"I don't know how to deal with this!"

by Dirty Bit

Chapter 1

On a spring afternoon, everypony went about their usual business in Ponyville as always. There always seemed to be rare and unique happenings in town that have come and gone, while others simply chose to stay as wondrous features. One of said happenings was a former spirit of chaos and disharmony that was seen traveling in town with a timid pegasus.

Fluttershy and Discord have been the best of friends ever since the draconequus' grating reformation, and have lived with each other ever since. Knowing Discord's ability to warp reality at the snap of a talon, he was well enough on his own, but he chose to stay with Fluttershy out of the newly-developed goodness of his heart. The timid pegasus trotted towards the market square with saddlebags on her back to go grocery shopping.

Discord, for his part, hovered over Fluttershy with a look of boredom on his face "Honestly, Fluttershy, must you always have to purchase groceries when I can just simply give you more food myself? Don't get me wrong, I know you enjoy shopping, but it seems rather pointless to do so when I'm around."

Fluttershy looked up at Discord with a smile "Oh, Discord, I know you can do almost anything, but sometimes I just want to help provide as well! I can't just place everything on you."

Discord smirked "Oh? Clearly you're babying me while I hold the capability of doing just what you said!" He shrugged "But, who am I to judge? You're just doing your thing, I guess."

Fluttershy giggled "Thank you, Discord..." She reached a stall selling carrots and bowed to the vendor in greeting "Hello, Carrot Top. I'd like to purchase some of your finest carrots, please."

Carrot Top raised an eyebrow with a smile "For your pet bunny, right? Sure, I got you covered!" She said as she fished out two small bunches of carrots "That'll be 6 bits for both bundles!"

Fluttershy nodded and paid the correct amount after pulling it out of her saddlebag. After scooping the orange veggies into her other saddlebag, she and Discord left for another stand.

The draconequus huffed "What surprises me is that you're willing to go out of your way for that spoiled brat of a bunny. Are you not aware that he usually causes trouble for you now and then?" Fluttershy stopped and looked up at Discord, and he took the hint as he held up his arms in a placating matter "Okay, hypocritical on my end, but somepony like you shouldn't be abused like this."

Fluttershy smiled "I know when to stand my ground; I make sure that Angel Bunny behaves properly if he ever chooses to get out of line. Besides..." She looked down with a concerned frown "I only want to make sure that him and the other animals are happy."

Discord crossed his arms "And I'm sure they got the memo with your constant care. Heck, I'm pretty sure they're so happy, they'll tiptoe across the tulips!" They stopped at an asparagus stand as Fluttershy made a payment for a few stalks of asparagus"All I'm saying is, maybe you're wasting your precious care on your animals when they're already as happy as can be. Why not take this time to look after other ponies who need it?"

Fluttershy frowned as she scooped her purchased item into her saddlebag "Now, Discord, you know my special talent is communicating with other animals. All I'm doing is looking after them. Wouldn't you think that maybe the ponies in Ponyville are just as happy as my animals?"

Discord held up a claw as he hovered over Fluttershy, who trotted her way towards a tomato stand "An excellent point, but you're being shortsighted about my question. You're excellent at what you do, being kind to anything around you, be it an animal, a pony, or Yours truly. But what if there existed a pony who led such a horrid life that the only cure for their constant torment was your care alone?"

Fluttershy stopped in her tracks as her eyes were hidden beneath her flowing mane. Discord saw how she remained silent and winced "Okay, perhaps I've been a bit touchy on the issue, so I'll just-"

"Because I'm not like you." Discord ceased his words upon hearing Fluttershy, who looked up at him with saddened eyes "I don't have your powers to see my wishes through. You're always able to do whatever you want, whenever you want to, and however you desire." She looked down "But all I can do is only go so far with my own talents. I know there are ponies out there in Equestria who go through so much pain and suffering, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to help at least one of them."

Discord stared at Fluttershy and scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression on his face "Look, I've probably struck a nerve or two right now. All I was saying was that maybe you could leave some of the hard stuff up to me while you do your own thing, but all I've done was made you small, and I'm sorry for that."

Fluttershy paused before she smiled up at Discord "Oh, I know you didn't mean it...I'm just a little jealous of you is all. At least now you'll use your power for good intentions."

Discord looked away with an indifferent gaze in his eyes "Yes, well, you're the real heroine for that one. I don't know where Celestia gets off taking most of the credit for your success."

Fluttershy giggled "Well, she DID bring you to us so we could be able to. Wouldn't that count for something?"

Discord was silent before he mumbled "I suppose. I just don't feel like listening to her most of the time, even if she gave you and your friends the elements as a subtle threat to my behavior were I to take advantage of my freedom."

