//------------------------------//
// S3 E9: Keep Calm and Flutter On, Part 1 (What If?) 
// Story: My Little Pony Friendship is Magic What If?: Volume 4 
// by SuperPinkBrony12 
//------------------------------//

It was a beautiful and peaceful Spring day in Ponyville, hardly the kind of day that you would expect a life changing event of great importance to happen on. But such would be the case for a group of six ponies and their dragon friend.

Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Spike, were all waiting on a hill on the outskirts of Ponyville. They had been told by Princess Celestia that she would be paying them a visit on this particular day, in order to formally ask for their assistance with a very important task.

Naturally, Pinkie Pie was excited. "Oh I just love it when Princess Celestia comes to Ponyville!" She happily exclaimed. "I even got my hooves all shined up and polished like Rarity for the occasion. You like?" She asked the fashionista.

Rarity could easily see Pinkie wasn't lying. "Ooh! I most certainly do!" She replied happily, then she turned to Twilight. "Say, Twilight, did Princess Celestia specify when she would be here? No offense, but we've been waiting for some time now and she hasn't shown. I sure hope she knows it's rude to show up late without an explanation."

In response to Rarity's question Twilight nervously shook her head. "No, she made no specifications. She was oddly vague about the task she was hoping we could help her with it. I'm sure she has her reasons, but I have to wonder what she could possibly want to keep secret from us? Heck, I'm surprised she's not here yet. I sure hope everything's okay on her end."

Spike sighed and groaned in frustration, he was never really good at waiting. "I wonder what's taking her so long? Doesn't she know that we can't be kept waiting all day?" He grumbled. "Given the choice I'd rather be stuck at another boring town meeting."

"I'm sure Princess Celestia will be here soon," Twilight reassured Spike, and she asked Rarity. "And where are Applejack and Fluttershy? Princess Celestia wanted us all to be here."

While styling herself a bit Rarity responded to Twilight's question by saying. "Fluttershy's currently detained helping Applejack with a creature mishap at Sweet Apple Acres. But they'll be along shortly."

"But, I still don't get why the Princess would ever be so late?" Spike grumbled. "Between this and the secrecy I'm beginning to wonder if this is her idea of a joke."

"I know the Princess enough to know she wouldn't joke about something like this," Twilight replied. "She did say she was bringing an important visitor with her. That could be part of it." 

"A visitor who's important but so slow." Rainbow Dash complained.

"Well, maybe it's somepony so terribly important, he or she still had many more terribly important things to do before they got here," Rarity suggested. "Trust me, it happens far more often than you might think. Even yours truly is guilty of this."

All of a sudden, Spike let out a huge gasp! "Maybe that's because visitor has a deer antler, a goat leg, a bat wing, and a snake tail!" He blurted out!

Twilight couldn't help but laugh at Spike's remark, her son was getting older but he still sometimes had those moments of childishness. "Yeah, right. That's Discord. And you know he was turned to stone."

"Come now, Spikey-Wikey, be serious," Rarity added. "Why in the wide, wide world of Equestria would Princess Celestia ever bring along someone like that?"

"M-m-maybe you should ask... her!" Spike suggested, pointing a claw to Princess Celestia's approaching chariot. But accompanying it at a close distance, was the stone statue prison of Discord, still stuck in that terrified pose!

Everypony's eyes grew wide, even Rainbow Dash felt like she would've jumped right out of her fur if such a thing were possible! Discord was perhaps the toughest threat to Equestria they had ever encountered, and for him to be standing before them (even if he was still in his prison of stone) was most unsettling! 

Only one thought rang in the mind of everyone on that hill that had just seen the statue. "Has the Princess lost her mind?!"



It did not take long for Twilight to approach Princess Celestia and question her mentor's judgement. "With all due respect, Princess Celestia, how could you bring Discord here?!" She shouted, before she cleared her throat and added. "Your majesty."

Celestia didn't reply until Twilight had finished. "I understand your concerns. I'm fully aware that the last time Discord was here, he created serious havoc during his brief stay." She told everyone.

"If by 'serious havoc' you mean 'turning Ponyville into the chaos capital of the world'-" Rainbow Dash remarked.

