Discord Arc: Crumbling Walls

“T-Trixie, what’s goin’ on out there?” Apple Bloom asked with a whimper.

Trixie’s voice shook a little as she spoke. “I-I don’t know, but I feel Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s life forces.”

“I ain’t felt anything like that before. Is that magic that’s makin’ my knees wobble?” asked Braeburn. “It’s like I got a ton of bricks weighin’ down on me all of a sudden.”

No sooner did he say those words when the group fell to their knees. Even Big Macintosh’s legs gave in despite his best efforts to remain upright.

“My wings feel heavy!” Scootaloo cried out. “What’s happening?”

“I can’t get back up!” Spike said as he struggled in vain to push himself up. His arms quaked a bit before buckling under his weight. He breathed a little harder as he lie on his stomach. “A-are we...under a spell...or something?”

“No, I-I don’t think so,” Trixie replied, struggling futilely to get back to her hooves. “I think we’re just feeling the side-effects of some very powerful magic from the Princesses.”

“Y’mean like...like being at the edge of a storm or somethin’ and feelin’ a really strong breeze?” Braeburn inquired.

“That...that’s actually a good analogy.” Trixie attempted to straighten her hat as she continued, “I think we’re being weighed down by the Royal Sisters’ magical energy. It’s so strong, it’s like physical weight for us.”

“My forehead hurts,” Sweetie Belle whimpered. She gazed at Trixie, hoping she could offer some way to alleviate her pain.

Trixie gave Sweetie Belle the most comforting smile she could muster while ignoring her own horn’s burning pain. As far as she could tell though, none of the others were experiencing anything like magically-induced headaches. Such was the price for being a unicorn.

“Don’t worry, Sweetie Belle. We’ll be alright, just...try not to think of it too much.”

“Trixie, are we going to be alright?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Another distant explosion could be heard behind the many layers of stone. Trixie flashed the younger unicorn what she hoped was a convincing smirk. She adjusted her hat again and spoke loud enough so that she could be heard over the rumbling of the stone walls. “Trixie will protect you, no matter what.”

This seemed to do little to calm Sweetie Belle down. She simply nodded and closed her eyes. “I wish Rarity was here.”

Apple Bloom sniffled quietly. “I-I miss Applejack.”

“Rainbow Dash...she...she would know what to do.” Scootaloo tapped the necklace of Loyalty with a hoof, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Rainbow Dash isn’t scared of anything...”

Trixie frowned sadly as she listened to the three fillies. She hated this feeling of helplessness. Wasn’t she supposed to be Great and Powerful?

So much for that... Trixie thought, shaking her head in shame.

A more masculine sobbing caught Trixie’s attention. She turned to her side, her gaze now resting on Spike, who trembled while the castle continued to echo with the explosions of powerful combat magic.

The young dragon was lying on his side, not too far from her, and had his tail tucked between his legs. His eyes were closed, tears streaking down his cheeks as he shook. Every so often he would let out a hiccuping sob.

“T-Twilight...” Spike sniffled. He pulled his tail in closer to his body and wrapped his arms and legs around it.

Trixie tried to reach out with a hoof to the frightened baby dragon. “Spike–”

Her words were cut off by the confident baritone of Big Macintosh, however. “Don’t you worry none, you four. We’re gonna be alright,”

The large stallion had a determined look on his face and faced towards one of the open windows. Even when pinned to the ground, he still looked as strong as ever.

“H-how do you know, Big Mac?” Apple Bloom asked with teary eyes.

He just smiled at his little sister. “I just do. Those girls are tougher than they look. Discord may be all magical, but he ain’t ever gone up against them before.”

“Well, he still hurt Rainbow Dash...” Scootaloo began.

“I know, but she gave him a real whoopin’ too,” Big Macintosh chuckled. “Those girls have helped Ponyville lots of times, and even defeated Nightmare Moon.” He gazed out one of the windows, but he didn’t appear to be focused on anything outside. “I ain’t gonna lose hope. You kids shouldn’t either.”

“Yeah...yeah, Twilight wouldn’t give up, either. She’d be telling us to keep pushing on,” Spike agreed. “You’re right, Big Mac.”

“Ya’ll need to remember, our princesses aren’t pushovers. They’re strong. Maybe not like I am, or like some big ol’ dragon, but they’re strong here.” He tapped a hoof to his chest, right over where his heart was. “They won’t go down that easy.

The magical weight pressing down on the group slowly faded away. Big Mac was the first to get to his feet, followed shortly by Braeburn and Trixie, then the three fillies and Spike. They all leaned on each other for support, doing their best to keep moving.

“We should probably leave the castle. Trixie doesn’t like the idea of being crushed beneath stone if another explosion were to cause a roof to collapse.”

“I have to agree with ya, Miss Trixie. Let’s find a way out of here,” Braeburn said.

Trixie looked up, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face. “Trixie isn’t sure where we could go from here, but perhaps we can find a safe building or an open area that’s far enough away from the castle.”

They made their way out of the corridor in little time, and soon found themselves on one of the far ends of the Canterlot Castle Garden. Orange sherbet covered the tall hedges that made up the maze-like garden of castle grounds, and there was a noticeable chill in the air.

“Great, now what?” Scootaloo asked no one in particular, her teeth chattering a little.

“Um, I think I can find us a way out of this garden,” Spike began. “I mean, I did live here most of my life.”

“Very well, Spike. Lead the way,” Trixie, waving her hoof forward.

Spike took a deep breath, and nodded to himself. He began his trek, hoping his memory of the expansive hedge maze would serve him well.

Luna took a few tentative steps back as the smoke and steam that surrounded her vanished. Celestia stood beside her while breathing heavily, her horn glowing a vibrant golden-white. The ground where her hooves connected to the floor cracked and turned a bright orange hue as smoke rose up from the tiling.

“Well, that was certainly an impressive show, Celestia, but I think you missed me.”

Discord stood unharmed in the center of the hall, casually studying his paw. On either side of him were the scorched remains of the corridor, the tiling and walls of stone now melted and charred to the point of becoming glass.

Celestia gritted her teeth. “Discord...”

“Sister, calm yourself,” Luna began. “You can’t lose your temper like that, otherwise you risk doing more damage to the castle.”

Celestia’s eyes rested on Luna for several moments, taking in her sister’s worried expression. She took in several deep, calming breaths. The smoke and steam stopped rising up from the cracked tiling, and the hall cooled noticeably. Once finished, she cast her gaze towards Discord once more.

“Better now?” Discord asked with a smug grin. “I don’t mean to change topic here, but your attacks really made some interesting changes to the halls here.” He chuckled a bit as he gestured with his taloned hand to the melting stone walls and glass. “Really, it’s like some new art style. Perhaps we can name it something like ‘Celestia’s Wrath’ or ‘The Tyrant Sun’s Temper-Tantrum’?”

Celestia ignored the verbal jabs. “He’s just as strong as I remember him to be.”

“We can’t attack him head-on, Celly.” Luna frowned as she channeled magic into her horn and flared out her wings. “He’s not going to take us lightly, either. He knows what we’re capable of in a fight.”

Discord, who had been listening to their conversation, nodded his head slowly. “Very good deduction, Luna. I suppose I am a little guilty for stepping up my game against you two, but can you really blame me?” He grinned at the two sisters. “I mean, I’m dealing with you, Miss Tall, Dark, and Mysterious, and Princess Inferno here.”

Luna and Celestia exchanged looks with each other. Several seconds stretched between them as they shared a silent conversation. They exchanged brief nods and made their move. Luna’s horn began glowing a dark blue, and she vanished in a flash of light. She reappeared beside Discord, spinning around quickly to buck him in the jaw.

“Oop!” Discord leaned back, avoiding Luna’s hooves. He stood back up, only for another flash of light to flood his vision. The next thing he knew he was facing Celestia. He raised both hands to his face a second before an invisible blast of telekinetic energy hit him, slamming him into a nearby wall. He landed on his feet and laughed. “Looks like you two are finished with the warm-ups, hm?” His face suddenly lit up as he chuckled. “Hah...get it? Warm-ups?”

Judging from the expression on her face, Celestia failed to see the humor in his joke. “Oh, come on, you have to give me that one! Just look at this place! The pun works perfectly with the setting!”

Celestia said nothing, and instead launched an arc of light at the draconequus. He smirked and took in a deep breath. He blew at the magical beam of energy, knocking it off course. It smashed into a nearby suit of armor, disintegrating it and leaving a scorch mark in its place.

Pop!

Discord whirled around and found Luna’s glowing horn centimeters from his face.

“Oh...”

Luna let out a battle-fueled cry as a large blast of blue-white energy exploded from her horn. Celestia covered her eyes as Discord vanished within the magical tempest that was her sister’s spell. The walls on either side of the corridor shook before finally giving in and crumbling, along with the roof above their heads. Celestia teleported next to Luna and raised a barrier over their heads, protecting them from being crushed beneath the stone and rubble.

Luna looked ahead, her brow covered in a thin sheen of sweat. She unfurled her wings and with a few flaps cleared away the clouds of dust before her. Celestia gave her a once-over, making sure she was fine.

“Are you okay, Luna?”

Luna gave Celestia a small smile, breathing a little heavier than before. “It has been some time since I unleashed such a spell, that’s all. I’m alright, sister.”

The stars twinkled brightly in the now visible night sky. Luna’s internal alarm clock told her it was not evening yet, and that the sun wasn’t supposed to set for at least another two hours. Likely Discord’s doing. Thinking of the draconequus made her return her attention to the piles of stone ahead of her.

