well, sugar cube, granny is pretty mean with a thread and needle. She can add what you want to it.”

Spike's eyes widened. “Really, you guys don't have to.”

“I insisted, you helped out on the farm. Now let me help you.”

Spike smiled “Thank you AJ”

Applejack took the suit “Ain’t nothing Spike, just trying to help.” As the dragon and the farmer spoke, Twilight and Rarity went behind a curtain.

Rarity let her see her own dress. It was a blue dress with stars carefully stitched and dressed up to give depth to the piece. Twilight eyes sparkled as she gazed at the dress. This was far better than the last dress she had requested. She let out a shutter at the memory but quickly disregarded it. Twilight carefully took it off the mannequin.

Rarity placed a privacy screen in front of her. Twilight looked at the screen for a moment before shrugging and putting the dress on. Twilight removed the screen to show Rarity how it looks. Rarity clapped a hooves and praised her on her appearance. Twilight blushed and thanked her for the dress.

Twilight took off the dress and placed it in a bag to protect the article of clothing. Rarity did the same to Applejack’s, and the two were off back to the main room. Entering the room was met with Spike's laughter as Applejack told him a tale about her family. Twilight smiled while Rarity rolled her eyes.

“Applejack are you going to try on your dress or take it home for the gala.”

Applejack looked over to her “Home. I got a lot of products to make for my stand.”

“Alright then.” She hooved over the dress. Applejack unzips the bag to look at the dress. Spike was going to peek at the dress only for a blue aura to push him away.

Twilight glared at Rarity then let out a sigh.-“Let's go Spike.”-Spike looked over to Rarity and a jolt of anger came over him. He gritted his teeth and followed Twilight out of the shop. As they left Spike grabbed his history book and read it trying his best to forget what happened there.

Twilight finished editing her account of the dream. She was surprised when she discovered that the dream was still fresh in her mind. Finished her editing then. She looked over to the cloak and noticed that Spike had ten minutes till He had to turn in his test. Twilight stood up and looked over the answer sheet. She looked over to the kitchen where Spike was taking his quiz.

Twilight was considering telling Spike how much time he had but thought better of it. She hated when Shining interrupted her when she was studying. Twilight stood up and trotted over to a bookshelf. She went over to the S section and pulled out a book titled ‘Special Creatures and Monsters’

She moved back to her desk and saw Spike holding his test, a pleased expression on his face. “I'm done, mom!”

Twilight smiled at him. She kissed him on the forehead and began to grade the test. Spike noticed the book and grabbed the paper. Twilight's ear flicked in his direction but continued her task. Spike read the paper and focused on this Discord character, unlike everyone else in the dream, Discord seemed to be out of place. Well, he and the other creatures like him.

Spike opened the book and tried to find a creature who fit the description. He found a few close calls but none really fit till he came across one entry that was only one page. He read the page a few times before reading it out loud. “ a Draconequus is an amalgamation type of creature. They have powerful magic only rivaled by alicorns. Unfortunately, this species went extinct over a thousand and forty years ago.”

Twilight looked at him, surprised. “What? But how is that possible?”

“That's what it says, Mom.” he handed her the book.

She read the entry over, checking and double-checking the information provided. Twilight let out a sigh and closed the book. “I guess it doesn't matter. It was just a dream. I just need to ask Luna about it.”

Spike read her account once more then thought about it “Wait, how is a Draconequus in your dream If you've never seen one before?”

Twilight was about to answer but then thought about it. She didn't think about that. Twilight could explain the others away. She knows of both dragons and griffons but Draconequus. Twilight just now learned of them, so how could they be in her dream? Twilight heard Spike chuckle, and she looked at him. She smiled, She could get answers from Luna later, right now she and Spike now some free time.

Sometime later, Spike and Twilight sat on a sofa in the study. After Spike’s passed his test, Spike wanted to read with Twilight before the gala. He picked out an action mystery book called ‘Biohazard’ but after the book mentioned certain experiments on family, Twilight immediately replaced the book with ‘Daring do and The Lost Ark.’ much to Spike’s annoyance.

They were near the end of the book when a knock came from downstairs. Spike stood up and stretched. “I'll get it.”

Spike ran down the stairs and moved towards the door. Spike opened the door and his jaw dropped. Standing there was Applejack. She wore her stunning gala dress. The green of her dress made her eyes stand out like an emerald in a sea of quartz. The dark browns of the saddle highlighted the green of the fabric and the orange of her fur.

Applejack cleared her throat and Spike napped out of his self-imposed trance. “Oh um come in AJ”

She trotted in and hooved over his suit. He thanked her and walked into the kitchen. Just then Twilight trotted downstairs, dressed already on “Spike who was at the- Oh hay Applejack, what brings you here?”

“Just bringing Spike his suit.”

Twilight raised a brow “I thought he already had his suit?”

“I wanted granny to add a few things, to say thanks for lending a hand.”

Twilight smiled “Thank you, Applejack, Spike doesn't have any friends and I'm glad you try to be his first.”

Spike finished putting on his suit and growled slightly. Did Twilight really have to tell Applejack about that? He inhaled and put on a fake smile. He walked out and showed off his suit. The suit was still ebony black, but it had Twilight's cutie mark on the left side of the coat, along with a scroll with green flames behind it on the right side.

Twilight pulled Spike into a hug. “Spike, you look so cute.”

Spike blushed while Applejack chuckled into her hoof “Um M- Twilight, I think the word you're looking for is handsome, Right.”

Twilight laughed and shook her head. “Yes, extremely handsome.”

Applejack chuckled. “Well, we best be heading out if we're going to get to Canterlot in time.”

Twilight nodded and proceeded to the door. Spike ran upstairs and then came down with a backpack. Applejack raised a brow and gestured toward the bag. “Twilight tends to forget things when she is too excited. So I got to remember things when she doesn’t.”

Applejack looked at him and then shrugged. “If you say so. Come on, can't help Twi if you ain't with her.”

“Right” Spike nodded, and the two moved out into the town.

Twilight saw Spike and Applejack walk out of the library. Beside her Rarity gasped as she saw Spike’s modified suit. Twilight looked over and saw her with a disgusted look on Rarity's face. Twilight glared at her but before she could say anything, a Rainbow mane pegasus flew down.

“Sup guys what's who were waiting on?” the pegasus asked with a smile

“Rainbow dash, don’t fly in your dress! The sweat will ruin it!” Rarity orders in a screechy voice.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and lost her smile. “Sure Rares, it's not like it takes more than that to get me to sweat.”

Spike saw Rainbow and moved over to her. “Hay Rainbow, you look awesome!”

Rainbow gains a cocky expression. “I know, Spines, no need to tell me.”

Spike’s face deflated. A pang of anger shot through him. “It’s Spike but Spines, sure.”

Rainbow ignored Spike's tone and turned to Applejack. “So where are Pinkie and Flutters?”

Applejack raised a brow. “How am I supposed to know that.”

Rainbow shrugged right when A pink pony jumped out of Applejack’s hat. She wore a blue and white dress with candy designs on it. She jumped off her head, AJ’s hat landing perfectly back on her head. Pinkie jumped all around them, excited for the night ahead of them while Rarity stressed out about the dress.

Finally, when Fluttershy arrived, Twilight asked Applejack and Fluttershy for a few things. Applejack handed her an apple and Fluttershy gave her a set of mice. After thanking them, Twilight cast a spell on each object, making them a carriage and horses, respectively. Spike sat down in the mares hopped into the carriage while Spike hitched the horses. He sat down in the front seat and set off to Canterlot, hearing idle chatter coming from the carriage Spike couldn’t help but feel left out.

The sun went down as the carriage approached the front gate. The girls left the carriage leaving Spike alone to park the carriage. As he moved he heard more whispers about him. He looked over to the noise and saw too noble mares whispering to one another about him. He opened his ears and lesson.

“That oversized lizard is back, I thought the princess finally got rid of him.” The mare stated dismissively.

“we’ve if we keep our things close by, you how much those monsters love shiny things.”

Spike's eyes filled with tears, then burning-hot anger. He hopped down from the carriage and tied the mice horses to a tree. He walked over to the two mare and did his best to look friendly. The two mares scowled at him. “A beast like you shouldn’t even breathe the same air as us!”

Spike glared at her any pretenses of friendliness gone. One mare had a light pink coat with a white dress. Spike was about to walk to the gate when the mare got in front of him. “Where do you think you’re going, you little monster?”

Smoke wafted from His nostril. “I was going inside ma’am”

“It's invite-only, and why would anypony invite a savage.”

Spike pulled out his gala ticket and shoved it in her face. “Oh look at that somepony invited me, so if you don’t mind.”

The mare took his ticket and ripped it to shreds. Spike looked at the pieces of his ticket that were scattered on the ground. “A disgusting creature like you is not welcome here.”

“Shut up! Today was going to-”

“Pipe down!” a familiar voice order.

Spike looked behind the mare and saw a white stallion wearing purple armor. He glared down at Spike and then turned to the mare. “Has he been bothering you, ma’am?”

“Yes, he has, sir.”

“You ripped up my ticket!” Spike shouted

The stallion got in front of the mare getting in a protective stance. “You don’t want to make things harder on yourself, do you? So pipe down.”

Spike’s face contorted into a rage, and smoke bellowed from his mouth and nostrils. The mare faked a fearful screech. Two other guards arrived with the other mare who was unbeknownst to Spike, and left to grab them. The guard approached him, spears ready when the stallion raised a hoof.

“No need for that. I’ll throw this delinquent in the dungeon.”

Spike’s face fell to shock, He looked at the stallion with dread. “Please, not again. Shining armor, I didn’t do anything!”

The stallion didn’t react to his plea, he just let his horn, grab Spike by the legs and drag him to the castle. Spike's head banged on the ground and blood fell from his nose. He begged Shining Armor for to let him go, all the while the mares were chuckling to themselves.

“Quite, can’t believe you. Not even a few minutes back in Canterlot and already causing trouble.” Shining Armor stated angrily.

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Like you didn’t burn down the house.”

“I was five, and it was an accident. I’m sorry”

“Sorry doesn’t bring Mom and Dad back, does it!” Shining Armor spat, glaring at him. Anger and guilt ran through Spike’s very being as his suit tore and gathered dirt. Shining Armor opened a side entrance and dragged a now crying dragon through it.

Twilight and company walked into the ballroom, where noble ponies trotted around the room. As the rest of the mares took in the surrounding environment, Twilight had an expression of worry. Spike should have been here by now so what happened to him? Applejack saw Twilight nervously looking behind them. Applejack trotted to her side and draped a hoof over her.

“What’s wrong Twi?”

“Spike should have joined us by now. I’m starting to worry.”

Applejack looked down the hall. When she didn’t see him, she turned to Twilight and smiled at her. “I'm sure he’ll catch up. He's gotta just be running late.”

Twilight worriedly nodded, not really believing it but then moved up to Princess Celestia, who was greeting the guest. The girls bowed to the Princess and made their greetings before leaving to do their tasks for the night. Twilight, however, stated, looking back at the entrance. Celestia noticed this and levitated Twilight to her side.

“What's wrong Twilight?”

Twilight looked over to Celestia. “Spike should have walked in by now.”

Celestia gave her a comforting smile. “Don’t worry Twilight, I’ll have my guards find him.”

“No! Uh”- Twilight blushed over her outburst- “I mean, Princess the guards aren’t very nice to him.”

“I’m sure the guards will treat him with the love and respect they are sworn to give all of my subjects.”

But princess-”

“Twilight, please, I know you have your misgivings but this is what my guards are for. Let them do their job.” Celestia stated kindly yet firmly.

As Celestia called the guards. Twilight looked over to the line of angry nobles waiting for her to leave. The guards trotted away beginning their search leaving Twilight and Celestia alone. “Twilight, I will come and get you when they find Spike.”

Despite the situation, Twilight smiled at Celestia. “thank you princess.”

Princess Celestia smiled back, but then it dropped when a pink noble mare cleared her throat. An annoyed expression was painted over, then quickly covered it with a joyful mask. -“Twilight why don’t enjoy the rest of your night here? I would to chat but”- The princess gestured to line. Twilight nodded then trotted away

Before she got far enough away, She overheard the pink mare say something about who invited the rif rafted. Twilight ignored the comment and looked around the ballroom. She spotted Rarity talking to Blueblood and was about to join them when she heard a commotion coming from the other end of the hall.

Twilight arrived at the scene and saw Pinkie Pie dancing around in a very undignified manner. Twilight couldn’t help but smile at how much fun her friend was having. However, her face fell as she overheard two stallions gossiping. “I wasn’t aware Princess Celestia had a court Jesture.”

“I thought she was the new lost cause.”

The other stallion sneered at the idea. “Uh, isn’t that brat of a ‘prince’ good enough?”

Twilight trotted up to the stallions with an annoyed expression. “You really shouldn’t speak bad about other ponies.”

One stallion rolled his eyes while the other nodded and gave her a look that she didn’t recognize. The stallion trotted up to her and placed his hoof under her chin. He tilted her head up so that the two could lock eyes. “Forgive my friend and me. A sexy, hot mare like you should not hear such chatter.”

Twilight was not amused by this stallion’s attempt at flirting. -“I’m just going to get my friend.”- Twilight pointed at Pinkie and walked towards her. Leaving two rather annoyed stallions behind her.

Pinkie finished a quick spinning move and wheezed. She had a crazed look as she eyed every pony in the room. Her face fell and contorted into anger as she saw the annoyed looks that she was getting. She was about to shout out about how boring they were, but Twilight stopped her and gestured at an empty table in the corner of the room.

The two sat down at the table. After Pinkie caught her breath she turned to Twilight. “These ponies are party poopers. I thought Canterlot would have a crazy super duper cool fun party but it’s all just wine and politics.”

Pinkie Pie pouted, causing Twilight to smile at her sadly. “Most parties with the nobles tend to end up like this. I’m sorry this isn’t what you thought it would be pinkie.”

“It's okay Twilight, We can throw a super duper party later.”

Twilight smiled. “That sounds great hope it's not too late Spike has-” Twilight’s face fell as her thoughts drifted back to her adopted child.

Pinkie noticed this and subtly moved her tail to her side. She moved it back against Twilight’s fur, tickling her. Twilight shivered and bit back her laughter. Twilight looked at Pinkie, who winked at her. Pinkie’s tail didn’t relent on its assault, making Twilight double her mental defenses. Eventually Twilight couldn’t hold out and she busted out laughing.

The surrounding ponies looked at her strangely, as if she had grown a second head. Pinkie joined in on the merriment, the two enjoying themselves till they were gasping for air. She recovered first and offered Twilight a hoof. She grabbed the offered hoof and stood up, smiling at Pinkie.

Pinkie saw the smile had not reached her eyes. Pinkie sat Twilight down and gave her a comforting smile. “What's wrong Twilight?”

“It’s Spike. He hasn’t come into the hall and I am worried about him.”

Pinkie pulled her into a hug. “It's okay Twilight, I’m sure he's okay, Hay maybe he found a few gems to snack on.”

“I don't know, pinkie, he's not the type to wonder like this, especially over something like this.”

Pinkie thought for a moment then got an idea. “How about you go to the crazy maze in the back? I heard it would be fun.”

“Pinkie!” Twilight stated, exasperated.

“Please Twilight, I know you're worried about Spike, but the guards are looking for him. Today is meant to be the best day ever, so have fun!” Pinkie pulled Twilight's face to hers, emphasize the point

Twilight sighed and nodded. She stood up and headed towards the maze in the castle gardens. Pinkie smiled at Twilight right when a white stallion with a long golden mane approached her. Rarity in lockstep behind him.

Twilight entered the garden, passing Fluttershy who was playing with a squirrel. Twilight reached the maze and took in the surrounding atmosphere. The stars In the sky lit up the sky like fireflies reflecting off the ocean surface. The well-trimmed leaf walls made a calming, soothing background. She sat down on a well-ornate bench. The faint chirps of the crickets calmed Twilight's nerves considerably.

Twilight looked at the decor around her seeing a few mildly interesting statues but when her eye met one in particular, she froze, her gaze was transfixed on the statue that seemed to be an amalgam of different creatures. Her dream from the morning rushed back to her mind. The pyramid, the army, the black and white dragons, and finally the long brown serpent-like creature.

She approached the statue carefully. Unbeknownst to Twilight, her horn lit up. A soft glow shone around her. Twilight arrived at the base and looked up at it. “What are you?”

The glow intensifies while the statue slowly, quietly fractures. In the castle, in a well-secured room, six gemstones glowed so brightly that if anyone were in the room, the sight would blind them. Twilight felt a pressure from the base of her skull, but she couldn’t place it at this moment. The cracks became more prevalent, catching Twilight's attention.

Twilight looked on in horror as the cracks moved further up the art piece. Twilight then noticed the gold light coming from the cracks and she started to do a breathing exercise to calm down. The pressure on her horn was increasing, and she desperately tried to cut it off.

Back in the castle, the gems' light glowed even brighter, setting a blaze on every item. The gems then violently exploded, sending shards all over the room. The shards, still glowing, started fading as if they were being removed from reality itself. A silent alarm was triggered, sending a magical frequency back to the one who cast the security.

The statue shattered into pieces revealing the creature hidden beneath. Twilight stood still as she heard a scream come from the being. It fell to the ground and Twilight quickly ran to his side. She looked him over with worry, trying to see if he was hurt in any way.

Discord opened his eyes and saw a sight he hadn’t seen in a long time. A pony, specifically a unicorn looking over him. He smiled as a devious idea formed in his head. “Forgive me, my dear, but shouldn’t this happen on our wedding night.”

Twilight's face flushed red, and she backed up looking at him slightly annoyed. “I thought you were hurt.”

Discord looked at his hands then his legs. “Well still have my parts. Discord thank you for asking.”

Twilight eyes widened as she realized who she was speaking to, and then she blushed. Discord smirked. “I take it your name is Twilight, right?”

Twilight looked at him shocked. “What, how did you-”

“Well, you recognized me, and given we’ve never met before, I take it dear old dad send you a vision of me. Don’t worry, he sent me the same of you.”

Twilight's jaw dropped as she heard this. He saw her. What did he see, does he know about them? Twilight was lost in her head. Discord looked around. He was in a garden with a castle off in the distance. Speaking of a castle, it seemed as her royal hinny was galloping like a mad mare to them.

“Say my dear this place seems quite boring why don’t we get a change in scenery?”

Twilight looked confused but then nodded but then she heard Princess Celestia screaming her name. Twilight looked behind her and saw Celestia with a panicked expression, rush to her. -“Discord wa-”- Twilight heard a snap behind her and suddenly the two were in the woods.

Twilight looked at her surroundings, shocked. She lit up her horn and scanned the mana field, no lingering magic around her. She looked back at him, dumbstruck. “How did you?”

“Simple, pulled where we are to where we’re heading. But that’s not important. Now my turn, what about your vision, my dear?”

The Prince of Chaos

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Twilight stood there looking at Discord with both interest and fear. He had just explained something impossible. Moving two locations together and undo it in less than a second is only possible by damaging the surrounding area. She looked around the opened hill she found herself on. Trees surrounded the hill in all directions. On the hill was a set of pillars, worn yet paradoxically firm.

She was about to trot over to the pillars when Discord cleared his throat grabbing her attention.-“Well, aren't you the sweetest mare I’ve ever met. You stare at me and you don’t answer questions. Truly, you are above all that hogwash, am I right?”- He then snapped his claw

An elegantly designed crown materialized on her head along with a matching regal cloak and cane with her. Twilight looked at the objects with interest. She lit up her horn only to blush as she realized what Discord said. “I'm sorry, my name is Twilight”- She held out her hoof to him.

Discord couldn’t help but chuckle as the mare still had the oversized clothes on her. He grabbed her hoof and shook it. “Well, it seems like Her Majesty is gracing me with her sweet voice.”-He said with sarcasm.

Despite the sarcasm, Twilight couldn’t help but blush. She tried to think of something witty to say but let the retort die in her throat. Twilight lit up her horn and scanned the clothing. Her jaw dropped as she couldn’t find any magic within the clothing.- “How did you-” Twilight was cut off when Discord placed a paw on her muzzle.

“Answer my question and I'll answer yours, it’s only fair, my dear.”

Twilight fought a sigh and nodded. “Okay then, what was your question?”

“It's quite simple really, what happened in your vision”

She blushed, remembering a specific part of the vision. “Okay then It started at a pyramid.”

Spike read over Twilight's account of her dream. He had read over it several times now. He looked around his cell. It was spartan with only a bed and a single light bulb flickering above him like a dying fire. Spike felt tears well up in his eyes but he quickly wiped them and growled in anger. He shoved the paper back in his backpack and moved to the bars. He pulled them, trying to force them open violently.
Spike was about to melt the bars with his dragon fire when he heard hoof steps.

