>Nightmare Moon had presented you with a bizarre shopping list when you woke up.
>You were left scratching your head, wondering why in the world she needed all that garbage.
>Some thick cloth, an ingot of iron, and twenty feet of rope.
 
>She said it was necessary for the success of the Clousdale offense, though, so you grudgingly went along with it and spent a few hours gathering everything.
>It was a strange gift she created, but you wore it on your wrist as instructed.
>Once you had squared away that issue, all that was left to do was hammer out a solid plan of attack.
 
>Dropping down into a secluded area, you would scout out the general area to gauge guard presence.
>With the princesses hopefully occupied responding to your hollow threats, there should be less resistance.
>A few deviously devised diversion devices placed on important looking buildings would serve for excellent pandemonium producers.
 
>Charges set, you would fall back to the World Between and wait a while for the show to get into full swing.
>After that, it was as simple as crossing over right in the middle of the Cloudosseum for a grand entrance.
 
>Standing up from the command table, you plucked the Staff of Discorb out of the ground and mentally prepared yourself.
>Giving her the signal you were ready, she rent open the fabric between worlds.
 
>You crouched down low as you dropped onto the edge of Cloudsdale.
>So far you weren’t falling to your death, which meant the cloud-walking spell was working properly.
>Shimmying along the side of a building, you tried to recall the layout of the city.
 
>You’d been to this pearly city of fluff a few times before, Rainbow Dash liked to drag you up here because of how uncomfortable it made you.
>The idea of actually walking on a cloud still seemed dangerous to you.
>It was just a terrible fall constantly waiting to happen for someone who couldn’t fly.
 
>Shaking your head clear of those intrusive thoughts, you focused on why you were here.
 
>Wherever you were seemed pretty empty.
>Most of the ponies must have gathered at the Cloudosseum already.
>You’d have to work your way over there to get a look at the guards, but this was as good place as any to start setting some fireworks.
 
>Picking out a few of the taller buildings, you instructed the Discorb to go wild on them, but with a delay until you gave the command.
>Things usually worked out better when you gave it free reign to do what it wanted.
>There were fewer ways to subvert your orders in annoying ways when you don’t give many, and it seemed to have more fun creating chaos than pissing you off.
>Though that last bit was quite debatable.
 
>Blasting a few more of the taller buildings with incredibly conspicuous arcs of prismatic lightning, you started moving towards your main target.
 
>There were still a few pegasi milling about, but they were easy to avoid contact with.
>Keeping an eye to the skies around you, it was a constant game of paranoia as you moved deeper into the Greco-Roman city.
 
>Soon enough you could start picking up the sounds of a massive crowd.
 
>Realizing you had forgotten a pair of binoculars, you were subject to an annoyed sounding Nightmare Moon as you bashed against the veil with the Discorb.
 
>“I thought you said you were fully prepared!”
 
“Keep it down, it just slipped my mind. Open up a portal already and toss them through.”
 
>Barely catching a rather forcefully thrown pair of binoculars, you started looking around for good vantage points.
>Hopes for an easy access to a rooftop were dashed when you realized that ladders were irrelevant here, since they could all fly.
 
>Having to turn to that gold plated irritant of an artifact, you attempted to grant yourself flight.
>After an unnecessarily large flash of light, you could feel a pair of mismatched wings on your back.
 
>Things seemed to be looking up until you realized they were absolutely tiny.
>Flapping your hardest, you managed to achieve a few inches of height.
>Giving the staff a good shake beforehand, you prayed for better results as you tried again.
 
>These bursts of light were really starting to get on your nerves.
>They were incredibly superfluous and the Discorb knew it, only doing so because it annoyed you by risking your cover.
 
>Craning your head around, you discovered that another, smaller set of wings had appeared beneath the first pair.
>You made sure to express your displeasure by smacking the Discorb with your hand.
 
“No!”
 
>With a stern reprimand and finger point, you hoped it would eventually learn better with a little tough love.
 
>Still, it was enough to help you scale the side of the building you were hiding behind.
>Gripping the soft cloud exterior, you started flapping your heart out as you climbed.
>After a lot of unnecessary effort, you finally dragged yourself over the edge of the roof.
 
