It growled again, and immediately her head panned forward, and she didn’t need to squint to see…..it.

It was…..some wood creature. It was made entirely out of wood sticks and what appeared to be bark, however she could see some sort of green gas coming out of its mouth, which is probably what the stench was. It looked like a wolf, almost. And boy did it look hungry.

“……uh, h-heyya…..this your cave?” she asked, hoping for dear mercy that it was also some odd sapient creature that probably just always looks like it wants to gobble anything and everything. Frankly, that wasn’t the case. It growled again, this time scaring her even more as she could see in detail how terrifying it looked. “…f-fuck me….” It looked at her hungrily, walking towards her, as if attempting to intimidate her. Suddenly, it just lunged at her, taking her by surprise as her mind was riddled with a mix of confusion, fear and shock. “A-AHH!!!” she yelped as it lunged onto her, pinning her onto the ground. She struggled, but was no match as it suddenly bit her wing. She cried in pain, realizing that her wings were actually really sensitive and fucking hell did it hurt.

She tried to hit it away, but it continued to try to bite her. Desperate, she tried to light up her horn, but with the intense pain in her wing and the sheer fear, she couldn’t even focus as her eyes watered. Fuck….I-I can’t die like this!..-

However, a flash of light caught the attention of both her and the ‘woodwolf’ as it filled the room, blinding them. The wolf winced and backed away, as Crystal shut her eyes. As the light dissipated, she opened her eyes and gasped as she felt so much lighter. The….t-the wolf?

“Honestly, you can really get yourself into a buck load of trouble,” said a…..familiar voice.

“…D-Discord?”

She laid shocked on her back as Discord floated above her, looking down at her with a raised brow. “So you do remember me. What a shocker, I must say,” he said casually. “And before we continue, might I add that this cave is too dead for me. Sooo, let’s head out first, shall we?”

“W-what?” she managed to say before being teleported away.

---

At a blink of an eye, they appeared outside. She was immediately greeted with the brightness of the sky, which hurt her eyes as she’s been in the dark cave for quite awhile. She also realized she….was floating. Or so she thought. She looked up, and was met with Discord’s eyes staring back at her, half lidded as if he was tired with her antics.

"…..you know, for a cautious pony such as yourself, you seem to be fine with entering a wolf’s den,” he said casually. “…….” She stared back at him silently. He raised a brow. “…..are you going to thank me or am I getting that ‘thank you’ after this one staring contest?”

“…..I…..why?” she asked straight forwardly. She…..she didn’t know what to think anymore. “You….” You were so cruel to other ponies earlier….. “….you were busy earlier, why’d you come to get me?”

“I may be cruel but I will not let a pony get mauled to death on my playground. Ponies are for me to torment, not some splinter model of an inbred dog. Plus,” he smirked, “-would you rather me leave you there to die?”

“I….well no,” she said quickly. She was….quite thankful for that. “B-but you could’ve.”

“I wouldn’t. Or….would I?” he questioned himself. She shook her head.

“P-please no.”

He looked down at her and grinned. “Well if you say so, madame…..” For some reason, he snapped his talon again. And it took her awhile to realize what he did when she suddenly flexed her wing. It….felt fine suddenly. “…wait a minute…”

He grinned as he felt proud of himself. “Two favors in a row? How generous am I?” he announced proudly. “Boy, aren’t you glad to have a pal like me?”

“….I….guess?” she said. She flexed her wing. It….really did feel fine. He healed it….somehow. “….thanks.”

“Ah ah!” he suddenly added. “I think two favors in a row needs some repaying to do….” he hinted as he looked down at her with a look. “Hmmmmm?”

“I…..all I have is candy, n-no money…”

He huffed. “Pah! What use do I have of your pathetic currency! Anything you can buy, I can make a better version of it! So no, it’s nothing like that at all…….”

She thought for awhile. What could a magic charged man want that she can give and he can’t make? “Uh……alright, what are you thinking?”

“Oh my, I’m glad you asked!” he exclaimed, and with a snap of a talon, she reappeared on the ground in front of him, her saddle bag dropping down onto her back lightly as did she. She was surprised, but was even more surprised when she looked up to see Discord, garbed in a fancy mantle, the ones you’d see those kids dressed up as kings would wear for Halloween. He also had a ridiculous paper crown on, covered in glitter. Like, a shitload of glitter. She raised a brow. “You see- I’m a busy man. As the Lord of Chaos, I have errands to run left and right- I hardly have time for myself….”

