//------------------------------// // From Out Of Nowhere // Story: The Diary of Discord Wimp // by ThePianoMan //------------------------------// “Once we accept…” -Albert “Discord!” Discord scrambled out of his bed at the sound of his mother’s voice. “Wha-!” His vision blurred as he recovered from a strange dream about cotton candy clouds. “Mom?” He noticed his alarm clock which had not gone off. Redheart was still shaking him. “You’re gonna miss the bus!” Without even thinking Discord grabbed his bag and ran. He barely heard his mom screaming as he burst through the front door. The red bus was already a block up the street. “Wait!” Discord bolted down the street. He wanted to use his wings to fly, but he still didn’t have any good control over them. It didn’t help that one had feathers and the other didn’t. They were all but useless. Open, they just created drag, so he held them tight to his body as he desperately chased the bus. “Wai-!” He cursed at the idea that in an hour he’d have gym class. “Okay! Please don’t explode.” Discord readied his paw for a snap. Magic had become Discord’s absolute last resort. After the incident, he tried to never use magic as much as possible. At least, he usually avoided using it like how he was about to. A bright flash surrounded Discord the moment he snapped his fingers. He now had rollerskates on his feat and an overly large rocket strapped to his back. “Here we,” the rocket ignited, “goah!” Discord felt his lips flapping from the air zipping past him. He panicked because he couldn’t see. Another quick snap materialized a set of aviation goggles on his face. “Thaa-a-ats be-tt-er!” A red blur wooshed behind him. Turning his head a bit, Discord realized he had passed the bus. “Dang it!” Another problem became apparent as his wings began to catch the air. “Uh-oh.” Discord felt the wheels of the rollerskates leaving the ground. Looking down, he could see the ground getting farther and farther away. His initial panic subsided as he realized he was flying fairly straight and just high enough above the trees and rooftops. Soon, a smile grew as he realized, “I’m, I’m flying!” He hollered and cheered to himself as he passed birds and clouds. In the distance he could see the school coming up. I might actually get to school early. Discord’s joy was shut down as he could distinguish a figure he was in the direct path of. The only separation between the figure and the sky was two streaks of rainbow. The impact was not nearly as painful as Discord anticipated. But, a new wave of horror washed over him once he saw who it was. “Rainbow Dash!?” “What the hay are you doing?” The rainbow maned pony tried to pull away from Discord. “Dude! The ground!” Discord screamed with Rainbow as they both saw they were now heading straight into the street. Thinking fast, Discord focused as he readied a snap. He had no time to hesitate as he snapped his paw before they hit the ground. There had been one time Discord had attempted to teleport in his entire life, and he almost never made it back from that strange blistering void of spinning stars and terrifying creatures. Discord felt like his kidneys were never the same after that. “Where in Equestria are we!?” Rainbow Dash's eyes turned to dishes as a glowing worm the size of planets flew around them as they floated through a swirling vortex of exploding stars and black holes. “Get us back! Gets us back!” “Hold on!” Discord prayed as he snapped again. He concentrated on the school, grass, water, and anything that would give them a soft landing. He snapped his eagle claws. Blue surrounded them before they tore through clouds, plummeting towards a body of water. It was close to the school. The distinct shape of it made it obvious that it was the school’s pool. Discord clenched his eyes shut as they got closer. His eardrums were momentarily drained of sound once they hit the water. Opening his eyes Discord, could see the blur of scattered hooves fleeing in every direction. Once his sense of direction solidified, he made his way to the direction that felt like up. Discord heard Rainbow Dash gasp alongside him for breath as they broke the surface of the water and swam for the edge of the pool. Sounds of other ponies crying out and asking what happened, filled Discord’s ears. He flung his bag onto the cement once he climbed out of the water. Seeing that all his limbs were in tact, Discord mentally thanked whatever being it was that spared his life. Looking over, he saw Rainbow Dash struggling for breath just as much as him. “Hi. I’m Discord.” Rainbow Dash began to