“Darling, there’s no need to be afraid.” Rarity said comfortingly. “It’s just a mall.”
“Yes, but it’s so… big. And there are so many ponies everywhere.”
“Well, darling of course it’s big.” Rarity stated. “The King of Pranceshia is one of the biggest malls in all of Equestria, if not the biggest. But it’s a very nice place. So come on out of that bush. Trust me, you’ll love it.”
“Um, that’s okay, I’m fine. You go ahead.” said the butter-colored mare hiding in the bushes.
A few days ago, while Rarity’s friends had been talking about their own trips to the King of Pranceshia mall, Rainbow Dash had let it slip that Fluttershy had never been to a mall either. Rarity had been horrified to hear this, but Fluttershy had been even more horrified. Apparently, she had been attempting to keep it a secret, fearing that Rarity would attempt to bring her along. Eventually, Rarity had managed to coax Fluttershy to join her, but now, when Fluttershy finally saw all those strange ponies, she was having second thoughts.
“Darling, trust me, you’ll like it.” Rarity said soothingly. “They have all sorts of lovely shops here. It’s just like a town, but indoors.”
“Well… I’ll try.” Fluttershy stated, getting out of the bush. She gently hovered up to the doors. As she did, the spells surrounding the doors detected her presence, and the doors slid open.
Fluttershy let out a squeak of terror and dove back into the bushes.
Rarity sighed. This was going to be a long day.
*********************************************************
“See, darling? There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Rarity said, after she had finally managed to coax Fluttershy inside. They were now seated in a small cafeteria. Rarity had gotten Fluttershy a cup of tea to help soothe her, and the two of them now sat in the café, watching the ponies stroll by while sipping the warm brew and munching on a few hot cinnamon buns.
“Well, I guess it isn’t so bad.” Fluttershy admitted. “It is kind of like an indoor town.”
“See, it’s really very nice.” Rarity exclaimed. “Pinkie Pie loved her trip here.”
“But what about Rainbow Dash and Applejack?” Fluttershy asked.
“I hardly think you of all ponies will have the same troubles they did.” Rarity chuckled. “Their… exuberance was a bit problematic for them. You, on the other hand, aren’t the type to get into trouble… or cause it.”
“So, um… what kinds of stores do they have?” Fluttershy asked.
“Oh, virtually every kind of store you could imagine!” Rarity gushed. “Clothes stores and horseshoe stores and stores for furniture or candy or sports equipment or jewelry or paintings or candles. Oh, there’s so much to choose from! There’s something for everypony!”
Rarity got to her hooves. “Now come along, darling, and finish up your tea. There are some places in here I think you’ll like very much.”
*********************************************************
Rarity and Fluttershy walked into a furniture store. Not a lot of ponies were inside, so Fluttershy felt more at ease here.
“I’m looking for a special new type of chair I read about recently.” Rarity exclaimed. “It’s magically powered to massage you. Now I know no chair could ever replace a trip to the spa, and Aloe and Lotus give the most excellent massages, but it could be a nice way to relax when I don’t have the time to go to the spa for the usual, or just to soothe my tired body after a late night of work.”
“Oh, that sounds nice.” Fluttershy said gently.
“I’ll go look for a store attendant.” Rarity stated. “You can just browse about. See if you can’t find anything you like.”
As Rarity walked off, Fluttershy looked at the various furniture. There were some nice lamps with stained glass butterflies on them that she liked very much, but they were quite expensive, and Fluttershy hadn’t brought that many bits.
She decided to simply browse, looking at all the nice furniture. Some of it was a little fancy for her simple, nature-loving tastes, but there were some things which had a very warm, homey feel or a nature-like feel that she liked very much. Picking up one of the furniture catalogs on display, she sat down on one of the nearby beds to look at it.
She promptly fell over on her back as the bed sloshed about.
Fluttershy leapt up and hovered above the bed. She had never seen a water bed before, and carefully poked the mattress with her hoof as she stared at the unusual, undulating bed. It rippled beneath her hoof, and she pulled back in surprise.
“What an odd bed.” she murmured. She decided to sit down in a nearby chair instead.
There was a nice soft black one nearby. Fluttershy gently sat down upon it, and gave a sigh. It was very comfortable, and she leaned back a bit, setting her hooves on the arms of the chair.
There was a sudden buzzing and humming, and the chair began to shake. Fluttershy screamed and promptly dove underneath one of the nearby beds.
Rarity dashed over to see what was the matter. “Fluttershy, What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Th-the ch-chair b-b-buzzed.” Fluttershy stammered, pointing a trembling hoof. “L-like a -b-b-big bee!”
Rarity looked at the chair, and pressed the button on the chair’s arm to turn it off.
