Discord finds a spell to change his appearance in an effort to grow his friendship with Fluttershy, but begins to develop something more for the pegasus. Can he keep his new look? Or will his new feelings get the best of him?
Discord and Fluttershy have been friends for the longest time, and through their relationship they have learned acceptance. Yet, Discord still finds it difficult to accept himself. In determination to grow closer to Fluttershy, Discord finds a spell to change his appearance. With his new look, Discord begins to grow closer to his friend more than ever, but then suddenly develops...affections? Will Discord be able to keep his transformation under control? Or will his feelings get the best of him?
If there had ever been more of frightening, and hysterical moment than this one, Discord would have laughed at himself for being so naive. There he stood face to face with the most beautiful mare he’s ever known. At least he thought so now, he hadn’t seen the lovely pegasus in that way a few weeks ago, actually his feelings were just of mutual respect and friendship. It was a common understanding in Ponyville that the pegasus had warmed the heart of the Lord of Chaos. Showing him kindness and letting him know that he can be accepted for who he was in the eyes of a friend that would always be there for him. All things are meant to grow and change, but it seems this next change was something far greater than what Discord had ever expected to feel.
He gulped, crouching down on his hind legs, sitting like a regular pony. Though his form wasn’t such. His lion paw grazed the back of his neck messing up his black mane, while his eagle claw and hind legs; his dragon and goat counterparts; kept him balanced and frozen on the floorboards of the mare’s cottage. He was a combination of all sorts of wildlife, that was now frazzled and finding the strength to speak difficult to gather. What was so difficult about asking such a simple question? Or telling her something he’s wanted to say since the beginning, but really only realized it till now? Why was it hard to tell her the truth? Sure, Discord wasn’t much for mush or affection, he didn’t know where to begin! He had never felt this way before, let alone confront his feelings! How could he when he didn’t even know how he felt from the start? All he knew was that the moment was fleeting. He needed to tell her, or he’d lose her, and that was worse than being in stone.
“Well? What is it Discord? Why did you lie to me?” The yellow mare huffed, she may be shy, but the situation at hoof was enough to break her shell. He had to say it and he had to say it now, because, no matter how much his chaotic counterparts would deny giving up freedom, his heart yearned for the surrender.
“Well?”
“There really is no excuse to lie to you...but...”
“But?”
“The truth...is...I-I really….I really…um…” He felt it lodged in the back of his throat, desperate to come out. How could he put it? “I…um.”
This sounded so much better in my head…
3 weeks before…
A mare off from work for her lunch break sat on a park bench, eating her daisy sandwich deluxe and a batch of hay fries. Nothing could make this mare’s lunch any better, that is if she didn’t get the feeling that she was being watched…
A shiver ran down the pony’s spine, and a sudden need for a covering lingered in her spirit. Something telling her to run. A quick movement of the bushes behind her startled her to leap from her seat, but not to scare her away. She gathered the courage to investigate the noise from the plants stalking her lunch spot. Nearly a second later an odd looking rabbit jumped out from the bushes.
“Oh, you scared me! I thought you were some kind of beast, or something! Silly me haha…”
“Yes. silly indeed!” Replied the rabbit, which froze the pony mare in place, leaving her to stare blankly at the rabbit, who looked more like a jackal-ope. “I mean really, why would a beast be in the middle of a park…” The bunny seemed to enlarge, becoming a menacing draconequus that looked even more frightening than his usual appearance. “Of course,...” the monster paused, “...it would be silly…” his snout leaned in to a whisper, “...to assume no beasts would ever be here, don’t you think?”. He then opened his mouth to reveal his awful jagged teeth and snake tongue. Out of nowhere a bolt of lightning struck from behind the mare making her shrill in terror and virtually run for her life.
“Pffft hahahaha! Discord that was the best prank yet!” Laughed a cyan pegasus from the top of a rain cloud.
“Oh, why thank you, but I must say the lightning added the right touch to this scandal, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Hey, thanks! Not too bad if I do say so myself, but still a neat trick either way!”
“Yes, well I suppose by your standards, but then again, you haven’t seen me turn somepony into a toad just yet!”
“Awesome! But maybe tomorrow, I’ve gotta hit the hay early. I’ve gotta get the skies clear and help Fluttershy with her bat nursery..." she said with hoof quotes, "or something tomorrow, so naps sound pretty good to me right now.” Rainbow's tongue clicked on her words, adding a yawn to end her sentence.
“Understandable, it’s not as if I’m doing anything today either…”
“Hey! Naps are important! Besides Fluttershy’s bat thingy is going to take a lot out of my time, rounding all of them up...why don’t you help?”
“I’m not certain she would appreciate a claw from me, the last time I helped I turned into a fox to round up her chickens...now I have to enter from the back door for fear of getting my eyes plucked out by beaks...”
“Haha, well I guess you’ve got a point...sure could use the help though. I have to round up all the baby bats from AJ’s farm and bring them to Fluttershy for her to count and do vet stuff. Ever since the bat incident she’d rather not be alone with the little monsters...hey, you’ve never heard that one have you?! Don’t tell her I told you! She doesn’t like to talk about it...but it’s so hilarious! I can totally spare a sec to tell you the story.”
“Oh? Bats? Do tell...” The Lord of Chaos found a comfortable seat on a cloud next his friend.
“Okay, so one time Fluttershy had to use her stare on these bats that was sucking AJ’s orchard dry, the end result was Fluttershy turning into a FlutterBat, haha!” At that moment the two burst out laughing. Discord couldn’t imagine his gentle, delicate friend turning into a monster that could be comparable to him.
“I sure wish to see that, my what a sight that would have been…”
“It certainly was! I actually find it weird that she didn't tell you. You being ‘Lord of Chaos’ and all, she’d love to give you a few laughs.”
“Well, perhaps she rather not express certain monstrous attributes about herself, or certain situations she could be compared to something of that nature?” The beast gently scratched at his chin scruff, he had cut his beard to make him look less aged, which showed his jaw more hoofsomely.
“Hm, I guess, but I thought you guys were...well, you know..” Discord, oblivious to Rainbows true intentions, asked innocently what she meant.
“What?”
“Well, I just figured that you guys would do more stuff, you know? Like, instead of having tea parties and stuff...don’t you guys do anything else?”
“We do have Wednesday Book Club!” he stated eagerly, elated to be discussing a recent activity he had done with the dear pegasus. “We’re currently reading a novel called ‘The Phantom of The Opera’, it’s a pretty good story! I practically begged Fluttershy to get better books, so naturally she picked something for more my taste, that is more ‘scary’, as Fluttershy had put it.”
“Pfft hahaha, would you look at that patchwork became an egghead…”
“Not egghead, Rainbow, educated. Besides I rather not choose an activity to make Fluttershy uncomfortable.”
“I guess not, I wonder what she would do if you were normal though…” Rainbow bit her lip to keep the words from slipping but they had already escaped her. The pegasus folded her wings back to her sides and looked awkwardly in a different direction, hoping to Celestia he hadn’t heard that part.
“Normal?” Too late. Though it didn’t seem to affect him as much as she expected, judging by his tone as thinking, not hurting. “As in, a stallion, I presume? Perhaps she would be comfortable doing more leisure activities, but then again, I’m not quite sure she minds my natural appearance…”
“Yeah, your probably right about that...sorry Discord, I didn’t mean to make it sound like she’d hate how you look or anything...It only made me slightly curious as to what...or how she would feel if you looked different...but you're probably right, sayin’ that she wouldn’t care whatcha look like, as long as you both are friends, right?” Rainbow seemed reassuring, even very certain that the truth be told it was fact rather than belief. It was no secret that the draconequus and the certain yellow pegasus were the best of friends. They did share a lot of the same interests, did most of everything together, and of course always stayed open with one another with no secrets between them.
“Indeed...though now I seem slightly curious…” In truth, he always hated his appearance, he tried to accept it, especially now that his friends accepted it too. However, no matter what acceptance he’d received, he always had the voice in the back of his mind telling him how ugly he truly looked. Like a monster. He tried to not let this voice get to him, but now, as he sat with one of his close friends, he felt a sudden urge to please the mare of discussion, and wondered how she would react if he looked different.
“Well, it’s not like you haven’t transformed before right? Why don’t you try it? See where it goes, huh? Then you can tell her later!” The cyan pegasus looked out from her cloud and began to take flight shouting her goodbyes. “Well, I got to go, see ya!”, she stated coolly then flew off in a bolt.
Maybe… He thought to himself, trying to picture a reaction from his friend. How would she feel? Would she be more open with me? Would she be okay with it? Would she be more...comfortable...around me?
He suddenly felt a longing sigh come from his snout. What was he thinking? Why would Fluttershy care how he looked when she has stated multiple times that she doesn’t mind at all? She doesn’t even mind for him to use his magic, understanding that it was more of a necessity to him, a magic inside he truly could not allow to build up and needed to execute every so often. She is not frightened by that! She is perfectly comfortable with him for who he is...right?
Discord grunted holding his head with his paw and claw, then shaking out the thought before they had time to get under his skin, but one.
Would she ever grow tired of me?
After going back home, he found himself lost in thought, or felt he was in the dark. He hadn’t even recognized that he was actually cleaning the dishes. His home was the pentacle of chaos after all, where his magic roamed free to mess everything up in an all-so nonchalant fashion. Instead of his usual backward routine however, for the oddest of reasons, he was cleaning his house. He suddenly found himself dusting the giant, actual, dust bunnies from his shelves of knick knacks and other assorted items that either floated from their stands or were placed upside down.
That night, he hadn’t gotten much sleep either, he had usually had ‘peaceful’ dreams, to his standards. How odd, it was completely different this time. Nothing. Everything was black, not an ounce of color. All he could feel or hear was the slight breeze of his ceiling fan and the noise of his clock on the mantle, ticking the passing hours of the night. He could hardly sleep at all with his mind a buzz. He groaned...reluctant to get up that morning.
What was wrong with him? Why did he feel like he needed to do something so badly? He felt the urge to do exactly what he and Rainbow talked about yesterday.
He looked at the picture on the mantle beside his bed. A lovely picture of him and Fluttershy, he recalled that his friend had begged him to join in her picture, and later asked for a copy. His face grew hot for a moment, but it vanished when he looked over at the mirror across the room, it wasn’t always there, for the Lord of Chaos had just made it materialize out of thin air, something occurring to him. He got up and walked on his hind legs, gazing at his distorted reflection. Everything about him was simply confusion and mystery, he was the oddest of the chimera species, he knew this to be true.
The worst part was his facial appearance, this seemed to bother him the most. The draconequus had a strong, hoofsome jaw to be sure, but, all in vain for he looked so old, older than he actually was. He recalled when Rarity had asked him how old he really was, curious to see if he was as immortal as the alicorn princesses. In truth, no he wasn’t as old as everypony thought, but did have an immortal lifespan. To put it simply, the stone had changed his aging immensely, keeping him preserved the way he was. Yes, he was very much aware of everything around him, but hadn’t aged a day. His appearance had always made him look older.
His eyes had softened more over time, but still looked old and stressed. His one fang hung alone, a reminder of his first time being turned to stone, the day a colt had gotten separated from his class and found the statue of the mighty Lord of Chaos. Much to Discord’s dismay, the colt’s misadventure resulted in climbing up the statue to play, and breaking a piece of the beast instead.
“Why doesn’t it just heal back?” Fluttershy asked looking at her friend who had confessed to why he only had one fang.
“Well, my dear, as much as chimera are fast healers, I’m afraid dental work isn’t one of our specialties…”
He groaned, opening his mouth to reveal a small fang coming in from the other side, growing ever so slowly. Twilight had been generous to help grow his tooth back...but it still would be a slow process to regain such a fang. Another thing that seemed to bother him was his horns, and how each did not match the other...to his great dismay. He would always hate the dis-figuration that came with the burden to balance chaos and harmony.
He turned to show his backside to the mirror, then popping his head off and twisting it around like an owl, to get a better view of his shoulders and tail. He had a very thin anatomy, like a serpent or a noodle, that ended with a crocodile tail with a fluffy scruff at the tip. Again, nothing matched. He would change his form to something new if he could but, ultimately, magic had it’s limits. He had always copied the form of something or somepony else, never making a form of himself...which always lead to some type of distortion. Either having antlers, his big fang, or ridiculous hair.
“I’ve never tried...but, maybe If I just...think of what I want to be instead of thinking of somepony I saw...my magic would just work on it’s own....” It seemed simple enough, but as he tried it didn’t seem to work as well. Sigh. “Maybe I’m just meant to be accepted as…” He couldn’t finish. He kept trying to use his abundant magic, but he found that he was wasting a lot of his energy. Then he got it.
I need something to boost my energy.
He quickly conjured up a jacket, knowing that it was still cool outside from the early morning. He made himself a portal and was immediately on the doorstep of a good friend of his…
Knock, knock…
A few hoofsteps at a time approached the crystal door.
“Good Morning, dear Twi, I came in the hopes of you giving me assistance…”
“Discord……..IT’S LIKE FIVE AM!!!” The alicorn screeched, making Discord lean back putting his paws up in surrender, and his ears flying back.
“Oh, come now, Twilie,” The draconequus said casually brushing off his brown leather jacket…”, I thought you’d be more happy to see me? Besides, when have I ever openly asked for a favor?” He stated without the slightest expression on his face, then grinning in innocence.
“Ha! Yeah...right...you don't want a glass of...water?” She said jokingly.
“Well played...but sadly, I must decline your oh-so polite gesture of refreshments...I’m in a bit of a rush...so, may I come in...please?” He did mean it. He was completely serious about asking for help from Twilight Sparkle, and she could see it. It intrigued her that he wanted assistance from her, and against her better judgement she gave in.
“Come on-” Before the Princess of Friendship could finish Discord made himself comfortable in the throne room across the hall from the door.
“Oh thank you ever so much Twi...really I do mean it…” The chaotic being said it as sarcastically as possible, but deep down he did mean it, he was appreciative of Twilight’s help. He considered her his best friend, besides Fluttershy.
“Yeah, yeah, alright...let’s get this over with. What is it you need my help with?” She said trudging the polished floors of the throne room with her slippers. She yawned before moving to take a seat, when she found herself being escorted to a now pulled out chair. “Thank you, Flash, you can go back to your chambers. We’ll proceed with lessons in the Library at eight, so be up by then.”
“Are you sure you want to be left alone? I could get you something to eat...you haven’t eaten yet...or a drink of coff-”
“I’m fine Flash, go back to bed...You stayed up all night with me helping sort out my library and lessons. You deserve at least a few hours of rest…and besides, Discord is a friend...he won’t hurt me…” She finished before Flash Sentry, her loyal guard given to her by Cadence, could finish his gentlecolt-like statement.
“Yes, ma’am…” With that, the soldier swallowed his pride and moved on to his chambers across from Twilight’s room. Discord watched how the guard treated her. He was so polite and gentle with his princess, treating her with the utmost care, always ready to defend her, and keep to her needs. Another longing sigh left his lips. Why is it that he had the feeling to do that for somepony too?
“Sorry to bore you…” Twilight said as witty as possible noticing Discords sigh in a melancholy state as he sat across from her in Fluttershy’s chair, but saved her grin for later. “Now, I’ll ask again...What is it you came here for?”
“Well...this is something quite personal and I’d wish to keep it secret...from everypony...especially Flutters…” He was laying on his back, outstretched horizontally across Fluttershy’s throne, with his mismatched claws dangling off the arm chair to Twilight’s right, and his paws holding his head up against the left arm chair. After saying this, the draconequus turned his head slowly to look at his friend across from him. “Understand?”
Twilight was a little hesitant to agree, since it was such an odd request to keep things from the others, especially Fluttershy. Then she dismissed it, realizing the fact that Discord had always been odd.
“Fine.” She grumbled in annoyance, but at a higher pitch, loud enough for her friend to hear.
“Good.” Discord then sat up in his seat and folded his arms against the table. “I need a book, or more specifically a spell...to be even more precise...a transformation spell or something to help give excess energy…” Twilight stared at him blank faced for a moment with her mouth agape.
Why would he want a transformation spell, or something to give energy? Probably for his magics use? Why would he want that? Unless…
“Discord...do you...want to change your appearance?”
Busted.
Sigh. His ears dropped back in submission. Discord knew Twilight was too smart to be fooled easily, she'd figure it out before anypony could. But he continued to play his turn, while remaining somewhat truthful to his word. “Yes, I do wish...to change my appearance, only for a temporary amount of time. But for specific reasons, and now I find I need more energy for this transformation than any other. You see I’m doing an experiment to see how much I can really do with my magic...where my boundaries are, this is for protection purposes and as well as fun…”
Lies: 3; Truth: 1…I’ll keep score. Discord thought to himself, now sitting up straight and smiling to reassure his friend.
“Oh...well, I certainly can help you with this. Come on, I’ll take you to the library.” Twilight finally replied, once Discord's smile began to fade.
“Thank you…”
“I have few books on transformation, they’re mainly centered around 24 BC (Before Celestia) and alicorn Magic, which makes them extremely difficult spells to cast,” Twilight began to say all this while leading Discord down the halls towards her Library.
“However, I’m certain we have plenty of books on energy transfer and magic stamina, I’m positive we can find something for you to use…”
“You sound quite proud of yourself to have a vast collection of knowledge…” The draconequus rolled his eyes, grinning in an effort to mock the small alicorn walking in front of him.
“Well, yes, I am...and if I wasn't...I'm not sure you'd have the help you're receiving right now…” She replied back, smiling as she said it.
“Touché…”
“So what started these thoughts of ‘boundaries’ and ‘limits’? I thought your magic had no limits?” The lavender mare opened the door for Discord, allowing him access to a large library full of crystal columns and old books.
Impressive. He wouldn't admit to it aloud, but Discord loves books. He found his magic from them to begin with, and has always enjoyed the company of stories, specifically Romance and Gothic Fantasy as a personal preference. Mainly why Fluttershy had picked The Phantom for their reading group with all her other animals. It was one of his favorites.
“All magic has a limit, it just depends on the strength and preference of the wielder. You should know that much Twi…”
“I assumed yours to be different is all…” Twilight began their search by going to the farthest shelves and began to pull books off the section“M”, for magic.
“It is, but I do have limits, my magic is dependent on my strength...I must be of optimal health at all times in order for my magic to be used properly. Even the type of foods I consume affect my magic…” Discord also began to take books off the shelf. He stood in the center of the room and called forth the books of request with one motion of his paws from the space in front of his face to his chest, gently bending the toes of his claws.
Star Swirl’s Spells of Magic. Nope. Alicorn Basics. Nope. Magic: Levitation and Potions. Blah.
“That makes sense...I guess…” Twilight replied to their earlier discussion.
“Please dear, the least you could do, since I've swallowed my pride asking you for your assistance, is refrain from saying my reasoning is logical…” The Lord of Chaos smirked as he looked down at the pages of a book. Twilight snickered as a reply to the mix matched creature, as she levitated circles of books across her face and above her horn. They searched for anything that could help, basic spells...magic transfer, or appearance potions. It all seemed in vain.
Manticores: History. Notta. General Magic. Probably not. Pegasus Culture and Habits. Maybe I’ll keep this one. Transformation Spells: Ages and Appearance. Bingo.
“I think I found one!” Discord called out still reading the synopsis of the book.
“Really? What is it? Is it magic transfer, I think I found a book on that too…” Twilight trotted over to the concentrating creature with two levitating books in his possession. “How is Pegasus Habits going to help? Unless...oh..hehe…” Twilight put a hoof over her lips and giggled innocently. “I wonder who that is for? Certainly not a yellow pegasus I know, right?” She snickered, too amused by the draconequus’ choice in reading material.
“Yes, yes, laugh it up...it’s for something else…” It seemed Twi knew more than she let on, though she shook the conclusion out of mind and, smiling gently, brought her book into view.
“I’m sure it is Discord...now what about the other book or this one?”
Magic Transfer Volume II. Probably. Though the one I’m reading seems slightly more promising.
“What does yours say?” The Lord of Chaos questioned now looking at Twilight’s magic glow around her book she held with levitation.
“It’s a transfer of magic from somepony else to another, or something like energy from a tree to somepony else.”
“It doesn’t sound like it would give enough energy for the transformation I’m looking for…” He turned back to his book with all his focus on the words. “This does…”
“What is it exactly that you want to turn into first? It seems that it needs a lot of energy...is it like a dragon or something of large size?”
“A stallion.” Discord said bluntly turning another page of the book, then gasping.
“Well that sound interesting...what did you find?” asked curiously, trying to read over his shoulder.
“Exactly what I’m looking for.” The draconequus didn’t wait another minute, he ripped the page from the crease and read deeper into it’s contents.
“HEY! THAT’S MY BOOK YOU KNOW!” Nopony ripped her books without facing dire consequences.
“Shh, I’ll fix it when I’ve read it…”, Discord said, trying in vain to calm her down.
“No, you fix it now!”
At that moment Discord took his leave and walked out of the library, leaving behind a frantic Twilight to her now destroyed book. The Princess insisted the beast fix her book, but he was already outside of the castle. The draconequus made his way back home, opening a portal and stepping into his realm. He hurried to his room closing the door and locking the knob as if somepony could break in to see what he was up to.
