Chapter 1

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Discord’s eyes snapped opened. Quickly, he sat bolt upright. A cold sweat had accumulated on his back. Startled and breathing heavily, he looked about the dark surroundings of his room. For a second he was disoriented by the darkness, then, letting out a sigh of relief as reality set in and laying his head back down on his pillow, his breathing returned to normal.

“A dream," he murmured, "only a dream, nothing to get concerned about…. right?”

Discord closed his eyes and tried to reassure himself. He might have succeeded if this specific dream had not been a recurring event for the past month.

Discord tried to get the sheets adjusted to be more comfortable, as he usually did after the dream. He could not help but wonder why he was so scared of this dream.

No, not scared! He was the Lord of Chaos! Of course, he was not scared of a simple dream, something that could not hurt him. He was just……. shocked. Yeah, that was it! He was shocked that this dream kept on recurring. That was all!

Discord gave up on trying to get comfortable. He realized he would never get to sleep after that dream. He got out of bed and snapped his fingers to draw back the curtains. Early morning sunlight came through the windows and illuminated his room, revealing to him the residual effects of his dream.

Discord let out a groan at his new surroundings. His once chaotic room with floating furniture, ever changing coloured floor, concave mirror and bed attached to the ceiling, was now normal. Everything had reverted itself to its normal, bland, state as if the Lord of Chaos, himself wasn't living here.

The first time this had happened he had thought that Celestia or Luna had turned his room back to its normal state as a joke, or they had moved him to a different part of the castle. When he had confronted them about it, though, they had no idea what he was talking about. He had eventually put two and two together and figured that somehow his dream, or himself while he was dreaming, undid his chaotic magic.

Discord conjured a cuckoo clock to check the time: 7:50. He still had just over 2 hours before he had to go to the throne room to receive his duties for the day. He had a pretty good idea of what they were going to be.

He would have to go to the Canterlot museum and help provide security, cleanup, and anything else that the princesses wanted him do to help out with the Lunar Convergent Celebration.

Discord gave a sigh, “Being reformed can be such a drag sometimes."

He could not use his full magical potential for his own chaotic needs on a regular basis, and he got bossed around constantly by two prissy, pony princesses. In fact, the only constant and regular plus to being reformed was his reformer and best, closest friend, Fluttershy.

Discord sighed dreamily as a smile began to form on his face. His heart quickened its pace at the thought of her. Strangely, it had been doing that for a while now and it only seemed to happen when he thought of or was around Fluttershy, among other weird side effects.

He wondered if the dream and the irregular heart beat were linked somehow. He doubted it .

CUCKOO!!!!!

Discord's thoughts were interrupted by the cuckoo clock striking 8:00. He snapped his eagle talon making the clock vanish.

“Well, time for breakfast!”

Discord snapped his lion’s paw and a glass triangular table appeared in midair. He rubbed his mismatched hands together in anticipation,

“Now what to have, brain food or junk food?” he mused to himself, pulling his goat beard in thought. “Well, since I did eat the last few pages of that Daring Do book yesterday, I guess that means it's the noggin's turn for nutrition."

Discord snapped his eagle talon and a bowl full of paper with words beginning with the letter “A” appeared in it. Discord summoned a fork and sat down in midair at the triangular table. He was about to dig into his meal but then reconsidered.

“Well, while I am at it,"

He snapped his lions paw and the white marble floor changed into a checkerboard -like pattern, with multi -colored squares, which changed color at random periods of time. Discord's bed reattached to the ceiling now hanging upside down. The furniture started to float around and his dressing mirror turned convex.

“On second thought,” he said out loud, “I think concave.”

Another snap of his talons and the mirror formed into a concave shape.

The only thing that remained normal in Discord’s now chaotic room was a picture of Fluttershy and himself on a little table floating next to his bed.

Satisfied with the remodeling for the day, Discord dug into his breakfast.
------------------------------------------------

After eating all of the “A” section of the dictionary, Discord summoned a pink crazy straw and sucked up the bowl like it was a liquid. Once the bowl had disappeared, he slurped up the pink swirly straw as well, like a strand of spaghetti.

"That handles the dishes," He thought to himself.

Discord snapped his lion’s paw and the triangle table disappeared.

Letting out another sigh, he lounged back in midair, putting his lion paw and eagle talon behind his head. He snapped his tail feathers, and a grandfather clock appeared.

The clock read 8:45. He still had an hour before he had to be in the throne room.

Casually, he floated over to the window, giving him a good view of the Canterlot Castle gardens. His eyes lazily wandered over the grounds and the pony gardeners walking around tending the plants or cleaning the statues. Discord’s eyes stopped wandering when they locked onto a familiar pedestal, and a shiver crawled up and down his back, as he looked at the spot where he had once stood frozen.

Whether the Princess Celestia and Princess Luna put his room in plain sight of the pedestal, as some sort joke or as a warning that if he ever reverted to his old chaotic ways, they would still have a spot in the gardens waiting for him, he had no idea .

The elements of harmony may be gone but he would not put it past Celestia and Luna to have a contingency plan that would revert him back to his sedentary life. There was also Twilight’s new rainbow power thing to think about, though it was still unclear to him if she was able to use it again.

Either way, Discord had no intention of reverting to his old chaotic ways. Not because he didn't like chaos, but because he did not want to hurt Fluttershy and his other friends ….again.

Discord's mind wandered back to the Tirek incident and how he betrayed all of Equestria. Worse than all that though, he had betrayed Fluttershy. The one pony that stood up for him and the only one that ever saw the good in him.

It had been months since his betrayal but he still felt the guilty sting of his actions. The image of Fluttershy in the cage, with tears running down her yellow cheeks, was still fresh in his mind. Knowing he was the reason for those tears filled him with so much pain that he knew it would never leave him and would forever serve as a reminder of what he could have lost.

Why have they forgiven me? Why has she forgiven me? The questions had plagued his mind constantly after his betrayal.

It was only on one of their get togethers that he got his answer, and when the strange new feelings for Fluttershy had started.
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It was late in the afternoon on a green hill, littered with flowers, overlooking Twilight Sparkle's new castle. Discord had transported Fluttershy and himself to the spot to have their get together.

“Discord, is everything okay?” Fluttershy asked.

Discord tensed at Fluttershy's voice, but his eyes remained glued to the cup of tea he clasped in his mismatched hands.

“Hmmmm?” Discord said, pretending he hadn't heard the question.

“Is everything okay?” Fluttershy repeated. "You haven't been acting like yourself all day.”

Discord didn't respond. He just looked at his tea, thinking himself unworthy to gaze into the teal eyes of the pony in front of him. The reflection of the beast in the tea was the only thing he could look at, and he hated it .

“Fluttershy, can I ask you a question?” Discord asked in a soft voice.

“Of course, Discord, you can ask me anything, but can you ask your question while looking at me.” Fluttershy replied.

Discord slowly put down the cup and looked and the yellow pegasus properly, for the first time that day.

“How?” Discord asked.

Fluttershy's brows furrowed in confusion, “How what, Discord?”

“How can they forgive me? How can you forgive me, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy still had a confused look on her face, unsure of what Discord was talking about.

Discord turned away from Fluttershy, unable to look into her eyes any longer.

“I should be turned back to stone, locked up with Tirek, or at least banished from Equestria for what I did.”

Horror and realization dawned on Fluttershy at what Discord was talking about.

“Discord," she softly said.

Discord continued, not hearing Fluttershy.

“I helped Tirek in his attempt to take over Equestria, hurting so many ponies in the process." Discord's voice was rising in volume as he continued his rant.

“Discord," Fluttershy repeated a little louder.

“But the worst thing of all was that I hurt you, Fluttershy ” Discord said.

Time seemed to stop then. Nothing moved, and silence seemed to last an eternity.

“I hurt... you, Fluttershy," Discord repeated softly, “and all because I believed that I was under another imprisonment.”

Discord turned to face Fluttershy, looking into her teal eyes. Discord's face was a mask of full of woe. “But here we are, just having a picnic like nothing ever happened. I should be punished for what I've done. The ponies of Ponyville should despise me the most for all my actions just like the Canterlot snobs. But no... it’s the complete opposite. Most of the ponies of Ponyville now accept me, and the princesses have rewarded me with land so I can relieve my chaotic needs. Sure it's a wasteland, and I am supposed to turn everything back to normal when I am done, but I don’t deserve a thing.”

Discord turned away from Fluttershy not having the strength to look into her eyes.

“Ponies have called me a monster before, but I have never seen myself as one until now. A monster does not deserve to be forgiven, a monster shou-”

“Now, you stop using that word right now, Discord!!!” Fluttershy yelled, her usual quiet timid voice gone. “You're not a monster, Discord, and any pony that says otherwise does not know you at all.”

Discord turned to face Fluttershy again, startled at the change in her attitude .

“But..But.... Fluttershy how can you say that after what I did to you? ” Discord said, shock evident in his voice at what she was saying.

“You made a mistake, Discord. Everyone makes those, but that does not give you or anyone the right to call you a monster.” Her usual quiet voice returned.

“But Fluttershy, that mistake of mine hurt so many ponies… it hurt you," Discord repeated, in a whisper.

There was a moment of silence.

“Discord, I forgive you for what you did. Every pony forgives you for what you did.”

“But why or how can you, Fluttershy," Discord cried, “after what I did to you?”

Another moment of silence passed before Fluttershy spoke.

“You did hurt me, Discord ...when you betrayed us.” Fluttershy said.

Her eyes were misting up and Discord could see tears starting to form in them at the memory.

Discord felt his heart fall as Fluttershy said those words. He had closed his eyes trying to rid himself of the memory of her in the cage.

“But how did that make you feel, when you betrayed me... us?" She added that last word quickly as she wiped her face of the loose tears.

Discord opened his eyes and automatically said the first word that came to mind, "Regret... the minute I put you in that cage, Fluttershy, I regretted it. I couldn't even bear to see your magic be drained by Tirek an-.”

Discord was cut off by Fluttershy putting a hoof on his lips. A smile was forming on her face, which made his heart rise for some reason.

“I know you did. Do you know why I knew you regretted your decision, Discord, without you telling me?” Fluttershy asked.

Discord shook his head slightly, entranced by her radiant smile.
Fluttershy's smile grew and her eyes seemed to twinkle, which only made Discord's heart beat faster.

“When you said I was worth all the magic in Equestria, that's when I knew you regretted everything you did.” Fluttershy moved her hoof away from his lips. "Oh, and Discord, you're forgetting you helped us defeat Tirek, as much as you helped him.”

“How do you figure that, Fluttershy?” Discord asked, after finally finding his words.

“Well, you were the one that figured out what the keys were to open the box, and you were also the one that gave Twilight the final key. Though more importantly, I find, is that my friends consider you as one of their friends as well." Fluttershy finished.

“Even Rainbow Dash?” Discord asked.

“Even Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy replied.

“How about Angel?”

“Even..” she paused, “well, he might need some coaxing, but I am sure he'll come around."

Discord smiled, but it soon fell.

“I don’t know, Fluttershy. I still feel that I was let off too easy. What about that land the princesses awarded me? Seems to me like I am getting rewarded for negative behavior.”

“Discord, you should have received that land to spread your chaos in the first place. It was wrong of us to stop you from using your chaos magic. Chaos is a part of you and for us to stop you from using it was completely wrong of us.”

“I never felt like I needed to use my magic when I was with you, Fluttershy.” Discord quickly moved his head away. He could feel his cheeks going warm. Why had he said that?

Out of the corner of his eye, Discord could see Fluttershy blush as well, but her face was soon obscured by her mane, so any other expressions were lost behind a curtain of gossamer pink. An awkward silence overcame them before Fluttershy tentatively cleared her throat. Discord turned his head to the pegasus. Her mane had been cleared from her face.

“You said you thought you were getting let off too easy, but I don't think that's the case. The only pony that’s still being rough on you and still has not forgiven you for your actions is yourself, Discord," Fluttershy said.

“If you won't forgive yourself for what happened, it won't make a difference. Every pony in Equestria does. If you don't forgive yourself, you're doing a lot more harm to the ponies that are closest to you.”

Fluttershy took Discord’s paw in both of her hooves and looked Discord in the eye. Fluttershy’s teal eyes sparkled in the setting sun and Discord could feel his paw getting a bit sweaty and his heart getting warm for some odd reason.

“ I know it's not easy to forgive yourself, Discord.” Fluttershy said. “Believe me, when I hurt Pinkie Pie and Rarity, I shut myself away from the world because I felt so guilty about what I said to them. That only made things worse for myself. If Rarity and Pinkie Pie hadn't come back, I would still be in my cottage, locked away from the world, wallowing in my self pity.”

Discord had been listening to Fluttershy's words so intently, that he hadn't realized how close his face had gotten to hers. He was about to pull his head back, but then Fluttershy removed one of her hooves from his paw and placed it on his cheek. The act seemed to paralyze him and forced him to look into her teal eyes, not that he minded!

“I don't want this gloomy, moping Discord. I want the one I know," Fluttershy said, "the confident, chaotic, fun one that always makes me laugh. I want the Discord that I know back. I want the Discord that I lo-…”

There was a sudden pause as Fluttershy pulled herself away from him and seemed to find something very interesting in the grass which seemed to captivate her. Her mane had fallen and was now obscuring her face, but Discord could have sworn he had seen Fluttershy blush again.
“The Discord that I like, I want him back.” There was a pause, then Fluttershy turned to face him again. “I want him back, because it hurts me the longer he is away.”

She misses me? She misses the old me, the chaotic me. How is that even possible? Discord looked at Fluttershy. How was she possible? All of his life he had been persecuted because of his differences from society. In the end, it finally drove him to turn into what society viewed him as, a monster.

But this pegasus saw through his appearance and his past actions and found something in him that he never knew he possessed.

Discord absentmindedly put his claw over his heart, it seemed to have warmed up and increased in pace for some reason.

It was then he came to a conclusion. For her, for Fluttershy he would do it. He would do anything for her.

“Are you sure you want the old me back, Fluttershy? ” Discord inquired.

Fluttershy looked at Discord and nodded “Yes”.

Discord grinned.

“Well then..” Discord said as he stretched out his arm and snapped his fingers, a plane ticket
appeared in his eagle talon.

“Then consider the boring me on vacation," Discord said.

“He better be going on a permanent vacation!” Fluttershy giggled.

“If that is what you want my dear, then, you can be sure he is.”

Discord clicked his fingers and a ring of blue coloured clouds encircled the hill. Then, there was a rumbling sound that came from the clouds and caramel popcorn hailed around the two of them.

“Not cotton candy and chocolate milk?” Fluttershy asked.

“I felt like a change, you don't mind do you?”

Fluttershy’s smile seemed to brighten the whole field.

“No, I don't," she said.
The next thing Discord knew, he was in one of Fluttershy's embraces. Her nose was nuzzling into his fur. Discord, more than happily, wrapped his mismatched arms around Fluttershy, returning the hug tightly.

Fluttershy felt perfect in his arms, as though she always was meant to be apart of them, just like a piece fitting into place in a jigsaw puzzle. Discord closed his eyes, happily enjoying the fragrant smell of Fluttershy’s mane. He did not know how long the embrace lasted, a second, a minute, or an hour. He didn't care. All he knew was that he never wanted it to end.

He felt Fluttershy slowly pulling her arms back. Reluctantly, Discord did likewise. He felt Fluttershy move slightly so that her face was facing the side of Discord's head. He felt a pair of rose petal-like lips make contact with his cheek briefly. An electric shock seemed to go through Discord and he felt his cheek heat up at the spot where Fluttershy's lips had made contact.

Discord opened his eyes expecting to see Fluttershy sitting in front of him, but instead was greeted the sight of an angel. Her coat seemed to radiate a yellow glow in the setting sun, shining like that of a crystal pony. Her pink mane seemed to be flowing in a breeze which did not exist. A pair of dove like wings were furled at her sides and Discord started to wish that she would unfurl them so he might see their true beauty. Most striking of all were her teal eyes, that stared into his; they seemed to sparkle like that of stars in Luna's sky, and enticed him to come closer to the most beautiful mare that he had ever laid eyes on.

It was as though some spell had turned Fluttershy into the most beautiful creature to ever walk or fly in Equestra.

Did a spell turn Fluttershy into this? Discord thought, or I am that ignorant, that I did not see the most beautiful mare in Equestria.

Their gazing was interrupted by a few petals that had driffted into their line of sight.

Both turned at once to see where the petals had come from. They were surprised to see that the blue coloured clouds that had recently hailed caramel popcorn, had now turned snow white and red, yellow, pink, and white rose petals gently drifted down from the white clouds.

Discord was awestruck, not by the sight as much by the fact that he had not meant to change his clouds.

“It’s beautiful," Fluttershy said softly.

Discord turned his head back to Fluttershy. Her face was averted away from him, still looking at the clouds.

Some of the petals had landed on her mane, which only seemed to add to her beauty.

“Yes, you are.” Discord said softly.

“What was that, Discord?” Fluttershy said, as she focused on him.

“O.. Uhm..the clouds ….you're right ...they’re beautiful.." Discord quickly lied.

“O...I thought that...never mind," Fluttershy replied, looking back to the clouds.

Fluttershy's ears had fallen slightly and, was it his imagination, or was that disappointment in her voice?

He shook his head to rid himself of the idea. What would Fluttershy have to be disappointed about?
_____________________________________
The rest of that day, was spent as normal; well, as normal as Discord was accustomed to.
But for some reason, that day was one of the happiest he could remember, Perhaps because it had one happiest moments he could ever think of as well.

Himself, just holding her in his arms; the sweet scent of her luxurious pink mane in his nostrils.
Her soft lips on his cheek, Discord's paw absentmindedly went to the spot were Fluttershy had placed her kiss.

His heart seemed to turn into butterfly, just like the one that made up her cutie mark, simply by recalling the action.

“I should really get that checked out” he murmured to himself .

BONG!

BONG!!

BONG!

Discord turned his head to look at the grandfather clock striking in the new hour.

He was a little shocked, he had completely forgotten that the clock was there.

Discord floated over to the clock. It read 9:00. He had one more hour before he had to be in the throne room.

“What to do? What to do?” he muttered to himself. “I could play a few pranks on the gardeners or guards or maybe I can go to my chaos grounds."

But he didn't really feel like doing any of that for some odd reason.
Discord’s face light up.

“I know," he said, snapping his fingers, as a light bulb appeared between his horn and antler for emphasis, of his bright idea ..

“I’ll write to Fluttershy.”

With that said he floated up to his bed. Snapping his fingers, a sheet of paper appeared along with an ink well. Then plucking one of his blue feathers from his wing to use as a quill, he proceeded to write.

Dear Fluttershy,

I know this letter might come as a little surprise seeing as how we are going to be seeing each other tomorrow, so I will try to make it brief.

The reason I am writing to you is just for the fun of it, as writing letters to you is the only source of enjoyment I am allowed to have on a regular basis by the two prissy pony princesses here, but I do enjoy writing letters to you just as much as I enjoy causing chaos. But both writing letters and causing chaos pale in comparison to when I am with you. I value that time above any other.

Anyway, I won't tell you all that has transpired since we last met or else I won't have anything surprising when I see you tomorrow.

With love,

Discord

Discord stopped writing and inspected the “with love”.

He had never composed a letter " with love" at the end of it.

Why did those simple words make him confused, and make him feel funny inside.

Could I be in love? Discord pushed that thought out of his head.

Impossible, he was the Lord of Chaos and Master of Disharmony, he could not be in love.

Then again, he used to think that way about friendship, and now he could not imagine living
without it, specifically Fluttershy's friendship.

Discord's heart felt like it did a somersault and tripled it's pace just by thinking of Fluttershy’s friendship.

He continued to stare at the word "love", totally oblivious to his chaotic surroundings. He did not even hear the grandfather clock striking in the new hour .

“Why is this a problem?” He finally said to himself.

Then something dawned on him, “Could.. could ….. I….be….. in ..love…with….Flutter-”

“DDDIIISSSSCCCCOOOORRRDDDD!!!!!!!”

His train of thought was interrupted by a familiar Princess of the Night's royal Canterlot voice.

“O what could they want already?” he mumbled in an irritated fashion.,

“It's not even time for me to be there yet” . He looked at grandfather clock at his bedside; the cloak read 10:15.

