Filler Episode
"Prince and Princess"
Boy, Seasons of Magic took a dark turn in the last two chapters! Although we started off with a lighthearted tale, it now seems that we have a new mystery on our hands- was Twilight poisoned, or was it an actual accident? What did Drain mean when Celestia had drank it before? We might never know…
This episode was never really planned to be in the story, but I feel that it would be nice to take a break from the sudden surge of pain. So, I present some extra insight into the world of Seasons by giving you a peek of an ordinary day with the Princesses and Prince Drain.
The Princesses were huddled in the royal courtyard. It was the end of the long winter, and the first day of spring had arrived.
Twilight has in a mobile bed, standing upright. The princesses thought it would be a good idea to let her get some sunlight. Starlit was in charge of pushing her around.
Unfortunately, Twilight's mobility did stop her from catching up with her friends, but it didn't matter. She was asleep most of the day, anyway.
The other princesses were frolicking about, each doing their favorite summer activity. General Dash swept through the skies, Applejack made fritters in an outdoor stove, and Pinkie Pie continued her usual spontaneity. They didn't admit it, but they were trying to prepare.
The princesses had invited Princesses Celestia and Luna, in addition to Prince Drain, to their gathering. Because of the recent accident, the unicorn wasn't invited. Drain said she hated parties, so it worked out.
Prince Drain slipped into the courtyard, unnoticed. He sniffed the air, smiling to himself as he tried to follow a delicious scent.
"Those cakes smell great!"
Applejack's hoof slipped onto the stovetop making a little singe sound. "Prince Drain! Excuse me, I didn't hear ya comin'!"
"Don't fret." Drain took a deep breath. "Ah! It's such a beautiful day. Do you mind?"
"Help yourself, Prince."
Drain levitated an apple fritter and took a nibble. "Divine! You're quite the chef."
Applejack blushed. "You're just sayin' that!"
The prince dropped a fritter to the ground. Pinkie Pie had tackled him.
"If you think THOSE are good, taste THIS!" Pinkie led prince by the hoof. She dragged him to a large blue cannon. "Open wide!"
She pulled a string at the end of the cannon, and a large, sloppy pie smashed into the Prince's face. Frosting dipped down his nose, covering his head like a mask.
Pinkie laughed. "Is that how you eat a cake, or is that how you eat a cake?"
Drain produced a napkin and wiped his face off, revealing a frown. "I must admit, this is not my preferred method of intake."
"I'm not sure but that means, but YAY!" Pinkie Pie rushed over to stack of cakes. Gleefully, she started to unpack another one.
The prince started to walk away. He looked back to make sure Pinkie didn't see him. He bumped into someone.
"Excuse me, Princess," Drain's voice trailed off as he saw a large, serpentine body before him. The creature had the head of a mule with two mismatched horns and a strange assortment of limbs.
The prince took a step back. "Why, you're… Chaos."
Discord pulled a monocle from this air, and began examining the prince. "Why yes, I am. Although most people call me by my name, mind you."
Drain's tongue rubbed off the name. "Discord? How are you free? You're a demon!"
"Demon! Well, I wouldn't use that word…" Discord swayed in his dramatic manner. "Although you are on the right track. I'm reformed, Prince. That means that anything you read in your little books is all in the past." Discord summoned a little journal, only to toss it into a sudden burst of flame. "So, how about we reintroduce ourselves? Hello, my name is Discord. Who may you be?"
The Prince scowled. "Haven't you heard?"
"Not with that mind blocking spell you have on yourself! Can't read you, can't track you, what's all that about?"
"It's for my own protection."
"You don't say, Prince… what was it again? Prince Sink?"
"Drain."
"Good," Discord stroke a pose. He imitated the prince's voice. "Then I suppose we won't have any trouble?"
Drain heard something from behind him. "Someone is calling me." He turned away from Discord.
Rarity and Rainbow Dash were waiting for Drain. Rainbow Dash gave a strong wing flap when he arrived.
"Drain, the stallion of the hour!" She taunted, "What do you say me and you have a little race? You're legs look like they can carry you."
Drain looked amused. "Why not." He took a few lazy steps towards a staring line Rainbow had drawn.
"Count it, Rarity!" Rainbow Dash was confident.
"One…"
The prince bowed his head.
"Two…"
Rainbow Dash ruffled her feathers.
"Three!"
Rainbow Dash threw herself into the wind. She stretched her legs in front of her, pushing herself into the wind- but felt herself bounce on the ground.
