The morning sun rose over Canterlot, and Princess Luna turned from her nightly vigil to meet her dear sister for breakfast. This had been a particularly long night. One pony in particular had been suffering from frequent nightmares, and she was growing concerned, if not a little tired. She found her way to the dining room, where the happiest pancakes in the world awaited her alongside a steaming cup of black coffee, freshly brewed to help her through the day.
“Good morning, sister.” Celestia greeted from across the table. “How was the dream realm?”
Luna brought her muzzle to her beverage, smelling it with anticipation. “Some ponies have the most… interesting dreams… I must say, sister, your protege married the most neurotic stallion in all the land.”
Celestia swallowed a mouthful, looking quizzically at her darker sibling. “What’s been going on with Boltsinger?”
Luna sighed, poking her meal with her fork. “He has been having nightmares each night for the past month. Each of them different, yet centered around the same thing.” She snarfed down a bite of her breakfast. “I thought that his tendency towards dreams of that ilk would have diminished after the evil presence in his mind had been removed, but that seems to not be the case.”
“Oh, dear…” Celestia replied. “Have you stepped in to help him?”
“If I came into his dreams every night, he might come to rely on me.” Luna stated. “However, I am growing more worried with each dream. Perhaps he could use some help from a friend…”
Boltsinger’s voice echoed through the castle halls as Twilight made her way back to the bedroom, whipped cream in a tortilla floating in front of her. She opened the door, where the stallion tossed and turned, throwing the bedspread all over. Her jaw and breakfast dropped simultaneously as she ran to his side. His eyes were still closed, so she was certain no danger was present, but the simple fact that he was having nightmares caused her a level of worry.
“Boltsinger!” She called out, reaching forward and shaking him with her hoof. “Wake up!”
Boltsinger’s eyes snapped open, a panicked look on his face as he shot out of bed and fell into the food his wife had dropped. “DIAPER DUTY CALLS!!!” He yelled, sitting up with a face covered in whipped cream. He shook his head, bewilderment in his eyes. “Why am I on the floor and covered with whipped cream?
Twilight cantered up next to him, sitting in front of him. “You were having a nightmare and I woke you up.” She wiped the whipped cream off of his face, flicking it aside. “And… I may have dropped my breakfast. You okay?”
Boltsinger let out a fake smile and a weak chortle, rising to his hooves. “I’m fine. I’ve just been having trouble sleeping.” He explained, offering a hoof to the seated Alicorn.
Twilight accepted the offer, looking at him with concern. “Has Princess Luna stepped in at all?” The Pegasus shook his head, starting towards the hallway. “Well, if she’s not interfering, then it can’t be that bad. What happened in your dream? You were screaming something about diapers when you woke up.”
“Let’s just say it’s a smell I’ll never forget…” he told her. “Anyway, it looks like I owe you breakfast. What do you want?”
“The same thing that smushed into your face.” Twilight replied with a giggle. “In between tortillas.”
“So, like a quesadilla?” he suggested.
Twilight’s eyes went wide. “No! Not one of those! Please! Anything but one of those!”
“What’s wrong with quesadillas?” he asked, thinking about the cheesy goodness. “Are you scared of them or something?”
“I’m not scared!” She blurted out with a blush. “They’re just so… cheesy…”
“Well, now you’ve got me wanting one.” He teased, moving to a trot. “But first, your breakfast!”
After another research session finished up, the Cutie Mark Crusaders headed to their respective homes while the castle’s residents went to go about their typical business. Twilight returned to the library to continue her research while Spike pulled out the latest Power Ponies issue. Soarin flew off to Rainbow Dash's house for another leisurely fly with her, and Boltsinger…
Vanished in a white flash.
“Hello, friend!” a familiar male voice enthusiastically greeted. The stallion looked around, finding himself in a house that defied all reason. There were stairs leading nowhere, a volcano on the ceiling, and the various things one would normally find on the floor were scattered about everywhere in all possible directions. He looked back, seeing the serpentine frame of the only Draconequus he knew. “Welcome to my humble abode!”
Boltsinger flapped his wings, flying up to meet the creature in his goat-like face. “Oh, hey Discord. I thought this place felt chaotic.” He stopped flapping, remaining airborne nonetheless. “So, why the surprise ‘visit’?”
Discord let out a fiendish grin. “So, I was gallivanting around Canterlot a couple days ago when who should I spy on the balcony but Princess Luna! I like to call her ‘Lulu', though. It’s much more fun that way! And she says to me, she says…“ He altered his features to resemble the color of the night Princess’ coat, with his mane replaced by her starry one. “‘Oh, Discord, you handsome devil, you! Come here to me that I might give you a job!’ and I did, and she says ‘You should help your disturbed friend, Bolt, because he’s having bad dreams and it’s too much for poor little me to handle! I’m trusting you with this, you big, strong, hunk of a creature, you!’" He fluttered his eyelashes, bringing his hands together next to his still Luna-fied head in a swooning fashion, finally snapping his claws and returning to what he would call ‘normal’. Another white flash came about, the stallion now laying on a couch with Discord sitting in an elaborately comfortable chair in a suit, tie, and glasses with a bushy beard replacing his typical goat beard. “Now, vat kind of dream haff you been haffink zat you haff been so schcaret to admit to?” he spoke in the strangest accent Boltsinger had ever heard.
