Author's Notes:

Hey everypony! Sorry for taking so long to get this up, but here it is! This is an extremely important episode to the storyline. Also, it contains headcanon that you may or may not agree with. This is my personal headcanon. I am using it for the sake of the story.

It feels so good to finally be back home. The dark, melancholy atmosphere of the Hooflacian province, and most specifically of the town of Transylmania and the large LaDix Mansion, has taken quite the toll on the weary young mare. Granted, the entire trip by itself has proven to be an entire fruitless, tiring one. She and her friends had gone to enjoy the area, see new sights, and have a vacation from everything that's been going on. However, they never got the chance, instead being flung into the middle of a murder investigation and trying to find out who killed the kindly old butler Snooty Shoes. All of their planning had been ruined in that one foul swoop, all because of a psychotic murderer who was unable to control himself, as well as a shameful secret kept by a sorrowful wife. Then, the morning after both Psycho Joe and Esmerelda St. Cainan were arrested, the eight of them boarded the train once again, wanting to just go home and forget about everything that had happened. Their life really IS starting to sound like a Conan Royal story.

Either way, they're back in Ponyville now and Star couldn't be happier. Unlike the large and gloomy Transylmania, they live in a smaller, more quaint and homely town that has plenty of sunshine and friendly ponies trotting about. It's their home, and it's where things just feel right. She loves this town more than anywhere else in all of Equestria. She wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. Just walking along the cobblestone streets causes the mare to whistle out a happy tune, greeting all of the residents with a smile as she passes by. Star soon comes upon Sugarcube Corner, going in for just a moment to purchase a peace muffin and say hello to Pound and Pumpkin Cake. Mayor Mare waves to her while en route to her office, and even Silver Spoon gives a smile as she heads to work on this beautiful day in a beautiful town. She can only hope that it stays this way, and that nothing goes wrong now.

When they had returned to town, after getting off the train, all of Star's friends had gone in separate directions. Terra had gone to the town's headquarters for the Ponyville Militant Task Force, which is basically town hall, wishing to get right back into protecting this town with everything he's got. Devlin had heard that Cheerilee needed help fixing a hole in the roof of the schoolhouse, and he can't turn down anypony who needs help. Chupa went to her greenhouse to take care of the plants, which in her leave had been cared for by Spring Rise, one of the new Cutie Mark Crusaders Mk II. Dinky and Agelian had gone back to the latter's place as a big race is coming up in the next couple of days and they want to be ready for it, and Bri and Scatter wanted to visit Sweet Apple Acres, as surprisingly, neither had ever actually been there before.

Unlike her friends though, Star doesn't have the pleasure or luxury of relaxation and fun right now. She has to get right back to work, and so as she travels down the road, she heads in the direction of the Princess Twilight Sparkle Memorial Library. She hopes that with some good, old-fashioned, strenuous studying, she'll be able to find something, anything, on Oblivion and/or the Elements of Harmony. There just has to be something she had overlooked during her last study session. Maybe there're some books she hadn't read yet on the subjects. There's just so much about both they have yet to know. Princess Twilight had to have had some information on them. Somepony as studious as her should have an entire section dedicated to them all.

As she approaches the large library, a sudden chill descends down the center of her spine. Just the mere sight of the building built into a giant Golden Oak tree is magnificent, and the history behind it is simply breathtaking. Everything that this library has been through after all these years. All of the long nights that Princess Twilight stayed awake, studying and learning. The day when she first arrived alongside her best friend Spike, who to this day remains inside the library, the home he once shared with the pony who raised him from an egg. He would know more about this place than anypony, and will more than likely remain here for the rest of his life. As she just stands there, considering all of this, the mare begins to wonder exactly how much the baby dragon does know. In pony years he'd be close to thirty years old, though for a dragon that's still very young. He must be teeming with the knowledge he's gained through living with somepony like Princess Twilight.

Of course, she had talked to Spike in the past about these subjects, asking him what he might know. However, his knowledge about both Oblivion and the Elements of Harmony seems to be as much as her own. Star never quite understood that, especially with the Elements. He lived with one of the bearers of them, and was good friends with the others. He should know more than he's letting on. Maybe he never quite showed an interest in learning about them, or maybe they're mysterious even to their bearers. She has to believe that Spike wouldn't just lie to her, or withhold information that could save the lives of everypony in the world. Maybe he just didn't know. But he could've found out something new since the last visit. He does live in a library after all, and has more access to it's resources than her. But then again, one should never just assume.

After she enters the library, time seems to fly by quicker than a Wonderbolt. The instant she had gone in, Star began to grab books off of the shelves and start studying. Before she knows it, night has fallen and the crickets begin to chirp right outside of the open window. Not far away Spike is reading one of his Power Ponies comics while eating from a bowl of his famous nachos. The smile on his face is so painful. She can only imagine the memories that comic must bring to him. He had told her the story about how he and his friends were once transported into the world of those comics. It sounds too fantastic to be true, but she's seen enough in these past months to never doubt stories like that, even if they do seem unbelievable. Now the sad little dragon just sits there, putting on a false smile and remembering the good times he's had with the friends who are now mostly gone. Her goal to find and save the long missing Princess Twilight and Pinkie Pie only means more now. She wants Spike to be reunited with the ponies who love him more than anything, especially the one whom he considered to be his big sister.

"Spike, can you please come over here for a second," Star calls out a few minutes later, closing yet another book. The dragon looks up from his comic and gives the mare a smile, climbing to his feet and quickly walking over as he asks if there's anything she needs. Since Star had begun making this library one of her regular hang outs, Spike had taken to serving her in any way he possibly can. She knows why. He used to do the same for Princess Twilight, and it lessens his sorrow to feel useful to somepony again. She doesn't feel right taking his assistance like this, but at the same time, she doesn't have the heart to turn him down. It'd probably break his spirit if she did. He needs this, but right now, she needs him. Something she had just read doesn't sit right with her. Quite frankly, it confuses the mare, and makes her question how she could even be sitting where she is right at this moment.

"This book," she begins as she shows the baby dragon the one she had just closed, "says something interesting, Spike. I was hoping that you could help shed some light on things for me. This is a book about Princess Twilight, written after her disappearance almost sixteen years ago. It says that there was a time where she felt unsure about her royalty, and that after a long fought battle in which she worked alongside her friends to stop a war that had been brewing, she became known as the Princess of Friendship, finally knowing what she's meant to do as a princess. She then ruled from her new home, the Castle of Harmony in the Kingdom of Ponyville. It also says that her original home, the Golden Oaks Library, had been destroyed in the midst of battle. Spike, how can we be inside of a destroyed library right now?"

The little dragon's face drops as he hears all of this, and it's as if bad memories begin to sweep over him, those that he'd rather forget. A sigh escapes him, and he walks over to a small desk at the side of the room, taking a seat on the stool there. Star walks over to him, and with tears in his eyes, Spike tell her, "It was so hard for her. Twilight had become an alicorn princess, but she never asked to be. All that responsibility, and she felt like it never amounted to anything. The most she had done was watch over the Rainbow Falls traders exchange, and smile and wave. Then, Tirek finally regained power after escaping Tartarus. The demonic centaur began to gain more power, stealing the magic from ponies all over Equestria. He eventually convinced the God of Chaos, Discord, who had been befriended by Fluttershy and come to our side, to betray us and return to his evil ways."

