//-------------------------------------------------------// A True Family -by redrose99875- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter One: Screwball's Wish //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter One: Screwball's Wish Discord's alarm went off, he silenced it and got out of bed with a yawn. As usual, he heard loud noises coming from the kitchen below. He snapped his fingers and entered the kitchen. "SCREWBALL, where did you hide my Joyboy?" shouted Button Mash across the room. "I didn't take it!!!" Screwball snapped back. "Don't worry button, I have it right here," said Sweetie Belle holding out the Joyboy. "Ah, you're a lifesaver Sweetie, thanks a lot," sighed Button mash in relief. "Wanna watch me play?" "Sure." Sweetie Belle then trotted over to join Button Mash. "Hey, have y'all seen mah batch of apples that ah harvested yesterday?" asked Applebloom. "I used them to make Apple juice." Answered Screwball. "WHAT?! IT TOOK ME FOREVER TA HARVEST THOSE!!!" "Calm down, I can just summon some more." "IT'S NOT THE SAME!" "BE QUIET!" roared Discord. All the children settled down immediately. "Just eat your stupid breakfast, and we can continue on with the day." "Yes Discord." sighed the children. They did as they were told, and gathered around Discord. "So who gets playtime today?" asked Screwball excitedly. "Button Mash and Sweetie Belle," answered the draconequus. "YES!!!" Sweetie Belle and Button Mash cheered. "WHAT?!" Jeered Screwball. "That's the schedule Screwball, you'll get playtime tomorrow." "But I want it NOW!!!" "I don't want to hear it!!!" Snapped Discord. "Sweetie Belle, Button Mash, come along." The two children followed him obediently, leaving Screwball and Applebloom alone. Screwball folded her hooves across her chest and glared. "He always does this." Discord wrote down his checklist for the natural disasters he's had to take care of, when suddenly he heard a loud crashing sound. Alarmed, he followed the sound. Much to his anger, Apple Bloom was hanging on a light from the ceiling. "APPLEBLOOM, how did you get up there!?" Shouted Discord. "Uhh,...maybe climbin' a tree to get apples, an' then gettin' stuck on the roof, an' then crawlin through a hole, an' crawling through the vents an' fallin' on top of this light wasn't the best idea." Said Apple Bloom, smiling sheepishly. Suddenly the light fell along with the small filly. Discord leaped onto his stomach, held out his arms, and caught her. He let out a sigh of relief. He set her on her fours and stood up. "Do that again, and your going to be more than grounded." He growled. Discord then heard another loud noise. He rushed outside the room, and he found Sweetie Belle, trying to rewire the television. "SWEETIE BELLE!!!" He ran over and set her down by the sofa. "Why were you messing with the television?!" "There's nothing good on," she complained. "No T.V for the rest of the day." He groaned. "Our hero Button Mash makes his way down to the dungeon, his heart that of a great lion, confident that he would be able to save the beautiful Princess Sweetie Belle, who had been captured by the evil chimera king. He marched forward until *GASP* The Chimera King had found him! He ran for his life, but was unfortunately cornered." "STOP RUNNING AWAY!" Shouted the monster. "IT'S ALL OVER, THIS IS THE END!" Shouted Button Mash crouching in front of the T.V. "You're grounded," said Discord, his face sour. "SCREWBALL, STOP RUNNING!" Exclaimed Discord, holding Sweetie Belle in his left arm. "Not until you catch me," said Screwball in a singsong voice. Eventually Discord scooped her up in his right arm. "Dang it," groaned Screwball. "I don't have TIME for games Screwball!" scolded Discord "And you two are supposed to go in Screwball's room for that "Sleepover" to SLEEP." "But we don't want to Discord," whined Screwball, giving him wide puppy eyes. "I could care less if you HATED your room, which you don't, you and the other kids are sleeping in your room, that's what you wanted right?" "But Discord-" Screwball lamented. "Not gonna care crybaby," Discord said firmly "You are going, to sleep." "Actually," yawned Sweetie Belle "I don't mind getting some sleep." "Got any threes?" Asked Applebloom. Yelling could be heard from the other room. "Go fish,....it looks like they were caught again," said Button Mash. Discord entered the room and set the children down. "Alright," he said. "What will it take, to get you kids off my back, and to sleep?" "We want to know if you can play with us for a while if you can't make room for tomorrow?" Asked Screwball, with a hopeful smile. "GO.TO.SLEEP!!!" Exclaimed Discord closing the bedroom door. "Called it," said Sweetie Belle sadly. Screwball sat on her haunches, her hooves folded. "It was worth a shot," she sighed. "He probably has things ta do by tomorrow Screwy. Ah'm sure he can make time for us then?" "THAT'S ALL HE EVER DOES!!!" Groaned Screwball. "HE NEVER GIVES UP ANY OF HIS WORK FOR US!!! I MEAN, "IT'LL ONLY BE THIRTY MINUTES OF PLAYTIME" BUT NO, HE ONLY GIVES US LESSONS, NO FUN, JUST LEARNING!!!" Screwball's eyes started to tear up. "That's all we ever asked for in a grown up..." said Screwball softly. "I mean, I sometimes even consider him as our "Papa"...even if he treats us like toddlers...I wish we could just... get a mom. Then maybe we won't be too much?" "Discord is trying, Screwy...maybe he's just new ta us, and doesn't want ta get too attached?" said Apple Bloom. "Discord gets like this to avoid us,..he doesn't mean it," said Button Mash. "Sure, asking him about it will get him to think about it, but we can't be too sure." Said Sweetie Belle. "Thanks, guys, I feel a lot better, knowing that you're here for me,...goodnight." They soon fell asleep, unaware that Discord was outside the door, listening to every word. His ears drooped as he made his way to bed he let out a sigh, why did this have to be so hard? //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Two: A New Face //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Two: A New Face Screwball stood on a stool, trying to reach where Discord hid the Cotton Candy. She could summon some on her own, if she had listened a bit more to Discord's lessons. "Screwball?" Screwball let out a gasp as she turned around. Discord was staring down at her, but to her surprise, he didn't look angry. "D-Discord,...I-I'm sorry,...I just couldn't sleep,...s-so I decided that Cotton Candy would help." She said, giving him a sheepish smile. "And why were you having trouble sleeping?" asked Discord. "Do you need sleeping pills? "N-No, I-I've just been thinking a lot about things lately." Discord sat at the table. "So is this the work, the playtime, or the mom thing?" He asked. Screwball's face flushed with shock and embarrassment. "Y-YOU HEARD THAT?" she exclaimed. "Well, I am concerned with each of you children so, yes, I did hear." "I-I'm sorry." said Screwball. "No, I understand," said Discord, looking a bit guilty. "I know you kids want more playtime, and having another would make things a lot easier but, having a wife isn't an option." "What's a wife?" asked Screwball. "It's just another term for "mom"." He explained. Screwball smiled. "Then I want a "wife" Discord!!! I want a pretty "Wife"!!! " Discord banged his head on the table. "Screwball, go to bed, it's three o'clock in the morning, I'm too tired to deal with this right now." A young Pegasus sat outside a lovely little cottage at the edge of the Everfree forest, she was holding a snow white rabbit, as she stared out at the forest in front of her. This mare was actually quite a sight, she had a buttercream coat, a long light pink mane, and dazzling teal eyes. She was also a shy mare, but despite being shy, she was also very kind, her name was Fluttershy. "Angel,...today is the day I'm facing my fear." She said, talking to the rabbit. Angel's ears perked up. Fluttershy nodded, she had been planning this for a while, and now, she was finally going to do it. She put him down on the ground. "Wish me luck," she said as she made her way to the Everfree forest. Fluttershy trotted through the forest carefully. Suddenly, after walking for what seemed like hours, she came across a tree, standing tall in her way. Fluttershy sighed in relief. "Time to go home." She thought to herself, then she thought she heard something behind her. She turned around, but the path she took remained empty. She walked backwards slowly, then the next thing she knew she fell into something that seemed like a cross between a tunnel and a slide. Discord walked down the corridor from the classroom inside the castle, he sighed to himself. "Finally, got through the day, those kids have way too much energy, and why did Button mash want to do crafts?" He said to himself aloud. Discord eventually got the glue off his paw and claw and snapped his fingers to get rid of the mess all over him. Suddenly he heard a noise from the walls. "Huh?" Discord made an opening, and to his surprise, it was a spare room. "Strange," he thought "Maybe it was Applebloom, hanging from the lights again?" Suddenly a small rock fell on his nose. "Ow!" He cried. He rubbed his muzzle, then something buttercream, Lotus and teal-colored hung upside down from the ceiling. "Huh?" "Hmm?" Said the thing, they then saw one another. