> "The Piano Drake" > by ThePianoMan > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > It's nine o'clock on a Saturday... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a Saturday evening... Rarity walked down the road to Berry Punch's bar. Mascara ran down the sides of her cheeks as fresh tears still came raining out of her eyes from her unfortunate experience. Her red dress was tattered from her epic flee from the Apple Garden restrant; where her latest "gentlecolt" had turned out to be nothing more than a total whoremonger. His true nature was revealed after chugging a few glasses of wine that were a little stronger than usual. She had been wrong again. The only honorable stallion she ever did meet was Fancypants, but he wasn't an option ever since he married Fleur De Lis. Honestly, Rarity thought to herself, what did he ever really see in her! Rarity tried to chastise herself by forgetting that horrible thought of jealousy. Jealousy? Had she really come to be so low as to fall victim of jealousy? She didn't really care about that at the moment. She was more concerned with gulping down a strong cider to forget about all the bad in her life for a while. She stopped only for a bit to stare at the rustic doors of Berry Punch's bar. Berry's grandfather was the stallion who had started up the place. He passed the ownership to Berry's father, and then Berry inherited it after her father passed away not too long ago. She used to have a drinking problem, until her father passed that is. The place was old, falling apart, and it's countless layers of paint couldn't hide the fact that the building was slowly falling apart. It still had another fifty years at most. Rarity pushed open the doors and stepped inside. The dark stained floors sounded out in an ensemble of creaks under her hooves. A few round oak tables and simple chairs filled the empty space next to the actual bar counter. In the center of all the tables stood napkin boxes with little laminated menus taped on the sides. At the bar counter there was a rack of mugs hanging upside down, and no more than two were exactly the same. The counter itself was darker than the floor having been covered in stains from the numerous bums that spilled their drinks all the time. Rarity was not the only one there. Berry Punch stood at her usual post behind the bar counter cleaning a shot glass. Slumped over the counter sat none other than Blue Blood, the former prince. Blue Blood was disowned by his aunts after he took advantage of multiple palace servants, all males. Between his lips sat a paper tube filled with burning green leaves, most likely pot. A few ponies sat at the round tables. The CMC's secretly sat at one table studying a book titled "Political Statistics". They seemed tired, and nearly about to pass out where the three sat. At another table sat a stallion simply known as the Doctor. His wife, Ditsy, sat next to him silently feasting on a bowl of pretzels as they waited for their meal. Ditsy had a distant look in her eyes as she seemed to avoid her husband's glance. He tried to smile, but to no avail. The smile faded away from his face. And, at the back of the room stood an old mule known as Cranky. He was sitting in a chair hooving a harmonica next to an old piano. The piano was quite a sight. It had been scratched and stripped in various spots. There were ancient burn marks where an ash tray no longer sat. The ivory keys were worn and yellow. The small piano looked as if though it had been through hell. The bench that sat in front of the piano was equally worn, but currently absent from its player. Rarity took a seat at the bar counter away from Blue Blood. She still remembered her unfortunate encounter with the royal pain at a previous gala. "What'll it be Rares?" Berry asked with her red rag hanging around her neck. Rarity looked away from the piano that she had still been staring at, "Oh. I'll just have the usual." Berry reached up and took down a mug from the rack. She poured an amber colored cider into the mug, but not to the full point. She then pulled out an unmarked bottle from beneath the counter. Berry filled a shot glass with a rainbow liquid that came cascading out of the unmarked bottle. She then dropped the shot glass into the mug of cider with a plop. "There you go, your usual zap drop cocktail," Berry had no real emotion on her face at the moment, it was just business as usual. "So, what's going on with everyone?" Rarity pulled the mug close but hadn't taken a drink yet. Berry finally broke into a smile, always willing talk gossip, so to speak, with Rarity. "Well, I don't need to tell why Blue Balls is here... You already know about poor Cranky and how his wife passed away recently. He's just been moping about, trying to not think about the mistakes he's made." Rarity remembered. She was at the funeral with Pinkie. Poor fellow. "I see my sister and her friends are looking into their next possible cutie mark," Rarity getured to the table where the CMC's sat. Berry laughed again, "Yeah, they're at it again...politics." Both Berry and Rarity laughed at the thought of the three fillies studying politics. Reallity came back to Berry as she continued relaying the information about her