From Here to Eternity

Ohmygoshyes! Chapter Eleven is FINALLY here! -insert angelic choir- Seriously though, I'm SO sorry for the wait! The Spring Semester has started and, of course, my classes come first. However I still write every day though for not nearly as long as I would like -pouts- Also, my laptop is continuing to be a pain. So, coupled with school responsibilities and a machine that's constantly freezing up and working at only 50% efficiency...yeah. Fun stuff people! Fun stuff.

I will try not to make you all wait so long for the next chapter ^^ send good thoughts to my laptop, maybe it will work better that way.

I DO NOT own ANY characters from MLP:FIM! However I DO own Serenity, Schism, Animosity, Cacophony, Squall, Dissonance, Wrangle, and Quarrel.

ENJOY!

Eventually Twilight became aware that the windstorm was over; the lack of sound was deafening. She cautiously opened her eyes and glanced towards where she knew the entrance to be. Since it was still dark and incredibly stuffy, she assumed Discord had yet to move out of the way. Everything was so quiet now though, the danger had to be over.

One of her friends shifted beside her and Pinkie Pie's voice whispered, "Do you think everything's okie-dokie now?"

"I don't rightly know," Applejack stood up with a groan, "Swarms and pestilence, I'm stiff!"

"It sounds as though everything has calmed down," Rarity quietly said, "Perhaps our 'dear protector' will finally let us out of this rather repulsive prison?"

Rainbow dash quickly stood and shook herself, "I say we get out right now, even if we have to bust our way out. I can't stand being in here anymore!"

"I bet," Applejack cracked her neck, "Ah, much better. So wha'cha think Twi? Think ta sky's clear?"

"I don't see why not," Twilight stood and carefully made her way over to Discord, "And I doubt we'll have to 'bust' our way out Dash."

The blue Pegasus shrugged, "Just saying."

When Twilight was close enough, she tapped her hoof against Discord's side a few times to get his attention, "Discord?"

When he made no movement she placed her hoof firmly against his side to push against it. Before she could though, his fur rippled beneath her hoof. Startled, she pulled back, "What the-"

Light suddenly filtered in, lighting up their tree-hole as his body shifted and turned around so that his head was looking in at them, "I thought that was you knocking my dear, anything you need?"

Twilight let out a breath, "Yes actually. We'd really, really like to come out now."

"And you're not stopping us!" Dash yelled from behind her. Discord raised an amused eyebrow before pulling back his head while proclaiming, "Oh come on out! The weather's lovely! The sun's up again, the breeze is pleasant, and there's not a cloud in the sky!"

"What's he rambling about?" Rainbow dash shoved passed her, "We're in a forest for crying out loud! He's..." she became silent.

"Dash? What's wrong?" Twilight followed her out and froze in shock, her mouth hanging open at the scene before her. The surrounding forest was completely destroyed! It looked as though a tornado had torn its way through, ripping out trees, bushes, and most all other plant life.

"What ta hay?" Applejack's voice rang out in the unexpected emptiness, "I knew somethin' big was a happenin' but this is-is..."

"Completely NUTS!" Dash yelled, "I'm going to see how far the damage goes," and she quickly flew up. Twilight's eyes followed her then drifted to where Discord was nonchalantly leaning against one of the few remaining trees, his crystal twinkling in the sunlight. Oddly, he was wearing Applejack's hat along with...a pair of blue shades with yellow sparkles.

Twilight blinked at these and raised an eyebrow, "Discord? How-"

"There are some things that can never be taken away from me," he tapped his glasses, "My good taste is one such thing."

"No, I mean how can you have them if you have no magic?"

"Like I said," he shrugged, "There are some things that can never be taken away from me."

"Uh huh," Applejack stood beside her, "I'm hopin' my hat ain't one of those things."

"Oh this old thing?" he flipped it off his head and tossed it back and forth between his claws and talons, "I guess I'm willing to part with it. For a price," he grinned wickedly.

"How 'bout I don't buck ya over to that tree ov'r yonder," Applejack calmly stated. With a roll of his eyes, Discord spun the hat towards her, "Fine, keep the old thing."

