//-------------------------------------------------------// True Love -by NightmareDerpy- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 Meeting //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 Meeting Chapter 1 Meeting   Fluttershy awoke to her alarm clock which ringed loudly making her body jump from being startled from her pleasant sleep. She groaned lightly and dug her face into the soft pillow that adorned her bed and rose her hoof to her bed stand to shut the alarm off. She took in a deep breath and let it out with a sigh as she forced herself up and threw the blankets from herself letting in the cool air.   She rubbed her eyes with her hooves gently and let out a soft yawn as she looked out her window, the sun just rising from the mountains as Celestia rose it up into the sky, the glow from it quickly traveling through the lands of Equestria. Fluttershy did not want to wake up, especially since she was extremely tired from yesterday and ended up staying up an hour after her usual bed time. Angel was to blame for her lack of sleep, he was an Angel but sometimes he was just an arrogant little brat.   Fluttershy's mane was in a mess of pink strands, her fur slightly ruffled up in certain places, and her eyes struggled to stay open. With a deep sigh she pushed herself off from her precious bed cushion that she had to leave and stumbled slightly from how fast she moved off of it. She slowly walked to her bedroom door, out the hall and to her bathroom  which was left from where she left her room.   She yawned again and grabbed her tooth brush which stood in a small toothbrush holder and grabbed a tube of tooth paste and opened it, squeezing it slightly to get some of the tooth paste onto the brush before closing it again and turning on the sink for just a second to run the tooth brush quickly over it to moisten it before she placed it in her mouth and brushed her teeth and gums nice and well. Afterwards, she rinsed her tooth brush and mouth before wiping her face and hoof on a towel to wipe off the water. She then closed the bathroom door and locked it to relieve herself.   After she came out, she headed back to her room and walked over to her vanity mirror. She opened one of the wooden drawers and picked up a plain brush and started to brush her messy mane. She cringed slightly when the brush would get caught on a knot and pull hard against her head as she started from the bottom to the top.   When she finally got every knot out, she placed the brush back into the drawer and closed it before opening another drawer which held a small basket with holders. She left her vanity and went to her dresser next to her bed and started to take a few items from it like a coat brush, a hoof brush, hoof clippers, face wash, ect. She went to the basket and placed the items inside and picked it up with her mouth and headed back to the bathroom. She gently placed it on the bathroom counter and was about to start closing the door when her stomach growled.   She looked over at her stomach as it growled again and looked down at the stairs.   "Well...I guess I should have some breakfast before I head into the shower." She told herself casually as she turned to head down the stairs in a trot.   Her animals were already starting to waken and started chattering for food, begging there owner for something to eat. Fluttershy had stopped walking as the animals that had slept inside now started surrounding her, immediately expecting there care taker to feed them.   "Excuse me guys, but I'm gonna get something to eat really quick and then I'll feed you ok?" She told them sweetly with a smile.   The animals grumbled in disappointment and started to drag themselves away, all except Angel who was glaring at his owner, obviously upset that his owner wasn't feeding him right away. Fluttershy just flashed a smile at him and walked past him and into the kitchen. Angel followed Fluttershy with crossed arms.   Fluttershy went to her kitchen cupboards and brought out a small pot and took it to the sink, filling it slightly with water before placing it on the stove on high. She went to the pantry an opened it, she grabbed the end of a bag of oat meal with her mouth and brought it over to the counter, placing it down next to the stove. Angel hopped onto the counter, now holding his food bowl and a fork in his paws and started tapping the food bowl with the fork to get her attention.   Fluttershy looked over at the hungry bunny and shook her head at him.   "Sorry Angel, but I got to eat. I don't have time to make you some food right now, just be patient please." She said patting him on the head and walking over to the other side of the kitchen where her utensils were to grab a spoon for when she had to mix the oat meal.   Angel rolled his eyes in annoyance and hit his bowl again, longer and harder. Fluttershy looked back at him and frowned.   "Angel bunny, you need to be patient. I'm busy right now, just go sit down and be a good boy for mommy okay? I'll try to be quick."   Angel threw the bowl and fork down like a spoiled baby and growled at his agitating owner. He looked around and saw the bag of oat meal, and to 'punish' his master for not feeding him when he wanted, he hopped over to the bag and kicked it over with his foot, making it fall to the side and onto the stove, the bag opening and spilling a small amount right onto the fire from the stove, quickly burning it, the air filling with it's burnt essence.   