“Ah, so here they are.” Rarity stated. “Thank you, Fluttershy. You found the massage chairs for me.”
“Oh. Um… glad to help.” Fluttershy mumbled, still quivering beneath the bed.
*********************************************************
Rarity trotted up to the J. C. Bit, Fluttershy close behind her. In fact, Fluttershy was barely short of clinging to Rarity in fear.
“Oh darling, this is just a clothes store.” Rarity said with an airy laugh. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Fluttershy tried to calm down a bit and looked at the various outfits. There were a few gowns in gentle pastel colors that caught her eye. She began to browse and look about, holding a couple outfits in front of herself to see how they would look upon her. Rarity wondered why she hadn’t thought of bringing Fluttershy here sooner. She was always so demure and quiet, and she had more feminine interests than Rainbow Dash or Applejack.
“Are you comfortable here, dear?” Rarity asked. “Because I’m just going to pop over to check up their perfumes. Won’t be long!”
“Oh, okay!” Fluttershy said with a gentle smile.
Rarity walked off towards the perfume section, sighing to herself. Sure, Fluttershy was a bit nervous, but Rarity had gotten used to that long ago. The fact was, she was so gentle and demure that Rarity was certain that this trip wouldn’t end in disaster like the last three times.
“Oh, it will be so nice to spend a day at the mall without somepony causing chaos.” she sighed happily.
“Did somepony say chaos?”
Rarity whipped about to see that a poster, which had originally had a mare model advertising a perfume brand, now showed a rather ugly, and unfortunately familiar, creature that looked like a small zoo conglomerated into one body. The perfume title now read “Hay bacon and coconut scent”.
“Here with another one of your friends to spread a little more mayhem?” the figure asked. He was wearing eye shadow and a hideously red shade of lipstick, and mimicking the original model’s pose.
“Discord!” Rarity cried. “What are you doing here?! I have half a mind to call security right now!”
“Oh, relax, you big marshmallow.” Discord sighed. He ducked down, popping up on another poster with the makeup replaced by sunglasses, rippling muscles and a pair of designer jeans. “I’m just an innocent observer, here to watch what chaos you unleash upon the mall this time.”
“Well, sorry to disappoint you, but there shall be no antics this time.” Rarity said firmly. “Fluttershy is a sweet, demure young mare, not nearly as troublesome as my previous compatriots. I daresay Octavia would be more likely to cause trouble than her.” Rarity glared at Discord. “And if you even think of messing with this trip….”
“Now why would I do that?” Discord asked, pretending to be hurt. He walked to the side, now appearing on a shoe advertisement poster in a sporty outfit and sweatband, jogging in place. “Fluttershy is my friend too, you know. I’m not about to do anything that would upset her. I want to see her have a nice time here as much as you. I just think that this trip will end in chaos, like all the others. And I want to be here to see it happen. I’m still bummed that I missed your other friends’ trips here.”
“Well, Fluttershy is not about to cause any trouble any more than a butterfly would.” Rarity replied curtly.
Suddenly, a shriek rang out, and Fluttershy came dashing up and dove into a rack of clothes.
“Interesting you should say that.” Discord said nonchalantly. “Ever heard of the butterfly effect?”
“Dearie, what’s wrong?” Rarity asked the trembling pegasus.
“There’s a scary pony back there.” Fluttershy squeaked.
Rarity turned to see a ponnequin which had been dressed in a black formal suit. She sighed and turned back towards Fluttershy.
“Fluttershy, that’s just a ponneqin.” she said gently. “See? Like the ones I use. Those ones never scared you before.”
“Um… well, actually, they did .” Fluttershy admitted. “I just felt safer when you were nearby.” She suddenly noticed Discord. “Oh, hello, Discord! Why are you here?”
“Just dropping by to say ‘hi’, actually.” Discord said with a wave, stepping out of the poster. “I’d stick around, but I have some shopping to do. You know, bath beads, maple syrup, a waterbed, an arcade game. I’m making a surprise for Tia.”
“Oh, that’s nice!” Fluttershy exclaimed happily and naively.
“Why couldn’t you just make those things with your magic?” Rarity asked, hoping that Discord would soon leave the mall altogether. “Wouldn’t that make more sense?”
Discord raised an eyebrow and smirked, and Rarity slapped her face with her hoof as she realized what she had just said.
“Right, since when do you make sense?” she sighed. “Very well, go about your shopping. Fluttershy and I have some other business to attend to.”
“Goodbye, Discord!” Fluttershy said with a wave. Discord waved back as the two ponies trotted off.
Rarity sighed and shook her head. Sure, Discord said he wouldn’t cause trouble. But whenever he was around, Rarity always felt on edge.
