A Kind of Chaos

by Lola Dotz


Secrets: Part 1

The rain beat down hard on his wings as he tried to prevent his clothes from being drenched. It was freezing, but he ignored the chill and the sounds of thunder overhead as he tried his best to make his way to the outskirts of Ponyville. The cold water trickled down his feathers and over his muzzle, tickling his eyes and nose, staining his face a darker shade of brown. His wings paid no heed to the showering of his clothes, but did however, protect his package from getting wet.

It was a simple, green wrapped, yellow ribbon tied present that hid under the crease of his wing and shoulder, protected from the threatening downpour outside it’s warm haven. The pegasus would have given the gift yesterday, but had been delayed, being he forgot about gifts to begin with, and the fact he would have been too frazzled to give the gift anyway. It was still important either way, though. The gift was of utmost importance, leading the stallion so far as to be galloping in the rain toward a certain mare’s cottage, without considering the chances of getting wet. The rain didn’t matter, the gift, the reaction...the kiss, that’s what mattered.


The stallions face flushed from the remembrance of his moment yesterday, once the mare had too much to drink and seduced him, the thought made him almost trip face first into a mud puddle. He shook his head violently, letting the memories wash away with the drops of rain, and proceeded to the cottage in his sight. He had been quite clumsy that day, even forgetting his glasses, making everything blurry. Discord also couldn’t shake the feeling of nausea and the pulsing migraine he had. Any other time, he would have considered bringing the gift over tomorrow, or the day after if need it be. But his excitement had overwhelmed his mind, giving him the irrational thought of trudging through the mud and thus trying his best to cover his garments from the thunderstorm. He could’ve just teleported, but he was wasting energy as it was being Cordwood, best to just hoof it.

Even if the thought had crossed his mind, he didn’t care.

It was, at last in view, the cottage. Fluttershy’s cottage. All her animals resided in their coops, holes, and bird houses, keeping cozy with their families, distracted from the rain and the heaving stallion that trotted across the stepping stones, making splashes and clapping noises as his hooves hit the rocks and puddles. He took a shallow breath of hesitance, trying to catch his breath, before hoofing the door awaiting a response. His abnormal ears twitching at the sound of hoofsteps reaching nearer to the wood barrier in front of them, blocking their eyes from seeing one another. His breath was taken from him once again when the door opened, and he released a longing sigh as the shy yellow pegasus came into view.

Gasp! Cordwood! What are you doing in the rain you’ll catch a cold! Or a Flu-or-or-” She stopped her worryingly ranting at the sound of the said professor’s chuckling.

Always thinking of others...you continue to amaze me Flutters. I honestly don’t deserve you in the slightest.

“I’m quite alright, my dear.” He panted, but despite his fatigue and the rain that continued to drip down his face, he managed to grin brightly.

Oh, no! No, you're not, look at you! You're soaking wet! You’ll definitely get sick if you stay out here!” Fluttershy grabbed the professor’s wet sleeve and pulled him into her house. The warmth hit his cold muzzle, and made him moan in longing for the warmth of a flame or heat. Fluttershy scurried across her cottage floorboards and grabbed a towel, proceeding to give it to the stallion dripping water onto her carpet in the center of her living room.

“Here, this should-” Fluttershy looked at her guest momentarily, flushing brightly, not going unnoticed by the pegasus in front of her. His clothes clinged to him, this time he went without his usual sweater, but had his loose white tuck-in, that folded at the elbows showing off his forelegs hoofsomly. His hair was a mess, but made him look even more hoofsome than before, as it fell into his eyes and over his neck. His ears looked extra fluffy and so did his chest, visible due to the first few buttons of his shirt being incorrectly pinned to the other side. His wings looked ruffled from being doused with cold water, and in reaction to the warmer temperature of her cottage. The sight altogether made Fluttershy feel uncomfortable pleasure, only by looking at him for a moment.

Discord could sense her discomfort, and grinned mischievously when he noticed her stunned expression.

“Forgive me...I had to get here to you as soon as possible...You don’t mind if I stay for a little while?”