>Lying down prone, you started examining the crowd.
>As expected, there were quite a few guards around maintaining order.
>There were also some patrols moving around a large perimeter of the Cloudosseum.
 
>Well, it could have been worse.
>There should be more than enough ponies that most of the guards would be tied up safeguarding them and responding to the surprises you set up.
>Nightmare Moon would also draw some of them away on a fruitless chase with her projection.
 
>The annoying part was the fact they could all fly, which made escape for them quite easy.
>You would need some way to keep them trapped and occupied.
 
>Arming the building under you with all manner of exciting chaos magic, you glided off the edge and took a long tour through the city, blasting whatever building you could safely apply a charge of magic too.
 
>Soon enough, you gave the signal to Nightmare Moon to return home.
 
>After about half an hour of twiddling your thumbs later, it was finally time for the big reveal.
>Twirling the staff around a couple of times, you started getting excited for your performance.
 
>You had made a terrible villain at first, too timid to even cause the slightest bit of havoc.
>You were troubled with all sorts of moral qualms and the heavy burden of a traitor.
 
>It took a while for you to finally accept this life you now lead.
>Nightmare Moon was constantly berating you for your softness, your inability to cut loose and demolish.
>Your pacifism was a frequent source of annoyance for her, but you eventually managed to temper her fury with reason.
 
>What was the point in ruling over empty lands with no subjects?
>Such phrasing was the only real way to get her to concede to your arguments.
 
>The constant verbal abuse and punishment exercises wound up being more than just her venting frustration on you, for they had held valuable advice and lessons buried within.
>While it took a long time, you eventually deciphered the meaning behind each of them.
>It was her way of helping you in the only manner she knew how.
 
>While this wasn’t your ideal of how to live, there were no other alternatives.
>The consequences of your continued existence here were clear, but Nightmare Moon had promised a way to change that.
 
>After spending enough time together and hearing each other’s stories, you found yourself developing a strange sort of bond with her.
>Equestria had rejected both of you, though for your case it was in a more literal sense.
 
>She wanted her revenge and you wanted to stay here.
>Neither of you could fight against the world alone, but together, you stood a chance.
>And thus your two fates had become intertwined.
 
>Many would call you a fool for believing her, but something in your gut told you to put your faith in that crazy mare nonetheless.
>Only time could tell which side would be right.
 
>“Are you ready Anonymous?”
 
>Her face was a practiced mask of steel.
>While her demeanor was cold most of the time, you had learned how to pick up on her subtle emotions when she was like this.
>A small twitch in her ear hinted at a slight nervousness.
 
“Open up a small enough portal for the Discorb first.”
 
>Eying you warily, she did as you asked.
>Flashing her a reassuring smile, you gave a thumbs up as you stuck the staff partially through the portal.
>It would be easier if your magic didn’t have to penetrate reality.
>Like a detonator, you pressed your thumb back down.
 
>You chose the furthest building from the complex.
>The guards should dispatch a force to investigate it as soon as it blows, then you’d catch them with their forces divided and the crowd riled up.
>Make it loud and make it gaudy, Discorb.
 
>Giving it a few minutes, you motioned for her to widen the gateway as you strode through the twisting nether.
 
>You could hear it.
>The worried murmurs of a vast crowd, echoed all around you from countless ponies.
>Pearly stands of cotton seating spectators from every corner of Equestria, shone upon by the radiance of the sun and the clear blue skies.
 
>It all went by you very fast, as you plummeted down as soon as you stepped out of the portal.
>Too caught up envisioning Rome, you had forgotten one tiny little detail.
>This one didn’t feature a floor!
 
>Your screaming broke the relative silence of the Cloudosseum.
 
>Panicking, you forced power through the Discorb for anything to save you.
>A massive fluffy pink cloud exploded forth around the staff.
>There was a jolt of pain as you suddenly found yourself supporting your own weight.
>Dangling by an arm, you had managed to stop your descent.
 
