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I yawn as I stretch my limbs and float off my cloud hammock. After smacking my lips a few times, I conjure some water in a glass and chug it down before pulling out one of the few scones I didn't leave with Luna and happily munch on it.

Now awake and limber, I conjure a list of things to do. First things first, I'll ask Clare if she would like to work in Canterlot Castle as a baker there, along with a nice sum of gold to convince her.

Second, I need to observe the elves and find out what they're planning, and if they have any agents in Equestria yet.

Thirdly, I'll help Tia in the attack of Aries Peak when they're ready to make sure she and Solaris stay safe.

With my goals in mind I change back into my human form and don my mismatched armour and weapons. Once equipped, I snap my fingers and appear outside Elysium and make my way through the gates. With more odd looks again, the guards and people I pass just watch with bewilderment.

I make my way back to the marketplace and after looking around for a bit, I notice Clare's stall isn't there. I suppose she would be making use of the gold I gave her to buy new things.

I use my magic to track the bracelet I gave her and feel her to the north. So I with a spring in my step and a tune in my heart, I skip down the road while whistling said tune along the way.

To my right, a young girl no more than six is crying as her little old scruffy teddy bear doll she's holding is missing its left arm while two chubby boys slightly older looking mock her.

"Aw, is the little baby gonna tell her mommy?" he mocks and the other laughs. None of the adults are intervening and keep their distance.

I walk up behind them and with a smile, I poke both of them on the back of their heads turning their skin bright pink, their hair long, curly, and blonde, then turning their clothes into powder blue pretty dresses.

"And why are you little girls picking on her for?" I ask them in a smug tone.

The people around me all stop and stare slack jawed, not sure why but it doesn't matter.

The two boys scream and the chubby one who mocked her glares at me. "How dare you! Don't you know who I am! I am Julian Thornston, Son of Nathaniel Thornston of house Blackthorn!" he tells me angrily.

"And? Is that supposed to impress me?" I reply and flick both of them lightly on their foreheads. "Now if I find you picking on anyone else again, I'll turn you into actual girls," I threaten them and point an index finger at each of them. "Unless you want me to do that now, I suggest you go home," I tell them as my fingertips light up with yellow chaos magic.

They yelp and run off, almost tripping on their dresses as they scream. I huff and smirk as I look back to the little girl crying and hugging her damaged bear.

I smile sadly and hold my hand to her. "Would you like me to fix it for you?" I ask her and she looks up at me with tearful eyes.

She nodded slowly and sniffles as she carefully holds her bear out to me. I gently take it and cast my magic over it, the missing arm regrows out of the joint and the fur is cleaned and the bear now looks brand new. I then smile wider as an idea comes to mind.

I pour more magic into it and the bear begins to twitch until it starts blinking and sits up on my hand before looking around.

The girl gasps and stares in wonder as her bear turns to face her and holds its arms out to her. She squeals and carefully picks the bear up and hugs it as it returns the hug.

"Thank you, mister!" she says with a happy smile.

I can't help but grin behind my visor and gently pat her on the head. "If those boys bully you again, just tell your bear to protect you," I tell her and she nodded before running off.

I've enchanted her bear to grow to her size and keep anyone who would bully her away from her by either being a durable punching bag, or pushing the bully away gently until they give up.

With that sorted and people still staring in awe at me, I continue down the road and spot Clare talking to a cart salesman. She smiles as she pays ten gold for a finely crafted cart nearly twice the size of her old one and has a built in miniature kitchen area.

She's also wearing better but still humble looking clothing as she tries to push the cart but it appears to be too heavy for her.

"Hello my dear, would you like some assistance?" I ask her making her yelp and look at me.

"S-Sir Discord!" she says and bows to me. She then looks back up and smiles. "I would appreciate it."

I chuckle and she moves from the bar and I take her place before pushing easily with one hand making her stare with wide eyes.

"Lead on, Miss Wittell," I say making her snap out of her stupor and start walking down the road. "So I see you're looking much better," I say making her blush slightly.

"Yes, with the money you gave me, I could afford new clothes and this wonderful cart... How did your task go may I ask?" she replies and asks me.

"It turned out well, I saved my friend and killed the cyclops," I reply. "Though I do have an offer for you," I tell her making her look at me.

"An offer?" she asks and I nod.