Um…” Fluttershy was still stunned but shook her head and tried to erase her previous thoughts. “O-Of course! I mean...no, I don’t mind at all, Cords...make yourself at home-here, you can dry off with this.” She hoofed him the fluffy dry cloth, but the disguised Discord didn’t grab it immediately. He savored the moment of a flustered Fluttershy for a bit longer. He began to unbutton his shirt with his hooves, which seemed difficult, but he was capable enough to finish the task of taking off his clothes. “O-Oh my…” She whispered, this made Discord blush a dark crimson as he pulled the wet garment off.

“Something the matter?”

U-Um...no! I just…” It felt weird. Mares and stallion didn’t actually wear anything, but it seemed oddly satisfactory when they did and then took it off in the midst of a viewer. It was an indescribable feeling of want, and it made Fluttershy unsure of her own feelings and inner thoughts, as her fantasies took a flight of their own. She had the sudden urge to kiss him!

Kiss? Him?! Oh my...my mind is playing with me!

“I’ll set a fire!” She said a bit too quick and too loud, her shy demeanor momentarily swapping with something of determination and slight embarrassment. She hurried to the fireplace and moved some of the logs, carefully setting them in a pyramid, then preparing a match and setting her fireplace ablaze.

The light from the flames danced off of Fluttershy’s sleek butter coat and seemed to make her look even more lovely, illuminating her natural beauty. The stallion gaped in awe of her, before he mustered what little willpower she had reduced him to, and quickly turned his head. Discord, now undressed, hung his wet shirt on a bench that stood beside the door and held a key (most likely to Fluttershy’s cottage), and a card.

On closer inspection he could see exactly what the note said in beautiful hoofwriting.

Cordwood.

“Flutters…” He began, now picking up the green package he had laid on the floor, beside the stool while he had stripped his garments. “I came to-”

Oh, yes! I-I’m sorry, I-um...was just wondering why you were here, b-but I think I should make some tea...You're probably really cold…” She stammered, and before the stallion could protest, she had already made her way into the kitchen and was starting her brew. The lemon scent and honey carried through the house, drawing Discord to the kitchen and the table that rested in the right corner against a window that showed the thunderstorm raging outside. It wasn’t until he sat down, and slid into the half circled bench seat around the table while hearing the rustle of the wrapping hugging against a small box under his wing, that he realized why he was there in the first place. Discord took the box out, holding the ribbon by his teeth, and watched in awe as Fluttershy finished her brew of tea and came to the table.

“Here you go, nice and hot, oh-but not too hot...well-maybe you should blow on it first...or maybe I should get some ice? Oh-do you need a blanket? Or maybe-” She was once again interrupted by the deep, hearty chuckle emitting from the stallion on her kitchen bench. “Oh-did I say something funny?” She asked, a little confused by his sudden laughter, but she soon smiled and giggled too. She allowed her mind let go of her worry and submitted to the comfort of the low chuckle of her friend. Cordwood kept the grin on his face as he placed the wrapped box on the table, receiving a curious look from Fluttershy, but she dismissed the box without any explanation and continued to stare back at the red irises of her interest.

“No, no...I just find you being frazzled slightly entertaining...I do not mean any offense- I have something for you, that is as for my being here...I wish to give you a belated present.” Fluttershy looked at the familiar stallion puzzled, and a little concerned. Why would he get a gift for her? It wasn’t her birthday. No holiday, that she knew of. Why would Cordwood wish to present her with a token?

“I regretfully admit…” He sighed in pity, “...that I had forgotten the ‘exchanging’ of gifts during Hearts and Hooves...seeing you and your friends give you such tokens...a-and well, to one another in general…” Discord stuttered, he felt rather foolish. He had always given her something for her anniversaries, or birthdays, even just the occasional friendly gift. Yet, this time he had something else to say. He wanted to tell her everything. Discord realized last night that he needed to be honest with her, and reveal the secret of concealing his identity. It was foolish to think of even lying to her, but her affections towards him the previous night had him re-think his decisions. The kiss. It made him snap and realize that he cared for the pegasus more deeply than a friendship, perhaps not such a thing as “love”, but a romance nonetheless.

He had twisted and turned in his bed all throughout that night after the events, and came to the conclusion that he wanted her. Yet, he realized that if he were to pursue her, he would have to come clean. Discord wanted any companion of his to accept him for who he was.

