Three mares raced around a patch of trees that rested in the soil of a haven, just off in a corner of Sweet Apple Acres. Bats flew from left to right, dodging the hoofs and wings of the mares seeking to catch them and put them in a separate area from the others.
“The little vermin don’t know when to stop flyin’ do they?!” Applejack asked as she struggled to get a baby bat that was hanging upside down from a nearby branch. She swatted her hat in the hopes of catching the small winged creature, but the little beast quickly flew away leaving the orange earth pony to fall in the mud under her.
“Oh...oh, no...please...we just want to...sigh...I can’t seem to get any of these infants to listen…” Fluttershy panted, tired from chasing one of the vampire fruit bats around a tree. Looking down at her hooves she stared at a rotten apple she had trodden over.
“Sounds like any other baby to me...” Rainbow huffed flying down to the ground to meet up with the other mares. They had been the only three to volunteer to gather the baby bats and take them to a different safe haven on the other side of the orchard. It was with difficulty that these three were able to even touch one of the vampire fruit bats.
“We have to get these bats to the other reserve, it’s getting too crowded in this one…” Fluttershy said with a worried look and distressed tone watching some of the bats bump into each other.
“Yeah, they’ve been pretty busy, huh?” The cyan pegasus to Fluttershy’s right concluded.
“Let’s not furget that all the apple trees aroun’ the rock patch need to be better strengh’n, so ah need these bats down there as quick as possible.” The orange mare spoke up, while walking up to her friends, reminding them of the weakening orchard. Though it was a good idea to grow more things on her farm, AJ hadn’t imagined the hard soil to get to her trees beside the patch of rocks. In an effort to make the trees stronger she asked Fluttershy to move the new bats to that area of her farm, which the pegasus gladly agreed to seeing that it was also crowded in the pin.
”I wouldn’ want Sweet's ta feel responsible fer ma trees wasten’ away…” Sweetie Bell had mentioned the crystal orchards to AJ, giving the farmer the idea. Ever since the girls and Spike had started investing in a camp for young foals and that it would be on the land of the Apples, they had done nothing but help make the farm better.
“Me neither. Maybe we should try something else…” Fluttershy replied putting her hoof to her chin trying to think of a different tactic.
“We could set up traps?” Rainbow questioned eager to cage the little monsters, which once or twice had bitten her in her efforts to catch them.
“Oh, goodness no! We don’t want to hurt them!” The pegasus panicked, possibly a little too loudly “Perhaps we should just try catching them again, or I could talk to them, or…”
“Fluttershy, these bats won’t listen to anything you gotta say! They're little monsters! They do what they want!” The rainbow pegasus snapped, annoyed that she had spent most of her morning trying to catch pesky bats when she could be napping.
“Oh, well...I-I just...don’t want to hurt them…” Fluttershy bent her neck letting her head hang, unsure of what to do next.
“Fine…” Rainbow huffed in defeat, knowing good and well that making Fluttershy feel helpless would get her nowhere. “I’ll fly around again and see if I can catch one of these stupid bats…” She grunted letting out a sigh at the end of her submissive comment.
“Oh...thank you Rainbow…” Fluttershy said hugging her friend around her neck, then flew up a few inches to begin another chase. “AJ, I have an idea...why don’t me and Rainbow fly around and try and gather all the bats in one place, then you can use your herding skills to gather all the baby bats to the other sanctuary…”
“Sounds good ta me...alright let’s get em’ done!” The blonde haired mare ran out to a designated area as her friends broke paths and began to fly around the trees trying their best to gather all the bats. It was, however, like the bats overheard every word and knew better how to contradict the pacing foes.
“Oh, oh dear, come back!” Fluttershy flew at a fast speed to try and catch one of the baby bats that flew for the exit of the bat haven.
“Wait stop! We just want to help you!” Fluttershy sped up faster to try and catch the rebellious little tike. The bat was practically out when Fluttershy called after it again, “Wait! I just want to help you- Ah!”
“Ah!” Exclaimed another voice, that seemed to be a stallion. He yelped alongside Fluttershy, when they butt heads and collapsed on the ground in a thud. The weak yellow pegasus hadn’t realized how fast she had actually been going, and was slow to stop before it was to late and she was resting on top of a stallion who was now groaning in pain from the impact. The stallion opened his eyes slowly and lifted his head to see who, or what, had made impact with him. His snout hit the mare’s when he lifted his head and gazed at the young pegasus blue eyes. Fluttershy gasped at the sight of his muzzle bumping her nose, and blushed crimson unsure of what to do.
