Fluttershy, a shy pegasus, has been having nightmares about a certain draconequus named Discord, the spirit of chaos and disharmony. Soon, Fluttershy's nightmares become a reality when Discord is released from his stone prison. When the elements are destroyed, Fluttershy and her friends find an alternative: they can 'contain Discord', so that he cannot wreak havoc on all of Equestria. But--maybe, just maybe--the little yellow pegasus can become friends with this havoc-wreaking monster... or, perhaps, they can become much more than that. Inspirations: "Bride of Discord" by DisneyFanatic2364 Beauty and the Beast Fluttercord fanfictions Keep Calm and Flutter On Warning: Fluttercord!
Fluttershy's teal eyes welled up in tears as Discord, a frightening draconequus, cackled wickedly, tying the mane six up with ropes.
"You'll never get away with this, Discord!" Twilight growled at the evil draconequus.
"Oh, how cliche of you, Twilight," Discord smiled wickedly. "I expected better from somepony as intelligent as you!"
"Let us go, you jerk!" Rainbow Dash struggled as the rope around her tightened.
"Maybe the ropes are made out of candy!" Pinkie whispered to her friends rather loudly, as she started gnawing at the rope.
"Pinkie! Stop eating the rope!" Rarity whispered to the pink earth pony as she continued to chew on the rope.
"Since you're all a bit tied up at the moment, I think I'll be taking these!" Discord snatched the elements right off of the ponies' necks, and pulled Twilight's crown off of her head.
"Hey!" Twilight's horn emitted a magenta glow as she tried to grab the crown back.
"Shut up!" Discord snapped his fingers, Twilight's horn disappearing with a poof!
"Well... it's not candy!" Pinkie said as she stopped chewing at the rope. She had barely made a rip in it.
"Now.. time to finish this!" Discord snapped all of the elements in half.
"No!" Twilight screamed, still trying to break free.
"I don' believe it!" Applejack growled.
"This doesn't make any sense," Rarity sighed dramatically. "How in Equestria did he break them so easily?"
"Of course it doesn't make sense!" Discord replied. "I'm Discord!"
Rainbow scoffed. "Yeah, we noticed." Discord snapped his fingers, zipping Rainbow's mouth shut.
"S-stop..." Fluttershy spoke up. The other five ponies looked at Fluttershy nervously.
"Oh, look! The wimpy pegasus speaks!" Discord laughed wickedly.
Rainbow let out a faint growl as Discord insulted Fluttershy.
Fluttershy woke up with a gasp.
She looked around her familiar room, heaving a sigh of relief. She was glad that her awful nightmare wasn't real.
Well, in a way, it was.
A few months ago, she and her friends had defeated Discord--without the elements, of course, as they had been destroyed. They had been able to 'contain' Discord.
They had made it so that he could not wreak havoc on Equestria. If he used his magic, or just caused chaos in general, he would be punished.
However, even though Discord was unable to spread his chaos, poor Fluttershy was still having nightmares about what happened.
His frightening laugh, the menacing look in his eyes, his terrifying appearance--Fluttershy didn't like any of it.
Fluttershy slowly got out of bed, quietly trotting down the stairs into the kitchen. Humming a quiet tune, she took out some food for her animals. (Carrots, acorns, etc.)
She carefully placed the food into separate bowls, gently placing them on the ground for the animals to eat.
Without any hesitance, the animals all silently walked over to their respective bowls.
"Eat well, my friends." Fluttershy said softly. The animals did not reply, but Fluttershy knew they understood.
Fluttershy sat on her couch, letting out a quiet sigh. She couldn't get Discord off of her mind. She knew he posed no threat, but the thought of him was petrifying.
Discord resided in Princess Twilight's castle, much to his dismay. This was so Twilight could keep a close eye on the draconequus.
Discord let out a bored sigh, his red pupils wandering around the room
This room is rather boring.. if only I could spread my glorious chaos! If it weren't for these meddlesome ponies, Equestria would be mine!
Discord paced around the empty room, snapping his fingers and summoning a glass of chocolate milk.
"No time to talk," Twilight's expression remained emotionless. "You have... a visitor."
"Ooh, a visitor?" Discord grinned. "And who will that be?"
"...Me..." Fluttershy spoke up.
"Bye." Twilight seemed to rush out of the room, quickly slamming the door behind her. It was as if she didn't want to be in the same room
as them.
"So, why are you here?" Discord asked, teleporting to Fluttershy's side, causing her to yelp in surprise.
"...W-well.."
***
A few moments earlier...
Fluttershy quietly trotted into Twilight's castle.
