It took five days for Applejack, Rarity, and Mirror Twilight to fully recover and regain the blood they had lost.
During that time, the other groups slowly returned from their visits to the allies. Pinkie Pie and Mirror Rainbow Dash had sent word that the yaks had decided to fight and would travel with the Crystal Army to the Galloping Gorge, the appointed meeting place, in a couple of days. Twilight's group in Baltimare was the only one still unaccounted for but Discord was confident they would appear soon.
While waiting for the others, the Lord of Chaos decided to split his time between helping Fluttershy accomplish tasks around town and playing pranks with Cordy.
The two Spirits made it their job to lighten the mood, causing little bouts of happy chaos wherever they went. Most of their shenanigans were accepted but there was the occasional prank that got out of hoof. Ruining Sprinkle Glaze’s donuts, for instance, had not been the best idea. They hadn’t meant to set the whole bakery on fire, honest! That oil was just in the wrong place at the wrong time! Besides, they fixed everything immediately. No permanent harm was done.
Still, after the Great Bakery Incident Discord decided to lay low on his devious acts and devote more time with Fluttershy. Today they were camped up in the mountains, watching the entrance of the tunnel they hoped would soon reveal Twilight and her companions. Five ponies, ten changelings, and two dragons were with them.
Bundled in a very long chaotic scarf, Discord looped his body around his favorite pony, both of them watching the changelings transform into requested creatures for the others' entertainment.
“Are you sure you're warm enough?” Fluttershy asked, her face the only thing visible under all the winter gear he had supplied for her.
Discord kissed her on the forehead. “I’m fine, Flutterbuddy. I honestly don’t even need this.” He held up the scarf’s end and gave it a little wiggle. “I’m impervious to weather, remember? It’s you I’m worried about. Are you sure I can’t just magic all the snow away?”
“Blank mountains in the winter would be a dead giveaway of where we’re actually hiding,” she reminded.
“Can I at least make an igloo?” Discord whined. He’d barely used his magic all day. His digits were practically crying from neglect. “It’s snowing and I’m not thrilled about you getting buried under a snow bank.”
“Oh, alright,” she consented, “But nothing big, okay?”
Discord happily snapped up an igloo but it wasn’t the usual home made out of ice blocks. Instead it was an impossible configuration of icy shapes that somehow defied all logic yet stacked together to make a cozy shelter. Fluttershy walked inside, admiring the ice pieces, her teal eyes wide with happy approval.
“Much better,” Discord sighed, snapping up a waterproof rug for them to lay on.
Fluttershy settled on its center, lowering herself onto her tummy and folding her legs beneath her. Discord recoiled himself around her, snuggling in close. Resting her head against his, Fluttershy nuzzled and kissed his cheek.
“The only thing we’re missing now is some hot chocolate,” she said.
“That could be arranged."
Discord was just about to snap some up when a bell started going off in his head. He shot up and looked towards the cave, his body protectively hovering over Fluttershy.
“Discord?” she questioned, hesitantly rising to her feet.
“Something’s coming,” he said, his ears perked straight. “I cast a spell that would sound an alarm about fifty feet from the cave’s entrance.”
“I don’t hear anything."
“It’s inside my head,” he muttered, finally turning the ringing off. “We’ve got at least two minutes.”
“Oh, dear. We’d better warn the others,” she said nervously.
The two left the igloo and word spread like wildfire across the group. In less than a minute every changeling, pony, and dragon was perched in front of the cave in attack position. Discord kept his tail looped around Fluttershy’s torso, ready to pull her to safety at a moment's notice.
Another minute passed before the bright pink glow of a lit unicorn horn came into view. Rosy Stardust stepped out of the cave with Mirror Applejack and Mirror Rarity right behind her. Accompanying them was a young hippogriff with a light magenta-gray coat and a cornflower blue mane. She was slightly dragging her talons and hooves, her wings hanging limply at her sides. Discord was very familiar with that guilty look; he had it every time Fluttershy caught him doing something he shouldn’t.
“Discord? Fluttershy?” Twilight said with some surprise before eyeing the others. “What is going on here?”
“First,” Discord said, stepping forward, “What’s your name?”
Twilight frowned. “That depends. What name are you after?”
Discord and Fluttershy shared a look before the latter said, “Both, please.”
“If asked, it’s Rosy Stardust,” she said, “But my friends know me as something that comes before the night.”
“Well?” asked Party Favor, his hooves full of frozen water balloons. “Is it her?”
“It’s her,” Discord declared after checking the newcomers for traces of dark magic.
Fluttershy happily embraced their friend. “We’re so sorry for the rude welcome, Twilight, but we had to be sure. We’ve been compromised.”
“I know,” she said grimly.
“You do?”