“I-I-I’m so sorry...I was trying to- oh...oh, dear…” She turned her head quickly to stop her from staring at the red eyes of the stallion under her. The pegasus fluffed out her wings and flew up, landing in front of the stallion. The brown colored pony proceeded to stand also, to meet the eyes of the mares once more, grabbing his glasses that had fallen to the side while he did so.
“It’s quite alright, my dear.” A silky voice that was deep and slightly seductive sung from the stallion’s lips as he brushed off his shirt, and shrugged off his coat. Noticing the stallion had dropped his book, Fluttershy bent down and picked it up with her mouth, the title read;
Creatures of The Night , a real coincidence considering the circumstances. She walked forward, closer to the stallion she had previously flown into.
“Um...here.” She said quietly and embarrassed but also nervous to be talking to such a hoofsome stallion that could only be matched with one other she knew.
“Why, thank you, I hadn’t noticed I’d dropped it.” Fluttershy observed the stallion’s movements as he placed the book in his pack hanging over the sides of his wings. He had an almost perfect face with a hoofsome, black beard growing from his chin and jaw, and his eyes made the yellow mare blush. She wanted to stare at his eyes as if she was in a trance, she could only think of one other pair of eyes that had the same effect. She quickly stumbled back when she noticed she was blushing a bright red and was looking intensively into his eyes. The stallion noticed her stares and turned to face her more properly, he gave a smile and a slight wink to show he was of no harm to her. Fluttershy practically collapsed, her knees shaking from such a gesture.
What is wrong with me? He’s just a stallion! A very...kind...looking stallion…so familiar... Her thoughts broke when her two friends called out to her and they ran for the exit of the haven after her.
“Fluttershy! What the hay is goin’ on! We have to get these bats rounded up-” Rainbow paused and glided back to the ground looking at the oddly familiar stallion in front of her. “Do I know you?”
Yes.
“No.”
Lies: 4; Truth 1
“Well what in the hay are you doing here? We got bats to round up.”
“Perhaps I could be of some assistance…” The low voice of the stallion spoke softly, but loud enough to be heard as he walked up to the mares so they could see more of his deep red eyes.
“And uh, who maght you be? ” AJ asked skeptically, scrunching her nose and focusing her green eyes on the pony who had spoken.
“I’m a Professor from a Canterlot college, I came to see if I could study these peculiar bats you have in your possession, but it seems you're in a pickle of your own.”
“Professor, huh? What’s your name?” Rainbow was trying to figure out who he was, where she had seen him before.
“Professor Cordwoods, but a friend of mine prefers Cordy, Discord is a laugh isn’t he?”
“You know Discord?” Fluttershy said excitedly, still blushing slightly from her previous interaction with the professor.
“Why yes, I do, I’ve known him for a short while, but he was the reason of me being here. He had told me of a bat sanctuary here in Ponyville. I wish to take notes and observe them for educational purposes.” Fluttershy thought back on the book she had picked up for him, it made sense him being here, since not many ponies knew much about the nightly creatures that fed on the juice of fruits.
“Well, that’s...nice, and all...but uh,so how exactly do you plan on actually helping?” Rainbow crossed her hooves and waited for the smart looking Professor to vouch for himself.
“You could chase them all day, or, you could reel them in…”
“Am listen’n…”, AJ said waiting for the rest of his plan to unfold in hopes of a successful catch of the baby bats.
“You, there…” He looked over to Applejack who backed up a little in surprise. “Fetch some apples and cinnamon, and place them right outside the gate of the sanctuary. You, rainbow one, grab a net and stay right beside the fence, but make sure not to be seen by the creatures. You, my lovely pegasus, will come with me to gather the bats…”
L-lovely-?Fluttershy felt like fanning herself for fear of melting. What was wrong with her? She’d never felt this way before, and definitely not around a stallion, she was just so nervous. Perhaps it was because he was somepony new, she didn’t know him, and she was shy when meeting new ponies. There was still a familiarity about the stallion that threw her off guard, though. She shook the ridiculous thought from her mind, but she wanted to know who the “Professor” was. Why he was really here. Why did he make her feel like a little school filly, but also put here in a place of peace?
