In the break of a gray morning, a small group of ponies walked through the paths of the castle garden accompanied by two royal guards.
Amongst the crowd, a unicorn filly was holding onto her mother's hoof, observing that she and a few others were carrying bouquets of flowers in their hooves or levitated in the unicorn's magic.
"Mommy," said the young filly, "why are the other ponies holding flowers?"
"It's part of the service, sweetie," The mother replied, sounding sweet and lovingly while holding sorrow into her voice, "The princesses requested all of Equestria to come and pay our condolences."
"What does 'con-dough-license' mean?" the young filly was unable to pronounce the unfamiliar word.
"Condolences," The mother corrected, "It means that we are going to visit someone very dear to Equestria who just…. passed on." She was not afraid to tell this touchy subject onto her daughter; she knew how bright she was and that she is mature enough to learn the concept.
"I thought we were going to visit Sissy," The filly frowned sadly.
"We are. I thought we should come here first while we have the chance."
"How come?"
"There might be a chance that the princesses will… put her to rest. I promise this won't take long; after this, we'll visit Sissy at magic school."
The filly nodded in response, somehow feeling disappointed. Then the group stopped at the corner and the guards cleared from the pathway, letting the group into where they wanted to go.
The filly looked ahead of the group, wondering what they were heading to and stop at the sight in front of her.
There, at the end of the path was a glass coffin and a maiden inside of it. The base of the coffin was made and decorated in gold; etches of butterflies etched swirled around the canvas while some swirls of gold were lines onto the crystal glass case. The young mare inside the case was laid on her back with her hooves rested onto her chest, seemingly grasping onto a white veil that covered her like a blanket. Her head and her light pink locks were rested into a small pillow with small flowers encircled near her head like a halo. Her beauty and her sleep-like state is in display for all ponykind to see, including the young filly who continued to hold her gaze onto the figure.
Already bouquets of flowers and burnt candles were cradled at every corner of the pedestal. And one by one, the visitor places more gifts and light back the candles in solemn sympathy.
"Mommy, is that girl who we're visiting?" the filly questioned, pointing at the coffin.
"Yes, honey," the mother replied, "That's her."
"Who is she?"
The mother paused, trying to find an easier way to explain to her daughter what's going on. "Do you remember the stories of the bearers you learned at school?"
The filly nodded innocently.
"And you remember that one of the newborn bearers went missing 20 years ago?"
The filly nodded again.
"Well…. it turns out…," she turned her gaze at the mare and the filly followed, "She's the missing bearer."
"You mean they found her?" the filly sounded surprised before she asked confused, "But why is she in there? Shouldn't she be with her element?"
"Well, honey. I don't know exactly what happened, but all I know is that…. They found her a little too late."
It was then the filly understood what her mother meant and her curiosity of the mare behind the glass turned to sympathy.
Her mother noticed her sadness and handed the bouquets towards her, "Do you want to give the flowers to her?"
She nodded and softly took the flowers from her mother's grasp. She walked towards the coffin and stares at the gentle features of the mare before placing the flowers near her among the others.
Then the crowd heard subtle drops of rain and the guards called to them to come back to the castle. Yet the odd thing was that they didn't feel any moisture on them or see any drops on the glass case. The crowd murmured their confusion while they saw the rain was splattering in thin air as if they were protected underneath an invisible tent.
Then the filly saw something upward in the distance and tugged on the sleeve of her mother's blouse, "Mommy, who is that funny-looking pony up there?"
The mother looked at her daughter confused and then upwards. She recognized the shape of the figure that she saw. On one hoof, she was almost terrified to see someone like him being around this part but on another hoof…. She realized that he was responsible for this shield and was left pleasantly surprised.
She can hear her daughter calling her name before she can gently grab her hoof, "Come on, honey, let's get inside the castle. We can visit Sissy once the rain stops."
"But you didn't tell me who that pony is!" The filly voiced her curiosity as she was dragged away from the clearing.