“I’ll explain once we get back to town. Discord, can you teleport us? I’d do it but it drains my magic more than yours.”
“I’d be happy to,” Discord said before turning to their fellow lookouts. “Hold down the fort, boys!”
“Hey!”
“And girls!” he added as several female changelings and ponies gave him the stink-eye.
Scooping up Fluttershy, he snapped his fingers, magicking their friends and the hippogriff to Our Town.
“Oh, Starliiiight!” he sang right as they reappeared, “We have a surprise for yoooou!”
Starlight, who was currently going over some reports from an earth pony, rolled her eyes as she turned around. “Discord, aren't you supposed to be- Twilight?! Is that you?”
The pale pink unicorn waved her hoof in greeting and smiled. “Hello.”
There was an onslaught of noise as several mares dropped what they were doing and rushed over to meet their friends. Discord took to the air and watched the girls’ reunion, just as happy to see them together as they seemed to be; only Pinkie Pie and Mirror Rainbow Dash were missing now. The hippogriff quickly moved out of the mares' midst, running over to where Gallus and Ocellus stood; the young changeling had snuck into the changeling army before Discord had snapped them all away. The three creatures shared a hug and wandered off. Discord eyed them with interest until Cordy drifted over, lying in the air with his head in his paw.
“How sentimental," he drawled in false mockery, watching the mares below. "All this sweetness is making my teeth rot.”
Discord chuckled as several ruined fangs fell out of Cordy's mouth. “I know what you mean.”
“It really is good to see all of you again,” Twilight said with a smile. “And I’m so glad you three are okay!” she added, specifically looking at Applejack, Rarity, and Mirror Twilight. “We were really worried until Discord sent that message saying you were safe.”
“Come on now,” said Applejack with a modest smile, “It’d take more than a few bloodthirsty bat ponies to bring this cowpony down.”
“It was pretty scary,” Mirror Twilight began.
“But we’re made of sterner stuff than you'd think,” Rarity finished with a reassuring wink.
“Good, because we’re going to need that,” the princess declared. She looked around, frowning at their growing audience. "Is there someplace private we can all go to talk?”
Before the others could make a suggestion, Cordy snapped and the large group was in a conference room similar to the one back in Discord’s dimension.
“Where are we?” Twilight asked, whirling around to face the Discords.
“Relax, princess,” Cordy said, slithering into a chair next to Mirror Fluttershy. “We’re still in Our Town. I merely made a room off to the side of the war burrow Sunset and Starlight created.”
“You know, it’s rather unfair that you can do that without breaking a sweat,” Sunset grumbled, once again annoyed that she was back in a coach airplane-style chair. “And would it kill either of you to let me sit in something else?!”
Discord and Cordy shared an evil smirk before saying, “No."
Neither of them moved to change her chair. Several of the ponies snickered while Sunset complained loudly about stupid draconequui and their lying selves.
Twilight cleared her throat, regaining everypony’s attention. “Right, thanks for the room Cordy-”
“You’re welcome!”
“-But we need to move on to more important things. We have to change up our strategy.” She then revealed the existence of the EIA and how she knew they were compromised before arriving in Our Town.
“You mean to tell me there's a bunch of spy ponies in Equestria that make it their business to know everypony and every other creature’s business and they all work for Princess Celestia?” Applejack said, anger clear in her voice.
“Yes,” Twilight said. “Believe me, I’m just as upset about it as you are, Applejack, but right now we have a bigger problem. Tirek doesn't know we're here but he does know that we are planning to attack the day of the Summit which means we need to attack sooner than we thought.”
“And it’s our fault,” Applejack snapped, slamming her hoof down on the table. “If we hadn’t been ignorant of the fact that a bunch of bat ponies were eavesdropping, none of this would have happened!”
“There’s no use pointing fingers, darling,” Mirror Rarity consoled.
“Fingers?” Rainbow Dash questioned.
“Hooves,” Sunset supplied. “And Rarity is right. Unfortunately a bat pony got away. There’s nothing we can do about it now. We can only accept what is and make the most of it.”
“Which is why I need to know how it went with the allies,” said Twilight. "The hippogriffs refused to take a stand. Queen Novo is planning to abandon Mt. Aris for the sea the moment she gets home."
“The griffons are a no-go too,” Rainbow Dash said, scowling. “They're only interested in looking out for themselves. Except Gilda, Gabby, and Gallus; they chose to come with us.”
“Gallus?” Twilight said, her head whipping towards the rainbow pony.
“We tried to persuade him to stay behind,” said Mirror Pinkie Pie.
“But he wouldn’t listen,” Rainbow Dash scowled. "So, instead of having him tail after us like I knew he would, I just let him tag along."
Twilight’s brow furrowed in thought, prompting Starlight to say, “Twilight? What is it?”
