The loud buzzing sound of an alarm clock echoed through the air. It buzzed and buzzed for about three minutes; until a loud groan was heard. A hand gently tapped the top of the clock. But, the buzzing continued. It hit it harder but the clock continued buzzing. The hand then started slamming its palm into the top of it. Only to then turn into a fist and slam itself down. The buzzing finally stopped and another groan was heard. A bed is then shown; with something slowly moving under the covers. Slowly a body sat up on the bed; but, it was too dark to see who it was. But, by the sound of the groaning and the way the body looked. The person in the dark was likely a male in his teenaged years.
The teen walked out of his room and down the hall. Stopping just in front of a door; which he slowly opened. He stepped into a bathroom and flipped on a light switch. The teen brought one of his hands up to shield his eyes from the bathrooms bright light. He walked up to the sink and looked in the mirror. The mirror reflected his image; a young teenaged male with pearl white hair. He also had two oddly colored eyes. One was yellow the other blue. The teens name was Discord.
“Why do I still care about her?” He asked himself as he started to get himself ready for the day.
It didn't take him long to get himself cleaned and dressed. In fact he was already sitting on the side of his bed. Dressed in all black clothing and looking down at his phone. Checking messages he may had received during the night. Checking social media and many other various apps he had installed on his phone. He took a moment to look up at his clock; sighing as he saw he still had plenty of time before he had to leave. He then looked down at his phone and tapped the image of his phones camera. It took a moment for his camera to load up. Once it did he saw himself looking back at him. His thumb tapped on a folder down on the corner of the phone. Bringing up all the photographs digitally stored on his phone.
He began to slowly scroll through the photos. Some of them were images of sayings he had downloaded online. Others were pictures he had snapped; thinking that what he saw was interesting and he wanted a picture of it. He scrolled and scrolled until he finally stopped on a single photo. He tapped the image; causing it to enlarge on his screen. It was a picture of himself and a teenaged girl. Both of them were looking towards the camera happily; while they held each other close. He smiled as a tear slowly slid out of his eye and down his face. He envied himself in the image; for the girl he was hold in the photograph was his ex-girlfriend. Her name was Fluttershy.
To her friend Fluttershy was the kindest and sweetest girl anyone could befriend. She was very sweet and gentle. She could comfort anyone who was feeling sad and she was the master when it came to animals. But, for Discord she was an angel. Her voice soft and very sweet. Her eyes always so warm and caring. Her touch so soft and warm. She was a beautiful person in his eyes. But, he never knew someone as sweet as her had the thorns of a rose. More tears began to fall from his face as memories of their break up flooded back into his mind.
(Four weeks earlier)
Discord sat anxiously on the park bench. Looking to his left and right as he waited for her. He had gotten a text message from Fluttershy earlier. Asking him to meet in the park. He didn't need to be asked twice. He was there early so that he would not have to keep her waiting. But, was starting to wonder where she was. She had told him in the text that she wanted to meet in the afternoon. But, now it was almost evening.
“I wonder where she is?” Discord asked himself as he looked back at his phone. Pulling up the text message and double checking what he read, “Yeah, I'm in the right park. Maybe something came up?” He said while he clicked on the message. Just as he was about to type a text; he saw her slowly walking towards him. He smiled as he slowly got up and walked to her.
“Hey, Shy, what's?”
“Stop right there, Discord!” Fluttershy suddenly growled out. He stopped dead in his tracks; completely shocked by Fluttershy's sudden harsh tone. He saw her glaring at him; which sent a chill down her spine.
“Shy?” He asked in confusion.
“It's Fluttershy,” Fluttershy snapped at him, “That's my name and you damn well remember that! Got it!” She yelled out.
Discord was completely shocked. Why was she yelling at him? Did he forget something or did he do something wrong? He didn't know but he really wanted to find out.
“Fluttershy is everything okay?” He asked.
She shook her head “No, everything is not okay.” She answered her glare staying right on him, “Discord.” She said.
“Yes, Fluttershy.” He responded.