Few ponies, including that mother and her daughter, had taken noticed of this strange occurrence; for this has happened several times before.
High above, in the tower where the elements were kept, Twilight looked down where she can see Fluttershy's coffin and the visiting service down below. But it wasn't the only thing that she focused on. On the castle rooftops, she can see Discord casting a shielding spell over the same area while hiding away from the pony crowd.
It has been a month since Chrysalis's defeat and every day since she has seen him like this. Every day he would distance himself from anypony, sits upon the rooftops and watches over Fluttershy's glass coffin from dawn to dusk, as he often felt the need to stay up and keep guard overnight. Though it wasn't the only thing he does.
Much to her surprise, he has been using his magic in ways that helped the visitations. He creates shields to protect ponies from the rain, overlooks the woodland animals from the Everfree whom had never left their friend's side and even scare off young punks who dared to think about vandalizing the property.
She had seen all the good things that he's done. But even then, she still sees him as the same broken creature he was for a whole month.
The opening of the doors made her jump and she turned to see Princess Celestia entering the room.
"Princess," Twilight said, surprised, "I...I-I was checking on the elements."
Celestia gazed up to the stone tree-like pedestal that held the elements. She especially looked over to the element of kindness, grateful for its safe return but still saddens over its dim light.
"Turns out we had the exact idea," Celestia stated, "But that's not the only reason to be inside the tower, isn't it?"
Twilight understood what Celestia had meant and sighed before mumbled under her breath, "I swear he picks a new spot every day."
Celestia walked to the window where Twilight stood and saw Discord on the rooftop, "He has been like this ever since his confession."
Another detail that Twilight had nearly forgotten. Right after the private funeral service, Discord had all three princesses together and had confessed everything that happened before that day. His first meetings with Fluttershy, how he learnt about her birthright, his pony disguise; he had told them everything that he knows but had kept secret from everypony, even from Fluttershy. Then he stated that he had regretted anything that had happened now and then and that he takes full responsibility for his actions. This had left the princesses speechless and neither of them responds back to this. It wasn't until a moment later Celestia had declared him pardoned for all crimes against him but is kept under watch in case he relapses, to which he vowed he won't.
"I'm surprised that he told us everything," Twilight recalled, "I'm even more surprised that you pardoned him."
"It was brave of him to admit his wrongdoings. It's from that I realized that he is much different than the one I once knew. Besides, I had fault in it as well."
Twilight blinked in confusion, "Fault?"
"I knew him as a brother first. If I understood what he was going through and why he turned against Equestria, I would've done more to help him. But I was young then. And still I let my own judgement get the best of me."
Twilight had honestly never thought of it, even though she knows very little about her relationship with Discord. But as she thinks of it more, the more she realized now that she was in fault too.
Silence filled in the room with sounds of rain coming from outside. Twilight turned to face the elements and she is reminded of something that has in her mind.
"Princess," Twilight called to Celestia, "Mind if I ask you something? It has been bothering me the whole month and… I never got the chance to ask."
"What is it, Twilight?" Celestia asked.
She tried to think through what she was going to say, "It's… well…. I know the element of kindness has been…immobilized since the whole incident happened, but—when I saw Fluttershy glow for the first time, I was confused. I know now that she’s the bearer, but… I read the description of it so many times in the Journal of the Bearers. And I know that it is very rare for any bearer to experience, but it still doesn’t make sense when Fluttershy had no way in knowing-"
"You are wondering why Fluttershy's chest glowed?"
Twilight nodded.
"I may have a theory on this, but you must understand that this is from my own personal experience and knowledge. Whether this is concrete or not is up to you."
"I understand.”
"Firstly, you noted how the Past bearers had written in the journal that some of them experienced this before, right?"
Twilight nodded in response.
"Well, as true as it still is, you can't deny that there is a sense of mystery behind the elements' power; How that kind of power can do such wonders after it had just fallen out from the sky. But I can say that those bearers were very lucky to at least see this phenomenon happened in our lifetime. I knew I was."