*********************************************************
Rarity had had a feeling that they would be stopping in here for quite a while. Fluttershy had seen the Build-a-Pony Workshop, and had been really excited at the idea of creating her own stuffed animal. She was set on making a toy Ursa Minor, claiming that she was disappointed she’d missed seeing one for real during Trixie’s first unfortunate visit.
“Although Celestia knows how she fits in her bed with all the stuffed toys she already has.” Rarity murmured to herself. She had been over to Fluttershy’s house once, and had been amazed, although not entirely surprised, at the mountain of adorable plush animals that covered Fluttershy’s bed.
While Fluttershy made her toy, Rarity looked about at some of the other toys on display. She couldn’t help but silently critique the toys and the outfits they wore. She had made a few stuffed toys herself for foals around the neighborhood, all in her own boutique, so she failed to see the allure of creating a toy for oneself when one lacked the proper materials to make a truly breathtaking toy clad in a luxurious ensemble.
Rarity stopped as she noticed a few dolls in the shape of strange, monkey-like creatures. Sweetie Belle had seemed to really like these when she had brought home a few plastic toy versions with brushable manes, and they seemed to be getting more merchandise whenever Rarity went out.
“Those My Little Person things really are growing in popularity.” she noted. “They’ve got dolls here, too.”
As she walked off, an uncommonly ugly teddy bear with familiar yellow eyes turned towards her.
“Noticing the human dolls, I see.” it stated.
“Y-yes.” Rarity stated, after giving a little start. She had expected Discord to pop up again sometime soon. “I was just wondering why those creatures from inside that… mirror place Twilight went into are growing so popular.”
The teddy bear gave a chuckle and sighed fondly. “Ah, I remember that world. Boy, was Tia mad when she found out about it! Seriously, make a few alternate reflection universes out of the shards of this one, and she gets all bent out of shape. It’s not like anypony got hurt.”
“You… made that world?” Rarity asked in disbelief.
“Yep! They’re essentially just reflections of this world, which is why they tend to appear in a magical mirror.” Discord explained. “Easy to make. Although it’s more like a fun-house mirror with the way some of those universes were changed. But essentially, there is only one real world, (or at least is your perception of ‘reality’,) and all the others merely reflections. That’s why I don’t usually bother with the other worlds. I can affect them all from the source.”
“You mean… there are other mirror worlds?” Rarity asked.
The Discord-bear grinned. “Oh, yes. You might run into a few other mirrors in your life. Some of them are veeery interesting, a lot more than a high-school. I just made that one because of the chaos I knew it would cause in another universe. Oh, the fans freaked out over that!” He laughed at the memory, then gave a wistful sigh. “Still, it didn’t create as much chaos as I had hoped in the end, but it was worth a laugh.”
At that moment, Fluttershy trotted up, holding her stuffed Ursa Minor.
“Thank you for waiting, Rarity.” she said sweetly. “Um… are you talking to a stuffed toy?”
“No, I was….” Rarity turned to see a perfectly ordinary toy bear where Discord had been.
“Oh, that’s okay.” Fluttershy said. “I sometimes talk to my toys, too.” She gave a shy little blush as she said this.
Rarity sighed. “Never mind. Let’s just go look around somewhere else. We have a lot to see before the day is out.”
*********************************************************
Rarity looked nervous as Fluttershy approached the infamous candle shop. Her past experiences had made her wary of this place, but Fluttershy was interested in going into the shop, so Rarity reluctantly followed her.
As they entered, the clerk gave Rarity a sneer. Rarity responded with an awkward grin.
“Back to cause more trouble, I see?” the clerk grumbled.
“Oh, I assure you there won’t be any trouble.” Rarity exclaimed. She turned towards Fluttershy, who was gently sniffing the candles and looking over them appraisingly.
“Yeah, like there wasn’t any trouble the last three times.” the clerk said sarcastically. “I’ve got my eye on you and your troublemaking friend.”
“Fluttershy is the sweetest, most gentle soul you could hope to ever meet!” Rarity exclaimed. “She’s not a trouble maker in the least!”
Suddenly, from behind Rarity, there came a clatter. Fluttershy stood with her hooves over her mouth in horror, looking at the candle she had accidentally knocked over. It was mostly unharmed, but a small, hair-thin crack was on its side.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Fluttershy exclaimed tearfully. “I’m so clumsy! I’ll pay you full price for it! I didn’t mean to knock it over!”
The clerk gave Fluttershy a venomous stare. “Get out.” she hissed.
“But I haven’t paid you for….”
“GET OUT!” the clerk shouted. “Get out before I call security!”
“Um… okay!” Fluttershy said meekly. “But I just want you to know I’m really, really, really sorry that I….”
“GET OUT!”
Fluttershy gave a little sob and turned tail, dashing out of the store. Rarity shot the clerk the most disgusted look she could.
