#zolton

Seconds after Discord and Zolton had resolved their differences, a light ringing could be heard all of a sudden. Keira froze and started looking around for the source.

Keira: Did any pony else hear that?

Discord: Keira! You’re cutie mark! That’s where it’s coming from!

Keira: My cutie mark?!

Keira turned her head and looked at her flank. It was just as Discord had said! Her cutie mark was pulsing smaller versions of her cutie mark. Was this what the map had sent her for all along?! It had to have been! Twilight said it herself! She’s the Princess of Friendship and it’s her job to spread the magic of friendship across the land! And by her, she had to have meant her and her friends. She solved her very first friendship problem!

Keira: Discord! My cutie mark! I did it! The map wanted me here to solve this with you and Zolton! I did it, Discord! I did it!

Excitedly, Keira jumped up and hugged Discord tightly, which made Zolton chuckle.

Zolton: It would appear you understand the map’s calling, but it would also seem that night time is quickly crawling. I cordially invite you for another night’s stay, but only if you’ll have it that way. I also would be honored to hold a celebration for your cutie map purpose revelation.

Meanwhile in the mountains, Discord and Keira were getting ready to leave when they could swear they heard the echoing of something.

Discord: Did... Did anyone else hear that?

Keira: Almost like someone yelling at someone to be quiet? But... why would...?

Zolton: That I’m afraid I cannot resolve, but perhaps another adventure could evolve?

Keira: Zolton, I really wish we could stay longer and learn more about my dad, but I think Discord and I have to get back to our house in Ponyville. I do have a shop I need to get to after all. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for us though. I don’t know if I could think you enough.

Zolton: I think it is you that I must thank. And I can understand your need to keep bits in your bank. Your company was much enjoyed, even though at times we all go paranoid. If now it is you two much depart, then safe travels I wish you from the bottom of my heart.

Discord: Ooh! Ooh! Wait! Before we leave, I have a parting gift for you, Zolton!

Discord had summoned the painting he had did while they were trying to get along before.

Discord: I know it’s not my best idea for a gift seeing as I... well, yeah. But I do hope it’ll serve as a token of my friendship.

Zolton: The gesture is appreciated for sure. I’ll hang this painting shortly to remember you both. That I can assure.

Keira: I’m so proud of you, Discord. See, I told you there was a lot of good to talk about when it comes to you.

Discord: Well, dear. It’s time we head home.

Keira: I know. Thank you so much for everything, Zolton! We’ll miss you!

Zolton: If another visit is what you both yearn, then don’t be afraid to make a return! So long to you both! And may you and your friendships show ample growth!

After Keira and Discord left his cave, Zolton took a sigh of relief. It was pleasant to have company, without a doubt, but to be alone again was a wonderful thing. Before he took off to do some meditation, he stopped and looked back at the painting.

For about the first hour, all was well. Keira was talking to Zolton about how she ran an art shop in Ponyville and about her lessons in Canterlot. Discord was quietly painting the scenery around him and was trying to figure out what to add next.

Zolton: I see you’ve decided on the mountain range. Tell me what promoted this change.

Keira: I was going to do the flowers before, but I thought about my journey more and thought the bridge I went over was the hardest part of it all since I’m afraid of heights.

Zolton: Portraying your greatest accomplishment on the track? Interesting that you’d call that your greatest drawback.

Keira: I guess, but when I was heading back, I noticed how nice the view from the bridge was. So not only it is a way to remember how brave I was, but it’s also just a beautiful thing to paint.

Zolton: A painting both beautiful and meaningful? Seems like a tough task to pull.

Keira: Sometimes, yes. But that’s part of being an artist. When I get asked to paint something by some pony else, sometimes I have to remember to put my own twist in it. There was this one time that I had to paint something for a birthday gift for some pony. They wanted a waterfall, but they also told me that their favorite flower was lavenders. So I worked with a limited pallet to make it!

Sure enough, Discord was back in Zolton’s cave, but he wasn’t really happy. Almost as soon as they made eye contact, Discord turned his back on her.

Keira: Discord! Please talk to me! What’s going on?! Why are you acting like this?

Discord remained silent. Something clearly was very wrong, but he wasn’t going to say it to her. Keira didn’t know why and it was really starting to upset her.

Keira: Discord... Please? Please talk to me. I don’t like it when you get this way. I’m getting really scared. I want to help you, but I can’t if you don’t talk.

