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Part 4

Discord awoke to a familiar feeling. A deep churning in his head that he had been missing for a long time. Magic had returned to him through Black Holes' loopholes. Discord grinned, instantly energetic. He rolled over and nearly hit Pinkie Pie, who had moved in the middle of the night to avoid Discord's claws. He stared at the pink pony in the growing daylight. She was lying on her back, her mouth open a little. He slowly turned and looked at the rest of the room with new eyes. Chaotic eyes. He imagined an explosion of books off the wall; covering every square inch in paper and hardcover. Not to mention the bookcases that would topple and cause destruction in the library. The papers in his mind slowed down to a quarter their original speed. Through the sharp rain, Matter stood, with a look of deep despair and recognition of betrayal on her face.

Discord looked away quickly, his mind shutting off. His eyes landed on the real Total Matter, who was snuggled up to Energy as Pinkie had been to him. He remembered the feeling of true friendship and for a moment considered dropping his plans and going back to sleep, just for the old mare. But a pony struggling in their blanket caught his eye and gave him all the reason in the world to set the tree on fire.

Twilight Sparkle sat up and gazed at him with half-asleep eyes. She had no idea what he was about to do. Discord changed into his old self, the long, serpentine body with long, awkward neck slowly, trying to help the tired filly understand what was happening. Realization dawned on her and she bolted upright, horn glowing purple. She began to shout for Celestia, but Discord froze her. In time. He stared at his outstretched lions paw, which had involuntarily risen to direct his flow of magic.

"Hmm." He said, and strutted forward, careful not to wake any of the ponies. He stood before Sparkle, who had no clue she was frozen. "I didn't realize just how strong this new magic was."

His words made Energy, all the way across the room, stir. Damn! Discord growled in his mind, I forgot Complete's a light sleeper. His brown maned head popped up, and took in the scene before him.

"…Discord?" His eyes traveled down Discords long body, "What are you doing?"

Discord snarled and lunged at Energy, Black magic boiling in his paw, "you should have thought before making me out of Black Hole!" He launched the ball at Energy, who instantaneously teleported to Twilight and became his original burning self. The rogue magic hit Matter instead, who cried out and teleported a safe distance away, holding her right foreleg above the ground. She gasped.

"Discord!" Her face became one of pure rage. Discord looked between the two Cosmponies. He couldn't win in close quarters. He stalked backwards towards the door. The others began to move.

Crap. He turned and busted out the door, alerting everyone nearby to his presence. Matter raced out after him, her horns glowing angrily, sparks shooting between them. Energy turned to the group of ponies staring in shock and fear. Applejack walked over and poked Twilight.

"Twi?" She said nervously. "What happened to her?"

Energy walked around her, examining the faint traces of dark magic that remained. He stamped angrily, causing the tree to shake. "It seems she's been frozen in time."

The four of the friends gasped. Celestia stared in horror at her father and Luna watched Pinkie, whose eyes darted between the door and Twilight.

"Well, can you help her?" Rarity cried, her eyes worried.

"Energy you have to help her!" Dash flew into his face.

Energy's eyes dropped. "I can't. There is only one pony who can, but he has not become tangible in millions of years."

"I don't understand!" Fluttershy said.

Energy was silent for a moment before racing for the door, his mane and tail fiery and his body beginning to evaporate, "With his new power, we won't be able to chase him forever. We'll chase him as far as we can, and then we'll send for help." He leapt out the door and shot off into the sky, faster than the ponies could comprehend. They all raced to the door.

Pinkie was the first one outside. She stared straight up, and next to the sun she could see two dark dots getting smaller and smaller. She didn't know what just happened. It was too fast. She sat down in the grass and stared up, her eyes never leaving that special spot.

Four hours later, and two ponies less. The Princess's were hastly called back to Canterlot to help control riots, as Discord had made a few successful punches through Energy's and Matter's defense, allowing himself to be seen by regular ponykind. Pinkie finally came inside as the special spot became the sun, and they all settled around Twilight, whose magic froze around her horn; face still scrunched up in anger and hate, mouth open in a shout, hair still frizzy from sleep. Barely anyone had spoken in the whole tree.

