//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Empty Words // Story: Dancing With The Shadows // by Vocal Sweets //------------------------------// “Discord! Discord? Are you here?” Twilight calls out.  No answer.  “Maybe he went to go pick up Harmony from Pinkie’s house.” Twilight thought to herself.  Twilight begins to fill out paperwork that she has been meaning to fill out for the past few days now. She had the castle to herself for today as Harmonia was hanging with her friends at Sugar Cube Corner, Tempest was at the Crystal Empire training the new guards, Starlight was visiting Sunburst for the evening, as for Discord, he was nowhere in the house.  She hums to herself as she is filling out paperwork. The alicorn comes across a letter from Harmonia’s school. Twilight picks the letter up in her aura. She sighs out loud. “Please tell me Harmonia isn’t in trouble again.” She said aloud to nopony in particular.  She tears open the letter and scans it. Until she comes across the familiar beautiful and proper  signature: Princess Celestia.  “I forgot I had to talk to Princess Celestia today about Harmony!” She exclaims.  She looks at her clock, it reads 12:53 p.m. “Maybe I can catch her in time. Hopefully she isn’t too busy.” Twilight mutters to herself.  *** Twilight walks along the path of Ponyville, enjoying the semi-cloudy day that the weather pegasus ponies brought in today. As she walks along the path, she ignores the ponies who point and stare at her as she passes by. Twilight slows her pace a tad. A random citizen walks up to her. as he puts a sympathetic hoof on the Princess’s chest.   “I am so sorry about you and your daughters' loss.” The stallion said, his voice full of sympathy and sorrow.  “Loss? But nopony in my family passed. As far as I know.” Twilight said, her tone confused.  The mare just gave her a sympathetic look, but they quickly left. Twilight had her eyebrows knitted in confusion, but she decided to continue on with her task.  “You know what… maybe it’s better if I fly to go and meet with Celestia.” Twilight silently mutters to herself.  *** Celestia sits in her throne room filling out the paperwork that she has been meaning to fill out for about three weeks now.  “Gosh Luna! I didn't realize how behind we are on paperwork for this month.” Celestia said, in her golden aura she held eighteen to twenty pages of unsigned laws that needed to have their signature.  “Indeed! But you do realize that I have already filled out my portion, correct? Also might I mention that you sent your former secretary on vacation.” Luna asks, raising an eyebrow at her.  Celestia gave her sister an all knowing look.  “Oh no! I know that look! I'm not about to forge your signature on the documents.” Luna said.  “Come on, please….” Celestia pleads.  “No.” Luna said, her voice heald a firm tone.  “We can split the documents. 50/50.” Celestia briefs.  “Sister, I'm still not doing it.” Luna said.  “Do you need some assistance?” Said a familiar voice.  “Actually yes, Luna that would be lovely right about now.” Celestia said, looking at her documents.   “I didn't say anything.” Mutters Luna.  Celestia lowered her papers. “Oh! Hello Twilight. How may I help you?” Celestia beams and gives her a small smile.  Twilight enters the castle of Canterlot excited to tell Celestia the good news.  “Hello, Princess. I have actually come to you with some great news about Harmonia today, something that I think will even surprise you!” Twilight smiles.  “Harmonia has finally learned something that nopony thought she was even capable of trying to understand. She-” Twilight said, but was arruptivally cut off by a flash of bright light.  “What the- Discord!” Twilight scolds. “Wait…. What are you even doing here?” Twilight asks, confused.  Discord looks back at Twilight with a cocky, but sly expression played onto his lips. “Oh goody, you’re here. I thought I’d have to teleport you here myself.” He said, his tone remained casual.  Luna's eyes widen at the sight before her. “Twilight, I think it's time for you to go.” Luna said, her tone shifts from calm to slightly worried.  “I'm fine Princess. I'm not going anywhere. I want an explanation, Discord and I want it now.” Twilight's voice was stern.  “Fine, you want an explanation, I'll give you one. Let's just say your title as The Princess of Friendship, doesn't suit you all too well.” Said Discord, his tone nonchalant.  "Excuse me?" Twilight asks, her eyes narrowed. Discord ignores Twilight and turns to Celestia, as he poofs a ring into existence.  Twilight's heart sank at the sight she was seeing. Clearly, incapable of speaking. She watches as Discord places the ring on Celestia's horn. “Will you marry me?” He asks.   “Wh-what how could you?” Twilight asks, tears form at the corners of her eyes. “Let’s just say I needed a mare of higher status.” He smirks.  “What will Harmonia think? You know she looks up to you!” Twilight said. The young alicorn was heartbroken. She didn’t fully understand why Discord did something like this in the first place.  What did she do to deserve this?  “I’m sure you can handle her on your own.” His tone was nonchalant as if he didn’t have a care in Equestria.  “Okay, who are you and what have you done with my husband?” Twilight asks, tears of hurt and frustration. Her heart felt like it was glass, so fragile and once it was dropped there was no need to put it back together.  Discord looks at her for a bit, a sly look on his face. Luna lays a comforting wing over Twilight’s back. “This is low! Even for you, Celestia!” Luna said, her voice stern.  Celestia flinches at her sister’s words. “Luna I-” she was speechless. She didn’t know what to say. She knew that she had feelings for Discord, but she didn’t want it to go this far.  Celestia looks to Twilight, a look of hurt and regret was displayed on her face. “Twilight! I am so sorry, but I hope we can be friends still.” She states, but Twilight cuts her off.  Twilight’s looks at Celestia, a furious look was displayed on her face. A look of hurt, heartbreak and frustration wrapped up into one facial expression. “Forgive!? How can I call somepony a friend and forgive somepony who stole my husband!” She spats.  The two alicorns didn’t even give Celestia a chance to speak. “I hope you're happy, Celestia.” Luna said, still having her wing wrapped around Twilight.  Twilight cries softly into Luna’s fur.  “I was really going to consider it and ask for your permission about letting Harmonia enroll at my school, but now after seeing this.” Twilight looks at the two in disgust. She laughs. Her laugh was full of sarcasm and hurt. “I think I’ll take matters into my own hooves. I don’t need your permission.” she said, her eyes narrowed.  She looks at Luna, her tone softens. “Thank you for the comfort, Luna but I think I’ll be okay.” She said.  Luna sensed so much hurt in the young alicorn. “Are you sure Twilight?” She asks.  She turns to leave, but stops. She tried to lighten her mood, but her tears were still hot and burning. “I’m sure Luna.” She mumbles.   Tears run down Twilight’s face, her body stiffens as she narrows her eyes at the two. “You know I hope you two are very happy!” She shouts at them. “And don’t expect me to come to your wedding.” She spats.  Discord smirks, as Luna gives him and Celestia a dark glare. “I don’t understand! Why would you do such a thing? Discord, this is outrageous! What has gotten into you?!”  She turns to Celestia. “Celestia, Twilight and Discord are married and they have a daughter! Why would you break their bond?! This is not how relationships work! You and Discord can’t do this! This is not right! ” Luna yelled, her tone rather angry.  “It’s fine Luna.” Twilight said, her voice slightly ragged.  She turns to look at Celestia, hatred filled her entire existence toward her now. “You know what Celestia? It won’t be too long before he does the same thing to you like he is doing to me! He might even go after your sister once he gets bored of you. ” She snears.  Tears still streaked down Twilight’s face as she flew out of the throne room.  *** Harmonia rolled the dice on a colourful board, as she moved a tiny plastic pony figure across the board and knocked over another plastic figure. Tempest groaned as Harmonia gave a loud cheer.  “Congratulations Harmonia, you won again…for the seventh time in a row.” Tempest said, rolling her eyes playfully. Harmonia giggled and folded her lion's paw and eagle claw together. “Meh, I am a natural at this!” she said, grinning at her seventh winning.  “Ha! Natural my flank! I was a champion at this game when I was your age!” Starlight said, smirking as she read through the instructions book of the board game they were playing.   “Aunt Starlight, are you sure you want to do this?” Harmonia asked daringly. Starlight smirked and booped Harmonia’s muzzle.  “Bring. It. On.” Starlight said. Tempest sighed as she put her hoof to her head.  