2/26/16; Difficult Times

Discord Draconequus was having a list of troubles he did not before face. After waking early that morning, rejuvenated from a good sleep, he went to get breakfast down in the kitchen, to the staff's regret. They had only just finished cleaning for the spirit to have made a mess, again! He was rifling through trying to find something the baby dragon would eat, but they would take to nothing. After finally just giving up and having himself a cup of tea (and a bottle of tea for the dragon) before heading to give it its morning bath. He kept up with the routine he had when it was an egg, so it wouldn't be hard right? Wrong. It refused to get out of the tub, hurling a rubber duckie at the spirit which ended up knocking down the bubble bath, filling the bathroom to the ceiling with bubbles. After finally hunting the baby down in the suds the spirit would pop his head out the washing room, a crown of bubbles on his lordly head.
Discord Draconequus had also left the water running so the cascade of bubbles continued to grow. Surprisingly enough the baby dragon hadn't made a sound all night. From what Discord could tell it was about as big as Spike, the time distortion making things rather odd. He wondered if it'd keep growing or had stopped here? It had to be that eggshell, of which the remains were nearly tossed away. The spirit kept it, just in case. It did not make a sound, not a peep, besides coos and growls, sometimes burps. When he set it down it did not move, and when he tried to move away, it'd stare at him creepily, following his every movement. He couldn't tell Tia because, well, it was sort of a thing he probably shouldn't have. He didn't know how'd she react especially given last time! For the past hour he would pace around the castle's foyer, the Day Guards kidna just staring at him as he trod a worry circle in the ground.
Discord Draconequus panicked and pondered, while the little, round, blue dragon sat in the middle gumming on the rubber duckie. What was he going to do?! Oh, the water still had yet to be stopped so about half the corridor where the washing room was located was not filled with bubbles and the carpet beyond soaked. "What am I going to do?!" Luna was asleep, Flutter was probably asleep too like a normal pony at high sun!" It was nearly lunch, Discord. No normal pony was still asleep. It was nearly afternoon tea and the dragon was still not fed, heck not even eating! With all his circling the little dragon in the center would yawn, lay down and cuddle the rubber duckie.

Princess Sparkle stepped through the doors into the castle foyer with a pensive frown upon her muzzle. Out of all the books she'd looked through back in her own library she'd found next to nothing on this mysterious illness that seemed to be going around. She'd scoured books from "Ser Bone Drill's Guide to Magical Maladies" to even the 'writings' of Bubonic the foul; If you could call the rantings of a madpony writings! Perhaps she'd have more luck looking through the library here in Canterlot! The Star Swirl wing usually had anything a pony might be looking for, right? Of course there was the fact the princesses probably already looked through the library here, right? It didn't hurt for a second (or third to the n[th] degree) pair of eyes to look through the rare books that were here, not at all! Perhaps there was something in the older parts of the royal archives! Princess Sparkle came to an almost immediate stop when her eyes drifted across the foyer and came to rest upon a certain Draconequus who was... pacing? A closer look and her eyes fell upon a small blue dragon that he was pacing around. With a somewhat unsure expression the purple alicorn walked forth. "Is... something wrong, Discord?" Even after a few years she was still somewhat unsure just how to properly approach the Draconequus when he was in such a state.

Princess Luna couldn't be sure how long she'd been asleep. She also couldn't be sure what had awoken her- from the dark comfort of sleep she'd risen, her eyes opening on one dim blue wall. The princess took a moment to reach out, confused on what time it was, and found it to be just past morning. Why? There was a knock at her door, and Luna shifted up to peer at it once it'd stopped. No, no, she wasn't getting up. Whatever it was would have to wait, or somepony else was going to have to deal with it. Luna grunted and flopped down on her pillow, pulling another over to bury her face under it- but even the muffling power of a pillow didn't hide another knock. Luna relented in the end, rolling out of bed just to see who it was- one of the guard, clad in the decorative gold of day. There was something about Discord worrying the guard, and Luna had a moment of recollection: the baby dragon. She didn't think the draconequus knew how to deal with it. Luna huffed and strode out past the guard, muttering something about 'not bothering her unless it was catastrophic' and 'let my sister deal with him.' Celestia was probably busy with other things, but why did she care?

Baokros Year 3019 of the Celestian Calendar 2 years ago.. The ancient Saddle Arabian city of Coltstantinople was under siege, not from a foreign army, but from an invisible invader. Trade with the nation of Marelysia had brought a lot of wealth, but also its own demise. A year latter the disease had spread, wiping its population clean, and now it had begun its slow descent into Equestria, first hitting Prancesylvania. Current day, Canterlot, the little foal was walking around the castle, in his face the look of annoyance and distaste. Where? Oh where was his belt? Why was he wasting time in this Castle when he should be looking for his friends. His tail swayed from every walk, as he began his search in the armory, for the Prince of Chaos. Nope...nothing at all. Next stop, Luna's room if he remembers. If he remembers the exact location; however, as soon as he arrived, he notices one of the guard, clearly looking agitated talking to the princess. He was about to say a word, before he notices that she too was looking for the Chaos Spirit. Okay, no point there. But follow the princess, and the princess will lead him to Discord, and Discord will tell him where his little wooden relic is

Discord Draconequus slowed to a halt, his left claw tucking to his chest. He looked to the dragon who had up and given up on him, falling asleep on the floor. "Oh come now, you must have an idea as to what you want to eat!" The baby opened her eye up at him, than closed it back. They blew a snot bubble at him and curled up. As impressed as he was with the skill of one's control over nasal fluids... he was pushed from his thinking when a familiar, distant voice called to him. He jumped and flashed out, appearing floating above his ring of worry, the floor bored into the earth, somehow... He grabbed his hoof and talon with his claw and paw, respectively. "Oh... it's you." He dryly stated as he hovered down a bit, tail dangling just above the sleeping babe. He seemed to visibly deflate before he crossed his forearms over his chest, wings splayed out in a a defensive stance.
Discord Draconequus's gaze was turned from the princess of friendship. "Working on the concept of long distant relationships." A bit grumpy at the lack of time spent with him! Many other things too. While he hovered the tail tuft tickled the baby's snooter. It opened its eyes, squinting. Unsure what that was, it did what all babies did. Parting its mouth, it snapped over the avatar's tail, and being as old as it was -- it had teeth. Very, very sharp teeth that were good at snagging. "Maybe you could to with som---AAHH--new communication skills." He raised his tail, glancing back at the baby dragon hanging from it. "And it seems I am also practicing my fishing techniques..."

