"Achoo!"
"Bless you, darling," Rarity levitated a hoofkerchief to the sneezing alicorn.
"Ugh, thank you, Rarity." Twilight took the tissue in her magic and gently blew her nose. "I've been sneezing all morning. Spike thinks it's allergies, but as far as I know, I'm not allergic to anything."
Rarity adjusted the sleeve on the dress Twilight was wearing. "All morning, you say? Have you been feeling all right?"
Twilight looked over at Rarity, "Um, I think so. I do have a slight headache, but that's probably due to me staying up late last night. Princess Celestia gave me some new study material, and I wanted to get through them. Admittedly, I probably should've saved Agricultural Advances for another time, but you know how I get when it comes to new books." Twilight smiled sheepishly.
"I know all too well, darling," Rarity chuckled, while taking off Twilight's dress. "There. Perfect. Fit for a Princess, literally. Here you go, Twilight."
"Wow, thanks, Rarity. I've been meaning to get some new dresses. Since, the old ones..." Twilight's ears drooped down slightly.
"Ah, ah, ah! There shall be no frowning in my boutique," Rarity came over and nuzzled Twilight in a comforting manner.
Twilight smiled. "Thank you. It's hard to believe it's been about three months since the incident. I really do need to move on."
"You needn't feel bad, darling. I wouldn't expect you to get over it in three months. It's going to take some time. You don't need to pressure yourself into forgetting about it all at once. All right?"
Twilight hugged her friend, "All right. Thanks again, Rarity."
"Don't mention it." Rarity returned the hug.
"Achoo!"
"Bless you!" Rarity pulled away from the hug, and grabbed a few tissues with her light blue magic.
"Ugh, thanks."
As the day progressed on, Twilight began to feel rather weird. When Spike had made lunch, she barely had an appetite. And Spike had made his famous nachos. Yet, she scarcely ate any.
He asked if she was feeling okay, but she quickly dismissed the question by stating that she was fine.
After lunch, Twilight decided to do some more studying. But, her pounding headache made it increasingly difficult to do so.
Twilight then opted to taking a nap, hoping that would ease some of the pain.
Needless to say, it did not.
Twilight banged her head against her pillow, an action unwise in her current state.
"Ugh, why must history be so captivating? I really need to set up a bedtime. These late night studies are going to be the end of me someday." Twilight groaned to herself.
The young alicorn lay on her bed, feeling quite miserable. She was feeling so miserable that she didn't even notice that someone else had entered her room.
A shadow loomed over her bed, but her eyes were shut, so she didn't see it.
It got bigger and bigger as it moved closer and closer to her bed. And just when it was about to make a move--
"DISCORD!" Twilight jumped in surprise and fell off of her bed, which didn't do wonders for her headache.
Discord's eyes widened as he scurried over to her, "Oh my, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you'd react that way. Are you okay?" He got her back on her hooves, but noticed she was still a bit disoriented.
Twilight shook her head and quickly regretted doing so. "Ow, ugh, I cannot catch a break today." She placed her hoof on her head.
"Did you hit your head? I'm sorry, Twilight. I didn't intend for this to happen. Here," Discord snapped his fingers and summoned a pack of ice.
"Oh, thank you, Discord." Twilight took the ice in her magic, feeling grateful that levitation was so simple a spell that it did not require any effort.
Discord looked at Twilight more closely and frowned. He lifted her head with his talon, "You don't look so hot, my dear. Are you feeling okay?"
Twilight sighed and gently nuzzled him, "I'm fine, Discord. I've just been feeling a little icky today. But, don't worry about me."
Discord stroked her mane, "You know, it's kind of my job to worry about you. But, if you're sure."
"Of course, I'm sure. Ow!" She felt a sharp pain shoot through her head.
Discord cocked an eyebrow, "Are you sure you're all right? If you want to rest, I can leave." He pointed towards the door.
