The rest period had been a little unnerving at that point. Every time that Spike would close his eyes hallucinations of Rarity would pop up in his mind. The problem with that was that at that point dreams were no longer possible while within the realms of the room they were in. Each sleep period left them unsatisfied and crabby. Sleep was not supposed to do that. Regardless the two got back up to their feet quickly eating more of the snacks in the backpack. The contents didn’t seem to spoil or age throughout the entire trip. Discord mused on the thoughts mentioning how the avatars of each magic or godhood would be able to tear apart the very foundations of physics in the multiverse. Then Spike’s head started to ache from the aneurysm forming from learning concepts of multiple realities and their constantly shifting timelines. Then he slammed his head on the floor to stop the thinking.

“It’s not that complicated ya know.” Discord weakly glared at the young drake. Spike, for his part, looked apologetic for cracking under the pressure.

“Sorry. I just didn’t want to wrap my head around that many concepts that I have no idea about in the first place. Seriously why does the dog version of me exist as well alongside a stuffy british version of me, a burly warrior type, and for some reason multiple, multiple mare’s playtoy versions of me as well. Seriously dude, that’s just weird.” Spike punctuated his point by pointing one of his claws at Discord and swirling it around then jabbing it at him to emphasize that point. Discord merely looked unamused by the action.

“Don’t ask me. That’s what the crack shippers and artists like to do. We all get that treatment though some are really interesting at least. A few well written ones and a lot of badly spelled ones.” Discord smirked and snickered thinking back to his time messing with everyponies work.

“Forget about it. Let’s go through the next door already. I feel rested enough as is.” Spike took a few steps towards the door only to be stopped by a very lively tail.

“First things first. You’re eyes look horrible. I know you like to stare at her flank a lot but that usually just gets you smacked. Why the long face then? Jeez, that sounds so weird not saying it to either an equine or a yak.” Discord actually looked concerned… that his joke was wasted on the young.

“Nothing like that, “ Spike hissed out. “I… I guess I’m thinking about whether or not we’ll actually see Rarity.” At the mention of her name he slightly started floating off the floor as if he was a hot air balloon.

‘Full of hot air I see… ‘ Discord slowly poked him and strangely enough Spike began to deflate bringing his feet back to the ground. Though his first thought was that he reacquired his reality warping powers he did notice the light pink aura forcing Spike back down. Rolling his eyes he glared at Freya who sheepishly backed off into one of the other rooms.

“Probably not. Remember we managed to meet with Pinkie only because we got so lucky that one of the other beings in these worlds was drawing too much attention to themselves. We’re gonna be on our own for these things.” The bluntness hit Spike like a ton of bricks forcing him back to the ground after he began hovering once again.

“You don’t know that for sure… right?” The silence that followed the innocent question filled in the disappointment even deeper.

Without warning Discord merely opened the next door while Spike trudged in half heartedly. Freya floated out and rotated in mid air acting as though she was waving them off. Discord also half heartedly waved back before disappearing past the now closing door.

Freya mused to herself while continually examining the four pillars of light that had come from the four elements collected so far. The three of Loyalty, Laughter, and Honesty shined their respective colors of red, blue, and orange. The final one glowed a lilac light softly humming amongst the other. Freya examined it closer but the element it represented did not come to mind. Still it intrigued her enough to continue her analysis. There were seven more new elements and they needed to be categorized.

Discord opened his eyes first. They had fallen a short height after walking through the door and for some reason he felt ticklish. Then he noticed a claw poking his side as it struggled to get out from underneath him. For a few seconds he wondered whether or not getting up would be the best course of action. Then he remembered some of the gobbledygook that he read from Twilight and that Fluttershy had drilled into him every couple of nights that friendship sometimes required sacrifice. He slowly stood back up releasing Spike from his prison and flapped him out rug style. He popped back into shape and was set down on the floor while Discord smirked apologetically.

“Sorry bout that. First step seemed to be such a doozy. But enough about your clumsiness let’s figure out where we are now.” Discord turned her eyes forward only to find an endless desert before him. The sight caused him to blanch into an annoyed scowl.

“Great! A desert. Now we can truly reach the perfect tan!” Discord sounded angry and was glaring daggers at the desert before he noticed Spike pointing a claw behind him. Behind him was a large sprawling city filled with walking skeletons all dressed in business casual or fancy suits with silver trims and red ascots. A large festival was taking place with everyone congregating along what looked to be the main boulevard. Several non sentient skulls were hanging around lit up by ghostly fire.

