Chapter 10: Three's A Crowd
It was just the late morning as (Y/N) was lounging on his couch reading a Daring Do book peacefully. As he takes in the quietness that he is enjoying in his room, he suddenly hears a knock over at his front door. Confused to why somepony would want to see him this early, (Y/N) places the book down and walks over to the door to open to see a really excited Twilight right next to Fluttershy.
Twilight Sparkle: (Y/N)! You won't guess who I've invited to spend the weekend with us starting today!
(Y/N) just smirks at Twilight.
(Y/N): Let me guess. . . Cadance?
Twilight Sparkle: Huh?! How did you know?
(Y/N): I don't know. . . Maybe the fact that you've been talking about how much you wanted her to come visit a couple of days ago?
(Flashback)
(Y/N) was at Sugarcube Corner just up at the counter getting his order of a dozen cupcakes as Mrs. Cake places sprinkles on the frosting before closing the box. (Y/N) pays for his food as he levitates the bits on the counter for Mrs. Cake before getting ready to walk back outside. However, a specific purple alicorn get's up in his face out of nowhere.
Twilight Sparkle: (Y/N)!
(Y/N) flinches startled from Twilight sudden appearing and he drops the box of cupcakes on the ground. Both him and Twilight look down at the box and they open it to find that half of them were now tipped over with icing all over the box and (Y/N) just gives Twilight a peeved look while she smiles nervously.
Twilight Sparkle: *nervous giggle* Sorry. . . I just couldn't wait to tell you that I've actually sent a letter to Cadance asking if she could spend the weekend with us.
(Y/N): Oh, that's it? Well, I mean I'm not saying that she'll definitely decline, but she's often busy at the Crystal Empire, right?
Twilight Sparkle: That's exactly what I'm afraid of though, I really hope that she doesn't decline my invitation because I never really got to spend any quality time with my sister-in-law and former foalsitter. Not since the wedding, not since the rediscovery of the Crystal Empire. . . and not since your birthday.
(Y/N): *sighs* Okay, I get it. Almost every time we see her, Equestria is at stake or something.
Twilight Sparkle: Exactly! I really just want one decently long hangout with Cadance without any problems.
(Y/N): Well that's for her to decide and we can't help it if she says no.
(Y/N) then glows his horn as he activates his reverse spell to clean up his dozen box of cupcakes that Twilight made him spill before levitating it back up.
(Y/N): Still, you're right. It would be nice to actually spend some time with Cadance without any trouble going on. If she does accept the invite, let me know. I've actually missed Cadance a little bit myself as well. Do you think I could join in on your quality time with your sister-in-law as well?
Twilight gets a beaming smile from that question.
Twilight Sparkle: You know what they say, "the more the merrier." Let's just pray to Celestia that she says yes! I've already got some things planned that we can all do!
(End of Flashback)
Twilight remembers that and she blushes at bit in embarrassment that she forgot that she told (Y/N) how excited she was of wanting Cadance to come over to visit. Now that she's accepted the invite, Twilight no longer has to worry about contemplating whether Cadance will accept her invitation to Ponyville.
(Y/N): Smooth thinking, Twi. . . And what brings you here Fluttershy.
Fluttershy: (Y/N)! This is so exciting that I just had to come over and tell you! The Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures have given me permission to observe the rarest, tiniest, most adorable magical creatures in all of Equestria – the Breezies!
(Y/N): *smiles* That's amazing, Flutters. I've seen photos, but I've never seen a Breezy up close ever in my life. This should be an experience you'll never forget.
Being very excited, Fluttershy even decides to give (Y/N) a quick hug.
Fluttershy: It just might be the best experience that I'll ever have. I will actually be leaving pretty soon (Y/N), so. . . I also came to ask if you could help me pack some of what I need?
(Y/N): *chuckles* Leave it to me, Fluttershy. You'll be getting a once in a lifetime chance to see some creatures that not even I have seen. I'll want to hear all about your little tour once you get back. By the way Twilight, when is Cadance suppose to arrive?
Twilight Sparkle: It should be sometime after Fluttershy's departure on the train.
(Y/N): Alrighty then, plenty of time. Let's get Fluttershy's trip ready so the rest of the girls can see her off as well.
(Y/N) was able to help Fluttershy pack for her little road trip back at her cottage and once they were done with that, they told everypony else about the news of Fluttershy getting to view the tiny Breezies. Twilight even told them that right after Fluttershy leaves, Princess Cadance will be coming over to visit the two of them. Right now, they are all at the train station getting ready to see Fluttershy depart as she is all travel packed and ready wearing a bush hat and she has her saddlebags as well.
Rarity then levitates a roll of fabric into Fluttershy's saddlebags.
Rarity: Here's a wrap, in case it gets cold.
Applejack: And I packed you a basket of nice fresh apples in case you get hungry.
Twilight Sparkle: Have a great time!
Fluttershy: Oh, I will. And I hope you and (Y/N) have fun with Cadance.
(Y/N) walks up and give Fluttershy a goodbye peck on the lips.
(Y/N): I'm sure we will. You just go enjoy yourself and we'll be waiting to hear all about your trip once you get back.
Suddenly, the train whistles blows.
Conductor: All aboard!
(Y/N): Guess it's time for you go.
Fluttershy nods as she carries the apple basket and follows the other passengers past the conductor onto the train.
After they are all in, the conductor checks his pocket watch and boards as well. The door shuts and the train rolls away, with Fluttershy waving from the platform at the rear end of the caboose and Pinkie smiling after her.
Fluttershy: Goodbye! Goodbye, everypony!
As the other ponies wave, Pinkie decides to gallop after the train.
Pinkie Pie: FLUTTERSHY! I'LL NEVER FORGET YOUUUUUUU!
Her pink hooves stop only after the train is well ahead of her, and her blue eyes stare after it with unmistakable despair which swiftly evaporates as a red balloon drifts past in the breeze.
Pinkie Pie: Ooh, something floaty! La-la-la-la-la!
She sings to herself a bit as she trots happily after it, back toward the station.
Twilight Sparkle: Oh, I'm a bit nervous about Cadance's visit!
