The four alicorns proceeded single file in to the cool dark cave mouth. Celestia and Luna both weighed the length of time since they last came. Both felt a pang of guilt. The dust that clinged to the surfaces highlighted how long since anyone had ventured inside. They passed through a narrow passage treasures, books items of every description and type scattered haphazardly around.
Their procession came to a halt as the cave opened up in to a large cavern a pool of crystal clear water reflecting a roof lit by a swirling mass of chaotic colours. Lay upon a smooth island in the center the long lithe body of a Draconaquise. He raised to his full height in the blink of an eye as he noted their entrance.
"Ahh Princesses it has been a while how are you all keeping. If I had known you were coming I would have tidied up the place"
He waved his paw a duster appearing in it before dismissed in to the æther.
"We are well Discord thank you and there is no need for any formalities on our behalf old friend. As always our duties keep us busy. I.. We all should have visited sooner"
Celestia spoke up stepping forward of the group.
"Oh Pish posh I know how busy you've all been keeping your precious order. So what may I do for you all some peril you and the latest elemental prodigy can't handle. Am i finally needed again ohh do say I am"
He quipped the half smile upon his muzzle seeming forced. From the looks upon each of their faces he knew it was something more painful from him they wanted. Twilight and Cadence stepped forwards next standing shoulder to shoulder with Celestia.
"Discord I .. I mean we were all wondering if you would grant us. I know that you haven't done this since she" Twilight began.
"I know what you're all here for its nothing I have not done for Celestia and Luna many times before and now you wish too as well"
He cut her short and with a grand sweeping gesture of a mismatched arm through the air, the cave started to melt away. The chaotic swirling colours replaced with bright sunshine over an open green field looking down upon old Ponyville.
It was picture perfect the smell of fresh flowers came though on a cool breeze. The four of them looked around in awe as they started to walk towards the town. Down by the roadside just at the town boundaries they stood. Rainbow Dash circling overhead Rarity pinkie Pie and Applejack. To the side Shining Armour stood waving calling out Twili Cadence. The pets each running around between them.
The two Alicorns raced at breakneck speed down to meet them greeting each in turn before barreling Shinning over between them in a hug. Celestial and Luna walked quietly down after them the group bubbling with chatter as Discord still stood in the field looked on at them all.
"Are you joining us ?
A faint voice whispered to him as it did a pain ran through him like a lance.
"I will join you shortly my dear"
A yellow Pegasus fluttered past him and made her way down to the group. The image faded away as Discord sat back the dull cave walls re-emerged and four alicorns sat gazing off in to the distance a smile on each of their faces. He suddenly felt angry why did they not feel the pain he felt how could they torture themselves no torture him like that. Was this the only reason they kept favour with him for all these years.
For a moment the idea of ripping them from the created reality flashed through his mind but that was the old Discord he took a breath composed himself sank back to his pool. He had grown to accept them as his friends a lesson taught to him he held dear now. The memories flooded back and the pain lurched inside of him again.
Time passed one by one each one awoke from their trance having said their goodbyes. As the rest thanked Discord and left talking fondly of past deeds Celestia remained.
" You did not join us again, you could visit any time the same as we did"
"You know as well as I it isn't real even though it is more convincing than anything Luna can create but still It hurts even now after all this time"
He turned to Celestia his mischievous spark she'd always seen now dimmed in his eyes.
"Celestia how do you cope how did Twilight and Cadence cope I couldn't even look at her" He gazed back into the pool seeming lost in solomn thought.
"I told them the same thing as I will tell you now old friend the pain of remembering is far greater out weighed by the pain of forgetting them"
She bowed to him.
"Thank you for your service Discord it is and always will be valued and dear to us"
She turned away to catch up to the rest.
"Ah well thank you girls come again please help yourself to a mint from the cupboard on the left, or is that where I stored the exploding cherry cake" He called out after them he forced his humour, but as soon as they exited the cave trotting down the path to the now sprawling metropolis of ponyville his bravado left him. He was once again left gazing down in to the pool. The words Celestia spoke burned inside him churning like the colours above his solitary island. He gave a long sigh sinking down letting his thoughts calm.
As he looked to the still water, the smiling yellow face of a Pegasus came in to focus. A tear rolled down his cheek.
"Oh don't be sad you know how that makes your ears droop so"
A hoof gently stroked the back of his neck like it had done so many years ago.
He smiled pressing his head to her side as her melodic softly hummed tune echoed through the cave.