The Sun was shining high over Ponyville, not a single cloud blemished the sky, and a timid cool breeze blew across the land; basically another perfect afternoon. In spite of the warm atmosphere Ponyville was famous for, it has been a stressful two days for Fyee, and it wasn't just because no real plan has been devised in those two days. No, ever since her embarrassing conversation with Princess Cadence and Twilight's friends, Fyee has been continuously dragged away by one, or several of the young mares, and encouraged to engage in all matter of frivolity. However, while the sudden spike in her popularity was refreshing, to say the least, Fyee found it most peculiar that Princess Celestia was no exception to this change in developments. Fyee just wasn't use to this celebrity status, it was rather exhausting, and what with her new responsibility of keeping Twilight in check, Fyee had precious time to be alone.

Fyee took a deep yawn, her eyes felt like they were made of lead, and her legs were like wet noodles as she walked down the street with Twilight. Noting Fyee's difficulty to maintain her equilibrium, Twilight did her best to keep the exhaust Changeling from dropping to the ground.

"I'm so sorry," Fyee said, as she leaned against Twilight's left side, her eyes fighting to stay open, and her voice equally heavy and sluggish. "I hate a burden on others."

"Pay it no mind," Princess Twilight said sincerely, and further emphasizing the point by wrapping her left wing around Fyee; providing better support, and comfort for Fyee in the process.

"Thank you," Fyee said graciously, allowing Twilight to shoulder some of her weight.

"Any time," Princess Twilight softly replied, as they continued onward down the street.

Fyee was so exhausted, to the point that her sharp sense of awareness was dulled as well, and due to this she was unable to notice the camouflaged pony spying on them. Gazing from an adjacent alley was Iscariat, using a simple light reflection spell, he perfectly hid his presence from any by-standard; though he was surprised that Fyee could not see through this parlor trick. Letting out a sigh, Iscariat leaned against the wall to his right, his eyes almost watered over as he watched Fyee vanish off into the hustle and bustle of the crowd.

"You could talk to her. I doubt she would shoo you away," Discord said from inside Iscariat's top left pocket.

"There is nothing more that needs to be said between us," Iscariat solemnly spoke, and then turned away from the busy street in the direction of the dark alley he currently occupied. "Besides, I can't afford to be distracted, this is too important."

"An yet you still went out of your way to see her," Discord snickered sinisterly.

"Shut up," Iscariat said, and without looking back, he went down the alley, and out of Ponyville.

Wandering into the Everfree Forest, Iscariat came to hate being old, everything turned into such a chore, and by the time he reached his destination he had aches in place he didn't know could ache. Towering before him was the partially restored Old Alicorn Castle of Princesses Celestia and Luna, it was still far from finished, but at least the exterior walls, roof, doors, and windows were repaired. Inside the structure was a different story entirely, ruble still littered the floor, walls were more akin to Swiss cheese, and most of the interior doors had no hinges or knobs to speak of. Descending into the bowels of the castle, Iscariat hobbled through the old halls, his hoof steps echoing back towards him as the sound resonated off the walls like a ping pong ball. As Iscariat walked through the dim halls, powerful memories swelled up inside him as they did in the Star Gazer's Sanctum, and just like before his magic ignited of its own volition, bringing to life one of his oldest memories.

Manifesting as pale apparitions, a much younger Iscariat and Princess Luna were walking down the hall, side by side, in front of older Iscariat. Peeking out of Iscariat's pocket, through his snow globe prison, Discord slowly cocked his left eye up towards Iscariat, a mischievous smile brandishing his snout when it became apparent that Iscariat did not notice his eavesdropping. Snickering fiendishly, Discord kicked back his feet, placed his hands behind his head, then had the imposter Celestia snuggle up next to him with a bowl of popcorn between them, and together they watched events unfold. Following his younger self, Iscariat reached his destination, the organ chamber, and at the far end of the room, in respect to the door, was the pipe organ that controlled all matter of mechanical contraptions throughout the castle. Cracking a smile, Iscariat cast his vision on his younger self, as the youngster sat down before the organ, straightening the wrinkles from his jacket's sleeves, and draping the jacket's tails out over the edge of the bench he sat upon.

