Author's Notes:

Hello everybody! I would like to apologize greatly for taking a long time getting this chapter up. With work, school, and other things on my plate I haven't the chance to work on my story whenever I want to. But I'm going to to try my absolute best to get these last few chapters done as the story now reaches it's climax. Thank you all for following The Final Element and for your patience. Stay cool everybody!

The world was silent, all blanketed under a dark, fiery lit sky. The screams that rang out across various lands had now all but faded away in this burning world of darkness. From Equestria and beyond towns, cities, and villages were ruined and desolate, becoming no man's lands sort to speak. There was, however, one frightening aspect that each of these barren wastelands had in common: they were completely devoid of any life. Countless of equine corpses littered the, charred earth as far as the eye could see.

The once beautiful, shimmering Crystal Empire was now a ruined state, scarred with great cracks and fissures while the great Crystal Castle that once stood tall and graceful was now laying at the center of the empire, crushed crystalline houses bordering the fallen castle. A great river of blood flooded the metropolis that was Manehattan. Within this crimson river, bodies upon bodies of ponies flowed throughout on the surface as if they were fish whose water supply had been poisoned. The corpses along with the blood created a great miasma in the air, one that would be unbearable even to a lucky few that somehow could draw breath.

The massive forest of thorns that has ensnared Fillydelpia was decorated with skewered ponies all hung up in the thorns, the thorns and stems coated with the blood of its unfortunate victims. A light, reddish mist also covered the area, the smell of rotting flesh present in the air. A thick, black smog covered the dark skies over Las Pegasus. The volcanoes had ceased their eruptions as lava flowed through the streets, the glow of the magma being the only source of light in the crepuscule city. The large, "APPLEWOOD' sign situated on the mountain that bordered Las Pegasus had most of its letters toppled off, the remaining burnt and blackened.

The Astral Plane, the once uninhabited and vacant realm was now home to millions of equines, fauna, and mythical beasts all encased in glimmering orbs. Curled and unconscious they were as they floated fruitlessly in the red, starry space. Where more orbs would appear with each second had now ceased, with nothing else coming into the domain of the spirit. In the center of the bottomless, never ending space, Celestia, Luna, Arcanus, and Chrysalis remained hanging from the walls; suspended gruesomely by the hooks embedded in their wings and limbs. As they hung in their transparent prison, Celestia, her sister, and Arcanus just gazed around, despondent, distressed, and plain hopelessness in their eyes. Chrysalis on the other hand bore a more austere expression, mixed with anger, denial, and maybe, just maybe…regret. The globe Chthon had conjured that hovered before them was completely extinguished of all lights. None shined, except for ten to which nine that were closely grouped together in the region that represented Equestria while the tenth shined farthest from the group and glowed at what appeared to have been the farthest northwest of Equestria.

Within the demolished castle in the ravaged corridor of stained glass windows, Quentin shifted his body as a soft groan escaped from his throat. He then slowly blinked open his eyes, the blurriness of his vison becoming clear as he lifted his head. Inch by inch, the dreadlocked stallion eventually managed to lift his body before falling flatly on his haunches.

"Ugh…god what happened?'' Quentin said groggily, rubbing his head.

He then felt a sharp pain on his chest and quickly placed a hoof over it in an attempt to ease the pounding discomfort. "Damn, was I hit by a truck or something?!'' Quentin asked himself.

Quentin winced as he rubbed the sore spot. He felt as if he had been struck with an iron clad glove. He added some pressure to the area, only for him to give a loud grunt in response. "Man, that stings! What the hell even happen-?''

Quentin stopped in mid-sentence, his eyes widening a bit as his memory started to come back to him. He then furrowed his eyes and spoke cantankerously. "Applejack…freaking Jesus Christ! What did she think I was a tree?! I swear when I see her I'm''

Before Quentin could vent any further about being on the receiving end of the result of years of apple bucking, he had to stop himself as another realization came to him "Wait a minute…Chthon! Where is…?!'' A horrified look then came to the human turned stallion's face. "Applejack! Rainbow Dash! The girls! They probably went to fight Chthon by themselves!''

Having gotten over the pain in his chest, Quentin jumped on all fours and looked around the empty hall in a state of growing panic. "I gotta get to them fast!''

He rushed through the spacious corridor, the clopping of his hooves echoing about as he left the damaged hall. Quentin honestly didn't know the first place to start looking for them, all he knew was that he had to somehow locate them before it was too late. Quentin couldn't even remember how many halls and stairs he ran through as he galloped through the castle. It was only after sometime that he took a turn around a corner and ran down the hall before and through the great, decrepit doors and out of the castle.

Quentin could only think of his friends as he ventured through the city. Those six, wonderful mares who had helped him ever since he came to this land…he didn't want to lose any of them, not one. With these thoughts swimming in his head, Quentin spoke to himself, "Please…hang in there girls. I-I'll find you all somehow.''

Quentin ran and weaved passed countless of stone statues of the rick elite of Canterlot. Every lifeless sculpture he passed, Quentin couldn't help but feel a stinging pain in his heart. All that had happened, all that he was seeing…it all wasn't right. Nothing but frozen, terror stricken faces came to his sight wherever he looked. He didn't know what he could do to help, or if he could even help. All he knew was that he couldn't just stand by and let his friends risk their lives for him any everyone else. Filled with determination, Quentin made his way through the decimated city until he came to a halt at a large crater in the ground.

"What in hell happened here?''

Quentin tread carefully towards the edge of the crater and looked inside to find it empty. "I don't remember seeing this on our way to the castle earlier,'' Quentin said, observing the caldera. "I wonder what could've caused this?''

After a few moments of looking at the wide opened opening, Quentin lifted his eyes upwards and froze in his place. A chill came to his body, as if he had swallowed a handful of ice as he gazed in alarm at the figure standing on the opposite side of the crater. A mysterious figure stood with his back facing Quentin. It was clad in a black, flowing cloak of sorts, a black hood draped over its head. From what Quentin could tell, he stood at a height perhaps a bit bigger than he was and though the figure's back was facing him, Quentin could tell that it had the body of an equine. There it stood, its cloak flapping in the light wind. It was like he was some sort of phantom, haunting the massive graveyard that was Canterlot.

Quentin didn't dare move an inch, fearful of being attacked by the lingering figure. Quentin had to remind himself to breath, yet was hesitant to do so in worry that even inhaling a breath would cause it to take it as a threat. Finally swallowing a lump of fear in his throat, Quentin opened his mouth a spoke out nervously.

"W-Who are you?!''

The figure didn't respond, just stood there silently as it faced towards a near ledge of the city. The ghastly silence became thicker like glass shattered only the low zephyrs blowing against them. Once again, Quentin found the courage in the pit of his stomach to speak.

"Who are you? Hello?!''

"So many years…so many ambitions-'' the figure finally spoke.

Another wave of coldness swept through Quentin's body as he heard the voice. It was unlike anything Quentin had heard before. The mysterious stranger spoke with a hoarse, hollow voice. It was completely devoid of any emotion, at least as far as Quentin could tell.

"W-What?!'' Quentin asked.

"All destroyed…in a single instant,'' said the figure.

Quentin took a daunting step backwards. The figure continued, still speaking in that unfeeling, lifeless tone. "A vision obscured… a path whipped…all by this wretched, 'God of Chaos'.''

"Who are you?'' Quentin spoke up. "What do you want?!''

"Those six chosen. I wonder…have they perished yet?''

"The six chosen?'' Quentin's faced scrunched in confusion as he pondered the words the cloaked figure had spoken. However, it only took a few short moments before his ears lowered, a look of absolute terror filling his face. "Oh my god…the girls!'' He then looked at the figure. "Do you know where they are?!''

At first, the lingering eidolon didn't speak, just stood there as its long cloak flapped around its hooves. Then, the figure lifted its head slightly and spoke. "The purple one…something compelled her towards that tower it would seem.''

Quentin averted his eyes from the stranger to over the ledge. He saw Chthon's massive tower stood high a great distance away from the patch of land below the mountain side city. Quentin's jaw dropped a little at the sight of the crude, but enormous tower that went into the skies. "Where did that thing come from? Hold on-that's…that's where Ponyville is!''

"It matters not. Those six will die soon enough,'' the figure said emotionlessly.

Quentin gazed at the figure and creased his eyes in anger. "What is THAT supposed to mean?!''

"Those six, pitiful souls…unable to grasp the new reality set before them. Burn…they shall all burn…''

At his cold words, Quentin began to grit his teeth. The fear and nervousness that he once felt towards the figure was now being replaced by a growing anger and contempt that was beginning to bubble within him.

"No…no! You're wrong!''

The stranger replied, "Am I now? A foolish goal can only be pursued by foolish hearts. Asking for death they are…and death shall be granted to them.''

"You're wrong!'' Quentin finally said loudly. The figure just stood facing away from him, unfazed by the outburst. "They're not fools, they're not dead or going to die! There's still a way to fix all of this!''

The figure didn't respond for a moment or two before it spoke in that hollow, reverberating tone. "Another mind caught in the delusion of hope. You shall soon share the same fate as those other cretins.''

The earth pony's glare deepened at the indifferent entity. A growing disgust started to fester along with his anger and Quentin said. "It's not a delusion! I truly believe at the bottom of my heart that my friends can stop Chthon.'' Quentin gazed downwards, his frown softening a bit. "My friends…they're not fools. They're some of the strongest people that I have ever met. There's…there's no way something as terrible as this could ever have been set in stone. Nothing, God or ANYTHING wouldn't be so cruel! That is why I will never stop believing until Equestria goes back to that bright, and beautiful world that it used to be!''

The black clad figure didn't respond. Suddenly it whipped around and soared across the crater and towards Quentin. It all happened in a blur, Quentin couldn't even take a full step back backwards before the figure came upon him and passed through him. In that instant, countless of voices spoke rapidly in his ears at a pace such a pace Quentin couldn't even make out a single word. Images raced through his mind and like the voices, they had sped before his eyes that almost seemed like a blur to him. All of this happened in a single second and the figure had completely phased passed him, causing Quentin to fall backwards in shock.

Quentin immediately staggered to his feet and turned towards the figure. "What did you just do to me?!''

The enigmatic specter paused a moment before speaking. "Your feelings…it would seem…they are genuine and true…''

Quentin said nothing, just continued to stare at the figure unblinkingly. "Yes true indeed. Isn't that right…human?''

Quentin gave a light gasp at the last comment. He actually knew his secret? Only his six friends and the princesses knew of his true species. How could this…thing possibly know what he truly was? "H-How did you know I was a human?!''

"It matters not,'' the figure spoke emotionlessly. "Even words of conviction can be blindly masked by false faith. Tell me…do you truly believe all of this can be reversed?''

It didn't take long for Quentin to answer. "Yes I do! I believe that my friends have the power to beat Chthon! There's probably not much I can do for them but…'' Quentin paused, a saddened, desperate expression coming to his face. "But what I do know is that I have to at least be there with them. There's…there's still a chance to right this wrong!''

A pause came between Quentin and the hooded stranger, the low wails of the hot winds blowing in their ears. The figure's head shifted downwards a little as it finally spoke. "So be it then…''

A flash of deep orange erupted a few distances away from the two. Quentin jumped in surprise and saw that an orange, swirling vortex had appeared, flashes of electricity crackling from its dark center. Before Quentin could question about the vortex, the figure spoke.

"Step forth…to your…'friends'…''

Quentin gazed at the portal then back at the figure, a sense of nervousness starting to come back to him. "But…why are you helping me? What's the catch?''

"Curiosity…'' Quentin looked at the figure in bewilderment. "Salvation or oblivion? I'm curious…as to where this…burning aspiration will lead. This will be a fascinating experiment…''

"What are you talking about?'' Quentin asked. "What do you want?''

Again the figure paused before answering. "It is beyond your comprehension…but for now…proceed.''

At those last words, the figure's body began to flicker as the air around it began to distort, dark orange particles encircling its body. Seeing this, Quentin took a step forwards and asked one final time. "Wait?! You didn't answer my question: who are you?!''

There was a flashed of deep orange and the figure had disappeared. However its voice echoed to Quentin's ears, in that hoarse, hollow voice as it gave a simple answer before fading away.

"I am-the catalyst…to this world's salvation…''

Quentin just stood there, an ocean of questions raging within his mind. "The catalyst…to this world's salvation?'' the dreadlocked pony spoke to himself.

