Author's note
Only 3 more chapters to go and this fic should be done. Things are going to get bad before they get better.

Chapter 7: Discorded Enemies

Twilight's group is heading through the forest during a dark and wintry night. They look a bit worried but hopefully they themselves can find a tree. Unknown to them, Lorcan Hyde is preparing himself for his attack...while Fluttershy and Dexter are hanging onto a side of the sleigh to do what Discord ordered them, glancing nervously at the Houndoom lurking in the forest.

"Wow...I wonder what kind of tree we will find in here." Nyx said thoughtfully as Twilight kept pulling.

"Look, there it is! That's it, the tree!" Sweetie squeals upon spotting something. Sure enough, the group saw it: a beautiful tree on the other side of the ice.

"Sweetie, it's perfect." Twilight said with a smile. The purple unicorn glance at what's in front of the tree: some ice. Is it safe? The pony took a small step but yelps as she and the others in the sleigh slid on the ice itself.

"Whoa, this is cool!" Scootaloo exclaims eagerly.

"Yeah, cool, yes." Lorcan Hyde remarks then smirks evilly. He said quietly, "The perfect place to meet one's demise..."

"What?"

"Forget it."

---

Caramel trots on a long hill, breathing heavily as the search for Twilight's group moves on. Golden Heart, who is ahead with Soarin', calls out, "Need some help?"

"I can do this, Golden Heart...can you see her?" Caramel asks his friends while panting a bit.

"Not yet, come along, hurry!" Soarin' exclaims impatiently while flying to the top of the hill.

"Ugh, you two go on...I will never make it. Save yourselves."

With that Caramel collapses into the snowy ground, exhausted as Soarin' and Golden Heart sighs a bit. The alicorn remarks, "Your friend is really a drama queen."

"I know that. Heck at this rate, it will be summer before we even reach them. Let's pick up the pace!" Soarin' exclaims as he quickly does what it takes to get to Twilight faster.

Soarin' pushes Caramel downward, using him as a snowboard to get going faster. As the Pegasi pony laughs a bit, Caramel himself screams like mad. Golden Heart chuckles as he uses his wing to fly to catch up with the two.

---

Twilight, Nyx, the CMC and Big Macintosh, the big brother decided to come with them, heads to the tree. Apple Bloom grins while announcing, "Golly; 'Dis tree is going 'ta be 'de best ever!"

"You're right, Apple Bloom." Twilight said while looking at the tree with a smile. This said tree is perfect for the castle.

"Merry Hearth's Warming Eve...and happy Hanukah too, eeyup," Big Macintosh exclaims with a grin on his stallion face.

"Right; I sure hope we don't take too long out here." Nyx said, shivering a bit. "It's cooooold."

"I know, we better hurry; it's getting stormy." Twilight said in concern. She's right, the storm is picking up. The group got to get this tree chopped down and over to the table.

Big Macintosh works on using his axe, chopping the tree a couple of times. Lorcan Hyde smirks evilly as he takes the capsule out before opening it, sending the things onto the snow; Soon...

Dexter and Fluttershy watch Twilight's group chopping down the tree while glancing nervously at Lorcan Hyde. If he somehow fails to stop the purple unicorn and Nyx, it would be up to them unfortunately to finish the job.

"We got to do something. Discord is counting on us, though we're going to hate this." Dexter said in concern. "Fluttershy, go over to the sleigh and unscrew. Maybe we can separate the sleigh and...I don't know."

"Yes of course." Fluttershy said as she flew over to the sleigh and begins work on separating it. "Ohhhh, I hate doing this."

"I know but Discord owns us, sadly."

Meanwhile, Big Macintosh gave one more chop at the tree and soon it begins to fall. Nyx and the CMC cheers on, "Timber," The tree itself hit the ground, softly and safely.

Twilight and Big Macintosh wrap the ropes around the tree before putting it into the sleigh. Satisfied, the purple unicorn tied herself to it while saying, "All right. Spike, it's tiem to go."

"Sure, no problem," Spike said as he got into the sleigh and whips Twilight...a bit too hard, causing the pony to yelp. Regardless, the unicorn begins pulling the sleigh while dragging the tree.

Fluttershy gasps and flew out of the way in the nick of time. Dexter came over to help her to see if his love is okay...both Pegasi yelps as the tree was dragged over them, burying Dexter and Fluttershy into the snow.

"Oh, this is getting into my mane." Fluttershy said with a sad sigh. "And what's worst, Twilight and her friends are heading out."

"No!" Dexter gasps in a panic. They got to do something to stop Twilight and her friends or Discord will be angry. Or worst yet, Lorcan Hyde's plan will come to fruition!