laugh until she became hysterical. “We almost died, and you follow up with that? Ha!” “I’m sorry.” Discord fell to his back. “I’m so sorry, Rainbow.” “We’re not dead.” Rainbow shook water from her mane. “And besides, that was kind of awesome, in a really terrifying way.” “No.” Discord picked himself up. “I’m sorry about the egg.” Rainbow’s laughter died out. “What?” “I dropped the egg on your head.” Discord remembered how he had talked with Spike’s dad. He hoped that, perhaps, that honesty would be useful now. “It doesn’t matter why I did it. I still had no right to do that to you.” “Wait! Time out.” Rainbow stood up. “Why did you do it?” “Twilight.” Discord sighed. “You called that filly an egg head. I got angry and wanted to do something about it.” Rainbow stared at Discord. “Did you know her?” “What?” Discord expected Rainbow dash to scream, yell, or storm off. He didn’t expect her to ask a question. “Uh, no. Not before that.” “So let me get this straight,” Rainbow got in Discord’s face, a fierce look in her eyes. “You hear someone call a total stranger a name, and you get all gung-ho to defend them?” Rainbow’s fierceness softened. “That’s actually really cool. I respect that sort of thing.” Discord grabbed his head, a bit confused. “I- uh. I had to tell you, because I didn’t want you to give up school just because I did something stupid.” Rainbow Dash gave a deadpan glare to Discord. “You’ve been talking to Fluttershy, haven’t you.” “Yeah.” Discord admitted. Rainbow groaned. “Look, I’ve already decided I’m giving up school to join the flight academy. Someone dropping an egg on my head wasn’t going to do anything.” “But,” Discord felt a little upset by that, “how could you do that to Fluttershy?” “Woah.” Rainbow Dash’s wings flapped in rage. “Eggs are one thing, but low blows like that? That’s really not cool.” “She’s worried about you!” Discord felt his collar buzz. Thankfully it was waterproof and didn’t short out in the water. “It’s like you don’t even care about her.” “That’s it!” Rainbow swung around and slammed her rear hooves into Discord’s chest, sending him flying across the cement. “Don’t you dare tell me I don’t care about my friend!” Before Rainbow Dash could make another attack, she found herself enveloped in a ball of purple light. “What? Hey! Kid, cut that out!” Below Rainbow Dash, Twilight had her unicorn horn ablaze with magic. “Don’t hurt him.” “Let me go, kid!” Rainbow fought, but her limbs just flailed through the air. “You know, you can’t get into the flight academy without a diploma right?” Twilight flatly stated. Both Discord and Rainbow simultaneously uttered. “What?” Twilight rolled her eyes. “What the two of you were arguing about earlier, flight academy. You can’t get in without a diploma. Even if they use the Article 3 Section 2 exception, you still have to pass their knowledge examination.” Rainbow’s face twisted with confusion. “The knowledge, what-a-now?” “It’s a test.” Twilight explained. “You have to take it to meet the A3S2 exception requirements. But, if you already have your diploma, you don’t have to take the exam. Actually it’s a lot easier to get in if you have a diploma.” Rainbow Dash frowned. “It’s not fair. I’m no good at anything other than sports, and flying.” Twilight hummed. “You’re apparently not good at grammar, either.” “Not helping!” Discord snapped at Twilight. “Listen, Rainbow. It’s not the end of the world.” “It might as well be! There’s no way I’m gonna pass my classes. I’m just gonna end up in summer school again. And again. And again. It’s hopeless!” Discord looked at Twilight, who actually seemed to be shaken by all this that was coming from Rainbow Dash. He then recalled Twilight’s offer. “Hey, Twilight?” Twilight carried Rainbow in her magic as she trotted up to Discord. “Yes, Discord?” “Why don’t we start a study group?” Discord retrieved his bag. Undoing the zipper, he was pleased to see most of his papers were safe. “Would you be willing to help Rainbow Dash?” “What?” Twilight furrowed her brow in confusion. “I said I would help you.” “I know.” Discord chuckled inside at his own echoing of Twilight’s irritating punchline from their first encounter. “You would be helping me by helping her.” Twilight looked uncertain as she looked between Discord and Rainbow. “I don’t know.” Discord could see that he would have to appeal to Twilight somehow. “Rainbow admitted that she was practically unteachable.” “Hey!” Rainbow Dash crossed her hooves, furious until she saw a wink from Discord. “Oh, yeah. I’m really dumb. Basically a brick wall…” Discord made a cutting