The Lover's Stone

Episode 1: Every Moment Counts

The sun shone brightly down on Ponyville on this spring day. In a small cottage in the woods just outside of Ponyville, a small yellow Pegasus pony named Fluttershy sat at a desk inside this cottage, preparing to write a letter to The Princess of the Sun, Princess Celestia.

She picked up the feather quill in her mouth and dipped it into the pot of ink. She hesitated, not quite sure what to say. She put it back down on the desk quickly. “I can’t do this! I don’t know what to say, or how to say it! Ugh!” Fluttershy hit her head against the desk in frustration. Angel Bunny hopped onto her shoulder and gave her a nod.

“Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Angel?” She lifted her head again.

The bunny nodded solemnly once more, giving her a thumbs up.

“A-alright then. If you say so.” Fluttershy picked up the quill and put it to the paper, beginning to write.

"Dear Princess Celestia, today Discord came over to the cottage for tea and sandwiches, and oh it was so good and he brought the cucumber ones this time.”

Angel Bunny violently hopped up and down on her shoulder in disapproval. Fluttershy glanced back over to him with a sheepish smile.

“Oh right, anyways, he told me something…....um…..I'm not really sure if I should be saying this, so please don't tell anypony I'm telling you! I just don't want to be a bad friend!" The mare paused nervously, lifting a hoof to her chin as she thought about what to say next. She was beginning to sweat. "Discord… he…..he told me…..he has feelings for you! But, um just uh you didn't hear this from me! Um bye!"

Fluttershy quickly wrote it all down, scribbled her name at the end, and dropped the quill onto her desk with a sigh of relief.

The Pegasus pony rolled up the note. "Oh Angel, I just…….I can’t send this to the princess…...... but no, I simply have to! Princess Celestia needs to know! I’d better get Spike to deliver it. And just hope everything goes well.” She grabbed the scroll with her hooves and began flying towards the door. “I’ll see you later, Angel.”

The bunny waved back to her as she closed the door behind her and left.

/////

Fluttershy arrived at The Friendship Castle on the other side of Ponyville. She landed on the steps leading into the castle and walked inside. Trotting down the main hall, she made her way into the library in the back.

"Spike!" Fluttershy yelled, which kind of came out as a loud whisper.

"Oh, hi there, Fluttershy!" Spike replied happily as he walked across the library carrying a stack of books. "What's up?" He asked as he placed the books on the shelves.

"Um, can you send this to Celestia?" Fluttershy asked timidly, pulling out the scroll.

Spike turned to her and took the letter in his claws. "Sure! But….can I ask what it is?" Spike questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Um…….nothing!!!!!!" Fluttershy shouted quickly as she turned away from Spike, hiding behind her mane. "It was just, um, a question I had to ask her about......Phoenix care. Yes, that’s right. Can you please just send it for me? If it's not too much trouble that is..." She whispered shyly.

"Uh, sure I guess...." Spike shrugged with a bit of confusion as he blew a cloud of green smoke and sent off the letter.

"Thank you, Spike. Now I’d really better leave." Fluttershy nodded as she quickly galloped out of the library, through the hall, and right out of the castle doors, closing them behind her with a small slam.

Twilight trotted over to Spike from one of the bookshelves and asked, "Hey, Spike. Uh..what was that all about?"

"Not a clue." Spike shrugged again, turning towards her. “Fluttershy just wanted me to send a letter to the Princess. Had to do with phoenix care or something.” He scratched his head.

“Huh. That’s strange. Well, anyway, we’d better get back to work. This library isn’t going to clean itself.” Twilight began to trot back to the bookcases.

“Alright, Twi.” Replied the young dragon.

/////

The green smoke floated through the air to Canterlot Castle. It flew through the front doors and down to Celestia who was sitting in the throne room, doing some paperwork as usual. As the cloud of green unfurled into a scroll, Celestia noticed it fall on her hooves. She put down her quill and paper on the steps beside her and picked up the scroll with her magic, unrolling it. Glancing at the bottom of the paper, she realized who it was from.

