Wednesday 5.25pm – Discord's Room, Both the Four Stallions and an alternate dimension
"I was sure I didn't leave the door open – curse this confounded magical malfunction!" Discord flung himself down on the bed in frustration "How can you survive without magic?" He complained "How do you cope?"
"But Discord it's not the first time you've been without your magic," Fluttershy reminded him "You lost it before when Tirek took it from you, and when you helped rescue us from Chrysalis you didn't have it."
"Yes, but that was because another power stole it from me, it didn't just start going wrong all by itself. It's so-o-o-o humiliating!" He turned to Fluttershy with big tragic eyes "How can you bear having to do everything by hoof and think of everything and remember everything all the time? It's impossible!"
She couldn't help but laugh "Well, you get used to it but you're right, it is impossible! Nopony can remember everything all the time. Surely even magical beings forget things?"
"Yes but it doesn't matter because you can just snap your fingers and 'poof'; any problem you have disappears!"
"Any problem Discord?""
He grimaced "Ok fine! I suppose not every problem, but you must admit if I had my magic we could solve all our current problems much more easily."
"Well," She said slowly "You haven't even tried to use your magic all day. Do you think that last flashback offloaded enough of the time you absorbed for it to be working now?"
"Oh I hadn't thought of that!" He bounced to his feet, irrepressible once again as he swung her off her hooves "My dear, you are as incisive as you are lovely. Must have been why I married you!"
She smiled but also turned a very pale shade of pink, uncomfortable as ever with being paid a compliment, he guessed "Well, I guess that's what we need your magic to find out." She said.
"How right you are!" He set her down and looked warily at his talons ""I'll do something easy. I'll try and conjure up tea and biscuits. You just … oh I don't know… brace yourself."
"'Brace myself'? For tea and biscuits?!"
"I mean I don't know if I can control it yet, so maybe … hold onto something?"
She gulped "OK."
He snapped his claws and a flock of bluebirds appeared in a puff of smoke and began to sing, flitting around amongst the exotic vegetation.
"That can't be right!" He frowned at the offending talons.
"Oh, but they're so sweet!" She smiled.
"Yes but they're not what I was aiming for. Let me try again, it should be relatively simple."
He snapped again and an arrow with a sucker on the end materialised out of the air and hit him in the chest. It was followed by about ten more arrows that struck and attached themselves to various targets including his nose and forehead.
She giggled as he sighed in exasperation and pulled the suckers off.
"Very well," He breathed "I'm going to give it one more try."
He could not bear to watch so with his eyes squinched shut, he snapped his talons. There was a little gasp from Fluttershy.
He opened his eyes to see she was now wearing something skintight, black and shiny plus some very uncomfortable looking boots and, most oddly of all, holding a lion-tamer's whip.
"Oh my goodness, what is it?" She looked down at herself in surprise "It's so tight!" She took a deep breath and wriggled a little "And it's all squeaky!"
"My dear, I'm most terribly sorry!"
"Why did you do that?!"
"That's what I've been telling you! I didn't intend to, it just happened!" He put his head on one side and scratched his chin with his lion paw "In fact, I really can't think where it came from."
"Well can you send it back there please?"
"Are you sure? I think it rather suits you – "
"Discord; will you do as you're told this instant!?" She stamped her boot and made an angry little movement, unintentionally causing the whip to crack loudly. He jumped at the noise and they stared at each other in surprise. She wondered if the costume had some magical properties. She wouldn't usually have spoken quite so sharply.
After a suitably awkward pause he found his voice again "Ahem! Much as I hate to argue when you're in such a …commanding frame of mind I think perhaps better not," He gave her a sheepish grin "No telling what might happen next time. Best quit whilst we're ahead, eh? Unless you mean you want my actual physical help getting it off."
She looked down at the ensemble and sighed "No, I can manage." And she disappeared behind some greenery.
"I think we can safely conclude that my magic isn't back under my control yet," He called over the creaking and squeaking as she wrestled with the costume "So they can forget about me going to this ghastly yawn-fest tonight."
