“Ready?”
“Ready my dear!”
“Okay then, say Saddle Arabia!”
“Saddle Arabia~!”
Called back by Discord cheerfully through his grin as Fluttershy took his picture. The draconequus posed for his tourist portrait by leaning against one of Saddle Arabia’s most famous landmarks: The Bubble Tower. A magical, beautiful, joyous, yet ancient building created over a thousand years ago. No pony knows what makes the giant bubbles come out of the tower’s windows and roofs. No soap, no water, no bubble wands, or even unicorn magic. It is a mysterious spell lost to Saddle Arabians for centuries. The only answer that the locals can give you about the place was that it was created by one of their earliest well known kings.
Discord made his lean by the Bubble Tower a bit more chaotic by making the Tower physically lean with him. He defied gravity in order to float to the highest point of the structure and used his magic to pose upside down. He even wore his best t-shirt for the iconic shot. It was an all white shirt with a picture of the Bubble Tower in the center of it. There was even a boldly printed phrase plastered on the t-shirt: “Equestria’s Bubbliest Tower”. To complete the outfit, he wore the widest cargo shorts he could conjure, white socks with sandals, big thick black sunglasses, and a flowery, derby sized sunhat.
Meanwhile, Fluttershy was taking the picture all the way at the bottom of the tower; somehow lucky enough to find enough space for herself despite the crowd. She signaled for her friend to come down by putting away the camera he created for her, and giving him a friendly wave.
With a happy snap of his fingers, he returned the Bubble Tower back into its original position; along with transforming himself into a group of giant, greyish silver bubbles.
As the bubbles headed towards her spot in the crowd, Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel like something was off. It was as if something was happening behind her, or rather, somepony was specifically watching her. It reminded her of the time when ponies started to notice her in town after Twilight and her friends published their Friendship Journal. It seemed odd feeling this way given that she was in a crowd and ponies were always capturing each other’s attention one way or another.
But still, the pegasus couldn’t help but turn around and see if this was true. Sure enough, there were some Saddle Arabians behind her. Whispering to each other and side glancing at her in awe. When they realized that Fluttershy was looking directly at them, their faces flushed with embarrassment and began bow profusely. In fact, their bowing didn’t stop until they had disappeared from Fluttershy’s view completely.
“Huh?” She muttered to herself in confusion, cocking her head to the side in response to this strange behavior.
“Whatcha lookin’ at my dear?” said Discord, looming his head over hers and invading into her field of vision.
“Oh, sorry Discord. It’s just that those ponies a minute ago were acting, well, a bit strange.”
“Strange in a good way, like yours truly, or strange in a bad way aka threatening the very safety of Equestria kind of scenario?”
“Oh no no, nothing strange in a bad way. I can assure you.”
Then, Fluttershy giggled with a slight blush on her face, “And of course no pony can be as strange in a good way like you.”
Discord’s heart fluttered at her remark, and it made him smile softly at her. He joyously enjoyed this shared moment together, thanking his lucky stars that could finally take a trip together. Just the two of them. Away from Ponyville and the sanctuary. As much as he enjoyed his new life among the ponies, what he loved even more was spending more time with his buttery wing pegasus. The draconequus couldn’t explain but something different has blossomed between the two of them lately. He didn’t know what this feeling or thing was, but his curiosity got the better of him and he wanted to explore it.
And it seems like his best friend wanted to do the same.
However, Discord soon remembered himself and where they were. His pride immediately took over and made him say, “Ha ha, good answer Flutters!”
“I guess what made them strange was the fact that they were staring at me.”
“Pfft! Is that all?! Please! Ponies stare at you all the time, and you’re just noticing this?!”
Fluttershy’s face became red and she retorted with, “N-No they don’t!”
“How could they not?!” Discord reemphasized just to make his best friend blush even more, “Your hair looks simply fabulous today! Despite the heat, your mane hasn’t lost its sense of bounce. Pinkie Pie would be so jealous.”
“Hmm,” Discord then pretended to ponder while stroking his beard, “I wonder why that is.”
His tail “subtly” pointed to the blue flower holding Fluttershy’s large, looped ponytail, “Maybe it has something to do with this perhaps? I wonder who gave you that.”
Fluttershy giggled in response to his little joke, perfectly knowing that it was he who gave her this eternally blooming Forget-Me-Not that now lives in her hair. He gave to her at the beginning of their trip, and according to her cheeky companion, it was a gift celebrating their first vacation with one another. Yet despite this, Fluttershy had a feeling that the flower was given for another reason. Or at least, she rather hoped it was for another reason. Fluttershy couldn’t explain it, but… for quite some time now…he seemed more giddy than usual whenever they were together… she could even dare say that he has been more affectionate with her.
