//------------------------------// // CH-27: Love is In Bloom // Story: A Discorded Love (My Little Pony/Discord) // by JasminePosey //------------------------------// "I want to be the first to say, Congratulations darling!" Rarity sang as she pulled a brush through Maria's hair. Maria focused on her breathing, a chuckle escaping her lips. "You and the rest of the girls," she said quietly, rolling her eyes. Her eyes glanced towards the vanity that she sat in front of. Rarity was fixing her hair up before she was to walk down the aisle. Her heart thumped in her chest as she reminded herself that she was getting married to Discord this afternoon. Well, in less than a few hours to be precise. It's been almost a month since Discord proposed to her, just before she could walk through the portal to go home. In a way, she was grateful that he had done so. Though she would miss her parents dearly, Maria would be happier here. She had finally convinced herself that she belonged in Equestria with the man, or, to be more exact, the draconequus, she loved. Maria looked down at the diamond she wore on her ring finger. It glittered and sparkled in even the dimmest of lights, and she felt a surge of happiness rush through her. Everything had truly felt like a dream. She closed her eyes as Rarity curled her hair, re-dying the purple highlights. Her mind drifted back to the first few weeks of preparing for this day... *** Maria sighed as she watched herself in the 3-sided mirror. Her mind going through the process of creating her dream wedding dress. She snapped, making a pure white, strapless, floor-length gown. Crystals decorated the breast, and elbow-length white gloves appeared on her hands. She looked herself over for a second, her face curved downwards into a frown. "Nah, it's too cliche," she muttered, making it disappear. She poofed up another dress, this one a bright yellow, also floor length, with a yellow bow tied around her waist. "I look like the sun," she groaned. Making that one disappear as well, she summoned a sea blue gown, this time going down to her calves, with a sash wrapped around her shoulder, being pinned at her waist with a small navy blue flower. Though she thought it was beautiful, it didn't look like a wedding dress. Nor did it seem like her color. She snapped, making that one disappear as well. She stood in front of the mirror, trying to conjure up the perfect dress. She perked, snapping. A lush purple gown appeared on her, with a tall collar that showed off her graceful swan-like neck. A silk cape was draped over her shoulders, pinned down by a medium-sized ruby. The dress then went down, hugging her body in a comfortable, not-too-tight way. The sleeves went to about her elbows, the extra cloth hanging down so that it seemed her arms were violet wings. A black belt was around her waist. She smiled, satisfied. "That looks lovely on you, my dear~!" a voice purred. Maria gasped, turning around and seeing her fiance leaning against the wall. She poofed away the dress, keeping the design in mind. "You do know it's bad luck to see my dress before the wedding, right?" "Please! I invented bad luck," he said. Maria smiled a tiny bit, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure you did. Why are you in here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be with Shining Armor and Spike?" "Yeah...but I got bored, so I decided to see what my lovely fiance was up to!" he smiled at her. "And you didn't knock?" "Is there any need to?" he asked. "Yes. We're not married yet. I still have some privacy," "I still don't know why you wanted to wait," he muttered. "We could've been married and on our honeymoon by now!" "You know I don't want to rush anything," she said, poofing away the mirror. In it's place sat a lounge couch, on which she sat down on. "Plus, Twilight and the others wanted to help us plan. I couldn't just turn them down," "I guess," he sighed, appearing on the couch next to her. She rested her head on his shoulder and he pulled her close. "You're not scared, are you?" he asked suddenly. Maria thought for a moment. "A little," she admitted. "but I've got you to help me through it," "I'll always be here for you, Maria," he said. His voice was full with love and tenderness, it made her heart swell. She doubted she could be happier with anyone else. "I love you," She smiled. "I love you, too, Discord." *** "Maria?" Rarity asked, waving a hoof in front of her face. "Huh?" she said, snapping out of her daydream. "I said, are you ready?" "For what?" "...Your wedding," "Oh...I think so..." Rarity smiled. "It's okay to be nervous, darling, it's your big day! I've made you look absolutely marvelous!" Maria looked into the mirror. Her hair was curled delicately, falling in