Shifting his line of sight slightly to the right, Iscariat could see Luna delicately casting aside her regality, and replacing it with a beautifully gown that just grazed the stone floor; now coated with a thick layer of dust and filth from centuries of low maintenance. When each specters' preparations were completed, the show commenced with younger Iscariat playing a soft melody, with subtle rises and falls in pitches, and about second or two into the piece, Princess Luna rose to her hind legs, spreading her wings for balance, and then started to dance. In tune with Iscariat's music, Princess Luna gracefully glided on the balls of her hooves, dancing perfect crescents on the stone floor, and all of it done with her eyes shut.

"You both were quite the pair back then," Discord spoke out, tired of being silent. "What happened?"

"That was a long time ago," Iscariat said, his eyes following Luna's every step, and a small sigh escaped him. "The past should stay in the past."

"Sometimes things come back, I'm living proof," Discord said, a sly grin on his face, but his eyes were pointed downward uncharismatic.

"Yes, yes they do," Iscariat said cracking a genuine smile.

"Did you just agree with me, and without a single negative remark? Are you feeling well?" Discord replied, gawking at Iscariat's response.

Iscariat laughed at Discord's confusion, taking pleasure in the irony of the moment, allowing the troubles of the world to fade away from his mind, and for the first time, in a long time, actually breath easily.

"It is funny how everything comes into perspective when you are old," Iscariat said with a sigh. "In any event that is enough musing for one afternoon. Now Discord, what you are about to witness stays between us, understand?"

"You wound me, Iscariat. I would never betray a friend's trust," Discord said, a golden halo manifesting over his head, but behind him, out of sight, the fake Celestia was busy setting up cameras, and sound equipment.

"I know you really wouldn't, at least not maliciously," Iscariat said, as he levitated Discord's snow globe prison on to the bench of the pipe organ, and then walked to the center of the room.

Conjuring a small breeze to graze the floor, Iscariat blew away some of the thick dust, and revealed a two by two, diamond shaped steel plate. The plate, in comparison to the rest of the castle, was relatively newer, with no signs of rust or aging, and it was covered with all matter of runes, as well as extremely powerful warding spells that cloak the plate's very existence from all but the most supremely skilled.

"What is that?" Discord asked, his eyes able to see the insane amount of defensive spells, wards, and barriers crammed together on top of the plate.

Preoccupied with the steel plate Iscariat over looked Discord's query, and proceeded to dispel his wards. However, no spell or incantation did he call upon to remove the wards, instead, while swaying to the tune his younger self played, Iscariat focused his gaze on the dancing Luna, and then he started to sing.

Silence reigned through out the chamber, the younger Iscariat had finished playing just as older Iscariat stopped singing, and Luna in turn finished her dance with an elegant bow. This lull in activity lasted but a moment, for barely a heart beat later the sound of air rushing out could be heard from the steel plate, its sealing wards fading away like smoke, and the plate itself lifting into the air as if filled with helium. The two astro projections conjured by Iscariat's subconscious also faded away in a ghostly mist, and melded with the latent energy of the wards. The lingering magical energies were suddenly drawn beneath the steel plate, then with a loud pop, the plate was chucked towards the ceiling, and then crashed on to the floor with a clink and a clank. The plate now removed, Discord could see a small pot hole, and within that foot and a half ditch, he caught the glimpse of a wooden box, engraved with a single, massive rune on its surface; it was from Star Swirl's era, and it simply translated to Lock.

"Well now, aren't you the paranoid one?" Discord snickered and grinned, as Iscariat levitated the box out of the hole. "Hiding anything in the Everfree Forest alone is usually more than enough of a deterrent, but you went as far as to place powerful reality warping wards that were intertwined with a Melody Lock, and if that wasn't enough the item in question has a ward of its own. Just what are you protecting so vigilantly?"

"A power and force beyond reckoning," Iscariat said, as he gingerly ran his right fore hoof along the box, and examined the seal he inscribed upon it centuries ago. "Something I hoped never to call upon for battle, but it maybe the only way to end this conflict."

"But what is it?" Discord asked impatiently.

"I cannot tell you. You will just have to trust me, as I have come to trust you," Iscariat said, his eyes still fixated on the box.

"Did you just say you trust me?" Discord asked gawking in shock.

"Yes," Iscariat said sincerely, as he turned towards the hole one more time, and extracted a small, thirteen inch, road like object, wrapped in a silvery white cloth. "An it is finally time to display that trust."