“We're done.” She said in a coldly calm voice.
If one had super hearing they could possibly hear Discords heart shattering. He couldn't believe what she had just said. Did she just say what she just said? Was he dreaming and having a nightmare? If he was dreaming he was praying he was going to wake up soon.
“What?! But, Fluttershy why?” He asked as he tried to keep the tears in his eyes from falling.
“I don't need you in my life anymore,” She turned around and started to walk away from him, “I never need a freak like you.” She finished.
That did it. That was a word he had been called so many times before. Normally, it would not bother her as much. But, hearing it from the one he loved. It felt like someone had stabbed him and began twisting the blade. His body moved on its own; he felt his feet slowly moving him towards her. He had to keep talking to her. He had to embrace her. He had to find out what he had did wrong. But, when he was close enough; she suddenly turned around and delivered a very hard slap to the side of his face. He came to a complete stop; while she turned and continued walking away from him. He stood there in shock; tears falling from his face like rain. He looked one more time at her fading form. He then clenched his eyes shut. And, then he turned and ran for a park exit. Running from the pain he was feeling and her.
(Present time)
He sighed sadly as he brought his hand up to his face. A sudden sob escaping from him as he rubbed his head. He sat on his bed in silence for a few minutes; before he looked up at the clock. Gasping in terror as he saw the time on it. He had day-dreamed for too long and it was ten minutes past when he was supposed to leave. Springing up from his bed and grabbing a back pack he had sitting beside him. He ran out of his room and out the front door of his home. Quickly locking the door behind him; before he started running down the side walk.
By the time he reached the bus stop; he was panting for air. Thankfully, the bus had not reached the bus stop yet. So, he was not going to be late. But, it was not that he was worried about. He could hear footsteps approaching him from the left. He turned to look and saw his ex slowly walking up to the bus stop. Her head was directed downward; he was thankful for that. After all she never wanted to see him again. And, he never wanted to see her again. But, his heart longed for her. He focused his gaze down the road. Waiting anxiously for the bus to come around the corner. That way he wouldn't have to stand beside her for so long.
The sudden screech of a cars tires and the scream of Fluttershy caught his attention. His head snapped towards her and he saw her frozen still in the middle of the road. Time slowed for him as his feet turned and he began to sprint towards her. There was only one thought on his mind. And, that though made him move faster than anything. “Save her”. Fluttershy felt something push her back; she then heard the sound of something being hit. Along with the sound of glass breaking and a cars brakes screeching. She landed hard on her back. Slowly, she sat up and looked at where she was standing and gasped. Lying on the ground just a few feet in front of her was Discord. Slowly, she got up and crawled up to him.
“D-Discord?” She called to him as she slowly approached him, “Discord?” She called out again her brain slowly processing the information, “Discord, Discord!” She screamed as the tears started to fall. While the driver of the vehicle sped off; another person who was witness to the scene quickly called emergency response. Hoping that an ambulance and the cops could get there in time.
(Canterlot memorial hospital)
Fluttershy cried softly as she sat at the edge of the hospital bed. On the bed lay her ex-boyfriend, Discord. He was hooked up to multiple machines. On the other-side of the bed stood Discord. His spirit stood over the bed. Gazing down at his own body; while also looking at the crying form of Fluttershy. On the inside he wanted to calm her. He longed to hold her in his arms; as he gently rubbed the back of her head. While at the same time he just wanted her to leave. To leave him like she had done many weeks before. Just to let him be in his final hours.
“Why?” He asked as he walked over to her; watching she took his hand in hers, “Why are you crying over me? You said it yourself; you never cared.” He finished while he reached for her hand. Only to have his finger slide right through it.
The door to his room opened and both of them looked towards the sound. Walking towards his bed was the doctor in charge of his care. He didn't care about what the doctor had to say. He figured the old dog was already telling her to say her goodbyes'. Just before he would contact his next of kin. Which probably didn't care about where he was. It was then that he took notice of the door to his room. It didn't look like any normal hospital door. It was a set of double doors; slowly he walked up to the doors. He felt a pulling sensation coming from the other-side. He grew curious. Turning his head to look back at the two again. He watched the doctor gently patting Fluttershys' back; while she cried heavily into her hands.