A red tail with a white, furry tip was sticking out of a particularly large pile of debris. It twitched a few times before the stones covering it fell away. Discord quickly freed himself from the rocks and dusted himself off. The faintest of cuts littered his body, and the tip of his pegasus wing was singed. He shot an displeased look at Luna. “Well...I suppose I deserved that. I’m not sure how you managed to use such an old trick on me, but it won’t happen again.”

Both of his hands opened and closed a few times as purple and black flames appeared in his palms. He chuckled. “I designed this little trick just for you two. Let’s see how well you can handle it, shall we?”

Discord chucked one of the balls of purple and black flame at Celestia, who quickly raised a barrier of white light around Luna and herself. The fireball impacted with the shield, and for a moment was held in place by the magical shield. Then, the fireball slowly grew in size as a hole began to form in the magical barrier.

Celestia’s eyes widened, and she and her sister ducked as the large ball of fire soared over their heads. The fiery projectile smashed through the other end of her barrier and collided with a ruined stone wall, scattering bits of rock and dust.

The two sisters looked back up to see Discord cackling with a giddy smile. “Ohohoho, it works even better than I thought it would! Hm, I didn’t expect the smell of grape soda, though.” He sniffed the air and snickered. “No matter. Here, catch!”

Discord snapped his empty hand, and several dozen more of the purple and black fireballs appeared in the air around him. Celestia and Luna both took a step back.

“Luna...”

“Right...”

Discord cackled and threw the remaining fireball in his hand. Several fireballs followed after it, all of them flying straight for the two alicorns. Celestia and Luna disappeared in a flash of light seconds before the balls of arcane fire crashed into the ground. The remaining tiled flooring erupted in dark flames and quickly vanished, leaving a scorched and smoking spot of earth in its place.

Luna reappeared on a toppled statue of her sister while Celestia flashed back into existence above her, wings flapping lazily as she hovered.

“We can’t let those flames touch us,” Celestia stated as she watched the purple fire die out.

“They’re worse than those parasprites from the Everfree.”

Celestia had to agree with Luna on that one. “Yes, but it seems they only burn away the first thing they come into contact with. We need to use that to our advantage.”

The two were forced to end their conversation as more of the dark flames flew towards them. Luna ducked low before dashing forward, horn glowing brightly as bolts of lightning shot out from it.

Discord smirked and launched a single fireball at the bolt of magical electricity. It connected with the lightning, and for a brief moment the two spells were halted in a stalemate for power. Eventually the fireball began to swell in size while the bolt of lightning quickly vanished. It was as if it had simply been absorbed by arcane fireball, like water into a sponge. The fireball quickly resumed its trajectory, skimming Luna’s side and singeing her coat. She hissed in pain, and applied a quick spell to ease the burning pain. With the pain numbed she continued her charge towards Discord.

Meanwhile, Celestia was diving, rolling, and ducking as fireballs continued to fly at her. She forced herself to remain focused on the fight, and not just Luna. Celestia knew Luna was brave, often to the point of being recklessly so. There was a chance that Luna may end up getting severely injured while trying to take down Discord.

Celestia wouldn’t let that happen, though. Not if she could help it.

She rolled to the side before righting herself, and flapped her wings hard and dove down at Discord. The draconequus stood in place, purple flames orbiting around him as he watched Celestia with a confident smirk.

Celestia shot out a large missile of light from her horn. The blazing orb of light roared towards Discord, who had yet to show any concern for the incoming projectile. He idly picked at his ear with a pinky talon, and let out a yawn.

A loud humming emitted from the blast as it crashed into Discord seconds before it exploded, forming a large dome of light that engulfed Celestia’s vision. She squinted her eyes and focused magic into them. The rose of her irises became an opaque white, and she looked into explosion once more, her vision now magically protected from the blinding light.

Discord had not moved from his spot. In fact, he seemed to still be standing exactly as he had been several moments ago before the blast hit. Surely he would have been harmed by her magic.

Unless...

“Celly, behind you!”

Celestia instinctively ducked as a red, scaled tail swept through the air where her head had been seconds ago. She dived down a few feet and spun around to face Discord. His arms folded and he looked down at Luna with disappointed expression on his face.

“I’ve said it before, Luna, you’ve always been a bit of a party-pooper,” Discord grumbled. “It’s not like Celestia would be harmed that much from a sneak atta–”

The draconequus’ never got to finish his thought. Celestia had quickly teleported behind him and tucked in her hind legs, kicking him from behind. The force of her kick created a pulse of light from the point of impact, which briefly lit the night sky.

Discord wailed as he was sent through the air, spinning head over tail. He hit the ground, bouncing once and then crashing into a toppled statue of a pegasus. He got to his feet quickly and snarled.

“Alright, Celestia, looks like I have to remind you who is the stronger one here!” He growled as he directed his gaze to the Princess of the Sun, who was still pursuing him.

Discord hopped into the air and kicked out with his goat hoof, barely grazing Celestia’s face as she rolled to the side. Smirking, Discord grabbed her by the tail with his lion paw and yanked hard. Celestia cried out in surprise, then found herself being spun around like a lasso. Discord let go once he had reached an optimal speed, sending her into a tree that snapped in two like a plank of plywood.

“Celly!” Luna called out.

Discord quickly covered the distance between Luna and himself. He slammed down with his tail, his scales brushing against her starry mane. Luna got back to her hooves and rose up on her back legs. She punched out with her forelegs, catching Discord in the jaw with her left while her right was caught by his eagle talon.

Finding her opening, she caught his taloned hand with her other foreleg, putting him in an armlock. Using his weight for leverage, she leaped into the air and caught him in the side of the head with her back hooves.

Crying out in pain, Discord flew through several hedges and into a ruined garden wall several yards away. Wasting no time, Luna pushed off the ground and charged up a ball of magic at the tip of her horn.

“Graaaaagh!” Discord pushed off the stone ruins with a mighty heave, then lashed out with his tail once more. This time, however, it stretched out. Luna gasped, not expecting the long-ranged attack. She lifted higher into the air, dodging the tail by a hair’s breadth. She gazed down at the tail, and smirked.

Another opening!

Luna wrapped both forelegs around Discord’s tail, then pushed down with her hind legs, slamming it into the ground. Hard.

Discord let out several colorful curses as pain jolted up his tail. He cried out a second and third time as Luna slammed down harder into the ground, pleased to see bruising develop already.

“You’ll pay for that!” Discord shouted. Thrusting his lion paw forward, he pushed Luna away with a blast of invisible force. She quickly righted herself, giving Discord a triumphant smile.

“That’s what you get for being reckless, Discord,” Luna chided.

Discord simply grumbled, cracking his knuckles as his tail retracted back to normal. He gave the injured spot a pained frown, then directed another glare at Luna. “Like I said...a real party-pooper.”

“Yes, but she is pretty good at creating distractions, too.”

Discord felt a tingle run down his spine. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder to see Celestia’s horn glowing a bright orange. Her mane was flickering like flames from the hottest fire, and her eyes were glowing pure white.

“Fool me twice, shame on me...” Discord muttered.

Luna felt a wave of heat roll over her as Celestia blasted what could only be defined as plasma from the Sun itself at Discord. She heard a pained howl from within the din of fire, but could see nothing.

The blast dissipated quickly, and Celestia stood, poised and ready for a counter. Several yards in front of her was Discord, a large dome of yellow light surrounding him. His hands were stretched out to either side, and he was breathing hard.

“Not bad...had I not put up this little barrier of mine...well....” Discord chuckled. “Let’s not discuss what could have been.”

The barrier vanished from sight, and Discord hopped back several times, putting a dozen yards between him and Celestia. He snapped his fingers, and the worst of his injuries became healed. Burnt fur and feathers were replaced, bruises vanished, and the sound of several bones realigning themselves could be heard. He flexed his hips and neck a bit, then got into a ready position. “Right, where were we?”

Luna teleported to Celestia’s side, glowing a dark blue aura. The two sisters quickly took to the air, stopping after reaching several hundred yards in altitude. Celestia followed her sister’s actions, gaining a white aura that intermingled with Luna’s. The two magical forces began to coalesce into a single aura that swelled in size before dwarfing the castle below.

“Oh dear...that may be a little much for me,” Discord thought aloud. He took a step back, intent on putting some more space between him and the magical attack that the two sisters were preparing...

...only to find himself stuck in place.

“What?” Discord looked down to his feet to see several glowing runes of vibrant blue surrounding him.

Luna! Discord growled in frustration as he strained to move his feet. No dice. He snapped his fingers in an attempt to teleport away. Still nothing. Curse that sneaky little foal to the darkest depths of Tartarus!

He had no one to blame but himself. He had been imprisoned in stone because of a similar mistake on his part. Celestia had taken the stage in their fight with her powerful and dazzling display of magical prowess while Luna had subtly laid out a trap to keep him from making any attempts at evading when they imprisoned him with the Elements of Harmony. He was powerful, yes, but even he couldn’t break an ensnaring spell cast by Luna without several minutes to spare.

Judging from the pulsing aura of blue-white, he was pretty sure he had less than two minutes. He needed to buy time.

“My word, girls, do you plan to actually destroy me?” Discord chuckled loudly. “You know even I wouldn’t be able to withstand a combined attack from you two.”

No reply was given from the two.

Drat, it looks like they’re serious here...

Discord had no alternative. He would have to match their power.

Focusing magic into his two palms, the ground around him began to shake. Black lightning crackled from his palms as he clapped them together. He growled as raw, chaotic power coursed through his veins and into his interlaced fingers. He smirked as the two sisters remained in place. The magical aura surrounding them had stopped growing, and was now pulsing at a steady rate.

