Author's Note

I know took long enough right?
Anyway, so this is the long awaited Chapter where the villain gets his comeuppance! HUZZAH! It seems to be shorter than usual though I didn't do a word count so I do not know for sure Sorry if it is short, I hope it is okay
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!

Not so High N' Mighty

Chapter 7: Not so High N’ Mighty

Discord had been searching through egg-head’s gigantic collection of knowledge, in various forms, since a week ago when Luna had finally managed to find Fluttershy. His reward for all those hours spent rifling through another pony’s belongings? Nothing, there had been no information on the subject at hand, almost as if it were purposefully removed from all records. Twilight was fast asleep on her stack of documents and Luna had to leave for royal duties, but it didn’t matter much there was clearly no answer to be had here. If only there was a pony who was practically immortal, nearly omniscient, and yeah he figured it out by this point too.

Well, I know one pony who has lived long enough to possibly have any idea as to what this place is and who these ponies are. But I really don’t like dealing with sun-butt. Whether he would be particularly pleased to have to deal with her royal trollness, he could suck it up and deal with it for Fluttershy.

He couldn’t imagine how this week had been for her, and his heart ached to think of what psychological damage would linger long after her physical wounds healed. After his really big break down he hadn’t cried so much, not that he didn’t feel sad, on the contrary, he was too sad to cry. Did that make sense? Having so much of one, or several, emotion(s) that your body just didn’t know how to react.

He stopped the train of thought before it delved too deep and he became too sullen to even move. He had a certain monarch to meet with, after all, he couldn’t afford to waste anymore time than he already had on this musty library. With a snap he found himself in the royal bedchambers, oh yes, he had forgotten what time it was… no matter this was more important than beauty sleep. “Celestia,” he said quietly as he strolled up next to her bed.

Snores permeated the silence in the room and had he not been in such a hurry he would take a minute to laugh at how undignified the Princess sounded right now. “Celestia,” he said again as he prodded her forehead. And…… nothing, well he was going to have to try something else to wake the sleeping rock.

“Celestia! Luna’s transformed back into Nightmare Moon!” He exclaimed quietly but next to her ear so it’d sound louder than it actually was.

Celestia jerked awake and saw Discord standing next to her bed with his usual sly smile. “She’s completely fine isn’t she,” Celestia said flatly as she sat up.

“Yes, but there really is a good reason as to why I am here,” Discord replied sitting down on the bed next to her. “It’s a long story so stay awake and listen up because I will not repeat myself.”

So after a little over an hour, a few slaps to wake up sun-butt, and a really awkward moment of silence Celestia got up and went to her balcony. “Discord, do you remember what happened to the draconeqi?” She asked looking up into the starry sky and awaiting his response.

“Of course, I do. It’s the same reason why there are only four alicorns. There was a war, mostly because ponies feared us for our power and nature. Normal ponies didn’t stand a chance against us so the alicorns decided to take the entire burden of the war on their shoulders. In the end, a single draconequus child remained….. the ponies wanted nothing to do with him and would have killed him had it not been for their monarch intervening. It was through her mercy the child survived. And well…. we both know what happened once that child grew up,” Discord responded quietly not wanting to recall any of this. “It’s the only thing I ever really regret doing…. and I know that’s not any form of consolation, but I wanted you to know.”

Celestia let a single tear escape, he was right, nothing he could ever do or say would make the act he performed in order to gain the throne any better. It would always hurt, but that wasn’t who he was now and Celestia had to get past that. She merely nodded in response to his words. “The reason I brought this up is because there is another race that exists in this world that if everypony knew about, well they might find them terrifying. You told me a story tonight…. now allow me to tell you one,” Celestia said never once looking away from the stars. “Long ago, a nation was just starting to recover from losing one Princess when a seafaring pony found an island west of Las Pegasus. The ponies there were… unique and feral looking. The pony who found the island had stayed long enough for a full moon to pass because, well to quote him the mares were very accepting, so he stayed and a full moon comes. Everypony on the island becomes even more feral and carnivorous, he claimed that he had to fight ten of them to get to his ship but we all know sea stories. Anyway, when he brought the tale with him some got curious and discovered it was real, naturally they feared the rumours that began to spread about them eating ponies who landed there on a full moon. After a while nearly everypony had heard the stories and a good chunk were afraid and demanding that the race be eradicated lest they come here and kill our mares and foals. I erased all written knowledge of the race and assured everypony that they were merely a new breed that had a severe genetic condition in reaction to moonlight that caused them to lose control for a short time.”

