//------------------------------//
// Motherhood 
// Story: Flurry Heart 
// by Buttery Biscuit 
//------------------------------//

Cadence was sitting there, exhausted she read every book she could get her hooves on about trauma. Now what type of trauma they were dealing with was unknown to Cadence, but she was glad she did read it. Why? Discord and Sombra had been following her all day. Literally for hours on end. They always ducked when Cadence looked back, but she knew that they were there. Never once did it seem that she left their vision.

It was quite the change, from so off-putting to obsessive, just like that. It was like they were afraid she would vanish into thin air. Which she wouldn't but that didn't stop them. She was sure they would stop eventually. Then they stalked her to the kitchen, for her break. This made her aggravated, but she made sure to keep a level head, she had read those books. They said behavior changes were expected, and she did expect them. Just not like this. "Hello boys, I know you are there why don't you join me?" She watched as Sombra and Discord came out of the shadows. "Hello, would you mind telling me why you have been following me around?" The books told her that she needed to guide them gently. Well, she assumed gently, it would help is she knew what trauma they had. As the techniques for helping were different. She was just going to have to end up guessing.

"We just, we are worried about you," Sombra stated all he felt was stress. Love for Cadence and stress. He wasn't sure what to do with that love. Cadence was a very good thing, he just knew that when he didn't see Cadence his stress was worse.

"Why?" Cadence asked she wanted them to work through their issues. Not avoid them.

"Well, what if something bad happens?" Discord asked. He was just as stressed as Sombra was. He was worried something awful would befall her if he wasn't looking. He also didn't really like being away from her, she was a good thing. He wanted to be around that.

"Like what?" Cadence asked, if she could walk them through their worries. They could be better off, maybe.

"Like you could get eaten, or kidnapped or enslaved. I enslaved you, I know you can be." Sombra said those were just a few of the things he could think of. He was sure there were worse things that could happen to her. He'd never forgive himself if it happened on his watch.

"None of that stuff will happen," Cadence said she was sure it wouldn't happen again. Though as she thought that sentence. She wasn't too convinced herself. How many times had she been attacked, kidnaped? She didn't remember the number, but she was sure it was a lot.

"But what if it does?!" Discord stated, he too was worried about what would happen if he turned his back.

"Well, there is you two, you could come to save me. Or Twilight and the elements. They beat you, they can beat whatever comes after me." Cadence explained, she realized their worries weren't as crazy as she first thought. So she gave them an example of things working out. Even though it was reasonable, all she saw was their anxious gaze. "How about just for one hour, you promised to help Rarity clean up her shop. Then you never did. After the hour is up, come back, and you'll see I haven't moved. I promise nothing will happen."

Sombra and Discord looked at one another. "If you are sure, we promise to try," Sombra said as Discord reluctantly teleported them away and in front of Rarity's shop. Though all he really wanted to do was go back. He liked Cadence, of course, but what if? What if? He looked over to Sombra and saw he was just as stressed as he was. They said they would do this, and they did promise Rarity they would come. Discord snapped up some tea for himself.

"Can...can I try that?" Sombra asked, he had seen Discord do it before. When he was stressed, maybe it would help him too. All he knew is his chest was tight, and while he knew what anxiety was. It was never this bad.

"Focus on how the tea makes you feel, the warmth of the cup, of the liquid, the steam on your face. Focus on that." Discord stated as he snapped up another tea and gave it to Sombra. After that, he decided to focus on the tea in order to calm himself. It was just an hour and if anything happened he could grab the elements.

Sombra did as Discord instructed he felt the warm cup in his hoof. Let the steam dance over his face. Felt it when it was warm, felt it when it was cold when the steam blew away. He took a sip and felt the tea flow down through him. The warmness rose in his body. "Wow, I can see why you love tea so much," Sombra said taking another sip and knocking on Rarity's door. He felt better about staying plus it was only for an hour. An hour wasn't that long, and he was right next to one of the elements.

Rarity opened her door to Discord and Sombra, who looked like they were hit with something. "Hello, boys." She said, why were they here?

"Uh hi, Rarity. We're here to clean up that mess we made in your shop." Sombra stated, he was still a little bothered but now he was at least trying to focus on Rarity.

"OH! You don't have to do that. You inspired my new clothes line!" Rarity squeaked.

"We did?" Sombra and Discord asked.

"Yes, darling you just have to see it." Rarity said as she stepped aside and led her friends into her shop.

Sombra and discord gasped, it was quite something. The room was divided diagonally. One half was chaotic patterns from Discord casting his magic, the other black crystals. Furniture barked from Discord's side and Sombra's was ornate crystal.

