//------------------------------// // Hecuba // Story: More Than a Friend // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// Discord slowly glided into Ponyville. He hadn't actually visited the town proper in quite some time, as he had limited his visits to stopping by Fluttershy's cottage, spending time with her, and then either spending the night or going on his way. He figured, after nearly a decade of that, it was about time he dropped in on the rest of the town. Besides, he wasn't entirely sure if he was comfortable with Fluttershy's insistence that he sleep 'in the most comfortable spot' every night, curled up around her. While it was comfortable, and quite enjoyable, he didn't think it was a good idea. After all, it made it harder and harder not to act on his feelings for her, and he would hate himself if he took advantage of her kindness and friendship like that. Flying over Ponyville, he decided he'd check in on Fluttershy's friends, the other Harmony Bearers, first. However, a problem occurred with that plan as he extended his mystic senses. They weren't there. Twilight wasn't in the library, Rainbow wasn't in her cloud house or on her usual nap cloud or napping in a tree, and Pinkie Pie wasn't anywhere to be found. Rarity was in her Boutique, but he could sense her emotional energy, and he really didn't want to pop in on her if she was raging. She might take it out on him. He did sense Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres, though, so he glided into the farm. He noticed something odd as he landed. A good portion of the apple trees were heavily laden with fruit, obviously ready to be harvested, along with baskets scattered around...but they weren't being harvested. He could hear Applejack at work elsewhere in the field, and from the sound of her breathing she was working herself to exhaustion again. Sighing, he decided to lend a hoof, and paw, and claw. Snapping his talons, the baskets came alive, positioning themselves under the heavy laden branches of the trees as he raised a hoof to buck them. He had to be careful here. He needed to put just enough magic into his hoof to give it the strength to knock the apples from the branches, but not so much that he turned the tree purple or caused it to sprout zap apples or pomegranates or strawberries. Thankfully, the chaotic entertainment he had given Fluttershy had taught him a great deal of control, so he was able to do it quite easily. He worked his way towards the sound of heavy breathing, collecting the apples from the trees in the moving baskets as he went. He eventually reached Applejack, blowing hard as she bucked another tree, bringing the apples down into her baskets. At his approach, she looked up. "Howdy Discord," she said happily. "What brings you around here?" Discord smiled. "Originally, I was just stopping in to say hi. However, it looks like you could use some help." He tasted the air. "Especially since the pegasi are prepping a thunderstorm for this afternoon." Applejack's head shot up. "Aww, shoot! Is that today?" She began racing towards the trees. "I need to get all these apples off the branches and into the barn, pronto! Could you lend a hoof, Discord? I can't lose this harvest!" "I already have been," he said calmly, gesturing to the baskets walking behind him. "How much more is needed?" "I need to get all these apples into the barn before that storm hits. Any way you could speed that up would be much appreciated." Discord smiled. "Well, in that case..." He snapped his talons. In an instant, the baskets all leaped to suddenly sprouted feet and began to race around the orchard. The baskets - in groups of three - would slam into a tree, shaking it and dropping the apples, which the baskets would race around to catch. Once each basket was full, it would race off to the barn where the enchantment that made it move would leap to another basket that wasn't moving, which then raced out to join the others. Sitting back, Applejack caught her breath. "My thanks, Discord," she said, beginning to exhale slowly. "Since Big Mac went and strained his back with Cheerilee a few nights back, he can't help with the harvest. So it's just me here to work the trees, once again in Applebuck Season." Discord blinked, somewhat confused. "What about Apple Bloom? And your friends?" Applejack sighed, getting shakily to her hooves. "You've missed a lot, Discord. Ain't Fluttershy told you about what's been happening?" Discord shook his head. "I haven't really asked. Most of the conversations we have seem to revolve around how I'm doing. I used to ask, but she'd always say things were fine and change the subject." Applejack sighed. "That Shy...come on, Discord. I'll pour you a tankard of cider and tell ya all about it." Discord followed Applejack into the