The Remorseful Monster

by The Dragon Warlock

Rating: everyone
Tags: Drama, Fluttershy, Discord, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Sad
Length: 5749

In the wake of Equestria's greatest disaster, Fluttershy asks Discord a question; Why?

The Battle of the Bell has passed, and for Discord, it's usually a time to celebrate. But he quickly finds himself alone and isolated from the others. While the others have seemingly turned away from Discord, Fluttershy wants to go and ask Discord a simple question; Why?

Author's first note: This is a story that's been on the back burner for a while now. I just now have finally gotten around and wanted to write this out for a good long time since the series finale. I should mention this is my first attempt at writing Discord, and while I know many usually write him as his usual sarcastic self, I wanted to go for something that tries to balance it out. I do hope you all enjoy it regardless.

Cover art provided by: Pinstriped-Pajamas

Published 2020-01-24 20:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2020-01-24 20:20:02 UTC

His Legacy

A loud thud echoed throughout the empty green field. Before a crowd of various creatures stood a tall, white statue of a scared filly, a centaur holding his hands up, and a changeling charging. From the crowd, a smug looking Discord walked up to the new statue. He laughed and leaned against the statue.

“Together forever. I can't think of anything that they would want less!” he declared.

Much to the draconequus’ confusion, there was no cheering. Discord turned around and was met with angry glares from various creatures.

He raised an eyebrow. “Now what exactly has you all looking at me like that? You all trying to mimic Fluttershy’s ‘stare’?” Discord thought for a moment before the thought crossed his mind. “Oh, I get it. You’re all still angry at me about what I did, right?”

No creature answered him.

Discord crossed his arms. “I already said I was sorry. Shouldn’t that be good enough? We saved the day and Equestria is back to being peaceful again.” He rubbed his beard and smiled. “I know!” With a snap of his finger, three more Discords showed up in Mexicolt attire and started playing music. “We needed a little something to get this party started!” He grabbed Twilight’s hooves and started to dance. “Come now, princess, let’s see those hooves dance!”

The alicorn pulled away from Discord and gave him an icy glare. “Discord, why don’t you just go ahead and leave?”

He frowned and with a snap of his finger, the band disappeared. “Come on, Twilight, I’m just helping you with–”

“Trust me, Discord,” said Twilight, coldly. “You’ve ‘helped’ us out enough already.”

Discord just shrugged. “Come now, Twilight. I may have accidentally created this mess, but at least all of Equestria knows you’re ready to face any threat now after–”

Twilight held a hoof up and gave him a disappointed look. “Discord, please, just…just go already.” She turned away from him. “I don’t know what to say to you now.”

The draconequus felt a little irritated. “Come on, this is ridiculous. You’re not one to hold grudges like this.” He turned around. “I’m sure if you won’t understand, your friends will.”

Discord was just met by the angry glares of several ponies and one dragon. He started sweating a little bit as he looked around the crowd. The only looks he got were that of anger, or disappointment from them.

Discord turned to the royal sisters. “Come now, Celestia. I’m sure you and moonbutt here know I meant no harm here.”

Neither alicorn said a word to him and instead leaned forward, making him back up.

“Applejack!”

The farmer huffed and shook her head.

“Rainbow! Pinkie! You two are so easy going!”

Pinkie looked down and had a hurt look on her. The pegasus glared and held one of her wings up and folded it.

Discord scoffed at the wing gesture. “Well! That was uncalled for!” He turned back. “Rarity!”

The unicorn turned away from a scoff.

Discord felt more sweat build up and the beads slowly run down him. “Spike, come on! Guys stick together, right?”

Spike looked away in shame and shook his head.

The draconequus quickly looked over and screamed, “Fluttershy!?”

He gasped as he saw the yellow pegasus shaking.

“Fluttershy?” asked Discord in a small voice.

The pegasus turned away from him. Discord tried to think of something to say, but felt his insides freeze up. As he looked around the area, more and more creatures glared at him and found himself sweating bullets.

Discord took several steps back and chuckled weakly. “Well…it seems I’m not really needed here at the moment. Um, I’ll leave you all to celebrate now.” He tugged on his fur around his neck. “Um...congratulations again, Princess Twilight.” He magically conjured up a small purple flag and waved it around.

