The Laughing Statue

A new day dawned and with it, the first day of Discord's freedom. Even if his magic seemed to be lacking, he had no intention of letting that dampen his spirits. Stretching, he raised himself up from the cloud-bed that Rainbow Dash, after a heated argument over the sleeping arrangements, had graciously provided for him. Located in an extra bedroom of the house, it was certainly more roomy that being encased in stone.

Heading out, Discord found Rainbow Dash, with a plate full of salad placed on a table in front of her. Facing away from him, she had not seen him enter. Figuring he was about to intrude upon her breakfast, and not caring, he spoke.

"Ah, Rainbow!" he said, slithering up behind her, placing a claw around her, only to be swatted away by a bat of her wing and a grunt of annoyance. Unperturbed, he continued. "So, what will we be doing today, buddy?"

Rainbow sighed, her body deflating as she looked at Discord. "I work on the weather team. I have to go work today, you just... go bug Twilight, she lives in the big tree in the middle of Ponyville."

Discord pouted, his mismatched eyes becoming watery. "I understand, we're going too fast, you need some time to yourself," a hurt look crossing his face, Discord prepared to leave. "I'll just be going then. Nothing to see here, just a heartbroken draconequus," seeing Rainbow's unfazed expression as she munched on a carrot, Discord tired of her and made his descent from the cloud-house.

Having an easier time getting back to the ground then he had when going up, Discord made his way toward the quaint town of Ponyville. Its wooden buildings already within view, only a short amount of time passed before Discord found himself once more in the town. The party long since having ended, the mundane village life once again consumed the town and he watched on in amusement as the ponies fled in terror from his mighty visage.

Once the skittish townsfolk had all hidden from him, none seeming to dare staying outside while he was around, Discord made his way towards Twilight Sparkle's residence. Immensely enjoying the fear of the few ponies who were unaware of him quickly fleeing as he went further into the town.

Upon finding the library and finding it unlocked, Discord made his way in. Only to see rows upon rows of neatly arranged books, along with a familiar purple dragon who was going about the business of adding yet more books to the shelves.

"Hello, Spike," Discord said, catching the Dragon's attention, who jumped, quickly turning to face him. A grin forming when he saw recognition flicker through Spike's face. "Recognize me? I spent so long as a statue, but once more, I am free and finally able to tell you something I have longed to for many years."

Confusion showed on the dragon's face. But an eagerness could be seen quickly overtaking the confusion. "What is it? is it important? is it something the Princess doesn't know?" Spike questioned, anticipation clear in his voice.

Discord chuckled, watching as the little Dragon gazed up at him with wide, curious eyes . He quickly regained a more serious expression. "Not quite, you see Spike, I... am your father."

Spike looked flabbergasted for a moment, but he quickly deflated. "Oh... I kinda got my hopes up there for a second... I'm not sure why," he sighed, letting out a cynical laugh. "So, why are you here?"

"Didn't you hear the news from Twilight Sparkle? I gained the Element of Laughter and will be staying in Ponyville. I am your father though, they kept it a secret, to keep you under control... like a slave," for a moment, Discord gained a wistful look, but, abruptly, he gained a more cheerful demeanor, before continuing. "But we cannot change the past. Regardless, there is a chance for us to know each other now, despite what they would do to stop us."

Spike leaned forward, entranced by Discord's words, but whatever he was going to say was interrupted, as Twilight Sparkle came from a room further into the library, intruding on their conversation. A grimace marring her features as she began to reprimand the Draconequus. "Spike, don't listen to him. He's lying to you, obviously, he's not even a dragon," she rolled her eyes.

"That's not true at all, my tail is the same as a dragons, Spike merely has more similarity to his mother," Discord said, dismissing Twilight's claim. "Stop trying to confuse him, he will no longer be misled by your lies!" he abruptly grabbed the dragon, holding him close as Spike began to squirm in his grip.

"Spike, my son," Discord soothed, gently stroking the Dragon's head as Spike continued his attempt to escape. "There is no need to be afraid, Twilight cannot hurt you now," Despite his words, Spike continued to struggle, prompting Discord to release him.

"Fine! I suppose you're still in shock from the news anyway. Run along now, Twilight and I have things to do," Discord said, waving his claw dismissively.

Spike looked at Twilight, who was now moving between them. "Twilight, why is a statue from Canterlot walking around here?"

"He showed up when we fought Nightmare Moon, I would've mentioned it, but you were sleeping, and he's not your father, just try to ignore him, okay?" moving Spike along, she ushered him out of the room and further into the living quarters of the library.

"That was quite cruel, you know, trying to separate Spike from his father," Discord said, shaking his head, disgust in his voice.

"You're not his father!" Twilight countered, angrily huffing as she glared at the Draconequus.

"You can't prove that," Discord said, before winding closer to Twilight. "Anyway, Rainbow Dash is busy... but I'm sure we can find some way to pass the time."

Twilight moved further away from him, annoyed with his antics, and said. "I was going somewhere, but then you showed up and slowed me down," She sighed, continuing after a few moments. "I guess you can come with me."

"That sounds delightful, so, where shall we be going?" Discord said.

"Applejack asked for help down at her farm." Twilight said, watching as the Draconequus's face transformed from delight to disgust.