"-And tricking us all into being the exact opposite of our true selves-" Rarity added.

"-Not to mention making yummy delicious chocolate milk rain all over the place without a single dollop of whipped cream to go with it anywhere in sight!" Pinkie Pie complained. "And that wasn't even the worst thing he did."

"I know, you made those concerns quite clear when you last defeated him," Princess Celestia replied. "But recently, I have come to the belief that Discord, if reformed, could use his magic to serve good and not evil. That's why I've brought him here, because I believe that you are the ponies who can help him do just that. I know it will not be easy, but I have faith that you'll find a way."

Spike wasn't convinced. "This will never work! This is a disaster in the making! How will we ever even control him?! We're doomed!" He cried.

"A control method already exists," Celestia firmly nodded. "You six ponies were the ones who turned him back to stone in the first place. And I'm sure you know what was used to do that."

Twilight reluctantly said to the Princess. "Well, I suppose we could always use the Elements of Harmony again if he gets out of control."

"Uh, w-w-we probably need a volunteer to run away from here right away to get them. I'll do it!" Spike volunteered, he wanted to be as far away from Discord as he possibly could.

"No need for that, Spike," Celestia told him. "I already have them right here," As she spoke, two royal guards brought forth a large chest and inside rested five familiar necklaces and a familiar tiara. "And don't worry, I made sure to cast a spell so that Discord can't take them and hide them again," Then she looked around and asked. "Now where is Fluttershy? I believe that she may know best how to begin reforming Discord."

The Fluttershy comment caught everyone by surprise. "Fluttershy? What could she possibly know about how to reform Discord?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"From what I was told, Fluttershy was the only one Discord had to forcibly brainwash," Celestia explained. "That means if he tries anything, she is the most likely to resist. So, where is she? And where is Applejack? The elements won't work until all six bearers are together."

"Oh, they're held up at Sweet Apple Acres," Spike commented. "Something about a beaver problem, I think."





On the other side town, at Sweet Apple Acres, Fluttershy and Applejack were indeed tending to a beaver problem. A family of beavers had set up a dam on a river near Sweet Apple Acres, inadvertently flooding the orchard. Applejack had asked Fluttershy to talk the beavers into taking down their dam and setting up somewhere else.

"What's he goin' on about now?" Applejack demanded, as one of the beavers chattered away.

Fluttershy translated and said to Applejack. "Good news. Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth has agreed to take his dam apart and move it."

"Well, it's about time," Applejack remarked. "My apple trees are so waterlogged, I can practically hear 'em gargle! And you make sure he knows not to set up shop 'round here again!"

The beaver complained loudly, and Fluttershy again translated. "But he says first you'll have to apologize for calling him 'a nuisance'." She told Applejack.

Applejack could hardly believe such a thing was being asked. "What?! Apologize?! He's lucky I didn't call him a varmint!" She protested.

The beaver didn't take kindly to Applejack's refusal to apologize, and started chattering loudly. Fluttershy gasped upon translating! "Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth! Such language!" She scolded. "Do I have to wash out that filthy tongue of yours?!"

Reluctantly, Applejack decided it would be best to apologize after all. "Fine, fine. I apologize. Ya happy now?" She asked the beaver.

The beaver responded by blowing a raspberry at Applejack, making her growl. But he still took down his dam anyway, and the water began to flow normally again, providing some relief to the soaked apple orchards.

Applejack breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Fluttershy. Don't know what I would've done without you," With a sigh she added. "I just hope those apple trees aren't completely soaked and useless."

"I'm sure they aren't," Fluttershy replied. "And I'm glad I could help."

Just then, Rainbow Dash flew down and said to the two. "Hey, slackers! Double time it on over to Ponyville, would ya?! We're all waiting on you! Princess Celestia says it's urgent!"





Once Applejack and Fluttershy had arrived on the hill, Princess Celestia explained to them what she had told the others. She made sure to specifically specify her intent to have Fluttershy be the one to lead the reformation process. "I realize that this is a tall order, but I wouldn't ask if I weren't confident you could get him to use magic obediently of his own free will." She told Fluttershy.

