"...I dunno if this is a good idea..." Rainbow's voice could barely be heard from the other side of the door. She and Discord were outside of Rage's room.
"Come on, it'll be great." The draconequus scoffs, rolling his eyes.
"I feel like this is a bit far Discord, he didn't get to know you before your whole…incident." Rainbow Dash warns. "He may take it the wrong way..."
"Come now Rainbow Dash if he sleeps in too late he'll miss out on Twilight's return!" Discord argues. Finally the Rainbow pegasus sighed and nodded to him. She gave up. She wasn't going to waste energy arguing with him.
"On three..." Discord says. "One...two...Th-" as Discord began to count to three the door swung open and smacked him right in the face. Rainbow Dash quickly moved back to the side as Rage trotted out of the room and yawned.
"Good morning...Rainbow Dash..." he says sluggishly, looking at her. "What brings you here?" He looked at her and saw the wince on her face. Confused, he tilted his head "Is...everything okay?" he asked. She pointed behind him and he turned to see the door recoiling slowly and a squished Discord.
Startled, he jumped up and readied a spell with his horn "Discord!" he said with hostility in his voice.
"Wait wait wait!" Rainbow Dash exclaims darting between the two. "He's reformed! Remember?!"
Rage stood for a second before he looked at Discord who nodded frantically. "It's true! It's true!" Discord exclaims. "Let me explain..." A long silence settled in. Rage kept his stern look, glaring at him down thinking on if he should trust the words of the Draconequus or not.
Finally, with a sigh, Rage dismissed the magic at his horn and nodded slowly signaling he was willing to listen to Discord. The draconequus smiled and with a snap he had a hat and bubble pipe with Rage sitting at the table in the library.
"You see...I was reformed by Fluttershy...while you were off doing something back home. Then one day not long before you came back this black evil figure approached me..." Discord explained before he paused. He let out a heavy breath before continuing, "He called himself Christain and demanded I apprehend The Elements of Harmony. I couldn't stand against him so I had no choice. He then forced me to lock you in that dream...and well...you know the rest..." Discord explains "I am sorry..."
Rage looked at Discord skeptically. He looked dead into the eyes of the draconequus. They portrayed no sense of deception or trickery. He was telling the truth. Rage sighed and looked at Discord. "I...understand..." he says slowly trying to think about the best way to word his thoughts. "Christain, he's not a good pony and he prefers to have others do his dirty work. You're not the first he's done that to. However, that being said...if you ever try something like that again..."
"I understand..." Discord says sadly. "I want to make it up to you all." his voice was genuine and Rage couldn't help but respect that. However he was still very hesitant. He had been betrayed by a close friend before and Discord reminded him a lot of that time. After looking Discord in the eye for a good minute or so and thinking about it he nodded and gave a smile.
"Apology accepted." He says with a sigh. "But just because I forgive you doesn't make everything alright between us. What you did…it wasn't okay."
"I understand." Discord says sitting back. "Like I said…I wasn't given much choice…" he pauses and looks at Rage he had a question of his own; "How do you know Christain though?" He asks Rage.
"We've been at odds in the past…" Rage sighs sadly. "You were in my dream…you saw…"
"It sounds like there is more to it than that." Discord says with a concerned tone. "Were you close?"
Rage looked to Discord and his heart skipped a beat. Discord knew? He thought he had done a good job at hiding it. Rainbow Dash was intrigued and looked at Rage worried. "Rage…?" She asks.
He let a heavy sigh out and looked at the two. His eyes reflected the pain he held in his heart. "Christain...used to be my best friend." Rage admits.
"No way...the way you fought..." Rainbow Dash looked in shock. "What happened?"
"He was...changed..." Rage sighs, closing his eyes as they swelled with tears. "An enemy of mine...he...he took advantage of him and..." Rage sobbed. He couldn't finish saying the despicable acts that Christain had done. Acts Rage himself would rather act as if they had never happened.
"It's alright." Rainbow Dash says embracing him "You don't have to tell us..."
Rage sniffed and sobbed for a minute. Accepting the embrace though, it brought him comfort. He looked at Discord who had a concerned look. "I know it doesn't mean much coming from me but…we're here for you." Discord says.
