Under normal circumstances, the great hallways of the Canterlot royal palace would see few ponies walking through them, save for the occasional guard here and there. However, today, they were the backdrop for a frantic rush forward by Twilight and her friends. The six mares charged forward along the ornate red carpet, passing by many a brightly-coloured stained-glass window. The panting they were doing made it clear that they had run a long way, but even so, they kept on going. The most remarkable thing about that at this present moment was what they wore. For there, hanging from their necks, were the Elements of Harmony. Twilight's own Element, the crown, rested carefully upon her head, staying there even in spite of all this running. Standing at the head of the group, a look of determination was upon Twilight's face. So...he's finally out. Her eyes narrowed at that thought as she continued to run, passing by many a confused servant or guard. As for the rest of her friends, they looked on with concern, especially when they looked to their leader. Twilight tried softening her expression for their sake, but it was of no use. There's no underplaying the severity of this. When they meet Celestia...they'll understand.

And it was not long before that very thing happened in earnest, for the mares burst forth through a door at the end of the long hallway, entering a more grand chamber, at the end of which was the sun princess herself. The elder alicorn watched as her six subjects bowed respectfully towards her, before gesturing for them to rise.

"I'm glad you were able to make it."

Twilight stepped forward, a look of concern upon her face.

"You sent for us, Princess?"

Celestia nodded.

"Indeed."

Their diarch gestured with her hoof, giving them a silent command to follow her. The unspoken seriousness of the situation was such that even Pinkie Pie was silent during all this. As all seven mares walked together, they looked on as they entered a room that none had ever seen before, decorated not only in sublime finery, but also more stained-glass windows, though these ones seemed to depict different things to what the other windows of the palace did. Twilight glanced up at them, her face one of seriousness. The great moments of our history. One day...I’ll be up there myself. She let out a sigh at that thought before looking ahead to her teacher, who, at last, stopped walking. The others stopped soon afterwards, and watched with baited breath as Celestia took a few moments to compose herself. When she spoke, her voice was not the calm and motherly tone they were used to, but rather a more commanding and serious-sounding one.

"I'm sure that, by now, you're all aware that strange things have been occurring around Equestria?"

Twilight turned to look at her friends, who, sure enough, were nodding in agreement with that. Rainbow spoke first.

"I'll say! The clouds haven't been doing what we want! It's been impossible to get any weather done right today!"

Applejack chimed in soon afterwards.

"An mah farm has been growin...well...cotton candy! It's crazy!"

Pinkie turned to her, looking aghast at what had just been said.

"Speak for yourself! I absolutely love all that chocolate rain that Ponyville's been getting!"

As expected, the other mares shook their heads at those words, with Twilight especially planting a hoof to her forehead. How Pinkie can always stay so cheerful in times of difficulty like this, I'll never know. But, she stayed silent, instead looking to Celestia, who nodded at all of her subjects' words.

"Well...you should know that there is a good reason all these things have been happening. They are the work of a powerful magic-user. One I had hoped Equestria would never have to see again."

Twilight's friends all looked to each other, some fearful while others seemed curious. As they looked back to their diarch, they watched as she grew deep in thought, speaking in a lower tone as she finally started her story.

"Over a thousand years ago...Equestria was under the absolute rule of a creature called Discord. The spirit of chaos itself, he and his tremendous power dominated this land and its ponies."

Celestia turned, looking up to the window they were all standing next to. The other mares followed suit, and finally took note of the image upon the glass. A creature, cobbled together from many different animals, flying high above three ponies, a unicorn, pegasus and earth pony respectively. He was holding strings above them, like a puppet master, and grinning evilly. As for the ponies beneath him, there was only one way to describe them; miserable. Fluttershy, growing ever more worried at this image, ducked behind Applejack in an attempt to not have to look at it again. Sighing, Celestia continued.

"Under his rule, ponies were tormented day and night, and all for his own amusement. His downfall was only achieved by the power of the Elements of Harmony, wielded by my sister and myself."

Twilight turned to her teacher, raising her eyebrow slightly.

"Um, Princess? Where is Luna right now?"

Celestia nodded at her student, acknowledging her question, before giving a reply to it.

"Luna is out in the streets of Canterlot, doing what she can to calm the citizens. Doubtless the power of Discord's chaotic magic is wreaking havoc down there, and they'll need a princess to guide them right now."

Twilight nodded before turning to her friends, looking at their respective Elements, before looking back to the princess.

"I understand. You want us to use the power of the Elements on Discord once more."

Celestia looked at Twilight, her expression growing softer than it was before

"I do. Though I ask that you be cautious, my student. Discord is an unpredictable creature. I know not where you will find him or what he will try and do. But regardless, since you and your friends are now the ones connected to the Elements, only you can truly stop him."