>Heart pounding, you took a short breather before slowly willing the cloud to carry you back upwards.
>The crowd had gone completely silent.
>You could spot the Wonderbolts amongst them, supplementing the guards trying to maintain order while the explosion was investigated.
 
>While you had a less than optimal entrance, you’d just have to make it work.
>You brought forth another cloud underneath you to free up the staff.
>Bringing the Discorb to your mouth, you had the magic amplify your voice like a microphone.
 
“Ladies and gentlemen!”
 
>No, that didn’t sound right.
>Some of the spectators that weren’t frightened stiff by your presence seemed confused.
>What the hell was the custom to say again?
>Screw it.
 
“Horses!”
 
>Good enough, they always hated when you called them that.
 
“I, ANON, will be hosting you a grand show!”
 
>All eyes were on you as you rode the cloud further up.
 
“You should all STICK AROUND for a while to enjoy it!”
 
>Thrusting the staff upwards, you focused the power into an area-wide burst.
>While this went against your rules somewhat, the situation required it.
>Sticky webbing shot out from the Discorb, covering the interior of the Cloudosseum and binding most of the ponies within.
 
>The Wonderbolts and some of the guards were able to weave through the onslaught of adhesive, much to your annoyance.
>There were also guards outside the area of effect that would return shortly as well.
 
>Such things would have to be dealt with later, for now it was time to reveal your machinations.
 
“There are over twenty explosives placed on random buildings throughout Cloudsdale! They will explode in random intervals over the course of ten minutes! Who thinks they’re fast enough to locate and disable them all before this city is ruined!?”
 
>Throwing your head back in mad laughter, which you had practiced extensively in the mirror many times, you formed your free hand back into the detonator and hit it again.
 
>Near, far, it mattered little which building went.
 
>Cloudsdale shook with what sounded like an explosion mixed with a party horn.
>Searching around, you finally spotted a small residential building stretch over six times its height in the air before spewing multicolored glitter and streamers everywhere.
 
>The sound alone was more than enough motivation for the crowd to start panicking.
 
>Of course, your devious plan included no actual physical explosives that could be disabled.
>It was just a lie to keep them busy while you worked your magic.
 
>Four of the Wonderbolts immediately rocketed off into the city in response to the threat, while whatever guards they could spare went along with them.
>The rest of their forces turned toward you.
 
>This simply would not do.
>They needed something to keep them occupied with the spectators.
>Something menacing, a clear threat to safety they couldn’t ignore.
 
>Webs... trapped people... you snapped your fingers as the figurative light bulb lit up.
 
>Giant spiders!
 
>The Discorb poured forth light as you started conjuring numerous illusions.
>Gazing at your horrifying constructs, you were less than impressed.
>Fuchsia was not the first color that would have come to mind.
>Their six legs were wrapped in purple feather boas and there were red heart shaped markings on its abdomen.
>Bright, adorable eyes with long eyelashes completed the whole look.
>You could feel Nightmare Moon's disappointed stare from the other side.
 
>Did these things even have fangs?
>Whatever, it would have to do for now.
>At your command, they immediately began to seek out the trapped ponies in search of cuddles.
 
>Thankfully the crowd was so on edge that giant spiders, no matter how cute looking, were still terrifying.
>The few unbound guards had already turned away from you to free their comrades and organize a defense against the fuzzy menace.
 
>It was time to move back into the city to spice things up.
 
>“Not so fast, Anonymous!”
 
>Judging from the flame-like hair and yellow coat, none other than Spitfire herself was addressing you.  
>You couldn’t tell from behind her goggles, but you were certain her eyes were burning with determination.
 
>“We’re taking you in!”
 
>You couldn’t help but smile at that.
>So long as you had your sta-
 
>A blur shot past you and snatched it right out of your hands, a trail of smoke left in their wake.
 
>“I got it! Lets see you work your way out of this one Anon!”
 
>Soarin... you should have realized there was still one unaccounted for.
>He took position next to Spitfire, clutching the staff in his hoof.
>Just how they managed to hold onto things with hooves remained a mystery that eluded you.
 
>Staring down those two, you gave a nonchalant shrug at the situation.
>Their victorious grin quickly melted into worried expressions.
 