His eyes widened in surprise, “Wow, time flies when you are contemplating your writing!”

He turned the grand father clock into a green envelope and slid his note inside. He wrote on the envelope “To Fluttershy” and sealed it.

He then scratched his chin in thought. "Better send this by rush delivery if I want the letter to be there by the end of the day”

Discord produced another piece of paper from thin air, and folded it a few times, trying to make it into a paper airplane. Instead, he got an origami crane.

“It has wings at least," he mumbled.

He teleported to the window and breathed on the crane. It started to flap its wings and turn its paper head to Discord.

Discord handed it the green envelope, which it took in it’s paper beak.

“Take this to Fluttershy, she lives in Ponyville."The crane nodded and saluted with its left wing. It flew from Discord's hand and made for the window.

“Wait!” Discord cried “Let me…” The paper crane slammed into the window and slid down, “Open the window." He finished.

“Bird brain," he muttered to himself, “I knew I should've gone with the airplane." The crane did not seem to hear his words, or if it did, did not seem to care.

Discord opened the window. The paper crane flew up, stopped, turned to Discord did another salute and started flapping in the direction of Ponyville.

"Well... its a better flyer than the average mail mare." He thought to himself as he closed the window. “The sooner I get this day over with the sooner tomorrow starts, and I get to spend it with Fluttershy."

His heart, as usual, skipped a beat at the mention of her name.
“Maybe I should get this checked out sooner rather than later.” With that said, he teleported out of his bedroom.

Chapter 2

View Online

Discord teleported outside the doors of the throne room. Arriving in flash of white light and startling the two royal guards in the process, Discord grinned at the startled guards. They were both pegasi, one had a snow white coat with dark blue eyes, the other pegasus had a dark chocolate brown coat with mint green eyes.

“ Hello gents, I believe I am expected.”he said with a grin.

The guards recovering from their initial scare, scowled at the draconequus.

“ The princess expected your presence 15 minutes ago.” The white Pegasus stated.

“Well, I needed to make sure that my mane was presentable for the graaaaand princesses of Equestria” Discord replied, snapping his fingers to produce a brush, and proceeding to comb his short mane.

“I shall notify your arrival to the princesses.” The green eyed guard stated.

The guard disappeared behind the door, but Discord could hear the guard’s voice stating his arrival.

The guard soon reappeared motioning to Discord. Discord snapped his eagle talon, making the brush disappear, and went into the throne room.

When Discord entered he saw the two sisters on their thrones both wearing deadpan expressions. They motioned for all of the guards, courtiers and royal staff to leave.

When the last of the castle staff left the throne room, their full attention moved to Discord.

“You’re late ” Luna stated flatly .

Discord grinned “And you’re astute, but I believe the term is fashionably late.”

Discord snapped his eagle talon and a black tuxedo with a crimson bow tie dressed him.

“ I thought I should look my best if I am in the presence of royalty ”

Luna glared at Discord in response.

“Discord you are expected to be here at ten o'clock, to receive your duties unless Luna or I, say otherwise” Cleasta stated sternly.

“Oh, come on! I know what my duties are today, they are going to be the exact same duties I have been doing for the past 2 weeks. Go to the Canterlot museum, help and I've to do one of these three things,”

“ Organize” Discord summoned his waiter suite.

“Clean up” he changed into his French maid attire and made an act of dusting with his feather duster.

“Or provide security” he then appeared wearing his police officers guise.

“Or all three” he appeared wearing ,a mismatch of all, three of the outfits. His waiter’s uniform with the French maid's skirt, with the police hat and holding the feather duster in his eagle talon .

“Discord” Celestia said sternly, already tired of Discords shenanigans, “ You are wasting time that could be used for the preparation for the Lunar Convergence
Celebration, and if you don’t get your jobs done today, then I am afraid you will have to cut into tomorrow ….. your day off, if am not mistaken .”

Celestia could not help but smile a bit at the look of shock and fear that was now on creeping onto the draconequus face.

She rarely used suspending his free day as a threat , because she knew all too well that he spent that day with Fluttershy. Sometimes both the sisters thought that Discord and Fluttershy were something more than friends.

But when Discord was being stubborn, or a bit too much of a prankster she knew that threatening his day off would always confine him. Discord would never risk the time he spent with Fluttershy.

Discord’s chaotic costume disappeared and in its place a was a face of wide eyed terror.

“Y-y-you can't do that” he stuttered, “We had an agreement that if I did whatever job that needed to be done, I could have 1 day off a week which I could use to do whatever I wanted.”

There was the odd time where he could sneak off to do his own thing for a short time, but that was usually after he finished his jobs for the day.

“As long as that day does not involve spreading chaos throughout Equestria; say for your appointed areas” Luna added.

“That goes without saying.” He replied, rolling his eyes.

“That rule only applies if you have finished all your jobs, Discord” Celestia stated “ and it looks like that may not be the case if you keep on bickering and delaying time.”

Discord surrendered at this point. “ All right! All right! What would you have me do your Highness?” Discord surrendered at this point.

“ You will go to the Canterlot Natural History Museum!” Celestia said.

“Big surprise there,” he thought to himself.

“ Once there” Luna continued “ You are to find Prince Shining Armorer, he will give you instructions on what to do ”

“OOOOOOOO, When did the princes and princess of the crystal empire arrive?” Discord asked.

“Princess Cadance shall not arrive until later this day,” Luna said, “The prince however, arrived early this morning and went straight to the museum to do his
duties.” She said the last word with emphasis.

Discord rolled his eyes and raised his mismatched hands in surrender.

“ All right , I can take a hint I am going , I will give your regards to the prince then. ”

And with that Discord snapped his lion paw and was gone.
___________________________________________

The Canterlot Museum was a large, elongated, white building with intricate symbols covering the outside pillars that lead to the entrance. It had 4 floors, not including the basement, with wide windows on each of the floors.

Ordinarily the museum was a quiet place where tourists, school groups and professors would mill about.

It was currently host to a number of work ponies going about their various jobs of moving flood lights into position, carrying banners to hang on the museum's entrance, and other such jobs for the celebration.

Discord appeared outside the Canterlot museum doors, startling several pony workers.

A number of the work ponies shot Discord an assortment of stares, which raged from shock to fear to loathing .

Discord had been used to being stared at like this ever since he was a young draconequus , but since his betrayal, the stares increased in frequency. Even with the announcement of his reformation both before and after the his betrayal, most ponies still did not trust him .

He often had to go in disguise as a pony to avoid persecution from most ponies. The only reason he did not disguise himself all the time was because it limited most of his powers and there were always some parts of his mismatched anatomy that stayed through his transformation.

Although he could not blame the Canterlot ponies for their distrust, he had done little to earn their trust in the first place. Most of the ponies left him alone anyway and besides, he did not really want to be friends with a group of snobbish, self centered aristocrats; Discord would take Fluttershy or any of her friends any day of the week. Particularly Fluttershy!

His heart felt like it did a little somersault as the thought of Fluttershy came into his mind again.

He ignored the stares that the ponies gave him and walked through the museums wide mahogany doors (literally walked through).

Once inside the museum Discord took in his surroundings.

The atrium was full of ponies milling about moving, display cases, tables ,chairs and setting up what looked like a podium, where most likely one, if not all four, princesses would give a speech.

Discord looked up, hearing a tinkling , he saw a team of pegasi flying what looked like the head of a huge magnifying glass, into the museum's glass cupola like ceiling. At the center of the atrium calling out orders, was none other than prince Shining Armor himself.

The prince seemed fully focused on ordering the team of pegasi and a hoof full of unicorns, that were under the strange optical lense with their horns ready.

Discord snapped his fingers and was at the prince’s side in a flash of white light.

“ My, my, that must be the second biggest lens I have ever seen.” Discord said

“Discord?” the prince cried out.

“ The one and only.” The draconequus said with mocking bow.

“You’re late” Shining Armor stated flatly

“My! It seems Luna is not the only one that is astute to day”

A look of confusion spread across Shining Armor face, but he shrugged it off.

“ Any way now that you’re here ,we could really use your help with attaching the lens to the ceiling, Discord.”

Discord looked up at the team of pegasi holding the lens right under the cupola roof.

“Looks to me like they’re doing a good job of it so far”

“Yes so far. Although I doubt the pegasi can hold the lens for much longer, let alone attach it safely ,which is why this team of unicorns and myself are here to catch the glass if anything goes wrong.” He made a gesture with his left front hoof pointing to the group of unicorns before pointing his hoof at Discord, “ And the reason we need your help right now is in fastening the lens safely in place”.

“ Is that all?” Discord said flexing his fingers “ well that shouldn’t be a problem.”

With a snap of his lions paw, the lens was safely attched to the glass sealing . Leaving the pegasi holding nothing .

“Well, does that conclude my duties for to day ?” Discord asked hopefully, even though he already knew the answer.

“You wish!” Shining Armor chuckled.

“ Yes well, you can’t blame me for trying, what’s next on the agenda ? ”

Shining Armor levitated a small scroll over to Discord.

“That scroll will tell you everything you need to get done today”. Shining Armor stated.

“O this doesn’t seem to….” Discord voice trailed of as he unfurled the small scroll , only to have at least 6 feet of it hit the ground and roll off .

“I think these jobs will keep you busy for the day” The prince said cheerfully.

Discord turned to Shining Armour after getting over his initial shock.

“So did Twilight make this for you to give to me, or does list making just run in the family ? ”.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Fluttershy was out in her garden, she had just finished feeding her chickens and was now tending to her lush garden. She was softly humming a song to herself as she flew over her garden, water can held in her front hooves, gently pouring the contents over her blossomed flowers. She heard a soft twittering and turned her head to see a turquoise colored hummingbird.

“ Oh, why hello there Mr. Hummingwing, how are you today?”

Hummingwing gave a few chirps in response.

“I am happy to hear that you’re having a good day as well ”. Fluttershy replied,smiling brightly.

“Would you like to drink some of the nectar from my flowers?” Fluttershy asked, “ I know you normally drink sugar water from the hummingbird feeder, but I thought
if you wanted a change, and it is perfectly alright if you don’t want a change, that you could always have some nectar from my flowers, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to,I just thought I would offer.”

Hummingwing gave few cheerful tweets.

“You're welcome, but be sure to leave some flowers for the bees. If you don’t mind that is .”

Hummingwing dive-bombed a group of tulips and happily started sucking away.

Fluttershy looked happily at her hummingbird friend, before turning her attention back to watering the rest of her plants.
Soon after Fluttershy had finished watering , she was interrupted again this time by a certain white bunny’s, squeaks .

Fluttershy landed in front of the white rabbit

“Hello Angel bunny, is everything ok?”

Angel made a motion with his front paws, of holding some thing and biting down on it.

“ Are you hungry?” she inquired.

Angel nodded his head vigorously.

“Well I guess it is almost time for lunch ”

Fluttershy placed the watering can down. “All right would you like a big yummy, carrot and daisy salad?”

Angel rubbed his chin, with one of his white paws in thought, and then nodded vigorously, causing his ears to flop about wildly.

“All right !” Fluttershy said with a bright smile lighting up her features.

Fluttershy walked up the path that lead to her cottage, Angel hopping right behind her.

Along the way to her cottage Fluttershy gave cherry hellos to her animal friends.

“Now Angel, while I am in the kitchen getting your lunch ready, you can get me your bowl. ” Fluttershy said as she opened the door.

Angel nodded his head in response and hopped inside, Fluttershy walked in after her white bunny and shut the door behind her.
She had only taken a few steps away from the door when she heard a soft thud from behind her.

Fluttershy turned her head and gasped in horror. A small bird like swallowtail was flattened against her window and slowly sliding down it.
As quickly as she could, Fluttershy ran to her door and threw it open.

“O MY GOODNESS I AM SO SO SORRY,I DIDN’T SEE THERE, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?! O PLEASE TELL YOUR NOTE HURT MR……bird? ”

Fluttershy’s voice trailed off as she got her first good look at what slammed into her window, and was now rubbing its head, with a white wing.

Her first guess of it being a bird was not that far off, but it was unlike any of the birds she knew. This one was not made out of feathers and muscle, instead the bird looked like it was entirely made out of paper , like an origami crane.

In fact, Fluttershy realized, that’s what it was; a living paper bird, spread out on the ground in front of her.

“Hm, are you okay?” Fluttershy asked she took a step forward and heard a soft crackle from under her hoof. She looked down to see a green envelope.

“Oh, is this yours?” She asked taking the her hoof of the envelope.

The paper crane shook his head and shot forward, grabbed the green envelope in its beak, and flew up to Fluttershy’s eye level and started gesturing with its beak.

“Mmm, Is the letter for me?” Fluttershy asked more tentatively.
The Crane nodded its head, enthusiastically, causing the green envelope to wobble.

“Thank you then” Fluttershy said as she took the green envelope in her mouth. Once the envelope was out of the cranes beak, it did a salute and reverted back to it’s lifeless form, and fell lightly to the ground.

Fluttershy looked at the now lifeless crane and then the letter in her mouth wondering who could have sent them .

She shrugged the crane seemed harmless. Fluttershy gently picked up the crane in her front hooves and fluttering back inside to her couch, she lay the crane down and examined the envelope.

Fluttershy gently turned the envelope over in her hooves until she saw her name in all too familiar writing .

A smile spread across her face “Discord.” She said, “Well that explains the crane” she thought to herself.

Fluttershy eagerly tore open the green envelope, to read the contents.

Discord had been sending letters far more frequently, but she did not care, on the contrary she loved reading his letters but she loved seeing the draconequus far more, though she wouldn't say that to him out right .

Fluttershy’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink at the thought of Discord as she unfolded the letter.

Dear Fluttershy

I know this letter might come as a little surprise seeing as how we are going to be seeing each other tomorrow, so will try to make it brief .

The reason I am writing to is just for the fun of it, seeing how writing letters to you is the only source of enjoyment I am allowed to have on a regular basis , by the two princess ponies presence here, but I do enjoy writing letters to you just as much as I enjoy causing Chaos. But both writing letters and causing chaos pale in comparison to when I am with you. I value that time above any other.

Fluttershy smiled inwardly, the smile soon spread to her face, and her heart did a little flutter of enjoyment at the compliment.

Any way I won't tell you all that has transpired since we last met or else I won't have anything surprising to say when I see you tomorrow.

With love

Discord.

Fluttershy eyes fell upon the last two words, Love Discord. Her pink tail lightly wrapped around her body.

Of all the times Discord and she had been sending letters, this was the time she had seen love at the end of one his letters. He usually sent some thing like ‘friendly neighbourhood draconequus” or something like that but never love.

Fluttershy blushed at the thought of that single word.

Could Discord feel the same way as she felt about him?

Fluttershy sucked in a breath as a hope, that she only had in her dreams came to light.

Could..could ..could it be possibly that Discord...

Fluttershy’s thoughts were interrupted by a rhythmical tapping. She looked away from the letter to see Angels front paws crossed, thumping his back paw on the floor.
“Is everything okay, Angel?” Fluttershy asked.

In response Angle pulled his food bowl out behind him and threw it down, making a resounding clatter.

Fluttershy pulled back from the sound, and gave a confused look at her white bunny. Then it dawned on her, she had been so caught up with Discord’s letter , she forgot to get Angel his lunch.

“O my goodness Angel I am so sorry!” She put down the letter, picked up Angel’s bowl and flew off to the kitchen.
_________________________________________________

After Angel and all her other animals were fed, Fluttershy went up to her room taking Discord’s newsletter with her. She lay on her bed carefully rereading the letter.
“With love, Discord” Fluttershy said aloud. Her heart fluttered each time she read the last three worlds.

Thoughts of Discord and his new letter to her, were running through Fluttershy’s mind.

Did he even know what he was writing? Did he know her true feelings for him? Is this his way of returning those feeling?

The questions made Fluttershy’s heart pound even faster and she could feel the start of a blush coming to her cheeks.

Does Discord l-….?

Fluttershy shook her head, trying to clear her head of the thoughts.

“O come on Fluttershy! This letter proves nothing” she said speaking softly to herself, “and besides what would Discord ever see in you, you’re just a shy, wimpy pegasus and even if Discord wanted some pony to love him he could probably create the perfect one with a snap of his fingers.”

Fluttershy shoulders and ears fell as these new thoughts filled her head.

All though, Fluttershy considered, Discord has been sending more letters to her recently. When he was just reformed he sent messages once a week but he had increased in frequency to sometimes 5 times a week, and he has made quite a few unscheduled visits, not that she minded Discord’s unscheduled visits, and increasing letters, on the contrary she loved them, even though he sometimes appeared at awkward times.
And then there were Discord's recent gifts. His gifts were very extravagant and seemed to go beyond an everyday gift of friendship; the gift was her animals able to speak their language and the other was a trip back in time to see some amazing animals. Admittedly,the gifts had been a bit chaotic; not really a surprise, seeing as who they were from, but they had been extremely sweet all the same.

Fluttershy knew some ponies still considered Discord a pain and other still judged Discord by his past action, seeing him still as the cruel creature.

But if they gave him a chance, they could see how sweet, gentle and kind he could be, as he was to her.

Fluttershy looked down at the letter again, more precisely she looked at the word love again.

Fluttershy didn’t know when exactly she had developed a crush on the draconequus..

Whether it was Discord’s confidence she loved, or how he would always listen to what she had to say, or how Fluttershy felt so comfortable around him, or maybe it
was because he was sweet and gentle to her, or perhaps something deeper which she herself couldn't understand or explain fully, Fluttershy didn't know. However, what Fluttershy did know was that she had fallen fully and utterly head over hooves for Discord.

Fluttershy knew, deep down, that the letter wasn’t really proof that Discord shared the same feeling for her, but she couldn’t help hoping that perhaps Discord felt the same way about her as she did for him.

Fluttershy hugged the letter close to her chest and her tail wrapped around her “A girl can dream can’t she?”
Fluttershy’s ears quickly flipped up, as she heard a familiar rhythmical thudding, she looked up and saw Angel standing in her doorway front paws crossed, right hind leg thumping.

“Angel!?” Fluttershy cried, shocked that her bunny was standing there. “ I-is everything okay?”

Angel nodded his head and pointed a white paw at Fluttershy, and the letter she held to her chest and then back to her.
Fluttershy followed the motion of Angels paw.

“O, are you wondering about this letter?” Fluttershy said.

Angel nodded his head.

“ Well um …it’s a letter from someone dear to me.” Fluttershy finally said, she hated lying but she also knew that Angel might not understand her feeling toward Discord.

Angel raised an eyebrow, and looked at Fluttershy skeptically, but then shrugged it off turned around and hop down stairs.

Fluttershy waited till the sound of Angel hopping downstairs disappeared.

She placed Discord’s letter on the bed and walked to her desk , where she did much of her writing to Discord. Fluttershy opened one of the top drawers and pulled out a green rectangular box with pink lace binding. She then walked back to her bed with the box in her mouth.

She lightly placed the box on the bed next to Discords newsletter and crawled back onto the bed.

She then delicately untied the ribbons that held the top of the box together, and lifted the lid to reveal all of Discord’s past letters he had sent to her, all neatly filed by the date when he had written them.

“This one’s my new favorite” Fluttershy softly said to herself with a warm smile placed on her lips.

She gave the letter another read, then hugged it, imagining she was hugging the writer who sent it and put it in the green box.

“Mare can dream” Fluttershy said again, with a bit more confidence in her voice this time “ and you never know that dream could become reality”.

A thought struck Fluttershy. Even though she was seeing Discord tomorrow, perhaps it might be a good idea to send him a letter just to test the water to see if he truly felt the same way as well, and it was only polite, right?

But the letter would not make it for tomorrow-- unless.

“I hope Twilight and Spike won't mind if they send it for me?” She said softly.

Chapter 3

View Online

Chapter 3

Discord was walking down one of the museum east wing halls, going past various display cases, with Shining Armour's checklist floating in front of him.

“Take apart dragon skeleton.” Discord said to himself as he looked at the list. He made a check mark motion with his talon, and a green check mark appeared next to the job, “Check.”
“Move said skeleton into storage” Discord repeated the check motion.

“Count the bones of the skeleton to see if any of the 472 bones are missing”

Discord rolled his eyes at this one, and made a check mark. (442 bones is close enough right?) He thought to himself.

He continued reading the list.