Boltsinger sat up, looking puzzlingly at his host. “Really? You’re just gonna ask me what’s wrong?” he asked, his forehooves on his knees. “None of that cryptic riddle-filled and deceptive roundabout ways of both showing support and being a chaotic nuisance all at once that I’ve come to know?”
Discord’s clothes flew off as he brought his eagle talon up to his beard, stroking it intellectually as it, too, returned to its usual state. “I admit, that would be a lot more fun, but I’m trying to be kinder and more directly supportive. For Fluttershy.”
“I think Fluttershy might find this directness weird, too.” The Pegasus added. “It would be strange if you weren’t strange. I love that you’re still giving it all your patented ‘Discord' flair, but seeing you as a psychiatrist is just… I dunno.”
“Are you saying you don’t want my help?” the Draconequus aggressively inquired, bringing his head forward.
“Now, that’s not what I’m saying, here.” He corrected, holding his forelegs up in front of him. “I appreciate your willingness to help. And I can’t exactly say that Princess Luna is wrong. She’s a dreamwalker, after all. I’m just… a little confused. I know we’re friends, and all, but I didn’t think you’d take this task she gave you with such… enthusiasm. Since when do you show that much concern for me?”
“Tell you what, Princey-pie, you tell me your spiel and I’ll tell you mine.” he offered, holding out his lion paw.
Boltsinger reached out his wing, grasping the paw with it. “Okay, fine.” He stood up, heading over to the stairs and sitting on them. “Did Luna tell you how long I’ve been having these bad dreams?”
“Can’t say she did.” he stated, floating next to him. “She told me you needed a friend, and you aren’t telling your dearly beloved about it. She thought you might tell someone a little farther from home, so she asked moi to be of assistance! How long has this been going on, anyway?”
“Ever since Twilight told me she was pregnant.” He said. “Every night some new thing about fatherhood or something surrounding all that tends to plague my mind, and then my dreams.” He began drumming on the stairs with his hooves, swishing his tail forward to send a bottle flying from within the hair that he quickly snatched up with his wing. “I've started going to Zecora’s place on a regular basis for something to help me fall asleep.”
Discord scratched his beard with his talon, making the bottle appear in the air in front of him. “Hmm… So why not tell your wifey-poo about all of this? Isn’t she the Princess of Friendship? Don’t you think she, of all ponies, would understand your plight? Surely it must be easier to talk to her than something like me about it!”
“Because she has more than enough to worry about without adding my little insecurities to the mix.” He elaborated, flying forward and looking around the room. “I’m glad that Rainbow is talking to us again, but I know she’s still got her… issues… to work through. Plus there’s the ‘subtle nuances’ of pregnancy! And she has her own duties on top of all that… Plus, now she seems to get roped into the thing my wings do sometimes! She has a lot on her plate. I’m just afraid of stuff. It’s not like I can’t work past this, right?”
Discord removed his own eyes, throwing them behind him and rolling them across the room. He blinked, his eyes appearing back in their sockets. He coiled around the pony in the room, bringing his head above him. “Like you were able to work past your fear of your precious wifey feeling hatred and having it turn her into a monster all on your own?”
Boltsinger dropped to the floor, landing with a distinct thud. “That’s a good point... “ He looked up at the coiled-up creature. “So what do you suggest I do, then?”
“Oh, I don’t have any suggestions!” Discord admitted, appearing beside his guest. “It’s too much fun seeing how it’ll all play out!”
Boltsinger’s eyes did a roll of their own. “I figured as much…” He got up, walking around the room. “So, now it’s your turn. Why are you so invested in this little task Luna gave you?”
Discord’s head recoiled. “Hm. I thought you’d have forgotten about that part by now.” He joined the stallion on his romp through the room, snapping his claws to appear in the tuxedo he wore at the wedding. “You included me in something that was important to you.” He told him with a heavy sigh. “Even though I was nothing but trouble to you when we first met. Even with all the times I’ve tried to remove you from the equation with Fluttershy, and all the arrogance I’ve shown you in our every little meeting or get-together… You wanted me to share that special thing with everyone you considered a friend! Nopony has ever asked me to be a part of something that big before. I wanted to repay that kindness.” He brought a paw to his chin, stroking his beard. “I suppose that’s a little bit of everypony rubbing off on me, isn’t it?”
Boltsinger smiled, flying up beside his crazy companion’s head. “I think that’s only because nopony ever had the chance to involve you in something like that before.” His hoof came upon the Draconequus’ mane. “You’re my friend. Why wouldn’t I want you involved?” He chuckled to himself as he took a seat on the couch. “Besides, who else was I gonna ask to throw the bachelor party? Spike doesn’t really know what it is, and you’re one of the best party animals I know!”
Discord smirked, his tuxedo disappearing as he puffed out his chest, buffing his talon with the fur on his neck. “Yes, I have to admit, you made the perfect choice, there. It was quite the little celebration!”
