//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: The Gift // by Cami //------------------------------// A happily married pegasus and draconequus sat at opposite ends of their table, sipped tea, and enjoyed each other’s company. The butter pony barely touched her tea. She hadn’t even taken a bite from her daisy sandwich. Actually, she hadn’t been eating much these past few days. Aside from her lack of appetite, Fluttershy had been going to bed two hours early and waking up at least three hours late and seemed to be avoiding her friends. The only words she would utter were “morning”, “night”, and “love you.” Discord decided this whole personality change needed to end! “A bit for your thoughts, my dear.” he chimed as a bit materialized to the left of Fluttershy’s tea cup. Her eyes remained fixated on the cooling liquid. “Oh um well I um was just thinking tha-that I um… need to fluff Angel Bunny’s tail la-later,” she stuttered, almost inaudibly, still staring at her tea. She would only stutter around Discord if she had a surprise planned or something was bothering her. Her lack of cheer told Discord it was the latter. But why wouldn’t she tell him? Had he been a bad husband? Did he do something wro- “D-Discord?” the mare started, “if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go take a nap.” She flew to their bedroom before Discord had the chance respond. “I’ve got to get to the bottom of this!” he declared as he punched the table, causing the dishes to jump. He snapped his paw and the plates and teacups were cleaned and returned to their place in the cupboards. “What can I do to help her?” Discord pondered aloud. A somewhat mischievous grin grew on his face as he snapped his claws and vanished. Discord teleported himself to a place he knew little about: Fluttershy’s mind. In front of him was a giant screen playing a movie that seemed to take place in a doctor’s office. He snapped again and a recliner and a bucket of popcorn materialized. He made himself comfortable and waited for the movie to officially begin. A white mare with her pink hair pulled into a bun walked into a small, sterile room, where Fluttershy was fiddling with her hooves on the bed. Wait, why was Discord watching a movie about his beloved pegasus? He remembered where he was and concluded he was watching her dreams. “Good morning, Mrs. Draconequus.” the mare greeted. “Hi Nurse Redheart! How are my test results?” Fluttershy implored, trying to keep calm. “Well…” she took a breath. “Unfortunately, you’re not able to have foals. I’m so sorry, ma’am.” Her heart broke every time she had to deliver news like this. Fluttershy hung her head as her tears stung her eyes. “It’s okay. I-I don’t th-thank Discord would have w-wanted foals anyway.” She let out a heavy sigh. Nurse Redheart put a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “You’re right!” she snickered with a sinister grin on her face.,“He’ll never love you now! He’ll want a divorce and it’s all your fault!” Discord saw this as his que. He snapped his paw and teleported to his seat in the kitchen. “Sweet Celestia! It’s worse than I thought! I need to fix this!” he declared. He began pacing the kitchen walls. “Why would I ever want to divorce my dear sweet Fluttershy? What made her think I don’t want foals? She never even asked me!” His voice crescendoed into a blizzard of anger and worry...mostly worry. He was reformed, afterall. “Ideeeeeea!” the draconequus sang dramatically, secretly mocking Rarity. With a flash and a bang, he left the cottage in the dust and began his mission in the heart of Ponyville. Meanwhile Fluttershy lay in bed peacefully until her snowy bunny started gently thumping his hind paw on her forehead. “What do you need, Angel Bunny?” the mare moaned. Angel angrily pointed to his cotton tail. “No, your tail doesn’t need to be fluffed for another two weeks. I lied.” The bunny shunned her as he crossed his tiny arms. Fluttershy sat herself up against her pillows. “Listen, I’m sorry.” Angel’s ears perked up. “I shouldn’t have lied. It’s wrong. It’s just...I’ve had a lot on my mind this past week. I found out I’ll never be able to have foals,” she admitted. The bunny’s heart softened. He held her hoof with his paws and let her finish. “You know how badly I wanted to have foals, but...maybe it’s for the best. Discord pr-probably doesn’t w-want foals,” she wept. There came a familiar knock on the bedroom door. It was Discord’s! “I’m scared to tell him, Angel,” she whispered. She flew out the room and met her husband on the other side of said door. “Why good evening, my sweet!” He bubbled. “Hello, Discord. I need to talk to-” “It can wait can wait, my dear.” He scooped the pegasus into his arms and teleported to the living room. “Besides, I have a surprise for you!” Oh what could he possibly have planned? The pair sat side by side on the couch. He pulled a piece of paper out from underneath one of the green pillows and presented it to his wife. “Ponyville Application of Adoption?” she read aloud. “I know you can’t have foals and I-” “How did you know?!” she wondered. “I took a little trip inside your head,” he explained. “Why would you do that?” “Well, you haven’t been very honest with me lately. I’m your husband! Shouldn’t we always tell the truth?” “You’re right. I’m sorry, Discord. I was going to tell you.” the mare released her built up tears. “I forgive you. I should have just asked you in the first place. I’m sorry for snooping in your sleep state.” He planted a kiss on her muzzle. “Let’s adopt a foal!” Weeks Later After several interviews and tons of paperwork, Fluttershy and Discord were finally able to adopt a foal. The pair had been blessed with an earth pony filly. She was lemonly yellow-merely a shade or two darker than her new mom- with lavender hair pulled into a ponytail. Her emerald eyes sparkled like the stars in Luna’s night. Discord held the filly close. To him, she was as beautiful as his Fluttershy. “How about Milky Way?” “I think that’s a lovely name!” his wife beamed. Discord tickled their baby’s belly. She let out a giggle as a single tear escaped from Fluttershy’s eye. This foal was just what they needed.