Chapters It was spring, whether late or early spring it was hard to tell. Time moved at odd angles within the confines of the hospital. Between coming in and out of operations and sitting alone in her bed, Melodia only had a single window to show her what was going about in the outside world. Even then, she couldn't see much, other than a the sky and some treetops. The Pegasus was quite beautiful, with her long red-violet mane and a coat the color of milk and honey. One could never tell that she had a severe condition from looking at her. But it was true. The mare had a weak heart, and was prone to sudden attacks. The doctors had worked hard to prolong her life, telling her that she was lucky to have lived this long, and to have born a healthy child too. Melodia sat up as the doctor trotted in, his face was hopeful, yet he looked at her with pity.
"I have good news Melodia." he said. "There's a way that we just might be able to fix your heart." Melodia's ears perked up, she began to feel hope rising in her chest.
"Really? You mean it doctor?"
"It requires a little treatment and the administration of and experimental medicine, but if all goes well you should be as healthy as any other pony." Melodia smiled, she'd be able to leave, at long last! But the doctor's hopeful smile faded, becoming much more serious.
"There is a catch though. The treatment is very expensive, I've already notified your husband and he says he'll send the money for it as quickly as he can, but even if he can pay for it, there's a high chance that you may not survive the procedure." Melodia looked down at her lap, avoiding the doctor's face.
"I'm sorry, but I want you to know of the risks before we go on with it. If you want to wait and think about it, I understand." Melodia shook her head, and said without looking up, "I've waited my whole life doctor, I don't wish to wait any longer." She put a hoof to her chest. Two tears freed themselves from her closed eyelids and fell onto the covers of the bed.
"I can feel it you know, my heart dying, withering away within me. Since I was born, my heart was weak and slowly disappearing. My parents thought I wouldn't live to become a mare. I proved them wrong, I escaped death and outlived my parents. It's always been my wish, to live as other ponies, to enjoy the world and everything in it, something that was denied to me when I drew my first breath."
"Miss Melodia..."
"However, that's not to say that I haven't experienced any joy at all. I had met my husband when he came to visit the patients that no pony cared for, and we fell in love. When I was weak, but well enough to head home, and we were married, and shortly I became pregnant. I had to come back to the hospital, but I got to spend a month outside, much longer than the two or three days I would usually get. I had my darling little filly, and I could never have been happier or prouder. But as you know, I became sick after the labor, and have never left since."
"I can understand that you're upset..."
"How can you possibly understand doctor?" she asked in a dangerous whisper. "How can you understand what it's like to pray and hope each day that your heart doesn't give out, and you can live to see another day?" The doctor frowned, and took a few steps toward Melodia's bed.
"Doctor...can you please....do me this one kindness and grant me my wish?" she asked.
"P-pardon?"
"I want to leave this place, just for today. Let me go outside. I want to see the sun, feel the wind, I want to experience life one last time before I die. And most importantly, I want to spend the day with my daughter."
"Miss Melodia, you know I cannot permit that, it's against hospital regulations."
"Who gives a flying feather about hospital regulations? I'm going to die anyway, let me die in peace by granting me what I want."
"Miss..."
"PLEASE!" Melodia grabbed the doctor by his coat, pulling him closer to her. "I beg of you, let me live!" she sobbed painful. "I-I...I want to live!" The doctor patted her on the back and comforted her with a hug as she cried into his chest.
"I'm sorry Melodia, I cannot let you leave in your condition. You'll have to wait until the treatment, after that, then maybe you'll have your wish." Melodia sobbed into her hooves, wanting to be left alone. The doctor closed the door to her room softly.
"The poor dear." said Nurse Redheart. "It seems she's all alone. Why aren't her husband and daughter by her side?"
"Her husband travels away on business, her works high end jobs in order to pay for his wife's medical bills and treatments. This takes away his time from her but allows her to keep on living. I imagine he'd be a wealthy stallion otherwise if he didn't use the money for her."
"What about her daughter? Doesn't she visit?"
"She does, from time to time. Her mother actually moved here to Ponyville to make the commute easier on her."
