Starlight Treasure stood alongside Twilight, talking with the princess as she greeted the first half of the guests. Some of the colts asked her to dance, but each time, she refused. Twilight soon grew curious as to why her friend was turning every pony down.
"Star, why do you turn all the stallions down?" she asked. "They all seemed to be nice,"
Starlight shrugged, shaking the hoof of a fancy couple. "I just...don't want to dance with any pony," she said.
"I think you should go dance with some pony," Twilight suggested, greeting a group of ponies. Every pony was dressed in a formal attire, some simplier than others.
"Oh, I don't dance," she said. 'At least, I've never danced with anyone other than Discord' her thoughts finished.
"I know why you don't wanna dance," Twilight said slowly. "You're waiting for somepony special, aren't you?"
A blush crept up on Star's face. "N-no," she stuttered. "I don't have somepony special. Even if I did have a crush on somepony, he wouldn't be here,"
"Why not?" Twilight asked.
"Well, let's just say our last meeting didn't end so well," she explained. "He was a little bit...possessive of me, and I didn't like it. I want to hate him, but for some reason, I keep wanting to see him again,"
"Well, why don't you?"
"Because I don't know where he is," Star said quietly, running her front hoof against the rug of the staircase. "Even if I did, I can't see him again,"
"Why?" Twilight asked softly.
Tears pricked at her eyes. "Because I might be tempted to stay with him," she whispered.
"Does he make you happy?"
"Yes,"
"Do you love him?"
"...yes,"
"And does he love you?"
"...yes,"
"Then you should stay with him," Twilight finished.
"But you don't understand, Twilight," Star burst. Her emotions were getting the best of her, and she needed to calm down before they caused her diguise to go awry. "I...I don't belong here,"
"Sure you do-"
"No. I don't belong here," she repeated stifly, her green eyes clouded with her emotions.
Before Twilight could reply, some pony cleared his throat. The princess glanced at the colt, who had disrupted their conversation. "Excuse me, Princess Twilight," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Is your friend okay?"
"No, I'm not!" she shouted at the colt, who didn't even jump at her outburst. Tears stung at the pony's eyes, and she fled the scene, pushing against crowds of ponies. Her attempts to hold back her tears were fruitless, and soon, tears streamed down her face. She found herself in an empty hallway, wiith exception to a few guards. They paid her no mind as she trotted past, eventually coming to a large door. She shoved it open, revealing a large balcony. Her tears came silently as she walked across the floor out into the night air. The sky was clear, the stars twinkling against the dark blue sky.
She sat on her flank as she stared up at the full moon. Why did she have to come here? She was perfectly happy in her own little world! But now...she was miserable. Stuck in her favorite cartoon, her life was nothing like she had imagined. It was like her happiness was being shredded.
Why did DIscord have to bring her here?
Why her?
She leaned her forehooves against the cool marble of the side of the balcony, buried her head into them, and began to sob quietly. For a while, there was no sound, with exception to her depressing state. In her mind, she wanted to go home and be with her dad again, but in her heart she wanted to stay here and be with Discord. Her thought were so conflicting, it made her want to tear her mane out in frustration. But she kept crying.
She was silenced suddenly by the sound of another pony. Her head whipped around to see the same colt who asked if she was okay standing there, holding the door open. "Are you...alright?" he asked carefully.
She turned her back to him. "Why do you care?" she growled.
"What kind of gentlecolt would I be if I just let a lady cry to herself while every pony else has a great time inside?" he asked, walking over to her.
"Let them have fun. I don't belong here," she said stifly.
"And why's that?" he asked curiously.
"B-because...why would I tell you?!" she asked angrily, turning around to face him. Then she stopped when she saw that he was right behind her. Her eyes caught his for a brief moment, and her heart leaped into her throat.
His eyes were the deepest shade of blue, like the calm waters of the ocean. She stared at him, jaw agape. He felt...familiar.
"Because I care," he said softly, holding her gaze firmly. Her heart began racing, confusing her to no extent. How had he made her feel this way with a single look? She couldn't bring herself to tear her eyes away. Gently, he caressed the graceful curve of her jawline, making shivers run down her spine. How? How did this stallion make her heart race with the simplist of touches.