“You didn’t have to be horrid to her like that.” Rarity hissed as she galloped after Fluttershy.
The clerk merely sneered in response. She went over to put the candle back, setting it on the shelf. She went to turn it so that the crack wouldn’t show.
Suddenly, she saw a much larger web of cracks that hadn’t been there before. It resembled a rather ugly face.
“Temper, temper, my little pony.” the face suddenly said.
The clerk jumped back in surprise, only to bump into a large, bizarre figure. She backed away fearfully.
The figure put the fingers of his birdlike hand and his lion’s paw together in a thoughtful manner.
“You clearly know nothing about customer service.” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“This is my shop, and I run it how I please!” the clerk growled, getting to her hooves. “You got a problem with that… whatever you are?”
“Well, you did just make my only friend in all of Equestria run off in tears because she accidentally dropped a candle.” the bizarre figure stated in a menacing tone. He picked up one of the nearby candles and took a bite, then hastily spat it back out again. “Yuck! Pinkie was right.” he mumbled.
He turned back towards the clerk. “That wasn’t very friendly of you.” he went on. “I think somepony should teach you a lesson about the magic of friendship.”
The clerk gave him a scowl. “You just waltz into my store and think you can tell me what to do? I’ll yell at who I want. I’m from Manehatten, and in Manehatten, you gotta be tough! So just who the hay do you think you are?”
The strange figure gave the clerk a menacing grin.
“I’m the Batmane.”
*********************************************************
“Now Fluttershy, dear, do stop crying.” Rarity said comfortingly. “That clerk was just being mean. It was just an accident.”
“But she… yelled at me….” Fluttershy sobbed. “I didn’t mean to drop that candle… I… I….”
Fluttershy was suddenly cut off by a bloodcurdling scream as a pony who was covered in strawberry jam and tar ran by at top speed, pursued by a horde of angry candle monsters. Behind them, Discord was running along in a black cowl with pointed ears.
Discord stopped as he saw Fluttershy. “Ola, senorita Fluttershy!” he said. He snapped his fingers, making a large lollipop appear out of the air, which he handed to Fluttershy. “No need to cry, dear. I’ll pay back that clerk for you.”
“You mean you bought the candle?” Fluttershy asked.
Discord’s eyes shifted about guiltily. “Um… yeeeesss!” he exclaimed.
“And the clerk isn’t mad anymore?” Fluttershy queried hopefully.
“Oh, she’s totally forgotten about that little matter, I’m sure.” Discord said with a sly smirk.
However, Fluttershy may have been naïve at times, but she wasn’t a fool.
“Discord, was that the clerk who just ran by?” she asked.
Discord shuffled uncomfortably. “Well… maybe… I just thought that since you’re too nice to get revenge, I should do it for you. I mean, who’s better at revenge than an ancient but still youthfully handsome demigod who used to be the scourge of all Equestria?”
Fluttershy gave Discord a little frown. “Discord, that’s not nice. Put everything back to normal.”
Discord sighed. He would have argued, but Fluttershy had that ‘no-nonsense’ look on her face. Despite being immune to The Stare, he still found that that expression was useless to argue against.
“Fine.” Discord grumbled. With a snap, the clerk was clean, and all her candles were back in the shop, and Discord‘s unusual costume was gone.
“Thank you, Discord.” Fluttershy said, now smiling pleasantly. “I know you were just standing up for me, but that’s not the way to do it. But I appreciate the effort.” Her face lit up in an adorable smile. “Maybe you could tell the princess about it! She does like getting friendship reports from any of her subjects.”
“I’m not a subject.” Discord mumbled under his breath. Had anypony else uttered those words, Discord would have replied with a heaping dose of sarcasm, and maybe some limburger cheese, but even he couldn’t bear to hurt Fluttershy’s feelings.
As Rarity and Fluttershy walked off, Discord slapped himself in the forehead.
“I must be losing my touch.”
*********************************************************
“Well, I know that clerk was dreadful, but I do hope you’re enjoying your time here, darling.” Rarity said kindly to Fluttershy.
“It is actually pretty nice.” Fluttershy admitted. “And Discord sorted things out with the clerk, so I guess that ended up okay.”
“Care to walk around that shop?” Rarity asked, motioning towards a shop filled with soaps and shampoos. “I’m sure we could find some lovely things for that luscious mane of yours.”
“Um… okay.” Fluttershy replied.
As they entered the shop, the two ponies began to browse the various items on display. Rarity left Fluttershy for a moment to look at some bath salts which had caught her eye.
“These do look quite nice.” Rarity murmured to herself, levitating the various salts about herself. “But which scent should I use? Lavender? Rose? Spring Breeze?”
“I think that you should go with the rose scented.” said a figure next to her.