The same feelings were also replaying in Discord’s mind. The previous incident had made his mind hazy and slightly light headed. From the crash? Or from his accidental nose bump? He couldn’t figure out why he felt as if he was in flames, why he felt so eager to please the mare beside him, why he wanted to help and make her smile. He couldn’t give too much away to her, but had to mention Discord so he could establish trust between him and the mares. It seemed the plan was unfolding nicely on his end, but he couldn’t understand the feeling of longing within him, calling him to...her. At the moment, however, he was stuck helping the three with their predicament.
The two of them made their way into the fenced area and to a tree covered with black and blue bats, some being of smaller stature.
“Hm...why don’t we try this…” Discord walked over to a tree and kicked it, making some of the apples fall. He quickly rolled them over with his snout to the pegasus mare who was still staring at him with a confused look.
“What are you-”
“Hush, hush...wait just a moment.” Discord conjured a knife in his pack and pulled it out, careful not to give away his ability to the pegasus in front of him, and then stabbed a few of the apples. He again conjured items in his sack, two bags, and separated some of the apples between the two. “Forgive me, my dear, but we wouldn’t want the bats to suspect anything. Here, take this and fly around the tree, the bats will smell the juice and will follow you as you head for the exit. The young will be the ones to follow since they don’t know any better.”
“Oh, um...okay…” Fluttershy grabbed the bag and flew up to the top of the tree and flew around lightly flapping her wings to not scare them off. Discord walked to the trunk, now trotting around it making the sack sway back and forth as it dangled from his mouth. The scent found its way to the young batch of bats’ noses, which made them drool in expectation. The older vampire fruit bats stayed on their branches not caring for their young's oblivious hopes.
“Come now...these apples won’t stay good for long…” Discord put his front forelegs on the trunk leaning against it, shaking the sack. Fluttershy was doing well, as some of the baby creatures began to follow her, jumping from branch to branch or flying after her. Soon enough the targeted creature's left their resting places and chased after the now running ponies.
“Eek!” Fluttershy gave out a yelp as one of the bats swooped over her head barely touching her hair. Discord grinned at the sight but ran faster to the mare in front of him, he thought fast and ran his head under Fluttershy, then pushed his head up making the mare scream out of fright as she fell on the stallion's back and wings. Cordwoods chuckled, almost dropping his sack, but then casually smiled as he saw the exit.
Fluttershy couldn’t help but blush a deep crimson, she was tempted to snap at the strange stallion for doing such an act, and practically giving her a heart attack! But another swooping bat made her change her mind quickly, she grabbed the disguised Discord’s neck and held on tight. This made the stallion blush slightly at her innocent actions. His wings came out to give her better balance, so she wouldn’t fall as he glided across the ground, leaving the sanctuary and sacks of apples. The bats weren’t fools, they came to a stop and dove into the apples and cinnamon sticks. Rainbow was ready with a large net and put it over the bunch of small creatures while they feasted.
“Hate ta admit it...but that was better than any plan I’d probably make. Last time we tried roundin’ em’ up with apples, bu’ ah was afraid they’d be too smart.”
“Yes, they would have, but the young don’t know any better. However the cinnamon trail is what really made them come, the sweet smell of the spice set them off. I just had to leave a trail for them to follow.” In a sense, Discord was observing the creatures, and was writing notes down in his head. He found the nocturnal, vampire creatures fascinating. His concentration broke, however, when a shaking vibration came from his back. The stallion had forgotten his helpless friend, who was frightened and shaking. She was still holding tight to his neck as if she feared falling from a ridiculous height. He turned his head slightly to look at the teary eyed expression Fluttershy held, it made him smile sympathetically at her helplessness and foalike innocents. “No need to be scared anymore, you’re safe now...sorry I scared you. You were lagging a bit and I didn’t want the bats to scare you too much.” Fluttershy heard the words of the stallion she was still holding on to, and felt comfort in them. She continued to blush at the sound of his voice, and felt embarrassed even more for having him carry her around.
“Oh...oh my...I didn’t realize I was still-I’m sorry…” The pegasus quickly slid off Cordwoods wings and walked over beside AJ who looked a bit skeptical as she watched the stallion closely.
“No need, my dear, I only wished to assist you.”
“That’s mighty kind of ya, but uh, I still don’t understan’ wha yur here…” The orange mare still continued to stare at him, slightly amazed at his previous plan and quick thinking. Before he could answer, Rainbow Dash got the net full of bats and grunted, catching everypony’s attention.
