Amaya Ever After

Written By: Cloudline Dasher

Chapter Six: Friendship Calls

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\Day 42/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Most days of the week left Jade without her afternoons. She worked at the local bar as a bartender or when the boss stallion ran the bar, she was merely a flirtatious waitress. This led to Pinkie dragging her to a fourth date this week. With it being Saturday, Pinkie and Caramel wanted to treat her to a picnic off to a private and secluded part outside of town. With the permission of Rainbow Dash, they would have a private, not to mention shaded spot to spend their date together.

Knowing the two, it would most likely turn into far more, which was probably why Pinkie went through so much trouble making sure no one would accidentally venture across them. With Dash's home being above them, even if a weather team was out doing their job, they wouldn't see them. If they got too loud however, that would be a problem to worry about when it actually happened.

Stepping down the cobblestone road, Jade made her way toward Dash's cloud home. She glanced down to her pink bracelet, smiling. She grunted as she reached her hand up, touching the corner of her mouth. She forced the grin away frowning, 'Why the hell am I smiling for? It's just another date, we've already been on a good dozen, so far...'

“Psshh...” Spitting out the gum she was chewing, it flew somewhere into the grass, “Whatever... Let's just get there already, they're probably waiting for you.”

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The shade instantly cooled her off as she stepped under the cloud home. Pinkie and Caramel came into view, but they had yet to notice. She was already a few yards away when Caramel finally looked up from unpacking the basket, “Jade!”

Caramel pranced over, running his head under Jade's right arm, throwing his hooves around her waist. Jade found herself grinning at the rather affectionate stallion, “How did I ever get with two childlike ponies, I will never understand.”

Pulling his head back from the hug, Caramel's hooves remained around her waist. Jade hesitated as she saw the pout on her stallion's muzzle, “D-do you regret joining our herd?”

“M-mm...” Jade hesitated, averting her eyes, feeling her cheeks lightly warm, “N-no... not at all... I just didn't expect I would be with two that seemed so innocent.”

“I-innocent?” Caramel blinked in confusion, arcing his head to look at Pinkie, whom merely shrugged her shoulders. After he returned his gaze to Jade, he chuckled, “But we've mated so many times alrea--”

Jade cut him off, chuckling and waving a hand idly through the air, “Not what I mean. You two are just so... nice... While I've always had a tendency of finding boyfriends that are... well for a lack of a better term, it wouldn't be surprising if they ended up in jail.”

Falling silent, Caramel pulled himself away, unsure of how to reply to that. However, he didn't have the chance as Pinkie appeared, running her pink, soft coat against his side, sending a shiver up his spine, “Silly filly! I thinkies you just like exciting! I'm the towns best party mare, don't you know!”

Chuckling at the pink mare, Jade nodded her head, grinning, “You sure are, Pinkie.” Getting down on one knee, Jade ran the palm of her hand against Pinkie's cheek, “But I don't think parties is the reason I love you.”

“Then what is--”

Pinkie's words were muffled as her lips were suddenly met. Her eyes widened for a moment in surprise, before they fell half lidded. A short stifled moan leaked out as a tongue scrapped across the roof of her mouth. Caramel swallowed hard, as he watched his two mare friend's kiss. As Jade and Pinkie broke the kiss, a string of saliva connected them, before breaking apart and returning to their respective mouths. Pinkie made an 'O' shape with her mouth, nodding weakly, her eyes slightly glazed over.

Jade was about to get up, but was halted as Caramel jumped forward, pressing his muzzle against her mouth, pulling her into a kiss as he placed a hoof on her shoulder. Jade grunted in surprise as her mouth was ravaged by the dark pink intruder. After recollecting herself, she began to kiss back, running her hand up the back of his neck, and running her fingers through his hair.

Breaking away from the kiss, Jade let out a hefty breath, her chest raising and lowering. She could faintly feel her panties moistening in a certain spot, and just by looking, she could tell Caramel wasn't unaffected as well. In between his hind legs, his sheath slightly swelled.

Clearing her throat, Jade stood up and went for the blanket, “As much as I don't like putting off the good part, lets eat first.”