“I’ll tell you later," she said, shaking her head and choosing to move on. "Right, from the amount of dragons and changelings loitering the underground, I assume your groups were successful?” she said, looking at Fluttershy and Applejack.
The two nodded.
“Dragon Lord Ember was more than willing to fight when she learned what happened to Spike,” said Rarity.
“Thorax had a similar reaction,” Discord commented.
Twilight’s smile was sad and everypony knew why. "Spike’s friendship may very well be the only reason they joined us in the first place." Quickly rubbing her eyes, she forced her melancholy aside and asked, "Have we heard from Pinkie Pie?”
“Yes. The yaks are on board,” Sunset stated. “They’re going to meet us at the Galloping Gorge along with the Crystal Army.”
"Good," Twilight said, nodding to herself. “I know we were going to separate the armies and fight on different fronts but with Tirek knowing what we’re up to, I no longer see the point. We’ll gather with the others at the Galloping Gorge and make our stand against Tirek's army on The Prairies in four days.”
“Four days?!” Mirror Twilight cried. “Twilight, it takes at least a week to gather up and prepare an army.”
“Not if you have chaos magic to help you,” she replied, turning to the Discords. “What do you say? Can you two teleport the armies together?”
Discord and Cordy looked at each other before the former snapped, moving them outside time; everypony around them seemed to freeze in place.
“Are you sure we should?” Cordy asked the moment they were alone.
Discord sighed, running his paw down his mane. “It is a lot of interference. But, given the circumstances…”
“I know you want to help,” Cordy said with an understanding nod, “I do as well, but the amount of chaos and disharmony charging this world has grown exceptionally since we first offered to shift everyone around. I'm worried Amity won't be able to restore balance if we do much more. We still have to help them defeat Daybreaker too.”
“With your Rainbooms, I believe she'll be able to replenish harmony and order,” Discord muttered.
“And if she can’t?”
“Then I will get involved.”
Discord and Cordy whipped around. A huge tree had magically sprung up behind them, its trunk and branches so thick it would have taken hundreds of years to grow without magical aid. A doorway to another world was cut out of the trunk's base and standing within it was the largest alicorn the world would ever know.
Her coat was brown, the rich color like that of the earth on a rainy day, and her mane and tail were literally made of plants, the long leafy strands flowing in a nonexistent wind behind her neck and flanks. Flowers bloomed from her scalp and traveled down the waves before falling into the earth, the ground happily absorbing the buds. Her cutie mark on either flank never stayed the same, shifting from anything and everything ever created. Her eyes, constantly swirling from blue to green, studied the two Chaos Spirits with a somewhat reproachful gaze.
Discord instantly felt like a foal caught with his paw in the cookie jar. He visibly shrank a couple inches, sheepishly digging his goat hoof into the ground.
“Hello, Mother,” he said, wringing his tail.
Cordy's jaw dropped but he wisely remained silent, quickly taking up an air of reverence in the presence of the world's co-creator.
Mother Nature released a sigh before stepping out of the tree. “I don’t have long but I must say I am disappointed things have escalated as far as they have, Discord. This situation is partially your fault, you know.”
Discord’s ears lowered. “I know,” he mumbled.
“Your father hasn't had a heyday like this since you took over Equestria the first time. He's quite proud."
"You know, if you had said that to me a few years ago, I would have been ecstatic. But now…" Discord shook his head, his horn and antler drooping along with his ears.
"And that is why I too am proud of you."
Discord's neck whipped up so fast it cracked. "W-What?" he stammered.
Mother Nature’s smile was similar to a burst of sunlight on a gloomy day; it penetrated and warmed every inch of the soul. “Discord, since this whole debacle began, you have been trying to fix things. You’re taking responsibility for your chaos and that is something any mother would be proud of. You’ve grown so much since last I saw you.”
Discord flinched. The last time he'd seen her, he'd said a lot of hurtful things.
He had blamed the ponies' hatred of him on her, for she was their creator, saying that she’d always favored Amity over him and that he was going to do what his father had done as Grogar. He took over Equestria after that, ignoring any attempt she made to contact him. His anger and stubbornness eventually forced her and Amity to conspire against him, resulting in his stone imprisonment. His release was brought about by the combined effort of him and his father; he worked on chiseling the magical seal within while his father sent small bouts of chaos and disharmony his way without. Once free, Discord had fallen back into anger and resentment, upending Equestria and causing nothing but problems for his future beloved and her friends.
It truly wasn’t until Fluttershy offered her hoof in friendship that he finally considered letting go of his anger and giving her a chance. And how grateful he was that he had! He'd become a very different draconequus than the one he’d once been and his Mother knew it, given her knowing smile.
“I truly am sorry, Mother,” he said, his eyes traitorously filling with tears. "For everything."
