Photo Finish screamed.
Discord sighed and rolled his eyes behind his green sunglasses as he lounged on her photo scenery while her male pony models scattered off in fear.
"What?" The Draconequus asked, trying to sound modest as he lowered his sunglasses to gaze at the terrified phototgrapher. "Is my sheer beauty too much for the camera?"
Photo Finish let out another shriek before she abandoned her camera and ran off, leaving her scenery to Discord's use. The mismatched creature just shook his head with another sigh, almost barely hearing the terrified ponies around him.
Since Ponyville had suddenly become the least of his interests right now, he decided to visit Cantrlot, where he was sure the princesses were aware that he had returned. But he didn't care whether or not Celestia and Luna already knew, he simply wanted to see Canterlot and how the times have changed.
Everything appeared beautiful in his opinion...yet the ponies today seemed so boring!
Classy, pompous, upper-crusted...did these Canterlot ponies do anything besides looking fancy and stuck-up? Discord slipped off Photo Finish's scenery and got to his feet and casually walked around the streets, ponies scattering as he came near. He shifted his eyes over to a couple, who trembled at his gaze. Discord believed they were named Jet Set and Upper Crust, since he had just heard those names being yelled out to them from various other Canterlot ponies.
"Look, I know I didn't floss this morning," Discord said with an unamused expression as the sunglasses disappeared from his face. "But am I really that terrifying compared to most of you who look like they're dressed for a haunted house?" He seriously thought some of these highly-dressed ponies could use a little chaos to go with their outfits.
"Well!" Upper Crust exclaimed, her fear quickly replaced with a look of disgust as her husband still trembled beside her. "I never!"
Discord turned to look at her, and she immediately faltered under his gaze. "Never know what a normal outfit looks like, I bet," and he smirked as he saw the stunned expression on her face before he lifted himself off the ground and lounged around the sky.
Fancypants stood a great distance from the mismatched creature. Though he knew he should be frightened, the highly-important unicorn couldn't help but become fascinated, having only read about Discord in his books. Now here the creature was, out of his stone prison and in Canterlot. Fancypants remained still as the creature continued floating in the air, the unicorn standing his ground as he held his head high to act brave among his frightened friends. Of course, though he never seen Discord after the creature had broken out of his stone prison the very first time, Fancypants did recall, thanks to quick descriptions from Princess Celestia and a garden party that had become a wonderful bash, having met the Elements of Harmony...
"Discord!" Fancypants nearly flinched before turning his head, just as Discord raised his and gazed over to see six familiar faces regard the Spirit of Disharmony with so much hostility.
Well, actually four hostile faces as Discord knew Fluttershy was simply bending down in fear, trying to be as brave as her friends. And Twilight Sparkle...
His eyes suddenly fell on the unicorn that stood off to the side, barely near her friends as she averted her gaze away from his. The Draconequus smirked, hoping to see Twilight again. He had been disappointed when she had spoken so little when they had their first encounter earlier, he hoped this time he would get a few more words out of that intelligent mouth of hers.
However, Twilight remained silent as before, and Discord lowered his eyes, clearly unimpressed.
"And what do I owe the pleasure to, Elements of Harmony?" He mocked, leaning down as he floated in the sky.
"We want you to stop it!" Rainbow Dash shouted, her wings flapping furiously. "Enough of this...whatever you're doing!"
Discord rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "For someone so absent-minded, you win first place, Rainbow Dash," he joked. "Haven't I already told you I'm simply here to just enjoy myself and relax?"
"The way I see it," Applejack growled, stomping a hoof on the ground threateningly, "relaxing to you is simply causing unrest for others!"
"Yes, that had been fun the last time I was here," he said nonchalantly, checking his lion paw. "However, that's become kind of boring to me now..."
"I don't believe it..." Rainbow Dash muttered, her eyes narrowing at him.
"You tend not to believe in most things," Discord said with a roll of his eyes. "Considering you're one to speak freely and stick by your own beliefs."
"What?" The pegasus raised an eyebrow in confusion. She let out a loud groan. "Enough with this mumbo jumbo! We're going to take you down! With or without the elements!"
"You better not have taken them again!" Rarity shouted.
"What would I want with the elements?" Discord asked innocently. "I'm not the jewelry type."