Discord’s eyes narrowed as he continued to channel energy into his spell. Your move, girls...

Fluttershy was trembling while her hooves refused to move from their spot on the ground.

“Come on, Fluttershy! I’m right here with you! I promise I won’t leave you, but you gotta keep moving!” Pinkie Pie wiggled her tail left and right several times to emphasize her point.

Fluttershy remained glued to her spot. “N-no, I-I can’t. The plants...the animals...they’re so...they’re so frightened, Pinkie,” she whispered the last part as she looked up to the bright, glowing ball of light formed by the two sisters. Pinkie and Fluttershy had been moving through the orange sherbet-covered garden of Canterlot when the night sky had lit up with a bright blue-white glow that not even the brightest of full moons could achieve.

Pinkie frowned at her timid friend and walked up so she was right beside her. “I know it’s scary...but that’s Celestia and Luna up there.” Pinkie smiled brightly as she looked up to the brilliant light. “They’re trying to protect all of us from that big old meanie Discord, remember?”

Fluttershy whimpered. “I know, but...Discord...he’s getting stronger, Pinkie. I...I’m worried about everypony in Canterlot...a-and about Ponyville...and all of the plants and animals, and...and Luna...” She sniffled a little. “Oh Pinkie, why did this have to happen? We never did anything bad to Discord, did we?”

“No, but sometimes ponies...or...well, draconequuseseses...er...whatever they are, get angry about something that happened in the past, and don’t want to let go of it,” Pinkie explained. “Holding a grudge is never a good thing to do, but everypony does it sometimes. Someponies just...hold theirs longer than others.”

“I don’t think Discord’s angry, Pinkie Pie. I think he’s enjoying all of this.”

Pinkie’s smile drooped. Fluttershy was right, at least to a degree. She didn’t get it, but Pinkie could sense it; Discord was having fun doing all these horrible things to Equestria. It seemed to all just be a big game to him, and he just wanted to win. Pinkie loved games, sure, but only games that others liked playing as well.

This wasn’t that kind of game.

“I...I don’t know why he’s like that, Fluttershy. Not everyone can be nice, I guess.” She sighed deeply.

“I really don’t...” Fluttershy paused, her ears flicking a little. She turned to a random direction of their clearing in the garden maze, only to see a familiar pony walking past them. “Rarity!”

The Princess of Beauty looked up, startled by Fluttershy’s voice. “Oh, girls, I was looking for you!”

Pinkie and Fluttershy met Rarity halfway, and the two shared a brief group hug. Fluttershy spoke first. “Rarity, are you alright? Oh, it must have been scary, going by yourself through this garden with all that fighting.”

Rarity smiled a little. “I’m fine, and my mother is safely outside of the castle ground with Captain Lily Wing and some of our finest guards protecting her. If only I could say the same for Sweetie Belle and the others...” She scanned the hedges around her for a moment and sighed. “Have either of you seen anypony else?”

“Nope, it’s just been Fluttershy and me since we were separated by Discord. Even Fluttershy’s really cool nature-sense powers couldn’t detect anypony nearby. We think it’s because Discord is making everything screwy, otherwise we would have found everypony else by now!”

Rarity shoulders and wings sagged upon hearing that. “Oh, I see. Well, I had hoped that I would perhaps find Sweetie Belle and the girls in the garden. I suppose that was a fool’s hope.”

“Don’t worry, Rarity, we’ll stick together and find everypony in no time!” Pinkie smiled brightly. “I know things are kind of bad right now, but they’ll get better, just you wait!”

“I don’t know, Pinkie, as much as I am a fan of optimism, I’m afraid that with our current situation that my supply of positive thoughts is rather low,” Rarity said with a worried look cast up towards Celestia and Luna. “I...I don’t know what I’d be able to do, but I just feel that I have to try and do something to help them.” She shook her head and returned her gaze to Pinkie and Fluttershy. “Now here I am...and I haven’t a clue as to what I can do to assist. In fact, I’m fairly certain that me helping them is more along the lines of what Luna had asked me to avoid. That’s mostly because of what I’m carrying with me, though.”

“What do you mean, Rarity?”

Rarity smiled at her two friends and channeled magic into her horn. With a sudden flash of light, a single glowing orb of pink formed before her. It slowly took a form, turning into a familiar tiara.

“Hey, that’s Twilight’s big crown thingie!”

“It’s a tiara, Pinkie, but I’ll let that fashion faux pas go for now considering the situation we are all in,” Rarity looked up to Luna and Celestia once more, her gaze becoming determined. “Both Celestia and Luna as well as Discord are charging up some powerful magic. I can feel it in the base of my horn.”

“Heheh, so that’s what I’m feeling! It’s kind of funny, I thought I got a new Pinkie Sense, but nothing happened so I was worried!”

Fluttershy cast another worried look up to the Royal Sisters. “I hope nopony gets hurt...”

“Fluttershy, darling, sometimes...sometimes ponies have to take action and do something that isn’t all that pleasant. Discord is a brute, and while I’d prefer for him to leave peacefully, he’s rather set in causing our kingdom havoc and chaos, no pun intended.” She smiled a little, hoping to reassure the timid alicorn. “I think the spell Discord cast over the area to confuse our senses is weakening since he has to devote more attention to fighting now. Perhaps if we try to help, we can stop things before they become too disastrous. I know Celestia and Luna would rather have us stay out of it, but I simply cannot stand aside and watch. The more I think about what he’s done, the angrier I get!”

Pinkie nodded. “I think so too, Rarity! Besides, if we don’t try and fix this, what kind of princesses would we be?” She bounced in place a few times before nudging a trembling Fluttershy. “Come on, Fluttershy. We’ll be with you the whole time.”

Fluttershy’s wings were tucked in close to her sides, and her knees quaked like leaves hanging from a tree in an autumn wind. She looked to her two friends, and noticed the confident smiles on their faces.

I guess as long as they’re with me...

“O-okay,” Fluttershy said, her voice barely above a whisper. “We’ll go...together.”

Celestia briefly glanced to her sister. Luna did likewise, and gave her a confident smile. Were it not for the ethereal light coming from her eyes, she would probably look rather adorable to the elder sister. “Don’t worry, Celly. I’m alright.”

Celestia returned her gaze to Discord. She cleared her throat and spoke, her voice like a roaring thunderstorm. “Discord! We have given you multiple opportunities to cease with this attack on our kingdom! You have claimed your intent to make this land your own and enslave it to your whims and chaos, but as Princesses of Equestria, it is our solemn duty to defend it at any costs!” The aura enveloping the two let out a high pitched hum, like a soprano vocalist was stuck on a single note, singing for all she was worth. “Now, face our judgment, Discord!”

Luna and Celestia wrapped their wings around each other, embracing tightly to provide each other support. Celestia gave her sister a nod, then cast her own glowing eyes back down to Discord. “Ready?”

“Always, Celly.”

The two sisters let out a battle cry as their horns blasted out twin beams of magical energy, their recoil pushing the two sisters several dozen feet further into the air. The two beams spun around each other before condensing into a single arc of magic.

Despite his current situation, Discord was cackling with mad delight. His clasped hands pulled away from each other and crackled as lightning arched up and down his arms. His eyes flickered white for a brief moment as he prepared himself.

“Time to end this once and for all, Celestia!” He opened his palms up fully. “Let’s see your harmony stand up to this!”

Both his palms shot forward as a dark lance of jet black electricity blasted out of them, arching up towards the sisters with incredible speed. The sky, lit up by Luna and Celestia’s combined magic, darkened once more with the emergence of Discord’s own menacing spell.

The two powerful spells crashed, sending forth a shockwave that shook all of Canterlot. Some of the weaker towers fell. Stone bridges around the garden area crumbled. Trees swayed violently from the magical storm.

Celestia and Luna strained to maintain their ground, pumping forth all of their charged energy into the beam of light.

“S-so strong!” Luna grit her teeth in concentration. Discord’s lightning was quickly pushing their own magic back.

“Don’t give up, Luna! Equestria needs us!” Celestia shouted above the din of noise and arcane power.

Luna’s eyes narrowed. Her horn lit up even brighter, and the beam of magic shooting down towards Discord grew even larger.

Meanwhile, Discord was finding his strength quickly fading. He had put a lot of his power into that attack, and even he had to recover from such a tremendous release of magic eventually. He growled as he tried to maintain his balance.

“This...would be...so much easier...if I could just...move my feet!” He grumbled, using his tail to prop him up and prevent him from falling back. The ground surrounding him and Luna’s rune trap cracked, blowing dust up into the air.

He had been careless. Taking on Luna and Celestia together had gotten him nowhere before. What did he think would change this time around?

Any progress he had made in pushing the sisters’ spell back had gone out the window. Their combined magical attack had doubled in size, and was steadily making its way back down to the earth now.

For the first time since he had first been imprisoned in stone, Discord felt a twinge of true fear. He couldn’t stop it. He couldn’t do anything!

“No...” Discord felt his fingers beginning to go numb. His arms shook as his vision became flooded with the bright light of his impending doom. “No...nonononononono–”

Discord’s cry of despair was cut off as the beam of magic made impact with the ground. It was as if a dozen volcanoes erupted at the same time.

The dome of magic expanded, swallowing up everything it touched without slowing down. It eventually came to a halt and released a powerful shockwave. Various bells in the castle rung as the ground shook. Birds in nearby trees took to the air, and the sky above looked as if it was going to be ripped apart.