(Y/N): Nervous about what? I mean sure she's a princess in royalty like the two of us, but it's not like she's going to judge how our hangout is going to go.
Twilight Sparkle: I know, but I really want her visit to go without a hitch!
Pinkie rejoins the group, carrying the balloon but absently letting it float away.
Pinkie Pie: Oh, why wouldn't it?
Realizing her balloon is gone, she dejectedly watches it go.
(Y/N): Because the last few times we were able to see her, Equestria was in a crisis. I've only been able to hangout with her once. . . but technically that was when we first met, so I wouldn't count it.
Twilight Sparkle: Exactly. Cadance and I haven't really had a chance to just enjoy being friends again. Which is why it is so important that this visit be about the three of us having some real quality time together.
Applejack: I'm guessin' you've got a plan that'll keep it that way.
(Y/N): Well, I've never got to hear what you've got planned. Spit it out already, Twi.
Twilight then points over to a poster on the wall that displays Starswirl the Bearded, the great unicorn mage whose name has come up in passing.
Twilight Sparkle: For one day only, right here in Ponyville, the Star Swirl the Bearded Traveling Museum! (Y/N), you, Cadance and I can spend the whole day looking at Star Swirl the Bearded artifacts!
Rarity: Sounds like a perfect drama-free way to spend the day with Cadance.
Twilight Sparkle: Not counting the drama surrounding which of the bells from his cloak they've chosen to put on display.
She then goes over to (Y/N) and winks at him.
Twilight Sparkle: *whispers* Spoiler alert: it's this one!
(Y/N) chuckles from that before he hears Rainbow miming the act of barfing her chow and getting a nasty look from Rarity.
Rainbow Dash: Uh, sorry. Something in my throat. . . like a big ball of 'lame'!
(Y/N): Oh, who even said you were invited?
Rarity: Still, I think it sounds delightful.
Applejack: Yup, definitely sounds like you three will have some real quality time together.
Twilight Sparkle: Exactly. Just quiet time.
(Y/N): With just us three.
A whistle then sounds off in the distance at a considerable volume. Twilight looks eagerly along the tracks to see a giant crystal train approaching the Ponyville train station meaning that somepony was arriving from the Crystal Empire. When the brakes are applied, the resulting screech is enough to make all six ponies cringe and clap hooves to ears.
(Y/N): Geez louise! My ears are ringing!
The train comes to a quick stop at the platform, and trumpets hung with banners that show Princess Cadance's Cutie Mark are raised to blow a fanfare before one door slides open. Out come two guard stallions, who take up positions on either side.
A red carpet is then rolled out between them, and the darkness of the train car's interior becomes brightly lit as a smiling Cadance steps out of it. Beaming, Twilight moves closer along with (Y/N), but stops short when the sister-in-law bows to them.
Princess Cadance: Your Highnesses.
Twilight and (Y/N) nervously glance to each other before they both take a bow themselves.
Twilight Sparkle & (Y/N): Your Highness.
The other four mares do likewise and all hold the position for a second or two before Cadance straightens up with a gentle laugh.
Princess Cadance: I'm teasing, you two. We're sisters-in-law. We don't have to be so formal.
(Y/N): Oh! *nervous laugh* How did I not see that coming?
At her nod, the two guards re-enter the car, whose interior lights have gone out again. The red carpet rolls up behind them, the door closes, and the train quickly pulls away. All seven have come up out of their bow, and Twilight, (Y/N), and Cadance walk along the platform.
Princess Cadance: I'm guessing Twilight has made some plans for all of us?
(Y/N): Oh, you have no idea. I literally found out about them when we were hear at the station. Tell her, Twi.
Twilight was just about to until a thought crosses her mind.
Twilight Sparkle: Hang on just one second.
She then doubles back to the rest of the mares as (Y/N) does the same.
Twilight Sparkle: You guys-
Rarity: Now, now, don't you worry about a thing! We will make sure that nothing, but nothing, interferes with your visit.
Applejack: Go on, have a hootenanny with your kinfolk.
Twilight Sparkle: You really are the best friends a pony could ever have.
She backs away and calls over her shoulder.
Twilight Sparkle: Coming, Cadance!
(Y/N) then smiles as he waves at his girlfriends before following right behind.
(Y/N): We'll see you girls later! We've got some plans to execute!
After catching up, the three were now set off across the grassland bordering the tracks. Pinkie watches them go with a contented little sigh, then turns away from the scene.
Pinkie Pie: Two sisters-in-law bonding.
Rainbow Dash: And you can also count the brother-in-law as well.
Applejack: Whoa nelly! Let's not go too far with it, y'all. (Y/N)'s not Cadance's brother-in-law. . . yet.
Rarity: Oh, Applejack. I'm sure Cadance wouldn't mind it at all. Even if it is due for the future, it would delightful to know that you have an honorary family member so close that it's almost like you really are family.
Pinkie Pie: Yeah. Besides, doesn't your family consider (Y/N) a part of the family too?
Applejack: Well. . . I guess so. I know we're datin' and all, but for some reason its just feels weird to have your boyfriend already be like a family member to ya.
Pinkie then comes over all business as a blurry little speck appears in the distant sky and starts to zero in fast.
Pinkie Pie: You think too hard in it Applejack! Throwing our thoughts of considering (Y/N) family away though, I for one am gonna make sure that nothing spoils their day!
Only now does she take notice of the incoming projectile, which is now close enough to be in focus as something blue whirling at insanely high RPM's.
Applejack: What is that thing?
Rarity: Whatever it is. . . DUUUCK!
She and Applejack do so and Rainbow zips away, but Pinkie just looks at her.
Pinkie Pie: Rarity, that doesn't look anything like a duck!
Rarity loops her hoof around Pinkie's neck and yanks her down just before the blue-tinted whatever-it-is sings through the air where she had been standing. It veers crazily away and crashes hard into a tree. The four mares walk down the station towards it to investigate.
Rainbow Dash: What is THAT?
A few leaves flutter down from the branches, along with a couple of loud sniffles and an unctuous, familiar male voice that sounds very under the weather.
?: No, not a "what", but a "who", dear.
Rainbow Dash: Oh, no. . . That sounds like. . .