Princess Sparkle raised an eyebrow as the Draconequus actually jumped. He must be quite distressed to let somepony sneak up on him, and did she detect a hint of grump in his tone of voice? "I'm sorry, Discord. With these... incidents going on across Equestria those few of us with any time to spare have had to go out and deal with it." she'd say with a bit of a sigh and sank down into a sitting position. "And of course whenever I finally have the briefest moment of respite some sort of unknown illness is spreading through central Equestria! It might be harmless now, but what if it mutated into a lethal plague? With so many ponies already infected.." her ears laid back and she shook her head. The princess of friendship was obviously stretched rather thin given a closer look. Between bags under her eyes via mild sleep deprivation to the somewhat unkempt nature of her fur.

Princess Luna may have heard a third, smaller set of hoofsteps, or maybe she just saw the blotch of blue out of the corners of her eyes, but Baokros's approach had been noted. The princess had already moved off, but she canted her head towards him, gesturing with her good wing for him to catch up. "Good afternoon, young Baokros." Luna would offer him as she lead the way down to the lower levels, towards where the guard had stated Discord would be. She managed to shake off the guard in question when she got there- she knew how to handle the draconequus, but she hadn't been informed that Princess Twilight had arrived. Luna heard the trailing end of something, but she didn't have enough context as to what they'd been discussing. "What seems to be the matter here?" She asked once she reached them.. and saw the worry circle Discord had put into the floor. Of course.

Baokros galloped right behind Luna, before she gestured for him to catch up. Small smile as she said her hellos, and being the customary unicorn he was, he salutes the princess back. "Good afternoon Princess Luna, sorry I might have overheard the conversation, and was told that you are going to go see the Prince of Chaos, and I have to speak to him as well, so I will tag behind." Noticing how he didn't ask for her permission, he just does it, even though it should be common courtesy to ask for a princess permission in any little thing, he was never taught that far. As he was lead down to the lower castle levels, having come face to face with the Chaos Spirit, and...another pony. A new face, somepony he has never seen before.. "Is that Princess Celestia?" He asked softly in whispers to Luna, not realizing that this Purple colored pony was ounce her apprentice.

Princess Cadence had went to get cupcakes but as she walked toward the kitchen she heard a voice.. It was Twilight.. she had needed to talk to her but was unable to find her at all. Well up until this point she trots up to the group. "Twilight I am so thankful you are here. Have you seen Shining Armour??" she had made comments here and there about him missing but nopony had seemed to catch them with all that had been going on since she arrived in Canterlot.. She'd nod softly to the others and give them all a faint smile but no more at the moment. It was easy to see the mare was well past stressed at this point. She had been the most of the time she was here. But she put on a brave face and deal with all the issues in the castle instead of talking about why she had came to see Luna and Celestia in the first place. And now it had been months and there was still no sign of her husband.

Discord Draconequus raised his tail to his forelimbs. "I offered you cookies yet you go for me?!" He tried to pry the baby dragon off, but until they felt that it was not tasty food, they would release their vice-like grip and let the draconequus pull the ball of blue into his lion's arm. He vibrated a little before looking at his crooked tail tip. He grabbed it with his claw and twirled it in the digit, coiling it up until it sprang back into shape. He landed on the ground, settling on his haunches. "Honestly." he looked to the younger Alicorn Princess and scoffed. "Well perhaps you ponies should be more mindful of your vitamin intake~ cupcakes atone isn't going to keep away winter bugs~" Her persisted, though in the back of his mind something bothered him... Why did this have a bad vibe that crawled down his spines? No matter. Cadence to the rescue! At least Twilight's.
Discord Draconequus had been aware of her worry for Armor, but what could he say? 'Oh sorry I released a plague upon your house with my mid-winter, knight's dream. Though in Armor's case -- nightmare. It had been after the Boogeypony had gotten away. Shining had gone after it and than --. Discord felt he was to blame. He tried sleeping more often trying to recreate that moment, maybe find out what happened, but nothing could repeat the memories he tended to seal off from his foalhood. If one could call it that for a draconequus. He wasn't as he once was so there were times where things merely slipped his grasp in lieu of pleasantries. Twas not that it was all on purpose. It was how he was built. He lacked many essential types of impulse control. Not limited to Jealousy and bouts of foalish anger. A foal's vengeance was not kind, but it was temporary. Discord Draconequus rubbed the back of his neck and floated off the ground a bit before looking to Luna, his brows creasing a bit when she mentioned Armor. He turned his head and spat his tongue out at Twilight, whistling as he sat down in the center of his worry circle. NONE MAY PASS! He set the blue dragon down on his lap and sat with his awkward visage.

Princess Sparkle made a bit of a face at the cookie comment from the Draconequus and inclined her head. "Have you... tried giving her a ruby or some other type of gemstone? She 'is' a dragon after all..." she'd suggest only to turn upon hearing the sound of hooves followed by a question in a familiar voice. She was just about to greet Luna and reply whenever she heard yet another familiar voice! The sudden question took the purple alicorn aback and her ears laid back. "No I have not... Why ~ Did something happen?" She could see the state of the other alicorn she looked almost as tired as she was! What happened while she had been out and about trying to fix those sudden bouts of chaotic pranks?! She gave the draconequus an odd look whenever he had the gall to stick his tongue out at her to! She was one of the few ponies trying to clear his name to!

