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Chapter Three: "Friends, Equestria, Discord"

"Oh, um, you see, whenever there's a storm outside and I feel a bit down... I just get together with all of my animal friends and they make me happy again." - Fluttershy, Element of Kindness

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Yes, with further investigation, it became plain that Rainbow Dash was bashfully dating expert Spitfire's right hand Wonderbolt flyer, Soarin. Also, after having waited since her first time meeting him when they were little foals, Fluttershy was beginning to build what hopefully looked to be a loving relationship with Big Macintosh. Meanwhile, as Pinkie Pie was throwing around heart shaped confetti during the tender gossip, Applejack couldn't have been happier in her life for her brother's decision in a date; possibly a life partner. Then there was shy Rarity and Spike who, with what was coming tomorrow and having listened to the others go on about romance, truly bonded deeper than ever when the unicorn presented her adoring dragon his custom made tuxedo outfit that was complete with top hat!

Immediately, everypony erupted into admiration at the blushing Element of Generosity's clearly hard work. Yet, none of them were as grateful as stunned Spike himself and he showed it when snugly dressed in his formal wear. Yep, as Twilight had stated beforehand, the get up fit him perfectly! Even when guessing alone, Rarity continued to be superb in her line of work!

Giddy with disbelief that his crush had actually thought of him so dearly, the dragon couldn't hold back from mindlessly hugging Ponyville's fashionista's neck with a tight grip before planting a big kiss of his own upon her soft velvety cheek next! Instantly, all noise from everypony and everything ceased. Nopony moved nor did anything as they wondered if Spike's good intention had been a bit too reckless? Perhaps it needed a bit more formality, not as much bluntness? Time certainly seemed to have stopped or, in the least, slowed drastically down as Rarity turned her dinner plate sized eyes upon the dragon who, having gave his actions some thought then, reflected her surprise at his choice in thanking her.

At least he'd been honest, right?

Who was redder? Who looked the most shocked? The Element of Generosity or Twilight's scaly assistant? As everypony pondered over these riddles to themselves, the tension in the air between them faded away with relief when, with much of her radiant giggling, Rarity gratefully nuzzled her numb admirer's cheek. As she did so, Spike couldn't decide if he wanted to kiss her again or just sink into the floor from his sheer dumb luck. Well, hadn't it been stupidity that got him the current snuggling in the first place? Maybe more of it would help his case? Yet, nah, he would be wiser to not push his luck. Not in public, anyhow. Simply, he'd made the first move towards a relationship with his crush and it turned out to work better than anypony could've guessed! Great!

Now, instead of just going to the anniversary with her as a friend, maybe, just maybe, Spike might attend the celebration with Rarity as more than that. Oh, if that turned out to be true then what a grand start to love that would be for them both!

To nopony's surprise, with the gift giving done, neither the white unicorn nor little dragon found themselves too far apart for the remainder of the sleep over's course. As every other pony brightly ate treats in the kitchen, enthusiastically discussed their pasts together upstairs within Twilight's personal library bedroom, as well as laid themselves down to rest for the night in the living room, Rarity always remained near her dreamy faced Spikey-Wikey. When bedtime did finally arrive for everypony, with herself forming a semicircle around him, the Element of Generosity even drifted into a comfortable sleep with Twilight's assistant, as happy as he'd ever been in his life, snuggly wrapped in her hooves.

It was quite the adorable, if not long overdue, spectacle to behold; one that the others, even Rainbow Dash, couldn't help but smile upon while getting prepared for bed themselves.

In full honesty, thank Celestia and Luna, it was about time Ponyville's fashionista stopped being so picky, so sure, with everything and just went with the flow. In this case, it was spectacular to see her accepting Twilight's scaly aid for who he was, Not what he was. Undoubtedly, if this certain romance was starting off this well, this would turn out to be good for her. It would turn out to be good for them both.

Meanwhile, as Rarity along with Spike slumbered happily on the sofa in each other's warmth, Rainbow Dash settled herself into her hammock she'd hung on the ceiling, Applejack half placed her aged hat over her face to remind herself of home with its country smell, Twilight took comfort in lying beside the Sweet Apple Acres farmer on the floor, Fluttershy nestled in another hammock by the windowsill to be closest to the nature she adored, and Pinkie Pie was last to dive bomb into a huge pile of pillows along with blankets she'd gathered from wherever.

When everypony seemed to be at their most comfortable, when they were between the borderlines of Luna's dream world as well as reality, it was then that the Element of Laughter chose to poke her head out of her pillow-blanket jumble to exclaim with a blowing of her horn, "Oh, forgetful me! Nopony can go to sleep correctly with saying good night to her friends! So *HONK* good night, guys! Tomorrow is going to be a blast! You'll see! Especially for you, Twilight! That's when I'll finally be able to say happy anniversary for real, ha ha!"