“Look, are we gonna ask questions, or are we gonna get these little monsters in their pin?!”
“Oh, yes, we must get them to the other reserve as fast as possible, they must be so uncomfortable in that net…” Fluttershy sighed, flying over to the net and watching the bats intently, with a distressed expression pulling at her lips. Discord, under the cover of his stallion form, felt a slight awe at the sight of Fluttershy being so gentle with creatures of the night that fend for themselves and cared not for others. Only a minute ago was she terrified of the creatures and was holding tightly to him for security. It gave him an “at home” feeling, as he began to walk beside her and the net, while Rainbow dash carried the sack of greedy young bats to the other reserve.
“So ya gonna tell me wha yur still here?”
“As I said before…” Discord said in slight annoyance when AJ had broken his thoughts, “I wish to study these animals for my students.” The stallion stated matter-of-factly, looking between the faces of Fluttershy and Applejack. He noticed their slight distrust, and was prepared. “I teach a class on Biology and History of Magic between all species of ponies and animals alike. I heard of the bat sanctuary from my friend who lives near the area. When I heard about it I had to find out more about the creatures harbored there.”
“So, um, how do you know Discord?” Fluttershy was obviously intrigued at the sound of Discord’s part in the story, but also in the stallion walking next to her.
“I met Discord not to long ago when I wanted to learn more about chimera. Considering there are few of his species I paid him a visit, we found much in common with one another and soon became acquaintances, but I now consider him a friend.” Discord hadn’t told Fluttershy much about his kind, but he felt it was a known fact since few are acknowledged.
“Oh...I see...well I’m glad he’s found another friend besides me, hehe, a-and the smooze...I always wish him the best, since he’s one of the bestest friends I’ve ever had...well, besides these mares of course.”
“Ack, sappy much?” Rainbow gaged but blushed from the comment her friend made about her and the others.
“Well, ya’ll are some of the bestest friends I’ve had, my family aside, but yah are just like ma family too...” AJ commented giving the pegasus mare a hug, which made Fluttershy giggle and smile at her. Discord felt his heart leap, and his face glow a red.
I’m one of the most important ponies in her life?
He couldn’t help but have a goofy smile on his face, it felt nice to be appreciated in such a way.
“So, how long have you known Discord? I can assume for a while…” He knew, but he wished to converse with the mare to make her open up more around his unfamiliar form.
“Oh well,” Fluttershy was now blushing also, and giggled at the thought of her first day of the Lord of Chaos’s reformation. Discord smiled as he heard her laugh, slightly anxious to hear what she had to say about him. “I’ve known him for about three years. I first met him when he was...evil,...but my second meeting was definitely one I won’t forget...he was hard to reform I’ll admit, but when I really got to know him I learned that, at the end of day, he’s just a hoofsome stallion of a sweetheart…oh...” Fluttershy hadn’t meant to say hoofsome, but Discord turned to her immediately, shocked at her compliment.
“What do you-” Cordwoods hadn’t finished because Rainbow had let out the bats into their new haven, and Fluttershy quickly trotted over to the gate, hoping her acquaintance would forget what she said. But it was stuck in his head and it replayed over and over.
Hoofsome? Sweetheart? Stallion?! How could such a monster be seen in that way? I don’t deserve such credit. She just wanted to make a good impression for her friend. But...that did feel nice to hear that from her.
Discord felt happy to hear the pegasus speak only good things about her friend. It was like it was a perfect life as long as she was around, always giving him hope and letting him be himself. She was most definitely something he didn't want to lose. Perhaps that’s why it hurt him to lie to her, but he wanted her to open up more, as if there was a whole other world he was missing out on if he was himself. He could truthfully say he knew everything about her, but it still felt like something was missing, and he needed to find it. “The Professor” was a lie, but he really did want to know his friend better, to show her other things about himself too. He had secrets, he had ambitions and passions. He had to open up to her too. Discord wanted to show that she could never grow tired of him.
Fluttershy made her way back to the confused stallion, she was blushing.
“Um, I was wondering, since you helped us get all the bats together...w-would you like to join me and Rainbow for a picnic? We were planning on eating breakfast after we had finished.”
“Well...I...I’d love to…” He hadn’t realized how hungry and weak he felt, so he replied with a smile, making Fluttershy blush once again. She had felt it would be too bold, or forward to further learn more about the stallion that day, but she also wanted to treat him since he had helped her with retrieving the bats. "And, I'm sure you found everything you were looking for?"
