When the World Falls Away

Discord sulked on Fluttershy's couch as he watched her prepare lunch for her animals. Princess Celestia had been forcing him to go on long dangerous missions, limiting the time he could spend with Fluttershy, but Discord never missed a chance to visit Fluttershy or write to her. Though since Princess Celestia sent him to faraway places he was able to find rare and exotic gifts to bring back to Fluttershy, but it didn't excuse the fact that Discord had to risk his life to obtain a few baubles Celestia didn’t even seem to need. Why couldn't Celestia get them herself? Was she still punishing him over the Tirek incident? "Pony errand boy" Tirek's mocking insults and betrayal burned through Discord's thoughts, worsening his mood.

“Oh Fluttershy dear,” Discord cooed, “I'm in a dreadful mood. Would you get me something appropriate please?”

“Oh, uh….When Pinkie Pie is unhappy, she usually eats something chocolate.”

“Chocolate?” Discord asked.  He drank chocolate milk every day. Surely Fluttershy realized that?

“Mmhhhmmm.  A chocolate sundae for example... Although I don’t speak from personal experience, I’ve seen it have a profound psychological impact on Pinkie”

“Well then, I'll have ten chocolate sun-“

Discord was interrupted by Twilight and company bursting through Fluttershy’s door.

“I’m so sorry to barge in on you like this Fluttershy,” Twilight began as the rest of the main six followed behind her, “But we have an urgent mission from the Princess! By order of her majesty, Discord is to be returned to stone for his betrayal of Equestria!”

Discord bolted up right as he and Fluttershy gasped in shock and horror at the sudden news. Fluttershy recalled how devastated she felt when Discord allowed Tirek to steal their magic but since then he had been doing his best to make amends. He had taken her back in time to see Fluttershy’s most treasured memory; the last Hearth’s Warming Eve before her parents died. Heck, he had even cleaned the windows of her cottage; something he said he’d never do.

Discord groaned. Twilight had to be joking, even though she was as dull and grim as her mentor Celestia. But she couldn’t be serious and the elements of harmony were long gone. No, this had to be some sort of prank.  He floated over to her.

“Now really Prrrinncess Twilight, is that anyway to treat a friend? I gave you that necklace and final key as a symbol of my loy–“

“Oh can it DIPcord,” Rainbow shouted angrily as she advanced on Discord. “I never trusted you and I never considered you a friend and I never will!”

“AANNNNNND YOU STILL MAKE IT RAIN DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE MILK WITHOUT A SINGLE DOLLOP OF WHIPPED CREAM TO GO WITH IT ANYWHERE IN SIGHT, “ Pinkie exclaimed , ”NOT A SINGLE DOLLOP! WHAT KIND OF FRIEND DOES THAT?!”

“Here, here,” Rarity chimed in. “I haven’t forgotten how you ruined my date with Fancy Pants! I would never dream of being friends with such an uncouth brute like you! Stone is what you deserve!”

The three angry ponies had backed Discord into a corner

“Well..I-I-I-“Discord stammered. He hadn’t realized the others despised him so. A single tear fell down his cheek.  It broke his heart to know he was all alone again; he had no pony to call friend.

“Wait.” Fluttershy said quietly, “Discord is changing and I know he isn’t perfect but…he’s still my friend! Why has the Princess suddenly-“

Twilight ignored Fluttershy and fired her horn.   All six ponies began to rise into the air as their Rainbow Power transformation began.

Even though he was terrified of being turned to stone, Discord’s heart soared at Fluttershy’s words. She was the light of his world and her memory would warm his cold, stone prison. But wait, why was he just standing there instead of teleporting away?

“Sorry to disappoint you, my little ponies, but haven’t you forgotten? I’m still Discord! The Master of Chaos! With a snap of my fingers I can do whatever I want, when I want!”

Discord smirked and snapped his fingers but nothing happened. He snapped them again and again as his smirk disappeared and dread overcame him once more.

“Sorry to disappoint you Discord but we’ve taken special precautions to not let you escape!” Twilight’s face beamed with pride as she gloated over cornering the Lord of Chaos. “Princess Celestia taught me how to make a special barrier to nullify your magic. There is no escape for you.”

The six friends continued to rise into the air as the rainbow lights began to fill the room. No one realized the yellow Pegasus crying as her main grew longer and blue streaks appeared. Fluttershy didn’t want Discord to return to stone; he had made her home so lively and made her feel more confident. She looked deep into Discord’s eyes. She saw the fear and loneliness in his heart reflected in them. Courage rising within her, Fluttershy darted in front of Discord protectively.

“RUN”, Fluttershy yelped still crying.

Discord looked up her incredulously as the rest of the mane 6 began to fall to the ground.

“Fluttershy…I…You…comewithm-“ Discord could barely get his thoughts together let alone speak.

“GO, “ Fluttershy yelled. She too couldn’t say more than a word. She was crying to hard.

Discord gave her a quick hug goodbye before bursting  through a window across from him and with a snap of his tail he disappeared in a bright flash of light.

“FLUTTERSHY! What have you done?” Twilight exclaimed.

The rainbow magic had suddenly turned to lightning, striking at all six ponies. They could feel their energy fading fast as they returned to their normal selves.

“Fluttershy, darling, what were you thinking? My mane was nearly ruined thanks to your little stunt!”

Fluttershy was still sobbing. She knew it was foolish but she loved Discord. It broke her heart to be forced against him. She could not look at any of her friends; their disappointment and anger were all too evident. Fluttershy buried her head into her hooves as Twilight began to lecture her.

“FLUTTERSHY! Do you not understand the gravity of the situation?! Princess Celestia will banish you now for sure! This is worse than phoenix-napping Philomena! You’ve blatantly defied a direct order of the Princess and aided a fugitive! “

But Fluttershy did not care about the consequence of her decision as long as Discord was safe. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if they had succeeded; being banished would make no difference.