The journey back to our home went by much swifter than our initial journey. As Tia and I both agreed time was now of the essence and took flight. It was a good thing too, for the landscape below had grown even more warped.

The various candies that had replaced the underbrush had once again been replaced, this time with giant stalks of celery or absurdly sized orange ovoid mounds that, even from high above, smelled strongly of carrots. In the distance, where a gorge had been before the corruption, were now canyons made of giant slabs of cut bread, lettuce, sliced tomato, and something brown, that sent a shudder down my spine as I gazed at it. The largest, and most notable change however was Mount Canter itself. Or rather, what had been the mountain. Now it was a giant cylinder, mottled slightly with pure red and white in arching streaks that wrapped around the whole structure.

The words "Koka Kola" could be read along the side.

Some heinously twisted joke no doubt.

Onwards we went over the constantly shifting landscape below. I almost stopped when I realized the land was shifting a little too much to be explained by simply passing by.

"Tia! Look!" I pointed downward.

The now inert star shaped gem, was secured around Tia's neck by an intricate golden necklace, jangled as Tia looked down to where I was looking.

Even as we watched, we could see a river move and reshape the land as it slithered like a giant snake across the terrain. Mountains and hills shifted around as the river waggled, drastically changing the landscape even as we watched.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tia frown.

It was a harrowing display of the thing's power.

"We need to hurry." Tia curtly stated.

"I concur." I agreed.

And off we went.

To say the City of the Everfree was overrun would've been an understatement.

It was all but utterly gone.

The various monsters that had swarmed the city had trampled everything to splinters. Additionally, the creature's magic left nothing untouched. What few buildings that did remain intact were floating through the air, untethered and free from the confines of the Earth. The plant life was perhaps even more absurd than out in the wild. Not so much transformed into abominable shapes as to have garishly colored patterns imprinted on their leaves. Stripes, polka dot, paisley, and ironically enough, even the floral patterns that could be found on teacups. The only things I saw were a school of small river fish that swam through the air as if it were water, and they were at the very edge of the city.

Discord's laughter echoed over the ruins of the city.

Tia and I advanced past the trampled wreckage.

We soon found the monster sitting amongst the ruined Castle Everfree. He sat in a tall and horned throne, sized perfectly for his mismatched body parts. It spun freely along the ground as Discord gestured wildly around, laughing uproariously. A burlap sack of black seeds clutched in his lion paw, which he was eating vigorously while lost in his revelry.

He noticed us approaching and calmed down, settling straight in his seat.

"I suppose you're expecting a monologue of some sort." he greeted as we stopped before him. He dramatically clutched his paw and claw together and started to feign. "I'm doing this because of reasons! I'm such a bad guy! I just want the stones to half the population instead of doubling the total resources!" He swooned.

"We know not what you talk about!" Tia called out.

"Ugh... I can't even tell you why that's funny." the Spirit of Chaos groaned. "Let's just say that you, Sunny and Lunatic, aren't the only ones here, and I'm usually talking to both them and you."

"Still not making sense!" I cried. "We're the only three here!"

"Look it's-! Agh! This is getting nowhere!" he reached behind his throne and pulled out a large stack of papyrus. The words: 'The Script' labeled clearly in thick strokes.

The creature began leafing through the stack like one would a book.

"Something something... Make a joke about 'Pinning the tail on the Pony' and use Celestia's tail as the punchline."

He pulled from between the throne's cushion and pulled out a familiarly pink disconnected tail.

Tia looked towards her flank in surprise.

Her pink tail was gone.

"But that's canon and boring..." The monster continued, drawing our attention back. "So let's do this instead!"

I felt something pulling painlessly on my backside.

Discord lifted his other limb, a startlingly familiar blue bundle clutched in his paw.

I looked back in fear.

My tail was also gone.

"Discord!" I shouted in challenge.

"Oh fine!" he rolled his yellow eyes. "But only because you're the protagonist!" he lamented as he reached behind his throne with both claws.

