Episode 8:
Make New Friends But Keep Discord
Ever since the three have become best friends, Fluttershy, Beshte, and Discord have gotten together on Tuesdays. Usually it’s for tea and snacks, sometimes it’s usually something they can play together before they enjoy their snacks. And recently, Bunga has gotten into their weekly get together’s and found himself having a blast with them.
One week they tried bowling together. Although it’s a game Beshte does well at, Discord having chaotic magic at his disposal keeps scoring perfect 300’s on every game he played to the point he openly bragged about it to everyone around him, so essentially Discord earned himself a one game limit at the bowling alley with his antics. Not that it mattered since Fluttershy is never really good at bowling giving she doesn’t quite have a muscle to push a ten pound ball down with enough speed to hit the pins, let alone knock them down and avoid rolling into the gutter lanes much to her embarrassment.
Luckily, the three were able to find other sports to try out for and they have all worked quite well to their liking. They managed to play tennis together, along with volleyball, and baseball, and they were all able to have fun together with volleyball being their more go-to sport moreso than the others they have tried out. Even with his large size Beshte was able to use his weight to adapt to his more agile friends very well.
After their latest game in volleyball, the friends went to Fluttershy’s cottage to drink some tea and have some snacks. They sat in the living room where they are all listening to another of Discord's stories.
"Ohoho, but that's not all! When I went to look for them again, they were on the ceiling!"
The Pegasus, honey badger, and hippo all laughed at the story. Just listening to him tell these stories is so hilarious to hear.
"Oh, Discord, I've never known anybody as funny as you!" Fluttershy giggled her heart out.
“I know right!” Bunga laughed in agreement while his best friend took a taste of tea like any polite guest would drink it. “Especially that story about the time you tried to train your right paw…to fetch your left leg!"
Suddenly, Beshte had snorted tea from his snout from all of the laughing he did. “Whoa!” He gasped before sheepishly smiling while coughing in between words. “Guess I had a little too much tea too soon.”
“Yeah…” Bunga said sounding quite surprised and stunned yet very amused by what he just saw. “…at least it didn’t go down any further.”
“Why is that?” Discord asked before realizing. “Oh, because it would go down towards the basement and not the attic!” He then laughed hysterically. “Oh, that’s good!”
“Discord!” Fluttershy scolded and frowned at him. “Mind your manners!”
“Oops, did I say that out loud.” Discord realized again he said his inner thoughts out loud. “Sorry.”
Fluttershy being too kind to laugh about it pulled some tissues out so she can wipe the snot off his snout. “I really enjoy our Tuesday teas." Fluttershy said before taking another sip. "And it was wonderful to share them with the rest of our friends."
“And it’s wonderful to be able to join you…” Bunga said while taking a bite of his cookie. “…who would have known that I’d have the time of my life with the spirit of chaos?”
“Like my dad always said, don’t knock tell you try it. Anything can happen when it comes to friendship, Little B.”
Fluttershy's smiled as she had this to say. "Oh, and I can't wait for you all to meet my friend Tree Hugger. She's going to love you too."
The minute she said her name, Discord suddenly felt a bit surprised and visbily…uneasy. "Tree Hugger?"
"I met her on a trip to see the Breezies. She's a member of the Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures." Fluttershy explained.
“How nice for you." He said somewhat bitterly, before actually chewing on his teacup.
“Well that sounds nice to hear.” Bunga complimented. “Can’t want to actually meet her.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll love her Bunga.” Beshte smiled. “She is very interesting and has quite the green love.”
Bunga chuckled. “Enviromentally friendly, I get it.”
"We're all gonna have so much fun together at the Grand Galloping Gala!" Fluttershy said with delight.
Once again it was that time of the year, and this time everyone was invited. From the smallest hydrax to the biggest elephant, everyone’s been given tickets to attend this year’s Gala, though Discord felt displeased when he tossed his tea away, like he wasn’t invited.
But none of the less he still put forward a smile as he smiled at his best pony friend. “Oh, I was wondering when you were going to ask me. I'd love to."
Unfortunately for him he found his friend’s smile fading before confessing as she looked down rather awkwardly. "Oh. Oh, no. Um, I'm afraid I've already asked Tree Hugger."
Predictably, he wasn't too happy about that. "Okay…it’s just one friend, no big deal. I’m sure I can make arrangements with someone else…” He said as he eagerly smiled at Bunga and Beshte hoping that had extra tickets either one of them could spare.
But judging from the equally awkward looks they were responding with, it didn’t seem to be the case in this regard.
“Gosh…I’m sorry Discord, but I already invited Mtoto to come with me to the Gala as my plus one.”
“And I’ve already did the same with both Shauku and Gumba…” Discord looks on confused. "...since Kion already decided to give me his plus-one ticket.” He could not believe what he is hearing. “What? He’s my best friend and he’s already invited since he’s a prince.”
“But…oh…since when is that even possible?” Discord was now baffled. “Kion’s already royalty and now he gets an automatic invite.”
“Sorry.” Bunga shrugged. “Much like Twilight that’s the way it works with royalty.”
Discord then moved to get up and put on his coat before preparing to make his leave.
"I'm sorry, Discord." Flutteshy apologized to assure it’s nothing personal. "We assumed you'd have your own ticket since you, King Simba, and Princess Celestia are friends now. Were you not invited?"
"Who, me? It probably got lost in the mail or maybe the king had some reservations. No biggie, as the foals say. Well, gotta go!"
"But we haven't had any of our Tuesday teacakes." She lifted the plate up and Discord immediately stashed them all into his coat.
"Well, I guess we're just going to have to exclude them from our party this time. Oh, did I say that out loud? I mean, ta-ta."
In a flash of light, he disappeared, leaving the others to finish the rest of the tea and treats on the table.
“Okay…” Bunga said before picking up one of the teacakes on the plate that Discord didn’t take. “…talk about caking it well.”
“Yeah…really good one, Little B.” Beshte awkwardly replied while Fluttershy responded with a silent nod unsure of what to say at the moment.
While the joke was admittedly funny, they were all too stunned and concerned for Discord to even openly laugh at the moment.
Later on in the week it is now the eve of the Gala. Kyoga was currently asleep in the Pride Rock caves. She was groaning a little as she stretched her back before opening her eyes a little to make sure she isn’t pulling any muscles. She found herself startled and fully awake when she found herself face to face with the spirit of chaos right in front of her.
“Hey!” She quickly back-handed him and caused him to slam into the back of the cave caused a big crack in the walls inside.
After recovering from the impact, he retained his steely and menacing stare. “Where’s Kion and Twilight?”
"In Canterlot, helping the alicorns along with the king and queen with the Gala! Anymore questions or are you seeking to find out what happens when you decide rudely interrupt someone when they’re trying to sleep in today?!" Discord then disappeared without another word, leaving the grumpy lioness to slump back down onto the ground so she can go back to sleep. “Ugh. The first night I get to sleep in after a long week and this is what I get as thanks.”