“Clean all museum restrooms….thoroughly” this one sent shivers down Discord’s spine at the memory of what he did.

“Perhaps instead of teaching the power of friendship to their subjects, the princess could teach them all the power of flushing.” Discord muttered, and ticked off the job.
“I am starting to think that Shining gave me all the jobs no pony wanted, or outright refused, to do”.

After a few more motions with his talon, Discord inspected the to do list with its’ newly added checkmarks; “Well looks like I am halfway done,”

He conjured a clock, it read 11:30 “and it’s not even lunch yet. I don’t see why every pony is on my case about being late , I’ll get these done, just like that.” He clicked his fingers for emphasis as well as making the clock disappear.

He was about to go through a couple of double doors, that most likely lead to another corridor full of artifacts when he stopped.
He thought he heard voices. Ordinarily this would be normally Pony workers and museum staff came through the museum halls all the time; but it was the way the voices were speaking that caught Discord’s attention.

Usually when he heard ponies talking they were casual, moderate tones, not furious whispering. It was like the speakers were afraid that they would get caught doing something wrong.

Intrigued by the secrecy, Discord leaned forward placing his ear against the door to better hear the voices. With closer inspection it sounded like multiple voices talking, each one seeming to try to be the dominant voice, but he could not distinguish what they were saying. He pulled his ear back.

“This calls for specialist equiment” he mused and snapping his fingers causing a wine glass to appear in his paw. Placing the base against his ear and the glass top to the door, he listened once again.

Most of the conversation he couldn't distinguish and he was about to lose interest in the conversation when one word stood out to him “draconequus”.

Discord pulled back in shock, just as his magic caused the glass to disappear before it hit the ground. They were talking about him, Discord knew ponies would talk about him when he wasn't around, but to be present that was just..so..so… impertinent.

“Well time to break up this conversation,” he snorted, “and I know just the way.” he said to himself as a smirk began to curl Discord’s lips. Ordinarily Discord could hold his chaotic needs in check until the end of the day, but after performing these types of royal duties, emphasis on duties, he need to have little bit of chaos to vent himself . And besides, he thought to himself, it wasn’t anything really big or spectacular, just something to startle the ponies. They were talking about a draconquus after all;so why not give them one.

Discord slowly stood up, sucked in a deep breath so his cheeks were as big as watermelons and then exhaled , the double doors slammed open like a gale force wind had pushed them .
Discord stood in the doorway entrance smiling contentedly to himself imagining the ponies startled expressions .

But his grin slowly slipped into a frown when he saw what was in the corridor was,..... well... nothing.
There were display cases to the left and windows to his right, Discord looked up wondering if it was a group of pegasi that he heard whispering, and perhaps his little prank sent them flying to the ceiling, but there was nothing but a couple of chandeliers.

“Come on Discord! get a grip, you're starting to hear things”. He mumbled.

He summoned Shining Armor's checklist and a pair of triangular spectacles. “Lets see what’s left” he said, while adjusting the reading glasses.

He was about to read the next assignment on the list when he heard the whispering again, a little stronger this time , the voices then ceased as soon as they came.

Discord’s reading glasses vanished and he slowly lowered the checklist, placing it on top of one of the cases. He inspected his surroundings again; nothing, just the display cases to his left and the windows to his right.

An idea dawned on him as to where the sources of whispers might be. He walked over to the nearest window and looked out, expecting to see a pony cleaning the windows but nothing.
He then took his eagle talon and made a circular motion on the window and then pushed on the glass with his lion paw, a small circular window slid open.

Discord poked his head out of the new window to inspect the outside more, but there was nothing. Discord was on the 3rd floor of the museum and the only. sign of movement was a few ponies down on ground level .

Discord retracted his head and closed the window. which reverted back to its usual state, without even a scratch on the glass .
He then turned his attention back to the room. The whispers had ceased again.Cautiously he started to edge his way to the display case where he had left the check list.

“You're just hearing thing, Discord that’s all your doing.
Hearing things! Most likely because of the princess not given you enough time off.” Discord muttered to himself . He picked up the check list.“Which reminds me I should talk to princess about giving me ….more …..vacation ….ti-“ His words trailed of and died as the whispering returned .

But this time the whispers seemed closer, than the previously.
Discord could take a joke if it was funny. Heck, he got pranked by Rainbowdash and Pinkepie when he had chances to visit Ponyville. Of course, he always got them back, with one his own pranks, a harmless one of course. But this little game had lost its appeal now. Whoever was doing this was now just irritating him; and if Discord was going to be honest with himself, he was getting a little uneasy with the whispering .

“All right!” Discord called out. “Joke’s over; you got me! Now come on out so I can thank you personally.” By thank you personally , he really meant so he could summon a cotton candy cloud to pour chocolate rain on this mysterious prankster.
No pony came forth however, and the whispering continued. Well if this mysterious pony won’t come out, then I will drag him out of his hiding place, he thought.

All living beings have an aura around them which is usually invisible to the naked eye. However some beings, like unicorns and alicorns, can project an aura which reflects their magic’s colour.

Discord was going to use this aura to find this prankster.
Funny, Discord thought , why did I not think of this earlier?
He shrugged it off, the important thing was, he was thinking of it now.
Discord closed his eyes and clicked his fingers.

When Discord reopened his eyes, the room was the same, and the whispers had ceased again.

He turned around in a slow circle expecting to see a colour standing out behind a wall, or the far door in the room, but nothing.

Did the spell work? Discord thought.
He shook the thought out his head; of course the spell, worked, he was no colt unicorn learning how to use his magic, he was Discord, master of chaos and disharmony. He had brought Equestra to it’s knees twice; he could do things that most ponies would think impossible, so of course the spell worked! He should now be able to see any living thing.

Any living thing!any living thing!Discord thought again.
“What if the things that were whispering were not part of this world, were not living?”

This time Discord literally shook the thought out of his head, it fell to the floor with a squelch.

“That’s ridiculous” Discord laughed , “ There are no such things as ghosts.” He started walking to the door at the far end of the corridor. Discord’s thought slithered after him right on his mismatched heels, “And even if there were such things as ghosts” he continued, “you would have to be, in a graveyard, or a temple, or some place where the spirit would feel uneasy rest or disturbed” his pace slowly slowed and then stopped.

Discord’s thought slowly slithered up his goat leg. “ Some place where it would be disturbed, or at unrest...” the thought wound around Discord’s back and up into his shoulders. “Some place like…like”

The thought swiftly slithered up Discord long neck and onto to the tip of his ear “ like a museum” Discord finally said. The thought slithered into his ear.

But there could not be such thing as ghosts could there ? Then again, ponies said draconequus did not exist for years and here he stood, a creature ponies thought were a myth so what else could be true?

There was a brief moment of silence, and then the whispers returned, stronger, closer it seemed, than the previous times.
“You think you can scare me, I’m Discord the lord of chaos and spirt of disharmony, and you think that I will be frightened with just a couple of hushed voices!” Discord roared .

The whispering continued.

Well, Congratulations! mission accomplished! he thought to himself.

Discord shifted his attention to the left side of the room where the voice seemed the strongest at a display case. Curiosity overcame his fear and Discord nervously stepped to the left to the display case and then another.

It felt like miles seperated him from the case but in reality it was only a few feet , and with each step he took, the whispering got louder and louder.

He closed his eyes when he was two steps away from the display case. Scared at what he might find, he took another step, eyes closed and bumped into the case. He moved his head down so he would be looking down at the contents of the case if his eyes were not closed.

Discord’s imagination raced at what could be in the case. A voodoo head? a haunted sword? cursed pirate treasure? and as his thoughts ran on, the whispering seemed to grow.
He slowly opened his eyes and saw.

An old, tattered, blacked, slimy , mold eaten, worm chewed, ruined book.

Discord almost laughed, at what he was looking at. The fact that he was losing his cool over a book, that even Twilight wouldn't want, was simply hysterical. But something held him back from doing so.

Whether that was because of the whole ridiculousness of the fact that he was unnerved by a tattered book or another reason, one thing was certain; the whispers were more distinct.
At the first the whispers were just a mass of voices, all trying it seemed, to be heard above the rest, making them impossible to understand. But now he could start defining individual voices and even snippets of words.

“Run, coming, alone, hope, last” the whisper said .

Discord put his hands on the glass, and slowly brought his head down to catch more of the whisperers words.

“seventh, safe, son, order, chaos, ponies”

Discord was so caught up in the whispers from the book that he did not hear the corridor open.

“ extinct, can't, King, proud.”

“Discord.”

“ King , Dragons, Gryphons”

“Discord!”

“ Unicorns, Pegasi, Earth ponies, Alcorns,”

“Discord!!”

“DRACONEQUUS”

“DISCORD!!!!!”

The whispers vanished , and Discord was snapped out of his trance by a shake on his shoulder. He had not realised how close he had gotten to the case; now his muzzle was touching the glass and condensation had formed from his breath.

“Discord!”

Discord turned his attention to the familiar voice and was almost blinded by a pink light.

“AAAHHH!!!!” Discord cried as he fell on to his back, covering his eyes with his paw and talon.

“Discord, what’s wrong?” Prince Shining Armour asked.

“What’s wrong?!” Discord replied “ What's wrong is that you are destroying my retinas, put a lid on the magic, your Shiningness before you blind some pony.”

Shining armour face turned into one of confusion.
“Discord, what are you talking about I am not using an magic .”

“Of course you are, why else can I see… your ..aura”. Right!
the spell! Forgot about that! Discord thought to himself.

He removed his eagle talon from his eyes and snapped it.
He then removed his paw and looked up at the confused unicorn.

“What was the snapping for?” The prince asked.

“Just removing a spell.” Discord replied.

Shining Armour gave Discord a sceptical look.

“Anyway, what brings your princeliness to see little old me?” Discord enquired.

“I was going to see how things were going with the list I gave you?”

Shining Armour hesitated, “ and to see if everything is okay?”

There was an awkward silence between the unicorn and the draqonequus.
“ Is everything okay?” Shining Armour said. “ you seemed fixated with that case over there” he gestured his hoof to the case were the seven books were displayed.

In a flash of white light Discord was on his feet .
“Didn't you hear them?” Discord said. Shocked the prince
had not heard the whispers when he came in.
“Hear what exactly?”Shining Armour asked.

“The whisp-,“ Discord cut himself short, realising how crazy it would sound, if he told the prince he was hearing voices that no one else could hear. “ Nothing” he finally said.
“Nothing? “ Shining Armour repeated. “ You were hearing nothing.”

“Well, ah... yes, it’s quite eerie don't you think; it sounded way too orderly to me, not enough chaos. ” Discord quickly said.

The prince raised an eyebrow, and stared at the reformed lord of chaos. “I suppose.” he finally said.

The awkward silence fell on the two.

“What were you looking at anyway?” the prince said breaking the silence and walking to the display case.
“O, just a couple of tatty books” Discord replied.
Shining Armour inspected the books, “Weren’t getting hungry were you Discord?” the prince jokingly said.

“Shining Armor, you insult me” Discord said, placing his lion paw on his heart “I only eat the finest quality of parchment.”

“I’ll take your word for it” the prince said. Turning away from the case to look at Discord.

“Speaking of eating I was wondering if you wanted to take a break and get a bit to eat with us before you continued on with the assignments, unless they’re already finished ?.” Shining Armor responded.

Discord was about to reply , to say thanks but no thanks, he usually used his breaks to play some minor pranks on the ponies of Canterlot, but something in what the prince said stopped him.
“Who’s us?” Discord inquired nonchalantly, although in reality he was doing his best to hide his agitation.

“Well me and Cande, of course ” Shining Armur responded. “she just got here from the Crystal Em-“He was cut of by Discords array of questions.

“Cande, as in Candence? As in princes Candence? As in ruler of the Crystal Empire and the Princess of love? “

With each question Discord’s voice had risen excitedly and the distance closed between the two of them until they were almost touching muzzles.

“Ah yes?” the prince asked as he slowly back a way from the draconequus, to gain some personal space. “So what your answer?”

Discord stared up and stuttered, stroking his goat beard with his lions paw. Deep in thought. before replying.

“You know what Shining” Discord finally replied to the unicorn, “you talked me into it and not many ponies can do that!”
“O …..really ?” Shining Armor could not hide the shock from his voice he was expecting Discord to deline.

“Well, uhm, then come on I guess Cadne should be waiting outside” Shining Armor said walking to the end of the corridor.
“Lead on you.” Discord said

He may not be seeing a heart doctor, but he was seeing the next best thing he was seeing a love doctor, or more specifically princess of love.
As Discord followed Shining out of the corridor he gave one last look at the display case before he closed the door.

Chapter 4

View Online

Discord and Shining Armour descended the steps that lead down to the natural history museum forum, their trip was done mainly in silence and they did not see any other work ponies about.
“ Most likely on their lunch break,” Discord thought.

When they got to the forum the prince stopped and turned to Discord.

“ah... Discord” Shining said casually “I don't want to seem rude but you should probably change before we go any farther”

“You’re absolutely right, Shining Armour I should ” Discord agreed. A click of his talons, and a dark blue suit with and white dress shirt appeared on him . “ I am going to be with a prince and princess after all, have to look my best, and probably smell my best ” he added.

Discord clicked his talons again and a cologne bottle appeared and floated about him ,spraying him with strong smelling pink mist.

“Discord ..that’s.. not ….. what …I meant!” Shining Armour said between coughs, as he tried to clear the air with his hoof of the noxious fumes.

Discord snapped his lions paw, and the suit as well as the fumes were gone. “I know, you want me change my form” he said with a slight melancholy tone.

Shining Armour lowered his head in shame “ Yes,…. but you should know” he quickly added “that Cadence and I don’t mind your true self , in fact most ponies don’t mind your true self its just…. well” he trailed off.

“The rest..” Discord said. He had a hard time believing Shining Armour’s word, that most ponies did not mind his true self.

The only ponies that he knew who could stand him and see him as a friend were twelve individuals plus one dragon.

There was a silence between the two.

“Well” Discord finally said. “ We would not want to keep your miss waiting”

And in a flash of white light the draconequus was gone, in its’ place was a unicorn with grey coat, a black mane and a cutie mark of a tornado. The only thing that remained of Discord’s true form were his eye coloring and his horn was blue, like that of his goat horn.

The prince looked Discord over in his new pony form.“ You're going to need to cover up the horn or lose it, Discord.” he finally said.

Discord raised his eyes to his horn.
“Just precautionary step so ponies don’t get suspicious or start getting ideas to your identity ”, the prince added.

“Fine” Discord said . His horn glowed blue and a black top hat appeared covering his horn. “ Anything else , or can we go to lunch?” he asked a little hotly.

“ Na, we’re good” Shining Armour said, turning on his hoofs, making his way to the doors. Discord trailing behind him, getting used to the feel of his pony form.

They opened the doors and were greeted by the warm sun. At the foot of the steps, that lead up to the museums, they saw a pink Alicorn.

“Cadence!” the prince cried excitedly, and ran down the steps to embrace his wife.

Cadence, looked up to where the voice was coming from and grinned at the site of her husband , galloping down the steps toward her “Shining” she cried .
The two shared a loving embrace.

“How are things at the museum ?”she asked

“The preparations are going great,” Shining Armour said. “
At first we had some problems because a certain special helper was late but once he got here things started to move along.”
“Speaking of a special helper, will he be joining us for lunch?” Cadence inquired.

“Surprisingly ye-“ the prince was cut off.

“Ah, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, such an honour to meet you”

Cadence looked away from her husband, at the new speaker.

Descending the steps was a grey pony, wearing a top hat and sunglasses, a grin plastered on his face.

He walked up to her so casually which was unusual, though she did not mind, most ponies were uneasy approaching her due to her high class.

The stallion walked up to her and gave a deep bow, “ It has been a while, Cadence, but I am sure you remember me?”

Cadence’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion and was about to apologise to the pony, about not remembering . Until he lowered his sunglasses revealing a pair of yellow and red eyes and, slightly raised his top hat revealing a blue horn.

Cadence expression of confusion changed instantly turned to one of recognition .

“O how could I ever forget about you, Dustball” Cadence said cheerfully.

It was Discord turn to mimic Cadence’s earlier confused look, “ Dustball?” he said.

Shining Armour and Cadence, shared a laugh at the confused expression on the lord of chaos, it was not often Discord was the one confused.

“Dustball?” Discord repeated.

“Your undercover name.” the prince whispered in his ear.

“You couldn't have let me choose my undercover name.” Discord muttered.

“You probably would have chosen such a strange name , that everyone will know it’s you” Shining said bluntly.

“Still you couldn't have chosen something that goes with my cutie mark, like,” Discord, put a hoof to his mouth, in thought. “Like, Tornado, or Whirlwind, perhaps Cyclone, or can I at least be cold Dust Devil.”

“Discord”. Cadence said, in a stern tone. “ Do you want to go to lunch with use or not, because if so Dustball is your given name.”

Discord eyed Cadence ,behind his sun glasses. Becoming a regular princess this one is , Discord thought to himself.
“Fine” Discord said “ Dustball it is.”

“Great” Cadence said in a now cheery tone, clapping her hooves together. “lets get going to lunch or we might take the rest of the day away”

0000000
There trip was mostly done in silence, with the occasional whispered conversation from Cadence and Shining Armour.

The couple tried to get Discord involved in the conversation. But he had retreated into the deepest parts of his mind, thinking of the best way to phrase his question of love to Cadence.

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he was starting to trail behind the princess and prince, and did not see them stop.

“Ugh” Shining Armour said as Discord walked into his back, causing them both to lose their balance and fell on top of another in unceremonious spill.

“Shining” Cadence cried, rushing to where the two unicorns lay sprawled. “are you two okay?”

“ I’m good” Shining Armour replied as he extracted himself from the mess of limbs and bodies and got shakily to his hooves.

“Dustball, how about you?” the prince asked as Discord dusted himself off

“Who?” Discord said

Cadence and Shining looked about uneasily as some ponies stated to gather at the spectacle.

“You, Dustball,” Cadence said “ are you okay”, she said slowly and methodically.

It took Discord a moment to remember that Dustball, was his undercover name.

“O ya I am good, well except for …..”

“Except what?” Shining Armour asked.

“ Everything is upside down” Discord said.

Shining and Cadence shared a deadpan face.

“That’s because you're on your back” Cadence stated.

“O.. well that would explain it” Discord said, as he got up off his back quickly, and dusted himself off, feeling more than a bit embarrassed.

“ And here I thought some handsome, smart, charming, hilarious, draconequus, was having some fun, in flipping the world upside down, for the enjoyment for all ponies” Discord said with a grin.

Cadence and Shining Armour expressions immediately turned to one of amusement.

“ If said draconequus were to do such a thing, Dustball, then he would lose his vacation time and spare day.” Cadence said.

Discord blinked in bewilderment “I have vacation time?”

“O look we’re at the Pivoting Pegasus ” Shining Armour quickly said , before Discord could blow his cover any further.

“Remember this place Cadence, we used to come here when we dated in at the Canterlot Academy.”

Cadence turned to her husband, and smiled “ How could I forget Shining, this is where you brought me the night when you proposed to me.”

“One of, if not the best thing that I did” , Shining Armour said. He then leaned over and kissed his wife on the lips.

Discord rolled his eyes at the couple’s affection. And looked around to see a small group of ponies forming around them. Most seemed focused on the royals of the Crystal Empire

Discord cleared his throat, “ Well if you two are done reminiscing, can we go in? I am starving.” And with that said he turned and made his way to the door of the restaurant.
The two lovers finished their kiss, and followed their chaotic guest.

Once inside the Pivoting Pegasus they were greeted by receptionist, behind an ivory-coloured desk.

The stallion was an earth pony, had a golden mane and emerald green eyes and his coat was a deep shade of indigo. He was dressed in a waiter’s uniform, but in Discord’s opinion he did not wear it well at all. He could have worn it infinitely better.

The receptionist’s eyes glinted with excitement, and a warm smile spread across his face which he directed at the three newcomers; more precisely, Discord noted, at the prince and princess.

“Welcome your majesty to the Pivoting Pegasus ” said the receptionist as he gave a deep bow.

Cadence smiled “No need for formalities please, my good pony” Cadence said “My Husband and I are here on our lunch break, and that means no royal titles. You can call us, Cadence and Shining Armour.”