With a sigh he turned back towards the doors and pushed them open. He found himself standing in the entrance of a bar. One that looked old fashioned but it still held a sense of modernity to it. He looked around; amazed at the artwork that adorned the walls. Pictures of people; probably of past visitors of the establishment. He took notice of the bar itself. Its table top made of ceder; along with a very fine polish to make it shine. He then took notice of the bar tender behind the counter. He wore typical bar tender attire. In his hands he held a empty glass and a rag. Which he used to clean the glass.
The bartender looked up at his latest customer; with a cold smiled he asked, “What's your poison?”
Discord felt a chill run down his spine from the tone of the mans voice. It was calm; but it was not a natural calm. It was more of a icy calm. Almost as if his voice carried some of the arctic wind on it. Yet, he was drawn to sit down at the bar. When he reached one of the many empty bar-stools; he sat down and stared up at the man.
He then asked again, “What's your poison?”
To this Discord found his voice and replied, “What is this place?”
“Way-station.” The bartender replied before setting that glass down behind the counter. He then began to wipe the counter top.
Discord grew confused as he stared at the man. He then took notice of the buttons on the mans vest. They were small silver skulls; he even wore some on his cufflinks. There was also one in the middle of his bow-tie.
“Way-station?” He asked.
The bartender grinned again, “Way-station. Rest stop. Halfway point,” He then looked towards Discord, “Limbo.” He finished.
Discords eye's grew wide in fear. He had heard about this place; he read about it in various religious texts. But, he also knew of the one entity that ruled over the place.
“Y..You're the.”
“Reaper,” The bartender interrupted with a chuckle as he continued to wipe down the counter, “What did you expect dark cloak and scythe.” He chuckled.
After a few seconds Discord asked, “What's with the bar?”
To this the reaper replied, “Even I need a change of scenery every century or two.” He replied.
With a sigh Discord spoke again, “So,” He paused for a second, “Am I dead?” He asked.
This time it was the Reapers' turn to sigh, “Not yet,” He answered.
“Yet?” Discord asked.
“Yet,” The Reaper replied before looked towards him, “You're one of the few special cases.” He finished.
Confusion took over Discord's mind again, “Special cases?” He asked.
The reaper lifted up two of his fingers before he answered, “You've got two options,” He let one of his fingers fold down into his palm, “One: you can die by choosing your poison,” He then put down his final finger, “Option 2,” He then gestured to the door behind him, “You go through those doors; see what is happening. And choose if you want to live.” He finished.
Discord sighed again; this time out of acceptation, “Gimme your strongest.” He answered with no fear in his voice.
The reaper looked at him in confusion, “You're a first,” He replied as he rested one of his elbows one the counter, “Normally, any body who gets that option goes with option two.”
Discord looked at the reaper, “You should know why I chose option one,” He began as he gestured towards the door, “You know what's waiting for me behind those door.” He finished.
The reaper let out a light chuckle at Discords answer.
“What's so funny?” He asked.
“I don't know jack shit about what happens behind those door.” The reaper replied.
Once more Discord grew confused; he looked to the doors then to the reaper, “But, you're death.” He began.
“And I rule over only limbo.” The Reaper interrupted, “This place is all I know.” He finished.
The bar grew silent again. A silence that lasted a little longer till it was broken again. This time it was by the door opening.
The reaper spoke, “Step out through those door at least once. If you don't like what you see; come on back in here and ask for your poison.” He finished as he watched Discord walk back to the doors.
Just as Discord reached the door he spoke again, “Three times,” Discord faced the reaper, “You can only walk back three times. After your third one; either you choose or I choose.” He continued as Discord nodded and stepped through the doors, “So, you better think hard on this.” He finished as the doors closed.