"Hmm, a letter from Fluttershy? This is rare. I wonder what it's about." Celestia began to read aloud. "Dear Princess Celestia, Today-" She was suddenly cut off as Discord’s head poked right through the parchment. She quickly reeled back, startled.

"Why, hello, Celestia, fancy seeing you here!" Discord teased, slowly getting the rest of his body out of the scroll, poking a huge hole through the middle of it. "I appear to be parched." He joked, letting out a chuckle.

"Oh, hello Discord, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Celestia laughed as she watched him step out of the hole in the scroll and dust himself off, the scroll still floating in the air without her magic holding it anymore. With a snap of his fingers, the ripped scroll transformed into a cake, which Discord began to frost while in a chef outfit.

"Well, I heard you needed some assistance." Discord said, quickly snapping away the cake and disguise. His demeanor suddenly became serious, too serious for even himself. Celestia knew something was up.

"I actually don’t, Discord. What are you really here for?" Celestia pushed, her eyebrow raised.

"Oh, I just wanted to spend some time with my favourite Princess of course!" Discord chuckled. He snapped his claws and turned Celestia's flowing mane into Luna's. "Well, hello Luna!" He chuckled then turned her back. The color of his body wavered to grey for a only a split second, but Celestia still noticed.

"Um, Discord? Did you just turn grey for a moment there?" Celestia said with concern in her voice as she got off the throne and walked towards him.

"Oh, it's nothing, just a little side effect of a cold." Discord mused as he floated around her with a mischievous grin.

"Okay..." Celestia was a little unsure of him.

"But because of my cold, I want you and I to spend the day together!" Discord said as he landed back on the ground and walked around Celestia. “What should we do first?!" He exclaimed excitedly, clapping his paw and claw together.

"Oh, I’m sorry, Discord, but I’m busy and I don’t think I’ll be able to spend a day with you. Just look at my schedule!" Celestia apologized as she used her magic to levitate a scroll in front of him. The scroll was titled "To Do Today - Celestia" and had meetings and a party to go to late in the afternoon.

"Ah, well we can fix that up!!" Discord exclaimed as he snapped his claws again and made only one thing remain on the list, the afternoon party. "Now all we have to do is party! Oh what fun we will have today, Celestia! Where would you like to start?"

“Discord!” She scolded. “I need to get these things done, I’m sorry. We can spend the day together some other time.”

“Hmph,” He scoffed. “Fine, fine. You’re no fun.” He snapped once again, causing a bunch of quills and paper to appear. They began to write on their own.

“Discord, stop!” She ran over to him and glanced over at the papers. They were actually doing the work for her, and doing it correctly nonetheless.

“Huh? But how?”

“Chaos, my dear, sweet chaos.” Discord snapped the quills and paper away and turned back to her. “Now to reiterate, what to do?” He flew around to face her and stared directly into Celestia's big magenta coloured eyes.

Celestia looked back into Discord's eyes and couldn't help but blush at the spirit of Chaos. "Um-m" Celestia stammered before collecting herself "Well, I'm not really sure. It's been forever since I have been off work, and I don't know what there is to do."

"Well then, Tia, do you want to go cause some chaos?" Discord parodied the cliche’ Frozen tune jokingly.

"No." Celestia said firmly, her expression suddenly turning cross.

"Oh of course, my boring princess! Sorry!" Discord said with a little laugh, putting his claw and paw in the air in surrender. "Now why don't we go visit Twilight and her friends in Ponyville instead!?" Discord asked enthusiastically, but something dark began to loom in the back of his mind.

"Well it has been quite a while since I have seen Twilight and her friends in person...we should go! But remember, we do have to be back in time for the party." Celestia said as she smiled at Discord, who turned away from her quickly to hide a blush.

"Then let us be on our way!" Discord said as he grabbed Celestia with his paw, who made a horrified expression, and pulled out an umbrella. Discord proceeded to jump out a random window, open the umbrella, and catch a breeze Mary Poppins style to Ponyville.

“Really, Discord?” She chuckled.

