Chapters It had been nearly two and a half weeks since the whole Tirek incident, and in those two and a half weeks, Fluttershy and Discord had had turned their friendship into a relationship.
Thanks to Discord's magic, the cities that suffered from Tirek's rampage had been restored to their former glory with literally, a snap of the fingers. It almost seemed as though Tirek had never escaped from the very beginning.
However, the one thing that he couldn't fix with a snap of his fingers, was the memory of his betrayal; to his friends...to Fluttershy...
Fluttershy...his betrayal hurt her the most. Out of all the things he has done in the past, this was by far the worst. Discord knew that nothing he said or did could ever make up for what he had done to her, but that didn't mean he couldn't try. He still had no idea why Fluttershy forgave him so easily, and he felt he did not deserve it. His other friends took a little longer to come around, but eventually, they put it behind them as well. Discord will never forgive himself for siding with Tirek, despite what Fluttershy and the others said. The pain he'd caused others and the regret he felt then, and still felt now, just ran too deeply to ever be completely forgotten.
The truth was, he only told the others that he had forgiven himself just so they would stop bugging him about it.
He sighed as he thought of his marefriend. Fluttershy seemed to be more jumpy than usual lately. He suspected that she was still a little wary from everything that had happened in the past two weeks, and he honestly couldn't blame her for it. When he tried to ask her if that was the case, she would mumble some excuse and try to change the subject on him; which only confirmed his original suspicions.
Discord knew that Fluttershy was still trying to process everything that had happened and he figured that in order to help her come to terms with it, it was best to give her some space. He didn't need to add on to the stress and confusion she may be feeling by adding his presence into the mix. After all, he was one of the main causes as to her feeling that way in the first place.
Right now, he was about to leave his realm to go to her house for their weekly "Tuesday Tea." Even before they were official, Discord always looked forward to their weekly get-togethers. It was always his favorite day of each week when he got to see her sweet face and bright smile. It always warmed his heart; and still continued do to so to this day.
He flashed himself to the doorstep of her cottage. The air around the small, humble cottage was filled with a sweet, flowery perfume due to the recently blossomed flowers that came with the new spring season. The other surrounding plant life was a bright emerald green complemented by a bright blue sky, dotted with a few fluffy white clouds here and there. It was such a gloriously warm day, and the birds were singing about the loveliness the day had brought, that Discord thought he would suggest to Fluttershy if they could hold their little gathering outside.
Discord politely knocked. Of course, he could always teleport inside, but he didn't want to be intrusive or startle her. The last thing that pony needed was to be frightened just as things were starting to calm down...
A few moments went by and he was still standing at the door, Discord knocked again, only this time a little louder.
He waited..
And waited..
And waited some more...
Discord was now starting to feel uneasy. He tried the door, and it opened with a slight creak...
Fluttershy always keeps the door locked. Even if she's home. So for her to have it unlocked now...
Panic was starting to rise up inside him, like a volcano smoking when it was about to erupt. Without further hesitation, he pushed the door fully opened and rushed inside the cottage.
What he saw next, made his heart stop..
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Discord laid next to Fluttershy in her bed. He held her flush against him, hoping to provide some comfort to her while she slept. So far, it seemed to be working. In the twenty minutes since he put her to bed, Fluttershy has been sleeping soundly. He was glad that his presence was helping her get some much needed rest.
Unfortunately, the peace did not last long, just as Discord felt himself drifting off to sleep as well, Fluttershy started to suddenly thrash violently. She then started to kick her hind legs, like she was trying to get away from something...
Discord sat up next to her and began to roughly shake her shoulders.
"Fluttershy! Fluttershy wake up!" He practically shouted.
However, his attempts at waking her seemed to be futile. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse, she started screaming and shouting, and continued to kick her legs harder. Even through all of this, she was still asleep.
"No...no...no!" Fluttershy mumbled loudly in her sleep.
Discord knew he could just use his magic to see inside her dream, but it would not help with anything. Unlike Luna, Discord could not intervene with whatever the dreamer was dreaming. He could only stand and watch from the sidelines, he could see the dreamer, but they could not see him. If Discord tried to interfere with what was happening in a dream, it could affect the dreamer.
He didn't mind usually that he could not do much with dreams, but at the moment, he wished he could more than anything, for the sake of Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy! Fluttershy! Wake up darling! Wake up!" Discord frantically shouted.
