*Day before Nightmare Night*
Rainbow Dash and Applejack stared up at the creepy house that was for the Haunted House.
"I got a bad feeling about this…Why exactly do you need us to test it out?" Applejack muttered as she glared at the draconequus.
Discord simply continued to smile at the two "bravest" ponies in Equestria, as he bowed towards the entrance. He figured if he could scare these two his house would be a big success.
"Oh come on Applejack, there's nothing in there I can't handle! But you know, if you're finally admitting to not being as brave as me…" Rainbow smiled triumphantly while she flicked her bangs with her hoof. Applejack turned her glare on the blue pegasus.
"Now wait just a minute! Who said anything about not being brave?"
Discord was now sitting on a recliner eating a bag of popcorn enjoying the performance. The real fun would begin once they went inside.
"You heard me. Hey I have an idea, how bout we finally settle who's the most daring pony? Whoever goes running out first is the loser deal?" Rainbow spit into her hoof and held it out. Applejack smiled and repeated the motion before giving Rainbow a hoof bump.
"Yer on! Try to take it easy on her Discord, wouldn't want to win the bet too quickly now would I?" She flicked Rainbow with her tail as the two entered the house.
Discord chuckled to himself,
"Oooo, let the chaos begin!"
Twilight was walking through Ponyville with Spike behind her naming off the checklist.
"Okay looks like we're right on schedule for tomorrow night. What's next Spike?" Twilight turned to look at the young dragon as he walked behind her. Her 'baby' dragon wasn't such a baby anymore, he grew slower than other dragons, but he was still a few inches taller than her now. He was still very immature though, still relying a lot on Twilight, which made her glad. She'd hate to lose such a close companion as Spike anytime soon.
"Hmm, looks like the last thing before your fitting with Rarity is to check on, ugh, Discord." He frowned and Twilight laughed.
"Spike you know you really shouldn't make such a face like that, he's our friend after all."
Spike took extra steps so he was walking beside her. Twilight looked over and thought to herself,
Amazing, it used to take him so much longer to catch up, *sigh* I can't believe he's growing up.
"Twilight what's up with you and Discord? I mean you've cut him a lot of slack lately especially after what he…"
Twilight stopped and put up a hoof to make him do so as well. She frowned a bit as she thought of when Fluttershy had come to her home the other night deeply worried as she told Twilight of her visit with the 'Lord of Chaos'.
"Spike I know it's still difficult for many ponies to look at Discord as little more than the monster he once was. However I know that he feels deep remorse for what he did and all he wants is to make it up to all of us."
Especially Fluttershy...Twilight thought with a sad smile, she had seen the glances he had thrown the yellow pegasus during the meeting. Even if he tried to hide it she was sure that he was developing feelings for the mare.
Twilight felt that Discord was going through so much turmoil on his own, but until he volunteered to share his troubles with her she wouldn't push him.
She laughed thinking she sounded a lot like Celestia, maybe Spike wasn't the only one growing up.
"So Spike, I want you to take it a bit easier on him."
"How can I after all he's done!? He could have hurt some pony Twilight! He's made too many mistakes." He crossed his claws and scowled. Twilight laid a hoof on his shoulder.
"Do you remember when you let greed seep into your heart Spike?" He looked away then back at her as he nodded, probably guessing where this was going.
"Well, do you remember how upset you were when you realized you had attacked your friends and caused all that destruction?" Again he nodded, his eyes narrowing a bit.
"Finally do you remember what Rarity told you after you had returned to your normal self?"
"That I was her hero?"
Twilight laughed at this, shaking her head.
"The other thing Spike."
He sighed, and uncrossed his arms.
"I know, I know…that she was proud of me because I stopped...well myself from destroying Ponyville, but what does this have to do with Discord?"
"Everything Spike. Rarity was right, you had to realize that what you were doing was wrong and that there was something more important to you than treasure and jewels...friendship...don't you think that if you could sincerely realize this then so could Discord?" She continued to walk towards the Haunted House knowing Spike was walking behind her thinking about what she had said.
