//------------------------------//
// Ch 4: Fragile Flower 
// Story: Magnificent Malice‏ 
// by ChaoticAce 
//------------------------------//


Scanning for Fluttershy's cottage wasn't easy for a normal pony in this storm. Luckily, Dashing Knight was a powerful alicorn. A shimmering blue aura surrounded her to shield her from the wind and rain. She beat her blue wings against the gusts and powered on through like they was nothing. Then, as if competing, the wind got worse. Soon it took all of Dashing's strength and concentration just to push against the air current. Sheets of rain beat against the shield she'd created until the water finally broke through. The mighty alicorn gave up. Her sunglasses at least helped her see through the rain and distinguish the buildings around her. A shield wasn't necessary; it was just a luxury to her. Where Brad was slightly clumsy with his twists and turns, Dashing was graceful. She flew through the storm with ease.
Then suddenly it was like night and day. The storm howled and raged behind her. A warm breeze blew across her tired wings. A moment later she touched down on the soft warm ground outside Fluttershy's cottage. The atmosphere was as nice and sunny as ever. It was refreshing to say the least after the cold Hell she had just flown through. She shook off the last remnants of the storm and realized that her mohawk was flopping pathetically onto one side. Even her floppy ears were drooping more than normal. The bitter alicorn looked up at the sky to see just how well Discord had been able to fight the storm. Judging by the small portion of the sky, his magic was no match either. What pony could do this?
The alicorn trotted towards the window and peered through the glass. The serpentine creature lay on the couch. His mouth was moving and Fluttershy was facing away from the window. Then Discord's yellow eyes met Dashing's. His lion paw pointed inaudibly towards the window, making Fluttershy turn to look as well. The yellow pegasus managed a soft and friendly smile but her large eyes were unusually dead. She trotted over and opened the door. Discord was the first to speak. "Ah, do come in," he began and snapped his talon. The door lengthened so Dashing didn't have to duck. "You look so tired. Could we offer you some tea?" 
"Sure," the guard captain replied huskily. She looked up at Discord who put a finger to his mouth telling her to be quiet. She narrowed her eyes. As much as she'd love to play tea party with Fluttershy and her animal friends, there was a violent storm raging out of control. Surely Discord was just as concerned as everypony else. Then Dashing realized that lust had overtaken the master of chaos. Otherwise he'd probably be making all kinds of mischief during this critical period. She felt just as annoyed as she was relieved. 
"My dear Fluttershy, this table could surely use some lovely flowers," Discord said innocently to the pegasus. "Surely you wouldn't mind going outside to pick some?" 
Fluttershy looked to the door and began to tremble slightly. "I.. I'm quite sure I wouldn't!" 
"I promise I'll be out there to join you. I do love a good picnic! I'll prepare the basket!" 
"S-Sure," Fluttershy murmured and slowly made her way out into the outside, staring lifelessly out at the sunny field. She was probably under a spell that prevented her from seeing the rainstorm beyond the sunny skies. 
Dashing's eyes narrowed as she looked to Discord. "Just the creature I'm looking for, but before that we get to that, what the buck did you do to Fluttershy?" she demanded.
Discord smiled and batted his eyes at her. "Why ever would the captain of the guard be looking for me? And why would I have harmed my dear little Fluttershy?" He teleported behind the alicorn and put his talons on her left shoulder. His snakelike body arched over her. "You wouldn't be afraid of a small storm, would you?" 
"I don't have time for your games! Ponyville is in danger!" Dashing's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So either you give me some answers and quit wasting my time or I'll go elsewhere!" 
"We both know that you have nowhere else to go. Instead of being so rash perhaps you should stay and drink some tea, cuddle some rabbits?" Discord eyed Angel deviously and then shifted his eyes back to Dashing. "Not to mention enjoy the sun," he continued. "You could really work on that tan." He ran his talons across her black coat lightly. "Is that some gray I see?" 
Dashing sighed, knowing that she had nowhere else to go. She might as well sit on the couch and drink some tea. Wait, who was she kidding? Her long horn glowed blue and produced a sword-shaped aura, the tip poised at Discord's neck. "For the love of Celestia, don't make me do this."
Discord's eyes narrowed in disgust. He teleported once more towards the window. "Put that away," he implored, crossing his arms. "Fluttershy recently went to the Crystal Empire as you know," he began. "She was there with the others when a large crowd knocked her down, her little friends nowhere in sight. She caught a glimpse of this pony in a completely unfashionable purple cloak. Innocent little Fluttershy wanted to ask for help but was distracted by strange purple magic coming from this mysterious somepony." He held up his claw to recreate the scene with miniature ponies so Dashing could better understand. 
