Chapters “Ah ah ah ah ahh” Fluttershy sung lightly.
Discord was sat in his tree, which was located not too far from her house and heard the commotion, he was staying for the weekend, to catch up on all the adventures and jobs and generally whatever popped up lately.
Fluttershy had been saying that this cough has been lingering for a while now, and its causing a stir amongst the group, some fed up and angry, others worried but Fluttershy shrugged it off, seeing as though she was scared of the doctor.
Discord however was amongst those that was fed up and angry that she never put her fear aside and did something. Pathetic. And with that he clicked his fingers and was sat next to Fluttershy, who had calmed down.
“Fluttershy dearest, you really should see a doctor” Discord held out a paw to help her up but she got up on her own.
Discord raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders, “I’m warning you my dear, I’ve been around for a lot longer than you and other stallions have collapsed on their back with a cough like that” whilst he was saying this an image in a bubble was placed in front of Fluttershy, it showed a moment in which a stallion collapsed.
Fluttershy blinked for a moment before she realised what he meant.that bad…” Fluttershy put her head down, her hair covering her eyes, knowing full well that it was.
Discord turned and looked at the animals, all of them had their hand on their head in frustration.
Fluttershy sighed heavily and looked up at the animals, all of them showed grief in their eyes and some were even on their knees pleading at her.
Discord grunted, “Fluttershy… you’re so… difficult!” Discord threw his hands in the air in frustration.
Fluttershy bit her lip, “Discord I understand that your worried but I’m fi-“‘cough, hack, wheeze’
Discord knelt down beside her and stroked her back, his face still held a frustrated expression.
She sighed and looked at her companion, Angel his face showed fear and concern.
Fluttershy trotted towards her home, almost falling over once but she gained her composure and got inside. Discord and Angel following behind. Which made Fluttershy feel a little nervous.
Once inside Discord clicked his fingers and the lights flickered on.
Fluttershy nodded and looked at her friend, “What about you Discord?” she coughed a little.
“Amazing, he usually is very selective about his food” Fluttershy gazed at the bunny is shock.
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Discord looked at the mare with a sideway glance, he desperately tried to keep his composure but the expression on her face was priceless. However it quickly became sour.
After Fluttershy stopped coughing and her breathing was normal, she noticed the basket and its slight glow.
“You don’t sound to enthusiastic.” Discord said, sounding hurt.
“Well tell me what you want and I’ll ask the basket for you” Discord said with a soft tone, being angry wasn’t going to solve anything.
“How about a salad?” Fluttershy asked.
Fluttershy bit her lip and gulped, her nerves and the setting was just getting to her.
Fluttershy without really realising was licking her lips, her tummy growled and if Discord had not seen her tummy rumble then he may have assumed a dragon was near.
Fluttershy chocked a little on her food with surprise but quickly rubbed away the mess around her mouth, “Y- yes they have… it is that time of year after all, why some have even laid eggs”
Discord chuckled, “Not exactly the best imagery when eating”
“No… I doubt it. I just couldn’t possibly…” Fluttershy sighed and picked up an apple fritter that was for some odd reason in the salad.
Discord sat upright and spat out the seeds, “Oo Fluttershy have you been around Rarity too much? Or are you secretly into all the gossip?”
Discord sighed heavily before laying back down, “I did have one pony that I thought was perfect in every way, the way she looked the way she smiled and her manners were top notch”
“You’re pardoned” Discord smiled, “Anyway. Then over time this pony became more interesting and not so perfect. She had a side that only a true friend could tap into and see. I really cared for her and I think she cared for me, maybe even a little too much. But when I had to change and become something I’m not to please her, it became. Overbearing… I hated that life. And when I stepped out of line I was punished. But now I’ve changed and I’m not having to be something I’m not and I can keep part of myself” Discord turned his head, his eyes looking so serene. Like a massive ton of weight had been thrown of his shoulders.
Fluttershy however could feel a chill, seeing as though the sun was long gone.
“Hmm? Oh yes that might be a good idea” Discord said, now that he himself felt the cold chill in the air. And with a click they were in the cottage front room, a roaming fire in the fire place.
“Oh Angel…” Fluttershy smiled, Discord felt that she was very motherly and it was more obvious than ever when it came to Angel.
Discord was observing her antiques that seemed to be growing over the years. Many of animals whilst some just photos of her adventures.
Fluttershy lifted her head and saw her friend turned away, his arms looking like their forced downwards and his face, from what she could see, was bright red. Fluttershy looked behind the sofa but nothing was there, then she noticed the way she was sat.