Rarity whipped about at the sound of the familiar voice. Beside her, Discord was casually looking through bath beads.
“Of course, one must be careful with bath salts.” Discord blithely went on. “You wouldn’t want to add too much and dry out your skin.”
“What are you doing here?” Rarity demanded. Seeing Discord acting so calm and … normal was more worrisome for her than when he was being his usual self.
“Why, I told you earlier, I’m shopping for bath beads for Tia’s surprise.” Discord replied offhandedly. “Now, do you think she’d prefer the melon cucumber, or these ‘Ocean Surf’ ones?”
“Why do you keep following us?” Rarity asked.
“I already told you.” Discord sighed, rolling his eyes. “I’m waiting for the inevitable chaos that has followed your friends’ previous trips to this mall. But frankly, you’ve both been really quite boring. I mean, would it kill you to knock even one display stand over?”
“You said you wouldn’t interfere.” Rarity sternly reminded the draconeqqus.
“And I’ll stick by that.” Discord agreed. “It just wouldn’t be the same if I did. I can always create chaos, but seeing it happen on it’s own… well, I won’t lie to you, it gets me right here.” Discord held his paw over where his heart presumably was.
“I’m sure.” Rarity huffed. She turned back towards her bath salts. “I’ll be safe and try them all.” she finally decided. She turned about and walked away, her nose in the air.
“Didn’t even say goodbye. How rude.” Discord sighed to himself. He took a sniff of the bath beads in his claw.
“Bleah! These don’t smell like ocean surf, they smell like some creepy perfume!” he gagged. With a snap of his fingers, the bath beads began to emit the scent of briny water and fish.
“Much better.” Discord said with a smile.
*********************************************************
Well, where to now, dearie?” Rarity asked Fluttershy as they stood in front of one of the many mall directories. “There’s Bracy’s, and Horseshoe Sensation, Mareshalls, Jo-mane Fabrics….”
“Ooh!” Fluttershy squealed in a rarely used tone that she reserved for exceptionally exciting situations and anything to do with animals. Looking on the list, Rarity had an idea of what Fluttershy had spotted.
“They have a pet shop!” Fluttershy cried excitedly. “Look, right there!”
“I see it.” Rarity replied.
“Can we go, Rarity? Pretty please?” Fluttershy begged.
Rarity smiled. “Of course, darling.” she replied. She didn’t exactly relish the idea of entering a smelly pet store, but she wouldn’t be the Element of Generosity if she didn’t give of herself for her friends from time to time.
“And I do suppose I could pick up something nice for Opalescence.” Rarity mused to herself. “Besides, it is Fluttershy’s first trip to the mall.”
*********************************************************
Rarity hadn’t been expecting a lush or beautiful shop to begin with, but as she entered, she found that even her lowest expectations were not met. The tile floor was grimy and covered in dirt, with cleaner spots only near the fish tanks, where dirty aquarium water had splashed onto the floor. The animals themselves were stuck inside hard, unpainted metal cages, and the smell was worse than Rarity had anticipated.
Fluttershy quickly trotted up to a hamster. “Hello, little guy.” she said brightly. “How are you today?”
The hamster merely raised his head weakly, then set it back down. Rarity wondered what Fluttershy could see in such dull creatures, but she was far too polite to voice this.
Fluttershy continued to look at all the other little animals. She browsed through them, greeting them all, but getting only dull, uninterested glances in response.
“I don’t think these pets like it here.” Fluttershy murmured as she peered into a tank.
“I can’t blame them.” Rarity concurred. “This place isn’t exactly a palace, after all.”
Fluttershy tapped gently upon the tank, trying to catch the attention of the large scorpion inside. “We should have a word with the manager.” she said firmly. “They really should keep their pets in better conditions.”
*********************************************************
“Well, he certainly was rude.” Rarity mumbled as they walked away from the manager. “I can’t believe he actually doesn’t care about the state of this shop.”
“Poor little animals.” Fluttershy sighed. The her face grew steely. “That big… dumb… nasty… pony! How could he let these cute little pets live like this? All to save money? We all know that money’s going straight into his own saddlebags!”
“Fluttershy, are you alright, darling?” Rarity pressed.
“I’m… fine.” Fluttershy sighed. “I’m just unhappy about all those poor, sad pets.” She turned to Rarity. “I’m going to see what I can do for them. You can go if you want, Rarity.”
“Really?” Rarity asked. Then, trying to look a little less eager, she added, “Are you sure?”
“I know you don’t like hanging out in a dirty place like this.” Fluttershy responded. “I’ll meet up with you later.”
“Well… if you’re certain.” Rarity stated. “I’ll just use the time to browse Victrotia’s Secret. I know how that place embarrasses you. If you need me, I’ll be around there.”
“Um… okay.” Fluttershy agreed.