“Let’s see...it’s complicated for such a spell, but I’m sure I can do it…” Discord walked over to the mirror in the corner of the room, standing on all fours while still observing the spell. Finally ready to test the spell, the draconequus set the paper down and stared deeply into the his distorted reflection, and began the spell. It took many tries to get it right, he wound up draining all the magic in his room to conjure up the spell. On the final try his magic, unlike what it usually did, glowed a bright red around his body. The light shimmered brightly and started to turn white, shining so bright the Lord of Chaos was no longer visible, but in his place stood a stallion. The spell was cast and the once tall beast was now a skinny stallion tripping over his own four hooves.
“Ahhh!” A baritone voice with a slightly different pitch than before, shouted out as the new body of Discord hit the floor. “Ow…” He complained touching his chin where he hit it against the floorboard. Wide eyes veered to the mirror to see what he looked like, to his amazement...hoofsome. “Oh...my...Celestia…” The stallion now stood looking at his new face. He had a perfect jawline that grew a small black beard. The color of his eyes were red and quite enchanting, the kind that made you feel the need to look away, but get lost in their bright color before you could turn your neck. His mane and tail were the same black color they had always been, but there was more of it and his eyebrows were smaller and black also. The ears this new body had were still the same shape, but a different size to be more proportional. Discord felt relieved that he was not hideous as he had feared and thanked his magic for being able to conjure a good frame for him.
Suddenly Discord felt heavy and slightly light headed, almost tumbling over his own hooves again until his wings caught his balance. He had just realized the wings that had sprouted from his back, and how normal they were. Quickly the stallion turned to see his flank, excited but also nervous. Sigh. It was a pentagram with many different colors and shapes representing Chaos Magic. Discord took one more long look at his new reflection and sighed again and and forced a smile, revealing two small fangs.
That’s better…
“Wow, I wonder what she’ll think now? Now that I’m a hoofsome stallion who...feels...totally unclothed...and cold…” The stallion form of Discord was shaking from the chilling sensation from his room. He hadn’t noticed it until he turned, he froze, his mouth agape from the sight of his now grey bedroom. He had drained all color and life from his bedroom when he took it’s magic away.
“Geez...” Discord summoned some clothes and a coat to cover his shivering self, his wing illuminated like a horn as he put his new clothes on. He wore a white dress shirt folded at the elbows and a brownish red vest that matched the color of his previous body, and his old leather jacket. As he shrugged the last of his garments on the Lord of Chaos observed the grey, cold room, so lifeless compared to him and the rest of the house now. He hadn’t meant to drain the colors, or anything, he just wanted energy to cast his spell. He quickly realized his mistake and turned to face the picture frame that looked to be deprived of magic. Discord stared at the black and white frame but sighed in relief to see a colored picture. He didn’t want to grey the most precious item he had kept.
What will she think?
He remembered that the bat nursery was in the process of being built at AJ’s farm and Fluttershy would be there to count and nurse the new offspring. The disguised draconequus sat for a moment, deep in thought.
How can I be there without raising suspension? I wasn’t asked to help...well I was, but not this random stallion. I could say that I sent myself...Would they know I was fibbing? AJ migh, she’s good at figuring things out. Though Rainbow might vouch for me, she was with me after all. But she doesn’t know this form. I could say I’m a friend of Discord’s that heard about the bat nursery from Discord and was told that I should help, which I then agreed to and go. They wouldn’t buy that.
Wait. I got it! The disguised Discord galloped out of his room to his shelf of very old books and knick knacks. Aha! I knew I kept it! The hoofsome stallion then took one of the books off the shelf and summoned a pack for himself along with something small and green. It looked to be a piece from jewelry, which he proceeded to pin on the collar of his dress shirt. A long sigh came from the draconequus new muzzle, as he reluctantly grabbed a pair of small glasses. Hadn’t worn these in ages, but I must look the part. He levitated the pair of glasses to his eyes and gasped as he looked around his house.
“Wow, I forgot how blind I was! And my house actually looks clean! That’s not a good thing though...oh, well! The checkered wall looks good however, always did look a little blurry…” He smiled somewhat happy to see more with his old glasses on. The stallion then fluffed up his wing and created a portal that lead to AJ’s farm, then stepped through finding himself in front of the iron horse gates of Sweet Apple Acres.
“Professor Cords has some studying to catch up on…” The new body of a giant, draconequus chimera then walked slowly forward proceeding on the dirt road that led to the orchard, ready to execute his new plan.
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.
Celestia’s sun was shining as glorious as ever, as little foals and fillies played in the hills on the outskirts of Ponyville. Flying their kites and running around, throwing instruments of play across the park. Several couples were also there to bask in the glow of the sun’s rays, enjoying the company of their lovers. The day couldn’t be more clear and bright than that day, it was perfect. Perfect day indeed, enough so to be enjoying the serenity and peace of it all with a pegasus there. The draconequus broke off from his train of thought and looked over to the yellow pegasus who giggled at the aggravated bunny that laid atop her wing, hopping about and squealing, then proceeded to jump to her head.
The Mister Cordwood was against the bunny coming along, but Fluttershy made him submit once again and talked him into letting the rodent friend tag along with them. The stallion continued to walk along the path carrying a basket in his muzzle and a blanket with pillows on his back, while Fluttershy stayed close beside him with Angel bunny on her head staring suspiciously at the strange stallion who asked Fluttershy if she would accompany him on a picnic.
Discord had been doing this for the past few days, asking for time to spend with his “new” friend, so to speak, in attempts to strengthen her trust of him. The mare had agreed to join him, as she had for any other occasion she’d happily accept the invitation. For it was only a couple nights ago, when Fluttershy had first met the stallion, she had been put in a situation of choice. With Angel’s blessing, and the pegasi’s own hopes, Fluttershy wanted to see her relationship with Cordwood continue. Considering he had been the sweetest stallion she had ever met besides her friend, Discord. It was true, she had affections towards the Lord of Chaos, but told herself that he wouldn’t feel the same way. So she agreed to have lunch with the stallion of her interest today.
She was a little fidgety and nervous when seeing new ponies, especially somepony she was fond of, and found very alluring. His gaze made her weak in her knees, and made her blush and shift uncomfortably as pleasurable sensations surged through her, but she couldn’t help but see memories of the same reactions to her “friend” Discord.
Stop this...you know he would reject you! Besides, you have feelings for the professor too, the same in fact, it’s no different. It still felt off somehow, she could feel Discord’s presence even though he was nowhere in sight, as if he was watching her. Cordwood could see some distress holding on the shy mare’s face.
“Anyfing wrong fy fear?” The stallion tilted his head to look at her, trying his best not to drop his basket, noting how ridiculous he sounded when carrying the basket in his mouth and trying to talk to Fluttershy, all the while keeping back the drool that threatened to leak as he spoke to her. Fluttershy giggled in response to his frustration of trying to keep a good image for her, noting to herself how cute he looked when he would tilt his head and scrunched his nose.
“Hehe, yes, I’m fine…”
Yes, no matter how nostalgic it feels...it feels equally right. She thought, sighing dreamily as she watched the Professor continue down the path with her, stealing glances of him, and him of her. The draconequus, disguised as a hoofsome stallion, laid out the cover on a designated hill and placed the basket in the center. He had taken her to several other places besides the park, but he knew that Fluttershy loved picnics the most. Though elated, Fluttershy began to notice a few stares from some mares around the park, even a few fanning themselves. What was making them do that- Fluttershy blushed when she looked back the stallion of her interest and noticed Cordwood taking off his vest leaving a loose white shirt to cover his chest only partially. Even though ponies usually didn’t wear clothes, unless they had money to show, watching Cordwood take his vest off from the heat of the day baking him, made her glow a bright red.
Discord hadn’t realized Fluttershy’s embarrassment until he had finished taking his vest off and was trying to open the basket next. He watched Fluttershy for a moment as her face turned from an embarrassed blush to an angry heat. Discord was confused at what made her so stressed, until he noticed several mares looking at him wantingly...not exactly what he expected. Even more so, he hadn’t expected the yellow pegasus in front of him to be so-what? Was she…
He chuckled under his breath catching Fluttershy’s attention once more, she was blushing a crimson now, for showing her obvious jealousy. Letting the thought slide by too fast, Discord carefully set out their meal, cherry tree leaf salad with bread crumbs, then escorted the lovely pegasus beside him to her pillow seat. She giggled bashfully at the bow Cordwood displayed, and his wink with a friendly smile.
“My lady…”
“Why, thank you, professor Cordwood... You're so sweet…”
It made Discord’s heart beat at a faster pace to hear her say that to him. He had experienced these symptoms more strongly the past few times he had been with her. He still hadn’t understood why a few nights ago, he viewed her as extremely attractive, admittedly. It hadn’t made sense to him at all why his heart would beat so rapidly when she would give him a compliment or would talk to him in a certain way. He had one theory, but he didn’t know what to make of it. He was afraid to even approach the subject. What would she think if it were true? That he had grown more fond of her-
“Cordwood? Is something wrong?” He was so distracted by his own thoughts he hadn’t heard the mare in front of him speaking. Fluttershy had been trying to engage in small talk for the past five minutes with an unresponsive stallion. She had thrown the thoughts of her previous monologue away and found her soul worrying as she noticed the heat of Cordwood’s cheeks. He seemed very sickly, but still hoofsome to her.
“Oh, no-nothing is wrong my dear, I was so lost in thought-I...I’m sorry, I’ve been so tired lately, do continue, I’ll pay more attention.”
“Tired? Are you getting sick too?” She got to her hooves and started to rub his temple searching for a temperature, it was an extreme burn when she touched his forehead, possibly because Discord was blushing so badly when he realized the mare was only inches away from his face.
“No, no, I’m just a bit fatigued is all...probably from staying up so late and working on my lesson plans.” In truth he was extremely tired from lack of rest, and the amount of magic he had been using recently. He pressed against her hoof gently squeezing it to give reassurance, only making Fluttershy blush once again and smile tenderly at him. It made his heart skip another beat out of rhythm.
“I wouldn't want you to get as sick as Discord...he seemed really sick from his recent letter and when you came by to tell me of the news...this flu is really getting him down.” The pegasus sat back down on her pillow, scooting slightly closer to Cordwood which made him uncomfortable slightly, and sent a pleasurable shiver down his spine.
“Oh, um...I’m sure he’s fine, I told you he only needs some rest and he’ll be able to visit in no time at all!” The Professor told her yet another fib, nervously, about her draconequus friend, stating he was too sick to come for visits. In truth, Discord as himself was too exhausted and hungry for energy after he would cast his transformation spell, so he couldn’t visit Fluttershy in fear of raising suspension. Or discoloring her house. No matter how hard he tried to control the magic drain, he couldn’t suppress it, leaving many rooms in his house grey or devastatingly dull of magic and life. He had managed to get sleep, but his magic wouldn’t build back up as much the next day, but he still continued his conquest using more and more magic everyday.
Fluttershy gasped suddenly, making Discord jump at the sound of the yellow mare after a moment of awkwardness.
“Oh! That reminds me, I need to visit Twilight today. Hearts and Hooves is coming up tomorrow, and Twilight and Pinkie are having a small party at the castle. I hope you don’t mind…”
“Not at all. If need it be that our time be cut short, you know I’ll think nothing of it, you're needed from time to time...can’t keep you all for myself…” He didn’t know why he said that last bit, but a sting of jealousy touched his chest. Almost like a burn for not getting all of the mare’s attention. Fluttershy stared at him a bit shocked but then smiled, blushing. He wanted to spend more time with her? With her?
He wants me...
“Oh…” Fluttershy blushed, embarrassed by the thought, but felt relieved in a way. Cordwood wanted time with her, and only her. Then an idea came to her, making her blush a crimson. “Um...Cordwood, um...what are y-you doing for Hearts and Hooves Day?” She was playing with her hooves, Discord had learned it was a sign of embarrassment or nervousness. He grinned at the question, feeling heat well up within him. What would he say? What does he think? He wasn’t sure what he would do on that day. Usually he would play pranks on unsuspecting couples or just sleep all day. He had never celebrated “The Love Exchange” as a holiday. The whole thing seemed too sappy for his taste, and there was nopony to share that day with anyway. But a feeling was overcoming him, a calling to do something different. He wanted to spend the day with Fluttershy...for some odd reason.
“Um...nothing comes to mind actually…” He took a sip of tea he had packed in the basket. Panic crept up inside. Why hadn't he said he would be busy?! He was going to regret this wasn’t he?
“Oh, well…don’t you have a m-marefriend to spend the day with?” Discord froze mid-sip. Marefriend? What in the hay? What kind of question was that? Of course he didn’t have a marefriend! He was the Lord of Chaos! He didn’t love anypony...well-
“No...I don’t...well that is...I’ve never had a marefriend before…” The disguised draconequus felt a bit uncomfortable, shifting where he laid on his belly still trying to drink the last few sips of his tea. He couldn’t get the flushing from his cheeks to go away and the uncomfortable sensations around his body. He turned crimson when another thought pounced on him by surprise.
What would it be like if she were my marefriend? He shook the thought away quickly before it could bury itself in his deeper thoughts. He couldn’t think that way. He doesn't deserve some pony like her. And he had the feeling if she knew who was behind the hoofsome face and sleek brown coat...she would reject him.
“Oh! W-Well…” Fluttershy suddenly seemed elated at the fact he was free that day, making the ‘professor’ intrigued. “Um...w-why don’t you come to the party? I-It will be lots of fun...a-and you can make new friends...also, I don’t have a special somepony either, so it would be great if-if you came...I hate being alone…” Her eyes pleaded, which made Discord crumble in her gaze no matter how much his insides protested. He dreaded Hearts and Hooves Day, too mushy, too gooey, too much romance and not enough...not enough what? He was making excuses...Discord knew why he hated it really, though he wouldn’t admit it. He was alone on that day. Yes he did hate cheesy and mushy stuff, but sometimes it was acceptable, and honestly he held a respect for the stallions that took part in the holiday.
Would he enjoy it too, if he were there with others? With Fluttershy? His heart sped rapidly and he felt like he was sweating from all over. He felt frozen but so heated at the same time. What was wrong with him? He looked up from his tea and looked over at Flutter’s face, it read longing. He knew it, this feeling of his submission.
“You know...I’d enjoy that…” He smiled as he looked at the shy pegasus who had just finished eating her meal and was now on the brink of fanning herself. She was holding it in, the feelings that were welling up inside when she waited for his reply, but as he spoke so calmly to her. His seductiveness overthrew her senses. Before she leapt out at him with joy, however, another question came to her.
“O-Oh well then, you wouldn’t mind joining me today at Twilight’s would you?” He hesitated longer at this question, making Fluttershy feel uneasy and anxious. The alicorn was too smart, she would get it eventually, but he couldn’t disappoint the mare next to him, especially in his state. Her eyes pleaded once more, staring at him, begging him with her equally seductive glance.
“Um...sigh, yes, yes, alright I will join you on your little...mare talk…” He said taking his final sip from his tea, finishing his meal also, trying his best to ignore his previous thought, and the flush of his cheeks. He shifted once again, the uncomfortable sensation of his position was giving away his passiveness.
“Oh, thank you so much! You have no idea how that makes me feel! Your so kind!” She squeed like a little filly that had passed a test, or a giddy mare on her wedding day. She was so overjoyed she lost shyness, and broke the barrier between acquaintance and friend. Fluttershy sprung from her laying position and reached out for Cordwood in a hug. She held on tight to his neck, which made him flinch slightly at the unexpected welcome, but he accepted the gratitude. Though suddenly all the hair on the back of his neck stood up as the pegasus rubbed her nose in the crease of his neck and collarbone. His wings shot up in surprise at her affectionate gesture, and he froze in place unsure of what to do. Fluttershy nuzzled him. Actually loved on his neck. She then let go, leaning back, quickly realizing what she did.
“Oh…” She had let the feeling of want overpower her for only a minute, which lead to the stallion frozen in place looking at her with bright red cheeks. He hadn’t even noticed how much he was actually blushing from the act of sentiment. “Oh...I-I’m sorry...I didn’t really-”
“Wow…”
“What?”
“Oh-uh...I-I mean, um, nothing...I’m just shocked because I never realized how much I’d enjoy that...Ah! No! I-I mean...that’s not what I meant! Not to say that it wasn’t a wonderful feeling...just highly unexpected...but it was quite overpowering...oh! T-That’s not what I meant to say either! I mean...it was really nice and-and-” He stopped talking when he saw Fluttershy holding back her laughter. She was snorting and on the brink of bursting out laughing at how flustered he was. Why did he get so excited when she did that?! He can’t possibly be submitting to her, just like that! Sure he knew her for long enough...but...it just can’t be...could it? “I-I um...you're welcome…” He coughed that last statement, not understanding what was happening. Fluttershy giggled, as her bunny friend squeaked, sounding more like a groan, as if to say; “Gag, get a room...”.
Fluttershy then stood up, blocking the sun with her head giving her the look of an angel. It made Discord quiver, and his knees felt weak, he tried to shift his body to shake the sensations around his body away, all in vein. He was entranced by her creme coat shining in the sun like a crystal.
“Come on, we should be going now to Twilight’s...I wouldn’t want to be late when I want to introduce my new best friend…” Best friend? He had been put higher than a friend already? But he didn’t complain. He only picked up the picnic items and condiments still stunned and blushing, unsure of how to feel.
Twilight scurried across the crystal floors with a list enveloped in her magic aura. Spike, on the other hoof, was checking things off from his, and giving Owl Wishes chores to do. The room with the most activity from the two was decorated in pink, red and ivory hearts with streamers hanging from many columns and the balcony. The entrance hall already smelled of bloomed with roses and other “love” flowers, to symbolize the occasion. It had to be perfect. The Princess of Friendship let out repeated groans and whimpers as she tried to sit herself down and go over the checklist once more. Spike chuckled under his breath and smiled, knowing full well why Twilight was so stressed.
“What’s wrong Twi?”
“Spike, Hearts and Hooves Day is tomorrow! We need to get everything ready in time, but we’ve barely made any progress on this list!”
“It will be fine, everything is going according to the list, we’re perfectly on time. And you know Twi...I do have a date tomorrow, and still need to pick up her gift…I can’t be here all day.”
“Spike, Sweetie Bell wouldn’t mind if you-”
“Really? Come on Twi…”
“Oh. alright, fine...hang a few more streamers up there on those two columns and then you can go. Go…tell Flash to come here immediately so he can assist me until Fluttershy and AJ arrive.” The lavender alicorn huffed as she grabbed more items with her pink aura and neatly fixed up some tables.
“Thanks Twi, your the best!” As soon as the now grown dragon left, knocking could be heard from the door.
“That must be Fluttershy…Coming! You have no idea how much help I need for this! I was hoping you could-” She began to speak hurriedly to Fluttershy in a stressed tone as she opened the doors, but then veered off as she saw the hoofsome stallion next to Fluttershy. He looked a little tensed in the eyes, as if he honestly didn’t want to be there, but he was awfully too close to Fluttershy to be some sort of stranger. As if the male pegasus knew Fluttershy by heart, and everything about her that could possibly be known. He was hoofsome, but something was oddly familiar about him. She couldn’t help but have suspicions, when she noted the way the stallion glanced over at Fluttershy as she answered the door. The little bunny atop the pegasi’s head seemed to have the same suspicions, since he was eyeing the stallion as well.
“Who are you?” The princess eyed the body of the strange, familiar stallion suspiciously. Unaware of the hoofsteps behind her.
“This is Professor Cordwood, he’s my co- I-I mean friend…” She almost slipped, luckily no pony seemed to notice.
“Your coltfriend, no doubt, right? Is this the stallion you told me you had a crush on, or something?” Fluttershy blushed crimson. Why would Twilight confess openly on Fluttershy’s secrets?! The pegasus couldn’t find her words for a moment, but then shook her head and looked slightly agitated, beginning to speak once more after her momentary loss of speech.
“Uh, um...no...I don’t know what your talking about…” Discord could tell that was a lie, he felt hurt a little from the fact she had a crush on somepony. She never told him about her feeling where it concerned her heart and other stallions. He would ask occasionally, as himself, but only got mixed results from the shy pegasus. Only blushing faces and groans of frustration from her, whenever he asked. He even would try and give some advice, the irony being bitter, and it seemed she wouldn’t, or, hadn’t done anything about her feelings. “I...um...well, I don’t have a crush on him anymore that is...b-but that’s not what Cordwood is here for, I asked him to come and help…” Discord let out a sigh of relief, Twilight noticed the weight from the stallion lift. He couldn’t help but feel better at her statement. Whether he was happy that his friend didn’t seem too upset at her lost hope, or that he had her to himself again. The last thought made him flush slightly, and from the memories of being highly protective of her on many other occasions. One being with a certain tree lover.
He couldn’t shake the feeling of jealousy whenever she paid attention to somepony else other than him. Discord didn’t realize that his last groan was audible to the alicorn Princess in front of him. She gave him a cold stare, which made him shrink under her gaze. He had never seen this side of Twilight before, an overpowering, overprotective mother goose looking after her weak and helpless little duck.