“You thought that taking the Discorb would render me helpless, and normally it would. But I’ve already predicted that move!”
 
>Raising your right hand into the air and pulling down your sleeve, you revealed a large metal bracer covering your wrist.
 
“Of course some of the fastest fliers in Equestria would be able to pluck it out of my hands! But as you can see, I’ve secured it to myself!”
 
>Rope, about twenty feet, stretched from the bracer to the staff.
>Silently you were praising Nightmare Moon’s foresight.
 
“If I grab onto this, then technically I would still be holding the staff! Allowing me to use its power!”
 
>With a triumphant shout, you confidently pointed towards Spitfire.
 
“Your next line is.”
 
>“What kind of stupid logic is that!?”
“What kind of stupid logic is that!?”
 
>She recoiled in shock.
>Even Soarin was stunned at how you managed to speak perfectly in tune with her.
>You were on a roll with this luck!
 
“I’ll tell you the answer!”
 
>This time it was your turn to smirk.
 
“It’s just the kind of flimsy logic the Discorb thrives on!”
 
"Flashbang!”
 
>Gripping the rope, you commanded the staff to explode with immense light and sound.
>Having taken the two Wonderbolts by surprise, you gave a hard tug on the cord and ripped the staff free from his grip.
 
“To me, Discorb!”
 
>There was no way to reel it in fast enough before they could recover.
>Your only hope was having it propel itself toward you.
>At your command, massive white-feathered wings burst out from the housing underneath the Discorb.
>You rolled your eyes, of course it would go all out when it came to itself.
>With one powerful flap it launched itself like a rocket.
 
>How the hell did it expect you to catch it like that!?
 
>Realizing it wasn’t going to slow down anytime soon, you threw yourself onto the pink cloud.
>Facing the direction the staff was traveling, you held on tightly with your arms and legs.
>The rush of air from above told you it had just passed.
>In less than a second your right arm shot forward painfully as you were hauled along with it.
 
>The city! You had to go to it, not away!
 
>A large chunk of its reserve was spent enchanting those buildings.
>You had to get back whatever remained and feed on what the city could provide, or else this would be a spectacular failure.
 
>Following your will, the staff made a sharp turn.
>You nearly lost your grip as the sudden movement tossed you around.
>With a muttered swear, you noticed the two Wonderbolts had recovered and were in hot pursuit of your cloud nine.
 
>Typical, of course you wouldn’t be able to shake your pursuers so easily.
>You needed to land somewhere.
>There was no way you could ever hope to outmaneuver them in the air on this thing.
>Responding to your unspoken command, the staff tucked in its wings and went into a sudden nosedive.
 
>Your eyes went wide involuntarily as the wind blasted harder against your face.
>This fucking glorified crystal ball was trying to kill you!
 
>You could do nothing but watch in horror as Cloudsdale came hurtling towards you, your screams dying in your throat.
>Colliding with the ground, the staff buried itself a few feet in before a large puffy cloud of cotton candy shot out the end.
 
>It tasted wonderful as you slammed into it at who knows how high of a speed.
>Your breath was labored as you rolled off of it and onto the soft ground.
>Psychedelic energy sparked wildly around you, the Discorb must have assisted you in not breaking any bones or impaling yourself.
 
>Well, you certainly landed in the city.
 
>The cloud and candy dissipated, giving easy reach to the staff.
>Tearing it free from its cotton prison and wings, you quickly wound the rope back around the bracer.
 
>Those two couldn’t have been far behind.
>You needed to think of someway to deal with them quickly.
>Pushing the detonator two more times, you could hear a massive foghorn and a rather wet sounding explosion far away.
 
>Slightly concerned, you looked around for the site of the messy sounding blast.
>Relief quickly washed over you as you saw purple paint gushing into the sky some distance away.
 
>That relief quickly morphed into anxiety as you saw Spitfire and Soarin land not too far away from you.
>No more running away from this one, you needed to find some way to incapacitate them safely.
 
>You had to squint to look at them properly.
>The sun was shining in your face, casting long shadows toward you as they slowly made their advance.
>Widening your stance, you prepared yourself for the coming conflict.