Featherlight

Uh, hello. Doctor, are you here?

Yes, yes I'm here Mr. Featherlight. Have you gathered your thoughts since your last visit?

Yes... Yes I have.

You can begin whenever you feel like you're ready.

Okay, so. Uh, where was I at when we finished?

You were at a bakery drooling over a plethora of sugary food before you.

Right, of course.

After I got the most delicious red velvet cake I've ever had in my life. I headed back to where me and my dad were staying.

It wasn't too late in the day. The sun was still out, ponies still running around. As I continued to walk home I thought about how I might impress Rainbow Dash. She seemed to know just about everything there is to know about flying, I mean you should see this mare go. She's amazing! So, I'm trying my best to think about what I could do to make her drool in amazement.

After I went back to my cottage I ate half of my cake in one huge gulp, no regrets, and found the nearest field to train. The trick to this flight spell is I modified it from the original. Instead of spawning butterfly wings, I spawn actual pegasus wings. There's only one major backlash about this spell. Since the pegasus wings are stronger, mature natural for a pony, and thicker, they need twice the amount of magical energy needed to sustain them. Every time I use it, I'm tapped out for at least an hour, and that's only enough energy to get me off the ground.

I concentrated, pushed my horn to the limit, and cast my spell. The wings began to slowly appear on my back, but by then I could already feel my limit approaching. I didn't pay that any mind and kept summoning my wings. My horn throbbed with pain, and a headache soon followed, but I had my wings and I was ready to fly.

Listen closely here is where it gets epic. With one downbeat I took to the air, climbing straight into the sky. I looped around a could and dove as fast as I could, moments before I reached the ground I pulled out, did three barrel rolls, and relaxed while flying backwards... Directly into a tree.

That wasn't as epic as I was hoping it'd be

Hey, I tried my best. The truth isn't always exciting.

I suppose so... What happened after you emptied whatever sense you had left into that tree?

Funny, honestly I can't contain my laughter...

Thank you, please continue.

Okay, so I slammed into the tree.

I hit it pretty hard. A family of squirrels fell off a branch directly onto my head. I tried my hardest move but I burned out my magic doing those stunts. Not that the tree was bad, it was nice and shady, kept me out of the sun. The only thing I was worried about was the squirrels poking at my horn and playing in my hair. I wasn't too sure about how much time had passed. The squirrels had gone and I was just enjoying the day, until I saw a curious yellow mare approach me.

“D-Do you think he's alright angel?”

“Don't worry I'm fine.”

“AAAH!” She shrieked. Before I could attempt to reassure her she bolted away.

“Wait! Pleae! I need your help!” She stopped running and looked back at me nervously. Her little rabbit Angel tapped her hoof and looked at her. Then she started talking to him as if they were having an intelligent conversation. Then she turns back to me.

“Can you please help me!” she inched closer. “Please I'm not sure if I can move!” Once she heard that she came running back like a raging bull.

“Oh my goodness are you okay?!”

“Other than I ran into this tree I'm fine.”

“Oh no, are you paralysed?!”

“No, well kinda. Look, I just need you to roll me over.”

“Are you hurt?! We need to get you some rest immediately!” She lifted my limp body onto her back and carted me away to Celestia knows where. I'm on this stranger's back panicking, wondering if she was a psycho who poses as an adorable shy little mare... Thank goodness that wasn't the case. She brought me to a large house just outside of town. Waiting there was a zoo of animals that she greeted as if they were her children.

As she brings me inside I'm greeted to one of the best kept and decorated homes I have ever seen. It almost sparkled with cleanliness. Only one thing didn't sit too well with me though. There were animals cleaning her home! At that point I decided I hit my head too hard and had fallen into some sort of coma. “Sir? E-excuse me, sir?” she asked quietly. “I'm going to set you down now while I go get a bowl of soup and some medicine.”

“Medicine?!” I shrieked in the shrillest voice my tiny body could muster. “I'm fine miss. I don't need any medicine, but soup would be very nice.”