Fluttershy gasped and ran over and picked up the oat meal quickly before glaring at Angel. "Angel! You need to be more careful! This is the only breakfast I have for this and next week! I don't want to waste it!" She accused the stubborn bunny.   Angel opened his mouth and pointed at it with his paws and Fluttershy sighed and groaned in slight annoyed by the bunnies behavior.   "Okay, okay.....I'll make you some food." She finally said, which made Angel perk up and smile, jumping around excitedly.   She quickly pulled out some veggies such as carrots, celery, beats, along with some spinach to make his food with. She quickly grabbed her cutting board and a knife and cut the veggies into small slices before going to pick up the bowl that Angel had thrown to place the veggies and spinach in. She mixed it up a bit with a fork and sighed as she placed the bowl of food next to the anxious bunny hopping on the floor.   "There you go Angel, now please just calm down and be satisfied for once." She said with a slight hint of annoyance in her voice.   She sighed and walked back over to the stove which she had turned off before she left to make Angels food so that the oat meal wouldn't burn more. She grabbed a towel and held one end of it and gently swept the burnt oat meal that was surrounding the stove burner away and onto the counter so she could throw them away. She sighed once again and placed the pot of warm water back on the stove and turned it on.   Fluttershy grabbed the open bag of oat meal and closed it before picking it up with her mouth to put it away in the pantry. As she closed the pantry door, she jumped when a loud clang was heard behind her. She spun around and gasped before groaning and rubbing her temples with a hoof.   Angel was glaring at her again, his face slightly stained pink from the beats in his food. She had forgotten that he was stubborn when it came to when she tried to make him eat beats. Every single time she tried to, he would refuse and kick his bowl across the room, making a big mess for her to clean up as the beats stained anything it hit.   Fluttershy ran to the kitchen sink and grabbed a small wash cloth and rinsed it wet before rinsing it out and quickly picking the bowl up and grabbing all the pieces that fell from the bowl back in and wiping any stains up with the cloth as she did. After she cleaned it, she glared at Angel as she went to rinse off the wash cloth before placing it down and walking over to Angel with the bowl.   "Angel. I have tried to be patient with you but you are making this harder than it needs to be. Now....I want you to eat all your food 'now', if you toss it again your gonna leave me choice but to use....the stare!" She said the last part bending down and getting right into the bunnies face.   Angel squeaked and immediately started chomping down the contents in the bowl of food, making Fluttershy smile and nod in satisfaction.   "Good boy Angel. Now make sure you eat every last but of that salad!" She said as she walked back to the now boiling pot of water.   She went to grab the oat meal from the counter then she realized that she had put them away. With a giggle at her silliness and a roll of her eyes, she went to the pantry to bring out the oat meal again. She finally got it into the pot and stirred it for a few minutes before setting it to the side and getting a bowl from the top cupboard on her right just right above the stove. She scooped the oat meal into the bowl, placing the pot in the sink and rinsing it with water before grabbing another spoon from the drawer and taking her oat meal to the table.   She just had plain old oat meal everyday for breakfast and lunch. She didn't have the money to buy much at all, especially since there have been more and more animals that have been needing her care. She has quiet a few bills to pay as well.   Her job in taking care of animals really hasn't gotten her much, and she was too scarred to ask her friends for money. She didn't want to take anything from them or have them take care of her problems.   Fluttershy sighed at her oat meal as she raised a spoon full and rose it to her mouth, blowing on the steaming hot oats, and right as she was about to take a bite. NOCK NOCK NOCK NOCK NOCK NOCK   She jumped, dropping her spoon, causing the oat meal to fall off and land on her right foreleg, the hot oatmeal burning her skin making her squeak and fling her arm up. She jumped when she heard the knock again and sighed in disappointment as her stomach growled. Could she just enjoy her breakfast for once?   "FLUTTERSHY! FLUTTERSHY YOU HOME!" Called the familiar voice of Rainbow Dash.   Fluttershy got up from her chair and hovered over to the front door. She unlocked it before just slightly turning the knob before it burst open from Rainbow Dash knocking again really hard. Fluttershy squeaked and fell back onto the floor.   "Oh! Fluttershy there you are! You need to come, Twilight says there's a letter from Celestia!" She said grabbing the shocked pegasus under the arms and carried her out.   "Oh but I was just about to eat-......oh.....never mind..." She sighed in defeat as her stomach growled once more.   