The sun rises as another new days starts in the unusual treehouse in the woods. The sunlight peeked through the leaves surrounding the upper part and gently woke the orange Pegasus filly. Scootaloo rubbed her eyes together and turned back to see Fluttershy still dozing on the opposite side of the bed.
After dinner with the Apple family, Scootaloo offered Fluttershy to sleep on the beds in the clubhouse while she sleeps on the couch. Fluttershy gently refused to let her sleep there so she made room for the both of them to sleep peacefully without any complications.
Scootaloo was glad to see Fluttershy finally getting to stay here for good thanks for Applejack’s approval. She’s already considered her as a friend, despite being years older than her, and at least for now she didn’t have to worry about any changelings coming to take her away.
Or dracon-something for that matter, Scootaloo mentally thought to herself.
Careful to not wake up Nameless, She got off the bed quietly before going downstairs to pack her bag for school. As she exited down the stairs, she picked up her saddlebags and started putting in her books and notebooks. When she saw that from the clock that she woke up a little late, she grabbed a muffin from the cupboard, planning to eat it on the way there.
Knockknockknock-knock-knock
The knocks on the door caught Scootaloo’s attention and she made her way over there with the bags settled on her back. She opened the door to see Babs facing forward.
“Ready to go, Scoots?” Babs asked.
“You bet I am!”
But as Scootaloo was an inch away from closing the door completely, she looked inside. Babs Seed turned to her to see her still standing there.
“You alright, hon?” Babs questioned.
After a pause, Scootaloo turned back her friend, “Nothing, just thinking. Let’s just go.”
Scootaloo trotted ahead into the trail and Babs looked between her and the treehouse before catching up to her. Knowing something might be up, she then asked, “It’s Discord isn’t it?”
Scootaloo caught the concerned look of her friend and she sighed, “A little. I’m just worried that he might come back for her.”
“Hey, try not to worry about it. We did tell Fluttershy about him and she promised that she’ll stay away from him.”
“Yeah, but I wish we could do more than that. We could do more than just walk away and let things happen. We could’ve just told the princesses to come and capture him!”
“You know what he capable of is; we can’t fight off him through willpower. And besides, even if we spill the beans and get the royal forces out here, he’ll just make himself disappear in a flash. Then he’ll come right back out after they left and the whole thing repeats some time later. Applejack still doesn’t believe us after we tried warning her the first time we saw him.”
Scootaloo had honestly forgotten about the first time and realized then that there isn’t much of a chance to get rid of him. Unfortunately, she is stubborn to believe it’s a lost cause, “Still, I think we should take him.”
Babs rolled her eyes at the naïve and stubborn pegasus but she continued trying to bring sense to her conscious, “I know it sucks, but there’s nothing we can do right now but to be cautious. And if there’s any trouble with Fluttershy, I’m sure she will tell us soon and if she does; we’ll be there for her.”
Scootaloo nodded in agreement as they continued walking down the path. She then asked curiously, “So you’re not worried that Fluttershy will be alone with him if he comes back?”
“I am just a little bit,” Babs replied with a twitch of hesitation, “I just hope that he doesn’t come back any sooner.”
Voices echoed through the darkness.
You have disobeyed me!
But mother—!
No buts! You have shamed yourself once again, my child. And you will be punished for this!
Then a flash of green flames came from the distance and then zooming in faster and faster.
No! Mother, please! No!
Fluttershy’s eyes popped wide open and gasped in fear. When she realized that she was only dreaming, she sighed in relief and tossed on her back.
The moment she turned she saw a pair of yellow and red eyes looking at her. She screamed and jumped back in response, causing her to fall off the bed with her hooves still griping to the covers.
The draconequus reacted in a fit of laughter, “Oh, geez; that never get old!”
“W-w-what are you doing here?” Fluttershy shakily asked while trying to get the covers off her and get onto her hooves.
“Oh, nothing special really; I was wondering if you sleep well,” Discord lied. He was only saying that to put the pony at ease before bringing out the surprise.
“I… I slept okay,” Fluttershy simply said, “Is that all?”
