Misery and Bleak Claw landed near the west entrance of Canterlot. Two guards looked at them with wide eyes as they approached. “Halt, what bring you to Canterlot?” One asked.
“I’ve come to visit my dear sweet brother.” Misery said. “You know him, he’s tall, has the most beautiful yellow and red eyes. He’s got a horn and an antler…”
The guard swallowed hard. “Is it okay if we inform him that you’re here?”
She grinned showing her rows of sharp teeth. “Oh yes, it is quite alright.” One of the guards flew off towards the castle. She turned to look at Bleak Claw. “My love, have you been here before? I know I haven’t.” She blatantly lied.
Bleak Claw grinned at her. “A few times. This will be the first visit I’ve come with my sweetness though.” He grabbed her claw and kissed it. Misery blushed.
Discord appeared instantly at the entrance and saw the gryphon kissing his sister’s claw. “Gross.” He stuck his tongue out.
“Dissy!” Misery yelled, turned and pounced on him. They fell to the ground she was hugging her surprised brother.
Discord disappeared and reappeared out of his sister’s grasp and off the ground. “Misery, where have you been?”
She stood up and dusted herself off. “Well, I moved to the gryphon kingdom and married Bleakie here.” She went over to Bleak Claw and kissed him. “He’s a clan leader.”
He looked at the gryphon. “You married my sister?”
Bleak Claw nodded. “Yes, and she’s a good mother too.”
Discord shook his head and looked at Misery. “Mother?”
Misery laughed. “No. Bleakie’s wife passed away. I helped him raise his son. Speaking of raising the sun… Dissy…?” She grinned at her brother and looked up at the castle. “Going to invite me in?”
Discord smiled. “Yes, come to the castle. I have to go back, I was in the middle of a meeting actually.” He turned to the other guard. “Let my sister and her husband in.”
“Yes sir.” The guard saluted.
Discord nodded then looked at Misery. “Stay out of trouble. I’ll let the castle guards know you’re coming.” He snapped his fingers and disappeared.
“It won’t hurt to just ask.” Spike said to Twilight. “All he can say is no, right?”
Twilight sighed. “I guess so Spike; it’s the fact that Luna asked Discord to run Canterlot and not me… that really…” She let out a sigh.
“Maybe she thought you weren’t ready? Discord is a lot older and he has better control of magic than any other pony I know.” He stopped when Twilight gave him a look. “Besides you of course.” He smiled.
She shook her head. “Celestia is getting worse by the day; she just stares off into nothing. I’ve read all my books and I cannot find a solution. I’ve even read books in Canterlot’s library.”
“Have you tried Discord’s library?” Spike asked.
“I don’t like his library; I can’t find anything in it. His organization is…” She sighed deeply. “Chaotic.”
Spike looked at her and laughed in spite of the situation. “What did you expect from Discord?”
Scarlet Grace sat across the table from her parents she tapped her claw on the table as she waited for her husband to get into the room. “Sorry, um but he witnessed Scarlet’s prediction I was just along for the ride.”
“Nothing to worry about dear.” Fluttershy smiled at her daughter.
“I’m here, I apologize for being late.” A young Pegasus pony came into the room he had a dark gray mane and a bright orange coat; his cutie mark was a pair of wings. He walked over to Scarlet Grace and gave her a kiss. Discord sat up slightly then remembered that his daughter was married and sat back.
“Flight Strike?” Fluttershy asked him. “What was Scarlet’s prediction?”
Scarlet Grace’s husband looked at Fluttershy. “Well, it was last night and Gracie was making some salad when she dropped the spoons. I was surprised but I saw she was having one of her episodes, so I watched and listened to her.”
“What did she say?” Discord asked as he sat up again.
Flight Strike looked at his father-in-law warily. “I… um…” He swallowed hard.
Scarlet Grace placed her paw on him and smiled. “Dad, you’re scaring him again.”
Discord folded his arms. “I’m not sorry; he’ll have to get over the fact that I’m intimidating.”
Fluttershy smiled as she flapped her wings. “Flight Strike, just tell me, okay?”
