Discord appeared on the roof of Carousel Boutique. Even though it was the middle of the night, he hid his form with a spell of invincibility. He arrived just in time to catch Opalescence leaving the building through the cat door in the back for a night out on the prowl.
One of Rarity’s curlers was in her mouth.
Following a cat through the sleeping town of Ponyville was hardly his idea of a good time, but he had something in mind that would make all of it worthwhile. Opal was cautious, but Discord knew it didn’t have anything to do with his presence. Other cats might catch her. Word might spread to Fluttershy, who wouldn’t hesitate to tell Rarity the terrible secret. Then there would be a week with no catnip. Opal’s care was brought on by fear of not being able to live a single day without it.
It took Opal quite some time to finally reach her destination, which was a tree just outside of town. Discord watched from the sky with his back to the moon as Opal began digging a hole behind the tree. It was time to act. Opal wouldn’t learn her lesson if he just appeared out of nowhere and scolded her. Something more traumatizing was needed.
Discord merged himself with the tree. He swayed his branches as if they were caught in the wind, which caught Opal’s attention. Discord emitted a guttural groan that sounded like wood creaking in an old house. He made a nightmarish face appear on the tree and centered its eyeless gaze on Opal.
“Bad kitty,” Discord said.
Opal almost jumped high enough to hit the lowest hanging branch, yowled at the top of her lungs, and tripped over herself twice in her haste to get away from the tree. Once she was halfway back to the boutique, Discord appeared in his native physical form near the hole Opal had made. Having ensured the cat would never steal from Rarity again, he produced a shovel and started digging to see what Opal had plundered. It didn’t take long to uncover a collection of miscellaneous items. A pincushion with a few needles sticking out of it, three compact mirrors, ten lapel pins, and an unused container of lipstick covered the crown jewel of the treasure trove.
The fire ruby.
Discord picked up the fire ruby and polished it to a mirror sheen with a quick spell. He turned it over and found a pin had been stuck to its back, which had enabled Opal to carry it. Discord flicked the pin off and admired his discovery under the moonlight. Rarity didn’t need it back. It would cheapen her adventure with him.
He took a bite out of it and chewed for a moment. There was nothing remarkable about the taste. The chunk he had taken out of it reformed on the ruby.
“I guess there must be less dragon in me than I thought.” Discord dropped the fire ruby into the hole.
The dirt on the ground covered the hole. Some foal could dig it up and have it. His moment of fun was officially over. It was passed time to meet with Luna and discuss the safety of the kingdom. Luna would have another sharp quip to throw at him for his tardiness. He could endure it. Working for Luna on tasks she’d rather have the Night Guard avoid ensured Fluttershy’s safety. And Rarity’s. And Twilight’s, Pinkie Pie’s, and Dash’s. Even Applejack’s. But mostly Fluttershy’s.
Discord touched the ground with his lion paw, cast another spell, and teleported away from the scene. In his absence, hydrangeas sprouted to mark the grave of the fire ruby and didn’t stop until they had made their way around the tree.