“O-of course your magist-, Royal, Ah I mean Princess Cadence” Reception said, his head lowering. The pony face had changed from its natural colour of purple, to a remarkable shade of red. Discord noted that pony’s face resembled Spikes whenever he did something embarrassing in front of Rarity.

Cadence just gave a gentle smile at the embarrassed pony, “ That will do,” she said, “but in future you can get rid of the princess part, okay?.”

“Of course Prin-” the pony caught himself “Of course Cadence” he finally said with a sheepish smile.

Cadence face broke into a wider smile “ Now if you don’t mind, Penny Shine could you please show the three of us to a table”

The Stallion, now known as Penny Shine blinked in surprise. “You know my name” Penny Shine said.

“Of course I do” Cadence said “ it’s the duty as princess of Equestria to know, guide and guard, her fellow ponies and...” Cadence continued.“ it’s on your name tag”. Her bright blue magic glowed around Penny Shine’s golden name tag.

Penny Shine blushed again. “O well.. um where would you like to sit? booth or table” he said quickly.

Cadence turned to Shining Armour and Discord “ Any personal thoughts?” she said.

“I dont mind where we sit” Shining Armour said.

“I am good with either or.” Discord agreed.

Cadence turned back to Penny Shine. “ Either is fine” she said.

“please follow me then” Penny Shine said, regaining some composure as he lead the small group to their booth.

Once there, Shining Armour and Cadence took one end of the booth, leaving Discord to the other.

“A waiter will be along “ Penny Shine said with his composure full restored.

Cadence smiled, “Thank you, Penny Shine.”

A slight blush appeared on Penny Shine’s cheeks. “You’re welcome…Cadence” and he hurried away.

“Well,that wasn’t awkward at all” Discord said sarcastically, once Penny Shine was out of earshot.

Shining Armor and Cadance scowled at him.
Discord, just grinned in response.

A waitress soon came with their menus .
She was an as well earth pony with a white coat, corn colored mane, with eyes the color of coffee beans.
“Welcome your highness to the Pivoting Pegasus ” the waitress said excitedly as she gave a deep bow, in Cadence and Shining’s direction.

“and guest” Discord muttered to himself.

The waitress either did not hear him, or did not pay any attention to Discord’s words, and continued to address Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armour.

“ Might I just say on behalf of all the staff of the Pivoting Pegasus, it is a great honour and a privilege to have you having lunch at our establishment.”

Shining Armor grinned. “ The honour is all ours, that you can make time for us here for lunch at your fine dining establishment ” he said.

Discord made a quick sweep of the room, yeah, they were simply overflowing with customers. He thought cynically.
In truth the Pivoting Pegasus was pretty barren with a few customers scattered around the place digging into their lunches, now and then looking up to catch a glimpse of Princess Cadence and Shining Armour.

No doubt the scarcity of customers would change once ponies realized that the guardians of the Crystal Empire were eating here. Discord also noted that they were in the booth farthest away from any window, most likely to avoid any ponies disturbing them.

While Discord was making these silent observations, the waitress kept on talking.

“Our specials for today are a daisy, cheese, green pepper toasted panini, a tomato soup sprinkled with chives and basils and a dollop of cream, and Cranberry, goat cheese, pecan nut salad with the option of added sliced apples or sliced tangerines.”

“Could you please give us a few moment to look at our menus and decide, because it all sounds great” Cadence told the waitress.

“O... of course princess but may I interest you in some beverages while you make your decision?”

“What type of drinks do you have?”

"We have , tea, coffee and a variety of juices and soft drinks.”

Cadence turned to her Husband

“A pot of tea? “ she asked her husband.

“Works for me” Shining Armor said.

“One pot of tea?” the waitress asked.

Cadance nodded her consent.
“How about you, Dustball.” Cadence asked “A pot of tea?”

Discord pondered this as he really only drank tea with Fluttershy; his heart increased its pace at the thought of her name reminding him of his mission at hand, or in his current form hoof.

He also doubted they sold chocolate milk, and even if they did, Cadence or Shining Armour might call him out on it saying it will arouse suspicion as to his true identity.

A thought struck him then, and a sly grin crept across his face.

“ Thank you Cadence but no” Discord said, as he turned to face the waitress.

“ But if it’s not too much trouble,” he said to the waitress, “could I have just .a glass. of.water?”

Discord noted ,out of the corner of his eye, Cadence raise her menu to cover her face, and Shining Armor give a look of confusion between his wife and Discord.

“One pot of tea and one glass of water coming up.” the waters said spinning on her hooves and walking off to the kitchen.

Once she was gone, Cadence lowered her menu and shot Discord a glare. “ Don’t you dare start singing or dancing or whatever you did at Twilight's house, Disc… Dustball!” Cadence quickly correcting herself.

Discord , feigned a look of surprise, “ Cadence, I would never. I am supposed be undercover!” he said with a grin.

Cadence just rolled her eyes and raised her menu .

Discord and Shining Armor followed suit.

The waitress soon returned with the pot of tea and glass of water the group had ordered.
“Has everyone made their decision on what they want to order?” the waitress asked.

Cadence placed down her menu , “Shining, have you chosen?” she asked her husband.

Shining Armor placed his menu down following his wife, “ I think I will have the special panini of the day , how about you, Cadne?”

“I think I will have the Tomato s soup, how about you Dustball?”

The couple braced for what chaotic concoction Discord might ask for.

Discord lowered his menu “ I am going to have the creamed daisy noodles, without the daisies”

“All right “ the waitress said , pulling out a pen and notepad, “that will be two specials and one on the daisy noodles without the daisies, is that right?”

“Yes thank you.” Cadence said faintly, surprise on her face that Discord had asked for a reasonable dish.

The waitress scribbled down a few things on the notebook. “ Right.” she said “they will be out in a moment.” And with that done quickly strode off to the kitchen.

Once the waitress left, Discord noted the surprise that the couple shared.

“What? Can’t a guy have some noodles?”

Shining was about to reply but then thought better of it, better just count our blessings, he thought.

Discord absent mindedly started to drink from his glass.

“Dustball” Shining Armour hissed.

“mmmhm ?” Discord said, his mouth full.

He made a gesture with his hoof “Your glass”

Discord looked down at his glass, though he had taken and huge sip from it, the water in the glass had stayed completely untouched; nor did it slosh about as Discord levitated back to the table with use of his horn. It seemed the water had turned from a it liquid state to that of a solid one.

But the glass itself had significantly changed, at least half of the glass had disappeared.

Discord looked and the glass and then the substance in his mouth and then at his companions.

“Meren mrea mround”, he mumbled

“Excuse me? “ Cadence said.

“Mmteren… mmau …mmround” Discord repeated slowly.

The couple seemed to get it this time, And turned their heads away.

Discord made a quick check to see if anyone was watching and spewed the liquid glass out; the glass magically took on its original shape around the water.

“Sorry about that” Discord said as Cadence and Shining Armour turned their heads back to face him. “Force of habit”

Cadence smiled “It’s okay,Dustball, no need to apologize.”

“Yeah” Shining Armour chimed in, “no harm, no foul.”

Discord smiled a little, at their kind words

“But Discord I have a question for you, if you don’t mind me asking” Cadence asked.

“Fire away ” Discord said cheerfully .

“ Well, it’s not that we don’t mind your company but, I have to say that am surprised to see you come for lunch with us, I thought you usually went off to play pranks on the Canterlot ponies; don’t try and deny it, Dustball” she quickly said as she saw him about to protest. “I know your little antics.” she went on “or you go to visit Fluttershy and or the others in ponyville. ”

Cadence and Shining Armour used their magic to lift their tea mugs up to drink all the while watching the now silent lord of chaos, for a response.

Discord pondered telling the truth to Cadence as to why he was really here to ask about his odd feelings to Fluttershy, but, he couldn't not with the Shining Armour hanging about. He trusted Shining but the fewer ponies who knew what he was asking, the better. Wouldn’t want them making any hypothesis that could be the truth.

Discord shrugged “ Thought I might have a change, since you two rarely leave the Crystal Empire , why not hang out with two friends I don’t get to see much of.” This was true, he did not see much of either of them and he did regard both Cadence and Shining Armour as friends.

Both Cadence and Shining Armour gave Discord a wary look before, in Discord opinion, accepting what he had said.
“Now perhaps you can answer one of my questions, Shining Armour?” Discord asked

“ I will try to the best of my abilities, Dustball.” the white Unicorn stated, as he took another sip of his tea.

“What was the point of that big lens you needed my help in moving into place? Was it for making sure you didn’t miss any dirt streaks on the glass ceiling or are you, planning on zapping ponies like ants?” Discord saidin joking manner.

This got a little bit laughter from around the table.
“Neither, I am afraid, Discord” Shining Armour said after the laughter had died down.

“It actually is so we can get a better view of the eclipse, the glass is to show the eclipse like it’s in the same room” Shining Armour explained.

“And it’s specially enchanted, so we don’t have to wear goggles while we look at it” Cadence continued

“Yeah, kind of ruin the celebration if every pony went blind from looking at the eclipse.” Shining Armour jokingly continued.

The group had little laughed at that. Until afterthought popped into Discord’s head.

He had been helping set up for the Lunar Convergences celebration but knew next to nothing about. Actually, he thought again, he knew nothing about it.

“Actually” Discord asked “you two would not mind answering another question about the Lunar Convergence celebration would you?”

“Sure, what are you interested in, Dustball” Cadence said.

“What is it exactly that we are celebrating?.”

“ No one told you what the festival is about?” Cadence asked.

Discord raised his hoof under his chin, in thought “I can’t honestly say that anyone told me” Discord finally said.

“ Not even Twilight?” Shining said. “ I thought she might have given you a whole speech on the subject.”

“Honestly Shining, I know Twilight means well and I appreciate that, but sometimes ...her speeches can be a bit uhm….well … dull. But in my defence” he quickly added “ I stay awake through them”.. most of the time Discord thought to himself. “But I always see Rainbow Dash sleeping at the end of Twilight’s speeches.”

For a moment there was silence, and Discord thought he might have said too much and might have offended his companions, then there was soft chuckling from the prince “ Yeah.. well I guess my sisters’ speeches can get a bit repetitive after a while but it’s good to see that you’re listening, to most of Twilights’ speeches , not long ago, you would not listen to what anyone had to say.”

“Not true,” Discord blurted out, “I always listened to what Fluttershy says sh…..” he stopped himself from saying ‘ she means a lot to me’ because the whole reason he was here was to figure that out. He didn’t know why he had that sudden outburst, he just felt like he had to say it.

Cadence raised an eyebrow at Discord’s outburst “Fluttershy means what ?” Cadence asked prodding him on.

Discord fell silent, maybe now he should ask Cadence if his feeling for Fluttershy were now past friendship and now into a romantic feeling.

“Fluttershy means what, Dustball?” the prince echoed .

No, he could not ask while the prince was still here; the fewer the ponies who knew the better.

“We’re getting off topic” Discord finally said “ what is the Lunar Celebration about, I believe was my question?”

The two ponies gave Discord a questioning gaze.

“You’re right Dustball, we have been getting a bit of topic.” Shining Armour said, letting Discord’s previous statement go.

Cadence nodded in agreement, looking at Discord with a curious look, which he could not interpret as to what she was thinking.

“ The Lunar celebration, is a special celebration; it’s when the moon comes the closest to the earth and where the shadow of the earth turns the moon a dark red an-,” Shining Armor stopped as he saw the Unicorn's eye slowly falling .

“Dustball!!” Shining cried “were you falling asleep!? “

Discord his eye flew open at the loud tone of the unicorns voice; he hadn’t meant to start dozing, in fairness to Shining he was doing a better job than his sister, Twilight would have gone into all the detail of the pony who discovered it and what shade of color the moon turned, but the nightmares he had been having were taking a toll on him.

Discord shook himself out of his stupor, “Who me? I was merely resting my eye.”

“Then what did Shining say?” Cadence said.

“Shining Armour said that the Lunar festival was, when Lunas moon was supposed to be as close as it possibly can get to the earth and changed color” Discord repeated “ all I can say is kind of... well…. under welling, I could easily do that with a snap of my finger” he raised his arm, only remembering when he looked at his hoof that he was not a draconequus but a pony and quickly lowered it.

“ But I haven't finished explaining” Shining Armour protested. “I was about to say the most unusual thing that happens is that every, magical creatures powers increase by 10 times their original strength .”

This piqued Discord interest.

“All magical creatures?” Discord enquired.

“All.” Cadence confirmed “ but it’s said it will only be really noticed in creatures who wield magic constantly, like unicorns and alicorns. Earth ponys and pegasi will be affected but in a differnet way.”

“What about changeling?” Discord said.
Discord was confident that he could take on Chrysalis and her whole army of changeling in normal circumstances , but if they were pumped with some new magic abilities that might pose a problem even for him.

“Their powers will increase but, they gain their main strength from feeding on the love of others , so we should not have to worry about any party crashers this time” Shining Armour stated.

“All the same security will be tight” Cadence added

Discord was silent for a moment before tentatively asking another question. “And the prisoners in Tarters, …will they be affected by this ? ” Thinking of Tirek and how he escaped.

There was moment of silence.
“I don’t think so “ Cadence said “ and even if they were Surbrase is on guard 24.7 and will not allow anyone to pass.”

This bit of news eased Discords thoughts

“And besides, the effects of the moon are only temporary, they only start when the moon hits it zenith at midnight and ends soon after, around half an hour to be exact.”

“Midnight?” Discord said “why is it always midnight with these types of things?”

Before any pony could answer Discord’s question, the waitress arrived with their food.

“I am so sorry it took so long,” the water said between gasps, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her yellow mane slightly disheveled.

She carefully removed their plates from her back with her mouth. To their respective owners.

“One special of the day for you, princess Cadence” the waitress said as she placed Cande’s order in front of her.
“One panini special for the prince,” placing the prince’s lunch down then.

“And one daisy noodles, without the daisy, for you sir” placing Discord’s plate down.

The trio said their thanks, and the waitress departed.

The group ate in relative silence, well most of the group.

Discord was, playing with his food, using his fork to lift and twist his noodles, deep in thought about how to ask his question.

“Are the noodles to your liking Dustball?” Cadence inquired.

“huh, o.. no ah they’re good, but if you will excuse me, I got to use the colts room.” Discord said quickly thinking up an excuse, and quickly excusing himself from the table made his way to the restroom.

Cadence eyed Discord curiously as he navigated his way to the restroom through the islands of seats and chairs.

“Odd” she mumbled to herself.
Her husband turned to her “ What is Cadne?” Shining Armour questioned.

The princess of the crystal empire paused before answering.
She knelt into her husband and quietly asked, so as not to be overheard, “ Shining, have you noticed that Discord seems a little off to you, like he isn’t so….” She trailed off, looking for the right word.

“Chaotic ?” Shining Armour offered in the same quiet voice.

“yes”

“I have to admit, Cadence, I have been too occupied with my jobs at the museum to pay much attention to Discord.”

“ He just seems a little off to me”

“ Maybe this is just his newly reformed self.” Shining suggested

“Maybe, but I don’t think so. It’s more like he’s in his own world, thinking about something, other than chaos”

“Like what?”

That’s the question, Cadence thought to herself.

0000000000

Discord was sitting in one of the lavatory stalls with the door locked.

He had reverted back to his normal form and was gently swirling his top hat between his mismatched hands, trying to think of a way to get to talk to Cadence alone.

What if I ask to talk to Cadence alone, he thought to himself, he quickly shook his head dismissing the idea.
No! that ideas down the drain they might sense something, especially if I get on the topic of love.
Discord let out a mental groan; this so hard and it didn’t make the situation any easier him lacking his thinking tree.

He might as well give up asking Cadence any of his questions and flush them down the toilet.

His thought trailed off as a light bulb sprang up between his horns.

“That’s it ” he looked up at the light bulb. “wow two in one day am doing good with bright ideas to day.” He quickly snapped his fingers, whether it was because of the place he was in or it was because of the stalls he had cleaned to day, Discord did not know, but it was the only idea he had.

A small yellow pill bottle appeared in his paw, with a white tag that said ,Ex-Lax super speed, super effective .

“No hard feelings, Shining ” Discord whispered under his breath.

He then in one swift movement placed the pill bottle in his hat, placed it on his head, turned himself back into a pony, and walked out of the stall.

000000000

“Well that didn’t take that long,” Shining said. As Discord returned from the restrooms.

Discord shrugged “Guess it was a false alarm.”

Discord took his respective seat at the table.

“Hope you two..” his voice trailed off as he seemed to look past the two of them and his expression turned to one of shock.

“Discord, is everything alright? “ Cadence asked him. A concern for her chaotic friend

“Is, that .. Is.. Is that Sapphire Shores!!!” Discord cried.

Every one in the Pivoting Pegasus turned to the window in excitement, to see the famous Sapphire Shore.
Everyone save for the pony who claimed to have seen her.

Discord stealthily used his magic to remove his top hat and produce the pill bottle: he quickly unscrewed the white cap of the bottle with his magic and, plopped one white oval pill into the prince’s tea mug, that should be enough, he thought to himself

“ Where is she? ”

“ I don’t see her.”

“Was that her over there ?”

The ponies were still looking for the diva. I still got it, Discord thought to himself as he replaced his hat back on his head with the vial safely underneath.

The Prince and Princess turned back to Discord with confused expressions on their faces

“Are you sure you saw Sapphire Shores, Dustball?” Cadence asked.

“Of course I am sure” Discord replied, “ she’s one of the one of the pegasi that’s part of the wonder bolts right, rainbow dash favorite if I am not mistaken”
“ That’s Spit Fire Disc- Dustball” Shining said

“and she’s not there either” Cadence added

“ well SpitFire ,Sapphire easy mix up” Discord said.

“hmmm, I guess?” Cadence said, eyeing Discord suspiciously.

Shining Armour just shrugged the whole situation off, and took a sip of his tea.
Shinings brow furrowed as sipped tea and he put the cup down again

Cadence could not help but notice Discord, watching her husband’s cup, like a hawk watching a field mouse.

“Everything okay Shining Amour” Discord inquired.

“Yeah, I think so” he said “ though we might need a new pot of tea. I think this one might have gone cold”

He bit into the rest of panini, when a grumbling sound came from his stomach and he quickly reacted.

“Is everything okay, Shining ?” Cadence asked her husband worriedly

“You need any help?” Discord asked with concern in his voice as well. He truly did not want to hurt Shining Armour, he just needed privacy for a little while.

“Yeah. I’m good” he said puttng one foreleg on the ground. His stomach announced another grumble in protest.

“But ” he quickly added “if you will excuse me I got to go” and he quickly made his way to the washrooms.

“Make sure you use the second cubicle.” Discord called after him. Just as Shining dived into the stallions washroom.

And then Discord and Cadence were alone in the booth.
An awkward silence came over the two of them.

“So, that was sporadatic, but when you got to go I guess” Discord said trying to lighten the mood.

Cadence rewarded him with a small smile and nod but her eyes still showed concern for her husband’s health .

Well no point in beating around the bush Discord thought.

“Cadence, I have another question” he said hesitantly

Cadence turned her eyes away from the restrooms and looked at Discord.

“My,my, you are asking a lot today, Dustball” she said

“Yes, well I feel like you are the best qualified to answer” he replied honestly.

Cadence raised an eyebrow “Is the question about the festival?”
Discord shook his head “no”

He took a deep breath “ I was wondering If you could take to me about… “ he trailed off

“go on Dustball, I’m listening.” Cadence said, giving him a warm smile of reassurance, it was odd, thought Cadence what question did Discord need answering that would give him such a difficulty.

Discord looked at the pink Alicorn

“Cadence” he started again “ can you explain love to me ...?”

Chapter 5

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Cadance blinked in surprise, had she heard right? What did Discord want her to explain?

“E-excuse me” Cadance stuttered, “ what did you say?”

The disguised draconequus, took a deep breath and repeated his question. “Can you explain what love is...please? ”

Cadance blinked again, trying to let her brain process the information in Discord’s words.

“You ..want.. me ..to ..explain love ?” Cadance repeated
“to you.”

“Yes” replied Discord, nodding consent.

An awkward silence seemed to descend between the two in the restaurant.

“Ahem” Discord broke the silence; swaying uncomfortably on his seat. “Cadance, if this is too much of a personal question then you ..don't have to answer it.”

