//------------------------------// // Promises // Story: The Element of Kindness // by BlueHeartTattoo //------------------------------// Discord barely escaped into the Everfree forest when Fluttershy had spotted him in the trees. When he finally reached to his bubble, he lets go of the spell that made him invisible and rested on the beach to try to calm his beating heart from having an attack. Oh, nice going there, buddy. Once again, you almost got yourself captured all for that little pegasus. Shut up. Didn’t helped that you decided to stalk her, huh? Discord groaned and punched himself in the head, making his brain to shut up and let him think in peace. Although it was hard for him to admit that he is right. He really had no idea why he decided to sneak into Sweet Apple Acres to see Fluttershy from afar. Well, He’d checked the treehouse first before he considered the orchard. He had no reason to hide behind the branches of the tree other than just to see her face again. Though it did hurt him to see that Fluttershy was distraught about his abrupt reaction last night. He was so close into bursting out of the trees and into comfort her, but he reminded himself that he needed to restrain himself and that he needed to stay hidden. Although, he admitted he was convenient enough to be there to stop those changelings to even touch a single strand of hair from her. Yet again, as he recalls his situation, it makes things even more difficult to handle. Not only did he used almost enough magic to attract a crowd—to which he quickly wipes it away before it does—but it would give that purple pony princess suspicion and possibly get her one step closer into her investigation. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. So many thoughts and emotions were rushing through his entire being; and yet he couldn’t stay away from the mare who would eventually imprison him. She had become such an important impact him that it is impossible to even do that. It was almost like seeing her daily has become a natural instinct to him. And it frightens him. But he isn’t going to let that happen. He isn’t going to let that kind of future happen. He won’t end his life by being encased in stone by the only pony he had cared and now feared. From the circumstances that he is faced with, he is going to push the limits and decide the only option he has. He must do whatever he can do to never see or hear of Fluttershy ever again. He must stay out of her life, and possibly others if he needed to, just that he can keep this freedom. Even if he had to harden his own heart just to keep it from breaking. At least it is the right thing to do. Meanwhile, Applejack had just come back from her walk with Winona early. As soon as she heard gunshots, she frantically searched for Apple Bloom and Fluttershy to which, to her relief, were safe and unharmed. While Apple Bloom rushed to tell Applejack what happened, Fluttershy was left in a daze. She thought back on what happened back in the orchard earlier. She and Apple Bloom discovering the changelings, hiding from them and witnessing a mysterious attack to when she saw the figure of Discord in the trees. More question started to flood her mind. He was gone, she thought, He was gone last night, and then he started hiding behind trees? Did I really hurt him that bad? Why did he save us? Was he watching us? If so, why? Why did he run away when I saw him? Is he avoiding us? Why is he— “You okay, sugarcube?” Fluttershy jumped as she heard Applejack’s voice cutting through her thoughts. “Oh! Um, yes, sorry. I just—um…. Just in shock, that’s all,” Fluttershy lied. “Seemed like the natural reaction to an experience like that. Come on, let’s go inside and give you two some cider to drink,” Applejack said as she guided the two girls into the house. At one moment, without a second thought, Fluttershy glanced back to the Everfree Forest. “So Spoiled Rich just took the dress with her?!” Rainbow sat at a small table with Rarity down at improving little café called Sugar Cube Corner. Before the town’s restoration, there was some trouble with providing harvest goods such as flour or sugar because, within the favor of the higher class in society, the dealing with trading laws appeared to be corrupted. Luckily Applejack was able to fix the trading affair in town while also setting donations to struggling homes and towns that doesn’t have such privileges. Rarity was in desperate need of a stress relief and talking her frustration out to a close friend was the best tactic she knew. Sipping her cup of tea using her horn, she explained, “Well, she didn’t even bother to let me wash the stain for her—with no extra fee, mind you—but she kept on accusing Scootaloo and then Sweetie Belle and I nearly had the right guts into making her leave the boutique,” She sipped more before muttering, “She doesn’t have the right to talk to them like that.” “Oh, Rarity, you are so right to tell me about this,” Rainbow Dash said, “I would’ve thrown their flanks out of the shop if I were you.” “Well, technically, I must remain professional to my client, even if they are a bit unmanageable,” Rarity smirked as she motions to Rainbow, “Besides, you would be an