She was laying down on her stomach, one leg was off the sofa whilst the other was upright. Fluttershy gasped and went bright red herself, “Oh Fluttershy why are so clumsy?!” Fluttershy scolded herself – in her head.
She sat upright and tucked her hair behind on of her ears, she didn’t know what to say. Discord was still facing the other way and his muscles looked stiff.
Discord couldn’t face turning around, his face was still red. “Look at you now Discord…” A voice laughed, “Guess karma got you back huh?”
Fluttershy got to her hooves and trotted over to Discord. When she got close to him, she tapped his lion hand. Discord felt a chill up through each hair of his fur, he turned his head and tried to hide his discomfort, “Y- yes my dear?”
Fluttershy smiled, “Yeah…”
Fluttershy soon took herself to her room, Discord was to sleep in the spare guest room or his room, seeing as though no one else usually stayed over at her home. It is usually one of the best times to relax and observe the wonders of silence but not this night, coughing echoed through the corridors and often gagging sounds could be heard when the coughing got too much.
Discord wanted to go and pat her back or at least help her but the scene from before was stained in his mind and seeing her now would not be good for him. He rubbed the back of his head and sighed heavily, before falling asleep.
Desperate times call for...
Fluttershy looked towards a dark sky, stars filled it and within each star held a great memory. “To the town of wind on the other side of time, come on, take me there, make my dream of white flowers come true” She sung with her heart.
“That singing voice won't cease in the afternoon, together we wake to become one, we will know the meaning of happiness for the first time, take me with you…” She held out her hoof, a gentle smiled stuck onto her face, tears soon followed as she moves to grab its hand.
“That singing voice will heartrendingly and loudly, echo in every heart, never knowing the meaning of happiness when they sleep at night...” Her heartbeat grew faster as her hoof got closer to the other, she hesitated for a moment but continued to reach as though her nerves weren’t there. The wind flowed through her soft hair, the figure seemed to be happy but also unsure of their choice.
“The other side of our dreams are still unknown to us, come on, together we can go, on the distant road, to the town of wind…” She began to open her eyes but the silhouette ran away before she could clearly see who it was. She felt tears go down her face, each one was cold as her heart felt as though close to breaking.
“Who… was that” She said to herself. But a loud noise soon awoke her.
“Fluttershy?! Fluttershy!” The noise called her, she painfully opened her eyes but when they adjusted she wanted to close them again.
“What happened?” She muttered.
Fluttershy’s eyes flew open with shock, “What?” her heart started beating fast as she panicked.
Fluttershy franticly moved her arms and legs, whilst coughing, her vision soon grew blurry again.
Fluttershy soon felt the breeze on her hot cheeks, she was still breathing fast and occasionally coughing but otherwise she stopped moving. Her breathing soon calmed down.
She soon sat upright and looked at Discord, a sad expression strewn upon her face, tears soon fell. Discord walked over to her and sat on her bed. She fell on him and rested her body against his. Angel sat in the doorway, worried as this was becoming more and more frequent.
“Discord” Fluttershy mumbled.
He ran out the house and took flight, the hospital in Ponyville would be no help to her, and she needed professional help. Rainbow Dash saw Discord fly towards Canterlot with an unconscious Fluttershy, she assumed the worse and took flight herself. Leaving Applejack to tend to the now bent over tree.
She quick caught up to him, but he went faster. He wasn’t going fast enough if she was able to catch up.
“Discord!” Rainbow Dash yelled, “Stop!” she was losing sight of him.
Rainbow Dash almost exhausted said, “Don’t you dare harm her!”
“Where did ya’ll get off to?” Applejack said agitatedly.
“Rainbow, Applejack” She said politely.
Discord raced through the air, to the ponies below it was an odd sight, seeing something slither through the air before vanishing.
He kept an eye on her, to be sure she was breathing. She was but it was fast paced, unusual for a young pony like herself. It reminded him of another…
‘She collapsed on the bed with exhaustion, after a long day in the palace she needed to rest but as she dozed off, Discord barged in.
“Oh Tia” he put a claw on his chin, “You work too hard…”
Celestia moved out of the way as Discord crashed into her throne.
The doctors soon gathered round as Celestia placed Fluttershy on a bed.
“What’s wrong with her?” Celestia asked.
“If I knew, I would be more at ease…”
Celestia composed herself before looking at Fluttershy. Her chest moved up and down, but very slowly.
“Yes Princess!” They all said in time with another, one hoof up on their head.
Discord was hesitant to let her go, but shakily he laid her down and the guards flooded in and took her away, he raised a paw nervous as to what could happen. He moved towards the direction that the guards were going before Celestia grabbed his shoulder.