And… she couldn’t deny the fact that she had acted and felt the same.
With a soft, all knowing smile, Fluttershy pointed out, “It’s funny, for a moment there, I thought you were going to say that the reason why everypony knows me is that I’m the Element of Kindness, I’ve saved Equestria, and that I’m in council with Equestria’s new independently ruling princess.”
Discord responded with a cheeky wink and a remark that matched it’s cheekiness, “My job is to keep you humble, my dear. I can’t be giving you a big ego, now can I?”
Then, he cupped his paw into her ear and whispered, “Besides, knowing Princess Twilight is sooo not a big deal.”
Fluttershy and Discord laughed together as they strolled to their next destination: The Garden of Esther. A rare luscious paradise in the midst of a barren desert. An attraction that beheld some of the most unbelievable plants, flora, insect and animal life that Equestria has ever since. Some of these sites have been extinct for thousands of moons, while others are life forms that just couldn’t be explained by the greatest scientific minds. Plus, this garden could spark some inspirational ideas for the duo as they continue to improve upon their inter-dimensional animal sanctuary that they had just established months ago.
While the rest of the tourists did not give this pair a second glance, Fluttershy noticed that the locals of this kingdom did. Just like with those ponies before. She observed how they would, not only stare at her with bewilderment and splendor, but they would also witness Discord with the same kind of admiration. And Discord didn’t even notice. Fluttershy was shocked that her confident friend wouldn’t take in such recognition. However, that just proves how much he was grown and changed over all these years and she was proud of him for that. Either that or Discord expected this kind of treatment from ponies for all the good that he has done for Equestria. Both of these reasons are possible at this point. In fact, these both could be the reasons why Discord was acting like this.
Regardless, it would be nice for him to acknowledge this, so that way, she didn’t feel like she was going crazy in a bad way. Fluttershy felt uncomfortable with all the Saddle Arabians bowing their heads as they walked by. Some even bowed down to their knees in their presence.
Fluttershy wanted some answers so that way this behavior would stop and they can finally enjoy their vacation.
Once the two best friends approached the gates of The Garden of Esther, there was a line of guests and visitors from other parts of Equestria waiting to see this great Saddle Arabian landmark. As soon as the nearby Saddle Arabian locals and the guards awaiting at the gates saw Fluttershy and Discord creep towards this line, they quickly rushed every pony out of that line. The guards even shooed out all the tourists who were in the garden already. These confused tourists, at first, were going to yell at the desert ponies for this rude removal. But, once they saw, these baffling ponies bow onto their knees as the Element of Kindness and the Lord of Chaos trot by, the tourists slowly bowed down too. Fearing that they might upset the Saddle Arabians by not honoring this unusual but seemingly sacred custom.
“Oh goodie!” Discord exclaimed with glee, “No line! What perfect timing on our part, I was worried that we would have to wait FOR-EVER just to see this place.”
Then, he leaned down to Fluttershy’s ear and muttered in a hushed tone, “Remind me to never walk again after this. My feet are literally trying to kill me I swear.”
As Discord directed Fluttershy’s attention to his feet, she saw the draconequus’s magically detached, mismatched feet with new hands on the sides of their bodies holding foam knives. They used these foam knives to stab Discord harmlessly into his ankles. Everytime they would “stab” him, the knives would make a squeak like a squeaky dog toy.
While the draconequus reattached his devilish feet that only wished for his demise, Fluttershy murmured with concern into his floppy ear, “But Discord, there was line. The Saddle Arabians made-”
“Right this way, most honored guests!” Announced one of the guard ponies protecting the gates, waving Fluttershy and Discord towards the Garden of Eden’s entrance with great vigor and enthusiasm.
“Our apologies for making you wait so long,” added the second guard pony, “I hope that you do forgive us.”
Discord took Fluttershy’s hoof into his lion paw firmly yet not forcefully, letting her know that he was just ready to float off to the next destination and he wanted her to go off on this adventure with him. This made the pony blush and halt her questions and protests in its tracks.
“You are forgiven my good stallion,” said the purposely pompous sounding draconequus as they flew together into the evergreen paradise. Leaving the two guards to wonder quietly with one another with those two were who they thought they were.
