It was the next morning and me and the other mares were by the train station, seeing Fluttershy who was dressed and ready to leave to explore the land of the breezies, the train whistled so there wasn't much time to say our goodbyes before she went away on her time away from Ponyville.

"Here's a wrap, in case it gets cold." Rarity said as she packed a rolled up sheet into Fluttershy's saddle bags.

"And ah packed you a basket of nice fresh apples in case you get hungry." Applejack added as she placed the basket by her.

"Have a great time!" Twilight said.

"Oh, I will. And I hope you have fun with Cadance." Fluttershy replied.

"All aboard!" The conductor said.

As Fluttershy got on board, I was wondering on what she meant about Cadence.

"Uh Twilight, what did she mean by you and Cadence?" I asked.

"Oh I forgot to tell you, I'm meeting with Princess Cadence, she's coming for a visit and I'm very excited." she replied.

The train whistle and began to move, we saw Fluttershy at the end carriage, waving at us.

"Goodbye! Goodbye, everypony!" she called.

The train was then out of sight.

"Fluttershy! I'll never forget youuuuuuu!" Pinkie called before she noticed a balloon, "Ooh, something floaty! La-la-la-la-la!"

The rest of us facehoofed, but we didn't have a chance to think more of it as we began to see another train pull in.

"Oh, I'm a bit nervous about Cadance's visit!" Twilight said as the train approached us.

"What, is she on that train just coming?" I asked.

"Yes."

"What could you be nervous about, Twilight?" Applejack asked, "Cadance just loves you to pieces!"

"I know, but I really want her visit to go without a hitch!"

"Oh, why wouldn't it?" Pinkie asked.

"Well, the last three times we've seen each other haven't exactly been worry-free."

"The fate of Equestria has hung in the balance during most of your visits with her." Rarity added.

"Exactly. Cadance and I haven't really had a chance to just enjoy being friends again. Which is why it is so important that this visit be about the two of us having some real quality time together."

"Ah'm guessin' you've got a plan that'll keep it that way." Applejack said.

"The timing couldn't be more perfect. For one day only, right here in Ponyville, the Star Swirl the Bearded Travelling Museum! Cadance and I can spend the whole day looking at Star Swirl the Bearded artefacts!"

"Sounds like a perfect drama-free way to spend the day with Cadance." Rarity responded.

"Not counting the drama surrounding which of the bells from his cloak they've chosen to put on display. Spoiler alert: it's this one!" she then pointed to the poster of Starswirl on the station wall.

Dash then coughed in some way, "Uh, sorry. Something in my throat...like a big ball of 'lame'!"

"I think it sounds delightful." Rarity said.

"Yup, definitely sounds like you two will have some real quality time together." Applejack added.

"Exactly. Just quiet time." Twilight replied.

"And right on time, folks." I said as the train pulled into the station and the doors opened.

Two guards who looked different to each other came out along with a red carpet and then Cadence appeared from the train and walked onto the station.

"Your Highness." Cadence greeted.

"Your Highness." Twilight replied.

"I'm teasing, Twilight. We're sisters-in-law. We don't have to be so formal."

The train blew it's whistle as the two guards walked back into the train, but not before one of them looked at Twilight and blushed lightly...hmm, now why did the light orange guard do that?

"Knowing you, you've made some plans." Cadence said.

"Boy, have I. Hang on just one second." Twilight replied as she looked at us. "You all-"

"Now, now, don't you worry about a thing! We will make sure that nothing – but nothing – interferes with your visit." Rarity assured.

"Go on, have a hootenanny with your kinfolk." Applejack added.

"You really are the best friends a pony could ever have." Twilight replied as she hugged all of us, "Coming, Cadance!"

Twilight and Cadence then left the station together.

"Two sisters-in-law bonding." Pinkie sighed, "Well, I for one am gonna make sure that nothing spoils their day!"

"I think we all can agree to do our part to make sure it goes smoothly." I added.

Just then, we saw a spinning object flying towards us.

"Man the trenches! Duck and cover!" I yelled as we ducked.

The spinning object collided into the tree where it it stopped.

"What is that?" Dash asked.

"No, not a "what", but a "who", dear." it replied whilst sniffing before it sneezed, blowing the tree leaves away to reveal...

"DISCORD!" We all spoke in unison.

"What in tarnation are you doin' here? And why the jumpin' June bugs are you blue?" Applejack asked.

"More like a shade of cerulean, to be precise." Rarity corrected..