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The thing fell from the ceiling, crashing onto the floor. Discord then saw upon a closer look that it wasn't an object, but it was a.....pony? "Brilliant, Fluttershy," sighed a soft voice. "Grab onto the ceiling when you could have flown bravely down, how intelligent." "What the?-who are?-what were you even doing?" Exclaimed Discord. Fluttershy then looked up at Discord, and quickly stood up. "O-Oh, I'm so sorry," she said apologetically. "I just fell down this tube in the forest, and I ended up in the vents and I just-" Fluttershy then noticed the glare on his face, she decided to try to keep things friendly. "Anyways, my name's Fluttershy, what's yours?" She asked holding out her hoof. "I don't do hoof shakes, nor will I share that information with you," he said sharply. "Is it because you're shy like me?" She asked. Discord turned around and let out a groan. "FORGET IT! Coming here was a BIG mistake." He looked behind him "And I never should have-" Discord raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to follow me?" He asked. "Why would I? You must have a good reason to leave," said Fluttershy. Discord looked at her for a moment, then left the room. Discord was about to drink his daily Chocolate milk when he heard a voice inside his head, "Is it because you're shy like me?" Discord ignored it and drank it down. "Why would I? You must have a good reason to leave." Discord groaned, but kept drinking. "My name's Fluttershy, what's yours?" Discord couldn't take it anymore. "Ugh, her stupid voice is so annoying, I can't even drink my CHOCOLATE MILK in peace!!!" Discord then took a deep breath and walked out of the room. "Hello," said Fluttershy as she walked by Discord. "Hey." Replied Discord, until he stopped in shock. "Fluttershy?!" He turned around and saw Fluttershy in the living room. "I thought you said you weren't following me!!!" He scolded. "I didn't, I just wandered around a bit." said Fluttershy kindly. Discord was about to reply with something nasty when somehow a butterfly flew by. Discord had no idea how it got in here, but it caught Fluttershy's attention. She jumped backward into Discord. Discord blushed, the pegasus' back was against his chest, her tail hung loosely over his legs, and he could feel her mane under his chin. It was so.......soft. Then her voice brought him back to reality. "OH MY GOODNESS, A BUTTERFLY!!!" She exclaimed happily. Discord shoved her off. "Great....now leave, just because your lost doesn't mean your welcome here." Discord grabbed her by the arm. "The door changes places, so stay in that room until you find your way out, and pretend we never met okay?" Discord pulled her to the room, suddenly Applebloom passed by. "Hello." said Fluttershy as she passed her. "Hmm? oh, howdy." said Applebloom. "Gonna watch some T.V with Sweetie and-" That's when it hit her like a brick. "Wait WHAT?!" Author's Note Just a heads up, Fluttershy and Discord screamed in unison //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Three: A Surprise Visit //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Three: A Surprise Visit Fluttershy sighed, she had been inside the empty room for what seemed like days now. She wondered why that creature showed such coldness towards her. She was certain he had a softer side to him, but she probably wouldn't find out if he did or not. Suddenly, she heard voices outside the door. "Ah'm tellin y'all, Ah saw Discord with a MARE." "Very funny," said a voice. "Just because I said I wanted a mom, you tease me Applebloom." "Ah'm not teasin ya Screwy, he pulled her ta a room, and he didn't say a word!!!" "I think Applebloom is telling the truth Screwball, I mean, she NEVER lies!!!" Exclaimed another. "I agree with Sweetie guys, I mean, anything is possible with chaos right?" said yet another voice, but this one sounded like it belonged to a young colt. "Hey, what's this funny-looking hole?" Asked the second voice. Fluttershy's eye dilated as she saw three fillies and a colt climb into the room. The three kids didn't said say a word as their eyes locked upon a mare they had never seen before. One Filly with a lilac coat and a purple mane with swirls of white, was the first one to speak up. "Hi, my name's Screwball!!!" She said. Fluttershy smiled politely at her. "I'm Fluttershy, it's nice to know a name in this place." She said in reply. The little ponies suddenly crowded Fluttershy in a big bear hug, as each one introduced themselves. "Mah name's Applebloom!" "My name's Sweetie Belle!!!" "My name's Button Mash!!!" Fluttershy giggled and set the children down. "Are there any more of you?" Asked Fluttershy. The ponies shook their heads, although the one called Button Mash looked a bit suspicious. Fluttershy just shrugged it off. "Wanna go play Go Fish?" Asked Sweetie Belle. Fluttershy's expression shifted from happy, to uneasy. "I don't know..." "Please?!!!" Begged the four young ponies, looking at her with wide, pleading eyes. Fluttershy smiled. How could she resist? "Alright, maybe just one game." Discord walked into the living room for his usual breakfast, when he stopped abruptly. "WHAT THE-?!" He saw Screwball, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Button Mash playing a card game with the mare he had seen yesterday. Screwball turned around toward Discord. "Hey Dad, how come you never told us about Fluttershy?" "Uhhh-" "She's So nice!!!" Said Button Mash. "She's an AMAZING singer, she taught me how to sing better!!!" Exclaimed Sweetie Belle. "She taught meh how ta pick apples without climbin th' trees." Cried Aplebloom with pride. "She taught me a BUNCH of my Chaos magic, and she's not even a unicorn." "I only taught you what my friend Twilight knows, and this happened," said Fluttershy nervously. Screwball then gasped. "Is she going to be our new MOM?!!!" "ENOUGH, ALL OF YOU!" Screeched Discord, all of the children immediately sat back down and shut their mouths. "She is NOT your new mother, she's just a pony who's lost, and once she finds the exit, you'll never see her again, do I make myself clear?" He said. Screwball groaned in frustration. "It's not FAIR Discord, you never give us playtime, and now a pony who has the time comes along, and you try to get rid of her?" She cried out angrily at him. "I don't want to HEAR it, YOUNG LADY!!!" He shouted back. "WHY CAN'T YOU SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO US FOR ONCE?!!!" Shouted Screwball. "Um, can I say something?" Asked Fluttershy softly. "NO!" Shouted Screwball and Discord in unison. Fluttershy silenced herself, casting her eyes downward. "You are so stubborn and blind to everything around you!!!" Said Discord. "Well, I guess that proves it, I AM a creature of chaos!!!" She shot back bitterly. Discord growled. "That's it." Discord summoned the exit door in front of Fluttershy, suddenly it disappeared. He turned his angry gaze toward Screwball. "SCREWBALL!!!" "I Won't summon the door unless Fluttershy WANTS to leave." She said defiantly. "Fine, Fluttershy, do you want to stay or leave?" He asked, looking down on the little Pegasus. Fluttershy stood stiff, beads of sweat ran down her face, she felt like she was going to faint, until she finally made up her mind. "If you will let me, I will stay." She answered. "WHAT?!" Exclaimed Discord in disbelief. "You heard her, now we made a DEAL," said Screwball, giving him a smug look. Discord gritted his teeth and disappeared from the room. "I hope I didn't make him too mad." Said Fluttershy, her voice obviously nervous. "He'll be fine." Said Screwball unconcernedly. Discord appeared in his room, shaking with rage. "WHO DOES FLUTTERSHY THINK SHE IS?!" He roared to himself, causing his magic to go out of control with his anger. A broken vase fixed itself. "AND WHO DOES SCREWBALL THINK SHE IS?!" The walls turned blue and the floor and ceiling turned a dull green. "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT MARE TAUGHT THEM SO EASILY!!!" He banged his fist against the wall and made the furniture fall right side up on the floor. "I'VE BEEN TEACHING THESE KIDS FOR YEARS, AND SHE JUST MET THEM TODAY, HOW DID SHE DO THAT?!" Discord made the Floor lamp appear on the actual floor. Discord took a deep breath. "I need to stop, I'm wrecking my room." He snapped his fingers and turned the room back into absolute chaos, he then sat on his bed and thought out loud. "I don't care what Screwball says, I have to find a way to get rid of Fluttershy." //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Four: A New Friend //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Four: A