At Canterlot Boutique, Rarity was currently putting the finishing touches on the kid’s outfits along with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's gowns and as always she was very excited to seize upon the opportunity to create new dresses for each and one of her friends along with her sister.
“Oh, your first Grand Galloping Gala! The excitement, the anticipation! I wouldn't miss this for all the jewels in Equestria!" She happily expressed while putting on a light green bow on her little sister’s gown.
Said gown was light blue with a matching flower on her head and had a green gem stone on the chest to match the ribbon wrapped around her body. Scootaloo wore a purple gown with a dragon-fly like decoration on her hair.
Once they were properly fitted they leaped around like happy school girls while doing a sing song dance. "We're going to the Gala! We're going to the Gala! We're going to the Gala!" All while on the side of the room, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Ono, and Fuli were playing cards nearby, sitting on the floor.
Upon hearing and seeing them get all giddy had the country pony speak up to quell it down. "Alright, y'all, keep it down." said the country pony, "It ain't like it's a life-changin' experience or nothiiiiing…" However she found herself at a loss for words when her little sister walked out of the dressing room, wearing a peach colored dress with a flower hair clip, still wearing her big pink bow. The country pony started to tear up at the sight. "My little sister's all grown up!" she then blew her nose into Ono’s wing, much to his disgust.
"Hey!" He yanked it away from her before grabbing rushing over to Rarity’s shower so he can sanitize himself.
Fuli simply suppressed her laugh before moving to get a good look at the little zebra and ostrich trying on their gowns for the Gala since she is planning on taking the former as her plus one while Ono takes the latter as his. And both are looking quite the beauties alongside each other.
The zebra had on stunning bright blue dress with a light orange ribbon and bowtie while the ostrich had an equally beautiful yellow gown with a bright blue ribbon wrapped around it and a matching bow on her head.
“So…”
“…How do we look?”
“You look beautiful, the both of you.” Fuli sweetly complimented to the shy girls blushing at the feeling of wearing dresses. To them, wearing clothes and fancy styled ones are new to them and to hear such a rare compliment from someone who’s not exactly a complete fan for girly girl stuff. “Really, you both look really great in those gowns.”
“Oh, well…”
“…thanks.”
Fuli simply leaned in so she can gently assure them it’s okay. “I get that’s not quite your style, but you’ll get used to it, I promise.”
The Cutie Mark Crusaders giggled with glee and both their own continuing excitement and being unable to indulge in a little teasing their friends a little, "This is gonna be the best night ever!" Just then they looked too of the nearby windows were looking yellow that looks like something’s alive, along with the red dot in the center of the two windows. The girls screamed in terror before running away.
Said eyes belonged to none other than Discord who manifested himself in front of everyone.
“Discord!” The two girls both exclaimed in fear before hiding behind the cheetah for safety.
“It’s okay, girls…” Fuli gently assured “…Discord is on our side now…Mostly.” She muttered to herself on the last word given how he shows his ‘friendly’ nature.
“Indeed I am…” Discord said before eyeing Apple Bloom hiding behind her big sister for protection who likewise frowned at him. “…and I don't suppose that, uh, these adorable little cutie pies have their own tickets to the Gross Gruesome Gala, do they?" He tickled Apple Bloom's chin, but she slapped his paw away and blew a raspberry to which Applejack smiled proudly at her little sister for standing up to him.
Rarity cleared her throat before speaking while Sweetie Belle hides behind her. "Ahem! To answer your rather rude question, they're going as our dates, our plus-ones." She smiled as she hugged her little sister, who began to singsong again.
"We're plus-ones!" The rest of the Crusaders joined in again. "We're plus ones! We're plus-ones!"
Discord removed his horns and plucked them into his ears to cancel out the sound. "Yes, yes, yes, I believe I got that!" He disappeared then reappeared alongside Fuli. “Unless of course…”
Fuli quickly cut him off. “Nope. Sorry. Position’s already filled, both mine and Ono’s, so don’t bother wasting your breath on him, I can already smell it.”
The kids all giggled in response leaving the humiliated spirit of Chaos to scowl before teleporting away all while blowing a raspberry at them in response.
Just after Discord had left for good, Ono had finally emerged from the showers feeling clean as a whistle. “Phew! A few seconds carrying those germs I sure would have been looking green on the beak…” He said to himself before eyeing everyone in the room. “…what did I miss?” He curiously asked.
“Not much.” Fuli replied casually like nothing happened. “And probably for the best you weren’t around for Discord being here for the sake of having a heart attack.”
“Don’t you mean headache?”
“Nope.” She firmly stood by what she meant much to his confusion. “Trust me ‘I’ don’t think you would have wanted to see him while you were looking green on the beak.”
The kids all giggled once more much to Ono’s irritation upon getting the joke she just made at his expense.
“Ha, ha, ha, very funny.” He remarked sarcastically before moving to fly over and focus on what outfit Rarity has designed for him.
Meanwhile at Sugarcube Corner…
"Have a wonderful, special, fantastic day!" Pinkie Pie had just finished another order before moving to walk by a gray-colored box. "Oh, hi, Discord. Want some cake?" He got out, highly surprised that she knew he was there without even spotting him. "I can give you a list of all the flavors we have in order of most delicious to incredibly, unbelievably delicious!" She moved to leap on over to him much to his discomfort as he finds himself backed up against the wall.
Not in the mood for treats right now he moved to get to the point of why he’s really here. "Actually, Pinkie Pie, who are you taking to... I mean, do you…" He couldn't get himself to say the words to her as he scratched the wall a bit with his claws before settling with, "…ugh, oh, you know what? I am famished. I'll take all the cakes."
Pinkie Pie's eyes widened in shock. "All of them?!" She looked directly into the camera and began shaking it…
“Yes Pinkie…” The camera is firmly placed down onto the ground thus surprising the pink pony at whom she believes is the narrator / story teller.
"He wants all of the cakes!" She quickly got to work in the kitchen so she can put together his order.
"Well, I'll need all my energy when I'm dancing at the Gala, if I decide to go that is.” He said while casually leaning against the counter. He then managed pop in the question. “Oh, by the way, are you bringing anypony?"
"Oh, of course!" Discord’s hopeful smile vanished into a resentful frown as she watched Pinkie Pie chatting her mouth off as she packed the cakes into the boxes. "I was gonna ask my mom, because she's, you know, my mom, but it turned out she didn't want to go, so I started asking around and around and around..."
As she kept on talking, Discord spotted Fluttershy walking into town with another pony. A green colored earth mare with long and wavy, somewhat unkempt orange-red hair with a very relaxed expression, along with a flower imprinted light orange bandana on her head.
He looked on very jealously with his anger at being passed over to going to the gala eating into him.
"…and I couldn't think of anypony, and I was about to just go by myself, and I realized, of course! Who loves fancy exciting affairs more than anypony else? My sister Maud!"
"You know what? Cancel my order." He disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Pinkie Pie alone with a large assortment of boxes around the shop now very shocked, confused, and disappointed she did all of that work for nothing.
