//------------------------------//
// The Element of Redemption 
// Story: Breaking Free 
// by Nrdygrl 
//------------------------------//

Author’s Note: Hey guys! *big sigh* Here we go. The final stretch. This chapter is a long one and then we’ve literally got ONE CHAPTER LEFT. Believe it?! I don’t!!??! 25 people! Celebrate with me, cuz I’ve hit the 200 page mark on this one! 
A couple things: 

First: Yes I am doing “Keep Calm and Flutter On” in THIS CHAPTER without my headcannon being interrupted. I can actually finish the story quite well. Never fear. Sorry for the confusion! 

Second: I realize there may have been some confusion in the last chapter. I apologize for this. If you need to re-read, feel free. I must add too, the scene with Star Swirl had some references to my other fanfic “A Dragon’s Detour.” At the end of that fanfic there was a certain thing in that that Star Swirl referenced to in the last chapter. Celestia was involved in the other story as well. Not giving it away, but it was interesting to combine the two stories a little. I completely derp’d and forgot to mention that little tidbit. Feel free to re-read/read “A.D.D.,” ect… :) 

Third: I know it may be frustrating to wait so long for chapter updates, but it must also be refreshing to now the end is nigh! The school year was rough for me and I tried to focus on that. Now that summer’s here, I can write. Unfortuneatly, I have depression and suffer from migrains. This haults my activities. I love MLP, though, as Pinkie Pie teaches me to smile. :) (which is among my favorite positive words) And I love that I’ve found a community that likes my work and is as obsessed and weird as me. Lol. X3 Thank you guys for keeping me going and making me smile. <3 
The chapter is yours! :3






Chapter Twenty-Four

"The Element of Redemption"



When the fabrics of despair had at last seemed to finish weaving their web around Celestia's heart, squeezing it to a lifeless void of abandonment and draining the last few drops of joy and hope that lingered still, she lifted her head and set her gaze to the sun that shattered the short-lived night she had endured. And in this moment, even if she could not truly feel that warm connection to the sun at this point in time, she closed her eyes and tried to let her worries and sorrows disappear in the wind. Was it really so long ago when she and her mother went to the balcony and she almost raised the sun for the first time and saw her mother and father become her heroes when Eris attacked the old castle? Was it really so long ago that all this meant absolutely nothing? Was it really so long ago when Discord was just a name? Was it really a thousand years, of hundreds of hoof prints left in time, ten thousand cracks left in the stone, and a million tears shedding their lines....all leading back to when she had...a friend?  

But time, of course is a fickle thing. Celestia knew this well. Sometimes a moment felt like a millennia. This was certainly one of them. However it felt pleasant compared to torture her mind had been going through the past few hours. In this calm, she could sense magic stirring amidst the chaos. A warm feeling began to return to her heart. Harmony was taking its hold and Twilight was trying her hardest to win. Perhaps her act of sending the letters paid off. Although she hadn't quite accounted for how Spike would take such a big delivery. This made Celestia chuckle slightly in sympathy for the little dragon. A smile. She sighed. She needed to smile for a little bit. It felt wonderful. Suddenly, her heart gave way to the most sudden burst of warmth she could ever feel and magic echoed its whispers through her ears. The telepathy came as a surprise but it still filled her with the most joy she could ascertain.

"Celestia, my daughter. The gods hear your sorrow, child. The stars heard your cries. I can speak for but a moment."

"Mother..." Celestia cried out loud. "It's been so long since I've heard your voice! It's all I can do to try and speak with father at night sometimes...or at least hope he hears me."

"I hear you, my daughter," King Orion said.

"Father! You too!" Celestia's eyes welled with joy.

"I may not always be able to respond, just like the stars, child. But I hear and I love you, Tia. Tell Lu the same. I hope I'll be able to speak to her too when this is all over. Even if we've transcended, it's not always easy to access the mortal world with our magic."

"We know Discord has returned, Celestia. It's all right. You've done all you can. We needed to talk to you about him, however, dear."

"Yes, I assumed perhaps that's why..." Celestia nodded and sighed.

"Tia," said Queen Solina, "Discord may not be the same now, but there is a part of you that will always love him. Your father and I never stopped loving Luna when she fell into the shadows and became Nightmare Moon. And I know you still love your sister despite all she did."