Princess Luna acknowledged the colt with a flick of her ears, though her eyes remained on Discord and Princess Twilight- Princess Cadance, too, when she arrived. "Shining Armor has been missing for around two months now after the release of a nightmare. There has been much happening over this course of time, including a certain prankster turning me into a foal that prevented me from doing my duty. Without a dire matter on our hooves, now we may mount a search party for our missing prince." Luna drove straight to the point without the distractions of Discord's jesting. "Indeed, you may consider gems for the child." She added as an afterthought and laid a curious, teal eye on the youngest princess in the room. "What brings you to Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle? Are you here for your brother, too?"

Baokros His ears twitch as he heard the name Twilight Sparkle. Tilting his head, before noticing...another Alicorn? Oh this must be Princess Celestia. No? Princess Cadence? Ruler of the Crystal Empire? Best keep his foalish distance and just remain close to Lady Luna. Noticing the spirit of chaos, as he galloped towards him, in his face an expression of distrust, but not anger or rage, just distrust. "Discord! A little birdie told me you have my bell." He said offering his little hoof, maybe they could use the bell to find the husband to this Princess Cadence.

Princess Cadence tilts her head at Discord and the.. OMG NO BABY DRAGON.. "Who gave him a baby dragon.. Did we learn nothing from when he was caring for Ash???" she sighs and shakes her head. "When it rampages keep it here in Canterlot." was all she had to say about it. She seen no reason for all of Equestria to suffer for the foolishness of them allowing Discord to have a dragon. For Celestia's Sake he was teaching a foal to blow up thing and change into the Princesses.. Think of what a full grow dragon to do... She huffs. "It seems the Discord is the pet around here. No matter what he does he does no wrong. Oh Look Discord make a blizzard that trapped everypony in the house for a week and cut off Canterlot from all of Equestria. Aww it's ok he just wanted a little extra cuddle time with Luna.. Oh look Discord turned Celestia into a filly who can not do her royal duties. Aww it's ok it was just a joke. Oh look now he turned Luna into a filly. It's ok he was again just joking."
"Oh look he is taking care of a changeling foal and teaching him to blow up things and himself oh and use his powers to try and mimic a princess. Aww it's ok there just playing make believe. Oh Look he has a knocked out foal on his back and moves making the foal slide off his back and into a table and Cadence protect him and almost get her wing cut off and pass out from blood loss. Aww it's ok he kissed her wing better.. Oh and here is the best one oh look he released a Zebra that makes black fog show up that MY HUSBAND took off after and never returned from that may have ate him.. BUT OH NOT ITS NOT DISCORDS FAULT. HE ONLY WANTED MORE CUDDLE TIME WITH LUNA!!" Her long winded rant had answered the question that Twilight had gave and the mare just falls to the floor and starts to sob. She had sat here and watched all the chaos that Discord was making in the castle and nopony ever scolded him for it. He never got into any trouble. They all laughed the thought it was bucking cute. "My Husband may be dead due to one of Discord's 'Cute' stunts. But does anyone pony care that there is a nightmare pony running around Canterlot that he set free. Buck no.. All you care about is how cute and adorable his jokes are. Well HIS jokes may have killed my Shining!! Hes been missing for months now. Flash is acting caption of the Crystal Empire Guard now that he is gone. I have to travel back and forth and run the kingdom alone and be expecting my first foal. And trying to take are of Ash. Who every time I leave him with his 'Big Brother Dissy' he gets hurt. And last night if I had not came in when I did would have been killed. But no lets just joke and laugh about Discord's stunts and act like one pony is not maybe dead and and nothing was almost killed when he was foal sitting him." the mare starts to shake from crying. "And now you give him a baby dragon. No that's not the end of Equestria as we know it waiting to happen." Luna may have gave the aww it was an accident he didn't mean to answer that Cadence expected to be given. Little pet Discord did no wrong. But Cadence had broken and spilled the beans and told all that had been going on in the castle since she got there. And then they wonder why she appointed Guards to Ash. With Discord around nopony was safe. She watches the unknown foal as he goes to discord but her sobbing was to loud to hear what he said. Good for discord she'd lay into him for taking toys from foals also.

Discord Draconequus glanced over to the foal in question, the baby dragon coiled tightly against the male's feathered hindquarters, tucked between his legs as if it were still an egg, though the draconequus was more a penguin now, as it were. His lips pulled back in a smirk. "Oh? How peculiar. I don't speak bird, but I do speak varying degrees of Dragon, Equestrian, and a little Minotaur." He winked at the foal and raised his claw to reach into his feathers but stilled when Cadence started to go off. Not only such, but accusing him of being the possible cause of Armor's death. There was a strange -- snapping noise. He wondered if that was his sanity, or patience snapping, but he than remembered he didn't have much sanity left to break. Not he could not very well help -- the nightmare. As if anypony could do naught but be burdened by their insecurities.
Discord Draconequus had been helpless, had been without any of his powers and the castle had taken him in, despite his shortcomings. The draconequus remained still, the baby dragon looking up, as if noticing something wrong with its feathered bed. He had not moved, his claw remaining in the air, but with his back to Cadence and Twilight only Baokros and Luna would see the tears at the edges of his eyes. He was not the best -- pony. Or dragon -- or whatever else he was at this point, but he was not without trying. His jaws parted, a lump stuck in his throat. He wasn't even mad. It was a strange accumulation of emotions settled at the deepest pit in his stomach. His wings sunk, drooping against his back. Ever all he wanted was to be with his friends, yet, as of late, due to some anomaly, chaos not his own, drew them away, leaving him to his thoughts.
Discord Draconequus looked at his claw. He snapped it. What would happen, was already set into motion by earlier 'responsibilities'. The wash of bubble bath that had been filling the tub, flowing down the halls, would suddenly fall into a blue portal. A red portal opened up above Cadence. Twilight may make a most unfortunate bit of collateral damage but the sudsy water would rain down over the mares. "Someponies need to cool off." he wiped his face with his paw before scooping up the little dragon. It squinted, looking up at him pawing his muzzle. "Foals get hurt. Whether I am around or not. Ponies get in trouble, whether I'm around or not." He reached his claw up to pinch the blue baby's cheek. He got quiet again before floating up and vanishing, appearing at the top of the steps, his back against the banister.
Discord Draconequus had quit. Something in him had simply given up. "You conquer Equestria once -- and anything that happens afterwards, is still blamed on you." Chaos existed before him, but it was uncontrolled, before him. A wildfire of untold destruction. No beauty to it, no fun in it. Kingdoms raise and fall, species blink in and out of existence in part thanks to the god of chaos. In a way it allowed balance to return when order became the vice that evil reached to. Good did not always mean order, but it seemed in Cadence's eyes it did. He'd always be a bad guy. "My being around, or not, doesn't matter. Maybe it does. Maybe somepony needs somepony else to hate and be afraid of. Be disappointed in." He liked the praise he got from the sisters -- from his friends. So he kept on playing, but in the reverse there was the scolding others gave him. He had been trying his best, now he didn't know what to do since it was never good enough.