Discord understood why she had handled things this way, but because she didn’t tell a single soul about it Fluttershy was suffering. He sighed, “I get it. I really do, but now Fluttershy is out there because of our ignorance. Do you know anything else about them?”

“Magic is ineffective against them. They can be teleported or levitated, but combat magic, well, it is not that it cannot be used against them, it is just much less effective than it is for other races. You could produce a magical blast that would normally gravely wound anypony and they would walk away with barely a scratch. Physical combat is inadvisable due to the way their nature works,” Celestia responded simply.

Discord pouted a bit at that, he’d hoped he could just vaporize the cretin and get it over with, but looks like he’ll have to be a little more creative with his method of disposal. “Alright, I think I have all the information I need. Celestia?”

“Yes, Discord.”

“I’m not the same draconequus as the one that cast your mother into the fabric of space and time. I hope that someday you’ll be able to believe me,” he said softly.

“I know, in my heart of hearts I know,” Celestia responded in the same tone.

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Fluttershy was broken. She didn’t talk back, she made no move to stop High N’ Mighty from anything he wanted, she responded to commands swiftly, Tartarus she couldn’t even think a bad thought anymore. She wasn’t begging him for anything either, no she was completely broken. All her emotions, all her thoughts, all her actions, now revolved around the present moment and what was asked of her.

Her dreams were the only place she found solace. There things were the way they used to be not so long ago, but what seemed like a lifetime away now. Fluttershy would be laughing with Discord as he finished one of his unique jokes or she would be laughing because he’d be tickling her with his talons across her stomach or his tail across her nose. Discord would be holding her close to him on the couch nuzzling the top of her head sweetly and planting tender kisses on her head and neck. He would whisper sweet nothings in her ears as he caressed her gently.

But dreams were just that… dreams…. she would always wake up with a heavy hoof wrapped around her stomach and pain from whatever had occurred the day before, not to mention her back where her wings used to be. She would always wake up either moments before or after High N’ Mighty would, and he would always claim her before going off to court. Fluttershy no longer cried or thought about anything anymore, it only caused more unnecessary stress. She was more of a husk than anything now, no emotion beyond that of pleasure in the bedroom, she didn’t smile or frown and she certainly never laughed.

Fluttershy would shamble from place to place, being allowed to go pretty much anywhere as a ‘reward’ for her obedience, mostly she was moving for the sake of keeping her body busy so her mind wouldn’t be. Sometimes, she would go out into the garden, whenever she saw a bird or a bug a small glimmer of something would flash within her but it would go almost as soon as it came and she would shamble back inside. Other times, she went into the Library and just looked over at all the books that they hoarded into one expansive room. Mostly, she would just walk aimlessly roaming all over the castle and its grounds unable to stop lest her inner demons come back to torment her.

It had taken only four days to turn her into this lifeless puppet, and according to High the next step would be done within the month. Fluttershy couldn’t care less if she turned into his perfect mare or not anymore, it was already past the point of no return for her, too broken, too lifeless, too tainted. Just a pitiful mare with a miserable life. It was starting to show through in her appearance, her mane, tail, and fur were dull and lighter in color, it was almost like when Discord had turned her grey except instead of full on grey it was more of a muted color of what it already was. Her eyes seemed almost lifeless and they never truly seemed to focus on one place.

Yesterday, was kind of different, High had actually made her attend court with him. She was asked to wear a white dress and shoes, which she did without complaint. Court was as boring as she thought it’d be, not to mention every stallion in the room kept staring at her like she was a piece of meat or something. It was unsettling and she almost worried that High would get into a ‘sharing’ mood with his advisers. After court came the usual rough claiming followed by a bath. That night though High actually left her alone and was content to just lay next to her before falling asleep.