"In the end though, Tirek betrayed Discord. Twilight showed him what true friendship is, and Discord came back to our side. She and the rest of our friends then unlocked a chest that had come from the Tree of Harmony, and were filled with the physical manifestation of the magic of friendship. They defeated Tirek and freed Equestria, bringing back all of the magic he had stolen during his short reign. Before they defeated him though, Tirek destroyed the library using his dark magic. The Castle of Harmony was erected by the magic of friendship itself soon after. Twilight didn't feel right about it though, and so with the help of the other princesses, she put a powerful enchantment on the library. Over time, the tree re-grew at an amazing speed, and Twilight had the library rebuilt. She lived in the castle, but she wanted her true home to stand proud in the end."

"When Twilight and the other princesses suddenly disappeared sixteen years ago, so did the Castle of Harmony. Nopony knew why, but apparently the castle was connected to Twilight herself. Princess Aurora took charge, but because of what happened, had to remove Ponyville's status as a kingdom. It became just as it used to be; a small, friendly town. Then, everypony began dying, and I moved back in here, and...well, you know the rest."

Wow. This place has so much more history behind it than she could have ever imagined. What other memories and mysteries could this simple golden oak tree hold? It's incomprehensible to even think about. This library meant so much to ponies. It birthed a special connection with those who had spent time inside of it, among the shelves of books. She can only imagine how ponies felt when it was destroyed. The pain and sorrow they must have felt. As she continues to ponder all of this, tears come to her eyes. It's too sad to even imagine. Suddenly, her mind is taken away from the depressive past of the library as out of the corner of her eye, she sees something strange. Spike just stands there, gripping at his stomach as if he's about to be sick. For a moment, nothing seems to happen. He just stands there. Then, his cheeks suddenly bloat out, and the small dragon leaps up into the air. His mouth opens, and flames erupt out of him, shooting straight into the open air. As Star watches in amazement, a wrapped up letter suddenly materializes within the fire, then falls gently to the floor before her hooves.

It takes a moment, but the small dragon recovers from the ordeal and then notices his friend. Star is looking down at the letter with a wide-eyed curiosity, not sure what had happened. Of course, he isn't sure either. It's been so long since he's received a letter like that, ever since the princesses disappeared. Concerned, he walks up and picks up the letter, unwrapping it and reading, “Dear Spike, I request the presence of you, Fluttershy, Star Rider, and all of her friends right away. Please gather everypony and board the next train to Canterlot. Ponies are in terrible danger, and I believe that Oblivion is behind it. Signed, Princess Aurora."

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It takes around an hour to gather everypony up, both Star and Spike splitting up to cover more of Ponyville's ground faster. In the end, they succeed, and now all ten of them sit together on the Friendship Express as it heads towards Canterlot. It had been just this morning that they had returned to Ponyville, via this very same train. Now they're forced to leave once more. Naturally, none of them are quite too happy about this, but in the end understand the need. Oblivion is continuing to cause terrible trouble for the inhabitants of Equestria. All the world beyond it as well. With everypony at risk, they have to do their part to help save the land. They are the six destined ponies of prophecy after all, and four friends close to them. But they still wish that Oblivion would have waited just a little longer, to give them time to rest. A pipe dream of course, but one they actually had held their breath over. They just wanted some rest after the entire murder mystery in Transylmania.

The big question enveloping all of their minds now is what the princess could possibly need with them all. The letter was too cryptic to truly understand. It spoke of a terrible danger, with Oblivion possibly behind the reigns, but that's it. No further details, no explanation. It really makes them wonder exactly what could be going on that would call for all of them. Of course, Terra is the first one to speak out a theory, having faced threats against queen and country before. He's stared criminals in the face and trained rookie soldiers for the field. He's a veteran of many a battle, and has served his land with pride. However, even he has been proven unprepared for the threat that is Oblivion. Something about this evil force's power has struck him unlike anything else. Though through it all, he has kept to his honorable nature and fought to serve and protect Equestria's citizens.

"Oblivion's making his move," the former captain of the elite royal guard exclaims to his friends, face stern and unmoving, "it has to be. But something about this letter makes me uneasy. The princess claims that she BELIEVE'S Oblivion's behind it. This means she isn't sure."

"Are you seriously going to continue doubting the princess?" Star asks, sighing and rolling her eyes. The others begin to laugh, but Terra seems almost angry with the joke. Being right across from her, the stallion glares into the mare's very soul.

"You know it's not that. We've seen Oblivion's moves before, and this is different. If the princess herself isn't sure of whether or not this is Oblivion's doing, then it's not like the other attacks. Up until this point, Oblivion's been direct with his attacks. He never exactly kept himself in the shadows and hid the fact that it was him. I'm thinking that with this case, who or whatever is responsible, is unknown. The methods may be similar to Oblivion's, and that's why the princess would consider the possibility of him being behind it. However, I think the actions must be different."

"He's making his move," Scatter suddenly speaks up, gathering everypony's attention. Looking down, he sighs and continues, "It's been a while since his last attack, right? The Brotherhood has been tracking his movements as well. Think of this like a chess match. He made the first move back with the dark star incident, capturing the first pawn. It was then our move, and you six formed friendships, those destined to stop him. He possessed Cobalt Sky, you saved him. He took over Twilight Velvet, and you protected her. He murdered Trixie Lulamoon, and you all formed a militant task force.

With every move, both sides get closer to checkmate, but also are put in equal danger. You've been collecting the long lost Elements of Harmony to combat him, and have recently gained the Silver Element, the Element of Joy. It's one of the most powerful, and was a strong move against Oblivion. But now you've left yourselves open to his next move, and this must be it. It's different because the need has changed. He recognizes our power, and fears it. He knows that stealth is the best option right now. Cause panic without being direct about it to put us at unease. We will stop him here, but remember, with every move we make, he makes one as well."

The other ponies, and Spike, all look in shock at their new friend, having joined their group only a short time ago as Bri returned. They see now how valuable an asset he is. Intelligence and understanding, two very well defined traits. How could somepony like this ever be mistaken for insane and put into an asylum? Terra concedes, agreeing that it makes perfect sense. If this is indeed Oblivion behind whatever's going on now, then Scatter's theory must be true. They're becoming a threat to Oblivion, showing him that they're serious in their fight. But it's a double-edged sword. With every move they make, Oblivion is prepared to fight back. He won't give up easily, and will only prove to make this a true war for the fate of the entire world.

The Friendship Express soon pulls to a stop into Canterlot's station. The ten friends stand there, excited, waiting for the doors to open and let them out. They're ready to meet with Princess Aurora and find out all the details on this danger that's plaguing their land now. As the doors open, they quickly climb out and look beyond the station building at the amazing city laid out before them. Four months ago it was nearly completely destroyed by an unprecedented ursa attack, and now it looks almost as good as new. The constant work on reconstruction has been proving effective, and within weeks the capital will finally be fully restored.

