Part 5: The Resurgence

“No… It can’t be!” Princess Celestia stated in disbelief.

The sinister laughter drew ever louder and seemingly closer to the group as they searched the room with their eyes.

“I am in NO mood for games!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “We know you’re here now! Stop horsing around and get out here!”

“Ohh, but who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh every once in a while?” the voice responded in a falsely curious tone. “Besides… It would seem everypony here could use something to brighten up their day, considering what happened…” The voice chuckled some more.

“Dagnabbit, if you know what’s goin’ on’, then why are you here playin’ this childish trick!?” Applejack shouted in anger. “I fail to see what’s so funny about ANYthin’ right now!”

“Trick? I’m shocked that you would accuse me of such a thing,” The voice calmly responded. “I haven’t pulled any tricks on you guys… yet,” the voice added with a more sinister tone.

Just after this statement, a puddle of ice had formed behind Fluttershy, who was quivering in fear. A sudden, strong gust of wind began to blow against her, but she was able to hold her hooves to the ground. The wind stopped as suddenly as it began, but in the same moment, the face of a familiar Draconequus had instantly appeared just inches away from the face of the yellow Pegasus, and shouted, “Boo!” Fluttershy jumped back in surprise, unaware of the ice puddle she was about to land in. She squeaked out a small “Eep!” as she landed on the puddle and began kicking furiously to keep her balance. As her legs finally gave way to the puddle, she began to flap her wings, taking flight in order to keep from falling.

“Hahahaha! Now wasn’t that funny?” Discord asked while cracking up at the cruel prank he had played on Fluttershy.

“Notice how no one’s laughing, you jerk! Now get… out here… NOW!!!” Rainbow Dash shouted while stomping a hoof on the ground, now furious.

“Oh, fine! You ponies and your dragon wouldn’t know a good joke if it hit you upside the head.” Discord disappointedly stated as he suddenly materialized his long, thin form in the center of the room.

“This isn’t exactly the time or place for any kind of joke right now,” Pinkie Pie stated somberly, to the shock of the Draconequus.

“Pinkie Pie, I’m surprised at you!” Discord began. “You’re the Element of Laughter! I’d expect you of all ponies to know a good laugh when you see one. I’m liking the new hairstyle by the way, it really brings out your eyes.”

“Stop wasting everyone’s time, Discord!” Celestia demanded. “How did you escape your imprisonment?”

“Oh, I’d be delighted to inform you all on my most miraculous return!” Discord exclaimed with excitement.

“Miraculous…? More like malevolent…” Rarity muttered under her breath.

“I heard that,” Discord flatly stated, cutting his eyes at the white mare. “Anyway, so there I was, cruelly imprisoned in that statue you ponies had inconsiderately locked me away in. I honestly never thought I’d get out of there, but then a most… bitter-sweet thing happened. The sudden death of your precious Twilight Sparkle had weakened the strength of the seal you had used the Elements of Harmony to lock me away with.”

“But how did you break free?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“And how did you know about Twilight?” Fluttershy added.

“I’m getting to that,” Discord responded impatiently. “So anyway, the loss of your beloved purple unicorn had weakened the seal greatly. Add that to the amount of sadness and grieving everyone in Ponyville and Canterlot started going through because of that, and BAM! There was an abundant amount of disharmony in the air for me to break the seal. Even I didn’t know how I’d been able to break free… That is, until I decided, in lieu of causing chaos right away, to spend some time spying on you during that most wonderful funeral and the conversation you just had a few moments ago in order to learn the reason and its effects. And as it would appear, everything worked out! For me, anyway; not so much you ponies. Nonetheless, I see this as a most wondrous occasion!”

“So it’s true…” Celestia glumly said, hanging her head in sorrow. “The Elements really have been weakened by the loss of Twilight…”

“Oh, now don’t get so down on yourself, Your Highness,” Discord told the Princess, feigning a sense of concern. “I’ll be able to cheer everypony up…” He then took a most menacing tone. “…with a never-ending reign of chaos and pandemonium, but this time, on a scale much wider than just Ponyville. Oh, and I won’t be underestimating you ponies again like last time… Then again, you don’t have your precious savior, Twilight Sparkle, this time... It’s a pity that I won’t be able exact my vengeance on her for foiling my plans last time. However, the fact that she ISN’T here anymore is going to make this a WHOLE lot easier…” An evil grin crept onto Discord’s face as he thought about all the ways he could ravage the laws of physics and turn Equestria into a land filled with nothing but chaos…

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