“I can tell when somepony is lying…” Twilight deadpanned. Discord didn’t know what to say, he felt like he was being put in a corner, and had to confess to taking a cookie from the cookie jar. That fit the situation in more ways than one. He pondered on what Twilight was implying and almost laughed out loud, but he suppressed it and the smile that threatened to pull at the corners of his muzzle, in fear of disrespecting the mother goose. Fluttershy...like him? That’s ridiculous, she wouldn’t- He looked over to see a blushing Fluttershy that looked too nervous to speak, he couldn’t believe how this trip was turning out. “Skinny, hm...Wings? You're wearing glasses...interesting...red eyes...peculiar..." Twilight thought to herself in a low mumble, as if to piece together a puzzle.
"For your information, only the best can court little Flutters...so spill it, tell me your story, and what your relationship is with Fluttershy…” Twilight was now in Discord’s personal space, only an inch from his muzzle staring him down like a mother. All of the friends of the lavender alicorn could vouch for the fact that Twilight would play the motherly role between her friends. Discord shifted uncomfortably, feeling the burn in his eyes as Twilight read into his thoughts, but he remained firm and gathered as much courage as he could muster.
“Um-I-uh okay...I-I mean yes ma’am…” Well, this is embarrassing. Discord couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth, but the Miss Sparkle was quite terrifying in that moment. “I’m not skinny, it’s this vest, it shows my form more than my other clothes do;” He blushed realizing the vest did cling to him a little more than he thought it should. It made him shift yet again, feeling as if he was exposed, but continued. “These wings are perfectly healthy and strong, I can fly, yes; I wear glasses because everything that is precisely twenty feet from me is blurry, and it helps me read better. I'm not sure why my eyes are red...t-they've always been that way....” He was giving her his actual secrets, the full and honest truth. “...and y-yes I like Fluttershy, she is very kind, sweet and beautiful…” Discord closed his mouth shut in shock from giving that tid bit of info for his feelings on Fluttershy. This left all three of them in an awkward state for a moment until a cough from behind the Princess shook them from their bewilderment. Twilight spoke once more, after exchanging a glance with her guard Flash that stood behind her.
“Hm...I don’t trust you, but I like you...don’t get on my bad side...and if you lay a hoof on Fluttershy without her consent, rest assured I’ll see to it you never see the light of Celestia’s day again, got that?” She poked his chest with her hoof for emphasis on where she would hit him first. Cordwood stepped back slightly, then also glanced at the guard behind the lavender alicorn. Flash carried a smile on his face, it was kind of reassuring.
“Y-yes ma’am…”
Gulp. Good Celestia she’s terrifying. Cordwood thought, then turned to find a smiling yellow pegasus blushing brightly, touched by his compliments. Oh great, now she’s got me doing it. He was blushing now too, it seemed to be happening a lot today.
“Twilight, I wouldn’t have brought him along if I didn’t trust him.” Fluttershy moved over to Discord’s ear in a whisper. “She seems scary, but she won’t hurt you. She’s just a little protective over me and the girls…” Discord then leaned into her ear to give a hushed reply, as they began their walk within the castle corridors.
“No worries, my dear...I’ll admit she’s intimidating, but I’m sure by the end of the day...she’ll be quite impressed.” He spoke with determination his tone, giving Fluttershy a new admiration for him. She felt her body sweat and quiver from the sensations running through her as he spoke so gingerly. She felt mischievous for a moment, possibly from Discord’s influence on her, and decided to play with the Professor’s feelings a bit, see what made him tick.
“So, you're wanting to impress her now, huh? Is this to show your worth…” Fluttershy was teasing him, but Discord thought on it for a moment. Why did he want Twilight to see that he was good enough? He didn’t need to prove his worth! But, for the sake of Fluttershy…he smiled.
“Stop the whispers you two...you can’t work if you're flirting with one another…” She didn’t even pause or blink when she said that, scaring Discord to the bone.
“We weren’t flirting!” The two said in unison, then looking at one another, blushed bashfully. What was wrong with them today? Flash chuckled as he moved over to a table with, what looked like gift bags on its surface.
“Yeah, yeah...just help me hang some more decorations, go through the list, and make the food...speaking of which...you-Cordwork or whatever it is...can you cook? I need Fluttershy for something else, and since AJ isn’t here yet, and Flash can manage to burn water…” A distinct gasp came from beside her, along with a grunt in protest. But the flushing face of Flash Sentry gave him away too easily. “...you can probably start cooking tomorrow's meal…” She inquired, looking back at the other stallion in the room with a smirk, as if to put his nose back in the corner.
What is her game? Discord thought for a moment, but smirked back. She’d be surprised how much I do know...
“Oh, Twilight, I don’t think he can-”
“Yes, I can cook…” Discord cut Fluttershy off, impressing the two mares with his statement.
“You can?” The two mares were shocked as they said this, turning to him with their mouths slightly open. Flash looked at the other stallion and groaned again, possibly from the jealousy of being the only one in the room who had no skills in making food or drink.
“Yes, I can.” Discord knew how to cook, baking was his specialty, but he liked the weirder version of his eating habits. Usually paper, or glass, the occasional tree or crowbar were also good to him. He continued to carry his smug look, as his gaze stared Twilight down. The heat of a rivalry heated up the room quickly, creating an awkward, and silent war between glares.
“Hm...can you make cider?”
“Apple Cider?” Fluttershy was a little confused by Twilight’s question, curious at the simple statement. Discord mentally noted in his head how innocent his friend was, it made his smirk grow wider. Twilight wasn’t talking about apples.
“No...alcohol…it’s Hearts and Hooves Day after all...what better way than to celebrate with a little cider?” The princess didn’t even blink, she smirked as if she was putting the strange stallion, yet again, in an uncomfortable position. Invalid effort, instead, he accepted her challenge.
“Of course I can, but I’ll make it weak for your sake…” He smirked, which intimidated the lavender alicorn. They both looked at each other exchanging concerns and good points with only their eyes. “Perhaps this could be a powerful friendship, Miss Sparkle?” He spoke with his eyes staring her down, the smirk never ceasing to pull at his lips.
“Maybe...but don’t count your bits before the game…” She let a small chuckle escape her, as if something amusing caught her eye as she continued to stare at the familiar stallion.
“I wouldn't hurt her…” His eyes softened. She got his message through his gaze and smiled respectively at him, a glimmer of light seemed to glide across his pupils, revealing a pair of yellow and red eyes for only a moment. She didn’t understand it, but only felt comforted and more at ease.
“Impressive, kitchen is down the hall to your left, second door.” She said slowly, still looking at him, but now comfortable in his presence.
“Thank you, Miss Sparkle.” Twilight was struck with an odd feeling of familiarity. Miss Sparkle? A certain chimera called her that too, but she didn’t want to assume.
“And...um...how do you want me to help?” Fluttershy asked as Cordwood left for the kitchen, slightly saddened at his departure.
“Huh? Oh-I just said that so we could be alone…” Twilight glanced back at where the professor had left, still with a confused look on her brows.
“W-What? Why?” Fluttershy could hear the chuckling of Twilight’s guard at the table, as if he knew something she didn’t.
“I wanted to ask you about this Cordfools…”
“It’s Cordwood...and I said he was a friend…” Fluttershy reached for one of the boxes and began to pull out streamers and hanging them up on columns. Her face screamed out disappointment and frustration, making Twilight giggle slightly at her friend's distress.
“Yeah, right...don’t think I didn’t catch that slip up from earlier, Flutters…you were about to say something else, not ‘friend’...weren’t you?”
Busted.
“I didn’t mean to...I mean he’s really kind a-and sweet and very hoofsome a-and-oh!” She covered her muzzle, but Twilight was already smiling from the pegasi's bashful behavior.
“It’s alright...I don’t mind...he seems like a good stallion, but it feels like he’s hiding something...I’m not sure what...but I think you should be cautious.”
“I understand...but he wouldn’t hurt me...is that why you don’t like him...do you think he’s not good eno-”
“No, I didn’t say that. I’m just warning you to tread lightly around the fire Fluttershy. Besides, whatever happened to the other crush, it was very recent you told me that you liked somepony...why the sudden change, I thought you liked this stallion a lot more than you have liked anypony before?” Twilight read through her list as she started to make cards and placing them in gift bags. Flash stole a sight of his Princess working, but quickly continued when Twilight looked up at him and smiled.
“Well, sigh, it wouldn’t have worked Twilight...he didn’t like me…”
“I doubt that...you're too pretty Fluttershy, and your very kind hearted, I’m surprised that you're not even married yet!” This made Fluttershy giggle and blush, now helping Twilight with the candies and cards.
“I’m a little surprised, myself…” Flash finally spoke up with a clear voice that pierced the air, while still being calm and collective at the same time. “I would honestly suspect you to be raising your own Family by now Flutters…” Flash had closely bonded with all of Twilight’s friends since he’d been reassigned to Princess Twilight Sparkle. He knew enough to understand that Fluttershy was a timid, shy, but also a very pretty mare. It was hard for him to believe that she wasn’t already a wife and mother.
“The other stallion...he was...different, and it was just a small crush, he wouldn’t want me...”
“Fluttershy, who is it?” Twilight asked nonchalantly, while still stuffing bags with candy and a card for each, decorated beautifully with hearts and lace ribbons.
“Dis-I mean…” She stopped herself by covering her muzzle and gasping.
“I knew…” Twilight sighed still smiling from her friend’s shyness. Fluttershy heard a “Me too.” Come from the orange coated stallion that sat next to his Princess.
“It’s alright, just because he was so different didn’t mean you hadn’t had a chance. He made you feel happy.” The lavender alicorn looked up at her her friend as she said this, also feeling the warmth of a hoof rest on hers. Flash grinned at her, as if understanding how that feels.
“Yes, he did, still does...but, Cordwood makes me feel the same way, like, their one in the same. So I knew I would be just as happy with the Professor as I would with Discord…oh-” Twilight let out a small giggle and looked back at her shy friend who was now hiding behind her bangs. It made Twilight feel the same way about this Mr. Cord...she had the same respect for him as she did with Discord. But, she didn’t want to assume without proof.
Meanwhile, in the other half of the castle, Discord began cooking. He liked the fun bustle of movement he made when he would scurry through the kitchen. The chaotic filth that built up when he would bake and create. At first, he slowly walked through the kitchen unsure of where to begin until he saw the cookie pan and supplies on the counter, he was reluctant to use the heart shaped cookie cutters, but continued his task, eager to impress. He didn’t know why he really wanted to make Twilight see that he was worth Fluttershy’s time. Maybe just to get her off his back, it made him blush to think about what he said before. He coughed, then jumped as a familiar bunny jumped up on the counter and eyed him.
“Do...you want to help?” Discord asked looking at the slight fascination in the rabbit’s eyes. The rabbit seemed reluctant at first, but Discord’s next move made Angel drool. The stallion used a small amount of his magic to conjure up a carrot, giving it to the bunny. The rodent sniffed it, then realized who had actually given him this sweet treat. Cordwood winked at the bunny before proceeding with making cookies. From behind, he could hear the bunny moving some of the pan on the counter top and open a bag of powder to make the dough for the next batch of sweet treats. Discord smiled at his success of receiving a new friend. “Promise not to tell, friend? Not yet anyways…” The bunny put a paw under his chin but then nodded and smiled, making his whiskers twitch up, as if to say, “I accept you, you giant noodle goat...so long as you provide me with your lovely magic veggies…”
“Of course, wouldn’t have it any other way, my friend…” Discord smiled once again beginning to roll out the dough. He seemed to be enjoying cooking, considering it had been awhile since he’d actually put eggs and powder together. The professor knew more than he would ever let on, unless Fluttershy asked. It was a good time to think as he began making the cider, he moved onto preparing it after he had cut and cooked the last batch of cookies. He searched through the cabinets for the alcohol, only finding plates and more dishes, accidentally hitting a switch on the floor near the trash, however, opening a cellar in the wall.
“Good Celestia, Twilight...how much does one mare need?!” Angel bunny squealed as if to let out a chuckle. Discord smiled yet again, and with that he took a bottle, and got to work once more. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being talked about in the next room. What would Fluttershy say about him? Would she blush again? Discord couldn’t believe what was going on through his head. She showed affection towards him. He accidentally called his friend beautiful. That was just wrong, wasn’t it? He couldn’t accept it, he wouldn’t accept it. The Lord of Chaos didn’t want to believe that Fluttershy could see him that way, he feared rejection, but he also knew he wasn't good enough.
His concentration broke when Flash came into the kitchen and told Discord he needed to help with some of the decor in the halls. He had left the kitchen a few more times after that, to help with other things, either in the library or the main entrance hall where the party would be held. At one point he went into the library to help organize decorations that were kept in a storage closet. He kept tripping over objects and junk, but managed to pull the box of decor out in one piece. The stallion mindlessly put the box on the table and began to dig into it, trying to find the wanted items on the list Twilight gave him. He didn’t even notice the hoofsteps coming down the hall. Fluttershy peeked in the room, and noticing the stallion was already in there, was careful not to make a sound. She didn’t want to disturb Cordwood when he was working on his current task.
The disguised draconequus didn’t even look her way, but instead gasped at something else. Fluttershy froze beside a bookshelf when she heard his gasp, afraid she had startled him, or disturbed him. She managed to get in but had been found out before she could continue with her chore of getting a book on “Parties” for Twilight, that is until she looked over to see if the stallion even noticed her being there. Cordwood had no clue, the only thing he was smiling about at the moment was at an instrument of some sort.
“Oh my Celestia, you are a lovely piece of wood aren’t you?” Discord was fascinated by the piece of work, and gently put its loose fabric around his neck to play it’s strings. It was confusing to see him look at something as if it was an old friend. Fluttershy watched in wonderment as Cordwood sat and began to play the instrument. He sung a few notes but mostly listened to the guitar play in his hooves. “It’s harder with hooves…” He whispered, then he put the instrument back in the box. Fluttershy had an idea at that moment, and she was sure he’d enjoy it. She grabbed the book she needed and hurried out the door before Discord could notice the presence of somepony else there with him. His good hearing didn’t fail him, the notes he played muffled the scooting of hooves, but not too much. He turned to see if anypony was there...but there was none. He shrugged it off and continued on with his fixated chores.
They all finished their task after that, and the day continued on normally, with things finally made and done at Twilight’s house. Soon evening began with the Professor walking the shy pegasus home. Angel laid on Cordwood’s wing, passed out from all the cookie making. It made Fluttershy smile to see the two getting along. The two carried on a conversation that made shy pegasus laugh, and the stallion lowered his head with a small smirk.
“She hates me…”
“Giggle...she doesn't hate you. She just is a little over protective…” The two talked, which seemed to make the walk slower, almost time stopping. But Discord didn’t want it to end. He enjoyed making her laugh, it was after all his specialty. The day had felt long and tiresome, so at the moment he wanted to savor the peace he was receiving with Fluttershy there beside him.
“Why? I wouldn’t hurt you...you don’t think I would, do you?” His anxious soul was unsettling to Fluttershy, she didn’t want him to be so upset.
“O-Oh no, of course not!” She said it a little to loud, but made the disguised draconequus more relaxed. “She’s just that way with all of us...especially with me.”
“Well, I don’t see why...you're not as weak and helpless as you seem...you're strong and actually independent from what I’ve gathered...you just need more help than others at times, which you shouldn’t be ashamed of. I just can’t fathom why Twilight would have so little faith in you as to look after your own well being.”
“Oh no, that’s not it! It’s just...my life wasn’t always like this you know.” Discord felt his heart stop, and the air around him left. The space between the two grew warmer, and both could feel what was coming. Discord, as himself, had only heard about her past on a few occasions from her friends. He knew that her family didn’t accept her, or the fact that she moved to Ponyville in her yearling. It fascinated him that she had moved away from her family at such a young age.
Fluttershy knew she would have to discuss her life with Cordwood if she was going to further their friendship. She hadn’t told Discord yet, but mainly because the topic had never been brought up before, mainly because it was a subject most knew not to bring up around Fluttershy. “I guess you should know…” She said quickly, nervous as to how the conversation might turn out.
“It’s alright...I’m sure I’ll understand…” The stallion stopped on the path, with only the lamplight to illuminate the two of them now, as the sun left them, only the warmth in their cheeks remained to blend with the dim lights of the candle lamps. Fluttershy moved closer to him and sat down, breathing deeply while shuffling her hooves.
“I’m afraid to talk about it...I would have told Discord, but...I thought he wouldn’t understand and it hurts to talk about...and Twilight and Rainbow Dash are the only two friends I have that know about it.”
“It’s alright…” Discord felt a little hurt from her fear of telling him, as if he wouldn’t understand. He probably would. Considering he had never heard her past, but knew how she was mistreated because of her small weak wings and frail body. He felt that pain of being mistreated too. Though a little hurt, Discord knew that talking about past affairs was difficult, even with somepony you trust.
“Sigh...I-I was born prematurely...my mother was sick when she had me...leaving her and I very weak after my birth. My mother recovered, but I still remained weak...my wings wouldn’t work properly because they were so small, and I was afraid of flying because my wings would hurt if I flew too fast or-or if I bent my wing in a certain way. My mother didn’t expect such a weak flyer as her daughter, considering that both my parents were both a part of the Wonderbolts.” Discord eyes widened at this. He never thought that Fluttershy could be the daughter of such strong flyers. He was in awe of her, she seemed so brave.
“My father didn’t mind, he was the only one who seemed to support me. But...he passed away from an accident in a practice routine for a performance, I didn’t even get to say goodbye.” A single tear came down from her now glossy eyes. The disguised draconequus knew much about loss, he felt the pain. Discord couldn’t handle the sight, he wanted to hold her, and tell her that she was amazing in every possible way, but he held himself back when a small breath from the mare lead on to another part of her story.
“My mother and I were left together, and things changed, too fast. She changed...she went into this obsession of turning me into this exceptional flyer. Morning, noon, and night I would work so hard to please her...flying whenever I could...just so she would stop calling me worthless.” Discord growled low, too quiet to be heard. How could a mother call her own child worthless?! “I still have trouble with flying even now, I still have a few scars from the practices…” She touched her back and revealed streaks of skin and a loss of fur. Discord felt angry, he protectively looked at the cuts in her lovely creme fur with sympathy. Gently touching the scars that rested below her wings, it wouldn't be seen unless Fluttershy pulled back her feathers. It was still a sensitive area, making Fluttershy shiver slightly, but she let him rest his hoof on her back.
“My mom soon gave up on me, she kicked me out of the house when I had just turned fifteen...which was how Rainbow and her family brought me in and called me their family...later on I went to camp with Dash, but wound up falling off a cloud...I couldn't fly yet because I was still recovering...but, hehe” She giggled making Discord look at her surprised for a moment. “I wound up being caught by butterflies...which lead to me getting my cutie mark...so I moved to Ponyville.” Cordwood was speechless. The Lord of Chaos held Fluttershy at such a high respect, even more than before, she was most definitely tougher than she looked.
“You're amazing…” He whispered under his breath, very hushed, but Fluttershy was able to hear it.
“Not really...my mother was right...I am worthle-”
“Never say that again.” Fluttershy was cut off by the stallion beside her. The moon had come up slowly and was now lighting up Cordwood seductive eyes, making the pegasus blush. Discord couldn’t believe that such an amazing mare existed. He had never noticed the scars on her back...or the scars in her heart, till now.
“You’re amazing, you're not worthless...you never were…and never will be...” Fluttershy’s tears couldn’t be held back any longer. She let them flow down her cheeks as she smiled at her new friend, her best friend...her lover. Where had he been when she needed this? Discord slowly wrapped his hooves around the shy pegasus as she cried lightly. He felt her breathing stagger but she gave him a hug back, nuzzling him in the crease of his neck. He didn’t know what to do before, but now he understood. The Lord of Chaos submitted to her gestures, and nuzzled her back, smelling the scent of roses in her mane.
“Thank you…” She whispered in his ear, which made him slightly nervous, but otherwise happy.
“It’s alright...I actually understand your feelings more than you think…” Discord knew he had to open up to her too, he couldn’t let her freely speak about her painful past, and not tell her anything in return. Fluttershy leaned back and looked up, into his red eyes that made her quiver and blush. She was slightly confused, but intrigued to be hearing his story. “A long time ago, I was abandoned, my mother didn’t want me. I was left at a mare’s home and she raised me to be strong and smart. When I came of age, and after homeschooling she sent me off to college where I learned that I wanted to teach. I wasn't always fully accepted by others...but my skills in ma- I mean...study and hard work made me an exceptional student. I was given the privilege of attending this school, but I soon figured out that nopony really liked me. They even thought I was a monster.”
Fluttershy cringed at the word. Discord had mentioned it a few times on occasion when he would tell her how other ponies feel about him. She didn’t believe him of course. Discord continued, “I moved away, to here in Equestria, away from May- I mean um, my adoptive mother. I found a job...in the city, and began teaching to little ones...I was then hired for...special children. Eventually, I found myself in a fight with somepony who thought he could challenge me. He...hurt me...bad." Technically I was cursed, but more on that later, I suppose. "It wasn't just me who was injured, he hurt my friends too, and my mother. I have to wear glasses because of a spell he cast that disabled my senses, it’s not something I’ve had since birth...my sight was just a side effect from the damage of a battle…”
“Oh my goodness...that’s just...awful…” Fluttershy held her hooves to her muzzle. He was so strong and brave to go up against somepony who could test his knowledge, and he got hurt in the process.
