//------------------------------// // The Invitation // Story: An Unlikely Couple // by Legacy55 //------------------------------// AN: If you have not read Love and Hatred, I highly suggest you do before reading this. It makes a lot more sense. It was a cool winter morning when Twilight Sparkle awoke. She rubbed her eyes, let out a long drawn out sigh, and then rolled out of her bed. As she made her way towards the bedroom door, the delicious aroma of pancakes and syrup wafted up to her. She smiled, knowing her loyal assistant was hard at work making her breakfast. As she descended the stairs in her tree house, she caught sight of her scaly green friend running back and forth in the kitchen. Reaching the table she found her breakfast already set up, with a stack of golden pancakes waiting for her. “Thanks Spike! It’s so nice of you to make breakfast!” The lavender unicorn took a seat, and quickly began eating her delicious meal. Her sudden voice made him jump and he nearly dropped a stack of plates. “Oh it was nothing Twilight! I got up early this morning so I thought I’d do something special.” Spike took his own seat at the table, a plate of various gemstones sitting in front of him. Twilight took a bite of her meal and smiled, “It’s delicious!” She commented cheerfully before digging further into them. Spike blushed slightly, “Aw really, it was nothing.” The baby dragon began eating his own meal, happily chewing on a ruby. “Oh uh,” He paused a moment to swallow, “There’s a message over there from the princess. I just got it this morning.” He nodded to an end table, where perched on it was a small scroll. Twilight smiled, “Oh! I wonder what she’s got to say this time? Maybe she just finished my report on the formation of stars and she wants to compliment me!” Not being able to wait a minute longer she floated the message over and began reading it while she ate. “I was thinking we could go to Sugarcube Corner after we're done shopping, Pinkie Pie’s supposed to be making those amazing triple chocolate muffins!” The little dragon’s mouth began watering at the very thought of the sugary treats. Twilight however nearly chocked when she finished the letter, she began coughing, trying to swallow the mouthful of pancakes stuck in her throat. “What’s wrong?!” He asked, concern filling his voice as he saw his friend was in trouble. Twilight took a minute to swallow her food before taking a few deep breaths. “If this is some sort of joke Spike, it’s not funny…” Her brow furrowed as she looked at the baby dragon. “What are you talking about?!” “This letter, you obviously wrote it. And really, did you think I’d fall for something so ridiculous?” “B-but, I didn’t even read it! I swear, that just came this morning from the princess! What does it say anyway?” A look of pure horror and confusion crossed the unicorn’s face as she realized this wasn’t some joke Spike was trying to pull on her. And now that she thought about it, this was the princess’s handwriting… But this couldn’t be right! There was no way this letter was telling the truth! “Well spit it out already, what does it say!” Twilight let out a sigh before reading it out loud. “Dear Twilight Sparkle, I have wonderful news! Discord has broken out of his stone prison and we’ve made up! We’re getting married one week from now in Canterlot, I want you and all your friends to come! Can’t wait to see you, Princess Celestia.” Spike jaw nearly dropped when she finished the letter, it couldn’t be serious. “The princess is getting married, to DISCORD?!?!?!” Twilight shook her head in confusion, “This can’t be right. Spike take a letter, I need to get this sorted out…” -------------------------- “Oh come on Celestia, why does it have to be a whole week?” Discord asked, as he sat across from his beloved. They had just finished an exquisite breakfast, something the Draconquus hadn’t had in a long time. “Because we still have all sorts of preparations to make. You only just broke free yesterday; don’t you think this relationship is moving a little fast as it is?” Celestia asked, smiling as she spoke. “Well, we do have a thousand years to make up for...” He flashed her his trademark toothy grin. Celestia just rolled her eyes at him. “It’s only a week, you’ll survive until then. Now, if you’ll excuse me I have to go plan the wedding. Why don’t you take a walk in the garden? It’s wonderful this time of year.” “Ugh, I’ve had enough of that accursed garden for one lifetime. I think I’ll go someplace that I haven’t been for a thousand years.” He grinned at her before teleporting away. Celestia called the