Fluttershy suddenly stopped her thrashing and shouts and her eyes flew open, she was breathing heavily, and beads of sweat were forming on her forehead. Fluttershy jumped up and immediately threw her forelegs around Discord's neck and began sobbing into his shoulder. Discord instinctively wrapped his arms around her at once and held her tightly against him.
"Shhh...shhh, I'm here." He cooed softly. He rested his paw on the back of her head.
"Don't leave me..." She begged in the tiniest whisper that Discord almost failed to hear.
Discord's eyes widened in surprise. "Never...I wouldn't dream of it.." He whispered almost as softly. He then realized his unintentional pun and mentally smacked himself.
Discord then started to softly sing to her.
Come stop your crying,
it will be alright.
Just take my hand,
hold it tight.
I will protect you,
From all around you.
I will be here
Don't you cry.
Discord tilted her head up and gave her a soft, but passionate kiss which he knew had the power to calm her down. After he pulled away, he gently wiped away the tears that were still falling down her face.
She eventually calmed her breathing and the tears ceased to fall. Still holding her to him, Discord gently laid Fluttershy back down on the bed. He laid down next to her and curled his scaly red tail around her. He propped himself on his elbows and looked down at her.
"Now, I can take away the dream temporarily, but it's not permenant, unlike with Luna. It can, and will come back. I'll take it away for tonight so you can sleep." He whispered.
"Thank you." Fluttershy whispered.
Discord's paw glowed with it's magic as he held his paw above Fluttershy's forehead and used his magic to absorb her dream out of her mind. The glow faded from his paw as he finished casting his spell. He sighed as he looked down at her dried tear streaked face. He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. He pulled her close to him and he felt her relax against him. She sighed in satisfaction and he felt himself smile.
It was less than five minutes when Discord knew she was asleep once more. He felt himself relax when he realized that she wouldn't wake up again tonight. His heartbeat slowed to match her pace as he felt himself falling asleep.
Author's Note
I know Discord is not the "singing" type, but I just thought of that song while I was writing this chapter and thought it was perfect for this particular scene! Plus, it's more romantic, and I llooovvveee romance!
Also, does anyone know how to do or make a page break? On other stories I see this very light line that indicates a page. All I seem to be able to do is hold the shift key down on the dash/hypens, but when I look back I've made almost two black lines, not one. If anyone out there knows what I am talking about will you PLEASE tell me? Thank you! And hope you like chapter 3!!
Author's Note
Sorry this chapter took a little longer guys. I was about halfway through when some of my writing on this page deleted itself, even though I hit the save button like 10 times! So it took me a little longer to remember everything I wrote. Hope you enjoy! I'm very proud of this chapter!
Chapter 5
Fluttershy knew this place all to well...it was where her dreams have taken her every night for the past week and a half...
Fluttershy and her five friends where standing in the center of Ponyville. The once bustling town was now eerie silent as everypony hid in their homes, waiting for what was coming...
"I'm sure Discord will catch Tirek and this will all be over soon." Fluttershy said with much faith in her friend.
"I'll bet he takes his sweet time." Rainbow Dash drawled out sarcastically.
"Or perhaps these things just take time." A voice sharply remarked.
Fluttershy whipped around to see Discord standing there. Thinking that he had already defeated Tirek, she looked up at him with the biggest proudest smile on her face.
"Did you bring the cucumber sandwiches?" She asked.
"I did." Discord made them reappear in his claw and held the tray up proudly. "I imagine they'll be your last decent meal for quite sometime.." He said darkly as he let the tray and sandwiches fall to the ground. In a flash of light, Fluttershy found herself locked in a large metal cage with the rest of her friends. Everypony was shouting things at Discord, but all Fluttershy could do was stand there in shock and confusion.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook viciously as Tirek's hoofsteps made contact with the earth. Tirek emerged from the trees and made his way towards the caged group.
"You gathered up all of them?" He asked Discord.
"And her little dragon too!" Discord pointed at Spike, in which the dragon then preceded to bite at.
"Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends!" Fluttershy had tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at him.
"Oh we were, but Tirek offered me so much more than you ever did! Surely you saw this coming?" Discord sneered.
Fluttershy felt as if somepony drove a knife threw her heart. She had thought that Discord really cared about her...was starting to care about her more than a friend...and was starting to feel the same toward him...