"Why doesn't she visit everyday? Doesn't she know that her mother could die any day now?"
"...No...she doesn't know." Nurse Redheart was shocked by this.
"What?! How can she not know about her own mother's health?"
"Because her own parents never told her. As far as she knows, her mother is merely sick with an illness that she hasn't recovered from. If she were to know her mother's condition worsened from giving birth to her, it would break her heart. She might even blame herself for her mother's death."
"Melodia, she looks so young for her age, it seems a shame to end her life so early."
"Which is why I'm doing everything I can to make sure she doesn't die, not until she's and old mare at a ripe old age. She deserves that much." Nurse Redheart followed the doctor down the hall to help the other patients. Melodia listened carefully, till she was sure they were gone. She threw off the covers of her bed and stood on the cold floor. If the doctor wouldn't give her her wish, she'd have to go and get it herself. But first, she had to get out of the hospital. She drew back the curtains around her bed so no pony would immediately know she was gone. Then she trotted to the window and opened it up. The air outside felt good as it whooshed past her face. She extended her wings, readying them to fly. 'Today's the day that I live. ' And like a bird freed from its cage, she was gone.
Author's Note
Tune in to see what happens to Melodia next. Melodia is my OC and the name of Fluttershy's mom until the character actually appears on the show.
There was aloud knock.
"Who could that be?" asked Fluttershy aloud. The pegasus wasn't expecting anypony to come over to her cottage. She trotted to the door and standing on the door mat was a pegasus mare with a long red-violet mane and a milk and honey coat. Fluttershy gasped and put her hooves over her mouth.
"Mother...?" The pegasus nodded, a kind smile on her face.
"Hello dear."
"Mom!" Fluttershy threw her arms and wings around Melodia, hugging her tightly. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?"
"The doctor said that I was well enough to go out and visit you. I thought we could spend the day together." said Melodia, lying through her teeth.
"That's wonderful! But, I made plans to eat with my friends at Twilight's castle."
"Why don't I join you?" asked Melodia. "It's about time I met your friends after hearing so much about them."
"Well..." Fluttershy tapped her chin. "I suppose they wouldn't mind."
"Good! We'll have to hurry though, the doctor would like me back before sunset to do a quick check up on me."
"Oh, okay then." Fluttershy believed Melodia's lies. She didn't want to have to lie to her daughter, but it was the only way she'd be able to live they day like any other pony. And so far, she was doing well. She hadn't felt any attacks on the walk over to the cottage, and she felt great after leaving that hospital room. 'The day I live, begins... '
The lunch at the friendship castle had been arranged by Twilight, to talk to her friends (as well as to better bond with Discord ever since his three day weekend with the girls). Everypony had shown up, bringing their own dish, except for Fluttershy who was running a bit late. Pinkie Pie tried to snatch a bite from one of the plates, only to have her hoof smacked away by Twilight.
"Pinkie, we need to wait for everypony." she said.
"Aw! But I'm hungry!" Pinkie Pie complained.
"Really Pinkie Pie, trying to eat before Fluttershy gets here, how rude." said Discord, his arms folded. Twilight narrowed her eyes at him.
"That includes you too Discord." Discord avoided looking directly into Twilight's eyes.
"What do you mean?" Twilight used her magic to levitate a piece of food Discord had been hiding behind his back.
"No snacking." Discord held up both paw and claw in defense, it was at that exact moment that Fluttershy came in.
"Sorry I'm late everypony." she said. "I ran into somepony that I'd like you to meet." Fluttershy motioned for the pony to come forward from the doorway. The Pegasus mare smiled warmly at Fluttershy's friends.
"This is Melodia, my mom." said Fluttershy.
"Your mom?" asked Twilight.
"But I thought your mom was sick at the hospital or something." said Rainbow Dash. Melodia spoke for Fluttershy to explain.
"I was, but I was let out with a clean bill of health. I thought it would be wonderful to spend the day with my daughter, and the friends she's been telling me about." Rarity stepped forward to introduce herself, but Melodia held up a hoof.