It wasn't long after the four hour mark when ponies began to show up, demanding answers on the Discord sighting. It appears someponies had seen him leaving the tree. They also had questions about the two mysterious ponies who chased him out, and were noticed at every event around Equestria. Cheerilee and Scootaloo were the first to arrive, quickly followed by Lyra and Bon-Bon, the Cakes, and many other ponies that Rarity (who was told to answer the door) didn't know.

Rainbow Dash was in charge of crowd control. She raced out side and set up a designated area for ponies to be. She would look nervously at the sky ever few minutes though, and soon ponies began to get angry with the lack of answers.

"Rainbow Dash, just what is going on here?" Mrs. Cake walked up to the blue pegasus, who was making sure none of the ponies got too close to the tree.

"Discord is—I mean, I can't say anything until Rarity or Applejack let me." She took a step back, "sorry." Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Applebloom were some of the last to arrive. Applebloom ran off to Scootaloo, Big Mac took initiative and stood near the tree, leering at anyone who tried to get inside to see Twilight.

Nearly half an hour later, the other four ponies emerged. An uproar of questions began, overflowing the burdened friends. They grouped near Rainbow Dash.

"There's nothing else we can do but tell the whole truth," Applejack whispered, "it'll be too obvious if we lie."

Rarity nodded, "we can't hold anything back. It would be a terrible mark on our reputation if we did."

"Alright," Dash said, "if you say so."

The five turned to the angry town, and gave a collective sigh. Not even Pinkie was excited to see this many ponies in one area.

"Why was Discord here?" Bon-Bon shouted out the loudest. A unanimous agreement ran through the group.

The five looked at each other. They didn't exactly know why.

"Well," Applejack began, looking at her brother for support, "he—he was here because…Total Matter wanted him to be." She looked at Fluttershy, who was standing next to her, "least I think that's the truth."

"Who is Total Matter?" Another shout rang out.

"She is a Cosmpony, who can—"

"EXPLAIN." Various ponies stomped in agreement.

"A Cosmpony," Rarity began, "is a pony who controls some part of the universe. Our alicorn Princess's can be considered Cosmponies." She looked at Rainbow Dash to her left, "right?"

"I think so." She whispered back.

"Total Matter is the Cosmpony who created the things in the universe; like you and me." Rarity gestured with her hoof.

"Whose the other pony? Do they mean us harm? How could she of created the universe? It's not possible for a pony to live that old!" Prominent ponies spoke out.

"The—the other pony was, ah," Rarity was flustered with the onslaught of continuous questions.

"The other pony was Complete Energy." Pinkie Pie spoke, and everyone quieted. A pony known for her perpetual excitement, hearing her high voice so monotone shook up the group even more, "he gave motion to the universe. Gave it life. The sun, it's him."

"But I thought Celestia was the sun! Yeah doesn't she control it? Are they here to hurt us? Judgement day has come!"

"Celestia is just the ponyization of the sun. Complete Energy is the actual thing." Pinkie's head dropped lower.

"And no, they are not here to harm us, they were here on vacation." Rarity added.

"So those ponies created the universe? What's going on, really? They're lying to us! This can't be happening!" The group began to go rampant, and advanced on the ponies.

But then they stopped. Mayor Mare's, near the front of the group, ear twitched, so did everyone else's. Everypony turned and marched away towards their respective home. Silently, without delay. There were no collisions; it was all perfect.

The five ponies and Big Mac stood dumbfounded, staring at the back of the heads of a hundred ponies.

I thought you might have needed the help. A voice played inside their heads. A translucent pony, whose only indication of existing were oilslick-like rainbows that played along his body, appeared to their right. He sounded young, but the look in his barely visible eyes spoke volumes of wisdom and age.

"ah, wha, wha…" Rarity swallowed, "hello. I am R—"

"Rarity. I know. As well as Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Macintosh, and Pinkamina Pie." He nodded to each in recognition. "I am Radiation X." He stood tall.

From what they could see of his outline, he was basically an Earth pony version of Princess Celestia, but it was difficult to tell without set outlines. "I am here to help you."

"How di—" Fluttershy began.

"I controlled their mind." He said proudly.

"You can do that?" Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped as she hopped into the air.

"I developed the prototype for the modern ponies' brain. Of course I can." He took a step forward, "now, show me to your friend."

Applejack led the way over to Twilight. The mysterious stallion leaned in, took a whiff, and shook his head, "disgusting magic, if I do say. But it has been a long time since I've smelt such a monstrosity."

