A Friend to the Night

by Silverintuition

A New Home

Moon Struck curled deeper into her blankets as the sun’s light started streaming through the window nearest the bed, casting a perfect beam of light straight into her eyes. She rolled over and pulled the pillow over her face to try to block the rays that blinded her still closed eyes, but even so it seemed futile. The sunlight still managed to break her from her dreamless sleep, and she knew it was hopeless to try to continue until the curtains were closed and her room was basked in darkness again. So, as she unwound herself from the blankets and pillows and stepped from the bed, she stretched her wings and yawned before walking to the window that she had been gazing out the night before.

“Good morning, Stardust. Let’s get this too bright, too warm sunlight out of our eyes, shall we?” She softly said to her little rock that was still there on the window sill. In a gentle movement, she lifted her pet rock and brought it over to the nightstand where her book lay as well. After setting Stardust down, she walked back over to the window to close the curtains so she could get back to sleep when a flash of purple caught her eye. She looked around outside for where she saw Twilight flying, which took very little time as she saw Twilight up in the sky next to… a floating castle? Moon Struck thought she might still be dreaming as she watched the purple alicorn dart back and forth around the castle that glistened in the sunlight, colored in blues, silvers, and opalescent whites. It looked like a pearl sunk deep into the ocean at first, but the longer she stared the more she thought it looked instead like the moon in the night sky. As that thought filled her mind though, it seemed as if the castle shimmered again and now looked more like a deep underground lake with quartz stalagmites and stalactites poking around. Shaking her head slightly, she again looked for the princess who was still flitting around the ever-changing castle, with a rather unhappy look upon her face.

“DISCORD! I know you’re in there; get out here and put my castle back together! Now!” Twilight shouted, flitting around the different windows, trying to get inside. But with every window she tried to enter, something would block her. One window just closed with stained glass Moon Struck had been sure wasn’t there before. Another had dark wooden shutters that slammed shut in Twilight’s face. Again, Moon Struck was sure there wasn’t any shutters on the window, but she wasn’t sure of anything with the floating castle anymore. Twilight tried to fly into a window higher up and was repelled instead by a barrage of winged oranges, one of which squirted what looked like strawberry milk at her after being bumped into. Mane dripping, Twilight ground her teeth together then shouted out in frustration. “Discord, stop that!”

“Oh, does precious Princess Twilight not appreciate my handicraft?” Discord asked as he floated lazily out of a lower window where a very pale moonbow river seemed to flow into a pond that Moon Struck definitely knew was not there before. As Discord plopped into the pond, the splash of almost colorless crystalline water landed on the odd bluegrass now surrounding the pond. From the water droplets, small luminous white flowers sprouted and surrounded the pond; then a pony sized dark mahogany bench popped from out of one of the larger flowers, landing perfectly in a slightly shaded spot just close enough to the water that somepony could dip their feet in while relaxing in the shade. As Discord popped up from the water like a strange fountain, spitting the crystalline water around himself in the process, he smirked up at Twilight. “I was asked to make this home, remember? I am working very hard on my little Cuckoo’s home, I will have you know,” he continued to grin as only the Lord of Chaos could.

“Did you have to take pieces of my home apart to do it?!” Twilight flew down to him, landing on the grass but still careful not to crush any of the flowers. “Look what you did! You pulled off a whole wall from the library! You even took the bookshelves and books with it!” She shouted as he changed poses.

He stepped off a marble pedestal that appeared beneath his feet, replaced by an exact replica of himself made of snowflake obsidian, emerald, jasper, garnet, amethyst, and some other mish mash of semi precious gems and stones. The statue Discord replica stood tall on his cloven hoof, his lizard-like foot sticking out behind him. His wings were spread wide behind him as his body curved into a perfect S, his head was looking up into the sky, mouth agape; in his paw he held a bow made of obsidian, the string pulled back by his claw, an arrow notched. From the tip of the arrow, water poured down into the pond, as well as from his deer antler and goat horn. Moon Struck couldn’t help but giggle at the fact that the goat horn was made from blue agate that perfectly matched his actual horn. His serpentine tongue stuck out from his open mouth that looked almost as if the statue were about to sing an opera to the flowers gathered round the pond.

“What in Equestria is that?” Twilight stared at the statue, backing slightly away for fear of whatever prank Discord may be planning with it.

“What does it look like?” Discord huffed, arms crossed.

“A trap,” Twilight answered warily.