Twilight shook her head gently to avoid any more pain. "Nonsense. I'll be fine. My head's starting to feel better anyway. Well...sort of. But, I'm fine. Besides, I've faced nastier foes than a simple headache." Twilight winked at Discord, causing him to chuckle.
"I suppose you're correct." Discord stood up, sniffing while doing so. "Something smells good. I'm assuming Spike is preparing dinner. Didn't know the little guy could cook."
"Yah, he can do a lot of things, " Twilight began heading out of her room, Discord following close behind her.
"That's why he's my number one assistant. Well, technically, he's my only assistant. Owlowiscious is more of a pet, even though he does help me when Spike isn't available." Twilight and Discord turned a corner, which led to the dining hall.
Discord chuckled, "You're a Princess, and yet, you have only one assistant. You should consider talking to Celly about getting some servants."
Twilight shrugged, "I haven't really needed servants, to be honest. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Ouch!" Another burst of pain shot through Twilight's head, causing her more discomfort.
Discord frowned again as they entered the dining hall.
"Twilight!' Spike ran up to the purple mare and hugged her legs. "Are you feeling better? I made some veggie stew for dinner. Oh! Hi, Discord."
"Hello, Spike. That soup smells good. Don't suppose I could join you for dinner?" Discord asked with a smile.
"No problem. I'll just set up a third bowl," Spike ran over to a cupboard and took out three bowls. He set them on the large dining table.
"Thanks for making dinner, Spike. I would've helped, but this stupid headache won't--Achoo!" Twilight winced as another sneeze came upon her.
"Gesundhoof.'' Discord summoned a napkin and gave it to Twilight.
"Ugh, thank you." She blew her nose for what seemed like the hundredth time today.
"Maybe having something to eat will help you feel better," Spike said after pouring the soup into the bowls. "Dig in!"
After dinner, Twilight decided to head to bed. She figured that whatever she had would go away by morning. All she needed was a good night's sleep, and she would be better by the morning.
Sadly, that was not the case.
Twilight woke up with an insufferable headache. Not only that, but she was incredibly warm. She cursed to herself. There was no doubt about it. Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship and the Element of Magic, was sick.
Twilight groaned. She could barely move. Her head was pounding, and she felt like trash.
"S-spike?" Her voice was hoarse(no pun intended). She coughed, "Spike, are you up?"
She heard some rustling on the side of her bed. She glanced over and saw Spike getting up, rubbing one of his eyes.
The little dragon yawned, "Good morning, Twilight. Are you feeling better?"
Twilight sighed, "Not even a little. I feel horrible." At that, Spike rushed over to her. He placed a claw on her forehead and quickly reeled back his hand.
"Twilight! You're burning up. Oh no. You must be sick. Don't worry, Twilight. I'll take good care of you. I'll even get the girls to help." Spike promised, placing a claw on her hoof.
"No, Spike. I don't want to bother them. I'm sure they've got more important things to do than cater to a sick pony," Twilight insisted, pulling the covers over her.
"Well, all right. I guess I better go make some breakfast. Will you be okay?" Spike asked as he walked towards the door.
"I'll be fine, Spike. Go make breakfast. I could use some more sleep," Twilight snuggled under the blanket.
"All right. If you need anything, just let me know." With that, Spike headed to the kitchen.
Spike was making breakfast, just like he said he would. He was making grass pancakes, fried hay, and a fruit smoothie for his sick friend. He didn't know how much of an appetite she would have, but whatever she didn't eat would be food for him.
Spike flipped the pancakes in the air. He stopped when he heard a flash behind him.
"Good morning, Spike. Making breakfast, I see. Looks good," Discord complimented as he peered over Spike's shoulder.
"Morning, Discord. And, thanks. This is for Twilight." Spike flipped the pancake another time.
"Ah, yes. How is she doing? Did a twelve hour sleep get rid of her headache?" Discord joked slightly.