He knew this conversation was pointless, but it was slightly amusing to see all of them this riled up just because he was suddenly back. All of them, every pony, was horrified he had returned...
And Twilight...as Discord observed her, she just seemed so...confused? Stunned? Curious?
Twilight knew that simply standing off to the side wasn't doing much good as she watched her friends glare at the Draconequus. She had mostly kept herself quiet, trying to figure out the possibilities of how exactly Discord had broken free, as well as ways she could get a word to her friends.
They were too busy and focused on stopping Discord, they didn't have time to listen her. Rainbow Dash seemed like she was leading their team this time...when it was always Twilight who was the true leader of them all.
Watching her friends not making any moves, simply glaring at the mismatched creature, Twilight knew she needed to say something. She had to speak to Discord. It had been far too long and she knew she must have looked like a fool back there in Ponyville. All things kept to herself since the day after they turned Discord into stone, Twilight knew she had to let it all out.
This was it. In a way, it was like she was getting a wish.
Without further hesitation, the unicorn slowly stepped forward, much to her friends' surprise as they all turned to gaze at her as she quietly approached the Draconequus.
"Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked in an amazed tone as Twilight passed by her, holding her head high.
A pleased grin spread across Discord's face as Twilight neared him, keeping up a brave expression as her purple eyes met his red and gold ones.
"Twilight Sparkle," he chuckled as he lowered himself to the ground and gazed down at her. "About time you finally got the nerve to meet me face-to-face once again. Let's just hope there's something you got in that smart voice of yours, all this silence between us is boring me to tears."
Twilight gulped, gazing up at him while trying her best not to show fear. Discord merely smiled, folding his arms and awaited any words. It became even more quiet as their last encounter, but he was willing to wait to hear whatever came out of the Element of Friendship and Magic.
The unicorn just stared at him, the Spirit of Disharmony. She just couldn't believe she was seeing him again...
For so long, she had read about him, thought him, accidentally did things in relation to him...she never would have dreamed she would actually be near him again as the day he first popped into Equestria after being released from his first stone imprisonment.
And she never even thought of what she would even say if she ever saw his face again! What did she write in her journal? Twilight wracked her mind, trying to recall the very first thing she wrote since after the last time she saw Discord. Something about being there for him...showing guilt for what her element had done...
Never give up on him the way a friend should?
Twilight swallowed hard, feeling she was making time go by slowly just standing there. She raised her head up, eyes determined as Discord's mismatched ones looked slightly amused.
Her mind told her to act diplomatic, ask Discord in a firm yet gentle voice how on Earth he got out of his prison and urge him to explain why. Oh, how nervous Twilight was, and those taunting eyes of his were not making it any better. The unicorn gulped before taking a deep breath. She was just going to ask him a simple question...making sure her voice was firm and gentle...When Twilight opened her mouth, what came out-
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, DISCORD?" She suddenly demanded in a loud, booming, slightly scared, furious voice.
That was not firm and gentle...
Her friends and distant Canterlot ponies were quite startled by the massive volume of her voice. Even Discord had been quite surprised by her tone, but he quickly pushed it aside, simply raising an eyebrow at the unicorn that appeared to be fuming at the sight of him.
Twilight felt her cheeks flush a bit, from either projecting her voice too much or being embarrassed. Where did that come from? Why was she suddenly yelling at him? Was this what she had been saving up for so long or was it a last-minute option?
Twilight blinked, placing a hoof to her mouth before slowly removing it, her lips tingling. Suddenly, it seemed like everything she wrote down in her journal had disappeared as she glared at Discord. She couldn't feel sympathy for him right now for some reason, it was like her protective side had boosted to new heights and being soft and kind was going to get her nowhere.
She didn't speak much back in Ponyville, but here, right now, they were going to talk.
Half her brain warned her that the way she was speaking was not going to work out...but Twilight ignored it, trusting her other half that being serious and verbal would do good for the situation, considering this was Discord she was talking to.
She just hoped she wouldn't wind up using the royal Canterlot voice Princess Luna used to speak in...
"Well, that was surprising," Discord observed her, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I asked you a question!" Twilight suddenly growled, her eyes blazing. "No more fooling around!" She dug her hooves into the ground. "How in Equestria did you get out of your stone prison?"
