This is War

On the day that she was invited to a party by a strange bird that had similar colorization as Discord, Fluttershy was excited of the thought. She and her friends were going to visit Discord for a change and not the other way around. Now a week has passed and she was one of the first to arrive at their castle throne room beaten only by Rainbow Dash who was also looking forward to the party.

"Did you saw the look on their faces when Discord and I made it rain chocolate milk on top of the Crusaders?" Dash asked as she then burst out laughing on her throne. "It was priceless!" She said while trying to calm down, and was failing.

"Yes I did, and though I thought it was funny, I think that you used a little too much milk on them," Fluttershy said being as polite as possible, "if you don't mind me saying" she quickly finished.

Before Dash could say anything a new voice joined in, "What I saw was my little Sweetie Bell using her magic to disburse your candy cloud and, for lack for a better term, stuffed it on your face." Both Pegasi turned to see a white unicorn named Rarity with a proud smile on her lips. The sharp eyes of the fashion designer landed on the rainbow-colored mane of Rainbow Dash, and they flashed wide open. "DARLING," Rarity gasped, “Your mane STILL has that foul cotton candy in it!"

"Huh?" Rainbow placed a hoof in her mane and sure enough there was some cotton candy almost hidden from view, now able to be seen by all three ponies "Well, would you look at that, I thought I got rid of this stuff yesterday." Rainbow said flashing back to the day of the prank.

"Allow me." Rarity said as her magic wraps around Dash's mane. Before Rainbow Dash could protest, the unicorn swiftly yanks the pegasus's mane and was successful in getting all of the candy out and gathered it all in a small floating ball, but at the cost of a few pieces of rainbow color hair.

"OUCH!" Rainbow yelled as she inspects her hair to see if she was going to be partly bald. Thankful she was wrong, she then faced the one who done the deed "Hey, that really hurt." She complained.

Rarity didn't flinched "My apologies dear, but sometimes style must come before comfort. And besides your mane needed a small trim." Saying so in a calm confident tune in her words.

Fluttershy inspected the recent "injury" "Are you ok Rainbow?" she looked at her childhood friend like the best flyer in all of Equestria nearly had a crash landing.

"Pfft; that was nothing compared to all the crashes I had while I was training for the Wonderbolts." in her usual confident tune trying to comfort the timid mare. It has been two weeks since the former Waoderbolt star student made the difficult choice of refusing to be a full Wonderbolt to everypony's surprise, Rainbow Dash had said that she wanted to be closer to Twilight, the attack from Tirek has made the young Pegasi feel regretfully weak so Dash wanted to be her friend's first personal guard. The Wonderbolt's captain, Spitfire, was understanding and let Dash know that the spot will always be open if she changed her mind. Now under the personal training from Prince Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash is becoming an "excitable" guard, as her mentor put it. She was silent during meetings and always kept at Princess Twilight's side, however when not on duty she's goes back to the pony everypony loves, doing tricks and finding time to still be Ponyville's best Weather Pegasus.

Rainbow shook her head after the flash back and looked back at Rarity "A little warning next time wouldn't hurt though." but the mare in question wasn't paying attention anymore.

Rarity was staring at something new in the room, at first with a face of confusion then a roll of the eyes that yelled of course all over it. Once Rainbow and Fluttershy turned to see what the white unicorn was surprised at, Rarity already answered before their eyes pointed on a pink pony next to a trash can, "Pinkie Pie, I would appreciate it if you could ask me before you take trash from me."

The party pony turned to Rarity. "Oh sorry, but when I saw that icky stuff that you pulled out of Dashie's hair I was like, 'she may want help with that' so I went up and went ahead and took the icky stuff and put it in the trash where it should go." The pink pony gasped for air sense she was talking so quickly.

Pinkie then dug into her puffy mane and pulled out a small cannon, as small as her head was big anyway, and happily pointed the gun at the round table in the center of the throne room "I just can't wait for the first ever Discord's House Sleepover Party!" As Pinkie yelled those words she fired the cannon, but instead of a cannon ball it shot out streamers and balloons and the target was decorated instantly from a wooden table to a table you would see in a birthday parties and a plate was on top that looked like you can place a cake.

