Discord woke up from his dream with a smile on his face. He had been dreaming of Shining Armor and Cadance, and what might happen in the story….
He suddenly remembered - Fluttershy was going to finish the story today! Quickly, he got up and prepared to leave.
A few moments later, he stood outside of the door to Fluttershy’s small house. Fluttershy opened the door and let Discord in.
She immediately went to the bookshelf full of scrolls, and pulled a chair over. “This story is quite long, so we should get started as soon as possible.” She took the scroll as Discord eagerly waited. She tried to hold it in, but couldn’t help but giggle at how adorable Discord was when he was excited.
Fluttershy sat down and opened the scroll, looking over it for a second. “I believe… Yes, this is where we were. As he was doing this, a bright blue light shone from the lamp, and a loud voice proclaimed….”
As he was doing this, a bright blue light shone from the lamp, and a loud voice proclaimed
“I AM THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!”
The blue light then formed into a blue unicorn mare with a white mane and a pointed purple hat. “You have freed the great and powerful TRIXIE, and so I shall grant you 3 great and powerful wishes!”
Slightly confused, Shining Armor stuttered a bit. “A-Are you a genie?”
The apparently ‘great and powerful’ Trixie answered, looking upward. “I most certainly am! Now, what are your three wishes?”
Shining Armor was silent for a second, thinking. Then he suddenly looked doubtful, smirking.“Great and powerful? Hah! I bet you couldn’t even tell me where they took Princess Cadance!”
Trixie’s horn ignited, and a small sphere appeared between them, and it showed the princess Cadance on an elaborate bed. She was gazing out of the open window, looking somewhat depressed.
“Hah! Now you must admit that Trixie is indeed the most great and powerful! Also, you now only have two wishes left.”
Shining Armor smiled mischievously, only taking his eyes off of the sphere for a second. “Actually, I have three, because I technically didn’t wish for this one.”
Trixie opened her mouth, seeming about to refute his argument, but then suddenly realized he was right. “All right, but no more freebies!” Surprisingly, she didn’t remain mad for long.
“Okay,” Shining Armor relented and continued to watch Cadance. He sighed, continuing. “I would give anything to be with Cadance - but Celestia wants her to marry an alicorn prince.”
Trixie frowned. “I may be great and powerful, but I cannot do a small list of things. Unfortunately, this means I can’t make her fall in love with you.”
“That’s okay. I wouldn’t want it to be fake love anyway, y’know? I just wish there was a way I could be in her league.” Shining Armor walked over to the window and gazed sadly towards the palace. “It’s funny - the view of the palace always gave me hope, but now all it gives me is sadness.”
Trixie appeared behind him and had a thoughtful look on her face. “You know, I could make you an alicorn - temporarily, of course, but it would get her aunt to notice you as a suitor!”
“Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?” Shining Armor smiled widely, almost bursting with anticipation.
“Okay! Now, just let Trixie work her great and powerful magic!” She raised her forelegs and ignited her horn, enveloping Shining Armor in a cloud of white.
Shining Armor struggled to open his eyes. Why did he feel so heavy? If he could just sleep some more….
A voice grew louder as he swam back to consciousness. “Wake up, WAAAKE UP, KID!! GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE CLOUDS!” Shining Armor winced at the noise. Groaning, he was barely able to say “Be quiet, please….” The voice wouldn’t stop, though.
Now fully awake, Shining Armor finally struggled to get up. He was about to go to the window to and see what time it was, but he suddenly swayed to the side and almost fell.
Trixie (he just remembered) began to laugh. “Silly… HAHAHA…. you’re an…. HAHaHHAHAhA….alicorn now!” Still in hysterics, she fell to the floor.
He rushed to the small broken mirror in the corner of the room. He did, indeed, have wings in addition to his horn. They seemed quite massive though that was a little expected. However, they kept in heat really well - a little too well, in fact. No wonder most pegasi stayed in the sky where there was more wind.
While he was admiring his new wings, Trixie had finished laughing and gotten a piece of marked rope to measure him with. “What do you think? Vest, or maybe even just a saddle? Oh, so many choices!” Trixie had materialized a small book of fashions that she was currently looking over.
“Well, what do most princes wear? I’ve only seen one prince, but that was quite a while ago” Shining Armor flipped through the pages of the booklet with his magic.
Trixie took it back and flipped to a specific page with a magnificent vest on that came with an accompanying sunhat. “This seems quite nice, though the white doesn’t suit you that well, since you are white…. What the same thing, but in red?”