"And... you really think I'll know best how to do that?" Fluttershy nervously asked. "This sounds more like something Pinkie Pie or Twilight would be suited for."

Celestia smiled a bit as she said to Fluttershy. "The thought of asking them to do it did cross my mind, but the fact of the matter remains that you are the only one Discord couldn't manipulate or trick. He had to resort to force to break you. So you are the one most likely to resist any sort of tricks he might try," Climbing into her carriage she then said to all the ponies. "Now then, you may release Discord when ready, and I await your reply informing me of the results."

Twilight and Spike were especially surprised by Celestia's sudden announcement. "Wait, aren't you gonna stick around in case we need you?" Twilight asked her mentor.

Celestia sighed as she reluctantly confessed. "Unfortunately, since I am no longer connected to the Elements of Harmony, I fear that Discord may try to get some revenge on me for turning him to stone the first time. I believe he still holds something of a grudge against me for it, even though I didn't do it alone."

"Sounds like you two had quite the past." Twilight commented.

Celestia nodded. "But that is a topic for another time and another place. For the time being, I shall return to Canterlot to host Equestria's royal summit. And with any luck, by this time next week Discord will be allied to our side." And with that, she and the royal guards departed from Ponyville.





For a few minutes following Celestia's departure, there was an uncomfortable silence. Even though the Princess trusted them, no one was in any rush to release Discord, especially when they had no real plan as to how to reform him.

At last, Twilight cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "Okay, ponies, guess it's time to get started," She reluctantly said, as she passed the elements to their respective bearers. "Let's just hope that this releasing spell works."

"Or, you know, let's not!" Spike nervously protested. "Maybe we should consider the fact that Princess Celestia doesn't know what she's doing?"

"I'm pretty sure she wouldn't want Discord to be set free unless she was convinced there was a good chance he could be reformed," Twilight concluded. "I suppose she realizes that eventually we too will lose our connection to the Elements of Harmony, and when that happens Discord will surely break free and have to be sealed away again. She must be hoping to break the cycle before it starts," Then she said to her friends. "We'd best keep our elements on at all times 'til further notice. No telling what Discord might try to do."

"Right!" The girls all agreed, and then the elements began to light up! A most dazzling display was carried out, as the magical energy lifted the girls into the air, and a long chain of rainbow energy began to link the elements together. At last, it reached the gemstone representing magic on the tip of Twilight's tiara, and the energy beam struck Discord's stone prison! There was a blinding flash!

But when the flash had faded, the stone prison was still standing. The girls slowly came back down, and the elements deactivated. But nothing happened.

"It.... didn't work," Twilight realized, and then turning to the rest of the girls she reluctantly said. "Well... I guess we've seen the last of Discord after all. Nothing left to do but write to Princess Celestia and tell her the releasing spell was a dud."

However, just seconds after those words had left Twilight's mouth, the stone prison began to crack. With a tremendous scream, Discord burst forth shouting! "Oh contraire, my little ponies! I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK!" He groaned, as he wiggled around and exclaimed! "Oh! Ooh! Ooooh! Who would've guessed being stuck in stone, even just for a little while, would give you such a pain in the neck?! It's about time somepony got me out of that prison block. What a relief to be free again!" He snapped his fingers, and as he stretched, a twig snapped.

Everyone gasped, and Twilight demanded of Discord. "Just what do you think you're doing, Discord?"

"Why, stretching, of course," Discord replied, sounding completely unconcerned. "When you're a creature of chaos like yours truly,  stone bodysuits aren't exactly your typical go-to fashion choice." He yawned and stretched again, this time his finger snaps turned a cuddly bunny into a rather monstorus creation. 

This time it was Pinkie made a demand, as she gasped and said to Discord. "You make that bunny cute again, right now!"

Discord seemed to ignore Pinkie's request. "Oh, I don't know," He snickered. "I think this little guy's adorable just the way he is," The bunny didn't seem to think so, it tried to bite Discord's paw. Fortunately, Discord pulled his paw back and blew a raspberry at the bunny, then he taunted. "And you wanna know what else is adorable? Well, do ya? You ponies truly believe that you can actually reform me, and that you're putting all your faith in this one here to make it happen," He said, as he pointed at Fluttershy, before he transformed into a weird outfit and added. "Makes me wanna pinch your little horsey cheeks."