The alicorn glared at him.

Discord gulped a little. “Right...I’ll see you all later.” With a pop, he disappeared from the field.

Twilight sighed and shook her head. “Girls, I’m sorry about that. I just need some time about this.”

“Take all the time you want, Twilight,” said Applejack. “I think we all know that feeling. Right, Fluttershy?”

The pegasus didn’t respond.

“Fluttershy?” The farmer approached her friend and put a hoof on her. “You alright, partner? You look like you’re taking this the hardest.”

Fluttershy nodded. “I’m fine,” she said, weakly. “I just need a little time alone myself.”

Rarity nodded. “I think before that though, maybe we should celebrate our victory a bit.”

Twilight smiled a little. “I think I know just the place.” She waved a hoof. “Come on now.”

The group followed Twilight through the field. Fluttershy stayed a little behind the pack and briefly turned around at the statue. She felt a tear roll down her cheek and turned away.

Why, Discord?

Fluttershy hummed to herself as she strapped on the saddle bag to herself. “There, I got everything I need.” She trotted over to a drawer and opened it up, but was suddenly stopped by the appearance of a white bunny. The bunny tapped his foot impatiently and coughed.

“I know you don’t want me to go, Angel, but I have to,” Fluttershy told him. “It’s that time of the month again.”

Angel stomped around and shook his head in disapproval.

“I know how you feel about him after what’s happened, but I need to see him,” said Fluttershy. “Nopony has really seen him since Celestia and Luna talked to him.”

The bunny shook his head and turned away.

“I know, Angel,” assured the pegasus. “I’m still a bit confused as well, but I intend to know today. It’s the best chance I’ve got.”

Angel rolled his eyes. He suddenly coughed violently and leaned over. Fluttershy put a hoof on him and frowned.

“Sounds like you forgot to take your medicine again,” she said. “Go on and get it from Harry.”

Angel stuck his tongue out and gagged a little.

“I know it doesn’t taste that good, but do it for me at least.” She looked at him with a pleading expression. “You have to…please.”

Angel’s expression softened a bit and he nodded. He hopped off the drawer table and went outside.

Fluttershy sighed and took a deep breath. She reached back inside the drawer and pulled out a red cross with eight arrows on it attached to a golden chain. “I hope he’s ready for me,” she whispered. Tapping the cross three times, the amulet glowed brightly and in a flash, Fluttershy disappeared.

A moment later, the pegasus appeared on a familiar green hill and a small magenta house at the top. She trotted up the hill, taking in all the sights she’s become accustomed to seeing such as the upside down trees, the swirling colorful sky, and objects flying around. She could’ve sworn for a moment she saw a pony waving around, but dismissed it as an illusion.

I hope Discord is feeling okay, she thought to herself. I hope he hasn’t been taking things too hard.

She put her hoof up and rang the doorbell, which resulted in the sound of a whoopie cushion going off. A few seconds later, the door opened up and Fluttershy was shocked to see a jubilant Discord looking at her.

“Fluttershy!” The draconequus wrapped her up in a hug and squeezed her. “How good to see you! Come in! Come in!” He dragged her inside and let her go.

Fluttershy tried to balance herself and held onto a nearby desk. “It’s um, good to see you too, Discord.” She looked at him smiling and raised an eyebrow. “How are you feeling?”

“Oh, never better!” he replied. “It’s a new era in Equestria! New ruler of the land! New creatures to meet! New everything! But, let’s just enjoy our tea time, shall we?”

The pegasus tilted her head in confusion. “Um...sure?”

Discord gasped as he looked at the end table. “Where are my manners? I forgot to make the tea.” He picked up Fluttershy and put her on the couch. “Wait right here, and it’ll be up before you can even blink.” He stretched his leg to a doorway, and instantly sped away.

Fluttershy was left completely flabbergasted as she tried to take in everything that happened. Just a few weeks ago, she saw the draconequus looked upset, and now he had not a single care in the world. It was almost like everything that happened had been like a bad dream. The pegasus wasn’t sure what to make of it.