There was no doubt about it in the minds of the guards and all the Saddle Arabians in the area. That pegasus and draconequus were …
“Oh my,” Fluttershy uttered breathlessly as her eyes took in the exotic, magical, chaotic, beauty of the royal garden. This ever growing heaven fulfilled on rumored promise and much more.
Despite being in the shadow of Saddle Arabain’s magnificent’s temple-like castle, the garden shimmered and shone in the desert sun. It was as if the grass and plants were made of crystal, glass, and light just like in the Crystal Empire. But the foliage was real. Fluttershy could tell by the aroma alone. Even the grass and trees smelt like the most fragrant of flowers. There was every kind of flower that Fluttershy could name yet not name at the same time. There were peacocks, jackalopes, elephants, flamingos, two headed dogs, and so much more.
Fluttershy didn’t know where to start.
Unfortunately, Discord broke the peaceful serenity of this wondrous place with, “What is this copyright infringement nonsense?!”
Discord, with smoke and fire flaring from his nostrils, tread heavily over to the pond. As soon as Fluttershy saw what the pond was made of, she knew that Saddle Arabia.
“Oh no,” She squeaked before scurrying over to the fuming draconequus.
“Oh I see what’s really going on here, Saddle Arabia!” shouted Discord while angrily pointing to the chocolate milk pond, “You try to butter me up with a couple of bows and twirls, so that way, I wouldn’t notice YOU clearly ripping me off! It may be a ‘variation’ on my novel chocolate milk rain concept, but it was a variation used without MY permission!”
“I demand who’s responsible for this!” He finished with a stomp.
“I know who, my lord.” said a new, smooth, Saddle Arabian accented, masculine voice.
When Fluttershy directed her attention towards the direction of the voice, she found that it belonged to a tall, elegant, and handsome pure black stallion. He looked to be of Celestia’s height; with long legs, mane, and tail that dared matched the grace of the former sun princess’s form. Through the mane that tried to cover his face, she could see that he had soft, soul piercing brown eyes. This creature would have been the perfect Equestria’s Top Models if it weren’t for the fact that he didn’t have a cutiemark. As much as Fluttershy found this particular trait, well, particular… it wasn’t the oddest thing about him. Strangely enough. Fluttershy could put it to words, but there was something about his presence. His aura. The way he held himself. He stood so strongly and confidently, yet there was a sense of great serenity and calm to him. Again, he reminded her alot of Celestia. His appearance commanded attention yet peace. He had the energy of a wise, elderly fatherly figure despite his youthful look. He was mysterious yet familiar at the same time.
The animals of the garden gathered around him, almost fighting with one another subtly for the chance to be near him. Fluttershy even noticed some of the plants magically lending their branches towards him, as if wanting to stroke his beautiful coat.
Who was this stallion?
“This was one of the last works of The Great King Xerxes, my lord,” He explained.
Discord then asked with suspicion in his tone, “What do you mean by ‘last’?”
“I mean that he has passed on my lord. He’s been gone for over a thousand years now. Yet despite this, his magic still lives on. And his magic was not limited just to this garden. Many of Saddle Arabia’s famous historical sites still carry out his magical will from beyond the grave.”
“Like the Bubble Tower?” asked Fluttershy shyly yet curiously.
The stallion’s gaze softened as he swayed his attention towards her, “Precisely.”
“Oh please,” Discord scoff, positioning himself now between his precious Fluttershy and this stranger, “Don’t give me that Saddle Arabian folklore rubbish. We may be guests in your land, but we’re not stupid you know. No amount of pony magic could ever last for over a thousand years.”
“Indeed, no magic coming from a pony could ever possibly do that. But,” Then, the stallion continued his explanation with a smirk, “perhaps a draconequus’s magic can.”
“Wait, what?” Discord uttered quickly in bafflement, his eyes widened with genuine surprise and curiosity. He felt like his heart stopped for a moment. Another draconequus… like him? How could this be? Was King Xerxes actually a draconequus or an unfamiliar Equestrian creature they just assumed to be a draconequus?
“Saddle Arabia,” Fluttershy remarked, echoing in her companion’s shock as well, “had a draconequus king? But,... how could this be?”
The stallion chuckled warmly at their supor, trying to hide such laughter from them by hiding his mouth in his long bangs. But this effort failed of course. Once he was done chuckling, Discord and Fluttershy couldn’t help but notice something about his eyes in the light. Instead of brown, the color of his eyes were now bright swirls of watery blue, gold, and red. Constantly changing and swirling into one another as the sunlight danced upon his onyx face. Discord and Fluttershy gave each other a side glance; silently asking one another if they had just seen this new change in the stallion’s eyes.