She didn't mean to sound angry, or hold an expression that was terrifying, but suddenly this new personality switch was taking over her, and all of what she wrote down in her journal a long time ago became distant to her now.
Discord simply looked at her, slightly confused yet amused by her sudden change of attitude.
"Answer me!" Twilight shouted. For some reason, she was nearly shedding tears as she yelled at him.
Was she going to cry? What for? Oh, sweet Equestria, she hoped she wouldn't burst out crying in front of Discord! That would be humiliating!
"Wow," Pinkie Pie observed, "I've seen Twilight angry before...but this is new!"
"You go, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash cheered, impressed that Twilight had gone from tender to tough in just a matter of seconds. The pegasus half-hoped Twilight would beat Discord to a pulp...
Discord continued gazing down at Twilight. "Well, since you kindly asked me..." he rolled his eyes.
Then he smirked. Twilight felt intimidated by that expression, but she remained ever brave as she continued glaring at him, awaiting whatever trick the Draconequus had planned.
"See, I hadn't been in stone this whole time."
The fire in Twilight's eyes suddenly extinguished as she gazed at him, her jaw dropping. "W-what?" Her voice came out as a small whisper.
Discord grinned, trying to hold back his laughter at her distraught face. "See, being the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony, I can do anything, Twilight." He snapped his fingers and Twilight watched as something large fell into his mismatched hands.
She gasped.
It was the statue of himself from the Canterlot gardens. The one she had been visiting for so many weeks, especially last night.
And it was a fake!
Her eyes turned from the statue to Discord himself holding it with no problems. "Wha...how..." Her mind was spinning, the world around her suddenly felt confusing. And she felt deep down inside her make, as one of Discord's riddles said, twists and turns.
"After your princesses placed me back in the gardens," Discord continued, smiling at her horrified expression, "I immediately used my chaotic magic and broke myself out without damaging this handsome piece of art." He chuckled as he admired the fake statue of himself. "Trust me, I was just as surprised as you. But when I still felt my powers while imprisoned in stone, I took the chance and here I am!" He grinned from ear-to-ear.
Twilight stared at him in disbelief, her eyes suddenly feeling wet. "W-when?" She stammered. "When did you break free?" She was almost afraid to ask.
Discord gave an amused chuckle. "Why, a few days after your little celebration of defeating me."
Her heart felt like it just plunged as she continued staring at him, unable to believe what he just told her.
A few days after their celebration? Twilight and her friends had been staying in Canterlot for the week after that!
And it was during that week was it the first time she had visited Discord's statue...
Twilight remembered her words of sympathy to him...placing a supportive hoof on his frozen body...tears for his punishment...a rose to show she cared...
All for a dumb counterfeit!
Something burned within the unicorn's chest as she gazed at Discord, her mind telling her she had been playing herself a fool this whole time. To think she had been talking to a mere statue, sneaking off most nights just to see him...she really was crazy now that she thought about it.
"You..." Twilight breathed hard, not sure whether to be angry or simply upset. "You weren't gone this whole time..."
"No, actually," Discord caught on to her new kind of anger, so he soothed his voice a little. "I simply stayed around, watching you ponies carry on with your lives with no regards about me." He smiled at the ponies around him. "It took some thinking before I finally warmed up to the idea of actually coming out of my shell." He gazed at Twilight. "Do forgive me for that little accident with the explosive confetti rock as well as tripping you on your own hooves, Twilight Sparkle..." He gave a small chuckle. "I was simply preparing you for when I finally came out. Oh, the look on your face!" And he laughed.
"That was not funny, Discord!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
"True, but I couldn't contain my laughter," the Draconequus smirked.
Twilight remained still, feeling her face heat up either from disbelief or embarrassment as she watched Discord. If he had gotten free...before everything that happened...had he even heard her during all those visits she made to his fake statue, especially last night?
"Where were you the whole time?" She asked, her voice high and demanding, the feelings of being foolish raising her temper. She seemed truly angry now.
"Oh, moi?" He asked innocently. "Why I was here and there. Some days I was in Cloudsdale, other days I was in Appaloosa-"
"My cousin's home?" Applejack cried.
"Amazing work they've done with their apple orchards," Discord complimented.