I felt something on my backside clamp back into place like a lodestone.

I glanced behind to see the bundle of blue tail back where it belonged, and felt it wag.

I turned my attention back to the monster.

"Playtime is over Discord!" Tia exclaimed.

"Oh you think so?" Discord chuckled. "Trust me Princess', the Author has plans for me and there isn't anything you can do about it."

"Not even..." Tia called out "This?" she started to rub the gem on her breast, summoning the motes of light gifted to us. Generosity, Loyalty, and Honesty appeared from near me and dashed over to the star gem. Laughter and Kindness appeared from Tia herself.

The motes began to spin wildly as the gem started to glow again with its inner light.

"Oh that's not canon." Discord stated in interest, as he tossed one of the black seeds into his mouth and chewed.

The Element of the Spark became alight with its own powerful magics, outshining even the Sun above and making everything else seem dark.

"Ah;" Discord sighed, standing up. "Final laugh is mine though. Because I get to do this!"

The Spark pulsed with brilliant radiance.

All the colors of the rainbow rushed toward the monster, bathing him in light.

The mismatched creature bent himself low in a dash, burying his face in the crook of his elbow, but letting his other appendage trail upward and backward into the sky.

It was all over in an instant. The light washed everything away with its brilliance.

It seemed to be an eternity before I could see again.

"Tia? Are you there?" I called out.

"I'm here Lu." she replied.

"Is he-?"

"Stars I hope so."

I found myself staring into the crook of my own arm. I must've instinctually tried to cover my eyes. But despite the glare, my eyes didn't hurt.

As the light softened, the looming form of Discord faded into sight. I started to lower myself into an attack stance, but it swiftly grew obvious that the monster was no more. He was far too still for something living, and the grey hue of his flesh was that of a fortress.

I felt myself gape in awe of the fearsome monster, frozen in that ridiculous pose he had chosen.

I hesitantly approached the still beast.

"Luna! What are you doing?" Tia hissed at me.

I ignored her, but crept close enough to touch the stationary Discord.

Tok tok tok. My hoof tapped against him.

He was stone.

The celebration was in full swing. Ponies, both Noble and Peasant, were celebrating heartedly.

The demon was gone! Dead and gone!

A large tent had been erected amongst the trees in the Everfree forest. While Ponies danced and feasted all around outside it, representatives of the Noble Families attended the Court being held inside the tent.

Tia and I sat on identical thrones, freshly hewn from the Everfree's trees, raised above the attendees. The Nobles had lined themselves along the sides, sitting on provided stools while their servants stood at their master's sides. A line of freshly arrived representatives could be seen outside the tent flap.

I glanced over to Tia, examining not for the first time, her newly colorful mane, waving on a nonexistent breeze. It reminded me of the early morning dawn, the colors of darkness fading into full daylight. Mine, I didn't need to look, was much the same. Only my mane and tail were that of a field of stars.

The change was... Peculiar to say the least. Personally, I was still getting used to my mane and tail moving on their own. They did however seem to have the sense to stay out of the way.

Why our manes and tails were like this, nopony knew. But Tia had already sent messengers to any settlement we could think of, to ask any librarians if they had lore on the subject.

"Announcing Duchess Hazelwood of New Amarestadam!" the crier called.

A posh Earth Pony mare with light brown coat and maroon dress trotted into the tent, her gait confident and assured of herself.

"Hazelwood!" Tia greeted kindly. "It's good to see you again!"

"My word your Highness'! Your manes are beautiful!" the mare greeted with a smile and a bow.

"Thank you Duchess Hazelwood. I'm still not quite certain what to make of them..." Tia admitted. " But enough about me; Have you come for the festivities?"