“Forgive me for my laughter, it’s just that… it brings me so much to meet another pony who doesn’t know yet the story of King Xerxes and his beloved Queen Esther because that means I get to tell it.” He finished his comment with a friendly wink.
“He’s so lying,” Discord thought to himself.
“Perhaps I should start at the beginning,” said the stallion, “if you would follow me please, and I promise you to tell you this tale properly.”
And like a gentle oasis breeze, the mysterious pony walked past the pair and headed towards the corner of the garden closest to the castle. The animals tried to follow him, but with a small wave of his hoof, the animals stopped in their tracks and went back to enjoying the day.
Before Fluttershy could follow after him, Discord stopped her with, “Fluttershy, he’s obviously lying through his teeth. There’s no way that there was another draconequus bumbling about without my know-how. Let’s ditch him and go back to enjoying our vacation.”
“I agree, it seems very unlikely that something like that occurred without you knowing about it. But,...”
“But?” Discord repeated, raising one of his furry eyebrows high at her slight hesitation.
“But he has nothing to gain from deceiving us. Plus, we didn’t see any unicorn magic at the Bubble Tower today.”
“Pfft, no illuminating horns nearby you mean. This kind of deception can easily be answered by the fact that unicorns could be working the tower from the castle. As for what that cocky stallion could gain from all this, well I have a feeling he’s a bored trickster looking for some easy fun. Trust me my dear, I was once a bored trickster with too much time on his claws.”
“Or,” Fluttershy then reasoned with a small smile, “maybe he’s looking for another trickster to befriend? After all, who better to understand a trickster than another trickster?”
“Oh Flutters,” Discord sighed, “such a friendship like that would only spell doom for, not only the two trickesters involved, but for any poor sap of a town nearby.”
“Not if one of those tricksters just has to be one of the best reformed tricksters in all of Equestria?” Fluttershy retorted in a sing-song voice, fluttering her eyes ever so sweetly towards the draconequus’s gaze.
Fluttershy knew that the puppy eyed move was one of Discord’s few weaknesses. And sure enough, she was right. Discord instantly couldn’t resist it. He blushed immediately at the sight of those large, doe eyed, turquoise orbs.
Discord shook off this blush and grunted in a huff, “Ugh, when you put it that way, I guess that I could possibly… balance him out.”
“But I’m not making any promises!” He quickly pointed out.
With an all knowing smile, Fluttershy concluded, “I’m not asking you too.”
Discord’s frustration rapidly vanished, he sighed once more, “I know, my dear, I know.”
Fluttershy then took flight and went after their tall guide. Discord took flight as well; pouting along the way and attending protectively close to his friend’s side.
Once they spotted the stallion, they were shocked to find, not only a huge, arched doorway shaped hole in the ivy covered palace wall near the royal garden’s corner, but also that the stallion didn’t bother to wait for them to land before entering.
Discord stopped Fluttershy from fluttering down by placing his arm across her chest in mid flight. He shook his head at her before flying straight into the ominous entrance. Fluttershy flew after Discord; letting him take the lead in facing the pitch black awaiting them. The pegasus let out a small squeak of fear and closed before diving into the hole in the wall.
Fluttershy opened her eyes and gasped in a panic once she felt something grabbing her by the waist. But this terror was short lived as she saw Discord’s glowing red and yellow eyes shining in the dark. The darkness of the room did not last as the wall torches illuminated with the light of fire itself and sunlight shining through the windows.
Fluttershy, and even Discord as well, were in slight awe of this breathtaking yet hidden hallway presented before them. The walls and floors were made of some of the most glittering golden sand that one could ever see. It was like the sand scrapped off the jewels of a dragon’s hoard. The room glittered in the sparkle of, not only the fine desert pebbles, but also the spectrum of color coming from the stained glass windows on the walls. Fluttershy and Discord couldn’t help but be reminded of the Canterlot throne room as they took in the historic pictures depicted on the glass masterpieces.
The duo slowly halted when they came across a specific royal, stained glass portrait. Their mouths sluggishly agape and their gaze widened as they took in the reason why the Saddle Arabians were worshiping them and why the stallion said that King Xerxes was a draconequus. The king and queen in the window looked like them. Right to the tee. It was like looking in a haunting, artistic mirror. Or rather, finding a long lost twin. It was incredible how much they looked like the ancient Saddle Arabian rulers.
