I wonder about what Discord feels for Fluttershy now.
On the one hand, he's being horribly tortured -- including sexually -- by Fluttershy's evil analogue. On the other hand, he seems to be holding on to the love of the good Fluttershy as something to keep him sane. And on the gripping hand, it does seem interesting that the Evil Six are using Fluttercruel in particular to try to induce Stockholm Syndrome -- I may have missed this but was one of the things they forced Discord to tell them that he likes his own world's Fluttershy?
I'd say that there's a considerable danger that Discord might by now be crazy enough to turn on the good Mane Six when they come to rescue him, especially Fluttershy. I also think that his feelings for the good Fluttershy might be badly damaged, because looking at her would remind him of his sufferings. Or ... maybe not ... he actually seems to be trying hard to resist identifying the two Fluttershys as the same being. Maybe he's aware of and consciously fighting this danger?
Discord's aware of and consciously fighting this danger -- the avatar of disharmony knows a lot about breaking minds and the techniques used to do it. It's one of his areas of primary expertise, in canon. That's why he gave Fluttercruel a different name and why he explicitly mentioned in his letter that he knows better than to let himself pretend she is Fluttershy, but he's hurt so badly that he's doing it anyway. The question is, he knows about it and he's fighting it but is that going to be enough? Knowing why you feel a conditioned response doesn't necessarily protect you from feeling it, after all, and Discord's not great at controlling or overcoming his own emotions. (In fact I'd argue he never does that; he can channel his emotions into weird directions that ponies don't expect and that more mentally normal people wouldn't go in, but he's pretty open about being more or less entirely a creature of emotion, not reason. The fact that he's very intelligent just makes him really good at rationalizing.)
The Opposition Six do not know at this time that Discord likes Harmony's Fluttershy. (He has never admitted to them that he comes from a different universe and doesn't even know that they know this.) However, they are using Fluttercruel to induce Stockholm Syndrome and they have reasons of their own why they think this will work, that have nothing to do specifically with this version of Discord and more to do with their history with their own version.
I can see your point, but I think Spike, being a kid and also a frequent sidekick on heroic adventures, deals with horrible things by focusing on trying to change them. He's putting his mental energy into the idea of helping to rescue Discord rather than letting himself dwell on the horrors detailed in the letter, now that he has that opportunity.
Huh. I actually really like that reasoning. Though I feel that with that he'd be a little more focused, rather than getting pulled into Rarity's charms as he was, but still, that explanation makes it feel a lot better to me.
"Oh no." Fluttershy had a look on her face Twilight had only seen a few times... usually preparatory to either the Stare, or Fluttershy doing something absolutely crazy. "No, Applejack, that would be the perfect justice. If we could restore them to their true selves with a cutting from the Tree to reharmonize their elements and drive out the opposite parts... they'd become just like us. But with the memories of everything they've done. That would be justice."
Fluttershy, you're being scary again. Oh, and you left out the part where she grins wickedly.
Oh geez. Really gripping but difficult to read story, just because I'm squeamish, but I'm totally intrigued now and can't wait to finish what you have so far. I'm a sucker for happy endings, and I really hope they rescue Discord and get out more or less intact, which is about as happy as you can get with something like this...
Riveting. The characters have layers. There is asymmetric information and the are confidences that must be kept, even between friends, that are adding to the psychological tension. Definitely one of the best-planned stories I've read here with 3-dimensional, and in Pinkie's case n-dimensional, characters.
"And we need to pack food!" Pinkie said. "Oh, I know, I'll bring a couple of cans of Cotton Candy in a Can! That way when we find Discord we can open up the can and give him the cotton candy! And if he has his powers back he could eat the can too!"
"And me," Rarity said. "I hadn't any idea you and Discord had such a tragically romantic past, your Highness. Of course I'll do anything in my power to help."
Oh, right, pull out the cheese and crackers and shes all onboard.
Alright, let's go kick some evil-cognate flank
...But, of course, nothing is as easy as you think, and few, if any, plans survive first contact with the enemy.
They also kinda need some way to tell themselves apart from the Opposition girls so, you know, they don't end up with a spy in their midst...