Quickly, Dexter and Fluttershy grab the tree on each side in an attempt to catch up. Of course, the sleigh slid onto the ice, the two foals lost their hope on the tree, sliding down and hitting the snow bank.

Twilight stops in surprise upon seeing Dexter and Fluttershy. She begins to ask, "Dexter; Fluttershy?"

"Oh hey, Twilight," Fluttershy said meekly and nervously. "Err, nice tree."

"What are you two doing out here?" Nyx ask the two Pegasi puzzled. "Does Discord know that you are out here with us?"

"Oh nothing, really," Dexter said nervously. "Also, no need to tell Discord. We were walking; love the bitter cold and..."

Suddenly Fluttershy screams in fright upon seeing something horrible. The others turn just in time to see a horrifying side: wooden like wolves called Timberwolves are nearby...and worst yet, Lorcan Hyde is standing with them!

"Spike, wh-what are you doing?" Twilight ask in worry and fear.

Lorcan Hyde in a deep smoothing voice in of a accent comments, "Oh, so now you're interested in Spike! Well, you should have paid more attention to him rather than make him your slave!"

"What? That's a lie, Spike! I never made you my slave!"

"Then how is it that you made me do all the hard work while you go off and play with your Nightmare Moon brat of a daughter? It's always about her and you, never about Spike! Well, enough is enough; Time for you to end your life once and for all!"

"Spike," Twilight exclaims in fear as the Timberwolves advance on her, Nyx, the CMC, Big Macintosh, Dexter and Fluttershy. What's going on with her friend and number one assistant? This isn't like him!

Dexter screams as one Timberwolf stomps onto the ice...breaking it in the progress; Soon the ice begins separating Twilight, Dexter, Fluttershy the CMC and Big Macintosh from Lorcan Hyde and Nyx...with the monsters jumping onto each ice piece to attack.

"Yikes, the tree, we're going to lose the tree!" Scootaloo exclaims frantically as she grabs at the rope in hopes to save the tree. But soon the former snaps, causing the filly to scream as she fallen into the water.

"Scootaloo," Twilight exclaims in alarm. She, Apple Bloom, Sweetie and Big Macintosh got out of the sleigh, dodging the Timberwolves as they look for Scootaloo in hopes to save her in time.

Dexter and Fluttershy hang onto the ice but both fell into the water. Luckily, they broke the surface in time. Twilight's group made it through the water to look for Scootaloo. Big Macintosh uses his axe to break the water, spotting her.

Twilight grabs at Scootaloo, only to miss. Suddenly the pony screams as she fell into the water as well; not good.

"Twilight, hang on! I will save you!" A familiar voice calls out. Soarin', Caramel and Golden Heart has arrived on the scene, spotting the Timberwolves trying to attack the others as they are getting closer.

"You help Twilight, I will handle these savages!" Golden Heart snaps in determination. The alicorn quickly fires off fire and ice attacks as he attack the Timberwolves, using his shield to keep the others safe from them and the mad Lorcan Hyde while they go look for Twilight and Scootaloo.

Soarin', Caramel, Nyx, Apple Bloom, Sweetie, Big Macintosh, Dexter and Fluttershy got to work, searching for any sight of Twilight and Scootaloo. They hope that they themselves didn't drown or worst!

Fluttershy looks down at the ice then screams in fright as she saw a familiar face pressed onto the ice: it's Twilight!

"Back up, back up, eeyup," Big Macintosh exclaims, sing his axe to break the ice like mad. Soon Twilight and Scootaloo came out of the water with the filly spitting out some.

"Oh thank goodness you're okay, Scootaloo." Twilight said weakly but safe.

"I wasn't scared." Scootaloo said as she is set down onto the ice with her friends.

"Dumb filly," Apple Bloom scowls as she hits Scootaloo on the back and hugs her. "Don't do 'dat again! Ah was scared half 'ta half."

"Same here; I don't know what would happen if we lose you." Sweetie said in sadness. "Like what happened if Nyx..."

Without warning, the rope that was tied to the tree grabs one of Twilight's hooves and drags the purple unicorn back underwater. The CMC gasps and grabs the upper forelegs but the current underwater is too strong. They won't hold her for long.

"Mommy," Nyx exclaims in fear. She tries to run after her, but Lorcan Hyde stops her by grabbing the filly by the tail.

"Uh-uh-uh," Lorcan Hyde said sinisterly. The others meanwhile rush to help Twilight but soon her upper forelegs slip from their hold, sending her right underwater again.

Nyx, scared, tears swelling up, pleads, "Spike, brother, Please-"

Lorcan Hyde slaps her while snapping, "There is no Spike! Only Lorcan Hyde," The discorded Spike then begins to sing.