“Well,” Discord raised his talons onto his chin, pretending to think, “Actually, I was wondering that maybe—just maybe—that I would, oh I don’t know….. Hang around here for like a day or two.”
Fluttershy’s grew wide with shock, “What? Y-you want to h-hang around here?!”
“Well, what did you think I came in for; A bag of sugar? I just thought that, being here your first time here in this forest and living all alone here, you would need some… company,” He said in a very unsettling tone, making Fluttershy uncomfortable.
Fluttershy tried to think of a way to make Discord go; she doesn’t want him to come close to her after yesterday. “But…. Don’t you have a home?”
“I like to consider the entire world my home, I just like to come and go as I pleased. So I feel like spending time here.”
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Fluttershy stated, hoping Discord would take the hint.
Discord raised an eyebrow, “Oh, really? I don’t recall them saying I can’t come in for a visit?”
Fluttershy was taken back but fought back calmly, “Well, I’m live here now, so I think you should leave.”
Discord rolled his eyes and waved his hand around with a twinkle of magic in his claw. Before Fluttershy could get pass him, the bed covers wrapped itself around her body and her eyes were the only part of her visible within the soft cocoon.
“You think? Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Is that any way to treat your house guest? I thought you would be a little better than that since you escaped from those changelings.”
Fluttershy went stiff when she heard it. “You….you saw me with them?
Discord grinned, “I’m guessing you knew them? They wouldn’t be if they were going to kill you for no reason.”
“How much did you saw?” Fluttershy asked rather anxiously.
“Oh, not much. I heard you screaming from the distance, running off to where you fell, having a moment with those little fluff-balls and then everything just fell into place. It’s like I said before my dear…”
Discord moved his head closer to the cocoon and its fear-filled eyes, saying in a low voice “There’s no hiding from me. And if you want those changelings to stay clear from you, then you must let me stay as your guest. Is that understandable?”
Inside the blanket cocoon, Fluttershy was silently panicking. She doesn’t want him to stay after assuring the girls that she’ll be fine and he won’t come back. If she lets him stay, he would cause a storm throughout the treehouse and possibly put the girls or others into danger. But if she doesn’t, there might be a chance that he will keep his word. She will be ripped away from the world in a millisecond.
She looked at Discord, still glaring at her for a response. Holding onto some strength she had, she spoke in a quiet voice, “Okay, you can stay.”
Discord turned from menacing to cheerful in an instant, “Excellent! Now, do you have any pancake mix? Cause I really need to go for those right now.”
Fluttershy was going to ask what pancakes are but didn’t get a chance to since Discord zoomed out of the room and flew downstairs. When she sees that she’s all alone, she reminisces on the decision she just made.
This is going to be tough, she thought to herself.
She walked down the stairs from the clubhouse for what it seems like forever. Dread rushed through her brain as she pushes herself to take each step. She doesn’t like that she was forced to let Discord be a guest to her new home, but she needs to remind herself to be resistant. She was already stuck in this situation and she’s going to take that chance for living through it; just so that she can see through another day.
A little something that somewhat reminds her of her old life back of home.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she caught the sight of pale, gooey mess lying over the kitchen’s floors and walls. She then peered up to Discord who was floating in midair with a pan in this hand. He flipped the pancake in his hand before flying into his mouth.
“Hungry?” He asked Fluttershy, only to be met with stunned silence.
“Hmm, suit yourself,” he twirls a large cup full of batter to the top of the pan, spilling most of the content on the floor.
You can handle this, Fluttershy. You can do this.
Today has been a nightmare.
The tree house is flooding from the ceiling that started raining chocolate milk and Fluttershy is holding onto a floating coach with the umbrella over her head. All the while Discord swim in the growing puddle with a hair net over his horns and swim trunks and googles over his eyes.
Throughout the entire day, Discord had done abundant ways to annoy Fluttershy. First while she tried cleaning the gooey mess he made, he summoned broom s to ‘help’ her clean. But they weren’t as normal as she thought they were; those brooms had arms and were able to walk using their straw legs. They were able to help her clean the mess at first, but then right after that they deliberately created more mess by spilling the batter in other parts of the room and cleaning it repeatedly.
