//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - Questions And Quarrels // Story: Broken Spirit // by Cryssy-miu //------------------------------// The princess stared, honestly – for just a moment – she wondered who this fierce and courageous looking pony was. Surely this wasn't the quivering, timid, little filly that always backed away and bowed shyly when she came near. Never had the princess seen the pegasus so confident looking. Discord really did know how to alter and manipulate personalities, even when he caused it unintentionally. "Fluttershy, dear!" Celestia's tone had dipped slightly and had lost its sense of happiness. She knew why the pony was here. "What brings you to Canterlot Palace? I, well, I haven't ever seen you here unless the others were with you." It seemed she was trying to stall the impending question, although, that was more relieving to Fluttershy since the pony hadn't a clue how she'd go about asking this. "I-umm, well, I figure..I should come see you more?" she tried pathetically. Obviously Celestia knew that wasn't the reason, but it seemed Fluttershy was just as uncomfortable with this as she was. Still, the princess nodded, stepping down from her throne and strutting over to the slightly intimidated pegasus. The alicorn's purple eyes met the frightened and quivering little blue irises, and right away the princess could tell that the poor pony was struggling to finally tell her what she had come for. "I know why you're here, my little pony." No use beating around the bush. "You do?" Fluttershy squeaked, her voice high pitched, so high pitched, in fact, that the princess grimaced over towards the servant at the door and quietly requested a cup of tea. "I'm pretty sure I do," Celestia said, calmly striding beside the pony. Fluttershy, seeing that she was slowly moving down the hall, strolled quietly along with her. They remained that way for several minutes, only watching the stained glass windows as they walked by. The halls were dimmer now, and quiet. Dim pink sun rays leaked through the glass, bathing the ponies in a sunset hue as they walked by. Fluttershy noted the crystal patterns on the windows: stained glass. The sunlight made it seem pinker, but she could still see the pictures and the story they were trying to portray quite easily. She looked up at the polygonal figure of Nightmare Moon engulfed in the rainbow sphere of the Elements; the proud six ponies below her, magic shooting from their necklaces. Further down, she could see Discord, and she remembered this was how she first saw him: polygonal, two dimensional and in glass, darting around the windows as he chortled and teased them in riddles. When the pegasus looked at his body- also enveloped in a light - her heart constricted at remembering he had returned to stone. In that second, Fluttershy yearned to go home and see the draconequus just so she could be reassured he was still with her. They came upon the final picture, and Fluttershy's heart sank when she gazed up at it. It was Discord when he ruled Equestria; the metaphorical marionette strings attached to the miserable ponies below him that were forced to bow to him, bend to his every will. Fluttershy's soft, blue eyes teared when she looked into the spirit's dark irises. "Look carefully," Celestia whispered, her head high and regarding the stained glass window with bitterness at the memory. "Remind yourself why you're here and who you're here for." Those words were all it took to dash all hope in Fluttershy. They were said with such coldness directed to the spirit, hinting there wasn't a chance she'd get her wish. "I know I..I am asking for a stupid request." "No." Fluttershy turned to Celestia in confusion. "You aren't asking for a stupid request, dear. It is only your nature to love every living creature and to want the best for them. You just need to know boundaries, who is worth protecting." "But he is," Fluttershy whispered hoarsely. "He is worth protecting." Swallowing hard, she turned to the grim faced Celestia. "Your highness, nobody deserves such a fate. Do you know...how painful being turned to stone is? It is indescribable." She desperately swallowed the sobs when she remembered the pathetically disguised sadness in his face when he told her. "I-it can not happen again." The butter colored pony blinked in confusion as her head was firmly nudged up, and she realized Celestia had nudged her face comfortingly under her chin. "Walk with me." Fluttershy quickly hurried to the princess's side as they made their way through the great gateway, towards the palace garden. The Canterlot Palace garden was simply incomprehensible. It was so beautiful, so wide spread. Any other night, the little pegasus would have squeaked in delight and would have pranced into the gardens to find some animals to befriend. Though, giving the experience at the Gala, she'd probably just back off. Tonight however, both the ponies' eyes were immediately drawn to the stars. It was an