Spike let out smoke from his nostrils. “What is it Shining here to pick on me some more”

“I don’t know about that.” Spike's eyes widened as he saw somepony he didn't expect to see. A white stallion with a gold mane trotted into view along with two earth ponies. a pink mare and an orange one with a stetson on her head.

“Blueblood, pinkie, AJ!” Spike shouted excellently.

Applejack gasped as she looked at his torn suit. “What happened, sugar cube?”

Blueblood approached the cell and pulled out a set of keys he ordered a guard to give him. “Shining armor is what happened, mud pony.”

“Blueblood!” Spike exclaimed with his arms crossed.

“Right, forgive me, Spike.”

“It's not me you have to apologize to.”

Blueblood turns to Applejack and opens the cell. “Forgive me I'm not used to being around the common folk.”

Applejack glared at him. “Well, I accept it but you gotta watch your tongue you hear.”

Blueblood chuckled- “So I've been told.”- He placed a hoof on his muzzle with a wince -“Well, mostly told”

Pinkie giggled while Spike muttered about, telling him so, under his breath. The four were about to get moving when a messenger stallion approached them. He bowed to Blueblood and turned to Applejack. “Princess Celestia wants every remaining element of harmony in the war room immediately.”

“Remaining?!” Spike shouted worriedly.

Don't worry Spikey I'm sure everypony is there already, “Pinkie said in her usual bubbly self.

The group of four followed the stallion up the stairs and through the halls. In the halls were troops of guards frantically searching every nook and cranny they could find. Spike Had sweat going down his four head just then Pinkie threw him on her back. “Come on Spike, don't think, only fun.”

The group of four trotted into the room where Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy were waiting in. Spike scanned the room several times progressively, getting more panicked as he didn't see a certain lavender unicorn. Tears filled his eyes right when Celestia and Shining Armor teleported into the room. Spike's tears evaporated from his face as smoke fumes from his nostrils “Where is she Shining Armor!”

The guards in the room held their weapons at the ready. Shining glared at Spike and held his hoof up. There was tension was thick in the room before Princess Celestia broke it by clearing her throat. “Discord took her.”

Spike's jaw dropped while the girls looked on confused. “What in the hay is a Discord, anyway.”

“A derconquess.”

Everypony looked at Spike. Shining armor approached Spike and shoved him to the ground. Applejack rushed over to Spike’s side but backed up as a jet of green flames moved towards Shining, he lit up his horn and set a magenta barrier over himself. -“Really, you couldn't finish me in the fire. How do you expect to finish me now?”- Shining spat with venom.

“That's enough, both of you!” Applejack shouted, placing a hoof on her chest.

Spike and Shining glared at each other till Spike raised a hand to him. Shining turned his back and trotted back to Celestia’s side. The princess turned to Spike with a neutral mask on. “What do you know, Spike?”

Applejack helped him up to his feet, and he reached into his bag. “A derconquess is an alicorn tear species that should be extinct.”

“Spike is right, almost all the derconquess are extinct except for one, Discord.”

Fluttershy’s eyes filled with tears while Pinkie Pie’s mane deflated. Rarity gained a look of disgust having a few ideas on what he could be doing with Twilight. Rainbow gained a look for fury and Applejack looked over to Spike and a similar expression as Celestia. Spike felt a calmness fall over him, looking into her eyes. He pulled out Twilight Dream account and cleared his throat. “We need Princess Luna to see this.”

Princess Celestia lit up her horn and teleported Luna into the room. Luna held a war scythe with elegant silver armor reminiscent of Nightmare Moon's “sister what is the meaning of this?”

Spike handed her the paper, and she read it over. Applejack thought about the information she was giving. She mulled over her question, trying to word it correctly in her mind. “Princess, you said Discord is the last derconquess. Why is he? What happened?”

Princess Celestia cracked a fearful look that came over her look but then quickly regained her composure. “He killed them Applejack.”

Everyone in the room let out a collective gasp, save for Celestia and Luna. Blueblood left the room, not knowing what he could do and not wanting to get involved after the information was revealed to him. Luna’s eyes widened as she reread the account. She turned to Celestia and gave her the letter. “Thank you for this information young Drake, your mistress will be returned to you in time.”

Anger came over Spike's face. “What!?”

Luna gained a look of confusion. “I do not see why you are angry.”

Celestia cleared her throat as smoke came from Spike's maw. “Sister slavery is illegal. Spike is an adopted member of Twilight's family, not her servant.”

Shining Armor approached Spike with a scowl on his face. He coughed in his foreleg as he got closer to the smoke source. He was about to apprehend him when Applejack got in his face. “Leave him alone.”

Applejack coughed. Shining armor turned to his guard and gestured to them to open the window, which they did quickly. The smoke left the room quickly and Shining glared at Applejack. “Ma'am that savage will burn us alive. He's already suffocating us.”

“Just let me talk to him. He wouldn't do it on purpose.”

Shining looked at Applejack's emerald eyes, held her gaze. The smoke passed over their heads occasionally making them cough. Shining sighed then shot a glare at Spike who was angry muttering to himself lost in his thoughts. “I'll tell the firefighters to stand by but if he hurts you, that savage is going straight to Tartarus, he's hurt enough ponies.”

Luna placed a hoof on Shining shoulder. “That's enough, captain, back to your task.”

“Yes, ma'am!” he saluted.

As Shining Armor left the room Applejack thanked Princess Luna and moved over to Spike. Spike was gritting his teeth applejack just noticing how sharp they were. He repeated the same phrase under his breath “She loves me! I'm a family! She Loves Me! I'm family!”

The smoke enveloped Applejack's vision as she got by Spike's side. She coughed, getting Spike's ear to raise slightly. Applejack sat down and pulled Spike into a hug. “It's alright, sugar cube. Of course Twilight loves you.”

Spike wrapped his arms around her, the smoke stopped emanating from Spike causing the rest to leave through the room’s many windows. As the situation ended, Celestia read the account thoroughly. Her eyes widened, anger and fear painted her features. Everypony collectively shuttered as they saw their loving leader gain a look that seemed unnatural to her. Rage.

“We need to find Twilight.” Spike started holding onto Applejack.

“Agreed,” Celestia affirmed.

It seems to be a waste of time.” -Luna said to examine her scythe. The Alcorn and the dragon glared at her- “We are no match for him, and Twilight's vision shows he will work with us when needed.”

“What vision?” Spike asked, feeling anger build up in his chest.

“A vision is a premonition of the future, young Drake, and if you read it you know Discord isn't the issue here.”

“I think we have very different definitions ‘of issue’ Princess. He has Twilight.” Celestia

“Yes, sister, and don't presume you know what these visions are.”

Luna sighed “Nightmare moon”

‘That was an except, sister, the others were not so clear. Even then who knows who influenced this account.”

“He killed his species. I don't want to leave him with Twilight.” Spike butted in, finally leaving Applejack's embrace.

“Agreed sister. What the future might hold for Discord is not an excuse to let him take Twilight against her will.”

“I agree, sister, but we can't face him. He is too powerful and the elements are-” Princess Celestia cut her off with her magic earning a glare from Luna.

Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Elements are what?”

“Yeah, what gives?!” Rainbow Dash joined in moving closer to the center of the room but still keeping her distance from Spike.

Spike looked around the room, noticing that they were putting as much distance between him and them as possible. Celestia let out a sigh and nodded to herself. “I had the Elements in a secure location covered with protection spells. The alarm went off and the elements were gone.”

The girls gasped while sweat formed on Spike's brow. “Well, there has to be a way to beat him, right?”

“Besides the elements, there was no possible way to beat that beast, a combined strike from my sister, and I could not beat him at the peak of our power.”

“There has to be another way.” Spike turned around and ran to the door.

“Spike, where are you going?” Celestia asked.

“The royal archive, there has to be something.”

Applejack looked around the room seeing everypony let out a sigh of relief as Spike left. She shot a glare around the room and trotted after him. She heard her friends call after her but she just ignored them.

Twilight trotted up to the pillars and examined them. Her face was bright red after the end of her explanation. Discord floated behind her, a smug smile on his face. He floated over to her and whispered in her ear, “So my dear, want to skip to the wedding now.”

Twilight moved away from him. -“Hay, that was in the vision. It doesn't mean I-” Discord's laughter cut her off.

She let out a frustrated sigh and glared at him. “What about you Discord, what was in your vision?”

Discord stopped laughing and then gained a somber expression, but just as quickly as it appeared, he replaced it with a smug grin. “Funny, I don’t seem to remember.”

“Impossible. I still remember mine clearly and I got mine in the morning!”

“Well, congrats on having a good memory, my dear hats off to you” A hat appeared on Discord's head and he took it off only for another version of himself to jump out of the hat and do the same. This happened a few more times before Twilight sighed and she blasted all the versions of Discord with a taser spell. The magical constructs shock violently before exporting into pieces of confetti. Twilight let out a squeak of fear and cast a shield spell over her.

Discord burst out in a fit of laughter as Twilight reacted to the confetti.-“No need to be so jumpy, my dear, although it was quite cute.” -He teased.

Twilight blushed in embarrassment. “What are we doing here anyway?!”

“Well, my dear, we're going on a little trip. I have something to do, and a cute little assistant like you is what I need.”

Twilight blushed and didn't waver. “Wait a minute, I never agreed to go anywhere with you!”

Too bad, my dear, you're going, regardless.”

Twilight got into a battle stance and lit up her horn. “I'm not going anywhere with you.”

Discord fained a surrender. “Oh no, it seems like a cute mare has bested me what will I do.” He snapped his fingers with a smirk.

Stop calling”- Twilight was overcome with a sense of calm and drowsiness.- “What did you do?”

Twilight collapsed subcommittee to sleep. Discord smirk fell and he flew to Twilight's side.- “What you're supposed to be to me, my dear.”- he flicked Twilight's horn and disappeared in a bright flash, leaving the sleeping mare alone in a forest.

A bright light woke up Spike with a start. He looked around his surroundings before focusing on the blinding light in front of him. Spike was in the Canterlot archive trying to find a way to track down Twilight. The light slowly faded as a figure took form. Stood there was the most beautiful dragon Spike had ever seen. White scales shone like crystals and lit up the surrounding room. The gold Spines sparkled like the twinkling stars around them.

Spike's eyes widened as he looked around. The archive disappeared, replaced by a star-filled void. He looked back at the gorgeous dragon. The dragon was clearly male. His square maw was proof of that, but Spike couldn't help but look him over nonetheless. The dragon gave Spike a kind, patient smile as Spike checked him out. Spike then said something without much thought, “You look so yummy.”

Spike’s eyes widened once more when he realized what he said, and he blushed in embarrassment. The dragon chuckled. “Be not afraid young Drake. I'm here to help.”

Spike's ears perked up at this. “Really, you're going to help me find Twilight?”

“Yes, I will, follow me.”

As the two dragons moved over the void. As they moved, Spike tried to steal glances at the dragon beside him blushing. It was like Rarity all over again. Spike tried to take another look only to see the dragon smiling at him. Spike jumped back “Sorry I shouldn’t be staring. You probably think I'm creepy now.”

“not quite. I get many who look at me the way you do. I may not be Sophie, but many find beauty in my form.”

“Well, it must happen a lot. I think Princess Celestia herself couldn't stop looking at you.”

“No doubt, but make no mistake, do not confuse your admiration for love, for they are separate things.”

Spike blushed and nodded his head “Don't worry sir I already learned that lesson.”

“With Lady Rarity no doubt.”

Spike looked at him with a raised brow “How did you know about her.”

“I have been watching over you since before you were mortal, child.”

“What does that mean?”

“All will be revealed in time.”

The two finished their walk when they came across two alicorns bucking a lavender door with a lock on it. “Sister, will you admit that Discord should not be the priority here.”

“Not while he has Twilight, Luna.”

There is a war brewing. We should be prepared not to worry about a unicorn. We know will be fine.”

“We don't know that!”

“Yeah! Who knows what Discord is doing to her.” Spike cut in causing the sisters to look at him.

“Spike!? What are you doing in the dream realm?”

Spike looked around “That's what this place is.”

“How does one come to the dream realm and not know where he is?”

“Well, this dragon brought me.” Spike pointed to the white dragon.

The two mares raised a brow. -“A dragon brought- where may he be?”- Luna asked using her magic to scan the realm for any extra beings.

“He's right here.” he pointed to the dragon.

The two just looked more confused as Luna forced more magic into the detection spell. Spike looked over at the dragon who had a mischievous smirk on his face. “Why can't they see you.”

“Only I and father decide who sees me or not.”

Spike looked over the Alicorn who were whispering to one another. Spike opened his ears to the conversation.

“Sister I do not sense another presence, nor does he have the gift I possess.”

Spike turned to the dragon and gave him puppy dog eyes. “Could you please show yourself to them?”

The white dragon rolled his eyes with amusement. “As you wish, young one.”

To Spike nothing happened but the princess's reaction clued him to the change. “What?!” Celestia cried.

Luna immediately jumps into action. She conger a sword and swung at the dragon only for the blade to shatter on impact. Luna’s eyes widened as the sword pieces fell to the ground. -“Princess Luna Tepes Morningstar, you will never make friends if you kill them first.”

The statement made Alicorn's eyes widen. -“How does one know our name!?”- Luna shouted while Celestia floated spike over to her.

Princess, stop this, please. He's here to help!”

“This dragon brought you here?”

“Yes! He wants to help.”

“Spike, only Luna can enter the dream realm she had to bring me with her.”

“Princess, we can't help Twilight if we keep fighting.”

“Luna, we need to hear him out.”

“This beast has violated my realm by his Mere presence.”

The dragon still gave her a calm smile. “You may be allowed in this realm, but you aren't its mistress.”

Luna glared daggers at Drake “And you have the gale to claim my domain.”

“This is not mine either.”

“Then who, dragon.” Luna snarled.

“Father is.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “Tell your father this is my realm and if he wants it he will have to pry it from my lifeless corpse.”

Sister!” Celestia shouted

The dragon's smile faded. “If he considered you a threat, we would be having a far different conversion.

Luna was about to snap back when Spike and Celestia moved between them. “That's enough, Luna. Spike trusts him, so I do as well. We will treat him like a valued guest.”

The dragon snapped his claws, and the lock opened. The three looked shocked at this. “How did you.”

“Our window is shrinking. I will explain later.” Celestia and Spike ran to the door while Luna and the dragon moved at a brisk walk.

Discord, Twilight, and a purple dragon with gold Spines slowly walked up the last steps of the pyramid. They reach the top only to see two Alicorns slice into several pieces. A white dragon cut down two creatures who had devil wings. The blood that poured out of them seemed to be the cosmos itself. The white dragon rushes to an effeminate stallion.

The purple dragon tossed a rope dart at a black dragon at a speed that would rival Rainbow dashes fastest speed. black dragon still caught the dart and pulled the purple dragon to him. black punched a hole in the purple stomach causing. Purple collapsed and the white dragon cried out. “Spike!”

The white dragon sped to the black dragon and attempted to cut him down. Black stops the white one with his own. Twilight rushed to the stallion with her sword drawn. A hippogriff stuck at him and he quickly blocked the strike with his axe. Discord blocks two swings of the hippogriff before rolling to the side and cutting off the griff's wings before a cry rang out. “I got one.”

A sing-song voice made Discord's blood run cold. He looked over to the stallion. The stallion had his demonic wings flared out looking quite proud of himself. He held a broken Twilight who had blood pouring out of her mouth. White looked at Twilight and the black took advantage. He drove his sword through the white's back. Discord shouts out in rage, cutting down the hippogriff.

He was about to cut down the dragon when he heard Twilight scream. The black dragon hit, causing purple to spring back to life. Black grabbed Purple by the throat “Not so fast Dissy, don't want to lose your pets, do you.”

“Lucifer!!” Discord snarled in rage.

“Aww, what happened to Lucy? Where's the brotherly love?”

“It died after you betrayed me.”

Oh dissy, you working for the old bastard breaks my heart, from freedom to chains.”

“Better father's chains than your freedom.”

Lucifer glared at Discord then tightened his grip around the dragon's throat -“Stop!”- Twilight shouted. Looking over to the purple dragon with tears in her eyes.

“Dissy dropped the axe or we'll see how tough your pets are.”

I think that Drake would be fun bound and gagged.” the stallion said, looking at the dragon with lust.

The dragon glared as Lucifer put his sword to the dragon's stomach and grinned. Discord dropped the axe and raised up his mismatch hands. “Okay, now which one should Asmos keep.”

“What?!”

You heard me, the dragon or the pony, your choice. What will happen to the other one? “I guess it depends on who's chosen.”

The dragon and Discord locked eyes and nodded. “Send the dragon to Asmos.”

The stallion giggled as if he was a little filly on a sugar high. He went to Lucifer and traded the hostages. Asmos kissed the dragon on the neck before biting him. The dragon writhed in pain as gold blood came from the wound. “I'm going to have a lot of fun with you big boy.”

Twilight wept and screamed for the dragon to not be taken away as Asmos dragged him down the steps. Discord let out a shaky breath and looked at Lucifer. “Now give me Twilight.”

“Sure thing brother” Lucifer said before ripping off Twilight’s head and tossing it to him.

“Twilight!!!!” Discord grabbed her head and tears fell from his eyes. He sat there looking at her severed head with sorrow and pain. A sadistic chuckle came from Lucifer as he saw the grief-stricken derconquess.

“Honestly brother, what did you think was going to happen? What you two going off to some fuckin shack to fuck for the rest of time. oh wait that’s probably what Asmos is doing to that dragon pet of yours well his now. Honestly Dissy you got to take better care of them, break so easily” Lucifer crushed Twilight’s head with his feet much to Discord’s horror.

Discord's face contorted into uncontrollable rage and he attempted to strike Lucifer only to have his right arm removed from his body. He held out a cry of pain and attempted another strike only for Lucifer to dodge it and cut off his left leg. Discord fell to the ground and took in what was around him. The white dragon had blood that seemed to have the cosmos in them, blood similarly coming from his damage body. Lucfier then stepped on Discord’s back forcing a pain-grown come Discord.

“I like it better when you begged, maybe I should have kept the pony after all.” lucifer shugged “oh well.”

Lucifer brought up Discord’s axe over his and was going to put an end to the chaos lords when a snap rang out cutting off the surroundings and making Lucifer disappear.

Discord’s tears fell freely and he looked up “Why show me this? What are they to me? Tell me. TELL ME!!”

Twilight teleported around the library frantically looking for a book. She was getting annoyed since she couldn't find it. She really wished Spike was with her. Second later she felt arms wrapped around her neck. She looked back at him and smiled. “Oh spike it's good to see you.”

Twilight you're okay.”

Twilight giggled “Oh Spike you don't have to call me that when we're in private. I love it you call me mom.”

How are thou okay with that.” Twilight eyes widened as she noticed Princess Luna.

“Princess, let me explain.”

“I demand-” Princess Celestia cut off Luna with a hoof.

“Twilight, Spike you didn't need to hide this from me but I do need to say Twilight, you're a good mother.”

Twilight blushed while Luna glared between her sister and the mare calming a drake as her own. She looked over to the white dragon. He had a golden fire radiating off of him. She raised a brow and approached him carefully. “What are thou doing?”

“Perverting my brother from finding us. He wouldn't be pleased if he knew what we were doing.”

Luna raised a brow but then sighed. “You best explain in due time.”

“I will but for now we need to find out where Young Sparkle is located.”

“I will find it,” Luna said then made her way to Twilight.

He hasn't harmed you.”

No, but he wants me to go somewhere with him but I don’t know why?”

“Don't go with him Mom, please.”

I'll try Spike, but his magic is something I've never seen before and he's willing to use it on me.

Celestia cleared her throat. “Twilight is there anything in the area that can tell us where you are?”

“Only that is colder and there seems to be pillars with old draconian writing on it.”

Old draconian, are you sure?” Spike asked.

“From what I saw, yes it seems to be.”

Mom, do you still have that book about ancient dragons.”

“Yes it's back at the library but there should be more in the archives.”

Spike nodded and hugged her. He turned his attention to Princess Celestia. “I'm going to check out a few books, princess.”

“Go ahead, we can't waste the time we need to find her.”

Luna was about to protest when the white dragon said, “he's on his way, I'll pull us out.”

Twilight looked as three looked in a random direction, and then their faces fell. Well, Spike and Celestia did while Luna seemed to be angered. “We have to go Twilight's careful Discord is not to be trifled with.”

Twilight saw the three burst into golden flames then disappeared not even ash left behind. Twilight was about to light up her horn right when a familiar serpent-like creature appeared in her dream. “Well hello, my dear.”

