Chapter 12: Hearth Warming Eve

Discord was shaking me awake. I immediately smiled when I saw his and Ember's face.

"Aura!" Ember said loudly. He hugged me. I smiled.

"Are you okay?" Discord asked. I simply nodded.

"You-you." Ember cried. I put my hoof on his face.

"I'm okay." I said softly. I knew I was lying to him, but I couldn't bring myself to ever tell Ember what exactly is happening. He would have to figure it out on his own.

"I'm so sorry, Aura." Discord said.

"It's fine, it wasn't your fault." I said. I looked around. "How long was I out?"

"A few hours." Discord said.

"A day." Ember contradicted.

"Ember! I told you-" Discord hissed. "We're glad you're awake." I smiled at the interactions between Ember and Discord. I forced myself to sit up. I was still dizzy, but I was taking it slow.

"Don't go too fast, Aura." Ember advised.

"I'm fine, I'll be fine." I assured him. Ember gently nodded. I forced myself to stand up off of the bed.

"Aura..." Discord said, but realized I was fine.

"I told you I'll be fine." I said. "What time is it?"

"The sun just raised." Discord said. My eyes widened.

"Come on, Ember, we have to go." I instructed. I quickly levitated my saddle bag onto my back along with Ember. "Thanks, Discord." I said.

"Hold on, my dear. I told Luna that you weren't going to come in until after Hearth's Warming Eve." Discord said. I nervously smiled.

"Thanks." I said.

Hearth's Warming Eve came quickly. I continued to study with Discord, he had taught me how to summon things and he taught me how to make things that don't exist in nature, like chocolate rain clouds. He also taught me how to change an animals state of mind and their appearance, but reversing a pony's state of mind is impossible for me. Only Discord, the spirit of Chaos, can alternate personalities. Which is why is is called Discording. I cooked a multitude of dishes, and Ember baked quite a few deserts. I only expected Discord to come, I didn't enjoy interacting with ponies in Canterlot. Most of them are stuck up and rude. Normally my parents would come, but I guess that is forever out of the question, considering they are in Saddle Arabia. I was setting the last plate on the table, when Discord knocked on the door. I ran to the door and opened it when I was near. To my surprise, Luna was also standing there.

"Oh hello, Discord, Luna. I didn't expect you to come too." I said. Luna smiled.

"I needed to get away from the crazy ponies. Including my sister." Luna sighed.

"So you came with chaos." Ember pointed out. Luna chuckled.

"Come in." I offered and shut the door once they were in. I showed them the food and enjoyed the night with them. By the time Celestia began to lower the moon, other ponies' parties were beging to sing the traditional song if they weren't at the play, which we weren't. We waited for Luna to do her daily job. Discord, Ember, and I watched Luna pull the moon to its place. She returned to her spot in the house.

"Ready?" She asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, I can cast the spell." I offered. Luna nodded. We gathered around the tree and I began to sing the treadional holiday song.

"The fire of friendship lives in our hearts
As long as it burns we cannot drift apart
Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few
Laughter and singing will see us through (will see us through)
We are a circle of pony friends
A circle of friends we'll be to the very end." We sang together. Discord and Ember sang "see us through" first, then Luna and I echoed. I created a pink firey heart that was created from the power of our friendship. It took a while for it to fade away, but when it was gone, Discord and Luna returned to the castle. Ember helped me clean up, all the while, I thought of dark magic. I wanted to... I wanted to look at it. Just once. I promised myself I would only see it once, and never again, but I needed help getting it and Luna wouldn't help. I needed... I needed Discord to help. I stopped myself from thinking this. I couldn't. I just couldn't. I looked to Ember. He was the reason I needed to keep my wits with me. I rushed Ember into bed so I could think. I couldn't let myself think too long, I have been too sleep deprived lately. I feel asleep before I knew it.