One loud sneeze consumes all the leaves in a great burst of blue flames and exposes the figure draped among the limbs. He was tinted blue and looked very sick as it was none other than the mischievous draconequus. . .
Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash & Rarity: DISCORD!
Seeing the troublemaker up in the tree made everypony around glare at him.
Applejack: What in tarnation are you doin' here? And why the jumpin' June bugs are you blue?
Rarity: More like a shade of cerulean, to be precise.
Rainbow then flies up to Discord.
Rainbow Dash: Whatever color you are is the color of trouble!
Discord: Oh, Rainbow Dash, I've changed, surely you remember?
He slithers down the tree and coils himself up at the bottom like a snake.
Discord: I was reformed by my two lovely friends, (Y/N) and-
He then winds up for a sneeze as Rarity bails out from it.
Discord: F-F-Fluttershy!
He sneezes and the recoil hurls him backward causing a house to float away.
Applejack: What are you, sick or somethin'?
Discord: Well, of course I'm sick. The blue skin? These sneezes? Could somebody find me a fainting couch?
All attention then turns to Rarity, who looks nervously from one pony to the next.
Rarity: What?
Pinkie then just bulldozes a stack of luggage towards the tree with her head and Discord floats down to lounge on it.
Discord: How charming, thank you. I can't stop sneezing and wheezing. In short. . . I need help.
He gives them the saddest little pout he can drum up, but Rainbow Dash is not buying any of it.
Rainbow Dash: If you're so 'sick', why have you come here instead of, y'know, staying home in bed and getting over your weird illness?
The afflicted trickster lets go with another sneeze and blows his nose loudly into a handkerchief, which promptly flies away as if it were a bird.
Discord: Because this condition has left me helpless, simply helpless!
Applejack raises a skeptical eyebrow from that before Discord makes himself appear with an ice bag on his head and a blanket over himself.
Discord: Why, I can barely lift a spoon.
The utensil in question materializes in his lion paw as it droops in his grip, and he tumbles to the ground as if its weight has dragged him down. All four ponies are giving him hairy eyeballs in various tints.
Discord: I came to find one of the two ponies who truly understands me and could nurse me back to health. Where is that dear, sweet Fluttershy? I need attention! I need some care! I need-
Rainbow Dash stops him cold by zipping over to let her eyes bore into his.
Rainbow Dash: You need to chill. Fluttershy's out.
Discord: Oh, of course, her trip to see the Breezies. Ah, yes, I had forgotten that was today.
Applejack and Rarity are quite put out at this.
Applejack: How do you know about her trip?
Discord: Well, she told me about it in her last letter.
He opens a suitcase to reveal a sheet, which he holds up for Pinkie to look over through narrowed eyes. They pop open in surprise as he pulls it away after a moment.
Pinkie Pie: You and Fluttershy write each other letters?
Discord: Well, of course we do! We're friends!
In a flash, he has outfitted himself in a white hospital johnny and is walking toward them, wheeling along an IV pole whose bag is hooked to a line running into his arm.
Discord: It's just such a shame that today of all days is when I really need her. Oh, well, I know what to do.
Rainbow then flies behind Discord and pushes him back towards the station not wanting to deal with him for any longer.
Rainbow Dash: Good thinking. Head on home, put your feet up. I'm sure eventually you'll have the strength to make yourself soup or something. . .
Discord sheds his hospital getup, and Rainbow pushes a suitcase into his forelimbs and plunks a hat on his head as she finishes. She flies back towards her friends only to find out that Discord is already in front of her making her eyes bug out surprised.
Discord: Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no! There is still one pony that I'm currently looking for to take care of me.
Rainbow Dash: Not it!
Off she goes, cutting a zigzag path over the outskirts of Ponyville as she flees the scene. Discord stands up to gaze after her.
Discord: Well, that's some way to treat a suffering friend. And for her information, she's not at all who I was referring to.
Applejack: Oh, really? You're looking for a specific pony to help take care of ya?
Discord: Well, if Fluttershy can't properly give me the care that I need while she's on a trip then I guess I'll just have to ask the next pony that understands me the best.
Applejack raises an eyebrow from that before her eyes widen at who exactly he's talking about.
Applejack: Oh no! You ain't goin' to bother (Y/N) while he's also on an outing as well.
Discord: Really? He had plans today?
Discord pulls up a long list that was as tall as him and reads it before throwing it off to the side.
Discord: Well, I apparently never got a warning that he isn't available, so I'm afraid that tells me he's more than happy to take care of me.
Rarity: No, he's not! He's currently-
Applejack places a hoof over her mouth to try and not reveal to Discord what (Y/N)'s plans were today with Twilight and Cadance.
Discord: Well, if he's a true friend to me I'm sure a little bit of his time taken won't hurt. Besides. . .
He then makes a pocket watch appear in his palm as it ticks rapidly.
Discord: Doesn't seem as urgent as Fluttershy's day trip.
The pocket watch then makes a tiny explosion in Discord's lion paw before he then points over to Applejack and Rarity.
Discord: It's not as though you two are offering either meaning apparently (Y/N)'s going to help with this sickness of mine.
He sneezes toward a lamppost, which grows legs and stands up. Tipping the top of its housing like a hat, it walks away. Pinkie then gives Discord a hug from behind.
Pinkie Pie: Don't you worry, Discord! I'LL help you get better! I'll give you cuddles, and read you stories, and tell you all about me! I was born on a Tuesday-
To escape the embrace, the joker splits his body at the height of her gripping forelegs as the lower section walks away, and the upper floats clear to reattach itself.
Discord: Oh, you're so sweet to offer, but (Y/N)'s already volunteered to be my own personal doctor for the day.
Applejack: Oh, quit makin' that up like it's true. He never mentioned you sick hence he don't know a darn thing about your condition.
Discord: As my true friend, he'll be sure to help me with my sickness. I so hope you don't mind, Pinkie Pie.
The snubbed pink pony gets herself down from the branch.
Pinkie Pie: Well, as a matter of fact, I most certainly-
A red balloon, just like the one she chased along the tracks earlier, is held out in Discord's eagle-claw forelimb and released. Pinkie instantly perks up and hops after it.