Rituals and Antlers

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Twilight woke up groggily. She felt a soft and warm blanket over her moved the blanket aside and noticed She was still in her gala dress. She stood up and rubbed her eyes hearing a pop in front of her. She opened her eyes and saw a glass of chocolate milk floating in front of her

She looked around confused with a shrug She grabbed a glass and leaned back against the tree. Drinking the milk she began to wonder what she was doing here. She was so lost in thought that she failed to notice a red dragon's tail moving down the tree stump.

Twilight felt something lying on her head. She looked up and jumped away from the tail. Noticing the being it was attached to make the previous night's events rush back to her, the gala, the dream, and the creature in the tree. She began to shake in fear as the creature stared at her with annoyance.

“Would you kindly not look at me like that dear,” Discord asked.

When she didn’t stop Discord shifted uncomfortably, he lowered himself to the ground and glared at her.-“Stop looking at me like that”- he said more forcefully.

Twilight looked down to the ground and closed her eyes tears threatening to fall. Discord's eyes widened as he realized what he was doing. He took a breath and floated over to her. He placed a claw on her head and began to pet her.

“I’m sorry for yelling. That was rude of me,” Twilight whimpered as he stroked her mane. He rolled his eyes and let out his aura once more. Twilight felt a sudden sense of calm and safety. She opened her eyes and saw Discord's. His eyes were blue instead of his normal red. She would still be terrified if she were allowed to be.

“Are you using magic on me?” Twilight asked in a low voice.

He continued to pet her “I’d rather talk about something else but if you want an answer no I’m not.”

Twilight lit up her horn a scanned herself for magic only to find that he was telling the truth. “What are you doing to me then?”

Discord wanted to make a joke but stopped himself. That wouldn’t make her laugh or endear himself to her. “Nothing intrusive, just some calming energy.”

She let out a sigh and they sat there for about an hour. Discord made an extra talon grow out of his chest. The talon had a watch on which Discord used to check the time. The extra limb disappeared, and Discord looked back down at her.

“Do you think you’ve calmed down enough now?”

She thought about the question for a moment, then let out a sigh. “Yes.”

Discord shut off his aura, and Twilight felt the calm feeling melt away, her anxiety returning. She began to shake in fear. Discord noticed this and gently stroked her mane once more. She looked over at him. His eyes were red, which was strangely comforting to her. Looking into his eyes revealed a strange softness to them as if they were a warm blanket she could lose herself in.

She spent some time looking into them till Discord looked away.- “Well, my dear, as fun as it is to pet you, let’s get back to business, shall we?”- He snapped his paw and made a suit appear on him.

He smirked at her, and despite herself, she couldn’t help but blush. “So uhm, what are we going to do?”

Well, first off my dear, your letter I gotta hold my end of the bargain after all.” he winked at her and made a briefcase appear next to them

He opened the case and pulled out a piece of parchment and quill. He floated it over to her and winked again. She blushed and began to write. Discord chuckled to himself. What an easy mare with a few kind words and petting She would be his in no time. If only all mortals were so easy.

Twilight looked up to Discord. “ Are the mares we’re going to see nearby?”

Discord chuckled, “Not in this dimension, but don’t worry, my dear, we can fix that.”

“How?” she tilted her head in a manner that Discord had to admit was kind of cute.

“Well, we got that.” Discord gestured theatrically at a structure behind him.

Twilight's jaw dropped. The structure was as good as new as if it was just made today. She wrote a quick description as Discord examined it. She dipped the quill in ink and cleared her throat

“So you're saying we're going to a different dimension?!” She tried to act surprised

“Yes, imagine it. You would be the first-ever pony to hop to another dimension.”

Twilight was both excited and fearful. She had read up on theories about parallel worlds and realities but that was just it a theory, but right now, she had a way to access another dimension. This was something out of Spike’s comics or novels, and yet here it was.

“And this is the only way to go between dimensions?” she asked, dumbstruck.

“For you, but let's not get into details. Come on dear, we got some things before we get started.” Discord stated.

“Wait!” Twilight finished the letter and was about to send it off when flew out of Twilight's magical grasp and over to Discord. Twilight began to sweat as it got to him but instead of reading it as she feared he sent it off in a yellow magical fire.

“That was for Spike, right?”

Twilight let out a sigh. “Yes, it was.”

“Splendid, my dear. Now let’s get on our little scavenger hunt. Why don’t we.” snapping his talon both Twilight and Discord had on stereotypical explorer outfits like something Darring-do would wear. Discord began to walk north gesturing Twilight to follow him.

“I’m just saying we should be out there looking for her!” Rainbow yelled glaring at Rarity.

“Darling we mustn’t think rashly about this. The princesses are looking into it and the entirety of the royal guard has been mobilized to find Twilight.”

“Those idiots could find their own flanks if it was on their face, we got to be there for twilight?”

Applejack rolled her eyes done listening to them bicker. Looking to the seat behind her was Fluttershy and Pinkie. Fluttershy was crying silently while Pinkie had her in a tight hug tears streams falling down her cheeks. Applejack stood up and approached the back of the traincart with some hesitation. Spike had not looked good when they saw him. His suit was wrinkled, and he had large bags under his eyes. He grumbled a hello but then quickly went back to reading notes.

Spike was pacing back and forth, looking over the notes same notes in his hands. He growled as he moved on to the next note, putting the other in the pile on his seat. Applejack felt bad for him. She knew what it was like to lose somepony and Spike clearly felt that pain now.

She took a seat next to him and waited till he finished with the pile. He growled in a way that reminded Applejack that despite being a colt he was still a dragon. She quickly looked him over seeing the anger not dissipate and decided to speak up.

“I take it you made them notes?”

Spike looked back at her with a glare. “Not like it matters”- Spike tossed the notes down on the seat. They fell to the ground in a big mess, Spike growled once more as banged his head on the seat.

Applejack moved over to the notes and picked them off the floor. “Look sugar cube I get what you going through. I lost my folks around your age, but unlike my folks, Twi is still bucking. The princesses will find her and with these notes you helping with that.”

Spike sat down and hung his head low.- “I can’t lose her AJ, I” -Spike’s voice cracked- “I can’t she all I have.”

Applejack saw tears build up in his eyes, but he shook his head and quickly regained the scowl. “I have to find her.”

"Well maybe-" Applejack's words were interrupted by a belch of green fire from Spike.

A scroll materialized in front of them. Spike quickly grabbed it and read through it. Applejack waited for Spike to start reading it out loud, but when his eyes widened, Applejack knew something was up. The train stopped, and the doors opened. Spike stood up and bolted out of the train. Applejack stood up and galloped after him.

Spike arrived at the library. He rammed into the door and fell backward his arm throbbing with pain. Rubbing his head he couldn’t help but berate himself for doing something that stupid. Pulling out the spare key from under a flower pot. He inserted the key and opened the door. He ran in and looked around.

Spike grabbed a pen and parchment. He wrote down a hastily written letter. ‘Dear Celestia, I have a lead on Twilight’s location. Hurry over here!!’

Spike sends the letter right when Applejack bursts into the library. Applejack looked down at him in both anger and concern. “Why did you run off for?”

“Let's wait for Princess Celestia to get here first,” Spike said.

He approached a package sitting in the middle of the room and tore it open. In the package was a book and two scrolls. He picked up the scroll titled. ‘Theoretical Science and Magic.’- Spike looked over to the book that was titled ‘Rituals of the Ancients.’

Spike opened the book right when a bright flash engulfed the room, blinding the two. When they recovered, they saw Princess Celestia. She had golden armor from the night before. She had a longsword at the ready. Celestia scanned the room with her eye checking that it was clear. she took off her helmet and looked at Spike.

“What did you find Spike?” Celestia asked

Spike handed her the parchment. “Twilight sent it to me.”

“How do you know it’s Twilight?” Applejack asked, eyebrow raised.

“Princess Celestia and Twilight are the only ones who know the spell to send me things.”

Princess Celestia nodded and, after reading the letter, she reread it out loud. “‘Spike, I’m sorry I can’t be there with you. You know about my situation so I’ll keep it brief. Below, I’ll have a transcript of Discord and my conversation.’”

“She also wrote a description of a ritual sight,” Spike added, looking through the book.

Celestia had a worried expression on her face. Applejack approached her nervously, her head slightly lowered. “Princess, what’s wrong?”

“In this transcribed Discord mentions going to another dimension.”

“What?!” Applejack asked, confused.

“It’s a concept. that there are other worlds beyond the one we're on right now. it's like a multi-story house, and each floor is a different world.” Spike explained as he flipped through the book

“How do you know all that, Spike?”

“It shows up in comics a lot,” Spike explained

Applejack was about to ask another question when Spike cut her off. “Found something!”

Applejack and Celestia moved to his side and read the page. The page had an image of a structure that Twilight describes. The text read.

‘I name this place Dragon’s Point. Named after the species that appeared seemingly overnight. Speaking with some, they described a most harrowing journey. I will have to write it down later, but for now, I will remain on the location. They had built this strange structure to protect this land from beings and beasts alike.’

‘I do not know what is beyond the Vail and what sort of creatures could be so deadly as to terrify these magnified creatures. The ritual involves pieces of beings from other lands. A scale from a Dragon, an antler from a special type of dear called an Eikthyrnir. The last thing is a blue flower known as a rose. Every pony seems to love them and a few ponies have even started growing them.’

Princess Celestia lit up her horn and teleported her royal stamp and a quill. She wrote a quick letter and sent it off. Ignoring this, Spike ran over to Twilight’s desk and pulled out his test from yesterday.

Looking it over for a moment, Spike looked up at Celestia. “If they going to break the protection spell, then they would have to get an Eikthyrnir Antler. They live in the frozen forest to be near the frozen north.”

“They also need a dragon scale and a rose.” Celestia added.

Spike ran up the stairs and grabbed his backpack. He placed a few things: a pen, paper, and a few books. He quickly ran down the stairs and moved towards the door. Applejack blocked the door.

“Where are you going Sugercube”

Spike glared at Applejack not too pleased. “Don’t call me that. I’m going to find My mom.”

“Wait just an apple-picking minute. You need to rest before you can do anything.”

Spike began to fume “Aren't you the one who said you won't stop working till the job’s done.”

“Yeah, but I ain’t got many ponies to take over while I'm sleeping, you do.” Applejack stated firmly.

Smoke rose out of his nostrils. he was about to let out a jet of fire to move them when he felt a foreleg on his back. Turning around he saw Princess Celestia with a concerned look.

“Spike, please get some rest, we have a lot of ground cover and my guards and I are covering it. The moment we find Twilight or Discord I will come a wake you.” She said in a low soothing voice

Spike's eyes grew heavier and anger gave way to sorrow. Tears fell down his face as he curled up into a ball. Weeping now, Princess Celestia gently picked him up and trotted upstairs with him. She stopped on the last step and looked back down at Applejack who now looked at Spike in sympathy.

“You should go home, I’ll come and get you when we find Twilight.” without another word she trotted up the stairs leaving Applejack alone with her thoughts.

Twilight carefully trotted down the mountain. She joined Discord, who was patiently waiting for her. The two trotted down the path that was littered with snow. Twilight examined her surroundings.

The trees were covered in snow making the green landscape look silky white. She looked up at Discord who still wore an explore outfit. He had changed hers when they had entered colder climates. Looking at him concerned, She trotted beside him and cleared her throat.

“Aren't you cold?”

“No, dear, I am not. Why do you ask?” Discord responds with a smile plastered on his lips

She gestured to their surroundings, then herself. She wore a sweater over a t-shirt with a scarf and earphones to keep herself warm from the cold. Discord smiled and patted her on the head.

“You don’t have to worry your pretty little head about it. I’m not the type to be bothered by a little bit of cold.”

“Are you sure?”

Discord rolled his eyes and whipped his tail, unintentionally sending snow up and landing on Twilight. A scarf appeared on him and he turned to her. He smiled as he saw her patting the snow off herself. He chuckled and picked up a clump of snow.

Twilight was annoyed she had walked a few miles to find something with a creature that she barely knew. Wiping off the last of the snow, she then heard a whistle. Looking up, she felt a snowball hit her in the chest.

Discord juggled two snowballs and looked over at her with a smile. “Care for a little game.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “I thought we were supposed to be looking for something”

“We only need to be at the right here right now.” He tossed one of his snowballs at her. Twilight dodged the snowball but wasn’t fast enough to dodge the follow-up.

Twilight levitated two snowballs and tossed them at Discord. He rolled, grabbing two clumps of snow and forming them into a ball. Coming out of the roll, he tossed a snowball at her.

She jumped out of the way and lit up her horn, picked up a snowball. Discord stood at the ready, a smirk on his face. The smirk went away when he felt a snowball hit the back of his head. He turned around and then realized what had happened. A smile broke out on his face. He faces her, only to get a snowball to the face.

Twilight began to chuckle, her laugh sent a warm feeling to his chest. It had been a while since he had made someone laugh. A devious grin appeared on his. He snaps his talon and six snowballs appear over Twilight’s head.

Twilight stopped chucking as she noticed the shadows over her. She dove out of the way and galloped around Discord. He snapped several snowballs and flung them at Twilight at a fast rate. She noticed this and dove behind a bush.

“Hay using magic in a snowball fight is cheating.” she squeaked as she dodged the snowball.

“Oh, but all is fair in love and war my dear.”

He snapped his fingers and tossed the new snowballs at her. Twilight teleported to the other tree line. She made a snowball and tossed it at Discord. He turned around and she teleported to her original spot. She made another snowball and tossed it at Discord. She smirked as he turned to face her. Giving him a playful wink she teleported.

Discord smiled, she was having fun, now he needed her to make this memorable for her and he had a good idea. When she tossed a snowball at him time slowed down. He smiled and took a step to the side. Time returned to its normal pace and discord ran at twilight. She backed up only to be tackled by Discord.

She let out a yelp as Discord landed on her. Discord chuckled sending a shiver down Twilight's spin. He began to bring his head closer to hers. She blushed and closed her eyes realizing what he was going to do. A small part of her screamed at her that this was going too fast. no matter how much she wanted to ignore it. She couldn’t help but remember what he did Luna.

She opened her eyes and saw him close. If she leaned into it she could finally get to kiss somepony or creature in this case but she let out an internal sigh and with her hoof rolled up a snowball. Just before his lips would meet hers, she shoved the snowball in his face sending him back, flabbergasted.

He stood up and wiped the snow off, “That was devilishly devious of you, my dear.”

Twilight blushed and nervously chuckled hoping she didn’t ruin the moment. A grin cracked onto his face “You never seem to disappoint my dear”

He started to laugh hysterically the laugh seemed to be infectious as Twilight began to join in on the merriment. The two laughed for what felt like an hour then they heard a rustle in the bushes.

Faster than Twilight could blink, Discord had already gotten to the creature. Twilight heard a painful cry come from the duration of the bush. Tuning to it, Twilight gasped in horror. Discord stood there with an antler in his paw. At the base of it was blood-dipping onto the snow below.

Next to Discord was an Eikthyrnir. It was glowing a faint blue color with blood pouring out of his where its antler should be. Discord did some tricks with the antler not caring for the Eikthyrnir he had just harmed. The Eikthyrnir stood up and ran away a tail of blood landing behind it.

“So my dear, now that we‘re done here, why don’t we go on to the next item” he said, with a smile

Tears threatened to fall from her eyes as she stared at the blood trail. “What is wrong with you!?”

Twilight galloped away, following the blood trail. Discord looked on, confused, and then he realized something. Smacking himself on his head. He let out a groning and began walking forward, not bothering to put in the effort to catch up with her.

Twilight galloped, all the while berating herself. How could she be so stupid, He’s a monster, and she was about to let him kiss her. How could she? He hurt Luna; he foal-napped her and who knows how many ponies he’s hurt in the past.

She arrived at a clearing where the Eikthyrnir was lying down, whimpering. She cautiously approached the deer, not wanting to startle it. Getting close enough, she hugged the deer and stroked its head.

“I’m sorry, I should have stopped him but I will fix it.” Twilight lit her horn and cast a healing spell on the Eikthyrnir’s wound.

After a minute, the Eikthyrnir seemed to calm its muscles and stood up. Twilight let go and looked up at the gigantic creature. It looked at her as if it was expecting an explanation. Twilight nodded at the Eikthyrnir with a smile.

“I stop the bleeding and your antler will grow back a lot sooner.” The Eikthyrnir lowered its head and nuzzled her. She chuckled and petted the Eikthyrnir on its head.

“Fluttershy would love to meet you, I’m sure you two would get along.”

She heard a growl coming from the woods. Turning to the bushes, a pack of wolves jumped into the clearing and began to circle around them. The Eikthyrnir got in front of Twilight and took a defensive stance. The wolves surround the two waiting for an opening. Twilight started trembling despite herself. One of the wolves got out of formation with a growl and lunged, baring its teeth.

Discord walked through the woods following the blood. He grumbled to himself as looked up to the sky. - “You could have just made her at least a tad less emotional.”

Discord looked back at the trail of blood only to hear wingbeats behind them. He looked behind himself and saw a familiar white dragon. Discord turned around hiding the antler behind him.

“Hello Michael, come help me with Lucy?”

“Sorry brother but I can't. I'm just worried about you and Twilight.”

“Don't worry about Twilight and-” Discord paused and glared at Michael- “How did you know her name?”

I asked Father about her and what you're doing.” He stated

“And he told you, didn't he.” Discord gritted his teeth.

“No, but he told you about your companion.” He glared at Discord. “You shouldn't play with her emotions brother.”

Discord scoffed “ Father gave her to me, I'll play with her however I want.”

“She has no experience in matters of the heart. There for it can easily be shared.”

“As if I would want to do that she’s less useful to me if she to busy crying for something pointless.”

“Love isn't pointless brother. I thought you out of all of us would know that.”

Discord scoffed, “I loved Lucy, and look where that got me.”- Discord glared at Michael- “Love is only something to use, you’re foolish to feel it.”

“Father loves you.”

“And look where that got him. I'm down here, Lucy tried to overthrow him, taking a good chunk of us with him. The mortals rather hate him or don't even know if he exists. Love is nothing but pain. If anything I'm doing her a favor.”

Michael was about to chastise him when a scream cut him off. Discord's eyes widened and he sped away towards the noise. He arrived at a clearing. Where Twilight was having her foreleg torn open by a wolf.

Discord glares at the wolf and a second later the wolf bursts into flames. He shoulder-checked the wolf and glared at the four remaining wolves. Twilight's heart raced as she backed away from Discord and the wolves. holding her injured leg close to her chest she felt hot tears fall down her face.

The wolves circle around Discord. They noticed that he was not going to be as easy to take down as the other two. A wolf leaped at Discord who simply grabbed the wolf's throat and snapped it. The next two wolves jump at Discord. He simply slammed the dead wolf in one that charged at him, and pulverized them.

The second wolf jumped and bit down at Discord's throat. The knines didn’t even dent his neck. Discord grabbed the wolf's throat and chest. Effortlessly Discord ripped the wolf in two, blood pouring down onto Discord's body.

Standing back up, Discord growled, making the last wolf whimper, and ran off back into the woods. Discord dropped the corpse and then turned around. Sitting Twilight tears were falling from her eyes, her body shaking and blood pooling under her bitten leg.

Discord and looked her over. Besides her leg, she was alright. He moved forward only for Twilight to back up. The closer he got the more she backed away. Once her back hit a tree she lifted her good foreleg over her face.

“Stay away please just stay away.” She sobbed.

“Twilight you're safe, those wolves are gone they can't hurt you anymore.” Discord tried to comfort her only for her to whimper.

Discord felt a pain in his chest as he saw the state she was in. He snapped his talon and Twilight's foreleg was fixed. Despite her foreleg being as good as new she still cried. Discord lowered himself to the ground he looked up at her.

“Twilight it's time to go now.” He ordered softly, She continued to cry and refused to move

“Twilight we have to go.” He stated firmly. She didn't move.

He growled internally and then came up with an Idea. he gently picked her up bridle style and gave her a warm smile. She looked up at him with both fear and graduated none wining out. It stung Discord but he could understand a pony wasn’t meant.

Twilight was about to hop out of his arms and give him a piece of her mind when she heard something. A calm constant beat, She didn’t know why but with everything that happened today the beat gave her a sense of comfort. She placed her head on his chest so she could hear it better.

The steady beat was the only constant from the chaos of the past two days. She let her tears fall while Discord floated out of the area. Unbeknownst to the two a white dragon looked at them in concern.

Spike hugged the pillow he was lying on, dried tear stains on it. He woke up a few minutes. he got out of Twilight’s bed and moved down to the library floor. He walked to the work desk and pulled out a map.