Untying the twine that kept the cloth wrapped, Iscariat discarded the cloth, and revealed a very unique wand. At thirteen inches long the wand could pass for a small dagger, it was comprised of a strange crystal that glowed with all the colors of the rainbow, and its shape was partially straight with a series of slight bends and curves converging on a predominant point at the tip. However the hallmark of this wand was not its interesting composition, or appearance, but instead the fact that it levitated on its own, and that it possessed the gift of speech.

"Master, is that you?" the wand spoke, its point directed at Iscariat.

"Yes, it is good to speak to you again, Puck," Iscariat said with a swirling grin. "I'm sorry to cut our reunion short, but I have need of your power, my old friend."

       "Of course, Master, I live to serve," Puck said lowering his point as if bowing.

"Very good," Iscariat said reaching out with his right fore hoof, and then turned to face Discord. "Alright Discord, you ready to be free once more?"

"Are you head over hooves for that Changeling?" Discord snickered fiendishly.

Blushing at Discord's remark, Iscariat quickly regained his composure, and prepared to get to work. Now when viewed on the metaphysical level, Discord's snow globe prison was incredibly intricate, it was comprised of six rings, each attuned to one of the Six Principles of Magic. The six rings were arranged in a cubic shape with the snow globe at its exact center, and holding the rings in this shape was a singular chain over lapping everything in a way that resembled two orbits that perpendicularly intersect one another. Iscariat couldn't help but admire the elegance of the spell, for on their own the Six Principles of Magic were the foundation of all magical theory and practical spell casting. From birth all Unicorns, Changelings, and even Alicorns are taught the Six Principles, for without rudimentary knowledge even the simplistic of spells could prove impossible to cast, and the Arch-Library had volumes depicting the unfortunate out come of such ignorant mages.

Entropy, Acceleration, Stability, Equivalence, Consistency, and Moderation are the Six Principles of Magic, every spell in one way or another boils down to those Six Fundamentals in varying or equal levels. In this situation all six were in perfect synchronization, one of the thousands of reasons Alicorn spell casting was so devastating in its wake, for in all magic no spell casting race could boast such a feat; this was why Celestia and the other Princesses were treated as divinities. However, no spell was perfect, and this sealing spell before him had one weak spot he could exploit; the Moderation Ring. Moderation was the Principle that focused on conversation of energy and number of spells a mage should cast at once, it was also the polar opposite to Entropy, and that was the key to seal's strength. Together Moderation and Entropy created a perpetual loop between the other four Principles, for as Entropy drew out the energy Moderation kept it all constant, as well as ensured the siphoned energy was replaced by channeling the excess Entropy drew out back into the other four through the chain that bound all the rings together.

Understanding what he need to do, Iscariat pointed Puck at the central chain link, and with a diagonal flourish, he sliced the link. At the very instant the link was severed the chain vanished into the aether, and without the chain restraining them the six rings shot out in every direction. The rings' circumference were razor sharp, slashing through all the stone columns, walls and floor with no resistance. Dodging the sharp rings, Iscariat barrel rolled towards the organ, then immediately turned to face the rings as they circled back for another strike. Rapidly shifting gaze from one ring to the other, Iscariat pin pointed the Moderation Ring, and with a flick of Puck he shot a black beam straight at its hollow center.

However, his spell was instantly intercepted by the ring of Entropy, and upon collision withered away as its energy was exhausted in one single burst. Caught off guard by this defense mechanism, Iscariat failed to mind the other four rings, and as a result received slashes on his exposed right fore leg, as well as his left shoulder and back legs respectively. Groaning in pain, Iscariat dropped to the floor, blood slowly seeped out of his wounds, and his right fore leg shook violently as his muscles convulsed erratically due to shock. The six rings re-converged for a final assault, the Moderation Ring wisely held the rear, while Entropy took point, and feed on the energy of the other four. Refusing to die after coming this far, Iscariat forced himself to his feet, and with a flurry of flourishes he shot out five black beams, in five different directions.

The six rings had to break their attack formation to defend the Moderation Ring when the five black beams flanked their rear. Missing their target on the first approach, Iscariat's black beams, guided by his movements of Puck, scattered outward in random directions as they evaded the rings' counter attacks. The Ring of Entropy constantly herded two of the black beams towards Consistency's razor edge. Unable to save both, Iscariat had one of the beams cork screw around the other faster and faster, until it had achieved sufficient speed to soar above Consistency, before the ring could react, and seconds before its twin beam was cleaved in twain. The rings' fluid coordination was quite the nuisance, it made it difficulty for Iscariat to gain any ground, and as time progressed, he lost one more of his black beams to the rings.