Quentin couldn't even begin to fathom what the figure had meant by those words. His befuddled eyes drifted to the spiraling gateway that the ghost like figure had conjured and Quentin shook his head and cleared his mind of those burning question. "Forget that. I need to get to the girls!''

Quentin ran to the portal but came to a stop a few inches in front of the opening. He raised a hoof halfway, gazing at the portal uncertainly…having a lingering doubt about its function. He turned and faced the tower that stood far away and the images of his six friends came to his mind. With the thought of them being hurt, Quentin purged himself of the last bit of fear he had, took a deep breath, and went into the winding portal.

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity still casted their melancholy glances to the piles of rubble that used to be Celestia, Luna, Arcanus, and Chrysalis. As Twilight stared on, tears cascaded endlessly from her eyes at the remains of her beloved teacher and mentor. She couldn't bring herself to speak, none of them could. It was as if having to use the Elements to vanquish their two leaders had taken away their ability to communicate verbally.

Applejack glanced at the weeping Twilight and went over to her, placing a sympathetic hoof on her shoulder. "Twilight? Are…are ya gonna be alright?''

Twilight whipped her eyes dry and nodded. "Yeah Applejack. I…I just need a minute,'' she muttered.

"I still can't believe we did that,'' said Fluttershy.

Rarity looked at her somberly and said, "I know darling, but it was for the best.''

"But it still sucks though,'' Rainbow Dash commented with a frown

There was a heavy silence among the six friends until it was broken by the sounds of raucous laughter. They looked to the skies to see Discord laughing uncontrollably next to Chthon, causing them to shoot dark glares at him. Fluttershy, on the other hand, had a more woebegone expression.

"I can't believe that you ponies actually had the guts to use the Elements of Harmony against your own princesses!'' Discord cackled. "Now they'll know how it feels like to be trapped in stone!''

The six Element bearers glared at the draconequus, their teeth gritted with anger as Chthon just hovered there, arms crossed with a cruel smirk on his face. Discord quickly flew downwards and drifted just a few inches above the pile of rubble. "Doesn't feel comfortable doesn't it?'' Discord mocked. "What's that? I'm afraid you must speak up, I can barely hear you. Oh yes that's right, it's hard to speak while you're petrified!''

Twilight began to shake, her rage building. "Shut up…''

Discord spoke, picking up a piece of rock when suddenly it grew and took the shape of Celestia's stone head. "Though I must admit, you've gotten even worse than me Celestia. I may have been turned to stone, but you've been smashed to pieces. All thanks to your loyal subjects. We must certainly throw them the shindig of the century. With Twilight the master of ceremonies!''

Discord gave a short, spurious bow as lights suddenly flashed festively around Twilight and her friends along with a burst of confetti and jeering laughter. The display only intensified the group's anger malic, but none more so than Twilight. A growl escaped her mouth until finally, she shouted.

"Shut up!''

The purple unicorn fired a deep pink jet of magic from her horn and right at Discord. Discord slithered in the air and avoided the attack. He smirked cruelly at Twilight as she fired yet another magical beam at him. This time, Discord head split in two as the beam passed in between the gape and the two parts reconnected to each other.

"Aw what's the matter Twilight? Did I hit a sore spot?''

"You dirty, rotten, son of a…that's it's! If it wasn't obvious before, then I'll say it here and now: this friendship is over!'' Rainbow Dash said loudly.

She took off at great speeds at Discord. Before she could get close enough to him, Discord inhaled before blowing out a powerful, pressurized blast of water from his mouth. Rainbow Dash couldn't evade in time and was blasted back by the torrent of water and fell back on the ground near her friends.

"Rainbow Dash!'' Twilight cried as she and the rest came to the Pegasus' side. "Are you ok?''

Rainbow Dash came to her feet, completely drenched with water. "I will be when I break that freak's face in!'' Rainbow Dash answered bitterly before shaking herself dry.

Discord grinned, whipping his mouth, "Well, I guess you can say that Rainbow Dash is all washed up.''

The six friends shot Discord scorned frowns, Rainbow Dash growling under her breath. Chthon remained airborne, his four mighty wings flapping steadily as her said. "As you mortals would put it, Discord truly is a chip off the old block isn't he?''

Discord just smirked proudly at his dark father. Chthon continued, "By all means my son, why don't you have a little fun with these little toys. I certainly won't stand in your way.''

Discord responded with devilish chuckle, tapping his fingers together. "Oh I have no choice but to oblige to that suggestion.'' He then gave a respectful bow to the dark lord. "Thank you Father. I'll do my best to please you.''

Chthon didn't say a word, only gave an approving nod and a vile smirk. Discord turned his attention back to the six ponies before him, the five of them taking battle ready stances. "Now dear friends, are you ready to play?'' Discord said.

"How dare you even use that word towards us you backstabbing miscreant!'' Rarity spoke with a seethe.

"Oh Rarity, such hurtful words. Is that really the way to talk to a friend?'' Discord said, dramatically feigning distress.

"Well ya heard what Rainbow said Discord,'' Applejack said, raking the ground with a hoof. "Ya ain't our friend anymore, so we can freely tell it how it is!''

Rainbow Dash cracked her neck as she pounded her hooves together. "Which is why I can say this Dickcord…you done bucked up!''

Rainbow Dash again flew through the air and towards the spirit. As Discord moved in order to attempt an evasion, Rainbow Dash threw a successful punch to Discord's face. Discord staggered backwards from the hit as the cyan Pegasus punched him again.

"That was for turning your back on us traitor!''

Rainbow Dash tried to deal another punch but her hoof was caught by Discord's lion paw. Discord slowly turned his head and gazed at Rainbow Dash with a rather surprising stare. Instead of being annoyed, agitated, or even angry from being punched, Discord instead bore a shrewd grin.

"A traitor am I?''

Discord's tail suddenly came forward and wrapped itself around Rainbow Dash. "Hey! Let me go!'' Rainbow Dash said, squirming violently in the tail's grasp.

This display had caused Rainbow's friends to gasp in horror. "Rainbow Dash!'' Fluttershy spoke.

"Hang on, we're coming!'' said Twilight.

The five ponies rushed forwards to help their friend. Discord merely gave an untroubled glance their way. His talon claw glowed yellow as he made a simple, swiping gesture and an unseen force knocked the incoming ponies roughly to the side and on the ground. Discord wagged a finger as he spoke.

"Uh, uh, uh where are your manners. Wait your turn like good little foals, you'll get a turn soon enough.''

Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity all shook off the temporary daze and began to rise to their feet. Discord then turned his attention back to Rainbow Dash. "So Dashie, what were we talking about again?''

Rainbow Dash glared at Discord, stopping her jerking. "Talking about what a piece of cud you are!''

"Moi? What in heaven's name did I do to deserve such an accusation?''

"Really?! Don't even TRY to play innocent Discord!'' Rainbow Dash shouted. "You ditched us! Betrayed us! Sided with your creep of a father Chthon! Sounds familiar?!''

Discord just grinned as he brought Rainbow Dash closer to his face. "Ah, but I can't be the only one to be guilty of that action Rainbow Dash. After all, you've betrayed your friends at one point did you not?''

"What are you talking about?! Unlike you, I would never turn my back on my friends!'' Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh really now?'' Discord said, chuckling darkly as he took a finger and gently stroked her face. "We'll see about that now won't we my dear?''

Rainbow didn't speak. She suddenly felt a strange sensation starting to creep over her…sink into her as a greyish colored flowed down her body. Rainbow Dash spoke. "What are you…what did you do to me?!''

"Oh I just want to have a little fun that all. After all, this is the era of chaos,'' Discord said.

Rainbow Dash's mind began to spin. She found it more difficult to think clearly, as if a haze was quickly starting to obscure her line of thought. She shook her head, the world around her still spinning. Away, Applejack, Twilight, and the rest watched onward as they saw their friend wrapped in Discord's grasp.

"Oh my, Rainbow Dash!'' Rarity said in alarm. "What is that scoundrel doing to her?!''

Twilight furrowed her eyes and said, "Let her go NOW Discord!''

Before any of them could rush forwards, Discord answered in that mischievous tone of his. "Of course I'm going to let her go Twilight. That's when the fun will begin.''

Discord then used his tail to fling the unsettled Rainbow Dash across the way and onto the ground. Rainbow staggered to her feet and began to sway her body unsteadily. By now, her coat was now faded than what it used to be. Her cyan body and her versicolored mane was now duller in appearance with a greyish tint now coating her. Seeing their friend in this state, the others called to her worrisomely.

"Rainbow! Rainbow Dash are you alright?'' Applejack called.

The five ponies ran over to Rainbow Dash as she finally shook her head one final time. "Rainbow Dash? It's us, your friends. Are you ok?'' Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow Dash peered over her shoulder and gave them a careless glance. She then spoke, flicking a hoof at them lazily. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine.''

"Are you sure?'' Pinkie Pie asked with concern. "I mean it looked like you took a nasty fall.''

"Psssh! Like a little fall like that is gonna keep this bag of awesomeness down! What kinda wimp do you think I am?''

Twilight and the others just looked at each other uncertainly as Discord hovered in the air, a wicked smirk spread across his face. Twilight spoke up, "So…you're still up to fighting Chthon?''

The next response caught all five ponies by surprise as Rainbow Dash said loudly. "Uh and why would I do that?!''

Rarity spoke up, baffled just like the others. "What in dear heaven's name do you mean 'why'? It's because we need all the Elements of Harmony to do so especially yours, Loyalty.''

"Teh, loyalty schmoyalty! Whatever's going on is NOT my problem!'' Rainbow Dash said bluntly.

Her friends gasped at her careless answer, in total disbelief as to what they've just heard. "Rainbow Dash, why would you say something like that?'' Fluttershy said in a hurt filled tone. "We're supposed to be friends.''

"Yeah right!'' Rainbow Dash retorted, turning around. "Why would I need friends when I've got a nice package awesomeness right here: ME!''

Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all stared at the grey tinted Pegasus with dumbfounded eyes. Discord just grinned slyly, snapping his fingers as a dark cloud suddenly appeared near her. Rainbow Dash beamed.

"Oh yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about!''

With one hop, Rainbow landed on the patch of cloud on her back. She crossed her forelegs on the back of her head, let out a yawn, and closed her eyes as if ready to take a nap. "What's with you Rainbow Dash? Did ya hit your head or somethin'?'' Applejack asked with a frown.

Rainbow Dash said nothing. She extended a wing and folded all its feathers except the middle one, making an obscene gesture. "Say what?! Ok now that was jus' plain unnecessary!'' Applejack said, offended by Rainbow Dash's presentation.

Twilight gave Rainbow Dash a stern glare as she said, "Rainbow Dash what's gotten into you?! Don't you know who you are and what you represent?! You're supposed to be the Element of Loyalty! You're acting like-'' Twilight stopped as a grave thought came to her mind and she uttered. "Like how you did when we faced Discord the first time!''

Discord then gave a sort cheer and a laugh, "Oh ho so you do remember?! So now you know the little game I have planned!''

Applejack, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie gazed at their now negligent friend on the cloud with dolor and woe. Suddenly, the ground in front of Rarity began to crack and rumble, causing the white unicorn to draw backwards.

"What in the world?!'' Rarity said.

From the breaking ground, a three pronged formation of earth rose up before coming to a stop just a bit higher than Rarity. Rarity gazed upon the blackened crag with bewilderment and dubiety. "W-What is this? Where did this horrid thing come from?''

As Rarity started to observe the rock, the center started to crumble and twist until the rocky image of Discord's face appeared in the centered, to Rarity's shock. "You?!''

"Oh come now Rarity, don't be like that,'' Discord spoke in a fake, hurt tone.

"I want absolutely nothing to do with you, you traitorous charlatan!'' Rarity said with a frown.

Discord spoke, "Charlatan? Why Rarity I'm hurt, surly you recognized me do you?''

"The only thing I recognize is a turn coat who's no better than that monster up there!'' Rarity said crossly, pointing to Chthon.

Discord's face then carved into a sly, pernicious grin. "Buy dear Rarity, surly you haven't forgotten your dear friend…Tom.''

A look of horror soon came to Rarity's face as she felt a strange, abnormal feeling come over her body. "What?! No…NO! Not again!''

Rarity whipped her head from the Discord faced rock formation, pinching her eyes shut. "Not again…not ever again!'' Rarity said as she tried to walk away, stiff and stumbling as she did so. "I must not…allow myself…to fall to that malicious corruption again! But that diamond looks so stunning…no Rarity! Remember your friends! That has to be the most beautiful diamond in all of Equestria! Enough Rarity, your friends need to…you're friends are more important. But not as important as that big, beautiful, bedazzling diamond! And it's mine, all mine!''

