Hello again! This is the second chapter in my reimagining of the Bride Of Discord fanfic by DisneyFanatic2364! At this point in the story, my primary goals were to tone down how scared Fluttershy is of Discord, as well as change the Applejack and Spike romance from the original series. In my version of the story, Applejack is going to have a crush on Rainbow Dash instead, so don't be caught off guard as that element starts to be introduced as the story goes on.
Three years had passed since Discord's disappearance, and the time had once again come for the Grand Galloping Gala. This year, Celestia had given Twilight the honor of being the primary party planner, a duty the newly minted alicorn took very seriously. Enlisting the help of her friends, Twilight had the preparations well underway, with each of her companions taking on a different aspect of the event planning.
Rarity was in charge of sewing fabulous dresses for each of her friends, as well as Celestia, Luna, and Cadence, a task the unicorn was overjoyed with. The moment she was offered the job, Rarity had jumped on it without a second thought, going into an excited ramble about all of the different details she planned on incorporating into their individual looks as she rushed off to begin buying all the necessary materials.
Rainbow Dash would be flying with the Wonderbolts as part of the entertainment, so she wasn't assigned any particular task, but the Element of Loyalty made a point of helping each of her friends wherever possible between practices, be it dropping off deliveries or bringing various supplies.
Pinkie Pie was in charge of the decorations, of course, and the pink earth pony was going all out, blowing up hundreds of balloons and stringing streamers from every surface she could reach. She had even attempted to wheel in a party canon or two, though Twilight had quickly vetoed the idea, stating they would be a little TOO messy.
Applejack, naturally, was tasked with creating numerous delicious desserts to be served throughout the evening. It was a big task, baking for so many ponies, but Applebloom and Big Mac had been quick to step up and help their sister get everything in order, and soon Applejack was presenting Twilight with a number of sample deserts to try and give feedback on.
And finally, there was Fluttershy, who had graciously offered to bring her songbirds to sing along with the musicians. Day after day, she spent hours in the garden with them, training them to the best of her ability as she sang along with them, voice harmonizing with their melodious chirps. All in all, the event was shaping up to be a night that no one would forget.
When the group were suddenly invited to Canterlot Castle for a lunch meeting with the princesses one afternoon, none of them batted an eye. After all, if it were serious business, it would hardly be discussed over lunch, would it? No, the six mares just figured the princesses wanted to go over what they had come up with for the gala, maybe give them a few friendship missions to accomplish, and that would be that. To their surprise, however, they were not greeted by Celestia or Luna upon their arrival. Instead, the smiling face of Twilight's brother, Shining Armor, greeted them at the gates.
"Hello girls!" The stallion greeted, smile widening as Twilight rushed in to give him a hug.
"Shining Armor! What are you doing here? I thought you and Cadence were busy trying to manage the upcoming Crystal Empire solstice celebration?" Twilight asked, clearly pleased with her brother's unexpected visit, albeit a bit confused.
"I'll explain in a minute. Come on in, Cadence is waiting for us." Shining replied, quickly ushering the six inside. He was almost shaking with excitement, something that did not go unnoticed by the others. As they were guided into the dining hall, Cadence stood up from her seat, smiling kindly at the group.
"Twilight! It's so good to see you again! And your friends, of course!" The pink alicorn said, pulling Twilight into a warm embrace. "Please, take your seats! We have so much to talk about." They all did as instructed, sitting down as trays of small cucumber sandwiches and fresh berries, along with large pitchers of lemonade, were brought out by the serving staff.
Applejack sighed with relief. "Thank goodness, I'm starved!"
Pinkie Pie was practically vibrating in her seat. "Ooh, I LOVE having lunch with the princesses!" The earth pony squealed with delight.
"You love having lunch with anypony, darling." Rarity chuckled.
As the group began to eat, Twilight looked around, eyes landing on Celestia and Luna's empty chairs. "So...is it just going to be us today?" She asked, looking to Cadence in confusion. "I thought they had something they wanted to discuss with us?"