"The friend I mentioned who would like your baking has indeed liked it to the point of offering you employment," I tell her making her gasp.

"Employ me?" she asks stunned.

"Yes, she's a queen and would like you to work in her castle," I reply making her yelp as she trips. I quickly use my magic to catch her before she face planted the stone road.

"A q-q-q-queen wants m-m-me to bake for her!?" she asks stunned as I help her back up to her feet.

"Indeed, you would even be offered a room in the castle should you wish it," I tell her making her jaw move up and down and babbling.

"I... I don't know... W-W-What if I make a f-fool of myself?" she asks nervously.

"You'll be fine, she asked me to ask you if you would like the position, you'll be well paid and protected of course," I reply and she continues down the road.

She's silent for the rest of the trip back and I leave her cart by her shed which is too small to fit her new cart. She invites me in and I accept as I take my helmet off and sit on her small living room's old couch.

She returns from the kitchen with a basic cheap looking tea set and pours me a cup of jasmine tea. I accept the cup and add two small teaspoons of sugar before taking a sip.

"So, my dear. Have you decided what you'd like to do?" I ask her.

She looks into her own tea with a frown. "What would happen to my home? This house has been in my family for three generations... I can't just leave it behind..." she tells me.

I stroke my goatee in thought. "Then what if I transport your house to Canterlot as well?" I ask and then grin. "I'm sure I can fit it within the gardens and fix it up," I reply and take another sip.

"Move my house?" she asks surprised.

"Certainly. It's not a problem for me in the least," I tell her and stand up after finishing my tea. "So? Will you take my hand and live a better life? Or stay here and continue the way you have?" I ask her and offer her my right hand.

She stares at my hand and then looks around until she looks at the old painting of her mother. After a minute or two she looks back at my hand and slowly reaches out and takes it.

I smile and raise my left hand and snap my fingers. She looks confused for a second but then notices the sounds of the city are gone. I gently pull her along and open her front door. She gasps as hundreds of flowers, along with some trees and trimmed bushes come into view.

Birds are chirping and wildlife are roaming about in the peaceful grove like scenery, she slowly walks out and then gasps again at the sight of the tall white and gold castle nearby.

"H-Hello? I-Is somepony t-there?" I hear a timid woman ask and I smile as I would recognise her anywhere.

"Fluttershy my dear, over here!" I call out making Clare look confused and then shocked as the butter yellow mare comes around the bushes and smiles at me, then she notices Clare and eeps before ducking back behind the bush.

"What... what is she?" Clare asks me.

"A pony, a pegasus to be exact," I reply and walk over to Fluttershy. "It's okay, Shy. She's just your new neighbour," I tell her as I coax her out. She nervously walks beside me to meet Clare.

"Miss Wittell, meet Fluttershy, the local animal caretaker. Fluttershy, this is Clare Wittell, she'll soon be one of the Castle's newest bakers," I introduce them to each other.

"Erm... H-Hello..." Fluttershy says while hiding half her face behind her mane, she always looks so adorable when she does that.

"Yes, hello. N-Nice to meet you," Clare replies and holds her hand out.

Fluttershy, after a moment's hesitation, gently grasps her hand and shakes.

"Wonderful! Now then, I need to introduce Clare to the queens and Adrian, perhaps later you both could get to know each other hmmm?" I tell Fluttershy who looks up at me.

"O-Okay, Discord... Will you be by later for tea?" she asks me with a small smile.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, my dear," I reply and we say our goodbyes as I guide Clare to the Castle.

She just looks around at the flowers and animals who follow us for a bit until we reach the Castle's back entrance. I open the door for her and she thanks me as I guide her through the halls to the Throne Room. She stares at the guards and maids we pass who just either ignore her or smile.

We reach the Throne Room where a short line of ponies and even a changeling are waiting to enter. I walk up to the door, pull out a remote with a single button and press said button.

The right door starts sliding up and then bends across the ceiling as the sound of gears turning fills the lobby, once high enough, I walk under the door followed by a confused baker who stares at the door as she passes it. I press the button again and the door comes back down.

On the throne is Luna who is happily munching on another scone with a tray next to her with four more and a couple of tarts.

Luna looks at me and raises an eyebrow. "Discord? What brings thou here?" she asks me.

