It had been about a thousand years now. A thousand years of pure misery and depression. That was how long the rose had been glowing under the Bell jar in his bedroom. He had wished to lose track of time, to forget, but he couldn't. The rose was the stark reminder that slowly but surely that time was indeed running out. Only earlier that day, the first petal had fallen. He'd been half asleep when it happened, but he had jumped with fright, when the petal just simply whithered up and fell. He had screamed and cried,for he suddenly realized how slim his chances of redemption were now. Not even ten chocolate sundaes could alleviate his mood.
Why had Luna done it? Why couldn't she have just turned him into stone straight away? He groaned. This additional time felt rather more like another curse than a blessing. Living a thousand years with an impossible hope grew harder and harder to bear any longer.
Go out and make some friends she said. How could he? He had been a villain, an enemy to the princesses and their subjects. Except for Luna. She loved him like a brother and was only trying to help him, so she said. Discord sighed. He wondered whether she would be back in Equestria by now. He never heard anything, never met anypony way out here.
A strange noise woke him from his daydream. It was coming from the main hall most likely. It sounded like a knock at the door. Discord bolted up. A knock at the door! Who could be here at this time? Why were they even here? This valley was so dangerous and far away that even Daring Do would dare venture hear! And who would go to some weird, run down mansion, because he never bothered much with D. I.Y Whoever was at the door must be pretty desperate.
Curiously but cautiously, he peeped over the balustrade between him and the view into the main (entrance) hall. He didn't have to worry about mistakes in sight, it was only one floor down.
A little unicorn filly had opened the door and was standing in the hallway, looking around her, terrified it seemed.
A filly! Discord thought that he was hallucinating for a second there! What on earth was she doing there? Had bshe been abandoned or was she just really, really and I mean, really lost? He didn't like the idea of somepony just dumping her in this barren, dry, treacherous valley. Yes, she must be lost. What to do, what to do?
He quietly came down the stairs. The filly was now curled up in a ball, crying her eyes out. Discord tried to holdback the tears. Poor thing. She needed a shoulder to cry on, and now that he thought about it, so did he. She could stay.
'Hush now,'he said, bending down to her level and trying speak in a soothing tone. 'It's alright. I won't hurt you.Honest.'
The little filly (and yes, it was Sweetie Belle) looked up and gasped. She had never seen a draconecquus before and she hoped that she'd never see one again. She began to cry even harder.
Discord moaned impatiently. She was scared of him, poor little thing. Well, poor little Discord too! He hated it when ponies were frightened of him. Muttering and mumbling to himself, he quickly pulled on a mask which only half his face.
'There!'He huffed. 'Is that better?' Sweetie Belle nodded. 'Well, good, cause I ain't gonna hurt you. I hurt plenty of ponies before, but I won't do it again. But I hate being feared for my looks, so whether you like it or not, I can't wear this mask all the time, makes my face itch!' He threw it off a minute later. 'I couldn't take it any longer.' Sweetie Belle sniffed.
Discord began to walk down the hallway. 'Follow me.' He said in an attempt to sound patient. He led her to the grand living room.
'Now, my dear!' He said dramatically, snapping his fingers/ claws/ paws, making a table with a fancy tablecloth appear. Sweetie Belle giggled. 'If you just pull up a chair and let me proudly present your dinner.' He smiled warmly.
Sweetie Belle didn't know how hungry she was until Discord handed her the first course of steaming hot vegetable soup. She hasn't eaten for about two or three days, except for a few wild berries here and there and some riverwater.
The food was also delicious. Once the edge had worn off her hunger she could actually pay attention to what was put in front of her. Everything was so flavourful and even the meals that she regularly had, were many many times better thanks to Discord. She had never been a good cook, but her parents were always away and they weren't great at cooking either, and Rarity was too busy making dresses to cook meals most days.
Discord beamed at Sweetie Belle enthusiastic praise. True, he did not cook the food, but it still gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling when he was praised for his chaos powers and the good that they could do. He even put on a small show for her while she ate. He sang and danced and told terribly Corny old jokes. Sweetie Belle had never laughed so much in all her life. Then they had a talent show. Discord sang some song called 'Friend Like Me' which he said that he got from an old friend from a distant country many years ago. Sweetie Belle then stood up and recited the first story of her all-time favorite book, a book of fairytale.
