"Bittersweet & strange, finding you can change, learning you were wrong."
The nation of Equestria was in hysterics. The same creature who had ruined their world so many years ago was now supposedly reformed? And he was going to live among the citizens? What had happened to the Princesses? Was this one of his sick tricks?
Well, to give answers to all of these questions, Celestia had made an announcement.
Equestria Daily
January 23rd
Chaos Unleashed!The rumors have been proven true, Princess Celestia has confirmed that she had Discord released from his stone prison and he is currently living in the Castle with the Royals. Celestia herself confirmed that he is indeed reformed and will no longer bring disharmony to Equestria. In fact, she has even invited all of the ponies in the nation to arrive at the Castle for a ball being held in Discord's honor to welcome him back. The event takes place this time next week. [See more on page 10].
"So, as you can see," Celestia declared, placing down the paper and sliding it across the dining room table. "I am trying to let everypony know you are good now."
"A ball? For me?" Discord said, placing a claw on his heart. "Why, Celestia, I'm flattered."
"It's nothing," she assured.
His smile was only the slightest bit mischevious, which was an upgrade. "But, might I ask why you're doing this?" he asked. "I mean, isn't your word enough to put trust in their souls?"
Celestia held back a sigh. "It is," she said simply. "I just found it proper to reassure them, and I thought it would be nice for you to meet everypony. But if you would rather not go through with it-"
"-oh, no, of course. It sounds wonderful, really. I assume I'm not allowed to entertain?"
A small smile spread across her expression. "Maybe," she mused.
She looked up, and froze when she caught him staring at her.
His glowing red eyes...
...red was the color of passion, power, love, and lust. Fitting how those emotions were very vital between the two of them. He had eventually grown a lust for power, while she still passionately loved him, no matter what. Life was funny that way.
"I'm off for work," Celestia spoke up. "The Prime Minister of Prance won't be happy if I'm late."
"Hmm, tell me, is Maris still known as the City of Love?" Discord inquired.
Celestia stopped for a minute.
Then again, she had to realize, this was Discord. He was messing with her head - he did that.
"Yes," she replied. "It is."
"Mind if I join you on your trip?" he questioned, getting up out of his seat and snapping his talons. In a flash of light, he was now wearing a blue and white striped long-sleeve shirt, and a red beret on his head. He also apparently had a thin curly mustache. "I have, how you say, nothing to do."
Raising an eyebrow, Celestia paid no mind to his request and she gave a nonchalant shrug.
"If you wish to tag along, fine by me," she said. "So long as you don't create any trouble."
"Moi? Trouble?" Discord drawled. "Never!"
A very un-Princess-like snort slipped past Celestia's lips. "If you say so," she said.
Stop, she thought as she tore her gaze away from him. Stop trying to make me laugh. You're winning, and it's the last thing I want. The only reason I let you out is because you can be an asset to Equestria. Don't make things harder than they have to be. Mess with anypony else's emotions, but not mine. You've already done that, and I don't want it to happen again. Just leave me alone. We'll try to be friends, if you'd like, but don't make me fall one more time, because I don't think I'll be able to get up after the crash.
How she wished that she could find the courage to say those words...
Celestia cleared her throat. "We leave at noon," she said simply.
And with that, she got up and left the room, with a heavy heart and tears brimming her eyes.
Days had passed, and Discord still insisted on following her around like a puppy. Celestia had done everything possible to get him to stay away - from assigning him petty quests, letting him file her paperwork and even locking him in a room with Luna so those two could play video games and yell at each other for a few hours.
Yet, despite all this, Discord clung onto Celestia.
Now, today was the evening of the ball.
Celestia let out a deep breath and looked across the room, out to the balcony.
In all honesty, she didn't feel like attending this event, but she knew that she had to. Not only would it be rude if she didn't, but it was expected of her. She was a Princess of Equestria, she had to attend.
"Sister?"
Celestia's gaze snapped over to the doorway. "Hello, Luna," she said softly. "Come in."
Luna stepped inside her sister's bedroom chambers, and bestowed a somewhat somber smile. "So, would you like to explain to me why you are holding this event?" she asked.
"I told you," Celestia replied. "It is to welcome Discord back."
"Just making sure," Luna mused. "I would hate to lose my bet with Twilight Sparkle."
"A bet? On what?" Celestia inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, nothing," Luna said quickly. "Speaking of Twilight, I ought to find her."
And with that, she flew off, leaving Celestia in a minor state of confusion. Nonetheless, she ignored and shook her head. Whatever it was, it certainly couldn't have been important.
Getting up from her seat, Celestia made her way over to the balcony and let out a sigh.
It felt like only yesterday, she was in this same spot. She was ready for her first Grand Galloping Gala, her mother was still alive, Luna was her adorable (and slightly bratty) teenage self, and right behind her was the love of her life...
...stop it, she told herself. Don't let yourself get trapped in the past.
Shaking her head to erase the flashback, she stepped back inside and headed over to her closet, opening it up.
As usual, she would go with her traditional regalia - simple gold with a few gems.