Fluttershy cried harder into her hooves, she really and truly was a silly gullible fool. She thought she had given kindness, friendship, and...love...
But apparently Discord didn't want that, he wanted full freedom to spread his chaos...something which Fluttershy couldn't provide. Apparently, she was just a toy Discord could play with until the new, better toy came out...and that was Tirek...
She didn't even lift her head when she felt the entire cage lift off the ground and Tirek sucking all the energy out of her body...
The large cage was thrown back down to the ground with a harsh thud. Fluttershy's vision was blurry with tears as she looked up to see both Tirek and Discord laughing maniacally as they stared down at the little and pathetic group of ponies that lay crumbled on the ground before them...
Discord used his magic to make himself grow bigger. His laughter becoming deeper in tone as he continued to grow taller. Fluttershy stared up in horror as Discord grew so tall he towered over them menacingly as he continued to laugh wickedly.
Tirek however, turned his back on the imprisioned ponies and started to leave to continue his search for more power elsewhere. Discord saw him leaving, but before he made a move to follow, he glanced at the small ponies in the cage with so much disgust and disdain it made Fluttershy sob harder than she thought possible. Discord scoffed at them as he lifted his foot to make his way toward where Tirek had gone.
Fluttershy lifted her hooves from her face as she felt a shadow loom over her. She looked up just in time to see Discord's cloven hoof descending upon the cage...
"NOOO! DISCOORD!!"
Fluttershy screamed just as Discord's hoof made contact with the heavy metal, crushing it and the ponies inside of it to smithereens...
"NOOO! DISCOORD!!"
Discord was jolted awake by Fluttershy's scream, so much so he almost fell off the bed! He looked over to her and was horrified to see tears running down her face as she thrashed wildly on the sheets. After he quickly realized she was asleep and not actually in danger, the words she screamed sunk in and rang in Discord's mind...
She's...She's dreaming about...me?
Discord snapped out of his thoughts as Fluttershy let out another blood curdling scream. He jumped into action and was immediately at her side as he began to fiercely shake her.
"Fluttershy darling wake up! Please wake up!" He begged loudly.
She just continued to thrash around while Discord tried to keep shaking her. Anxiety was starting to well up inside him the longer she stayed trapped in sleep..
She suddenly stopped as her eyes suddenly flew open. She turned to face Discord, who was looking at her with deep concern on his face. Even though his eyes were mismatched, what she saw in them held the same amount of ...Fear. Fear for her...
She jumped at Discord and clung to him tightly. Fluttershy felt his loving arms wrap around her waist as he clung to her just as tightly. She let out shaky breaths as she continued to sob into his chest fur. However, she didn't seem to feel Discord's own tears trailing down her back...
Discord had never felt so helpless in all his years as he did right now, knowing that Fluttershy had these dreams but could do nothing to stop them. The worst part was knowing that her nightmares were about him...
He felt his chest fur was quickly becoming soaked with his marefriend's tears, but he didn't care. All he cared about was the mare in his arms. He started to slowly rub circles on her back while gently stroking her mane with his claws. Fluttershy finally got to a point where her cries became sniffles, but Discord still continued to stroke her mane and back.
"Fluttershy...like it or not, I am going to take you to see somepony tomorrow who will help you sort out these nightmares and hopefully put an end to them, okay?" He gently whispered softly in her ear.
She couldn't deny it any longer; and she didn't want to deny it any longer. She slowly nodded against his chest.
"Okay Discord." She whispered softly.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Discord felt like he'd been sitting there for days, when in reality it had only been an hour. The longer he waited, the more anxious he got that something was really wrong…
He used his magic to make a magazine that somepony was reading sprout wings and fly around the waiting room in an effort to pass time. Just as he had thought, it was entertaining to watch the pony scramble around the room to try and get it back. He laughed at the mare's growing frustration and laughed even harder at the look she was giving him. His laughter started to die down when he heard a door open and all of his inner panic went away in an instant when he saw Fluttershy coming out the same door she had first entered through. Discord immediately snapped his claws, making the magazine fall from the air and land on the pony's head.
Fluttershy went up to the receptionist mare to pay the bill from her visit. Discord flashed in front her and Fluttershy stepped back in surprise. He picked her up in a big hug.
"Fluttershy darling! You were in there for so long I was starting to get worried. Is everything all right? What did they say?" Discord threw the questions at her.
"Discord, I was only in there for an hour."