Rage pushed back signaling to Rainbow Dash that was enough and they separated from their embrace. "Thank you…" he says "It means a lot…truly." He sighed before shaking his head and shifting his tone; "Anyway, what brings the two of you here in the first place?"
"Oh that's right!" Rainbow Dash exclaims. "We were going to get you so you could join us in welcoming Twilight back!"
"Well what are we waiting for?" He asks hopping to his feat. "We shouldn't keep her waiting!"
Discord chuckled with a smile and snapped. All of a sudden the three of them were in Canterlot's throne room. Princess Celesita sat at her throne, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity were off to the side talking with each other. The ponies all jumped in surprise at their sudden entrance. She gave Discord a look of disapproval. "Discord..." she said "What have we told you about just popping up places?"
"Sorry." He apologized. "I was bringing them here so we could be here when Twilight returns." Discord looked at Celestia and ushered to Rage and Rainbow Dash with his paw. Celestia looked distraught when he said that and looked to the guard with the letter and dismissed them.
Once the guard was out of the room she approached the six. "Come with me..." she says in a foreboding tone. The three looked at each other in worry as they joined the other ponies and walked with her.
Celestia led them to the store room of the castle. Within was a strange mirror and Celestia looked into it.
"Is that the mirror from The Crystal Empire?" Discord asks "The one you said was magic?"
"It is. I had it brought here after Twilight used it. For safekeeping…" Celestia says
"So, why bring us back here?" Pinkie Pie asks curiously. "You specifically said she had to go alone!"
"I'm concerned about her coming back..." Celestia says. "Time is running short..."
"What are you talking about?" Rainbow Dash asks. "You never said she had a deadline!"
"I did." Celestia grumped. "If she doesn't return in time her way back will be closed for thirty moons..."
"Thirty moons?!" Rainbow Dash exclaims "That's..." she muttered trying to count.
"Two and a half Mobian Years..." Rage comments almost instantly and Celestia looks over to him. "Sorry, I am not quite sure what that works out to here…" he says apologetically.
"Two and a half years here as well..." Rarity says, her tone showing concern.
"Somepony should go and get her!" Applejack exclaims. A clamor of agreement sparking amongst the other ponies.
"That's too dangerous." Celestia denies shaking her head. "If I send somepony else and they can't get back in time either...they'd be trapped too...no we can't risk that."
"We can't let her get stuck either!" Rainbow Dash exclaims "Without her the Elements of Harmony are useless!"
"I understand that." Celestia states looking at Rainbow Dash. "But more of you being trapped would only make the problem worse…not better…"
"What if I went?" Rage asks, raising an eye. "I could create an anchor and if worse comes to worst I can return Twilight and I with my own powers."
Celestia looked at Rage who had a look of determination in his eyes. "I appreciate your desire to help your friend Rage but we shouldn't count Twilight out yet…" She eventually answers. "I have no doubt in your abilities, you proved yourself against Sombra and Discord... However, this is Twilight's task. Something she needs to do…for her own sake."
"But-" Rage objects but Rarity puts a hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright darling." She says looking at him with a soft smile. Rage looked at her and his tense gaze softened up. "Twilight will pull through. She needs us to believe in her."
Rage sighed and looked at the mirror. He walked up to it and went to place a hoof on it. His hoof went through and he quickly pulled back. "Careful." Applejack says as he backed up.
Celestia looked at Rage and the others. She knew Rage was well aware of how different worlds worked. She knew what lies beyond the mirror as well. "Rage." She says looking at him with a serious look. "I understand your concern. You want to help Twilight."
"Of course." Rage nodded affirmatively, "She's done so much for me…I owe her at least this much…regardless of the danger…she went out of her way to help me when I came here. So it's only right if I do the same!"
"Rage offerin a place ta stay is one thing…what yer lookin ta do is crazy!" Applejack exclaims. "If ya both get trapped then what?"
"I won't let that happen!" Rage argues.
"Rage." Celestia looks sternly at him. "We all want to help her. You need to understand that this isn't a decision I made lightly. Where Twilight is…it's not like Equestria, there is no magic, no special powers…you can't use your powers there. It would cause more issues than you can imagine."