New Friend Screwball trotted into Fluttershy's room, where Fluttershy herself was reading a book. "Hi Fluttershy!" Exclaimed Screwball. Fluttershy smiled sweetly and replied, "Hello Screwball." The filly giggled. "Feel free to call me screwy, so, how ya doing?" "Well...I'm not allowed to leave the room, and I do miss home," said Fluttershy, sounding a bit sad. "Home? you have a home?" Asked Screwball. "Yes..." Said Fluttershy. Screwball's face faltered a bit. "What's it like there?" "Well, I live in a cottage near the Everfree Forest in Ponyville, it's a peaceful place, and I take care of my animals." Explained Fluttershy. "YOU MEAN YOU HAVE PETS?!" Exclaimed Screwball, a look of excitement crossing her face. Fluttershy widened her eyes in surprise at Screwball's little outburst. "Yes, why such enthusiasm?" "Well, Dad never lets us have pets," Screwball explained, frowning at the thought. "'They're too much of a distraction' he says." Fluttershy then had a sudden thought. "I guess that's why he doesn't want me around," sighed the Pegasus, giving Screwball a sad smile. Screwball's ears flattened. "...He probably doesn't want any of US around." She lamented softly. "SCREWBALL, I'm sure he enjoys your company," Fluttershy said reassuringly. "He's probably just very busy." "But does he have to be so mean about it?" Screwball. Fluttershy looked Screwball in the eye and said, "I'm sure he has his reasons." Screwball rolled her eyes and sighed, turning away. "I know but...if he really cares about us, why doesn't he show it? I mean, he never plays with us. I know he's busy, but, sometimes he doesn't even try!" "Oh Screwball, of COURSE, he cares about you, he's probably just stressed out or something of that sort. Try to be patient with him, and I'm sure that everything will work out." Screwball sighed again, looking back up into Fluttershy's face. "Your right...I should probably give him a break." Suddenly Sweetie Belle slammed the bedroom door open. "HOLY SHIP PICKLES!" Screwball exclaimed. "Sweetie Belle? What's wrong?" Asked Fluttershy worriedly. "THERE'S A NEW KID!" Sweetie Belle cried. Fluttershy and Screwball's eyes dilated, they then sped out of the bedroom and into the next room. There was a young orange pegasus filly with a purple mane, she reminded them of a chicken for some reason. "Guys, this is Scootaloo, she's a friend of mine." Said Button Mash. "What's up?" She said, her raspy voice reminded Fluttershy of a friend of hers. Screwball, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Button Mash crowded around the new pony. "Where'd she come from?" Asked Applebloom. Button Mash started to sweat as he replied, "Ponyville." "What's Ponyville?" asked Sweetie Belle. "It's a town." He said. "How do you know about it?" asked Screwball, who had only just her about it from Fluttershy. Button mash let out a nervous laugh. "Sometimes I get stir crazy so I built a slide the leads from here out into the woods?" Screwball practically exploded. "WHAT?!" "Well, I knew I'd get in trouble so I didn't say anything." He said. "That explains why he wanted to do crafts" muttered Apple bloom "HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL US?! ESCECIALLY ME?!" exclaimed Screwball "YOU MUST OF HAD A LOT OF FUN!" "All I did was play Video games." said Button Mash defensively. "It's better than being stuck HERE." Pouted Screwball folding her hooves across her chest. "Screwball, I'm sure you might be able to go too." Button Mash assured her. "Let's hope I can do that and NOT get caught." She said. Little did they know,a pair of yellow eyes watched from afar, and a paw and claw curled up into tight fists. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Five: I Remember //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Five: I Remember Discord stormed down to Fluttershy's room, not bothering to teleport. He was about to pound on the door, when suddenly, a voice came out of nowhere. "DISCORD!!!" "I'M INNOCENT, I SWEAR" He shrieked in alarm. Screwball stared at him for a few moments awkwardly, only crickets broke the silence. Discord snapped back to reality. "Oh, it's just you Screwball." He said with a sigh of relief. "...What are you doing?" She asked. "Um...I was just-" But Discord was cut off as Screwball said, "You NEVER visit Fluttershy's room." She frowned at him. Discord gave a nervous chuckle. "Well, I just-" "You're trying to KICK HER OUT aren't you?!" Screwball questioned. Discord glared sharply. "So WHAT if I am? She's been nothing but trouble in she GOT here." He replied. "If by trouble you mean the best time of my life, of our lives. Everypony's happy she's here except YOU." "SEE? She's adding to your vocabulary," Discord said, pointing his talon at her in an accusatory way. "It's MY job to do that. Like I told her, she´s NOT welcome here." "Well isn't this great?" Sneered Screwball. "I come to YOU asking for HELP and, this is what I find. Fluttershy's happy here, she can stay as long as she likes." "WHEN WILL YOU LEARN TO GROW UP?!" Discord spat angrily. "You'll never learn just how FOOLISHLY you act!!!" Screwball went silent, her eyes began to develop tears. She turned away from Discord. "Fine then," she said softly. "...kick her out...it was stupid of me to want a mom." Discord's face softened, as he realized that he said something he never said before. "Screwy..." "JUST FORGET IT, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! Because I'm tired of hearing how everything in your life isn't good enough, including me and the others." Screwball then galloped away, her eyes damp with tears. Discord sighed. He knew that Screwball deserved an apology, and so he would give her one, after he got rid of Fluttershy. He opened the door to her bedroom, but much to his surprise, she wasn't there. Then he saw a rope going down leading to a garden. He looked out the window and he saw her down in a garden that he had never seen before. It was most likely Screwball's doing. He was about to scold her when suddenly, a marvelous melody filled the air. "Under the bright blue endless sky." Discord's ears perked up as his eyes dilated. "Wait, I remember that. How I know that song. I remember sitting in the moonlight and that feeling, what's that feeling, I remember?" Discord was bewitched, 'Was this sound really coming from her mouth?' "Yes, how I know that song Though it's been so long I remember happiness without a floor or ceiling What's that feeling? I remember" Discord's mind went blank as Fluttershy, along with the birds started to harmonize. "La, la, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la, la Laaa...La, la, la, la, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la Laaa...la, la" She then went back to singing normal words. "Oh! I remember her And how we were I remember wanting what the evening would be bringing I remember singing Under the bright blue endless sky" Fluttershy's voice softened a bit. "Waves try to measure the days That we treasure" Discord swore his heart did a swan dive in that moment. "And I, I remember I remember music. And I'm never going back to the silent law they wrote, I will sing in every tempo Every last chromatic note For I, I remember her I remember music And I remember love Love!!!" Discord had to lean on the wall to be able to stay on his feet. "What's wrong with me? I feel...different." He murmured to himself. And indeed he did feel different, for the first time in his life, he felt light as a feather. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Six: Nightmare Night //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Six: Nightmare Night Screwball burst into the living room, tears falling down her cheeks, the kids turned away from the T.V “Screwy? What's wrong? “ asked Apple Bloom “Discord's getting rid of Fluttershy!!! “ Screwball lamented “WHAT?! “ exclaimed the others “This CAN'T be HAPPENING “ cried, Sweetie Belle “He CAN'T do this “ whined Applebloom Button mash said nothing, Scootaloo then entered the room “Sheesh, did somepony die? “ asked the pegasus “No, but Discord's getting rid of Fluttershy “ groaned Button Mash “WHAT?! what did Fluttershy ever do to HIM!? “ “Nothing, but he doesn´t like her, “ said Screwball they all sighed heavily, suddenly they heard a voice from the other room. “What's going on? I'm NEVER like this “ “It sounds like Discord, “ said Screwball “Let's go check it out, “ said Scootaloo, the others made their way to the other room, except for Button Mash “But I want to find out what Mr.Fox says to the chicken “ Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, “Button Mash, this is a KIDS show, plus it's educational “ “But I NEED to know, “ he said, suddenly the others pulled him away from the T.V “NO, PLEASE, GUYS I NEED TO KNOW “ Discord paced back and forth, he couldn't understand why he felt so strange, was it something he ate? “Discord?“ asked Screwball Discord jumped, then he furrowed his eyebrows “Stop SCARING me Screwball, I need to think“ “About what?“ asked the kids “Well...I heard Fluttershy singing, and well...I feel quite strange, it's almost like I want to hear it again“ The children started to giggle, Discord put his paw and claw on his hips “What's so funny?“ “Nothing-wait, you mean you haven't kicked Fluttershy out yet?“ asked Screwball in surprise “No“ Screwball cheered “YAY, we can go trick or treating!!!“ Discord just stood “What?“ “Oh well, Trick-or-treating is something you do on a holiday called nightmare night, nightmare night is-“ “I KNOW what it is, but who said I'd take you?“ “Nopony, Fluttershy said she'd take us“ “WHAT?! Without MY permission?“ “Well, yeah, but if you come we'd have a LOT more fun“ “Nothing you say will get me to go take you outside this castle“ Screwball smirked “If you take us, I won't show Fluttershy your child pictures“ Discord´s eyes dilated Fluttershy trotted out of her room, feeling nervous, but she smiled at the children dressed up in their costumes “Is everypony ready to go?“ “YEAH!!!“ exclaimed the kids, Screwball was dressed as a baseball player, Apple bloom was dressed as a farmer (Big surprise) Button Mash was dressed as a pirate, and Sweetie Belle was dressed as a Princess, Scootaloo was dressed up too, she was wearing a blue uniform with yellow lightning bolts and goggles. Fluttershy was dressed as a nature goddess. “Dad, are you ready to go?“ Discord groaned, wishing he knew why he kept his childhood photos in the first place, and that Screwball didn't learn how to summon objects and get past barrier spells, particularity the one he had around his bedroom. “Yes“ then a gray pony walked out, he had a black spiky mane and a tornado cutie mark “AHH, STRANGER DANGER“ shouted Button Mash as he hid behind Sweetie Belle “Mash, that's just dad, he just changed form“ said Screwball Discord looked at Fluttershy, then looked away, then he swiftly turned his attention towards her again, he felt heat rush to his cheeks, thank goodness she didn't notice “Alright, let's go,“ said Fluttershy, as she opened the door and walked outside, the children and Discord trailing back behind her. Author's Note Sorry for the short chapter, Happy Halloween Everyone!!!:twilightsmile: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/twilightsmile.png //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Seven: A little talk //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Seven: A little talk Screwball and the other children gasped in awe as they looked through their candy bags. "We got SO much candy!" Exclaimed Screwball.- "Yeah, we NEVER get this much candy...well EVER," said Button. Discord rolled his eyes. "Yeah, Ah got a CANDY apple!" Exclaimed Apple Bloom. "I got a CHOCOLATE bar," said Sweetie Belle. Fluttershy just smiled sweetly at them. "Do any of you have allergies?" She asked. "No Ma'm." They said together in reply. "Good, I'm just going to be off to bed," she said with a small yawn as she left the room. "Wow, Fluttershy's the BEST." Said Button Mash. "Yeah, she's like a mom to me." Said Sweetie Belle in agreement. "Ah think she's the best thing since Applesauce." Added Apple Bloom. "I want to be with her ALL the time!" Exclaimed Screwball. "OH YES, SHE'S JUST WONDERFUL ISN'T SHE?" Shouted Discord, causing the kids to jump in surprise. "I hope you don't get too used to her, because she's LEAVING." He said. "WHAT?!" Exclaimed the kids. Screwball glared at Discord. "AGAIN?! Why do you hate her so much? She NEVER did anything to you." She said. "She thinks she can do things without my permission, she doesn't keep you safe, and she's taking you away from me!!!" Discord replied furiously. Fluttershy walked towards the kitchen to get a glass of milk when she suddenly heard arguing in the other room. "She's NOT taking us away from you, we stick close to her because unlike you, she lets us have fun, and she's a GOOD influence." Discord's voice replied back quite angrily, "I don't CARE, she's not Welcome here, I should have kicked her out BEFORE--" "SHUT UP!" Shouted Screwball, interrupting his sentence. Suddenly, the two of them heard sniffling from the doorways, they turned and saw Fluttershy. She stood up slowly. "Fine...I'll leave." She said quietly. "B-But-" Screwball was cut off by Fluttershy. "I'm sorry, but you're father's right, I never should have stolen you away from him. I'm...I'm a terrible pony, h-how could I be so selfish?" Discord was shocked, sure she was a bit too close to the kids for his liking but, he didn't think she was a BAD pony. Fluttershy ran from the room with tears in her eyes. "Fluttershy WAIT." Said Screwball. But Fluttershy was gone. She then turned to Discord "You just couldn't be nice to her could you?" She asked bitterly. Discord didn't know what to say. "I-I...um" "I should have known you'd be like this...still trying to get rid of her," said Screwball. "Screwball, I'm sorry but-" "Oh REALLY?! Because you don't seem like it." She then ran from the room, along with the other kids. Discord didn't feel anger anymore, he just felt guilty. He didn't care if she left before, but now he felt bad. He made her cry for Goodness sake. Although he wanted to deal with the situation right now, he'd have to deal with this in the morning, it was almost midnight. None of the kids said a word at the breakfast table, this suited Discord just fine, for just like them, he didn't have much to say. There was silence when Discord spoke; "There won't be any lessons today, I'm....too busy." He said. the others only gave nods of acknowledgment. Once the children finished, they walked to the playroom, meanwhile Discord thought hard. He couldn't leave the kids home alone, but he couldn't stay either. He had no choice, he locked the doors and closed the window blinds, and with a Flash, he disappeared. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Eight: An Apology/Christmas Special //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Eight: An Apology/Christmas Special Fluttershy looked out the window, staring at the Everfree forest covered in snow. She let out a sigh. How could she be so cruel? She was having so much fun with the children, that she was stealing them away from Discord, and the worst part of it was that after the first time she met them, she didn't know that Discord was still upset with her. Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her door opening. "Fluttershy, thank GOODNESS you´re alright!" Exclaimed a voice that Fluttershy knew very well. She turned around. "Of course, Twilight," said Fluttershy. Her five best friends, Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity, were standing at her open door. "Where have you BEEN?! It´s been THREE days since you were gone." Said Rainbow. "I've just been...somewhere." Fluttershy answered vaguely. "Well, we're delighted that you've come back," said Rarity happily. "I MISSED YOU SO MUCH," said Pinkie pie, giving Fluttershy a bear hug. "I've missed you too, Pinkie," said Fluttershy. Pinkie eventually put her down and gave her a cake that read: This is a "Welcome home" cake that I've made for you because you've been away for three days. As usual, Fluttershy was impressed by how Pinkie was able to pull off such feats,for instance, how was she able to fit that many words on ONE cake. She shook off the thought and smiled graciously. "Thank you Pinkie." "It´s what I do," said the Pink pony with a wide grin, as she bounced back to the others. "So, tell us about you're little adventure, where have you been all this time?" Asked Rarity anxiously. Fluttershy frowned and then sighed. "I don't want to talk about it." "Well, how about we guess? Have you been gone to see the Breezies?" Asked Twilight. "Have you been with Tree Hugger?" Asked Rainbow. "Have you been at Candyland?" Asked Pinkie. Everypony looked at her strangely. "What?!" "No, no, and no," said Fluttershy. "Well, if you ever want to tell us, don't hesitate darling." Rarity said politely. "We´ll see ya later," said Applejack, as the others left. "Bye." She said softly, giving them a little wave. Fluttershy sighed once again. She missed the children so much, albeit it being only one day, though she felt like she was missing something...then it hit her!!! "MY ANIMALS!" She cried. she ran out to the animals' food bowls but they were already filled. Fluttershy then felt something pull on her tail, she turned around and saw an annoyed Angel Bunny tapping his rabbit foot at her. "Angel, I'm so sorry, thank you for feeding the animals while I was away." She said. Angel just nodded and squeaked some words. Fluttershy sighed. "I'll remember to feed them next time, I promise." Fluttershy then trotted up to her room and sat on her bed, she read a book about animals, when suddenly a voice echoed in her head. "She's not WELCOME here!!!" She sighed, she really did miss the children, she even missed Discord...a little bit anyway. Then a strange thought approached her mind. On Nightmare Night, Discord was looking at her, but...was he