"What's wrong with her?" Spike asked; who had not moved from Twilight's side.

"It is true what Complete Energy said; she is frozen in time. She is, in a sense, dead, as she cannot see or comprehend what is happening right now." He examined her horn, "impressive. Discord was even able to capture the magic. That is difficult, even for the best of ponies."

"Please sir, we'd like to know if you can help her!" Rarity pleaded.

"The only thing I'd be able to do is make her conscious to the situation. Which, unless she is a high-level mage, will not help her break free. It would harm her, if anything." He stood in front of her and stared into her eyes. "I wonder why Complete Energy sent me. He knows I can't do anything."

He was silent for a time. Everyone stood in expectation, the only movement being Rainbow's wings. Rainbow looked around and said, "so, uh, who exactly are you?"

Radiation turned to her quickly, "who am I? You don't know who I am?" Everypony shook their head, "I've been assured you know my children, Total Matter and Complete Energy?"

"You're their father?" Applejack's jaw dropped.

"That means you're—" Rainbow began.

"Celestia and Luna's grandpa!" Fluttershy added.

Radiation chuckled, "yes, I suppose so. Though I have no DNA to prove it. My mate and I are the literal creations of the universe, where our children rule."

"Whoa." Spike said, his eyes growing wide. "I've read about you in one of Twilight's books! There's only two ponies older then you!"

"Yes, but they have no shape. They are just there. They are everywhere." Radiation X swept one long arm out, motioning the whole tree.

"Then how can they help Twilight?"

The Cosmpony chuckled, "it's just a matter of collecting their being into one area to make them pay attention. I may be still be able to manipulate it correctly." He bowed down low, front legs extended, "be careful, I haven't had to do this in a while."

He focused so hard on the ground, the ponies thought the tree might catch fire. Then, in a quick movement, he flung his head up, and stood still.

Nothing happened. Radiation began to speak in a language full of clicks and ticks, which the young ponies had to assume was swearing. He tried it again. While swearing profoundly he began to circle the tree, searching through the books.

Rarity turned to Spike, "so who is his mate, Spike?"

"Well, ah, if I remember correctly, then it's a pony name Quantum Dust, who has a more feminine sense and is also made of nearly nothing."

Dash flew in close, "do you know who he's trying to contact?"

Spike thought for a moment, watching as Radiation climbed a bookshelf to see the ones on the top shelf. "If I'm right, he may be trying to get in touch with the oldest sentient beings ever, Time and Space."

The ponies looked at each other. Applejack commented; "I wasn't even aware Time n Space were ponies."

"Well, they aren't, in a sense. That's why I said sentient. They don't have bodies and it's difficult for them to manifest in one place." Spike leaned around the girls to note Radiation's progress through the library. "The danger is, if they do manifest for too long, then the process of time and space will be disturbed." He raised a claw to his chin thinking. "I wish Twilight was here." He mumbled, "she could remember the book much better then I can."

They stood around silently for a moment, until Applejack sighed, "well, we don't have her. But we can get her back if we listen to this 'Radiation X' guy." The group turned to him, where he shouted "AH HA!" Applejack swallowed loudly, "maybe."

The book appeared to float in midair, an old, dusty brown volume. The transparent pony was ecstatic, "I'm so excited, I can barely hold my form!" He laid the book carefully on the ground, and the book proceeded to flip pages by itself. "Say, sir Spike, where did you manage to get ahold of a copy of a book this powerful?"

Spike took a few steps closer to examine the binding. "Oh, uh," he fumbled, as words flipped by his face in a faint, hoofwritten language, "I think that's one of the books Celestia sent from Canterlot for Twilight to study."

"This is marvelous, MARVELOUS!" He began to laugh, throwing his head back and closing his eyes. The pages stopped moving and he leaned in close enough to read them, still chuckling.

"Beg yer pardon, ah, sir," Applejack came up to stand beside Spike. Big Mac took a step to the side and tried to read the words over everyone's shoulders. "But, uh, what is in that book, exactly?"

Radiation looked up at Applejack, catching her right in the eyes. She froze. "This here, Applejack," all tones of laughter gone, "was written by Starswirl the Bearded, one of the greatest minds in all of Equestia, ever." His eyes went back to scanning the page, "I found it in Rarity's boutique."

"Yes, I thought it was quite peculiar how it appeared on my porch one morning, after Matter asked Twilight to get rid of it. I was keeping it safe for her."