"It's not just an old thing," Applejack put it onto her head reverently, "This hat is special to me. With it I carry my family, friends, and-"

"Goodness gracious!" Rarity exclaimed as she finally made her way out of the tree hole, "What happened out here?"

"What do you mean?" Discord looked around, "Oh, you mean this? I'm sorry, I sneezed while you were having your nap and-"

"Alright you!" Rarity glared heatedly up at him, "Tell me everything that occurred after you threw me into that disgusting hole!"

His eyebrows raised at her tone, "You honestly don't believe that I had anything to do with this?"

"How should I know?" she pointed her hoof accusingly at him, "I'm still not convinced that you're altogether trustworthy!"

"Ah!" he slammed his paw against his chest, "You wound me Rarity! But fine, I'll tell you what happened when Dashie gets back down here...and when Shyshy manages to learn to walk again," he pointedly directed his gaze over to where Pinkie Pie was dragging Fluttershy out of the tree by the tail.

Twilight sighed and walked over to them saying, "Come on Fluttershy, everything's okay now."

"That's right!" Pinkie jumped over the frozen Pegasus, "Everything's okie-dokie-"

"Yes, yes, yes, we haven't time for a pep talk" Discord leaned over and picked Fluttershy up muttering, "I have the feeling I'll be doing this a lot," before yelling up, "Come on Dashie! What's the report?"

"There's a big hole in the forest!" she panted after zooming down to them, "And no sign of the griffon thingy either!"

"Goooood, that means we can move on in relative safety," Discord waved his paw, "Come on ponies, I'll tell you the exciting story of my survival while we walk."

Applejack trotted up beside him, "Ya mean yer goin' explain what all this here nonsense was about?"

"I wouldn't know," he drawled, "But I DO know what happened to me," he cleared his throat, "An unknown creature started creating a windstorm strong enough to break trees and fling around debris so I tossed you all into that sturdy old tree's hole where I guessed you would be safe."

"Where you GUESSED we would be safe?" Dash questioned skeptically.

"Then I wrapped myself around the base of the tree," he went on, ignoring her, "Covering the hole and hoping no pony suffocated while I bravely waited out the violent storm," he dramatically exclaimed, "Branches fell around me and trees were toppling to my right and left! But I knew I could not leave! I could not stand down! Not when there were ponies in distress! Not when-"

"I think we git it," Applejack interrupted, "Ya hung on ta that tree for dear life while we was all scared out of our wits."

"Ingratitude!" Discord proclaimed, pointing up at the sky, and Applejack said, "No, just ter truth!"

Dash and Rarity chuckled as Pinkie giggled shrilly. Discord looked insulted, "If it weren't for me, all of you would have been blooooown away! I suggest you remember that."

They quieted, following him through the wreckage. Fluttershy eventually managed to gain the courage to whisper that she could walk on her own and Discord whined he was more than happy to relieve himself of her since his arms were sore from holding onto the tree for so long. Applejack looked as though she were confused about this and said, "I was thinkin' 'bout you hangin' on durin' that windstorm. If there was branches fallin' 'round everywhere, why are you completely unharmed?"

Discord glanced down at her, "I'm a good dodger."

"Uh huh," she squinted up at him, "I still can't shake ta feelin' that yer somehow ta cause of-"

"Oh please!" he turned to them with a resentful expression, "As if I would purposely summon that little breeze just so I could bundle you all in a tree and waste precious time! Remember," he growled, "Every moment wasted during our travels is another moment I'm forced to exist without my powers."

The look on his face as he spoke those last words...Twilight was sure she saw true pain there. Taking in a breath, she stepped forward, "And this is exactly why we should continue on in all haste," she smiled back at her friends, "Come on girls, let's pick up the pace!"

They eagerly followed her as she proudly trotted passed Discord. He quickly joined her in the lead exclaiming, "Going faster, what an excellent idea!"

She flashed him a smile just in time to see him wink down at her, "I always knew you were the smart one Twi."

The sincere-seeming compliment caused her to glow with pleasure but the wink caused her glow to warm into a blush. She quickly looked away, the slightly disturbing thoughts from the night before returning to haunt her. She HAD promised herself that she would give them more thought during the journey...