Princess Sparkle paled some when she heard that... her brother had been missing! "A-A nightmare?" she'd ask with a bit of a tremble. It was no crime for a sibling to be concerned about her brother!... "A-and scrying spells shave been tried? T-tracking... S-soul magic even?" The last would have at least told them if he was...was... No, best not think about it! "I came to Canterlot to look through the archives... Perhaps find some sort of clue or reference to the illness... that everypony seems to be catching." The youngest princess had her ears laid back only to jump and turn as Cadance suddenly erupted and began to launch into this whole rant about everypony letting Discord get away with everything... She got to the part where Cadance accused him of potentially being the cause of Shiny's... No, don't think about it! Her gaze turned to Discord only to find the Draconequus turned away and... water was then dumped onto both Cadance AND her! What did she do?! The young alicorn didn't know what to do.
Princess Sparkle burned with both humiliation at being the 'collateral' and uncertainty. Discord didn't truly harm ponies! Sure he may be a prankster but... when had he ever truly hurt anypony? She gave up; she needed to go! The dripping mare turned and bolted, vanishing into a flash of magic where she fled to wherest she was most comfortable and would be able to mull over the load of information that had been dumped onto her.

Princess Luna quirked her ears forward when Baokros, mostly gone forgotten amidst the troubles, demanded his bell. Oh! She'd meant to give that back to him! "My offi-.." The princess of the moon had no chance to finish it when Cadance exploded with fury that petered off into tears. Had she been any other pony, had it been any other situation, it would have been seen as some sort of foalish tantrum- but it, and she, were not. Princess Luna knew that her niece was hurting over the disappearance of her husband, but she would never know the depth of that hurt when she had never had one herself- never fallen in love. Never lost anypony but friends. She had growing feelings, to be sure, but never.. Luna caught the look on Discord's face, the glint of tears. Princess Cadance saw only what floated on the surface with the draconequus, whereas Luna knew him a little more intimately to know that her niece had gone too far. Twilight, too, had run off, no doubt worried over her brother.
Princess Luna. Too much information spoken too bluntly. Luna heard the mention of an illness in Ponyville, something she quietly filed away even amidst the dumped, sudsy water. This was fine. "Enough!" Luna bellowed, turning to the princess of love and striding up to her prone form. "We understand thy plight, but you must control thy emotions! We have already laid plans to seek down your husband, but do not dare to think he has perished! We would have known." Luna loomed over the younger princess, her only good wing flared out as she puffed herself up. "I have seen Discord's heart, time and time again, to know that he has not meant harm, but we do not think it cute! Is it not our way to give second chances to those trying to do better?" The question was posed to Cadance, but Luna didn't back down just yet. "Think not of challenging me on this. Go and speak with your marriage-sister for your outburst. We will find Shining Armor, alive."

Baokros His ears twitch slightly as he heard the Pink Alicorn's outburst against Discord. Her husband had gone missing, thanks to Discord? Now that is just mean, why would Discord do something like that? He wondered as he turned to see Discord ounce more, noticing the trail of tears, this was as well noticed by Lady Luna, his bell had been forgotten, for now. After the anger had melted away, the little foal walked back to Luna, in his mind went the idea of getting back his toy bell, at least maybe here in the castle he will be safe from them without the need of the bell. Seeing one of the princess running away, the chaos spirit in tears, and now Luna with the rise of his voice lecturing one of the other Alicorns, the only thing he can think of is seek comfort amongst the eldest, doing just so, cuddling against Luna like a foal would her mother. His bell doesn't matter right now when the prince of an entire empire is missing.

Princess Cadence has water dumped on her head. Or at least tried to be dumped on her head. She seen this coming and uses her magic to block and reroute the soapy mess into the one doing the dumping on her. She was tired of this. Cadence bad Discord Good.. She looks at Luna as again she yells at her over Discord. "That's it right Cadence bad.. Discord Good.. FINE you know his heart so well why don't you marry him you already act like his wife!!" she stood and gave no time for a return to her comment. "Ash and I are leaving. It is time to start enrolling in Crystal Empire Academy anyway." she starts to run off and stops. "Oh and the whole reason I came here with Shining to start with was to tell you we had found out the foal is a girl and we were naming her Flurry Heart." she turns and trots off to the library that is where she expected to find Twilight at. When in Doubt Twi was always in a library..