blushing? She giggled a bit. "That's adorable." She thought. "Could it be?" She wondered. "That Discord IS in touch with emotions other than anger?" Angel suddenly hopped over to her, he knew that Fluttershy had something on her mind, he´d know the look on her face anywhere. He squeaked at her. "Oh,...it´s nothing important Angel, I've just been thinking about things lately." She said, hoping to reassure him. Angel folded his arms, the pegasus knew then that he was aware that there was more to it than the information she granted him. Fluttershy sighed. "Okay, I´ll tell you." She explained to Angel about the castle, the children, and even Discord, and how he kicked her out. Angel squeaked something quite rude about the Draconequus. Fluttershy looked at him sadly and said, "Angel, I know he was a bit rude, but could you blame him?" Angel raised an eyebrow at her. Fluttershy shook her head and tucked herself into bed. Discord appeared outside Fluttershy's cottage, "This is where she lives?" He thought to himself. He shook his head. "Figures." After he walked through a bit of snow, he saw her through the window. He stared at her, she looked so peaceful as she slept, her silky mane was spread across her pillow, her eyelashes touched her cheeks. Discord turned slightly red, just thinking about it, then he remembered what he was here for. He tapped on the window. "Psst, Fluttershy?" He called out in a whisper. Fluttershy let out a slight groan as she groggily opened her eyes, then they widened as she saw what was standing outside her window. "D-Discord? w-what are you doing here? Especially at this time of night." She asked. Discord took a deep breath and reluctantly opened his mouth. "Fluttershy, I'm sorry I kicked you out, I was unreasonable, and I let my jealousy get the best of me, and I'm sorry." "W-what?" Fluttershy looked completely baffled. "I'm s-sorry." He repeated. "I can't hear you." "I'm S-S-Sorry." "Oh," said Fluttershy with surprise. "And, also, the kids really miss you." He added. "So maybe you could come over and spend Christmas with them?" Fluttershy smiled, then she hugged him through the window. "I'd love to," she said brightly. Discord blushed. "Please don't hug me." Fluttershy broke the hug "Sorry." She said. Discord sighed and snapped his fingers after Fluttershy left a note, as they both teleported away. The kids sat sadly next to the Christmas tree with a few presents underneath. They did nothing but roll an ornament that fell off one of the limbs to each other. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm not feeling very jolly this Christmas," sighed Button. The others nodded in agreement, except for Screwball, she just sat, being silent, as though she had no life in her. Suddenly Discord walked into the room. "Kids, I MAY have a surprise for y-" "We don't care." Sighed Screwball miserably, cutting him off. "Nothing's fun without Fluttershy anymore." Discord folded his arms."Then I think you'll like the surprise." He said. All of the kids gasped as Fluttershy walked into the room with a warm smile. "Merry Christmas everyone." She said. It seemed as though all the children's joy and life energy was brought back to them as they ran towards her and gave her a hug. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" They all exclaimed. Fluttershy giggled as she sat back up after being tackled, she held up five presents. "I was afraid I was never going to be able to give you these, but I guess your father had other plans." Discord groaned, but his embarrassment turned to surprise as all the kids hugged him. "THANK YOU DISCORD!" They all shouted. Suddenly Screwball had an idea, she wore a mischievous grin. Discord said nothing as he just stood away from the others, Fluttershy walked over to him. "Discord, why don't you come over with us?" She asked. Discord just sighed wearily."Christmas isn't my thing." "But it's the most wonderful time of the year." Discord shook his head. Fluttershy continued,"It has lots of traditional things, like presents, goodwill, family, a feast, holly, decorations-" Suddenly she went quiet as her cheeks turned pink, then she spoke softly, "Mistletoe." Discord groaned in disgust. "Don't get started on THAT." "Mistletoe," she repeated. "Alright you don't have to repeat yourself." Said Discord. "Mistletoe," she said again. Discord growled, "Alright that's it, I've-!!!" Fluttershy then pointed up. Discord looked up, he saw a sprig of mistletoe. His cheeks turned crimson. "Screwball." He thought. "If I don't die of embarrassment, I will kill you!" Suddenly, out of nowhere, Discord felt her lips against his cheek, his entire face turned red. Fluttershy pulled away, her face a brilliant shade of magenta. "Merry Christmas Discord." Author's Note Hi Guys, this is a Christmas special chapter for this story, I hope you enjoy, And by the way, I have a Christmas Story I wrote called "Believe".If you like THIS story, I recommend you check that story out, Merry Christmas Everyone!!!:twilightsmile: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/twilightsmile.png //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Nine: Strange happenings //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Nine: Strange happenings Rarity was adding the finishing touches to her newest creation. "Oh, it looks WONDERFUL," She marveled to herself. "I simply CANNOT wait until it's finished." Rarity levitated a layer of Fancy Fabric with her magic. "Just one more layer and-" Rarity gasped and then let out a scream, for she had seen that the fabric had claw marks all over it, and there was a huge pile of scraps of the fabric underneath. "OPALESCENCE!" She screamed angrily. The cat strolled into the room nonchalantly. "HOW COULD YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW RARE THIS FABRIC IS?!" The cat rolled her eyes, not seeming to care about her mistress' concerns. Rarity yelled in frustration and threw the fabric to the floor, suddenly, she heard a gentle knock at the door. "Oh...Come in dear." She said, attempting to regain her composure for her guest. Fluttershy entered after opening the door. "Rarity? Is everything all right?" She asked. Rarity shook her head. "Alas no, my most BEAUTIFUL fabric has been torn apart by my CAT." There was a snicker heard from behind Fluttershy. Suddenly, Rarity noticed a small filly behind her friend. "Oh...who is this?" She inquired. Fluttershy smiled. "This is Screwball." she looked down at Screwball. "Screwball, this is Rarity, she's a good friend of mine." "Hiya, Rarity," said Screwball excitedly, this was her third time meeting a pony she didn't recognize. Rarity jumped when she saw the filly's eyes. "GOODNESS DEAR, YOUR EYES, THEIR-" Fluttershy gave Rarity a look of warning. "They're- Wonderful!!!" Rarity laughed nervously. "Thanks," said Screwball happily. "Anyways, I'm so sorry about your fabric," Fluttershy said frowning. Rarity waved a hoof at her concern. "It's alright, it's just that it's not like Opal to tear up my fabric, even for a cat." Once again Screwball snickered, but this time no one heard it. "Well, that's very strange," said Fluttershy curiously. Rarity suddenly became curious herself. "Speaking of strange, since WHEN did you have a child?" Fluttershy blushed a bright shade of pink."Oh no, she's not MY child...though, I DO take care of her...sort of..." "I see, that's a very generous thing for you to do, darling." Screwball laughed a little "The way you talk sounds a lot like my dad." She said. "Oh?" Remarked Rarity. "It's called an accent Screwball, many ponies have them depending on what culture that they come from," explained Fluttershy wisely. "If you don't mind me asking, who IS her father?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy bit her lip. "He's...a VERY UNIQUE...um...well..." "Pony?" Offered Rarity. Fluttershy paused and then nodded nervously. "Well, what's his name?" "His name is Discord, he's very sweet, even if he seems a bit rude, he's just very shy and protective." Fluttershy answered. "How so?" Rarity pressed. "Well, he's always busy, and he never plays with me," said Screwball sadly. "Well, that seems a bit selfish, SURELY he could put a few things aside and spend a LITTLE time with you?" "It's not just me...I have other friends who live with him too, "Applebloom, Button Mash, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle" Rarity's eyes slightly widened, she didn't know why, but that last name sounded familiar. "Anyways, it was nice to stop by but we have to go someplace," said Screwball. "We DO?" asked Fluttershy. "Yeah, like that BARN, it looks like there's some IMPORTANT things going on over there," said Screwball pulling Fluttershy with her out the door. "Um-Bye Rarity," said Fluttershy right before the door closed. Rarity then heard a noise coming from the stairs, but upon looking, nothing was there, she then pondered to herself. "Sweetie Belle...Why does that name somehow ring a bell?" She turned to her cat. "Do you know Opal?" The cat began to slowly walk away. "Oh FINE, BE LIKE THAT, I'll just get rid of that little SWEATER you love so much!!!" Rarity threatened her cat, she then stopped and sighed. "When a mare argues with her cat, she has TRUELY seen it all." Applejack was loading the last basket of apples into the cart she then looked behind her out into the field and her jaw dropped in horror, all the apples in the tree were replaced by pears. "LAND SAKES!!! WHAT THE-?" "Applejack?" Asked a soft voice, interrupting her cries. Applejack turned around, her friend Fluttershy was standing there, her face displaying a look of concern. "Fluttershy, Mah ORCHARD!!! It's filled with PEARS instead of APPLES!!!" "Oh NO!" Exclaimed Fluttershy. Applejack looked around frantically, but when she turned back to the trees were the same as before. "What th' heck? Ah swear, Ah saw PEARS on those trees." She insisted. Applejack heard laughter burst out behind from behind Fluttershy, Applejack walked out from behind her, when she saw a filly, her eyes expanded. "Well, SHOOT Fluttershy, since when did YOU have a foal?" Her friend inquired. Fluttershy hid her blush. "Oh no, she's not mine, her name is Screwball.. I sort of foalsit her." She explained bashfully. Fluttershy looked at Screwball. "Screwball, this is my good friend Applejack." "Hey Applejack," chirped Screwball. "Howdy Screwball, Ah'm sorry I got a bit dis-WHAT IN TARNATION?!" Applejack jumped back a bit after seeing Screwball's eyes. "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" Asked Screwball a bit puzzled. "Well...no...It's just yer EYES." "What about em'?" "Their...Spirals." "Yeah...So?" Fluttershy chuckled nervously. "Screwball? Me and Applejack need to have a little chat, can you stay here and behave yourself?" Screwball nodded. Fluttershy pulled her cowgirl friend off to the side. "Applejack, please don't bring up her eyes." "Why not?" She asked. "Well, she doesn't KNOW that her eyes are...different." "She SHOULD Fluttershy, she can't go her whole life not knowin' about her unusual eyes." "She won't be clueless about it forever, besides, she's only FIVE, she's TOO young, you would know about that wouldn't you?" Applejack's ears flattened as her cheeks turned pink as a small purple dragon entered her mind. "Alright FINE...But you'll tell her one day...right?" Fluttershy smiled softly, "Of course." "Tell me about what?" Applejack and Fluttershy's eyes widened as they saw Screwball behind them. "Uhh...Nothin" said Applejack Screwball chuckled, "You sound like my friend Apple bloom." Applejack froze, the name sounded familiar, but she couldn't imagine why. "Well, it was nice to meet'cha, but Fluttershy's giving me a tour of Ponyville, see ya," said Screwball grabbing Fluttershy's hoof and pulling her away to the village. Applejack stood stiff for a second, then ran inside to question Granny Smith. Rainbow Dash was doing her daily morning workouts, when suddenly she heard a knock at her door. She looked outside and saw sunflowers on the patch of clouds outside her home. "AHHHHHHHH" She screamed and ran outside but once she did, the sunflowers were gone. "Huh?" Rainbow sccratched her head, when she heard laughter next to her. "What the- WOAH" Exclaimed Rainbow as she saw a small earthpony filly on her yard. "Uhh, Kid? How did you get here?" She asked. "Hmm?" Replied the filly with a tilt of her head. "Okay, let me rephrase that, HOW ARE you here?" "She's with me," sighed a soft voice. Rainbow turned around, it was her friend Fluttershy. "Right, but how is she in CLOUDSDALE if she's an EARTHPONY?" Fluttershy bit her lip nervously. "Well, um, you see-" "MAGIC." Screwball interrupted. "Oh...Alright" said Rainbow Dash, "She's probably had a cloud walking spell from Twilight" she thought to herself. Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief. "Anyways, this is Screwball, Screwball, this is Rainbow Dash." "Sup?" Greeted the cyan pegasus, ignoring the filly's eyes, sure they were very weird, but a friend of Fluttershy's is a friend of hers. Screwball laughed. "I know who you are, Scootaloo talks about you ALL the time!!!" "Oh, you've met Scoots? Sweet kid, isn't she?" "Yeah, she's cool enough." Fluttershy smiled. "I'm sorry but Screwball, it's time to go home." "Awww, okay." Said Screwball. Screwball hopped on Fluttershy's back as Fluttershy flew back down to Ponyville. Slightly paranoid, Rainbow look around on her lawn one more time and disappeared into her house. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Ten: Memories //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Ten: Memories Discord was alone in his bedroom with his thoughts, Fluttershy had KISSED him...She kissed HIM. "Hmmph, none of that would have happened if it wasn't for Screwball's ANTICS." He grumbled to himself. "Oh, YOUR one to talk," said a voice behind him, he turned to face Screwball."Following me and Fluttershy around PONYVILLE like that." "He had a good reason to," said Fluttershy entering the room."I know it was YOU causing that mischief." A disappointed tone edging in her voice. "WHAT?!" Roared Discord. "But it was so much FUN! Besides, the incident with Rarity wasn't my doing, it was just funny." Claimed Screwball."Besides, DAD, Fluttershy was with me, you didn't HAVE to watch over me when I met Rarity." Discord looked confused."What are you talking about? I was here at home all this time." Screwball folded her forearms."I won't believe it until I hear WITNESSES." "It's true Screwy, he's been here all day in his room." Said Sweetie Belle startling Screwball, all her friends were in the room. "Huh...but then...WHO?!" "The more pressing matter, is WHAT YOU DID." Scolded Discord. "I'm sorry Screwball, but your father's right, you need to face the consequences of your actions," said Fluttershy giving Screwball a small smile. Discord face palmed at Fluttershy. " Here comes the back talk," he groaned in his head. "Your right, I'm sorry Fluttershy, what do I need to do?" Fluttershy smiled softly. "It's not much, but if you tidied up your room a little bit, I'm sure I can let this incident pass." Screwball nodded. "I will," she said as she walked of to her room. Discord's jaw dropped as his eyes expanded. Fluttershy noticed this."Are you okay?" Discord's teeth clenched. "I'm fine..." "Discord, if you really want to know I can show you, after all..." Fluttershy smiled up warmly at him."I'll always be here for you." Discord's eyes widened once more, he suddenly had a pain rushing through his head. "DI-DISCORD?!" Discord breathed heavily as the pain slowly subsided. "I...need some time alone," he said shakily. Discord quickly teleported to his room not bothering to elaborate. Fluttershy sighed sadly. "What did I do this time?" "I was wandering around...I couldn't see at night...my mom was my light in the dark...her lullaby and warmth were all I could remember her by...other than her promise to me... "I will always be here for you"...I heard hoofsteps and a voice... "What's wrong little one?"... "I'm hungry, I'm cold, and I'm lonely"... "Wait here" the voice said...I waited...he came back with an apple...I wasn't hungry anymore...I thanked him as I left...until..I felt my head hurt...It started to rain...I thought he helped me...I looked into a puddle...My hooves were gone...I looked like a monster...I couldn't stop crying...he last thing I heard that day was my mother's promise..."I'll always be here for you..I'll always be here for you" Discord woke with a scream, he breathed heavily and looked at his paw and claw as he felt himself shake from the tears in his eyes. He heard a soft voice come near him. He recognized it very well, and realized that despite the fact he ALWAYS had a barrier around his bedroom, the barrier seemed to have been shut off; most likely it was because he was having a mental breakdown. "Discord, I'm sorry for what I said, If I upset you I didn't me to-" Fluttershy was caught off guard as discord hugged her tightly. Fluttershy blushed at such an embrace, but after hearing his quiet sobs she returned the hug."It...It's alright Discord...I'm here". //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Eleven: Mom And Dad??? //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Eleven: Mom And Dad??? Fluttershy sat down at the kitchen table in silence, she was puzzled at Discord's behavior last night, she had NEVER seen Discord cry, let alone hug someone, perhaps she was right, discord was a different creature underneath his stern demeanor. "Fluttershy?" Fluttershy jumped, she had only just realized that Screwball and the others were sitting at the table. "Oh...Yes, Screwball?" "You've been quiet all morning, are you alright?" "Oh...I'm fine, I've just been thinking a bit about thiiiiinnngggs-" Fluttershy's heart dropped when Discord entered the room, his mane was a mess and it looked like he didn't get much sleep. Discord's eyes widened when he saw Fluttershy, they both looked at the floor awkwardly