Chapter 68
Celestia smiled as Discord presented a bouquet of petunias to her. “Somepony has done their research I see.” She told him as she accepted the flowers. It had always been her favourite flower, and it most likely would be for the rest of her life. Once you’ve liked something for more than a thousand years, the chance of a sudden dislike was unlikely.
“Oh it was easy enough to find out… finding a pony willing to sell anything to me was a different case.” He was wearing a dashing white suit, with a magenta tie. She couldn’t help but feel flattered that he used her colours, though she would prefer if he had incorporated the aurora of her mane instead. Everypony thought her eyes were a lovely shade of magenta, but she didn’t think much of it.
She was wearing a simple dress that used to be that very shade of magenta, which she had enchanted to reflect light in all colours of the rainbow in seemingly random patterns, in honour of her special date. She hoped he would appreciate the nuance. She knew he at least liked change, so she doubted he would dislike it.
“Oh? I hope my little ponies didn’t give you too much trouble.” She said as she started following him when he started drifting backwards. She wasn’t sure where they would end up, but she was excited to find out what he had planned. She hoped it would be somewhere thrilling.
“Not too much but it seems they aren’t too accustomed to me here. I tried three different places before I finally decided to go back and try in Ponyville. You can say much about those three flower mares but at least they managed to sell me flowers while rolling on the ground in something I think was supposed to be panic. I think they used that one a touch too much, their hearts didn’t seem to be in it.” He managed to avoid objects and ponies on their way out of the castle, even when he wasn't looking where he was floating. They were getting a lot of looks.
“Well I’m happy that you managed to find somepony, though I expected more from the ponies of Canterlot.” She answered with a playful frown.
“Yes, yes.” He waved her off. “I know you always think the best of ponies. It’s… admirable.” He didn’t sound like he found it admirable, he sounded like he found it stupid but he couldn’t say anything because he was one she had given a chance despite being shown just how bad he could be. “Anyway, I managed to get some details out of your sister before everything went wrong last night. I think you’ll be pleased.” He sounded a little smug, but she raised a brow.
“Went wrong? What happened last night, if I may ask?”
She clearly noticed his hesitation, his eyes shifting, and the very moment he made his decision. “Oh, nothing you need to worry about, Celly. Just some minor things.”
She was saddened to find that her first thought was that he had done something. She knew that he was better than that now, but she also knew that accidents happened, and the way he answered showed at least some guilt. She had become good at reading creatures over the centuries, and she liked to think that her skill worked on him as well.
That being thought, tonight was for fun, not worry. If he had done something she would hear about it eventually, and if it had been really serious, she already would have known.
“Alright then. Care to tell me where we’re going then… Dissy?” She asked, putting on a coy look. She trotted forward and, balancing on her hind legs, whispered in his ear. “Is it somewhere… exciting?”
She felt him shiver ever so slightly, making her smile in satisfaction. She had decided to take this relationship, wherever it may lead, nice and slow. At the same time she wanted to make him squirm. She had forgotten how good it could feel to flirt.
She went down on all four as he gulped nervously. It was actually… kind of cute. Who knew Discord could be so innocent?
“Uhm, yes. Very exciting. You’ll love it, I’m sure of it.” He turned around and started floating a little faster. Celestia followed him at a light trot, happy to be moving at any speed other than her normal dignified walk.
When was it she had decided to become so… stuffy.
Well it wasn’t a conscious decision, but it probably started when she had to banish… well, a thought better left alone. Tonight, she felt young - young and alive. It was time to let herself lose… just a little bit. She had her sister, she had Twilight, everything was peaceful… more or less at least. She did feel bad for Jax, but those thoughts would have to wait.
Tonight she was going to have fun.
***
Celestia felt the wind under her wings, the warmth in her body spreading. She was flying, in seemingly random patterns, with Discord mirroring and complimenting her movements. It started out as a game when he had taken to the skies, and she had followed him. Far from Canterlot, she had decided that she wanted to play, so she started flying around him.
Soon, they were dancing. Long ago, the pegasi had called this ‘the dance of the skies’, though that sort of dance had a more discernible pattern than their dance. Their dance was more of a dance of freedom, of finally being able to do anything, go anywhere she pleased, and wherever she went, he followed. Then, he took the lead, and she followed. Then the lead was switched around at random, and for some unexplainable reason, it made Celestia happy.
She could feel the happiness from the very core of her being, to the tips of her feathers. The smile she had was not her usual calm smile, but a wild, joyous one.
Who knew Discord could be so graceful?
