//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5. Of rainbow sprouts and dance party’s. 
// Story: The Discordiens. 
// by Guardian Blade 
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Fluttershy hummed a cheerful tune as she trotted into Ponyville, saddlebags on her back and ready to do some grocery shopping. Trotting over to AppleJack’s stall in the market she started to pick some things out.

“Good morning AppleJack! I just need to get some groceries quick and- oh my! Those pink ones look lovely! Can I get a bag full of those?”

AppleJack stared at Fluttershy for a second before responding, “uh, Fluttershy, you did notice Discord turned my entire crop into brussle sprouts right.”

Indeed, AppleJack’s entire apple cart was filled with brussle sprouts of every bright color imaginable. There were pink sprouts, blue sprouts, orange sprouts, yellow sprouts, tan sprouts, green sprouts, even rainbow sprouts! And a myriad of other colors. Though what really confused AppleJack was the fact that they were all neatly sorted out.

Fluttershy nodded, “I knew it must be something like that, but at least brussle sprouts taste good and are good for you, and they look pretty to! I mean, it could be worse right?”

AppleJack shuddered, “Tell that to Pinkie, poor pony thought they we’re candy, and before ah could stop her she took a whole mouthful, last ah herd she was hiding up in her room. . . Also, um, not many ponies actually like brussle sprouts.”

Fluttershy blinked, “they don’t? But they taste so wonderful! Ponies really don’t like them?”

AppleJack shrugged, “well ah personally don’t think they’re so bad, ah just, yah know, prefer apples. But some ponies just can’t stand em.”

“Oh, oh my,” Fluttershy held a hoof up to her mouth realizing the mistake she’d made, then quickly scooped some of the brussle sprouts into her saddle bags before paying AppleJack and quickly trotting back towards her home, “sorry, but um, I need to get going.”

AppleJack just shook her head. Fluttershy was the type of pony to feel bad about something even if it wasn’t her fault. She’d probably been thinking that Discord’s most recent prank was actually kind of nice until AppleJack had burst her bubble by letting her know that most ponies didn’t really like brussle sprouts. Poor lass was probably upset even though she had nothing to do with what the spirit of chaos decided to mess around with.

Of course, AppleJack had no way of knowing that she was only partly right.





Fluttershy waited until she was a little ways from Ponyville before making sure no creature was watching then walking in a full circle around a tree and laying down on a cloud next to Discord high above the town where she let out a tired sigh.

Discord raised an eyebrow, “something wrong?”

Fluttershy flopped onto the cloud and buried her face in it, “oh you know exactly what’s wrong. You were practically hovering over me the entire time I was in town.”

Discord blinked in surprise, he didn’t think she’d actually notice as he hadn’t actually physically been there, only his mind had been floating around behind her, and for her to notice him was quite a feat, though he wasn’t going to admit that.

Discord picked Fluttershy up, popping her head out of the cloud and set her down facing him. “Fluttershy, do you think that something exists in this world that every single different creature likes? No, there isn’t. You’ll always be able to find somepony who doesn’t like what you do no matter how careful you are or how much you think something over. Now I personally just don’t care what ponies think, but something tells me that won’t do for you. And wail I’ve never tried it myself, I have been around long enough to know that you’ll never please everyone no matter what you do.” Discord waved his paw around in the air giving a slight roll of his eye’s, “Also don’t dwell on the past because you can’t change it and all that stuff.” He then clapped his paw and claw together with a grin, “now let’s forget about all this and start focusing on what you’re going to do next, what do ya say!”

Fluttershy looked at him and blinked, she had expected Discord to wave it off and tell her not to worry so much about what other ponies thought, but he’d actually been a little supportive, in his own way. “I-. . . You’re right, but I can still make things at least a little better,” clapping her hooves together she released a spark of magic, “there we go, now the different colors will at least taste different, aside from the rainbow ones, I left those plain. Oh and Discord, thank you.”

Discord raised his other eyebrow a little higher then the first, “thank me? What for?”

“Well, I had thought turning all the food into brussle sprouts was a good idea, it would be a little crazy and confusing but not something anypony would be to upset about because they taste good, but you saw how that turned out. I was just feeling a bit down because I made a mistake, especially after you made a big deal out of me succeeding last time. However you helped me see that I should put that behind me and focus on what’s to come. So that’s why I’m thanking you, because I needed somecreature to tell me what you did. Also you’re actually quite easy to talk to, and it’s been a long time since I’ve just been able to talk like this, so that’s another thing I’m thankful for.”

