"Any friend that turned into an enemy has been hating since day one." - Unknown

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Just as I was about to turn the knob on Starlight's front door, it burst into a bunch of hard candies and floated up into the air. A low growl escaped me as I turned to see the Embodiment of Disharmony, Discord, who was now a reformed buffoon. He was better when he wanted to rule Equestria and not when he wanted goody-two-shoe friends.

The Draconequus popped up right in front of me,"Ally! Good to see you! Long time no see, eh?" He nudged my arm with a talon.

"Yeah, sure. How is it being reformed and bored?" A slight, silent jab.

"Very boring, but I have some great friends! Y'know, the ones you don't have to make contracts with to keep them." Discord smiled.

My tail slowly waved from side to side in simmering anger, "I'd rather stick to what I do best than have friends who'll eventually send me back to Hell. Remember the time you did that? Yeah, that was great wasn't it?"

"Yeah, fantastic," Hissed Discord.

The tension between us was so thick you could cut it like butter. Some ponies even stopped and stared, sensing the hatred flaring between us. By now my tail was lashing like an angry cat and my pupils thinned into slits. Discord's eyes were narrowed and he had set himself on all fours, poised to strike at any moment. Before we could say more to set off the other, Starlight opened the door and bumped into my back. She looked up to see both me and Discord, our eyes never leaving each other.

"Umm... Alvar? Why is he here?"

I plastered a bright smile onto my face, clasping my hands together, "Yes, what are you doing here Dissy? Please, tell us." A growl rose from my throat despite my cheerful façade.

Discord drew himself up onto his hindlegs, beaming down at Starlight, "I have come to take back my dear Fluttershy and her friends. Have you happened to see them, by chance?"

Starlight's eyes widened slightly, "Oh, no I haven't. I'm sorry, really. I'll keep an eye out for them though."

"Oh thank you, miss. I would really appreciate it. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with you," He returned his gaze to me, glaring, "If you could please move this abomination out of my way first, I'd be quite pleased."

She nodded, motioning for me to move. With a deep growl, I did as I was ask and moved to let the smug draconequus in. Starlight happily trotted over to an armchair, setting herself down and looking at Discord with a quizzical look. I stood right beside her, glaring at him even though he looked as cheerful as ever. He was a master at acting, I knew, and he was more than likely acting right now. If I let my guard down for one second he could rip Starlight to shreds or destroy the town or--

"Alvar, could you go make us some tea?" Glimmey smiled up at me.

With slight hesitation, and a sharp glare at Discord, I made my way into the kitchen. I grabbed the set from the cupboard, filled and set the kettle on the stove, and got the green tea bags from the drawer. Their voices carried into the kitchen, laughter heard every now and then, but it was muffled. My hearing was pretty good, so why couldn't I hear them? Was Discord using a spell? Something to block me from hearing them? Maybe it was--

The kettle whistled, drawing me from my slightly panicked thoughts. I turned off the stove and put the kettle on a decorated glass tray, along with two tea cups, their tiny plates, the tea package, and a small sugar bowl with a few spoons. Picking up the tray, I made my way back over to the two and set the tray on the coffee table, pouring each of them a boiling hot cup of water. I set a tea bag in each, looking up at the two chatting creatures.

"One or two?" I growled out. How were they getting along so well?

"And I said-- Oh, could I have three?" Discord asked.

"I'll have one. Thank you, Alvar," Starlight and Discord went back to chatting.

Slumping slightly, I put three spoonful's in Discord's cup and one spoonful in Starlight's cup. I stirred them before waving my hand, the cups floating up to their designated creature. The draconequus lifted his lion paw, 'accidentally' knocking over his cup and splashing the hot tea all over me. I tightened my jaw to suppress a cry of pain.

Discord put the paw over his mouth, acting sorry, "Oh, I'm so terribly sorry, Ally! I've just been so clumsy today! First I trip getting on the train, then spill my candy on my seat! Now this happens?" He shook his head and leaned further into the couch, making it clear he wasn't going to help.

"Alvar, you should go clean yourself up. From experience, it's awful to have sticky fur." Starlight suggested, a look of worry on her face.

"Fine," I growled before turning towards Discord, "No games or tricks while I'm gone, understand? You hurt one hair on her head and I swear I'll--"

"Alvar! Go take a shower. I'll be fine." Starlight narrowed her eyes at me.

I opened my mouth to say more, but her glare had me turn tail into the bathroom and close the door behind me. Making my way towards the shower, I turned on the hot water and added a bit of cold to make it bearable. I'd probably turn the heat up later, anyway. Drawing back the curtain, I step in and close it again as my fur soaks up the water like a mop. Within moments, I look like a wet, shaggy dog that just got yelled at for stealing a steak off the table. The steam from the water made it harder to breath, or maybe that's just my own panicked thoughts.

What if he hurts her? What if he takes her? Will she be okay? Devil, I hope she's okay. She better not be dead when I come back. Will he hurt her? I hope not. Maybe if I hurry, I'll get there before he kills her. But what if I'm to late? What happens to her? To me? Will she go to hell? I hope not. I wouldn't be able to see her then...

I rest my head on the wall beside me. Why did he have to show up? Why couldn't he have just stayed in stone?

"Dissy, c'mon. Is this really necessary?"

"Of course! The surprise would be ruined without it!" Discord bat my hand away from the blindfold.

From what I could tell, we were heading down a narrow, spiraling staircase. My outstretched hands brushed against the stone, claws getting caught in the grooves every so often. The only sound was the tap of claws against stone as we made our descent, and eventually we hit dirt. Yes, dirt was the floor. It was upturned in some places and got between my toes, annoying me greatly. Where in hell were we that had a dirt floor? Dissy let go of my shoulder and had me fumbling around, leaving me without a wall to hold onto. I wanted to open my eyes, but what if we were at the surprise? The last thing I wanted was to make Dissy disappointed or upset.

"Ready?"

"Yup!"

Something hit the back of my head, knocking me unconscious within moments.

I opened my blazing eyes, eon old anger arising within me. After everything we had done, after everything we had been through he had just.... I let out a sigh, grabbing the shampoo and rubbing it into my fur. After I washed that out, I put in conditioner and did the same. I turned off the shower and made a towel pop into existence, drying myself off. It disappear in a cloud of smoke as I made my way out of the bathroom and back towards the two. I was relieved to see that Starlight was, in fact, very much alive.

Discord smiled at me, holding out his cup, "Would you be so kind?"

I stared at the cup before looking up, glaring daggers at him, "Get it yourself. You have a paw and a talon, don't you?"

With a huff, I turned and made my way upstairs towards my room. I was not dealing with his shit.

Author's Note

A little insight to Alvar's past... And why he doesn't like Discord very much. I hope you enjoyed!

If you see any grammar or spelling mistakes, please let me know! Also, constructive criticism is always appreciated!