***
Celestia couldn’t help but think that it was a miracle that they arrived at their destination at all. It had been so long since she had used her wings so much… the burn she felt as she landed was nice.
Their destination seemed to be a meadow near Ponyville. The moon lit it up with a softer shade of light, making everything seem a bit more magical. Under a nearby tree was a blanket with lit candles on it. A pink picnic basket rested beside the blanket, ready to serve them with its content.
It all made for a deeply romantic picture, and to be honest… she was surprised. She did not think he would go for the romantic date. It just didn’t seem like him.
Not that she didn’t appreciate the gesture, and she could most certainly appreciate some food by now.
“Ah, Princess, we have reserved the best seat in the house just for you.” Discord, playing the role of a waiter, guided her towards the blanket. She sat down with a gentle smile.
It lasted for almost two seconds before the blanket gave way from under her, and she fell into some sort of cart.
“Psyche!” Discord appeared beside her, lowering something she assumed was a safety measure over them as the cart started to creak forward on the rails. “It’s time for you to be introduced to the concept of an amusement park! I made my own so we wouldn’t have to stand in line.” He conjured up some cotton candy and started eating it. “I hate standing in line.”
Celestia’s eyes widened as the cart rolled out into a large cavern. Discord had really gone all out on this amusement park. The top of the cavern was decorated with thousands of crystals that refracted the light in new and colourful ways, making the whole place rainbow coloured. The light came from thousands of light bulbs attached to all sort of rides, going up, down, to the side and in circles.
She realized the cart started moving at a snail pace, but regretted looking forward as she saw the almost straight drop that was coming. She couldn’t spread her wings, and didn’t really want to teleport away.
All she could do was scream as they tipped over and started falling at speeds that shouldn’t be possible. She felt a tickling from the point of her horn to the tip of her tail, making her laugh as the cart straightened out.
She reminded herself that she did ask for something exciting.
She realized that she was holding Discord in a death grip, and he looked like he couldn’t decide whether being choked would be worth it to be close to her.
She blushed as she let him go.
A few seconds later, she held him close again as the ride decided for a few more drops.
He didn’t complain.
***
A couple of hours of fun and excitement later, Celestia found herself on the blanket again, eating the enticing meal Discord had hidden in the picnic basket. After some of the more… crazy rides, she found herself enjoying the still and quiet.
She hadn’t screamed so much since her first experience with sex… she missed Fire Nova, he had been a good stallion. At the same time she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of experience Discord could give her in bed.
She took in a deep breath of the cool, tranquil air, lest she be drowned in nostalgia. A dangerous path to thread for somepony as old as her.
“This salad tastes quite exquisite. Did you make it yourself?” She asked, hoping to start up a conversation. She was a bit hoarse, but otherwise she felt great. The way the salad tasted sour, sweet and spicy at the same time kept things interesting.
“Why, yes of course!” He said, donning a torque blanche and ‘kiss the cook’ apron. He was going to add something more, but she leaned forward and did just that.
She held the kiss for all but a second before pulling back. Short, sweet, and oh so thrilling. She let her smile widen as she saw him open and close his mouth repeatedly.
She still got it.
“Thank you for tonight, Discord. I had fun.”
“I… uhm… you’re welcome?” He answered with a shaky smile.
“I better get back. I have an early meeting tomorrow about Jax. Are you going to be there?” She asked with a gentle smile.
“… How can I keep looking this good if I don’t get my beauty sleep, Celestia?” He joked, obviously avoiding saying something. She would have to ask Luna what happened last night. “I’ll… teleport you home. You can have the rest of the salad.” Before she knew it, she had three containers in her hooves. There wasn’t even that much salad left. He must have given her extra because he was happy she liked it. Or one of them was a prank box. She would have to be careful.
Before she could say anything else, he snapped his claw, and she was back in the castle.
She sighed happily and started walking towards the kitchen. It had been a fun date, that much was sure. It was too bad he had teleported her away before she could get him to agree to another.
She would get it though.
***
Several days later.
Luna sighed deeply. Everything had finally been arranged, and they would leave for the Crystal Empire the next day, in Celestia’s largest closed chariot. Even though it was her largest, there was still a problem with finding room for everypony who wanted to go. Beating Heart, Lyra and by extension Bon Bon, the Elements of Harmony and Spike, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle… not to mention herself and Celestia. It was simply too many. There was only room for six of them.