He looked at her and he visibly relaxed. “Sorry but anyway; Scarlet said: There is a wall, the reign is not ending. The shadow will return.”
Discord stood up and Flight Strike shrank back. “Was that all she said?”
“Yes, I’m sorry I really tried to pay attention.” He whispered and walked slightly behind Scarlet Grace.
“For a pony that married some pony that looks almost like her father, you sure are nervous around me.” Discord grinned. “Scarlet Grace resembles me. Why are you more frightened of me than her?” He asked as he loomed over Flight Strike.
“You’re her father, I respect you and… you’re scary. Scarlet is so beautiful, sweet and kind.” Flight Strike answered with big eyes.
Fluttershy started to giggle.
Discord looked at her. “What? Am I not beautiful, sweet and kind?”
“In your own way.” Fluttershy replied still giggling.
Scarlet Grace hugged Flight and kissed his cheek. “Dad isn’t that scary.”
“Says you, he’s your father.” He grinned up at Discord. “Sir… dad… Um can Scarlet Grace and I go now?”
Discord frowned. “No.”
Scarlet Grace looked at her father in shock. “Dad, why?”
He pouted at Scarlet Grace. “It’s like you don’t want to see me anymore. The first to leave the nest, the first to be married. Makes me sad.”
“Don’t be sad.” She grinned. “It’s okay Dad, Flight just wants to pick up some things in Canterlot. Besides I’m not the first in everything, I was the last born.”
Fluttershy looked up. “Not for long.”
“What?” Scarlet looked at her mother. “Mom? Are you saying?”
Fluttershy was blushing as she smiled and nodded. “Yes.”
Scarlet got up and walked around the table to hug her mother. “I’m going to be an older sister!” She hugged Fluttershy. “This is so exciting! Does Paradox and LillyRose know yet?”
“No.” Discord answered. “Lilly is still gone and Paradox has been scarce today, probably hanging out with your Mother’s guard.”
Scarlet Grace started to blink. “Mother’s guard? You mean Silver Dash?”
Fluttershy nodded. “Yes…” She brought her hoof up and waved it to Discord.
Flight Strike noticed Fluttershy waving and he quickly went to stand next to his wife. Discord’s ears went up and he walked closer to Fluttershy to look at Scarlet.
Scarlet started to blink faster and she suddenly grabbed Discord and her eyes became clouded over. “Nervous tension, someone has feelings, you will be accused, but nothing will come of it. The baby… the baby…” She stumbled slightly and Flight steadied her. “Celebrations, happiness and sadness. The shadow… it waits and will no longer be starved.”
Fluttershy said in a shaky voice. “What about the baby? Whose baby? Which baby?”
Scarlet Grace blinked her eyes again and saw all three of them looking at her. “What? Oh… I have a bad headache. Don’t tell me… I did it again?” She placed her paw on her pregnant belly.
“Yes, you did.” Discord said as he helped his daughter sit down with the assistance of Flight Strike. “Now I insist you and Flight stay here and have dinner with us.”
“What did I, I mean Scarlet say?” She asked as she sat down.
“You grabbed your father’s arm.” Flight said. “Just relax please.”
Discord kneeled in front of his daughter. “Scarlet mentioned a baby, but didn’t say anything more about it. She also said something about celebrations, happiness and sadness. I really wish I could figure out Scarlet’s predictions, but we don’t know the answers behind them until they happen. The shadow was mentioned again, I am not happy to know about the shadow.”
Flight Strike looked up. “What is the shadow?”
“The shadow is the reason Discord is ruling Equestria in Celestia’s place.” Fluttershy explained.
“I thought…” He stopped talking when he looked at his father-in-law. “Never mind.”
Discord started to laugh. “Grace, you never told him?”
“It slipped my mind.” She smiled. “I was busy…”
“Yeah, busy.” Discord made air quotes at the word busy.