As the city of Canterlot continued to shake, the dome of light slowly began shrinking down in size. By the time Celestia and Luna had landed back on the ground, the dome had shrunk to the size of a beach ball. It flickered a few times, then faded away without a sound.

“Did...did we do it?” Luna asked, beads of sweat lining her neck and brow.

Celestia shook her head, her own eyes squinting as sweat ran into them. “I...I’m not sure, but I think–”

“Celestia! Luna!”

Before either could turn around, the two sisters were assailed by two pink forelegs that wrapped around them, pulling them close. A sudden feeling of joy and relief invaded their minds, comforting the two exhausted alicorns.

“Hello, Pinkie,” Celestia said with a weak laugh. “I’m glad you’re alright. Why are you here, though?”

Rarity and Fluttershy were close behind the Princess of Laughter. Luna, without even thinking, freed herself from Pinkie’s grip and met Fluttershy, nuzzling her lovingly.

“Luna, I was so worried...” Fluttershy whispered with shaky breaths.

Luna pulled back and saw moisture building up at the corners of her eyes. Guilt washed over her, and she Fluttershy a loving peck on the cheek. “I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I never meant to scare you like that.” She nuzzled Fluttershy once more then pulled away. “Are you alright?”

Fluttershy only nodded, then wrapped her forelegs around Luna. “Don’t scare me like that again.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Luna replied.

Rarity stood at the edge of the smoldering crater that Discord had been standing in. She pawed at the ground a little before sniffing the air, detecting the faint smell of ozone. “My word, that was quite a spell you two used!” She turned to face the others, a small smile on her face.

Celestia gave Rarity a small smile of her own. “The powers of friendship and trust can do amazing thing when the moment calls for it, Rarity. Discord may have been powerful, but he only had himself to rely on. It proved to be his undo–”

Celestia was unable to finish her thought as an invisible force violently crashed into her. She spit up blood as she was sent flying into a pile of rubble.

“Celestia!” Luna cried out. She raced toward her sister, her instincts winning over her logic. She too was hit with an unseeable force, causing her to cry out and smash into a statue. The sound of ribs snapping could be heard as she fell limply to the ground.

Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie pried their eyes away from the two fallen sisters and directed their attention towards a figure standing on a pile of rubble. There, standing on shaky legs, was Discord. He took in large gulps of air, his lion’s paw thrust forward.

“That...hurt!” He shouted, his glare directed towards Luna and Celestia. He looked like he had seen far better days. His other arm hung limply at his side as though it were broken or dislocated. One of his eyes was swollen shut. His entire left side was scorched, hair still smoking from the sisters’ combined attack. Even his snaggle-tooth of a fang was chipped. He looked exhausted, but his anger seemed to be winning over the pain and fatigue at the moment.

Rarity took a step forward as Pinkie and Fluttershy stood in place, unsure what to do. Discord took note of this and managed to let out a weak chuckle. “So...what do you plan to do, Rarity? Give me a makeover?” He studied himself before smiling. “I suppose I’m due for one, aren’t I?”

Rarity turned to Fluttershy, her horn glowing for a moment. “Go. Both of you. Take Celestia and Luna out of here. Now.”

Pinkie frowned, then stepped forward as well. “No way, I’m not leaving you alone, Rarity.”

Rarity grit her teeth, but gave no argument. “Fine. Fluttershy, take these. Keep them safe.”

The horn on Rarity’s head pulsed with magic before Fluttershy’s own horn did likewise. Her eyes widened a little, and she nodded. She made her way towards Celestia and Luna, draping either of them as gently as she could over her back. Luna let out a whimper while Celestia made no sound. The elder alicorn sister’s breathing was weak, but she was alive.

“Wait, Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy was cut off by Pinkie Pie. She gave the party pony a curious look, only to have the Element of Laughter strapped around her neck by a bright pink aura of magic.

“Pinkie, I...” Fluttershy whimpered, but nodded. “Please be careful.”

Pinkie giggled. “You too! Do you remember what I said to do when things get scary, and you feel frightened?”

“Panic?”

Pinkie rolled her eyes. “No, you have to giggle! Laugh!” Pinkie answered with a bright, tinkling laughter. Fluttershy saw something in the pink alicorn’s eyes that was both comforting and worrisome.

Pinkie wasn’t afraid, not in the slightest.

“Pinkie...how?”

“How? I just keep the hope that everything will turn out for the best in my heart, that’s how! Now go on, we’ll take care of this meanie!”

“W-what if you don’t?” Fluttershy asked.

“Then it’s up to you, Fluttershy.”

Pinkie’s smile was warm and supportive. She gave Fluttershy a friendly nuzzle and turned around to face Discord. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy. No matter what happens, we’ll get the girls back. We just have to believe we can.”

“I...I’m not strong, though. Not like Applejack and Rainbow Dash. I don’t have lots of magical spells to use like Celestia, Luna, or Twilight, either, and I’m not brave like you or Rarity...”

“Sure you are! You came all this way to help Luna and Celestia, didn’t you? Aren’t you doing that right now?” Pinkie replied, turning to look over her shoulder. “Don’t forget, too; no matter what happens, we’re all connected to each other. You said so yourself that you could still feel Twilight after she had been beaten by Discord, remember?”

“Well, yes, but...”

“Fluttershy,” Pinkie cut her off. Her tone was unusually quiet this time, yet it still held that familiar cheerfulness. “I said we won’t leave you. I Pinkie Promise that we’ll stay by your side, through thick and thin. Okay?”

The corners of Fluttershy’s eyes were shining with moisture now. “H-how?”

Pinkie tapped a hoof to her chest, but said nothing further.

Fluttershy fought back the few tears, and gave Pinkie a quick nod. She strained only for a moment to move, careful not to jostle the two sisters on her back. After regaining her balance she ran off as fast as she could, deciding injury over something worse for Luna and Celestia was the best option.

Discord watched the Princess of Nature gallop away. He cursed under his breath and rose off the ground, intent on pursuing her. He was stopped, however, when Rarity and Pinkie stood before him.

“Oh, for the love of Chaos, not you two as well,” he groaned. “What are you going to do? Bedazzle me and dowse me in cake batter?”

“Hey, that’s not a bad idea!”

“Pinkie, focus,” Rarity chided. “You may not view us as much of a threat to your little usurpation of Equestria, but I can assure you that you’ll need more than a haircut and shampoo treatment by the time we’re done with you.”

“Hmph.” Discord rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’ll humor you.” He closed his eyes, grit his teeth, and with a sickening pop, forced his dislocated arm back into its socket. He rolled his shoulder slowly a few times, hissing in pain. He snapped his fingers once, and was enveloped in a brief white glow. Seconds later he stood before the two, looking as healthy as he had when he first freed himself from his statue prison.

“Well, that’s certainly a useful spell...” Rarity murmured, annoyance lacing her words. “Though, that healing spell must have taken quite a bit of your energy, didn’t it?”

Discord shrugged. “Perhaps, but I’m not telling.” He cracked his knuckles and smirked. “Now then, how shall we do this? You strike first? I make the first move?” He rolled his neck, getting out a few kinks. “It’s your call, girls. Just try not to disappoint...wait a second, where’s Pinkie Pie?”

“Wheeeee!”

Discord was suddenly blinded as two hooves wrapped around his face, covering his eyes. The distinct smell of cotton candy and flour filled his nostrils as he struggled to get the offending limbs off his face.

“Guess who, guess who!” Pinkie laughed.

“Pinkie Pie!” Discord growled.

“Oh, you’re good!” She pulled a creme pie out of nowhere, and slapped it into Discord’s face. She laughed as she let go of him, bouncing back as Discord’s tail narrowly brushed over her mane. “Heeheee, you missed me!”

“You little sugar-frenzied...” Discord formed a ball of lightning in his palm and chucked it at Pinkie. The smile on her face vanished as the crackling orb of electricity shot straight towards her...

...and was stopped by a large, red gemstone that easily weighed a dozen pounds. The ball of electrical magic sparked violently as it smashed into the gem, then fizzled out after several seconds.

“What?” Discord spun around to face Rarity, whose own horn was glowing a light blue while she held several other large gemstones in her telekinetic grip. Discord frowned. “No fair, that takes away all the fun.”

“Hey,” Pinkie cried out as she pointed an accusing hoof at Discord. “You were trying to hurt me really badly with that magic ball-thingy, weren’t you?”

“Well, you’re smarter than I pegged you for.” Discord grinned. “You’re correct, Pinkie. This is a game that I most enjoy; Dodgeball.”

Discord formed two more electrical orbs in his hands. Both split apart so that a smaller sphere was on the end of each of Discord’s fingertips. He chuckled while flexing his digits, his smile widening. “Now...dodge!”

Pinkie leaped away as two small electrical orbs crashed into the ground and burst apart, unleashing a volt of electricity and scattering what looked to be popcorn kernels that instantly heated up and popped.

“Pinkie!” Rarity gasped. She levitated two of her gems as quickly as she could towards the pink alicorn. The gems began to orbit around Pinkie protectively as she continued to evade Discord’s attacks.

Discord snarled at Rarity. “Stop that!” He flung a few lightning balls at her, only for them to be blocked as well by some well-placed gemstone shields.

“Well, I never!” Rarity’s eyes narrowed as she hovered seven gems before her, centering a large pink one while spinning the other six around it. She moved the floating mass of gems a little so that the moonlight shined through them, creating a beautiful, subtle display of scattered moonlight that lit the garden area up like a discotheque.