However, a certain something caught her eye.
It was an old gown, but with one glance, nopony could tell. Celestia remembered the last time she had worn that - her Coronation, when she promised to take over her late father's role as Ruler of the Sun. The jewels matched her eyes perfectly, and the soft yellow resembled the color of the star she had power over.
She hesitantly touched it, and a small smile spread across her expression as she looked at it.
What was a ball without a beautiful gown?
Soft classical music was echoing throughout the Castle as everypony mingled and conversed with one another. It was like any other high-class event, but this time around, it was actually a bit more festive. Despite his lack of magic, Discord was still livening up the place with simply his presence.
A few ponies were bold enough to try and befriend him, while others kept their distance.
Then again, he certainly couldn't blame them for avoiding him.
Fluttershy had told him to just act like his natural self, and that's exactly what he was doing.
For the most part, it seemed to do the trick...
"I see not much has changed," Discord mused.
Luna laughed, and rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm just as surprised as you are," she murmured. "I always kept my distance from these things as well."
Discord smirked. "Although, it seems that a certain somepony got busy," he observed as he nudged her and nodded over to Twilight Sparkle, who wasn't that far away, keeping her gaze locked on Luna.
A bright red blush crossed her expression, and she stomped on his alligator claw right before she shuffled off, embarrassed.
"Touchy," he muttered.
With an exasperated sigh, Discord was starting to feel bored.
Oh, what he wouldn't give for some kind of distraction...
-and then it hit him. He turned around, and his jaw nearly fell to the ground at what he saw.
There - at the top of the staircase, looking as regal as ever - was Celestia. Just with her usual appearance could make anypony fall to their knees, but this was something else. Wearing a beautiful cream and gold gown adorned with purple gems, her smile was sweeter than sugar and brighter than any sunrise. She was stunning.
She had looked beautiful plenty of times, but this moment could be placed in a top five list.
He could only watch as she made her way down, to mingle amongst the crowd, and before he knew it, she was standing right next to him.
"Good evening, Discord," she said. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
He held back a stammer by clearing his throat.
"Well, without the chaos, it's alright," he remarked.
Celestia's smile slightly faded, and she gave a nod.
"Have you made friends with anypony?" she asked.
Discord shrugged. "Somewhat," he said.
She hesitated, about to reply when a noble rudely interrupted them, pulling Celestia into a conversation about who knows what.
He released a deep breath, and snapped his talons, popping off in a flash of light and finding himself outside, in the Gardens, all alone, far away from the party. What was going on? He had been out of stone for only a few days, and his plan was not working. Damn her! She was cunning, and she didn't even know it.
Throughout this whole week, he had relentlessly tried to apologize, but nothing happened.
At this rate, he was never going to say sorry for the sins he had committed against his love - and to think, one would call him crazy for still thinking about the same mare who had trapped him.
The night didn't last long, most ponies left shortly after arrival and the Princesses decided to end it abruptly after everypony started complaining about how they let the master of Chaos out of his prison. Celestia realized that maybe this was a bad idea...
...but what else could she do?
Discord was a part of life now, and he seemed good for the most part, it wouldn't be right to place him back in stone if he hadn't done anything wrong.
As the Castle servants began cleaning up and the guests started filing out, Celestia slipped out of the palace and into the Gardens. She lightly shivered at the Winter air, but didn't let it bother her as she carefully made her way along the cobblestone walkway. Alabaster snow decorated the grass and she smiled as she noticed flakes falling from up above.
It was a picture perfect scene.
She stood still in the middle of the crosswalk, looking up at the sky. The stars just barely peeked out from the grey clouds and the scene of watching snowflakes fall was calming.
However, she was startled as a sudden mound of snow hit her right in the flank.
"Not the target I was going for, but we can't all be perfect," a voice said.
"Very funny, Discord," Celestia replied, as she rolled her eyes. She turned around, and couldn't help but return a smile as she noticed how mischevious he looked.
Just like when they were children...
In fact, something bloomed inside of Celestia. It was a spark, and rather impulsive of her, but before she knew it, she had a decent size amount of snow held in her magic and it was hurling towards Discord, who was taken by surprise as he was attacked by the snow.
"Well, 'Tia, looks like you still have an ounce of fun in you," he chuckled.
"Why wouldn't I?" she replied, with a raised eyebrow.
He shrugged. "A lot can change in a thousand years," he said simply.
She blinked slowly, taking a minute to contemplate his words. And even more could change in the blink of eye, she thought, as she looked at him. As eerie as it was, he seemed to be standing in the exact same spot his statue once stood.
Celestia cleared her throat. "Yes, but that doesn't mean I lose a sense of joy," she retorted.
Discord gave a small nod. "I suppose so," he mused.
"What exactly are you doing out here?" she asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" he said, with a rueful laugh. "That event was draining me. All of my wonderful, crazy, nonsense was just being squeezed out of me by those so-called nobles who have their noses so high up in the air, I wonder how they can walk properly." For emphasis, Discord suddenly fell to the ground and closed his eyes, playing dead. "See? This is me - with no chaos."
