//------------------------------// // One Step at a Time // Story: The Diary of Discord Wimp // by ThePianoMan //------------------------------// “Put one foot in front of the other…” -Jules Discord held the attention of Pathfinder’s class as he recited his poem from his journal. “Oh callous twist of fate, Cursed universe, you enmitous despot, Forsake not the lack of eloquence in my decry, The infamy of our adversary is dire, Why curse me with obtuse bravery, As this, superfluous trial is vexing enough, When such matters intrude upon, Tender and sincere infatuations.” Discord locked eyes with fluttershy from across the room before continuing. “For an angel so lithe and amiable, Perhaps this angel is recompense, With such holiness, my heart is truculent, Still small voice of quaint kindness, Translates to a vociferous call to arms, For my bosom is rife with will for you, Toil for you, I will with trepidation only very.” Pathfinder snapped the pencil he was using to take notes. “Whoops. Reflex.” He tossed the pieces into a waste basket before turning to face Discord. “I’m sorry, but could you repeat that line? I thought I heard the word very.” Discord nodded. “Toil for you, I will with trepidation,” he elevated his voice to clearly enunciate, “only very.” “Discord.” Pathfinder made quiet little notes with his new pencil he had pulled from a mug. “You know my grievance with the word very, and yet you used it anyway.” Over the silent whispers from the rest of the class, Discord could make out a worried gasp from Fluttershy. Be brave, he told himself. “Yeah.” His lips pursed as he shrugged and nodded. “Only very.” Pathfinder repeated those two words for a time before finally cracking a smile. “That’s a use of the word, very, that I haven’t heard before in all the years that I’ve been teaching. The way you use it, is so belittling, that I can’t bring myself to cut points for it. However, while I am pleased with your extended vocabulary, the usage seems rough cut. And while your use of words are powerful in there own right, the idea you’re attempting to communicate seems a bit chaotic.” He scribbled on his clipboard. “I award you a B+ for your efforts. Never stop improving, Discord. Next.” There was a slight air of disappointment that surrounded Discord’s long walk back to his seat. He had written the poem with Fluttershy in mind. And having received a less than perfect score, it ate at him a little. Regardless of the grade, however, his spirits were lifted by Fluttershy as she smiled and confessed her admiration of the poem. It gave Discord all the more hope for their study date he had planned. ***** Discord held on tight to Fluttershy’s hoofs as she hugged him from behind. He had teleported. But over a course of time, he’d been practicing so as to pass through less terrifying hell scapes. A consistency came about with his practice that brought him and Fluttershy here. Discord held tight to Fluttershy as he carried her through a slow vortex that bent over itself, spilling colors and stars into flowing rorschach patterns. Shooting stars passed them by as well as the occasional giant fluff worm that won nothing but adoration and awe from Fluttershy. The end came as Discord brought them to their destination. Fluttershy blinked as the bright blue fall sky temporarily blinded her. Adjusting to the new sight, her sight became clear as Discord led her to a willow tree perched on a hill. The willow tree was the center of a park that had far less inhabitants than it used to in the warmer seasons. Yet, there were still children running about, throwing balls and playing tag, while their guardians watched diligently. A gentle wind tossed the weeping limbs of the willow whose leaves had transformed into a brighter yellow for the season. “It’s beautiful.” Fluttershy slide away from Discord’s back as he lowered his frame to allow her access to the solid ground beneath them. “I had hoped to bring you here before the fall ended.” Snapping his claws, Discord rolled out a red and white plaid blanket. “And if I timed this right.” He snapped his paw, bringing a wicker picnic basket into existence on the center of the blanket. Inspecting the basket, Discord was pleased to find everything there, and still cool to the touch. Thanks mom. He was grateful for his mother’s fulfillment of her promise to pull the food from the fridge. I made us some cucumber sandwiches. They’re not exactly like the ones at the cafe but-.” Fluttershy cut him off. “I’m sure they’ll be wonderful.” “Hm.” Discord set his bag down before unloading the contents of the picnic basket onto the blanket. “I noticed you liked them more than the hay fries.” “Oh, uh.” Fluttershy chuckled nervously. “I only ordered those because I thought they would impress you.” “Hay fries?” Discord asked in bewilderment. Fluttershy went quiet as she rubbed her shoulder. “I know it’s dumb. I just thought you’d like me more if I ate like you and the rest of your friends.” “I’m sorry, it’s not dumb.” A pain stuck Discord in his mind for even sounding critical