Lilly put her claw through her gryphon plumage and looked at the leader of the gryphon clan. They had come upon a gryphon clan on the outskirts of the gryphon kingdom. The clan that Zero and she came to was friendly and welcomed them. They were able to become friends with the leader quickly, because his eldest son was having a bit of a relationship problem. LillyRose was able to solve it easily, by just telling him to be himself.
“Are you sure that if we marry here, it will be binding everywhere?” She asked the leader. The leader was a gray gryphon with gray eyes. He had a scar on one cheek where he had fought for leadership of his clan years ago.
“Oh Yes, LillyRose.” He winked at her. “Even in the pony lands this marriage will be binding.”
Lilly blushed as she took in a deep breath. “Okay Bleak Claw, can we have the ceremony tomorrow?”
He laughed. “Of course. I guess that Zero would like to know this plan as well?”
She giggled. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“I’ll have my son tell him. You and my daughters shall stay in. He shall not see you until the day you and he exchange your vows.” Bleak Claw announced.
She blinked. “What? I didn’t know that…” Lilly started to fluff up her feathers.
“Don’t ruffle your feathers so. It will be fine daughter of chaos.” Bleak Claw winked to her. “I am glad you were honest with me, but as clan tradition… you shall not see your chosen mate until you say I do. We are going by gryphon clan tradition.”
36.
“Why must I be blind folded?” Zero asked nervously. “These gryphon clan traditions are quite unusual.”
Bleak Claw’s son Falco laughed. “It’s okay; we all have to wear the blind fold when we marry. This represents that you are blind in soul before finding your mate for life.”
Zero tried to see beyond his blind fold, and really felt like it was a dumb idea. He also was afraid they’d dupe him into marrying the wrong girl. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t you worry Lilly has to wear a blind fold too.” Falco said. “Now come, grab my tail and follow me.”
He reached out with his claw and found the other gryphon’s tail and held on to it. ‘Weird being able to hold things.’ He caught himself thinking. Falco lead him through the clan village and the other gryphons watched, some clapped, some cheered and a couple made a loud scree noise.
“This is so odd.” Zero stated.
“Its tradition, I am hoping I shall have this traditional walk sometime soon.” Falco stated. “We have arrived. Good luck my friend.” Falco patted Zero on his flank and pushed him over to a spot.
“You look to be a little nervous?” Falco’s father said.
“I cannot see a thing. Of course I’m nervous.” Zero stated as he blinked under the blind fold.
“Ah, here is the bride.” Bleak Claw announced.
Zero’s ears perked up as he heard some pony crying and snuffling. It wasn’t Lilly, but some pony else. “So proud of her…” was all that Zero could hear.
“Let it be known that these two wish to be bound together with the sacrament of marriage. Two young ones, forever life mates.” Zero felt Bleak Claw grab his claw and place it into Lilly’s paw.
“LillyRose and Zero Clash, two lost souls, finding one another from within darkness. “Remove your blind folds and look upon your mate for life.”
LillyRose and Zero Clash
They both took off their blind folds and Zero stared at her. She was blushing and staring back, she looked really beautiful as a gryphon.
“As you see your life mate and you have only eyes for one another, as I can see here. Then you are married.” Bleak Claw bowed. “Kiss one another and give your rings.”
They kissed; a long lingering one and Zero placed a ring on Lilly’s finger, she did the same. “I love you.” Zero said.
“I love you.” Lilly blushed.
“Good, now let’s celebrate!” Bleak Claw shouted.
The room erupted in cheering gryphons and carts of food and drink were brought in. There was a sudden appearance of a rather large female hippogryph that made Zero’s eyes widen in surprise. She had tears running down her face and she stood looking at Lilly and Zero. She stood on her hind legs and held herself the way Discord held himself.
Lilly looked at the hippogryph and blinked. “Aunt Misery?”
“Oh, I wasn’t wrong. I knew it…” She whispered. “Little Lilly having a mate, my little Lilly.” The hippogryph approached Lilly and smiled. “I heard you were searching for me?”
Lilly smiled as a tear started to run down her cheek. “Yes we were, but apparently you found us first. Dad was worried about you, he doesn’t say as much but I know how he is.”
“Is it true Lilly? Rumor has it that Dissy is the ruler of Equestria?”
Lilly nodded. “Yes. It’s not a rumor.”
She grinned showing she had sharp teeth. “That makes me so happy for him. Tell me more please. I know you and Zero just gotten married and such but I need to know more.” She looked at Zero.
“Aunt Misery, this is Zero. He was my guard in Canterlot. Now he isn’t”
Misery started to smile evilly. “Oh, Lilly you’re naughty I can tell. So… when is it due?”
Zero blinked in shock. “How did you know?”
Misery clapped. “Hee! I didn’t know, now I do.”
Lilly laughed. “Misery, you know how to manipulate men don’t you?”
“You just have to know what questions to ask.” she said with a wink.
Zero gave Misery a surprised look and frowned. “She “is” your father’s sister.” He mumbled to Lilly.
“So Lilly, when are you going to tell Dissy about your wedding?” She rubbed her claws together. “Can I tell him?”
Lilly shook her head. “No. Oh no. I don’t want him to kill my husband before we even consummate our marriage. Don’t Aunt Missy… please?”
“Spoil sport.” Misery pouted.
Zero looked absolutely terrified and was suddenly looking around the room as if he was waiting for Discord to appear out of thin air. “I rather not die at all.”
Misery grinned and got close to Zero. “Good, it is best not to die.” She licked her lips as she looked at Zero closer. She then stood up straight and looked at Lilly. “Oh I am so very envious of you!”
“What? Why?” Lilly asked.
“Your husband, he wants to be dominated. Lucky Lilly.” Misery grinned.
“I… do?” Zero asked in surprise.
Lilly was blushing deeply. “Missy, please. He doesn’t really.”
“I’m serious Lilly.” Misery suddenly leaned over to her niece and started to whisper in her ear.
Zero blinked at them and Lilly suddenly put her claw on her mouth and looked at him. “Oh Aunt, you’re funny.”
Misery winked at Lilly and then at Zero. “Okay, I can take hint. I’m going to go to Equestria in a few days. You and Zero please go and have fun on your honeymoon. I won’t tell Dissy about your wedding… yet.” She winked at them and slowly walked through the gathering of gryphons and up to Bleak Claw who she suddenly kissed. He grinned at her as she went by and followed her out of the room.
Lilly blinked when she noticed that her aunt left with Bleak Claw. “Oh. Ha… I see what is going on now.”
Zero huffed. “I sure wish I did.”
“I’ll explain later. I think we should be going soon.” Lilly smiled at her new husband. “I missed you last night and I’m feeling a bit…” She leaned over and whispered in his ear.
After Paradox walked with Fluttershy she asked him to walk her to the throne room, she thought that maybe if she just sat with her husband for a while she would give Paradox time to be alone with Silver Dash.
“Fluttershy! My sweetness!” Discord said cheerfully as he patted her small throne next to him. “Come sit and keep me company.”
“Okay, but don’t give me too much attention.” She whispered as she walked over to her throne and sat down. She looked around and noticed that the throne room was empty beside the few guards standing close by. “Where is every pony?”
Discord shrugged. “Oh, it’s one of those quiet days.” He sat back in his throne then sat up again as a pony walked into the room.
One of the guards stepped forward. “State your business.”
The pony was an earth pony with a light gray coat and a cutie mark that resembled hay bales and he looked older than the ponies that Discord had seen lately. “Um Lord Chaos, I’m Hearty Clash a simple farmer on the outskirts of Canterlot and I have been having a problem with mice eating my crops. I was wondering if there was a safe way to get rid of them.”
Discord thought about it for a moment, but Fluttershy spoke up before he said anything. “Mice are very particular and they seem to latch on with what they like. Maybe you should plant a different crop next year and then rotate the crops and maybe the mice will stop eating into your profits. If that doesn’t work, I will give them a talking to myself and ask them politely to leave your plants alone.”
Hearty blinked and bowed. “Oh, thank you. I will try that.” He then cleared his throat again. “I was also wondering… My son… he works here at the castle… I was wondering if he could have some time off to spend with me.”
