//------------------------------//
// Out of Order 
// Story: Breaking Free 
// by Nrdygrl 
//------------------------------//

                                                                  Chapter Six
"Out of Order"



Canterlot was a grand place. The king and queen made sure it was. Days turned into weeks as the final preparations were made for the new town. Celestia, Luna, and Discord spent the days together, taking trips throughout the castle and visiting the new town. When everything was boring for them, Discord would use his powers to entertain the princesses. Luna was very interested in his unusual powers, but Celestia preferred him not to use them. By the first week or so, she had grown a bit used to his unpredictability, however. She thought she could never get used to his powers, though. She liked spending time with her new friend, and she cared about him. However, she wondered if his chaotic powers concerned her parents at all, as much as it concerned her. One morning after sunrise practice with her mother, Celestia talked to her a bit about it. Solina walked beside her down a corridor near the throne room, levitating a brush and gently combing her mane for her. 
"I know I should accept him the way he is," Celestia said slowly, her violet eyes fixed on the floor in deep thought. "But...I really don't like it when he uses his powers. They...they are like Eris's powers. They're so...unnatural. It's...it's..." She sighed in frustration and paused. 
"I understand, sweetie," Solina replied gently. She gently tugged at a tangle in Celestia's carnation pink mane. "It is hard for Discord to understand that we cannot always handle the results of his powers. It is only natural for him to use them just as we use our magic. Give him time. Perhaps he can learn to use it for good." 
"I don't want to be mean..." said Celestia quietly. "I know he can't help it. But..." She sighed again. 
"It's okay, little Tia. Don't worry about this right now." The bright golden light shined in through the window they were standing in front of. Celestia turned her head to see her coat and feathers almost glowing a bright angelic white. "Oh! My Tia...I always forget that you are not little anymore. Look at you. You look beautiful. Just perfect for your first day!" Solina started walking foreword again.
"First day?" said Celestia curiously following her.   
"You don't remember? The Canterlot School is finished," said Solina smiling at her. "School starts today! You and Discord will be in the same class." 
"Oh..." said Celestia groaning. "I forgot about that. Why can't I be tutored like before?" 
"You will be," her mother replied. "I will be your magic tutor, of course, but it is also important for you to learn the basics: reading, history, science, and mathematics." 
"I don't suppose it will be fun, but if I am to rule one day..." Celestia replied looking up and smiling thoughtfully, "I should be very well educated." Solina nodded. "What about Luna?" 
"She will be tutored by your father at night." Celestia stretched out her wings a little and smiled. 
"I'm excited!" she said smiling. "I'm going to go find Discord." 
"All right. We showed you where the building is. It isn't that far. Watch the clock! School starts at 8:00. Don't be late," said the queen turning away toward the throne room. 
"We won't!" Celestia called as she trotted back down the hall. She met up with Discord and Luna in the courtyard outside. She walked in on a humorous sight. Discord turned himself into a giant feather and was tickling Luna. The small alicorn was rolling on her back, giggling uncontrollably. Even Celestia had to laugh at the scene before her. Discord's eyes looked up and saw her and in a flash he turned back to normal. Luna didn't seem to notice the tickling had stopped. She was still rolling and wiggling her hooves in the air. 
"Good morning," said Celestia chuckling at them. 
"Hi!" Discord replied, holding his stomach in laughter. "Celestia! Look at your sister! This is priceless!" Celestia smiled and giggled, shaking her head and mane. Her pink locks bounced as she laughed. Discord's eyes grew soft and he grinned at her, his cheeks rosy. Luna sat up and heaved with every breath, recovering from the tickle attack. 
"School starts today," said Celestia sighing and pinning her ears back. 
"I know..." Discord replied glaring at the ground. "Do I have to...?" 
"Yes," said Celestia quickly. "I can't endure it alone!" She winked. Discord rolled his eyes. 
"Are you sure it will be all right?" he asked, looking nervous. 
"I know it's been hard to get used to everything here," said Celestia. "It's been hard for all of us. Everything is changing. Everything's different. We have to try to cope, though." Discord looked down and crossed his arms. "Don't be scared. We'll be together!" 
