My Little Discord: Chaos is Lovely

Her vision blurs as she stirs. Her whole body drags sluggishly out of bed. She yawns, stretches, and squints as just enough sun shines in through the nursery window to bother and awaken her.

The door to the nursery opens quickly, startling Twilight. "You awake finally? About time. Come on." Fireheart steps out.

Her head aches and she knows already that this is going to be an obnoxiously long day.

Twilight slowly follows outside of the nursery. "ugh, I know we need to get moving, but what's the rush?"

Fireheart stops in place and looks her over. Her mane is matted and frizzy. "Do you know what time it is?"

"No, why?"

"11 o' clock."

"What?" Twilight jumps up. "Omygoodnessomygoodness, I wasn't supposed to sleep in this late. We got to get moving. We've got to find-"

Fireheart laughs from his belly. "Well, that got you moving."

Twilight freezes in place. A light blush crawls across her face. "Sorry, it's just...It feels like we've wasted too much time." She recomposes herself and her blush is replaced with a strong, determined look. "We can't get complacent. We have to find my friends."

Fireheart smiles. "I couldn't agree more."

"So...how long have you been awake for?"

Fireheart hesitates a bit. "3:30 or so."

"What?" Twilight looks at Fireheart in surprise. "How? After how exhausted you were?"

He rubs his head. "Heh. I don't always sleep the best."

Twilight raises an eyebrow slightly. "I should say not."

"Looks like you were right about Canterlot. I don't know what Discord's game is, but he still hasn't made a move." Fireheart shrugs. "So I guess that means it's your move. Where to? Do you know where any of your friends actually are?"

"Well, first stop is ponyville."

"Ponyville? Why go back there?"

"I need to gather some supplies. Plus, I need to check up on some people. My friends' disappearance probably has not had the best impact on Ponyville."

The two decide to give the teleportation a rest, and board the train to Ponyville.

"So," Fireheart says. "You got anything to go off of? Any idea where they might be?"

"Not a lot." She shrugs a little. "I have the riddle Discord told me. I wrote it down."

Twilight winces at the small deception. She pulls out the scroll. Fireheart reads aloud. "One denies herself in a place of beauty. One brings beauty to a place of void. One turns backwards, sorts apples from oranges. One went citybound to trade success for joy. The last you'll find is closest to home but the farthest from redeeming, for the last you'll see is stubborn yet free, in a manner most unseeming. Hmm. I don't think I'll be able to help without knowing a little about your friends. Describe them to me please."

Twilight's face lights up at the thought of describing her friends. She catches herself, and scrunches her face when she thinks about how she longs to be near them again.

"Everything okay?" says Fireheart.

"Yeah, yeah. I just miss them already."

"All the more reason to get started."

The train travels steady now, rhythmically. The turn of the wheels sounds like a musical beat, the cadence of which relaxes Twilight and at the same time energizes her. Even the teacup she has set out on the table rattles excitedly. She takes a breath, eager to talk of her friends, a topic which she could speak on about all day despite her usual reserved nature. Fire heart smiles wide. Twilight notes how rarely that happens, and momentarily questions it, but quickly brushes it off as a unicorn who has taken thousands of years to finally learn how to relax.

She describes her friends in detail to Fireheart. She speaks of Applejack's blunt plainness. She speaks of Rainbow Dash's boastful, yet determined personality. She tells him about Fluttershy's inward strength and calm demeanor, about Rarity's love for fashion and penchant for self sacrifice, and about Pinkie Pie's bubbly personality and determination to bring a smile on anypony's face.

"Hunh. Well no wonder."

"Whadya mean, no wonder?"

"No wonder you miss your friends. It took me years to form a bond like that with somepony. For you to accomplish that with 5 other ponies, well that takes some kind of mastery."

The smile again. It bothers her. It seems unnatural coming from him.

"Okay. Who are you?"

"Excuse me?" He says

"You aren't Fireheart. Fireheart doesn't smile. At least, I have yet to see him do so." A moment passes and then her eyes go wide. "You aren't Fireheart, you're Dis-"

The moment freezes. The rhythm stops. The air itself stays still. And the teapot? Of course, the teapot was Discord. Even Fireheart remains frozen, a confused expression on his face as it begins to dawn on him what Twilight is accusing him of.

"Oh no no no no no, Twilight. We can't have you accusing Fireheart of being me, now can we? He stretches backwards. "Why would I even do that?"

"I dunno. Because you've been forming yourself in the shape of everything else."

"Hmm. I have? I guess I haven't noticed. In either case, if you finish your little accusation, then he'll know we've been talking, and that, Mrs Sparkle will put you in danger. If I were you, I'd think about what you're going to say and be careful what you speak."

"Uh, heheh. Right. Uh Sorry?"

"You're lucky you have a good friend like me along. Well, places everyone."

Discord transforms back into a teacup. Twilight stands back where she was, relatively. "Okay." She says.

"No no, Twilight. That's not where you were. Hold on."