“I made this gift last night...I also have something I wish to confess...but, I want you to open your gift before we get on to anything else…” He was blushing through the raindrops that continued to streak his face darker. Fluttershy giggled slightly then gasped in remembrance.

Oh! I do too! I-I mean...I have something for you also...I wanted to give it to you yesterday, but I had forgotten it before I left for Twilight’s...and I only vaguely remember anything that happened when I was there. I’m not even sure how I got home…”

Hehe… well that’s a story to be told...perhaps once we’ve exchanged our gifts I’ll tell you what transpired.”

Oh, yes um…” Fluttershy walked over to the counter, reaching her forelegs over the flat surface and propping her body upward to grab a oddly shaped present in the cabinet. The gift had been shoved between two stacks of plates, and could resemble something meant for working hooves. As she pulled it out for him to see, he noticed the colorful paper. It was chaotic and different, with a blue ribbon with red tips keeping the rainbow like wrapping together. “I um, hehe, used wrapping paper Rarity made me...it was going to be used for Discord’s chocolates I made...but I saw there was plenty to use for you too.” She smiled, blushing softly at the memory. Discord felt touched that she went out of her way to get a special paper for him, either of him. He smiled warmly as he finally got a hold on his prize, and gently also passed a gift to his soft spoken friend.

Hmhm…” He chuckled deeply again, which made Fluttershy feel a ‘at home’ feeling. “It’s lovely, I assure you he’ll love it as much as I do...”

Fluttershy felt immense pride after hearing him say such a kind thing to her. She couldn’t wait to see his surprise when he saw his gift.

Hehe, okay now, hurry and open your gift, I’ll open mine once you see yours-” Her anticipation was running her patience thin, making her words drip with excitement.

Chuckle, alright, alright…” He began to rip the paper, slightly disappointed by tearing apart such a chaotic creation. But all feelings of concern flew away as he eyeballed his gift in front of him, now basking in it’s glory and in the light of the lightning outside and the lamps that hung from the ceiling. “It’s-but...how did you-?” He turned to her, his eyes glossed over.

Um...well, I saw you playing one of Twilight’s instruments in the library, a-and it sounded beautiful...and you just looked so happy...s-so I thought I’d get you one too…” She hid behind her rosey pink hairs and blushed crimson when confessing to prying on his personal time.

“You're amazing…” He said with a large toothy grin, just now revealing two fangs to her. She hadn’t noticed those before? But she pushed the thought aside and watched as the stallion admired the piece of hollow wood and strings in front of him. On closer observation he saw how it shimmered different rainbow like colors as it moved against the rays of light, bouncing the colors off and into his eyes. It curved perfectly making the edges soft and bold all at once. It stood out, as if screaming “Let me play! Let me sing!”.

His concentration broke when he saw Fluttershy beginning to open his present to her, his head whipping around to view the spectacle. She stopped and cuffed her muzzle with her hooves, making Discord chuckle once more. He flinched slightly, and suddenly put his hoof to his head with little thought to the action. A slight pain was threatening to spoil his time with the mare.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have run out and into the storm…

Oh. My. Goodness! IloveitIloveitIloveit!” She grabbed the stuffed animal out of its small box and cradled it in her chest. The eye’s of the toy fox almost coming out of it’s stitches. Discord laughed at her enthusiasm and his chest swelled with pride. In that moment it also seemed to burn slightly, but he quickly pushed his body’s warnings away and thought only of the pegasus in front of him.

I knew you would…


Oh, thank you, Discord! I just didn’t-” She stopped, realizing her mistake. “Oh, I’m sorry, I-I meant to say your name but-I’m sorry…” Discord laughed more to himself than out loud, completely unoffended by it.

“I’m glad you like it...it took awhile to stitch so…”

“You-you made this?” Fluttershy turned to face her gifter, almost nuzzling his muzzle. During her excitement her body had moved on it’s own, scooting down the bench ‘till she was closer to Cordwood, without even realizing it ‘till she was inches away from his nose.

U-Um…y-yes…”He stammered a little, backing away a little in fear of previous memories coming back and sweeping him up entirely.

