"Hey, it's alright. The party's still on," Shining Armor assures Fluttershy. He held up a tissue and allowed her to blow her nose: Then they moved on.
Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle and Spike struggled to get up. Spike managed to crawl to Twilight and hoist himself up, then helped Twilight up who was still sore from the shock and smack. "Thanks, Spike," she said.
"I don't believe it," Spike said.
"What?" Twilight rubbed her head.
"That isn't like Discord and King Sombra," he complained. "It's not like them at all. I mean, I know they're cruel. But they're not that cruel."
"I don't know, Spike. All I know is that I need to lie down," said Twilight Sparkle. Her head throbbed as so did her side. She had a headache and found it hard to keep her balance. She leaned against Spike as they made their way to Sugarcube Corner right as they were about to close for the night.
Spike collected the 4 dozens of cupcakes and started journeying back to Canderlot.
Meanwhile, Discord and the gang were secretly following Shining Armor and his group while being hidden in the bushes. The leaves beneath their hooves crunched softly as twigs snapped in harsh *crack* sounds.
"Easy now," Discord told the three. "We don't wanna get caught."
"Well sorry," said Chrysalis sarcasticly.
As the group continued their journey, the tension in the air was palpable. Shining Armor kept a watchful eye on Fluttershy, who was still sniffling but trying her best to stay composed.
"Are you feeling any better?" he asked gently.
Fluttershy nodded, though her eyes were still red. "A little. Thank you, Shining Armor."
"What's your next plan Mr. Master of chaos?" King Sombra asked.
We'll get them next!" Discord suggested. "How are we going to trap them?" asked Queen Chrysalis. "I think I know." said Discord deviously.
As the group came into Ponyville, Discord jumped from the bushes, flying high in the sky before bolting back down in front of Fluttershy and Shining Armor.
"Oh, Discord," Fluttershy said with a smile.
"Fluttershy," Discord smiled, trying to hide his dark side. He went in and hugged his best friend. He noticed she had been crying and asked what was wrong. Fluttershy told him while trying not to cry again that she is worried on what happened to Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Spike; saying that they went out to Sugarcube Corner to pick up the cupcakes for the party and never returned.
"You haven't seen them have you?" Fluttershy asked.
Discord turned his head to face away from the group and chuckled softly. He cleared his throat and turned back around being professional. "No, I haven't. I just got back into town."
"From where?" Applejack spoke up.
"Uh, just a trip to some place," was Discord's reply. He made a black top hat and cup of tea appear. He took a sip of the tea from the yellow rimmed glass cup while remaining professional like an English gentleman.
Fluttershy's group whispered amongst to themselves finding something fishy. They were making secret claims that Discord might have something to do with Twilight's disappearance. Fluttershy turned to them and said: "Come on guys. He's reformed," she tried reminding them. "Discord's not bad anymore."
"Exactly," Discord snapped his finger and a bouquet of flowers appeared on the ground in front of Fluttershy.
Fluttershy picked up the bouquet and smiled warmly at Discord. "Thank you, Discord. That's very sweet of you."
Discord bowed dramatically, tipping his top hat. "Anything for my dear friend," he said with a flourish.
Rainbow Dash, however, wasn't convinced. "I don't know, Fluttershy. Something just doesn't add up," she muttered, eyeing Discord suspiciously.
"Don't be ridiculous, Dash," Fluttershy started to get agitated by the claims. She stepped in front of Discord. "He wouldn't hurt a fly." She looked up at him innocently. "I know you're innocent, Discord."
Discord nodded in agreement.
Rainbow Dash kept eyeing the draconquus as if she can smell his lie. She knew Discord was lying about knowing the ware abbots of Twilight and Pinkie Pie. He probably had something to deal with them.
"Where are they Discord?" Rainbow Dash annoyingly asked. Her hooves were crossed across her chest, waiting for Discord to come clean.
The old Draconequus started sweating a little bit. But still kept a straight composure. "I told you, I haven't seen them."
Rainbow Dash bolted in front of his face, yelling. "Talk!"
Discord's eyes darted around nervously, searching for an escape. Fluttershy placed a gentle hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Rainbow, please. Let's not jump to conclusions."
Rainbow Dash huffed but took a step back, giving Discord a moment to breathe. "Fine. But I'm not letting him off the hook."
Discord took a deep breath, his mismatched eyes meeting Fluttershy's. "Thank you, Fluttershy. But I promise, I don't know where they are."
"Ok..." Rainbow Dash was still glaring at Discord, her eyes not leaving his until she was a good distance from him as the group walked on.
When the group disappeared around a corner, Chrysalis and the rest of the gang emerged from the bushes looking upset and confused.
"What! Why didn't you thrash that blue pony?!" Chrysalis near shouted.
Discord tried reasoning. "Well I couldn't in front of Fluttershy."
"So what! Bash that soft one on the head. Don't just give her flowers!"
"Don't worry," Discord assured. "Those flowers aren't just regular flowers. They're flowers that Fluttershy so happens to be severely allergic to."
Chrysalis' eyes narrowed, her disbelief turning to a simmering rage. "Allergic? You gave her flowers knowing she's allergic?" Her voice was low, a dangerous growl under the surface.
Discord smirked, his mischief evident. "Precisely. A little chaos, a touch of irony. It's all about balance, you know?" He gestured dramatically. "Besides, it's not like she'll die or anything. Just a bit of sneezing, watery eyes, and maybe a rash. It'll be fun to watch."