"That sounds dreadful. If that's all you have, then I'll just find my own means of entertainment," Discord said, flinching at the prospect of spending his time helping ponies at. He began to leave, but a brief flash of enlightenment crossed Twilight's face as she shouted out before he left.

"Wait! there is one thing..." Twilight said, nervousness showing on her features. "The Element, can you give it to me... for safekeeping?" she grinned, hopeful eyes looking at Discord.

Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed with his next words. "No, I think I'll keep it. The color suits me, perhaps I'll set a trend," Seeing a disheartened expression cross Twilight's face, he laughed heartily.

His enjoyment was cut short, as Spike came rushing back into the room, clutching a letter in his claw. "Twilight!" he exclaimed, gaining her full attention before he continued. "This letter just came from the Princess!"

Enveloping it in a purple field, Twilight grabbed the letter. Looking at Discord warily, she opened it and began reading to herself. A few moments later, she breathed a sigh of relief, gaining Discord's interest.

"Tell me, what does your letter say? I'm just dying to know," he said, the sarcasm in his voice betrayed by his obvious interest as he moved closer.

"It's nothing," she said, withdrawing two golden pieces of paper from the envelope. "Just two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala."

"And?" Discord said, waiting impatiently for Twilight to ask the question obvious to him.

"What?"

"Aren't you going to invite me to go with you?" he all but shouted, wondering why she had not offered immediately. Although his sightings of her in Canterlot had not suggested she was particularly aware of such things.

"No, I'll bring Spike, the two tickets were clearly meant for us anyway," she said, much to Discord's irritation. For his part, Spike didn't seem very interested either, but held his tongue.

"How rude of you. I have no interest in such things. But still, to dangle such things in front of me, only to tear it away!" He exclaimed. "I thought that after all we've been through, that we were friends."

Twilight looked away, attempting to find the right words. "It's not that... But if I brought you along... It would be unfair to the rest of my friends."

Discord perked up. "Ah, of course, you're right. how could that not occur to me. You are completely forgiven," he said, once more preparing to take his leave. "Goodbye, Twilight, and of course, farewell to you too... my son."

Quickly patting Spike on the head affectionately, Discord left the pair alone in the library. Spike turned to Twilight and asked. "He's... not really my father, right?"

Twilight sighed. "No Spike, he's not your father."

Discord's short absence had resulted in the citizens of Ponyville to once more take to the streets, no longer hiding in fear. Discord's return had the opposite effect, sending them back to hiding in their homes in fear of him. Snorting, he wondered if they would ever get used to him.

With nothing to do, Discord found himself simply wandering the streets, slowly making his way through the town. Until, eventually, he spotted Rarity, peering out at him from a round building. She quickly hid from him, but it was too late and he made his way over to her.

Tapping on the window, he waited for her to eventually give up and acknowledge him. After several minutes, he was rewarded as the white unicorn opened the nearby door and sullenly offered to let him inside.

Once inside, she quickly looked around, searching for any who may have seen him enter her shop. before slamming the door shut and turning to Discord to say something.

Discord was quicker though, and cut off anything she may have said. "Ah, now, Rarity, I'm hurt by your avoidance of me. Does our past mean nothing to you?"

Rarity shuffled on her hooves, giving out a small whine before answering. "It's not that, but I do cater to the upper class here and seeing you may... scare them off," she said.

"Really, you would let a few scared ponies stand between us? I expected you to have more integrity than that," Discord said, pausing. He looked outside, watching as a few ponies dared to walk among the streets once more.

"Although, I can see all this fear of me easily becoming... unpleasant," Discord said, stroking his beard in thought. "Hmm, I think, that despite your snubbing of me, if you can manage to get them to be more agreeable to my presence, all will be forgiven."

Rarity pondered this for a few moments. "Actually, there is a mare in this town, Pinkie Pie, she does organize parties for everyone who moves here... and often for any reason at all," she muttered her last few words quietly, but not quietly enough, as Discord began to snicker.

Rarity continued, eyes lighting up as she gained a wide smile across her muzzle. "She held a party for Twilight when she moved in, I suppose, that if I suggested it to her, she may hold a party for you. I'm surprised she didn't already, actually. But, you are rather a little... odd."

Discord said nothing, he glanced out the window again before slowly turning to Rarity. "Very good, well, one good deed deserves another," he leaned closer to her, causing Rarity to flinch.

"I was just visiting Twilight a moment ago, and it seems that she has managed to pick up two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala," Discord said, watching as the mare froze. Her blank eyes a testament to the fantasies hidden within her mind.

After a few moments, and Rarity still being quite stunned by the information, he coughed loudly to regain her attention, after a distracted apology from the mare, he continued. "Now, I declined to go when she offered, but I'm certain that Twilight will easily see how you could benefit from going."

Rarity nodded, staring blankly forward, she eventually said. "I see, yes, the Gala would be very good for my... career... I'll just be going then, best to see Twilight as soon as I can."

With nothing left to be said, they both left the building. Discord, seeing Rarity was about to head to the library, added. "One thing, If you don't see her at the library, than she's likely gone to Applejack's farm."

Rarity cringed, before her expression quickly turned to one of gratitude. "Thank you, Discord, I'll be sure to keep that in mind." She said, before she rushed off to the library, trying to catch Twilight there.

Discord laughed, anticipating the chaos that would hopefully ensue between Rarity and Twilight. A smaller scale than he was used to, but it would have to suffice.