Twilight blinked in surprised, "Your glowed? How?"
"Luna's glowed when she had learned about Discord's sudden disappearance from the castle. It wasn't until then we learn that it was at the same time he went and took over a village with his magic. And then I glowed when Starswirl presented us with the element, telling us what we must do."
Twilight understood the implication of Discord's defeat.
"My sister and I were the first bearers that witnessed it, but when time passed by and more bearers came, the reasons had become varied. Some have been warned of magical disturbance like we had while others felt it acted like a consciousness, guiding them between the right and the wrong. The problem remains is it is extremely rare and back then it was hard for us to identify what it all means. I believe the reason why Fluttershy glowed was that her element must've known that she was alive and where she has been all this time, so it must've been sending out a homing signal to help us find her."
"Or maybe, it must've acted as her conscious—Just like you said," Twilight added, "It must've been guiding her back to us." She paused for a moment, "But if I may ask—Discord was turned to stone over a thousand times and he sensed that Fluttershy was the bearer all along. But then the element managed to stop Chrysalis and save Discord. How come it didn't affect him like it did in the past?"
"I can't say I know for certain. But if Fluttershy knew him more than the monster we thought he was, then perhaps the element must've sensed it too and in turn, protected him from Chrysalis' wrath."
"And turning Chrysalis into stone?"
Celestia paused for a moment, "I can't really say for sure. For who can say why it did what it'd done?"
A disturbing thought had just crossed her mind and hesitated to ask, "Princess…. Since Fluttershy can't officially be connected to her element… Does that mean….?
Fearing to admit it, Celestia sighed solemnly, "Yes…. You and the others are the last generation of bearers Equestria will ever have. It seemed that Chrysalis has truly won."
Twilight stood very still, looking as if she was seeing into a future without the protection of the elements and its bearers. She gazed upon the pedestal before her, feeling the sense of uncertainty within her spine.
Outside, the rain came to a slow stop and Discord release his shield around the clearing.
He kept his melancholic gaze onto the mare inside the glass coffin from afar. He always feels a twinge of pain whenever he sees the sight of her deathly still state, yet he can't turn away from it.
It was almost hard to believe for him that he had caused all of this to happen. Because of his own fears and selfishness, he almost brought Equestria to ruins and lost the only pony who had cared for him. And for that, he regretted it.
He bowed his head down and cover his face with both of his claws, letting his grief take over once more.
A train halted to a stop, letting steam blowing out of the engine and covering the station. Among the ponies that stepped out of the train were the five element bearers and the cutie mark crusaders who came along with their sisters.
They stood at the platform for a moment until Rarity saw Spike walking towards them.
"Spike!" Rarity greeted him with a hug, "It's so good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too," Spike replied with a shy chuckle. He turned to the others and greeted them the same way, "Did you guys make it up here okay?"
"We did just fine," Rainbow Dash replied, "Though I'm surprised that Twilight wants us to visit. I mean, after everything that'd happened lately."
Spike then grew nervous, "Oh, umm, actually…. She doesn't know."
Rainbow along with the others grew surprised, "What?"
"She doesn't know you're coming. I actually arranged this myself."
"Why?" Apple Bloom asked, "Is she doing alright?"
"Yes, she is," Spike grasped his dragon claws anxiously, "It's just that…. She has been feeling down. This month has been hard for her—her and the princesses. I know she missed you guys and I thought I would let you come here to cheer her up a bit."
"Well, that's very sweet of you," Rarity said, "You must've done a great job looking out for her."
"Well, she did raise me after all." Spike chuckled with a shy smile.
"We'll be happy to help you and Twilight," Applejack said, "You and Twilight had done so much for us back at Ponyville; it's only right that we can do this in return."
"Yeah!" Pinkie cheered, "And besides, no pony deserves to be sad forever. Even if we just lost a friend." As soon as she said that, she frowned sadly.
The others frowned but they ultimately agreed with Pinkie. With everything that's going on, it's understandable why Twilight would be so distressed.