"Yes. Of course," Celestia said closing her eyes. "She's my sister.... But I told Discord I was sorry for breaking his heart. I wanted him to stop. He wouldn't. He won't. He's different..."

"But, Tia, you are friends aren't you? Sweat Heart, listen," said Orion, "when you two were young, why did I allow you to be with him? It's because Son of Chaos or no, I knew no other suitor could make you happier. Your mother is the light to counteract my darkness and look at us now. I see the same for you, Tia. I see a future for you. And I remember that young misunderstood draconequus that I took under my wing. He'll always be your love, your friend, Tia. Don't forget him. The real him. He can come back to you. Today? No. It may come in time."

"You have the Elements, Celestia," Solina said. "And they worked for Luna. You felt yourself perhaps there could be a miracle worked for him. There could be redemption." Celestia nodded quietly and listened intently, her eyes soft and wet, and her lips slighting curved in a smile at the very thought. "We know how hard it's been for you to see him like this, Tia," her mother continued. "But he isn't all gone. Your friend is still there. Because friendship...like what Star Swirl never could understand, is a form of love and magic that is eternal. Friendship, Tia...is forever." Celestia felt the sun reach her heart and her eyes felt opened, as if they'd been closed for a long while. How could she have been so blind to hope when it was so simple, and right in front of her the whole time. It could've spared her all the suffering. But the misery was a cloud to it. And the dark thoughts blocked out the light. Now, finally, the light was coming in. All despair had left her veins and was replaced by a feeling of levity and peace. Harmony.

After she was finished talking with her parents, she heard commotion outside and saw Twilight and her friends. Her student hadn't failed, just as she knew she wouldn't! Celestia stood close to the chaotic shield preventing her from leaving the balcony, and watched intently as Twilight and the others' necklaces began to glow. She glanced at Discord who was sitting lazily in his throne, but then suddenly appeared to become nervous about the beams coming from the necklaces. It wasn't hard for her to watch because her heart had found itself transfixed by the magic radiating from the Elements. And she felt determined to focus on, not what they couldn't do for him right now, but what they could do for him in the future...someday. Because she could never give up on him. How could she? This was Discord. The chaotic beast she loved. But she would never refer to him as evil or as a monster ever again, no matter his sins. His heart was pure inside. Behind the stone would always lay the light.


_________________________



The stone shrouded Discord as he gazed at the plethora of color. The rainbow, the harmonic prism blinded him and he had to shield his eyes from it before darkness quickly seeped in. The sensation of the stone was not so painful as when Celestia and Luna had turned him. This was different. It was quite a wonder to him that Twilight Sparkle actually did it. He had underestimated her and her little "friends"; that much was clear. Now what would happen? Chaos promised that if he failed, his memory would be erased. Did he want him to fail? Was he giving him an incentive to fail? Did he somehow assist Twilight Sparkle so he could? No maybe not that, but perhaps he had something else in mind. Chaos was a complex being.

'Why would he want to help me? Why erase my memory and have me fail the one task I was meant to do?' he thought in his prison. The voice came back.

"He wants to remove her from your heart. Remember? You don't seem to be doing such a great job at keeping yourself distant from her. You're too distracted for a true tyrant. That's why. He didn't like what you did so he wanted you to be defeated and try again without the princess as a crutch."

'Hm! I was doing fine. I hid the elements and confused that little unicorn....'

"But you also HELPED her!" the shadow snapped. Discord swallowed.

'Um...yes well...I was just playing around. The necklaces were the items. I split the ponies apart! I didn't think she'd actually....'

"You wanted to lose, didn't you? Even before your father came to you? Deep down, you expected it to happened. You wanted it to happened. Because you couldn't stand to see her that upset. It killed you inside. Especially when you were at the balcony. When you wanted to reach out and touch her and she told you to leave because she couldn't stand you to be near her anymore...because you disgust her...."

'STOP IT! STOP IT! GO AWAY!' Discord thought. 'Leave me alone!!!'

"How can I?”said the voice. “You'll always choose me. Why? Because you can't stand to be hurt by anyone except yourself. And as long as you have yourself, and I comfort you, no matter how much I hurt you, you find it easier to hate her." Discord stared into the wide, dark abyss. He thought maybe he heard far-off cheering. "Face it," said the shadow. "You are stuck with me forever. Because I'm pretty sure you'll always have a few cotton-candy-sticks-short-of-a-confection-stand up there...friend."