Pinkie Pie: Hey! Who keeps throwing away these perfectly good balloons?
Applejack then leans over to whisper to Rarity.
Applejack: *quietly* That joker's up to something, and whatever it is, we're gonna keep it as far away from not only (Y/N), but also Twilight and Princess Cadance.
They both look off to one side to see Discord lying in a hospital bed next to the tracks. His hind legs and tail hang out over the footboard, he is back in a johnny, and a heart monitor is hooked up and beeping steadily.
Rarity: *quietly* You're right. We promised we wouldn't let anything ruin their visit. . . although I do so wish that "anything" had turned out to be something else!
A glimmer of magic, and the tree trunk behind them has gone deep blue as Discord leans down to the two of them.
Discord: Did I hear you two talking about Princess Cadance's visit with Princess Twilight? And on top of that, (Y/N)'s with them as well?
Applejack: . . .Maybe.
Discord: Fluttershy had mentioned that Twilight and Cadance were getting together today. But I never heard anything up until now that (Y/N) joined. Perhaps it was a last minute decision. It is so rare that those three get to see one another. I don't know about you, but I sometimes wonder how close they could actually be. All those years apart before being reunited?
Applejack: They're plenty close.
Discord: And if they're not, this rare opportunity to focus on their friendship will certainly bring them closer. Unless. . .
Rarity: Don't even think about it! They mustn't be disturbed!
Discord: Disturb them? I wouldn't dream of it. Not when I have two such dear friends of my own who have already offered to take care of me. And at such peril! This flu of mine is highly-
Here comes the windup, then the sneeze, sending a shower of droplets over both of them.
Discord: Contagious.
To the point that both Applejack and Rarity's coats quickly turn blue, starting from the hind legs and working forward to all of their coat. The two mares let off a sneeze in stereo, hard enough to launch themselves backwards and crash into something as Discord straightens up.
Discord: Oh no, I've gotten you both sick. Whomever shall I turn to now in my time of need?
He utters a sneaky little chuckle at the end of this and lets his forelimb digits tap together.
Discord: Time for a little "hangout" (Y/N). . .
Meanwhile, the trio that left earlier was out at the town square as which is now filled with exhibit and vendor stalls. They were at the Star Swirl the Bearded Traveling Museum as both Twilight and (Y/N) donned some Star Swirl costumes while Cadance stayed normal.
Twilight Sparkle: A whole day to celebrate Star Swirl the Bearded. What could be better?
(Y/N): Oh, please. Nothing's better here when I get to spend the day with not only my girlfriend, but her sister-in-law as well. I can't believe Star Swirl The Bearded, my savior, literally used all of these artifacts.
Princess Cadance: Learning some things about his past must seem interesting to you for that specific reason, (Y/N).
(Y/N): Yep, you're right.
They stop their walk short, and Cadance pulls in a little gasp and hurries over to a display of candle stubs in holders. One of them, contained in a transparent box, sits prominently up front.
Princess Cadance: Is that the candlestick he used to light the way when he was exploring the caverns of Maretania?
Twilight Sparkle: It sure is!
Princess Cadance: Oh, I can't believe I'm getting to see it in real life!
The mutual excitement fades away when the item begins to rattle madly within its box under her words.
(Y/N): Is. . . that suppose to happen?
Twilight Sparkle: I don't know. The poster never said anything about these artifacts being in motion.
The candle whirls in place, becoming a blur of brass and wax, and resolves into a miniature Discord who aims the big sad soulful red eyes up at the pair. Three simultaneous cries of fear are followed by a hearty sneeze that shakes the box on its counter. The sides briefly bulge outward under the burst of blue sludge that fills the container.
Three hats on a nearby table float clear of it and under their own power as the front of the box falls open, and the blue gunk oozes out onto the ground. Discord is no longer within, but the stuff quickly forms into his body which is short one head. His forelimbs plunge into the dirt at his feet, yank up the missing cranium, and plop it into place at the end of his neck.
(Y/N): Discord?
Twilight Sparkle: What are you doing here?!
Twilight and Cadance looked very irritated while (Y/N) raises an eyebrow at his sudden arrival.
Discord: Oh, dear, dear Prince and Princesses, I'm sorry to say that I'm sick.
As he goes into a rather nasty coughing fit, Cadance averts her face and shifts her mane to serve as a barrier until it passes.
Discord: Blue flu.
Princess Cadance: Blue flu?
(Y/N): That's. . . the very first time that I'm hearing of that kind of illness.
Discord: Yes well, I fear I've already given it to poor Applejack and Rarity.
The royal trio trade confused glances that is quickly cut off by Discord's sneeze warm-up. As Twilight instinctively raises her wings to shield herself, (Y/N) and Cadance fire up their horns. (Y/N)'s already create a shield around them to protect them from the sneeze while Cadance made one that appear, but suddenly vanish.
Discord sneezes which touches (Y/N)'s shield, but Cadance taps his shoulder to get his attention.
Princess Cadance: Don't worry, you won't need to hold that shield up for a prolonged amount of time.
(Y/N): How come?
(Y/N) let's his shield down as Discord sneezes once more which instead touches Cadance's barrier which flickers briefly when the sneeze comes out and impacts it.
Princess Cadance: Magic health bubble.
Discord: Indeed. How would (Y/N) nurse me back to health if he were sick too? You will be letting me stay at your place until I'm all better, won't you?
(Y/N): Wait, you came to see me? I don't know. . . I'm kind of in the middle of something right now dude.
Discord: But taking in the sick and the desperate, isn't that what Fluttershy would do?
Discord: Isn't 'helping' something that friends do for friends?
A pleading smile shifts gears into a suspicious grimace without bothering with the clutch.
Discord: Unless, of course, you're really saying that you're NOT my friend.
(Y/N) looks at Twilight and Cadance before he sighs frustrated.
(Y/N): Discord. . . you know that is not what I am saying at all. Of course, we're friends. . . But since I'm hanging out with my other friends right now. . . I guess we'll let you tag along and help nurse you back to health at the library.
Discord: Oh, how elated I am to hear that. Shall the three of us head back to the library then? I don't want to get anypony else sick.
