//------------------------------// // Vivi's Kingdom // Story: One Night in the Everfree Forest // by Fluttercordfan //------------------------------// It had been a while since they lost that stupid fox. Discord couldn't believe she was taking it so hard. It was just an animal, a stupid little animal. She hadn't even known it that long. Yet Fluttershy seemed quite taken with the little bugger. He remembered her constantly stroking the animal with her soft hooves. 'No stop right there Discord you are not going down that road' Discord silently chastised himself. It seemed like he was telling himself this a lot more as of late. Come on what was he doing? Getting all sappy just because Fluttershy seemed to be paying more attention to some flee bitten animal than him. At least this is what he tried to tell himself. There was still that nagging voice in the back of his mind that wouldn't let it go. 'Is the fox the real problem here or is it your jealousy?' He tried to push the troubling thought away, but it wouldn't budge. 'I bet your glad he's gone. Now you have Fluttershy all to yourself. Just the way you wanted it.' Discord visually flinched at this thought. No why would he think that? Sure he didn't exactly get along with the vermin, but he didn't purposely wish him away. "Discord are you okay?" Whispered Fluttershy a little worried. "Oh oh yes I am perfectly fine. Don't worry yourself over me." Discord tried to sound confident. "Well ok as long as your alright." Discord couldn't help, but notice she sounded a bit uncertain. 'Now look at what your doing buffoon. Your making Fluttershy worried. This is hard enough on her as it is.' He thought to himself. This brought him back to reality. He was trying to help his friend and although he really hated that fox, he would never wish it away. Not when doing so would cause her pain. The very idea was ludicrous. He may be a bit mischievous, but not cruel. It must have been a the slight amount of jealousy talking. A ridiculous jealousy at that. ' 'Although seeing Fluttershy jealous was definitely something.' He thought with a grin. Fluttershy noticed his grin and thought it was quite strange. Just moments ago he was grimacing and now grinning like a fool. It was just like Discord to be so, well, Discord. She was getting worried though. They had been walking for what seemed like hours and everything looked the same to her. How would they know when they got there? "We're here" Sang Discord. "Oh" She looked around at the endless landscape of trees. Discord seemed pleased and just stood in place, but whatever it was he was seeing, it was completely lost on Fluttershy. "Um Discord" "Yes Fluttershy?" "Where exactly is here? The center of the forest?" she hesitantly asked. "Well sort of" Discord replied with a grimace. He seemed to take a moment to collect himself before continuing. He rubbed the back of his long neck with his clawed hand. "You see Vivi doesn't exactly like to be disturbed. In order to prevent people from just wandering through she set up a sort of protective entrance. So that only those that had great need could get to her." He looked a little nervous as he said that last part. Fluttershy was starting to become very nervous now. "You mean she booby trapped the place don't you? What kind of um protection methods did she use here Discord?" He heaved a great sigh and confessed "Well they change based on person or persons entering it, but its a maze of sorts." She well remembered the last time she had entered a magical maze. "Was it by chance the same maze that gave you the idea for yours?" She questioned a bit suspiciously. Discord definitely looked a bit sheepish now. His face had gone an interesting shade of pink and he was looking everywhere, but at her. "Ok maybe a I took one or two ideas, but I can assure you mine was way more fun than anything she could come up with." "Much less dangerous too" He mumbled. Having caught that last part Fluttershy paled. "That's what I'm afraid of." Noticing this Discord quickly quieted her fears. "Now now Fluttershy remember who you're with. My magic is far superior to any foolish forest imp. Just stick with me and you'll be fine." To prove his point he wrapped a clawed hand around her and walked through a bush. Once they made it on the other side Fluttershy gasped. "Its its like another world!" She exclaimed. The darkness of the forest was now far gone and in its place was a world of light. There was still plenty of plant life, but it was not any kind of plants she had seen. The trees were filled with colors of blue, red, pink. There was a lot of pink. Mountains could be seen in the distance with white tips, but it looked a bit different from the normal snow caps. That and the rocky surface was a lot more jagged and well colorful. The grass they were walking on was shiny and stretchy. It looked like... "Licorice?" Fluttershy couldn't hide the surprise in her voice. She looked up to see Discords reaction, but he was currently snacking on part of a gumball bush. "Mmm yep and the mountains are made of rock candy. Doesn't it all look delicious?" Fluttershy couldn't take it anymore she burst out laughing. Lost in a fit of giggles she didn't notice Discord's knowing smile. When she finally recovered herself she practically beamed up at Discord. "Oh Discord it is amazing. Do you think I could try some?" She shyly asked. "Why of course! I highly recommend the chocolate flowers. This place has just about everything. Although it is lacking in the cotton candy department." He grimaced at this. Fluttershy just smiled in return. "Oh Discord can't you just conjure some up for yourself?" "Ah yes well normally I would, but this place is filled with magic and mixing magic is not a very good idea. I would really like to keep that to a minimum around here." "I see" Fluttershy had just assumed he would be able to use his magic to get them in and out, but it looks like it wasn't going to be that easy after all. To cover up her moment of fear she quickly changed the subject. "Well I do love chocolate, but I would really like some caramel. It was always my favorite." Discord brightened upon hearing this. "Really that's wonderful! I know this great little swamp that has the best caramel around. Come on its just a little bit down this way." Fluttershy started to follow, but hesitated. "Wait shouldn't we be heading towards Vivi?" Discord shrugged. "Vivi can wait. We have been traipsing through that forest for ages. I think we deserve a little rest don't you?" "Hmm I guess your right. Well then lead on sire" Fluttershy barely managed to hide her laughter. "Its about time someone acknowledged my royalness." Discord played along with the joke glad to see her happy. They would be getting to the more dangerous aspects of this place soon enough. Better to let her have her fun now. The two walked side by side heading to a small pond dripping with a sweet confection.