Twilight smiled, her eyes shining with relief as she watched Spike flame the friendship report. She and her friends gazed in awe as its remains flew out the window, heading straight toward Canterlot where Princess Celestia would be waiting.
"Well, even though I was tardy..." Twilight told herself with a chuckle.
"Tardy?" She turned just in time to have Rainbow Dash fly right in front of her face, her eyes staring into Twilight's with shock and disapproval. "After everything the princess told you about saying it's okay not needing a friendship report every week and all that forgiveness and you're still thinking about being tardy?"
Twilight just blinked, shuddering under the pegasus's gaze. Luckily, Fluttershy came to settle things down.
"Twilight is the star pupil of Princess Celestia," she reminded Rainbow Dash, "even though she already knows about everything you said...that can't stop Twilight from being her usual, organized self." She gave a soft smile to Twilight.
Twilight returned the smile, simply just grateful for all of them as well as their contribution to making the friendship report of the week. She turned her head when Applejack placed a hoof on her shoulder, the apple pony giving a relaxed smile.
"Shoot, it's getting late," Applejack chuckled. "We best be going, shouldn't we?"
"Wait," Twilight spoke up, gazing at her five friends, "why don't you guys stay here for the night? I mean, it's the least I can do after all you've done for me..."
"Oooh!" Pinkie Pie squealed. "Like a sleepover?"
"Of course, it'll be a like a sleepover," Rarity laughed as she lightly touched her mane, "why, our Twilight hasn't thrown one in a while. Oh, what fun we'll have! I plead to do Rainbow Dash's mane!"
"Not in your life, sister," the blue pegasus retorted.
Twilight just laughed before she motioned her number one assistant to her side. "Spike, can you grab some extra blankets and pillows? And see if you can find anything for us to eat."
"Yes, ma'am!" He said enthusiastically, giving her a salute before rushing off to do his orders.
Soon, sleeping mats covered the floor and every pony was given her own pillow. Twilight smiled to herself before using her magic to bring over her manual on making the perfect sleepovers. It was about time she used that book again, and she even brought out her paper and quill.
"What's with the reading and writing, Twilight?" Pinkie Pie asked, her voice too close to Twilight's ear, making the unicorn yelp and drop her items.
The book tumbled to Rainbow Dash's feet and the pegasus picked it up. "What do you need a book on sleepovers for?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at Twilight. "Seriously, do you follow everything by the book?"
"Not everything..." Twilight muttered, her cheeks flushing a bit. She held her head high, a proud, determined smile on her face. "I just want to make sure this sleepover is perfect and that there are no problems, whatsoever." Her magic floated her paper and quill next to her. "And with the checklist I'll be making, double-checking and triple-checking will go off without a hitch-"
"Oh, man!" Rainbow Dash laughed, placing a hoof to her forehead. "Listen to you, Twilight!"
Twilight just stared at her in confusion. Suddenly, the paper and quill were ripped from her hooves. "Hey!"
Pinkie Pie and Applejack smiled at her, holding her needed items.
"Silly Twilight!" Pinkie laughed before tossing away the paper. "You don't need a checklist to have a super, awesome sleepover!"
"Shoot, she's right," Applejack agreed before tossing away the quill. "Really, Twilight, the last sleepover with me and Rarity was fun and all, but you really shouldn't go on following some fancy written book."
Twilight regarded them for a few moments, the realization that they had taken her organizational items just sinking in. She gave a scoff and rolled her eyes. Honestly, there were times when she didn't like it when her friends' ideas contrasted with her.
But they meant well, just wanting her to have fun. Just not by the book.
"Fine," Twilight sighed. She turned to Rarity. "Rarity, you can start this sleepover with your mane-braiding skills. I'm going to see if Spike and I can make some good sleepover snacks."
"With pleasure, darling," Rarity said before turning to Rainbow Dash.
"Don't even think about it," the pegasus warned her, giving her wind-blown mane a flip.
While her friends kept busy, Twilight walked over to the table where Spike was busy sorting through whatever food they had stored in the house. He was eating out of a box of corn flakes before he immediately stopped when he noticed Twilight.
"So, what can we serve our guests?" Twilight asked, stifling a chuckle at his mouth full of cereal.
Spike gulped before looking over their supplies. "Well, we could serve cookies and leftover muffins."
"Sounds promising," Twilight gave a nod. "And to drink?"
"Well, all I could fine was chocolate milk."
Twilight's eyes widened a bit and her entire body became stiff. Her lips curved into a horrified frown, her ears lowering in sudden remembrance.
"Oh..." Was all she could say.
"Is that okay?" He asked carefully, gazing at her in confusion.