"We...we will?" Discord asked looked up quickly. "To...gether?" He blushed a little more. Luna giggled at him. 
"In the same class, yes," said Celestia nodding. She shot a glare at Luna, and she kept quiet. 
"Yes! I...I knew that!" said Discord rolling his eyes and looking away. He cleared his throat and turned to Luna. "Hey! Luna! Do you like rain?" 
"I like thunderclouds!" Luna replied excitedly. Discord snapped his fingers and a small black cloud appeared over Luna's head. It started raining on her. She squealed excitedly and opened her mouth to catch the raindrops in her mouth. 
"Oh, Luna! There you go...you're all wet now! Mother won't like that," said Celestia shaking her head. Discord rolled his eyes and playfully punched her. 
"Oh, come on, Celestia! Lighten up!" he said. Just then, he looked at her pink mane and raised an eyebrow, like he had a new idea. "Hey! Your hair!"
"What about my hair?" said Celestia cocking her head. 
"It gives me an idea!" said Discord, stretching is arms out. There was a flash of light in both his palms. The raincloud turned into a very fluffy, pink cloud. 
"Hahaha! Tia, it looks like your hair!" Luna squealed, laughing. Celestia raised an eyebrow at it.
"It's...a pink cloud..." she said, not acting very impressed. 
"I shall it, cotton candy!" Discord announced jumping on top of it. He bit into it and swallowed. "You can eat it!" 
"Cotton? Candy?" said Celestia, examining it. "It doesn't sound very appetizing." 
"All it is is pink sugar," Discord replied. "But it's fluffy like cotton!" 
"Sugar!" said Luna bouncing up to nip at it. 
"Absolutely not!" said Celestia, stopping her with magic and levitating her away from it. "You will never sleep today if you eat that." 
"Watch this!" said Discord. In an instant, the cloud turned black and white, like a cow and milk raindrops poured out of it. "Milk rain!" He gasped. "Or better yet..." The cloud suddenly turned brown, where it was white. "Chocolate milk rain!" 
"Chocolate...milk!" Luna squealed, galloping in the air, while Celestia was still levitating her. "Tia! Let me go! I want to play in it!" 
"I've never heard of such a thing," said Celestia shaking her head. "Pink sugar cotton...things...and chocolate flavored milk? You're very silly, Discord." 
"I may, be," he replied, changing the cloud again so it was cotton candy and would rain chocolate milk. "There! I combined them! Very silly. However...sometimes you should just...be silly. Let your hair down, for once and dance in the rain." Celestia sighed and let Luna run over to it. She stood by and watched as Luna and Discord danced around in the rain and opened their mouths to drink it. 
"Come on, Tia! Come dance with us!" Luna yelled. 
"I don't want to get wet," said Celestia glancing around nervously. "I shouldn't have even let you get wet. Mother or Father’s going to kill me!" 
"Stop being so grim and come have some fun!" Discord said kicking the cloud so it would rain more milk. Celestia cocked her head and pinned her ears back. 
"Please?" said Luna looking up at her. One look into her little sister's big, dewy eyes, and Celestia couldn't say "no" again. 
"Oh...all right..." she muttered reluctantly. She nervously stepped under the cloud and closed her eyes tight when she felt the milk instantly plop onto her face and roll down her neck. Her mane grew soppy and flat. She opened her mouth a little, and some little chocolate drops fell into it, making her taste buds tingle at the new, delightful beverage. She smiled a little and licked her lips, then shook her head, her hair flopping off to the side, away from her eyes. She reared up and kicked her legs and laughed. Luna and Discord jumped all around her and danced too. And it was fun. Fun. She couldn't remember the last time she had this much of it. All because of him. This delightful time was interrupted, when Celestia glanced over at a clock, which said 7:50. A wave of panic came over her. 
"Oh, no!" she cried. "Discord! We're going to be late! Mother will punish me, for sure. It's all my fault! I'm so reckless! What are we to do? We're soaked!" In her panic attack, Celestia didn't even hear hoof beats behind her. She gasped and whirled around when she saw Discord and Luna staring up at somepony. Orion was standing right behind her. He blinked his silver eyes at her. 