Rarity then lunged and embraced the crude rock passionately, a grey coloring washing down her body, all while she muttered "Mine…all mine…''

Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie could only watch in dejection as Rarity started to dig the rock out. Twilight winced slightly in sorrow as she shook her head slowly, "No…Rarity please…''

"Good grief Rarity snap out of it!'' Applejack spoke, advancing towards her now greedy friend. "Open yur eyes that cheap, hunk of rock ain't worth the dirt it's on! It's not a diamond, Discord's-''

"KIAI!''

As Applejack got closer to Rarity, she was suddenly struck by an uppercut from the unicorn, sending the earth pony a few distances backwards and fell on the ground. Rarity stood on her hind legs while her forelegs were over her head in a certain form karate block. She gave an aggressive frown to the orange pony as she said.

"Back! Get back you envious ruffian! This diamond is mine, you hear?! Mine!''

Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie gasped at the action Rarity had made against her friend as Applejack rubbed the spot where she was hit. She then shot a provoked glare at the grey, hostile unicorn. "Rarity have you lost yur dag gone mind?!''

"No, but you're going to lose some 'dag gone' teeth if you even dare to come close to my treasure. I was the one who found it, so it's mine and mine alone!''

Applejack growled as she stood back up. She lowered her head and blew a gust of steam from her nostrils as she raked the ground with a foreleg. "Rarity, I know yur jus' not yurself, but do that again an' I can't be held responsible fer what I might do to ya!'' Applejack growled.

Before she could do anything, Discord appeared in a flash of light. He towered over her, grinning smugly as he gazed his asymmetrical eyes down at Applejack. Upon seeing the false friend, Applejack jumped backwards, lowered her head aggressively and growled through clenched teeth.

"Well howdy there lil' pardner,'' Discord spoke, imitating a southern drawl as he suddenly appeared in a cowboy outfit consisting of a red shirt, blue jeans, black boots, gloves and a brown Stetson on his head.

"Don't 'pardner' me ya no good, two timin' scumbag!'' Applejack said.

Discord said, tipping his hat. "Well, them's sound like fightin' words. Here I'm tryin' ta be neighborly, but if it's a-whopping yur a-wantin'…''

Discord rolled up his sleeves and raised his arms, balling his fists ready to fight. Applejack spoke, "Yur the only one here's that's getting his sorry flank whopped!''

Applejack bolted towards the draconequus and when she had gotten close enough, she reared around and delivered a strong buck right to Discord's stomach. Upon being hit, Discord exploded into apples that fell on the ground with numerous thuds. Seeing this, Applejack did a half jump back with a quizzical expression. "What in tarnation?! I knew my kicks were strong, but I didn't know they were THAT strong!''

As the last bit of apples fell to the ground, the large pile suddenly began to roll around the orange mare. "Jiminy, now what?!''

The apples continued to rolled around her to the point that it was starting to make her dizzy until finally the apples ceased their moving around, stopping in a pile in front of Applejack. A few applejack slid away to form two openings towards the top while forming a curve opening towards the bottom at the pile 'smiled' at Applejack.

"Isn't this a familiar sight Applejack?'' Discords voice suddenly came from the pile as it blinked and moved its newly formed mouth.

"Discord?! What are ya up to now?!'' Applejack barked at the apples.

"Oh now don't be like that Applejack. I thought apples were your life?''

Applejack retorted curtly, "I'd rather have my hind leg sawed off than to be pallin' around with phony apples like these!''

"Oh really now?'' the apples spoke, chuckling darkly. "Tell the truth my dear. After all…you don't want to be a liar now don't you?''

Applejack looked taken aback by the statement. "Me?! A liar?! No-no, uh uh…I ain't fallin' fer this old trick again!''

She turned around, intending to get away from the sinister apples when she was abruptly halted by Discord in full form in front of her. Before Applejack could even let out a surprised gasped, she felt a movement along her forehead and down the side of her face as Discord stroked her with a finger.

"Well I for one loved seeing you spew out words of calumny. So how about we see that wonderful dishonest side of yours once again Applelie,'' Discord said with a twisted grin.

Applejack felt a strange sensation throughout her body. She felt her mind becoming uneasy finding it difficult to think clearly, as if she had gotten a rapidly spinning ride. Applejack tried to shake her head off of her disorientation, only for it to prove futile.

"What's…what's happenin' ta me?!'' Applejack asked herself, catching herself from falling to the side. "This feelin'…it seems familiar. An' what's with my coat? It's getting all…greyish like. No…No…please not that!'' Applejack looked at her hooves to see that a greyish tint was flowing down them and throughout her body. "No! This can't be happenin'! I am not a liar! I'm the strongest pony an Equestria an' could easily take down an Ursa Major! Wait, why am I sayin' that?! It's not true! Yes it is!''

Applejack shook her head and winced sadly as the Discord's manipulation continued to consume her. "No…I'm not dishonest! I'm not that kind of pony! I'm the kind who likes ta start a brawl! Dang it quit sayin' that!'' Applejack gritted her teeth as she spoke in a disheartening tone. "Think about Quentin! What would he think if he saw me like this? Aw who am I kiddin'…he'd love me like this! No…no…Quentin…I'm sorry…! Eh buck him no I'm not!''

A satisfied, cool grin came to Applejack's face as she crossed her left hooves over her right ones. Twilight looked at the now grey tinted mare with and exceedingly pleading gaze as she spoke, "Applejack please think about what you're saying! This isn't you, you're the Element of Honesty!''

"No I ain't!'' Applejack said, flicking her head upwards and closing her eyes. "I'm the Element of Magic. Always has been.''

"No you're not!'' Twilight argued, stomping her foot down. I'M the Element of Magic! Don't you see what's going on?! Discord is tricking you into being a liar, just like last time!''

Applejack responded by blowing a raspberry. "That didn't happen. I was never turned into a liar. I remember it clear as day, I was busy drinking chocolate milk!''

"Applejack!'' Twilight implored her friend, the latter only turning her nose up and turned with her back facing Twilight.

Discord watched on with a vile glee as Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie watched on helplessly. "All yes, nothing like taking a stroll down memory lane.'' Discord said. He eyes Pinkie Pie as a green balloon suddenly appeared and floated in front of her.

"Huh?! Where did this balloon come from?!'' Pinkie Pie asked in alarm.

The balloon stood in its place in the air, and turned until Pinkie Pie was looking a smirking face that looked as if someone had drew it on with a black marker. Pinkie let out a short 'eek' cry, jumping back slightly. Twilight and Fluttershy turned back to see the balloon floating near their pink friend.

"Oh I'm having such a wonderful time Pinkie Pie! I hope you're doing the same?'' the balloon spoke in Discord's voice.

Pinkie Pie answered, "No…no I'm not having a great time! There nothing great about what's happening!''

"Oh sure there is,'' the balloon said, now starting to circle the faded pink earth pony. "I could always count on you for a good laugh Pinkie Pie. Just look at Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack, look at what they've become. Tell me that isn't a riot, ha! After all, you do love to laugh!''

Pinkie gazed wearily at her three, corrupted friends; Rainbow Dash laying lazily on her cloud, Applejack gliding a hoof in the dirt, and Rarity doing everything in her power to polish the rock formation while she muttered in a hoarse voice, "My precious…my beautiful, dazzling precious…''

Pinkie Pie then turned her attention back at the balloon and glowered argumentatively. "This isn't funny one bit! I did loved to laugh, but not at anypony else's expense. I would never think what's happening to my friends is funny!''

The balloon just chuckled darkly, stopping in front of Pinkie with an unnerving smirk. "Ah yes you're right Pinkie Pie. You would never in a million years laugh at something as hilarious as this. After all you…you hate everything that's fun.''

Pinkie looked at the unnatural balloon with a bewildered frown. "What are you talking about? Yeah I mean there hasn't been anything to smile about lately, but I never hated happiness.''

"Don't lie to me dear,'' the balloon spoke. "That's Applejack's shtick. You know you can't deny your true, ornery, cheer hating self. Perhaps I should help remind you?''

The string at the balloon's botting lifted and stroked Pinkie Pie's forehead and down the side of her face. Instantly Pinkie felt her mind being clouded in some sort. She had a feeling of light headiness as her body began to sway unbalanced. "Wha-what are you doing?!'' Pinkie Pie asked, shaking her head. "Why do I feel so, so funny?!''

The balloon just floated there, watching Pinkie Pie as she moved restlessly. The balloon then started to expand bigger, and bigger until finally it popped and Discord now appeared in its place. The spirit looked down on Pinkie with a sinister grin and said, "Oh that…don't worry. Feelings of uneasiness, nausea, anger, and resentment are natural symptoms of the metamorphosis you're experiencing Pinkie Pie.''

"Anger? Resentment? What are you…Wait! No…not that! Anything but that!'' Pinkie Pie spoke out in dire dread as a grey coloration began to swim down from the top of her head.

Distances away from her, Twilight and Fluttershy watched on helplessly with terror as their friend backed away from Discord in fear. Pinkie Pie could feel it…she could feel the change that was happening from inside of her. She could feel the negative emotions buried in the darkest reaches of her heart starting to dig their way out.

"Please…don't do this!'' Pinkie pleaded to Discord, tears forming in her eyes. "I…I don't want to go back to being that kind of pony!''

At this, Discord only laughed, in a flash of light appearing in a kingly attire holding a golden sword. "Oh but I think you do dearie! Now, by my decree and the decree of my illustrious Father…I hereby knight thee: Grumpy Pie. Now stand and uphold your duties of hating all that is laughter and happiness.''

Pinkie Pie fell to her stomach, wrapping her hooves around Discord's leg as the tears streamed down her face. "Please no! I don't hate happiness…I don't hate laughter! Those things are what gave my life purpose! I…I don't want to resent my friends! We're…we're all that we have to each other in this scary world!''

Watching their friend's pleas stabbed Twilight and Fluttershy in the hearts, they too having tears formed in the corners of their eyes. "Pinkie Pie please…fight it!'' Twilight begged. "You're the pony that brings happiness to others. That is who you truly are!''

Fluttershy brought her hooves to her mouth, shaking her head slowly as a tear rolled down her face. She then looked at Discord, her false friend as she uttered in an anguished tone. "Discord…why would you do this?!''

Pinkie Pie pinched her eyes shut, trying to fight the urges of bitterness. "I am laughter…I bring joy to others…that makes my life worthwhile. Why would I ever care about something as dumb as laughter? No! What am I saying?! I don't mean that! Think of your friends…they need you! I don't give a flying feather about friends! No! Discord…I hate you for doing this to me! I hate…joy. I hate…happiness! Who needs sappy crap like that?!''

Pinkie Pie opened her eyes, the once kind, happy go lucky gleam that were in them were now replaced by an embittered, scowling expression as the grey finished flowing down her body. She stood up and forcibly whipped the tears from her eyes. She looked up at the grinning Discord and spat aggressively.

"And what are you looking at freak?! You gotta problem with something?! If you wanna go then let's go!''

Discord chuckled, amused by the greyish pink pony and he grabbed her by the face and brought her close to his. "Oh yes that's right, I forgotten how charming you could be. If you want to brawl, how about you have a go with them?''

Discord dropped the bad tempered Pinkie Pie and she landed on her haunches. She grumbled and cursed under her breath as she rubbed the sore spot on her rump. She then locked eyes with Twilight and Fluttershy and said. "You losers have something to say?!'''

"Pinkie Pie, snap out of it. It's us don't you remember?'' Fluttershy squeaked tearfully.

Pinkie Pie answered, "Remember you?! Like I'd give a crap about a pony who has stone animals for friends!''

At her insensitive response, Fluttershy stepped away and let out a stifled sob in her hooves. Twilight shot her a saddened glare as she said, "Pinkie Pie how could you even say that?! That's not how you talk to a friend. You're the Element of Laughter remember?! You love to-''

"Stop saying that!'' Pinkie Pie cut in fiercely. "I hate laughter! I hate joy! I hate happiness! And most of all…I hate YOU!''

Twilight's mouth hung open, completely speechless by such a comment. She looked into the sullen eyes of Pinkie, knowing full well that it was a repeat of before. The Pinkie Pie she knew was now long gone and replaced by this cross, cheerless stranger that was now in front of her. With these thoughts racing through her mind, Twilight's mouth quivered as tears began to train down her face.