“Ohoh, let me guess, you wish to challenge me to a ballroom dance-off, right?”

Rarity cringed at the offer. “As if I’d ever dance with somepony as horrible as you!” The moonlight intensified within the six spinning gems, then redirected the light into the center gem. “A lady like myself would never stoop to your level. Honestly, dancing with such a cruel beast like you!”

Discord raised an eyebrow, noticing the sudden brightness emanating from the seven gems. He took a step back and smirked. “Well, what do you plan to do here?”

Rarity’s horn glowed brightly as the remaining light from the six gems was channeled into the pink gem within the center. It shined brightly, casting a soft, cooling light over the garden. “Watch and see, Discord!”

A flash of magic shot out from the center gem, fast as light itself. Discord barely had time to flex his fingers as he was hit dead center by the flashing light.

“Gyaaah!”

Discord was pushed back into a large knoll, sending dirt and frozen sherbet into the air. The light reflected off the individual flakes of the orange sherbet, creating the illusion of a light snowfall.

Rarity attempted to catch her breath. That attack had been an impromptu one, thought up on the spot and without any testing beforehand. Using concentrated beams of moonlight had been risky, but it seemed to have done the trick.

“Rarity, watch out!”

Pinkie’s warning reached her just in time. Discord fired a blast of lightning from the ruined knoll. Rarity raised one of her gems, this time absorbing the magic in a blue sapphire. She moved the pink gem from the center, replacing it with the sapphire, and quickly gathered moonlight once more while the lightning crackled within its gemstone prison.

Rarity let out a cry as she shot another blast of light at Discord. He had no time to get back to his feet as the blast of concentrated moonlight hit him square in the chest. He opened an eye only to see another blast of light heading straight for him. Then another. And another.

A thin sheen of sweat was forming on Rarity’s brow as she quickly cycled through her seven gems, floating one into the center while moving the others around it. She blasted volleys of light, each one differing in color from the next.

Discord found himself getting pummeled further and further into the dirt. Any time he managed to get back onto his feet he was quickly knocked back down by another offending blast of gemstone-fueled moonlight.

Pinkie watched as Rarity struggled to keep up the onslaught. Her stance wavered every few seconds, and her eyes were growing heavy. Pinkie turned her gaze towards Discord, who looked to be peeved more than anything else.

Rarity’s struggled to keep herself upright. The edges of her vision were growing dark, and she was fairly certain she could hear her own heart pounding in her head. Despite her fatigue, she could still sense Discord’s own power easily enough, and could tell that her barrage of magic was not doing nearly as much as she had hoped it would. Then again, concentrated moonlight probably wasn’t nearly as effective as concentrated sunlight.

If only Celestia were still able to move the Sun... She thought to herself.

Rarity noticed her world beginning to tilt, and she barely registered the fact that she was falling to her side. A soft cushiony surface caught her, and she vaguely registered the voice of Pinkie Pie calling her name.

“Rarity! A-are you okay? Rarity?”

“I’m fine, dear, just...please stop yelling so loudly. I’m right here, after all.”

Pinkie’s gaze turned from Rarity to the crumbling hillside that Discord had been knocked into repeatedly. She felt a sudden rush of anger and other similar negative emotions.

“Oh boy...looks like someone isn’t too happy right now...” Pinkie whispered. She lowered her horn so that it touched Rarity’s and channeled some of her magic into it.

Rarity’s drooping eyes suddenly snapped open fully, and she blinked several times. “I...oh my, that’s refreshing!” She shook her head a little and looked up to Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie, did you do that?”

Pinkie grinned. “Yep yep! A little spell Celestia taught me. I just channel some of my magic into you and give you a boost of energy. Pretty cool, huh?”

“Bravo, Pinkie, bravo. I was hoping to have a shot at Rarity, so I believe I have you to thank for that opportunity, don’t I?”

Pinkie and Rarity stood firm, neither flinching at the power flowing from the draconequus. Discord, who was now standing at the base of the knoll, had an unreadable look on his face. Pinkie, however, could still sense the anger boiling just beneath the surface.

“I’m not sure what it is about you ponies, but you all seem to value foolishness so highly. I daresay it’s a virtue among your kind.” He held up three fingers on his taloned hand. “Your two original rulers imprison me in stone instead of ending me for good. That’s strike one.” He ticked one finger off. “They make six innocent little mares a part of the ruling power of this land, and fail to inform them immediately about powerful beings, like yours truly.” He ticked off another finger. “That’s the second strike. However, the one that really takes the cake–you’re going to love this–is that two of those six new co-rulers are now trying to stop me when they both know they stand no chance against me.”

“We’re not scared of you! You’re just a big bully!” Pinkie retorted. “I mean, yeah, so maybe you have the right to be a little mad; I would be too. Still, you were being a meanie-pants before Celestia and Luna used the Elements to turn you into stone. Maybe if you listened to how the other ponies felt back then, and stopped casting all your random, chaos magic all over the place, maybe things could have been different!”

“Ugh, please, spare me the lecture,” Discord grumbled.

“No! You listen to me, Discord!” Pinkie stepped forward. “Right now, I’m feeling the emotions of hundreds of ponies right now! Some of them are confused, and some are even angry at you. You want to know what most of them feel right now, though?”

“Not really, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell me anyway.”

“They’re scared!” Pinkie shouted. “They’re scared, crying to their parents or their special somepony, wondering if they’re going to be hurt, or worse!”

Discord, despite his lack of concern for Pinkie’s lecture, felt a sudden stab of guilt wash over him. He felt fear, worry, and even shame. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts of the feelings that had attacked his mind. He stared at Pinkie for several moments, and she did likewise.

“Hm...so you’re capable of projecting emotions too, are you?” He smirked. “Clever little trick, but it’ll take more than a little guilt trip to make me crack, Pinkie.” He got into a ready stance. “So then...let’s start round two, shall we?”

Pinkie didn’t move, nor did Rarity.

“Hm?” Discord quirked an eyebrow. “Oh, come now. Don’t disappoint me so easily. At least make this somewhat worth my time.”

Rarity cast a nervous look to Pinkie. “Darling, I don’t think we have a choice. I’m afraid we will have to get physical. As much as I hate fighting, I don’t think we have a choice.”

“I’m not going to fight him the way he wants, Rarity,” Pinkie replied. “We’re going to settle this Pinkie Pie style.”

Pinkie’s eyes suddenly lit up the same way Luna and Celestia’s did. Discord’s vision began blurring, colors bleeding into one another. His vision went dark for a moment, then returned. He found himself standing in a large, open plane. The ground was checkered pink and purple, and every so often an random object would float by, from a dancing buffalo to an Ursa Minor playing a baby grand piano. The sky was a pea green, and the clouds varied in hue. Occasionally a cloud of cotton candy would float by, dumping a torrential downpour of chocolate rain and causing oddly shaped flowers and plants to grow up from the ground.

“So...we’re in my mindscape, are we?” Discord turned around to see Pinkie Pie standing before him. “Hello, Pinkie. I suppose I should be a little more shocked to see you here of all places, but...well, it is you who I’m talking to. Go figure.”

“Well, what did you expect?” Pinkie asked, the friendliness gone in her voice. “I said we’re going to settle this my way.”

Pinkie closed her eyes, and everything suddenly froze in place. Discord felt as though he had been hit in the back of the head with a brick, and fell onto his hands and knees.

“Gah! Wh-what are...?” He glared up at Pinkie, then smirked. “Attacking my mind, huh? Hahaha...little filly, you picked the wrong Spirit of Chaos to mess with.”

The world suddenly melted away. The ground was replaced with a bright field of grass and flowers. Balloons filled the air while trees were decorated in streamers and other party decorations. A jovial, upbeat tune could be heard all around, and distant mountains resembling gigantic cupcakes lined the horizon.

Pinkie gasped. “H-how did...how did you?”

“Come now, Pinkie Pie. You think you’re the only one who knows how to enter someone’s mind? I must admit, for a greenhorn you did pretty well,” Discord began. His smirk grew into a menacing grin. “However, you forget who you’re up against.”

A bolt of black lightning struck the ground, and the smell of burning cake wafted into the air. Pinkie screamed in pain, falling onto the ground and clutching her head. She shook her head once and wiped away a few tears. “Hah...hah...wow, that was a real doozy!”

Once again they were in the chaotic mindscape of Discord. A random boulder flew by, and Pinkie caught it with her magic. She gave flung it at Discord, who dodged with a simple snap of his fingers and flash of teleportation magic. The boulder crashed into a statue of Discord, then into a pile of cookies, then exploded into a swarm of parasprites and confetti.

Pinkie winced a little, Discord noted. He rubbed his right temple and grumbled. “Nice shot, but it looks like you took some damage as well with that attack. A bit reckless, don’t you think?”

Pinkie called forth a dozen cupcakes from out of nowhere while Discord summoned an inside-out umbrella. Pinkie launched the cupcakes at Discord, who held his umbrella out in front of himself like a shield. Discord was knocked back as the cupcakes exploded, blasting frosting in every direction.

Pinkie flared out her wings and launched herself forward. She produced a large pie in one hoof and chucked it at the recovering draconequus. Sensing the incoming attack, Discord lifted a hand and halted the pie in midair, then spun it around and tossing it towards Pinkie. She gasped right before getting hit in the face with the pie and falling to the ground.

Pinkie quickly got to her feet and licked away some of the blueberry pie filling from her face while wiping the rest off with a hoof. “Mmm! Yummy!”