A sudden, authoritative voice calls out to them, and they turn on the spot to see Captain Everglade and her soldiers marching towards them. Smiling, Terra greets his old unit, and most specifically his successor. Amongst the soldiers stands a particularly noticeable stallion. He has a golden coat, and underneath his helmet, a tuft of red and orange mane sticks out. However, the focus returns to Captain Everglade as she explains, "I've been sent by the princess to bring you safely to the castle. We believe that you all are in danger above anypony else. But...why are there ten of you now? Weren't there only six before?"

"Captain Everglade, ma'am," Terra respectfully replies, raising a hoof in salute, "these four are our friends as well. I am sure you recognize Fluttershy, one of the Element bearers of sixteen years ago, and Spike, the assistant to the missing Princess Twilight Sparkle. The young mare is Dinky Hooves, Agelian's fiancée and a good friend to the rest of us. Scatter Brain is the new stallion here, and our most recent compatriot. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Silent Pathfinders, and has extensive knowledge regarding Oblivion that shall prove useful to our cause."

"The Brotherhood of Silent Pathfinders? They're the radical group out to find the location of Pinkamena Diane Pie, correct?"

"Yes ma'am," Scatter now replies, walking up and saluting the captain, "our current goal is to find Pinkie, but our long term one is to put a stop to Oblivion. We were commissioned by Princess Twilight Sparkle prior to her disappearance, and our leader, Babe Chenko, is the lost princess' student. As a member of the Brotherhood, I know a great deal about Oblivion and his methods. I have studied his past actions, and believe I know how this current danger relates with him."

The captain raises an eyebrow, but shrugs it off. It's at that point that Terra notices the golden-coated pony behind her, and lets out a hearty laugh. Going up to him, he hugs the stallion like an old friend, then turns and introduces him to his friends, saying, "Everypony, meet Meteor Spark. After the Captain here, he was my best soldier when I was in charge. Lieutenant rank back then, and one Hell of a soldier."

"It's good to see you too sir," Meteor replies with a smile, "but it's Commander now. I was promoted three months ago, taking the rank vacated by the Captain when she received yours."

"We can talk on the way, but for now, we have to get going to the castle. The princess is awaiting you all," Everglade tells them. Nodding, the ten friends follow the guard unit, Terra catching up with Meteor while the others just stay quiet, listening and preparing themselves for what's to come. They can only guess what Oblivion has done now. His power is growing, but if he's been forced to the shadows, this must be different than his past attacks. It's apparently gotten the princess and royal guard on edge, and has given belief that they're in mortal danger. It's terrifying to know what he could do, but even more so to wonder what he would do when backed into a corner like this. They could be in more danger than ever before, and they have no clue what the danger might be.

The elite royal guard lead the ten of them through town and to the castle. Deciding to not waste any time, they quickly rush in and get to the throne room, opening the doors to find Princess Aurora seated upon her throne. Surrounding her are her dignitaries and guards, all vying for orders. A concerned, but determined expression on her face, the princess tells everypony what to do, then asks them to leave so that she may discuss things with her ten requested guests. The soldiers and dignitaries bow in petulance and do as they're told, rushing past Star and her friends as they head out to take care of things. In the meantime, the ten friends slowly approach their princess as the doors behind them are closed. They're almost afraid to find out what the problem is, and if their theory regarding Oblivion is correct.

"Thank you for coming everypony," the princess says, not even seeming to care that there's more than initially expected. Coming down off of the throne, she paces around them for a moment in silence, before standing right before the nine ponies and dragon. She doesn't hesitate or waste any time with idle words, instead getting right to the point as she alerts them, "somepony is luring others into the Everfree Forest and murdering them. On top of that, cities around Equestria are being attacked by hooded ponies calling themselves the Agents of Oblivion. It seems that Equestria is at war."

Nopony knows quite what to say or how to react to this news, and so the princess continues, "The elite royal guard have already gone to the forest and discovered corpses of ponies with chunks of their flesh torn from their body, as if bitten off. We believe that whatever is luring these ponies into the forest, is eating them as well. There have been eighteen bodies found so far."

The color instantly drains from their faces. Chupa nearly faints, falling to the ground, and Agelian comforts Dinky, who's sobbing and on the verge of throwing up. Fear eclipses their faces, and none of them seem sure that they heard correct. This is much worse than they could have ever expected. It seems that Oblivion indeed has made his next move, and it's his boldest yet. From simple and direct attacks on them, he's gone into a full on declaration of war. Sending his agents in to attack the country’s major cities, and even has somepony leading ponies to their horrific deaths in the forest. This is not what they wanted to hear from the princess. They had honestly hoped it would be something smaller, nothing like this. It's no longer a mere move on the proverbial chess board. Oblivion is going for the checkmate early, and it's thrown them off guard.

"Oblivion power has grown faster than I could have ever imagined. Whoever this pony in the Everfree Forest is, they are corrupted by powerful dark magic. According to the guards who were sent into the forest, the dark magic can be felt right when you enter, and that it almost feels like you're walking through a fog. With Oblivion's power having grown this exponentially, my soldiers and I are powerless to stop him. There's nothing more we can do but to protect this country with our lives."

"What are we going to do then? Why did you want us to come here if there's nothing we can do?" Star asks the princess, both confused and concerned at the same time.

"You misunderstand me. While neither any of my guards nor myself can do anything to halt Oblivion in this time, as his power has grown far beyond even mine, there is one left who remains powerful enough to at least halt this war for now. You need to find Equestria's former Minister of Chaos, the draconequus named Discord."

A collective gasp echoes throughout the ten of them, and even the remaining guards in the room show surprise. Naturally, Star had heard of the villain before. He was the ruler of Equestria prior to the Celestial Sisters. Nopony is quite sure where he came from, but upon his arrival following the first day of Hearth's Warming, when Equestria was founded, he took over. The land was turned into chaos, and the friendships forged by Smart Cookie, Clover the Clever, and Private Pansy couldn't even stop it. Around this time, Clover's mentor Starswirl the Bearded had passed away, and she was left in charge of his studies on advanced unicorn magic. She worked to find a way to defeat Discord and return Equestria to it's normal state. But she never succeeded, and it was only when Celestia and her sister Luna arrived that they were able to do something.

In the midst of the fight against the draconequus, the Celestial sisters had discovered a magical and legendary tree known as the Tree of Harmony. Embedded in the tree were six magical elements said to hold the most powerful magic in the world. They utilized these Elements of Harmony to encase Discord in stone, and return Equestria to normalcy. Both Starswirl and Clover the Clever had been lost in this time, and Clover's friends didn't last too much longer. The Celestial Sisters were hailed for their defeat over Discord, and following the passing of the unicorn king as well as his daughter, Princess Platinum, they ascended to the throne and began to rule Equestria in peace. She knows the history of what happened to Discord, and how everything played out. Why would Discord have become a Minister of Chaos FOR Equestria? Are there parts of the history missing?