Then later when she tried to have a moment by herself, she spotted on the bed on small fuzzy ball with huge eyes. She took interest in it and petted it until it burped up a wet, fuzzy ball that transformed into that same creature. It was a matter in minutes that the clubhouse is packed with them. She can even see now that a few of those creatures went out through the window.
Seeing she couldn’t stay there anymore, she went back downstairs. Only to discover then that the stairs had been turned into soap and she accidently slip and slid her way down. Unfortunately, Discord had watched the fall in action, stifling his laughter from the way Fluttershy was positioned with her back legs in the air.
Pretty much what he’d done so far after that included turning into rubber, making the furniture edible to eat, turning the floor into roller rink that she and her guest skated on while playing badminton at the same time and lastly inviting the bugs from upstairs to join them. And all of this before he made the ceiling rain.
Fluttershy is getting more and more irritated over at Discord’s antics and his carelessness, but she’s also too terrified to tell him to stop since he would dismiss it. One thing she learned from perspective, she’s not capable for standing up for herself and confronting others; and she felt that somehow he knows that and has been taking advantage of it.
Discord, on the other hand, was happy to see his wonderful creation all over the treehouse. And the little pegasus didn’t even stop him for one bit. But it did sort of bother him that she isn’t crying or running away in fear. Despite looking scared and confused, she remained, for the most part, calm and resistant. After a while, he figured that the lie he’d made up about the changelings that convinced her to do his bidding was the reason why she didn’t intervene.
But why isn’t this enough!
Suddenly the door opened with a young, high-pitched scream and the chocolate milk begin pouring out.
Meanwhile outside, the five fillies galloped on the trail towards the treehouse. Once they were out of school, they saw from afar that the place floating near above the treetops and rotating around the sky. Though despite the craziness that seemed to be going on over there, the treehouse was not high enough to grab other ponies’ attention and stayed within the forest boundaries--a rather smart move on the Discord’s part. And it was because they knew exactly who caused it that they ran as fast as they could for Fluttershy.
“We shouldn’t have left her alone!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, blaming herself into putting her friend in a dire situation.
“Won’t your mom get mad at you when she noticed you gone?” Sweetie Belle asked Diamond Tiara, who reluctantly had to go.
“She’s having a business meeting with a client back home; I don’t think she’ll notice a thing. At least I’ll have something fun to do today,” Diamond said the last line sarcastically. As she was at least grateful that she doesn’t have to be stuck in her room and that she won’t be lonely, she would’ve liked it a little bit more if it didn’t involve confronting a wanted powerful criminal.
They stopped at where the treehouse should be on the ground and saw that various animals looking up to the sky worried. They also took notice that the birds were trying to get inside, but due to the base rotating in circles, they would get smacked down by the branches and roots.
“Oh, when I get my hooves on that no-good bully, he’s gonna regret the day he was born!” Scootaloo growled angrily. She tried to fly up in there but is stopped by Apple Bloom and Babs.
“No, Scoots! You can’t fly that high, you’ll get tired!” Apple Bloom shouted to her friend into reason.
“But we can’t just leave her alone up there; she could be hurt!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
“And there’s no way we can get Applejack to come here now; she won’t believe us again after last time!” Diamond Tiara said bluntly. “And plus, how else can we get up there? All we got right now is three earth ponies, one unicorn and one weak flying blank flanks!”
The other would’ve have glared angrily at Diamond if it weren’t for Apple Bloom exclaiming, “Wait! Sweetie, can you do levitation spells?”
Sweetie Belle’s face etched with uncertainty and confusion, “I can do it a little bit, why?”
“Can you float yourself up there?”
That idea made Sweetie Belle look up in dread. “Are you serious?! My magic’s not strong enough to lift myself. I have to be, like a wizard to be able to do that! The best I can do is lift objects!”
“Maybe she can lift one of us to the treehouse?” Bab Seed asked.