Spike put the finished pancakes on a plate, "No such luck, I'm afraid. She woke up with a fever, and from what I could tell, she wasn't doing too well."
Discord's eyes widened slightly, "So, she's sick? I knew she wasn't herself yesterday. That's the one thing that bothers me about her. She never wants to bother anyone with her problems. She'll discover one day that that action will bite her in the rump, if she's not careful."
Spike put all the food on a tray, "I know how you feel. Twilight's my best friend in the whole world, but she's far from perfect."
Spike began walking to Twilight's room, while attempting to balance the rather heavy tray of food in his little claws.
Discord trailed along behind him, "Need a hand with that, buddy?" Before Spike could say anything, Discord lifted the tray out of the dragon's grasp with his tail and placed it in his hands.
"Thanks, Discord. I hope Twilight likes it," Spike said as they approached Twilight's chambers.
"She'd be a foal not to like it. I'd eat all of this in a heartbeat," Discord inhaled deeply, savoring the delicious aroma the food in his hands was giving off.
"Now, we'll need to be quiet. She's probably sleeping," Spike creaked the door open ever so slightly. He opened it a little more, motioning for Discord to follow.
Discord opted to silently teleporting inside. He looked over at the bed and noticed a sleeping alicorn.
He smiled. So peaceful.
Spike scurried over to Twilight's bed and gently shook her. "Twilight?"
Twilight shifted slightly. She groaned, "Spike?" She slowly roused from her sleep.
"We got your breakfast for you," Spike whispered softly.
Twilight sat up in her bed and rubbed one of her eyes, "Mmm. It smells good. But, who's 'we'?"
Discord presented the sick alicorn the tray of food, "That would be me and Spike, my dear."
Twilight looked up and noticed Discord. A small smile made its way onto her muzzle, "Hi, Discord. It's nice to see you. I'm afraid I won't able do much today, if that's why you're here. I'm kind of indisposed at the moment. Achoo!" She grabbed a tissue with her magic and blew her nose.
Discord set the food down on the side table next to her bed, and sat down next to her. He put his paw over her hoof.
"I can see that. Well, don't you worry, my sick Princess. As your friend, it is my duty to make sure that you are well. And I am not leaving this Palace until you are."
Twilight smiled, "I appreciate the gesture, Discord. But, I don't want you to waste your time taking care of me. I wouldn't want to burden you with that task."
"Did I say it was a burden? No. And it wouldn't be a waste of time. Your well being is important to me. And right now, your being is not well. Soooo... " Discord snapped his fingers, causing a thermometer to appear in Twilight's mouth.
Twilight jerked back and crossed her eyes to see the thermometer protruding out of her mouth. "This hasn't been used, right?"
Discord took the thermometer out of her mouth, "Of course not. Why would I give you a used thermometer? I'm much more sanitary than that." He examined the temperature reading.
"Well, there's bad news and good news. The bad news is that you have a fever. The good news is that it's only slight. 99.6. Spike, be a good dragon and go get Twilight some water." Discord instructed.
Spike was a little surprised, but he complied. He scurried out of the room in an instant.
Twilight glanced over at the tray of food and levitated a piece of fried hay into her mouth. "Since when are you a doctor?" She asked while chewing.
"It's just common sense. Everypony gets sick after all. This is what Fluttershy did for me when I was ill, so naturally, I'd assume taking care of a sick pony would require similar treatment. Feel free to correct me if I do something wrong." Discord grinned, taking a piece of fried hay for himself.
Twilight smiled before her face contorted into a look of displeasure. "Ugh, stupid sickness. It's affecting my taste buds. This hay tastes like cardboard."
As she said that, Spike came back to the room with a glass of water in his hands. "Here you go, Twilight. A nice glass of water for you."
Twilight took the drink gratefully and began sipping.
"A little glass of water, please. A fresh pressed hankie if I sneeze. Some tea with--"
"Don't even think about," Twilight interrupted before he could continue. "I'm the one who's actually sick."