Mother Nature lifted on her hindlegs to wrap him in her forehooves. Discord looped his arms around her and gave her a hug; the first in centuries.
“I know you are,” she said quietly, soothingly, “And I forgive you.”
Discord’s breath hitched in his throat. Mother Nature nuzzled his cheek affectionately and released him. He quickly wiped his eyes, shifting sideways so Cordy couldn’t see. Sensing that he needed a moment, his mother turned to the Chaos Count.
“It’s nice to meet you, My Lady,” he said, taking her hoof to kiss it.
“It’s nice to meet you too,” she replied. “You have been a very good friend to my Discord. Thank you for keeping him company through his dark days.”
“I needed his friendship just as much,” Cordy admitted.
Now free of tears, Discord cleared his throat and turned back to his Mother. “You were saying something about helping Amity?”
“Yes,” she said, refacing him. “The amount of disharmony plaguing Equus is truly great. But, I believe with the help of all her living champions, Amity will have enough power to restore the balance.”
“All her champions?” Discord repeated, a scowl quickly marring his features as his eyes narrowed. “Mother, you don’t mean…”
“I know you don’t like them for obvious reasons,” -She chuckled as Discord, unfortunately, blushed- “But the Pillars will be needed to win this war. So will the fourth group. Don’t worry about summoning them; I've already been playing a quiet hand in making that happen. They will all meet you at the Galloping Gorge.”
Discord’s ears perked up. “Fourth group? What fourth group?”
Mother Nature's smile turned mischievous. “You’ll see. Now, as for moving the two armies to that location, you and Cordy may do so. The reign of Darkness is coming to an end; as is the fate for all who fight against the Light. There will be casualties but you will win.” Her eyes swirled from green to blue as she sighed, “I’m afraid I have to go now, my son.” She began walking back towards her tree. She paused, however, at its entrance, looking over her shoulder. “I hope to meet Fluttershy soon.”
“It might take a while,” Discord said, "But you'll meet her someday."
Mother Nature quietly chuckled. "I'm sure I will. I am happy for you, you know.”
He blushed. "I know. Thanks, Mom.”
The goddess beamed and returned to her world, the tree vanishing before time instantly restarted.
“Discord?” Twilight prompted.
The Lord of Chaos inwardly shook his brain to clear his head. “Yes?"
"Can you?"
"Can I what?"
"Move the armies?" she repeated, slightly concerned.
"Oh! Yes, Cordy and I can move everycreature,” he said, waving his claw dismissively.
“Okay, good,” she said, surveying him a second more before turning back to the others. “Rainbow Dashes, Sunset, I want you three to spread the word that we’re leaving tomorrow. Starlight, you and I are going to send messages to Flash Sentry and Pinkie Pie to let them know that Cordy will be appearing tomorrow morning to move them to the Galloping Gorge. Discord, you’ll move those of us here. Once relocated, we’ll meet with the other leaders and devise a plan of attack.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” said Applejack as she readjusted her stetson. “Is there anything you want the rest of us to do while the word is getting around, Twilight?”
As the princess began going on and on about gathering food, supplies, and battle armor, Discord stopped listening. He was still reeling from the sudden and unexpected visit from his mother and all she had said to him.
He wasn’t at all thrilled that the Pillars -minus Starswirl and Mistmane- would be in the same vicinity as him again. And who was this other group of champions his mother had mentioned? As far as he knew, there were only three sets: the Pillars, the Bearers, and the Rainbooms. Obviously Mother Nature and Amity were putting together an ace in the hole. Discord could only hope that the Darkness was just as ignorant of this fourth group as he was.
“And that brings me to the last order of business,” said Twilight. “Tirek has found a replacement for Midnight Sparkle.”
Discord immediately perked up. “What? But Flurry Heart is safe in my dimension!”
“It’s not Flurry,” Twilight reassured and everypony breathed a sigh of relief until she revealed, “It’s Chrysalis.”
There was a round of gasps before Starlight asked, “Twilight, are you sure?”
The princess nodded. “That was the last update Tempest received from FP before we left Baltimare. As far as we know, Tirek hasn’t changed Chrysalis in any way but she has agreed to work beside him."
"Then I'll have to be the one to face her," Starlight muttered.
"You don't have to fight her alone," Twilight began, "we could-"
"No, Twilight," her student said, standing up. "We all know she wants revenge on me. She'll push everypony aside just to get me one on one. Besides, something tells me you and the other Bearers will need to work together to take down Nightmare Moon."
"Maybe we could split up," Sunset suggested.
Discord shook his head. "Keeping the seven of you together will be more effective against Heartbreaker. Though powerful, Chrissy isn't as formidable as a fully charged alicorn. Starlight is strong enough to handle the former changeling queen on her own."
