//------------------------------// // The Dream // Story: One Night in the Everfree Forest // by Fluttercordfan //------------------------------// The tears fell like rainfall as she slowly made her way through the candy forest. With all the happy colors around you would think her spirits would be much lighter. However, Fluttershy didn't notice anything other than the aching emptiness she felt deep within. Why had she done that? There was no reason to go off on him like that, but she had just been so mad! Which come to think of it was really unusual for her. Maybe it was just the anxiety and stress that had been building up from this trip. After all it was just a harmless prank. There was no need to be that angry, but why did he have to act like that? She was so engulfed in her own thoughts that she didn't notice the ominous clouds that had set over the forest. The once colorful array of trees now grew into strange and disturbing shapes. Tendrils of smoke billowed out from everywhere and nowhere. Wrapping themselves around everything in their wake. Finally Fluttershy was so fatigued from all her crying and the days events that she lay down right where she was. Her eyelids got heavy and no matter how hard she fought to stay awake she couldn't stop the darkness as it descended upon her. "What is happening to me?" She awoke surrounded in darkness. It was like being swallowed up by a black hole. Nothing as far as the eye could see and even her voice echoed. "Hello? Is anybody there? Discord?" The echoing sound did nothing to calm her nerves. She began to walk, but no matter where she went it seemed like an endless abyss without the slightest trace of light. When she thought she couldn't take the silence any longer a voice came from just behind her. "Hello there Fluttershy." "What? Who are you?" "A friend" These short clipped answers were a little suspicious and quite unusual, but then again everything here was. "What is it that you want?" She asked a little shakily. Only one word was whispered back. "You" This one word sent fear racing through her heart. "AHH!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This pain he felt wouldn't go away and it was excruciating. Why did he even care? He was Discord! He didn't care what anyone thought of him. Especially not some stupid, ugly, beautiful, kind ugh. He couldn't even think badly of her, but to know that was how she really thought of him. It really hurt. He held back a sniffle and instead knocked down a nearby gumdrop tree. A few butterscotch flies fled. Everything was going so swimmingly until that stupid incident. Why had she been so mad in the first place. It was highly unusual to see her so upset at anyone. Thought he guessed he kind of deserved it for his past deeds. Still she had seemed to not care before and even defended him when no one else gave him the time of day. So why was now any different? Even weirder was why was she covered in caramel? She had accused him of throwing it at her, but he wasn't even near her when it supposedly happened. "Fluttershy would never lie. Would she?" He asked no one in particular. As he looked up he noticed the darkening of the sky and how all of the plants seem to shrink in on themselves. "Oh no!" He had completely forgotten about the time. No matter how hurt or angry he might be at Fluttershy he would never leave her alone at night here. "AHH!" "That sounded like Fluttershy." Without another word he took off in the direction of the scream. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy awoke on a scream. She frantically looked around for the source of the voice, but it seemed to have vanished, along with the dark abyss. Now she seemed to be back in the forest. Unfortunately it was still too dark to even see an inch in front of her face. Not knowing what else to do she curled up into a ball and sobbed quietly into her hooves. "Fluttershy!" At the sound of Discord's voice she jumped up. "Discord? I'm here!" She heard some rustling to her right and suddenly she was wrapped into a tight embrace. "Oh Fluttershy are you alright? Don't scare me like that!" Her nerves were so shot all she managed to do was grab onto him tighter and sob into his shoulder. "You have to be careful. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but this place gets kind of dangerous at night." As he said this he absently swatted a few killer maple bees that had flown a little too close. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it I swear! Please don't leave me ever again." She sobbed out in response. Discord was a little taken aback at her statement, but did his best not to show it. Instead of answering he just leaned down and kissed her forehead. Then cautiously tucked her head back down to his chest and rubbed her back as she sobbed. The two stood like that for what seemed like hours, but was likely only a few minutes. Once she was all cried out she lifted her head and said two words. "I'm sorry" Discord gave her a little smile back. "I know" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The two seemed to come to an agreement not to speak of the incident that happened between them that night. However, try as they might things were still a little awkward around them by the time they made it to the mirrors. A large silver and glass door hung right in the middle of the forest and Discord stepped right up to it. "Um Discord what are you doing? He looked back a little startled at hearing her voice after so long. "Oh well this is the entrance to the hall of mirrors." He stated matter of factly. As if it was the most obvious thing in the world. She gave him a questionable look in return. "You mean we are going in there?" He shook his head. "Its the only way through. You do want to get out of her don't you?" "Yes!" she shook her head vehemently. Hopping up in front of him she began to enter. "Woah woah! Hang on a second there little filly. You don't want to just go traipsing in. Better to stick as close to me as possible. This place is dangerous and it is very easy to get lost." She gave him a dubious glance. "I think I can take care of myself enough to not get lost. I'm not two." He sighed. "I know that, but trust me one wrong move in here and you may never see the light of day again. So please just humor me and stay close." The pleading in his eyes was her undoing. She was a little uncomfortable being so close after their fight, but if he thought it was necessary than it probably was. Side by side they walked into the doorway. Neither of them completely sure what they were getting into. Once inside a booming sounded all around and the doorway they had just walked through crashed shut. "No! Were trapped!" A thunderous voice drowned out her protest. "You dare enter my domain?" Discord stepped forward. "Yes we are only seeking help from the great Vivi." "She does not take visitors! You stupid ugly Draconequus!" Fluttershy did not like the way she was talking about her friend and before she could rethink it she shouted. "Don't you dare call him stupid! He is the most intelligent and beautiful creature there is! Besides we need to talk to her its an emergency." She ended in a squeak. The voice seemed to pause a moment. "Hmm you seem very close to this Draconnequus?" Fluttershy blushed a little at this. "Yes" Evil laughter sounded from all around them. "Well lets see how long that lasts."