Feared Love Requited: Chapter 10/Feared Freedom
Twilight yawned as she stepped out of her chambre and ran head-long into a great yellow barricade. She stepped back and shook her head, only to find herself looking up at Tournesol. She yawned once again, "Good morning." she said, and paused, "You went to bed after me..." she mumbled, "When do you sleep?"
"I sleep when I need to," he replied, "and I work when I need to."
"Don't", she yawned, "don't tell me Ponies are already lining up."
Tournesol paused for a moment before replying, "Actually, yes, they are... but that is not what I wanted to talk to you about, Your Majesty."
"It's too early to be Majestic." she replied.
"Pardon me if I disagree."
Twilight yawned once again. "Don't tell me you're going to start drooling over me, too. If you do it, then it will officially be every mare and mtallion in Ponyville."
"There is no risk of that happening." Tournesol replied.
"There are too many things to deal with before Caffeine. Join me in the dinning room."
"Your Majesty." he said, and bowed his head.
"Too early for that, too." Twilight uttered.
Tournesol sat in front of his empty plates, crumbs left from his fare, watching the Princess as she drank her coffee. After her sip, she used her telekinesis to put down her drink and glare at him.
"Why?!" she asked.
"Are you awake?" Tournesol asked.
"Once I finish my cup." she stated.
"Then I can wait."
"Must you watch me?" Twilight asked.
"Who else am I going to watch?" Tournesol asked her.
"Spike?" she asked between sips.
"That is a completely different issue." Tournesol deflected.
"And leave me out of this." Spike added.
Tournesol turned to address him, "You are far more involved than you know."
"And... what does that mean?" Spike asked.
"Are you done your coffee?" Tournesol asked the Princess.
"Yes..." she quietly replied. "Tournesol, I hate this, but I have to ask you something."
"Princess?" he asked.
"I've never seen you staring lovingly at mares." Twilight said to him, "Even Big Mac does that."
"Then you have not been looking in the right place."
"And where is that?" Twilight asked.
"At the Stallions, of course." Tournesol stated
"What?!" Spike asked.
"I didn't think you would be that shocked." Tournesol replied, "You are a Dragon in love with a mare."
"It's just..." Spike said, and squinted at him, "you said I was more involved than I know..."
"You are quite the handsome drake." Tournesol added. "You need not worry, as I know which mare your heart belongs to. I've already accepted this fact. Now, Your Majesty."
"Now that I'm awake," Princess Twilight replied, "yes?"
"Can you remove the bindings from an individual Changeling?"
"What?" Twilight asked, "Why would I do that?"
"A test, obviously." Tournesol added.
"Aren't you afraid?" Spike asked him.
"Fear did not stop me..." he said to the Dragon, but left the rest hang. There was one simple reason that no one doubted his bravery. He then turned back to the Princess. "We are going to have to test it sooner or later."
"Later would be safer." Spike stated.
"Do you even trust her?" Twilight asked him.
"Of course not." Tournesol replied. "Trust is earned. You cannot trust a dog tied on a run. Sure, you can pet her, and he might bark giddily, but you won't know if she will cause trouble..."
"Until she's free." Spike stated, "I can relate to anypony that wants to be free."
"If we do it too soon..." Twilight tried to say, "we risk..."
"Everything." Tournesol finished for her. "But I want to trust Psyche. If I'm going to risk my life for her, I would rather do it now, while it's quiet and safe."
"You'd call this safe?" Spike ask.
"Yes." Tournesol stated.
"It's probably as safe as we are ever going to get..." Twilight added, "Until we know we can trust the Changelings... Now, the important question is if I can do it... Why did you have to ask me now?"
"Because I think now is the right time."
Twilight walked into her chambre and up to a seemingly ordinary bell. She paused for a moment before picking it up with her telekinesis. A simple ring, and Discord appeared in front of her.
"Here's Johnny!" Discord shouted.
"Who's Johnny?" Twilight asked.
"I was afraid you were going to say that." Discord said to her. "How about this, Yoouu Raanngg! You could at least smile."
