//------------------------------//
// CH-4: Allergies 
// Story: A Discorded Love (My Little Pony/Discord) 
// by JasminePosey 
//------------------------------//

Celestia took longer than an afternoon to teach me how to control my magic abilities. However, she was patient with my efforts . It naturally was difficult, seeing as it was chaotic magic. She was curious to see what other traits I might've gotten as well. I had an urge to play tricks on others, but none too chaotic like my look-a-like. 

Oh, and we've also become aware of one important feature of mine:

Turns out, I'm allergic to hay. 

It was breakfast time in the castle, where I was temporarily given a place to stay. Hay with honey and oats were served, with spring water to wash it down. Naturally, I took a serving of oats and honey, deciding it was similar to oatmeal. 

"Enjoy some hay," Celestia said, "It was taken from the finest pastures in Equestria. I insist," 

I looked at the small bowl of hay unsure. Hay was dead grass, right? And I've tried grass before-and it didn't end well. 

I looked at Celestia and Luna, who smiled warmly at me. Twilight ate her hay silently, keeping her eyes on the book she was reading, Magic For Young Ponies. 

I smiled back at them, reaching delicately for the hay. I reached for my fork and used it to grab some of the grass from the bowl. Taking a bite, I tried to swallow the dry grass. It went down with difficulty, but I managed. 

I looked at the Princesses, who were looking at me expectantly. 

"Well?" Luna asked. "Is it not the best?" 

I smiled, slowly reaching for my glass of water. There was an itchy sensation growing in the back of my throat, and I ached to swallow the entire glass. However, it would be rude to do that, so I reached for it nonchalantly. 

"It's unlike anything I've ever tasted," I said. I tried to drink from the glass, but the irritating itch caused me to cough. At first, it wasn't a big cough, just a little wheeze. I brought the cup to my lips and began to drink.

Unfortunately, the water made my condition worse. 

I coughed louder this time, which quickly escalated to a fit of coughs. I excused myself and quickly left the room to dash out to the hallway. It was there that I released my heavy coughs. 

I felt a strong cough build up in my lungs, but felt an unsureness roll over me, like I shouldn't let it go. But I was never one who was able to hold coughs.

I squeezed my eyes shut and let it rip, and rip it did. My throat felt like it was on fire as I released the cough. It felt like throwing up air. 

When it was done, I felt hot, like I had a fever. 

"Perhaps eating hay wasn't the best idea?" I wheezed. I opened my eyes and gasped. The hallway in front of me was in flames. 

Glorious, majestic, flames. 

I stared wide-eyed at the sight. Did I do that? 

"Fire!" one of the guards yelled. I then panicked. What had I just done?!

I looked around for a fire extinguisher, and, finding none close by, I tried to figure out a way to put it out myself. 

"Mkay..." I mumbled to myself. "What would Discord do? Well, knowing him, he'd be laughing at this amazing sight. But I can't do that. Maybe I can summon some rain clouds?" Not a bad idea, since he caused cotton candy clouds to rain chocolate milk over Equestria. 

I looked at my fingers. Celestia told me that whatever I think of will appear if I snap my fingers. 'Clouds,' I thought. 'I need some rain clouds,' 

Snap! 

I opened my eyes to see that I did poof up clouds. However, they were cotton candy clouds, raining - you guessed it, chocolate milk. 

Nonetheless, it did what I wanted it to and put out the flames. 

Celestia, Luna, and Twilight appeared, looking at the burnt tapestry and wall. 

I glanced at the wall, poofing the cotton candy away. "Umm...I can fix this. I think..." 

It was from then on that Celestia was careful with me. If my allergies were triggered, flames were just around the corner. Luna and Twilight helped me to control my magic, having me help around the castle. 

For six months, I lived in Canterlot, in the castle. Eventually, Twilight went back to Ponyville to be with her friends, and Celestia went to Sattle Arabia to settle a dispute, leaving Princess Luna and I on our own for the afternoon. 