of her. It was strange for him to experience others making certain choices on account of his tastes. “But, you don’t have to eat like me or the rest of our friends. I want you to eat whatever you want.” He though on that. “Well, maybe not everything, like paint. I wouldn’t want you to get sick or anything like that. I’m sorry. Is any of this making any sense.” Fluttershy giggled at what he said. “I think I understand. And, I feel the same way. You don’t want me to change. I think that’s what you’re trying to say. I don’t want you to change either.” “But,” Discord grumbled as he looked away, “I wish I wasn’t so weird. I mean, my magic isn’t exactly normal. And sometimes, I can barely control it. I mean,” he motioned to his form with his arms while muttering quiet condescending criticisms about his body. “Discord, did you just gesture to all of yourself?” Upon seeing a nod from Discord, Fluttershy frowned and raised her voice (or as loud as was possible in that moment). “Discord! You’re fine the way you are. There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s nothing wrong with your magic.” “Now you sound like my mother.” Discord instantly regretted having said that. “Wait, I didn’t-.” Fluttershy propped herself up into Discord’s face. “And what’s wrong with that? She cares about you, she worries about you, and she loves you. I would hope you end up with someone as kind as her. I hope I could be half the mare she is! At least you listen to her. Just, gah!” She turned her back on Discord. “Wait a minute.” Discord reached for Fluttershy’s shoulder, but stopped when she moved further away. “Please. I’m sorry. I don’t want to not talk. Please tell me what you meant. You said I listen to her. Why did you say that?” Fluttershy inched her face in the direction of Discord’s. “You don’t listen. You don’t understand it. You’re not a monster Discord. You have so many friends that love you and care about you. I care about you. But, you somehow forget. I wish you could see.” “Then help me.” Discord successfully reached her shoulder. “Help me listen. I’ve only ever heard the world scream at how different I am. I guess I’m just still not used to anyone caring. You’re right. I listen to her. That’s because for the longest time, it was just me and her.” “You’re not alone, Discord. Neither of you are.” Fluttershy held a hoof over Discord’s paw. “You don’t have to be one or the other to fit in. You asked me if I saw a pony or a dragon, once. You know what. I don’t see anything else but you. I just see you. I understand. You’re different.” “Yeah, I am.” Feeling her hoof on his paw, Discord studied it with his eagle claws. “And, you’re a pony. I’m a draconequus, whatever that really is. Together, we’re not normal. We don’t make sense. I don’t want the world to scream at you too.” Fluttershy pressed herself into Discord’s form. “Do we have to make sense? I don’t care if we’re not the same. I don’t care if the world screams. I just don’t want to see you cry. I don’t want you to ever think you’re alone. I want you to be happy with who you are. Don’t be afraid of me. I’m your friend, aren’t I?” She dug into her bag and pulled out her sonic disruptor. “Look.” Turning on the device, she held it between both their heads. “I’m not a changeling either. I’m me. And, I am here for you. I want to be closer to you. But, you won’t let anyone in.” Discord snapped his paw, materializing a door between them. Opening the door, he smiled. “Would you like to come inside, Miss Fluttershy?” A smile found its way onto Fluttershy’s face as she lunged through the door, pinning Discord to the ground. “Do you promise to believe me when I say I’m not afraid of you?” Discord nodded. “I promise.” “Do you promise to believe me when I say your magic is amazing.” Fluttershy locked her eyes on Discord’s. The draconequus almost lost himself in her eyes as remembered a moment like this. “Promise.” Fluttershy leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on Discord’s cheek. “Do you promise to believe me when I say I think you’re a handsome draconequus.” “On one condition.” Discord combed a stray strand of Fluttershy’s mane back over her ear before cupping her face in his paw. “Do you promise to believe me when I say you are the kindest and most beautiful mare I have ever met.” Another kiss came to Discord’s cheek from Fluttershy. “I promise.” Her legs crumpled under her as she rested atop him. The words she spoke seemed to weaken. “I believe you.” “Then, I promise.” Discord wrapped his arms around Fluttershy as he stared up through the light shining through the limbs of the willow tree. Something about the sun, I was like there was someone else watching. It was like an old friend was smiling down on him. “Fluttershy, please don’t freak out when I ask this, but do you want a family?” “Yes.” Her answer was quick and direct. “Discord? Is something wrong?” Nothing was wrong with Discord. He felt very much alive. So much so, that he took a leap of faith he was afraid he might never get the chance to take again. Holding