Shining Armor grinned sheepishly. "That MIGHT have been a little trick to get you guys here." He admitted. "Sorry Twi, but I promise there is a good reason!"
The younger pony raised an eyebrow questioningly. "What could be so important you had to go through all this?"
Cadence and Shining Armor shared a look. "Should I tell them?" The pink alicorn asked playfully, earning a shrug from her husband.
"It's why we brought them here, isn't it?" Shining replied, placing a hoof on Cadence's shoulder and shooting her a little wink.
Cadence cleared her throat, every eye in the room now on her. "Well, you see...Shining Armor and I...we're going to have a baby!" She said, a wide grin nearly splitting her face in two.
A chorus of gasps rang through the room.
"Wait a second!" Pinkie Pie took a sip of water, only to do an exaggerated spit take, eyes wide as saucers. "You're having a BABY?! Congratulations! Ooh, I can't wait to play with it and teach it how to bake and throw it the best birthday parties EVER!" She rambled.
Twilight squealed with delight. "I'm going to be an aunt! I'm going to be an aunt!" The purple alicorn sang.
"When are you due?" Rarity asked, head tilted curiously.
"Ten months, give or take, though if the baby is anywhere near as impatient as its father, it could be here sooner." Cadence joked, glaring playfully at her husband, who merely smiled in return.
"Ooh, how wonderful!" Fluttershy smiled.
"Well, I'd say this calls for a toast!" Applejack raised her glass of lemonade, the others responding in kind. "To the new prince or princess!"
As they all took a drink, Spike suddenly got a look of concern. "Wait, this doesn't mean I have to change any diapers, does it?"
As the group laughed, Applejack noticed Fluttershy looking a bit...off. While she was smiling, it didn't quite reach her eyes. Come to think of it, Fluttershy HAD been a bit distant lately. Was something wrong? If so, why wasn't she asking for help? Returning her attention back the the excited conversation around her, she made a mental note to get Fluttershy alone the first chance she could.
...
The next day, preparations for the Grand Galloping Gala were in full swing, ponies bustling from place to place to ensure everything would be finished in time for the big night. Applejack had been at Canterlot Castle since early that morning, setting up dessert tables, preparing treats, and helping her friends with their tasks whenever she got a spare moment. It wasn't until after lunchtime that she could finally take a moment to breath, trotting off to the gardens in search of a moment of quiet.
However, as she trotted between the beautiful flower bushes and intricately trimmed hedges, it wasn't the sound of silence that greeted her, but a melodious chorus of birdsong and a sweet, familiar voice. Smiling, the earth pony poked her head around a rabbit shaped topiary, chuckling at the sight that greeted her. Fluttershy hovered in the air, wings flapping gently in the breeze as she lead directer her songbirds through the chorus, none the wiser to the other's presence.
"Sounds great, Fluttershy!" Applejack said loudly after a moment. The yellow pegasus squeaked, whirling around in surprise, but calmed down upon seeing her friend's kind smile.
"Oh, thank you, Applejack!" Fluttershy said bashfully, landing in front of the earth pony. "We've still got lots of practicing to do before the Gala, though."
"Well, keep up the good work!" Applejack paused. "Actually, there's something I've been meaning to ask ya, Fluttershy."
Fluttershy looked at the orange mare curiously. "What is it?"
Applejack cleared her throat. "Are you…doin' okay? I've noticed that you've been statin' off into space a lot, like your mind's on something' else."
The yellow pegasus' smile dropped, her gaze sheepishly dropping to her hooves. "I-I'm fine!" She said, a little too quickly. "Just been a little stressed getting the birds ready for the celebration, that's all."
Applejack gave her a pointer look. "Fluttershy." She said sternly, earning a defeated sigh from the other mare.
"It's just…I've been having some rather strange dreams lately, and I can't help but feel like they MEAN something." Fluttershy admitted.
"Dreams?" Applejack questioned. "What kind of dreams?"
The pegasus looked down, unable to meet Applejack's gaze. "Dreams about...about...Discord." She forced out.
Applejack's jaw dropped. "Discord? Why in Equestria are you dreamin' about HIM?" She asked incredulously.
