Precaution
While Discord enjoyed his slumber, the two princesses walked the halls together enjoying the new arrangement.
“Now remember, Luna,” Celestia said. “We need to keep Discord’s mental state in check. If he becomes depressed, we need to cheer him up. If he needs to talk, we both must listen. Nothing is more critical than this.”
As the moonlight shined through the windows of the palace, lighting the dust that wafted through the still air, Luna claimed, “I would do anything in my power to keep him safe from corruption. You know that, and if there’s anything I need to know…”
Celestia looked at her sister with curiosity. “Need to know?”
“Well, yes… like, is his mental state triggered by outside influences?” Luna’s sister was confused by what she meant by this. “Okay… take for example, a meaningless prank.”
Celestia sighed as she realized what her sister meant. “Oh, that… well… we should just keep him away from that for now, just to be on the safe side of things.”
As Celestia yawned, telling Luna she was tired, the princess of the night told her to retreat to her room for some rest and relaxation as well. Celestia’s room was what most would expect; intricate designer flooring and beautifully crafted furnishing, mostly made of gold or some other costly metal and fabric. Her bed was a giant, circular, plush and purple sheeted masterpiece that invited her to dream each and every night. As she laid down, she looked over at the nightstand which held the vase with a healthy sunflower in it, the same one that Discord presented to her as a special gift all those years ago. It was looking a bit gray now, but with the lighting of her horn, one small rejuvenation spell was all it took to bring color and life back into nature’s artwork. It perked up and stared at her highness's sleepy head, and almost seemed to thank her, too.
As her head rested down upon a supple pillow, her mind wandered into the remembrance of when Discord first returned to Equestria, and almost destroyed harmony.
The six mares left the elemental memorial room where the princess had justly informed them of the mission they were required to embark on. As she heard the laughter of the menacing monstrosity, memories surfaced of the fateful incident when she and her sister first battled the fiend. As he passed through the window, his stained glass representation peering through the reflections, Celestia tried to keep her sights set on him. Though, with his form changing and taking on the realistic embodiment of his adult being, she prepared herself to attack if necessary.
“Celestia, how has my dear friend been?” his eyes looked at her with revengeful rage. “It’s been too long, and you’ve been so cruel!”
“Discord, we can talk about this, or you can leave now, and never see me again.” Celestia’s stern face told him she was willing to come to a peaceful encounter, but his heart wasn’t accepting her offer.
“You think this situation that YOU put yourself in will be a joyful one?” He chuckled under his breath. “This is my chance to show you my wrath, and take my vengeance upon both you, and your sister for trapping me in that void for so long…”
As he turned around and prepped himself for his master plan, he finished his sentence with the threatening statement Celestia feared most. “And I’ll do this by ruining the six Elements of Harmony!”
He began to walk away, Celestia knowing she would need to keep an eye on him if she was to know exactly what he plotted to carry out. “Discord!” she yelled, making him turn his head around.
A beam of radiant magic hit his horns, and sparked all around his forehead, making him scream from the abrupt spell. “What did you do to me?!” he asked, more demandingly than requestingly.
“It’s a tracking spell!” Celestia explained. “This will allow me to keep an eye on you whether I’m with you or not. I can’t have you hurting my pupil or her friends without me knowing what you’ve done to them. This way even if I'm incapacitated, I can be sure to help somehow.”
Discord rolled his eyes before reacting with, “Great! And there’s no cure for this, is there?”
“None, what so ever,” Celestia claimed. “And... I’ll be able to hear everything your thinking, speaking; planning! I’ll be watching you like a hawk, and If I find out you’ve hurt any of my little ponies, you’ll be sorry.”
Discord laughed. “Oh, Celestia… You just don’t get it, do you?! This is my world now. Equestria will crumble under my rule. You’re only second rate in my eyes.” As he once again turned around, he bit the princess farewell, and snapped his fingers, disappearing from the room with a flash of light surrounding him.
Celestia sighed at the memory, feeling some guilt due to knowing this was partially her fault. She heard her door knock as well.
“Come in,” she said invitingly.
Discord himself entered, and looked around her room. “I just wanted to… well, you know… the flower?”
Celestia’s smile was enough for him to know she was more than happy to know he wished to observe his old gift. “It’s right here.” She allowed her eyes to fall upon the golden flora, he approached and sat next to her. He also marveled at how it reminded him of the moments he shared with his two friends.
“And you’ve been keeping it freshly bloomed all this time?” he asked rhetorically.
“Every night, just before I fall asleep, I make a point to keep it well bloomed. The flora is one of my most cherished possessions.”
Discord grinned and looked at her highness. “Celly… I really am sorry about all the horrible things did… and I’m willing to apologize to your pupil as well, that is, if this is alright with you.”
Celestia giggled, and said, “Of course it’s alright. Tomorrow, we’ll leave for Ponyville. Does that sound good to you?”
As Discord nodded his head, Celestia noticed him still looking at the flower, as though there was something enchanting about it. Hee stood, finally yawning, and she summed the night up with one last, “Sleep tight.”
With nothing left for him to do, Discord exited the room. As for the princess, she fell asleep thinking about the following day, and wondering if Twilight would accept his apology.