Her dream was simple but sweet. Discord was chasing her through a field with a playful, yet lustful, gleam in his eyes. She ran giggling when she managed to evade him, but she wasn’t really trying to get away. The dream felt warm and pure, making her heart flutter. Discord crouched and sprang, using his wings to gain extra distance, landing right on top of Fluttershy and sending them both tumbling for a bit. When the world stopped spinning Discord was on top of her smiling and she leaned up to kiss him. That is where the dream stopped.

Fluttershy had woken up particularly early this day, not of her own accord either, no she was prodded awake. She slowly opened her eyes and BAM Discord’s face right there, staring at her, not two inches away. It took a moment for her brain to actually process what was going on and catch on to the fact that this wasn’t a dream. When she the sudden realization hit, she nearly screamed in happiness and fear. Honestly, could he not have backed off a bit before waking her up, and not given her a heart attack?

It took everything she had not to move and wake up High by doing so. Instead she simply smiled and the spark returned to her eyes as she looked at him. Discord had almost not recognized her when he snapped into the bedchambers… she was so…. he didn’t want to use the term damaged so perhaps hurt or downtrodden? She barely had any life to her at all so much different from how she was, filled with life and brimming with happiness. Now she looked almost the same as when he’d changed her back at the maze, and when she opened her eyes, oh sweet Celestia, her eyes. They were dull and unfocused like a zombie’s would be, instead of the bright blue sparkling eyes he’d been so used to.

Seven hells, what had that thing done to her? Discord felt his anger rise the longer he looked at her. However, he smiled back at her so she wouldn’t be frightened or worse. “C’mere angel,” he whispered sweetly bending down and opening his arms so he could hold her. “Don’t worry about that thing next to you I’ll keep him from moving or talking should he wake.”

Fluttershy bit her bottom lip unsure if she could do what he asked, what if he did wake? What would Discord do? Gently and slowly she removed his hoof from her stomach, High made a noise but didn’t wake, and then she slid off the bed and into Discord’s arms. He gently ran his talons across her body finding the new cuts and bruises, glancing over her flank to see that things mark burned into her over her own mark, and finally looking at the stitching where her wings once were.

How could anything do this? It was sickening and Discord had seen some serious stuff in his time. Discord nuzzled the side of her face sweetly and was startled to feel tears streaming down her cheeks. “Shhh. It’s okay, I’m here now,” he cooed in her ear as he held her close. High and whatever could wait a little while, right now he had to comfort his angel.

Fluttershy was apprehensive to say the least, she was happy Discord was here to get her but at the same time she had been through so much. Discord didn’t need this kind of trouble in his life, even if he was fine with her being used and abused he didn’t deserve to be stuck with the recovery this would need. “Do you know wh-what has been going on?” Fluttershy managed to get out her voice raspy from screaming so much and then no use.

Discord sighed and kissed her cheek. “Yes, but I’m here now, and I promise nothing will ever happen to you again,” he whispered almost crying himself now. “I’m so sorry Fluttershy.” Discord kissed her gently and began stroking her mane.

“What the he-” High was interrupted as soon as he began to talk by Discord’s magic surrounding him in a bubble. Discord was hoping to at least get her to stop crying before the Werepony woke up, but no such luck. “Ah, it seems that our delightful host is awake. Excuse me, Fluttershy, I’m afraid I have to attend to some nasty business,” Discord responded tone ranging from sweet to venomous as he sat Fluttershy down. “Please stay a good distance away love, this could get messy.”

With a snap the room was closed off into its own pocket dimension so there would be no chance of anypony coming to this stallion’s rescue. Another snap, the bubble popped and High charged forward positively furious. “If it isn’t the patchwork freak? Seems you can’t get anybody else but the Element of Kindness to be with you,” he sneered.

“Patchwork freak? That’s a new one, should I give you a treat boy?” Discord retorted.

High’s horn glowed as he aimed a beam of magic at Discord who dodged easily. “Aww, come on can’t you do better than that?” Discord taunted. High growled and shot another beam which Discord just teleported away from. “A swing and a miss,” he said with a snap of his fingers.

With that the room was filled with Discords who all spoke in unison, “Come on this time I’ll stay still.”

High looked flustered and was looking around the room trying to figure out which one was the real one. In frustration he shot several beams into the midst of the Discords and as it hit one it’d disappear, but there was still more and they were all laughing at him now. “I’m done with these games,” they said as they became one again.