"Wait a minute, when did you leave the tree?" Dash asked, dumbfounded. Her answer was only a quick glance and a sly smile.

"Though how did you know it was Twilight's if you found it in my boutique?"

"I am the third most powerful being in the universe, Rarity. Now please, all of you, quiet. Starswhirl was on to something right before he died…" His eyes scanned the small print quickly, taking in all the information at a glance.

The ponies watched him fearfully, their faces slowly turning towards Twilight, as though she was suddenly going to burst forward. But she didn't, her half terrified, half sleepy face still set in stone. It was a good minute before Radiation stood up and looked at each pony, smiling. "Ok, guys, I think I understand now.

He trotted to the center of the tree, and positioned his feet squarely on the ground, taking a large stance. "You all may want to back up a little; I'm not sure how much room she'll want to take up." All the ponies retreated to thebookshelves, where they fearfully watched him. Spike watched with a strange interest; perhaps he could pick up the spell and teach it to Twilight.

He lowered his head to the ground again, and everypony felt the energy in the room concentrate on Radiation, and he channeled that energy to the point of his forehead. He then continued the spell, drawing energy from the tree and everything inside it, forcing that energy into a line that sparkled between his front hooves. Slowly he raised his head, until his hooves and brow made a perfect triangle. He then inhaled and closed his eyes, controlling the gratuitous amount of energy he had harvested. As he exhaled sharply, he twisted his ankles out , causing a lightning bolt of magic and energy to crack, and stressed his neck, taking in the blunt force of the power, then, lowering his head again, he threw it back, fast as a whip, and before him, in the space his head had previous been, floated a ball of black matter. A slow, white mist dripped off of it, and a few bolts of electricity flew over its surface. Radiation took a step back, smiling. The ponies stared, Applejack's jaw dropped.

Radiation circled around it, inspecting the consistency. "Now," he said, putting his front hooves on it, "let's see if it can take shape." He then pushed his feet into it, like putty. Slowly, it began to morph into a vague pony shape, with awkwardly long hind legs and Total Matter shaped front legs. Radiation smiled, his hooves now stuck in the mare's side. Her blank slate face looked around, and eyelids parted; matter dripping from her eyes. Her small mouth opened, and she took in a long breath, before lazily turning to Radiation.

Her voice was nearly nonexsistent. It had a physical set to it, like the words were literally falling from her mouth. Her voice sent pictures through each ponies minds; vibrating their ears. Each pony had a different picture, depending on what the word represented tothem. She spoke slowly, "Radiation X, loyal subject and spawn. We have rested for many million of years. What is it you require?"

Radiation pulled his hooves out and bowed low. Each pony (and dragon) did the same, mechanically, as their minds were still under her spell. He stood, so did they. "Dearest Mother, and guide of the universe, I request your and Father Time's help with a…possibly dangerous problem."

She did not speak, only stared, her skin crawling and flowing with life. She took a step forward, and the ponies backed up, while the dragon focused.

"I…Do not understand. What is so important that you would need our help? What can Quantum and yourselves not handle?" Her gaze, empty and white, turned to the fearful frozen unicorn. "…oh…" The mare's ears twitched. "She is frozen…in time and space." She huffed, slowly, her figure turning from the darkest black to the deepest red.

Radiation slid into the pony, "please mother no! Don't be angry. It was a mistake on Matter's part. He wasn't supposed to be released!"

The mare stared straight at Twilight. Her anger caused her skin to boil and burst, "What Discord has done is undeniable. He will have to be destroyed. What he has done has bypassed all universal rules, and has encroached upon mine and Time's territory. If he is not stopped before he does major damage…we may have to destroy this universe and take up residence in another. Total Matter and Complete Energy had no idea what they were doing when they made him. He has no psychic link with anyone." She looked at Radiation. "Alert your 'daughter' that Discord will be no more once he has been punished by myself."

Rarity's mouth opened, "excuse me, miss, but what do psychic links have to do…with anything?" She shivered as the mare's eyes turned to her.

"Anything? They have to deal with everything. The universe relies upon our ability to connect with our pair force above a physical level. Time and I are nearly the same mind; the same consciousness, but we harness totally different powers. When we created Radiation X and Quantum Dust, we had assumed that they too shared the psychic link that was required for eternal harmony. But they didn't."