"I don't know. He's just been on my mind a lot lately, I guess." Fluttershy shrugged. "I mean, we still don't know what happened to him. I just can't help but wonder if we'll ever see him again."
The orange earth pony snorted. "Sugar cube, it's been three years. You don't have to be afraid of him no more." She said gently, placing a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder.
"I'm not afraid of him." Fluttershy said quickly. "I'm...worried about him."
"Worried? About DISCORD?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, he's been all alone for all this time. It must get pretty lonely, not having anypony to talk to..."
Applejack shook her head in exasperation. "You've got a kind heart, Fluttershy, but you shouldn't be worryin' for that pitiful creature. He made his bed, now he has to lie in it. You just focus on yourself, alright? You have enough on your shoulders as is."
Slowly, Fluttershy nodded, smiling weakly. "If you say so..."
Applejack grinned. "Good! Now, I've also been meanin' to ask you somethin' else. Twilight was wonderin' if you'd be willing to do more than just perform with your birds at the Gala."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, one of the bands that was supposed to play had to pull out at the last minute, so now there's about an hour of the evenin' with no music. She was hopin' I could convince ya to sing, but I get it if you're not comfortable with it!"
Fluttershy squeaked. "She wants ME to sing?" She asked with confusion. "Surely there are better choices?"
Applejack chuckled. "Like I said, you don't have to if you don't want to. But for what it's worth, you've got an AMAZING voice, sugar cube."
Fluttershy stood quietly for a moment, thinking it over. "A-Alright, I'll do it!" She said, smiling shyly. "Maybe it will be fun."
"That's the spirit!" Applejack cheered. "Now, I'll leave you be, but you make sure you take care of yourself, alright? Don't overwork yourself."
The yellow pegasus nodded again, flapping her wings as she lifted back into the air, sending her songbirds into a fit of excited chirps. "I will; thanks Applejack!"
...
From within a cave, high in the mountains, a rumbling chuckle echoed. Watching his old enemies through a mirror, Discord couldn't help but grin devilishly.
"Oh, this is just TOO amusing! They truly think I'm gone for good; I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when I crash their little party!" The draconequuscrowed with delight.
The image in the mirror faded away, leaving his reflection staring back at him. "And that pitiful little pegasus feels BAD for us? Can you believe it! She thinks WE'RE lonely!" It cackled.
Discord snorted. "I know, how foolish can she be?" He hummed. "Oh, what I wouldn't give to teleport in front of those two RIGHT NOW and scare the daylights out of them! Aah, but that would ruin our little plan, and I can be patient when I need to be."
His reflection cocked its head. "And what exactly IS this plan this time? Not turning them into their opposites again, are we?"
Discord shook his head. "No, no, of course not. This time calls for something a little more...permanent. And of course, we'll need to make sure those pesky Elements of Harmony stay out of commission."
"But how? I doubt they would ever agree not to use them, especially on the likes of US."
"How indeed, my friend. Not to worry, I've got the perfect plan, and it's already been set into motion..."
...
The Gala was only a day away when news came from the princesses; news that came as quite a shock to poor Twilight.
"There's a crisis in Saddle Arabia!" She exclaimed, reading over the letter again and again, trying to sink it in. "Celestia and Luna were called out to help a few days ago, and now they've summoned Cadence for assistance as well!"
Spike frowned. "But what about the Grand Galloping Gala?" He asked.
"They've...left me in charge. Completely in charge, of everything!" Twilight's eyes widened in shock. "The Gala, the kingdom! How am I suppose to manage all this! I-I've barely been a princess for a year!"
Spike moved forward, placing a supportive claw on Twilight's hoof. "Don't worry Twilight! The princesses believed you could handle it, and I do too! Besides, I'm sure your friends will be happy to help however they can!"
The purple alicorn looked down at Spike, ears pinned back with worry. "You really think so?"
"I KNOW so! Come on, lets go see them right now! If we all work together, I KNOW we can pull this off!"
Twilight paused, then nodded with determination. "You're right, Spike! The princesses placed their faith in me, and I'm NOT going to let them down!"