Fluttershy squeaked in surprised as Pinkie Pie ran past her at speeds that rival Rainbow Dash to finish the preparations of the party. Multiple color banners started to hang on the walls and the six, and a half, thrones are now beneath a cluster of balloons. By the time the party pony stopped to look at her master piece the entire room was covered in party decorations. At the top of the room was a large banner that said 'Welcome to the Discord Sleep over Party'.

"As fast as ever on getting the party started, eh Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash complimented.

"Yup, I just can't wait to see Discord again. He's a lot of fun." Pinkie grinned, bouncing in excitement.

The big doubled doors slightly opened, all four ponies turned to see a small purple dragon with green spines enter the room. "Good evening ladies." Spike said as a butler would, as the first and number one assistant to a princess he feels that he needs to illuminate an aura that is similar to the most trusted advisor in Celestia's Rural Court. "Twilight will be here in a moment, she's just needs to...." Spike looked around at the decorated throne room, surprised he looked at the culprit, "Pinkie, you do know that we going to Discord's place to have the party right?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes, not in annoyance but just to show how obvious the answer was. "Well duh, I would take my party cannon over there for the party, but I have no idea on where his house is." The party pony eyed the small dragon in deep thought before saying "You wouldn't happen to know where it is would you?"

"Um, no, of course I don't know where he lives."

"Okie doikie Lokie." Pinkie bounced away to continue setting up the party.

Spike walked to the others, quite closer to Rarity. "Still the room looks great, this place needs a new look every now and then."

Rarity gasped, panic running all over her makeup covered face, “Oh no, no, nonononono!" She started to gallop to the doors.

She was only halfway there, when Rainbow flew in front of the fleeing unicorn, "Whoa there, what's wrong Rarity?" Rarity looked around to see her friends giving the same look of confusion as Rainbow was.

The white unicorn needed a second to calm down, she then returned to her lady like position. "My apologies for my behavior, it just that my saddlebag is just inside the front doors and is in possession of an item that I only use on occasions such as this."

"Do ya mean this here saddlebag?" Said bag flew over Rainbow's head and landed beside Rarity, they all again looked over to see an orange earth pony in her cowboy hat. "Sorry ah'm late everypony, needed ta making shore that Big Mac can handle all of the chores wile ah was away."

"Oh, thank you Applejack. And that's fine, as long that we all got here without a hitch." Rarity opened her saddlebag and levitated a gold necklace with a large heart shape rube at its center.

As the others looked in awe, Spike blinked in surprise for he recognized the necklace. “Isn’t that the ruby that I gave you?"

"Why yes it is, my Spiky Wiky, I thought of bringing my best dress over for this wondrous action, however this is Discord we're going to visit and I feel I needed to bring something that can be easy to clean, just in case, yet still look simply divine." Rarity looked at Spike with a thankful smile, the little Dragon turned red.

"Good idea." Another voice entered the room from a smaller door a few feet to the left of the main room double doors, everypony turned to see the missing friend they've been waiting for. "Discord still hasn't learned how to not get our clothes wet with chocolate." A purple Alicorn princess walked out of the door, a calm and gentle smile on her face.

"Oh Twilight, it is so good to see you again." Fluttershy trotted up to her friend.

"Good, the gang's all here." Rainbow flew up from her throne and crossed her hooves impatiently. "Now all we need to do is wait for our host and we can start the show."

Twilight flew up to meet the same height as Rainbow, it's been a while since she last used her wings. "You know Rainbow; if you’re going to be my personal guard you have to be patient for a lot of things other than a few meetings." She said as her smile turned into a knowing smirk.

Rainbow knows she couldn't win this argument, so she changes the subject. "Hey Fluttershy, how're the zoo animals doing?" A month ago a zoo in Canterlot had some problems with the artificial habitats and needed a home until the repairs are complete. Fluttershy was quick to respond to the request.

"Oh, they're doing very well; I'm told that in two days the zoo animals will have a nice new home to live in." Fluttershy gave a cute small exited smile.

"Well," Rarity interrupted "if we're going to discuss about our daily progress, then I simply have to say that I've made the largest sale this year!" Her eyes seemed to twinkle as she made this fact. "Fancypants, has agreed to buy over half of all of my dresses, and if that's not enough he also hired a pair of fellow designers to help me make more dresses and give a steady flow of sales to the shops he owns, this is also the only reason that I was able to attend to this party."