Discord paused for a moment, no one had ever thanked him for anything, not that he ever did anything for anycreature other then himself. But still getting thanked for something felt, how would he describe it, odd? Yes, it felt odd. “Well you’re welcome,” he responded waving his claw as if was nothing, “I’ve lived for so long it only stands to reason I’d be a great conversationalist. After all, it’s not like chaos is the only thing I’m good at.”

Fluttershy felt her curiosity peaked at Discords words, “really? I’m sorry, I was under the impression you used your magic for everything, though if you don’t mind I’d love to hear about what else you can do.”

Discord, who loved talking about himself, was quick to oblige. “Well for starters I know how to dance, and not just a couple of dances mind you, I know how to Polka, Square dance, Brake dance, Rhumba, Tango, Waltz, Pasodoble, Cakewalk, Cha-cha, Pony, Frug, Turkey trot, and a few others I picked up here and there. I also know how to bake believe it or not, I’m quite fond of  things like cakes and pies, as well as-. . . What’s so funny?”

Fluttershy, who had been having a hard time holding in her laughter, had finally given in and started giggling. After taking a moment to calm down she finally responded, “I’m sorry, it’s just, imagining you dancing is just so, so funny! And I never imagined you would know how to waltz of all things! Oh, oh my!”

Fluttershy once again started giggling despite her efforts to hold it in. Discord just rolled his eye’s, “well for a few years watching ponies try and learn how to dance was basically one of the only forms of entertainment I had, so I learned how to just to prove I was better then them, and then learning a new dance every once in awhile became a thing I did to stave off boredom. Being turned to stone can make a creature do a lot of things they wouldn’t normally do.”

Discord noticed Fluttershy had stopped laughing and looked down at her. Not only had she stopped laughing, but she also had a hoof over her mouth with a worried look on her face. “Oh now you cut that out,” Discord said, “I know exactly what you’re thinking, it go’s something like “oh my! I shouldn’t have laughed about something that happened wail he was turned to stone! Oh dear oh my!” Just stop it. In fact, let’s fix this right now, I want you to promise me that you won’t keep getting all mopey every time me being turned to stone comes up, got that?”

To Discord’s surprise, Fluttershy actually cracked a bit of a smile, “you’re right, that was basically what was going through my head. And if it doesn’t bother you then I guess I can promise to try, it just, well it might take me a bit, so I can’t promise more then that. Oh and thank you, again.”

Discord gave her a look, “you know, I get the feeling you sometimes say “thank you” just because you like how it sounds.”

Fluttershy gave a small chuckle, “oh I do actually! Like how it sounds I mean.” She wasn’t about to admit to standing in front of a mirror practicing one-hundred and one ways of saying thank you. “A-anyway we got a bit off topic, and I think today could use one last finishing touch.”

Discord raised his first eyebrow again, “oh? What do you have in mind?”

“Well first you should probably return your eyebrow’s to their proper places, otherwise they might fly away again and I’m not helping you catch them this time. Secondly,” there was a flash of magic as Fluttershy turned into her Draconequus form and held out her paw, “would you care to join me for a dance.”





No-pony was really sure when the mysterious yet lively music had started, and somehow even less knew when the two Discords appeared and started doing the polka and other such dances in the middle of the town square. The first was wearing a bright orange suit and tie with a white shirt and an extremely long oval brimmed orange hat of the same color that had giant bright pink feathers poking out of one side. The second Discord had no beard and was wearing a bright yellow dress with white trim and a sun hat to match, which ponies had to admit looked quite lovely despite it’s occupant.

AppleJack was sitting in front of a house with her cart obviously trying to ignore the duo while tasting different multi colored brussle sprouts. Every few moments she would shift her position or unconsciously start tapping one of her legs to the lively music before noticing and making herself stop, making it obvious to those who knew her (which was most of the town) that she was having a hard time not joining in on the dancing.

Rarity and the three flower trio were sitting at a table with score cards for some reason, and by the looks on their faces they weren’t really sure why they were there ether. But Rarity being Rarity was still doing her best to hold up different score cards depending on how she thought the dancers were doing, the flower trio deciding to just follow her lead.

As soon as RainbowDash had noticed Discord she had tried to intervene, resulting in her hanging from a cloud by a string that was tide around her middle. She had her front legs folded and an annoyed look on her face as her mane and tail reflected the sunlight around the town square in beams of rainbow light.