“But you said you couldn't move...”

“That's because I have a slight disability.” My magic finally felt strong enough to lift me off her back. So with a clumsy heave I stood before her. “The thing is that I can't move properly unless I use my magic, without it,” I shut my horn off, collapsing to the ground. “This happens.”

“Oh my goodness!” she squealed while hiding her face behind her hooves.

“Sorry, sorry!” I got back to my hooves. “That can be a bit too graphic for some.”

“S-so you're perfectly fine?” she asked cautiously.

“Yeah, other than the fact that I'm a limp noodle,” I chuckled. My laughter fell short when the only response I got was awkward stares from her and the animals present. “In midst of all this commotion, I didn't catch your name.”

“I'm Fluttershy…”

“Hello Miss Fluttershy, I'm Featherlight.” I held out a hoof. She looked at it, then at me, then shook it slowly. “Geez I see why there is a definite ‘shy’ in your name,”  I thought through the awkward moment. “So... Where exactly am I?”

“Oh, um. You're in my cottage, where I live. It isn't much, but it's home.”

“It is a nice cozy little something. Are we still near Ponyville by chance?”

“Yeah, it's only a half hour walk down the path.”

I didn't show but on the inside I was greatly relieved this girl hadn't kidnapped me. One problem presented itself all too well though. If the turn was a half hour away, like Fluttershy said. That means that is a half hour of exhausting walking, adding on that I had to manner l meander around to find where me and my dad were staying. It was too much and I was way too tired.

“Are you from around here?”

“Huh, what?”

“I asked, are you from around here?” she questioned softly.

“Oh, n-no I'm from Vanhoover.”

“Wow, I bet it's cold up there. Why are you here? If you don't mind me asking.”

“I'm here working on a construction project in Canterlot with my dad. I Need to get back to him, but I'm exhausted. I'm struggling just to stand...”

“Oh, you poor thing. Please have a seat on the couch, I'll go fetch something to eat.”

“Thank you.”

As she went into the kitchen I lied down on the nearby love seat. I appreciate her kindness, still do till this day. But she said ‘poor thing’…

Does that bother you?

Immensely... I know what I can and can't do. And reminding me of that by relating me to anything frail makes me angry. I don't want society to see me as some poor defenseless charity case!

Did you tell her that?

No... I was scared that I might frighten her, or she'd kick me out.

Is she the only one who you feel pities you?

Who Fluttershy? She used to, now she looks up to me. But the others who do it are my parents and the few that I could call friends... I mean, I'm not supposed to when be able to really without clunky metal braces bolted to my knees, yet they still think little Featherlight needs help! That, that he needs to be coddled like a little colt who got lost in the shopping center! Not only does it anger me, it's embarrassing!

Ahem, I see...

Sorry for exploding...

Don't worry, I've dealt with patients who found it necessary to throw chairs.

Wow...

Now back to your story, time is running out. Besides, I'm finding it quite... Interesting.

Heh, if you like that then you'll love what happens next.

I'm relaxing on her couch while she prepared us lunch. A small odd looking chipmunk scurries up to me, and just stares. I tried to shoo him away but he wouldn't budge.

“What do you need little guy?” I asked.

“Who are you calling little?”

“What the f-?!

“Ah, ah, ah. Watch your language.”

The next thing I knew the little rodent began to grow into a grotesque creature that looked like a Frankenstein experiment gone awry. “Now, who are you?”

“I-I-I'm Featherlight,” I cowered.

“Featherlight, yes. And what are you doing in dear Flutters cottage?” his tone sharpened but remained playful.

“I-I uh-”

“Discord? Is that you?”

“Yes Fluttershy. I'm just dealing with this intruder.”

Then he was gone in a puff. I then found myself hoisted in the air by my tail. I flailed as much as I could without my magic.

“Let me go!” I struggled

“Tsk, Tsk, this really is a shame. I expected you to put up more of a fight. Looks like it's time for the boot!”