Everypony was at the castle in Ponyville where Twilight waited patiently for everyone to sit down on there thrones before she began. She smiled as a slightly grumpy Fluttershy took her seat and Twilight used her magic to lift a scroll with the royal seal on it. She cleared her throat before re-positioning herself in a more comfortable position.   "I'm sorry to bother you everyone, but I just couldn't wait to tell you all!" She said with slight excitement in her voice.   "What is it Twi?" Applejack asked, getting anxious to know what was going on.   Twilight smiled bigger. "Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna have invited us to the galla! She's given each of us a free ticket and has asked if we would be able to help prepare the galla again for them!" She said happily.   Her friends seemed happy but at the same time they didn't really know how to react.   "Well....that's nice of them but....I don't know. I mean the last Gala we've been to," Rarity giggled awkwardly. "Well....it didn't go so well." She said plainly. "And the one after that...." Rarity faced palmed in her hoof on just the thought of what Discord did the last Gala   Rainbow nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I don't think I'll have the time. I'm supposed to be practicing for this years transferring of water to Cloudstale next month."   Twilight frowned. "Well last time didn't go well but that doesn't mean that this one will. I have a good feeling it's gonna be better than any other Gala there will ever be."   "And what is that?" Applejack asked.   "Because we won't only be helping prepare the Gala, but we will also be hosting it. So that means we can make it more exciting then the last one." Twilight said.   Pinkie jumped up with a smile. "Will it be better than a strawberry, cherry, chocolate swirl cupcake?" She asked bringing out the cupcakes from nowhere and eating one before appearing next to Fluttershy. "There sssooo good!" She slurred, sighing in delight as she took as bite of another cupcake.   "Want one?" She asked, leaning the tray of cakes to her, and Fluttershy felt her stomach growl again at the sight of the sweet cakes.   Fluttershy smiled and was about to grab one when Pinkie suddenly zoomed off.   "Actually Pinkie I would....like.....I was gonna....oh whatever..." She sighed with another grumble of her stomach.   "Come on guys it will be nice to get out of Ponyville for a while. We haven't had much bonding time for a while since we've been so busy lately. I think it's a very good idea to go." Twilight encouraged.   They started to feel better about going after Twilight's words. They really haven't been doing much bonding in a while so it would be nice to have some time to be around each other for the Gala.   "Ok, I'm going. But! Only if I get to design our dresses!" She announced in delight and now squealing in her seat.   "Oh shoot alright!" Applejack said with a roll of her eyes.   "Ok! I wanna go! I'm gonna blast everyone away with this Gala!" Pinkie said enthusiastically.   "Um.....I don't know. I haft to take care of my animals." Fluttershy said, a hoof up on her chin in thought.   "It will be fine Fluttershy, I can have Spike take care of them for you, I've already talked to him about it and he said he didn't want to go. And don't worry....he will actually take care of them this time." Twilight giggled the last part.   "Oh but I don't want to be a burden!" Fluttershy protested.   "Oh nonsense Fluttershy, we're all always haply to help out a friend." Rarity said walking over to Fluttershy and placing a hoof on her shoulder. "I'm sure your animals will be just perfectly fine in Spikes care."   Fluttershy thought on it for a moment before nodding slowly, slightly unsure. "Alright I guess I'll go. But are you sure Spike can take care of them, I mean there's more animals then before."   "Yep, pretty sure!" Twilight said. "Now, you gonna come Rainbow Dash?"   Rainbow winced and rubbed her arm, a small blush coming to her face. "I don't know guys, I don't think I want to go."   "Why ever not Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked.   "Yeah, why not Dashie!?" Pinkie asked as well, resting her forelegs on the arm of her throne, while her head rested on her hooves as she smiled, waiting for the answer.   Rainbow blushed and tried to hide it but failed.   "Is it because that Wonderbolt Soarin?" Rarity cooed.   Rainbow's blush only increased at the mention of the very stallion she had a crush on, which caused everyone to smile at her.   "No! Why would you think that!?" Rainbow barked and glared, refusing to look at anyone in the face.   "Oh come on Rainbow Dash we've seen how you act around him. You totally like him!" Rarity laughed.   Rainbow frowned and gulped down the lump in her throat. "Is it really that obvious?" She asked awkwardly.   "Yeah, it's pretty obvious." Pinkie said jumping up and down on a blue balloon.   "So you going Dash? It won't be the same without you there." Twilight asked.   Rainbow thought for a moment then sighed. "Oh ok.....but You better not make me wear a pink dress Rarity!" She warned the white unicorn.   "Oh don't worry dear, I already have plans for your dress, and you can rest assure that it won't be pink." Rarity giggled, secretly crossing her hooves to the side.   "Alrighty then, lets all head to Rarity's so we can get to work on the dresses." Twilight said with a nod of her other friends who began to follow.   Rainbow groaned as she stood still for Rarity to make a few measurements for her dress before she started to work on making it.   