customers. "Oh, and the Doctor and Ditsy over there... He got real busy with some stone pegasi fiasco, and forgot about their wedding anniversary." Ouch. "Yeah, they're both kind of on edge after some sort of fight." Rarity had that feeling again. Jealousy. At least Ditsy had a stallion she could call husband. Rarity raised her mug about to take a drink... Unnexpectly the back door opened. "Oh finally Spike is back." Berry beamed. "This place needs some cheering up." Rarity went bug eyed when she saw the purple dragon stepping in through the back door. Almost on impulse she ducked behind the bar counter and watched Spike make his way towards the piano. Berry watched as Rarity repositioned herself out of Spike's view. "Something the matter?" Rarity's face filled up with a guilty look, "Since when did he start coming here?" Berry chuckled to herself, "He works here... He's been working here a while before you started coming. I hired Spike because he seems to know exactly what to play for every audience." Rarity continued to watch Spike who took his seat at the piano. He exchanged a smile with Cranky who readied his harmonica. Spike took a look around the bar and smiled. Rarity hid behind the counter until Spike faced the piano again. She remembered hearing a piano and someone singing, but she was usually too tired or too sad to notice who it was. Spike began to play a tune, and Cranky breathed out a short melody on his harmonica. Cranky ceased his melody as Spike started to sing. It's a regular day at Ms. Berry's bar, The usual folks come prancin' in There's an old mule sittin' next to me, Trying to forget all his sin Cranky smiled and played another quick melody before Spike started again. He says drake can you play me a memory, I don't really know how it goes, But it's happy and great, And there never was hate, When I wore a younger colt's clothes La la la di dee daaa La la di dee daaa da dum Sing us a song you're the piano drake Play us a tune that's bright Well we're all in need of some cheerin' up And you will make everything right Berry looked over and smiled at the astonished Rarity. She was captivated by Spike's now husky voice that sent a soothing chill throughout her body. Ms. B at the bar is a friend of mine Who gets me cider for free And she's quick with a joke Or a light up your smoke But there's one place that she'd rather be She says Spike I believe this is killing me, As tears ran away from her face, Well I'm sure that I could be a super star, If I could get out of this place Berry Punch just smiled as she sat back in a chair to enjoy Spike's song. Rarity rested her cheek on a hoof as she indulged the dragon's tune. Oh La la la di dee daaa La la di dee daaa da dum Now the Doctor here is a traveler, Who forgot to make time for his wife But he's talkin' with Ditsy who gave 'im his baby, And now they'll be happy for life The Doctor turned to his wife astonished, "Ditsy? Are you..." The mare looked up at him and admitted, "Yes I'm pregnant. I was afraid to tell you, and..." A teary smile grew on her husband's face as he drew her in for a hug. "I love you Ditsy. I'm so so sorry." Ditsy smiled knowing that her husband wasn't mad at her, "It's okay Doctor. It's okay." The two shared a kiss as the piano grew louder. Crusaders are practicing politics, As the royal buck slowly gets stoned Blue Blood fell from his seat in a fit of anger as the whole bar burst into laughter. We're fighting a curse we call loneliness, Well they're better, and I'm still alone Rarity shivered at that phrase "I'm still alone". He had friends, but no one particularly close. She wondered why he didn't already have someone in a close relationship. He was kind, helpful, brave, true to himself as well as others, and he was always so respectful to her and her friends. He was perfect. Rarity's mind began to wander. He was always there to help her when she needed him most. He was there when Trenderhoof had broken her heart. He even offered himself as a pin cushion for goodness sakes. He was always there for her. That's right. He was there. He's here now. But, where was she. She felt as though he helped her more than she helped him. Why did he help so much. Did he do it just to be nice, or was it something more? Did he care for her? Rarity dared to touch the idea. Did he love her? She remembered the fire ruby Spike had given to her. It was heart shaped, but fire rubies don't come naturally heart shaped. This realization almost made her heart stop. He carved that gem. He could have given it to anyone, but he gave it to her. Rarity felt a warm smile grow on her face. He loved her. She stared at Spike who was now playing a complicated sequence of notes as his claws struck the keys. He wasn't smiling. That last line "I'm still alone" seemed to be haunting him. "Oh Spike." Rarity whispered to herself. How could she tell him? How would he react? She wasn't about to wait and never find out. Rarity jumped out of her chair and hastened her seemingly long walk towards Spike and the piano. He looked up as he continued to play. To his surprise, Rarity began to sing to him. Sing me a song you're my piano drake, Play me a tune that's bright, Well I'm not too much fond of this loneliness But we can make everything