(Y/N) gives an annoyed look at Discord before he turns over to Twilight and Cadance who had the exact same look before the three start to walk off.
Twilight Sparkle: *sighs* Guess we don't have much choice.
The magical barrier moves with them, and Discord slides off it to land in a slightly kinked-up position on his belly. He re-materializes his lion-paw forelimb and raises it.
Discord: Carry me?
Princess Cadance: It isn't far. I think you can manage.
(Y/N): Besides, you don't look like your in a severe condition or anything. Just walk or. . . do whatever you can to follow us.
Discord: Oh, poo.
Rather than get upright, he propels himself along the ground like the world's strangest earthworm.
Back at the Golden Oak Library, Twilight lays a pillow down on her bed as Discord coils up on it and (Y/N) uses his magic to tuck the sick trickster in bed.
(Y/N): There you go, buddy. Is there anything else that you need?
Discord: Just knowing that I have a good friend like you to take care of me has made me feel better already.
He looks inside of a drawer and pulls out is a very, very long scroll closely covered with writing and after a quick skim, it goes back in.
Discord: I'll be fine here on my own.
A book is picked up from the nightstand and opened, and the three royals with Twilight being the most annoyed start to head for the stairs. Before they can get more than a few steps away, he sits up in bed and they freeze in their tracks as soon as he speaks.
Discord: Oh, just before you go, just a little small request.
(Y/N) grimaces, but then gives a forced smile as he turns back around to Discord and walks up to him, but Twilight puts a hoof on his shoulder.
Twilight Sparkle: Don't you see that this is getting ridiculous already?
(Y/N): I know you wanted this day to be just the three of us with some fun time with each other. . . but sometimes to have to expect the unexpected.
Princess Cadance: We'll just get him what he wants and be back to the exhibit in no time.
(Y/N): Alrighty Discord, what is it that you need?
(Glass of Water)
Discord: A little glass of water please
He pulls a handkerchief from Twilight's ear and wipe his nose.
A fresh pressed hanky if I sneeze
He conjures up a teacup from which several bees buzz away.
Some tea with honey from the bees
Whenever you can brew it
Princess Cadance: I'll get your tea.
She hurries away and Discord zaps himself back into bed. It flips up on its headboard to eject a smaller copy of itself ,which promptly does the same.
Discord: And while I get a little rest
The smallest bed flips up and a medium-size Discord stands up from the space beneath, holding a medicine bottle.
A teeny tiny small request
He pulls the cork and a very large fish pops most of the way out of its mouth.
Some codfish oil for my chest
Poured from a crystal cruet
Cadance comes back up, levitating a pitcher.
Twilight Sparkle: A crystal cruet?
Discord: My goodness, I'm a nincompoop
Because I fear I've got the croup
Snowflake-like spots in various colors pop out all over his face and neck.
At the bottom of the loft stairs, Cadence stirs a caldron as (Y/N) levitates one of several pumpkins into it, but Discord yanks the lot away.
I need a vat of pumpkin soup
He empties it over their heads, instead of soup, flowers pour over all three ponies.
And scarves made out of zinnias
He empties it over their heads, instead of soup, flowers pour over all three ponies.
And scarves made out of zinnias
The blooms have become long silk scarves draped over all of their backs.
Did I say zinnias? I meant silk
A hard yank sets them spinning away like a top.
Or something shiny of that ilk
He swims through a lake of milk in the meadows outside Ponyville.
And then I'll need some nice warm milk
A desert backdrop falls into view behind him as he holds up a cinnamon roll.
And pastries from Abyssinia
And since my stomach's feeling crummy
Why not give my aching tummy
Something soothing, something yummy
A torrent of pasta pours onto the three royals, irking them considerably.
Piled up with noodles?
A slice of bread then falls on a table as slices of cheese are quickly added to make a stack reaching to the ceiling.
Add a slice of homemade rye
With stacks of Swiss way up high
He sits at the table as a very put-out Twilight and an annoyed (Y/N) walks up, dressed in waiter attires with rhinestone-studded glasses and they are both levitating a quill and order pad. Piles of pies and bags of herbs materialize around Discord.
Served with sides of sweet mince pie
More basil; I need oodles!
Twilight Sparkle: *rolls eyes* Anything else?
Discord then grabs (Y/N) surprising him as he spins with him in a spotlight.
Discord: I'll be grateful for your charity
Until the bitter end
A flash, and he lies on the floor clutching a rose with him balanced on a raised curl of his body. From here, he nimbly twirls back up and balances himself on (Y/N)'s raised front hooves, surprising him no end, before slithering down to dance close again.
Because I've heard that tenderness
Is what you lend an ailing friend
He then brings (Y/N) closer in for a one-armed hug.
Tenderness, isn't that right, friend?
(Y/N): Yes, but. . .
They and Cadance are instantly back in the bedroom as Discord drops her on the floor.
Discord: So, who's ready for my big reprise?
He stands against a landscape of giant crackers, some partially eaten, and holds up two.
I'd like that glass of water please
The four stand outside a castle at night, dressed in shirts, ties, and black wizard robes. Twilight wears large round glasses, and Discord has a head full of shaggy white hair.
Some magic spell to cure disease
He sneezes toward a Ponyville house and sends it tumbling away, conjuring up a hanky to wipe his nose.
A firm "gesundhoof" when I sneeze
Back in the bedroom, he yanks Twilight's horn off and turns it into a sheaf of flowers.
A fresh bouquet of roses
Outside in the fields, he holds two cough drops and a donkey stands on a hillside, blowing a tuba.
Some lozenges will soon appease
They grow very large as he holds them up to his nostrils.
My wheezing when I start to sneeze
Changed back to the bedroom once more and he flashes into being here and deftly scrambles the manes of (Y/N), Twilight and Cadance.
A wig to keep me from the breeze
And blankets for my toes-es
An airport security checkpoint. Now dressed in a suit, he removes a pair of tweezers from a bag on its way into the X-ray machine as guards watch, bemused.
Take tweezers out of my valise
He lies back in bed, getting his hind limbs kneaded by three very repulsed ponies.