Discord Draconequus would not be pranked by his own prank, but being in the grievous state he was when the water came to wash on him, he warped it -- somewhere. He was in such a haze, a dull annoyance, a lazy lackluster feeling of nausea the water would be sent off to the only place he wanted to be right now -- Luna's room. Dark, quiet, isolated. Perhaps burrow himself deep somewhere underground and sleep and never wake. Let their kingdom become perfect, and the shining example of stagnancy. His mood did not shift, only causing the little dragon to stand up on his lap, pushing her hands against his chest, grunting. What was wrong with him? They sat back and opened their mouth, but no reaction. It was about to cry until Discord raised his paw and pressed it to the baby's face. Cadence, and Twilight were gone. He had only wanted to make friends with the Princess of Love, but he really only knew one way to make friends, and enemies alike.
Discord Draconequus brushed the baby to sooth it, finally lulling it enough so it went back to lying down. "She's right." Discord spoke up, his voice traced by a longing sigh. "I only kept you small for my own amusement." He held the babe close, playing with the feathers atop its head. "It was really quite difficult keeping a straight face whenever you wondered of my capacity. Mine." He laughed, but it was not his usual amused laugh. It was forced, emotionless. "I've kept quite a bit from you, though I suppose it was mostly lies." The shouts of the princess, of marriage and being a wife escaped him. He had never really seen, first hoof, what either consisted of. He knew what being a mother was like, and even an annoying brother, a quarreling sister. His feathers and fur became a little dull, powers silencing. What use was the chaos if it brought others nothing but hurt. Celestia had been so sure of him. So sure he could do good.
Discord Draconequus had gone and disappointed another it seems. He looked to the dragon as it fell asleep. "I...was going to use her to cause mayhem in Equestria once." He admitted. "I suppose I can part with her. Fluttershy is good with babies, right? Maybe Pinkie." Though maybe neither would want to see him after he had -- been lying, deceiving them. Cadence was going to take Bygone from him. The foal had been his only bit of light when the adults were off working, all the little foals in Ponyville were. None of them had ever been hurt. He raised his claw to his chest. It was because there was a little of him in Bygone. So -- he was always the cause. Maybe Bygone had peace and quite before him. Twilight was even mad... Sure he was a bit grouchy with her, but he had been glad one of his friends-- His train of thought was lost. He chuckled, ears folding back.
Discord Draconequus smirked and floated up. "Oh, is she gone?" he laughed out, tossing up the sleeping dragon, catching it in his arms. "Well I suppose there's no use moping around about it. It's what I am after all! Freak of nature, god of chaos!" He flashed out and appeared before Luna, smirking darkly. "I don't even know why I promised to give it up!" He absentmindedly grasped at his chest. The pendent that he'd given Twilight had been that promise. He would attempt to lift his claw to grasp the princess' muzzle. "Oh but don't you worry about a thing princess. We can still have our fun. I'll show you how a real master of despair pranks your loyal, humble subjects." He tittered, pecking her on the nose before making motion to flash out. But -- there was not one ounce of seniority in his voice, only hurt. Where could he go? No where. He couldn't return to Chaosville in this state. He'd be evicted. Discord Draconequus went up to Luna's wet room and laid on the soggy bed. The baby dragon would cheer and flop belly first on the mess, settling in the middle of the bed, their little earfins twitching. He'd lay himself down: a soggy, wet noodle of -- chaos.

Princess Luna. The reaction she received for telling the younger princess off was not the one she was aiming for, nor one she wanted. She had been hoping that Princess Cadance would realize that she was being a little too harsh; alas, that was not the case. "That is not what I-.." Luna's speech came to a grinding halt about 'marrying Discord' and spluttered, the heat of her anger dying for a moment. Luna turned her head to watch Cadance go, flustered, careful not to move with the little Baokros leaning against one of her legs. The mention of the baby was what finally made her calm down. Luna folded her wing against her side and managed a little nod. "Congratulations, my niece." The moonbringer would have to rethink her tactics; going after Cadance with anger was not going to make the expecting mother understand her side, but only make her dig her heels in further in refusal.
Princess Luna had an empty room to turn her attention back once the princess of love had moved on to comfort Twilight. If that was what she was going to do; she could only hope so, for Twilight's sake. Her head jerked up towards Discord, who'd been silent, and her ears fell back with a small feeling of shock. His amusement? "You can do better than this, you have before." Luna stated stubbornly, wincing at his self-inflicted insults. That she knew with herself, too well. "Please-.." She tried to speak, silenced again by the little kiss to her nose. At any other time, it might have evoked a blush, but now she was only confused. He was the next to leave and Luna stood there with Baokros at her hoof, who she looked at with worry. "Their eyes are blinded." She muttered and began to plan; she'd like to believe she was better at tactics than this. Maybe there could be something she could do.

Baokros. His little ears twitch to the conversation between the Princess and the Spirit of Chaos. Not fully understanding the whole situation. Looking at Luna for a moment. "I...I have an idea." He said as he poked her gently. "But my bell must be returned to me, and maybe we can use it to track down her husband...but...we will need to...uhm...take some blood." He said as his ears fell flat. That was asking for too much wasn't it. Why blood? Because blood ties will always find blood ties, it didn't have to be a lot, just a little bit, enough to cover it, which in the end it will show them a path. Little did Baokros know that the bell was obsolete, its power eaten by the chaos spirit.

Discord Draconequus watched the little dragon flop around in the wet blankets. He supposed she liked the water. He would let the Mane know. If they couldn't raise her, they could release her in a lake somewhere. The little dragon splashed and squished the sheets. Occasionally it would scuttle across the surface of the bed, waving its hands to find the draconequus. When it was satisfied by honking his snooter she would turn back around to wallow in the liquid. He let out a deep sigh. Not a lick of chaos around him. What was the point? Huffing and puffing and these stupid ponies still didn't respect his power, even when he turned it to benefit them! He wouldn't worry though, not that he could even think beyond his current predicament. He was startled from his thoughts when the little dragon tucked itself against his feathered stomach and settled. Cold, uncomfortable... but so were his thoughts. He closed his eyes a moment, just listening.

Princess Luna focused her attention more fully upon the little colt, ears perked. The mention of blood made her blanch, but it told her that Baokros knew of the power of the bell. It wasn't just something he'd found. "Discord assisted me in figuring out the spellwork carved into its surface, but for everypony's safety he has eaten its activation glyph. It is but a soundless bell, now. 'Twas in my office, but," Luna did recall Discord reaching up to his feathers, where he seemed to store a great many things, "Discord may have it. We will have to talk to him anyway, as I have an idea of my own. Come, you may be able to help me." Luna bid, gently stepping away and moving off to the wet disaster that was now her room- unknown to her until she got there.