"Don't tell me your names." said Melodia, a sly smile starting to form. "I want to guess for myself, it'll be much more fun for me." She looked Rarity up and down before she said, "You're Rarity, I believe. My daughter has told me about how you design beautiful clothes, I hope your career takes off." Rarity was flattered and said as she smiled, "I do too, it can be difficult sometimes, but I pull through." Melodia moved onto Rainbow Dash."
"It's not too hard to guess who you are, Rainbow Dash." Melodia bowed her head in thanks. "Thank you for being there for Fluttershy when I couldn't, and for standing up for her when she was little." Rainbow Dash smiled and rubbed the back of her head.
"It's nothing, really." said Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie was trying to contain her excitement when Melodia moved onto her.
"I take it you're Pinkie Pie?" Pinkie Pie gasped.
"How did you know?!"
"Let's just say, it isn't very hard to figure out who you are." Melodia turned to both Applejack and Twilight, point at each as she said their names.
"That must be Applejack and Princess Twilight Sparkle. Both of you have done wonderful things for Ponyville, or so I've heard. In fact, all of you have been helpful to this town." Melodia heard somepony clear their throat. Melodia grinned.
"Don't think I've forgotten you Discord." she said turning to him. "The ponies at the hospital have said quite a bit about you. But my daughter has told me nothing but how nice you've been and how you're good friends." Discord smiled and puffed out his chest.
"I'm not surprised." he said. "We are best friends after all." he smiled smugly. Melodia laughed a little.
"I hope you don't mind if I join all of you for lunch. I know it's sudden, but I think it'd be a good chance to get to know you all better." said Melodia.
"We don't mind at all." said Twilight. "Please, sit down and make yourself comfortable." Twilight motioned for her to come and sit down. Melodia sat by Fluttershy at the table in the castle's dining room.
"Finally, we can eat." said Rainbow. She got a plate and ate a slice of the apple pie Applejack had brought. Melodia had lived off of mostly hospital food, so she was delighted by all the dishes on the table. She took a little bit of everything and put in on her plate. A slice of apple pie, a mini crystal berry pie (made by Pinkie Pie), a daisy sandwich (made by Twilight), hay fries from Hayburger (bought by Rainbow Dash), a bit of fruit salad (made by Fluttershy), a fancy desert covered in golden food dust and lots of chocolate shavings (made by Rarity), and a cucumber sandwich (brought by Discord).
"Are you sure you can eat all that?" asked Rainbow Dash. Melodia nodded.
"I haven't eaten breakfast so I should be able to eat it all." Melodia ate all the sandwiches and the hay fries, and was moving onto the deserts. She took a bite from Rarity's desert. Her eyes lit up and she almost dropped her fork.
"This is delicious!" she gushed. She put a hoof on her cheek, never before tasting something so sweet. She took a bigger bite a moaned over how tasty it was.
"I'm glad you like it." said Rarity.
"Ooo! Try mine next!" Pinkie Pie urged. Melodia tried the mini pie, she let out a gasp.
"I don't know how, but it's even sweeter and more delectable than the other desert." said Melodia. The apple pie slice she also complemented on for its simple wholesome goodness. Everypony chatted about their personal tales, listening or interrupting to add their own personal opinions. Discord looked across the table at Melodia.
"Melodia, if you don't mind me being so formal, why don't you tell us a bit of what it was like raising our dear friend Fluttershy." he said. Fluttershy blushed a light pink.
"You don't have to do that mom." said Fluttershy embarrassed. "Nopony would want to hear about that."
"Yes we do!" insisted Pinkie Pie, leaning on the table." Melodia smiled.
"It wouldn't hurt to talk a little about it." she said. "Fluttershy was such a sweet little filly growing up, though, it was rather difficult for me to take care of her. I was, very sick at the time, so my husband had to do most of the work. But enjoyed her visits to the hospital."
"What were you sick with?" asked Twilight curiously.
"It's a rare illness that the doctors hadn't seen before." Melodia fibbed. "But it wasn't contagious so I didn't need to worry about having my daughter their.