"I was hoping you could clean it up after I was done with this line. Although I'd like to keep the crystal furniture. And the ottoman dog, he is such a sweetheart. I named him Precious." Rarity said, hearing his name. Precious came running up to her and licked her forehoof. "Isn't that right Precious. Who is a good ottoman? You are!" Rarity cooed as it licked her more. Somewhere Opal glared at Rarity, not that it was noticed.

"Sure." Discord said a lot of his magic was becoming permanent. His chaos magic, pure chaos magic. See when he gifted something to a creature. He snapped it into existence but it was still made from something. Like Cadence's windows were put together by his magic but the glass was real. He made plush animals for Pinkie but those were made from real materials. This creation was 100% chaos magic. To be honest he was surprised it lasted this long. He wondered if that was going to be an issue, or if it would be fine. He just inwardly shrugged and decided to cross that bridge when he came to it. "Let me know if it disappears and I'll snap it up again."

"Thank you Discord." Rarity said she looked over to Sombra with pleading eyes.

"Of course you can," Sombra said, he knew his magic was permanent though that didn't mean it was always wanted. It was exciting to have Rarity keep it. He was more than glad to let her have it. "What do we do now? We took an hour assuming we would have to help you clean." Sombra said, they weren't supposed to go back. They did promise that they would try. A promise to Cadence was a promise kept.

"Hmmm," Rarity mused for a few seconds as she pet Precious. "I know, since the line is inspired by you, you should model for me!"

Discord gasped and started getting giddy, this sounded like a good time for some chaos. Which excited him. He soon forgot his stress as he devoured his teacup. "Sounds good to me!" He said he gave a snap and turned into a unicorn stallion.

Rarity stared at the stud of a stallion that Discord was, next to the other stud that Sombra was. Both would be fantastic models. "Yes!" She squealed as she ran off to go get her designs. She gathered up a few of them. "Of course I made you something for your normal form. I'd like you to try it on after you are done."

"Oh. Why thank you Rarity." Discord said he hadn't expected anything, but he was more excited than ever. He grabbed the chaos designs and Sombra grabbed the dark ones.

"Oh, it wasn't a big deal. I call this line Chaotic Darkness." Rarity bragged as she waited for them to get dressed. She whipped out her camera. "Alright, it doesn't matter who goes first."

Sombra came out first and if Rarity was being honest with herself. It was a lot easier to make his line then Discord's. She used a lot of red, black, and purple. Most of his line was higher end, three-piece suits, tuxes, dresses. Inspired by his days as 'king' she always felt he had a regal air about him. Even after being reformed for a long time, she assumed now it was just a part of his personality. "Pose darling."

Sombra did his best but he was a little stiff. He never really posed for a photo before. He did for a painting when he was king. Though he rather not pose like that again.

"Relax darling, the camera won't bite." Rarity said as she tried to coax Sombra into a less rigid pose. She noticed the more he tried the more relaxed he became, and she ended up getting a bunch of photos. "Fantastic darling., go try on the other."

That was one half of his line, the other half was goth-inspired. Trench coats, corsets, dresses, and the likes. She just happened to switch over it and didn't even realize it, then she thought to herself why not? It seemed to fit him too and was more modern of a style. That is exactly what Sombra came out in next. Rarity really liked him in a two-piece suit but this was another level. Goth clothes fit him perfectly. "Pose hoofsome!"

This caused Sombra to blush as he posed for the next few pictures. Though it wasn't all that visible, he just coughed. "That good?"

"Perfect, you may keep the clothes you tried on today. Now sit next to me." She said as she dragged Sombra over with her magic. She did not mind sitting by a hoofsome stallion. She got her camera ready but no matter how ready she thought she was. She was not ready.

Discord came out as a stallion in a jumper that was a chaotic yet organized pattern. Rarity thought the line should be just as chaotic he was, so he had a suit, a jumper, dresses, shirts, shorts, and other random pieces of clothing. None like the other. Discord struck a pose with all his confidence, impressing rarity.

"Yes! Work for the camera, it loves you." Rarity said as she collected too many photographs to count. Maybe she should ask Discord to pose for her again sometimes soon. To bad his other line wouldn't be produced it was inspired by his chaotic freedoms. Rarity assumed she had gone too far and stuffed the clothes under her bed. But Discord had found those clothes and in a snap of magic, he was a mare, sporting quite the semi-revealing outfit. It caused Rarity to sputter. "I -I -I -I -I -I can explain!"

"Why you didn't put it out? Cuz I would like to know." Discord asked. "I think it looks very good on me." He said as he struck several poses. He rather liked this, it just screamed chaotic potential.