Fluttershy continued to browse the store until she was certain Rarity was far away. Then, looking hastily back and forth, she casually walked up to the bird cages.
“Don’t worry, little birdies.” she crooned. “I’ll help you out.”
Then, with a swift motion, she threw open the cage door.
*********************************************************
Discord was sitting on one of the mall’s benches, staring aimlessly at the food court. He had watched Rarity leave the pet shop, but Fluttershy had stayed inside, and Discord was getting quite bored of waiting for her to do something.
He snapped his fingers, and a pony’s hay burger leapt off its plate and began to attempt to bite the pony carrying it. The pony shrieked, and began beating the sandwich with a chair, but Discord only sighed. It just wasn’t as funny the twenty-fifth time.
“Maybe if I turned somepony’s milkshake into pig slop….” he mused.
Suddenly, a cacophony reached his ears. He instantly sat up, looking about. The sound of barking dogs, chirping birds, hissing reptiles, and screaming ponies filled the air. There seemed to be a terrible ruckus coming from the pet shop.
Discord flipped the bench around, materializing himself a large bucket of popcorn.
“Oh, this could be it!” he chuckled gleefully.
Suddenly, from the pet shop’s door, a screaming pony in a managerial uniform burst out, a few scorpions and snakes clinging to his hooves, and a flurry of birds pecking his head.
“Aaaaaah! Somepony help me! The animals have all escaped!” he screamed.
Discord burst into laughter, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the pet shop as an army of dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, mice, lizards, turtles, crickets, and one very large tarantula came pouring forth like a living wave. And amidst the fray stood a butter-colored pegasus, her face contorted with rage.
“HOW DARE YOU?!” she yelled after the manager. “How dare you treat these poor, helpless animals so badly, just so you could get more money?! All they wanted was a nice home, you big, fat meanie!”
The manager lost no time in making himself scarce, as the hordes of disgruntled pets began to chase their former oppressor. Other ponies dove out of the way as the animals all dashed about, uncertain of which way to go.
Discord was rolling on his back, howling with laughter. “Bravo! Bravissimo! I love it!” he cried.
But Fluttershy wasn’t done yet. Swooping over to the food court, she grabbed a bunch of napkins and dipped them into a nearby deep-fry vat, coating them with grease. Then, tying them to a long rawhide bone she had procured from the pet shop, she stuck the makeshift torch into a nearby stove, igniting it.
“I’m so sorry.” she stated to the shocked pony behind the counter. “I hope I didn’t damage your nice restaurant, but I have to save these poor animals, you see. Here.” She pulled out some bits and handed them to the stunned cashier. “For the napkins.” she explained.
Then, flapping her wings, Fluttershy soared back into the pet shop, her torch ablaze.
Discord’s eyes widened. “Can Fluttershy be turning to full-scale arson?” he asked himself. “Oh, I’m so proud of her!”
But even in her battle rage, Fluttershy was not the type for random destruction. From inside the pet shop, there came a hissing sound as the sprinklers came on, then the sound of smashing glass. A few moments later, she soared out, and a torrent of water, filled with all manner of fish, splashed out beneath her.
Discord quickly caused the legs of his bench to extend as the water began to surround him, and pulled out an upside-down umbrella.
“This just gets better and better!” he cried, slapping his knee.
Above the group, Fluttershy called down to the rampaging pets. “Come on!” she exclaimed. “ I’ll lead you out of here! Follow me!”
As Fluttershy soared ahead, she activated more sprinklers, creating a shallow downpour through which the fish could easily swim. Amidst the water, the smaller pets rode on the dogs and cats, or on some of the larger birds who soared above with Fluttershy. In the light of the skylights, the sprinklers cast a misty rainbow behind the pink-maned pegasus, who soared with grace and speed before the deluge, trying to warn the ponies in its path.
“Pardon me! Excuse me! Look out! Please move out of the way! I mean, um, if that’s okay with you!”
The animal inundation surged ahead as Fluttershy lead them to the exit. With a hiss, the automatic doors opened, and the pets poured out, dashing in all directions.
The fish flowed down into the water drains, where they eventually found their way back to the sea. (Except for the unlucky few who became dinner for the cats.) The dogs, cats, reptiles and rodents all ran or scurried off, each to eventually be adopted by some loving pony or another. (All but three of the cats were adopted by an old mare from downtown.) And the birds all soared away into the sky, finally as free as… well, as birds. (Except for the unlucky few who became dinner for the cats.)
As the pets dashed off, Fluttershy watched them go, waving goodbye. She sighed as she watched them depart, a sense of pride in her heart.
High above her, Discord was rolling about in the air, laughing his head off.
“Now that was truly a work of chaotic art.” he chortled.