Fluttershy nodded "And I'm sure we won't have to. You're a good friend and you know it."

Discord chuckled "Maybe I am." He smiled down at Fluttershy "You know, Fluttershy, you're too kind for your own good sometimes..." The two perked up when they heard somepony clearing their throat.

They looked over at the stand vendor, who had an impatient look on her face "You gonna buy some tomatoes or not? You're holding up the line!"

Fluttershy cringed "Oh...We're so sorry. We lost track of time over our talk." She grinned awkwardly "Three tomatoes, please."

The vendor rolled her eyes and presented the desired items "That'll be 3 bits."

Fluttershy paid for the tomatoes and scooped them into her saddlebag. She looked up at Discord "I think it's time we go home now. We've got what we came for."

Discord held up a claw as he smirked "Leave that part to me!" He said as he snapped his talon, causing him and Fluttershy to wink out of existence in front of the vendor and their customers.

The two reappeared in front of Fluttershy's cottage near the edge of the Everfree Forest. Discord spread his arms "Here we are. Home sweet home!"

Fluttershy smiled "Thank you for teleporting us home, Discord." She pawed at the ground "You didn't have to."

Discord waved a dismissive paw "Oh please, I need to lift my own weight since I'm living with you after all. I don't wanna end up like those dime a dozen mooches you would see in the big cities."

Fluttershy frowned "But you're not mooching off of me. In fact, you're doing so well as a roommate." She looked away "Um...though your interactions with Angel could use work..."

Discord rolled his eyes as he hovered inside with Fluttershy "Give the little one a carrot full of gelatin and suddenly I'm bad at socializing with him..."

Fluttershy giggled at Discord's remark "Let's just go inside and have some lunch." She said as she shut the door behind her.
_____

The day had went along swimmingly as Discord was able to keep Fluttershy in good spirits. However, he was unaware that his chat with her in the market square had her mind dwelling on the thought of being unable to help ponies that actually need it rather than constantly looking after her animals. She didn't want to wrap her mind around it, but it was hard for her to ignore the pain of distant ponies after Discord brought it up. It bothered her so much that she couldn't sleep at night.

Fluttershy looked up at the night sky from her roof, sighing to herself 'I envy Discord sometimes...always able to solve anypony's problems at the snap of a talon...' While she had her sullen eyes up in the sky, she gasped in surprise when she saw a flickering light soaring "A shooting star!" She brought her hooves together and closed her eyes as she muttered to herself "I wish I could meet a pony in need and help them with their life..." When she looked back up at the star, she smiled hopefully, but it vanished when she noticed the star coming closer towards her. She squeaked and quickly hid behind the other side of her roof, unaware that the star was becoming a large ball of light that was headed into the middle of the Everfree Forest. The impact inside of the forest had caused several birds flew out of the darkened foliage in the trees.

After the impact had ended, Fluttershy peered her head over where she heard the crash and shivered 'Did something actually fall from the sky into the Everfree Forest? What could it be?' The thought had scared her, but her towering curiousity beckoned for her to venture into the Everfree Forest and see what had landed from beyond the stars. She thought about waking Discord and have him help investigate, then shook her head 'No...I can't depend on him. I need to be brave and do this myself.' She gulped 'I'll just have to try and steer clear of any danger in the forest...'

With her decision final, Fluttershy hovered into the air and glided towards the forest's entrance, where endless shadows took refuge within. She shivered at the very sight of it, but she steeled herself, knowing that she had to be brave. Fluttershy took the first step inside of the forest and made sure to be as quiet as possible while she moved on.

She looked around and heard several animal noises that ranged from the hoots of an owl to the growl of a timberwolf. Fluttershy began to sweat and dart her eyes as she continued on "Oh dear...Maybe coming here was a mistake..." She mewled to herself as she began having second thoughts.

Until she heard it.

Fluttershy's ears perked up when she heard a feeble, but incoherent voice sound out deeper in the forest 'Who was that? Is there somepony lost in here?' Her ears twitched when another voice was heard; it was also incoherent, but seemed harsh and raspy. The timid pegasus gasped to herself 'Oh dear...two ponies? This can't be good. I have to find them and get them out of here quickly!'

Fluttershy cautiously trotted while looking around, hoping to find any nearby silhouettes "Hello?" She said as she heard the two faint voices "I-Is anypony there?"

There was silence in the area until a sonic wave shook the forest as a piercing scream was heard; Fluttershy heard it herself with widened eyes. Any voice could shake the air, but this one shook the heart, her's to be precise. She flinched when another scream was heard, but summoned her courage to delve deeper into the forest 'Be brave...Just keep moving and be brave...' She thought to herself as she felt herself shiver when she pressed onward.