“No, nothing compared to what I did next...I-I hurt him back...got my revenge on him...which lead to an...imprisonment, in a sense. I had gotten too carried away in my own desire, I didn’t even realize the pain I was causing others. It ate me up on the inside…and once released from my well deserved sentence, I striked all who feared me...until somepony wasn’t afraid of me…” He stole a glance of Fluttershy blushing at him. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was talking about her. “They helped me see what I had lost so long ago, and it made me re-live the pain of loss...so I changed, though, I don’t think I can ever get rid of the feeling of being alone and of being the monster I am.” Cordwood was staring out into nothing now, trying hard not to show his true sadness. Through his efforts, Fluttershy saw it in his eyes. She hugged him this time, leaving them both speechless, and the disguised draconequus glossy eyed, and on the brink of exposing his true self.
“I was bullied too...everypony thought I was weak, not just my mother...the only one that believed in me was Rainbow...she would always visit me when I was sad and needed a friend, or try her best to make me feel wanted. My friends are the only ones who make me feel loved...”
“You...are wanted...you know that?” Discord, who was beyond helpless at this point, held Fluttershy in his arms. “You have no idea how much I really needed you…” The stallion’s true pain of rejection was slipping away, and he let the pegasus in to be healed by her kindness. He felt relieved when Fluttershy pulled him in closer, comforting him.
“You don’t know how much I needed you too…” Fluttershy felt so safe with this stallion, the same safety and security with Discord. It was strange, they did feel the same. Discord let a tear fall, but he smiled while holding the small mare. It was a nostalgic feeling, calm and lovely, he didn’t want to let go. Fluttershy didn’t either, but they soon broke off from their embrace and made their way back to the cottage.
Fluttershy showed a longing face as if she waited for something as she looked up at him. Discord didn’t know what to do next, he had exposed his past, held her, even given her affection and he called her beautiful. On top of that he had helped her with chores at Twilight’s, put up with Twilight... What was she waiting for?
“Um...thank you for everything a-again…it was actually...nice to tell somepony about my past…it was...comforting.”
“For me also.” Discord smiled, feeling fixed and happy once more. Fluttershy felt herself leaning, which made Discord furrow his brow and lean in somewhat in curiosity. Before he knew it, Fluttershy had pecked him on the cheek.
“Um...thanks again! See you tomorrow!” Fluttershy galloped inside, slamming the door behind her with Angel on her back. She let those eyes talk her into it, she couldn’t help it, they seduced her to doing it! The pegasus leaned against the door now, with Angel flat against her chest still fast asleep as if nothing had happened. But something did happen, she could still hear Mr. Cordwood outside. Discord was confused, lost...he had no idea on how to feel about the current events that just took place. She kissed him? Why? He didn’t do anything...he only told her the truth about his past. He felt his smile pulling at his lips.
Am I happy about this?! You know what! That’s it! I can’t take this anymore! That’s right...I like her! I like her a lot! Possibly more than a friend!
Oh Celestia help…I like her. I know I'm not worth it...but, maybe a little while longer wouldn't hurt...would it?
Discord chuckled and continued to smile uncontrollably. The stallion began to walk along the path, but at first feeling awfully light headed, making him trip over a little. But he didn’t care, he was too happy to notice that he was exhausted, that he was flushed and burning up from a fever, he didn’t even notice how sick he felt, he only thought he had...was of the innocent love he received that day.
It continued on to the next evening at the party held by Twilight for Hearts and Hooves Day. Most guest had left for the night with happy drunk smiles and cheery moods. All who were left sat at a table off to the corner of the room, beside the dimly lit fireplace.
“Ah gotta give hic yah credit here Mr. Cord…hic fine job on the cider…” A cowpony chugged the remaining contents of her glass down her throat. Cordwood shook his head chuckling as he brought more cider to the table. Rainbow reached out for another glass and looked over at AppleJack who looked a little sick.
“Wha’s the matter AJ? Gettin’ a lil’ sick, huh? hic Looks like I win this round!”
“Nuh-uh! Look at me skittles...I got hic a lot more to go before I get hic drunk!” AJ grabbed from Cordwood’s trey and started to drink more.
“Yeah! Skittles are great! Candy is great! You guys are great! Everything is great! ” A pink earth pony guffawed and threw cider in the air.
“Careful girls...I wouldn’t want you to have trouble getting home…” Twilight sipped from her glass, chuckling under her breath from the silly competition between her friends. Flash sat next to her drinking some of Discord’s hard cider.
“Hey! Why aren’t you drunk yet? You're like…hic an egghead, and you don’t even drink!”
“Alicorns don’t get drunk without a large consumption of alcohol.” The professor spoke up then drank from his glass.
“Right...well, then why aren’t you drunk Mr. Cordy...huh?” Rainbow said leaning over the table in the stallion's face.
“I have a high tolerance level…” He smiled taking another swig of his cider, impressing everypony at the table with his tenth glass. “It takes me about twenty chugs to get drunk…” The stallion explained.
“My, that is impressive!” Rarity smiled taking a sip of her white wine.
“It really is.” Twilight said rubbing her chin, as if trying to figure something out, but stopped short when she saw the yellow pegasus beside Cordwood playing with a straw. “Hey flutters, why not try some.”
“Oh, um...I don’t drink…”
“That’s a lie from Tartarus Flutters! We all know about your wine cellar!” Rainbow hyped, laughing at something that seemed hysterical to her. Fluttershy blushed in embarrassment, then saw Cordwood staring at her with a mischievous grin and knew she would be hearing about this again.
“Do you now?” He said taking a quick sip of what was left of his hard cider. He was going to use that against her some day, it made him smile wider.
“I don’t really drink too much, but...sigh...on occasion I drink wine...not really cider though.”
“Try some...it’s actually sweet, I made it taste better than others.” Discord hoofed her a glass expectantly. Fluttershy was reluctant at first, but then chugged it, making the professor gasp. “No! Wait! Not that fast! You’ll get-” It was too late, Fluttershy set the glass down and looked at him. She observed his face for a minute then grabbed it and played with his cheeks. Her face was turning beet red, and she looked drowsy.
“You actually look very hoofsome you know that~” She giggled and then looked at his eyes trying to decipher what he was thinking, even in her drunken state.
“Um, thank you…” Discord was blushing as deep as her now, even though it took much to get him drunk...he felt the alcohol going to his head. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably, as a pleasurable feeling came over him, leading to sensations he’d rather not expose.
Fluttershy continued playing with his face, looking even more lost every second she spent rubbing his cheeks.
“That hic tasted amazing!” Fluttershy finally said aloud, then tried to reach for another glass, but was stopped by Cordwood's hoof on hers.
“I think that’s enough booze for you, my dear…” Discord chuckled at the innocent mare’s face.
She got drunk in less than five seconds! Is there anything this mare couldn’t do that wasn’t cute?
“Why you always hic call me that? hic” Fluttershy and everypony else looked at him for an answer, the other mares seemed to be smirking or looking at him, expecting him to do something to Fluttershy.
“Call you what?”
“Dear? Why hic you call me that? I-I’m not your mare friend or anything…hic Discord calls me that, but he don't hic like me, hic I think, but you treat me like you like me or somethin’...do you? hic” Several of the mares were giggling at the flustered stallion.
“Um-well...I, uh…”
“Kiss me.”
“W-What?!” Cordwood was staring at the yellow pegasus that seemed to also be staring him down. The other mares watched as if they were watching a play, and wanted to see the two lovers come together at the end before the curtain closed.
“Kiss me hic...because I like you…”
“Y-You what…” Cordwood was silent, he didn’t know if he should believe her. She was intoxicated, and wanted him to kiss her. Fluttershy, the shy young mare wanted his lips to touch her.
“I like you, a lot. hic So kiss me so I know you like me too…” Fluttershy was only a few inches from his face, with a drunk blush. Discord felt her hooves rub against his chest making him shiver in pleasure. Her hooves felt so soft as they came around his neck and into his mane. He felt as if he couldn’t hold back until the bells went off in his head-
Wait! You know nothing! You don’t know what you're doing at all, you never learned about this kind of stuff, Discord! She’s also intoxicated! She would surely hate you if you rid her of her innocence!
Discord blushed even deeper, if that was possible. He was so embarrassed, he didn’t know the first thing about...anything. Especially, that...and that’s exactly where this was going.
“Oh yes! Go on professor, show us how it’s done!” Rarity said giddy, starting to be hit by the burn of her wine. Discord was having trouble holding back his urges, being torn into two pieces of himself.
She wants this, though. She said she likes me…
But, she wouldn’t know if I were Discord or a Centaur at the moment…though, I don’t know the first thing about...that. What do I do! I can’t pull myself away!
Get a grip!
“Ugh, gross…” Rainbow gaged then fell to the floor, officially passed out, breaking Discord from his passionate, and heated trance.
Too close.
“I win!” The orange mare beside Rainbow jumped from her seat, then face first into the table, making a few bottles tumble over.
“Oh no, we should probably get them home…” Twilight walked over to the passed out mares, who seemed quite sick to their stomachs. Cordwood and Fluttershy turned and faced the others, which stopped their train of thought from the previous conversation.
“I’ll help…” The two said in unison then looked at each other's drunken faces. The last stallion of the party left with two mares on his back and another right beside him. On the way to the mares’ homes it was silent, with the occasional nausea from Flutters and the two passengers. He had to endure several complaints from the Apple family, and had to use his wings to get Rainbow to her bed. Discord dropped the two competitors off and started on his way to the shy pegasus. She looked drowsy, but smiled mischievously at him as he flew back down to the ground.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Discord questioned as Fluttershy continued walking with him. His fluffed out his wings, after they had been used, to fix some of the feathers.
“Those wings make you look hoofsome…” She said winking at him, making Cordwood flinch and sweat slightly. The moon and lamplights illuminated the way, glistening dimly. She looked so beautiful when the moon hit her soft flowy hair that way. The disguised draconequus tried his best to ignore her lovely appearance, until Fluttershy stopped, holding her head.
“Are you alright, my dear?”
“I don’t feel so-” She closed her eyes and lost her balance, having Discord catch her before she hit the dirt of the road. He grunted, but was silenced when he looked at Fluttershy, her chest rising and falling as she passed out in his hooves. Discord sighed and lifted Fluttershy from the ground onto his back with his magic.
“Come on, let’s get you home…” He carried her the rest of the way still having his thoughts consume his time.
Did she mean it? She was drunk after all, and probably didn’t have a clue as to what was happening.
He felt his pleasures from before arouse his thoughts, making him deepen in his drinking flush. He could picture it, not as vividly, but enough to make him walk uncomfortably. Her touching him and trying to kiss him, her hooves on his chest and then around his neck playing with his mane. Discord wished those thoughts away, but wished even more for them to come true. It felt nice to think about. He smiled to himself, but the mumbling from behind broke him from his thoughts. Discord turned to see Fluttershy holding on his neck and mumbling something. She moaned in a satisfactory way, rubbing her muzzle against Cordwood’s shoulder making his wings fluff up. He continued on, trying his best to ignore the shivers from Fluttershy and her non-stop nuzzles, finally looking to the door of her cottage. He could hear the ranting squeals of Fluttershy’s bunny friend from outside, and as he trotted up the stairs to the bedrooms, in protest of bringing his adoptive mother home drunk! The professor let out a sigh of annoyance, still trotting up the stairs, hearing the rodent squeal louder as he entered Fluttershy’s bedroom.
“You better not have touched her you old geezer…” The rabbit squeaked, crossing his paws over his chest in an intimidating manner, but was ignored as Cordwood disappeared into the bedroom. Gently, the stallion placed the pegasus in her bed and pulled up the covers. She was still clinging to his neck as he did all this, which made the stallion chuckle. Fluttershy acted like a foal that wanted to stay awake, or be held for as long as possible. Discord looked at her for a moment and a thought occurred to him.
She doesn’t like me...because this isn’t me. He sighed in desperation, but continued to lay the slumbering mare down to rest in the covers. He hadn’t realized his hooves were brushing along her thigh up to her arm as he pulled the cover up to her cheek, until Fluttershy moaned in satisfaction.
“hm...Discord…” She whispered. This got the stallion’s attention. Quickly turning to face her, he was met with her lips. The uncomfortable senses surging through him sped up in pace, making him hurt and ache with yearning.
“Hm!” The disguised draconequus was internally frightened by the mare’s sudden boldness. She kissed him, intoxicated and asleep, but kissed him all the same. Discord couldn’t understand what was going on, he was too stunned to move. Cordwood could feel himself letting go of his fears and submitting to her love and want, gradually changing him back to his true form. The draconequus grunted from the pain of being turned back, but watched as Fluttershy gave in to her desire of love. She grazed his mane, and moaned in satisfaction as his mismatched body came back. The draconequus didn’t have anything else on his mind, instead he pressed a kiss in return, not realizing he was waking the pegasus up. It was only their lips to touch, but it was enough to make Discord be himself.
His wings enveloped her, shielding her from the moon that crept through the window and threatened to reveal Discord’s true face to the pegasus. Her vision was blurry, all she could see was a familiar figure holding her close and giving her a magical moment. She pulled him tighter, almost making the creature fall on top of her. The draconequus soon saw her opening her eyes and backed away from his kiss, gasping for air. It felt like poison as the oxygen hit his lungs, he wanted nothing more than to continue. Fluttershy groaned in disappointment, saying his name.
Oh Celestia...Discord thought, trying to leave the room through the door.
Fluttershy moved over on her pillow and slowly closed her eyes once more, moaning his name again. Discord froze, his face red. He was so flustered, and confused, he was so unsure of what to do. There was one thing he knew had to be done, before he could change his mind and join the pegasus in her bed. Discord quickly flung his lion paw up and sliced the air creating a hole, and left through a portal to his home collapsing once again on the floor, and hyperventilating from exerting his powers to their limit.
Oh, Celestia...oh Celestia...what have I done...she kissed me and I kissed her back! I-I….I really, enjoyed that…what has she done to me…?
This is too soon! I don't deserve her. Oh no! What if she remembers me kissing her! But, maybe...maybe she won’t remember...maybe she will forget tonight...hopefully-
He felt energy flowing back into him, but not from the rest he was getting, laying on the floor. The room became grey faster than the last few times he had taken the color from the chaos of his house. It steadily made its way into his system calming his breathing and slowing his heart rate.
Control. He thought, but in his state he couldn’t even control himself from passing out on his living room floor, the last thought being his kiss he shared with the mare he had affections for. What was he going to do? Fluttershy liked him. She said his true name and kissed him. Discord was unsure of what tomorrow would hold, but he couldn’t think of anything else besides the said mare as he slept on the cold floorboards of his black and white house.
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…
It was cold. Dull. Life was nonexistent. Blank. Then, it was warm. It was nice, it was pleasurable, and it was short. Then it was cold once again.
A loud crash of lighting from outside awoke the stallion with a start. He shook for a moment, but gradually rose from the bed to see his surroundings.
What…
The room was green and with bird houses and nests that hung off of branches coming through the surrounding walls. Flowers scented the room and made the aroma therapeutic and life giving.
Cordwood lay in the covers of a once green bed of cherry wood that made the said color stand out. But now, it was grey. Everything was grey. Why? Because of him.
Damn. He thought for a split second, but then looked around more, blushing deeply upon realizing where he was. What happened? He had no clothes on! What had he done to her?! Did he do anything when he wasn’t thinking clearly?! Had he...had he touched her?! Wait.
Discord looked over to the nightstand beside the bed and saw items of treatment and care.
Oh. I was so foolish to come here...I was sick and I didn’t even consider the cons-
“Ack!” He grabbed his head and whimpered, a sound he disliked to hear come from him. Cordwood’s head still pounded and bruised the walls of his skull, why did he feel so weak? He had rested. Granted, he stayed in form, but he still was able to gain some strength, so why did he feel deprived? He massaged his temple trying to think of all that happened, his blush deepening.
Oh. I must be tired...all I seem to recall is seductively grabbing Fluttershy and pulling her to the bed...great, my brain is playing tricks on me and can’t decipher dream from reality. I suppose next I’ll be stripped of my title and become the next princess of Equestria! Discord would have grown a pink horn and crown if there had been a viewer for his amusement, or energy to do such shenanigans. He turned his head slightly and could see the outline of a once occupied space, awfully close to him, the blankets had been lifted and rested to a crease. It made the disguised draconequus choke slightly at the sight. She slept next to him. Why?
I asked.
It made Discord laugh slightly, but then he noticed was alone once more. He hadn’t noticed until he tried to get up that a single yellow feather rested between his chest scruff. He blushed, but grabbed it carefully and lifted it to his eyes. Then stached it between a few of the feathers in his own wing.
“Does she- Does she have feelings for me? What about the real me? Will she like me if I have no normal limbs and eyes? If I’m not the stallion she sees now, will she like me then?” Cordwood sighed longingly, but was quickly interrupted by head pounding. He held his face and massaged his temple, while reaching for the nightstand to find a pill.
Nothing.
Great. Now I have to get up and face her...after what just happened. I’m never going to forgive myself if I don’t tell her the truth, however tempting it may be to stay this way...my body won’t allow it, anyway. I must confess...a number of things actually. Discord groaned again, memories flooding into his mind at a fast pace, naming off his sins and lies, and even his truths that have yet to be told. I have to tell her that she had gotten too much of that liquid in her system that it possessed her to kiss me...not to mention I also told my past, not completely, it must be told sooner or later however. I’d rather tell the one pony I trust wholeheartedly. And I need to tell her...how I truly feel, while admitting that I’m not the stallion she thinks I am. In more ways than one.
His brain was searching for words to say. How should he start? Where should he even begin?! He had only just recently recognized his attraction to her, he honestly knows nothing of romance, except that drivel from novels, not much help there. Discord smirked at his own thoughts. He had never attempted to woo, and especially never seduce a mare. He would be too embarrassed to ask after any sort of steps need be taken. Twilight would know. He paused.
Twilight. Twilight! That’s it! Twilight would know what to do! She’s read everything! Not to mention she’s had a coltfriend in the same castle as her for a period of months! She would understand my circumstances, and would most likely be able to explain my affections to me at a better level of understanding. Possibly even assist me in romancing Fluttershy, after all, I’m sure Twilight would approve of a stallion-um-draconequus, whom her friend trusts! Any other stallion wouldn’t be good enough! It must be me.
His head hurt, aching more as the shouting of his ideas and hopes vibrated about in his thumping brain.
Pill first. Twilight later. I must go to Fluttershy and convince her to let me go back home. Well, at least out of her mane. Yes, but first, best try walking without collapsing…
It was a task. A difficult one. Nothing he couldn’t handle, however. The medicines and Fluttershy’s comfort had really assisted him in his recovery, but his magic was still draining at a steady pace. He had even taken the color from Fluttershy’s bed by accident.
Has she noticed? What will she think of that? How can I cover that one up? I’m most inevitably, in a word, doomed. But I must seek advice from Twilight before I tell Fluttershy of my intentions.
His mind then secluded itself, his eyes focusing on the stairs in front of him.
Cordwoods huffed, snorting like a bull prepared to take on his greatest enemy.
Stairs. Is it possible to feel afraid about falling down the stairs? I suppose Pinkie would agree, though the others would laugh at my inability to walk correctly.
He would have rolled on the floor and laughed until his lungs gave out if he could see himself manipulating his hooves to work down the elevation of the no more than eight step staircase. It was a task that took its toll on his pride, then burned it to a crisp when his face fell flat on the floor with his last step. He groaned, lifting his chin from the floor and spitting out pieces of carpet that caught in his fangs.
I will forever float and fly, just for the sole purpose to avoid stairs...that is my vow and intend to stick to it after this ordeal has met it’s end.
Discord got up shakily and walked the rest of the way to the kitchen, to the smell of soup and clanging of a spoon against a pot.
Ah, she got up to make something...It was slightly disappointing that she had left him only after a little rest, but his attitude quickly changed when he came into the kitchen.
Angel was sitting on a stool and reading a cookbook while stirring a pot of soup. He was complete with a chef hat and concentrated eyebrows, focused on the words and pictures of soups and salads.
“Angel? Where-” Cordwood stopped as Angel began to squeak violently, saying,
“That mare didn’t finish the soup before she left, but turned off the bloody stove, I wasn’t going to serve you something gross...no matter how tempting it may be Discord...”
Cordwoods mouth was agape at the rabbits words, shocked that the rabbit actually cared for his well-being and that the rodent knew all along.
“You-You knew?” He spoke barely above a whisper, Fluttershy’s bashfulness rubbing off on him. The rabbit rolled his eyes and continued on with the soup making, throwing in a few green plants in the brew. He squeaked again,
“Of course I knew! I can smell your scent Discord, I’m actually quite surprised that Fluttershy hasn’t caught a wiff of your smokey aura...you smell like a diminished chimney that stood in the rain for too long, aging away to no more than a few bricks.”
“Gee, thank you ever so much for the lovely compliment…” The stallion said with dripping sarcasm. “No matter...I’m sure Fluttershy doesn’t mind my aroma as much as she spends time with you who smells of rodent dung that has sat in the rays of Celestia’s sun for quite some time…” He smirked at the rabbit who seemed to laugh at the insult, considering it fair play. Cordwood came to the cabinets and tried finding the medicines, only to be met with tea cups, plates, and a couple bags of rabbit food of the highest quality brand.
Spoiled.
“Where is Fluttershy?” Discord asked, now concerned as to her whereabouts. He would have thought she stayed inside and cooked something. She might have even went to feed her animals if the rain had stopped, but the storm persisted and though it was not as threatening as before, it remained just as frightening.