Baokros looked at Lulu tilting his head. His ears jumped as he heard what had befallen his bell glyph. "Ohhh....Oh no." He said as his little face looked pale, completely scared now. The bell was a gift from a very close friend, and it wasn't just so he can jump from one place to another, it also served the purpose of safety. But as soon as he heard Luna mention that the glyph can be restored, it brought some sense of relief to him. "If...If we can't fix the bell, we can always find a Druid." He said looking at Luna, from what he heard the ancient scholars of the School of Starswirl were some of the best magically trained unicorns in history. Surely they still exist.

Discord Draconequus felt -- uncomfortable. Sitting there in silence and peace were just not his things. Tucking his forearms against his chest the spirit raised his hoof, letting his tail tuck behind the baby dragon who was now sound asleep. His head turned slightly, toward Luna's hearth. He shifted his tail's tuft, snapping it, turning the fire a misty green. A few more snaps and he would turn the drawn curtain into the night sky; a view into the skies beyond. A window into space. A few cosmic tears here and there to surround himself with a little comfort music. Nothing soothed the avatar better than the sounds of disharmony. Considered turning Luna's room a lovely shade of pink -- but was chaos'd out for the moment. He relaxed considerably, but he did ponder what he was to do now. They'd all hate him and he'd just end up being alone again, wandering the vast annals of time and space.

Princess Luna was puzzled by the colt's response as she walked. The bell was not broken, Discord had only stolen the activation glyph that could be replaced at any time- but they wouldn't want to. It was dangerous if in the wrong hooves, and it was easy to steal from a child. She pondered it on the way to her room, and up the stairs to the double doors with their crescent shaped door handles. Luna pulled one open and stepped inside, her hoof squishing down on wet carpet. Her entire room was wet, even her poor bed. Luna had to try her hardest not to get upset with Discord. She couldn't let herself get upset with him. He was in a bad place as it was, she couldn't let herself get upset with him. Luna took a steadying breath after she'd made a strangled sound and coughed politely. "Discord.. ?" She spoke up, taking a few hesitant steps towards him across waterlogged carpet. "Please talk to me about this."

Discord Draconequus didn't look at her when his name was called, and honestly he had not even noticed her entry. He was lulled by the sounds of chaos surrounding him. When he heard his name .. name. Name? Though he boasted that names were not given, a whisper passing Mirage's ear beneath the knowledge of the others, he did not believe it. Discord gave him -- something. Not respect though. His eyes blinked open, head turning slightly toward the Lunar Princess. "What more do you wish princess? I am tired of playing with ponies. Just pieces on a board." He opted to objectify them, push them away as far as he could. "I'd rather a new game at this point. It's become trite." But still no sincerity touched his muzzle's lips. "It may behoove you to consider the words of others and not that of the whispers of madness." He pulled his paw from its spot under his chest before holding out a small, wooden bell. He'd levitate it toward her. "Deception is what I am best at." But did he believe himself on that?

Princess Luna lowered her head a little and crossed the rest of the physical distance between them, but she did not lower herself or sit down on the wet carpeting. "I wish to talk." She reiterated quietly, thoughtfully so. "Have you ever tried your paw at honesty? It goes far. Princess Cadance is pregnant, an ailment that often twists the emotions of the mother. She does not usually behave with such.. anger, for she is full of love. She only sees the passing things." Luna paused for a moment, letting it sink in as she spoke as gently as she could. "I have seen more to you, and I know you are more than just puppetmaster if you can set your mind to it. Ponies can be.. a quite forgiving species. They have forgiven you once, and they will again."

Discord Draconequus rolled his eyes, face pulling into a sulk. "I've no idea what pregnancy has to do with one's ability to see logic and reason." he paused and lulled his head back to better eye the princess. "I have been quite logical in my actions and have great reason to believe none of you can honestly understand me." He threw several of her words back at her. Stubbornness was another fine quality of the spirit. It sometimes worked to his advantage. He pulled his lip up over his fangs before deflating against the flat bed. While the dragon seemed content, the draconequus was far from it. His feathers and fur was soaked, his mane fluffed every which way. "You've only seen reflections of what you desire. I am not, forthwith with all that I do, but given my age my understanding of the universe exceeds that of you simple ponies." He spat, though he had not meant to be so harshly spoken.
Discord Draconequus's words caused him to flinch as he reeled back some of that sass. "I am merely saying, sometimes there are secrets that have to be kept, for your sole protections. Have you ever carried the burden of time and space on your sanity? Could you fathom the different places that you cannot change, yet have, but have no meaning to, yet find yourself helpless again and again?" He seemed to be ranting on a subject that was unsuited for vague queries, but it let him calm a bit. He looked down, silent. Her words on honesty were belittling. Why did should he provide them answers when they need but think? His paw clenched into a fist. Sighing deeply he rolled his head back. "I kept you in such a diminutive state because -- it amused me." Though he had said this time it was with an inkling of remorse. Very small.
Discord Draconequus sat up a bit, forelimbs crossing like a noble sphinx, but he was a feather-covered chicken. "After experiencing a unique and vexing form as I had been, without my powers, I felt a few ponies could benefit from such a state. Now there was mild amusement that kept the game going a bit longer than it should have, but seeing you two locked away simply because of your powers gave me stark reminders of the past, and all that had gone wrong, did so." In short he merely wanted them to see. "Than Tia's spell went awry, somehow. I still think it was the nutmeg. She may be allergic to it. And you were just -- so stubborn." It made his goal a bit farther. He curled his claw into his beard and huffed. "The egg was my personal folly from youth I sought to rectify." He exhaled and buried his muzzle into his crossed forearms. Discord Draconequus mumbled incoherently. Finally he raised his head. "I shouldn't have given Bygone my essence. He would have been better off ---"