'No. Stop it. I did not want to lose!' Discord thought. 'As much as I would like to delete my memories, my father’s proposition was idiotic. I had my fun here. Don't worry! I have no regrets. I'll come back and it will be fine. And I'll never have to worry about her ever again.'

"You better hope Chaos keeps his word."

'Yes. He will.' Discord thought ushering in silence. Was he back in the garden? Wait. Hooves. Celestia.

"Hello, friend," she said.

'Friend?' he thought. 'Did? She just call me 'friend'? She hasn't called me that in...'

"I stopped by to let you know, I don't plan to keep you locked in here for another thousand years, if you can believe that. My entire outlook and attitude on this has changed. I have new hope and faith, Discord. I plan to release you someday soon when I believe the Elements of Harmony are ready to reform you to your good self. They did that with Luna. She turned too, you know.

'I'm not surprised,' he thought. He had always sensed a kindred darkness in her.

"Anyways, please know I will never give up on you. I know I said some things. But...I'm sorry. I didn't mean them. When we were on the balcony before and..." She paused. Discord heard her voice crack slightly. "I need you to know I love you. I was mad. But I'm not now. I've let it go. I know you can be good again. I know you can use your powers for good too. You're unique. And if they protect Equestria, perhaps chaos would be looked on as good at last. Well, that's all. Goodbye for now, friend." Discord listened to her walk away.

'What have I done?!' he thought. 'I might as well have made a deal with Hades himself! Did my father forsee this happening? He just wants to break me! He never wanted to cure me of her. Now…now…that she’s…she wants me again….she’s…not giving up on me….'

"Don't listen to her." Said the shadow. "She's manipulating you..."

'SHUT UP!' Discord thought. 'I have to get out of this somehow!' he could feel every wall around him. It was so cramped. He was floating, forever floating. He stretched out as the complex disembodied soul he was and pushed against the stone. And the prison felt even smaller and tighter. Up, down, side to side, front, all black void of solid nothing that held him. Not his body, but his consciousness, his spirit. He could think, see the void, hear the world, touch the stone, and feel the tightening grip on his heart as the wrenching reality set it. He would lose everything. And it was what he wanted. But now...after hearing what she said didn't that sound better? But it didn't matter now. Chaos would erase most of his memory. And even if he could be reformed, what good would it do?

He wouldn't love her anymore.

'She’s the only one who’s never given up on me…'

Discord felt the invisible tears come as he felt the final distant hoof beats disappear into the earth. It was all he could do to call out to her, or pretend he could reach out past time and pluck a few unwanted strings. If only the past could be changed, truly. Then, he wouldn’t be in this mess. As he cried and glared at the void before him, he suddenly heard a different voice than the shadow’s. 

“Discord. Son of Chaos.” He blinked and felt a pulling sensation at his core. It felt cold. A flashback entered his mind of when he was in “Pandora’s Box” when he had momentarily died. It felt like being pulled back into it instead of out. In a split-second, whiplash sensation, Discord suddenly found himself floating in a void of colored lights. It wasn’t anything like the statue void he grew accustomed to. Here, he had somewhat of a body, accept it was translucent and bluish white and his tail streaked like a comet. He spotted another ghostly figure moving towards him. It was the owner of the voice. “Discord,” it said again. 

“That’s me,” said Discord curiously. He floated closer. “Where am I?” 

“I brought you here,” said the figure. He came more into focus. “It is a spiritual realm. You’re spirit is awake inside a statue, so why couldn’t it move between realms? I had to move you, though. You can’t move yourself.” Discord nodded and peered at the stranger. It was a pony, a unicorn…ghostly looking like him. 

“Who are you?” 

“What you don’t remember me? I’m Star Swirl the Bearded! Well…a part of him….” said the unicorn, now coming into full view. Now Discord did remember. The wizard that was always there just watching and waiting with advice and spells. He created that castle Discord lived in with the princesses, banished Eris to the Everfree forest, and helped Celestia save Discord’s life. Yes, he remembered. 

“Did you…die…?” Discord wondered, noticing the wizard looked younger than he remembered him to be. “When I was in stone?” 