"It didn't feel like that to me"
Fluttershy looked back at the receptionist mare, who was giving her an expectant look.
"Umm Discord...could you put me back down please? I still need to pay..." Fluttershy said.
"I'll take care of it." Discord said without putting her down. He turned to look at the receptionist mare. "How much?"
"100 bits." She said impatiently.
Discord snapped his tail and a pouch full of bits floated to her and landed on the counter. She looked at it skeptically, after deciding it wasn't a trick, grabbed the pouch with her hooves and brought it to her.
Discord teleported them both back to the doorstep of Fluttershy's cottage.
"What did he tell you? Will the nightmares be gone for good? How long before you make a full recovery? You will recover, right? You’re not dying are you?!” Discord bombarded her with questions as they walked in. Fluttershy put her hoof on his mouth to make him stop talking.
"I'm fine Discord, I'm not dying! He just said my nightmares and insomnia are... just from stress. Dr. Rubix gave me some stress relievers and sleeping pills. He also gave me some books on ways I can manage my stress. That's all." Fluttershy took her hoof away from Discord's lips.
At least that's partially true..
He didn't seem satisfied with that answer. "Really? Because your nightmares do not seem to be 'just stress' to me." He narrowed his eyes at her.
Fluttershy shrugged. "Well, he is the doctor. I should be fine now since I have this medicine. You don't need to stay the night with me anymore, Discord."
Discord frowned. "But I liked snuggling with you...and feeling like I had to protect you..." He pouted.
"I liked it too, but I'll be fine on my own now I promise." Fluttershy told him.
He sighed. "Alright, but I will cast a spell that will alert me to any discomfort you may be having during the night. Deal?"
Fluttershy blushed at the concern he was showing over her.
"Deal."
*One month later*
Fluttershy was doing much better, she was regaining some weight and the dark circles that were under her eyes were almost gone completely. Thanks to that medicine Dr. Rubix gave her. She still struggled with her same nightmare sometimes, but it was becoming far less consistent than it had in the beginning. Where it once occurred every night, now only occurred a couple times throughout the weeks.
Discord had to come in sometimes in the middle of night due to that spell he had cast to alert him if Fluttershy was having any of her nightmares. So far, he's only had to come in twice a week, but recently, it has moved down to once a week, which was a big improvement compared to what it once was.
Even after a month, Discord still didn't really believe that her nightmares were stress related. When he tried to say anything about it, Fluttershy would deny anything he said otherwise. He couldn't help but feel that she was hiding something from him...
Fluttershy was lying casually on her bed, all four hooves tucked underneath her as she read from the open books in front of her. She was currently reading from one of the books Dr. Rubix lent her. She only read them when she knew Discord was not around, for obvious reasons…
Fluttershy sighed, she hated keeping secrets from him…but this one was necessary. Discord constantly asked her what the real problem was, she knew he was growing suspicious and the worried look he always got on his face when he had to shake her awake from her nightly horrors would always break her heart. It was times like those where she was so tempted to tell him…
But then she would be reminded of his reaction if she did so…she would lose her Discord…
He would be gone physically and emotionally if he found out..he would stay away from her..afraid of causing her anymore pain then he already did...
Discord would distance himself from her in order to protect her…from him…
Fluttershy could not let that happen. No matter the cost. After all, as much as she hated lying to him, it was far better than Discord knowing the full truth...
Fluttershy heard a knock on the door, she knew it was Discord coming over for their date. She took a deep breath and got down from her bed. She walked out of her bedroom, on her way downstairs to greet her coltfriend.
Little did she know, she left without realizing she left the books lying wide open on her bed...
Discord stood patiently at the door as he heard his marefriend's hoofsteps approaching from the other side. The door opened, and Fluttershy was standing there with a smile on her pretty face.
Discord found himself smiling back at her. Even though he was still suspicious about what was really going on with her, he did have to admit that whatever her doctor had given her was working wonders. Fluttershy smiled more often, her ribs were starting to disappear back inside her coat, and her sleeping pattern was improving greatly. Discord leaned his head toward her and gave her a kiss before he walked through her cottage door.
"Can you please tell me what we're doing? You know I don't like surprises." Fluttershy said as she closed the door.
"I know you don't, but you'll like this surprise I promise." Discord told her with a knowing grin plastered on his face. "Now, all you need is your binoculars and then we can go."
