"Done!" Rarity shouted and stood back to admire her work.
The girls all gasped as they gazed upon Vallery. The part of the dress that went over the flank was white with three petal like layers. The lining of each layer was pink to match her mane, on her back was the saddle like part. It was pink with the lining being a beautiful shade of purple. Her shoes were see through with a mixed shade of purple and pink that faded from top to bottom. They made a V shape from the front, in the middle of the shape were pink rose shaped gems. Her mane was made into a braid that fell off her right shoulder, tiny white crystals filled the braid, making her mane sparkle whenever she walked into the light. Her bangs were held to the side of her head with a white rose.
"See? What did I tell you? The rose goes with her so much better than that chrysanthemum."
"What are you talking about? You were the one who suggested it to begin with," Rainbow Dash corrected.
Rarity gave her an angry glare, then turned back to Vallery to admire her work.
"Rarity I can't thank you enough for doing this, I really don't know what to say!"
"Oh there really isn't no need to darling, that's what friends do," she stated with a smile.
"Oh just wait until Discord sees you!" Pinkie yelled and jumped into the air.
Vallery frowned and looked down, Pinkie suddenly remembered what happened.
"Sorry..."
"It's okay Pinkie, you forgot," Vallery replied with a sigh.
"It's okay, we're all going to the gala...together," Twilight said and put an arm around her.
"Thank you everyone, really, it means so much to me!"
They all gathered around her and gave her a hug.
"Ya'll reckon we should get going? We're gonna be late."
"Oh don't worry I have a spell that'll-"
"No!" they all shouted at the same time, except Vallery.
Twilight took a few steps back in shock.
"Sorry Twilight, it's just- can we not use animals this time for transportation?" Fluttershy asked quietly.
"Oh sure, I know plenty of spells!"
Rainbow Dash groaned and whispered to Applejack, "Why can't we just take the train like normal ponies?"
"Because it's Twilight."
"Right..."
"Should I go get Alan and Hail Storm?" Vallery inquired.
"Oh you won't have to do that."
They all turned to find Alan and Hail Storm entering the room.
"You look beautiful...my dear..." Alan affronted.
Vallery looked down and quietly responded, "Thank you...Alan."
The mane 6 gave Alan a cross glare. Hail Storm looked down and tried her best to hide her big grin.
"Actually the whole lot of you look absolutely stunning."
"Thank you...are you two ready?" Twilight questioned.
"Yes we are, we were just awaiting your word princess."
Twilight looked back at Rarity.
"Rarity, did you finish with everypony's dress?"
"Yes! We should get going!"
Vallery turned towards the mirror one last time before they took off. She sighed at the thought of the stallion she was supposed to impress. The past few days left her spiritless, she felt like nothing ever since she had left the castle. The gala didn't bring her much hope, but it was something that would get her mind off of Discord. She turned from the mirror and followed the others sorrowfully.
"Do you think it sounds too corny?"
"Umm..."
"Come on be honest with me! I want it to be able to convince her."
"I would like too but I'm not sure that I've ever even visited Alan's dreams before. I don't think I would know his speech."
"And you couldn't have told me this before? Geez, I bet you think you're so great because you raise the moon, big deal, so can I."
Luna raised an eyebrow and lifted up her hoof slightly. Discord sighed and leaned over the railing of the balcony.
"Ease your anxiousness, being apprehensive will only lead you deeper into this unicorn's twisted plot."
"Right... Hey, since when have you been speaking normally?"
Luna smiled at his question happily and spread her wings.
"Oh yes! It was Fluttershy who has taught us!"
"Oh no wait, there it is."
"Silence mismatched creature! We-er I mean...I...am...learning..."
Discord scoffed and walked inside to gaze upon the dancing ponies. Luna followed him and gazed down below at them as well, then she turned towards the draconequus.
"So you have developed feelings for Vallery?"
Discord blushed a bright red and turned his head away from Luna.
"You may tell your princess anything."
"My princess? I have no princess, I do what I want when I want, I am no pony's sub-"
He trailed off, something shone in his eye and caught his attention.
"What? Why have you stopped bickering?"