motion to Rainbow Dash, motioning to not over do it. “My other friend also needs help with his algebra. I know that you’re an expert in Calculus, so surely you can help him. I need help too. The Magic Sciences class has a proficiency test, and well, I’m not very good at controlling my magic. You could help me with that. And, if there’s anything you need help with, we’ll help where we can.” Twilight gently let Rainbow Dash down before dispelling her magic. “Really? You’d help me?” Rainbow piped up. “Sorry I called you an egghead. Earlier. I have a bad habit of judging people before I get to know them. And, you seem like a nice kid. I’ll tell you what. If you can really help me, I’ll gladly keep the other block heads like me from bugging you.” “I’ll tell you everything I know, and everything I don’t know about draconequus magic.” Discord smiled at Twilight. “Of course we’d help you. What are friends for?” “Friends.” Twilight scraped at the ground. “Other than my big brother and my old foal sitter, I never really had other friends.” Rainbow snapped her head in Twilight’s direction. “Really? Not one?” Twilight shrugged. “There was this filly named Moon Dancer that I liked talking with in Canterlot, but it got too expensive for my parents to live there. We were on the move a lot, and my parents were looking for better jobs. It just didn’t seem like there was any time for friends. I got used to having my books because they were always there.” Discord pulled out his woodshop project, the strangely patterned cutting board. “Would you be around to help me with straight lines.” “Waoh!” Rainbow stared at the warped checkerpattern. “How in Equestria did you make that?” Twilight straightened her glasses and held up the cutting board with her magic. “Fascinating! Each of these pieces are a different kind of wood. Did you cut this pattern out by hand?” Discord sighed. “I know, it’s terrible. It’s supposed to be straight squares.” Twilight’s jaw dropped. “Do you not understand how impossible these cuts are? The geometry here is more than fantastic, it’s impossible!” Rainbow continued to stare at the board. “Did you warp it with magic or something?” Discord was confused by the reception from both fillies. I was only moments ago that Rainbow was ready to kick his butt and they were negotiating a study agreement. “Uh, no.” The sidetrack of the conversation was strange to him. Rainbow grabbed her own face. “That’s so awesome! Can you teach me how to do that?” Before any of them could continue, a mare with a hat and whistle approached them. “Twilight. What’s going on here. I step into my office for one minute, and when I come back, it’s absolute chaos out here.” Discord twitched at that word. “Actually,” Twilight straightened her glasses again, “you’ve been gone for about five minutes. No one appears to be hurt. There was a flying mishap. My friend Rainbow was helping my friend Discord with improving his flight skills, but he lost control trying to perform a special maneuver he wasn’t ready for. Rainbow tried to catch him, but they went down together.” Discord butted in. “Yeah, uh, and Rainbow Dash managed to direct me towards the pool so we didn’t crash into the ground.” “Oh,” the mare looked to the still turbulent waters of the pool. “Well, as long as no one was hurt, let’s just file a report so we have it on record. Can you write that up form me Twilight so I can file it?” “Yes, ma’am.” Twilight gave a little salute. The mare nodded and blew her whistle at the gathering crowd of shivering students. “Alright! Get dried up, we’re done for today!” She trotted off. Discord and Rainbow both eyed Twilight as she looked back at them. “What? I’m her T.A.” Rainbow held her hooves up. “Hold up, ponish. Please.” Twilight sighed. “I’m her Teacher’s Assistant.” Discord nodded along with Rainbow as if to say, of course she is. ***** Discord found Spike after he had grabbed his lunch with Rainbow and Twilight. “Hey!” Spike finished swallowing his food as he pointed a spoon at the two fillies following Discord. “Did I miss something?” “Study group.” Discord explained as he sat down. “This is Rainbow Dash, and this is Twilight Sparkle.” Spike’s eyes got a little bigger as he dropped his spoon on his tray and looked at both the fillies. “Uh, did I miss something? Are these the same fillies from History?” Rainbow, Twilight, and Discord explained the entirety of the story as it had unfolded. Discord explained how he was late for the bus, and the rocket with the roller skates. Rainbow explained the surprise flight interception and the weird space