Twilight quickly shook her head to rid herself of the shock before clearing her throat and regaining her posture, giving him a slight nod. "Yes," she stated, her voice strong and assuring, "chocolate milk sounds fine."
Soon, her friends gathered around the floor as Spike served them snacks while handing out cups filled with chocolate milk. Twilight took one look at her cup before sipping it ever so slowly, as if the flow of chocolate milk tickling her throat would relieve her mind of something.
"So you seriously used a spell on some doll and caused all that stuff earlier?" Rainbow Dash asked, laying on her mat, chocolate milk on her lips.
"Yes, and you were almost a victim to that 'want it, need it' spell," Twilight laughed, finding ease of discussing the events earlier now. She turned to Applejack and Rarity. "I am so sorry I got your family into this."
"Aw, shoot, it's alright, sugracube," Applejack assured her. "My little sis's alright now."
"And Sweetie Belle was not harmed," Rarity agreed, adjusting one of the curlers on her mane.
"Nice to know," Twilight laughed. "Though I do wonder what happened to my Smartypants doll..." She pondered a bit.
"We'll find her later," Spike intervened, refilling her cup. "Right now, you just got to relax and enjoy your sleepover with friends."
"Yeah, you're right, Spike," Twilight lowered her eyes to gaze at her chocolate milk. A small, sad smile formed on her face.
The unicorn watched as Pinkie Pie took hold of the conversation, talking about the Cakes making cupcakes earlier and such. Twilight just smiled, simply enjoying the presence of her friends in her home.
To think Twilight had thought Princess Celestia was going to send her back to Canterlot because she didn't send a friendship report on time, Twilight finally realized she had been so crazy to imagine such a thing. And magic kindergarten? She was so above that! The princess was kind and understanding, Twilight was shocked to even think that Celestia would take her away from her friends.
Allowing Twilight to make a home here in Ponyville wasn't because of the task of learning the value of friendship...but because Twilight had finally found friendship. The princess knew how anti-social Twilight had been since she first started studying under her wing, and the princess was proud, even joyful, that Twilight finally found some friends.
"Thank you, princess..." Twilight said, her voice barely above a whisper so her friends wouldn't hear her.
Gazing down at her half-empty cup, Twilight couldn't help but allow her thoughts to drift from the princess and her friends to a certain creature. No doubt the chocolate milk reminded her so well; and leading her to drink more of the beverage to surpass guilt.
And what she had done today...no doubt if he were right here right now, he would applaud her.
Twilight had been so desperate to not disappoint her teacher that she deliberately lost herself in trying to create problems in Ponyville. She created far worse than a problem.
She had created chaos.
Hearing that word in relation to herself made Twilight shudder, and she was glad her friends were too wrapped up in their own conversation to take notice of her sudden discomfort. Twilight Sparkle, Ponyville's most organized pony, always triple-checking her checklists and following by the books...and she somehow managed to create chaos.
It was completely by accident! Twilight kept telling herself. It's not like I found amusement in watching other ponies fight and bicker! Unlike Discord...
If that Draconequus had just seen her today, completely out of her mind and desperate to cause problems for a mere report, he would have congratulated her for doing something so chaotic even he had never thought of. Obviously, he would have never imagined of using a doll to cause chaos...
Twilight gulped, her mouth dry despite the chocolate milk she just drank. To hear those taunting words from the voice of the Spirit of Disharmony...But the unicorn immediately replaced his chilling voice with the remembrance of the soothing voice of Princess Celestia.
When Twilight came to her library house earlier and met with the princess, she feared Celestia would immediately tell her to pack her things and follow her back to Canterlot. She had been prepared for a severe scolding. But no such harsh words came from the princess, only a soft tone that spoke of her shock for Twilight's actions and kindly asking why she had done such a thing. Though the princess showed no anger, Twilight had nearly broke down, feeling like the worst student ever in the academy for gifted unicorns.
But the princess was understanding, assuring Twilight that she was a wonderful student, and that she didn't need to give a report every week. Twilight had been surprised by those last few words, not sure if she could handle not sending a friendship report every week for her sake.
Then her friends came along...Twilight had been so touched for their plea for her case, insisting it was their fault she acted so crazy and desperate. Twilight nearly cried when Pinkie placed her head under her chin, giving her the comfort and sympathy the pink pony felt she should have given when Twilight had gone through a nervous breakdown earlier.
Her kind teacher...her wonderful friends...they were all there for her. And they loved her despite earlier when things turned a little chaotic. Twilight was just glad no pony remembered what had happened, simply recalling that a doll had been present in the situation before the ponies went their separate ways.