She wasn't sure she wanted to though.

She was certain she didn't have something as measly as a crush affecting her. That would not only be completely out of character for her, it would be crazy! Not to mention silly. Her, having a crush on Discord? Completely and utterly out of the question. She wasn't the type to crush on every male who caught her eye. Besides, she didn't know him nearly enough to be harboring feelings for him.

Or did she?

Technically, she had known him for years through Serenity's memories. That must have been why she had felt so...friendly with him when he first got out again. She had felt...comfortable with him. Like she was conversing with somepony she knew really well. DID she know him really well?

Sending him a side glance, she took note of his irritated expression. Perhaps the silence was getting to him again...but why though? She couldn't for the life of her think of a reason why he didn't like the silence. Frowning determinedly, she decided that she needed to know more about him before giving serious thought to the silliness her mind was conjuring. It could wait, it wasn't like she was developing true feelings for him, and besides, she needed to keep in mind that Discord loved Serenity and she him. As soon as he heard that she was still alive he would want to find her...

For some reason that thought didn't fill her with as much pleasure as she thought it should. Frustrated with how muddle her thoughts were becoming, she decided to start a conversation. Discord would probably be scolding them for being too quiet soon anyways.

"So, Discord."

"Hm?"

"Thanks for protecting us back there."

"Oh that?" he nonchalantly gazed at his talons, "I was just trying to waste time and flaunt my power a bit while making it look like I was completely innocent."

"Sure," she raised an eyebrow at him, "And you were making those awful screeching noises too."

"Oh yes, they just about killed my throat."

"Of course they did," Twilight stared ahead, "You know that I don't think you had anything to do with that."

"Because you believe me to be, guh, nice and trustworthy for some reason," he suddenly snapped his claws, making her jump, "Oh! That's right! It's because you read that dusty old book about me that was written by somepony I knew," she could feel his eyes bore into her, "How about we continue our little chat from yesterday?"

Twilight's heart leaped into her throat, causing her to almost choke, "W-what? Now?"

"Yes, why not?" he bounced ahead of her like a ballerina and scooped her up into his arms whispering, "We can whisper about it like two young foals sharing a delightful secret!"

She stared at him in confusion and he sighed, "I'm trying to lighten up the mood here."

"Why?"

"I'm not blind," he snorted, "I remember the look of absolute terror on your face as I ranted and raved at you in your library. I want information, you have it, and I'll promise not to yell at you if you give it to me," he held up his eagle arm as he propped her up with his lion arm, "I swear on my chaotic heart of chaos! Now, do I hear a yes sir?"

Twilight managed to feel comfortable enough to chuckle at his words, "I guess."

"Shush!" he put a talon to his lips, "Like foals sharing a delightful secret, remember?"

"Okay," she whispered back, her mind reeling at his sudden playful attitude towards a topic she had come to consider taboo. Was he actually making an effort to ease her nervousness on the subject? Or was he just that desperate to know what she knew? Her normal, practical side knew the second option was most likely but her other side...was hoping that he really was making an effort. For her sake. That would help prove that what she had come to believe about him was true.

"So..." he slowly started, "I believe we were discussing the author of that book?"

She nodded quietly. She still wasn't sure if she should tell him anything...true, he deserved to know but...the subject of Serenity would eventually lead to her having to admit that Serenity was still alive and that would lead to him...doing what? What DID she expect him to do in response to that? Run off to find her? Make them travel even faster in his eagerness to get his powers then see her again? Or, worse yet, would he not even care? She highly doubted this but what if he just shrugged and said something like, "So that old bag's still around?"

Once again conflicting emotions rushed around in a confusing mix inside her. One side of her proclaimed it would never forgive him if he EVER did such a thing to Serenity. Or anypony else for that matter. For if he could be that heartless to somepony she was sure he loved, he would have no problem doing it to anypony else. However, the more confused side of her almost...hoped he would forget about Serenity. She couldn't understand why part of her felt like that...it was just as heartless as him forgetting about Serenity.

"Ooooh Twi," her head was tilted up so her eyes were met with his, "Heeellooooo!"

She blinked herself out of her thoughts and struggled to push them away, "Sorry, I was just thinking."