"On behalf of the Hazel family;" Hazelwood nodded. "I extend congratulations to the Royal Family for their defeat of the demon Discord!" she straightened and tapped a hoof on the ground. A servant approached with a pillow in his hooves, an exquisite necklace rested upon it. "I present this heirloom of my family as tribute! Made in the city of Bláthcnoc, it's made with rose gold inlay, with rubies and emeralds masterfully cut into a bouquet of roses!" with that said, Hazelwood took the pillow from the servant and approached the throne, bowing and holding the pillow out to present the jewelry.

"Oh!" Tia cooed. "It's beautiful!" she gingerly picked the admittingly pretty piece from its resting place to admire it. "Thank you Hazelwood, I will treasure it always."

The Duchess curtseyed and moved to join her fellows along the side.

"Presenting, Lord Gold Standard of Mount Canter!" the crier announced as Hazelwood settled in.

A grey stallion with golden yellow locks and a well tailored suit entered, yet despite his well groomed appearance, he carried himself in such a way that betrayed a confident and well rugged manner used to spending time in the wild.

"Your highness'!" He greeted loudly as he bowed.

"Lord Gold Standard!" Tia greeted cordially. "I trust Mount Canter fares well then? I was worried about your settlement at the top when we saw what the demon did."

"It was indeed worrisome..." Gold Standard smiled. "We had to get off the mountain, but we pulled through." The stallion waved one of his attendants over, whom carried a long wooden case. "I was planning on giving this to you for your birthday your highness... But circumstances being what they are, I think it would be a a more appropriate gift now." Gold Standard then took the case from his servant and approached the the thrones. "I present to you, Princess Celestia, a weapon worthy of your glory."

The stallion opened and presented the case.

Tia gasped in awe, but I felt the corners of my mouth curl downward.

A glorious double headed, leaf bladed golden spear with gently curved hilts, newly polished and fresh from the forge sat in the case. Its blades caught the light and gleamed like a torch.

It was masterfully made of course, but it was clearly made to be more impressive rather than useful. Blades on either end of the shaft? What if you needed to use the butt of the spear to knock an opponent out?

"I commissioned my goldsmiths specifically to make this for you my Lady." Gold Standard proudly stated. "And then had the gold enchanted with as much magic that could be impregnated in the weapon."

And how much of that magic was otherwise useless? Surely one didn't need so much for just 'sharpness', 'endurance', 'permeance' and maybe 'featherweight'?

"Thank you Lord Gold Standard." Tia gracefully stated with a smile. "Perhaps if I had had this Discord wouldn't have overrun the Castle."

I forced myself to blink as I quickly rolled my eyes under my eyelids.

What a load of rubbish.

If Discord were to be defeated so easily, then I would've gone back to that tannery, found Lunar Majesty, and taught that demon a lesson in manners.

Granted, I knew why Tia was licking Gold Standard's boots. The stallion was thus far the only source of raw gold ore we had. All the precious metal that made our coins and easily enchantable Guard armor came from him and his gold mine on Mount Canter.

Tia levitated the spear out of its casing, and gave it a few experimental twirls.

"I will be sure to make use of this magnificent weapon Gold Standard." she bowed slightly and took the case from the stallion, setting the spear back inside and closing the lid.

"May it serve you well." Gold Standard bowed deeply, backing up and joining the sidelines.

A commotion at the tent flap drew my attention. A Private tapped on the Crier's shoulder and exchanged a few quiet words.

The Crier nodded and allowed the Private to enter.

"Your Highness'." he greeted as he bowed. "Report from Lord Trottingham, he reports that he has not seen Master Starswirl either."

Damnation! Just where had that stallion got to?!

"Unfortunate." Tia hummed. "Return to your duties. I want word should there be any updates as to his whereabouts."

"Yes your Highness." the Guard nodded, backing up and leaving.

"Now;" Tia continued. "Is that everypony?"

"Twould appear so your Highness!" The Crier responded, pulling his head back inside the tent.

"Good. Now, first order of business..." Tia began. "Rebuilding the Everfree Castle..."

I once more sat at a wrought iron table in one of the Castle Everfree's courtyards, a leather bound book in my hooves. Eldritch symbols that seemed blurry and only half there, yet could be read clearly, floated across the page.