“Yes I did,” Star Swirl replied. “A long time ago. But I left a piece of myself behind, as all good unicorn wizards should. That way, I can still travel between realms, even if I am dead in the physical realm. I am aware of happenings in the world. I keep an eye on that bright Twilight Sparkle, my lineage. She is my bloodline. Takes after her a-few-greats’ uncle, which I am, I suppose.” 

“Hm. No wonder she’s such a tough nut to crack,” Discord mused. “But why did you bring me here?” 

“I came to tell you something, Discord, Son of Chaos,” Star Swirl said solemnly. “It is true that your memories will be gone when you breach from the stone. Most of your past will be a blur. Some you may remember, some you may not. You won’t even remember this conversation. Will you remember Celestia? Yes. But only in the way Chaos wants you to. Now, listen, I know you won’t remember directly, but a part of you will retain it deep down. The way for you to reclaim yourself is to let go of the darkness you are hanging onto. Welcome in the feelings of hope, love, and friendship you so desperately need. Trust me when I say, there is no greater magic. And I am so sorry I never knew that in my life. I have watched you grow, draconequus. I have seen both sides of magic. And in you, I see plenty of light and dark shades. However, with that, I also have always had the intuition that the light would win. So let it. You’ll forget, but I have a faith in you. You’ll feel that flicker of good inside you, and when you do, you listen to its voice. Because that path you chose Discord, is the only way you can ever truly break free.” Discord listened intently, soaking in every word. He nodded to Star Swirl. The wizard smiled. “Good luck,” he said. Then Discord felt the sudden cold whiplash again and he was back in the stony void.

He was wrong. It seemed there was somepony else who had never given up on him.        


____________________________


A Few Months Later...

___________________________


As far as ponies ran, there were few that had the meekest of spirits and the most caring of hearts; and even fewer that could handle themselves when situations got especially hairy. Of course, out of these particular ponies, there were even fewer that could attempt large feats all the while handling the smallest or greatest of beasts. And out of these, among the rest, the citizens of Ponyville recognized such talents, but with only one young mare. And her name was Fluttershy. It would seem from first glance that she would have no means of self defensive or any assertive behavior attached to her meek demeanor; however, ones that were quick to judge the yellow coated, pink-haired mare would find themselves mistaken in time. Fluttershy had her own method of combat: kindness. It was with kindness she won over the hearts of all who knew her. Was she a push-over? Naive? Perhaps. But she understood her weakness and planned to grow from them every day. Even the qualities some deemed as weakness, but she knew to be strengths, could be used to solve problems. Even now, she knew Applejack surely could stand to be a bit calmer with Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth as they attempted to solve the issue with the dam at Sweet Apple Acres.

"Apologize?!" said the stubborn Applejack. "He's lucky I didn't call him a varmint!"

"Why Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth!" Fluttershy exclaimed at the loud, chattering beaver. "Such language!" She glanced a bit wearily at Applejack, at least thankful she did not understand the beaver's profanity.

"Fine, I apologize," said Applejack sighing. The beaver blew a raspberry at her and she growled at it. Fluttershy was at least glad the problem was solved. "Thanks, Fluttershy. Don't know what I would've done without you."

"Glad I could help," Fluttershy replied smiling. The two were then interrupted by Rainbow Dash flying over to them.

"Hey slackers! Double time over to Ponyville would ya?! We're all waiting on you!" she shouted at them, impatiently flapping her wings. Fluttershy had forgotten all about Princess Celestia's visit to Ponyville.

"Oh dear," Fluttershy squeaked in fear. "Should...we wash up first...before we...um...?"

"No time for that!" Rainbow Dash shouted impatiently. "She's got a job for you!"

"Me...?" Fluttershy said blinking in surprise. "Did she bring Philomena?" she asked hopefully.

"Um...no. Someone else," said Rainbow Dash crossing her hooves. "You'll see. Now hurry up! She's waiting!" Rainbow flew off in a burst of prismatic light.

"What do ya think Princess Celestia wants you to do?" Applejack asked curiously.

"I have no idea," Fluttershy replied timidly. "Spike never gave me a letter from her about doing anything. Do you think I can do it...whatever it is?"

"Sure ya can, Sugarcube," said Applejack.