I heard another poof of magic. With no other options I braced myself for a solid kick to the rear when Fluttershy finally came from the kitchen.

“Discord?! What are you doing?!” she shrieked.

“Simply removing this napping intruder from your home. Trust me you'll thank me later.”

“He's not an intruder! He is my guest, and you are going to put him down. Right! Now!”

His posture stiffened and his eyes bugged.

“Right now mister!” she commanded sternly. He dropped me on the hard wood floor. “Discord!”

“What?! I put him down like you asked.”

“He has a condition! He can't move as well as other ponies do, right?”

“Y-yeah,” I groaned. Then I used my magic and slowly pulled myself to my hooves.

“A condition?” Discord curiously stated. Then he teleported behind me while wearing a nurse's outfit. “What is ailing you.”

“Degenerative Spine Growth.” I said flatly

“Degenera what now?”

“A couple of spinal columns in my neck haven't grown much since I was born. They're pinching my central nerve, so I can't move my legs properly.”

“Can you feel them?” Fluttershy asked with intrigue.

“Yeah, I feel mostly everything. I just can't move them that much, if not at all.”

“Then how are you standing?” Discord asked while poking at my legs.

“Stop that! I am standing thanks to my magic. I found a way to create a spell that moves my limbs, kind of like a puppeteer.” I lifted my leg.

“Wow, that's amazing!” Fluttershy cheered. “How did you learn it?”

“After I was diagnosed I just started messing around with my legs. I've been doing it since I was a colt.”

“Wow.”

Her amazement fed me confidence and pride like I never felt before. “Meh, I've seen better.” And he ruined it... “Honestly Mr. Featherlight,” he slowly circled me. “As admirable as your story sounds, I find it to be nothing more than a parlor trick,” he coughed up a pigeon.

“How would you know you... Whatever you are!”

“Why I'm the one and only master of chaos Discord.” A neon flickering sign with his name on it appeared behind him. “And I know actual perambulation spells. You're faking.”

“I don't have to take this! I'm. Leaving!” I stormed towards her door, just then I couldn't hold the spell together anymore. “Oh no!” Fluttershy cried. “Mr. Featherlight, are you okay?” she came rushing to my side.

“No I'm fine, just wanted to get to know the floor better...”

She lifted me onto her back and placed me on the couch. She looked to Discord with fire in her eyes then returned to the kitchen. As she left Discord came up to to me. “I know what you're up to Featherlight. Fluttershy is my friend and I'll be glad to keep it that way.”

“Look, thing. If you want me to leave your marefriend alone I'll gladly oblige...” I sighed.

“She's NOT my marefriend. She's a close friend I'd rather not see ruined by the likes of you.”

“Whatever floats your boat...” I responded flatly. He stroked his goat beard then disappeared. “Finally...”

“What's ailing you old buddy old pal?” he appeared in miniature on my snout.

“I'm fine...” I growled.

“No need to be hostile anymore. I was just joking.” he turned into a clown.

“You have a sadistic kind of sense of humor...”

“Oh you flatter me. Remember? Spirit of chaos.” another neon sign appeared behind him, but this one the ‘O’ was flickering and sparking.

“Why are you trying to apologise?” I scolded.

“Because between you and me, Flutters is terrifying when she's angry.”

Fluttershy came back from the kitchen with a large tray of assorted fruit. “Sorry that took so long. I didn't know  Discord would be here.”

She reminded me so much of my mom, kind caring and sweet. So it made me wonder how she got roped into Discord's little game.

She told me about how he was trapped in stone for the last thousand years, and that chaos freed him. Then her and her friends put him back, only for him to be freed again fully reformed. As she told me this story, Discord acted out every word in hilarious detail. He may have been a jerk, but he sure was funny. I saw a little bit of me in him to tell you the truth.

What do you mean?

I mean that he's had a bad life, and he hides it. Hides it well...

Sadly time is up...

Right... I'll see you next week then?”

I'm looking forward to it. Till next time...

Till next time...