Twilights was going to be a light blue dress with simple lace straps, the chest had a purple star with sparkles around it, the collar was black with a dark blue hue to it. The train was layered from the same light blue from the chest and a dark purple, around her waist was a black sash, her shoes were purple, fading into black with a pink star on the base, sparkles along it. She had her crown along with it, wrapped in a black ribbon with a dark purple hue.   Applejack's dress design was a light red dress with cream straps that went down along the arms in ribbon and lace. A red sash was around the middle and the dress train was tinted with red and orange. A small crown made out of red roses that could be woven into a braid to put in her hair, her shoes were simple and small cream slippers with an apple imprinted on the front of her front hooves.   Pinkie Pie's was a bright light blue with only one strap that went all the way down in lace on the left foreleg, leaving the other bare. Her dress train was layered with the blue and a hot pink, little mints were along the back of the dress along with pink sparkles. A hot pink sash was around the stomach and the collar was a darker blue with pink tinted at the end of it. A hair clip in the design of Pinkie's cutie mark was for her hair, along with a small sparkling light blue candy crown with pink gems.   Rarity was a purple dress with white laced straps. The collar was white and faded into purple, her train was mixed with gradient white, a soft pink, and purple. She also had a white crown with purple gems embedded in it, along with a pearl necklace and a ruin of a bright purple to go on her forehead, her shoes were white fading into a light purple, a red gem embedded in the center.   Fluttershy's was a soft teal, it had sleeves similar to Pinkies, there was only a sleeve on one foreleg but on the right instead of the left. It was lace and ribbon along it and a pink rose was rested on the shoulder where the sleeve began. Her dress had a small trail of teal and a silken baby blue fabric layered together, a baby blue sash went around the waist and the back of the dress was open, revealing her yellow back. A pink butterfly necklace was around the neck and she had a teal ruin on her head. Her shoes were light blue slippers which faded into a teal and a butterfly of a lighter shade of teal was embedded on it.   Rarity was designing Rainbow's but was having quite a hard time finding something well to go with her multi colored mane, she had told Rainbow as an excuse, not showing the real plan she already had for her dress.   "Wow Rarity these dress designs look awesome!" Pinkie jumped excitedly. "When are we gonna be able to try them?!"   "Most likely in just a couple days. It will take a lot of work to get these done, especially with all the detail I put on them." Rarity answered.   Fluttershy was holding a paper of her dress design from every angle and frowned at it.   "Um Rarity....doesn't this dress seem like its a bit too much? I mean it is very beautiful but.....I don't know...." Fluttershy whispered the last part with a grimace.   It looked very beautiful, it just seemed way to fancy and it looked like it would attract a lot of attention from how bright the colors would stand out. She didn't want to be stared at by all those ponies because the dress was so fancy.   "Oh it's perfectly fine Fluttershy. You need to stop worrying. You'll look absolutely stunning in it when I finish it! Why I bet every stallion will faint at the sight of you!" Rarity said, giving Fluttershy a reassuring smile.   Fluttershy gulped and replied with a quiet 'okay' but that was exactly what she didn't want. She didn't want stallions running after her or anything like that. There was only one stallion she didn't mind following her around. Fluttershy blushed as she thought of her crush.   "Is it too hot in here for you Fluttershy?" Twilight asked in concern.   Fluttershy blinked and shook her head.   "Hmm? Oh no I'm fine." She replied, giving a smile.   "Are you nervous?" Twilight then asked.   "Maybe a little."   "Don't worry, all of us are gonna be there to help you if you need us." Twilight placed a hoof on Fluttershy's right shoulder with a reassuring smile.   Fluttershy returned the soft smile. "Thank you Twilight."   Twilight did a quick nod with a 'mhm!' Before walking away.   "Ugh! Rarity are you done yet! I feel like I've been here for hours!" Rainbow complained.   "Sorry Rainbow Dash, just a few more minutes. I just can't decide what to do for your dress. I want to do something that will make your mane stand out from your dress, and something that will bring out your eyes." Rarity mumbled as she held up a few scraps of fabric with her magic next to Rainbow neck while tilting her head and pursing her lips.   Rainbow just groaned and tapped her hoof on the floor.   Fluttershy was looking at her dress design and she started to wonder if Discord would be there too. She wasn't sure if he would be since he doesn't stay in Canterlot, but she was hoping that he would be. She wanted him to see her in this dress if it looked good on her. She felt the need to impress him and knowing that there's a possible chance that he would be there made her start to feel excited to go to the Gala.   