“I sent her out to get some mushrooms for my special dinner food…”
“My, my, my, aren’t you the considerate one?”
“ It’s hard to be this great, perhaps that’s why I receive more attention from Fluttershy than you do…” Angel was trying to dig at Discords skin, and it was working.
Why that little...wait...out?
“Where are those mushrooms?” He looked at the white rabbit that continued tasting the soup.
“There on the edge of the Everfree beside the cottage, not to far about a three minute walk or so...why?”
It’s raining...no, it’s thundering...lightning.
“Why would you send her outside when it’s storming! Beside the Everfree no less! Do you know of the beasts that come out when it rains there?!” Discord was furious. How could this rabbit be so selfish! He’s Fluttershy’s friend, guardian more like, so why would he do such a thing as to send a weak soul out there near the untamed forests?
“It’s not just me that needs those...we were low on supplies and we needed more. In all honesty I wouldn’t have sent her out there but some of our sickly...including you, needs those mushrooms...their magically charmed. I couldn’t go because I’m a rabbit, I can’t possibly carry all of what we need.” The rabbit squeaked once more, throwing his eyes at the ceiling and shrugging.
“You could have waited! At least till the storm had lifted!” Discord was not having this rabbits excuses, no matter the mutual respect between the two. Angel looked out to the window, his brow furrowing, and beginning to squeak a most curious reply.
“Strange, it was only misting when she left…” Discord looked out the same direction his eyes widening. All the lightning had been positioned in one spot in the sky, illuminating an area in the forest.
There’s only one type of creature capable of that...I have to get her back inside. It can come up out of the forest if it so wishes to, and if she’s on the edge...oh no…
“When did she leave?” The rabbit then looked at the stallion with now a worried look in his eyes.
“I wasn’t watching the time I-I think-”
“When did she leave?!”
“About ten or so minutes ago…why?”
“She’s in trouble.” Discord quickly left the kitchen forgetting about his migraine and proceeded to the door, materializing his leather jacket. “Stay here until we get back!” He shouted and slammed the door running out and sniffing the air.
The disguised draconequus followed the scent and made his way through the leaves of the Everfree Forest. The scent of beast and mare filling his nostrils. He tried to listen for anything as another clue to finding her. His ears twitching in all directions and his eyes searching the foliage.
“Fluttershy!” He scram, but she wouldn’t be able to hear through the thunder. Then,
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” A long earth shattering scream rang through Discords abnormal ears.
[I’m coming Flutters, hang on! He screamed in his thoughts as the branches scraped against his face and the rain soaked him once more, however, this time was protected by the leather of his jacket.
He could finally hear his mare’s faint whimpers as he ventured into a clearing within the forest.
There it sat up, a long snake like beast, taking on a form much of a dragon, if they were any more snake like. It was dark blue with a lighter shaded belly and bright green eyes that shimmered in the darkness. It carried markings on it’s exaggerated head, lightning bolts, but he hadn’t realized what the snake was, until he saw it’s tail end was one of a lion. Another lightning streak further illuminated it’s frame, making visible dark black, hardly visible in the dark but no less terrifying than ram horns. It was a chimera. This was something Discord knew could match his strength and he didn’t like it.
More whimpers sounded as the lion tail wrapped around a yellow pegasus pleading for mercy, hopelessly. The lion tail seemed to have scales toward the end, cutting through the skin of the crying prey. Discord would not watch idly while his friend suffered. The moment the chimera opened it’s mouth to take his meal, Discord surged his magic through him and gave his strength away for Fluttershy’s protection, making him mutter curses under his breath from the heart burn and aching.
The pegasus finally looked up from her hooves and viewed the spectacle. Cordwood stood, using magic to freeze the snake's actions, but what he said next was more than any mare could handle in a day.
“Put. Her. Down.” He said sternly, now staring daggers at the serpent before him, angry beyond measure. “Before I skin you alive and make you a handbag for my friend Rarity...”
Fluttershy squeaked as the snake rolled his tongue and placed her down, none too gently. She sat in the mud, dripping wet, making her slightly appealing to Discord, but it wasn’t the time to admire.
The beast hissed and circled around Discord as his magic lifted, allowing the chimera to study him for a moment.
“Pray tell, young s-s-s-stallion, how is-s-s-s it possible to have gained s-s-s-such magic of your breed.”
“I’m not who think I am, I suggest you tread lightly.” Discord stated, or rather deadpanned, still focusing on the mare only a few feet away from him as she tried gaining her balance once more.
“Yes-s-s-s-s, it would seem we are at a match my friend...who are you to be coming into the forest for a weak and pitiful pegasus-s-s-s-s…”
Discord showed no emotion, only now his eyes followed that of the snakes.
“Perhaps-s-s-s, if only of good deed you would be better to leave me with my lunch…” The chimera then slithered toward Fluttershy once more, a cry of terror coming from the pegasus. All was well, however, Fluttershy opened her eyes and saw Cordwood standing in front of her, burning holes in the snake's eyes.
“You will not touch her, she’s mine.” Fluttershy blushed at this but was sincerely shocked. He was being possessive of her, and claiming her as his. He was protecting her.
“Why do you claim s-s-s-s-strangers young one?”
Discord could only think one thing that could possibly work. The law.
“She’s my mate, you may not touch her, it is against the codes of a chimera to ever harm another's mate.”
Fluttershy squeaked.
Wha-What?!
“The rules-s-s-s-s have no boundries for me, I roam free…”
Discord shown his eyes only once, his yellow and red eyes shining in the dark revealing his identity to the snake. It made the snake choke on his own tongue, and carry a stressed face.
“M-My Lord...forgive me...I-I meant no dis-”
“Leave.” Cordwood said sternly, now turning toward the mare shaking behind him. “If I ever see you around these parts of the forest, I will find you, and I will hunt you down...that is a promise. Goodnight.” With that the stallion lifted his muzzle under Fluttershy’s belly and hoisted her onto his back, now carrying her out of the forest.
Fluttershy was speechless. Where could she begin with all her curious questions! There were too many! But one scratched at the door of her thought.
“C-Cordwood...when you said...I-I was your-um-m-mate...what d-did you mean?” Discord froze on the edge of the forest, the cottage in view. He had said that understanding the laws of a chimera. A mate of one would not be harmed, but he also meant it seriously, she was practically mate status to him, considering that he did have an attraction to her. Mates were different than any marriage or relationship. Chimera only have one mate for their lifetime since they’re immortal, and if they fall for a mortal that mortal is granted the same life span to share with the chimera. Discord had never thought much about his own mate, if he ever imagined having one, it didn’t come to consideration. He only cared for Fluttershy.
“There’s a law for chimera that one may not harm another’s mate. Considering that each chimera has almost the equal amount of power, there is not a need to fight with one another, but if the chimera has a mate of difference then there must be no harm…” Discord began walking again trying to get home as soon as possible.
“Chimera? You-You mean you're…”
“No. It was a lie.”
“But, but the magic...a-and he called you Lord?!”
“Tricks. I can manipulate magic by channeling my energy as a pegasus to do other things that a unicorn might.”
“You can do that?”
“Yes. You have to have magical capability and understand how magic works.” That was the truth, anyone could contain certain types of magic to their limit if they understood how it works.
“But...he called you…”
“I switched my eyes momentarily to match Discord’s, he is after all Lord of the Chimera, he keeps them at bay.”
And now I know who had been causing so much trouble. I’ll have to report this to Celestia when I get the chance…
“He-He’s that...powerful?” Discord couldn’t help but smile and his chest swelled with pride.
“Indeed. What do think Celestia intrusted him with once he was reformed?”
I hadn’t thought to tell her, I wouldn’t have wanted her to fear me. But I suppose it would have come up sooner or later.
“That’s...amazing, I never knew that Discord was capable of order. I mean, he understands it, and it’s importance I’m sure, but he is the Lord of Chaos after all…”
“Once he was, no longer, but that was only a title he made for himself and the chimera fear it. But, I believe Discord understands more about harmony than you think…” Cordwood continued walking, now opening the gate to her yard. “Harmony and Chaos need to exist together. You can’t have a perfect world, it’s considered corruption, but you also can’t have Chaos run freely without boundaries, that’s destruction.”
“Are you saying...that Discord helps keep balance?” The stallion froze for a moment as he was reaching for the door of Fluttershy’s cottage.
“Perhaps, but then again, he may be another pawn of an endless game. He might not be a token of balance, maybe he is the ending of harmony...of everything, after all he’s cursed with the fate of forever causing mischief and grief.”
“I think...that he does create balance. Without him, the world would be dull, and it would always be order with no progression, like you said. He’s not evil, he serves a purpose. Without him, my life would be dull too.” She said the last one in a low whisper, covering her small blush in the back of Cordwood’s neck.
“He...is good, isn’t he?”
“Yes. I think so…”
Thank you. He said silently to himself in his mind, which still hurt from his migraine and using his magic to save Fluttershy. But Cordwood’s train of thought slowed as he entered the house and rested Fluttershy on the floor, just now noticing her stomach area was bleeding.
“Fluttershy, you're hurt…”
“Oh, i-it’s just a scratch...don’t worry about-” But before she could even finish her sentence Discord was trotting upstairs. “C-Cordwood?” She heard the rustling of something and then she realized what he was doing when he came down the steps holding the first aid kit in his muzzle.
“I’ll fix fit…” He stated trying to suppress drool with a closed smile and made his way to the mare. It didn’t take long for him to figure out what to do first, of course he put ointment on the wounds, but not before he began his interrogation.
“What possessed you to go out there alone?” He asked coolly but you could hear the aggravation in his voice.
“I-I had to get those mushrooms. Oh, I should have grabbed some carrots too and-”
“Forget the carrots and whatever pointless vegetable you could possibly conjure in that mind of yours...you left without help, all alone into a forest- that wasn’t very intelligent on your part my dear.” He rubbed in the ointment on her cuts, receiving a quiet moan of it’s healing reaching Fluttershy.
“I’m sorry, I just didn’t see the patch that’s usually beside the trees...I saw some in the forest, a-and...I-I’m sorry…”
“It’s alright...but you should have waited if you didn’t see anything at first...Angel can live without it…”
“Oh, b-but some of my other animals need it too, and I haven’t fed them today either!” Discord began wrapping cloth around her stomach to cover the cuts. They weren’t just scratches, but Fluttershy was tougher than she looked, he admired her for that. His expression became that of sadness, and he cut the wrapping and taped it to another end. Fluttershy saw the expression remained even as Cordwood leaned back more to see her face.
“What’s wrong? Is it that bad?”
I would heal you, if I hadn’t been so unreasonable as to lie to you.
“No, you’ll be just fine. As for the other animals, I’ll feed them...before I leave.”
“L-Leave?” Fluttershy was now panicking. Cordwood still looked so ill and tired, he can’t possible be thinking of leaving, even if the storm had lifted since they got back home. Night was coming soon too. He couldn't leave! He just couldn't leave...her. “P-Please stay...with me, you still look exhausted and it’s just-just not right for me to allow you to go!” She whimpered a little, her sides hurting, but it also hurt for her interest to leave.
“Flutters, I have to. I can’t stay here and burden you any longer…” Cordwood got up and walked for the door and grabbed his shirt and proceeded to put it on after taking his jacket off.
“Co-Cordwood! No!” Fluttershy surprised Discord by running over to him and holding from behind. It was warm...when he was cold. He honestly didn’t want to leave, but he needed Twilight's help with his situation. She would know how to approach the subject...and she could explain his attraction...and what it was, really.
“I need to go Fluttershy. I have many things to do when I get home. I assure you, I’m perfectly capable of getting there, so, don’t worry…” Fluttershy came to his front and looked up in his eyes, she looked tearful and tired herself.
“B-But you s-sick, sniffle, I just-a-and you saved me! I-I can’t j-just, sniffle, let you leave…” She stated the last bit in a low whisper. Her sniffling masking her tears, he hated it, he didn’t want her to cry and he didn’t want to be the reason either. Cordwood’s hoof moved itself under her chin, and he couldn’t comprehend the swelling in his chest and the constant movement in his stomach.
Within a few moments Fluttershy stopped her whimpering and crying, giving Discord his cue. She was just too beautiful when the flames of the fireplace danced against her. So he kissed her.
His lips touched hers and Fluttershy looked at him red faced and shocked. It was beyond what she expected. The heat from her face seemed to transfer to Cordwood too. What was he doing? Why…oh.
Fluttershy reached her hooves around his neck and pulled him closer to strengthen his kiss.
That’s why.
It made Discord smile slightly, his hooves holding her head. It was a lingering feeling, and the universe slowed, with only the crackling flames to break the silence. Well, until...Fluttershy made an unexpected sound. It was quiet, but it made Discord ruffle up and want to press more. The shy pegasus couldn't hold it back any longer and she opened her mouth a little, as if granting him a gift. Discord knew what she was doing, and complied.
Their tongues intertwined and Fluttershy moaned blissfully, giving her love more than she ever had. But there was something that threw her off slightly. A clipped tongue, like a snake’s. It didn’t take long though for her to forget about it. Cordwood pressed against her to the wall, lightly as not to hurt her, but the pressure in Discord was getting too much for him to hold back.
Fluttershy moaned quietly, receiving responses back from Discord.
This is nice, and I wish I could please you more...but…
Discord broke away, gasping for air and putting his head on Fluttershy’s shoulder. It took a minute for them to catch their breath, yet it was the most peaceful moment that Discord had experienced, no matter how excited he was, he was content. He kissed her neck lightly, receiving another quiet moan of pleasure from his interest. Discord went to her ear and breathed into it while nuzzling her.
He couldn't spend any more time with her, he needed to tell her soon, before he dies of impatience. Discord sat back up and then rested his forehead on her’s and smiled tenderly, while opening his eyes a little to look at her, she was doing the same. They looked into each other for a moment more, just to view the spectacle in front of them.
“I’ll be fine.” He said finally, gaining a worried look from Fluttershy. But she knew this battle was lost, so she pulled at his shirt and kissed him and then hugged him tightly.
“Please…be careful…”
“I’ll come back soon…”
With that Cordwood left the cottage, fed the animals as he said he would, and continued on the road to Ponyville.
Twilight carried an umbrella in her magical aura while Spike was to her right, walking on all fours. He was pretty tall compared to how he was before, and had aged more, but he was still small enough to fit under the umbrella. The alicorn princess on the other hand had aged beautifully and grown more mature. Her hair had yellow in it now and was kept up in a bun to keep out of her face. Twilight’s strength and knowledge had since changed when she was turned into a Princess, her magic changed her appearance every year.
Her knowledge had helped her much since she had reigned, and that was the reason she was walking on the beaten path to a particular part of the outskirts of town.
Discord was the only one who could help Twilight figure out who Cordwood really was, that, and fix her book.
Her brow furrowed and she pouted, he still hadn’t fixed the book like he promised.
“Twilight?”
The lavender alicorn turned to her companion to see him and understand his concern.
“Yes Spike?”
“So, this Cordwood, could be Discord? Or do you think Discord might know him?”
“I have a feeling it could be either...considering Discord came to me for a transformation spell not only three weeks ago, and that was the time we met Cordwood. But I can’t assume until I have proof, it would make sense that Discord would go to certain lengths to receive more attention from Fluttershy. Otherwise It wouldn’t make sense that a stallion would use a name that hadn’t been used in centuries, unless he was some type of con artist trying to use Fluttershy.”
“A con artist?”
“Yes, but I don’t think that’s what it is...but I can’t be sure, that’s why we have to go see Discord.”
“But, don’t you need a portal to get there? And why are we going to Fluttershy’s?”
“Fluttershy has a special place in her house that Discord put a portal, in case Fluttershy needed to see him.”
“I never knew that.”
“He put it there soon after the Terik incident, I’m not sure she’s used it yet, considering that Discord always comes to visit her instead.” Twilight and Spike continued walking down the road, expecting to reach the cottage soon, but plans seemed to change quickly when a figure stumbled in the rain and was heading towards them.
“I-Is that?” Spike stuttered and pointed at the familiar shadow. Cordwood heaved and gasped trying his best to keep his balance, but stumbled multiple times.
Almost there. Almost there. Almost…
He fell with a considerably dull thud, having reached his limit.
“Cordwood!” Twilight galloped towards him and covered his shaking body with the umbrella. “Oh no, what happened?!” Cordwood was having difficulty not passing out in the road, he had gone out when he knew he hadn’t healed completely, but he did it any way. He tried to speak, but it was hard for Twilight to understand.
“H-Help...h-hold mhe...hup…” He huffed, on the brink of hyperventilating.
“Oh, um, alright?” Twilight helped the stallion up, he seemed oddly heavy when he leaned up against her. “Cordwood?! What’s going on?! Where’s Fluttershy?!” She was panicking, but Discord was to tired to answer, instead he glowed slightly. Now he really was getting heavy. Twilight grunted, trying to keep him up on his hooves. Instead Cordwood’s body was changing and seemed to be draining color from the road, but before the scenery could change, the stallion's hoof changed to a eagle claw and swiped the air creating a rip. His backside was changing rapidly, now his tail had came back and his back legs. Twilight looked behind her and couldn't believe who she was carrying.
“Discord?” She looked at him scared, Spike looked at him in the same way. What happened to him?
“Plhease...home…” He said through fast breaths, and his eyes closed, tempting him to fall passed out. Twilight knew what he was saying, she shared a look with her dragon and nodded.
“Spike, go to Fluttershy’s and tell her that Cordwood made his way to my castle, and that he’s fine…”
“But-Twilight, he’s not-”
“Just go, and hurry back to the castle…Discord is the portal to your home?” The tired stallion nodded, he looked so deprived of color, and so dull. “I’ll bring you home to rest, after that we go to my castle...Spike I’ll be back home soon.”
“Alright Twilight…” Spike ran off to Fluttershy’s in a speedy getaway. Twilight took a deep breath and faced the swirling mass in front of her, terrified, but brave enough to assist her friend who had seemed to fall asleep on her shoulder, she stepped through. Not long after, the portal disappeared from the space leaving no trace, but a single yellow feather.
Twilight looked over the mass of fur and scales breathing steadily in front of her. He was mumbling to himself, but still very much asleep and exhausted. Discord had come to her in a stallion form that she had assumed was him to begin with, or after thorough researching, and had collapsed on the ground as soon as they had come through the portal he created. It wasn’t very comforting to have her chaotic friend who seemed to be able to do anything, seem so helpless as to fall limp on his own living room floor, or what seemed to be the living room.
Twilight looked around at the walls and floorboards, the magic sending the surroundings spiraling, literally, out of control. The walls changed color every so often and the floors became three different types of carpet in half that time. She had come here once before for a tea party with Discord and Fluttershy, but he had altered his pocket universe for a more suitable environment, mostly to ensure Fluttershy wouldn’t vomit when she walked in.
The lavender alicorn’s brow furrowed at that thought.
It was all for her wasn’t it? You changed for her. But...why?
The princess knew all too well about Fluttershy’s feelings, but knew nothing of Discord’s, he’d rather not share in all his honesty. It would be nice to know what went on in his head, however, at the moment, or the last fifteen minutes or so, he would be having a dialogue with himself or some entity only he could hear.
Discord scrunched up, hugging himself as if cold. He had paused in his mumbling and shook a bit, but it wasn’t long before his muttering continued.
How much longer is he going to keep this up? Twilight thought, grabbing a patchwork blanket from one of the couches in the room. It was stitched differently, and was a dark bluish green and red, but wasn’t of significance to Twilight until she put it on her friend’s back and saw the embroidered name labeled on the corner.
Cordwood. Stitched in red.
Him? He’s the Cordwood from the records? Or possibly has connections with them. I have to know who this somepony is. But, what if it’s Discord? How could that possible? Discord would never be labeled as an “Instructor” or able to teach anypony for that matter. He doesn’t even like foals! I think... I assume... Unless...he wasn’t always like…
Discord moved over to his other side, his face now visible to Twilight. He didn’t open his eyes, but the blanket from his back touched his nose, making him sniff at it a bit. It was comical to watch her chaotic friend be innocent, the alicorn smiled down at her friend once again. He sniffed, and then burrowed his head into the blanket coiling underneath it, now snoring loudly.
Twilight couldn’t suppress the giggle, he looked like a rock...and slept like one too! She wasn’t so concerned for him as she had been until he started mumbling again. It was becoming quite troublesome, even for him.
Discord tightened his eyelids and hugged the blanket tightly, it was comfy and familiar.
Nothing like our stone prison.
I agree, but enough of the rabbit trails. We need to figure out what’s happening with my magic.
It’s strange, our magic has never consumed like this before. It must have been that spell!
I see, me using that spell really corrupted my magic.
Our magic.
Whatever. The point is, is that the spell has made me consume the life out of other magic to make up for what I lost.
But why would it do that?
Hm. Because...my body needs it to carry out the spell keeping it within me and to contain the amount of energy surging through it. If I haven’t been getting the necessary amount of energy, my body will start to tear apart and the magic will find some other host...I can’t have that.
We are getting rather tired of this...we do wish we could be Cordwood again.
Haha! Of course not...you remember what happened. I was cursed to look like this...and the magic was my own mistake. If the magic leaves I die, and the magic will be flying around in the airs till somepony stupid enough discovers how to use it...again.