Twilight just stared at him. "Were you...were you ever in the gardens?" She asked quietly.
Discord raised an eyebrow at her. "Frankly, no, my dear," he stated. "I am too busy having fun to visit that dreadful place." Then he smirked down at her. "However, I had visited you last night."
Sweat suddenly poured down the side of her neck as Twilight bit her lip, remembering that basket. She wished it was really Pipsqueak who left it for her...
"Of course," he laughed, "I have been keeping my eyes on you ponies. Oh, how could I forget that one time with the doll?"
Twilight's eyes widened. Then they narrowed. "Don't you dare bring that up!" She suddenly shouted. She remembered that night when her friends slept over. Reminiscing about him over a cup of chocolate milk, wondering what he would say if he ever saw her doing something totally chaotic...
She didn't want to hear any of it!
"Hey, relax," he tried to stifle his guffaws. "It's not like I was the one who created the problem in the first place."
Twilight glowered, she was about to say something but Discord held up his lion paw for her to remain silent.
"You know, when I first came here," he began in a soft yet serious tone, "I had hoped you, of all ponies, would be the least bit fine to see me. I mean, you're the one with the elusive element. Magic...and friendship."
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "And so?" She didn't mean to sound sarcastic, but still, he was confusing her.
Discord sighed and rolled his eyes. "I thought you'd be, well...friendly despite that it's me."
Twilight stiffened at that statement, feeling her heart twist. Suddenly, the guilt that she first had all those weeks ago quickly came rushing back.
What was she doing? Why was she acting like this toward him? Maybe she was just upset because she felt like a fool for all this time she had visited Discord's statue to suddenly realize it wasn't even Discord at all? That he played everyone...even her?
She felt like her personality was just going at different directions: surprised, shy, sad, confused, angry...and now a little guilty.
One part of her wanted to apologize for her somewhat rude behavior, yet the other part was telling her she was doing just fine and that Discord needed some tough love. Tougher perhaps.
Before she could say anything, Rainbow Dash flew in between them, baring her teeth at the Draconequus.
"Don't you dare try and trick our friend!" The pegasus shouted. "She's too smart to fall for whatever you got at her!"
Discord just sighed with annoyance. "Must you always barge in our conversations? I swear, you take your loyalty too seriously."
"Well, I am the Element of Loyalty!" She shouted. "And if I had it right now I'd use it on you in a hoofbeat!"
"Rainbow Dash..." Twilight wanted to speak out, but she was just so overwhelmed with emotions right now.
"Well, I guess I was wrong..." She turned and Discord's eyes were completely focused on hers.
When she stared into those colors of red and gold...she thought she saw pain.
"There really is no pony to reconsider me, is there?" Discord asked. If he was hiding his hurt, he was doing an excellent job at it. "You know, I can't exactly say I blame you. Though the accusations are getting really boring..." He gave a slightly amused smile.
"Discord..." Twilight's voice trailed. She felt something wet slide down the corner of her cheek; thank Equestria no one took notice, not even Discord as he averted his eyes.
"So I guess I'll just take my chaos and leave," Discord said as he floated into the air, all the ponies watching him go. "But don't worry..." He gave a smirk. "I'll be sure to drop a cotton candy cloud on you every once in a while. Especially for you, my dear Twilight Sparkle."
The unicorn flinched as soon as he said her name. She just stood there as Discord suddenly vanished.
Gone. Again.
"Discord..." Twilight whispered, her eyes glistening. Her ears lowered as she gazed at the ground. "Don't go..." She said quietly to herself.
_
Twilight bit her lip as she gazed at the crown that had been placed on her head. After receiving a message from the princesses to come to the castle, she and her friends were immediately given the Elements of Harmony. The others, especially Pinkie Pie, were thrilled as well as excited to be wearing their chosen element once again.
But Twilight, who was usually proud and honored whenever wearing her Element of Magic and Friendship, suddenly felt uncomfortable as the crown sparkled.
"Looks like the Elements of Harmony are set," Prncess Luna declared as she gazed at the six ponies. "Now, dear sister, tell them what we've discussed."
"Right," Princess Celestia nodded before turning to the others, "as Luna and I have talked over, using the elements to turn Discord into stone again won't do much this time, considering he just might break out again."