Fluttershy took another step backwards when she felt a tap to her back leg, causing her to jump in fright. She whipped around and gazed down towards the ground to see a familiar, white rabbit smiling up at her. Fluttershy blinked a few times, feeling as if her eyes were playing tricks on her as she spoke out in a soft, but surprised tone.

"A-Angel Bunny! Is that…you?!''

Angel said nothing, just twitched his nose. Unable to hold in her happiness of seeing her beloved pet, Fluttershy went forward and scooped the little bunny into her arms, crying happily. "Fluttershy, don't!'' Twilight spoke out. She had a grave and suspicious feeling about Angel, but Fluttershy didn't seem to hear her.

"Angel! I…I thought you were turned to stone!'' Fluttershy cried. "I thought that I would never see you again. How did you-Angel, why do you have horns?''

Through her hugging, Fluttershy had peered onto her pet and indeed noticed a pair of mismatched horns on top of the bunny's head. With that question asked, a most crooked spread across his face. Angel spoke in a familiar, devious voice, "Oh these? I just wanted to change my style for once, and I just HAD to get them. Don't they just bring out the color of my eyes?''

As Angel said those words, his beady, black eyes changed to an unnatural yellow with red, different sized pupils. Fluttershy let out a shriek as she dropped the rabbit. Upon hitting the ground, there was a flash of light and Fluttershy soon found herself backing away from a grinning Discord.

"Which finally brings me to you, dear Fluttershy.''

Fluttershy backed away with fear filled, wet eyes. She lowered her body as she began to shake. Discord, upon seeing her like this, took a step forward. "Aw what's the matter Fluttershy? Aren't you even going to say hello?''

"Get away from her!'' Twilight suddenly barked.

She charged at Discord, her horn aglow. Discord just rolled his eyes lazily and conjured a small squeeze horn with white text saying 'squeeze me gently' on the rubber base. With a gentle squeeze, the horn suddenly became a rather massive size and moved as if it were a mouth as it made a loud and drawn out 'AOOGA' sound. The blaring horn ushered such a powerful force that it blew Twilight backwards on the ground. As the sound died away, Twilight lifted herself up, bringing her hooves to her ears as she was preoccupied with a continuous ringing in her head.

With the effect done, Discord blew on the opening of the horn before tossing it casually away, an explosion following soon after. "My leg! My leg!'' an agonized cry sounded out after the explosion.

"I'm sorry, what were we talking about?'' Discord asked before seeing the timid, scared Pegasus. "Ah yes, now I remember.''

As Discord began to walk towards Fluttershy, she slowly shook her head and spoke with a shaking voice. "Discord…please…''

"What was that hun? Afraid I can't hear you in the cheap seats,'' Discord said, taking out an ear trumpet and acting like he was having difficulty hearing her.

"Discord, why are you doing this?! What did we ever do to make you betray us?'' Fluttershy ask.

Discord frowned and answered irritably. "I've already gave my reasons of my choice. And I was right after all. It's clear you didn't care to listen to me.''

"I DO care!'' Fluttershy said loudly with a sob. "Discord just please don't do this. Turn my friends back to normal I'm begging you!''

Discord brought and up and began stroking his bead, appearing to be in deep thought. "Well let me just think on it for a moment. Um what's the answer I was looking for? Oh yes that's right…no.''

Discord proceeded to walk towards Fluttershy, giving her a diabolical grin. "Well my dear the fun must go on. And I think you know what's coming next.'' Discord breathed on a finger, polished it against his chest and presented it to Fluttershy. "Now just hold still…and that delightfully cruel side of yours will be back again.''

Discord came closer and closer, wagging his finger as Fluttershy just stood there. She didn't move, she couldn't. She was completely terrified. Then she felt it…Discord's talon finger poking her forehead. Discord smiled a truly gleeful smile. "There! Now out with the old, disgusting kindness and in with the new, delicious cruelty!''

"No! You don't have to do this! Discord please stop!'' Fluttershy begged, tears cascading down her face.

She could feel it, the malice, the viciousness…the desire to be sadistic. The desire to hurt others. Fluttershy jerked her head, Discord's finger still pressing on her forehead. "No! Stop! I don't want to be cruel! Please don't make me!''

A greyish tone that dominated four of Fluttershy's friends now began to make its way from Fluttershy's head down to the rest of her body. "That's it Fluttershy, let heartless brute come out! Besides, you were always far too nice for your good.''

A few distances away, Twilight shook off the ringing that was in her ears, now able to think clearly. She gazed towards Fluttershy and Discord and upon seeing the grey washing down on her friend, Twilight's heart sank ad pure, suffocating dread came over her. "Fluttershy…no not you too!''

The grey turning Fluttershy continued to jerk her head, trying to shake off Discord's finger. "No…I can't let him do this…I won't! I-I can't hurt my friends! No! I will never…hurt my friends!'' Fluttershy said.

Just as the grey came down to her legs, it stopped before starting to rise back up. Discord's delighted grin dissolved into a crooked grimace. "Come on now Fluttershy! Be a sport and stop resisting!''

Discord pressed down harder on Fluttershy's forehead. The grey then started to go back down Fluttershy's legs inch by inch. "Please…don't turn me into this!'' Fluttershy implored, still trying to whip her head from Discord. "I need to resist…I need to be strong for my friends…I need to hurt my friends! No! I didn't mean that! I…I…!''

"There! See was that so bad? Really you're acting and crying like I had just violated you or something. Sometimes you're more trouble than you worth, but like before you couldn't resist me forever,'' Discord said.

By this point, Fluttershy had collapsed on her stomach, as her head jerking stopped. She couldn't fight anymore, she couldn't even get herself to stand. She could feel the thoughts seep into her mind. Those awful, terrible thoughts as Discord started to fly, his body encircling her as he did so. "Now tell me Fluttershy, how do you feel?''

"I…I feel like…hurting somepony! No! I need to be strong! I need…to remember my kindness!'' Fluttershy began before finally a cruel smirk spread across her lips, the tears still trailing down her face. "Screw kindness! Right now, I just want to make somepony cry! Make them plead…make them suffer in any way I can!''

Fluttershy stood up as the grey seeped down onto the rest of her body. She shook her head, whipping the tears away. "Wonderful! I always knew you had it in you Flutters!'' Discord applauded.

Fluttershy looked at Discord and shot him a depraved sneer. "And I also have it in me to knock some teeth out. How glad of you to volunteer.''

Fluttershy flew towards Discord, but stopped her before she could hit him. "Whoa! Hold your horses my nefarious friend. Perhaps I can volunteer a much better victim. Maybe her perhaps?''

Fluttershy gazed to where Discord was pointing to and saw Twilight, looking on with a heartbreaking stare. With a grin, Fluttershy flew down to Twilight and spoke, "Why the dumb look Twilight?''

"Fluttershy? H-He got to you too?'' Twilight spoke in almost a whisper.

"Fluttershy? He got to you too?'' Fluttershy mimicked in a mocking tone. "Gosh you sound so whiny and pathetic! But that's good thing…I love beating down on whiny and pathetic ponies!''

Fluttershy pounded her hooves threateningly together as she hovered closer to Twilight. The purple unicorn advanced backwards in fear of her once meek friend. "Fluttershy why?! We're friends! You've got to fight this!''

Fluttershy gave a short laugh before answering. "The only thing I want to fight is you! Now just hold still, this'll only hurt a lot!''

As Fluttershy made her way to deal a blow to Twilight's face, a small rock hit her square in the head. The greyish yellow Pegasus let out a pained cry and whipped her head towards the direction on the other ponies. She gazed at each of them, completely livid and said, "Who did that?!''

"Wasn't me, that's fer sure,'' Applejack spoke before puckering her lips inwards while looking away guiltily.

Fluttershy glared at Applejack and flew towards the mare and got in her face. "So you like throwing rocks at me, huh chump?!''

"I-I swear it wasn't me!'' Applejack said, backing away with an intimidated expression as she looked around hastily. "I-It was…HER! She did it!''

Applejack pointed to Rarity, now trying to dig the worthless rock from out of the ground. "Oh really?'' Fluttershy spoke darkly. "Well then, I'll just have to teach her what happens when somepony messes with me.''

Before she flew off, Fluttershy elbowed Applejack hard right in her muzzle, causing the earth pony to stagger back a few feet and fall on her back. She brought her hooves to her nose and felt the sticky, warm substance of blood running onto her hoof. "Ah that didn't even hurt!'' Applejack spoke grimly, a small groan escaping her throat.

Fluttershy hovered to Rarity and spoke in a spiteful voice. "So, you have a problem with me or something Rarity?''

Rarity looked at the curmudgeon quizzically and said, "Me? Oh no dear I don't have a problem…'' She then finished as she suddenly became aggressive. "But we will
if you even THINK about touching my inestimable diamond!''

"Oh really? Then what are you gonna do about this huh?''

Fluttershy proceeded to touch the rock. Rarity seethed in anger and leaped forwards to try to kick Fluttershy, only for the latter to evade by flying upwards. "Aw guessed you missed. But I'm still touching your precious rock!'' Fluttershy said.

"I said hooves off you diamond defiling brute!'' Rarity said.

She tried to hit Fluttershy again, only to miss again. Rarity lunged again, only missing like the previous times. As the unicorn tried to get Fluttershy away from the rock, Fluttershy mocked all the while.

"Still missed me. I guess what they say is true, unicorns can't do anything without their little magic!''

Rarity growled as Fluttershy spat on the worthless piece of earth. "I'll show you what this unicorn can do! En garde!''

Rarity went on to engage her manipulated friend, Fluttershy jeering and ridiculing her as she did so. Applejack went on to walk towards Pinkie Pie, her eyes closed with a serene smile on her face when she suddenly bumped into the ill-tempered, pink pony.

"Hey! Watch it!'' Pinkie snapped irritably.

"What's yur problem?'' Applejack asked.

"You bumped into me!''

"No I didn't. You bumped into me,'' Applejack lied bluntly, crossing a foreleg over the other.

Pinkie Pie growled and said, "Yes you did! You better think twice about messing with me!''

Applejack just rolled her eyes carelessly. "I don't know what you're talkin' about. You should pick a fight with Rainbow Dash. She's the one tellin' everyony that ya like parties.''

"She said what?!'' Pinkie Pie exclaimed, looking as if she had just been offended.

" Ya didn't hear it from me, but Rainbow said that you liked parties, an' cakes, an' havin' a heepin' good time,'' Applejack said, looking away dubiously.

"Oh she did huh?'' Pinkie Pie spoke, glaring at the now snoring Pegasus.

Pinkie stomped her way to the black cloud roughly tapped her. "Hey you!''

After another hard tap, Rainbow Dash jolted awake, a groggy look on her face. She peered over her shoulder and said testily, "And what do you want?''

Pinkie Pie spoke, "You saying that I liked to have fun? Answer me punk!''

Rainbow Dash eyed her coldly before answering with a stretch, "I don't know what you're talking about and frankly, don't care.''

Pinkie went over to the other side of the cloud and brought her face nose to nose with Rainbow as she leered in her uninterested eyes. "You better learn who you're spreading lies about. I'm the Pinkie Pie! I hate laughing, I hate parties, and I definitely hate lying chumps like you!''

At this Rainbow Dash just looked unfazed, and used a wing to push back Pinkie back on the ground. "Yeah, well I'm definitely gonna beat your sorry flank if ya ever wake me up like that again!''

Pinkie Pie sprang back up on her hooves and shouted at Rainbow Dash as she turned over and laid back down to sleep again. "Just try it! I dare you, I double dare you!''

Rainbow Dash spread a wing and made that inappropriate, vulgar gesture again and responded. "Ah go buck yourself.''

Pinkie Pie just stood there, fuming with teeth bared. She glared at the Pegasus as her remaining friends went about each other in disharmony and conflict. In a flash of light, Discord appeared by Chthon's side, a delighted smile on his face. Discord cackled.

"Ah ha! Now Father I know manipulating them into their opposite personalities may be meager chaos for you, but you have to admit it IS hilarious! I mean just look at them!''

Chthon stared down upon the squabbling group with a displeased frown. "I abhor the use of chaotic forces on such…childish endeavors.'' Chthon then grinned darkly. "But you are right Discord, seeing them turn on each other is an entertaining sight.''

Discord said, "Oh I knew you'd like it if given the chance. And besides if you think that's funny, just look at little miss friendship down there.''