"Oh, yes..." He smiled at her, not realizing his blush, then he shook his head slightly. "The bats! Yes, yes, I um, have everything I need...it will sure be a good lesson for my students."
“Um, hey, I forgot, I gotta clear the skies again about now...so it looks like I won’t be able to go, sorry Flutters…” Rainbow flew down and walked past Fluttershy to Apple Jack.
“Oh...um...no, no it’s okay...we’ll just-”
“-head on out, I’m sure we’ll do just fine...you have your fun and...Fluttershy, and I...will go eat.” Discord said it too quickly, he had let his emotions get the best of him putting himself in a awkward situation. He didn’t want to seem too forward either, but had already sent his idea into the conversation. He just wanted to spend as much time as possible with her.
Alone. Fluttershy felt her knees ache wanting to give out. She had only just met him, she did feel a familiar aura come from him, but he was still a stranger. She also wanted to stay with him, she felt safe, content, at peace, but also nervous, and short of breath. She was afraid if he would like her for the helpless pegasus mare she was, and become her friend, or if he would make fun of her. So many emotions at once swarmed through her mind that she didn’t realize the meal was planned before her eyes and she was walking off the Apple Farm with Professor Cordwoods.
“Um, a-a- are you sure you want to go?” Fluttershy stammered, a bit nervous to be with a stranger without the accompaniment of her friends.
I don’t know...Discord thought in his head, nervous and trying to think of things to ask or say to make her trust him.
“Why of course, I wouldn’t want your plans to go to waste, besides, I would like to get to know you better. Discord has said many things about you, but I would like to learn for myself…”
“Oh, well then- wait...Discord talks about me?” Fluttershy was really surprised by this, and a little unsure of how to feel.
“Yes, occasionally in our visits...but I recall one time that he said you were the finest mare he’s met, and probably the only pony who truly understands him.”
Lies: 4; Truth: 2
“Oh, hehe, I’m not so sure, but...he really said that?”
“Yes...he did.”
“Well, I’m glad he sees me that way.” She wouldn’t admit it fully, but she loved receiving Discord’s praises and attention She too felt that he understood her more than others, even more than her other friends. They had both been picked on when they were younger for being different, for being outcast. Fluttershy was bullied for being a weak flyer, when Discord was judged for his abilities and appearance. So they understood one another more than others understood them. He was always trying to help her be stronger too. “So, um, what led to you to being a professor at this...college? Any family in Canterlot?” She quickly changed the subject, trying to block her thoughts, but also eager to learn more about Cordwoods.
“No family, only me, I had wished to be a teacher since I was young, I studied hard and learned all I could about mag- I mean science and history.”
I shouldn’t reveal too much of my past, or my magic. Especially my magic. She would definitely question why a pegasus has such abilities.
“I see…well, I’m glad you chose Ponyville to visit, you can meet a lot of ponies here, and you’re sure to make friends.”
“I think I already have…” He winked at her making Fluttershy’s face heat up yet again, she quickened her pace to a light trot, heading for her cottage that was not far off from the path. Discord also paced himself to a light trot to catch up with the mare, being sure to stay by her side. The two made their way to Fluttershy’s cottage on the outskirts of the town. She made him stay outside while she grabbed a basket and some food, hurrying as to not leave the stallion waiting outside for long. Angel waited by the door, with a pouting face and a twitch of his eye. He was aggravated that a stallion would join Fluttershy and not himself.
“Oh, Angel, don’t look like that! You’ll get wrinkles on your head! I promise I’ll fluff your tail out when I get back...I-I’ll even make a salad creme carrot surprise...with a cherry on top…no, two cherries...” The mare bent down looking at him with a smile and a squee in her apologetic and sympathetic grin. The rabbit huffed and squeaked loudly, as if to say, “Whatever, just bring me back something from this stupid breakfast and maybe I’ll love you again...maybe…”, making Fluttershy nuzzel him, smiling as if she were trying to win the heart of her child with motherly love. After the brief conversation with the tempered bunny, the yellow pegasus made her way back outside meeting the eyes of the stallion she had met only a little while ago.