“I can probably do that,” Sweetie Belle asked before looking concern, “But that would mean one of us is going to face Discord alone.”
The girls, understanding the risks of this plan, looked at each other to see if one of them would volunteer.
“I am not going if that’s what you’re thinking,” Diamond said, seeing one of their eyes staring at her.
After a long while, Apple Bloom finally stood up, “I should go. Any objections to that?”
All of them gave uncertain looks, but none of them disagreed at the end.
“Be careful up there, cuz,” Babs said, giving her a hug.
“I will,” Apple Bloom said, before silently letting in a gulp.
She turned to Sweetie Belle, who is about ready to use her magic, “Ready, AB?”
With Apple Bloom’s nod of approval, Sweetie Belle activated her horn and a light green aura slowly engulfed the young earth pony. She’d pulled in all of her might to be able to lift up her friend, which was the reason why the aura kept on shaking a little or almost faded. She is used to lift up small items, so lifting up something bigger and heavier than a piece of paper has become a challenge to her; but she can say it was worth it to help save their sweet friend.
As Apple Bloom was almost close to the door, she reached for it and turned the knob. Suddenly the flood of chocolate milk came raining down to the ground as she opened the door.
The fillies and the animals down below took for cover behind the trees, causing Sweetie Belle to completely release her hold of Apple Bloom who is still holding onto the door knob.
The brown liquid splashes on the ground and spreaded all over the area.
“Ahh!” Diamond Tiara screamed, “My coat is still all dirty!”
“Ours is too, you know!” Scootaloo shouted at her.
Diamond then frowned deeply while the other roll their eyes irritated.
Back inside, Discord was confused of all of the chocolate milk suddenly gone as he lies on his back against the floor. Anything that was floating came back to the ground and Fluttershy laid the umbrella down. The ceiling stopped raining and small puddles of milk were still lying on the hardwood floor. It seemed very odd for Fluttershy as she just notice that the sky was rotating by itself.
Discord noticed a hoof holding onto the door knob and voice and used his magic to grab the startled pony and brought her inside.
“Why, I’m surprised,” Discord said to the terrified filly, “I never thought that you would be this daring.”
“Apple Bloom!” Fluttershy shouted in concern, “What are you doing here?!”
“We saw the treehouse floating around from the school yard and we thought that you were in trouble!”
“D’aww, isn’t that sweet? A young squire trying to rescue the fair maiden from the hideous dragon,” Discord exclaimed with mock sympathy. “Why don’t I congratulate you?”
He snapped his fingers and a caramel apple appeared in her hooves.
“Uhhhh…..” Apple Bloom muttered in uncertainty.
“Don’t worry; your treat is perfectly safe—but I would keep it away from the parasprites if I were you.”
“The para-what-now?”
Her question was answered when a swarm of parasprites came before her and twirled around her, quickly take bites of the apple and the pink bow in her hair. She screams and ran away from the swarm, with them following her around.
Discord reacted to the screaming pony with laughter while Fluttershy watched over in horror. She never wanted the girls to be involved in this; she has to stop this now!
“Discord, please stop this!” Fluttershy pleaded behind his back, “Leave her alone; she hasn’t done anything wrong!”
In a swift, Discord grabbed her tail and yanks her out of floor, bringing her upside-down figure to his eye level.
“Oh, please, what makes you talk to me, the master of chaos, in that tone?” He scoffed, “it’s a wonder the changelings tried to kill you.”
That had done it.
Holding all that anger she had since what she felt like an eternity, Fluttershy erupted like a volcano and pushed Discord’s chest hardly.
“I SAID STOP!”
She pushed Discord’s chest so hard that him to drop her and fall on the ground.
Her voice shook the room and Apple Bloom, the swamp of parasprites and the draconequus looked at the angry pony in shock, “LEAVE HER ALONE AND TURN EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL NOW!”
“But the deal—“ Discord uttered.
“I DON’T CARE!! TURN IT BACK TO NORMAL NOW!!!”