The throne room door of Twilight’s castle opened to reveal Twilight, her mane was messy, tear stains were on her face, her eyes bloodshot. Starlight, Tempest and Harmonia looked at Twilight, confused by her state of appearance. Tempest stood up and walked over to Twilight and bowed.  “Your highness. Is everything alright?” She asks slightly worried.  Twilight didn’t say anything, she looked away from her friend, guard and daughter, remaining silent. Starlight walked over to her and placed a hoof on her shoulder.  “Twi, are you okay? You don’t look so good. Do you need to rest?” Starlight asked.  “I’m fine, Starlight… really.” Twilight said, giving her a fake smile.  Starlight looks at her with a sincere expression on her face. “Twilight I know you and from the look on your face, that shows me that you are clearly not fine.” She said, her expression slightly stern. Twilight looked away once again, not wanting to tell them what had just happened. She knows that they will be completely flabbergasted, especially Harmonia.     Harmonia looks at her mother, slightly confused as to why she was upset. “Mommy? Where’s daddy?” She asks.  Twilight cringed at the sound of the word. She didn’t want to tell her the truth. She didn’t want her daughter to see her as a bad mother figure or grow up to feel like this was her own fault for his leaving.  Twilight didn’t want to lie to her own daughter, but she also didn’t want to tell her the truth, she was practically torn at this question. Her body went tense. She looks at the crystal floor of her castle, thinking to herself. “.... daddy won’t be back for a while.” Twilight mumbles.  Harmonia looks at her mother in confusion. “What?” She questions. Twilight said nothing more and left the throne room.  There was a sudden knock on the door. Starlight and Tempest both looked at each other in confusion.  “Stay right here, sweetie.” Starlight instructed her niece.  Starlight and Tempest both made their way to the door and opened it. A flash of photographer and newsponies stand outside of Twilight’s castle.  “How may I- whoa!” Starlight said, her eyes scanned the group of ponies all from the Ponyville and Canterlot News Reporters and Press.  “What is going on Star- whoa! Where did all of these reporters come from?” Tempest asks.  “Your guess is as good as mine.” Said Starlight.  “Starlight! May we get your input on the latest scandal that has happened in Canterlot?” Shouts a female newspony. She shoves a microphone in Starlight’s face.  “Scandal?” Starlight questions.  “How does the Princess feel about Princess Celestia and Discord getting married?” Asks a male newspony “WHAT?!” Tempest and Starlight both said in unison.  The newsponies began to swarm the two. Starlight and Tempest both look at them, clearly this was just some silly rumors and gossip, right? It couldn’t be real, right?  Tempest eyebrows furrow. “Okay, that’s enough questions for the day. Now please get the buck off the Princess's property, before I make you leave.” she snaps, she then slams the door in the reporters faces.  Starlight looks at her. “Well way to be subtle about it.” Starlight mutters.  “Eh.” Tempest said.  They both walk back down the hallway, both speaking in a low tone not wanting Harmonia to overhear them. “Scandal?” Tempest questions.  “Celestia and Discord?!” Starlight said, both equally confused.  “Whatever the reason is, we can not let Harmonia know.” whispers Tempest.  Harmonia meets Tempest and Starlight halfway down the hallway. “Who was at the door?” She questions the two mares.  “Oh, just some pesky ponies they apparently had the wrong address.” Starlight fibs.  “I’m going to go check on Twilight, you stay with Harmonia.” Whispers Tempest in Starlight’s ear.  Starlight nods.  Tempest gallops down the hallway looking for Twilight.  ***   “..... After all these years, nine years in fact! ... maybe I just wasn’t enough for him…”  Twilight thought as she sits quietly in the library, tears streaming down her face as she watched the fireplaces as the flames flickered and danced before her in perfect harmony.  Tempest could hear crying coming from the library. She opens the door to reveal a very dimly lit library, the only source of light was the fireplace being caressed in yellow, amber, and crimson flames.  “..... your highness?” Tempest asked, approaching the mare with caution.  “Twi? We know what happened. Why didn’t you tell us?” Starlight asked.  