"H-hello?"
"Fluttershy!" The purple alicorn greeted her friend with a hug.
"Hello, Twilight," Fluttershy gave her friend a coy smile. "Why did you call me here?"
"Look," Twilight pointed at the Cutie Map, which had Fluttershy's cutie mark floating above it. Fluttershy looked down at her flank to see that
her cutie mark was glowing.
"Oh my," Fluttershy blinked in realization. "Where does it want me to go?"
Twilight bit her lip. "Well, that's the thing..." She muttered. "You see... it wants you to go to Discord."
"D-Discord?" Fluttershy's eyes dilated with anxiety.
"I know that he's a monster," Twilight looked at Fluttershy reassuringly. "But we can't just ignore the Cutie Map."
"You're right," Fluttershy whispered. "I... I'll be brave.."
Twilight gave Fluttershy a warm hug. "Thank you."
Discord looked at the yellow pegasus silently.
"What?"
"Hmm? Uh, nothing." Discord stared off into the distance.
"Well..." The small pegasus looked at the mismatched creature. "I guess I'll just have to solve your friendship problem!"
"Say what now?"
"That's why the Cutie Map sent me here," Fluttershy explained. "The Cutie Map is something that lets us travel to different places, helping ponies who have friendship problems."
Fluttershy and Discord had been talking for hours. Discord was, surprisingly, nice... well... kind of.
"Fluttershy?" Discord looked up at the small pegasus.
"Yes?"
"Can I tell you something?"
"Sure, go ahead..."
"Well... I've never met somepony like you before."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just.. nopony has ever been nice to me before..."
"Oh my.. would you... tell me a bit about your past...?" Fluttershy bit her lip, afraid that she might have gone a bit too far. "Oh, I'm sorry... I understand if you don't want to, or if it brings up bad memories... I-"
"Sure."
"I just wanted to kn-wait... really?" Fluttershy looked up at Discord, her teal eyes lit up brighter than a thousand stars.
Discord slowly nodded. "You see.. I was just a little draconequus.."
*** Flashback
A tiny draconequus looked around an empty, friendless cave. Each moment he spent there, the lonelier he got. Everyone in his life that he had ever met was always so cruel to him--he was just.. different.
Now, while being different was a good thing, this draconequus felt that he was... well... too different.
The small draconequus amused himself with cotton candy and chocolate milk. It was fun for a while, but...
The draconequus started feeling lonely again.
He found a small town called Ponyville. He had heard much of the town, and the ponies that lived in it. He tried to befriend the ponies, but...
Even they wouldn't show him just a little kindness.
Angered and hurt, the draconequus turned their town upside down.
This made the draconequus feel... good.
He continued to do this for many, many years, eventually giving himself a name...
Discord.
Discord called himself the spirit of chaos and disharmony, and all was well..
Until..
Two sisters, Celestia and Luna, used the Elements of Harmony on him, turning him to stone, and ending his tyranny.
Everything was peaceful.
Years later, a pony named Twilight Sparkle moved to Ponyville, and founded the new keepers of the elements.
They went on many adventures together.
Eventually, Discord was released from his stone prison, and continued his tyranny on Equestria.
The elements posed a threat to Discord's plan, and he did not appreciate that.
Soon, he tried to split apart their friendship, but it was too strong.
The elements turned Discord to stone .
He faced many difficult years of imprisonment, all the while regretting his horrible decisions.
But, he knew that he could never change.
Monsters like him could never have friends...
...Could they?
*** End of Flashback
"Oh.. dear... Discord, I-"
"There's no need to pity me," Discord said sorrowfully. "I don't deserve to be forgiven."
"Well, too bad," Fluttershy said. Discord looked up at her, confusion in his eyes. "Because.. well... I forgive you."
Fluttershy gave Discord a kind smile.
"I.."
"And.. I think it's time you've had a friend."
"Thank you..."
The Cutie Map began to glow, and Fluttershy's cutie mark disappeared.
"She did it.." Twilight's violet eyes dilated. She smiled the biggest smile she could. "She did it!"
Twilight was mentally celebrating, when an out of breath Pinkie Pie sped into her house.
"Twilight-" Huff. "-I have something-" Huff. "-To tell you!!"
"Pinkie?" Twilight looked at the pink earth pony with question.
"My Pinkie senses are acting up!"
"What? What's happening?"
"I don't know, but it feels like someone is going to return!"
"R-return... who...?"
"I don't know, Twilight! I just said that!"
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Is... is this just some sort of prank?"
"What?!" Pinkie gasped dramatically. "This isn't a prank! I promise- no, I Pinkie promise!"