"Is that the worse you could really think of," said Nightmare Moon.
Meanwhile, Fluttershy couldn't stop sneezing as she stood beside her friends. They were standing outside Sugarcube Corner which was closed for the night. The store looked empty inside. Shining Armor was looking through the window, squinting.
"See anything?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah, just pure darkness," Shining Armor replied, stepping back.
"Ah. Achoo!" Fluttershy sneezed once again.
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As Fluttershy sneezed once more, Twilight Sparkle stepped forward, her horn glowing softly in the dim light. "Let me try something," she said, focusing her magic on the door of Sugarcube Corner. With a gentle push, the door creaked open, revealing the dark interior.
"Stay close, everypony," Twilight whispered, leading the way inside. The group cautiously followed, their hooves echoing on the wooden floor.
Pinkie Pie zoomed past everypony into the kitchen where a 3 boxes of packaged cupcakes sat next to the oven. She has them ride on her back with her back to Canderlot.
From beyond the bushes the villains watched. All except for Discord was growing frustrated. They found it irritating that all Discord did was not as harmful as they intended. Sombra was more furious than the other two.
"That does it!" King Sombra snapped. "I'm done playing games!" Watching the group head back, the almighty dark Crystal Empire ruler emerged from the shadows in front of the group. Using his dark magic he summoned a mallet which he used to swing at the manes and their friends.
When he missed, Discord felt a surge of energy to join him, summoning his own mallet to destroy the ponies with.
"What's the matter, friends?" Discord swung the mallet around a few more times like a golf club.
Discord then goes on A rampage while playing Ninth Symphony and Singing in The Rain.
The group manages to dodge Discord's violent attacks. The whole thing turns into a game of whack-a-mole.
"I'm singing in the rain," Discord sang. *WHACK* The mallet slammed into the side of Pinkie Pie making her scream out. "Ow!" The tap was hard, but not hard enough to crack a rib.
"Just singing in the rain." *WHACK!* The mallet then hit Rainbow Dash who failed to fly up and dodge the thing. "Hey!"
"What a glorious feeling and I'm happy again. Bah." He swung the mallet nearly striking Shining Armor but he moved out of the way just in time.
"I walk down the lane." *WHACK!* The mallet hit Applejack in the back of her knee.
"Where the happiness begins." Discord swung the mallet towards Fluttershy but she dodged it. She started to tear up, feeling scared and afraid of what has become of one her friends. One who would treat her nicely and care for her. What had came over him?
"Discord," Fluttershy struggles not to cry.
"And I'm singing.. I'm singing in the rain." Discord snaps his fingers which makes a rope tie all of the ponies together, excluding Fluttershy and Shining Armor for some reason. "DISCORD!" They all yelled at once.
"Oh no! What're we going to do now?" asked Twilight Sparkle. "it's hopeless for us now!" said Pinkie Pie. "We've all been captured and there's no way out!" said Rainbow Dash.
"There's no hope for us anymore." cries Fluttershy.
Shining Armor charged his horn and started fighting back. Discord and Sombra both dodged every attack. From out of nowhere hooves could be heard marching their way. Pinkie Pie and her friends were huddled together quivering in fear watching the battle.
"Where's Celestia and Luna when you need them!" Fluttershy sobbed.
Shining Armour was losing his battle. Discord and Sombra did everything they can do defeat him.
"Huff puff! I'm getting so tired out. I cannot go on! I can't go on any longer!" Shining Armour panted.
"This is it! We're doomed!" cries Pinkie Pie!
"I'm afraid you're right." agreed Twilight Sparkle!
That's right!" Discord grinned. "Face it. You're doomed." He was ready to put the white unicorn out of his misery with the help of his trusty mallet.
"Shiny do something!" His sister Twilight pleaded frantically.
"Can't... Sombra is much too powerful!" Shining Armor felt a sudden burst of magic surround his body stiffining him. Dark magic that came from the mighty King Sombra. His magic power was crushing him like a giant fist.
The ponies all held each other close preparing to meet their maker. The party was over. Discord lingered over the frightened five waiting to be flattened like a pancake. They watched as Discord raised the mallet high above his head. An evil grin smeared across his face. His red eyes glowing like a demons. Then...
*ZAP* "Ow!" A sudden burst of magic had attacked Sombra knocking him back.
*ZAP* "Ah!" Discord moaned dropping the mallet back. It crushed his tail causing him to immediately react by jumping while holding it. "Oh. Oh. Why you..."
More mysterious magic bursts lasered from what seemed like nowhere. The four ponies and lone dragon watched. They looked at Shining Armor thinking it was him who had finally broken free of Sombra's magic grasp and was attacking back, but he was laying on the cobblestone road panting and completely pained, m***.
"What in tarnation is going on?" Applejack said.
Rainbow Dash's eyes darted around, scanning the scene. "I don't know, AJ, but it's freaky!" She glanced at Twilight Sparkle, hoping the princess might have an explanation.
Twilight's brow furrowed in concentration. She raised a hoof, casting a spell to analyze the magical energy. "It's... unlike anything I've ever seen," she murmured, her voice filled with awe and confusion. "It's raw, chaotic, yet strangely... focused."
Rarity gasped, her eyes wide with alarm. "It's getting stronger! We need to do something!"
Suddenly, a bolt of magic struck the ground near them, causing a small explosion. The ponies and dragon scattered, their hearts pounding.
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