Lessons from Opposite Ends
Princess Luna was at the Canterlot Library brushing up on her history of Clover the Clever. It was what she now did to pass time; reading anything she could get her hooves on. This week was all about ponies that changed history. She furrowed her eyebrows, no longer reading. True, she was staring at the book, giving an illusion that she was reading, but her mind wandered at the thought of writing a history book herself. So many things have happened in the last year; There were the new holders for the Elements of Harmony, the end of Nightmare Moon, the resealing of Discord....
Discord.
That damning creature nearly ruined Equestria again! Luna slammed the book in frustration. She started walking out of the library, through the corridors and up many stairs to reach a balcony. Of course, she could have teleported herself to the balcony, but walking helped clear her mind of anger. She reached the balcony, unseen by the ponies down below. Surely there was nopony that actually enjoyed Discord's philosophy of chaos and fun. She looked out to the Canterlot Garden and smirked. Well... Almost nopony...
"Just a few more moments Mr. Discord!" Scarlet murmured under her breath, furiously scribbling down some last details of the statue. "Aaaaand.... TA-DAH!" The unicorn levitated the picture for Discord to see. Of course, many ponies thought that she was absolutely insane, but Scarlet had a theory that Discord was conscious of his surroundings despite being in stone. After all; if it happened once, it could happen again, couldn't it? "I know it's not much, but I really like it!" Scarlet said, rolling the paper up. She wedged the paper between the thumb and index claws of his talon, then stretched a bit and finished a sandwich she made herself.
Scarlet Bookkeeper is a unicorn that was proud of two things: her family and Canterlot's Royal Library. She grew up with an average family; a unicorn mother, a pegasus father, and a pegasus brother. She got accepted to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns a few years ago. However, she wasn't exactly a very fast learner. There was never any time to properly practice spells, plus she made little to no social contact with the other unicorn students. Any spare time she had was spent in the library, and even there it used to be loud with arrogant unicorns who decided that they were far too superior to spend their lunch hours at other places such as the Canterlot Gardens or even in their dorms. However, the key term to that dreadful situation is used to be.
Since Nightmare Mo- er, Princess Luna, has returned, Luna ordered that all the students enrolled in the school to use other libraries because the students always left their messes behind. It got to the point where it looked as though an Ursa Minor walked right in. However, there was one exception to this new ban. This unicorn cleaned up after everypony and kept its books in shape. To say that Scarlet was passionate about books was an understatement. So Luna did the second-most important act of kindness: She allowed the unicorn to continue having full access to the library. In return, Scarlet continues to organize the library.
Now within the last few months, the night princess has taken an interest in the white unicorn. Her social isolation worried Luna, so she decided to take Scarlet under her wing. However, she had to be subtle. Gentle. Subliminal. She began reading books at the library instead of her own room and even asked the young mare some questions to know her better.
Luna smiled at the balcony. There she was. The innocent unicorn, spending her time outside... She squinted and nearly growled. Spending time... with Discord. She quickly shook out her anger. It was Luna's suggestion, after all, that Scarlet should spend time outside of the library. It made sense that Scarlet would want to be somewhere that had to do with learning. Luna chuckled as she saw Scarlet showing her drawing to the statue. Innocent indeed....
"Hello sister," Princess Celestia greeted her sibling. "What brings you up here?"
"Hello sister," Luna greeted in return. "I've decided to... See the social interaction of ponies at work."
Celestia smiled and walked next to her sister.
"She seems to be a nice pony," Celestia commented. Luna looked at her with surprise.
"How did you-"
"I sometimes ask her to clean my books as well," Celestia explained nonchalantly. "She is such a humble unicorn. Almost reminds me of-"
"Twilight Sparkle." Luna finished.
"Indeed," Celestia commented. "However, she seems.... Different. I don't mean to offend you or her, of course," she quickly added as Luna was getting ready to defend the closest thing she had to a personal student, "But it does seem that she is almost too nice. Do you not see that as well?"
"Of course I do," Luna grudgingly agreed. "If only I could help her in some sort of way. Some type of assignment to show her that there is so much more to life than the library walls..."
"Perhaps she needs a different type of mentor," Celestia mused.
"What do you mean?"
"Look at who she's talking to," Celestia ordered. There she was, talking to Discord about the new lessons she learned from some book. Luna started protesting immediately.
"Ohhhhh, no. Absolutely NOT, 'Tia. Do you not remember what happened the last time he was released?"
"I do. Which is why we shall restrain his magic-"
"We?!"
"Yes Luna! WE!" Celestia said, anger creeping into her voice. Luna finally held her tongue. "Hear me out, sister. With his magic restrained, Discord will have no choice but to abide by our rules. Meanwhile, his magic will be enough to teach Scarlet his... Philosophy, shall we say, of chaos and fun."
Luna was conflicted. On one hoof, this was Discord Celestia was talking about. On the other hoof.... She glanced and saw the unicorn getting ready to leave. Poor, sheltered, Scarlet...
"Very well 'Tia. You win." Luna announced. "When do we release him?"
Celestia smiled. "Tonight."