The day after Hearts and Hooves Day, Ponyville was buzzing with bewilderment about what happened at the ball the night before. Some were very amazed that Discord had managed to find somepony to be his date. But others were more shocked that his date was actually an alicorn. Nopony had ever seen another alicorn since Twilight Sparkle. Even Discord himself was stunned that Teardrop was an alicorn. Many ponies wondered if she was a fake, but Discord knew that everything about her was all too real.
The princesses must’ve known that, too. They sent out search parties to locate the vanished alicorn. Discord was worried that they would find Teardrop to be a threat. He was very relieved to find that the search parties were unsuccessful. Yet, he was also concerned that he might never see his sweetheart ever again.
He was summoned to the Royal Chamber by Princess Celestia. The Mane Six had been called, too. The Royal Pony Sisters and Princess Cadance were gathered with them as a royal guard and Flash Sentry returned from the last search party. The royal guard reported, “I’m sorry, your Highnesses, but we still have found no trace of the alicorn who disappeared.” Celestia nodded in understanding, “Thank you for your efforts. You are dismissed.”
The royal guard and Flash Sentry left as the latter gave a glance at Twilight Sparkle. She blushed in response. Princess Luna turned to her sister, “This alicorn is very elusive, sister. What other options should we try in order to locate her?” Celestia turned from her sister and peered at the stained glass window, “I was not aware there was another alicorn.” Rainbow Dash said, “Maybe she’s not even a real alicorn.” Twilight Sparkle turned to her and disagreed, “Why else would she have run off if she wasn’t really an alicorn?”
Celestia looked at the Mane Six, “Twilight provides a good point. Still, I’d like to know who she is and whether or not she’s really who she is.” Twilight asked, “Are you saying that Queen Chrysalis could be posing as another alicorn?” The Princess of the Sun nodded, “That is a possibility.” Discord waved his paw and claw, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Your Highnesses, I’ve danced with Teardrop that night and she’s very real to me. She does have a name, you know.”
Cadance apologized, “We’re sorry. We didn’t even know her name. Apparently, you were the only one.” Luna asked, “Do you know anything else about her that could help us?” Discord was hesitant, but replied in fear of invoking the alicorns’ wrath, “She has tear-related powers. She can summon a tear even without weeping and can colorize it to the emotion the tear was shed from.”
Rainbow Dash added, “Oh! And she can fly super, duper fast. Faster than me!” Discord looked at her in surprise and asked, “Really?” Rainbow Dash nodded. Discord turned and thought, “That alicorn can do amazing things! She’s my kind of pony!”
Luna put a hoof to her chin and wondered, “You said she disappeared in the Everfree Forest, correct?” Rainbow Dash replied, “Yes, your Highness. She did.” Luna continued, “Nopony should be able to fly that fast into the forest without crashing. Perhaps she had some portal to go back to wherever she came.” Celestia said, “Excellent theory, Luna. Maybe that’s what she did.”
She turned to the Mane Six and continued, “I want you to see Zecora and ask her about Teardrop.” She looked at Discord and ordered, “I want you to go with them, as well.” Discord stammered, “What? Why?” Celestia explained, “You were the only one she talked to that night. You could help us search for her.” He shot back, “So you could turn her against me?”
Cadance shook her head, “Discord, we won’t do anything like that.” Discord crossed his arms and spoke softly, “I hope not.” Pinkie Pie whispered to her friends, “Uh-oh. Somebody’s got it ba-ad.” Discord glared at Pinkie, who became quiet.
Celestia nodded, “It’s agreed, then. Go to Zecora to find out where Teardrop is. She might know. And when you find Teardrop, bring her back to Canterlot if she is indeed an alicorn.” Discord retorted, “She’s as real an alicorn as you are!” The ponies were shocked by his angry reply. Celestia broke the silence by ordering the ponies, “All of you may be dismissed.”
Discord was about to leave when she beckoned him, “Discord, may I speak with you?” He turned and sighed in exasperation, “Yes, Princess Celestia?” Celestia said, “Forgive me for not realizing how much you care about Teardrop. I didn’t know you had feelings towards her.” Discord said, “But you were there the night I danced with her.”
“I was,” she nodded, “but I am surprised now by how much you displayed love for her even if you don’t realize it.” Discord was confused now, but then saw that Celestia made sense. He did feel for Teardrop in a way he hadn’t before. “Celestia,” he lowered his head, “do you suppose she loves me?” She chuckled, “I suppose the only way to find out is to find her. Go forth and bring her back to Canterlot.”