Twilight was a mess her mane was frazzled and her eyes remained bloodshot red from all the crying. She didn’t say a word, she just remained curled up in the fetal position.  “Uh… Where’s Harmonia?” Questions Tempest.  “I laid her down for a nap.” Said Starlight. She then looks at Twilight, a sad expression mounted on her face.  Twilight softly sighs, but Starlight could tell it was a sighing sound out of heartbreak mixed with pain.  “Maybe it is because I didn’t want my daughter to know. Maybe it could also be the fact that I didn’t want her to see me as a bad mother or make her feel like it’s her fault because he left us. To feel like a complete and utter failure at being a mother. How did you two find out?” Twilight said, her tone sounding hurt and bitter.  “Newsponies told us, Twilight. If Harmonia goes out later today or even anytime tomorrow then she will be bound to know.” Tempest explains.  “She’s right.” Twilight thought.  There was poof within the castle. Discord, looks around wanting to explain to Twilight.  “Twilight?” He calls out, but to no avail she didn’t answer.  He poofs into her favorite spot of the castle.  The library. “Well, speak of the devil and he shall appear.” Sneers Tempest.  “Twilight please let me explain.” Discord begs. “I have nothing to say to you.” Twilight said, her voice full of bitter and hate towards him.  Discord looked down slightly hurt by her sudden shift in tone.  Twilight looks at her ex-husband with a disapproving look on her face. Tempest and Starlight look between The Princess of Friendship and The Lord of Chaos, slightly on edge.  Tempest begins to hold her ground with caution, sneering at the draconequus.  A low growl escapes her throat, Discord looks away from Tempest quickly and turns his attention back to Twilight.  “I just want to talk to you dear…” Discord tone was cautious. He tried to get closer to Twilight a little, but he was anxious and even nervous to get anywhere near her.  He sighs. “Listen… about earlier… it was-” He tries to explain.  Twilight put a hoof to his mouth. As if to say shut the hell up and let me do the speaking. “I do not wish to hear what you have to say, Discord. Just a few days you cared so much about Harmonia and I. As if we’re your most valuable and prized possessions. And now all of a sudden you throw us away like trash!” Twilight’s voice hardened a bit, as tears aligned her eyes.  “What happened to the draconequus I married nine years ago? What happened to the draconequus I fell in love with?” Twilight questions, her tone still remained hard.  Discord remained silent as he listened to what Twilight had to say.  “We made vows, Discord! You and me for better or for worse! Not me you, and Celestia! Did those vows mean anything to you?!” Twilight questions.  Twilight looks at Discord before scoffing. “After nine years I can’t believe you let me down. I’ll admit I’ve had my doubts from you for many years, denying everything that anypony would bring bad about you! I’ve wiped my own tears hearing the god awful things that they have said about you because I knew in my heart that it wasn’t true. Guess I was wrong.” Twilight said, her ears down folded.  “Twilight do you need us to-?” Starlight begins, but Twilight cuts her off.  “As much as I would appreciate it. Harmonia still needs him here.” Twilight said, before turning her attention back quickly to her ex husband.  “Did Celestia use some dark magic on you to brainwash you to like- well correction even be in love with her?” Twilight asks, coming to the realization that could be the only be the most possible explanation as to what was going on right now.   “No, she did not brainwash me, Twilight.” Discord explains.  “Then what could it be?” Twilight asks, her tone becoming rather agitated.  Discord sighs. “You know that I love both you and Harmonia, right?” He asks, awaiting Twilight’s response.  “Love?! If you love us, you wouldn’t go off and marry somepony else Discord!” shouts Twilight, her tone stearn, angry and full of hurt. Twilight then paused. “..... That explains why you’ve been so distant, isn’t it? And why your heart has been unobtainable. Sad to know this is the reason why. You’re having an affair....” her eyes going wide, but a fire was burning in her purple eyes.    Discord said nothing.  “How stupid and foolish could I have been to deny any rumors about you? Apparently a lot. However you think I’m insane for reacting like this? Thinking that I wouldn’t find out what you’ve done?! Well let me tell you something Discord ponies talk.” Twilight said, her tone cold.  “Now it makes sense why you said you needed a mare of higher status. What? Do I not fit that status anymore?” Twilight snarked.  Twilight’s features became darkened a bit. “You got five minutes to start talking and start talking now.”  “Just let me explain…” Discord stated.  “Oh this shall be good.” Mutters Twilight.  Discord sighs. “At the Grand Galloping Gala, which was in 2015 held by Celestia. I accepted a formal invitation from her. Well it was late, but that’s besides the point. Anyways, of course I accepted and went. Upon arrival, I met you, I noticed that you were the most beautiful mare in the room and that nothing else mattered in that moment. However, when I locked eyes with Tia- - I mean Celestia- I noticed that she was acting differently around me, of course I thought nothing of it. That night at the Gala she took me out on the balcony to talk.” Discord explains. “About?” Twilight asked, pressing for answers. “Just simple things, honestly.” Discord explains. Twilight arched her eyebrows, as if she wasn’t buying it for one second. “And that night she asked me to talk to me about Harmonia’s behavior in school... It’s like her feelings had resurfaced from her past, but you have to understand, I’ve known her for a very long time! When she was a filly I was there for her and with her, we both loved each other…” He said, trying his best to reason with Twilight, but his guilt still let him down. “So you're saying that you still have feelings for her in return?” Twilight asks, her tone broken and bitter. “Twilight, I love you more, I loved you more! I loved you more than anypony I have ever laid eyes on! I love both you and our daughter more!” He explains. “Doesn’t seem like it….” Twilight mutters, her tone cold. “You just used a past tense word: loved. Which means you loved us in the past, not now.” Twilight’s tone was ice cold. “Honey...please… listen to me….” He begs. He then moves in front of Twilight, his face full of guilt, Discord hugs Twilight tightly as if he never wanted to lose her in the first place. Twilight remained a rather cold distance toward him, bitter and silent as she contemplates her thoughts. She looks down at the ground. He tilts Twilight's face into his claw. Twilight smacks his claw away from her and pushes Discord off of her. She looks at him, her eyes cold and unfeeling.“Back at that castle you literally propose to Celestia. Why did you do that?” Twilight snaps, her tone bitter. “Yes, I needed a mare of higher status, but it was for a very good reason.” Discord explains. “A very good reason? What could having an affair be a very good reason for!” Twilight asks, she was still fuming pissed over the whole situation. Discord was filled with frustration. “It was an act of royal Sacrifice!” He snaps. “Royal… Sacrifice?” Twilight mutters to herself. “Royal Sacrifice!” Twilight yells. “You went behind my back and had an affair with Celestia of all ponies, and you think that I won’t find out!” Twilight said her tone bitterly amused at this. She gave a sarcastic laughter, which set Starlight and Tempest unease. “How can I forgive the love of my life who is planning on marrying somepony who I personally know and to go as far as to have an affair with them? That’s just sick!” Twilight’s tone was bitter. Discord was speechless. He then slightly regretted his decision about proposing to Celestia, he knew it wasn’t possible to gain back any form of trust or forgiveness from Twilight this time. “I… didn’t know…. How could I hurt the love of my life…?” He softly mutters to her. “Oh you didn’t , did you?! Well you did! Don’t even try to take Harmonia from me because it would be a cold day in Tartarus before I ever let that happen.” Twilight seethed. “Besides as you said before: “I’m pretty sure you can handle her on your own.” Doesn’t that sentence ring a bell?” Twilight’s eyes narrowed at the draconequus. Discord remained silent. There was a small creek in the door to reveal Harmonia, who was rubbing her eyes from her nap. “Mommy… daddy… what’s going on?” She questions. Twilight and Discord stops their bickering for a moment and looks at their daughter. “...Sweetie go to your room.” Twilight said, her tone slightly stern. “But…” Harmonia squeaks, her voice sounded small and fragile. Discord sighs. “Listen to your mother sweetheart.” He said. Harmonia nods and leaves the room. “I have nothing to say to you!” Twilight hisses her tone was venomous toward