Everypony shared in the experience of being scared half to death by the sudden explosion of Pinkie's excitement before trying to go back to sleep. Nearby, Rarity cutely cooed her little champion back into a relaxed rest as he gripped his rapidly beating heart with a grimace.

"Twi," Rainbow Dash grumbled to the Element of Magic from underneath her pillow, having impatiently placed it over her head due to Pinkie's random antic, "is there no way I can convince you to find a spell that would gag that party animal and keep her gagged for the rest of the night? If not a spell, at least a rag or anything else to do so?"

"Oh, Rainbow Dash," Applejack chuckled from the floor, speaking for Twilight, "There's no need for any of that. I believe we've now seen the last of what Pinkie Pie had up her sleeve. That was just, um, her way of ending the night with a bang. A honking in this case. Heh heh, get it? Honking?"

When Twilight giggled along with her, when Rainbow Dash scowled in the background, the Element of Honesty added, "Ahem, anyway, once you're asleep and flying across Luna's dream world skies with your Soarin dreamboat then none of her nonsense will have mattered, right?"

"Applejack just - ugh - just..." The Element of Loyalty growled as she pulled the pillow tighter over her rainbow streaked head, "Just shut up, Applejack."

"And a good night to you too, sugarcube." Applejack replied with a broad grin shared between herself and Twilight, "You're going to need such for your very special stallion when tomorrow arrives. We've all seen how bitter you get when not given enough sleep and, shucks, it's better to say that Soarin would then be better off trying to control a tornado than hope to understand your-"

"I get it, Applejack! I get it! Now, I need my beauty sleep, don't I? So, goodnight, goodnight, goodnight to everypony!"

There was a quiet pause after Rainbow Dash's venomous hissing where the ponies exchanged humored expressions. What an interesting relationship Soarin was getting himself into. Nevertheless, despite her impatient attempts to remain the coolest, Rainbow's understanding friends still wished the best of luck to her as well as to her first relationship.

Amongst the ponies that especially wished so was Fluttershy who, since being friends with the cyan pegasus since childhood, couldn't help but whisper to the two mares still awake with her, "Oh, dear me, but isn't it just adorable to see Rainbow Dash not being herself?" At Fluttershy's comment, the rainbow maned pegasus obviously adjusted herself to not hear anything more.

Ignoring the hint to stop talking, The Element of Kindness cooed, "Aw, look at her being so coy! Why, if it isn't too strange to put forward with you girls, I would even say that she and me have switched places for the anniversary."

"Now that you say it," Twilight acknowledged with a snicker, "I believe you're quite right, Fluttershy! I've never really seen you be this open while Rainbow is so withdrawn. Ha ha, you're out of your shell and she's hiding in hers for a change. What an adorable turn of events!"

"Well, that's love for you." Applejack wisely put forward, adopting a small smile that went splendidly well with her green apple colored eyes, "As good ol' Granny Smith's always says: the bite of the love bug makes anypony, anything, turn around, jump up and down, bark, purr, hoot, dance, fly, and plenty of other crazy things."

After some soft laughter at her words, the Element of Honesty went on, "Why one does such is a simple enough answer, of course. Wherever you are, whatever you are, it's purely true fact that life tastes all the sweeter when you finally have that special somepony, that missing other half of yourself, to share it with."

"Wow, Applejack..." Twilight admired, her own violet eyes adopting an inspired shine, "That was beautifully said! Truly!"

"Oh, yes, it was! And, um, do you think that Soarin is going to turn out to be Rainbow Dash's missing sweet half then?" The animal loving pegasus curiously inquired from the Sweet Apple Acres farmer next.

"I can't say. Nopony can, for that matter." Applejack replied softly, giving the immobile cyan pegasus in her hammock a hopeful look, "Apples are one thing. Love, though, is the dodgiest, if not most unpredictable, business out there. Anyhow, we're all still young and considering how Rainbow Dash is so fast with everything, well..."

There was an awkward quiet of uncertainty for Rainbow Dash, for her love life, until, "Well, all I can say, girls, is that I hope Soarin does turn out to be the missing half our Element of Loyalty needs to slow down, take a breather, and realize she doesn't need to act cool all the time to get the biggest tootin' reward in life. And if things don't work out between her and him... shucks, there will be plenty of other stallions waiting for their turns to be with her."

There was a momentary silence where everypony involved in the conversation hoped the best for Rainbow Dash who, still awake, tried her best not to blush or stir at overhearing their caring words.