"Can't imagine it was all too pleasant being cooped up in a hospital bed." said Applejack. Melodia shook her head.
"Believe me, it wasn't. I was bored out of my mind with nothing to do."
"I can relate." muttered Discord.
"But Fluttershy and my husband made it more bearable. It was good to see them and talk to them. They made me feel like I wasn't sick at all." said Melodia. She turned to face Fluttershy. "And now look at you! You've grown up to be such a brave and beautiful mare. I'm so proud of you." Fluttershy blushed and smiled at her mom.
"Thanks mom." Fluttershy said. "That means a lot."
"Hey Melodia, want to join us for the other fun things I planned for us today?" asked Pinkie Pie, getting close up to Melodia's face. Melodia gave a polite nod.
"I'd be happy to." she said. "Of course, you might want to ask your friends first about how they'd feel about it."
"oops! You're right." said Pinkie before turning to the others. "Well, can she come?"
"Why not?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Here, here!"
"I'm up for it."
"This should be interesting."
"It's unanimous!" cried Pinkie Pie. She suddenly took Melodia by the hoof and pulled her along. "Let's get started!"
"Pinkie, mom, wait!" called Fluttershy following after them. Yes, things were certainly going to be interesting.
Knock! Knock!
"Miss Melodia? How are you feeling?" asked Nurse Redheart. There was no reply. Nurse Redheart hurried inside, worried about the patient's well-being. The nurse let out a gasp as she drew closer to the bed.
"Doctor!" she cried in alarm. The doctor rushed in.
"What is it Nurse Redheart?" he asked.
"It's Miss Melodia." said Nurse Redheart. "S-she's gone!" Sure enough Melodia wasn't in her hospital bed. The doctor looked to the window and became serious.
"Send out a search party." he said. "We must find Melodia quickly. Too much stress or excitement could cause another attack for her."
"I'm on it doctor." said Nurse Redheart, and she galloped off to set up a search party. The doctor sighed and rubbed his temple.
"I hope you realize what you're doing, Melodia." he said.
Melodia was having the most fun that she'd ever had in her whole life! Pinkie Pie saw to it that Melodia got to see and experience all of the best parts of Ponyville. The parts that up until this point, she'd never been able to enjoy. There was Sweet Apple Acres, Sugarcube Corner, the Town Hall, Rarity's Boutique. And being able to experience it all with her daughter and her daughter's friends made it all the more special. She didn't want the fun she was having to ever end. But she knew of course, that it wasn't meant to be. Sooner or later, Melodia would need to return to the hospital. But once she got better and received the experimental treatment, she'd come back and have even more fun with everypony. 'If I get better. ' Melodia pushed those sad thoughts away. Her daughter's friends had taken her now to Ponyville park, where Fluttershy asked her friends to help round up the animals who lived there and who she occasionally cared for, so they could meet her mother.
Melodia sat down on a bench, smiling warmly as she watched her daughter interacting with her friends, searching around for the animals.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself." said a voice that took her by surprise. Melodia looked up to see Discord standing beside her. "Do you mind?" he asked, pointing a claw at the empty spot on the bench.
Melodia shook her head. "Not at all." she said, scooting to make room for him. As he sat down, Melodia decided to strike up a conversation. "So, Discord, what do you think of Fluttershy?"
"She's wonderful, for a pony of course." he said. "Truthfully, I couldn't ask for a better friend."
Melodia smiled. "I'm glad to hear that." she said, looking out at the Mane 6. "I've always been worried about her you know. With how often I got sick, and all the work her father had to do, I wondered what would become of Fluttershy, going up without a mother and father to properly guide her. To be there for her when she needs us most. And when she talked about moving to Ponyville, I was a little reluctant to do so." She heaved a sigh as she thought about it. "But now, it seems like she's just fine, with so many wonderful friends to be there for her."
Discord chuckled lightly. "I suppose so." He turned to her and said, "She's lucky to have you as her mother."
"Oh, how so?"