tunnel. Twilight wrapped up with the pool incident. Spike nodded. “Oh, so that’s why you weren’t on the bus.” He picked his spoon back up. “I always miss the interesting stuff.” “We almost died.” Rainbow reeled back from a glare at Discord. “What? We almost did! The point is, your life is not always worth the excitement.” “True.” Spike shoveled another spoonful of food into his mouth and swallowed. “So everything is good now. Do they know about, you know…” “No.” Discord said flatly. “Wait a minute.” Rainbow smiled as she whispered to Spike. “Is it about what I think it is?” “No,” Discord groaned, “please stop.” “What do they know about?” Twilight asked, confused. Spike tapped his claws together with his best fake evil smile. “I don’t know. Are you thinking about the one?” Rainbow’s face lit up. “Is it about you know who?” Discord buried his face in his paw. Spike began to laugh. “It depends on the who, you know who about?” Rainbow mouthed a name to Spike who fought to contain his laughter. “I mean,” the dragon grabbed his mouth to hide his smile, “I’d hate to start any rumors.” Rainbow’s jaw dropped. “No way! I knew it! Ha!” She erupted into laughter. I’m dead. I am actually dead. Discord was convinced by his own words as he tried to ignore the hysterical laughter between Rainbow and Spike. “Wait!” Twilight tapped Discord’s shoulder. “What are they talking about?” Discord smacked his lips before hissing laughter through his teeth. “A mare. They’re talking about a mare.” “Ooh!” Spike crossed his arms. “Such a mature word for your secret crush.” “It was a secret.” Rainbow laughed. “Crush?” Twilight asked. “It doesn’t matter.” Discord shrugged. “She’s out of my league, anyway.” Rainbow’s laughter faded out as she looked at Spike and Discord. “Hey, don’t treat yourself like that. Everyone has a chance with anyone. See that eg-,” Rainbow corrected her speech, “colt over there. He probably has a chance with the captain of the cheerleading squad.” Spike waved his spoon in objection as he looked at who she was talking about. “Are you sure about that? Even though I always root for the little guy, there is such a thing as reality.” “Yeah,” Rainbow agreed, “I’m just saying, under the right circumstances, lightning strikes. That’s how my parents described it. I kinda agree with them because I’ve seen actual lightning strike some weird placed that it shouldn’t have. And, I’ve seen a few couples who defy the laws of physics.” Twilight finished eating an apple and set the core down. “I think the expression you’re looking for is, defy the laws of nature.” “Yes,” Rainbow nodded her head, “that’s what I meant.” Discord felt bad for asking the question, but he was feeling a bit selfish. He wanted to know. “Rainbow, she’s your friend. What do you think my chances are.” He was worried that Rainbow Dash would get mad at that question, but she didn’t. Rainbow snorted as she thought. “Hay, if I know. Though, she is kinda terrified of dragons. She’s not racist or anything, she’s just afraid of fire, sharp claws, and sharp teeth.” “So,” Spike jumped in, “basically everything.” “Yeah.” Rainbow nodded. “I’m actually surprised that she even talks to you. You look kinda like a dragon.” She looked at Spike and Discord. “No offense.” “None taken.” Discord sighed. “So, you’re basically telling me that my chances are slim to none.” Twilight raised her hoof to get Discord’s attention. “Actually, given the evidence that this filly is phobic to people of your nature and openly talks to you; you could consider it a good sign. I think your probability of success is higher than you’re anticipating.” Rainbow raised a brow as she considered Twilights analysis. “She actually has a point. She rarely reaches outside her comfort zone. Though, someone once told me they saw her wrestle a bear. Probably wasn’t true. Then again, she is comfortable around animals. I don’t really know. But, coming back to the conversation, we never really discussed boys a lot.” Rainbow’s eyes suddenly grew. “Woah, hold the phone. Are you the Sad Guy?” Discord’s eyes darted left and right. “What? What do you mean sad guy?” Rainbow’s chewing matched the rhythm of her thoughts. “She never said his name.” Spike pushed his tray aside finished with his food. “Did she mention giving him a journal.” “Yeah!” Rainbow remembered. “A red journal.” Discord unzipped his bag and pulled out the journal in question. “She talked to you about me.” “Yeah, but,” Rainbow trailed off for a second, “you’re not at all how she described. First off, she said you were a pony, and that she thought you were having a