The magic of the Sarosians was complex, and wasn't constrained to the laws of magic as most wizards knew them.

This particular spell was the most advanced I had attempted yet. Yet I was confident.

I inhaled the dream air deeply, half focusing, half relaxing myself in preparation.

It will work because I want it to work, not because I force it to work.

I closed my eyes and-

"What the-? Lu?" Came the familiar voice of Tia.

I reopened my eyes to find Tia sitting across the table. She looked around in confusion, her newly animate mane tossing about as if she found herself in a place she wasn't expecting.

"Oh... Apologies Lu... I had the most awful dream..." she relaxed, turning towards me.

"A dream where the Spirit of Chaos destroyed the Everfree Castle and the cosmic firmaments responsible for moving the Sun and Moon across the sky?" I closed the book and set it aside.

"I- Why yes, how did you know?" Tia gaped in shock.

"Sorry to ruin your night Tia, but that was no dream. This is." I gestured around to the courtyard. "My dream actually."

"Lu, I love and trust you, but how could this be a dream? I merely dozed off while sitting here. That's all." Tia remarked.

"Do you remember what you were doing before you were here?" I asked with a slight smirk.

"Why yes. I was..." Tia started.

I allowed the dream to shift to what Tia was thinking of.

The quiet courtyard became overcome with the sounds of revelry and song. The wrought iron table reshaped itself into a heavily worn and dented wooden table. Ponies who had not been there a few seconds earlier shuffled in a rowdy crowd. The air was filled with drunken merriment and boasting.

It was a busy tavern. The kind of tavern that free lance mercenaries would frequent after a job.

"I didn't think you were the kind of Pony to dream about such a place." I remarked.

"This is..." Tia gasped.

"A dream." I interrupted, reshaping the dream back into the quiet courtyard. "I've been working on my Dream Magic."

"Oh..." Tia looked down at the iron table. "I'm... Not sure what to make of this."

"Oh that's the easy part." I grinned as I formed a steaming pot of tea and empty cups on the table. "With our larders ruined, and our treasury needing to be excavated... I thought it would be some time before you got to taste tea again. And since you wanted to share a cup with me, I thought I could invite you over and show you what I've been working on." I picked up the tea pot and poured the cups.

Tia looked stunned.

"You would do this... For me?" she asked quietly as she watched the steam rise from her cup.

"Anything for you Tia... But fair warning, I'm still not too sure about the taste yet." I admitted, setting the pot down gently and pulling my own cup towards me.

"Oh it can't be that bad." Tia smiled, picking up her cup politely and taking a sip. "Lu?" she continued.

"Yes?"

"This is the worst cup of tea I've ever had." she quipped, a smirk across her muzzle. I felt myself smile.

"Yeah... I'm working off a memory of when it was cold dregs from one of the pots you finished."

"Ah... That explains it." Tia hummed, taking another sip from the cup.

"If you don't like it you don't have to finish it Tia." I allowed. "It's not like you'd be wasting anything."

"Perhaps..." Tia hummed. "But it has something no other pot has. That you made it for me."

The feeling of warmth blossomed in my chest and I felt my face rise into a joyous smile.

"Thank you Tia. I appreciate it."

We sat quietly, enjoying the peace and calm after the past week.

'She will always be by your side.'

The words of the fiery orange phantasm hit me in the gut, shattering my calm.

Why had she said that? She didn't need to... So why did she think it was necessary to say? And even if she did end up being the avatar of 'Honesty', was she or was she not lying when she said it?

"Is something wrong Lu?" Tia spoke, cutting through my thoughts.

Shit, my Moon Mark was showing again, and Tia could tell something was wrong...

"Uh... No. Nothing at all Celestia." I lied.

Remember children, the Truth is a friend only to itself. Colon trollestia colon.

Alright, you know the drill, back into your box.

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Make it quick.

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