instant relaxer and the ponies forgot all the troubles, conflicts, pain, for just a brief moment. They settled down in the grass, smiling as they watched a star shoot throughout the night time sky. It was so peaceful. It'd be wonderful to just sit here forever and not have to think about the conversation that brought them here. Yet, Fluttershy knew that sadly, she needed to focus on the task at hand. "Last night we were at the windows..and..we looked at the stars." Well, she knew that probably wasn't anything out of the ordinary; everyone looked at stars. "I mean..we both were watching them, but I made him promise not to do anything to ruin the evening." She giggled a little. "A difficult task for him, that's for sure..." She studied the princess's reaction carefully, but Celestia looked unmoved from her already definite decision. "A-and this morning he was in the garden for the first time. He turned all my carnations into lollipops." This at least invoked a sigh from the princess. "I'm afraid that's Discord. He'll do whatever he wants to..well, whatever he wants, I suppose." She shook her head, and then sadly looked down at the little pegasus. "That is why the decision must stand." The princess was sure her heart was breaking when she heard Fluttershy's pathetic little sobs. "Oh, please princess!" Fluttershy's voice muddled with a heart broken sob, the tears streaming down her muzzle and softly plopping into the dark grass. "Please, there must be another way!" Desperately, she stood up in front of Celestia, blocking the princess's view from the sky and forcing her to look at her. "You know him – you know him more than I do, so you've-so you've t..told me. You said you've known him since you and Princess Luna were fillies?" Celestia didn't respond. "Then...were you friends?" The pastel, rainbow mane dipped quietly, flowing over the grass and subtly moving to the wind. "You were friends, weren't you?" Fluttershy hated to pry, but she just needed to get some answers. Celestia was the only one that could give them. Disheartened, the pegasus only watched as Celestia's head lowered further. Her eyes closed, seeming lost in a sudden torrent of memories. "And yet," the princess finally sighed, "he showed no signs of remorse. None. All the ponies he tried to ruin, manipulate; their home he tried to corrupt, and none of that mattered to him if he could find entertainment in his actions. When he freed himself, he showed no signs of wanting to make up for his actions." She stared deeply into Fluttershy's eyes. "Has that changed?" The yellow pegasus firmly shut her mouth, losing composure at Celestia's honest question, that she was terrified to answer. No. He hadn't changed. In a small sense, he had and she rather hoped he had. He cared for her – from what she could see anyways – and he hadn't tried to hurt her in any way, other than the occasional-quite often-harmless little pranks and teasing. In a few instances, he had shielded her from certain dangers: dreams, and her book shelf that nearly crushed her one time. Yes, he was capable of caring for an individual, but when it really came down to it, had he changed? Did he have any remorse? Did he regret his actions? No, he didn't. He took pride in thrusting Equestria into a land of chaos and watching the decline of harmony and all the emotional pain he caused was merely amusing to him. He enjoyed manipulating others, tainting their minds with his poison, and all he seemed eager for was to get back on his feet and do it all again. Fluttershy had very little defense to work with her statements. "I...he cares about me," she stammered pathetically. Celestia looked down at her, sympathetically, eyes full of doubt and deep sadness. "Does he? Or are you merely a pawn in his game?" The alicorn was sick with the pain she was causing the pegasus. She hated that she was only pushing Fluttershy further into the pit of despair, dashing all her hopes..but it was for the pony's own good. "Fluttershy, I don't do this to be mean," Celestia whispered, lifting the disconsolate pony's chin with her hoof. "Please understand, my dear. I do this for the sake of the kingdom." She blinked when the trembling little ball of butter clutched desperately to the hoof and cried into it. "But the stone – it is too horrible! He has been fine living with me! Why can't..why can't his punishment be to..stay with me, confined in the cottage? It'd be perfect," she sniffled; "He's always telling me how annoying I am-! It is the perfect punishment, princess! To-to have to stay with...with the weak and spineless little filly – as he calls me – the rest of-of his life!" The princess watched on, her concern becoming greater, quickly fearing for the little pony's sanity. What had Discord done to her? She knew he had done something, and this time it wasn't intentional. For whatever reason, it seemed the pony just couldn't live without him. She couldn't see him turned to stone again. And – honestly – Celestia despised the idea