//------------------------------// // Setting The Rules // Story: 30 Days/ 30 Stories // by Fenton //------------------------------// Ponyville: such a quiet little town. You could ask anypony, and they would tell you that, aside from a monster ravaging the town or a bad guy trying to take over all Equestria about every year, Ponyville is a great town to live in. Except that this morning, a shout broke the usual peace, coming from the Castle of Friendship. “DISCOOOOORD!!!” The spirit of chaos popped inside the castle’s library.  “What can I do for you, oh my dear Twilight?” The alicorn glared at him. “Release me from this,” she said, pointing her hoof at her tail, clenched in a closed book. “Oh, I see you met Tomey,” replied Discord, scratching the bottom cover of the book with his eagle talon. “Isn’t he lovable?” Tomey purred and released Twilight’s tail, flying to the desk, a paper tongue hanging out from between the covers. “Hardly, he kept on trying to bite me.”” “Probably because you forgot to feed him with Chineighz ink.” By the look Twilight was giving Discord, he would had been a small pile of ashes if her eyes could set things on fire. “And how was I supposed to know that?” Discord raised an eyebrow. “By looking at the little note I tagged him with, maybe?” “There wasn’t any note when he came.” “Oh silly me,” he said with a grin. “I must have forgotten it at Fluttershy’s home. I apologise, Princess.” Discord bowed, and Twilight fumed. “Let’s pretend you’re sincere right now. Why in Equestria did you send this messy creature to me?” “Oh, Twilight, my dear, you’ve just earned your crown and you already think the world revolves around you,” he lectured. “I’m sure Princess Celestia would be glad to see you follow in her hoofsteps so carefully, but I can assure you that you don’t have to be exactly like her. No, I sent this adorable creature for your little friend right there.” He pointed at the owl on his perch, who hooted back. “You’re welcome. You see, Fluttershy told me the last time she talked to him, he was feeling a little bit… neglected. So I thought a little company would lift his mood, and Fluttershy approved.” “If it’s true, that’s actually very thoughtful of you, but allow me to doubt that.” “Whatever suits you, your Highness. You’re the one wearing the crown after all.” With a snap of his paw, Discord teleported said crown from Twilight’s head to his. “Wait. Where it is?” He looked up. “I’m a Princess now! Thank you, thank you everypony!” he chanted, along with the cheers of an invisible crowd. “Discord, give that back to me.” The draconequus frowned. “You’re really no fun today, Twilight.” With another snap, the crown returned to its place. “That’s probably because somepony sent a flying book monster to ruin the morning I carefully planned for myself,” she growled between her teeth. “Besides, I can hardly picture my friend agreeing with this madness.” “That’s because, unlike you, Fluttershy has accepted chaos. You should try it sometimes, it would do you some good.” “I see you enough, I don’t need any more chaos. That’s already too much!” Discord burst into laughter. “Ahaha, oh, you ponies and the little lies you tell yourselves are so entertaining.” He started hovering, putting his hands on his cheeks. “I could watch it all day.” Twilight zoned out for a second then shook her head. “Stop that!” Discord hovered closer, pinching her cheek. “Tell me, Twilight,” he whispered. “Do you still rearrange your bookshelves as often as you used to? Or have your little harmonizing sessions dropped in frequency lately?” “I…” “Very entertaining.” With one last snap, Discord disappeared in a flash, the last remnant of his laugh echoing throughout the library. “I’ve been busy lately,” she said to the void. “I have responsibilities now that I am a princess,” she yelled. With a groan, Twilight went to her desk, covered with disorganised piles of books. “Tssk, accepting chaos,” she whispered. “As if.”