Already, since having discovered her very first Rainboom moment as a filly had miraculously linked them together somehow, Equestria's fastest pegasus had always adored her friends. Even more so than her flying skills, as unbelievable as that sounded. Now, though, she didn't have the slightest clue as to what she would have ever done without them. As hard as it was to comprehend, if without her companions, she surely wouldn't have been as cool as she was then. No, not at all.

Anyhow, next moment, while the Element of Loyalty silently contemplated over thoughts of her budding love life along with fantastic friends, of how she was going to try to slow down her pace when with Soarin for romance's sake, Applejack had brightly turned the focus onto Fluttershy below.

"As for you, Fluttershy, knowing you as well as Big Mac being the kindest souls here in Ponyville... Ha ha, we might as well ring the wedding bells for you two already! The pair of ya'll were always meant to be each other's special ponies!" The earth pony farmer chuckled.

At the most unexpected praise, Fluttershy turned as pink as her smooth mane. She shook her little wings too as she shyly replied, "Oh, um, uh, goodness, Applejack... Do you really mean that?"

"Yeah, Applejack... Do you really, really mean that?" Twilight copied, feeling just as surprised as Fluttershy at Big Mac's sister's forwardness out of the blue.

It was true that Applejack was the Element of Honesty... but even this proclamation sounded a bit uncharacteristic of her. Wasn't she rushing the relationship a wee bit too rapidly?

"Girls, ha ha, think about who specifically you're asking that question." Was Applejack's immediate as well as sincere response, her smile only growing bigger, "I wasn't named the Element of Honesty for no reason, was I? Besides, even if I wasn't, do you really think I'd say it this easily without plenty of thought and plain evidence in front of me? This is my dearest big brother we're talking about, not some bushel of apples for sale. So, if anypony knows him the best as well as what's best for him then you're looking at her, right?"

That... That did indeed make sense to the others. Applejack, when adoring her family so dearly, would be the one to know Big Mac better than any other pony alive.

"Of course, Fluttershy, just like all relationships, you're going to have some rough patches with my brother. He's not perfect, that's true. Nevertheless, since you met as little uns during childhood, I'd say the pair of you started dating there. I mean, shucks, look at ya'll now! Since you met, neither of you took interest in dating others. You basically, if you were thinking it or not, saved yourselves for one another to this point. Am I right or wrong in that regard?"

At the slowly understanding faces she was getting from her friends, the Element of Honesty tittered, "Heh heh, Fluttershy, just trust me, would ya? You and Big Macintosh will both make it to the finish line and end up becoming a great couple! In that regard, I have unquestionable faith."

When hearing along with comprehending that the Element of Honesty truly believed that Big Mac was destined to be her eventual husband, Fluttershy couldn't help but dive onto Applejack! Even if it felt like the conversation topic was being a bit too rapid or fast, the nagging former feelings of doubt were pushed aside. Applejack's observation alone, her detailed facts, overruled all negativity with ease.

During the tight hug the mares shared afterwards, the Element of Kindness chimed, "Oh, thank you, Applejack! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so honest! I will believe, like you do, that the best can happen! I'll treat your brother the best he's ever been treated! You'll see!"

"That has always gone without having to be said, sugarcube. I know you will." Applejack replied brightly, "And my brother will treat you the best you've ever been treated too. Still, be sure to not completely steal him away, okay? He'll always be needed in the fields to keep not only Sweet Apple Acres going but Ponyville too. Think you can at least spare him long enough each day to aid me with that effort, eh?"

"Yes! Oh, yes, I never wanted to make it sound like I was going to separate you from your brother, Applejack. I'm sorry about that."

When told she didn't have to worry herself silly over anything, Fluttershy assumed a strained expression. Why was soon answered. She fluttered into the air next while admitting, "Um, deary me... I think I've let all of this excitement get to me too much. Now I have to use the little filly's room." Blushing a little when her friends snickered at her statement, the tan pegasus whispered on her way to the kitchen, "So, excuse me, girls. Heh heh, excuse me."

A sleepy quiet retook the library at Fluttershy's leave. Regardless, the recent discussion of handsome stallions had taken a hold of Twilight.

No matter how she wanted to do so afterwards, Ponyville's princess couldn't think at all about dozing off. Rather, she slightly jealously pondered in the dark over the luck Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Spike had gained in finding that the tenderness of love had come into their lives. Then again, of course, that wasn't their fault in the slightest. They were quite blessed, in fact, to have received such happiness. Plus, Twilight wasn't alone in lacking a special somepony. As unfortunate as it was, with a cowboy hat muffling her breathing right before the librarian, there was a hard working farmer mare present that couldn't say she had any romance in her life either.