“Exactly.” the orange pony affirmed, landing on the floor below, taking a deep breath. “Well, even if you don’t have any suggestions or solutions, this did help a little. But… I think Twilight might be a little worried that I suddenly disappeared. Care to take me home?”
“Oh, yes, of course.” the chaotic one agreed, holding up his lion paw.
“Thanks, Discord. You’re a good friend.” the stallion said as the fingers snapped.
Discord hung in the air for a moment as the pony vanished, his eyes wide. “I’m… a good friend?”
In a flash, Boltsinger appeared once more in the castle foyer, a smile more genuine than he had shown in a while showing up on his face. “I HAVE RETURNED!” he bellowed in his usual way. Before the echo could even begin, Twilight appeared in a poof of light, her face contorted with worry.
“What happened?!” she asked. “I looked all over for you and there was no sign! It was like you vanished somehow!”
“Calm down… I’m okay. Everything is fine.” he assured her, putting his wing on her cheek. “Discord decided that he wanted to hang out with me for a little while, so he poofed me over to his place.”
Twilight scowled at the mention of Discord. “Why couldn’t he have told us?!” she asked in a huff. She turned around, beginning her walk back to the library.
“Since when does he ever tell us when he plans to do something?” he added, trotting up beside her. “He didn’t mean any harm by it, and it was an enjoyable visit. Even if I had to cut it short.” Twilight gave him a wondering glance, the idea in her head showing as plain as a spark of magic. “He did take me away in a literal flash. And I knew that would freak you out.” He looked forward, tilting his head slightly towards her. “Aaaaand, to be fair, that’s exactly what happened. But, I will ask him to give some heads up next time he plans to do something like that.”
“Good…” she replied, calming herself. “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired. I’m going to bed.” She gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. “Good night.” With that, she lit her horn, disappearing once more.
Boltsinger looked ahead, the thought of sleep egging at him as it had before. “Gotta do this at some point…” He took a deep breath and began his walk to the bedroom, flipping the bottle from his tail and taking a sip from it, stuffing it back into his tail.
Boltsinger stood in what looked like a nursery in the castle, looking around with a grin on his muzzle. Now, where is that little foal? He wondered, peeking under furniture to see if he could spot little ponies.After a few minutes of searching, a tiny streak flew past him through the door. He spun around, looking into the hallway as another streak flew by, followed by another, then another. With each new flying streak, his face grew more panicked. Since when are there this many of them?! The streaks increased in speed and number, forming a veritable vortex of petit pastel Pegasus ponies that sped by so fast as to be unrecognizable. He brought himself low, looking worriedly at what had become his surroundings. “I can’t keep up with all this… Not on my own! Where’s Twilight?” he called out, rising up. “Where is Twilight?!”
At the sound of the question, the vortex froze in place, everything still looking like streaks around him as a blue light emerged from the middle of it. Out of the light came an Alicorn that Boltsinger was all-too-familiar with. “Well met, fair Boltsinger.” The Night Princess greeted, looking around the dreamscape. “I know I am not the Princess you were hoping for, but I pray I am an adequate substitute for the moment.”
Boltsinger smiled at the friendly face before him. “What do you mean ‘substitute’? A friend is a friend. There’s no such thing as a ‘substitute’ for that.” He stepped up to the Alicorn, giving her a weak smile. “And, besides, I think in this situation, you’re probably the better choice... “
Luna smiled, walking past the stallion. “I am pleased to hear it. Although it troubles me that you have not gotten a hold of these dreams of yours. Did your visit with Discord not go well?”
Boltsinger sat down, looking back at the dark mare while scratching his mane. “It went fine, and he was able to help. But direct solutions aren’t Discord’s thing. It’d feel weird if he were to be anything but his unabashed self.”
Luna nodded, taking a seat of her own. “This is true.” She poked at one of the many streaks surrounding them, sending a ripple effect through the reality around them. “This dream seems less intense than others you have been having. Perhaps, having an outlet has assisted in your road back to normalcy?”
The Pegasus shrugged, unsure of the truth of her suggestion. “Probably. If it can help me deal with all this without having to bother Twilight with it, I guess I’ll talk to Discord more often.”
Luna stewed for a moment, her eyes brightening as she raised a hoof. “Actually, I have a better idea.” She stood to her full height, her royal wings spread wide. “Until further notice, you, Boltsinger, shall send letters to Princess Celestia and myself, so as to inform us of your personal progress, vent your fears and frustrations, and inform us of what you have learned. This is a practice that Twilight Sparkle made use of before she became the Princess she is now, and it has continued to serve several others to this day.” She returned her wings to their resting position. “Does this sound like an acceptable idea?”
Boltsinger’s head and wings were blown back, his eyes wide. Unbeknownst to the Princess, she had made her decree with the volume of her Royal Canterlot Voice, which packed more power than even the loudest Pegasus in Equestria had expected. He nodded nervously, his pupils the size of a pinprick. “Yeah, sounds good.” he brought a wing to his ear, trying to loosen it up. “So that’s what it’s like on the receiving end…”
Luna looked confusedly at him, falling into a laugh as she sat back down. “My apologies. I sometimes get carried away with my declarations.”