He opened the book and flipped to the page he found the ritual and marked down the dragonlands, and the frozen forest. He read the passage again. ‘Blue flower is known as a rose.’

Spike stood up and moved to a bookshelf. Looking in the H, S section he grabbed two books. ‘History of flowers’ and ‘strange history of the rose flower.’ He searched the books for hours reading every page, examining every detail.

The sun began to go down. Standing up he approached a cabinet and pulled out a couple of candles. Walked back to the work desk and lit the candle with a jet of green fire. The sun finished its descent leaving the library in near darkness.

He read more till he came across the page with a blue flower. He turned to the next book ‘Strange History of Rose Flower.’ Spike flips to the table of contacts and then moves to the entry of the blue rose.

‘The first rose type ever discovered. A stallion by the name of Red Wing was gifted it by a dragon who wished to be friendly. They planted some near a rainbow spring.’ Spike marked Rainbow Falls and looked at the map.

The three points made a triangle out of the locations. It was a large area to cover but he knew he had to search it. He stood up and heard his stomach grumble but before he could head to the kitchen he heard a knock on the door.

Spike approached the door and opened it. Standing there was Applejack. She had a plate of apple slices and pie. She smiled at him “Can I come in?”

“Sure, come in AJ.” Spike gestured for her to enter.

They moved over to the kitchen AJ noticed that Spike was still studying at the desk. They entered the dark kitchen and sat down at the table. Spike left the room and brought in two candles.

He placed them down on the table and took a seat. Applejack pushed the plate closer to him and smiled at hermile. He picked up a slice and ate it. Applejack looked around the dark room.

“Uh Spike, where are your lights?”

“Their magic activated, without mom, they wouldn't turn on.”

“Well, darn.”

Spike ate a few slices “What are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to check in on you. I know how hard this is for you.”

“I just want her back, AJ.”

“And we'll get her back. The princesses and the guard heck even Dash won't stop till they find her.”

“We don't have much time. if Discord gets all the ritual items, then we'll never get to see Mom again.” Tears formed in Spike’s eyes threatening to fall.

He closed his eyes and shook his head. Applejack sighed. “We'll stop Discord and save her, don't worry.”

Spike looked outside the window. It was pitch black with nothing to really pay attention to. Spike absent-mindedly eats the slice of pie. Applejack saw the lapse in conversation and tried to pick it up again.

“So Spike have you found anything?”

Spike looked at her and then nodded. “Yeah, hold on.”

Spike walked out of the kitchen and grabbed the map. He entered a moment later and placed the map on the table moving the plate and candles just before doing so. Applejack examined Spike’s work with interest.

Spike points at the three points he made. “This is where the ritual items would be. Now I think the ritual sight would be within these places. The rose, the Eikthyrnir, and the dragon scale.”

Applejack smiles, “Well that certainly narrows it down, but still a lot of ground to cover.”

“Ture, but it's a start. If mom stalls him long enough, then we could find her before Discord could do anything to her.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Get Princess Celestia on this map,” Applejack encouraged.

Spike smiled and moved back into the library, gesturing for her to follow. He moved over to the desk and picked up a piece of parchment. He wrote a letter explaining what he was researching and what he found. Looking over the writing, Spike corrected his spelling and then sent it to Celestia with a jet of fire. He moved over and sat down at the desk.

Spike looked over to Applejack with a smile. “Thank you, AJ for checking up on me”

“Anytime, Spike, I know what you're feeling.”

“You said that before. What happened if you don’t mind me asking?”

“It was a camping trip. My folks and Applebloom were out trotting on a mountain trail. Mac, Ganny, and I were setting up camp a mile away. I wanted to join my folk, so I snuck away when Mac and Granny weren’t looking. I heard a loud crash and just hurried up.”

Applejack gained a melancholic look. “My folks were crushed under some boulders. Applebloom was off to the side, just balling her little eyes out. I picked her up and we got back to camp. We um didn’t stay too long after.”

Spike stood up and hugged her hug. “I’m Sorry”

“Don’t be, happened a long time ago. Just please promise me you keep doing what you doing.”

“I don’t need to promise that,” he said determinedly

“Good, because you can bring her back you save her.” Applejack patted him on the head then in a bright flash of light Celestia and Luna stood in the middle of the dark room.

Celestia lit up her horn, and the lights turned on. Luna raised a brow when she saw that the element of honesty was holding the young dragon close. The two separate, both with blushes on their face. Spike grabbed the map and handed it over to Celestia.

Celestia took the map and gave Spike a wink who rubbed the back of his head. Looking it over she noticed the three spots made Celestia raise a brow. “So you think this would be where Discord and Twilight would be?”

“Yes, it's about a fifty-mile radius but I’m sure with the guard and us looking through it will find them in no time”

“I’ll have the guard patrols around the area,” Celestia stated.

“we will join them. We will also have our own guards secure the item.” Luna stated

Celestia's eyes widen. “Be careful, sister Spike is the exception, not the rule.”

Luna's eyes widen slightly. “Sister, thou must inform me of what we missed over our banishment”

“Can I come with you?” Spike asked looking at Luna

“Forgive me spear-”

“Spike,” he interrupted in annoyance

Luna flinched. “forgive me, Spike but you must rest for the trials ahead.”

“What but I found this and I woke up a few hours ago.”

“We have spoken as a subject of Equestria you will do as we will”

“Sister!”

“We can no longer order are subjects anymore.”

“Only if they work for us.”

Luna let out a sigh “thou are a dragon but still a child. I will not have you fight alongside me.”

Celesta saw Spike's face fall, Applejack trotted up to him and patted him on the back. Celestia was about to speak up when Luna glared at her and pulled her to the side. After a whisper conversation, Celestia trotted over to Spike and hugged him.

“Tomorrow I will have some guards come and help you with your search Spike.”

“Thank you, princess.”

“Just call me Celestia, Spike.” she said gently

The two separated with Spike going back to the desk and Celestia heading to her sister’s side. Luna lit up her horn and teleported the two away. Spike let out a sigh and walked back to the desk.

Applejack looked at Spike, he was reading the book he opened earlier in the day. She looked around the room and noticed The books weren’t touched. The floor was devoid of hoof prints that would normally be there after a busy day. Applejack approached the door.

She looked back at Spike before clearing her throat. “Spike I’m heading home, you uh want to join me.”

“No, thank you Applejack I got work to do.”

Applejack let out a sigh. “Okay, then but my door is always open for ya if you need it.”

Without another word Applejack left, leaving Spike to his own devices. He looked at the corner of the desk where a picture sat. In the photo was him and Twilight celebrating his tenth birthday last year back in Canterlot. He put down the book and picked up the photo. He held it tightly to his chest and sobbed.

The Dragon's Petal

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Spike woke up with a creek in his neck. Rolling his head and stretching his limbs, Spike got off the desk. He looked over to the windows and saw sunlight coming from it. Rubbing his eyes, he looked over the photo and saw tear stains on the glass frame. He whipped it clean and then placed it back on the desk.

Spike stood up and walked to the kitchen. He made himself some eggs and salad and trotted to the table. Spike saw a plate on the side of the table and smiled. As soon as he finished, he picked up the plates and walked to the sink.

He heard a knock at the door as he finished washing the dishes. Spike ran to the door and opened it. Applejack stood there holding a shovel. Spike raised a brow and gestured for her to come in.

She placed the shovel down against the wall and smiled at him “So when is the guard coming?”

Spike shrugged. “I don’t know, but what’s with the shovel?”

“Well, if this Discord feller is going to need some flowers, then I’m going to make sure He can’t find them.”

Spike smiled. “Good idea.”

Applejack examined Spike. “Where are your things?”

“I just woke up. Hold on.” Spike ran up the stairs and into his and Twilight’s room.

He looked around and saw his backpack. He opened it and took out the books he had placed in it. Spike looked around the room and added a med kit and a survival book. He went under the bed and pulled out some pepper spray and a small dagger. Shining armor gave it to Twilight before they came to Ponyville. She stuffed it under the bed after the whole Nightmare Night situation.

Spike placed the dagger in the bag and closed the backpack. He ran downstairs where Applejack was reading a book. He approached her and looked at the book. It had an image of a gold cross in the book titled ‘Pendragon.’ Spike smiled.

“I love those books.” He sat down next to her.

Applejack smiles at him “I just picked it off from the shelf. It good read but I feel like I’m missing something.”

“That’s the pendragon. It’s the 4th book in the series.” Spike approached the bookshelf and pulled out five books.

He walked back to her and set out the books in order. “The series is called the Pendragon Cycle. It’s about a shift in faith and a falling empire, although that's just a backdrop. The story is about King Arthur’s kingdom when it’s under siege by barbarians.”

Applejack whistled. “So I take it Minotaur story.”

“No, it’s a human story.”

“What’s a human?”

Spike thought about the question for a moment. “it’s a fantasy creature that can’t use magic. Instead, they use and make artifacts that can go toe to toe with alicorns?”

Applejack smiled. “Well, that seems interesting. Do you think I can check em out?”

“Sure come on.” He ran to the counter with the books in hand. He scanned them and wrote the time to bring them back. Handing them over to Applejack, he was practically beaming.

“Mom is going”- Spike's flame dimmed- “to be so happy, she wanted to get more ponies into these books.”

Spike looked down at his hands, a tear falling from his eye. He growled and shook his head. Applejack trotted around the counter and placed her hoof on his shoulder. He grabbed her hoof and slid it off his shoulder.

Spike moved over to the work desk and picked up the map. Grabbing a quill and paper, he wrote a quick message and grabbed a thumb tack. He put on his backpack and went over to the shovel. He grabbed it and handed it over to Applejack, who looked at him in concern.

He gestured for her to follow him. Spike opened the door and pinned the paper on the door. Applejack placed the books on the counter and followed him. As they moved through the streets. Applejack noticed the looks Spike was getting. Ponies rather glared or did everything they could to avoid looking at him.

Lowering her head, she whispered into his ear. “Is this normal for you, Spike?”

“Yeah,” he said with an intense glare.

The two moved closer to the train station, only for a familiar pegasus to land in front of them. Rainbow Dash had bags under her eyes. Her wings were poorly maintained, and she had a bandage wrapped around her foreleg.

She pushed Spike to the side and approached Applejack. “I heard you found something on Twilight.”

“I didn’t Spike did, you asking him.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes and turned to Spike, who was glaring at her. “Spit it out.”

Spike fought the urge to blast her with fire. “I have a map where Discord and Twilight will have to go.”

“Give it to me,” Rainbow demanded

Spike glared at her “You forgot to say Please.”

“I’ve been looking for Twi since yesterday. You want her back right well give me the map and I’ll find her.”

Spike turned around and ran off, enraged. A smoke cloud coming from his maw. Rainbow growled and tried to fly after him only to be stopped by Applejack. Rainbow bucked her legs back, trying to get applejack to let go only to be slammed on the ground. Applejack shook her head and galloped after Spike.

She got to the train station only to hear Spike yelling at the train attendant. “I just need a ticket to Rainbow Falls!”

The stallion was shaking, keeping his head under the counter. “I-I’m sorry b-but you n-need an adult i-if you're under the age of e-eighteen.”

Applejack approached the counter and gently moved Spike to the side “He’s with me, Sorry just were kinda in a hurry.”

Spike threw twenty bits on the table, and the stallion gave them two tickets. They grabbed their tickets, Applejack gave the stallion a quick thanks, and got on the train. Spike took a sit with Applejack sitting next to him.

The train’s engines roared to life, and the conductor yelled for the remaining passengers to get aboard. The train moved along the tracks after a few minutes. Applejack turned to Spike. He was looking over the map-marking area. No doubt he wanted to search.

“Spike, what was that back there?”

“I have to find Mom. Rainbow won’t hear me out. None of you ever do.”

Applejack gained an annoyed expression but quickly let it go having dealt with Applebloom when she got like this. “Well, I’m listening now and Rainbow would have heard me out.”

“I doubt that. All she wanted was the map.”

“We still could have talked her down.”

“If it worked, it would have taken too long.”

“Maybe, but remember she’s trying to find Twi, too.”

Spike's eyes drooped as he acknowledged the point. He looked over to Applejack, who wrapped him up in a hug. Spike looked out the window. The moving trees and grass were a soothing sight to see.

He looked up to Applejack and spoke in a low voice. “We're going to find her. We have to.”

Applejack gave him a sad smile. “Of course we will, Discord wouldn’t know what hit him.”

Spike smiled. “yeah, we’ll show him take was a big mistake.”

“Take a nap. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

Spike sighed and laid down on her. “I’m not tired.”

Applejack chuckled and placed her hat on his head. “That is for the light. Now take a nap”

Spike let out an amused sigh, closing his eyes. As the train moved through the countryside, a rainbow trail followed close behind.

Twilight opened her eyes, seeing a wall of soft brown fur. She nuzzled into the fur and let out a content sigh. Twilight heard a gentle thumping, and she leaned her head into the fur. She heard a chuckle coming from above her.

She looked up only to see a creature she had become very familiar with. Discord had a sly grin on his face. She jumped out of his arms and fell to the ground. Discord approached her offering a claw.

Twilight blushed in embarrassment. Taking the claw, she stood up and examined her surroundings. The trees were devoid of snow. The ground was darker and slightly wet. Twilight looked up and saw an early morning sun through the trees.

“Where are we?!”

“Close to the rainbow spring.”

“Rainbow Spring?”

Discord rolled his eyes. “You know, the rainbow river that falls down a mountain.”

Twilight eyes widen. She had always wanted to visit with Spike and her friends. She never expected this. “Okay, what are we here for? We're not going to mutilate another animal, are we?”

“No, my dear, we're going after a flower today.”

What do we need a flower for?”

You ask a lot of questions. Tell you what I answer this one and you get one more.”

“W-” Twilight cut herself off, she didn’t know if he was serious or no so she had to be careful.- “Okay then answer”

Discord smiled. He cleared his throat. “The flower is a blue rose. We need it for the ritual. There is one more item that we need for the ritual. You get that one for free”

Twilight wanted to ask about the last item but held her tongue. She turned around and trotted into the forest. She was about to move when she was stopped by Discord. he grabbed her by her tail. Turning around, she glared at him.

“What do you think you go, my dear?”

“I was going to look for the rose”

“Kind of you to offer, but I think we should go together.” he enthused it by spinning her around and bowing her head.

She shook her head and looked back at him. He smiled at her with a red rose in his mouth. Twilight eyes widen. She opens her mouth to speak but then closes it, not wanting to waste her question.

Discord placed her back on her hoof. He pulled the rose out of his teeth and then placed it behind her ear. He smiled at her, causing her to blush. She was too easy for him. Twilight cleared her throat.

“Let's get moving. You want to get this done quickly, right?”

Discord shrugged his shoulders and floated toward the mountain. Twilight trotted behind him. What is she going to ask him? Will he even tell her the truth? But She knows she needs a paper and writing tool.

The two moved through the path, Discord noticing the hoofprints on the ground. He hummed to himself, snapping his claws, his eyes slit, and he examined the mountainside a mile ahead of them. There was a group of five stallions wearing golden armor. Behind them was a group of blue roses.

He floated beside Twilight and held her hoof. “Why don’t we go over here?”

Twilight was dragged over into a different direction of the forest. Twilight saw nothing but a blur all around her. When he stopped, Twilight coughed as Discord glared at, to her, a tree in the distance.

Discord glared at a white dragon. He lifted a talon and snapped to him. Nothing happened. Twilight looked around, confused. He snapped once more and words appeared in front of her. ‘I have some business to deal with. Be a dear and stay put.’

Twilight growled and blasted the letters. Discord wanted to chuckle but one look at the dragon he lost his mirth. Discord floated to him. The dragon looked at him, unamused. Next to the dragon was an antler.

“Stop this, brother,” Michael stated

“Stop what?” Discord asked innocently.

“This plan to tear her away from her world, to break the protections that were placed here.”

“Well, I could use some company, if not you. Why not her?”

Michael snarled, “I won’t let you do this.”

“So you going to fight me? Is that it?”

Michael glared. “I don’t want to. Please don’t make me.”

“Come with me and I’ll release her from our deal.”

“Give me time to approve of this with Father, then you and I can go to Midgard together”

“You always want to check in with dear old dad. Why can’t you just for once do something by yourself for once?”

Michael let out a sigh. “Give me time, brother. we can spare your ponies and my dragons from the other dimensions.”

Discord's eyes drooped, then he glared. “There tough they can survive can yours.”

“I would never do this to you nor them. Please give me time to send the mare home.”

Discord rolled his eyes. “Fine, you have a day, and I’ll send her home when you get back.”

Michael sighed “Thank you, brother”

Discord eased down to a scowl. “Best get back to the pearly gates. You have twenty-six hours.”

When a nod, Michael unfurled his wings and flew off. Discord took in a massive inhale, then let it out. He snapped his talon and turned around. He looked at the stop where Twilight should have been waiting.

“Mortals never listen,” he grumbled to himself. Discord blinked his eyes, and he saw the mana stream.

Twilight trotted through the forest, keeping her eyes on the ground. She had to find that rose along with something to write about. She moved further into the forest and then came across a river.

The river took on a multi-hue of colors. Despite the situation, she couldn’t help but smile as she saw her reflection. She stood there for a few moments before feeling a tap on her shoulder. Twilight let out a sigh and steeled herself. She turned around and her face instantly lit up.

In front of her was a guard stallion who had his eyes widened. “Your Twilight Sparkle!”

“Yes, It’s me Hi I’m Twilight!” She stated enthused.

The stallion regained his composure and cleared his throat. “follow me”

Twilight nodded, and the two went off. Twilight felt both excited and quite nervous. She looked over her shoulder, expecting Discord to show up and do something horrible to the guard. The guard noticed this and looked around.

“So what happened?”

Twilight looked at the stallion with a confused look. “What but don’t you know?”

“I only know that if I find you alone, I should take you to the highest authority.”

“Okay, who's-” a train whistle cut off Twilight.

Applejack nudged Spike awake. He sat up and looked around. The traincart was packed with guards. Most wore gold armor with the occasional blue. He looked up to Applejack question in his eyes.

“They got on when the train stopped in Canterlot,” Applejack said, taking off her hat from Spike’s head.

Spike stretched his neck and popped his joints. When the doors opened, he joined the wave of guards leaving the train. Stepping onto the platform, He noticed two things immediately. Princess Luna was standing to the side of the plate form with elegant blue armor on. In her magic was a war scythe.

The other thing he noticed was Shining Armor beside her, checking off a list. Applejack came to Spike’s side. The two jumped off the platform and next to the other two ponies. Princess Luna looked at the two and nodded.

“Young Spark, miss Applejack”

“Spike,” he grumbled

Shining Armor looked up and then just as quickly looked down. Spike noticed this and walked over to him. He grabbed the checklist and pulled it out of Shining’s magic. Shining glared at him.

Spike looked back toward Luna. “So you guys covered a lot of ground”

“Yes, we have young, Spike. We have been searching since we had left for the castle.”

“Good, now we have to check them again. Anything could have happened after you guys left.”

“Sure commander.” Shining Armor said sarcastically.

“The young drake has a point. Discord might not have arrived here till now.” Luna stated.

“Alright then, but why are we listening to a little boy.” Shining Armor

“Because this little boy has done more to help this search than anyone else.”

The group of four moved away from the train station and walked to the center of the village. Spike looked around and saw ponies giving them a wide breath. He noticed their eyes were on him. He growled to himself when Applejack placed her hoof on his shoulder.

She smiled at him, and Spike felt a sense of comfort. A large cart full of blue roses came by them. A stallion who was pulling the cart muttered to himself. Princess Luna trotted over to the stallion.

“Where do you want them, princess?”

“Take them to the town hall for incineration”

These flowers have been here for generations, princess. ponies won’t like them being burnt.”

This must happen for the security of Equestria.”

The stallion looked at her, annoyed, then moved to the town hall. Applejack looked around, seeing Pony sending death glares at them. She trotted over to the princess and tapped her on her flank.

“That stallion has a point. These ponies don’t seem to like you.” She whispered

“Most ponies do not, I do not lose sleep over it,” Luna said coldly.

Spike and Shining rolled their eyes, knowing better than most that wasn’t true. W
Spike walked over to Shining. The two looked at each other for a moment before Spike spoke.

“So we're going to tell Princess Celestia that Luna’s ruining her reputation,” Spike said with a slight smirk.

Shining looked at Spike with disinterest. “What do you want, Spike?”

“How long will it take to get a search party together?”

“Let me focus on finding Twilight. You worry about that mare.” Shining pointed to Applejack.

“AJ can handle herself and Mom is out there. I’m not sitting around while she’s out there.”

“Twilight is my sister, not yours.”

