Chapter 4

"Returning to Canterlot"

It was later in the day before Celestia was taken back to Canterlot castle and was confined to her quarters as the pain from the Shingles virus continued to flow through her nerves. All that she could do was cry for the pain to end, but also for Discord to be at her side, which had alerted the attention of the other princesses.

"Why would she be calling for Discord?" wondered Luna, who was very baffled by her sister's continual request as she, Cadence and Twilight stood in the throne room. "That creature doesn't deserve to set one foot in here after what he did."

"Discord may be a bother to someponies," replied Twilight, trying to at least defend Discord to an extent. "But, I've fully forgiven him. Don't you think so, Cadence?"

"I have," added Cadence. "I know Shining Armor hasn't, but if he knows he is sorry, then he is sorry. We need to do anything to get Aunt Celestia's mind off of the torment she is facing."

Luna could see that she was going to be outthought by this and reluctantly agreed to let Discord be at Celestia's side. Just then, a flash of light appeared and the creature of chaos appeared wearing a doctor's coat and carrying a bouquet of flowers. It happened to be the same flowers that Discord had given to Celestia after Twilight had gotten her new castle.

"Have no fear, fillies and gentlecolts," announced Discord. "The doctor is in and I will do everything to make you feel better!"

"We've already been to the doctor, Discord," said Twilight, flatly. "If you are looking for Celestia, she is in her quarters."

But, Discord was being his typical childish self and began playing doctor with the princesses and it was only a small blast of Luna's magic did he stop and get serious about the situation.

"We're perfectly fine, Discord," said Cadence, brushing herself off with her wings. "It's Aunt Celestia who has been asking for you. She is in a lot of pain right now."

"I could only imagine what she is going through," sighed Discord, snapping away the doctor's garb as well as the flowers. "Ever since I was fully forgiven by her, I feel as if I should do something for her."

"You already have," remarked Twilight, pointing to her newly restored coronation window. "You restored every window in this room to normal."

Discord nodded at this remark that Twilight had made, but he felt as if he wanted to do more to get on Celestia's good side.

"That is correct, Twilight," said Discord. "But, it seems as if that there is still more that I could do to make her feel better."

"You can help by visiting her," ordered Luna, her voice growing impatient. "I don't know what is going in her head, but my sister wants you to be at her side. She has been calling for your name since she was struck by this illness."

Just then, Luna motioned for two guards to stand on each side of Discord and they turned facing the doors to the throne. Discord was confused at this, thinking that he was a threat to Equestria after everything that had happened.

"What is going on?" he cried.

"We have ordered that all ponies who haven't been vaccinated with the Shingles vaccine be vaccinated," continued Luna. "That includes you."

Discord tried to talk himself out of it by turning blue with fear, but Luna was unconvinced by this. With Celestia out of commission, she was technically in charge of Canterlot and whatever she said was ordered.

"That's not going to help you, Discord," said Luna. "You must face your inner fears."

"You can say that again," pouted Discord as he was led out of the throne room and to the needle that would place the vaccine in his system.

"It didn't hurt us," remarked Cadence, as the door closed. "Should we go and-?"

"No, Mi Amore Cadenza," interrupted Luna, looking at Cadence in the face. "I don't want him to double cross us."

Cadence was disgusted by her aunt's behavior and the last thing that they all needed was animosity towards Discord. Of course, Luna was the most stubborn out of the princesses and to reason with her was pretty much impossible.

"Luna, when are you going to learn that he is not evil anymore?" protested Twilight. "Discord regrets everything that he had done with Tirek. But, you won't forgive him? Why won't you forgive him?"

But, Luna ignored her youngest equal's protest and instead started to walk out to assume her duties as Princess of the Night.

"I have my reasons, Princess Twilight," replied Luna. "Discord is welcome to be at my sister's side, but if he betrays us again-."

"He won't, Aunt Luna!" cried Cadence. "I have enough trouble already with Shining Armor and I don't need to deal with you too. We need to be there for Aunt Celestia and if Discord wants to see her, then let him see her!"

Instead of responding, Luna instead walked up to the balcony and took to the skies, leaving Cadence and Twilight alone in the throne room with more questions than answers.

"She can't go on like this forever," said Twilight. "Even I haven't fully forgiven Discord yet, but I don't hold a grudge against him."

"Its like you say, Twilight," remarked Cadence. "We need to be there for Aunt Celestia during this time and if Luna doesn't want to be around Discord, then so be it."

Cadence then walked out of the throne room and Twilight soon followed, the two sisters-in-law walking up to Celestia's private quarters, but not before hearing a loud scream coming from down the hall.

"What was that?!" yelled Twilight, her wings opening up in fear.

"It's all right, Twilight," laughed Cadence, walking over and patting Twilight on the back of the neck. "It was only the sounds of Discord getting his Shingles Vaccine."

Just then, Discord appeared with a bandage on his lion arm and a lollipop in his eagle claw. A look of pain was shown on his face.

"I hope you have a good reason for this!" he cried, his voice filled with pain.

"Just be glad you won't have what Celestia is having," chuckled Cadence as she and Twilight walked past the creature of chaos.

Despite having the pain of having a needle stuck into him, Discord had to remember that Celestia needed him, so he put on a brave face and followed the two princesses to Celestia's private quarters. Next Chapter: Transfer of Sun Power Estimated time remaining: 32 Minutes