“Oh, no.. no Dustball,” Cadance said quickly, “ I am more than happy to answer your question; although you must forgive me Dustball for my surprise. Of all the questions you could have asked,this one is certainly not the one I would have expected ”.

Although, Cadance thought to herself, what else could she expect from the spirit of chaos.

“ Well, I honestly don't see why not.” Discord said “ You are after all the princess of love, you must be used to questions like this.”

“Well, I am more used to protecting and guiding the ponies of the Crystal empire” Cadance stated. “ But you are right. I am the princess of love and it is my duty to aid anyone who asks for my help in any way ….although….” Cadance said as she slowed her speech.

“Although what?”

“Well your question isn't exactly an easy one to answer”

“And why pray tell is that?”

“Well,.... because the answer still remains elusive, even to me.”

Great, Discord thought, not even the princess of love knows what love is.

“Can you at least give me your interpretation of love, please” Discord asked.

“ I can” Cadance said, “but that depends on which interpretation of love you would like to hear.”

“There's more than one?”

“Of course Dustball, love is not a one way path there are many variants of it, for instance-.”

O great! Discord thought, another lecture from a princess! Like I haven't heard enough of those.

“There’s the sort which is the love you have for family.”

“Something I never had!” Discord muttered

“What was that, Dustball?”

“ Nothing, Cadance; please continue.” Discord replied hastily.

“Any way” Cadance said slowly “ the next form of love is Agape, which is a selfless form of love like how a pet loves its’ owner or the love for species, country, or perhaps in your case, chaos.” Cadance added quickly, seeing she was losing Discord. “then there's Philautia which is love for one’s self”

“ You mean like how your cousin Prince Blueblood loves his own reflection?” Discord replied trying his best to hold back his laughter at the thought of the pompous unicorn.

“ Well I wouldn't call Blueblood my cousin” Cadance quickly replied “ but he is an extreme example of philautia, a better example, however, is Rainbowdash and how she prides herself on her sonic brain boom.”

Discord was tempted to ask what family relation Cadance had with Blueblood,but decided to drop the idea. There will be time for that question later, he thought.

“Finally there’s Philia, which is actually a type of love that you learned quite recently; any guess on what it might be?” Cadance asked, trying to prompt him.

Discord’s heart pace quickened; did Cadance know something about his newly developing feelings toward Fluttershy, he thought to himself.

“Haven't the foggiest” Discord stated hesitantly .

“ You sure ? Somepony became a prince of it and gained a castle by it.”, Cadance hinted.

Discord heart slowly returned to its normal beat, and he let go a mental sigh of relief. His thoughts turned to the question Cadance was asking him, if it's a pony who became a prince and gained castle, Discord reasoned to himself, then that could only mean...

“Friendship.” Discord guessed.

Cadance smiled “Correct Dustball, Phila is the love you feel for your friends.”

“ And I take it the most powerful form of love” Discord speculated. “Judging by how many times friendship has won the day for Equestria, against the countless dark forces.”
“Not exactly Dustball” Cadness answered. “ I could see why you would think Phila is the strongest form of love, but you must understand, that there isn’t a strongest type of love nor is there a weakest type, all loves are equal in their power.”

“Really?” he said sceptically, “even Philuan...Phian-even blueblood love ?”

She nodded.“Yes Philautia, if one can't love oneself or actions, then how can they have any hope of loving another.”

Discord rubbed his chin in agitation; this was intricate information, he never thought there could be so many interpretations of just four words; but it wasn’t what he was looking for and he could not but think that Cadance was missing a form of love.

“Ah... Cadance I don’t want to seem that I know more about love than you do, you being the princess of it and all . But I cannot help thinking that you may have missed a form of love.”

“Oh, and what form might that be?” Cadance replied.

“ The type of love married couples, or the type of love that special somepony’s have. That type of love seems to have been skipped over in that list of yours .”

Cadance grinned at Discord, “There is a reason I didn't include that type of love on the list.”

“and that reason being?” Discord said, pressing her to continue.

“The reason being is that type of love isn't a single love that makes it , its usually two or more loves that make that form.”

Discord frowned “Are you telling me you can create other forms of love just by mixing different types of love?”

“That’s precisely what I mean, Dustball.” Cadance said. She smiled to herself, I think he is finally starting to understand it, she thought.

Discord closed his eyes and brought his hoofs up to his temple, gently massaging the sides of his head,“Think all this is starting to go over my head, or horn as the case is” as he looked up at his blue born.

“It can be a bit much to take in all at once!” Cadance admitted. She moved her head around the room, doing a quick scan, so that no pony in the restaurant would overhear the use of Discord name. “ But if you allow me, I can help you understand love, Discord. If you want to continue that is?.”

Discord looked at Cadance for a moment and nodded his consent, bringing his hooves down from his head.

“Well if you recall,I just explained some types of love to you.”
Discord rolled his eyes. “ Yes Cadance, I remember; it was only few minutes ago.They were Storig, Silia, Age gape and..uhm….blueblood love…. It’s real all greek to me Candace.” Discord added as excuse.

Cadance gave out a quiet sigh, well,as long as he understands their meaning, it doesn't matter what he calls them.

“Right, those four types of love, but if any of them combined with one another, they can branch off into other forms of love. The two most common definitions and actions of love, most ponies think of is marriage or special somepony s, are actually two forms of love that fused.”

“So what are the types of love that make up the two of them.” Discord asked.

“Well the love that makes the bond between special somepony is a very deep and intimate form of Philia and sometimes Ludus, which is a playful flirty type love.”

“and the..” Discord’s question was cut off by Cadance.

“The next level past special somepony s is marriage, and the love that makes up marriage requires both Philia and Storge, ...the love of family and friends.”,Cadence clarified.

“but why those to specific loves? I mean I can understand the love of family; that's the whole point of marrying someone after all, to start your own family; even I know that, but what does friendship have to do with the two, marriage and special somepony?”

“It has a fair bit to do with it!” Cadance replied, “ You wouldn't want to marry a total stranger, would you Discord? Because I sure wouldn’t,and didn’t . I married someone I trusted, I can be myself around, who makes me happy and when I see him happy I am happy, and who I know will always be there for me and will always love me no matter what happens, and I would do exactly the same for him….speaking of whom, I wonder what's taking so long?” Cadance asked as she turned her head to the bathroom doors.

Discord didn't hear Cadance last words he was too busy processing what the pink alicorn had previously said, and how those worlds seemed to reflect Fluttershy and himself.
Fluttershy was happy then he was happy in turn and when she was sad he would do anything to make her happy, he could always be himself around Fluttershy knowing she wouldn't be angered or scared by his strange ways and she always stood by him, and often up for him, when no else would. But more recently Discord found that when he was with Fluttershy, the world just seemed right.

"Discord" Cadance said whispered. She used his real name to gain his attention.

It succeeded as he turned to face her

She beckoned him to lean in close which he raised his eye brow at. But did so.

"If you take any thing away from this take remember this" She whispered " All love is the same in these ways its to care deeply for some one,or thing, else. To see that persons happy even if it may make you unhappy in the process. and to excpet that person difference to one self ,and patly see the beauty in them"

Cadance then pulled back signing she was down .

However Discord was far from being down the topic. His mind was still boiling out question that he hoped he'd get the awser to.

Before Discord knew what he was saying he blurted out “What does love feel like?”. As soon as he said that, he immediately regretted it.

Cadance attention on doubled Discord. “You want to know what love feels like Discord?” shock and confusion fighting for supremacy in her voice.

“ Well.. um a..er.. yes ” Discord finally consented.

Cadance eyes narrowed, What was his game? she thought, first Discord wanted to know what love is and now he wants to know what it feels like. For the spirit of chaos, he seemed very hung up on the topic of love; what is his game? Cadance didn't know, but she was determined to find out. And the best way was to do that was to answer Discord’s question.

“Well, like your previous question, Discord, it's not exactly the easiest question to answer; it’s more something…...well love is more something you feel.” Cadance said, smiling brightly.

Discord frowned, not satisfied with Cadance’s reply. How corny an answer can you get, he thought.“But what is the actual feeling you have when you're in love?”

“I told you Discord, it’s hard to explain; even the feelings you'd have if you’re in love, because it differs for everyone.” Cadance repeated

We’re going around in circles, Discord thought and I hate circles, too orderly . Discord took a moment to think up a different way of asking his questions.

“ Can you at least tell me how you felt when you were falling in love with Shining Armour?” Discord finally asked.

“ I... ummh, don't think you would find Shining’s past and mine that interesting, Discord, too long and uneventful.” Cadance said, a little too quickly.

“Really? I thought you two had quite an interesting past, with Shining Armour trying to win your heart with his crazy schemes, that he and his friend concocted. Although I could understand why you wouldn't want to talk about the whole parade event, must have been so embarrassing for you when Shining started singing. I would have paid anything to see it for myself.”

“It wasn't embarrassing Discord, it was really sweet and… wait a minute Discord! How did you know about the float event? You were still in stone at the time!”

Discord gave wicked grin, “True; but I I still have ears even as a statue and they work extremely well even without magic. I managed to pick up all the gossip that was going around the gardens and for a while that little stunt Shining Armour pulled at the academy was widely talked about.”

At hearing this Cadance’s face had turned to one of shock and embarrassment, whichever one was dominant was hard to say.

Discord let out a roar of laughter. The few ponies that were in the establishment turned their heads to the commotion.

“What’s so funny?” Cadance hissed, looking around the restaurant.

“Your reaction Cadance; just priceless!” Discord said as his thundering laughter turned slowly to a soft chuckle.

“I don't understand why you're so embarrassed Cadance. I mean it’s in the past, and you even married the guy; everyone in Equestria knows that.”

“It’s still embarrassing to know that it was such a big topic back then though.” Cadance replied.

“If it makes you feel better, I heard all about yours and Shining Armour’s pasts from Fluttershy, not when I was a stone statue.” Discord said, when did I become merciful he thought.

“She did?” Cadance asked.

“She sure did, does that make you feel better?” Discord stated cheerfully.

Not exactly, Cadance thought.

“And I must say Cadance, I always thought Shining Armour was one those popular ponys in school; one that was head of some team or another, not one that played dungeons and dragons in their parent’s basement. However you Cadance, I knew you would be a popular mare in school you being an alicorn princess and all.”

An idea dawned on Cadance. “ You and Fluttershy share a lot, don’t you.”

Discord grey cheeks turned a slight shade of pink, “O..of of course we do, Fluttershy tells me things and I listen and I tell her things and she listens.” Discord replied, a little flustered. “Anyway, we’re getting off topic, Cadance.”

“So we are, Discord.” Cadance agreed. “You asked me what love feels like and I will do my best to give you an answer. Just give me a moment to assemble my thoughts.”

Discord consented and waited patiently as Cadance lifted her tea cup, with her magic, and took a sip. It only took a Cadance a moment to speak again, but it felt like hours to Discord.
When Cadance did speak it was slow and careful.

“Love is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, emotion anypony can feel. Love not only makes the one who feels it happy and joyful but it also can make them feel sadness, anger, jealousy, frustration and a rainbow of many other feelings as well.”

“Are you sure you're still talking about love,Cadance?”Discord interrupted, “ Because for one word to mean so much and to contain so many conflicting aspects,...Well it sounds more like you're talking about chaos, which if you have forgotten would be my expertise.”

Cadance grinned at Discord. “ Admittedly, Discord I don’t know much about chaos, but I must say that love does seem to have strong similarities to chaos; they both seem to work in work in mysterious ways and ponies will do crazy things when they're in love.”

“And how would one know if they were in love?” Discord questioned; probably should have asked that sooner, he thought to himself.

Cadance chuckled a little “My,my…. Discord, first you wanted to know what love is, than you wanted to know what it feels like and now this, if I didn't know any better I would say you were in love with someone.” Cadance teased.

Discord could feel the start of a blush occur, and turned his head, to avoid the pink alicorn from noticing, that’s what I am trying to find out, he thought.

“Now like most of what I said about love today, it differs for each pony, but there are some symptoms that ponies in love have. One is attention, if someone is in love, they will devote their full attention to that one person; no matter how many others are present, they will focus completely on the pony they have a crush on. ”

Discord hadn't really thought about it much but, if there were any other ponies present when he was with Fluttershy, he would often notice their presence. Like last month, he had decided to drop in a couple days early to see Fluttershy, his first instinct was to go toward Fluttershy, he hadn't even noticed that his fellow cutie mark crusaders were there.

“Also, another way you can tell is pleasure; if the pony that you're in love with is happy then your own pleasure does not matter, only his or hers . One way most ponies would show their affection is by giving gifts to the pony they love.”

Discord pondered this and found it was true as well, whenever he was around Fluttershy, he always wanted her to be happy. Even if that meant he could use his magic he didn't care; as long as she was happy that was all that mattered.
And he had been giving Fluttershy a lot of gifts lately, and it wasn't just the small gifts like his Discord lamps, but gifts like giving her animals the ability to speak their language or, his more recent one, going back in time to see a butterfly dragon.
And there hadn't been any special reason in giving her those gifts; he just wanted to see her happy.
Ok...Fluttershy did think she was going crazy and she’d said that the animals speaking was an ‘disruptive, scary surprising present’, but she really did seem to enjoy it. And having the cutie mark crusaders almost eaten by a carnivorous bird was a bit startling, but once he had gotten them safely back to the present, she said that it had been the best field trip ever. And seeing Fluttershy enjoying his gifts had made his heart do flips.

“Another way you can tell somepony has a crush, is an increase of trust, they will share personal information, like their history, or other secrets.”
Discord pondered this one. Fluttershy was the most trustworthy pony he knew, he would trust her with anything, but his past? Every pony knew about him taking over Equestria, but no one knew what happened before and why he committed his action.
When he had first befriended Fluttershy, he thought his past was none of her business so he didn't talk about it. But now he didn't know why he was hiding it from her. Fluttershy had told him her sad history without any trouble; how she was bullied at flight camp and how her parents disowned her because of her flying abilities so they sent her to live with her caring aunt at her cottage outside of ponyville. Her aunt later passed the cottage down to her niece because of her arthritis riddled wings, so what made him hesitate?

“Oh and an increase in heart rate is known to happen when you're close to the pony you have a crush on.”

This last one made Discord snap out of his contemplation.

“An increase in heart rate, Cadance?” Discord questioned.

“Yes” Candace replied, “But these are only a few ways to tell if some pony is in love. There are countless other like…..”

Discord disconnected from what Cadance was saying, and drifted off into his own thoughts.

Maybe his weird heart beat was something more medical than anything else, his brain reasoned, but then why did it only seem to happen around Fluttershy, his heart rebutted?
No matter which way he came at the question, there only seemed to be only one answer.

“I’m in love with Fluttershy”

“What was that, Discord?” Cadance asked.

Discord cheeks turned a bright shade of red, which would see more common on an apple, realising he had spoken out loud.

“Nothing.” Discord hastily said. “nothing at all.”

Only it isn't nothing, Discord thought; I’m in love and the mare I’m in love with is Fluttershy. I should be shocked, in fact I am shocked that I am not shocked, I’ve never been in love before.

But instead of shock Discord was feeling joy, happiness, and many other emotions he could not begin to describe. I wonder if some part of me already knew I was in love with Fluttershy.

And now just as one question was answered, a new one was starting to form, does Fluttershy feel the same way about me.

“Discord, perhaps you can answer question of my own?” Cadance asked.

Cadance’s voice snapped him back to reality.

“Of course Cadance, would you like to know how you get the jam inside the donut, which came first the chicken or the egg, if a tree falls and no pony’s around to hear it does it make a sound? Or do you want to know about the mysteries and intricacies of chaos; I actually have a whole speech on chaos theory planned out for such an occasion and all I need is a glass of water...”

“ As interesting as all those topics are, Discord, my question is none of those.” Cadance responded. “My question is simply why?”

“Why.. why what?”

“ Why are you taking such an interest in love all of sudden?”

“Oh!.. Well... uhm... I thought since I learned about the magic of friendship, I thought perhaps you could teach me the same thing about love. Which I am happy to say, Cadance you have.”

Cadance raised an eyebrow. “ I thought you had a thinking tree for that type of thing, Discord.”
“ Well yes, that’s where I first went to sort out my thoughts. It didn't help much though, it just made me even more confused abo-.. ” Discord cut himself off in mid sentence.

“About what?” Cadance asked.

Discord looked around the restaurant, as though he was afraid someone was after him. Then he leaned forward across the table, in a conspiratorial manner.

“Cadance” Discord whispered, “what I’m about to tell you cannot be told to anyone else.”

Cadance leaned forward as well and whispered in the same tone back to Discord. “You have my word, Discord that I will not breathe a word to anyone else.”

“Pinky promise?”

“Cross my heart hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Cadance repled, making the appropriate gestures for the pinky promise.

“All right. What you’ve just told me about love and how to identify if some one’s in love. Well, I have just realised that the symptoms have been staring me in the face all this time and I didn't even realise it until now.”

“Yes.” Cadance repled, a little excitement had entered her voice.

“ well I believe that…” Discord made a second glance around the room, to check if any one was listening “that Spike has a crush on Rarity.”

For a second nobody moved

“No!! really!!!” Cadance said, her voice laden with sarcasm.

“O yes!!” Discord replied “ It all makes sense now, why Spike spends so much time with Rarity, why he gives her so many gifts. It all makes sense now, he has a crush on her.”

Cadance took a moment to look at Discord trying to figure out if he was serious about not knowing about Spike’s crush on Rarity or if he was covering something up.

“ Was everything to your liking?”

They both looked up to see that their waitress had returned.

“ Everything's delicious, thank you.” Cadance replied.

The waitress smiled, but it soon faltered when she saw Shining Armour’s half eaten panini.

“Did the prince find his panini unsatisfactory?” The waitress asked.

Discord’s face palmed himself, I completely forgot about the prince.

“No, he seemed like he was in goi…”

Discord abruptly got up from the booth, interrupting Cadance in the process. “ Why don’t I go check on Shining Armour?” Discord quickly said, while backing slowly up to the restrooms. “ He’s been in the bathroom for quite some time now and I would hate to think that anything bad has-”

Discord words were cut off by the bathroom door as he went into the bathroom.

“If I may say Princess Cadance, and forgive me if this is offends you, but your friend….is..well..a little...strange.” the waitress stated.

Cadance smiled at the waitress. “You have no idea how right you are.” Cadance agreed.

00000000000000000000000000

Discord soon returned, with a disheveled looking Shining Armour.

“ How are you feeling honey?” Cadance said, to her husband. “you were in there for quite some time.”

“You know, it was the strangest thing, Cadance” Shining said while he took his seat. “There I was in complete discomfort for, Celeasta knows how long when, suddenly as if by magic I was cured.”

“Well maybe it was the magic of friendship that cured you?” Discord offered.

“Maybe...” Cadence said, slowly “Or more logically, what ever Shining ate was purged from his system.”

Or drank, Discord thought.

“ Whatever it was, I just want to forget about it.” Shining stated as he reclined comfortably into the booth.

“You two talk about anything interesting while I was away?” he inquired.

“Well now that you mention it,” Candace started. “ Discord and I had qui-”

“We had quite the heated discussion of what shade of red the moon would turn during the Lunar Convergence Celebration” Discord hastily interrupted. “Candace says rose red, I support more of a ruddy beige colour.”

Shining gave a confused look at the disguised draconequus then to his wife, who hesitated and then nodded in agreement.

Shining accepted the answer, trusting that Cadance would tell him what truly transpired later.
“So did you to come to a verdict on a sha- .. Sweet Celestia is that the time!” Shining cried as he got a glimpse at a clock situated on the wall behind Discord’s head.

“Sorry Cadne we’ve got to get back to the museum and finish the preparation.” Shining said.

“PPfff... speak for yourself, Shining I am halfway finished my job.”

“Really?” Shock was evident in Shining’s voice. “But, you started so late, how did you get so many of those jobs.”

“Please I’m Discord, spirit of chaos, master of disharmony, Th-”

“ The disguised draconequus that’s going to blow his cover.” Cadance hissed.

Discord shut his mouth not realising he was yelling.

“Let’s see your list Discord” Shining said, holding out his hoof.

“ Oh, it sound’s like you two don't trust me”

“Yes” both Cadance and Shining Armour said bluntly.

