//------------------------------// // Episode 17 // Story: My Chibi Ponies // by kurusagi16 //------------------------------// Episode 17 Discord had used his magic to undo the damage he'd caused in Ponyville, returning it to its original state. After that, the gang gathered at Twilight's castle, where they began to come up with a plan for how to rescue Fluttershy's heart, and stop Nightshade. We should try to find the Flim Flam brothers first." said Twilight. "That way we can ask them where they found Fluttershy, and try to track down where Nightshade might be from there." "Allow me." said Discord, standing up. "I'll be back in a bit." "Be nice, and try not to cause any trouble for them." Twilight added before he disappeared. "Okay, now that Discord's taking care of that, we need to figure out some kind of plan of attack for when we actually get to the hideout." "How about we go in there, and hit Nightshade with everything we've got?" suggested Rainbow. "I'll even give him a few punches while I'm at it." "No." said the girls at once. "Why not?" she asked. "Uh,how about because it's reckless." said Applejack. Twilight nodded in agreement. "If we go in there and just attack, we'll probably end up getting hurt, or worse. Not to mention, we could risk something happening to Fluttershy"s heart." Rainbow Dash lowered her head sadly. "What we need, is to be careful, and to find a way to get Fluttershy's heart away from Nightshade so he can't try to use it." "But how?" asked Rarity. "Maybe I can use my party cannon to distract him!" said Pinkie. "It's a nice idea, but I think we need something a little more....subtle." said Twilight. "Hey, I can be subtle." said Pinkie Pie. A moment of silence passed. "Why are you all looking at me like that?" In a flash, Discord reappeared before the friends once more. "Alright, I managed to find out where Fluttershy was found. You're welcome." "Wow, that was quick." remarked Pinkie Pie. Applejack arched an eyebrow at him. "You didn't harm those two for the information, did ya?" "Of course not....well, for the most part." he replied. "Now, do you want to hear what I found out or not?" "Yes!" everyone said in unison. "Where was she?" asked Rainbow. "Apparently, those two found her in a clearing in Hollow Shades." he said. Twilight looked at the Cutie Map with a scrutinizing eye at the area that was Hollow Shades. "It's certainly isolated enough for a hiding place, of course, there's a good chance that Nightshade is also using magic for added protection." Discord scoffed. "Magic or not, with me we'll have no trouble finding it." "Finding it isn't the big issue." said Twilight. "As we were saying before you got back here, we need to find a way to safely get Fluttershy's heart back from him." "Then we'll have a distraction." offered Pinkie. "Then we swoop in, get Fluttershy's heart and have him surrounded before he knows what hit him." "But what kind of distraction?" pressed Twilight. "We need to be inconspicuous. So whatever distraction we come up with has to get Nightshade's attention, without giving us away." Discord stroked his goatee in thought when suddenly, he had an idea. A little light bulb flashed above his head as he cried, "Aha!" "What is it?" asked Twilight. "I think I know just you to get for a distraction like this, as well as some extra back up." he said. "Really? Who?" Angel Bunny stared sadly at the door of the cottage. He'd done his best to make sure that the resident animals were taken care of, while also waiting patiently for the return of their owner. All of Fluttershy's creatures were worried about the dear Pegasus, each wondering what was happening to her at that very moment. The door opened. The animals all looked hopefully toward the open doorway, expecting to see the return of Fluttershy. But instead, all they got was a bright flash of light, and the appearance of Discord. "Greetings, my furry and feathered friends." he said. Angel and the rest of them scowled bitterly at the Draconequus, remembering quite well how he had made their owner cry and feel miserable. They all looked ready to attack the unwelcome intruder if he dared make a wrong move. Discord held up both arms defensively. "Whoa now, I come in peace," he said. "I need your help with something. Something very important." Being the leader, Angel stepped forth and gave him a skeptical look. He then explained how Nightshade had turned Fluttershy into a lifeless glass statue, and was holding the only means to restore her in his secret hideout. At the mention of Fluttershy being in danger, the animals immediately went into an uproar. It took Angel a couple minutes of chittering and banging pots and pans to get them to settle down. "Thank you." said Discord. "You actually do something helpful for once." Angel glared, but motioned for him to continue. "So, the girls and I need all of you to help provide a distraction, for us to sneak in and deal with Nightshade once and for all. And, if needed, provide some extra help just in case." Harry the bear growled something to Angel, who was tapping his little chin and foot as he thought over Discord's words. He then looked at him with a questionable look that said: "And why should we trust or help you?" The rest of the animals wore similar expressions on their faces. While they'd do just about anything for their friend, they were also still wary of Discord's tricks. Not to mention they weren't exactly eager to assist a beast as rude and shady as him. Discord could tell he was loosing them, so he answered their questioning looks by saying, "I'm well aware that you critters, among many others, don't really like me. In fact some (He shot Angel a glance), can barely tolerate me. And I can honestly say that the feeling is mutual. However, there is one thing I can think of that matters more to all of us than our disagreements. Fluttershy." The expressions and tense statures of the animals began to soften. "She has been there for you and for me countless times. And she needs our help, now more than ever. I don't care whether or not you like me or not, but for Fluttershy's sake, can we at least agree on a truce?" He extended out his lion paw to the crowd. The creatures all turned their attention to Angel Bunny, waiting to see how he'd respond. He closed his eyes for a moment, then lifted his head up and looked Discord in the eye. A determined look appearing on his face, as he lifted up his own white paw, and shook Discord's. Discord gave a slight smile. "I'm glad we reached an understanding." he said. "And the rest of you?" The animals cheered in agreement, all willing to go out and help their owner. "Then there's not a moment to loose." With a snap of his talons, Discord and the critters disappeared from the cottage. The girls and Spike watched as Discord returned with an army of Fluttershy's animals behind him. "Everything's all set." he said. "Alright then." said Twilight. "We'd better hurry to Hollow Shades then. You ready everypony?" There was a loud clamor of agreement. "Then let's go save Fluttershy, and Equestria."