"I don't think she'd ask ya to do anything she didn't think ya couldn't do," said Applejack reassuringly as they trotted out of the damp, muddy ground. Fluttershy smelled the apples and could hear the birds calling to each other from tree to tree all around them as they walked. Little things like this gave her joy. And she liked walking to enjoy them. Her mind soon, drifted back to the princess, however as her teal eyes followed Rainbow's familiar flying figure up ahead.  What could the princess want her to do? The thought made her nervous. She didn't want to fail. As she and Applejack came into the clearing and saw the others, she heard Applejack mutter something along the lines of, "What in tarnation?!"

She had to agree with only wide eyes to suffice. There before them was Princess Celestia, and...their visitor Rainbow Dash mentioned: Discord, in his stone prison! Fluttershy couldn't help but shriek and hide behind Applejack.

"It's alright," said Princess Celestia. "Fluttershy, I really need your help."

"M...me...?" said Fluttershy nervously cowering down at the princess’s hooves.

"You are The Element of Kindness. You have a pure quality that is all but contagious. I have faith that you are the one who can reform Discord."

"Reform him?" Fluttershy asked.

"The Elements reformed Luna when she turned into Nightmare Moon. It can be done," said Celestia nodding. "But he must be willing. It's not something we can force on him. That's why he's been turned to stone before. He didn't choose that path." Fluttershy looked up at the princess and wondered why she was having them do this? Did she believe that Discord was good on the inside? If that was true, maybe the best approach would be kindness. What would Discord do for the kingdom? Would he turn on them? Had the princess really thought this all through? She hoped so. She couldn't help but worry. She also couldn't help but notice the look in the princess's eyes. She was smiling at them slightly, but why did her eyes look so sad? Quiet and shy, Fluttershy could also be observant. It could give her time to think. How exactly does one handle a draconequus anyway? After Princess Celestia explained the full situation to Fluttershy and Applejack, she said: “I realize that this is a tall order, but I wouldn't ask if I weren't confident you could get him to use magic obediently of his own free will.”

“And…you really think I’ll know best how to do that?” said Fluttershy looking up at the majestic alicorn before her. The princess smiled and put her hoof on Fluttershy’s cheek.

“I do,” she replied smiling. 

The yellow pegasus with the purest heart could still not help but notice the heartfelt look glimmering in the princess’s kind gaze. It was as if, all her hope and energy was now being poured into Fluttershy in this moment. A spec of sadness almost still seemed to be hidden behind it, but Fluttershy could tell in this look Princess Celestia trusted her completely. It seemed to be so much deeper then she’d let on. A sensitive creature like Fluttershy could sense that. In her heart she immediately promised the princess to not let her down. It humbled and flattered her beyond words that she was being chosen and trusted by her to do something that seemed very important to her. Fluttershy looked down and blushed at the thought of being important. Yes, she was Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness, but preferred Twilight and the others to be in the limelight. Now, she was being recognized for deeds she deemed natural to herself and the way life should work. “Care,” “sympathy,” and “love” were words she took to. Never had she dreamed the princess would ask this of her. It scared her, but it also made her excited at the same time. It was an adventure she’d just have to conquer for the princess. This promise had to be kept. She couldn’t let her down.

“Now,” said Princess Celestia entering her chariot. “I must return to Canterlot for Equestria’s royal summit. You may release Discord when ready.” Fluttershy watched as the chariot carried her away. There was no going back now. 

___________________________


As the strong pegasi pulled the chariot into the clouds, Celestia breathed and let her lungs relax. The pressure in her head began to beat in time to her heart. This was the moment of truth. Fluttershy was the final piece of the puzzle, the last component in this complex equation that she so trusted and depended on. 

“Your Highness,” said one of the guards turning his head slightly. “Pardon my observation, but you do know, that the royal summit isn’t until tomorrow, right?”

“I know,” said Celestia sheepishly. “Say what you must…” 

“Pardon me, Princess,” he said. “But…why did you say you needed to return to Canterlot for it? Your schedule is clear, other than the meeting with Princess Luna.” Celestia looked down in silence. “I’m sorry, Princess,” said the pegasus nervously. “I won’t speak again…” 

“No it’s fine,” said Celestia. “It was necessary. I never said when the summit actually was…” she smiled sheepishly again. “Besides, I need to leave them alone to do what they will. I should not interfere. The situation is too delicate. I trust them.” As much as she did not want to fib, she did really feel the need to let the Elements see it all through…or not. 