Starlight sent him a grateful glance and he nodded to her.
Twilight wasn't thrilled but chose not to press further. "Alright," she relented, "we'll leave Chrysalis to you."
Right after that Rainbow Dash’s stomach decided to growl and everypony laughed.
“I think that’s a sign to end our meeting,” Twilight said with an exasperated smile.
“Finally!” Rainbow Dash loudly exclaimed. Applejack smacked her leg. "What? I’m starving!”
“Obviously,” she sneered.
Everypony started moving towards the door (Applejack and Rainbow Dash bickering the whole way) but Twilight called Starlight back. Part of Discord was tempted to make a clone to stay behind and eavesdrop but the greater part of him just wanted to find an isolated place to think. He quickly moved towards his room; a space he’d created near the sleeping area housing the rest of the army. Opening the door, he let out a welcome sigh at the sight of all the chaos.
His bed was on the ceiling while the walls and floor shifted between swirling black and white patterns to splatter paint creations. A mismatched couch and recliner sat next to a fireplace, the hearth already blazing with a fire that sporadically changed color and burped bubbles. Across the room was a door with a pink butterfly on it; Fluttershy’s temporary sleeping quarters.
Discord moved to close his bedroom door when said pegasus halted its progress and slipped inside.
“Discord? Are you okay?” she asked.
Reluctant to answer, the draconequus wandered over to the couch and collapsed, summoning up a quilt. Despite his best attempt to hide as a blanket burrito, Fluttershy managed to find his face, wiggling her snout through the folds until her nose booped against his. Large teal eyes searched his yellow and red ones, a silent question reflected in them.
Sighing in defeat, Discord gently pulled the rest of her body under the blanket and repositioned it over the top of them. Fluttershy settled in her usual place, giving him a nuzzle.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he said truthfully. “I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
She blinked up at him in surprise. “Why?”
He then reiterated everything that took place once he and Cordy paused time. When he finished, Fluttershy was staring at him in shock.
“Mother Nature was here?” she squeaked, her pupils widening at the very thought. “And she and Amity are going to help us fight?”
“Not directly,” Discord clarified. “They prefer working through others, remember? Come to think of it, all of my family likes to do that except me. Ha, I really am the black sheep, aren’t I?”
He poofed into an adorable fluffy black ram before returning to his devilishly chaotic self.
Fluttershy giggled. "Black sheep or not, you're still loved."
“Apparently so," he smiled, his ears and tail wiggling as she nuzzled him again. Moving his mouth to hers, they shared a tender kiss before he pulled back and said, “I just wish I knew who this other group of champions was. It’s driving me crazy! Normally I’m the one messing with every pony's head. It’s no fun being so out of the loop!”
Fluttershy giggled at his pout, kissing his cheek. “I’m sure when the time is right we’ll know who they are. For now let’s trust your mother and sister. They know what they’re doing.”
“Yes, they do,” he said, snuggling her closer to his chest. “I suppose it’s nice knowing that this isn't all going to end in disaster. I just wish they would clue me in on what they have planned.”
“My poor, ignorant draconequus,” Fluttershy cooed, nuzzling his head.
Discord huffed but allowed her to continue her ministrations, his mind and body slowly shifting from frustration to pleasure under her careful touch.
Fluttershy’s nuzzles were joined by her hooves, the soft, smooth surfaces slowly stroking Discord’s neck. Back and forth; back and forth. Discord closed his eyes, releasing a contented sigh.
Fluttershy's lips started to place wandering kisses over his face, her neck stretching up as she aimed for his ear. Discord began to purr when her wings unfurled and joined her hooves roaming over his body. His hands reached out and began their own adventure, traveling across her back, rubbing the joints of her wings at the base. Fluttershy moaned in pleasure and Discord’s purring intensified. Her teeth nibbled his ear and he groaned, pulling her back down so he could kiss her again. Fluttershy happily returned the kiss, her tongue teasing his lips until he gave her entrance.
The two continued to kiss, nuzzle, and touch until Fluttershy smacked Discord’s tail away with her left wing.
“We need to stop,” she declared, panting heavily on top of him.
Discord wanted to ignore her and keep going but he had enough sense to reel in his desire. He gently sat up, set her down on the couch, and flashed himself onto the bed. Burrowing under the covers he breathed deeply, relishing in the sweet musk she’d left on his fur. Unfortunately this caused his body to spike again and he groaned, looking down at her with smoldered longing in his eyes.
Fluttershy lay on her back, teal eyes wide and chest heaving. She caught his gaze and a spark of electricity charged the air. Before he even knew what he was doing, Discord was looming over the top of her, his hands on either side of her delicate body. Fluttershy whimpered in need.
“Say the word, my darling,” Discord whispered. “Say the word, and I’ll do whatever you want me to.”