Rarity could help but photograph her subject until she realized he had asked her a question, "I uh. I didn't think it very appropriate. I didn't want to put something out like that in your name. I just-."

"Shhhh. Rarity I am chaos. A part of chaos is freedom and spitting into the face of society until it says 'yes daddy more'. If this is what you want to do. I support you. If you don't, I understand. AND BEFORE YOU PROTEST. Screw what the other elements think. Do you think Prancent Van Gogh, Édouard Ponet, Ponyo Picasso’s or Ponel Duchamp just sat around and were like, 'aw man society hates my art, so I guess I gotta give up'? NO! They made their art anyway. So what are you going to do? Just sit around and wait for some other creature to come along. To make something this great! Say it with me now screw-" Discord waited for Rarity to finish his sentence.

Rarity looked away from Discord. What would her friends think? What would Fancy Pants think? What would society think? She oh so quietly said "society." Not totally convinced that she could do this.

Discord noticed Rarity's hesitation, on instinct, he glanced at the clock. The hour had passed. "We have to go but why don't you think about it. You have my approval." Discord said as he snapped away hoping that Rarity would do what she wanted because she wished to do it. He hoped she wouldn't let a silly thing like society keep her from doing what made her happy.

Rarity looked down at the dress Discord left behind when he teleported. She loved the line, she loved making it. It made her feel free just like Discord did. Sometimes she was jealous of him, how did he do it? Go around with his middle claw raised to society like that. She held the dress and decided to give a pony much like him a call. Pinkie Pie. She wanted to talk about this some more.

Discord and Sombra appeared back at Cadence's castle. There she was still reading her book in the same place they left her. They were both so nervous but they approached her slowly. Discord went first, "Hi." He said.

Cadence looked up from her book and smiled, "Hello there boys. How was Rarity's?"

Sombra stuttered in his movements, "you are ok." he stated as he completely ignored her question.

"Of course I am. I said I would be." Cadence smiled at both of them. She made sure to stay calm and collected as their faces screamed nothing but worry. "Do you want to check?"

Sombra did that immediately as he activated his dark magic. He checked to make sure she was Cadence, he checked to make sure she wasn't possessed. Discord just decided to poke her lightly, to make sure she was still there. Once they were both done checking they gave her a hug. They spent the rest of the day spending every other hour with Cadence. When they weren't with her they were with Flurry, Shining, Ivy, or Spear. Who Cadence filled in on the situation. At first, those ponies were surprised at the severe change that Discord and Sombra were going through, but after some more explanation, they willingly volunteered. Cadence knew this was not something she could tackle alone. Plus she wanted to help build them a support structure of creatures who loved them.


-----The next day-----


Sombra and Discord woke up next to Cadence, they insisted on guarding her at night. It didn't matter that they had to sleep on the floor. They did so willingly, it was more important that Cadence was safe. They followed her and Shining to go get Flurry. Then they followed them to the kitchen for breakfast.

Shining had to admit that he wasn't expecting this. They followed the both of them around like lost puppies but they followed Cadence the most. Like her very existence was made out of glass that would shatter at a moment's notice. Shining knew his wife, she was strong and confident. She didn't really need anypony, but she chose to reach out for help anyway. This time was no different Shining was often a distraction for the hours they did not spend with her. Though that wouldn't be the case today. For as soon as they entered the kitchen and sat down at the table a letter appeared in a green poof and plopped down in front of Cadence.

Cadence stared at the letter she expected it to be from Twilight. The letter did come from Spike's magic. So she was surprised to see it was addressed to Discord from none other than Rarity. "It's for you." She stated as she hoofed over the letter to them.

Discord opened the letter, he didn't receive mail very often. It read:


Dearest Discord,


I have thought about your speech. It never left my head which is why I called Pinkie Pie. See you two are sort of kindred souls. I spoke to her about my feelings, about my new line. She said a similar thing that I shouldn't fear society. I should follow my heart, though if I didn't. She understood. I have always let society define and decide what I should make. Of course, I have been ahead of the trend, but safely ahead. Never quite upsetting the market, so to speak.

So with you and her ok with whatever way I go. I found myself looking inward. Was I going to risk everything, do what I wanted to do? Make what I wanted to make? I found myself going to the museum with Fluttershy. I looked over all the artists you mentioned and realized what I wanted. I do want to do this. I got Flutterhshy's support too, and with you and two of my friends on my side. I think I can do this. So I booked a photography studio at 2 pm for three hours. Meet me at my house at 1:30, and we shall go together. 