But, as Sweetie Belle and the other fillies think about it, it didn't make sense why he would ask their sisters to bring them along. They weren't as close to Twilight as them, other than the times they've seen her in Ponyville. They might need to ask Spike about this later.
However, Sweetie was the only one out of all of them who thought who else was still in mourning. She kept this thought in her mind until she and her friend find out the reason for being here.
"Well, if you like to follow me, I'll lead you right to the castle," Spike stated as he and the ponies started to walk down the train station platform, "Also-- I forgot to mention this-- but if you're interested, there is something that Twilight needed to talk to you about."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Oh, uh, I can't really say," he said with a sly smile on his face, "You may want to talk to her to find out."
Twilight stood at the center of her old bedroom, looking through the shelves to pull out a journal that she kept to herself ever since she became a bearer and a princess. It was in there she had recorded everything that she needed to let out: her joys, her experiences, her fears and the lessons that she had learned and taught herself. For some time, it was a plan for her to write whatever she can so that some wide-eyed bearers can read this in comfort and closure for their role in Equestria.
Though it seems that there was no point for it now.
Since there’s no point of using it anymore, she thought to herself, it wouldn’t hurt to write down one more entry to say goodbye……But what to say, though?
She heard a knock upon her door and Spike's voice calling from the other side, "Twilight? Are you in there?"
She puts the book back to the shelve before responding back, "Come in, Spike."
Much to her surprise, Spike wasn't alone when he opened the door and let in some familiar faces into the room.
"Girls?!" she gasped.
It was a cue for the group to rush and greeted Twilight in a group hug, all of them voicing their welcomes and hellos in unison.
Twilight was both happy and confused at seeing them and asked, "What are you guys doing here?"
"Spike invited us to come here to see you," Applejack explained.
"He really kept this surprise under our muzzles," Pinkie said, her hoof instantly shoving right to her nose to prove a point, "not literally, though."
The others giggled at Pinkie's randomness and Twilight suddenly felt this sense of relief onto her shoulders. She turned her gaze over to Spike who smiled at her reaction along with the young fillies. She silently sent him a look as he understood it was her way of saying 'thank you'.
"Oh, it's been way too long since we last saw you," Rarity insisted, "Even if last time it was under…. Extreme circumstances."
"Yeah, sorry," Twilight said, "I've been… busy lately. Mainly I've been helping the princesses arranging Fluttershy's mourning services and I've been thinking… a lot. But I guess it's a good thing you're here; I really need a breather."
"Well, that's exactly why we're here for," Rainbow said, "Now, when is it lunchtime in this place? Because I'm starving!"
Twilight chuckled, "I can see if Princess Celestia would invite you to lunch."
She gestured them to follow her out of the room and make her way down the hallway. She turned to Spike, who stood by the doorway and grabbing the fillies to his side. Applejack, Rainbow and Rarity also turned as they noticed their sisters weren't with them.
Rarity called out "Care to join us, Spike?"
"Sure thing," Spike replied, "I just need to talk to them for a minute. I'll bring them back for lunch."
The four mares understood and resumed walking further into the hall. Spike waited until they had gone out of sight before he turned to the fillies.
"It's good to see you, girls," Spike said softly, "all of you."
"Spike, I know I should've asked this back in the train station," Apple Bloom asked, "I get why you invited our sisters here for Twilight, but we aren't as close to her as they were."
"Well…. There's a reason why I asked Rarity and Applejack to bring you. And Rainbow, too," he turned to Scootaloo, "I'm surprised that she looks after you now."
"Yeah, it surprised me too," Scootaloo said bashfully, "Turns out Applejack told her about my situation and she sort of… took me under her wing. It hasn't changed but still, she kept her eye on me."
Diamond cleared her throat, "Um, back to the point?"
"Right," Spike snapped his thoughts back on track, "I was…also thinking if you would talk to Discord."
The group blinked, and Sweetie uttered, "Discord?"
"He's not doing good either."