"Okay..."
"Cross my heart and hope to fly," Pinkie pulled out a cupcake. "Stick a cupcake in my eye!" She placed the cupcake on her eye.
"...Okay then?"
"All I know is that it's not gonna be pretty..." Pinkie murmured, her icy blue gaze staring off into the distance.
Fluttershy looked down at her flank. Her cutie mark was glowing... she knew what this meant: she had solved the friendship problem.
"Discord..."
"Yes, my dear?" Discord asked, his ears perked.
"I have to go now."
"Why so soon, dear?"
"I.. solved your friendship problem, apparently."
"Oh..." Discord stared at the ground, frowning.
"I'll come by tomorrow... if you'd like, I mean..." Fluttershy suggested shyly.
"That's wonderful!" Discord grinned, floating about an inch off the ground.
"Right..." Fluttershy muttered, quickly running out of the room.
"How'd it go?" Twilight asked, her violet eyes filled with curiosity.
"It went... uh..." Fluttershy glanced at Pinkie, who was yelling at a cupcake for not listening to her.
"Float! Float! Float, you darn cupcake!" Pinkie placed her hooves to her forehead, shutting her eyes tightly and whispering about 'the force'.
Twilight and Fluttershy rolled their eyes and continued their conversation.
"It went... okay I guess.. Discord seems nice.. but..."
"But what?" Twilight's eyes shone with concern.
"I don't know if it's a trick or not!" Fluttershy whispered to the purple princess.
"It probably is!" A new voice butted in. Fluttershy and Twilight whipped around to see a familiar rainbow-haired pegasus.
"How would you know?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"Well, 'cause it's Discord! He's evil, duh!"
"Well... anypony can change..." Fluttershy murmured.
"Yeah, but not Discord!" Rainbow huffed. Fluttershy just rolled her eyes.
"Fine... see you girls later." Fluttershy waved goodbye to her friends, trotting back to her cottage.
A strange sound could be heard in the distance. Fluttershy looked out of her window, glancing around cautiously. Her pupils dilated when she realized that the sound was coming from the Everfree Forest.
Fluttershy gulped, stepping into the dark forest. Each step was more terrifying than the last.
"You can do this, Fluttershy," Fluttershy whispered to herself. "You can do this... just find the noise, and stop it from disturbing the animals.."
Fluttershy yelped as the noise got louder. Fluttershy whipped around to see a Timberwolf!
"Oh, why did I not recognize that sound..?" Fluttershy squealed when three more Timberwolves circled her, leaving her trapped in the center of them.
Fluttershy heard the familiar cackling of the wicked draconequus, Discord.
"D-Discord?"
"Why, hello, 'my dear'!" He laughed wickedly.
"I-I thought we were friends...!" Fluttershy yelped as Discord snapped his fingers, and the three Timberwolves turned into six.
"Friends?" Discord smirked. "Oh, poor, naive Fluttershy... haven't you the slightest idea who I am? I am the Lord of Chaos! I don't need friends!"
"Please..."
"Now... say 'goodbye'!" Discord laughed evilly as the Timberwolves closed in on Fluttershy.
Fluttershy awoke with a scream.
"A-another nightmare?" Fluttershy shuddered. At first, the nightmares were just about what had happened - Discord had simply destroyed the Elements of Harmony. Nonetheless, the ponies still beat him.
Now, it was just... him being plain cruel!
"O-oh dear... what if... what if this is all a trick? What if that story was a lie for me to feel bad for him, then become his 'friend' so that he can get close to me...?" Fluttershy gasped at a sudden realization.
Discord tried to make himself comfortable on the cold floor, but to no avail. He let out a bored sigh, his tail swishing from side to side.
"Why is everything so boring around here?" Discord groaned, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the clock on the wall. "I wonder when Fluttershy's going to show up..." He thought aloud, his pupils dilating slightly after realizing what he just said.
"It's not like I actually care about her or anything.." Discord tried to convince himself, but it wasn't working. "Right! I'm just trying to get close to her so I can... uh... so I can..." Discord paused for a moment.
"So I can take over Equestria again! Yes, yes, that's it! If the ponies think that I've been 'reformed', they'll trust me to roam freely, and I'll finally be able to destroy them once and for all!"
Discord thought about his plan. Was it really about taking over Equestria? Or was he just making an excuse for liking Fluttershy's company?
Discord pushed his thoughts away. So what if he enjoyed her company a bit? He was perfectly happy!
"...Am I?" Discord whispered to himself, staring up at the ceiling.
