The chilling breeze glided through the flowing deep blue mane of the dark stallion. His curved tipped ears darted in all directions, detecting even the slightest of sounds that populated the dense forest sanctuary. Only when satisfied that he was completely alone did he proceed on his journey, weaving his way through the numerous trees. His horn was glowing a paler shade of blue to that of his mane as it lit the darkness surrounding, illuminating his sinister, blood red eyes from the inky blackness. His hooves were silent despite the dense layer of dead leaves that smothered the earth like a brown blanket. "My master taught me well" he breathed to himself.

The trees were spaced farther apart from one another as he approached a clearing ahead. He tested the air with his snout, and detected nothing. A renegade branch obscured his vision of the clearing, that which he sought, what he had gone through so much trouble in order to find. Using the Antlers his master had bestowed upon him, he lowered his head and locked the branch between the forks of his spines as he tore the intrusion free. It fell to the ground in silence as his spell took effect. The outline of the splintered piece of wood shifted and swayed as it disappeared with another glow of the stallion's horn. Pleased, he stretched out his feather lined wings and flew over the place where the branch had been, entering the clearing. He stared across to the centre of the clearing in silent awe. Here is what he had been searching for... the resting place of his former master, Discord.

He approached the statue cautiously, surely the royal guards would be stationed nearby. Or perhaps a trap with sincere regards from the loving princess? Neither his spells or senses found such heinous things waiting to ensnare him, nothing was present except for his God, a beacon of perfection frozen in time. Perhaps the world had forgotten the power of his master, or perhaps they were vain enough to believe that none followed in his vision for a perfect world. The light green moss glinted in the moonlight, highlighting its features. The stone had faded to a dull grey over the years. Discontent stirred in the heart of the stallion at the state of what ought to have been a shrine, a place of worship. Those responsible for the fate of Discord would get what's coming soon enough...

He examined the statue closely, searching for weaknesses that he could penetrate and use to release his master or communicate with him. The enchantments surrounding the statue locked Discord in an eternal state of sleep, with naught but dreams for company. He had no way of communicating with his master, nor had he any clue as how to free him of his prison. He had spent hours studying from the depths of the Royal Canterlot library, through scrolls and books for any information regarding the reign of Discord and the Elements of Harmony. What he found was virtually useless, just a few books depicting the epics of Twilight Sparkle and her friends as they harnessed the power of friendship to defeat their foes. The only other information he could find were from the other ponies in the small town called "Ponyville," the home to those who imprisoned Discord. All he learned were of the supposed "horrors" they were exposed to, along with a confusing lecture from the towns mail mare as to the true nature of muffins. He felt a shudder force its way across his length, he could feel the spells sapping his strength ever more as he pondered his riddle throughout the night.

The sun broke over the horizon, painting the sky a brilliant blue as it crawled higher into the sky. The stallion watched without enthusiasm as the morning songs of the surrounding birds penetrated the air above. He was no closer to an answer than before, his strength approaching its limits as he sat up straight and left the clearing. Despite all he had accomplished in finding his master's secret hiding place, he never thought his plans through in regard to rescuing him. The most he could do for his master was clean and restore the statue to its former glory, he refused to leave it forgotten in the close gathering of the trees. What he needed was to find the ponies who imprisoned his master, and force them to release him. The dark clouds of revenge clouded his mind as he teleported himself from the mouth of the forest. He was enveloped in the darkness of his gloomy cave, illuminated only by the remaining strands of the fading magical glow that resulted from his teleportation. He quickly used his horn to illuminate the cave and light a row of candles that lined his bed. He extinguished the magical protection he had been using all the while and was soothed by the relief that washed over his body. He sank deep into the covers of his bed and deeper still into his dreams. They swirled around one another sucking him down into their depths. A world formed from the red clouds, a world of uncertainty, randomness and chocolate rain. The world which he knew he wanted to be a part of... the future...

Next Chapter: Chapter 2: Keeping your enemies closer Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes