Quick author's note, a couple of people asked why Spike got arrested – well technically he did start the fight by grabbing hold of Hard Cheese's mane. It's a little unfair I know as he didn't actually hit anypony, but in my experience bouncers aren't interested in excuses (not that I've been in that many bar room brawls, ahem). Also please forgive the Fluttercord teasing, it will be worth it in the end.

Wednesday 9.50pm – The Equestria Summit Soiree – Las Pegasus Equine

"The Lord of Chaos!" Big Cheese cried as he saw them coming over "Sure am glad to see you again."

"Oh Cheesie, you can drop the title – you'll make me uncomfortable! Just call me Discord." The Draconequus flashed him a smile "After all, we don't want to be too formal do we, now that we're buddies?"

The unicorn looked pleased "No siree!"

"You remember my friends from last night?" Discord waved a paw by way of introduction "Rarity, Applejack and Spike?"

"Sure do!" The Mayor of Fillydelphia beamed at them all "And how did you all enjoy the Las Pegasus nightlife?"

"Oh it was super!" Began Rarity, but Discord cut her off "Well not so much actually Cheesie," He leaned down to say in his ear, none-too quietly "My dear friends are in a bit of bother with the law I'm afraid. It seems they had a little contretemps that turned ugly and the ponies involved are pressing charges, effectively throwing the book at them."

"Discord, you promised!" Rarity cried in fury, whilst and Spike ducked a large, heavy, leather-bound volume that winged its way over their heads.

"Oh, well, that sure is a pity," Big Cheese said heartily "I can't imagine you sweet, little fillies getting into a fight!"

Rarity and Applejack scowled disgustedly at his patronising remark and Spike folded his arms, in a huff at being ignored, but the Draconequus hooked an arm chummily around the Mayor's shoulders "I'm so glad you think so Cheesie, because I was hoping that seeing as we're such good pals, you could help us out."

The Unicorn stallion seemed puzzled "What can I do for you?"

"Wellllll," Drawled the Spirit of Chaos "By astonishing coincidence, it is your two beloved progeny who are bringing the charges against my friends."

He waited a moment as the Mayor looked at him blankly.

"You know," Discord prompted "Your sons?"

Applejack, Rarity and Spike gaped at him in surprise whilst Big Cheese's mouth dropped open "What? My boys wouldn't get into a fight with no females!"

"Oh you can discuss their various personality problems with them later," The Draconequus said "But I'm sure you wouldn't mind having a little word and convincing them to let this whole wretched matter drop!"

"Now wait just a minute," Big Cheese pulled away from Discord "I ain't gonna do no such thing, I don't know what happened between my sons and you girls but I'll bet they didn't do nothing wrong! My boys just like to have a good time!"

Discord's eyes narrowed "And I imagine they're a chip off the old block."

"They sure are!"

The Chaos God gave him an evil grin "Just like I'll bet you had fun at your "meeting" last night?"

Big Cheese chuckled nervously, then rallied "Oh er… well you know what it's like when you're out on the town with the boys."

"Oh indeed I do!" The Draconequus agreed "In fact I ran into someone else who knows what it's like when you're on the town with the boys…" And he turned and gave a piercing whistle.

At the sound a cerise pink earth mare with a pink and white striped mane wearing a sparkly white and blue dress came bounding over. As he spotted her, Big Cheese's face became a picture of shock.

The mare seemed not to even notice and threw herself at him "Hi there Cheesie baby!" She squealed, planting an overly familiar kiss on his cheek "I'm so happy to see you again!"

"Of course, you remember Candy Canes," Discord said with a wicked little glint in his eye.

The Mayor of Fillydelphia was now subtly trying to disengage himself from the enthusiastic female without making a scene "Oh yes," he said "I'm just … surprised to see her here!" He leaned closer to the Draconequus and hissed "What are you trying to do to me?"

"Oh but I thought you were bosom companions! Unless…" Discord gasped and put his eagle claw and lion paw to his face "Unless I've made a mistake in thinking the two of you were friends? Oh how simply mortifying!"

Candy Canes giggled and blew teasingly in Big Cheese's ear.

"For pony's sake get rid of her before my wife sees!"

At that moment, the Mayor blanched as he spotted Cream Cheese headed towards them, obviously deep in conversation with Fluttershy. As luck would have it, his sons Hard Cheese and Blue Cheese were approaching from the other direction

"Get rid of her? Me?!" Discord put a palm to his chest in surprise "What do you expect me to do Cheesie?" His voice dropped to a growl, all his good humour evaporating "Especially as you refuse to help my friends out of their little predicament."

The Mayor's eyes darted from side to side in desperation and sweat began to roll down his face as he realised he was trapped; caught between his clingy and overly demonstrative fling, his suspicious wife and a seriously displeased deity.

It was at that moment his two sons arrived.

"Hey!" Hard Cheese began "I recognise youse guys -"

"Omigawsh!" Blue Cheese face turned white with fright as he spotted the Draconequus "I sure recognise him!"

Rarity bristled with rage as their faces clicked in her memory "And now I remember you, you uncouth louts!"

That seemed to make up Big Cheese's mind "You two!" He barked at the luckless stallions "What's this I hear about you botherin' these here ladies, huh?"

"Us? But Dad – " Blue Cheese started to whine.

"Don't give me no lip, ya hoodlums!" Big Cheese looked so angry now that Candy Cane fell back in surprise, releasing her hold on him "Think you can go out causin' trouble, bringing the Cheese name and the friends of the Princess into disrepute? I thought I taught ya better than that!"

"What in Equestria is goin' on?" His wife cried as she finally got within earshot of their conversation "Cheesie, why're you givin' the boys such a hard time?"

"You got here just in time honey," Big Cheese blustered "There's been a bit of a mix up here but I'm sorting things out!"

"What kind of a mix up?"

"The boys here had a little … misunderstanding with these here fillies who're friends with the Princess and the Lord of Chaos," Big Cheese waved a hoof, getting into his role as gracious benefactor "But I'm just telling them they don't need to worry about it no more, cos we're all going to just forget about it and let bygones be bygones. Isn't that right boys?" He snapped at his two sons, who nodded sullenly.

"Is that so?" Cream Cheese looked at him sceptically and then at Candy Canes, her wifely radar starting to ping "And who might you be?"

"Oh, she's a friend of mine," Fluttershy said quickly "She came with us for the conference."

"She is?" Spike, Rarity and Applejack swivelled to stare at her in disbelief.

"Yes indeed," Discord said smoothly, taking his cue from Fluttershy he put an arm around Candy and his other arm round Spike, Rarity and Applejack, sweeping them into a bear hug before any of them could protest "We're all very close, isn't that right everypony?"

"Ah'm not sure," Applejack said dubiously "Truth to tell Ah'm not sure just what's going on!"

"Cream Cheese, these are my friends Rarity, Applejack, Spike," Fluttershy said, desperately trying to pour oil on troubled waters "And my…" She hesitated as the others greeted the mare politely "My … other friend, Discord."

"The Chaos Lord huh?" Cream Cheese peered at him curiously "Yeah I seen you around with your 'friend' here," She indicated Fluttershy "But I didn't realise you and my hubby were so close,"

The Draconequus gave her his most charming smile "And I didn't realise the Mayor of Fillydelphia was such a lucky stallion," He purred taking her by the hoof "Though I must say he hasn't exaggerated your charms."

"Oh you're just sayin' that!" The blue unicorn fluttered her lashes at the Draconequus.

"I think I'm going to be sick!" Spike muttered.

Discord ignored him "Not at all, I assure you," He said "He never stops rhapsodising about you!"

"Awww, Cheesie is that true?" Cream Cheese turned to her husband in surprise and he had the grace to look a little guilty.

"Of course honey," He said gruffly "You'll always be the most beautiful mare in Equestria to me, you know that!"

"Awww, who knew you were such a big softie?" She gave him an adoring look.

Then she glanced down at Discord's eagle claw, as he hadn't yet let go of her hoof. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw the little gold band sparkling on his talon and she leaned over to Fluttershy.

"Gawsh honey," She said "You sure are a fast worker!"

Wednesday 10.35pm – The Equestria Summit Soiree, Las Pegasus Equine

As soon as the Mayor of Fillydelphia had hurriedly shepherded his family away, Rarity, Applejack and Spike all started firing questions at once.

"Darling! Whatever's going on?"

"How did y'all know they were gonna be here?"

"How did you know they brought the charges?"

"Hey, Discord!" They were interrupted as Candy Canes stomped over "Can you take this hocus pocus off me now?" She complained loudly as the others gaped.

He chuckled, snapped his talons and the earth mare's shocking pink fur and stripy pink and white mane dissolved before their eyes to reveal a more familiar figure with strawberry pink fur and a bright pink mane that poofed out into a mass of curls.

"Pinkie Pie?" The other three yelped in surprise.

"Yeah, you big sillies!" Pinkie giggled "You should see your faces!"

"You were disguised as Candy Canes all along?" Rarity demanded.

"Nuh-uh! Just tonight and it was no picnic, believe me," Pinkie grimaced "That Big Cheese could use a breath mint!"

"But why?" Spike asked.

"Welllll, Discord said that if I played it all flirty flirty, it'd help with getting you guys out of the soup," Pinkie explained "And I'm so-o-o-o happy it worked!"

"Wait a minute," Spike squinted up at Discord "You planned all this?"

He gave a little bow "Actually I can't take full credit, it was really Fluttershy's idea. She's the brains behind the operation, I just provided the 'hocus pocus', as it were, and some minor scheming."

The Pegasus smiled as the three friends stared at her in astonishment.

"You set Big Cheese up?" Applejack gasped "But how'd y'all know he'd do what ya wanted?"

"I didn't," Fluttershy said "But I thought it was worth a try to help all of you, and I felt sorry for his wife. She really loves him, I just hope he realises how lucky he is!"

"I'm sure even he can't be that stupid." Muttered Discord, then he grinned at her triumphantly "So now you know, Flitterflutter has quite a devious streak on the quiet, isn't that right my dear?"

She smiled in return "Oh no! It was a team effort really."

He felt absurdly pleased by her remark "Yes, that's what we are – a truly unbeatable team! Surely you can see it Flitterflutter?"

"Well whoever did what, I thank you with all my heart!" Rarity gave a little sniffle "I'm just so relieved we can put this whole horrid business behind us, it's so sweet of you." She pulled a tiny handkerchief from a hidden pocket in her dress and dabbed at her eyes.

"Ah'm plum grateful to all of yah," Applejack said sincerely.

"Yeah, you three really pulled our potatoes out of the fire!" Spike added "Now we just need to go tell Twilight and Rainbow Dash the good news." He stopped and looked around "Hey, where are those two anyway?"

"Ah can't see 'em," Applejack craned her neck, then she nudged Discord "Y'all are a regular beanpole – can't ya scope 'em out for us?"

The Draconequus pulled out a pair of long lens binoculars and scanned the room "Negative," He gave a little smirk "Perhaps she's gone off in pursuit of Mr Dreamy."

"Who in tarnation's that?"

"Oopsie, naughty Discord!" He smacked himself on the lion paw "Ignore me, loose lips sink ships and all that."

Applejack shot him a bemused look "Well, whaddaya say we go track 'em down? Ah just know Twi and Rainbow'll be real relieved to hear about this."

As they started working their way through the room Rarity frowned "Just one thing that puzzles me darling," She said to Fluttershy "What was Cream Cheese talking about?"

"What do you mean?"

"When she said you worked fast," The unicorn frowned "Work fast at what?

The Pegasus coloured, whilst her hoof went automatically to touch the gauzy scarf at her throat "Oh, er… nothing Rarity, it's just a little misunderstanding."

In her peripheral vision she could see Discord look over at her "You know," He said innocently "Maybe we'd find the others more quickly if we split up?"

Wednesday 10.15pm – The Equestria Summit Soiree, Las Pegasus Equine

Twilight was deep in conversation with the Ambassador of Saddle Arabia when the crowd parted. She looked over and caught sight of Jet Stream and some of the Wingers players standing only a few feet away. She was horrified to see Rainbow Dash standing with them, laughing raucously.

"Oh no! What is she saying to them?"

"Please excuse me, your Excellency," She said apologetically to the Ambassador as she darted away and hurried over to them, trying frantically to attract Rainbow's attention without Jet Stream and the others seeing her.

Unfortunately the blue Pegasus misinterpreted her signal completely "Oh Twilight," She called "Get over here!"

With a face like thunder, the purple Alicorn stalked over and grabbed her friend by the hoof, trying to drag her away "Hey!" Dash protested "What gives?"

"Rainbow I don't want to have anything more to do with those ponies, especially not Jet Str– "

"Well hello there," A male voice said right behind her.

Twilight turned, filled with dread, to see Jet Stream standing there.

"Hi," She said weakly, wishing the floor could open beneath her and swallow her up "Good to… um… see you again?"

"Good to see you too babe," Jet Stream nudged the Pegasus next to him, a purple stallion with unusually protruding teeth "Hey Tail Spin, it's the Princess of Friendship!"

His teammate gave him a knowing grin "Oh yeah, you sure are the most 'friendly' of all the Princesses!" They hoof bumped each other.

Twilight stared at them both, scarlet with rage and embarrassment.

"Twi you've been missing out on the best time," Dash told her, seemingly oblivious to her friend's discomfort "Jet Stream was just about to tell me how those flamingos got into the bathtub – what a riot!"

