Striking Realization

Moonlight shone overhead, stars twinkling brightly over the houses of Ponyville. Within the confines of the town's library, a debate was taking place. One Twilight Sparkle was losing.

"I don't care, Pinkie is being too nice," the purple mare grumbled.

"It's done now, Twilight," Rarity piped up, "As long as he stays away from my shop, it's fine."

"He's a criminal! He might not have hurt anyone, but what he did was wrong."

"Now hold on a second there Twilight," Applejack started, "Didn't we all agree with Pinkie? Ain't our business now. She's happy, and he ain't done nothing wrong that couldn't be fixed. Besides, he's been a right good citizen thus far."

"But what about when he decides to break out of the façade?," Twilight countered, "He's probably finding it all funny, getting to play Pony Blitz with his enemies, thinking we don't know about his plans..."

"All I know is that if he hurts Pinkie, he's going down!" The hovering cyan pony pounded a hoof against the other for emphasis.

"Ya'll need to calm down. Let's think about this. Pinkie's our friend, and even if ya don't like the feller, Pinkie does. Unless he does something incriminating we can't - and shouldn't - do anything. I'm of a mind with Rainbow Dash on this one. Sorry Twilight."

"No... You're right." The mare hung her head, "I just don't trust him."

"I hate to be rude, but was that really why you called us here, Twilight?" Rarity asked, "Fluttershy and I have a spa appointment in the morning."

The yellow filly pawed softly at the ground, not looking at the others.

"I'm sorry everyone. I just... I dunno."

"Aww, think nothing of it sugar cube." Applejack nudged her friend playfully, "We're all concerned. Just remember, he's Pinkie's new friend. We don't have to like it, but it is what it is."

Twilight nodded, watching as her friends left. She closed the door behind them quietly to avoid waking Spike. While Discord was probably her least favourite person at the moment, Pinkie Pie certainly deserved her patience. That's what friends did, right? The veronica-hued pony slowly made her way up the woodgrain steps of her abode and crawled under her blanket. A simple spell and the lamp downstairs extinguished. Was she going too far? Concern was alright, but... When the mare finally slid into sleep it was not a very restful one.

I bounced up and down, giggling. Won't the fillies be surprised?! Finally, I'd figured out what to do for an apple treat! I paused in my happiness to wipe my brow. It was H-O-T in here! The bakery was normally a hot place, but today was too hot to even think about baking. And I thought of baking all the time! As hot as today was, that made it even better for what we were planning. Oh we'll have so much fun today!

I was almost done with my shift and had promised Discord I'd check in with him before we left, so I had to hurry. I took a quick shower before leaving, smiling as the Cakes turned off all the ovens and did the closing duties.

"Thanks again Mr. and Mrs. Cake!" I called, white saddle bag clinging to my sides. They waved me off as I left. Phew, the heat waves were really coming down! I squinted into the sun, hoping Rarity would bring more than a parasol. I trotted briskly out of town square, heading for the outskirts. The lovely coloured flowers I saw on my way to Fluttershy's last time were getting a bit wilted. Hopefully the weather ponies would give a little shower to help them out. I frowned, looking at the crystal clear sky. Well, that was their job.

I rounded the corner branching away from Fluttershy's house and cantered up to Discord's front door.

"DIIIIISSSSSSSCOOOOOOOOOORD!" I called, not bothering to knock. The house did funny things to sound. A bright flash of light and he hovered beside me.

"No need to yell Pinkie Pie."

"Oh, but then how would you hear me?"

"I have excellent hearing." He said nonchalantly, stepping onto the earth.

"Hmmm." I looked him up and down before grinning, "If you say so!"

"I do. Now what can I do for you?"

"I said I'd come over, didn't I?" To this he nodded before pushing the front door open.

"You look positively giddy, what news do you have for me?"

"I figured out what I'm doing for my apple treat!" I grinned, telling him what it was before he could say anything else.

"That actually sounds... quite good. Do you still have need of my kitchen?" He seemed curious.

"I promised you could be the taste tester, don't worry."

"Ah, alright then. Is that what you've got in your bag? Ingredients?"

He motioned toward my white satchel. I shook my head and explained that the girls and I had been planning a trip to the lake for awhile now. A flash of emotion crossed his face a moment before it was back into his normal devil may care look.

"Well don't let me hold you up."

"I..." He looked a little off, the reply a little terse. I tilted my head before shaking it. We were friends, if something was bothering him, he'd tell me. "Alright, I'll see you later!"

He nodded and suddenly I was outside. He flashed me outside it seemed. Still loopy-woopy from the teleport, I ran to Fluttershy's house, wondering when he'd learn to ask before flashing me place to place.

"Hello Pinkie... are you ready?" The yellow mare greeted me at her door as I trotted up to it.

"You bet I am! Are you ready? Do you need help?"

She shook her head and came out of her house, tugging the door closed behind her. I bounced, excited. It had been awhile since I'd been to the lake, and that was always fun! And the water would be perfect!

"Come on, we should get there in time to meet Applejack!"

"Okay..." She said softly, following alongside me.

We walked along in comfortable silence, following the winding dirt path. Fluttershy's pace slowed a bit, and I pulled out a bottle of iced tea for her. She was grateful, and after a thirst-quenching pit stop she seemed a lot better. There is something to be said about keeping hydrated!

I could feel the slight breeze get a little cooler as we got closer to the lake before it disappeared. Today was definitely a good day for a swim. Applejack's orange coat peeked out from between the trees as we came out of the wood.