Discord blinked. “Well. I don’t see why not. What’s your son’s name?”
“Zero Clash.” The farmer said quietly.
Fluttershy looked at Discord quickly.
“Ah yes, Zero…” Discord muttered. “A fine young stallion. I’m sorry. Zero is not here.”
Hearty looked at him in shock. “Are you sure? My son is very dedicated to his work.”
“Dedicated… hmmm yes… well…” Discord muttered and Fluttershy noticed that he was digging his claws into the wood of his throne.
She spoke up again as she got up. “Mr. um… Clash. Sorry to say something again, but… you see, right now Zero has gone on assignment with Lady Chaos, our daughter, and we don’t know when he will be back. I will though, let him know when he returns that he needs to visit his family soon.” She steered the earth pony away from Discord and was walking with him towards the door. “I really would love to meet your family sometime soon too. Sorry that you had come all this way to see him only to be turned away. Don’t be upset, Zero is quite safe with our daughter.”
“Thank you Lady Fluttershy.” Zero’s father replied as he trotted away.
She trotted back up to her throne and sat down and stared at her husband. “Discord… why did you act like that?”
Discord’s eyes narrowed. “His son… violated my double flower.”
She shook her head. “Two consenting adults… having sex.”
“Yes, and one is my daughter.” Discord mumbled.
“Discord, it wasn’t Zero’s father’s fault. I am sure he’d be the same way if he had a daughter. Besides, I don’t think he knows that he and Lilly are a couple now.” Fluttershy smiled.
“Okay Fluttershy I guess I’ll give it a rest until they get home. Wherever they are. I bet they are doing something that they shouldn’t be doing.” He grumped.
She looked at him. “Cheer up.”
He looked over at her. “Why Fluttershy? One of our daughters is just about to have a baby, and the other is somewhere Luna knows where with her boyfriend! Our son had just gotten out of being terribly ill to falling head over heels for some pony he had ignored for years… What more can go wrong I ask you?”
“I’m pregnant.” Fluttershy said suddenly.
He sat up. “Fluttershy, you have played this trick on me before… Are you doing it again?”
She looked at him. “What do you think?”
He looked around and saw the guards standing stoically and he leaned over to her placing his paw and claw on her stomach as he closed his eyes. He slowly rubbed her fur spreading his fingers through the softness. His eyes opened fast as he looked up at her face. “We’re pregnant again.”
She nodded at him as she smiled shyly. “Yes.”
“Fluttershy, I don’t count that as something going wrong.” He couldn’t help but smile. “You have cheered me up exponentially.” He looked around. “Oh! I’ve got to tell someone the news…” He jumped up off his throne and ran over to one of the guards. “MY WIFE IS PREGNANT!!” He shook him on his shoulders.
The guard blinked in surprise. “Uh, congratulations Sir.”
“Thank you!” Discord went back over to Fluttershy and kissed her. “I love you Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy blushed as she smiled at him. “I love you too.”
Fluttershy shook her head as she looked at the box that she kept her tea and other herbs to keep from getting pregnant and sighed at how empty it was. “I guess I’ll be alright.”
There was a knock on the door. “Come in.”
“Mom?” Paradox asked as he peeked into the room.
Fluttershy smiled. “Dox! Come in please.” She was so happy her son came to see her.
He opened the door all the way. “I hope I’m not bothering you.” He said as he walked in.
“No, I’m just starting to get ready to go for a stroll outside.” She smiled lightly as she pushed the box further on the table. “Do you want to join me? Silver would love the company too.”
Paradox shuffled his feet. “That is why I’m here.” He sat down opposite Fluttershy then looked around nervously. “I want to ask her to marry me.” He whispered.
Fluttershy blinked. “Oh Doxy!” she smiled. “How are you going to ask?”
“I’m not sure, I want it to be special.” he fidgeted.
“Your father asked me on the night I was going to tell my friends that I was pregnant with you and Lilly.” She suddenly blushed. “I was so shocked I couldn’t speak. You know how he is; he made a huge production of it.” She smiled thinking back on it.