As she looked around the room, she saw something that caught her eye in the madhouse. She got up and walked over to a large, green recliner chair and saw what looked to be paper sticking out crudely from under the cushion. Curious, the pegasus pulled the paper out slowly.

She raised an eyebrow. “That’s strange, this looks more like...a newspaper?”

She got the paper out and looked at the front page. She scanned it and let out a small gasp. She nearly dropped the paper and stepped back a bit. Then, she noticed another paper sticking out from underneath and pulled it out. She noticed it was another newspaper and read it. Her eyes widened as she read the paper, and looked at the recliner. Reluctantly, she pulled the cushion off and gasped at what she saw.

There were several newspapers either crumbled up a little, or just shoved in between the folds of the chair. They’re all the same, thought Fluttershy. They’re all of him. Discord, what’ve you been hiding?

“Oh, Fluttershy!” Discord sang.

“Eep!” The pegasus quickly stuffed the papers back under the recliner and put the cushion back. She ran back to the couch and sat just in time as Discord came back with a steaming teapot on a plate.

Fluttershy immediately noticed something missing. “Where are the teacups?” she wondered.

Discord smiled and snapped his fingers. The room suddenly went pitch black, and a drum roll could be heard. A small light shined on the table and a small Discord dressed as a ringmaster approached the center.

“Fluttershy and…um, Fluttershy!” he announced. “I’m proud to present our main attraction for the afternoon; the Whirling Teacups!”

The room slowly lit up as several pink teacups suddenly appeared and started hopping around. Fluttershy watched as they danced their way to the center and started to tap dance around the table. She looked back up and saw Discord smiling and clapping.

The pegasus cleared her throat. “Discord, this is nice and all, but I wanted to see how you’ve been since...you know…”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” he interrupted. “We’re here to have a good time is all.”

Fluttershy noticed a brief twitch in the way Discord was smiling. “But the reason I came here was not just because of our tea time. I’ve been a bit worried about you ever since–”

“Ooo! Look at how those teacups do acrobats!” said Discord.

“Discord,” said Fluttershy, sternly.

“Just keep watching,” he urged. “I’ve been training them to do cartwheels, and it’s their first time performing it for an audience.”

“Discord!”

“Aren’t you having fun yet? I do think I may have outdone even myself this time and–”

“Discord, I saw those newspapers you’ve been hiding!” bellowed Fluttershy.

The teacups suddenly stopped, the room was fully lit up, and Discord just stared at her. For a few minutes, neither of them moved at all. The only sound came from the upside down grandfather clock nearby ticking away. Discord looked down, and with a snap of his fingers the teacups vanished and the draconequus looked away.

Fluttershy frowned. “Discord,” she whispered.

He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “You want to yell at me too?” he hollowly asked. “Go ahead. All the others have already done so. I guess you’d be the last pony to do so, so let’s get it over with.” He looked at her with remorse. “I can’t blame you though after what happened.”

He snapped his fingers and the papers came flying out from underneath. Fluttershy looked at each one. They all had various pictures of Discord on the front page. She grabbed a few of them and read the headlines for each of them.

Discord: Hero or Traitor?

The greatest threat to all of Equestria?

Chaos Lord’s plot nearly kills Equestria’s future ruler

A monster in the midst of Equestria

Equestrian Sorcerers Guild to develop defenses against chaos magic in wake of disaster

“Ironic, isn’t it?” he asked. “I always imagined myself in the papers, but not like this.”

Fluttershy turned her attention back to another paper; the first one she saw. She took it and started reading it.

A threat against Equestria? Ponies voice their concerns over Discord

Two weeks ago, Equestria was at the heart of a massive conflict known as the Battle of the Bell. In it, three of Equestria’s greatest enemies; Cozy Glow, Queen Chrysalis, and Lord Tirek, sacked Canterlot and attempted to use the legendary Grogar’s Bell to eliminate the leadership of Equestria and take over. Thanks to the soon to be ruler, Princess Twilight Sparkle, her friends, and the nations allied with Equestria, they were stopped.