rough first day.” Rainbow crossed her hoofs and smiled. Discord couldn’t stand it. He wanted to know what she was thinking. “And?” Rainbow’s smile got a little wider. “She said you were really nice.” ***** Discord was glad there was a group project today in history. He was more glad at the fact that Miss Pen proposed groups of three. A few students dashed for Twilight, but were hastily turned down by her as she joined Discord and Rainbow Dash. They were actually nearly done as they had reached the back of the work packet fairly quickly. No doubt, it was thanks to Twilight, and surprisingly, Rainbow. Rainbow Dash had actually picked up some slack, though it was minimal. If anyone was lagging behind, it was Discord. He stared at the blank page in his journal, scribbling answers into his work packet as Twilight and Rainbow discussed them. “Discord?” It was Twilight who broke him broke his dazed state. “You haven’t contributed much.” “Sorry.” Discord tapped the blank page with a pencil. “I was supposed to finish this poetry assignment, and it’s due next period.” Rainbow sighed. “Can’t say I know anything about that stuff.” “I only know as much about poetry as it pertains to spells.” Twilight admitted. Discord tore out a completely bare page from his journal for no other reason that to release a spurt of frustration. “I’m doomed.” “At least you’re not worried about you crush.” Rainbow half laughed. Twilight furrowed her brow at Rainbow as Discord began to bang his head on his desk. Rainbow nervously laughed. “Sorry.” Discord brought his head banging to a halt. He recalled the strange dream from last night. He remembered the flaming white ghost of a mare that greeted him by name. He remembered a door. He remembered rain. What is it you desire? He remembered the question. Did you find her? Discord thought of Fluttershy. Picking up a red pen, that happened to be out, Discord began to write in silence as Rainbow and Twilight curiously watched him for the remainder of class. ***** Discord felt his heart racing as the red dragon up front performed his poem to the tapping of bongos. His mind got lost in the tapping of the bongos as he worried about his own performance. He had only just finished his poem minutes ago and had no time to practice it. To top it all off, he was next. Pathfinder had randomized the list so no one would know when it was their turn. Discord had hoped that he might go last, but no. He was third, and he found this out when Pathfinder announced that he would be going after Garble, the red dragon, finished his performance. Garble’s bongos had ceased their rhythmic sound. “Very interesting choice in accompaniment, Garble. Just for that, I’m bringing you up to a B plus.” Pathfinder straightened his fake mustache that matched his black beret. “Yes!” Garble picked up his bongos and headed back to his seat. “Alright.” Pathfinder marked the list in front of him. “Next is Discord, and after him is Surgarbelle. Discord? You’re up.” Discord felt his legs trying to move, but they were failing. Pathfinder rolled his chair to the front. “Discord? You do have a poem for us, don’t you?” “Yes.” Discord cursed as his voice cracked, triggering the class into laughter. He clutched onto his journal. His collar started to buzz. He felt that along with a twitch of anger that made him want to rip off the collar then and there. It all subsided, though, as he felt a hoof press into his arm. Discord recognized the unmistakable yellow fur. He looked up at Fluttershy. Fluttershy smiled at him. “You can do it.” Discord found himself standing on his own two feet. He thought he was daydreaming about Fluttershy’s encouragement. But even after he was standing, he saw and heard her whispering, “You got this, go on.” Discord took a deep breath as he moved closer to the front of the class. He wasn’t paying attention as he almost walked straight into the chalkboard. He only stopped because his journal hit the board before he did. Slowly, he turned around. It was a little comforting that the class had stopped laughing. He was encouraged further by the smile on Fluttershy’s face from the back. “Hello, my name is Discord. This is my po-.” He felt his throat beginning to choke on his own words. Fluttershy’s face turned to worry. Upon seeing that from her, Discord smiled back to her. Her smile then returned. He thanked the universe for her smile. It gave him courage. An idea popped into Discord’s head. He leaned over to Pathfinder and whispered a question to him. Pathfinder smiled. “I don’t see why not. Continue, Discord.” Discord took the center of