Enjoying this a lot, though I feel Spike is being a tad Blasé about the entire situation. I feel like having read what Discord wrote and what he wrote it with, he'd be a tad more grim/perturbed with the whole situation, rather than his energetic and playful self. But he is a kid so maybe not.
Anyway, looking forward to more!
I wonder about what Discord feels for Fluttershy now.
On the one hand, he's being horribly tortured -- including sexually -- by Fluttershy's evil analogue. On the other hand, he seems to be holding on to the love of the good Fluttershy as something to keep him sane. And on the gripping hand, it does seem interesting that the Evil Six are using Fluttercruel in particular to try to induce Stockholm Syndrome -- I may have missed this but was one of the things they forced Discord to tell them that he likes his own world's Fluttershy?
I'd say that there's a considerable danger that Discord might by now be crazy enough to turn on the good Mane Six when they come to rescue him, especially Fluttershy. I also think that his feelings for the good Fluttershy might be badly damaged, because looking at her would remind him of his sufferings. Or ... maybe not ... he actually seems to be trying hard to resist identifying the two Fluttershys as the same being. Maybe he's aware of and consciously fighting this danger?
Anyway, very good story.
3895827
Discord's aware of and consciously fighting this danger -- the avatar of disharmony knows a lot about breaking minds and the techniques used to do it. It's one of his areas of primary expertise, in canon. That's why he gave Fluttercruel a different name and why he explicitly mentioned in his letter that he knows better than to let himself pretend she is Fluttershy, but he's hurt so badly that he's doing it anyway. The question is, he knows about it and he's fighting it but is that going to be enough? Knowing why you feel a conditioned response doesn't necessarily protect you from feeling it, after all, and Discord's not great at controlling or overcoming his own emotions. (In fact I'd argue he never does that; he can channel his emotions into weird directions that ponies don't expect and that more mentally normal people wouldn't go in, but he's pretty open about being more or less entirely a creature of emotion, not reason. The fact that he's very intelligent just makes him really good at rationalizing.)
The Opposition Six do not know at this time that Discord likes Harmony's Fluttershy. (He has never admitted to them that he comes from a different universe and doesn't even know that they know this.) However, they are using Fluttercruel to induce Stockholm Syndrome and they have reasons of their own why they think this will work, that have nothing to do specifically with this version of Discord and more to do with their history with their own version.
3895019
I can see your point, but I think Spike, being a kid and also a frequent sidekick on heroic adventures, deals with horrible things by focusing on trying to change them. He's putting his mental energy into the idea of helping to rescue Discord rather than letting himself dwell on the horrors detailed in the letter, now that he has that opportunity.
3897494
Huh. I actually really like that reasoning. Though I feel that with that he'd be a little more focused, rather than getting pulled into Rarity's charms as he was, but still, that explanation makes it feel a lot better to me.
One guestion: How is it possible you don't have more followers?
And: WHEN IS THE NEXT PART COMING? I NEED TO KNOW!
3929609
A day or two.
alright when new chapter tell me please
Fluttershy, you're being scary again. Oh, and you left out the part where she grins wickedly.
3932688 Wait, I thought that you said you had no idea when new chapters came out!
Oh geez. Really gripping but difficult to read story, just because I'm squeamish, but I'm totally intrigued now and can't wait to finish what you have so far. I'm a sucker for happy endings, and I really hope they rescue Discord and get out more or less intact, which is about as happy as you can get with something like this...
Riveting. The characters have layers. There is asymmetric information and the are confidences that must be kept, even between friends, that are adding to the psychological tension. Definitely one of the best-planned stories I've read here with 3-dimensional, and in Pinkie's case n-dimensional, characters.
I just realized ... this wouldn't be Chekhov's Cotton Candy in a Can, now would it?
If so, totally justified by her precognition.
I really hope they come up with a code phrase just in case they get separated.
I keep thinking of all the things they should've done to prepare and it's really messing with me
8204450
like...bringing several weapons
Talk about making a bad situation worse...
Pinkie, stop pointing at the auidience, the 4th wall is still too fresh for prodding now.
Oh, right, pull out the cheese and crackers and shes all onboard.
9664337
... will not reveal spoilers for later chapters... will not reveal spoilers for later chapters...