Discord still didn’t talk, but instead groaned lightly. He really didn’t want to talk about it right now, but knew she’d persist if he didn’t talk.

Luckily for him, he didn’t have to try to explain things since Zolton had just walked in.

Discord: You want to know the problem? There. He’s right over there.

Zolton: I already told you, sir draconeqqus. Your mental state is becoming a real mess. Remember when I said there was things even I could foretell? It seems like those problems of your are starting to unveil.

Discord: And what about my problems? Huh? Think its funny to make fun of my past? My mistakes? And then you cast some sort of voodoo spell on my wife to make her yours? Do you find that funny? Huh?!

Zolton: I can tell right now that you couldn’t be farther from the truth. Your accusations are simply uncouth...

Discord: What’s it matter how I’m acting. I’m not letting you make off with the pony I’m supposed to marry.

Zolton: Discord, it is time she faces her fears. She cannot live her life solely in tears.

Discord was really unsure about this. It was true she couldn’t just live her life in fear of everything, but he also knew that she could very easily get hurt. He held onto hoof nervously, debating back and forth whether this would be good for her or not. Keira: I’ll be back, Discord. I promise. So where’s this seed I need to find?

Zolton: To the southwest from here is a path with a blue hue. Go that direction, and the rest will be clear to you. Keira: Alright. I think I can do that. Bye, Discord. I love you!

Discord: So... Zolton has some fault in this, right? Cause I’m not taking all the blame here.

Keira: Perhaps to an extent, yes. To be fair though, if you were being talked to the same way you talked to him, you’d be a little defensive too. And I know you would, especially if some pony was talking about me.

Zolton: Allow me to share some words of my own. Anything I’ve done wrong, I’d like to atone. I never intended for your visit to be clouded with doubt. If you had spoken though, we could’ve avoided this breakout.

It was becoming blindingly obvious where Discord went wrong that he was even starting to see it. He was starting to feel really dumb about it too.

Discord: Oh... I see... Yeah, I really messed this one up, didn’t I?

Keira simply laughed at Discord’s realization. It was kind of hard not to when he almost had a thousand yard stare.

Keira: Yeah, you kind of did. But it’s not too late! You can still fix this.

Discord: You’re right.

Discord: Zolton... I wanted to apologize for my outbreaks and accusing you of things. Maybe you’re right. I am still insecure about things, but it’s only because I care deeply for Keira. I don’t know where I’d be without her and I really don’t want to lose her. I’m still working on becoming a better draconeqqus, but I’m not doing it alone. I hope you can forgive me for acting like such a stubborn mule. I can understand if not.

Zolton chuckled and smiled up at Discord.

Zolton: Apology accepted, my friend. I can see your ways are trying to be mend. I too apologize for being so rash. Perhaps I should learn to not be so brash.

Discord: It looks like we aren’t so different when it comes to having problems, huh?

Zolton: When you stop to look at it, you’re not so wrong. Perhaps we could solve our problems and make our friendship strong. So what do you say? Shall we put our differences away?

Discord: I thought’d you’d never ask! Put ‘er there, friend!

Keira: Ok, I don’t know how this started or what happened, but could you please just stop?

Discord: Get him to realize I did nothing wrong and I’ll consider it. Zolton: An awfully bold thing to say, especially to your fiancee. I thought the hard times you could endure. Can’t do that when you’re so insecure. Discord: I’ll make you eat those words! You forget who you’re talking to.

Enough was enough. This was really just looking like a fight between two foals now. And it was just sad. This had to stop somehow. She then remembered an exercise from when she was in her art classes with Canvas Strokes where they both made paintings without looking at each other. This was originally meant to help with her independence, but it was just crazy enough to work. Now to make it convincing...

Keira: Would you two just knock it off already?! Sweet Celestia! You’re worse than two foals in the school yard! Know what? I’m not going to even bother. I’m going out to paint. Have fun arguing.

Discord: W-wait! Keira! I’ve sort of wanted to try to get back into painting again. Would you mind if I joined you?

Zolton: And I suppose this has gone long enough. Perhaps my words were a little too gruff. If you would allow, I wouldn’t mind some artistic know-how.

Keira smiled to herself as she walked away. She couldn’t believe it! They actually made peace for a time! But now it was time for the selling part. Keira knew she had to keep herself sounding mad or else they’d know what she was up to.