"Wait, how did you know about that?!" Twilight demanded. "We never said anything!"

Discord chuckled. "I suppose Celestia never bothered to tell you. A pity, I expected somepony as smart as you to figure it out," Then he explained. "Look, being turned to stone doesn't keep me from hearing every last word Celestia says. Although I must admit it does make rolling my eyes a bit of a challenge." As he spoke that, his eyes literally rolled out of his face and along the ground, before he picked them back up and put them into place.

"Oh really?" Twilight remarked, raising an eyebrow. "Well unless you want us to turn you back to stone, you'll zap all those animals back to the way they were, pronto!"

Discord wasn't concerned at all. "Oh, you wouldn't dare turn me back to stone and risk disappointing your precious princess." He taunted.

"Try us, 'Dip-cord'!" Rainbow Dash angrily replied. "We're not gonna let you push us around again!"

"You really think you can treat poor defenseless animals like that and get away with it?!" Fluttershy exclaimed, flying right up to Discord's face.

"Yeah, you go, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash cheered. "Show him who's boss!"

"You'd best watch your step, buster!" Fluttershy warned Discord. "Or else I'll give you... the Stare!" She proceeded to glare angrily at Discord, looking him square in the eyes.

"The Stare?" Discord asked, before he gasped and seemed to suddenly become filled with regret. "Oh no, please, not that! Anything but your disapproving eyeballs!" He said with what sounded like a nervous laugh. "Please, have mercy!" He pleaded, as Fluttershy increased the intensity of her stare. "Oh no! No no no, stop! No, no!" He exclaimed, as he made a bunch of strangling noises. "Stop! I can't take it anymore! I'll do whatever you say!"

"Oh, you will?" Fluttershy asked of Discord, thinking she'd already made a breakthrough.

Discord appeared to nod as he dramatically said. "Yes. Because," But then he burst out laughing, flying into the air. "You are hilarious! Fool, did you really think I would be defeated so easily?!"

Twilight quickly silenced Discord's laughter as she said to the spirit. "You know, Discord. If it turns out we need to use our elements against you and turn you back to stone, I'm sure we can convince Princess Celestia it was for a good reason. So, care to try your luck already?"

Discord pondered the situation for a bit, before he reluctantly said with a sigh. "Oh, alright. I suppose that's correct. Very well, I'll turn them back to normal," He snapped his fingers, turning the bunnies back to normal. But unbeknownst to the ponies, he then secretly snapped the fingers on his tail and caused a group of nearby beavers eyes to turn red. "Oopsie," He muttered under his breath, before he said normally. "Well then, there is the issue of room and board, I certainly can't just sleep out here while I'm being reformed now can I?"

"So what are you suggesting?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow at Discord.

Discord laughed. "Oh, not much. In fact, I've already decided where I'll be staying while I'm in the process of being 'reformed'," He grabbed Fluttershy and began to give her a noggie as he added. "With you, Fluttershy! You're the one Princess Celestia has singled out for this, so it's only natural I should be with you."

Fluttershy gulped. "Oh dear." Was all she could bring herself to say.





Fluttershy reluctantly tried her best to accommodate her unexpected guest. "Now, he may be horrible, but that doesn't mean we have to act the same way," She suggested, as she set about cleaning up her cottage and making some room for Discord. "We should at least try to be hospitable," Then she looked down at Angel and asked her pet bunny. "You don't mind giving up your favorite spot on the couch, do you, Angel Bunny? It's just for a little while."

Angel was less than thrilled at the thought of losing his favorite spot on the coach, especially when Discord shoved him aside to lay down on it. The bunny let out an angry squeak.

"Now Angel, Discord didn't mean to do it on purpose," Fluttershy lightly scolded. "He's our guest, so we must do our best to be nice to him. If we're mean to him it only proves we're as bad as he is," Then to Discord she apologized. "I'm really sorry about Angel, he can be a bit fussy with strangers. Are you alright?"