"Oh, well there in my room. I'll go get them." Fluttershy started to walk forward but Discord put his paw up to stop her.
"No need my dear. I will get it." He turned away and started for the stairs.
Fluttershy was really confused as she watched him walk up her stairs. "Um..Discord...where are you going?"
He turned his head back to look at her from the stairs. His lion paw resting on the railing as he looked at her.
"Getting your binoculars of course."
Discord could sense Fluttershy's internal question before she could ask.
"A true gentlecolt, which I am, would manually make the effort to get his lady something instead of using magic." He said proudly as he turned and continued up the stairs. Fluttershy watched him go with a sweet smile on her face, although, she couldn't help but feel like she was forgetting something other then her binoculars...
Discord found the binoculars on top of her dresser.
She's going to love what I've got planned for her!
He thought to himself as he pictured her reaction. He grabbed the binoculars and turned to leave when something in front of him caught his eye.
There, lying on her neatly made bed, were three books...
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Author's Note
Alright here is chapter 11! Hope you enjoy!!
Chapter 11
Discord flashed himself in the library of Twilight's Castle, just like he predicted, she was there. Twilight dropped the book she was levitating and jumped back in surprise as Discord literally appeared out of nowhere.
"Discord! What are you doing here?!" Twilight said, slightly irritated at the fact that he barged in on her.
"I need a favor Twilight." Discord shocked her into silence with the tone of his voice and the way his face was fixed with so much determination and seriousness. Twilight had the feeling that whatever Discord needed from her, she'd better provide. She gulped as she continued to stare at Discord's intimidating gaze.
"W-w-what do you need Dis-Discord?" Twilight stuttered nervously.
Discord chuckled slightly at her nervousness. He summoned a glass jar and tossed it to Twilight, who caught it with her magic. She studied it for a moment, then realizing that it was just an ordinary jar, placed it gently on the small round table in front of her. She looked at Discord, expecting him to elaborate on what exactly he wanted her to do.
"I trust you with this task more than I do Celestia. I would never hear the end of it if I went to her. So don't disappoint me." He said with dead seriousness.
Twilight gulped again, definitely no pressure there!
"I'll..I'll try not to. What is this task you are trusting me with? It must be really big if you don't want Princess Celestia to have a part in this?" Twilight asked curiously.
Discord took a minute to think about how he wanted to word his request to her. While he was still thinking, Twilight looked at the glass jar on the table, then looked inquisitively at Discord.
"What's the jar for?"
Discord smirked, "I need you to hold something in it for me."
Twilight visibly became less tense. Discord just needed her to hold something for him? That shouldn't be too hard, so why was Discord making it sound like such a big deal?
"Oh, is that all? Well, I can do that without a problem! What do you want me to keep in it for you?" She asked cheerfully.
"Magic." Discord said simply.
Twilight raised an eyebrow, "Pardon me?" She asked.
Discord was amused by Twilight's suddenly confused face. He let out a small chuckle.
"My magic." He clarified.
"WHAT! Why?" Twilight practically shouted.
"I think you know the reason Twilight." He said in a low tone.
Twilight thought for a moment. "Discord, We already forgave you, there's no need to do this."
Discord sighed. "It's more than that Twilight."
Twilight paused. "This is about Fluttershy...isn't it?"
He nodded slowly. "Yes. I realized that the reason I was so easily manipulated into siding with Tirek was because I was tempted with the more power he offered me when I was already limited to using as it was. So I figured the best way to make sure that it never happens again is to rid of the temptation...to rid of my magic." he lifted his gaze nervously, afraid of what her reaction would be.
Twilight was stunned into silence. She opened her mouth to speak but no words would come out.
"Discord...If I do this...you realize that you won't be immortal anymore right?" Twilight whispered.
He was sitting in one of the chairs with his legs crossed on the table. He laughed,, "Why yes, thank you Princess Obvious! My magic is what fuels my immortality, is it not?"
Twilight was not amused.
Discord took notice of this, and sighed as he uncrossed his legs and brought them down from the table. He sat up and looked at her with an almost sad expression on his face.
"Besides, I'd rather die eventually than live forever with knowing what I'd done. Especially to Fluttershy..." He mumbled that last part mostly to himself, but Twilight was able to pick up what he said. She decided not to say anything about it.
"Well..this is very..noble of you Discord." Twilight praised.