“It is a statue for my little Cuckoo to enjoy when she is relaxing by the moon pond I have made for her. It is not a trap; the trap is on the third floor.” Discord snapped his claw and disappeared, appearing again high along the castle wall, construction hat and reflective orange vest on. Blueprints appeared in his paw and claw, spread out as he inspected his work. As he let go of the blueprints, they remained floating and open in the air beside him while he turned and three other Discord’s appeared, all in the same similar construction gear. “You, get inside and head for the second floor. The anti-gravity field is morphing again. Get it fixed so that Cuckoo can test it out later, after she wakes.” Discord pointed to the one on his left who was fanning himself with Twilight’s wings that he had taken without her noticing.

“Hey, give those back!” Twilight shouted as she watched the draconequus clone begin to toss her wings in the air. With an eye roll and snap of his claw, the draconequus returned her wings to her. She inspected them, making sure every feather was in its right place before scowling at the clone. With a raspberry to Twilight, the clone walked through the castle wall with a loud pop and disappeared.

“You and you, I need you both to get started on the tea room and the chocolate pool. Don’t forget the extra surprise that goes with the chocolate pool either, and use the new tea set for the tea room. And the new pillows, we had those specially made so make sure they are put in the right spot!” Discord gestured to the remaining clones who both saluted before disappearing with the sound of a whip cracking.

“Tea room? Chocolate pool? Did Moon Struck really ask for those things?” Twilight questioned the draconequus as he continued looking over the blueprints.

“The tea room was my idea; the chocolate pool being rained into from cotton candy clouds was her request. Anyways, her and I have already agreed that I get to let my chaos reign freely in her home, so long as I put in the few things she asked for. Although we did make the amendment of only her bedroom being enveloped in nighttime. Which I have another very special surprise for her in that, even though I had to ask Lulu a favor.” Discord said, still examining the blueprints.

“You? Ask a favor? Who are you and what have you done with Discord? You never ask for favors without expecting something in return!” Twilight was puzzled by Discord’s actions. She had never seen the draconequus do something so kind for anyone other than Fluttershy. Sure, he seemed to get along well enough with everypony now. He would race clouds with Rainbow Dash, he had a long standing prank war with Pinkie Pie, he even liked to discuss fashion with Rarity. There was one time where he had helped pick and sort apples during cider season, but that was in exchange for a full barrel of cider; so his kindness, although appreciated, had still come at a cost. He seemed to be creating this chaos home for Moon Struck out of the goodness of his heart! Twilight couldn’t help but be baffled.

“For your information, Princess, although I am reformed, I so rarely have this much freedom with my magic. Especially for somepony who appreciates it. Fluttershy and I have our tea parties, sometimes at my home, sometimes at hers, and even with her appreciating my chaos and creativity, I am not able to fully extend it outside my domain. I am creating a thing of chaos that was specifically asked of me. Not you, not Sunspot, and not Lulu. Me, and only me! Ponies used to run in fear at my magic and my appearance. Cuckoo sought me out; she did not shy from my face, she came to me in joy for my powers and my being. She welcomes the strange and out of place as ponies such as yourself would call it. Staircase to nowhere? No problem! Cotton candy clouds and pools of chocolate milk to swim in? Great! A room without gravity, where everything floats and moves about at will? Perfectly welcome! A life sized Discord body pillow? Wonderful!” Discord huffed at Twilight before snapping his paw and making the blueprints disappear.

“Did you really add a life sized pillow of you? That is kind of awesome, but shouldn’t Fluttershy have one first?” Moon Struck had opened her window and flown out into the strange happenings of her home being built.

“Of course Fluttershy already has one… Moon Struck?! What are you doing up so early?” Discord was startled by the pegasus who had flown up behind him, causing him to fall a few feet downwards so he had to look up at her.

“Sunlight got in my eyes. When I went to close the curtains, I saw Twilight flying around and then saw the floating castle. I guess this is my new home?” Moon Struck smiled as she inspected the walls up close before gliding down to the pale pond and statue of Discord. Landing softly, she trotted over to the bench and lay on it, relaxing in the shade as a gentle breeze wafted across her back.

“Well yes, but it’s not finished yet so you can’t go inside. You should probably go back to your room in Princess Tweedle Dee’s castle.” Discord floated next to Moon Struck as he spoke to her, Twilight gliding down beside them and landing in the grass around the pond.

“Put Twilight’s castle back together please,” Moon Struck sighed happily, the bench surprisingly comfortable.

“Oh alright already, I’ll fix her precious castle,” Discord huffed again, crossing his arms and clapping his feet together. With a flash of purple light, the wall that was missing on Twilight’s castle reappeared far below them. “Happy now?”

“Thank you D.C. for fixing it. How about you also apologize for playing the prank on Twilight now, too?” Moon Struck gave Discord a lazy grin.