The pink party mare was first to join her, but Caramel hesitated before joining the herd. Jade kicked off her shoes, throwing them a good distance away. She crossed her legs, pulling a plastic plate from the basket. Pinkie and Caramel done the same, and soon all had an apple and a slice of cake. Jade inwardly chuckled, as she watched her herd, 'Pinkie brought far too many sweets again, I'm going to get fat at this rate...' A grin made its way onto her face, 'Then again, if we keep going at it like rabbits, I'm sure I'll be fine. Must be why Pinkie looks so fit?'

Glancing up to the bottom of Dash's cloud home, a green swirl of smoke came rolling above them. Jade frowned, pointing up and gaining her herd's attention, “What is that?”

Getting up off the blanket, Pinkie scrunched up her nose, focusing on the green smoke, “I don't kn--”

Before she could finish, the smoke swirled into a ball and 'poof~!' A large mass formed in the center. Pinkie's eyes widened, before she frowned, “Discord? Why are you here?”

“Why, you ask? My feelings are hurt, Pinkie!” Discord smiled innocently, becoming so small that his entire body was like a small rabbit, circling around Pinkie's head, “and here I thought my dear friend, the Element of Laughter, would welcome me with open arms. How sad...”

Usually the party mare would have welcomed the erratic and rather fun draconequus, but she merely glanced to her herd mates, before leaning back on her hind hooves and crossing the front ones, “Mr. Discord, we are on a date, and I kindly request that you leave.”

“Oh, poo...” Discord fake frowned, pooling into a puff of smoke and reappearing at his normal size, standing a few feet away, “And I had spent all morning learning everything I could about the three of you.” With a snap of his fingers, three large presents formed at his feet. Each with a small white tag and a name written on them.

“Discord... please...” Pinkie frowned, and it was unusual for her, especially to turn down a gift. The one thing she disliked, was someone crashing one of her parties, or worse yet, ruining a private date.

“Oh fine, I'll open them for you!” and with a snap of his fingers, the walls of the presents fell open. The first one was Pinkie's, opening up to a pink cloud, which hovered into the air, before raining chocolate rain. The second present was for Caramel, it was a brand new saddlebag, with his and Pinkie's cutiemark, followed by a small embroidered picture of Jade. It wasn't the best present in the world, but Caramel's eyes shone as he eyed the bag. Next was Jade's present. The box had been filled with cartons of cigarettes. She swallowed nervously, watching the deathly addicting smoke rods.

The three gawked at the presents, up until Discord chuckled, a self accomplished smile upon his face. After swallowing the drool that had pooled into her mouth, Pinkie glanced to her herd, “S-should we accept the gifts?”

Standing up from the blanket, Jade stepped off and over to Discord. Discord paused, watching the human carefully. Jade took his lion paw, and shook it gently, “Sorry, the presents are amazing, but I cannot start smoking again. I'll just be in the same predicament once I run out, so it's better to just stick with Pinkie's gum she gave me.”

Discord frowned, but quickly turned it back into a smile as he looked to Caramel, “What about you, my dear chum?”

It was Caramel's turn to get up, nearing the large odd creature. He just merely smiled, nervousness on his face, “The bag is wonderful, but I'll feel guilty if I accepted it and Jade didn't.”

Looking over to Pinkie Pie, Discord's eyes pleaded for her to accept. Pinkie eyed the pink cloud, her mouth drooling. Swallowing, Pinkie had to avert her gaze from the delectable treat, “I'm sorry, I can't in good conscience accept.”

Glancing over the group, Discord suddenly felt a rather unusual feeling he hadn't felt before. Running his left claw over his chest, he rubbed over where his heart was. That was where it felt odd. He wouldn't necessarily call it pain, it was more like an empty pit that was buckling in on itself. He weakly chuckled, taking to the air, “I'll depart from your presence then.”

With a snap of his fingers, the presents disappeared, and Discord was gone in a puff of smoke. Pinkie reached out, feeling the hurt that emanated from the draconequus, “Wait, Discord!”

Letting out a sigh, Jade rubbed the bridge of her nose, “I didn't mean to hurt his feelings... You think he'll be okay?”