Discord. Discord sighs. “I understand if you want me gone Twilight… just say the word….” Twilight bit her bottom lip. Discord remains talking. “Banish me... exile me…. I’d do it for you either way…” He explains, giving Twilight so many different options. Outside the hallway, Harmonia remains there, quite as she peeps through the crack of her mother’s throne room. Tears silently stream down her face as she thinks to herself: “You mean Daddy is leaving?” Twilight takes a deep breath. Her voice was monotonous. “Honestly Discord, I don’t care where you go. Maybe if you didn’t do what you did. You would still have a place here. But..” Twilight pauses as she gives a sarcastic laugh to her ex-husband. “You screwed that up! What? Am I not somepony of higher status than her? Not good enough for you? That’s exactly what you said back in Canterlot!” Twilight’s tone was venomous. Discord was hurt by the words that came out of Twilight’s mouth. Discord’s eyebrows furrow, clearly he was angry at the choice of words she was using. “You know it isn’t like that Twilight!” He snaps. “That’s always the card everypony pulls isn’t it?! “it isn’t like that” my flank! When clearly you can’t come up with a grand enough excuse.” She snaps back. Twilight thought for a moment. “How long has this been going on?” She asked. Discord didn’t answer at first. “Discord, How long has this been going on?” Twilight repeats again, this time her teeth bared, her tone hardened. “Four months…” he mutters. Twilight then picks up a crystal vase, without warning and throws it at Discord, however Discord avoids it. It’s glass shattering to the floor.  “Get out.” She mutters, her tone dark. “Just get out!” She screams, tears aligned in her eyes. Discord was in so much pain, his gaze from Twilight now ended. Pain of regret filled his chaotic mind. He paused thinking should he turn back or just walk out once and for all. Twilight then processed to collapse onto the floor in a mess of sobs. He had his claw on the door. “I’m sorry my dear…” He mutters. Discord opens the door, and reveals Shining Armor, who was about to open the door himself, but instead was met by Discord. Shining lets out an angry expression toward Discord.  “Get out of my way!” He grunts, his voice full of distaste and spitefulness toward the creature.  Cadence follows alongside Shining and Flurry. “You should be..” Cadence mutters, her voice was bitter.  “Ashamed of myself? Already doing that Princess of Love… it’s repulsive really....” He mutters, ashamed of his actions. Twilight’s friends were the next ponies to enter the castle. Each of the Mane 6 members give Discord a look of disgust and annoyance, even Fluttershy.  Discord knew that his presents were not needed here any longer than it needed to be, he got the gist that it was time to leave. He snaps his fingers and teleports out of the castle.  Rarity gives her a hug of sympathy. “Twilight… are you okay, darling?” She asks, giving Twilight a hug. “I’m fine Rarity, it’s just.. How am I going to tell Harmonia about this…” Twilight said, looking upstairs.  Shining and Cadence approach Twilight, Cadence wraps a comforting wing around Twilight giving her a warm hug. Twilight cries softly into her sister-in-law’s fur, her brother watched with concern for his sister.  Flurry joins in, hugging her aunt tightly.  “Whatever he did to you...I’m not letting it slip by, I knew Discord was bad news from the start.” Shining said.  Cadence thought for a moment. “.....just be gentle with the news. She may be upset at first, but she will eventually come to terms with it after a while. Yes, she will hurt, as you are right now, but she will eventually come to an understanding.”  Shining agrees with his wife’s statement.  Flurry carefully looks at her aunt. “Aunt Twilight? Where is Harmonia?” She asks.  Twilight looks at her niece, tears still coming. She sniffs. “She is in her room, sweetheart. You can go see her if you want to.” Twilight offers, her tone sounded scratchy and rasphy from all the crying she has been doing.  “Alright.” Flurry Heart leaves the room, going to find her cousin in the huge castle.  The others turn their attention back to Twilight and Shining. “Do you want me to send the royal guards after Discord?” He whispers to Cadence, not wanting to trigger Twilight.  