________________________________


Nothing could’ve been more interesting in Discord’s mind than going to Fluttershy’s house. She was so hospitable and meek, but the more he added his lovely powers to the environment, he thought perhaps, that could bring out the worst in her. After all, this place needed changes. And her rabbit friend annoyed him to no end. He relaxed on the yellow pegasus’s couch which fit him perfectly, after of course eating those delicious reformation spells. Fluttershy told him she was going out, promised she’d be back and flew out of the cottage. Discord began mediating on the lovely events. That annoying Celestia thought he could be “reformed.” And oh how interesting it was whenever he tried to think of her it was a blur, but she was still annoying; admittedly she was interesting and maybe even pretty, but still annoying. He could very well remember her when he was young. She was there and still a pain. Who else was there? Luna was there. Strange how everything was so fuzzy. It seemed as if everything had been coherent just yesterday. But now, it was as if a cloud floated over all the yesterdays of his life. He could only peer through it, but never see the full image of the past. A flash of a smoky figure entered his mind. He couldn’t be sure who that was. One thing he remembered that still haunted him and confused him, however…he remembered being turned to stone. Celestia was there too. Most likely responsible. She did not appear to take a liking to chaos. After all, she wanted him “reformed.” The thought made Discord roll his eyes all the way back and then back around again. Perhaps Fluttershy could be fun to trick. 

'Make her believe I’m considering being reformed,' he thought yawning and flicking Angel off the couch. 'Then I’ll have her wrapped around my claw.' Well, if he was to make himself at home, then, he should make all the changes that a creature of chaos desires, right? Just how much longer can Kindness be nice to chaos? 

_____________________________


Luna allowed herself to soak in all that was happening in Ponyville at the moment. Her sister spoke slowly. The Princess of the Night yawned slightly and rubbed her eyes. Staying up all night and then being woken up for a meeting at three in the afternoon didn’t sit well with her. 

“Sister,” she said tiredly. “Please. Are you sure this is best? What if they cannot reform him? What way can his powers be used for the good of our kingdom? Forgive me, but I’m not sure about this,”

“I understand you don’t have the faith I do, Lu,” said Celestia. “But I told you about what Mother and Father said those months ago. I can’t ignore that. I’ve waited for the right time. Now is the right time. Twilight is strong. Her path is certain. You and I know that. The Elements have grown stronger than perhaps even the Sages did in our time. Their hearts are the same in that the Elements are one with them. I have all the love and the faith for them. My heart is also so selfish, Luna. I’ll admit. When you were gone, when Discord was gone. That millennia, I was alone. I was lost. It has been so long since I have felt companionship. Now I am so happy to have you back, Luna. But our friend must come back to us. Don’t you feel that? Didn’t you feel as lonely as I did on the moon?” Luna looked down and nodded. 

“I regretted every day of that, as I have with Discord.” Celestia continued, “But now perhaps the time has finally come for us all to reunite. We can go back to the way things once were! Twilight…she reminded me so much of you. And I knew she was the one. Her magic was of Star Swirl’s bloodline. I could sense that. But I wanted a different destiny for her. For like Star Swirl I ended up alone and felt already dead. I wanted her to experience the greatest of magic, as was his dying wish. I wanted her to live that through me. Because I could never have that. I will never allow her to become immortal, Luna. After she ascends, that will be it. She won’t be cursed like us. I don’t even care if Discord could never gain Forevermore. As long as he’s with me, I could cherish him. And…and….forgive me, sister. Forgive how selfish I am when I say this. But….maybe….I will never be truly alone…again….” Celestia’s eyes welled with tears and a sad smile curled across her face. Luna nuzzled her sister’s cheek and hugged her.

“I understand, Sister,” Luna said comfortingly. “I understand.”  

The Princess of the Sun had the brightest smile facing her subjects, and the saddest heart underneath. 

____________________________


'I’ve never really had a friend before.' 

