//------------------------------//
// Lightning-Butt 
// Story: Friendship Is Hard Work 
// by EntropicIrony 
//------------------------------//

“Don’t even try to help me!” Lightning-Butt growled before I had even opened my mouth. “I heard what you did to Rarity and Applejack, and I don’t need you messing with the weather too!”

“You can’t be blaming me for a few little accidents can you?” I spoke with an air of innocence. Lightning-Butt only stared.

“You’re seriously not calling ruining two jobs ‘little accidents’ are you?” She snapped. “Because if you are…” She paused a moment, thinking. “Actually you know what, just stay there. I’ll be right back and you better not have moved so much as an inch by the time I get back.”

“What if my nose gets an itch?” I asked. “What if I get hungry, or have to find a washroom?”

“Ignore it, deal with it and hold it.” Lightning-Butt glared. “I’ll be back.” In the minute that she had gone I had time to think. As much as I hated to admit it, I had messed up pretty badly; for once. By the time Lightning-Butt had returned I already had a plan.

“Oh no way.” Lightning-Butt exclaimed. “I know what you’re doing. Don’t try to act all innocent!”

“Surely you’re not implying that I’m merely doing this as some form of trick.” I frowned.

“Well duh!” Lightning-Butt rolled her eyes. “The others may have fallen for your little innocence routine, but I see right through you.” Now it was my turn to roll my eyes.

“Look, you either swallow your pride and help me, or you try to sabotage me and Fluttershy gets mad at you.” I spoke simply. “But either way I’m doing this.” With a sigh and a nod, Lightning-Butt caved in.

It was late in the afternoon by the time we had finished doing everything. Balloon-Butt – with her infallible Pinkie Sense – was the first to arrive, closely followed by the other four.

“Look I know I’ve been a bit of a pain-” I began and was swiftly interrupted.

“A bit!?” Diamond-Butt exclaimed. Ignoring her I continued.

“But I just wanted you to know that I…” I stopped. “Well… That is to say…” I couldn’t do it. “Oh, just have some cake already!”

“Party!” Balloon-Butt exclaimed with a grin as she blew on a noisemaker.

“I think that was really sweet of you, Discord.” Fluttershy smiled sweetly. “I just knew you were nice on the inside.”

I hated to admit it, but the Element bearers had changed me for the better.