“Oh… Convenient.”

“Looks like we arrived just in time for a festival. Wonder what it is… looks Nightmare Night themed don’t you think?” Spike took point while Discord followed. They had switched off so many times and at that moment Discord didn’t feel the pull of an element leading him anywhere. He still wanted to try out what power he got from Pinkie’s element but the crowd made it hard to do so. They needed to stick together for now and only after they could blend in would he try it out.

“We should find a way to blend in don’t you think?” Discord pointed out while several of the calaveras took notice. They snickered at the two underdressed figures even though they rarely wore clothes in the first place.

After a few minutes of searching they found the costume department run by a very large skeleton man. He wore a poncho and on top of his head was a large sombrero. Looking up a toothy grin took over and his voice came out afterwards.

“Welcome amigos. Welcome to this, our wondrous celebration of the Day of the Dead. Looks to me like two demons forgot to get their costumes ready now. Do not worry amigo I have just the thing for you… provided you have the means to purchase them.” The skeleton lasciviously licked his lips while the two looked very uncomfortable by his pointed gaze.

“You accept gems right?” Spike answered immediately while holding out one of his remaining rubies. The skeleton sweated bullets as the red rock lightly bounced in Spike’s claw. The skeleton man drooled openly and nodded his head handing over two different costumes as the ruby bounced into his hand.

Quickly changing into their dress shirts and black jackets with matching sombreros and heading out into the city. The patrons of the festival didn’t bat an eye at either of the two leaving them to enjoy the atmosphere.

“Seems like greed still plays a part in this world. Now the question remains. Where are we going?” Discord looked around noticing just how many skeletal beings infested every corner of the city. Spike couldn’t see through the crowds forcing Discord to raise him up with his tail. It had become common practice at this point for the draconequus and habit forming at that point.

“I’ve been feeling a pull for a while now but it seems to be far away across the city. Also it feels like it's higher up for some reason. Maybe we should ask somebody about this place. This Day of the Dead seems cultural and important for some reason.” Spike pointed out their dilemma. While brute force had served them well in the past the sheer size of the city was daunting to say the least.

‘He’s right… I don’t have the power to scour the city right now but maybe Pinkie’s ability would help.’ Discord felt the balloons on his back glow. Without warning he stepped around a corner away from the sight of others. Then he and Spike reappeared across the street without having to pass through the entire crowd.

“What the…! How’d you do that!?” Spike screamed out accidentally drawing some patrons attention which faltered after a small glance. Fully ignored once again Spike saw that Pinkie’s mark was half drained. Discord kneeled down breathing heavily from what appeared to be strain.

“Well this is gonna suck. Seems like warping just like Pinkie is gonna be extremely tough to do. Short distances only. And I was supposed to be the master of those moments.” Discord growled slightly. The limit on his powers was starting to annoy him but he shut down the anger. For now plans would be the only thing required and anger had no place just yet. When he met with those spheres then anger would be well deserved.

“Seems like the powers are matching the ponies we meet somewhat. Starlight gave me the ability to augment my own natural physical abilities. She did that too when she fought Twilight through those time duels. Applejack’s is weird though. Charging my fire breath doesn’t seem like it fits her but maybe it has to do with her apple bucking prowess. Charging up her kicks to hit just the right amount of powers to strip a tree bare fits her like a glove.” Spike surmised his own growing curiosity and looked at Discord, hoping he would follow up with his own ideas.

“I get what you’re saying. Dash corrals clouds and returned to me my cotton candy clouds while Pinkie gave me back my 4th wall breaking teleports. Still the limitations are getting annoying. Those brass balls really went out of their way to make us powerful for what seems like no reason at all. We’re targets and I doubt giving us the power to fight back is part of their plans.” Discord pouted slightly scowling off towards the distance. The Pinkie mark had yet to start charging.

“They probably have a reason but we can’t see it just yet. Or they are just stupid and really like a challenge. Villains like to beat heroes at their strongest to shatter their confidence and make them feel pathetic. Maybe it's just as simple as that?” Spike threw out the thoughts trying desperately to figure out whether he was right or not. It still didn’t feel like the right answer.