He looked around the bland, disgustingly normal room once more as he plopped onto his back.
"There's not much to look at in here," Discord mumbled to himself. "Surely nopony would mind if I liven things up a bit?" Discord smiled deviously, snapping his fingers.
The walls and the floor seemed to have exploded in color, and the numbers on the clock were all mixed up; some were even letters!
A few pigs with wings snorted, flying around the new (and most certainly improved) room.
"Much better." Discord smiled to himself.
A furious purple alicorn stormed into the room. "Discord!" She fumed.
"Oh, hello, Princess," Discord scoffed. "Ever heard of knocking?"
"What in Celestia's name is going on in here?"
"Oh, I just made this room more... chaotic! More... interesting! It was so bland, so boring - but now.. now..."
"Turn everything back to normal!" Twilight demanded.
"And why should I listen to you?"
"Because if you don't, I'll be forced to take your magic away! You wouldn't want that, now would you?"
Discord grimaced, snapping his fingers and changing the room back to its boring self.
"Thank you." Twilight rudely said, slamming the door behind her.
"You know," Discord said to himself. "If they're going to keep me here, they might as well let me decorate a bit!"
Discord sighed. "But, then again, I suppose ponies are quite boring.."
"Maybe I could do something to make it up to Princess Prissy over there..." Discord grinned. "It would make her think I'm reformed..."
Discord nodded, as if someone else was in the room. "That's the perfect plan!"
Pinkie Pie bounced happily along the streets of Ponyville, recalling the exact date of everypony's birthdays, their favorite flavor of cake, and their allergies. Pinkie smiled, realizing that Twilight's 20th birthday was coming up soon!
"Oof!" Pinkie crashed into something - well, somepony.
Pinkie looked up, seeing a stallion that somewhat reminded her of somepony...
But who...? The pink pony pondered.
Pinkie face-hoofed at her own stupidity. The pony reminded her of herself!
"Hiya!" Pinkie greeted the pony.
"Hi!" The pony replied, his eyes shining with excitement. "I'm Cheese Sandwich, what's your name?"
"My name is Pinkie Pie!" The pink mare smiled brightly at the equally energetic stallion.
Cheese looked at her flank and gasped. "Do you like parties?"
This time it was Pinkie's turn to gasp. "I do! I do!"
"Wow! Another party pony!" Cheese smiled.
"Woo-hoo!" Pinkie cheered.
Fluttershy hummed a quiet tune as she fed her precious animals. Though their presence made her feel slightly less horrified, the image of Discord just wouldn't go away.
Fluttershy just wanted to curl into a ball and cry until she couldn't cry anymore.
But Fluttershy knew, somewhere, that the draconequus wasn't all bad.
Still, Fluttershy didn't like that part of herself. The draconequus was probably just luring her into a false sense of security, as Rainbow had said earlier. Fluttershy let out a long sigh, her teal eyes dilated slightly as a loud knock was heard at the door.
"Coming!" Fluttershy yelled (yet she still managed to be quiet).
Fluttershy slowly opened the door, seeing all five of her friends there - plus Spike, of course.
"Girls...?"
"Fluttershy, darling! Come quickly! It's an emergency!" Rarity said, in the most dramatic way possible.
"Oh dear! What happened?" Concern shone in the small pegasus' eyes.
"It's Princess Luna... she.. she's turned back into Nightmare Moon!" Applejack added.
"O-oh my! What caused this? I thought she got over her jealousy..?"
"She has," Twilight stepped forward. "I sensed a strange magic coming from her.. somepony must have done this to her."
"I bet I know just who did it!" Rainbow growled.
"You mean Discord?"
"Duh! Who else has magical chaotic powers that can literally change everything in the world and is powerful enough to even use magic on the princesses?" What Pinkie said was barely understandable.
"R-right..." Fluttershy murmured. Well, at least I know the truth now... he never was my friend.
"We're wastin' time!" Applejack hollered. "Come on! Y'all better get movin' before Nightmare Moon does anything bad!"
"Yes," Nightmare Moon said, in her usual tone (thankfully). "Now... finally.."
"THE NIGHT... SHALL LAST... FOREVER!"
"N-no...!"
Discord's fur stood on end, though he did not know why. He pushed away the uncomfortable feeling in his stomach, not thinking much of it - after all, he was the Lord of Chaos. He had nothing to worry about!
Well, there was one thing.
Fluttershy.
He had no idea why, but he couldn't get the small pegasus off of his mind.
He froze.
What if she was kidnapped? What if she was hurt?
What if...
Discord shook his head. Fluttershy was probably fine! Besides, why was he worrying so much?