right Spike's face lit up with joy. To Rarity's delight, he began to sing again. There's a pretty cute mare standin' over me And I shake as she gives me a smile 'Cause I hope that it's me she's been comin' to see To forget about life for a while And her voice, it sounds just so beautiful And she gracefully walks like a star And she sits at the bar and puts love in my heart And thinks, "Spike, darling we could go far!" Rarity began to sing again. La la la di dee daaa La la di dee daaa da dum A happy tear shuffled down the contours of the scales on Spike's cheek. He joined Rarity in singing the last verse of the song. Their feelings must have been in sync at that point as they sang the same exact words together. Sing us a song you're the piano drake Sing us that song that's bright Well we're all in the mood for some happiness And you've got us feelin' just right Spike finished his cheerful tune on the piano, and he let his claws come to a rest on the keys. Everyone in the bar, except for Blue Blood, erupted into applause. Spike just smiled as he bowed his head humbly. The attention was great, but all he really wanted was to cheer up the crowd. Needless to say, it worked. The CMC's chucked their "Political Statistics" book into the nearest trash bin. Cranky was smiling more than ever. The Doctor was cheerfully chatting with Ditsy who brought her husband to attention, "I was thinking of calling our new son Ginger Snap." Berry punch continued to echo the tune Spike had sung in a symphany of hums. And in the back of the room Spike and Rarity just stayed where they were, staring blankly into each other's eyes. Rarity sat herself down on the piano bench next to Spike. A bittersweet air churned between the two of them. Finally Rarity spoke, "I'm sorry." Spike let his shoulders relax as he smiled. "Rarity, you have nothing to be sorry for." He looked back to the piano as the smile ran away from his face. "Spike. I was wondering something..." But before she could finish what she was saying, Spike held one of her dainty hooves in his claws. "Rarity, would you like to go out with me next Saturday. If you want that is." A smile overtook Rarity's face as an unexpected excitement rushed through her. "Spike, that would be nice." In turn a confused Spike was not sure if he had heard her right. "Wait really?! You actually want to?" They sat there in a still silence. Rarity again found herself staring into his emerald eyes. "Spike, just promise me you won't ever hurt me. Please?" Spike was baffled by this, "I would never want to hurt you." Rarity's mind wandered again. Here he was all the time: someone who cared, a kind soul, and a cheerful spirit. Spike was respectful. He wouldn't hurt her, he's too nice to do that. A warm smile grasped on to Rarity's face. She leaned in and ever so gently kissed Spike on the cheek. "Play me another song." Spike smiled down at her, "As you wish Milady." > In the beginning... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a bright day at the Canterlot Castle. The gardens were green and managed well. The golden spires shimmered in the sunlight. Alabaster hallways were ablaze with color as that same celestial light shown through the many stained glass windows. Gold armored stallions lined the hallways. Their usual smug and blank expressions were replaced by smiles due to the special occasion that was taking place; a wedding was in the works. The main hall was filled with ponies racing against the clock to prepare the room for the happy couple's big day. You must be curious as to who it is that's getting married. They are in fact none other than Princess Celestia and Discord. It at first came as a shock to the public when the news of the engagement reached the world. Everyone wondered how it could be possible for these two completely different personages to be together. It was Celestia's sister Luna, her faithful student Twilight, and Twilight's friends that assured the public that Discord had changed. Yes, he had changed in heart, but was forever haunted by the memories and knowledge of what he had done. "I can do this..." Discord stared at his reflection in the old silver mirror. He straightened his bow tie and brushed the lint off of his white suit. "You look fine. In fact, you've never looked better," he said to himself. It was quiet, and he was alone in the dressing room. He looked into his red and yellow eyes through the mirror. His arms began to shake as a chill thought send a shiver down his long spine. "Yeah but looks can be deceiving." He didn't smile anymore. Discord just sat their meditating in his own personal thoughts. As the thoughts grew deeper, the more his mind began to twist in doubt. "I can't do this..." He peeked out of the door and into the hallway. The coast was clear. Discord quickly and quietly shut the door once he had exited the dressing room. With swift feat and a pounding heart, he made a mad dash for the exit. It was a long way down the hall. The pressure in Discord's heart raised as he began to run faster. The faint light of the exit door's small window was growing bigger. He was getting closer. He could see the door latch. Almost there. The sound of the breeze through the trees and the chirping birds was now audible