She asks the princess this question, to which she's given the response that, "Discord had been shown the magic of friendship by our very own Fluttershy here, as well as Princess Twilight Sparkle. Though it took a while for him to truly understand it, following the attack by Lord Tirek, he was able to finally understand the importance of friendship and came to our side permanently. He was declared the Minister of Chaos in Ponyville Kingdom, but soon moved to Equestria, wishing to work alongside Princess Celestia. He remained there until the incidents sixteen years ago."

"So how do we find him then?" Star asks the princess.

This time, Fluttershy steps forth and answers the question, telling the young mare, "I know where his home is...that is...if he still lives in the same place." She looks to the princess, who nods and smiles. Turning to her friends, Fluttershy offers to take them all to Discord so that they can convince them to help. She then looks to Princess Aurora once more and asks what she wants Discord to do once they've gotten him to help.

"First, I need you to go into the Everfree Forest and stop the cannibalistic pony within. None of the Agents of Oblivion are committing murders as of now, so they are of lesser consequence for the time being. If Oblivion is corrupting this pony in the forest, then he is our main target as it will be a direct connection to Oblivion. Fluttershy, I know that Discord is an old friend of yours, and I am sure that he has enough power to stop Oblivion for now. But be warned; Discord might ONLY have JUST ENOUGH power. If it takes everything he has, it might just be the end of your friend. This could be the ultimate sacrifice for Equestria. Are you prepared to lose a friend to stop Oblivion?"

Looking down at the ground, Fluttershy thinks about her history with Discord. How she and her friends had been called in by Princess Celestia to stop them, how he had turned her against her friends, and how they turned him back into stone. She remembers Princess Celestia bringing Discord back to Ponyville, believing that she could reform him, and it worked. But he wasn't fully good. His chaotic side remained, and he caused trouble whenever he could. Then, after everything was taken from him, it allowed Discord to see friendship for how important it really was, and for the first time, he was truly and fully reformed. All of the good, and bad, times she's had with him. She wouldn't give any of it up for the world. Those memories will remain with her forever, and even if Discord has to relinquish his life to stop Oblivion here, she'll never forget her friend.

"I'm prepared."

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After taking the night to rest, it having been late when they arrived, the ten friends head out as the morning sun rises in the East of the brilliant blue sky. Their mission right now is to locate the draconequus and convince him to join their cause. According to Princess Aurora, he hasn't been seen in almost sixteen years. Like Fluttershy, it seems that Discord had become a recluse following the fall of his friends all that time ago. Does he even know that his best friend remains alive and there? Whatever the case may be, their main focus has to be on Oblivion, and the mysterious cannibal in the Everfree Forest. If they can stop the pony, then things will prove better for them in the long run.

It's doubtful that even Discord could completely defeat Oblivion in this one coup, but they have to try and do whatever they can. If they can even halt him for a while, that'll be more than enough for now. Just getting more time to prepare for the war they know is coming is what they need. So the ten of them exit the large castle, heading into the western courtyard. Ahead of them stands a giant hedge maze. It's overgrown and almost creepy looking. Upon awakening this morning, Fluttershy had briefed them on where they were going.

"Discord lives in a magical tree in the middle of the old Canterlot royal hedge maze," she had told them. It was surprising to hear, as the maze hadn't been entered in a long time. Though now that they think about it, that kind of makes sense. Ever since Discord retreated inside, nopony has had the nerve to try and confront him. The only pony who would have had locked herself into her own house. What's odd to them is that he lives in a magical tree. Does the tree house a building, like the Princess Twilight Sparkle Memorial Library? Or does he simply just sit around in a tree all day every day? As they trot along the path, heading into the maze, they follow the former Element Bearer as she leads the way, listening as she tells them about the creature they're putting their hopes in.

"Discord might seem scary at first, but he's really just a big sweetheart. All those history books say he was evil when he ruled over Equestria, but that just isn't so. He was never evil. Discord is the God of Chaos, a being that thrives on wreaking havoc. He was only doing what was in his nature, that's all. When I originally met him, he never did anything out of malice. All his actions were done out of entertainment and pleasure. I didn't make him good, I just awakened the good that already existed in his heart."

"But that makes sense," Scatter tells her, "if Discord is the God of Chaos, then of course he would have good inside of him. Chaos is simply disorder and confusion. It's unpredictability and randomness. Chaos is an unexpected collocation of everything and anything enacted in an erratic fashion. He is the combination of anything and everything, of good and evil. He contains the potential for all of existence, and therefore would contain good."

"I have no idea what you just said," Agelian stoically replies, causing laughter to explode from the group. They soon reach the center of the hedge maze. A small pond sits there, surrounded by apple trees. With the hedges on all sides, it's a tranquil, serene place that they could almost grow used to. However, the giant, bright green tree with purple polka-dots and leaves made out of origami swans throws them off. The trunk of the tree alone has to be about eighteen feet in diameter, and 150 feet tall. How could they have not seen this from outside of the maze!?

The ponies circle around it and look up, but are unable to see anything but the origami leaves. Not a single sound or motion seems to come from the tree, despite the others in the area shaking and swaying with the wind. It's almost odd to see, as if the tree doesn't fit in. Of course, it obviously doesn't fit with it's surroundings, but something's different. Reaching forward, Star touches the trunk curiously. It's smooth, without a single grove or bump, yet looks like an ordinary tree trunk, save for the color and polka-dots. How can she run her hoof so easily down it without feeling the noticeable imperfections? She looks back up and decides to just take a chance.

"Hello!?" she yells into the origami, "are you there? Discord?"

Nothing happens. No response. Not even a sound or rustling of leaves. The others begin to call up as well, but once again, nothing happens. The only one to not say anything is Fluttershy, who looks upward in sorrow. Sighing, Star decides to try and explain the situation, hoping that it will get his attention. Speaking clearly and loudly, she calls to the draconequus, "Discord, we know you're up there. Listen, Equestria needs your help. A great evil is threatening it, and ponies are dying. The entire world will be at stake soon."

"Go away."

Finally, a reply. The voice is gruff and filled with anger and despair. It almost sounds distant as well, as if being spoken from a good distance away. They can't give up now though. They've found Discord, and gotten him to at least say something to them. It's progress, and hopefully, they can take it even further. However, as they continue to call for him, and ask him to help, his responses disappear and he once more stops speaking altogether. Unsure of what to do, the young mare turns her head to Fluttershy, who is still looking upward. A tear falls from her eye, and it's clear that she can sense the emotion in her old friend.

Smiling, she takes a seat on the ground and begins to sing. Quiet at first, her voice begins to grow in volume. Her tone is beautiful, and the sheer sound of her voice seems to attract the nearby wildlife. Birds, bunnies, squirrels, and other such animals gather around her as she sings of friendship and kindness. A soft sobbing can be heard coming from above them, but nothing more. Looking back up, Fluttershy then halts her song and calls up, speaking the words the draconequus had hoped to one day hear again, "Are we still on for that picnic later?"