Discord dropped his jaw and widened his eyes at the sight in front of him. It was Vallery, the crystals shimmered under the light, catching Discord's eye. He leaned over the railing, blinking his yellow eyes several times, making sure what he was seeing was real. She trotted down with the mane 6, along with Alan and Hail Storm following close behind.
"Why that little-"
Vallery looked up at Discord's direction, he gasped and hid behind Luna.
"Why are you suddenly so troubled?"
"Shhh! Keep your voice down! Not only will she see me but she'll think you're a lunatic for talking to thin air. Ha, get it? Luna-tic?"
Luna rolled her eyes and looked around.
"Well where is-"
A sparkle interrupted her speech, it didn't take her long to see where it was coming from.
"Discord! Thou's maiden is gorgeous!"
Luna threw her hoof in the air with enthusiasm.
"Can we refrain from the-oh I don't know, umm...yelling?" Discord clenched his teeth as he said the last word.
Luna blushed slightly and chuckled.
"Is she looking up here?"
"No."
He crawled away from Luna and approached the railing with caution. Luna stepped forward and stood next to him.
"She's...she's breathtaking..."
As Vallery followed the mane 6, the white rose that held her bangs shimmered underneath the lit up ballroom.
"No doubt that some stallions have their eyes on her her," Luna said, spotting some colts staring.
Discord leaned over the railing with agitation.
"Not if I'm around..." he whispered, getting ready to pounce.
"Discord."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm trying!"
"Do not let your jealously get the best of you. It'll only make her more disappointed in you."
"I don't need your counseling princess, I think we both know who's the wiser one from the two of us."
He smirked and winked, Luna rolled her eyes but smiled back. Discord's smile dissipated as he turned back to look at Vallery. He wanted nothing more than to hold her hoof and lead her into a dance.
"You said that Vallery has taught you something, what was it?"
Discord glanced at Luna for a second, then turned back to look at the white earth pony.
"She taught me patience, and how to love. My friends may have showed me the magic of friendship and how to care, but that mare has opened up my heart like no other."
He smiled as he saw her talking to Twilight.
"Her patience for me has shown me discipline as well. She had so much over me, how she was able to handle me? I have no idea."
"Fluttershy had patience for you. Did you not learn this awhile back?"
"Apparently not."
Luna rolled her eyes, but once again smiled.
"Well, nonetheless, she should be proud of you."
Discord turned to Luna and raised an eyebrow.
"Umm...why?"
She stepped forward towards the tall draconequus and began to explain.
"For three whole days, you have held your morosed and rageful spirit. You have waited patiently for this day to come. You have overcome your vengeful spirit and replaced it with a greater good. All in three days."
"Yeah, so what? It's only been three days."
"'So' if you ask me...I would say that the old lord of chaos could do a lot of damage in three days."
Discord blushed slightly and grinned.
"But do you know what makes this entire situation so special?"
"What?"
Luna smiled and put a hoof on Discord's chest, his eyes had followed her hoof, but then looked back at the alicorn's face.
"You did all of this, because of her."
She moved her hoof from Discord's chest, to the direction of Vallery.
"You didn't go back to tell her Alan's scheme because you knew that it would hurt her. You knew that if she saw your face, it would cause her a greater deal of misery. Alan may have gotten you angry, but you held in this fury for her sake. And thus, you awaited this day to come, to retrieve her from Alan's clutches...the right way."
He gazed upon the shimmering pony and smiled weakly.
"I saw her hurt once, I never wanted to catch a glimpse of that sight ever again. That unicorn picked the wrong mare to use as his money printer. It's about time I showed him the consequences."
As Vallery sat down at a table with Fluttershy, she looked among the dancing ponies.
"You're looking for him, aren't you?" Fluttershy quivered softly.
"Yes...yes I am. But I know I shouldn't be so naive."
"Oh, well I guess that makes two of us."
"You too?"
"Yes, but do you really think he wouldn't show?"
Vallery looked down and sighed.
"No, I doubt it, I have my head stuck in the clouds. To be honest, I really do miss him Fluttershy."
"I do too..."
Suddenly a pony cleared their throat loudly, Vallery and Fluttershy turned to see who it was. It was a stallion dressed with a white bow tie and black top hat.
"Ahem, may I have this dance?"
