Celestia was absolutely distraught. She was not distraught at the events in Ponyville, as everything had gone well there. Twilight and her friends had evicted the rampaging Roc without too much trouble, and Celestia had even received a report describing the importance of trust in dire situations. No, Celestia was distraught because the book she had been enjoying had been taken from her while she was gone.
She mentally ran through a list of possible suspects. It could be Luna, she might be playing a prank on her. It could be one of the servants... No, as they wouldn't have left such a mess.
It could be Discord... Wow. He'd be pretty bothered by the invasion of his privacy. Celestia truly hoped it wasn't him.
Anyway, she didn't have time to pursue the matter, as she had court to attend to in a few minutes. Still, she couldn't help but wonder where the book had gone, and if she'd ever see it again.
Discord's plan was going well. It had been almost a month since Celestia had been able to read his story, and so it was time to activate stage 3. Sneaking into Celestia's bedchambers, he placed his book carefully upon her bed, before opening a door into the nothingness and watching from the void.
Truth be told, Celestia had almost forgotten about Discord's book. She'd forced herself to forget, assuming that she would never see it again. She went about her daily business.
But she never truly forgot. That is why, after a long, long day of listening patiently to idiotic nobles and tediously working through mountains of paperwork, she was truly delighted to see the familiar cover tucked half-way under her blankets, as if it was asleep in her bed. She could plainly see the familiar title.
TWILIGHT ERIS AND THE ELEMENTS OF CHAOS
A fanfic by Discord. NO CELESTIAS ALLOWED.
SERIOUSLY! THIS IS NOT FOR YOU, CELESTIA!
Looking around furtively to check if there was anypony, or more specifically, anydraconequus there, Celestia found that she was alone.
Relaxing comfortably under her covers, (but not under too many, it was summer after all), Celestia opened the book to her previous page and began to read.
"There, it's on it's way," Prickle said, gasping for air, "But I wouldn't hold your breath!"
Twilight Eris turned on her heel and replied, "Oh, I'm not worried, Prickle. The Princess trusts me completely. In all my years of being his mentor, he's never once doubted me."
As if on cue, Prickle's magic feather began to tingle, the sign that Princess Discord had sent him a message. Quick as a flash, it detached itself from Prickle and traced the outline of a scroll in the air. An outline which rapidly became solid.
The feather stabbed back into Prickle's wing, and he couldn't help but wince. It hurt every time. This was why Princess Discord felt guilty about sending messages via Prickle, as he cared about the feelings of others unlike some ponies he could name.
Celestia had to re-read that paragraph before she would accept it was real. But it was. Discord had just implied she didn't care about other's feelings in a fan-fiction she wasn't even supposed to be reading.
She would have to check whether or not sending messages actually hurt Pri... Spike.
Twilight grasped the scroll, emanating smugness in an aura so thick it was almost visible.
"I knew he'd want to take immediate action!" said Twilight, despite not having read the scroll at all yet.
A random burst of chaos actually made her aura of smugness visible for a moment. It was pink.
Twilight started reading out loud, cursing all those nearby with her nasally and just downright annoying voice.
"My dearest Twilight. You know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely."
The aura of smugness turned from pink to a deep purple, and the scroll turned into a green octopus, gripping to Twilight's arm with it's suckers.
Opening it's beaky mouth, the octopus continued for Twilight, in the majestic voice of the great monarch Discord.
"However, you simply... No. You know what? I'm above lying. I won't manipulate you, someone I say I care about, as a tool against my rivals. That's just wrong. I care about you too much for that. There is something going on, but trust me when I say that the best thing you can do for me right now is to go to Draconitown and organise the Centennial Chaos Celebration. I'd also like you to make some friends. Will you do that for me?"
Celestia blushed. A deep pit of guilt built up in her heart. Whatever she said to herself, Discord was right. She used her own student as a tool against her own sister who was only corrupted thanks to her negligence. And worst of all, she didn't even give Twilight a choice in the matter. But Twilight was a Princess now... And didn't every little filly want to be a Princess? That made it better... Right?
Celestia decided just to keep reading.
Twilight didn't even stop to consider. Despite her many, many flaws she was loyal to the Princess. She rushed out and took a Chaoporter to Draconitown. But all the way there she moped to Prickle.
Eventually, in a desperate attempt to make her feel happy, he reassured her, saying "Princess Discord arranged for you to stay in a library. And even though he was too kind to evict the previous owner, you'll still be able to read. Doesn't that make you happy?"
The library had been UNOCCUPIED! Now Discord was making things up just to insult her...
I mean sure, the entire story was made up, but...
Celestia decided just to keep reading and instruct Raven to find her a good therapist. Specialty in paranoia...
And bring her some more cake. Celestia liked cake.
A stupid and poorly-constructed plan formed in Twilight's mind. "You know what?" she ranted, "It does. You know why? Because I'm right."
Rivers of smugness oozed from the young mare who had just thought herself wiser then a thousand-year-old Demigod as she continued, "I'll just check on the preparations as fast as I can, and then I'll get to the library, and find some proof of the Sister's return."
Prickle, who was wise far beyond his years interjected, "But... When will you make friends?"
Twilight scoffed, and waved away Prickle's reminder, retorting, "I'm sure that addendum was for my benefit. I am his student, and I'll do my royal duty, but the fate of Draconia does not rest on me making friends."
The Chaosporter had finally deposited them in the right place, and Twilight thanked the Draconequus operating it, just this once remembering to use her manners.
Prickle suddenly thought of a way to try and make Twilight feel better.
"I dunno, Twilight, maybe the Draconequuses of Draconitown have interesting things to talk about."
Gesturing to a pink Draconequus trudging along with a downcast expression, he asked "Go on, Twilight, just try."
Twilight awkwardly strolled up to the gloomy pink stranger and muttered, "Um... Hello?"
She looked up, and apon seeing Twilight's mismatched face she snorted, and slowly trudged away. Twilight made out a lapel pin with an image of three deflated balloons on it.
Deciding to give up after one failed attempt, Twilight instead headed off to the first place on her list.
"Sweet Pear Acres."
A huge clash sounded from downstairs, and Celestia decided she needed to investigate. It was probably just a routine drill gone awry, but better to be safe then sorry.
Discord looked at the bookmarked page and sighed. He'd expected Celly to be up to The Great and Powerful Librarian by now. He wanted to see her face at that bit.
Discord left, taking the bookmark with him. It would make a nice addition to "The Wall of stuff Celestia is never going to see again."