'I have forgotten how good that story is,' remarked Discord to her when they'd finished. He was no showing her her sleeping quarters.
'You know it?!' Sweetie Belle asked, clearly delighted.
'Well, I heard a slightly different version. There are many, many different versions out there I suppose.'
'Oh yeah. That one's just my favorite you know.' Suddenly, Sweetie Belle began to cry.
'What's the matter?'
'I'm just so grateful for all that you've done for me. But, I feel so empty without having any music or fairytale books.'
Discord smiled. 'Well,you can explore around the castle, you are my guest. You can go to the library and the music room. Nopony will bother you. But remember, don't go to the West Wing..'
'What's the West Wing?'
'It's forbidden! So you avoid it, it's on the first floor and on the right. Goodnight.'
Sweetie Belle couldn't sleep. There was no point in trying. What could she do to pass the time? She could go to the library. Where was it again? Oh yeah, he didn't tell her. Maybe she could just explore.
The caste's interior was quite nice, but it in a bit of a mess. Well wouldn't it be in a bit of a state if you didn't dust it for about a thousand years!? But Sweetie Belle didn't care about its interior or decor. She was intent on exploring and nothing or nopony was going to stop her. Besides, she was getting incredibly tired, so the exercise must be working!
She had explored the entire ground floor but with no joy. All of the rooms were just dusty, stuffy, old bedrooms and bathrooms, bar the living room. Next stop, the first floor.
Sweetie Belle climbed the stairs, her Hooves trailing lightly on the dusty banister. She kept alert for any movement or noise that wasn't her own. She didn't want to wake up Discord. When she reached the landing, she peeped up and down. To the left was a blank wall with paintings which were so thick with dust, it was almost impossible to see what they depicted. From the vague shapes under the grime, she came to the conclusion that they were landscapes, not portraits.
To the right- she stifled a gasp when she saw it. It was a disaster scene. A painting had been cracked in half and seemed to be thrown in a corner along with a broken chair, and a shredded rug. She opened her mouth to scream but no noise came out. Discord did this. Why would he do it? He had been so nice to her. Did he have a really bad temper and break things to get rid of all that built up tension?
She picked up the painting. If was filthy but she could just about see what it depicted. She wiped the dust and cobwebs away to see it better. It was a picture of a younger Celestia and Luna sitting in a meadow with an old stallion and Discord? They all seemed to be smiling and laughing and happy. This could only mean one thing. They had been friends. They surely weren't friends now, judging by the mangled wreck of the painting.
She put down the painting and was about to go back downstairs, when she saw a door ajar. She peeped thrpugh. All she could see was a faint, reddish Pink glow. It was so pretty. What was it? She gently opened the door and stepped inside. Ooops. There was Discord lying in a four poster bed, snoring his head off. This was his bedroom. She squinted. The light seemed to be coming from behind the curtain near the balcony. She
peered around the curtain to find little that the small space was clear of destruction. Well, there wasn't much there anyway. It was just a little round table, probably made out of marble. And sitting on it...
A beautiful red rose, under a clear glass Bell jar. And it was floating in mid air and glowing! How cool was that!
Sweetie Belle approached the rose cautiously. It wasn't perfect like she thought it would be. It was wilting, and already one of its petals had fallen.
It was an enchanted rose, it had to be. Maybe that's why Discord didn't want her to come her. Since the rose was magical he'd want it all to himself. Maybe she could take it and then go home. She'd be like Daring Do. If she did take the rose, maybe she'd then get her Cutie Mark! Then Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoonand Rarity would show her respect. And boy would Blueblood be surprised! She would prove to him that she wasn't a cry baby like he thought she was when he kidnapped her and left her in the valley. She, Sweetie Belle, stole the mighty rose of Discord! Yes,she had to take it. Gently, she lifted off the lid and set it aside. It was all hers now...
A shadow suddenly passed over her. She yanked away as the Bell jar slammed down where her hoof had been precious moments before.
She stated up and saw Discord' angry face.