the classroom stage. He readied his lion’s paw for a snap. He focused his mind as whispers floated around the room. With a deep breath and a brief thought about Fluttershy, Discord snapped. Gradually, Discord began to float up into the air and twist. Eventually, he turned completely upside down, his feet landing on the ceiling. Seeing the world upside down, he opened his journal. “My poem.” He cleared his throat. “ I call it, Thank You For the Journal.” Discord looked nowhere else but his journal. Because he was pointed up at the upsidedown students, his throat opened up and his voice fell out clearly before them. “As I stand before some God of chances, O set me free my friend of destiny, The closing of the door, the fire dances, The olde world burns in rain as I go free. Free to meet thee oh kinder face so set, Midst rot and turmoil enslaved by madness, O God rejoice to me for I have met, That compassionate face of such kindness. Your eyes doth burn sadness and yet too heal, Know me not, O for shame I know not you, If thou canst see beyond mine face for real, See beyond madness, see all I canst do.” Discord looked up from his journal. He looked across the students as he snapped again. He floated back to where he belonged, his feet landing where gravity wanted him. He finished his poem after closing the journal. “My fear ran deep upon a time ago, And all for cause to simply say, hello.” Discord bowed his head. “That’s all I have.” The class was silent. Discord, too afraid to look Fluttershy’s way, looked at Pathfinder who appeared to be at the edge of his seat. “Sir?” Pathfinder’s face was stoic. “Can I take a look at your poem?” Discord nervously passed the journal to Pathfinder who looked it over. He felt fear go down his spine. Terrible, he thought, I failed, I must have. Pathfinder seemed to be counting something. “Wow. Discord, did you intentionally write a sonnet?” Discord found his words. “I briefly saw mention of them.” “Every line here is ten syllables, following the typical rhyme scheme, and parts are even in iambic pentameter.” Pathfinder smiled. “Most excellent, Discord.” He scribbled on the page. “Here.” Pathfinder returned to his list. “Next is Sugarbelle, and then…” Discord senselessly marched back to his desk and took a seat. Building up the courage to look, he cracked open the journal to find a bright bold A next to his poem with a little note, KEEP UP THE MAGNIFICENT WORK. Discord sighed with relief. As that was out of the way. Something else, however, remained. Discord looked over at Fluttershy. She was staring until she hid from his glance. “You okay?” “Yes.” Fluttershy was quiet. “It’s just that, I gave you that journal.” Discord couldn’t help but smile at Twilight’s first impression catchline that came back. “I know.” Fluttershy peeked at Discord from behind her hair. “It was beautiful.” She meant the poem. Discord wanted to say, like you. Yes, he thought that. But, he only believed it when he could see her smile appear from behind its hiding place. “Thank you.” He turned his head to give ear to the rest of the student’s poems. There was a strange energy that came upon the room. A peculiar new life flowed in the words of each and every poem that came after Discord’s performance. Discord liked the idea that perhaps he had inspired it. The idea didn’t hold him so much, though. The draconequus stole occasional glances at the pegasus next to him. He could see her. Discord saw her laugh, smile, and cry. Maybe it was the poems being performed by other students. But, Discord couldn’t help but wonder if she would have reacted the same if he hadn’t performed his little poem. Was it its effect on the poets that affected her, or was its effect on her that was affecting the poets. Discord wrote a few absent minded sentences below his poem. His concentration on his journal ghosted away as he heard Fluttershy’s name called. One more poem to go, then it was her turn. The poem came to its close. Discord turned to Fluttershy. “You’ve got this.” He gave her a thumbs up as she carefully approached the front. Discord felt everything fade to black outside his view of Fluttershy. He couldn’t help but listen. Fluttershy smoothly cleared her throat. “My name is Fluttershy. And this poem is called Sad Guy. It’s about a special,” she smiled, “a friend of mine.” Discord felt his heart skip a beat as he recalled what Rainbow Dash had said. He recalled her telling him about how Fluttershy had referred to him as the Sad Guy. Discord picked up his jaw as he saw her staring directly at him. Fluttershy held up a paper with one