“Long ago…,” The stallion began to narrate as he gently strolled down this old hall, “when the desert was young and new, the ponies of the barren wasteland had created their new kingdom. The kingdom of Saddle Arabia. They had accomplished what no creature couldn't. They had found a peaceful oasis-like society in the midst of the barbaric sandy dunes. How did they do it? The ponies of the new kingdom say that it was because of their Sun Goddess...Celestia.”
As the stallion mentioned her name, Discord and Fluttershy walked past the stained glass window portrait of her. The two also couldn’t help but notice that the stallion in front of them no longer had the tail of a pony, but a black lion’s tail.
“You see, back then, the Saddle Arabians had never met Celestia. Oh no, we didn’t get the chance to be formally introduced to Her Majesty until her sister came back from her exile on the moon. Before such a time, we thought she was the mighty Alicorn goddess who lived in the sky.”
“Please tell me that you guys didn’t kiss her hooves when you saw her,” Discord begged, fearing that he just might be right in his suspicions.
The stallion then answered in a chuckle, “I’m afraid we did.”
Discord pushed an exhausted breath through his lips before grumbling, “Sheesh, thanks for helping her with her ego you guys.”
“Oh it gets worse my lord,” The stallion added in a slightly cheeky tone, “The ponies of Saddle Arabia millennium ago built great temples in her honor. They offered her jewels, food, fabrics, and even their prayers. They vowed to Celestia to rule their kingdom with peace and love, and banished any notion of war with their neighboring kingdoms. However, their vow to their goddess became their downfall. One day, a chaotic and powerful creature named Xerxes invaded the kingdom.”
As the stallion mentioned King Xerxes’s name, a stained portrait of his monstrous invasion passed them by. Discord’s ears flopped down as soon as he saw this. He couldn’t help but see an old version of himself in the glass creation. Taking over Equestria, and battling with the Princesses and the Mane Six. As draconequus tore his eyes away from the window, he spotted the new cloven hooves that the stallion ahead of them was sporting. No longer the clicking of hard hooves, but the small clacking of goat feet. Fluttershy noticed, not only this new change in the stallion, but also the worry sketched across her friend’s face. She extended her wing and laid it’s feathery tips over his claw. Discord smiled warmly at this gesture.
“Xerxes destroyed everything they held dear and transformed their world into his mayhem filled wonderland. He destroyed their temples and decreed that if any pony was caught believing in this Sun Goddess...they would be banished into the barren outlands. And perish. The ponies fell into despair. Some abandoned their Sun Goddess, while others still prayed for her mercy.”
“However,” the stallion’s narrating tone began to lighten, “this all changed when His Majesty met and fell in love with the kind, peasant pegasus named Esther.”
As her name was called in the tale, Fluttershy and Discord found that they were walking past the gorgeous stained glass depiction of Queen Esther. Fluttershy’s eyes sparkled when taking in the ancient queen’s beauty. It was hard for her to believe that the Saddle Arabians actually mistook her for this amazing mare. As her eyes drifted away from the window, she looked forward to seeing any new changes occurring on the stallion’s body. Sure enough, there was. The stallion now had a tremendous pair of wings folded and laying on his back. They almost looked to be the size of Celestia’s wings
“Despite King Xerxes’s rule, Esther still believed in Celestia. Despite the draconequus ruler’s power, she had enough courage in her heart to tell him so.”
“W-What,” Fluttershy stuttered slightly, “What made her tell him?”
The stallion stopped in his tracks, and yet despite this, he still didn’t turn to face them.
With a smile they couldn’t see, the stallion responded with “She loved him too much to hide anything from him anymore, she loved her people to deny them freedom, and above all…”
Clack, Clack! Echoed the stallion’s cloven feet within the long hallway. When the echo had slowly faded, Discord immediately coiled Fluttershy into the safe grasp of his tail as the sand floor beneath them began to shift and shake. In fact, the sand ceiling above them began to shake and dig deeper into itself, creating a very high ceiling for the hallway.
Fluttershy and Discord were soon overwhelmed by a bright invasion of light. It took their eyes a minute or two to see the humongous sun shaped, golden stained glass window that was now at the end of this hallway. No, this was no longer a hallway anymore because right below the sun shaped glass window was a pure gold, jeweled encrusted throne.
The stallion turned around and revealed, not only his magically swirling and glittering eyes, but his incredibly prominent, two pronged, pure nightshade, Kirin like horn in the middle of his forehead.
“She loved her goddess too much to lie to herself anymore,” The stallion finished.
“You’re..” Fluttershy whispered in astonishment.