herself. Even in the beginning, it killed the alicorn to bestow such a harsh punishment on him. When it came down to it, it killed her to have to punish him at all. It wasn't just that the princess wanted to love all creatures in her kingdom, but Fluttershy knew nothing about them, what really happened in their childhood. She had cried that night in her room when she imprisoned him. Of course, he wasn't able to see that. Perhaps if he did, maybe Equestria wouldn't still have this problem. No, she bitterly assured herself, he was already too far gone to be saved. Though really, what was turning him into another garden ornament going to do? He was right: the seal was still incredibly weak, especially with Fluttershy's emotions in such peril. He'd probably only have to tap the stone to break it this time. She couldn't imprison him again. But she couldn't let him loose either. "I...I still need time to think," Celestia forced out, strongly, holding back the frustrated tears threatening to spill through her white fur. "I don't know what to do - I only want to make the right decision." She shut her eyes, not even talking to Fluttershy anymore. "But either way I will hurt someone with whatever I decide." There would be no more information prying tonight, and Fluttershy knew it was just a waste to come here. Oh well, at least Celestia's reluctance brought a pathetic amount of comfort. She had been foolish to think this was an overnight decision. "I'll send somepony to guide you home," the princess said softly, her words an indication that the discussion was over. "Please be careful on your way home. If you would like, you may stay overnight at the palace. I'm sure we can find a room for you." "No, th-thank you." The pegasus's soft little voice wavered with tears, making it harder than usual to discern what she was saying. She felt so empty and lost. So scared and broken. "I can find my way." The pegasus dismissed the customary formal good-bye; she couldn't talk to the princess anymore. She merely trotted silently towards the doors of the palace, exiting without a parting word and leaving Celestia in the company of her memories and the stars above. xxxxxxxx In the midst of the night, the quiet garden was now void of life, save for the the celestial princess – the only alabaster being surrounded by the sea of flowers, and the orchards above. Celestia hadn't moved at all. She had been sitting there in the same, now imprinted patch of grass, barely having shifted into another position. Her eyes never having left the stars, drawn to a particular one: the same luminous star she recalled that had always captivated her and Discord's attention when they were younger. There was a dim flash of light, and the princess heard the gentle flapping of his wings as his body hovered inches away from her own. "Hm...I see the star is out tonight." It pulled – more so yanked – on a heart string, for Celestia was sure he had forgotten everything about their childhood, especially a detail as little as their favorite star. Yet, she forced the emotion out of her voice. "I didn't think I gave you enough magic to teleport." Discord chortled, laying on an invisible back support, resting his chin in his paw and giving her an intimidating smirk. "Oh, you didn't; I had to ration what meager amounts of my magic that Princess Stingy here was 'kind' enough to return to me." He held his talon to his face, eyes closed dramatically. "I feel my powers disappearing! I have used it all!" "Stop pulling punches; you're getting nothing from me." He smirked, dropping his talon and giving a sad little shrug. "It was worth a shot." He laid back, grinning as the princess grimaced and shook her snout in annoyance as Discord's beard tickled her nose. "Oh but really, I've managed quite fine with the little power I have." Of course, he didn't want to give the alicorn the wrong idea. "Not that I don't miss my full power, mind you! The full power you will be returning to me, yes?" He snaked his neck towards Celestia. The princess cringed inwardly from the hot breath that felt as if it could singe every hair on her body, but she knew he was only trying to gain a rise from her, so she kept her mouth shut tightly. At first Discord looked deeply annoyed when he didn't chagrin the calm princess. Then, he smirked, cradling his head in his talon and laying down in the air beside her. "I'm to be given the silent treatment, am I?" "Shut up." "Gasp, it can speak!" He hopped back, laughing as the red faced alicorn stomped her hoof at him, storming forward in the wet grass just a few steps. "Why should I return your power?" Celestia shouted, voice ringing with authority and harshness. "So you can go back to trying to throw me off the throne? Destroy my land? Harm my subjects?" "Oh, ponies and their exaggerations.. When did I ever 'harm' your subjects? Oh sure, I turned their land topsy-turvy, but goodness, Tia – you're making me sound worse than Nightmare Moon!" He watched the hurt fill the