//------------------------------// // Saturday (Prank Day) // Story: Discord's First Prank Day // by Dreadnought //------------------------------// 5:30 AM Twilight opened her eyes. She could see the various furnishings of her bedroom looming in the darkness. She rolled over and peered out the window to see it was still night, with not even the faintest hint of Celestia’s sun waiting behind the distant horizon. Twilight rolled onto her back. She felt tired. Very tired. She had tossed and turned all night, fearing what the next day would bring. Oh no! It’s Prank Day! She shot up in her bed and used her horn to fill the room with an intense white light. Instantly her eyes felt pain at the sudden brightness, making her squint for a few moments until her eyes adjusted. She scanned the room for any signs of Discord’s work, but found nothing out of the ordinary. Realizing that she would not be going back to sleep, she grudgingly climbed out of bed. She walked over to the lamp and flipped it on, ceasing her own magical light at the same time. She turned to the mirror, half expecting to find some horrible image looking back. Nothing. She began brushing her disheveled mane into something respectable. Well, one good thing about waking up early was that she could get a head start on that day’s reading.... The library lay dark and quiet. The main door swung open slowly and the light switch flipped on as Twilight cautiously entered, inspecting for any chaos. Finding nothing, she trotted over to her desk and picked up the book she had been reading the day before, The Duel: Bare vs. Hoofilton. She opened the page to where her bookmark was and started to read. Except, she couldn’t read. The text had changed! Instead of the Equestrian, everything was printed in Zebrecan! She put the book down and reached for the next one, Mystic Magic of Marelin the Magnificent. But the text in this book was in Germane! She reached for the third book, Wisdom & Wit, but this one was in Griffon! Every one of the books Princess Cadence sent her had been changed to a foreign language. “Discord!” yelled Twilight. Instantly a bed appeared above her. The draconequus pulled off his sleep mask and leaned over the edge, a small pink-maned yellow pegasus plushy in his arm. Yawn! “Good morning Twilight.” “Don’t ‘Good Morning Twilight’ me. I know what you’ve done!” Discord reached for an alarm clock that floated nearby. “Isn’t it a bit early to accuse me of stuff I didn’t do?” “Discord!” “What’s going on?” came a voice from behind her. Twilight turned to see Spike in the doorway, rubbing his eyes. “Discord messed with my books,” replied Twilight. “I did no such thing,” countered Discord. “Yes you did!” pressed Twilight. “What happened?” asked Spike. “He changed all the text to a foreign language that I can’t read.” Twilight held up a book for Spike to read, but was surprised when he started laugh. “Spike, this isn’t funny!” “Bah-ha-ha-ha! Oh, Twilight! Bah-ha-ha! Prank Day!” “What?” responded a shocked Twilight. “After you went to bed, I swapped your books with foreign language ones I borrowed from Princess Celestia.” “You did what?” asked Twilight. “But these are the books Cadence sent me.” “Pffft!” Spike struggled to keep his composure. He took the book from the aura and removed the dust cover to show Twilight. “I swapped out the dust covers. See?” Twilight looked down to see that, indeed, the hardback cover was of a different book. “Twilight,” said Discord, “if you’re done accusing me of a crime I didn’t commit, I’m going back to sleep.” “Dis–!” But before she could finish, the draconequus had already flashed away. ~~~ Twilight sat finishing her pancakes. After spending some time reading the right books in the library, she went to the dining room to eat. Maybe Spike had planned a special breakfast, or maybe he felt bad for his prank, but he had outdone himself this time. They were even better than Pinkie Pie’s Every Berry Every Chip Surprise! “One more?” asked Spike. “No thank you. I’ve had plenty.” Spike collected the dishes and headed to the kitchen, leaving Twilight alone. She leaned back and closed her eyes, feeling much better with a full stomach. She felt happy, the pancakes’ associated sugar high taking care of her drowsiness. Maybe today won’t be so bad after all.... Knock! Knock! Twilight opened her eyes. Somepony at the door. She got off the chair and headed down the hall. After descending the staircase, she trotted across the vast entrance hall and opened the large front door. “Applejack!” she greeted. “Howdy Twilight!” replied the farmpony. “What brings you by today?” “Ah’m just here with yer twice weekly delivery of apples.” “Ooo. I think Spike finished off the last of the apples yesterday.” Applejack walked to her cart parked at the bottom of the front steps. Grabbing a heavy basket, she returned to Twilight. “Here ya go!” Twilight looked down at the basket of fruit. “Uh, Applejack? These are pineapples.” “It’s just a different type of apple.” “No, they’re pineapples.” “Pineapples.” “Pineapples.” “Pine-apples.” Twilight leaned in and glared at Applejack. She could detect no deceit, nor any smirk, smile, or curl of the mouth. “Discord!” she yelled. The draconequus appeared next to Applejack. “Yes Twilight?” “Discord, you’ve hipnotized Applejack! ow she thinks pineapples are a type of apple.” He transformed into a kaki shirt, green shorts, and a sash with a number of badges. ““I’ve done no such thing!” He raised three fingers, “Scout’s honor.” “Ha-ha-ha-ha,” Applejack laughed. “Boy, Ah sure did get you good Twilight!” “What?” replied Twilight. “Ah’m an apple farmer, how’d you think Ah’d ever confuse a pineapple for an apple!?” “Well, uh –” “By the way Twilight, I picked today’s paper for you,” said Discord. He handed her the latest copy of the Foal Free Press. Taking it with her magic, she glanced at the headlining story on the front page. It read: Princess Twilight to Abdicate. She started to read: Princess Twilight Sparkle is to abdicate her position as the Princess of Friendship, confirm sources within Canterlot Castle. The Princess has been facing a massive corruption probe - Twilight looked up at Discord. “What did you do?” “Again you accuse me!? You should go to the end of the article.” Twilight looked to the very end of the article. She read: The staff of the Foal Free Press would like to say to Princess Twilight Sparkle: Prank Day! Discord said in a dismissive tone, “Really Twilight. Since when does a school newspaper publish on Saturdays? Oh well, I’m going back to my pranking!” Discord cracked a devious smile before he flashed away. ~~~ Twilight trotted down the street, eager to meet Pinkie Pie and Rarity at Sugarcube Corner. Maybe having lunch with her friends would take her mind off the pranks she experienced that day? Coming down the street Twilight spied the conspicuous black and white stripped zebra Zecora. To think when she arrived in Ponyville the townsfolk had treated her with fear and suspicion. Even Twilight had succumbed to thinking Zecora was some type of witch, hexing and cursing her friends... Hairity... Rainbow Crash... Spitty Pie... Apple Teeny... Flutterguy. But it was all the doings of the poison joke that Zecora tried to warn them about. “Hello Zecora,” greeted Twilight. “How are you today Twilight?” asked Zecora. “I’m fine.” “You don’t sound fine.” “Well, it’s just that – say, what’s going on?” “What do you mean?” “Normally you rhyme all the time.” Twilight frowned. “Nothing to fear, I’ll get Discord here. Oh, no! Now I’m starting to rhyme!” She facehoofed. “Discord!” “Now what do you want Twilight?” “You changed Zecora! Now she doesn’t rhyme when she talks!” “Again with the accusations!” Discord sat in a chair, his hand on a Bible. Another Discord standing in a fancy suit turned to him and said, “Discord, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” The Discord sitting in the chair replied, “I do.” The standing Discord asked, “Did you put Zecora under a spell? Might I remind you that you are under oath.” The Discord in the chair replied, “No sir!” The standing Discord said, “Ladies and Gentlecolts of the jury, you heard his testimony.” A Discord rose from a crowd of twelve Discords and said, “The jury finds Discord not guilty.” “Discord!” yelled Twilight. Zecora chuckled, “Discord is free of crime, at least this time. On you I played a joke, please forgive me for the