“I haven’t told Dad yet. Should I?” He looked nervous just speaking of it.
“Dox, you really shouldn’t worry, you’re very creative and I am sure you will be able to come up with a way to ask her. It’s not your father you should be worried about though. Silver is Rainbow Dash’s daughter, you’ll have to ask her if it is okay for you to marry Silver.”
His eyes widened. “Ask Rainbow Dash? Mom… you’re her friend can you ask for me?”
Fluttershy looked at him. “No Dox. You’ll have to.”
Paradox gave a sigh. “How am I going to ask her? This is getting complicated.”
“It’s only as complicated as you make it out to be.” Fluttershy smiled.
“How did Dad ask your family?”
“Oh, well Doxy, my family… um… my parents are no longer alive.” She whispered sadly.
“Oh! Oh so that is why Lilly and I don’t have grandparents. I’m sorry Mom, I forgot about that.” Paradox felt very awkward. “I have a lot to think about.”
“Are you going to join me on that walk?” Fluttershy asked.
Discord’s eyes flew open in the morning he went to sit up but Fluttershy was curled up next to him with her arms around his neck. He smiled as he reached up and removed her arm from his neck. She made a slight moan and rolled over. Looking at her he suddenly felt aroused and he wanted to… no, he can control himself. He jumped out of bed and stretched getting all the kinks from his body.
“All work, no play…” He whispered as he walked out to the balcony of the castle.
Luna flew down and landed on her balcony across the commons. She waved to him giving the signal that she was ready to retire for the day.
Letting out a loud yawn he lifted his arms and made the sun rise. Then colored the sky a light purple with blue and green polka dots. “A lovely day if I do say so myself.” He leaned back and floated back into the bedroom. Fluttershy was still in bed and he looked at her and thought, ‘just a little cuddle won’t hurt.’ He slinked back into bed and curled up against her. She was warm and he moved his arms around her waist as he nibbled the back of her neck.
“Mm Discord.” She sighed in her sleep. “I like that.”
Discord kept nibbling and kissing her neck as he grew aroused. ‘Just a little bit of rubbing won’t hurt.’ He kissed her slowly as he started to rub his arousal up against her soft folds. She was wet and warm and he wanted her so badly.
Fluttershy let out a soft moan as she felt him against her, felt him rubbing his arousal up and down over her heat. “Oh.” Her eyes fluttered open.
Discord nibbled her neck more as he moved his hips and he slid his tip of his arousal into her folds. “Ah yes…” He whispered as he pushed into her deeper.
Fluttershy gasped as he pushed into her and she was instantly in euphoria. “Oh. Discord. You feel so good.” She moaned.
“Yes, I just cannot help myself.” He moaned as he started to make love to her slowly moving his hips as he pushed deeply into her.
She shuddered in pleasure as they moved together in the bed, their bodies knew the way. She gasped when her orgasm washed over her and she tightened her muscles around him. “Ah! Please…” She panted out.
He grunted as he pushed in and out of her and feeling her orgasm around him made him become harder as he pushed deeper into her. He put his paw and claw around her waist as he started to thrust faster and deeper into her. “Fluttershy, I’m coming.” He whispered to her.
“Ah! Discord yes, please.” She moaned out loudly as her body shook from pleasure.
He bit down on his bottom lip as he pushed in deeply and released himself into her tightness. He bucked up into her several more times delivering a gush of his hot seed into her with each thrust. “I guess I cannot resist temptation.” He muttered as he kept himself buried in her as he kissed the back of her neck.
She sighed deeply. “Yes, but you feel so good.” she said softly.
“Fluttershy, you are like an addiction, but I don’t want the cure.” He held her close as he slowly pulled from her. “So silky and smooth.” He murmured.
She yawned. “I think your way of waking me up is better than any alarm clock.”
Discord grinned. “It is a good thing I’m an early riser.”
“In more ways than one.” She giggled.
Discord laughed. “I love you.” he said as he nuzzled her.
“I love you too.” She blushed.
