Ponyville was in complete chaos.

The moment we all stepped out if the train car onto the platform of Ponyville Station, it felt as if we had entered a war zone. Smoke was rising from nearer and more distant buildings, and I could hear the sounds of arguments and a few distant screams. It hit me just then just how much more dangerous Eris truly was compared to Discord. Discord only wanted to spread chaos for fun. Eris, I was growing to realize more and more, wanted to hurt Ponies. She was the malevolent kind of chaos, the kind that broke apart relationships and burned cities to the ground. The kind of chaos that burned Rome to the ground.

And there were a number of Ponyville buildings that were on fire, judging from the smoke that was billowing up.

"Oh my God…" Jackie gasped as she stepped up beside me.

"What the fuck…?" Dash said in a stunned voice as she joined Jackie.

"No…not here," Rarity whimpered.

"What in Tartarus happened here…?" Rainbow Dash added.

"Eris happened," a familiar voice said from our right. Turning, I saw Bon Bon, now Sweetie Drops, standing at the edge of the platform. She was wearing a pair of shades and was dressed in what resembled a Men in Black-esque suit. She walked up and saluted. "Welcome back, Jethro."

I saluted back. "Special Agent Sweetie Drops. Glad to see you recalled to active duty."

"I'd ask how you knew about my real name, but that's not important," she said.

Rarity looked around, trying to find something in the distance. "Sweetie Belle…I have to find Sweetie Belle!"

"Ah've got tah get back and make sure mah family's safe!" Applejack shouted.

"Relax, everypony," Sweetie Drops said. "Applejack, your family's safe. Looks like whatever's happening in Ponyville hasn't yet spread to your farm. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are there. Big Mac made sure of that."

Applajack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash all looked relieved. "Thank Celestia," Rainbow Dash said.

"What's the situation, Agent," the leader of our small squad asked as we made our way to the stairs leading to the road to Ponyville.

"Pretty damn dire, Sergeant," Sweetie Drops said. "Dozens of Ponies wounded, some severely. No deaths yet, thank Celestia, but the fighting's only getting worse." As we headed down the street, she continued. "It looks like whatever is happening has stayed within Ponyville's borders, so the Apple family's been taking in some of the Ponies who haven't been affected."

"When did it start?" Twilight asked.

"A few days ago," Sweetie replied. "The first signs of anything happening was on the day when the mayor was giving a speech. Halfway through it, somepony threw a rock at her, shouting something about her rigging the election. The stone struck her so hard that she's been unconscious for days."

"Shit…" I frowned. "Never thought I'd see that thing in Equestria."

"The Pony has since been arrested," Sweetie said as we made our way down a smaller alleyway which connected to my home street. "But that was just the beginning. Other Ponies began to be affected. The attacks seem to be random, but there is some kind of pattern as to what happens before."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Green mist shows up," she said. "We've gotten multiple eyewitness reports from Ponies who were the victims saying that this green mist was briefly visible before they were attacked by another Pony."

"Green mist…huh…" Twilight frowned. "Have you seen this mist, Bon Bon?"

"I'm Agent Sweetie Drops right now, and no," she replied as we reached my street. "But I have reports from at least a dozen other Ponies who corroborate each other's stories."

"Have you heard anything from other towns?" I asked. "Like Cloudsdale?"

Sweetie Drops sighed. "Cloudsdale…"

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened and she flew down to Sweetie. "What's happening?! Tell me, damn it!"

"Last I heard…Cloudsdale was being evacuated," she said.

Rainbow Dash landed. "What…?"

"The fighting up there got really bad," Sweetie Drops said softly. "Fights broke out faster than they did here. I've heard unconfirmed reports that there've been deaths there, too."

That brought the mood down considerably. We all slowed down, the gravity of the situation hitting us even more than before. I'd never even seen a death in the MLP cartoons, save for potentially the Storm King's demise at the end of the movie. Hearing about it here and now made me feel sick to my stomach.