“Thank you, so much...how thoughtful…” Fluttershy gave him a peck on his cheek without warning, making him blush crimson. Fluttershy giggled at her friend being so bashful, and her own boldness, but she felt he deserved the gratitude. Discord, frazzled, grinned slightly at her sentiment, but then his face held a concentrating expression.

It has to be now…

“Flutter-butter...there’s something I need to tell you…” He said barely above a whisper, but the nickname rang through her ears. Discord called her that on occasion, as a tease or to make her laugh, but the seriousness of Cordwood’s face made her worry. On top of that, nopony ever called her that but Discord...why would Cordwood call her that? She rested her thoughts for a moment, before breathing in and letting a shaky breath out, then straightened up to convey her next words.

“What is it? Is something wrong?”, she asked, afraid of the answer.

“Well...” He felt slightly light headed all of a sudden, the pressure of his attempts to speak to her hitting him. He needed to tell her, and he needed to tell her now.

Cordwood’s face seemed to be an unusual red, catching Fluttershy’s attention. She had taken care of many creatures, and even ponies at times, this wasn’t a blush of embarrassment...it looked almost sickly. On closer inspection, she could see the worry lines across his head forming, the bags in his eyes, he looked so tired and old...oddly older than Discord.

The professor gripped the table, as best he could with hooves, and pressed his free hoof to the bridge of his nose in an attempt to loosen his head of strain. Fluttershy was feeling anxious...but not from anything Cordwood had to say, just the expression of exhaustion on his face made her uneasy.

“I nheed…to thell you the truth…-I um” He was sweating now, and his phrases were so out of breath they were rendered nearly inaudible, that and he was practically mumbling. Something wasn’t right, even Discord was seeing it. He coughed slightly trying to shake off the feeling, thinking if he convinced himself it was just his nervousness it would somehow ring true, but something was definitely not right. He tried to stand, hoping the blood would flow freely, giving him release of all the pain that was starting to build up, instead he fell ungracefully to the floor.

“Cordwood!” Fluttershy flew to his side almost immediately, trying to find anything wrong with him. “Oh-oh my, you’re burning up!” She said this as she held her hoof to his head. Sweat seemed to be draining out of him now, and then she heard him whimper. Cordwood, this strong stallion she had known over a period of time was helpless, and his pain tried to outcast him. “W-What hurts?!”

“M-My...head...and mhy argh!” He held his chest, as if he had been stabbed, his face growing more lines creasing across his brow.

Oh, no...you’re-you're experiencing a serious case of exhaustion! You’re so sleep deprived...your body isn’t functioning properly...You’ve been overworking yourself Cordwood! W-Why would you do that?!” She was now angry at him for overworking himself to the bone. Discord made no response, only a groan of pain and his body curling up on itself, showed that he was still with her. “We have to get you to bed...you're probably really low on vitamins too…Oh-oh no...you haven’t be resting enough, no…oh, Celestia! I need to get you a tonic right now!” Fluttershy hurried and tried to pick Cordwood up and carry his shoulder, with much hassle she finally got him around her neck and was helping him up the stairs. Discord made an attempt to shift some of his weight and make it easier on her, but it only ended in a cry and another whimper from him. “Don’t strain yourself! Let me take care of you...you're going to be alright...it’s okay…”

Fluttershy had laid Cordwood in her bed and hurried with more supplies and First Aid, and what Discord dreaded most...a pill and a small cylinder that had a long sharp end and contained a clear liquid. He would’ve protested, but his hyperventilating made it difficult to just breath normally, let alone make out a sentence. The cream coated pegasus came to his bedside and covered his eyes with a cold, wet cloth. She had taken care of many creatures, giving Discord reassurance that he was in good hooves.

Why did he have to collapse when he needed to tell her everything?! Why did it have to be then? Why not later? Or not at all!

The disguised draconequus groaned in pain as he felt the medicine and needle penetrate his arm without warning.

Oh-I’m sorry, I needed to give you this… It’s a tonic and has the vitamin you need...it should calm your body down faster than naturally receiving them…” She placed it down beside her, Discord’s ears twitching at every sound of movement she made, only the stitching of the cloth in his eyes could be seen, if he had the strength to open them anyway. He suddenly was being rolled to his back, making him uncomfortable, but unable to respond in any other way than a gasping breath. “It’s alright, I’m just putting ointment on your chest...it should help with your heartburn temporarily…” She did so, rubbing cold cream on his chest, it made him relax more, and almost lulled to rest. “Here...take this, you-you have headache I’m assuming...so you need that headache to go away…” Again, she assisted him, placing the pill she had before in his mouth, and giving him water to swallow. He felt better already, relatable to another time he had been sick thanks to his own antics.