of her wings. “ Light will fade and nights get cold,” a few woahs escaped at the musical and melodic voice that proceeded to sing, “So come away and build your fire, Light it before the night gets old, save yourself from doubt’s chill choir. Please don’t cry mister Sad Guy, I don’t know why you look so blue, Come away the world’ll make you sigh, But come away it cannot hurt you. Your voice will shake and your words will crumble, But carry on into the night, With some hope so bright you’ll never stumble, Oh carry on and win the fight. Please don’t cry mister Sad Guy, I don’t know why you look so blue, Come away the world’ll make you sigh, But come away it cannot hurt you.” Fluttershy closed her eyes as she sung a little higher. “But come away it can not hurt you.” The last note flew a little longer before the song came to a close. Everyone in the class clapped. Discord almost failed to follow suit as he recovered from his state. Awkwardly, he caught up to the applause with his own. The bell rang. The whole class dashed for the door as Pathfinder shouted about a reading assignment and wrapping up the rest of the poems tomorrow. The pegasus gave up as half the class was already through the door. “Crazy kids.” He plugged into his portable radio and nodded his head to some unheard beat as he collected his materials. “Ba-ba-ba-ba ba-bada, you spin me, righ-.” Discord tucked his journal safely in his bag as Fluttershy returned to the back to retrieve hers. “What did you think?” Fluttershy asked. Discord almost didn’t hear her. He supposed she was quieter when she wasn’t competing with the noise of the classroom. Or, maybe she was afraid. “In the words of the poet, Garble, quote,” Discord mimicked the red dragon’s laid back accent, “it was most excellent.” Fluttershy laughed, gently and softly. It was the first time he heard her laugh. He liked it. “I’m serious,” he wasn’t, really, “I can see the headlines now, Bright High School Filly Smashes Equestrian Idol Contest.” Fluttershy laughed again. “Oh, no. I could never go out in public like that.” “I think you’d be great.” Discord didn’t want to push his luck by trying to keep her laughing. “You were great, you are a fantastic singer.” “Do you really think so?” Fluttershy’s question rattled Discord. Discord felt like he was high on a cloud, not falling to his death this time, but floating. “I do.” Fluttershy finished packing up her saddlebag. “Well, see you tomorrow.” Discord couldn’t help himself. “Hey, Fluttershy.” He wanted to see her smile one more time. “I think you’ll be seeing Rainbow Dash graduate after all.” She tilted her head at that. “What do you mean?” “I found her a tutor, and a few new friends.” Discord went on. “We’ve started a study group.” Discord felt the world wash away as he took in the smile on Flutteshy’s face. It was otherworldly. He had never seen anything like it. A tear even caught his attention. “I hope that helps you come away from the world.” Fluttershy gently nodded. “Thank you, Discord.” Discord lingered, and watched Fluttershy leave the room. His heart was pounding when he heard a laugh and saw a smile flash back at him. He waved goodbye, and with a fresh spring in his step, Discord felt about ready to take on the world. “Discord.” Pathfinder called out. Discord changed his trajectory towards Pathfinder. “Yes, sir?” Pathfinder turned down the volume on his portable radio. “Do you like music.” Discord immediately thought of Fluttershy’s singing. “Yes, sir. I suppose I do.” Pathfinder furrowed his brow. “What’s with the, sir? This isn’t the army. Maybe prison, but, certainly more fun than the army.” Discord laughed as he did an overly dramatic bow. “Apologies, my lord.” Pathfinder laughed. “That’s better.” He opened his desk and produced a black and silver rectangular box with a chrome knob and white buttons. “Do you suppose you’d want this old tape recorder? It’s a bit old, but it plays and records music just fine. Haven’t had too much use for it since I got my radio.” Discord picked up the box, fascinated. It was a little smaller than a book. With a nylon strap for the shoulder and clip for a belt. “I can have it?” “If you want it.” Pathfinder nodded. “There’s an old tape in there, but you can record over it if you want.” Discord was in such awe at the device that he almost took off with it. “Thank you,” he tacked on, “my lord.” Pathfinder laughed. “Funny, that kind of reminds me of O&O.” Discord stared blankly at Pathfinder. “What’s O&O.” Pathfinder looked almost hurt. But, he laughed all the same. “You’ve never heard of Ogres & Oubliettes?”