It was crazy and was an ill-advised plan regarding Hector LeMans. The only true identifying mark they had known about him was his indescribable need to wear a fez. Discord had mentioned that fezzes were cool when worn by the right being. The other thing he mentioned were that fezzes also marked you for death. Unfortunately being in the land of the dead made it kind of hard to pull off. Since the two of them couldn’t be ‘killed’ or reincarnated from the land they had eagerly accepted the mission. Spike remembered it like it was yesterday. It had been twenty minutes ago.

“So you agree with the plan amigos?” Sal kept his eye sockets trained on the two handing them another set of papers.

“Yeah this should be fine. Still it seems like this guy is a small fry in the grand scheme of things. What did he do that was so bad?” Spike once again voiced his concern.

“Amigo please don’t joke like that. He is a dangerous crime lord who has stolen something valuable to all the citizens of La Marrow. He had been orchestrating a grievous plan to steal tickets for the entire populace.” Sal waited a moment while their incredulous looks took over.

“Tickets? I’m sorry to say that we’ve kind of dealt with things that have dealt us some form of horrible nightmare. I mean a really horrible nightmare…” Discord remembered back to the weird creature that had attacked them from Dream Land and the trouble it had brought them.

“These tickets are special. If you earn a ticket they allow you to gain access to your eternal reward in the Ninth Underworld. It’s basically a ticket to heaven in a sense. We have some intel that he’s sold other’s tickets to a wrongful owner. Though there is no oversight here meaning that we have to do this ourselves.” Sal motioned towards his soldiers pointing out that they were victims as well.

“So it’s a get out of jail free card basically and those that don’t have it have to earn it or something like that?” Spike spoke up.

“Yeah something like that amigo. If you don’t they send you deep into the abyss. Para todo la muerta es una pesadilla. I don’t think I need to tell you how bad that is.”

Spike was confused but Discord merely nodded in understanding. The look in his eyes meant he would explain it later to him. With actual direction now the two left the base with their plans and a way to get a message to the resistance at any moment. It was crude but the messenger bird they had was actually tougher than it looked and without a line to Manny it was just sitting around doing nothing.

“You never did explain what that phrase meant. Care to fill me in?” Spike muttered as the two reached one of the largest buildings in the city. It was apparently called the Department of Death. The towering building seemed to ooze something sinister which made Discord slightly giddy. Then he remembered that he was asked a question.

“Oh right that. If I remember my several different lexicons from different worlds and alternate universes he said that ‘for all the dead it is a nightmare’ and then I think I heard one of the guards muttering about hell. That’s basically a much more bloody tartarus which I think we already talked about before hand. Also you seem to be tensing up there. Find something interesting.” Discord pointed out the sudden shifting of Spike’s arms which twitched up towards the tower.

“I feel it. I feel it so close but why now! I thought it would be harder to find than this.” Spike nearly shouted only to catch himself mid shock.

Discord merely shrugged as the two entered the lobby only to find it completely empty. There was no one around yet in the center was a strangely furnished garden with the center of the lobby. Strangely drawn to it Discord looked into the center. Blinking even quicker than usual he silently turned back to Spike and said something he thought he would never say considering where they were.

“I think there’s a dead guy in the planter. He’s not moving at all which is weird cause they’re all skeletons. So… we’re dealing with a ruthless sociopath that enjoys using the bodies of his fallen foes as topiary bases. I like this guy. Really shows some style but much messier than Celestia was.” Discord mused on his past a bit. Long ago he would be anger at the thought of being turned to stone but now it was just a memory. One that he could control and not lose himself to. It was just a weird time over all but he was free now and in a much better position regardless of what anyone could say about him.

“Any ideas then? I’m pretty sure that we’re immune to the bullets here in their effects but I think bullets still hurt.” Spike pointed out.

“Don’t get hit. Otherwise I got nothing. Let’s just get close enough to figure out where this item is. Write out some notes for Sal so we could send it to him before we leave this world.” Discord looked closer at the skeleton noting how weathered it actually looked.

The two ignored the rest of the planters around the lobby and made their way towards the elevators. It was unsettling now to think of the multiple planters in the area as pieces of bone jutted out of them at such weird angles that it made it seem like they were just strange plants within them. Discord entered the open box first and searched through the buttons before him.

“If Sal was right at this time Hector will be looking around the employee floor. We need to get jobs here. As far as I’m concerned we could also act like customers looking for a way into the afterlife.” Discord pressed the button marked with a three. A few floors had been added since then but due to seeing no employees within meant that the festival was living up to its name as a true Day of the Dead as all the dead ones were outside.