“Celestia? What do you mean…’soaked?’” he asked raising an eyebrow. Celestia gulped and nervously shifted around. Suddenly, she began to realize her father was asking her a question. She suddenly realized she was not wet. In fact, her hair and coat was just as clean and well-groomed as before. She suddenly turned her head to look at Discord and Luna. They were completely dry as well, and the cloud was no longer there. Discord stared at her intently, trying to say to her what had happened without words. It suddenly hit her. Discord had turned everything back to normal with his power. Thinking quickly, she looked up at her father again. 
“Oh! Uh…we were just playing a game with Luna. In the game…it was raining,” said Celestia smiling nervously. She wasn’t really lying. Orion chuckled.
“Okay,” he said. “You two better head off to school now.” He nodded to Celestia and Discord. “Hurry along, or you’ll be late. And…I believe it’s a certain young filly’s bedtime.” Luna pouted and nodded, approaching him slowly. 
“Good day, Tia. Good day, Dis,” she mumbled. 
“Good day,” the responded. Orion and Luna left them, and Celestia let out a huge sigh of relief. 
“That was close!” she said chuckling a little. For once she was glad Discord used his powers. 
“How will we get to the school on time now?” said Discord shrugging. “Hmm…oh well…” He said walking away. Celestia grabbed hold of his tail with her magic and dragged him back. “Hey!” he grumbled crossly. 
“I learned a new teleportation spell,” Celestia replied. “I think I can get us both there all right! Stand still!” She took a deep breath and felt warm energy rush up into her horn. Sparks flew. In an instant, Celestia felt herself leave the ground for a split second, and then the ground materialized under her hooves again. She opened her eyes and looked around. She was pleased to find the spell had worked. They were at the school. Just in time! 
“Good thinking!” said Discord smiling at her. 
“You too,” she replied, walking towards the building. “Though I still think those foods you invented are foolish.” 
“Hm! I think they are genius!” Discord replied crossing his arms. Celestia chuckled at him.
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The school day was a blur, as all first days are. Celestia could vaguely remember Discord getting picked on quite a bit by the other ponies throughout the day. Recess was the worst. 
“You must think you’re pretty special, getting to live in the castle!” said a pony. 
“I bet he’s their pet!” said another. 
“Or the king’s hoof stool!” another teased. 
“What are you anyway?!” asked a male unicorn. 
“I’m a draconequus…and I have a name, it’s Discord!” Discord replied crossly. 
“I’ve never heard of such a thing!” the unicorn replied. “And that’s exactly what you are….a thing!” 
“Cut it out, Dream Catcher!” Celestia shouted defensively. “All of you, leave him alone!” 
“What’s the matter, Celestia?” the unicorn replied smirking. “Are you getting all soft for The Thing?” 
“Oooooh!” the others squealed. 
“I said stop it,” said Celestia again. “You’re acting like foals!” 
“Is he your…boyfriend?” Dream Catcher teased. The other ponies all squealed and laughed at once. Just then, Discord made a black thundercloud appear over Dream and he leaped onto it. 
“Leave her alone!” he yelled, jumping on the cloud. A huge downpour of rain fell all over the unicorn. All the ponies laughed at him. More laughs ensued when a small bolt of lightning shot out from the cloud and shocked Dream in the flank. The unicorn jumped a mile high from the unexpected zap and limped away from the cloud back into the building. Just then, all the ponies fell silent when they saw one of the teachers coming. 
“Ooooooh. You’re in trouble…” They whispered. Discord hung his head, trying to make himself look small and innocent. It didn’t work.
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After this incident and after the final bell rang that day, the other ponies avoided Discord as much as possible. He had detention that day for hurting Dream Catcher. However, he also began to notice that Dream was very good at exaggerating the incident to the teacher. To make matters worse, Discord had to face the king and queen about the incident. He dragged himself out of the building, just wanting to whole day of mean ponies and work to be over. Celestia was beside him the whole time. He thought it was a bit odd that she didn’t mind being seen with him. He began to realize that she was trying her very best to be kind to him, and that made him feel a bit better. As they were walking out of the building, Discord saw the teacher talking to King Orion and that made his heart sink. What would Celestia’s father do to him?! Banishment…starvation…the dungeon…the gallows?! What would it be?! Orion looked at him and nodded to him to come closer. Discord moved as slowly as possible, dreading every step. Could he explain himself? Could he make the king understand? Perhaps he could. 