/////

"We are here!" Discord said as they landed in front of Twilight's castle. "Thank you for flying SS Umbrella have a nice day!" He joked as he snapped his tail and made the umbrella disappear. Suddenly, he began to feel weak. “Ugh……” He put his paw to his forehead before shaking his head violently to try to shake it off.

“Discord? Is everything alright?” She turned to him with concern.

“It’s fine, Celestia, I’m-” He was cut off as his color suddenly flashed grey and he fell to his knees in exhaustion. "Oh my, that was strange." He sighs.

"Oh Discord! Celestia lowered beside him in worry.

"It’s okay, Tia. I’m okay.” Discord smiled and slowly stood up again. “You-”

"Discord!! Celestia!!" Fluttershy cried with horror as she saw them. The two turned around to look down at her from the castle doors. "Oh no no, I'm so sorry!!" Fluttershy said quickly as she galloped away from them.

When she had disappeared, they could hear a faint "I'm a horrible pony," in the distance.

“Fluttershy, wait!” Celestia was about to run off after her before Discord pulled her back.

“Oh don’t you worry, Tia, I’m sure Shutterfly will be alright.” He joked.

“Fluttershy.” She corrected. “But Discord, something’s gone-” Celestia was suddenly blocked by Discord’s talon over her lips.

“Seriously, Celestia, relax. We’re here to have fun, not be stressed out like you usually are anyway.”

She looked at him crossly.

“Well now, let’s go meet the others!” He suddenly dragged her off once more as he opened the castle doors and skipped inside. "Hello my little ponies!!!" He exclaimed flamboyantly as he walked into the castle down the hall to the meeting room. Celestia rolled her eyes with a smirk.

"Discord!" Applejack exclaimed, jumping to her hooves from her chair with a surprised expression on her face. All the others stood up too. “What are you doin' here? It's sure been a while." Applejack said, raising an eyebrow at him jokingly.

"Discord!!! OH MY GOSH I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE HERE!!” Pinkie Pie bounced up to him, full of energy as she wrapped her hooves around him in a hug. “YOU'RE NEVER HERE DISCORD AND IT'S SO COOL TO SEE YOU!! WHO’S BEHIND YOU WHO WHO WHO!?

"Hello, Pinkie Pie." Celestia chuckled as she walked up beside Discord. "Applejack, Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Starlight, Spike." She greeted, nodding her hellos to each of the ponies and dragon in the room.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight shouted as she trotted over, completely stunned. She gave her ex-mentor a hug. "But why are you guys here? And together? What's happened!?” Her eyes widened as she let go of the princess. “ Is this a test!? Is Equestria in danger!? Is the world-" Celestia cut off her panicking with a hoof to her mouth.

"No, Twilight, don’t worry. All is well." Celestia chuckled as she put a hoof on Twi’s shoulder to calm her down. "I had the day off all thanks to Discord, who insisted on me having more fun." Celestia smirked as she glanced over at Discord who shrugged with a sheepish smile.
Everyone in the room except Celestia and Discord exchanged nervous looks, beginning to suspect something more was going on.

Rarity was the first to speak after a long, awkward pause. "Well, darling, I hate to say this but Discord is so right! You simply just work work work, all day, everyday! When do you ever have the time to do anything else!" Rarity exclaimed passionately. "Do you want me to set up an appointment at the spa?" The white unicorn asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Thank you for the offer, Rarity, but I plan to just have a nice calm day with Discord." Celestia smiled.

"Well, alright, but if you do change your mind, all you need to do is ask." Rarity nodded before taking a seat in her throne again.

"Well then, Princess do you wanna go see my first race with the Wonderbolts today!?" Rainbow Dash said, zipping around to the back of the room where Celestia stood.

"Oh, well Rainbow, I will root for you but sadly the race is at the same time as a party I must attend today." Said Celestia, sounding a bit sad about it.

"Oh that’s okay! Hope you have an awesome time at the party! Rainbow said as she dashed back over and sat down on her crystal throne as well.

“Thank you, Rainbow Dash.” The princess nodded back to her.