“Thank you…but-” He staggered, shaking slightly, his body reacting to his fever. Fluttershy tried hushing him gently, placing her hoof over his mouth and leaning in close enough to whisper, as to make him more tired, he needed rest, she knew that.

“Cordwood...please don’t move you’ll only feel-” She leaned against his chest stunned at the boldness of the stallion before her. He reached out and grabbed her pulling her into a hold, making her fall on top of him in a hug.

He had tried to give her his secrets, give her his past, he wanted her to know all he felt. The feeling lingered, now, more persistent. He didn’t only want her, he needed her.

Discord’s grip grew softer, and Fluttershy submitted wholeheartedly to his gesture, wrapping her hooves around his neck and grazing his mane.

Fluttershy wouldn’t be able to look at him the same way. All these feelings had built up, and she had suppressed them in fear of being rejected, she even did it to Discord. Fluttershy couldn't believe she had kept these feelings in the back of her mind just to gather dust! She wanted this...No, she needed this...she held him tighter and sighed longingly.

Why had he always told himself he had no progressing feelings for her, only till recently? Why only now? He knew, he should have noticed sooner, he couldn’t see it...or realize it before with his arrogance in the way...but now...seeing her enjoying his touch and presence...it’s all he craved for...her. He didn’t just “want” her, he needed her. He held her closer now, feeling every beat of her heart and breath, the peacefulness and satisfaction she was getting just by being held in his arms.

She wanted to hold him longer, and pet his neck and fall asleep there in his hooves, She breathed in the smoky scent of his mane and sat up slightly, only lifting her head to his eyes.

“Wait…” She said quietly, now placing her hooves on Cordwood’s chest as they both sat up in the covers of the bed. “You're too sick right now…”

She couldn’t help but blush and smile at the goofy expression on the stallion's face. Her hooves up against his chest told her his heart rate had slowed down slightly and seemed better, only giving fast breaths.

The medicine had helped rather quickly, thanks to the mare he held in his hooves.

“Cords, um...I think you should rest, really...I know I gave you medicine...b-but you need to rest to heal…”

“Alright.” Discord sighed in slight annoyance, hardly realizing that Fluttershy had begun to leave the bed as he turned over. “Wait…” He pulled her in again, now tighter, her muzzle in his mane beside his ear. Her face slightly shocked.

“I-I thought I’d get you some tea and soup or something, I could at least have it ready-”

“No, stay...please.” Cordwood didn’t know what he was doing, but he wanted her to stay beside him while he rested. Even if he was using magic while she was there, him being still in bed would give him at least enough energy to stay Corwood long enough for him to gather his thoughts.

Fluttershy hesitated for a moment, but melted at the idea of being held in his strong hooves and drifting the rainy afternoon away in sleep. She gathered the courage and began under the covers in front of the professor, squeaking when he pulled her closer into a hold against his chest, making her blush crimson. She could feel everything surrounding her, his breath against her neck, his grip on her, his heartbeat, even…

“A-are you sure you don’t want something to eat...y-y-you’re probably starving or some-” She gradually went into a whisper, then to silence, as she realized his grip had loosened and he breathed steadily, sound asleep with her in his arms. She wanted to get up, but the rest of her commanded her body to stay and indulge in the warmth of her lover’s embrace. Fluttershy rolled around slowly, now facing the stallion's chest. He did feel so warm. She nuzzled her head in his chest fluff, not letting a sound consume her, even the bunny that smirked beside the door frame and thumped off down the stairs. Nothing could possibly be more peaceful. The pegasus couldn’t fight the urges to sleep against her warm not-pillow, instead she drifted off to slumber.


A lavender alicorn raced across the crystal floors of her office. It was extravagant, but there was also a simplicity to it, which is why it was one of Twilight’s favorite rooms. It was where she would work most of the time, if not her library.