“I already fixed the castle, what more do you want from me?” Discord pouted.

“Well I supposed I could go talk to Fluttershy about your little prank while discussing when to have my welcome home party after you get my home built. That is, if you still don’t want to apologize,” Moon Struck chuckled softly, knowing she had trapped the draconequus.

“Ugh, you are a tricky pony, Cuckoo. I might have to talk Pinkie into teaming up for a prank,” Discord said, eyeing the white pegasus as she spread her wings out and dipped a single hoof into the pond. “Alright, alright, you win. I… I am sorr… ugh I’m sorry!” Discord rushed the words as he stumbled over the apology.

“Thank you, Discord. Both for the apology and for putting my castle back together. Now, I didn’t get a chance to say this, but I do think the home you are building looks magnificent on the outside. I am curious about the inside. And what stone it’s made out of. This isn’t any stone I am familiar with,” Twilight said as she walked over to the nearby wall, tapping her hoof against it.

“Well of course you wouldn’t recognize it, pandemonia is a stone that can only be mined in my dimension of chaos and disharmony. It’s an ever-changing mineral that is as hard as diamonds and reacts best to chaos magic. Now, I will let you know that it can… absorb unicorn magic and release it again in rather spontaneous bursts of chaos, so be careful. it’s usually harmless, but Ponidora’s Box was made from pandemonia crystals for a reason. I have already used my chaos to put a protective coat on it, so it shouldn’t do anything unless told by myself, but better safe than attacked by a jelly flood or a pony-eating pudding.” Discord appeared next to Twilight, leaning against the wall near where her hoof was still prodding.

“If it’s so dangerous, then why are you using it for building materials?!” Twilight growled at him.

“It happens to be a very pretty stone, and although it can have some strange effects when toyed with by unicorn magic, it is also a highly protective stone. I told you, I have enchanted it with my chaos magic, so all it should do is shield anyone inside it’s walls from danger and shift its appearance every now and again.” As he finished speaking, the walls changed to a crystalline ice blue. It made Twilight shiver from cold just looking at it.

“It’s fine, Twilight. I like it; I think it is pretty and if Discord said he enchanted it only for protection and appearance, then I will believe him. I think he can be trusted to not let anypony come to real danger. He’s your friend too, right? You should have more trust in your friend,” Moon Struck opened her closing eyes slightly to glance at the purple alicorn.

“As well you should have last night, you mean? We are all your friends and you didn’t trust us to help you,” Twilight replied, slightly more callous than she had intended. With a sigh and a shake of her head, Twilight continued, “sorry Moon Struck. I shouldn’t be getting upset with you. The table has just been making requests to send everypony everywhere to solve friendship problems, and I haven’t really been getting any sleep because of it. You’re right, though. Discord is my friend, and I should have more faith in his abilities.” Turning to look at Discord, Twilight sucked in a light breath, “Discord, I am sorry for taking my frustration out on you as well, and for not trusting you with the task given to you. I am sure the home you are building will be wonderful. Although, I really would like a small piece of pandemonia to study, if you don’t mind. And a safe place to study it. I will probably ask Maud to come along to examine it as well.” Twilight started to muse to herself, becoming distracted with the possible new subject of study.

“I suppose I could supply you with a small piece of raw pandemonia, but you could only safely study it in my realm. Oh I know! You can join Fluttershy and me for our next tea party! That way you will be safe to research to your hooves content, and Flutters and I will get a show with our tea. Even better, everypony can join in; we can use it to celebrate Cuckoo's new home!” Discord clapped in glee.

“Well, studying it in its natural environment would be best.” Twilight mused. “Alright, I will talk to Maud and the girls so we can discuss having a party for Moon Struck’s new home. We will meet here on Tuesday afternoon once you have this place finished so you can bring us to your dimension Discord. I will need to gather everything for researching the pandemonia. So much to do, so little time.” Twilight flew off lost in thought about the preparations she needed to take care of before the party.

“I can't wait to see your home Discord,” Moon Struck smiled as she sat up on the bench.

“It is rather magnificent if I do say so myself,” he replied.

“A list! I can make a list!” Discord and Moon Struck were startled by Twilight’s shout right before she disappeared into her castle.

Discord and Moon Struck burst into a fit of giggles. “Only Twilight,” Moon Struck managed to gasp out. As she tried to pull herself together, she fell off the bench into the shimmering fountain pond, splashing Discord as he laughed.

“Hey! If it's a splash fight you want, then it's a splash fight you will get!” Discord smirked as he snapped his claw and the statue suddenly turned around, spraying Moon Struck with water.

