//------------------------------// // Ch.1: Flutter n' Friends // Story: Discord's Bane // by Psycho Pwny //------------------------------// |====[Discord’s]====| |========[Bane:]========| |--------------------Flutter n--------------------{Chapter One}--------------------' Friends--------------------| It was another harmony bound day in the little town of Ponyville. Stall vendors were prepping their wares for the hours to come and everypony was getting ready for another usual day. Fluttershy was no exception and was already preparing various meals for all the animals under her care. She had remained a close friend to Discord ever since his reformation and expected him to visit at least once a week. They would usually have a nice brunch together and make small talk, but it had been around three weeks since Discord’s last visit, causing Fluttershy to worry. Discord didn't have a lot of responsibilities from what she had been told, prompting him to be prone to getting himself into frequent trouble. "What if he went too far with another one of his pranks and the Princesses had to intervene? What if a gang of mean cockatrice turned him back into stone? Perhaps bounty hunters saw his unique hide as a trophy and napped him out of Equestria?!" Fluttershy forced herself not to think of such things. She should have more faith in her friend's independence after all. Regardless, she put aside some tea cookies to reassure herself Discord would arrive soon. And of course, the universe tended to always smile upon sweet, kind Fluttershy as Discord promptly phased into her living room, looking as lively as ever. -- As much as I love the dull coloration of the cave walls, I decided that my time would be better served if I stretched my limbs a bit. It just occurred to me that I haven’t talked with Fluttershy, or anypony for that matter, in quite a long time. I phased my way into Fluttershy’s small cottage by the Everfree forest and hoped that she didn’t have other plans for the day. I spotted her almost immediately and her whole body flinched when she noticed me. “O-oh Discord, it’s very nice to see you again! You haven’t visited in a while so I was afraid something horrible happened to you…uh um, I can get us some tea and cookies, the market isn’t open yet..” The cream yellow mare gave me a relieved smile and I couldn’t help feel a tiny bit guilty for not visiting more frequently. It was a new experience, being late. I have been in existence for at least a few eons (I gave up remembering my age once it began stretching into the quadruple digits.) and the natural sense of time any creature is born with has merely seeped away from me. A week felt like a day and an hour was a year. Anyway, I digress, the day was still young for Fluttershy and I knew I was imposing somewhat, yet I didn't plan on returning to my hermit cave for at least a few days. The stoic silence up there was enough to drive a deaf rat completely up a wall, dotted with nails. “Ahh Fluttershy, it’s very good to see you again as well--I just, have been feeling a bit empty and meaningless as of late, the usual. Being deprived of one’s chaotic purpose and drive tends to not make for the best of moods or conversations…you understand, yes?” “O-of course, but um, that’s horrible, I’m sorry that I can’t help you more. I don’t think that’s something I can really fix, but um, you will never be meaningless to me, Discord. You’re my friend!” Fluttershy gave me one of her sweet signature smiles and I began to feel better already. “Discord, what do you mean by "empty?"-that can’t be any good for you. I will try to help out in any way I can, remember that.” Oh, of course! I neglected to tell anypony about how Celestia drained most of my powers prior to being allowed to roam freely. “It was Celestia!...Cele*cough*-it was Princess Celestia. She took away some of my good ol' chaotic powers before letting me go, to ensure I wouldn’t harm anypony!” I clenched my teeth together and my muscles stiffened as I recalled the unpleasantness of such an event . Such a detriment to my health won't easily be forgotten...nor forgiven. “But Discord, you wouldn’t hurt anypony, would you? I know you wouldn’t,” She paused to think,” but I’m sure Celestia has a reason for it…” I shrugged. Celestia had reasons sure, but they were stupid nonetheless! I admit, maybe I shouldn't have called her a "Baron of Beloved Beastly Brothels," made her cake bite her bum, and ate a generous portion of her rainbow cotton candy mane--although, her shock was truly a new brand of chaotic beauty--a delicacy I may never experience again. BUT, really?! Did such actions justify painfully sapping my happy powers right out of my once joyous soul!? “Discord, you don’t look so well. I’m sure some healthy elderberry tea will help perk you up nicely! Also, I could maybe get a bath ready for you…with aromatherapy bubbles?” Before I could reply, Fluttershy fluttered into the kitchen to get some tea ready. Now that Fluttershy had mentioned my appearance, I took note of how pale my coat was and the matted nest my mane had become. My eyes suddenly became very heavy when I noticed the multiple dark bags under