It was a day the Crystal Empire would never forget.
Across Equestria, night was beginning to fall. Slowly, Celestia lowered the circle of the sun, spreading pinks and purples across the dusky sky. From the North, an array of multicolored streaks danced across the troposphere, announcing the joy that filled a once-fallen nation. The Crystal Empire was overflowing with love and joy, and that love and joy was now beginning to shine all over Equestria.
It was time.
Looking out across the castle grounds, Celestia searched for her target. Over and over again, Discord had been told to stay within the castle grounds. It was essential if this plan was to come to pass. And yet, over and over again, Discord wandered off. He would find himself bored and utterly uninterested in being confined, and would decide that a spirit of chaos such as himself had no business being confined in a stuffy castle.
She had tried chaining him in the dungeon once, but that had lasted all of five minutes. As soon as Celestia had left the room, he had snapped his fingers and disappeared, leaving his chains behind him. It wasn't until an angry letter appeared in front of her that Celestia learned he had run to Fluttershy, telling her all about how mean old Celestia was locking him up. Timid as that little pony was, she certainly wasn't shy when she heard that her friend was being mistreated, even if it was for only five minutes.
Aggravated, Celestia stormed off towards her carriage. Tonight, of all nights, was not a good night for Discord to run off. It was tonight that Celestia's plan was finally coming together. It was tonight her faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, would be given her final test. It was for this time and this purpose that Celestia had ordered Discord's release in the first place. Now, where did that draconequis run off to?
Calling for her carriage ponies, Celestia searched the night sky for her sister. Seeing as she understood the gravity of the situation, Luna might be able to help in her search.
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"Would you like another scone, Discord?"
Fluttershy was just beginning to put away the remnants of her animal picnic. Mr. and Mrs. Beaverton Beaverteeth had just welcomed a new little one into their family, and Fluttershy had thrown a picnic to celebrate. Of course, she had spent most of the day trying to explain to Applejack why Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth couldn't just take his newly expanded dam apart this time. Applejack called Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth a "dang varmit", and Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth used some words he really shouldn't have used with the baby in such close proximity.
Upon returning home, she had found that Discord had dropped in for a visit. She had not expected Discord to visit that day, but had invited him to the celebration all the same.
"No, that's quite all right.", Discord replied. "I'm still quite stuffed from that hay loaf you made."
Fluttershy smiled. The loaf had gotten a little overdone, since she had spent far longer than intended at Sweet Apple Acres. Still, it turned out pretty well for what it was.
"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Is there anything else you might need?"
Discord shook his head. "No, no. I'm just glad to be out of that dusty old castle."
Fluttershy looked concerned. "Princess Celestia didn't lock you up again, did she?", she asked. The last time Discord was here, Celestia had locked him in chains in the dungeon. Fluttershy had let him crash with her for the night, before writing an angry letter to Princess Celestia. Timid as she normally was, nopony was going to treat her friends that way. Not even the Princess.
"No", Discord sighed, "She just expects me to stay within castle grounds. As if she could control a creature of chaos like me."
"Are you sure I can't offer you a place to crash for the night?", Fluttershy asked, putting away the last of the teacups into her picnic basket. "It sounds as if you might need to get away from the castle for a bit."
Discord smiled at the little pegasus, considering the offer. "That does sound nice." Discord mused. "I just might take you up on that offer."
At that moment, Princess Celestia's carriage touched down in front of the cottage. Fluttershy stepped between Celestia and Discord, ready to defend her friend if need be. Celestia, however, made no move towards them.
"Discord, can I have a word, please?" Celestia asked, "Alone?" She did not sound happy.
"Alone.", Discord retorted, "There. There's your word. Now if you don't mind, Fluttershy and I have a celebration to clean up after." Celestia did not look amused.
"I assure you, this is quite important." Celestia told him, keeping calm and collected. "You must return to the castle at once."
Discord rolled his eyes. "And what if I refuse?"
"I'm afraid this matter is far too important to wait." Celestia answered. "In any case, in involves a deal that you might find interesting."
Discord shot her a look that clearly told her he wans't buying it.
"I will allow you to return here later. For now, though, I have a very important task to complete, and I am going to nee your help to complete it."
Discord looked towards Fluttershy, who shrugged. "Perhaps tomorrow night?" she offered, referring to the offer to crash. "Or maybe after you're done with your important matter. Either way, I'll still be here." Discord nodded, grateful for the chance to escape. Whatever this important matter was, at the very least he would not be spending the night at the castle. As soon as whatever this is was over, he was out.
"Very well." Discord answered Celestia, "But this had better be important."
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Princess Celestia wasted no time after reaching the castle. Discord trailed impatiently behind, annoyed that his little sleepover had been postponed.
"As you know," Celestia began, "My student, Twilight Sparkle, has reached a new level in her studies."
"Well hooray for her", Discord replied sarcastically.
Was this what Princess Celestia had dragged him all the way back here for? What a waste of time!
"In fact, all that is left is just one final test before she finishes her studies." Celestia continued, "After that, Discord, is where you come in."
Out of all those element bearers, Twilight was pretty much Discord's least favorite. He had barely been released from stone for two minutes before Twilight had threatened to turn him back, and the threats had not stopped since. There were certainly less of them coming his way since Twilight realized that Fluttershy would not go back on her promise, but she still behaved in an overtly hostile manner any time he was near.
"As you know," Princess Celestia continued, "you are the only creature in Equestria who is capable of changing ponies from one form to another. If Twilight succeeds in her final task, I would like you to turn her into an alicorn."
Discord burst out laughing. An alicorn? She had to be kidding! "And what makes you think I am going to do THAT?" Discord asked. There was no way he was taking a pony who was that hostile towards him and making her even more powerful.
Celestia smiled mischievously, holding up a spiral-bound book. "On the last page of this book, there is a spell that will change each pony's destiny, rendering the Elements of Harmony unusable to their respective owners."
Now, Discord was listening.
"As of now, there is no way to reverse this spell. Twilight's task will be to create new magic in order to reverse its effects. Should she succeed, I would like you to use your magic to turn her into an alicorn."
"And if she fails?" Discord asked, "What's in it for me?"
Celestia looked grim. "If she fails, the Elements of Harmony will be forever unusable, leaving their respective owners unable to turn you back to stone. Not only that, but the spell would put all the wrong cutie marks on all the wrong ponies, which is sure to cause some chaos."
Celestia did not look happy over that prospect.
Discord mulled it over. Eternal chaos, plus the guarantee that he would never be turned to stone again! It was tempting, very tempting. To top it off, Twilight would be the one who would mess things up, leaving no possibility for Fluttershy to disown him as a friend because of it!
There had to be a catch. Either that, or Celestia put way too much faith in her neurotic little protégé. Was she really so confident in beleiving that Twilight could create her own magic? To his knowledge, Celestia herself wasn't even capable of that! The little brat was talented, but she wasn't that talented!
Celestia was putting way too much faith in this little unicorn, which would ultimately be her undoing.
"Princess Celestia, you drive a hard bargain." Discord concluded. "I accept your challenge."
Princess Celestia smiled, sealing the box that contained the notebook. "Very well." Celestia responded, handing the box over to a mailpony to deliver. "I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain when Twilight Sparkle prevails."
"I am a draconequis of my word." Discord told her, making a halo appear over his head. There was no way Twilight was going to be able to pull this off. Discord would forever be free of the Elements' curse, free from constant threats, and free from anypony ordering him around!
Celestia rolled her eyes, and Discord headed for the door. He had some excellent chaos to see.