poke.” “Zecora, you’re all better! Wait!” Zecora chuckled some more. “Twilight let me be frank, my speech was a prank.” “See?” asked Discord before he flashed away. Zecora turned to Twilight. “Today you seem blue, tell me what troubles you.” Twilight rubbed her brow. “Today’s Prank Day, and I’ve been expecting Discord to prank me all day, but every prank has been done by my friends.” “You should find some cheer, this day comes once a year. Do not make a mistake, on this day you should partake.” “Thanks Zecora, but I’ve seen enough pranks today.” “I must be on my way, I wish you well today.” “Have a nice day Zecora,” said Twilight as the zebra continued down the street. Twilight walked down the street and rounded the corner to Sugarcube Corner. Maybe some lunch with my friends will take my mind off the day I’ve been having? She walked to the sweet shop and opened the door. Wonderful aromas of freshly bakes treats greeted her as she observed the main dining room filled with all sorts of ponies. “Twilight! Over here!” waved Pinkie Pie. Twilight made her way through the crowd to the table along the wall. She took a seat and greeted her companions. “Hello Pinkie Pie. Hello Rarity.” “Twilight, so nice to see you darling,” responded Rarity. “Yeah, Rarity and I have been waiting for you to come in.” “Oh, it’s so good to see you two,” said Twilight. “I was delayed by some pranks.” “Were any of these perpetrated by Discord?” queried a concerned Rarity. “No, surprisingly enough. Although I’m sure he’ll pull some sort of prank,” said Twilight, noticing that drinks for everypony had already been ordered. “Until then, I’ll just have to be on my guard.” She levitated the cup and took a sip. Instantly her mouth felt as though it were on fire. “Ah, ah, ah!” Frantically looking around, she saw a large pitcher of lemonade sitting on the counter across the room. She grabbed it with her magic and, as if propelled by a giant rubber band, the pitcher came hurtling towards her. Splosh! A lot of the lemonade made it into her mouth, quelling the raging fire, but much of it drenched her face and mane. Pinkie giggled while Rarity expressed a look of shock. “I’m going to get cleaned up!” declared Twilight. With that she hopped off her chair and made her way to the restroom, ignoring the stares she was getting from the other patrons. Twilight dried off the lemonade, but to her dismay discovered her mane and fur were now sticky, causing her to use wet paper towels to clean off. It was then she discovered that something had happened to her horn. It wasn’t straight and stiff, but floppy. “Discord!” she yelled in frustration. “Twilight how – Wow! You don’t look so good.” “Discord what are you doing here!?” “Why you called me here,” he said matter-of-factly. “But this is the Mares’ Room!” Discord looked around and realized where he was, then quickly flashed away. Twilight stood there, sticky and angry. She finished cleaning herself the best she could, but always her eyes were drawn to her limp horn. After fifteen minutes of cleaning, Twilight walked out of the Mares’ Room and made her way through the crowd to rejoin her friends. Her frustration and anger were evident to all. “Twilight dear, take a seat,” said Rarity calmly. Twilight sat down in her chair across from her friends. “We must apologize to you, for Pinkie and I did not coordinate our pranks.” “Your pranks! But it was Discord who spiked my tea and ruined my horn.” “Actually,” began Pinkie Pie, “I was the one who put hot sauce in your tea. I didn’t realize it would make your mouth that hot. I’m sorry.” “And Twilight,” continued Rarity, “Pinkie didn’t realize that I had slipped poison joke into your tea. That’s why your horn is limp.” “Why?” asked Twilight. “It was meant to be a harmless prank, and an excuse to take you to the spa. After hearing of your past few days, I thought it would help you relax.” “So Discord had nothing to do with it?” Rarity and Pinkie Pie exchanged glances, then Rarity said, “No darling. He pulled pranks on both of us, but this was not his prank.” “Ugh!” Twilight put her head down on the table. “Are you okay Twilight?” asked Pinkie Pie. “I hate this day,” moaned Twilight. “I’ll have none of this,” proclaimed