servants to clean the table then she was off, pacing down one of the halls of the castle. As she headed towards one of the meeting rooms she caught sight of a dark blue alicron. Celestia sighed, she had been dreading this moment. “Celestia! What is this I’m hearing about Discord?!There must be some mistake here!” Luna roared at her, steam literally fuming off of her midnight coat. “Calm down dear sister, what you heard is true. Discord’s broken out of his prison, but have no fear. We’ve made up; he no longer wants to create chaos.” Her explanation didn’t calm her down one bit; in fact it only seemed to infuriate her more. “You’ve got to be joking me Celestia? Does that mean you’re actually getting married to that, thing?!” The sun princess nodded, “Yes Luna. One week from now, and the only thing I’m asking you for is to accept it. He really has changed; now please don’t go picking a fight with him.” Celestia left shaking her head, Luna might have been her sister but she could be very hot headed at times. The moon princess was left standing in the hall alone, rage still pouring from her. Discord may have brainwashed her sister, but the crafty draconquus wasn’t going to get here. She saw through all his tricks, this was just another one of his plans to take Equestria. And she would make sure to stop it… -------------- “So this isn’t some kind of joke?” “Nope Twi, I can see where you’re comin from, but I heard it myself. When them fancy ponies from Canterlot came round to Rarity’s, she dawn near had a heart attack when they told her she was making the princess’s dress!” Twilight let out a sigh, finally realizing this wasn’t a joke. Princess Celestia was actually getting married, to Discord of all people. “But I just don’t get it! For one, how did he break out of his stone prison? It’s only been a couple months, last time it held for a thousand years! And two, why is he getting married to the princess? They absolutely hate each other!” “Well come on sugar cube, let’s just take a breather. I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation to all this.” Applejack put a comforting hoof on her friend, who for the first time this morning calmed down a bit. “So I guess Rarity’s hard at work?” “Well yeah. The pony’s locked herself in Carousel Boutique, said she ain’t coming out till she finishes the dress. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s gonna look like.” That was typical Rarity, pouring her blood, sweat and tears into her work. But a dress for the princess's wedding? She could just imagine her face when they told her she had the honor of making her wedding dress. “Well, I guess I should be happy for the princess. She is getting married after all!” Twilight let out a weak smile, hardly fooling herself let alone Applejack. “Well you’ll have to excuse me Twilight; I got more apple bucking to do at the farm. I’ll probably see ya tomorrow.” The cowpony tipped her hat to her before leaving. The truth finally began to sink in. Celestia, the alicorn she had idolized since she was a filly, her teacher, was getting married. To Discord, the monstrous creature that had tore their friendship to shreds and plunged all of Equestria into chaos. But then suddenly It dawned on her, there was no way the spirit of chaos could have changed. He was still his old evil, chaotic self. He must be tricking the princess, trying to get close to her so he could strike. Then with her out of the way he could take over Equstria without any obstacles. Twilight let out a gasp, then galloped off full speed towards the library. -------------------- Discord rolled his eyes as another crowd of ponies screamed and ran off. He simply didn’t understand why they were all so scared of him; all he was doing was taking a morning stroll through Canterlot. Still, he used to be the spirit of chaos and disharmony. The chaos was probably still fresh in these ponies’ minds. At least the guard wasn’t going after him, he was glad Celestia had made that clear to them. He was glad to be out of the gardens, he had gotten sick of them after all those years. At least Canterlot was something new, something different. Even if it was filled with rich, stuck up ponies who ran at the sight of him. It was better than them regarding him as an ornament like they did all those years. After twenty minutes of walking through the city Discord let out a sigh, Canterlot sure was boring. He needed a change of scenery, a place that wasn’t filled with snobby high class pony. A grin formed on his face and he let out a chuckle as he got an idea, he would go and pay a visit to his favorite pony…