The words echoed through Discord’s brain even after he spoke them to Fluttershy and the other ponies at the dinner party that Fluttershy used to prove his reformation. Now the ponies were all but convinced he was anything but reformed what with his beautiful creation of evil beavers taking over Applejack’s farm. It wasn’t looking good for him in the fact that they might put him back in stone and convince Princess Celestia it was for the best. Fluttershy didn’t seem so eager. For she was convinced they were now friends. She wasn’t so bad. Sure she was a bit too sweet and naïve but she was nice. After all, she did let him spin her cottage around and didn’t seem to get angry, much to his great surprise. Perhaps this was the sort of counteracting soul he needed. She was so sugary sweet, perhaps she really could reform him. Either that, or perhaps he could use this friend thing against her. He smiled at the though. His fun wasn’t over. 

'I’ve never really had a friend before.' That much seemed true. The cloud grew thicker in his mind the more he tried to counteract this thought. So it must’ve been true. Nopony ever seemed to take to him, a creature of chaos. The only things that appeared clearer than others were ponies picking on him, laughing at him. Was that why he was so angry? He looked down sadly. 'I’ve never really had a friend before. I don’t know what that means.' Simple things seemed massive now. Big things from his past were in that cloud. 

Discord teleported to the dam which used to be Sweet Apple Acres filled with angry beavers. Fluttershy desperately tried to communicate with the beavers to no avail. Discord zapped onto the water and started waterskiing. Oh, now this was perfect. Fluttershy being “friends” with him would work out so much better than he thought. She confronted him about the water. 

“As you can see,” she said. “There’s a big mess down here at Sweet Apple Acres.” 

“Oh yes,” he replied. “Awful business, that. Mm…” 

“It is awful,” Fluttershy continued. “This is Applejack’s home, and it’s being destroyed by innocent creatures who would never be acting this way if it weren’t for your reckless behavior. You need to fix this.” 

“Oh, yes, very well, I will fix it,” Discord sighed. “I only ask one thing in return.” He was waiting for this. The plan was just setting itself in motion now. 

“Yes?” Fluttershy asked. 

“I ask that you never use your Element of Harmony against me. As a sign of our friendship.” Discord smiled. The other ponies looked on in horror. 

“I will never use my Element of Harmony against you,” said Fluttershy at length, removing her necklace. Victory. How naïve she was. 

“Excellent!” Discord cheered snapping his fingers. Immediately the water became ice. He skated around the rink, chuckling under his breath at the looks on the ponies’ faces. “I do prefer ice skating to water skiing! Don’t you?!” 

“Discord! That’s not fixing it!” Fluttershy yelled. “Why, I oughta…” 
“Where are you going?” Discord teased her as she slid away on the icy ground. “What’s wrong pal?”

“Don’t call me your pal!” Fluttershy snapped. 

“Oh pffft, come skating with me, and we’ll let bygones be bygones,” said Discord dangling skates in front of her nose. The little dragon Spike offered the Element necklace back to her. 

“Here you go Fluttershy,” he said. “Game on!” 

“He fixes this or he goes back to being stone!” said Twilight. “Princess Celestia will understand!” Fluttershy looked down and paused. 

“I made a promise not to use my element against him and I’m going to keep it,” she said reluctantly taking the skates in her mouth. 

“Hahah! You see?” Discord said triumphantly. “She wants to have fun with me because we’re friends. She can’t use the Elements against me because we’re friends. I’m free forever!” He laughed at his victory over the little naïve pegasus who fell for his plan. Reformed? As if he needed that. He didn’t need anypony! The thought echoed when Fluttershy looked as if she snapped, threw the skates out of her mouth and yelled. 

“… NOT. YOUR. FRIEND!” The skates flew across the ground, coming to a halt almost in the middle of the pond due to her rage. In the second of silence that gripped the environment, Discord looked on in slight surprise. That turned into slight anger of his own. The blur of emotions and cloud of memories pooled into something that made him spew out a train of words. 

