As Fluttershy gazed out on the sea, the human grunted. The Floater flew over the waves, but the pegasus wasn't interested in the ocean. She was wondering what that strange creature was, and whether it would help her again.
Several times in the day she thought she had seen the flash of scales on the water, and every time her heart fell when it turned out to be the sunlight gleaming off of the water.
The human had no idea that she had the keys, and she was nervous that he would call her bluff. Every time he turned to look at Fluttershy, she would shrink back on instinct, and he would raise an eyebrow at her, but keep driving the Floater. Fluttershy wondered if he was faking it, or if he truly didn't know about the keys sitting under her butt.
Flutters figured that if she didn't say something soon, the human would get suspicious, if he wasn't already. It was at least noon, because the sun was well above their heads. She had to act natural.
"E-excuse me, sir," she whispered, and he turned his head. "W-what's your name?"
"O'Brian," he muttered, turning back to the wheel.
"I'm Fluttershy," the pony said. She smiled. Maybe this human wasn't so bad after all.
All O'Brian did was grunt. Fluttershy needed to try harder to get on his good side.
"Uh, I heard you met my friend," she said. "About a week ago, I think."
"Blue horse, rainbow mane?" he muttered.
"That's her." Fluttershy smiled. This was going well!
"A real pain in the butt," he grumbled, then went back to gazing at the ocean.
"I wouldn't say she's that annoying..." Fluttershy trailed off. So much for breaking the ice.
O'Brian didn't speak again, and this day was going painfully slow. Fluttershy's rump ached where the keys poked it, and she really wanted to move and stretch, but couldn't. She couldn't risk giving her secret.
Suddenly, O'Brian stiffened.
"Land ho!" he shouted with joy. Fluttershy's eyes widened at the cliffs coming up before her.
"L-land?" she stammered. She couldn't believe it. No more ocean?
As the pegasus gazed out onto the sparkling water, she thought she saw a pony head bobbing up not a hundred feet away from the Floater. It gazed at her with sad, teal eyes, then went under the surface, with all that was left was the flash of scales.
A flash of scales... Fluttershy's mind began to put together the pieces, but it was like somepony had given her two pieces from different puzzles. It didn't make sense.
If only Twilight were here, she thought. She would know what to do.
Oh, so you're so weak and helpless that you need your precious little princess to come save you? Nasty Fluttershy entered her mind again. You're pathetic.
No, I'm not, Nice Fluttershy tried to shake her dark side out of her head, but she was firmly planted. I am strong. I can get out of this. Without Twilight.
Oh, yeah? taunted Nasty Fluttershy. Then let's-
Then let's what? demanded a new voice.
"Discord?" Fluttershy gasped out loud. Seeing O'Brian stare at her, she quickly corrected it. "Uh, I mean, uh..." she couldn't find anything that sounded like Discord but would still make sense to the human. "Uh, 'tis home? Hehe, that came out wrong..." she trailed off.
Yes, it's me, Fluttershy, the smiling draconicus appeared in her imagination. I told you I'd protect you, especially from yourself.
B-but... Flutters was speechless at the sight of her friend. Where were you when O'Brian was hugging me? And when the seagulls stole the teddy bear? And when that strange creature flung it back?
My dear Fluttershy, there are things in this ocean that protect anything that goes across it, Discord explained. I believe you met one of those creatures when you first met your friends, in that river.
You mean the sea serpent with the mustache? she gasped. If you can even gasp in your mind, anyway. He was protecting me?
No, he said. There are many types of creatures in the sea, including the sea ponies.
That explains the pony that I saw! she gasped again.
Yes. he smiled. Now, I have to go, but I'll send a little gift to Mr. O'Brian over there to slow you down. Tootaloo!
And Discord poofed away.
Fluttershy wondered what he meant by 'little gift'. Since it was Discord she was thinking about, it could be anything from cornfields popping to buffalo ballet dancing. Fluttershy actually hoped it was the latter. She couldn't wait to see O'Brian's face when it happened.
The cliffs were really getting close now. The sun still hadn't set, so Fluttershy still couldn't escape. But once they reached the cliffs, there was no chance at all. It was going to be close.
Suddenly, Fluttershy caught sight of a wall of blackness coming from the east. No, not blackness... pinkness. And brown-ness. Fluttershy laughed out loud when she saw the cotton-candy-cloud storm coming their way. This would delay the arrival at the cliffs!
"What's so funny?" O'Brian demanded. "That is a storm coming our way!"
"No," she giggled. "It's cotton candy and chocolate milk!"
"Wha..." his mouth dropped open when he saw the torrent of sticky pink dessert coming straight at them. The first drops of milk hit Fluttershy's face, and she caught a drop on her tongue. This was perfect!
Thank you, Discord, she silently prayed. I've never been so happy to see chocolate milk rain in my life!
She saw his head appear in her mind for an instant and wink at her, and then it was gone.
But then a raw fact hit her hard. How could she fly in this weather?
It was going to be a long night.