“Mr. King Orion, sir…” he said nervously. “I wasn’t trying to hurt anypony! He was teasing us and….” 
“Discord…” said the king, interrupting him. “I know.” Discord stared at him wide eyed. 
“What? How do you know that?” 
“I saw Dream Catcher leave already,” Orion replied smiling. “And…aside from a slight burn on his flank, he looks perfectly fine. I figured what Miss Thistle told me was his story alone.” Orion glanced at Celestia. “Tia, why don’t you run along home? Discord, I wish to speak with you alone.” Celestia nodded and trotted off in the direction of the castle. Discord followed Orion as he walked in the direction of the castle garden. The king didn’t speak when they walked there, which made Discord grow more nervous. What was going to happen when they arrived? He was still anticipating the very worst. When they came to the garden, the king stopped. 
“Mr. Orion…are you going to hang me?” Discord asked, making himself look small again. Orion laughed. 
“Of course not, boy! Why would you think something so dark? I would never dream of that,” he replied smiling down at him. “I just wanted to talk to you, Discord. Do you enjoy using your powers?” 
“Oh…absolutely!” said Discord smiling. “I can do all kinds of things! I like to have fun with Celestia and Luna! Though…Celestia is pretty anti-fun, most of the time,” he said rolling his eyes. Orion chuckled. 
“She can be serious, can’t she?” he replied smiling. “Did your mother teach you how to use your powers?” Discord nodded. “Well, Discord, let me tell you something. When I was young…about your age, my mother taught me all I needed to know about how to raise and lower the moon. She taught me lots of magic…magic that only she possessed. However, my father worried that the power I had was far too dark. And it was. You see, I am on the dark side of the day. Dark powers can find anyone, but because I am with the night, I am more vulnerable to it. Well, it did find me, and it made me very dangerous. Sometimes I would lose my temper. It would be one little thing that would make me snap and set me off. It was far too dangerous when the ones I loved were at risk. So, now I have learned great restraint. I must not become very angry, or the darkness could find me again. Now, Discord, I must warn you too. You must learn restraint. I know you were defending yourself, and you didn’t hurt Dream Catcher that much, but there could be a time when you really do hurt somepony. I don’t want that to happen, do you?” 
“No, sir,” Discord replied shaking his head. He looked down. “But…I didn’t think my powers were bad. It seems like the other ponies don’t like me.” 
“Your powers are unique, Discord…just as you are. You are in a world where Order rules. Chaos is your father, so of course you feel out of place. I feel for you, lad. I know this must be difficult, but stay strong. You will find your fit. In the mean time, you must avoid using your powers, I hate to say.”
“That’s no fun…” said Discord sighing and crossing his arms. “No offense, but do all of you ponies just automatically dislike what’s not considered…normal? It sounds kind of...judgmental.” Orion nodded and sighed. 
“Creatures of Order can be like that,” he agreed. “I hate to say it, too, boy, I really do. I’m thinking of you, though. What would happen if you hurt somepony with your power out of anger? What do you think would happen? What could we do?” Discord nodded slowly and sighed. 
“They’d hate me even more…and you would have to kick me out, wouldn’t you? And I’d have nowhere to go….except to that forest,” he said shuttering. “I think I understand…kind of. It’s very hard for me to, though.” Orion nodded. 
“They will learn to accept you as you are in time, Discord. Do not fear. However, in the meantime, be strong. The greatest sign of strength anyone of power can possess is restraint,” Orion said staring down at the young draconequus with a twinkle in his eye. Discord did feel as if the king was making an attempt to take him under his wing, and this made him feel warm and welcomed. He only could hope he would feel the same way at school with the other ponies. Perhaps Orion was right. He would find a place here. Despite the cruel children and suspicious eyes turned towards him, Equestria was his home now, and for the first time, he was starting to feel like it was.

TO BE CONTINUED…