“Stay calm Discord, Fluttershy is in the best care now”
These words didn’t pacify Discord in the slightest, the young pony that gave him a chance at friendship when no other would was gone and out of his sight. Without no one really realising it but Discord had taken on such a possessive trait.
“Discord, won’t you follow me?” Celestia said. She moved towards the hallway and Discord, with an unreadable face as Celestia would call it. Anger? Sadness? Worried? Truly it was difficult to understand what his emotion was but Celestia kept moving forward with Discord behind her.
“Discord I must ask once more, do you know what is wrong with her?” she turned her head to ask.
“She has had a persistent cough these last few…” Discord stopped for a moment, “Years…” the sudden realisation that this had been with her for so long, and yet over time it never ticked that it could be something serious. She was so quiet that her cough seemed to quieten along with her.
“Years you say?” Celestia said, confirming his words.
Discord said nothing but turned his head, he couldn’t bear to look at her. It was so obvious and yet never noticed.
Celestia stopped and Discord, to lost in his own mind bumped into her.
“Pardon” Discord said.
Celestia stared at him and giggled, it wasn’t funny, the situation nor what happened but his expression. So empty.
“So unlike him” Celestia thought to herself.
Discord didn’t notice her giggled, “Is this the room?” he pointed to a door with a cross on it.
“Yes. Now I’m not aware of what you might see in that room Discord. It could be distressing so I’m sure Fluttershy would understand if you waited out here”
“Not happening” Discord said before marching past Celestia and opened the door.
“I warned you…” Celestia mumbled.
Discord walked in, the bright lights in the room caused him to cover his eyes so they could adjust. When they did however Fluttershy was sat upright and the doctor looked down her throat.
“Say Aaaa” The doctor said.
“Aaa…- Disword” Fluttershy turned her eyes towards him.
“Hmm…” The doctor looked down her throat, nothing unusual.
He nodded his head and she closed her mouth.
“Oh Fluttershy” Discord hugged her tightly, Fluttershy blushed slightly before rubbing his back.
“Hey, hey I’m alright” Fluttershy cooed.
Discord pulled himself out of the embrace, “I’m not a child Fluttershy”
“Hehe- cough, I know”
“Ahem! Miss Fluttershy, I have some questions to ask of you” the doctor said, he had a board with questions in his hoof and with his magic the pen would write.
Fluttershy turned her attention back to the doctor.
“Right… question one”
As the doctor was asking Fluttershy questions, Discord felt a tug on his arm. Celestia pulled him to the side.
“See I told you she was fine!” Discord said.
“This time.” Celestia said rather boldly, “Discord I’m no medical professional but I believe that there is something wrong with her”
“Duh, hello Celestia in there” he knocked on her head, “It’s a cough, nothing more no less. A little medication and she’ll be fi-“
“Discord! Wake up! Does a person with a cough pass out like that?! Do they practically stop breathing? In fact it’s a miracle that she is still here” Celestia said, “if it wasn’t serious then I believe you wouldn’t have had to come here in the first place.” Celestia calmed herself down, “Stop lying to yourself and see what is happening to her” Celestia said before being called over by the doctor.
“Into my office Princess, if you please”
“Of course” Celestia walked over to the doctor and they went into the room.
“Oh sorry” Fluttershy sat upright again but Discord laid her back down.
“You rest my dear that was a dramatic performance if I’ve ever seen one”
Fluttershy smiled before coughing again.
“I’m sorry… I’ve caused everyone to worry about me…” Fluttershy said with a frown.
Discord put his claw on her cheek, “Don’t be silly. You’re worth it all my dear”
Fluttershy smiled again before her eyes slowly fell down and she swiftly went to sleep.
“A smile does suit you better” Discord whispered, before kissing her cheek. He then walked over to the office and shrunk down to a small size.
“Is it serious?” Celestia asked.
“It all depends on what condition it is. We need better magic to determine what is causing the illness. Don’t underestimate me Princess, I do have a good idea as to what it is that’s causing it but having evidence can help to ‘the plan’ forward”
“I understand. Someone with an amazing skill at magic I wonder who?” Celestia smiled.
“Right… well I have other patients to attend to, Fluttershy is welcome to return home but be sure to get the magic user to investigate her quickly” The doctor stood up from his seat, “The quicker the better chance she has at survival”
Celestia also stood up and moved towards the door. Discord ran out back through a small crack in the door way and made himself back to normal size.
Celestia, using her magic opened the door.
“Discord. Me and the doctor have agreed that you can take her back to Ponyville when she’s ready”
“Anything else I should know?” Discord asked.
“No” Celestia said before walking out the door.
Discord sat on the chair next to Fluttershy and waited for her to awaken.