"I have brought lady Clare Wittell who baked the treats you are currently eating, she would like to work here as a baker for the Castle," I reply and smirk as her eyes bug out and she puts the half eaten scone on the tray.

She gets up and walks down the shorts steps and over to us. "Verily? Tis wonderful news, we have taken a liking to thine confectioneries and request to employ thee in the Castle," Luna says without hesitation and holds her hand out to Clare.

Meanwhile, Clare is staring at Luna's ethereal hair in fascination. "Its beautiful," she says in a trance like manner.

Luna smiles and giggles slightly. "We thank thee for the compliment, but thou hast yet to answer our request," Luna replies and smiles wider.

Clare blushes and bows quickly. "Forgive me, y-your Majesty! I w-would be glad t-to work here!" she says nervously making me chuckle.

"Huzzah!.. Ahem, we mean, excellent. Discord, please escort her to the Kitchen and introduce her to the rest of the staff," Luna tells me and heads back to her throne.

"Of course, Woona," I reply making her stop and glare at me over her shoulder. I only chuckle and guide Clare out the Throne Room and to the Kitchen.

"She was beautiful..." Clare says still in awe.

"She is, as is her sister, but she's away on important business at the moment. I guess you'll get to meet the rest of the royal family at dinner time," I reply and after a few minutes, we arrive at the Dining Hall.

We enter and make our way to the Kitchen where we find seven ponies; four mares and three stallions working on lunch.

The head chef turns to look at us and frowns. "We're busy at the moment, so please come back after lunch has been served," she says sternly.

I chuckle and speak up. "I've come to introduce you to a new member of your staff. This is Clare Wittell, and she'll be one of your bakers from today onward," I reply.

"Oh? And what can she bake?" the mare asks me.

"I take it you know what Luna is currently munching on in the Throne Room?" I ask her.

She widens her eyes and looks at Clare. "She baked those?" she asks in surprise.

Clare blushes and I smirk. "That she did, and so Luna asked her to work here. I hope you'll all welcome her here and get along well," I reply and then turn to Clare. "Right then, while you get to know you're new co-workers, I have an important task to do. But, I shall return before the end of the day where we can visit Fluttershy's cottage together, sound good?" I tell her making her nod nervously.

"Wonderful! Now then, if you'll excuse me!" I say and snap my fingers.

I warp myself back to Terra and hover in the air just on the borders of Vaylen, homeland of the elves.

I rub my hands together with a frown on my face. "Now then, let's find out what they're up to," I say to myself as I turn invisible and fly off towards the elven capital.

Large forests with many rivers and valleys pass me by as the towns and villages built in the treetops have no clue I'm here. After a good ten minutes of speedy flight, I arrive at the elven Capital City called Haluran. Most of the buildings are tall ornate stone tree styled structures and appear grandiose, which is mostly a waste of materials and serves no practical function other than to look nice.

I use my magic subtly to make sure there's no detection spells in the area, after a good hour of scanning, probing, and searching, I spot a hole and make my way in. I then head to the Castle and land a good ten feet away.

After a few minutes to make sure no one has sensed me, I start pulling my ears off repeatedly where new ones regrow and they themselves grow arms and legs before running off around the Castle listening in on any conversation they can hear.

I sit down and start sorting out the useless gossip and politics from the actually useful stuff. One conversation gets my attention from the King's office.

"Are you sure they're in place?" King Sylvaan asks someone.

"Yes, my King. The Way Walkers and our best mages have finished setting up their base in this Equestria kingdom. They're now searching for the best way into the mountain city undetected to either recover the tomes and the half-elf, or the source of the interference to our portals," the other elf replies.

"Good, tell them to bring back any of these, ponies that they can safely capture. Especially the horned ones," Sylvaan replies.

"Of course, my King," the other replies and it sounds like he just closed a door.

"Curse that human filth... Adrian I believe his name was. How dare he subdue Lady Gaia and ally himself with that fire demon. I promise, I shall free Lady Gaia from his clutches. But first, that half-elf needs to be removed before she learns too much," he mutters to himself before I then just hear a quill on paper.

I spend another six hours just listening to more gossip and political rubbish from the king. Once I have all I need, I dismiss my ears and make my way back out of the city undetected.

I must warn Adrian and the others.

Next Chapter: Chapter 96: The battle of Aires Peak Part 1. Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 7 Minutes