Applejack eyed the white unicorn with a small hint of pride. "Well ah'll be a monkey's mare, that is some mighty news to hear. Congratulations, Rarity."

"Thank you again Applejack, but you must tell us how the farm is doing."

"Not much ta tell, we've gotten three new acres of land for our orchard, other than that, it's been as normal as it comes."

Before Rarity could reply Pinkie landed from Celestia knows where and between the two business ponies with a sugar overdosed smile. "Oh! Oh!, My tuuuurrrn~" she announced in a sing along tune. "Well the Cakes have been super-duper nice to me and gave me permission throw a birthday party for the twins in Sugar Cube Corner, which is in a month from now, and I've even invited my super-duper, other than the Apple Family, family and I can't wait 'til they get here. Well I can wait it’s just an expression." she said in her usual quick and very excited tune.

The others just barley understood what she was saying, then Applejack quickly stopped the silence. "You mean the Pie families, who may be ma distant relatives, are comin' hear for a birthday party of the Cake's twins? Well shoot, that's also some great news cousin." Pinkie gave another happy grin.

Twilight flouted back down to join the conversation. "Well as for me nothing in particular happened as of yet, Dash however is coming out of her training with my brother very well, as long she learns to 'wear Rural Guard armor with pride'," the Princess said in a mockingly, she then turned to her guard "Personally I don't really care if you wear it or not as long as you do your duty."

Rainbow looked at her friend with a thankful glance mixed with a bit of pride. "Thanks Twi, it's just that armor is far too heavy for me to fly properly, I get that I need to train in it to get used to the weight, but it still would slow me down too much for my liking." She soon landed next to her personal throne.

Spike walked next to Twilight and entered his circle of friends "Well, same here, ever cense Twilight made the castle a library for Ponyville, everything is still the usual book organizing."

"Well, that sounds rather boring, don't you agree?" The six ponies flip their heads left and right to try to find the familiar voice that echoed though the room.

Then to everypony's shock, the illumination Crystals went out only allowing six spotlights on each of the main six. "That's right my little ponies..." The voice said in an announcer accent, and then the lights started to spin slowly and moved closer to one another. "He's tall..."  A figure started to appear in the darkest part of the ever smaller circle of lights. "He's multiple parted..." The lights started to spin faster and the figure became easier to see. "HHeeee'ss- "

"DISCORD!" The five ponies rolled their eyes in annoyance; Pinkie sounded more like she's more excited than anything, in unison, the lights went back to normal to reveal the Lord of Chaos on top of the party table.

"That's right." Discord added in a friendly smile, "I just came over to see why you weren't at my home yet."

Twilight was about to answer when Fluttershy stepped in. "That is because, if you don't mind me saying..."

"Of course not dear." Discord rudely interrupted getting a stare from both Applejack and Rarity.

"We don't know where you live." Fluttershy said as if she wasn't interrupted. "That is why Twilight told us to come to the castle first, to wait for you."

"Ooooohh, oops." Discord shrugged. "I forgot to mention that I added a small pocket dimension to the castle to act as my room, sorry it slipped my mind." he said with eyes of a straight face but a innocent smile with the ponies, after befriending him, they soon learned that he is a hundred percent truthful.

Twilight took a brief but deep breath "Ok, Discord, how do we get to your home then?"

"Easy." The Draconequus sounded like it truly is that simple to find a pocket dimension. He walked over to another small door to the right of the large double doors.

Applejack couldn't help but point out, "That's the closet." To prove it she walked over to the door and opened it to reveal a very small room with a mop and bucket the clearest to see.

Discord nearly laughed at this, "Ye of little faith." He carefully moved the orange mare out of the way, "True, it is a closet but when you say the magic words." He closed the door then he throw up his arms and chanted, "Open," pause for dramatic effect, "Sesame Street." Nothing happened.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow "Aannnd?" again she is feeling impatient.

Discord opened the door only this time the room was replaced with another door, this one being made by rubber. Placing his paw and talons underneath the door he lifted upwards with a bright blue light coming through it. "Well?" Discord challenged.

Pinkie, being Pinkie, zoomed into the light. The others walked more calmly after adjusting to the light, what they found what looked like a normal house, other than the fact the floor was a giant pillow, the fire in the fireplace was upside down, the furniture is cotton candy, and everything you'd expected from the home of the lord of chaos.