And then massage my knobby knees
A wheel of cheese and a grater wink into being above a large bowl of peas and are put to use garnishing it.
A bowl of peas, some extra cheese
A small Discord then lounges on top of a very large dog.
A cuddle with a Pekingese
He stands on a broad staircase at whose bottom a gold harp stands and its column is sculpted as a rearing, singing, earth pony mare.
A singing harp who's named Louise
A goggle-equipped goat skis down a snowy slope, wondering exactly how it wound up there and next Discord launches himself from a circus trapeze.
A goat on skis, a new trapeze
And more and more and more and more of these
As he holds out the last word, he lets his voice rise an octave and a little spare change.
And just because I oughta. . .
Make sure I'm drinking in the right
He lies down guzzling water as fast as it pours into his mouth and it is supplied by a pipe snaking down from the village water tower. His stomach balloons out with the sheer volume.
Amount of fluids day and night
He looks out the window at a star in the night sky, then rubs a brass oil lamp as if trying to summon a genie.
I wish I may, I wish I might
He uses calipers and a magnifying glass to inspect a suddenly tiny Twilight.
Have just one little thing
Inside a wishing well, standing at the lip, he drops in a coin as (Y/N), Twilight and Cadance watch.
Oh, would you please finally bring
He sits down on a chair as he pulls a rope, bringing down a deluge on himself.
Me that tiny glass
Of water?!
As he holds the last note, it floods to fill the screen, then drains away to put him back in the bedroom. He stands atop Twilight's bed amid the swirling maelstrom of scrambled possessions and flops back down onto it to pull up the blanket.
Letting go with a nasty coughing jag, he looks placidly across the room and finds nearly every square inch of it to be a dripping mess thanks to his last shenanigans. (Y/N), Twilight and Cadance have fared no better. Cadance floats a glass of water over so Discord can pick it up. He turns to the side to lift up up the drink, and instead drops it on the floor.
Discord: Oops. Sorry.
Here comes a sneeze with a new effect: his entire body disintegrates into a mass of bubbles that float up and away. Twilight then glares at (Y/N) who could only give a sheepish smile that he was kind of responsible for this.
Twilight Sparkle: What did I tell you?! This is ridiculous!
(Y/N): . . .Well like you said, we didn't have much of a choice. And I'd rather want to cure Discord from this. . . blue flu.
Princess Cadance then walks up to Discord.
Princess Cadance: How did you even catch this flu?
As she speaks, he emerges from the space between the bed and window, sprays some disinfectant over the invisible health bubble, and wipes it with a cloth.
Discord: Inadequate hoof and claw washing?
(Y/N): *sarcastically* And you thought that "wouldn't" attract pathogens?
Twilight Sparkle: There must be some way to just cure you! There has to be a spell or remedy in one of my books!
(Y/N): I've never heard of blue flu. . . In fact, I don't even think I've heard of anypony who's had it at all. Discord just. . . may be the first. I'm not a doctor so I can't say much besides I don't know if there is a cure.
Discord: There is one way. . .
(Y/N) and Twilight turn to him surprised before it turns to annoyed glares that he's just mentioning this now.
Princess Cadance: And you didn't think to mention it earlier?
Discord: Slipped my mind.
(Y/N): *groans* Whatever. Where can we find this cure so we can get rid of this so-called "bad" flu that you have?
One talon traces a lazy little circle in the air between the three, conjuring up a blob of whitish magic. He makes a thought bubble of a landscape consisting of a grassy hill framed against desert mesas. On the hill is a flower with deep magenta petals and a yellow center. The sun sinks past the horizon.
Discord: On a hill at the very edge of Equestria, there grows an exquisite magic flower. Pick the flower as it drops its petals at sunset. Then you can make a magical soothing elixir to cure the blue flu.
Twilight Sparkle: I suppose you have a good reason you didn't bother to get this flower as soon as you realized you were sick?
Discord: Well, I couldn't travel that far in my condition. By the time I got there, I'd be too weak to even attempt to retrieve the flower.
(Y/N): . . .And yet you have the strength to sing? I have a hard believing that you could do it yourself.
Discord: Oh, (Y/N), my best friend. Believe me, when I was over to try and find Fluttershy at the train station, I couldn't even control my flight. I ended up crashing straight into a tree and incinerated it into ashes. You could even ask Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie if you don't believe me.
(Y/N) turns to Twilight and Cadance before back at Discord who looks at him with desperate eyes in needing help so he just gives a forced smile.
(Y/N): Alright, that hill at the edge of Equestria is where the three of us are headed so we can cure you up as new, buddy.
Twilight Sparkle: Except. . . we don't know exactly where it is.
Discord the appears next to Twilight donning a garish Hawaiian shirt, bucket hat, and mirrored sunglasses, has a lollipop protruding from his mouth with the stick end in his teeth, and is holding a map.
Discord: Well, *clears throat* you'll want to head north, turn left, th- Oh. . . You know, it'd be much easier if I took you there myself.
Discord then folds the map into a paper hat and drops it on Twilight not amusing her at all.
Princess Cadance: I thought you were in no condition to travel.
Discord then sheds his getup as he wraps arms around the three.
He voices a low, sneaky little chuckle as all three ponies share a glance that said "Any bets on how much worse this is going to get?"
It does indeed get a little worse as outside in the outskirts of Equestria, Discord is very much at ease on a golden seat and a throne on a massive raised dais, with a flight of steps leading up to it and flanked by four statues that all bear a likeness of his head. It is flying through the late-afternoon sky, pulled by (Y/N), Twilight and Cadance in harnesses hooked to the throne's statue heads' mouths. The pink Princess is winded and flagging badly.
(Y/N): Are you alright, Cadance?
Princess Cadance: To be honest, I'm a little out of practice when it comes to flying.
Discord: Well, then lucky for you. We're here.
The throne descends toward the grassy hill and arid desert landscape from his thought bubble and touches down on a path next to a deep canyon. Discord ends up slumped among the pillows.
Discord: It's just at the top of that hill.
His three chauffeurs look in that direction, now out of their harnesses and they begin their journey up the hill.