“WHO cares?!” he yelled arching his neck over her as she stormed off. “I can do whatever I want, whenever I want! I’m Discord! The master of chaos! You think you can boss Discord around?! You think I’m just going to turn all this back because YOU say so? Because if I don’t I’ll lose the one friend I ever had?! …..Oh….” He stopped and jerked his head back around. He understood just what was happening now. He was the one being pitted in a place he couldn’t get out of. Fluttershy had outsmarted him after all. He really couldn’t do whatever he wanted. He did need her after all. He didn’t want to be in stone again. It wasn’t just to the advantage of him. She really did know she’d trigger something in him, didn’t she? Now, he really didn’t want to be alone again. In stone, he was alone for years. In that cloud of memories, all he could remember was unkind words and empty feelings. Celestia wanted to use his powers for good? Well, maybe that would be better than having everything his way and being alone. A warmth grew in him. Discord felt coldness wash away from his bones, leaving him feeling almost new. He could vaguely remember a darkness that commanded his thoughts and taunted his heart. Somehow it felt like it wasn’t there anymore. Looking away from the skates lying inanimate on the ice, back at the yellow pegasus, his eyes welled with the beginnings of reformation that made him let go of everything else inside him. The thoughts of a friend, once again, a simple thing, became massive in his heart. 

“….oh. Well played Fluttershy….well played….” 


_____________________________


Ecstatic beyond words, Celestia saw Discord as he and Fluttershy approached her and the chariot. Her heart skipped a few beats as Discord walked up to her, smiling at her. 

“So, Discord,” said Celestia. “Can you confirm to me that you are willing to use your powers for only good and not for evil?” 

“Yes, Princess,” said Discord bowing. “I’m ready to use my magic for good instead of evil.” Celestia heard him say under his breath. “…most of the time…” 

“Congratulations on your success, ponies,” Celestia said. “I definitely sense a big change in Discord.” She leaned forward to speak to Twilight. “I’ll leave the Elements of Harmony with you, Twilight. Just in case.” There was always that chance. She couldn’t be too careful. She’d keep an eye on him too. She glanced up at Discord to say this silently. Discord twitched his ear, overhearing this and raised his eyebrows at her. 

“You were right when you said Fluttershy would be the one to find the way to reform Discord,” said Twilight. “By treating Discord as a friend, she got him to realize that friendship was actually important to him. And something that, once he had, he didn't want to lose.” Celestia smiled. Something so simple allowed Discord to crush the darkness inside him. 

“Go on,” said Fluttershy nudging Discord. “Say it…” 

“Alright,” Discord groaned. “Friendship is magic….” He said quickly. Celestia smiled. 

“See?” said Fluttershy putting her yellow hoof on his lion paw. “He can be a real sweetheart once you get to know him.” The other ponies turned their heads and raised their eyebrows in doubt of the statement. Celestia turned her head nervously and looked away. The pool of emotions just couldn’t surface now. Fluttershy spoke the truth. It had been so long since Celestia saw the sweet, innocent, imp she knew when she was young. It was all she could do not to run to him and hug him. 

“Where will I go now?” Discord inquired. 

“To the castle,” Celestia said smiling at him. “And you can visit Fluttershy whenever you want.” 

“That will be lovely!” said Fluttershy excitedly. “The other animals will love you!” Celestia smiled and nodded. Discord followed her to the chariot and he waved goodbye to Fluttershy and the others. The chariot took off into the sky. Celestia breathed a sigh of relief and glanced happily at Discord as he relaxed with his paw and claw behind his head and eyes closed. 

“Fluttershy really grew on you,” said Celestia. “I knew she could do it.” 

“I suppose she did, Your Highness…” said Discord yawning.

“’Your Highness?’” Celestia giggled. “No need to be formal now.” 

“Princess,” Discord said shrugging. “Well, I’ve never…had a friend before, I guess…” 

“What do you mean? Of course you have,” said Celestia smiling. Discord shook his head. “What about Luna and I?” Celestia asked confused. 

“What about you?” said Discord. “I remember you two being there sometimes, but we were never really friends, I don’t think.” He looked down and studied his paw. Celestia blinked in shock. 

“No…” she whispered. “You….you’ve…forgotten again. Who? No. Did HE do this?!” 

“What?” Discord said confused. “Who did what?” 

“Chaos!” said Celestia desperately. “You don’t remember me…or us. He did it! He must have.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Princess,” Discord said shrugging and leaning back again. Celestia turned back to look forward. She sat stiff and straight, her body completely rigid. The perfect world she envisioned was crumbling again. She had to see him. She had to confront the master of evil. She would confront Chaos. He would not take Discord away from her again. This time, she’d have her happy ending.



TO BE CONCLUDED…