What Happened After

Tensions were high in Ponyville, as the group of disgruntled ponies grew. Pinkie took it upon herself to seek out the individuals herself, starting with Brandi. After making a few inquiries, she found out where she lived, and went to visit her.

Hers was a small, modest home near the outskirts of Ponyville. Pinkie approached the door and gave it a knock.

“Who’s there?” asked a voice from within.

“It’s me, Pinkie Pie, Brandi. I was wondering if I could talk to you.” The door slowly opened, and there stood Brandi, with two foals peeking out behind her.

“What can I do for you?” she asked.

“I could sure use your help in understanding why you feel the way you do,” Pinkie said. “Can I come in?” After a moment’s hesitation, Brandi nodded and stepped back from the door. Looking around as she walked in, Pinkie said, “This is a very nice place you have here. And who are these two?”

“These are our twins Faith and Summer. Say ‘hello’ to Miss Pie, kids.”

“Hello,” they both said at once.

“Hello!” said Pinkie. “And how old are you two?”

“We’re both five, but I’m the oldest!” said Faith.

“So?” cried Summer. “I’m the smartest!”

“Nuh UH!” said Faith.

“Uh HUH!” said Summer.

“That’s enough, you two. Go play while I talk to our guest,” said Brandi. As they continued quietly arguing while walking away, Brandi shook her head and smiled. “Children.”

Pinkie smiled at her. “I can see you love them.”

Brandi looked at her. “Then you can also see why I’m worried sick about them.”

Pinkie nodded. “I have no foals of my own, but I do look after the Cake’s twins. I don’t want anything to happen to them either.”

“So you have some idea why you all have to go, or we will.”

“That’s what I came to talk to you about. Ponyville needs us. My friends and I, we didn’t ask to become the Bearers, it was predestined.”

“But why do you have to do it here? Wouldn’t someplace like Manehatten or even Canterlot be better?”

“We go to those places when we’re needed as well. And that’s my point: we don’t ask for trouble, but we take care of it when it arrives, wherever it arrives. So in that case, Ponyville is actually safer than most towns, because this is where we live.”

“I can’t shake the notion that trouble would follow you elsewhere if you leave.”

“It may, or it may not. We have no way of knowing. What I DO know is with ponies like Twilight around, we can deal with it.” Pinkie brightened, and reached into her mane. “I have something for you.” She pulled out an envelope and gave it to her.

“What’s this?”

“An invitation! I’m throwing a party for you and all the ponies that feel the way you do. I want you all to see there’s much, much more to Ponyville than being scared.”

“How is a party going to help us with our fears?”

“Just come and see. Please? I promise you’ll feel better if you do!”

Brandi considered. “I’ll think about it.”

“Great!” said Pinkie. She suddenly bounced forward and gave her a hug.

Somewhat startled, Brandi said, “I haven’t said ‘yes’ yet,” as she gently pulled away.

“That’s okay!” said Pinkie. “You’re still welcome!” With that she turned and bounced out the door, saying, “I have lots more invitations to deliver. Hope to see you there!”

Still dazed, Brandi watched her go, then opened the envelope and began reading. Noting the date and time, she resolved to discuss the matter with her husband. It couldn’t hurt to go, she decided.

                                                                                                      ******

Pawise was just putting the finishing touches on his impromptu cleaning when there was a quiet knock on his door. Surprised, he opened the door. There was Fluttershy!

“Fluttershy!” he said. Looking around at the mess that still remained he stuttered, “W-Won’t you come in?” as he stood aside. She stepped in and smiled at him.

“Did I come at a bad time?”

“No, of course not! I just wasn’t expecting company. Sorry for the mess…”

“It’s quite alright. You’ve seen the mess my cottage can be if the animals are given their way!” Seating herself down across from him, she continued, “I’m sorry this was such short notice, but I had an idea and I wanted to discuss it with you first.”

“Certainly. What’s your idea?”

She took a deep breath and said, “What if we ask Discord to help us?”

“Discord! Would…would he be willing to do anything, you think?”

“I think so. He just needs to be given more chances.”

He looked at her thoughtfully. “I know he’s been good about keeping the Queen ‘in check’, as it were. But…he doesn’t like me very much.”

She sighed. “I know. I’ve been talking to him about that. He can be…jealous.”