In the wake of the aftermath though, it’s been revealed that the Fallen Three, as they’ve been called, were able to come to power thanks to the Lord of Chaos; Discord. According to an investigation, Discord had purposefully let the three villains gain so much power in an attempt to “test” the new princess. While Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have pardoned the Chaos Lord, many ponies feel unsafe with him running around again. We asked some ponies from various cities about their opinion of the matter.

“I can’t begin to tell you how terrified my family is,” said one Canterlot citizen. “We were nearly caught in that blast that leveled the castle, and he allowed those three to gain that much power. Does he enjoy playing with our lives like we’re toys?”

“This guy is a menace to every creature,” said a Ponyville citizen. “We’ve put up with his antics long enough. What’s it going to take to finally get rid of him?”

“I hope the new princess isn’t as forgiving on that beast,” said a Manehatten citizen. “He deserves none after what he’s done to this land.”

“No being that reckless with so much power should be allowed to walk freely.”

“He’s a monster as far as I’m concerned. He feigns feeling bad, and then just turns around and causes another disaster.”

“What’s next? Resurrecting the dead just for a funny joke? He’s too dangerous to every creature.”

“I’m moving my family to the farthest edges of Equestria! Maybe if we do that, he won’t be able to find us and decide to get us nearly killed.”

It isn’t the first time Equestria was nearly conquered thanks to the Lord of Chaos. Several years ago, the land nearly fell to Lord Tirek when Discord betrayed the land and helped him. While he later helped Princess Twilight, some were feeling concerned about him. This latest act has all of Equestria asking a question; How can Princess Twilight make sure he never causes such a disaster again?

Fluttershy put the paper down and looked at Discord. The draconequus had a painful look on him and had a blank look in his eyes. The pegasus walked over and tried to put a hoof on his claw, but he batted it away.

“Discord, I didn’t know it got this bad,” she said, sorrowfully.

“It’s far worse than you think,” said Discord. “Those papers are nothing compared to what the rest have said. Guys Night has been suspended according to Spike. He keeps claiming it’s because he wants to help rebuild Canterlot, but I know the real truth. And Starlight, well, let’s just say she’s made sure I can’t come close to the School of Friendship. Trust me when I say I’ve tried.”

The pegasus looked down and wiped away a tear.

“I know why you’re here now, so go ahead and give it to me,” he said, dejectly.

Fluttershy frowned. “I’m not here to yell at you, nor am I upset at you. I’m just so confused after all this time. Discord, why didn’t you just tell us the truth from the start about this?”

“I already told you,” he said. “Twilight was feeling unsure about herself, so I thought maybe if she faced off all those villains, it would boost her confidence. It worked wonderfully when it came to how you all beat King Sombra, so I figured her facing off against the other major threats would’ve solidified her confidence. In hindsight, maybe I should’ve thought things out a little better.”

Fluttershy crossed her hooves. “I don’t believe you,” she said.

“Come again!?” asked a shocked Discord.

“I’ve known you for so long, Discord,” she said. “You aren’t one to just give out everything so easily. There’s always something else you have planned out.”

The draconequus opened his mouth to speak.

“Don’t try and lie to me,” she warned. “You’ve always got some other reason for what you do. I know for a fact that there’s another reason behind this whole thing. So why don’t you go ahead and tell me?”

Discord stared at the stoic look Fluttershy gave him. He tried to look away, but he couldn’t break his eyes away from the glare she was giving him and gripped his armrests tightly.

“Alright! Alright!” he relented. “I...I don’t know how to tell you this though.”

Fluttershy leaned forward. “I’m listening.”

Discord looked away and closed his eyes. “When I took those three in I thought maybe, just maybe I could…could…” his voice trailed off and whispered something.

The pegasus raised an eyebrow. “Could what?”

Discord looked back at her. “I thought I could reform them.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “What?” she whispered.

“I thought maybe I could have them have a change of heart,” he explained. “I was hoping when I sent them on that quest to recover Grogar’s Bell, maybe with them working together to get it, they would learn something about friendship and see how good it is; even if it can get a little sappy.”

“But why?” wondered Fluttershy. “I don’t understand at all.”