He let her go, stretched and gave her a kiss. “A ruler’s work is never done my love. Let’s go get cleaned up and get some breakfast.”
Discord had put the sun down again as he did so he stretched and walked slowly into the bedroom. Fluttershy wasn’t in bed yet and he wasn’t sure why. He fell onto the bed face first and scooted on better, wrapping himself in the blankets. He was about to drift off to sleep when he heard something odd in the other room. His ears perked up when he heard Fluttershy crying? He quickly jumped out of bed and looked into the other room.
Fluttershy was lying on the couch looking at something in a box. She was crying lightly as she looked in it. Her ear twitched when she heard him enter the room and she quickly closed the box.
“Fluttershy? What is wrong my dear?” He asked as he approached trying to ignore the box she had.
She moved her hoof over her face. “Nothing is wrong.” She whispered. “I was um going to put this on the shelf.” She got up and walked to the book shelf and placed the box on it. “I had no idea it was this late. Let’s go to bed.”
He watched her as she walked by him. He reached out and put his fingers through her mane as she walked by. “Fluttershy, why were you crying?”
She blinked at the question. “Oh, umm no reason. I’m just tired I guess.” She continued in the bedroom and he followed her after glancing at the box one last time.
They curled up together in bed and fell asleep. It was in the middle of the night when Discord’s curiosity got the better of him. He sat up in bed and looked at Fluttershy sleeping soundly, her mane a beautiful mess upon the pillow. He admired her for a moment then slowly slinked out of bed.
He walked into the other room and saw the box on the shelf and he summoned it to his claw. He hesitated in opening it for just a moment not sure what to expect when he did.
Fluttershy awoke and noticed that he wasn’t in bed with her. She flapped her wings tiredly and got up out of bed. She slowly went into the other room and gasped when she saw he had the box in his hand.
He looked at her when he heard her gasp. “Explain this.” He placed the box in front of him on the table.
“You opened it?” She asked; then shook her head. “You didn’t open it. I can tell.”
Discord blinked. “What’s in it?”
She smiled. “Nothing is in it. Although, something used to be, it’s empty now.”
“Empty?” He turned the box toward him and slowly opened the lid.
“Told you. Empty.” She stated.
“Yes, but not quite.” He held the box up and sniffed it. “Smells like herbals.” he then gasped. “Fluttershy! Why?”
She suddenly blushed. “Because… I umm… it was Epona’s idea.” She squeaked.
He started to chuckle. “It’s quite alright my dear. I already knew you had been taking something. I think we can get you more if you really want to.”
“You’re not angry?” Fluttershy asked.
He shook his head. “No, of course not, although, I guess we’ll have to stop having some bedroom follies until we get you more herbs.”
She looked at him with her eyes wide. “But… um… I start my estrus tomorrow and you… cannot…”
“I have you know, I can resist the temptation.” He smiled with a slight twitch of his eye.
“Um… sure you can.” Fluttershy answered. “I guess we can go back to bed.”
LillyRose was panting hard as she landed just on the outskirts of the gryphon kingdom. She looked up in the sky and didn’t see Zero so she extended her wings again and was going to try and retrace her steps to finding him. When he came into her sights, he erratically flew down to her and landed on his face. She trotted over to him and helped him up.
“I am terribly sorry, I didn’t mean for us to fly that long of a way.” She still panted as she relaxed her wings.
“Lilly, I never knew that flying was so difficult.” Zero was sweating and panting. He looked at the grass in the clearing she found and he trotted over to it and flung himself on the cool green blades and started to roll around. “Ah!”
Lilly smiled as she walked over to him and watched as he rolled. She looked around and then slowly settled on the grass, but just sat there. “I’m still sorry we flew so long, that is quite a work out for a first time flyer like you.”
Zero looked up from rolling on the grass. “It’s ok Lilly, I went through rough training. I’m used to this.” He looked at her as she curled her long tail around her as she settled on the grass calmly.
She acted regally as she looked at him. “You are such a male.” She muttered then she looked up suddenly when she saw a couple shadows move along the ground. “Oh! Gryphons! We need disguises.” She clicked her tongue and Zero gasped when he looked at his hooves to see claws. She looked like a gryphon as well, a very good looking one.