Lorcan Hyde: Animals trapped behind bars at the zoo
Need to run rampant and free!
Predators live on the prey they pursue!
This time the predator's me!

Lust, like a raging desire,
Fills my whole soul with it's curse!
Burning with primitive fire,
Berserk and perverse!

Tonight I'll plunder heaven blind,
Steal from all the Gods!
Tonight I'll take from all mankind,
Conquer all the odds!

And I feel I'll live on forever,
With Cronus himself by my side!
And I'll show the world
That tonight and forever,
The name to remember's
The name Lorcan Hyde!

What a feeling to be so alive!
I have never seen me so alive!
Such a feeling of evil inside -
That's the feeling
Of being
Lorcan Hyde!

Once the song is over, Nyx, terrified of her brother figure, ask, "What are you doing to do to me?"

"What Twilight should have done the moment she found you...Nightmare Moon!" Lorcan Hyde expalins as he raises his claws over his head, flames appear.

Golden Heart manages to defeat the last of the Timberwolves, sending them into the forest like cares. The alicorn turns and gasps as he saw what Lorcan Hyde is about to do. The monster is going to do it...he's going to set Nyx a-blaze! Worst yet, Golden Heart may not get there to help in time!

Suddenly a familiar roar is heard, causing Soarin' turn to see the Demon Pony on the scene...however, he isn't happy and his coat is various nasty colors. Lorcan Hyde turns just in time for the Demon Pony to hit him, knocking the discorded dragon out.

As the others watch, the Demon Pony jumps into the water and dive in; A while later, he came out, breaking the ice with his strength and getting out with Twilight in his upper forelegs, knocked out but safe.

"Twilight," Sweetie exclaims with a smile. Twilight is safe.

However the Demon Pony glares angrily and stomps forward, the CMC are in the monster's way. Golden Heart and Soarin' moves them out of the way in time. The Demon Pony stops enough to grab Nyx and the knocked out Spike, taking them and Twilight back to the castle. Not good.

"Oh, what have we done?" Dexter asks in sadness as Fluttershy looks down. "Oh, Fluttershy, we mess things up. This is all our fault."

"No, we are all to blame, sharing some for daring to hope for a Hearth's Warming Eve." Soarin' said in sadness as the others head back to the castle.

Looks like Hearth's Warming Eve is forbidden...again.

---

Twilight woke up and finds herself in a familiar dungeon with Nyx and Lorcan Hyde who is chained up and is glaring at her. The mare sat there silently with a blanket around. This is bad, the Demon Pony think she's leaving...and has broken her promise not to do so!

The Demon Pony is in front of Twilight, snarling, "You promise that you would never leave..."

"I wasn't trying to leave." Twilight said, weak but still able to speak. "I...we were only trying to make you happy..."

"Well, you broke your word...and for that, you, Nightmare Moon and the little monster will all rot in this dungeon FOREVER!"

With that, the Demon Pony heads to the door and slamming it behind himself, locking the door. This time, Twilight, Nyx and Lorcan Hyde aren't going anywhere. This time, they are there for good...with no Hearth's Warming Eve or freedom ever again.

"Demon Pony...no," Nyx said in sadness.

"I should've known...that you were never be anything...but a Demon Pony." Twilight said in sadness with tears coming down her cheeks, landing on the floor to make heart-broken puddles.

Twilight should've known better. The Demon Pony will never change; he will always be...a monster.

---

The bell tolls on the clock, it is now midnight: Hearth's Warmin Eve. But for the servants of the castle, it isn't a happy time. The Demon Pony has forbidden the holiday again and Twilight is locked up in the dungeon. The spell will never be broken now.

"Midnight," Soarin' said in sadness after looking at the clock. "Well, Merry Hearth's Warming Eve, Caramel."

"If only that was the case." Caramel said with a sigh.

Golden Heart glances at his friends, seeing the sad look. The alicorn motions to them while saying, "Come...let us at least cheer Twilight and Nyx up..."

---

The Demon Pony looks out the window in guilt and sadness. What has he done now? The monster locked up Twilight, the one whom he is starting to have feelings for, up in the dungeon. But he has to. She broke her promise...and probably never cared for him at all. And then there's Nyx and Lorcan Hyde...

Discord on the other hoof smirked evilly. His plot has worked, Twilight is locked up and the spell would never be broken. The chimera said to the Demon Pony, pretending to cheer him up, "Now my old friend, I told you not to feel for her. Why, things were much simpler before she came long...before we all dare to...hope."

"I thought...she was the one." The Demon Pony said in sadness. Perhaps it's for the best that he remains that he himself is forever. There is no more room for love in his life ever again...

---

In the dungeon, Golden Heart's group opens the door and looks around, Apple Bloom calls out, "Twilight; Nyx?"