She swallowed and closed her eyes. After taking several deep breaths, she shook her head. Discord frowned in disappointment but acceptance. He began to move away but she reached out and grabbed his paw.
“Wait! Please, don’t be upset,” she said, sensing his frustration. “I want to. I really really do. But I don’t think I’m ready.”
Releasing a large sigh, Discord sat down beside her and began stroking her hair. “I understand. But your conflicted feelings are not making this any easier for me."
“I know,” she muttered.
He shook his head. “No, I don’t think you do. They're chaotic, Fluttershy. And we both know how I feel about chaos. And it's coming from you, the pony I’m already in love with.”
Her hooves shot up to cover her mouth. “Oh, Discord! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean-”
He gently cut her off with a kiss. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not!” she said, softly pushing him back. An adorable yet angry frown pulled at her lips as she snapped, “It’s not fair that I can’t make up my mind on what I want!”
“Fluttershy, I don’t expect you to give me an answer any time soon. It's going to take time to process the bomb I dropped on you.”
She shook her head. “That’s the thing. I know I want to marry you. I know I want to make love with you. The only problem is I don’t think it’s right to commit to those things without Ascending.”
“And that’s what you’re unsure of,” he said.
She nodded. “The other night I was so certain of what I wanted. But now…”
“It’s because of what I said, isn’t it?”
Her head hung low. “I just don’t know if I can live on without my friends and family."
Discord gathered her in his arms and quietly consoled her, kissing her forehead. “It’s okay,” he muttered. “I’m not upset. Really. I just got caught up in the heat of the moment earlier. I'm sorry.”
“I know; I did too,” she mumbled. “But that’s the problem, isn’t it? This isn't going to stop. It's going to keep happening.”
She was right. Unless they made a clean cut decision on the matter, the danger of crossing the line would loom over their heads every time they got physical; and frustration and disappointment would always follow swiftly thereafter if it was denied.
“We need to decide,” he grimly stated.
Fluttershy looked up at him fearfully. “Decide?”
"If marrying me and making love are tied to the condition of you Ascending or not.”
Fluttershy’s eyes welled with tears and Discord’s suspicions were confirmed. She’d already made her choice; he was just helping her see it.
“Well,” he chuckled sadly, “That answers that.”
Fluttershy shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Discord. I really, truly am. But it would be cruel to make love with you knowing you couldn't have me forever. I couldn't do that to you. I couldn't. But I want…I wish…” She stood up. “I… I have to go.”
She ran from the room.
Discord watched her go, a sad but understanding expression on his face.
Running a hand through his mane, he let out a depressed sigh and slumped into a deep pool of thought.
He wasn't angry with her. Though loath to admit it, she was actually doing him a kindness.
However, even though the benefits of being a husband looked as if they were going to be denied him, he could still be her partner. They could still do the things they had already been doing. He could still love, support, and provide for her. He could still comfort and console. They could still be Fluttershy and Discord.
He'd just have to settle for never making love to her.
Which he could totally do! By removing his heart and chucking it in a case when things got too intense. It worked before; it could work again!
Yes, they could work!
"If you believe that, you're an absolute fool."
Discord looked up as his double dropped down from the ceiling.
"Nopony asked you!" he snapped.
Cordy Two rolled his eyes behind his glasses. "Nopony needed to. Do you honestly believe you can go the rest of her life without giving in to what you want most?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do!"
"Really?" he said skeptically, folding his arms. "You, the Master of Manipulation, who tricks every creature necessary in order to get what he wants, would be willing to commit to a life of partial satisfaction? Why in the name of all things chaos would you condemn yourself to such a fate?"
Discord looked at his double, his expression a combination of sadness and determination.
"Because," he muttered with the utmost sincerity, "I love her."
Fluttershy rushed out of Discord’s room, tears streaming down her face. She blindly bumped into changelings and dragons, uttering apologies as she made for the exit. A few shouts from her friends followed after her but the last thing she wanted was to talk to any of them. She was too embarrassed and confused.
Bursting out of the clothing store, she made for the trees. Our Town didn’t have much refuge but there was a small grove at the end of the village close to the mountains. Entering the comfort of nature, Fluttershy curled up at the base of the thickest tree and wept.
She couldn’t understand why this was so hard. She knew deep down what she wanted so why couldn’t she just admit it? What was stopping her?
“Um, excuse me; Fluttershy?”
She gasped and looked up, her tears glistening in the winter sun.
Standing before her was her counterpart. Mirror Fluttershy was bundled up in a white sweater, brown pants, and boots. A green scarf and hat provided further warmth for her head and neck, her mane falling just as Fluttershy’s did down the side of her face. Her teal eyes were filled with nothing but concern and kindness.
