The Bonding Stone

by Some1Else

Epilogue

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.

Author's Note:

Extras.

- I figured Rarity would eventually come to her senses and give the fire ruby back to Spike once she got tired of it. That wasn't going to happen in the show. Perhaps they will use that idea in the comics. Anyway, I've been sitting on this story since 2011. It was the third story I had in mind for a series I wanted to do for this show. The Virtuous Sister came out first. The Stink Bug and this story were scheduled to follow it.

Whoops.

- Rarity was supposed to consult a tarot deck after she failed to find the fire ruby. This was to set up another story in this series dealing with Sweetie Belle where she dabbles in something she should not have bothered with a week before Nightmare Night. An accurate reading was to be given. Rarity's sixth draw was death, which featured a portrait of Discord. The scene where they hatch their scheme came next.

- Marigold Wisp manages to summon Stolas and Buer. She has heard that the wings of a pegasus pony are needed in order to create a potion that will turn her into an alicorn, which is a reference to the 25th issue of the Friends Forever comics by IDW. If you haven't read the comics, you might consider starting with this one.

- While writing this, I was looking forward to the fight with the golem. I came up with that bit first and wanted to make a big scene out of the whole ordeal. When it finally came time to begin working on the fight, I realized I was up against the most difficult part of the story. It's easily the second most challenging bit I've had to write up to this point in time.

- The first draft of this story was finished before the season nine finale. I borrowed spider silk from Ultima. If only I could have gotten this story out sooner. The comics also beat me to it with a fight like the one with the golem. Before I saw The Big Mac Question, I had written ponies using engagement bracelets instead of rings on necklaces.

- Talbot's name is inspired by Larry Talbot. The Wolf Man. As played by Lon Chaney Jr. back in 1941. Talbot is wearing the vest Michael Jackson wears in the music video of Thriller.

- Discord mentions the Malum, a creature he helped Luna fight in The Virtuous Sister, which takes place in a different continuum than Bug and Stone.

Further Reading.

Here are some other great stories inside this fandom you might consider checking out.

For I Am a Jelly God by Posh. Yes, I've already recommended this one. It's that good. I read it again just to be sure.

Twillight Sparkle's awesome adventure by Yonasomun. Crack done right.

The Frozen West by Cozy Mark IV. Delightfully chilling.

Completely Safe in the Reference Section by Cold in Gardez. This story is funny. Source: I worked at a library for three years.

Hard Reset by Eakin. If Endless Eight had been anywhere near this entertaining, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya would still be relevant. So good it didn't need to win best fic of all-time in order to be the best fic of all-time. Next to For I Am a Jelly God, that is.

Comments

[THERDSTORYWHISPERER]

Great story! Great job on the pairing between Rarity and Discord!

Is there going to be more stories starring Rarity and Discord?

[Foggy Dreams]

God, I just burned through this in two days, and my my! Author, I will definitely be reading some more of your stories soon. Not only was this little adventure filled with action and intensity, it made me sigh and smile at the genuine moments of friendship between Rarity and Discord. Your worldbuilding is phenomenal, and you deserve a kudos for that alone to be perfectly honest. Jelly bean floors, who knew?

I'll be adding this to my library. Thank you for this wonderful ride between friends!