Before Twilight had a chance to reply to that, Rainbow Dash zoomed past her, giving a salute to their leader.

"You can count on us, Ma'am! That monster won't know what hit him!"

In spite of the seriousness of the situation, Celestia could not help but giggle slightly at her subject's words.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm, Miss Dash. But you must remember..."

Her expression became one of seriousness once more.

"...that Discord is a foe unlike anything that you or your friends have ever faced before. Be careful."

Dash nodded at that, as indeed did everypony else. Without another word, they began to walk together, heading right out of the grand chamber. However, they stopped as soon as they realised that Twilight was staying put. A look of confusion collectively crossed their faces, to which Twilight merely smiled. She raised a hoof and gestured to them, giving a clear-but-unspoken "I'll catch up to you" to them. There was a brief look of uncertainty among the group, but they eventually nodded to her before making their way out. Twilight watched them carefully, seeing them leave the room and close the door behind them, before turning to her mentor. Celestia looked down at her, eyebrow raised, before speaking up to her.

"Something you wish to say to me, Twilight?"

The young unicorn nodded, prompting Celestia to sigh as she turned towards the window yet again.

"I thought as much. Your warning has come true and that monster is free again. Despite my preparations, they did little more than slow him down."

Twilight's expression became one of concern after hearing that.

"Has anypony been hurt?"

Celestia gave a grim nod.

"Unfortunately...yes. The guards that were posted outside of Discord's cell were transformed by his magic into statues. A twisted revenge on his part, I imagine."

Twilight's expression became one of shock, though, as Celesta continued to look to the window, she did not see it. Statues? But...but Discord always said he never turned ponies to stone. Why would he do it this time around? Was he lying about not doing it the last time? Or...or is something else going on here? Before she could enquire further, Celestia turned to her, her expression that of slight relief.

"Fortunately, his magic is not as strong as that of the Elements, so this spell was easily undone once my sister and I arrived on the scene. The guards are recovering in the medical wing of the palace right now."

The young unicorn nodded, a look of concern growing upon her face. I should probably tell her. Ugh, she's not going to be happy about this.

"Um...Princess? There's something you should know."

Celestia turned to her, bearing a look of curiosity. Seeing this, Twilight let out a sigh before beginning to explain herself.

"You see...I'm actually hoping that I won't have to use the Elements on Discord."

Immediately, Celestia's eyes shot open with shock.

"What?! You know this creature from your memories of the future, yes? You know what he’s' capable of. So why, in the name of sanity would you not want to use the Elements?"

Twilight looked down at the ground, a look of slight sadness in her eyes.

"It's just...you're right, I do know Discord. I know what he does and I know what he's capable of. And that mean...I know he can be better."

Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"Better? You...you mean...he actually gives up his chaotic ways?"

In spite of how uncomfortable this conversation had become, Twilight couldn't help but let out a laugh at that.

"Give up? No, he doesn't, at least not entirely. But...he does learn to let friendship into his heart. He starts to live for others instead of just himself. It was an uphill battle the whole time...but he did end up becoming a friend, not only to me, but to you as well."

Celestia stood there, aghast at what she'd heard.

"Me? Friends with...him?"

Twilight smiled at her teacher.

"Believe me, that was pretty much my reaction when you asked us to reform him."

Celestia's head snapped into Twilight's direction.

"I'm the one who asked you to change him?"

Twilight responded to that with a single nod, prompting Celestia to look deep in thought over this matter. After a long silence, the diarch finally spoke.

"Out of curiosity...was I insane at the time?"

Another giggle escaped Twilight after hearing that.

"You know...there are times when I actually wondered that myself."

Another silence followed, after which Celestia hung her head low, letting out a long sigh while Twilight watched her. In time, the regal mare stood tall once more, looking down at her student with all the authority she was known for.

"You are the bearer of the Element of magic. I do not know if this plan of yours will succeed, or if I can even say I'm all that confident in it. But...you have my blessing for it."

Upon hearing that, Twilight smiled in an affectionate manner, moving forward to embrace her teacher in a warm hug, which was soon reciprocated. Thank you, Princess. I know this sounds like a crazy plan, but you have to trust me on this. Eventually, the two parted, and Celestia gave her student a small smile and a nod, giving her permission to leave. Nodding back, Twilight began to gallop in the direction her friends had done, her mind racing the whole time. I don't know if Discord is even capable of becoming friends with us at this earlier stage, but if he is, then I have to try, if only because I know he can do it. As she finally exited the chamber, she looked upon her friends, all of whom were together when they finally noticed her. They gave her expectant look, to which Twilight began to look at them with determination upon her face yet again.

"Come on, girls...we've got a spirit to find.”