A few weeks had passed since the incident with Nightmare Moon.
Fluttershy had not believed what she had seen at first; she thought she had been imagining things. However - much to her disbelief - it was real.
Celestia (with the help of Luna) had been working on reforming Nightmare Moon, though it proved to be a difficult task.
Meanwhile, Discord had easily recovered from his battle with Nightmare Moon - he had also determined that Fluttershy did not consider him a friend. She had been avoiding him for weeks, not even giving him so much as a glance.
Discord didn't want to admit it, but he did feel strongly about the yellow pegasus, and not having any idea why she was avoiding him was tearing him apart, making him feel...
...Broken.
Fluttershy didn't seem to give a flying feather about him - which Discord was used to. Nopony had ever really cared about him, after all. Why was Fluttershy any different?
"Still," Discord said aloud to himself. "It still hurts!" Discord let out a long sigh.
On the bright side, the princesses agreed to let Discord roam freely - as long as he didn't try anything.
Discord roamed the streets of Ponyville, receiving dirty looks from the ponies he passed. He couldn't help but notice them whispering things about them.
Discord's ears flattened as he recognized the voice of a certain yellow pegasus.
Fluttershy.
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie seemed as if they were making their way to Sugarcube Corner.
Discord's ears perked as he listened to their conversation.
"I'm so excited!" Pinkie shouted. Fluttershy gave her a patient smile.
"Oh, yes, me too," Fluttershy said timidly. "I can't wait for Twilight's birthday party."
"There's going to be cake, and games, and - and - it's going to be so much fun!!!"
"Who are you inviting?"
"Applejack, Rarity, Spike, Dashie, and Twilight, obviously!"
"Oh," Was that disappointment in her voice? "Okay."
Discord's ears flattened again. Why wasn't he invited?
I think I know the answer to that. Discord thought grimly.
Discord froze when he realized that the two ponies were staring at him.
"Oh! Hiya.. Discord..." Pinkie tried to be enthusiastic about seeing the draconequus, but...
"Don't pretend to be happy to see me." Discord hissed.
Pinkie, who usually wasn't frightened by such things, exchanged a nervous glance with Fluttershy.
"W-w-well, we b-better get g-going..!" Fluttershy stuttered. Pinkie began to run, and Fluttershy, frightened, followed quickly after her.
Discord felt like he was breaking in two.
Sure, he knew that his appearance - well, not just that, but everything about him - was terrifying, but...
He didn't know what to think anymore.
He wasn't used to emotions as strong as these.
It was becoming too much for the heartbroken draconequus to handle.
"Aww, look, Discord's gone soft."
"Who's there?" Discord growled.
"Don't you remember me, 'Cordy?"
"Gloom-!"
"Oh, so you do!"
A dark gray unicorn with red eyes - finished off with a darker gray mane - took a step forward.
"How could I forget?" Discord said coldly.
"Well, you are pretty old," Gloom mocked. "I wouldn't be surprised if your memory was worse than a goldfish's!"
Discord's pupils glowed a dark crimson color. "What do you want, you demon?"
"Oh-ho, very clever, 'Cordy! Name calling. I never thought you'd stoop so low." She replied sarcastically.
"Why I oughta-"
"Well, if we're playing the name-calling-game, I think it's my turn!" She grinned crazily. "Monster, freak, ugly, disaster that never should have been!"
Discord's eyes slightly dilated.
"What?" Gloom mocked. "Can't take a joke?" Gloom paused for a moment. "Well, I'm not really joking. You really are all of those things that I called you."
"I swear," Discord said through clenched teeth. "If I could use my magic on you, I-"
"Well, what are you waiting for, then?"
"What?"
"If you want to use your precious magic so badly, why don't you?"
"If I do, then I'll be kicked out!"
"Oh my," Gloom chuckled wickedly. "You really have gone soft!"
"No, I haven't!"
"Oh yeah? Then why don't you use your magic on me now?"
"Fine!" Discord snapped his fingers, turning Gloom's horn into a candy cane.
Gloom smirked. "Help! Somepony help! I'm being attacked!" She called out, as if she really were being attacked.
Discord's eyes dilated.
Twilight came running toward them.
"What's going-" Twilight stopped when she saw Gloom's candy cane horn. "Discord!" She growled.
"What? She was literally asking for it!"
"I-I-" Gloom fake sobbed. "-I was just minding my own business, and then he- he- he just started attacking me..!"
"It's alright," Twilight reassured. "He won't be bothering you anymore." Twilight was glaring daggers at Discord.
"Twilight-"
"Your magic will be taken away tomorrow," She growled. "This is what I get for trusting a monster."
"She's tricking you!"
"Is she really the one tricking me?" Twilight snarled. "Or is it you, Discord?"
"You have to listen to-"
"I'm done with this nonsense," Twilight murmured angrily. "Come now, my little pony."
As Gloom and Twilight began trotting away, Gloom looked over her shoulder at Discord with an evil smirk.
"That brat..."