"You want none of the cakes now?!"
“Afraid so, Pinkie…” The voice spoke to her as she looked around trying to find out where it is coming from.
Outside Fluttershy and her plus-one walked together with the former laughing. "Oh, my, you are funny!"
"I guess every being in Equestria is funny today." Discord sarcastically remarked as he appeared in between the two and stood before them with his back to them.
"Oh, how rude of me. Tree Hugger, this is Discord. Discord, Tree Hugger."
The new pony greeted the spirit, speaking a very mellow and somewhat hippie-like tone. "Radical to meet you. Really digging your vibe."
Discord turned to face her still not feeling pleasant inside with his eyes glowing red to visibly illustrate that, "My vibe?"
"It's a compliment." Fluttershy said upon sensing his unhappiness.
"Oh, well, I'm sure it is. Well, I must be off." He snapped his fingers and disappeared and then reappeared with his back turned on them and his arms crossed. "It has nothing to do with seeing you or not seeing you. You can rest assured of that." He said as he turned around while wiggling his finger before disappearing and reappearing again. "Have fun at the Gala!" And this time, he disappeared away from them for good but not without turning away and face-palming in exasperation.
"Righteous!" Tree Hugger said with a smile already taking a liking to him.
Yet Fluttershy knew deep down that something about the Gala is clearly bugging him, but can’t figure out what exactly.
Afterwards, Discord went to his home for the rest of the day. The place itself naturally is quite fitting since he is the lord of chaos. Everything was floating in a large empty vacuum of dark blue waves, with strange and abnormal creatures floating around, along with several random objects, trees, and other various things that made no sense of them being there. Even his house was chaotically out of order. The stairs were upside down, the doors were on the ceiling, everything was completely mismatched and misplaced. Once he was inside he wasted no time in mimicking Fluttershy's voice to voice himself of his displeasure of her decision to bring Tree Hugger as her plus one to the Gala.
"Oh, Tree Hugger. You're such a great friend. So much funnier than unfunny old Discord!" He slammed the door and accidentally caused a vase to fall and break. He quickly zapped on some cleaning attire and began 'cleaning' the place along with the accidental mess he had. More specifically, by that to him it’s making it filthier. He added more dust bunnies under the couch, placed soap and water onto the windows instead of cleaning them off and 'washed' the clean dishes, making the dirty and placing them into the pile, all the while mimicking his friend's voice.
"No, no, here. Take my plus-one. I insist. Before somepony else thinks he's my friend and expects to be asked instead. What's that? You're worried Discord might be upset?" Not a problem! I can make more new friends anytime I want." After finishing up his daily chores he moved to angrily sit on the couch. "It's not as if any of this actually mattered! I don't even want to go to the Gala anyway!"
He then heard yelling forming from outside and went outside to find what and where it’s coming from. The answer to his question happened to be a parcel pony floating uncontrollably and screaming in terror. Discord moved to catch him. "Are you perhaps looking for me?"
The pony took out a letter from his pocket before replying. "Are you "Discord or current resident"? I can't find any street numbers in this place."
Discord took the letter and used his magic to open it, revealing a golden ticket. He smiled with glee knowing what this means for him. "My ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala! I was invited after all!" He hugged the pony so tightly he could hardly breathe. But then he suddenly had another mood swing when he glared at him in anger, making him quake in fear when he was forced to look at his burning red eyes. "Why is this so late?" he asked in a scarily dark tone.
"Well, I got a little lost after I escaped the flying badgers... Can you point me in the direction of the bottomless pit? I think I can make my way back from there."
"Oh, over there. Somewhere. Just go over there." Discord released the poor pony so he can wander his way out of the chaotic dimension. "Looks like I'll see you all at the Gala after all. But I can't show up alone. Who could I bring on such short notice?" He pondered for a moment before he giggled mischievously when he figured out the answer to himself. And judging from whatever he has in mind, it’s definitely not going to end well for anybody there…
After all of that waiting building up to this day, The Grand Galloping Gala had finally arrived. Ponies, Pride Landers, and all various animals attended, and there was even a jazz band providing the music, giving it a more upbeat fell. Like last time, Princess Celestia, King Simba, Princess Twilight, Prince Kion, all stood on the top of the stairs joined by Princess Luna, Princess Kiara, and Queen Nala to greet the guests.
This year everyone all had new dresses for tonight’s special event.
For the Pride Lander leaders, Simba had on a red jacket with a black bowtie in contrast to the outfit he had on last time. Nala had on a brighter sky blue dress with plenty of diamond sequins on it courtesy of Rarity with white pearl earrings. Kiara had on a peach and orange colored dress.
For the Equestrian leaders, Celestia had on a pink and peach gown much like Kiara’s while Luna had on a black dress with a dark blue necklace made out of gems that Rarity had provided her.
Twilight wore a light blue gown, with a simple and regular blue ribbon tied to the side of her waist and her hair was styled into a loose bun, and her bangs wrapped up with the remaining strands curled up.
Kion much like his mother’s dress had on a cooler shade blue tuxedo with a matching blue bowtie. He also had a white pearl watch on his left wrist to further match his mother’s pearls on her ears to which Rarity insisted he wear for a splash of fancy taste much like his mother’s formal attire.
Never the less, all of their friends and family were there. The only ones uninvited are of course is the current Pride Land enemies with Ushari included in light of his treasonous actions from his attempted attack on the alicorn sisters during the second Battle of Pride Rock. Not that it mattered to him since the last time the Gala was held resulted in a massive disaster created courtesy of Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and of course the one he especially hates the most, Bunga.
"I must say, it's been very nice having you take over some of the planning responsibilities for this year's Gala." Celestia thanked the two young leaders standing by her side.
"Anything we can do to make it easier on you." Twilight said thinking nothing of it.
“Thank you both. "Thank you, girls. I am quite looking forward to just enjoying the Gala for once."
“Me too.” Luna added since she is here and dressed up for once.
“Along with some nice quality time with my husband.” Nala added to which both husband and wife chuckled knowing what that’s mean much to their son’s discomfort.
“Mom…Dad…?!”
“It’s just a dance, Kion. Nothing else.” His mother assured while Twilight looked aside to suppress her laughter much to her friend’s further embarrassment and his sister’s amusement.
“I can tell you two are having fun already.” Kion remarked at the young girls who simply shrug in response both already having and liking the older sister vibe together. And at least they are being friendly about it and not being overly mean about it.
Just then fanfare sounded off and the announcer pony began calling the guests' names when they arrived.
"Announcing, Sir Bunga of the Pride Lands, Bravest of the Lion Guard, and his guest, Shauku."
The honey badger himself wearing a white tuxedo and a silver bowtie alongside his plus one companion wasted no time in soaking in all of the attention given to him. “Thank you! Thank you everyone! Thank you!”
“Oh, Bunga…” Kion shook his head rather amused alongside Twilight. “…you didn’t have to make that big of an entrance.”
“But what fun is that?” He asked back before eyeing the nearby snack table. “Oh, come on buddy, dinner is served.”