Oh, please, don’t give us so much credit. We weren’t that intelligent.
Pretty darn intelligent, mind you. I was the one who discovered how to wield the magic of a chimera, and it was my downfall, but I learned nonetheless.
Well then, we can see we’re clearly upset. But, this is no time for guilt tripping, my friend. What happened to us is the past results of sorrow and shouldn’t be renewed. We have to fix this.
I agree, though something is off.
What might that be?
…
You're leaving me in the dark here.
You.
Yes?
How am I talking to you?
That? That is what you should be asking?
Discord grunted and moved over almost hitting Twilight with his tail. He burrowed his snout more into his blanket and whimpered.
Aggggggh! Why?! Why in the Tartarus are you here!
It’s our fault sunshine...like you said our body is tearing apart…
This is not what I meant! You're my conscious! You're not supposed to be able to talk to me! Agggggggh!
Just breath, my friend, we can fix this-
How! The last time you were here I was imprisoned and being reformed! I’m reformed now! You shouldn't be here!
The magic is tearing our conscious apart into separate pieces like the first time we obtained it. The spell must be reversing the process.
Aggggggh!
I know, I know...why us? Right?
Why us?! Why me! That’s the problem!
I am you.
Yes, but your my mushy gushy side, you're supposed to be in my right brain and not talking to me! Fluttershy already fixed this, remember?!
How can we forget our marefriend? We loved her even before we knew the little lass.
No...you did...I didn’t...well...till now, I guess, it’s more of just an attraction. I don’t think I even consider her my mate.
Awww~
Sigh, shut up.
But, she was the one that brought us together again! Oh, how we loved that moment!
Sigh…
We were being our usual grumpy self...then she gave us feels and we fused together again! That has got to be our favorite moment. And you know why it happened?
Please, do enlighten me before I strangle you with your own interdimensional intestine.
Because! She’s our soul mate, ever since we came to her house to learn about her element and we were crushed by her closet of stuffed animals!
Groan.
Oh, come now! She’s obviously the one to fix this!
Hm?
She did it before! Why can’t she do it again?
Gasp! Your right! She can fix me!
Now we’re gettin’ it!
Twilight eyed a crack in the wall. It seemed to be moving with the patterns on the flakes of ever changing paint, then growing larger. The paint around the edges turning grey and lifeless. While it seemed strange, it wasn’t as strange as the feeling of the ground and walls vibrating.
“Oh no…”
She won’t want to talk to me again after I tell her!
She loves us! Why would she do that!
Because I lied!
Oh please, we’ve done much worse.
…
What?
What if she never wants to be with me?
Here we go…
She doesn't want somepony like me...she’ll grow tired of me.
This again? This is why we changed, isn’t it?
…
Don’t lie, I was there.
Possibly.
“Comfortable” has too many meanings to us, doesn’t it?
Perhaps. I just didn’t want her to leave because I-
The mind’s blackness felt funny, and cold.
Oh my, it seems our thoughts have reached the outside world.
That’s not good.
Discord felt shaken, literally, moving back forth.
Time to wake up!
“Discord! Discord please-” Twilight shook the draconequus violently on the shoulder. The walls of his home were shaking, and their bodies moved across the floor a little. The house was falling. The alicorn was becoming teary eyed, not only was her friend seemingly unconscious and sick, but she couldn’t use her magic for some reason. Everytime she tried to use a spell something seemed to block it. She cried heavily. “Discord, please, wake up! Help us! Disc-” The Lord of Chaos got up slightly and opened his eyes, abnormally one at a time, as if a bright light hit him in the face.
“W-What’s-”
“Discord!” Twilight grabbed his neck and held tight, she was obviously terrified. Discord looked out at one of the windows and saw his world falling. Every little piece of gravity defying rock, falling to a now hard ground below them. The scenery was now like a box and was grey on each wall going on for an endless amount of space.
“Celestia help.”
“Get us out of here! Please!” They were falling too. Discord grabbed his friend and threw her up landing on his back. He spread out his wings, getting a surge of pain and a yelp almost like a weak dog. “Di-” Twilight looked up in concern.
“Don’t worry I’ll get us out of here.” Discord flew up and glided on the air flying off the ground. He looked toward the door and spiraled through, leaving his belongings behind, including an old blanket. He looked out at his universe being destroyed.
What have we done?
“Discord, I’m so sorry about your-”
“It’s nothing...just something I made for my own amusement…”
“But what about your-”
“Later, now-agh!” Discord grabbed his shoulder.
That’s not good. We should stop flying...we’re holding together by our strength alone at the moment.
You're right.
“Discord?! What wrong?!”
Something was then coming straight for them, a giant piece of earth. Discord widened his eyes and banked a left to avoid collision. Twilight “eeeked!” and hid her face in her friend's neck fluff. “Hang on!” Discord avoided several more obstacles and tried his best to not skin his wings. Metal and wood fell from both small and large islands that once made up the kingdom of Discord. Now nothing more than a fallen world remained.
“I need you to make a portal to your castle! I can’t fly for much longer...I don’t have much time!” Twilight looked over at Discord is surprise at his request, and his statement.
“What?! Are you-”
“Get us out of here, and I’ll tell you everything you want to know!” Discord flew up and landed, or hung, from a black ceiling.
Twilight looked down at the rubble collecting and the trees dying, withering up. Would Discord turn out like that, is he dying? What does he mean, “not much time?”?! He can’t be dying! Not him!
He said he would tell her everything, but she couldn’t use her magic.
We’re screwed!
“I can’t use my magic!” She screamed, the wind and noise of rocks becoming louder than their thoughts. “Something is blocking it!”
“No, nothing is blocking it, it’s me. My body is trying to take all the energy around us, and it’s making it more difficult to use it, but-”
We can give her some of ours, only a little, if we give too much we’ll most likely pass out. Just enough to get us out of here.
Discord reached his paw behind him and flexed his toes outward toward Twilight, releasing energy for her to use. Twilight’s horn glowed automatically, giving Discord his cue to let go of the ceiling.
Twilight screamed. “You’re crazy!”
“I know!” Discord smirked, now falling through the air along with all the other debris. Twilight had no choice, she sparked magic light from her horn and created a small portal underneath them, just big enough for two. The draconequus and alicorn fell through, with Discord’s face hitting the crystal floor, hard.
Nice landing!
Shut up, Cordwood.
It’s Discord to you.
No, it’s all the same thing to me.
“This is by far the most stupid thing you’ve done so far.” Twilight heaved and rolled over on her wings, staring at the library ceiling with a new appreciation.
“Glad you're keeping a record.” He smiled oddly, he started gasping then as he silently screamed at the pain in his back.
“Dis-”
“No, stop!” Discord held out his paw to stop her. He slowly closed his wings and let out a sigh of relief. Why was he so...weak? “I need you to do something for me.”
“W-What is it?” The alicorn stuttered at the sudden attention.
“Hit me with a memory spell. I need to think properly, and I can’t if he’s broken off from me.” He pointed at his head.
Are we sure?
I know that it’s dangerous, and Star Swirl was the only one to do it successfully, but I trust her.
That’s not what we meant, Discord. If we do this we might make the process progress faster.
I can’t concentrate while you're stuck in my brain like this, and I need Twi’s help, having a broken piece floating around isn’t good. Besides, it will take less energy for you to be out than in. And, once you're out, we can be put back together properly...again.
What about-
It’s final, I need the real me right now, no more games.
Finally.
“What! I can’t-”
“I need you to. I need the real me out, and then put back in, we work better that way...since I’m tearing apart.”
“What?!” Twilight looked at him shocked, her mouth agape. What was he talking about? His true self? Tearing apart?!
“Look, the spell I cast is taking a lot of my energy...because I don’t have enough to supply and I don’t know of a reverse spell, my body is consuming energy around it. Because of my losing so much magic I don’t have control over my own thoughts, and my chaotic magic is tearing me apart from not being contained properly. Now that I’m in two pieces my, um, other side is taking up space...and I can’t put myself back together again until he’s out completely...like a reboot. But, I need him out first.” Discord said it all so fast but clear, scaring Twilight. He had his face in his paws for the longest time, until Twilight let out a sniff. “Why are you-”
“W-What do you mean tearing apart!” She cried. How could her friend keep this a secret for so long? Why didn’t he tell any of his friends? That he was hurt…
Especially a certain pegasus.
“Sniff, W-why would you lie to us...Why would you lie to Fluttershy? How could you keep your pain a secret! You could die for pony’s sake and you didn’t tell anyone! Are we not that important to you?!”
“No, I just...was being irresponsible, as usual. I wanted to be...different, and then maybe you all, especially Fluttershy, wouldn’t grow tired of me. Me and my games...my appearance, I thought...I just-just- wanted...to be normal.” Discord hunched over and grabbed his stomach.
Don’t show. Don’t show. Don’t show.
“I’ve never been normal. I-I’ve never been accepted completely. I just didn’t want her to leave…” Discord lifted his ears and widened his eyes.
Did I just say that? Great.
“Fluttershy?” Twilight walked up to Discord and looked at him, his eyes were glossy, but he was too stubborn to let a drop fall. She lifted her hoof and set it on his arm, still looking up at him, now with a tender smile. “You love her...don’t you?”
“I-I don’t...know. That’s actually why I came to you, or was, until I collapsed.”
“Me? What would you want to know?”
“What-what I was feeling, what it is. I’m not sure if it’s love but-”
“That my friend, is denial.” She smirked at him, then gave him a hug. “You do love her, and if you didn’t, then you wouldn’t have gone through so much trouble to be accepted by her. Even if you already were.” Twilight took her spot back on the ground and looked at the draconequus that looked at her with wide eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’m no Princess Cadence, but, I think you were already accepted a long time ago by our friend. You risked so much for her since you’ve known her, and it was all because you wanted her to stay...since day one.”
“Yes, but, is this the, um, romantic kind of love?”
Twilight laughed out loud and wiped her tears that had been left, it took Discord by surprise.
“I don’t know...what do you think? How does she make you feel?”
“Ugh, my feelings?”
“If it helps, tell me how you feel and I’ll cast my memory spell.” Discord looked at her for a moment and blushed crimson, his thoughts and memories racing before his eyes, so much to say.
“She makes me feel...weird. A-and she’s pretty, and kind, and is always good to me. She’s funny and enjoys my company and she kissed me and-” He covered his mouth blushing further, but his horror at relaying that last line was unmistakable.
Crap.
Cat’s out of the bag now!
Shut up.
“She did what now?” Twilight smiled at him mischievously, she was most definitely going to use that against him one day.
“W-we may have kissed a few times...and I may have possibly saved her at some point...and perhaps confused a chimera that she was my mate to save her…”
“I have one last question for you.” The draconequus looked at his friend that was trying too hard to suppress a smirk.
“What is it?”
“Did you enjoy it? Do you want to do it all over again? Do you like it when she does this to you?”
Discord thought for a moment. His eyes glued to the floor.
That’s a brain teaser isn’t it?
I don’t know...how, but she got me thinking about my feelings.
And…
I’m not sure...I’ll have to think about it later...I can’t love Fluttershy...I’m-
“I’m not good enough…” Discord said outloud, Twilight laughing a little, it made Discord angry. “It’s not funny, I’m not good enough to be her mate-”
“Mate?”
Groan.
“Yes, it’s different with chimera, we have immortal mates...if she’s the one, then I grant her immortality with a monster...I can’t do that to her.” Twilight understood now. Why Discord changed. Not because he wanted Fluttershy to open up more to him...but so she saw more than his distortion.
“Is that really what you think?” Twilight said still smiling sincerely. Discord looked up from the floor and saw his friend once again being reassuring.
She really is the Princess of Friendship isn’t she?
“Discord, you're not a monster. You just look different. And your magic...it creates balance, you don’t destroy, you help.”
“Yeah, some help it’s been.” He retorted, turning to face the other direction to oppose his friend’s thoughts.
“Discord, Fluttershy doesn’t care about that...She loves you for you.” Discord turned back at her quickly.
“What?”
“I’m not saying anything more. It’s not my right, Fluttershy’s, to tell you. But, I have to give a piece of advice. Acceptance. You need to accept who you are now, and accept how you feel. You need to love yourself.” Discord looked at her for a long moment, his mouth open to speak, but nothing came from it. His ears were drooping and his eyes were wide.
She’s right you know.
How?
We can’t love others without loving yourself.
“I’ll cast the spell now. That’s all I had to tell you.” Twilight took a step back and looked at the Lord of Chaos with a determined brow. This memory spell was different than the other one she had done before. This particular spell would bring a memory to life, a connection between a brain and a host, it was a spell Star Swirl had created.
“This spell is different, you have to make what’s in here,” He touched his temple. “...come out as an apparition for us to see, you and I being the only ones to see him. The caster and the host. It’s something Star Swirl had created, and it’s very difficult.”
“That’s reassuring. But, I think I can do it.”
“Make sure the connection between me and my conscious doesn’t break, if it does...my magic will tear apart...so, please...keep it together.” He smiles at his own joke, making Twilight laugh slightly in spite of her nerves, then she resumed with her concentration. It proved extremely tedious, but the alicorn was strong enough. Her horn glowed brightly, and she moved herself into a balanced stance, with her wings spread. The swirl of magic came through her and hit Discord in the head, making him freeze. It was pink, and smokey, and the walls weren’t visible for a few seconds ‘till Discord walked out from the clouds. He looked at her with a grumpy sort of face then, opening his mouth, he sneezed.
“Cold!” He shivered in a crouch position. That wasn’t Discord. He looked different, but similar. He was transparent too, like a ghost. Twilight looked at him momentarily with her mouth agape and shocked eyes. What had she done? “Oh, thank you ever so much, but we would oh so love to go back as soon as we see our dear marefriend.” He said looking out for his counterpart. “It’s strange we haven’t been torn like this since we first received our magic, right, my friend?”
Discord came through the clouds of smoke on all fours and was hunched over, he looked tired. He viewed over at Twilight and smiled slightly, then shook like a wet dog. “Ugh, I hate this empty feeling!”
“You said it, we feel so cold, the wind is practically going right through us.” Discord’s counterpart smirked.
“Snort.” Twilight covered her snout, afraid it wasn’t appropriate to laugh at the moment.
“Good, we’ve still got it!”
“Always have, but I’d like you back where you belong, we need to figure out how to do that...and I think Fluttershy will know what to do. Twilight,” Discord that was more familiar to her looked down at her and smiled. “We need your help too.”
The strange Discord looking counterpart came forward on his fours. He was the same color as Discord the Chimera, but instead of different animals making his body up, he had limbs and a tail that of a green dragon, and wings that were look alikes to Discord’s bat wing. This was Cordwood. Discord is Cordwood. This is what he looked like before he was a chimera, he was an actual draconequus. But now it was a broken piece of Discord that needed to be put back, and he needed his friends to help him rewrite his mistakes.
Twilight looked at the Discord’s and became a pentacle of determination.
“How can I help?”
Spike ran up to the door of a cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville. It was a slow trip, but he got there as soon as the rain began to lighten up, and the sky was just a starless, misty night. He was breathing heavily, seeing Cordwood so sick was enough to scare the young drake. He was just hoping that he wasn’t too late.
Knock; knock.
“Fluttershy?” The young dragon’s deep voice called out when he received no answer. He then proceeded to knock on the door and only stopped when he heard the hoof steps gallop down the stairs. The door swung open and the pegasus stood in the light of a fireplace, the light dancing on her back and glossy pink mane. The living room was a mess and had a bunch of objects scattered across the floor, almost like the first time Discord had come to stay.
“A-Are you here because of the earthquake?”
“Earthquake?” Spike looked at her confused, then his eyes widened. What had happened? he wondered. “I came here to tell you about Cordwood…”
“Oh, did something happen?! Is he alright?!” Fluttershy threw her hooves on the dragon's shoulders and shook him lightly. That was new.
“Well, Twilight told me to tell you that he was fine, but…”
“Twilight? What happened?!”
“Cordwood ran into us on the way to your cottage and he collapsed. The last I saw was them going through one of Discord’s portals as I was coming to see you.”
“Discord...w-why would…”
“Fluttershy, I think there’s something I have to tell you...Cordwood isn’t who you think he is.”
Fluttershy looked up at the grown dragon and teared up, then ran up stairs.
“Come on, Spike!” Spike followed her up the stairs with a furrowed, scaly brow.
“W-where are we going?”
“To find the truth.” Fluttershy galloped in her guest bedroom where Discord would often sleep when he was over. She came to the closet and opened it to reveal a swirling purple mass of energy.
“What is-”
“It’s a portal to Discord's dimension...he put it here for whenever I needed him.” She turned to the drake, the wind from the portal blowing her hair as if a breeze was coming through. “I don’t know why but...my house started to shake and this portal was trying to close on itself...it stopped shortly before you got here. I think Discord could be hurt.”
“But, don’t you want to know about Cordwood?” Spike waited, the silence getting heavy in the room. Finally, Fluttershy took a shaky breath.
“You said...Cordwood isn’t who I think he is…” Fluttershy looked out at the portal and teared up slightly. “I should’ve known all along.”
Fluttershy stepped through, Spike trying to pull her back but missed her tail. “Wait! We don’t know if it’s safe!” Fluttershy poked her head back out for a moment and stared at the dragon with a determined shimmer in her eye.
“I’m the most skittish out of our whole group of friends...and here I am jumping space to make sure my friend is safe…”
Spike looked at her for a moment, shocked and a little awed. Then his expression changed, and he was standing at her side.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
The Dragon and pegasus took their steps through the portal and saw Discord’s world. It was white, empty...and cold.
“I-I-It’s s-s-s-so c-c-cold…” Fluttershy looked at the shivering dragon who was now trying to breath fire into his claws for what warmth it could provide. She turned her attention back to the blank space before her, before she caught sight of a pile of rubble.
“Discord!” She galloped for the broken house. It was dismantled and destroyed, every flake of paint had fallen off, and roof’s shackles hanging on by glue alone.
“What happened here?” Spike came up beside her. The cold air beat at them, and made the breath from their red snouts a visible fog. Fluttershy looked rosy it had such an effect on her, but she was too determined to turn back after seeing Discord’s home ruined.
“Fluttershy, wait-hey!” Spike called out for the mare that was climbing up the grey staircase to the home of the Lord of Chaos. Her breath foggy, and cheeks pink from the cold air, she proceeded inside. It was all grey and broken, cracks spread across the walls. Fluttershy stepped in snow-like ash that covered the floor, then heard a crack under her hoof. A picture of the two of them on a sunny day.
She walked around, her mouth open and breathing steadily, her nose a glowing pink from the freezing temperature of the house. Objects from the shelves had fallen and were now lying lifeless on the floor. Once colorful objects and spiraling magic, they were now dead and still. One object that laid on the floor was still colorful and bright red. Fluttershy slowly pulled the quilt from it’s cold captivity and awed at it. It was still soft and warm. She brought it to her nose and smelled his scent, it was smoky and had the faint smell of rain, it was his.
Meanwhile outside, Spike looked out and up at the white never ending ceiling. It was snowing. It was snowing white ash. “Fluttershy, I think we should-” He finally saw Fluttershy had gone in and had only just returned, with a blanket tied like a scarf around her neck. It was a baby blanket, almost like the one Spike had when Twilight took care of him when he was younger.
“Let’s go home Spike, he’s not here…” Fluttershy walked slowly to the portal, then paused. Using her hoof she lifted one corner of the patchwork blanket to her eyes and read the stitching, what she saw made her cry.
I made the wrong choice...I chose the wrong one. And I knew it all along.
“Fluttershy?” the pegasus nuzzled the blanket and wiped her tears away. “What now?” The dragon asked looking at his sad friend.
Fluttershy looked at the fallen kingdom and then at her friendly drake.
Discord yawned, the air coming in as cold as it could and striking his lungs with a pressure that made him cough a little. The scarf wasn’t helping much, nor was the jacket he wore.
“Won’t Fluttershy notice her scarf is missing?” Twilight stated, walking beside him. They had woken up early the next morning and were now on there way to Fluttershy’s. Fluttershy. It had been a long night of thinking for Discord after the events that had transpired the day before.
Weeks before.
Discord had mentally slapped himself for not sealing the portal that rested in Fluttershy’s house, after conversing with his alicorn friend. He had remembered that it was for her protection that he put it there, but since his world had crashed in on itself, he was hoping she was alright. Spike not coming home to the castle was worrying him to his limit. Making the draconequus fret all night. On top of that, his lack of rest, and very talkative counterpart didn’t help much either. Luckily, Spike had sent word that he and Fluttershy were fine early that morning, but not much else.
Twilight said it was best to get the situation under hoof as soon as possible, worsening the draconequus’s anxiety even more so. What would she think of him then? She probably wouldn’t want to look at him after all he had done.
She probably wouldn’t want a monster like me anyway…
“Discord?”
“Hm? Oh, forgive me...I was in thought...to answer your earlier inquiry-”
“Oh of course our little Flutter-butter wouldn’t mind in the least!” Cordwood beamed looking excitedly and blushing innocently. “She’s so cute and sweet, she always lets us borrow her stuff, right cordy?”
Groan.