"Sorry," Twilight replied, "I just have a busy day."
"And you think I have nothing to do?" Discord asked.
"I know you've been waiting around impatiently." Twilight added.
"True." he replied, "I did swear to help you in your little endeavour. Are the Changelings falling in love with the magic of friendship?" he asked.
"That's what we need to find out." Twilight said to him. "I need you to summon Moondancer, and a platoon of Royal Scholars."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Discord said, and bowed, disappearing.
"To all Ponies waiting patiently in line!" Spike shouted to the crowd, "Her Majesty will need to retire for luncheon. She will return at one bell! I will remind all waiting in line, if you do not have someone who can bring a meal to you, the Apples will make sure you are fed!"
Twilight shambled into the dinning room, and nearly collapsed when a great group appeared in front of her. She almost admonishied Discord, until she realized it was all of those she had asked for. His timing could be better, but he was still helping. Less than helping was the fact her stomach growled as all of the newcomers kneeled before her. Now she knew how Celestia felt... Twilight just awkwardly stood, looking at them.
"Please, stand." Spike said walking up behind her.
"Moondancer." Twilight said to her.
"Your Majesty?" Moondancer asked.
"I thought we were friends?.." Twilight quietly said to her.
"You... did summon me, Your Majesty." she added.
"Right, right." Twilight stated, "You've read my letters, haven't you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good." Twilight continued, "I need to find a way to turn it off for a single Changeling."
Moondancer looked at her for a moment before adjusting her glasses. "You do realize you are the first Pony to ever cast this spell?" Moondancer asked her.
"Did you think the scholars were for show?" Spike asked her, walking past Twilight up to Moondancer.
"Uh... well... of course..." she said, before looking back to Twilight. "I will, of course, need all of your research."
"The research is in her chambre," Spike said to Moondancer, "she brought any relevent books to the castle's library. There might also be some books at the town library, the Castle of the Two Sisters, and, of course, the Royal Archives in Canterlot."
"We will... need protection when heading to the Everfree Forest... and... Your Majesty..." Moondancer said to her, "It would take some time to get too and from Canterlot."
"If only you knew someone who could teleport..." Discord dryly said to her.
"Well, I suppose that solves that problem. Your Majesty?" Moondancer asked.
"Discord will help you anyway that he can." Twilight said to her, "Just don't expect him to be... let's say, polite about it."
"He does have a notorious reputation as a prankster." Moondancer added, "I will make sure I stay on guard."
"How my antics have fallen..." Discord added.
"Did you want a hug?" Spike asked him.
"Actually, yes I do." Discord replied. He snapped his fingers and Spike appeared in front of him, the two quickly embraced. "It is nice," Discord said to him as they pulled away, "to have a reminder of why I gave it up." He then turned to Moondancer. "Whatever my feelings, this treaty with the Changelings is too important. I will help you in any way that I can."
"That almost sounded sincere." Moondancer replied.
"I'm still going to have a bit of fun." Discord added.
"Of course." Moondancer non-chalantly replied, then turned back to Twilight and then Spike, "I will be assuming this will take more than a day. We will probably need lodging."
"I know just the place!" Discord said, snapping his fingers. He, Moondancer, the Scholars, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders all appeared in the Ponyville library.
"Ah!" the three shouted, "Discord!"
"Ah!" Discord shouted, "Apple Cores!"
"Apple, what!?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Twilight and Spike are both extremely busy, and these lovely Ponies will need a place to stay. I was hoping you three would help me?"
"Are you?.." askin' us?" Apple Bloom replied, looking him in his eyes.
"Of course. I'm not about to kidnap and enslave my bestees, now am I?"
"We're your bestees?" Apple Bloom asked him.
"I have always loved children." Discord replied, "They are so wonderfully chaotic."
"Give us a moment." Apple Bloom said to him. She turned around, and the three whispered to each other for a moment.
"It would make sense for you to love children." Moondancer calmly said to him, "Their minds are far more malleable, and would be able to understand your... creativity... better than any adult would..."