"Are you finished crying, my dear?" he asked. She nodded numbly, finally tearing her gaze away. She stared at the floor instead. They stood there in silence until he spoke up. "Will you honor me with a dance?"
She opened her mouth to shoot him down when he disrupted her. "Just one. It can be out here, if you like," he said. "Please?"
She meekly met his pleading gaze and nodded. He smiled, taking her hoof in his. Standing on his hind hooves, he lead Star in a graceful waltz, with nothing but the sounds of the night as their music, the stars and moon their audience.
Some of the music from the main room came through the open door, and the strange pony began to hum along softly to it. She closed her eyes, relaxing into his chest. She felt at ease with this colt. It was...strange.
Suddenly, he spun her around and brought her in for a dip, his lips dangerously close to hers. She recalled a memory that happened almost a year ago...
After Discord had confessed at his growing love for Maria, he asked for a dance. She was hesitant at first, seeing that she had never danced with someone before. He had reassurred her that he'd teach her.
The process was slow at first; Maria was clumsy and nervous, but Discord was willing and patient. Soon, they were doing a graceful waltz across their cotton candy cloud. Discord had made some instruments appear to play a little melody to dance to. Under the light of the full moon, the romantic atmosphere was perfect. Discord spun Maria once, then dipped her in his arms.
He leaning in close, his movements shaky and unsure. Maria's heart thumped in her chest as she realised his intentions. He wanted to kiss her again. Without thinking, she brought herself up to meet him, their lips locking once more.
Star gasped, pushing the "stallion" away from her. Her shocked expression told him everything. She knew who he was. "Discord?!" she said, shocked.
"Did you miss me, Maria?" he asked, changing out of his pony form. The male draconnequus now stood in front of the pony. "I certainly missed you,"
"What are you doing here?" she demanded. "If Celestia find you, you'll get us both in trouble-"
"Celestia wiill do no such thing," he said. "What with her emergency meeting and all,"
"How did you-" she stopped herself, coming to the realization. "You trapped them didn't you?"
"Me? I didn't trap them, my dear. I tricked them. Two very different things," he said.
"Then where are they?"
"Somewhere,"
"Where?"
"Somewhere safe,"
"Discord..."
"Fine! I trapped them," he admitted. "But for a good reason,"
She glared at him. "I'm listening..."
He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "I...I had to see you again," he said quietly.
Her eyes widened. "...What?"
"I missed you, alright?" he said louder. "I came here to see if you would give me another chance..."
The pony turned away quickly, not wanting to let him see her emotions showing. What would she do? The portal would open in a week! And he decided to show up now, of all times?!
"Star? One of the guards told me you'd be out here-" Twilight's jaw dropped as she saw the male draconnequus. "Discord!"
"Oh, hello, Twilight!" he greeted her.
"That's Princess Twilight to you!" she spat.
"Well!" he scoffed. "Give a pony a crown and wings and suddenly she's better than every pony!"
Twilight ignored his remark. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"I was simply here to talk to an old marefriend of mine," he said.
"What are you talking about?"
"You don't know? Well, Maria, you certainly have grown stronger with your powers," Discord said craftily. "Who knew you'd learn a transformation spell so quickly! You even managed to hide from Princess Celestia!" Starlight's heart stopped. He wasn't going to-
"Maria?" Twilight said, confused. "Maria's gone!"
"Oh really?" Discord said. He teleported the three of them into the main room. Every pony cried out at the surprise. Discord held Starlight in his arms as she struggled to get away.
The Mane Six stared at the Lord of Chaos before trying to go to Star's rescue. Discord placed an invisible force field around them to keep them in place.
"Let Starlight go, you monster!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
"I'm the monster? I was simply trying to talk to Maria," he said innocently.
"Silly Discord!" Pinkie Pie giggled. "That's Starlight Treasure, not Maria!"
"Oh really?" He said again, his tone clearly amused.
"D-Discord, please don't-" Star stuttered.
"-Don't what?" he interrupted her. "Give away your secret? Tell them the truth? I thought that's what you wanted?"
"Don't!" she protested.
"Here's an idea: how about you use your magic to stop me?"
"NO!"
"Fine then," His fingers snapped erasing the female draconequus's disguise. Maria Firestone stood in front of her friends as they stood there -- all jaws dropped to the ground.
You could hear a pin drop in the entire castle.