He held out his hoof at Vallery, she hesitated right away and looked at Fluttershy.
"Oh go on! Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, I might want to check out the animals in the garden again."
"You said the animals here are very sensitive to new visitors."
Fluttershy smiled with guilt and looked down shyly.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to refuse."
Fluttershy shook her head quickly and protested, "Oh no, no! Please don't mind me, I'll be okay!"
Vallery smiled at Fluttershy and assured, "I don't want to dance at the moment, I prefer to be with a friend."
She turned back to the stallion and said, "I'm sorry sir, I wish to stay here with my friend. I don't want to leave her alone."
He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. His jaw dropped further and his eyes widened. Behind Fluttershy and Vallery was a terrifying creature. Standing tall with its wings spread out, its fangs beared at the stallion.
"Are you okay?" Vallery inquired.
The stallion said nothing, instead he ran off quickly, not looking back.
"That was strange, to think that I was going to dance with him," Vallery scoffed.
"Oh you didn't have to do that, the girls were going to come back."
"I know, I just don't feel like dancing with any stallion here. They are of no importance to me."
The creature still stood behind them, it was Discord. A smile formed across the draconequus's face at how close he was to Vallery. He slowly picked up his claw and moved it towards her. Very gently, he stroked a part of her braid, causing her to jump. Instantly, he camoflauged himself, making himself disappear into thin air.
"What's wrong?"
"I-I don't know, I thought I felt somepony touch my braid."
"Oh my, do you want to move?"
Vallery was about to say something but then stopped, she saw the girls heading towards her and Fluttershy.
"Sorry we took so long! It took us awhile to find each other," Twilight explained.
"That's okay," they both said at the same time.
"Well now that we're all together, what say we start spending the rest of the night together?" Applejack asked, stepping forward.
They all smiled at each other and nodded. Vallery followed them with a smile on her face, but inside she felt like breaking down.
"Gosh, I don't think I've ever danced like that before in my life," Vallery said tiredly.
"Me either!" the others said in unison.
They all giggled and went to go sit down.
"Hey has anypony seen Alan and Hailstorm?" Vallery brought up.
The girls all looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Actually, I don't think we've seen them ever since we had split up," Twilight pointed out.
Suddenly a white flash appeared before them all, they shielded their eyes until it dimmed. A note appeared in front of Vallery and opened up on its own. She began to read it, tilting her head slightly.
"Whats it say?" Rainbow Dash quivered.
"It's Alan, he wants to meet up with me."
"What does he want?"
"I don't know, it doesn't say, I better go find out. I'll be back in a bit girls."
They all nodded and watched her trot away. She followed the directions to the rendezvous spot, it was a balcony that lead outside, it had a beautiful view of the garden. As she approached the balcony, she saw Alan with Hail Storm, they were whispering something. She didn't like the idea of eavesdropping but her curiosity got the best of her.
"Don't you think we should lay low for awhile? Too many ponies are getting excited when they see you, don't you think one of the princesses will notice?" Hail Storm asked him, nudging his shoulder.
"Relax, Celestia is in the front greeting ponies while Luna is watching the night. We have nothing to worry about. Don't you like the attention we've been getting?"
"We? Pssh, it's mostly you, they do think that you're the famous author that writes the books."
"Famous author?" Vallery whispered to herself.
"Yeah? So what, I'm still giving you half of what those books are making me."
"Half? Alan you're only giving me twenty five percent of what you had originally promised. When she's done with the new book, I expect a bigger amount to be paid. I'm tired of having to act, why can't your little deception spell do that for me instead?"
"Deception...spell?"
"Because I have to maintain the other images! I have to make sure that her friends see the book author as Vallery. One little distraction and they can see what I really printed out."
"Well how much longer do I have to keep up the acting? It's so annoying, I can't stand that snobby earth pony, it's bad enough that she has to live with us."
"That 'snobby earth pony' is making us rich, each book she makes is nearly 1.2 million bits. So if you want out then be my guest, but if you want to stay in, I suggest you keep that cake hole of yours shut. You got that?"
Hail Storm sighed and nodded with annoyance.
"We better keep quiet now, if she finds out that she's under my deception spell, we're ruined."