Twilight caught on and her eyes widened, and for some reason...why did that actually sound fine with her?
"But," the sun princess continued, "if you wield the elements this time, a new form of magic will occur..."
"New form of magic?" Twilight suddenly gulped.
"It was something Luna and I discovered when we stored the elements back in here a while back after you had used them the first time on Discord," Celestia explained, "and learning this, you six can wield the power to..." She turned to Luna.
The moon princess nodded. "Take away Discord's powers," she concluded.
"What?" Twilight suddenly gasped, her head immediately shot up to gaze at the princesses. Thankfully, no one heard her.
"And turn him back into stone," Celestia added with a deep sigh of relief, "that way, he'll never break free again no matter how hard he tries."
Twilight felt the color drain from her face as she regarded her teacher, feeling completely horrified.
"We don't know where Discord may be hiding," Celestia continued sadly, "but be prepared." And she gazed at the six ponies. "All of you."
"Princesses!" Twilight suddenly exclaimed, unable to remain mum anymore. She wanted to rip off her crown for some reason, but she just couldn't. She stood high on her legs as she gazed pleadingly at the rulers of Equestria. "Please, there's something-"
"Come on!" Rainbow Dash cut in, wearing her element proudly as she gently shoved the unicorn toward the doorway. "We got to go so I can keep a good eye on you guys as well as Cloudsdale!"
"Rainbow Dash, wait-" Twilight tried to say as her friends pushed her on. But her voice was barely heard as her friends cheers drowned her out, urging her along with them as they made their way back to Ponyville.
"Good luck!" Celestia called out to them. "I know you won't let us down!"
Twilight, feeling like such a useless tool at the moment, flinched as those words began to sink in.
_
The candlelight flared as Twilight quietly read at her desk, hoping a good book would help her relax despite what had happened earlier.
Discord was back...her friends are in dismay...the princesses are in distraught...and now there was a plan set for motion.
Twilight gulped, recalling the princesses' words as she turned to gaze at her crown laying atop of her scarves in a nearby corner. Take away Discord's powers? Turn him back into stone?
Though Twilight was still upset over the fact that she felt she had been played a fool for talking to a fake statue this whole time, she was even more upset that the punishment had become even more severe than before. She may not like Discord-
She immediately took out her journal before pushing away her reading material on the desk. Gazing at it hard, Twilight felt almost afraid to open it. To open it, that would bring back guilt and sorrow she once felt for the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony.
Her mind was fighting whether or not she could even feel bad for him anymore. He didn't look fragile the first time they met, he was still his playful, mischievous self, and if he wanted revenge for being turned back into stone once again...well, Twilight could only assume it would all be a repeat of the last time.
If it would all be a repeat, would that mean she would go on with the plan and take away his powers before sealing him into stone again?
The thought pained her suddenly, and she took a deep breath before opening her journal. Back to the very first page she had written in after her first ever visit to Discord; his fake statue, actually.
Twilight's eyes glazed over her first ever Discord-related journal entry, and suddenly all feelings came rushing back as the words she had written flicked in her eyes.
But deep down...the guilt never ceased.
After those events, we went back to our usual lives, enjoying each other's company in our society of order and harmony. Just earlier today I helped Applejack with bucking for apples.
But while I do spend time with my friends...I sometimes spend time in the gardens of Canterlot. Where Discord is.
I have been using a transport spell that can take me there from Ponyville in a few moments, though it does make me tired easily, so I save it for the special occasion.
Really, I visit Discord whenever I can. Sometimes I even talk to him. That sounds crazy, huh? More crazy than Pinkie Pie saying random things like oatmeal and stuff? But sometimes when I get up the nerve to talk to him, I feel as if he can hear me. Probably taunting me about my sympathy and guilt for him...
But even if he still taunts me, I'm still willing to offer my friendship to him.
Though that seems impossible now, I will try...if there ever is a next time. I will try and be diplomatic with him. I will try and make him realize the error of his ways in the most compassionate way possible. I will try and become his friend.
His friend...
"What was I thinking?" Twilight suddenly exclaimed, though quiet enough so Spike, who was asleep upstairs, wouldn't wake up.