“Hehe.” Twilight had learned from observation that Cordwood seemed to be the right brain of the familiar chimera. Discord was more logical when split in two, ironically. The alicorn missed her old friend, but she couldn’t deny that she enjoyed this side of Discord more, she wondered why he didn’t show his innocent charisma as much as he did his annoying fun poking. His logic was often outshined too, he was quite intelligent , more so than his reputation let on.
“Yes, yes, we...do tend to borrow her things from time to time.” Discord blushed realizing how ridiculous he must look, but when he stepped out in the cold air of the morning before the sun had heated the day, his magic reacted on habit and a scarf materialized for him. He wouldn't admit it, but it was his favorite thing of Fluttershy’s to borrow, mostly because it had her name on it and smelled like her.
“Oh, don’t be embarrassed, Cordy, I think pink is suiting for you!” Twilight held back her laughs. But she couldn’t deny it, Discord did look good in the color.
“Oh yes, old friend! We tell him we should wear pink more often! Maybe then Fluttershy will give us lots of attention and kisses!” Cordwood smirked, Twilight looked at the draconequus the same way. Discord looked back and forth between the two and blushed trying to keep his memories at bay. Fluttershy wouldn’t like him. She just wouldn’t.
After everything I’ve done...she’ll hate me. She won’t even be my friend! I can’t love her, and she can’t love me! I’m-I’m a monster, and a liar. I don’t deserve somepony like her in the least. Curse my curiosity and anxiety!
Both the alicorn and the floating entity kept their smug faces, putting all focus on their bashful friend.
“W-What?! Just-Just be quiet! Both of you!” Discord snapped blushing crimson, and walking faster as if he was leaving his problems behind. Twilight frowned a little. She realized yesterday her friend’s feelings for the pegasus, while it was exciting and joyous that he had finally found love. He wouldn’t accept it, which was disheartening. The alicorn had gathered that Discord thought himself unworthy, and honestly thought Fluttershy would grow tired of him. He wouldn’t accept that he loved her until he had accepted himself.
“Discord...what are you going to tell her?” Twilight trotted to his side as he stopped in the road. He looked so sad, like his heart was breaking. The pink fabric around his neck loosened and the ends fell. Discord stood on all fours, like a normal pony. He liked it better when he wasn’t standing, looming so intimidatingly. He would do anything to look like his normal self again, or even just a stallion.
I wish I didn’t exist.
“My, that’s an outlandish thought, my friend. If we didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have met Fluttershy...or anypony for that matter.” Cordwood flew beside his host and awaited a response. Twilight’s eyes widened at this, she couldn’t know what he was thinking, but that statement from his counterpart made it real to her. She looked at his face as it stared at the dirt in the road, it was full of loneliness.
“Why do you hate yourself, all you ever do is roll over in your self pity. Discord, you're by no means a monster...you’ve made mistakes, yeah, but who hasn’t?” Discord looked at her when she said that last bit. He was holding back the build up of his feelings, she could tell. Discord shook his head and raised his neck higher, breathing deeply and then continued to walk on.
“Let’s just go.”
Knock. Knock.
Spike jumped up from the couch and placed his tea down beside him as soon as he heard the door.
“No, it’s alright, I got it…” Fluttershy assured him, patting her dragon friend’s shoulder before proceeding to her cottage door. The creaking sounds of her floor to the door were like a countdown to her, the seconds ticking before she would see his face. And it would be his face. No disguise. No lies. The face she wanted to see. To hold. To kiss. Oh, yes she wanted to shower him with her affections and tell him to stop this lying.
She didn’t understand why he had toyed with her heart in such a way, he wasn’t one to play sick games of that nature. But then, why else would he go through all the trouble to make her feel awful about her decisions? She had picked Discord either way, but the guilt of her picking the wrong him made her unsatisfied, and actually...angry.
Discord, meanwhile, was having similar thoughts, those of wrong decisions made. Why couldn’t he have just let it play out instead of screwing things up again? Again. He exhaled, and his ears twitched at the sound of hooves coming to the door. Twilight, meanwhile, watched her draconequus friend with a worried brow. It still felt weird to see Discord act so out of place like this. He looked...broken, worried, and sick...It wasn’t like him at all. It made her upset with him for not telling his friends about something like this...what he was really going through. That’s why they were friends...right?
“We’re here to help you...remember that, Discord.” She whispered to him. As the door began to unlock, Discord took a another deep breath before replying.
“I know.” He breathed out, a little shaky this time, feeling a little short of air. Twilight noticed all his breath went away from him when the door opened a crack, and she could see the shy pegasus peek out at her friends. Discord stared at her with his muzzle slightly open, syllables trying to form in his head, but nothing coming to his aid.
Fluttershy opened the door wider, staring at the draconequus with all the sadness of a broken heart. Her eyes were glossed over and her bottom lip trembled slightly, almost unnoticeable, but he noticed.
Twilight peered back at Discord and then back again at her friend waiting for one to speak for the other, but they were in their own worlds of worry.
The yellow pegasus walked out a little and looked up at the chimera standing before her. She was so angry with him, but she also was so happy to see he was okay. She had been worried all night for his safety, not knowing if he was hurt from his home collapsing. She had only hoped they got her letter Spike delivered to them, though, they didn’t know it was from her.
She moved her eyes from the ground up viewing him. He was exhausted, and...was wearing her pink scarf...and...Cordwood’s jacket, or his jacket. The morning mist wasn’t enough to cover him from her. Every time she saw him she felt safe, and could do anything that was not set by limits.
Her eyes leaked slightly, the tears rolling down her cheek. Discord’s eyes widened and he quickly reached out with his claw, but-
“I’m so glad you're safe, I was so worried, and-and-oh, Discord…!” Fluttershy flew to him and hugged his neck as tight as she could without choking him. The Lord of Chaos was stunned by her affections once again.
After everything I’ve done...you won’t hold me the same way.
Discord leaned his snout into her hair and breathed in the roses and...smoke? She smelled oddly, like him. But he wouldn’t notice that being his smell, he only felt more at home when he gathered her scent.
“I’m sorry I worried you, my dear...I’m alright now...sort of.” Discord gripped his pegasus’ back in a strong hold and Fluttershy let out a squeak and then cried for a moment into his shoulder.
“Why-sniff- did you lie to me? You could have been hurt! Are you hurt?!” Fluttershy sat up and saw Discord’s face, he was speechless.
She knows? But how-
“Why aren’t you answering me? Are you hurt anywhere? I saw you-your universe...it was destroyed-and-sniff-I was so worried…and I realized...something. Oh, Discord-you didn’t have to lie to me like that! Why would you toy with me like that? Sniff, am I that easy to manipulate-”
“Stop...please, I didn’t- it’s- no, I wasn’t trying to…sigh...I’m-as well as I can be, but, we need to talk...now.” Discord moved his claws in her pink locks and looked at her, his heart was aching. He leaned in a bit, unsure if he could hold himself back. The sun was hitting her hair and fur just right, but, he couldn’t do it. He shook his head and looked at Twilight.
“Twilight and I need to talk to-”
“No, Discord, you tell her.” The draconequus froze up when the alicorn spoke. She was ditching him.
“Oh, calm down, we’re making ourselves look bad...it should be really easy to tell our marefriend we love her!”
“Groan, you're getting on my nerves...” Discord growled, his face turning to his other side as if talking to somepony else. Fluttershy looked at him in confusion as Twilight walked into the cottage giggling.
“I have to do something Discord, me and Spike will stay in the kitchen and discuss our next move on this. You two talk about, whatever it is, that needs to be discussed- Come on Spike!”
“Yes, ma’am!” Spike beamed, thrilled to be leaving the tension- thick room. The alicorn and tall dragon walked on into the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind them.
Discord gulped, then blushed crimson. He had just noticed how close he was to Fluttershy, close enough to just peck her lips and get away with it. He stepped away and to the left before he walked into her house and sat in the center of the living room. The floorboards let out a lonely creak as he arched his back and looked at the different designs in the carpet. Fluttershy sighed, she knew what was coming.
“Discord?” Fluttershy came to him and sat across from him, she wanted desperately to kiss him, to tell him she loved him. To seek out why he lied to her. What was wrong with him.
“Fluttershy, I’m sorry I lied to you. It was so-so stupid of me to think that I could be anything more than a comical relief in our friendship. I just wanted...to understand why-I just-agh! I don’t even know anymore! All I know is that I lied to you, I’m torn into two separate pieces, and I’m constantly reminded that I’m just-just…”
“Discord, calm down!” Discord hadn’t realized that he was ranting and covering his face, he was on the brink of tearing at his eyes out of frustration. He peeked out from his claws and looked at the beauty before him. She was so lovely, and possibly the most gentle creature to walk the face of Gia. She was looking at him with so much heartbreak, and slight frustration as well.
“Tell me why, Discord.” She took on a more serious tone, but she was still cute when she did such.
Discord looked at her for a moment. Did he know why?
Of course you do, my friend! Because...we didn’t want to lose her! Say it!
I can’t...I can’t do it, I’m a monster, and she’ll grow tired of me...she’ll wind up hating me.
She won’t...she’ll understand…
“Well? What is it Discord? Why did you lie to me?” She huffed the last part, growing a bit impatient. He smiled slightly, but it was a sad smile that eventually formed into a frown.
“Well?” She looked at him, she wanted to hear him to say it. “There really is no excuse to lie to you...but...”
Say it…
“But?”
Say it...say...the truth is I didn’t want to lose you…
“The truth...is...I-I really….I really…um…” He felt it lagging on in the back of his throat desperate to come out, how could he put it? “I…um”
This sounded so much better in my head…
We’ve got that right.
“Discord…” Fluttershy looked at him with her signature death glare, which was both scary and adorable, but Discord knew better than to make her angrier at him. “You lied to me, you lied to me and now...you're hurt, aren’t you? You lied to me and you made me make- you just- you played me, Discord. I didn’t want- you make me so- so…” She huffed and turned away, trying to keep her emotions under control. The pegasus was trying desperately to hold back tears and the building (quiet) scream within her. She turned back around, she was still mad at him, but one question had to be answered. The one thing that she wanted to know more than anything. Why, so he could play her for his own gain, or did he truly wanted something more than a friend? They kissed for ponies sake! She needed to know. She looked at him with a worried look shining in her irises, and a determined brow. She took a deep breath.
“Discord...do you love me?” She looked at him with gentle eyes once again, an additional, silent plea. Discord couldn’t take it, the tears were going to come, and only the aching would be left. But, he couldn’t say he did, he was a monster and she would tire of him eventually. Discord wanted to tell her everything, why he lied, why he did all this, how much her kiss meant to him, her affections, how she made him burn and yearn for newer things. She was everything to him, he couldn’t risk losing her now…wait-
Say it Discord…
All this time...I never wanted to lose her. All I wanted was for her to stay and never grow tired of me...I may be a monster...but I wanted the innocent friend to be there for me. I went through Tartarus to keep her....is this it? Is this what it feels like?
Say it, my friend.
It-it can’t be...but, it feels right to have her here with me...I-
Tell the truth.
I-
“Fluttershy...I lo-”
“Guys! I figured it out! The way to put Discord and Discord’s counterpart back together again! All we need is this spell and-Did I interrupt something important?” Spike who was standing behind Twilight face palmed. The two interlopers heard the sighs come from both the pegasus and draconequus, while both were blushing a tremendous amount of red.
“No, nothing at all…just our love confession, but we’re sure whatever you have to say is more important than Discord’s happiness…” Cordwood stated nonchalantly while floating around Twilight’s head.
“Oh, Cordwood...Discord, I’m sorry...I can go back and-” Twilight pointed back to the kitchen, but stopped when Cordwood chuckled.
“What?”
“My friend, we shouldn’t call our friends that…” Cordwood looked over at his host and smiled mischievously, the “inside” joke being hilarious to only one side of the pair.
“What?! What did you call me?!” Twilight looked up at Cordwood, demanding an answer. Fluttershy looked at them for a moment, the claim Twilight had made not to long ago had froze her when she thought about it.
“Wait-” Fluttershy looked up at Discord who was blushing awfully bad, but then he turned to see his pegasus who had a white face of fear. He now looked worried. “...Discord...what does Twilight mean by...counterpart?” Fluttershy’s tears were more visible, the draconequus looked down at her and his eyes softened, realizing what he was about to tell her.
“Fluttershy, it’s true I was...Cordwood...the stallion, but, I hadn’t used a lot of my chaos magic to conjure that form...no, my magic had it’s limits...I used only a fraction of it for a spell and my…ahem...unicorn magic...in order to cast it on myself-”
“Unicorn?” Twilight and Fluttershy interrupted in unison. Cordwood chuckled quietly.
“But I thought-” Twilight began her flood of questions in her head, but Discord didn’t want to explain his full history.
“Yes, more on that later, I assure you, but at the moment, the spell I had used to change my appearance had it’s effect on my magic regardless how much I had used. Because of this, it’s tearing me into two pieces of myself. This had happened once before, but now it’s worse. My magic will continue to consume and lose energy and I will...I’ll die if I can’t be put back together again. Before I didn’t have this problem, but with the magic fading away because of my lack of energy, it will begin to kill me altogether...”
Discord paused and looked at Fluttershy who was across from him. Twilight only gave a grim look, from the knowledge of what would happen if she couldn’t find a way to help.
Fluttershy breathed in deeply, but the tears came and she ran up to Discord’s chest and hit it out of frustration. She was a little weak muscled, so it didn’t hurt, but it was depressing to watch. She sobbed and banged on his chest, while he tried to get his mismatched paws around her. “Flutter-stop-hey!” Discord grabbed her and pulled her in, squeezing her tightly to make her stop squirming. She shivered in his arms and cried in his chest fluff.
“W-Why d-did you d-do this! Why d-din’t you t-tell mhe, -sniff-, I w-was here...f-for you and you d-didn’t tell mhe! A-and now...y-you're -dying?! Discord! No! I c-can’t...I c-can’t lose you...Don’t leave me…please...I’ll do anything...” Fluttershy shivered once again in his arms, his warmth was so alluring, and comforting. Discord was so imbalanced at the moment, all he wanted to do was hold her tighter and tell her everything would be alright. What he would do to kiss her right now and stop her tears.
“Fluttershy I-I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay, I have a solution...well, I mean, it’s the best chance we got right?” Twilight said, coming up to the two emotional creatures.
The air was thick and silent, fog covered the ground and trail, but Fluttershy knew well to follow behind Discord. He knew where he was going. The forests of the Everfree were dark and hung over the path, casting a shadow over the draconequus and pegasus mare that ventured into its wicked thicket of trees. Sounds, cracks and low growls and howling timberwolves off in the distance could be heard from all angles. Fluttershy would squeak every now and again, with Discord glancing behind him to make sure she was safe.
Discord would have insisted she stay in front or even beside him, but her mind was in too much thought to even respond. She would have declined him anyway, her face showed it all.
He looked out in front of him, and instead of thinking about the present, he thought about his past.
Cordwood glided on Discord’s right side, he had remained silent the whole way, but now his host was beginning to get depressed...again...and in this state, it would not end well.
Discord thought of his life before he looked like a monster, before he had such powerful magic. He was considered a somewhat “normal” individual. A draconequus. He was one of the few dragon-pony hybrids, full of curious intelligence. A young prodigy, and his future was bright. He ventured from his homelands and to Equestria, to teach, to fulfill his dream of teaching the younger generation magic. In short, he found himself as one of the mentors for the council.
Back then, the lives of both Princess Celestia and Luna were secret from the public for their safety, and their parents would’ve wanted it so till they were of age to rule. So Equestria had formed a council in the King and Queen’s place, one of them being none other than Star Swirl. In desperate measures, the wizard went seeking teachers for both Princesses. Discord just so happen to be one of them.
It all began with a certain wizard walking into a teacher’s classroom, and his adventure was sent spiraling ever since that day.
The chimera smiled slightly as he thought to himself, Cordwood looked grimly at him. The apparition could feel everything his host felt, he himself tried to always make them think of the positives about their life. No matter what happened. The magic of a chimera was hard to wield, and it could make one go mad if they beared the wrong emotions inside. Powerful magic that swirled inside uncontrollably, could tear apart a draconequus from the inside. This must be why most Chimera had a bad reputation, luckily for Discord, he was still a draconequus at heart.
Cordwood looked back at his counterpart once more. Discord could not fall into this again.
The chimera looked at the ground for a moment.
So many memories. The council,Star Swirl, Celestia, Trance. It’s all his fault! He did this to me! He made me a monster...he deserved to die-
Stop it, Discord!
Discord looked up in shock at his counterpart who was staring at him firmly. They had stopped momentarily on the path. Discord paled in realization of his thoughts. He needed Cordwood back, or else he was going to become a true monster, and his magic would eat at him.
“Discord, are you alright? Why did we stop?” Fluttershy asked from behind. Her voice was quiet, and filled with compassion and concern. She shouldn’t be losing him like this, she thought.
“I’m fine-” Discord shook his head and walked on the path once again, Cordwood eyeing him down still, with a disappointed look.
If we think like that we know what will happen…
I’ll turn into a maniac and then die, not much to tell.
It’s different this time. We felt it’s effects when the Tirek incident happened. The third time around will not be very pleasant either.
I know.
No, we don’t! No more freebies...we can’t even cast our magic anymore until we’re put back together. If you go on a rampage and try and use magic we don’t have then it will kill us! So stop thinking about him!
It’s not just him…
Stop it-
He ruined my life, our life. He turned me into this-this thing! And I so foolishly believed I could use chimera magic to kill him! Oh, but he deserved to die! He killed her-he-he
Stop it, we can’t do this! Not when we finally-
“Is that how much May meant to you?! To just forget about her completely, and what happened?!” Discord shouted at the air, from what Fluttershy could see. What was wrong with him? She wondered.
Twilight had informed her that there was now a counterpart unseen to the naked eye, considered Discord’s conscience, but, why was he so upset with it?
“Discord, what’s wrong?!” Fluttershy shouted a little, trotting up closer to him. The chimera looked at her angrily, but then he softened. She always made him feel calmer.
“I-I, um...sorry-I can’t really...control myself when I’m in two pieces...my thoughts are starting to get the better me-my memories…” Discord held his face with his claw and turned the other direction walking once again toward their destination.
Fluttershy walked slowly behind. It was silent. It was always silent. But the silence was starting to get louder and louder. Fluttershy was fogged with questions of why’s and if’s. She wanted to help Discord in any way she could, because she didn’t want to lose him. He meant so much to her.
She loved him ever since that day he told her she was worth more than all the magic in Equestria. In that moment. That one moment, she felt so much warmth in her heart for him. Recently, she had developed feelings even more so. He had become a stallion though, and it changed her. It angered her, it hurt her, and it confused her. Why would he do that to her? Why would he change himself to something he wasn’t? Why would Discord make her choose?
She felt tears on the brim of her eyes, the salty droplets threatening to leak and slide over her yellow cheeks.
I might lose him...for good. I had chosen the wrong side of him! Why would I do that when I-I
I love him so much…
Fluttershy sniffed a little, but then she thought. The pegasus tilted her head up and saw the black mane of Discord. She wore a concerned expression once again, but for a different reason.
“Discord?” Fluttershy came up beside him. “What did you mean when you said you can’t control your memories?”
The draconequus continued walking silently for a moment, before he looked at the ground, his ears folding back.
“Fluttershy, remember when-that night that I walked you back home and you told me of the scars on your back and your past?” Discord looked at her for a moment, then back at the ground. She was probably still angry at him for doing such a stupid thing, pretending to be something he wasn’t.
“Yes...I do.” Fluttershy looked at her back for a moment, in remembrance of Discord’s embrace. No matter what form he would take, she would always recognize his hugs and his compassion towards her.
“Well, do you also remember when I told you about myself?” Discord looked at Cordwood too for a moment before returning to his depressed walking position.
Fluttershy looked at him strangely, and oddly surprised.
“That was your actual-but I thought you-”
“I may have lied about my appearance but I didn’t lie about my past...well, part of it…”
Fluttershy looked at the ground like her friend as they walked and everything returned to silence again. Discord was a little nervous to be talking to Fluttershy like this, and sharing his mistakes., but maybe, if he told her about it...he’d feel better.
Discord stopped in the path once again, looking at the dirt and fog that seemed to be lifting as they neared the edge of an opening in the forest. Fluttershy stopped too and looked at her intrest, prepared to hear whatever feelings he wanted to pour out to her.
“I lost everything.” He whispered low, his heart was aching, the cracks and scars almost visible to the naked eye. With those three words, Fluttershy felt her anger float away for a temporary time. She didn’t understand what he might have meant by that, what he truly might have gone through, but he still meant so much to her no matter what he might have done.
“My magic...is controlled by how I feel and think...I-um-it’s hard to control at times. My past...how I became...when you're down in a rough place it tends to find you out and-”
“I understand…” Fluttershy came up to him, she wanted to stay beside him now. She still wanted answers, but right now it was best to just forget about it and make sure that Discord was better, then she would ask him why he did what he did. All she wanted now was for Discord to be okay.
Discord was facing the same turmoil inside. He wanted to tell her everything. His past, why he was like this, why he became a stallion...though he didn’t really understand fully...and how he felt about Fluttershy. He loved her. Discord realized that now, but now wasn’t the time.
“Come on, we should hurry so we can fix this mess…” Discord said turning away slightly then gaining back his composure. He went on and walked toward the opening with Fluttershy by his side.