“I noticed. Maybe if we talked to him together, and help him to see he’s not losing you just because you’re with me.”

“It’s worth a try. We can do it now, if that’s alright.”

“Of course, but how do we get ahold of him?”

“That’s easy. He and I always have tea at four this day of the week.”

Pawise looked at his wall clock. “It’s almost four now. We’d better get going.”

As they quietly made their way back to Fluttershy’s cottage, Pawise looked at her and said, “Did you do something different with your mane? It’s nice.”

Fluttershy blushed and said, “Thank you for noticing. I did try something different at the spa recently. Do you really like it?”

“Very much so.”

She sighed. “I wish all our conversations could be like this. I don’t like conflict.”

“Well, maybe Discord can really help with this situation. It was a good idea to ask him, whatever the result.”

Finally they arrived at her cottage. There were a few animals about, as per usual, but no sign of Discord. Fluttershy looked at her clock. It was ten minutes to four, so she excused herself and went into the kitchen. Pawise seated himself on the couch. Until the couch sprouted eyes and a lopsided grin. Pawise yelped and jumped off the “couch”.

“My, my…aren’t we jumpy?” smirked Discord as he fully materialized.

“That was…that was unexpected,” panted Pawise. Discord was just about to reply when Fluttershy walked back into the living area.

“Discord! Are you behaving yourself?”

“Moi? Of course as always, Flutter Butter!” He smiled back at her and formed a halo over his head. “We’re just two bros hangin’ out!” he added as he slipped an arm across Pawise’s shoulders.

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow at him, then said, “Are you okay, Pawise?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” as he gently pulled away from Discord. “I was a bit startled at his joke, but I’m okay now.”

“See?! We’re bosom buddies! What would you like to do next, ole pal?”

“Actually, Fluttershy and I have a favor to ask of you.”

Discord drew himself up to his full height and looked down on the two of them. “Oh really? And what pray tell do you need from me?”

Fluttershy held up a hoof. “It can wait until we’ve had our tea. I’d like for you and Pawise to get to know each other for a bit first.” She looked around. “Where’s my couch?”

“Oops! Almost forgot,” said Discord, as he snapped his fingers and the couch reappeared. She smiled up at him.

“Thank you. Now if you boys can wait a moment, I’ll be back with the tea and sandwiches.”

“Of course! Take all the time you need!” smiled Discord. As soon as she was out of earshot he fiercely whispered, “I know what you’re up to, unicorn! Nopony is taking Fluttershy from me!”

Pawise stared at him in shock as Fluttershy came back in bearing a tray with a teapot and three cups. Discord grinned widely at her.

“Here we are,” she said. “Now let me get the sandwiches and we can begin.”

Pawise jumped to his feet. “I’ll get them! You just have a seat here with Discord.” Quickly he made his way into the kitchen and levitated the tray of cucumber sandwiches in his magic. Fluttershy was just pouring for them all when he returned. Discord shot him a look of pure venom as her attention was drawn to her task. When she looked up Discord was smiling at them both as he held his cup with one pinkie extended.

“Excellent chamomile, dear Fluttershy!” He took another sip, then addressed Pawise. “Is something wrong? You’re not touching your tea.”

Pawise looked from him to Fluttershy, then levitated his cup and took a loud sip. “It’s delicious.” Then his gaze hardened and he said, “In answer to your question, yes, something is wrong.” He set his cup down, then looked Discord in the face. “I’m not stealing Fluttershy from you, Discord. I love her, and I only want to make her happy. That means being friends with her friends, all of them, including you. So what do you say?”

Discord was silent for a few moments, staring at them both. Finally he set his cup down and stood. “I need time to think about it. In all the time I've existed, Fluttershy was my first and only friend, and I can’t lose her.”

“Wait, Discord!” Fluttershy began, but he snapped his fingers and disappeared. She sighed. “That didn’t work out as I’d hoped.” A single tear slipped down her face. Pawise got up from his place and sat next to her, then drew her in for a hug.

“I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I really do want to be friends with him, and not just for your sake.”

“I know,” she said, “but now what are we going to do? I was really hoping he’d help us all.”

Pawise smiled. “He’s your friend. He’ll come around.”

She settled herself against him and sighed once more.

“I hope so.”