Discord let out a long sigh. Because she's the only friend I've ever had...
Though, I doubt she even wanted to be friends in the first place-
A scream could be heard in the distance.
Discord recognized that scream.
"Fluttershy?" He whispered to himself, breaking down the door to the room which he was in, and quickly teleported to the timid mare.
Discord froze when he saw who exactly was torturing the small pegasus.
"Ahh, if it isn't my savior!" Nightmare Moon grinned.
Discord growled, his red pupils glowing brightly. "Let. Her. Go."
"Sorry, I'm afraid it won't be that easy!"
Discord smirked, snapped his fingers, and Fluttershy was released. "Oh really?"
Nightmare Moon growled, sending all of her strongest attacks at him - but it wasn't enough to defeat the Lord of Chaos!
***
After fighting for a while, Nightmare Moon (to nopony's surprise) won the fight.
Discord, now weakened, fell to the ground.
Oh dear! Fluttershy thought, staring at the draconequus with dilated pupils. I-I have to help him..!
Really? After everything he's done to you and your friends?
W-what? Who are you?
That is not of importance right now, Fluttershy. I can only tell you one thing - that I am here to help and to guide you. You should not help this draconequus, for I sense evil in his heart.
He.. doesn't seem evil to me..
Can't you see it, Fluttershy? He's trying to trick you!
I... The frightened pegasus looked at the weak draconequus on the ground. I.. guess... you're right...
Yes. Yes I am. I knew you were smart, Fluttershy.
Still, do you... think he may be able to change?
Oh, Fluttershy, why must you be so naive?
W-what do you mean..?
Fluttershy...
Creatures like him canneverchange
Nightmare Moon gave another evil laugh. "Do you see this?" She said to nopony in particular. "This is the fate of those who dare challenge the princess of the-"
"Sister."
Nightmare Moon whipped around to see a familiar white alicorn. "You.. how did you escape!?"
"Luna! You must lower the moon!"
"..You ponies just don't get it, do you?"
"Luna, wha-"
"My name..." Nightmare Moon inhaled. "IS NIGHTMARE MOON!"
Celestia took a step back, not even a grimace - or any sign of fear - on her face.
"Sister, I know that you are in there somewhere - please free yourself from this monster.."
"S-sister..?" Nightmare Moon sounded more like Luna now.
"No! You fool! Don't listen to her!" She argued with herself.
"Tia!"
"We had an agreement!"
"I am sorry, Nightmare Moon, but you are not the real me.."
"No!"
And with that - well, the unexpected happened.
Everypony - excluding Discord, who was still on the ground, weakened - stared at what they saw in shock. Several ponies gasped.
Luna had certainly separated herself from Nightmare Moon.
Physically.
Nightmare Moon and Luna had become two separate entities.
A few weeks had passed since the incident with Nightmare Moon.
Fluttershy had not believed what she had seen at first; she thought she had been imagining things. However - much to her disbelief - it was real.
Celestia (with the help of Luna) had been working on reforming Nightmare Moon, though it proved to be a difficult task.
Meanwhile, Discord had easily recovered from his battle with Nightmare Moon - he had also determined that Fluttershy did not consider him a friend. She had been avoiding him for weeks, not even giving him so much as a glance.
Discord didn't want to admit it, but he did feel strongly about the yellow pegasus, and not having any idea why she was avoiding him was tearing him apart, making him feel...
...Broken.
Fluttershy didn't seem to give a flying feather about him - which Discord was used to. Nopony had ever really cared about him, after all. Why was Fluttershy any different?
"Still," Discord said aloud to himself. "It still hurts!" Discord let out a long sigh.
On the bright side, the princesses agreed to let Discord roam freely - as long as he didn't try anything.
Discord roamed the streets of Ponyville, receiving dirty looks from the ponies he passed. He couldn't help but notice them whispering things about them.
Discord's ears flattened as he recognized the voice of a certain yellow pegasus.
Fluttershy.
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie seemed as if they were making their way to Sugarcube Corner.
Discord's ears perked as he listened to their conversation.
"I'm so excited!" Pinkie shouted. Fluttershy gave her a patient smile.
"Oh, yes, me too," Fluttershy said timidly. "I can't wait for Twilight's birthday party."
"There's going to be cake, and games, and - and - it's going to be so much fun!!!"
"Who are you inviting?"
"Applejack, Rarity, Spike, Dashie, and Twilight, obviously!"
"Oh," Was that disappointment in her voice? "Okay."
Discord's ears flattened again. Why wasn't he invited?
