//------------------------------// // Pandemonium // Story: Heart of Darkness // by yellowtangerine //------------------------------// Discord was left alone. He scoffed to himself, he was always alone. Whatever feelings he’d had for whats-her-face were gone. He felt it was very smart of him to rid himself of whatever love he had. Lords of chaos had no need for such trivial things. A mirror suddenly hovered directly across from him, the only light in the now darkened void he took residence in. He looked at himself for the first time, something in his reflection made him uneasy, though he couldn’t place it. Was he truly different now? He didn’t feel any different…Honestly, he wasn’t sure why he’d given up taking over Equestria. Surely it wasn’t for some mare. Some friend she must have been, stopping him from achieving ultimate power over Equestria. Sparky and the others could use the elements to threaten him…but he had apparently willingly given up. All for her. Well. Good riddance. Now he was free! Free to do whatever he wanted. He chuckled darkly, lifting his claw. Princess Celestia nearly collapsed in disappointment as she failed again to locate Discord. “It is not working,” She stated sadly, fretting as she saw the look on Fluttershy’s face. “I shall keep trying!” “No,” Fluttershy murmured, head shaking with a sad but frightened expression. “Obviously something is wrong if he hasn’t answered by now…” The Pegasus didn’t meet the Princess’ eyes, too afraid to show her emotions clearly. “What can we do?” She asked, gaze still averted. Celestia swallowed. “You and your friends have faced many tribulations…you each have such unique talents to help you along your tasks. I’m certain should they help you…you can save him from whatever has him. And you, Fluttershy, your bond with him…it is stronger than ever. I am confident that you have better chances of helping him than I. Even if I were to locate him, Discord does not trust me. Not like you,” Fluttershy listened, although unsure that the Princess’ words were true. Twilight had been unwilling to help in the first place. The doors burst open suddenly, Luna running in with frantic eyes. “Sister, you must see this!” Her chest heaved as though she had been running for quite some time. Celestia saw this and ran to her aid. “Are you alright, sister!?” Fluttershy looked at Celestia, afraid. “W-What’s going on?” Princess Celestia turned and met the Pegasus’ eyes, just as confused. “Stay here, my little pony.” Fluttershy watched as Luna led her sister from the room, their hushed voices fading. She wondered what was happening. Maybe Luna knew where Discord was? She wished they wouldn’t have gone. The room felt darkly imposing now that she was alone. Almost as if it was filling with darkness…as if… She screamed. The castle was literally filling with darkness, the windows shadowed by thick grey clouds. A sudden gust of wind flew past her as the curtained windows burst open. Birds and other winged creatures that she couldn’t identify swarmed in. The crying animals and speeding winds deafened her, overwhelming her senses as she tried to ask the animals what was happening. A creature with the head of a deer and the body of a bat spotted Fluttershy on the ground. It stopped its circled flight with the others, swooped down and began to screech. “Hello! A-Are you hurt?” She studied his body. “W-What are you?” Her voice trembled. He only screeched again, but to her surprise, she couldn’t understand. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand! What’s going on!?” He threw his head toward the doors in response, quickly flying away. “Fluttershy!” Celestia’s voice came from across the room. “Princess?” “Come, quickly!” Fluttershy looked back at the creature who was still screaming to her as it flew, warning her. She ran with Princess Celestia, away from the noises and animals. She nearly cried thinking that they maybe needed her help. The deer-bat had been trying to warn her of something, but she didn’t know what. She wanted to ask the Princess where they were going, but something told her not to stop now. “This is…” Fluttershy didn’t know how to describe it. “Chaotic,” Celestia answered, still moving forward. Her voice angry, eyes filled with rage. Fluttershy stopped so suddenly she nearly fell. Looking up at the Princess, whose back still faced her, she smiled. Her face filled with hope. “C-Chaotic? But that means-“ “I’m afraid reforming him may have been a lost cause, my dear Fluttershy,” Celestia muttered. She didn’t turn, didn’t want Fluttershy to see the fear she felt. Fluttershy’s eyes welled up, she wanted to stomp her hoof to the ground. “How can you say that!?” “Look around, Fluttershy,” Celestia stopped and gestured. “Look what he’s done. This is so much darker than before. There are no cotton candy clouds filled with chocolate rain. This chaos magic is more sinister. His magic always was more spirited…Now? You saw those animals…the sky. You must find your friends-and-“ Fluttershy whimpered, backing away. “I won’t, I won’t turn him,” She bared her teeth through the pain, eyes blinded by tears. Celestia reached out a hoof to stop her. Fluttershy grunted as she backed into a wall, turned and started to run. She could hear Princess Celestia calling her, but she couldn’t look back. The sky was too dark and filled with animals to fly, but that didn’t stop her. She spread her wings and flew all the way to Ponyville, faster than she had ever flown before. For a bitter moment, she thought Rainbow Dash would be proud. Rainbow Dash wasn’t there, though. None of her friends were. She felt herself growing angrier as she thought of how her friends would agree with Celestia. They would try to convince her that Discord should be turned back to stone. She knew that she absolutely would not do it. There had to be some reason for this…Discord would never do this to her again! With nowhere else to turn, she realized there was somepony who would give her unbiased, judgment-free advice. The forest didn’t weaken her resolve as it had so many times; her fear trounced by her need to find answers and protect Discord from the other Elements of Harmony. What would they say if they could see her now? She imagined Twilight lecturing her, being scolded by Rainbow Dash for being so naïve. “He tricked ya’!” She could hear her say. Without thinking to knock, the Pegasus burst into the hut. “Zecora! -“ Twilight and Zecora stood huddled around Zecora’s cauldron, each pouring in a different bottle of fluid. Their eyes met hers suddenly, in shock. “Twilight? What are you doing here?” Fluttershy stammered, back against the door. She eyed the cauldron. Oh no. Were they making something to defeat Discord with? Did they already know she wouldn’t use her element on him? She opened her mouth to protest, but words refused to come out. “Fluttershy, before you exclaim, Princess Twilight can explain.”