7.
Spike belched up a scroll and made a face. “Ugh, this scroll tastes like coconut.” He looked at the scroll and it didn’t look like Celestia’s normal looking scroll. It had a different seal on it. “Twilight, a scroll from Celestia… I guess…”
Twilight looked at Spike. “You guess? What would make you guess?” She lifted the scroll up with her magic and looked at it. “That isn’t Celestia’s seal, whose seal is that?”
Spike shrugged. “What does it say?”
Twilight opened and read it. “Dear Twilight Sparkle, your presence is requested immediately in Canterlot. Signed Princess Luna.”
“Princess Luna?” Twilight asked. “Spike something isn’t right, I think I might have to teleport there.”
“Are you sure Twilight?” Spike asked nervously.
She nodded. “Yes I am sure. I’ll be back.” Her horn glowed and she disappeared.
Twilight appeared outside the throne room. Everything seemed normal guards were standing at their posts and they bowed when they saw her.
“Princess Twilight.” One guard bowed to her lower than the others. “You are expected.”
“Is everything okay?” Twilight asked.
“Oh yes, Princess.” The guard stated as he opened the throne room door. “Go right on in.”
Twilight trotted into the throne room confidently and stopped in mid stride when she saw Discord grinning at her from the throne. He waved at her, “Come on in Twilight, I am glad you are so punctual to summons.”
“What in Celestia’s name is going on?” Twilight demanded. “Are you the reason why Luna requested me? Where is Celestia?”
Discord started to chuckle at her look. “Oh this is too perfect; I want to cherish that look on your face forever.” He stared at her for a moment. “Yes, Luna requested you, but I sent you the message. Did Spike enjoy the flavor?”
“He doesn’t like coconut.” Twilight muttered.
“Oh, I’ll have to remember that.” Discord grinned.
“Are you going to explain to me what is going on?” Twilight growled. “What are you doing on the throne, where is Celestia? Why are the guards listening to you and working for you?”
“Dad, I think you had enough fun with aunt Twilight.” Lilly said as she walked from behind the curtain.
Twilight suddenly felt relieved when she saw Lilly. “Oh so this is just an elaborate joke, right? Celestia you are very funny, come out.”
Lilly shook her head. “No, it’s not a joke; Dad is the ruler of Equestria. Celestia isn’t here.”
Twilight blinked. “What, but… what did you do to Celestia?” She flapped her wings and confronted Discord.
He put his arms up. “I didn’t do anything; it was all Lilly’s idea. Luna agreed.”
She landed while she looked at Lilly; she didn’t understand why Discord had been appointed by Luna. “Lilly?”
“Come on Twilight, we have a lot to talk about.” Lilly said. “Talk to you later Dad.”
“Yeah, sure leave me alone to run a kingdom.” Discord muttered as he sat back on his throne. He then grinned as he summoned a throne right next to him; it was smaller but looked to accommodate a pony. “Yes, she would look beautiful right here beside me.”
Lilly walked with Twilight down the hallway. “Tell me what is going on?” Twilight demanded as her tail flicked in irritation.
“We need your help Twilight,” Lilly said as she sighed. “Celestia is gravely ill and Luna can only do so much, we need you to help Celestia get better. Her mind has been corrupted and is badly injured she needs constant attention something that none of us could do on our own.”
“How did it happen? You didn’t corrupt Celestia did you?” She asked.
Lilly sighed. “No and neither did Dad. It was a shadow; it took Celestia and then tried to take me. Apparently, something is deep inside of me that enables me see my way out of darkness. I don’t know what it is, but right now I am very weak. It’s by sure will power I am still standing.” She sighed again.
“You should rest then.” Twilight looked at her. “Does Fluttershy know that you and your father are here?”
Lilly nodded, “Yes, but she doesn’t know what had transpired here. I think Dad wants to tell her. Paradox is extremely ill, so she is taking care of him.”
“Oh! What is wrong with Paradox?” Twilight was looking more worried with all the bad news.
Lilly stopped and sighed. “I don’t know. Twilight can you help us? If you can, Luna will take you to see Celestia.”
Twilight was suddenly surprised that they were standing next to Luna’s room; two of her guards were standing at attention. “Oh! Yes I would like to help anyway I could.”
“Thank you.” Lilly knocked on Luna’s door as the guards bowed to her.
Luna opened the door, Lilly and Twilight bowed to her. “Ye had brought me Twilight Sparkle. We are so pleased, thank ye Lady Chaos.”
“You’re welcome Princess.” Lilly said. “I have told her only a little bit, you will have to tell her the rest. I don’t remember a lot.”
Luna nodded in understanding. “Tis true Lady Chaos, ye were busy. Thank ye again for saving her.”
Lilly nodded. “Princess, I tried my best. If you would excuse me? I think I need some rest.”
“Yes, ye should get rest; tomorrow we shall get thou family into the castle and appoint ye some guards.” Princess Luna nodded as she looked at Twilight. “Princess Twilight, please accompany me to tend to Celestia.”
“Yes Princess.” Twilight nodded as Luna let Twilight into her room shutting the door as Lilly walked away back towards the throne room.
Lilly yawned as she slowly opened the door to the throne room and looked in. Discord was redecorating, using dark colors that matched his throne. “Dad. This room looks too dark.” She muttered as she walked over to him.
“You think so?” He asked as he rubbed his beard.
“Yeah, you should hire Aunt Rarity to redecorate for you.” She suggested.
Discord tapped on his tooth. “Maybe… or… I can ask the opinion of your mother.”
“You haven’t told her yet? Dad, she’s probably worried sick about us.” Lilly blinked tiredly. “I’m… so sleepy…” She wobbled unsteadily. She started to fall over Discord caught her quickly.
“My little double flower. I will take you home.” He looked around the throne room smiled and snapped his fingers.