Discord laughed, "I'm sorry, dear. I couldn't help myself."
The rest of the day went by slowly. Spike and Discord made sure that Twilight was as comfortable as possible. And Twilight was thankful for their efforts. She hated having to be waited on, but whether she liked it or not, her illness prevented her from being able to function properly.
Discord basically stayed at the castle all day. He made it his mission to get Twilight back to good health. And it seemed as if his attempts were working.
Twilight was doing a whole lot better than she was this morning. Her headache had subsided, and her fever was hanging on for dear life. Twilight's friends had even stopped by to see how she was doing after Spike had sent them letters.
They had all given her something to help her. Fluttershy had brought in some herbal medicine that Zecora had given her. Pinkie Pie brought in some cupcakes, stating that she needed sugar in her blood. Rarity had made Twilight a nice lavender blanket, laced with magenta to help her stay warm.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn't bring anything, just simply stating that they hoped she would get well soon.
Twilight was very appreciative of everything her friends had gotten her, whether it was physical or verbal.
By the end of the day, Twilight was almost back in perfect condition. Her head still ached, but it wasn't strong enough to keep her in bed. She had, at least, gotten her appetite back and was sitting in the dining hall with Discord and Spike, finishing up the leftover vegetable stew.
"Mmm. I'm glad I have my appetite back. This is delicious. I don't know what I would do without you, Spike. Though, I have to wonder why you never cooked before." Twilight glanced over at him curiously.
Spike slurped up the rest up his soup and wiped his mouth with a napkin, "Probably because you never asked. Plus, we always had something to eat. One of the perks about living with a Princess."
Discord had finished his soup a while ago. He now had a bowl of chocolate pudding in front of him. "See, Twilight? Even your little dragon is thinking the same thing. You shouldn't do it all the time, but abusing your authority is not unwarranted. Think about the stuck-up Canterlot nobles. They abuse their position all the time. And nopony's stopping them."
Twilight finished up her soup and frowned, "That doesn't mean I have to. If I go about demanding things, I'm going to be seen as a dictator. And I don't want that."
Discord and Spike looked at each other and shrugged. "Well, can't say you didn't try. Anyway, if you both are done, I'll take these to the kitchen." Spike gathered the now empty soup bowls and placed them in the kitchen sink for cleaning later.
"Twilight? Can I head to the lounge? The latest edition of Power Ponies came out, and I want to read it." Spike asked hopefully.
The lavender alicorn giggled, "Sure thing, Spike. You definitely deserve some time to relax after all the help you were today." Twilight trotted over to her assistant and wrapped a wing around him.
"Love you, Spike."
"I love you, too, Twi." He gave her a quick hug and rushed out of the room.
Twilight sighed and turned back to Discord, whose arms were crossed in an impatient manner.
"Ahem. I do believe another thank you is in order," Discord grinned, leaning towards her.
Twilight smiled, "Oh, you're right. I should thank Fluttershy for that medicine. It really helped decrease my discomfort."
"Thanking Flutters is a nice gesture, but I'm pretty sure you owe your gratitude to more than that." Discord raised an eyebrow.
Twilight put a hoof to her chin, "Hmm. Oh, of course. Rarity deserves some thanks. That blanket she made for me was so very comfy."
Discord gave her a deadpan glare, knowing that she was playing him. Twilight laughed, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself."
She then trotted over to him and nuzzled his lion paw. "But, in all seriousness, thank you, Discord. You were definitely a big help today. I apologize for making you take time out of your day to care for me, but it couldn't be helped."
Discord smiled and bent down to give her a kiss on her head, "Think nothing of it, my dear. It's my job. I'm sure you would've done the same for me if I were sick."
Twilight raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Are you sure about that?"
Discord glared at her.
Twilight giggled again, "I'm kidding. But, really, thank you." She wrapped her hooves around his midsection. Discord wrapped his own mismatched arms around the pony.
"You're welcome. "