Pinkie. . . Was being Pinkie. Her party sense had gone off and gotten her to stop hiding under her bed, and once she’d herd that Discord had at least fixed the brussle sprouts flavor she’d been willing to forgive that incident and had joined in with the dancing, grabbing a random pony from the onlookers as a dance partner every once in awhile before spinning them back into the growing crowd and grabbing a new one.

This was the scene Twilight had walked up on. She didn’t see Fluttershy anywhere, which wasn’t surprising at all.

Twilight wasn’t sure what to do, she was sure Discord had a some sort of twisted bigger plan in what he had been doing, but she had no idea as to what it could be, and at the moment he didn’t seem to be harming anypony. . . Aside from maybe RainbowDash, but knowing her she’d probably done something reckless and her situation was most likely as much her fault as it was Discord’s.

Walking over to AppleJack, Twilight sat down next to her. “So, what exactly is going on?” She asked, not at all surprised by AppleJack’s response, “Dash was bein reckless, ah have no idea when Rarity showed up or how they got there, Pinkie is bein Pinkie, and Discord is playen every song I enjoy dancing to! It’s all drivin me crazy Twilight, it’s all drivin me absolutely crazy!” AppleJack finished and pulled her hat down over her eye’s with both hooves and let her head fall against the side of her cart.

Twilight had known AppleJack for long enough and seen her at enough of Pinkie’s party’s that she knew how much the orange earth pony liked a good tune and dance, but she hadn’t thought it was quite this extreme. “AppleJack, do you know if Discord’s done anything to you? Or what he might have done to any other pony?”

AppleJack looked to the sky and threw up her hooves. “That’s what’s drivin me crazy! As far as ah can tell he an’t done nothin! Aside from what he did ta Dash, but honestly she was kinda askin for it. But aside from that, nothin! Ah just can’t figure out what he’s up to!” And with that AppleJack dropped her hooves and head back down onto her cart.

Twilight put her hoof to her chin in thought, so far she’d been trying to figure out what big plan Discord had, but what if he didn’t have one? With this in mind she thought back over the few things he’d done after his disappearing for a week and quickly came to a conclusion that was so obvious she wanted to smack herself for not thinking of it earlier. “He’s messing with us is what he’s doing. He knew we’d try and figure out what he’s up to so he’s just doing random things for no other reason then to mess with us! Well that and probably to get some some new ideas for when he tries to spread total chaos again.” Twilight grabbed AppleJack’s hoof and pulled her up, “anyway come on, we’re not going to let him get to us that easily!”

AppleJack gave Twilight a worried look, just now noticing the dark circles under her friends eye’s which indicated that once again Twilight had stayed up far to late with her books. “Uh, Twi? You feelin all right? You look a might but tired.”

“Oh I’m feeling fine, in fact I’m feeling great!” Twilight smiled, it was true, she did feel great! Twilight was sure she’d finally figured out why Discord had stopped so suddenly and started just doing random little things here and there! Combine that behavior with the fact that he’d disappeared for a week and things finally made sense. It wasn’t like Discord had been conscious during his time as a statue, so at some point he’d realized that many years had passed and had decided to get some new ideas before spreading total chaos across Equestria, so he’d taken a week off to look around, then started trying out his ideas while simultaneously trying to mess with her and her friends. Well if he was going to mess with them, they were going to mess with him right back!

Twilight began trotting towards the dancing Discord’s and Pinkie. “Grab yourself a partner AJ, we’re joining the dance!”

As AppleJack watched her trot away, Twilight grabbed one of the Royal guards Celestia had sent to keep an eye on things after Discord’s first appearance in town with her magic and a “come here you! We’re dancing!” The poor young stallion seemed quite embarrassed and had a worried look on his face that simply read ‘this was not in my job description!’ yet he respectfully allowed Twilight to pull him into the dancing area.

Twilight for her part may or may not have been effected by lack of sleep and excessive over thinking about what Discord’s plans might be, though if anypony had asked her she would have insisted that she was thinking just as clear as she always did.

“Come on Rainbow! You can’t stay up there all day! I know you can dance, so show Discord who he’s messing with!” Twilight teleported RainbowDash out of the string she was hanging from down to the ground then used another teleportation spell to drop a surprised Thunderlane on top of her. Thunderlane was fast, so he would probably be able to keep up with Dash.

What Twilight failed to notice was the flick of Discord’s tail and the string that appeared tying RainbowDash and Thunderlane together.

