Cucumber Sandwiches

Discord walked the empty streets. The same streets that used to be bustling with fellow draconequii. The only thing that occupied this city now were the lifeless bodies of the species, Discord, and the crying child. Discord didn't know what to do. He still felt Guilt and Determination, so going back to his own time wasn't an option. What more knowledge could he get, though, and how would he get it?

Discord, thinking of the only was to suppress the feeling he had, advanced towards the crying child. The sound of sobbing became more intense as he got closer, filling his ears and his heart. He could only imagine what the child felt. He had just tried to stop the bully, and ended up wiping out everyone he knew.

"Hello," Discord said as he approached.

The child swung around hastily, surprised by the sound of someone other than himself. "Don't come closer," he threatened, tears still rolling down his face, "I.. I can hurt you!" He put his finger and thumb against each other.

Discord put his hands into the air and said calmly, "calm down. I'm not going to hurt you."

The kid still didn't look calm, but his eyes became less fiery, though his body stayed clenched. "What do you want? How do you understand me?"

Discord walked over to the kid and sat down next to him. "To be honest? I don't know. I don't know what I want. I don't know why I can understand you. I just really don't know anymore." Discord stared at the snowy ground.

The child studied him with cold eyes. "I thought I was the only draconequus that spoke this language." His stance became less tense, knowing that someone else was different as well.

"Obviously not," Discord spoke, still staring at the ground. "What is your name, kid?"

The child left his stance and went to sit by Discord. "I'm Discord. What's your name?"

Hearing that made Discord stare even lower. "Discord."

The child looked at him. "Weird, huh?"

Discord looked back at the kid, putting on a fake smile. "Yeah, weird. So, what happened back there?"

Child Discord stared down at the ground, same as Discord. "I didn't want it to turn out this way." A tear dropped, scattering the snow where it landed. "The kids, the teacher..." he paused, "my parents."

Discord put an arm around the kid, "hey there, it'll get better."

The child sniffled and wiped his eyes. "You promise?"

Discord looked into the sky. The stars shined brightly, contrasting with the dark times the kid, or, he guessed, he was going through right now. "I promise."

The child leaned against Discord, the tears running down Discord's fur, leaving streaks of matted down fur. He wept profusely, a weak, "thank you," escaping his quivering lips. Discord pulled the child into a hug. "Where are you from," the child asked after letting his sadness out.

Discord pondered what to say. "I'm not from around here."

"You aren't?" The child started to back away from Discord. "Then why are you being so nice to me? Are you mocking me? Trying to make me sad?"

"What? No, I just-"

The child backed onto his feet. "You are just trying to be mean. If you don't know me, then why else would you be doing this?"

"Trust me, I know you."

"You said you weren't from around here. Who are you? Don't give me anymore 'I'm Discord as well' bullshit."

"Look, I am not mocking you. I know you are going through tough times, and I want to help."

"What're you gonna do? Take me away with you and turn me in to someone for murder?"

"No, I am not going to-"

The child started to walk away. Discord got onto his feet and followed the kid. "Stop following me!"

Discord stopped. He knew there was no use in trying to explain to the kid. He understood. After killing everyone you knew, you probably didn't want encouraging words from someone who looks like your people who wasn't actually from there. "What are you going to do now, Discord?"

The kid stared, anger entering his eyes again. "I-I'll leave!"

Discord looked around, "where?"

The kid took a deep breath biting his lip. "Screw you. Nothing will get better! I hate you!" The child snapped and was gone. Discord stood, staring at the spot he was just seeing himself. He didn't know what would happen to the kid, but something would happen that would make him forget this.

Discord walked back to the school where all of the destruction started. There was nothing among the rubble. Nothing that is, except for a bag.

A bag of cucumber sandwiches.

His favorite.

Discord soon returned to his time, seeing Fluttershy and everypony else once again. The scene of the broken civilization would never leave his mind, and the knowledge he had gained would haunt him forever. At least his emotional pair was gone. That was the only good thing. The only good thing.

Oh, Discord! You're early," Fluttershy exclaimed. A few days after the incident, Discord had returned to his normal life, being the best troll in Equestia and spending time with his friends more than ever.

"Why yes I am. I figured that my day wasn't that busy so I thought we could spend more time together than planned?"

"Well, come on in!"

Discord entered the cottage, taking a seat on the red couch with the window overhead. On the coffee table in front of him sat a plate.

A plate of cucumber sandwiches. Discord looked at Fluttershy, a smile on her face. He had friends who loved him and whom he loved. He had a true home. He had a good life.

"I made a promise," Discord said, "and I most definitely kept it."