Twilight just stood there, completely stunned as she gazed around at her changed friends. She couldn't believe it, the five most important ponies to her had become the exact opposite of what each of them were meant to represent. The ponies she knew, the ponies she treasured and loved were now gone, corrupted by the sinisterly grinning deconequus that was hovering high in the air. At the very sight of her bickering friends, Twilight eyed winced as tears began to appear in them.

"No…no! This can't be happening, not again…not now!'' Twilight spoke in a quivering voice.

Her friends continued to demean one another. They continued to lie to one another. They continued to shun one another. They continued to be quarrelsome with one another and continued to be drowned in their avarice. As their voices reached Twilight's ears, her tears began to fall down her face, one for each hurtful word her friends said to each other.

"We can't let it come to this…'' Twilight cried softly as her horn began to glow. "I can't let this happen, not when we have to fight this darkness!''

Suddenly with a cry, Twilight reared on her hind legs, the magenta light of her horn glowing brighter as she shouted. "Stop it! This isn't who you are! You're friends! You have to remember for each other's sake!''

Twilight stomped her forelegs back onto the ground. As she did that, a bright, deep pink light came forth from her horn and covered the area, becoming large enough to capture Twilight's five friends into the now dome of light. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity all ceased what they were doing and looked around in alarm at what was happening. As the light continued to shine, images began to go through each of their minds. Images of their past adventures together. Images of the enemies they've faced together. Images of all the times they laughed together…as friends.

Above in the fire tinted skies, Chthon and Discord watched on at the spectacle, Chthon with a calm, cynical smirk while Discord bore a more interested, somewhat surprised expression. There was suddenly a brief but brilliant flash and they light disappeared to reveal Twilight's five friends laying on the ground, seemingly unconscious. As the glow from Twilight's horn dimmed and vanished, she breathed heavily as if she had just ran a great distance and looked at her friends with a concerned gazed.

It wasn't long before the five ponies began to stir and slowly rise to their feet, their grey coloration draining down their bodies as their normal complexions came back to normal. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak as she rubbed her head, "Aw man! What the heck happened?!''

"Golly! I feel like I jus' went ta overtime with a bull at a rodeo,'' Applejack said, trying to shake off her daze.

"What happened?'' Fluttershy asked. "The last thing I remembered was…''

"Discord!'' Twilight finished, a weary but relieved sad smile on her face.

"Discord? What did that turn coat do to us?!'' Rarity said with a disgusted frown.

Twilight answered, walking towards her friends, "He used his magic to corrupt the five of you again. You were… the exact opposites of what each of you represented.''

"What?! You mean to tell me Discord did that old trick again?!'' Rainbow Dash exclaimed in anger.

"Please don't tell me he made me think some worthless piece of rock was a valuable diamond again,'' Rarity said with a scowl.

''That no good, goat bearded, mismatched sidewinder! He made me a liar again didn't he?!'' Applejack spoke, her rage building.

Pinkie Pie said with a terribly shameful, teary-eyed look. "And he made me hate fun…AGAIN! Twilight I-I'm sorry if I said anything mean to you, I didn't mean it I swear!''

Twilight just shook her head, her lips shaking into a small smile. "You don't need to apologize Pinkie. I know you girls and I knew that you would never act like that. We're friends.''

At her comment, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie gave the purple unicorn fond, grateful smiles. Rarity spoke up, "Indeed. And it's because of you that we were able to return to our true selves Twilight.''

Before Twilight could respond, she was stopped by Discord speaking out. "Well, well! So that's how you were able to lift my curse off of them the last time. Impressive Twilight, quite impressive.''

The six ponies looked to the skies at the two beings. Discord tapped his fingers together with a scheming, sly smirk on his face. Immediately, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity all glared fiercely at Discord with clenched teeth. Fluttershy, on the other hand, had a deeply afflicted stare as she looked at the spirit that had betrayed her and her friends.

Discord continued, "Well done indeed. Celestia would be so proud of her prized, faithful student.''

Twilight responded with an enraged shout. "Don't ever talk about Princess Celestia! She was the first one to see some good in you and how did you repay her…by joining forces with the very thing that destroyed her!''

At the mention of Celestia's death, Chthon gave an unfeeling, chuckle while his dark eyes scanned the group. Discord's face fell to an expression that seemed to show sadness and shame as he said, "Yes you're right Twilight. Celestia did thought that my powers could be used for good instead of chaos.'' Discord then formed a twisted grin. "Well that was her mistake. Whatever fate that befell her was all her fault.''

Those words. Those cruel, indifferent words. They even shock the six ponies beneath him as they gave out short gasps. Their aghast expressions soon became ones of resentment. Rarity spoke coldly. "That horrid scoundrel…he's no better than Chthon!''

Rainbow Dash shook with anger and she shouted, "The only mistake she made was ever giving a crap about a rotten scumbag like you!''

In the next moment, Rainbow Dash flew up at high speeds at Discord. It took less than five seconds for her to near him, but Discord was ready. He conjured a bottle with a bubble wand and stirred the contents. He then took out the wand and blue a beam of large bubbles at the cyan Pegasus. Rainbow Dash was caught off guard by the random act and was hit head on by the bubble beam. Upon impact, there was an explosion of water and Rainbow Dash plummeted back down to earth.

"Rainbow Dash!'' Twilight called in concern for her friend as she and the others ran towards her.

Discord saw this and wagged a finger in a disapproving manner. "Uh, uh, uh! Dashie's a big girl now. She can fight her own battles. Get the point?''

Swords suddenly appeared out of thin air and embedded themselves between Rainbow Dash and her friends, causing the five approaching ponies to skid to a halt. "He's got us blocked!'' Pinkie Pie said, raising a hoof halfway.

Twilight said with a furrowed frown, "I'll get us through! Let me just-''

"Don't bother Twilight!'' Rainbow Dash suddenly cut in as she stood up. "I can take this loser all by myself!''

"Oh can you now?'' Discord said with a smirk. In a flash of light, Discord was dressed in a vintage looking boxing shorts and shows complete with brown boxing gloves as well as a black, handlebar moustache. "Marquis of Hoovesberry Rules! Fisticuffs, come on! Put em' up!''

Discord started to hop around and jabbed the air, making taunting gestures at Rainbow Dash. The Pegasus growled under her breath and kicked off from the ground and flew towards the capricious being. As Rainbow Dash rushed towards him, Discord spun his right arm around at a high speed in a circular motion before finally flinging his arm outwards. His fist suddenly sprang from his wrist, a spring attached to its base as if the glove was in a box that was opened ready to strike an unsuspected victim.

Thought the antic was sprung quickly, Rainbow Dash's reflexes were faster and she easily dodged the oncoming hit and countered with a hard punch to Discord's face. Discord staggered backwards and fell back on the ground. His fist made it back to and reattached itself to Discord's wrist.

"Not fair!" Discord mewled, rubbing his nose. "You weren't supposed to dodge the punch! That was against the rules!''

Rainbow Dash just glared fiercely and said. "I'm not playing with you Discord! That was for betraying us!" Rainbow then cracked her neck. "And this is for what you just did to me!''

She soared through the air to attempt to land another blow on her double crossing opponent. "Not this time Dashie,'' Discord said.

When Rainbow Dash had neared him, she was swiftly hit with an upper cut from Discord's tail, a boxing glove having appeared on its tip. With a short cry, Rainbow Dash was knocked backwards and landed on the ground just in front of the imbedded swords. "Rainbow Dash!'' Fluttershy squeaked in fear.

"Are you alright darling?!'' Rarity asked, she took worried about her friend's wellbeing.

Rainbow Dash said nothing, just started to get back on all fours as she shook her head. Discord stood back up, his mustache and boxing outfit disappearing in a flash of light. "Annnd one punch and down ladies and genticolts! So, are you ready for round two Rainbow Dash?''

The five of the six ponies shot him glares as Applejack barked, "Get away from her ya freak!''

She jumped over the swords and galloped right at Discord. Following up, Twilight used her magic to raise three of the swords into the air as she, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie charged in after their earth pony friend, leaving a conflicted, distressed Fluttershy behind. Discord grinned as he looked at the incoming orange mare.

"Isn't this lovely? Old friends getting together for a rip roaring good time! Don't you agree Applejack?''

Discord made an upwards motion with his lion's paw. Pillars of jagged earth shot up from the ground and towards Applejack. Applejack spoke as she effortlessly weaved around each pillar. "We ain't friends ya uppity son of a bitch!''

As Applejack maneuvered passed the last pillar, she lunged at Discord with a head butt. Discord evaded by leaping to the side as Applejack leaped through a red cape Discord had conjured all while calling out, "Toro! Toro!''

Applejack skidded around and leered at Discord, now adorned in a rather flamboyant costume. Discord waved the red cape, as he again called at that phrase. Applejack snorted out a gust of air and darted towards Discord. "Quit messin' around an' fight seriously!''

When Applejack had gotten closer, she once again leaped at the costumed draconequus. Again Discord stepped to the side, holding the cape so Applejack would fly into it. This time however when Applejack dived into to it, she ran head first into something hard as a metallic clank sounded. She fell on her stomach, her head aching and the world spinning around her as she groaned. Discord smirked wickedly as he whipped the cape away to reveal an anvil sitting on the ground. "Careful Applejack. You'll never know when an anvil will suddenly appear.''

Applejack responded by grumbling under her breath as she tried to regain her bearings. Discord spoke in a southern drawl, advancing towards her. "Aw need help little pardner? That looks like it stung worse than lemon juice on a paper cut.''

"Get away from her!'' Twilight called out.

Discord looked up towards her as ducked away from a slash from one of the swords Twilight magically controlled. With a harsh grunt, Twilight willed the swords to make slashes at the slender spirit. Discord evaded the second slash and slithered in the air to avoid the third one. Discord laughed gleefully.

"Oh ho! So it's swordplay that you want hmm?'' In a flash, Discord was clad entirely in a white, padded protective gear, wearing a fencing mask over his head as he wielded a rapier. "En garde Madame Twilight!''

Twilight only frowned hatefully as she seethed. "This isn't a game! So stop acting like it is!''

Twilight used her magic to command her three swords to attack Discord. "I should hope it's not!'' Discord retorted, parrying a strike with his own sword. "You're really giving a lackluster performance. Come on it's like you're not even trying!''

As Discord easily parried Twilight's attacks, Rainbow Dash came flying in and shouted. "You want us to try?! Well try THIS on for size!''

Rainbow attempted to land a powerful kick to Discord only for the latter to split himself into separate parts as the rainbow maned Pegasus zoomed through the empty space. The evasion caught Rainbow of guard and Discord quickly reattached himself while his rapier transformed into a whip. Discord performed a singular motion with the whip and the tip wrapped itself around Rainbow Dash's leg and before the cyan mare could react, Discord swung Rainbow around, causing her to collide with her incoming friends.

Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie are laid on the charred ground in a slight daze, with Twilight losing her magical grip on the swords as they fell with multiple clangs. The three girls slowly rose up as they shook off their light headed trances. Fluttershy just stood there distances away with a mixture of confusion, terror, and woe upon her face. Discord flew towards him, his fencing gear disappearing as he did so.

"What's this? Surly you ponies are not giving up are you? I haven't even broken a sweat.''

Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash just glared at him as they slowly rose to their feet. Upon seeing their glances, Discord's expression took on one of bewilderment. "Such stabbing stares. Such hateful glances. What did I ever do to earn such looks?''

"Don't you even TRY to play the innocent Discord!'' Rarity spoke crossly.

"Yeah!'' Rainbow Dash added loudly. "After all the times you said you've change, after all the bullshit you've said about being our friend and what did you do?! Joined that overgrown freak show!''

Chthon said nothing, just merely chuckled while he crossed his arms as he watched what was transpiring. Pinkie Pie spoke up, in an angered tone. "Friends are supposed to be there for each other. Friends are supposed to stick together through thick and thin, not betray them and toss them aside like a week old, stale cake!''

Discord face shriveled into a stern frown. "Don't try to play the blame game. After all…it was YOU'RE fault that it had to resort to this.''

Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all gave Discord aggressive, yet confused glances at his words. Twilight said, "How was this our fault?!'' Twilight then charged at Discord, her horn coated in a billowing magenta aura. "We've done nothing but gave you a second chance! We done nothing but gave you an opportunity at redemption! And look what you've done after that!''

With each enraged outburst, Twilight fired a potent beam of magic at Discord. Discord handily dodged each attack, the last beam aimed at his face when he split his head in to avoid the beam. "Please! I was never your friend in your eyes! You keep spewing that you gave me a chance to reform but even after you treated me with disdain. Friendship is magic everypony!'' Discord said, the words 'Friendship is Magic' appearing in colorful letters above him only to turn to a goopy green mush and fell on the ground.