Screw society,
Love,
Rarity 


Discord squealed, he felt good helping Rarity find her way. Get over her anxieties. He felt good until he realized that meant he would have to be away from Cadence. Then he frowned, he wanted to do this but what if he left and something happened? He looked up to her and gave her the note "I can't go. What if something happens?"

Cadence looked over the letter and saw an opportunity. "We will build up to it. I think I have proven every hour I am ok. I think I can prove I am ok every two hours. Then when three roles around you can go focus on something else while you leave me alone for three hours." Cadence watched them look at one another with concern, but she was anything but. See every hour they could check up on her and spend the next hour with her but only if she could do stuff when they were not looking. She started off with just reading then moved on to matters of kingdom and love.

So she followed her new plan, every two hours. She made sure to only let them check to make sure she was herself every other time. They just had to trust her word the other times. Her plan was to stop that completely to only let them check before going to sleep but only if they slept in their own rooms. Her goal was to bring them back to normalcy and prove that everything was indeed ok. Then it was time, three rolled around. "See you guys later." She said as she picked up another book. This one was called Parisprite Destroys The Universe by Ponriak Harris.

Discord appeared with Sombra in front of Rarity's shop. He knocked on the door lightly, feeling some anxiety, that is until he saw Rarity. Who was sporting the hugest smile he had ever seen her wear, then he was more focused on what was happening. "Hello."

"You are going to flip!" Rarity said as she trotted off to the studio she was renting. She had already moved everything over there. She just needed them. She picked up her pace as she got closer and closer to the studio. She looked back every once in a while to make sure Sombra and Discord did not get lost. Soon enough she was at the studio. She opened the door, and entered the room. In it was a single stage in the center of the room. On both sides of the stage were rows of clothes and a box. Next to the box, to Discord's surprise, was Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.

"Pinkie, Shy, what are you two doing here?" Discord asked.

Pinkie started first "I love going outside my comfort zone!." She bounced up and down excitedly. Trying new things was something she loved, it's why she liked Discord. The opportunity to try even more things, some of causing logic to go the corner and cry. She felt bad when it did that though, so she always left it an 'I'm sorry' cupcake. 

Fluttershy went next "Discord, watching Rarity and Pinkie go out their comfort zones made me want to. I'm so something uh. What was the word you used Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy asked her friend.

"Kinky?" Pinkie pie asked.

"Look at me. Near revealing clothes, watching the shoot. I'm kinky." Fluttershy giggled, as she hid behind her mane. What would her friend say about that? She felt so naughty. These days she really was much braver, doing new things, saying no more often. It was very exciting.

Discord just smiled "it's a start." Fluttershy had always been an innocent and sheltered soul. It made him happy that she was doing something she considered out of the box. Even if it wasn't by his standards. He smiled down upon them, self-satisfied, as Rarity brought him a box.

"Discord, I want you to model for the best piece I have." Rarity said as she gave him the box. "Go try it on, and we will take photos for the catalog I am having a friend design. "

Discord picked up the box and looked inside, and he squealed with delight, he definitely did not regret joining now. He snapped his claw, and he was in quite the riske dress. Even by his standards, even if it just barely brushed them. It brushed them, which surprised him. He pranced around in it "I love it Rarity."

"Save it for the camera!" Rarity shouted as she quickly grabbed her camera. Discord was a natural at this, and she didn't want to miss a thing. Soon enough she had a ton of photos of Discord and Pinkie. More than she actually needed, but since she was having so much fun she just kept going. With her pictures in her hooves, she felt confident in her decision. The line looked fantastic on them. The hours had ticked by and it was time to depart.

"It is time for us to go." Discord said as he prepared to snap away with Sombra.

"WAIT!" Rarity yelled "you forgot your gift last time. I can't let you forget it this time." Rarity ran off to get Discord something really special. She worked very hard on it, improved it since the last time he was here. In the end, she was sort of happy she forgot to give it to him. She ran back to him, panting, with a small wrapped box. "Open it."

Discord tore open the wrapping paper and opened the box to find a neon pink bow covered in small bells. He looked at Rarity who tied it around his tail. "Move your tail darling."

Discord did, he lifted it up, shook it, and hit it on the floor. "Ring, ring, ring, squeak," Discord gasped as he did it again, and again, and again. "I love this. Fluttershy look at this!" He said as he scooted over her to show her the bow closer.

"What have you done?" Sombra asked her "he's gonna be obsessed with that thing. This is the squeaky toy all over again." He grumbled.

"Excuse me?" Rarity asked.

"When we were younger Discord found a squeaky toy in a trash can. He was obsessed with it. Gave me headaches. We had stuff to do, and yet he couldn't take his focus off the thing. I'm going to be hearing that sound forever." Sombra grumbled "come on Discord. We gotta go." He for one wanted to see Cadence as soon as possible.