“If this is seriously all you have to offer, Pinkie, then I’d rather you just end it now. It’s embarrassing, and while far more interesting than what Rarity was attempting, not really much of a challen...oh, now what in the Maw of Tartarus is that supposed to be?”

“My Party Cannon,” Pinkie replied, now leaning against a bright blue cannon with purple wheels that had white daisies decorating them. “Watch this!”

Pinkie pushed a hoof down on the spot that held the cannon’s wick. The cannon seemed to suck in the air around it, then let out a loud boom unfitting for its size. Confetti and streamers blasted from the small cannon, smacking into Discord with force far greater than anticipated. He bounced several hundred yards before smashing into a large vat of whipped cream.

“Whooaaah, I never saw it shoot like that before!” Pinkie laughed a bit, giving her party cannon an affectionate pat.

The vat of whipped cream began to tremble, then cracked down the sides and exploded. Discord’s arms and wings were spread out as he let out a cry of frustration and anger. He settled his gaze on the pink alicorn and snarled. “That’s it! I’ve had enough of you!”

Discord summoned a pickaxe in his lion’s paw and slammed it into the ground and creating a large fissure. He grit his teeth in pain while Pinkie screamed and fell to the ground once more.

Chuckling, Discord discarded the tool and flew at Pinkie. He spun around once, intent on smashing his tail into the injured pony. Pinkie rolled to the side and landed back onto her feet. She charged magic into her horn and blasted a pink bolt of energy at the draconequus. Discord spun around once more, deflecting the blast with his tail, which flew over the horizon.

“Well, you’re just as stubborn as the others, aren’t you?” Discord raised a hand, catching Pinkie in a telekinetic grip. “Perhaps not as stubborn as Applejack, but definitely a close second.” He watched as Pinkie struggled in vain, her hooves waving in an attempt to free herself. He sighed, then took a step back. “I suppose being a princess of something that comes from the mind, I should have expected a mental battle. Honestly though, your attack was pointless.”

“At least I tried,” Pinkie grinned.

“Still grinning. You really are an odd pony, Pinkie Pie. Despite being my favorite of the six Spirits of Harmony, you’re also unbearably cheery.”

“Somepony’s got to be. Besides, what’s wrong with being cheery?”

“There’s a point where it’s pointless to be positive about something. Sometimes you just have to accept defeat, like right now.”

“Why?” Pinkie asked. “That just sounds like you want me to be a quitter. There’s still hope, and even if you beat us, somepony will stop you.” Pinkie smiled. “You want to rule a kingdom, but the only way to rule properly is to listen to your subjects. You don’t.” She stretched out a hoof and pressed against Discord’s nose. “No matter what, you’ll never beat the pony spirit. Somepony will stand up against you, and then others will join that pony.”

“You honestly think a bunch of ponies can beat me? Look at what I’ve done to Celestia and Luna, and all of your friends. What could a bunch of simple little ponies do that eight alicorns couldn’t accomplish?”

“I dunno, but I bet it’d be pretty neat!”

Discord rolled his eyes. “I grow tired of this. Arrivederci, Pinkie Pie!”

Discord spun around, slamming his tail into Pinkie. She flew through the mindscape, smacking into something hard, and crashing through it like a pane of glass. She fell through the supposed barrier and into what could only be described as a dark void. As mental exhaustion began to catch up with her, she felt a comforting warmth spread through her. Several familiar life forces touched the back of her mind, lives she recognized clearly. She chuckled to herself, wondering if she was dreaming. That’d be silly, dreaming in her own mindscape. She’d have to ask Twilight if she had a book on dreams and see if that was possible. In fact, she was pretty sure she felt Twilight nearby.

I wonder how she got into my mind. Maybe she knows a spell like I do, too! I wonder what her mindscape is like! Maybe it’s got lots of books...oh, oh! Maybe it’s a big library full of books...no, no! It’s a book fort! Yeah!

Rarity watched as Pinkie collapsed before her. She had no idea what happened, but it had only been a matter of seconds as far as she could tell. She had felt a subtle flow of magic from Pinkie Pie at one point, but saw nothing to indicate a spell had been cast. Pinkie and Discord had gone quiet for no more than ten seconds before Pinkie collapsed to the ground.

“Pinkie! Are you alright?” Rarity nudged Pinkie with her muzzle, getting no response. “Pinkie? Are–ah!”

Pinkie was enveloped in a bright light. Rarity watched at Pinkie’s body suddenly vanished before her eyes, leaving no trace that she had been there other than the imprint she left in the frozen sherbet.

“P-Pinkie?”

“Ugh, I’m glad to be done with that little bout.”

Rarity spun around to face Discord, who was shaking his head. “What did you do with her?”

“Hm? Oh, you’re still here? Well, I suppose it probably wasn’t that much time for you, was it?” Discord waved a hand dismissively. “I defeated her. She tried to beat me in a mental battle, but failed, of course. Bold move on her part. Incredibly stupid, but bold.”

Rarity felt hot tears running down her cheeks. “How...how can you be so...so casual about all this? You hurt my friends! You could care less about how the weather is affecting the land, and you even enjoy the grief you cause us all!”

Discord yawned.

“I have never, in all my years, met a crueler character than you! Have you no guilt? No shame for what you’ve done?”

“What can I say? It’s what I do,” Discord answered.

Rarity slammed a hoof down to the ground. Dozens of gems popped up from the ground and spun around her. The expression on her face was grim and alien to her normally smiling face.

“Hm? Oh, don’t tell me we’re going to go through this little number again,” Discord sighed. “Rarity, dear, it was a noble effort, but your spell did little more than hurt my pride. Give it up.”

“Don’t you ever call me ‘dear’ again, you vile wretch!”

Discord was forced to jump back as several gems cut through the air, embedding themselves into the ground. He was given only seconds to gain his balance as a dozen more grazed his chest. He leaned back as a single gem clipped his beard clean off.

“Cutting it a bit close, aren’t–gaaah!”

A gem flickered past him, cutting against his cheek and lip. Discord’s annoyance intensified as he glared heatedly at Rarity, who had yet to move from her spot.

“Fine, you want to play like that? Try this!”

Discord called up a large gemstone from the ground that was easily five times the size of any that Rarity held in her possession. He pointed towards Rarity, and the gem flew straight towards her, pointed tip aimed at her chest.

Rarity didn’t even blink as she sent forth several dozen more gems. The smaller gemstones clashed with the larger one, scraping and cutting against it. By the time it reached Rarity, it was only a fraction of its original size. Rarity tilted her head to the right and let it jam itself into a nearby boulder.

Discord’s fists shook as he continued to watch Rarity. She didn’t seem the least bit worried. It was insulting, really, watching some pony princess in charge of beauty, Generosity, and fine arts of all things show him up in a game of chicken with gemstones.

He growled, his teeth grinding together as he lifted both arms into the air. Hundreds upon hundreds of gems rose up from the ground, encircling Discord as he laughed maniacally. “So you can stop one! Big deal! How about hundreds of them?”

Rarity took a single step back, and called back all the gems in her possession. They orbited her protectively, spinning faster and faster by the second. She closed her eyes, but made no further movements, as though she were merely waiting.

“A fitting end to the Princess of Beauty. Being defeated by the very things she values so highly. The very things her special talent relates to.” Discord moved both hands forward. “Fare thee well, Rarity. May your vanity live on as a message to all ponies who stand up against me in the future!”

All at once, the gems circling around Discord moved. Rarity hopped back, landing on her back hooves. She spun around gracefully once, dodging several dozen gems with the ease of a ballerina on stage. Her wings unfurled as she lifted off the ground, evading two dozen more while her own gems deflected several more. She descended to the ground, landing as nimbly as a cat. She leaped into the air and performed three tight, mid-air spins, then landed on her front hooves. She cartwheeled left and right as gems missed her by mere inches.

All the while her eyes remained closed.

Discord found his patience wearing thin. Now she was dancing around his attacks, making it into a performance, as though she was mocking him.

Who does she think she is? Discord raised a hand, changing the trajectory of several dozen gems so that they would cut Rarity off in mid-flip. Instead of piercing her skin, Discord’s attack was cut off as her own gems met his, knocking them away. Rarity landed, raising one foreleg up and opening her eyes. The look on her face was one of placidity and control.

“You lack passion in your movements, Discord,” Rarity began.

“What?” Discord asked, not sure if he heard her right.

“Passion. You lack it in your movements, in your technique. You have the control and power, but you lack the soul that I have. These gems...they aren’t a weapon. They’re a part of me. An extension, if you will.” She lifted her nose in disdain. “You, on the other hoof, toss them about with little regard for their beauty. I selected each of the ones spinning about me carefully.”

“I doubt that. You called them up in the time it takes to stomp your hoof on the ground.”

“Well, to one who knows so little about gemstones, I suppose it would seem that way. For me, though, I only needed that amount of time to choose these perfectly shaped gems. I...oh dear, looks like one of them was scratched...hm...I suppose I could fix that on a later date, shouldn’t be too much trouble...” She returned her attention to Discord. “I suppose I’ve been dilly dallying long enough, hm?” She tapped her hoof twice on the ground. Several more gems popped out of the frozen ground, glimmering gently in the moonlight. “Let me show you how to do this properly.”

Rarity ducked under a sparkling barrage of gems and dashed forward. She was upon Discord in seconds, and lashed out with her tail. Discord dodged easily enough, but barely avoided the three gems that followed right behind her swiping tail.

“You could have returned and apologized,” Rarity began. “I don’t claim to have any real knowledge of what happened all those eons ago, but from what I know, Celestia and Luna were trying to protect Equestria from you.”