Twilight just wanted to put all of that behind her, simply bask in the glow of her friendship knowing that now she wouldn't be the only one who would send a friendship report to the princess when possible. Her friends would learn lessons and write them, even others in Ponyville would learn and send a message as well. Twilight had a feeling that Apple Bloom and the Cutie Mark Crusaders would learn a few lessons in time, and they would be honored when they would eventually be asked to state their lesson in friendship to Celestia...
She smiled, excited for what new days would give and what lessons would be revealed and which pony would learn and write them. She was forgetting the day's earlier disaster...almost.
The unicorn couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if Discord, if not have been turned into stone, had witnessed her deed. Why in Equestria would she even care what to expect from that Draconequus if he saw tidy, organized Twilight Sparkle create chaos? Would his reaction be that worth to gaze upon if he had been present? What would Twilight even say to him if he saw her?
I would say that what I had done is only a small example compared to ALL he had done when he escaped his stone prison, Twilight thought intelligently, I would tell him that we need order, not chaos. That chaos is bad and...and...
She lowered her eyes, frustrated that the firm voice in her head was not stating a better argument on her behalf for if she ever saw Discord again.
Yeah, right! As if she would ever see that creature, who was still sealed in his stone prison back in the Canterlot gardens! Secured, locked up...trapped...alone...
Twilight tried to keep herself together when she felt her bottom lip quiver. She was so deep in her thoughts that she barely noticed Pinkie Pie slide next to her, raising an eyebrow.
"Twilight?" The pink called, loud enough for the unicorn to break out of her thoughts.
"Wha-?" Twilight shook her head, gazing at Pinkie.
"I asked if we can have a pillow fight," Pinkie repeated, bouncing on her hooves. "I love pillow fights! It's like being clobbered with marshmallows! Only these marshmallows are pillows and too cushy and full of feathers and-"
"Heads up!" Rainbow Dash called.
Pinkie ducked just in time only for Twilight to have a pillow slam into her face.
"Rats! I missed!" Rainbow Dash muttered.
"You okay, darling?" Rarity asked Twilight worriedly as the pillow fell from her face to the floor.
Twilight shook her head before rubbing her face, the impact of the pillow much stronger than she remembered. She gave the other unicorn an assured smile before she used her magic to lift the pillow up an throw it at her, now absorbed in the friendly battle that Rainbow Dash had caused.
The ponies laughed as they tossed and dodged flying pillows, Applejack did her best to aim at Rainbow Dash while the pegasus flew around the room, sticking her tongue out in mockery as pillows missed her. However, Twilight, with her magic, playfully slammed a dozen pillows at Rainbow Dash at once and her fast-flying friend fell to the floor, which was covered by a soft, pillow-y surface.
Twilight laughed at her success. She felt a slight tap on her shoulder and looked down to see Spike smile up at her. In his hands was her journal.
The unicorn raised an eyebrow at him. "Spike?"
The baby dragon just smiled before lifting the journal up to her face. "I said I would bring it to you whenever you needed it," he stated softly, "and I know you'll need it tonight."
She looked at him for a few moments, then her surprised expression melted into a touched smile, and that made him smile even more. She floated the journal out of his hands and placed it beside her. Then she leaned down and nuzzled her cheek against his, not realizing how much warmer his face was becoming right now. Of course, ever since Spike had nearly lost and destroyed her journal, and she had showered him with forgiveness and thanking him for his loyalty despite nearly getting clawed by a vicious cat, the baby dragon was ever helpful, willing to hand Twilight her journal whenever she needed to write something. Though the lock was broken, she knew she could trust him; we went to so much trouble just so she wouldn't cry.
"My number one assistant," she whispered to him before raising her head up and smiling at him. "Thanks again for helping me..."
Spike just smiled and averted his eyes, feeling a little embarrassed by such kind, heartfelt words. He did his best not to blush.
Suddenly, a pillow flew and smacked him in the face, landing him on the ground.
Twilight's eyes widened before turning to see Rainbow Dash, her hooves now on the ground. The pegasus gave a small chuckle, smiling in apology. The unicorn just smirked before her magic lifted the pillow off a stunned Spike and she aimed it at Rainbow Dash.
Despite her best efforts to fly out of sight, Twilight caught up with her and Rainbow Dash once again fell to the ground in a pile of pillows, having being slammed from behind by the playful unicorn.
"Oooh!" Pinkie Pie said in awe as she gazed down at Twilight's journal beside Spike. "Is that a new book?" She reached down to open it.
"No!" Spike cried as he pushed her hoof away. "It's Twilight's!" He stood up and gave the pink pony a hard gaze. "No touchy!" He turned in Twilight's direction and gave her a positive smile as well as a thumbs-up.
Twilight just smiled at him, before slamming another pillow into Rainbow Dash's face before the pegasus even had a chance to throw one at her.