“I doubt that but we don’t really have much of a clue just yet. For now let’s follow that angle and make sure we get better with these abilities we got. So far we got the enhancement and cotton candy clouds on lock. You’re still having trouble with output while my power is limited to two jumps it seems. We’ll have to figure out just what we’re getting into later. “ Discord grabbed Spike placing him on his shoulder.

“What am I a parrot?” Spike rolled his eyes but an amused smile came up instead of a scowl.

“For now, yes. You’re my laser parrot ready to strike down foes for great justice or something to that effect. Now quiet or no cracker.” Discord smirked and continued walking down the street ignoring the skeletal people that littered the streets.

“Squawk. Spike wants a cracker.” He deadpanned so hard the whole crowd felt chilled to the bone.

Discord laughed uproariously sending the crowds into worried stances. Discord’s real laughs usually sent chills up anyponies spine. Seems it worked even better when those that heard were made entirely of only bones. As soon as they stepped around the corner they teleported once again across another street leaving dozens of skeletons gasping at the sudden disappearance.

Unbeknownst to the two of them a skeleton man had seen them. He wore a green beret and for some reason was wearing army fatigues in the sweltering heat. Still he saw the two disappear and reappear. Maybe this would be his big break. Manny and Rarity had disappeared somewhere on the ocean after the last message he had sent. She had mumbled about a purple dragon from time to time.

‘Was that the one she mentioned?’ The army skeleton quickly called in his men warning them of the two people of interest. The plan was set and the beep from each member signified their readiness.

With a quick hop he disappeared into the shadows ready to find the two once again.

Discord had been walking for hours now. Spike had signaled him multiple times that the feeling was getting stronger then disappearing. They had become more and more frustrated with each passing minute while the festivities had begun to get crazier while the sun set. Spike had begun walking on his own slamming his fist against the buildings releasing the pent up rage multiple times. Discord merely watched the beings around him go about their night without a care in the world. Neither was having a good time and the constant walking had been infuriating. Still they had made progress and there was little more that needed to be done other than find whatever artifact was left for them to find.

‘So far we’ve found a shield, a spear, a pair of gauntlets, and a cape. If this is Rarity’s world then it’s probably going to be something clothes related. Still why did these ponies get these items to their name. I know my reasons but those aren’t the same as theirs.’ Discord mused to himself as Spike felt another pull.

“I feel it again Discord. It feels like it’s up then it goes down and then off to the distance. This is so Celestia damn annoying now and I don’t understand why this is so hard to find.” Spike growled out as loudly as his own anger could take him. The sounds of the festivities drowned him out though.

“Yeah I believe ya. Maybe wherever it is the one responsible for it knows what it is for. Or they just really like the accessory. We really need a better lead.” Discord leaned against the wall tired from the constant walking while Spike sat down next to him watching the sky change to an inky blackness with random stars he didn’t recognize dotting that void.

As the two of them got comfortable for the long haul they hadn’t noticed the two militarily garbed individuals who had managed to sneak close to the two through the crowds. Before they could react fully an electric current coursed through both their bodies knocking them unconscious. The two figures dragged their quarry into the shadows of the building.

“Sal, the targets are acquired. Viva la revolucion!” The voice was controlled but the want to scream was strong in the two of them. Still as professionals the two managed to get Discord and Spike into a nearby vehicle. Restraints were unnecessary as the two were fully out letting the two soldiers drive peacefully away from the scene towards one of the aqueducts in the city.

Aches and pains was all that awaited them as the dragon and draconequus woke back up. The nap had strangely been for only an hour, Leaving aside how they knew they examined their surroundings finding themselves trapped in a small stone room with a television and a tape.

“What is that doing here?” Discord examined the television intently noticing just how old it actually was as the VCR was built into the thing.

“Oh a television. Think it gets any channels? I did see some in that parallel dimension but they were all talk shows and drama bomb moments. They were kind of boring if you ask me.” Spike wistfully remembered just how much the girls had watched the one movie about these really cruel girls who were in high school just like them. It had been dull until that one girl was run over by a bus which he laughed at to the confusion of the girls. Not his finest moment but her actions left him feeling justified.

“I think whomever captured us wants us to be educated.” Discord pointed at the tape and pushed it into the slot while the TV came to life. On the screen was a skeleton man wearing a green beret and army fatigues.