"Obviously," his eyes rolled then met her's again, "Were you trying to decide which lie would most thoroughly convince me?"

"Of course not!" she snapped and he quickly said, "Shush! We're being closely monitored my dear," he jabbed a talon over his shoulder, "One scream from you and I'm toast."

She looked behind them and grinned awkwardly at her friends who had varying expressions of suspicion and hostility.

"Ya alright there Twi?" Applejack questioned and she quickly replied, "I'm fine girls! Really! I'm-ack! What's that smell?"

She covered her mouth as Discord wrinkled his nose, "Oh goody. I forgot about this place," he sprinted forward while her friends began gasping and choking on the smell. The putrid stench increased in strength to the point that Twilight had to keep her face pressed into Discord's chest in an effort to keep from gagging. The sounds of a thick, bubbling stew clearly reached her ears by time he stopped and hissed, "I thought so...what a pleasant...ugh, never mind."

Daring to take her face out of hiding, she tried to stare at the bog before her but her eyes stung from all the fumes drifting up from it. She turned her face back into Discord's fur, taking in deep breaths of his cinnamony scent. His chest vibrated as he droned, "I can't believe I forgot this place...you'd think this scent would stay with you forever. No matter! We must cross it!"

"What?" she muttered into his fur, "Can't we go around?"

"That would take too long my dear."

She couldn't believe he'd actually consider crossing something so offensive, "How could you even think of going near that?"

"Very easily," he cheerfully replied and she groaned. Chuckling, he said, "Don't worry my little pony, you probably won't fall in. If you do though, the smell should come out after a few years!"

"Ewwww..."

"Ugh! How disgusting! I NEVER would have believed it if I wasn't looking at it now!"

Twilight peeked over Discord's shoulder at Rarity, "How can you even open your eyes?"

"It's worse the higher up you go," Dash sighed, looking very glum to be stuck on the ground.

"That's right!" Pinkie Pie slunk over, pressed against the ground like a stalking cat, "Just stay down low and everything's okie-dokie-lokie!" she suddenly stuck out her tongue, "Well, mostly. Wowzies! That's strong!"

"Strong ain't the beginnin' of it," Applejack gasped, "I feel like I'm a gonna be sick...please tell me we're not stayin' here long Discord."

"Hmm," Discord hummed thoughtfully to himself, "All we have to do is jump across those rocks."

Twilight and her friends all turned to look at the small, flat stones that breached the top of the bog...and were separated by at least three feet each. As one they all stared at him and exclaimed, "That's ALL?"

He didn't seem to register their disbelief, "Oh yes. They should lead to the other side."

"They SHOULD lead to the other side?" Rainbow dash looked horrified, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I do," he placed Twilight down and began flapping his wings, "Now those who fly should fly while those who can't...well, I guess you're on your own."

"Or I can teleport us across," Twilight quickly said, "Just tell me how for it is and I'll do it."

"Teleport?" Discord looked interested, "YOU can teleport?"

"Why yes, I can, don't you remember?" she smirked proudly, "I used it once before in your presence but I use it quite often actually."

"I must have been a good influence on you," he snickered, "Tell me, do you use a blinding light like me or sparkles like a girl?"

"I AM a girl."

"So I've noticed."

She tried to think of a good retort to that...and found none. Fortunately he didn't keep silent, "Alright ponies! Start hopping!"

As though to encourage them, he leaped to the first and second rock, using his wings to assist him. Pinkie Pie quickly pursued him, bouncing on the rocks with her cheeks bulging from holding her breath. Rainbow dash followed, flying with her nose covered and gasping through her mouth.

"Well, I suppose we have no choice," Rarity walked up to the bog and threw back her mane, "I will defeat this abhorrence of nature!" several ribbons hovered out of her bag and neatly tied back her mane and tail. Glancing back, she asked, "Would any of you like some ribbons? They work wonders on keeping one's tail from dragging and look very stylish."

Twilight nodded with a sigh, "I think that would be a good idea, thanks."

"No problem dear."

After giving out the ribbons, Rarity turned back to the bog with her head held high, "Prepare yourself!" and she leaped to the first rock. Twilight and Applejack watched in awe as she kept her balance and continued onto the next few rocks before calling back, "Come on girls! It's easiest if you take more than one stone at a time!"

