Author's Note

One wrist brace later and here we are! :D Finally some fracking excitement.

Chapter 11: Stick to the Plan!

Twilight whirled onto Mario. “What did you just say?!” she demanded. The male dragon pretended not to hear her and quickly turned to another customer. This time, the intense warmth she was feeling could not silence the warning bells going off in her mind as she narrowed her eyes at the ice cream dragon.

“I think he sneezed,” Flash Sentry offered.

Twilight shook her head and pointed to the new visitor. “No! He’s right! That’s Garble!”

Even slouched, Garble easily towered Fancy Pant’s rigid frame. He had grown since the last time Rarity, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Spike fled from him and his goons. His skin was tougher and Twilight noted with apprehension that his teeth and claws appeared even larger and sharper than she remembered.

Flash picked up on Twilight’s tense body language and placed a hoof in front of her defensively. “Don’t worry, Twilight,” Flash asserted, “I’ll protect you.”

Garble noticed the guard’s actions and scoffed at them. “Relax soldier boy,” Garble sneered, flicking something out of his teeth, “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here for education purposes. Some of the elder dragons thought it would be good to learn something from ponies...even if they are run by a namby pamby princess.”

Fancy Pants seemed to stiffen up at the insult but held his tongue. Flash Sentry was less restrained.

He advanced toward the dragon. “Hey! Our namby pamby princesses are wise rulers! Show some respect toward the crown!” he ordered.

Garble laughed and stepped toward Flash. “Heh! Aren’t you a pretty princess errand boy!” he taunted.

“Hey! Knock it off!” Twilight yelled, placing herself in between the two males.

Rarity coughed. All nearby heads looked at her and the argument came to a standstill. She cleared her throat nervously and tugged at Twilight.

“Twilight, might I have a word?” Rarity asked quietly. Twilight sighed and nodded.

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Discord was alerted the moment Spike yelled. He caught bits of the conversation but his mind had been preoccupied too much to pay any serious attention. All he could tell Spike was seething. And seething dragons didn’t think right.

“You’re going to blow our cover, sweetheart,” he tried to speak sweetly but it was of no use. Spike wouldn’t even look at him. He was muttering darkly under his breath. Discord gave up on Spike and turned his attention back to the crowd.

Wow, we’re more popular than I thought Discord noted with some surprise. Their rolley cart was surrounded by curious and excited ponies of all colors and sizes. But no Fluttershy. Had he missed her somehow?

“Um, excuse me, sir? May I please step through?”

The voice was barely above a whisper but it cut through Discord’s ear drums like a knife that completely missed the apple target on a pony's head. He recognized it instantly and zoomed in on it like a hawk on a piece of meat. Amongst the crowd of well dressed ponies, Fluttershy was attempting to make her way to the stand...without much success.

“Oh, I’m sorry, but may I please get through? Oh - well, um, excuse me?” her little voice quietly pleaded. With this level of noise and commotion, she was nonexistent over the chatter of the other ponies. There was no chance of Fluttershy making it through.

Discord’s heart ached as he watched her look of concern on her face as she was jostled by the other ponies. If she keeps this up, she will never make it over here in time. At least before Spike blows our cover he noted with irritation, glancing at Spike who was solemnly handing out ice cream. And any attempt at magicking the crowd gone will no doubt attract the egghead he reasoned reluctantly, observing Rarity and Twilight conversing near a corner. He smiled wickedly Who needs magic when you’re an amazing actor and a master of persuasion, Discord. He cleared his throat and called out in a most eloquent manner.

“Hey you!” he hollered, dropping the falsetto as he pointed to a colt in front of Fluttershy. The colt looked at him in confusion. “Yes you! With the stupid hat!” The colt looked at his hat and then pointed to himself. “Yeah, that’s it. Dumb hat pony! Get out of the way!!!” The colt stared in shock at the discrepancy between the figure speaking and the voice coming out and robotically stepped out of the way to reveal a wide eyed Fluttershy.

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Fluttershy’s eyes widened at the sound of the voice and her heart skipped a beat. That-that sounded like Discord she thought. She looked around frantically, trying to see where the voice came from but the draconequus was nowhere to be seen. I must be imagining it she told herself, her heart sinking back into her chest. Her face was still blushing at the possibility of her friend actually being here. Even as the colt in front of her stumbled out of the way, she felt herself still frozen to the spot instead of advancing toward the stand.

“Don’t be afraid. Come forward,” a voice whispered in her ears, sending shivers down her spine and she felt her wings growing tense. She hesitantly stepped forward once and then another step and another step. With each step, she found her shyness dissolving and her drive to walk stronger, allowing her to ignore the interested looks and whistles stallions gave her as she brushed past them.

“He’s not here,” she tried to persuade herself, “He promised he wouldn’t be.”

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“I can’t believe you’re even considering this!” Twilight exclaimed in shock.

Rarity looked dejected. “Twilight, I know. I don’t care for this oaf either. But, if I could get Fancy Pants to sponsor me, it would a life changer.”

Twilight sighed. “What about Spike?” she asked, “How do you think he would feel if he found out you were taking Garble with you?”