Again, Discord was back in the hospital. Fluttershy, was still at his side; thankfully she had stopped crying. But, now she stared at him with hurt and worried look. Although, he was trying his best not to care. He still found himself wanting to comfort her. Was it because he still had feelings for her; even though they had broken up. Was it because she was the only one to truly accept him as a friend. He didn't know and at the moment he did not care.
“Again,” He began as he walked to where Fluttershy was, “Why are you here?” He asked with little to no emotion in his voice.
All he could do was watched as Fluttershy brought her left hand to her neck. She had grabbed something that was around her neck. It was a heart shaped locket; which opened up to a picture of her and Discord. She gazed at the picture and began to cry again.
Discord was shocked when he saw her take out that locket. The locket used to belong to his grandmother; he had given it to her when they first became boyfriend and girlfriend. To see her still wearing it after all this time.
“Discord,” Fluttershy spoke in a voice just barely above a whisper, “If you can hear me....I'm sorry,” She sniffled as she took her locket off and placed it around his neck, “I'm sorry that I called you a freak. I'm sorry that I texted you saying I got read of this. I'm so sorry about all of this.” She broke down crying again.
Although this made him feel for her. It didn't change how he felt. He sighed and walked back into the bar again. Reaper was pouring a drink into a glass. He looked towards Discord as he set the full glass down.
“Back again already,” He spoke with a raised eyebrow, “Still wanna go with option one?” He asked while downing his favorite poison.
Discord nodded as he walked back to the bar. He chuckled a little as the reaper burped loudly. He watched as he walked to one of the kegs and pulled the lever. But, no liquid poured into the glass.
“Damn,” The reaper cursed, “I gotta get one of the kegs from the back,” He continued as Discord nodded, “This will take awhile. So, if you want I'd walk through the doors again.” He finished
Discord was left alone to his thoughts. His mind was filled with thoughts of his former girlfriend. First, why was she crying over him? Sure, she was a kind and caring person. But, she was the one who broke up with him. Told, him that she had thrown the locket he had given her away. She even threatened to have a restraining order placed on him. So, why would someone who wanted him gone; be crying over his soon to be corpse.
He gave a irritated sigh as he walked out of the bar the second time. This time Fluttershy's friends were there with her. But, something seemed off. The air seemed to feel a little heavy. But, it was not dread. But, instead he felt anger.
Rainbow dash placed one of her hands on Fluttershy's shoulder, “Come on, Fluttershy,” She spoke in her tomboyish voice; while she tugged on her friends shoulder, “This jerk is getting what he deserves anyway. So let get out of here and let him die alone.” She finished.
It was in that moment everyone thought the world was ending. For, Fluttershy had sprung up from her chair. “You BITCH!” She screamed as she turned around and punched her friend right in the face. She knocked her on her ass; as she stood above her. Panting hard as she stared at her friends.
“Fluttershy,” Rarity began as her and Applejack helped Rainbow dash up, “Please, calm.”
“No!” Fluttershy screamed, “I have a right to be angry with all of you! All of you forced me to break up with him! You, told me he was no good for me! But, no! He was the kindest and sweetest boy I have had the pleasure of knowing! And also LOVING!” She screamed.
Twilight tried to argue, “But, Fluttershy, he has a.”
Fluttershy glared at her, “I know he was in juvenile once, Twilight! And, I don't care. He changed Twilight, I helped him change!”She screamed.
Discord was completely shocked. He only saw this side of Fluttershy once. And, it was a side he never wanted to see again. He wanted to stay a little longer; till he heard the loud grunting sound coming from the bar.
The reaper released one final groan as he placed the new keg in its place. He sighed happily as he dusted his hands. He looked up just as Discord walked back in.
“That's two now,” The reaper warned, “One more and you gotta make a choice.” He finished.
It was then Discord asked, “Can I ask you something?”
“I can't give you a direct answer.” The reaper replied.
“Whatever,” Discord responded, “I just found out something important. I'm shocked about it; but, I feel like I'm missing something,” He then sighed heavily, “What should I do?” He asked.