perfect curves on her head. She smiled at the fashionista pony. Standing to her feet, she summoned her wedding dress. Rarity helped her with a few makeup touches, including some mascara and eyeliner, and soon enough, she found herself ready to walk down the aisle. She vaguely wondered what Discord was doing. *** "Don't tell me your scared now!" "I can't help it!" Discord said, standing in front of the mirror. Fear was overwhelming him, and Discord felt as if he might pass out at any moment. "You can. Maria is waiting for you. You wouldn't want to leave her at the alter, would you?" Discord looked appalled at the thought of abandoning his fiance. He gained a sudden boost of courage, starting towards the door. Fear quickly set in once more, and he padded back towards the mirror. "Stop being so scared! You're the King Of Chaos, for crying out loud! Your Queen is out there, waiting to finally be yours forever, and your in here talking to your reflection in hopes that somehow you'll convince yourself to go back out there!" Discord stared into his reflection for a moment. "You're absolutely right. I'm going out there!" he declared. He stepped towards the door, his eagle claw resting on the cold door knob. He filled his mind with visions of Maria. She was finally his. Well, would be if he'd just walk out that door. He took a shaky breath to calm his nerves. "For Maria," he whispered, opening the door. **** Maria stood inside the main hall of Celestia's castle. She visibly shook with nervousness, knowing that the rest of her life was waiting outside for her. With her acute hearing, she could hear the quiet murmurs of the ponies who attended the wedding, most from Ponyville. In her mind, she pictured Twilight and the others sitting up front, chatting and giggling among themselves, not knowing that Maria was close to passing out. She leaned against the wall, trying to take a few calm breaths. She had only a minute or so before Twilight or, Celestia forbid, Discord, come looking for her. She righted herself, approaching the door. "For Discord," she sighed. *** Celestia noticed Discord's discomfort. He would glance at her, then look somewhere else for a moment, then stare at her. "Discord, I'm proud of you," she said. He stared at her in shock. "Why?" he managed. "Your actions showed that love is the strongest magic in Equestria. Though you've had a rough start, Maria was somehow able to make you see that chaos and disharmony weren't everything. I'm sure that with some adjusting, you'll have no trouble joining us in harmony," she said. "Okay, that's going a bit too far dont'cha think?" he said. Celestia stared at him before he cracked a toothy grin, assuring her that he was joking. "No worries, Celestia. I'll do anything for Maria. If it is to make her happy, then so be it," Celestia smiled warmly at her old friend. The crowd suddenly hushed and they both looked to see a beautiful draconequus stepping down the aisle. Discord stared in awe at his bride, who blushed softly under his gaze. When she came close enough, he held out his hand, which she took gratefully. Celestia beamed at the sight of their love, unfolding her majestic wings. "Citizens of Ponyville, as well as Canterlot; we are gathered here today to witness the joining of these two souls," she looked to Spike, who held the rings. She levitated the first one, handing it to Maria. "Maria Firestone, please repeat after me," (I'm just going to do their vows without going back and forth) Maria sucked in a breath. "I, Maria Firestone, take you, Discord, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you, I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully Through the best and the worst, Through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold So I give you my life to keep," she slipped the ring onto his finger. Discord grinned down at her, taking her ring in hand. "And I, Discord, take you, Maria Firestone, to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully Through the best and the worst, Through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold So I give you my life to keep," he said, slipping the gold band onto her finger. "You are mine, and I am yours," he added. Celestia nodded, her smile never fading. The ponies began to cry softly at the touching moment that was being shared. "By the power vested in me, as the Princess of Equestria, I now pronounce you, Husband and Wife," she looked at Discord. "You may kiss the bride," Discord smirked, pulling Maria close and dipping her, their lips locking for the first time as a married couple. Every pony cheered as they parted, staring into each others eyes. "I love you," Discord said, nuzzling her gently. "I love you, too," Maria said quietly, tears of happiness in her eyes.