"Hey Rainbows!" One of the stallions called "Get over here and tell Hot Shot about how you did the first ever Sonic Rainboom!"

"Oh yeah," The blue Pegasus laughed "That's a classic," Twilight watched in dismay as her friend pushed back towards the rest of the hockey players.

There was a very awkward silence.

"So…." She said finally "Those flamingos, pretty crazy huh?"

"Yeah, I've been telling the guys - I never knew Princesses could party like that!" The Wingers Captain leered.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, displeasure radiating off her "And what else have you been telling them?"

"Oh chillax, you're not still sticking with that Prissy Princess routine are you?"

"I'm not prissy, I just don't think it's very cool to go round being a big blabbermouth!"

"Whoo, simmer down!"

Twilight narrowed her eyes "What else have you been saying?"

"Nothing else. Yet."

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" The Alicorn demanded angrily.

"Babe that all depends,"

"On what?!"

"On how generous you're gonna be to me, I don't make that much playing Air Hockey, and I'd like to retire someday."

"You can't really expect me to – "

"Come on, don't be a tightwad! You must have plenty of cash lying around, you're a Princess after all! About a hundred thousand bits should cover it."

She stared at him in frank astonishment "But I don't have that kind of money!"

"You know where I am Princess, you already got my room number." He winked at her and trotted back to his friends, leaving her standing there with tears trembling in her eyes.

Wednesday, 10.43pm – The Las Pegasus Equine

Fluttershy sighed as she stepped out onto the balcony.

It was a beautiful starry night, a warm breeze blowing from the desert. In the courtyard underneath her, an obscenely huge swimming pool glowed blue, illuminated by floodlights. It was empty save for a few drifting, inflatable sun loungers but she could see clusters of summit guests standing around it.

"I don't think Rainbow and Twilight are here Discord," She said, turning to look at him.

"Of course they aren't FlitterFlutter!" He closed the glass doors behind them, shutting out the noise from the party "I made sure of that before I brought you out here."

She giggled, amused despite herself "So suggesting we split up was just a ruse to get me alone?"

"You know me and my ruses far too well, my dear."

She smiled as they walked to the other end of the balcony, away from the doors "Well, now that we're alone, what was it you wanted to tell me?"

Discord opened his mouth then he hesitated, ears flattened against his head. Suddenly all his wits and confidence had deserted him. Now, in the cold light of sobriety, he felt unsure of himself.

"What if honesty isn't the best policy?" He thought "She still didn't tell the others we got married, even after we saved their tails. Maybe she regrets it! She didn't even see my drunken confession, so she still doesn't know how I feel… but Twilight saw and look at her reaction! What if Fluttershy thinks the same?"

Spike's words from the night before came back to haunt him "What if she rejects me? What if it ruins our friendship?"

She raised her eyebrows quizzically; oblivious to the terror coursing through his veins "How can I be struck dumb in the presence of this mere mortal? This mere… entrancing, bewitching mortal…."

Staring into those beautiful turquoise eyes he felt paralysed, stranded as pink clouds rolled in like a sea fret "No, no, she said it herself; no matter what we see she won't hate me … but what if she does?"

He was afraid to tell her the truth, but how could he stay quiet?

"What if it ruins our friendship?"

Then, suddenly, the solution came to him. He breathed on his lion paw and a golden bubble appeared, floating gently above his palm.

Fluttershy looked at it, then back at him "Is that another time sphere?"

"Yes," He told her "Now my magic is back I can control them – mostly."

She leaned forward for a closer look. Patterns shimmered across its translucent surface, like clouds drifting across the face of a planet.

"What will we see?" She asked "Will it show what made us get married?"

"Yes."

"Do you know the reason already?"

He shook his head "Only that this sphere contains the answer."

She took a deep breath "I'm ready," She said "Show me."

"No."

She looked up at him in surprise "What do you mean 'no'?!"

It was clear he wasn't teasing. For once the he looked absolutely serious "I mean I can't do it for you, it has to be your choice."

"But why?

"Fluttershy," He sighed "Has it occurred to you, you might be better off not knowing?"

"I don't understand," She said, bewildered "I thought you wanted to find out just as much as me!"

"I did… I do… but what if … it's a moment that should stay lost?"

She was appalled "How can you say that?"

"Because then you can walk away. I'm offering you the chance to do that; then our friendship will be just as it was."

"What do I have to do?"

"Burst the time bubble and we'll see what happened, or don't… and I can just let it float away."

"No." He started in surprise as she grabbed the wrist of his lion paw "I missed our wedding the first time around," She said "I'm not going to miss it again!"

She touched the bubble and golden light washed over them, like sunshine.