Rarity spoke. "If we treated you with distrust and disdain it is because you gave us a reason to. What with your mischievous, scheming, trickster ways!''

Discord gritted his teeth, his irritation beginning to rise. He raised his eagle claw as it was coated in a golden yellow aura. The same colored aura appeared around Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie's Elements as they were lifted into the air, struggling to escape from Discord's grip. Fluttershy watched on in horror, her hooves over her mouth as tears began to appear in her strong, cyan eyes. Applejack finally shook off the disorientation from hitting the anvil, gazed at her trapped friends as she glowered with a low growl.

"You ponies are a piece of work aren't you?!'' Discord said as he brought them closer to him. "Thinking you're so perfect, thinking that you're never in the wrong! Well it's high time you admit that you were the ones that botched this friendship!''

Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie continued to struggle and grunt in the spirit of chaos' grasp. The tighter Discord curled his fingers, the more discomfort the four ponies felt. With each passing second, Discord's frown grew deeper…fouler as he began to bare his teeth. Applejack wasted not a single second as she saw her friends in danger and she galloped towards Discord. Once upon him, she took his tail in her mouth and bit down hard, causing Discord to howl in pain.

Applejack spoke through her teeth. "Ya jumbled up, ungrateful, sorry excuse of a mule's hind end! YUR the one that botched up our friendship!''

With every ounce of her strength, Applejack heaved Discord by the tail as she flipped him over her body and slammed him hard on the earth. With his concentration broken, the golden aura vanished from around Applejack's four friends as they fell on the ground. Though shaking from the fall, they were able to quickly get back on their feet and readied themselves. Discord gave a light groan as he lifted his upper body and rubbed his head.

Applejack snorted and rushed at him again, not wanting to lose any opportunity for an opening. Discord shook off his daze and saw the orange mare quickly coming in on him. Frantic, Discord waved his hands in front of him.

"W-Wait Applejack! You wouldn't hit a draconequus with glasses would you?!'' Discord asked, taking out a pair of glasses and putting them over his eyes.

Applejack charged at him, paying no mind to his question. She turned just as she had gotten closer to him, Applejack turned and bucked Discord hard in the face. A rather lurid cracking sound was her as gasps escaped the lips of a few of Applejack's friends. Applejack turned around to see Discord's head had been twisted unnaturally around. Applejack wasn't fazed by the grisly sight and just spoke coldly.

"How'd ya like them apples?!''

Discord bore a shocked, confused expression, the lens of this glasses cracked. His glasses tilted to one side before finally breaking in two off his face. Discord spoke. "Alright, maybe you would.''

"My word, I knew Applejack was strong, but not THAT strong!'' Rarity said in awe.

Rainbow Dash spoke, "Yeah…remind me never to piss Applejack off while standing behind her.''

Discord stay in his spot for another moment or two until a look of irritation came to his face. He took his hands and turned his head back around, giving Applejack a dirty look. "Well done Applejack. I'll give you that point.''

A scoreboard appeared in the sky above them, one side having a chalk outline of Discord while the other side had an outline of Applejack as a point appeared under the latter's image. Discord stood back up, dusted himself off, and turned his gaze back to Applejack, her head lowered and ready to fight.

"But that's the only point you're going to get. This isn't your little patch of heaven you grew up on, this is chaos country…my home field,'' said Discord.

"What would you know what a patch of heaven is?'' Applejack growled.

Discord smirked darkly. "Well Applejack, I am a part of chaos. Chaos is bliss, my own personal little wonderland. And since this entire world is now chaos, this IS heaven for me.'' Discord then chuckled, "How's Sweet Apple Acres? I would so love a pet dog, but I'm afraid your brother was turned to stone. Such a pity.''

Applejack gritted her teeth, her body beginning to shake with pure rage. She shot Discord a glaring wince while starting to tear up a bit. "Don't…don't ya ever spew anythin' about my kin ya back stabbin' lunatic!''

Applejack rushed towards him, pure malice ready to be unleased to the chimera before her. As she ran, something suddenly burst forth from the ground and grasped Applejack around the neck, stopping her instantly. It was Discord's lion paw, except it was disembodied and detached from the rest of his body. Despite this, it was still able to function perfectly as it tightened its grip around the farm pony's neck.

"Applejack!'' Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie exclaimed in unison.

"What…the buckin' heck?!'' Applejack gasped, trying to pry the paw off her as she was lifted a few feet in the air.

Discord started to walk calmly towards the choking Applejack, a sinister grin spreading across his lips while shamelessly showing the stump of his missing arm. When he finally at to her, he seamlessly reattached his arm, now personally strangling Applejack himself.

"How does that feel Applejack?'' Discord asked.

He tightened his grip, causing Applejack to give a gargled cry. Discord spoke, "Where's your charmin', colorful countryisms now pardner?''

"Let her go!'' Twilight shouted at Discord.

She, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and now even Fluttershy all made their way quickly to their friend's aid. Discord peered over his shoulder slyly halfway through their run and swung his free hand in a single, horizontal motion, creating a golden crescent wave. The wave proved too fast for the party to react and the five were hit directing, sending them screamed as they were force backwards and spread on the ground.

Chthon smiled vilely, his pointed, canine like teeth showing as she looked upon the shifting, groaning bunch of ponies. Discord grinned smugly before turning his attention back to Applejack. "So sorry for the interruption. Where were we now? Ah yes…squeezing the apple cider out of you!''

Discord again tightened his grip, choking Applejack even more. With every passing second, it became more and more difficult for Applejack to breath. She continued gasping for air while trying to fight Discord off. Discord spoke, that gleeful, terribly smile on his face.

"What was that? I'm afraid you must speak up lamb chop, I can't make out for the life of me what you're trying to say.''

Applejack just glared at him with rage, with hate and she spat right in his face. Discord looked at her with an annoyed, unamused expression. "Now that was totally on called for. Really Applejack didn't Granny Smith taught you some manners?''

"Applejack hissed in response,'' Go ta Hell Discord!''

Discord just stared silently at her for a few moments. He then hocked back and spat right back into Applejack's face with a wad of strange, brown saliva far bigger and thicker than hers. Applejack wheeled and cried in disgust, shaking her head to rid the spit from her face.

Discord spoke, "Oh relax, it's just some leftover chocolate milk. At least, I think its chocolate milk.''

Discord licked his lips, looking as if he was trying to make out the taste of what he had just spat out. Applejack just growled, both in anger and in disgust as the brown substance dripped from her face. Discord brought her closer to his face as he spoke. "I didn't really appreciate you kicking me like that Applejack. And those were 500 bit glasses you little bitch!''

Discord shook her a bit, to her rising anger. "But that's alright,'' said Discord with a debased smirk. "I think I have the perfect payback. If I can't have Big MacIintosh as a dog, perhaps you'd be the next best thing. There's plenty of tricks I can show you and the first: to sic you on those pathetic ponies littering the ground you call friends!''

Discord raised a finger as a golden glow appeared on the tip as he brought it near Applejack's forehead. The strong mare jerked her head to try to escape, but it only proved in vain. Before Discord could touch Applejack's head, a blur of brown caught his eye and when he gazed up, he found himself on the receiving end of a brawny punch from a stallion. The pony landed on the ground as Discord staggered backward and gave a cry of pain, dropping Applejack from his clutches. Above in the sky, Chthon just gave the newcomer a deep, disdained frown, as if he was an insect that needed to be exterminated.

Applejack fell on the ground and coughed, trying to catch her breath after the choke. The pony instantly ran over to her side and tenderly lifted her head. "Applejack?! Are you ok?!'' he asked, fearing for her safety.

Applejack blinked a few times and gazed into the deep brown eyes of Quentin. "Q-Quentin?'' Applejack muttered under her breath in disbelief. Quentin just nodded, a small but relieved smile on his face as Applejack brought a hoof and gently stroked the side of his face. "I-Is it really you this time?''

Quentin didn't know what she meant by that phrase but right now he didn't care. He just stroked her hoof with his and replied. "Yeah Applejack. It's me.''

Applejack just looked upon her friend. Although at first she was happy to see him there with her, she was also conflicted by emotions of confusion and fear of his presence being there. "Quen…I…but…W-what are ya doin' here?! Ys suppose ta be back up in Canterlot!''

Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie managed to look up in time at Quentin's arrival and like Applejack were understandably surprised to see him there. "Quentin?! Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight shook her head, a look of absolute fear on her face and said, "No...He shouldn't be here!''

Before anyone else could say a word, Rainbow Dash flew towards the air, followed shortly by her remaining friends as they headed towards Applejack and Quentin. It took not time at all for Rainbow Dash to get to them and immediately spoke out loudly.

"Quentin?! What the hay are you doing here?!''

Quentin looked at the cyan Pegasus as the rest of his friends came around. "Quentin why are you here?! How in heaven's name did you even get from Canterlot all the way here?!'' Rarity asked in a shocked tone.

Quentin answered, "It's…it's a long story. But that doesn't matter. I'm here and that's all there is to it.''

"But why are you here?'' Twilight asked, coming towards him with concern. "We left you at the palace while we handled this!''

Quentin's face shriveled into an angered frown. "You mean how Applejack bucked me like I was an apple tree?'' Quentin spoke bitterly, gazing at the farm pony.

At this, Applejack's ears lowed in sadness as a shameful, pained look came upon her face. "Quentin I'm…I'm sorry. I…we just needed a way to keep ya from comin' with us.''

"And so the solution was to kicked me into unconsciousness?!'' Quentin argued.

Applejack tried to fight back tears as she tried to find the right words to tell her friend. "We just…wanted to protect you!''

Quentin still glared at Applejack for the infliction she had put on him. However, he could not shut out those protective, tendered that came out of her mouth and seeing the amount of remorse in her eyes caused him to softened in expression. Fluttershy spoke up meekly.

"Quentin, we're sorry that we hurt you. But please understand, it wasn't that we wanted to. It was more like we needed to.''

"Yeah, you're our friend. And we just couldn't let you get hurt. I don't think we'd ever forgive ourselves if something happened to you,'' said Pinkie Pie somberly.

The others nodded in agreement. Quentin looked at each of his wonderful friends in their eyes. He could just see the sincerity to protect him in their orbs and the earth pony couldn't help but be touch by their devotion. Quentin also took this chance to observe them closely and could see their dirtied and unkempt mane, and coats as well as the bruises and cuts each of them had sustained.

"Girls….thank you. I appreciate that you had the need to protect me but…each of you look like you've been through hell.''

"Trust me, that's an' understatement,'' Applejack replied, whipping her eyes. "But Quen you've got ta get yourself outta here. This ain't exactly a rodeo ring out here.''

Quentin looked at Applejack and spoke firmly, "Applejack…I'm not leaving.''

Applejack was about to argue when Rainbow Dash spoke up, getting closer to Quentin. "Quentin with ya just stop it already?! This isn't the time to try and act tough!'' Rainbow Dash continued, in a more sorrow filled tone, her ears lowering. "Don't try to act tough like me. Not if it'll get you hurt. So please…for us….just get out of here!''

Quentin could only stare at the multicolored maned mare with a sort of concerned bewilderment. Never had he seen Rainbow Dash so pleading. He knew that she had established herself as a tough, confidant girl who'd never wanted to show any type of weakness. But he could see that need and utter desire to protect him to be probably stronger than that of some of the mares around him. Twilight began to speak, just her face bearing just as plead and concern as Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

"Quentin, they're right. Please, just let us handle this. We have the Elements of Harmony, this is our responsibility. If you got hurt I…I…''

Before Twilight could finished, they were interrupted by a moaning sound. They all looked forward to see Discord reeling back from Quentin's punch. ''Really, what is it with ponies punching me in the face today?! I know my head could be a fun volleyball every now and then, but this is ridiculous!''

The seven friends instantly glared at Discord. After Discord shook his head, he scanned the group and locked eyes with Quentin. "Quentin?! Oh well isn't this the craziest thing? I was hardly expecting you to show up!'' Discord said, slightly surprised.

Quentin just gave the spirit a nasty look as he growled, "You better have a damn good reason why your hands were around Applejack's throat like that!''

Rainbow Dash answered, looking at him with a hateful frown, "How's this for a good reason: that cud face betrayed us!''

"What?!'' Quentin said aloud.