Discord sighed. “You all have reformed so many villains in the past. You all made it look so easy. Just look at all the villains you’ve turned back to heroes. Despite everything I’ve done, you all still considered me a friend. Twilight managed to convince Starlight to abandon her quest for equality. That Stygian fellow being saved by you all and the Pillars. Twilight managed to calm the storm in Tempest Shadow and became her first friend in years. More recently, I heard you managed to have those Daring Do villains turn over a new leaf. Though, if you ask me, I don’t think they deserved it. Seriously, who wanted those two reformed?”

“Discord,” said Fluttershy.

The draconequus leaned back. “The point is, I thought with how many villains you all turn a new leaf over, I thought I could do it too. I thought I could teach to accept friendship in my own way. I didn’t tell you all because I wanted to prove to you all that I could do it too, and make you all proud of how I’ve learned so much about friendship and try to teach it to others.” He sighed and his face drooped. “It doesn’t matter now though. You all saw first hand how it all blew up in the end.”

The pegasus said nothing as she looked at the forlorn Discord. For a few minutes, silence fell in the room again and only the clock ticked away. Fluttershy noticed a small tear forming in Discord’s eye and slowly ran down his face.

“I didn’t think it would go like this,” he sorrowfully said.

“Discord,” Fluttershy softly said. “I know you probably meant well in this whole thing. I can see now what you were trying to do.”

He looked back at her.

Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed a little. “You’re right though when you say you didn’t think things through. This plan of yours was flawed from the start. You took a massive risk doing all of this, and it nearly cost all of Equestria. I believe your plan wasn’t going to work once King Sombra refused to listen to ‘Grogar.’”

Discord raised an eyebrow.

“When Sombra refused to follow what you were doing, it should’ve been a warning to you, Discord,” she explained. “He turned his back on you so easily, so you must’ve known things weren’t going to be easy.”

“In my defense, I didn’t know much about Sombra,” said Discord. “I thought maybe like Stygian, he was an outcast and needed friends. I didn’t think too much into it after he turned against me, nor did I expect him to nearly conquer Equestria so easily.”

“But it still should’ve shown you that it wasn’t going to be easy,” she said. “You allowed all of this to continue, even after all that and never stopped to think of how bad things could get. In some way, you do have something in common with those four villains.”

Discord looked offended. “Excuse me? I don’t have anything in common with them. Except I was a villain, and now am a good guy.” A little halo popped above his head.

Fluttershy shook her head. “You’re wrong. When you were Grogar, the others didn’t trust you and plotted against you. When it came to your plan, you didn’t trust us to help you with it.”

Discord froze up.

“Need I remind you of how Tirek persuaded you to help him last time?” she wondered. “He tricked you before you know?”

The draconequus growled. “I don’t need to be reminded of that mistake.”

“Well, you made that same mistake again,” she said. “He double crossed you before, so he would have no trouble doing it to ‘Grogar’ as well.”

Discord looked away in shame.

“If you just came to us for help and told us what you were doing, we could have probably done something then,” she stated. “Maybe we could have convinced them to embrace friendship. Instead, look where it got you and all of us into.”

Discord felt a burning anger build in him. He gripped his chair tightly and his eyes narrowed. He slowly raised his claw up and was shaking violently. When he looked up, he saw the solemn look Fluttershy was giving him. His anger slowly subsided. The shaking stopped. His eyes softened up with remorse.

“You’re right,” he said in a small voice. “Who am I kidding this time? I can blame so many things, but...I know this was my fault in the end. I was so concerned about whether or not I could reform those villains, that I never considered to think if I should have. Now…now Equestria is trying to rebuild after such a disaster, and it’s all thanks to me. For all my love for chaos, I never wanted it to get as bad as this.”

Discord looked outside the window. “Maybe it’s best I never show my face again. I mean, they’re all angry with me, and I can’t blame them. Perhaps it’s time I just disappear for their sake. I’m not welcome anywhere now.”

Fluttershy frowned. “Discord, you’re wrong. I know I was disappointed in what you did, but you’re admitting what a mistake you made.”

“You’re different though,” he said. “You’re so understanding of me and willing to listen. The others just see me as someone they can’t trust, and even fear me. Back then, that would’ve been something I’d enjoy. Now, it just pains me to know others see me as a monster.”

