I Am He

~~~Near Ponyville, ten minutes earlier~~~

The pain of not being able to breathe is more that could ever be endured, yet this is still happening. If only there was some way to just get a gulp of fresh air… or just kick the bucket already, come ON. It shouldn't take this long to die… right?

"I wOuLd GLadDLy aGgreE WiTH YOu, bOy."

…

There's that again… what?...

"It iS NOt goOd foR THIs sHeLL tO CeASe MoVIng. I ShAll gRANt thEe… SoMe deLiVerANCe…"

What is it…

*GGGGHHHHHUUUGUGUGUGGUUH*

AIR! Sweet, wonderful air! Need more…

Need… more…

~~~Ponyville Park, a few minutes prior~~~

"I can't believe we're late for the BIGGEST party that Ponyville-- no, EQUESTRIA has ever had, all thanks to your dumb rivalary with that jerk off!" Bon Bon stated irritatingly, as she and Lyra were heading through the 'shortcut' that is the park. "Why can't you just let it go?"

Lyra was, by all accounts, very frustrated with her situation, and with needing to take the 'shortcut,' despite the train station being up the street from the actual town event. It was a quick glance at her partner's super-amazing, Equestria-famous candy snacks that made her swallow down a retort about taking the scenic route. In fact, she forced down the rest of her retorts to help calm the situation down so they could have a semi-decent time when they got to the town square.

"Bonny, I'm really sorry. High Notes just really rubs me the wrong way. I wish he wouldn't but he does." Lyra states, as she multitasks with calming down and keeping up with Bon Bon's stride. She really gets quick when she gets mad.

"That still doesn't excuse you from throwing your lyre on the ground to show you have more 'balls' than he ever would, all from him making fun of you for being with me!" Bon Bon says, slowing down a bit and looking at her lover with a frustrated look. "I'm flattered you'd go to lengths to show his sexist and homophobic ass that you mean busines, but why couldn't you destroy a chair or something? We put a down-payment on that lyre! WE STILL HAVE TWO YEARS LEFT TO PAY IT OFF!!!"

Frustration went to hysterics as they both stopped and Bon Bon was close enough to, it seemed, shoving all the candy down Lyra's throat. Lyra knew she was scary, but this was nuts! She knew then and there that if the night went any worse, the love of her life was gonna leave her for good.

"Bonny, I'm sorry! Really! I'll make it up to you. I'll work with you in the shop! I'll give up music and get a nine to five, if I have to. We're still young, I could set up a retirement, and then you can proudly take me to your parents and they'd finally say I'm responsible and love you enough to give up the silly pursuit of playing, then you'll love me more and we can stay together forever and you won't leave me and---"

A hand slapped itself over her mouth as a surprised Lyra saw a bridge-of-the-nose pinching and exasperated-sighing Bon Bon look up to her, moved her hand away and kissed her gently on the mouth.

"I'm not gonna leave you, we made vows, remember?" She states with a smirk, much to Lyra's relief. They held each other lovingly, as they always did during good and bad times. "Besides, you couldn't last an hour without me here to put you back in line---"

"GGGGHHHHHUUUGUGUGUGGUUH"

The two women jump with a yelp and look to and fro, trying to find the source of the strange noise. For some reason it sounded out of place and very… disturbing.

"What was that?" Bon Bon said. Holding close to Lyra, shaking like a maraca.

"I don't know." Lyra said, just as scared as her companion. "But it came from over there I think?" She said pointing to a tree surrounded by bushes.

They crept closer, slowly but surely closing the gap between them and their possible demise, at least they thought. When they got to the bush closest to the tree, they heard a bit of rustling and what sounds like… gurgling? They gently moved the bush to the side and screamed in horror.

What looked like a body of a man, sprawled out on his stomach, reaching for the open field of the park from the bushes. They saw bleeding from his arms which had jagged cuts on his elbows and possibly his wrist. While terrifying to behold, this isn't what sent them running for help.

As they screamed in fear, the figure lunged up and grabbed Bon Bon by the wrist very tightly. They then saw the bloated face of the man, with eyes that were almost pushed out from their sockets. They stopped screaming and saw in his eyes one type of request, which if he did not choke out, they would have known from just his eyes.

"....h-... help… me…"