The CMC were surprised at the mention of his name. They haven't seen Discord ever since then and they remembered that he had kept his distance away from them before they left for Ponyville. And ever since then, they were concern about his welfare but still give him space out of respect.
As for Sweetie Belle, she suspected that this would be the reason why they were asked to come; but now hearing this to be true, it has only pushed her worry for him much further.
"He's gotten more distant ever since he confessed to the princesses. He doesn't eat, sleep and, I can't believe I'm saying this, but he's hasn't been using his magic—besides those visitation hours."
"What did he do?" Sweetie asked worried.
"Nothing! Actually, he's helping a lot! He checks over the garden, the animals—he even kept the visitors from getting wet in the rain; and that's the latest he's done."
"Wow," Diamond awed, "I never expected him to do that. I understand he's upset, but I always thought he would… I don't know… snap or something."
"We thought of that too—that's why we've been looking out for him in case anything happens. But… after a month now, he seems quiet, action-wise. But that's not even the half of it—he even guards her."
"Fluttershy?" Babs Seed awed.
Spike nodded, "He never visits her on the grounds, but he watches over her. I don't know what their friendship is like, but…. Something tells me that she means a lot to him."
"You have no idea," Sweetie muttered under her breath, to which only Diamond can hear as she was next to her.
"Twilight and the princesses tried to talk to him; but no matter what they do, he isn't connecting. I hope that, since you were close to him, you can make him feel better. Though I wish I could've done this sooner."
"Why?" Apple Bloom asked.
Spike then give them a look that resembled regret, which alerted the girls greatly, "After visitations are over…. We're planning to finally put her to rest."
The girls widen their eyes with worry.
"I know, I'm sad about it too; but it seems like the right thing to do. Especially after everything she's been through. Discord tried to convince them keep the service going. That didn't work, but they are allowing one more week before they can bury her."
He then plead with them almost in a desperate matter calmly, "Please talk to him. This is the only chance we got to help him. I may not know him, but I know that you're his only friends. If you can get him through this; then he'll find the chance to move on…. maybe say goodbye to Fluttershy."
Apple Bloom looked at the concerned dragon and then to her teammates. They didn't need a word to discuss, for they knew exactly that their answer was.
She then turned back to Spike, "Where can we find him?"
The CMC wonders around the bridges and towers of the castle. They had been told that Discord lies upon the castle rooftops, particularly all of them since he like to change his position every so often. The corridors they walked on was high enough to see any towers down below and they can see the clearing where services were taking place.
They walked very slowly, as they suspected that he could be anywhere. If he were in distress than Spike said he is, he would probably have a chance to avoid them. Nevertheless, they continued their search for their friend.
"Discord?" Apple Bloom cried out into the air, "It's us; Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Bab Seed and Diamond Tiara. Spike sent us here to talk to you."
They heard no response other than the sound of a breeze.
"We missed you," Scootaloo called out in support for Apple Bloom, "We've been worried ever since…. You know what."
No response.
"We've been told about how you've been," Babs called out, "And from the sound of it, it doesn't sound so good."
Once again there was no response.
Then Sweetie Belle called out, making this final attempt, "We want to help; we all do. But we can't do that unless you come out and talk to us. It doesn't have to be now, but it needs to be soon. But please, come out."
They were met in silence once again. Then a whooshing sound came from behind them and they turned to see Discord standing in front of them.
Finally, they saw him in his state. His eyes were swollen with deprivation, his fur was damp from the rain from this morning, and his movement were as still and awkward as he continues to stand there. They didn't see the lively jokester that they know and loved; rather a lost and lonely creature who is struggling to cope.
"It's good to see you too," Discord uttered, holding a weak smile. The girls had the thought to close the distance between him with a hug, but he held a paw up before they can step another step, "Though, now's probably not a good time."
"You're not just watching over Fluttershy all day now, have you?" Diamond asked.
He rubbed his arm uncomfortably, "It's…. sort of my new job now. Beats being a full-time granite statue though," he attempted a chuckle, but it sounded weak and poor.