"Hullllooo!" I called, and the other pony waved. I turned to Fluttershy, "Maybe we can take a dip before the others get here."

"...It is rather hot... I mean... if you think they won't mind."

"Of course they won't mind! They'd do the same thing!" I nodded, positive.

"...If you're sure." The mare said, uncertainty written across her face.

We rounded the lake, coming to stand beside Applejack.

"Howdy..."

"Hay. It's sooo hot out!"

"You said it Pinkie." Applejack smiled, "Help me throw this here blanket out? Rarity is supposed to bring the shade."

"Okie doki. I just hope she doesn't bring a parasol like last time. I mean why not have a lot of shade?" My friends nodded at this as they pulled out the blanket. Together we straightened the red and white checkered fabric out, not too close to the water's edge. When we were happy I plunked down on the blanket, and took my saddlebag off. All sorts of goodies in there! Mostly snacks and water toys... but that was my part of the stuff to bring. Fluttershy pulled out her towel and folded it neatly beside the picnic blanket before looking through the rest of her stuff. I wasn't waiting anymore. The water looked far too inviting.

"If anyone needs me, I'll be in the water!" I quipped, running in for dive. I came up shrieking, the water was COLD! It was nice, but still cold! I dove under the water again, glad to be cool after the hot days in the bakery. Or even at home! Home above Sugarcube Corner was worse, because the heat rose into my apartment. But this... goosebumps rose over my skin and I sighed, pony-paddling back to shore. That was the stuff. A crow flew overhead, sliding under the water a few seconds before landing in the closest tree. He must be hot too!

My thoughts on the crow were disrupted with the arrival of the others. I pulled myself out of the water, hair poofing with the heat.

"Hay girls! How are you? Did you bring everything?"

"Of course we did, darling," Rarity replied, carrying only a small bag, "Spikey Wikey even helped me bring a beach umbrella."

The dragon in question was so far behind that Twilight ignored his protests and levitated the umbrella and two bags away from him. The blue and white umbrella was staked into the ground as the bags were set on a corner of the large blanket. I shook my head, spraying the grass around me.

"Well I'm sure excited about cooling off." Twilight said, "Could we wait on the food?"

"Sure can, sugar. Let's have some fun!" AppleJack grinned, tossing her hat onto the blanket before trotting to the edge of the water. "Last one in is a rusty nail!"

I joined the girls in the sprint to the water, laughing as the water hit me again. Ooo, that was wonderful! We played in the water a bit, Rarity sniffing from the shoreline. She only got her hooves wet and kept magically cooling herself with a fan she brought. A lady through and through, but even ladies get hot. Eventually she broke down and got in the water up to her belly. A loud caw set the girls looking back at the crow who swooped by earlier, before dismissing it. Except for Fluttershy who gasped at the bird's squawk before realising what it was.

"Aren't you girls the least bit hungry?" Rarity called from her spot - back on dry land - on the picnic blanket. She was searching through the basket of goodies, "I, for one, am famished."

We all got the same feeling and started to head back to shore when a loud boom of thunder sounded. Everyone looked up to see dark clouds rolling in and Rainbow Dash growled.

"It's not supposed to rain until next week!"

A bolt of lightning struck right between the group and everypony else shrieked, running away. I was about to when I heard a faint bout of laughter. I was angry now.

"Discord!" My friends were long gone, and the day was ruined, "What was the meaning of that?"

The crow fell down and transformed into the draconequus, tongue flicking like a snake's.

"You all just looked like you were having so much fun."

I glared at him, "Just because we're having fun and you're not doesn't mean you can scare everypony! This is the kind of thing Celestia was worried about!"

"You think you know everything about me because you read a few books? Are you Twilight Sparkle now?" He sat up, danger glittering in his eyes.

"I don't know everything, but I do know that you can't do that and expect us all to be friends!"

"We're not friends!" He ground out, "We never were, I'm just a pet project for you anyway!"

"Discord you know that's not -"

"It is true you great bumbling fool, why else would you ever think to help me?" He growled, "You know what, screw this and screw the Elements - I can have fun without you! I have other places-!" He cut himself off with a flash and he was gone.

Why that irresponsible... jerk! He was acting like such a child! Why would we want to play with him if he was so mean to everypony? It's not like he doesn't have anything else to do.

But...

He never... He never did have friends before Luna or I. He said he had other places he could go... What did that mean? I shook my head, he was acting like StormHoof when I was in school. Always mad at everypony because no one...

My eyes got wide and I felt very stupid and very small in that moment.

StormHoof got mad when he wasn't asked to join in. When he finally got a friend he was one of the nicest ponies in class. Discord has never had a friend besides Luna - and he's not allowed to visit her without my help. Oh no - earlier when he wanted to know what we were doing... he wanted me to invite him. He didn't want to seem desperate. He didn't know to just ask - it wasn't clingy for a friend to ask to tag along, but he didn't know that. He wouldn't know anything about the 'magic' of friendship because he was ostracized everywhere. My tummy clenched, and I felt awful. I'd even thought about asking him to come but thought otherwise. Oh no...

I had to tell him. I had to find him and tell him it was okay - that we wouldn't be upset if he were included. All he had to do was ask. I'd have to find him, and soon. The clouds cleared but I left the picnic supplies there when I heard the girls calling to each other. I had to go before they figured out it was Discord. I had to tell him.

But where would he be?

A/N: Hay everypony, hope you all enjoyed this chapter. What do you think about Discord's outburst? Don't forget to review! Big thanks to PinkiePi on FIMfiction for the quick edit job :)