"They are also cuddly and brimming with emotion." Discord replied.
"The complete gamut." Moondancer said.
The three fillies turned back to the collected, "We've agreed to do it!" Apple Bloom shouted.
"On one condition!" Scootaloo added.
"And that would be?.." Discord asked them.
"We want a title." Sweetie Bell stated.
"A really good'un!" Apple Bloom added.
"With nice outfits!" Sweetie Bell continued.
Discord thought for a moment before snapping his fingers. The three had maid uniforms appear on them. "I declare you three the Twilight Castle Errant Hospitality Committee!"
"Committee?!" Sweetie Bell asked.
"Squad?" Discord asked.
"That's more a-like-it." Apple Bloom stated.
"I've also packed the kitchen." Discord added. "There are more beds in the library's bedroom, but I can change it back once they are done."
"We're not staying in the castle?" one of the Unicorn scholars asked.
"They are all far too busy." Discord added. "I honestly don't know if there is space in the castle, nor do I really care. This is Twilight's second home, so it seemed appropriate."
"It will be more than adequate." Moondancer said to the scholars.
Twilight sat upon her throne in the audience chambre, nearly falling off when Discord appeared beside her. "I really should get used to that."
"But that would take away the fun." Discord replied.
"What can I do for you?" Twilight asked him.
"I've set everyone up at the library. I don't know if they should have guards, or something." before shrugging.
"I'm not sure if i want to know all of the details..." Twilight stated.
"You can borrow a couple of Tournesol's Royal Guard!" Spike shouted from across the room.
"Either way works for me." Discord added. "Toodles." he said, before disappearing.
"So, how do we get to the Castle of the Two Princesses?" one of the scholars asked.
"Like this!" Discord said, appearing out of thin air, and snapping his fingers.
Discord and the scholar appeared in the library of the Castle of the Two Sisters. The Scholar paused a moment to look around.
"Underwhelming, isn't it?" Discord sarcastically asked.
"A lot filthier than the Royal Archives." the Scholar added, and then turned to Discord. "So, how do we summon you when we need you?, walk backwards in a circle."
"As if I were that easy to summon." Discord said to him.
"Are you saying it would not work?" the Scholar asked.
"Maybe the first time out of curiosity." Discord said, and the Scholar began to smile.
"I am Gerandquill, Scholar to the court of Princesses Celestia and Luna. How about shouting your name backwards? Drocsid!"
This time Discord smiled as well. "You are a delight."
"Thank you." Gerandquill stated, "I will be fine until nightfall."
"Where is the fun in that?" Discord added.
"For a god of the everychanging, I would think you would read more."
A shawl and a pince-nez, appeared on Discord while a book appeared in his hands. "These dusty old things?"
"Have you ever tried actually reading it?" Gerandquill asked him.
"Why would I do that?" Discord asked, closing his book.
"By the looks of that, it's the tale of King Sveldbald, who ruled what is now the Crystal Empire before it was moved Hyperboric."
"He what?" Discord asked.
"He ruled the Crystal Empire before Crystal Ponies existed, and it was nothing but an arctic wasteland. Virtually his entire family was assassinated at one point. He is said to have defeated a Dragon because it interrupted his argument with a polar bear."
"He what?" Discord asked him.
"Every book in this library tells a different story." Gerandquill stated, turning to the nearest bookshelf. "Construction of the Castle of the Two Sisters. Report of their coronation., which if memory recalls, was even more eventful than the Royal Wedding." He then moved to another bookshelf, "Treaties on Pony folktales when the Everfree Forest was central to the Kingdom. The Geas... Curse... of Bane Blackmane. The Cycle of the Headless Pony." he then moved to another shelf. "Fiction: Green Apple and the Gables of Avonlea. Aethel Anne and Ahuizotl's... Ahuizotl? This should probably be moved to lore from fiction. Anyway, each one is a portal to it's own world, each different from the last."
"Interesting." Discord stated, "It always looked so boring."