Magic began to glow around his talons as High began to lift up into the air. Fluttershy watched as Discord used his talons to direct High N’ Mighty where he wanted him, which happened to be smashing into the stone walls, ceiling, and floor repeatedly. Left wall, sickening crack of a bone breaking, right wall, scream cut short with a kind of gurgling, ceiling, another crack this time bone coming through, floor, and he’s unconscious finally. Blood began splattering all over the room as this continued and Fluttershy couldn’t take it anymore. “STOP!” She screamed. Discord stopped throwing him and looked at Fluttershy confused. High was limp and unconscious in the air, but he was still alive.

“After what he did to you he doesn’t deserve to live,” Discord hissed his eyes glowing dangerously. Fluttershy shook her head, “What he did was wrong and he will never see that, but he doesn’t deserve to die. Put him down.”

Discord stood there for a while before complying begrudgingly and setting him on the bed. “Fine, but if I let him go as is he will never stop looking for you. So, instead of smashing him into these walls until he is unrecognizable I’m doing something that I know is torturous,” Discord replied. “Sometimes, my dear, your heart is just too big for this world.” With that he snapped and on the bed lay a stone High N’ Mighty.

“He’ll live so long as the stone is intact, so he’ll have nothing but his thoughts to keep him company for a very long time to come,” Discord said as he turned to face Fluttershy. “Now let’s get you patched up and sent home.”

He walked to stand beside her and bent down next to her to get a better look at her injuries. First, he used his talons to cut the stitches and no sooner than when he pulled the thread out her wings sprung free as if they’d been trapped under them and not removed. Next, he gently ran his paw over her flank and the brand went away as if it had been drawn on. Finally, whatever else he missed he just snapped and it was gone and they were back at her house.

Fluttershy now looked exactly like he remembered her, bright, happy, and full of life. He picked her up gently and carried her to bed where he laid down with her holding her tightly, afraid that if he let go she would be gone. “You know I just realized you could’ve just snapped everything better,” Fluttershy said with a giggle.

Discord smiled at the sound and nuzzled the top of her head. “Well there are two things that may or may not have something to do with that. One, I adore showmanship, and two I might just perhaps love touching you,” he replied.

Fluttershy smiled at first but then let it fade as she thought of everything that had happened. “Discord, if you know everything why are you still here?” Fluttershy asked softly.

Discord felt the mood change and his heart dropped in his chest. “Why wouldn’t I be? Fluttershy, what happened…. it was not your fault. None of this was any of your fault, and it doesn’t change who you are or how I feel about you,” he replied gently stroking her mane.

“You’ve been through a lot already Discord…. you don’t need a broken mare like me as your special somepony…. you deserve better,” Fluttershy said almost inaudibly with a thick layer of sadness in her voice.

Discord felt his heart split in two at the tone of her voice and what she had said. She thinks I deserve better? She thinks she is broken and unwanted? Pain resonated throughout Discord’s entire body with this information. He was determined now to prove her otherwise. Gently, but swiftly, he flipped her to face him and kissed her deeply before looking into her eyes. “Listen to me Fluttershy, you’re not broken or ruined you are the same kind and loving Fluttershy I know. I’ve lived for centuries, and throughout all of them I’ve seen countless mares, but none of them ever made me feel the way you make me feel. You make me feel so alive and happy. Fluttershy, you’ve given me a reason to keep on going, you’re the reason I reformed. Fluttershy I love you and you will always be my special somepony no matter what. Nothing could ever change the way I feel about you,” he managed to get out before crying.

Fluttershy didn’t know how to respond, so instead she kissed him passionately. Discord was surprised by the sudden notion but quickly caught on and pushed into the kiss. He held the back of her head as they continued to kiss until finally she broke away. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do anything else tonight,” she said softly looking down to avoid his gaze.

“We don’t have to, and we won’t until you’re ready. I understand and won’t push you at all to do anything you’re uncomfortable with,” he cooed and held her close. “Besides, I think it’s way past your bedtime young filly.”

Fluttershy giggled and nuzzled her head into his neck and closed her eyes with a small smile. “Goodnight Discord,” she said with a yawn.

Discord chuckled warmly, “Goodnight my angel.” He gently stroked her hair until he finally fell asleep body curled into hers protectively and arms holding her close.