Immediately her head popped out from behind a giant fern "But Discord, you have to go! Princess Celestia invited you specially." She wriggled "Actually, do you think you could unzip me? I can't reach."
"But of course!" He said. She emerged from the fronds with her back to him and he obliged with the fiddly zip "Anyway, don't worry! Cay-Cay will get over it."
"What about Twilight? You can't make her go on her own, not when she's feeling so ill!" Then after some more struggling she added "And could you please help me undo the laces? They're knotted so tight!"
"Yes, they are rather fiendish aren't they?" He muttered under his breath "Twilight will be fine," He scoffed, pulling at the knots with his claws "I, however, can't face all those stultifying bores without my magic to keep things entertaining."
"But Discord," Fluttershy turned to look at him over her shoulder, with a lift of an eyebrow "Surely the Lord of Chaos doesn't need magic to 'keep things entertaining'?"
"Oh, I see; a challenge!" He gave her an amused look "Very well my dear, I accept. If you're so keen for me to go, I shall. But only if you come with me."
"Well, I don't know…"
"Come on Flitterflutter!" He wheedled "What if the flashback thing happens again? You need to be there to see it."
She folded her hooves and looked away.
"Alright, alright! I admit it; I need you there or else it will be insufferable! Please? For me?"
"Ok, I'll go," She relented "But do you promise not to use your magic until you're sure it's back under control? I don't want any more surprise costume changes."
"It's a deal!"
"And do you promise not to leave me to make small talk with all those official ponies all evening?"
"I shall be the most devoted of escorts." He bowed, then tapped a claw on his chin "It's really rather fitting you come with me, now that you're Milady Chaos."
She laughed "Is that really my actual title, now we're married?"
"Do you know, I've never thought about it before," He grinned down at her "Do you like it?"
Wednesday 6.45pm – Hotel Bar, The Four Stallions
Twilight's heart rate had just about returned to normal by the time she entered the downstairs bar to find Spike and the four other mares waiting.
"Darling!" Rarity cried enthusiastically, seeming to have more than got over her earlier jitters "You look simply marvellous in that dress! I knew it would suit you but I never imagined how much. It's moments like this that make the hard work all worthwhile."
"Thanks Rarity," The Alicorn said, touched by her friend's praise "You're looking pretty amazing yourself!"
Rarity tossed her mane happily. She was looking very sophisticated in a dark blue sequin number that matched her eyes "Oh this old thing," She smiled "Just something I threw on!"
"Heck ah gotta say it, Twi," Said Applejack "Ya look real purdy tonight!"
"So do you." Twilight grinned at her.
"Shucks," The farm pony blushed. She was dressed in a simple green evening gown "Ah'm just glad Ah packed something fancy enough for this shindig!"
"And I'm just glad I managed to convince her to leave that battered old hat in her room!" Said Rarity.
"Hey Twilight," Rainbow Dash said from the bar stool "Is Fluttershy on her way down? I haven't been able to get a-hold of her since this morning."
The Princess smiled nervously "Omigosh! What in Equestria am I going to tell them? I can't even say why I never got to ask Fluttershy to come tonight!"
"Did you try her room again?" She said out loud, playing for time.
"Yeah," Said Pinkie "And Discord's room, but there was nobody home."
Rainbow sighed in irritation "I'll bet she's been with him all day massaging his bruised ego," She put on a voice that was a passable imitation of Fluttershy's "Oh Discord, did your magic go bye-bye?" She cooed in their friend's breathy tones "You poor wittle baby! Let me stroke your paw until you're all better."
"Rainbow, that's a mite unkind," Applejack said, her mouth quirked up in distaste.
"Oh come on!" Dash huffed "He just lo-o-oves having her make a fuss over him and she's a total sucker for it!"
Twilight could feel sweat starting to prickle on her brow "I can't tell them what I found – it's not my secret to tell! Plus how would I explain I was snooping round someone else's hotel room? But how can I stay quiet all evening knowing the whole time that our kind, lovely friend is secretly married to – "
"Discord?!" She blurted out as she suddenly spotted the Draconequus in the doorway of the bar, wearing some sort of military-looking uniform in lurid green with medals on it and accompanied by Fluttershy. He turned at the sound of her voice.