Rage opened his mouth ready to object but he paused and thought about Celestia's words. She clearly knew about the world beyond the mirror, he didn't. Deep down he knew that she was right…but in his mind his frustration still had the better of him. "I am more than my magic. More than my powers…" he says confidently yet at the same time with scorn in his voice. "I chose to stay in Equestria because you saw that. You saw me for me…not for my powers…you should know how I feel Celestia!"
"Even so…we haven't the faintest idea of what's going on in that world or why Twilight has yet to return…" Celestia states looking into the mirror herself.
"What if that one guy is influencing things over there? Like he did with Discord?" Fluttershy asks softly. "Could that be why Twilight isn't back…?"
Celestia turned to look at Fluttershy. "If what little we know about Christain is true…" she then looked to Rage. "Wouldn't Rage know?"
He looked back at her and shook his head. "I doubt it's him." He adamantly denied it. "He can't just pop up wherever or whenever. Especially after his last defeat." He stated. "Still…whoever took the Element of Magic had to know about what it can do…so unless they're from Equestria…"
"She is." Celestia interrupted him. "Sunset Shimmer, she was my apprentice once…however she was banished to the world beyond this mirror…"
"Celestia let me go." Rage urges "If anything just to make sure things are alright…I'm already aware of the rules when it comes to traversing worlds as you know. Worst case scenario I have to return us with my powers."
Celestia looked at him. His eyes were practically begging. She still had her reservations. "Please, I owe Twi at least this much…" he begged.
"How much longer does she have?" Discord asks Celestia, crossing his arms and raising an eye in curiosity.
Celestia looked at a clock hanging on a wall across from them in the room. It strikes noon and she looks glumly at the floor. "If the clock is accurate then this portal closes in 15 hours…"
"15 hours is more than enough time for her to get back." Rarity says. "Though...I worry about her...after a day and a half you'd think she'd be back..."
Rage looks at Celestia with an intense look. She looked at him for a minute and went back to the clock. "If she isn't back by 10 O'clock then Rage you may go." She says. "Until then though nopony is to so much as look through that mirror, am I clear?"
"Crystal." Rage says nodding. He looks at the mirror "Please be safe Twilight Sparkle…" he pleads before the group turns around and leaves the room.
The six made their way to an open room in the castle. They settled in and eventually it got to them sitting about. Rarity was reading through a fashion magazine, Rainbow Dash was looking to the ceiling. Pinkie Pie made balloon animals and Fluttershy was working on her mane. Rage and Discord were sitting at a small table playing a game of chess.
"So…now what?" Rainbow Dash asks getting everyone's attention
"I guess we hope for the best." Fluttershy says nervously as she puts her brush down. "We have to believe in Twilight."
"I am sure she'll be fine! Besides, if not I am sure Rage will be able to help her!" Pinkie Pie cheers as the balloon animal she was blowing up let out its air and flew across the room.
"I think the general consensus is that it doesn't come to that…" Rage says in a distant tone as he moves a pawn on the board.
"There's more to it than just wanting to repay Twilight…isn't there?" Fluttershy asks softly looking at the crimson alicorn.
"I can't help but shake this gut feeling..." Rage replied looking visibly upset about something as Discord moves his remaining knight..
"What kind of gut feeling?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"My gut is telling me that something's happened in that world she went to...that somepony needs to help her." Rage says. "It may be nothing but...did you feel it when we were in there?"
"Feel what?" Rainbow Dash asks. "I didn't feel anything."
"Now that you mention it, yes." Discord spoke up. "It was very faint but...there was this strange magical energy in the room. One I've only felt once before..."
"It was strange and the more I think about it the more I recognize what it is." Rage nods. "It's Darkness...like pure Darkness."
"Darkness? Like Dark Magic?" Rarity asks. "You think Celestia would have mentioned something if that was the case.
"Perhaps but it's possible she brushed it off as having to do with the mirror itself. Though what troubles me is that Dark Magic is very close to what Christain uses. What is simply called Darkness." Rage answers with a stern and disturbed tone. "It may have been from when he was here before but he definitely did something with that mirror or worse..."
"So you think he was there?" Discord asks rubbing his goatee.
Rage nodded "It would explain why I didn't take notice when he arrived. Had he come here directly from my world, I'd have known. There is a very distinct energy that leaves behind, one that I'd pick up on almost immediately..." He explains.
"So say he was there." Rainbow Dash says looking at the two. "What does that mean for Twilight now?"