horrible manager.” Rainbow reacted to the remark with a laughing snort, “It’ll be true; I don’t think I would picture myself being all up-tight and professional,” she then spoke with a mocking British accent while posing herself in a ladylike matter, “Oh, no! I don’t have the specific color I wanted. I’m doomed, I tell you! Doomed!” She stopped her mocking posture when Rarity roughly punched her in the arm in offense while also snickering like a school filly. “I do not act like that!” Rarity pouted under her snickering. “Not until you looked in the mirror.” Rarity sends Rainbow another punch on the arm before her giggling ceased, “Thank for listening, Rainbow. I didn’t want Sweetie to worry about me and I’ve been so busy lately with those commissions—“ “Hey, it’s totally fine. I would never leave a friend hanging when they’re desperate for a breather. Also, you can tell me whether to send a raining cloud on Miss Greedy or not.” Rarity chuckled and smiled in gratitude, “Very tempting, but pass.” The double doors was suddenly slams open and Pinkie Pie came out with multiple trays of cupcakes balancing on her arms and her head. “Woah, Pinkie! You’re planning another party for Twilight again?” Rainbow asked with eyes popped widely at the sight. “Nope,” Pinkie cheerfully replied while setting the trays to the counter. Both the girls raised an eyebrow. “Then what’s all this for?” Rarity asked. “I’m so glad you asked!,” Pinkie Pie squealed in delight as she quickly set the cupcakes on the display counter and sat between Rainbow and Rarity at the speed of light. “Ever since Twilight came to Ponyville under Celestia’s request to find this drakoneeze thingy, her being here means Sugar Cube Corner could now have easier excess to a more bigger and better baking trading warehouse back in Canterlot! I talked to Twilight about it and she says that we *might* talk over about it later today! Ooh, not only am I going to have more ingredients and get higher pay in the trading position--with benefits from Mr. and Mrs. Cake-- but I get to make ton of new, exciting recipes!! I get to make blueberry cobbler--which is like a pie but more open— I would like to try that cookie made from Saddle Arabia! I heard they’re very good and there’s this one spice called cardamom that like is a little seed that you grind down into a powder and it taste like cinnamon only more smokier and spicier with maybe a little hint of nutmeg…” Pinkie Pie kept on rambling in delight while Rarity and Rainbow smiled and rolled their eyes in unison. “We should get out of here while we have a chance,” Rainbow whispered jokingly. “Rainbow!” Rarity whispered. “Kidding, kidding. But you know how she gets when she’s like this. She could talk for hours.” “….Ooh, I get to make more chocolate pudding!” Pinkie concluded her excitement with a squeal. The entrance door opened to reveal Applejack, Apple Bloom, Fluttershy, Twilight and Spike. “Ooh, Twilight!” Pinkie squealed as she raced to the door to greet the princess, “Perfect timing! I was just talking about the possibilities for our trading expansion on Sugar Cube Corner.” “Hey, Pinkie,” Twilight said tired, “If you don’t think, maybe we should talk about sometime later. I only came here because I promised Spike to give him something while we take a break.” “Oh, sure, take your time. I know from that look you’ve been pretty busy finding Dracula-fellow, am I right?” Twilight replied in a long yawn, to which Pinkie blissfully dismissed it and took it for a answer. “It is also good to see you guys too,” She greeted to the other guests, “Do guys want a table?” “Oh, Pinkie,” Rarity called out, “Have them sit next to us!” Pinkie happily obliged by putting a nearby table together to where Rarity and Rainbow was sitting and she gestured the girls and one dragon to come and sit. Fluttershy sat between Applejack and Apple Bloom while Spike sat between Rarity and Twilight, who was rolling her eyes jokingly when she saw Spike being infatuated by Rarity again. “Didn’t think that we would meet you two here,” Applejack greeted as they all sat down near them. “Rarity invited over here to rant about her stressful endeavor that she experienced about at the Boutique,” Rainbow mockingly explained while Rarity scoffed in delight. “Really?” Spike asked worryingly,“What happened?” “Oh, no need to worry about it,” Rarity reassured, “I wouldn’t say an endeavor; just a dissatisfied customer who decided to take things a little too far. But I feel much better now we can spend our time here with you guys.” “You should hear her whining about her commissions,” Rainbow whispered jokingly as Rarity gasped and punch Rainbow in the arm, causing her to laugh hysterically. The others joined in the laughter; all except for Fluttershy and Twilight, who looked down at the table in thought. Twilight had been on thinking mode ever since she moved in. She didn’t spare any time to get some sleep or breaks as she searched the records from the Town Hall for any report on any magical occurrences happened the last few years. So far, she had seen reports of ponies being submitted to hospitals after travelling through the Everfree Forest. Many of them being physical injuries while some