//------------------------------//
// A Short Walk 
// Story: Discord's Daughter 
// by Speedy Quill 
//------------------------------//

Discord sat in the library, flipping through the pages of several books. Derpy had decided to start exercising her talents again and was entertaining the schoolhouse ponies today. That left him with nothing to do. He let out a sigh and let the books drop to the floor.

"Oh no you don't!"

Twilight walked down the stairs and stood in front of the draconequus. "Pick the books up and put them away properly."

"Fine."

He snapped his fingers and the books flew to their appointed shelves. 

Twilight nodded approvingly. "Thank you." 

"No problem."

Silence fell over them as they stood there. Discord wondered why neither of them spoke. He decided to do something about it.

"I'm going to go for a walk."

He snapped his fingers and shrunk to his pony form. 

Twilight smiled. "Okay. Um..."

Discord nodded to the door. "Come on already. If you don't want to be alone-"

He didn't have to finish the sentence. Twilight was by his side and they left the library.

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Every now and then a pony would stop and bow when they noticed Twilight. She encouraged them not to, but they still did it anyways. 

When the latest encounter ended, Discord looked at her thoughtfully. "I'm surprised that you don't like the attention."

"I'm not used to it. I know these ponies and they know me. Why should they bow to a friend?"

"Because it's what being royalty is about. You're above them now. They look to you for help and give you respect for it."

"I guess that makes sense."

"That's how it was for me."

Twilight looked disgusted. "You think that ponies fearing you is the same as respect?!"

He shrugged. "That was how I thought back then. I couldn't say it now though. Too much has changed."

"Like what?"

"Startail. That's where it all started. Then there was Fluttershy. And now it's you and Derpy."

The princess paused on the street. "Me? What have I done?"

Discord smiled. "You helped me reconnect with my daughter. You've been a true friend to me even though I can be awful at times."

A half smile crept onto Twilight's face. "You're not as awful as you were before."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Yes. And it's true. If Celestia had asked me to help you connect with Derpy when we had first met, I'd have said it was impossible."

"True."

"But now... You've changed for the better. You're not the same Discord I met once. You're a father now. And a dear friend."

Discord felt a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. He'd pull the fuzz out if he didn't like the feeling so much.

Twilight surprised him by kissing him on the cheek. She smiled at the draconequus' surprise. "Come on. Let's go see how Derpy's doing"