Discord had acted like a flamboyant, sarcastic, ill-mannered jerk when he had been around! Yet there was a little hint of kindness somewhere in there...Twilight couldn't see why her attitude had been reeling from sympathetic to angry at this mismatched creature. Sure, when she looked into his eyes, hearing his soft yet chilling voice, she had listened and seen...
What exactly did she see in those eyes of his?
Thinking over the description, Twilight recalled that his eyes appeared...gentle...innocent...apologetic?
Was he actually trying to give her an apology without even saying it? Or was he just that good at manipulating with emotions? Especially hers? Good grief, she must have looked like a wreck when he gazed at her the first time in a long time...
Oh, if only her friends could have spared a measly amount of time to actually listen to her! She recalled all the times today she had been trying to tell them what she had been trying to say for so long!
"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out as she galloped over to the Element of Loyalty as she gathered all the pegasi in Ponyville. "Listen, about Discord-"
"Not now, Twilight!" The pegasus didn't even turn to her. "You can bad-mouth that jerk to me later! We got a job to do over at Cloudsdale!"
"But-" Twilight protested, but her pegasus friend had immediately lifted herself into the air, the other flying ponies following her.
_
Twilight smiled gratefully as she found the pink pony baking in Sugarcube Corner. "Pinkie Pie!" She exclaimed happily. "Thank goodness I found you!" Listen! You need to understand-"
"Sorry, gee, Twilight!" The pink party pony apologized quickly before trotting over to the oven and opening it to remove a fresh batch of muffins. "But I got work to do!"
"Work?" Twilight repeated with disbelief. "You're baking!" She didn't mean to sound angry, but Pinkie was placing her temper by a thread.
"Well, duh!" Pinkie giggled. "I'm making snacks for all the hard-working ponies who are trembling with fear because of Discord!" She eyed Twilight carefully, a slight frown of disapproval. "You know, you really need to do something,Twilight. All you're doing is standing around and talking!"
Twilight felt her face flush, and she nearly twitched as the corners of her mouth almost gave off a snarl. "Y-yeah..." She managed to say through bared teeth before trudging out the door. "See you, Pinkie..." She snapped.
_
Twilight watched as Applejack and her family were gathering all the tools from their shed. The unicorn rolled her eyes before gazing at the Element of Honesty.
"What exactly are you doing?" She questioned.
"Why, making sure my family is prepared for when that rotten varmint comes by our farm and turns our apples into cheese or some sort!" The apple pony spat.
"You think he could make the apples into chocolate?" Apple Bloom suddenly asked, her eyes widening in excitement.
"Apple Bloom!" Her big sister scolded her. "You know there be a price to go with that type of request! I mean, he is the Spirit of Chaos!"
"He didn't seem so bad the first time we saw him," the little filly scuffled a hoof on the ground, not wanting to meet her sister's disapproving gaze.
Twilight's eyes widened at the child's statement, surprised that Apple Bloom would say something so...honest and slightly truthful.
"Anyway, Twi," Applejack rolled her eyes before turning to the unicorn. "We got a lot of work to do."
"But-" Twilight began but the sisters galloped off, leaving her with a mouthful of words she had been trying to give out.
_
Rarity hummed to herself as she picked out one outfit to another as she stood in front of her mirror. Twilight groaned and shook her head before entering the boutique.
"Let me guess..." She muttered. "You're too busy trying to find an outfit for a small chat?"
Rarity chuckled before turning to the other unicorn. "Oh, darling, I know I didn't look my best the last time we went up against Discord, especially with some big, dumb rock..." She grumbled. Then her eyes immediately lit up. "But I'm okay now and I'll be finding a dashing outfit for this occasion!"
"Occasion?" Twilight repeated. "Rarity, this is going up against Discord! What's the point of dressing up when we face off against him?" Her temper was rising, and she felt her voice nearly going hoarse trying to find some common sense in this unicorn.
"Oh, dear," Rarity laughed. "Getting dressed up will show that brute who are the real classy ones around here. So what if he was the former ruler of Equestria? He simply has no class at all!" She gazed down at her material and smiled. Then her smile brightened as she had an idea from the sight of the dress in her hooves. "Oh,Twilight! Maybe you should dress up as well! Of course, you are the leader, you deserve a nicer gown to show that Discord!" She looked up.