Before any of the ponies or Spike can react, the large form of the chimeric creature bursts out from the origami leaves and shoots itself right at Fluttershy. They watch as Discord tackles his friend to the ground, hugging her with tears in his eyes, finally seeing the friend who taught him that friendship is magic for the first time in sixteen years. The two embrace with joy, laughter, and excitement that even brings a tear to Terra's cold, stoic face. Both Fluttershy and Discord shed their own liquid pride, not wanting to let each other go. But they know that they have to, and finally relinquish grip as they just look into each others faces with smiles of pure elation.

This is the Discord they have heard so much about. His head is goat-like with a black frill on the back of the neck. He has a deer antler on one side, and a weird, twisted blue horn on the other. A snaggle-tooth sticks out from his mouth, under which sits a white goatee. He has a paw at the end of one arm, and an eagles claw on the other. Two brightly colored wings stick out of his lower back, and his tail is similar to that of a sea serpent’s. He has one dragon-like leg, as well as a cloven hoof, and glowing yellow eyes. The only word they could use to describe him is chaotic. There is a complete absence of order to just his appearance, and it's only obvious that he must be just as hectic in his known magic and attitude.

"I thought you were gone, like our friends," he cries, staring at Fluttershy in disbelief and happiness, "I thought you died when Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity did."

"No, I just went into seclusion, like you did. But Star Rider here helped me come out again. But Discord, I'm afraid we can't catch up right now. We need to know if you know anything about Oblivion."

"Oblivion?"

The draconequis looks at them all, confusion clearly etched upon his face. Noticing this, his dear friend smiles and begins to describe to him who Oblivion is and what he's done up until now. Discord stares at them all for a moment, then seems to have a sudden realization, eyes widening and ears perking up. Laughing, he exclaims, "Oh, you're talking about Maaebjan! So he's going by the name Oblivion these days? How odd. But yes, I do know quite a lot about him actually. It's surprising he's only returned now though. All the times he could have chosen. Yes, I remember him very well. He was by my side when I took over Equestria all those moons ago."

"He was what!?" everypony simultaneously yells out, surprised by the revelation. They had read about Discord's reign of tyranny before of course, heard the stories. But there was never any mention of anypony being by his side during that time. All the stories tell of him doing it alone. To now know that Oblivion has been there way back then, is just unbelievable.

"Yes, he was right there. Of course, you'd probably have known him by a different name. It's...it's honestly a story I would rather forget."

"We need to know, so we can stop him," Fluttershy calmly tells him, rubbing a hoof on her friends' shoulder. The draconequus flashes Fluttershy a smile, and sighs, remembering everything that happened back then, and how he became Discord in the first place. It's the only part of his history that he has tried and failed to erase on many an occasion, the portion of his life that has haunted him for every waking moment of every single day, and now, he has to relive it to save the world from the biggest threat it's ever faced.

"Alright, I'll tell you everything," Discord replies, smiling at Fluttershy. He then looks to them all and takes a seat against his tree as he continues, "This will probably be hard for you all to swallow, and you might not believe me. But I swear that it's all true, and that I want Oblivion stopped as much as you do. You see, Maaebjan the Mysterious was a high-level unicorn in the highest ranks of the unicorn tribe. Some ponies in those days would claim that he was the most powerful of all his race, but though he was arrogant, he knew there was one who's magic was stronger; his brother, Starswirl the Bearded."

"Following the death of the unicorn tribe's previous leader, Queen Morgana, both Starswirl and Maaebjan were the next ponies in line for the throne. In those days, when there was no living successor in relation to the deceased leader, a new one was appointed. The brothers were both determined to have earned the title through their many heroic acts. However, the high council of the tribe were unable to come to a consensus on who best deserved the throne. Out of the kindness in his heart, Starswirl relinquished his rights to his brother, and allowed Maaebjan to be in charge of the tribe. All he asked was that his brother be a fair, yet strong, ruler. Maaebjan agreed, but never planned to keep the first part of that promise. He went after the power, and became a harsh, violent king."

"His lust for absolute power drove him to commit horrible acts within the tribe, and enact mortifying laws, including the outlawing of the prison system. He instead ordered all of his subjects who broke the law to be put to death, no matter how severe or petty their crime was. Though he never enslaved them or forced them into submission, he ruled with an iron first, and most knew him as only the Unicorn King. Soon, the other unicorns became as cold and heartless as their leader, and agreed to his rules. Starswirl saw this, and he wept for the future of his race."

"In secret, the wizard began to train up an apprentice. He found one of the few unicorns who still opposed the Unicorn King's actions, a young mare named Clover the Clever. Clover was a simple hoofservant to Maaebjan's daughter, Princess Platinum. It was because of this that Starswirl considered her the perfect pony to train. Her position within the unicorn tribe allowed her to learn secrets and information regarding the actions of her master's brother. It allowed Starswirl to begin preparing for a rebellion, in which he wished to take the throne from his brother and rule the tribe in peace and prosperity."

"However, there were two things that Maaebjan always had over his brother, a silver tongue and a wish to know everything. He discovered quickly that Starswirl was training his daughter’s servant, and he ordered his brother to be arrested. Starswirl didn't fight this. He knew that because the warrant was for his arrest and not beheading, that his brother wanted to confront him. He did too. So he willingly gave himself up. When the two brothers met, Maaebjan then utilized his coercive way with words to force his brother into accepting a magic duel against him, the winner gaining control of the entire tribe. During the battle, Starswirl could have easily won. He was stronger, but refused to fight and hurt his own brother. Because of this, he lost and was imprisoned in an anti-magic field."

"Why didn't he kill him like he did with everypony else?" Terra asks, confused by this inconsistency. However, Discord simply tells him that he'll explain it soon enough, then continues.

"Not long after these events, the wendigos arrived, malicious and cold spirits who fed off the hatred of the land and encased it in ice. Because of the threat now facing the three pony tribes, Maaebjan sent his daughter to meet with the other tribal leaders, Chancellor Puddinghead of the Earth Ponies, and Commander Hurricane of the Pegasi. While he was a tyrant, Maaebjan was also a strong politician and knew how to handle these things. However, the plans to unite the country fell through, as each tribe wanted something different. So all three decided to go out on their own to discover their own new lands to conquer, free from the wrath of the wendigos. Princess Platinum and the other leaders all soon discovered very welcoming lands, but found out that they all had found the same land and their fighting continued, calling forth the wendigos. Each of their assistants, Clover the Clever, Private Pansy, and Smart Cookie, ended up saving the land from the spirits and warmed the hearts of the three leaders. The Princess, Chancellor, and Commander agreed to work together and proclaimed the new land as Equestria."

"King Maaebjan didn't like this news however. His plan had been for the other two tribes to submit to him and his daughter, and serve them. He proclaimed that both his daughter and Clover were traitors and ordered the execution of both of them, as well as Lyrica the Lovely, Clover's younger sister and only living family. He planned it to be a lesson to show his power to his subjects. After Princess Platinum was executed, Starswirl discovered this and asked for audience with his brother. The King, curious at this, agreed and met with his brother. The wizard managed to convince King Maaebjan to spare the lives of Clover and Lyrica, offering himself to be the king's right hoof in return. Maaebjan liked the idea of his more powerful brother serving him and agreed to the deal. He knew that Starswirl's magic would be beneficial to his reign. So he let both Clover and Lyrica go free."