Celestia stifled a chuckle.
She missed this, but at the same time, she wished he wasn't here.
It was a horrible predicament.
"Better question is - why are you out here?" he asked.
"I was just looking for some fresh air, seeing how the ball is now over," she replied.
Discord nodded, as if he understood, and sat up, leaning against the wall of the Castle. He looked up at the stars and for a minute, Celestia was appalled at how calm he looked - especially for someone who was the living embodiment of chaos.
Then again, perhaps everyone could have a little bit of down time...
She hesitated, and stepped forward. "Would you mind if I joined you?" she asked.
No witty remark, no trickery... just a kind smile was his reply.
"I'd like that," he mused.
Returning the grin, Celestia gently sat down on the snow, next to him, and for a moment, the world stopped. Her thoughts danced together and morphed into one, and this point in time collided with memories from the past. It felt as if right here, right now, nothing bad had happened. Time had gone by, but Discord was his usual self - kind, yet mischevious. Cunning and caring. A trickster but in an enjoyable way.
...especially when he flicked his talons and made the stars up above dance in the night sky.
Luna's surprised shriek was heard from on a balcony nearby, and Discord burst into laughter, which made the stars cease in their erratic movements.
Celestia couldn't help it, and she let out a laugh as well.
She wasn't surprised when Discord looked at her, with a halfhearted smile.
"I haven't heard you laugh like that in a while," he said.
She fell silent, and unwillingly, a blush made it's way across her expression. Surprisingly, he didn't tease her for it and he just smiled, going back to stargazing.
Celestia hesitated.
This had to have been a trick.
Friendship was all she could ever dare to pursue with him, and she knew it.
Still, nonetheless, some small part of her caused her to reach out and take his paw in her hoof, holding it for a minute. Discord's eyes went wide for a minute, and even more so when Celestia leaned up against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
She would regret this, but maybe for a minute, they could pretend nothing had happened...
Hours had gone by, and together, they had laughed and smiled and talked rubbish until the twilight hours of the morning. It was clearly shown that Celestia was tired as she finally rose the Sun up and it drained the last of her energy. She was now completely exhausted from staying up all night, and Discord noticed this.
As she let out a yawn and got up from her seat, he stood up with her, taking her by the hoof so she wouldn't fall over from tiredness.
"May I escort you to your bedroom chambers, Your Highness?" he joked.
Celestia raised an eyebrow, but doubted he had any motive, and simply nodded.
She let out a light squeak of surprise as he lifted her up off the ground, holding her elegantly, and in a flash of white light, they were in her bedroom.
"I'm guessing you never laid off the cake over the years," Discord muttered, with his usual teasing smile as he placed her on the floor.
Rolling her eyes, Celestia lightly shoved him in the arm and let out a sigh.
"Thank you," she said softly. "Last night... was nice."
"All I did was keep you company and talk with you," he replied.
Her smile said it all. She hesitantly leaned forward, and placed a kiss on his cheek.
Discord popped out of the room quickly, but Celestia was entertained when she saw his face going red from blushing. She didn't even bother taking off her gown as she fell back on her bed, and stared up at the ceiling.
Life was sweet, for now.
Whether it was all a trick or not...
...well, it was a catch twenty-two. She was cursed if she did try and she would hate herself if she didn't. The odds weren't for her or against her. It was a stalemate.
Last night, Discord seemed reasonable, like the one she used to know.
Only time will tell, was the last thing that coursed through her train of thought before she finally fell victim to the spell of sleep.
-- PRESENT DAY --
"You can only imagine my surprise when you asked me out for dinner the next evening," Discord laughed. "I was beginning to think you were a changeling."
Celestia smirked. "Taking chances is a risky thing," she mused. "Maybe I was a fool to turn around so quickly, I had thought, but I figured I would be an even bigger fool if I never gave you a second chance. I considered the fact that you learned a lesson, and thank Heavens you did."
Discord pursed his lips and thought for a minute.
"I wouldn't say I learned anything," he said. "At least, not back then."
He noticed her intrigued expression and continued.
"All I wanted was for you to forgive me for what I did," he explained. "From the looks of it, you did. We were back the way we were and that was all I thought I needed. Now, I think I realize what was missing."
She raised an eyebrow. "And what was that?" she inquired.
A light surprised squeak escaped her as Discord suddenly kissed her, but she quickly melted into it, wrapping her forelegs around his neck and pulling him in closer. The kiss ended sooner than Celestia would have liked, but she couldn't hold back a smile as their eyes met.
"You made me truly remember why our love is so important to me," he whispered.
Her heart warmed at this statement.
"Every struggle we've had might have hurt, but it only brought us closer," she realized.
Discord didn't have to say anything else and neither did Celestia.
A shared smile of contentment was all they needed.
If they had gone through waiting for so long, yet had a love that was this powerful to last a thousand years and beyond, then who needed marriage? A simple promise - a vow - was all they needed to last, no matter what came their way.
~ la fin ~