them and my spine struggled to keep my body upright. I couldn’t help but smile a big toothy grin when Fluttershy brought in the promised tray of tea and various cookies. I eagerly grabbed a shortbread cookie and inspected the tea Fluttershy poured for me. It was more bitter than what I normally preferred, but the warmth did wonders in calming my mind. “Um Discord, I just remembered that I have an appointment with Rarity at the spa. I still need to take care of my animals so I won’t be able to be here all day with you.” “Not a problem, Flutter dear~! I can simply just come along with you!” I raised my tea cup up high, to further emphasize my excitement. “But, uh, Discord, Rarity still doesn’t um, feel comfortable around you that much, plus, you should rest instead, before you get sick.” “Ha, Fluttershy, please! I’m a demigod, embodiment of chaos! If anything, I am the reason for all the sickness in the world!” Ok, maybe I exaggerated the last part a little, nor did it do much to improve my image. How does one define sickness anyway? Any form of abnormality a being may face in regards to their bodily existence?...I don't care. “And Rarity?” Fluttershy gave me an unconvinced look. “Well, Rarity is…Rarity. Look, you want me to be friends with your friends, as well as friends with friends of other friends…bah, and yet, how am I going to achieve anything if you won’t even give me the chance?” I pulled my ears into an innocent bonnet and gleamed a smiled resonating with all the good intentions I could ever hope to muster. “Alright Discord, but if you upset Rarity in any manner, I’m going to be very displeased and I may be forced not to go into town with you anymore." “Yes, as you wish Fluttershy. After all, I’m reformed, have a little faith.” -- Ponyville was just a bland as I remembered it. Everypony’s actions were just so predictable and expected. A stall vendor and a customer exchanged bits, young foals frolicked in nearby fields, Granny Smith’s hip gave out, butterflies landed on flowers, a timberwolf was on fire, and I was outright bored. Luckily, we arrived at the spa before I was temped to do any nefarious acts nopony (but me) would approve of. Rarity promptly greeted Fluttershy at the entrance and her eyes twinkled with disdain as she noticed me. Such a reaction was a common occurrence when I associated with anypony, save for Pinkie Pie, of course! Ahh, yes, Pinkie Pie was as much a friend as Fluttershy was, she was the only pony for miles whom embraced any sort of chaos and unpredictability. As I watched Fluttershy and Rarity get settled into their spa routines, boredom returned to me with a vengeance. "Fluttershy, I'm going to go see what Pinkie Pie is up to." Rarity's faced flashed with relief. "Alright Discord, just remember to be considerate." Rarity didn't even attempt to cover up her joy at my departure. "Yes, yes! Of course..." I couldn't help but to reinforce proper manners as I shaped Rarity's mane into a grotesque afro before my swift departure. "¡Adiós, amigas!" -- Against all better judgement, I decided to walk to Sugar Cube Corner. The quaint chaos-free atmosphere Ponyville perspired was truly sickening. Ahh, it could have been something great--The CHAOS capital of the world! Alas, to restore it to its former glory wasn't even an option, and I suppose such a realization was the most sickening of all. "Hey, Discord! Shouldn't you only be allowed to wander around with Fluttershy?!" Oh, JOY! Its dainty little Rainbow Dash. I stared up at her, seeing her glare down from a particularly fluffy cloud. I decided that the best reaction would be silence. "What's wrong? Haha, did you lose a bet or something?! Can't talk? Cat got your tongue?-blablablah..." I simply stared at her with my best poker face and begin to slowly float my way up to her level. She stopped talking and refocused her attention to my expression--my. dead. unfaltering. expression. She attempted to match my hardy gaze, but her unease soon became apparent...perfect. Without warning, I twisted my expression into the most horrid image I could manage and bellowed a profound savage sound akin to a wild beast--you should have seen her face~! -- As faith would have it, I met up with Applejack and her chipper sister, Applebloom, as I roamed through the marketplace. Applejack was almost as hostile Rainbow Dash in her greeting, but obviously held back her full annoyance for the sake of setting a good example for Applebloom. It may come as a surprise, but I actually like Applebloom, as well as the other Cutie Mark Crusaders. Despite being mere children, they do a good job stirring up chaos. "Discord, yah know, we don't appreciate yer crazy chaos-doohickeys around here parts." I ignored Applejack's icy glare and stared down at the presented merchandise. Gah, it was nothing but apples, all red to top it all off! Chaos was desperately needed, but I needed to be clever...the chaos had to be backed up by good intentions in order for me to retain any shred of freedom I had left. An excuse you could say. "Do us a favor why won't you and leave." The burning perfection of the RED produce practically made my eyes shudder, then I