Out numbered two to one, Iscariat consolidated his three beams for a final suicide run; the only avenue left open for him. Sensing the end was near, the Ring of Entropy confidently abandoned its passive offense role for a true offense, and took point on the final charge. There was no turning back now, both forces were on a collision course, and only one was coming out of this victorious. Holding his breath, Iscariat watched as his three beams were effortlessly mowed down like grass, and yet he was smiling.

"I win," Iscariat said with a sly grin as he flicked Puck.

Mere inches from his face, the Ring of Entropy, Stability, Acceleration, Consistency, and Equivalence came to a grinding halt. Discord couldn't believe what he was looking at, for connected to Puck, by a thin thread of neon blue magic were two spheres of midnight black positioned at the left and right of the five rings. The two spheres were emanating equally powerful gravitational fields, so strong that they kept anything trapped between them frozen in place, because of the equal amount of pull they exerted. Smiling in victory, Iscariat ignited his horn, using his magic to cloak the defenseless Moderation Ring in his gray aura, and with a sudden intense glare, Iscariat crumpled the ring into a tiny, twisted, ball of scrap. Just like that, the spell was broken, and without Moderation's influence, Entropy quickly exhausted the other fours energy, then its own, and without power the five rings withered away to dust.

Dispelling his spheres of midnight black, Iscariat turned around to see the snow globe shining like the star Polaris, and with a sharp pop, the prison exploded, ejecting a full sized Discord right into Iscariat. For an awkward moment, Iscariat and Discord were tangled around each other; Puck couldn't stop laughing at the priceless scene.

"Well, that could have gone better," Iscariat said, as he examined some of his more deeper cuts, after being free of Discord's massive body.

"You think?" Discord said sarcastically, dusting himself off, and stretching his limbs. "So, what now?"

"This is where we part ways, I'm afraid," Iscariat said, his voice a little sadder than he thought it would sound.

"You just freed me to now abandon me, what is your deal?" Discord asked, scratching his head in confusion.

"Believe it or not, I don't like this anymore than you do," Iscariat replied.

"Aw, I knew you liked me," Discord said, as he grasped Iscariat in a bone crushing hug.

"What can I say, you grew on me," Iscariat said, gasping for air after Discord released him. "In any event, I required your assistance, and that would only be possible if you were freed."

"Oh?" Discord said with a cheshire grin. "I assume it has to do with that box you went through great pains to conceal?"

"Yes," Iscariat said, as he levitated the box over to Discord, who then took possession of it. "Discord, what you now hold in your hands is quite literally the only hope any of us have left. When the time comes you must deliver that box, and its contents, to Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her friends."

"Cool! I always wanted to be a secret agent," Discord said, snapping his fingers to magically adorn himself in a black tuxedo, with a poison joke flower pinned to his right side, and on his head was a black fedora to complete the outfit. "Just call me, Agent C."

"Focus, Discord," Iscariat said, though at the same time he could not help but laugh at Discord's antics. "Anyway that is all I'm asking of you."

"What about you? What will you do?" Discord asked, his tone uncharacteristically serious.

"I have a plan, but if it doesn't work, then Princess Twilight and the others are Equestria's last chance," Iscariat said, as he put Puck in his vest's bottom right pocket, and then turned to leave. "Discord, if something happens to me, before the end, can you relay a message to Fyee for me?"

"You can tell her yourself," Discord said with a grin. "This isn't a goodbye, we will see each other again."

"Of course, see you soon, my friend," Iscariat said, as he walked out the door, and vanished under a shimmering veil.

As Iscariat wandered back to Canterlot, his thoughts were weighed down by the infinite amount of possible out comes he expected to encounter from this point onward.

"I really hope unearthing that was the right choice," Iscariat pondered, a bead of sweat running down the left side of his face, and his teeth gnawing at his lower lip. "Just one mistake and it could...No! It will work! It has to work, for all our sakes. But most importantly, for Nightmare's sake. I won't fail again! I promise you...Luna."      

                               Next Chapter: Chapter 12: Go Home! Estimated time remaining: 34 Minutes