And as for Pinkie Pie... Well, it was obvious why she didn't have a special stallion yet, correct? Actually, when given thought, good luck had to be handed to whichever stallion received her crazy affections in the future. He would need it.

How was that though? How did Applejack not have a love interest yet? Why didn't Twilight? Weren't they, as Elements, the perfect examples mares should've been and what stallions would've wanted? No, wait, Princess Celestia and Luna were even better examples and they didn't have stallions either! What did that mean? Agh, what did it mean?!

Feeling more than ever that she needed to talk about romance or it would nag at her dreams until dawn, the Element of Magic softly questioned of the Element of Honesty, "Applejack? Um, hey, are still awake?"

"... *Snuffle* Hm, wha, Twi? Am I awake?... I suppose I am now, aren't I?"

"Oh, good. Well, I just want to say that I'm very happy for you, Applejack, in being so true with Fluttershy. It's inspiring how you've never had trouble in representing your element. Like you, I'll pray that Big Macintosh and Fluttershy find happiness together to beyond even their last days on this earth... Speaking of your brother, though, do you think he'll return your favor towards him?"

At the inquiry, Applejack turned herself to face Twilight curiously. The tired farmer moved her hat to see a bit better while she asked, "My favor towards him? What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I know when you do friendly favors you don't care in being repaid. However, considering how you've helped Big Mac find the mare that may very well be his missing sweeter half... I only think it would be fair that he'll one day introduce you to yours truly." At this, a long pause passed between earth pony and alicorn royalty.

Twilight could tell, just by the lost look in the Sweet Apple Acre's farmer's deeply emerald shaded eyes, that Applejack was actually registering for the first time the possibility of her brother eventually repaying her kindness with his own and introducing her to a stallion; possibly her missing half.

After a while, feeling she might have unintentionally lost her friend, Ponyville's princess pushed, "Am I right or wrong in thinking so, Applejack?"

Like hoped, the Element of Honesty seemed to break from her deeply thoughtful trance. In turn, she began to chuckle while admitting, "Shucks, Twilight, I've never given that matter that much thought. You know, with work and all, when could I until now?"

Applejack began fidgeting with her hat next, adopting an uncharacteristically little red tint into her cheeks as she wondered a bit dreamily, "As for you being right or wrong in thinking Big Mac won't repay me for getting him together with his childhood crush... You're not wrong. I think so, anyway. The only question is, when he does get around to doing so, who will my brother introduce me to, hm?"

"Heh heh, I've always imagined your suitor would be a hard worker." Twilight giggled, finding she was thoroughly enjoying the personal girly talk commencing, "Still, only you know who you want to have as a love interest." There was some silence before Ponyville's princess requested hopefully, "I hope I'm not being too nosy but who would you want Big Mac to find for you, Applejack? What do you want from your special stallion?"

"Oh, well, um..." The Sweet Apple Acres farmer sighed out, smothering herself in thoughts of terrifically various posing stallions meanwhile, "Like you've said already, I do find myself turning hot under the collar whenever finding myself beside a stallion that enjoys hard labor. Those types aren't common enough in Ponyville, though. They're more around Appleloosa. So, what else do I respect in a suitor?"

There was a thoughtful pause between the friends. Then, "Well... if not such a hard worker, it definitely wouldn't be so bad that he enjoyed getting a bit dirty, that he respected whatever he was told, that he considered others before himself," This was where Applejack's eyes literally glinted their brightest as she admitted, "and, above all, he'd have to love family! Kids especially!"

"Ha ha, kids? Wait why am I surprised by that? I suppose you say that because he'd not only be your husband but an eventual father too?" The Element of Magic guessed, knowing she was right all along.

"Yep. No doubt about that." The Element of Honesty chuckled, turning her eyes towards the window to stargaze where she could, "My stallion had best prepare himself to be a hard worker, an honest workhorse, and an inspirational father." Then she added sternly, "If he can't agree to all of that, though, then I'm not interested in the slightest. Sorry, you're not worth it. Skedaddle."

"My, my. A bit picky, aren't we?" Twilight joked, knowing she'd agreed with much that Applejack had listed regardless of the show of attitude, "Still, you make good points as well as remain true to your element, Applejack. If not your friends, it's plain that your family matters the most to you. They're the majority of the reason for your cutie mark, for your reason to do everything your best. So If you're going to try with a relationship, it only makes sense you would want your stallion to do his best to understand that adoring family is as vital as his best efforts towards you, right?"