Discord became alarmed and asked, “Why do you want Teardrop brought back with us to Canterlot?” Celestia flashed a smile, “I’m very curious about her and would like to know more about her. But if she doesn’t want to come to Canterlot, then we must respect her wishes. I do, however, want to wish you well on your journey.” She winked at him before he left the Royal Chamber. Discord felt a glow in his heart that was a hope to find Teardrop and marry her.
Discord and the Mane Six traveled to Zecora’s hut to obtain leads to Teardrop’s location. Zecora answered the door and smiled, “Ah, welcome all to my abode. Why have you traveled on this road?” Twilight Sparkle explained, “We thought you could help us find a mysterious alicorn who showed up at the Hearts and Hooves Day Ball.” “There’s another alicorn?” Zecora lifted her head in surprise as she spoke. “Was she one when she was born?”
Twilight shook her head, “That’s just it. We don’t know. Princess Celestia would like for us to find her and take her back to Canterlot.” Discord interjected, “But she doesn’t have to come back with us if she doesn’t want to.” The Mane Six turned to him in surprise while Zecora saw something in his eyes.
She smiled, “Oh! This is quite different, I see. Is she your special somepony?” Discord stammered, “What? What would make you say that?” Zecora chuckled, “There’s no denying it from me. Affection hides from nopony.”
For the first time in his life, Discord blushed. Applejack asked him, “You really like this girl, don’t you, Discord?” He chose not to say anything, so Twilight turned to Zecora and inquired, “Do you think you can help us find Teardrop? She’s the alicorn we’re looking for.” Zecora nodded, “For the answers, follow me. In the water, we will see.”
The Mane Six and Discord followed her to a table. They sat down and waited while Zecora boiled the water. The ponies all looked at Discord slyly. He said, “Ponies, don’t look at me like that! It’s not my fault I have a crush on Teardrop!” Pinkie Pie grinned, “Ah-ha! I knew you had a crush on her!”
“Haven’t you felt the same way about somepony?” Discord asked. The ponies just giggled while Discord simmered in annoyance. Fluttershy spoke, “It’s okay to feel this way, Discord. You don’t have to hide it.” He said, “So what if I’m not denying my feelings for her? What’s it to you?”
Applejack said, “Come on, Discord. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Everypony goes through this.” Rarity added, “Yes, so what if you’re a draconequus? I mean, none of us would ever expect for you to find somepony…” Applejack ribbed her with her elbow. Rarity became silent after she cried out, “Ow!”
Discord put his chin on his paw and sarcastically grumbled, “Oh, you’re very helpful, Rarity. Thank you.” Zecora placed the bowl of water at the center of the table. She extended her hoof and asked, “Discord, may I have the barrette? The one at the ball Teardrop left?” Discord gave the diamond barrette to Zecora and she touched the water with its tip. The ripples expanded and new ones continued to form while a silhouette of a cloaked unicorn appeared in the water.
Zecora said, “To find the alicorn that is she, a sorceress you must first see. She will act as your guide to find the one that hides.” Twilight looked up and asked, “Where can we find this sorceress?” The zebra took a wooden spoon and stirred the water until a new picture appeared. This picture was of a town surrounded by woodland. Zecora explained, “If more about her you wish to know, then to Hollow Shades you must go.”
Fluttershy stammered, “Isn’t Hollow Shades where the Black Forest Bears are?” Rainbow Dash said, “I thought you could tame most animals.” Fluttershy shook her head, “Timber wolves aren’t the only animals I’m afraid of. The Black Forest Bears are dangerous compared to them.” “Oh, come on, Fluttershy!” Discord scoffed. “You’ve faced against all kinds of dangers before. Surely, you and your friends can handle BFBs.”
The ponies gave him glares and he said, “What? I thought it would be a better way of calling those nasty bears. No matter. If they want to keep me from finding this unicorn, they have to bring me down first!” Zecora chuckled, “I didn’t say she was a unicorn. But she did have powers when she was born.”
The Mane Six and Discord gave her confused looks before she reminded them, “It’s getting late in the day. You should all be on your way.” Twilight thanked her as she and her friends headed out the hut. Discord, however, remained behind and turned to Zecora. He requested in a soft voice, “Say, uh, I had this weird dream about an evil alicorn who turned me to stone. I was wondering if you could tell me whether or not Teardrop will turn me to stone.”
Zecora said nothing, but complied. She stirred the water and squinted at the faint picture that appeared. She explained, “A stone body, I can see well. But of whose, only time will tell.” This worried Discord, yet it intrigued him. If the stone body Zecora saw in the water wasn’t his, then whose was it?