princess's face. It was clear she hated any mention of the diabolical mare. Instead, the princess's mind suddenly drifted to Fluttershy. That tear stained, butter colored face; her bawling and wailing, pleading anything if it meant Discord would be free. "And what of Fluttershy?" Celestia demanded, and Discord's head shot up. An odd look of uncertainty always crossed his face whenever she was mentioned. "That pony gave you another chance at life, and so did I! Did you not learn anything?" Discord snorted and rolled his eyes. "Learn what? What are you both expecting of me? For me to develop a heart as pure and pathetically soft as hers is? To regret and make up for my actions? Not every terrible experiences will cause a change of heart, you know. I wish you would both get that through your thick heads."' The princess growled. "The one pony that offers you her kindness, to help you – to save your life – and what do you repay her with?" "Mmm...I redecorated her house, turned her boring old flowers into candy and – oh yes – I turned her bunny into a giant cotton swab earlier." He snickered. "She still hasn't noticed.." Celestia was getting angrier and angrier by the minute. She remembered why she hated to talk to him: it was positively stressful. "She trusted you, and she opened her heart to you. She wanted to help you and she's tried to!" "And that," Discord stated, face grim, "is precisely what worries me." His words caught Celestia off guard; perhaps Fluttershy was right, and – even if he hadn't changed – he was still concerned for her. It could be a start, at least. "She is the Element Of Kindness," Discord continued; "She will trust any pony and just expects her love and caring will ultimately melt the ice on the foe's heart; for them to hug her in tears and thank her for 'turning them to good'. And, oh what – does she really think she would have been able to get away with that with Nightmare Moon? Do you?" Celestia bowed her head quietly, listening and taking in every word. He was speaking the truth. "You know as well as I do, Celestia, that Nightmare Moon would have killed her in a heart beat. Nightmare Moon was ready to kill you. If in that state, Luna was prepared to kill her own flesh and blood, there is no way that she'd show mercy to a measly little wimp like Fluttershy." He slithered closer to the princess, until he was mere inches away from her face. "Not every foe will give what's behind her mask of fear a chance. One day, what makes her who she is will be what will kill her." Celestia knew he was right, and she hated it. Never had the princess met such a push over, and it was dangerous how little of a back bone the timid pegasus possessed. Not only did she just let anypony walk all over her, but her kindness and trust in every living creature could be – as he stated – potentially deadly. "On the subject of Fluttershy, she truly cares for you." The alicorn was chagrined when he scoffed, but she still continued. "...She loves you." That got his attention. He didn't turn to her, for fear of revealing the shock on his face, but Celestia could still see the way his body did a subtle double take. To further hide his feelings, the spirit scowled coldly. "Commendable try, Tia, but I know she doesn't." He kept his voice merely curious and monotone. "Did she say so?" He glanced over to the alicorn with the corner of a hard, mismatched, ruby eye. Celestia could tell that behind those ice cold eyes and stolid face, her words had affected him. He was trying to avert his eyes, but they'd peek back every so often, curious of what else she might tell him. "She loves you," the princess continued. "She'll do anything if it means your freedom. She dragged herself all the way here just so she could see if she could talk me into letting you free. She was willing to accept any consequences for someone that doesn't even appreciate what she has done for him." Celestia was pleased to note that there words effectively shut Discord up. Still, his silence wasn't getting them anywhere either. "So, is the feeling mutual?" The draconequus floated there, staring off to space (literally) for several minutes. Celestia was about to repeat the question, but Discord had already fabricated something that was at least an attempt to indicate he hadn't lost too much iota of valor at the princess's words. "I don't know - is it mutual?" "Discord. Cease the rhetoric. Just give me a straight answer, please." His eyes shone with enjoyment. "This is a straight answer." He laughed again as Celestia lost her patience for the umpteenth time and slammed her hoof down. "You are really digging yourself into the deepest of holes," Celsetia seethed, fiercely gripping the spirit's tail and yanking him to eye level. Like Fluttershy, she rarely lost her temper, but Discord was enough to push the calmest of ponies over the edge. Discord blinked as he was yanked to the princess's face, smirking at her stern mother-scolding-glare. "Out of the pan and into the fire, so