"It's obvious that you care for her, especially considering that you moved her along with Fluttershy to keep an eye on her."
Melodia's cheeks turned a light pink. "Thank you." She said softly. After a moment or two, she said, "Discord?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you and the rest of the girls. please take care of Fluttershy? I know she might not need it, but still, if only to ease my worry."
"Of course we will." said Discord reassuringly. "We are friends after all."
Melodia smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you." she said.
It was at that moment that Melodia felt an attack about to come on. 'No, not now! ' she thought. And to make matters worse, Melodia spotted some of the nurses aides from the hospital, they saw her and were heading toward her.
"I have to go." Melodia said hurriedly, getting up and galloping from the bench.
Discord sat there in confusion.
"Mom, where are you going?" Fluttershy asked, completely baffled as her mom took off past her. Melodia said nothing, she wanted to stay, but she couldn't let them take her back to the hospital. Not yet.
"Hey! Stop right there!" the nurses aides shouted, giving chase.
"What is going on?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Only one way to find out." said Discord.
"Ooh! Chase scene!" cried Pinkie Pie.
And indeed, a chase scenes began to ensue. Melodia was running from the aides, while her daughter and friends chased in hot pursuit. Melodia wasn't used to all this running, the air rushed out of her lungs, making it harder for her to breathe, but she still kept going, weaving in an around buildings.
"I can't go back. Not until I've lived!" She said. Eventually, she got chased done into a dead end, with nowhere to escape. She could tell somepony was behind her, thinking it was the aides, but when she whirled around, she saw her daughter.
"Mom, what's wrong?" asked Fluttershy with concern. "Why did you run? Why were those ponies chasing you?"
Melodia hung her head in defeat. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy, for all the trouble I've caused you. I should've told you the truth from the beginning, I convinced myself that it was to protect you, when really it was to protect myself. I just..." Her heart thumped. Melodia stood her ground, not wanting the attack to keep her from saying what had to be said.
"What are you talking about?" asked Fluttershy, befuddled.
Melodia looked into her daughter's face and smiled sadly. "Fluttershy, I want you to live a full and happy life, to be given what I was long denied. Since you were born, you've been the greatest blessing I could've ever hoped for." she said sweetly and softly. She slowly approached Fluttershy, who's eyes were beginning to tear up, though she didn't know why. Melodia laid a tender kiss on Fluttershy's forehead and caressed her cheeks with her hooves. "I love you, my little Fluttershy, never forget that."
"Miss Melodia, hold it right there!" cried the aides, as they began to approach. Lagging behind them were Fluttershy's friends.
Melodia's body seized up, as a stabbing pain plunged into her heart light the blade of a sword. Fluttershy watched in confusion and horror as her mother collapsed on the ground, not moving or breathing.
"Mom." Fluttershy whispered as she stared at her mother's body. The tears escaped as she let out a cry, "Mom!"
Author's Note
Sorry it took so long to get this up. One last bit left.
A wish granted
Melodia felt herself floating in aimless darkness, her chest still aching with pain. She knew she shouldn't have strained herself too much, but she didn't feel like she had much of a choice at the time. She wondered just how much time she had left before the inevitable. She felt scared. But as scared as she was, there was one thought that replayed itself over and over in her mind that gave her comfort. 'At least I got to spend some time with Fluttershy, one last time. '
Fluttershy felt so confused, as a whirlwind of emotions and questions began to take hold of her. Seeing her mother collapse like that had been so sudden. And what had her mother meant when she said all those words to her? Fluttershy wanted answers, and the best way to get them was to follow her mother and the nurses' aides to the hospital and get to the bottom of this. The rest of the gang also followed Fluttershy, wanting to make sure that everything was okay and being curious themselves as to what was going on with Meloida. The nurses wasted no time in putting Melodia onto a stretcher and attempting to keep her stabilized as they moved her into on of the hospital bedrooms.
"You've found her." said the doctor with short relief. "How's her condition?"
"Not good. She ran away from us as we tried to apprehend her and ended up having another attack." said one of the aides.