Fluttershy put a hoof on Discord’s claw and smiled softly at him. “They’ll understand eventually,” she explained. “When I tell them about what you were trying to do, they’ll know you weren’t meaning any harm. You just need to give them some more time is all.”

“But–”

“But nothing,” she said. “You made a mistake, right?” Discord nodded. “You’re owing up to it with what you told me. You know what you did was wrong, and feel bad about it. If you were truly a monster, you wouldn’t have cared at all what you did. You would’ve just laughed it off by now and moved on.”

Discord stared at her.

“I know when I was given the task to reform you, I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” she explained. “I kept going though because I knew that you weren’t exactly fully evil. You were someone who wanted to have fun and was a mischievous. You weren’t trying to steal magic, shroud the land in eternal night, drain the love out of every creature, and destroy the land. You just wanted to have somepony to play with you and laugh with you, joke with you, and talk to. In the end, despite it all, you’ve been trying to improve and grow. In some way, this whole thing did teach you a really important lesson.”

Discord looked puzzled. “And that was?”

“You came close to losing everything you had,” said Fluttershy. “All the friends you made, the times you had together, and the memories together. You now realize how close you came to losing it all, and feel horrible about it. That’s not the sign of a monster, but somebody who wants to find a way to make up for what they’ve done.” She gave him a smile. “Never tell yourself you’re some monster. You’re far from it.”

Discord looked at Fluttershy for a moment, and then suddenly embraced her in a tight hug. The pegasus felt her fur get a little wet as the draconequus shook a little.

“Thank you, Fluttershy,” he whispered. “Don’t tell Pinkie this, but I think you know how to cheer up a pony better than her.”

The pegasus giggled a little. “Anytime, Discord.”

He eventually broke off the hug and stared at her. “I don’t think I should show my face around for a long time though. I don’t think Equestria is ready to see me again for a long time; not after this.”

Fluttershy frowned. “We just discussed this though.”

“I know,” he said. “I do think it’s time I make a new deal with you all.”

“Discord,” she warned. “What’s the catch here?”

He held his claw and paw up. “No tricks, no catches, no strings. I mean it when I say this, Fluttershy. I don’t want to just constantly be seen as a bother to my friends, nor do I want to constantly be suspected of trying to start trouble. Which is why I vow never to cause such problems like this again. From now on, when you all need me most, I’ll show up then. Until then, I’ll just lay low and out of sight from Equestria.”

“But what about your other friends?” she wondered. “I’m sure once they know why you did what you did, they’ll probably want to talk to you.”

Discord smiled a little. “That would be good, but for now I think it’s best to stay out of sight for the time being. I just hope one day I can truly make up for my actions to them. I don’t want them to see me as some burden. I want them to know full well how truly sorry I am, and I will make it up to them some day.”

Fluttershy smiled. “Discord, I’m so proud of you. You’re really being mature about this and are taking this seriously. You’ve come a long way after so long, and I can’t put into words how happy I am for you.”

Discord smiled. “Just don’t tell the others,” he warned. “I may be making this vow, but I still got a reputation to protect you know? I can’t let them think I’m getting this soft.”

The pegasus giggled. “Of course, Discord. What will you do now?”

The draconequus shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought I’d just stay here and wait for our bi-weekly tea parties to talk to each other.”

Fluttershy rubbed her chin, and suddenly it clicked in her. “I got it. You can come help me with the animal sanctuary.”

Discord raised an eyebrow. “I’m not so sure, Fluttershy. I’m pretty sure even the animals wouldn’t take too kindly to seeing me around.”

“Well, I could use the help now,” she said. “It’s been getting a lot harder for me lately.”

“How so?”

Fluttershy’s face drooped and she looked down. “Angel,” she whispered.

He tilted his head in confusion. “What about him?”

Fluttershy shook a little. “I’ve only learned this recently, but...he’s dying.”

Discord looked shocked.

“He’s been slowly getting ill and not feeling himself,” she explained. “I thought it was just some cold, but the doctors say it’s far worse. I’ve tried finding cures, talked to Zecora and Meadowbrook, and we all tried to think of everything we could. There was nothing though, and all our attempts at finding a cure have been for nothing.”