Rainbow Dash tried to flap her wings, but she couldn't feel them. She didn't have them!
Drain laughed heartily. Rarity giggled. He hadn't moved from the starting line.
"My wings! Drain! Give them back! How am I supposed to race without wings?"
"You thought I would let you beat me with an unfair playing field? Rainbow Dash, you must humble your confidence," Drain teased.
"He's right, you know," added Rarity, "Come now, Prince, let's not waste our time with such primal competition."
"Well spoken, my dear." The two began trotted away.
Rainbow Dash felt a sudden warmth on her shoulders as her wings reappeared. "That jerk!" Rainbow Dash mused, "How'd he do that? I didn't even feel it!"
Rarity led the prince to a small brook. The bank was furnished with a small, ivory table that overlooked a bridge.
Rarity used her magic to open the sun umbrella in the middle of the table.
"This is a nice place."
"Yes, I designed it myself."
"You did? Excellent work!"
Drain approached the brook. He looked at his reflection in the water. After a minute, he lowered his head to take a drink.
Drain raised his head as he saw Rarity's giggling reflection on the water.
"What are you laughing at?"
Rarity snickered, "Sorry, but I've never seen anybody drink water like that!"
Drain popped back to the table. "Really?"
"Really!" Rarity produced a picnic basket from under the table. She pulled out two cups and a corked teapot. "This is how we drink it."
"You had them hidden there?" Drain grinned, "Stunning." He looked over the food that Rarity began to set on the table. He fixed his eye on a specific pastry.
"Wildgrass tarts? You eat these here in Equestria?"
"Not really. I had my students ask the unicorn what types of food were special to your culture. So I cooked up the tarts, and this." She took a covered plate from the picnic basket.
Drain uncovered the dish. There were two red lumps sitting in pink liquid.
Drain gaged. "Oh no, I'm sorry!"
"But unicorn said your people love it! What is it called… fief?"
"Beef." Drain covered the plate. "And we don't eat it. She eats it. I don't have the stomach for such things."
Rarity looked into his eyes. "I thought so. The look of them made me sick. Although…" she took one of the pastries, "I think these are great."
Drain took a small bite of another one. "You are a mare of good taste."
A voice interrupted the picnic. "Uh, Rarity, I'm so sorry, but, Trenderhoof is waiting for you at the gate."
Rarity looked up, paniced. "Who?"
The voice came from a rustling bush. "Trenderhoof."
"Fluttershy, is that you?"
The yellow pony stepped foreword. "Yes."
"How long has he been hiding?"
"I don't know…"
Rarity pushed herself away from the table. "Sorry, Prince. It looks like one of my friends needs me to clear him into the castle."
Rarity left.
Drain eyed Fluttershy. "What are you doing?"
Fluttershy stepped on her hair. "I'm looking for animals. Want to come? It would be an honor." She winced as she tumbled over herself.
Drain took a step towards her. He nudged her back up. Drain spotted something on her flank.
"Butterflies? Your mark, I mean."
"Yes. It's supposed to be a symbol of kindness… I guess it fits me."
Drain took a step back.
"Well, do you want to to come? You look like you'd be great with animals! All you need to do is be gentle and kind…"
Drain stuttered. "Please excuse me, but I must decline."
"Please? My other friends hardly ever join me."
Drain sighed as an angry voice called his name. "I think that's Celestia! I'm so sorry."
Celestia was waiting for Drain. "There you are! You left me all alone! I drank my tea all by myself!"
"There are more ponies here, Celestia."
"Well, you should at least tell me when you're going to stray off!"
Celestia's tone ringed in the air as they left the courtyard. Drain tried to reason with her. "Weren't you with Luna?" "Well, I wanted you to come, too!"
"Oh, my," Fluttershy watched from a distance, "I wonder what got into Celestia."
"Jealous, probably." Discord had appeared with a basketful of rabbits.
Fluttershy took one of the rabbits from the basket and set it in front of her. "It's a shame that the prince didn't want to pet these cute rabbits."
Discord had made a leaning chair and sunglasses appear. He called for a cold drink. "Really? I wouldn't trust that guy if I were you."
Fluttershy turned to Discord. "Why not?"
"It's always the quiet ones…"
Fluttershy frowned. "Quiet ones, huh?"
Discord couphed on his drink. "Well, not like you, I mean… whatever."
Next Time on Seasons of Magic:
"Everybody knew whose fault it was. That's why they had to bring her along."
"Breezy gaged among a mess of tears and bruises."
"One special tribe of unicorn hated the rest, though, and left to live alone."