remembered Rainbow Dash's priceless expression...this trick was almost too easy. I snapped my fingers and all the RED delicious apples were transformed into the much more beloved and varied ZAP-apple variation. Both the Apple ponies were left speechless, yet, while Applejack looked upon me with searing disgust, Applebloom showed signs of admiration before I flashed away. -- I finally made my way to Sugar Cube Corner and I barged in perhaps a bit too eagerly. Pinkie Pie was apparently taking care of the cake twins and I managed to spook them. "Oh Discord! Its great to see you again, but um...now Pound, Pumpkin Cake, you remember Uncle Dissy don't you!? Come on...yes, yes, yes you do~!" Pinkie began to bounce around in an absurd manner, in a desperate attempt to calm the twins. I floated closer to the little foals and beamed a tame grin. The twins looked at each other, then to Pinkie, as if contemplating their options. I floated down to their level and began dulling down my more intimidating traits. My teeth became more akin to a pony's and my horns shrunk down. They watched in awe of my magic display and began to stomp about in laughing approve. "Ahh, thanks Discord. I taught I was going to have to open another bag of flour and Mrs. and Mr. Cake don't like it when good ingredients go to waste." "Well, I do appreciate the chaos a child can bring about." "Dissy, do you think you could help me feed the twins? I need someone to watch them while I go finish their food. Oh! I can bake you a super duper chaoticilous cupcake!" Hahaha, Pinkie's cupcakes always held a special flare to them. The taste of a hoofmade cupcake tended to always be a bit more genuine then magical based ones, besides, the opportunity to influence the next generation's appreciation of chaos was more than enough. "Of course Pinkie Pie, how could I say otherwise? You run along now and prepare foodstuff." I waved Pinkie away and settled down in front of the twins, shrinking myself down to a more appropriate size. Hmmm, I could try a do a game of "Pick-A-Boo"...no, I'd be too tempted to scare them. Ahh, plain ol' "Funny Faces" would do the trick to keep them distracted. I began to configure my expression into the childish cliche kind, careful to not spook them. I wouldn't want to put the twins off on chaos. "I'm back! Oooo, its carrot potato oat mush!" That sounds just, absolutely scrumptious~! Bah, I'm glad I'm not an infant anymore...or, was I ever one? I've never really gave it much thought before. I digress. I placed the twins in their highchairs and Pinkie presented two bowls of orange gunk. I decided to feed Pound Cake, as his affiliation with smashed produced may easily persuade him to eat such vile prison gruel. I tried the traditional method of the spoon, but it soon became apparent it was a painfully outdated tool. I only managed to get Pound to eat once I began to levitate chunks of the goop into his mouth, which he accepted largely out of curiosity. (And I would have gotten away with it to, if it wasn't for those meddling parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cake.) "Pinkie, we're back!" Mr. Cake walked in,"The delivery at Manehatten took longer than anticipated." "Yes, they needed us to help unpack and--Discord! What are you doing here! Get away from my babies-!" Mrs. Cake, the blue devil bounded up to me and promptly attempted to tackle me down like the gargantuan beast she was. I teleported and re-materialized towards the entrance, narrowly escaping my certain demise. "Honey Bun, whats the matter! What happened?!" Mr. Cake looked up at me with a flabbergasted, almost apologetic gaze. I looked back towards Mrs. Cake, whom was trying to calm the now crying Cake twins. I decided to not push my luck as I floated discreetly out of the building. I admit, I was surprised how late it was. Celestia's bright blistering bomb was beginning to set and once again proved how incompetent I was when dealing with concepts of time. I felt a tap on my shoulder-it was Pinkie. She held up one of the most beautiful cupcakes I have ever laid eyes on. It was covered in various candies from multi-colored sprinkles to chewy malt drops and I devoured it with gusto. "Don't worry, Dissy! Mrs. Cake will come around!" And with those profound words, Pinkie bounced back into the bakery. -- Pinkie's cupcake made me realize just how famished I was. I normally didn't feel hunger of any sort, as my chaotic magic did wonders in sustaining me, of course, seeing how I lacked most of my previous power I no longer had such luxuries. When I arrived at Fluttershy's cottage, she promptly began to prepare dinner, as well as a nice bath for myself. "Oh Discord, I wondered where you went off too. I'm afraid its a bit late to have a proper brunch, so dinner will have to do. Also, I insist that you wash that coat of yours. It would be just awful if you did end up getting sick." The tin tub of water serving as my bath was freezing, but I quickly resolved the predicament with a little fire. I added a solution of "Aromatherapy Bubbles" to the water, and I must admit, it was rather nice. |--| "Perhaps I will end up staying at the spa next time."