Fluttershy quickly worked on removing the tears from her face. “I’m sorry,” she sniffled, “I didn't think anypony was here."
"Oh, I wasn't. I followed you," Mirror Fluttershy confessed, tugging at her hair.
"Oh," said Fluttershy, sniffling some more and slightly shivering from the cold.
Mirror Fluttershy immediately removed her hat and scarf. "Here; you need them more than I do."
"Thank you," she said sincerely, accepting the clothing and putting it on.
Mirror Fluttershy shuffled over and sat down beside her. “You seem really tense. Would you like to talk about it?”
If it had been anypony else, Fluttershy would have said no. But somehow she knew, out of everypony, Mirror Fluttershy would understand. And that was what broke the dam within her chest. The words poured out, Fluttershy brokenly sharing everything about what she was struggling with. Mirror Fluttershy did a remarkable job listening and nodding along, running a hoof over her back as she released her emotions.
“I don’t know what to do,” Fluttershy finished, wiping her eyes for the thousandth time. “I love him so much. Why am I struggling to commit to the one thing I want most?”
Mirror Fluttershy smiled sadly. “Because, like me, you’re afraid. Change has always been hard for us and this kind of change is astronomical. It’s completely unknown. And there isn’t anyone else we can talk to about it.”
Fluttershy rubbed her hoof against her leg, afraid of asking her next question but needing to know anyway. Clearing her throat, she quietly asked, “You and Cordy haven’t already…you know… have you?”
Mirror Fluttershy shook her head. “No. We’re waiting until our wedding night.”
Fluttershy swallowed, her cheeks burning. “How have you stopped yourselves?”
“From going all the way? By already making and keeping a commitment to wait,” she said with a shrug. “It was actually pretty easy to agree too."
"I wish it was easy for me," Fluttershy said, blushing.
"You and I may both be Fluttershys but we are different. Don't think you're weaker than me for struggling with something that comes easy for me."
Fluttershy weakly smiled. "Okay."
Mirror Fluttershy adjusted herself a bit before saying, "As for Ascension, I had to choose too.”
Fluttershy gasped. “Really?”
She nodded. “I chose to Ascend.”
“You did?!”
“Uh-huh,” she said, smiling warmly in thought. “I came to accept something, something I think you might benefit from hearing too: There’s going to come a day when you and your friends will no longer be in each other’s immediate social circles."
Fluttershy stared at her in disbelief. Mirror Fluttershy smiled.
“You see," she explained, "Facing graduation, I realized I wasn’t going to pursue the same degree as Twilight or Sunset. I don’t want to be a fashion designer like Rarity and I’m certainly not coordinated like Rainbow Dash to be any kind of professional athlete. Applejack is going to take over her family’s farm with Big Mac someday and Pinkie Pie dreams of owning her own bakery. But I want to be a veterinarian. In order to do that I have to take specific classes, classes that my friends won’t be taking. I might even end up attending a college none of them are going to. Very soon life is going to pull all of us in the direction that best suits our interests.
“We’ll always remain friends -the very best- but one day each of us will find true love and they will become our life. I found mine when I met Cordy. It was hard for me to make the choice to Ascend for the same reason it’s hard for you but I chose Cordy over everyone else because he brings me the most happiness; a happiness I know will never end.
“I think what you have to decide, Fluttershy, is whether your happiness will be greater with your friends in a mortal life or with Discord in an eternal one. Will the happiness he brings you be able to sustain you when the others are gone? Will it be enough?
"For me, it felt like it would be. But I’m not you and nobody else can make this choice but you. It’s something you have to discover for yourself. It took me months to figure everything out and the whole time Cordy was very patient and loving. I have reason to believe Discord will be the same because I can see how much he loves you."
Silence descended between them, the two yellow ponies huddling close together for warmth now that the sun was disappearing behind the clouds. Fluttershy knew they would have to go inside soon but, for now, she just wanted to sit beside her wise companion and think.
Mirror Fluttershy’s words consumed her thoughts, opening her heart to a greater understanding and perspective. They also cleared some doubts that had been lingering in the corners of her mind. Her doppelganger was right; life would eventually steer each of her friends in another direction.
Rainbow Dash was a Wonderbolt and would probably remain one until the day she died. Applejack was going to run Sweet Apple Acres alongside Big Mac and Sugarbelle. Rarity already had three boutiques and her fashion business was sure to remain popular as long as the fashionista drew breath. Pinkie Pie would forever be a Party Pony and spread cheer through her parties and Twilight would always be a princess. Even her parents and Zephyr Breeze had aspirations they were pursuing that were different from her own. Fluttershy’s dream consisted of maintaining and working at Sweet Feather Sanctuary and being married to Discord.
That dream certainly wasn’t the same as any of her friends or family.