while their faces were very red. Screwball, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Button Mash looked at each other confused. Discord sat on the opposite end of the table. Looking away from Fluttershy and the kids. "Um...I think me and the others aren't very hungry" Screwball said to break the awkward silence "Yeah, Button mash is REALLY excited for the new episode of his favorite show," said Sweetie Belle forcing a smile. "Huh? What new episode?" Apple Bloom kicked him from under the table. "OW, oh, THAT new episode" "If you excuse us, we'll just be out in the other room," Said Screwball walking to the living room with the others. But not without pressing their ears again the wall. Fluttershy and Discord sat in complete silence for almost a whole minute, until Discord broke it. "I'm sorry..." "Huh?" "What happened last night...I...I don't know what I was doing" Fluttershy frowned softly "Discord...what WERE you crying about?" "It's nothing...it was just a nightmare" "A nightmare?" said Fluttershy doubtfully "Yes, it was just a Nightmare" Said Discord stubbornly, he got out of his chair and turned around with his arms folded. He then jumped when he felt a soft hoof touch his paw. "Discord, I KNOW something is wrong, what were you dreaming about, please, I won't judge you" Discord looked down at the small pegasus, her eyes were pleading with him, with her big beautiful teal eyes staring into Discord's chaotic ones, he sighed heavily "Alright I'll tell you...just PLEASE stop holding my paw" Fluttershy instantly let go of his paw and waited. "Well...I had a nightmare where...I was a small pony...and I needed something to eat, then there was a stranger, he gave me an apple, I took one bite and then I turned into...well...what I am now..." Fluttershy's eyes widened, "Really?" "That's it" "Do you think it might be part of your past?" "I don't know, I can't even remember my Mom and Dad," said Discord nonchalantly Fluttershy paused and then stood up "Discord...I have an idea, but it requires you to go outside" "WHAT?! Oh no no no, I HATE going outside, much less like THIS" Fluttershy flew up and looked him in the eyes "Discord, you shouldn't be ashamed of how you look, besides...I...I think it's extraordinary" she whispered with a slight blush. Discord was stunned, this little pony, liked the way he looked? She must be insane, but Discord knew deep down that she meant it and that she was just as sane as he was. "...Fine...where do we need to go?" Fluttershy smiled happily "It's a little hut in the Everfree forest, I don't think it's far "Very well...but let's make this quick" Discord said sharply Fluttershy nodded and had Discord follow her as he summoned an exit. The four kids came out of hiding "What was that all about?" asked Scootaloo "I have NO idea," said Screwball. "WHAT IF THEY NEVER COME BACK?!" said Sweetie Belle worriedly "Well, if they're gone, at least we don't have to follow any rules," said Screwball putting a hoof on her shoulder with a grin. "Oh.My.GOSH" said Sweetie Belle grinning back Zecora sat in her hut sorting her potions and such when there was a knock at her door, she got up to answer and saw her friend Fluttershy. Ah, Fluttershy we meet again, it's nice to see you, my good friend, "Hello Zecora, it's nice to see you too, but...my friend has a bit of a problem" "Who?-" "Actually I'm more of an acquaintance," said Discord as he appeared inside, to a shocked Zecora's surprise. Fluttershy cleared her throat and spoke "I know he's a bit...surprising, but, trust me, he's friendly...anyways, he had a nightmare and...I think it might mean something, we need a potion to reveal his past" Zecora said nothing then spoke "If that is what you wish, then very well, take this potion" The Zebra took out a potion and looked up at Discord "Your past, it will tell" Discord hesitantly picked up the potion and looked at Fluttershy "Are you sure this is safe?" Fluttershy nodded and made a gesture for him to drink the potion Discord gulped and drank the potion, and the world around him disappeared. Discord looked around, he was in a...bakery? It was an empty bakery except for two occupants, a beautiful mare, with a white coat, a black mane and tail, and a beautiful pair of golden eyes, and a handsome young stallion with a midnight ash coat, red eyes, and gray mane and tail.Discord guessed he was a prince by looking at his formal attire.Discord couldn´t put his finger on it, but the mare looked familler, the stallion however, did not. They sat in awkward silence until the stallion broke it. "You really are beautiful, you know that?" he said as he walked closer to the mare "Your raven hair, your ghostly white coat, and your scorchingly golden eyes that are exquisitely haunting" "Uhh...thank you?" "However, I know you´ve been lying to me," he said, he disappeared and reappeared behind her, this time he had a peculiar fang sticking out. He grabbed a lock of her mane, giving her the chills. "You said you liked me, but I can see through you, and I´m not so sure I see the "Like" you proclaim to have for me" The mare looked very nervous as she gazed upon him, he had not let go of her mane. "Oh, don´t give me that look, my dear, I´m not angry at you, I can wait patiently, now let´s enjoy our cake, shall we?" The mare nodded, however, she knew deep down that this definitely was not the bubbly prince everypony thought he was. Discord snapped out of his trance due to a sharp pain in his head. "OW, CANADA!!!" he exclaimed then he stopped as Fluttershy and Zecora raised an eyebrow at him "Well, that word came out of nowhere," he said rubbing his head. "What did you see?" asked Fluttershy "I..I saw...I think I saw..." Discord paused and then spoke once more "I think I saw Mom..." "What?!" "I THINK so, but I only saw a bit of her" Zecora then spoke. "You saw your past, as clear as day, keep the potion, the rest of your past is still far away" "Thank you Zecora, we appreciate the help" Zecora nodded as the two of them started on their way back to the castle. Discord was silent for almost ten minutes as the walked back to the castle. "I haven´t walked this far in so long" he muttered Fluttershy looked up at him "Discord? Do you miss your mother?" she asked Discord didn´t answer for a minute, then he said "I don´t remember her " Fluttershy smiled sadly. "I´m sure she was a wonderful mare," she said Discord sighed "Thank you..." he muttered Fluttershy stayed close to him, "Discord? Why are always so...distant?" "...It´s complicated" said Discord softly "...I meant what I said earlier" she said, "I think you're an extraordinary creature...I´ve never seen anything like you" Discord turned a little red as they reached the door to the castle. "We need to check on the others," he said changing the subject" "I´m sure they're behaving themselves," said Fluttershy cheerfully Discord opened the door to see the castle a complete disaster with the kids running around. "KIDS!!!!!" shouted Discord //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Twelve: The Meeting Pt.1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter Twelve: The Meeting Pt.1 The castle was in complete chaos, the floors were made of lard, there were Parasprites everywhere, it was raining chocolate milk indoors, and the only kids in the room were Screwball, Applebloom, and Scootaloo. They appeared to be playing football. "HUT!" Shouted Screwball, as she threw the football across the room. Scootaloo hit it in the air and jumped up with an evil chuckle. "Denied," said Screwball mockingly as she grabbed it, floating in midair. "No FAIR, APPLEBLOOM, DO SOMETHING," cried Scootaloo, as she looked at the young Earthpony in a black and white striped shirt. "Ah'm not Refereeing," she said. "Then what's with the getup?!" "Ah like stripes," she replied simply with a shrug. "DANG IT APPLE!" Exclaimed Scootaloo annoyed. Screwball threw the ball on the ground as it bounced around. "TOUCH DOWN, AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!" She shouted as she did her victory dance, at least until she heard a loud noise. "YA BROKE THE T.V! Was that part of your dumb dance?!" Asked Applebloom huffily. "Maybe, Maybe not." Screwball snickered. "KIDS!!!" They heard a loud voice roar. Screwball looked behind her and froze. She smiled nervously. "Oh, hehehe, hey D-Discord," she laughed nervously. Discord was fuming, "I WAS GONE FOR LIKE, TEN MINUTES!" "I-I know, I'm sorry, we were just bored a-and-" She stammered, but was quickly cut off. "BORED?! THAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?! LOOK AT THE PLACE!!!" Remarked Discord gesturing to the rooms all around them. "Hey, it's not that bad, I'd have summoned anvils if I knew how to," replied Screwball defensively. Discord looked ready to scream at the top of his lungs, and was about to when Fluttershy stepped in front of him and faced the three fillies. "Screwball, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, you three should know