“Wait for me!” He yelled after him before they both engorged on a ton of fun there.
Well that got the night furthermore interesting since there were some Pride Landers encouraging them to eat as much as they can along with some others who cared to join them.
So far, things were really looking up in the right direction this year. That is until they witnessed one more guest arrive…
"Announcing the spirit of chaos, Discord, and his guest, the, uh…" The former whispered into his ear. "The Smooze!"
The entire ballroom gasped in horror at the sight of the creature! It was a big pile of green blob that was oozing disgusting slime wherever it went! It had no eyes but a mouth and it wore a red tie and blue top hat.
Muhimu, the mother zebra wound up gasping and fainting upon seeing it, while Swala still looks on stunned while catching the former. Twiga looked on before moving to the nearby window and throwing up while Vuruga Vuruga had to shield her on eyes to avoid gaining the urge herself. But Discord himself was as charming as always, wearing his flashy orange tuxedo and matching top hat.
"Good evening, everybody! What a glorious affair!"
The Smooze's mouth somehow stretched out and took one of the announcer’s horn.
"He does have a yen for shiny things, the rascal." Discord patted the Smooze's head, only to have his paw covered in goop, which he wiped off on the announcer's jacket.
Both Kion and Twilight were left shocked and disgusted in what they were seeing.
“What in the Pride Lands?” The former gasped before smiling alongside his best friend to the others standing beside them.
Thurston however looked like he was about to “Panic and Run.” again. Just when he was gasping Kyoga, who was currently wearing a light purple ballgown quickly placed a paw on his mouth to keep him from doing so. “Now, calm down everyone, I’m sure there’s a very good explanation for this.”
“We'll take care of this." Twilight stated before she and Kion rushed and casually dragged Discord back to the entrance. "What are you doing here with... that?!" She asked while pointing to the creature, for which various guests were avoiding.
“Discord…” Kion said rather sternly. “…when we said that all guests can bring a plus one to the Gala we didn’t mean something that’ll disrupt other ponies and Pride Landers. Plus boogers and snot is not funny!"
Discord wagged his finger at them in response. "Now, now, now. The Smooze may be an "it", but it's an it with a heart of, well, blob."
Twilight however could see through it all. “Are you doing this just to get back at us for not inviting you to the gala?”
“No of course.” He played it off like it was a joke. “I’m just giving creatures like Smooze a chance to relish in the royalty beautiful surroundings of Canterlot. There isn’t a problem with it is it?”
Kion seeing through his reason too, moved to look at Discord in the eyes to make his point across. “Look, this night is extremely important to us, the alicorns, and my family." He and Twilight send them a wave and a reassuring smile.
Twilight added as she spoke through gritted teeth, "So keep it under control!"
Discord managed to gently move both the prince and princess away with his staff. "Yes, yes, yes, of course. Tell me, have you seen Fluttershy anywhere?" He walked away looking for his other friend, leaving the prince and princesses to look on very wary of him. Knowing him, whatever he is doing can’t be good.
Elsewhere, Applejack and Rarity both wearing newer and fancier green and purple dresses to the Gala both follower and smiled at the Crusader's enthusiasm to being at the biggest social event of the year. The former had on a top hat with a shiny red apple on top, with a red rose on her chest, while the latter had both blue and purple gem accessories on headdress and necklace.
"We're here! We're here! We made it to the Gala!"
Discord took out a large diamond and fed it to the Smooze. Once he ate it, it grew a few inches. Discord spotted Fluttershy near a table, happily chatting with Tree Huger and even Beshte who is with his plus one Mtoto.
Fluttershy wore a beautiful greenish-blue peacock inspired gown eight a feather in her hair. Mtoto wore a silver tuxedo with a light blue bowtie. Beshte also wore a silver tuxedo and a blue bowtie with both the tuxedo and bowtie being a darker shade of color than his younger companion. Tree Hugger wore a simple light purple dress with white flowers in her head. All three of her friends were laughing and giggling as Tree Huger told them her story.
"The aura coming off the waterfall was so alive! So, like, magic manifestation."
"Wow."
“Poa!”
“Cool!”
The three friends were so entertained with the story that they didn't notice Discord 'accidentally' bumping into Fluttershy.
"Oh, Fluttershy, Behste. I didn't see you there." But much to his shock, they both ignored him.
"How did you even know to look for an aura on a waterfall?" Fluttershy asked.
Discord then tried clearing his throat, irritably hacking and coughing to get their attention, which he finally did.
“Aah!” Mtoto gasped upon seeing him still scared of him.
"Discord!"
“You made it! For a minute there we thought you weren’t coming!”
"No. I actually never said that. But funny how you remembered it that way. Anyway, good to see you. Tree Friend, is it? Your name is slipping my mind right now. How strange."
But the green pony remained perfectly mellow and friendly in response. "Nice to meet you. I'm Tree Hugger. Blessings."
"You have met me before, actually!" Discord replied irritably before snorting, like an angry bull.
"Cool! Like, in another life, maybe?"
"You've gotta be kidding. You don't remember me?" He removed his hat to show off his mismatched horns, hoping to jog her memory from before the Gala.
Tree Huger only laughed in response. "I meet a lot of different creatures, each one of them perfect and unique."
Discord still was rubbed off the wrong way but was not about to that ruin tonight. "Yes, well, as I was saying, it's just great to be here with my oldest, bestest friend." He said as he wrapped his arms around Fluttershy and Beshte.
"Are we really your oldest, bestest friends?" Fluttershy asked with a heartfelt smile.
Discord laughed like it was a joke. "You? Of course not! You think I don't have other friends? I'm centuries old! I was talking about the Smooze!" He introduced his guest to the others. "Smoozeface, the Smoozinator – well, I mean that's what we called him back in college." He then placed the gigantic blood on the table, startling everyone at the table. "Smooze! I would like you to meet Fluttershy, P'Li and, um, hmm... Tree... how'd you say it... Tree Embrace?"
“Discord…” Beshte spoke a little concerned. “…are you okay?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
“You seem to not quite understand True Hugger’s name even after we just told you quite a few times.”
Regardless Tree Hugger took it in stride. “It’s okay Beshte.” She said as she takes the time to meet Smooze. "Oh, I like that! It's so in rhythm with my life force! Maybe I'll change it!"
The Smooze started reaching for Tree Huger's shinny yellow necklace, but Discord slapped him before he could.
Beshte seeing that this is not quite a comfortable family-friendly atmosphere but not wanting to upset the guests moved to greet Discord’s plus-one invite. "Nice to meet you…Smooze." The creature smiled back thus making him start to think he’ll won’t be too much of a problem tonight.
Fluttershy giggled, being amused by the creature herself. "I can't believe I've never heard you speak of the Smooze before. Sounds like you two are so close."
Discord crossed his arms in a pouty manner in response. "Well, I'm glad you got that, because that's what is true. We are." he disappeared and then reappeared, hugging the Smooze, who had just left the table. "Very close."