Vallery felt a sudden throb within her, she opened her mouth to see a purple auroa fly out, it dissolved into thin air shortly after. Alan tossed his head back with a grunt and fell to his knees. He rubbed his head with his hoof.
"Hey what's wrong?" Hail Storm questioned, helping him up.
He yelled in frustration and stomped his right hoof.
"My deception spell...somepony has broken out of it..."
Vallery gasped and quickly raced off into a crowd of ponies. As she slowed her pace, she began to develop tears. She looked back to see if Alan and Hail Storm followed her. They headed towards a different crowd of ponies, she was sure that they were looking for her.
"And now we have our very special guest pony! Get your hooves together for Sam Smith everypony!"
She looked around to see everypony stomping their hooves and partnering up for the song that began to play.
You lift my heart up, when the rest of me is down.
She looked around for Twilight and the others but couldn't find any of them.
You, you enchant me, even when you're not around.
Her eyes began to swell up with more tears, never in her life did she feel so alone and abandoned. She felt a light tap on her shoulder and whipped around.
"Discord..." she said under her breath.
If there are boundaries, I will try to knock them down.
"May I have this dance?" he quivered, holding out his claw.
I'm latching on babe, now I know what I have found.
Vallery smiled and nodded her head, a tear falling down in the process. He took her hoof and lead her to the middle of the ballroom. He held her hoof in his claw and wrapped his paw around her waist.
I feel we're close enough, I want to lock in your love.
"You ready my dear?"
Vallery grinned widely at the familiar reference.
I think we're close enough, could I lock in your love baby?
"Ready as I'll ever be."
Discord smiled at her statement and began to lead the waltz quickly as the chorus began.
Now I've got you in my space, I won't let go of you!
They spun around twice together to go with the beat of the song.
Got you shackled in my embrace, I'm latching onto you!
As the singer paused to the part of the song, Discord snapped his tail suddenly and handcuffs appeared on them. One cuff was on Discord while the other was on Vallery, shackling them together.
Raising an eyebrow, Vallery asked,"Really?"
"Don't make me shackle your other hoof onto me."
Vallery smiled as they repeated their moves for the second part of the first chorus, then slowed as the second verse began.
I'm so encaptured, got me wrapped up in your touch.
"You came back for me," Vallery whispered as they twirled once.
Feel so enamored, hold me tight within your clutch.
"Of course I did, I promised a certain mare a dance...did I not?"
How do you do it? You got me losing every breath.
She giggled as they close changed slightly faster.
"Yes, yes you did."
What did you give me, to make my heart beat out my chest?
They did a quick balance step to match the beat and then slowed down to prepare for the second bridge.
I feel we're close enough, I wanna lock in your love, I think we're close enough, could I lock in your love baby?
They slowed down entirely and began to spin around slowly. Discord's face began to get closer to Vallery's, she didn't hesitate to move in as well. They came to a complete stop as their foreheads began to press against each other, closing their eyes in the process.
I feel we're close enough, I wanna lock in your love, I think we're close enough, could I lock in your love baby?
They opened her eyes and pushed away from each quickly as the second chorus began.
Now I've got you in my space, I won't let go of you!
"Why didn't we do this sooner?"
"My dear, with eyes like those, I couldn't think about anything else."
Got you shackled in my embrace, I'm latching onto you!
As they paused again, Discord dipped her, then brought her closer.
Now I've got you in my space, I won't let go of you!
"Discord I'm sorry for not-"
Got you shackled in my embrace, I'm latching onto you!
"Shush, let's not ruin this dream like fantasy. I don't ever want to go back into reality if it isn't like this..."
He stopped the waltz and picked up her chin.
I'm latching onto you!
They both slowly closed their eyes as their lips began to get closer.
I won't let go of you!
The distance between them decreased with each passing second.
I don't want to let you go!
Suddenly Vallery was pushed away from Discord's grasp, he opened his eyes quickly to see Hail Storm breaking through a stained glass window, carrying Vallery away.
"Discord!" Vallery yelled, reaching her hooves outward towards him.
"No! Not again! I'm coming!"
He extended his wings, getting ready to take off. He was stopped immediately with a force that slammed him back onto the ground. He looked up to see Alan breathing heavily with a smirk.