He bowed irreverently as he and the Pegasus reached them, keeping his eagle claw hidden behind his back. As he straightened up, she noticed that some of the medals said things like "All-Equestria Pie-Eating Record Holder", "Chaosville Knitting Champion" and "If You Can Read This, You're Standing Too Close."
"You seem surprised to see me Princess," He said "Is it possible you've forgotten we're summit buddies?"
"No, I didn't forget." She said tightly as he turned to the others "What are you wearing?"
"Just my usual diplomatic attire," He grinned "Ladies! Spike! I see you've been roped into this appalling horror show as well, my commiserations. Although I'm already condemned to die of boredom, I do take some comfort I shan't perish alone!"
"Does he have some inkling that I know?" Twilight wondered. His expression was a little mocking when he looked at her, but no more than usual "No, that's ridiculous, how could he? He doesn't even have his magic at the moment, or so he says… I wish he wasn't so hard to read."
Whether Discord suspected anything she couldn't tell, but Fluttershy seemed totally unaware of any tension between her friends.
"Hello girls, Spike," She said, smiling happily "Oh my, you all look so elegant tonight."
She herself was wearing another one of Rarity's recent creations; a long gown with a frothy skirt in layers of some floaty, gauzy material over silk. It was coloured aquamarine, green and blue like the sea, with sequins on the bodice that suggested scales. There was a scarf of the same fabric round her throat and a pearly seashell comb pinning up one side of her hair.
"You look simply stunning darling, like a beautiful mermare!" Enthused Rarity "It's more than my dressmakers heart can take!"
"Well it's really down to you Rarity," Fluttershy told her "You have such an amazing talent. In fact I think this is my favourite of all the dresses you've ever made me."
At this praise, her unicorn friend's eyes moistened with tears but Twilight was a little surprised. That was a very self-assured reply for Fluttershy. Normally she couldn't take any kind of compliment on her appearance without blushing or stammering or at least seeming very uncomfortable, but as she watched the Pegasus's radiant smile didn't falter.
In fact now she came to notice it, Discord was grinning like a lunatic as well. He was definitely excited about something, full of hyperactive and slightly irritating good humour.
"I can't say anything to the others," She told herself "I mustn't! I'll just keep an eye on them until I have a chance to talk to her alone. Whatever weird voodoo is going on between those two, I'll figure it out."
Wednesday 8.10pm – The Equestria Summit Soiree, Las Pegasus Equine
"Oh Princess!" The Mayor of Manehattan fawned "I'm sure the city would just love to have you come for an official visit to us like you have done Las Pegasus."
"Oh Lord Mayor, nothing would give me greater pleasure," Twilight smiled "I'm sure Manehattan is due for a royal visit sometime very soon."
"We so rarely see the royal family in the city," The Mayor said pointedly "It's so nice that we now have a Princess who has time to leave Canterlot occasionally!"
"Well I don't actually live in Canterlot – " She began to say but was cut off by the Griffin Ambassador.
"What about Griffinstone?" She complained "It's been literally years since anypony of importance bothered to come and visit us!"
"Well Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie came just last year and – "
"Commoners!" Scoffed the Griffin "I meant anypony important and royal!"
Twilight did her best to contain her irritation "Well Ambassador," She said, through slightly gritted teeth "I've always wanted to visit Griffinstone. I would be honoured to make the trip if you would kindly extend me the invitation –"
To her surprise Discord suddenly appeared beside her "Pray excuse me," He said silkily "But I'm afraid I must claim the Princess of Friendship, at this moment she is needed elsewhere. Important friendship business, I'm sure you understand." The other delegates nodded politely "What a shame! So sorry!"
"What are you doing?" She hissed through a pasted on smile, as he steered her firmly towards another corner.
"Just doing somepony a favour." He said "You were clearly dying of boredom,"
"It's my job to be nice to them!" She fumed "And you're not helping!"
He gave her a devilish grin "And here I thought you were the Princess of Friendship, not the Princess of Sucking Up."