barn as the baskets continued their work. In the barn, Applejack tapped a barrel of cider and poured them both a tankard. "Here ya go," she said, handing it over. Taking it, Discord gratefully drank. While working his magic wasn't physically exhausting, the amount of control he was exerting to keep it from going haywire was a bit of a mental strain, and the cider helped ease that. "So, what hasn't Fluttershy been telling me, anyway?" Applejack took a deep swig of her own, sighed, smacked her lips, then looked up at Discord. "Thing is, over the past decade, everypony's been going on with their lives, for the most part. Apple Bloom got her Cutie Mark in construction, and that's when the wanderlust bit her. I didn't want to chain her to the farm, so I urged her to go out and see the world. First she joined a relief group, building shelters and various other projects around the country. Then she joined the army, and has been building fortifications along the frontier against incursions, whatever that means." She smiled. "With her off traveling, we've been even busier here on the farm, which meant I haven't had as much time as I'd like to spend with the others. Twilight's Princess duties called her back to Canterlot, so she spends a good deal of time there. Rainbow Dash went full time Wonderbolt, so she's based primarily in Canterlot now, too." Applejack smirked. "I found it rather funny that Twilight's Princess duties kicked in not a day after Rainbow got reassigned." Discord chuckled. He'd always thought there might be something like that between them. "So what about everypony else?" Applejack frowned sadly. "Well, you know how Rarity and Spike went and got hitched?" Discord nodded. "That ain't gone so well for them, what with ponies judging them for being a pony and a dragon. Sweetie Belle's gone traveling around the world as a Xeno-something or other, ever since she got her Cutie Mark in musical communication. Scootaloo's in Wonderbolt training, following in Rainbow's hoofsteps. And ever since Pound and Pumpkin Cake got their Cutie Marks last year, Pinkie felt she wasn't needed as much at Sugar Cube Corner, so she decided to travel around Equestria, spreading more smiles. Said something about the time traveling panda telling her it was the way to the best ending, whatever that means." For some reason, the idea of Pinkie travelling the country sent a shiver of fear through Discord's body. The mention of a time traveling panda he shrugged off as Pinkie being Pinkie, or perhaps a stray burst of his own magic. "So that just leaves you, Rarity, Spike, and Fluttershy here in Ponyville?" Applejack nods, taking another swig. "Yup. That's about it. And what with my work on the farm, Fluttershy's work with the animals, and Rarity struggling to keep her business afloat despite the prejudice, we...really don't have all that much time to spend together. Of course, whenever we're all in Ponyville, we get together, try to catch up. We used to do it once a year bare minimum, and tried to do it more, but...well, it seems like our lives are moving on. We still keep in touch with letters, since Spike can send to anypony now. Our friendship's still strong, we just...don't spend as much time together." She sighed sadly, staring into her tankard. Discord nodded as he drank from his own. "And given the problems you and Rarity are facing in your lives, Fluttershy wouldn't share any of her own so as not to burden you." He sighed, shaking his head. "The only ones she might talk to about it would be her animals." "Or you," Applejack replied. "That's what I was hoping anyway, but if she ain't told you about all this, then she's been keeping everything to herself. That ain't good for her. She needs someone to talk to about her own heart." After a time of thought, Discord downed his tankard in a single swig, being sure not to accidentally drink the tankard. "Well, then that someone is going to be me. She's been there for me for so long...it's time I was there for her." The last of the baskets rush into the barn, stacking the harvest neatly by the wall. The baskets then cease to move. As lightning began to strike and rain fell, he pulled out a frilly pink umbrella to keep the wet off. "See you later, Applejack." Applejack smiled. "Stop by anytime, Discord. And do what you can for Shy, okay?" Discord smiled. "I will." Turning, he flew out over Ponyville. As he glided across the rain swept streets, he glanced around at the buildings. He wasn't sure, but everything seemed...dimmer than it used to be. He noticed a small shape in the bushes behind Sugar Cube Corner, huddled and shivering. Without even thinking about it, he snapped his talons, causing the roof to extend into an overhang, shielding the bushes from the rain, and rocks under the bush began giving