"How dare you kick the lord of chaos in the face!" Discord scolded, getting back up.
"You have no idea how long I've been wanting to do that!" Alan shouted back, cackling maniacally.
"You have messed with me for the last time Alma!"
Alan growled furiously and screamed, "IT'S ALAN!"
His horn began to glow purple when Discord snapped his claw. A white cloud poofed around Alan, as it began to clear up, everypony gasped.
"Honk!"
"What's wrong Axel? Don't you le goose-ta?" Discord snickered.
Alan looked down to see little black webbed feet.
"Why you no good- Honk!"
Discord laughed as he opened up his wings again and began to flap them repeatedly.
"Oh no you don't!"
Alan began to run after Discord until a massive object landed in front of him.
"I don't think so," Celestia warned.
She signaled some guards to seize him. Alan turned away from her and spread his wings. He jumped into the air and flew around the ballroom, trying to evade Princess Celestia's guards.
"Let go off me!"
"Keep struggling, I would be more than happy to drop you."
She turned around when she heard beating wings behind her.
"Hey there lover boy! Are you ready for a hail storm?"
Discord ignored her question, instead he flapped faster to catch her. Hail Storm chuckled as she kicked a white cloud at Discord. The cloud turned a dark gray and began to rain hail on him. He snapped his paw, turning the hail into chocolate truffles, then he flew straight through the cloud with rage in his eyes. Hail Storm dived down quickly, the look on the draconequus's face terrified her. Discord dove down after her, his determination grew with each passing minute.
"How did you even manage to get pass Alan?" Hail Storm shouted over her shoulder.
"Seriously?" Vallery asked her.
As Discord neared Hail Storm, he reached out for her tail. He eventually got a firm grip on it, Hail Storm jumped and kicked him in the face. His fur stood up in extreme animosity, he charged at her with full speed. Hail Storm quickly evaded him by moving to the side and turned around to fly up. Discord swiftly flipped back and grabbed Hail Storm's leg, then he tugged her down so that she wouldn't kick him again. She let go of Vallery, Discord caught her with his tail and held her tightly.
"Let go of me!" Hail Storm pouted.
"Careful, he just might."
"You idiot, I have wings!"
"Oh, do you now?"
"I swear, you're even stupider than you look."
"Look at your back, see if you still want to call me that."
Hail Storm looked at her back to see that her wings were gone.
"My wings! What did you do to them?" she gasped.
"I gave them to charity."
"You what?"
"If you want them back, I suggest you keep quiet until we get back to the castle."
Hail Storm kept quiet as Discord placed Vallery on his back.
"Hold on tightly my dear."
When Vallery did as she was told, Discord began the flight back towards the castle.
"I hereby banish the two of you to the Badlands."
"Excuse me?"
"What? Heh, Princess I think that's a bit too harsh don't you think? I mean even for you," Alan protested.
"I don't think it's at all harsh, if anything, your crimes were ten times harsher. Forging Vallery's books, using her as your bit maker, breaking her heart so that she can make a book that would earn you millions, and lastly putting a deception spell on her and the girls. Everything that you have done has been a crime most punishable by exile."
"You know princess, I wasn't really part of it, Alan was forcing me i-into his mind game so that-"
"Enough, you were in it just as much as he was."
"Nice try you shortsighted winged bat."
The guards escorted Alan and Hail Storm out, Vallery watching the whole thing.
"Are you alright my dear?"
She turned to see Discord.
"I-I don't know. I feel like I've been living in a lie...I mean I was but I just don't know what I'm going to do now."
"Well...I'm in need of a maid at the moment..."
Vallery looked up into the hopeful eyes of the draconequus. She opened her mouth to say something but somepony interrupted her.
"Vallery! Discord! Are you two okay?"
They turned to see Twilight and the others running towards them. Fluttershy rammed into Discord and hugged his tightly.
"Oh I just knew it wasn't you!" she shouted with relief.
Vallery giggled and replied, "Yes, we're fine. What about you guys?"
"Yeah, we're good, Princess Luna told us everything, including the deception spell."
"I'm sorry for dragging each of you into this mess. Alan was my business but instead I just had to go around asking for help."