“Shall we?” He bowed in an almost sarcastic gesture, while still remaining a gentlecolt. Fluttershy giggled at the sight and proceeded to move forward with breakfast, walking out to one of the trees farthest from the Everfree forest and her backyard. She tried setting out a blanket, but was stopped by Cordwoods, who decided to do it for her. Discord had actually done this every time him and Fluttershy would do their picnics, which made Fluttershy blush innocently at the memory as well as his actions. Once the quilt was laid out the mare continued to set up their breakfast, putting out pancakes and a container of syrup, along with large voluptuous strawberries. That had actually been one of Discord’s favorite breakfast meals. The two sat atop the blanket under the shade of the tree shielded from the morning’s rays of sunlight.
Professor 'Cordy' took some of the pancakes and put them on his plate and proceeded by then drowning them in the sweet substance of syrup, while Fluttershy grabbed a plain pancake and some strawberries. They ate and exchanged small talk with one another, both seeking more information from the other. Discord knew everything before it could be said by his friend, however, he wished to learn something new. Or to do something new. He had prepared himself though, acknowledging the fact that it would take some time for her to open up to him about other things he didn’t know about her.
Fluttershy, a little hesitant to speak, was observing the teacher across from her. He ate big bites of his pancake that had been covered in sweetness, with only half a strawberry on the top. Discord ate his that way too. She smiled at the thought of her friend meeting new ponies and opening up more. The disguised Lord of Chaos looked over to the smiling, and rosey cheeked, cream colored mare that was watching him. He blushed also, realizing how fast he was eating, and for the oddest reason he felt the urge to eat more and more. He had felt slightly drained and weak when he first changed into the now “Professor Cordwood”, but he sensed a fatigue and lack of nourishment. To be more polite, however, he put his fork down and ended his meal, which made Fluttershy lose her expression of happiness.
“Oh, is it not good? I did think the pancakes were a little cold since I had made them before I left to get the bats- Oh I’m sorry it’s not-”
“There fine, I have just had my fill.”
Not really, but I’ll manage.
He was lying, she could tell, he turned his head to avoid eye contact. Discord was the same way whenever he lied or wasn’t being completely truthful to her.
“It’s fine, you eating fast I mean, it makes me happy to see somepony liking my food. I know I don’t cook very well but-”
“Oh no, you cook marvelously!” Cordwoods voice carried like an echo, a little too loud and long, as if to stop her from leaving him after he had supposedly insulted her. “Ahem...What I mean is...your cooking is at a high level, it’s magnificent...even if they're just flatcakes...they're probably the best I’ve ever had…” He blushed, he usually gave her compliments that would usually be rejected since Fluttershy never held herself in high esteem. He wanted to show her she was worth...something, but the draconequus expected no less than a humble rejection from the mare.
“T-Thank you...that means a-a lot…” Fluttershy felt warmth from his compliment, it seemed familiar and genuine, and it meant even more to hear him say it. Discord gave her compliments like that too, always making her feel worth it. It had the same effect, maybe her friend was right after all. Maybe she was worth it.
Maybe I’m not useless...
You’re not useless…
She saw it, a twinkle in his eye. She was conversing with the stallion without even talking, they watched each other wondering what the other will do next. Discord watched the rays of the sun peek through the opening of leaves from the tree and hit her hair. The pink shine glowed softly and her coat shimmered a light yellow, like cream. His eyes met hers once again, after looking in admiration, sinking into the blue and white of the windows to her kind heart. He felt himself lean forward a little, but recoiled, standing up quickly.
“I-I have to l-leave. Yes, I can’t be late for, uh, something very important...I must do…”
“Oh.” Fluttershy had felt it to, an overwhelming pressure. She shrugged it off and got up as well eyeballing the almost empty breakfast picnic laid out. “I um, h-have to clean this up…” She stuttered, in fear of making eye contact with him again she looked down at her hooves. A moment was fleeting, and she felt she had to do something.
“Yes, right, well, I’d stay to help...but considering I’m running late now…”
Lies: 5; Truth: 3...
He felt his head getting lighter by the second, his stomach feeling queasy. He felt ill struck all of a sudden. Discord had stayed a pony for about two hours, but he felt so drained of power as it was.
“Um…” His concentration broke at the sound of Fluttershy’s plea, she had to ask something. “Would you like to go somewhere tomorrow? I-I could show you around town...I-If you w-want to...I-I mean I don’t want to pressure you to doing something you don’t want to do...and if you don’t want to go that’s fine too...because you know if you’re b-busy and all I wouldn’t want to-” Discord reached out and pressed his new hoof against her mouth to calm her nerves. Fluttershy looked at him embarrassed for her rambling on, but also at the stallions touch...it felt so warm and comforting.