"Wait a minute lemme do this, just this once." I said as I got into a dance pose. "Cause I'm...a deeper shade of blue...and there's nothing you can't do!" I sang randomly.

"Anyways...whatever colour you are is the colour of trouble!" Dash yelled at him.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash, I've changed, surely you remember? I was reformed by lovely little....F-F-Fluttershy-" Discord replied as he sneezed.

"What are you, sick or somethin'?" Applejack replied.

"Well, of course I'm sick. The blue skin? These sneezes? Could somebody find me a fainting couch?"

The mares looked at Rarity.

"What?" she asked.

Pinkie then moved in a pile of luggage with her head so Discord could lie down on it.

"How charming, thank you." he said, "I can't stop sneezing and wheezing. In short...I need help."

"If you're so 'sick', why have you come here instead of, y'know, staying home in bed and getting over your weird illness?" Dash asked.

"Because this condition has left me helpless, simply helpless! Why, I can barely lift a spoon. I came to find the one pony who truly understands me and could nurse me back to health. Where is that dear, sweet Fluttershy? I need attention! I need some care! I need-"

"You need to chill. Fluttershy's out."

"Oh, of course, her trip to see the Breezies. Ah, yes, I had forgotten that was today."

"How do you know about her trip?" Applejack asked.

"Well, she told me about it in her last letter."

"You and Fluttershy write each other letters?" Pinkie asked.

"Well, of course we do! We're friends! It's just such a shame that today of all days is when I really need her. Oh, well, I know what to do."

"Good thinking. Head on home, put your feet up. I'm sure eventually you'll have the strength to make yourself soup or something..." Dash said.

"Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no! I mean, while she's gone, you ponies can take care of me! Isn't that what friends are for, taking care of each other?" Discord then grabbed Dash and hugged her, "Let the healing begin!"

"Not it!"

Dash then suddenly zoomed far away from our view...okay, that was record breaking fast.

"Well, that's some way to treat a suffering friend."

"Don't you worry, Discord! I'll give you cuddles, and read you stories, and tell you all about me!" Pinkie replied, "I was born on a Tuesday-"

"Oh, you're so sweet to offer, but Rarity and Applejack already volunteered to be my own personal nursemaids."

"Oh no!" I intervened, "There is absolutely no way I'm letting Rarity anywhere near your sickness."

"Psssh, fine then...how about you take care of me?"

"I would if I was immune to all kinds of sickness...which I'm not."

I then grabbed Rarity and brought her near my side.

"Anyways, I so hope you don't mind, Pinkie Pie."

"Well, as a matter of fact, I most certainly-" she got cut off as Discord showed a balloon in front of her, "Hey! Who keeps throwing away these perfectly good balloons?"

Pinkie kept bouncing and following the balloon till she was out of sight.

"That joker's up to something, and whatever it is, we're gonna keep it as far away from Twilight and Princess Cadance as possible." Applejack whispered to us as we saw Discord on a life support machine...from somewhere.

"You're right. We promised we wouldn't let anything ruin their visit." Rarity agreed, "Although I do so wish that "anything" had turned out to be something else!"

"Agreed, we must do whatever we can to keep him around us at all times, even if one of us catches his illness." I said to them.

"Did I hear you three talking about Princess Cadence's visit with Princess Twilight?" Discord asked.

"Maybe." Applejack replied.

"Fluttershy had mentioned that those two were getting together today. Mm-hm. How wonderful for them both. It is so rare that those two get to see one another. I don't know about you, but I sometimes wonder how close they could actually be. All those years apart before being reunited?"

"They're plenty close."

"And if they're not, this rare opportunity to focus on their friendship will certainly bring them closer. Unless..."

"Don't even think about it! They mustn't be disturbed!" Rarity demanded.

"Disturb them? I wouldn't dream of it. Not when I have two such dear friends of my own who have already offered to take care of me. And at such peril! This flu of mine is highly-" as he got cut off, I hugged Rarity and placed a bubble shield around us before he sneezed. "Contagious."

Applejack then sneezed.

"Oh no, I've gotten you sick. Whomever shall I turn to now in my time of need?"

"Forget it, Discord." I said, "I'm not letting you anywhere near me or Rarity."

"But taking in the sick and the desperate - isn't that what Fluttershy would do? Isn't 'helping' something that friends do for friends? Unless, of course, you're really saying that you're not my friend."

What...how are any of us supposed to answer that?

"No..." I sighed, "That's not what I'm saying."

"Oh, how elated I am to hear that. Shall the three of us head back to your place? I don't want to get anypony else sick."

"Guess we don't have much choice." Rarity said worryingly.