I was lounging about the castle grounds, looking for something to do. I had explored every inch of the castle, did all the chores, and couldn't find a good book to read.

I considered playing pranks on the guards, seeing as they still treated me like a prisoner. The only thing holding me back was Celestia's severe scolding that would come from it. Plus, they told me that if I messed with them, that they could imprison me for pony assult. How harsh is that? I mean, one pony slips on a banana peel and sprains their ankle, and the next thing you know, everypony is against you. Do ponies even have ankles?

I moaned, trying to get comfortable on the plush couch I had poofed up. I had better control of my powers now, though my fire powers were still wanky. Anyway, I had my back over the back of the couch and my upper body was leaning over the edge. 

Glancing around my bedroom, I couldn't help but feel out of place. Everything in the room was...normal, something I wasn't anymore. I sat upwards, my mind conjuring things that could make it more interesting. 

"Maria?" Luna's voice interrupting my thoughts. I growled, but answered her sweetly. 

"Yes, Princess Luna?" 

"May I come in?" I used my magic to open the door for her. "Thank you. I have noticed that you are bored, correct?"

I nodded, letting her continue. "I have ordered one of the guards to show you around the castle gardens, seeing as you haven't had the chance to go outside. Do you agree?" 

"I would love to go outside, Luna. Which of the guards is accompanying me?" I asked, praying that he wasn't as prideful and arrogant as the others. 

"Silver Knight," she said simply. "Does it not please you?"

"Oh no, Princess. I am perfectly fine with Silver Knight giving me a tour," I said. Out of all the royal guardsmen, Silver and his brother Dashing Knight were the only two who were kind to me. Grant it, they're new to the team, but they were still willing to befriend me. 

Luna nodded, satisfied. "Very well. Come now, Maria. He waits for you in the garden. I will lead you." 

I followed the dark blue pony outside. The sun shone brightly, and I shivered. It felt good to be outdoors. I looked around and saw that the sky was the clearest blue, several clouds standing out like pearls in sand. I gaped in awe of the sight. I glanced over the bridge, which overlooked Ponyville. It was beautiful! The town itself might've been small, but the detail was unlike the cartoon. It looked like a cartoon, but...it was more detailed. 

Luna cleared her throat, bringing my attention back to the task at hand. After passing through more hallways, we exited to the garden. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. 

"Please excuse me, Maria. I have some important business to take care of. Silver Knight is awaiting you in the middle. Just head past the rose hedges and the stone garden and you'll find him near the fountain." Luna smiled. "I'll be back later to retrieve you," 

"See ya later, Luna!" I waved. When she was out of sight, I strolled into the garden. As Luna had said, there were rose hedges. The colors varied, from violet, to red, to blue, to orange. What amused me is that all of them grew from the same hedge. I examined a red rose, with petals as dark as rubies. The next, an Autumn colored rose, with orange petals. I continued to examine each rose closely, until I came across a special flower. It was a rose with petals that looked as if they were tie dyed with orange and crimson and white. I gazed at it longingly. I stroked the flower lovingly, deciding to take it. 

After all, Celestia wouldn't notice it's absence, right? 

I pinned the rare beauty in my hair, continuing on my way through the garden. I felt a funny feeling in my stomach, like a billion butterflies in my stomach. I looked around to see that I had entered the stone garden. The statues were wonderful, and I admired the first few carefully. At the three filly statue, I could have sworn that I heard someone call my name.

"Maria..." 

I stiffened. Was I crazy? It didn't sound like Silver. I looked around for the source. 

"Over here, my dear..." 

I froze, recognizing the voice. I did a quick scan of my surroundings before continuing. If it was him, I was probably better off ignoring it. 

Then, the stubborn pull began again. I followed it, trying to make myself seem agitated, even though I was nervous. I was going to meet him. 

I stared at the ground as I approached the statue. I refused to look up. For two reasons, actually. 

One, I wouldn't be able to hid my blush, and 

Two, I would probably laugh at his frozen posture. 

"What do you want...Discord?"