Her eyes slowly drifted over to a unicorn standing next to Twilight.

"Starlight, you haven't talked much. How are you?" Celestia said, trotting over to her.

"Oh me!? I've been good a lot of friendship lessons but yeah" Starlight replied nervously. “And I’m sorry I haven’t been so social, it’s just I haven’t talked to you in person for a while and like you’re the ruler of all of Equestria and everything, and it’s just kind of you know, nerve-wracking?”

“Oh Starlight, it’s fine. You really don’t need to be nervous around me; I’m just a normal pony like you.”" Celestia chuckled as she placed a hoof on Starlight’s shoulder.

“Ha, thanks.”

“So….uh…...do you want to do something with us, Princess? I’m bored.” Rainbow Dash joked as she trotted over.

“Oh of course! That’d be great.” She smiled.

“Awesome! But….uh...what to do?” The pegasus shrugged.

"Ur, well, we could always have a picnic over on my family's farm if y'all would be up to it. Really have no idea what else we could do." Replied Applejack.

"That would be wonderful! Oh, it's been forever since we've done that! And with Princess Celestia and Discord here it would be simply lovely!" Rarity beamed with delight.

"Well, why don't we have a picnic then! I will get cucumber sandwiches!" Discord cheered from the back of the room as he snapped his fingers and made some cucumber sandwiches appear on a tray strapped around his neck. "Voila~" Discord said. He got a little dizzy for a moment, but recovered before anypony noticed.

"This is going to be so much fun!" Celestia cheered with joy.

“Then let us be on our way!” Replied the orange earth pony.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!” I need to finish packing first!” Whined Rarity from the other side of the room, already beginning to fold a picnic blanket.

“Oh, Rarity.” She rolled her eyes.

/////

After the white unicorn had finished packing up for their picnic (which took surprisingly not that long of a time considering Applejack kept pushing her), the ponies, dragon, and spirit of chaos all began on their walk to Sweet Apple Acres.

As they got closer, they began to hear yelling noises. Wondering what they were, they continued toward the farm.

"Big Mac! Where is my jam presser!? Have you seen it!?" Granny Smith shouted from inside the big red barn.

"Nope." Big Mac replied the way he usually did.

"Granny! It's on the counter beside the fridge!" Applejack yelled back to her.

"Why, thank you sweetie!

AJ chuckled. "Granny always loses her hoof jam presser." She chuckled.

As the group made their way up the hill to the top, they all began to help Rarity load all of the stuff out of her picnic basket.

The unicorn used her magic to place the picnic blankets, baskets, plates, and food on the ground all sophisticated and pretty as usual.

"Well I do believe this is perfection! If I do say so myself." Rarity commented with a satisfied nod to herself. Suddenly her eyes widened as she realized something. "Oh no, I forgot to bring my picnic outfit!" Rarity said, ducking her head down sadly. "Oh, well I guess I can picnic without it. Would just get dirty anyways" Rarity tried to hide the fact she really was upset.

"Oh Rarity." Twilight chuckled with a hoof to her mouth.

"Well, I think you look amazing no matter what!" Spike said, smiling up at Rarity.

"Aww! Thank you, Spikey Wikey!" Rarity smiled down at the purple dragon sweetly, who turned away blushing.

"Oh it's no problem at all, Rarity" The young dragon replied as he took a seat on the blanket and began to nibble at his gems.

"Come on, sit down everypony!" Discord sat down criss cross applesauce in mid air. He let out a chuckle before falling directly to the ground with a thud. "Oh no the chair broke!"

"Oh, Discord." Celestia giggled and sat down with a sigh as she rested. "Wait, where is Fluttershy?" Celestia suddenly questioned, remembering what happened earlier and becoming worried.

"Hmm, I don't know. We saw her once earlier today when she asked me to send you that letter about proper Phoenix care." Spike replied with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Yeah, and she was acting a little weird then, too!" Added the purple alicorn sitting across from them. “Rainbow Dash, can you fly to her cottage and check on her?" Twilight turned to the pegasus who hadn’t taken a seat yet and was still hovering in the air.