Laying down on the couch Discord replied to Fluttershy with a smile. "Oh, yes. Thank you, Fluttershy, for your concern," Then he added. "Now if only your pony friends could be as considerate as you are, that would be lovely."

"Don't think we're going to just forget what you did to us last time," Rainbow Dash spoke up, glaring at the spirit. "And Fluttershy, be careful not to believe everything he says. He's lied before and there's a chance he'll do it again. For his sake, I hope he doesn't, but you never know."

"Oh come now, Rainbow Dash," Discord retorted. "You make it sound like I'm a bad guy. I much prefer the term, agent of chaos. It's nothing personal, it's just my job. You need a little chaos in your life."

"Not the kind of chaos you bring," Rainbow Dash said with a huff, and then she said to Fluttershy. "He's just trying to drive a wedge between us like he did before."

Feigning innocence Discord replied. "Now why in the world would I ever try to do a thing like that?"

"So that we can't unite and use the Elements of Harmony against you, that's why!" Rainbow Dash explained.

"Oh, I never thought of that." Discord innocently replied, but in his mind he was thinking. "Oh Rainbow Dash, you really shouldn't be giving me ideas. Not that it matters, I was already planning to do that anyway. Fluttershy is far too trusting for her own good, I almost feel sorry for her."

Rainbow Dash didn't buy Discord's excuse. "You big liar! You can think I'm stupid, Discord. Just don't talk to me like I'm stupid. Got it?!"

Discord shrank in size in response to Rainbow Dash's comment. "Ooh, now look who's a liar," He teased. "Anyone can plainly see that I'm not big at all," But as he returned to normal size, he accidentally knocked over Fluttershy's table lamp. "Oops," He hastily apologized, as he snapped his fingers and replaced the lamp with one depicting him holding a light bulb. "There, all better." He said with a smile, as he cracked his tail like a whip.

"Good grief, I can't watch," Applejack remarked. "He's an ego maniac."

"Yeah, we're just gonna step outside." Rainbow Dash added, and everyone but Twilight left Fluttershy's cottage.

Twilight looked at Fluttershy and asked her. "Not that I mean to question your judgement, but you sure you're okay with this? Remember, this is Discord we're talking about here." 

Fluttershy nodded, much to Twilight's surprise. "I know it's not gonna be easy, but Princess Celestia's counting on me," The timid pegasus answered. "And... I think I actually know what to do."

"You do?" Twilight asked.

Disregarding the angry squeaking from Angel (who was frustrated by Discord constantly moving the couch to keep him from climbing onto it), Fluttershy explained. "I think the key is to befriend him. Being kind to him and letting him be my house guest is probably the best way to do that. If I can find out what makes him tick, I might know what's needed to get him to be good."

"And you really think that will work?" Twilight asked Fluttershy.

"I think it's at least worth a try." Fluttershy answered. 

Twilight reluctantly agreed. "Okay, I guess it couldn't hurt to let you have a crack at him. But if you ever need us, all you need to do is whisper 'help', and we'll be back here with our elements," Then she said to Discord. "So you best watch that goat-legged step of yours, pal! One false move and it's back to stone!"

Discord didn't take lightly to Twilight's threat, but he simply made himself look rather elegant as he held a tea cup and retorted. "Wh-what?! Why of all the nerve! Look at me! I'm practically reformed already."

"Against my better judgement, we're gonna give you a chance, Discord," Twilight warned. "So don't give us a reason to have to spring the elements on you, got it?"

"Sure, sure, whatever." Discord replied, as the door to Fluttershy's cottage was slammed shut.

Outside the cottage, the rest of the girls debated what to do. "She's really alright with him staying there?" Rarity asked. "I suppose it's for the best he's not in the center of town or anything like that, but still."

"It's what she said, and we did promise to give reforming him a genuine chance," Twilight replied. "Befriending him is probably worth a shot."

"True, but I think we should come up with a backup plan, in case this whole 'befriending' business doesn't work out," Rainbow Dash suggested. "With Discord, it's not a bad idea to have something else in case Plan A fails."

Rarity nodded. "Rainbow Dash is right. This is Discord we are talking about, girls. I want to believe Princess Celestia sees something in him if she trusts us to reform him. But even so, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a trick up our sleeves. A trump card if you will."