Without a hesitation, He snapped his finger and everything turned back the way it should be. The hut was clean, the parasprites was gone, the walls, stairs and floor had gone back to its original form and the treehouse was back to the ground.
The rest of the CMC rushed through the door and to Apple Bloom whom, unbeknownst to her,her pink bow looked like a slice of swiss cheese . When they’d followed her gaze, they were surprised to see an angry Fluttershy standing up to Discord.
Discord and Fluttershy now stared at each other for a long time. It wasn’t long until Fluttershy spoke with her anger-filled eyes, “Get out.”
Discord still stood there, unable to move or even speak.
“I SAID GET OUT!!!”
With the last warning, he quickly snapped his fingers and vanished into thin air.
All that left here now is dead silence.
Fluttershy remained where she’s standing where her rage slowly turned to horror and she could feel the tears that are stinging in her eyes.
Oh my…. What just happened?
She looked up to see the five fillies looking at her with wide eyes. This made her feel worse.
“Fluttershy?” Apple Bloom spoke out, “Are you--?”
“I’m sorry….I’m so sorry!” Fluttershy cried out as she ran through the door and galloped further away. She didn’t bother to hear the voices calling out her name.
The girls stood at the door way, looking at the direction where Fluttershy had fled.
“What do we do now?” Sweetie Belle asked in concern.
Apple Bloom thought and then ran in a different direction, “Let’s go get Zecora.”
Diamond stood behind for a moment as the others followed her before starting galloping and calling out, “What happened to your bow?!”
Nightfall came through the forest. Naturally, it would’ve scared Fluttershy to death, but she doesn’t care about all right now; all she needs is the time to be alone. Not alone with a friend or enemy, but alone all by herself; just like she was accustom to. Tears run down her face as she listens to the eerie silence of the wind.
She felt ashamed for how she reacted. Never in her whole life had she ever exploded like that. It’s true that she had her moments when she almost breaks down, but she had to keep it in at hopes that the changelings won’t strike her. What just happened back in the treehouse was a sudden awake inside of her and she felt like a monster. The image of the girls’ faces filled what seemed to be horror still ingrained in her mind; she never wanted to scare them.
She suddenly heard rustling noises behind her and turned sharply to see a figure behind her. The figure was a mysterious type, not have it been the dark cloak she wore to cover her body. She can only see the figure of her light grey coat with dark grey strips and muzzle. Her mouth held up a lantern and she’d slowly put it on the ground.
“No need to alarm,” The figure said with a deep feminine voice, “I mean no harm.”
Fluttershy just stood there very still. She was very unsure of the figure before her and it made her uncomfortable being in the uncontrollable state she’s in right now.
The figure saw her distress and then spoke out, “I can vow with the truth in my eye; there’s no need to fear, Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy’s grew surprised, “You know my name?”
“Applejack did tell me during the day saying you pleaded for a place to stay?”
Fluttershy nodded timidly then a thought came to her, “Wait, Are you… Zecora?”
“Indeed I am,” Zecora responded with a calm smile.
“The girls told me about you. You live near them?”
Zecora nodded, “Apple Bloom rushed to me in a spin; they were asking where you’ve been.”
Fluttershy lowered her head in shame, “I didn’t mean to upset them. I just needed to be alone.”
“I understand, my dear; the pain inside is clear.”
Fluttershy looked up to her eyes. Although hers was a mysterious kind of blue and she looked strange, she saw comfort radiating from them.
“You probably need to unwind, perhaps my hut to ease your mind?”
“What about the girls?” Fluttershy asked, not wanting to keep them waiting for her.
“I promise to bring you home, after you choose to come.”
Fluttershy thought for a bit. As much she wanted to stay here a bit more, she is starting to feel eerie of the environment around her. With her mind wandered about the forest and the cloaked figure next to her, she tried to decide through her hesitation.
I guess it wouldn’t hurt to talk to somepony, she thought. It could help.
She then stood up before the figure and walked towards her.
“Come with me, it is near,” Zecora said, guiding her to their destination.