_
Twilight gently draped the blanket over Spike as he laid in his little basket bed. She chuckled quietly at his soft snores before checking on the others. They were all fast asleep. Fluttershy's hair draped over most of her face as she laid on her belly while her front hooves supported her head as she slept, Pinkie Pie laid on her back sleeping with her mouth hanging open, Rarity had brought along her sleeping mask as was snuggled under many blankets, Applejack laid on her side with her hat covering her face, and Rainbow Dash slept on the dozen of pillows she had been clobbered with earlier.
Twilight smiled, glad that her friends had enjoyed their fun earlier and were getting a well-deserved rest. She turned toward the window where the moonlight shone through. Her smile slowly faded.
Quiet as to not wake any of them, Twilight gently opened her front door before stepping outside and closing it behind her. The moonlight shone over her form, making her appear as a silhouette in the night. Determination shining in her eyes, the unicorn steadied herself as her horn began to flash, a light pink and red glow began to surround her body.
It would be tiring to use her transport spell from such a far distance. But it was worth it to visit him again.
_
Twilight nearly fell over her own hooves as her magic landed her in the Canterlot gardens. That transport spell seemed to have needed much more strength than she thought as she suddenly felt more tired than she expected. How she wished she was back in her bed...
But she couldn't sleep just yet! She needed to...converse.
Walking down a familiar path, Twilight continued gazing at the night sky before she nearly bumped into something. Looking up, she didn't flinch when she gazed up at the statue before her.
"Discord..." She said quietly.
The look of horror on the frozen Draconequus was as present as the day the elements defeated him. Twilight's purple eyes trailed down from his expression to his hands, which were held out in desperation to shield himself. His eagle claw...his soft lion paw...held out as if begging for mercy.
Twilight immediately turned away, unable to gaze at his frightened expression. Though she wanted to forget the events earlier, she would replay the Mr. Smartypants incident in hopes of turning that horrified expression into an amused, annoying smile in her head...
Recalling the incident, Twilight finally mustered the courage to look back at Discord, her eyes hardening as she stood her ground.
"Well, I was right," she said quietly, gazing at the statue, "chaos is bad, and for one day only had I been the cause of something so bad."
She glared at the Discord statue, grateful that it was late and that no pony was around to witness her speaking with a statue. Twilight could remember the first time she had visited Discord's statue, having nearly broke out in rage due to thinking she was losing her intellectual mind because she was talking to a statue. Now she was used to it, knowing she could still hold her common sense even while speaking to the Discord statue.
She had visited the gardens from time to time. Just recently she visited Discord in the daytime a couple of days ago...right after the events involving using the memory erasing spell on a raging Fluttershy. If Discord could see how much he angered the Element of Kindness...
Twilight continued gazing at the statue, her eyes softening. "But I'm sure you've done worse," she stated softly. "I can't summon cotton candy clouds or chocolate rain...and I certainly wouldn't think of using my magic to break bonds..." She lowered her head, recalling the memory of nearly losing her friends.
She shook her head and gazed back up at the frozen Draconequus, his expression of horror nearly making her want to turn away. She gave a deep sigh, feeling the sudden chill of the wind past through her body.
"But if I could..." She went on quietly. "It would be in an orderly fashion." Discord would have scoffed at the thought of order connecting with the things he created. He and Twilight were complete opposites, no doubt.
Finally, a small, sad smile formed on Twilight's lips as she felt a bit tired.
"Chaos isn't without order," she stated sleepily. She let out a big yawn. "And so on and so on..." She let out a bigger yawn, too tired to make any sense.
Taking one last look at the statue, Twilight's horn began to glow as magic coursed through her body. Despite the tiredness in her eyes, she gazed at the statue sadly.
"Goodnight, Discord," she said before she disappeared in a flash.
_
-though I don't see what the point was in saying goodnight to a statue.
Twilight let out another yawn as she gazed at her finished journal entry. Having arrived home, Twilight immediately went to her bed to get her much needed sleep. But then she remembered her journal. She had to write about the events today, from losing her mind over worry to using her Smartypants doll and then having learned a valuable lesson in regarding others' feelings. Then she wrote about visiting the Discord statue again, arguing little and trying to prove something on her part.
Her eyes drooped as she placed her journal under her pillow before putting away her quill. Tomorrow morning Pinkie Pie wanted to take them out for breakfast, which would be at the same restaurant that Twilight and Spike ate at the day he nearly lost her journal. Twilight remembered the broken lock; she couldn't blame Spike for degrading Rarity about her cat's behavior.
Smiling tiredly, Twilight laid against her pillow, pulling the covers to her chin, and dreamt of Smartypants dancing on her head.
_