"That's wonderful! The five of us should go out to dinner sometime!"
Discord reacted by accidentally squeezing the Smooze toot tightly, causing it to fall apart only to reconnect itself again and slither away.
"We should all go out to dinner sometime?! Have you no heart?" He heard a couple of elderly ponies screaming in terror, "Oh, oh! It looks like somepony wants to mingle. We'll be back in a bit."
"Oh, okay. Beshte, Treezie and I would love to talk to you more later!"
Discord only became more incensed. "Treezie? Really? Sort of a juvenile nickname, don't you think?" The sound of smashing glass and ponies screaming caught his attention. "Smoozie! Wait up!"
He followed after her leaving both Fluttershy and Beshte not quite understanding what the hay was going on with Discord and why he was acting like he was left out.
“Mtoto, he’s gone, you can come out.” The hippo told his little friend who looked on relieved that Discord is no longer around, yet amazed that he and Fluttershy are best buds not even afraid of him.
“Thanks.” But then he asked. “How you are both not even scared of him.”
“Simple. By taking the time to actually get to know him and befriend him we learned he can be quite friendly deep down.”
“Yes, turns out all he really needed was someone to show him a little kindness when it really mattered.”
“Really?”
“Yes, maybe if you give it a chance, it’s magic might work wonders on you and Discord.”
“I guess.” Even with their kindness, Mtoto was still a little hesitant in wanting to befriend him. “Whenever he is done acting weird.”
Even still Beshte and Fluttershy both remained confident that it can happen.
“I’m sure we arrange that, no problem.” Beshte confidently replied before looking on where he last saw Discord headed. “Hopefully sometime tonight.”
Discord led the Smooze to the doors that led to the garden outside. "Now, listen, Smooze. I need to make this a party of one for a little while. Just stay out here until I come for you." He pushed the poor creature out into the garden and locked the door. He heard laughing and saw Apple Bloom, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Tree Hugger, Beshte, Bunga, Ono, Fuli, Kambuni, and Kwato all laughing.
Discord appeared and began laughing loudly, making the situation awkward.
"What's so funny?" Tree Hugger asked.
"Exactly!"
Feeling awkward, Rainbow, Scootaloo and the two Apple sisters backed way slowly, "Uhh… I think we're gonna go hit the dance floor." Rainbow Dash said on behalf of herself and her plus-one.
Fuli was also quick to come up with an excuse. “Come on girls, let’s go to the garden and admire the flowers.”
“Good idea.”
“Let’s.”
Ono was quick to join them. “Wait for me!”
Discord wrapped his arm around the yellow pony, "Fluttershy, tell the Hugs here about the time that we went to the store and came back with two cakes instead of one, because that's how crazy we are when we're together."
"Um, we went to the store and bought two cakes." Fluttershy said, feeling slightly awkward and having no idea why he wanted her to tell it.
"Oh. Then, what about when me and Beshte went sliding down the Hakuna Matata falls, remember that?"
The hippo too felt awkward. “Yeah I remember that. We sure had quite some fun together.”
Discord arched an eyebrow, "Well, you kind of left out all the fun and frivolity there. But I'm sure you got it, Tree Hugger."
"I got that you really like cake and board games." She said with a smile, which only further angered him.
"We like each other. That was the point! I'm actually pretty lukewarm about cake."
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH"
All of the guests were startled at the sound of a very loud female scream. One that belongs to Rarity herself. She had gone out to the garden for some air and she was now banging hard on the doors.
"Let me in!" she shouted.
Fuli who just happened to be headed towards that door quickly rushed over in and instant and unlocked it, letting the poor unicorn enter. She crawled on the floor, with her beautiful gown now covered in green ooze, spiting the repulsive substance from her mouth, gasping for air.
"That creature took my jewels!"
From outside, the Smooze was eating the headpiece of one of the party guests, frightening her before she ran off screaming. Twilight and Kion turned to the spirit of chaos, narrowing their eyes very crossly at him. The creature appeared to grow even more with every shiny thing he eats.
"Discord! I thought we told you to keep your friend under control!" Twilight scolded angrily.
"Oh, please. I have better things to do than to watch that thing all night." he quickly caught what he had just said when he noticed the looks from Fluttershy, Beshte, and Tree Hugger. He laughed nervously, "What I mean to say is, that thing is a dear, dear friend, and I'll make sure that the ooze, uh, that he can't help but secrete doesn't get on anybody else."
He appeared before Rarity and used a vacuum cleaner to suck up all the ooze out of her…including her dress. The unicorn felt so embarrassed to be seen without her dress and tried to cover herself, feeling violated.
Bunga taking notice of this commented to the mongoose while munching on the refreshments relentlessly. “Boy talk about embarrassing.”
“I know considering we usually don’t wear clothes.”
“I know right!”
Feeling sympathy, with a bright glow of her horn, Twilight made her friend’s gown reappear on her, all clean and unharmed, much to her relief. "Thank you, darling."
Kion then addressed to the party guests, "It's alright, everybody, everypony. Let's just get back to enjoying this magical evening!"
After receiving his only warning from both the youngest prince and princess, Discord pulled the Smooze with a leach since the giant blob was making things more complicated than he had hoped. " You are making me look like a fool in front of everyone." He led the creature to a closet and shoved him inside before closing the door, "I'll be back when the Gala is over."
The poor guy was now feeling really sad to be locked away in a closet, especially since he was actually having fun tonight. However, he quickly changed his attitude once he got a load of all the treasures inside the closet, all with a huge appetite.
Meanwhile while both Pinkie and Gumba were both having a blast at laughing together while the former’s stoic sister looks on without any hint of emotion, Fuli is with the two girls who are still absorbing their surroundings at the Gala.
“So what do you think? Everything okay so far?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Sure.”
It didn’t take much for Fuli to sense that there is something that’s not allowing them to feel completely comfortable tonight. “Expect…”
“I never expected that there would be so many animals and ponies here tonight.” Kambuni shyly squeaked.
“Me neither.” Kwato agreed while hiding and clinging behind her sparkling yellow and black stripe dress.
“It’s okay.” Fuli continued treating them like she is their mother. “Understandable. It is your first Gala, so naturally it takes time warming up to what this event has to offer.” She then spots Fluttershy nearby along with Beshte. “Tell you what, how about we go over and see what Fluttershy and Beshte are doing, I see Mtoto is there too and they are all enjoying company from a new friend too.”
“Sure!” Both girls gleamed up at the idea eager to see the friends they are most comfortable being around.
At the same time, Discord then appeared on the chandelier, looking down at the ballroom. He heard laughing and spotted Fluttershy, Beshte, and Mtoto with Tree Hugger.
"Oh, Tree Hugger, I've never known anypony as funny as you!"
At that point, Discord was really letting his anger and jealousy get the better of him. So he decided to try his hand at comedy in order to resolve this.
Suddenly the lights went dim and a spotlight appeared on a stage Discord had just made. He tapped on the microphone before speaking into it.
