Fluttershy's eyes fluttered open as her alarm blared. Her eyes stung from the early morning light that filtered through the window. Fluttershy slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes, then winced as a sharp pain raced up her spine.
"Oh, dear me..." Fluttershy groaned, cautiously rubbing her back.
In a flash, Discord appeared next to her.
"My dear, are you alright?!" Discord exclaimed.
With a flash, Discord placed Fluttershy on a medical table, examining her back closely.
"Discord, it's just another back cramp," Fluttershy sighed. "Remember, the doctor said it was normal for ponies my age."
Fluttershy was now an old mare, much to Discord's dismay. Fluttershy's once vibrant, pink locs were now stark white, and her eyes were clouded due to cataracts. Unfortunately, Fluttershy had lost her vision many years ago, and could now only differentiate between light and dark. Instead of being able to enjoy Twilight's sunrise in the mornings, she now could only process the blinding light that gave her migraines. Other than her eyes and mane, Fluttershy looked surprisingly youthful for her age. She did not develop wrinkles as much as others, and merely had smile lines from under her eyes. Discord liked to imagine it was the consequence of all of the jokes they shared with one another.
Discord sighed in relief to Fluttershy's words. "As long as you're okay."
Discord snapped, and the medical table disappeared. "How about a morning massage?"
"I would love that," Fluttershy replied. "But I have to take care of the animals first."
Discord snapped his claws before Fluttershy could get out of bed. "Not on my watch! Lay back and relax while the master gets to work."
Fluttershy smiled softly, grateful for the Draconequus's kindness. She laid on her stomach, resting her head. Discord began his work immediately. He placed his paw and claw on her shoulders, gently rubbing the skin. After a moment, he began kneading into the muscles gently. He worked as precisely as a surgeon as he worked through her muscles. Fluttershy groaned in appreciation. Discord smiled to himself, glad to help his wife out in any way.
Forty-two years ago, they had gotten married. Ever since, Fluttershy and Discord have been attached by the hip. Discord waited on his beautiful wife daily, and this massage session has been a daily ritual for the past eight years.
"Where is your back sore today?" Discord asked gently.
Fluttershy gestured to the middle of her back, and Discord began kneading there. While Fluttershy had been aging, Discord remained in the same state. As an immortal being, it pained him that he would outlast Fluttershy. As she grew older, Discord grew more depressed.
Discord's sadness did not go unnoticed by Fluttershy. His normal mannerisms throughout the last few years have ceased, and he rarely jokes around with her anymore. She could see the pain in his eyes, and it hurt her greatly.
"Alright, Discord, that's enough for today," Fluttershy said. "Thank you so much for all that you do."
Fluttershy flapped her wings and fluttered to his face, giving Discord a peck on the nose.
Discord smiled awkwardly. "Would you like to join me for a walk?"
Fluttershy nodded in assent, placing her hoof in Discord's outstretched paw. They walked outside, hand in hoof. Fluttershy sighed happily as she took in the scent of nature and the sounds of all of her beloved animals chirping outside. Although she could no longer see the visual beauty of Equestria, her lack of vision has given her insight into different types of beauty.
Fluttershy giggled as white dandelions tickled her hooves. Discord gazed upon her with loving eyes. Moments like these reminded Discord that he made the right choice marry Fluttershy.
A white bunny with black spots hopped up to Fluttershy, squeaking happily at the sight of the mare. When it noticed Discord, it stopped to shoot him a nasty glare.
"Hello, Spirit," Fluttershy greeted. Spirit was a descendant of Angel Bunny, who had passed away several decades prior. Fluttershy continued to care for his family for generations in his memory. "How are you today?"
Spirit squeaked dissent at Discord. One thing Spirit had inherited from Angel was his distaste for Discord. Discord replied by sticking his tongue out and crossing his eyes to mock Spirit. The bunny responded by angrily stomping his paws.
"Discord, don't goad him," Fluttershy scolded. Spirit smirked. "And Spirit, please try to be nicer to Discord."
Spirit rolled his eyes, before hopping off. Fluttershy giggled to herself, not upset by the interaction.
"Some things never change," Fluttershy murmured.
"If only everything could stay the same," Discord said sadly. Fluttershy tightened her grip on his paw.