"Very well," Twilight agreed. "And I think I know just the spell that can help us. I can't guarantee it will work, but it's better than nothing." 





Fluttershy made sure that Discord was comfortable, before she asked him. "So, is there anything I can do for you at the moment? Anything at all?"

"Oh no, I'm fine. Absolutely, positively fine," Discord replied. "I must say, it's a surprise you're still willing to work with me after what I did. I mean, you know it was just a game, right?"

"Maybe, but you didn't exactly play fair," Fluttershy said to Discord. "No one likes a cheater any more than they do a sore loser."

Discord shrugged. "Well, maybe I do feel a bit guilty for tricking you all and brainwashing you. But like I said before, I'm an agent of chaos. Heck, agent is putting it mildly, I'm practically the master when it comes to chaos. And chaos is the spice of life."

"Yes, yes, I've heard it all before," Fluttershy commented, raising an eyebrow. "So then, if there's really nothing that I can do for you at the moment, I think I'll just head out."

Discord seemed surprised by Fluttershy's announcement. "Where are you going? You're not already turning your back on me by going to those friends of yours, are you? And after all that talk about trusting me and giving me a chance."

Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm not going to see my friends, I just have a couple of things I have to pick up and some shopping that needs to get done. I was going to do it even before I knew I'd be helping to reform you. Just make yourself at home while I'm gone. Okay? I promise I'll be back soon."

Discord waved at Fluttershy, as she exited the cottage and trotted out towards town. "Buh-bye, have a nice time! Everything is fine here. Bye bye... Bye bye..." He called, until Fluttershy was out of sight.

Once the cottage door had closed, Discord turned to Angel Bunny. A fiendish smirk formed on the chaotic spirit's face as he asked in a menacing tone. "Say, you like carrots, Angel?" He dangled a carrot in front of the bunny as he added. "Well, guess what? I'm playing your owner for a fool!" With a laugh, he transformed himself into an actual carrot and asked. "How d'ya like them carrots?"

Angel screamed as the Discord carrot landed in his paws! He dropped it, and ran off, while Discord laughed, before he turned back to normal with a snap of his fingers. "Oh, this is all too easy! Princess Celestia was a fool to think Fluttershy of all ponies could reform me! I am what I am and that's never going to change! Too bad old sunbutt is gonna learn that lesson the hard way."





Sometime later, Fluttershy came trotting back up the path to her cottage. But unknown to her, one of the beavers that Discord had affected earlier, had broken away from the group. 

That beaver was the very same one that Fluttershy had scolded earlier at Sweet Apple Acres, and he still held some resentment for that. "I'm going to make her pay for trying to tell me where I can and can't set up a dam!" He thought to himself.

From one of the cottage windows, Discord watched as the beaver began to draw closer to Fluttershy, and she was completely unaware of the imminent danger lurking nearby. "Oh, this is perfect!" He happily said to himself. "That beaver's going to solve all my problems for me! With Fluttershy out of the picture, the Elements of Harmony will be useless, and I'll be free to do whatever I want!"

Angel Bunny was watching too, but he was watching in horror! His master was in real danger and she didn't even know it! He wanted nothing more than to run out, squeaking and screaming in protest, and telling Fluttershy to watch out! But he knew he was no match for a beaver, and despite his concerns, Angel wasn't willing to risk his life for somepony else. "I may be crazy, but I'm not that crazy!" He thought to himself, and began silently hoping and pleading for Fluttershy to turn around and notice the danger she was in.

But as the beaver began to prepare to attack Fluttershy, Discord suddenly found himself feeling inexplicably guilty. "Why do I care if she gets hurt?" He thought outloud. "I don't owe her anything, it's her own fault if she can't see what should be obvious." However, it was then that a thought struck him. "If I actually save Fluttershy from this threat, she'll come to trust me completely unconditionally and everyone will start to think I've actually reformed. They'll be so surprised, that they won't think to use the elements against me. And even if they do, Fluttershy will stick up for me and the lack of trust will break apart their friendship, leaving me free to do as I please." And with this thought in mind, the spirit charged out the door, dressed in battle gear!