I think I know the answer to that. Discord thought grimly.
Discord froze when he realized that the two ponies were staring at him.
"Oh! Hiya.. Discord..." Pinkie tried to be enthusiastic about seeing the draconequus, but...
"Don't pretend to be happy to see me." Discord hissed.
Pinkie, who usually wasn't frightened by such things, exchanged a nervous glance with Fluttershy.
"W-w-well, we b-better get g-going..!" Fluttershy stuttered. Pinkie began to run, and Fluttershy, frightened, followed quickly after her.
Discord felt like he was breaking in two.
Sure, he knew that his appearance - well, not just that, but everything about him - was terrifying, but...
He didn't know what to think anymore.
He wasn't used to emotions as strong as these.
It was becoming too much for the heartbroken draconequus to handle.
"Aww, look, Discord's gone soft."
"Who's there?" Discord growled.
"Don't you remember me, 'Cordy?"
"Gloom-!"
"Oh, so you do!"
A dark gray unicorn with red eyes - finished off with a darker gray mane - took a step forward.
"How could I forget?" Discord said coldly.
"Well, you are pretty old," Gloom mocked. "I wouldn't be surprised if your memory was worse than a goldfish's!"
Discord's pupils glowed a dark crimson color. "What do you want, you demon?"
"Oh-ho, very clever, 'Cordy! Name calling. I never thought you'd stoop so low." She replied sarcastically.
"Why I oughta-"
"Well, if we're playing the name-calling-game, I think it's my turn!" She grinned crazily. "Monster, freak, ugly, disaster that never should have been!"
Discord's eyes slightly dilated.
"What?" Gloom mocked. "Can't take a joke?" Gloom paused for a moment. "Well, I'm not really joking. You really are all of those things that I called you."
"I swear," Discord said through clenched teeth. "If I could use my magic on you, I-"
"Well, what are you waiting for, then?"
"What?"
"If you want to use your precious magic so badly, why don't you?"
"If I do, then I'll be kicked out!"
"Oh my," Gloom chuckled wickedly. "You really have gone soft!"
"No, I haven't!"
"Oh yeah? Then why don't you use your magic on me now?"
"Fine!" Discord snapped his fingers, turning Gloom's horn into a candy cane.
Gloom smirked. "Help! Somepony help! I'm being attacked!" She called out, as if she really were being attacked.
Discord's eyes dilated.
Twilight came running toward them.
"What's going-" Twilight stopped when she saw Gloom's candy cane horn. "Discord!" She growled.
"What? She was literally asking for it!"
"I-I-" Gloom fake sobbed. "-I was just minding my own business, and then he- he- he just started attacking me..!"
"It's alright," Twilight reassured. "He won't be bothering you anymore." Twilight was glaring daggers at Discord.
"Twilight-"
"Your magic will be taken away tomorrow," She growled. "This is what I get for trusting a monster."
"She's tricking you!"
"Is she really the one tricking me?" Twilight snarled. "Or is it you, Discord?"
"You have to listen to-"
"I'm done with this nonsense," Twilight murmured angrily. "Come now, my little pony."
As Gloom and Twilight began trotting away, Gloom looked over her shoulder at Discord with an evil smirk.
Fluttershy ran through the woods, her heart racing as quickly as she ran.
"Oh dear! Why do these things always happen to me..!"
Fluttershy was fleeing from a Manticore - she could usually tame them, but this one would not listen to her.
A familiar cackle was heard in the distance.
"Discord!" Fluttershy yell-whispered. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Fluttershy!" A new voice called; the whole world seemed to freeze.
"Princess Luna?" Fluttershy looked around with curious teal eyes.
"Yes, Fluttershy," Luna replied, landing in front of the yellow pegasus. "I apologize that I could not come here sooner. There are many subjects that are in need of my assistance."
"Oh, I understand," Fluttershy gave a small smile. "You must be very busy. I understand if you have to go help other ponies..."
"No," Luna said firmly. "I need to help you, small pegasus."
"Help?" Fluttershy questioned.
Luna nodded. "You are having nightmares about Discord, are you not?"
"Well.. I am..."
"Fluttershy," She began, clearing her throat quietly. "You must stop your nightmares."
"B-but.. I... I don't know how!"
"The only way to stop this nightmare is by overcoming your fear."
"O-over..coming..." Fluttershy paused. "Y-you mean.. talk to Discord...? But he was never really my friend! He was tricking me!"
Luna shook her head. "You are in for quite a surprise," She said. "When you awaken, please talk to the draconequus - you might find that he is just as miserable as you."
