Dreams of Discord

Fluttershy had trouble sleeping after her dream. For hours, she tossed and turned, trying to clear her mind. By the time Celestia had raised the sun, Fluttershy had only gotten an hour or two of sleep. She somehow managed to drag herself out of bed and feed her animals their breakfast, before making some for herself. Later in the morning, she walked over to Twilight's castle for her and her friends to discuss the birthday celebration for Princess Skyla, the filly of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor.
As her friends chattered eagerly about Skyla's first birthday, Fluttershy found herself falling asleep in her seat.

"Fluttershy!" Twilight shouted.

Fluttershy's eyes suddenly opened and her head popped up. "What? What is it?"

"I was just asking you if you'd be in charge of the petting zoo for the fillies and colts?" Twilight asked.

"Sure, I'd love to." Fluttershy said, yawning shortly afterwards.

"Are you all right, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, I'm all right. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you seem a bit...er...tired." Rarity said, choosing her words carefully.

"Tired? That's a bit of understatement, don't you think? She can barely keep her eyes open!" Rainbow Dash said.

"What's going on, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.

"I just had a dream and had trouble getting to sleep after it. That's all." Fluttershy explained.

The other ponies looked at Fluttershy in disbelief. They had known Fluttershy for a long time, and she never had any trouble sleeping over any sort of dream before. Still, if she didn't want to talk about it, then they weren't going to force her.

Fluttershy managed to make it through the rest of her day. When the time came for bed, Fluttershy worried about having another dream about Discord; but her exhaustion was too overwhelming. The moment that her head hit the pillow, she was fast asleep.

Fluttershy gave a small yawn as she woke, it had surprised her that her new little colt had slept through the night. She walked over to his bassinet, excepting to see his peaceful, sleeping face peeping through his blankets; instead she found it empty. She frantically looked everywhere in the room; under the bed, in the closet, even on the ceiling (in case his wings had suddenly decided to start working). She rushed downstairs to find her husband, hoping he would have some idea as to their child's whereabouts. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Discord sat at the breakfast table, holding their son. Fluttershy quietly approached him and kissed his cheek.

"He was fussy. I hated for him to wake you." Discord whispered.

"Oh, he was probably ready hungry, that's all." Fluttershy whispered back.

Fluttershy and Discord shared a small smile as they looked down at their son. A beautiful cross between his parents; the face of his mother, and the wings of his father. A product of their unusual love.

Fluttershy gave a little yelp when she woke. Another dream about Discord, and this time she actually had his child. Why did this keep happening? She never had dreams like this before, not since that kiss. What did they mean? She didn't have romantic feelings for this Discord. She couldn't have feelings for Discord. No, there had to be a way to get these dreams to stop or at least find out why she kept having them; and the only one Fluttershy could think of to help her was Princess Luna, the princess of night.

A few weeks passed, and soon it was the day of Princess Skyla's birthday. It was held in Ponyville's park, so that all the fillies and colts would be able to play games and enjoy Fluttershy's petting zoo. As the cake was being served, Fluttershy wondered away from the festivities to search for Luna; who she found by herself at the pond.

"Princess Luna?" Flutttershy asked quietly.

Luna turned to Fluttershy and smiled. "Hello, young one. Is there something you need?"

"Well, actually, I was wondering if you could tell me about dreams." Fluttershy said.

Luna gave a small chuckle. "You certainly have come to the right place. I will tell you what I can."

"Well, about a month ago, I accidentally kissed someone. Since then, I've been having dreams about the someone that I kissed. I've dreamed about marrying him, having his children, growing old with him."

"Well, I'm not one to speak about affairs of the heart, that's usually a matter left to my sister. However, it seems to me, as though you have some very special feelings for this someone."

"Oh, no. No, no, no. I can't have feelings for him. I just can't."

"Why not? Is it so terrible to love someone?"

"Princess Luna, you don't understand. This someone...It's Discord." Fluttershy finally said.

Luna faced the pond again. "I see."

"Your Highness, I like Discord as a friend. To find myself in love with someone like him; it's impossible. We are so different. Our love would never be accepted."

"Is that what this is? You are so afraid of other's opinion?"

Fluttershy felt her heart sink into her stomach. It hit her. She was not just afraid to accept her feelings for Discord, but she was more afraid of what everyone would do if they knew. She, the element of kindness, did not want to be judged by others. Let alone Discord, who was already despised by most of Equestria, despite all of his efforts to be good.

"Princess Luna." Fluttershy ran over to Luna and hugged her, crying into her chest. "I'm so confused."

"Sometimes, dreams are only feelings realized. I know this must be frightening for you, Fluttershy; but the dreams won't go away, until you realize that you perhaps have fallen in love with Discord."

Fluttershy sniffled and released Luna. "I just can't. Our differences are too great for us to be together."

Luna seemed to ponder for a second, before wrapping an arm around Fluttershy. "Perhaps if I tell you a story, it would help you to make a decision."

"What kind of story?"

Luna led Fluttershy towards the lake. "It's an old mare's tale. One that my mother use to tell me and Celestia. I do think it will help you."

"What is it about?" Fluttershy asked.

"Well, it's about King Sombra."

Fluttershy's eyes went wide with surprise. "Sombra?"

"Yes. It may surprise you, child, but this is a story about how King Sombra, a terrible and cruel creature, once found love."