Chapter 2: Discord's Secret
The group of seven known as The Power Ponies were still on the lookout for any signs of The Mane-iac. They knew that she would return one day. Their friends had been attacked and possessed by the comic book villainess and they were not going to let that happen again. In the meantime they were working on helping Spike find his hidden powers. So far they had been unsuccessful but they were still determined to help the young dragon. Spike wanted to take part in their acts of heroism but his lack of powers limited the amount of help he could be.
The group of seven wandered the streets while Spike had his face buried in a comic book. He just kept reading the advertisement that foretold of his powers. It was like he was trying to decipher a hidden message or crack some sort of code. No matter how many times he read it, the advertisement offered no clues as to what his powers would be,
"Can't believe this." he muttered. "Just when I can be helpful the guy making these books stops writing. Typical."
"Don't worry Spike." Twilight Sparkle told him. "I'm sure you'll find out what your powers are someday."
"Yeah someone as awesome as you has to have some really cool powers." Rainbow Dash said.
"Besides you're still a hero to us." Pinkie Pie said happily.
"Like ya said ya don't need super powers ta be a super friend." Applejack agreed.
Rarity nodded her head as she spoke. "Even without powers you're still a hero Spike."
"And we're always going to think that way." Fluttershy finished.
"Thanks guys." Spike said gratefully. Whenever he felt bad about not having powers the six ponies were always there to cheer him up. They were always supporting and encouraging him and he always felt better after talking to them.
As they walked they were greeted by someone they knew.
It was Discord.
The former bringer of chaos noticed the comic book in Spike's hands.
"Where did you get that?" he asked. His eyes had widened in surprise as he looked at the book being held by the young dragon.
"From a store." Spike replied. "Too bad they don't make 'em anymore since The Mane-iac vanished."
"Well isn't that a tad unusual." Discord replied. "I never knew that a character from a comic book could disappear. I wonder where she could be. Perhaps in another section of the library."
"I doubt that." Spike muttered.
"And why would that be my young dragon friend?" Discord asked.
The group of seven looked at each other and they told Discord the story of how they fought against The Mane-iac in the real world of Equestria. Discord looked extremely surprised by their tale.
"The Mane-iac is here?" he asked. "In Equestria?"
"Unfortunately yes." Twilight Sparkle replied.
Discord started to sweat a bit which Fluttershy was quick to spot.
"Are you all right Discord?" she asked. "You don't look so well."
"Oh it's nothing." he assured them. "I'm completely fine thank you."
Twilight Sparkle frowned a bit and then she grabbed the comic book out of Spike's hands.
"Maybe we could talk to the author about Spike's powers." she said. "Maybe he could tell us what Spike's powers are."
"How do you know it's a he?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"How many mares do you know that are named Sid C. Dro?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
Rainbow Dash stayed silent. Sid wasn't a common name for girls. All of a sudden Twilight Sparkle's eyes widened. She quickly reread the name of the author.
"Sid C. Dro." she said to herself. "That seems familiar."
"Really?" Discord asked. "Well I must be off for now."
He started to leave but Twilight Sparkle kept talking.
"Sid spelled backwards is Dis." she said. "Dro spelled backwards is Ord. And there's a C in the middle. You know if you put those together they spell Discord."
"What a funny coincidence." Discord said with a laugh. "Imagine me having a similar name to a famous comic book author."
"Yes it is a very strange coincidence." Twilight Sparkle agreed. "Or is it?"
Discord's smile faltered at the alicorn's statement. Fluttershy spoke to him nervously.
"Discord." she began. "Did you write those comic books?"
The reformed bringer of chaos sighed in defeat.
"I did." he whispered.
The group of seven was shocked. They definitely did not expect the author of the comic books to be Discord. They began asking him a bunch of questions but Discord cut them off.
"How much do you know about Equestria before Celestia and Luna defeated me?" he asked.
"Only that you put Equestria into chaos." Rainbow Dash replied fiercely.
Discord gave a small chuckle.
"Oh if only you knew." he said. "I wasn't the only one bringing chaos you know. The Mane-iac used to work with me."
"You worked with The Mane-iac?" the group of seven asked in unison.
"I did." Discord replied. "But she started hurting ponies and I didn't want that to happen. After all how can I play with the lives of the innocent if they're too scared to stay outside for more than a second?"
"So what happened?" Spike asked.
"I tricked The Mane-iac and put her in the comic book." Discord replied. "I also took away her horn so she couldn't get herself out."
"So when my spell hit the comic book." Twilight Sparkle began.
"You released The Mane-iac from her prison." Discord finished. "I created those comic books as a means of keeping her locked up. I hope she doesn't find me."
"What do you have to worry about?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Have you ever locked somepony up for centuries and then met her again?" Discord asked. "She won't exactly be pleased with me after that."
The group of seven nodded. Now they knew why The Mane-iac had a horn when they had faced her. She must have gotten it back when she escaped the comic book world. Discord walked away from the stunned group. Spike then smacked himself in the face with his hand.
"Why didn't I ask him what my powers were?" he muttered to himself.