“Pretty sure all the errands you’ve ever run are for yourself,” she deadpanned.

“Why, how selfish do you think I am?” he said. She gave him a look, which he didn’t really respond to. “I’m doing this for the good of Equestria! For the ponies! Don’t you care about the ponies?-“

“What good does trapping their princesses and ruining friendships bring?” she asked.

He blinked. “Why- experience, of course! Imagine they’ll need to get a job in the future- as an experienced ‘imprisoned princess’ or ‘bad friend’, screw that reference sheet you thought you had to work on, they’ll hire you instantly!”

“In what world would that work in?”

“In my world of course!” he exclaimed proudly. “Right right, I’m sure you’re wondering where I’m leading this up to- and you see, It’s simple. Every Lord needs a minion-“

“You want me to be your slave?!” she yelled abruptly. “Wh- no way….”

“Well if you put it like that it’s no wonder you don’t like the sound of it!” he said, shaking his head. “No- I want you to be my sidekick.”

“Have you seen superhero films? We all know the sidekick is always a personal butler just with a fancy title! And also, no way! I’m not into whatever this is that you like to do. You like taunting ponies, well I like impersonating Tommy Wisaeu in my spare boredom of time. I don’t want to be afflicted with you in your odd businesses.”

He sighed dramatically. “…ah, very well. Guess I’ll just be alone…..no friends….no one to talk to when I’ve done something good in life like maybe found a filly’s lost dog or perhaps giving half a chocolate bar to another kid for free. Guess I’ll be friendless forever……”

“Yeah uh with that attitude, no shit you’d be lonely,” she deadpanned. “Look- try to guilt-trip me all you want, but it ain’t working. I’m grateful for all that you’ve done for me, just- I don’t want to do this, you know?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, I know- you don’t have to be so dramatic!” he said. “It was just a question, I didn’t think you’d agree anyway. Welp! I’ve spent enough time dawdling by you as is, time to check on the others!” he raised a talon. “And oh! Remember!- you still owe me!” he said finally, snapping himself away.

---

Crystal kept the conversation in mind as she walked away. She opted towards town, hopefully she could meet with Twilight. She seemed nice. She still couldn’t understand why Discord did what he did to them, though. She also wondered what the amulet deal was, too. And the grey ponies. And Rainbow Dash.

As she walked through town, she realized how renovated the place was. He certainly spent some time remodeling it. The ground was now checkered, and there were some soapy roads she saw on the way to the Oak tree from before. Her attention had been caught plenty of times by ponies running about, scared for their lives. She even remembered seeing this one mare who desperately tried to run but failed from a pepper raining cloud, making her sneeze endlessly. It was then that she witnessed the true affect of his actions.

So apparently he just liked being a jerk. Not surprising.

Still, it didn’t explain why he had helped her earlier-

“What the-“ she heard his voice from the distance, and looked around. There is was- the Oak tree. And there he stood, staring dumbfounded at….holy shit.

It was the previous group of friends, however they were no longer dull and grey. Instead, they were lively, and so were the amulets. She guessed that those were what caught him off guard.

Twilight stood there proudly, practically beaming as they stood their ground in front of Discord. And she saw a familiar amulet that belonged to….Rainbow Dash. This time, instead of the dragon, it was a blue winged pony with rainbow mane…..

Makes sense.

There was the rest like the orange pony with a cowboy hat, the pink pony with frazzled hot pink mane, the yellow winged pony with a shy look to her and the white horned pony with beautiful curled purple mane. The amulets shaped….seemed to match them? Kinda similar to their butt marks. She still had no idea what’s the butt mark all about.

As the situation unfolded, she slowly started to understand some things that happen.

For one, Discord probably tried to prevent them from getting together and forming their team. Two, probably because they have the power to stop him. He just stared at them, dumbfounded. For awhile, she could see him getting tense. His eyes wore a look she never thought she would see in a man like him. Terror.

Although, he still tried to keep the façade apparently. But everybody surely knew that it was but a façade. Crystal went and hid behind a post box, watching from there to not show her out and disturb them or even him. She wondered if he’d escape, or just let it happen. Whatever it was, she anticipated for the worst.