Rarity froze. Spike. She hadn’t considered Spike in all of this. He most certainly would not be happy if he found out that not only was this no longer a girls’ trip, but she had spent most of it taking Garble to explore and take in Canterlot delights. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity she argued.

Rarity bit her lip. “Spike,” she began slowly, “Spike-Spike doesn’t need to know.” As soon as the words left her lips, she regretted them instantly. It felt like a betrayal. It is a betrayal a small voice inside her insisted.

Twilight was taken aback by Rarity’s response. She opened her mouth to rebuke but saw the pained expression on the unicorn’s face.

“It’s just one day. Show him around. Be polite. Maybe-maybe it won’t be so bad. Maybe some age has brought some maturity into him,” Rarity tried to reason out loud. She was talking more for herself than for Twilight as she tried to ignore Garble tying two unsuspecting ponies’ tails together. “Spike doesn’t need to know,” Rarity sighed and quickly walked back toward Fancy Pants.

A slam caught Twilight’s attention and in the corner of her eye she caught site of Mario slamming his fists into the side of the stand. He was grim faced and furious.

Flash approached Twilight. “What’s his problem? Think he knows Garble too?” he asked curiously.

Twilight didn’t answer but stared into the purple dragon’s eyes. Even in disguise, she knew those eyes.

“Spike.”

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Pinkie, Cheese and Applejack watched the throngs of ponies around the ice cream cart as they ate their ice cream.

“Wow, Pinkie, you really know the best places,” Cheese wondered, “There must be like fifty ponies in line now.”

Pinkie pointed to her mane. “Pinkie Sense I tell you! Always tells me exactly what to do! Here! Touch it!” She pulled Cheese’s hoof and smushed it into her mane.

“Pinkie Sense is really soft,” Cheese replied goofily as he ran his hoof through her fluffy mane. Pinkie’s cheeks turned pink.

Applejack was feeling weirded out at their display. Pinkie Pie is naturally friendly and touchy...but this seems a little too touchy and friendly for her. Not that I don’t trust Cheese! Applejack acknowledged to herself. It was just mighty strange to see Pinkie acting like this when Fluttershy was the one in heat. Speaking of Fluttershy…

“Aw crab apples!!” Applejack realized, dropping her ice cream, “I lost Fluttershy!”

“Is that her?” Cheese asked, pointing to a yellow pegasus in the middle of the massive crowd. Applejack narrowed her eyes and focused. The pegasus took a nervous glance behind her and Applejack nodded assertively.

“Yup! That’s her alright! Thanks hun! Pinkie, put your tongue back in!” Applejack ordered, noticing that Pinkie’s tongue was hanging out as she clearly enjoyed the spontaneous scalp massage she was getting.

“Oops! Sorry Applejack!” Pinkie apologized, rolling her tongue back into her mouth as Applejack dove into the crowd. Pinkie and Cheese watched her disappear and then Pinkie burst into laughter.

Cheese looked over at her curiously. “What’s so funny?”

Pinkie grinned. “Applejack is bobbing for Fluttershy in a sea of ponies.”

Ba dum tish.

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Rarity approached Garble and Fancy Pants. “Garble,” Rarity began, “I’m sorry we got off on a wrong start. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rarity,” She introduced, extending a hoof.

Garble snicked and gave an overly dramatic bow. “Oh but of course,” he spoke in a posh
voice, “How ever rude of me, a please to meet you Larry.”

“Uh, it’s actually Rarity,” Rarity corrected, but Garble’s mind was already elsewhere.

“Hey who’s the hot piece of tail in the ice cream stand?” he whistled, licking his lips.

“Uh..”

“I think I better introduce myself. Show this city dragon what a real dragon is like.” Garble left without another word and proceeded to either push or step on ponies who got in his way as he advanced toward Luigia.

Fancy Pants sighed in relief. “Thank you Rarity. This means a lot to us. With Prince Blueblood studying in dragon territory, it behooves us to show the highest level of hospitality to our dragon ward...even if he is an ass,” Fancy Pants muttered under his breath.

“Come again?”

“Oh nothing, my dear. Just a cough.”

“Blueblood is in dragon territory?”

“Oh yes!” Fancy Pants’ face lit up, “You know our Prince. I’m sure he’s just exceeding all of our expectations. I have no doubt he will come back with the glowing support and knowledge of dragon kind! I’m sure he’s fine.”

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“OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!!! I’m going to die!!!” a panicked noble unicorn shrieked from behind a rock.

“How are you going to learn anything if you won’t jump the volcano with us?” a dragon yelled.

“Maybe we ought to throw another fireball at him? Might give him the stamina to make the jump,” another dragon yelled.

“You’re barbarians!”

“Jumping volcanos is not barbaric! It’s a rite of passage! Now come out here so we can strap this lava rock to you!”

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“Yes. Just fine,” Fancy Pants finished as Rarity bit her lip again unsuredly.

“Well I’ll just go wait for him to finish up with conversation by that building by the stand,” Rarity acknowledged, moving toward the building.

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Fluttershy finally approached the ice cream stand, trying not to make eye contact with the other ponies pushed closely to her side. Something about the colorful dragon that faced her was unnerving and now up close, she felt her legs shake.