Spike gritted his teeth “She, my mom”

“They dumped you on us. That’s it Twilight just had more time to look after you.”

Spike glared at him. “Why do you hate me so much?”

“I don’t hate you just-” Shining trailed off

Spike snarled when he felt a pink aura envelop him. He was pulled away from shining and wrapped up in an embrace. His eyes widened as he recognized the pony holding him. He wrapped his hands around Twilight as his tears fell.

Twilight sat down and quietly shushed him, comforting him. Twilight tears fell from her eyes as she held her son. The guard that was escorting her trotted to Princess Luna and boud. Luna dismissed the guard and was about to go to Twilight when a hoof blocked her.

“Let's give them a moment.” Applejack smiled warmly.

The two held each other, their tears subsiding. A menacing laugh that made everypony freeze. Pink clouds rolled in, making Luna’s blood run cold. Twilight held Spike tightly to her chest sense of dread building in her chest.

Applejack looked around, confused and slightly fearful. Shining armor pulled out his sword and got in front of the defense stance. Spike, however, felt the same dread Twilight did as the creature appeared.

In a flash of lightning, Discord appeared next to Twilight. “There you are. I got to say if you play a game, you could have just asked.”

He smiled, only to notice her trembling. Discord backed up slightly and floated in front of her. He reaches out, only to be blocked by a white stallion. He held a sword to Discord’s throat and focused a glare.

Discord rolled his eyes. “I love the sentiment, but I need you out of my way.”

Discord raised a claw but before he could snap Shining brought the blade to his claw. The sword shattered as it met the talon. Shining tossed the sword to the side and tried to tackle him. All he did was end up wrapped around him.

Discord chuckled- “Well, I didn’t know you cared that much”- Discord wrapped his arms around Shining and, with a whip of his tail, made a large cage appear.

Discord tossed him into it and then held his lion's paw up. A massive explosion of rainbow light came from above them faster than any pony could blink. Rainbow came down fast on Discord. He grabbed her leg before anyone could see. Her leg shattered as all her speed came to a sudden stop.

Rainbow Dash fell on a pink cloud and yelled in pain as she held her leg. Applejack galloped to Rainbow's side. He snapped his talon, and both mares ended up in a cage. Rainbow stood up, her leg fully healed.

Discord looked around, waiting to see anyone to show up. His eyes locked with Luna, who was shivering in fear. A pang of guilt ran through him as he saw the fear. He hated that look. He turned around and looked down at Twilight, who held onto a little dragon.

He flashed over a blue rose and placed it behind her other ear. Twilight lifted her head up and shifted her body to make sure Spike was safely behind her. Tears ran down her face, silently begging for him to stop.

He whipped a tear off her cheek and snapped his talon. The three disrepair along with all the items he had conjured. Tears ran down Luna’s face as she realized what she had done. Rainbow, Applejack, and shining armor galloped to her.

Discord and his now two companions appeared next to the ritual sight. He looked over to Twilight, who was weeping. Spike was holding her and glaring at him. Discord floated over to them only for the Spike to let out a jet of fire at him.

“Stay away from her!” Spike growled

‘I only want to make sure she’s okay.”

“I doubt that.”

He rolled his eyes. “And why is that?”

“If you cared, you wouldn’t have foal napped her.”

“Me and her have a deal, boy. I’m and I always keep my word.”

With a glare, Spike asked, “What deal?”

Twilight whipped her eyes. “I agreed to go with him as long as I can go home after this.”

“What?!”

Twilight shot a glare at Discord. “another condition was to leave you out of this!”

“Correction, my Dear the agreement was to leave him out of any future plans. Also, we're lucky you didn’t go too far, my dear.”

“What does that mean?” Twilight asked nervously

“Well, to make my deals go smoothly, I place a spell of compliance, to break the conditions of the spell and it zaps you till you pass out. Well, it would do that to me to you will.”- Discord gains a rather disgusted look.- “Well let's just the one less on the census let leave it at that.”

Twilight's jaw dropped, horror etched on her face. Anger boiled in Spike, He ran over to Discord a spat the hottest fire Discord’s ever felt on him. After a few minutes, the fire subsided.

Discord’s eyes widen. "The Dragon Spark”

Spike backed up, confused. “The what.”

“Noting not but-” Yellow lightning shocked him, cutting him off.

Twilight lit her horn up and scanned the lightning. She gasped at how much energy it gave out. The lightning was putting out the energy of thirty universes. Scanning the magic made the energy output of the lightning look miniscule. She couldn’t calculate beyond infinite, but she knew it was beyond that by several metrics.

The lightning stopped, Discord fell to the ground, smoke flying off of him. He ground and slowly picked himself up. “Well, that was painful so… I did a bad.”

“Yo-you, how do you have so much magic?” Twilight asked in shock.

“You scanned the magic or the lightning?” Discord asked, dusting himself off.

“Both,” she said

Oh, well, um, hopefully you didn’t scan too much.” he gave her a nervous smile.

Twilight giggled madly, then promptly collapsed. Before she hit the ground Discord zoomed to her side faster than Spike could blink. He held her and gently placed her on the ground.

Spike ran over and tried to push Discord away from her only for him to fall to the ground. He rubbed his head, glaring at Discord. Standing up and‌ dusting himself off, he got in between Twilight and Discord.

“What did you do to her?”

Discord rolled his eyes. "Nothing honestly. The power read was probably too much for her.”

“Nothing is too powerful for her. You had to have done something.”

Discord rolled his eyes. “Sure, because I normally hurt ponies.”

“Luna, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash.” Spike listed off.

Discord gained a guilty expression for a moment before replacing it was a scowl "Say the dragon trying to roast me alive.”

Spike paused for a moment. He shook his head and let out a puff of smoke "It didn’t hurt you.”

“Oh, please, like you knew that wouldn’t hurt me.”

“I-I-Shut up.”

And here’s thinking you differed from the rest.”

Spike stops “What do mean by that”

“You dragons are so great, so high and mighty, yet one little push from Lucy and you all fall flat.” Discord laughed.

Spike raised his claw, ready to strike at him. He stopped when he saw the devilish grin plastered on Discord's features. Spike lowered his claw and himself to the ground. He wrapped Twilight in a protective hug.

“If you hurt her, I don’t know how I’m going to do it but I will make you pay.”

Discord rolled his eyes out of his skull with empty sockets. He said, “ah don’t you just love the classic.”

Spike shivered as he saw the eyeballs roll into the woods. The sun was setting. Spike yawned, suddenly tired. He curled up into twilight and closed his eyes. Discord slowed his claw as he heard quiet snoring coming from the young drake.

Discord approached Spike and ripped off one of his scales. The dragon flinched as it came off. He looked up at the sky. “Well Michael, you got thirteen hours done waste them.”

Discord looked over at Twilight. Despite how she fell unconscious, Discord couldn’t help but smile as rested. Flying over to her, he petted her, and she nuzzled his paw. Looking at the two, he snapped his saw and yellow magic enveloped the Dragon and Mare. the two let out a sigh of contentment as the wind pick up.

Princess Luna sighed as she chipped away at Discord's lock. She was in the dream realm at Twilight's dream door. Celestia has tossed herself in her room and has not left since she heard about what had happened in Rainbow Falls.

The lock opened unexpectedly. Examining the door Luna noticed the door was a mix of purple and green. Twilight's cutie mark was similar to the door, pink and green. Luna looked at her surroundings and then entered.

Twilight and Spike sat on a hill reading a book. The sky was a mix of blues, purples, and oranges. Luna landed next to them. Spike looked over to her and gestured for her to sit with them. She sat and looked over to the book.

The book was full of nonsensical scribbles. Luna looked at the two then she cleared her throat. “ Young Sparkle, what are you reading?”

“It's about a stallion who falls in love with a mare who helps him become a better pony”

Spike looked up at Twilight, confused. “I thought it was about a boy trying to save a princess from an evil, bloodthirsty monster.”

The two stared at each other for a moment before turning to Luna- “We’re In a dream aren't we.”-they both said in unison.

“Yes, does thou know your location?”

“No” Twilight shook her head.

“This will not do.”

“We're in a cold Greenland,” Spike stated.

Luna looked over to him with a smile, “that will help.”

Twilight eyes widened. “Discord and I walked about four miles before we entered the frozen forest.”

Spike and Luna smile, but Twilight's face gains a pensive expression. “Make sure Spike gets home.”

Luna raised a brow, while Spike looked at her, confused. “What do you mean, Mom?”

“Me and Discord made a deal. A deal that was bound by magic. I can’t break it.”

“But he broke it and he was fine.”

“He shouldn't have. The energy going through him would rip me into atoms in less than a second.”

Luna's eyes widened. While tears welled up in his eyes. “No, no I just got you back.”

I know Spike but there's nothing we can do. I have to hold up my end.”

Luna let out a sigh “Thou made a deal with the devil.”

Twilight lowered her head “I know”

“We’ll free you, young Twilight”

“We will mobilize any tropes we have in the area and restrain him.”

Twilight shook her head “You can’t restrain him”

“We might be able to delay him”

Spike looked at Luna, concerned. “You saw how he fought Rainbow and Shining. I don’t think a battalion won't matter to him.”

Luna shivered as she remembered her combat against Discord. She sighed, not realizing tears were streaming down her face. Twilight and Spike rushed over to her. Luna finally noticed her tears and quickly whipped them away.

“We know, but we maybe able to buy time”

“Would it even be worth it?” Twilight asked grimly

“Yes, Princess Luna. How long will it take for you to find a spell to break the spell?” Spike asked.

“Few weeks a least.”

Spike nodded- “Alright then, I got a plan.”-Twilight and Luna looked at him at the ladder with interest, the former in worry. Gesturing for him to continue.

“So I think can say we failed in stopping Discord. He has all the pieces he needs to break the protection spell”

“What protection spell?” Twilight asked.

“A few dragons cast a protection spell to prevent another dimension from coming into ours,” Luna explained

“Moving on, if we can get into contact with Luna from the other side, she can give the spell to de-couple Twilight from her deal. Then all we have to do is get back here and engage the protections again, leaving Discord in that other world.”

“I agree,” Luna immediately stated

“Wait, we can’t just leave him in another of dimension. What about the being of that world? And what do you mean ‘we?’ Spike”

“I’m coming with you.”

What no Spike, it’s too dangerous.”

“It’s too late for that. I’m already with you.”

“I agree, we have no other action”

"Princess!!” Twilight yelled.

“We do not enjoy this outcome either, but it is what we have.”

“But-”

“No, young Twilight, I will tell my sister your plan, Spike. I am impressed.” Luna lit her horn and left the dream.

Twilight let out a sigh and picked up the book. She sat down and read with a displeased expression on her face. Spike approached her when a transparent wall blocked him from approaching her. He let out a sigh and lay down on the hill. The sky above was blue with thunderclouds rolling in.

Questions and Meetings

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Discord floated the three items into the structure. The magic that lit the pillars pulled off and wrapped around the three. Discord added his magic to it, and the items spun. Discord backed up with a smirk. It would take some time to break the field. If a certain drake were to show up, He could easily stop it. With that being done, he looked around.

The sun wasn't up yet, which was strange. Normally, Tia had a better handle on time. He sighed, and with a snap of his paw, the snap replaced the moon with the sun. He flew to Twilight, who had a rather somber expression on her face.

Discord considered entering her dream, but when she stirred, he dashed that thought. Spike groaned as he looked around. Seeing the forest, everything rushed back to Spike. She stood up only to wince as he felt a burning sensation in his leg.

He looked down at his left leg and saw a missing scale. He sighed and then glared at Discord. “You took it when I was asleep”

“Well, would you have preferred to wake during it?”

“Awake during what?” Twilight asked, rubbing her eyes.

Discord wrapped himself around her with a big grin on his face. “Well, I got the last item from dear old Spike here.”

Twilight looked at Spike in concern. “And the last thing was?”

“A scale, of course.”

Twilight slapped him, sending his head to the side. Spike burst out laughing as Discord gaped at her. “You hit me.”

Twilight wiggled and writhed in his grasp. “You can do whatever you want with me but, No one ever hurts my Spike!”

Discord was about to say something when she slapped him again. His head moved to the side once more, and he gained an angry expression. Turning back to her she striker him again, only if nothing happens. Twilight’s eyes widened as Discord grabbed her by the neck and floated up into the air.

Spike ran to them, only for Discord to ascend higher into the air. Twilight looked between Discord and the ever further ground below. She noticed his grip wasn’t too tight. They stopped just above cloud level.

“Do you really think you could strike me and get away with it!” he shouted

Twilight cowered into a ball, tears threatening to fall from her face. Discord snarled at her only for the reality of what he was doing to settle in. He looked around seeing the empty blue sky. He looked down to see clouds floating by. Finally, he looked at Twilight.

She had tears falling down her face. She shook and whimpered as dangled from her neck. Finally, he looked into her eyes. They were full of fear and a plea for him to stop. His heart ached. What was he doing? This wasn’t him, not anymore.

He laid back, pulling her into his chest. He floated downwards, shame etched on his face. Twilight was confused. She thought he was going to drop her now he’s hugging her. She looked at his face. His expression was a pensive yet sad one. He reached the ground. He placed her on the grass. Discord snaps his talon and disappears.

Discord appears about two miles away from the clearing. He turned to a tree and banged his head against it. Discord berated himself for how he handled Twilight. He banged his head a few more times, not noticing the blue stallion flying down to him with a scowl.

When the stallion landed, he cleared his throat, grabbing Discord’s attention. He turned around and saw someone he thought he never would again. Discord fell back against the tree and sighed.

“Hello Gabriel, I hope everything is alright with you.”

Gabriel's scowl didn’t relent. “It has no thanks to you.”

Discord let out a defeated sigh. “Here to tell me how stupid I am for what I did or are you here to give me a message?”

“Message, Father wanted you to know that if you and Twilight complete a task for him in the nine realms he would reward both of you handsomely.”

Discord rolled his eyes, making Gabriel's glare intensify- “And why does he think I would do something for him?”- Discord pointed up to the sky

“I think it's more for her then, although I don’t know why Father and Michael will waste their time with you.”

“Wait, Father is giving me a chance. Hu some chance, gives me a mare he’s given some strange power over me and-” Discord got a slapped in the face.

Gabriel had blue flames wrapped around his body. Gabriel gained a menacing glare spread across his features. “Be grateful he even gave you that. That is more than you deserve.”

Discord looked at him with sympathy. “Gabby-”

Gabriel slammed Discord against the tree. “Gabriel, my name is Gabriel, you traitorous scum. Father wants you to get your Chaos Axe and cut down four world tree roots. I doubt you would do it, but I did my part. Now I have to head back to Israel. They always need defending.”

Gabriel unfurled his wings and took off faster than any mortal could process. Discord fell back against the tree with a defeated sigh.- “Good luck Gabby, I’m-”- Discord trailed off.

Twilight looked on confused while Spike looked her over, worried. Why did he look so sad? Did he regret what he did to her? If he did, why did he do it in the first place? Twilight thoughts ran rampant through her head.

Spike finally wrapped her up in a hug, tears falling from his eyes. “Mom, please talk to me.”

Twilight Returned the embrace “Spike, I’m sorry I’ve been wrapped up in my head.”

“I was worried. What did he do to you up there?”

Nothing, He did nothing.”

Spike looked at her confused “What but why would he do that then.”

“I just made him angry.”

Spike snorted, “I wouldn’t do that if I was angry.”

Twilight smiled at him. “I know, but I don’t. He was thinking.”

“That’s no excuse, though. You always have to think about what you do. That's what you told me.”

“It’s always good to think before you act, but I don’t think Discord does that too often.”

“What makes you say that?” he said disbelievingly

“Discord seems to live in the moment. When I met him the moment he heard about the vision, he took me here.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes, Spike, that's simple I think,” she let out a sigh, “I think your plan can work.”

“So we are doing it then.”

“Well, you already convinced Princess Luna, so I guess we have to.”

“Alright then”- Spike looked at the pillars- “looks like we're going to be here awhile that looks like it's going to take a long time.”

Twilight examined the structure and noticed her magic was interwind with Discords. She quickly scanned and felt the magic pressing against a much larger, far more powerful barrier. She cut off her magic and backed away.

“Well, I guess I should apologize then”

Spike looked at her, confused. “Apologized to who?”

“Discord”

“What!?”

“If this is going to work, we need to have no problems between us and him. If he thinks we’re on good terms, it would be easy to… trick him,” The last part made Twilight’s stomach turn.

Spike wanted to protest, but he knew better than to challenge Twilight when it came to a course of action. Twilight pulled him into a hug. She kissed him on the head and lit up her horn. She took the magical signature from Discord's side of the spell and then tracked where Discord was.

She let Spike go and trotted towards where he was. She did the calculations in her head and saw he was Two miles from her location. Twilight mixed a silence spell with her teleport. After inputting the distance and volatility, then teleported.

She spread next to a set of bushes. She peered over them and saw a stallion yelling at Discord. When the stallion shoved him, she gasped. Discord hit the tree and fell to the ground. He looked up with regret painting his features, while the stallion burst into blue flames.

“Be grateful he even gave you that. That is more than you deserve,” the stallion snarled, then unfurled his blue wings.

They glowed with their own light. He flew up faster than Twilight could process, looking around, trying to see where the stallion went. She ignores the mysterious stallion for now and focuses on Discord. He was in a miserable state. He was looking up at the sky, defeated. She was about to reveal himself when Discord started speaking.

“So you put her from in front of me. Sending her my way for what, exactly? Is she my test? Is that it? Oh, Discord here is a cute mare now prove to me you are still my boy.” -Discord looked down at his mismatched hands. He spoke in a low voice Twilight had amplified the voice for her to hear -“Do you even really care? Or are you just going us me like Lucy did?”

Twilight broke her spell and walked out of the bush. Discord looked up at her with a pho grin on his face and flew off the ground. He moved to her side and spoke. “Why hello my dear, I didn’t expect to see you out here.”

Twilight looked at him taken aback. She knew he wasn’t happy, yet he was trying to make it seem like everything was fine. Twilight took a deep breath and sighed- “Discord”

“Yes, my Dear”

“I’m sorry.”

What?!” Discord looked at her in surprise.

“I shouldn't have slapped you like that. I should have handled the situation better. so I’m sorry.”

“Well, this is currently unexpected. again you throw me for a loop.” Discord smiled at her

Twilight gave a sad smile. “Well, I guess I’m full of surprises.”

Discord's smile faltered for a moment but regained it quickly. “Chaotic ones, and well we both may have overreacted. I just wanted you to stop, but um, they better ways of doing that.”

Twilight chuckled, “Yeah, was uh, you um, want to walk with me?”

“Sure thing, my dear.” He flew beside her as they moved back to the clearing.

Discord looked at her with a pensive look. He knew that she must have heard his little rant. Discord wondered how much of it she heard. She was looking at him, concerned.

“Are you okay, Discord?”

Discord smiled at her. "Yes, my dear, but I have to ask, how long were you behind that bush?”

Twilight looked down to the ground for a moment, then looked back up to him. “I saw that stallion yelling at you.”

“Oh.”-Discord sighed- “don't worry about him. He's just-” Discord trailed off, He gained a sad expression.

“Who is he to you?”

“Someone I used to care for, and let's leave it at that.”

“But-”

“Leave it,” he stated firmly with a sad look.

Twilight sighed, looking down at the ground. Discord saw her down trotted expression. He wrapped her up in a side hug, not wanting to see her look like that. Twilight looked at him, confused once more.

“What are you doing?”

“You look better with a smile, my dear.” Twilight blushed as she noticed his paw wrapped around her. She gently pushed his paw off of herself.

“Thank you, Discord, um, you have a pleasant smile, too.” She attempted to compliment him.

He gave her his best smile. Twilight couldn't help but laugh, as his silly toothy grin didn't really fit him. Discord joined in on the mirth. The two then moved along in compatible silence.

Twilight looked at him, remembering him flying her into the air. Despite how it turned out, was he really trying to stop her or was he going to drop her till he stopped himself?

Discord noticed her shift in mood and stroked her mane. Not expecting to be touched while lost in thought, she jumped away. Discord chuckled as she tried to regain her footing.

Twilight glared at him as he continued to laugh at her expense. Unbeknownst to him, there was a tree in his way. Twilight was going to warn him but thought better than it. Discord ran into the tree, his face slammed into the tree. Twilight laughed as he moved away from the tree.

“Now, my dear, that's not fair.”

“All is fair in love and war,” she quoted him.

He shook his head, a smile plastered on his face. “Not the level of chaos I'm used to but still welcome. Although I do wish to pick your brain a bit, my dear.”

“Only if you answer some of my questions, too?”

“Very well, then ask away.”