The doctor looked at Melodia's body worriedly and began to instruct the staff on what to do. "I want Miss Melodia on life support stat! Try to keep her stabilized while I conduct a full medical examination."
Just as the doctor turned to leave, he was stopped by a soft voice calling out to him. "Um, excuse me sir?" The doctor turned to see Fluttershy, behind her were all her friends. "Please, can you tell me what's going on? What's wrong with my mom? Is she going to be okay?"
The doctor stared at her for a minute and then let out a tired sigh. "I'm afraid your mother has a severe condition." he said.
"A severe...condition?" asked Fluttershy, eyes widening in shock. "What do you mean?"
"Melodia has always had a weak heart, and suffers from critical attacks, making it hard for her to live without medical support." he explained. "She's been like this all her life, and asked me and her previous doctors to keep it secret from you, saying she didn't wish to trouble you."
He watched as tears slid down Fluttershy's face, her voice caught in her throat.
"Forgive me, I should've told you the truth sooner, but Melodia was insistent that I not tell you. Though now, I don't see how I can hide that from you any longer, considering that you've just seen one of her attacks first hoof."
"But she's going to be okay, right?" asked Twilight, hoping to try and suffer what she knew to be shocking news for Fluttershy to hear.
The doctor hung his head. "I can't say for certain. There is a new experimental treatment that we were preparing to administer to her, but now it may be too late." he said sadly. "I'm sorry."
"No, it's not too late!" said Rainbow Dash, stepping up next to Fluttershy and resting a supportive hoof on her shoulder. "Melodia is still alive isn't she? Then there's still a chance that she can pull through!"
"Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy said softly as she looked at her friend, her words filling her with a little hope.
"I admit, it's practically a miracle that Melodia managed to live even this long, I will do everything in my power to help her, but after that, we will have to wait and see what happens next." said the doctor, once again turning to leave, heading down the hallway to prep himself for the patient.
Fluttershy placed a hoof on her chest as she looked down to the room where her mother was now resting. "Mom..." Her throat tightened with worry. All these years, her mom had been sick, and she hadn't even noticed! She wonder why she hadn't noticed, berating herself for not being able to do anything or being able to help in anyway. Her mother was dying, and there was nothing she could do. She recalled how happy her mother seemed to be earlier in the day, pretending that everything was alright and how she tried to spend time with her and her friends. Fluttershy's heart ached. It was the first time she could ever recall spending quality time with her mother, and having fun like that, and now, it looked as if she wouldn't get another chance again.
"Fluttershy..." Fluttershy's head whipped to look at Twilight, who had trotted over with a sympathetic expression on her face. "I know this must be a lot for you to take in." she said. "But if you want, we're all more than willing to stay here with you and wait to see how it goes with Melodia."
"Twilight." Fluttershy looked from the Alicorn, to the faces of the rest of her friends, each one ready to be there for her and to support her. She managed a tearful smile at them. "Thank you, everypony. I'd like that very much."
The girls headed for Melodia's room, but Discord stood in place, not moving. Twilight noticed this and lagged behind. She could see that appeared to be in thought. "Discord, are you coming?" she asked.
Hearing her voice, Discord looked up and replied, "I a minute, there's a little something I need to do first."
Twilight wondered what he meant by that, but didn't press the matter any further, and instead, went into the room with the rest of her friends.
Melodia's breathing became shallow, her body aching with each beating of her weak heart. All she could see was a blurry darkness, and she could hear the muffled sounds of the ponies around her. As she laid there and listened, Melodia could feel herself slipping in and out of consciousness, no doubt they were about to put her under for the examination. Soon, she was once again drifting, and all her senses seemed to dull down, as if the outside world was millions of miles away from her. She then began to think sadly to herself. 'Is this all there is for me? Am I meant to spend the rest of my life shut in from the rest of the world? I managed to experience what real life was like, even if it was only for a little while, but now, I don't think I ever will again. '
Melodia could sense another attack coming, beginning with a sharp pang in her chest that slowly began to spread. 'This is it...this is the end... ' She fell back into the void, ready to accept her fate. Then, something reached out and pulled Melodia out of the void, taking her completely by surprise. 'Huh?! What is...? '
Come now, you really aren't going to give up that easily, are you?