“I don’t know. We’re considered demons in this realm so we’re probably not eligible for going to Elysium in a sense. Maybe the tough guy approach would be better. What could be better than having a demon as an enforcer?” Spike quirked his eyebrow up at Discord nudging his leg slightly.

“True we can be intimidating when we want to be. But we probably don’t want to burn this building down and cotton candy doesn’t look threatening until I make the lightning fall. Damn we’re actually going to have to try tact here. That’s so boring though. Well Mister Face of the team I hope your hours around Rarity at least made you persuasive.” Discord huffed slightly. This particular world was crafted around talking too much. It was quite annoying and while the spy motif helped out it didn’t really amount to much but luck. Spike, for his part, got quiet and began to ponder something. His claws would reflexively tap against each other while his eye seemed to focus on the door.

“Ok I think I got something planned but we’re still gonna need to act somewhat sophisticated. At least partially unless he asks us to hurt someone. At that point I’m hoping you’ll have a suggestion. Otherwise we have to bluff our way thro- Woah what was that?” Spike shivered violently while his claw shot up at the elevator.

“Looks like we finally got the right lead.” Discord peered out into the hallway seeing that there still wasn’t anyone in the halls. The quiet was still unsettling as it was in the lobby.

The path to the office was clear leaving a load of doubt in both their minds. The info about Hector LeMans was still spotty and did nothing to alleviate their worry. A stone cold killer who could very well try to end their life with nary a thought. Even with their abilities the dead weren’t going to be easy to kill again. As they reached the corner Discord held Spike back and peered around it. Sitting at one door was an impossibly large skeleton man in a pinstripe suit. Spike peered around the corner as well seeing the man most likely before pulling back into the hallway.

“So looks like not everyone is at the festival. So subtle, stealthy, or violent?” Discord quipped up while summoning a small cup of cotton candy filled to the brim with chocolate milk.

“What’s the difference?” Spike immediately regretted that he asked.

“Well subtle has us pretend to be here for the job. Stealthy has you make a noise while I smother the guard in cotton candy so he can’t make any sound. And finally, my personal favorite is the violent approach which is just the stealthy way including beating the skeleton into a boney pulp. See quick and simple right?” Discord’s smile was slightly unnerving but quickly went back to being neutral.

“Let’s stick to subtle for right now. If things get dicey we’ll move on to the violent path. Besides we do need time to get some info off the man right? “ Spike nervously muttered only for his voice to trail off. “Besides it will help Rarity…”

Rolling his eyes Discord immediately perked himself up into his most confident stride and waltzed right out into the sight of the guard while Spike kept pace keeping himself as small as possible. The guard didn’t fully react but his hand was hidden within his suit and seemed to be fumbling around with something. As he stood in front of the guard he merely stared from the taller figure to the smaller figure. He was unimpressed.

“Welcome amigos… What can we, at the department of the dead, do for you this fine Dia de Los Muertos?” His hand was still inside the suit which made Spike nervous. If he was nervous though he didn’t show it. With a smug smile he practiced from the days within Canterlot society he stepped up to the guard.

“Yes we’re here to get in on a particular operation and word through the grapevine was that muscle was needed for the job. The two of us aren’t exactly happy about it but some asshole has been trying to take our positions. Figured that a generous business man such as Hector LeMans would be up to the task of giving us a shot in some small way.” Spike was humbler than he had ever been though the skeptical look on the guard’s face didn’t fill him with hope.

“And the big guy here? Can’t he speak or is he stupid or something?” The guard looked over the towering figure. If Discord was at his full power he wouldn’t have taken that from some lowly thug. Biting his tongue on the matter he did manage to say a few words.

“Letting my friend do the talking. I prefer hurting others when I can.” Discord cracked his knuckles menacingly enough that the guard quickly looked back at Spike.

“... Shit. Let’s see if the boss is in a good mood. You two wait here. Move and I will make you regret that.” The guard stood up finally letting whatever item he was holding on to alone. The door opened and closed just as swiftly leaving the two out of the room.

The inside of the office was loud the moment the guard entered. Spike and Discord merely waited… and waited.

“Did Sal give us any other info before we meet with Hector?” Spike whispered loud enough to catch Discord’s attention. Discord merely pulled out a piece of paper he was instructed not to open until they were to meet with Hector.