These thoughts elicited a gasp and brought clarity to her mind. Every doubt and worry immediately swept away, everything becoming as clear as glass. She looked up at Mirror Fluttershy, astonished. The Mirror pony smiled knowingly and Fluttershy pulled her in for a hug.
“Thank you,” she muttered.
“You’re welcome," she said. "Are you sure though? You really don’t have to commit so soon. You’ve only known about the Ascension for a few days.”
Fluttershy smiled. “Yes, but I've known Discord for years and I know that my life changed for the better when he became a part of it."
"I'm kind of jealous that you’ve known him for so long," Mirror Fluttershy laughed. "That would certainly have helped me decide sooner. Cordy and I have only been together for a year."
"But your love for each other is just as strong," Fluttershy said. "I honestly think I fell in love with Discord during our first year as friends but it took me even longer to acknowledge my feelings. Thank you for reminding me of how much he means to me."
"I'm just glad I could help," the Mirror pony said.
Fluttershy stood up. "We should go back inside. There's something I need to know before I tell Discord my decision.”
Mirror Fluttershy asked to know what that was but Fluttershy just shook her head and smiled.
The snow began to fall again as they left the trees but Fluttershy couldn’t feel the cold. A thrill of excitement was coursing through her, spurring her forward, and she unconsciously quickened her pace. Mirror Fluttershy matched her, sending over a smile.
They made it back to the dress shop and descended the steps until they rejoined the large gathering of changelings, dragons, and ponies preparing to move across Equestria tomorrow. The place was in an uproar, creatures darting here and there, orders being shouted, and small fights breaking out. The chaos made Fluttershy smile because she knew it was making him happy. She searched around and found Discord floating near the ceiling with Cordy by his side, the two sharing identical grins as they watched the din below.
Her heart took off and shot into her throat at the sight of him. It pounded further when his gaze locked with hers and he started heading her way. In the time that it took him to get to her, their friends had gathered, demanding to know where'd she run off to as well as if she was okay. Fluttershy ignored their inquiries; her focus was solely on him.
Discord landed and looked down at her curiously. He could tell from her intense expression that she had something to say.
“Discord,” she said, finally listening to the longing of her heart, “I’m sorry for what happened earlier. I didn't mean to run away and hurt your feelings but I was so confused. I didn't know what to do. But I talked with somepony” -she glanced at Mirror Fluttershy- "who helped me see things clearly."
Discord also glanced at the Mirror pony before looking back at her. As their eyes met an unspoken understanding seemed to pass between them.
“You’ve decided,” he realized, his tail twitching nervously behind him.
Fluttershy nodded. “Yes, I have. But before I tell you, there's something I need to know.”
The Spirit of Chaos looked adorably intrigued as he raised a bushy eyebrow. “Oh?”
Fluttershy searched his eyes. “Discord, what is your dream?”
He blinked, his resigned frown still firmly in place as he stood straight and began to think.
"My dream?" he repeated, stroking his beard. "What an odd question. Well, if you'd asked me a few years ago, I would have said it was total chaos. But now…" He paused, his face flushing a brilliant shade of red as he rubbed his lion arm and scuffed his goat hoof across the floor. Quietly, he admitted, “Now, it's you. It will always be you.”
Tears of joy cascaded down her cheeks as the floodgates of all her desires burst forth. Spreading her wings, she flew up and threw her hooves around his neck, kissing him unashamedly in front of every creature present.
“That’s all I needed to hear,” she said. Discord stared at her in love and wonder as she rested a hoof against his cheek and whispered, “I want to be with you forever, Discord. I want to Ascend.”
The Lord of Chaos reeled backward and held her at arm's length, searching her face. “Really?”
Fluttershy nodded.
“Are you sure,” he pressed.
“Uh-huh,” she giggled happily.
"Absolutely, resolutely, one hundred percent, without a shadow of a doubt sure?" he pressed.
Fluttershy’s giggle intensified. "Yes," she declared with the utmost confidence.
Discord studied her, searching those teal eyes that refused to look anywhere but him. Finding the truth, his jaw dropped in shock.
"You're not kidding," he whispered. "You're not kidding!"
She smiled in confirmation, a beautiful blush filling her cheeks.
Discord's whole soul lit with joy. A moment later he pulled her in for a kiss that instantly lifted her to another plane. Lost in what could only be heaven, Fluttershy sighed in pure bliss. This was the happiness she'd always wanted to have and had been eternally blessed to find. And she was never going to let him go.
A moment later Discord pulled away and nuzzled her face. "Thank you, Fluttershy," he muttered. "You have no idea what this means to me. What you mean to me."
Filled with love and a burst of confidence, Fluttershy held his face in her hooves and proposed a question she never thought she’d ask.
“Discord, will you marry me?”