“Very clever, Your Majesty,” Discord snarked, “very clever. And I don’t often call another pony clever. You really had me going. I’ll give you props for that.”
“I’ve found throughout my international affairs with other Equestrian nations that ponies have a harder time understanding who and what I am without the story first. And what better way to present such a wonderful story than through this?”
“Where’s your crown, Princie?” Discord asked in a slightly teasing tone; pointing to the empty space occupying on top of the King
“In my room, where it belongs in my opinion. A rather uncomfortable, and more often than not, necessary accessory.”
“How come we’ve never heard of you before, Your Majesty?” questioned Fluttershy, gently unwrapping herself from Discord’s tail, “I mean, why didn’t Celestia and the other Equestrian delegates have ever spoken about your country’s religion surrounding Celestia and your, um… ?”
“My lineage?” The King finished with some amusement in his tone, “The other delegates hardly believe me and my people, no matter how many times we’ve told the tales. Even Celestia had a difficult time believing that she was once considered a great deity.”
“Oh I hardly doubt that,” Discord commented with a sly smile.
“Forgive me if I sound rude when mentioning this, but…,” The King paused for a moment before continuing with, “there was a time when there was much distance between the late Sun Princess and I. No matter how cordial and reasonable I was, I could not have her see past my draconequui nature.”
In a guilty tone, Discord confessed, “Um, yes well, I believe that’s where my fault enters into the equation. So sorry about that. Don’t know if you’ve heard, but let’s just say that ole Tia and I had a rough past history together before becoming friends.”
“Oh dear,” Fluttershy gasped with concern, “Was she… mean to you?”
“Never,” The King retorted, “Despite her discomfort, she had treated me with nothing but respect. However, I could always tell that she… couldn’t exactly trust me.Though, I couldn’t blame her entirely in that aspect. After all, how can you trust a pony with a secret name?”
“A secret name?” questioned Fluttershy.
The King put his foot to his lips and whispered, “Only my parents know of my true name. It has been a tradition since King Xerxes’s and Queen Esther’s rule that all the future heirs’ names must be riddles for the subjects to solve. My parents gave my people the clue about my name on the day of my birth, and they’ve been trying to figure out it ever since.”
“Oh my, that’s quite a, uh, tradition.” Fluttershy tried to compliment, despite her confusion on why such a tradition would exist for this kingdom.
“Ha ha!” Discord cracked joyously, “That must drive your citizens nuts!”
“It certainly does,” The King beamed, “Anyway, Celestia’s attitude and demeanor towards me changed when, well, with your reformation, my lord.”
“It did?” answered Discord in a shocked tone.
“She has visited me every month since,” The King continued warmly, “Speaking only of your praises and how sorry she was for how she saw me.”
Discord, at first, was slacked jaw at the image of Celestia humbling herself down to others with a multitude of apologies and praising him on, well, anything. But slowly, that shocking image of his strange enemy to friendship companion became a sweet one.
She… she was proud of him. Her enemy.
Over the years, Celestia had become like a sister to him. A trollish twin sister who was just as mischievous, egotistical, and stubborn as she was. A sister that he had love to tease, as well as, praise. He had her respect now. Her admiration. She saw him as a sibling, a brother. As much as Discord loves Fluttershy being proud of him, it was nice to have Celestia’s faith in him as well. It was a nice, fluttering feeling.
Meanwhile, Fluttershy beamed up at Discord and enjoyed this blissful revelation with him. She wasn’t shocked that Celestia was proud of him. How could any pony not be? How could any of his friends not be? So, it was nice to know that Discord finally knows.
“My lord and lady,” The King commented with a graceful bow of his head, “it would be my honor if you joined me and my council for dinner tonight. Let my palace be yours, please stay for the night.”
“But, we’re not,” Fluttershy then pointed back to the stained glass portrait of King Xerxes and Queen Esther, “well, you know.”
“You do not have to be their reincarnations to be valued in my court,” The King reasoned, “my citizens and I admire you so for what you’ve done, not for who you represent. Celestia has told me many amazing stories about the two of you, and I’ve passed them all to my people and my court. They admire what chaos and kindness can do together, and nothing more.”
“Oh, well, in that case,” Fluttershy answered, “let’s start with lunch. Dinner might be too much. Especially after today.”
“Plus, we already paid for a hotel room,” Discord added.
“Fair enough, in that case, I will make sure that the employees at the Shangri La hotel treat you well. As for lunch, that sounds like a marvelous idea.”
Then, The King asked shyly, “Can we, possibly, make it a tea party? In The Garden of Esther?”