Twilight was about to ask about the stallion, but stopped. She didn't want to bring the mood down. Gathering her thoughts, she cleared her throat and moved closer to him.

“What are you, Discord?”

He rolled his eyes with a smile. “I'm just Discord, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Wait, so you're the embodiment of Discord, like an argument?”

He smiled a wicked smile. “I'm just Discord, nothing more, nothing less.”

“But-”

“Ump, Ump, it's my turn for a question now and you have to answer.”

Twilight looked at him, Longley. She needs an answer, but he just gives her a riddle instead. Well, if he was going to play like that, she could too.

“Okay, then. What's your question?”

“How do you know you are good old Cele and Lulu? They went through a lot of trouble finding you.”

Twilight thought about it a moment. “guess you can say I've known them all my life.”

“Hey, now that's a nonanswer.” Discord protested.

Twilight smirked. “Well, it counts as an answer by your definition. So now for my question.

Spike sat on the grass, holding a book in hand. He was trying to read it but couldn't stop thinking about Applejack and Princess Celestia. They both have encouraged him to find Twilight. now they’re.

He sighed and closed his book. He placed the book back into his backpack and was about to find something else to do when he heard footsteps behind him. Spike turned around and saw a white dragon walking towards him.

The dragon mesmerized Spike. He was handsome with blue eyes and Golden Spines. When the dragon closed the distance from Spike, he lowered himself to Spike’s eye level.

With a kind smile, the dragon spoke, “Hi there, little one. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I am.” Spike felt secure. He didn't know why, however.

I'm looking for a creature. He is a mix of multiple creatures. A unicorn mare should be with him.”

Spike aw struck features fell. “Discord isn't here, neither is Mom. Um, I mean the unicorn.”

Spike flinched away from the dragon. Spike was worried about the dragon’s reaction. When he felt a gentle pat on his head. Spike looked up to the dragon, who kept a kind smile. The dragon sat down beside him.

Spike looked at him and then realized something. “Wait, why are you looking for Discord?”

“Yes, my name is Michael. I have bad news for him.” The dragon looked rather sad to Spike.”

“What's the news? If you don't mind me asking?”

Michael patted Spike on the shoulder. “I can't go in your mother's stead.”

“You wanted to help too.”

“Yes, I still can, but I can't remove your mother from this.”

“Well, what can you do?”

“Keep the more dangerous things from them, but my sight is not infinite.”

“Anything else, please.”

“Perhaps I could send some assistance their way.”

Spike sighed but smiled. “Thank you, mister Michael, but I just want Mom and I to go home and get as far away from Discord as possible.”

Michael looked away, saddened. “He was too reprehensible today. Was he?”

“He threatens to drop him from the clouds.” Spike snarled.

“Temperance child. Don’t let your rage control.”

Spike glared at Michael “You’re not my Mom, you can’t tell me what to do”

“I am your elder, and I advise you to keep your anger under control, before you may do something you regret.”

Spike raised his claw but took a breath and lowered it. He was still angry but looked away from Michael to hide his glare. “Why do you care about Discord anyway?”

“He is family”

“What!” -Spike shouted- “how can he be your family.”

“We were made together, along with our other siblings. He was the only one who saw me as his brother, while other siblings just saw me as their commander. The way he is now was not always him. I hope I can return him to who he used to be.”

Spike didn’t know how to react. This dragon was Discord’s brother, and he wanted to save him from himself. He should be angry but he also feels like he should help Micheal.

Michael sighed.- “Do you wish to hear an old joke my brother used to tell me?”- Michael offered.

Discord laughed as Twilight finished up a story about Fluttershy telling off the dragon. Twilight chuckled with him, knowing full well what a dragon is capable of. Her chuckles died down as the fear of the creature beside her crept in.

She wanted to berate herself. He didn’t do anything to her. He scared her. That was it. She shouldn’t be sacred, or should she? No, she can’t think that way. She looked over to him. He laughed a manic laugh that seemed right somehow.

Twilight gained a thoughtful look. Besides, this morning, Discord had been relatively kind to her. She looked back at how callous he was towards the Eikthyrnir. Twilight shook her head. He has negatives, but he also has positives. She needs to approach this very carefully.

She looked back to Discord, who looked at her with a raised brow. “Finally got sick of the dirt. Don’t even lose a staring match against the ground.

Twilight blushed, “Sorry. Uh, what were you saying?”

Well, I wanted to hear about‌ that pinkie friend of yours. She seems rather chaotic.”

Twilight smiled. This was an opportunity. “Yeah, I think you and her would get along. She is spontaneous. I can introduce you when we’re done here.”

Discord's smile faltered slightly. “I doubt they would want to meet me.”

“I’m sure they will a friend of mine is a friend of theirs.”

Discord stopped in his tracks. Twilight looked back at him concerned “Discord?”

You think we’re friends”

Twilight nerves kicked in. Did she cross some sort of line? Discord looked at her, his friendly Demeter gone. “You consider me your friend?!”

“Yes despite something that happened, you were kind to me.”

“I-” Discord didn’t know what to say. She just dismissed something that would have been a deal breaker for most mortals, yet she’s okay with it. He looked her in the eye and floated over to her.

Discord knew he shouldn’t have brought this up. He should have accepted her offer of friendship as it would get him closer to his goal, yet here he is. Why did she get this reaction out of him? He’s the lord of Chaos. What did it matter what she thought?

He let out a sigh “I could have dropped you to your death.”

“You didn’t. in fact, I know you regret that.”

“Really? How so?”

“When we were coming down, I noticed you were sad and disappointed.” she gave him a reassuring smile.

Discord looked at her. She had some fear in her eyes, but he saw some care too, She believed it. He should just accept her friendship and continue. This was good for him. If she thought they were friends, then it should be no trouble making her fall for him.

“I’ve done far worse in the past. I… would have been able to drop you easily.”

This made Twilight step back slightly, but she still gave him that reassuring smile. “But you didn’t and I'm sure you know it was wrong.”

This was ridiculous. Discord should have stopped and gone with her back to the clearing, but why is he pushing back on her so much? He looked into her eyes; they sparkled. He looked into them for a good while and noticed an innocence and purity he had not seen in a long time.

He let out a sigh. “I hope you regret this.”

Twilight smiled and placed a hoof on Talon. “I’ll never regret making a friend”

He looked at the smile she was giving him and returned it but then he remembered something, something that had to be addressed. “Twilight, remember the deal we made and the consciences if you broke it?”

Twilight's smile fell, and the sight made Discord's heart spike. “Um yeah, I remember it but we made that deal when we didn’t know each other too well, I’m sure you wouldn’t have if you knew could trust me.”

“Does it bother you?” He asked.

Only about the um death part, but we can finish this trip and come back we can start over right?” She felt a sting in her heart as she saw a hopeful expression break out on his face.

She shouldn’t be doing this to him. They were planning to trap him in another world and her giving him hope seems very cruel. She wrapped him up in a hug and then let go just as quickly.

“I- let's get back to the clearing. I don’t want to leave Spike alone for too long.”

“Why don’t you go on ahead, my dear I’ll catch up.”

Twilight nodded, then continued to trot forward. When Discord knew she was out of earshot, he looked up once more.- “Leave her out of whatever game you have her in. She is not your Pawan.”- He glared.

Spike glared at the sky. He was lying on his back next to Michael, after getting a laugh from him. The conversion died down quickly. Leaving the two in silence. Spike looked over to Michael, who was lost in thought.

Spike then began to contemplate things as well. Who was Michael, he’s Discord’s brother, as strange as a thought that, is but he said ‘We were made together’. What does that mean? He mentions siblings. Could they do what Discord could do or was Discord the exception?

He looked back at Michael and sat up “What happened?”

Michael looked at Spike inquisitively. “Pardon?”

With Discord what did he do to end up like this?”

Michael looked down at his arms for a moment. He remembered seeing an axe cutting through them and then a horrified expression on his brother’s face. “He made a mistake that he believes seals his fate.”

Spike raised his brow “And what was that?”

“He had to choose between one of our other brothers or Me.”

“What?!”

“Tell me Spike if your kin fought would‌ you choose if they need your help?”

“The one who needs it the most, I guess”

Michael sighed “Yes well, I supposed that's what my brother did. He helped the one who needed it most.”

How could helping somepony make you like that “When you help evil you become it but there’s always a way to salvation as long as you wish to walk its path.”

“And you think, Discord what’s to walk that path.”

“Yes,” Michael said in a low tone of voice.

Spike doubted it but his mom taught him better than to mention his thoughts on it. Spike stood up and patted him on his shoulder. Michael smiled at him standing up and patting him on the head.

Michael turned his head up looking off in the distance. Spike turned around to see Discord and Twilight. Twilight was confused while Discord and a smirk. Discord floated over to them.

“Well it seems like you found a friend Michael”

“Brother it is good to see you.” Michael smiled

Spike looked over to Twilight. She seemed surprised but not as much as he expected. Moving over to her he gestured for her to lower her head. Once she did he cupped his hand over her ear.

“Do you know him?”

“He was in my vision, he had a flaming sword.”

“cool, buy what but he's Discord's brother.”

“What are you two talking about.” Discord whispered.

Twilight and Spike moved away from Discord making him laugh. Michael moved over to them chuckling. “Brother let them convers they have not seen each other for some time.

Discord had smile on his face “its been a while since I heard that laugh, Mikey.”

“It has been a while since we've met.”

“Oh please It's only been a few hours.”

“For us to discuss more than our crusades. It has been millenniums”

Twilight and Spike gapped at hearing this. Discord smile faltered as he looked upon his brother. He looked down to the ground.

“he said no didn’t he?”

Michael face fell “I'm sorry”

Discord didn’t say anything, he lifted his talon and let out a beam of magic into the pillars. Twilight felt the mana in the air strain as it was Being pulled into the pillars. The sky began to fracture and crack as the spell pushed against the barrier. The sky shattered into billions of pieces, which rained down and disappeared just as quickly.

“Come on my dear we have things to do.” Discord stated coldly.

“Brother please don’t do this” Michael pleaded

“Sorry Mikey but we've wasted enough time.”

Michael sighed. He opened his feathery wings and was about to take off when Spike held his leg. Michael looked at the pleading look in Spike’s eyes and came up with a plan.

“Brother, wait.” Discord Turned around and tapped his goat leg on the ground

“They need to eat. When you’re out in mid guard it would be difficult to find a meal.”

“I could just snap my talon and they eat as much as they want.”

Michael sighed “Would you kindly break bread with me brother if not for me then for them.”

Discord snapped his claw and a salad and a cooked piece of meat appeared in front of Twilight and Spike respectively. Spike grabbed the meat not recognizing it. He smiled at it and smiled. He took a bit and hummed to himself enjoying the food he was given.

Michael looked at the meat worried “That is kosher right.”

Discord burst into laughter, Twilight looked at the patty slightly disturbed but knowing it was going to happen eventually. Twilight eats her salad. Discord floated over to her with a raised brow.

What’s wrong My Dear?”

Twilight looked at him and sighed “It’s nothing.”

Discord knew he shouldn’t pry but his curiosity was peaked “Well we both know that’s not true.”

Twilight looked back at Spike. “I- he found us.”

“That’s it?”

“That's not it.” Twilight said still looking at Spike who was talking to Michael.- “It feels like just yesterday he was hatched and now. I’m just being stupid.”

Twilight looked at him expectantly. When he didn’t say anything she cleared her throat. Discord looked at her with gain a raised brow once more “What?”

“Isn’t this the point where you say ‘Oh you worrying over nothing my dear he’s still your little boy and he has plenty of time with you before he grows up.” She said in an imitation of his voice.

Discord burst into laughter making Twilight blush as she heard this “It's not funny!”

Discord tried to control his chuckles “he’s ten, eight more years isn’t much”

Twilight let a tear fall from her face “Thanks for the reassurance”- She said sarcastically

Discord wrapped a tear from her eye “My dear he’ll always be your little boy no matter how old he gets. Of course, have him as he used to be but what that old saying ‘if it means more when it’s there’s less of it.’”

“But I don’t want him to grow up, I want him to stay my little boy.” Twilight's tears fell once more

Discord was concerned and wrapped her up with himself.-“It’s going happen my dear but It would be alright he cares for and I believe once he is old enough he will come back to you. You won’t lose him.”-Twilight embraced him tears falling from her face and staining his fur.

Spike looked over to Twilight who was crying into Discord's chest. He fumed and was about to move to them when Michael stopped him. Spike glowered at him. Michael patted him on the back trying to calm him.

“What did he do, She’s crying!” Spike questions, smoke coming from his nostrils

“I don’t know but I don’t think he caused it.”

“Oh, I doubt that.”

Micheal looked at the two and smiled “Look, my brother is trying to confront her and She has him in an embrace.”

Spike crossed his arms and snorted, “So, I bet it’s because he did something that hurt her or something.”

“It’s best not to assume If he did something wrong, then he clearly wants to make amends. If she was distressed, then he is confronting her.”

More smoke came from Spike’s maw, but steeling himself the best he could, he breathed in and stowed his anger. He sat back down and finished his food. Michael sighed, knowing this was going to not end well. Looking up to the sky, he saw the sun coming down on the horizon.

He looked back down to Spike, who pulled out his book. Michael smiled, but then he screamed off in the distance. Michael stood up, and let out a jet of flame from his maw a flaming sword appeared. Twilight and Spike's eyes widened while Discord nodded, knowing why Micheal summoned his sword.

“I hope the trip is fruitful, for you wrought on this world can never be undone.”

Spike's eyes widened in horror as Micheal's words sunk in. Twilight looked at Discord, who looked more stoic than she had seen him so far. Micheal unfurled his wings and flew off faster than the concept itself.

Discord stood up letting Twilight go. He moved over to the pillars and with his lion's paw, ripped open the very fabric of reality. Discord pointed his talon at Twilight’s horn. When her magic pulled it from her horn and into a little ball in front of Discord’s talon. He smiled at her and pointed it in the air then at the rip. Twilight looked on in interest as Discord fired into the tear. A pink vortex enveloped the rip and solidified.

Twilight looked on, dumbstruck. She rushed to his side and cleared her throat to get Discord’s attention. He looked at her with a smile. gestured at the portal. He bowed to her with a suit appearing on his body.

“Lady first, as they say.”

Twilight looked at the portal nervously. “Would the spell kill me if I go through?”

Discord’s eyes widen- “That’s a good point my dear.”- He grabbed her and backed up, then ran into the portal, Twilight screaming all the while.

Spike’s eyes widen as they enter the portal. The portal started closing; He ran at the portal as fast as he could. He leaps, barely making it into the portal. All around him was pink energy. He let the magic pull at his body but strangely; the magic didn’t affect him beyond that. After what felt like years, Spike finally saw a Light out of the tunnel. He braced himself as the snowing ground came to meet him.

A Cold Welcome

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Twilight felt cold. She felt something soft and warm next to her. She quickly warped herself around the object. Her back still felt rather cold and drew closer to the warmth. She heard a soothing rhythm. Twilight felt something warm draped itself around her. She heard a chuckle, making her open her eyes.

She saw she was lying on a peach-colored skin. The muscle underneath was well-defined, and she looked further downwards. She saw more muscle that was quite firm. She looked at her limb in shock. A brown arm had replaced Twilight’s foreleg. It was completely devoid of fur. She moved away from the body she laid on and fell to the ice ground.

Twilight took in her new body and screamed. She stopped as she heard a laugh from where she was. She looked at the source and immediately looked away. Twilight saw a well-built bipedal creature. She looked away due to the male’s rather exposed nature. He laughed longer than he should have and Twilight had enough.

“Are you done laughing at me!” Twilight shouted, shivering from the cold.

“I am quite done, my dear.”

Twilight eyes widened. She looked at the man and looked away once more “Discord?!”

“Yes, my dear.” Discord gave her a tooth grin.

“Why are you so different?! Why am I?!” Twilight asked, panic creeping into her voice.

“Well, being from lower levels tends to change to fit the upper levels.”

“Levels?!”

“Yes, my dear, dimensions are stacked on top of one another, the higher you go the more powerful the begins.”

Twilight's jaw dropped. She shuttered as the icy wind brushed over her nude body. Discord saw her shiver and sighed. He snapped his fingers and warm clothes over her. Twilight looked herself over. She wore a blue shirt with pink accents and a pair of blue pants. Finally, she had a pair of boots that were gray in color.

Twilight looked back at Discord. She looked away with a blush once more. “Um, aren't you cold?”

Discord looked at his mismatched wings and folded them. “No, not really. Though why are you looking over there? Trees aren't that interesting.”

“Um, well, you um aren't exactly um covered?” Twilight blushed.

Discord raised a brow and looked down at himself. He wasn’t wearing anything and sighed. “Not even human and OS still courses through your head. Fascinating!”

“Could you cover yourself, please?” Twilight blushed.

Discord rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers. A Brown and gray suit appeared on him. He had a red tie and green dress shoes. Twilight looked back at him and sighed. She smiled and tried to move towards only she felt very awkward. Discord snorted amused with her bear crawl. She sat back down in the snow and glared at him

“Very funny, How do I walk like this?”

Discord was about to explain but then gained a devious smirk. “It quite dreadful my dear you to walk on, gasp your two legs.”

Twilight looked at him not amused in the slightest, “Discord, I’m being serious. I need to be able to walk if we're going to get moving. Useless you carry me.”

“Oh, I bet you’ll love that.”

Twilight snorted “You wish”

Discord offered her a hand and picked her up. Twilight’s legs were wobbly, and she fell into Discord’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her, keeping her from falling back to the ground. She looked into Discord’s eyes and blushed. She stood up holding Discord's hand, who gave her a polite smile.

“Now come on my Dear time to take your first steps.” Discord walked forward.

Twilight’s eyes widened as Discord moved a few steps. He stopped and looked back at her. Twilight looked down at her legs and then back up. She moved one foot forward, then the other. She took in a breath and closed the distance. Discord began to walk forward, not stopping. Twilight hurriedly tried to match his speed.

Discord smirked at her. “You doing quite well my dear.”

Twilight’s legs were shaky, but with her new anonymity, it felt natural. Discord let go of her hand and walked farther away from her. He stopped and turned around, smiling at her. “Twilight, walk over to me. You can handle it.”

Twilight looked down and took a breath. She took one step, then another. She repeated this until it became a rhythm to her. Twilight finally got to Discord and she gained a smile. She let out an excited squeal and gave Him a bone-crushing hug. Discord smiled and rolled his eyes. He picked her up with little effort and spun around. She laughed but then stopped as she realized what she was doing. She gently pushed him and he let her go.

Twilight blushed.- “Sorry I guess now I know how Spike- Spike!”- Twilight looked around concerned. Discord looked as he saw his traveling companion running around looking for a dragon that most likely didn’t come over with them.

Spike's eyes opened. He stood up and had a jolt of pain go through his arm. Tears welled up as he yelled in pain. He held his right arm and looked around. When he didn’t see Twilight or Discord, his eyes misted over. He choked back a sob and growled. Using his good arm, he cleared his eyes and called out

“ Mom!! Where are you?!”

Spike!!”

Spike heard a shout in the distance. He ran through the snow, his muscles strained from the effort. He shouted out to her once more. Forcing his legs to move out of the snow. After a few more steps, he growled. He inhales a big breath and then lets out a jet of fire melting the snow in his way. He ran forward, holding his arm. Spike yelled out Twilight’s name. When he heard a shout back he quickly moved forward.

Spike stopped as he saw two creatures he never thought he would ever see. Two humans stood there. One was dark-skinned and had long dark blue hair. The other was peach in color and with white hair and a goatee. The Long-haired one moved towards him. the creature pulled him into a hug. He shouted in pain and the human dropped him.

“Spike, are you okay?!” The human spoke in a familiar voice.

Spike looked at her with widened eyes. “Mom?!”

Twilight smiled at him “Yes Spike, it’s me, what happened?”- She asked, pointing at his right arm.

Spike looked down at his broken arm. “When I came out of the portal, I was really high up.”

Twilight tried to light up her horn when she realized she no longer had it. She reached into herself trying to find her magic. She found it and tried to call upon it, only for it not to answer. Twilight tried to call upon it a few more times only to get the same result. She let out a frustrated sigh and looked at Spike with sympathy.

“I’m sorry Spike, I can’t call my magic.”

“Call your magic? To do what? my dear.” Discord asked

“Spike broke his arm we need to heal it.” -Twilight said sadly but then looked at him with hope.-“Do you think you can heal him, Please.”

Discord looked at the dragon on the ground holding his arm. He looked at the pathetic seane and scoffed. He was about to turn around when Twilight grabbed his arm, He looked at her unamused. She gave him a pleading look. He was about to tell her no when he got a good look into her eyes. Her violet eyes perisced into him.