The pegasus sniffled. “He’s currently taking some medicine to help keep him better, but it’s just temporary. The doctor is giving him a year before he...he....” Her voice trailed off and several tears ran down her cheeks and onto the floor.

Discord watched as Fluttershy weeped and his eyes narrowed. He stood up and embraced her in another hug, which she gladly returned. He looked at her in the eyes.

“I know what to do then,” he said. “I can’t stand seeing you like this, Fluttershy. For your sake, I’ll do it.” He broke the hug and stepped back. “First, let me find something a little more suitable.” He raised a paw and snapped his fingers.

Fluttershy was blinded by the light for a brief moment. She looked around as she found herself by herself. “Discord?” she asked.

“Down here!” he called.

The pegasus looked down and gasped. On the table was a brown bunny with red and yellow eyes waving at her. She couldn’t help but smile and took the bunny into her hooves. “Discord?”

The bunny nodded.

“You look so cute,” she said.

“Oh, please,” he gagged. “I’m not trying to be cute or anything. I just figured maybe instead of showing my face around to the others, I could blend in easily with the other animals with a new disguise. Since you love rabbits so much, I figured why not make myself one too.”

“Well I think you look cute,” she squealed.

“Now I just need a new name.” Discord rubbed his chin. “Let’s see, let’s see. Um, Q? No, that’s already been used. Erm…” He mumbled to himself for a minute before looking up with a smile. “I know! Call me Demon!”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “Demon? That sounds a bit like...well…”

“Hey, that bunny is hardly an angel at all,” said Discord. “In fact, I’m probably more of one then he is. I figured why not have at least a little fun.”

Fluttershy chuckled a little and wiped the tears off her face. “Well, I think it does kind of suit you. You are like a little devil after all.” She took him and placed him on her back. “Why don’t we go ahead and I’ll show you around the sanctuary.”

Discord leaned back. “Go ahead.”

Fluttershy looked back at him. “First of all, you have to promise you won’t use chaos magic. I don’t want to suddenly see Harry dance around like a ballerina again.”

“Oh, come on, that was funny to watch,” he complained. Fluttershy glared at him. Discord sighed. “Alright, I promise no chaos magic.” He held a paw up. “Scout’s honor.”

“Discord,” warned Fluttershy.

The bunny huffed and crossed his arms. “Sometimes it’s scary how much you know me. Fine, but I’ll use just a little to help out, or if you’re feeling a bit bored and want some entertainment. Sound good to you?”

Fluttershy smiled. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.” She tapped her amulet three times. Another bright flash went out through the room and they both disappeared.

Author's Note

As I said before in the description, I've been wanting to write this story for a while. Only now have I finally been able to find time and motivation enough to see it through.

I have to be honest here when I say this; I didn't like the finale of FiM. I thought the whole thing was disappointing with the payoff. I didn't like the twist with Grogar as I thought was a bad idea. I didn't like how Discord was so stupid to pull something like this. I also felt like there needed to be more of a fallout with Discord over his plan. Maybe it's me, but I feel this was Discord's biggest atrocity he committed. Sure, he helped out in the end, but I still feel there needed to be some sort of aftermath in regards to his actions as I felt the finale didn't explore it at all.

I've seen a few fics here and there about Discord being punished for what he did. This isn't one trying to so much bash Discord, as it is try to have him reflect upon what he did and how things fell apart. I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel Discord never truly grew in the show and needed to realize what he did to the others was wrong. Not just simply apologize and go back to the way he was. I mean genuinely want to be better and show them he's sorry.

Again, I know I didn't exactly nail Discord right. I wasn't aiming for perfection, but I wanted to try and balance out his fun side with him taking things seriously. It's something the show has done before with him like in Twilight's Kingdom, but not much else.

Regardless of how you feel about the finale; I do hope you enjoyed this story either way. It may not be the greatest thing I put out (then again I don't aim for perfection), but I do hope you all liked it or enjoyed reading it. Until then, I'll see you all for the next project. Don't worry, I haven't abandoned romance stories. I may make that my next project, and maybe even tackle a new shipping I've yet to do.