(Y/N): Sorry, I kind of blame myself for dragging you two into this. . . If I didn't accept the offer to hang out, then you two would be having your quality time together.
Princess Cadance: You don't need to apologize at all, (Y/N).
Twilight Sparkle: She's right, besides as long as it's with my boyfriend and sister-in-law, I'm okay with it.
Once they reach the top, they all stop in front of a tree trunk as Cadance runs an eye over the ground, (Y/N) flies up, and Twilight walks to the edge to looks around with no flower in sight.
Twilight Sparkle: This is the top. But where is that flower?
(Y/N): Up here!
Something very magenta, and at least twice Twilight's length and width, drops into view to cover her completely like a sheet. As she tries in vain to throw it off, Cadance kicks in a little magic and pulls it away. The two look to see (Y/N) inspecting the large flower all around.
(Y/N): I was expecting a large flower, but not something as big as a tree. Guess we should've asked Discord to specify what exactly was so special about this flower. No matter. If we use our magic together, we should be able to pull this thing out.
Twilight Sparkle: Good thinking, sweetie. And if we hurry, we all should be able to have some time to spend together.
The other two then fly up to the stem of the flower, their respective magics spread over the behemoth, and in due time the soil fractures in a ring encircling its base. It begins to rise clear of the ground.
Princess Cadance: One. . . last. . . pull!
The mighty stem hovering on the edge of breaking loose finally ejects itself from the ground creating a small crater with it as well.
Twilight Sparkle: Phew! Let's get Discord and this flower back home, then all our problems are solved-
Rumbling is then heard which Cadance quickly notices.
Princess Cadance: What in Equestria?!
The commotion is coming from the denuded hilltop or, more specifically, the gargantuan, scaly, wormlike beast that erupts from the new hole. It voices a bellowing scream that has all of of them gaping in shock. the scaly hide is blue-violet, with a red fringe just behind the pink head. It leans down to the three, training its beady white and black eyes marked by red streaks on them for a long moment, and the mouth opens radially in three directions to let go with a shrill cry of fury. This creature was a Tatzlwurm.
Twilight and Cadance find their tongues in the form of a double scream while (Y/N) eyes shrunk to points.
(Y/N): TATZLWURM!
Twilight dodges a chomp, then Cadance, and finally (Y/N) and they all zoom away as it ducks back into the hole. An instant later it is airborne, having propelled itself skyward with its great muscles, and closing in fast with jaws wide open. One tentacle snags a pink hind leg and begins to drag Cadance down.
Princess Cadance: Twilight! (Y/N)! Help!
Both of them stop dead in the air to see Cadance in trouble before they glare at the giant creature.
Twilight Sparkle: Get your coils off my sister-in-law!
She looks at (Y/N) with a determined look.
Twilight Sparkle: (Y/N)!
(Y/N): Got it!
(Y/N) dives straight down towards the Tatzlwurm's level as Twilight fires a beam towards him. (Y/N) puts up a reflector right in front of him to make the beam deflect point blank onto the worm monster causing it to release its grip.
The Tatzlwurm falls on the hill and promptly lashes upward again, snagging Twilight this time all around the midsection for good measure. Her cry of fear brings Cadence to a halt as both her and (Y/N) gasp.
Princess Cadance: Let go of MY sister-in-law!
(Y/N): And MY girlfriend!
Both of them dive down and this time (Y/N) makes his entire body glow as he spins around like a drill to rocket himself onto the Tatzlwurm's body making it fall over a bit losing its grip on Twilight. Seeing that (Y/N) had it distracted, Cadance fires some beams at the tentacles. One more shot gets Twilight free so she can fly up again.
Twilight Sparkle: Thanks you two.
(Y/N): Don't thank us yet.
(Y/N) points downwards and the thing is good and mad, judging from its howling upward lunge and this time it targets (Y/N) as he gets one horrified gasp in before he is the tripartite jaws clamp shut him prompting a gasp from Twilight and Cadance.
Twilight Sparkle: (Y/N)!
The Tatzlwurm plummets back to earth, only to have its mouth slightly open by a struggling (Y/N) with magic in his hooves to increase his strength and also is trying not to get digested by the monster.
(Y/N): Dang! This thing must've not had it's morning breakfast or something!
(Y/N) turns his head around and blasts magic at the worm's mouth making it struggle at little, but it was still resisting to let (Y/N) go. Soon enough, Twilight and Cadance came to the rescue.
Twilight Sparkle: Don't you dare try to eat MY boyfriend!
Twilight sends a pair of blasts to dislodge two tentacles from (Y/N)'s rear hooves. He still has trouble getting his forelegs loose from the monster's grip and he looks to the side to see Cadance coming to help as she flies up to the jaws to pull the tentacles loose with her own hooves. She grunts as she's trying to pull them loose while Twilight keeps the worm immobilized.
Princess Cadance: This thing is NOT going to eat anypony here at all! Especially when one of those ponies. . . is MY brother-in-law!
(Y/N) looks at Cadance with widened eyes in shock that she considers him her brother-in-law. Cadance looks at (Y/N) with a smirk and winks at him in which he responds with a fierce smile back at her. She finally sets him free as he flies up and both of the princesses fly off to the side.
(Y/N): Excuse me ladies, but let me finish this beast off!
Both of them give an agreeing nod to that as (Y/N) flies down as blast a beam at the Tatzlwurm making it roar at him, but he puts energy into his hooves as he crushes it into the crater. Inside of the crater, loud roars were heard at first worrying Twilight, but soon lots of brutal punches and kicks were heard as flashes of (F/C) were seen blinking out of the crater.
Once there was silence, (Y/N) flies up out of the crater and wipes his head in relief that he's done with that drama with the creature.
Princess Cadance: And for good measure. . .!
A bit of telekinesis from her shifts several loose boulders up to the hilltop and jams them into the crater in case the worm tried to escape again. Cadance lands alongside the pile as (Y/N) and Twilight touch down on top of them, all three are out of breath.
Twilight Sparkle: *panting* Are you okay?
Princess Cadance: *panting* Yes. Better than okay actually.
(Y/N): Good. . . Let's get that flower back to Discord so we can conjure up that elixir. If we're lucky, we may have more time to spend together. Oh, by the way Cadance. . .