"If he had help while he was there, he'd have repaid the person in some way." Rage says "I know Christain and he's not the type to just take help without giving something in return..."
"So…not good…" Rainbow Dash sighs.
"Not one bit." He affirms. "Which is why I am so concerned…" he sighs looking at a clock that hung high on the wall above the entrance to the large commons room. "I believe in Twilight but…I am worried about what could happen if this Sunset Shimmer manages to use The Element of Magic…"
"You don't really think she could use it do you?" Discord asks.
"I'm not sure…I don't know a lot about The Elements of Harmony…" Rage answers looking down. "…but I have seen them in action…I know that if she could somehow manage to use it…Twilight would be in grave danger."
"You've thought a lot about this haven't you?" Rarity asks.
"Yeah, I have." Rage sighs "I just can't help but feel as if we should do something…"
"Like what? The Princess made it clear we're not ta go near that mirror." Applejack asks. "I feel for ya sugar but we can't disobey Celestia like that."
"As much as I hate to admit it…AJ's right." Rainbow Dash asserts. "Princess Celestia was very clear. Besides I am sure Twilight will pull through."
Rage looked back to the clock, it stroked 9:00 PM. "I hope you're right…" he says softly, turning back to the board. He thought a moment before moving his rook to the row near Discord's king. "Your move." He states.
Discord looked a bit surprised he had been paying attention but wasn't expecting that move. He looked intensely at the board running through his options before grabbing one of his Knights placed diagonal from his King.
Rage shook his head. "Sorry Discord, you can't move that Knight. My bishop will put you in Check." He says pointing to a piece in the far corner.
Discord huffed, frustrated. He had been focused on the clump of pieces on the center right of the board. He'd been oblivious to the small handful of pieces on that end of the board. He then moves his King left one tile.
Rage then moved a pawn. To the end of the board. "I'll take my Queen back." He says.
"What are those two doing?" Applejack asks Pinkie Pie."They've been at that for like two hours!"
"Playing Chess. It's a game!" She says.
"It sounds boring." Rainbow Dash chuckles.
"It is sorta complicated and you do have to think a lot." Pinkie Pie says "But it's simple. You use your pieces to force your friend's King piece to a point it cannot move without being taken by your pieces. Different pieces have different restrictions to how they move and there's some other nuances. It can be fun once you get to know it!"
"Checkmate." Rage called getting their attention again.
"What's that mean?" Rainbow Dash whispers.
"Rage is saying he won." Pinkie says.
Discord looked over the board. Sure enough, he had no moves. "Well that was fun." He says as the two shook hoof and paw. "It's been a while since I lost a game of chess. I'm surprised you're so familiar with it."
"Equestria isn't the only place that has chess." Rage shrugs. "I sorta learned years and years ago back home. Honestly I was surprised to find it here myself."
"Small world huh." Discord jokes. Rage smiled in response.
"Guess so." Rage replied. "It's strange just how-" he paused as the toll of a bell echoed in the hall. It was shortly followed by nine more.
"10 o'clock…" Rarity says looking to the door.
"Do you think…?" Rainbow Dash looks at the ponies. A pair of hooves could be heard approaching the door from the sheer silence between the seven.
The door opens and Celestia walks in. Alone. Her eyes fixated on the seven. "I'm guessing this means Twilight isn't back…?" Rainbow Dash asks.
The white alicorn nodded gently. She then looks at Rage. "Are you still wanting to go?" She asks.
Rage looked back and nodded. "Yes. Even if just for the peace of mind if Twi has everything under control." He answers.
"Let's not waste any time then." Celestia says as Rage joins her. He looked back to the other ponies and gave a soft smile.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure everything turns out okay." He says. "I promise."
"Just…be careful, sugar." Applejack says worried. Rage nodded and smiled.
Celestia then takes him back down the hall to the room the mirror was housed in. "I assume I don't need to explain anything?"
"No letting others know I come from another world, no using my powers if at all possible, make sure to get Twi back." Rage says nodding.
"Be careful. I don't know what lies beyond that portal." Celestia says in a cautionary tone. Rage looked at her and nodded.
The crimson alicorn looked into the mirror and took a deep breath. He put a hoof up to it and watched it phase into the mirror. Letting the breath out he placed the hoof back on solid ground before he lept in.