Fluttershy raised her eyebrow and gave Discord a look. There was a flicker in the air around them as Discord created a bubble of silence before responding, “what? You didn’t think I was going to let you have all the fun did you? The only thing I’ve got to do all day was tie your friend to a cloud, you even made her hair all flashy before I was able to add improvements of my own.”

“I actually thought she might like the look because she likes being flashy.” Fluttershy admitted, “it only seemed to make her more upset though.” She sighed, “it probably would have been better to do that to Rarity’s mane, she enjoys it when she looks more eye catching.”

Discord gave a nod, “exactly, which is why you’re still learning. You may have passed the basics, but there is still much to learn, even I have learned something new just today! Watching you work, I realized that you have been trying to copy me in a minimal sort of way, but I’ve begun to think that you have your own style of chaos, perhaps you should take a bit of time to consider what that might be.”

Fluttershy was quiet for a moment, seeming to concentrate on the fast paced dance. “Ok I’m done, and you know what Discord? You were right, I’m not good at the same type of chaos as you. I don’t like to upset ponies by doing things to them, but I’m fine with doing things to myself, and I’ve found I don’t really mind doing something a little crazy in public as long as I’m disguised as another you. Um, no offense.”

Discord chuckled, “personally I take that as a compliment.” He blinked and looked at their surroundings, “when did we get up on this cloud?”

Fluttershy did a twirl under Discord’s paw then let go while stepping back with a small bow that was returned by Discord, ending their dance. “Just a moment ago.” She tilted her head in confusion, “You didn’t notice?”

Discord paused for a moment, then he began to chuckle, then he began to laugh, “so that’s what it feels like! Well done my dear! Anyhow it seems like Celestia decided to drop the sun again so I think I’ll turn in early and let you come up with what to do next on your own, have fun!” And with that he disappeared in a flash leaving Fluttershy alone on the cloud.

Turning back into her original form and laying down Fluttershy slowly shook her head and smiled as she got comfortable on the cloud. Looking down at the town she could see that the dance party was still going on, and that somepony (probably Pinkie) had set up a music box to replace the magic music she had caused as it was fading along with the sunlight.

Twilight was still dragging the poor guard around the dance area, though he was doing a remarkable job keeping up with the sleep deprived unicorn.

AppleJack had gathered up a small group of ponies and begun to do square dancing with Granny Smith being the caller for the group.

The flower trio had been asked to dance, and Rarity was simply relaxing by the snack table drinking a glass of punch. The table was most likely Pinkie’s doing as well, judging from the amount of sweets that decorated it’s top and the fact that it hadn’t been there a little while ago.

RainbowDash and Thunderlane were sitting on a bench trying to get the string off of themselves. With a flick from the tip of her wing Fluttershy made a scroll up roll from the string which read.

“This string will disappear at midnight.”
“Discord&Co.”

RainbowDash looked at Thunderlane who shrugged, then Dash went back to trying to undo the string making Fluttershy sigh and teleport them into the dance area where they were immediately grabbed by Pinkie and pulled into a dance.

Fluttershy smiled, seeing her work was done for the day. She got up and stepped out from behind a tree after checking that no-creature was watching and began to make her way home. She wasn’t sure if she had been meant to notice, but wail she didn’t think he’d mention to be, Discord had actually been rather nice today, she had felt little touches of his magic subtlety helping her with her dancing. She new how to dance, but had always been a little to embarrassed to actually dance with a partner and so had no practice doing so.

Eventually Fluttershy started to think a bit more about what exactly her brand of chaos would be. Doing goofy things around Equestria could be fun, but she didn’t want to do just that. What she wanted to do is help ponies, but combining that and chaos could end up being a little difficult. She tried to think about who might be able to benefit from a bit of chaos. There was Celestia, but she wasn’t sure if Celestia was the best pony to start with. She should probably start with somepony she knew a bit better, but Ponyville didn’t really have any ponies in need of the type of help that could use the powers of chaos, there was just some small arguments, little misunderstandings and wail she hadn’t seen it herself she’d herd about the occasional bit of b-. . . Suddenly Fluttershy had an idea. She ran the rest of the way home, checked on her animals, then went to her room to lay down. After leaving a magic copy of herself behind to make it look like she was asleep she teleported to a cloud a ways outside of Ponyville and took a breath.

“Discord!” There was a few things she needed to ask the draconiquis before she could go through with what she wanted to do.