"Of course! Be back in a dash!" Rainbow gave a confident salute to the princess before zipping away from Sweet Apple Acres and in the direction of Fluttershy’s cottage.

"Oh, I had forgotten Fluttershy sent a letter to me! I never got a chance to read it because of Discord here…” She turned over to the draconequus with a smirk. “But I will tell her about proper Phoenix care when she gets here.”

"Hey, guys, I found her!" A familiar voice said from the distance.

“Wow, that was fast!” Remarked Spike.

Everyone looked over to see Rainbow Dash pushing a certain yellow pegasus to the picnic with her head. The pony’s hooves were scraping the dirt road as she struggled. Her hoof prints could be seen as a trail coming all the way from the forest. "She won't talk though, and I kinda had to push her all the way here.”

Fluttershy ended up face planting right onto the picnic blanket as Rainbow abruptly stopped pushing her. She lifted her head and shook it violently to regain her conscience.

"Oh dear, are you okay Fluttershy?" Celestia rushed over to her and sat down, putting a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

“Oh um, um, I’m just fine, thank you Princess. Now uhhhh I really must be on my way! Animals…….need…...um….help! Yes. Bye!!” She blurted out super quickly and stood up, ready to gallop away as quickly as her hooves could carry her.

“Wait!” Celestia held her back with some magic and brought her back. “Before you leave, Fluttershy, I wanted to ask you something.”

Fluttershy’s expression immediately turned frightened.

“Has something been on your mind? You’ve been acting quite strange today. Does it have anything to do with the letter you sent me about proper Phoenix care?”

Fluttershy looked into her concerned eyes with great nervousness. "Um proper Phoenix care?" She stammered out.

"Yes, like your letter asked. I didn't get a chance to read it, but Spike told me what it was about." Celestia calmly stated.

Her scared eyes darted around for any possible answer. "Oh um, it’s fine, you really don't have to, I figured it out a few moments ago." She had a sheepish expression on her face as she backed away and sat down, letting her mane cover her face.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like some help?”

“Yep! Sure! Perfectly sure!”

"Um, alright.." Celestia replied, a little confused. “But feel free to come to me if you have any questions, okay?”

She silently gave a small nod.

The princess smiled slightly at her before returning to her spot on the picnic blanket. She then used her magic to lift a cucumber sandwich from the plate to her mouth and took a big bite. "Wow, these are amazing Discord!" Celestia exclaimed, taking another huge bite and completely devouring the sandwich.

"I know, right? They are the BEST!" Discord cheered, proudly nodding to himself. He watched Celestia eating intently. Discord sighed with contentment as a soft smile appeared on his features. "I'm going to miss this.” He thought to himself.

The group ate their food had some laughs. They made some jokes with one another and finished their meal.

"Wow, I sure needed that!" Celestia said with a smile, rubbing her eyes with her left hoof.

"And I know you said you didn't want to, but we got you an appointment at the spa as well! You definitely need some relaxation. Oh yes, and I also made you and Discord some outfits for the party tonight." Rarity cheered with glee. "I really hope you will like them. I am quite proud of the outfits myself!”

"Oh Rarity, you didn’t have to. How did you ever find the time?" Questioned the princess with a hoof to her mouth in surprise.

“I just couldn’t miss another opportunity to design for you again, Princess! And of course Discord was a challenge for me, but it was actually quite fun! I made you a dress and Discord a tuxedo for emergencies." The unicorn continued. "And as for the spa, I made you both an appointment even after you said no." She pointed out with a sheepish smile.

"Oh that’s wonderful! Thank you, Rarity!" Celestia beamed with a smile.

"And I a-.........wait why do I have to go to the spa!?” He placed a paw to his chest in mock offense. “I look flawless!" Discord exclaimed. He held up his one cloven hoof and it was absolutely filthy. He also showed his dirty claws to Rarity, which made her shriek.