"Just don't do me any more favours Discord!" She snapped irritably, unable to help herself.
The Draconequus looked more than a little nettled at her tone "The favour wasn't for you, it was for Fluttershy!" He sniffed haughtily "She was worried you looked like you needed a break. She sent me to rescue you, but if you don't need rescuing I really ought to get back to her. She's here as my guest after all and I did make a solemn vow to stay with her until the end." He smirked, as if at some private joke.
"You – " Twilight almost had to bite off her tongue to keep from yelling at him. She couldn't work out if he was deliberately taunting her. Deliberate or not, he always had a talent for getting under her skin. She shut her mouth and glared at him, enraged
He gave her a puzzled look "It may be my imagination Princess," He said "But you don't seem very happy with me this evening."
She didn't trust herself to answer but her eyes narrowed to furious slits.
He sighed "Well I confess myself at a loss to know how I could be so unfortunate as to offend your Highness," He said, giving her title an even more sarcastic emphasis than usual "But whatever it is, you can tell me. I thought you ponies prized honesty from your friends, no?"
"Honesty? You don't even – " She began, but stopped herself again. Ponies were beginning to look round at her raised voice. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Fluttershy turn from the two mares she was talking to, a worried expression on her face. "You don't even know the meaning of the word!" She hissed at him under her breath, trying to make herself smile as he scowled at her.
At that moment she glanced over and noticed a group of ponies who'd just appeared at the door, late arrivals to the party – probably there as some delegate's guests. Amongst them was a white Pegasus with a black mane. Twilight stared in dismay as she recognised the stallion she had woken up next to that morning. Thankfully, he didn't seem to have noticed her.
She gulped "Oh please don't let Discord find out who it is!"
Then, behind them, she heard a female voice shriek "Ooh, it's Jet Stream! The Wingers Captain!" Twilight's heart sank as she realised Discord had heard it too.
"Oh, I know what honesty means alright," His eyes flashed red for a second as he looked over her shoulder "But ask yourself, is that really what you want from me at this exact moment?"
Twilight's face turned pale and she turned back to the Draconequus who was wearing the most evil smirk "Discord please!" She said "I really can't deal with him right now! I know I haven't been in the best of moods with you but please -" She leaned forward and gripped him by the upper arms.
As she lunged forward, she accidentally jogged the foreleg of one of the Manehatten delegation standing nearby, causing him to drop his cocktail glass. It fell to the ground and smashed, orange and red liquid splattering across the floor in a big, brightly coloured puddle.
Discord's grin vanished and his eyelid twitched.
Twilight stared in astonishment as he turned even paler than she had done and fled the room.
Twilight stood there stunned for a moment, then she apologised quickly to the stunned Manehattenite and hurried after the Draconequus as quickly as she could without causing too much of a disturbance "What in the name of Celestia is going on!?" She thought "OK, acting weird is normal for Discord, but not that weird. Usually when he starts acting extra strange it spells trouble!"
Galloping down the corridor, she caught sight of his tail disappearing into a doorway and raced after him. She bolted through the door and yelped in alarm as a brilliant fireball suddenly appeared, rushing towards her out of the darkness. Her first thought was that the he must be attacking her and instinctively she fired a bolt of magic to deflect it.
Her shot struck its target but instead of being destroyed, the sphere absorbed the beam and stopped dead, hanging in mid-air. It glowed, slowly expanding to twice its size. Then her magic kindled inside the ball and it began to spin, the glow from within it refracting and reflecting hundreds of little points of dazzling light across the walls.
Beyond the whirling sphere she could see the trickster god, eyes glowing.
"Discord!" She screamed over the howl of the magical vortex "What have you done?!"
"It just happened, I can't stop it!" He bellowed at her "You have to go get Fluttershy!"
"What for?" Twilight tried to run, but it was like she was moving through treacle. She couldn't even teleport "Discord, what's happening!?"
"You want the truth?" He yelled "You can't handle the truth!"
There was a noise like breaking glass as the time sphere burst, both of them shutting their eyes as the light rushed over them.