became mentally broken. And with that information, she looked onto the list of ponies that had been admitted, their personal lives and their possible connection to what happened inside the Everfree, only to find none. She had read and studied those record and its information the entire day and she felt that despite the efforts, she isn’t closer to finding a clue about Discord’s whereabouts. Spike, seeing all of the heavy working she was loading onto herself, told her that it is unlikely to get the first clue on the first day. And she would be lying if she admitted that he isn’t right. She knew she had enough time to find him and that Princess Celestia wouldn’t risk any pressure into her on her behalf. Plus, Spike had relentlessly reminded her that she needed to slow down and relax before she would think of having another work-related breakdown again. So, as a compromise, she would allow this one night to rest before going back to the task in the morning. That and she promised a treat to get Spike into organizing the paper by date, letters and connectivity. While the rest of the girls were conversing, Apple Bloom noticed Fluttershy once again, staring into empty space. She has acting this way ever since the mysterious rescue in Sweet Apple Acres and it’s starting to worry her. She tapped into Fluttershy’s shoulder, hoping to get her attention, “Fluttershy?” “Yes?” she turned towards the filly. “You are thinking of what happened earlier?” Rarity overheard Apple Bloom and asked, “What? What did you say?” Apple Bloom turned to Rarity who had stepped into the topic, “Um, Fluttershy got scared from what happened at Sweet Apple Acres this afternoon.” Applejack jumped into the topic and explained, “Apparently, somepony from outside of town came into the orchard and tried hurt Fluttershy and Apple Bloom.” Everypony gasped at this piece of news. “Oh, the poor dears,” Rarity fretted, “Were you alright?” “Yep,” Apple Bloom replied, “We were just hiding in the trees until somepony used their magic to shoot them down with apples.” “Apples?” Spike questioned. “Yeah, they even sounded like gunshots.” Twilight’s ear perked in shock and confusion, “Gunshots? “ This gave Twilight some interest into the conversation, as the gun shots echoes from falling apples seems very peculiar. She figured that it might be caused by a sound manipulating spell of some kind. “Did you ever get to see who saved you?” Spike questioned. Apple Bloom frowned, “Um… actually no. We never saw anyone after that. But we would’ve liked thanked them though. Right, Fluttershy?” Fluttershy nodded weakly with a smile, even though it upset her to hear that when she knows who did it. And that she promised to keep him a secret. “What kind of hero hides in the shadows and runs away after saving two innocent lives,” Rainbow Dash scoffed, “If it were me, I would at least give them an autograph or something.” “Well I think it’s nice that somepony decided to do a good deed without expecting something in return,” Applejack said contrarily to Rainbow’s opinion, “It comes to show that some heroes can be brave and humble.” “Okay, laugh if you want, but I’m just saying. I mean, isn’t it kind of weird that somepony can do all that without being seen?” “Unless if that pony is hiding from something,” Pinkie Pie said as she brings in a serving tray to the table with multiple treats in them. Spike started to dig in while the others grab their small treats. Pinkie continued, “If the girls say they’ve never saw who did it, it must be somepony who is good at hiding or can turn invisible. Do ponies still do that? Anyway, Fluttershy, does Gusty know about that?” Fluttershy sat up straight and turned to Pinkie, “What?” “Does Gusty know that your sudden rescue today?” “Why do you think that?” “Well, duh!” Pinkie replied, “He is your friend. And from what I can tell and despite what we think of him, you two seem very close. What kind of friend is he if he doesn’t ask about things about how are you feeling today, or did something happened, or what did you eat today, or how was yoga class, or how’s your mother feeling or— “ “Pinkie, I think she gets the point,” Applejack interrupted. “I…I don’t know about that, Pinkie,” Fluttershy hesitantly replied, “Gusty has been very…. Busy lately.” “Well you are planning to see him again, right?” Fluttershy grew uneasy as she thought about him earlier but she tried her best giving her an answer, “Hopefully.” Abruptly, she stands up and excused herself before galloped her way to the door, trying to hold back her tears. The worried Apple Bloom ran after her while the other looked at the moment perplexed. “Was it something I said?” Pinkie said confused. “Say, uh, Applejack?” Twilight called to her, “I was curious, were you with them when the attack happened?” “No,” Applejack replied, “I was taking Winona for a walk. I only found that out soon after when the girls told me.” “Okay, um…” Twilight muttered, taking in the information in and she somehow find this piece of news very peculiar. The attack that happened out of nowhere, the spontaneous rescuer whom the girls never saw, and the unusual choice of spells that can manipulate the sound of an apple falling down--- Wait. She