"Check, check, check. Is this thing on? Good evening, fillies and germs! I just flew into Canterlot, and wow, are my interspecies parts tired!"
Only the sound of crickets was heard accompanied with dead silence. Nobody found it funny and only looked at Discord clearly unimpressed. He then decided to try a different approach.
"I've only got these tiny mismatched wings, and even I can fly better than Twilight Sparkle! Am I right? Pchoo!"
"Hey!" Twilight exclaimed clearly annoyed by that pot shot at her, but Kion, Kiara, and Celestia giggled a bit at her expense.
Kion stopped when he noticed that Twilight was glaring at him. He’s still learning to fly too, but he personally thought that he too can have some fun poking his friend alongside Kiara as much as they tease him at his expense.
“Aw come on Twilight. I can poke fun at you too right?”
Discord laughed nervously, seeing that didn’t get a laugh. "Uh, well, perhaps you're into more observational humor."
He zapped himself away and only his head appeared, making it look like he was sticking his head out through the brick wall background before walking out with a new outfit, a blue dress jacket with a white shirt and red tie.
"Did you ever notice how you always materialize out of thin air? Why not thick air? What's the deal there?"
Even still that’s not even close to getting the crowd to laugh. Nothing but glares, arched eyebrows and coughs. Discord pulled on his collar, his eyes bulging in a comical manner. "Tough crowd." he said in a Rodney Dangerfield impression.
"What is he doing?!" Kion asked, feeling sympathetic yet confused.
"I think they're... jokes?" Rainbow Dash replied unsure herself.
“Well he’s not doing a pretty good job is he?” Ono commented.
“Nope.” Kyoga shook her head in agreement.
Pinkie Pie however smiled with delight. "Maud! Jokes!"
"My favorite." She said stoically.
“Mine too!” Bunga stated happily while bouncing on over with the others alongside the mongoose who like Bunga are both rolling around with balloon bellies.
“Just try not to get overinflated with your enthusiasm as much as your gut because you both hadn't missed anything so far.” Fuli quipped while glancing at the nearly destroyed tables nearly empty of food and drinks before returning the look towards the two who just look on satisfied.
“This Gala sure knows how to get great grubs.”
“No kidding.”
Ono shook his head in dismay before moving his attention back to Discord trying to tell another joke to get the crowd laughing.
"You might be a Ponyville pony when an ordinary night on the town ends in a lesson about friendship!"
“Ha, ha, ha, ha.” Ono laughed in a deadpan manner. “Like you’re one to talk about friendship, buster.”
Bunga cracked up pulled out a shotgun (unloaded of course) and then made sounds like he was shooting from it. “Burn!” The crowd all laughed in response to the two leaving the spirit of chaos feeling heated already yet again.
While Discord continued with his attempted show, Ono then turned and noticed something from behind the door where the Smooze was being kept in. The inside began to glow and leaving the white egret looking very concerned and alarmed.
“Kion, Twilight…” He whispered to them and pulled them aside for a quick word to direct their attention to what’s going on in the closet.
Back Discord was now wearing a red and white striped shirt with a French dark blue braid and vest, putting a watermelon on a stool.
"Knock knock!" But still go no amused reactions from the crowd. No giggle or even a light chuckle, nothing. And that left the spirit of chaos himself baffled that even hasn’t gotten a laugh out of it. "You're supposed to say "Who's there?"! This is the most basic of jokes!" Discord took out a wooden mallet and smashed the fruit, causing the seeds, bits and juice from the melon to splatter all over the place.
"You're the most basic of jokes." Maud said in response to his attempts at humor.
Pinkie laughed finding it hilarious, "Good one, Maud!"
Most of the party guests laughed yet, much to Discord's further embarrassment and anger. In fact he was angry to the point he glared at the honey badger making shotgun noises again just before he repeat “Burn!” again.
But at that moment, the very bright white glow caught everyone’s attention. The door busted open with a large overflow of green goop swooping down and across the room. Simba upon seeing it widened his eyes in horror.
"What is that?!"
“Hapana! Big trouble!” Ono screamed before taking flight from the ground along with Twilight who just barely avoided the glob touching her hooves.
Upon seeing the green ooze flooding the place, everyone all ran all over the place, all while screaming in terror. Instantly many of the guests found themselves stuck to the floor, unable to break free from the goo.
Rainbow Dash tried to fly but to no avail, and was left stuck to floor with her wings now covered in slime. Both Bunga and Shauku tried to hop away but weren’t quick enough to avoid getting caught in up in the goo and wound bouncing in place by it.
“Aw man!”
“Guess we really bitten off more than we can chew!”
“Hang on!” Fuli shouted to both of the little and terrified girls before carrying them out of the room as fast as she could. She winced and looked aside before charging head on into the glass.
“Fuli!” Kion screamed in horror after managing to fly off of the ground in time after witnessing that.
“We’re okay!” Fuli and the girls all called out from outside.
Kion now angered by what he was seeing moving to work his magic against the Smooze but to his frustrated surprise he finds that his attacks have no effect on it. Not even Twilight’s magic did anything to do any damage. “Hevi Kabisa! Our magic isn’t doing a thing on this ooze!”
Twilight who is floating alongside his friend turned to both Celestia and Luna who are both unfortunately covered in green slime. "Can you stop it?"
Celestia tried to activate her magic, but the tip of her horn was covered in the ooze. Luna tried to do the same along with Kyoga and her siblings but the speed the green ooze had flowed towards in their direct was too fast for them to muster a counter-attack.
"I'm afraid not!"
"Discord, how could you bring him here?!" Kion angrily yelled at the draconiquis, who appeared to be enjoying this with blatant disregard towards the other’s suffering.
"Oh, he's not that bad!"
Rarity rose up her hooves in dramatic dismay. "Oh, my shoes will be ruined forever!"
Applejack rolled her eyes in annoyance. "That's what you're worried about? Really?"
“We’ve got bigger problems than your sense of fashion. Like the feeling like we’re in the pits of the hippo’s mud springs!” Ono yelled out to her before quickly sprinting away when green ooze was about to make contact with him.
Pinkie Pie rode on Maud like a boat as she rowed across the ooze like she was floating across a great big river and having fun with it. Other’s like Makuu, Simba, Nala, Ma Tembo were all disgusted with all of the sticky stuff stuck to their paws. Bupu, Big Baboon, and Kifaru were all just looking on in unfazed dismay.
“Ugh, great!” Makuu grumbled.
“You’ve said it!” Bupu agreed.
Fluttershy, Beshte, Mtoto and Tree Hugger found themselves splattered on the wall, stuck there because of the ooze. Tree Hugger was upside down.
"This is kind of a bummer." She said without much emotion.
Discord appeared before them, "Isn't it, though? And to think, it would never have happened had I come to the Gala as somebody else's plus-one." He eyed both Fluttershy and Beshte, but it was clear that the former was still not getting the message.
Beshte however was able to piece it together. “Do you mean to tell us that you’re doing all of this just because we didn’t bring you to the Gala as our plus-one’s?”