So, in the end it was Luna because nopony had a better reason to go than her. Pinkie, because she refused to leave Jax’ side. Also because Jax had stopped eating, instead trying to give the food away, and Pinkie Pie had the ability to stuff food into his mouth, open and close it for him until it was chewed, then pour water down until he swallowed, all without batting an eye… something Luna would never be able to make herself do. Rainbow Dash had decided that she had to come, in case Sombra tried anything. Being the element of loyalty meant that nopony had the heart to tell her otherwise. Twilight of course, since she was both knowledgeable and known for solving problems, and lastly Beating Heart, who insisted that she could take care of anypony in case they got hurt.
They had a very enchanted bag, with several potions inside. Zecora had been so kind to provide most of them, though Twilight had made a few herself. Then there were extra clothes for Jax, to keep him warm from the snow. The rest was their own luggage, in varying sizes.
She thought back on the meeting she had with the others. At first it was only supposed to be the princesses sans Cadence, but then the other elements had come, with Beating Heart, Lyra, Bon Bon, Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody following soon after. Following shortly behind them came Derpy, and after her the trio of flower mares. Soon, Twilight’s castle was filled with most of the village. It seemed like the news had spread fast of Jax' new ailment.
It was sweet to see them so worried for Jax. They all asked her and the others if there was something they could do for them. Unfortunately, there was not. She suspected that some of them were only there because they felt guilty, but that was fine too. Maybe they would stop avoiding Jax when he became himself again.
Celestia agreed to Sombra’s terms after Twilight had confirmed that the spell Sombra had inscribed for them did what he said it did. Or she almost agreed, she actually wanted one more thing. To ask one question in private before they left, answered thruthfully.
When they sent a letter to Cadance by dragonfire, she had made the same request, except of course for when they arrived. With a little use of a sleeping potion they had made their offer to Sombra, and he had accepted.
So now she stood beside Celestia in Jax’ house, with Sombra in control. Celestia had managed to persuade Pinkie leave the room for the conversation, though just barely. That mare could be insistent when it came to her Pinkie Promises, and it was only after pointing out that she had not promised to be with him 24/7, but to be there for him to help him, and the way to help him at the moment was to leave the room that she finally agreed.
Beside her, Celestia looked as calm as ever. Luna had no idea what her question would be.
“How did you kill Princess Amore?”
Princess Amore? The Alicorn Princess that had once ruled the Crystal Empire before Sombra had taken over the throne.
A smile slowly spread on Jax’ face, almost victorious in its nature. It was not evil or anything of that sort, just a happy grin after you win something you did not expect. “I did not kill Princess Amore.” He answered. “Now that I answered your question, I expect a pleasant trip back to the north.” And with that, he laid back down on the bed and closed his eyes.
...
“I… don’t think he was lying.” Celestia admitted. Luna nodded her agreement.
How much did they really know about Usurper Sombra?
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Three weeks?!?!
Date part was great. Though I may have to start nicknaming this story the harbor.
The question to Sombra was pretty funny. They really should do some more research before asking their one question. Not that they could've asked anyone else.
Also, you have school over Christmas? That sounds terrible. You guys really must learn to exploit holidays better over there.
7787059 Yeah at least three XD
the harbor? because of the... ships? XD
Well it would be pretty hard for them to know who killed whom when everything and everyone who could have known dissapeared alongside Sombra ^^
No not over Christmas... but exams start in early January, one with little space between them -.- I hate when it's like that
7787068 Yes, all the ships.
I always hated it when stuff would be assigned over breaks. At least you are almost done though, right?
7787126 Yeah I dunno where they came from. Suddenly they're just there, it's not even because I personally ship it XD
Yeeah, only one more semester after this one... so close with my bachelor at least ^^
>inb4 Princess Amore is now Queen Chrysalis.
7787365 Interesting theory XD
thanks for the update
good luck with school
7788527 thanks... I'll do my best XD
This is... surprisingly correct. According to comic-canon he didn't 'kill' her, he turned her into an enchanted crystal before scattering its fragments to all corners of the world. If the fragments are reunited, Amore will be restored.
And before anyone starts with the whole 'comic-canon isn't real canon' argument, Princess Amore herself was only ever mentioned in the comics and other supplementary materials, never in the actual show.
7789728 Someone should get on finding those fragments then XD
I think I've made it clear, but I'm not following the comic-canon ^^
7789760 I know that, but even so it's obvious that at some things have bled through into the story, whether it was intentional or not. Amore herself being a prime example.
7789788 yeah that's true ^^ I found it on the mlp wiki, apparently they take the comics as canon ^^
“I did not kill Princess Amore.”
hum now is the 3 billion dollar question who did?
7798902 yeup ^^
7798947
7798902
sorry, that was me. was a bit hungry, my bad.