did know from her research that Discord has reality-bending powers and that he can do almost anything happened whenever he wants. What if the attack had a connection? Only one way to be sure. “Say, Applejack—Would it be alright if I come over to Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow?” Fluttershy galloped far from Sugar Cube Corner until she slowly stopped to find herself alone. She didn’t know why she was compelled to leave so suddenly, but all she knew Pinkie’s question made her so upset that she doesn’t think she can stay any longer. Plus so many things that are rushing through her mind that she needed space to breathe and reflect. That moment was short-lived when she spotted a grey unicorn stallion at the corner. Her heart immediately seemed to stop at the sight and ran toward him. “Discord--!” She came closer to him, only to realize it wasn’t who she thought it was as the stallion turned to face her, startled. “Oh!” Fluttershy exclaimed, “I- I’m so sorry, I—“ “Fluttershy!” Apple Bloom caught up to Fluttershy and she quickly excused her from the stranger. “Fluttershy, what’s wrong? Why did you leave?” “I can’t—“Fluttershy panted, “I can’t take it. I know that Pinkie didn’t mean it but— I can’t just sit here knowing that—that--! “ “Fluttershy, I don’t know what you’re saying.” “Discord was the one who saved us.” Apple Bloom widened her eye in shock, “What?” “It’s true; I saw this shadow in the trees. It must’ve been him.” “Then why didn’t you tell me?” “I- I don’t know! I don’t know! I have too much in my mind right now. And if the others heard about him— “ “Hey, don’t forget I’m part of this too!” Apple Bloom defended, “If I had known that it was him, I would’ve lied to them too.” Then silence creeped in as Fluttershy calmed her nerves and think about Apple Bloom’s words. She then sighed in exhaustion, “I know. I should’ve told you.” “Hey, it’s okay,” Apple Bloom reassured, “You’re just stressed, that’s all. It happens with something bad happens between two friends. I know how that is.” Fluttershy understood what Apple Bloom had implied, as if she was talking about a certain member missing from the Cutie Mark Crusaders at the moment. From the sound of it, she and the other girls weren’t having any luck getting her back. “But,” Apple Bloom uttered as a thought came to her mind, “What doesn’t make sense here is why was Discord watching us from afar if you’d upset him?” Fluttershy frowned in confusion, “What do you mean?” “You said he ran away after you told him something at the party, right?” “Y-yes?” “What exactly had you told him?” “Well, I told him about a certain…. Ability that I had….” Fluttershy was going to hide the fact but she didn’t feel like she needed to, “For some reason, my chest can glow by itself. And he told me that he saw it while we were helping Twilight unpack— “ “Whoa, whoa, wait a minute,” Apple Bloom interrupted, “you can glow?” “Yes, but it doesn’t always show,” Fluttershy replied shyly, “It kind of has a mind of its own.” “That’s…. pretty interesting,” Apple Bloom said, getting back into topic, “And you told him about that.” “Yes, but then after that, he was started acting…. Scared. I tried asking him what’s wrong but then he poofed away. Apple Bloom thought of all of this, “That does sound a little strange. Stranger than what he usually does.” She paused before she can respond back to Fluttershy, “Did you ever thought of going over there and tell him?” “What?” “If you’re really concerned about him, then you should tell him about this and talk over it. This is exactly what Pinkie said earlier! If you don’t do it first, chances are that he isn’t going to do it either.” Fluttershy stood there with her eyes mixed with hope and hesitation. She bowed her head low when she thought of this, “I… I don’t know. I’ve never confronted anypony before my whole life but…. I doubt he’ll listen.” “If he thought of you less than a friend, then he would’ve left you with that hydra,” Apple Bloom stated, leaving Fluttershy stunned about her position. “Well…. even if I do get him to listen, what will I say? Or How get to him if he’s avoiding me?” Fluttershy asked unsurely. “Hmm….” Apple Bloom then struck an idea, “I think I know how to help that. First, we need to find my cousin and friends.” Discord stayed lying there on the branch of this thinking tree. He stared aimlessly at the swirling shades of azure and the glowing stars as he didn’t get not any sleep from his restless, overwhelming mind. Starting on a closed off distance away from—from her— and keeping himself inside this bubble for who knows long proved to be a difficult task than he anticipated it to be. It even took all of his willpower not to check on her. But at least for him it is the best thing to do if he wanted to survive. Then a zapping noise caught his ear. He teleported to the entrance of the dimension to see Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Babs Seed coming through the invisible walls. “Howdy, Discord,” Apple Bloom greeted. Discord stood there confused, “W—What are you doing here?” “You forgot about our deal already?” Scootaloo stated, “That’s kind of out of character for you.” Discord still stood there confused