Discord shrugged in agreement “ I wouldn't trust me either,” he said, pulling out the scroll that listed his jobs and handing it, with his magic, to Shining Armour.

Shining Armour, unfurled the scroll and inspected keenly. Discord noticed that a frown was beginning to form on the prince lips as he went down the list.

“What’s the matter, surprised that I told the truth?” Discord asked.

“I would be surprised if you had finished half of your jobs Discord.” Shining admitted “but by the look of this list it looks like that you're barely over a quarter way down.”

“what?! how is that possible?!”

Shining turned the list back to Discord and used his magic to show a second page under the first.

How did I miss that,? Discord thought.

“You know Discord if you don’t get thes-”

“If I don’t get these jobs done then I will have to finish them, tomorrow which is my day off, I know, I had my ears talked off about this by Luna and Celestia.” Discord said hotly.

To emphasise his point, he let his ears fall off onto the table making a dull thud.

“DISC!!!!...” The couple cried, before they caught themselves.

“You’re not supposed to use magic.” Candace hissed.

“I’m not using magic” Discord repled as a new set of ears sprouted from his head. “ I’m merely making a point.”

“With your magic.” riled Shining Armour.

“Well it’s best I get going, anyway” Discord stated, ignoring Shining’s question. “Will you be accompanying me back your princeliness?” as he made his way out of the booth.

“I think I am far enough along on my list that I can afford to spend a few minutes with my lovely wife.” Shining said, wrapping an arm around Cadance.

“But if I were you, Discord, I would start hustling to the museum?” Shining stated,handing the scroll back to Discord with his magic.

“And why would that be?” Discord asked, accepting the scroll.

“Because the museum closes in about 2 hours and you have quite a few jobs to finish off, if you want to have tomorrow free.”

“Why is it closing so early?” Discord asked.

“ Celestia, Luna and I are doing a practice warm up on our speeches for the celebration.” said Candace.

“Why wasn't I told I was under a time limit ?”

“Because we all thought you have done everything we assigned you” Shining stated.

Discord sighed, giving up the argument, “Well, I best get to finishing those jobs then” he said as he swiveled on his hooves.

“You know, I can always lend you a hoof on those jobs?” Shining offered.

“Thanks Shining, but I think I will be fine; I am , if you have forgotten, the master of chaos, I’m pretty sure I can finish a few chores.”

Shining Armour shrugged “The offer will still stand.”

Discord nodded his thanks and turned away. He had taken only few steps before he stopped. “Remember to tip the waitress for me” he cried over his shoulder, then he continued trotting out to the door.

The couple watched the grey unicorn to go through the doors; as soon as he exited the building, Shining Armour turned to his wife.

“So did you two really talk about what shade of red the moon will turn?” The white unicorn asked his alicorn wife.

Candace shook her head, her eyes still glued on the restaurant doors. “No a far more.. peculiar conversation than that.” Candace slowly said.

“What about?” Shining asked.

Candace turned to face him. “ We had a conversation about love.”

There was a period of silence while Shining’s mind tried to process the information. “How did you get on to that topic, Cadance? ”

“That was one of the strange things about our conversation, Discord was the one that asked about it.”

“What sort of questions? Did he ask about love. ?”

“ Well, he asked what it was, then he asked what it felt like and perhaps strangest of all, Discord asked how someone would know if they were in love. Got any idea why Discord may be asking those questions?”

Shining Armor, gave a helpless shrug. “ Sorry Cadney but I haven’t the foggiest. Discord was acting a little stranger than usual at the museum, wouldn’t break eye contact at one of the display cases, but other than that, I’ve got nothing. Perhaps he just wanted to know what love is.” Shining Armour offered.

“Maybe” Cadance replied, unsure. She doubted that Discord had asked about love from out of the blue or for the reason he gave.

Candace noticed a grin starting to form on her husband's lips.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“I was just thinking that Discord could be in love” he chuckled.

Shining then started to laugh “How crazy would that be? the spirit of chaos in love!”

Candace stared at her husband wrapped in thought, at what he had just said.

Shining Armour caught his wife's concentrated gaze and his laughter slowed down and stopped.

“What's wrong honey?” Shining questioned.

“Nothing Shining, it's just what you just said....” Candace stopped and looked to the doors to the restaurant. “Maybe it's not that crazy...maybe...”

00000000000

Discord dragged his mismated feet through one of the Canterlot castle main halls. He had managed to finish all the jobs at the museum, with a little help from Prince Shining Armour.

But, now he was exhausted from his work. The last few hours at the museum had completely drained him, even with Shinings assistance.
He was too tired even to teleport himself directly to his room, he had just managed getting to the palace gates . Unfortunately, he had to walk the rest of the distance back to his room.

Discord would like to think that he was simply tired from all the dull work he had done at the museum; that, at least, could be cured with a hot cocoa bath with marshmallow duckies, he would like to think so but he knew it wasn't true.

Ever since he had the conversation with Cadance, his mind had been filled with thoughts about Fluttershy: how was she doing, did she miss him,did she love him.
All these thoughts may have been random but they did have two key similarities, love and Fluttershy.

It was crazy, Discord thought, he had never thought he would think about something so intently that didn't involve chaos. He smiled to himself “You really have changed me Fluttershy.” he whispered softly.

The thought of Fluttershy gave Discord a boost of energy, which allowed him to increase his pace down the corridor.
However, Discords boost of energy was short lived when he turned the corner of the hallway , that led the back to his room, finding someone waiting for him outside his door.

“O what do you want?” Discord cried. “ I have done everything you and your sister subunits have wanted so can’t you just leave me alone.”

“Usually ponies start with greeting, instead of jumping straight into questions” Prince Luna said

“My apologies your formalness; hello Luna or would you prefer Lulu or perhaps Moon but or..” Discord teased.

“No Luna is fine, Discord” Luna said bluntly.

“Great! now that greetings are out of the way what do you want Luna, shouldn't you be at the museum?”

“I thought you might be interested that Tia got message from ponyville to today.”

Discord rubbed his eyes tiredly “Though I may be vaguely interested in what Sparkle butts wrote to Sun butts, I am much more interested in my bed at the moment.” he said tiredly

Luna grinned “ Assuming Sparkle butts is Twilight Sparkle, then you would be wrong. The message was sent by Spike but the hoof writing is different to Twilights and the message wasn't addressed to my sister it is addressed to you.”

This caught Discord’s attention. “What did the letter say exactly?” Discord asked.

Luna shook her head. “ The letter wasn't addressed to me or my sister, so we didn't open it.” She then unfurled her wing and used her magic to levitate a white envelope in front of them. “ the letter is addressed to you, Discord.”

Discord did not hear last part of Luna’s sentence he was too focused on the letter that hovered between them. More precisely he was focused on the familiar hoof writing that, so elegantly, spelled out his name.

Discord stretched out eagle talon to ensnare the letter. Only to grasp air.

He reached for the letter again, the same result happened . Discord brows furrowed in confusion.

Discord repeated the action twice more, the letter eluded him twice more.

He was about to reach for letter for a 5th time, when he heard the restrained snort of laughter.

Discord looked up to see the prince of the night trying and failing to keep a calm passive expression.

“Luna stop that.” Discord snorled

“Stop what?” Luna said through a snort of laughter.

“You know what.” Discord said as he made another lunge for the letter.

Luna used her magic to levitate the letter over Discord’s head.

“Say please” She teased.

Discord didn't respond he just hopped up and down trying to get the letter that was floating just out of his reach.

“Actually don't say please, this is much too fun to watch, oooh you almost got it that time just a little higher.”

Discord stopped his leaping, and instead snapped his eagle talon. teleporting himself at eye level with the letter and quickly snatching it up in his hands. Then glued himself down to the front of his door.

“Thank you Lulu.” Discord said scarcely.

Luna sneered at him “ No, no Discord! Thank you! I needed some entertainment before I went off to the museum.”

Discord snorted “Well I am happy I could be of service, but shouldn't you be going now? ”

“I was just about to; enjoy the rest of your evening Discord.” The alicorn said as she turned and walked down the hallway.

“That was what I was trying to do” he mumbled, reaching for his door knob to the room.

“O and Discord” Luna said “ Say hi to Fluttershy for me tomorrow.”

Discord whirled around, wondering how Luna knew he was seeing Fluttershy tomorrow. But she had already turned the corner down the hallway and disappeared from his view.

000000000

As soon as Discord entered his room, he flew up to his bed and ,with the eagerness of a colt unwrapping his presents on hearts warming eve, tore open Fluttershy’s letter. And began to indulge in her writing.

Dear Discord.

I admit I was a bit surprised at hearing from you so soon, seeing as how we are getting together tomorrow, but it was a good kind of surprised . Recently we haven’t had many opportunities to see each other, so I cherish every letter you send me and the time we have together.

I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, everyone’s been so busy lately preparing for the Lunar Convergence Celebration that we haven’t had much time to talk to one another. Twilight’s been working on the speech she’s supposed to present, Apple Jack has been busy baking for the celebration, Pinkpie has been busy planning decorations , Rainbow Dash has been biss practising some of her flying movies to in press the wonder bolts that are showing up at the celebration; but between you and me I think she is trying to impress one in particular, and Rarity is busily making all of use new dress for the occasion. I think I am the only one that has had any free time lately, I don’t mind though I have been I am awfully busy tending to my animals, but it does get lonely even with my animals company and it makes me feel like I am not pulling my weight for the celebration.
Your letters have greatly lightened my stress of late. Although sometimes you send your letters to quickly, not that I mind that is, it’s just I am worried that I would not be able to reply in time to all of them.

I won’t tell you anything else until tomorrow. Just because I would rather tell you face to face.

Until tomorrow Discord, and with all the love in Equestria

Fluttershy.

Discord reread the letter three more times, before placing the letter beside him on the bed. ( for some strange reason the letter didn’t fall to the ground.)

“She said love .” Discord said, a goofy grin beginning to spread across his face. “Fluttershy does love me.”

His eyebrows furrowed and the goofy grin disappeared.
“Does Fluttershy love me?”.

He had figured out his feeling for her. But he had no idea her feelings for him.

He tried to recall every word he shared with Cadance to see if anything applied to the letter.

Discord flopped his head down on the pillow in frustration and groaned. Out of all the questions he had asked the prince of love, he hadn’t asked how to identify if somepony was in love with you.

He could read Fluttershy’s mind to see if she loved him, but as soon as the idea came into his head he shook it loose, he could never do such a thing to her.

“What am I going to do?” He whispered, he looked down at the letter from Fluttershy, and a longing for her came to him.

Now that he knew his emotion for her he desperately wanted her to feel the same way about him.

Discord gaze fell to the floor ( his bed was on the ceiling)
“I could always do it the traditional way and court Fluttershy” Discord mused, but then shook his head.
“O who am I kidding, I have never courted anyone in my life, if I attempt to court Fluttershy, chances are I would mess it up and ruin anything I have or could have had with her. I mean there isn’t like there’s a book written about how to court someone.” Discord stopped then and pondered and put his eagle talon to his chin “is there?”

His interest and hope rekindled, he tentatively snapped his lion paw and was struck on the head by a book which neatly fell on to his lap. Rubbing his head, where the book had struck him, with lion paw, he picked up the book, with his eagle talon, and examined it carefully.

The book had a yellow cover and had a black template which enclosed the words “How to Court for Dummies.”

“ Wow! They really do make one for all scenarios?” Discord mused.

Placing the book down beside him, he picked up Fluttershy’s letter and leaned over the bed where a floating cabinet sat with a picture of Fluttershy and himself He smiled at the image of the pegasus before drawing open one of the drawers and pulled out the contents.

In his hands was a Yellow and Pink polkadotted rectangular box; round tightly around the box was a green and pink striped ribbon.

Discord undid the ribbon and pulled of the top of the box to reveal, his precious treasure, all the letters that Fluttershy had written to him, all were neatly placed adjacent to one another, organised by the dates at which they were sent.

He placed the newest letter from Fluttershy at the front of the pile. He smiled at the collection happily. Before placing the lid back on and tying the ribbon securely together. And finally putting his precious box back into the door and shutting it.

Discord then turned his attention back to the yellow book beside. and let out a sigh, “What have you done to me Fluttershy, things used to be so much easier before you came into my life.”

But they sure were better he thought.

He then picked up the book and began to read its contents.

Chapter 1

So you think you’re in love?

Chapter 6

View Online

“We have do it now. It’s his only chance for survival”, a male voice said insistently.

“But how can we? We would most likely be dooming him ” a female voice cried desperately .

Discord's eyes drowsily opened. They revealed two tall and blurry outlines looming over him.

“If he stays here with us, his life is already doomed!” the male voice said.

Discord tried to move his body only to find that his limbs were wrapped tightly together. He tried to struggle against the wrappings only to have some gentle pressure exerted on his body and to be gently swayed back and forth.

He stopped struggling as he closed his eyelids again and enjoyed the motion of swaying back and forth.

“I know Ouro’s” The female voice replied sadly “I’m just scared for.. for my... our-” The voice started to crack and faded to a whisper and then nothing.
“I..I know Tiamat” The male voice replied softly though the anger was washed away to be replaced by melancholy. “I am scared for him as well.”

Discord felt something soft lie on on his forehead.

“But there's really no other way, if we want not just our species to survive. but want him to have a chance as well.”

“We’re all scared for him.” another male voice said softly, having the same lulling tone of sadness. “He is after all, our baby brother.”

“He’s a seventh son of a seventh son and within him dwells the spirit of Chaos .” an older woman's voice rasped. “But more importantly than any of that, he is my grandson! He will be fine.”

“But won't he be lonely? I mean if what King Atulase says is true about what he’s going to do to use ....well he’s..just a baby.” a fourth male voice said.

What’s going on here Discord thought. He tried to open his eyes, to better understand the situation, but it was as though his eyelids had cinder blocks weighing them down and couldn't open them.

He felt something around him loosen, and he could feel himself being moved before another tightness enclosed his body again.

“I have a few parting gifts for you last , my grandson, safe passage....” the older female voice rasped.

Discord felt a firm pressure placed between his eyes and then he could feel his world slowly floating away as his muscles relaxed and went limp and his mind started to go blank. The elderly female voice could have said more but he couldn't catch the rest.

He was aware of more voices around him, some were different voices to the ones who had been talking, but they all seemed far away and he couldn't focus on what they were saying.

He was also vaguely aware of moving, but perhaps that was just his mind playing tricks.

Unaware of what time had passed, he felt himself placed in something soft and a fluffy object wrapped tightly around him.

Discord also sensed that the area he now occupied was gradually getting darker. Almost like the sun had set but in minutes not in an hour.

He had almost let sleep claim him when he heard the faintest but unmistakable sound of a scuffle on the edge of his hearing and then a female's scream sliced through his mind.

“NOOOOOOOO”

He eyes flew open like two stretched elastic bands returning to their regular length. He was in darkness, even though there was a ray of light, the darkness was absolute and consuming. The next was the chill that seemed to seep into him, like water seeping into sand. Finally and most disturbing of all was the silence. It was completely quiet and it seemed to him to give new meaning as to quiet as the grave.

Then a sound, quiet, far away but distinct nonetheless. Clip, clop,clip,clop.

He could feel himself begin to shiver. He didn't know why the sound was scary, but why was he shivering?

Closer and closer came the sound and further and further Discord drew himself into the material behind him.

The thought struck him that if someone were to peer through the hole, Hewould be completely exposed.

Just as he was going to take action, the light disappeared and was replaced by a blue eye.For a second the eye showed shock, that seemed to mirror his own, but it was quickly replaced by a hot fury.

He could feel himself starting to shake and tears began to blossom at the corners of his eyes. Deep in the blue eyes pupil, he could see the vague reflection of a small figure.

Discord could feel the first of his tears begin leak from his eye, and as that happened something in the blue eye shifted to something resembling sorrow. or perhaps pity.

“You’re on your own...kid” a masculine voice said. It seemed to echo, whether it was in his head or around the area, he didn't know. The eye was replaced by a dark blue glow, and then a circular object wedged itself into position, with a grinding sound, sealing Discord in complete darkness.
_____________________________________________

Discord eyelids shot open with the speed of lightning revealing wide and altered red and yellow orbs. For a while, all he did was stare at the ceiling trying to slow his breathing.

“Well, that wasn't as bad as previous nights.” Discord whispered as he wiped a river of sweat from his brow. “it was worse.”

This dream had been unlike any other he had had. Usually his dream started with him in the cave and then ended when the eye closed off the last source of light in the room. That was still the case in this dream. Now however, there was more to the dream.

There were others present, at least four but there could be more; and they seemed to be concerned about some baby. Why would they be worried about?

Another strange aspect of the dream was the names. What were they again Tirmate and Moours or something like that , and mention of some king.

It also seemed that he was in a different location than the cave he went to sleep in.

His hands fell from his face to arrive on his chest, only they never made it there. Instead of hands falling on the reassuring warm fabric that made up his sheets, they fell on something firm and cool.

Intrigued by what the something was, he lifted up the object from its resting position on for an a studied evaluation.

From the dim light that penetrated his room, he was able to make out that the object was rectangular and it had quite a weight to it considering its size.

Discord removed his eagle talon from the object and snapped his fingers to allow some sunlight to enter.
The sun rays caused the shadows to run and dissipate.

As soon as the light fell on the object, Discord let out a horrified cry and threw the object as far as he could. It hit the opposite bedroom wall with a sound between a squish and a thud.

Discord pressed his back hard against the bed's backboard. “Am I still dreaming? is this another dream?” he whispered. Because if it was, he was quite ready to wake up now.

Although, if this was a dream, he had no idea why he would be dreaming of the ruined book from the museum. But if it wasn't a dream, how in Equestria did the book get into his room?

Silence filled his room. Funny, Discord thought, he would have expected some the whispering voices to return as they had before at the museum.

Was there really anything there or due to the dream, were his nerves getting the better of him?

Nerves or not, he thought, am I really scared of something that I eat any other day? Discord grudgingly detached himself from the the bed's backboard, and tentatively crawled his way to the edge of his bed.

Once at the foot of his bed he perched there, took a deep breath, and looked over the edge.

There was the book lying where he had thrown it just moments ago. Although it wasn’t the book he was expecting.

Instead of the old rotten book that he had thought he had thrown, there was with the yellow and black book, with a title printed in big bold white letters “How To Court For Dummies”.

Discord didn't know if he was shocked, confused or relieved that the ruined book wasn't there, he chose the latter.

Hopping down from his bed he picked up the fallen volume, dusted it off and inspected it.

“Why didn't you disappear?” he mumbled to the book as he looked at it and then at around his, once again normal, room.

A folded slip of paper fell out of the book, and drifted lazily to the ground.

“What could that be.” Discord mused, as he knelt down and picked up the piece of paper. “Wait, what day is it to day.” The dream and book now completely out of his mind.

Discord summoned a calendar, it floated in front of him. He did a quick inspection of the calendar most of the days had red frowning faces. However one day lacked Discord’s frowning face and instead was decorated with a fireworks explosion and at the center of the explosion was drawing of a yellow pegasus.

“It’s today! It’s finally here.” Discord cried happily. “Our get together day-me ..and ..Fluttershy.” Discord trailed of into a whisper , and slowly blushed.

Discord still couldn't believe he was in love. He, the lord of Chaos, in love.It was crazy, and with all the ponies his heart fell for, it was Fluttershy, the element of kindness.

He looked down at the note he held in his hands. Last night while reading the courting book he had decided it might be preferable to make notes just in case his dreams shocked him to badly so that he would remember nothing in the morning.

Lucky I did that Discord mused.

He was about to open the letter when a thought struck him; it was not the first time this particular thought had come to him as throughout the time he was reading last the night the thought had recurred, but now that it was the day it seemed stronger.

Should I be doing this, he thought. Fluttershy was the most beautiful,kindest,most tolerant mare he knew. So what could she see in him?

“First sensible thing you said all day.”

Discord turned toward the voice.

Somehow, perched on his left shoulder, was a pink brain that donned a mortar board on his crown. and mimicked his own facial characteristics.

“Aren’t things perched on shoulders supposed to have a set of wings and a variation of horns or halos?” he asked the brain.

“I am not one of your consciences, I your brain, but I guess that’s not so obvious to you since I’m not in your skull.”

“So why are you out of my skull?”

“So I can talk some sense to you face to face, or I suppose as the case may be face to nerve tissue, seeing as how you never listen to me when I am cooped up in your head.”