to his ears! Just a little more... Just then, a door opened blocking the path of his escape. Discord came to a screeching halt landing just in front of the oak door which had so suddenly opened up. "Hello?" He knew that angelic voice. "Who is it?" A radiant white face, followed by a flowing pastel rainbow mane, peeked out into the hall with bright eyes. "Discord?" It was Celestia. "Dear, don't you know it's bad luck to see your future wife in her dress before the wedding?" She giggled to herself, but Discord was not about to follow that gesture. "Is something wrong?" Celestia asked. Mist gathered up in Discord's eyes until a hurricane of tears followed. Trembling, he began to take weak steps away from his fiancé. "Discord?" Discord tripped over his legs and then made a hasty recovery to retreat back to the dressing room from whence he came. "Discord! Wait!" Discord locked himself in the dressing room. He sat against the door as he began to yank on his own ears. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!" He brought his arms down to look at his appendages. On his left, an eagle's claws, and on his right, a lion's paw. His feet: one of a dragon, and the other of a deer. Discord shook his arms hoping that they would go away. "Monster." His rage came out. "Monster!" He began to violently claw at his arms and face. "Take it away!!! I don't want it!" After a few minutes he gave up on this. He fell against the mirror; cracking it. "Faust..." His suit was torn and his body now riddled in scratches. "Faust!!! Why did you let him make me like this?! Why?" A knock came at the door. "GO AWAY!" "Hey Discord it's me, Spike." "Spike?" "Yeah, could you let me in?" Discord stared at the door. Why not? He unlatched it and cowered back to his corner next to the mirror. Spike entered and shut the door carefully. The purple drake sat down in front of discord. "Discord. I heard you yelling." Discord didn't respond. "Come on. You can talk to me. One monster to another?" Discord looked up blankly at Spike, his eyes still bloodshot. "And what do you know about being a monster?" Discord asked coldly. "Well, I do know what it's like to have your relationship rejected by society." Spike said with a sympathetic grin. "Really? You are married...to a pony. But, you are not a monster that has caused misery and widespread panic throughout Equestria. You have a uniformed look, and you're not a mismatched freak like I am!" Discord now towered over Spike. "No, but you are a reformed being who has changed his ways and is now currently about to marry Princess Celestia who represents the very essence of harmony. She loves you. She wouldn't have said yes to your proposal if she didn't love you. So what's the problem?" Spike held a stern look as he rebuked the draconequus. Discord retracted back into his corner again. "She doesn't deserve to be burdened by a creature like me." His tears welled up again. "I'm no good for her. She deserves better. I've never done any good. My mind is constantly fighting itself. My past haunts me and reminds me of what I am...a monster." Spike had shed a tear for the poor soul. "If anything, it sounds like you need her." Discord shut his eyes tight. "I'm afraid though. I'm afraid I'll hurt her. I don't want her to have to be married to a monster like me. Spike, I don't even know why she said yes to my proposal in the first place..." "Because I love you." Neither Spike nor Discord had noticed Celestia enter the room. "Is that what you really believe? That you are a monster?" Discord hid his face from her. He was a mess. "Don't you remember the times before you went insane? You were then, and still are my friend, now more than that." Discord remember a small fraction of those times, before his mind snapped and he went on a rampage of chaotic proportions. Over the years he had forgotten. His mind had been clouded by evil so long that he had forgotten his friends as a child. He remembered only nicknames: Celly, and Lulu. That was all he could force his mind to recall. "It hurts to remember..." Celestial knelt down and embraced her fiancé. "Oh Discord. What happened to you so long ago? Why can't you remember?" As this was going on Spike's wife, Rarity, came in to pull her husband out. With a smile Spike left Discord and Celestia to talk to each other. "Celestia? What was I like before I went insane?" Discord stared at Celestia with his eyes begging to hear something that even hinted that he once was good in life. "You were my first friend." She smiled. "Luna was my sister, but you were the one I could talk to about my troubles Luna could never understand yet. You were always there for me when I was having a bad day, or when I needed a shoulder to cry on. You always knew how to make me laugh." Tears began to trickle down her cheeks, but Discord wiped them away with his paw. "You left me after you went insane. For one thousand years, I was alone, but now I have you back. The real you is here." Celestia set her horn down on Discord's head. It began to glow, and with the glow, all of Discord's scratches faded away and were healed. "I love you. I don't ever want to lose you again.” She looked up at the clock. “It's almost time you know..." Discord locked eyes with her. "Will