Maybe I’m nervous because I don’t interact with dragons too often Fluttershy reasoned. Most of her experiences with dragons up until this point had been either running away from them or yelling at them in a blind panic to protect her friends. Meeting some that served ice cream was certainly something different.

She shuffled her hooves awkwardly as she stood at the stand while the female dragon looked down expectantly. “Uh..” she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.

The dragon blinked. “D-did you say something?” she asked.

Fluttershy’s face flushed with both embarrassment and heat. Those shiny scales on the dragon certainly didn’t help keep her calm as they seemed to intensify the heat of the sun onto her face as she felt herself warm up.

“Hi!” she mustered up, sweating.

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The moment her perfect lips formed an actual word, Discord found himself flushed with a warmth he had sorely missed and feared at the same time. He dug his feet into the dirt so he didn’t leap across the counter and sweep Fluttershy off her hooves. He had to act fast before her shyness overwhelmed her and make her retreat back into the crowd. Maybe say something that would sound confident that would relax her.

“H-hi!” he choked out in his falsetto. He felt his own face glow red. Super smooth Discord.

To his surprise, this seemed to relax Fluttershy a bit. She bit her lip as a small smile formed at the corner of her lips. Discord paced himself. Alright. You haven’t screwed this up yet. You can do this. Just ask if she wants ice cream.

Discord cleared his throat and asked intelligently, “Me got ice cream. You want ice cream? Me got lotta ice cream.”

He smacked a clawed hand to his face. Oh my-That’s it! Failure! The once chance I had and I go and fu-

“Oh! Um. Yes. Me want ice cream. But liddle liddle, not lotta lotta.” Discord froze.

...What?

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Fluttershy felt her cheeks tinge slightly with embarrassment but this time she was able to quickly dismiss it. How silly of me. I shouldn’t expect all dragons to speak the Pony language as well as Spike.

The dragon looked at her in stunned surprise. “Liddle liddle?” the dragon asked.

Fluttershy nodded and a smile began to grow on her face. “If that’s alright?”

The dragon smiled in response and nodded. "Liddle liddle is just fine. I like liddle liddle." Fluttershy felt herself almost grinning. There was something familiar about the smile and it relaxed her even more. It almost reminded her of-

A clatter and a shout behind her broke her concentration. “Excuse me! Oops! Sorry about that! Just trying to get through! Ugh! Ooh! Those grow back right? I’m pretty sure they do! Gah! Sorry sorry!”

Fluttershy and the dragon quickly turned their attention toward the source of the disruption. A ruckus was slowly and disastrously making its way toward them. Ponies in its path nervously and quickly beat a hasty retreat or found themselves smushed against their unwitting neighbors. Luigia and Fluttershy found themselves wincing at every collision and yelp as the disaster drew nearer. Finally with one forceful push, a familiar pegasus flopped to the ground in front of the surprised duo.

“Brock!” Fluttershy shrieked, darting toward the prostate pegasus.

“Brock?” the dragon asked in confusion to the empty space where Fluttershy once stood.

Although initially hard to tell, underneath a mountain of suitcases was indeed Brock. The cases had almost covered all of him save for his wings and head. Brock looked up at Fluttershy as she approached and smiled weakly.

“Oh hi Fluttershy!”

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Discord’s mouth did not close after his question. He stood there agape, staring in confusion at the scene in front of him. He shut his mouth.

Brock? Did she say his name was-no no, I must be hearing things-

“Brock! Oh my goodness! Are you alright?” Fluttershy gasped.

Discord’s eye twitched.

The brown pegasus looked up at Fluttershy with more eagerness than Discord felt was warranted. “I-i guess so. I can’t feel anything painful...but then again I can’t feel anything in general.” The pegasus looked her up and down quickly, “But as long as you are with me, I don’t mind not feeling my limbs.”

Discord twitched again. He felt his fists clench and his claws dig into the palms of his hands. “Brock?” he questioned again, feeling a low but deep burn throb at the base of his feet.

The ponies did not hear Discord’s question. Fluttershy was smiling at the pegasus’s comment. She’s smiling Discord realized Why is MY Fluttershy smiling at him?

“So why is there a giant crowd here?”Brock asked Fluttershy, finally noticing his surroundings.

“Oh! Well there’s this ice cream stand here that we were going to try and it looks like they are really good so we were in line to get some ice cream,” Fluttershy quickly explained, trying to analyze where she could start pulling off suitcases without causing an avalanche.

Discord felt the twitch upgrade to a tremble as the throbbing traveled up his legs. Why are you telling this insignificant little gnat anything? he wanted to shout. Instead he just repeated hollowly, “Brock?”

“No sweet cheeks. The name’s Garble. You’ll find it easier to say once you get to know me a bit better. What’s a dragon with a tail like yours doing in a pony city anyway?”

Discord wasn’t sure if somepony was talking to him. He did not care. Everything else around was starting to melt away and become black. Voices sounded far away. He felt his vision narrow and haze. His tail flicked in irritation like a cat.

I’m about to make somepony a very sorry pony indeed.