Discord just gave a small smile.
Twilight sighed again. She lifted the jar with her magic and looked back at Discord.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked hesitantly.
Discord nodded. "More sure than I've been with anything in my life." He said.
"Alright then..are you ready?"
"Discord stood up, the chair making a scraping sound against the floor as it was pushed away from him.
"Yes."
Twilight took a deep breath and closed her eyes tight as she concentrated. Her horn glowed brighter with more magic the more she concentrated. She suddenly tilted her head towards Discord as her magic made its way toward him. She heard pain filled screams against her tightly shut eyes. She refused to open them however, afraid that it would break her concentration.
She opened her eyes as she brought the ball of the chaotic magic to her. She opened the jar and put the magic inside of it. When the last trace of chaotic magic was inside it she quickly screwed the jar as tightly as she could. She studied the now filled jar with facisnation. It was a mass of dark purple and black energy that moved and swirled in the jar in a way that should've been impossible. Then again, she was looking at magic whose purpose had been to bend reality. Twilight put the jar back on the table regretfully when she heard a soft grunt from across the room.
"Discord!" Twilight ran over to him just as he was starting to get back onto his feet. He was a little unsteady at first, without having his magic to help him balance. He used the table for support until he finally was able to balance himself.
"Are you okay Discord?" Twilight asked with concern.
"I'm fine." he replied quickly.
Twilight continued to stare at him as he walked to the door. "Wait, Discord?"
He glanced over his shoulder at her.
"What should I do with it?" Twilight indicated to the mass of swirling energy.
Discord shrugged. "Whatever you want, just don't give it to Celestia, and especially not to Pinkie Pie! Who knows what kind of damage that pony would cause if she got her hooves on it!"
Twilight laughed. "Too true! Don't worry Discord, I'll keep it safe."
He nodded. Just as he put his paw on the door handle, he looked back at Twilight.
"Hey, Twilight?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Author's Note
One more chapter after this!!
Chapter 13
Fluttershy was frozen stiff as she saw four big timberwolves emerge from the brush and slowly advance towards her. Saliva dripped from their mouths like dew off a leaf. The four of them slowly circled around her, cutting off all her escape routes.
Fluttershy snapped out of her trance as they came closer. She opened her wings and tried to fly over and away from them, but she didn't get very high off the ground before one of the timberwolves jumped up and clamped its jaws around Fluttershy's wing before suddenly hurling her into a tree. She screamed as she was flung into the air, but was cut short when her body was slammed into the tree. There was a sickening thud as her body made contact with the tree, and she crumbled to the ground, limp and unconscious.
The timberwolves advanced upon her motionless form, when all of a sudden a loud roar shook the earth..
Discord continued to walk aimlessly in the Everfree Forest, not knowing where to go since his home wasn't an option at the moment.
Maybe Twilight can make a portal...If not, I could live with Fluttershy... He said in his mind as he was trying to think of several possibilities for a living space if Princess Twilght failed to create a portal for Discord to return through. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard a high pitched scream coming from somewhere in the forest. He immediately knew who it belonged to...
"Fluttershy?"
He ran towards the sound as fast as his legs could carry him, as Discord drew closer and closer to where he last heard her, he picked up the sound of low barking.
Oh no.. He said in his mind as he recognized the growls of timberwolves.
Discord burst through the undergrowth to find four large timberwolves advancing upon Fluttershy, who was lying lifeless at the base of a tree. He snapped into action and ran towards her on all fours. Giving out a loud battle cry as he went.
The timberwolves turned their attention away from Fluttershy and started at Discord when he cried out. The timberwolves came up to meet him, but Discord was ready for them. He swung his legs out in front of him and hooked the two of the closest timberwolves' stick-like legs around them, swiping all four limbs clean off and making them crash to the ground, leaving them as nothing but scattered twigs and branches.
That only left two timberwolves left, Discord ran over and stood over Fluttershy on all fours, shielding her with his body as the last two timberwolves charged toward them. However, before they reached the couple, Discord heard a soft pain filled moan coming from underneath him. He looked down to see Fluttershy start to awaken from her unconscious state. His delay was long enough to give a timberwolf enough time to jump on him and clamp his jaws around his left shoulder. Discord roared in pain as he tried to shove it off of him, but the big wolf would not let go and his grip on him seemed to become tighter.