"Seems like something might have harshed his flow, you know? Like, his senses are agitated." The hippie pony simply said unfazed even when feeling the blood flow to her head.
"You don't know anything about rare creatures. I've known Smoozeface for ages. He's not agitated. He's partying down! Whoo!"
Bupu tried to free himself to no avail since he like most others is stuck to the floor. “This coming from the guy who nearly unleashed an eternity of chaos upon us.”
“So very reassuring.” Makuu quipped in agreement.
"All he needs is some, like, calming auditory therapy." Tree Hugger said as she focused her energy on her inner peace. "I know I always feel really at peace when I'm being bathed in positive vibes. Maybe he'll calm down with some sonic bliss."
Discord scoffed in response. "Do you even know what you just said?"
Tree Hugger proceeded to meditate while making calming noises with her mouth. "Ommmm. Ee-ee-ee-ee-ee! Ommmm. Ee-ee-ee-ee-ee!"
Much to everyone’s surprise, the Smooze stopped moving around upon hearing the hippie pony’s meditating noises. He smiled as he began to rise up, soaking all of the ooze that held Fluttershy, Beshte, Mtoto, and Tree Hugger against the wall.
"Let go, Smooze! Bliss out! Ommmm. Ee-ee-ee-ee-ee!"
All of the green snow that was one everyone started to come right off, being soaked up by the Smooze, cleaning them all from top to bottom. Their cloths were as good as new again. Soon the Smooze became whole again, and was now gigantic, but smiling happily thanks to Tree Hugger's great thinking and 'positive vibes'.
“Poa!” Beshte was the first to speak up very impressed with what she just did when nothing else worked and everyone instantly cheered happily now that the Smooze was under control.
"Way to go, Tree Hugger!" Rainbow happily congratulated while flapping her wings.
Both Makuu and Bupu had an instant turnaround as even they couldn’t help but feel impressed.
“Well, I stand corrected.”
“Me too!”
Fluttershy was so proud of her friend she gave her one of her biggest hugs. "That was the most magical thing I've ever seen done with animals!" Discord seeing this was now at his breaking point with her as he began grinding his teeth in anger.
"Oh, thanks, everypony. It makes perfect karmic sense why magic or bending doesn't work on him. He only responds to vibrations that peace out his energy fields."
"Stop it! Stop it!" Discord angrily snapped. "That's it! I'm done with you, Tree Hugger!"
"Oh, man. You're really bumming me out. Can you just, like, lower your voice a slosh?"
"A skosh? A skosh?!" With a snap from his claw, he literally tore open a portal into thin air and levitated Tree Hugger upwards. The earth pony's eyes widened in horror at the sight before her for the first time tonight.
"Whoa, dude! What is that?!"
"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm simply going to send you to another dimension. I can't have you interfering in my relationship with my friends anymore!"
Fluttershy flew up to face the draconiquis seeing he is now crossing a line. "Discord, stop!"
"I will, just as soon as she's gone! Then we can have a good laugh about this whole affair over our regular Tuesday tea." He zapped a floating table in between them and sipped in the tea.
Kion deciding enough is enough flew over to get face to face with him. “That’s enough Discord! Leave her alone!” The Smooze moved to try to eat his sparkling bow tie but the young lion bared his teeth and growled at him in response ready to use the Roar against him. “Smooze! Back off! Now!”
Intimidated, Smooze whimpered before backing off knowing better than to mess with a lion with a supernatural roar.
Discord then wrapped his arm around her and Fluttershy attempting to get her to understand his reasons for doing so. "I'm doing you all a favor! It's a lovely dimension! White sand beaches, attentive wait staff... I mean, okay, the humidity isn't great, but where isn't that the case these days?"
"I don't understand why you're doing this! We were all getting along so well!"
It is there Discord finally made his ulterior motives perfectly clear to her. "As well as we could, considering you've already stomped all over our friendship by inviting her to the biggest night of the year! And none of you guys even thought about inviting me either, as if I didn't matter at all!"
"Did you really think I'd abandon you just because I have a new friend?!" Fluttershy sternly questioned.
"Yes, because that's what you did! That's what you all did!"
Beshte with his earlier suspicions confirmed then decided to speak his mind to him. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. We never did anything like that. And if that’s what was you were thinking why didn’t just say so?”
"I think the better question is why didn't you figure it out?"
"If that’s so why didn’t you tell us when we tried to ask you before you created this big mess!"
"Because I was embraced! I thought you didn't want me around since you each brought your own pals to the gala! Abandoning me!"
“That’s not true Discord! We never abandoned you, not even for a second! Here we were hoping to have a great time together at the Gala as friends. Not for you to go bonkers all because your invitation arrived later than you expected.”
“But…but…” Discord was left at a loss for words. “…you didn’t invite me and neither did Fluttershy.”
“…and you truly think that we liked you any less then before?” Beshte further pressed upon Discord who couldn’t come up with a good answer.
"And what if you had a friend that you could discuss chaos-based magic with?" Fluttershy further asked. "Would that mean we weren't friends anymore?"
"Uh…No, I suppose not. It would just mean that I'd have different friends for different things…" It was there he finally came to see what he was really doing. "Oh, oh, dear, it looks like I've perhaps overreacted just a skosh."
"More like a lot of skoshes!" Fluttershy exclaimed before addressing to threaten friend. "Tree Hugger, could you give us a minute?"
The pony nodded her head in yes in response. She was perfectly fine with these friends having a moment. The two landed on the ground, next to Beshte, all still looking at Discord very disappointed with his behavior tonight.
"I'm just so new at this whole friendship thing. It's so much more complicated than it looks."
"Do you think maybe you owe somepony an apology?" Fluttershy suggested. Discord made two flowers appear on his paw and handed them to the two. But Fluttershy swatted them away. "Not us!"
"Oh! Oh. Yes, right." He snapped his fingers and the portal disappeared. Tree Hugger landed safely onto the floor on a pillow. Upon seeing that she is all right Fluttershy hugged her in relief.
Twilight cleared her throat. “Ahem!" she pointed her hoof to the Smooze, who was still trying to eat anything shiny. Discord appeared next to him, stuck his hand in and removed all of the royal jewels he had eaten, causing the Smooze to shrink back to him normal size. Once the jewels were back in the closet safely, Discord approached the green pony with a much-needed apology.
"Er, Tree Hugger, I'm sorry that you got caught in the middle of my... er, you know... wrath."
"Oh, it's all groovy." She smiled to assure all is good. Feeling relieved and satisfied, Discord embraced her in a loving hug. But to his surprise the pony gently removed herself from the attempted embrace. "Um, I need like a few minutes to clear out my chakras before I can hug you from a place of authenticity."
Discord laughed while accepting her needs. "Oh, your chakras. Fair enough."
“And keep in mind Discord…” Beshte said with a gentle smile. “…feel free to tell us if something we’re doing is really bugging you the next time it happens. It won’t affect our friendship either way.”