“I’ll gladly join you…” Discord looked seductively at her, not even realizing he was doing so. This made Fluttershy blush deeper and gasp, then look away quickly, something that caught the disguised draconequus off guard. He hadn’t meant to startle her, he was just being gentle. Then he saw it, the innocent smile on her face she usually wore when she was nervous or felt...he wasn’t sure what, but it was a familiar face. Fluttershy then looked over to him again, prepared to say her goodbyes till next time.
Discord looked at her innocence, and something played over in his head as he watched her hair flow loosely over her shoulder and her ears perk down in a submissive fashion. She blushed a pink since she was in the presence of a stranger, no doubt. Her eyes were big blue ones, full of wonder and curiosity for the world around her. At that moment when they exchanged their goodbyes Discord’s heart had stopped. He had left quickly, opening a portal after he had entered the Everfree forest, so that the pegasus wouldn’t see. He pulled through and collapsed on the floor of his home, tripping over his own four hooves, then quickly transforming back to his own beastly self. It stung this time, burned even, making him cry out a few times as he received his corrupted parts back.
He felt so exhausted and deprived of energy, of life. He laid there silently panting trying to regain energy by resting. When he finally gained enough to sit up he looked at the area he had been resting. The floor under him had turned grey and lacked color and magic, it had happened again. The greying floorboards and carpet luckily hadn’t reached out to the whole living room, only the spot he now sat.
“I must control this...I’m already close to learning more about her...and this is only day one! My plan is going perfectly! But…”
The thought he had before left. Another lingered there. Waiting to be heard, a little voice calmly sang, in hopes that the Lord of Chaos would accept and submit. The whole time he was with her it felt normal, like he was still himself, but there was something else too. Fluttershy had acted differently towards him, not in a way he expected, but different nonetheless. Before, he would want to please her, make her smile, compliment her, assist her, laugh with her, all these things...were now stronger. Almost like this were an impulse or an instinct he had to carry out. It seemed stronger than ever when he was in a weaker state and his magic wasn’t being used for chaotic purposes. His focus wasn’t on his next trick, but on her. He had put his entire focus on the well being of Fluttershy, making the instincts he had before more audible and they pushed forward more, refusing to be ignored.
Thoughts of the small breakfast they had swept through, made Discord rethink over and over to make sense of where these impulses were coming from. Did he have some purpose to do? Was his magic not being used correctly and was taking different forms? Had he not his full strength to carry out his tasks? One question arose above the others, and he wished not to think too much on the subject. He would admit that Fluttershy possessed a sweet happiness with anypony she met, and gave the peace and serenity he needed to be reformed himself. But this seemed like a different attraction he felt when he viewed her in the morning sun with the innocent eyes, and her ears in submission to anything he had to say. She was a regular pony, and seemed to look like all the rest until now. One thought...one question he couldn’t figure out...
Why did she look so beautiful to me?
Fluttershy, now inside her bedroom, was sitting atop her bed fluffing up Angel’s tail as promised. She seemed like she was out of it, whether it was from the exhaustion from the chases and the bats, or the breakfast she had with the strange new stallion. Angel took notice when his tail wasn’t being fluffed up to his liking. He turned to face her, staring at her intently, waiting for an explanation as to why she hadn’t brought back any left over strawberries for him.
“Oh...I’m sorry Angel, I just...well, I’m just thinking about today is all…” The snow white bunny squeaked with a shallow tone, replying to his weak little pegasus with, “got anything to do with the old goat you went for breakfast with?”
“Oh, no, well, yes...but you shouldn’t say such things about him...he was so nice..and..and…” She looked down at her bunny who had his paws crossed and was waiting for the rest. “Angel, have you ever had to make a choice that’s difficult, but you know you can’t have both? One of the choices may be impossible and the other might be a lost hope?” Angel looked at her suspiciously, and squeaked a reply still holding a serious look.
“No, but if it’s what I’m thinking, you probably should go with your heart…”.
“My heart says two different things...but something feels off somehow...sigh...I don’t know Angel...maybe I’m not meant to-” Angel scurried up her chest and hugged her tightly, as if to say “don’t think like that, you’re worth it, and the right stallion will make you feel that way...”. Fluttershy let the moment linger, as she held her precious bunny tightly in her hoofs. There, in the presence of a friend, she made a choice.