His response was the door glowing brightly. He looked at it and towards the reaper. He slowly walked up to the door. Came, to a stop and sighed. This was the last time; he bowed his head and walked out.
By now Fluttershy's friends were gone. She was alone with him. He heard her release a sniffle as she slowly climbed into the bed with him. Taking care not to hurt him anymore than he already was. She rested her head on his chest. Listening to his slowly beating heart. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a photograph. Discord couldn't see it for some reason it was blurred.
“Discord,” She said to him in a very fragile voice, “I need you to stay with me, please,” She begged as the tears fell from her eyes, “I need you. I've always needed you,” She continued as she buried her face into his chest for a second. As she placed the picture on his chest, “Discord, do you remember how you told me you were a miracle child?” She asked.
Discord nodded his head to her question. Remembering how he told her that while his mother was pregnant with him. She was undergoing chemotherapy. Doctors said it was nothing short of a miracle that he pulled through. It was then he heard her sniffle a little.
“Discord, I've kept something from you. Something that I shouldn't have hid,” A small sob escaped from her, “I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I now wish I did when I had the chance,” Slowly she reached for one of his hands. Unaware that he was watching as she brought the palm of his hand to her stomach, “Discord, you need to stay not just for me,” She gently kissed the side of his cheek as she moved her mouth closer to his ear, “But, for our little miracle as well.”
Discord was shocked to hear what he had just heard. Slowly he stepped backwards before turning and running back into the bar. Panting as he slammed his hands down onto the table.
“Third time,” The reaper began, “What's your.”
“I want to live!” Discord shouted.
“Say again.” The reaper replied.
“I want to live! Send me back, Please,” Discord begged, “I can't leave them.” He finished.
The reaper smiled wickedly before the lights in the bar suddenly shut off. Discord screamed in horror as he looked around. The table top lights of the bar then turned back on. When he turned to look he gasped in horror. On the bar sat a bottle in the exact shape of the reapers scythe. He backed away in fear. Only to suddenly bump into something. He quickly turned only to be suddenly grabbed by the throat. As the reaper forced him to lay down onto the bar.
“What are you doing?!” Discord yelled.
He got his answer when the Reaper lifted the bottle over his maw. Which filled him with fear; he struggled to break free. But, found it impossible. He looked up at the reapers face. Half of it looked like a normal humans face. The other was a skull with decaying flesh on it. It filled him with fear he never experienced before. The reaper then started to tilt the bottle. One of Discords hands shot to the bottle. Trying to keep him from making him drink it.
“No, No please,” Discord begged as tears fell from his eyes. Images of his life flashing before his eyes, “Please, don't I can't leave them! Please!” He screamed as the reaper forced his hand down and forcibly opened his mouth. The bottle hovering just above him.
“Don't worry kid,” The reaper chuckled wickedly, “This one's on the house.” He finished as he began to pour the liquid down Discords throat.
Discord screamed in horror as his vision began to fade to black. He was dying and there was nothing he could do about it, “Fluttershy, I'm so sorry.” He apologized as he felt himself growing numb, “I love you.”
Discord groaned loudly as he felt a throb of pain surge through his head. His eye's slowly opened; at first he was blinded by a sudden glare from the light. He then heard a voice. A voice that he was so happy to hear.
“Discord,” He heard the gentle voice of Fluttershy call out to him, “Discord!” She called out again.
He turned to look at her a smile stretched across his face,“Hey, Fluttershy.” Discord replied.
Fluttershy immediately threw her arms around him. Trying not to hurt him any more than he already was. She cried into his shoulder; while he did his best to try and calm her down. A smile stretched across his face as he dropped the picture in his hand. He moved his head close to one of her ear. Only to whisper three words.
“Boy or girl?”
Author's Note
I'm back. well, hopefully I'm welcomed back. I left and said some crap to Fluttercheer that I shouldn't have said. but, my paranoia got the better of me. so, yeah, I'm back. that's all. if you wanna leave a comment go ahead.