Discord was so distracted by the timberwolf on his shoulder that he failed to notice the other one until it locked it's jaws around Discord's goat leg. He growled in pain as he heard a crack of bone. He managed to shake the timberwolf on his leg off. It ran back off into the woods, with it's tail tucked between it's legs.
Discord thrust his head into the timberwolf still clinging to his shoulder, his deer antler and goat horn coming into contact with it and causing the wolf to break apart into sticks and twigs.
Discord stood panting and looked around to see if anymore timberwolves were coming. He was relieved when he didn't hear any approaching. He stepped back from where he was standing over Fluttershy. All of a sudden, the adrenaline from the fight left his body and a wave of pain and exhaustion replaced it, and he collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. The wounds on his shoulder and leg were in excruciating pain, and he clenched his teeth to keep from crying out.
He looked over at Fluttershy, who was unconscious once again. Other than her wing and a couple of bruises, she didn't seem to have any other physical injuries that he could see.
He ignored the pain in his leg and dragged himself over to Fluttershy. He nudged her gently with his nose, but she didn't stir. He grasped the tree to help him stand fully on two legs. He was in so much pain, but he endured it in order to help Fluttershy.
With chattering teeth, he picked up Fluttershy gently and slowly limped out of the forest.
Fluttershy groaned as her eyes fluttered open and she felt something cold against her forehead, which helped dull the pain of the terrible headache she was feeling.
"Fluttershy?" A voice whispered softly.
She looked up to see Discord lying beside her propped up on his elbows. He smiled softly down at her and there was a look of concern in his eyes. Fluttershy tried to sit up, but her back hurt and her head felt like lead as she tried to do so.
"Stay down Fluttershy." Discord said as he gently pushed her back down. "I believe you have a concussion from when you hit the tree, your back might be broken too."
That's when Fluttershy noticed his injuries to his shoulder and leg.
"Discord, what happened?" She sat up a little to inspect his injury more, wincing in pain as she did.
Discord sighed as he gently pushed her back down again.
"It's nothing to worry about my dear, it's only a scratch is all."
Fluttershy looked at the wound again. It was caked in dried blood, and it looked fairly deep. No doubt painful as well.
"That is not 'just a scratch!' Discord!" She sighed and looked right into his red and yellow eyes. "What aren't you telling me?"
"I haven't told you about your injured wing, but I thought you already knew about that." Discord rebuttaled.
"Discord…"
He frowned and sighed. "A timberwolf attacked me while I was trying to ward them away from you. It's not a big deal." He shrugged.
"Discord, it is a big deal. You saved my life." Fluttershy whispered.
Discord leaned his head against Fluttershy's, he caressed her cheek with his claw as he gazed into her beautiful deep teal eyes.
"It's a small price to pay to keep you safe. Besides, the pain I'm feeling is nothing compared to the pain I have caused you.."
Fluttershy frowned at this. "Wha..what are you talking about?"
Discord sighed as he lifted his head from hers and sat up. He turned his head away from her.
"It's true Fluttershy. I know I can never make up for what I did to you when Tirek was here, so the least I can do is share in some of your pain."
Fluttershy frowned further. "What do you mean Discord?"
Discord sighed again, "Not emotional pain, but physical pain...without the use of magic..." He murmured that last part to himself. Unfortunately, Fluttershy was able to catch what he had said.
"What do you mean 'without the use of magic?' What's going on Discord?"
"I mean exactly that Fluttershy." He said quietly.
Fluttershy was silent as she tried to figure out what he meant. Her eyes widened as she suddenly realized what he most likely meant.
"Discord...you didn't...please tell me you didn't." Fluttershy put her hooves over her mouth.
"I can't, because I did."
Fluttershy continued to hold her hooves over her mouth as she felt tears form in her eyes.
"No…no no no no…" Her voice broke and she started to cry softly. Discord wrapped his arms around her gently so as not to hurt her back and wing, and gently pulled her to him.
"Dis-Discord...please...t-take it back..y-you didn't need to do that...p-p-please..I'm not worth your magic...I'm not worth anything..." She said against his chest.
He frowned as he put his paw under her chin and titled it up to make her look at him.
"Don't you EVER say that again...Fluttershy, you are worth everything to me! More than chaos...More than my immortality...Both of which I did not hesitate to give up. Siding with Tirek was, as Rarity would say, 'THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!"
This made Fluttershy giggle a little.