“Let’s see here. He wrote to mention that we are chaos demons. That people were choosing the packing method too much for us to survive and that every time we complained to the union we were forced to moonlight in other places for sustenance. I have an idea what the packing method is but it sounds really boring to me. The only thing we have to do is sell the act which is something I’m good at. You need a little work on the confidence but maybe you’ll get it some day.” Discord patted Spike’s back almost sympathetically. His tone was just too proud at the moment leaving the dragon slightly put out.

“Gee, thanks…” Spike was about ready to pout when a gunshot rung out.

“No Senor Hector… Porque? No puedo sentir mis piernas…” The guard’s voice slowly faded away while the shuffling of paper managed to break the silence.

“Come in.” A suave voice came from within the room and the two of them entered. In one corner was a beautiful topiary of flowers and plant life within the corpse of the now deceased skeleton who soon turned to dust and faded away.

Discord made sure to prepare himself accordingly. Within a moments notice he would summon a cotton candy cloud within the weapon so that neither of them would be shot. It would be unnoticeable and untraceable. ‘Who would ever believe that a demon uses cotton candy.’ Discord internally chuckled while keeping a stern look on his face.

Spike was on the opposite scale and felt very threatened at the moment. A guard who was supposed to be trusted got shot for what he could see as no reason and the murderer looked so nonchalant about it. Spike was boiling over but kept himself centered. The resistance or whatever Sal called them would need their info and burning him into cinders wouldn’t help them… or Rarity. The tickets were still hidden and Rarity was lost in this world somewhere. Even if he couldn’t go get her now he would do whatever it takes to make sure she’s safe.

“Welcome boys. I don’t know how you talked my guard into agreeing to this but stick around and I’ll get something for you two to do for me.” The giant skeleton man standing in front of them was wearing a white suit with a purple shirt and on his head was not a fez but a hat with three diamonds. Spike’s eyes instantly shot up but thankfully Discord’s tail kept him in place and out of bullet range.

“Of course Sir.” Discord managed to actually sound humble which shocked Spike. It was hard to see him manage to do that with anyone else other than Fluttershy and mean it.

“Now that’s what I like to hear. Respect. In this town its a cold day when you finally get someone to actually answer the right way. So you two are here for a job but the problem here is that that guard was told not to let anyone in the building. Slackers get shot on the spot boys and no one should try to mess with me. Dirty business I’m sure to you two but respect makes this place go round.” Hector was rambling on about concepts of respect in a multitude of ways while Spike merely stared at the hat almost unabashedly.

Discord had to use his tail to refocus Spike on something else so as to not inform Hector of their intent. As he stopped rambling he noticed something was off about the smaller demon in front of him. The draconic one was lost in his thoughts.

“What’s wrong with him?” Hector gruffly pointed at Spike. When he didn’t answer Discord lightly tapped him on the head with his talons waking him up out of the daze.

“Sorry… Sorry about that! I just am looking at you and it feels like a fez would be a better look for you. Right now you seem to be too uptight and out of your comfort zone.” Spike managed to weakly belt out a quick excuse while Hector merely cracked his knuckles.

“Now see here! This look was given to me by this strange little pony creature I met three years ago. She said it made me look more professional and was a requirement for running a business of this caliber. What makes you think you know better than this self proclaimed fashionista, hm!?” Hector warned Spike sternly but the mention of Rarity caused him to flinch even before he finished talking about things.

“I’m just saying that since you already seem to be the head of this town and the only person worth knowing that you could relax somewhat and enjoy what’s coming to you in the near future.” Spike interjected quickly. Discord merely sat back watching the fireworks go off.

“Fine opinions aside don’t talk to me like that again or we’ll have trouble!” Hector growled out actually intimidating Spike enough to make him look away. Discord stared down Hector though making him stand down as well.

“Well aside from my associate’s outburst we would like to join your crusade or what not and raise some hell in the most literal of ways.” Discord quickly forced Spike down and away from the desk trying his best to not raise Hector’s ire anymore than it should be.

“Right… Fine the job is quite simple. We have had word that one of my facilities have been raided by a disgruntled employee. Supposedly he also kidnapped this fashionista as well.” Hector explained before being cut off.

“WHAT!” Spike yelled out only for Discord to wrap his tail around his mouth so he wouldn’t try his fire breath.

“Sorry for that. He’s really a go getter and enjoys fighting the bad guys. What’s worse than a kidnapper. We’re on it boss and no worries we can get it done quickly.” Discord’s nervous smile cause Hector to quirk an eyebrow at them but he merely shrugged at the idea.