Twilight, this time with confidence, lit her horn. As her amulet glowed, so did the rest. The same rainbow aura enveloped, and the same process occurred. They were connecting. And this time, it glowed brighter, carrying them off the ground as the magic enveloped them. And then was when Discord dropped his cool. His grin dropped to fear, she could see him back up slightly. And then was when it happened.

The rainbow aimed at him.

Launching at him, it enveloped him. And for some reason, he….he howled! Was it painful? Was he…..

Is it killing him?!

The light grew ever so bright, and as he howled, the whole town was then basked in the aura.

---

She blinked, adjusting her eyes to the sudden change of light. The sudden….change….

She looked around. The town…..it looked normal! Trees were trees, the roads are dirt paths, the clouds were white and the sky was blue! It’s normal……

However, she looked around for….him.

There he stood, stoned. The pony group stood by him, rejoicing in success and embracing each other. Crystal stared at the statue in disbelief. He…..was actually stopped. She didn’t know he would’ve….let it happenlike that. She thought he’d escape….

….why was she so bothered?

She then turned her gaze back at the group of friends. She wanted to….meet them. Face to face. However, after the meeting with the princesses, it appears that she had learn one thing.

Alicorns are princess form apparently. Or, that’s what she’s perceived from it. She hasn’t seen another alicorn anywhere, she doubt she’d be looked at easily without being questioned. And with that, she tried glowing her horn to summon…..aha! A cloak garbed her in a flash. She rolled her eyes. “Oh- so now you work?”

---

As the group rejoiced, Rainbow’s eye was caught when she saw a cloaked mare walking towards them. “Hey, isn’t that the pony?-“

Crystal reached them panting, excited to finally be able to talk to some other ponies for one. “…h-hello! I-“

“Hiya there! Aren’t you that pony Discord’s been dragging all over town?! I’ve heard about you! Hey, is it true that you almost been eaten by a timberwolf cause’ that is loco!” exclaimed a pink pony in one huge breath that she had to inhale right after.

Crystal stared in surprise. “How’d you know that?.....”

“Just a hunch!” was all Pinkie had to comment about that.

“Before we talk about anything else- yeah! You were the pony Discord’s been dragging around! What was with that?” asked Rainbow suddenly. Crystal was taken aback at how brash her words sounded, or maybe that was just her voice.

“Did he hurt you?” asked the white pony. Crystal blinked, but shook her head quickly.

“N-no….he didn’t, I-“

“I saw you earlier- you had them alicorn wings if I’m not mistaken!” commented the cowboy pony. Pinkie nodded as some others gasped in surprise.

“You’re an alicorn? That’s not possible….” said Twilight, examining Crystal up and down. “….who are you?”

“…..my name’s Crystal. And uh…..” she looked back to her hidden wings. “….I didn’t need this cloak anyways, huh….”

“Nope! We saw!” said Pinkie with a grin. “My name’s Pinkie Pie! This here’s Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash! You might be confused with the dragon earlier- but don’t worry! That’s just Spike!”

Crystal blinked. “…uh- yeah that makes more sense now that I think about it.”

“What were you even doing with…him……” asked Fluttershy, gazing up to the statue that stood only inches away from them.

Before Crystal could respond, Spike came running out of the Oak tree…house. Huh, she never noticed it. It’s a house apparently. The dragon came running out and panting, then pointing into the sky. “Look!”

Twilight looked up into the sky, and gasped. “T-the princess!”

In the sky flew a golden chariot, led by two armored winged ponies. In the chariot was- Celestia and Luna! They flew above the group of friends, Crystal staring in amazement. Was it just…..solid gold? It would be heavy if that were the case.

It landed beside the group, the princesses looking regal as ever. Huh, they seemed to have made it fast. It didn’t seem like Canterlot and Ponyville was near. Perhaps Discord had released them earlier?

As they landed, the first thing Celestia’s eyes laid upon on was the statue. Crystal turned back to it too, and it still felt….cold. Celestia’s gaze also seemed to have an odd feeling to it. As if she was disappointed?

Crystal backed up as two extra guards came out of the chariot. But as she did, she winced as Luna suddenly called out for her.

“Oi! You there! Come here!” called out Luna as she pointed at Crystal, who stared back in surprise. Celestia’s eyes widened as well as if she had just recognized Crystal from somewhere.

Oh fuck.

Next Chapter: Chapter 4: Taking Him Back, Is All Estimated time remaining: 36 Minutes