"My parents…my brother…? What about them?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The evacuees are being taken to a safe place, I don't know where," Sweetie Drops said. "That's all I know. Look, you have to understand, communication between us and Canterlot is spotty at best. I've only been able to rely on rumors and hearsay. Princess Cadance wasn't even entirely sure what was going on when she got here."

Just then, a small detail that Sweetie Drops had revealed hit me, and my eyes widened. "The Dazzlings…" I gasped.

"Who?" Sweetie asked, facing me.

"Sirens, Agent," I replied, walking faster. "What's happening here sounds a lot like the work of a Siren. They're like Windigos in that they feed off of negative emotions, but they can also cause them. It's possible that they managed to somehow return to Equestria through the mirror portal back in Canterlot."

"But how?" Twilight asked. "The mirror's been guarded since Sunset came back."

"You forget just how powerful Eris can be," I replied. "She's practically a goddess. If you thought Celestia was one, think again. She can make things from nothing, corrupt Ponies with a single thought, and is probably invisible nearby watching this suffering. And laughing at it all."

Everyone went silent at that as we finally made it to my house. I unlocked the gate and walked in, looking around and breathing a sigh of relief. "Doesn't look like anyone's been here yet." I turned to the others. "Jackie, Diane, Shye, when you get to the hospital, let them know my house is available to house any of the wounded that they can spare."

"I'll let the Mayoral office know," Sweetie said. "Can we use your yard to house any of the homeless Ponies in temporary shelters?"

"Of course," I replied.

She looked up at me, a small smile forming. "Thank you, Jethro. We'd have used it sooner but the gate was locked and we couldn't get in."

"Yeah, that's my bad," I said as I made my way to the main house's front door. "Used my Morphean magic to cast a spell that raised a shield over the house and property whenever the gate was locked." I pulled my gate key off and handed it to her. "Don't lose it. I have a spare, but I'd rather you not lose it."

She took it and put it in her saddlebag. "I'll bring it back safety."

I opened the front door with my house key and stepped inside. "Gemini! Mica!" I called out.

From upstairs I heard someone shouting in reply, then the familiar form of my new servant and her brother came rushing downstairs. "Where in Tartarus have you been?" Gemini yelled at me. "This town is about to tear itself apart!" She finally took notice of the new Ponies as well as the humans. "Who are they?"

"Not important," I replied, walking up and putting my hands on her shoulders. "You two been doing okay?"

"We're not dead, so what do you think?" Gemini snarled.

"Good, because we need your help," I said. "You're right. Ponyville's tearing itself apart out there. You're a soldier, and your brother is quickly falling into your footsteps. There aren't enough Ponies to keep the peace."

"Oh, and you expect me to just drop everything and help you?" she sneered at me. "Help these so-called harmonious Ponies? All I want to do is get my brother out of here-"

My fist connected with her jaw faster than she could react, sending the young Lycan sprawling on the floor. I was immediately on top of her, grasping her by the throat. "Now you listen here, bitch! I could have easily ended your life back in the arena, but I didn't. I hate the idea of killing, BuT yOu'Re MaKiNg A GoOd CaSe FoR iT!"

Her eyes went wide with fear for the second time since I'd known her. God, it feels so good to see her like this! Just a helpless dog at my mercy. A dog, just a bitch! I brought out my gun and put it to her temple, growling with animosity that felt so good! That was, until something slammed into my side and sent me sprawling.

And just like that, the majority of my anger vanished. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a small glimpse of a green mist vanishing underneath a couch. The splitting headache began immediately, and I grasped my head in pain. "Ow…fucking…who hit me?"

"Jackie and ah did," a worried sounding Applejack replied.

I groaned as I slowly sat up, Jackie immediately by my side and helping me up. Zecora was there seconds later, rubbing her cheek against mine. I looked at Sweetie Drops, and pointed at the couch. "Green mist…I saw some green mist."

She rushed over to the couch and lifted it with the ease and strength I'd come to associate with an Earth Pony. "Nothing here," she said.

I looked up at Jackie, then to Applejack. "Thanks, you two. I don't know what came over me."

"Don't mention it, sugarcube," Jackie and Applejack said simultaneously.