“Please Lilly don’t tell me this is permanent.” He whispered as he saw them start to circle as if they were preparing to land.
“It’s an illusion.” She whispered as one of the gryphons landed and walked towards them.
“Hey, what are you two doing out here?” He asked.
“We were just resting.” Zero stated as he stood up. “We are on our way to visit a friend.”
Lilly stood up and stretched. She flapped her feathered wings catching the attention of the gryphon. He looked at her and grinned she returned the smile slightly. “It would be nice if you’d let us go on our way. I have to see a dear friend of mine who is very ill.”
Zero blinked at the way Lilly held herself as if she was used to gryphon protocol. She ruffled up her feathers as she moved closer to the gryphon. Zero started to frown and felt jealousy well up inside.
The second gryphon landed and moved fast up to Zero getting in his face. Zero noticed that it was a female. “Carl, I don’t trust them. They smell like they hang out with ponies.” She had dark feathers framing her face and her eyes were greenish yellow, her beak looked harsh and sharp.
“Bianca, just chill. Can’t you see I’m talking to this hot number here?” Carl stated and looked back at Lilly. “So visiting a sick friend?” He asked.
Lilly looked at him and frowned. “Yes, and please get away from me. I already have a mate for life.”
Carl looked at her claws and smiled wide. “You don’t have a ring, what mate doesn’t get his hot gal a ring?”
Zero let out a very loud snort. “One that hasn’t married her yet.” He side stepped the female gryphon and charged at the larger gryphon.
“Stop.” Lilly grumbled and clicked her tongue. All of them froze in place. “Carl, not all gryphon gals are objects. Zero aww, you got jealous, love you. And you, Bianca… don’t go around smelling boys; that is gross. You don’t know where they’ve been.”
Zero looked at her as she walked over to him. “Come on love.” She said as she touched his muzzle and he unfroze. They both stretched out their wings, she let Zero fly off first as she looked at the two gryphons. “In about an hour, the paralysis spell will wear off. I learned it from a basilisk.” She jumped up into the sky and flew up following Zero.
Zero sighed as she joined him. “I wish those hadn’t butted in just then.”
Lilly looked at him. “Oh? Why is that?”
“I wanted to mate with you on that grass.” He smiled.
“Oh? Hmm… what makes you think I was in the mood for mating?” She asked.
Zero shrugged but flew around her. “I don’t know. Did you know that you look great as a gryphon?”
“So it seems.” Lilly stated. “You look rather small by gryphon male standards.”
Zero blinked. “What? Really, oh man. What a way to make me feel inadequate. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” she grinned at him. “While in the Gryphon Kingdom let’s get married.”
“Wait! What?” He asked.
“Let’s get married.” She smiled as she watched him.
“That is what I thought you said… Your father would kill me.”
Lilly giggled at that. “He hasn’t killed you yet.”
“Yeah, well I think he is just biding his time…” Zero swallowed hard.
29. (remember you can click on images for bigger resolution)
Lilly walked into the throne room with Zero following behind her. Discord sat up at seeing Lilly and her old guard.
Discord asked. “Lilly, I thought you left yesterday?”
“Yeah, well… I had to come back. I had to… take Zero with me.” She blushed.
Discord looked at Zero. “I see.” He then looked at Lilly. “Why do you think that I would be happy with letting him accompany you in this quest for discovery?”
“Because… I love him and he can protect me.” Lilly shuffled her hoof as she blushed.
Discord’s eyebrow went up and he looked at Zero. “I have a question for you.”
Zero saluted. “Yes sir?”
“Do you love LillyRose?” He stared at Zero.Zero felt like he was going to burst into flame under Discord’s gaze. He looked at Lilly and back at her father. “Yes.”
“Fine, go together. Just please… be careful. I don’t want to go back into the Gryphon Kingdom looking for you. Feathers on my neck gives me hives.” He scratched his neck. “Oh, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. On second thought; don’t do anything I would do too.”