the saying goes~" He mimicked the movements and sounds of a fire igniting. "Fssh~!" Celestia barely needed to yank on that tail of his to get his eyes to nearly squash against hers. In fact, they did. The princess winced, her eyes stinging as they were rubbed raw by his, but at least she had his attention. "Discord, enough." Her voice wasn't loud; she didn't yell, nor did she whisper. However, it was sharp, indicating he better take her seriously. "Stop the riddles and just give me your honest opinion here. What do you feel about all this? This entire situation?" But, oh, did she really think he'd indulge her? "My honest feelings? My honest and true feelings at this very moment? I feel you are annoying me. Now, is my session over, oh royal interrogator of Equestria~?" Celestia's entire frame shook with fury, and she considered using her own magic to slam the infuriating spirit into the tree – repetitively. One would think that being thrown into the concrete enough times to shatter his bones would actually knock a smidgen of sense into him. No such luck. "You're infuriating," she began calmly. "Why thank you for noticing." "Why won't you do anything to help your cause?" Discord smiled thinly, laying in the air and mockingly twirling Celestia's little curls with his finger. He was amused when she tensed. To him this was just another way to fluster and confuse her, but to Celestia it was much different. The fact was she now despised him touching her. It caused her entire body to swell with pain, from her head to her hooves. The touch wasn't even sincere, only mocking and cruel. He hadn't genuinely touched her or even looked at her with sincerity for ages – for 'eons' as he'd call it. Every look; every word; every touch; all done with such coldness and hostility. The princess wasn't sure where this completely irrelevant question came from, but perhaps she was only trying to hang onto any hint that there was a sliver of light in him: "Discord, when you first broke out of stone.." She sighed and had to add in an annoyed tone, "the first time, did you really mean what you said to me? One of the first things you said to me? Did you really mean it..when you said you missed me?" Again, he was caught off guard, but forced the look of confusion away, and in fact, averted his eyes to keep from giving his true emotions away. Emotions he once again – as always – disguised with a cool smirk. "Why such weird, off topic questions out of the blue, Tia? It isn't like you." The princess's heart ached and she blinked back the yearning tears. That very name just made her hurt everywhere. "And that? Do you really mean that?" "Do I really mean what? It's a nickname." He began moving back in the air when Celestia stepped towards him again. By this point Discord knew he had pushed the alicorn to her breaking point, and therefore he awaited the stinging slap across his nose, or perhaps she'd forcibly hurl him into the pond, or tattoo his backside with hoof marks? Ow. He didn't expect what happened next. Celestia stopped mere inches away from his face. She stared deeply and pleadingly into his crimson eyes, her own eyes filled with anguish and longing. She didn't hit him, nor did she try throwing him, and she didn't even yell; she merely whispered. "Discord...please answer my question. Is what you said to me in the palace true?" The daunting smirk faded and his face was serious, pondering. There was no avoiding the question now. Her eyes were on him, waiting. He slithered through the air, circling her pale white body, before finally, briefly, darting right in front of her face. "Yes." Silence fell over the hushed royal garden. There was no sound now. No talking, no crickets chirping, and not even the sound of gentle splashing in the pond near them. Not even the wind. It seemed as if the two unmoving creatures were the only ones in the world. Celestia's body slowly gave way as she collapsed, inhaling the quiet, anguished sobs, the crystal like tears falling from her violet eyes as he watched on disapprovingly, before rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Oh really, Celestia," the spirit drawled, hanging over a cotton candy cloud, "I thought little Lulu was supposed to be the ultra sensitive one." The tears had stopped, but the ivory mare's head was directed away from him, towards the stars and avoiding his prying eyes. The draconequus snickered at how unbelievably emotional Celestia was getting. It definitely wasn't like the stolid, grim and serious little princess. "I didn't think you still cared enough about me to cry. Well, before you fly into an emotional tirade and – gag – actually do something as grossly saccharine as to perhaps hug me, let me clarify something." He held her chin, smiling to himself when that managed to intimidate her. "I don't know what it is I missed, given my burning rage and desire to get revenge, and perhaps maybe go as far as hate..." He stopped, and it wasn't because of the despairing look on the