This time, however, was for a different matter. The princess was in a world of her own in deep thought not even recognizing Spike walking in to see her.

“Twi, Flash sent me up here to give you-woah…” The large dragon gaped in concern as he looked at the torn up office. What was once walls of crystal were even thicker walls of books stacked against one another. The floor was not shiny, but dull white and grey, as papers were flung across it’s path, but what struck him as odd was Twilight, (once scurrying frantically around the room) now seated at a simple wooden desk, taking her frustration out on a piece of parchment and quill.

“What is it Spike...I’m in the middle of something...well, more precisely, I’m trying to decipher a code from one of Griffonstone’s ancient ruins, transfigure a theory about hydrogamala systems and polymaris spells, recover a book from the castle of the two sisters that Celestia wants in her personal library...and all the while figuring out who Cordwood really is…so please make it quick...” She said all this while still hastily writing as she had been when he entered, not noticing her adoptive-son walking up to her desk.

“I think I understood some...of that...but what about Cordwood? He seemed pretty neat to me.” The dragon walked up to the desk laying a envelope on the desk, and proceeding to look intently at the princess before him.

Twilight froze, dropping her quill, then smirking oddly at her dragon friend.

“Well, as you know from our previous inquiring after the stallion...we’ve learned that he is a professor in one of the colleges in Canterlot, not precisely named, and that he had studied at that same school...he was supposedly born in Saddle Arabia and moved to Equestria a while back…Celestia knows how long!” She continued speaking in a mischevious and also quite sarcastic tone, now walking to one of the book shelves pulling a brown case from among its contents. It seemed large enough, possibly a book of records. “Well, I wanted to research about him, since you know that I wanted to start a school of my own soon enough...I was wishfully thinking that he would be willing to help, and since Fluttershy was hitting it off with him (I wasn’t researching at all because of Fluttershy...oh, no, no, no…) and just when I thought I had a good find...I learn that he doesn't. Even. Exist.” Twilight, with the book held in her magic aura, opened it slowly and brought it to spikes veiw at her desk. Spike looked skeptically at his friend at first, before his expression took on one of shock as if she had grown an extra horn or tail.

“W-What do you mean ‘doesn't even exist’?! He was there at the party with us for pony’s sake!”

“That’s just it spike...he lied...there is only one Cordwood that has ever existed in Equestria and was born in Saddle Arabia, attended the same schools and was actually certified to become a professor in...magic…” Twilight poked her hoof at the records on her desk for emphasis, making Spike lean in to read.

“Let’s see...Cordwood…um born in Saddle Arabia in...What?!” His shock and disbelief rang off the walls of the office, making Twilight wince slightly, then putting on a straight face.


“This Cordwood’s birth date is back in BC, that’s before Celestia, Spike. Read on though...oh it does get far better…” She stated through clenched jaws, now holding a grin, one reflecting her interest in her findings.

Um..alright...Cordwood studied in the creation of magic...known for the discovery of ‘Perception Magic’...also known as...Chaos Magic…” He looked back at his Princess stunned, but then continued. “He proceeded on in his studies and became an ‘Instructor’ for Princesses...oh my Celestia…” He couldn’t read any further, thus leaving Twilight to walk around the room in a pacing manner finishing off this new trail of information.

“Because of his work he moved here and gained his title, but only for a brief amount of time...he had been involved in some sort of ‘accident’ and was stripped of his life...but his body was never found...or at least I wouldn’t know...since the next page of this information is torn. I had to retrieve this from the Canterlot Library, and believe me...it took deep searching.”

“B-But I don’t understand…” Spike stammered breathing heavily. “Why would Cordwood-or whoever this stallion is-lie to us? Is he planning something?”

“I thought of the possibility also...with hardly enough information on the name ‘Cordwood’ I couldn’t do much digging...not even a species of this stallion in the records...or anything else...most of it was just searching through records and my own assumptions...but I realized that only a few weeks ago had somepony visited me seeking a transformation spell...which is suspicious as it is. He could be a link to this Cordwood in the records or even the Cordwood we know now...possibly both! And you won’t believe who it is…” Twilight now stood at the door of her office her back facing the dragon.

“Wait...y-you mean…” Spike couldn’t believe his ears, the stallion they had been getting to know was none other than…

“Discord.”