“Sure, I guess I trust you,” Shining Armor hesitantly let Trixie work as she began creating bright red fabric out of thin air. “I hope I don’t regret it….”
A few minutes later, he was standing in front of a larger mirror Trixie had materialized (She had said ‘that’s hardly anything to admire the great and powerful Trixie’s work in! I must make you something better!’). The vest was quite breathtaking in red, though the sunhat looked like a cherry on his head. They decided he would go without it.
Trixie nodded admiring her work. “Now, every prince needs a grand entrance! Meet me next to the town gates in 10 minutes!” Then, without explanation, Trixie disappeared.
“Well, I guess I can practice flying….” Shining Armor walked over to the window and nervously looked at the ground below.
Fluttershy began to close the scroll soon after the sun went down. “I suggest you get going before it gets too late…. We should stop here for tonight.”
“But…. this is much earlier than we’ve stopped before! Pleeease??” Discord looked at Fluttershy begging like a puppy.
She couldn’t. It was just too cute. How could DISCORD of all ponies (draqoneqqi?) be CUTE?? T’was a mystery. “Okay, fine, but only for tonight. It’s only because this story’s so long anyway.” Fluttershy huffed and sat down, secretly smiling behind the scroll.
Discord excitedly sat down, and snapped, putting Fluttershy in the chair and with the scroll open.
“Okay, you eager beaver, “ Fluttershy cringed at her own terrible pun, but continued anyway. She coughed and began. “ “Well, I guess I can practice flying….” Shining Armor walked over to the window and nervously looked at the ground below…”
“Well, I guess I can practice flying….” Shining Armor walked over to the window and nervously looked at the ground below.
Five minutes later, he was shakily flying…..
About two feet off of the ground.
There were many ponies who laughed at him for not being able to fly well.
“Hey Mr. royal! Too busy to take flying lessons? HahaHAHAHAh!”
Shining Armor cringed, but kept his chin up until he saw Trixie not far from the town square. “Psst! Over here! Get up on this quick! We don’t have too much time!” Trixie was pacing and suddenly teleported him to a small chair that seemed quite…. high up.
“Hey! Trixie… Are you sure about thiiiiis??” All of a sudden, there was a blare of trumpets and an entire PARADE began to go through the town. As startled as he was, he tried to keep up.
They reached the palace and Celestia greeted them at the door, inviting them to tea. Of course he gratefully accepted, and walked in confidently for once.
As he talked with Celestia (who knew her secret passion was baking?), Cadance walked in. She seemed wary of him, and he realized she didn’t recognize him. Slightly saddened, yet still determined, he greeted her. “Hello, you must be Cadance!”
Trying to come up with a compliment, Shining Armor went on. “You’re much more beautiful in person than the people from where I’m from give you credit for.” He smiled, hoping she appreciated the compliment.
Cadance frowned, and faced Celestia. “Tell this dolt that I am not a prize to be won. I’m leaving now. “ She turned around and went back into the hallway.
“Wait!-” Shining Armor fruitlessly called her. Celestia sighed.
“You must excuse my daughter. She is so… stubborn at times. I will try to talk to her.”
Shining Armor stopped her before she could get up. “No, itś okay. Let me talk to her…. Maybe I can convince her I’m not so bad.” He got up and walked out to the gardens where her window was.
Shining Armor gathered his courage and slowly left the ground. As he rose, he thought of what he was going to say. Compliments were obviously too strong. Maybe he could offer to just talk for a bit?
Cadance was looking over the city and missing Shining Armor. He was so genuine, and didn’t like her just for her looks or title. She sighed. Unfortunately, she would probably never see him again.
Her thoughts were interrupted by flapping wings. She rolled her eyes - it was probably that idiot prince coming to cheesily serenade her. She walked out to the balcony and saw him almost at the edge of the balcony.
“I thought I told you to go away.” Cadance jeered at him.
He looked sheepish, and spoke. “You’re right. I was only coming to ask if you wanted to talk a bit. Maybe in the garden?”
Cadance considered his offer for a second. He seemed genuine enough, and talking couldn’t hurt. “Okay, but why don’t we go flying? I’ve always loved flying at sunset.”
A little surprised, he stuttered a bit. “O-Okay, that sounds great!” He smiled and slowly flew off as Cadance followed him.
After a bit she decided to make the first move. This guy was practically shaking in midair. “Why do you fly so slowly? Have you been too busy to take proper flying lessons?”