"I have a better idea and Twilight may not like it, but we'll have to go to the Library to see if we can find anything." I suggested.

"Good idea, darling...come along Discord."

"Carry me?" he asked.

"It isn't far. I think you can manage."

"Oh, poo."

Discord followed us, slithering like a snake as we kept a bubbled shield around Rarity and me, holding hooves until we arrived at the Library. When we got in, Discord laid on a big sofa whilst I went through the books, trying to find anything useful. Rarity gave Discord some company and at least we're keeping him away from Twilight and Cadence.

"So do you need anything?" Rarity asked.

"Just knowing that I have a good friend like you to take care of me has made me feel better already. I'll be fine here on my own. Oh, just before you go, just a little small request." he replied.

"I see...and anything else?"

Suddenly, music began to play...oh no...Discord isn't going to sing, is he?

A little glass of water please

A fresh pressed hanky if I sneeze

Some tea with honey from the bees

Whenever you can brew it

"I'll get your tea." Rarity sighed.

And while I get a little rest

A teeny tiny small request

Some codfish oil for my chest

Poured from a crystal cruet

"A crystal cruet?"

My goodness, I'm a nincompoop

Because I fear I've got the croup

I need a vat of pumpkin soup

And scarves made out of zinnias

Did I say zinnias? I meant silk

Or something shiny of that ilk

And then I'll need some nice warm milk

And pastries from Abyssinia

And since my stomach's feeling crummy

Why not give my aching tummy

Something soothing, something yummy

Piled up with noodles?

Add a slice of homemade rye

With stacks of Swiss way up high

Served with sides of sweet mince pie

More basil; I need oodles!

"Anything else?"

I'll be grateful for your charity

Until the bitter end

Because I've heard that tenderness

Is what you lend an ailing friend

Tenderness, isn't that right, friend?

"Right but-"

So, who's ready for my big reprise?

I'd like that glass of water please

Some magic spell to cure disease

A firm "gesundhoof" when I sneeze

A fresh bouquet of roses

Some lozenges will soon appease

My wheezing when I start to sneeze

A wig to keep me from the breeze

And blankets for my toes-es

Take tweezers out of my valise

And then massage my knobby knees

A bowl of peas, some extra cheese

A cuddle with a Pekingese

A singing harp who's named Louise

A goat on skis, a new trapeze

And more and more and more and more of these

"And just because I oughta-"

Make sure I'm drinking in the right

Amount of fluids day and night

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have just one little thing

Oh, would you please finally bring

Me that tiny glass

Of water?!!

The music and the song ended with Rarity being covered in water and not amused. Discord then took the glass of water but he then dropped it by the bed.

"Oops. Sorry." he said.

"Alright, this is ridiculous!" Rarity said before I came over and used my magic to dry her off. "Any luck, dear?"

"Not yet, but I do have a question," I replied before looking at Discord, "how did you even catch this flu?" I asked.

"Inadequate hoof and claw washing?"

"Right, there must be some way to just cure you! There has to be a spell or remedy in one of Twilight's books!"

"There is one way..."

"And you didn't think to mention it earlier?"

"Slipped my mind. On a hill at the very edge of Equestria, there grows an exquisite magic flower. Pick the flower as it drops its petals at sunset. Then you can make a magical soothing elixir to cure the blue flu."

"I suppose you have a good reason you didn't bother to get this flower as soon as you realized you were sick?" Rarity asked.

"Well, I couldn't travel that far in my condition. By the time I got there, I'd be too weak to even attempt to retrieve the flower."

Just then, we heard a door open and we saw it was Twilight and Cadence.

"Hey there you two and..." Twilight said before she noticed Discord, "...Discord! What are you doing here?!?"

"Oh, dear, dear Princesses, I'm sorry to say that I'm sick...blue flu."

"Blue flu?" Cadence asked.

"Ah, I fear I've already given it to poor Applejack." he paused for a moment, "You will be letting me stay at your place until I'm all better, won't you?"

"Stay? With me?!" Twilight exclaimed, "Uh, now is not really the best time, though I'm sure you already knew that..."

"It's going to be fine." Cadence assured, "We'll just get him what he wants and be back to the exhibit in no time. What was it that you needed?"

"Noooooo!" I yelled, "Don't sing that song again!"

"Yes agreed, I can't bear to get soaked!" Rarity added as she galloped out of the library and I followed suit.

When we were far away from the library, we breathed a sigh of relief.

"Right, we're finally away from him." I said as I hugged Rarity, "But in the process, we failed to keep him away from Twilight and Cadence."