Fluttershy worked her muzzle slightly, the feeling of being tickled on her nose. She wanted to open her eyes and see the warm mass that held her body and curled up against it, but it’s welcoming smoky scent brought her nose deeper into the fur of a warm fire. It moaned slightly, rumbling a snore out of it’s snout. It’s chest rising and falling, it’s arms tangled in the mare's mane and pressed against her neck holding her to it’s chest. She opened her eyes slowly to see a bare chest, slightly lifting her head and eyes till the face of Cordwood came into view. She blushed crimson at her position, and what she was actually doing. Her body was camped against the professor, and he cuddled her as if she was an oversized bear of some sort while he slept, making her smile gently.

She looked at him momentarily, listening to his breathing and the soft patters of rain against her window. Fluttershy had to get up soon and check on her animals, but also to make some dinner for her guest who seemed that they would have to stay the night as well. Slowly she moved upward and gave a soft kiss on his nose, taking care not to wake the sleeping stallion, it made him smile slightly. She giggled all too quiet for him to hear as she moved out of bed to the door, and then practically danced down the stairs.

Nothing could ruin her good spirits, absolutely nothing. She had been held by her lover, and they were practically open about one another's affections. It made the butter colored pegasus giddy, and excited for the days to come, and more moments with the stallion present in her home.

She made her way to the kitchen, receiving complaining squeals from her Angel bunny, but with the good mood the mare was in, she all but ignored him. She sang a light tune in the air of her kitchen, grabbing a pot and other supplies that would be used for soup. Fluttershy gently gathered all the ingredients and placed them in the pot, stirring and blending them into a creamy substance. She continued like this for a few minutes, but then guiltily noticed the still ranting rabbit in the doorway.

Oh-Oh my, I’m so sorry Angel...I was just in thought…hehe, I’ll get you some food now…” At that moment she went to the cabinets and tried to find some food, but all in vein. “Oh, Angel, I guess we’re all out of those mushrooms and carrots...you’ll have to eat lettuce instead…”

The rabbit ranted in protest to her words. Crossing his paws in a huff, he began stomping his foot on the kitchen floorboards, as if to say, “Look Miss Mare...I need my mushroom surprise now if you want me to tolerate our little ‘guest’...no one likes me when I’m grumpy.”

Oh, b-but Angel, it’s still raining...and those Mushrooms are outside around the trees of the Everfree forest...I can’t go out there right now when there’s still thunder…”

“Can’t or Won’t…” The rabbit retorted, still fuming.

He’s going to use this ‘guest’ thing against me all day today isn’t he?

“Sigh… A-Alright...I’ll go to the edge and see what I can find...I’ll be back in a moment with some freshly picked mushrooms…” She kissed her bunny on the head, and gathered a jacket for the short trip. It was still misty with a light rain outside, she could see, as she opened her front door and stepped out.

The scent of new life filled her nose, and made her grin, but as happy as she was to be out in nature, she was disappointed to be out in the rain and getting mushrooms for her ranting rabbit.

He’s usually demanding...well, an unexpected visitor is always something Angel hasn’t liked...but I wish he’d be a little more accepting…

It was chilly, but it was better than before, when Cordwood stumbled into her cottage. The memory only worried her more. He had come all this way, through the rain and cold of the day, to give her a small stuffed fox. He went through all that trouble, just for her. She smiled warmly and thought.

He’s so sweet. I don’t know if I deserve somepony like him, really...but...he does make me happy. Yet...I still have feelings for Discord...but the more I learn about Cordwood the more the two seem alike. He called me a nickname that only Discord calls me...and he had something to tell me but… She thought harder on it as she crept up to the forest’s edge, not hearing the rustle of plants. Oh, he so recklessly exhausted himself, and...it’s my fault...but what was it he wanted to tell me? It couldn’t have been any kind of romantic confession, his face wasn’t happy...it looked almost...guilty.

Fluttershy stopped in her step mid-thought and took in her surroundings. She was a little ways away from her cottage, and stood at the edge of the Everfree. It was strange, she looked to try and find the mushrooms that she usually picked around the edge, but the patch seemed to be gone.