"However, Maaebjan was not an idiot. He knew that Starswirl was doing this so he could be close to him, so that he could betray and kill him when he got the chance. And indeed, this is what the wizard planned to do. So Maaebjan needed a way to brainwash his brother, and learned quickly of the perfect method. Maaebjan traveled to a far off land to seek out the assistance of the demon centaur Tirek and his brother Scorpan. He told Tirek of what he was trying to do, and how his brother aimed to kill him and take the throne. Tirek sympathized with Maaebjan and agreed to help, on the condition that when he needrd the favor returned, the king be there to do so. Maaebjan agreed to this, and so Tirek gifted to him the Dark Rainbows, the purest of dark magic birthed in the fires of Tartarus by the demon Cronus himself. It was the perfect weapon to stop Starswirl from ever being able to betray his brother."

"Upon his return to Equestria, Maaebjan used the Dark Rainbows on Starswirl. Their power was able to bring out the darkest evils of the young wizard's heart. His anger, greed, hatred, and more. It not only transformed his heart, but his body as well. Starswirl was no longer the wise young pony wizard. He had become a violent, terrible monster with strange magic the likes of which nopony had ever seen before. And though he had been turned to evil, he still knew who he used to be. All those memories remained in his mind, and haunted his dreams."

"Only a year later, Tirek and his brother Scorpan came to Equestria. Their plan was to take over the entire country, and steal back the Dark Rainbows, forcing Maaebjan into subservience. It was his way of forcing Maaebjan to pay back his debt. However, it was at this time that something miraculous and completely unexpected happened in Equestria. Maaebjan and Starswirl were preparing to completely take control of everypony in the land when two mysterious unicorns arrived. They showed prodigious magical ability and killed the king, as well as saved Starswirl from his dark madness. They didn't know that the spell they had used to cleanse Starswirl was temporary."

"During this time, Starswirl met Scorpan and befriended him. He managed to convince the beast to leave Equestria, though Scorpan could not convince his brother on this. So Scorpan went to find his friend, but Starswirl was gone. The spell that the two unicorns had used on him faded, and he returned to his monstrous other self, escaping deep into the Badlands. So instead, Scorpan sought out the two unicorns, and told them of Tirek's plans. With his help, they were able to send Tirek to Tartarus, imprisoned for eternity, and Scorpan left Equestria to return home. The two unicorns then decided to reveal their identities to the subjects they had saved from two tyrants in such a short time. They were Clover the Clever and Lyrica the Lovely."

"Prior to Starswirl's corruption, he had taught his student the exact spells she would need to defeat King Maaebjan, as well as how to banish somepony to Tartarus if needed; a fate he referred to as being worse than death. He had known that something like this would happen, and that in some way he would be unable to fight off his brother on his own. That day, something happened to Clover and Lyrica that nopony could have seen coming. For the first time in history, the full potential of a unicorn's magic was unlocked, and by two unicorns at the same time. Clover and Lyrica opened the floodgates and were overwhelmed by their newfound powers. This was something that even Starswirl had never been able to accomplish. Their new magic transformed their bodies, making them taller and more impressive than ordinary ponies. They also sprouted wings, becoming the first ever Pegasus-Unicorns, or what are now known as Alicorns."

"The ponies of Equestria hailed the two as their saviors, and honored them by giving Clover and Lyrica the thrones over Equestria. However, they believed that two princesses could not hold the names of peasant mares, and with the permission of the two sisters, gave them the new names that they carried for thousands of years after; Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."

"But Starswirl was still corrupted by the Dark Rainbows, and returned to Equestria to take it over. While both Celestia and Luna had unlocked the maximum magical potential that the two of them carried, they were still not strong enough to face Celestia's old mentor. Prior to being turned, Starswirl's magical powers was near the combined power of the two princesses as alicorns, and his corruption only increased his power exponentially. So the two sisters fled, and Starswirl took Equestria over, shrouding it in the effects of his unique style of magic. He utilized these powers to bring the spirit of his dead brother back from death, infusing it into a young, innocent stallion. Once more, Maaebjan was alive, but weak. Starswirl brought his spirit back, but not his magical power. However, because of the way he ressurected his brother, he knew that Maaebjan would be able to grow strong enough to regain his powers in time. So he made sure to keep his brother weakened, so that he would not be able to do anything to stop him. He then ruled Equestria with his brother by his side for many years."

"Celestia and Luna formed a rebellion, but every attack failed. They were prepared to give up when they happened to stumble upon the legendary Tree of Harmony, a magical plant that was said to hold the most powerful magic of all. No pony had ever been able to find it before, but they did. They harvested the Elements from the tree and went to stage one last coup against Starswirl. Maaebjan, still retaining his lust for knowledge, learned of this early on and managed to escape. The sisters then confronted the former wizard, who didn't take their threat seriously at all. Because of this, the sisters used the Elements of Harmony and encased Starswirl in stone."

"Wait...are you seriously saying..." Star starts, mouth hanging open and eyes widened more than they had ever been before. Behind her, all of her friends have the same reaction, having come to the same conclusion as her, and even Fluttershy is awestruck by this revelation. Discord simply nods sorrowfully.

"When Starswirl became corrupted by the Dark Rainbows, his brother gave him a new name. The wizard's magic had become strange and unique; powerful beyond reason, but seemingly unpredictable. Maaebjan decided to give him a name that would reflect those powers, and so Starswirl the Bearded became 'The God of Chaos' Discord."

The ten of them just stand there in shock and confusion. They just can't believe what they're hearing. Starswirl the Bearded, the father of the anthropomorphic spell and the greatest conjurer of the pre-classical era is Discord, the God of Chaos and Disharmony!? On top of that, Clover the Clever, the known apprentice of Starswirl and Princess Celestia are one in the same!? It's too much for them to handle, to believe. Though they try to deny it, they find that it makes sense. Everything Discord had just told them just seems to be perfectly reasonable, and the sincerity in his voice was clear the entire time.

But amongst the news of who Discord and Princess Celestia really are, they now know who Oblivion truly is. The Unicorn King mentioned in all the Hearth's Warming Eve pageants, father of Princess Platinum, and ruler of the Unicorn tribe prior to Equestria's founding. He was Starswirl's....Discord's brother, and talented in magic. A tyrannical king who made a deal with the Devil that turned his own brother into the mismatched creature that stands before them now. But there're still things they need to know. Revelations that Discord has yet to tell them.

"Do you know how your brother returned recently, and what the dark stars are?" Fluttershy asks him, weeping over his story and hugging him tightly. Discord weeps as well, but wipes away his tears to answer her question.

"I know little of what he has done since the time where I was encased in stone. And as of these past sixteen years, I have not left my thinking tree once, so I know little to nothing. I had not even known he had returned again until you mentioned it to me. I only know of what I heard Princess Celestia say back when she was still around. He would come again and again to try and take Equestria over, but was always defeated. He was never able to become strong enough to defeat the princesses."