"O-okay Luna..." Fluttershy gulped. "I trust you..."
"Thou wakest," Luna muttered. "Face your fears!" Luna called, as the world around them broke.
Fluttershy bolted upright once she awoke. "Face my fears," She murmured. "Yeah, I can-"
What are you doing?
"You again?"
Yes, me again. Now, you didn't answer my question. What are you doing?
"I-I'm going to see Discord, like Luna told me."
Fluttershy, I thought we went over this! We. Don't. Trust. Monsters!
"What are you talking about?! Princess Luna is not a monster! And.. and neither is Discord!"
Then there's only one way to make you understand...
"Ahh!" Fluttershy's pupils turned a deep crimson color, her eyes turning jet-black.
"You left me no choice, Fluttershy," 'Fluttershy' said. "Now, it's time to finally get my revenge!"
Discord was worrying non-stop. His fur had been standing on end all day.. he couldn't help but feel something was wrong.
Then again, today was the day where they would take his magic away.
But he felt like something even worse was going to happen - to Fluttershy, in particular.
"Discord," Discord whipped around to see the familiar face of the prissy purple pony, Twilight Sparkle. "Come."
Discord held back a growl as he remembered why this was happening.
Gloom.
She did this.
Discord hesitantly followed the purple princess. "Twilight?"
"What?" Twilight coldly replied, not even looking at the draconequus.
"I feel like something's wrong.."
Twilight didn't reply for a moment. "Okay?"
"No, there's definitely something wrong," Discord said, louder this time. "Somepony's in trouble."
"And why would you care?" Twilight snapped.
"Because, I actually tried to contain my magic for you stupid ponies! I actually wanted a friend!" Discord raged. "And you can't even see that Gloom is tricking you! You just jump to conclusions and assume I'm the one in the wrong!"
"Because you're-"
"...Because I'm the Lord of Chaos?" Discord laughed maniacally. "Wow, that's really the only way you ponies see me? Hah! I guess you ponies really do have horrible memories!"
"What?"
"You've forgotten that everypony can change."
'Fluttershy' flew out of her cottage and into the streets of Ponyville.
Finally.
Finally, she would have her revenge.
'Fluttershy' smiled wickedly as her crimson eyes glowed brighter. "I just need to get a little more power.."
'Fluttershy' landed at Twilight's castle. "Perfect."
'Fluttershy' broke down the door, smiling a wicked smile.
Her teeth were as sharp as knives, her pupils a blood red color - finished off by eyes like black tar.
Her color had slightly faded as well - darker mane, darker coat, darker tail - and her cutie mark had changed as well.
The three butterflies had X's for eyes.
'Fluttershy' couldn't have loved herself like this anymore than she already did.
She ran down the halls of the castle, finding Discord talking to Twilight.
"You've forgotten that everypony can change." Discord said coldly.
'Fluttershy' smirked, and laughed maniacally.
Discord and Twilight whipped around, their eyes dilating in shock and horror as they looked at 'Fluttershy'.
"F-Fluttershy?" Twilight felt tears form in her eyes. "What.. wh-what... happened to you..?"
'Fluttershy' laughed. "Oh, I just realized that I can't trust these monsters," She glared at Discord, making his ears flatten. "And the only way to stop them... is to eliminate them." Her smile grew wider (and creepier) as she said this.
Discord gave 'Fluttershy' a look of horror.
So, this is what she really thought of him.
"First.." 'Fluttershy' grinned. "I'll be taking that precious magic of yours!"
'Fluttershy' let her crimson pupils fade, making her eyes look like an endless void - an endless void of black tar.
Twilight stared in horror at the unconscious draconequus on he ground.
"Discord..!" Twilight gasped, looking at the so-called 'Fluttershy. "Y-you're not Fluttershy!"
"Took you long enough to realize it!"
"What have you done with her?!"
"Oh, nothing! But let's just say that she's not in control of her own body right now.."
"You monster!"
"Am I really the monster here? Or is it Discord?"
Discord weakly looked up at Twilight, his color drained and his ears flattened.
"No," Twilight shouted. "You're the monster!"
Discord had a hopeful look.
"Fluttershy! Please!"
Fluttershy had to watch this monster fight her friends.
It was torture.
"Fluttershy! Please!" Twilight pleaded. Fluttershy struggled, but managed to regain control for a few minutes.
"Twilight... I'm so sorry! She just took control of me..."
"Oh, Fluttershy!" Twilight wrapped her hooves around the color-drained mare. "I knew you were in there!"
Fluttershy walked over to Discord, nudging him up with her muzzle.
Discord didn't say anything, but his eyes... lit up.