"Well...I guess...I should catch up with Rainbow dash," Fluttershy quietly flew passed them. Twilight watched her in surprise and jokingly said, "I was sure we'd have to drag you across!"

"Oh no, I couldn't put you through that," Fluttershy blushed, "I've been hardly any help at all and-and I keep slowing the rest of you down..."

"You shouldn't feel like that Fluttershy."

"But I do," she put on her determined face, "And it's true. Besides, if Rarity can do it, so can I."

Twilight smiled with pride as she watched Fluttershy bravely begin her flight across the bubbling, smelly goo, "Alright Applejack...if Fluttershy can do it, we should be able to as well!"

"Eh..."

"Don't worry! We'll be-" she stopped when she saw how ill Applejack really did look, "Are you feeling okay?"

Applejack shrugged and started forward, "It's...it's just ta smell is all...I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? I could ask Discord to-"

"I can handle it," she interrupted, "Besides, I don't want Discord ta have an excuse ta mess with me."

Before Twilight could say another word, Applejack took a shaky leap forward and bounced across several rocks. Since there was nothing else she could possibly do, she followed with a sigh.

The stench wasn't so bad after the first ten minutes of being completely surrounded by it. Twilight suspected this to be a result of the fumes killing off all the nerves in her nose. At least they weren't affecting her as much as Applejack. Her friend seemed to loose more of her sense of balance with every few jumps and Twilight was worried about what might happen if she were to fall into the thick, writhing liquid below them.

After pausing to take a break, she tried to see the others ahead of her but she couldn't can't a glimpse of anypony other than Applejack. This struck her as odd. Bogs were flat and there was no heavy fog or mist to hinder her eyesight. She should be able to at least see Rarity's light coat.

"Hey Applejack?"

"...yeah?"

"Can you see anypony ahead of you?"

She could see Applejack leaning forward to squint ahead, "Uh, I don't...no wait, there's Discord a comin' this way."

Twilight sighed in relief; maybe he was coming to give them a lift. He flew about a foot above the exploding bubbles of the bog, his face wrinkled in disgust as he paused over her, "Ah, THERE you are. I was beginning to think you decided to swim for it."

She scowled up at him as Applejack slowly said, "Have ya...gotten to...ta other side yet?"

He nodded, "Rainbow dash, Pinkie, and I have but I got bored waiting for the rest of you. Rarity's being transported by Dashie because I'm...oh what did she call me again? It was pretty creative."

"But are you going to take us to land?" Twilight asked, "Because if you are, take Applejack first."

Applejack immediately began protesting but she spoke over her, "The fumes make her sick."

Discord shrugged, "They make us all sick...but yes, I did come to help pick up the pace of things," he quickly snatched up Applejack with a laugh, "Pick up the pace? Ha hahaa! I didn't even PLAN that one! Get it?" he grinned eagerly at Applejack who only frowned at him, "Oh well you're no fun," he met Twilight's eyes and opened his mouth but she quickly said, "Yes! Yes I...actually get it," she gave him an awkward smile, "You're literally picking us up to...pick up the pace. Yes. Very clever."

His gleeful look turned into a pout, "Now you're just humoring me."

"Well the sooner you leave," she carefully hoped onto another rock, "The sooner you can come back for me. I'm getting kinda tired of jumping."

"Pft!" he waved his free paw, "I'm NOT some tiny, wimpy pony Twilight Sparkle. I'm ME and as ME I am big enough to carry more than one pony at a time," he swiftly scooped her up and began flying again, "Unlike Dashie who can barely lift Rarity's fashionable flank into the air."

Twilight didn't bother responding. She squinted ahead in another effort to see farther than five feet in front of her but things were still blurry. Rubbing her eyes with her hoof, she tried again but nothing changed. It was as though somepony was purposely making things hard to see...

"Heeeelp!"

She and Applejack straightened at the faint cry and she said, "Wait a minute Discord! I think that was Fluttershy!"

He didn't pause, "We'll see soon enough."

She frowned but figured that they would see what the problem was eventually. Fluttershy had been flying ahead of them after all.