Falling silent, Pinkie shuffled her gaze in between her herd mates, “I don't know... I've never seen him like that. Nothing usually gets to him, like that.”

“Should we apologize and see if he's okay?” Caramel asked, looking to Pinkie.

Walking over to the picnic basket, Jade started packing, “Let's get cleaned up. Pinkie, do you know where he may have gone?”

“Not sure...” Pinkie frowned, her mane deflating a tad bit, “We could try looking around town, and maybe have Twilight send a letter to the Princesses.”

“That's what we will do then.” Jade nodded, arranging the food in the basket so it would fit better.

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Soon enough, Discord was back at the castle. He had planned on learning about all his friends, and seeing which one clicked, but after that first one, the hole in his chest seemed endless, 'Why am I feeling like this? I expected them to turn me down, but I feel so...' Discord paused, unsure of an appropriate word. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were definitely the top two on his bestest friends list.

He was ever so reluctant to risk his friendship with Fluttershy in that manner, that was why he tried Pinkie Pie of all ponies. Surely the happy go lucky mare would spare him his feelings at the very least. Never has he spent a portion of his precious longevity trying to learn about a pony, only to have his presents turned down, and his efforts crushed.

Stepping down the halls came Celestia. She had a scroll in front of her face, and a pony following close beside her. Glancing up from the scroll she held in her magic, she grinned to greet him, “Hello Discord, back already from Ponyville?”

No answer came, as Discord floated by, not even hearing the Princess's words. Celestia took immediate notice as she scanned the draconequus's back. His shoulders were slumped, his hands lay lifeless at his sides, and it almost looked as if someone socked him in the stomach. Rolling up the scroll, she slid it into the ponies bag that had accompanied her, and whispered, “You're dismissed, we will continue this later.”

“Yes, your majesty!” The pony saluted, dismissing himself down the hall.

Taking some wary steps toward Discord, she merely walked beside him for a couple minutes. When Discord didn't react, she took it upon herself to say something, “Normally, I find a nice cup of tea, and a good friend can help even the worst of days seem pleasant.”

Discord glanced to her out of the corner of his eye. A smile crept onto his face, as some of his usual self made itself apparent, “My my, Princess. Are you trying to cheer me up?”

A small giggle escape Celestia, nodding, “Yes, I'm the one that sent you to Fluttershy to become reformed, and in turn I'm responsible to keep you happy. Not to mention, I wish to be able to call you a friend. I feel we will spend a very long time together, so it's better to be open with one another, don't you think?”

With a snap of Discord's fingers, they were in the dinning hall. The long rectangle table was now replaced with a small circular table, with a simmering pot of tea. Celestia footed herself down, a little disoriented from the sudden shift through the castle. Clearing her throat, Celestia used her magic to levitate the tea pot and pour a generous amount in both hers and Discord's cup, “Now, what ever happened in Ponyville?”

“Well...” Discord paused, looking hesitantly to the Princess.

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Pinkie and Caramel was searching around town and Jade made it her job to go speak with Twilight at the new library. Upon reaching it, she promptly knocked on the door, followed by letting herself in. It was a public library after all, even if the new library resided in Princess Twilight's new castle. Twilight had made it a point to make sure to let everyone know that anyone was welcome inside the castle, at least to check out the library and check out books. It had been partially her fault that the town lacked a library after all, “Twilight?”

A few hoofsteps reached her ears, followed by Twilight coming down a large set of stairs, “Jade, I thought you had a date today with Pinkie and Caramel?”

Chuckling, mainly to herself, Jade shrugged her shoulders, “Discord showed up, and sort of put a damper on things.”

Twilight's face turned into a look of worry, “What did he do?”

Smiling to Twilight, Jade waved her hand in the air, “Actually! He was rather nice!”

“Then how did he put a damper on things, if he didn't do anything?”

Rubbing the back of her neck, Jade frowned, letting out a sigh, “Actually... It was sort of my fault. Discord gave us meaningful presents, and because I turned it down, Pinkie and Caramel did too. I think it hurt his feelings...”

Letting out an abrupt laugh, Twilight shook her head, “Discord? You hurt Discord's feelings? It was probably a ploy to make you think that. He's been nothing but a trickster since he was freed.”