Discord sighed in defeat “Find but only if you stop looking at me like that!”

Twilight smiled “Thank you”

Discord looked away from her, a strange feeling hit him when she smiled at him. He snapped his fingers and spike felt a jolt of pain shoot up his arm. He let out a yelp and jolted his arm closer to himself. Spike's eyes widened as he moved his arm around. Spike was shocked by the speed of the spell. Twilight wrapped him up in a hug and looked him over.

He was still a dragon which made many questions pop into Twilight’s head. She turned to Discord but saw nothing where he once was. He was walking off into the tree line. Twilight picked up Spike and walked as fast as she could towards Discord. Spike scowled at Discord, lowering his voice Spike whispered into Twilight’s ear.

Where is he going?”

“I don’t know Spike but it might have something to do with those 'women’ he was talking about.”

“It does my dear, the Nords is what they call their little band.” Discord said not turning.

Twilight and Spike blushed, embarrassed. Twilight then noticed how far away they were from him. “Wait how did you hear us?”

“My dear I hear a blade of grass scream from nine dimensions away, you two might as well be blowing a massive horn in my ear.”

Twilight eyes sparkled with curiosity when an army of darkness appeared all around them. Thunder clouds appeared in the sky. Discord backed up to Twilight with an unamused expression. Twilight and Spike looked slightly horrified. Three lightning strikes hit around them. Twilight moved closer to Discord, trying to avoid the lightning.

The birds coalesced into two ravens that spun around ten feet in front of them. The speed of the ravens made it impossible to see the spot and once they slowed down a then lanky man with red hair and high quilting made robes appear. A Lightning bolt hit down next to the man and another much larger man appeared next to him. The Man had red braided hair and a massive hammer connected to a belt.

Discord clapped his hands mockingly. “Talk about an entrance.”

Both men glared at Discord the larger one stepped forward but then stopped and looked at Twilight “What do we have here.”

Twilight squeaked as the man approached her. Discord stepped between her “Well what we have here are three people just trying to see the Nords.”

The Man glared and tried to shove Discord away only for him not to move. The man glared “Out of my way.”

“Well considering you smell like cheap beer, so I don’t want you anywhere near her.”

The man bristled with rage and pulled his hammer. The shorter man cleared his throat. “Thor, there is no need for violence yet.”

The shorter man walked forward and looked at Discord in the eyes. “Look, sir, my son and I are here you’re doing here. You’re foreigners and well we’d like to know your intentions.”

Discord gave him a fake smile “Well Odin we want to see the Nords, can we go now.”

Odin’s eyes widened but then he regained his composure “Well you seem to know me and if it’s the Nords you seek then I suppose I should ask what is your business with them?”

“The answer is, none of your Business,” Discord said.

Twilight nervously chuckled and elbowed Discord in the chest. “Uhm sorry about him but uhm we're here to understand some visions we saw.”

“Vision?!” Thor asked dumbfounded

Odin gave her a warm smile “Well what did this vision intel.”

Discord glared at him, “Don’t tell him Twilight, that one’s a schemer.”

Odin held up his hands placatingly “I get it, you're very protective of your lady but I just want a conversation.”

Twilight was about to speak up when Discord beat her to it. “That’s what you say now. Look you know what we’re do you know why we’re doing it would you kindly leave, Thank you.”

Twilight glared at him wondering why he was being so rude to these two. Thor had lightning arcing around his hammer. With the snap of his finger, Thor’s hammer flew to his hand and he raised it above Discord’s head menacingly. Discord just rolled his eyes and yawned. Thor was about to bring down his hammer when three Draugr came charging out of the woods

Thor didn’t miss a beat, He turned to the Draugr and shot Lightning at them. The lightning connected one to the other quickly. The three shook violently before exploding into chunks of rotten flesh and organs. Both Spike and Twilight screamed as blood and guts flew around. Thor turned back to Discord and glared. Odin seeing Thor’s frustration cleared his throat.

“Thor it’s time to go, we’re clearly not wanted here.”

Thor spat on Discord’s shoes and walked back to Odin. The ravens returned and swarmed them. After a few moments, the ravens dispersed leaving nothing but empty air behind. Discord’s shoes lit on fire and put themselves out soon after. He turned to Twilight who was glaring at him. He looked down and saw Spike doing the same.

Discord's face fell “What?”

“Why did you do that!” Twilight asked

“Trust me My dear I did us a favor.”

“How exactly, You made that Stallion’s son mad and you constantly brushed him off or was rude to him!”

Discord rolled his eyes, “First off my dear, he’s a man, not a stallion, and Odin and Thor are Aesir, basically Celestia and Luna if they were-.” Discord thought about what made them different from “Well, they are actually exactly the same, expected at least Celestia hides her manipulation.”

Twilight gained an offended expression. “Have you ever met her?”

Discord's fake smile fell. “Yeah, and she’s quite backstabby, acts like your friend one moment zaps you with a celestial weapon the next.”

“You throw Equestria into chaos” Spike spoke up.

Discord looked down at him unamused, “Shaking things up isn’t always a bad thing my good drake.”

“When a house sprouts legs and runs around, yeah it’s bad!” Spike glared at him.

Discord rolled his eyes. “Well, it needs to lose a few pounds.”

The joke didn’t land with either of his companies, who still glared at him. He sighed and cleared his throat “Let's not waste any more time and get to those gales. Why don’t we.”

He moved closer to Twilight, holding his hands together with a charming smile. Twilight looked at him. She glared for a moment but then let out a sigh. Spike glared at Discord all the while. Discord then moved, pulling her to a side hug. She just rolled her eyes and the three started walking once more.

Twilight’s legs throbbed as they moved through the snow for a few hours. Spike was sitting on her back glaring at Discord, who was looking at their surroundings. He rolled his eyes as he saw something making a beeline to them. Twilight noticed Discord’s expression, and she stopped her legs yelling at her to rest.

“What’s wrong Discord?” Twilight asked

Discord raised up three fingers and put them down every second after the last one went down. Three women landed in front of them, their wings at the ready. Discord gave them an unamused look. “Valkyries! What does Odin want from us?”

Twilight elbowed him in the side, Discord didn’t even bother to react as he gave the woman an annoyed smile. The woman in front pulled out her sword and aimed it at him. Twilight backed up looking over the armor. The armor they wore was similar to hers in the vision. The three had masks on that unsettled her to no end.

“Foreigners are not allowed these realms.”

Discord rolled his eyes “Yeah, yeah Don’t worry, we're passing through We’ll leave back to our own realm after we're done here.”

Twilight cleared her throat loudly, getting everyone's attention. Discord looked at her knowing exactly what she was doing but decided to run with it anyway.-“Sorry my dear.”- He snapped his fingers, and a glass of chocolate milk appeared- “here you go.”- Discord handed her the glass and turned to the Valkyries, who gaped at him under their mask.

“What Magic is this?!” the lead Valkyrie yelled confused.

The other two valkyries aimed their weapons at them. Twilight got behind Discord, using him as a barrier between her, Spike, and the Valkyries. The lead Valkyrie pulled out a sword and aimed it at Discord. He looked at the sword, unimpressed. He placed a finger on the tip of the blade and gently pushed back. The Valkyrie lost balance and fell to the ground.

She quickly recovered and slashed at him. Discord just raised his arm and grabbed the blade with two fingers. “Are you done, can we go now?”

The woman growled and punched Discord in the face. Discord didn’t even react, he just rolled her eyes. “Come on, good old Cely can hit harder than that?”

The belittling remark offended the Valkyrie. She pulled her sword back and drove it into his chest. Discord allowed the warrior woman’s blade to pierce his chest. Twilight and Spike gasped in horror as the blade went through his chest, red blood exploding out of his chest. Discord gave a dramatic wail. The Valkyrie backed up wiping the blood from her mask.

He held his arms up in the air- “You have struck me, and I bleed from my wound” He dramatically said. “A Maden has bested me, paved in gold and worn of the ages.”- He turned to the side and held a hand next to the sword in his chest. Holding out a handout he spoke once more. “May the night last and my death be lead a stray.”- He grabbed the sword in his chest and pulled it out.

He did a few tricks with the sword and smirked a wicked smile. He punched the lead Valkyrie hard enough to send her flying far into the distance. Discord chuckled darkly and a few after her, The other two valkyries lifted their swords and were about to bring them down on Twilight but a green fire cut lit them a blase.

The two valkyries patted themselves off their armor, melted, and ripped off the most ruined ones. Spike glared at them, standing protectively in front of Twilight. The valkyries let out a battle cry. Twilight grabbed him and pulled him away right when a sword cut a gash on his stomach. She held him tightly to her chest as she ran.

The valkyries opened their wings and a few after Twilight with death glares aimed at her. They slashed, and Twilight did her best to dodge the blades coming down. The cold wind stabbed into her skin, the blades narrowly missing her. Spike struggled against Twilight’s grasp. He noticed how Twilight was angling her feet, knowing exactly what was going to happen. Blood dripped from the gash, and tears grew in his eyes.

Spike whipped them and looked around. He saw a rather small section of trees. “Mom, over there!”

Twilight looked at where Spike pointed to. She ran in that direction, accidentally dodging the blade. A big portion of her mane was cut off falling to the snow-covered ground below. She entered the treeline forcing the Valkyries to land on the ground and pursue on foot. Twilight ran while Spike did his best to get her attention.

She was about to turn when she tripped and fell into the snow. She quickly moved Spike to the side so she wouldn’t crush him under her weight. He landed on the ground and quickly stood up. Twilight groaned in pain as her ankle throbbed. The two valkyries landed next to her and brought their sword down. Spike let out a jet of fire only for a Valkyrie to kick him away.

His back hit a tree, and all the air left his lungs, he coughed right when a Valkyrie approached him. Twilight backed away from the Valkyrie, the Valkyrie brought down her blade and Twilight received a cut on her leg. She heard Spike yell in pain and then a bloodcurdling scream. The Valkyrie looked over in horror at her battle sister and cried out a rage. Twilight kicked the blade out of Valkyrie’s hand and crawled over to Spike.

Spike was horrified. He looked down on the Valkyrie who had slashed at his arm. The woman was set in a blaze trying to put out the green flames, he had spat at her. Spike held his injured arm. Blood poured down his arm and ringing crept into his ears. Tears fell from his face but then he heard something.

He looked over at Twilight, who was frantically trying to crawl to him. He saw the Valkyrie pick up her sword and approach Twilight. Spike's eyes dilated and fear and anger took over him. He ran over to Twilight’s side and let smoke come out of his mouth. The Valkyrie stopped and glared at him. Before they could do anything a groan left the other Valkyrie's lips. The other's diameter changed. She held her sword out to them, keeping them back.

Spike saw what she was doing, he got in front of Twilight and held her glaring at the Valkyrie all the while. The Valkyrie grabbed her injured ally and flew off. After a few moments, Spike collapsed on the floor and dried heaved. Twilight attempted to stand up but pain shot through her leg. Instead Twilight placed a hand on his back.

Tears fell from his face as he remembered the screaming of the woman. It all happened so fast that Spike didn't know what to do. He turned to Twilight and sobbed in her chest. Twilight picked him up and held him close. As she conformed him she remembered her own experience in all of this. She had nearly died. Spike nearly died and Discord wasn't there to keep them. Anger built up in her chest for the creature that had brought them here. She didn't know how but he will not get away with this.

Discord ripped the Valkyrie's wing off. She screamed out in pain as she fell to the ground and impacted with great speed. Discord landed next to Valkyrie’s broken body. He looked down at her with false sympathy. He walked over to her and with a kick sent her flying. She flew and landed on what felt like a mountain face. Discord examined her with disinterest.

She was covered in her own blood. Her armor had shattered to the point of uselessness. Discord smiled at her as if this was something normal. “As fun as this was I have a woman waiting. And we'll you know never to keep a lady waiting.”

He carelessly tossed her to the ground and unfolded his wings. He waved at the broken body and flew off back to Twilight. Discord landed back where he thought she would be only for her not to be there. He focused on crying coming from a nearby woods. He flew over there and saw the little dragon crying into Twilight’s chest. Who herself had a sympathetic smile looking at him.

Discord rolled his eyes and walked over to them. “Honey, I'm home!”

Twilight glared at him, Discord stopped dead in his tracks. He didn't like that look she was giving him. He gave her a nervous smile. Not knowing why this didn't anger him as it should have. Twilight gestured at Spike who she held in her hands. Discord looked at her not knowing what she was getting at.

“We could have died Discord!”

Discord didn’t seem moved by this which made Twilight fume in anger. Nothing this he cleared his throat. “My dear, they were sent by Odin. He wouldn't let them kill you.”

Twilight gestured to her injured leg and then at Spike's injured arm and stomach. “Does this look like not hurting us!?”

“My dear I said kill.” Her glare did not relent and Discord began to get frustrated.

“you don't even care do you.”

“I do my dear,” Discord said

“Well you don't act like it.”- Tears filled her eyes.- “I've made a terrible mistake.”

Discord looked away not wanting to see her cry. Yet he heard her. He snapped his fingers and both her and Spike's wounds healed. He looked back at her. She was still crying, Spike hugging her. Discord moved forward and moved Spike aside he patted her on the back. Twilight fell into his chest and sobbed.

Spike glared at Discord. How dare he come in and hold her like that, it's his fault she's crying. He crossed his arms to a side where Discord could see him. He pointed at his eyes and then to Discord with a glare on his face. Discord rolled his eyes and lifted a hand off Twilight’s back. He put down all his fingers except for the one in the middle. Spike didn't know what it meant but returned the gesture in kind. Discord's eyes widened. Discord had to actively fight himself so as to not burst out laughing.

Spike rolled his eyes and glared at them. Twilight stopped crying and let go of Discord. He did the same and the two locked eyes. Twilight saw his eye getting lost in his crimson eyes. She could get lost in those eyes if she allowed herself to. She shook her head and backed away. Discord let out a sigh and walked back in the direction he came from. He gestured for the two to follow him, which they did, the snow picking up in volume.

The three entered an ice lake. Twilight slipped on the ice but before she could hit hard on it Discord grabbed her. He grabbed her with a snap of his fingers. Twilight got ice skates. Twilight looked at him and noticed he had a blue rose in his teeth. He then proceeded to dance with her on the ice. Spike fought the ice as he moved and frowned without meaning to.

Discord made sure Twilight didn't see Spike Spike fumbling around. Twilight looked at him unamused. Discord spun her around a few times before stopping. Twilight slipped slightly but quickly gained her footing. Twilight gave him a questing look. Discord sighed, and they were on the other side of the ice.

“What’s wrong, my dear? You don’t seem to be having fun.”

Twilight sighed “This isn’t a vacation discord We're supposed to find those mar- those women.”

“Well, it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun while we're here.”

Twilight sighed “Discord Spike and I nearly died. I know you said they wouldn’t kill us but, we’re still attacked. I rather not have Spike in danger.”

Discord remembered himself for the first time since he got there. He needs her to like him, leaving her and the dragon with those valkyries. He then thought about what he could do to get her back on his side. “Look I shouldn’t have left you my dear, and I didn’t want to bring your boy here. He just followed.”

Twilight looked down then her eyes widened. “Where Spike!?”- Twilight looked around worried.

Discord snapped his fingers, and Spike appeared next to her. Twilight wrapped Spike up in a hug. Discord smiled as he saw her relieved expression. After a few moments, the three proceeded down the road. They moved further into Midgard. They passed several places before they finally came down the mountain.

Spike looked behind them seeing the large mountain they started from. The sun was going down while the wind picked up. Spike shivered as the wind stabbed into his scales. He walked behind Twilight, who herself was walking next to Discord. Twilight and Discord had warm clothes, and he was just left in the cold.

Twilight looked up to the sky and noticed the sunlight receding. Twilight placed her hand on Discord's shoulder. He turned to her and smiled. Twilight gestured at the sky, Discord shrugged. She sighed and cleared her throat.- “Discord, could we rest we've been walking all day.”-Discord thought against it, but after seeing her expression, he decided a night wouldn't hurt.

“Alright, my dear, we can rest.” Discord snapped his fingers. A tree appeared right next to him. He floated into a large tree branch and laid on it. Twilight looked at him with confusion.

“Discord, what about us?”

Discord snapped his fingers. Twilight had a sleeping bag, and a pink pillow appeared in her arms. She turned to look at Spike, who had nothing in his hand. Twilight cleared her throat. Discord looked down and saw her gesture at Spike. Discord rolled his eyes and laid back down on the branch. Twilight groaned and walked over to Spike just before he grabbed them Discord snapped his finger, and the blankets zapped him.

Twilight turned to Discord with a glare “What Is wrong with you?”

“Nothing, my dear, Just he needs to make his own arrangements.”

Twilight growled and was about to give Discord a piece of her mind when Spike stopped her. He sent a glare Discord way as he spoke. “Don’t worry Mom, I handle this on my own.”

Discord chuckled “Oh, it seems like the little dragon is so useless after all.”

“Excuse Me!!” Twilight said, shooting Discord a death glare. Before an argument could break out, Spike cleared his throat.

“Mom, it's getting late please, just sleep.”

“Spike, he can’t do this to you.” She said loud enough for Discord to hear.

“Mom, I don’t like this at all, but we don’t have a choice.”

Twilight looked between Discord and Spike for a few moments and sighed. “Spike please don’t go too far.”- She sent a glare at Discord before setting up her sleeping bags.

Spike sighed and walked into the treeline. He looked around in the snowy environment. He saw nothing but snow and trees. He sighed and walked to a particularly thick bush. He entered the bush and lay down trying to get comfortable. The cold and the moisture in the environment hit him like a sludge hammer. He shook in discomfort as his head had to be at a strange angle to be comfortable. Twilight lay down in her sleeping bag. It was very warm, and she hoped Spike found a good place to rest. She finally closed her eyes.

Your Nords Are In Another Castle

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Spike woke up shivering from the cold. He stood up and got a sharp pain through his neck. Spike held his neck and had bags under his eyes. He approached the two beings lying nearby. Spike sat next to Twilight and blew a small flame over her, trying to keep her warm. He curled up into a ball and shook. Twilight stirred a wake and looked at Spike in horror.

Twilight saw her little dragon, pale and tired. She wrapped him in a hug. Spike smiled, feeling the warmth of the woman who raised him. They held each other until a loud yawn took their attention. Twilight and Spike looked up and saw Discord holding a pair of eyes at them. Spike screamed while Twilight glared at him. Discord burst out laughing, popping his eyes back in place, and hopped out of the branch. Twilight slapped him and to his surprise, it affected him. He looked at her dumb stuck. Spike punched him in the chest and to his confusion, it didn't do anything.

“Spike!?”

“What? he's being a jerk!”

“That doesn't mean you could hit him!” Twilight said disappointed and a little angry.

“You hit him!” Spike pointed out his face turning red in anger.

Slap me again.” Discord said, gaining the mother and son's attention.

“What?!” Twilight asked incredulously.

“Slap me again.” Discord said dead seriously.

Twilight looked at him uneasily. She then sighed and gave him a gentle slap. Discord rolled his eyes. “Come on my dear you could do better than that.”

“Look Discord I don't know why you want me to slap you but I'm sorry I over reacted.”- She then remembered what had happened two days ago- “again”

“You wouldn't be fun if you didn't my dear, now give me a good old slap and all is forgiven.”

Twilight sighed and brought a hand over her eyes “Discord I don’t want to hurt you.”

Well my dear we need to-” Discord was interrupted by tossing Twilight's hand into his face. Discord smiled when it didn’t affect him. - “Well that settles that, lets go.”

Finally!” Spike hopped out of Twilight's embrace and held his neck and the crack flared up. Twilight glared at the two males for a moment then followed behind them.

The group of three moved further into the woods till they came into a clearing. There stood a woman planting flowers on the ground. Discord looked around looking for a gold structure. Twilight slowly approached the woman slowly. Twilight noticed the woman had brown wings, making Twilight rather hesitant.

The woman stood up and without turning around she cleared her throat “You know it's impolite to stare.”

Twilight blushed in embarrassment “Sorry, um hi I'm Twilight Sparkle what's your name?”

The woman turned around and stared at her in shock. She gained a rather strained smile. “ Well, aren't you an exotic girl?”

Twilight looked down at herself confused. Nothing was out of the ordinary as far as her new body was concerned. Twilight looked at the woman confused. Discord rolled his eyes and approached the woman.

“Freya, hate to be interrupt but where are the Nords?”

The woman named Freya looked at him slightly surprised. “Well hello sir, is she your wife.”

“Not important, where are the Nords? they should be here.”