princess's face. Hate... No. Argh, Equestria – no. He wanted to - so badly - hate her, he wanted to despise her, be able to do whatever he wanted to induce some sort of suffering, whether it be emotional or physical from her, but he...couldn't. Maybe it was the trials and tribulations both had gone through together when they were kids, maybe it was because – no matter how dark and guarded his was – they would always be connected by the heart. For whatever reason...he couldn't hate her. And he hated that. Clearing his throat, he tried to continue. "Perhaps what I missed was toying with you, perhaps I merely wanted to see you to exact some sort of brutal revenge – maybe turn you into a giant gummy bear and shove you in a manticore's den." He snickered as the princess closed her eyes and shuddered. "Maybe I just wanted some form of company." He caught her questioning look and scoffed. "Oh – what? Oh sure, I'm the spirit of all things 'evil' – in you ridiculous ponies' eyes – but I do still have sanity, and it can be endangered having nopony else to talk to, rant to, other than my own mind for a thousand years," he said grumpily. "Not to mention go a little stir crazy..." Celestia shook her mane and stood indignantly, shrugging off the tears and sadness, and forcing the authority back into her voice. "You only got what you deserved." "Did I?" he demanded, voice taking on a growling, grating, harshness. "Did I really? Did a little chaotic sprinkles here and there truly call for full body petrification until the end of time? Did a few innocent pranks like causing it to rain chocolate and 'fertilizing' the apples call for a repeat of that punishment?" His eyes narrowed, smouldering fire. "Did merely playing a harmless little game of peek-a-boo with your teacher's pet justify breaking every bone in my body?" Increasingly, he had snaked towards the alicorn, who had backed away slightly with a growl of her own and a threatening scrape of her hoof. "Did a little bit of sister rebellion really call for a thousand year banishment to the moon? To the point that your poor sister returns a misunderstood, frightened mess that has no idea how to face the world?" The blast of fire from the alicorn's horn would have been a fatal impact if he hadn't curled in his body at the last second, hissing as the heat from the magic embers singed the tip of his toes. Narrowing his eyes at her, Discord pinned her back with magic, although he could already tell that the mare was regretting thoughtlessly attacking him. "None of this is my fault, Celestia," Discord seethed, "so don't try pinning it all on me. You claimed you had no idea that the Elements would stone me, nor did you think they would banish Luna for a thousand years, and yet you still used them. Even when you claimed you felt 'guilty' for the severity of my sentence and your sister's, you still had the audacity to say it was justified. You're only contradicting what you said before." He released the magic hold on the alicorn, watching her limp unsteadily to her feet. "You knew the Elements' power couldn't be controlled and yet you still used them." The alicorn's entire frame shook with her grief and she numbly shut her eyes, her majestic mane falling to the grass and flowing over the hill. "I was...I was hoping the Elements would change you back to the way you used to be -to the little spirit we loved - before you betrayed my family." He snorted. "And yet you still took the chance of them possibly killing me, not to mention your little sister." Yet..he was caught off guard. He had been certain the day he was confronted with the fire in his once best friend's eyes that all she cared about was getting rid of him. Part of him thought his sentence in stone occurred by her channeling that desire into the Elements – to urge them to imprison him or kill him. But.......she just wanted things back to the way they were, when they were kids? Both the multi beast and the alicorn had their backs turned to each other, like two angry siblings in a heated spat. Discord was more annoyed, while Celestia was darn well near tears once more. Ugh, this was not how tonight was supposed to commence. Well – actually, Discord had no idea how he did want things to go. He didn't want to fight, he didn't want to spend time with her – it was just so boring alone in Fluttershy's cottage, with only the company of her stupid white fur ball (that was always staring creepily at him for some odd reason), and he really just wanted some fresh air as well. Plus, watching Celestia could be ever so amusing. Well, it usually was; he just hardly expected the huge gush of emotions that poured from the alicorn, nor did he expect that magic blast. Oh Equestria, that had hurt! He'd need to withstand some more of Fluttershy's stinging medicine the moment she saw it. Perhaps if I can manage to get under the blankets to hide it well enough.. The draconequus straightened himself, favoring a foot and spreading his wings. "Well, I do believe