Fluttershy was most surprised when she heard a voice cry out from seemingly nowhere! "Fluttershy, quick, behind you!"

Fluttershy spun around and nearly fainted in horror at what she saw! A vicious beaver with rather sharp teeth was about to lunge at her! Reacting quickly, Fluttershy dove out of the way, just a second before the beaver's teeth would've clamped onto her tail!

Discord came charging forward. "Leave Fluttershy alone!" He demanded, as the beaver prepared to attack Fluttershy! This time, Discord managed to get in front and take the blow. The beaver bit into his tail, and Discord struggled to hold back the screams of pain!

"Discord!" Fluttershy exclaimed, and immediately turned her full fury on the beaver. "Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth, I can't believe you! Just what were you thinking attacking someone like Discord?! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to pick fights?!"

The beaver wasn't concerned, but he found his will to strike again and fight back be drained as soon as Fluttershy hit him with a full force stare. If Fluttershy had looked behind her, she would've seen Discord snap the fingers on his tail and break the spell he had placed on the beaver.

The beaver seemed dazed and confused, as he wondered where he was. He then retreated back into the woods in search of his fellow beavers.

Fluttershy was quite amazed, she could hardly believe what had just happened! "Discord! You..... saved me!" She realized.

"Yeah, I did. I mean... isn't that part of what being reformed is all about?" He asked, trying to sound surprised and innocent.

"Are you hurt?" Fluttershy asked, as she ushered Discord back inside the cottage and shut the door.

"I'll live," Discord replied with a groan. "It'll take more than some out of control beaver with a temper tantrum to keep me down."

"Well even so, thank you," Fluttershy replied kindly. "I don't want to even think about what would happen if you hadn't stepped in when you did."

Discord laughed. "Oh, it's nothing. In fact, being a hero has made me quite famished. And I know just the pick me up." He snapped his fingers and a bowl full of paper appeared before him.

"Um, are you eating... paper?" Fluttershy asked Discord.

"Am I?"" Discord asked after a gulp. "Huh, how odd of me." And he began to chew again.





Meanwhile, at the Golden Oaks Library, Twilight was busy flipping through the pages of a book. She was looking for a particular spell, but so far she hadn't found it. "That's weird. The spell I had in mind isn't in here," She said to herself. "I thought for sure it was right here. Spike, where are the other books I asked you to pull for me?"

"Right here, Twilight." Spike offered, holding up a stack of books.

"Thanks, Spike," Twilight replied, levitating the books out of Spike's grasp. "I appreciate the help. I really want to have a reforming spell prepared A.S.A.P. That way it's up and running if we need to use it on Discord."

"You really think a reforming spell will be necessary?" Spike nervously asked. "I mean, that sounds a bit unethical to me."

"I don't like it any more than you do, Spike," Twilight admitted. "I never thought the day would come when I'd actually have to use one, and I still hope Discord won't require me to do it. But with a guy like him, he just never know."

"But what if he makes the Elements of Harmony disappear like he did last time?" Spike asked with concern. "What happens then? Is there a Plan B for that?"

Twilight shook her head as she told Spike. "That won't happen. Princess Celestia cast a spell protecting them, remember?"

"Oh yeah, forgot." Spike nervously chuckled.

Twilight turned her concentration back to scrolling through the books, but all of a sudden her eyes widened as she said. "Uh-oh." And the books thudded to the floor.

"Uh-oh as in funny, or uh-oh as in we're in trouble?" Spike asked, before he added. "Oh please, let it be the first one."

Twilight explained to Spike as best she could. "Princess Celestia didn't cast a spell protecting any of our books! Everywhere I thought I'd find a reforming spell..." She proceeded to show Spike books that looked like pages had been hastily torn out.

"But then... that means..." Spike realized, before he and Twilight gasped in horror!





Back at Fluttershy's cottage, Discord was polishing off the last of the paper in his bowl. Fluttershy had no way of knowing that the paper was actually pages from books that contained information about how to perform a reformation spell. "Nice try, Twilight," He thought to himself, barely restraining himself from giggling. "But you can't reform me that easily. You'll have to do better than that."

(To be continued)