"Well, I'm sure you can spear a few minutes," Sweetie insisted, "And if you want, you can see the services from here." She pointed to the clearing in the garden.
Feeling nothing to do and that he seems to have no choice, he silently agrees. He slowly turned his body to the side of the bridge and rested his head and arms on a railing, focusing on the sight below.
The girls felt unsure about what to do next. Sweetie Belle stepped up and went to his side, feeling motivated yet somewhat unconfident.
"We been worried about you," Sweetie uttered.
"Yes, I think you already established that," Discord grumbled.
"This is like when you tried to stay away from Fluttershy the first time, only…. A lot worse."
"That happened when I learned about her glowing; that was different."
"That may be—but the issue still stands."
Discord sighed, "I know. I'm sorry if I made you feel this way but…. I'm just..."
He was suddenly conflicted with his own emotions. He may not show it as much as he needed to, but inside he was terrified. He doesn't want to snap in front of them and act like nothing's wrong, but he doesn't want them to see how miserable he truly is right now.
"I'm fine," he lied, "I admit it has been a… interesting month. But I'm fine, really."
Sweetie didn't believe him; as if she can see right through the mask he was putting on.
"I'm sure you are; but nevertheless, we care about you and we would do anything to help you. That is why we decided to see you. And… it's not like we don't trust you, but you don't look well. You look like you haven't slept for days."
"While I appreciate your concerns, I can assure you that if I was able to live this long in my lifetime, I would know how to take care of myself."
The girls realized that this isn't working to help him. Then Diamond had a thought and decided to use it as a tactic that she hoped will work, "From what we heard, you're doing a lot of work for those visitations."
Discord remained silent, though he is puzzled on why she brought this up.
"Though something seemed very odd to me. You were able to take care of the clearing and make sure that each pony has a pleasant visit. And yet… you never took the time to visit her. You weren't even there when we had the funeral for her."
Discord stiffens, but became resistant inside. He realized that, much to his annoyance, these girls always find a way to poke on his side to get answers.
Diamond continued, "You had the time where you could've go down there and you didn't. Why is that?"
"I told you I was busy," Discord quickly made an excuse.
"Last time I checked, you just stall around the rooftops and watching over a grave like a groundskeeper. Not really much productivity there."
"Diamond," Sweetie uttered nervously, "You think you shouldn't—"
"No; he needs this," Diamond insisted, "Well, got any more excuses you like to throw?"
He groans irritated, "Seriously, I'm fine. I see no reason why you're being so persistent—"
"That's because we're trying to help you! Hasn't it crossed your mind how ridiculous you're being right now?"
"Diamond!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in shock, "That's a bit harsh to say!"
"No!" Diamond protested, "He's almost exactly how I was when I ran away from you guys," She then turned to Discord, "And it's because of that, I can say that you're doing this because you feel sorry for yourself!"
This hit Discord to the core, stinging in the pain that was before numb. He tries to fight it back while trying desperately not to lash out on the girls.
"That's probably it, huh?" Diamond continued with a passionate flare in her eyes, "You are blaming yourself for what happened to Fluttershy and to all of us. And you feel like there's nothing you can do about it other than to mope about it."
"Well, congratulations, inspector! You caught me red-handed," Discord sarcastically said before his tone turned bitter, "As I suspect you would figure out. Besides, what do you expect from someone who caused all this mess to happen?"
Scootaloo protested in concern "Discord, it wasn't your fault—"
"YES, IT WAS!" Discord yelled.
This has made the girls jump and he realized what he done. Once more, he turned away and tried desperately to build his guard up but to no avail.
"Why do you think it is? That this is your fault?" Diamond said, deciding to take one step further. The girls remained quiet, as they were anxious about the tension surrounding them.
"What is the point of confessing anyway if I’ve already done it?" Discord groaned frustrated.
"I believe there's more going on in that weirdly conducted brain of yours. Whether that part is from a different animal like the rest of your body, I'm not entirely sure. I am asking you this again, Discord-- Why do you think it's your fault? Why are you distancing yourself away from us—OR FROM HER?!"