"Yes and no. Nah, he doesn't need to be perfect perfect in everything... Just perfect enough to know where he's needed without being told, where his efforts need to be directed the most, and his attitude shouldn't ever be disrespectful towards anypony without proper reason. You know that the Apple Family has never looked for trouble. Neither should he ever. Ha ha, he'll learn to be as sweet mannered as us Sweet Apple farmers and love the reward of hard work or, so help me, I'll tan his hide good before running him off the plantation!"

The closely conversing mares fell into a fit of quiet mirth at the joking seriousness in Applejack's final words.

When able to ask through her giggling, Twilight truthfully admitted, "Oh, Applejack, Applejack, Applejack... Heh, out of us all here tonight as well as for your every strife, I believe it's clear that you very well deserve the best stallion that life can give you. Honestly, I'm surprised he hasn't come to you yet. In fact, it's an absolute shame that stallions aren't lining up at your door to ask for your hoof by now. Why is that?"

"Aw, shucks, Twi. You've really made my night saying such but, obviously, it's not me that deserves to have the best stallion Equestria can give."

Applejack next placed her hat on Twilight's head while she praised the confused princess, "In the end,you should be the one to get the grand stallion in shining armor! No, pardon, not get him. If anything, you need him!"

"Oh, Applejack, you can't really think that I should get-"

"Now don't you argue with me about this, girl! Without you, Ponyville, the Crystal Kingdom, Equestria, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, your brother, even Princess Celestia, a lot of things would have been different, even lost, since your coming here! Tarnation, what am I saying? Things would certainly be way, way different without you! In fact, it would even be safe to say that this night, us all being friends, wouldn't even be happening if you hadn't arrived during the Summer Sun Celebration and stopped Nightmare Moon two years ago."

With Twilight's expression turning a deeper red, The Element of Honesty finished with a chime in her voice, "Also, seeing as you've been nobility and all for the past year of difficulties, you deserve to be swept off of your hooves by no less than a grand champion. You deserve a break. And, heck, that might very well happen tomorrow! Considering the latest Grand Galloping Gala, your brother's royal guards were falling over each other just to get in a word with you. Lucky, lucky-"

"Okay, Applejack, okay... You've made your point, thank you. Let me catch my breath, cool myself down. If I don't, I'm going to explode! No, stop, that's the honest truth! Ha ha, thanks."

Affectionately giving the Element of Honesty back her old hat, the grateful Element of Magic forced her building excitement, her rapid heartbeat, to simmer down.

Princess Twilight Sparkle, in full honesty, didn't feel like she had deserved the kind words the farmer pony had just bestowed upon her. Sure, humbly, she was aware she was special in many ways. Why else had Princess Celestia personally taught her magic otherwise? In the past, she had done the impossible as well as spared Equestria much heartache; hence her being made into a noble in the end. Either way, for the kingdom, for her friends, like a natural leader, she had did it all for the greater good without any thought of reward. Regardless of her achievements though, she just didn't see herself as being "champion" stallion worthy for a relationship. She wasn't lucky enough - like her pegasister-in-law, Princess Cadence - to have that kind of romantic entanglement, more like.

However, that was just Twilight's opinion and, maybe or not lucky for her, love didn't care for any opinion from anypony. It just happened anywhere, anytime, without warning. As Granny Smith would have concurred; the love bug was and had always been interesting that way.

Applejack had brought up a good point about the latest Grand Galloping Gala though. During that time, Shining Armor's best young guards - Celestia's and Luna's too - hadn't been able to keep from trying to woo Twilight when she would give them her precious attention where she could. More than likely for her, such refreshing flirtation would occur at the anniversary tomorrow. Yet, unexplainably, there was something in the lavender alicorn's heart that told her she wasn't going to be fortunate enough to find her unique stallion then. Having a brother who had formerly been head of Equestria's royal guard, Twilight was aware that every soldier of every rank, although without choice, focused the majority of their lives on their duties. The minority on other things.

It was quite sad but true nonetheless.

So, if not at the celebration the approaching next day, where would it be that Twilight Sparkle's special somepony would show himself? Not only that but would he be what she wanted, needed, the first time around or would she have to wait for the second round? Even the third or more? Simply put, how long... was love going to evade her? For thousands of years, like Celestia? Oh no. If only she knew.

"Twi? You alright, sugarcube?"

"Hm? What? Oh, yes." Twilight replied to a worried looking Applejack, returning to reality with a casual throwing back of her indigo mane, "Yeah, I'm fine. And thank you dearly, Applejack, for everything you just said. Especially since you're unable to lie as the Element of Honesty, it really meant a lot."