Would he wear a suit? He would look so handsome if he did. She found herself biting her lip and she had to hold back a squeak as she thought of her Draconequus friend. She was just gonna have to wait and see, but she was really, really hoping he would be there.....and maybe just possibly....he would ask her to dance? //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2 Canterlot //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2 Canterlot Chapter 2 Canterlot (Three Days Later)   Fluttershy glanced worriedly at her animals as she placed the saddle bag on her back.   "Are you really sure you can take care of them Spike?" She asked.   "Don't worry Fluttershy! This will be easy! There is no need to worry about your animals. There in good hooves....well claws in this case." Spike replied with confidence in his voice which just made Fluttershy worry more about the animals. Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak again but was interrupted by her friends who were waiting for her at the front door, all packed and ready to go.   "Come on Flutters! We're gonna be late!" Rainbow shouted from the door.   Fluttershy nodded and quickly started grabbing an extra bag of personal things she needed before heading to the door but stopping in her tracks and turning back to Spike.   "Make sure you feed Angel exactly what the list says. He is a very picky eater and will not eat it if it's not perfect!" She said as the bunny hopped over to her with pleading eyes.   "Yeah I know Fluttershy. Just go, I have everything under control." Spike reassured.   Fluttershy patted Angel on the head with her hoof as he hugged her leg. "Angel, be good for mommy while I'm gone okay?"   Angel just nodded and hugged his masters leg tighter before releasing it and bouncing away. Fluttershy was about to turn around when she stopped and looked at Spike again.   "Oh! Don't forget about his tail! He likes it too be just perfectly fluffed!-oh and harry is sick! so you gotta-"   Spike started pushing her out the door with annoyance in his eyes. "Fluttershy, just relax, they will be fine. I promise."   "O-okay if....if you say so." She said as she started walking out the door, Spike no longer pushing her.   "Oh wait Spike! If you could-" Fluttershy didn't get to finish as Spike slammed the door, cutting her off, her hair blowing back slightly at the force of it closing.   Fluttershy sighed and Rarity put a hoof on her shoulder making her glance up at her.   "Relax darling, I'm sure Spike will take very good care of your animals for you, there is no need at all to worry." Rarity said with a smile and a pat to her head.   "Guys we need to go, the train will be here in ten minutes!" Twilight said as she glanced at the sky and back at them, shuffling her hooves in worry of being late for the train.   The others nodded and began to follow Twilight as she started to trot at a fast pace and Fluttershy was about to follow when she heard a loud crash and the sound of a cat screeching in distress.   "On second thought! Maybe I'm just stay home!" Fluttershy suddenly declared, and was about to dash back, but Rainbow grabbed her tail and started to drag her away.   "Wait! Please! My animals!" She fussed trying to crawl back. Rainbow just rolled her eyes and continued to drag the desperate pegasus along.   They all started heading down the dirt path along the Everfree Forest till they crossed the bridge of Ponyville. Along the way they had to stop from a couple of stallion who were pulling an extremely large carriage full of some sort of dirt which slowed them down. Twilight kept getting worried and was relieved when they made it just in time as the train pulled up.   Rainbow was finally able to let go of Fluttershy's tail since she stopped trying to head back and gave a sigh of defeat. Twilight and the others except for Fluttershy and Rarity who were getting the dresses for the Gala into the train to take to Canterlot. Once they all had gotten in, along with many other ponies who looked like they were going to the Gala as well as for they had dresses packed as well in dress covers.   "ALL ABOARD FOR CANTERLOT!!!!" A stallion called from out of the train entrance. The stallion looked around before pulling out a watch to check the time before raising a bushy eye brow and placing it back into his pocket and looking around for any passengers again.   Satisfied that that was all, he went back into the train with a nod and went to start the train. The six had taken there seats in the back of a cart, all sharing except for Fluttershy, who was sitting by herself in the seat behind where Rarity and Twilight were sharing a seat and next to her on her left was Rainbow and Pinkie, and Applejack decided to take her own seat as well and laid back into a corner, raising her hoof to tip her hat over her face.   In a couple minutes, one stallion came over dressed in a blue suit and hat a small white and blue striped cap came and started checking everyone tickets. Soon he came to them.   "Tickets?" He asked, his voice and face showing no emotion as he spoke.   Twilight smiled and levitated six train ticket's to the stallion who grabbed them from her and scanned them thoroughly then looking around at the six.   "Are these all with you?" He asked, not taking his gaze of the tickets.   "Yes sir!" Twilight said, giving a small smile.   The stallion pulled out a stamper and stamped each ticket before handing them back.   "Thank you sir!" Twilight said taking back the ticket with her magic and placing them away.   