Discordant Embrace

Twilight stepped back, intimidated. "W-w-what are you doing?"

"Relax Twilight. Don't you recognize me?" said Discord.

"What? No! I've never seen you before in my life!"

Discord chuckled. "Oh yes you have. Allow me." With that, he pulled off his disguise.

"Discord!? What are you doing here?! Ready to cause more trouble I bet." Twilight said, getting angry. She charged up her magic and her horn flared. She pawed at the floor and charged the draconequus. He held out a finger and it touched her horn. She stopped mid-stride.

"Now now my dear, can't you just be civil for once? Really, you make me sound worse than I actually am."

She narrowed her eyes at him, saying nothing. "Come now dear, I just need you and your friends to come with me to see Celestia, that's all. Nothing bad, I promise."

"I don't believe you. Give me one good reason, one solid reason, as to why I should believe you."

"Why, I am in love."

"Love? With who? Who would love you?"

"Ouch. It seems this rose comes with thorns. To answer your questions in order, yes, love. Is it really so hard to see? Secondly, with, and bear with me hear, Queen Chrysalis. And last-"

"Queen Chrysalis? She tried to take over Canterlot! I should have figured you'd-"

"Ah!" Discord said, putting a paw to her lips, "do not interrupt. It's rude. Where was I? Oh yes. And lastly, Chrysalis loves me. We were going to be all fine and dandy till you showed up... Also, for your information, Celestia was my bride-to-be. Of course, that was quite some time ago. But, the point remains the same. Now, I admit it, I need your help. Please."

Twilight's gaze softened a bit and she thought. After a few minutes of steady thinking, she spoke. "Fine. But I take the Elements of Harmony with me. One hair out of place and we zap you back to stone, got it?"

Discord nodded. "That seems a fair compromise. Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. Let's get going."

"One second." Discord pulled up his disguise again and the two set off. In the momentary cease-fire, he thought about Chrystal. He hoped she was okay. The clock was winding down on the school day. It was now 1:30. He guessed the school got out around 2:30 or 3:00. He decided to send her a message with his mind powers.

Chrystal, I hope everything is going alright. You won't be able to answer me, but that's okay. You need to find somewhere to stay tonight. I fear I may not make it back tonight... I have faith that you can take care of yourself. I trust you. Also, hoped you enjoyed your surprise lunch.

He trotted alongside Twilight in silence. Her dislike of him was clear, radiating from her in almost-visible waves. He took the time to think about Screwball. She didn't live in Ponyville. She was... nomadic. She was like him, only... nicer. She didn't interact with ponies much. Not even he knew where she went. She visited him the last time he was free, but after that, they lost contact. He really did hope she showed up eventually.

They came upon Sugarcube Corner. Twilight held a hoof to his chest. "I'll get her. Stay here, and don't cause trouble." She trotted off to get Pinkie. A minute or two later, the pink mare came darting out of the shop, tackling Discord in a hug.

"Discord! How ya doin' buddy?"

Discord chuckled, patting the mare on the head. "Fine my dear. And yourself?"

"I'm great! Say..." Pinkie leaned in to whisper in his hear, "you wouldn't have any...cotton candy or chocolate milk around, now would you?"

Discord chuckled again and looked around. This part of Ponyville was bare, for the moment. "Of course I do," he said as he used his magic to whip up his trademark clouds.

"Awesome!" Pinkie said as she went to town on the cloud. After a minute, it was gone and she was on her back. "Urrrgh. So... Good."

"I trust Twilight has... explained the situation to you."

"Yup. And I'm coming with! Field trip!"

Twilight said nothing during this whole exchange. She still didn't trust him.

They set off to find the other girls. After a while, the entire gang and Discord were making their way to Canterlot. Discord walked up front of the group, the mane six (excluding Pinkie) keeping an eye on him. Pinkie was the only one who hopped alongside him.

By the time they got to Canterlot, it was dark. Discord hoped Chrystal was alright. But he had a goal to focus on right now. Twilight took the lead as they trotted up to the palace gates. She nodded to the guards and they let the group pass. Everypony knew the sister of Shining Armor.

Another guard approached them in the throne room. "Princess Celestia is out on official royal duties tonight. However, seeing as you're Twilight, I can let you and your friends stay in the guest rooms tonight. She should be back by morning."

Twilight nodded and led her friends to the guest wing. After everyone said goodnight, they closed their doors and went to sleep. As Discord entered his room, he saw the inside glowing with purple magic. The door slammed shut behind him and he could hear locks sliding around and some scraping. Really? A chair against the door?

He sighed and lay in bed.

Morning came swiftly. Twilight undid the chair, the magic in the room, and the magic locks. She kicked open the door and flipped the bed with magic. "Come on, get up. Time to see Celestia." She walked out without another word.

Discord groaned and he picked himself up. That Twilight could be abrasive... It didn't matter. He follow the unicorn out to the throne room. There, along with the rest of the mane six, Celestia waited.

When she saw him, she leapt up from her throne and pounced on him. "You!? What are you doing here? Why aren't you out in BFE with your girlfriend?"

Discord laughed in the face of danger. "Oh, you know, just visiting."