“I’ll definitely keep that in mind.” Discord vowed. “Boy it sure seems a quite a ways to go in learning friendship.”
“It’s not easy at times, but it always works out in the end.”
“Could have said it better myself.”
With all of the chaos from all of the drama that had just went down smoothed over, the party was now going on smoothly yet again. The friends all relaxed on the stage, while Discord was apologizing to his plus-one.
"I owe you an apology, Smooze. I spent the whole evening thinking about my own feelings and never thinking about yours."
To his relief, the Smooze was very forgiving as he kissed Discord's cheek.
"Well, friends! I think I may actually grow to like this being honest with your feelings and multiple-friend thing."
"I like it too." Maud said, still as stoic as ever.
"Hey, it's not a party until somepony spreads magic-resistant ooze uncontrollably over the ballroom!" Pinkie moved to hug the green glop, "Come on, Smoozinator! Let's dance!"
“Yeah come on! Let’s” Kambuni smiled at Kwato to join her to which she was more than happy to along with Fuli.
“Wait for me!”
“Right behind you girls!”
Seems like this chaotic night was all the kids needed to feel more comfortable with being at the Gala after all.
The band played upbeat jazz music that got everybody to dance. The alicorns, lions, and Twilight all looked on at the scene with Twilight looking on feeling upset with herself.
"I'm sorry, everybody. I know how much you were all looking forward to tonight, but everything just went completely crazy."
“What are you talking about?!” Simba smiled at her like she was talking nonsense. "You’ve got nothing to be sorry about."
Celestia agreed while sporting a beaming smile. "This has been the most fun Gala in years!"
"I know, it was a—What?!" Twilight was now completely shocked at what she was hearing.
Kion himself couldn’t help but feel stunned himself too. “Really, Dad, Celestia? But there was ooze all over the place! And one of the guests threatened to send somepony to another dimension!"
Celestia still felt positive about it all. "I know! Can you imagine how dull it would have been if we hadn't invited Discord?"
“But…the kids…they were all nearly harmed and eaten up by the Smooze. They should have been traumatized by what just happened tonight!”
“And they all had fun together. Plus…” Celestia gestured to the kids all dancing together with their plus-ones feeling much more happier and out-going than they were before as well as showing no fear to Discord when he joined them on the dance floor. “…it helped some of the kids to develop a more sociable liking to the Gala.”
“Plus…” Simba positively added. “Everyone is all safe and everyone is still having fun together. So no harm no foul. And to think I almost didn’t consider the idea at first.”
“Well said, Simba.” Nala said with a smile before gently nudging him to head on over to the dance floor. “And now, shall we…”
Simba smiled back. “Let’s.”
“Come on!” Celestia shouted with high enthusiasm as she nudged the still stunned alicorn onto the dance floor. “The night is still young!”
“Wait for us!” At the same time Luna moved to do the same with Kion who is also sharing his friend’s stunned shock that it all actually worked out in the end.
“Well…” Celestia offered her hoof to Twilight as the next set of music started to play.
“Shall we…” Luna did the same with Kion who both briefly looked at each other before looking back at the eagerly smiling alicorn sisters.
Both the prince and princess shrugged, accepting that a little bit of chaos wasn't so bad after all.
“Let’s.” Both stated together both accepting their hoofs just when the song began with Kion personally having this comment before the dance began.
“Now I feel like I’m dreaming.”
Discord having heard this had this to say in response before getting them to start dance.
“Kion, I don't think you quite realize what you got here!
So, why don't you just ruminate,
While I illuminate the possibilities!”
He literally illuminated while everyone danced to the tune.
“Well Ali Baba had them forty thieves
Scheherezade had a thousand tales
But masters you in luck 'cause up your sleeves
You each got a brand of magic never fails.”
Discord sang while having said thieves appear and surround everyone only for many clones to fight them all off, all with banana cream pies and confetti bombs. Next thing everyone knows is that they are all in a clown rodeo ring as opposed to the dance floor.
“You got some power in your corners now
Some heavy ammunition in your camps.”
He sang before literally starting up fireworks around them inside which moved to fly outside before making a golden oil lamp appear in Kion’s paws and had him and Twilight rub it.
"You got some punch, pizzazz, yahoo and how
See all you gotta do is rub that lamp
And I'll say…”
He appears through the little hole in a puff of yellow chaotic smoke and crossing his arms.
“Mister Kion, Miss Twilight, sir and ma’am,
What will your pleasures be?”
The two find themselves sitting in front of a table at a fancy restaurant with Discord now dressing as their waiter.
“Let me take your orders
Jot it down
You ain't never had a friend like me
Ha ha ha.”
In an instant he has food served on a silver platter. Knowing Discord, and still entertained by what he was serving that, both leaders of the Guard played along with the act as he caters to them like they are his king and queen.
“Life is your restaurant
And I'm your maitre d'
C'mon whisper what it is you want
You ain't never had a friend like me
Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service
You're the boss
The king, The queen, the shah
Say what you wish
It's yours! True dish
How about a little more Baklava?”
On top of them they find themselves literally standing on rising columns, one with an a exclusive platter of food before leaping down on one supported by a large tower of fruit to which both Pinkie and Gumba took pleasure in eating up along with all of the food Discord has catered for the Royal Family.
“Have some of column "A"
Try all of column "B"”
The two find themselves leaping on a large comfy pillow down below courtesy of Discord snapping his fingers.
“I'm in the mood to help you dudes!
You ain't never had a friend like me.”
Discord then danced now wearing a white tuxedo with a red bow tie while Pinkie, Gumba, Shauku, and Bunga all danced alongside him before performing more magical tricks.
“Can your friends do this?
Can your friends do that?
Can your friends pull this out their little hat?
Can your friends go, Poof!”
And before anyone from the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard realized it they were all facing potential suitors, both female and male dancers all dancing beside their counterparts. All past love interests and some that others have yet to meet.
“Well, looky here
Can your friends go, Abracadabra, let 'er rip
And then make the sucker disappear?
So doncha sit there slack jawed, buggy eyed
I'm here to answer all your midday prayers
You got me bona fide, certified
You got a spirit for your chare d'affaires
I got a powerful urge to help you out
So what-cha wish? I really wanna know
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
Well, all you gotta do is rub like so - and oh
Mister Kion, Miss Twilight, sir, ma’am, have a wish or two or three
I'm on the job, you big nabob
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend like me
You ain't never had a friend like me!”
When the song ended, everyone in attendance all applauded finding he has put together an amazing musical number himself…
…well, all but one pony. A very particular and familiar light pink pony with a dark purple mane with blue streaks, wearing a formal black dress with purple gems on it and mane styled together like a beehive standing tall, along with black shades to avoid being recognized making her way through the castle undetected while everyone was distracted with a heavy saddlebag in tow.
Once she was outside she sighed in relief knowing that she just managed to obtain what she needed for the next part of her and Scar’s plan in their plot against Twilight Sparkle before teleporting away from the scene. A very crucial and shiny item that’ll play a major role in their big plan…