"Change is beautiful," Fluttershy reminded. "Without change, there would be no excitement. Change helps us grow as individuals." Fluttershy smiled. "Change also is chaotic."
Discord stroked Fluttershy's hoof with his thumb. "I suppose you're right."
Fluttershy began to cough violently. Discord immediately sprang to her aid.
"Fluttershy?!" he exclaimed.
Fluttershy raised a hoof, pausing him before he could do anything. "I just... I just need a glass of water."
Discord snapped his fingers, immediately summoning a glass of water. He held it to her lips, and she sipped the water slowly.
Over time, Fluttershy's cough grew worse. Each day, Fluttershy would break out into coughing fits. At first it was just once a day, but it had grown to occurring once an hour. Discord was growing more distressed each day.
Fluttershy finally finished another coughing fit. Discord remained close by, holding her hooves and conjuring ideas of how to help her.
"With a snap of the fingers, I can give you a solution," Discord offered.
"No, this is just a normal part of aging," Fluttershy replied. "Ponies cough all the time."
"Not as often as you have been," Discord retorted, annoyed. "Something is wrong, I can feel it in my heart."
Discord pulled his heart out of his chest, which had a face with a concerned expression.
Fluttershy giggled softly. "Oh, how I love your jokes..."
"Your health is no joke!" Discord snapped. "Will you at least let me take you to the Ponyville Hospital?"
"That won't be necessary, but thank you for the offer," Fluttershy kindly rejected. "There are so many other ponies who need help more than I do."
"What if it's something serious?" Discord questioned.
Fluttershy just gave him a reassuring smile and stroked his arm. Spirit hopped up to Fluttershy, chattering complaints as he demanded lunch.
"We can continue this conversation in a moment," Fluttershy said, getting up from her spot on the couch.
Fluttershy went into the kitchen, searching for carrots to give to Spirit. However, a sharp pain shot through her chest. Fluttershy clutched her chest, a guttural sound forcing its way out of her throat. Fluttershy began to hyperventilate. The pain grew more and more severe with each breath. Fluttershy crumpled to her knees, before completely falling over.
"D-Discord," Fluttershy choked out.
Fluttershy's eyes slowly began to shut as a white flash appeared in front of her, while her husband shouted her name in anguish.
Never in his life did Discord feel fear as much as he did in this moment. Just hours prior, the love of his life collapsed in their kitchen. Discord cursed himself for not coming with her. If he had been there, maybe he could have prevented this mess.
Discord had rushed Fluttershy into the Ponyville Hospital Emergency Room. Upon seeing Fluttershy's state, several doctors and nurses came to her aid and whisked her away before Discord could utter a word. Not that he could, as he had been trembling so hard that he knew that all that would come out of his mouth were wails.
Discord heard nothing since about Fluttershy's condition, and every moment that passed by drove Discord insane.
Around a couple hours prior to this moment, Discord wrote out letters for each of Fluttershy's best friends relaying her condition. He wasn't sure if he wrote them to come support her, or himself. Discord was on the verge of a breakdown.
Suddenly, the emergency room doors opened. In raced in four ponies. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, and even Princess Twilight had all arrived for their friends.
"What happened?!" Twilight shouted, racing up to Discord.
Now that she was a mature alicorn, Twilight stood nearly as tall as Discord. The fiery look in her eyes caused him to recoil while raising his paws.
"H-Hey!" Discord exclaimed.
"Twilight, darling, he must be going through a lot right now," Rarity explained, putting a wrinkled hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Give him time to answer."
"We were having a nice morning... Then Fluttershy began having another coughing fit," Discord explained, his voice weak. "Then, Spirit came up whining about wanting lunch. When she went out to the kitchen to feed the nasty vermin, she collapsed, and I brought her here."
Twilight looked distressed, staring at the door that led to the hospital rooms.
"Has there been any word on 'er condition?" Applejack asked.
Discord's silence gave them the answer they needed to know.
On cue, the doors opened and a concerned nurse stepped through the door.
"Mr. Draconequus?" the nurse called.
Discord wheeled around. "How's Fluttershy?" He raced forward, grabbing the nurse's shoulders.
The nurse looked extremely concerned. "As of now, the doctor is currently performing emergency surgery."
Discord prodded her to continue. The nurse took in a slow and deep breath. "I have come out here to inform you to prepare for the worst."