"Oh my stars, you’re simply filthy Discord! We will need to do more work on you then I thought!” She complained. Come now, everypony! Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie, go with Celestia and make sure she is perfect!" Rarity said to the three mares who nodded and quickly grabbed the Princess, dragging her away already. "Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, you will join me on our quest to fix up Discord! To THE SPA!”

*Insert Spa Song - Let’s Get To It*

“Well darling, I must say you cleaned up nicely!” Rarity admitted with a grin, walking around Discord whom we can’t fully view. “I think even you will adore you!!” She joked.

“I agree; you do look quite dashing, Discord.” Fluttershy giggled as she gave him a subtle wink.

“I’d say you look about 20% cooler.” Rainbow Dash added, giving him a nod of approval.

“Now come, Discord, you must go outside and hop in that carriage. You and Celestia will be arriving separately, and you just can’t be late!” Rarity went on, pushing Discord right out the door and into a gorgeous but somewhat chaotic red carriage outside, perfect for him.

Rarity glanced back at the two mares and gestured for them to follow her. They all trotted over to the other side of the spa, and went in through a different door. Inside the room, they saw Twilight trying to fix up the front of Celestia’s dress. Once again, we cannot fully see Celestia from this angle.

“Darling, let me help!” Rarity said as she used her magic to fix it. “Well, I have to say, you three did a simply marvelous job!” The unicorn declared.

“Thanks!” Twilight smiled.

“I’m glad you like it, Rarity.” Applejack added with a nod.

“Her mane was a bit of work considering how crazyyyy it was, but we managed to pull it off!” The pink party pony standing beside them joked in her regular silly voice, earning a small slap on her side from Applejack.

“What? Her mane is crazy!”

“Now Celestia…….” Rarity cleared her throat and looked into Celestia's eyes.

“Yes, Rarity?”

“Discord is heading to the party separately, so the carriage outside is just for you. Now we have to get going! You don't want to be late, do you?” Rarity opened the front door for Celestia.

“You’re correct, Rarity.” Celestia chuckled as she trotted out the door. Before she stepped into the carriage she turned back with a smile. “Thank you all so much for your help. I owe you!”

“No problem.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“Happy to help!” Pinkie Pie bounced.

The others said their farewells also as the carriage began to drive away. Rarity shut the door to the spa when it was completely out of sight.

/////

“Girls, we have done well!” Rarity cheered proudly as she walked over to the corner of the room where the group gathered.

“Now, um one last thing. Before we all leave to go home and get some rest…….” Twilight piped up. “Fluttershy, I really don’t mean to be pushy or anything but, are you sure everything has been okay?”

She gasped. “Oh! Uh me? Oh nothing! Why do you ask?”

“Well, you’ve been really quiet and shy all of today, even for you.”

“Oh yeah I noticed that too.” Nodded Applejack. “Is there somethin’ you gotta get off your chest? Cause if so, we’re all here to listen.”

“Wha? No, no! Everything’s okay, there’s no need for you to worry! At all!” The pegasus backed away from them, a very nervous expression on her face.

“Come on, Fluttershy, really. Is there something we need to know?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

“No! I’ve just been….….uh…….I’ve been really really worried about my animals cause I…...uh….forgot to bring them with me to the spa! Yeah that’s it!” Fluttershy flashed a sheepish smile. She had always been horrible at excuses.

“Come on, you never bring your animals with you anywhere except for Angel Bunny sometimes!” Pinkie piped in. “Just tell us what’s going on! We won’t judge you!”

Fluttershy’s back bumped into the wall behind her as she backed away. Uh oh. She had nowhere to go now. She was cornered.

“We don’t mean to stick our noses in your personal business; we just want to make sure you’re alright!” Said Rarity.

“Oh well um…...it’s really not my personal business…...but…..but-uh…...if I tell, Princess Celestia is going to kill me! No wait-” She caught her tongue before she accidentally revealed any more. Beads of sweat began to trail down her face. “No I didn’t say anything!”

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight raised an eyebrow.

“Why would the Princess kill you for anything?” Pinkie inquired.

Fluttershy began to squeak as she held her breath.