“Oh, uh…. Something like that. I guess you could say I’m pretty new to all this.” He looked over at her. “But what about you? Why do you enjoy flying at sunset?”
She thought for a second. “I guess I love seeing the colors of the sun on the clouds. It gives me hope that my mother can change, like the sun can at sunset.” She sighed. “I’m always held up to so many expectations, and sometimes I don’t want to have to do some of the things she wants me to, like marry for position.”
He paused for a second and responded. “I guess I could understand that. Marrying someone who you don’t love seems somewhat encaging.”
Cadance smiled. Maybe this guy wasn’t that bad after all. “Wow. The city is so beautiful from up here. Normally I only fly over the country, which is quite barren as you can imagine.” The sun was just setting, and the effect it had on the city was amazing. It was like her aunt was gently lulling the people to sleep. It was strangely… comforting.
“I normally don’t fly much at all, so…. Yeah, it’s a sight.” They flew a little longer, and as the sun was almost gone he seemed nervous. “We should really be going back…. I don’t want to get lost in the dark.”
She supposed he was right. “You’re probably right. Let’s go.” They turned around and began to head back, following the grand lights of the palace.
Meanwhile in the palace, Princess Luna (or nightmare moon, as she called herself) had been plotting for a long time. She wanted the crown so desperately - but she was in the way. Cadance was in the way of the heirdom, and that was unacceptable. Getting rid of her was essential.
“Yes Tantabus, we must do it tonight. I saw them go off together. If they marry, all hope is lost for us.” She stood over a small pot with her horn ignited, putting ingredients into it. “Of course I’ll tell you, you don’t have to keep yammering on like a fool! It is a poison, of course. Once I slip it into her food, she won’t be a problem anymore. What? Of course I’ll frame a guard! I’m not an imbecile!” The brew began to bubble, and she smiled menacingly.
As they landed in the gardens, Cadance continued to talk with the young prince. He seemed relatively decent, though they would need to spend some more time together if she was going to marry him.
Time passed, and he had to leave. “I never got your name… What is it? “
“Oh, it’s…. Um…. Prince Blueblood! Goodnight, Cadance! Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Blueblood. And perhaps.” She smiled, actually looking forward to seeing a prince again for once. Her aunt would be happy. She opened the door to go get a small snack from the kitchen - flying always made her hungry - and was surprised to see her other aunt, Princess Luna. “Oh! Luna, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, sorry Cadance, but I just thought you might like a snack. I know you raid the kitchen every night after going flying.” Luna winked and smiled, and handed Cadance an apple.
“Oh, well thank you, Luna!” She smiled and took the apple with her magic. Not wanting to eat it just yet, she set it on the table next to her bed.
Shining Armor sighed as he laid back on his little bed. “Tonight was wonderful. Thank you, Trixie.”
Trixie stood off to the side, next to her lamp. “Your request is my command. It was no problem, really. Hey, do you want to know what Cadance is doing right now?”
“That sounds great. I wonder If she’s thinking about me at all.” He smiled, thinking of being with Cadance again tomorrow.
The sphere appeared again. “Okay, I said no freebies, but I offered this one to you.” Trixie gazed at it intently, and Shining Armor walked over. Cadance was on her elaborate bed, looking out the window with a smile on her face. An apple was on the table next to the bed. Trixie continued to stare, and the bubble suddenly zoomed in on the apple.
“Hey!” Shining Armor looked at Trixie, who was still inspecting the sphere. She gasped suddenly. Worriedly, he asked “What’s wrong?”.
“That apple - it’s poisoned!” Trixie backed away, horrified.
Shining Armor immediately teleported back to the gardens to try and stop her from eating the apple. There must be some way to convince her to not eat it… he would have to.
Trixie followed him and hid in a dark bush while Shining Armor flew up to Cadance’s balcony. “Cadance! I need to talk to you!” Shining Armor called to her, hoping she would come out.
Cadance heard Blueblood at her balcony (again), and went to see what it was. “Why are you here?” Cadance suspiciously looked at him. He looked…. Worried?
“Uh…. hi, Cadance…. Hey, by any chance do you have an apple?” He awkwardly waited for an answer.
“Um…. I actually do…. Hey, let’s split it! That way we can both have a snack.” She laughed a little, and went back into her room. She grabbed the apple Luna had given her with her magic and walked back to the balcony, which Blueblood was now standing on. She noticed that he seemed worried yet again. “You seem worried…. Why?”
He nervously replied. “Uh…. no reason…. Maybe I’m just hungry? I don’t know. Hey, can I see that apple?” He tried to take the apple from her, but she took it back.