things get better?" He held her hoof in his paw. Celestia moved to place a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I promise. Things will be better..." ***** "You may now kiss the bride." Twilight finished the ceremony. With great delight and joy, both Discord and Celestia shared their first, for the first time, as husband and wife. The crowd cheered. The applause was loud enough to be heard all across Equestria. After the kiss had ended a few photographers came up to take pictures for the press release. Discord stood proud and smiling, in his now repaired suit, with his arm wrapped around Celestia's. When the photographers were done, the crowd cleared the center of the great hall to prepare for the reception. A table was rolled out; serving punch and other finger foods of assorted variety. A stage unfolded for the band to take their places. Next to the stage, a shiny black grand piano was rolled into view. Spike carried his bench up to the piano and took a seat.His wife Rarity watched from the crowd next to her friends as her husband adjusted his microphone. "Hello everypony. It is a wonderful honor to have been called by Celestia herself to sing at her, and Discord's, wedding. I have a special song I would like to sing for them now, if they would come to the dance floor please?" Spike smiled as Celestia tugged Discord along onto the dance floor. "This one is for you." Celestia gave Discord a reassuring look as they got ready to dance. And dance they did, as Spike began to play the piano and sing... It is just starting Your love is blooming today Lovers and leaders show us what life can be like You are passionate Showed us that love can be free Just look at how happy you two can be They danced... With her hoof in his paw, she beamed a bright smile of relief. The waiting had come to an end. After a thousand years, they were dancing again. You are a princess He was a monster of fear But through the chaos, you saw the love that was inside Monster no longer Changes came swift through the years Discord it's time and she can be with you After one thousand years Discord was lost in Celestia's eyes. He never used to believe in the so called "beauty and the beast" story, but now things were different. This was his moment. No more evil could haunt him. He was free to be in love. No more memories of evil doings ever came. Something, or someone, special had taken the bad away. Hear the bells ringing There's no more hatred to fear You are now wedded, never forget of this year Things just get better Why do you worry so much? Can this be real or a dreamer's want of touch? Though you may ponder How can we throw away hate? With all the anger, time may have made it too late Maybe tomorrow May we forget all our fears Then we can free our hearts and be new After one thousand years Spike enjoyed the sight of the two dancing. It reminded him of when he and Rarity first danced at their own wedding. It seemed like a drastic reflection of their relationship. Two beauties had fallen in love with two beasts. It's funny how the world works. Probably a thousand years ago, it was impossible, but oh, how the times have changed... Spike looked up and caught sight of his wife. He smiled. There's no more difference You are in love that is all Chaos and harmony show us that true love starts small Lovers and leaders Show us new blessings to come After beginning marriage, war is done Little did anyone in the room know, secretly above, Mother Faust, and Starswirl the Bearded, had been watching the whole scene. "Well Starswirl, you were right. Your son isn't a monster after all." Star swirl laughed. "He just needed the chance, which your daughter has so graciously given him." You have each other No more shall peace be disturbed This much is known well: Love is a power that's bright It has no boundaries And it will last all the years You broke the bonds and now you're free You are one thousand years Spike stepped away from the piano as the crowd along with the newly wedded couple cheered him on. He humbled bowed and made his way over to Rarity who greeted him with a kiss. The band took over the music and played while the crowd took to the floor to dance. Discord and Celestia sat on their thrones and watched the whole scene. "You were right." Discord smiled as his wife looked up to him with a questioning smile. "Things are already getting better." Celestia shivered for a moment when she remembered what she was going to tell Discord. "Dear? Do you remember that night we spent together, two months ago?" "Yes. Why do you ask?" She smiled up at her husband. "There is something I must tell you..." To her great comfort, Discord held Celestia's hoof in his paw. After an exchange of smiles she was ready to tell him the great news. "Discord. You are going to be a daddy." A chill came as he didn't respond. "Discord?" "I'm going to be, a father?" His eyes began to well up with tears that frightened his wife. Then he smiled. "I'm going to be a dad." This time he spoke with a whispered excitement under his breath. "I'm gonna be a dad!" He held his voice to a whisper. He clumsily yanked himself out of his throne to hug Celestia. It's been a long time, and now they are free, after one thousand years...