Discord returns to his former self and moves Twilight back to the same spot she was and then meticulously moves Twilight's body so that she has the same body language that she had before.

"Okay. That's better. Don't move." He returns to teacup form. The moment unfreezes. The air comes back to life and the train returns to its rhythm. Twilight stares for a moment.

"Dis what?" Fireheart says.

"Um, what I mean is."

"Wait. You thought I was Discord trying to trick you? AHAHAHAHA!"

Fireheart practically falls over with laughter. Twilight has never seen him like this before. She has never heard him laugh before.

"Okay fine. Be that way."

He pulls himself up. "No no. You don't understand. You're absolutely right to be suspicious. I think a level of paranoia like that is good."

"So why the sudden change from brooding immortal to happy person?"

"Because. Well. Because you were right and I'm grateful for that. I'm just used to things going wrong. Also, I guess I have a little hope for the future now where I didn't used to."

"What do you mean?"

"Well. I can't really explain it to you. Not now, at least. But maybe in the future I will."

She shrugs. "Well, at least you're in a good mood."

The train hisses and clanks to a slow roar. The wheels squeal as the engine slowly stops. "Now arriving Ponyville!!" The conductor's voice travels even further than last time. The two step off the train and Twilight makes a beeline for her library.

"So this is Ponyville eh?" Fireheart says. "Nice little town."

"i'm surprised you haven't been here before, being immortal and all."

"Well," He shrugs. "I haven't done much traveling in the last 500 years or so. How long has Ponyville been around for?"

"About...Well actually, I don't know."

"Hmm. Well now you have me doubting you, Twilight. I figured with your personality you'd know everything about this town."

Twilght makes a mental note to brush up on the history of Ponyville.

"Apparently everything but that."

Fireheart smiles once more. Laughs too.

Twilight and Fireheart arrive at the library. "I'll guard outside," he says.

"What? Why? It's not like we're going to be attacked or anything."

"One can never be too careful."

"Well, there's the cynical stallion I know. Welcome back." She shrugs and goes inside. "Spike! Spike! Where are you?"

A distant muffled voice calls out from upstairs. Suddenly the door at the top of the stairs bursts open. "Twilight! Is that you? Boy am I glad to see you!" He runs to her and hugs her. "Things have been getting crazier since you left. The apples are having to work harder for the harvest without AJ. Derpy has taken over weather duties for Rainbow, which, trust me haven't worked out all that well."

"Wait," Twilight tilts her head. "Derpy?"

"Yeah, you know, Ditzy Doo?"

"Oh Ditzy! Why'd you call her Derpy?"

"That's what everypony calls her."

"Since when? I've never heard that. That doesn't even make sense. Derpy?"

"Yeah, you know, cause she's like 'Deeeerp.'" Spike squishes his face together as he says the words.

"Spike, that's not very nice. Also, who even says that?"

The two spend a moment looking at each other with raised eyebrows.

"...Lots of ponies." Another moment. "Anyway, The point is, things are getting crazy over here and to top it off, I got this letter from Cadence this morning."

"Letter? Spike, have you been reading my mail again?"

"I didn't know when you'd get back! It could have been important, which it was."

Twilight shrugs. "Hmm. Fair point."

Dearest Sister-in-law:

Princess Celestia has informed me of the sad disappearance of your friends at the hands of Discord.
My heart goes out to you. I'm writing, however, to inform you that I may have found one of them.
I noticed her in the castle the other day. Her mane and tail were a completely different color. She was wearing long pants and glasses, but what struck me as familiar was her raspy voice. I asked one of my attendants who she was,
and they told me that she had begun working for us as a tax collector a few days ago, and was showing
a remarkable aptitude for it. At first I thought I was imagining things, but when I saw half of a lightening bolt
sticking out from her pants, I immediately knew that I was looking at Rainbow Dash.

I tried calling out to her, but she respectfully refused to be called that and insisted she had never heard of anypony by that name.
As soon as Celestia wrote to me about the incident with Discord, I knew I needed to inform you. If I hear anything about your
other friends, I will be sure to inform you, but I can verify for you that Rainbow Dash is here.

I hope to see you soon,

Cadence.

Spike looks up at her as she finishes reading the letter. "You're leaving again, aren't you?"

"Oh course I am, Spike. We have to help rainbow!"

Spike slumps over. "I know, but we need help here too. You don't know how bad things have gotten. We could really use your magic." Twilight looks around and sees the mess the pets have made of the library.

"Spike, thank you for taking on so much responsibility. I know it isn't easy for such a young dragon."

Spike looks back. "Oh them? Don't worry about them. They've been great so far." Spike wavers when he laughs. "I just wish I could come with you."

"I know Spike, but Ponyville needs you. I know I'm needed around here too, but each friend that I rescue is a step toward returning Ponyville to normal, and one less pet to watch."

"Well, I guess you have a point. Just...take care of yourself, okay?"

"Oh course I will." They hug. She leaves. Spike sighs.

Twilight steps outside. Fireheart is gone.