//------------------------------//
// Fall 
// Story: Dream Sparkle 
// by Silent Strider 
//------------------------------//

Celestia looked away from the telescope and discreetly massaged her temple. She had just sent Discord a message to come to the observation deck, and keeping a straight face when talking with Discord was taxing in the best circumstances. Which the current ones weren’t.

“May I help, your highness?” Discord’s voice dripped sarcasm.

Taking care to wear her usual serene smile, Celestia turned and looked at the draconequus; Discord was on the doorway, doing a mock bow and wearing a mismatched outfit that was at the same time courtly and offensive.

“No need for formality, Discord. Have you seen Luna today?”

With a snap Discord removed the mismatched garb. “Why, yes. The poor princess was blowing some steam, something about mixed orders and a maid trying to clear the bath while she was using it. She also mentioned something about getting back at the culprit even if she had to go to the ends of Equestria -”

Discord’s eyes opened wide as he took a half step back. Celestia lifted one eyebrow. “Discord, what -”

She didn’t get to finish the phrase; Discord grabbed and held Celestia in front of his body like a shield, retreating inside the tower. “Keep her away, keep her away!”

Making a supreme effort to not let her confusion show, Celestia made her face into a glare of cold fury. “Release me this instant, or I -”

What - or, rather, who - Discord was afraid of entered Celestia’s field of vision. A large pony flying on unsteady wings, her body green with dark spots, limp mane and tail a darker green shade. A couple pegasus guards were paying close attention, as if they were ready to catch her at any moment, but keeping distance. And she also had an unicorn horn.

“Luna!” Celestia kicked hard, hitting Discord and making him double over. “Wait, I will -”

There was a flash around her and Celestia saw herself inside an iron cage. This time Celestia’s cold fury glare wasn’t fake. “WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING?” Her horn flared bright, a similar aura engulfing the cage.

She turned her head to keep both Discord and Luna on her line of sight.

Luna was approaching the balcony, struggling hard to keep airborne, while Discord - still doubled down - had his eyes glued on her. As soon as Luna was over the balcony Discord snapped his fingers, encasing Luna in a huge transparent bubble, which floated slowly towards the balcony.

As soon as Luna stopped flying she lost conscience, but her chest was visibly rising and falling. Seeing Luna out of immediate peril, Celestia willed her face into a neutral semblance.

Discord swept the sweat from his brow with a paw. “Whew, that was close. Let me get you out - “ Discord noticed around Celestia  the twisted bars that used to be a cage. “Never mind. But whatever you do, don’t open that bubble; I don’t fancy having Sun and Moon duty for the next week or two.”

Celestia glared at Discord. “Explain.”

Discord started to count on his fingers. “Tatzlwurm fever. Highly contagious, leaves the patient weak and unable to use magic, no known cure except for rest. Ask your pet princess Twilight if you want to know more, she and Fluttershy treated the only known case of it in the last century or so.”

Celestia summoned a clear scroll and a quill. “You better be telling the truth.”