Discord continued, "I sided with Tirek to begin with because I was tempted by my chaotic powers. I wanted to remove the temptation so that I couldn't make the same mistake twice. I'm sorry Fluttershy for all the hurt I have caused you."
Fluttershy looked up from where her face was buried in his chest fur.
"I love you Fluttershy, and I do not ever want to ever hurt you like that again." He whispered.
Fluttershy sniffed. "I love you too Discord."
Discord smiled. Their lips met and they shared a long passionate kiss. Never wanting to let go of each other.
A week had gone by since Discord had first stayed with Fluttershy overnight to comfort her through these nightmares she'd been having. Only, instead of her getting better, she seemed to be getting worse.
Discord had asked if she needed him to stay again the night after the first incident, but she had claimed she was already feeling much better and would be fine on her own. Discord was a little hesitant on leaving her alone so soon on account to what he experienced as the aftermath of one of those nightmares. Oh how Discord wished he hadn't listened to her...
Fluttershy only grew thinner to the point where her entire ribcage was almost visible. Discord tried to get her to eat, even making it without magic because he knew she enjoyed it much more, but she would always refuse, claiming she was not hungry.
Her once bright eyes had grown dull and dead. Discord missed seeing the spark of life shinning in Fluttershy's beautiful teal orbs. It was one of the things he loved most about her, and it broke his heart to see it gone.
In an effort to get her the help she so desperately needed, he tried to fiercely get her to see somepony, a psychiatrist, who could help her understand these dreams and hopefully put an end to them once and for all. Fluttershy would always dismiss the idea and would just say that they were just dreams, and would go away eventually.
Discord on the other hoof, was getting fed up with her stubbornness.
Of all the times she could have chosen to be stubborn, it has to be now. He would always think to himself.
Discord insisted that he stay the night with her again, much to Fluttershy's detest. No matter what she did or said, there was no convincing him otherwise. She knew Discord was very protective of her, even more so when there was even any hint of trouble, especially if it involved her and her alone. She thought it was very sweet of him to be concerned for her, but at the same time…it pricked her in annoyance. She could stand on her own four hooves and she felt like Discord prevented her from doing that sometimes. Fluttershy knew he meant well, and that her coltfriend was only looking out for her own best interest, but it sometimes made her feel like she was helpless.
She sighed as she got into her bed for the night, and prepared herself for the horrors she was about to witness all over again...
It has been several days since Discord found out about Fluttershy's true condition. She had been right, Discord had become deeply depressed after learning that he caused her condition. However, the worst was knowing that she was cursed to live with it forever...live with an everyday reminder on what he had done...
Discord wished with all his heart that he could just snap his fingers and make it go away...but he couldn't. As much as he hated to admit it, even his own magic had it's limits, and that limit was healing. He could heal physical injuries to a certain extent, but he couldn't heal mental injuries. It was hard for Discord to even be around Fluttershy. As much as he loved her, he couldn't look at her without being reminded of the fact that she would forever constantly live with the pain and suffering he had caused her.
Fluttershy quickly took notice of Discord's behavior. She could see that his smiles and laughs were forced, he didn't talk much anymore, and he has even stopped coming to their regular 'Tuesday Tea'.
It was just as Fluttershy had feared, he was slowly straying away from her and drifting into the deep dark depths of his mind. The more weeks that went by, the more distant he became.
Fluttershy tried to show that she was perfectly fine, but to no avail. Nothing she said or did seemed to reach Discord in his misery...
Discord was laying in his thinking tree, where he does his really deep thinking. He sighed as he looked down at the land below.
I can't believe I did this to her…not Tirek…but me...
He thought back to the look on Flutershy's face after he caged her, being comforted in the arms of Applejack as tears poured down Fluttershy's cheeks..
"Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends?" Fluttershy sobbed into Applejack's chest.
"Oh we were, but Tirek offered me so much more than just tea parties. Surely you saw this coming?" Discord said casually.
"I didn't, I really didn't…"
Discord literally winced at the memory. Not only had his betrayal hurt her deeply, she would be reminded everyday of her life what he had done…
He sighed as he looked down at his mismatched hands.
If I wasn't so tempted with the chaotic power within me, this never would've happened.
A literal lightbulb appeared over his head and a sneaky grin spread across his face.
I know what I need to do...
He snapped his claws and flashed away.
Author's Note
Did you see my reference there?