Twilight was gone.
"Twilight, dear?" Rarity called out.
_
Just one last shot...
Twilight gulped before slowly walking over to Fluttershy who stood outside her house among her array of animals.
"Uh, Fluttershy?" The unicorn began nervously.
The yellow pegasus turned and gave her a soft smile of surprise. "Oh, hello, Twilight," she greeted. "Are you preparing for Discord as of everypony else?"
"Not really..." Twilight muttered. "I guess you're too busy to talk, huh?"
"Oh, no," Fluttershy insisted. "Of course we can talk! I always have time for my friends!"
Twilight felt her heart lift up as she gazed at her with joy. "R-really?" Her eyes sparkled, feeling hope rushing back to her.
Fluttershy nodded, smiling.
"Thank goodness!" Twilight exclaimed gratefully. "Look, I know you might go into one of your rare rage moods once I talk about this, but-"
Suddenly, Fluttershy's pet rabbit Angel tugged on the pegasus's tail. Fluttershy looked down at him as his pointed in another direction.
"Something wrong?" Fluttershy gasped softly as she gazed down worriedly at him.
"What?" Twilight cried in disbelief, feeling her mane becoming unruly from becoming slightly overstressed.
"I'll be there," Fluttershy assured him before turning back to Twilight. "I'm sorry, Twilight," she apologized before walking off. "I'm needed right now. Maybe we can talk next time."
Twilight just stood there, her left eye twitching.
The unicorn sighed as the past events of today slowly faded away as she gazed down at her journal. This must have been a punishment for trying to say something at last minute...Oh, she should have said something sooner! She should have just told her friends long before Nightmare Night, maybe way before that week in Canterlot! Maybe she should have never had used that memory erasing spell on Fluttershy at all! But now it was too late to say anything as Twilight turned back to gaze at her Element of Magic and Friendship. Like the princesses, her friends were all pulling themselves into the plan.
To stop Discord once and for all.
Recalling the plan, Twilight wondered whether to simply accept it and just take away Discord's powers and seal him once more. He hadn't been in any trouble on account of he wasn't stone for very long...and made her feel sorry for nothing. That made her realize that she was now angry with him.
Was she really?
Twilight closed her eyes and lowered her head, the heat of the candle glowing against her face.
Her mind had been swimming with so many emotions for the Spirit of Disharmony. For so long it had been guilt, earlier today it was surprise and confusion, and later off if was pure anger because he had tricked everyone, including her. And the way she spoke to him...why did she speak that way? Was if because all these thoughts and feelings had been confined for so long that letting it all out resulted in such an outburst?
And what did Discord mean when he said he had been wrong to assume that anyone, especially her, would ever reconsider him? Was he asking for a second chance or something? Highly unlikely considering he won't change his ways...
But did his chaos actually harm anyone this time around? Sure, he had surprised Twilight, and he did terrify those Canterlot ponies, but they were usually terrified of most things that were not 'sophisticated'-
"What am I going to do?" She asked herself desperately. "I may not like Discord, I may not even consider what I've been considering before he suddenly came up here with his fake statue self..."
She gulped, her hooves finding her mane as she stroked it to calm herself.
"But I know there has to be another way."
She remained silent, simply gazing at the flame of the candle as it flickered in her eyes, her mind now deep in thought. Quietly, she used her magic to bring out a quill and paper and placed it in front of her. Twilight gazed at it apprehensively, wondering if she should just back out now.
No. It was the only way to make sure everyone was safe. And especially no one getting turned into stone.
Taking a deep breath, Twilight dipped her quill into the ink bottle before she began writing.
Friends and loved ones...she wrote.
By the time you read this message, I'll be gone. I know that the Elements of Harmony need me considering I'm the Element of Magic and Friendship, but I feel that there has to be another way.
Swallowing hard, Twilight breathed before dipping her quill once more and continued writing.
I can understand that you are horrified that I strongly disagree with the plan to take away Discord's powers and turn him back into stone for good. Trust me, I've surprised myself as well...but I just can't bare to see him like that. Not again.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, you two have been so dear to me, and I know you wouldn't allow me to take measures into my own hooves if I had told you.
Actually, I"ve been trying to tell you. All of you. About Discord.
Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin, pondering what else to write.
