As they were leaving Canterlot, many ponies turned their heads to see them. Discord was dancing, singing, and laughing whereas she was only groaning.

"So uh... where exactly are we going?" the unicorn inquired.

Discord stopped and lifted the heavy map off her back. "As you can see here, we would first need to go through the Haunted Grove. Today you ponies call it the Everfree Forest.

"I had a feeling you were going to say that. What are we going to do if we run into some kind of monster?"

"Like what?"

"A cockatrice?"

Discord chuckled. "As the spirit of chaos, I am immune to such silly magical tricks."

"And what about me? I'm not immune! I was turned to stone once!"

"If you remember, Miss Sparkle, I also have experience being turned to stone. Only it was for a much longer time than you were. Anyway, why would you think I would ever let something harm you?"

Twilight had to consider it for a moment, because she couldn't think of any good reason why Discord would want to have her around.

"You should actually consider yourself lucky." he continued, disturbing her train of thought. "The princess was going to send me alone but I suggested that you come along with me."

Twilight growled. "Why did you do that?"

"Because I needed company, and you've proven yourself to be very resilient! I mean, you were the very last one to turn gray that day!"

Twilight was suddenly hit with a torrent of memories. Applejack became a liar, Pinkie Pie became angry, Rarity became selfish, Rainbow Dash betrayed them, and Fluttershy turned wicked. The thought of that last one sent shivers down her spine and now she hated Discord even more than before. She dropped the map and stopped walking.

"Why should I trust you? I've seen what you've done and it was wrong! You nearly ruined our world forever! How come you're doing this for the princess? What are you going to get from all of this?"

Discord was patient with her. He stopped his dancing and lazily leaned against a tree. "It's funny you should ask. The princess promised me, when we return with the doll, to give me my own little corner of Equestria to rule in chaos, without any harm to ponykind."

Twilight found it difficult to believe that the princess would say that. "And you actually believe her?"

"Well if you were stuck in her statue garden as long as I was, you would take the offer too. I have nothing more to lose and only this to gain."

"Well, you have a good point..." Twilight muttered. As she looked up from the ground, she noticed that they had reached the outskirts of Ponyville. She just hoped that nopony would recognize her here with him.

As they passed the library, Twilight could see Spike's fearful face peering out from a window. No doubt the princess had already informed him what was happening. And, unfortunately, he was probably going to tell all the others as soon as he got the chance. She was doomed to be a laughing stalk. Not to be remembered as a good student, but as the pony who went with Discord on a pointless quest to find the princess's long-lost doll at the other end of the world. How pathetic.

"Ah, we've finally arrived!" Discord beamed as they approached the edge of the forest.

Twilight took one last look behind her, knowing this would be the point of no return. She wouldn't see her friends again for weeks or even months. She was almost tempted to run away, but she realized she had a duty to serve the princess, even if it meant doing something absolutely insane.

Discord still looked unfazed as they went worked their way deeper into the forest. Soon Twilight could barely see where they were going. Suddenly, she ran into him without knowing he had stopped.

"Well, we can't go through there..." he remarked.

It took a minute for her eyes to adjust, and then she saw what he meant. They were at a huge murky swamp probably filled with many dangerous creatures.

"It looks like it's impossible to cross... but it's not!" he smiled. "Just watch and learn!"

And with a wave of his hand, the swamp transformed into a lake of glowing purple jello. He then proceeded to bounce around on it merrily.

"Can't you do anything normal?" Twilight complained.

"Oh course not! My magic is incredibly powerful, but it only works when it's funny or strange."

"I don't see how any of your chaos could be considered powerful or impressive." she scoffed

"I'll try not to take offense," he responded, "because one day you'll learn to appreciate me and my magic."

She snorted as she began her slow walk across the lake of jello. "Fat chance..."