Princess Luna quietly listened to his rebuke, flattening her ears and taking a step away from the moment of harshness and what she'd said before only thrown back. Did he mean that, that she was just seeing only what she wanted? She couldn't tell, but his vulnerable moments just seemed so genuine. "No, I am afraid we cannot fathom such an existence, for we are young, yet." Luna answered in a muted tone of voice. She should have guessed that was the reason why he never changed her back right away- and he really could have. It wasn't a 'curse.' Luna had her suspicions, but she'd also tried to have faith in him. "We could come to know you better if you only open to us as we open to you," She lifted a hoof as though to still any retorts, "and do not speak of our lack of understanding. We understand nothing because you are wily, secretive, reflecting everything that is tried; 'tis why I speak of honesty.
Princess Luna. "You understand us as little as we understand you and I only wish to stress some communication. The lack of it will get us nowhere." She dropped her hoof, frowning faintly at her bed where Discord now rested. "You are trying, as am I, though the situations may be far different than I believed before the time we spoke when you made Canterlot heavy with snow. Still, you try. The very fact that you are trying to rectify past mistakes, and helped even a lowly changeling foal to live is proof of it." She rolled her shoulders in a shrug and pushed the little bell over to one of her shelves, hopefully untouched by the water. "Stubborn is a grand quality of mine." Luna exhaled harshly, a quite huff to end her statement. "We have settled quite comfortably into seats of power only so we may protect Equestria as we promised those thousand years ago, I understand this. I have at least not had the experience my sister has had with that, however. It is a very abrupt change to come back to." Princess Luna peered at him, her expression slightly guarded but curious. "All I have been asking is that you try, too. Why else have I been so steadfast?"

Discord Draconequus pondered her question, arching a brow. Why did she bother... "Megalomanic aspects with minor tendencies in masochism bordering on egotism?" He offered in jest, probably. He sighed, shoulders sinking, the spirit just a wet noodle. He looked at her with his mismatched eyes. "I am the spirit of chaos... no honesty." he permissed. "While I could perhaps be more abiding to your simplicities, such would make things quite easy for you and turn my efforts of stimulating you ponies into a simple game of fetch worthy of Diamond Dogs. Though clever, their intellect hardly exceeds that of a wet pillow." He levitated Luna's soaked pillow and flopped it beside him for effect. He could start and stop disaster, but merely chooses to live upon the fringes. Yes once he had gone overboard, but that was due in part to--
Discord Draconequus's brows furrowed. His desire to conquer -- had been in part due to his isolation. He looked down to the bed, the mess he'd made in her quarters. Twas not in spite, but the feeling that had peeked from the shadows. The laughter had waned and there was just not enough tea time. Things had become stagnant, boring, and a memory of a time he tried to obliterate. Fall to order, raise to anarchy. At least than all attention would be on him. He raised his claw, snapping it. In a flash the waters cleared, all in her room warm and dry. The painful, green aura had vanished from the hearth, returning the flames to their normal warm glow. The baby dragon whined in annoyance, curling up a bit, but did no move much more. He took a moment to set the ball of scales onto the pillow where she buried her face and fell back asleep.
Discord Draconequus settled on the middle of the bed before floating up. He looked to the princess. "I do understand a great deal more than I let on, but I do also do not understand a great deal I pretend to." He admitted softly. "I was never, and never will be a pony. Forgive me for being rather egotistical on the matter, but as long, and as far as I have lived, I do not think I could ever come to consider myself one of you. So small, so little you understand of your significance in this world. Your emotions, your kindness, your love, your hatred, your jealousy. Yet even still..." He looked up, brushing his paw to his chin. "You still somehow have made the very aspects of the more illogical and uncontrollable feelings into magic." he chuckled. "I mean you can always control hatred and hide jealous, but I have never seen kindness tell a lie."
Discord Draconequus he had thought he understood friendship and sided with Tirek who let him be who he wanted to be, when he wanted to be. But in the end he was used. As he floated there in thought, he sat as if there were a surface beneath him, his hoof dangling down in a lazy sway. "I was assured your whimsy of friendship was all a bad joke. A silly pony emotion not worth harbouring. So restricting. You had to act as you were not, in order to not displease another." But it was more complicated than he first gave it credit for. "A bit of experience, I suppose I can see there is a difference between pretending to be something you're not and understanding who your friend is." Respecting their personal wishes. Like a feels genie! His wings were tightly tucked to his back, eyes down at his shadow on the mattress.
Discord Draconequus looked back toward Luna, his paw brushing over his muzzle as he thought. He supposed she deserved the truth. But he could not tell Cadence. He did not think the princess of love would understand, for even he himself did not. He perhaps held spite towards her. Not because she was, she, but because she was not what he wished. Blanched a bit. "In my sate of power loss I gained access to dreams -- memories I had not had since I was without my powers." He noted. Now though he was perhaps near in age as Celestia and Luna, Chaos Magic was just as it was. Chaotic... One became the embodiment of time and space, living both in the future and present. Existing before all and existing after all. Zipping around in a constant, gravitating wheel of change. He became infinite, but froze at a certain point in his life.
Discord Draconequus stroking his chin he'd lay his head upon his forearms, hiss voice soft, the afternoon slipping towards the time where the sun was nearing its time to be set. Moving his claw he drew Unikrom from his coat of feathers, the unicorn doll flopping about in his telekinetic hold, acting the part of the puppet as Discord spun his unmerry tale. "A doting mother she was, Constantly calling to me, keeping me from danger. Coddling nag, really." He venomously spat. "Putting my to study, grooming me, making sure I always ate with her, oh but I loved her dearly, for she was all I knew." he looked off. "Than one day there was nothing." He flexed his claw, the doll vanishing, only for the dark shadow of a pony with glowing red eyes to take its place. The shadow's shape was reminiscent of the nightmare seen before. Discord Draconequus waved his claw, clearing the image. "It embodies my greatest fear. Perhaps my only fear." He looked to Luna, wondering if she understood any of this -- or cared.