The two ponies screamed as they came crashing through the door at the same time both panting and sweating. Rainbow looked back at the house and tucked in her wings while AJ took off her hat and used it as a fan.
"That was…" Rainbow began.
"The worst…" AJ continued.
"Idea ever!" they shouted at the same time before facing each other.
"Let's agree to never mention this again." Applejack put out her hoof which Rainbow shook nodding.
Suddenly there was a flash behind them and Discord appeared. They both simultaneously screamed and took off down the road.
"What? I was only going to say you forgot your cotton candy." He held up two sticks of cotton candy as he watched the two disappear. He smiled satisfied then turned when he heard a laugh behind him.
"I take it that the Haunted House is a success then?" Twilight laughed as she looked off in the direction her other friends had run.
"Oh don't worry I put in a lot more scare with those two. Tomorrow night wont be as bad, I just couldn't resist messing with them." He expected a scolding, but instead Twilight just laughed and nodded.
"Okay, Spike check Haunted House off the list." She then turned back to Discord and her smile faltered.
"That's all Spike, you can return home and get something to eat. I'm gonna head over to Rarity's now, I know you don't like to sit through our fittings." Having been freed Spike rolled up the scroll and took off without a second glance.
Twilight then cleared her throat and turned towards Carousel Boutique,
"Discord since you're all done here why don't you walk with me?"
Discord groaned but followed her anyways all the while waiting for the lecture that was coming, and she didn't disappoint.
"Discord there's something I need to talk to you about…"
He braced himself waiting for the inevitable.
"Well I couldn't help but notice the other day...you seemed distracted...you were throwing a lot of looks at Fluttershy…"
Discord stopped walking, his heart dropping to the floor.
Oh dear Celestia!
Twilight stopped when she noticed he had stopped walking. She turned completely around and walked back to him. He knew a look of pure terror crossed his face.
She raised her eyebrow at him and he opened his mouth, but no answer would come out. He just stood there for several minutes trying to articulate an answer that would throw Twilight off the truth. He eventually sighed and lowered his face defeated, he was turning into a worse liar than Applejack.
He felt a hoof touch the top of his head and opened his eyes to see Twilight hovering in front of him with an understanding smile on her face, not the look of disapproval he had expected.
"Twilight...I…" She put her hoof over his mouth.
"You don't have to say anything, at least not until you're ready to talk. I just wanted you to know, you do have a friend willing to listen." She smiled and landed before continuing to Carousel Boutique. Discord stared after her and felt a smile pull at his lips, he never would have guessed.
"Hey are you coming or not?" She shouted back at him and he quickly teleported by her side. For once happy for her company.
The two made it to Carousel Boutique just as Discord finished telling her about Rainbow and Applejack in the house. They were both laughing when Discord caught sight of the mare standing perfectly still for Rarity and the world around him faded.
Fluttershy was absolutely beautiful, she was wearing a deep blue gown with black sashes that wrapped around her neck and her stomach. The gown sparkled like diamonds when she moved. The gown was pretty and yet her natural beauty is what truly held him captive, she looked like the night sky. He didn't realize he was gaping at her until Twilight jabbed him in the side.
"Ow! Oh...uh...Fluttershy...you look...you look simply…" He swallowed. Rarity was looking at him oddly, Twilight had a knowing sparkle in her eye and Fluttershy was blushing. He decided he should stop standing there like an idiot.
He flashed himself next to her and whispered into her ear.
"You look beautiful my dear." Then he flashed back by the entrance watching Fluttershy's blush grow even deeper. Rarity scowled at him, but it only lasted a second then she brightened.
"Actually now that you're here Discord I can have you try on your ensemble." Rarity battered her eyelashes at him and he looked at her horror-struck.
Rarity laughed walking over to a curtain.
"Well I just finished it this morning, took me forever to find a mannequin, now I need to do a fitting with you and since you're here." She motioned for him to follow. He started to refuse when Twilight nudged him forward. Head down he walked over to Rarity and went behind the curtain.