Rarity. “We are going to have a good lunch, then I’m taking you to the spa. They already have a poison joke bubble bath prepared for you.” “Really?” “I wouldn’t pull a prank on you without being ready to make it right.” “And I’ll get you the most delicious, scrumptious-rumptious treats,” said Pinkie Pie. Twilight smiled. Even though they had pulled pranks on her, Pinkie Pie and Rarity were friends indeed. ~~~ Twilight and Rarity exited the Ponyville Day Spa. Rarity looked just as happy as when she normally finished at the spa. Twilight, on the other hoof, looked completely different. Her mane and coat had been cleaned, hooves trimmed and polished, wings preened, and horn back to its normal straight shape. She turned to Rarity, “That was a relaxing few hours.” “I’m so glad to hear it darling,” she replied. “After that massage, I don’t feel like I have a care in all of Equestria.” “That’s what I wanted to hear. Given the past few days, you seemed a bit... stressed.” “Well, Discord has been following me everywhere. And I know it’s just a matter of time before he pranks me.” “He has you on edge dear.” “I guess you’re –” Twilight stared up in the sky. “Diiiiiscord!” Suddenly the draconequus flashed in front of the two mares. “Yes,” he said with a devious inflection. “Would you care to explain that!” she pointed up to the sky. “My, my, Discord. You certainly make your pranks conspicuous.” The three stared up in the sky to see four clouds hanging over Ponyville, all a portrait of Twilight’s head. One featured an angry Twilight, one a surprised Twilight, one a Twilight on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and one of a Twilight sticking out her tongue and looking completely goofy. “I didn’t do it, I swear,” replied Discord wearing a white robe. Using his majestic white wings, he rose a few feet off the ground. Suddenly a halo appeared over his head to the sound of a heavenly choir. “Well, if you didn’t do it, then –” The gears started turning in Twilight’s head. “Twilight, who else is good with clouds and loves pranks?” asked Discord. “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight looked about and spied a low-lying cloud with a rainbow-colored tail dangling from the edge. The three approached the cloud. “Rainbow Dash!” Yawn! Rainbow Dash leaned over from the cloud. “Oh hi Twilight. What’s up?” Twilight angrily pointed to the sculpted clouds. “You’re only now seeing that? I did that hours ago.” “Twilight and I have been spending the afternoon at the spa,” explained Rarity. “Oh, well, Prank Day!” “Rainbow Dash!” exclaimed Twilight. “I must be off,” said Discord. “Still so many ponies to prank. Don’t you agree Twilight?” “Dis–!” But before she could finish, the draconequus had already flashed away. ~~~ Twilight sat in bed reading. After confronting Rainbow Dash, she returned to the castle and locked herself inside. Still, she was not about to let her guard down. She was going to stay up all night so as to not be surprised by Discord. Yawn! She looked over at the clock and saw it was 10:59 PM. Only one hour left! Or should she stay awake until Celestia rose the sun? Maybe Discord would say Prank Day only ended at sunrise? She turned back to her book, about the war between Prance and Germaney: ...In response to these defeats, the Prench forces fell back from the border. Several retreating columns converged on the town of Saddle. The army reformed to lift the siege of Merens. Yawn! Realizing the vulnerability of the Prench forces, the Germanes were quick to move their forces to trap the Prench in the valley. Von Moyle divided his forces to cut off all – Yawn! – avenues of retreat. These forces moved rapidly before the Prench could respond to their movements. Yawn! Realizing they were surrounded, the Prench abandoned their plans to raise the siege – Yawn! – and instead attempt a breakout. Yawn! Twilight laid the book upon her chest. She felt extremely tired. Having not had a good night’s sleep the night before, she was more tired than normal at this hour. Her eyes closed. Instantly she snapped back from her drowsiness. She took the book and continued reading: The Prench leadership decided to attack – Twilight lay fast asleep.