“And what sense.” he made a gagging motion at the word “could I be interested in listening to?”

“what about her?” Discord asked wearily.

“You should be grateful to still have her friendship, after everything that has happened. How could you possibly risk it? It's the most important thing to you in Equestria why would you gamble it on a hearts whim?”

“And how could you possibly know she’s the most important thing to me?”

His brain raised an eyebrow. “You’re joking right. Do you remember who you're talking to? You really are slow without me in that noggin of yours.”His brain continued “To get back to my point, what would Fluttershy ever see in you Discord” his brain continued.

“My charm, good looks and sense of humor.” Discord repeated

“Good looks really” His brain replied sarcastically. “ When has anypony, save for yourself or a copy of yourself, ever complimented us in a positive manner on our looks. Do I even have to remind you that we spent the first part of our childhood in a cage, which reminds me, you have never told Fluttershy about your past have you?”

“She knows it already, I took over Equestria an-.”

“I am talking about before that.”his brain said cutting him off.

“It’s not important. What’s past is past.”

“Perhaps, or maybe you're too scared to talk about your past because you're afraid of how that beautiful mare will react to it.”

“By the way” His brain said changing subjects “ Do I have to remind you how beautiful Fluttershy is.”

Discord slumped on the end of his bed in defeat, giving a clear message that he did not have to.

“I think I will so you can get it through your thick skull. She’s like an angel that has flown from the heavens to grace the ground she walks on.”

Discord turned his gaze down to the ground. “I am just a sideshow carnival freak in denial about his looks, who developed a crush on a mare far out of his league.” He said melancholically

Discord took the brains silence as consent.

Discord gave a sigh “I would make a terrible special somepony.” before cupping his face in his hands.

“Heck, you're not even a pony” His brain added.

“But you do love Fluttershy” a soft voice said.

Discord and his brain turned their attention to his right shoulder where hovering there was a red heart,in the shape of a hearts and hoofs days card, it too had Discord’s facial appearance but it also had a familar set of yellow wings.

“Great are my kidneys going to show up next. And what’s with the wings?” Discord questioned his heart.

“To answer your questions in order I don't think your kidneys will make an appearance, however they may have something to say about your eating habits, secondly the wings” His heart stretched out both yellow wings. “Well I am not entirey lsure myself but, I can guess that since Fluttershy was the one that gave you me it's only right that a part of her would live in me.”

His heart ruffled his wings behind his back. “Now with thoughts answered you can answer me a question like, why are you even listening to him!!” Discord’s heart gestured his wing tip to his brain.

“Why wouldn't he listen to me, I am his brain! and he listens to me more then he listens you, if he’s ever listened to you!” the brain retorted.

“All right let's compare the times he’s listened to me and how he felt afterward and what happened when he listened to you”

“all right”

“Don't I get a say in this.” Discord asked.

“No.” both figures said

His heart turned to Discord, “ How did you feel when you gave the animals the gift of speech so they could take to Fluttershy, or when he traveled back in time with her so she could see the creatures of the past” Discord’s heart pointed a single wing tip at the brain “ that wasn’t your brain that gave him these idea it was your heart.”
Discord heart turned to him for confirmation. “right?.”

Discord nodded. “Right”

“And how did you feel after?”

“I felt great, just seeing FLuttershy happy was better than all the chaos in Equestria”.

“do you hear yourself!!.” His brain cried.

His heart smiled. “Now how did you feel, after you listened to him over there.” he pointed to his brain with a wing tip.

“O come on you can’t deny spreading chaos throughout Equestra was fun.” his brain rebounded.

“until I was turned into a lawn ornament for a thousand years.” Discord said.

“Hah, if you had just moved out the way of that rainbow beam you wouldn’t have had spent that time in stone.”

“And whose job is it for motor control?” His heart added, with a smug grin forming on his face.

The brain didn’t reply to that.

“Or whose bright idea was it to gang up with Tirike, and betray Equsetra,only for him to betray us and give us guilt pangs of our actions?”

“Oh come on, how was I supposed to know Tirike would steal our magic.”

“Maybe you should turn that hat into someone that actually represents you”. A flash of light illuminated the top of the brains mortarboard, and once it dissipated, the mortarboard had turned into a dunce cap.

“Other than insulting my intelligence, What's your point here?” Discord asked his heart.

“My point is,” His heart said, turning his attention back to his owner. “that perhaps you should stop listening, to what you call a brain and start listening to this.” His heart pointed its wing tip over his upper left side.

“Puff how corny can you get.” His brain muttered.

Discord ignored the comment.

“You think I have chance?” he asked his heart.

“I don't believe this!!” his brain cried. “You're actually listening to him, use some sense an-”

“Did you just seriously say have some sense.” Discord asked his brain.

The brain's eye widened realizing his mistake. “all I meant was….”

Flashes of light surrounded the brain, and when it was gone, he had a suitcase on either side of him, and his dunce cap was replaced with a bowler hat.

“I’ll write you up a recommendation.” Discord told his brain.

“wa...you cant..I..wa” His brain stammered.

“Don't let the door hit you on the way out.”

“What do..” his brain was interrupted by door slamming into his face.

Discord turned his attention back to his heart, dismissing the door as well as the brain from existence as he did so.

He repeated his question “Do think I have chance?”

His heart smiled “I think you have more than chance” his heart replied confidently. “ i mean who else laughed at our jokes, or even like our complaints, heck who even tolerates our complaints for a long period of time.”

“So you really think Fluttershy would like me more then a friend” Discord asked hopefully. “ yes I do, but..” his heart pointed to the envelope, “perhaps in this one cass it would be prudent to follow the rules instead of going of on our intuition.”

He looked down at the envelope. “You do realise, if what I am about to do goes south, my brain won’t be the only organ out of a job.” Discord said not turning to face his heart.

“Trust me, if this turns out badly, you'll have to have a heart transplant, because I am going to be shattered.”

Discord stared at the paper for a while longer in silence; he did not need to turn his head to see that his conjured heart was no longer there.

He sucked in a deep breath and unfolded the paper, and inspected the list.

-Give her gifts,things she would like. example (flowers, chocalates, etc.)

-Set a romantic seating, that she enjoys. (Treat her, take her out for dinner, if optional make dinner.)

-Make her feel special (compliment her on looks or what she's wearing. )

- Once the mood is set, and you believe the moment right ,tell her your true feelings for her, this may take many attempts so simply redo proves steps to until you believe the moment is right.

“Well the first few should be easy enough”. He lifted his eagle talon in preparation to summon a bouquet of roses.
A thought struck him and he lowered his hand.

“I guess if i'm going to do this I should do it right and by the book.”

He chuckled at the a stray thought that entered his mind. My Fluttershy what have you done to me, first you teach me friendship, then I fall in love with you and now I am following the book's instructions.

Discord leisurely made his way to the window,and surveyed the Canterlot gardens.

A grin spread across Discord’s lips. “And the best flowers in all of Equestria are right on my doorstep.”

The was a sudden flash of light be side him, he turned to see a sour faced stomach frowning, at him.

“Can at least feed me first before you start anything it grumbled”
_________________________________________

“Red.., no white...,no variated…., no…. blue!”

Do blue roses even grow naturally, Discord thought to himself.

He was in the process of picking his bouquet for Fluttershy, a seemingly simple task was his errant thought, but Discord soon encountered troubles in choosing which flower to pick.

Discord inspected the rose bed again, looking to see if it did indeed have any blue roses. Not seeing any he decided picking the other three types of roses would be better than bringing just one type.

He inspected his newly picked flowers happily, but his joy soon faded and was replaced by doubt.

“Maybe I shouldn't just pick roses, it could about presumptuous.” Discord mumbled.

He surveyed the other the flowers that surrounded him. Until his eyes spotted some bright yellow daffodils.

Whether it was because the color reminded him of Fluttershy or if it was desperation to add to the bouquet, he did not know, but Discord started adding the delicate yellow flowers to his bouquet.

He spied some small white hanging flowers growing under the daffodils.“A couple of snowdrops wouldn't hurt either”, he said as he picked the drooping flowers.
Discord noticed a delicate aroma, a more persistent one then the other smells of flowers in the garden.

He moved the bouquet from his lion's paw to his prehensile serpent's tail.

He snapped his lion paw, transforming into a bloodhound, keeping his Discord colors and features, the flowers were still wrapped around his now red dog tail.

Head held high he sniffed the air, with his purple nose, trying to locate the fragrant smell above the others.

With two strong sniffs Discord found the smell. He smiled and let out a howl of triumph and bounded after his prey.

It took him a few moments of running, mostly through nadering flower bed, for Discord to find the freager out smells whereabouts, but his endeavours paid of.

In a flash of white light the bloodhound was gone and in its place was the spirit of chause.
Discord looked down his finding confused.

“how can something so small produce such a strong smell.” He mutter.

The flowers that were producing the strong aroma were at the very least unusual. They grew on straight thin stalks, and were about as long as one of his eagle talons, with colors ranging from yellow and pink to purple, blues and whites. The Flowers seemed to resemble a wand with the flower petals replacing the stars that decorated all around. He had a vague memory of seeing some of these flowers in Fluttershy’s garden, what had she called them ? pieasipthes….tiaspthes?

He shrugged the he could solve that problem at a later data.
“And what’s the harm in picking a few of these just to make the bouquet smell a bit better.”

About five minutes later Discord had picked the flower bed clean of all the pungents flowers, as well as a few of the neighboring beds.

Discord looked happily at the freshly picked bouquet, it had been quite some time since he had done this type of thing without using his magic and though it was a minor thing he could not help feel a small bubble of pride well up at his accomplishment.

As fast as his joyful emotion came, it almost as quickly went, leaving a frown and uncertainty etched on his features.

The flowers were indeed lovely, and that was saying something seeing how it was coming from him, but they were all contrasting sizes. The roses and daffodils towered over the snowdrops, like skyscrapers towered over the ponies of ManeHattan and other arrangements.

Odd, ordinarily I wouldn't care about this sort of thing, he thought, and then a chuckle emitted from his lips, ordinarily, I would not be picking flowers.

“Cadance is right, love does make ponies do chaotic things.”

Snapping his fingers the snow drops and other small flowers grew to the size of the roses and daffodils.

“It's still missing something.” He mused, pulling his beard gently.

“Maybe some lilies,or perhaps some lavender; I couldn't go wrong with a cactus or two. Or perhaps I should pick some dandelions ! What those are weeds aren’t they.. then maybe.”

“WHAT THE HEY ARE YOU DOING!!!” a voice roared

Discord turned around to face the owner of the voice. A couple of feet away stood a very angry looking, brown stallion unicorn, dressed in the traditional green overalls every Canterlot gardiner wore, holding an unusually large gardening trowel.

The gardener’s eyes moved from Discord to fall to what he was holding.

“DID YOU JUST PICK MY HYACINTHS!” Unicorn yelled, his brown color changing slowly to red.

“Hyacinths” Discord cried “ that’s the name of these flowers, thank you so much a... uhm ..I’m sorry I didn't get your name? what is it.”

The slow flush of red that was covering unicorn face turned into a total wave of crimson . “ FOXGLOVE, Chrysanthemum.”

Discord frowned in confusion. Is Foxglove Chrysanthemum his name , or does he spout out flower names when he gets angry.

He soon had his answer in the form of one purple unicorn stallion and one white earth pony stallion. Both dressed in the same Canterlot gardeners uniform as the brown unicorn that, not so quietly, fumed.

“What is it Willow Snip? ” The purple unicorn asked, presumably Foxglove.

The now named Willow Snip pointed a trembling hoof at Discord. “What do you think Foxglove, Mismatched is up to his tricks again.”

The term mismatched was the term a lot of Castle staff used to talk about him. Both princesses had discouraged the use of the name due to some sort of civil code,but he did not mind it was a better and more creative name than what he had been called in the past.

“What did he do this time?” the white earth pony named Chrysanthemum groaned,.

“Did he add poison jokes to the garden again.” Foxglove asked, checking around for the blue magic flowers as he did so.

“ or did he turn dandelion heads into actual lionheads.” Chrysanthemum added.

“Do you really think that I would pull the same trick twice my flower named friend” Discord cried.

“Worse” Willow Sniper said, pointing a hoof to what Discord held in his hands. The two other gardeners followed their friends hoof and their eyes widened as they saw the flowers.

Stunned silence descended on the three ponies, who were looking at him as if he had suddenly grown an extra head.

“He..picked.. the ..flowers.” Foxglove said slowly and quietly.

A few seconds passed then Chrysanthemum spoke “he picked the flowers” he said in an oddly calm voice.
Another few seconds passed.

“HE PICK THE FLOWER!!!!!” Chrysanthemum and Foxglove inhaled. Like they were convicting him of murder.

“Yes, it was me, Discord, spirit of chaos, that picked your Lovely flowers.” Discord said putting a lot of emphasis on the word love hoping to defuse some of tension.

“You better have a good reason for doing that.” Willowsanape growled, leveling his gardening implement like it was a spear.

Apparently the compliment did not work.

“Well, I could tell you” he said coyly, “but you probably won’t believe me so really there’s no point..”

Foxglove and Chrysanthemum, seemingly from nowhere, pulled out their own gardening tools which looked oddly bigger than normally gardeners tools. They pointed them at Discord.
Deja vu, Discord thought. Insults and being threatened with gardening tools. Throw in some torches and a few more ponies, I’d be in childhood all over again

“Well since you've asked so nicely, I plan on picking these flowers for the Pony I love” Discord said, strangely feeling oddly lighter inside for telling some other pony.

Silence descended on the group as the three gardeners tried to process what he had just said.

“You're right I don't believe you” Will Wisp said.

“So much for being Honest” Discord mumbled.

“Why are we even bothering to ask him, whatever he tells us will be a lie.”Foxglove stated.

“Unless he decides to put those flowers back in the ground, I say we see how well his magic works if he’s got few holes in him.” Chrysanthemum said.

Discord blinked in surprise at the stallion’s words, he had hardly ever been threatened before, for obvious reasons,let alone by group of gardeners. But it wasn't the threat that startled him, all though the longer he looked at gardening implements the ponies were holding, the more they seemed to be more at home in an armoury than a greenhouse. What surprised him most was the fact that he was being threatened over a bunch of flowers.

Discord pulled his beard in mock thought. “Tempting offer.”he finally said. “But I am going to say no.”

The gardners brandished their weapons causing the sun to glint off their points.

“But listening to your compelling argument , I believe these flowers should be suitable , without any other additions for others.”

And then disappeared in burst of white light.

Not a moment too soon, for where Discord was standing sprouted three gardening implements.

___________________________________

In the Canterlot kitchens, the royal chefs were hastily finishing of the banquet for the food tester , who would be approving the choice of food for the celebration tomorrow.

“THE RECIPE STATES STIR IN A FAST, CLOCKWISE MOTION; YOU CALL THAT FAST, I'VE SEEN TREES GROW FASTER THAN YOUR STIRRING!!!” A dark brown stallion, dressed head to hoof in a white chefs’ uniform , yelled at a light green earth pony, dressed in similar attire, who was busily stirring a bowl full of a brown viscous substance.

“Y-y-yes, s-sir, Grater Rollers sir.” the earth pony stuttered as he increased his pace causing the contents in the bowls to slosh about.

“AND WHAT THIS!!!” Grater roared, storming over to a where a tangerine colored pegasus was squeezing blue icing onto a cake. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

The pegasus dropped the icing bag to the ground instantly.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING”

“I-I-Im adding icing to the cake.”

“THE RECIPE STATES YOU’RE TO SPREAD THE ICING NOT SQUIRT IT, DO IT AGAIN!!”

“R-right way sir, I will just get a knife an-”

“I MEAN RE DO THE WHOLE CAKE!!”

The pegasus’ face turned white and when he spoke his voice was meek“B-b-but that will take-”

But Garter had already moved on. He soon spied a brown unicorn busily chopping up some fruit and vegetables.

“and what do you think you're doing.” Garter asked in an unusually gentle voice.

Apparently the unicorn had missed Grater’s outburst and took false comfort in his soft tone.

“I'm just chopping up some mangoes to add to the salad.”

“Mhmm” Grater said, examining one of the chopped mangos “you know what would make these mangos actually edible.” Greater said calmly.

“HMM,Excuse me sir?” thinking he had misheard.

“IF YOU ACTUALLY BOTHERED TO SKIN THEM FIRST!” and he threw the mango at the unicorn. It made impact with unicorns face with a squish and lightly oozed down his shocked features.

Grater turned his back to the unicorn in rage and advanced to the center of kitchen.

“ AM I THE ONLY THE ONLY COOK HERE , THAT KNOWS WHAT TO DO IN A KITCHEN!”

No pony responded.

“WELL I AM I?”

“N-no chef Grater.” Some of the cooks mumbled; the rest seemed to have taken a sudden vow of silence.

“WELL THEN, GET BACK TO WORK !! We only have 6 hours to finish the last of the preparation for the food tasters! We’re already going to have to work through the night to prepare the assorted menus, that the tester chose, but that won’t mean a thing if we only have hors d’oeuvres and a main course to show them which means we'll only have a limited amount of choices of food at the celebration, which means the guests will get bored by the food, which we'll get the princess angry at us for not doing a better job of preparing the food for the celebration, which is the biggest celebration of the century. Which will lead me to get furious at all of you ! DO ANY OF YOU WANT THAT TO HAPPEN?”

“No Chef Roller!” the other cooks cried out.

“THEN GET BACK TO WORK, AND STOP MESSING UP ON THE RECIPE!”

“yes Chef Roller” the cooks yelped and turned back to their stations.

Grater Roller watched as the ponies returned to their stations.

“Excuse me”

Chef Roller turned around to see, to speak to the voice.

The speaker who owned the voice. was a grey pony in the formal chefs’ attire , wearing a red neckerchief , and chefs hat somewhat bigger than usual.

“What is it!!” he barked. Usually, when Grater lost his temper the pony he was yelling at would grovel or cower. But this pony was unfazed, by his temper, and as Grater looked into his red pupils,he could have sworn he saw amusement, then the eyes did something odd, they began to swirl with yellow, green and blue.

“I was just thinking that perhaps it would be a good idea if, I were to check on the food that is prepared, to see if there needs to be any addition ” pony said in an musical tone.

Grater smiled at the pony's voice it was so hypnotic, he would do anything for that voice, and besides the pony did have a good point; one of these half baked cooks probably screwed something up, so why not send this cook to check and make sure everything was in order.
How could a pony with such a musical voice do anything wrong.

“Thank you.” the grey pony said. and walked out the doors. As soon as the doors closed behind him there was a loud clatter.

The pony came back to Grater clanking along with a bucket stuck to his left back hoof.

“You will tell me where the finished dishes are being held.” a little assertion had crept into the voice this time, but the eyes were still the same and besides it was lovely voice, thought Grater.

“I will tell you where the finished dishes are being held” Grater repeated.

Will pointing to the door to his right and the grey pony started walk toward it,clanking as he went.

The other chefs watched in bewilderment as the pony disappeared through the doors. They were too far away to see the pony's eyes, but they saw what transpired between the two stallions.

Chef Grater shook his head,like ridding himself of water in his ears; the second the door swung shut behind the pony, his head lifted to see the rest of the staff looking at him.

“What are you looking, at I thought I made my instructions clear!!!”
_____________________________________________

Once the grey pony heard the door shut behind him he was engulfed in a white light.

When the light disappeared, the pony was gone and in his place was a draconequus wearing a grey ponies’ chefs hat, and the bucket that was stuck to his goat leg.

Discord kicked his goat leg around trying to rid himself of the bucket. After a couple of kicks it flew off and slammed itself against a table with a clatter, causing the contents on the table to shiver a bit from the impact.

Discord was slightly struck at the variety and the amount of food gathered on the table.

But then he smiled “I’m sure they wouldn't notice if a few platters went missing” he mused

He took off his chef's’ hat, reached inside of it with his lion paw and rummaged around in it for a few seconds before pulling out a blue cooler.

He clicked the open the cooler and started tossing in all sort of delicacies and the plates they were on. From salads and soups, to desserts, turkish delight and macaroons to everything in between. Miraculously., the cooler managed to hold all the food.

After Discord took more than half of the tables’ contents he clicked the cooler's lid shut and stuffed it back into his chef's hat.