it's time for our little play date to draw to a close," he began icily; "It's FAR past your bedtime, my dear, and I do believe it's little Luna that takes the night shift." Celestia only scraped her hoof, narrowing her wet, gleaming eyes as a response. "So then when you're ready to apologize to me, I'll be waiting in my humble little bed in Pony-Pied-Piper's cottage with ice on my poor burned footsies." He was gone in a bright, white flash, leaving no one there in the gardens to witness the celestial princess collapse into the grass. xxxxxxxx Fluttershy's aching hooves made every step excruciatingly painful; the worst part being that her feeble little wings were stubbornly, tiredly snapped shut against the side of her flanks, having flown more than they could comfortably mete out. It didn't help matters when she stepped into her cottage on a floor that had been transformed into spongy cheese, and closed a door that had been turned into toast. The pegasus watched as the door crumbled into crusty bread crumbs as she shut it. "I renovated~" Discord singsonged cheerfully, laying on his tootsie roll bed and chewing on the headrest. "So I see," Fluttershy mumbled tiredly, gazing over at her kitchen counter, that was now a giant, rectangular brownie. "Discord, please don't eat your bed." At her request, the spirit surprisingly lifted his fangs from where they were burrowed in the soft chocolate. Fluttershy caught sight of his feet shifting from under the blankets, and she noted the burn to one of them. "How did you burn your feet?" "Oh," Discord sighed, watching as the pegasus hurriedly took out her medical kit. "I had a little thing with Miss Kill – JOY!" His last word went up in a howl of pain as the medicine poured into his burn and seared it with a kiss of fire. Fluttershy sighed, knowing who the 'Little Miss Killjoy' was without the draconequus even clarifying. "I thought I told you to stay here." "You did," the spirit smirked into his paw, wincing now and then as the medicine did its work. He pulled something out from his bed and started twirling it through the air like a sword. It was a rather large...cotton swab? Fluttershy was almost afraid to ask it: "Where did you get the cotton swab?" She ducked as he sliced it in the air with a loud 'hi-yaa!', and then ran a feather light talon over its handle. "Oh, I just crafted it from a few materials lying around that I didn't think you needed anymore~" Something compelled the little pegasus to look over to Angel's bed, where she expected to see the sweet little form curled up and sleeping peacefully, since at this time of night he'd long since have gone to sleep. Instead, the small basket was empty, and it was no mystery when the pegasus snapped her head back to the mischievous spirit, who was eying the cotton swab in his paw with a possessive look. "Oh my word! Angel!" Fluttershy shrieked, hooves flying to her face. Discord merely snickered. Gritting her teeth, the pegasus stomped a hoof, her usual mouse like whisper loud and angry. "Discord!" "Yes?" he giggled, and then shrunk back as Fluttershy leaned towards him, glaring fiercely. Okay, even he had to admit that the wimpy little pegasus's anger could be a tad frightening. She looked like she wanted to hurt him. He serached to see if there was an implement in her hoof. "Change him back, now," Fluttershy ordered. "This very minute, and I mean it!" "Oh, come on, Flutter Butter." He fluffed the ends of the cotton swab and used it to scratch his back. "You don't think it's just a little funny?" "No, I do not," Fluttershy said angrily, crossing her hooves over her chest and looking at him expectantly. "It's very mean of you, and I want him turned back." "Yes, because we all know the incarnation of chaos is all about the niceities," Discord muttered, but snapped his fingers regardless and watched the frazzled little rabbit stumble into Fluttershy's hooves. "I found it a little funny." The smirk crossed over his twisted face and his snaggle tooth gleamed in the dark. "Of course you did," Fluttershy sighed, hoisting her freaked out pet onto her back. "I-I need some sleep.. Goodnight, Discord." The butter colored pony trudged tiredly up the stairs, only managing to sigh when she discovered the banisters were candy canes – that Angel happily latched onto. Snickering at his ploys and flopping down onto the feathery pillow, Discord tucked his scorched foot under the heavy quilts, pushing away the evening's confusion and pain, oblivious to the pegasus above him, and the alicorn in her palace bedroom weeping. xxxxxxxx (Ahhh...the lovers' spats are always considerably amusing and fun to write, are they not? :lol: So, I'm trying to balance the mixture of pain, anger, conflicting hatred and hidden feelings with Discord and Celestia, and I think it came out well. :D In upcoming chapters, Twilight and Fluttershy accidentally stumble upon old records of Discord, Celestia, and Luna, and uncover a great, hidden and painful secret of the spirit.)