"Spike!" Twilight called out from her study. After Vakarious left her, Twilight had decided to go over all of her notes that she had so far on dragons. While she didn't really learn much, she still knew more about dragons than she could have ever imagined from her new "friend".
"What is it Twi?--Aww, I just cleaned this entire place this morning!" Spike said as he entered the study.
"I need you to go by Rarity's and see if she has any spare gems she doesn't need" Twilight said, completely ignoring Spike's complaint. At this, Spike's demeanor changed from annoyed at having to clean up after Twilight, to excited at having a chance to spend some time, albeit very little, with the mare of his dreams.
"Sure thing Twilight! Just one question; why do you need gems from Rarity? I already had breakfast," Spike said.
"They're not for you Spike. I'm just wondering whether or not our new friend has a special 'use' for them is all. For science, of course," Twilight replied.
"You mean, seeing as how he's a dragon, you want to know if he eats gems too?" Spike asked.
"What? No no, that's---Wait...When did you find out he was a dragon?" Twilight asked, eying Spike now.
"The first time I met him. I thought you would have figured out I knew earlier when I told you to just ask him," Spike answered.
"You're telling me you knew he was a dragon this whole time, and you didn't say ANYTHING?!" Twilight yelled.
"Hey, it wasn't my fault! I made a Dragon's oath not to mention anything, and you know how serious that is!" Spike defended. Before Twilight could argue anymore, memories of Spike and his 'oath' to serve Applejack came rushing, reminding her of the futility in arguing further.
"Fine. I'm sorry for yelling, Spike. I do know how serious your Dragon Oath is," Twilight said, comforting Spike.
"It's okay. Besides, it's not something I would have made lightly. I just kinda had a feeling about him, yaknow?" Spike said. "Anyway, I'm off to Rarity's! I'll be back later with those gems!" Spike finished, before running out of the library.
"Oh Spike," Twilight said, smiling to herself.
~~~
Vakarious sat in his home, doing nothing and bored, for the first time in almost two hundred years. While he wouldn't exactly call the very recent war with the Burning Legion "fun", it was definitely more exciting than just sitting and doing nothing at all. He shook the thought, being a guardian of life, he didn't really want to find enjoyment in war at all. Even if it was against an endless army of demons bent on chaos and undoing the Titan's work. Guess I could use a bite. Haven't eaten anything since, well, awhile. Doubt any stores or markets here would have any sort of gems though.
"This is definitely cheating," Vakarious said out loud to himself as he made a handful of sapphires. He then began pacing around in his house, while thinking of everything on his mind. After a few minutes of mindless pacing, he decided he'd get used to his Pegasus form more. While Princess Celestia preferred him in his 'true' form for the Gala, he preferred to just perfect this new form instead. Besides, he had nothing else to do.
~~~
"What do you think, my sister? Is his warning to be heeded, or is it too soon to act?" Princess Celestia asked her sister, Princess Luna.
"I am unsure, sister. If there is nothing to worry about, the possibility of a very large panic could happen for nothing," Princess Luna replied.
"But we both know what could happen if we don't act at all. I saw for myself the devastation his world suffered because he didn't prepare in time," Princess Celestia said.
"I understand. Perhaps our reclamation of the Crystal Empire, and Discord's reformation was of perfect timing then," Princess Luna commented.
"Indeed. But, I may have something you can do," Princess Celestia went further.
"What's that, my sister?" Princess Luna asked.
"Perhaps if you investigated this issue with Vakarious himself directly, you could find out for both of us how big of an issue this truly is, and what course of action we should take," Princess Celestia answered.
"Are...you sure that's best? I've only seen a glimpse of him in one of his dreams, and even then, his most recent moment of rest he was able to block me out of his dreams entirely," Princess Luna stated. Princess Celestia looked her sister in the eyes, placing a hoof on her shoulder.
"Exactly, Luna. I also believe that you'd be able to connect with him the best," Princess Celestia said.