Applejack spoke with the same look Rainbow Dash bore. "You heard right Quentin. After everythin' that's happened, after everythin' we've done, in the end Discord decided ta throw in his lot with Chthon!''

Quentin just stared at Applejack, a look that had a mixture of surprise and confusion with a growing anger. Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie agreed with Rainbow Dash's and Applejack's claims while Fluttershy, on the other hand bore an extremely anguished expression and she hurtfully looked away. Quentin looked back at Discord, his anger becoming full outrage.

"So all that talk about you becoming friends was all bullshit huh?!''

Discord just smirked, untroubled with the outburst as he started to walk towards them. Quentin's friends quickly rushed in front of him, shielding him as Discord spoke. "Oh don't be like that Quentin. You shouldn't take it so personally after all-''

Discord disappeared before his head suddenly came out from Quentin's pendant and he looked sinisterly in his eyes. "I am a creature of chaos!''

Before Quentin or the others could react, Discord's tail wrapped around Quentin's neck and the stallion was flung through the air, landing painfully on the ground seconds after. "Quentin?! Applejack cried as Discord appeared in full form on the spot.

"You're gonna pay for that you freak!'' Rainbow Dash shouted.

She lunged at Discord, only for the latter to simple slap her away a few distances from the group. "Rainbow Dash!'' Pinkie Pie shrieked for her friend.

Twilight growled before letting out a short cry, firing a beam of magic at the dragconequus. Discord just yawned and spoke lazily, "Boring.''

Discord caught the beam before it could hit him, forming into a ball about the size of a softball. With a flex of his talon claw, the magenta ball of magic quickly expanded and forced back the remaining ponies close to Discord. Screams briefly filled the air as Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie were scattered about the area. Quentin slowly raised his head wearily, only to become fully alert at the sight of his friends laying on the ground.

"Oh god girls!'' Quentin said, getting standing up.

He looked to his right and saw Applejack slowly getting out and clearly in a daze. "Applejack!''

Quentin quickly rushed to Applejack's side, looking at her with very worrisome eyes. "Applejack, are you ok?!''

"Yeah…I guess,'' Applejack answered a bit groggily. She shook her head and then gazed at her friend urgently. "But forget me! You have ta get yourself outta here!''

Quentin looked at her firmly, "Applejack for the last time, I'm not leaving you girls! I'm not leaving you!''

"Quentin please I'm beggin' ya!'' Applejack argued. "Why would ya wanna risk yurself getting' hurt?! Why take that chance?!''

Quentin responded by putting a hoof on her cheek, an act that caught Applejack completely by surprise as the brown earth pony gave her a tender smile. "Because you're important to me and that's why I need to be here. I promised that I'd always have your back and that's my honest truth.''

Applejack just stared speechlessly into Quentin's eyes. Her face heated as a faint blush came to her cheeks. She was warmed by her friend's touch, but even further by his comforting words. The beautiful, freckled faced mare winced slightly as she placed a hoof on Quentin's

"Quentin, I'm grateful ta hear that, I really am but…''

Before Applejack could finished, she was cut off by a voice. "Oh isn't this a touching sight? Totally a Kodak moment.'' Quentin and Applejack both looked to see Discord taunting them as he began to walk, taking pictures with a camera that he had conjured. "Two good friends sharing a having a heart to heart experience with one another.'' Discord's grin then became a frown of detest. "Something you ponies never given me the chance to experience.''

Quentin and Applejack could only glare at Discord as he continued to walk towards them. Rainbow Dash stood back up, shook herself off, and leered at Discord and shouted, "You still going on about that BS?! Quit trying to act like the victim, you bucked up and big time!''

The brash Pegasus tried to soar towards Discord, only for the latter to quickly snap his fingers. Black, vine like tentacles burst from the ground and ensnared her by the wings and legs. She grunted and cried with frustration as she tried to fight her way out of their grasp.

"Rainbow Dash?!'' Quentin called out.

"Damn it! I'm so sick of getting caught in these things!'' Rainbow Dash seethed, taking a part of the limp in her teeth as she tried to bite it off.

"Rainbow hold on! I'll get you out!'' Twilight Sparkle said, getting to her feet as she, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity rushed to their trapped friend.

Discord snickered and pointed a finger at Twilight, the tip beginning to glow. "I don't think so Twilight.''

Before he could do anything, before he could perform any kind of spell his chaotic powers could grant him, Fluttershy suddenly flew up in front of him, blocking the path towards Twilight. Upon glancing at the yellow Pegasus, Discord looked at her scornfully. However what dominated Fluttershy's face wasn't anger, hate, or malice. It's was sorrow. A dreary, melancholy sadness with cyan eyes filled with tears.

"Fluttershy! What do you think you are doing?!'' Rarity said loudly.

Twilight fired four beams of magic that easily cut through the tentacles and Rainbow Dash broke free, landing on the ground. With Rainbow Dash free, Twilight, and the others all turned their glances to Fluttershy, her arms outstretched to her sides. "Fluttershy stop!'' Twilight call, fearing for her shy friend. "Get away from him!''

Fluttershy didn't abide and just hovered in her place. He body was shaking as tears started to ooze down her face. She opened her mouth and squeaked, her voice cracking. "Discord! Please…stop this!''

The glow at the tip of Discord's finger vanished as he brought his hand down. Discord responded. "Stop what Fluttershy? Whatever could you mean?''

"Fighting us! I don't know why you're doing this!'' whimpered Fluttershy.

Discord gave Fluttershy a dirtier glare. "I thought I made myself clear before. Whatever that's transpiring between us is all your fault.''

"You say it's our fault when we did nothing to you!'' shouted Twilight.

"Did nothing to me?!'' Discord retorted, glowering at the purple unicorn. "Shunning me, reining me down with the Elements, refusing to let me be my true self I would hardly call that doing nothing to me!''

As Discord continued, Chthon gazed down at him, grinning malevolently as a sinister red gleam came to his dark eyes. Now, it was Rarity's turn to argue with the spirit. "What we did, what you accuse us of doing was only to ensure you stayed true to the promise we and YOU made to Celestia to be reformed!''

"Yeah! It was just to be sure that we were really friends, something that you always claimed to be!'' Pinkie Pie spoke.

Discord just gave the pink pony an unresponsive stare as Applejack spoke aggressively. "Friendship is a two way deal Discord! You had ta act like a friend if ya ever wanted the feelin; ta be mutual!''

"Freakin' buck don't bother!'' Rainbow Dash barked, ready to fly at Discord again. "We shouldn't be explaining ourselves to that traitor! Point is he messed up…BIG TIME and he's gonna pay for it!''

"And who, pray tell, is going to ensure that task Rainbow Dash? You?'' Discord asked.

"I'll be glad to!'' growled Rainbow Dash.

Before Rainbow Dash could move, Fluttershy screamed out. "Rainbow Dash stop!''

"What do ya mean stop!''

Fluttershy gazed at her brave friend, tears still cascading down her face with a desperate expression on her face. "Just…please!''

Rainbow Dash casted an impatient, defying scowl at the meek Pegasus. Twilight spoke, a look of both quivering anger yet with a sense of hurt. "And do you know the worst part of it is? I actually, truly thought we could be friends. I actually believed that if we had gotten through this, we could've added a new member in our circle of friends in our duty to protect Equestria. But I was wrong. In the end, you've shown what was really in your heart. And you're no different than the dark, evil, death worshipping monster that's up there. The only difference…is how much I hate him.''

Twilight glanced up at Chthon and gave him a foul look, but he only returned with an unfazed, dark smirk. Discord gave a low growl before responded almost to the point of yelling. "Please spare me! Admit it, you've never wanted to be friends with me! You've never wanted anything to do with me! You were only going through with the plans Celestia had in her mind. You've never cared about me!''

"I DID care about you!'' Fluttershy cried out suddenly.

Discord sharply brought his attention back to the Pegasus hovering in front of him. Fluttershy took a moment to breathe deeply with a short, silent sob. Fluttershy continued. "At first when Princess Celestia asked me to help reform you I wasn't sure that I could do it. I thought she had chosen the wrong pony to try to change you, but I did anyway because I didn't want to disappoint the princess.''

Fluttershy took a short pause in which she slowly brought herself back on the ground. Her six friends watched on tensely as Discord's face began to soften inch by inch. "Even though at first it seemed hopeless and I wanted to give up, I'm glad I didn't. I knew that deep down pass your chaos magic, there was truly a sweet, good heart.''

Fluttershy gave a quivering, small, sad smile to Discord as he now had a speechless gaze. Fluttershy continued speaking. "And when you had finally renounced your evil ways I was so…so happy. You've became a dear friend to me.''

Discord slightly cocked hos head to one side, his shocked expression not turned into a more saddened one. "But not everypony's perfect,'' Fluttershy said, giving the draconequus an implored glance. "Everypony makes mistakes. But it's not too late to fix them and to atone for your sins. You can still help us fight this evil. Just because you're Chthon's son doesn't mean you have to be like him. There's good in you, I know it. You can still be our friend. Please Discord…please help us end this. Please….!''

Fluttershy extended a hoof towards Discord. Discord looked at her hoof and back to Fluttershy. His face…the friends seemed to never have seen the expression Discord now bore. He had a sympathetic, somber, conflicted, and maybe even a twinge that showed shame and regret. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Quentin held their breath as they watched on while Chthon just gazed down on them with a cold stare.

Discord took on last look into Fluttershy's tear filled eyes that solicit him and raised his eagle claw advanced it towards Fluttershy's hoof, closer and closer to one another. Just as Discord's claw was going to grasp Fluttershy's hoof, it went passed it and instead grabbed the yellow Pegasus tightly around her neck. Fluttershy cried out as Discord lifted her into the air.

"Fluttershy!'' exclaimed the seven, on looking ponies.

As they started to rush to Fluttershy's aid, Discord snapped his fingers and a large, steel cage appeared around them, halting them immediately. The now trapped ponies all gave outcries of anger and shock with Discord merely looking at them with stern, irritated eyes. He then looked into Fluttershy's eyes as he brought her closer to his face, their muzzles almost touching. His grasp tightened, causing the mare to squeak out as she was being strangled. With a truly, vile, sinister smirk, Discord spoke.

"Sorry Flutters dear, I'm afraid I'm going to have to refuse that offer. I kinda like being bad. My father reminded me how much I favored the ataxia. So you can just keep your fru, namby pamby, malarkey what you call friendship to yourselves!''

Fluttershy said nothing, just gazed at Discord with extremely forlorn, stunned stricken eyes, her body quivering greatly. Discord then flung her away and she landed on the ground and skidded to a halt in front of the cage. "Fluttershy! Are you ok?!'' Pinkie Pie cried.

Twilight winced before closing her eyes, her horn beginning to glow and in a flash of magenta light, she and her friends were outside the steel cage. They quickly surrounded Fluttershy as Applejack kneeled down and helped her up.

"Fluttershy, sugarcube are ya alright?'' Applejack asked with tremendous concern.

Fluttershy didn't respond. She glanced over her shoulder and peered through her mane at Discord. He just stood there, flashing that cruel, remorseless grin at her. Fluttershy began to tremble, her face started to scrunch up before she collapsed into Applejack's arms and sobbed in her shoulder. Applejack rubbed her back, attempting to comfort her and she shot Discord a cold, disgusted glare.

"Ya know you ungrateful, two timin' lowlife, when it comes right down to it, ya own Fluttershy the most fer giving ya a chance. Ya don't deserve any friends!'' Applejack scowled.

"Please. Thanks to my esteemed father, I've learned that 'friendship' is nothing compared to the power of chaos,'' Discord replied curtly.

Quentin gritted his teeth, the anger and disgust he was feeling for Discord now at its breaking point. "You were given a chance to be more than what you were created to be. You had the opportunity to be a part of something greater, and you throw it away and treated their friendship like dirt? All your apologies for what you did to me…screw them and screw you!''

Discord rolled his red and yellow eyes, "Ah who cares?! I can't believe I even said all that junk about forgiving me bleh! To be honest, every time you all would prattle on about the magic of friendship, you sounded like something out of a god awful self-help booklet! Although…'' Discord then grinned mischievously, twirling his beard. "What I did to you in the Everfree Forest was the most fun I had in ages! Perhaps we should do that again. What I have plan is sure to make your mind shatter from the madness. What do you say Quentin ol' chum?''

At that, Quentin gave a low growl, his teeth gritted as he tensed his body. Applejack moved closer to Quentin while Twilight jumped in front of him, her horn aglow as both mares giving Discord deathly stares. Rainbow Dash was fuming and barked.