Cadence looks at Twilight then looks back at her husband. Her expression softened, mixed with worry and sorrow for her sister in law. “I don’t think that would be necessary, dear. Besides who knows where Discord went to.” She softly whispers to her husband. *** Flurry could hear crying coming from inside of Harmonia’s room. Flurry knocks on Harmonia’s door. “Harmonia, it’s me Flurry Heart, may I come in?” She asks.  Flurry carefully opens the door. She looks at her cousin, a pitiful look displays on Flurry’s face for her cousin. Harmonia remains curled up in her ball. “..... it’s my fault Daddy left…..” Harmonia mutters to herself, as she softly cries into her fur.  Flurry looked at her cousin in confusion. “What do you mean Harmony?” she asks. Flurry makes her way over to her cousin, making herself comfortable beside her. She lifts Harmonia’s chin gently with her hoof. Harmonia looks at her cousin, hugging her ever so tightly, guilt running through her tiny chaotic mind. Flurry hugs back, her wings wrapped around her.  “I overheard mommy and daddy fighting.” She mutters softly.  “What about Harmony?” Flurry Heart asks with concern. Flurry wipes Harmonia’s tears gently with her hoof, she rubs Harmonia’s back and mane, calming her down little by little.  She looks at Flurry and a sad expression remains on her face. “I’m not fully sure what the fight was about, but I know whatever the reason is… it’s my fault…” she said.  Flurry gives her cousin a soft and warm smile and a kiss on top of her cousin’s forehead. “Harmony, don't say that, it’s never your fault. You have done nothing wrong. Don’t beat yourself up just because of a little fight. Harmonia, you know better than that.” She said, looking at her cousin.  Harmonia cries softly. “But… you weren't here.” she softly mutters.  “I may not have been here, but I know that it’s not your fault. All families fight, even my mom and dad fight sometime. Trust me when I tell you this Harmony: No family is perfect.” she explains.  Harmonia looks at Flurry with tears still streaming down her cheeks. “Really…?” She asks.  “Mhm.” Said Flurry, giving her a soft smile. Harmonia took her cousin’s words into account. She then lunges at Flurry wrapping her claw and paw around Flurry’s neck as she cried softly into her cousin’s mane, but Flurry didn’t care as she rubs Harmonia’s back, muttering “shhh…” into her ear, trying to comfort her the best she knew how.  *** “Are you sure you are okay Twilight?” Shining asks, careful not to trigger his sister. He sits down quietly, as Twilight’s friends carefully watch them.  Twilight averted her eyes from the door that Discord left out of hours ago, her ears slightly flatten. “I’m fine, Shining.” She said.   Noticing her expression, his eyes narrowed slightly at his sister, as if he knew that something else was bothering her, but decided against it. “Alright...if you need me I’ll be up stairs with the kids.” He said, he leaves going to check on Harmonia and Flurry.  “Darling, I’m so sorry this had to happen to you… we are really sorry.” Said Rarity, her expression looked hurt and filled with sorrow for her best friend.  “We just heard the news and…. I can’t believe he did this to you…. When I get a hold of him! He’s gonna regret what he did!”  Rainbow Dash was speechless at the news.  “I knew I couldn’t trust that thiefin varmint.” Mutters Applejack.  Cadence unwraps her wing, and she brings a hoof to Twilight’s chin, lifting it up slowly. “Give it some time Twilight, love is like a box of chocolates, we never know what’s “inside.” She then gives Twilight a warm smile. “All you need to do is give it time.” she repeats, her tone softens.  “Thank you for the comfort… all of you, but I don’t think just mere words for thought are going to fix any of this. I just need some time alone to think.” Twilight moves away from Cadence.  “Alright Twilight.” Cadence mutters, she then releases a sigh of disappointment from Discord’s actions. Cadence then calls for Flurry and Shining to come downstairs. “Honey, sweetheart! It’s time for us to go! Come say goodbye to Aunt Twilight, Flurry.” Cadence calls out.  Flurry and Shining make their way down stairs together. Flurry looks at her aunt with a wave of sadness washes over her. She can’t stand to see her aunt like this, she looked so vulnerable. “....Bye Aunt Twilight.”  Flurry says, her tone soft.  Twilight gives her a soft smile. “Bye sweetheart. Here let me walk you guys out.” Said Twilight, she makes her way to the door leading the family of three out. Cadence looks at Twilight, her expression still symphotic toward her sister-in-law. “Twilight…. If you ever need us, any of us. You know where to reach us.” Cadence said, her tone full of sorrow for her sister in law.  