It didn’t take them long to arrive at Zecora’s place, or treehouse as it looked very similar to the CMC. Surrounding the base were strange masks and vial hanging from the vines, it holds an authentic vibe that felt strange yet attracting at the same time.
Zecora lead Fluttershy to the door and spoke out as she walked further to the cauldron sitting in the middle of the room, “Please take a seat over there, and I’ll bring something to share.”
Fluttershy took her seat on a table and turned to see Zecora removing the cloak from her body, revealing her striped body, gold bracelet and earring, and her gray and white Mohawk mane. Fluttershy was pleasantly surprised of her appearance and stared at it in curiosity.
Unfortunately Zecora felt Fluttershy’s eye staring from behind, “I would advise you not to judge and stare; it is more than I can bear.”
Fluttershy then quickly looked away in embarrassment, “Oh! I’m sorry! You looked so…unique.” She was going to say different, but she thought that would be rude.
“Your observations I can quite understand. I am a zebra, very far from my land.”
Zecora then came back with two cups and a pot with steam lining out of the spout, “Tea always helps me to relax. Would you like to take a chance?”
Zecora poured out the liquid to her cup and Fluttershy curiously tried a small sip, inviting the warm, soothing flavor into her body. “Oh, this is lovely. I’ve never had tea before.”
“I could imagined,” Zecora stated, “Especially with what just happened. “
“The… girls told you what happened?” Fluttershy asked warily.
“I was aware that Discord was back to the woods, and I’ve heard that you pushed him down?”
Fluttershy frowned down to her cup and set it down on the table.
“It is alright, my dear; you’ve done nothing wrong. But why you look so torn?”
After a pause, Fluttershy sighed and spoke out; letting out all of the frustration she’s been holding in, “I don’t know what came over me. I was just so…so… angry! I have never yelled in front of anyone before; not even around my mother or my siblings! I just hold my emotions in just to keep myself safe. But today, from the day he was treating me and the girls… I couldn’t take it anymore!”
Zecora nodded and put her hooves over her should in comfort, “You shouldn’t worry about releasing your emotions. They are gifts from life’s potions. The more you hold them in, the more pain it’ll be within.”
“But why do I feel so guilty about all this?” Fluttershy said sadly, “I’ve been trying my best to live on my own since I ran away from mother, but sometimes…. I don’t even know what I’m doing. I’m not as strong, smart or brave as the girls or Applejack. Maybe I am as weak and worthless like they’d said.” Fluttershy sighed in frustration and laid her head on the table and cover her head with her hooves.
Zecora stared at pegasus with concern. She was aware of her past, being told by Applejack, and she knows what it is like to be alone and different, looking back of how the ponies of Ponyville used to react towards her. She thought up a way to assure Fluttershy of the future, to make her believe that not all is in vain for her.
“Perhaps I might be able to help you, but first, let me give you my point of view.”
“Okay?” Fluttershy said as she wiped her small tears and listen to her companion.
“Life has been hard for you, I can see that. You run from the past that leave you bruised and harassed. But you shouldn’t fret for this hurting alone, that for others; it is something they had known.”
“Like who?” Fluttershy questioned.
“I can give you a few examples. Perhaps your young hosts and that criminal rascal?”
Fluttershy grew surprised, “The girls? And—and Discord?!”
The zebra nodded, which make Fluttershy stare in disbelief.
“No… no, that not’s possible! The girls are sweet and mature, they have a strong bond—!“
Zecora interrupted, “You forget that they’re still looking for their cutie marks, all the while dealing with the cruel remarks.”
“I know that, but they’re strong—they don’t let it get to them! And Discord…. He—he-- He hurts anypony in anywhere he goes—“
“I can understand your doubt, which I can’t joust. But through his villainous schemes, he is not as evil as he seems.
“And how would you know? He’s nothing but a monster!” Fluttershy shouted to Zecora’s face, before gasping and covering her mouth, “I-I didn’t mean to yell…”
“I know through him you are torn, but trust that I’ve seen it before. It is a part of the pony condition; everyone learns through grief and ambition. And all of our flaws come through when their emotions are true. You are running from your demons but your fears intensify. The children had grown but with no purpose for life. The draconequus has been freed but with no one or no meaning. You all have something worth seeking.”