"It's alright dear, there was nothing more we could do." she replied before she kissed me, "Now I think we should go and check on Applejack."

Along the way as we were walking to the farm, we then heard a familiar voice, "Well if it isn't the two love birds, the two who share love without a word."

"Zecora!" Rarity and I said.

"Yes indeed, I have a potion for Applejack, which I hope will bring her off her back."

"Wait, how did you know that...nope, I'm not going to question the world's logic. Let's just get going." I told them, "She'll be pleased to see you."

We then arrived at the apple farm and the three of us walked on in with me going in first.

"Hi everypony, it's only us." I called.

"Oh howdy sugarcube, ah'm up here." Applejack replied.

We walked upstairs and to her bedroom to find her resting in her bed, she had gone through a few tissues and she had a red nose.

"Oh hey there Zecora, mighty nice to see ya."

"Nice to see you too, although I wish it'd be seeing a healthier you." Zecora replied.

"In other words, she has a potion that might get rid of whatever sickness Discord passed to you." Rarity explained.

"That's real kind to know, mind if ya pour a small glass of that for me please, it's on the table next to me."

I lifted the empty glass up with my magic and brought it to Zecora who took off the kid and with her mouth poured half of the potion into the glass and then brought the glass over to Applejack who took it.

"Now drink it down, so it can remove that sickness frown." Zecora said.

Applejack drank the potion and after a few minutes, the redness around her nose went, her eyes were back to open normally and her sneezing was gone. I was impressed, a potion that can get rid of sickness like that, it would change the world!

"So, how do you feel now?" Rarity asked.

"Ah feel mighty fine like ah can knock down apples in lickety split." she replied happily. "Thank ya kindly for that, Zecora."

"That's alright Applejack, what are friends for. If you get sick again, don't be afraid to ask me for more." she replied as she walked from her room, probably back to her home in the forest.

"Ahhh you and your poems." I muttered whilst smiling.

"Well, with that out of the way, I think we should go back and find out how Twilight and Cadence are getting on with Discord." Rarity suggested.

"Good idea, let's go." Applejack replied as she got out of bed and we walked away from the apple farm and over to the library.

When we arrived by sunset however, we saw Twilight turn up with Discord who was now coloured in green with spots.

"Good you're here, we're taking him to Fluttershy's cottage so he can be nursed better when Fluttershy gets home." Twilight said.

We all nodded despite not knowing why he was not blue anymore. But along the way Twilight explained what happened after we left, turned out that Discord was faking his sickness just so he could put forward a friendship test for Twilight which according to him, she passed before a huge worm-like creature sneezed at Discord, causing him to fall sick for real.

When we arrived by the early evening, Discord was placed on the sofa and a huge quarantine bubble was created around him so he didn't spread any germs around the cottage. Twilight was busy writing down what she had learnt today before we saw Fluttershy return from her daily vacation.

"I think it's pretty clear that my visit with Cadance didn't go quite the way I expected." she wrote, "But in the end, I realized that when you're with a good friend, even the most chaotic day can end up being a great experience that brings you closer. Wouldn't you agree, Discord?"

"Yes, Twilight." Discord snorted.

"Ah don't wanna go sayin' you got what you deserved." Applejack said.

"Well, I have no trouble saying it. You got what you deserved!" Rarity added.

"Now, now, he's learned his lesson. Isn't that right, my little patient?" Fluttershy asked him.

"I'm so glad that you're back from your trip, Fluttershy. Just your presence here is making me feel so much better. I was just wondering, could I trouble you for just one more thing?" he asked.

"No!" Twilight snapped.

"What? I was simply going to ask for a teeny, tiny glass of water."

"I'll get that for you Discord" Fluttershy replied, "The rest of you can go on home, I'll take it from here."

The rest of us nodded and left her cottage, when we got back to the library with the journal, we exchanged our farewell before Dash zoomed away. The rest of us began to huddle about something...

"Alright all, Rainbow Dash's birthday is tomorrow...Pinkie, I'm sure you know what to do, right?" Twilight asked.

"Count on me!" Pinkie replied.

The rest of us agreed that we'll make Dash's birthday special, so after that, we exchanged our farewells with me kissing Rarity goodnight before I walked to my home and went straight to bed. What a day I had, taking care of Discord was no easy feat for me and Rarity, at least karma found a way to bite Discord after Zecora's potion helped Applejack get nursed back to health.

Bring on Rainbow Dash's upcoming party I guess! Next Chapter: Pinkie Pride Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 2 Minutes