"Of course, Twilight, of course. It was honest. Every bit of it."

The Sweet Apple Acres farmer adopted an eager attitude next as she inquired, "Say... I spilled the beans on what I wanted in my stallion. So be fair. Tell me what I should expect from your future somepony, girl."

At once, Ponyville's princess knew this was a difficult question. In the delectably good way, mind.

Even though being guilty of having asked herself the same thing dozens of times, it still took Ponyville's princess some moments to seriously think before getting around to admitting to sleepy Applejack, "Well, you named off some good things already, Applejack. Like you, I'd like to get around to having a family with him. Considering what I've witnessed during my lifetime though, he'd have to be brave against the odds, supportive too, quite intelligent, understanding of my duties... Perhaps it would be simpler for me to say that he'd constantly need to be my pinnacle of strength during the storm that is my life."

When not getting an answer at first, when noticing Applejack seemed to be dozing off, Twilight questioned one last thing, "Does that make sense?"

"Oh? Oh, heh heh, it does..." Applejack answered wearily.

With her eyes drooping, the Element of Honesty yawned out as best as she could through the dark, "In short, Twi, you really wouldn't mind a stallion in shining armor to... to sweep you off your hooves and carry you off into the sunset... to live happily ever after. Right?" Before the Element of Magic could really reply, the girly discussion came to an end as the Sweet Apple Acres farmer caved helplessly into her sleepiness.

Left alone to momentarily go over her thoughts, Twilight could only smile at her earth pony friend before lying her own thinking head down onto her plush pillow.

Again, about the living happily ever after with a stallion, Applejack had brought up another couple of things for Ponyville's princess to ponder over. Yes, for the Element of Magic, romance wouldn't have been such a terrible thing to have during the current times she, Equestria altogether, faced. For indeed, even with the happy day to come tomorrow, plenty had transpired during the long year beforehand. Some good. Most... not so good.

When thinking of this, of the kingdom's past year, Twilight's thoughts unintentionally drifted from love, from her anniversary, to earlier that very night, to earlier when Luna had called her back to her carriage for them to speak alone. As she remembered Luna's secrecy, their discussion in the shadows involving Equestria's surfacing trials everywhere, Ponyville's princess's heart drooped slightly.

Why she felt this negativity, unknown to her, was the very thing that Spike had wanted to inquire from her previously. However, unknown to him, it was something Twilight, Equestria's princesses together, could only truly understand. Only they could shoulder it: the burdensome weight of the land's plights appearing in the north, the south, the east as well as west. Amongst not only the ponies but between the dragons and against the griffins. Especially against the griffins...

With such gloomy feelings filling her now, with her own personal reasons despite not wanting to do so, the Element of Magic next focused her energy on looking towards a certain door for the hundredth time with much desire.

Twilight gazed upon the study room door that hid from her tricky Star Swirl's Yonderland book. The book that, with good possibility, could ease her troubled mind as well as conflicted Equestria itself. Even now, as if owning a voice, it seemed to call for her to come, to ignore Celestia's command and look through its pages, to find the answers she sought to stopping the rising conflictions her world faced.

Soon enough though, even with the happy times that had transpired that night, even with fantasies of a knightly stallion leading her off into the dusk to some golden sunset, even with the memory of secretly meeting with Luna outside and having just ominously looked at the study room with much wanting, Ponyville's princess surrendered herself to a light sleep as Celestia would have wanted. She surrendered herself with difficulty, mind, after having pondered over Equestria's trials a bit. It didn't really do Twilight's stomach, as a monarch, good to try to ignore the fact that her people, her friends, needed help as quickly as possible. Against what wasn't exactly clear but, eventually, the threats would be clear enough.

Yet, there was no shortage on time to stop them... correct? Twilight, having honestly worked hard with her duties for the past year, could relax for at least one day, right? Right.

Before actually going to sleep, The Element of Magic did indeed begin to understand the importance of celebrating her anniversary. There had to be some happiness, some distraction, to counter what was ailing the kingdom. The memory of her starting a new life as nobility alone slowly helped her calm down in the dark.

In the next instant, she began to recall trotting down the packed halls of Canterlot castle, through the cheering streets of the capitol, with, like now, her friends at her side. There had been hundreds of citizens from everywhere then. Perhaps it would be the same tomorrow, despite the fact that a shadow loomed across the land? Regardless, next day, it was certain that a song would be sung together and, smiling to herself, Ponyville's princess sang a little of it under her breath as her eyes along with mind closed.

"Life in Equestria shimmers... Life in Equestria shines... And I know for absolute certain... that everything is splendidly... fine."