until Babs Seed explained, “You did say that if we decided to keep you a secret, we would use your place for our crusading.” Discord realized that he actually agreed to do that and face palmed before he can stop them, “N-N-Now—Now see here! You can’t come in here yet!” “Why not?” Scootaloo asked. Discord tried to look for an excuse so they can get out; he doesn’t feel like having some company and found it better to be alone, “Because—um… you….you--you didn’t make any reservations! Yes, I did say you can’t come unless you ask me first.” He puffed his chest in triumph, hoping that would make the girls leave. “Oh, I just we’ve forgot about that,” Apple Bloom stated, “But we’re here now and we can easily ask you permission now.” Discord’s eyes popped open and his chest deflated. “No. No, that is not what I meant—!” “Oh, come on, this is only for this one time,” Babs Seed said, “After this, we promise to ask you early.” “Well, I--“ Discord tried to object until Scootaloo grew a pair of puppy eyes on her face. “Please?” Scootaloo whined, “Just this one time?” Apple Bloom and Babs then joined in with Scootaloo and puppy-faced at Discord, who gave in and rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. “Okay, okay, you can stay here,” Discord sighed, “As long as you don’t come near me at all. I don’t feel very good today.” He then noticed somepony is missing in their group, “Where’s Sweetie Belle anyway? Isn’t she always with you guys?” “She’s coming,” Babs Seed replied, “But she said she is bringing a friend over.” “Oh, great,” Discord groaned under his breath, “One more rascal to worry about.” The girls looked over to each other and winked as they are about to start their plan. “Now, if you need me, I’ll be back in the thinking tree.” He started to walk away. “Are you sure you’re alright?” Babs asked with concern, “You don’t look so good.” “I…. haven’t gotten enough sleep lately. But I’m fine.” “So how are you and Fluttershy have been doing?” Scootaloo asked. He halted and slowly turns and sees the girls suspiciously, “Why do you want to know that?” “Just asking,” Scootaloo said simply, almost innocent-like. Feeling something isn’t right about it, he turned his back and uttered out loud, “We’re just… fine.” Apple Bloom raised her eyebrow in concern, “But Fluttershy was been wondering why you’ve been after you left the party days ago?” “I….. I thought it would be best if I… not see her for a while.” The girls seemed to look so shocked. “Why not?” Scootaloo uttered, “She’s very worried about you.” “She has? I mean--“he cleared his throat before he continued, “I… I don’t think I can face her now. There are a lot of thing that has been on my mind right now.” “You’re not really planning to not see her again, are you?” Scootaloo asked. “Considering the circumstances, it’s the right thing to do.” Then a voice came from behind them, “Well, it’s gonna be hard for you, but I brought her with us.” Discord snapped his head up to see that Sweetie Belle was standing right behind the group with Fluttershy next to her. “Fluttershy?” Discord gasped lightly, “Wha—?” He looked between her and the fillies until he realized what was going on. Why, those little…. Fluttershy stepped forward, “Discord, I— “ “Fluttershy, please, I need you to stay away,” Discord said as he was backing away and becoming nervous. “Discord,” Fluttershy protested, “I don’t understand— “ “This is better for both of us; stay away!” Discord then flew away from the group and far beyond the chocolate milk sea. “Discord, wait, come back!” the girls shouted to him as he’d getting farther. Fluttershy then found the courage to flew past the girls and chased after him. “Now what do we do?” Scootaloo said. “We need to follow them!” Sweetie Belle proclaimed, as she became the first to run and hop onto the solid-hard lily pads while the rest followed her. Meanwhile, Fluttershy flew forward into his strange land; Passing through every island, every floating food and every tree that stood steadily from the chocolate milk. She searched all over the air until her wings got tired and she fell thankfully on a stranded island. She galloped around aimlessly as she kept calling out for a response. “Discord!” No response. “Discord, I know you’re here somewhere!” Unbeknownst to her, Discord was indeed very near, hiding behind a tall tree that stood near the island. He tried to keep his panting under control so that she won’t be able to hear him and find him. “I know you rescued me and Apple Bloom,” Fluttershy yelled out to thin air, “You stop those changelings from finding us. I saw you in the trees.” Again, Fluttershy is left with no response. “Why are you hiding from me?” Discord almost cringed as she begun to sound upset. The one thing he know he had developed overtime is that he couldn’t bear to hear or see her cry, which always makes him feel even more guilty now. “Is there something wrong? Did I do something wrong?!” He heard her calling out to him, and he cringed even further. He needs to do something to make her leave him. I’m sorry, but you left me with no other choice, He thought before he took a deep breath and looked determinated as he held up with his finger up, ready to snap them. “Why