"I think we've gotten along well without as powerful a one as you two." Radiation said, looking slightly hurt.

"Yes, well enough, but your descendants are not. Complete Energy and Total Matter are very strong forces that do not have a very strong link. Total Matter's jealousy and Complete Energy's lack of seriousness are based on their lack of communication. That could be fixed by inserting a connection and you know it, X."

His ears went flat, "I am still proud of my children."

"As you should be. But look out; they will have many troubling times ahead as their communication gets worse." She looked back at the ponies, "Your Princess's are a perfect example. They have little to no psychic link and look where it got them."

"Are you insulting our Princesses?" Rainbow Dash shouted, her wings extended.

"A little, yes. Nightmare Moon, had Luna shared a mind with her sister, could have been avoided entirely. This is why Time and I utterly disagree with the continuage of the royal line; we fear what may become of the future royals. Forces of the universe that cannot work together will slowly destroy and unravel the universe, in the worst way. It is too dangerous."

"Why are you tellin' all us this?" Applejack asked, entranced with the pony's words.

"It will be useful to you, perhaps. Or maybe not. Only time will tell." She slyly looked at her son, "Taking Discord down, now though, alone, would be suicide." The word brought shivers up the audience's back. "This is nearly beyond our control if he has retained memory of not only Black Hole's powers, but also Matter's and Energy's. We will require the help of the other races."

Radiation snorted. "You know Celestia wanted to keep these ponies pure of those bad influences."

"What Celestia wants does not concern me right now. I care for my property. As does Time. He is waiting for me; I must go." With that, she melted right into the floor. The darkness spread and lightened until it became the tree. Everyone stood silent for a moment.

"Was that who I think it was?" Applejack asked nervously.

"That was the pony of space?" Dash hopped forward, landing in front of Radiation X.

"Not the pony of space. The pony Space." He corrected.

"Well, did any of what she said mean she'll help Twilight?" Dash continued, looking up expectantly.

Radiation X looked at Twilight, "No. But my parents enjoy speaking in riddle. Time is too dangerous to summon, but at this point he may be the only one who could help her." He sighed, turned, and left the tree, lying in the grass outside, which showed off the fluorescent rainbows that were his being. He scratched at the grass.

"What in tarnation just happened?" All the ponies gathered around Twilight.

Rarity pondered, "Space kept talking about psychic links, and how down the family line they got weaker. How does this help us?"

Dash pawed the ground awkwardly, "if we had all the elements, I bet we could get her free."

Fluttershy raised her head, "Twilight is the only one would could do that type of magic anyway." She blushed and looked down, mumbling, "I mean no offense, Rarity."

Rarity brushed it off, "Girls, oh and Big Mac," She nodded to the stallion, "I think this problem may be out of our hands. I think we should being making preparations for attacking Discord."

Pinkie glared up from under her lashes, "If you are going to hurt him, then I have to count myself out."

"Do you like him that much?" Fluttershy looked worriedly at her friend. "He's tried to destroy everything, and he was only here because of Matter."

"Then perhaps she should have been a better friend to him!" She shouted. "She could have stopped Celestia and Luna from locking him away, but she didn't!"

Everypony looked at the ground. Spike stared up in surprise at Pinkie, "but…I thought you were friends with Energy."

She didn't say anything, just looked away.

"Perhaps we should…speak to Radiation to see what he has to say. He's an omnipresent being after all." Rarity lead the way to the door, followed by Applejack, Spike, Big Mac, and Fluttershy bringing up the rear.

Fluttershy turned at the door. "Pinkie? Are you coming?"

Pinkie didn't look at her pegasus friend. "Fluttershy. You love all animals, correct?"

"uh, yes, of course."

"If you had to choose one, could you?"

"Well, there are very many different types of animals. I mean, if I had to choose one bunny, it would be Angel of course."

Pinkie looked up, glaring. "If you had to choose between…Owlicious and Philomena, could you?"

"Well, probably not. Their both majestic, beautiful creatures. In their own way of course."

Pinkie looked at Twilight, "Exactly." Fluttershy stared for a little longer, before closing the door, leaving a crying, angry Pinkie Pie alone in the dark tree with their frozen friend. Fluttershy could not shake the feeling she had done two terrible things in a row; how she answered Pinkie's questions, and leaving her alone.