I snorted in amusement, then turned to Gemini. She was sitting up, coughing, with Mica next to her, helping her up. I cleared my throat, then called out her name. She locked eyes with me, a look of fear mixing with mistrust. "You're a soldier with experience. Your brother is better at combat than I am. We need help to keep Ponies from killing each other."

"Pff. Ponies killing each other? That's a load of-"

"It's already happened in Canterlot and Cloudsdale!" Twilight shouted in frustration.

Gemini's eyes widened in surprise, as did Mica's. We all sat there in silence, until Gemini finally nodded. "Seems like you Ponies have some gall after all." She stood and brushed herself off, then glared at me. "I'm a warrior, not a peacekeeper."

"Do you know how to disarm a Pony without hurting them?" I asked.

"Of course, but that's not-"

"Then get out there! They need all the help they can get!" I shouted, pointing at the door.

She glared at me, but finally sighed. "I make absolutely no promises, but since you've given me an order, I will do what I can."

"Thank you. And I'm sorry for earlier," I said, slowly standing as well, the guilt starting to work on me.

"Yeah, whatever," she said. "I'll go get my armor and weapons and be right down." And with that, she stormed up the stairs.

Mica looked up the stairs, a concerned look in his eye. I began feeling more guilty now and moved to say something, but he turned to me. "I know my sister," he said, "and I can tell she's impressed with what you just did."

"I almost killed her," I replied, raising an eyebrow. "How the hell is she impressed with me?"

He chuckled. "You managed to overpower her. You've heard her lessons about being prepared. Well, she wasn't. And you took advantage of that. Part of her is impressed. Just be prepared during your next session with her." And with that, he too headed up the stairs towards his room.

"Joy…" I groaned as Zecora helped me to the other couch.

"Darling, this house is incredible," Trisha said almost reverently as the others looked around.

"It helps when I've got enough money to clear America's national debt," I joked, "but we need to get ready." Turning to the soldier Sweetie Drops had called sergeant, I said, "Sergeant, I need you to get my five human friends to their destinations safely and to make sure they're unmolested."

"Love, I am going to head to the hospital as well," Zecora said. "I can help with some healing potions I have."

"I'll stay here," Scarlet said. "I'll help to set up the shelters."

I nodded at her, then turned to the sergeant. "Take Zecora too."

The sergeant nodded. "Understood, sir." He turned to a couple of his soldiers. "You, I want you to take three of our soldiers and escort the humans and Zecora to their destination."

"Yes, sir," the other soldier said, then turned to the Humane Five as well as Zecora. "If you all will accompany us."

Zecora came up to me, wrapped her front hooves around me, and gave me one of the most passionate kisses I'd ever gotten from her. "Be well, beloved," she said tenderly.

"I will. You too," I replied, hugging her briefly before letting go.

"Stay safe, Jethy!" Diane said with some worry in her voice as she headed out along with the rest of her friends.

"Beat down that Eris for me!" Dash shouted.

"Good luck, pardner," Jackie added.

"Be careful, okay?" Shye pleaded.

"Wallop her for me," Trisha finished.

"Be safe out there yourselves," I called back as they left the front porch, flanked by the Royal Guards. I smirked, then turned to Rarity. "'Wallop her'? Really?"

Rarity sputtered a bit before replying, "She's not me, darling!"

"She's pretty damn close," I chuckled before my face became serious. Turning back to the soldier, I said, "Sergeant?"

"Sir?" he said.

"Do you think you can find a place where Gemini and Mica can help keep the peace?"

The sergeant frowned and considered. "I'm not sure, sir. I can send them to Captain Armor and see if he can find a spot for them."

"That sounds like a plan," I said just as Gemini came down the stairs. Turning to her, I nodded in approval. Her gear was just as I remembered it from the fight we had in the arena. Her sword was strapped to her side. Mica joined soon after, dressed in a leather pair of pants, a light chainmail shirt, and his own sword strapped to his side. "Alright, you two are going to report to Shining Armor, captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. He'll probably have something for you." I turned back to the sergeant. "Could you escort these two to wherever Shining Armor is?"