better!" She scolded. "Playing with magic is one of the most dangerous things a pony can do! Besides, this mess is also a hazard, you could've been hurt!" Fluttershy looked down at Screwball with a soft yet stern face. "Now please clean up this mess, including the T.V so your father can calm down." Screwball looked down at the ground as her ears flattened in guilt, and used her magic to fix the T.V and clean the castle. Rainbow quickly returned to a group of her friends; Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie. "Any luck finding her?" asked Twilight. "Are you KIDDING?! She's NOWHERE to be found!!!" Rainbow exclaimed. Rarity sighed "Where in EQUESTRIA could Fluttershy be?" "I've tried using tracking spells, but she seems to be somewhere outside the average radius of normal spells." "This makes about as much sense as a snake with no slither! It's like she appears every few days an' then just, DISAPPEARS!" Applejack said frustrated. "Maybe she's taken up a new career and became a MAGICIAN!!!" Exclaimed Pinkie. Twilight groaned. "NO Pinkie!!! Ugh, for all we know she could be in DANGER!!" The girls bit their lips nervously. "Maybe we can just meet up later an' see what we've found out," suggested Applejack. "There's not much else we can do." Agreed Twilight. The girls nodded as they went different ways. Pinkie held her head in her hoof and leaned on the counter sadly next to a wrapped up cake. She missed Fluttershy so much, she was very worried about her friend and hoped that wherever she was, she was safe. "Things with Fluttershy leaving and coming back have just been CHAOTIC," she muttered. "Excuse me miss," said a stallion's voice. Pinkie's head shot up as she laid her eyes on a male pegasus, who's fur was a shade of light blue. A stone blue with tangerine stripes mane and tail, and red eyes. His cutie mark was a notebook and quill. "Um...I ordered a cake a few minutes ago," he said politely. "Oh...sorry," she said unenthusiastically as she pushed her newly made cake towards the customer. He looked at her and said, "I hate to pry, but you seem very troubled, what's wrong?" Pinkie looked at him. "You really think you could help?" asked Pinkie "I AM a therapist," he chuckled. "Please, do tell me about your troubles." "Well, I have a friend, her name is Fluttershy and she keeps disappearing and reappearing like a magician out of NOWHERE!!!" The stallion nodded. "That is troubling, do you have any ideas where she might be?" Pinkie looked him in the eyes. "WE'VE LOOKED EVERYWHERE, AND SHE'S NOWHERE TO BE SEEN!!!" "We've?" He asked. "Me and my friends looking for her for two days now, and if we don't find her..." Pinkie's mane deflated slightly as she frowned. "No more adventures...no more parties...no more seeing all of us smile..." The stallion frowned at her sad face, after a minute of silence, he spoke. "Well, I do have an idea but-" "YOU DO?! WHAT IS IT?!" "I've studied magic for a very long time, and I've found out that each pony, whether Earth pony, pegasus, or unicorn, gives off an aura that can show a pony's location-" "THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED," said Pinkie. "Could it REALLY be done?!" "Well, it's worth a try, but it'll require magic from a very powerful unicorn-" Pinkie's frown turned into a very wide grin as her bouncy mane re-inflated into it's normal poofy self. "Will an ALICORN WORK?!" The stallion looked at her surprised. "An alicorn? I've only ever met one, Princess Celestia if I remember correctly." "Oh there's THREE others, one of them is one of my bestest friends." The stallion stayed silent for a minute until he smiled. "That's perfect, please take me to your friend, and we can find your other friend." "GREAT!!! Let's go-" Pinkie paused, realizing he didn't know his name, she would've gasped dramatically and run to her party cave, but there was no time for that. "Soul Soother," he explained to her. "Right, let's go!!!" Said Pinkie, grabbing him by the hoof and pulled him out of the shop. The girls gathered at Twilight's castle, waiting for their friend, Pinkie. Time seemed to slow down as Twilight stared down at the table, tapping her hoof anxiously. "Ugh, where Equestria is she?!" Complained Rainbow, stretching the cramps in her wings she received from slouching on her throne. "Dash, darling, please be patient, I'm sure it's just a very busy day at work for Pinkie." Said Rarity. "But she NEVER takes this long at work!" "Well, ah reckon it's either cuz she made a new friend, or she's replenishin' her emergency cupcake supply," said Applejack. Suddenly the castle doors burst open to reveal the element of laughter herself, with a stallion standing next to her. "HIYA GIRLS!!!" Cried Pinkie. "Told ya," muttered Applejack, who then like the others, excluding Twilight, focused her attention on the two. "Meet Soul Soother!" Exclaimed Pinkie. "Pleased to meet all of you," Soul Soother greeted with a smile. "It's an honor to be in the presence of a Princess." He added, glancing at Twilight, who just continued to stare at the table. "He's gonna help us!!!" Pinkie said excitedly. "He knows a spell Twilight can use to help us track down Fluttershy." Rarity sighed, "We appreciate that your new friend wishes to help us, but we've tried EVERY tracking spell Twilight knows, this kind of magic doesn't work!!!" "Ah yes, these spells usually can teleport you to the nearest location of a missing friend's whereabouts ...But what if this spell didn't require Teleportation?" "Wait...What?" Said Twilight, her head perking up. Soul Soother nodded as he walked towards the table, placed down a book he pulled out of his bag, and flipped through the pages until he stopped at a certain page. "Ah, here it is," he said pushing the book towards Twilight. Twilight examined it with uncertainty, until she reached the middle paragraph. "This spell gives instructions on using aura magic as a magnetic field?!" The stallion nodded while the others looked confused. "My magic would be focusing on an aura (Fluttershy's specifically), attracting signals of the location of our friend. Her aura and my magic are the two components, mine being more ferromagnetic, and hers being a magnet that can be brought together using the magnetic field. My magic could lead me to her whereabouts using the power of her aura's attraction!!!" When the others still felt confused, Soother spoke up. "The spell's basically a metal detector...kind of." Twilight felt a tiny tinge of annoyance when the girls understood his analogy, instead of her explaining it, but she was able to brush it off as she smiled with relief and excitement. "With a spell this simple enough to preform, it looks like my magic should be strong enough for the signal to lead me to her in ANY part of Equestria!!!" She took the book and ran up to Soother, still holding the book open. "Where in EQUESTRIA did you find this wonderful book?!" "Uhh-" "There's no time for an explanation" she suddenly interrupted as she looked at everypony surrounding the room. "We have to find Fluttershy!" Author's Note Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know that this chapter was originally gonna be longer, but with Easter coming up and the fact that I am EXHAUSTED from working on this chapter while trying to finish a school assignment,I have to split it up into two parts, but hopefully the next chapter will be out very soon:heart: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/heart.png //-------------------------------------------------------// Beginning //-------------------------------------------------------// Beginning Discord awoke, he didn't remember what happened, but wherever he was in, it was wrecked. He explored the area by snapping his fingers until he came across a small basket, inside it were four foals. One was a brown earth pony colt with a tawny mane with lighter brown streaks, wearing a tiny propeller hat. He was cuddling next to a tiny white unicorn filly with a pink and purple mane and tail. Next to her was another filly, this one was an earth pony with a blonde coat and a red mane, and wearing an adorable pink bow in her mane. There was one more pony, and this one was Discord's favorite. It was an another earth pony filly, who had a lilac coat, a purple mane with swirls of white, and a propeller hat on her head. Suddenly, the filly opened her eyes, and they were purple spirals. She smiled up at Discord, he gave a small smile in return. He then noticed a note on the basket: "Dearest Discord, these foals, are in need of your care. They are not related, but they get along well, and are in need of somepony to care for them. They are now your responsibility, it is your job to raise these foals, whether you want to or not. Please take good care of them." ~Signed anonymous Discord burnt the letter, there was no way in this whole world that he was going to- Discord looked down, the little eccentric filly was hugging his tail. He sighed, he was going to regret this one day.