“Fluttershy, I have thought to myself many many times that if I failed one of her tests or didn’t make a good grade, Princess Celestia would kill me. But eventually I learned just how kind she was, and I very was glad. Now that did not stop me from trying my best to pass every single test, but it was just comforting to know. And it’s the same for you.”

“But….but…..this is not the same! At all!” Fluttershy stammered in fear as she closed her eyes, hoping it would calm her nerves.

“Wait, did the Princess ever tell you to keep this secret?” Applejack questioned.

“Uh…….wellll…..” She couldn’t lie. “Not exactly….”

“Did she ever tell you she would kill you if you told?” Rarity continued.

“Um…..no……”

“Then…….it shouldn’t hurt for us to know. It’s only gonna hurt if you keep it in longer. You can tell us anything Fluttershy, and I promise the Princess won’t kill you.” Reassured Twilight.

The others nodded. All the ponies began to step closer toward her.

Fluttershy squeaked more as her shell began to crack. Her cheeks grew from the air that built up in her mouth from holding her breath and more sweat began to fall from her face. Her heart pounded as she squeezed her eyes shut to try and stop herself. But she couldn’t.

“DISCORD LIKES CELESTIA” She shouted very loudly before dropping down to the ground in a burst of sobs.

“WHAT!?” The others all shouted simultaneously.

/////

The air in Canterlot was still. Luna had done Celestia’s task for the day and lowered the sun, as Tia had told her to. But she had no idea why.

Discord was already in the ballroom of Canterlot Castle, nervously waiting for his date, Celestia. Celestia however, was still outside of the doors to the ballroom. She was pacing quite a bit with Luna standing still and watching her trot back and forth.

“Why do you act so nervous, sister?” Luna asked to Celestia, a little concerned.

“Me? Oh, I'm not nervous at all.” Celestia replied calmly, snapping out of her thoughts. “Thank you for lowering the sun for me and doing all of those other tasks.”

“No problem.” She smiled. “But why did I have to do that again...?” Luna questioned with a raised eyebrow and a confused expression on her face.

“Discord.” Celestia said with a sigh.

“Oh………...I guess that makes sense.” Luna shrugged. “Anyways, I love your dress. Was it Rarity's handy work?”

“Yes it was. She treated Discord and I all day at the spa, made us both new clothes to wear, and dolled us up for the ball.” Celestia chuckled.

Luna’s eyes widened. “Wait wait, Discord is here!? Do you really deem that wise?” She hollered at her sister, looking at her almost like she was crazy. “Don’t you remember what happened last time at the gala?”

“Well I didn-” Celestia began to say before a guard cut her off.

“Your Highnesses.” The guard said, walking up to them both and bowing. “We are ready for your entrance.” he stated.

“Ah yes, lead the way.” Smiled Celestia.

He and another guard both stepped back and used their magic to open the doors. Everypony in the ballroom, including Discord, stopped and stared. Celestia was in the most marvellous dress they had ever seen, and she looked perfect. Luna stood beside her, looking at her strangely still from their earlier conversation.

“We shall discuss it after the ball.” Luna whispered to Celestia, who nodded in reply. She then turned towards the ballroom and smiled.

“Presenting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!” The guard projected to the ballroom. Everypony was still staring at Celestia and ignoring Luna. They soon snapped out of it and began to bow. As Celestia made her way across the room to Discord, Luna began to mingle with some ponies from Manehattan.

“You look nice.” She said with a casual smile to the very lovestruck looking draconequus.

He snapped out of his trance at the sound of her voice. “And you look….uh…..l-like you’re in a dress.” Discord stuttered sheepishly with a deep blush growing across his face.

“Thank you, Discord.” Celestia giggled a bit, looking at his silly smile. Her expression suddenly turned serious. “Um, Discord? Your face is red; are you alright?” The princess questioned in concern.

“Oh! I’m okay.” Discord uttered quickly, trying to hide his embarrassment. “Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy really fixed me up. And Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie made you look good.” Discord added, not knowing at all what to say.

“I’ll admit, they did do a great job.” Celestia smiled.