He then collapsed, which sent the two running, abandoning their candy, their worries, and their previous argument. They needed to raise the alarm, and get help to that man.

~~~Ponyville Square, present time~~~

It had to happen, again! She had to say that stupid phrase again, and it had to do a complete one-eighty! Twilight would have smacked herself many times if the situation granted it, but it didn't. It took a few minutes to calm down the hysterical couple just to truly understand their plight, and once they did, a lot of things went into motion.

Immediately, Twilight called over the Mayor and Pinkie Pie to commence with crowd control and appeasing the party goers. She then told Rainbow Dash to search for both Nurse Redheart and Doctor Horse to get ready for a possible incoming person in need of medical attention. After Rainbow was away, she asked Rarity and Applejack to secure the children that had run off, and to make sure they and other patrons steer clear from the park. Starlight and Trixie were already heading towards the castle to let the guards know about the situation so that the castle may be secured and that they spread out through the town for any possible missing persons.

That just left Fluttershy, Discord, and herself. She was about to ask for their assistance when Discord beat her to it.

"I can let Celestia know! She has been meaning to come to the party anyway, right?" Discord said, as though he would take the job no matter what else was suggested.

"Actually, I was thinking that you would help us at the park. You may be able to transport him easily to the hospital and--" she said, but was cut off.

"No, someone's gotta tell Celestia!" He almost yelled, causing everyone around him to flinch at his sudden outburst. Noticing how Fluttershy flinched and almost retreated from him caused what felt like an icicle to pierce his heart. It's something that he wishes to never see again. So he takes a deep breath and continues with a softer tone. "We don't know what the situation is, nor do we have any idea as to how dangerous this person could be, if they are. Maybe a fugitive escaped from somewhere, and if someone knows, it might be Tia. We got to cover all our bases."

At a loss for words, Twilight couldn't help but to agree with his judgement. This is crazy, but it makes sense… too much sense. Something's not right. She thought as she focused more on his exact words. She would've asked Discord to elaborate on his thinking, when Fluttershy piped in.

"I can quickly go to the forest. Maybe something did happen, and some of the animals might know." Fluttershy said, with radiating confidence, which Discord observed and was very amazed to see. He could watch her all day, but now isn't the time.

"I'll go to Canterlot, and you go to the park, see how you can help out." Discord said, as Twilight was, again, about to interject on the situation.

Things needed to be done, pronto. She didn't have time to help the victim and go to Canterlot at this time. So, she acquiesced, and gave her answer.

"Fine. Fluttershy, you do what you suggested and see if any of the wildlife saw anything. Make sure no stone is left unturned." Twilight said firmly then turned to Discord. "Discord, go ahead and go to Canterlot and see what you can find out."

They both nodded, and were about to go, when Rainbow zoomed from the sky just above the trio.

"Twilight, I told Nurse Redheart what's happened and she and a few other hospital staff are headed toward the park right now." Rainbow said, flapping her feathered wings subconsciously. "I'm gonna go to the hospital and give them a heads up."

"Perfect." Twilight stated. "I'll head to the park and see what I can do to help."

Rainbow gave a salute and sped off, as Twilight nodded to both her friends as she closed her eyes, focused, and summoned her ethereal wings, of which she flapped a few times and then flew into the sky towards the park.

Being alone, Fluttershy and Discord had a chance to chat before getting to work. The funny thing is, now that they're somewhat open about their feelings, they don't know what to say. They look at each other and Fluttershy notices the same look in Discord's eyes that he had earlier. That look of apprehension.

"Discord?" Fluttershy asks, getting his full attention. "There's something wrong, isn't there?"

Discord, knowing that she's seeing the exact thing that he doesn't want her to see, is trying to think of something. You'd think the God of Chaos would think of something, right? He thinks to himself, but he doesn't know what to do. Should he lie? Run away? Would she ever forgive him? No, there's no way, not after he--

"Dissy?"

That soft, angelic voice says, which snaps him back to reality. The reality that he wants so badly. The reality of being with Fluttershy! Taking a deep breath he looks into her kind, worried eyes.

"Fluttershy, do you trust me?" Discord asks, with determination in his voice. Fluttershy notices this and, for some reason, she simply cannot say no. Is it his voice? His eyes? She doesn't know.

"Yes." She says, anticipating what he'll say next.

"Okay, good." He said, gulping down apprehension. "I have to go see Celestia, like I said, but I also have to… do some things." She gives a quizzical look as he continues. "Things that will take me away from Ponyville for sometime. I was going to tell you later, possibly tomorrow, but… all things considered and seeing as we only had one night to actually get together and not explore more of this[i/] just simply nuts. I wish we could--"

He was cut off. By a kiss. A small kiss on the lips, from the very person he was confessing to. She smiled with a small blush as she said, "I like you too, Discord."

Head spinning and blank, Discord couldn't help but be very much elated. He then went in for another kiss. Then another. And another. And a few more. Many catcalls were thrown towards them, along with quips about 'getting a room' and 'no one is cleaning up after them.' They separated and held each other for a second longer, until they had to get to work.

"Discord, how long will you be gone?" She asked, longingly.

"I don't know… but," whipping his hand around with his chaotic magic, he summoned a bright pink rose, with swirls of yellow on each petal. As he gave it to her, it bloomed and released a flurry of butterflies circling around them and one resting on her nose. "I will send one of these flowers to you everyday."

She held the rose close, and gave a sniff. It smelled of her little cottage and the wonderful smells that came from the nature around it. She then looked to him to ask what he called it, knowing he made the flower.

"It's the Fluttershy, of course. I'll also plant it wherever I go. I promise!" He said, as they embraced again, kissed and let go.

She then flew off toward her home to speak with her animals, as he waved goodbye. Once out of sight, his face went from happiness to grim darkness.

Now, he thought to himself, how do I convince Celestia to let me go somewhere else?...

~~~Ponyville Park, ten minutes later~~~

Pain, darkness, horror of my mind. I can barely breathe, yet I feel like I'm dying. How can I go on? Please let me rest!

"NoT YEt… TheY ARe COmiNG…"

Who?... what?...

I ask myself as I see shapes. A blur of movement. Hands are feeling me, moving me. Oh God, what do I do? What are they doing? I hear muffled words, slowly rising in volume. Then I see it. A purple blur as it comes close behind the other blobs. What is it?

I feel a crack of electricity, searing pain, and then I scream.