As she moved, something caught Fluttershy's eye up ahead. It appeared to be glimmers of light behind a brush; there were traces of red and blue seen from the small spaces. As she inched forward, she heard the voices at a greater volume than before 'That must be them! Oh, I hope I'm not too late...' She pushed the branches aside to step into the clearing ahead, but some of the leaves and sticks got in her mane and obstructed her vision "Oh dear." She said to herself as she brushed and shook herself off "There..." Fluttershy brought her head up and looked ahead "Are you-" She stopped herself and gasped at the scene in front of her.

Blood was everywhere, staining some of the trees and bushes. However, there were no bodies to be found, not even any bones. Fluttershy's eyes widened when she spotted what appeared to be floating wisps that were colored red and blue surrounding the shadow of a pony with a sword in its teeth. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she spotted the maddening glimpse in the mystery pony's purple eyes the moment she gained its attention.

Fluttershy mentally concluded that venturing into the forest was a mistake as she backed away slowly, gradually picking up speed until she tripped over a branch and fell on her back. When she noticed the pony slowly trotting towards her, she shrieked and quickly backed away to regain her footing and galloped away after hopping through the brush she entered from.

Her heart was racing, and her mind was reeling as Fluttershy galloped through the dark forest with her newfound adrenaline. She didn't know who that was back there, but she knew that it was a sight so scary, Fluttershy could have sworn she was partaking in a nightmare. She didn't look back, nor did she want to; All that mattered now was to go back home and away from the mysterious pony.

Fluttershy managed to dodge and overcome every small obstacle that got in her way while she galloped feverishly without pause; She couldn't be here anymore and nothing could stop her, not even the animals that resided in the forest. When she spotted the entrance to the forest up ahead, she sped towards it as her reliable adrenaline began to drain away from her body. After crossing through the woods and galloping over the bridge leading towards her cottage, the timid pegasus finally reached her home and burst through the door, waking most of the animals in her home as she hyperventilated, sweat adorning her coat.

She jumped, but calmed herself when she noticed Discord appearing in front of her with concern on his face "Fluttershy? What are you doing up? What in Equestria happened to you!?" He said as he scooped the near-catatonic pegasus in his arms.

Fluttershy tried catching her breath and tried to speak "I w-wished for-...somepony to care for-" She inhaled in each of her pauses "A killer-...in the forest...I ran away..."

Discord blinked "Forest?" He thought it over before he realized what she was saying "You're saying that you went into the Everfree Forest by yourself? Are you mad, girl!? You could've been killed!"

While she caught her breath, Fluttershy had tears in her eyes as she tried to form coherent words "K-Killer...Killer pony...In the forest..."

Discord stared into his friends eyes "A killer pony in the Everfree Forest? What did they look like?" He asked with an intent gaze.

Fluttershy paused as she whimpered, then curled herself up in Discord's grasp "I-I don't know...They had p-purple eyes...and a sword...that's all I saw."

Discord arched an eyebrow "Purple eyes and a sword?" He wished to question his friend further, but he noticed how worn out she was from running all the way back from the forest; how she wanted to forget what had happened tonight. He sighed sympathetically "Look, Fluttershy, I don't know what you saw, but I'm certain it might have been your imagination. And just in case you're telling the truth, I'll go look outside to make sure the 'killer pony' won't set one little hoof out of the forest without getting through me..." He said with a reassuring smile.

Fluttershy whimpered, but smiled after hearing Discord's comforting words "Thank you, Discord. Maybe I do need you to help me after all..."

Discord nuzzled Fluttershy while she laid in his arms "It's what I'm here for. Now how about I tuck you into bed so you can actually sleep well?"

Fluttershy yawned "I would like that..." She said as sleep began to overtake her body. Discord quietly hovered up into Fluttershy's room and tucked her in bed, making sure she was sleeping soundly before teleporting outside to scout the area near the Everfree Forest, as per his word.

Discord snapped his talons to make a telescope appear and used it to get a better look at the entrance to the Everfree Forest 'Hmmm...Nothing. If it actually was a killer, it'd be hot on Fluttershy's tail and would've stepped out of this forest by now...' He peered along the edges, wondering if the killer would appear from around that area, then hummed "Nothing...Either the killer's biding their time or Fluttershy really has seen something mind-boggling while she was in the forest." He paused before he stroked his goatee "Why on earth would Fluttershy even go into the forest to begin with?" Discord asked himself, then thought back to what she said earlier "Wait a minute...She said she wished for somepony to care for...went into the forest..." He held a look of realization "It'd be redundant to call myself crazy, but could it be that the so-called killer pony Fluttershy mentioned could very well be the same pony she wished for?"