I don't know why, but I keep feeling that maybe I can get through him. Lecture him perhaps. Wasn't that included in my studies as well? Well, Discord may be a hard one to get through, but I'm going to try.
I've actually been somewhat awaiting for something like this to happen, I don't know...
But anyway, to everypony...I had been thinking about Discord ever since the first time we used the elements on him.
I had hoped it would result in the same way that we brought back Princess Luna when she was Nightmare Moon. I will admit, I was shocked and horrified that he was stone.
Boy, was I guilty, saddened, and grieving, thinking it was all my fault and that I probably didn't use my element right. The look on his face made me cry to myself sometimes...
I know it sounds crazy that I could actually feel sorry for him. Trust me, I've been questioning that for so long. I still am as I write this message to you.
I even questioned if everypony had forgotten about him. Actually, no one did. They just wanted to forget, put the events behind them and carry on with our lives. I mean, when I saw how angry everypony was when Discord suddenly came back, I realized I had doubted for nothing.
But I do doubt that you guys would share my opinion on this matter and I can't blame you.
My mind had always been on him, and I feel like the worst friend ever not telling you all about it sooner. I was just so nervous to speak Discord's name...and Princess Celestia, I wanted to tell you so badly at the party about him, but I was afraid you would be furious.
I'm sorry I hadn't said anything. I tried to all day, but everypony was so busy. I hope you can understand once you finish reading this message.
To my dear friends, I know I am well protected when I think of you guys.
And Fluttershy...a few weeks ago, I had told you about Discord. And you let out hate and anger about him. I can't blame if you hate me right now because I immediately used a memory erasing spell on you to forget the whole thing so it would remain a secret. I'm really sorry, Fluttershy! I was just so scared and you were just so angry! I didn't know what else to do!
Twilight sniffed, a little pleased her kind pegasus friend would finally know.
So, with all that said...goodbye and please wish me luck on my lone journey in hopes of getting through Discord.
Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle
The unicorn bit her lip as she slowly placed her quill down and read over what she had written. It wasn't too late to trash it just as all those other messages before...
Taking a deep breath, Twilight gently placed the paper on her desk. Then she blew out the candle before quietly walking off to pack some things for her trip.
The unicorn knew she needed to pack light as she can't determine exactly how long she would be gone, better yet how difficult the trip would be. She would only gather the important things and carry little luxuries with her.
Quietly using her magic to bring forth her special traveling bag, Twilight's eyes gazed over to the stairs that led to her bedroom where Spike slept. Her heart pained, knowing too well Spike would be disheartened when he would read the message first thing in the morning.
But she hoped he would understand.
Carefully, Twilight packed a few bits of clothing, followed by some other things she felt would be highly important since she would eventually be all alone with Discord...if she could find him. Then she gathered three books: The Tale of Discord, her journal, and something picked random out of the library. Twilight wished she could bring more books along, knowing that a good book would make any trip more bearable, but that would be a burden on her traveling bag.
Then her eyes fell on a pair of red sunglasses she had tossed unto the table before arriving at Canterlot. With a deep sigh, she magically lifted those and placed them into her bag. Perhaps she could get the explanation she had been hoping for if she brought those along.
Finally, she lifted the crown from its place and it gently landed on her head.
_
The Element of Magic and Friendship seemed to glow in the moonlight as Twilight slowly stepped outside her home, her bag attached to her side. One part of her was telling her she was making a grave mistake...yet the other part was saying she was doing the right thing.
That she was protecting Discord from a worse fate.
Was she doing all this just to protect him? Or did she plan this trip at last-minute just for the sake of all of Equestria?
Twilight slowly turned back toward the house, knowing Spike was still curled under his blankets and sleeping like the baby dragon he was, completely unaware that his friend was leaving him. Her parents weren't home, they were with the princesses right now, pleading that their daughter wouldn't get hurt facing off against Discord.
Twilight wished she could have seen them one last time. To give them each a nuzzle of farewell...
Twilight swallowed hard, the weight of her bag suddenly feeling heavier as she took one last glance at her house.
"Goodbye, Spike," Twilight said softly, nearly choking on her words. "Please don't cry once you read my message..." Tears nearly welled up in her eyes as she closed her door.
And she was off.
_