are you avoiding me!?” Fluttershy called out again, only to be left with no response at all. Suddenly, she heard the wind blowing in the sand and then something below her. She looked down to see words appearing on the sand, as if someone was writing it. The words completed in the sentence and what she read here almost broke her: GO AWAY. I DON’T WANT TO BE FRIENDS ANYMORE. She stared at it with her eyes wide in shock as it started to get glossy. But she wasn’t willing to believe at it as she call out his name again, “Discord?” She looked up trying to find him somewhere, “Discord, this isn’t funny. Why are you hiding from me?” The words on the sand suddenly erased itself and new ones began writing itself: I CAN’T BE WITH YOU ANYMORE. “Why not?” Fluttershy asked to the message. Then more words were added: I CAN’T BE WITH YOU; YOU HAVE YOUR OWN LIFE TO LIVE IN AND I HAVE MINE. IT IS SAFER THIS WAY. Fluttershy felt taken back and then screamed back, “SAY IT TO MY FACE!” The message is blown away by the artificial wind and she looked back up aimlessly at the sky, calling out as her voice gradually grow weaker and more broken, “Say that you don’t want to be friends anymore and tell me what I did wrong. If you can do that--” she almost choked on her words, “—I- If you can do that, I’ll leave you alone then! But I won’t believe it if you say it to my face. J--Just one word—and I’ll leave you…. And go back to the treehouse—and…. And go back into hiding myself, wondering what I did to hurt you and…. And….” Fluttershy couldn’t finish as she started to break down into tears and her body fell on the sandy shore. She didn’t long how she lied there crying; it almost felt like an eternity. Then she felt a large warmth coming around her. Her eyes popped open and she saw Discord wrapping his arms around her and bringing her to his chest. She then noticed small tears on his face as he looked down at her with his eyes filled with sympathy and remorse. After one long look at him, she broke down again, crashed into his chest and wrapping her arms around his body. Discord responded by rubbing her back in a comforting way. As her cries had grown soft, Discord spoke to her, “You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m sorry I made you feel that way.” “Why were you avoiding me?” Fluttershy whimpered. “…...Because I was scared.” Fluttershy widen her eyes, “Of me?” “N-No! No, I….. I was scared…. Because I was reminded of something.” “What?” Discord looked down at her with her eyes red and swollen from the tears she shed. He hesitated to even tell her about the reason behind her glowing chest or the fact that she’s the lost bearer, but he tried to find the words to say some truth without spilling the beans. “You have to understand, Fluttershy. I’ve been through so much before and after I was first turned to stone. The best of what I can tell you is that sometimes…. I’d fear for my life. I may act like my usual self but inside--- I am scared all the time. And some remainders of the past is what triggers that.” “…my glowing… remind you of something?” Fluttershy asked. “I know it sounds stupid, but it reminded me of somepony. Somepony… who is almost like you now I think about it,” Discord mostly lied of that part for obvious reasons. “I thought that if I avoid you and stay out of your life, I wouldn’t get myself hurt again and…. And try not to bring you into this mess,” But it is only at this last part that what he said was true. He stayed silent for a while as she processed everything. Despite of some of the details seems a little vague and cryptic to her, she can definitely see that he was hurt in the past. Especially from the thought that somepony from the past could mean such an effect on him. Finally, Fluttershy spoke out, “Well, you can rest assured that I am not like that pony.” Discord stared at her with a mix of awe and uncertainty, “Really?” “I was worried sick about you all this time,” Fluttershy stated, “Did you really think I wouldn’t care if you were upset? Look, I know I’ve hadn’t known you for very long, but I understand what it’s like living in fear and not feeling like you’ve let go of the past; I’m still struggling with that. I do care for you very much, and it hurts me to see you like this. If there was something wrong, you could at least tell me about it. I just learn that’s what friends do for each other, so if you want,” she lifts up her hoof to his cheek with sincerity in her eyes, “I am willing to help you and still be your friend as long as you’re willing to do the same.” Discord gazed into her sweet, sympathetic teal eyes and felt the comforting warm pang within his chest. He is still amazed how much this mare had always trying to prove him wrong when his own actions seem to be pushing her away. She had proved then that she is much stronger than she perceived and how kind and brave she is truly is. He knew that somewhere there was a definite reason why he couldn’t resist her. But it doesn’t change that fact that the problem still stands. She may not know about her element or her destiny, but there might be a chance that one day she will. Then a lightbulb ignited inside his head. He may not stop Fluttershy from knowing the truth but he doesn’t want to lose her either even if he tried. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t lie and prologue this little fact a little longer so that there will be a chance that she won’t learn the truth and he won’t be turned into stone. This little bump in the road had now become a win-win solution for him. He looked down at her and smile, bringing his hand up to touch Fluttershy’s hoof that was still on his cheek, “I will. I promise.” He felt Fluttershy returning the embrace and just enjoying the fuzzy feeling inside again. At the corner of his eye, he saw the four fillies hiding at a nearby marshmallow cot, hoof bumping each other silently in victory. But he only glances at the scene for a moment for he cared only for the mare and the feelings that are lodged inside of him. At least she doesn’t need to know, Discord thought to himself. Meanwhile, at the edge between Everfree Forest and Sweet Apple Acres, a shadowy hooded figure slowly landed her hooves on the ground. The figure slightly lifted up the hood with her magic to glance around her surroundings. The figure was Queen Chrysalis. Seeing that nopony was around at the crack of dawn, Chrysalis moved further into the orchard while keeping hidden for any unwanted intruders. She used the magic in her horn to find any traces of magic that had been used the other day her two guards recklessly wandered to find Nameless. She knew what those two were talking about when they explained how some strange magic ambushed them and drove them out of this place. She had seen that magic happened before, back to when she was young and naive. She didn’t think that he would be here after he was freed from stone twenty years ago, though her scavengers had heard rumors of chaos appearing and disappearing from their hunting grounds. But even if he was hiding here, she wanted to make sure that this isn’t all for not. Her horn signaled the magic to be slightly stronger than before. It probably meant that she was getting closer. She kept following the senses sent from her horn until she stopped. Somepony has made it to scene before her. But it wasn’t anypony; it was an alicorn princess—One she only knew was named Princess Twilight Sparkle. She was trying to use the same spell with her horn, trying to sense strange magic while her little dragon dozed off at a nearby tree. Chrysalis jumped behind the trees before the princess could see her. Blast! She thought to herself. She wasn’t expecting a princess of all things being here. What is she doing here anyway? Could she be here for him? “Hey, Twilight!” Chrysalis’s ears twitch at the voice coming from the distance. She peeked to see an orange earth pony waking towards her with a tray with mugs with steams rising from them. “Thought you might like some hot coco,” Applejack said as she brings the tray out to Twilight. “Oh,” Twilight uttered; she was a little surprise by the gesture she was given. “Um…Thanks, Applejack,” she finished the rest of her sentence while she used her magic to grab a mug for herself. Applejack took notice of Spike sleeping by the tree, “Still all tuckered out?” “Yeah, I guess dragging him with me at the crack of dawn wasn’t an good idea,” Twilight awkwardly replied. “I think you should’ve listened to him when he said to leave him at the library,” Applejack sarcastically said with a giggle. Applejack made her way towards Spike and lightly nudged on his shoulder, which was enough to break the dragon’s slumber. “What—wha….?” Spike slurred as he lazily opened his eyes. “Want some coco?” Applejack asked, bringing the mug to Spike’s face and slightly scaring him. Luckily, he sighed as he recognized the voice and saw its owner, “Oh, heh, Thanks, Applejack. Glad somepony has taken me into consideration,” He gave a tired glare at Twilight while both ponies snickered. “Been able to find anything since I left you here?” Applejack asked. “Well….. no, actually,” Twilight replied. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, that stranger must’ve cleaned all this up after those varmints ran off. The girls did tell me there was a huge mess.” “Yeah,” Twilight sighed, “But even with that, I might’ve have some traces from my magic.” “What do you mean by that?” Applejack asked questionly. “When you and your sister told me about the sound of gunshots, I thought it is possible that this stranger might’ve used some sort of sound manipulation spell on those apples to scare those intruders away. I’ve never heard such a spell like that, so I might have only one in mind that can create something…. Unusual.” Twilight made a knowing face to Applejack, who quickly understood who she meant and gave her a nod. “But how can you be sure it was really him? The girls never saw who rescued them,” Applejack stated. Chrysalis, who still hid from behind, might’ve seen something from that way they spoke about this stranger. But from the sounds of it, it seems like her theory might to be true. Even though, this seemed to be only one-time visit, which didn’t give her the confirmation she needed. “It might be a hunch. But I wouldn’t know for sure. Alicorns are not very good tracing down magical imbalances, so it’s hard for me to even