"Hey don't go blaming yourself sugarcube, we were all in this together, we're friends aren't we?"
Vallery giggled and nodded.
"Yeah I know, I just feel so bad for dragging everypony into it. I'm so sorry."
"Please do stop apologizing darling, you did nothing wrong, it was just that unicorn."
"Yeah he was a great, big, meanie!"
"Oh umm girls...I don't mean to interrupt but I think Princess Celestia is calling us."
They all turned to look at Princess Celestia.
"Umm...she's talking to Luna Fluttershy."
"Oh no, no I really think she needs to speak to us."
Fluttershy tilted her head at Vallery, then Discord.
"Oh!" they all shouted in unison.
"We'll see you later you two!"
"Have fun!"
"Be sure to update us!"
"Later!"
"Tell us the date of the wedding!"
Fluttershy turned to Discord and gave him a wink.
"Thanks Fluttershy," Discord whispered.
"I'll talk to you two later, bye Vallery!" Fluttershy quietly shouted.
Vallery waved at Fluttershy as she flew over to her friends.
"So?"
Vallery turned back at Discord and frowned.
"What's wrong my dear?"
"Well now that Alan is out of the shop, who's going to sell my books? I mean, this was my dream, to get my books out there and to become a famous writer. But with all that has happened, I don't know how I'm going to do it... Who's going to run the shop? Who's going to print out the books? Who's going to-"
Discord placed a talon over her mouth.
"We are."
Vallery looked into his eyes with bewilderment. He snapped his paw and they appeared at the library in Vallery's room.
He extended his arms and asked, "Who says we can't make your books appear in the shelves of every library in Equestria? Who says we can't get everypony to read your books? Who says we can't turn your dream into a reality?"
He turned to her and took her two front hooves in his paw and claw.
"Who says we can't make it happen?"
Vallery's eyes developed tears of emotion as she continued to listen to the words Discord was telling her.
"Who says...we can't do it...together?"
Tears ran down Vallery's cheeks as she moved closer to Discord.
"Nopony..." she softly whispered and smiled.
Discord smiled back and leaned closer towards Vallery. He slowly closed his eyes as the gap between them was closing.
"Wait."
He opened his eyes in confusion.
"Before I left the castle...you said something. You said three words...did you really mean it?"
Discord squeezed her hooves gently and nodded slowly.
"Yes...I meant each word."
He lowered his ears and gazed away from her eyes.
"Do you still mean it?"
His eyes went back into the green emeralds.
"Yes...of course I do."
Vallery's eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
"If you don't mind, I would also like to ask you a question as well my dear."
"Yes?"
"Do...do you feel the same way about me?"
Vallery smiled with tears falling down her cheek.
"I don't mean to flatter you but I hope this answers your question."
She shut her eyes and pressed her lips against his suddenly. Discord didn't hesitate for a second, he kissed her back with passion and put his paw and claw on her cheeks. He wiped away her tears with his thumbs and continued to kiss her as she put her two front hooves on his shoulders. After awhile, Discord was the first to pull away.
"Thank you my dear..."
Vallery giggled and tilted her head slightly.
"Why are you thanking me? You didn't force me to do anything, I fell in love you all on my own."
Discord smiled with tears forming in his eyes and hugged her.
"Please...don't leave me again..."
Vallery hugged him back tightly and assured him, "I'm not going anywhere."
THE END! I think I could've done a better ending but I was just so excited to get it published! I was going to make one more chapter but I didn't really know what to fit into it. Gosh did I enjoy writing this story! I'm still debating if I should make a sequel, it's too short! A sequel really depends on you guys, if you think I should make one, leave a review! This has been one amazing adventure to me you guys! I would like to thank each of my reviewers, followers, and favorites! Thank you so much, every review, follow and favorite means the world to me. Seriously. Thank you. If you guys liked this story, be sure to check out 'Discord is My Big Daddy' when it's published! I guarantee you guys will love it! It's going to have tons of action, TONS, with a big interesting adventure! Thank you once again you guys! Be sure to leave a review! I would love to know your thoughts on the finale and tell me if it deserves a sequel! Oh! And the song that is featured in this chapter is 'Latch' or 'Disclosure' by Sam Smith! You are more than welcome to PM me as well!