"Because of my decent into madness and turning into Nightmare Moon..."Princess Luna said, hanging her head.
"Not quite, sister. Rather, your will to have broken free from the grasp of Nightmare Moon," Princess Celestia said.
"My will? It was the Elements of Harmony that freed me," Princess Luna corrected.
"They served only as a means, sister. It was your will that ultimately allowed you to free yourself, and it is the kind of pony you became after such an event, that I believe would connect best with Vakarious," Princess Celestia said. She looked at her sister again, before embracing her in a hug. After the two sisters were done, Luna thought for a bit before answering.
"I will do it. I just hope he doesn't mind my attempts at trying to enter his dreams," Princess Luna said.
"I don't think that will be an issue," Princess Celestia assured. Princess Luna giggled before turning to leave the conference room they were in. Princess Luna gave one more look at her sister, receiving one more reassuring nod before leaving for her room.
After some walking, Princess Luna finally reached her room. However, when she entered, her room was lit up in a pink aura by an apparently yellow light hanging upside down on the ceiling, as well as her walls, floor, and ceiling being checkered in pink, green, blue, and orange. How that was possible was beyond her. She sighed, knowing exactly who would do such a thing.
"Discord...What have I said about your chaos spreading to my room?" Princess Luna called out.
"Oh, you're so boring Lulu. I think your sister is rubbing off on you," the being in question responded, from out of no where.
"Uh huh. I can live with the occasional cotton candy cloud in the garden. I even get a little laugh out of Blueblood slipping in pink mud. But when it spreads to my room, that's when it becomes a problem," Princess Luna said. She made sure to make a point that she wasn't mad in the least.
"Hmph, fine. At least you enjoy SOME of my little ideas of fun, even if they aren't what they could be," Discord said, changing Luna's room back to it's darkened state. "Besides, it was so dark and dull, I figured you could use the mood lightener."
"Well, thank you for the gesture then," Princess Luna said, smiling as she made her way into her room. Unlike her sister, and the rest of the castle staff for that matter, Princess Luna rather enjoyed Discord's presence and his little random pranks here and there.
"So, what did 'Tia make you do this time? Status quo in one of the small towns not up? Or did Princess Twilight Sparkle mind control another town?" Discord asked, suddenly appearing in a chair across from Luna.
"Neither. Besides, Twilight Sparkle becoming a Princess isn't exactly supposed to be world news yet, so I think it'd be best if you waited until AFTER that event to joke about it," Luna said, finding a seat for herself.
"Fine," Discord pouted.
"Anyway. I'm sure you've 'heard' of the recent arrival of Ponyville's new guest, right?" Princess Luna asked.
"You mean scaley? Of course," Discord replied.
"Right. Well, all 'Tia asked me to do was investigate with him whether what he sent her is truly a threat or not. Considering my past, my sister believes that I'm the most qualified, and most likely pony to relate to him to ensure the most cooperation," Luna answered.
"Hmm, what exactly did he send dear old Celestia anyway?" Discord asked.
"Oh? I figured you would have 'accidentally' gotten a hold of it, before 'politely' forwarding it to 'Tia," Luna inquired.
"I did. But, unfortunately, the letter that was sent to her had a special seal allowing only her to open it. Even my amazing gifts couldn't pry that thing open," Discord said, sighing.
"That's...interesting...That he could prevent even you from tampering with it," Luna commented.
"Eh, give me time and I'll figure out what old scaley there did," Discord said.
"I have no doubt about that. Now if you wouldn't mind, it is midday," Luna said, heading towards her bedroom.
"Of course, O Princess of the Night," Discord said, suddenly wearing formal attire and bowing.
"Right. Perhaps we can talk more tonight," Luna said, smiling.
"I look forward," Discord said.
"Oh, and Discord, do me a favor?" Luna asked, before entering her bedroom.
"Hmm?"
"Try not to grief the dragon TOO much. I'd like him to keep his positive impression of Equestria." And with that, she entered her room to rest for the remaining day.