Princess Luna's mouth opened just a bit at first, but she closed it, with nothing to say to the jest he offered. He seemed to fall silent for a time and fixed her room without even having to be asked- everything was properly dry again. The princess lifted one hoof quizzically, and found no lingering wetness in the floor beneath her. The fireplace, too, had stopped. She said nothing still, letting him talk it out, recognize things for what they were- he seemed to be learning somewhat. It was.. a good sign? Luna looked to the doll as he changed it, and though she had not seen the nightmare for herself, she recognized something of what Princess Cadance described to her. "I am sorry." Luna broke her silence at last, taking a few steps closer to her bed. "Nopony should have to go through so much, but, I do understand as much as I am able with no prior experiences in such things. If you were the cause for the nightmare's existence, I am not angry, for I am the guardian of dreams and is my duty to deal away with nightmares. Even in the waking world." She spoke solemnly as she rolled through her thoughts as they came into being and passed. "I must recognize that perhaps I have been too controlling, but I only ever wish to help you see a better part of yourself. Do what you wish, for you will; I only ask now that you do nothing if you intend to harm. Should ponies come to harm, regardless, that is their folly." Luna shrugged. "I cannot change their minds, nor Princess Cadance's, only you can if you so choose. I hope to find Shining Armor so I may deal away with the nightmare and bring him back, fix what is broken; if you wish to help, that will be entirely up to you. 'Tis your choice, not mine, to help."

Discord Draconequus had to give his rival credit. Sharp as a tack in some aspects, though soft as a marshmallow in others. This was one of those marshmallowy times. He sucked his tooth and sighed out. "Keep up my dear." He waved his paw dismissively. "Feelings and emotions aside, I do understand what you ponies try to do. I occasionally appreciate it beneath layers of defiance." He vanished only to appear beside the princess on all fours. By normal ponies, on all fours, he was quite large, but he was more properly sized (if not shorter) than the sisters. He lowered his head a bit to look at her eyes. "Ponies are generally flawed. Imperfect beings capable of quite a bit more power than I give them credit for. Which is why -- it bothers me so much, that they cannot accept I am, as I am." Because he was the odd draconequus out. He imperfect to them, a perfect being of chaos, as ironic as it may have sounded.
Discord Draconequus folded his ears back as he struggled to really just say his words, mostly due to his stubborn defiance. He has tried to use his powers for good. "I get very angry at you ponies sometimes. Your reactions, despite my good intentions leaves me with a great desire to simply blink them out of existence sometimes. I do not wish it to bother me yet it does." He sat on his haunches and was a bit more at level with the princess, his long neck hanging a bit. His face flattened in a grumpy sour, as if he bit into a lemon. He couldn't say it. He moved to weigh Luna down with his head pon her shoulder. "Just leave me to my trivial pursuits of power. If I cannot have your kingdom, than leave me to my riddles." He closed his eyes a moment before opening one to Luna. "And in turn I will attempt to be more forthwith with my personal feelings."
Discord Draconequus would not give up the secrets of time that easily. Though were they to ask he probably would as easily. "Unless~ princess, you wish to relinquish your crown to me~?" He let his neck arch over her back, paw and claws flexing greedily. He let his limbs flop onto his belly as he physically melted and reformed sitting up. His large paw would rest on his talon's knee, his claw over his hoof's. He focused best he could. "How I do wish to help, but oft does more than my ego require stroking." He sighed. "Balance is a fickle mistress Lulu. And I its overbearing master. Remember I live at the beginning and end. Wiping out your kingdom in the blink of an eye -- is no fun." He bumped his muzzle to hers in an apologetic manner. "I am sorry I am difficult. You're...my friend, right?" He knew something. But . . .

Princess Luna made an acknowledging noise in her throat, merely nodding as Discord spoke on. He vanished before her eyes, as he was wont to do, so she could only shift her gaze to where he reappeared next in one of his signature flashes. Her ears were pinned again at the very consideration that he had that much power just to.. wipe existence. It was a daunting thing, but the point was that he didn't, that he resisted. Luna adjusted her hooves at the weight on her shoulders and she nodded, having already come to peace with that herself. "Of course, I will leave you to it." Luna replied and the barest of amused smiles quirked the corners of her mouth. "You shall not, I daresay, but.. yes, we are friends and friends can sometimes be difficult." Luna leaned forth, briefly, just to bump her nose back into his. Boop.

Discord Draconequus snorted and leaned back. "Right well." He stood and stretched himself out, popping the most inconceivable of joints as he wiggled and wobbled his noodly body. "I suppose anything else shall be left for another time!" Seeing as it was almost time for the Night Court, Discord would invite himself to the princess' warm bed. Snaking under the covers he would vanish, only to appear on top of them, curled up against the pillow the baby dragon slept on, whom has not made a peep in hours, though they would eventually have to figure out what it ate... It could only go so long drinking tea. He let out a yawn and his head came to rest beside the babe. He had something to do for now, better behaved when occupied. He did feel a tad remorseful, but there was no true danger yet. After all in a thousand and plus years his fear still has not changed from what it once was.
Discord Draconequus settled himself with gusto and looked toward the princess. "Good eve princess. We shall have tea later perhaps." He settled in for the evening, having been up most of the day, but it was still funny. he was comfortable enough to remain on this plane, rather than his own. Some of the color had returned to his feathers and fur, but just a wee more chaos later. He murmured softly, hoping Luna would not hear his words as she left. he closed his eyes and retired for the moment.

Princess Luna could agree with that, with the waning of the day it would soon be her time to take over and return to the usual grind. Alone in the throne room she would have more time to think, silence in which to properly work on her plans: lessons for Mirage, search parties for Shining Armor, places to search. Working on calming down, and finding a time to talk to Princess Cadance once they were both calm and thinking rationally. "Tea sounds quite wonderful." Luna agreed and made for the door once Discord made himself comfortable in her bed- she would have liked to join him, to return to her own interrupted slumber, but alas she could not. At the door, Princess Luna stopped, one ear rotating back towards the draconequus- she just barely made out the words. If that was true, Cadance would be cheered to know it, but Luna did not feel like pressing matters and whether or not Discord knew and why he knew. Dismissing it to be filed away in her mind, Luna moved off for some proper breakfast (at least for her) before it was time for the moonrise.