Discord snarled, lashing out with his tail. Rarity leaned to her side, moving just far enough to let the movement of Discord’s tail ripple against her mane.

“I imagine at one point you were a nice spirit. Someone who enjoys a good laugh as much as you do, even if it’s sometimes at somepony’s expense, must have some good in them.” Rarity flipped back with a flap of her wings as Discord flicked several gems over her head. “Celestia and Luna made it sound as if you were even friends at one point.”

“You know nothing, Rarity,” Discord retorted harshly.

“Perhaps, but I can tell that you did something that truly hurt Luna and Celestia. Celestia especially. She seems to have a strong distaste for you. I have never seen her so angry before, and while I’m not claiming to know her as well as Twilight or Luna, I know she has a deep well of patience. For somepony to drive her to that point...”

She spun around Discord, and reared back her hind legs in an attempt to buck him. He leaned away, landing on all fours and ducking under few gemstones. “She wasn’t the only one who was hurt all those years ago! I trusted her and Luna!”

“So you were friends!” Rarity smiled just a little. “There’s obviously some bitter feelings here.”

“Like I said, you know nothing of what happened between us all those years ago! Celestia is just full of herself if she thinks she and Luna are entirely innocent!” Discord was attacking wildly now. His strikes were sloppy, and he was missing by a wide margin.

Rarity was several feet away from Discord now. She paused, a look of understanding crossing her features. “...you loved her, didn’t you?”

Something in Discord snapped. He sucked in a deep breath, roaring out a cloud of bright orange flames. Rarity gasped and formed her gemstones into a wall to block the flames. She felt the heat rolling off of the gemstone shield. She broke out into a sweat within seconds. Her gems eventually cracked from the heat, and she was forced to leap away as the beautiful shield she had crafted gave way and vanished in the magically fueled fire.

Rarity lifted her hooves to shield her face from the hot air, gasping as she was knocked back by the intense flames’ heat. She rolled several times, getting to her feet and trying to regain her bearings. Discord was already in front of her though, which she realized too late as his tail wrapped around her neck.

“Do you enjoy making accusations about someone you barely know?” Discord hissed, tightening the grip around her neck. “I could snap you like a twig, you know. If I truly wanted, I could destroy this entire castle with a snap of my fingers. It’s hard not to sometimes. When a giant is facing off against insects, you would expect some casualties.”

Rarity tried to speak, but her voice only came out as a choked whisper.

“What was that?” Discord asked, lifting her up so she was directly in front of him. “I’m afraid you’ll have to speak up, darling.”

Rarity smiled, and lifted a hoof, pointing it behind him. Discord turned his head, only to be met with the view of hundreds of floating gemstones. Rarity’s horn lit up, and the brightly colored gems began to spin around both of them. It was a vortex containing every color of the visible spectrum. The space between them and the razor-sharp gems began to slowly shrink, Discord noted.

“You’re insane...” Discord said, uncertainty in his eyes.

“No,” Rarity whispered. “I’m just...vain...” She struggled to speak, Discord’s tail still constricting her throat tightly. “I...want to go out...in a dazzling display...” She chuckled a little as the gems came to an abrupt halt.

Discord let go of Rarity as the gems flew towards the center. He snapped his fingers and teleported from the soon-to-be epicenter of Rarity’s last resort attack. Appearing several yards away, he watched as debris and orange sherbet scattered into the air from the impact of hundreds of gemstones crashing into the ground.

Gems crunched beneath his feet as Discord approached the unconscious form of Rarity. Bruises were already visible on her body, but he didn’t spot a single puncture wound or even the slightest cut. Perplexed, he looked at the gems, then at their position in relation to Rarity.

She never intended to kill him, he realized. She had aimed all the gems perfectly so that the flat sides would impact, causing pain to be certain, but nothing that would likely cause a mortal wound. In fact, she herself was still breathing, although her breaths were shallow and weak.

“You were too soft,” Discord commented. Placing his lions paw on her head, she vanished from sight in a similar fashion like Pinkie Pie did. He flexed his hand a bit, then looked to the far end of the gardens where he remembered watching Fluttershy gallop to. She had taken Celestia and Luna with her, as well as the remaining Elements of Harmony.

“Five down, three to go.”

With a snap of his fingers, Discord vanished from sight.

Sweetie Belle stopped for a moment, feeling a chill run down her spine that wasn’t from the cold of the sherbet-covered ground beneath her hooves. She tried to suppress a shudder.

Apple Bloom was the first to notice. “What’s wrong, Sweetie Belle? Are ya cold?”

“N-no...I just...got a weird feeling all of the sudden,” Sweetie Belle replied.

“A weird feeling? Like what?” Scootaloo asked.

“I...I don’t know how to explain it. My stomach got all knotted up, and I felt a weird chill run down my back.” She looked off in a random direction. “I...I think Rarity’s in trouble.”

“You don’t think that Discord...?” Scootaloo began, but a gentle hoof touching her shoulder gave her pause. She looked up to see Big Macintosh shake his head gently. Her ears folded back, but she nodded, and remained quiet.

“Spike, you said you know the hedge maze fairly well, correct?” Trixie asked, turning to the dragonling. “Because Trixie certainly has no clue where we are right now.”

“Um...I sort of know the garden maze. I mean, I used to play hide and seek with Princess Cadance and Twilight in here, though usually I got lost and the Royal Guards would have to find me,” Spike answered, a sheepish smile forming on his face.

“So we’re lost?” Braeburn dared to ask.

Spike chuckled. “Um...my bad?”

Trixie sighed deeply. “Well, this is just wonderful. Canterlot’s throne is under usurpation, the weather is completely messed up, and now we’re lost in a maze of sherbet-covered hedges...and why does Trixie smell soap all of the sudden?”

“Sorry...” Spike apologized, looking to the ground ashamedly. “I...I thought I could help.”

Trixie rubbed a temple and approached the dragonling. She placed a gentle fore leg around him. “I’m not angry at you, Spike. Though, Trixie is very annoyed right now at how horrible things are. This weather isn’t good at all for her complexion.”

“Or her mood...” Braeburn added, receiving an annoyed look from the unicorn.

“Right, well, we should continue onward. It’s the only thing we can do. I’ll leave a magic sigil on the hedges to mark where we’ve been. Scootaloo, how high up can you hover?”

“Um...not very–”

Before the little pegasus filly could answer she was knocked down by a yellow, pink, blue, and white blur. A loud ‘Eep!’ came from said blur as it barreled into her and tripped to the ground. The group ran to Scootaloo, only to be greeted by the familiar form of Fluttershy, as well as an unconscious Celestia and Luna.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, I didn’t...oh, Scootaloo!” Fluttershy was on her feet and checking the filly for injuries all of the sudden. “Oh, I didn’t hurt you, did I? I’m truly sorry, I didn’t look where I was going, and I should have been more careful and paid–”

“Fluttershy! You’re okay!”

Fluttershy was almost knocked back to the ground as Spike tackled her in a hug. “Have you seen Twilight or Rarity? Are the others okay? Where’s Discord?” He looked to Celestia and Luna, taking in their injured states. “Princess Celestia! Princess Luna! W-what happened?”

“There’s no time to explain. I-I have to find a place to hide so I can heal Luna and Celestia. I have the Elements of Magic, Generosity, and Laughter now, but...oh, is that the Element of Loyalty, Scootaloo? How did you find that?” She shook her head, focusing her attention once more on the matter at hand. “I-I don’t know if Pinkie and Rarity...” She cut herself off as she looked to see the worried looks on everyone’s faces, especially Sweetie Belle.

“What...happened to them?” Trixie asked.

“I...I can’t say right now. Come on, we need to go. Follow me, I think I know a place where we can hide from Discord.”

A laughter echoed around the group of ponies. Fluttershy’s eyes widened and her knees quaked. “O-oh no...”

“Oh yes. Fluttershy, you simple, simple little foal. Did you really think you could hide from moi? Come now, I’m not that easy to fool, you know that.”

Fluttershy swallowed hard and looked behind her to the draconequus leaning against a hedge, his arms folded and a look of annoyance on his face.

“Rarity...Pinkie...what did you do to them?”

“Oh relax, will you? I took care of them. Now then, be a dear and give me the other Elements. I’d rather not have this get ugly in front of the kids, after all.”

Fluttershy surprised herself as she shook her head. “N-no. I can’t do that.”

“No?” Discord quirked an eyebrow. “Fluttershy...are you trying to stand up against me? Did you not witness what happened to Celestia and Luna when they tried to take me on?” He frowned. “Don’t be foolish. Give me the Elements.”

“No,” Fluttershy repeated, a little more firm than before. “Equestria is depending on me. Everypony is depending on me...” She took a tentative step forward. She was still trembling, but her eyes held the faintest glint of determination behind them. “I can’t fail them all. Not now.”

Discord sighed, and let his arms droop to his sides. “You know, I really didn’t want to fight you. You’re helpless, and weak, and to be honest, I’d feel a little guilty. Still, if you ever want things done, you have do them yourself.”

He raised a hand and curled his fingers towards himself, as though beckoning someone. Spike, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Trixie, Big Macintosh, and Braeburn all cried out in surprise as they were levitated into the air and pulled towards him. He picked Spike out of the air with his lion paw, holding him out like a kitten by the scruff of his neck.

“Let them go!” Fluttershy cried out. “They’ve done nothing wrong!”

“Hm? What if I don’t?” Discord glanced at Scootaloo, and his eyes widened a little. “Well, well...what have we here? The Element of Loyalty?”