"What about you, sir?" he asked. "The princess told me to keep you safe."

"I'll keep an eye on them, Sergeant," Sweetie Drops said. "Go ahead and escort these two to the Captain."

"Are you sure?" the sergeant asked.

"Sergeant, I was once part of one of the largest secret agencies to operate out of Canterlot," Sweetie Drops said. "I've been specially trained in hoof-to-hoof combat and my body can take more damage than most of your soldiers can, magic or otherwise. I'll be fine."

"Trust me, she will," I added.

The sergeant looked between me and Sweetie Drops, then sighed. "Alright, I'll escort these two to the Captain. Stay safe, everypony." And with that, the rest of Celestia's hoofsoldiers left, followed by Gemini and Mica.

I turned to the rest of the gathered Ponies. Sweetie Drops was the first to speak. "Alright, Jethro. What now?"

"Now, we head to the library," I said. "I need to be absolutely sure that what's happening now isn't a repeat of what I've seen happen already. Then, and only then, will Twilight put me to sleep so I can find Eris and give her the beating she deserves."

"Yeah…I didn't think Eris would be that stupid," I said, flipping through the Reference Guide book about ten minutes later. I tossed the book aside, letting it fall to the floor. "How about the rest of you? Any luck?"

Pinkie Pie, who was tearing through book after book, shook her head. "Nothing!"

Twilight was going through the books just as fast, and her increasing frustration told me all I needed to know. Applejack was keeping an eye out for any kind of suspicious activity, as were Sweetie Drops and Rainbow Dash. Rarity looked equally as frustrated as she was going through books as well. "I can't find anything!" the purple maned mare shouted, tossing another book aside.

"Careful!" Twilight shouted, "those are old books!"

"Are they as important as stopping a menace like Eris?" Rarity asked angrily.

"Don't start, you two," I warned as I picked up another book. "The more we argue, the better chance the enemy has of breaking us apart at the seams."

Twilight paused, then nodded. "Right…sorry, Rarity."

"Sticks and stones, darling," Rarity replied. "We're all stressed. It's understandable."

"Guys, let's just stop," I said. "Eris is a smart creature. She wouldn't make it that easy. Besides, she's seen the show. She'll know what the other Discord did in that timeline. I don't know what her end goal is here, but it's definitely not just the chaos outside. No, there's something more afoot here." I approached the couch and sat down. "Twilight, you need to put me to sleep. Now."

Twilight approached me, looking a bit nervous now. "What…are you sure about this?"

"My Morphean abilities are the only thing we've got right now that can stand any kind of chance at finding her," I replied. "It's my fault she's out. If I hadn't visited Sunset so soon, perhaps she'd still be on Earth and we could have prevented her from returning, but now I need to start setting things right." I lay down. "Keep my body safe, everyone."

Twilight looked down at me. "We will. And that's a promise."

I took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Do it," I said.

Her horn began to glow, and then I felt the magic surround my body. Consciousness began to leave me…

I was standing at the top of the stairs in the Golden Oaks Library. I watched as my body went limp beside the concerned looking mares. Flying down, I cleared my throat. "That worked."

They all whirled around, facing me in astonishment. Twilight was the first to approach. "Jethro…?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out finding that bitch?" Rainbow Dash asked angrily.

"Calm your teats, Rainbow," I said. "Whenever I fall asleep, I wake up near my body, at least that's how it's been lately."

"Can you feel anything?" Twilight asked.

"No, nothing yet," I replied. "But I also don't know what chaos magic feels like. Hang on a moment." I held up my hand and a small blue dome surrounded my body. "Now nobody but you all, Scarlet, Zecora and the humans can enter that dome."

"Are you sure, darling?" Rarity asked. I saw Pinkie poking at the dome experimentally.

"I am," I said. "My Morphean powers seem immutable, at least so far."

"What are you going to do now?" Fluttershy asked.

I pursed my lips. "Well…there's one place to start, I think."

"Where?" Rainbow Dash asked.

I took a deep breath, then exhaled. "The Tree of Harmony."