"Oh help! Please! I need some help!"

"That is Fluttershy!" Applejack exclaimed, "Where is she?"

"Just up ahead," Discord muttered. Twilight leaned forward, "I can't see her! Hurry Discord!"

Much to her horror, he slowed down to a snail's pace.

"Discord!" she glared up at him, "Come on! She needs our help!"

He didn't respond, instead narrowing his eyes into a glare to one side. Twilight was moments away from zapping him with a spell to 'encourage' more swiftness on his part when he suddenly took off at a burst of speed. Both she and Applejack hung on until he abruptly stopped over solid ground. Twilight had just enough time to glimpse a confused Rarity and Pinkie before Discord pulled Applejack off of him and snapped, "Where's Dash?"

"We heard Fluttershy crying out!" Rarity quickly replied, "She went to help her!"

Discord nodded and sharply turned, heading back out over the bog with Twilight still in his grasp. Twilight hung on again, crying out, "What are you doing?"

"I haven't magic so you'll have to do," he hissed, "Do you know how to defend yourself against hostile spells?"

She nodded nervously.

"Do you?"

"Yes!" she shouted up at him, "I can defend myself!"

"How about both of us?"

She paused then nodded again, "I've never done it before but-"

"Well here's your chance! Float!"

"Float?" she screamed as he launched her into the air, "But I don't know how!"

His tail caught her just before she landed into the muck and her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her.

Fluttershy was desperately holding onto the antlers of a male deer who was almost completely submerged in the swamp. Rainbow dash was holding onto her while flapping frantically and Discord had just taken hold of the deer's antlers as well. Her mind whirled; they were trying to save a deer. How in Equestria did that deer get so far off the rocky 'path'? Was that even possible?

"Okay," she muttered to herself, "Odd or not, this is something I DO know how to help with," and she activated her horn. The deer became enveloped in her magic and stopped struggling as it began to lift out of the bog's clutches. She grinned in triumph and caught a glimpse of the deer's face...

She immediately stopped her spell. It had just...grinned at her. Maniacally. Evilly. Dangerously.

"Why'd you stop?" Dash's yell was strained, "Help us!"

"No wait!" she shouted, "Don't help it!"

Fluttershy's horrified cry of, "But Twilight!" didn't make her pause, "It's not what it seems to be!"

Discord turned his gaze to her then let go, flying backwards a few feet without a word.

"No!" Fluttershy squeaked as she and the deer began sinking back down. Twilight glared as she noticed it didn't look scared at all, "Let go girls! That's NOT a deer!"

"Bah! Pesky pony-thing!" muck flew everywhere as the deer suddenly exploded in a cloud of purple mist. Rainbow dash was flung backwards, yelling in surprise as the mist expanded and threatened to envelop them. Discord flew backwards, snapping his claws several times before shouting something in frustration.

"Heeeeeeelp!"

Twilight gasped in shock as the mist cleared away to reveal a horrible, swirling, purple-black THING wrapping long tentacles around a struggling Fluttershy.

"Discord!" she screamed, "Go back! She needs our help!"

"Yeeeees Discord!" the creature called to them with a mocking chuckle, "Come back! Let's plaaay!"

Discord paused in his flight, "And YOU are?"

"Me?" the creature cackled, "I'm your little brother! How could you NOT know about me?"

"Ha!" Discord snorted, "As if! I have no siblings! Especially ones as uncouth as you."

"Uncouth?" it flung Fluttershy up and down playfully, "You mustn't use such sophisticated words with me big brother, I AM the youngest after all."

"Nonsense!" Discord wrinkled his snout, "You're almost twice my size! You-"

"All the more to love bo-bo," it laughed maniacally, spreading its tentacles wide as though opening its arms for a hug.

Twilight watched all this with narrowed eyes. Though she had felt shock at what the misty monster had said about being Discord's brother, most of her attention was on Fluttershy. Poor, poor Fluttershy being flung up and down and side-to-side like a rag-doll. The moment those tentacles gave her an opening though, she powered her horn and quickly unleashed a spell, making Fluttershy disappear then reappear with a pop right beside her.