Twilight nods and watches for a moment, she then shuts the door behind her. Turning her attention to her friends, her friends were worried for her, they all gave her a look of remorse as she passed by making her way to Harmonia’s room.  *** Twilight leans into the door frame of her daughter’s room, her ears flatten at the sounds of her daughter’s crying. She lightly knocks on the door. “Sweetie? Can we talk?” She softly asks.  Harmonia looks at her mother a sad expression still etched onto her face. “Okay mommy….” she softly squeaks. She was still curled up in her ball like she has been for the past four hours ago.  Twilight makes her way over to Harmonia’s bed, sitting on it. Harmonia scoots closer to her mother, hugging her. “You know that your Daddy and I love you very much, right?” Twilight asks.  Harmonia silently nods her head. “Then why did Daddy leave….” She asks, her tone sounded broken, as if her whole world came crashing down. Harmonia begins to cry uncontrollably, her tiny body still shaking and her breathing becoming ragged. As she so desperately wishes her father would come back.  Twilight’s eyes started to tear back up. “I’m taking it that you overheard?” She asked, her tone full of guilt. The tears in Harmonia's eyes gave away the answer that she indeed overheard them. Twilight sighs. “Sweetie, to be honest I really don’t know…” Twilight mutters.  Harmonia screamed while crying, as she hugged her mother tightly as she sobbed harder. Her eyes were bloodshot. “Don’t leave me mommy…… d-don't ...l-leave me!” She wails, trying her best to speak. Twilight’s eyes widened at Harmonia’s sudden outburst. She hugs her daughter tightly, as she raked her hoof through her daughter’s mane. “That will never happen, sweetheart!” She said.  Twilight’s ears suddenly went flat, as an idea came to mind.  Harmonia buries her face into her mother’s fur sobbing harder. “I-Is i-it my-my fault d-daddy left?” Harmonia cries out, blaming herself. Twilight looked at her daughter, agasphed that she would even think this. “No! Look at me and listen.” Twilight commands.  Harmonia looks at Twilight with remorse in her eyes. “What happened today was and never will be your fault. Do you understand?” Twilight’s tone went from stern to soft.  Harmonia nods her head.    “Besides your daddy and I are just taking a very long break from each other.” Twilight explains.  “Why...?” Harmonia asks, tears still streaming down towards her cheeks, warm salty tears dripping off her cheeks and onto her bed sheets and pillow.  Twilight cringes not wanting to tell her daughter the real reason why. She thought to herself as she looked at her daughter with pain in her eyes. “Because, I caught daddy in a scandalous affair with your teacher- or ex-teacher I should say.” She secretly thought to herself.  “Mommy…?” Harmonia asks, her tone softened, as she snaps her mother out of her thoughts. She looks at her mother, with tears streaming down her face.  Twilight sighs. “Sweetie, it’s something you wouldn’t understand until you are older.” She explains.  Harmonia laid her head on her mother’s chest, she started to calm down a little, wrapping her tiny paw and claw around Twilight tightly. They stay like that for a moment or so, before Twilight gets up from Harmonia’s bed.  Harmonia looks at her mother slightly scared and confused. “Mommy…..?” she cautiously asked, her tone sounded worried for her mother.  Twilight looks at her daughter, her expression softened. “Mommy just needs to go and do some thinking, don’t worry, I will still be in the castle, however.” Harmonia wipes away her tears, she gave a small soft smile to her mother. “Ok..” She said, softly. Twilight makes her way to her throne room. She opens the double doors to reveal a dimly lit room, the only thing glowing was The Friendship Map. She sighs in deep thought, her friends silently watch from the door frame, before slowly entering.  Twilight's eyes filled with tears. How could have this had happen to her? What could have caused him to just out of the blue stop loving her? There was a creak of Twilight's door. "Twi..." Rainbow Dash said, her tone cautious. Twilight broke down, crying and her friend's gathered around her and enveloped her into a hug. She hugs them back tighter than ever. Without notice, Twilight's cutie mark begins to glow, signaling that somepony needs her help.  But who?