Too soon, Five of the Six Bearers of Harmony stood on the train platform belonging to Rainbow Falls. Oh, there were six ponies there, but the majority of the group refused to count the Alicorn Double (Henceforth referenced to as Princess Discord) out of sheer principle.
Fluttershy had spent the evening before trying to teach Discord how Twilight, and princesses in general, behave. That is of course if you used the term TRYING in the same sentence as “A snow flake TRYING to survive in a volcano, on a day where the Sun had decided to make it's home closer to said volcano”. Sure, he had appeared to act all as he had put it, “Princess-y”, at least enough to make Fluttershy feel that the work was not in vain.
That did NOT include the mess that had been the train ride to Rainbow Falls.
Princess Discord was wearing his new title too proudly. Between the bubbles that had "mysteriously” appeared, singing praise to Best Alicorn Pony Princess Twilight Sparkle, to random objects coming to life when things got too quiet, The only fortunate occurrence being that there were only two or three other ponies on board their car. Atleast, there HAD been in the sense that said passengers made the wise decision to move a car up or down depending on their closest exit once the seats started dancing around.
Fluttershy finally got things settled down right before the train came to a stop at their current location, partial because she convinced Discord that his actions might have repercussions that would harm the princesses view of her and her friends. Discord was never one to hurt his dearest friend, so with a promise that he got a couple of hours to express his chaotic powers once this was over with and they were home at Fluttershy's cottage, he had been surprisingly Twilight-like for the past half hour. That did not stop the group from piecing together a plan on how to keep Princess Discord under close surveillance.
A plan they would be glad they discussed in the not so distant future...
“So, what do you guys plan on doing once we get inside?” It was amazing how in role Discord could be when he wanted to.
Fluttershy answered his question “Well, we each brought some of our old belongings we really have no use for to trade with ponies from across Equestria. That is the basis of the Trader Exchange in a nutshell”.
“Ooh, tell me more!” Princess Discord faked interest in the topic, perhaps to get Fluttershy to let her guard down. It work, to an extent, as Fluttershy launched into the history of the Trader's Exchange, its founding, and a couple of prominent figures involved.
By the time the group arrived at the entrance to the Exchange, even Discord was sorry for bringing the topic up. Fluttershy was actually making a better example of Purple Smart than he was at the moment. In fact, they could have just painted her purple and stuck a fake horn on her head and not even needed him for this whole “Trader Exchange”.
He knew the real reason they had chose him, however. The Princesses wanted to test him, knowing they would rather him use his powers on himself and use the other five ponies as their eyes and ears.
The cards were still stacked in his favor, as he was the one they needed to pull off this facade, leaving no one the wiser. That in itself afforded him quite a bit of leeway to use his powers as he saw fit. Besides, he rather like his cards all over the floor, walls, and ceiling than just plainly stacked.
The group finally reached the end of the tunnel, being momentarily blinded by the renewed sunlight. Of course, all the flashbulbs from cameras, shiny confetti, and banner after banner were just as at fault.
Princess Discord grinned a wide, diabolical (but only to himself and his entourage) grin.
“Remember, NO funny business” Applejack reminded him rather sharply.
“He only just got here Applejack, we have to put our faith in him like the Princesses have” retorted Fluttershy.
“I guess, though the train ride wasn't the best start...” grumbled Applejack.
“Loosen up, Apple Pony. I Pinkie Pie Promise to behave, cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”. Which he actually did.
Of course, the group failed to see him cross his hooves (claws?) behind his back.