He pulled Scootaloo towards him, and grinned as the filly struggled in vain to get away.

“Let me go, you jerk! If Rainbow Dash was here, she’d...she’d kick your flank!”

Discord laughed. “Kids say the darndest things, don’t they?” He grabbed Scootaloo by the tail, holding her upside down so she was looking right at him. “Scootaloo, right? Listen, Rainbow Dash was strong, yes, but she was also predictable. Easily taken care of. Even Rarity put up more of a fight than her.”

“No way!” Scootaloo snapped. “Rainbow Dash is the best flier in all of Equestria! She could never lose to–mpmpmphhh!” Scootaloo was silenced as a muzzle appeared out of thin air and was placed onto her face. Discord nonchalantly pulled the Element of Loyalty off of her, then let her go as he studied it. “That makes two. Now then, Fluttershy...last chance. Give me the other four Elements...or else.”

Discord held a clawed hand over Spike.

“S-stop that...they’re innocent. They’re only children!”

Discord rubbed his chin for a moment. “True.” He brought Big Macintosh before him as well. Big Mac grunted as his limbs were locked in place by magic. He gave Discord a defiant look, but said nothing. “Would you care to explain that to little Apple Bloom, then?”

“Macintosh!” Apple Bloom cried, tears forming in her eyes. “Let go of my brother, you bully!”

Discord ignored the filly. “Your choice, Fluttershy. I can take care of the dragon, or this fine stallion here. You decide.”

“N-no...” Fluttershy whispered. “You...you wouldn’t.”

“I won’t so as long as you do what I ask. Just give me the Elements and we’ll call it a fair trade.”

Fluttershy sniffled. “W-why are you doing this? Is Equestria really worth that much to you? Would...would you really hurt an innocent pony, or a baby dragon? Doesn’t life hold any kind of worth to you?”

“Of course it does. Without life, I would have nothing to mess with, or rule over.”

Fluttershy’s eyes shed tears. “You...you don’t mean that...”

Discord rolled his eyes and groaned. “Oh great, now you’re crying, too?”

Fluttershy’s breathing quickened. “L-let them go.”

“Hm? Speak up, I can’t hear you over the sniveling.”

“I...I said...” Fluttershy grit her teeth. No, she couldn’t just stand here and let him push her around. What kind of pony...what kind friend...what kind of princess would let this go without taking some kind of action? She was the Princess of Nature! The Princess of Kindness! Equestria needed her, and what was she doing? Shaking like a newborn foal.

The ground around Fluttershy began to sizzle. The sherbet melted, and numerous wildflowers sprouted from the ground. A warmth flowed from her, both steady and at the same time primal.

“Let. Them. Go!”

Discord took a step back as Fluttershy met his gaze. Something inside him screamed in fear as those soulful eyes locked with his own. He felt an unsettling sensation deep in his core, like a snake had coiled around his heart, or a bone-chilling wind had blown through him, piercing his lungs and catching his breath.

“I...I’m sorry...” he whispered. He let go of the ponies and dragon, taking a step back.

Fluttershy’s Stare remained locked on him. “How dare you do such a thing! You’ve hurt my friends! You’ve hurt my plants...my animals! You’ve caused trouble for the citizens of Equestria!” She took slow and steady steps toward him. “Then...then you threaten innocent lives? How dare you?!” Her voice was laced with a fury never before seen. It was like someone had flipped a switch in her brain. “You threaten the most sacred of things in all of Equestria! And for what? Some jewels and a throne?” She was now face to face with Discord. “I will not allow this to stand!”

Discord managed to snap out of his trance, and leaped away. He placed a hand over his heart, taking in deep breaths. What was that? He never recalled the power of The Stare being that potent!

“Trixie, Big Macintosh, Braeburn,” Fluttershy spoke. “Take Spike, the girls, Celestia, and Luna, and get them as far from here as possible. Keep going south and you’ll find an exit.”

“Princess Fluttershy, I–”

“Now, Trixie!”

Apple Bloom spoke up. “B-but, what about you? Discord could really hurt you!”

Fluttershy trembled before locking eyes with Apple Bloom. “You all need to go, right now! I’m having a very, very, very hard time keeping my emotions in control! Go now before I lose what little control I have left!”

Apple Bloom fell back in surprise, Fluttershy’s Royal Canterlot Voice shaking her to the core. Big Macintosh and Braeburn quickly draped the two unconscious Royal Sisters over their backs and moved as quickly as they could in the direction Fluttershy had pointed out. Trixie and the girls followed after, with Spike hanging behind.

“Fluttershy...” Spike began.

“Spike, what did I just tell you all to do?”

Spike jumped back a little and nodded. “Just...don’t lose, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy said nothing in reply. Spike turned towards the group, and ran towards them, intent on catching up.

Discord watched the alicorn before him with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Something about Fluttershy was still causing his heart to hammer away with the speed of a tap dancer on a wooden stage. He took another step back, his frown deepening.

“Hm...always the quiet ones, as they say.” Discord flared his wings. “I wasn’t expecting this, but that’s my own fault, I suppose. You are a bit of an unpredictable one when the time calls for it.”

Fluttershy’s glare deepened. “This is your only chance, Discord. You can say you’re sorry, and give back my friends and the Elements. Then, you’ll return Equestria to its natural state and promise to never do this to our land again.”

Discord snorted out a laugh. “And give up all that I’ve accomplished? Dream on, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy’s expression softened for a moment, then she sighed. Her gaze hardened once more. “Then I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

An invisible force knocked into him. He coughed up some spittle, only to be smacked in the face as a vine sprouted from the ground and slammed him into the dirt.

He grabbed the vine and channeled his magic into it. It burst into strands of spaghetti, allowing him the chance to free himself. He took to the air and gazed down at Fluttershy. She held that same glare on her face. Tear stains lined her cheeks, yet she held a steely resolve in her eyes that he had seen in the other princesses. It was giving him the creeps, to be honest.

Discord smirked, charging up magic in his palm. Looks like I’ll have a challenge from her after all.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, the light of her red aura shining on Twilight Sparkle, as well as Applejack, who had appeared randomly at some point she couldn’t recall. It had felt like days since they had arrived here. All they could do was hold each other close, and hope that an exit from this place would present itself.

“Unggh...turn the light off, will ya?” Applejack mumbled.

Another moan some distance from them could be heard. “Mmph...Sweetie Belle, turn off that lamp already. There are no monsters underneath your bed...”

Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow all exchanged looks before calling out into the darkness. “Rarity?”

“Oh, oh! Call me next!”

“...Pinkie Pie?” the trio called out.

“Hehehehe! How did you know?”

“Girls?” Twilight called out. “What are you two doing here?”

Rarity groaned as Rainbow cast her light in the direction of the two voices. “Twilight? Rainbow Dash? Applejack? Oh my, girls, what are...oh my, where are we?” She tucked her tail close and folded her wings as she gazed down into the abyss. “Are we in a cave? Oh please tell me were not in a cave? Oh, it’s so gross just thinking of such a horrible thing!”

“I don’t know where we are, Rarity. None of us do. All we know is that that the last thing any of us did was fight Discord before ending up here,” Twilight answered.

“Oh! This must be the pocket universe that I felt when I was have a mind battle with him!” Pinke chimed in.

“Mind battle? You were fightin’ Discord with your mind?” Applejack gave Pinkie an odd look. “Sugar, what are you talkin’ about?”

“Long story, wanna hear it?”

Applejack sighed. “Not now, maybe later.”

Pinkie and Rarity were soon holding hooves with the others, floating together and using each other’s magical light to brighten up the place as best as they could.

“It’s odd,” Twilight began as she gazed up at nothing. “When Rainbow and I first found each other, we were rather far apart. Applejack was a good distance from us too, but we found her a lot faster than Rainbow and I found each other. Then you both appeared, and it only took us a few seconds...”

“Do you think the Elements might have something to do with it?” Rainbow asked.

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know. I mean...we don’t have them on us, do we?”

“Well, no, technically we don’t, but Fluttershy has them.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow at Rarity. “Fluttershy? Really? I sure hope that girl ain’t tryin’ to take on that monster. Discord’s a tough one, and I don’t know how well she’d stack up against him.”

“Hey, you girls feel that?”

Everyone paused as Pinkie cast her light around them. She looked around for a moment, shining it in every direction she could, then halted at a direction somewhere below them. “I think I sense...Fluttershy!”

Twilight’s own horn sparked to life, then Rainbow’s, Applejack’s, and Rarity’s. A soft, pink glow became visible below them as the five princesses’ horns grew brighter.

“H-hey, you’re right! I can sense Fluttershy’s magic!”

Pinkie giggled happily. “I knew we’d find her! Well, sort of, at least, I mean, that’s not really, really her, but it’s a part of her! See!”

The soft pink glow took on a yellow hue as it slowly reached the five, halting as it came between them. It gave off a comforting warmth, filling their hearts with solace as they stared into its gentle light.

“Do you think she’s okay?” Rainbow asked.

“Oh, I do hope so. The poor dear was absolutely terrified when Pinkie and I tried to stop Discord,” Rarity replied.

“Well, there’s only one way to find out!” Pinkie said. She reached out a hoof, and touched the orb.

Then, everything went bright.

End of Chapter Ten- Discord Arc Part 3

Next Up: Every soul has an unmeasurable amount of potential. Even the most timid of souls can do amazing things when the time calls for it. Whether it be protecting those you care and love, or defending those that cannot protect themselves, these brave heroes rise up. All it takes is a little confidence, some hope, and believing in one’s abilities.