Fluttershy jolted slightly as the train started suddenly and sighed as she watched Ponyville slowly start disappearing from view as the train started to go faster and faster every minute. She felt so nervous right now, but she wasn't sure why.   Fluttershy started thinking about Discord again, and if he was going to be there. She was really hoping he was. She couldn't stop hoping that she would be able to dance with him, unlike last years Gala.   Oh she would love to be in his arms, to feel him twirl her around. Even though she never really danced that much, she was still hoping for it. She wanted to be able to feel his body pressed against hers, his long slender yet strong looking body rubbing against her whenever they moved.   Fluttershy blushed at the thought and started rolling circles along the windows frame. She had never thought of a stallion like this before. It was a very strange feeling. Whenever he was around, he made her excited and happy, his silly tricks and child like behavior always made her laugh and smile. She just loved being so close to him whenever he visited her for tea.   She wished that they would spend more time together on their hang outs, and she wanted them to be more than just once a week. She has really missed him and it's been very hard not to think about each and everyday. When he would visit her cottage, he always made it lively and crazy, which she loved. At least she got a letter from him every other day or so.   Fluttershy thought she was weird for thinking this but, she thought him handsome. But..it also made sense in a way to her as well, seeing that she has always found creatures fascinating, and Discord was a whole mix up of all different kinds of animals which made her all the more interested in him. She had developed her first crush on him a few months ago at there last recent get together, something seemed to have snapped.   She always tried to deny it, not wanting to think of such thing of her friend, but she soon started to feel something strong in her chest whenever she thought, heard, or talked about him. Anything about him filled her heart with something strong and passionate. She had also been experiencing strange...urges...when she was around him quite a few times.   Fluttershy clutched her burning stomach as she laughed. She kicked her hind legs from loss of control,  and fell off the seat she was sitting on. "O-oh Discord! that has to be the funniest thing you ever done!' She giggled, taking in deep breaths to get air back into her lungs. Discord was over for his regular visit and as usual, telling her all types of jokes and weird rhymes and riddles with her, and she would talk about how she was doing and what had recently happened while he was gone.   Discord chuckled to himself and smiled sweetly at the mare. "Indeed it was!" He replied to her, wiping away a tear from laughing as well.   "Oh Discord, I just love our afternoon teas, you always know how to make me laugh." She smiled up at him, to which he returned with a warming gaze.   "Well you know what they say, if you can make a mare laugh you can...um...uh never mind..Anyways! how have you been my dear?" He asked, his tail wagging like a dogs as he leaned his elbow down on the kitchen table, his chin resting against it.   "Oh I've been doing alright, how about you?" She replied casually with a small shrug, ignoring what he said earlier.   "Oooh it's been the same, every day just...boring!" He groaned, running a paw over his face and his eyes rolling back.   "Oh? why is that? I thought you loved your new home." She asked, taking a sip of her tea.   "I do! I mean I love being able to spread my chaos without any pony complaining, and I do have fun but..I don't really know actually...it just feels like somethings missing and without it I can't decide what to do and nothing seems interesting..." He mumbled while his fingers tapped on the table as he thought.   Fluttershy's eye brows furrowed at Discord's answer and she thought for a moment before a small smile formed on her lips. "Well, maybe you need some company, or a pet perhaps?" She suggested tilting her head at him.   "Hmm, meh! I already have pets and the Smooze I conjured up..." He shrugged and stretched his back, levitating in his chair.   "Hmm, well...maybe what your missing is...is..." She blushed suddenly at the thought that popped suddenly in her head and smiled mischievously, to which Discord noticed, causing a strange skip in his chest at the sight.   "Well, what?" He asked, waiting for her suggestion.   "Maybe what you need is a mares company...l-like a...m-marefiend?" She asked, confused at a slight pang of hurt she felt from mentioning something like that to him.   Discord's eyes widened and he suddenly spit out chocolate milk that he had just conjured up while he had been waiting. "Wh-what?! ME!? a marefriend?" He sputtered before bursting into laughter, and rolling around in the air. "Me? me in a relationship?! HAHA! that would just be ridiculous! I don't mind friendship but I think getting a marefriend now is out of the question."   Fluttershy giggled slightly at him. "Why's that Discord?"   "Well I'm just not interested in the whole thought of romance and mooshy kissy wissy stuff like that." He said, waving a paw in the air.   "If you say so Dissy." She shrugged and took another sip of her cup.   Discord felt his eyes widen and then furrow in confusion before he looked at her strangely. "Dissy?"   "Sorry, what did you say?"   "Why did you call Dissy?" He asked wondering.   "Oh I'm sorry! do you not like that? I just thought it was a good nickname for you." She quickly replied.   "It's fine my dear it's just you've never given me a nickname before." He said, a smile creeping it's way across his lips.   "I see...but you know..." She grinned as a plan formed in her head. She never showed her teasing and fun self around anyone but him, mostly since his crazy silliness rubbed off on her. "It would be really cute if you were in a relationship with somepony..." She whispered, biting back her grin as she noticed the warning glare from Discord.   "Fluttershy...don't even think about it..." He growled low in warning.   Fluttershy pretended to not hear him and brought a hoof to her chin and tapped it as if in thought. "Hmm...maybe you and Twilight...you would make a an adorable couple!" She teased, knowing that she was playing with fire.   "WHAT!? Twilight?! UGH! don't even put that picture in my head! stop it!" He covered his ears and gagged which made Fluttershy's chest rise in triumph. This was the first time ever since the last Gala that she was able to tease him and get him this angry.   "Are you sure? Hmm how about Celest-" She suddenly gasped as Discord flashed in front of her and immediately covered her mouth with his paw and his eyes were bright burning embers before her name could fully leave her lips.   "Do.Not.Even..." He growled shaking his head.   Fluttershy decided to keep on pushing him and pulled his paw away by holding it between her hooves, to which caused Discord's ears to fall back and he glanced at his paw that she held with a strange look in his eye and he seemed to be breathing faster. "Oh I know! how about princess Luna!-"   Discord snapped out of his small trance and pulled his hand away and glared daggers. "THAT'S IT!!" He barked, causing Fluttershy to squeak before quickly jumping off her chair to run, not able to hold back her giggles as well as screams of fright as he chased her, too determined to catch her to think about using his magic at the moment.   "Oh can you imagine it Discord?!" She called from behind her tauntingly. "You and Luna sitting in a tree eating a romantic dinner and giving kissy faces?" She continued which caused Discord to growl louder and double his efforts to catch her, this time making her squeak in fear as he quickly jumped on top of her and they went tumbling around the cottage and into the living room floor.   She let out a small umph! as he came on top of her, holding her down firmly and crushing his snout against hers in a snarl. "Do not ever put such images in my mind again you little..." He said before gagging. "Ugh really Fluttershy? I'm gonna have nightmares for a week!" He complained, rubbing his eyes with his paw.   "I'm sorry Dissy, I couldn't help myself." She giggled, blushing and feeling a little bad for doing that to him. Then she looked up into his orb eyes and felt something flutter in her stomach and she suddenly felt really hot. She felt her face flush as the fur of his body brushed hers and she realized the closeness of there faces. Her heart started pumping hard and fast against her chest, and she felt her breath become heavy as his eyes seemed to pull her into a deep pool of sudden and unfamiliar desire.   Discord seemed to notice this as well, Fluttershy seemed to look different....she looked so bright, and so...so...beautiful? Her eyes seemed to sparkle and drown him in a teal sea wave, but before Fluttershy could spot the blush he felt that started filling his cheeks, he quickly pulled up and backed away from Fluttershy and laughing nervously. Fluttershy had to shake her head in order to clear her clouded mind and started sitting up. Discord then bit his lip and looked away as Angel came up and started bugging  Fluttershy for his food.   'Am I blushing? why am I blushing!? and more importantly what was that!?' He questioned in his mind, feeling his heart pound wildly and his body was still warm at feeling her pressed so firmly against him on the floor.   At the same time Fluttershy was wonder about what she just felt as well. 'Oh my....I...what's going on? Wh-why do I feel so hot? And why is my heart pounding so fast!?' She gulped as she glanced at Discord, immediately looking away as the sight of him caused her heart and blood to race more.   Soon after that day, she had started to realize that she was.....falling in love with him. And it wasn't just a simple attraction. She was certain and sure about what she was feeling but there was a common fear that he wouldn't ever return her feelings back.   Fluttershy suddenly snapped out of her deep thoughts as the train came to a halt as they arrived at Canterlot's train station.   "We've arrived at Canterlot! Next stop.....Phillydelphia!"   "We're here already?" Fluttershy whispered to herself.   Twilight and the others were already getting up from their seats and grabbing there saddle bags. Once again Fluttershy helped Rarity bring the dresses that she made along with them as ponies started leaving the train cart. It took them a while to get out since they were in the back of the cart and the ponies were lining up to get out.   