off low levels of heat, just enough to counteract the cold of the rain. Both effects would end when the rain did. He didn't know what manner of creature was there, but he knew Fluttershy would have wanted him to extend that bit of Kindness. Somehow, he wanted to as well. Approaching Fluttershy's house, he noticed that the majority of the creatures were just sitting around, not moving. They had food and were eating it, but none seemed interested in doing much else. Confused, Discord glided over the cottage, seeking some sign of Fluttershy. He found her in the back garden, standing out in the rain all on her own, face to the ground as the rain plastered her mane and tail against her body. Swopping down, Discord held his umbrella out over Fluttershy's body, trying to keep the rain off of her. "Fluttershy, what are you doing out here? You'll catch cold!" He noticed her shaking, but not from the cold. "Fluttershy...what's wrong?" His eyes then caught sight of the mound. And the stone. The stone read, 'Angel'. Discord stared in disbelief. He recognized a grave when he saw one. "Fluttershy, what happened? Who would kill Angel? Tell me, and I'll do something. I'll-" "No...no one killed him," Fluttershy interrupted Discord, turning to bury her face in Discord's chest. "It was just...his time." Discord blinked, confused. "His...time?" Fluttershy nodded. "I've had him since I got my Cutie Mark. That's...nearly twenty years now. That's a long time for a bunny to live. I...knew this day was coming, I just...didn't want to face it..." She sobbed softly into Discord's chest. Discord stared down at Fluttershy and the grave in confusion. While he was no stranger to death, having seen ponies die before, the idea of someone dying because it was their time just...didn't make sense to him. He knew Fluttershy needed comfort right now, and he was desperate to offer it...but he just couldn't understand. How could someone invest so much of themselves in another, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt the huge margin by which they would outlive them... A lightning flash momentarily blinded him. When he could see again, he was standing in the garden alone, the umbrella pitch black as it hung over him like a pall, holding off the rain. He stood before two graves, one larger than the other. The small one still read 'Angel'. The larger one read 'Fluttershy'. As lightning struck again, Fluttershy was once more against him, crying into his chest. He felt his heart beat out of rhythm as realization struck him of what it must mean to Fluttershy to lose Angel. As the thought of losing Fluttershy to as unconquerable a foe as time filled his mind, tears fell freely from his eyes. He couldn't lose her. He couldn't. Dropping his umbrella, he seized Fluttershy in both his arms, pulling her into a tight embrace, tears pouring from his eyes. He couldn't let her go. He just couldn't. "D-discord?" Fluttershy whispered. "Are...are you okay?" Discord shook his head. He was supposed to be offering her comfort, but now she felt she had to comfort him. "Come on," he managed to gasp out. "Let's get you out of this rain." Turning, he carried her back into her cottage. Once they reached her room, he magiced up a towel and began to dry her off. "Are...are you going to be okay, Fluttershy?" Fluttershy blinked. "I...I don't know...I..." She sobbed quietly. "Angel's always been there for me. He was my baby. I took care of him, he took care of me. As long as he was here, I knew...I'd never be alone. I...I don't want to be alone..." Discord instantly wrapped his mismatched arms around her. "Then you won't be. I'll be here with you." Fluttershy blinked, staring up at him. "D...Discord?" Discord smiled down at her. "If it's what you need, Fluttershy...then I'm not going anywhere. Why would I even want to?" He gently ran his claw along the underside of her chin, comfortingly. As their eyes locked onto each other, Fluttershy swallowed convulsively...then lunged forward, locking her lips to Discord's. Discord's eyes shot open wide in surprise, getting ready to pull back in shock. However, Fluttershy had thrown her forelegs around his neck, holding him there. By the time he remembered he could teleport away he realized he didn't want to. Giving in to his feelings, he wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes as he leaned into the kiss. ------------- Discord opened his eyes slowly, blinking at the light of dawn shining in through the window. It took him a moment to recognize his surroundings. This was Fluttershy's room, of that much he was sure. But it was much messier than he ever remembered it being. Then, as his body started complaining of various aches and pains, he remembered what had caused the mess. "Oh," he mumbled. "Did...did that happen?" Turning to the side, he saw Fluttershy curled tight against him, her mane and tail incredibly mussed as sweat slicked her coat against her body, a somewhat pleasant scent surrounding her. "Oh...it did." Smiling quietly to himself, he checked his internal time sense. Then his eyes widened. "Two and a half days straight?" he gasped out, managing to keep his voice quiet so as not to wake Fluttershy. "Maybe I am the right one for her. I seriously doubt if anypony could keep up with her." As a thought struck him, he snapped his talons, making the animal food float around to feed all the animals. They were sure to be getting hungry by now. He felt Fluttershy stirring against his side. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he whispered. Fluttershy giggled. "Good morning, Discord," she whispered back, crawling up his body to plant a kiss on his lips, her body moving seductively against him. He managed to chuckle. "You are insatiable, Fluttershy," he said as they broke the kiss. "Didn't round 20 satisfy you?" She giggled and shook her head. He smiled in response. "Well, we should probably stop now, anyway. You'll need to eat something soon." She flopped gracefully, playfully back into bed on her back, her hooves in the air. "Feed me here," she said happily. He chuckled. "Alright." He flowed downstairs, raiding Fluttershy's fridge to prepare a very nice breakfast for her. Within minutes he had a platter piled high with pancakes, French toast, haycon, and fried eggs. Smiling, he carried the platter up towards the bedroom, but noticed a book sitting on a easel nearby. Thinking he could read to her, he scooped it up as he passed. Walking into her, room, Discord swooped down on Fluttershy's bed, setting the platter before her. Seeing how playful Fluttershy seemed to feel, they took turns feeding each other, not caring if they made a bit of a mess of the room, as Discord could easily clean it up with a snap of his talons. After they polished off the food, however, Fluttershy caught sight of the book. Her smile vanished as she gently traced a hoof over the cover. Discord blinked. "Fluttershy? What's wrong?" "This..." Fluttershy began. "This is my favorite story. Angel was always asking for it for a bedtime story, ever since that first time you stayed overnight." She blinked her eyes sadly, the start of tears forming. Discord quickly snatched up the book. "Well, how about I read it to you?" he asked quickly, trying to cheer her up. "And I can read it to him, too." He wasn't sure if that was the right thing to say, but he figured he could easily cheer her up if he conjured images from her mind to animate the story for her in the air in front of her. He flipped it open, quickly reading through the introduction of the Beastly Prince. He found it amusing that the conjured image of 'the Prince' looked exactly like Prince Blueblood, until the transformation. Certainly, his was a beastly heart. When he reached the part of the story where Belle Dame was introduced, however, Fluttershy had no image for her. So Discord added his own. Fluttershy looked at him. "Why does Belle Dame look like me?" Discord chuckled. "Well, let's see...a Pegasus mare who dislikes fighting - unusual for the ere - is well educated - also unusual - and is known for being gentle, kind, beautiful, and fierce when it comes to protecting those she cares about? Who else was I supposed to think of?" He smiled as she blushed bright red. He then continued to read. When the Prince's beastly form, Discord blinked. "Fluttershy, why do you picture me as the Beastly Prince?" Fluttershy smiled. "Well, he's a bit frightening in appearance when you first see him, has been alone for a very long time, and has a massive change of heart when he learns about friendship and love. Who else was I supposed to think of?" She smiled sweetly at Discord. Both of them froze, blinking, as they stared from the conjured images to the book. "You don't think..." they said simultaneously. "Obviously not," the image of Fluttershy/Belle Dame commented drily, "or it wouldn't have taken this much to get you two together." "How denze could zey be, really?" the image of the 'Beastly Prince' said in the voice of DisFrued. Discord began to chuckle as the images vanished. "All this time, he was trying to get us together." Fluttershy hugged Discord tightly. "Wish we'd acted on it sooner...then he could be here with us." Discord smiled. "Oh, I think he still is, in a way." He wasn't sure what made him say that, but it felt like the right thing to say. They stood there, holding each other for a time. Then Fluttershy leaned up and whispered in his ear. Discord's eyes went wide. "What? Again?" Fluttershy smiled coyly at him. "Fluttershy, even gods have limits!" She giggled coyly. "I'll just have to find yours then, won't I?"