“But...” Jade turned serious, raising a brow, “what if it wasn't? Even if it was a ploy, I should still apologize. If it turns out it was just a trick, at least my conscience will be clear.”

“You have a point...” Twilight nodded, “I'm guessing you already looked around town, and now you want to send a letter?”

Jade simply nodded, which led to Twilight pulling out a quill and parchment, “I'll ask the Princesses if they've seen him and if they can tell him you're looking for him.”

“Thanks, Twilight. Anyway, I gotta go. I told Pinkie and Caramel I'd head over to work after I spoke with you.” Jade turned to leave, but was stopped by Twilight.

“Just be careful around Discord. He really is good now, and I doubt he'd hurt you, but that doesn't mean he still isn't dangerous. Sometimes his antics get out of hoof.”

Nodding, Jade went for the door, waving, “Thanks again Twilight. If you're ever in the bar, just give me a yell. I'll give you a free one on me.”

“I don't drink normally, but I'll make sure to say hi sometime.” Twilight nodded before turning away, apparently in search for Spike.

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“And you see? That is what happened, and I have this empty feeling in my chest. I expected from the start they would refuse, but something... doesn't feel right.” Discord frowned, weakly snapping his fingers as the tea pot sprouted legs and bounded over, spitting tea into his cup.

After the pot made its way over from Discord's, Celestia soon found her own cup being refilled. Celestia offered a consoling smile before saying, “Discord, I think there is a valuable friendship lesson in store for you today.”

Discord grunted, clearly not approving. Celestia let out a small chuckle, continuing, “No pony likes to be turned down by a friend, and I bet a part of you hopes you didn't harm your friendship with them. Secretly, you may even had hoped they would accept your gifts.”

Running his claw around his cup of tea, Discord looked into the brown depth of the liquid as if searching the drink for some mystical revelation. He still didn't approve, but he couldn't think of a reason that contradicted what the Princess was telling him.

A swirl of green made its way through the window, before spiraling into a rolled up parchment. Celestia unraveled the parchment before reading its contents. A small smile formed on her face, as she eyed Discord, “Seems like Jade and her herd wishes to apologize.”

Raising his brow, Discord eyed the Princess, “Apologize? What for?”

“They believe they hurt your feelings, and they are worried about you.”

Somehow the swirling abyss in Discord's chest seemed to lighten, being replaced with a small warmth. The abyss still existed, but now it didn't feel so disheartening. Discord's face fell, a small frown on his face. He suddenly buried his face into his hands, groaning, “I never thought friendship would feel so...”

“Chaotic?” Celestia giggled, looking to Discord in a knowing smile.

Raising his head, Discord scowled at the Princess, but it didn't last long as he sighed, giving a curt nod, “Pretty much... With all the trouble it causes me, I almost regret becoming good.”

Celestia frowned, suddenly looking at him with the utmost worry on her expression. Discord chuckled deviously, shrugging his shoulders, “I said almost.” Getting up from his spot, he made an over exaggerated bow, before holding his fingers at snapping ready position, “I know you wished to speak of your tiresome duties here at the castle, my fair Princess, but friendship calls!”

With a snap of his fingers, Discord disappeared in a puff of green smoke. Celestia sipped at her tea, finishing the remnants. A grin made its way on her face, giggling faintly, “Discord, you have a lot to learn, but at least you continue to make progress.”

Author's Note

Well... I didn't expect to have Discord back so soon, but ideas keep popping into my head. I was going to have just a follow up after Amaya and Rainbow returned, but thought Discord deserved a little depth in the story.

By the way, I'm so sorry if Pinkie Pie was out of character. I have so much trouble writing her character and I really wanted to remedy that problem. It's the sole reason why she didn't have a larger part in 'Ever Growing Friendship.' I like all of the mane 6 ponies, but Pinkie has already been the hardest. I also have a tad bit of trouble writing Fluttershy's, but pushed through it. Now I'm pushing through with Pinkie.

As for Discord. He is so very erratic, and it's hard to write him around his playful and shall I say, 'Sinister' personality. I wanted him to have a little depth, without removing his chaotic nature. Hopefully I done well, and everyone enjoyed this chapter.