"Alright everypony, if you’re done sight seeing, lets began my first sleep over!" Discord said excitedly.

"YEAH!" And thus the fun begins, with Discord's favorite song in the background Rarity and Spike played Pin the Tail on the Pony, Rainbow Dash and Applejack found themselves in Tug-of-War, while Discord and Pinkie Pie where in a head to head match on who can shoot there party cannon better, all the while Twilight and Fluttershy simply watched from the background.

After the side games were done, Discord clapped his hands for silence. All eyes were on him now, "Ok everypony I got one more game before we take a nap, is that ok with all of you?" Most of the ponies nodded, Applejack, however yawned as she wasn't used to being up this late, then nodded, one more game can't hurt she thought.

"Extent!" Discord gave a grateful smile. "This is the game, I made it myself.", a cardboard box appeared with the title 'Game of Chaos' on it.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that the game that you showed me last week?"

"Indeed it is, princess." Discord confirmed.

"Do you know how to play Twilight?" Spike questioned.

"No, I don't."

"That's no issue at all," Discord said, "It practically tells you how to play." He then opened the box and unfolded the board which had the entire map of Equestria, but strangely was cut in half virtually; on the right, it looked normal if a little yellow, the other was also clear but in dark blue.

"Oookaay, why dose Equestria look likes that?" Rainbow asked the same question everypony was thinking.

"All will be explained in do time." Discord pulled out a single card from the box. "To start the game read this Enter Card."

Twilight levitated the card and her friends gathered around to lessen to her.

When day and night refuse to kneel, a new kind of chaos is born that no lord can wield, two greats leave behind a legacy of treachery and tyranny, into this place your eyes will find home but your heart shall not. As a misguided soul that I was I request that the six hero to accept this quest, to heal a wound that no magic can. Should you agree to play, I can only wish for luck to be on your side.

They all shared confused looks, Pinkie Pie included. Applejack turned her gaze to the Lord of Chaos obviously wanted answers, "What in the hay is that supposed ta mean" she demanded.

Discord only looked at his friends nervously, seemingly unsure how to respond. "I need you to say yes," he said uncharacteristically sad tune in his voice, this gave him worried looks in return. "I need your help with a problem that I can’t fix." he continued to look at them pleadingly.

Fluttershy flew up to her strange friend. "Discord, what is wrong?” she asked as she reached Discord's paw and talon.

The Draconequus looked at his first friend with a faint smile, then to the rest of them he said "As I said before all will be explained, but first I need you all to play this game with me, please?" he looked long and hard at the eyes of his new friends with hope.

Twilight gave up the face of concern to adopt a small simple, yet caring, smile. "Discord," the princess started as she walked closer to Discord, "we've been friends ever since you gave me Tirek's necklace, and we've all forgiven you for every mistake you have made. I will help you as any friend would," she turned to her friends "right girls?" Without hesitation, all of the ponies, and dragon, nodded eagerly, her smile widened with pride. She retuned her gaze to Discord "We accept to play the game."

Discord retuned the smile to all of the ponies, only his eyes seemed to only sadden. He closed those eyes and rubbed one with his paw, as he said "Thank you." Once he was done drying his eye, he prepared his talon for another snap "I just hope you can forgive me one last time." he said, snapping his talons.

Pinkie's ears started to flop and run in circles at the same time, her mane wiggled like gelatin, and her tail started to shake as if it had an earthquake all at the same time.

In panic Pinkie screamed "TWICHY TAIL!"

As if on cue, a large tornado came into the room, and within seconds sucked most of the panicking ponies as well as Spike in the middle of the room, all of them where inside in the tornado spinning and spinning, faster and faster, screaming in terror. Twilight was hanging on for dear life on the pillow floor, but lost her grip and was sent flying into the tornado, the last thing Discord heard was Twilight screaming, "Dissssscccccoooooorrrrrrrrd!" The tornado, as quickly as it came, disappeared into the bored game, leaving the Draconequus alone. He stood there conflicted, as he shed a single tear.

"I'm sorry." he whispered to himself, hopeful that his friends could hear him. Then and there, all he wanted to is to fall on his knees and cry, as he remembered the look of panic that Twilight gave him. Knowing that where she was going, will be where her worsted fears are realized.