Rarity just looked at him confused, he never said anything about his past. Unfortunately, Discord and Sombra left before she could ask any questions.

So Discord and Sombra returned home. When they did, there was Cadence at the table just as they had left her.

"Hello, boys." Cadence smiled.

"Cadence, Cadence, look what Rarity gave me." Discord said as he demonstrated what his gift could do.

"Its great Discord, thank you for showing me. It suits you well." She watched his face grow concerned and she sighed. "I'm fine. You can check before bed but only if you sleep in your own room." It was time to put that part of the plan into action. She watched them nervously nod. "Well then let's spend some time together and I'll see you in another three hours." She said with a smile.


----Several Days Later---


It was better Discord and Sombra checked on her every 3 to 4 hours, then 6 hours. Then it became randomized. Every once in awhile they checked to see if she was ok. Then they came to her more for other things like the kingdom and Flurry. Cadence had done it. She had navigated this. They hardly checked to make sure she was herself, they hardly kept an eye over her. It made her happy to have them back to normal. Well as normal as they were before. Cadence picked up her ticket. It was to Rarity's show, she had a VIP seat because Discord and Sombra were in it. All she had to do was gather what was needed and head out.





Rarity was behind the curtain. She was nervous at first, but that was expected. She had drawn a very large crowd not to mention a princess was here. Cadence, who Discord and Sombra both invited. She took a breath and went out onto the stage like she did every time to give a speech about her work. "Hello, creatures of Ponyville. I'd like to welcome you to my brand-new line. Now I must tell you that it was inspired by a rather interesting event. I was helping Discord and Sombra make hair bows for Princess Cadence." She said as she pointed a hoof to Cadence. Cadence just turned around, showing off her bows to all who were there. She wore them all the time.

"Now it didn't go all that great, there was a magical explosion in my store and I closed for the day. I stared at it thinking about how I was to clean it up. Then I realized I didn't have to, with a few adjustments I had the store where I needed it to be. They inspired my brand new Chaotic Darkness line. Sombra's line will be first and Discord's line will be second." She took a bow and left the stage. Many models move past her, modeling all the clothes of the kingly inspired part of Sombra's line. It went excellent and they cheered. Rarity felt more confident this time around as the goth section went out. Sombra followed behind them, right up to the curtain.

"Rarity I don't know about this," Sombra said as he looked out at the crowd.

"You look hoofsome Sombra, what is there to worry about?" Rarity asked as the sound of cheering filled the air.

"I just, I don't want to go out there alone," Sombra said as he backed away from the curtain. Normally Discord drew all the attention, even when he was reforming. Discord was used to a crowd, negative and positive. Sombra was more stoic, choosing to rule in isolation and reform next to Discord. The attention of large crowds wasn't something he was used to dealing with alone.

Rarity activated her magic and pulled him to her side. "You can go out with Discord. I've done that before. Save the best two for last, and they go out together." Her heart jumped as she remembered that this wasn't going to be a normal fashion show for her.

Discord approached both of them in mare form as the first part of his line went out. "Hello." He said wearing the best dress in his line.

Rarity started to have some doubts, this seemed like a good idea, and she could hear the cheers from the crowd, but this was so out of character for her. Could she really do this? She started to breathe quickly, her chest tightened. "I can't do this! I just can't? What if they hate it? What if they hate me?"

"You can blame me," Discord said as he covered her eyes enough, so she didn't see the second part of his line go out. "Society hates me anyway Rarity, call it a prank, call it whatever you like. Plus it already went out."

Rarity's heart tightened, and she shut her eyes, this was it. Her life was over, she could already hear the crowd gathering pitchforks which sounded a lot like cheering. Until she realized it was cheering, they liked it. They liked it! Rarity took a breath in and wondered why she ever doubted Discord, he was right. She loved the line, and she knew if she had backed out she would have regretted it. She smiled at Discord, "let's go out together." The three of them went out together and the roaring of the crowd rang in Rarity's ears. She waved to the crowd as she sat next to her two best pieces dawned by some of her best friends. Reporters clamored around her until just one dominated the crowd of them.

"Rarity, Rarity, is it true Sombra and Discord inspired this line?"

"Why yes of course, why would you think otherwise?" Rarity asked as Discord's words rang through her head 'society hates me anyway.' She had been too stressed out to really soak in those words. She glared down the reporter, practically daring him to say what was on his mind. She watched with glee as the reporter chose not to speak. Rarity had good ins with society maybe she could help them repair their image at some point.