"Like hay if I ever let you touch him!''

Rainbow Dash flew at high speed towards Discord, intending to land a hit on him. Discord's eyes glowed yellow as he knocked Rainbow Dash back with a telekinetic force back towards her friends and landed on the ground.

"Rainbow are you ok?!'' Rarity gasped, going to her friend's side.

As she was being helped up, Rainbow Dash grunted and cursed through gritted teeth. Discord glanced at all the ponies, each one giving him angered, hate filled frown except Fluttershy who was still crying into Applejack's shoulder. Finally Discord spoke out in an irritated tone.

"You ponies truly are something. Don't you see you can't win? Why do you insist to keep fighting?''

Twilight answered, "Because we're not going to just sit here and let you and Chthon turn this world upside down for your twisted pleasure!''

Before anyone else could speak, a low chuckle came to their ears. They all looked up to the source of the chuckle and all eyes were on Chthon, still hovering against the dark, fiery skies. His chuckling grew louder and louder until he was laughing maniacally, a truly dark, and demonic laughter. Quentin, Twilight, and their friends all looked at the dark deity with bewildered, but aggressively gazes while Fluttershy lifted her face from Applejack's shoulder. Even Discord seemed puzzled by his father's behavior and asked.

"Um, what's so funny Father? I'm afraid I've missed the joke.''

Chthon ceased his laughter and spoke with a dark grin. "They ARE the joke Discord.''

"Oh really? Do you mind elaborating Father?'' Discord ask.

"It doesn't need elaboration,'' said Chthon. "You mortals truly believe that all I want is to turn this world upside down? No that is not the case…I'm going to rip this world inside out.''

Twilight, Quentin, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack all just stared with a look of silent dread at the God of Chaos as he said those chilling words. "I-Inside out? Whatever does he mean?'' Rarity asked.

"Yeah I mean he already rules the world. What else could he possible want?'' said Pinkie Pie dismally.

Chthon crossed his arms, continuing speaking. "You're fools if you believe that I actually wanted to rule over this pathetic world. Then again, what should I have expect from such a lesser species?''

"I'll show you what a lesser species can do!'' Rainbow Dash shouted.

Ready soar at Chthon, she was halted in the air by a cry from Twilight. "Rainbow don't!''

The brazen Pegasus gave a glare at the unicorn for stopping her, only for the latter to shake her head before looking back up at Chthon. "Quit with the riddles! Tell us, what are you talking about? What do you want Chthon?!'' Twilight demanded.

A stiffen silence clenched the area save for the low, hot, serially winds that blew by. Discord gazed at his father, he too eager to here Chthon's answer. After a long, tortuous minute, Chthon furrowed his black and red eyes and said.

"Ever since the first light was birthed, ever since the first equines came forth from their dirt hobbles, the natural order of the universe had been disrupted.''

"What the flipping hay are you talkin' about?!'' Applejack called up with a frown.

Chthon paused for a moment, his furrow deepened as a more sickened expression came to his face. "From the time of the thoughtless void, came the birth of you lowly species. And from that beckoning came the illusion of harmony…of free will.''

The six ponies gazed at each other, truly puzzling looks dominating their faces. Twilight argued, "What do you mean? Harmony was never an illusion! Our princesses gave us freedom in exchange of following loyally to them. All that was never an illusion!''

Chthon just glared at the purple unicorn. "They were indeed. Along with another: the illusion of choice. Ever since that fool Chrysalis first discovered the Power Gem, ever since that gem saw the light of day, this moment was absolute. Everything you've attempted to accomplish to prevent my return were all frivolous toils.''

"No! You're wrong you heartless monster!'' Rarity retorted. "Everything we did, that paths we took all had meaning behind them! Even now, we still aim to defeat you!''

"And yet another pointless effort," spoke Chthon. "The concept of choice have blinded you from the truth. This glorious day was fated to happen, inevitable. Ever since every single one of you were born, that day was marked by meaninglessness. No matter what you did, no matter what choices you've made, no matter what you've aspired to be…they were all insignificant.''

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack continued to give the dark god quizzical, bold frowns while Rarity and Pinkie Pie bore more concerned gazes. Fluttershy still had tears in her eyes while she listened. Discord himself was becoming more flummoxed and even unnerved. As Quentin listened, his anger was increasingly filling his body at Chthon's negligent words. He began to grit his teeth as Chthon spoke again.

"I have lived lifetimes before the existence of this universe, and nothing has plagued me more than the creation of mortal life. Through time, you have accepted the concept of death, and yet millions of this worlds struggled to cling to life. Civilizations were built, only to be destroyed by the hands of time. It was written by fate, this is the net result of all that was living. And being a god, I have long since delivered my judgment…all life is meaningless. And so, I am prepared to reduce this planet to dust and to exterminate the bonds of life that had been so pointlessly created.''

As Chthon silenced, the eight that had been listening all stared at him in speechless shock, unable to believe or possibly even grasp as to what they had just heard. Seconds turned to minutes when Rarity finally spoke in a small tone.

"What…what in the land of Equestria did he just say?!''

"He…said he was going to destroy life. The very existence of it!'' Twilight answered, in the same state of stun the others were in.

"No…No he's lying! He can't do that can he?!'' said Pinkie Pie wincing sadly as she coward backwards.

Applejack shook her head, "He's crazy! That lowlife have seriously gone off the deep end!''

Quentin and Rainbow Dash said nothing as the latter who was hovering in the air slowly descended and landed on the ground. Discord looked at his father as if he was expecting him to laugh and call a joke, but the dark being did no such thing. Discord then disappeared and reappeared in front of Chthon in a flash of white light. After a moment, Discord suddenly burst out laughing.

"Ha ha! Oh Father, they can't appreciate your deliciously dark and twisted humor like I can! You are a riot!''

As Discord continued to laugh, he wiped away a tear and peered open an eye just to open both fully as he gazed into Chthon's eyes. Chthon wasn't laughing, not in the very least and he gave the draconequus a serious, deep, glaring frown. Seeing this, Discord slowly ceased his laughter and asked.

"You…were just kidding right Father?''

"I am not. I wouldn't jest on a matter such as this. Does this trouble you Discord?'' Chthon answered.

Discord averted his eyes and back at the four winged deity before him. "Well I…please forgive me sire but it's just…even you can see the folly of kings without a kingdom.''

Chthon slowly uncrossed his arms and brought them to his side. "As I have said before, I have no interest of owning a kingdom. I will destroy every living thing on this world. Do you object?''

"Well…I…it's just I wanted to cause chaos to the ponies. Turning their world upside down in a storm of chocolate rain not destroy them! Why cause chaos if there's nopony to react to chaos? It just doesn't make any sense-BLUGH!''

Discord was suddenly cut off as Chthon had rammed his hand into Discord's chest and out from his back. Twilight, Quentin, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie gasped loudly at what they had just saw. Fluttershy let out a horrified shrieked as she brought her hooves to her mouth, tears still ever so streaming down her face. Discord's eyes shot open, blank and shocked as he slowly looked down to see Chthon's hand inside his chest.

"Since when did you care for the sense of things?" Chthon remarked darkly.

Discord then lifted his head and gazed back into Chthon's eyes. He then said softly, but with a quivering voice. "B-But…Father…why?!''

Chthon didn't respond and sunk his hand deeper inside his son's chest. Discord grunted and cringed in pain. "But…you said that you wouldn't kill me?!''

"I believe I said I wouldn't kill you in THAT moment,'' Chthon answered darkly.

Discord just widened his eyes, angst and dread becoming increasingly visibly. "I-I don't understand. I gave my loyalty to you. I forswore those ponies to rule by your side!''

Chthon spoke, "You did…after I have been resurrected. And by a foolish insect no less. It was a task that was originally bestowed upon you, I fail to see the loyalty in that."

Discord answered," But you forgave me for that. I know I may have abandoned that task, but you said you'd pardoned me of it!''

Back on the ground, Quentin, Twilight, and the others watched on at what was occurring in the skies, still in a trance of astonishment at what they were seeing. "What in jumping June bugs is goin' on?! Applejack asked no one in particular.

Twilight swallowed a small lump in her throat and answered. "It…It looks like Chthon and Discord are having a falling out!''

Chthon went on to respond, his nostrils flaring a bit. "It's not about the matter of forgiveness and pardoning. It's about returning to the rightful nature of things.''

Discord just stared at Chthon, completely speechless at his words. He finally manage to find the words to say and opened his mouth. "Father…but I'm your son! Your own spawn…surely you wouldn't…''

"Despite all that I've said Discord, the truth of the matter is, you were never my son.''

Discord didn't respond, just stared into Chthon's unholy red and black eyes with absolute stupefaction and bewilderment. "When I created you I didn't intend on having a son. You were supposed to be a pathway to my resurrection; an extension of myself…my will made real. You may have given yourself a name upon growth, but you are truly just a mere piece of me, nothing more.''

Discord stared into Chthon's eyes for a moment or two, the winds rustling through his fur. "I…I…that couldn't be the only thing I am. No! I'm so much more than that! Compared to those ponies, and even to the Princesses themselves, I have magic they could only dream of. I am Discord, creature of Chaos!''

Chthon just leered at Discord coldly. "Believe what you want boy, but believe this: in order for my vision of omnicide to be a reality, all the draws breathe must meet their end. Ponies, zebras, dragons…and draconequus alike.''

Discord shook his head, grasping Chthon's forearm with both his claws. "No…No! Y-You can't do that!''

"I can, and I will,'' Chthon responded in that dark, demonic tone of his. His eyes began to glow a crimson red as he continued. "But first, I am going to take back the little power that I've lent you before being banished to my stone prison.''

Before Discord could even protest or react, Chthon opened his mouth, his eyes still aglow. In that moment, Discords eyes too glowed a phosphorous yellow and his mouth sprang open, as if being forced open by an unseen entity. As his mouth opened, a glowing mass of purple energy spewed from Discord and into Chthon's. The seven friends gave out surprised cries of shock and terror as they watched Discord's power being drained away.

It all only lasted for a couple of seconds and the last bit of the purple essence entered Chthon's mouth and closed it. He gritted his teeth as he made a strange gesture with his head as the hellish red glow of his eyes faded it. Almost immediately, blood started to pour profusely from the wound that Discord now had sustained. Discord heaved forwards and suddenly cough violently. He coughed out a great amount of blood, some of the drops splattering Chthon's face. However, the God of Chaos reacted none to this and the blood dissolved away. After a few more waved of heavy coughing, Discord looked up wearily at his father, blood coming from his mouth and nose. Chthon cocked his head to one side, as if he was a child looking at something with curiosity.

"You look surprised Discord. Tell me, surely you've seen this as your fate?''

Discord weakly turned his head to the horrified ponies below. His eyes locked into Fluttershy's terror struck orbs for a moment and he slowly turned back to Chthon. He weakly gazed at Chthon, his eyes becoming misty as a single tear rolled down his face and he answered with a sort of whimper.

"I didn't…I truly didn't!''

"Well that was your biggest mistake, and your last. Now silence, and allow me to reclaim the life that I had breathed into your nostrils.''

Chthon pulled his hand out from Discord's body, causing the latter to cough and grunt in pain. With his hand now soaked in the sticky, crimson liquid from Discord's body, Chthon took a hand and grasp Discord's upper jaw and used the other hand to take hold of the lower jaw. Discord made a sort of gargling sound, his weakened eyes suddenly shooting open as his took hold on of Chthon's arms. And then it came to happen. With a single, great motion, Chthon violently pried opened Discord's jaw. A sickening crack was heard as Discord's jaw was now grotesquely opened at an unnatural angle. Discord's struggling quickly stopped as his claws lost their grip and slowly slid down Chthon's arm and dangled to the side.

Fluttershy shrieked out a cry as she buried her face into Applejack's coat and sobbed loudly while the other just stood there, frozen in their places. Chthon just stared cruelly, coldly at the motionless body that he now held in his hands. He then twisted the upper and lower parts of Discord's jaw, creating even more discomforting cracking sounds as he made Discord's jaw even more malformed. Finally with a final gesture, Chthon completely snapped off Discord's jaws, ripping them from their hinges as Discord's body fell onto the ground just distances away from the seven ponies. There the body laid, motionless, still, and crooked, mismatched arms sprawled to the side. His face, oh there wasn't a face anymore, just a mangled, bloody, deformed pile of mush. That was all that was left of Discord, Creature of Chaos.