identify the signature of that magic. It’s even rare for other creature to trace any magic, except for draconequi, but….” “They are extinct now, aren’t they?” Applejack asked. “It is believed so, yes. We haven’t had any account of them besides ‘him’ since the windigos started that blizzard that started the war between ponies.” Applejack thought for a moment and asked puzzled, “Wasn’t there another war right after the windigos? Granny told me about it when I was a filly, but I don’t know what—“ “The changeling war?” “Yeah, I think that’s it. Wasn’t that right after them or—“ “Technically, yes but it started around the dark ages when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna became the first bearers to the elements. Some ponies tend to have that confused since both eras are almost historically identical.” “Oh. I did not know that,” Applejack uttered, kind of surprised of this historically technical fact. “The war itself is an interesting study. Did you know the war lasted longer because there were two queens and a princess leading and fighting with the changeling army?” “Why were there two queens? I thought that they need one to rule their kingdom? “Applejack puzzled. “Well, Queen Cecropia the first was still in ruling when the war started. She just let her daughter, Princess Regalis, be involved the war since she was old enough to take the throne if anything happened to the Queen. She’d surprisingly lived long enough to see the birth of her granddaughter; but Regalis stayed beside her until she took the throne on the last year of the war.” “What about the princess? Was she involved too?” “A little; she was still young then and there wasn’t much information about her. But I might’ve guessed left on the impact on her after the war ended.” “How come?” “Regalis’s daughter at that time was Chrysalis and from Twilight’s calculations from her school tests years ago, the war ended right when she turned 10,” Spike stated from behind them, stilling sitting by the tree and drinking hot chocolate, “And I knew that fact since I helped her with that.” Applejack’s eye widen in shock, “Chrysalis? As in Queen Chrysalis? The current queen of the changelings?!” Twilight giggled at her reaction, “I know, it’s also very surprising how she lived almost as long as her grandmother.” Applejack looked over the facts in awe, “Boy that must’ve been traumatic for her. If I didn’t know better, that’s probably why we never heard from her or the changeling kingdom.” “Yeah,” Twilight sighed sadly, “But we can’t know that for sure. The war really took a toll on them, even if they’re the ones who caused it.” Still hidden in the shadows, Chrysalis overlooked the scene. Small streams of tears trailed down to her face as she recalled the exact details of the war; including her mother. She turned away when her melancholy turned to anger to the ponies responsible for her downfall.She quietly flew away from the scene, further into the trees and then up to the sky when she got far enough where others wouldn’t see her. I will remember your promise, mother, she thought, I’ll make our race great and proud again. And I’ll make these ponies pay. Back at the scene, Applejack changed the subject, “Well, I’m sorry you couldn’t find anything, but there’s still hope in finding….. you know who.” Twilight sighed, “Thanks, Applejack. I appreciate it. And thanks for the hot chocolate.” “My pleasure. Say, we still have leftovers from breakfast. Why would you come down and grab some before you go?” “Oh, no, I couldn’t. I-- “ “Oh, just because you’re on a mission doesn’t mean you can’t take small breaks or make friends. And I insist that you come and have breakfast as your friend.” Twilight looked over to Applejack in a subtle surprise, “Friend?” “Why, of course. Sure, we might be the bearers of harmony, but we can also be friends, right?” “Right….” Twilight thought about it before coming up with a decision, “Sure, why not?” “Oh, great; some food,” Spike drooled happily and the girls laughed at the poor tired dragon, walking with a growling stomach. They all made their way to the barn house while Twilight thought to herself and how Applejack called her a friend. She hadn’t realized of how much time has passed since her and the other ponies started to help her. They were very kind and helpful to her—despite the trolling treatment she gets from Gusty Hex—even though she felt like they were getting on her nerves. Pinkie’s party kind of made her show how irritated she was, but that was because she wasn’t used to being in a large crowd with ponies spontaneously wanting to be her friend. She is used being the pony at the top of her class. She is used being a book worm, not wanting ponies to sit by you. She is used to being a symbol for help and not expecting to have anything in return. She may have grown relationships when it comes to her mission, but they were more on a diplomatic manner. But… she had never wanted friends before. And now, with it being given to her by this small group of ponies that are chosen by the elements and having met them for a couple of days; she is starting to be used to them. I’m not sure if Princess Luna is right…. But either way, I think I like it.