There was a silence for a time after Twilight had drifted to sleep beside snoring Applejack. When finished with her extended restroom visit at last, Fluttershy soundlessly ventured back to her own window-side hammock to snuggle under her blanket too. After some shifting around, after a few moments of humming one of Angel Bunny's favorite bedtime songs to herself as well as thinking of Big Mac, the Element of Kindness slipped into an easy sleep with the rest of her friends. Then and there, the get together had come to a gentle close.

In turn, to the north, Princess Luna could not resist smiling to herself when feeling that the Elements of Harmony had decided to end their sleep over on the best note possible. Now they were frolicking in her dream realm. Until her older sister's dawn, anyway. Until then though, she bid everypony in Ponyville good night while formally trotting back indoors.

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Unknown to the princess of the night, unknown to the princess of the day too, unknown to everypony within heavily secured Canterlot for that matter, Equestria's capitol in its entirety had been secretly watched over during the whole eve of Twilight's anniversary. Who had done the specific watching without being detected by anypony, by even the most powerful of alicorns? That was revealed when, after having observed Luna return to the throne room inside, an inky black and hefty raven left its vine perch from beside the balcony to soar ominously downward.

Through the moonlight, with a random "caw" that grimly disturbed the absolute quiet, the bird of ill tidings made its way through Pinkie Pie's grand party preparations to the brilliantly royal garden sanctuary located in the castle's west wing. Having watched Shining Armor and Princess Candance's wedding take place there the previous year, having observed Twilight Sparkle privately celebrate becoming a princess with her closest friends there also, the raven knew very well where to go to get to the regal garden.

He'd always known plenty, to be honest. Far more than any Equestrian cared to even imagine guessing.

Within the peaceful sanctuary at last, among the various flowerbeds, so many statues of historically heroic ponies, stallions, alicorns, griffins, even dragons, posed for the passing black bird. Together, the figurines of rock had always commanded awe from their observers. Together, they had always shown the best of what Equestria had mustered in the past as a rallying force against darkness. Yet, also together, they were and had been missing a certain figurine of the shadows since his time... of chaos had come calling him back to life recently.

Once through the stone figurines, past the anniversary decorations, the raven decided to land itself upon the only empty rock plinth that read boldly below on the tiles: "Beware of he who enjoys tricks too much, he who boasts the most, he who teases without remorse. Beware of Discord, Spirit of Disharmony, whom will make you go crying back to your family and make Equestria go all silly."

Uninterested in the written warning etched in stone at its feet, the raven purposefully looked around from its spot unafraid. It seemed to have expected somepony, something, to be there to meet with it and, when not seeing anyone around, it began creating an absolute fuss through the shadows!

There was nopony around? That hadn't been the plan!

It was only after some serious cawing as well as flapping of its wings for a moment that the black bird turned about to find - not really to its surprise as a certain devious spirit had wanted - that it wasn't alone in the garden any longer. Mind, if the raven had been an ordinary bird, it would have been utterly shocked by the newest arrival staring it in the face. Still, plainly, it wasn't ordinary. Not when it was meeting with the Spirit of Disharmony in the shadows personally.

With his odd eyes bulging as big as bowling balls, with a crooked sneer across his long expression, tricky Discord was right up in the undisturbed raven's face. Such an act of his would have made anything else, especially his innocent friend, Fluttershy, wet themselves from sheer fear.

Nevertheless, there was only an awkward quiet where the black bird casually cleaned its beak in its wing, leaving the Spirit of Chaos to go on with what was supposed to be a crudely scary joke by bluntly saying, "Boo?"

At that, the raven looked back at the spirit in what appeared to say, "Really? That was the best you could do? How sad." Then, the bird cocked its head to one side that also seemed to add, "If that's all you've got to scare me with... allow me to show you how it's really done." And, with a sudden caw as well as flap of its wings in turn, the black bird's forehead opened to show a third eye!

"Oh, disgusting! Revolting! Down-right creepy!" Discord instantly reacted in disgust at the raven's newest eye before assuming a rather humored attitude, "Yet, impressive. Although I hate to admit it, with me being the actual master of trickiest tricks, I suppose you and your master always have been the unpredictable ones since the start of everything, haven't you? Going here, going there, handing out fate here, turning the tides there and-"

"Caw!"

The raven was suddenly in the air before distracted Discord, cackling madly as the Spirit of Disharmony actually jumped back from shock!

Oh, yes, it could definitely be determined now that there was something off about the bird, if it could so easily unbalance such a tricky spirit whom was feared throughout Equestria. Well, after having a year to prove he wasn't such a rotten apple as presumed, the land didn't fear Discord as much but... what was it about the three eyed crow that unnerved him? Either way, it was clear that the ill looking bird had awaited him in the garden and a speedy exchange began between them in turn.