Twilight's eyes widened in horror. She got in front of Discord and gave Freya a nervous smile with a blush. “um this is Discord's, he's my friend, and sorry for him we're kinda in a rush.”

Freya smiles once more. “I understand ma'am but I never knew the Nords lived in this area.”

Discord groaned frustrated. “Well come on my Dear where have to find where the Nords are.”- Discord turned around and walk away.

“Wait!” Twilight's yell stopped Discord in his tracks.

Twilight blushed, not intending to yell. She cleared her throat- “Discord why don't we talk to Freya here, Let's ask her where they are. If you want to take to us?”- Twilight dedicated her question to Freya who nodded looking between the two confused. Discord turned around and approached them. Spike who up and till now has been quiet till now tugged on Freya's dress and waved at her.

“Hi, I'm Spike, Spike the dragon.”

A dragon you say.”-Freya said a brow raised-“ I have never met a dragon as you or friendly as you.”

Spike blushed at the compliment “Well thank you. I think you're pretty friendly”

“Spike, she is far out of your league.” Discord stated gaining a glare from both Twilight and Spike, while Freya chuckled.

“I will be happy to speak with you but first could you answer a few of mine.”

“Not a problem.” Twilight stated.

“Good now sir Discord, how do you know of me?”

Discord looked at Freya uninterested “ I'll leave it as we've met before.”

Freya had raised her brow and thought about asking for him to elaborate but thought better of it. Turning to Twilight and formulated a question.- “Ms Twilight, what realm do you hale from? You are certainly not from Midgard.”

“Um-” Twilight thought about how to answer this. Surely telling her about Equestria is the right thing to do, but what if she doesn't recognize it as a realm? Should she explain the dimensions to her? Twilight sucked in a breath and decided to answer- “We're from Equestria. It's not a realm but it's a place.”

Freya looked at her suspiciously, she took in Twilight's expression. She could tell that she wasn't lying but she didn't know what Equestria was. She smiled at Twilight and with a flick of her wrist flowers bloomed out of the snow. Twilight eyes widened as the flowers grew out. Discord snapped his fingers and the flowers pulled themselves out of the ground and started dancing.

“Discord!”

“What!? I'm just trying to make things interesting.”

“She was kind enough to make us those flowers so we shouldn't ruin them”

“I didn't do anything wrong, I just made things more interesting.”

“Interesting! This is-” Twilight looked at Freya who held one of the dancing flowers in her hand. She had a smile as the flower moved about.

Twilight looked at her surprise. Spike grabbed one flower and let it dance in his hand only for it to stop and spray him in chocolate milk. Spike tossed it to the ground and crushed it. Discord chuckled as Spike glared at him. Discord floated over to Twilight and sat next to her. When things got too boring Discord snapped his fingers and the flowers turned into confetti.

Freya let the sparkly papers fall to the ground. Discord coughed to get Freya. She looked over to see Discord wearing a different outfit. “Freya, how about you do us a favor and tell us where the Nords are?”

Twilight looked at him and coughed out “Please.”

“Bless you now.” -He says, giving Twilight once over.- “Will it be Freya?”- Discord asked pointing at her.

Freya nodded and thought for a moment. “Well, I hear the Nords have set up in the Jotunheim.”

“With the prophetic giant. Come, my dear, Spike, we have a byfrost to find.”

Twilight walked beside him giving him an ear full about manners. Spike glared at him but then remembered himself. Turning around and ran back to Freya. He waved at her -“Sorry we have to leave so soon, hope we see you later.”- As Spike ran away Freya smiled, She didn’t know who they were but she was sure she would be seeing them again.

“And another thing, You can’t just-” Twilight was interrupted by Discord pressing a finger on her lips.

“My dear, not know I must think.” Twilight glared at him.

When he removed his and smiled at her, this, however, didn’t remove her smile. Discord realized something. He was losing her. He began to think of a way to remedy of this situation. Twilight shoved him staggering him back. Seemed like he wasting focus yeah that was it. Discord looked at her and looked at her up and down.

“What is wrong with you?” Twilight stated more than asked.

“This is going to be a common thing, isn’t it?”

“Only if you keep acting like a complete jerk.”

Spike walked up to them but noticed they began to argue. Spike decided to look around. Looking up into the sky, he noticed Smoke in the distance. He moved over and grabbed a rock. It was cold and seemed to have a blue crystal embedded in it he placed it on his neck. Spike kept an eye on Discord all the while.

“Look, My dear, I think you're being a bit stiff. Why don't you loosen up.”

“Really? I'm the problem!?”

“Yes, glad you-” Twilight grabbed Discord and pulled him down to her eye level.

“Look buster, I'm not the one with a problem. Since we got here you've been acting differently. What happened?” She asks both anger and concern fighting within her.

Discord inwardly smirked, he now had an opening, he thought about what he needed to say to get her back on his side. He couldn't tell her a lie, it wouldn't go over well but he couldn't say he didn't care, that would most likely cause a larger argument. He cleared his throat -“You're right my dear I have seemed to have forgotten myself.”- true to a certain extent- “I will try to not be as… difficult.”

Twilight sighed, she knew something was off about his response but she didn't know what it was. She decided she would have to pry more later. She gave him a fake smile, knowing he would be careful for a little while. Spike cleared his throat getting both of their attention. Discord snapped his fingers and warm clothes appeared on him.

Spike let out a sigh of contentment as the cold stopped its assault on him. “Thank you.”- Spike rubbed his hands together. “I think I found a village nearby.”

“Where is it?”

“North East from here. I saw the smoke coming from it.”

Discord looked at the dragon, slightly annoyed. He was going to shoot down the idea but remember Twilight for a moment. He thought about the risk and decided that nothing bad was going to happen. The group of three moved toward the direction Spike pointed at. As they moved, Discord noticed how stiff Spike was.

Spike walked with his back straight and his head locked forward. Discord cleared his throat “So Spike, why are you holding a rock.”

Spike was taken aback slightly at the question. He looked at the cold rock and then turned around facing Discord. “I um like it that's all.”

Discord rolled his eyes. “Well, that's boring.”

“You know you aren't too interesting yourself.” Spike said, taking a dig at the being.

“Spike.” Twilight said warningly.

Discord glared at the dragon. “Really and what about you, you think the most interesting thing is a rock. Bravo.”

Spike smiled, catching on to what he was doing. He turned back around and continued to walk forward. Twilight hurried up to Spike’s side and picked him up. She gave Discord a nervous smile and looked back at Spike.-“What are you doing Spike?”-She whispered into Spike’s ears.

“He’s planning something, I know it.” Spike responded in the same volume.

“Of course he is, but we can't be arguing all the time.”

Spike looked at her incredulously. “this is coming from the one who's been arguing all day.”

“I'm serious Spike, Discord is the only one who knows this place. If we push him away, we'll be lost in a foreign world.” Twilight stated. Discord smirked behind them, holding his head high.

“Well, then why tell him things?” Spike asked, confused.

“We might be able to reform him. I mean, he hasn't done anything too bad.”

Discord chuckled to himself. He had to admit it was a cute little hope. a small part of him was interested in what that would look like. The three moved faster till they reached the village. Snow covered the ground, the building seemed to be made out of wood and stone. A few people moved around in the snow.

Twilight started at the village and she felt her nerves take hold of her. Her throat felt dry, her legs began to shake, and she looked at both Spike and Discord who both had a look of concern. She inhale placing a hand on her breast then with an exhaled tossing her arm out in front of her. Twilight repeated this a few more times and then walked into the village.

Spike read Discord's expression, he looked at Twilight with both concern and interest. He noticed that he only ever seemed to care when it involved Twilight or picking on him. Spike contemplated what Discord could gain from this. While lost in thought he luckily didn't see the fearful and hateful look shot at them.

Twilight looked around, seeing others glare and gowk at her. Twilight looked between herself and the people of the village. The clothes she wore were a bit more high-end than what the villagers were wearing. Discord glared at everyone who stared at them. He hoped to avoid this, but of course; it was foolish to think these mortals would be better.

Twilight looked at the signs and felt completely lost. She didn't recognize any of the letters. Discord saw this and leaned next to her ear. “Let me guess you can't read anything, right?”

Twilight looked down. “No, I can't. Can you?”

Discord smiled. “Of course, I can, my dear.”

“Is there a library in this village?”

“Why my dear, it's not like you could read them.”

Twilight looked at him dead in the eye, unamused -“gee thanks.”- She said sarcastically- “and we need to find a byfrost right well one of those books might be able to help us.”

Discord looked at her for a moment and shrugged. “Well, I have nothing. Come on now dear.”

The three moved to a slightly larger building and walked in. The library was, to Twilight, slightly disappointing. There was a front desk with a man sitting, bored out of his mind. Twilight pulled Discord to the bookshelves and got him to tell her the titles. Spike however walked over to the man behind the desk and cleared his throat.

“Hello sir, do you have any books with this Language in them.” Spike pointed to his biohazard book.

The man looked at him and the book. He pulled out one book that had a mix of equestrian and Nordic on the tiled. Spike opened his hand waiting for the man to give him the book. When the man didn't, Spike looked at him confused. “What's wrong.”

“I don't know what in hells you are but you're clearly a boy. Not books unless you have an adult with you.”

Spike looked at him in shock and anger. “Come on, it's just a book. I doubt it's even a mature one at that.”

The man looked at Spike, annoyed “Calm down boy, before you make me do something I won't regret.” the man threatened.

Spike backed away and nodded. He walked over to a bookshelf and quietly growled at the interaction he had. Twilight and Discord moved to him. Twilight lowered herself seeing how upset he was. Discord however laughed at Spike's expression. Twilight sends him a glare then hugging Spike.

Discord rolled his eyes and approached the man at the front desk. “ So what was the book the little lizard wanted.”

The man chuckled at the name a lifted it. -“This one but it cost-” Discord interrupted by snapping his fingers producing tons of gold, silver, and gemstones. The man's eyes widened as he saw the large of the valuables and smiled. Tossing Discord the book. Discord walked back to Twilight and Spike and handed over the book.

“Come on my Dear, let's get some of those books you wanted.”

The three left the library. The sun was going down. Spike reading the book Discord brought. Twilight held a stack of books walking beside Discord with nothing but a smile on his face. The glaring of the people is relatively ignored. Twilight looked back at Spike his face lost in the book. She chuckled to herself as she noticed that that was something she had done not too long ago.

Twilight looked at Discord and smiled. “Thank you for getting Spike that book Discord.”

“Oh, Don’t thank me, my dear. I merely got something to keep us out of our hair.”

Twilight shook her head not buying what he said. “Well, whatever the reason, still thank you. I thought they wouldn't have any books in Equestrian.”

“Take a look at it. You might find it interesting.”

The three moved over to a two-story building. The sign was written in the same language as the library. Discord snapped his fingers and a large gold bar appeared in his hand. Twilight eyes widened but before she could say anything Discord walked into the building. Twilight and Spike rushed in seeing Discord put the gold bar on the desk.

The woman glared at him. “No outsider, get lost.”

Discord's smile didn't falter. “Now come, can't you make an exception for an extremely rich stranger.”

“No means no get lost, asshole.”

Discord snapped his fingers and an extra bar appeared. “How much till no means yes.”

Twilight glared at Discord, grabbed him, and pulled him back, making his eyes widen. “What are you doing.”

“Come on, my dear I'm just trying to get us a room.” Discord snapped his fingers and made three extra gold bars appear next to the other two.

The woman looked at the gold bars and then at the two. She rolled her eyes. “Fine take your dark woman and take the room at the far end of the hall. No refunds.”

The woman slammed two keys on the desk and walked into the back with the gold. Twilight looked at where the woman went then back down at herself. “Why does everyone mention my skin color.”

“Because they don’t know what to do with you. my dear, now come on we have a room to relax in.” -Discord walked up the stairs not waiting for a response. Twilight and Spike looked at each other and shrugged. Twilight grabbed the keys and walked up, Spike behind her.

Spike closed the book and pulled on Twilight's shirt. “Mom, this book is an Equestrian to Nordic dictionary.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah, but it says it's English to Nordic, but still the same as Equestrian.”

The two reached the end of the hall, only not to see Discord. They looked around for a moment, but then gave up and unlocked the door. The two opened the door and saw something they weren't expecting. The room was green meadows with a Tree, a bed, and finally a small blanket on the floor.

Discord fell off the branch he was lying on and landed on his feet. “So what do you think my dear?”

“It's great but I'm sure the owner wouldn't like us messing with the room.”

“I'll change it back when we leave.” Discord waved his hand dismissively.

Spike heard tapping at the window. Walking over he opened it and a bird flew in and landed on his head. The cold air rushed in and Spike closed the window. He grabbed the bird gently and petted him. Discord snapped his finger making a piece of meat and a salad appeared in front of Spike and Twilight respectively.

Twilight walked over to the bed and sat down on the bed. She ate her salad while Discord lay down next to her. Spike glared at him and on the other side of Twilight. Twilight looked at the tree and raised an eyebrow. Looked at Discord who had unbuttoned his suit exposing his muscular stomach and chest.

Twilight blushed, looking at him. Discord cleared his throat and once she looked at him he winked at her. She quickly looked away and ate her salad. After an awkward silence, Twilight finished her salad and looked back. He placed a hand on her back and patted her on the back. Her face red, she cleared her throat and Discord made a glass of chocolate milk appear in front of her.

She grabbed the glass and looked into Discord's eyes. “So um how did you know about Freya and those other beings.”

The bird tilted his head, Spike couldn't help but wonder that as well. He looked at Twilight and noticed how close she and Discord were. Spike began to feel uncomfortable. He pulled the bird into a hug and looked away. Spike got off the bed grabbed the bird and sat down. Next to the window.

“I've been here a long time ago, my dear. I spent time here, making things more interesting.”

“But how come they don't seem to remember you.”

“Ragnarok”

“Ragnarok?”

Spike opened the book and moved over to a page “Ragnarok translates to the doom of the gods.”

Twilight looked at Spike confused. “gods but there is no such thing.”

After hearing Twilight's response he busted out laughing. Twilight looked at him confused. “What?! Why are you laughing at me.”

Discord held back his chuckles and looked at her with a goofy smile. “We are in another dimension in different bodies and suddenly God is where the line is.”

“Well, who are the gods then?”

“God there's only one Twilight.”

The bird squawked, and then flew at Discord. He smoked it to the ground and it let out a screech of pain. Spike ran over to the down bird and looked him over. Twilight looked at him with anger. “Did you have to do that?”

“Don't worry dear” Discord snapped his fingers and the bird was instantly healed. “See you all better. Now where were we… There Is only one god.”

Twilight let out a snort a got off the bed. She walked over and grabbed the book. “Doom of the gods, not god.”

“Just cause you call yourself a God doesn't make you one.”

“So who are those self-proclaimed gods.”

“Aesir and Vanir, they are just as powerful as an alicorn and everybody likes to think of them as gods of the realms.”

“Then what makes your one God different from those Aesir and Vanir.”

“Well, first off, none of us would exist without him.”- Discord said, rather annoyed at having to say it. - “The other is that he controls every reality, every dimension. Everything he made is his, sure we may not want to like it but it's unfortunately true.”

Twilight thought about this for a moment. “How do you know he made everything?”

Discord looked her dead in the eye, merriment gone from his eyes. “I was one of the first he has ever made. I saw the birth of the world and the creation of flesh itself. Me and my brothers help design some of you mortals.”

Twilight looked at him astonished. Spike looked at the bird, not knowing how to take this information. Twilight walked over to him and held his hand.

“Are you okay?” she asked, not really knowing what else to ask.

“I am quite alright, my dear. Now, how about we get some rest?” Discord snapped his fingers and made the blanket appear on the bed. Flying up to branches, he lay on them and looked into the artificial night sky.

Twilight looked at him in concern but then got into the bed. Spike patted the bird on the head and placed him on the windowpane. “Goodnight, little guy. Hope you have a better day tomorrow.”

Spike crawled on the bed and wrapped her up in a hug. Twilight returned the embrace. Discord looked down at them and rolled his eyes. He looked up at the stars and sighed. He lifted his hand and moved, making starlight contact with each star. Discord drew three angels. Discord looked at the stars and waved his hand.

The Angels moved apart. Two angels faced each other, and the third stood in the middle of both. Starlight flooded one angel and had a blade aimed at the one opposite of him. The other one moved the stars in front of it and created an absence of light forming a blade of his own. The last angel was half-filled with the light.

The two angels fought, leaving the last angel looking between them, conflicted. After a few moments, the angel turned away while the fighting dark angel cut the other one. Discord flicked his wrist, making the star angels disappear. He sighed then looked at Twilight and Spike. They are asleep with small smiles on their faces. He closed his eyes and draped himself over the branch.

Discord opened his eyes and saw himself in a cosmos full of doors. Snapping his fingers, Twilight and Spike's doors appear in front of him. He walked to Twilight's door and entered. Discord looked around and spotted Twilight as her unicorn self reading a book with a dream version of Spike. He walked over to her and snapped his finger, taking on his mismatched form from her world.

“Hello, my dear.”

Twilight looked up, and her eyes widened. “Discord! what are you doing here?!”

“Can't see my friend now, is that it.” he said jokingly.

“No, it's fine, just wasn't expecting anyone.” Unbeknownst to her, the book and dream Spike disappeared.

“Well, it seems like you're localizing quite nicely, didn't ever have to correct you that time.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Well, what can I do for you.”

Discord gained a mischievous smile. He snapped his fingers. The surroundings changed and Discord lay down on the bed, seductively lying on it. “Well, if it's up to me~”

Twilight's blushed profusely “Discord!!”

Discord tried to keep his sultry expression but couldn't help but chuckle at how flustered she was. Twilight let out her horn and began to hit him with a pillow. He snapped his fingers and two pillows descended on Twilight's head. She let out a squeak and galloped at the bed. She lifted the pillow over her head and brought it down on Discord's head.

He grabbed her and pinned her to the bed. Twilight struggled against Discord's hold. After a few moments, she stopped struggling and gave Discord an amused smile. “Okay Discord, you win. Now let me go.”

Discord smirked at her. This was a good time to get her on board with him. He closed his eyes and went in for a kiss. Twilight blushed as she saw this. Lighting up her horn she brought a pillow and smacked him on the head. Discord brought his head. He looked down at her and then rolled his eyes. He got off of her and looked around the room he created.

Twilight saw him, his demeanor was different, it seemed disappointed, almost sad. She sighed and got off the bed. “I'm sorry Discord.”

Discord turned to her confused “What for?”

Twilight at him with what seemed like pity. “I know you like Discord.”

Discord laughed “You think I, um if you haven't noticed I'm messing with you.”

Twilight looked at him sadly. She trotted to him and held his talon. Discord stopped laughing and looked at her “I'm not rejecting you, I just need more time.”

Discord didn’t know what to say. He didn't even know what this thing in his chest was. He pulled his talon out of her hoof and pulled her into a side hug. “Fine, I'll mess with you some other way.”

The two locked eyes and smiled. They sat there for a few minutes before Twilight remembered something. She turned back to him trying to format it. “Discord, you never told us how you knew them and how they didn't know you.”

“Ragnarok remembered.” he said patting her on the head

“What Is it, what happened?” Discord contemplated it for a moment. “It's when Asgard gets attacked by the giants and some being named Loki.”

“But if it happens, how come they are still here? How come they don't remember you.” Twilight asked, confused.

Discord patted her on the back. “Near the end of Ragnarok the realms get destroyed, and everyone dies but dear old dad didn’t like what happened so he had me and my brothers reset things.”

Twilight looked at him in shock “Michael and you can reset reality.”

“Yes, but we don’t make it a habit. So I made sure it would rest every time Ragnarok ends.”

That's horrible, is there any way to stop it?” Twilight asked, concerned.

“Not really it's up to them. Me and you can't do anything different for them that would help.”

“But that can't be true if it's up to them then maybe we can convince them to change.”

“No, you can't, Odin, Thor, and every one of the Aesir wouldn't listen to anyone who they think is lesser than them.”

“But what about Loki? We can convince them to choose peace.”

Discord looked at her in sympathy. “My dear, Loki means waiver. Anyone can be Loki and it doesn’t do .”

But there has to be something.” Twilight started not wanting to hear no for an answer.

“No my dear, you can't now let worry about something else”

Twilight when silent. She laid her head on him and he kept her held in a side hug. The two stated like this for a while. Twilight looked up to Discord who was string forward. Maybe what Discord was saying is true but if she can’t help them, maybe she could help him. Twilight held on tighter to Discord steeling herself for what ever might come there way next.

The Angel of Chaos

by iconicgg

The Dragon

The Prince of Chaos

Rituals and Antlers

The Dragon's Petal

Questions and Meetings

A Cold Welcome

Your Nords Are In Another Castle