He was quiet for a moment, not moving, then he stepped out into the clearing and stared forward. It had been awhile…since he was here…
“The Castle of The Two Sisters...do you think Twilight was right, that we would find a spell in there?” Fluttershy nervously put her hoof to her muzzle and looked up at her chimera friend who looked like he was in a daze, but he answered back confidently.
“I believe so...she would be right when she said that there were plenty of reverse spells here, and maybe something else that could help.” Discord began walking once more, on all fours toward the castle, he was acting very nostalgic at the moment. Fluttershy stayed quiet all the way to the door.
The cracks and falling pieces of the castle gave it a creeping look. The vines and weeds on the sides cut through the open spaces and tore the brick in places, making a forest on the insides corners and creases. It made all sorts of sounds, trap doors being turned on and flipped as animals scurried through it’s halls.
Fluttershy gulped nervously. A loud thunder overhead sounded off dramatically making the pegasus hide underneath Discord’s belly.
“Um...Fluttershy, might I ask...what are you doing down there, hm?”
Fluttershy peeked out from under her wall and saw the face of her draconequus looking down at her.
“Oh, um...well, the c-castle j-just seems so-so...scary…” Another thunder and loud creak from the castle roared through the air, making Fluttershy hide once more, this time grabbing his tail. Discord blushed at her innocents, but he preferred not having the little pegasus grabbing his tail the whole way.
“Alright, understandable...but perhaps you should stay on my back-” Discord bent his neck and lifted his lion paw to look at Fluttershy who cowered underneath him. She looked cute doing such a foalish thing.
“I like it here actually…” She laughed nervously. “It feels more-more safe...down here.”
Discord lifted it up his head to meet the eyes of Cordwood who was smirking mischievously at him. This apparition was beginning to get on his last nerves.
“Fluttershy...it’s...uncomfortable when you grab my tail…” Cordwood held back a laugh, this image of the two of them was to comical to the floating draconequus.
Fluttershy peeked out once again and looked at the chimera she was hugging for dear life.
“It is?”
“Very.” He monotoned.
“Ohthen, what about-” Fluttershy walked slowly upward, her back rubbing against him, then her head poking out between his two front claws, “...here?”
Discord looked at her momentarily with his eyebrow raised, then he gave a ‘seriously’ look at her, to which she just smiled nervously in reply.
“I guess, just don’t be grabbing on to me the whole way-”
“A-Alright...I’ll try…” She meekly whispered, then went back underneath her ‘haven’.
Discord sighed, but continued walking up to the door, and opened the large barrier to reveal the interior. It was dusty and old, really old. The vines and weeds had really taken residence here. Animals scurried across the floor as the light of a storm came leaking through when two intruders walked slowly into their home.
“Eep!” Fluttershy whimpered and shook underneath Discord as the thunder continued, now bringing rain with it.
The weather would never be the same here as it was around Ponyville, Discord remembered.
“M-Maybe we should just come back t-tomorrow...when nopony is h-home?” She shook once again, terrified of her own shadow. Discord rolled his eyes smiling and walked on, making Fluttershy quickly follow underneath him.
The halls’ machinery were still fully functional, which they could see as animals would jump through holes or push buttons and levers to get somewhere. Discord fanned out his wings a little, making some mice scurry away from him.
This was not how he remembered it.
The walls were once shiny, the carpets perfectly scented and the shade of reds and blues. The tapestries were magnificent and a window would shine the sun in from every angle during the day, and shaded in the evening and at night, when candelabras would bring a lovely glow throughout the castle.
Discord and Fluttershy went up the stairs to the rooms, closer and closer to the library. The castle was most definitely, in a word, huge, even in its ruin and disrepair. The yellow pegasus gaped at how large everything was, she had been there many times with her friends, but she’d never really tried to view the place. She was too scared too.
Discord looked at the halls and their walls that were adorned with paintings and tapestries. It was lovely. Their steps could be heard as echoes throughout the castle, past all the rooms, still losing space between themselves and the library. Except for one room, Discord could not pass without looking into.
The room called to him as he walked, and turned to see it. The door was still wide open, as it always was. The walls, orange...his favorite color. The desk was still stacked with books and papers, and a small potion bottle on the floor. The bed was clawed down on the posts and the sheets were torn. The floor still had claw marks etching pictures of sorrow and grief in them.
“Discord?” Fluttershy called to him in a quiet whisper. “What are you-” He didn’t answer, instead, he walked inside. He looked at the room with a miserable face, Fluttershy’s was filled with concern.
We need to get out of here! Cordwood hissed, hoping his counterpart would listen this time.
Just a moment.
No, we need to leave this place...its-
My room.
Cordwood stared at him for a moment, and then the room. He couldn’t help it, he felt it too, the nostalgia and familiarity of a time long past.
I’ll grab what I want and leave when I want…
Discord reached out to his once work desk and looked at all his books and papers he had been looking perusing over a thousand years ago. The ink was almost faded away to memory, but that’s all Discord needed. The papers were for a spell, the spell that gave a wielder magic, a theory, a lesson learned. It was his Chaos Theory.
All his fault. It was all his fault...my fault...monster...spells, he hurt them, he killed her...I was so broken...he made me this way...I’m evil
Stop!
Tyrant-
Quit it! Stop it we say!
Heathen-I can’t…
Yes we can! Fight it!
Demon-I can’t stop this...I can’t stop myself-
You’ll turn into the monster you dread you are if you keep this up!
I am a monster.
“Discord?” Fluttershy’s concerned voice snapped him out of his thoughts with perfect timing.
“Huh? Sorry, I just-I need something…” Discord grabbed all the papers from his desk and began opening drawers that were a part of the desk itself. He flipped his claws through his work and searched, until he found what he was looking for. A leather journal.
Fluttershy looked curiously at him then brightened a little.
“Does have the spell we’re looking-”
“No...it’s...my journal.” Discord interrupted before Fluttershy could have any far fetched hopes.
“Oh-wait-your journal?” Fluttershy asked curiously. Why would he want his journal…wait, why is his journal here? Since when did Discord record things? These thoughts and more were straining to be heard, to be answered, but she asked none of them.
The chimera stacked the papers neatly and shoved them into his journal, then knocked the books off the desk. Discord used only a bit of his magic, whatever he had left in there to send the journal back home, to Fluttershy’s cottage.
“Where did you send that?” Fluttershy asked as Discord made his exit back to the hallway with his pegasus.
“I sent it back home.” He inquired as they walked on closer to the library.
“Oh.” Fluttershy sighed silently.
Since Discord’s home was destroyed, they decided he should stay with Fluttershy. At least until he was better, which made it both awkward and sort of nerving. This whole situation had been really.
Fluttershy wanted to forget about it till he was better, but the thoughts were fogging her mind and were desperate to be noticed. She wanted to ask him, and she wanted to tell him. Maybe...she should tell him first? Yes, then they could discuss why he used the spell in the first place! Maybe, he loves her too! Maybe not...Fluttershy hadn’t considered how that might play out. Would he reject her feelings and never be her friend again? Would they not speak to each other normally anymore, both knowing it was a one sided love? What if he did love her? What might happen then? Fluttershy knew that many still hadn’t fully accepted him. What would they do if they found out that they were each other’s special somepony? Where would that leave marriage?! Or foals?! Could he even have them?! What would he do if she wanted more than that?
All these questions flooded through Fluttershy’s mind, fogging her vision. She didn’t even see the button she had just stepped on.
“Fluttershy!” Discord cried, grabbed the pegasus he clung to her, curling up into a ball as the floor fell through to a lower level.
Cough. Cough.
Discord breathed in dust and choked slightly, then looked under him. There she was.
“Flutters! Are you alright?! Anything broken?! I didn’t hurt you did I...let me check for any-”
“I-I’m fine...thank you, Discord...for...helping me, again.” She flushed, still suffering from shock. Discord was quiet for a moment. They were in a very awkward position at the moment, and both were slightly dumbfounded by what had just taken place.
Discord looked down at her, she was so beautiful when she looked up at him like that. Her mane tangled and flowing across the floor.
Fluttershy looked up at Discord. His face was blushing and he looked almost nervous. His wings shielded her from the enchanted candles of the floor above them, and his ear perked up as if listening to something intently. Possibly the loud thumping in Fluttershy’s chest.
“I-you're welcome…my dear...”
Oh don’t say that when we’re like this! Fluttershy shouted nervously in her head. All those memories of him, and him as a stallion rushed in her mind. The talks, the rescue, that kiss he had given her...was that his first? It was her’s. Would it be their last?
Discord shook his head and got up quickly, there was an awkward silence between them.
“Are you alright?” Fluttershy spoke up after a time. “I wasn’t the only one that fell…”
“I’m quite alright my dear, no need to worry.” Discord said rubbing the back of his neck and messing up his mane out of habit.
Yes, don’t worry about him love...he’s just upset because he’s a virgin… Cordwood laughed, making Discord blush various shades of red.
Shut up! This particular chimera was not handling his conscience very well today.
“Oh, no…” Fluttershy came up to him, her head lifted to the sky, looking at the square shaped hole in the ceiling that had once been the strong floor of one of the many upstair hallways “How will we get to the library now?”
Discord looked up at the sky and sighed. If only we had wings...oh wait…
Count that out, can’t fly...I have no magic left now…
Good job, we had to get the journal didn’t we?
I had too...it needs to be destroyed.
Sure, that’s why we grabbed it.
“We’ll just have to figure our way around...I don’t remember most of the secret passages...but I think we can find a way to get up there.” Discord stated looking both left and right to see the long and dark hall they had fallen into. “Let’s go this way...and stay close.” Discord said that as if he wanted Fluttershy to just follow behind, but him resting his wing over her and walking beside her small figure crushed up against his side, gave a different message.
“Alright.” Fluttershy smiled slightly at the serious protectiveness Discord was giving.
They traveled up and down, sideways and backward, through walls and up stairs...but somehow didn’t manage to make it to the upper level where the library awaited them. Fluttershy was beginning to grow tired, and Discord was getting agitated.
This huge mess! If I wasn’t this stupid chimera none of this would have happened! I would be perfectly fine and happy!
We’d probably be dead somewhere and not walking beside our potential mate…
She’s not my mate! She wouldn’t want somepony like me anyway...I’m a monster...it’s all his fault...all of it...I wish I could have-
Stop it, now!
Discord growled low as he thought and tried to fight his fears within him, which worried the meek little pegasus still hiding under his wing. Both weren’t paying attention to the path, instead one looked in another direction opposite to their partner. Both running into a wall.
They both sent out their complaint noise, but then the wall started to crack and crumble.
“Fluttershy move!” She stood still and covered herself with her wings as the rocks began to fall, lucky for her Discord reacted quickly. They were both breathing heavily as they stood up against the opposite, and more secure, wall.
“You need to be careful! Why didn’t you move! Do you have any idea what would happen if I lost you?!”
“No I’m sorry...I didn’t think to-”
“Of course you didn’t, no one thinks about how I feel, no one ever bothers to think anymore!” Discord’s anger came through, his fear dulling into a different color, rage.
Fluttershy had been fighting her own anger this whole time, her fears and grief being pushed down by her more gentle nature and her dear for Discord’s health. But now...she was exposed…
“Well, you didn’t seem to care about how I feel either!” She shouted at him, which took the draconequus a little by surprise. Then he felt his feelings for her on the rise, and became even more outraged. Of course he thought about how she felt! That’s why he couldn’t tell her how he felt! He couldn’t make her choose a monster like him when she could be happy with someone else!
“Of course I care about how you feel!”
“Well, you have a funny way of showing it!”
“No!” Discord banged his claws against the wall pinning Fluttershy to it, only giving his face for her to look at, “I didn’t tell you about how I felt because I knew what you would think! I’d be even more of a monster if I told you everything! Listen to me when I say-”
“No! You listen! You didn’t think about how I felt! Because you went and lied to me for your own gain and you got yourself hurt so badly that-that now I might lose you forever!”
“My own gain?! MY OWN GAIN?! You think I lied to you for my own pleasure?!”
“Yes, I do! Because I haven’t heard any different!” Her tears came to the brim of her eyes, ready to fall down.
Discord looked at her, his face pale, he didn’t think about it in that sense...he just wanted…
“If there’s some other reason, I want to hear it, because I don’t want to think you used me like that!”
“I-I didn’t...I just-I did-”
“You know what you did?!” Her tears fell down her cheeks and her lip quivered, her eyes fogged with mist. She couldn’t hold back her thoughts any longer.
“You made me choose which one of you to love and I chose the wrong you! And I hate myself for it because that’s not truly what I wanted! I just wanted you for you! I love you!”
Discord slid his claws off the wall and let them fall to his sides. He had never heard something so hurtful and so beautiful at the same time. She had just confessed to him, her love for him...and he both loved and hated it.
Because it hurt to hear it...because he was a monster...why would she love him?
“Why do you...why would you love something like me?” He said so quiet, his body slumped and he sat on the ground and looked at the dirt and dust on the hall floor.
Fluttershy whimpered, and her tears fell to the dust to be soaked up with the past. She was exposed now, a huge weight had been lifted off her chest, and now all she wanted to do was cry her heart out.
“I-I’m sorry I didn’t kno-” Discord began, but Fluttershy couldn’t hear him. She wanted to cry.
Her body moved on it’s own without her thinking. She got up quickly and ran forward into the dark with only the glow of enchanted candles to guide her through the castle's corridors. Discord followed with his eyes for a second, his mind still processing what just happened. Until his panic set in as he saw the yellow pegasus run off down an unknown hall.
“Hey, wait! Fluttershy!” He got up and skipped towards her, trying to reach her, but he didn’t notice the button he pressed under his paw. He went face first into a wall, and landed with a low groan.
That went splendidly!
“No...no-no-no-no-NO! I have to get to her! She could fall, or break herself! I have to get out of here!” The chimera hit the wall repeatedly and then looked up skyward as if praying the door would magically open on it’s own accord.
And then what? Do we plan on confessing our love too?
“I-I don’t know…”
Discord searched all around the new wall that had blocked his path. Patting every brick, testing the floor, repressing the button. Nothing. His worry for the weak little pegasus was beginning to wear him down, he even started making panicking horse noises. Which was something he tried to refrain from.
We need to tell her, old friend.
“No, no we don’t...she’s better off not knowing a monster like me…”
We’re not a monster! When will we see that about ourselves!
Yes, we are! And Fluttershy can’t be stuck with somepony like me...and what if it doesn’t work, huh? What then? She’ll leave! Eventually she’ll leave like everyone else will!
Cordwood looked at him for a moment, a bit surprised.
Cordwood is a part of you...and even I didn’t sense this…
“Well, looks like you overlooked it.” Discord scoffed, then lit up as he found a loose brick that came to be a activation to a different wall to the side. The chimera leapt through and made his way toward the direction she had ran. Cordwood flew beside his counterpart and frowned, looking at Discord with a disapproving glare.
She won’t leave.
How do you know!
We don’t. But we have faith.
She’ll leave...they always leave...I’m meant to have no one! I’m meant to be alone! I just want her to be with me this way...because she might leave sooner if I-
Discord, she won’t leave if we tell her what we fear.
I-I can’t…
Discord banked a corner and saw a yellow blur off in the distance, and picked up his pace. He ran on all fours like a predator, but he was pursuing the one thing he truly cared about more than all else.
You can, and you will. Because what might happen if you do?
She’ll leave!
No, she’ll stay! And when she does, we’ll be put back together again!
Discord was silent, fearful, undecided. All his life he lost, he never knew his real mother or father, his only kind of family was murdered in front of him, his co-worker cursed him to be a monster, his study made him posses magic that made his mind crazy, he lost his first friends to his own selfish acts, and now he was about to lose the mare he cared about more than life itself.
So, what more do you have to lose?
Discord looked at Cordwood as he ran, barely touching the surface of the ground, almost flying.
There was truth in his words.
Discord had lost, but he had also gained from his mistakes and his grief. He gained a friendship, no, he gained friends...and he found love. If he had never been turned to stone, if he hadn’t lost...he wouldn’t have met her.
She was weak when he first had met her, but she grew strong, she was smart, she was creative, she was kind...and she made him feel complete. Everything they had done with their friendship, all the things they had said to one another, the letters they had written, the moments they had shared. He had cherished every one of them. He wanted that to stay...he wanted to keep loving her, he wanted her to stay with him, to stay like she was, he wanted her...no.
I need her.
That was it...he knew it now. He loved her. He loved her more than anything. His tears began to fill to the brim, they hadn’t fallen in a long time.
Discord sped up faster than ever and ran closer and closer to the small, meek pegasus, breaking the distance between them.
All this time, he truly loved her, he loved her unconditionally. And if he didn’t have her, what was there to live for?
What do we plan to do?
I’m going to tell her...how I feel.
Why the sudden change then?
Because, if I don’t have her…I’ll be broken...a-and...his tears fell for the first time in ages, falling down his cheeks. His face red from holding back all his feelings from before. I love her…All this time...she loved him for who he truly was.
And he didn’t want to lose the one who accepted him that way.
Finally…
Cordwood flew toward Discord and passed into him shining brightly like a light at the end of a long tunnel. Discord’s emotions fell back into place and his mind was back together again. And now...his world was a blur, mainly because of his tears.
Discord jumped, and landed on top of Fluttershy, both falling and skidding the dust, making a cloud. Fluttershy looked up at the chimera, who was once again on top of her. But something was different.
The drops fell from his eyes and hit her face, falling off her rosey cheeks. Her eyes were cloudy and sift as well.
“I was afraid!” He blurted out, taking Fluttershy by surprise. “I was afraid that you would leave me, I was afraid that you would just one day grow tired of me and leave me behind! I lied because-because I couldn’t bare the thought of losing you!”
Fluttershy rested against the ground and looked at the spectacle before her. He was crying, he was opening up, and he was the most hoofsome stallion she had ever laid eyes upon in that very moment.
“I’m sorry I lied...and I-I just...after everything that’s happened I had realized...how much I-”
Fluttershy held her breath and looked up at her draconequus, as he too looked down at her. It was a beautiful moment to be in.
Discord felt his heart race. She looked beautiful to him...she was so breathtaking, no matter what she might like. He couldn’t hold back now.
The chimera closed his eyes and crashed his lips against hers, Fluttershy’s eyes went wide.
This moment was what she had been waiting for. What they both had waited for. The time they realized how much they really cared for one another. This precious time, as Fluttershy slowly closed her eyes and sighed happily, was something they would want to relive again and again.
Fluttershy let out a content, and quiet moan, to which Discord opened his eyes and lifted his neck back up.
Wow. Thank you all so much for the wonderful support and amazing feedback from you all! No seriously, I did not expect so many people to like my story and to read it or anything. In all honesty this was pre-writing and drafting for a deeper story.
That being said, this is the end of A Kind Of Chaos. Before you through your banana peels at me, I have something else for you to look forward to.
To put simply, I am unhappy with how this turned out. I mean, yes I like the story and everything, of course. The way the plot goes and how it comes together, but it's not good enough, yet. You see this was something to stretch my skills as a writer and really help me with becoming stronger in my story building. That's not to say this was also for fun and I enjoyed writing every bit of it, but there needs to be more story. It was rushed, and there were many mistakes that have been learned. I feel like I didn't dive deeper into the story when I should have or have more sequences and plots...but I didn't out of being an amateur in writing chapters and fan-fictions. This was my first. So I'm oblivious to certain things... But it isn't my last work.
Now, about the series "A Kind Of Chaos"...
"A Kind Of Chaos" will actually be a featured chapter in my comic "The Chaos Theory". This was only my first writing practice, which I had learned a lot from, but isn't the last of the story itself. Oh no, it most certainly does not end here AT ALL. You just have to be patient for the chapter to come out as part of my graphic novel. Oh, there's more though. When this particular chapter comes out there will be a re-make fan-fiction of "A Kind Of Chaos" in which case will have more chapter (and longer ones, might I add and will have more stories and character building unlike the first one. So this isn't the last of my headcanon Fluttercord story.
On that note, you won't have to wait long for my next fluttercord-based story. Guess what? Your getting an Equestria Girls version! Yay! It will be different from the show, but it will be a lot better and possibly cooler than it sounds. I felt the urge to do one that was Equestria Girls based, and you guys will definitely like it, I'm sure. It might have different skin colors (like normal skin) and they'll be more human like than the Equestria girls, but all the same it will be based off of it. There isn't to much of a difference.
I'm going to brainstorm title names but I'm pretty sure it will be something like "The Odd Couple" or "Mr. May I..." or something along those lines. I'll probably give a promo of sorts soon enough, but I just thought you guys would like to know what's coming up.
So, I hope you're not to upset at me for cutting it off like this, but if I go any further I will be revealing to much info before the chapter from the graphic novel is even released (that's not good). And now I bet I got you itching to read my comic or even wait for the remake of this series. Until then read "Princess Protection Program" and await the promo for the next Fluttercord story.
One more thing, I'd like to hear some suggestions on what shipping story I should do besides these. (Go to my DeviantART and see the journal "Shipping" and choose your favorite out of them!) Comment below and tell me what you think I should do, alright? Cool!
Thanks again to all who have become my watchers and readers who have faved this story! I will soon put a link to some of the fictions above on here so you can have quick access to new content!
With Love, Lola Ditz~
Click here to go to the journal "Shipping" and vote in the comments of the letter to you guys from me Lola!