"BECAUSE I WAS SCARED!"
The girls were taken back as he snapped his head towards them and screamed.
"I'm not sure if you girls can hear from that marshmallow cot from that time, but I might've mentioned something like that! And yes, I had lied probably about everything, but at least now I apologized for it! Yet it still doesn't excuse that fact I caused all of this to happen! I caused the changeling's invasion, I caused nearly the destruction of Equestria—I'm responsible for Fluttershy's death! All because I was too scared for my life and THAT I COULD'VE LOST HER TO THE VERY THING THAT TOOK ME PRISONER!"
Gone was his anger and frustration and the pain took over. He turned away from the girls, shutting himself out of his sight so that they won't see the tears threatening to come down.
“I promised myself that I wouldn't let it happen,” he uttered, his voice choking, “And look what that did to us. To her.”
The girls stood there stunned as they witness his emotional breakdown. It was a surprised for them when they learned that Discord had blamed himself for everything that happened, and their hearts broke how harsh he treated himself.
Diamond knew exactly what Discord is going through and why he has this mindset. For the last few years, she started off being a world-class bully to a bunch of blank flanks. But through her remorse and her desire to change, she managed to walk through her trials and is now proud standing here with the same blank flanks that she now call friends. It is because of her experience she can sense Discord's insecurities and anxiety whirling inside him like a hurricane.
And it was because of that that she steps toward the draconeqqus with empathy.
"Discord," Diamond uttered softly, "I know I haven't been around much, but earlier this year, I was a horrible pony who abused her victims just for winning the favor of others. But I lost the things that mattered to me. It took me some time to really find the things that really do matter; but it wasn't easy. Trying to change meant that I need to let go of the things that haunt me and try to move on; But at least I know at the end, it was worth it. I know what happened was devastating and I know that you l—" she paused as she almost slipped the beans and quickly replaced another word, "cared for her very much, but you shouldn't let this experience take advantage of your future. If you do, you'll never forgive yourself."
Discord relaxed over the filly's words and the girls were once again impressed by how perceptive she seems to be.
As those words gave him some promise, fear still reins inside him, "But... I don't want leave Fluttershy out of my life—"
"You won't be leaving her," Apple Bloom insisted, stepping in towards Diamond's side, "It actually does look like it, but internally it doesn't. If you always remember her and what she means to you, then she'll always be with you. I barely remember my parents; but from the stories that Applejack tells me about them, I know that they love me, and they are watching over me from above."
"But what if I can't? I mean…. The ponies hadn’t gotten used to me being free yet. And I've been running from them for so long."
They immediately understood his fear on this aspect, as ponies aren't used to seeing Discord in a different light as they had and that he didn’t have welcoming past from them.
"Well, you used your powers to help the ponies at those visitations," Sweetie Belle implied, "Why not use them for good, for all of Equestria to see you're not the creature they thought you are. Fluttershy would've wanted it."
Discord never thought about it that way, though his cynical side of him felt like it seems to be a bit of a stretch. But as long it is for Fluttershy's sake.
"We don't expect you to make a change now," Diamond said, "I understand if you need time. But no matter what happens, whatever you decide; We'll always by your side."
Discord glanced between the fillies and the glass coffin from afar. Maybe they are right. Maybe it is time for him to move on. Like Diamond said before, the journey won't be easy, but at least he hoped that from all this; he'll continue thinking of her without any remorse or pain from losing her.
If he could tell his past self that he going to do some good, he would scoff at every hope of a chance. But now, he wouldn't mind it now. He knows from that, for a long time, he had become a changed pony—or draconeqqus—all thanks to the pony who give him that chance.
Making up his mind, he turned to the girls and sighed, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to try."
The girls looked to him optimistically before he uttered "But…. There is one thing I like to do first."
"What is it?" Babs asked.
He paused for a moment before declaring, "I need to see Fluttershy. To say goodbye."