*********************************************************
Rarity looked about the store. She had thought she had heard a ruckus earlier, but it was so far away and the mall was so loud it was impossible to tell, so she had turned her attention back to the lingerie before her.
“Which do you think would look better?” Rarity asked a store attendant. “The black or the red?”
“Beats me.” the mare replied. “I don’t even know why anypony would bother with underwear when many of us don’t even wear clothes.”
“Well, it’s sort of a principle.” Rarity explained. “Plus, they can accentuate one’s figure. I think red will do nicely.”
As Rarity was making her purchase, she saw Fluttershy dash up outside, looking nervous. Of course, Fluttershy always looked nervous, so Rarity didn’t worry about it.
“Fluttershy, darling!” Rarity exclaimed as she exited with her purchase. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Oh, that’s okay.” Fluttershy replied softly. “I’m glad to see you were enjoying yourself.”
“Yes, well… how about you?” Rarity asked. “Did you manage to cheer up the animals?”
“Um… yes.” Fluttershy replied meekly.
“Well, I’m glad to hear it, darling.” Rarity declared. “So, just what did you do for the little dears?”
“Ma’am?”
Two burly Canterlot guards trotted up behind Fluttershy.
“Please come with us, ma’am.”
Fluttershy gave a little yelp, quivering like a leaf in a storm.
“Uh-oh.”
*********************************************************
Rarity was staring in a daze. Not even in her wildest dreams or her worst expectations had she imagined that she would be sitting at a guard post today, with Fluttershy of all ponies.
“Rarity, if they send me to jail, can you look after my animals for me?” Fluttershy pleaded. She had already cried the entire way there and was on the verge of breaking into tears yet again.
“Darling, they’re not sending you to jail.” Rarity exclaimed. “Not if I have anything to say about it. I’ll bring in Twilight. She’s a princess. And Princess Cadence will most definitely come help. I’ll also see if I can’t get Fancy Pants’ support. We’ll have the best lawyers! I will fight this case with my every waking breath!”
The door opened, and a guard strolled in. “Miss Fluttershy?” he queried.
“You don’t talk to her without her legal representation!” Rarity shrieked. “She’s innocent! And it was totally justified! I’m Rarity, by golly, the fashion queen of Equestria, and that means I have enough money and connections to put your little flank in a tiny little guard shack on the Badlands border for the rest of your miserable life if you send this sweet little mare to jail!”
The guard was cowering on the floor, staring up at the irate, panting mare that loomed over him.
“Jail?” he squeaked. “Who said anything about jail? We just wanted to ask her some questions about that pet shop. She helped us stumble onto a crooked animal trade business.”
“Beg pardon?” Rarity queried.
The guard got to his hooves. “That pet shop was obviously substandard.” he went on. “The state it was in was way lower than the law allows pet shops to keep their animals in. Combined with the fact that over half the animals in there were illegally caught and brought into the country, the owner is going to be going to jail for a long time. We just brought Miss Fluttershy here to ask her a few questions about the shop and the animals.”
“Oh.” Rarity replied awkwardly, quickly losing her irate aura. “Well, that’s different.”
“Um… so… I’m not in trouble?” Fluttershy asked hopefully.
“Not at all.” the guard replied.
“What about all the water?” Fluttershy pressed. “And the damage the animals caused?”
The guard looked confused. “We didn’t see any signs of damage or substantial water.” he stated.
“Oh. Um… never mind.” Fluttershy said hurriedly. “Um… you said you had some questions?”
*********************************************************
“I can’t believe you really did that.” Rarity exclaimed to Fluttershy as they trotted through the mall later. “You caused an animal rampage, and yet you came out of it without even so much as a ticket?”
“I don’t get it either.” Fluttershy replied. “I’m just glad I didn’t get in trouble. You know, I really thought I would at first, when I was letting the animals out.”
“Then why ever did you do it?” Rarity asked.
“Because sometimes, you have to take a stand, and do what’s right, even if your get in trouble for it.” Fluttershy stated. “Doing the right thing is more important than what others think of you.”
Rarity looked at Fluttershy, rather surprised. Fluttershy’s face was as sweet and as meek as it normally was, but behind it, just visible enough so that a perceptive pony like Rarity could see it, was a streak of unbreakable will, a strength that was as kind as could be, but as tough as iron when the time came. It reminded Rarity of when Fluttershy had dealt with that dragon who had threatened them all.
“Darling, that was very brave of you.” Rarity stated.
“Oh, I’m not brave.” Fluttershy mumbled, hiding behind her mane. “I just wanted to help those cute little critters. And looking back, I guess it wasn’t right of me to do something which could have damaged all those other shopkeeper’s stores. I just wanted to help those poor little animals.”