“Hold on, let me break it in half first.” She used her magic to cut it in half, and he took one of them. He seemed about to say something as she took a bite, but then stopped. She wondered why, but then became more worried as she became really dizzy…. And she felt herself falling.
“NOOOOOOOOO!” Shining Armor held the unconscious Cadance in his hooves. “Trixie! Can you help?”
Trixie appeared next to them, and looked Cadance over. “She’s not dead yet, so quickly, wish she never ate that apple!”
“I wish she had never eaten that apple!” Shining Armor said through tears of both sorrow and joy.
Cadance opened her eyes. What had happened? She didn’t remember much, but…. Blueblood! She could ask him.
“What….happened?” She asked, rubbing her eyes.
“Oh…. uh, you ate a poisoned apple. But you’re fine now, Don’t worry.” He smiled and set her down so she could get up.
“But how?” She stared at him, until she noticed a small blue mare behind him. ¨ Aaah! Who are you?”
He gestured to her. “This is Trixie. She’s might be a genie.” He blushed and took his vest off. “She’s also why you didn’t recognize me.”
Cadance’s jaw dropped. “SHINING ARMOR????”
“I probably should have told you sooner, but I wanted to make sure Celestia approved of me.” Shining Armor nodded at Trixie, and she nodded back.
In the middle of all this, Cadance’s room door burst open. Princess Luna stood there with a crazed smile on her face. “Oh don’t worry. I heard everything.”
A few hours later, Cadance and Shining Armor were in adjacent cells in the dungeon of the palace.
Luna paced in front of them and stopped in front of shining Armor. The lamp was in her magic, and she was dangling it in front of him. “Worried about this? Don’t, I already have it!” She laughed maniacally.
Trixie looked over sadly. “Sorry, Shining Armor. She’s my master now.” She followed Luna as she paced.
“I want to be powerful. Genie, Make me Queen!” Luna glared at Trixie.
“It is done” She said. Magnificent robes flew on to her, and given a crown.
Luna cackled. Cadance looked horrified, and angrily yelled. “You’ll never get away with this! The people will overthrow you!”
“Oh really? Genie, I wish to be the most powerful sorcerer there ever was!”
“It is done.” Trixie said, and different robes were placed on Luna. She tested out her new powers, and turned herself into a dragon.
“Hah! Now no one can stop me! I AM INVINCIBLE!” Luna laughed maniacally and breathed fire in her dragon form.
Shining Armor felt helpless. There was no way she could be stopped. There was no way her power could be contained…. contained.... Yes…
Suddenly, he had an idea. “Oh yeah? What about Trixie? Surely she is more powerful than you!”
Luna pondered this for a moment, and Trixie looked terrified “Perhaps you are right…. Then genie, I wish to be an all-powerful genie as well!”
Trixie sighed deeply. “It is done.” Luna was stripped of most her robes, and unbeknownst to her, a small blue lamp was formed next to her.
Luna reveled in her power, until the lamp drew her(and the Tantabus) in as Shining Armor stood smirking.
Trixie quickly found the keys and released Cadance and Shining Armor. “Where do you think we should put them?” She looked at the lamp she picked up with her magic, muffled yelling coming from inside.
Cadance spoke first. “The moon would be quite befitting, don’t you think?”
Trixie laughed and the lamp vanished. “I suppose you’ll want to be a prince again.”She looked at Shining Armor sadly.
Shining Armor pondered Trixie for a moment. “Is something wrong?”
She looked at him sincerely and said “A master can wish for a genie to be free, if they want to. But, I feel that that’s too much to ask of you.”
Shining Armor persisted. “No! You should be free. I can do fine without being a prince - I’m sure we can convince Celestia to change her mind.”
Trixie excitedly cast the spell. The lamp disintegrated, and she was levitated for a brief moment. Of course she ran off, excited to go be a part of everyday life.
Celestia quickly realized that there was really no point in marrying for status anyway. She then let Cadance marry Shining Armor roughly a year later (and they lived happily ever after).
“... The end.” Fluttershy yawned and put the book back on the shelf.
Discord could barely keep his eyes open, it was so late. He just had to know what happened to Cadance and Shining Armor, though! Satisfied, he said goodnight to Fluttershy. Perhaps he would dream of Cadance and Shining Armor again, like he did last night.
As Fluttershy sleepily walked up the stairs to bed, she couldn’t get Discord out of her mind. She still couldn’t believe she let him talk her into finishing that whole story….