Fluttershy thought about what she was trying to say. She never really thought about how other ponies have their own trials and tribulations like she had in the past, which made her feel really guilty. The Cutie Mark Crusaders worked so long for getting their wish, but never really getting it at the same time. She’s still hesitated on Discord’s behalf, since he’d mainly use anyone and anything for his games. But then again, would anyone would act that way if they were in his hooves… or claws. She’d go so far to think that…. Maybe he might be as alone as she is.
She looked back at the zebra, “You might be sure that’s what they’re feeling?”
“Through my observations it might be true,” Zecora replied, “It can only be decided through you. But the truth I’m giving you is the most sincere; they are as lost as you are, my dear.”
Fluttershy paused, staring at her cup before responding back to Zecora, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good to hear, Fluttershy,” Zecora said while getting off of her seat, “And now it’s time that we say goodbye.”
She gestured Fluttershy to come near her and they both walked towards the door.
“Thank you for the tea, Zecora,” Fluttershy said, “And for the talk.”
Zecora nodded to her in gratitude, “If you want somepony to confide, you’re welcome to come anything.”
They both smiled as Zecora closed the door behind them.
Celestia was just finishing her paperwork when a knock was heard at the door.
“Yes?” she called.
The door slowly open and Twilight’s head peeked into view.
“You asked for me, Princess?”
“Oh, yes,” Celestia greeted, “Come in, Twilight.”
Twilight fully stepped into Celestia’s room and closed the door behind her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t respond to you sooner. I got…heh. A little carried away with the book sortation in the library. Just to help me relax.”
Celestia chuckled at her sheepish expression, “It’s alright, Twilight.” Then her face a little serious, “There’s actually something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?”
Celestia paused and reposition herself before speaking out “How much do you know about Discord?”
Twilight was caught alarm by her question, “You mean the mystical creature that once controlled Equestria?”
“Yes,” Celestia answered, “And I am sure that you are aware of his escape 20 years ago, right?”
“Umm….yes? But aren’t you still looking for him?”
“Indeed I am. But it has been a complicated case so far. Whenever we find a clue or a complaint about his whereabouts, he finds another way to escape again. I can’t really say I was surprised at that though. Which is why I brought you here, Twilight.”
Twilight grew confused, “What do you want me to do?”
Celestia looked hard at her eyes as she spoke, “I need you to find Discord and bring him back to Canterlot.”
Twilight grew speechless, “Me? You want me to find him?!”
“I don’t expect you to find him immediately since it will take some time, but yes. Since he keeps on disappearing from places, we don’t know his exact location and he had his magical abilities to his limits, making impossible to track. I’m sure that through investigation, you can track down his exact location.”
Twilight grew silent, feeling all the weight that is growing onto her shoulders, “You… you really think I can?”
Celestia put a hoove on her chin and gave a comforting soft glare, “Twilight, you’re the only pony I know who is smart and strong enough to handle this. I know you can do this.”
This comforted Twilight and gave out a smile look.
“But don’t think you’ll be alone at this. I’m sending you to Ponyville to have you live there through this mission. I’m hoping you remember Applejack?”
“The bearer to the Element of Honesty?”
“Yes, she’s the leader of Ponyville and the other bearers live there too. You’ll have plenty of help and you, of course, will have Spike along with you. I am putting my complete faith in you, Twilight. Discord is mischievous and cunning and he will anything to get his way. We need to put him back to stone before he plans something to make anything worse.”
Twilight processed everything about the mission, and literally everything. This is much different than all the missions she goes to. She wanted to help everypony as much as she can to make Equestria a better place, but she never thought she would track down a wanted criminal--one who is just as powerful as an alicorn.
But this fact alone doesn’t mean she will back down. Her goal is to restore Harmony to the land in any way possible, and this might bring her one step closer to that.
Twilight then gave a determined look, “Don’t worry, Celestia; I won’t fail you.”