"Eek!" Fluttershy flailed her limbs frantically in the open air before Discord twisted around, grabbed hold of her, and dived towards land. The creature behind them roared in rage as Twilight called out, "Daaaash!"

"I'm here!" Rainbow dash flew passed her, "Faster Discord! It's coming for us!"

Discord flapped even faster, reaching one of his arms out in front of him as though trying to take hold and pull the solid land closer. Twilight clung to his tail as she felt it loosen around her and gasped as the hideous monster pursued them in a cloud of violet mist, screaming, "Don't be such a stranger!"

"Faster Discord!" she screamed, "Faaaster!"

"Shut it!" he croaked, "Dash! Get the others! Tell them! Run to the ruins! Straight ahead!"

"Wait, ruins?" Dash exclaimed and he roared, "YES! NOW GO!"

She turned and disappeared faster than Twilight could remember seeing. Looking back at the monster, she held back her terror as she saw it was even closer. She ground her teeth in determination and shot a spell at it in the hopes of stalling it. Her spell shot straight and true but the creature literally took hold of it and starting tossing it tentacle to tentacle like it was a hot coal. At least is was momentarily distracted.

"Again Twi!" Discord panted as solid ground slide under them once again and she shot another, more powerful spell. Then another and another and another as Discord got slower and slower and slower.

"Coooome baaaaaack!" the creature shrieked after yet another of her spells hit it in the face and caused it to halt a moment, "I just want to make a friend!"

"Never!" she shouted back at it, shooting one more spell at it while it was still distracted with the other one. This one made it cry out in pain as one of it's tentacles was hit.

"HA!" she lifted a hoof in triumph, "Direct hit! Take THAT!"

Her sense of victory grew as the creature didn't bother to continue pursuing them, instead just sending her a deranged look that promised a slow, painful death. It sent shivers down her body but it didn't stop her cheerful call of, "We did it! It's not following us anymore!"

As though that were the signal to stop, Discord suddenly crashed into the ground, his tail completely unraveling from around her as she was flung forward and into a large stone. Stars flew across her vision as a moan of pain seeped out from between her lips, "Oooow..."

"Twilight! Twilight?"

Head still spinning, she opened her eyes to see an upside down Rainbow dash, "Wh-what? Dash?"

"Yeah! Here, let me help ya there."

The stars began crashing into each other and making tiny explosions as her friend picked her up and set her right side up. She swayed and tried to lay down, "I shouldn't be moving..."

"But...but Twilight! What about the others?"

"I need to lie down..." she flattened herself on the cold stone beneath her as she battled against the sudden lightheadedness effecting her. Dash wouldn't leave her be though:

"But what should I do?"

Grimacing, she muttered, "I don't know...I feel sick..."

She heard her friend make several sounds of anxiousness before a small poof of wind against her cheek signaled her finally leaving her side. She wasn't aware of much more as her mind swam in and out of dark and light...there were sounds...fuzzy sounds, raspy sounds, a loud, stinging buzz...

Celestia groaned as the buzzing sound returned. Animosity's blows still ached as she walked but, oddly, most of them had been superficial. Painfully superficial. After the doctors admitted they had done all they could for her, she had continued the duties expected of her. It had only been an hour or so ago since she had managed to rise the sun with the help of several choice unicorns possessing powerful magic and skill but...she was beginning to think she shouldn't have helped raise it at all.

"No!" she pause in her slow walk down one of her many ordinate hallways, "They would not have been able to do it without my help. And it had to be raised! I could not let my subjects begin to fear something is truly wrong," she started carefully walking again, "I don't want them fearing that Discord is disrupting our harmony. Again."

Who was she kidding though? It might not have been Discord who placed her sister under some sort of spell nor Discord who fought and injured her but he was still connected. He was always connected when things went wrong...

She shook her head, trying to rid herself of any thoughts of that manipulative spirit. She didn't want to think of him. She didn't want to be reminded of him...whatever possessed her to let him go free? With her trusting student no less? What if something happened? Something always happened when he was involved...but what if it was something truly...horrible? Something that left a scar of pain...something that didn't have to be physical.