Princess Cadance: What is it?
(Y/N): *smiles* Thanks. . . Sister-in-law.
Cadance grins back and giggles from that before the three fly up to get the flower to deliver over to Discord.
Out on a stretch of the canyon, the giant flower is levitated into view around a bend, under the influence of the three royals flying close behind.
Discord: To the ends of Equestria!
That tone of voice causes their eyes to pop, but that wasn't the only thing they saw. . .
Discord was just dancing around on the canyon back to his normal color which was proof that he's not even sick in the first place.
Discord: To face such great danger! And he did it for me! He did it all for me, for me, for me!
His jubilation and momentum come to a quick end as he reaches three incredibly angry ponies on the path. (Y/N) flies up to his face very irritated from Discord lying about being ill.
(Y/N): YOU FAKED BEING SICK THIS WHOLE TIME?!
Discord: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Now before you get even more angry at me like some wild tiger, let me just say that I had a perfectly good reason for this.
(Y/N) flies back down to the ground.
(Y/N): I'm listening. . .
Discord: Well, I was in my thinking tree – that's where I do most of my really deep thinking – I was there, and I said to myself, I said, "Discord, your best friend (Y/N) says that he's your pal, but he never writes and he never pops in for a visit."
(Y/N): Discord! You've popped in for a visit a my place a number of times already! Why didn't you just-
Discord: "Now that he's a prince, maybe he's decided that he's too good for you."
(Y/N): When have I-
Discord: But how was I supposed to know for sure that I'm truly still friends with one of the most important ponies around?
(Y/N): You could've asked. . . Duh!
Discord's ignores that as his tail wraps around (Y/N)'s midsection and lifts him to eye level.
Discord: No! By seeing if you would go to the ends of Equestria for me, of course. Which you did, literally. Congratulations, (Y/N), you passed my friendship test!
He grabs (Y/N)'s front hoof and shakes it before he hangs a medal on a chain around his neck. As he uncoils his tail, he takes a look at the thing to see the left half of a heart broken down the middle, displaying his face set in a slightly crazed grin. Discord reaches into view and fits the right half to it, completing the picture: the trickster giving a big thumbs-up and partly obscuring the figure of Twilight standing alongside.
(Y/N) however just looks at Discord unamused from his actions that he pulled today as he was waving a pennant.
Discord: Why the angry eyes? Aw, come on (Y/N). It's not because my little exam put a damper on you and Twilight's visit with Princess Cadance, is it? Made it so that there was no time for you three to focus on your friendship?
His voice shifts to subtle mockery on the end of this and Twilight looks at (Y/N) with a guilty look feeling bad for what he went through, but Cadance counters with a gentle smile.
Princess Cadance: You didn't put a damper on our visit at all.
(Y/N)/Twilight Sparkle/Discord: What?!/He didn't?!/I didn't?!
Princess Cadance: Spending the day at the Star Swirl the Bearded exhibit would've been more relaxing, but to be honest, relaxation is the last thing I need.
Twilight Sparkle: It is?
Princess Cadance: Don't get me wrong. Life in the Crystal Empire is wonderful, but it's become a little. . . predictable. I enjoy a little excitement now and then. Getting to face all these challenges today was just what I needed. And facing them with you two just made me realize even more how lucky I am to have somepony like you two as friends.
The three then turn it into an embrace, ignoring the grumbly little sound that comes up from the back of Discord's throat.
Princess Cadance: We may not see each other very often, but I know you'll always be there when I need you. Just like how (Y/N) was there for you, Discord.
Discord: Well yes, he is one of the ONLY friends who truly gets me.
Suddenly a rumbling was heard again and all three clear out just before the giant worm breaks through to daylight. It is good and sore, and it lashes its mouth tentacles toward the trio but comes up dry because they are out of range. Discord has wound up in the grip of (Y/N)'s forelegs and is, for once, genuinely surprised and scared.
Discord: What in the world?!
The leviathan rears back as if preparing to strike, opens its mouth a bit, fluffs out the red fringe behind its head and then leans down to sneeze over the three travelers. The health bubble Cadence cast shimmers over herself, (Y/N) and Twilight as the phlegm strikes it, but the draconequus ends up thoroughly doused in the green gunk.
The worm backs away with a groggy little groan and sinks into the hole it opened. Another flicker of the bubble testifies to its continuing efficacy for the two equines; Discord's entire body, though, turns assorted shades of green. A rash of green spots breaks out all over and now he is actually sick for real.
(Y/N): That's karma for you dude. And Twilight, this may be something that'll be good for the journal.
Twilight Sparkle: *smiles* You read my mind.
The next day at Fluttershy's cottage, Twilight and (Y/N) were there to visit Discord and Fluttershy as the two were pacing around Spike writing in their journal about their visit with Cadance.
Twilight Sparkle: I think it's pretty clear that our visit with Cadance didn't go quite the way we expected.
(Y/N): But in the end, we realized that when you're with a good friend, even the most chaotic day can end up being a great experience that brings you closer. Wouldn't you agree, Discord?
Discord is seen inside a large, transparent bubble with an opening to pass things in and out. He is half-sitting, half-lying under a blanket and propped up on a pillow. Applejack and Rarity walk up to him with unamused glares.
Discord: *snorts* Yes, (Y/N).
Applejack: I don't wanna go sayin' you got what you deserved. . .
Rarity: Well, I have no trouble saying it. You got what you deserved!
Fluttershy: Now, now, he's learned his lesson. Isn't that right, my little patient?
(Y/N): Discord, from now on if you ever want to just hang out with somepony, just ask and not come up with the fake sickness excuse again, alright?
Discord: Yes, I'll remember that from now on. I'm just so glad that you're back from your trip, Fluttershy. Just your presence here is making me feel so much better.
(Y/N) rolls his eyes from Discord exaggerating that line as he said the same thing from when they were at the library. He then turns over to (Y/N).
Discord: I was just wondering, could I trouble you for just one more thing?
(Y/N) smirks from that looks at all of his girlfriends and ends it off with one line.
(Y/N): That's Discord folks!
Chapter 10 End.