Oh…Angel won't like this at all...I can’t come home without-” She searched frantically and turned to the creeping trees. The moss was overgrown on their trunks, and the leaves curled and cracked loudly as the wind shook them. It looked terrifying to the young pegasus, except for a patch of mushrooms that seemed to glow off in the distance, deeper within the foliage of the forest in front of her. “I-I can’t let Angel starve.” She reluctantly went into the unknown, even though she had been scared many times before and came out alright, the rain and clash of lights in the sky made the forest even darker and...more threatening.

A rustle of movement beside Fluttershy’s hoof made her shriek and run to the patch of vegetables quicker than her skittish trotting. The lights clashed against one another, a battle to see which was the brightest, and the loudest, making the mare whimper. She tripped on a rock, falling face first into a soft surface. Mushrooms. Fluttershy sighed in relief and quickly hoofed a few studs and shoved them in her pack, unaware of the figure looming behind her.

“There that should be enough...now to get...back...home?” Fluttershy turned slowly now aware that a path couldn’t be seen any longer, as the rains stormed more now and the moon had begun to rise after the setting sun. “Oh-oh dear…” She couldn’t see anything through the cloud of black and green that fell over the trees and the path. There was no other choice but to walk forward and pray to Celestia that she’d find her way.

Fluttershy began to trot with her head lowered and her ears and wings clinged to her body for security. Was there any other option than to just hoof it?

I would use my wings...but I can’t see where the trees end...I can’t see any opening for me to pass through...Oh, Cordwood should be waking up soon, and he’ll see I’m not even home...Angel will be so worried...oh...what am I going to-

Her thoughts quivered and hung as a eerie sensation crept around the pegasus f the woods. A low hiss spread through the shrubs and trees, seeming to echo from every direction.

Eeek! Oh-um...whatever c-creature you are...I assure you I’m not n-nearly as t-tasty as a salad...or-or a….a…” The slithering of something large caressed the forest floor, making Fluttershy’s hairs stand on end. She needed to get out of there now. Like now! Fluttershy galloped as far as possible from the slithering beast that pursued her, her hooves making splashes and clops as she hit rocks and dirt. The sharp crack of a twig being broken was amplified through the rain as well as the cold and dark hissing of a monster behind the pegasus. “Ahhhhhh! Please! Don’t hurt me!” The pegasus pleaded.

Her hair was now a drenched ponytail that fell over her face and neck, making it very difficult to even see where she was going, on top of the water that fell along the creases and ends of her face. Her coat was a dark yellow, stained from the storm above her head. She didn’t care that the mushrooms she had picked flew from her pack as she ran away from the slithering beast.

Hissss!” Fluttershy looked back for one moment, catching a glimpse of the sharp fangs that shined stars against the pitch black of the forest trees. The pegasus screamed an unearthly sound as she turned back to her path, almost getting her head in a tree, only to be swept up by a long, dark blue tail.

It made her whimper and cry, her tears blending with the rain that fell on either face, a predator, and it’s prey.

“Pl-Please...d-don’t hurt me…” She asked sheepishly, holding her hooves up to block her face. The snake-like tail clenched harder around the mare’s waist making it bleed slightly, resulting in a faint whimper from the shock of pain.

The monster seemed to be enjoying her pain immensely, but soon the hunger crept in, sending the roof of it’s jaw high, opening it’s mouth to pridefully glorify it’s sharp teeth. Then, sending it’s teeth straight for the pegasus’s neck.

Ahuhu…” She cried, but stilled momentarily. Nothing. No...anything.

No pain? Is this what death is like? Where am I? Am I really dead?

She opened her eyes and widened them at the scene before her.

The snake, as it was, was only near inches away from her head, but was stilled and glowed in a red aura. Fluttershy’s mouth was agape, she couldn’t make anything of it, until she heard the panting and gasping from behind the serpent.

Cordwood? She was too stunned to speak. There he was.

The stallion she loved stood in the trees, panting heavily from using...magic? Cordwood held the beast in it’s place with his own will, that seemed to glow from his wings. He had a jacket on from what it looked like, and looked half asleep, or rather, exhausted.

“Put. Her. Down.” The professor stated coldly and with a stern, gravelly voice. It was soothing, but dangerous. Fluttershy knew that voice, it didn’t make sense...but she knew it…

Discord?