"Twilight, Nyx; Spike," Soarin' calls out to his friends as well.

"There they are." Applejack said as she spots Twilight and Nyx on the wall with the chained up Lorcan Hyde. The others, including Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Dexter all came in.

"Hey...Merry Hearth's Warming Eve." Rainbow said with a sad asmile.

"Yeah, have a special time, huh?" Pinkie asks sadly, her mane and tail seems to have deflated.

"Doesn't seem so special to me," Scootaloo mumbles a bit.

"Oh, I don't know what happened." Nyx said in sadness. "We were supposed to be getting a tree...but Spike tried to kill us, the Demon Pony knew where we were..."

"Sorry, everypony. Nothing has changed after all." Twilight said in sadness. What's the use? There's no changing the Demon Pony or anything. Hearth's Warming Eve will always be like that, a forgotten memory.

"See, I told you that nothing has changed. I told you that the master would never allow this. I also told you that Hearth's Warming Eve is a hopeless folly." Rarity begins to say. For a moment, Twilight cringes, fearing that the white unicorn is about to go for a 'I told you so'. But then Rarity adds, "But...I was wrong."

Twilight looks surprised at the guilt-ridden Rarity who begins to sing.

Rarity: When I felt lost and lonely
Not a dream in my head
Your words lifted my spirits high
Remember what you said
As long as there's Hearth's Warming Eve
I truly believe

Soarin', getting all motional, hugs Caramel while Fluttershy sheds some tears. The Cutie Mark Crusaders smiles as they came to Applejack who hugs them. As the others continue watching, Rarity and Twilight begins to dance while singing.

Rarity and Twilight: That hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll receive
As long as our guiding star shines above

Rarity: There'll always be Hearth's Warming Eve

Twilight: So there always will be a time
When the world is filled with peace and love

The song is over, it looks like hope is fulfilled in all...all but one.

"Ha ha ha; you are a bunch of stupid ponies." Lorcan Hyde sneers to the ponies who looks at him. "Should've let me killed off Twilight and Nightmare Moon when I have the chance...so much for your Hearth's Warm..."

"ENOUGH!" Rarity snaps as she slaps Lorcan Hyde, making him yelp. "What is with you? You are just a good friend to Twilight and Nyx. Why were you trying to kill them?"

"Why? Because they treat me like a servant, of course, a slave! I have to do all the good work. They don't love me at all!"

"That's nonsense. They all love you...even if you are a servant, they are your friends and sisters and the whatnot. Why, have you forgotten anything nice that Twilight and Nyx has done for you?"

"Well, I..." Lorcan Hyde begins to hesitate. "They help me when I'm sick...help me when I need it sometimes...even play with me, but..."

"But nothing; The Spikey-Wikey that I know is not a killer, he is a friend who would help us, care for us, be a good brother to us, no matter what." Nyx said with tears in her eyes. "This isn't the Spike that I know."

"Yes, please, Spike. Come back to us." Twilight said as she nuzzles Lorcan Hyde a bit along with Nyx.

"Yes, please?"

Lorcan Hyde begins to hesitate, trying to fight the whole nuzzling but it appears that something warm is coming inside. Just then, Rarity nuzzles a bit while saying, "Yes, do come back...we miss you...I miss you."

Rarity kisses Lorcan Hyde on the cheek, making the dragon stunned. Soon memories of his true self came to the service, good times with Twilight, Nyx and his friends. The others watch as Spike's true colors return to himself.

Lorcan Hyde is no more, Spike is back to normal. The baby dragon gasps then cries a bit, "Twilight...I'm sorry...Discord discorded me...send me to...oh, I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay, Spike, I'm here, it's okay." Twilight said gently as she and Nyx hugs the sobbing Spike. "Everything will be okay."

Author's note
Oh dear, Twilight is locked up in the dungeon and the Demon Pony is now discorded. On the plus side, Spike is back to normal.

Discord: Yes! Ha ha ha! I win!

Golden Heart: Not for long, Dis-jerk!

Me: In the next chapter, just when the story is going to have a sad ending, the Demon Pony finally opens Twilight's gift and read the book, remembering that there's a way to break the spell and is free of Discord's influence on him.

Discord: But that doesn't mean I'm going now yet!

Me; Yeah, especially since Discord is going to bring down the house and everypony in it! The final battle is coming up so read, review and suggest.

The Timberwolves attack is an extra scene.

The song sung by Lorcan Hyde is 'Alive Reprise' from the musical 'Jekyll and Hyde'.

BTW, the voice Lorcan Hyde has is the 'Scar' (Lion King) voice Tom Kane uses in the Walt Disney World attraction 'Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom'.