So Fluttershy explains everything, telling him of how Oblivion had returned with the arrival of the dark stars, how he's been possessing ponies, and all that they have known so far. The others chime in to tell the draconequus about their theories on how Sevulva Star's ancestor created the dark stars when corrupted by Oblivion's influence. Star then approaches the former wizard and tells him what's happening now. How somepony is luring others into the Everfree Forest to murder them and devour the bodies. She tells him that Princess Aurora suggested that he help, being the only one strong enough at this point to stop Oblivion, who's power has grown too strong otherwise. But Discord shakes his head, insisting that because he has not used his chaos magic once in these past sixteen years, it won't be as strong as it used to be.

"I believe in you...Starswirl," Fluttershy tells him as she once again hugs her friend, showing how much she cares for him. The others smile and express their belief as well, knowing that if he was strong enough to break free of the evil that had been brought to his heart by the Dark Rainbows, he can certainly stop his brother from destroying the world, and for one day at least, become Starswirl the Bearded one more time. And with the encouragement and love shown by the ponies, Discord smiles and agrees to help them save Equestria.

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It's been a couple of hours since Discord had revealed he and his brother’s past to the ponies and Spike, and they still find it hard to comprehend. However, they know that right now the mission Princess Aurora had given them rings of a higher importance, and must be focused on it to carry it through. Following Discord agreeing to help them stop his brother, he had teleported them back to Ponyville and to the Princess Twilight Sparkle Memorial Library, where the eleven of them planned out their next move. It was Scatter Brain who took charge of the conversation that normally would be headed by Terra. He had suggested they split their group into two so that they could keep Ponyville safe and enter the forest as well. Everypony agreed with the plan, and split themselves up.

Discord, Fluttershy, and Bri decided to go into the forest to stop the cannibalistic pony who's lured many to their deaths already. Discord is the obvious one, being the only one amongst them to have the power to stop Oblivion. Fluttershy is going to guard them from any unruly creatures and animals, as she works best with them, and Bri was chosen because she holds the Silver Element, contained within a golden broach, the second most powerful of the Elements of Harmony, which could prove to be useful in their quest. Since then, the three have arrived at the forest and entered, the remainder of their friends back in Ponyville working to protect the citizens from the Agents of Oblivion sure to come.

As they get deeper into the forest, Discord looks down at Fluttershy walking in front of him and suddenly asks her, "So...how have you been?"

"Good," she replies, smiling back at her friend, "Star and my other new friends have made it easier on me to no longer remain a recluse. And Spike being here as well is just so nice. Now you're back too. It's just so wonderful!" The three of them continue on in near silence, only speaking up at certain points and for no longer than a minute each time. As they go on, Fluttershy comes across the paralyzed, but still living, body of a manticore she had once become friends with. The puddle beside it gave her all the information she needed, and they continued on with caution. However, the creature responsible for the paralysis soon arrived, and Fluttershy ordered her friends to shut their eyes as tightly as possible.

The basilisk, a giant serpent hatched from a chicken's egg, holds the power to cause death just by looking into it's eyes. However, if seen through a reflection, it only causes what is known as petrification. The serpent had indeed been nearby, and when it attacked, Fluttershy combated it. However, she herself could not do much, especially her stare, as if she looked into the creature’s eyes, she would die, even when using the stare. So the serpent wrapped itself around her body, constricting roughly and causing the mare to cry out in pain.

Peeking out slightly, Discord sees the sight and feels a rage boil up inside of him. Without even thinking about it, he teleports himself onto the basilisk's back, where he would have no way to stare into it's eyes. Opening his own, he begins to fight it away from Fluttershy, not bothering to use his magic, but rather his claws and talons. Eventually, the serpent throws Discord off, and once more goes for Fluttershy. This time the basilisk opens it's mouth wide, it's fangs glistening in the narrow streams of sunlight leaking through the thick trees. The only known cure for basilisk venom is the tears of a phoenix, and those are so rare that it's almost impossible to find them.

Desperate, Discord screams out, unleashing his chaos magic. It envelops the serpents body, which begins to tear itself apart atom by atom in the most painful way possible. Fluttershy opens her eyes as the basilisk screams out in terror, and freaks out. Tears stream down her cheeks as she begs Discord to stop, but he doesn't listen. The darkness in his heart, the evil that was forced upon him, takes over. His eyes turn from yellow to a deep red and with one clutch of his fist, the basilisk explodes into unexistence, the very fabric of it's body torn piece by piece in one instantaneous blast.

Dropping to a seated position, Fluttershy goes into an almost catatonic state of shock, not moving or reacting to what just happened. Yet the tears flow harder than ever. Discord's eyes return to normal, and it's almost as if he had done a one eighty. Mortified by his own actions, he looks down at his claw and paw and drops to his knees. Tears begin to flow down his face as well, and he tells his friend the only thing he can, "I'm...I'm sorry Fluttershy...I don't...I don't know what came over me."

Bri walks slowly over to Fluttershy and helps her up. The mare seems to be coming back to herself, and looks at Discord in terror. Her fear of him causes the draconequus deep pain, and he goes quiet as they continue on. Fluttershy trots along, knowing that he truly didn't mean to do it, and was only trying to protect her, but she can't help but fear the kind of power he has. To be able to systematically destroy a creature by tearing it's very fabric of existence to pieces in a way that makes it cry out in pain worse than anything else possible is the most horrific thing she's ever seen. She witnessed the death of her friend Applejack first hoof, and would rather see that over and over again for the rest of her life than relive what just occurred.

The three of them continue on, reaching a small clearing within the forest. A small hut sits there, seemingly abandoned. Bri breaks the silence of their group, asking them both what this place is. Fluttershy explains that it's a house that once belonged to Zecora, a zebra and friend of hers. She recently returned to her home country, and so her home in the forest was left as it is now. She remembers all the times she spent with Zecora in the past, and how she had only seen her only a few short times since she stopped being a recluse. She wishes she could have spent more time with her before she left.

"If the place is abandoned," Bri quietly says, "then why is there a light coming from inside?"

Fluttershy and Discord look over and see that a light is indeed shining out from the window. But this doesn't make any sense at all. She knows Zecora had left a couple of weeks back. She was there to bid her farewell before she boarded the train. If she had returned, she would have let her know. The three of them walk slowly up to the window and peer in over the bottom edge. Nothing is inside, no furniture or anything else at all. The only thing in there is a dark blue-coated stallion with blue and white striped hair. He talks quietly to himself with a manic expression on his face, and seems almost nervous and fidgety. Though they can't make everything out, they can hear him mention him say that the panic being caused is working, and then in a different, darker voice he replies to himself, saying that it's only going to get worse from here.

"Discord, can your brother communicate with those he takes control of telepathically?" Bri asks. Fluttershy looks to her friend as well, curious about this. Up until this point it's seemed like he just takes over their body, speaking through them. It'd make sense for him to be able to speak to them as well. Discord confirms this, saying that it's one of the forms of dark magic that Maaebjan had learned early on. As they discuss this, a blast of the very same dark magic suddenly bursts out at them through the window, shattering it and causing them to leap back in shock.