Discord's heart clenched at her words. Prepare for the worst? Does this mean... those coughing fits were a symptom of something worse?
"Miss nurse! What's wrong with Fluttershy?!" Pinkie raced forward.
Even in her old age, Pinkie still had boundless energy. However, her curly mane was beginning to deflate due to the stress of the situation.
"I cannot share this information at the moment with anyone but Mr. Draconequus," the nurse replied gently. "I am sure he will share information with you all shortly."
The nurse turned to Discord, but before she could say anything, a red light began to flash over the door. An emergency reaction was beginning to occur, and Discord had a feeling it was related to Fluttershy. The nurse galloped out of the room, leaving Discord and the stressed mares together.
An hour had passed, but to Discord it had felt like an eternity. Discord paced around the waiting room. Rarity and Pinkie had begun crying some time ago, while Applejack held both of them in her arms. Twilight stared out of a window forlornly. Discord stopped beside her.
"After Rainbow's death, the reality of immortality has begun to sink in," Twilight murmured to Discord.
Discord nodded solemnly. The colorful pegasus had passed over twenty years ago after a flight accident. Even in the end, Rainbow Dash was a brave mare who pushed her limits.
"It has hit me too, knowing that Fluttershy..." Discord trailed off, tearing up.
Twilight gently hugged Discord. "At least we can support one another."
The emergency room door opened once again, and the nurse walked out with her ears flattened and a deep frown.
"Mr. Draconequus?" the nurse called.
Discord locked eyes with her, meekly walking over. "Is she-?"
"Mr. Draconequus, please take a seat," the nurse offered.
"No, I want you to tell me whatever it is right now," Discord snapped.
The nurse flinched but understood his frustration. "Mrs. Fluttershy... We do not believe she will make it through the night."
It felt as though the world was crashing down around Discord. He stared at the nurse in horror. This couldn't be happening.
"I have to see her!" Without waiting another moment, Discord burst past the nurse and raced down the hall.
He did not know which door Fluttershy remained behind, but he was determined to find her. He opened and closed several doors, seeing ponies that were not his sweet Fluttershy.
Eventually, he finally found her room. As the door opened, Discord's eyes fell upon his beloved. His breath hitched as he noticed how pale her fur was. Her once buttermellow fur now was nearly snow white, and her hair was a mess of tangles. Her eyes seemed to be sunken. A doctor shouted out in surprise and began to protest Discord's presence.
"Sir, you cannot be in here," the doctor spat.
"P-Please, let him stay," Fluttershy meekly forced out.
The doctor snapped his attention to her, a knowing look settling on his face.
"My apologies," the doctor whispered. "I will see myself out."
Discord slowly crawled over to the bedside. Fluttershy's head tilted towards him, but he knew that she could not see him. Discord sadly took her hoof into his paw. Behind him rushed in the four mares he left behind in the waiting room, but right now all he could see was the frail mare in front of him.
"D-Discord," Fluttershy stammered, trying to sit up.
"Shhhh, save your energy," Discord said softly as he guided her to lay down.
"N-No," Fluttershy replied. "I have s-something I need to... I need to confess."
Discord frowned deeply. A secret?
"My heart has been failing," Fluttershy explained. "-and today, it has given up."
Fluttershy has been dying for months, and Discord did not notice. Discord's lips turned to a scowl.
"How could you hide this from me?!" Discord exclaimed. "I could have prevented this!"
"That is why I couldn't tell you," Fluttershy replied. "I knew that your first reaction would be to take my ailments away."
Discord looked at her pleadingly. "I still can!"
"No," Fluttershy replied firmly. "You know how I feel about this. I believe that nature should take its course."
Discord stifled a sob. "B-But we can be together! Forever!"
Fluttershy gave him a soft smile. "I will still be with you, in spirit. We will always be together."
Tears streamed down Discord's cheeks. "I love you, my sweet, darling Fluttershy."
"And I love you, my charming Discord," Fluttershy whispered, stroking Discord's arm.
Fluttershy's arm fell limp by her side, and her unseeing eyes relaxed.
Discord paused for a moment. "F-Fluttershy?"
A sob escaped Discord. "FLUTTERSHY!"
Discord began to wail, and Twilight embraced the others within her large wings as they began to weep for their lost friend.