Fluttershy close, he met her eyes before pressing her face into his. Gradually his head departed from hers as he traveled down to her lips. “We don’t make sense. But, that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter because I love you.” He expected every ounce of resistance as he pushed his lips to Fluttershy’s. However, there was no resistance returned, only equal enthusiasm. Discord melted at he returning motions from Fluttershy as she climbed into a position to kiss him better. He helped her up with his arms, holding her as though she might somehow fly away from the experience. They both gasped for breath as their lips fell apart. Fluttershy’s eyes grew watery despite the smile on her face. “Really?” “Promise.” Discord felt like he was dreaming. Though, he’d never had a dream this good. “And, you?” Fluttershy gave him his answer. From the moment his question left his mouth, she had her lips on his. Only, she was much gentler than before. “Are we more than friends? Does this mean we’re not friends, but-.” Discord rested his head against Fluttershy’s. “We’ll always be friends, and more.” “We’re just a special sort of friends.” Fluttershy added. For the longest time that was endurable, Discord held Fluttershy close as they whispered to each other. Neither was eager to depart from each other’s company at that point. While they embraced, the cucumber sandwiches in the picnic basket went unnoticed. ***** “Anything? Over.” Discord asked over his EC radio. Resting on his bed, he listened to the nightly report from everyone. “Nothing. Over.” Spike sighed. Rainbow coughed into her radio, that Doc had supplied for her, Big Mac, Twilight, and Fluttershy. “Zip.” “Hm-nope. Over.” Big Mac said nothing more. Twilight came on. “My parents are my real parents. And none of my teachers were changelings.” Discord sighed as he took note on a paper of everyone cleared of being a changeling. “Thanks everyone, for trying. I hope we find these changelings, and fast.” Spike jumped back in. “If there’s any, there must not be very many of them.” “Isn’t that a good thing?” Rainbow asked. “Spike’s probably right. But, that means they’ll be harder to find.” Discord tossed the paper onto his desk. “They could even be people we don’t even know.” Twilight cleared her throat. “I’ve been talking to Doctor Hooves about making undetectable mobile disruptors in the form of bracelets that can create fields around us. That way we can cover more ground without having to activate our disruptors in plain sight.” “That’s a good idea, Twi.” Spike commented. “If they see us using the disruptors, they would most likely know to hide somewhere else.” “Okay. Sounds good. Over.” Discord noticed a certain voice was missing. “Hey, where’s Fluttershy?” “I’m here.” Fluttershy’s voice came through, much to Discord’s relief. “I’m spending the night at Rainbow’s house. I’ve been listening, though.” Discord didn’t respond. He felt his breath catching back up to him with the confirmation that Fluttershy was safe. It ate him alive inside to know that she might not be. To say he was terrified of that moment of silence without Fluttershy’s response, would be an understatement. He had just seen here hours ago. And to think that in that time, that she might be taken or worse, it gave him some perspective. A newfound drive flowed in him. Determination came in a subtle hatred for the changelings. “Discord.” Fluttershy called through to him. He held down the button on his radio’s microphone. “Yeah?” Another moment of silence passed before Fluttershy came through again. “Please try and get some sleep.” “Yeah.” Rainbow talked over Fluttershy. “You’ll need all your energy if we’re going to find the castle again. You didn’t forget did you?” He forgot. “Right.” The expedition set for tomorrow was the last thing on Discord’s mind. “Good night everyone. See you all tomorrow, then.” After the wave of good nights passed on, he tried to listen to Fluttershy and Rainbow’s advice. However, trying to slip under his covers was like forcing himself into a drainage pipe. He found that his feet were severely uncomfortable, constantly kicking the covers off almost as instinct. Discord finally pulled everything past his feet so they were exposed to the darkness of his room. The radio stayed on a little longer. Discord kept it on just in case Spike decided to have another late night discussion. The dragon never called in. So, Discord figured he’d already fallen asleep. Though Spike wasn’t awake, someone else was. “What?” Tapping the radio, Discord could hear white noise coming through along with the occasional sigh. Finally, Rainbow’s voice spoke up. “Fluttershy, that’s not how the radio works. You’re not going to hear him with the button down like that.” The white noise cut out after that. Picking up the microphone and holding down the button, Discord whispered, “Good night, Fluttershy.” “Good night, Discord.” Discord smiled as he heard Rainbow grumbling in the background. Slowly, his eyelids became heavier and heavier until sleep won over him.