And then teleported away in a flash of white.

A couple seconds later he teleported back, and took the white table cloth that the food was on in his hands.

“Fine dining deserves a fancy table cloth” and he pulled the cloth.

The food wobbled dangerously near the edges of the table but didn't fall.

“Wow, and that’s not even using any magic.” Discord said with more than a bit of shock in his voice.
He stuffed the table cloth into his hand as well.

A thought occurred to him and scooped up a bowl of towering spaghetti. He placed one end on the table and walked backward to a window; the window had a view of the gardens, there were no gardeners in sight as he turned his way to the window, all the while turning the plate counter clockwise allowing the spaghetti to fall to the ground, leaving an edible line in his wake.

When he got to the window, he opened it wide and threw the plate like a frisbee. It arced over the garden and then out of sight, all the while the long strand of spaghetti fell marking the plants trail.

That should give them a false trail, he thought.

Now what else did the book say? He leaned out the window and conjured up the list and scrolled down it.

“Flowers check,food check..romantic setting… wish they made that about many specific!” Discord mumbled.

“I mean I just learned that I am in love with Fluttershy yesterday, now this book expects me to know about romantic settings.”

Discord frowned in deep thought, trying to think of what he could do about the setting. He was just about to give up and take his chances without it when a couple of pink blossom petals floated past his gaze.

An old memory sprouted up just like the couple of petals, and an idea of where he could take her blossomed from it.

“I just hope that in 1000 years no pony has made it into a tourist attraction, or put a settlement on it.”
________________________________________
Usually Fluttershy’s cottage was surrounded by her menagry of animals and the air was filled with their various sounds.

However whenever Discord visited Fluttershy, most of the time there was wasn't a beak, whisker or anything of her animals, to signify his arrival. Most likely they had to hide or run away during the draconequus presence not wanting to be part of his shenanagins.

So it was no surprise ,to Discord, when he materialized at Fluttershy’s cottage and found no sign of the animals.

Even if the animals were around tweeting, snorting and making various other sounds associated with the animals,he doubted he would have heard them.

Discord held the flowers he picked for her in his hands, nervously. Perspiration started to snake down his long neck. His eyes stared at the red wood door, which was only a foot away from his face. That door usually filled him with a feeling of comfort and excitement. Now all he felt was nervousness and caution.

Come on Discord! Just knock on the door! he told himself.

He raised his lion paw. And held it there.

Discord original confidence of telling Fluttershy his feelings for her had diminished to nothing as soon as he had teleported himself to her house.

“Come on it’s a simple act, you have done it a thousand times before. Just knock on the door.” he murmured to himself

And gave the gentleist tap on the door.

No one came to answer.

After a couple of seconds he repeated the motion, a bit louder this time.

Knock, knock, knock, knock “Fluttershy.”

He paused when no one came. Then counted.

Knock, knock, knock, knock: “Fluttershy.”

Knock, knock, knock, knock: “Flutt-”

He stopped mid knock, having got into an odd rhythm with it. As the door opened, time seemed to slow for Discord as the whole situation began to come clear to him,

Just play it cool, he told himself, that thought process lasted about 3 and a half seconds until his mind was turned into a nervous wreck, and his thoughts started to branch out into tendrils of worry.

What should he say to her, Discord thought. How should I say it to her, are the flowers enough, should I have brought some chocolates, does my breath smell bad, maybe I should have eaten some peppermints, did I even eat breakfast, is there still time to teleport away ,boy Fluttershy is opening the door extremely slowly.

Discord quickly closed his eyes, just before the door opened all the way. With his mind in such a stressed jumble, he wasn’t thinking things through.

He thrust the bouquet of flowers in the direction of the doorway and turned his head as well
“FLUTTERSHY-WHEN- YOU-SMILE-OR- HUG-ME-IT FEELS-LIKE-YOU-TURN MY HEART- INTO A MARSHMALLOW. WHEN-YOU-GET-ANGRY AT ME-,FOR GETTING IN A FIGHT WITH ANGEL,-THE-WAY-YOUR BOTTOM LIP-STICKS-OUT-MAKES YOU-LOOK- ADORABLE. I LOVE HOW YOU CAN HAVE BEAUTIFUL CALM EYES ONE MINUTE, AND THEN HAVE HARD COMMANDING EYES THE NEXT. WHEN YOU USE YOUR STARE WHICH MIGHT I ADD MAKES YOU LOOK LOVEABLE AS WELL. I HAVE NEVER FOUND ANY PONY BEAUTIFUL,BECAUSE I DON’T UNDERSTAND BEAUTY THAT WELL UNLESS IT HAS CHAOS IN THE MIX, BUT I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PONY IN ALL OF EQUESTRA,WHATEVER YOU DO IS BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT .WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY FLUTTERSHY IS THAT I LOVE YOU AND WILL YOU BE MY SPECIAL SOME PONY.”

Well that wasn’t over the top at all, Discord thought to himself.

For a couple seconds no one spoke then. Great job you’ve probably frightened her out of her wits, she might have fainted, blowing any chance with her.

Fearing the worst, Discord peeked open his eye to look at the thing in the door; to his great surprise ,yet relief, it wasn’t Fluttershy. Instead it was her poorly named bunny, Angel.

Who had an expression of utter bewilderment on his face, well- as close to bewilderment as a bunny could muster.
Discord was the first to recover his wits.

“Oh. it’s you, do you mind fetching your owner Cottontail today for our get together, I have few things I want to discuss with her.” he said in a casual tone masking his previous actions in the garden.

Angel’s shocked expression soon changed to one of great astonishment, to one of anger, to blind fury. As his emotions changed, so did the colour of his face starting as a mild pink on his white cheeks that slowly spread to cover the rest of his face turning it red as an apple. Then Angel’s face started to turn shades of red from apple red to beet root red.

Discord couldn’t help but laugh at the bunny.
That was a bad move! This was the final straw for Angel who slammed the door on the draquonequss long snout.

Discord fell on to his rear cupping his face, dropping the flowers in the process.

“One of these days Angel! one of these ” he said, in a nasally voice.

Although it was odd, he thought, he and Angel might not get along, it felt good telling someone his true feelings toward Fluttershy; it was like a burden had been lifted from him. Though in saying that there was the added burden that Angel would tell Fluttershy and possibly ruin any chance he would have.

He removed his hands from his face and summoned a mirror to survey the damage that Angel had done.

Discord’s face was as flat as a pancake, he grimaced at the sight. He summoned a deflated green balloon, he placed it to his lips and began to blow. In two breaths the balloon was a foot high and 4 feet long. Satisfied by the size he began twisting the balloon into a shape that resembled his face before Angel had closed the door on it.

He then bumped his head out of the way to place the green balloon in it’s place. When his original head left his neck, it turned into a regular grey balloon. Discord then snapped his fingers and a pin appeared, he brought the pin to his green plastic balloon ear and lightly pressed it . There was pop and Discord’s original long snout with all his abnormal features were back. He looked down at the grey balloon floating next to him, that was once his head and pressed the pin against it. The balloon took off through the air going in all directions till it ran out of air and ceased to exist. It was then Discord thought he heard an all too familiar soft feminine voice at the door.

“Was there anyone at the door Angel?” Fluttershy muffled voice sounded from behind the door.

Discord then readjusted himself preparing himself for her imminent arrival.

“ O I could have sworn I heard a knocking at the door?” Fluttershy said.

That little pest Discord thought. And he hammered on the door once again.

“Oh, it sounds like someone’s here” Fluttershy said in her usual bright tone. “ Oh, um, Angel could you please move away from the door.” she said timidly.

Great I get a do over, he thought,you won’t get another chance like this so just act how you usually do and give her the flowers.

Discord tied his lion’s fingers around the bouquet, hoping to have some reassurance from them but all he felt was air and felt less reassured than before.

“Flowers” he said, dazed as he looked down at his empty paw. “ where are the flowers?” he said his voice slowly slipping into panic.

Discord swung around frantically. Often repeating the word “Flowers” in a frenzy.

“Uhm, Angel could you stop pulling on my tail.” Fluttershy’s voice questioned, Discord froze and then spun around, hearing Fluttershy’s voice and hearing the creaking of the door as it started to open. Then he spied at the basis of the door was the bouquet.

Discord lunged for the flowers just as Fluttershy opened her door completely.

It was lucky Fluttershy did this or else Discord would have most likely have to summon another balloon.

The force of Discord’s leap sent him over a startled Fluttershy’s head and rolling into her cottage, coming to a sudden stop when he hit the cottage wall and lay there upside down, tail fuzz drooping on to his face.

Fluttershy whirled around to see what had flown into her cottage.

Relief came over her when she saw it was Discord.
“Disc-” Fluttershy then stopped her relief replaced by confusion. Though the confusion was not directed at Discord, he had done weirder and more questionable entrance before. One time floating down her chimney, in a chimney sweepers outfit complete with chimney sweepers sweep, whistling an odd tune. Another time coming out of her toilet in a snorkel and mask. The confusion was directed at a weird crackling sound that came from her back hooves.

Fluttershy turned down again to see what her hind legs were on, causing more crackling.

When she turned her 90 degrees, she looked down and saw a bouquet of flowers, although flowers were a little trampled they were still quite beautiful.

In a flash of light Discord appeared in front of Fluttershy.

“Oh, would you look at that flowers! I wonder how they got there?” He said hastily. “Perhaps our animals gathered them for you, or someone just dropped them out of thin air, or maybe some flowers grew legs and wrapped themselves in cellophane and deposited themselves at our door. Crazier things have happened in this town before. Most of the time not involving me.”

Fluttershy gave Disord a confused look, and then raised one of her eyebrows.

Discord hastily picked up the flowers. “ Anyway they are pretty ruined now, not that it is your fault mind you,they most likely arrived this way. I will just dispose of them and we can start our get together, Flutters”

“Discord?” Fluttershy questioned,stopping him in his task of disposing of the bouquet,“are those flowers for me?”

Discord grinned nervously, “ O-of course they are for you. I mean they were at your front door. I mean unless they were for Angel or one of your other animals.”

“I mean, are the flowers from you, Discord?” Fluttershy clarified.

“Well aahh..” Discord looked sidelong at the once nicely picked flowers, now crumpled and covered in a little dirt. “Yes” and then second guessing himself, “No.” Then he paused and blurted out, “ Well, what I mean to say is that they were,but no aaa…..” he trailed off; in the process of his speech he had swung the flowers wildly causing them to lose more of their petals and making them look even more dishevelled.

“They’re not exactly the flowers you’re used to seeing.” Discord admitted sheepishly. “But you have to believe me when I say they didn’t always look this...well like this.” he said gesturing at that the flowers.

“So I’ll just get rid of these and then we ca-”

“What ,Discord, stop!” Fluttershy said a little louder than usual.

Discord stopped mid-motion of throwing the flowers away, one foot and his tail in the air both hands cupped around the flowers, looking like a garden statue.

“I don't want you to throw them away, Discord; the flowers look so beautiful.” .

Discord frowned and turned to her. “ I know you’re the epitome of kindness Fluttershy, but you don't have to comfort me about a couple of flowers.”

“But I’m not; I really would like the flowers.” Fluttershy said with a slight tinge of red to her cheeks.

Discord blinked. “Really? you would still like these.”

Fluttershy nodded and smiled. “Yes ”

Discord was unsure what to do next so he just stood there awkwardly swaying on his feet for a few seconds, before he thrust the bouquet at Fluttershy awkwardly. “ Here you go I guess.” Discord mumbled nervously.

Fluttershy carefully took the flowers in her hooves with a smile. “Thank you” she said shyly.

She inhaled the delicate aroma of the crumpled flowers. “They smell wonderful.” she said.

“You're just saying that” Discord said cooly. Though inside he was the complete opposite.

“No, really they do.” Fluttershy then took a closer look at the flowers. She realized that some of the flowers, the usually small flowers, like the snow drops, were now double their normal size, but she chose not to question it. “And look, some of these flowers aren’t that badly damaged; I mean look at the tulip, or daffodil and these hyacinthes and roses look..” she trailed off “there are roses in here” she said more to herself than Discord.

“Yes” Discord said. “I didn’t know which flowers you would like best so I just picked them all”

“You picked these?” Fluttershy said a little shocked.

“Don’t sound so shocked, my dear, I can do things without my magic.” Discord said a little proudly.

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “ Where did you pick these flowers exactly.”

“Oh you know, in a garden where they would have been picked eventually.” Discord said a little too casually.

Fluttershy kept her eyebrow raised then let it fall. She knew Discord well enough to know that he had done something. But she chose to let it slide. It was a small thing she rationalized and they were very nice flowers after all.

“I’ll just put these in a jar then I’ll get the tea cups out, the tea pot’s already out if you would like to make yourself comfortable.”

Fluttershy turned around and flew to her kitchen, admiring the bowkay as she did so.

Discord smiled as he walked into Fluttershy’s cottage. As soon as Fluttershy had entered her kitchen he let a happy squeal and did a flip in joy.

When he landed he said in the loudest whisper he dared use “She likes them, she truly likes them.”

Then a flood of pain erupted from his tail. He whirled his head around in a 90 degree angle to see the cause and scowled at the little white bunny hopping up and down on his tail, pushing all his force into each leap.

He quickly retreated his tail from Angel s endless attack and turned his body around fully to face the white hare.

“You know, for a pet that is supposed to be the embodiment of kindness you really are not that kind.” Discord said, caressing his serpents tail as he did.

Angle stuck out of his tongue in response.

A smirk spread across Discord’s features, “You see that wasn’t very kind, Angel, but allow me to show you the maning of kindness.

Angel was lifted up in the air, he gave a sudden start from surprise, which was quickly stilled when a carrot was shoved his moosh.

“You see Angel, that was kind of me to give you carrot, I didn’t have to,I could have given you one of my soaks but I did’ent . So why don’t you fly off and enjoy it.”

Before Angel could mumble out a reply, Discord started twisting Angel’s ear with his lions paw, like someone would twist a rubber band. With each twist came a creeking sound; after a couple of seconds, Angel’s ears were curled flat and only held in place by Discord’s paw.

Satisfied, Discord walked to a window and opened it with his free hand before releasing Angel’s bunny’s ear from his thumb and forefingerume.

The ears twirled around like a propeller and lifted Angel bunny into the sky. He was floating a good six feet in the air, then a sudden breeze took him and he was blown off down the road.

“Bon Voyage, Angel. See you in a couple hours or so.” Discord said waving the bunny off with a white hankerchief.

The bunny just glared at the dragoneques and waved his paws in anger. Seeing as his mouth was full of carrot.

Discord smiled and closed the window. That takes care of him for a little while he thought to himself.

Just then Fluttershy flew into the room with a tray of cups and a tea pot.

“Here we go” she said placing the refreshments on the coffee table, totally oblivious to what had just transpired seconds earlier.

“So what types of jobs have you been doing for the festival tomorrow?” she inquired pouring out some tea into a light pink teacup and handing him the teacup and saucer.

Discord had a quick image of the ruined book flash through his mind. But he shook it off and said. “Oh you know the usual things that I have been doing for the past 2 weeks, clean up a few things here, move a few things there, attach a giant lense up here, same old stuff.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow at the giant lense but chose not to comment. If it was something of importance or deep interest Discord would tell her.

“Anything big transpire since yesterday’s letter that you sent me.” Discord asked her.

“O you know same old and same old, all though Angel did seem bit more excited just as you arrived.” Fluttershy said with a pensive frown. “Speaking of whom, where is he? Did he go out?”

Discord said with a small grin. “Yes actually, he just left, he must of been in hurry because he flew out of here.” He managed to hold back his snicker.

“That’s odd, usually Angel tells me when he’s going out. I hope everything's okay.” Fluttershy asked a little worriedly.

“I am sure Angel’s fine Fluttershy.” Discord said casually. “ He has an annoying way of popping up”

“I guess..”Fluttershy said uncertainly .

“Anyway, on a whole other topic, I was wondering if you wanted to go somewhere else for our get together, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy lifted her head. It wasn’t a surprising thing for the two of them to be going to a different locations for their time together. “ That would be all right with me, what did you have in mind, Discord, your chaos area again

“No, it’s not there. I am taking you to a far more secluded area.” At least I hope it s still that way, he thought to himself, come to think of it I hope they’re in bloom as well.

“O well it sounds interesting.” Fluttershy said, her tone slightly confused. “ Could you tell me more about this area.”

Discord shook his head. “Nope.” then a box, pink with a yellow tie appeared in Discord’s spot. “It’s a surprise”he said,popping out of the box, along with confetti and streamers.

As quickly as Discord promised, they had arrived, they disappeared in a flash of white light.

“So when do you want to leave for this new spot?” Fluttershy asked.

“How about right now, we can take the tea to go.” Discord said snapping his eagle talons, making a green open box appear over Fluttershy’s teaset, a green lid appeared over the box as well and fell on top of it enclosing Fluttershy’s teaset, before the box disappeared.

“O before we head out we should probably dress for the weather.” Discord snapped his fingers, and both Fluttershy and Discord were in winter attire.

Fluttershy was wearing a pair of forest green earmuffs. A peach pink hat with green trim and a green pompom on the top. A green scarf wrapped around her neck like a boa constrictor, with wild flowers and vines embroidered in it in shiny pink thread. She also had on a pair of green snow boots laced with pink laces, and decorated with an arrangement of coloured flowers.

Discord wore a dark blue with red and yellow polka dots, woolen tocque with ear flaps, his horns protruding from the hat covered his grey ears. He also had a cherry red scarf, with pink clouds sewn into it. Finally he wore three winter gloves, a bright blue fingerless one on his tail, a green fingered coloured one on his eagle tail, and a cinnamon brown open fingered one on his lion paw. He also had foot wear on; a green lizard leg had a snow shoe strapped on and his goat leg had a ski strapped on.

“Is where we are going supposed to be cold?” Fluttershy asked inspecting her attire.
“Only temporarily” he confidently said.

Fluttershy chose not to question Discord’s response, trusting it to make sense when they got there.

“So are we ready to go?” she asked.

Discord was about to confirm Fluttershy’s question when he caught sight of the inside of Fluttershy’s kitchen spying his bouquet of flowers in a natural decorated porcelain vase.

An idea sparked in Discord’s mind.

He levitated one of the red roses, that wasn’t badly damaged, out of the vase and into Fluttershy’s mane between her head and ear, that was covered by the earmuff.

Fluttershy cheeks turned the kind of red you would find on a peach. “Uhm...D-Discord what’s this for?” she said in an oddly quieter and shyer tone than she hardly ever used around Discord. Her eyes wandering to the flower.

“I thought since it’s so odd for me to bring anything to are get togethers, and since you liked the my flowers so much that you would like to have one with you for the rest of the day” Discord said. “ and besides you look…..” Discord paused nervously trying to find the words “...nice” he finally said.

Discord’s goat leg magically detached from his body so it could kick him in the rear, for what he said; he let out little grunt of pain at the action before the leg reattached itself to his body.

Nice he thought, nice!!! why didn’t you say gorgeous, or radiant, or splendid or ….well anything other than nice.

“Thank, you.” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Pardon?” Discord squeeked, partly from shock but mostly from the pain of being kicked.

“For what you said, that I look nice, it was well nice..” she clarified.

“well aa…” Discord said still his squeeky tone. He then cleared his thoughts and coughed a few times, to return his voice to its usual pitch, while at the same time buying him some time to respond with a good answer. “anytime”

An odd stillness fell between the two before Discord cleared his throat.

“Well I think we’re all set unless there’s any last minute things you need to do, Shy?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “No, I’m ready to go.”

“Well then let’s be off, Oh wait, one more thing could you shut your eyes I want it to be a surprise for you when we get there.”

“Well... uhm... ok.. then.” And she closed her eyes.

Discord waved his paw over Fluttershy eyes to see if her eyes were closed. Then he conjured up a photo album full of cute baby animal photos which would normally cause Fluttershy to awww at them, to double check if her eyes were closed.

Discord just flipping the page with a baby panda and his mother.

When Fluttershy asked. “Uhm Discord I don’t want to rush you, but are we there yet?”
Satisfied, Discord vanished the picture book away and said, in his enthusiastic tone.

“Momentarily, my dear.”

And he snapped his finger, there was a flash of light and then the two were gone.

Quest For Uncovering

by Gingerboyman

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6