“Good we’ll talk payment after you have finished the job. Now go and get out of here.” Hector stood up and showed them to the door while Spike kept struggling against Discord’s tail.

As the two walked to the door Discord took his chance. With a snap of his fingers Hector was enveloped in a cotton candy cloud. Struggling against the sticky treat he watched as Discord ripped the hat off his head and run down the hallways. What he didn’t notice was the blue glow in his eyes suddenly spark up and the cotton candy dissolving from the sudden shift in power. Hector grabbed the nearest object in the hall which was a vase and chucked it at the running pair. Luckily Discord turned the corner only to see the vase tear through the wall and keep flying out into the sky almost unobstructed by wind pressure.

“Buck!” Spike cried out finally free enough to voice himself once again.

The two ran for the elevator but instead of running into them Discord pressed the buttons and ran for the stairs. Hector still hadn’t run around the corner which luckily enough his overall size made him slower than the average skeleton. They quietly entered the stairwell and went down to the second floor.

Hector was pissed and felt even more powerful than he had ever felt in his whole stint in the afterlife. As he ran around the corner one of the elevators seemed to be heading down while the other elevator opened up. He quickly hopped into the elevator and headed for the first floor.

Discord stopped on the second floor and headed into one of the empty rooms with a corner window. Taking out the bird he quickly jotted out the message and info that Hector was searching for an ex-employee and a fashionista pony. Spike kept quiet and a contemplative gaze descended on his face.

“Discord… We need to save Rarity.” He was holding onto the hat with her cutie mark on it. He still hadn’t put it on his head. He was staring at it intently making sure not to take his eyes off it.

“No. We can’t do anything for her. Besides he was probably lying. She’s an adult and she can take care of herself. We need to gather these things and finish the job before us. Besides we don’t know where she is and we can’t stay here trying to find where she is. Besides if we did accept the job to hunt down this guy then one of those being would take over and do exactly what he did just a few moments ago. So no we can’t do anything for her.” Discord was blunt with his words and solemnly explained his thoughts on the matter.

“Then we should have accepted the offer at least I could… I mean we could know that she is safe.” Spike was just as blunt.

“Spike do villains ever tell the truth? Even I twisted the truth to my own endeavor. I didn’t lie but I made sure my games left only one winner. Me.” Discord held firm.

Spike didn’t say anything. His eyes were unfocused and projected some rage. It wasn’t right and he could feel it in his bones. Though the truth of the situation piled on his back when he realized that Discord was right. He had no idea if she was even a prisoner or not. A criminal overlord was not the epitome of honesty and Applejack would probably scoff at the idea. After the message was sent he placed the hat on his head and felt something weird happen. Pulling out one of the gems he had brought with him he noticed that it started to glow. As he was about to figure out what power he was given a large car flew through the room they were in. Discord quickly pushed him to the floor as it sailed over their heads.

“You assholes won’t get away from me!” Hector actually jumped up into the room tossing aside whatever got in his way while the two managed to exit the room.

Charging like a mad bull Hector raced through the wall trying to cut off their escape plans. He didn’t succeed. Spike fired a few charged fireballs at Hector which barely did anything to the crazed berserker. Discord merely grabbed him and used him like a turret as Hector raced after them. The fireballs were only causing him to flinch slightly. That was enough for the two to round the corner.

As Hector rounded the corner he noticed that the two of them were gone. No doors were opened and no trace of them could be felt which was strange that he could even sense them in the first place. Screaming into the night sky he went back to the office and put his fez back on grumbling to himself as the energy he felt dissipated from his body. To make matters worse another message came in telling him that his best man somehow ended up deader than dead and at the bottom of the sea. He then tossed his desk against the wall and made his way for the casino.

Discord and Spike had ended back up at the entrance to the resistance headquarters. Discord was utterly exhausted and couldn’t feel his body respond to anything. Spike threw up in one of the convenient trash cans. The sudden shift through a Pinkie Pie style transport was unsettling even to his body and better left to a professional reality warper.

Within seconds the two were brought into the HQ and left in a room with a bed to rest in. Discord took the bed while Spike meandered around trying to keep his stomach from turning anymore. The quiet nature was marred when Sal had noticed them come in and all he got was a glare from Spike. Taking a deep breath he entered the room where Discord weakly managed to hold on to Spike with his tail. The teleportation process shouldn’t have hurt him but the power drain seemed to be taking its intended effects. Spike glowered at the resistance fighter who merely stood at attention against the baleful gaze.