The draconequus stared at the Everfree forest and noticed no activity whatsoever. He contemplated on whether to venture into the forest himself and fish out the mysterious pony Fluttershy mentioned, or let them find their own way out while they're deep inside 'I'd probably end up scaring Fluttershy if I brought the little monster back with me, so I suppose whoever's in there is fine on their own.' He snapped his talon and teleported back into the cottage, where he chose to lay down on the couch while smiling to himself 'They may be a killer now, but who knows? Maybe Fluttershy could turn their life around like she did mine. All we gotta do is wait...'
_____

The next morning, Fluttershy woke up from her bed, yawning and stretching herself before deciding to go downstairs to fix herself a meal before tending to her animal friends. As she went down the stairs, Fluttershy noticed her indoor pets waking up and grooming themselves, smiling at their gestures and sighing contently before trotting into the kitchen.

She rubbed her eyes when she noticed what appeared to be Discord wearing a polka-dotted toque while preparing breakfast consisting of oatmeal and orange juice. The draconequus recognized her when he looked behind him, waving in greeting "Morning, Flutters. You hungry?"

Fluttershy stared until she smiled "Yes. Is this for me?"

Discord winked with a smirk "Can't have you start the day on an empty stomach, can I? Besides, I'm certain you'll either be working hard or hardly working today depending on your schedule!"

Fluttershy trotted over to her seat at the table and Discord snapped his talons to make a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of orange juice appear in front of her. She took a spoonful and blew on it before tasting it. While it was good at first, it was surprisingly sour and bitter afterwards, causing her to gulp it down before she choked. Fluttershy looked over at Discord "Um...Discord? May I ask what's inside the oatmeal?" She asked hesitantly.

Discord smiled and pointed a talon up "Of course. It's simply apple cinnamon." There was a pause, and Fluttershy went to speak "With just a dash of vinegar!" Discord added cheerfully.

Fluttershy forced a smile "Oh, I see..." 'That explains the sour taste...But I shouldn't be so rude since he went out of his way to cook breakfast for me.' She took another spoonful and blew on it before eating and swallowing it, trying to ignore the sourness of each bite she took. She managed to wash it down with the orange juice, which happened to have tasted like a mixture of lime and cherry "This was a delicious meal, Discord, but I should probably get tending to my animals now. They're probably hungry..."

Discord nodded "I understand, Fluttershy. You do your thing while I do mine." He said as he snapped his talons to make Fluttershy's dishes disappear and reappear next to him, clean as a whistle.

Fluttershy rose from her chair and trotted to one of the cupboards, fishing out bags of feed for her indoor and outdoor animals, followed by another to pull out one of the carrots she bought the other day. When she collected enough, she got started with feeding the animals in her home, all of which vigorously gathered to have their morning meals; It was a chore to keep them all civilized while they ate, since they tend to push and shove to have more portions for themselves. Afterwards, she decided to go outside with her remaining bags and proceed with tending to her outdoor animals.

As she stepped out, however, her eyes rested on the Everfree Forest once more, and a familiar spine-chilling sensation coursed through Fluttershy's body as she dropped the bags; she already remembered that haunting encounter that happened deep within the woods that scared her out of her wits. A small hit to one of her forelegs snapped her out of her trance, and she looked down to see a rabbit tapping his foot impatiently while his paws were crossed "Oh, I'm sorry, Angel...I was zoning out for the moment." She smiled and gave him her carrot "There you are, my little bunny. I gotta go feed your friends now, so I'll check on you later, okay?"

Angel did not respond as he nibbled on his carrot ravenously while Fluttershy watched with a frown. She decided to picked up her bags and go back to feeding the animals. When she reached a family of ducks, she began pouring out their breakfast and they gathered to properly eat it. While she watched in content silence, her ear twitched when she heard the sound of a rustling bush.

Fluttershy perked up and looked around until her eyes fell on one of the large bushes along the borders of the Everfree Forest "Huh? What could possibly be there?" She thought she was hearing things until the timid pegasus noticed the bush shake again "Oh dear. Did Mr. Porcupine get stuck in the bushes again?" She asked with mild concern as she trotted over towards it. Fluttershy used her forehooves to push aside the brances and leaves "Hello?" A brief twitch followed by a whimper was heard; a familiar whimper that caught Fluttershy's attention with ease. She stared blankly before she pushed through more branches. After she dug deep enough into the bush, she noticed the face of a pony.

It was what appeared to be a feminine stallion staring back at Fluttershy with introverted and confused purple eyes; Its coat was jet black and its unruly mane was a lighter pink than Fluttershy's. They stared blankly at each other for what felt like an eternity...

And then they both screamed in fright.