The voice sounded vaguely familiar to Melodia, but she couldn't quite place it in that moment, as she felt her heart beat steadying, and strength slowly flowing into her body. What was happening? She tried to speak, to ask this voice what was going on, but found that she could not speak.
There are ponies waiting for you you know, and one of them cares about you a lot. It'd be a shame if you were to leave like this.
Melodia tried to see who was talking to her, but she was in her own mind, and could really see much of anything.
Consider this a gift from a friend for a friend. I'll see you again later.
'Again? '
And do try to take it easy from now on. I'd rather not have to do this again.
And like that, Melodia blacked out.
"Doctor, come look at this!" called Nurse Red Heart. The doctor went over and locked at the machines and data for Melodia, his eyes widening in surprise.
"O-oh my! This is truly amazing! It appears as though Miss Melodia is making an improved recovery." he said. He turned to Nurse Red Heart. "Inform her daughter and her friends of the news immediately."
"Yes, doctor." said Red Heart, as she left the room.
Fluttershy had watched as her mother was put under for the examination, and she and her friends had been told to wait in the hospital waiting room. She had sat there in one of the chairs anxiously awaiting the news, until Nurse Red Heart arrived looking quite happy. She then told them about Melodia's miraculous recovery.
"You hear that Fluttershy? Your mom's gonna be okay!" chirped Pinkie Pie cheerfully, pulling Fluttershy into a hug.
"She...she's alright?" asked Fluttershy.
The nurse smiled and nodded. "Yes. It's quite miraculous actually. It looked like she was about to have another attack, but then she suddenly started to get better!"
"Really?" inquired Fluttershy.
"She'll still need to go through the surgery in order to be completely cured, but it looks like she'll be just fine." replied Red Heart.
Hearing these words filled Fluttershy with joy, and at the same time, befuddlement. How had her mom gotten better so quickly? That's when her eye caught sight of Discord, trying to appear innocent and trying to hold back a smile as he leaned against a nearby wall.
"If you like, you're free to come in and check on her, but be careful, she'll need to get some rest as well." said the nurse.
"Are you gonna go see your mom, Fluttershy?" Applejack asked.
"Yes, but first, I need to talk to a certain somepony." she said and trotted up to Discord. "Discord, could I have a word with you?"
"Of course, my dear." replied Discord. Fluttershy pulled him off to the side so the two of them could talk. "Now, what is it you want to talk about?"
"You did something to help mom with her recovery, didn't you?" she asked.
Discord blinked, he looked as though he were considering denying such actions, but instead said, "Indeed, you've caught me Fluttershy."
"But why? I mean, I'm glad and all, but, you don't even no her. Why would you help somepony you've only met today?" asked Fluttershy.
"Because," answered Discord, a sincere smile creeping onto his face. "While I may not know her, you do, and I could see how much she meant to you." Fluttershy found herself speechless. "Of course, I only helped a little. I thought it'd be best for her to get better on her own than to have me do it all for her. Though, you don't have to worry about that. For you, I'm sure your mother will do whatever it takes to pull through."
Without warning, Fluttershy tightly hugged Discord, and whispered, "Thank you, Discord."
Discord smiled in return. "Any time, my dear." he replied.
Fluttershy went into her mother's room, where her Melodia had woken up. She saw Fluttershy and smiled warmly.
"Fluttershy."
"Mom."
The two embraced each other, not wanting to let go of the other.
"I'm sorry for scaring you like that, Fluttershy. I promise it won't happen again, and I promise I'll try to be more honest with you."
"Oh mom! I'm just glad you're alright." said Fluttershy.
Melodia's smile grew wider, her heart swelling with happiness and warmth, not feeling the pain she was usually accustomed to. "I love you, Fluttershy."
"I love you too, mom."
Author's Note
Thought I'd try to end the story before they show the episode with Fluttershy's family. I hope you enjoyed this story.