"How pitiful! I mean, you two! What taste! How stupid!" the princess flinched as Animosity's words haunted her. It had been stupid. It HAD be tasteless. It had all been over far too quickly.

Celestia liked to think that she was over it all; what happened between her and Discord. A much...younger Discord. She wasn't though. As much as she had moved on with her life, Animosity had been right, there were still some feelings attached to the old draconequus.

She could still remember it all so clearly, that night when he came back. He had been gone for so many years...something must have happened to make him disappear like that. Something she never asked about.

But he had returned. In the dead of night, while she was trying to sleep, he appeared in her bedroom in his typical flash of light. He hadn't tried to wake her and she pretended to be deep in her slumber. She didn't know why he was there, he had always avoided coming to where she and her family stayed, but her heart raced knowing that he was back again. She remembered wondering how much he had grown and changed over the years...

She chuckled to herself, remembering when he had had his first growth spurt. He hadn't known what to think of it. He had been so innocent when it came to his developing body...

The chuckle died in her throat and she stopped again, staring down at the tiles beneath her hooves with eyes empty of all but the past. She could remember it all so well...how he had simply sat beside her on her bed, how he had stroked her mane, how he had eventually laid down beside her and whispered, "How I've missed you..."

Shuddering at the memory, Celestia leaned against the wall. When she had finally pretended to wake up and be surprised at his presence, he had only smiled as if he had known all along that she was awake.

Her parents hadn't addressed the fact that there was a new face hanging around their cloudy home and Luna was only mildly interested in the creature she had never met before. Over the first few days of his return though, Celestia had fallen for him. Totally and completely.

He didn't make fun of her, hardly even snapped his claws to use his magic. He said he was just glad to be back and when she asked where he had been, he had only shrugged and said, "Here, there, anywhere...everywhere but here. Maybe I'll show you someday."

Later on he spoke of a small kingdom he had been reigning over and promised to take her there one day.

"They would make excellent allies...if I were you, I'd take advantage of what they have to offer."

She could see his face so clearly whenever he had mentioned that subject. The oddly fond expression, the complete lack of regret when he spoke of leaving his subjects behind; she should have been warned right then. She should have scolded him for forsaking his kingdom. She didn't though. She wouldn't. She knew why he left whatever he had built up. The answer was in his eyes whenever he looked at her.

A small sob worked its way up her throat and Celestia quickly dove into a room before anypony could see her tears. She had fallen in love with those eyes...those eyes gleaming with that answer...that he had left everything...everypony under him...just so he could see her again...but it was not to be.

By the end of the week he was snapping his claws, conjuring his chaos with none of the childish delight he used to. No. His chaos had a purpose this time...he was using his chaos to corrupt and conquer...and he succeeded.

He had used her. He had blatantly and tastelessly used her. Whether he had once loved her or not, he had used her to get passed the defenses of her parents. She didn't care that he had offered the queen's crown to her while he ruled; all thoughts of being with him and loving him left a foul aftertaste in her mouth. How could he even THINK she would want to be with him after usurping her parents? Did he honestly believe she wouldn't care about her parent's fate? That she would gladly give herself to him, honored that he seemed to want her as much as she had once wanted him.

If he had thought that, he really was an arrogant fool.

A soft sigh from behind her caused her to start in surprise then whirl around, an excuse for her presence in the room on the tip of her tongue. Seeing who it was though, she only let out a sigh of her own. Unwittingly, her walk down memory lane had unconsciously directed her hooves to her sister's room.

Her poor, trapped sister.

Celestia approached the large bed and gazed down at her restless sister. She could see her eyes roving around behind her eyelids and that her body twitched occasionally. It was almost as though she were dreaming...

She gently nuzzled Luna, holding back the tears she wanted to shed. Her little sister was trapped in an illusion...an illusion given to her by Animosity...and there was nothing she could to help release her. All she could do was...hope.

Nuzzling her sister again, she made herself comfortable by the bed. She would watch over Luna and tend to whatever needs arose...while continuing to fight back the flood of memories Discord's presence had unknowingly summoned to plague her.

Oh ho ho! I look forward to reading what people have to say about this chapter...which means you need to review. Please.

Just kidding :D You don't NEED to review! I can just read your minds _