“Oh, it is so on,” she laughed, bolting into the air, her wings carrying a spray of water to cover Discord and his statuesque companion. Discord in turn responded by pulling a large cannon from a nearby passing cotton candy cloud and blasting shots of water as Moon Struck zoomed around, attempting to duck back to the fountain pond so she could spray Discord again. Just as Moon Struck lifted back into the air, a stray ball of water barely missed her flank and instead landed square on Rainbow Dash as she flew up to inspect the newly created castle.

“Hey, what gives?” Rainbow Dash asked as she shook the water from her wings.

“Oops, sorry Rainbow. Didn't see you fly up,” Moon Struck said, landing on the blue grass beside the bench. “I was just about to win too,” she mumbled, glancing at Discord.

“Au contraire my little Cuckoo, I had you outnumbered, so I was guaranteed the win.” Discord answered, pulling a giant fan from behind his back. He turned it on and a gust of wind blew all the water off him, landing on Moon Struck instead. “See? My win,” he smirked.

“You may have won the battle, for now, but I will win the war.” Moon Struck replied, sticking her tongue out at him.

“So what is this thing?” Rainbow Dash asked, staring at the ever changing castle walls as she landed on the grass next to Moon Struck. “And what the hay is this grass? Its blue,” she poked the ground questioningly.

“It's the home Discord is making for me, isn't it just amazing!” Moon Struck squealed with delight. “And I don't know how he did it, but this is actually a special bluegrass that grows further north, we had it everywhere I grew up. Papa would spread the seeds on the hillsides to prevent mudslides during the rainy season. This grass has strong roots and birds love using it for building nests too. Back home we just call it big bluegrass.” Moon Struck smiled, brushing her hoof along the grass bunches, reminiscing her childhood. “Actually, why did you choose this grass Discord?” She asked, staring up at the Draconequus as he floated in circles around the statue, now returned to its pedestal.

“I asked Lulu a favor, just some snippets of information about you from your dreams that I could use to make your home more homey. The rest is a surprise though, you won't see anything of your house until I finish working my chaos.” Discord answered, scooping cotton candy clouds up and reshaping them into strange animals. “look, a platypus,” he chuckled, tossing a platypus shaped cotton candy cloud towards Moon Struck.

Moon Struck reached a hoof out to the sweet cloud creature to pat its fluffy head before letting it float past to circle the sky around her home. “Will I get to tour my home on Tuesday with everypony else, or will I get a special tour by myself first?” Moon Struck asked, watching Discord’s cotton candy cloud zoo zip around her.

“It wouldn't be as fun alone, now would it? We shall open the party with a grand tour of my craftsmanship before heading over to my dimension for tea and sandwiches.” Discord gleefully clapped.

“Wait, tea? In your home? What exactly is going on,” Rainbow Dash asked Moon Struck, confused and almost concerned as she glanced at Discord.

“I guess you haven't seen Twilight yet. We are going to have a housewarming party for me at Discord's house on Tuesday to celebrate the completion of my new home.” Moon Struck said, smiling at the idea of getting to go to the realm of chaos.

“Twilight agreed to that?” Rainbow Dash asked, suspicious of Discord's intentions.

“It was partly her idea, actually. I can't wait to see Discord's home, but I am even more excited to see mine. It looks so beautifully chaotic from the outside, I really want to know what wonders await me inside.” Moon Struck sighed happily, staring at her home. She walked back to the bench and lay down, relaxing as she closed her eyes. “Actually, I think,” she yawned, “that I am going to take a short nap here. This bench is just,” she yawned again, “so soft.

Rainbow Dash was about to respond, but Moon Struck’s gentle breathing as she fell back to sleep so quickly stopped her from saying anything. With a shrug and a smile, Rainbow Dash turned to Discord. “You better not be playing any tricks on her,” she stared at him, unblinking.

“Who, me? I am completely innocent,” Discord said, a halo appearing above his head. “Any tricks here are for my little Cuckoo's enjoyment, nothing less, and nothing more.”

Rainbow Dash gave Discord one last glance before taking flight down to Twilight’s castle below.

As Moon Struck slept by her little fountain pond, Discord magicked more clones to help continue completing her castle of chaos.

Author's Note:

Thank you all for waiting. This past year has been hectic, with the ups and downs of my divorce stressing me out, and writers block on top of it. Life has been a bit chaotic, but hopefully now that things are settling down, I can get back to working on all my stories again. Hope you all enjoy the chapter!

Comments

[ShadedTz]

I love Discords and moon strucks interactions.

[Silverintuition]

9079929
I love writing them. The next chapter will be all the fun to write XD