A tiny Fluttershy sulked in Discord's palm. A beautiful violet cloak with black lace embroidery was wrapped tightly around another pony. There was also something else hidden amidst the lace: a red cobra. A flash of purple magic formed, masked by the cloak. Shining Armor stood proudly. His blue eyes narrowed as he saw the mysterious pony. He yelled something but the pony didn't seem to care. Soon his white fur bulged outwards. Blood began to spurt. He winced in pain. The stallion's horn glowed blue as guards circled to protect the prince. 
"Sweet Celestia," Dashing whispered as she watched the miniatures fight. The ponies began to try and attack but they froze. Their prince's foreleg glowed with a strange purple magic and a moment later Shining Armor's arm was torn from its socket. Blood darkened the already crimson fabric as his limb remained dangling limply in its sleeve. His blue eyes were wide. Tears from the pain formed in his eyes. His mouth was open. The guard ponies stood around in shock. "Who… is that?" Dashing finally choked out, trying not to throw up.
"It was taken from deep within my little pegasus' memory. I can't say for sure," replied Discord, wearing a twisted smile. "All I can say is that somepony is planning all-out war in Equestria. This little pony is just a small piece of a big puzzle." He looked into Dashing's eyes, wide behind her glasses. "You might just be over your head," Discord continued. He then closed his hands and the images disappeared in a small black cloud of smoke. The creature smiled wickedly. "I haven't seen such talent for a while. It's almost refreshing. It would be more refreshing if it didn't scar my little Fluttershy." He turned towards the window. "I won't let the sun burn out on her. Even Princess Luna's nights have become more extravagant since the storms. It's a shame you won't come stargazing with us." 
"What does that red cobra mean?" asked Dashing. "What kind of magic was that? How are we even supposed to beat that?" 
"It's hard to beat a full house," Discord replied, fanning cards out in front of Dashing – the ace of spades stood out. Was this clown actually onto something? "Maybe the best place for you to start is at the beginning. Oh wait. I forgot! The beginning of the book is all washed out!" With that the cards melted into a black rain and disappeared into the rug. "So sad that most of the evidence was erased!" 
"You know something about the card then? About all of this?" Seeing the hesitant look in Discord's eyes, Dashing looked towards the window. "If you really cared about her well-being you'd want her to be able to run free in the sunlight. The only way that'll happen is to clear the storm." She looked back with very determined look in her eyes. "Tell me what you know!" she demanded.
Discord gazed out at Fluttershy one last time before smirking. "There's a certain mare that's hiding somewhere. She's a bit psychotic and awfully chaotic. You could say she's an ace in the hole since the weather she does help control," Discord rhymed. The tiny figure of the hooded pony formed in Discord's palm again. No fur was exposed but a second look at the fancy cloak was a giveaway that it was indeed a mare. A second dark figure stood blacked out next to her. Even though it was silhouetted there was something familiar about it. The scene made Dashing uneasy. "Her companion there is as sly as a snake in spite of his feelings seeming quite fake," Discord finished. 
"So this has something to do with a love affair?" Dashing cocked her head, not sure if she was following. 
"Love is the strongest magic. It's cliché but true," Discord smiled. "Since you've been so patient I'll give a present to you." He snapped his fingers. A small, beat up gray pony doll appeared. Its mane was shaggy and its button eyes and stitched mouth made it look even creepier. A single stick pin pierced its ear. "Some of the strongest magic is the simplest and the sources are the strangest." 
"Thanks a lot," the alicorn sighed. She wasn't sure what she was thanking him for. Black magic. Cards and voodoo dolls. This seemed like something that was too simple. It should've never been that powerful. She winced, remembering the sight of Shining Armor's bone and torn flesh. Glancing back at the doll, she realized one of its limbs was missing. She looked up at Discord with a hopeful smile, now knowing what she had to do. "No, really! Thanks!" She then threw open the door with her magic and sped outside, her wings spreading quickly. She shot into the sky, not wasting any more time. 
"Anytime old friend. Good luck. Luck is always necessary in games of chance," Discord muttered.
"Did you get the basket?" Fluttershy suddenly asked, turning to her friend with dead eyes. 
The creature of chaos's smile was the most gentle he'd ever worn. He tenderly put an arm on her and made a picnic basket appear. "Of course. Anything for you."