“So why so angry little dragon?” Sal’s voice was slightly tense but kept the authority he retained when he sent them on their mission.

“What happened to Rarity?” Spike was just as blunt as he was with Discord earlier but the glowering continued on.

“She is with Agent Calavera. They are saving someone important to him. Why?” Sal honestly answered but didn’t say any details.

“By choice or captive!” Spike screamed out trying desperately to break away from the tail. The cotton candy surrounding his legs and arms kept him in place though.

“Enough Spike let the man talk or we’re going on another teleportation cruise. I may get tired but you’ll stop doing something stupid at least.” Discord’s coldly stated. The fatigue and strain of the new power left the smile off his face and Spike was forced to relent. Clenching his fists together Spike just looked away and kept his mouth shut.

“She is an agent and one of the few who has managed to survive meeting one on one with Hector before all this. For some reason that hat you have on your head was given to him by her yet we haven’t figured out the reason. All she told us was that it was important to be on his head and that it would all make sense at a later time and date. I guess today was that day.” Sal explained the circumstances behind the hat.

Spike looked back to Sal and let his fists fall back to palms. The fire was still burning in his eyes but he no longer looked like he was about to attack. Sal headed to the door while Discord merely kept an eye on Spike making sure he kept his cool.

“Where is she?” Spike muttered out stopping Sal in his tracks.

“We don’t know. Like I said before she’s been out of contact for a while and we haven’t got a way to find her yet. Still she’s a smart girl. She probably already know just what to do.” Sal wistfully spoke as he exited the room and left the two behind.

Spike sighed exasperated by the turn of events and looked away from the door and back to Discord. He still hadn’t said anything and looked down at the diminutive dragon. Spike was still frustrated and the look he was getting rubbed his scales the wrong way.

“What?” Spike barked out.

“Nothing. Just looking at someone who’s going off the deep end.” Discord posited his thoughts for Spike.

“I’m not off the deep end!” Spike interjected while Discord just stared at him with a deadpanned look. The one that showed he was not buying the bullshit Spike was trying to sell him.

“Yeah you are.” Discord answered with another flat tone. There was no mirth to his tone.

“What did you expect from me. I do love her.” Spike answered bluntly.

“So? You haven’t tried anything and I’m pretty sure I’ve made it clear that on this subject that you are falling into delusions. Remember guy’s night and your Schmarity princess. Spike you need to look around and stop seeing just one pony who still has never given you an answer or acknowledged your feelings. I can’t believe I’m being serious here when this is so chaotic. It’s like I’m a different draconequus or something. I don’t care if you want to follow your delusions or whatever but you can’t just drop everything at the mention of her name. That’s both unhealthy and kind of creepy. I know creepy. I’ve seen a whole site full of creepy pasta and it’s garnishes.” Discord waved his claw around and smiled that one smile he had whenever he seemed to be mentioning something only he knew.

Spike didn’t say anything. ‘Was I really that bad…?’ Taking a deep breath he tried to clear his mind until the door back to the room appeared. He didn’t want to go back but Discord had managed to stand back up and grabbed him in his tail. It was mortifying that he wouldn’t be able to save Rarity and even worse that he wouldn’t even be able to at least know that she was ok. Discord hardened his gaze as they traveled through the doorway.

With one final look the door closed leaving Spike wondering if they were finally done or not. The hat floated off his head and the fabric disappeared leaving behind the three diamonds floating in their formation. The light was summoned and a purple light appeared amongst the other pillars of light. With a heavy heart Spike resigned himself to finding the other artifacts and to his surprise the next door struck closer to home than he thought.

‘Twilight…’ Spike looked on as the next door had the same cutie mark as his best friend in the whole world, Twilight Sparkle.

Author's Notes:

Oh god was Rarity actually one of the hardest to write for. I still don't know why though because I'm not even writing her dialogue. I don't know I just didn't feel motivated to finish this chapter till now. Also having two jobs come out of nowhere and keep me lost in the tempest that is my mind. Still I did finish before the end of the year. Here's to hoping I do better next year and not lose focus on my writing.

Another note I have written a few short stories for Alex Warlorn on his story Ponies and Dragons(Just Have Fun). If you were waiting for my attempts to write out something I turned in quite a few stories there. Check it out if you want to see me write something silly instead of serious.