"Caw! Caw! CAW, CAW, CAW!"

"No, silly, I'm not the one who's late. You are, in fact. I've been waiting here for you for what seems like ages and shame on you for being so rapid with everything. Slow down. How can one not resist stopping to smell Luna's beautiful black roses in bloom, to look at Equestria's greatest historical icons immortalized in stone, as well as to admire dear Element of Laughter's party preparations? I believe we can agree that Twilight Sparkle - oh, pardon me - Princess Twilight Sparkle is due for quite the happy day tomorrow, eh?"

"Caw! Caw! Caw!"

"Indeed. One can say she'll have a happy day tomorrow... Others, such as us, know better, don't we? Things for her, for all of Equestria, are only going to get harder from here, aren't they?"

"Caw!"

"Well, yes, I do enjoy a good mess every so often... but this certain one our dearest land faces may very well leave nothing behind. Including yours truly. And, as for Equestria... Alright, fine! It's grown on me! Stop giving me that look! Anyway, anyhow, I do believe I'd miss the kingdom, with all of its ups as well as downs, if this coming mess got too out of hand. But, shush, don't go telling everypony my soft side is getting the best of me!"

"Caw! Caw! Caw!"

"No, don't go blabbing to Celestia especially! No, I don't need your help in getting around to asking her to the Grand Galloping Gala next year! As you very well know, since when I was shown that... that friendship is magic - *Bleh! - I was too busy helping you and your master with your matters of fate and destiny to attend the Gala this year. So drop it, you feathered pin cushion of a varmint. I'll get around to that mushy matter of wooing the goddes of the sun eventually but, for now, enough of this bridle gossip. If I'm ever going to get the chance to do any said wooing then we need to help save Equestria first and, to save the land, you need to be start being serious about this."

When told off, the three eyed raven indignantly ruffled its feathers before going on with the conversation with the now smug Spirit of Disharmony, "Caw! Caw! Caw!"

"Ah, I see... Then everything is as set as it will be? You've made sure Canterlot is enemy free while your master has the stars aligned tonight and, as we speak, he's watching over Dearest Twilight's dreams?"

"Caw!"

"Then the rest of the plan is left up to us?"

"Caw!"

From under its wing, the raven produced a very old, tattered, piece of parchment next. Just by looking at the revealed paper, Discord seemed to withdraw a bit more into himself. Inside his guts, he felt an unimaginable, unidentifiable aura of power radiate from the note the black bird held in its beak.

"Hm... I see. So, there's a change of plans because beloved Celestia ordered dearest Twilight not to study during the nearing of her anniversary? But of course, even when not meaning to, leave it to the keeper of the sun to make things for us more complicated than needed! Wait," At this, the draconequus face palmed himself with a good laugh, "what am I saying? I love complicated! Why else would I be here putting up with you then, hm? Anyway, I never imagined her ever being able to say no to her work but, nevertheless, Ponyville's princess seems to need one last push in her studies towards her destiny, doesn't she? Well, for Equestria's sake, I suppose I can make a mess of things one last time, can't I?"

"Caw!"

"Very well then! Good enough!" The Spirit of Disharmony abruptly declared, leaping up onto what formerly served as his humiliating platform when imprisoned in stone for a millennium. There, he funnily struck the same pose as his previous statue self while announcing, "Without further ado, let us be off to help destiny stay on the right course! For everypony, for every dragon, for every griffin, spirit, creature, and whatnot out there that depends on it, let's go help the Element of Magic start the most troublesome of tasks she has to face yet! Let's help her call to that which resides beyond Luna's stars! Let's have her finish reading up on Yonderland!"

"Caw!" The black bird called as it flew about the devious Spirit of Disharmony, "Caw! Caw!"

"Quit that already! Don't make me smack you! Perhaps a part of me is indeed going through all this trouble for Celestia alone but it's also for Equestria too! Besides, don't say it like that. It's not like Twilight Sparkle is such a rival of mine that I would allow the land to burn instead of help her. Why would I be here, if so, smarty pants?"

As the tricky spirit snapped his fingers confidently to be engulfed in a white flash of light, Discord announced to his empty surroundings, "Now onward to Ponyville! Ravens and spirits alike, please keep your wings, claws, horns, limbs, tails, and all other required body parts inside the ride at all times! Thank you and, truly, enjoy the rest of your night."

Then, with a small "pop", the odd visitors and their odder business in the garden vanished in a blink, leaving the environment as it once was. Quiet, dark, along with still.