Fluttershy gave him a small smile.
"I wish I could stay in control for longer," Fluttershy said. "But I can't. However, I can do this..." Fluttershy returned Discord's magic to him, her eyes welling up in tears.
"I'm... losing control."
"Fluttershy, you can't leave us again!" Twilight cried.
"I won't... I can't...!"
There was a blinding flash of light.
Fluttershy had returned to her usual lovely self.
Twilight gave Fluttershy a bone-crushing hug.
Even Discord looked relieved.
"Does that mean... that monster is gone?" Twilight asked hopefully.
"I think so." Fluttershy smiled.
"Not all of them.." Discord looked at the ground as he muttered this.
"You're not a monster," Fluttershy gave him a kind smile. "Even if I was being mean before - the cruel voice in my head told me that you were nothing but trouble... it lied to me."
Discord's pupils slightly dilated. "D-do you really think that...?"
"Of course," Fluttershy smiled. "Deep down, I knew that you were good, but I tried to convince myself otherwise."
"F-Fluttershy... I..."
Did I really just stutter? Discord thought to himself.
"Shh," Fluttershy looked at him with her kind teal eyes. "I'll be your friend."
Discord was slightly disappointed, though he did not let it show.
"I will too." Twilight smiled.
Discord couldn't have been happier.
With two new friends, what could possibly go wrong?
A lot of things. Discord thought.
"Come on," Fluttershy urged. "It's time for Twilight's birthday party!"
Twilight gasped. "I almost forgot!"
Discord chuckled. "Well, let's get going!"
"Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy birthday to you!" Pinkie sang to the purple princess.
Twilight smiled warmly at all of her friends.
"Twilight!" Spike ran up to the purple pony. "I got you a present!" Spike handed Twilight a box.
Inside the box was a book.
Twilight chuckled. "Oh, Spike, you know me so well."
Spike grinned a toothy grin.
"Open mine next!!" Pinkie shouted, throwing her present in Twilight's face.
As Twilight opened the box, confetti exploded everywhere. Twilight saw many cupcakes inside of the box.
"Thank you, Pinkie."
"No problem!" Pinkie sang.
***
A few gifts later...
"T-Twilight.. um.. if you don't mind-"
"Say no more, Fluttershy." Twilight gratefully took the gift from the timid mare, opening it delicately.
She gasped and smiled when she saw what was inside.
It was a picture of her and her friends, followed by eight friendship lockets.
"T-the lockets are for all of us.." Fluttershy smiled shyly. "I-I hope you lik-"
"Oh, Fluttershy!" Twilight hugged the yellow pegasus. "It's perfect!"
"Oh.. y-you're welcome..."
"Group hug!" Pinkie announced, everypony joining in the hug, even Discord (surprisingly).
"This was the best birthday party ever!" Twilight beamed. "Thank you - all of you."
Music started, and Pinkie started singing a song to Twilight.
Get your hooves up, party's starting out right now!
Everypony, everypony get down!
Time to make a wish, better make it right now!
It's been a year and today is your birthday party!
Make a wish, it's your birthday!
Make a wish, it's your birthday party!
Make a wish, it's your birthday!
Make a wish, it's your birthday party!
Aw oh,
Aw aw aw oh oh!
Aw aw oh,
Aw uh uh aw oh!
Aw oh,
Aw oh aw aw oh!
Started out great and it just got better!
Every day you learned a little bit more!
Time to celebrate, now we're all together!
And in a year, we can see what you wished for!
Close your eyes and concentrate!
My little pony friends, uh uh aw oh!
Think all the wishes you can make!
Why should it ever have to end?
Make a wish, it's your birthday!
Make a wish, it's your birthday party!
Make a wish, it's your birthday!
Make a wish, it's your birthday party!
Aw oh,
Aw aw aw oh oh!
Aw aw oh,
Let's celebrate your birthday!
Aw oh,
Aw oh aw aw oh!
Let's celebrate your birthday party!
Yay!!!
The ponies all laughed together as the song ended.
"I guess this really is a happy endin', huh?" Applejack asked.
"Well, we never know what's going to happen next time." Twilight answered.
"Let's not worry about that now, darling." Rarity added.
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash flew above the others. "Let's just enjoy this awesome party!"
"Let's party!" Pinkie hollered.
"Fluttershy," Discord said to the pegasus. "I just want to thank you."
"Thank me?" Fluttershy blinked in confusion. "For what?"
"For being my first friend." The draconequus smiled.
Fluttershy blushed and smiled back.
Everything - at that moment at least - truly was perfect.