"You have to be kidding!" He shouted as he stuck his head out. Rarity rolled her eyes.
"Oh come now darling everyone agreed to dressing up, that includes you."
"There's no way…"
"You'll look smashing just try it on."
He growled at her then looked over to Fluttershy with pleading eyes.
"Help me!"
She got a wicked gleam in her eyes that both worried and aroused him instantly.
"You got to see me in mine now it's my turn."
His eyes widened in a silent plea. All she did was wink and he growled at her too. Turning his head to the side with his ears lowered pouting.
"Please?"
He glanced out of the corner of his eye knowing it would probably be a mistake...it was. Her eyes were so big and sparkling, slightly misting with tears. Oh this manipulative...he sighed, he was immune to her intimidation stare. This look however easily wrapped him around her hoof and he pulled back behind the curtain.
"Okay fine but if anyone so much as snickers I'm turning them into parasprites." He grumbled as he flashed the outfit on. Although it only took him a second he stayed behind the curtain anyways. He felt his face growing red and refused to go out there with those ponies.
Is this what the Lord of Chaos has lowered to? Parading around for the amusements of ponies? He growled again and slapped himself in the face, what had he gotten himself into with this friendship thing.
Not to mention love...That annoying little voice whispered.
"Oh I know it's not taking that long Discord! Come on out you chicken!" Twilight yelled through the curtain.
"Make me." He grumbled, Twilight heard him and used her magic to pull aside the curtain.
"Hey!" He spun around ready to use his magic on her, but stopped when all three mouths opened and stared at him.
"What?" He asked crossing his arms, they just continued to stare at him. He felt humiliated and ridiculous.
The suit Rarity had made for him had a dress shirt that was the same shade of red as his eyes, a black jacket that showed he was broader than most ponies thought, and he had a dark red sash going across his chest. He was thankful there wasn't something more ridiculous on it. He also wore one black glove over his paw and one red over his claw, amazingly the suit was a perfect fit.
He was starting to get annoyed with the ponies standing there just looking at him. He was about to explode when Fluttershy shot up and hugged him almost knocking him over.
"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! Discord you look so handsome!"
He blushed as he put his arms around her holding her close, taking deep breaths of her scent. He realized where they were and pulled her off him setting her down.
"I doubt that, I don't do well in these kinds of things. Formal attire is far too normal." He said the last word with a gag.
"Nonsense, Discord you look wonderful, Rarity you did a great job." Twilight directed the last part to the blushing, white unicorn behind her.
Rarity smiled and fluffed her mane,
"Why thank you Twilight. Oh and Discord sweetie you really do look marvelous! No doubt many mares will have their eyes on you tomorrow night." She winked.
He grumbled under his breath,
"Oh yea sure cause I'm Prince Charming…" He felt a tug on his claw and looked down to see Fluttershy beaming up at him.
"Oh Discord, I'm happy I'll be the first to dance with the handsomest stallion there…" She flew up and gave him a gentle kiss on his snout. His heart nearly burst, her lips had been so soft like the touch of a rose petal.
"Okay now Discord darling, since I know I don't have to make any moderation to the suit please take it off, I'll keep it safe until tomorrow."
He snapped his fingers and the suit went back to the spot it had been before.
"Thank you, now Flutters let's finish yours, I'm so sorry I got distracted. Twilight I'll be with you next dear."
Fluttershy smiled and followed Rarity to finish the rest of her gown. Discord put his claw over the spot she had kissed and smiled before jumping in the air shouting,
"YES! YES! YES!" He turned around to see Twilight smiling at him amused. He stopped cheering.
"Uh…I..."
She shook her head and walked past him.
"It's okay Discord. However if I may say something?" She turned her head towards him and he shrugged.
"When have you ever not said your piece?"
"Well I think I've gotten my answer...I wont tell her, but…you should. I give you my blessing." With that she left him standing there gaping at her.