They finally came out and they looked around at the train station. Suddenly a few guards approached Twilight and bowed before her, surprising her at the sudden appearance, even after all this time being a princess, she still wasn't used to being escorted by the royal guards.   "Your majesty! We have been sent by Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna...to escort you and your friends to the castle." The guard in front of the other two guards said to her.   "Oh! Alright then!...come on girls!" Twilight said joyfully. The others nodded and followed her as the guards rose and started to lead them to the castle where Celestia and Luna waited.   Twilight was surprised to see so many ponies from Ponyville coming for the Gala, from what it seemed. Last time there were only a few ponies she recognized from Ponyville.   "Oh I just love Canterlot! I really hope to live here someday...but...for now I enjoy being near my best friends in Ponyville." Rarity said with awe and sweetness in her voice, and winked at a stallion who she caught gawking at her beauty to tease the silly stallion.   "It is very beautiful indeed. I did grow up here as a filly, so this place feels so much like home and brings back so many memories of me and my brother and the times we shared as foals." Twilight also remarked.   "Eh....this place is ok." Rainbow mumbled and shrugged.   They walked for quite a while, especially since almost every citizen in Canterlot seemed to be shopping and getting ready for the gala that was soon to come.   They finally arrived at the castle where two guards opened a large gate that prevented anyone unwanted entering. There was a small screeching sound as the large bar gates opened. The guards lead them through and up to a large staircase where they went down a long way till they came close to the great castle doors.   Two guards were at the doors and noticed the other guards who gave a nod of approval to them and they looked at Twilight before giving a bow of respect and opening the doors for them. They entered the large castle and Rarity became overly excited and started admiring the large decor of the grand halls of Canterlot castle. It seemed like they were walking forever until they finally reached the throne room that was opened.   Celestia and Luna were talking with a mare with bundles of paper work around her, wearing glasses and talking with a stone personality. Celestia noticed the guards entering and a big smile crept on her face as she spotted her star pupil and her friends.   "Leave us..." Celestia said to the mare with glasses who was about to protest before sighing and nodding, walking off with the paper work.   "Twilight Sparkle! I'm so glad you were able to make it!" Celestia embraced her pupil who had ran to her, past the guards to hug her mother figure.   "I'm glad we could make it too princess!" Twilight said giggling.   Celestia broke the hug and smiled at the guards."Thank you sir's. please...take a break an enjoy yourselves."   The guards seemed to get excited to finally have a break from there exhausting day of work and bowed to the Princess before walking off with a smile.   "Hello my friends! I hope you all don't mind helping us make this years Gala more exciting." Celestia said as her sister walked next to her.   "Oh it's our pleasure princess!" Rarity said, eye glimmering with joy.   "Well I'm glad. I want this Gala to be more social and exciting without anything too crazy occurring, we had quite a few complaints the last few Gala's. We have a lot to do though. But for now, I think you would all like to get settled and see your rooms for the next few nights." Celestia explained, nodding at a guard who had stayed to come forward.   "Please escort Princess Twilight and her friends to there chambers." Celestia commanded softy.   The guard nodded and turned to the six ponies to start leading them out.   "When your all done getting settled, I would like to have you all join me for dinner this evening." Celestia requested before they all nodded and started leaving the room.   Each one of the six got there own personal room to stay in. Each was a very decent and large sized. There was a large queen sized bed in each and the room was decorated in beautiful curtains, flowers, and rugs.   The bed cushions were soft and comfortable, the sheets were silk and warm, on the four posts of the bed, there were thin drapes that were tied to the post in case of need of extra privacy.   Fluttershy had a room at the end of the hall, around the corner from where her friends slept. Her bed had red velvet sheets and covers and roses were in vases on the bed stand and a small table close to the door. There was a small balcony with a beautiful view of the royal Canterlot gardens.   Fluttershy took in all the fanciness of the room and placed her bags down on the bed before running a hoof over the soft bed. She sighed and got on top, laying on her back, her forelegs spread out as she closed her eyes. It was gonna be a long day tomorrow, so she was gonna need lots of rest for what was to come.   She decided to take a small nap before dinner. She still had an hour before evening so it wouldn't matter. She felt like she was being a big burden for staying in one of Celestia's guest rooms, but whenever she tried to reject anything they always insisted that she take it so she gave up.   Once again Fluttershy's thought were of Discord, and she smiled with a blush as she drifted off to sleep. Her dreams hot and romantic as she slept peacefully in the silken bed.