“We all do our best, dearie.” Rarity replied. “You tried to do the right thing. While your methods may have been a little… extreme, your heart was in the right place. After all, nopony’s perfect. All we can do is try our best.”
“I suppose.” Fluttershy sighed. “I guess next time I should try and think about what my actions will do, too. You should always do the right thing, even if it does get you in trouble, but you should do it in the right way, too. I guess I just got so frustrated at seeing those poor animals treated that way I just sort of forgot who else my rescue may have affected.”
Rarity gave Fluttershy a smile. “Well then, while we’re here, why don’t we go look over Mareice’s?” she suggested. “They have some beautiful little outfits that I think you would look just darling in.”
“That sounds lovely.” Fluttershy exclaimed. “I just have one thing to do first.”
*********************************************************
Fluttershy entered the kitchen supply store, looking about. Somebody caught her eye. Over in a corner, looking over the maple syrup, was a familiarly bizarre figure.
Fluttershy trotted up to him. “Discord?” she asked.
Discord turned about, his face lighting up. “Fluttershy!” he exclaimed, grabbing her hoof and shaking it. “My congratulations! That was one of the loveliest displays of chaos I’ve seen in quite a while. I really enjoyed it. Could I perhaps book you for the weekend?”
“Discord, when the guards got here, they said they didn’t see any water or damage.” Fluttershy stated.
Discord’s expression became awkward. “So what?” he asked, his attention rapidly turning back to the syrup selection.
“I just wanted to thank you.” Fluttershy replied. “For keeping me out of trouble.”
“And just what makes you think it was me?” Discord asked, acting offended. “Are you implying I, Discord, the spirit of chaos, would act in an orderly and friendly fashion?”
“And just how would everything be made so perfect when the guards got here?” Fluttershy pressed, giving a cute little smile. “You don’t fool me, mister.”
“Oh, come on!” Discord cried. “I’m the master of chaos! Why would I want to ruin a perfectly good patch of freshly-sown bedlam just to get you off the hook? It must have been somepony else. I hear the janitorial staff here is known for their….”
Discord’s excuses were cut short as Fluttershy put her hooves around his midsection in a warm hug.
“Oh, come on.” Discord groaned. “Don’t do that. Don’t… I said… I….”
Fluttershy smiled, giving him a little nuzzle. Discord sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Yes, I am definitely losing my touch.”
*********************************************************
“I hope I didn’t ruin our trip to the mall, Rarity.” Fluttershy said as the two ponies browsed through the stylish store.
“Oh, not at all, darling.” Rarity replied. “It all ended up well in the end. But I do thank you for making certain I was out of the fray before you began your… liberation. And you say Discord kept you from getting in trouble?”
“He won’t admit it.” Fluttershy stated, looking at a pink bow. “But I know he’s not all bad. He just needs some understanding.”
“Well, if you say so, dear.” Rarity sighed, her keen eye for fashion scrutinizing a colorful blouse. “Quite frankly, I’m just glad things went so well. I wouldn’t want to think of what would have happened if that pet shop owner hadn’t been crooked, or if your display with the sprinklers hadn’t been cleaned up so hurriedly.”
“I know.” Fluttershy sighed. “I’m just glad that the other shop owners weren’t mad with me.”
She reached into her saddlebag, pulling out a large black scorpion. Rarity shrieked and dove back, while Fluttershy gently petted the frightening creature.
“This one didn’t want to leave.” Fluttershy explained. “And the guards said that I could keep him. I guess he’ll be an important reminder to me. A reminder to stand up for what I believe is right, and a reminder to be careful how I do it.”
She turned towards Rarity as she put the scorpion back in her saddlebags. “So, what do you think of the blue scarf? Too flashy?”
“It… looks fine.” Rarity exclaimed, catching her breath. “Say, Fluttershy, perhaps we should do this again sometime. Minus the crazy pet breakout bit, of course.”
“I’d like that.” Fluttershy said with a little smile.
Rarity smiled back as she took the blue scarf up to the counter, putting some bits down. Fluttershy looked flustered.
“Y-you don’t have to buy that for me.” she stammered.
“Nonsense.” Rarity replied with a smile. “That’s what friends do.”
Fluttershy gave a shy little grin. “Thanks.” she said softly.
As the two mares trotted off, talking and giggling, Rarity sighed to herself. This trip had possibly been more chaotic than the last ones, but despite it all, she was glad they had come. And even if Fluttershy had been a bit hasty in her decision, Rarity was proud of the young mare for standing up for her beliefs. Sure, it may have been a little crazy, but Rarity could forgive her for that. After all, that’s what friends do.
Author's Note
I know, Fluttershy may be a little crazy in this. But when it comes to animal cruelty, she does tend to snap. And, surprise, surprise, Discord isn't the one to cause all the trouble for once!