They both awkwardly stood together in silence for a few minutes.

Celestia eventually broke the silence and cleared her throat. “Well, um, I should go socialize. You go have some fun and make sure to keep your chaos under control.” She smirked at him before turning away and walking in the direction of Luna.

Discord stood there baffled. His ears drooped in slight sadness. He really had no idea what to do; he had barely talked to Celestia at all cause he just couldn’t get his act together. Discord scolded himself in his mind for this and facepalmed. He stood there for a bit longer as the ball continued around him. Eventually, he decided to turn away and head over to a door that led to the Canterlot Gardens. He snapped his claws to open the door and slowly made his way outside. The master of chaos stood again in silence once more, staring at the beauty around him. His yellow and red eyes drifted over to a stone pedestal that was missing a statue on top of it. This was where he rested when he was in stone. He slowly sauntered on over to it and placed his clawed hand upon it. His head lowered. “I need to tell her…..”

/////

He found himself back inside the castle, looking for Celestia. His eyes darted around until he spotted her across the room talking to her sister. He clenched his clawed hand tightly in his nervousness and walked over to Celestia and Luna.

“Oh, hello, Discord.” Luna turned around, being the first to see Discord.

“Um, Luna, I need to have a word with your sister.” Discord said in seriousness, snapping his fingers and making Luna teleport right to the other side of the room.

“UM ALRIGHT THEN” She shouted over to them. “You could have just asked me to walk away.” She mumbled under her breath.

“What was that about, Discord?” Celestia asked as her eyes scanned the room for Luna. Once she found Luna had landed safely on the other side of the room, she met eyes with Discord.

“Well, I need to tell you some-” Discord started before a guard began addressing the room. “Of course.” Discord cut himself off, annoyed by the guard

“Everyone proceed to the middle of the ballroom floor; it is time for the dance.” The guard declared.

Soft music began to play and the lights turned off, being replaced by little fairy lights all over the room. The room looked so magical even Discord was in awe.

“What were you saying earlier?” She continued.

His eyes widened as he burst out of his trance. “Oh! Uh…..don’t worry it’s fine. It’s nothing. I just……thought I forgot something in my dimension and I actually didn’t so uh...yay.” He chuckled sheepishly. He just didn’t have the courage to tell her yet.

“Oh. Alright.” She smiled.

The two stood there awkwardly, watching some pony couples begin to dance around them. Discord took a deep breath to calm his nerves and spread out his wings. “Um…..Celestia?

“Yes, Discord?”

“W-would you like to dance?” He bent forward and extended his claw.

“Oh...um, yes.” Celestia stammered as she blushed, putting her hoof in Discords claw and preparing to fly. “I can’t like him, no….” She thought to herself, looking into his eyes.

“Let’s dance.”

*Dance Song - Here With You*

They both landed on the ground again staring into each other's eyes affectionately.

“Oh Discord I just have to tell you this….” Celestia blushed deeply.

“Oh Celestia….” He caressed her cheek with his soft lion paw.

“Discord…..I-I lo-” The princess began to say before Discord suddenly fell to the ground on one knee, his body turning slightly grey. “Discord!” She shouted in distress as she immediately kneeled to his side.

Discord breathed in and out in his exhaustion. He didn’t even have enough strength to stand up anymore.

“Whats going on?!! Discord! Speak to me!!” She yelled, tears forming in her eyes. Everyone in the ballroom turned to this scene.

“Tia…....this...this is what I wanted to tell you…..” Discord uttered weakly with a very raspy voice. “I’m not doing well. I-I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I know if this keeps up…….” He stopped and took a breath. “I will be dead soon.”

“What?! N-no!! No, Discord it can’t be!! You just can’t leave me now!!” She screamed.

He nodded slightly before his exhaustion took the best of him and he fainted directly to the ground.

“Ahh! Discord! Discord! Wake up!! Please!!” Celestia shouted as she sobbed. She shook Discord back and forth violently in her hooves, trying to get him to awaken. Nothing worked. “No....no…..NO!”