Having narrowly escaped the attack, the three of them ready themselves to fight back when the stallion leaps out of the window at them. He lands right in front of them, but stops there and doesn't continue the assault. Instead, a deep, maniacal laugh escapes him and in the voice they had heard him speak in at the EgT Incident, he tells them, "Your plans will fail, you know this, right? You and your five other destined friends cannot stop me, Joy." Then, looking to Discord standing there, glaring at him, Oblivion laughs through the pony's mouth and adds, "And Starswirl, you're here too. I'm not surprised that your heart would be tainted with the thoughts of friendship. You may have the most naturally gifted magical talent, but you were always were the weakest."

Not saying anything, Discord growls a little and stays his ground. Bri demands to know who this stallion is that he's taken over now, to which Oblivion laughs again and replies, "His name is Atticus Omundson. He's a nopony; a simple cabbage salespony from Saddlebrook, nothing more. His life is inconsequential."

"No, that is where you're wrong. Everypony's life means something Even the seemingly lowest of ponies are important," Discord tells him, "and it's always been your greatest weakness that you could never see that. You claim that my friendships make me weak? I learned long ago now that if my friendships are my weakest point, then I am stronger than you could ever be. Something I wish I would have learned when I was younger, before I became this monstrosity."

"So what are you going to do then, dear brother? Can you really stop me and risk hurting this pony? If he's as important as you claim, can you kill him to get to me? Are you strong enough?"

Gnashing his teeth, the draconequus growls at the laughing stallion before him. His brother is right, he can't do this. He already disappointed himself, and Fluttershy, once tonight when he murdered the basilisk. He cannot take the life of an innocent pony too. As he considers this, Atticus lunges forward, taking Discord by surprise. Controlled by Maaebjan, the stallion knocks Discord down, but both Bri and Fluttershy rush to rescue him, fighting the controlled pony off of their friend only to be thrown hard from a magical discharge. It's almost strange for them to see an Earth Pony using magic, but according to what Discord had told them back at the library, Maaebjan can channel his magic through his hosts. It's how Sevulva Star was able to use magic during the dark star incident.

Suddenly, Fluttershy gets an idea. She knows that Discord's magic cannot be combined with other magic, as it cancels or reverses it. This is something she's seen happen in the past, and maybe something that could come in handy now. Going over to Discord, who had been thrown by the evil pony, she tells him her plan, and with a smile, he whispers back that it might just work. Frustrated by their hushed conversation, the possessed stallion leaps at them again, only to suddenly be plowed into by Bri. Having unlocked the power of her Element, the energetic young mare launched herself at an amazing speed, colliding right into the villain’s side and sending him flying hard into a nearby tree.

"Do it now!' Fluttershy yells, and without a second’s hesitation, the draconequus teleports to right beside the recovering stallion, instantly beginning to charge up his magic for the final attack.

However, turning to face his brother, Oblivion speaks once more through Atticus' mouth, asking, "Are you going to let this silly little mare control you brother? She is weak, but you are strong. You are the greatest wizard in history, revered by the likes of Princess Twilight Sparkle! You have your own wing in the Canterlot Archives, and are hailed as a hero of Equestrian history! Join me, and you can create new history! You shall have freedom, you shall have power! You will never be forgotten! You will never be betrayed! But you will be immortalized!"

"I've betrayed my friends once before. I believed Tirek too when he promised he such things. Freedom, and power. I have both already. I have immortality as well. I was cursed with a body that will never age, with magic far beyond the capabilities of any pony. I got everything you say should make me happy. Since this happened, only one thing has ever brought me joy."

Looking back, he smiles at Fluttershy and continues, "My friends. Fluttershy, Twilight, the others. They believed in me when nopony else would. They forgave me when I betrayed them before, and I will never betray their trust again!" Screaming, he envelops the pony in his chaos magic. Oblivion let's out a scream, not of pain, but of terror. He knows what's happening, and knows that it's not just his brother cleansing this stallion of his presence.

"Stop it! Stop it now!"

"NO! I must stop you!"

"You'd be willing to put everything into this, to kill yourself, just for that!?"

That last statement from Oblivion captures Fluttershy's attention. Before she knows it, she's holding on to her friend and begging him to stop as her eyes are flooded with tears. Bri stands back, watching in disbelief at what's happening, and when she sees Discord give her a simple nod, she knows what she has to do. Despite Fluttershy's fighting, thrashing, and protesting, Bri manages to pull her away from her friend and hold her back. She begins to cry as well, knowing what's about to happen. This is the ultimate act of love. Not necessarily romantic love, but the unconditional love where one is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the friends they care for.

Turning around, Discord looks at Fluttershy one last time and asks her, "Are we still on for tea later?" and then, with one last push, his magic explodes. The two mares watch as Oblivion's essence leaves Atticus Omundson, sending the stallion flying off. It then evaporates in the air as Oblivion lets out one more cry of terror before becoming silent. The blast of magic encompasses the area, just enough to cover Discord but not reach the others. They watch as Discord's body shrinks, and Starswirl the Bearded returns to the world. But before anything more can happen, his body begins to tear itself apart, similar to how the basilisk had died, and before they know it, he's gone. The magic dissipates and silence fills the clearing. After an hour, the two mares depart from the scene in silence, the confused Atticus Omundson following behind them. However, as they reach the forest's exit, another stallion stands there in their way. A grey coat and a mane as black as night with dark blue highlights, the unicorn smirks at them with his glowing red eyes.

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Meanwhile, back at the Princess Twilight Sparkle Memorial Library, the other eight of them sit there patiently. Since Bri, Fluttershy and Discord had gone into the forest, they've been doing whatever research they possibly could on where the remainder of the Elements of Harmony might be, as well as any information they can find out about King Maaebjan and Starswirl the Bearded, now that they know the secret history behind them. They have no clue how long it's going to take their three friends to push Oblivion back and give them all more time to prepare for the final battle that is sure to come sooner rather than later. That's when Agellian suddenly notices something that seems off, and looking around the room for a minute or so, he asks the others, "Has anypony seen Devlin?"

"He told me that he had to go and meet his little sister," Star replies, "something about helping her out with something." Flipping through a book on famous unicorns of ancient history, she smiles as Agellian returns to his own pile of books. Suddenly, the front door to the library explodes inward. Everypony leaps to their hooves and stand back, preparing to fight anything that might walk through the open threshold. Almost instantly, a grey-coated stallion comes forth, trotting into the library with a cocky smile. Not a word passes over his lips as suddenly they're all enveloped in spheres of pure magical energy, at which point he takes them away, heading right back out of the library and away from Ponyville altogether. As they move along, a sudden voice rings out. Though loud enough to hear, it's quiet and weak. They recognize it though, from the EgT Incident. As they're taken away, Oblivion grunts out, "Bring them to me now Gumila, I need their power."

Preview for Episode 18
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I wasn't gone for long, where'd they all go? They didn't just leave. It looks like they were taken. Is this Oblivion's doing? Are they lost forever? NO! I have to find them! I must have the determination to rescue my friends!