‘Sorry Amigo for the accommodations but time is brief. If I’m too understand this correctly you two are Spike and Discord. I know that we have met under strange circumstances but it was for your safety and ours. As of six hours ago we have lost contact with a pony you may know as Rarity otherwise known to the rest of us as Radiance. Needless to say she did mention that you two might arrive here somehow but she couldn’t elaborate. Right now we have a general idea what you are looking for but I will tell you right now that it is more dangerous than you will ever know and that your lives will be in constant danger once you start down this path. In a few minutes one of my guards will lead you out of the room to me. So long as you don’t knock him out and try to escape we can assist you with what we need to do. Supposedly this information came from one called… Pinkie Pie. Regardless we are sure we can come to a beneficial arrangement for this.’

The television turned off and left the room in darkness. Spike tensed up when the lights went out while a door opened up revealing the only stream of light to enter the room. A guard entered slightly bigger than the other skeletons that had been walking through the city. While both of them wanted to deck the guy even though they were told not to. A quick jerk of his head motioned the two to follow him.

The darkness of the compound they were in felt drab and quite devoid of life regardless of their talk about actually housing Rarity. Spike looked on dubiously doubting every word they spoke but Discord merely looked amused at the attempts of being secretive. The first window he had passed revealed that they were in the building they had just stood outside of a while ago. Shoddy was the first word that came to mind.

“So what are we in for my good man?” Discord gestured to their guard and was surprised when he received an answer,

“Sal needs to get the details you’ll need to get through your mission. I don’t know more than that. It’s all need to know.” The guard motioned them to enter the next room where a skeleton with a green beret stood with his back turned to the door. Off to the side was another skeleton with a large red perm and vaguely female figure. Honestly it was hard to tell when the skeletons they saw were actually female or not.

“Sal, I presume?” Discord motioned his claw toward the green beret while Spike jumped on top of the table to make sure he wouldn’t be ignored.

“Yes. Seems my guards can’t at least keep their mouths shut. Mind you we have been told of your arrival a while ago. Also we were told you might need some help to find something you’ll need. I’m sure you’ve felt it haven’t you Spike?” He turned around and looked at the small dragon on the table.

“You could say that. I keep feeling what we need but it keeps moving and I don’t know how it’s moving that fast. So what do you want then?” Spike had folded his arms and looked on a bit petulantly about the circumstances.

“I see amigo. A man of few words or some such thing? Let’s cut to the chase then. We have word of some deal going down later tonight and I need two beings on our target at least to keep an eye on him. You do that you’ll also find whatever you are looking for. It won’t be easy nor will it be something you’ll enjoy.” Sal looked from the dragon to the draconequus and turned over a manilla envelope to them.

“Seems legit but who is this target. By your stance this particular mission is worse than what you could possibly be mentioned.” Discord opened the manilla folder to the picture of another skeleton which looked surprisingly fat and had a yellowing tone within his bones. Spike looked as well and felt a chill down his spine for some reason.

“His name is Hector Lemans. He’s a horrible gang leader here who’s been working the shadows of El Marrow for many years. The problem is that he’s been working on some dark plans within the city. We need you two to go deep undercover and figure out just what he is up to before it is too late. “ Sal finished the explanation while Spike read over the finer details.

“Is there a good plan or are you just telling us to walk up to him?” Spike’s eyes turned to the next list which held the names of every person who had been ‘sprouted’ on his orders.

“Sprouted eh? What does that mean? I’m sure killed would be more apt here wouldn’t it?” Discord pointed out while he looked through the five pages. There were way too many names all on the list.

“In this land we can’t really die normally. Remember we’re skeletons and this is the land of the dead. Throughout the land there are dangerous weapons made of flowers.” Sal was about to continue but was cut off.

“Flowers!? Are you serious?” Spike interjected but was quieted by Discord.

“Yes these flowers are able to technically revive us keeping us from being able to finish our long journey of purifying our souls. Basically he is stopping us from finding our peace in the afterlife. We don’t know where his base of operations is but we have decent intel that he’s going to be celebrating up above in one of the penthouses. We managed to acquire two invitations but our agents are too conspicuous so we needed two new agents. Are you two bad enough muchachos to save the city?” Sal motioned the two invitations towards Discord and Spike but held firm.

Discord looked down on the tickets while Spike kept examining the dossier. It was dangerous and stupid but it was something that would help them. The feeling was still pulling him somewhere but he didn’t even know where it was.

“Fine. We agree don’t we?” Spike finally spoke up.

“Sure. Just give us a direction.” Discord agreed.